Book Review: Super Chill: A Year of Living Anxiously by Adam Ellis

Super Chill: A Year of Living Anxiously by Adam Ellis is a collection of comics that handle some tough

topics like seasonal affective disorder and struggles with self-esteem, while also touching on the silly and absurd—like his brief, but intense obsession with crystals. 

Super Chill is both funny and poignant. Those of us that are more introverted can relate to to his need to recharge at home, and his desire to avoid large groups of people. I could see a bit of myself in a good number of his comics, aside from the ones about drinking or being high- unless you count how I feel after a dose of cold or allergy medication. I enjoy his art style and think that anyone that has dealt with depression, anxiety, or just not wanting to go out in the world to deal with people will enjoy the read. All of the included comics are ones I had not seen, so I found it to be doubly entertaining and it inspired me to go out and follow Adam on more than just Facebook.

Super Chill is exactly what I was hoping for when I requested the title on Netgalley. I like Adam's art style and sense of humor- and can relate to most of his experiences. I have seen some of his work before, and was not disappointed in this collection.

Book Review: This is a Whoopsie by Andrew Cangelose, Josh Shipley

This is a Whoopsie is a picturebook written by Andrew Cangelose and illustrated by Josh Shipley. It is supposed to be a book about all the different things moose can do, like leaping and jumping and being really tall. But maybe Whoopsie isn't the right moose for the job. You might want to pick a different moose for this book. Maybe instead we can do a book about falling down a lot? Yeah! Whoopsie would be great at that. 

This is a Whoopsie is from the same team that gave up This is a Taco, a book about a squirrel with a love for unexpected food. Just like the previous book, there is a good amount of factual information so readers do learn a bit about moose. There is also plenty of laughs, as Whoopsie the moose trips his way through the book. However, there is also a lesson in being yourself and finding value in the things that make you different without making the readers feel like they are being lectured. The illustrations do a great job of enhancing the story and the important lesson it teaches with upping the humor another notch. I liked the little Taco cameo, and think that this picturebook should find its way into relevant library collections, and will be a repeat read if it makes its way into a home library. 

Book Review: Diary of an Ogre by Valeria Dávila; Monica López

Diary of an Ogre is a picturebook written by Valeria Dávila and Monica López, translated into English by David Warriner, and illustrated by Laura Aguerrebehere. The world of ogres is endangered and their secrets could disappear with them. This diary unveils the many mysteries of their monstrous life: the famous fight clubs, the belching and spitting classes, never changing underwear—ever.

Diary of an Ogre is a book that describes what a school for Ogres would teach. The text is in short, rhythmic sentences that will catch the attention of young readers. There is plenty of humor, including mention of clothes that smell like farts and other similar kinds of quick laughs. The illustrations are bright and colorful. They add an extra layer of fun and humor to the book, further showing what an ogre should be like. I think there could have more hints and humor pointing to fairy tales woven through. However, the book is a fun read through that will entertain readers of many ages willing to pick up a picturebook. 

Book Review: Memoirs of a Dragon Hunter (Dragon Hunter) by Katie MacAlister

Memoirs of a Dragon Hunter is the first book in the new Dragon Hunter series by Katie MacAlister. While it seems to be set in the same word as her previous paranormal books, if you have not read them you will be fine starting this series without working backwards. 

Veronica was a normal (if somewhat germaphobic) math teacher getting ready for summer vacation. Then her sister died in a pile of black ash, leaving her with a sword and a destiny as dragon hunter. It turns out there's a whole other world out there filled with demons, dragons, and spirits. Now Ronnie's job is to protect mortals - and I haven't got a clue what I'm doing. Then there's tattooed hotness Ian Iskander. Part dragon hunter and part demon, Ian's got some seriously creepy business associates and keeps trying to steal my sword. So why do they keep getting lost in hungry, crazy-hot kisses? Ian is the only person who can help Ronnie figure out who - and what - she am. But trusting a half-demon is dangerous, because when you play with dragon fire, someone always gets burned.

Memoirs of a Dragon Hunter is full of odd characters, magic, and mayhem. Veronica, Ronnie, has OCD and is determined to spend her summer off writing a book. She speaks her mind, is very smart, and is just a fun character to read about. Ian is tormented and torn, with secrets and struggles of his own, but with a soft heart he tries to hide. Together I liked their conversations, mostly because of Ronnie's constant chattering and complete honesty about everything she thinks and feels. Ian is much less forthcoming, but sweet in his way. I never really connected with the characters or felt invested in their success, no matter how entertaining I found some of the moments in the story. The secondary characters were fun additions to the story, and the fight scenes were highly entertaining. Sasha was my second favorite character in the book, but I feel like I barely got to know her, although to two esprits were pretty awesome too. The Monty Python reference was awesome, but might have gone on too long so that it lost its shine. I also worry that some readers will not even get the reference- I am amazed daily by people that do not get references to things I consider classic- like Monty Python, Douglas Adams, Abbott and Costello and so on.

Memoirs of a Dragon Hunter was a mixed bag for me. It had the quirky characters and funny exchanges that are the hallmark of MacAlister's writing (and what made her an automatic read for me for years) but I ever quite connected with the characters and story like I used to. I am not sure if my tastes have changed, or if some of MacAlister's magic was missing from this book.

Book Review: Check Out the Library Weenies: and Other Warped and Creepy Tales by David Lubar

Check Out the Library Weenies: and Other Warped and Creepy Tales is the ninth short story collection by David Lubar. There are thirty stories for middle grade readers with a mix of spooky and silly in each tale in the collection.  What I love about collections like this is that if one of the stories does not make you happy, it will be over soon or you can just skip ahead to the next tale. Each story of short, so it is the perfect book for those with short attention spans or reading times as well as anyone that enjoys stories with a dark twist, but that ever get too scary. One of the best parts of the collection is that Lubar shared some of his inspirations for the stories with readers. 

Check Out the Library Weenies: and Other Warped and Creepy Tales is the perfect read for middle grade or older readers that like scary stories. There are vampires, werewolves, magic, suspicious pets, zombies, scientists, and more. There is a good amount of bodily humor, and none of the stories are too scary for some of the more sensitive readers. I like that the stories and dark and creepy, with unexpected twists, but never nightmare inducing. There is humor and a generally entertaining, non-threatening vibe to the read. Those that like the Schwartz scary stories books will enjoy these as well. The only down-side to this series is that the covers are a little goofier and younger that the content of the books. While it might encourage readers that are intimidated by books, it might also discourage those that consider the books to young or silly for them because of the cover.

Book Review: This Is a Taco by Andrew Congelose, Josh Shipley

This Is a Taco is a picturebook written by Andrew Congelose and illustrated by Josh Shipley. This is a squirrel, one named Taco that does not eat nuts and tree bark—blech—he prefers tacos! This twist on a children's nature primer teaches kids that the most important story is the one you write yourself.

This Is a Taco is an informative but fun look at the squirrel. What they eat, how they move, and who eats them. Our narrator, Taco, is not too thrilled with the information about flying squirrels (because he isn't one) and hawks. So, he does his best to strike hawks from his story and to get himself some more of his favorite food- tacos. Things do not go quite as planned, but he still gets himself a special, happy ending.I loved the illustrations and the breaking of the third wall as the squirrel entertains and teaches readers of all ages.the colors and hints of fun in each of the pages made the read great fun. Much like Taco, I prefer tacos to bark and nuts, and do not think I would like the idea of being snatched up by a hawk. I think the book could offer readers of all ages a bit of knowledge, a few laughs, and a touch of empathy. 

Book Review: Wizard for Hire by Obert Skye

Wizard for Hire by Obert Skye is a young adult novel. Fourteen-year-old Ozzy lives near Portland, Oregon, and is desperate for help. His scientist parents have been kidnapped and he has been on his own since he was seven. Ozzy is afraid to go to the police, but without help, he fears he'll never find his parents. Then he stumbles across a classified ad in the local newspaper that says "Wizard for Hire. Call 555-SPEL." Ozzy has read about wizards in books like Harry Potter, but wizards couldn't actually exist today, could they? After Ozzy meets the wizard Labyrinth--aka Rin--he's even more skeptical. With the help of a robotic-talking raven invented by Ozzy's father, a kind and curious girl at school who decides to help Ozzy, and, of course, a self-proclaimed wizard who may or may not have a magical wand, Ozzy begins an unforgettable quest that will lead him closer to the answers he desperately seeks about his missing parents.

Wizard for Hire is and great read for young adults, and some middle grade readers. The story opens with Ozzy at seven, just after his family has moved to the cloaked house in the woods from New York City. HIs adjustment and the kidnapping of his parents are the way readers to to know and understand Ozzy. For seven years Ozzy just survives- but reading fiction, the discovery of the mechanical bird, and starting to explore the world has lead Ozzy to want to understand more about the outside world, and start the hunt for his missing parents. Sigi, the only kid at school that seems willing to get to know him, and later the "wizard" Rin are the only people that seem more willing to get to know him and look beyond his oddities. I love the ambiguity about magic and Rin's abilities, or lack thereof. He does things that seem impossible, but could just be luck. Through the entire book readers are left wondering if the magic is real, or if Rin just had a breakdown and is just a little different now. I enjoyed the journey of Ozzy and friends as they seek more information on his parents, and how things often go a little sideways, but rarely completely wrong. I also like that the story is a great adventure with significant emotional growth and challenges for all of the characters. I enjoyed the journey with Ozzy as a slightly unreliable narrator, since he rarely looked deeper than the surface or payed attention to things that stuck out to me as important.  I greatly enjoyed the ride, and am hoping that this turns into aa new series, or that some of the characters pop up in another story from the author in the near future. It was also just a fun, enjoyable read that I did not want to end.

Wizard for Hire is a fun, quirky read that also has significant character growth and development. I would love to continue this story with more about Ozzy, Rin, and Sigi.

Book Review: A Friendly Town That's Almost Always by the Ocean (Secrets of Topsea) by Kir Fox, M. Shelley Coats, Rachel Sanson

A Friendly Town That's Almost Always by the Ocean is a middle grade novel written by Kir Fox, M. Shelley Coats. It was illustrated by Rachel Sanson. In Topsea the coves are bottomless and the pier has no end in sight. There's a high tide and a low tide and a vanishing tide. Dogs are a myth, but mermaids are totally real. And seaweed is the main ingredient in every meal-watch out, it might just start chewing you back!

New kid Davy definitely thinks Topsea is strange. His mom keeps saying they'll get used to life in their new town-it's just the way things are on the coast! But after his first day at Topsea School, Davy finds himself wondering: Why is his locker all the way at the bottom of the school swimming pool? Why can't anyone remember his name? (It's Davy!) And why does everyone act like all of this is normal?! Through newspaper articles, stories, surveys, notifications, and more, follow Davy and the rest of Ms. Grimalkin's fifth grade class through the weird world of Topsea. (Whatever you do, don't make eye contact with the rubber ducks.)

A Friendly Town That's Almost Always by the Ocean is a story that is not only about a very strange town, and the unusual activity in it. It is also about finding your interests and yourself. I like that Davy seems like a perfectly normal boy, just trying to deal with all the recent changes in his life and move forward. He needs to deal with the loss of his father, and moving to a new town- something that many will be able to relate to in one way or another. However, to make settling in a bit harder the town and school are more than a little odd. A school locker at the bottom of the swimming pool, creepy cats, odd classes, and dogs being a myth are only the start of the oddities. Normal problems like being heard when you are small and friends with bigger personalities, being believed when you like to exaggerate, and other friendship dynamics are all within the pages as well. The balance of mundane and ridiculous keep the story fun and forward moving while still getting to the heart of the matter with fitting in and friendships. The artwork adds an extra layer of fun and details to the story, engaging readers even further in the story. I think this will be a great read, and think it might appeal to struggling or reluctant readers as well as more advanced readers.

A Friendly Town That's Almost Always by the Ocean is a fun and quirky read. I enjoyed the odd little town and unique characters. I think I need to explore this series further.

Book Review: Drawing Cute with Katie Cook: 200+ Lessons for Drawing Super Adorable Stuff by Katie Cook

Drawing Cute with Katie Cook: 200+ Lessons for Drawing Super Adorable Stuff by Katie Cook

teaches readers how to draw everything adorable in her first tutorial book. These are quick, easy-to-follow step-by-step lessons with some silliness on the side. All you need is a pencil and paper, or a napkin or a wall depending on how confident you are in your drawing ability. Readers will be shown how to turn curvy blobs, shapes, and squiggles into more than 200 different things. Some subject included are fuzzy animals, cute food, and inanimate objects like yarns balls, luggage and a toaster. Add details like nubbins, floof, and smiley faces to anything and everything to transform it into something really, really cute.

Drawing Cute with Katie Cook: 200+ Lessons for Drawing Super Adorable Stuff is a fun read, even if you are not terribly interested in becoming better at drawing adorable critters and such. Cook includes plenty of cuteness and humor along side the drawing tutorials. I love that she simplifies each of the drawings into things like basic shapes, but often in terms of produce, i.e. eggplant, potatoes, and seeds.  I think this is the perfect instruction book for those that want to draw and doodle adorable things, but do not have a ton of faith in their own artistic skills. The instructions are well written, in a relaxed and fun way, that should set even the most trepidatious sketcher's heart at ease and allow them to have some fun with the process.   As a bonus, fans of puns, fun facts, and Doctor Who will find little references and jokes to make the read even more fun.

Early Book Review: Manfried the Man by Caitlin Major, Kelly Bastow

Manfried the Man is a graphic novel by Caitlin Major and Kelly Bastow that reverses the roles of cats and people. It is currently scheduled for release on May 1 2018.

Manfried is a stray man taken in by Steve Catson, a slacker with a dead-end job and nonexistent love life. Soon Manfried becomes the Garfield to Steve’s Jon Arbuckle: lazy, selfish, and sometimes maddening in his weird human behavior. Yet the pair depends on each other to get through life’s troubles. When Manfried runs away, Steve musters his meager resources to find his best man-friend and bring him home safe. Ultimately, both Steve and Manfried realize they’re capable of so much more than they thought.

Manfried the Man is a clever idea, that I am surprised has not already done. The art is very well done, and tells a story that is not all sunshine and roses. Steve has a dead end job, and even that does not last. He doubts himself, his worth, and worries about how others see him. I think most single adults, and most cat lovers (single or not) can relate to many of the conflicts, thoughts, and wackiness that happens around pets. I found that there were times my heart broke for Steve, times I worried for Manfried, and other times that the action made me smile or giggle. I think most cat lovers will get something from the read, and I think it will resonate with many readers as well. I enjoyed the read, even the less happy moments, and found it very much worth my time. 

Early Book Review: Herding Cats: A Sarah's Scribbles Collection by Sarah Andersen

Herding Cats: A Sarah's Scribbles Collection is the third volume of collected comics from Sarah Andersen. Her distinctive style and humor do a painfully on point job of illustrating the very specific growing pains that occur on the way to becoming a mature, put-together grownup. The illustrations also show how to behave as an adult, even though keeping up that behavior is just as hard as getting there to begin with. At the end there is also encouragement and support for readers trying to keep their head above water when dealing with creativity, art, anxiety, and life in general.

Sarah valiantly struggles with waking up in the morning, being productive, and dealing with social situations. Sarah's Scribbles is the comic strip that follows her life, finding humor in living as an adulting introvert that is at times weird, awkward, and embarrassing. While we might not all have the same levels on anxiety or the same creative outlets as this author and artist-  we have all had the moments when we felt so very different, anxious, or other as the drawn version of Sarah. I could relate to so many of her strips. Even in the strips I could not relate personally I could see the reality of the day to day struggles that so many face. I loved the relateable feel, and the perseverance and humor that underlies her actions. Some of the strips were ones I have seen before, since I follow Sarah's Scribbles, however I felt like there were a significant number of fresh, new strips. I also found the other text from Anderson at the end of the book to be uplifting and supportive to artists and others dealing with anxiety or having trouble adulting to be a great way to connect with and support her readers. All most of us want is to know we are not alone, and seeing someone that you might look up to commiserating with the same troubles could be just the encouragement readers need.

Book Review: Miss Feesenschneezen Is Ill by David Parmelee

Miss Feesenschneezen Is Ill by David Parmelee  is a book for middle grade readers. The "Tough Class" in school loves their teacher Miss Feesenschneezen, and no one else is up to the challenger. Principal Armstrong is occupied to a review by the state board and the normal substitute pool has no one to take on the job. A series of unusual substitutes teach the class a variety of interesting things over the week she is out.

 

Miss Feesenschneezen Is Ill is a fun and entertaining look at being part of a tough class. Everyone that has ever worked in a school knows that there is always a tough class or two. Not bad kids, but ones that are challenging to teach, and paired with the right instructors can go far. I know one of my kids is a tough kid to teach, and working in a school I see tough kids and classes everyday. The teachers that these kids identify with or trust are priceless, and Miss Feesenschneezen is one of those teachers. She falls ill the week the principal is under siege by a review board, and no one really wants to tackle the class. The series of substitutes and volunteers do their best to teach, and some succeeded marvelously but are exhausted by the experience, while others are not up for the task. The results are fun, and I learned some interesting things along with the class. I liked that while everyone seems to fear this class, they are not actually bad- they are not doing anything horrible or being rude. They are curious and have many questions, but will gladly side track class to do less work if possible. Sounds like normal kids to me. To be honest, I was rather expecting the mystery illness to be related to the review the school was under, rather than something real regardless of how simple, just to add another little twist. I am still not convinced that it was not. 

Miss Feesenschneezen Is Ill is a fun book that many middle graders, particularly those considered part of a tough class to teach, or struggling in school will enjoy. Adult readers that work in, or have worked in school will enjoy it as well. 

Book Review: The Capybara Conspiracy by Erica S. Perl

The Capybara Conspiracy is a middle grade novel by Erica S. Perl.  Seventh-grade playwright Olive Henry is frustrated by her middle school’s lack of appreciation for anything but sports. While the principal drones on and on during morning announcements about the sports teams’ victories, all non-athletic club meetings are relegated to the school basement, never to be mentioned on the loudspeaker. So Olive and her best friend, Reynaldo, hatch a plan to kidnap the school’s capybara mascot, planning to return it, heroically, just in time for the school’s pep rally and claim a reward: permission for their drama club to practice in the auditorium. And, hopefully, some overdue respect for the school’s non-athletes. But when an animal-rights student activist and an undercover athlete with murky motivations join in the conspiracy, their plans—along with Cappy the capybara—veer wildly out of Olive’s control.

The Capybara Conspiracy is written in play format, which is not my favorite, and took me a while to get used to. I liked the idea of kids being creative, and liked the amount of humor and twists involved in kidnapping a capybara. I also liked the information in the back of the book, which gives ideas for kids group reading the book because of the format. I enjoy the idea, and think many reader would find it to be fun and satisfying to do so. However, I think many of the characters were either underdeveloped or based off of less than flattering stereotypes. I get that it was part of the gag, but with the current state of the country with immigration, and the amount of girls that still think dumb and pretty is the way to go, I was not amused. Although, I was not the target audience either- so maybe I was just not in the right headspace to enjoy the read.

The Capybara Conspiracy is  a book with humor, and wacky escapades. However, it also has some standard stereotypes (some of which are proven untrue about the specific characters) that I just did not enjoy. I think there are some readers that will enjoy it, but between the stereotypes and the format I was not one of them. 

Book Review: Saint George: Rusty Knight and Monster Tamer by John Powell

Saint George: Rusty Knight and Monster Tamer by John Powell is a collection of short stories that left me wondering about the intended audience. The tone is fun and humorous, suitably silly for young readers that might enjoy it, but some of the humor seemed to be geared towards adults. The short stories tell of an impoverished knight in old England who discovers a way to tame the great variety of monsters that roam the land in the days of Good King Freddie the Umteenth and his prime minister Merlin the Whirlin.

Saint George: Rusty Knight and Monster Tamer is humorous and silly, with each of the short stories able to read one their own. This might make it a good pick for readers looking for short fun reads, because it is easy to read a single tale and put it aside until you are ready for more. I found the tone to be a bit childish, but at the same time there were bits about private parts and getting drunk, making it not quite right for some younger readers. To be honest, the stories really did not hold my attention well. Which made the fact that I could read a bit and the put it aside a good thing. I can see the appeal for some readers, but it just never grabbed me. 

Book Review: 50 Wacky Inventions Throughout History: Weird Inventions that Seem Too Crazy to be Real by the Walter Foster Jr. Creative Team

50 Wacky Inventions Throughout History: Weird Inventions that Seem Too Crazy to be Real by the Walter Foster Jr. Creative Team is a nonfiction book for children that illustrates how wonderful and wacky the creative mind can be. Have you ever heard of a bike TV? Or a bird diaper? The 50 inventions highlighted in this book range from useful, to entertaining, to downright silly. These mind-boggling inventions and gadgets from yesterday, today, and tomorrow will surprise and delight fun-fact lovers of all ages.

50 Wacky Inventions Throughout History: Weird Inventions that Seem Too Crazy to be Real offers information and images that capture the imagination and interest of readers. I liked that while some of the inventions might seem ridiculous, the inventors and the reasoning behind each invention is offered, but not mocked. The silliness of the inventions is not left out, but at no point are the idea or people involved made fun of. This is important in my eyes, because making light of inventors might discourage readers that might have some wonderful ideas. The illustrations in the book are fun and cartoony, breaking up the text a little so that more reluctant readers will feel less overwhelmed by the amount of text and information. This was a fun and informative read, and one that I can see many taking the time to re read. 

Book Review: Fowl Language: The Struggle Is Real by Brian Gordon

Fowl Language: The Struggle Is Real by Brian Gordon is a collection of comics about parenting, some were already published by Fowl Language online while some of it is brand new. Fowl Language is a comic for any parent or caregiver. The joy, frustration, wonder, and misery that are all part of caring for the next generation told via cartoon ducks. I follow the comic on Facebook, so I already had seen a few, but for some reason they never get old. 

Fowl Language: The Struggle Is Real is funny, sometime poignant, and almost always relatable. I love that Gordon includes the moments that we struggle with it all as well as the moments that make it all worth while. Anyone that enjoys the online comic will want to at least take a look at the book, but adding it to the home library might help get through the harder nights. This would also be a great gift to new or expecting parents, and those sending their kids out into the world on their own. 

Early Book Review: If My Dogs Were a Pair of Middle-Age Men by Matthew Inman (The Oatmeal)

If My Dogs Were a Pair of Middle-Age Men by Matthew Inman (also known as The Oatmeal) is currently schedule for release on September 26 2017.  This charmingly absurd gift book about man’s best friend is the kind of humor and art that one fully expects from the mind behind The Oatmeal and books like How to Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting to Kill You. In If My Dogs Were a Pair of Middle-Aged Men, Matthew Inman imagines what life would be like if his dogs were a couple of old men running around his house. The result is a pitch-perfect gift for any dog owner, animal lover, or fan of The Oatmeal.

If My Dogs Were a Pair of Middle-Age Men gives readers exactly what they should expect from this author, with this title. Inman draws his two dogs as middle age men and puts them in everyday doggy situations. Not high brow humor by any means- but anyone with dogs (or pets of any kind really) can relate to the adventures of this two, and the reactions of their owner. They are suitably silly and occasionally gross- like any animal is bound to be. The book is amusing and hits all the right notes, at least the ones that anyone with any prior knowledge of the Oatmeal would expect. It was short, but I think that is better than dragging on the jokes to the point where they are no longer quite as amusing. 

Book Review: Grimbeard: Tales of the Last Dwarf by Samwise Didier

Grimbeard: Tales of the Last Dwarf by Samwise Didier is a collection of six short stories featuring an elf hating dwarf. These bawdy and boisterous stories featuring all original artwork by legendary Blizzard Entertainment art director Samwise Didier, this tome follows Captain Grimbeard as he organizes underground fight clubs, boxes elven bounty hunters, ducks amorous giants, and most important—searches for a place to empty his beer-filled bladder. 

Grimbeard: Tales of the Last Dwarf is an entertaining read, but I will admit that I found the cover and artwork that can be found throughout the book better than the narrative. The adventures of Grimbeard were insane, in a fun and entertaining way, but his chatty style occasionally irritated me more than I expected it to. I liked the idea, come on who would not want to read about a dwarf pirate with a deep seated hatred of silly elves? The plot lines and illustrations lived up to my hopes completely, it was only the narrative style that distracted me and kept me from getting lost in the adventures.

Early Book Review: Life Lessons from Catass by Claude Combacau

Life Lessons from Catass by Claude Combacau is currently scheduled for release on July 4 2017. This is a book full of sassy, cat-themed coloring pages, mazes, and puzzles with directions like: “Put the pieces of the $3,000 vase Catsass just destroyed back together. Three odd pieces are parts of other ruined objects because you don’t deserve to have it easy.” Combacau’s “Catsass” cartoons about a mischief-making feline remind cat lovers and haters alike that cats are mostly self-serving creatures. Yes, your particular cat may be awesome and sweet, but this does not make up for the number of cats whose favorite activity is knocking stuff over.

Life Lessons from Catass is a collection of activities all featuring Catsass, who I will admit to having never heard of before, even though I thought I was current on my cartoon and internet cats. Catsass is a cat that is full of mischief and more than a little crass on occasion. I think Catsass shows all the aspects of cats that haters are quick to see and point out, and that cat lovers are aware of but try to ignore. I will admit to chuckling a time or two, and finding the activities to be cute and clever. However, I think it went on just a little too long. 

Book Review: Holly Farb and the Princess of the Galaxy by Gareth Wronski

Holly Farb and the Princess of the Galaxy by Gareth Wronski is a middle grade novel. Holly Farb is not the Princess of the Galaxy. She may be top of the class in every subject, but she can’t even win a school election, never mind rule the Milky Way. The aliens who kidnapped her have gotten it all wrong. Unfortunately Holly’s alien pirate kidnappers believe that she’s the princess they’ve been looking for, and so she finds herself hurtling through space on an alien pirate ship together with her teacher, Mr. Mendez, and Chester, the most annoying boy in her class. Now all she has to do is escape the pirates, find the missing princess, and get back to Earth in time for her big test on Friday. But it turns out that space is a pretty big place, and before they can go home, Holly, Chester, and Mr. Mendez must face down space cruise liners, bounty hunters, giant worms, perky holograms, cosmic board games, sinister insectoid librarians, and a robot who is learning how to lie. Between running from space pirates, defying the President of the Universe, and meeting a host of rather unusual new friends, Holly starts to wonder if there might be more to life than being top of the class after all.

Holly Farb and the Princess of the Galaxy is the adventure of one young lady that has never felt in control, but has always tried to get her attention by being smart- because that is what she is good at. All she wants is to be important, to matter, and she does not even seem to get that at home. When pirate kidnap Holly, her teacher, and the new kid the real adventure starts. I loved the twists and turns, and while I expected a twist as to who the princess was, that twist was only one of the several possibilities that I had considered. I liked that while I knew something was coming, it was not so completely obvious that it was my only thought. I also liked how interconnected, but unusual, some of the turns the story took. The only thing that happened that I completely expected was the President of the Universe's attitude when push came to shove. While Holly began as a pessimistic and self pitying character, her actions and thoughts were understandable and I liked how much she changed and grew as the story continued. Chester, while not what they seemed at the beginning, changed and grew with Holly. I think it was their relationship and changing understanding that really pushed the book forward, even more so that the danger and adventure from space pirates, asteroid belts, the criminal element in a dive bar, and more that they faced along the way. I really liked that even in the moments of highest drama and danger there was an underlying sense of humor and fun. I love a story that does not take itself too seriously, and this book hit the balance of fun, danger, and emotional growth very well.

Holly Farb and the Princess of the Galaxy is a middle grade adventure with a coming of age story arch and sense of humor that appealed to me, and that I think will appeal to many other readers that have ever felt as isolated and 'other' as Holly.