Categotry Archives: Reviews
Ask Him Why
Fiction
Lake Union Publishing
December 15, 2015
From the bestselling author of Pay It Forward comes the stunning and emotional story of a young soldier’s unthinkable act…and the bonds of a sister and brother’s love.
Ruth and her little brother, Aubrey, are just teenagers when their older brother ships off to Iraq. When Joseph returns, uninjured, only three and a half months later, Ruth is happy he is safe but also deeply worried. How can it be that her courageous big brother has been dishonorably discharged for refusing to go out on duty? Aubrey can’t believe that his hero doesn’t have very good reasons.
Yet as the horrifying details of the incident emerge, Joseph disappears. In their attempts to find him, Ruth and Aubrey discover he has a past far darker than either of them could imagine. But even as they learn more about their brother, important questions remain unanswered—why did he betray his unit, his country, and now his family? Joseph’s refusal to speak ignites a fire in young Aubrey that results in a disastrous, and public, act of rebellion.
The impact of Joseph’s fateful decision one night in Baghdad will echo for years to come, with his siblings caught between their love for him and the media’s engulfing frenzy of judgment. Will their family ever make their way back to each other and find a way to forgive?
Review:
“Ask Him Why” is a very complex and emotionally taxing book about the price of war on both those fighting it and those close to them. It’s also a very real examination of the nature of the press and how it can tear people apart.
The story is split between the events of a soldier returning from war to his family, including two younger siblings, after being dishonorably discharged and a period of reflection on the past that takes place a decade later. I won’t spoil the reasons for the discharge, but the children are left in the dark while their parents and brother deal with a press that is brutal in their treatment of the very difficult situation in which he found himself.
The plot was good but there was a bit of a problem with the pacing in the middle. That is my only reason for giving it four stars instead of five. The ending picks back up nicely.
I recommend “Ask Him Why” to anyone willing to ask themselves difficult questions, most importantly “what constitutes the right thing to do in war” and “how can we judge the difficult decisions of others in such difficult circumstances?” I, for one, will be looking at media coverage of certain stories through a new awareness.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
As this is an adult book, there is no content warning.
Shelter Dogs In A Photo Booth
Pets
April 19, 2016
128
Man's best friend! What better way to showcase adoptable dogs than by letting their true personalities shine in a photo booth! Often seen as sad, rejected, and behind cold metal bars, it's no wonder people would avoid images of shelter dogs awaiting forever homes. From talented photographer (and now public figure and adoption champion) Guinnivere Shuster comes Shelter Dogs in a Photo Booth, a guaranteed-to-make-you-smile photo book featuring shelter dogs in a brand-new light. Get ready to see the cutest canine portraits you've ever seen! Guinnevere's fantastic photos went viral and have been featured on websites, in magazines, and on television programs all over the world: Good Morning America, NBC, ABC, MSNBC, The Huffington Post, Time, The Daily Mail . . . even celebrities have gotten in on the action: Amy Poehler, Cesar Milan, and Zooey Deschanel have made statements and posts declaring their love of Guinnevere's work. After the adorable and up-for-adoption photos of these furry friends were seen and enjoyed by millions, adoption rates at Utah's Humane Society skyrocketed. The book features 100 dog photo booth style photographs, each accompanied by a short story about the dog's personality, how the dog ended up in the shelter, and the adoption date. A follow-up will conclude the book, with photos of some of them with their new families. A portion of the proceeds of this book will benefit the Humane Society of Utah and Best Friends Animal Society.
Review:
By now, most animal lovers have seen or heard of the photos of shelter dogs taken in photo booths. “Shelter Dogs In A Photo Booth” is a collection of these photos, along with the stories of how they came to be in the shelter and their adoptions.
It’s wonderful to get to see the dogs’ personalities show through. All too often they cannot show their true nature in shelters, and it causes many wonderful animals to be passed by. The photos are a true delight and the book will make a great addition to any animal lover’s collection. It is also a wonderful gift idea for those in your life who have dogs.
An added bonus is that a portion of the proceeds go to the Humane Society of Utah and Best Friends Animal Society. If you’ve never heard of the latter, it is the home of the Vicktory Dogs who were unable to be adopted for various reasons. The ones who were adopted went through rehab there and much was learned about how to rehabilitate fighting dogs, which will save many lives in the future. The work they do is extraordinary.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Excessive Cuteness and Feels
Maybe A Fox
Maybe A Fox
Children's
Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing
March 8, 2016
Hardcover
272
Worlds collide in a spectacular way when Newbery and National Book Award finalist Kathi Appelt and Pulitzer Prize nominee and #1 New York Times bestseller Alison McGhee team up to create a fantastical, heartbreaking, and gorgeous tale about two sisters, a fox cub, and what happens when one of the sisters disappears forever.
Sylvie and Jules, Jules and Sylvie. Better than just sisters, better than best friends, they’d be identical twins if only they’d been born in the same year. And if only Sylvie wasn’t such a fast—faster than fast—runner. But Sylvie is too fast, and when she runs to the river they’re not supposed to go anywhere near to throw a wish rock just before the school bus comes on a snowy morning, she runs so fast that no one sees what happens…and no one ever sees her again. Jules is devastated, but she refuses to believe what all the others believe, that—like their mother—her sister is gone forever.
At the very same time, in the shadow world, a shadow fox is born—half of the spirit world, half of the animal world. She too is fast—faster than fast—and she senses danger. She’s too young to know exactly what she senses, but she knows something is very wrong. And when Jules believes one last wish rock for Sylvie needs to be thrown into the river, the human and shadow worlds collide.
Writing in alternate voices—one Jules’s, the other the fox’s—Kathi Appelt and Alison McGhee tell the searingly beautiful tale of one small family’s moment of heartbreak, a moment that unfolds into one that is epic, mythic, shimmering, and most of all, hopeful.
Review:
“Maybe A Fox” is an absolutely beautiful book that I have no doubt will be in the running, and will most likely win, many prestigious awards. It’s one of the rare children’s books that present the issues they live with in a frank manner, thereby avoiding the patronizing attitude with which children’s literature so often suffers.
Somehow, there is whimsy and hope mixed in amongst the realities of war and death. The resilience of family is a central theme, along with the promise of hope in even the darkest situations. Everyone needs to read “Maybe A Fox.” It’s the type of story that will stay with children, as well as adults, throughout their lifetimes.
I’m not crying. You’re crying.
This book is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Death
Of Better Blood
Juvenile Fiction
AW Teen
February 1, 2016
272
Teenage polio survivor Rowan Collier is caught in the crossfire of a secret war against "the unfit." It's 1922, and eugenics--the movement dedicated to racial purity and good breeding--has taken hold in America. State laws allow institutions to sterilize minorities, the "feeble-minded," and the poor, while local eugenics councils set up exhibits at county fairs with "fitter family" contests and propaganda. After years of being confined to hospitals, Rowan is recruited at sixteen to play a born cripple in a county fair eugenics exhibit. But gutsy, outspoken Dorchy befriends Rowan and helps her realize her own inner strength and bravery. The two escape the fair and end up at a summer camp on a desolate island run by the New England Eugenics Council. There they discover something is happening to the children. Rowan must find a way to stop the horrors on the island...if she can escape them herself.
Review:
There are not enough stars available on any rating site for me to properly convey how much I loved “Of Better Blood.” It is hands-down one of the best young adult historical novels I have ever read.
The very subject of eugenics is seldom so thoroughly explored in fiction, and it is quite an eye-opener to discover that the dystopias we fear have always existed in some way. Winners write the history books, so not many students are taught that the United States was treating many of its citizens in the exact same way as Hitler. The only difference? We did it earlier. Much earlier. Hopefully readers will take heed that those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it. Our world is not too far-removed from circling back around to the same type of situation with different people.
There are some major points about the characters that I loved. The first is the fact that the main characters are two girls without any superpowers or extraordinary abilities who manage to kick some serious ass. In fact, Rowan is a polio survivor with limited use of her legs. She isn’t someone who wants, or needs, pity. The book also keeps it all real. They couldn’t change the entire world on their own. Their job was to make some steps forward and lead others to do the same. It’s something we could all do a little bit more of.
I recommend “Of Better Blood” to absolutely anyone in 7th grade and up. There is no questionable content in terms of sex, and the profanity is mild.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Mild Language, Child Abuse, Discrimination
The Girlfriend Request
The Girlfriend Request
Entangled Publishing
January 11, 2016
Paperback
244
Emma has been best friends with Eli since she moved to his neighborhood ten years ago. Tired of being cast in the role of the girl next door, Emma creates a fake Facebook profile in the hopes of starting an online friendship with Eli, which would hopefully lead to more. Like...way more. From friend request to In a Relationship--it all seemed so completely logical when she'd planned it. Eli can't figure out what Emma is up to. He's pretty sure she's the one behind the Facebook profile, but then again, why would she do something so drastic instead of just admitting she wants to be more than friends? And who the heck is this new guy he saw her with? Eli starts to think that just maybe...he missed his chance with the girl next door. Two best friends, one outlandish ruse. Their status is about to become way more than It's Complicated...
Review:
I tried really hard to like “The Girlfriend Request”. I really did.
At the heart of the book is a really cute story about falling in love with your best friend. The problem is that the story never quite gets going because it is cluttered with things that add nothing to the book. Many of the chapters and situations were repetitive and gave me the feeling of being stuck in a never-ending “Who’s On First” routine. On top of that, there is a subplot introduced near the end that would have made a good novel on its own, but was instead relegated to the dreaded “let’s solve this in one page and then forget it never happened” pile. Honestly, I believe the book would have made a great short story. The author writes some adorable scenes. I wish that she would have stuck to those.
The two main characters were cute and interesting. There was enough character development to give the reader a sense of connection to one or both of them. I didn’t much care for Emma, but I’m not entirely sure that I was supposed to. Their continuing story would actually be interesting if explored in a novella just focusing on the fluffy aspects of the two of them in a relationship.
In short, I was looking for a fluffy palate cleanser and was only met with frustration. “The Girlfriend Request” may appeal to the younger ya crowd, but I don’t think it will quite satisfy anyone older.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Mild Language, Mild Sexual Content
The Truth
Sourcebooks Fire
February 2, 2016
256
When Chris wakes up tied to a chair in a dark basement, he knows that he's trapped-and why. He shot and killed Derek's little brother. He had his reasons, but no matter how far Derek goes to uncover the truth about that night, Chris's story won't change. It can't. There is far too much at stake...Derek is desperate to prove his brother didn't deserve to die. And if kidnapping his brother's killer is the only way to the truth, than he'll go to extremes. But Chris's truth is far more dangerous than Derek could have imagined, and knowing could cost both their lives...
Review:
“The Truth” is a thriller that starts rolling in the first chapter and never gives you a chance to catch your breath until the end.
Told through a combination of flashbacks and current events, the story unfolds in reverse and leaves the reader guessing until the very last page. I pride myself on being able to catch plot twists in books, movies, and television shows, but the author managed to surprise me and catch me off-guard. I only figured out a tiny piece of the puzzle. I wish I could say more about it, but almost anything would be a spoiler, and that would suck the fun right out of the reading experience.
Perhaps the best part of the book is that it is a very quick read that will appeal to even the most reluctant of readers, while still engaging those who are true bibliophiles. There is almost no romance in the story, so those who do not enjoy that will be satisfied. I’m not going to lie, I felt afraid right along with the main character. Any reader who enjoys young adult thrillers will be turning the pages as fast as they can to find out what happens next.
I recommend “The Truth” to anyone looking for a good thriller who is upper middle grade and up, especially reluctant readers.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Child Abuse,
Instructions for the End of the World
Juvenile Fiction
Macmillan
December 8, 2015
224
From the author of The Good Sister comes a gripping novel about two sisters who learn that there are things in life-love, loss, and self-discovery-that you simply can't prepare for.
Review:
I wish that I could give “Instructions for the End of the World” a better review. It was a book with so much potential that went flat in the early chapters. It seems as though the author tried to take on too many plots, and that caused a neglect of the main one. It tried to be many things and did not succeed in any of them.
There is one good thing that I can say about the book, and that is that the central characters were extremely well-developed. There is quite a bit of back-story combined with the details of their current circumstances. Had it been limited to the three of them, the book may have turned out very differently. Unfortunately, there were way too many minor characters. Only a few could have been briefly mentioned and it not changed the story at all. It is told through four alternating points of view, and one of them is completely unnecessary to anything. It was an annoyance to even waste time with her sections.
The main storyline was a good idea in theory, but there were at least three other subplots that made the flow virtually non-existent. While I understand that not every story can have a resolution, some of these were completely dropped or finished in a rush. Some of them contained important and heavy themes, so it seems all the more important to either give them the respect and time they deserve or just leave them out completely.
I can’t recommend “Instructions for the End of the World” to anyone. It was too frustrating and disjointed to be enjoyable. The only reason I gave it two stars instead of one is for character development.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Dubious Consent, Drug Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Child Neglect
Rachel’s Secret (The Rachel Trilogy)
The Rachel Trilogy, Book 1
Juvenile Fiction
2012
256
Rachel, a fourteen-year-old Jewish girl, debates whether to reveal the truth about the murder of her Christian friend, for which the Jewish community is blamed, and finds refuge in her friendship with another Christian boy.
Review:
I don’t even know where to start in describing the importance and emotional impact of “Rachel’s Secret.”
The most important aspect, to me, is that it fills a crucial gap in the historical fiction genre available to middle readers. Set in pre-revolutionary Russia, it explores the divide between Christians and Jews. Many unfamiliar words and sayings are introduced and explained in a way which feels natural to the flow of the story. The history is not limited to the Jews and life for all people in Russia at the time is portrayed in an accurate, yet easily understood, manner. Details of the horrors of pogroms are not sugar-coated, which shows a respect for the reader that I am sure they will recognize as well as appreciate.
The plot itself revolves around a murder which the protagonist, Rachel, witnesses and is forced to keep a secret due to all of the discrimination and corruption found in Russia at the time. It’s a catalyst that adds some suspense and keeps the reader engaged, while also presenting an opening into the complex world in which they live. I can’t applaud the author enough for making the book so educational without being dry.
I highly recommend “Rachel’s Secret” to all of those who are responsible for acquiring books for middle and high school library collections or classrooms. Those who home school will find it a good opening to Eastern European history. It’s a wonderful resource that will appeal to reluctant readers and advanced readers alike.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy of the book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Mild Language, Violence
This Is Where It Ends
Juvenile Fiction
January 5, 2016
288
10:00 a.m. The principal of Opportunity, Alabama's high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve. 10:02 a.m. The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class. 10:03 The auditorium doors won't open. 10:05 Someone starts shooting. Told over the span of 54 harrowing minutes from four different perspectives, terror reigns as one student's calculated revenge turns into the ultimate game of survival.
Review:
“This Is Where It Ends” is not the type of book I can say I liked, loved, or enjoyed. I’m not sure how it would be possible to say that about a book about a school shooting. What I can say is that it’s a very important book to read and had me turning the pages all night.
I have already seen some criticisms of the book, and since there are sure to be more I want to address them before the rest of my review. It would be a shame to have someone skip it just because of something they heard that was negative. One of the biggest criticisms is that it is in some way disrespectful to those who have survived shootings to write about this subject. I believe it is more disrespectful to pretend these things do not exist. Additionally, many of the best realistic fiction books are based upon something that has happened in our society. Murder, rape, abuse, etc. have all been taken on in fiction. As long as it is handled well it is not a bad thing.
The other criticism I want to address is that it is not appropriate for young people to read; that it would be too frightening. I admit, that thought came across my mind. Then I thought about it and realized that this is the world today’s kids live in. We can’t pretend the threat is not there or that they do not know these things have happened. They are all too well aware, and to try to protect them from their own reality is doing nothing but being insulting to them and their intelligence.
Ok, now on to my actual review. The story reads very quickly, while seeming like it goes on forever. This is not a bad thing. The reason for it is that each chapter consists of 1-3 minutes that make up the shooting. There are four points of view covered. All are in different places and have different relationships to the shooter. Essentially, you are in their heads for that small period of time, and that makes you feel the time drag like it would for someone in any sort of life-threatening situation. It adds a realistic quality that is terrifying.
The characters, including the shooter, are all surprisingly well-developed considering they all have brief pieces of the story in small chunks of time. The things you think about at the end are very revealing. The shooter is not one-dimensional. There is a clear-cut understanding that at that moment, and for some time before it, he was someone to steer clear of, and yet he was not always that way. The multiple relationships the narrators have to him helps give a rounded view of all sides of him. Pity and loathing battle one another on each page.
There are so many important themes in this book that I cannot begin to address them all. How does the media and the public’s appetite for up-to-the-minute coverage affect those who are actually in the situation? How could it happen here? Could someone have done anything to stop it? Does anyone truly know anyone else? Why do we focus solely on the life of the shooter and not the hopes and dreams of all that are lost? It’s some very heavy stuff and a perfect starting point for discussions in homes and classrooms. I would especially encourage those with younger middle readers to read along with them and discuss these things.
Finally, I cannot finish this review without saying this is the most diverse book I have ever read. There are multiple races, religions, sexualities, and economic classes. The prejudice of some is explored, but so is the distinct lack of prejudice among others. It is very well done.
I highly recommend “This Is Where It Ends” to everyone middle grade and up. It’s a book I find especially important to read in this day and time.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Graphic Violence, Mentions of Rape
Firsts
Juvenile Fiction
Macmillan
January 5, 2016
336
Seventeen-year-old Mercedes has been secretly sleeping with virgins, letting the boys get their awkward first times over with and only asking they give their girlfriends the perfect first time--the kind Mercedes never had--but when her system falls apart she has to find a way to salvage her reputation and figure out where her heart belongs.
Review:
When I began reading “Firsts” I was expecting a good, but fluffy, read. What I got was complex characters and social commentary. It was a pleasant surprise.
Mercedes, the main character, is someone whose character traits would seem to make her irritating. The reality is that at no point did I find her that way at all. She seems like a real person with real issues that go far beyond the surface. This is a character who has had a hard life, and that manifests itself in the choices she makes. I could see the results of her actions coming like a train wreck, and I wanted to warn her and help her as though she were a real friend. Unfortunately, as with real people, sometimes the only way to learn the real problems are to hit rock bottom and examine yourself there.
There were quite a few social issues brought up in “Firsts”. The dangers of technology being used to cyberbully is one of them, and it places no blame on the one who is being bullied. It also explores the ways parents can shape their kids by not being attentive and aware of their needs. Sometimes parents are neglectful without even realizing it, and that is the case here. Finally, the issue of rape and why victims are afraid to report it is examined. It’s brought up in a way that flows with the book and does not exploit the subject. I found this the heaviest hitting part of the entire book.
“Firsts” is a quick, entertaining read that packs a heavy punch. I highly recommend it for older young adult readers and adults. However, please be aware that “Firsts” is very open (refreshingly so, in my opinion) about sex and all that comes with it. It isn’t meant for the young or those who do not like those sorts of things.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Discussions of Rape
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