Starfish by Lisa Fipps

Summary from Goodreads:

Ellie is tired of being fat-shamed and does something about it in this debut novel-in-verse.

Ever since Ellie wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash at her fifth birthday party, she’s been bullied about her weight. To cope, she tries to live by the Fat Girl Rules–like “no making waves,” “avoid eating in public,” and “don’t move so fast that your body jiggles.” And she’s found her safe space–her swimming pool–where she feels weightless in a fat-obsessed world. In the water, she can stretch herself out like a starfish and take up all the room she wants. It’s also where she can get away from her pushy mom, who thinks criticizing Ellie’s weight will motivate her to diet. Fortunately, Ellie has allies in her dad, her therapist, and her new neighbor, Catalina, who loves Ellie for who she is. With this support buoying her, Ellie might finally be able to cast aside the Fat Girl Rules and starfish in real life–by unapologetically being her own fabulous self.

Review:

Wow. What a fantastic book!  I was not expecting to be so emotionally connected to this, but I was. I had to have Kleenex nearby for this one. I was not a fat kid, but when I hit puberty, I grew heavier and was bullied a little for it. Ever since, I’ve struggled with weight. I have certain health issues that make dieting very hard (I cannot eat a lot of healthy things, like raw vegetables). And like Ellie, I’ve have had a rocky relationship with my mother when it comes to food. There’s something about mothers, daughters, and food. I think part of it is that mothers know and don’t want their daughters to go through the torment. And part of it is a health thing. They want their children to be healthy and live a long time.

But, in Starfish, it’s abundantly clear, that Ellie’s mother has a lot more on her mind than health. She’s obsessed with Ellie’s weight. Ellie is in therapy and doesn’t feel loved by her mother because of this obsession. She is bulled at school for her weight. She is bulled at home for her weight. The only place she feels safe really is in her swimming pool, where she is left alone.

This is a book about finding your voice, about learning to stand up for yourself, and about getting help when you need it because no matter what anyone says, all people (no matter what they look like) deserve help and deserve to be loved. There were moments I had to pause because the book was so sad. It took physical bruises for Ellie’s sister to understand the level of bullying that was taking place. And the shift in their relationship was great, but it hurt so much that this is what it took for her to see things clearly. The hardest relationship though was with the mother. The things she did were just so terrible. The doctors, the articles, the trash searches, and mirror monitors, the words said and unsaid, were just terrible.

Poor Ellie had nowhere safe really. When something terrible happened at school, she couldn’t talk about at home with her mother. She had no sympathy there. Her siblings were worse. And her best friend moved away. It was just so sad. I was so glad when she started talking to her therapist. I’m glad she had her father. This really pointed out too how little teachers get involved, and how prevalent and easy it is for kids to bully or to do nothing when bullying is happening. This wasn’t an easy book to read. It was sad, but also had a hopeful ending. It reads quickly somehow, maybe because it’s told in verse. All in all, I thought the author did a fantastic job conveying everything, and expressing how to handle tough situations. I give it a 10/10.

Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow by Emma Steinkellner

Summary from Goodreads:

In this hilarious and heartwarming sequel to the bestselling and critically acclaimed graphic novel, The Okay Witch, half-witch Moth Hush uses magic to boost her confidence with disastrous results—perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Molly Ostertag!

Moth Hush is starting to settle into her newfound witch heritage and powers, but life at school continues to be rough. Even her best friend, Charlie, doesn’t entirely understand what it’s like for her to always be the one who gets mocked, and things only get worse when Moth’s mom starts dating one of the dorkiest teachers in the school! Then Moth gets hold of a mysterious charm that can unleash another version of herself—one who is confident, cool, and extremely popular. What could possibly go wrong?

Review:

I found this sequel just as enjoyable, if not more so to book 1. I hope this becomes a long series. I love seeing a POC main character in what is typically such a white role. I also love the fresh take on bullying, on self-esteem, on teen witches, and even on talking cats. Everything about this story is a re-fresh on a classic trope, and I’m all for it.

It was also kind of nice to have a main character who isn’t secretly crushing on anyone. It’s not about being saved by a boy or even rescuing a boy. It’s serious about Moth, and her needs and wants. And again, I’m all for it! I also love the intergeneration storyline with the daughter, mother, and grandmother. The world-building is fantastic. I also felt like I was getting to know some of the side characters a bit more. There are some other characters I want to know more, but  I feel like this could be just the beginning. I hope it’s just the beginning. I really think it could be the start of something big and wonderful.

Moth has to learn when to do things the hard way, and when to do things with magic. But what young witch wouldn’t have to learn that? And who wouldn’t want to use magic to get people to like them, or to stop bullying them? I really like Moth and her mother. I can’t help but want them to succeed.

I highly recommend these books to all graphic novel fans, particularly ones who like fantasy. I give this one a 9/10.

A Good Week in Books (227)

I haven’t done one of these posts in a long time! I’ve gotten remarkably good at not buying books, and mostly utilizing my library, and actually reading the very large TBR shelf I have at home. I do receive some new books for review every once in a while, and I wanted to share some I received recently from Hachette, which is killing it right now with their Middle Grade books. I received 4 from them recently. I cannot wait to get reading!

The new books:

Shattered Midnight by Dhonielle Clayton

Tiger Honor by Yoon Ha Lee
Solimar by Pam Munoz Ryan
The Temperature of Me and You by Brian Zepka

The Archived by Victoria Schwab

Summary from Goodreads:

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was: a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous—it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost, Da's death was hard enough, but now that her little brother is gone too, Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself may crumble and fall.

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption.

Review:

This is one of those books that I have owned forever and have known that I would love forever, but just have never gotten around to reading. I have no idea why. The concept of this book sounds so awesome. I already know I love this author. I have read both a kids book and an adult book by her that I LOVE. Weirdly, I think this is the first book I owned by the author….I even have it signed by the author and made out to me, circa 2013….I have no excuse.  So, basically, I opened this book up 9 years later, and what’s my verdict?

I’m obsessed.

What was I waiting for? It’s literally a combination of all the things I love in one book: a tough girl main character who kicks serious butt, ghosts (aka: histories), a library to end all libraries, haunted old buildings, secret worlds within worlds that most people don’t know about, a very dark family hunter/ Supernatural (tv show) way of passing the torch, empathic powers, love triangles, and a Twilight Zone atmosphere. This is something I’d call catnip for me.

I couldn’t put this book down. For some reason, I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. It didn’t get as high a rating as the author’s other books online. It’s definitely some of her earliest work. But, I loved it. It’s one of those books that will keep you up late at night both because you have to know what will happen next, (What do those librarians really do? What is actually happening in this apartment building? Why are there so many ghosts/histories?) but, also because it’s soooo creepy. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Mac has the ability to read the history of an object or a place too. And she witnesses a very awful murder in the bedroom she has to sleep in! Talk about a dark book…I would not be able to sleep there.

The only thing I can’t help but noticing in more and more YA books, as I get older is how authors write the absence of parents. And I first thought Mac’s Da was dead and I kept getting confused because then the book mentioned her father….But, then I pieced together that “Da” was actually her grandfather. I guess I was just slow on that one… But, what I’m trying to say is, the author tried to make Mac’s parents absent or maybe absent minded because they were all in mourning. And while I can see this working to some extent, I’m not sure it was believable to the extent where Mac would be gone at all hours and return covered in scars and bruises. How did her parents not see any of this???? I get that this life has to be a secret, but I feel like her parents were TERRIBLE, and not just excused for being in mourning. Or am I just really showing my age here?

All in all though, I could not put this book down. I cannot wait to get to book 2. I give this one a 9/10.

5 Worlds: The Emerald Gate by Mark Siegel, Alexis Siegel, Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun

Summary from Goodreads:

Oona and her friends face their ultimate challenge in the final installment of the graphic sci-fi fantasy series that's Star Wars meets Avatar: The Last Airbender!

In the epic conclusion to the 5 Worlds series, the final battle looms as Oona, Jax, and An Tzu travel to the treacherous world of Grimbo (E)! There, Oona must light the last beacon to save the 5 Worlds, but first she has to find it! When Jax saves an old friend, Oona is given a clue to the green beacon's location.

Unfortunately, the journey to lighting it on this strange, watery planet is the most dangerous yet. Meanwhile, Stan Moon has one more trick up his sleeve as his frightening powers and mysterious connection to An Tzu continue to grow. How can Oona ever hope to beat him? Can she count on her friends or will a terrible betrayal mean the 5 Worlds will be lost to evil forever?

Review:

These books are so good. I’m trying to remember how I stumbled upon the first one, years ago. But, I can’t recall what drew me to it. I’ll have to look up my review. It doesn’t really matter though. Over time, these books not only hold up; they improve. The character development, the world building, the stunning artwork, and the layered adventurous plot all make for one remarkable series.

I was not disappointed in the last installment. I guess I’m just disappointed that it’s over….There were a few things I saw coming, but there were some classic sci-fi tropes here, so it was hard for me not to see where the book was going. That being said, there was one shocking component for me at the very end that really impressed me. I wish I had friends or a book club or something who has read all these books, so I could go into detail  with someone about this ending!

This last book is the kind of last book that will have you gasping in shock, smiling with success, and cheering for your friends. It will also make you want to go back to the beginning and read them all over again. So, I guess it doesn’t get too much better. The writers have really developed  well thought out worlds with various cultures, religions, peoples, sports, and plant life. These books would make a fantastic tv show.

All in all, I highly recommend these books to graphic novels fans, particularly to fans of the Amulet series. But, also, I can see these books appealing to fans of Star Wars, Avatar the Last Airbender, and just any really fun adventure story reader really. I give this last one a 9/10.

Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac

Summary from Goodreads:

From the U.S.'s foremost indigenous children's author comes a middle grade verse novel set during the COVID-19 pandemic, about a Wabanaki girl's quarantine on her grandparents' reservation and the local dog that becomes her best friend

Malian was visiting her grandparents on the reservation when the COVID-19 pandemic started. Now she's staying there, away from her parents and her school in Boston. Everyone is worried about the pandemic, but on the reservation, everyone protects each other, from Malian caring for her grandparents to the local dog, Malsum, guarding their house. They always survive together.

Malian hears stories from her grandparents about how it has always been this way in their community: Stories about their ancestors, who survived epidemics of European diseases; about her grandfather, who survived a terrible government boarding school; and about Malian's own mother, who survived and returned to her Native community after social services took her away to live in foster care as a child. With their community and caring for one another, Malian and her family will survive this pandemic, too.

Review:

I wrote on Goodreads: This book was a brief, but beautiful. It's a little window into the life of a kid on a reservation during the pandemic. It's also an ode to dogs and stories. It's written in verse, so it moves quickly. It's truthful and doesn't sugarcoat racism or Covid, like some of the other "current" books today do. I loved it. We need more honest books like this. But, also, it's just full of beautiful stories.

I’m not really sure what I was expecting this book to be. Maybe more dog story, less real world in the now. But, I got a little bit of both. And I feel a little bit of a hypocrite because I literally just told someone a couple days ago that reading for me, these past few months has been my escape from the “now.” But, sometimes reading stories in the “now” are good too. And there are not a lot of kids books that do it. Most current Middle Grade books pretend the pandemic never happened or that it’s over now….and there’s something so refreshing about how honest this book is. Kids don’t need to be lied to. This author gets that. The teacher in the novel got that. And the grandparents in the story definitely got that too.

How can we lie about something so big? And Bruchac’s answer: we can’t. But, he tells his truth with such power and wisdom. There were stories about dogs wearing clothing mixed with the fear we all had at some point being around someone coughing. It’s the magical kid befriending a dog story mixed with the reality of the pandemic that is still going on, mixed also with stories of racism and the history of Mailan’s family.

I found this book to be special. It resonated with me in a way I wasn’t expecting it to. I sat on my sofa, next to my dog, reading about the connection humans have always had to dogs. But, also just loving this main character and how much compassion she had for her family. I think this is something that can be read in the classroom years, decades even from now, when hopefully this pandemic will be in the rearview mirror and this moment in time can be someone else’s history lesson. I give this a 10/10.

5 Worlds: The Amber Anthem by Mark Siegel, Alexis Siegel, Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun

 Summary from Goodreads:

Think Star Wars meets Avatar: The Last Airbender ! Kazu Kibuishi (AMULET) says this graphic novel adventure is "a magical journey, as fun as it is beautiful!"

In book 4, Oona Lee arrives on Salassandra determined to light the yellow beacon and continue her quest to save the Five Worlds from the evil Mimic's influence. But the beacon is encased in amber! An ancient clue says that Oona and her friends must seek out the Amber Anthem to succeed. Meanwhile, Stan Moon sends an evil Jax robot to assassinate Oona and hunts down An Tzu himself. Turns out, as An Tzu fades away from his Vanishing Illness, he's becoming someone else--someone who could tip the scales in the battle for the Five Worlds!

Review:

I was a little nervous going into this one because it’s been so long since I had read book 3, and I’ve forgotten a few things. But, thankfully, the author thought of this and had a “The story so far….” section! If only all series had this! Seriously, what a help this made. I didn’t have to scratch my head for the first quarter of the book; I could just enjoy it. And enjoy it, I did.

I forgot just how stunning these books were. I also picked up book 5, which is already out….and I can’t wait to get started on after the ending of this one. This one had the most revealing storyline yet. You finally learn about who one character truly is, what the vanishing sickness really is, and why the Mimic is so bent on stopping the characters from lighting all the beacons. Plus, I think the 5th book is the last one? 5 Worlds and 5 books, right?  

I also loved the overall message of togetherness in this book. Everyone has to come together for the beacon on this planet to be lit. Everyone has to sing together in an overall message of hope and equality, despite so much propaganda and fake rumors spreading about the beacons. I also just love how much stronger and tougher the characters are now. They have come so far. Oona has so much more faith in herself to light the beacons. AnTzu knows he can do more then he’s given credit for. And I love that none of the main characters like the unfair treatment of the giant characters throughout the whole planet.

All in all, this was a fantastic 4th installment. I cannot wait to start reading book 5. I was intending to read a couple of books before that but I’m not sure I can wait that long. I give this one a 9/10.