As a fan of Gene Luen Yang, I hate to say that this wasn't the best. But actually, it might grow on me as the day grows. He does that with his books. The more you contemplate, the more you find that his books are wrapped in layers of meaning and nuances. For instance, in the eternal smile story, you wonder what just happened. A mean frog decides to decimate his friendly assistant, and then we find out it's just a show. But the frog is real, which comprehension and the ability to converse with the man who created the show. Ok, that's the filling of the story. So let's start to discuss layers. Despite the fact that we are created and wired a certain way (genetics, God, etc.) we still have the autonomy to make our own decisions. So does that mean we have the right to be mean or are still to be held accountable? Layer one. Next- What should be your motivation of living? Mr. Frog is all about the money. His assistant is all about pleasing his boss. The relatives are about getting what they can out of a situation. None of them turned out well. See what mean- another layer! I reserve the right to up my stars as the thoughts continue...
3/5 stars
As a fan of Gene Luen Yang, I hate to say that this wasn't the best. But actually, it might grow on me as the day grows. He does that with his books. The more you contemplate, the more you find that his books are wrapped in layers of meaning and nuances. For instance, in the eternal smile story, you wonder what just happened. A mean frog decides to decimate his friendly assistant, and then we find out it's just a show. But the frog is real, which comprehension and the ability to converse with the man who created the show. Ok, that's the filling of the story. So let's start to discuss layers. Despite the fact that we are created and wired a certain way (genetics, God, etc.) we still have the autonomy to make our own decisions. So does that mean we have the right to be mean or are still to be held accountable? Layer one. Next- What should be your motivation of living? Mr. Frog is all about the money. His assistant is all about pleasing his boss. The relatives are about getting what they can out of a situation. None of them turned out well. See what mean- another layer! I reserve the right to up my stars as the thoughts continue...
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5/5 stars
I don't know what I could write that hasn't already been said. I learned a lot about what I don't know, and what I would never know unless I read this book. I learned a lot about how ignorance is just as bad as being mean sometimes. And I learned a lot about the importance of community. All communities. I know many have already read or heard about this book so a short summary. Star sees her good friend Kaleel get shot by a cop who saw a gun (spoiler alert, it was a comb). She has to deal with it, and it's not easy. Does she stay silent? Does she tell her friends at her private, predominantly white school or keep her life in compartments? Does she fight back against the media? While I learned a lot, it brought up more questions for me. Who do we trust for the truth? How can people ask questions (anyone to anyone) of each other to try to understand without it becoming a hate fest? What is the answer to neighborhoods that have crime and poor schools without revitalizing to the point of pushing out long-time residents? I thought this book was excellent, and I am glad I read it. 4/5 stars
Time travel books are usually very confusing to me. I have far too many what if's. But this is a good book that is basic enough for me that I could follow it and enjoy it. Not sure if that says that the book is too simplistic or that I am. Regardless, it was a good book. Zoe is just trying to get out of the rain when she ducks into a bank. And there is a guy who has given her the time of day, which is unusual for her ever since she ended up in the foster home. In fact, she has been avoided and deemed schizophrenic. But she's not. The truth is that she can time travel back exactly 23 minutes, and only 10 times. She uses this amazing gift when someone comes in and shoots and kills many of the patrons and tellers. But the catch is that everytime she rewinds, the result tends to be even worse no matter how hard she tries to make it better. The book is easily a cross over of middle grade and high school. I won't lie, it's a bit like Groundhog Day, and the tune of I've Got You Babe maybe popped into my brain more than once. I liked Groundhog Day, though, so it's not a bad thing. 2.5/5
I'm being generous with the 2.5 or even a 2. Not sure why I put it at 2.5, other than I respect Meghan Masterson for giving it the ole college try. The concept was brilliant. And even some of the research was pretty cool (although I wonder if she research primarily on Wikipedia). But the writing was redundant and the characters were flat, blah. So the premise is about a young girl who is fairly wealthy and is the wardrobe mistress of Marie Antoinette (hence the title). The French Revolution was a bummer for many involved, and those who were against the revolution were to fear for their lives, as well as their heads. Oh, Marie did not suggest her people eat cake, by the way. It was falsely credited to her, and I guess she didn't care what they ate. I learned a lot about the importance of what she wore, though. Politically important. And the King was kind of an idiot. I wonder if I hadn't read America's First Daughter first if I would have had a better impression. It took place in the same time period and crossed the same people (Lafayette), and definitely had a different writing style (different authors, so that makes sense). I'm not sorry I read it, but I don't think it was a great book. 4/5 stars
My daughter suggested this book, and literally squealed when she found it for really cheap. So, I had to read a book that made my daughter squeal. And I liked it. I really liked it. I wonder if it's because I grew up in the 70's has anything to do with it, but either way, it's more about being yourself. About being a team member. About having goals. About having awesome rainbow socks. Even if you aren't into the fantastic ride of roller derby girls (remember that amazing Charlie's Angels episode when the angels went undercover in the roller derby?), you will enjoy this book. 4/5 stars
What truly defines a human? What defines loyalty? If it acts like a duck, quacks like a duck, yadda yadda? In Diabolic, a really good science fiction in a long time, we meet a creature that looks somewhat human but is imprinted onto someone to protect at any cost. And so we follow the diabolic, Nemesis, who befriends Sidonia, a senator's daughter. The Senator has some wacko ideas of learning science, math, etc., and so the emperor and his deranged nephew decide to get back and bring Sidonia on board (space ships, sci-fi, remember?) as a bargaining point. But, sci fi as it is, allows people to change the way they look and so Nemesis goes under the guise of Sidonia. And then it gets even better. But I won't tell you how since it's got lots of action, a couple of predictable twists, but still a good book. 4/5 stars
You know when you make a snowball, then keep rolling it and rolling it until it gets bigger? That's My Sister Rosa. No, not really. You know when you are looking for the eggs during Easter but end up finding something completely gross and disgusting? That's My Sister Rosa. Nope, still not it. You know when you unwrap that Christmas present from the obscure relative and you aren't really sure what will pop out, but it's never really good? That's My Sister Rosa. Ok, clearly I have nothing to compare to My Sister Rosa. It is full of things to expect, but then are just a little off. Che and Rosa, 8 years apart (I think) are brother and sister to their parental units, also called by their first names. It's dysfunctional, but seems to work. They have landed in NYC and Che makes 8 year old Rosa promise not to kill anything. Huh. Something for most people that is implied, but never has to be stated. And so the story proceeds. And Rosa is able to keep her promise, but still shows the evil side. Pretty good, although there are some fairly explicit scenes between Che and his girlfriend, so beware. Oh, and some very interesting takes on Christianity. |
AuthorI'm a high school librarian. I love to read. Really. Love. To. Read. Archives
December 2023
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