book review – INGRID E FABER

The Exiles

Posted on May 9, 2022May 9, 2022 by iefaber

By Christina Baker Kline
Historical Fiction – Adult Fiction

My Synopsis
This story follows the journey of three women in the 1840s who are exiled to Australia from three different places and for three very different reasons. Much of this is based on facts, and some characters are based on actual people. It shows the ugly truths and injustices that were a part of Australia’s early days but also the kindness and resilience required of those who were sent there and became a part of its early society.

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A Sled For Gabo

Posted on March 21, 2022 by iefaber

By Emma Otheguy, Illustrated by Ana Ramirez González

SUMMARY:
Gabo wants to go out to play in the snow but doesn’t have the right hat or shoes and has no sled. He’s also too shy to ask the other children to share.

MY FAVORITE PART:
The plastic bags! Before I even knew what the story was going to be about I noticed the plastic bags on the cover. As a child, sometimes we’d use plastic bags as well. We typically put the plastic bags inside our old boots that were no longer water proof, but it was the same concept; keeping our feet dry.

MY FAVORITE PAGE:
The first spread. For a winter story about snow, you don’t expect to open up a book and be flooded with colors. All the little details inside the kitchen were so fun to explore.

SHELF, RENEW, OR GIFT?
Absolutely a great gift for any shy children in your life. Any snow lover as well. The whole process of waking up to snow, getting ready, having fun, and returning to warm up and having a special treat never gets old.

Book Reviews, Picture Book Reviews

Ten Ways To Hear Snow

Posted on March 7, 2022March 6, 2022 by iefaber

a Picture Book By Cathy Camper Illustrated b Kenard Pak (published 2020)

First, let me just note that it’s been a long time since I’ve reviewed a picture book. I read so many, it gets tricky deciding which to review and why. So I’ve come up with a new format and will review if/when I feel like it. I stopped looking for rhyme or reason to which I select for review. My latest haul had loads of winter themed stories so there may be several of those to come. But today we’ll start with this one for no particular reason at all.

SUMMARY:
Lina takes a trip across the city to see her grandmother on a quiet snowy day.

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Book Reviews, YA Book Reviews

EAST

Posted on February 28, 2022February 28, 2022 by iefaber

By Edith Pattou
Fantasy – Fairy Tales / YA
Published 2005

My Synopsis
This is a retelling of the Norwegian Fairy Tale “East of the Sun, West of the Moon,” where a poor family gives a daughter to an enchanted polar bear in exchange for wealth. She’s held captive for almost a year before she realizes the polar bear is actually a man also being held prisoner. As she tries to learn more about the strange circumstances, she accidentally makes things worse for the polar bear man and ends up needing to save him from a giant ice troll queen.

My Score:
“Meh”

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Book Reviews, YA Book Reviews

Six Of Crows

Posted on February 7, 2022February 20, 2022 by iefaber

By Leigh Bardugo
Fantasy – Adventure / Young Adult

I can visualize some of your eyes rolling as you think about how late to the game I am, but hear me out: I actually purchased this book when it first came out so at least there’s that. However, I gave it as a gift to my niece and never actually read it. Now that I have, I’m reviewing it for maybe some others who haven’t heard of it. There is a possibility, after all, that I am not the last person to read this book.

My Synopsis.
A rag-tag team of thieves, assassins, spies, and gamblers join together for a heist that is all but impossible. Their collective skills include a healthy variety of real-world and fantasy-world talents with all the faults and sacrifices of gaining any powers or abilities. These characters are all very much flawed, and the story is told through their individual point of view as the adventure unfolds. Each of them has a different tale to tell, but everything weaves together, and it’s clear their stories will reveal a much larger tapestry than what is in this book alone. However, each individual thread is intriguing on its own.

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