A Poem: "April's Adventures Through Books"

Photo by Jonathan Borba via Pexels

April’s Adventures Through Books
It’s time for April to draw to a close.
There’s been adventure enough, I suppose.
A milestone birthday passed with quiet fanfare.
That night brought music and fancy plastic flatware.

I met Onasander Octagon, genius-recluse,
But I had to watch out; there were YAKs on the loose.
I traveled to Paris in 1944.
D-Day’s approaching in the second World War.

I rooted for Channi against the Demon Witch
And stayed right there through the heartbreaking pitch.
I paused for a spell at Hope Harbor’s Sandcastle Inn.
Charley’s fish tacos were devoured for the win.

I brushed up on the Ancient World’s Seven Wonders.
Only one stands, the rest plundered, fallen asunder.
I recapped the Salem Witch Trials, too.
What an awful blame game hullabaloo.

Adventures through books are a great way to traverse,
To meet characters who are richly diverse.
With imaginations, who knows what you will find

From the workings of an authorial mastermind!

Poems: Presenting Haiku Poetry 2

Photo by Thought Catalog via Pexels

Haiku on demand
National Poetry Month
My favorite month

The moon hides the sun.
There was a solar eclipse
On April the eighth.

It was cloudy here
The path of totality
Did not include us.

It’s my birthday month
A month of celebration
No aging here, ha!

Delivering hope
Through musical fundraising
The Night of Music

What is writer’s block?
Have you experienced it?
Write down your story.

We all have stories
Some small, some fantastical
Take charge. Write them down.

Find your ray of light
Project it onto others
Appreciate you!

Rutabaga's Reads 2024: Part 3

My second chapter books compilation of 2024 is already complete. My first set of chapter books for this year featured Mindy Kim, and this set features twins Astrid & Apollo. I checked all of these out from my local library.

Astrid & Apollo and the Awesome Dance Audition (Aug. 1, 2022) by V.T. Bidania.
   Evelt Yanait, illustrator.

<This is part of a series of books.>

The spark is lit after Astrid & Apollo Lee watch their cousin Lily in a winning dance competition performance. Lily tells her dance instructor, Teacher Yang, that Astrid & Apollo want to try out for the Number One Dance School. The twins aren’t actually sure they do, though Astrid enjoys dancing and Apollo likes gymnastics. They attend rehearsal so they can learn the routine they must perform for the audition that’s only a week later. Apollo faces a setback and has to make a split-second decision, even as he knows Teacher Yang doesn’t like surprises. Will his creative quick-thinking be the ticket or cost him his chance to be on the dance team?
        These stories are not in the order in which I read them. I continue to appreciate the positive vibe of these stories as well as the cultural traditions it incorporates so seamlessly. The energy in this story is effervescent, the writing is strong, and the plot is easy to follow along with and perfect for emergent chapter book readers. Yanait’s illustrations are vibrant, and the attention to detail on the Hmong costumes is beautiful. It’s a dynamic tale.
        Also in the series: Tae Kwon Do Champs

Astrid & Apollo and the Brilliant Book Report (Aug. 1, 2023) by V.T. Bidania.
   César Samaniego, illustrator.

<This is part of a series of books.>

Twins Astrid & Apollo are big readers. When their teacher, Mrs. Lor, assigns her students a book report, Apollo knows which book he’ll pick for the assignment. Then he discovers that Kiran, his best friend, has chosen the very same book! Mrs. Lor told the class that she “will give extra points for originality.” Apollo takes this to mean that he can’t choose the same book as his classmate, so he scrambles to find another, going so far as to checkout 25 books from the family’s local library! How will Apollo’s book report turn out?
        I know I’ve been gravitating toward stories with Asian/Asian American main characters because those stories weren’t around during my childhood, but these stories are very age-appropriate. I remember being in elementary school having to write book reports (and yes, I loved being assigned book reports). Bidania’s writing is fairly uncomplicated and would be strong choices for chapter book readers to try (they may need help with unfamiliar words like bánh mì). The text is accompanied by colorful illustrations by Samaniego, and the story as a whole is full of energy.

Astrid & Apollo in Concert (Aug. 1, 2021) by V.T. Bidania.

   Evelt Yanait, illustrator.

<This is part of a series of books.>

The solo isn’t a solo, but a duet! Astrid & Apollo are overjoyed to have been chosen to play a duet at their school’s recorder concert. They’ve put in a lot of practice, especially in the two weeks leading up to the concert, but their little sister, Eliana, keeps getting in the way. She thinks to create music like her older siblings with her paper party horn, but her music isn’t so lovely. It’s clear that she wants to be included. On show night, there’s double the disaster. The show must go on, but what will the twins discover?
        For anyone who’s ever had a younger sibling who’s wanted to do what you’re doing and have felt annoyed by it, this story will be relatable. Eliana’s choices garner negative attention, but it still resulted in the family, particularly Astrid & Apollo, noticing her. That Bidania used it as a gentle teaching moment is something to value. Yes, there’s frustration and upset, but after time has passed and awareness enters the twins’ minds, it opens up understanding and inclusivity of their little sister. That’s a sweet moment. The story overall is as dynamic as the others, and now I’ve been craving pho gao (“steamed rice rolls made from rice flour and water and filled with ground meat, onions, and other seasonings”).
        Challenge: The recorder song titles are based on real songs. Do you know which classic children’s songs they’re based on?

1. ‘Sparkle, Sparkle Giant Moon’
2. ‘Cold Round Rolls’
3. ‘Mario Had a Huge Sheep’
4. ‘The Icky, Biggy Buggy’

"Sandcastle Inn" by Irene Hannon

Sandcastle Inn (Apr. 2, 2024) by Irene Hannon.

<This is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone novel.>

Hope Harbor, Oregon, is nothing more than a stopover point for 33-year-old Vienna Price, who’s come to visit her nonconforming, carefree mom, Bev, owner of Bev’s Book Nook and maker of custom jewelry since her retirement. Vienna’s been recently fired from a high-end position with a boutique hotel chain. She holds an MBA with a double concentration in finance and marketing. Her planned-to-a-T life is crumbling, and she’s at loose ends. Traveling to Hope Harbor isn’t in Dr. Matt Quinn’s (a veterinarian) initial plans, either, but he goes to help his sister, Kay Marshall, nine years his senior, who raised him from age nine. Kay purchased Beachview B&B before seeing its disrepair and is in way over her head. Beachview B&B doesn’t just need a little TLC; it’s already on life support. Kay’s gone “Florence Nightingale” to care for a grandmother-figure who’s having surgery, leaving Matt with a foundering B&B and stuck in an “emotional wasteland” with his misplaced guilt after shattering losses. Vienna has the skills to revive the B&B. Has she the skills to mend a broken heart?
        Andrew and Paige Thompson, both in their upper 20s, are desperate for work after someone they trusted ruined their business and reputation. Andrew is in construction. The B&B needs a contractor. Might this be the project that gets them off rocky ground so they can gain stable footing yet again?
        While not my first novel from Hannon, it is my first in her Hope Harbor series, and it’s the 10th installment! This fictional town on the Oregon coast is one I’d happily visit. I’d snitch a homemade cookie and peruse the inventory at Bev’s Book Nook. I’d want to eat Charley’s fish tacos daily and grab pizza from Frank’s weekly. Hope Harbor embodies a whimsy and steadfastness that is delightful to read, even as the relatable characters grapple with life-altering events and piecemeal their lives back together. Faith is staunch, but not forceful. Hannon’s writing in this Christian, contemporary romance is warm and wholesome. The pacing is snappy, the dialogue unencumbered by lofty monologues. I wouldn’t say no to another visit to Hope Harbor!

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"Her Radiant Curse" by Elizabeth Lim

Her Radiant Curse (Aug. 29, 2023) by Elizabeth Lim.

<This is both a standalone and prequel novel.>

There are two Jin’aiti sisters of Sundau in the Tambu Isles. Channari (Channi) is as monstrous as Vanna is beautiful. Channi wasn’t born with a serpent’s face, but Vanna was born with a golden light in her heart. Vanna’s the only person who values and loves Channi. Vanna was supposed to be the sacrifice to the Demon Witch, Angma, a tiger demon, as a newborn, so their mother could live. Angma plans to claim Vanna by her 17th birthday, which is two days away. As if that hasn’t weighed on Channi all these years, Vanna’s set to be married off in a vulgar betrothal contest that lines the coffers of the greedy. Channi vows to defend Vanna, lest she be bought by the horrific King Meguh. When Meguh makes a deal to kidnap Channi, Channi fights over land and sea to reach her sister with her best reptile friend, Ukar (a freckled green snake), and Hokzuh (he’s part dragon, part demon). While Angma cursed her face, it’s the Serpent King who filled her veins with his poison. Meanwhile, Hokzuh has neither the dragon nor demon halves of his heart. He knows Angma claims his demon half (his demon side is kept at bay by his moonstone), but he would not be able to see the golden glow of his dragon half even if he was standing right in front of it. How strong are the bonds of sisterhood when pitted against a Demon Witch and a half-dragon-half-demon desperate for both halves of his heart?
        A Legends of Lor’yan novel, this one’s cup runneth over with a fully-realized world of well-constructed cosmology that is beautiful and devastating. The setting is lush, the fantasy thrilling, and the Southeast Asian folklore is resounding. This fast-paced, action-fueled YA gives us characters to empathize with, courage to praise and explores the dark side of beauty while showcasing how deep the bonds of sisterhood run. For those who’ve read Lim’s Six Crimson Cranes duology, reading this particular character’s story will be heartbreaking and enchanting, in equal measure. Also, this might be the first time I’ve rooted for the slithery reptiles of the world, albeit a fictional one.

2024 Reading Challenge - Update 7

Update 7 comes thanks to reading The Black Swan of Paris. It fulfills two tiles and leaves me just one tile away from completing my Reading Challenge!

        1. "A Book with a Color in the Title": Black.

        2. "A Book with a Place in the Title": Paris.

    Yes, I did purposely search for a novel that contained both a color and a place in the title. It also happened to be at my local library, which was an added bonus.

"The Black Swan of Paris" by Karen Robards

The Black Swan of Paris (June 30, 2020) by Karen Robards.

<This is a standalone novel.>

It is Paris, 1944. It hasn’t yet been dubbed as such, but D-Day is approaching, and the Germans are desperate to know when and where. Genevieve Dumont (newly 25 years old) is a celebrated star singer, but she’s a smokescreen, too. Her fame and beauty have made her the unwilling darling of the Nazis, but this privilege allows her to go undetected as an ally to the Resistance. Genevieve thinks she’s closed off her emotions until she hears word that her estranged father, Baron Paul de Rocheford, has been killed, and her estranged mother, Baroness Lillian de Rocheford, has been captured by the Nazis. She and the Resistance know that torture is imminent. Once Genevra de Rocheford, she hasn’t shared this with Maximillian (Max) Georges Bonet. He’s supposedly a 44-year-old French citizen who’s medically unfit for military service and so acts as Genevieve’s manager. In reality, he is 34-year-old British agent Major Max Ryan, Special Operations Executive (SOE). Not wanting her mother to become yet another victim of a brutal war, Genevieve reunites with her estranged older sister, Emmanuelle (Emmy) Granville. Genevieve has caught the attention of Herr Obergruppenführer Claus von Wagner, and, as much as he makes her skin crawl, she suspects that he knows where Lillian is being held prisoner. Genevieve isn’t as done with her family as she thought.
        WWII Paris is an uncommon setting for WWII historical fiction novels that I’ve read. This war story/historical thriller is simultaneously painful and exquisite. Robards’ careful research is reflected in the story’s intense realism and meticulous historical detail. There are a couple graphic scenes of torture depicted, so know this truly isn’t a story for the faint-hearted. There are moments that made my heart pound, my mind scream, and sometimes, I wanted to hide, too. This story is suspenseful, emotional and gut-wrenching and is also part spy novel plus romance story in a theatre of resounding bravery with Paris as its backdrop. It is bold and absorbing.

2024 Reading Challenge - Update 6

My "A Book Chosen for its Cover" selection was Snowglobe. The cover art is striking, but what initially drew me to the cover were the Korean characters (Hangul) and the author's Korean name. I was the first checkout for this YA novel from my local library, on the request list while it was on order!

"Snowglobe" by Soyoung Park

Snowglobe (Feb. 27, 2024) by Soyoung Park.
   Joungmin Lee Comfort, translator.

<This is the first novel in a duology.>

Enter a world of endless winter, where the average temperature is -50˚F. Jeon Chobahm lives in a meager dwelling with her “older” twin brother, Ongi, their mom and their grandma, who’s experiencing more memory loss. The twins and their mom all work at the power plant, which produces electricity for their sector and, primarily, Snowglobe. Snowglobe exists under a vast dome. It’s a place where the temperature is climate-controlled, and most all of the residents are actors, their unscripted-but-edited lives broadcast 24/7 to the frozen wasteland outside of Snowglobe’s protected dome. (The only place where there aren’t cameras is the Yibonn family estate. Young Master Yi Bonwhe is the heir. His personal assistant is Yu Junguhn.) Snowglobe residents have all the luxurious things: fame, fortune, warmth. Chobahm dreams of becoming a director, but so far, she’s only received rejections to her applications. Her favorite Snowglobe show is The Goh Haeri Show, and she looks strikingly like the show’s star and Snowglobe’s most famous resident, Goh Haeri. On the night that Chobahm risks her life to get Jo Miryu to the clinic, she meets Cha Seol. Director Cha is a hugely successful director, the person she most admires “in the entire universe,” and she’s proposed that Chobahm become Haeri. Haeri’s committed suicide, but the show must go on. Chobahm now has a dream life inside Snowglobe, but at what cost to her identity? Because Director Cha tells her she isn’t Chobahm anymore; she’s Haeri.
        The climate-ravaged world sets the stage in this YA dystopia. Snowglobe looks like a dream, but the reality is a lie. What is the truth, even? This novel explores personal identity, surveillance and ethics through a main character lens whose ambitions, anger, questions and compassion read realistically. This page-turner transports readers to a complex world with a dark underbelly and societal inequality. It’s bleak, but not without truth and hope, though it’ll take digging to find. I look forward to the sequel in the Snowglobe duology.

A Poem: "Glitter Everywhere"

Photo by Anni Roenkae via Pexels

Glitter Everywhere
Too often glitter gets a bad rap.
Dramatic thinkers think it’s a death trap.
Glitter gets everywhere and stays for life.
It appears out of nowhere to cause you strife.

There’s glitter in your hair, and it won’t wash out.
You’ve got glitter in your teeth, and it makes you shout.
You noticed glitter when you blew your nose just now.
Even glitter in your socks has appeared somehow.

A glitter galaxy’s formed in your plush rug.
How did that glitter get in your coffee mug?
Someone poured glitter into your footwear?
You say you found glitter in your underwear?

Glitter’s no joke. It invades every space,
Every nook and cranny and your workspace.
Nowhere is safe, not even your car.
Glitter’s been spotted in the cookie jar.

You better watch out for those glitter-full cards.
When it comes to glitter, be always on your guard.
Look high, search low, and shake out your afghan.
I might’ve put glitter on your ceiling fan!

2024 Reading Challenge - Update 5

This update finds me having read They Both Die at the End. It fulfills one tile, in which I read "A Banned Book." I put a Note at the end of the YA story's post, so I won't repeat it here. I'm now two-thirds of the way through my 2024 Reading Challenge!

"They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera

They Both Die at the End (Sept. 5, 2017) by Adam Silvera.

<This is a standalone novel, but a prequel novel released in 2022.>

“We here at Last Friend Inc. are collectively sorry for this loss of you.” The midnight hour has recently passed when Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to inform them that they will die in the next 24 hours. Mateo’s only family is his dad, and he’s in a coma. His best friend is Lidia Vargas and her one-year-old daughter Penny. He wants to really live for one day. Rufus’ family received their call from Death-Cast four months ago. He has the Plutos – Malcolm Anthony and Tagoe Hayes – and his ex-girlfriend, Aimee DuBois, who seems to want to see him on his final day, but there’s her problematic boyfriend. Mateo and Rufus find themselves as Deckers on the Last Friend app. It’s their End Day, and they will aim to live an adventurous lifetime in a single day.
        What would you do if you suddenly only had one day to live? Silvera explores that in this profound and heartrending YA novel of friendship, fate, love and loss. This is the first work I’ve read by Silvera, and it’s emotional, the storytelling at turns inducing chuckles and tears. It’s contemplative, bold and diverse. From the title, readers know how it will end. Romance, even a lifetime of friendship, is doomed from the get-go. The story sometimes gave me Lurlene McDaniel vibes, and I read so many of her books when I was younger. This is a moving story of living one last day. “Entire lives aren’t lessons, but there are lessons in lives.”
        Note: I will have a Reading Challenge update, but I chose this book because I’d read that it’s a banned book. The reason is, apparently, because it features a queer relationship. They kiss, but it’s chaste. They’re not ripping off each other’s clothing and having graphic intercourse. This story is first and foremost about two teenagers unexpectedly having to live one last day. There’s no tomorrow for them.

National Poetry Month 2024

Photo by COPPERTIST WU via Pexels

A Rhyming Book Dragon in a Bibliophilic Wagon

Rhyming is for every day. Rhyming is for now.

Rhyming is just what I like. It is the cat's meow.
Note that not all poetry is in rhyming form,
But it is my favorite. It is my norm.

A new month has started. It is April 1st.
I hope it's as delicious as a strawberry Sunburst.
What new adventures will come my way?
How will I celebrate my coming birthday?

Will I be a pirate looking for a treasure trove?
Or a tourist touring through an orange grove?
How about a Fremen riding a sandworm?
Or a war-time nurse tending the infirm?

Will I be a music prodigy in a famed concert hall?
Or a debutante at her first formal ball?
How about a gymnast vying for Olympic gold?
Or a lone human surviving dystopian cold?

Whatever this month brings, I know it will include books.
The suspenseful plots may find me on tenterhooks.
Fellow readers can always find me, a book dragon,
Traveling along in a bibliophilic wagon.

2024 Reading Challenge - Update 4

 A Twisted Tale Anthology fulfills one tile. It is "A Book with More Than 500 Pages." I'm now over halfway to completing my Reading Challenge. Huzzah!

"A Twisted Tale Anthology" by Elizabeth Lim et al.

Based on the title alone, it should be no surprise that this anthology features twisted fairy tales involving beloved, well-known Disney characters. Some authors have written more than one story. Some are veteran Twisted Tale authors, while others are new to the Twisted Tale franchise, but are also bestselling authors.
        What if Mulan became the emperor’s advisor? What if Mufasa survived the stampeding wildebeests? What if Prince Naveen arrived in New Orleans just to return to Maldonia right away?

A Twisted Tale Anthology (Oct. 3, 2023) Edited and with Stories by Elizabeth Lim.

   1. Cast Out by Livia Blackburne.

What if Snow White learned magic? Snow White is little more than a scullery maid. Her only friend is Dottie, a sparrow. She hears a voice calling to her, and when she stomps on her fear to investigate it, she’s led to the queen stepmother’s chambers. Here she finds the Magic Mirror, who tells her, “I am truth and honesty, the kernel of everything that is.” The Magic Mirror encourages Snow White to “harness magic to do your bidding.” She’ll have to practice hard and fast with a stepmother who wants to kill her.

   2. A First Mission by Elizabeth Lim.

What if Mulan became the emperor’s advisor? Fa Mulan did return to her family for a visit, and Li Shang did share a meal with her family. Now Mulan has returned to the city to take on the role of an Imperial Councilor of China. Chi Fu and the other advisors, all male, expect her to fail and want her to fail, as a woman. They are tasked with saving prized silkworms from flooding in Hongjing. Mulan and Shang stop to rescue villagers from the flooding with Chi Fu going on to retrieve the silkworms, anticipating that Chi Fu’s report won’t be good. He’s already been insufferable.

   3. Et Voilà by Liz Braswell.

What if Remy had met Colette first? As a woman, Colette has worked many times harder and for less pay than a male counterpart would as a rôtisseur chef at Gusteau’s, and she doesn’t feel fulfilled. She encounters a rat going through the garbage, carefully choosing discarded items, like the end of a pain couronne and a small bit of leftover brie. Remy has discerning tastes. Colette thinks herself crazy, but she takes a chance on Little Chef. Small portions emerge from the Midnight Kitchen. This might be the unexpected path she needs to make her mark. Linguini is around, but he’s a background character.

   4. The Envelope by Jen Calonita.

What if Anastasia had a change of heart? The truth is out. Cinderella and her prince are readying for marriage, as the Tremaines – Anastasia, Drizella and their mother – are shunned by the community for their maltreatment of Cinderella. When Footman Benoit brings them an invitation to the royal wedding, it’s Anastasia that greets him. Benoit understands what it’s like to be shunned and so doesn’t spurn her as others do. Anastasia’s taken on the role of maid, as Drizella and their mother are useless. When she finds a letter penned by their late father, Francis Tremaine, Anastasia feels prompted to visit his hometown of Lille. Benoit accompanies her. She meets Mathilde Boche, who may just have an offer Anastasia can’t refuse.

   5. A New Dawn by Farrah Rochon.

What if Mufasa gave up his throne? Mufasa survived the wildebeest stampede, but his body is far from mended. Simba rules the Pride Lands, but Mufasa struggles to relinquish his rule, though he was quick to forgive Scar. Simba has set patrols around the territory. The Wasaki (Evil Ones) are lions who’ve been cast out of their own prides, and they only seek destruction. Simba anticipates an attack, but Mufasa doesn’t trust Simba’s young instincts. Will Mufasa’s own pride cost them the Pride Lands?

   6. Rattle the Stars by M.K. England.

What if Jim Hawkins joined the pirates? As expected, Jim is aboard the flying ship with Captain Amelia and Dr. Doppler. Silver, the cyborg cook, is amongst them. Morph, Silver’s fist-sized pet blob of space goo, snatches Jim’s boot to get him to play, but it isn’t fun and games when he overhears Silver and crew members Scroop and Birdbrain Mary hatching a nefarious plan. They’re journeying to Treasure Planet, home to Nathaniel Flint’s legendary treasure trove. Jim doesn’t want Amelia and Dr. Doppler to be hurt. So, what does Jim think to do? Become a space pirate.

   7. A Royal Game of Chess by Liz Braswell.

What if history wasn’t quite right about the legend of Robin Hood? There’s a rumor going around that Robin Hood’s been captured, but that isn’t right, because Robin Hood is right there. Yes, I’m indicating Lady Marian. What, you thought Robin Hood was a male fox? *tsk, tsk* Lady Kluck knows the truth and encourages it. There’s an archery competition set by Prince John and Sir Hiss, thinking they’ll capture Hood for sure, or at least “his” Merry Men (like Little John). A kiss from Lady Marian is the prize, so who will be Robin Hood when Marian will clearly be in the limelight?

   8. The Secret Exchange by Elizabeth Lim.

What if Eric met Ariel after she rescued him? Staging one’s own meet-cutes sounds romantic, but when Ariel’s also sneaking around her father, King Triton, who disallows anyone going to the surface, especially his own daughters, it seems less rosy. Ariel has command of her voice, so it’s great fun to discuss the land and the sea, anything that comes to mind, with Eric. Ursula still manages to get wind of Ariel through Flotsam and Jetsam. What will happen when Ursula lets Triton know exactly what Ariel has been up to?

   9. Dust to Dust by Micol Ostow.

What if Tinker Bell was working for Captain Hook? When Tinker Bell abuses her pixie dust magic by using it to magically do her chores, she is reprimanded. In her hotheadedness, she storms away, packing a go-bag, as she doesn’t plan to return to Pixie Hollow anytime soon, if ever. She meets Captain Hook, and he gives her the encouragement she desires. Better yet, he wants her to use her magic. Against Peter Pan. She’s all for watching Peter and deducing the right moment for Hook to make his move. She’s got something of a crush on Peter, and it turns really bratty when Peter brings Wendy and her brothers. When Captain Hook and his crew attack, what will Tinker Bell’s move be?

   10. Gonna Take You There by Farrah Rochon.

What if Naveen had to get home to Maldonia? It’s early, but it’s already been a day for Tiana. Her dreams of opening her own restaurant feel stagnant. She’s saving all she can working two jobs, except now it’s one, because she just quit as Duke’s Café’s sole waitress. Her exit has her overhearing Prince Naveen and his valet, Lawrence, who’s also just quit, and right after bearing news that Naveen must return home for a family emergency. Naveen beseeches Tiana to take him to the ship at Mobile Bay, Alabama. They’ll need a chaperone, so her best friend, Charlotte “Lottie” LaBouff, accompanies them, and John, the LaBouff family driver, is their chauffeur. Their trek to Mobile Bay isn’t a straight course. Tiana knows her dream, but what is Naveen’s?

   11. Fates, Three by Jen Calonita.

What if the triplets visited the Witch? The triplets are now 16, and Merida is doing her own thing. Hamish is the planner/plotter, Hubert is the warrior-in-training who works out a lot, and Harris devotes his time and attention to his studies. Hamish is ever the mischief-maker, but his brothers aren’t as readily excited about plots anymore. He does get them to eat the stolen cranachan, and he has a plan to impress Clan MacGuffin when they come to feast with them. It involves massive butterflies, and it backfires. Desperate not to get sent to their great aunt, the triplets visit the Witch, who’s under her usual guise of a wood-carver. They want a wish that not only keeps them away from the relative, but also prevents them from turning into bears. What will the Witch brew up?

   12. A Dragon in the Snow by Kristina Pérez.

What if Madam Mim and Merlin went to school together? Madam Mim (Morrigan of Gurnard) is the Lyceum of Enchantment’s (on the Hidden Isle) star pupil. Her lilac-colored hair betrays her Shadow Magic, which is why she likes the Wildwood where there’s no one to judge her. Merlin (of Dalriada) is new to the Lyceum, his magic seems to come naturally to him, and he likes Mim. Taliesin is the Chief Mage there, teaching and advising. The Solstice Competition this year will be duels to become the next Royal Mage to Uther Pendragon and train under the inimitable, outgoing Royal Mage Niniame. If they must meet in the final duel, whose magic will prevail?

   13. The Journey Home by Farrah Rochon.

What if Belle had to take her father’s place at the fair? When Maurice is waylaid by an injury, Belle decides it’s on her shoulders to get her father’s latest invention to the fair at Annecy. It chops wood into clean logs. With trusted Philippe, their horse, with her, she is confident she can make it to Annecy and correctly demonstrate Maurice’s invention. Her father tells her to keep to the path, and she means to, until there’s a downed log across the path. She goes around and gets stuck. Gaston and LeFou cross her path. Gaston will help her, but only if she dines with him. Can Belle get herself out of this rut without resorting to Gaston’s muscular manpower?

   14. Call It a Hunch by Jen Calonita.

What if Hercules’s first day as a god didn’t go as planned? Prayers are coming Hercules’s way, but he doesn’t know how to hone in on one person’s voice, nor does he know how to grant their requests. Everyone’s too busy to help him: Zeus, Hera, Athena. Athena’s angry that her statues are being stolen from around the city, and she’s about to bring a terrible storm down on it. Hercules’s girlfriend, the mortal Meg (Megara), has been hired to find the perpetrator. She was hired to find one statue, but now several are missing! She needs this job. After all, it’s not easy finding work after you’ve been trapped in the Underworld. How will Hercules and Meg handle their respective first day?

   15. The Reluctant Prince by Liz Braswell.

What if Bambi didn’t want to be the next Great Prince of the Forest? The Great Prince of the Forest is decided. He’s passing on his mantle to Bambi, his son. Bambi doesn’t want to be the prince. He associates being the prince of the forest with being an aloof deer and an absent father. Bambi’s about to become a father, probably to twins!, and he wants to be present in their lives. He wants to stay by Faline’s side and remain best friends with Thumper and Flower. They will all encourage him to be the prince, but it’s Faline’s words that will resonate the most.

   16. The Rose and the Thorns by Elizabeth Lim.

What if Aurora knew the truth about her curse? For almost 16 years, Princess Aurora has been reminded daily that she must be so careful. Spindles in the kingdom have been outlawed since Maleficent spoke her curse upon the baby princess, but it isn’t only spindles that Aurora must avoid. They won’t even let her use so much as a butter knife. Flora, Fauna and Merryweather look over her well, and Merryweather relents her tight grip, so she can learn some defensive skills (like archery). Prince Phillip has been her betrothed since they were little, but they’ve grown up as best friends. Is Phillip her true love’s kiss? They might well find out when the confrontation with Maleficent comes about.

Concluding Thoughts: Overall, this is a well-spun fantasy anthology that will please many Disney fans. As one of those Disney fans who also loves twisted fairy tales, I enjoyed these short stories. There are elements of things familiar with twists of things new. Some stories take place after the canon and so don’t disrupt the original narratives, while others offer an expanded backstory. All showcase creative, new details. We all know that they do not replace the originals, but instead, give us fresh takes on familiar stories. When it comes to twisted tales, do you enjoy updated spins and perspectives, or do you adamantly prefer the originals?

"Champion of Fate" by Kendare Blake

Champion of Fate (Sept. 19, 2023) by Kendare Blake.

<This is the first novel in a duology.>

Orphaned after the Ithernan slaughtered everyone else and taken as a sacrifice, it’s no wonder that Reed is all sharp edges and angry sides. She also bites, as does Silco (Silver and Combat), the colt that was also meant to be a sacrifice. Her small fury is noticed by Aster and Veridian, a current and former Aristene, respectively, an order of mythical female warriors. They follow Kleia Gloria, the goddess of glory. They’re immortal, but can be killed. They are the Heromakers. Growing up as the foundling and the favorite, she, Lyonene and Gretchen are training for their Hero’s Trial. They go to Atropa, the home and city of the Aristene, where Reed has been once before, as a small, furious child. Aster has been Reed’s mentor all these years, though Veridian is an apostate.
        Presiding over the Granting Ceremony are Ferreh (the mind) and Tiern (the teeth), the eldest of the Aristene, though they don’t look physically ancient. When she looks into the sacred well, she sees the same face she saw years before, but now she knows her hero is Prince Hestion of Glaucia, younger brother to Crown Prince Belden, and both the sons of King Arik. Glaucia’s king’s men are the fighting elite known as the Docritae. Hestion is handsome and infuriating in equal measure. Together with Crown Prince Alsander of Cerille (Lyonene’s hero), they will join forces to conquer Rhonassus, specifically, Roshanak, its capital. King Oreas cut off the Prophet of Scylloi’s (a.k.a. the Prophet of All) head. The battle looms close, and they discover how disturbed and twisted in mind Oreas has become. Reed learns her cost of pledging to become an Aristene. She has an impossible choice. Her hero or the Order who took her in when she had no one but a bitey colt?
        From the opening chapter, there is no calm in this epic fantasy, duology opener. There is violence, but it gives readers a clear history of Reed’s character. Blake has depicted the characters well, and the world-building gives enough imagery that readers’ imaginations can fill in extra details. The presence of these female warriors shows a strong bond and one as powerful as Wakanda’s Dora Milaje. This is a story at once about friendship and duty, tragedy and myth. There is feminine strength, but also adversity. While there are insinuations, there are no intimate scenes. The story is immersive and diverse, and I will so be there for its sequel.
        LOL lines: “When I die, the jar of my eyes belongs to you,” Sar pledged. “Along with my heart!” This, after Reed unintentionally saves him twice. Furthermore, Sar carries a funerary jar with him, for his eyes if he’s killed, as the Ithernan believe that the eyes hold the soul. To Hestion, they are warlike, but Reed only knows them as murderers.

"Never Fall Again" by Lynn H. Blackburn

Never Fall Again (Mar. 12, 2024) by Lynn H. Blackburn.*

<This is the first novel in a series.>

Three years have passed since Landry Hutton moved to Gossamer Falls, North Carolina, with her daughter, Eliza, now five years old. Landry’s been the artist-in-residence at The Haven, where her best friend, Bronwyn Pierce, is the CEO. Landry’s in a good place in her life and is ready to build her own home with artist’s workspace. She meets with Callum (Cal) Shaw, former Marine and youngest Shaw brother, of SPQ Construction, and, by extension, Maisy, his golden retriever. When a suspicious fire occurs at Favors on The Haven property, Landry is heartbroken. She sells her pottery there, which is a major source of her income. Without it, she won’t be able to build her home on the three acres of land she bought from Bronwyn. It’s situated across from Cal and two of his cousins: Montgomery (Mo) Quinn, a forensic accountant, and Meredith Quinn, the town’s dentist. Suddenly, the safety net that she’s been enmeshed in has been ripped apart. She doesn’t think her late husband’s family knows where to find her, but who else would target her? They’ll have to look closely at The Haven’s guests. Now that Landry and Eliza have met the Quinn/Shaw families, they’re automatically considered family. Both Cal and Landry have been hurt by past relationships, but there’s definitely more than friendship brewing between them. Now, if only they can figure out who’s set Landry as his bullseye.
        Previously, I’d only read a short story by Blackburn, and I’m glad that I finally read one of her full-length novels; this one is the first in the Gossamer Falls series. It’s easy to root for the lead characters, and it’d be spectacular fun to find oneself immersed into the Quinn/Shaw families by having “met a Quinn this morning.” I like the way in which Blackburn addresses Landry’s faith crisis. She’s a believer and knows Jesus died for her. She knows “all the Christianese” and could expound on doctrine at length. Her faith in God is great. Her faith in her fellow Christians is not: “On an intellectual level, she knew she couldn’t lump all church-going followers of Christ into one cesspool of hypocrisy and deceit.”
        “Never Fall Again” is a Christian romantic suspense novel with a focus on family (both found and by blood), faith and trusting others. While suspicious events provide drama here and there, the edge-of-your-seat climax doesn’t occur until the end chapters. And then, the race is on to save ... multiple people in two different locales (you didn’t think I’d name names, did you?). This story will have readers cheering, laughing, cringing and even gasping for breath. I look forward to upcoming installments.
        Notable lines: “Secrets bring despair. Surprises bring delight.” (p. 296)

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"XOXO" by Axie Oh

XOXO (July 13, 2021) by Axie Oh.

<This is the first novel in a duology (originally a standalone).>

Her dream is to get into the Manhattan School of Music (MSM) and perform as a professional cellist. Go “Jenny” Jooyoung is so focused on that dream that she’s never bothered with boys or K-pop. Since her dad passed, it’s been Jenny and her mom, whose relationship with her own mom is rocky. Jenny’s skills are spectacular, she wins competitions, but her latest judges’ remarks say that she lacks spark, though her technical skills are perfection. Bold and incensed, she challenges Bae Jaewoo to a karaoke song competition and unexpectedly ends up spending time with him in L.A. before he returns to Korea. Jaewoo is swoony and handsome. Jenny can’t stop thinking of him, but he never responds to her text messages. When her mom decides to go to Seoul to see to her ailing mom, Jenny pushes to go along. She’s accepted into an elite arts academy, where Jaewoo is also a student. Not only that, he’s one-quarter of XOXO, one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world. Jaewoo is their main vocalist and is the most popular member. Rounding out the group are: Oh Sun – leader, rapper; Lee “Nathaniel” Jihyuk – vocalist and main dancer from NY; and Choi Youngmin – rapper and maknae (youngest) of the group. XOXO is managed by Joah Entertainment, and they’re forbidden from having romantic relationships. How much are the two willing to risk for love?
        Landing in Korea finds Jenny making her first close friends. There’s Angela Kwang, a trainee at Neptune Entertainment who moved to Seoul three months ago from Taiwan, and Hong Gi Taek, a classmate who aspires to be a Joah trainee. Min Sori is her roommate, and while friendship at first seems impossible, Sori winds up becoming a best friend. Sori is the daughter of Seo Min Hee, CEO of Joah Entertainment, and a Joah trainee. Sori’s family can easily afford for her to have a single room, but it turns out that Sori’s been hoping for a friend.
        It appears that I have a penchant for novels with K-pop energy and K-drama vibes, and I make no apology for that! This YA bildungsroman is a contemporary forbidden romance that incorporates duty, reconciliation, humor and drama with Korean honorifics against an authentic Seoul backdrop. Oh’s conversational writing tone will find rank with readers who are fans of K-pop and K-dramas, but it’s also accessible to those who aren’t familiar with the same. The characters are likeable in this clean, breezy romance. The intergenerational dynamic between Jenny and her halmeoni (grandma) adds dimension to this feel-good story.

2024 Reading Challenge - Update 3

For my latest update, I am here with "Persuasion" by Jane Austen. It fulfills two tiles, both self-explanatory. The cover I'm using for this post is the cover of the copy I own from a boxed set. The back cover states that the book "was Austen's last-published novel, published posthumously in 1818."

            1. "A Book with a One-Word Title"

            2. "A Classic You Haven't Read Before"

"Li'l Elmer & Archie" by JoAnn Lower: An Interview

It is my honor to share with you an interview with JoAnn Lower, author of the children’s picture book “Li’l Elmer & Archie.” To me, JoAnn is a dear friend, and she also happens to be a first cousin once removed. I am delighted that she has added “author” to her skill set!

JoAnn, congratulations on publishing your first picture book! I know you’re a veteran of writing with your years of writing for the local newspaper. You’re already a journalist. What is it like to add “author” to your list?

JoAnn: Publishing a children’s book has been my dream for years. Being called “author” is a humbling experience.

You have a background in storytelling. Have you found that being a storyteller helps your writing process as an author?

JoAnn: Being a storyteller, I think in stories. Remembering the dots and sometimes years later connecting the dots that make up a story is awe-inspiring. Writing stories is my passion.

What or who inspired you to write “Li’l Elmer & Archie?”

JoAnn: A friend who owned a hardware store once told me about a farmer who came into her store wearing a pair of worn-out overalls. Noticing a mouse peeking out from the tattered hem of his overall leg, she readied a cardboard box. Next time the mouse appeared, she quickly covered it with the box, slid a sheet of cardboard underneath and freed the mouse to live outside. Remembering her story made me wonder: Did the farmer mind the mouse living in his overalls? If so, did he miss the mouse? Did the mouse miss him?

I’ve heard you explain that “Li’l Elmer & Archie” is a story about discrimination. Diversity and inclusion is a big topic. What sets your story apart from other picture books about a similar topic?

JoAnn: Many other picture books on library bookshelves speak to diversity and inclusion. My book tells the story of two unlikely characters who, after delving deeper into each other’s lives, no longer see differences but likenesses, allowing them to become best friends.

I know your book is available to purchase via Amazon. Do you know if “Li’l Elmer & Archie” is available to check out from your local library?

JoAnn: “Li’l Elmer & Archie” is available through Amazon.com and, just for the moment, for checkout at my local library in Northwood, Iowa. [Northwood Public Library]

You’ve crafted a sweet tale meant for a broad audience. Denis Proulx’s illustrations complement your text with bold colors and engaging characters. How wonderful is it to work with an artist who’s taken your text and helped you bring your story to pictorial life?

JoAnn: Illustrator Denis Proulx is a wonderful gentleman to work with. Paying close attention to my original manuscript, he created each of its colorful characters so beautifully that they brought my story to life.

JoAnn, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions! Love you!

2024 Reading Challenge - Update 2

Yesterday's book, Haunted Holiday, fulfills one tile. It is "A 2024 Release."

        I'm now one-third of the way through my personal Reading Challege. Hurrah!

"Haunted Holiday" by Kiersten White

Haunted Holiday (Jan. 23, 2024) by Kiersten White.

<This is the final novel in a pentalogy.>

<Spoilers included if you haven’t read the previous stories.>

The Sinister-Winterbottom twins are trapped in Aunt Saffronia’s spectral house, and Theo and Alexander must figure out how to escape so they can stop Essa and her mean-mustachioed henchman Edgaren’t (a.k.a. Van Helsing), save Wil + their friends and find their parents. Alexander decides to trust his gut and follow clues, which lead them to Siren’s Song Seaside Amusement Park. They find Marina Siren, but she isn’t the trusted adult they were hoping for. They locate their friends, but can’t get them out right away, discovering them in a maze of mirrors, though Wil isn’t amongst them, and neither is Mr. Frank. They are underwhelmed by the speed of a railroad velocipede; Alexander’s grateful it isn’t a velociraptor centipede (that’s fair, for that’d be horrifying to behold). They are appalled when Edgaren’t tries to lure them with churros, for nefarious churros should never be a thing. They are impressed by the giant battle robot, but are then disappointed when it doesn’t have an oven to serve warm chocolate chip cookies. More secrets will come to light, including who Essa is (she’s not a ghost), and mysteries will be solved. After all that, things might finally return to normal, or at least as normal as things can be since discovering you’ve been hanging out with a ghost aunt. And they’re still pretty sure Lucy’s a vampire.

        It’s a standing ovation for the final novel in the Sinister Summer series. If ever she wrote a spinoff series (perhaps beginning with LARPing at Camp [No Longer] Creepy), I’d be all for it before Alexander could shout, “Toilet alligator!” It’s a middle-grade gothic caper delight, brilliant in its comic writing and momentum-filled adventure. With this series, readers find that, behind every potential villain, is a person needing connection. To family and to friends. There’s also a little food for thought: What if sirens aren’t luring sailors to their deaths with their songs to be evil, but are trying to keep them away from hunting their innocent kraken bestie, who’s “just large and very tentacled?”
        Book 1: Wretched Waterpark
        Book 2: Vampiric Vacation
        Book 3: Camp Creepy
        Book 4: Menacing Manor

Rutabaga's Reads 2024: Part 2

I’m next out the compilation gate with a middle-grade post. In this entry, you’ll find mythology and a legendary, magical chocolatier.

Fury of the Dragon Goddess (Aug. 1, 2023) by Sarwat Chadda.

<This is a sequel novel.>

What would life be without Lugal (Mesopotamian word for war leader), the Mesopotamian god of madness, and his dear old mum, Tiamat, the great dragon goddess of chaos and mother of all monsters? Vacation. Definitely a vacation. Instead, Sikander (Sik) Aziz’s first time in London is anything but a vacation with his brother’s blemish-averse best friend, Daoud, his sort-of demon friend Rabisu and fierce, Kasusu-wielding Belet. They retrieve an ancient clay tablet, the mythic tablet of destinies, amidst a castle of chaos and fire. Sik unwittingly uses it to bring his brother, Mo, back, not initially realizing at what terrible cost. Sik’s troubles only increase alarmingly when the tablet is stolen and Belet’s taken, too. He tries to save her once and is alarmed when she doesn’t recognize him as the Sik whom she defeated Nergal alongside. She doesn’t remember Kasusu, either. Sik gets buried alive in concrete with no one but the ghosts of Bethlem Hospital (better known as Bedlam, a real place, and “a word now forever associated with uproar and discord,” p. 212) to keep him in mind-spiraling company, making it a very long two days. While Sik thinks someone else should take on the ancient gods of Mesopotamia, the fate of the world will, once again, rest on 14-year-old Sik’s shoulders.

            This follow-up to “City of the Plague God” packs in tidal waves of action and earth-shattering adventure of the Mesopotamian mythology sort, where readers encounter terms that are Arabic, Islamic and Mesopotamian (Per Chadda: While all Islamic terms are Arabic, not all Arabic terms are Islamic). “Fury” contains emotional range (not only fury, mind you, though there is that) and humanity amidst danger and chaos. Chadda doesn’t hold back, sprinkling in scenes containing xenophobia and Islamophobia and calling out Western theft of cultural artifacts with deftness that doesn’t take away from the action and adventure of the story. He also deftly and delicately explains the Muslim belief in one God (Allah) alongside the Mesopotamian deities: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger. Mama calls them djinn, and that works well enough. She sees them as spirits that decided to defy Allah and make mischief among humanity” (p. 135). For fans of mythology, this multitudes-containing epic tale written by a master storyteller is a must!

            Notable lines: “The desire to make the world a better place. That is the ultimate jihad” (p. 237). (A jihad is “a righteous struggle.”)

            Book One: City of the Plague God

The Spirit Glass (Sept. 5, 2023) by Roshani Chokshi.

<This is a standalone novel.>

Age 12 cannot come fast enough for Corazon Lopez, for that is the age that she can finally begin training as a babaylan, a rare mortal who guards the boundaries between the human world and the realm of spirits, under the teaching of Aunt Tina. When her magic awakens, she plans to bring her parents, Emilio and Althea, back to life, no longer needing to rely on the soul key that allows them to visit for a few hours every Saturday evening. A regular visit to the Midnight Bridge – a bridge between the human and spirit realms – brings an encounter with a vengeful ghost, who steals Corazon’s precious soul key. Aunt Tina tells her she must retrieve the key, so they can help the ghost move on, but the ghost refuses to rest. She’s looking for her “light.” With her on this quest is Saso (short for Samson), her companion anito. “They are the spirits of mountain rivers, streams and trees. The more powerful the babaylan, the more powerful and impressive the companion anito.” (Possibly the most impressive thing about Saso is his imagination. He says he’s a crocodile, but he looks like a small, blue gecko.) They also encounter Leo, a spirit guide who wants to write a ghost story. The spirit realm is imbalanced, and it must be restored, so says Librarian Bulosan, a kapre, which is “a tree giant who is often depicted as exceptionally hairy and fond of cigars.” Corazon will have to get two blessings and, at one point, calls on the assistance of a manananggal, depicted as beautiful (as opposed to hideously scary), and looks like a flying torso carrying Legs. Yes, her legs are named Legs. They must overcome insurmountable odds and right what is imbalanced.

Imagine my disappointment when I learned that this was a standalone novel and not the start of a new series delving into Filipino mythology! I didn’t think Chokshi could create a character more entertaining than Aru Shah, but she achieves that with this story that contains laugh-out-loud humor, but also imbues sorrow. Saso’s bloodthirsty personality is what had me in stitches. Just as magical transactions are known when they’re fair trades, a system of bargains and balances, so this story is well-balanced with comedy and tragedy. It’s a spellbinding middle-grade novel with an adventurous plot and excellent prose. Standalone though it is, it’s a new fantasy classic!

P.S. I want to live in a sentient house that sneaks pancit defiantly into my lunch bag!

 Wonka (Dec. 19, 2023) by Sibéal Pounder.

   Inspired by Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

   Based on the screenplay by Simon Farnaby and Paul King.

   Story by Paul King.

<This is a media tie-in novel.>

Before there was Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka’s giant-yet-mysterious chocolate factory, before there were Scrumdiddlyumptious bars and golden tickets, there was a much younger Willy Wonka. A Willy Wonka full of magical, chocolaty dreams, where a “little orange man with the green hair” (an Oompa-Loompa) is real to Wonka but make-believe to everyone else, and chocolate creations such as the Hoverchoc, which will cause a person to levitate, exist. This Wonka is far from his chocolate factory. His reality is that he doesn’t even own a small kiosk, much less a storefront. He can’t with the Galeries Gourmet a.k.a. the Chocolate Cartel. Slugworth, Fickelgruber and Prodnose keep a record of their dirty deeds in a green ledger. It’s kept in a secured vault, guarded by a corrupt cleric and 500 chocoholic monks. The Chief of Police’s face isn’t clean, either. His face is stuffed with chocolate. To make matters worse, when Wonka neglects to read the fine print (Noodle, an orphan, did try to forewarn him), he winds up as a washhouse worker. It’ll take him 27 years, 4 months and 16 days to make up what the crooked Mrs. Scrubitt and Mr. Bleacher claim he owes in silver sovereigns. Wonka has company with others who failed to read the fine print: Abacus Crunch (Chartered Accountant), Piper Benz (plumber by trade), Larry Chucklesworth (professional clown) and Lottie Bell (switchboard operator). Wonka is full of dreams. How can he turn those dreams into reality?

            Although I’ve yet to watch the film of the same title, Willy Wonka is a classic character. When I spotted this movie tie-in novel at my local library, I jumped at the opportunity to be the first checkout. This origin story, written by Pounder, is a delectably fizzy blend of magic and mayhem, cocoa-filled dreams and hearty emotion with sprinkles of humor and dashes of cunning. The story’s adversaries are as easy to despise as lima beans (I simply don’t like them), while Wonka and his washhouse cohort are easy to root for. The storyline can be followed with ease, and the sugary magic is intoxicating. The worm water, on the other hand, I’d keep a great distance from. In fact, I’d eat lima beans instead. Happy trails as you live in a world of pure imagination!

Rutabaga's Reads 2024: Part 1

Here marks my first chapter books compilation of 2024. It features three books from the same series. If interested, I’ve attached links to the previous posts at the end of the eighth novel’s write-up.

Mindy Kim Makes a Splash! (July 5, 2022) by Lyla Lee.

   Dung Ho, illustrator.

<This is the eighth novel in a series.>

Swimming in P.E. class. What fun! Or it would be, if Mindy Kim knew how to swim. She’s never taken swimming lessons and thinks she’s too old as a nine-year-old in a class with six-year-olds. But Mindy is determined to learn so she can:

                        “1. SWIM WITHOUT FLOATIES

                          2. LEARN TO SNORKEL

                          3. MAKE FRIENDS WITH MANATEES AND DOLPHINS.”

She’s also been challenged by Brandon, the meanest kid in her class, to a swim race. The bully’s challenge will push her to learn quickly, but will it be enough? Will she splash to success or find a belly flop in her wake?

            It’s another delightful tale from Lee with complementing illustrations from Ho. While I love that this series features a main character who is, specifically, Korean, it’s a wonderful series for any chapter book readers, including emergent readers. The text is mostly simple, though adults may need to be on hand for occasional words like harrumphed. Lee’s Mindy Kim series puts a little more positivity into this world, and as long as she keeps writing them, I’ll keep reading them!

            Mindy Kim Books 1-5: A compilation post

            Mindy Kim Book 6: Mindy Kim and the Big Pizza Challenge

            Mindy Kim Book 7: Mindy Kim and the Fairy Tale Wedding

Mindy Kim and the Summer Musical (July 4, 2023) by Lyla Lee.

   Dung Ho, illustrator.

<This is the ninth novel in a series.>

Auditioning for the community theater’s summer musical, Cinderella, is new and nerve-racking, but it helps that her friends, Sally and Lindsey, are auditioning, too. She remembers the lyrics of her chosen song, and Ms. Maria Kamper, children’s musical director at Sunshine County Community Theater, laughs when Mindy reads lines for both Cinderella and an evil stepsister. Mindy really wants to be Cinderella, and she’s horrified when she’s cast as stepsister. She worries that being cast as an evil stepsister means that Ms. Kamper noticed meanness in her during her audition, which means she might not be a good, big sister in the future. With her dad’s reassurances that she doesn’t look like a bad kid and that the stepsisters’ roles are the comic relief, Mindy’s ready to “make the best of being an evil stepsister” by being funny.

            Lee’s writing is so naturally inclusive of all ethnicities, and they’re fun to read. They’re also relatable for the age; Mindy and her friends have recently finished 3^rd Grade in this installment. Being cast as an “evil” character may sound dramatic to Mindy when we as adults know the evil stepsisters are actually comedic in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. She and the cast must also deal with a bully. The story is delightful and resonates with realness.

Mindy Kim and the Mid-Autumn Festival (Sept. 26, 2023) by Lyla Lee.

   Dung Ho, illustrator.

<This is the tenth book in a series.>

After Mindy’s harabeoji (grandfather) passes away, Mindy, Dad and Julie travel to Korea to be with her dad’s family for the funeral. Korea’s annual, traditional mid-autumn festival – Chuseok – falls during their visit. Chuseok focuses on honoring one’s ancestors. Mindy is excited to participate in this celebration, which she’s never experienced in Korea. They’re gathered in Korea for a sad reason, but Mindy wants to figure out a way to celebrate her late grandpa. Will it be in eating his favorite kind of fish (cod)? Or setting out his favored fruit (apples)?

            I think it’d be an adventure participating in Chuseok in Korea. While one might call it Korea’s Thanksgiving, it isn’t like our American Thanksgiving, though there is also a lot of food involved. I love that, with this book, Lee is introducing a traditional festival that many may be unfamiliar with. I would’ve gobbled up these stories if they’d been present when I was a child and am happy to consume them as an adult. The story is uncomplicated, but still deals in life lessons (coping with the death of a loved one) and has a cultural theme. This 10th story is as adorable as the first nine.