ashylibrarian's reviews
975 reviews

Into the Sunken City by Dinesh Thiru

challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The Illustrated Guide to Monster Girls, Vol. 1 by Suzu Akeko

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Silent Sister by Megan Davidhizar

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Duel by Jessixa Bagley

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

Dinosaur Sanctuary Vol. 4 by Itaru Kinoshita

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? No

4.0

The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb

challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Is Love the Answer? by Uta Isaki

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

Invisible Son by Kim Johnson

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall by Lynn Brunelle

informative medium-paced

5.0

Did you know that a whale can live to around 90+ years old, but that its life is only the beginning of its impact on the ecosystem?  

This is a beautifully illustrated informational picture book that tells the story of what happens to the ecosystem after a blue whale dies. 

One of my favorite aspects of this book is how well the text and illustrations partner to tell the story.  Caldecott Medalist Jason Chin supports the brilliant text with detailed and eye-catching illustrations. Lynn Brunelle offers bite-sized chunks of information to keep readers wanting more. For example, when Brunelle is explaining the various organisms that benefit from the whale fall, Chin partners the text with illustrations of those organisms to further understand how everything is connected. 

The backmatter is filled with even more facts about blue whales, ecosystems, and the four phases of whale fall. 

I'm the Catlords' Manservant, Vol. 1 by Rat Kitaguni

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Sometimes I felt like I got lost in the characters and thus got lost in the plot. Still as silly read with cat shapeshifters.