Review: Listen, Slowly

Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Much like Lai's last book, I was captivated by this one. Mai (or Mia in school) is being forced to go to Vietnam with her father and Ba (her grandmother). Ba has been separated from her husband since THE WAR and has finally decided to go back to get closure. A detective has told her that he has had contact with someone connected to her missing grandfather. Mai is not excited about this trip at all. She's supposed to be on the beach with her friend, possibly interacting with the boy she likes (HIM). On the trip, though, she begins to learn more about where she is from, and what's important to her.

I thought Mai was pretty believable, with her devotion to family but also her desire to be on the beach and be a typical American teen. I also understood why she stopped speaking Vietnamese after going to school. Her growing acceptance and discovery of the land her parents came from and the culture she is connected to was believable as well. I think it had just the right amount of references to THE WAR. As an adult, I wished for a bit more about what had been happening in Vietnam, but I think for kids who might not have any background about the Vietnam War at all, it was the right amount. A beautiful story.

View all my reviews

Review: Nnewts: Escape from the Lizzarks

Nnewts: Escape from the Lizzarks by Doug TenNapel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Once I got past my initial dislike of the double n in "nnewts," I really enjoyed this book. Hurk wants so badly to have strong legs and be able to be on land and water. His dad is a magician, who gets called away on a hunting raid. While he is gone, the lizzarks attack. Hurk escapes, but has no idea where to go. There's a lot of interesting points, some of which feel a bit expected to this avid fantasy/sci-fi reader but will surprise kids. I'm excited to see where this story goes.

View all my reviews

Review: Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon

Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon by Kate DiCamillo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another entry in the Deckawoo Drive series by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. This time it focuses on the animal control officer Francine Poulet, whose confidence is shaken by a screaming raccoon. I loved this story of her getting her confidence back, which I think will resonate with children.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in return for a review.

View all my reviews

Review: The Question of Miracles

The Question of Miracles by Elana K. Arnold
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Heartbreaking. Iris has moved to Corvallis, Oregon after the death of her best friend Sarah. She's gone from sunny California to rainy Oregon, and she's not happy. She sits with Boris at lunch one day, and slowly begins to become friends with him. She discovers that he is a medical miracle, and starts to wonder if she too can get a miracle, or why some people get miracles and others don't. My heart broke for Iris, who was there when her friend died, and her struggle to let others in. I enjoyed that she did befriend Boris and tried some new things that he liked, before moving on to teaching him things. I think this one will stay with kids for a long time.

View all my reviews

Review: The Great Good Summer

The Great Good Summer by Liz Garton Scanlon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For some reason, I kept expecting this book to come down very hard on religion, but it didn't. I thought religion and science were presented as being able to coexist well in this book.

Ivy's mother is devastated when fires sweep across Texas, burning down the church where Ivy's grandfather preached. She finds a preacher that speaks to her and she runs off with him, leaving her family behind. Eventually Ivy and her new friend, Paul, decide to go off to find her.

I really liked this story. Some of the plot elements seemed a little too tame, but I think that's okay. Sometimes things happen and they aren't as horrible as you thought they might be. Or maybe you just don't need to know it yet.

View all my reviews

Review: The Invasion of the Tearling

The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Almost as good as the first one. I was still drawn along by the story, and I had some questions based on the initial premise. Still, I'll be anxiously waiting for the next one!

View all my reviews

Review: Reawakened

Reawakened by Colleen Houck
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Did I like this one? Yes! It's a story of Egyptian mythology, intrigue and a lot of romantic tension. I was pulled along on plot enough to keep reading, because I wanted to see how the story of Amon and his brothers work out. I wanted to know if they would make it, and how. I also liked seeing the Egyptian stories retold, and I appreciated the ending, which leaves me waiting for the next book.

However, I should note some things that may be issues for others:
-white rich protagonist, who of course doesn't care for the trappings of her penthouse life but lives by them anyway
-three brothers all seeming to care for the same girl, instantly upon meeting her.

I think it's worth giving a shot.

View all my reviews