By Ali Benjamin
Realistic Fiction – Young Adult
My Synopsis
When Susy’s best friend dies, it causes her to undergo a series of grief-induced reactions. She stops talking, hunts for answers, relives all her regrets, deals with loads of guilt, and gets angry at those around her. In her hunt for answers, she becomes oddly obsessed with jellyfish as a possible cause of her friend’s drowning, hence the book title.
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.
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.
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.
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”
INGRID E FABER 