noraquinn's reviews
54 reviews

The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.

Slur that wasn't a slur like that in 1999 + some things I think I might not put in my classroom given certain students background and the way some things are phrased. Might reconsider next school year because I really love these books. 

The Cosmic Beyond by Max Brallier

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

The .25 off is for the Harry Potter reference. These books are really good I like that they cover some more serious themes (belonging/foster care) while also being fun and unserious. 

The House of My Mother by Shari Franke

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.75

Super super interesting to listen to this after the book about the FLDS. A lot of the themes of isolation from family as punishment and of course sexual assault overlapped between the two even though this is about a LDS family not an FLDS family. I also find it very impressive Shari is able to have a (seemingly) healthy relationship with God and religion after her experiences. Hopefully this book & story will help get legislation passed around children as internet content. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault

Breaking Free: How I Escaped Polygamy, the FLDS Cult, and my Father, Warren Jeffs by Rachel Jeffs

challenging dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.75

The Nightmare King by Max Brallier

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

I really like that these books are engaging, funny, and interesting for children while also not "avoiding" hard topics

Good Job, Kanani, Book 2 by Lisa Yee

hopeful informative lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

I liked seeing other sides of Pika's character. I did find it odd that in the first book they mention honking being rude, and in this one it's used in a friendly manner. 

Aloha, Kanani by Lisa Yee

adventurous hopeful informative lighthearted 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? It's complicated

3.25

There were a couple weight related comments I didn't love, and I wish this was an own voices text about hawai'i. Hopefully that's something AG is doing in the present. 

Lanie's Real Adventures by Jane Kurtz

hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

Lanie by Jane Kurtz

adventurous hopeful lighthearted 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? No

3.0

I didn't love Lanie not apologizing to her friend after sending her a rude email. Overall the book is great for girls interested in science and nature, the environmental references were a bit funny at times, like her telling her sister to draw a picture on recycled paper. I do believe the character talks like that though. 

Changes for Julie by Megan McDonald
Did not finish book. Stopped at 74%.

Not going to put it in my classroom since it has hearing people creating their own name sign.