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readingrobin's reviews
2160 reviews
Suggested Reading by Dave Connis
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is probably the third book I've seen with a setup like this: an emboldened young female reader is spurred by book banning in her school that leads her to take up running a banned books library from her locker. The first two, being Ban This Book and Property of the Rebel Librarian, were middle grade reads and slightly a little more lighthearted than this teen read, naturally. They were generally more optimistic, whereas I think here there was a more realistic ending/take of things.
The narrative flows well to the point that you could probably get through this book fairly quickly. It's a great way to introduce teen readers to activism as well as the basics of book censorship. I like the stance of "your activism must be fueled by something more than anger, it has to build towards something and not just tearing something down." I think a lot of activism prose gets so swept up in dismantling oppressive systems (as one should) that they forget that something must come after, something better. It's a good way to get readers thinking about these issues and discover further reading.
While I mentioned this book having a more realistic outcomethe books stay banned, fired teachers stayed fired, and the private school does whatever it can to keep to the status quo, there are elements that do seem a little out there. All these teens start a reading habit once the library is closed down and write inspirational quotes on the covered covers of the banned books with nary a crude illustration in sight. A bit hopeful depiction of teens, but eh, I'll take it.
Though it's story I've seen before, I think any lover of books with find themselves in Clara. I think it was a bit out there when she started to question the validity of the books she was defending.That whole couple of chapters where she was like "books HURT people" seemed a bit overboard but I'm glad it didn't stick around for too long. But I think she was an effective lead nonetheless.
Of course, I have to end my review with a quote that stood out the most to me.
"The communal aspect of books. They became so close to you, so ingrained in your blood, that it was like they became unpublished....And somewhere between the covers you'd start to think you were the only one who'd ever set eyes on the words, that there couldn't possibly have been another person that book spoke to as much as you."
The narrative flows well to the point that you could probably get through this book fairly quickly. It's a great way to introduce teen readers to activism as well as the basics of book censorship. I like the stance of "your activism must be fueled by something more than anger, it has to build towards something and not just tearing something down." I think a lot of activism prose gets so swept up in dismantling oppressive systems (as one should) that they forget that something must come after, something better. It's a good way to get readers thinking about these issues and discover further reading.
While I mentioned this book having a more realistic outcome
Though it's story I've seen before, I think any lover of books with find themselves in Clara. I think it was a bit out there when she started to question the validity of the books she was defending.
Of course, I have to end my review with a quote that stood out the most to me.
"The communal aspect of books. They became so close to you, so ingrained in your blood, that it was like they became unpublished....And somewhere between the covers you'd start to think you were the only one who'd ever set eyes on the words, that there couldn't possibly have been another person that book spoke to as much as you."
Kenny & the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At its heart, Kenny and the Dragon is a simple tale of a rabbit befriending a dragon that isn't all fire breathing and town terrorizing. I think we've gotten so many stories of kindly beasts that they haven't been a novelty in some time, but I think young readers will enjoy Grahame's cuddly appearance and theatrics.
I have a great nostalgia for DiTerlizzi's illustrations, being raised on the Spiderwick Chronicles which dominated my 10 year old brain. The creatures, when intended, have such a warm appearance. I definitely pick up a Brian Froud influence, as I could just imagine these characters popping up in a Henson company movie.
I'm always a fan of children's books that offer non-violent solutions to problems and thinking creatively. Great for classroom reading or a family read.
I have a great nostalgia for DiTerlizzi's illustrations, being raised on the Spiderwick Chronicles which dominated my 10 year old brain. The creatures, when intended, have such a warm appearance. I definitely pick up a Brian Froud influence, as I could just imagine these characters popping up in a Henson company movie.
I'm always a fan of children's books that offer non-violent solutions to problems and thinking creatively. Great for classroom reading or a family read.
More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Read this for this Lincoln Award Nominee reading challenge.
I thought this was a pretty cute book as far as romances go. I can't attest to the authenticity of Muslim and Pakistani representation, which I have heard conflicting opinions on, so I'll leave the discussion to those who are qualified to do it.
As far as a read for teens, I'm glad that it addressed the ideas of revisionist history, colonialism, and examining the perspectives of the conquered and the conquerors. Danyal was an engaging protagonist, one that was relatable, humorous, and worth rooting for. I liked that, despite his faults, he had some strengths, particularly in cooking. He was cracking me up in some places and making me slap my head in others, which are natural reactions to teen boys.
The flow was a bit off in places, with some events landing at odd times in the story when they probably would have been better occurring earlier or later. I would have like a bit more development between Danyal and Bisma, but I think it works for the most part here.
I thought this was a pretty cute book as far as romances go. I can't attest to the authenticity of Muslim and Pakistani representation, which I have heard conflicting opinions on, so I'll leave the discussion to those who are qualified to do it.
As far as a read for teens, I'm glad that it addressed the ideas of revisionist history, colonialism, and examining the perspectives of the conquered and the conquerors. Danyal was an engaging protagonist, one that was relatable, humorous, and worth rooting for. I liked that, despite his faults, he had some strengths, particularly in cooking. He was cracking me up in some places and making me slap my head in others, which are natural reactions to teen boys.
The flow was a bit off in places, with some events landing at odd times in the story when they probably would have been better occurring earlier or later. I would have like a bit more development between Danyal and Bisma, but I think it works for the most part here.
The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I was really vibing for the sort of magical/historical slant the story was going for, but by the end I didn't know what to make of it. It felt like we were dropped into an entirely different story about 2/3s of the way in, with new characters, new motivations, and metaphors that sprung out of nowhere or got muddied.
The Bird King and the mythical island aspect almost sprung out of nowhere. At the beginning, there was a mention of The Conference of the Birds, an unfinished poem about a group of birds setting out to meet the Bird King so that at least had some basis, but it wasn't until they were fleeing at sea that they picked out the mythical destination, as if it was a last minute decision by the writer. Once we got past the halfway mark, it feels almost like the story is grasping at straws for what could possibly happen next despite such a strong beginning.
And the ending? The message of "We are all the Bird King?" I mean, I get it, but with all the established metaphors and context that has been given to us thus far, what does that mean? Why should I feel attached to these characters that I just met and feel so thin compared to our protagonists? Why did Gwennec dying feel so unearned and underwhelming? Why is Fatima so possessive of Hassan knowing that they won't ever be together? And why does he kind of allow it in the end?
The Bird King had such a compelling first half but absolutely loses itself when it's literally adrift at sea.
The Bird King and the mythical island aspect almost sprung out of nowhere. At the beginning, there was a mention of The Conference of the Birds, an unfinished poem about a group of birds setting out to meet the Bird King so that at least had some basis, but it wasn't until they were fleeing at sea that they picked out the mythical destination, as if it was a last minute decision by the writer. Once we got past the halfway mark, it feels almost like the story is grasping at straws for what could possibly happen next despite such a strong beginning.
The Bird King had such a compelling first half but absolutely loses itself when it's literally adrift at sea.
White Fang by Jack London
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Amidst the dogfighting, circa early 20th century racism, and indigenous stereotypes, White Fang is certainly one of the classics that may rub modern audiences the wrong way. Seriously...why does the dog believe in white supremacy the moment he first sees a white person?
Otherwise, it's a fairly typical Jack London outing about the duality of the Wild and civilization, its harms and its beauty, and how our environments mold us over time. Honestly, I found it sad White Fang basically being pulled from the Wild, forced to domesticate to the point where he can't survive independently, and then shipped to a place that isn't the best climate for his breed. I know it's meant to be uplifting at some point where he escapes his abuse and ends up with an owner that loves him, but still. It feels like a life forced upon him that he has to make a best case scenario out of.
The writing style isn't really to my taste, very repetitive, straight forward, and rife with long internal descriptions that seem to go nowhere. It never really felt like a continuous narrative, more like a patchwork of smaller stories that make up White Fang's life. It feels like we are giving scenes of a story rather than settling into a moment, if that makes any sense.
I read this book solely to see if I could weed my collection a bit and I think I've found something that would probably see better use elsewhere.
Otherwise, it's a fairly typical Jack London outing about the duality of the Wild and civilization, its harms and its beauty, and how our environments mold us over time. Honestly, I found it sad White Fang basically being pulled from the Wild, forced to domesticate to the point where he can't survive independently, and then shipped to a place that isn't the best climate for his breed. I know it's meant to be uplifting at some point where he escapes his abuse and ends up with an owner that loves him, but still. It feels like a life forced upon him that he has to make a best case scenario out of.
The writing style isn't really to my taste, very repetitive, straight forward, and rife with long internal descriptions that seem to go nowhere. It never really felt like a continuous narrative, more like a patchwork of smaller stories that make up White Fang's life. It feels like we are giving scenes of a story rather than settling into a moment, if that makes any sense.
I read this book solely to see if I could weed my collection a bit and I think I've found something that would probably see better use elsewhere.
For Goodness' Sake: The Omnibus by K. Lynn Smith
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A Giant Problem by Holly Black, Tony DiTerlizzi
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It's absolutely wild that it's been nearly twenty years since I read the last installment of this series and am just now picking up the second. Blame younger me for not keeping up with book release dates and utterly forgetting about this sequel series. Spiderwick has always been incredibly nostalgic for me and one of the standout series I remember reading in fourth grade. I remember being somewhat ambivalent about the Beyond series, even though it was just getting started.
I will say, I don't know if it's nostalgia or not, but the Beyond series doesn't really hit in the same way as the first one does. There's nothing really standout about Nick or Laurie, only except that Laurie makes so many bad decisions it's a marvel the faeries haven't kidnapped her already. Nick is just a blank vessel and our two leads don't really mesh well together. The faeries as well seem so bland and toothless in comparison. I know that there's still one book left in this series to go, but I'm struggle to see why it was made or what it attempted to accomplish with expanding(?) the world.
The illustrations though are also gorgeous and the creatures wonderfully designed. DiTerlizzi always excels at making them appear both ethereal and otherworldly.
I'll probably wrap this up with the last book, as it may only take me an hour or so to read and just for some completion points.
I will say, I don't know if it's nostalgia or not, but the Beyond series doesn't really hit in the same way as the first one does. There's nothing really standout about Nick or Laurie, only except that Laurie makes so many bad decisions it's a marvel the faeries haven't kidnapped her already. Nick is just a blank vessel and our two leads don't really mesh well together. The faeries as well seem so bland and toothless in comparison. I know that there's still one book left in this series to go, but I'm struggle to see why it was made or what it attempted to accomplish with expanding(?) the world.
The illustrations though are also gorgeous and the creatures wonderfully designed. DiTerlizzi always excels at making them appear both ethereal and otherworldly.
I'll probably wrap this up with the last book, as it may only take me an hour or so to read and just for some completion points.
The Hedgewitch of Foxhall by Anna Bright
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.
Though I got more than halfway, I really couldn't bring myself to finish this book. It was great to see a book that celebrated Welsh mythology, but there weren't any qualities in the characters, writing style, or plot that made me want to keep going. Introducing a love triangle about halfway through was a choice and it doesn't help that that's one of my least favorite tropes.
There was an idea here, along with an amazing cover that made me want the story to be good, but it didn't turn out to be an engaging one.
There was an idea here, along with an amazing cover that made me want the story to be good, but it didn't turn out to be an engaging one.
No Humans Allowed! by Madeleine Roux
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A perfect read for upper elementary readers that are interested in the world of Dungeons and Dragons. This book gives an adequate introduction to the world of Faerun and all the creatures and magic that inhabit it. While some of the creatures may give first timers some pause, the illustrations make up for the lack of descriptions.
The story basically serves as a quick, simple one shot, a team of misfits going to investigate the disappearance of their classmates and necromantic shenanigans ensue. Each character is endearing and brings a good variety of personality to the party, whether it's the shy owlbear Hugo or the brash kobold Snabla.
I personally would have loved a bit more worldbuilding, given how expansive the setting is and the target demographic is middle schoolers, but I could see this being a way to ease kids into the world.
It's a silly goofy adventure with heart and a found family and that's really good enough for me.
The story basically serves as a quick, simple one shot, a team of misfits going to investigate the disappearance of their classmates and necromantic shenanigans ensue. Each character is endearing and brings a good variety of personality to the party, whether it's the shy owlbear Hugo or the brash kobold Snabla.
I personally would have loved a bit more worldbuilding, given how expansive the setting is and the target demographic is middle schoolers, but I could see this being a way to ease kids into the world.
It's a silly goofy adventure with heart and a found family and that's really good enough for me.
Punk Rock Karaoke by Bianca Xunise
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you so much to Penguin and NetGalley for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
So what you want about the art style, but it definitely celebrates the throw everything at the wall, maximalist vibe of punk. It immediately struck me as a polished zine, with cartoony, energetic designs that felt so familiar and engaging.
The plot seems to bounce along from one point to the next, which makes it a bit difficult to keep up with at times, but the representation of queer black punk artists will definitely be appreciated.
The inclusion of a "soundtrack" throughout the story was an incredible touch. It gives newcomers to the punk scene a look into what it has to offer, as well as celebrates the artists within it. I know I'm definitely creating a playlist the moment I finish this review.
So what you want about the art style, but it definitely celebrates the throw everything at the wall, maximalist vibe of punk. It immediately struck me as a polished zine, with cartoony, energetic designs that felt so familiar and engaging.
The plot seems to bounce along from one point to the next, which makes it a bit difficult to keep up with at times, but the representation of queer black punk artists will definitely be appreciated.
The inclusion of a "soundtrack" throughout the story was an incredible touch. It gives newcomers to the punk scene a look into what it has to offer, as well as celebrates the artists within it. I know I'm definitely creating a playlist the moment I finish this review.