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dwdillydally's reviews
113 reviews
Mexikid by Pedro Martín
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Blood, Police brutality, War
Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deportation
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery": The Authorized Graphic Adaptation by Shirley Jackson, Miles Hyman
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The text is sparse, but the visual pacing still tells a tense story. I can' t remember if the original short story (1948) leaves the ritual's' backstory unexplained, but this version definitely had me asking, "But... why?" The myster around the annual tradition added to my dread.
Contrasting to the text, the illustrations are richly colored. I'm not sure if it was a choice for this story, or simply the artist's style. Hyman is adapted the text, illustrated this graphic novel, and in the forward, shared a memory of his grandmother Shirley, the original author of "The Lottery."
In this format, we see and explore the small town setting. Details like a street at night, the small mess inside a beroom, farm equipment in the field, and rocks on the sidewalk all build up to the last, violent scene.
Contrasting to the text, the illustrations are richly colored. I'm not sure if it was a choice for this story, or simply the artist's style. Hyman is adapted the text, illustrated this graphic novel, and in the forward, shared a memory of his grandmother Shirley, the original author of "The Lottery."
In this format, we see and explore the small town setting. Details like a street at night, the small mess inside a beroom, farm equipment in the field, and rocks on the sidewalk all build up to the last, violent scene.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Murder
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Blood
Nudity
Old Turtle by Douglas Wood
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Nothing to Do by Douglas Wood
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Love this book's message, but the text is... ironic? It overwhelmed me by listing so many things to do when there's nothing to do.
The illustrator's note is fascinating, and I will reread this again with an eye for the visual details.
The illustrator's note is fascinating, and I will reread this again with an eye for the visual details.
The Mitten by Jan Brett
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Jan Brett's illustrations are magical!
A Sick History of Medicine: A Warts-And-All Book Full of Fun Facts and Disgusting Discoveries by Jelena Poleksic, Neon Squid
funny
informative
fast-paced
2.0
#easynonfiction #kidsnonfiction #audiobook #dwreads25
Ugh, first dud of the year. This book has a lot of good things in its corner:
- written by a real doctor
- expressive and stupidly funny illustrations
- publisher Neon Squid is an exciting new company dedicated to creating and vetting nonfiction "for inquisitive kids (and kids at heart)
- only 45 minutes long
- a fantastic narrator (Seriously, I'm going to see what else Tim Cambell has recorded
- sprinkled with medical vocabulary
Buuuut, audiobook is NOT the way to enjoy this book. I've not held the book in person, but reading it physically HAS to be better than listening to a literal list of facts. Each fact is 2-5 sentences long. No narrative, no descenable organization like timeline or categories.
I wondered if the author had simply adapted their Twitter feed. Or if this is a list of topics meant to inspire middle-schooler assigned to write an essay. While it was easy to listen to, this was a chore to enjoy. With the right reader, the physical book's redeeming qualities will be appealing.
Suggested for young readers who like...
- gross facts
- silly cartoony illustrations
- absorb fact bites, like Nat Geo Kids
Ugh, first dud of the year. This book has a lot of good things in its corner:
- written by a real doctor
- expressive and stupidly funny illustrations
- publisher Neon Squid is an exciting new company dedicated to creating and vetting nonfiction "for inquisitive kids (and kids at heart)
- only 45 minutes long
- a fantastic narrator (Seriously, I'm going to see what else Tim Cambell has recorded
- sprinkled with medical vocabulary
Buuuut, audiobook is NOT the way to enjoy this book. I've not held the book in person, but reading it physically HAS to be better than listening to a literal list of facts. Each fact is 2-5 sentences long. No narrative, no descenable organization like timeline or categories.
I wondered if the author had simply adapted their Twitter feed. Or if this is a list of topics meant to inspire middle-schooler assigned to write an essay. While it was easy to listen to, this was a chore to enjoy. With the right reader, the physical book's redeeming qualities will be appealing.
Suggested for young readers who like...
- gross facts
- silly cartoony illustrations
- absorb fact bites, like Nat Geo Kids
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
Spooky Lakes: 25 Strange and Mysterious Lakes That Dot Our Planet by Geo Rutherford
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
3.75
Spooky Lakes: 25 Strange and Mysterious Lakes That Dot Our Planet by Geo Rutherford (2024)
#middlegradenonfiction #sciencebook #audiobook #dwreads25
Great palate cleanser between other books. At the end, even the author's acknowledgments were interesting. I kind of wished they were at the front of the book. My other rapid fire reactions:
- The author's name really is Geo. Her mother is a scientist. Astoundingly cool.
- Geo has a rich voice for narration. Well paced, easy to listen to. Those helped me enjoy the geographic and geological facts.
- Geo is a youtuber?! Every October, she does Spooky Lake Month https://youtube.com/@geodesaurus
- Most NOPE Lake? Mount Nyiragongo's lava lake in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When it erupts, this lava can flow up to 60 mph. Something about it has lower silicone content (don't quote me, read this book!) which makes it more fluid than most lava flows where you simply stroll to safety.
- I need to see this book in person! Other reviews praise the illustrations.
#middlegradenonfiction #sciencebook #audiobook #dwreads25
Great palate cleanser between other books. At the end, even the author's acknowledgments were interesting. I kind of wished they were at the front of the book. My other rapid fire reactions:
- The author's name really is Geo. Her mother is a scientist. Astoundingly cool.
- Geo has a rich voice for narration. Well paced, easy to listen to. Those helped me enjoy the geographic and geological facts.
- Geo is a youtuber?! Every October, she does Spooky Lake Month https://youtube.com/@geodesaurus
- Most NOPE Lake? Mount Nyiragongo's lava lake in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When it erupts, this lava can flow up to 60 mph. Something about it has lower silicone content (don't quote me, read this book!) which makes it more fluid than most lava flows where you simply stroll to safety.
- I need to see this book in person! Other reviews praise the illustrations.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Wicked by Gregory Maguire
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Wicked by Gregory Maguire (1995)
#fantasybook #moviewasbetter #dwreads25
First book finished in the new year! I've been in a strea of rereading books, and this is continuing it.
Wicked is such a soap opera! I like this book, but I don't love it. In fact, this is a rare case of 'the movie was better.' I am impressed that Maguire found room to expand Oz lore in an already stuffed universe... Oziverse? But the author tends to 'tell' rather than 'show.' More description than action. Not sure if he does that in all his books, tho. If Maguire is your jam, there are plenty to choose from. Also, his use of the third-person narrative just doesn't connect for me, but I'm not entirely sure why. Because I desperately want this story to be told first hand by "the Witch?"
Back to #moviewasbetter While I'm not a hardcore Wicked musical fan, the stage and movie adaptations are improvements to this story! Thanks to their fun tone (which closer to the original Oz stories) and their spotlight on friendship. But if you're looking for a serious epic with much higher stakes, try Maguire"s books.
Unless there is a novelization for young folks, don't let your kids read this story. Too much sex, danger, and violence. (Peek at the list of cotent warnings! 👀) If your kids or tweens are interested after seeing the movie, offer them the original books by L. Frank Baum.
Audiobook note: the male narrator has a slow, folksy drawl. I normally listen at x1.2 speed, but for this, I shifted up to x1.4.
Memorable quote: "The real thing about evil," said the Witch at the doorway,[...] It's like the old saw: What does a dragon in its shell look like? Well, no one can ever tell, for as soon as you break the shell to see, the dragon is no longer in its shell. The real disaster of this inquiry is that it is the nature of evil to be secret."
#fantasybook #moviewasbetter #dwreads25
First book finished in the new year! I've been in a strea of rereading books, and this is continuing it.
Wicked is such a soap opera! I like this book, but I don't love it. In fact, this is a rare case of 'the movie was better.' I am impressed that Maguire found room to expand Oz lore in an already stuffed universe... Oziverse? But the author tends to 'tell' rather than 'show.' More description than action. Not sure if he does that in all his books, tho. If Maguire is your jam, there are plenty to choose from. Also, his use of the third-person narrative just doesn't connect for me, but I'm not entirely sure why. Because I desperately want this story to be told first hand by "the Witch?"
Back to #moviewasbetter While I'm not a hardcore Wicked musical fan, the stage and movie adaptations are improvements to this story! Thanks to their fun tone (which closer to the original Oz stories) and their spotlight on friendship. But if you're looking for a serious epic with much higher stakes, try Maguire"s books.
Unless there is a novelization for young folks, don't let your kids read this story. Too much sex, danger, and violence. (Peek at the list of cotent warnings! 👀) If your kids or tweens are interested after seeing the movie, offer them the original books by L. Frank Baum.
Audiobook note: the male narrator has a slow, folksy drawl. I normally listen at x1.2 speed, but for this, I shifted up to x1.4.
Memorable quote: "The real thing about evil," said the Witch at the doorway,[...] It's like the old saw: What does a dragon in its shell look like? Well, no one can ever tell, for as soon as you break the shell to see, the dragon is no longer in its shell. The real disaster of this inquiry is that it is the nature of evil to be secret."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Infidelity, Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Child abuse, Misogyny, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, Abandonment
Minor: Child death, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy