Book Review: Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne

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Brightly Burning cover imageIn a future world where a new Ice Age has sent humans onto spaceships orbiting Earth, Stella Ainsley is an orphan looking for a better life. Part-time teacher, part-time engineer, she finds employment as a governess to one child on a private vessel, a move that whisks her away from her failing ship to surprising luxury and into the orbit of a mysterious, brooding captain. On the Rochester she finds love, confronts corruption and injustice, and struggles to find her place among a community fighting to survive.

Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne is a captivating re-imagining of Jane Eyre. The story of an orphaned, impoverished girl becoming governess to a child in a wealthy household that harbors a secret provides the base. But moving that story to a science fiction future frees the heroine to evolve from the strictures of female characters in the past.

Stella follows her own conscience and set of ethics in all her actions, and she’s willing to give up her new life and her love to help her friends and others. What emerges is a strong heroine who fights for what she believes in and in the process defies her corrupt government to create something better than existed before. Stella provides a good example of how female characters can follow their heads as well as their hearts in the pursuit of being true to themselves.

As an updated classic, Brightly Burning taps into Jane Eyre’s spirit while also evolving her into a modern character. It’s a story that entertains until the last page. I recommend it for readers aged 12 and up.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The Vietnam War by Barbara Diggs

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The Vietnam War cover imageThe involvement of U.S. military in Vietnam is a complicated story that took place during a complicated time. American presidents, their advisors, and the military escalated involvement even after they believed they could not win, for reasons related more to outside forces than the actual conflict.

The Vietnam War by Barbara Diggs, a title in the Inquire and Investigate series, looks closely at the history of Vietnam and what happened there in the decades after World War II. Explaining the history without bias is a huge task, yet Diggs meets the challenge by looking at multiple points of view from both sides of the conflict.

As with other titles in the series, The Vietnam War presents many opportunities to grasp difficult concepts and encourages young readers to do their own research. It uses graphic panels, sidebar topics, “strategy facts,” photos, and other features to make the narrative easier to process and understand.

I kept referring back to a helpful timeline in the front of the book to remind myself of when specific events occurred in the overall picture of Vietnam’s history. I also believe the glossary at the end can be quite helpful for young readers unfamiliar with words and terms commonly used at the time.

I highly recommend The Vietnam War for anyone aged 12 and up wanting to know more about that conflict and its impact on the U.S. both then and now.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The Space Race by Matthew Brenden Wood

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The Space Race cover imageWith space travel becoming more common and private companies promising to one day send tourists into orbit, it’s easy to assume that travel to the moon and beyond was a goal much supported by Americans. But the drive to launch humans beyond Earth’s atmosphere wasn’t always supported. The story of what fueled the endeavor is told in The Space Race: How the Cold War Put Humans on the Moon by Matthew Brenden Wood.

Part of the Inquire and Investigate series, The Space Race links the political competition between the United States and the Soviet Union as the main drive for sending humans off the earth. Each wanted to be seen as having the most advanced technology. Each wanted to send a message to the other that superiority in space meant superiority among nations on Earth. The Space Race expertly takes readers on a fascinating journey from the early origins of space travel through its experimental accomplishments and failures to the current-day achievements. A timeline of events at the front and a glossary of words and terms at the back are good reference tools. “Blast Facts” and other sidebars add interesting details to the main text, which offers many suggestions for further research to help young readers learn more. The history also provides insight into relations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union that informs our current relationship with Russia.

The Space Race is a great text for budding young scientists aged 12 and up or anyone interested in the history of the space program and where it stands today.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Fairy Spell by Marc Tyler Nobleman

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Fairy Spell cover imageIn 1917 two girls in Cottingley, England convinced the world that fairies lived at the creek on their property. They even took photos to prove they were telling the truth. Experts examined the photos and declared them to be real, and the story they told lived on for decades, eventually even being made into a film.

Marc Tyler Nobleman’s book, Fairy Spell: How Two Girls Convinced the World That Fairies Are Real is fascinating both for the glimpse it provides into a time when many people thought fairies existed and for it’s “story behind the story” told about this moment in history.

I was particularly struck that one of the girl’s mothers brought the story to the world’s attention after approaching a speaker at a presentation on fairies. It’s difficult to imagine that a well respected speaker would talk to an audience of adults in today’s world about the possibility that fairies are real. It’s easy to see that in an environment where fairies are possible, providing “evidence” can convince even skeptics. Even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, believed the girls spoke the truth.

The girls didn’t tell the truth about what happened until they became old, and even then one of them continued to say she really did see fairies, adding to the mystery.

Eliza Wheeler’s illustrations include rich details and are evocative of the time period the story took place. Also, the girls’ photos and other historical documents let readers get a feel for the debate that went on. It’s a fascinating story that will likely capture the imaginations of young children and adults alike. I also recommend the movie, FairyTale: A True Story (1997), on the same topic.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Tiny Infinities by J. H. Diehl

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Tiny Infinities cover imageSwimming is the one constant Alice can count on when her family starts to fall apart. When she concentrates on the rhythm of moving from one end of the pool to the other she doesn’t have to think about her mother’s depression or that her father has moved out. But her new friend Harriet and a babysitting job with the mute girl next door prompts her to move toward something new not just away from her problems.

Tiny Infinities by J. H. Diehl is a coming of age story that explores family dynamics related to changing relationships, what it means to believe in yourself and your own strengths, and the role friends can play in helping you look at the world in a new way. As a pre-teen, Alice has a lot of responsibility helping to cook, clean, and look after her mother. She’s on her own a lot, so she has a lot of time to worry about her family. But her responsibilities bring out a confidence in her about what she can accomplish. With a little help from her friends, she can prove herself to the adults in her life.

I recommend Tiny Infinities for readers aged 9 to 13.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Mama’s Belly by Kate Hosford

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Mamas belly cover imageWaiting for a new baby to arrive can be an unsettling time for an older sibling, who may feel uncertain about what a new baby means to the family. Will her parents still have time to play? Will she have to share her favorite things? Will her mom and dad still love her?

Mama’s Belly, a picture book by Kate Hosford with pictures by Abigail Halpin addresses the happy anticipation as well as the worries in a way that can help parents talk about them with their child. It begins with a girl talking about the tangible change she can see: “Mama has a belly rising up, like a wave. Inside is my sister, waiting to meet me.”

The girl sings to the baby inside and she wonders if her sister will look like her. She also tries to help when her mom’s back hurts and she is too tired to play with her.

At bedtime, when worries are easier to talk about, she asks, “When my sister comes, will you have enough love for both of us?” It’s a common concern for children about to become older siblings. Reading the mom’s response, “More than all the stars in the sky,” can help moms reassure their own little ones.

Abigail Halpin’s illustrations are full of color and flowing lines, painting peaceful scenes that are reassuring in their own way.

Mama’s Belly makes a great gift for expecting parents. It can be read and appreciated throughout a pregnancy as well as after a new baby’s arrival.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel

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Hello Hello cover imageBrendan Wenzel’s picture book, Hello Hello explores the animal world by making connections relating to size, shape, color and concepts that will help young children learn about the world around them.

Wenzel starts off with a simple concept—two cats—one white, one black. Then he features other black and white animals before moving to colorful creatures. Tangible features, such as stripes, spots, ears, and noses are compared as well as intangibles, such as quiet, loud, and proud.

Hello Hello interior imageMany of the animals featured are endangered, and Wenzel includes a note at the back of the book encouraging children to find out more. A numbered guide to the 92 featured animals, some that may be unknown to parents as well as children, ends the book. It’s a great way to introduce children to the variety of animals in the world and spark their curiosity.

Wenzel’s illustrations are gorgeous and playful with lots of detail, perfect to encourage lingering over the pages as well as turning them.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Armstrong & Charlie by Steven B. Frank

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Armstrong & Charlie cover imageCharlie is about to start 6th grade when he learns that kids from a mostly African American neighborhood will be bused into his school and his friends are transferring out. His parents think it’s important that he stay.

Armstrong’s parents signed him up for Opportunity Busing to an all-white school, despite the fact that he doesn’t want to go. He has to get up super-early each morning to catch the bus, and none of his close friends will be on the bus.

The two boys clash when they end up next to each other in Mr. Mitchell’s class, but after a few fights, a few trips to the principal’s office, and a trip to science camp, they learn to know and appreciate each other for who they are instead of the expected stereotypes they assume about each other.

Armstrong & Charlie by Steven B. Frank takes place in the 1960s, when schools were being desegregated and communities resisted the change. Charlie’s family is still grieving the death of his brother from illness, and Charlie mourns the loss of his friends too. Armstrong’s dad lost a leg in the Korean war, and his inability to work strains the resources of a family with six children. Both families believe in the value of hard work, honesty, and integrity.

Even though Charlie and Armstrong learn to see each other as people, not just members of a certain race, others they know are more likely to judge someone based on skin color. When one of Charlie’s friends and even his dad express prejudice, he has to decide to ignore it or challenge it.

The author’s bio contains a note that the novel was inspired by his own sixth-grade year at Wonderland Avenue Elementary. Even though the novel takes place decades ago, the issues he addresses are still relevant today.

I highly recommend Armstrong & Charlie for readers aged 9 to 12. Issues for book clubs to discuss include historical ones like desegregation of schools as well as current perceptions of race and ways prejudice keeps us from understanding people who appear different from us.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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