![]() This is the first book I have read by TJ Klune. I picked it up after a recommendation by a colleague in one of my graduate classes. I am going to let you all know right now that this book is not going to be for everyone. There is an LGBTQ+ element in the book as well as some irreverence towards religion, so if these are deal-breakers for you, you can stop reading this review now. The basics of the story is that it is set on an island, and on the island is an "orphanage" where magical children live and are overseen by a caretaker. One of the children is a child of Lucifer and is referred to as the anti-Christ (which is where some of the jabs at religion come in). A worker for DICOMY which oversees the orphanages is sent to check in on the orphanage and the children to make sure they will not bring about the end of the world. There are some comical and endearing scenes that follow. I enjoyed the writing style of the author as well as the development of the characters. The author does an amazing job of helping the reader get to know each of the characters and developing the magical island where they live. There are also some great themes about inclusivity within the book Approximate Grade Level - 6th-8th (As previously mentioned, due to the inclusivity of a homosexual romantic relationship and some jabs taken at the Christian religion, this is not a selection I would recommend for everyone. I know these are controversial topics to many so just be aware before you read.)
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![]() I try to read YA and children's books from a variety of genres and topics so I have lots of ideas to share with students. When I came across Shelter by Christie Matheson, I knew I had to add it to my to-read list. The book is told from fifth grader, Maya's perspective, who has found herself living in a homeless shelter in San Francisco due to an accident her father is in as well as her mother's lack of employment. The story is well-written and although Maya has much to deal with, she does not become bitter or resentful. She begins to appreciate the house she saw as small before and realizes that even though she has no home, she has her family which is what is most important to her. The author weaves some lessons throughout the story especially with Maya's interaction with "mean girl" Sloane. Empathy and kindness is also woven in to the storyline as well through Maya's interaction with others and the lessons she learns along the way. I enjoyed this book, although I do think it glosses over the extent and severity of homelessness, but I suppose that is because of the book's intended audience. The book would certainly introduce the idea of homelessness to children and allow for a deeper discussion, and I think it would hold the attention of most young readers. Approximate grade level: 4th-6th grade ![]() A Boy Named Isamu is a beautifully illustrated children's book that is a tribute to Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. In a very short and sparsely word text, Yang conveys Noguchi as a reflective and introspective child who wanders away from his mother to find quiet spaces to view and reflect on natural elements like twigs, rocks, and bamboo stalks. The reader is given the idea that Noguchi, even as a child, was drawn to solitude and natural beauty and that these are perhaps the items that he draws from for his creativity. The book is a quick read and one gets the feeling of drifting through it. The storyline also seemed to drift a bit from object to object without a lot of cohesion. This book would probably be best enjoyed by a creative and reflective child who is interested in the arts. Approximate Grade Level: 1st-3rd ![]() Sometimes when I read a young adult book, I wonder why it is classified as young adult. This is one of those books. The characters in the book are teens to young adults, so I guess that is why it is classified as a YA novel, but I think it would be equally liked by adults. This book was recommended in one of the graduate classes I am taking, and I knew nothing about it other than that, but I must say, it was not what I expected. Within this book lies a pair of brothers - Finn and Sean who were abandoned by their family and only have each other to cling to until Roza comes along. Roza is a beautiful young woman from Poland who brings mysteries of her own, and the boys fall for her, until she disappears. This book includes a bit of everything - -obstacles that must be overcome, mystery, coming of age aspects, romance, a hero's journey, suspense, fantasy, and some magical realism. As I was reading the book, I couldn't pin down whether I was enjoying it or not, but I kept picking it up, and wanted to finish it. In the end, I enjoyed the book because of the characters and the writing style, but I am still not sure whether I liked the storyline. There are a few sexual scenes that border on racy, a really creepy character, and a young lady who is objectified and held against her will; add that to a somewhat convoluted writing style and storyline, and I would definitely not recommend this book for readers under the 10th grade. Approximate grade level - 10th grade + |
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