Early Book Review: The Clothesline by Orbie

The Clothesline is a picture book written and illustrated by Orbie. It is currently schedule for release on October 15 2019. This is a story about a little boy who lives above a convenience store with his mom. When he goes to spend his pocket money on candy—only when Mom’s not looking—he gives the knot on the clothesline by the outdoor stairs a good yank (it makes the best sound). One day, he tugs a little too hard, and takes the stairs a little too fast, and—whiiiiiz!—gets stuck hanging smack in the middle of the clothesline. He cries for help, but Mom doesn’t hear. He waits for someone to save him, but only a black cat slinks by. His arm gets tired—but if he hangs on with both hands, he’ll risk dropping his coins! It’s a true dilemma. Finally, he cries out so loudly that he tumbles to the ground. He still spends his pocket money on candy. But he NEVER touches the clothesline again. 
The Clothesline has simple text and the images tell as much of the story as the words. It is in the style of a graphic novel, complete with sound effects and sequential storytelling. The illustrations show the fear, worry, and indecision of the young boy in trouble quite clearly, and his problem is one that most young readers could see themselves falling into themselves fairly easily. I am sure I would have done something similar in his position. The young boy is a good sympathetic character, gets himself into trouble doing something he knows is wrong but is very tempting and learns his lesson. I think I would have liked to see him a little braver when it is time to come down from the clothesline- but I was a tree climbing and jumping sort of kid.  I liked the story, and the illustrations, and think that it could spark interest in graphic novels in young readers. However, it just did not wow me are strike the chord I was hoping for as I read.

Early Book Review: Southern Exposure: The Overlooked Architecture of Chicago's South Side by Lee Bey

Southern Exposure: The Overlooked Architecture of Chicago's South Side by Lee Bey is currently scheduled for release on October 15 2019. Inspired by Bey’s 2017 Chicago Architecture Biennial exhibition, Southern Exposure visits sixty sites, including lesser-known but important work by luminaries such as Jeanne Gang, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Eero Saarinen, as well as buildings by pioneering black architects such as Walter T. Bailey, John Moutoussamy, and Roger Margerum. Pushing against the popular narrative that depicts Chicago’s South Side as an architectural wasteland, Bey shows beautiful and intact buildings and neighborhoods that reflect the value—and potential—of the area. Southern Exposure offers much to delight architecture aficionados and writers, native Chicagoans and guests to the city alike.
Southern Exposure: The Overlooked Architecture of Chicago's South Side is a lovely book of photography with well written and interesting information about the buildings pictured.The tone was very conversational, making it an enjoyable read.  It was very interesting to learn about the history surrounding some of the locations, as well as the current uses, and hope for the future. I have never been to Chicago, and have no current plans, so I was glad to see a piece of the city, particularly since it does not always receive this kind of attention. I think those from the area, and those that are interested in architecture, photography, and Chicago's history will all get a great deal from exploring this book. 

Early Book Review: Elizabeth Webster and the Court of Uncommon Pleas by William Lashner

Elizabeth Webster and the Court of Uncommon Pleas by William Lashner is a middle grade novel currently scheduled for release on October 15 2019.  Elizabeth Webster is happy to stay under the radar (and under her bangs) until middle school is dead and gone. But when star swimmer Henry Harrison asks Elizabeth to tutor him in math, it's not linear equations Henry really needs help with-it's a flower-scented, poodle-skirt-wearing, head-tossing ghost who's calling out Elizabeth's name. But why Elizabeth? Could it have something to do with her missing lawyer father? Maybe. Probably. If only she could find him. In her search, Elizabeth discovers more than she is looking for: a grandfather she never knew, a startling legacy, and the secret family law firm, Webster & Son, Attorneys for the Damned. Elizabeth and her friends soon land in court, where demons and ghosts take the witness stand and a red-eyed judge with a ratty white wig hands out sentences like sandwiches. Will Elizabeth's father arrive in time to save Henry Harrison-and is Henry the one who really needs saving?

Elizabeth Webster and the Court of Uncommon Pleas has a wonderful premise and I greatly enjoyed the character building. I liked Elizabeth, she had the blend of spunk and vulnerabilities that rang true for a middle school girl. Her family and friends were nicely rounded with much more depth than I usually see in novels for this age group. I liked the relationship between Elizabeth and Natalie, and how two girls celebrated their differences while keeping their friendship. I also enjoyed the relationship Elizabeth had with her mom and step father- that they clearly cared about her and let her be herself and express herself was wonderful. I was glad to see that there was some humor, and plenty of odd visuals sprinkled through the story. Although I have to admit that I sometimes found myself skimming some of the descriptions so that I could get back to the plot and action a little quicker. I liked the variety of twists and turns in the story- solving the mystery surrounding Beatrice's death, finding Elizabeth's father, and so on. I liked that it was not a simply solution, but at the same time it really felt like a long read. It also felt like it was clearly a set up for a series, and while I am intrigued by the secrets Elizabeth's mom might be keeping, I am not sure that all the build up was enough to really hook me. It was a good read, it just did not capture my attention the way I expected something with this blend of coming of age, mystery, and supernatural secrets to.

Elizabeth Webster and the Court of Uncommon Pleas is a a novel that the upper elementary and middle school set will enjoy. I liked the premise and the execution- but it was a book that I could easily put down when I needed to.

Early Book Review: Unplugged and Unpopular by Mat Heagerty Tintin Pantoja, Mike Amante

Unplugged and Unpopular is a graphic novel written by Mat Heagerty and illustrated by Tintin Pantoja and Mike Amante. It is currently scheduled for release on October 15 2019.  

Erin Song lives in a digital world. Everyone has a phone, a tablet, a computer—more screens than you can count. Even with a world of information at her fingertips, Erin can’t figure out the secret to popularity at her clique-y junior high school. So when uber-popular Wendy asks for help cheating on a test, Erin jumps at the opportunity. This could be her big break! Unfortunately, she gets caught, and her parents ban her from all her devices. Suddenly, Erin Song is the only girl in the world who’s not allowed to look at a screen. And that’s when Erin notices something funny: small, furry aliens making humans disappear with a weird device Erin’s never seen before. No one else notices them, though—except Erin’s grandmother and two old men who run the local library. They’ve discovered that the aliens are using screens to control the human race, tricking them into thinking they aren’t really there—and that anyone who’s been abducted never existed. Now it’s up to Erin and her grandmother to save the day! But without technology on their side, do they stand a chance?

Unplugged and Unpopular is a graphic novel for the tween set. Let's start with what I thought were the best aspects of the story. I thought the story was fun, and many readers will enjoy it. The desire popularity and discovering what is really important is a big part of Erin's story, andI thought that aspect was handle very well. Also, the way many people treat children and older adults was sadly a little too close to the truth for my peace of mind.  I liked the art style a great deal, it capture the intent and mood of the story well and frankly was the high point of the story for me.  It was similar in style to some of my favorite graphic novels, so it was familiar and comfortable to me. If I were reviewing only on the art the book would have gotten more stars.

Now, for the things that bothered me as I read. While I do think the dependence on technology is a good starting point, because it is clearly a large part of society right now, I thought it was a little heavy handed and frankly wrong on some aspects. I feel like the author has not been in a library for many years, because librarians tend to be on the forefront of tech- because patrons will have questions on how to use it and they need access to the more accurate and current information possible to do their jobs. Yes, there are librarians that are not well versed in tech, but I have yet to see a library with no computer screens or tech available for staff or patrons. Also, I found the no-screen thing extremely ironic as I was reading a digital galley rather than a paper one. 

Unplugged and Unpopular is a well drawn graphic novel with a fun story. I did not love it, but think some readers will enjoy it more than I. 

Early Book Review: Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker: Reinvent the Slow-Cooked Meal; 77 Mouthwatering Recipes by Nicki Sizemore

Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker: Reinvent the Slow-Cooked Meal; 77 Mouthwatering Recipes by Nicki Sizemore is currently scheduled for release on October 15 2019. This book is filled with slow-simmered main dishes, plus 35 recipes for sauces and sides, that replace canned ingredients with fresh vegetables, boost flavor with aromatic herbs and spices, and feature a tantalizing array of global tastes in dishes that span the menu. Overnight Pumpkin-Brown Rice Pudding with crunchy pecans is a wholesome, hands-off breakfast treat, Thai Curried Chicken with Rice Noodles gets a spicy kick from curry broth, and Shredded Mole Beef Tacos are accented with the sweet heat of Quick Pickled JalapeƱos. Whether you’re feeding a family or entertaining a crowd, each recipe highlights prep work that can be knocked out days in advance, making serving meals worthy of every occasion easy and delicious.

Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker has a good variety of dishes, and taught me a few tricks for using my crock pot- even as I need to retire my old one due to seal failure after a solid ten years of use- and get a new one. While there are some recipes I do not see myself trying (only because if it only needs to be in there for an hour I do not see the point of using it) there are plenty they I fully expect to be trying in the coming months. I have one adult picky eater and one kid of a similar mindset, so it is easy to fall into a rut of eating the same meals all the time, because I know what everyone will actually eat. However, the rest of us get tired of the repeats, and I am looking forward to trying some of these recipes out to see what I can add to the rotation and to test out some of the ideas reading these recipes have given me. I really liked the basic information at the beginning of the book- laying out what type of slow cooker might be right for you, and why some of the preparations can or cannot be done in advance. In my need to replace my trusty crock pot I found the information to be helpful. 

Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker is a wonderful resource for tips and tricks in crock pot use, new recipes, and inspiration for further experimentation. I fully expect to be consulting this book many times in the future when planning family meals.

Early Book Review: The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle: The Cool Science Behind Frank Epperson's Famous Frozen Treat by Anne Renaud, Milan Pavlovic

The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle: The Cool Science Behind Frank Epperson's Famous Frozen Treat, written by Anne Renaud and illustrated by Milan Pavlovic, is currently scheduled for release on October 1 2019. Frank William Epperson is a curious boy who wants to be an inventor when he grows up. Since inventing begins with experimenting, Frank spends a lot of time in his “laboratory” (better known as his back porch) trying out his ideas, such as building a double-handled handcar that whizzes past the single-handled cars in his neighborhood. What Frank loves most, though, is experimenting with liquids. When he invents his own yummy flavored soda water drink, his friends love it! And this gets him to thinking: “I wonder what this drink would taste like frozen?” Though he doesn't yet realize it, his curiosity will lead to his best invention ever: the Popsicle!

The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle is a biographical picture book that shows young inventors and dreams that yes they can start experimenting early, but that it does not have to be all they do. I like that the book shows young Frank experimenting and questioning things- but it also shows him playing and doing other things.Too often I see books about great inventors or scientist only showing the person doing things involved in their subject matter- which can be daunting to young people that might want to follow a similar path. I also like that it shows Frank finding success, and having things go wrong. I love that there are experiments, with instructions, woven through the story that will allow readers to try some of Frank's experiments. The illustrations did a good job of capturing the mood and time of the story. I thought that the book was very well researched and love that the back matter includes a bibliography, historical notes, and photographs. 

The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle is a good read for young readers that have inquisitive minds and might want to experiment a bit on their own. This might just inspire some future inventors to keep trying new things.

Early Book Review: Nature's Ninja: Animals with Spectacular Skills by Rebecca L. Johnson

Nature's Ninja: Animals with Spectacular Skills by Rebecca L. Johnson is currently scheduled for release on October 1 2019. Did you know that some animals have natural ninja-like talents? This book describes some of these creatures including geckos, sea urchins, bombardier beetles, and more. For example, geckos can grip almost any surface—including walls and ceilings—with their amazing toes. And when collector urchins are attacked, they release tiny, sharp objects that bear a striking resemblance to throwing stars. The book also introduces some of the scientists who are studying these animals' amazing abilities.

Nature's Ninja is a book that is about the crazy cool stealth skills some creatures have. I like that while the book uses ninja skills as a hook to interest more readers, it also offers real information on ninjas as well as the featured animals and continues to relate the two throughout the book. I was worried that the ninja thread would be dropped in lew of the animal facts, but I found the merging of the two topics to be well balanced and informative. The used of narratives about both ninjas and the featured animals can help capture and keep the interest of readers that might otherwise struggle with typical nonfiction books. Although, I have to admit that I enjoyed the straight forward science portions more than the dramatic narratives. I think the balance between the two will help the book hold the attention of a wider range of readers, and maybe inspire some to branch out of their comfort zone and explore more books on the subjects or conduct their own research. I thought the chosen photographs and formatting choices only help this intention, and I found myself going back to look at some of the images again or studying them for a while longer than necessary because of the vivid nature of them. Weird and wacky animals tend to be my favorite to learn about, so I already knew a good deal of the information in the book, but I still learned some new information and was engaged through the read. I really appreciate that there was a glossary, bibliography, suggested resources and links for further research, and an index. Too often I find these things left out of children's non fiction, so I always find myself very pleased to find them included.

Nature's Ninja is a well balanced non fiction narrative for middle grade readers. I think it will appeal to a wide range of readers and will stand up to multiple reads.

Early Book Review: I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures That Look Like Food by Jenna Grodzicki

I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures That Look Like Food by Jenna Grodzicki is a children's non fiction book that is currently scheduled for release on October 1 2019. This book introduces some of the wackiest creatures under the sea—creatures that look like food. Creatures include the egg yolk jellyfish, the lettuce sea slug, the chocolate chip sea star, and many more.
I See Sea Food is a bright and bold book that taught me some interesting facts about creatures I had not heard of before. The photographs are amazing- they are clear and bright. I think the images alone make this book worth picking up. However, the selection of creatures and information shared about each are wonderful as well. I mean, how often do you discover that living creatures named after food use that appearance for defence, or gain their unique coloring by what type of jellyfish they have been snacking on, or breathe through their butt!. I loved the balance of serious information and the fun and wacky. I also appreciate that there is a glossary, quiz, and suggestions for further reading at the end of the book. I love when further engagement and information seeking is encouraged.

I See Sea Food held my attention and taught me something, and I think it will do the same for readers of all ages. A great addition to home, public, or classroom library collections.

Book Review: Hold On to Me (Return to Haven) by Jules Bennett

Hold On to Me is the third book in the Return to Haven series by Jules Bennett. While I have not read the previous books, I think that I can safely say that each can stand on its on, however this will be a must read for fans of the series since the main couple are the last singles in this particular group of friends. 

Jade McKenzie left her high-society family’s expectations behind when she came back to cozy Haven, and she’s never been happier. But what’s supposed to be a quick trip to Nashville for a cousin’s wedding turns into a disaster when one of the airport’s pilots offers to fly her there. One crash landing and a shared room later, and tattooed, bearded Cash Miller is standing in as her gorgeously unsuitable plus-one—and turning her on in ways she can’t deny. But a relationship? A real one? That’s definitely in the no-fly zone.  Vincent “Cash” Miller doesn’t have much in the world, but he does have pride—and a strict policy not to let anyone trash-talk his friends, not even their mothers. Standing up for sexy, headstrong Jade comes naturally—but so does the bone-deep itch for her he’s always wanted to scratch. Giving in to attraction is one thing, but commitment is another. So why does it feel like together, love might take them to breathtaking heights? 

Hold On to Me is a friends to more romance that rounds out a series of contemporary romances. I loved Jade's balance of spunk and vulnerability. She is a smart business woman, willing to fight for herself and her friends, but is not all that confident or experienced when it comes to relationships. Cah likes to go it alone, his past has taught him not to put his faith in others- and even when those closest to him would be happy to lend a hand he is too stubborn to ask for help. This pair shares the same circle of friends and engage in a battle of wits and wills at almost every turn. It was great fun to see these to take that spark and turn it into something so much more, and to see them each grow so much emotionally through the book. They each have so many fears and vulnerability- but are so busy trying not to show it that the read was a roller coaster. I liked them each individually- and their circle of friends were great. I enjoyed watching the relationship play out- and thought that their hangups and reactions were very realistic. There were a few moments when I wanted to face palm, not because the reaction was not organic, but because I knew it would other cause more trouble or issues along the road.

Hold On to Me is a romance with plenty of heart and heart and a nice touch of humor to keep everything balanced.

Early Book Review: A Potato on a Bike by Elise Gravel

A Potato on a Bike by Elise Gravel is a board book currently scheduled for release on October 8 2019. The text's repeated asking Have you ever seen…? preceding the refrain No way! will have toddlers yelling "No way!" themselves as you read through these silly situations. Celebrated artist Elise Gravel brings the silly to a new level in A Potato on a Bike, because really, has anyone ever seen a broccoli counting to ten or a sausage reading a book? But wait, how about a...baby being tickled?! Uh-oh, I think the answer for that is—yes way!

A Potato on a Bike is a book I read because of the Gravel name. I had yet to be disappointed by her work. The illustrations are as cute as I expected, and the text was silly and nonsensical. Since it is a board book it is intended to be silly and simple for the youngest of readers, but I have to admit that I was kind of hoping for something more just because Gravel usually blows me away. It is a collection of silly situations that no one has ever seen, followed by one that most of us have. Simple, cute, and fun but no quirky twist or fact to tie it all together for me- although it would be the great precursor to some tickling.