alittlebutalot's reviews
69 reviews

Positively Izzy by Terri Libenson

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

FINISHED: gotta love graphic novels! This was an good look at how other people perceive us and how we should step out of those boxes sometimes. I’ve read a few of this series now and I really enjoy the dual narrative, 1 story vibe. Brianna is the brainiac who works really hard and is studious; Izzy is the acting loving, artistic kid who doesn’t really find academia easy! This will be really popular with my kids!

Becoming Brianna by Terri Libenson

funny informative lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Finished and well, like the rest of the books on this series so far, this was great! Brianna is preparing for a big event that pushes her totally out of her comfort zone! I loved that this explores Judaism and some of the traditions! This just being Brianna (rather than 2 perspectives) really helped to get inside her brain. I think this could create loads of talking points with children! Religion, friendship, divorced parents and figuring yourself out... a great combination! 

Don't Breathe a Word by Jordyn Taylor

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Well, this was THOROUGHLY enjoyable. Secret societies, an exclusive boarding school, two girls separated by 60 years, secrets, lies and extortion. This is one of those slow burning books, but I really enjoyed it. The two stories side by side was done brilliantly well. I thought they were so well written and you learned things without learning too much. Eva is a brilliant main character (and I also really loved Erik!). Underground bunkers and weird cult-esque political beliefs? Not for me, but a bloody brilliant story!! 

City of the Sun by Aisha Bushby

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

That was lush. A wonderful land filled with magic, storytelling and friends. I love how this was so intertwined with book 1 but had an identity of its own. The end made me shes a tear or two. Aisha is a wonderful storyteller and I hope we get more from this land because I just adore it. The characters are so wonderful and I love the integration of messages around emotions - it’s important we feel them all! 

Twelve and the Frozen Forest by Aisling Fowler

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This is, in a word, epic. Just take a bow Aisling Fowler - this is *chefs kiss*. Fireborn just oozes brilliance. It’s got everything you could want: magic, goblins, rebellion, battles, friendship, rivalry, a collection of outcasts, weapons and fighting for the good. I loved the characters, the story and the pace of this. This just WORKS SO WELL. Bloody love a badass main character who throws axes. This is gonna spark so much love when it comes out. Bravo!

Miles Morales: Shock Waves by Justin A. Reynolds

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

FINISHED: loved this! It’s got charm, humour and Miles (superhero and a teenager all rolled into one)! What happens when a man goes missing and a strange rock appears along with girls with superpowers? Well it’s Miles’ job to figure it out... and still be a good son and friend! I don’t envy his job mind - it’s hard enough just being a teenager, never mind Spider-Man too! I thought the artwork in this was exceptional! 

Truly Tyler by Terri Libenson

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Tyler’s life is a bit messy: his parents divorced, he loves art and basketball and feels like he needs to choose between them and everyone keeps teasing him about working with Emmie. I really enjoyed this! The shift in perspective between Tyler and Emmie was really interesting: to see how they both viewed the same things that were happening. Loved the integration of their comic for art class too! 

The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks by Katie Kirby

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

FINISHED: I’ve just sat and read this and let me tell you, this is loads of fun! Poor Lottie, going through it all starting secondary school - new friends, old friends who moved away, dealing with boys, puberty and embarrassing families! This made me chuckle loads! I think I would’ve loved this even more as a kid, and Y6/7 girls up and down the land will love this! Can’t wait for more! Funny and filled with brilliant messages about being yourself, embracing yourself and being kind! 

Snow White and the Seven Robots: A Graphic Novel by Louise Simonson

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

FINISHED: an interstellar, robot filled reimagining of Snow White! I loved the robots (dwarves) and that Snow White was just trying to help people by fixing their robots. Plus, chocolate is a way better idea for poisoning someone than an apple! Enjoyed this! 

Alice, Secret Agent of Wonderland: A Graphic Novel by Fernando Cano, Katie Schenkel

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

I loved this and how the original story has been twisted to make something cool. Alice just wants to be a great spy, but when the rest of the gang just wanna “mess about”, she’s not sure it’s for her. There’s some brilliant parallels to the original here and I love the way the characters were still true enough to the original but changed enough to be cool! Good fun!