Reba is a rhino with an oxpecker friend. She's a rhino that likes to try things and be independent but when she faces an obstacle, riding a bike, she Reba is a rhino with an oxpecker friend. She's a rhino that likes to try things and be independent but when she faces an obstacle, riding a bike, she finds that the support of friends as well as a growth mindset really helps.
This is a picture book with an SEL focus that helps demonstrate concepts for kids and in this case, uses Reba the rhino. If it becomes a series it would work well because Reba's an effervescent main character with a realistic sidekick, the oxpecker which is a natural "friend" to rhinos.
As a sidenote, I'm a fan of rhinos and if it helps with conservation, that would be a perk....more
A richly textured fantasy school story for a middle school and high school audience that is about a magical school. Fifteen year old Hana is going to A richly textured fantasy school story for a middle school and high school audience that is about a magical school. Fifteen year old Hana is going to be repaid for a kind gesture toward a crow who shows up in human form to ask her to join The Benten School for Esoterics on scholarship. What Hana doesn't realize until she's on the bullet train speeding away from her family's home is that it's a school for magik and she'll be boated onto an island covered in mist to be hidden and learn these magik arts and earn friends along the way. BUT, of course there's a complication and that's that something is killing at the school and they have to figure out who or what it is.
It's a lesson in yokai, magik, Japanese history, and culture....more
The provocative silky green edges of the pages add another level to the witty title and trove of information within the pages-- what is poison? what tThe provocative silky green edges of the pages add another level to the witty title and trove of information within the pages-- what is poison? what things have poison? how have women used poison throughout history to maim, murder, and cause mayhem? Some were women for hire using their herbal skills to turn into a living murdering others, some were women converting life insurance policies to money in the bank, others wanted an end to abusive relationships the only way they knew how.
It's a collective biography in addition to a history of poison around the world. I was entranced by the stories, illustrations, and biographical content. ...more
A little more like a 3.5, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the book of a group of girl friends all named Taylor who love Taylor Swift and roA little more like a 3.5, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the book of a group of girl friends all named Taylor who love Taylor Swift and root for one another. But now that they're in high school, there are new and shifting relationships and school stuff to deal with whether it's a new boyfriend or a sports competition or singing a song.
Each girl has her own nickname since they're all Taylors. It's a coming of age friendship story with a little pop culture tie in. It was a fun read that had depth when it came to one girl's relationship with an older boy only to find out she was being discarded after being groomed. Another was about gaining confidence. ...more
Rintaro goes to the all-boys school full of riffraff that the girls that go to the high-class school next door know to stay away from, except it seemsRintaro goes to the all-boys school full of riffraff that the girls that go to the high-class school next door know to stay away from, except it seems Kaoruko.
It's a typical manga romance with an outsized personalities and overactive imaginations about who they are internally and externally and how others will react. I think my favorite thing though is Kaoruko's appetite-- like literal appetite as she's always up for good food or offering a piece of cake. She is a scholarship kid at the all-girls school which might explain her acceptance of Rintaro rather than shoving him away. A nice school manga though I don't know that I'd continue with the series. ...more
Certainly cozy and lovely this slow burn of a story featured around the Torunka Cafe, nestled among the side streets of busy Tokyo that only locals anCertainly cozy and lovely this slow burn of a story featured around the Torunka Cafe, nestled among the side streets of busy Tokyo that only locals and an occasional person following a stray cat finds, but when they get there they find a unique connection and an excellent cup of coffee.
Each story is about a deepening relationship or personal connection that unfolds languidly with a rich backstory that unravels as the story goes on. It's more about the setting than the individual stories that gives it its sentimental appeal- very Japanese. ...more
I hadn't read Greenfield's other but it comes with great reviews and I had been recommended this one somewhere and liked the title. The voice didn't mI hadn't read Greenfield's other but it comes with great reviews and I had been recommended this one somewhere and liked the title. The voice didn't mesh with me but the story itself is unique enough with a few solid tropes to be engaging. Two girls, rivals since the very beginning are being setup for "crimes" they didn't commit and have to team up to figure out who is framing them as they come to the end of their senior year only to realize they might be better off shifting their hatred.
It's got the banter that isn't my favorite (to me it's like Albertalli) but that won't stop me from recommending it. I always like a good senior year story. ...more
I wasn't into it from the start because I don't think it laid out what it was supposed to be in clear ways and subsequent chapters just felt random anI wasn't into it from the start because I don't think it laid out what it was supposed to be in clear ways and subsequent chapters just felt random and unorganized to the central idea. There were lots of names, places, and Asian cultural and religious references that for a general reader needed better structure to understand. I didn't think this was written for an average reader interested in understanding the scientific and physical benefits of meditation. ...more
The premise could only be concocted by the two: Kaufman and Spooner and executed so well- with bits of humor, intrigue, allusion, entertainment, and sThe premise could only be concocted by the two: Kaufman and Spooner and executed so well- with bits of humor, intrigue, allusion, entertainment, and strong females. In this story, with a well-planned title and a supporting backdrop (like the tavern run by a lady with fancy cocktails!) it's a perfect brain candy read that is female-forward. Gwen runs her dad's blacksmithy and now she's turned into Sir Gawain to joust and where everyone is intrigued. The lady, Isobelle of Avington is the grand prize of the competition and they've teamed up to all be winners unless they're uncovered before that.
I've never been a Disney fan so I know the basics of all of the stories but just like other series that set out to ask different questions about what I've never been a Disney fan so I know the basics of all of the stories but just like other series that set out to ask different questions about what happens in the respective worlds, this one swaps two princesses into the opposite world.
I absolutely get the appeal but likely won't continue reading others in the series but would recommend them to the fans of the fairytales with this ingenious twist. ...more
I didn't know anything about the landmark case out of Oregon in 1978 and the reverberations it would have throughout the court system (and abroad) regI didn't know anything about the landmark case out of Oregon in 1978 and the reverberations it would have throughout the court system (and abroad) regarding spousal rape. It's made more poignant too with the recent conviction of Gisele Pelicot's former husband and multiple men who raped her when she was incapacitated with drugs at the behest of the husband.
But the first case was with Greta Rideout who said her husband raped her which ultimately went to trial. The story is much more than just the trial but a biography of the Rideouts as well as case law, quotes, and history regarding viewpoints related to spousal rape. The book was not overwritten but balances "the court of popular opinion", the law, and most importantly the people involved in the case in 1978 to present day discussions and what's on the books. ...more
I'm late the game on Pokemon. Heading to Japan this past summer, I only knew of the global phenomenon by name but almost nothing above a general conceI'm late the game on Pokemon. Heading to Japan this past summer, I only knew of the global phenomenon by name but almost nothing above a general concept that stretched over media, games, collectibles, and more. Having just finished the collector's edition volume 1 which is the first three manga combined in a 600 page+ introduction, I can see the major appeal and got super into it! Red, Blue, and Green are Pokemon trainers with jobs including collecting and filing their pokemon in their pokedex in the world where humans and Poke species coexist but also in battling with them using the powers endowed to them. And now I know that Pikachu is an electric mouse.
Totally enthralling, it's action, adventure, humor, and quest all wrapped up for all ages. ...more
Absolutely realistic but less weird than Cat Massage, this book is about a boy who is taken under the wing of another boy as a cat whisperer of sorts.Absolutely realistic but less weird than Cat Massage, this book is about a boy who is taken under the wing of another boy as a cat whisperer of sorts. Poor Kensuke spends time before school with the cats around this home outside and we find out part of this might be due to the fact that his twin sisters and mom have major cat allergies. So when the girl at school discovers he's a cat guy, she is entertained by his wishes to be in cats' good graces and also seeking the approval of this other boy who will "teach him his ways".
It's certainly cat hijinks like cat snacks and their disdain for rules and order but fun and entertaining for the way the people react around the cats. ...more
It definitely meshes with all of the books that are getting tossed around as similar reads and this is a true story of Ollestad with writer Brendan KiIt definitely meshes with all of the books that are getting tossed around as similar reads and this is a true story of Ollestad with writer Brendan Kiely to help. Kiely's writing is good so the book itself is good because the story really speaks for itself without seemingly, extra dramatics sprinkled in for effect. Could it have been written with more vivid detail or intensity? Sure, in the hands of another writer but it accomplishes the task really well for the intended audience. This is a situation no one should have to find themselves in but Ollestad found a way to survive when others died, including family members.
A harrowing tale that I can't wait to recommend. ...more
I don't know why this Gothic thriller is so forgettable, but it kind of is? I don't know if it was the constant shifting between the characters (a fewI don't know why this Gothic thriller is so forgettable, but it kind of is? I don't know if it was the constant shifting between the characters (a few too many to keep a cohesive story) that's as intricate and detailed with a missing teen. Plus there's a never ending parade of conversation about the setting and South and cicadas that got a little maddening-- I got it already.
There was Southeast Asian rep sprinkled in with the Southern Gothic vibes and thriller category that continues to be churned out in YA, but it didn't give me something to suck me in and make me think about after I finished it. ...more
Loved the action and superhero story that features a family. I find the intricacies of long-standing superhero comics hard to follow and understand, bLoved the action and superhero story that features a family. I find the intricacies of long-standing superhero comics hard to follow and understand, but this is a mashup of stories like the Power Rangers, The Incredibles, and a few others that didn't need crazy long backstories to understand-- the family is a justice league and the daughter is a reluctant hero who is shirking her duties or showing up late and eventually that doesn't fly after their father, the patriarch of the justice force of their local chapter dies and a new cousin takes over rather than her mother. Authority is even harder with this young gun and where she'll learn to fight for what she wants.
Love the color scheme and energy this one brings. ...more
Fantasy is always the toughest for me because it needs to pull me in by either being easily-understood or vividly described but I found when I startedFantasy is always the toughest for me because it needs to pull me in by either being easily-understood or vividly described but I found when I started this one that it was verbose, spending too much time setting up what will become the story rather than jumping into it and I wasn't engaged. At close to 400-pages for a middle grade fantasy I think it overcomplicated and overexplained the magic system that was being used though the characters were endearing enough as the mentor was helping the main character, Marcus who is moving on from trauma to healing and discovering magical abilities. ...more
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