Review: Becoming Jinn

Becoming Jinn by Lori Goldstein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Azra gets the enviable ability to turn quite attractive when she turns 16. However, there is a downside--it now means that she is a full-fledged Jinn, and she is now bound to grant human wishes and lose some control over her life. In her struggle to come to turns with this, she reconnects with a neighbor (whose sister used to be her best friend) and also connects with a lifeguard at her job. Additionally, she gets lots of support from her mother and her mother's Zar, a group of women born around the same time who are her sisters. Azra has her own Zar, all daughters of her mother's Zar. Azra has to deal with a lot of extra things--her powers seem to be a bit more than the ordinary, and she's a bit impulsive.

I think this is a great book for the middle school set in the YA section. There's a little bit of heavier stuff, but it doesn't stray too far into drugs and sex. Fair warning: there is a bit of underage drinking (but it's not seen as a good thing) and some dating situations with kissing, but nothing too graphic.

I am definitely looking forward to the next one. A great read!

View all my reviews

Storytime: Winter Solstice and Christmas

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to blog more often about my storytimes. This is a professional one for me, and I also think it will be helpful for any of my patrons if they ever find or know about this blog.

So here goes:

Winter Solstice/Christmas storytime: All ages

Opening Song: "Can't Wait to Celebrate" from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem



First Book: The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer


(I read selections from this book. It's too long for the group that I have.)


Second song: "Jingle Bells" from Laurie Berkner's holiday album (complete with jingle bells for the kids to play with, which they kept through the next three items.)



Second Book: Christmas Parade  by Sandra Boynton


Third Song: "Jingle Bell Rock" from the Kidz Bop! Christmas album

Third Book: Hurry Up, Santa! by Megan Durand

Fourth Song: "Reindeer Pokey" (put your hooves/antlers/tail/red nose in)

Fourth Book: The Little Lost Reindeer by Gail Herman

Craft: Ornament kits (snowman, penguin, polar bear). The children could choose to make them as ornaments or glue them to paper and create a winter scene. I had a little of everything going on.

Overall, this story time went over well. The jingle bells were a big hit. I'm glad I cut the solstice book short, because it was definitely hard for my two three year olds to sit through. That's the hard part about the all ages storytime--if you have a mix of three year olds and six year olds, it's a delicate balance. I was pleased with it.

Review: The Octopus Scientists

The Octopus Scientists by Sy Montgomery
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think I would have enjoyed this book more had I read it before reading "The Soul of an Octopus." Montgomery's affection for these animals comes across so strongly in that book, and I didn't get quite the same feel in this one. It's not to say this book isn't excellent, or worthy of consideration. When I finished "Soul of an Octopus," I wanted to go out and find one and have its suckers on my arms, despite screaming at the touch of a stingray in aquariums before. I didn't have the same reaction here.
The pictures are gorgeous, although I would have appreciated captions on every photo. Still, it's a worthy entry in the "Scientists in the Field" series. If you're able, I would recommend the adult title over this one.

View all my reviews

Review: The Shrunken Head

The Shrunken Head by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thomas, Pippa, and Sam all live at Dumfrey's Dime Museum. The museum is kind of like a Ripley's Believe It or Not!: there are lots of strange artifacts and a show every night with bearded ladies, giants and mentalists. Thomas, Pippa, and Sam are all part of the show. One night, the mysterious Max shows up and is added to the group. Around the same time a mysterious shrunken head is added to the museum. Murders and misdeeds soon follow. Will the kids find out who is behind the attacks before the museum goes under?

I like the start of Oliver's new series. Each character has their own unique talent, and there are reasons for that. It wasn't knock-your-socks-off, stay-up-all-night reading, but I did enjoy it and will be interested to see where the story goes from here.

View all my reviews

Review: Child Soldier: When Boys and Girls Are Used in War

Child Soldier: When Boys and Girls Are Used in War by Michel Chikwanine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A powerful graphic novel about one person's experience being a child soldier. One day Michel stays too late at school and is kidnapped into the army. He is given cocaine, and forced to do a horrible deed almost right from the start. He eventually finds the strength to escape, and to forgive himself for what happened at that time. The back matter discusses the problems survivors face when trying to go back to their own community.

I would say it's definitely appropriate for 4th-5th graders, as most violence happens off-page.

View all my reviews

Review: The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness

The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So good! Montgomery's affection for octopuses is contagious. Even I, who was scared of the sting rays at the Mall of America aquarium, wanted to touch one.

View all my reviews

Review: The Nest

The Nest by Kenneth Oppel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What is this book? It is creepy and captivating. Steve just wants his younger brother to be okay, for life to go back to normal. He thinks the mysterious angel of his dreams will help him get there. However, their offer to fix his little brother might be more than meets the eye. Klassen's illustrations enhance the story, bringing it to life. Comparing it Coraline feels apt.

View all my reviews

Review: A Nearer Moon

A Nearer Moon by Melanie Crowder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a beautiful story of magical realism. I unintentionally gobbled it up in an evening. I love Luna as a character: full of fire and love for her home and her family in a place that is "cursed." If you drink the water it makes you sick. One day her sister Willow accidentally drinks the water, and Luna sets off to figure out a way to save her. Chapters of Luna's story alternate with a story of sprites getting ready to leave this world for a place that humans have not ruined.

View all my reviews

Review: Shadowshaper

Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There were a few moments where the narrator discovered things that I didn't really follow her process, but overall, this is an excellent fantasy book that isn't dystopian, has mostly nonwhite characters, and I love the setting. An excellent choice.

View all my reviews

Review: Winter

Winter by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm glad there will be a collection of short stories coming out, because I'm not ready to leave this world yet.

View all my reviews