Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango, A Review

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Book Description

A moving novel in verse in which a lost dog helps a lonely girl find a way home to her family . . . only for them to find family in each other along the way. From the Newbery Honor Award-winning author of Iveliz Explains It All.

Laura Rodríguez Colón has a plan: no matter what the grown-ups say, she will live with her parents again. Can you blame her? It’s tough to make friends as the new kid at school. And while staying at her aunt’s house is okay, it just isn’t the same as being in her own space.

So when Laura finds a puppy, it seems like fate. If she can train the puppy to become a therapy dog, then maybe she’ll be allowed to visit her parents. Maybe the dog will help them get better and things will finally go back to the way they should be.

After all, how do you explain to others that you’re technically a foster kid, even though you live with your aunt? And most importantly . . . how do you explain that you’re not where you belong, and you just want to go home?

Review

I received a dARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

Arango has taken a difficult situation and captured it in a way that is beautiful, poignant, heart-wrenching, and authentic. Her writing style, in verse, is accessible to all readers and shines the spotlight on the emotions that Laura, our main character feels.
This book explores foster care, specifically kinship care, in a way that I have not seen. While there are situations that are less than ideal (to sugarcoat it) there are many situations where family members do step up and in to care for children and this is where Arango focuses her exploration of what that entails. I thought she captured Laura's emotions and then the outward expression of those emotions so perfectly. Every adult should read this to gain a glimpse into the hearts and minds of kids when they act in ways we frown on.
I also really appreciated that nobody was demonized in this book. She handled the shortcomings of Laura's parents through a gracious lens. (spoiler: highlight to read)  When Laura recognizes that those around her think she's better off "now" but all she knows is that she loves her parents, they love her and she simply wants to be home --- what a call-out to society and how judgemental we can be Laura's (continued) love for her parents is so obvious and I thought Arango was smart to emphasize that children caught in these situations LOVE their parents and that we (society) should do better to acknowledge that as work is done to help parents and keep kids safe at the same time. (spoiler: highlight to read)
The book ends with a letter from Laura's mom and while I get the hopeful element of that being necessary in a middle grade book, my heart also hurt because I know many kids are still waiting for that little piece of hope. I loved the way Sparrow (the dog) was at first a means to an end for Laura and then became more. I loved how her aunt slowly grew from awkward, not sure how to navigate the situation into an aunt who found ways to show Laura she loved her and she was important to her. They both grew as individuals and as family.

I received a dARC from the publisher via NetGalley; this is my honest review. I loved this book so much, highlighted so many bits that I will add a physical copy to my library.

I received a dARC from the publisher; this is my honest review.

I gave this book: ★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    ★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

The Summer of Grace by Karen Jones, A Review

 

(book cover via NetGalley)

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I have been unable to find this book listed on any of the above sites at the time of writing my review. 

Book Description

Ten-year-old Gracie sits on the backyard picnic table, hugging Brown Hound, wiping her nose on the dog’s fur. Her daddy is sending them both to her grandmother for the summer. They are too much for her high-strung mother.

It’s 1951 on the NC family farm when Gracie and Brown Hound meet the family. Great Granny Jane smokes a pipe and is fast with her cane, Miss Emily is loving but firm, and Jane, her cousin of the same age, has a swashbuckler’s heart.

It is wild and heady freedom, far from her mother’s scorn and her father’s indifference. The girls hunt for ancient graves, sneak visits the conjure woman, fight, make up, and sleep in the same bed, tangled like puppies.

But there is also Marcell, the solitary woman who keeps the house. Her dark skin shines but not her eyes; her history is mysteriously entwined with the family, and for some inexplicable reason she hates dogs. Gracie and Jane must fix this before Brown Hound gets sent away.

Can the girls unearth Marcell’s secrets? Why must they find a missing grave? And what time-worn promise exposed will reveal the family’s hidden past?

Review

I received a dARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

I loved the title of this book: The Summer of Grace. So much could be explored within that.  It is listed on NetGalley in General/Women's Fiction as well as Teen & YA - which had me intrigued.  

The writing structure "feels" middle grade to me but doesn't feel childish.  All I know is I enjoyed it very much and was curious to see what else the author wrote; I look forward to seeing future works from her in this same vein.

Grace is a young girl who is ignored largely by her mother and scolded when she garners her mother's attention. She is sent to her grandmother's farm for the summer to give her mother a "rest".   She is apprehensive but thrives in the simple country setting and loving guidance of not only her grandmother but other extended family as well.  

This book also explores the impact of segregation, lynchings and racism through Marcell's storyline.  While the girls were originally motivated to help Marcell for selfish reasons, they begin to understand her as they uncover the past one secret at a time.  

I gave this book: ★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    ★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill - A Review

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Book Description

After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives—and eventually her own.

Review

I received a dARC copy of this book from the publisher. (But it expired before I read it so I checked a copy out from my library.)  Here is my honest review.

This graphic novel is absolutely enchanting!  I typically think of graphic novels as a format that deals weightier subjects and is more adventure focused. I also tend to think of them for older readers.  I requested this on Netgalley because I wanted to read more graphic novels (but didn't want a horror subject) and because it seemed geared to younger readers.  This graphic novel by Katie O'Neill proves that this format works for all kinds of stories. 

The two main characters are Greta and Minette, young girls who want to make a difference in their world. They become friends as they learn about caring for tea dragons while also learning the importance of friendship, reliability, community and traditions. It's a simple story, told simply and yet conveys such richness and depth. The artistic style is beautiful and evokes a serene feeling. And of course, the magic and whimsy of tea dragons is just delightful.  And what a treat to reach the end of the book, fully satisfied, and find bonus pages at the end about the history of tea dragons and how to care for them.  O'Neill also does a great job including characters in her books that display disabilities - so helpful for young children to see and be able to discuss. 

I'm enchanted!!!

So enchanted I picked up the next book in the series and have asked my library to order the third.  

I gave this book: ★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    ★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates by Jenny Pearson, A Review

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Book Description

Facts are everything to eleven-year-old Freddie Yates: once you know a fact it’s yours to keep. After his grandmother dies and Freddie discovers his biological father might be alive and well in Wales, he decides to follow the facts. Together with his best friends Ben and Charlie, he sneaks off on the adventure of a lifetime (or at least, the summer holidays) to track down Freddie’s father.


Freddie doesn’t expect any miracles—they’re not real, after all. But when the three unwittingly set off a chain of inexplicable events via an onion-eating competition, a couple of superhero costumes, and some very angry antique thieves, Freddie discovers that some things can’t always be explained—and sometimes what you’re looking for has been with you the whole time.


Propulsive and hilarious, The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates is a heartwarming story about the true meaning of family.

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

This is a tough book to review. As an adult, I enjoy middle grade fiction and overall, I liked this book. It did take some work to convince myself that these eleven year old boys could set off on an adventure of this magnitude. From an adult perspective, it's unbelievable. 
But this book isn't written for adults, it's written for kids, and if I review this book from the angle that it is for middle grade readers, it is much better. I do think older elementary readers would enjoy this book. They want to be taken seriously and the logistics of the adventure would not be an element that would throw them off. The wacky events are appealing and full of fun.
There were two things that I especially liked in this book: the friendship between the boys and the message about family.  In closing, The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates is a book that will leave you feeling good at the end.

I gave this book: ★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    ★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

Code 7 by Bryan R. Johnson

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You can read for free with Kindle Unlimited (as of August 2019)

Book Description

Life at Flint Hill Elementary School may seem normal, but seven friends find themselves on a path to crack the code for an epic life. Whether they're chasing their dreams on stage, searching for an elusive monster fish, or running a makeshift business out of a tree house, can these heroes find a way to work together to change their community?

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

I read this book back in 2017 so I don't remember details but I do remember reading it.

Someone reached out and asked if I would be interested in participating in an author interview in preparation for the book's release. I'll post the relevant part of my response below:

To be honest, I was going to pass - but then I finished the book and went and looked up more about Johnson and the Code 7 project. In all fairness, I wouldn't say that the writing is the greatest in the world, but I love the idea behind the project. Code 7, while far-fetched and simplistic, does present key characteristics that, as a parent, educator and concerned citizen, I believe our youth need to develop. The compilation of stories makes it easy to understand those characteristics in a practical way and opens the door to honest conversations between kids and adults. 

Two years on, I still believe this is an excellent book to open up conversations with young readers. And thinking about the simplistic language used in the book, I believe this can be beneficial as it will open the book to readers of all levels. And isn't that what we want from books: to have children connect with the characters and situations and then be inspired?

I gave this book: ★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    

★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

Interview with Bryan R. Johnson

What inspired you to write Code 7? 

Each night when I was putting my children to bed, I’d make up a story for them on the spot. I always made the children protagonists in the story, and I could watch their faces and see how engaged they were: their emotions and their brains racing. It was fascinating to experience storytelling with them because they just loved it, and I loved hearing how they think, talk, express ideas, and learn. After that, I decided to start write these stories down.

I hoped to write a book that would reach a wide array of kids, and middle-grade is really the “Golden Age” of reading. The characters and settings actually mirrored the ages of my kids and the experiences they were having in life at the time. The book was also inspired by their teachers, principals, and things they were working on, too. 

What is your code for an epic life and why?

Each of the words featured in Code 7 plays a major part in forming my own values (Authenticity, Character, Care, Responsibility, Perseverance, Courage, and Become).

The last word, become, is built upon the idea that we’re at a unique time and place in human history where we can increasingly author any kind of world that we can imagine. This includes, for example, the ability to program computer software, biology, genetics and hopefully soon, neural code - some of the very things that we’re made of! Humans have authorship on a level that we’ve never had before, which raises a really important question about what we want to become because it’s increasingly becoming an enlarged area of opportunity.  I’m really excited about the potential. 

What were your favorite childhood books?

Harold and the Purple Crayon, Berenstain Bears, Chronicles of Narnia, Dr. Seuss, Curious George, Treasure Island, Robinson Crusoe, and Where The Red Fern Grows, to name a few.   

What do you hope children will learn from reading your book? 

I hope that kids feel inspired to find and follow their own purpose. It’s a difficult thing to extract ourselves from the values, priorities and ideas that we each inherit in life.  I want kids to ask themselves: If I could create my own purpose, what would it be? I want them to think about what they care about, not what others care about. 

When I talk to kids who have read my book, I am amazed by how they remember their favorite characters, how they are able to quickly intuit why their favorite story in Code 7 mattered to them. I also believe my readers connect with stories that address relatable themes of friendship, peer pressure, bullying, and identity without it feeling like they are getting spoon-fed a lesson. In the book, seven ordinary children each have their own not-so-ordinary story, and by the book’s end, I believe it inspires readers to ask an all-important question: can I make a difference to myself and to others? The answer is a resounding yes.   

How many things did you fail at before you finally made a breakthrough in your life?

I don’t give much power to the word failure. To me, success and failure is all just one big continuous iteration. 

What’s next for you?

The next frontier of human aspiration. I’m trying to contribute to the creation of a future where we would look back in a couple thousand years from now and be pleased about the decisions we’ve made and how we’ve played our role in contributing to a positive future. 

I think you’ll see more books as well; I find writing to be incredibly enjoyable. 

To see my latest news, follow me on Twitter, Facebook or visit bryanjohnson.co.  To receive email updates about my books, sign up for the email list here: code7book.com/contact 

I would like write you a fan letter or feature you in a book report. How do I contact you? 

Kids, please be sure to read all about me and my book Code 7 at Code7book.com. For more information about the other things I am up to, you may also visit bryanjohnson.co. If you would like to write a fan letter, you may contact me at code7book.com/contact. While I can’t respond to every comment I receive, please know I read every fan letter I get, and your words inspire me to keep writing more books!

Charlie Numbers and the Man in the Moon, A Review

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Book Description

Charlie is recruited to use his mathematical prowess to discover what happened to a box of stolen moon rocks in this follow up to Bringing Down the Mouse.

Charlie Lewis is really good at math. So good, that he’s approached by a mysterious woman who needs his help. The woman is carrying an incredible item: an actual moon rock, one of the most valuable objects on Earth, and she’s investigating the theft of a box of moon rocks from NASA’s vault at the Johnson Space Center, and believes the stolen rocks are now in the possession of a former astronaut.

Although she claims to work at NASA, Charlie suspects she is something else—but he decides the adventure is too good to pass up. Charlie and the whiz kids go undercover by entering the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s paper airplane contest, and head down to the nation’s capital. Working together, they master the principles of aerodynamics, wind science, and gravity to excel in the competition.

Charlie must decide how far he’ll go to solve the mystery of the stolen moon rocks; is he willing to betray a new friendship? Or has he unwittingly been drawn into something even bigger than some missing chunks of the moon?

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Charlie Numbers. This was a great middle grade novel that was entertaining, had an interesting plot and a setting that involved a paper plane contest. How fun would that be to compete at building paper airplanes. I'm not a science whiz so I can't speak to the actuality that a paper plane could fly 180 feet or more; it certainly was believable. 

In reading this, it was apparent that Charlie had another adventure that tested his mathematical skills yet this book completely stood on its own. And I look forward to more adventures of Charlie and the Whiz Kids. 

I gave this book: ★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    

★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it