Still thinking about the bear. And the illustrative heft. Wish there was more behind the racial presentation of the kids. The second protagonist was aStill thinking about the bear. And the illustrative heft. Wish there was more behind the racial presentation of the kids. The second protagonist was adorable, but there was also an emptiness there (for me) where elements of his cultural context would otherwise be present. ...more
I've met some quick read but this was WHOA! This book practically read itself, I zoomed through so fast. Good storytelling, if a bit lReally 3.5/4 ish
I've met some quick read but this was WHOA! This book practically read itself, I zoomed through so fast. Good storytelling, if a bit lite. I appreciate Liz's boldness, as a child, as a teen, as a young adult --I just wished she listened to herself more and to other people less. Even the title, Maybe an Artist, feels like it's hedging. I'm wanna shout: YOU ARE AN ARTIST, GIRL! I get it though, the author is depicting her growth from a quintessential 'Good Girl, Middle Class Black Girl edition,' to someone living the life she wants with the career she built through questioning and perseverance. I enjoyed the end the most, I think, where she showcases her many accomplishments, and counting....more
Charming, spooky, sad, fun, and mysterious. I appreciated the real life discussions of racism, anxiety, depression, animal stewardship (or lack thereoCharming, spooky, sad, fun, and mysterious. I appreciated the real life discussions of racism, anxiety, depression, animal stewardship (or lack thereof), and generational traumas. Mo’s struggles with maintaining friendships, her resistance to articulating internal strife, and her anger were sensitively and honestly drawn. Yet these elements lift the story up instead of bogging it down. Finally, despite all this realness, there is woven throughout a taste of the metaphysical and magical, which can be found in how Mo’s uncle introduces her to the power of music and in memories locked in the land. A+++! Kids are gonna dig this and probably stay up too long reading to the end, like I did. Oh, and here’s where I mention the author is in similar writing kidlit circles in Boston, MA. We are buddies, yet I think distant enough to not overly cloud this review. I’m a true fan of Susan’s voice and her work, and I look up to how she’s making her way in this writing world. I definitely recommend checking out her other novels!...more
A incredible 2nd work from the Jason-Jason team. As I was reading, I kept coming back to 1.) the simple power of this work 2.) how expensive this bookA incredible 2nd work from the Jason-Jason team. As I was reading, I kept coming back to 1.) the simple power of this work 2.) how expensive this book must be to print....more
As I read this book I kept having the same thought: this book would not have been considered publishable 5-10 years ago. The limitations on the kinds As I read this book I kept having the same thought: this book would not have been considered publishable 5-10 years ago. The limitations on the kinds of “Black stories” was desperately narrow: slavery, urban, Jim Crow, Civil Rights. The adventurousness, the slow-but-steady flow, the specifics of what Bree’s dad cooks for dinner, the different hair textures and styles, the math-loving, the older ladies in their various careers —none of these would have made it past the gates. Thank goodness for Jacqueline Woodson and Kwame Alexander, for Craig Thompson and the team behind Lumberjanes, even. They made space for this delight. As a Black woman who didn’t formally learn to swim until my 30s, I’m a believer in ‘if you can’t see it, you can’t be it.’ This graphic novel is setting out to change some lives. I believe it can....more
This hybrid storytelling approach was interesting. I'm more of a 3.5 than a 3, because I appreciated the premise. I mean, I know this is a companion bThis hybrid storytelling approach was interesting. I'm more of a 3.5 than a 3, because I appreciated the premise. I mean, I know this is a companion book to a Marvel movie so it's got a lot of limitations, such as not spoiling the movie and not setting into canon anything Marvel doesn't want to deal with later. Elements that made the book hard for me to follow --this is a journal account of a series of events, not a story in the conventional sense-- were related to formatting and voice. The three characters are identifiable by the color and the font style their 'voice' is being reproduced in: Peter is red, Ned is black, and MJ is gray. Stylistically, Peter and Ned had very similar speaking / writing voices, so I mixed them up a lot. MJ and Ned I confused if I wasn't paying close enough attention as gray is not a far jump from Black, especially in low light. And then were the illustrations --I was amused that they're essentially fast sketches but, were the artists paid by the image instead of a via usual book-length contract? Sketches get re-used, which confused me because then I was like: did I already read this part? It seemed like a money-saving move, which, what?? This is NOT a long book, word-count-wise. Marvel / Disney has resources enough for the next TWO centuries, they can afford to pay their artists and writers.
As a travelogue, I enjoyed learning about local food and important women, and I wanted to give author Preeti Chhibber, who I know from the Desi Geek Girls podcast, a big old high five for suggesting some excellent reading material. In this moment in the country, it's probably not a bad idea to sneak Between the World and Me and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas into what appears to be fluff reading. Real subversive, that.
The running gag about the sad / pathetic teacher made me smile. I liked how, while the kids were trying to translate languages of the countries they were traveling in, they were also translating his situation based on his words.
And to the above point, if I didn't already know that Ned is Filipino, MJ is mix-race Black and white, and Flash is otherwise non-white (South Asian?), this book would NOT have enlightened me. What's that about? All the illustrations looked like white kids. My partner, in fact, glanced at the book and said everyone looked like Archie....more
This book has a pretty interesting shape. It follows a group of misfit, middle school-age soccer players who care less about improving their game skilThis book has a pretty interesting shape. It follows a group of misfit, middle school-age soccer players who care less about improving their game skills than they do about how their peers perceive (and largely disrespect) them. The POV character, Faith, walks between worlds --the conventional, consistently disappointing world and an imaginary kingdom where characters from her actual life feature in different roles. I had some trouble reconciling these two spheres and really struggled with how bitter, isolated, callus and nihilistic Faith's soccer peers behaved throughout the book --except in specific outtakes. It was not a pleasant place to spend my time! I'm sure many preteens will see themselves in these characters, though, so I'll go with this book being more for them than for my 'stop-your-whining-and-take-some-personal-responsibility' GenX-self. The art was fresh and appealing --I especially enjoyed seeing all the various shades (although there's not much cultural depth) and body-types. The soccer jersey intros, in particular, I found clever, theatrical, and fun....more
This novel for middle grade readers landed on my to-read list because it was getting so much press, and it looked super cute and unique. Moved it up wThis novel for middle grade readers landed on my to-read list because it was getting so much press, and it looked super cute and unique. Moved it up when all the kerfluffle started around it being a poster child of a 2020s-era movement to remove books from school libraries or reading lists which center race in a certain way (i.e. "will make white children feel bad about themselves".) My job has a number of copies of the book for afterschool students, purchased long before the controversy, so I snagged one. Of course, I was reading with an eye to what would land the book on a censorship list. My guess is that the systems the family struggles against --poverty, language-barrier, unfair labor conditions-- systems that are made clear to Mia through her friendship with a Latina friend, are what drew critical eyes, but it might also be that there's no rags-to-riches or bootstrapping narrative / mythology.
All that said. Mia had me from page one. She has become one of my absolute favorite modern heroines. Her voice is fresh, clear, observant, kind, funny, and determined. I can't remember the last time I read a novel where a young protagonist worked like an adult (in modern times), and where grades and school culture weren't central. I was not a working kid in my younger years, but I recognize her seriousness, how Mia expects to be able to contribute to the family, same as the adults.
This novel also has an epistolary element that doesn't show up until maybe 1/4 of the way through. As both a writer and a letter-lover, I was impressed with how the author cleverly incorporated a different modality within an otherwise conventionally formatted novel.
The author's note and photos that conclude the novel are fascinating. I probably would have EATEN this book up, had I read it at around Mia's age. It would have been beaten up, cover half falling off, from being carried around in my backpack and slept on at home. Here's betting there are some young readers today doing just that....more
Effervescent. A cool idea for a book. Dreamy, rich illustrations are as much the story as Ms. Park's bright, honest text. Kids are gonna love how quicEffervescent. A cool idea for a book. Dreamy, rich illustrations are as much the story as Ms. Park's bright, honest text. Kids are gonna love how quickly they can zip through this one! The sijo finally gets its American due, children's lit style....more
A sweet novel for young readers to start my year in books. I've been a fan of author Tanita Davis since reading Mare's War, and even gave the novel A A sweet novel for young readers to start my year in books. I've been a fan of author Tanita Davis since reading Mare's War, and even gave the novel A La Carte to a young mentee as a gift. In Partly Cloudy, there's an internal peacefulness to the story, even as Madalyn struggles with being the new (Black) kid at school, temporary separation from her family due to financial circumstances, and the changing climate / dangerous California brush fires. From her Great Uncle's Papa Lobo's New Orlean's charm, to the rambling house her uncle resides in, to her mother's weather metaphors, to Madalyn's efforts to confront racism in her new friend group, to restorative before and after school bike rides with family and friends, there's much to appreciate here. And, finally, that cover by illustrator Geneva Bowers --wow!...more
I admit that it wasn't till I read all the way through this that I realized it's written by a Justin Reynolds --not Jason Reynolds. Oops. Lol. Cute stI admit that it wasn't till I read all the way through this that I realized it's written by a Justin Reynolds --not Jason Reynolds. Oops. Lol. Cute story, cute art, light, fresh and fun. Not so different, really, from the other Reynold's Miles Morales novel. To Spidey fans, I recommend both....more
Man. How does Jerry Craft compose these books that are sweet and real and funny and honest while looking at complicated racial and power dynamics and Man. How does Jerry Craft compose these books that are sweet and real and funny and honest while looking at complicated racial and power dynamics and yet not let those dynamics take over the whole story? He makes it seem so easy. So effortless! Almost like writerly witchcraft....more
I'm a sucker for unconventional formats in books. Always have been. Adult me was just has tickled as kid-me would've been to discover this novel has aI'm a sucker for unconventional formats in books. Always have been. Adult me was just has tickled as kid-me would've been to discover this novel has an ongoing comic strip inlaid. The artist, 12-year-old Lowen, is the comic's originator, but it's creative engine is another child. As the novel progresses, we learn more about this other child but also about a surprisingly large cast, including Lowen's two siblings and parents, a host of families who've chosen to move to a small town to take part in a program where they're to purchase run-down homes for $1, and townsfolk. Despite some hard themes, this book's approach is both gentle and straight-forward, and somehow always seems calm! I rooted for Lowen and pretty much everyone he encounters, even the more difficult people, whom the book treats with humor and respect. A sweet, fun read with a heart of gold and a satisfying conclusion, though not one you'd expect....more
A lovely, quiet novel that somehow touches on a wide range of themes that present in young people's lives: friendship, family, voice, deep connection A lovely, quiet novel that somehow touches on a wide range of themes that present in young people's lives: friendship, family, voice, deep connection to the natural world & non-human animals, adventure, mystery, and new understandings. I think kid-me would have found the unusual format novel and inspiring. I probably would've tried to write a book like this! One last note, the protagonist Willow is mixed heritage Athabascan and white. I'm NOT of this background so grade my comments accordingly: I think Willow's family and Native heritage are handled carefully and respectfully, and I enjoyed the few surprising turns the novel takes to explore them. ...more
As a child, I refused Little House on the Prairie. I just couldn't. It was probably the blue-tint cover with the little girl holding a doll and lookinAs a child, I refused Little House on the Prairie. I just couldn't. It was probably the blue-tint cover with the little girl holding a doll and looking at it lovingly, in like a log cabin or somewhere that said (to me): not for Black kids. And not for girls whose gender expressions matched my Tonka truck loving, tree climbing, doll house having self.
Then there was the TV show. I thought that Michael Landon guy was pretty hot, sometimes I'd pause to look at him, and then I'd move on because I was absolutely sure some Indian-hating would be right around the corner and I just didn't want that in my life. Was I wrong? Dunno. Never watched it to test my assumptions.
In middle school I discovered Westerns and learned about Hopalong Cassidy and Shane (igniting my love of bromance). In high school I fell hard for Willa Cather's My Antonia and I was like: ok, yeah, I dig a pastoral. Open skies, waving fields, guys who don't talk much? Mmmhmm.
And that brings us to Prarie Lotus. The cover? Banging, pulled adult me in straight away. The story: this is written for kids?? Cause, again, adult me was content as an engaged little pastoral loving clam. I say this as a person who writes for children, and who kind of has a problem with some current middle grade fiction, which often feels so lite and protective compared with what I grew up on. This novel could literally be read by anyone who can handle a complex sentence --it's speaking to ALL of us.
Hanna is a serious kid, she's confident and analytical and she gets things done. Doesn't have all the answers but she knows what time it is, and she knows racism when she sees it. The frankness and sometimes hopelessness with which this kid approaches the racist behavior of nearly everyone around her --just fantastically drawn. There's so much here and boy are kids lucky who get to grow up and have this book on shelves waiting for them. Who's jealous? Not me.
P.s. I took a writing masterclass with Linda Sue Park at the Kweli Color of Children's Lit conference and ever since she's been my kids lit hero. No lie.
P.p.s. Read the endnotes. In addition to loads of interesting history and analysis of her proceed, it's like a catalog of BIPOC genius authors up in there....more
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