4 Stars | The Girl with the Louding Voice | Abi Dare | 2020
Adunni is a fourteen-year-old Nigerian girl living in contemporary times in a rural village. Despite her mother getting her husband to promise to help Adunni get an education on her deathbed, he marries her off instead. Adunni is now forced to live with a much older man and his other wives and children. Through all of her misfortune, she is determined to accomplish something more. After escaping her horrible marriage she lands herself in a slave trafficking situation where she is a maid with no hope of payment. She meets some very helpful people along the way and Adunni manages to find hope in her hopeless life. Education and becoming a teacher is her calling and despite how little she has or knows, she makes the very best of her opportunities.
The one thing that is so interesting about this book is how you can watch her progression in her education by her speech in the book. Her very poor speech begins to gradually get better as she grows and learns. Adunni is also amazingly positive despite her troubles and doesn't fall apart in the tough times.
I feel like this book ended well but is begging for a sequel! I think she has more story to tell. I have to admit...I went down a rabbit trail of learning about Nigeria on the internet. A great book to learn more about our world. My book club read this one and we really liked it!
4 Stars | The Queen of Hearts | Kimmery Martin | 2018
Set in Charlotte, North Carolina, best friends Zadie and Emma are doctors who encounter a former medical school colleague who causes them to unearth lots of past history and secrets. This book is a medical drama and a book about friendship. There is a bit of comedy sprinkled throughout which can make you laugh out loud. And since it is a medical drama, expect some heartbreak.
I have been missing my medical dramas this fall on TV. This book fits the bill nicely! I will be on the lookout for more from this author. The cover is really gorgeous too!
4 Stars | How To Walk Away | Katherine Center | 2018
Maggie has finished grad school, landed a great job, bought a condo, and is anticipating a marriage proposal. However, her plans are shut down after an accident which puts her into intense rehab.
I have decided that this book is definitely a romantic comedy despite being set mostly in a hospital and dealing with some major disappointing life obstacles. I thought it was funny and reminded me that joy and love can be found in even some dark times.
This is my third Katherine Center book and I have enjoyed each one!
4 Stars | What You Wish For | Katherine Center | 2020
This romantic comedy is about an elementary librarian who works in a private school in Galveston, Texas. She has to deal with a new principal who is trying to turn the place into a prison with all his safety measures. Samantha used to know him in her past teaching job where he was a joyful, extroverted and greatly loved teacher. She had a huge crush on him then. Now, as their paths cross again, Samantha wonders what happened to Duncan Carpenter to make him change so much.
Samantha deals with her own anxiety and also suffers from epilepsy. She has learned to live a life of joy despite her difficulties. She wonders if she can help Duncan do the same. She gets assistance from colleagues at school and lots of funny hijinks occur!
This book has a bit more comedy than the last two I read...yet there are serious issues included so it is not all fluffy! I liked reading about a school and especially about a librarian who rang true to the job. Galveston sounds like a dreamy island community and made it an interesting setting. Another good Katherine Center book.
The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler | John Hendrix | Grade 5 - 9 | 175 pages | 2018
This is a memoir about the Lutheran pastor from Germany who wrestled with what to do about the horrific acts of Adolf Hitler and decided to join the resistance as a spy. This group of men planned to assassinate Hitler because they believed it was the only way to stop him. Not only do you learn about Bonhoeffer's life, but the author also details the rise of Hitler and the politics of the day.
I recommend this book for high school and adults as well. It is a graphic novel but not a funny comic book. The illustrations are interesting...sometimes it even looks like you could put on 3D glasses and have more dimension to the art. The art has a political cartoon look. I did have to find some reading glasses to read this book even though I usually don't need them! The print is tiny at times and the black type is sometimes over a dark color resulting in less contrast.
I would assign this book to students or adults to help understand the complexities of World War II. It also explores faith, moral struggles, integrity, and sacrifice. This true story is a must-read!
4 Stars | Seekers of The Wild Realm | Alexandra Ott | 2020 | Grade 3 - 7 | 400 pages
This book is a great addition to the dragon and fantasy genre. The setting is a fairytale-like community from the olden days who have assigned 5 seekers to obtain magical items from the nearby Wild Realm island. They also have to protect the magical inhabitants who live there. Among them are dragons, unicorns, and other fantastic creatures.
Everyone in the community has special magical gifts but some are stronger than others. There is a contest organized to get a new seeker and our main character, 12-year-old Brynn, wants to be chosen but has been pushed out of training sessions because she is a girl. Ari, who is also competing for the job, turns to Bryn for help because he has a dragon to hide. Together the two of them try to figure out how the dragon was illegally hatched in their land and why there are dangerous people coming to their island. Bryn and Ari have lots to prove in the 3 scheduled contests for a new seeker.
Even though this book is long, a good 3rd-grade reader could enjoy this book but so could a middle schooler. It reminded me of the How to Train Your Dragon books and movie. It is an enjoyable fantasy! Dragon stories are really popular right now!
4 Stars | Ways To Make Sunshine | Renee Watson | Grade 3 - 5 | 192 pages | 2020
Ryan Hart is a fourth-grade girl who lives in Portland, Oregon. She has been given the name Ryan, which means king because her parents want to remind her every day that she is a leader. Ryan's family has to move to a small rental because of her father's job change. This is the main conflict in this school and family story about an African American family. We also get a glimpse into an African Baptist church community, concerns over curly, ethnic hair as well as all kinds of universal situations in families and schools. Overall, Ryan isn't a perfect kid but she strives to live up to her name and be a positive person.
According to reviews, this is Watson's update to the beloved Beverly Cleary's book about Ramona. I love that she is focusing on grades 3 - 5! This will be part of a series of books. There are cute illustrations and it is just the right length. I look forward to collecting this series.
3 Stars l Stepping Stones | Lucy Knisley | 2020 | Grades 3-7 | 224 pages
This graphic novel is about a girl and her mother who move to the country from the city. The mother has divorced the father and her new boyfriend is helping her fulfill her dream of farming and selling at a farmer's market. Jen is not sure this is her dream. She misses her friends, her dad, and the city. She has to learn to do farm chores and live with the children of her mother's boyfriend. Lots of changes and yet Jen learns to deal with this new normal.
I am giving this book 3 stars because it is a pretty quiet plot. Not a lot of drama. The illustrations are lovely and it fun to read about a farm lifestyle. The strength of this book is walking and learning with Jen as she meets the issues in her new life.
5 Stars | When Stars Are Scattered | Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed | Grade 4 - 7 | 264 pages
This is a memoir in graphic novel format about two Somali boys living in a refugee camp in Kenya and their day to day life living in a difficult situation. Omar and his younger brother, who has medical concerns, are on their own but they do have a woman living near them who serves as a foster mother. Omar knows that getting an education will give him more opportunities for his future and he works hard to excel. The dream of going back to his farm in Somalia doesn't seem possible but getting the chance to relocate is very slight as well. Omar and his brother are among the few that eventually find their way out of the camp with more opportunity to help refugees in the future.
I loved this true story that reminds us of how much refugees and immigrants have gone through. It is so good to walk in other's shoes and experience through stories what other people have lived through. Their faith and love for each other are strong.
Graphic novels are a hit with kids and I buy a lot of copies to keep up with the demand. I will be buying ten copies of this one! I want everyone to have the chance to read this story.
4 Stars | Afraid of The Light | Cynthia Ruchti | 2020
This book is about a clinical psychologist who works with clients who are hoarders. She also produces a podcast to help others with hoarding issues. Meanwhile, her own issues come to light as she deals with some new situations and clients. A romantic interest appears in the form of a mover who partners with her. He is charming and loves to bless others.
Hoarding and romance don’t usually appear in the same book but I am glad there was some lightness to a seemingly hopeless problem. There is some depth in this story but also fun and whimsy. I love that Ruchti's books are stand-alone and she deals with a variety of situations. She is one of my go-to authors. And this book reminds me to keep cleaning up my messes and quit saving things I am not using.
This book is about a clinical psychologist who works with clients who are hoarders. She also produces a podcast to help others with hoarding issues. Meanwhile, her own issues come to light as she deals with some new situations and clients. A romantic interest appears in the form of a mover who partners with her. He is charming and loves to bless others.
Hoarding and romance don’t usually appear in the same book but I am glad there was some lightness to a seemingly hopeless problem. There is some depth in this story but also fun and whimsy. I love that Ruchti's books are stand-alone and she deals with a variety of situations. She is one of my go-to authors. And this book reminds me to keep cleaning up my messes and quit saving things I am not using.