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jlennidorner's reviews
320 reviews
Small! by Hannah Moffatt
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
4.25
This was a good children's book. It reminded me a bit of Harry Potter in that it takes place in the UK, an awkward boy goes to a fantasy school, the boy's family isn't great, and he ends up having to play the part of a hero. I'd say this is magical realism, as the characters do seem to accept that fantasy creatures exist. This is important because the setting is mostly a less-traditional learning environment, and the students are meant to grow up having the lives of giants, not typical human employment opportunities. Harvey has terrible luck, but it's actually because he tends to blame himself for events that are not his fault. I'd recommend this book to young or young-at-heart audiences looking for a bit of a laugh, an unexpected friendship, some heroics, and lots of stinky fantasy creatures. This isn't the kind of book I typically read, but I enjoyed it. I got a copy from the author as thanks for an interview at Operation Awesome. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.
My favorite character name in the book is Lord Pawington Bear-Face Grumple Snout the Second (Mr. Snout), the forbidden teddy bear.
A line I especially loved:
But even the scariest things aren't quite as scary with a best friend by your side.
It's fun and silly entertainment. The clumsy character just wants to make a friend. Circumstances give him an opportunity to be an asset instead of a liability. It feels like a book that would be a good choice to use during storytime with a librarian, the sort where an adult reads to children and "does the voices."
I learned, because I had to look it up, that dungarees are a one-piece garment consisting of trousers, a piece of cloth that covers your chest, and straps that go over your shoulders; so they're basically denim overalls. Physical violence is used on children (such as being whacked with a clipboard), and many threats. The dormitory has no gender segregation.
The book has a happy-for-now ending. While a bit predictable for adult fantasy fans, the plot twists and clues probably work best for young readers. Overall, it's a good story about friendship and bravery.
My favorite character name in the book is Lord Pawington Bear-Face Grumple Snout the Second (Mr. Snout), the forbidden teddy bear.
A line I especially loved:
But even the scariest things aren't quite as scary with a best friend by your side.
It's fun and silly entertainment. The clumsy character just wants to make a friend. Circumstances give him an opportunity to be an asset instead of a liability. It feels like a book that would be a good choice to use during storytime with a librarian, the sort where an adult reads to children and "does the voices."
I learned, because I had to look it up, that dungarees are a one-piece garment consisting of trousers, a piece of cloth that covers your chest, and straps that go over your shoulders; so they're basically denim overalls. Physical violence is used on children (such as being whacked with a clipboard), and many threats. The dormitory has no gender segregation.
The book has a happy-for-now ending. While a bit predictable for adult fantasy fans, the plot twists and clues probably work best for young readers. Overall, it's a good story about friendship and bravery.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence
White Lies by Sara de Waard
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
This is a real page-turner packed with strong emotions. I read my autographed copy, given to me by this debut author as thanks for an interview at the Operation Awesome blog. This is my honest and unbiased review. My heart breaks for Melissa, Missy, the main character, in the first ten pages.
About half a million Americans under age 18 have a parent who is an inmate, so there is a huge audience who can identify with characters in this book. I love a YA novel with such strong characters who have so much to overcome.
My absolute favorite scene is when Missy and Luke are in an "old-school media store." Nirvana, Madonna, and Marilyn Manson -- music that gives the book appeal to Gen X readers who like YA. (It also seems like a hint Missy's dad might snort cocaine, in addition to his other addictions.)
A line that really got me, really took the wind out of me from the emotional power:
A bunch of people who have to justify their jobs rally around you like they truly care when, in reality, you feel like you're just a checkmark on their to-do lists.
I felt deeply invested in the life of the main character, which kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen to Missy, and what had happened to her brother. Plus, I read this book right around the time of my own birthday. (Missy has the worst birthdays possible.) A lost-and-found hat to deal with unexpected menstrual troubles made me grateful that I couldn't relate to this particular scene. I do wonder if chairs in public schools in Canada have fabric (instead of being all plastic and metal)?
This is realistic fiction, happily-ever-after (happily-for-now), with light romantic scenes, several tear-jerker scenes, controversial moments because of the parents, fast-paced chapters, some plot twists, and meaningful moments. According to the author, Luke is Métis (people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry, a recognized Aboriginal people in Canada). Miss Maalouf has a middle eastern accent, darker skin, and black hair. Renshu wasn't born here, so she didn't know how well he spoke English until he conversed with a customer, and speaks Mandarin with his daughter, Valkyrie. George, who has dark skin, calls Melissa Bells "Larry Bird," because she's tall and white. (She's also left-handed and has severe anxiety and other probable mental issues.)
I think the title references the white lies we tell ourselves, especially when the truth is difficult to handle. Missy seems like her "love language" is probably giving, because when she's meant to compliment herself, she instead compliments someone else, when she's to get something nice for herself, she instead gives something to a child. Finding out the reason for the bicycle on the cover is heart-wrenching.
It's a well-edited book. Mindfulness, forgiveness, and self-blame isn't usually justified. Nothing in the book "just happens," there's a cause for every effect. Her future is the result of her own choices and actions. Nothing was easy for Missy in this book. It holds up a mirror to society in the struggles endured by Missy and Luke. I look forward to reading more books from this author in the future.
About half a million Americans under age 18 have a parent who is an inmate, so there is a huge audience who can identify with characters in this book. I love a YA novel with such strong characters who have so much to overcome.
My absolute favorite scene is when Missy and Luke are in an "old-school media store." Nirvana, Madonna, and Marilyn Manson -- music that gives the book appeal to Gen X readers who like YA. (It also seems like a hint Missy's dad might snort cocaine, in addition to his other addictions.)
A line that really got me, really took the wind out of me from the emotional power:
A bunch of people who have to justify their jobs rally around you like they truly care when, in reality, you feel like you're just a checkmark on their to-do lists.
I felt deeply invested in the life of the main character, which kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen to Missy, and what had happened to her brother. Plus, I read this book right around the time of my own birthday. (Missy has the worst birthdays possible.) A lost-and-found hat to deal with unexpected menstrual troubles made me grateful that I couldn't relate to this particular scene. I do wonder if chairs in public schools in Canada have fabric (instead of being all plastic and metal)?
This is realistic fiction, happily-ever-after (happily-for-now), with light romantic scenes, several tear-jerker scenes, controversial moments because of the parents, fast-paced chapters, some plot twists, and meaningful moments. According to the author, Luke is Métis (people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry, a recognized Aboriginal people in Canada). Miss Maalouf has a middle eastern accent, darker skin, and black hair. Renshu wasn't born here, so she didn't know how well he spoke English until he conversed with a customer, and speaks Mandarin with his daughter, Valkyrie. George, who has dark skin, calls Melissa Bells "Larry Bird," because she's tall and white. (She's also left-handed and has severe anxiety and other probable mental issues.)
I think the title references the white lies we tell ourselves, especially when the truth is difficult to handle. Missy seems like her "love language" is probably giving, because when she's meant to compliment herself, she instead compliments someone else, when she's to get something nice for herself, she instead gives something to a child. Finding out the reason for the bicycle on the cover is heart-wrenching.
It's a well-edited book. Mindfulness, forgiveness, and self-blame isn't usually justified. Nothing in the book "just happens," there's a cause for every effect. Her future is the result of her own choices and actions. Nothing was easy for Missy in this book. It holds up a mirror to society in the struggles endured by Missy and Luke. I look forward to reading more books from this author in the future.
Write Better Right Now: The Reluctant Writer's Guide to Confident Communication and Self-Assured Style by Mary-Kate Mackey
informative
medium-paced
4.0
This was a useful book with exercises to expand any writer's mind, though it is best suited to help with non-fiction. An excellent gift idea for back-to-school students. I borrowed this book from a library because I haven't focused enough lately on writing. In truth, it's aimed more for someone who needs to write something and doesn't want to, as opposed to someone looking to refocus on writing more often. Still, I had a 1000-word writing piece due soon, and the book did, in fact, help me to organize my thoughts and notes in three different ways, resulting in an easier time ultimately writing my piece.
I do read a few writing reference books a year. This is more geared toward beginners or intermediate writers than my usual preference, yet it still had something to teach me. I read the entire book to see how many other "knowledge gems" were hidden in the pages.
I enjoyed giving my ideal readers a name and identity. The book discusses the importance of sensory details. It leaves out scents or smells, as well as sight or visuals. It does separate touch and feel though. And includes the sensation of time passing.
The book was well edited. It gives the tip of reading one's work backward, last sentence to first, to find errors. Perhaps that's how the book's creator avoided making mistakes. The order the book was written made sense, as first we think, then we write, and last we revise. It is beneficial to writers of books, blogs, essays, emails, reports, and many things in between.
I do read a few writing reference books a year. This is more geared toward beginners or intermediate writers than my usual preference, yet it still had something to teach me. I read the entire book to see how many other "knowledge gems" were hidden in the pages.
I enjoyed giving my ideal readers a name and identity. The book discusses the importance of sensory details. It leaves out scents or smells, as well as sight or visuals. It does separate touch and feel though. And includes the sensation of time passing.
The book was well edited. It gives the tip of reading one's work backward, last sentence to first, to find errors. Perhaps that's how the book's creator avoided making mistakes. The order the book was written made sense, as first we think, then we write, and last we revise. It is beneficial to writers of books, blogs, essays, emails, reports, and many things in between.