Book Review: The Mysteries of the Universe: Discover the best-kept secrets of space by DK Children

 

The Mysteries of the Universe: Discover the Best-Kept Secrets of Space is from the publishing team at DK Children.From planets and asteroids to black holes and galaxies, every page will captivate young readers as they journey through the vastness of space. Each celestial body is shown both photographically and illustrated, and children will love poring over the detailed close-up images. Engaging storybook-style descriptions of each object allow readers to delve into myths, legends, trivia, and key discoveries about the solar system and beyond. Wonder at the rocky rings around Saturn, discover the tale behind the constellation Centaurus, and gaze at the fountains gushing from Jupiter's moon Enceladus. With reference pages packed with fascinating information, you'll go away knowing something you didn't before, and you'll return time and again.

The Mysteries of the Universe: Discover the Best-Kept Secrets of Space is an accessible and interesting read. The information is organized well, with single page-spread layouts for each concept explained. The images are splendid; they are bold, bright, and offer visual interest and further insight on almost every page. I thought that the information included as well chosen, and understandable for a wide range of ages. I really enjoyed the details that were included, and the I enjoyed looking at each page, taking my time to enjoy the image details paired with the text. The visual guides in the endpages made me particularly happy, offering further information in a way that inspires rather than boring younger readers. I think this text could become a well loved volume in a home library, or a much view part of a public, school, or classroom library collection.

Book Review: To Dream In Daylight by Candace J. Thomas

 

To Dream In Daylight by Candace J. Thomas is a new adult novel. From childhood, Adri and Simon have always been there for each other, through every loss, triumph, joy and heartbreak. They’re perfect for each other, but there’s an unfortunate catch — they’ve only ever met in their dreams. Each of them thinks the other one is just a figment of their imagination, but what if they weren’t? All it takes is one video clip to change their lives forever. When timid Adri finds herself going viral overnight thanks to an embarrassing video, all she wants to do is disappear forever. But on the other side of the country in Portland, Simon sees the video and realizes for the first time that his soulmate — the girl of his actual dreams — is real. Simon’s desperate search for Adri leads him through the streets of Chicago, hoping against all odds that they will finally find each other in the waking world instead of losing one another forever to the haze of their dreams.

To Dream In Daylight is as much about both Adri and Simon figuring out what is important to them as it is their finding each other. I got lost in Simon's search for Adri, and felt for Adri as she struggled with figuring out just what she wants to do. I liked Adri, and her quirky nature even if she seemed to let others override her good sense a little too often. I enjoyed getting know them both, and I really enjoyed the cast of secondary characters. I thought Simon's sister and Adri's found family were such interesting people- and some that I might have like to know myself. Simon's physical journey, just missing Adri at so many points, was almost as stressful for me as it was for him. As Adri faced her demons, and Simon searched and had panic attacks, I found myself wanting to read faster to see how it all worked out and trying to look away because something else was going to keep them apart or cause some kind if pain in mere moments. This was a very compelling read, and it had me hooked from beginning to end. My only complaint is that I was left wanting more. Once they find each other, what's next? So many decisions and choices- and I want to know where they go from here. I am greedy like that.

To Dream In Daylight is a sweet contemporary romance and coming of age story.

Early Book Review: Julia's House Moves On by Ben Hatke

Julia's House Moves On by Ben Hatke is a follow up to Julia’s House for Lost Creatures, and is currently scheduled for release on September 29 2020. Julia's house is restless. Julia and her family of lost creatures are ready to move on. But where will they go? And how will they get there? Don’t worry—Julia has a plan for that! Julia always has a plan. But when Julia's plans all fail what's left for her?

Julia's House Moves On is another charming graphic novel from Hatke. Some might consider this series picturebooks, others might consider them graphic novels. It does not matter what labels you want to slap on them, they are wonderful. Julia has a plan for everything. She wants to help and care for all creatures that need her and her house, and struggles when things do not fit into any plan and when plans go awry. Her angst is palpable, and understandable, to just about every reader. And the artwork, Hatke does not disappoint. I'll admit it- I have never seen a art from Hatke that I have not loved, so I might be a wee bit biased. However, I think all early graphic novel readers and picturebook lovers will find something worth a second and third read here.

Book Review: The Moon: A Beginner’s Guide to Lunar Features and Photography by James Harrop

 

The Moon: A Beginner’s Guide to Lunar Features and Photography by James Harrop is a practical guide aimed at beginners interested in learning about the Moon and how to image our closest satellite neighbor. The book contains the complete photographic process including equipment, settings, capture techniques, stacking and image processing, each of which is vitally important to producing a good image. The information is laid out in a visual and easy-to-understand format so that even the dark art of image processing will not seem quite so daunting. There are many high-quality color photos of the Moon to help you learn about different lunar features and a list of 100 lunar targets identified as a challenge for you to find. All the targets have been captured by the author who provides a brief description of each feature and where it is located on the lunar surface. You will be surprised to discover the fine level of lunar detail which you can see from your back garden and once you start imaging, you will realize there is more to the Moon than meets the eye.

The Moon: A Beginner’s Guide to Lunar Features and Photography is a valuable read and resource for those looking to photograph the moon, and those looking to examine and explore the work involved in getting those photographs. The explanations are well done, and the information was accessible. The equipment, skills, and techniques are well described and the book offers solid insight for those interested in expanding their skill set. I have to admit, I have always been more interested in the images  themselves than the ability to take pictures myself. However, I liked learning about what goes into taking the pictures that have also fascinated me. I think those interested in learning more about the doing, rather than just enjoying their hard work on our behalf, will get the most out of this book. 

Book Review: Girl on Fire (School for Extraterrestrial Girls) by Jeremy Whitley

 Girl on Fire is the first volume of the School for Extraterrestrial Girls graphic novel series by Jeremy Whitley. Tara Smith’s parents are super strict with all their rules and routines, and Tara is a dutiful daughter. Rule #1: No friends her own age. Rule #2: keep her bracelet on, or else. But when she breaks her routine and then loses her bracelet she is in trouble. Outed as an extraterrestrial after wielding fire and losing her humanoid form, Tara is captured by the government. She’s given two options: get shipped far away where she won’t be a danger to anyone or stay on Earth and join a school for other extraterrestrial girls like her. Things at the school aren’t easy, especially for the girl whose only friends were textbooks. But Tara’s goal to learn how to control her powers is soon sidelined by the discovery that the people she’s called Mom and Dad all these years aren’t her parents. With her not-parents still out there, Tara must rely on others for the first time to figure out who she really is before she’s kidnapped a second time.

Girl on Fire is a teen, high school drama with flair. Tara discovers that her childhood has been a lie and everything she thought she knew about herself, her parents, and the world is not true. She has to adjust to that, on top of being a lizard like alien that creates fire. That is a lot to deal with, not add in boarding school with other aliens and trying to make friends while being anxious, awkward, and still not comfortable with herself. I found myself worried for her, relating to her, and cringing as she reacted in ways I cannot promise I would not mirror in her circumstances. The artwork does a good job of capturing the emotion and wonder of Tara facing all these changes. The different aliens, the facial expressions, and the action were very well portrayed and added a great deal to the whole. Despite the strangeness of the setting, the feelings, friendships, and fears of the individuals in the school were relatable and I think the book will speak to a wide range of readers on different levels. I enjoyed the read, and look forward to seeing what happens next. 

Girl on Fire is a wonderful graphic novel for middle school through adult readers. I think there is a little something for everyone here and I am eager to see where the next volume of the story takes us. 

Book Review: Life Through Time: The 700-Million-Year Story of Life on Earth by John Woodward

 Life Through Time: The 700-Million-Year Story of Life on Earth by John Woodward is a book that uses panoramic images to tell the story of life on Earth, from its earliest origins to the present day. The amazing story of life's evolution begins in vast oceans and swamp forests and is shaken by dramatic extinctions caused by ice, violent volcanic eruptions, and meteor impacts. It explores geological time and the origins of species that still exist today in early fish, amphibians, birds, reptiles, and mammals. It takes readers up to the appearance of our first human ancestors around 6 million years ago, the evolution of hunter-gathering Homo sapiens in the Ice Age, Stone Age farmers, the earliest civilization in Mesopotamia, the effects of the Industrial Revolution on the natural world, and people living with nature in the modern world.

Life Through Time is a book that makes great use of bold, full page images depicting the development of life on our planet. The images have great detail, and every time I look I see something that I had not noticed before. I thought that the texted was well done, accessible and interesting. The little snippets pulling out images and extra information about specific creatures or features were also very well done. A great deal was covered, but thanks to the artwork the depth of information in those little paragraphs never became overwhelming. I thought the chart at the very end of the book that showed how the planet has shifted and changed just as much as the life that calls it home was a nice addition. A great deal of time was covered in just over thirty pages, I would have loved to see it extend just a bit longer into human civilization. We make up such a short part of this planet's history that one page more would have been enough, but I understand why thy might not have done so. 

Overall, I really enjoyed Life Through Time and think it will appeal to many young readers. It would be well loved in a public, school, or personal library. 

Audio Book Review: Scoring Off The Ice (Ice Kings) by Stacey Lynn Narrated by Meg Price, James Cassidy

Scoring Off The Ice is the second book in the Ice Kings series by Stacey Lynn. The audiobook is narrated by Meg Price and James Cassidy. Sometimes scoring off the ice leads to the greatest rewards. I’ve had only one goal in life since I first strapped on a pair of skates, make America’s pro hockey league. I left Denmark. I made it to the top. Now, I’m determined to be the best. No distractions. I eat, sleep, and breathe hockey. Until my birthday when my teammates convince me to live a little. But living a little takes on a whole new meaning when less than a year later I’m confronted with a crying baby on my doorstep, drooling on a note that declares he’s mine. Suddenly, I'm a single dad in way over my head. There is no playbook for situations like this. Luckily, I have Paisley. My gorgeous neighbor, my long-time crush, and now—my savior. She’s there any time I need her. Helping. Guiding. Gazing at me with those green eyes that make me feel capable of this after all. With her at my side, I’m quickly learning there’s more to life than winning a hockey game.

Scoring Off The Ice is a book that left me with mixed feelings. Like the previous book in the series, I really enjoyed the dual narrators for the audiobook. It really made the characters that much more real to me. I really liked both the characters at the start, but really enjoyed Mikah more in short order. He felt more fleshed out, and I really liked the stark contrast between the big hockey player appearance and the sweet and awkward personality as he tries to navigate everything in his life. Even when uncertain, he is still willing to fight for what he wants and what he thinks is the right thing. I just really liked him, and how mach he cared about others. On the other hand I started off liking Paisley, but she confused me. One minute she is against any relationship or connection to Mikah- the next she is busting out a curve hugging dress for diner at his place and is all in. Yes, woman can change our minds but she left me with whiplash. I liked the set up, and how the majority of the story is written, and I found some of the reactions and interactions realistic, and others a bit less so. I enjoyed the listen, it just did not grab me like I had expected, and hoped for. 

Scoring Off The Ice is an entertaining read, but I just did not get lost in the story. 

Early Book Review: Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons by James Otis Smith

Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons by James Otis Smith is a nonfiction graphic novel currently scheduled for release on September 15 2020. This book celebrates the extraordinary true tales of three black heroes who took control of their destinies and stood up for their communities in the Old West. Born into slavery in Tennessee, Mary Fields became famous as “Stagecoach Mary,” a cigar-chomping, card playing coach driver who never missed a delivery. Bass Reeves, the first black Deputy US Marshal west of the Mississippi, was one of the wiliest lawmen in the territories, bringing thousands of outlaws to justice with his smarts. Bob Lemmons lived to be 99 years old and was so good with horses that the wild mustangs on the plains of Texas took him for one of their own.

Black Heroes of the Wild West is a great start, or continuation, of learning the diverse history of he United States. Much of the history that includes people of color has been ignored or twisted, leaving us with an incomplete and sometimes very incorrect vision of what our past really looked like. I had read bits and pieces of the history included in this book before, but I found the information and artwork to be very well done and engaging for readers of all ages. It was inspiring to read about the odds these three people faced, and how they persevered and exceeded the expectations of those around them, particularly those that judged them based on race, gender, or both. I also liked the time line and further information about the history of cowboys and how people from a variety of heritages and cultures made a huge difference, and have been left out of much of the history we get taught in school and the most readily available texts. 

Black Heroes of the Wild West is a graphic novel that I highly recommend for public, school, and classroom libraries. It is very well done, and offers a look at real history that often gets ignored. I will be looking for more books like this for myself and my children. 

Book Review: Igniting Darkness (sampler) by Robin LaFevers

Igniting Darkness by Robin LaFevers is the conclusion to the Courting Darkness duology, set in the world of Robin’s beloved His Fair Assassin trilogy. I am sad that I only have a sampler here- but (fair warning) I have been following this series from the beginning and love it more than I can properly express. 

When you count Death as a friend, who can stand as your enemy? Sybella, novitiate of the convent of Saint Mortain and Death’s vengeance on earth, is still reeling from her God’s own passing, and along with him a guiding hand in her bloody work. But with her sisters on the run from their evil brother and under the watchful eye of her one true friend (and love) at court, the soldier known as Beast, Sybella stands alone as the Duchess of Brittany’s protector. After months of seeking her out, Sybella has finally made contact with a fellow novitiate of the convent, Genevieve, a mole in the French court. But Sybella, having already drawn the ire of the French regent, may not be able to depend on her sister and ally as much as she hoped. Still, Death always finds a way, even if it’s not what one expects. No one can be trusted and the wolves are always waiting.

The sample I read via Netgalley for Igniting Darkness confirmed my need to read this full book. I do not recommend newcomers to this world start here- as this is the fifth book set in this world and they do build on each other and set up connections and intrigue that newcomers would miss or be confused or bored by because of the missing context. I loved that we get the multiple points of very and a more in depth look at the machinations that keep these characters and this world moving. Anyone that has gotten this far in the series needs to read this book, including myself. I need to get my hands on the full book and I both look forward to and dread it at the same time, because I am not sure I am ready to see this story come to an end. 

Book Review: Scientists Who Dared to Be Different by Emily Holland

Scientists Who Dared to Be Different by Emily Holland is an illustrated nonfiction book that tells the stories of 16 pioneering figures of strikingly different backgrounds.  People of varied ethnicity, nationality, gender, lifestyle, and wealth. What they all have in common - other than their genius - is their bravery, their resilience, and their ability to think beyond the bounds of established convention. The scientists talked about include Valentina Tereshkova, the extraordinary first woman in space, Marie Sklodowska Curie, the great pioneer of radioactivity, and first person to win two Nobel prizes. Galileo Galilei, the great physicist who bravely stood by his cosmic theories in the face of the Roman Inquisition. Katherine Johnson, the "human computer" who played a key part in NASA's space program and Stephen Hawking, the world-famous physicist who overcame physical paralysis to transform our understanding of black holes.

Scientists Who Dared to Be Different is a well rounded collection of ten to fifteen page biographies of these sixteen scientists. I liked that the scientists chosen were a blend of well known individuals and those that do not receive much recognition. The scientists profiled here also have a good deal of variety. They are from different genders, races, background, and so on. Mental health and society obstacles they faced were touched on, and I think the book does a good job of taking these names (both familiar and not) and making the people real and relatable. While those topics can be hard, the author did a good job of keeping the important aspects of these scientist's lives in the narrative while being completely age appropriate and accessible to young readers. The book can be read as a whole, or by taking it a scientist at a time. The illustrations are crisp and add visual interest to the page. 

I think this would be a great addition to a school or classroom library, or for a child already interested in science or reading biographical material.