Not Nothing by Gayle Forman

 I was excited to get my hands on today's read, since it dives into history while playing in the contemporary world. Nope, no time travel. Instead, it centers around a boy, who is helping out at an nursing home and strikes a friendship with one of the residents, a 107 year-old man.

While growing up, we lived across the alleyway from a bachelor, who was 99 years old. Us siblings would take turns visiting him in the afternoon for half-an-hour or so. And we loved it. There'd be green grapes and saltines for us to snack on, while he listened to our stories (and we told him everything). Then, sometimes, he'd tell us stories about his life, while building the Panama Canal. He was on the third ship to ever cross it, too.

So many people have interesting moments in life.

Anyway, this one heads into tales from WWII, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it handles things. 

NOT NOTHING

by Gayle Forman

Aladdin

Middle Grade Contemporary

288 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

AUGUST 27th!!!

"The book we all need at the time we all need it.” —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award–winning author of The One and Only Ivan In this middle grade novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Gayle Forman, a boy who has been assigned to spend his summer volunteering at a senior living facility learns unexpected lessons that change the trajectory of his life.

To say Alex has had it rough is an understatement. His father’s gone, his mother is struggling with mental health issues, and he’s now living with an aunt and uncle who are less than excited to have him. Almost everyone treats him as though he doesn’t matter at all, like he’s nothing. So when a kid at school actually tells him he’s nothing, Alex snaps, and gets violent. Fortunately, his social worker pulls some strings and gets him a job at a nursing home for the summer rather than being sent to juvie. There, he meets Josey, the 107-year-old Holocaust survivor who stopped bothering to talk years ago, and Maya-Jade, the granddaughter of one of the residents with an overblown sense of importance. Unlike Alex, Maya-Jade believes that people care about what she thinks, and that she can make a difference. And when Alex and Josey form an unlikely bond, with Josey confiding in him, Alex starts to believe he can make a difference—a good difference—in the world. 

If he can truly feel he matters, Alex may be able to finally rise to the occasion of his own life.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

'Opportunities' takes on new meaning in a novel with depth and heart.

Alex has gotten himself into trouble but has been given a second chance from the courts by helping out at a nursing home. His father left long ago, and he's been temporarily separated from his mother due to her mental issues. The aunt and uncle he's living with see him as a burden and make their opinion clear constantly. The nursing home is not exactly a place Alex wants to be. Not only does it smell and is filled with zombies, but the person in charge of him is a girl about his age, who is as bossy and irritating as can be. When he runs across Josey, a 107-year-old resident who hasn't spoken a word for the last five years, Alex finds someone to connect with...especially since Josey deems that Alex is the first person worth talking to. As Josey reveals his life during the WWII years, not only does Alex start seeing things in a new light, but his own life starts changing.

Alex is a bit lost in life, especially since he's gotten himself into trouble with the courts. It's not said what he did until the end of the book (which wasn't my thing but does have its purpose), but it's clear that he's dealing with a very rough family life. He's got an attitude and is rough on the edges, but there's enough goodness shining through to see his good heart. His situation is easy to sympathize with, and some of his comments do add just the right amount of snark and humor. So, he's a well-rounded character, which is easy to root for and connect with.

Then, there's Josey, the 107-year-old, who not only adds a nice twist with his wisdom but opens the door to historical aspects of WWII. His stories center around his relationship with the love of his life and take unexpected directions, which build the tension while also giving insights into the time period. Josey holds quite a bit of personality, which comes across clearly with much of the novel written from his point of view. These carry a third-person, omniscient voice, in which he refers to Alex as 'the boy'. His tales from the past are printed in a slightly different font to make it clear when he's heading back in time. So, things never grow confusing despite the constant back and forth.

Even the other characters battle with their own issues and carry distinct personalities, which help guide Alex along his way to learning to embrace opportunities. This makes the read quick-paced with something new happening with every turn of the page, since so much is coming together. 

There's a lot being explored in these pages. There are family issues, problems of living as a foster child (even when with relatives), moments of therapy, dealing with cancer, and more. Then, there's the historical details of WWII and concentration camps. All of this is set in a nursing home, where even  problems surrounding such institutions and people also somewhat come to light. Still, the story doesn't weigh down, but it does hold a pretty serious tone even with a few lighter moments here and there to keep it entertaining and molded to the middle grade age group.

Readers, who enjoy diving into heartfelt reads with inspiring character arc, will enjoy this one. It's also nice for anyone wanting to learn more about WWII and life at that time. It's not for everyone, but it does carry a lot of goodness.

And here she is...

Award-winning author and journalist Gayle Forman has written several bestselling novels, including those in the Just One Day series, Where She Went, and the #1 New York Times bestseller If I Stay, which has been translated into more than forty languages and was adapted into a major motion picture. Her first middle grade novel, Frankie & Bug, was a New York Times Best Children’s Book of 2021. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her family.

Magical Museum: Ancient Egypt by Stepanka Sekaninova

 Today, we're heading into the realm of ancient history and nonfiction for those readers just below the middle grade (actually, I going to go out on a limb and bet mg-ers would pick it up, too). I assume it's going to be giving off a museum-visit atmosphere, and the cat on the front will be our guide (?). I'm hoping it will bring as much fun as it does information, but we'll just have to read it and find out.

MAGICAL MUSEUM

Ancient Egypt

by Stepanka Sekaninova

Illustrated by Jakub Cenkl

Albatros Media

Children's Nonfiction

64 pages

ages 6 to 9

COMING...

AUGUST!!!

When a magical scarab awakens a museum exhibit, a mummified cat leads kids on an enchanting adventure, teaching them about Ancient Egyptian history, life, and culture.
Prepare to be transported deep into the mesmerizing heart of Ancient Egypt. As you open the book's pages, you unwittingly awaken a mystical scarab, setting in motion a thrilling adventure back through history. Join a mummified cat on a quest to capture the scarab and restore normality to the museum. In their chase through the museum's various rooms, the scarab breathes life into ancient exhibits, immersing readers in the rich tapestry of Ancient Egyptian culture and daily life.
Magical Museum: Ancient Egypt strikes just the right balance between learning and entertainment, making it the ideal choice for parents and educators seeking to inspire young minds by making education fun. With its interactive story and captivating illustrations, it seamlessly introduces kids ages 6–9 to the wonders of Ancient Egypt, cultivating a love for history and exploration, sparking kids’ imaginations, and prompting them to be active participants in their own education.

 AMAZON    /    NIAGRA PEN CENTRE

MY TIDBITS

A touch of magic and a curious kitty make it fun to explore all sorts of historical tidbits about ancient Egypt, which go beyond the usual dates and facts.

When readers open to the first page, the release a magical scarab, which brings the entire Egyptian exhibit in the museum to life. Each room introduces a new aspect of Egyptian history, but this doesn't head toward boring dates, places, and individuals. Rather, it steers deeper into explanations surrounding the how and why. From every day life to religion to rulers, various aspects are explored. Readers receive a well-rounded idea of the time period and will no-doubt learn something new. Since dates and numbers are kept to a very bare minimum, it doesn't bog down, either.

The text appears in boxes. The font was a bit smaller than I appreciate for this reading level, but it's nothing out of the ordinary and no problem to read. The vocabulary does edge toward the upper end of the age group and will work well for the lower end of the middle grade audience, too. There is quite a bit in these pages to discover, but that can be taken in bits and pieces...although there is a very light story thanks to the cat, which does tie everything together to be read in one go. The text speaks to the reader, giving it a conversation direction, and this also helps to keep a lighter atmosphere.

The illustrations are well done and help to bring the information across with more clarity. The details  add a better idea as to what life was like at the time, while also tossing in a bit of humor and fun. 

It's an enjoyable read, which keeps the audience level in mind, while offering quite a bit of information. Readers will come out knowing more about Egypt and the culture, and it does offer a rounded foundation for more solid facts in the future.

And here they are...

Štěpánka Sekaninová spent her childhood near Kolín, in the Polabí lowlands region. Although she is a Bohemian at heart, fate carried her to the heart of Moravia. She is a graduate in Czech and History from the Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University. While still a student, she started work at Czech Television in Brno, where as a reporter she travelled about the South Moravia region and got to know every part of it. She later switched from reporting to the production of light entertainment and children’s programmes for the Brno studio.
Štěpánka loves books and has always longed to write, so when her life’s journey presented her with the opportunity to work as a literary editor for Albatros Media, she accepted it with alacrity.
And so she writes, surrounded by beautiful books, realizing a dream she’s had since childhood . . .
Jakub Cenkl was born in 1982 in the village of Čeladná, in the up-and-down landscape of the Moravian-Silesian Beskids. Nor was his way to becoming an illustrator a straightforward one.
Having enrolled as a student of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Technical University of Ostrava, he soon discovered that this was a blind alley. He opted instead for the teacher-training programme in art education for secondary schools and primary art schools at Palacký University in Olomouc. It was here that he was drawn to graphic design, which he began to teach himself in his spare time.
He honed his skills in graphic design and illustration by working for six years at various studios, including Design Herynek and Craneballs.
Jakub Cenkl is now an established freelance illustrator. When not sitting in front of his computer, he is most often found in the hills, where he goes to clear his head by indulging his other passion, running.

Doris by Lo Cole

Today's read, for some reason, just drew a smile from me right away. Maybe due to that happy elephant. Or the flowers? This one heads to the slightly younger end of the picture book world, and I'm hoping that means gentle fun. But I'm just going to have to open it up and see...so, let's do that.

DORIS

by Lo Cole

Union Square Press

Picture Book

28 pages

ages 3 to 5

A charming picture book about a very shy elephant and her fear of standing out.

Doris does NOT like to stand out. But as a red elephant, no matter where she hides, she is easily spotted. Whether hiding behind a flock of birds, within a bed of flowers, or among a school of fish, she can be seen. Can she find a way to build her confidence and embrace her colorful self?

Doris features bright, engaging illustrations that showcase the adorable main character, and readers will enjoy the repetition throughout this elephant book as Doris tries in vain to blend in. With strong social appeal and messages about embracing yourself, self-esteem, individuality, and accepting differences, Doris is perfect for kindergarten and preschool book libraries, or anyone looking for children’s books for ages 3-5. Young readers will delight in spotting Doris across pages filled with eye-catching artwork as she learns the importance of uniqueness and gains the confidence to finally say, "Look at me!"

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON     /    B&N     /    AVID BOOK SHOP

MY TIDBITS

Searching and giggles mix with empathy and understanding to form a cute, fun read.

Doris is a bright, red elephant. No other elephants look anything like her, so she stands out everywhere she goes. And she hates it. Sometimes, she can hide. She's determined to find a place, where no one can notice her. This works somewhat...until it works a little too well.

This is one of those books, which will hold readers' attentions, have them excited to see the next page, and bring giggles, too. The idea is simple but draws listeners in as they not only sympathize with the little elephant but also need to search for Doris themselves. This search fits well to the age group and works even nicely for group readings; it's not difficult to find Doris but does it in a way, which will bring the 'there she is!' expression. More than a couple slightly silly situations add to the fun.

The illustrations are bright and bold. They stay simple in shape and don't concentrate on details. Sticking to what's important, they bring across the needed atmosphere in a basic way, which simply works. These also fit very well to the intended audience level.

There is a message centering around self-love and not being afraid to be different. Preachiness stays far away, though.  The message comes in very subtly and, yet, is hard to miss. The last page drives it home in a wonderful way, which surprises and brings a last, very big smile.

And here he is...

Lo Cole creates illustrations for an astonishing number of clients including The Times, New Scientist, Vogue, Sony Music, Greenpeace, and the Royal Shakespeare Company, and is published by HarperCollins, Penguin, and Walker Books, among others. He is the son of Joanne and Michael Cole, creators of the UK book and TV series Bod, first published more than 50 years ago. Lo lives in Gloucestershire, UK.

Of Princes and Poisons by Brianna Joy Crump

Today's read might strike some of you as familiar. I reviewed the first book in the series, Of Cages and Crowns (here), several days ago. This smudges my amazing habit of grabbing books willy-nilly from a series. I already have book two up today thanks to the quick release dates between these novels...which is also nice, since the first one ended on a cliff-hanger.

I have high expectations for this one after reading the first novel, which usually isn't a good thing. Second novels in a trilogy tend to suffer...not always but often. Middle blues? Unsure plot twists? Characters lost somewhere in between? Well, I'm hitting this one with very positive vibes and hope it keeps pace with the first book.

So, off we go!

OF PRINCES AND POISONS

The Culled Crown, #2

by Brianna Joy Crump

Wattpad Books

Young Adult Fantasy

546 pages

COMING...

JUNE 18th!!!

Once there were ten.

Ten goddess-touched girls were born. Each was blessed―or cursed―with a unique power that set them apart. As part of an ancient ritual called the Culling, they were supposed to fight to the death in the arena until only one survived. That girl would marry the prince and ascend to the throne. Now only four girls remain.

Power in her blood.

Monroe Benson is one of the lucky ones. With fire at her fingertips, she survived the arena and the intrigues of the palace. Now she’s turned her back on her destiny, choosing to throw in her lot with the rebellion seeking to overturn the Erydian rulers. Monroe has never wanted the throne. She knows that her future lies elsewhere, but first she’ll have to convince the rebels to believe her.

A traitorous heart.

Monroe thought Cohen was one of the few good things about the Culling. She believed that he would have made a good ruler, but that doesn’t mean that she wanted to sit beside him on the throne. And now, she finds herself drawn to a rebel leader. A man with secrets of his own. In the end, Monroe will have to trust in more than her power or even her heart if she’s to forge her own path and find her freedom.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Nothing is as it was before, leaving room for unknown dangers, growing mistrust, and intrigue beneath the intrigue.

After killing the King and Queen, Monroe and her 'friends' from the Culling find themselves with the rebels. Not only were the promises of an open armed invitation null and void, all of them find themselves teetering on a thin line just off of execution. A new fight for survival begins, one which is very different than the Trials. Wounds, inside and out, are tough to heal, especially when the difference between friends and foe is blurred all over again. Monroe's a constant breath's distance from death, and this time, her powers are the last thing that can save her.

First off, yay to having the second book releasing so quickly after book one! Not only does that keep disappointment after the first ending at bay, but the story is still fresh and anticipation high. So, extra kudos on that front.

This book doesn't start off where the last one ended...not exactly. (But this does need to be read as a series, since each book builds off the last.) We find Monroe captured by the rebels, separated from her group, in bad circumstances. While grabbing, I did stop reading twice to see if and where I'd missed part of the story. Instead, the happenings between the escape from the palace to Monroe's beginning in the prison occur in flashbacks over the next chapters. I'm not a huge fan of that approach.

Anyway, this book takes many surprising twists and turns, and flips everything on its head. It does a great job diving into the area of dealing with trauma and re-orientation. This was especially well done with the other two goddess-touched girls and Uri, and added quite a bit of character depth. Monroe's brother also returns, which adds a touch more on the sibling front. Monroe doesn't show much growth during this second book (unfortunately), since her head is busy more with the romance side of things and melding into the new circumstances. The action was notched down, too, thanks to the increased romance and building of a couple new characters. Instead, the threat from the palace and the growing war runs more in the background with a few high-tension moments tossed in here and there to remind that there's still a huge danger to deal with...although this does increase toward the end.

This book mostly hovers around Monroe's attempt to reorientate herself in the rebel camp and mentally deal with what she's gone through so far. Relationships formed during the Trial, both bad and good, are re-molded, and this takes time. The heaviest hitting of these is the one with Cohen as he slides into the background, at first, and a new character fills in the space to create the rift. The switching of gears is refreshing, in some ways, but unfortunately, not quite convincing to the reasons behind it, leaving the romance end with a slight sense of being off-balance. This also makes the end of this read hit a little weird, on that end. Monroe herself is more clumsy in this read, and while still to root for,  doesn't come across with the same lovely strength as before.

There were many unexpected moments, exciting aspects, and grabbing twists, and it will be interesting to see how everything ties together in the last book. Because the third one in this series has the potential to be very good.

Emma's Awesome Summer Camp Adventure by Amy and Grace Webb

 

EMMA'S AWESOME SUMMER CAMP ADVENTURE

A Charley and Emma Story

by Amy and Grace Webb

Illustrated by Merrilee Liddiard

Beaming Books

Picture Book

32 pages
ages 4 to 8

COMING APRIL 30th!!!

All for inclusion, and inclusion for all! Emma is going to her first summer camp, and she is so excited! Camp Waterfall is an accessible camp, which means that Emma, Charley, and a host of new friends with different abilities can all participate, with nobody feeling left out or getting left behind. But will Emma really be ready to meet all the challenges and new experiences of camp? Join Emma and her friends as they face obstacles, overcome fears of trying new things, and discover what's possible in a place that's really built for all. Children will cheer along with Emma every step of the way, and will learn that an inclusive, accessible world for all is truly possible!

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

The importance of accessibility for everyone hits, while diving into the fun of summer camp.

Emma is excited! She's off to her very first summer camp, and her brother is going with her. What's even better is that this camp has made sure that she can partake in all activities and get around by herself. Not only can she discover the forest and try things like zip-lining, but she also gets to meet tons of new friends.

It was nice to see a book, which awakens awareness for the importance of accessibility. It also shows how those kids with disabilities enjoy the same adventures as any other person...if they can get to them. All of this is set in the excitement of summer camp and shows the familiar scenes, which belong to it. There's outdoor fun, swimming, adventure, and new friendships to be formed. Everyone is positive, supportive, and open to new things even when it takes a bit more courage. 

The illustrations fit the theme nicely and let the atmosphere come across gently and with good vibes. Through these, the various situations of the characters are portrayed, since they aren't really mentioned much in the text. The text does flow well. It carries a mistake or two on the editing but does make a nice read-aloud.

There's an extra section at the end of the book, which covers the various points and types of accessibility to help deepen the topic. I do wish that these were more pointed out during the tale as well. The story heads into the theme very subtly and doesn't show how accessibility is a problem to begin with. This way, it feels like the main theme is side-stepped to head for the fun and friendship instead. But it's still a nice read and does support that kids are kids in every circumstance.