Goblin Secrets

Goblin Secrets
by William Alexander

In the town of Zombay, there is a witch named Graba who has clockwork chicken legs and moves her house around—much like the fairy tale figure of Baba Yaga. Graba takes in stray children, and Rownie is the youngest boy in her household. Rownie’s only real relative is his older brother Rowan, who is an actor. But acting is outlawed in Zombay, and Rowan has disappeared.

Desperate to find him, Rownie joins up with a troupe of goblins who skirt the law to put on plays. But their plays are not only for entertainment, and the masks they use are for more than make-believe. The goblins also want to find Rowan—because Rowan might be the only person who can save the town from being flooded by a mighty river. (description from Amazon.com)

I picked up this book originally because not only did it win last year's National Book Award, but also because as a fantasy reader at heart, the premise just sounded too good to pass up! As I read, though, I found that I was having a hard time keeping interest in this book.  It has a lot of really fascinating fantasy elements - there's a tie-in to the Baba Yaga myth, goblins, masks with power - but I think it was just the storytelling itself that couldn't grab me.  I was a little disappointed that I had to push myself to finish this one.

Full disclosure: Borrowed from my library

Drama

Drama

by Raina Telgemeier

 

Callie loves theater. And while she would totally try out for her middle school's production of Moon Over Mississippi, she's a terrible singer. Instead she's the set designer for the stage crew, and this year she's determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle-school budget. But how can she, when she doesn't know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage AND offstage drama that occurs once the actors are chosen, and when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier! (description from Amazon.com)

 

I have to admit, I'm not a huge graphic novel reader and that's partly because I have a little bit of trouble following the panels in the manga style ones.  I do, however, occasionally find some graphic novels that I truly adore and both of Raina Telgemeier's fall into this category.

 

I love the colors, the drawing styles and they are easy to follow!  While her first one, Smile, was somewhat autobiographical, Drama is just a cool middle school story.  Callie loves theater and wants to become a set designer someday for Broadway.  Seeing her passion made me think back about all the plays and musicals I've seen and how important the stage set can actually be...

 

I also loved seeing her embrace her passion and not be ashamed at all of being into a "dorky" club.  It was great to see all the drama "geeks." I was once a drama geek so I loved that connection! Callie's friends each had their own passion and none of them hesitated to do the very best they could in their own facet of the show. 

 

The friendships and crushes seemed very realistic and reminiscent of how I remember feeling about people and interacting with them in my own middle school years.  I also loved that Telgemeier addressed homosexuality in a very easy manner, making it not the focus of the story, but just a natural part of Callie's day to day experience. 

 

I really thought this was a great read that left me smiling. I would love to read more about Callie and her friends.  

 



Full disclosure: Borrowed from my library

Wonder

Wonder

by R.J. Palacio

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. (description from Amazon.com)

I really enjoyed this book. It is interesting and heartfelt and sends a great message to just be kind to other people. Poor Auggie has a face that sends others screaming, but when he starts regular school, he finds that once people get to know him they can get past that and he makes some wonderful friends.

I found this book to be very realistic in that not everyone came to love Auggie. Some of the kids he met were still jerks and so were their parents. Some of the things that people said to Auggie were exactly the type of things that I could imagine people saying in real life. What I loved, though, was the people who came to stand up for Auggie...and the people that learned from Auggie.

This book is mostly told from Auggie's perspective, making it heartbreaking at times to read, but it is also told at points from the perspectives of his sister, his best friend, and others in his life. This added a bunch of really cool viewpoints that made the story much more real, as well.

Recommended to anyone that likes real-life stories and books that explore family relationships.

 

Full disclosure: Borrowed from my library

Artemis the Brave

Artemis the Brave
by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
Goddess Girls series, book four

Artemis is on the Hunt, but she doesn't feel brave!

Artemis's friends and classmates see her as the most courageous goddessgirl at school. Little do they know that despite her expert archery skills, the smelly Geryon, ring-nosed Minotaurs, and scorpions in Beast-ology class scare her as much as they do anyone else! But what's really bothering her now is that funny feeling she has whenever she looks at Orion. She's never had a crush before. Will she find the courage to talk to Orion, to make him see her as more than a pal, and to ace Beast-ology class? (description from back jacket)

This was another fun addition to this Greek mythology series. I love seeing the gods and goddesses relate to each other as tweens! So fun. I really liked getting to see things from Artemis' point of view. She's one of my favorite goddesses.

There were a lot of great example setting scenes again, that get across a nice message, without being preachy to readers. Artemis' relationship with her brother, Apollo, was really great. The others support Artemis when she admits to being scared, and the girls remind her not to drop them for a "boy!" Great life lessons hidden in a fun story!

The Sisters Club

The Sisters Club
by Megan McDonald

Meet the Sisters Club: twelve-year-old Alex, aspiring actress and born drama queen; eight-year-old Joey, homework lover and pioneer wannabe; and smack in the middle, ten-year-old Stevie, the glue that holds them together — through dinner disasters, disputes over stolen lucky sweaters, and Alex’s going gaga over her leading man. Playfully weaving Stevie’s narration with Alex’s scripts, Joey’s notebook entries, and hilarious elements such as "How to Swear in Shakespeare" and "Dear Sock Monkey" letters, this hugely engaging novel showcases Megan McDonald’s ear for dialogue, comic timing, and insight into the ever-changing dynamics of sisterhood. (description from Amazon.com)

This was a cute tween read! I love how the three sisters, even when they have their scuffles, still have a strong bond. They consistently come back to each other, to their self invented "Sisters Club." I love, too, that they and their parents put on plays together and eat dinner together and support each other...always. What a wonderful family!

I love the format of this book, too. It's partly a diary, partly scenes from a play, partly fake homework, and altogether charming. The illustrations are cute and I especially love the sock monkeys!!

Scarlett Fever

Scarlett Fever
by Maureen Johnson
Scarlett Martin series, book two

Ever since Mrs. Amberson, the former-aspiring-actress-turned-agent, entered Scarlett Martin's life, nothing has been the same.

She's still in charge of the Empire Suite in her family's hotel, but she's now also Mrs. Amberson's assistant, running around town for her star client, Chelsea - a Broadway star Scarlett's age with a knack for making her feel insignificant.

Scarlett's also trying to juggle sophomore year classes, her lab partner who is being just a little TOO nice, and getting over the boy who broke her heart.

In the midst of all this, her parents drop a bombshell that threatens to change her New York life forever . (description taken from Amazon.com)

This family makes me want to pull up roots and check into a shabby-chic Manhattan hotel immediately! The Martins are warm, loving, funny, and I kinda wish they were mine! Johnson absolutely has a winner in this series. I think in terms of funny contemporary realistic fiction the only series out there that beats this one for me is The Georgia Nicholson series by Louise Rennison. They both leave me smiling like a loon!

Scarlett is an amazing character. She is smart, savvy, and sometimes unsure of herself. Just the perfect blend of getting herself into messy situations that she can perfectly maneuver her way out of... lovely. I am already anxiously awaiting the next great (and hopefully romantic) Martin saga!

Full disclosure: Audio book received to review for SLJ

Suite Scarlett

Suite Scarlett
by Maureen Johnson

Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City, and Scarlett lives there with her four siblings - Spencer, Lola, and Marlene.

When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest called Mrs. Amberson.

Scarlett doesn't quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn.

Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery, Broadway glamour, romantic missteps, and theatrical deceptions. But in the city where anything can happen, she just might be able to pull it off. (description taken from Amazon.com)

A quirky, charming read. I really loved the Hepewell hotel and it's resident family. Though Scarlett is the winsome main character, this story truly has a whole tribe of wonderful people to follow.

Scarlett's siblings, the effervescant and protective Spencer, the gorgeous and concerned Lola, and the bratty, yet lovable Marlene. Each breathes a great piece of life into the story in their own way. Not to mention, Scarlett's parents. Both of them concerned, involved, and lovable, too. This truly is a full family story!

Add in to the mix an eclectic, eccentric ex-starlet that "adopts" Scarlett and her family...well you have a winner. Though, I'm not a realistic fiction reader usually...I love Maureen Johnson's writing and this particular book is very, very, very well done. I can't wait to read the next book, Scarlett Fever.