Rutabaga's Reads 2023: Part 17

Instead of trying to read every Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) in its entirety, I am doing “quick glances.” While this is my first Quick Glance ARCs compilation, it’s my fourth overall featuring ARCs. I am only featuring half of what was in the box, as I’ve had them for over one-and-a-half years and didn’t want to re-read the first chapters in all 10 ARCs.

            Disclosure: I’ve NOT been asked to provide reviews by the publishers, authors or the local Children’s Librarian. All opinions are expressly my own.

1. Barb and the Ghost Blade (May 31, 2022) by Dan Abdo and Jason Patterson.

Middle-grade fiction. Graphic novel.

The adult Berzerkers (a.k.a. Zerks) have all been captured. Barb, a Berzerker, must get to Maug Horn with her ragtag group of would-be Zerks. Maug Horn is the monster capital, so Barb and her little gang are not allowed. That won’t deter her in the least.

            While I’m not big on graphic novels, this one strikes me as a popular series (this is Book 2). The battles and mishaps look to be fairly comedic. Also, there’s a yeti named Porkchop. Who doesn’t appreciate a yeti in a story?

2. The Clackity (June 28, 2022) by Lora Senf.

Middle-grade fiction.

In Blight Harbor, the seventh most haunted town in America, shadows hide many things, including The Clackity. This creature lives in the shadows of the slaughterhouse, the one place that Evie Von Rathe’s Aunt Desdemona, the local paranormal expert, has forbidden her to go. When Des goes missing, to the slaughterhouse Evie goes.

            I surpassed the first few chapters of this ARC, such was my interest in it. It’s a fantasy horror for the middle-grade set. While there’s a creep factor, I doubt it’s one that’ll cause nightmares. For the youth you know who love scary stories or thriller novels, this (the first in a series) will hopefully sate their book thirst.

3. Eden’s Everdark (Sept. 6, 2022) by Karen Strong.

Middle-grade fiction.

There is a place called Everdark, a parallel world where the sun never rises, spirits linger between death and the afterlife and Eden’s late mother’s drawings are too real. The Witch of Everdark, beautiful and terrifying in equal measure, wants to make Eden her eternal daughter, thus keeping her in Everdark indefinitely.

            While I don’t know if it’s based on any specific mythology, reading the first two chapters already gives me folkloric vibes. It has fantasy, light horror and characters who know grief. I’m confident that it’s absolutely a book I’d enjoy.

4. Hither & Nigh (Oct. 18, 2022) by Ellen Potter.

Middle-grade fiction.

Join the Last Chance Club or be expelled from school. This is Nell Batista’s last chance. Strangely enough, the group is nothing like she imagines it will be, for their teacher starts giving them lessons in magic. Nell’s got street smarts, all the sharper since her beloved big brother went missing three years ago. It turns out that magic is real, and there’s a parallel NYC called the Nigh. Nell’s hoping the Nigh will hold the key to finding her brother.

            A story doling out magic, fantasy and adventure is absolutely one that I will read. My local library ordered this one in per my request. I would’ve happily read this ARC in its entirety, but I’ll check it out from the library instead.

5. What the Fact‽ (Sept. 20, 2022) by Dr. Seema Yasmin.

Teen (YA) nonfiction.

Real news. Fake news. Clickbait. The viral spread of information. Conspiracy theories. Your own biases and those of others. What is fact and what is fiction? How does one find truth in all the noise?

            It appears this book is to encourage the target age group – teenagers – to be freethinkers. And maybe it does, but I only made it through the Introduction, because it felt a lot like being talked at and not talked to. I do hope this book is actually quite insightful.

Rutabaga's Reads 2022: Part 14

This is the third ARCs post overall. Again, what I’ve read for this post have been unfinished proofs. I will avoid providing any quotes, as nothing has been checked against final copies. The previous ARCs posts may be found here and here.

            Disclosure: I’ve NOT been asked to provide reviews by the publisher, authors or the local Children’s Librarian. All opinions are expressly my own.

Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians (May 3, 2022) by Brandon Sanderson.

Previously published Feb. 16, 2016, as Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians in hardcover.

   Hayley Lazo, illustrator.

   Genre: Middle-grade, illustrated fantasy fiction

   Type: Chapter book

            He’s getting kicked out of yet another foster home, but that’s the least of his worries. The newly 13-year-old Alcatraz Smedry has met someone who claims to be his grandfather, the Sands of Rashid that arrived on his birthday have been stolen, Hushlanders (i.e. those living in the United States) and Free Kingdomers (i.e. those from Mokia and Nalhalla, etc.) are a thing, and his ability to break most anything is an impressive Talent. Alcatraz, Leavenworth (that’s Grandpa), Sing (a cousin), Quentin (another cousin) and Bastille (a Crystin, which is a Knight of Crystallia, and she’s 13) must retrieve the Sands of Rashid before they’re forged by the evil librarians and put to nefarious use. A witty, action-packed romp that’s fantastical in a real-world setting, this re-published story (for the first time in paperback) is conversational and chaotic, wily and wild. Although the story is entertaining, I did find Alcatraz’s frequent references that readers don’t know what’s really true and his recurrent interruptions to be redundant and noisome. It all grated on my nerves partway through.

            P.S. I was told that my local library used to carry the original versions of the series. Unfortunately, they didn’t circulate well and were withdrawn, but they remain available for checkout amongst other regional libraries through ILL.

For the Record (Mar. 15, 2022) by Monique Polak.

   Genre: Middle-grade, realistic fiction

   Type: Chapter book

            Two sisters live in two places, daughters of divorced parents Alain and Lisa. 12-year-old Justine feels important because her mom depends on her to watch over four-year-old Beatrice and to collect “evidence” of their dad’s neglect so that their mom can get full custody. Her mom bought her a journal and everything! Justine only details what their father does wrong, never noting how much he loves her and Bea. Justine also never records what her mom does wrong. She says her mom never does anything bad … but what about all of the times she’s blamed her for things that are her mom’s doing and not hers? Surely, most other 12-year-olds don’t feel like they have to be the ones to fix everything? In this well-written tale, Polak impresses me with her thoughtful portrayal of divorce and a jarring fictional reality that may happen. It’s one in which Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) is clear early on, even if one is unfamiliar with the term, one the DSM-V now labels a form of child psychological abuse. I am also impressed by how the author writes both parents in a nonjudgmental way. Both are flawed, but both clearly love their daughters, even if their child-rearing appears clashingly different. Children of divorced parents may connect with this story, but it’s not a fun one. However, it is assertive and frank, and that works for this story.

Hazard (May 10, 2022) by Frances O’Roark Dowell.

   Genre: Middle-grade, coming-of-age fiction

   Type: Verse novel

            When you’re a star athlete, you don’t play dirty, but Hazard Stokes makes a bad hit, and Coach bans him from the team until the therapist gives the okay. Haz doesn’t believe he needs to see the therapist. Sure, his dad’s leg got blown off by an IED. And yeah, Haz and his brother, Ty, have had to temporarily move in with their grandma so their mom can be with their dad. And, okay, he feels like he’s gotta take care of Ty. But that’s it. No problems here, not with Haz. To the reader, it’s clear that Haz has things to process. There are things going on that would be overwhelming for anyone to contend with, no matter the age. In this relatively slim tale, there is a lot of anger and frustration, and it’s an uneasy path to forgiveness and understanding. The story is told through emails, documents and a couple interviews; it’s considered a novel in verse. While it may resonate with readers who’ve gone through similar experiences or like to read fiction that grapples with realistic tough stuff, I struggled with this. Despite Haz’s struggle, I didn’t like his snide, snarky attitude and so didn’t connect with him. I didn’t find the empathy that I expected that I should have. I also didn’t care for the format. All of the “emails” and “documents” make for a non-cohesive tale. But perhaps that is what the author’s aiming for. Life isn’t cohesive 100% of the time. It’s disjointed, too.

The Mirrorwood (Apr. 12, 2022) by Deva Fagan.

   Genre: Middle-grade fantasy fiction

   Type: Chapter book

            All Fable wants is her own face, but of her entire family – Da, Mum, Allegra (her twin sister), Indigo (they/them), Sonnet (a sister), Thespian (a brother) and Gavotte (another sister) – she’s the only one who’s blighted. To be blighted is to be hunted. There are blighthunters in their world, and Vycorax is one. Her dad, Telmarque, is another. When the two of them breach the thick, thorny hedge that borders the Mirrorwood, they strike a tentative agreement (that Vycorax won’t kill Fable). Eventually, they become something like friends or at least allies in ending the blight. Fable’s blighted cat, Moth, is with them, too. Moth’s blight enables Fable to hear his voice in her head, though no one can hear Moth except her. The Subtle Powers, specifically, Mirachne and the Bannon, seem to have different ideas of what Fable should go about doing. Fable and Vycorax aim to retrieve a tooth from the Withering, a creature that devours anyone and anything in its path, creating oblivion and turning that part of the landscape gray. Fable’s been told to kill the demon prince, Lyrian, but what if it’s Rylain that’s the horrible one? I like this ARC. It is riddled with magic, but it’s not big like the magic in Harry Potter or The Marvellers. This magic is quieter, but still powerful. For middle-grade readers looking for fantasy that isn’t frightful or too deep-themed, this may be a good choice. By saying it isn’t “too deep-themed,” I don’t mean that there’s no depth at all, just that the plot is straightforward and not complicated. There’s the one character perspective, not two or more, and there’s still a choice to be made that doesn’t have an easy answer.

Trigger (Mar. 29, 2022) by N. Griffin.

   Genre: Young-adult, psychological thriller fiction

   Type: Chapter book

            Somewhere on the outskirts of town lives Didi Riev and her domineering father. Even at age five, she must conduct early-morning runs around the homestead, always aiming to be faster. Her dad also decides she must learn chess and win, even against older kids and adults. To lose, to come in fourth place, means punishment from the trouble stick. The story jumps to ages eight and 11 and 15, each of the years showing Didi’s mental fragility with the only source of goodness being her kindly neighbor, Lynn Li, and her son, Devin. This story is awful, not because the author’s writing lacks brilliance, but because Didi’s everyday living with her egotistical, abusive, tyrant-of-a-father is harrowing and psychologically destructive. It is jarring and not a story for the faint-hearted. I didn’t want to keep reading it, but it takes a lot for me to stop reading a book before reaching The End. The ARC contains no trigger warning, but it should. Possibly the most disturbing part of all? The story is drawn from the author’s own experiences.

Rutabaga's Reads 2022: Part 13

While I’ve received many books over the years from a publisher or two to read and review, they’ve always been finished books. This is the first time I’ve read ARCs, and I was given the box to read per the Children’s Librarian. This is actually the second ARCs post, though I received this batch first (the first ARCs post only contains three). I split this batch into two posts.

            Considering the amount of reading I do outside of work and regular life stuff, these are being posted well after they’ve all released.

            Please note: I won’t provide any quotes, as what I’ve read have been unfinished proofs.

            Disclosure: I’ve NOT been asked to provide reviews by the publishers, authors or the local Children’s Librarian. All opinions are expressly my own.

Belle Morte (Apr. 5, 2022) by Bella Higgin.

   Genre: Young-adult vampire fiction

   Type: Chapter book

            At Belle Morte, in England, Irene “Renie” Mayfield is no Vladdict, but she’s applied to be a donor to the vampires of this house, one of five in the U.K. alone, because she’s searching for her sister. June went in five months ago and was sending letters … until she suddenly wasn’t. Those that have the answers – like Ysanne Moreau, Lady of the House, and Edmond Dantés, Ysanne’s longtime friend – aren’t readily open with Renie. But Renie is determined, and she will find the truth. She won’t be like those Vladdicts who treat vampires like gods; they’re her enemy, though there’s something about Edmond. She could get lost in him ... Admittedly, my first reaction was, “Oh great, another vampire novel.” They are overdone, but I was pleasantly surprised by the story’s arc. Yes, insanely gorgeous vampires inhabit the story, and none of the donors sound like they’re anything less than attractive, but there was grit to this story. If you’re a vampire novel enthusiast, this one may be your type.

Isla to Island (Mar. 15, 2022) by Alexis Castellanos.

   Genre: Middle-grade historical fiction

   Type: Graphic novel

            Cuba is a vibrant country with people, flowers and food that Marisol Alabarce loves, but when Fidel Castro comes into power in 1959, parents are afraid their children will be taken from them and send their kids to the United States in an exodus that becomes known as Operación Pedro Pan (or Operation Peter Pan). Nothing in Brooklyn, NY, is familiar to Marisol – not the language, her Caucasian foster parents or even the flora. School isn’t engaging; life looks cold and gray until she discovers the library. Text within this graphic novel is sparse, and what’s present is sometimes English, sometimes Spanish. Despite it being mostly wordless, this graphic novel shows Marisol’s alienation in an unfamiliar environment. It is impactful and encourages empathy. Though a work of fiction, it is inspired by the author’s family’s experiences, making the story authentic.

Once Upon a Tim (Mar. 1, 2022) by Stuart Gibbs.

   Stacy Curtis, illustrator.

   Genre: Illustrated middle-grade fantasy fiction

   Type: Chapter book

            The start of a new series, this once-upon-a-time is the story of Tim. Tim is a peasant, and he has the opportunity to better his station by going on a quest with his best friend, Belinda (posing as a boy), to save Princess Grace, who’s been snatched by a nefarious monster. This story is a witty romp in a medieval setting that will find an audience with kids who want a quirky, funny read. They may not notice the lessons on unconscious bias and stereotyping, but the madcap adventure will draw them in. I enjoyed the inclusion of IQ Boosters, enhanced words the readers may find challenging. This isn’t a regular once-upon-a-time story: the prince isn’t courageous, the wizard can’t do more than card tricks, the stinx isn’t so nefarious, the village idiot may actually be intelligent, and there’s really no happily ever after. Are you ready for the Kingdom of Wyld?

            P.S. I recommended this one to the local Children’s Librarian, and it’s now in circulation!

Rima’s Rebellion: Courage in a Time of Tyranny (Feb. 15, 2022) by Margarita Engle.

   Genre: Young adult historical fiction

   Type: Verse novel

            Spanning a decade from 1923, when Rima Marín is 12, until 1933, Rima looks toward a better future in Guanabacoa, Cuba. During that time in Cuba, females have zero right to vote, and Rima will have even fewer rights, as she is a natural child, an illegitimate one. She is bullied and shunned, including by the church. She knows her father. Rima, her mother and abuela (grandmother) live on property owned by her father, but he does not give her his last name. That’s why Rima only has one last name. She loves to ride her horse, Ala, and rides alongside las mambisas, fierce women who fought during Cuba’s wars for independence. She wants to see the day where there’s no fear or shame in being a woman, nor in being natural, and the Adultery Law is abolished. This YA novel is told in verse, but not of the rhyming variety. Though much of the story is turbulent, there is hope and even falling in love. It’s a feminist tale and a worthy read, though with the verse design and the decade that passes in around 200 pages, the fast-paced plot did move too quickly.

The Summer of June (May 31, 2022) by Jamie Sumner.

   Genre: Middle-grade realistic fiction

   Type: Chapter book  

            11-year-old June Delancey is a wonder to behold. It's the top of summer. She's shaved her head, which she later regrets and winds up with an electric blue wig. She plans to beat her anxiety. She meets poetry-loving, soccer-playing Homer Juarez going about her volunteering at the library where her single mom works as the young adult librarian at Columbia Public Library (Columbia, Tennessee) and learns from Luis Silva about how to care for plants, finding that her secret garden brings respite from her extreme anxiety. She impulsively stops taking her meds and continues to get little sleep at night with disastrous results. Sumner creates a vivid piece of fiction that gives a realistic portrayal of the weight an extremely over-anxious mind can have. It encourages openness about and discussion around the topic of mental health and highlights the power of friendship. It isn't a story all about anxiety; it is a hopeful story, too. 

The T. rex Attack (Apr. 12, 2022) by Rex Stone.

   Louise Forshaw, illustrator.

   Genre: Children’s dinosaur fiction

   Type: Middle-grade chapter book

            The first in the Dinosaur Club series, this story follows Jamie (who’s new to Ammonite Bay) and Tess as they discover a secret cave that leads them into a world of dinosaurs, some carnivorous (like the Tyrannosaurus Rex) and others herbivorous (like the Wannanosaurus). While some of the dinosaur names may be difficult for emergent readers without assistance, the chapter book appears to contain fun “Dino Data” facts at the end, and the story itself is adventurous without being scary. I expect my nephew will like this book when he reaches chapter book level. (P.S. I thought this might be considered an early reader book, but the libraries in the region classify it as middle-grade/juvenile fiction.)

Rutabaga's Reads 2022: Part 5

For me, one of the fun things about working at a library has been reading ARCs (Advance Reader Copy). This is actually the second batch of ARCs I’ve been given to read, but I’m posting it first, as there were far fewer books in this batch than the first one (which will be split into two posts). These three came from Chronicle Books.

            Note: What I read were unfinished proofs. No quotes will be provided, as nothing has been checked against any final copies.

            Disclosure: I’ve NOT been asked to provide reviews by the publisher, authors or the local Children’s Librarian. All opinions are expressly my own.

The Callers (Apr. 5, 2022) by Kiah Thomas.

   Genre: Middle-grade fantasy fiction

   Type: Chapter book

            The ability to Call (summon objects) is a coveted skill, the people of Elipsom depending on Callers’ abilities to sustain their way of life. Quintus Octavius is going to be the first in his illustrious family (his sister is a Calling prodigy; their mom has been Chief Councilor for a decade) without the ability. Everything changes when Quin winds up in Evantra, on the other side of the planet from Elipsom. He didn’t know Evantra existed. It appears that nothing can come from nothing. Elipsom’s Calling isn’t free; it’s continually taking from Evantra, and the Vine is dying. Quin envisions living on Evantra; he feels anchored there, and he befriends an Evantran named Allie. I thoroughly enjoyed this middle-grade tale. It’s fantasy, but it shines a light on consumerism, how easy it is to exploit natural resources and wanting more than is needed. It reads quickly and the magic sweeps you up, but it’s all balanced with hard truths that make a person think. A strong story for anyone who enjoys fantasy, adventure and magic. P.S. I want to meet a rhinodrite.

Harvey and the Collection of Impossible Things (Apr. 19, 2022) by Garret Weyr.

   Minnie Phan, illustrator.

   Genre: Middle-grade fiction, animal perspective

   Type: Chapter book

            The narrator of this tale and the main character, Harvey, is a city cat. He lives on the streets and has a collection (list) of impossible things, such as “Catch safety.” Harvey isn’t shy about relaying how dangerous it is to live outside, though he loves life under the sky, but one needs luck to find food, find safety and find warmth. He’ll tell you about how Chester taught him that to be attached is to be brave, how he found the “woman in the blue shirt,” and how he’s friends with three sparrows. Here is a story of a homeless cat surviving and how he isn’t some creature to treat poorly. Like our own beloved pets, he is an animal of worth, deserving of kindness and empathy. Despite the cute kitty on the cover, this is not a fluff tale. The author advocates for adoption and fostering.

            (I’ve done neither; I’ve also never bought cats. Sadly, the cats that I’ve taken in – my family, too – have always been strays or the kittens of stray mamas. Oftentimes, we suspect those cats have been dumped, as most of those times, the cats have been tame, not feral. For the record, my three cats are fixed.)

Shine On, Luz Véliz! (May 3, 2022) by Rebecca Balcárcel.

   Genre: Middle-grade realistic fiction

   Type: Chapter book

            It’s After. After is the time after Luz Véliz blows out her knee. She’s a soccer star who’s been sidelined by injury, and she doesn’t know who she is without her sport. Her dad never seems to be around for her anymore. But thanks to a chance encounter with R2-D2 propping open a classroom door and her neighbor, Mr. Mac, Luz discovers an interest and skill for coding and robotics. Being able to present at the May Showcase, only weeks away, may allow her to skip a level, impressing not only the teacher, Ms. Freeman, but a certain boy in robotics named Trevor. She pictures her parents cheering her on like they did when during Before, when she played soccer. But how will that picture work when Solana arrives? No one expected Luz to have a half-sister, especially not Luz. How can she create a new self with all of this extra in her life? This middle-grade story is realistic and this STEAM-positive story showcases a female youth who’s encouraged to develop that interest. Her only hindrance is the bitterness and close-mindedness within herself. It’s a story of human connection, not only in families, but with surrounding people one never gave a chance of friendship to. There’s heritage to explore and change to grow with. It’s a smart, charming story.