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All the latest reviews from the official YABC Team.

YA Review: Fledgling (S. K. Ali) (The Keeper’s Records of Revolution)

November 23rd, 2024 by

About the Book:

The first book in a gripping duology from acclaimed author S.K. Ali introduces a fractured world on the brink of either enlightenment or war.

Would you trade love for peace?

Raisa of Upper Earth has only lived a life of privilege and acquiescence. Ever dutiful, she accepts her father’s arrangement of her marriage to Lein, Crown Prince of the corrupt, volatile lands of Lower Earth.

Though Lein is a stranger, Raisa knows the wedding will unite their vastly different worlds in a pact of peace: an infusion of Upper Earth technology will usher in the final age of enlightenment, ending war between humans forever.

Or is justice more urgent?

Newly released from imprisonment, Nada of Lower Earth has found her own calling: disrupting the royal wedding.

Convinced her cousin Lein’s alliance with Upper Earth will launch an invasive, terrifying form of tyranny, Nada sets out undercover to light the spark of revolution.

When Raisa goes missing a week before the wedding, all eyes turn to the rebels, including Nayf, Nada’s twin brother, a fugitive on the run.

In Nayf and Raisa meeting, the long-simmering animosity between their worlds slowly burns away into something unexpected.

But the Crown Prince wants his bride — and future — back. And he will go to the ends of the earths to reclaim them.

*Review Contributed by Lillian McCurry, Indie Manager & Staff Reviewer*

Fledgling: The Keeper’s Records of the Revolution by S.K. Ali is an exciting sci-fi dystopian that takes you on a tense journey through what is left of Earth and its inhabitants. After a cataclysm caused the oceans to rise and the land to sink, the world was divided into new factions: Upper Earth, the wealthy who live in giant cities in the sky; the Bridge, an industrial area between Upper and Lower Earth: Lower Earth, those who survived on the Earth’s surface; and the Underground, those whose homes sank below and eek out a living. This story follows a few different people from all walks of life as their lives converge and the Revolution begins.

Raisa is the daughter of an Upper Earth leader. Highly educated, pampered, and loyal to her father, Raisa accepts his arranged marriage with Lein, the crown prince of Lower Earth. This arranged marriage is supposed to bridge the ever growing tensions between them and unite them as they once were. However, when she arrives on Lower Earth, she learns that everything she’s been taught has been a lie. Now it is up to Raisa to help stop the impending “Enlightenment,” when all of Lower Earth will be joined with Upper Earth in a bid for control of not just the land but their minds.

Enter Nada, a newly released prisoner of Lower Earth and the granddaughter of the former leader. Nada has spent her years of imprisonment learning about the resistance and what the Enlightenment truly will bring. With her release, Nada has one simple mission: capture Raisa and bring her to the resistance, led by her long thought dead mother. But nothing is ever simple. Nada must convince Raisa she means her no harm and somehow evade Lein’s mercenaries at the same time which becomes even harder when one of those mercenaries is her beloved.

The story is told through a series of stories and points of view gathered by the record keeper. Each one is in third person, except for Raisa’s because she is not of Lower Earth telling her story and therefore not aware of their customs. I liked this aspect of the story. We see some events from different perspectives and others we get just one. It was easy to keep up with who was telling the story and when it all took place. It flows from one chapter to the next seamlessly. Because of the tension regarding the uprising, it also moves at a fast-pace. Honestly, I didn’t want to take breaks from reading because I was so invested.

Overall, I really enjoyed Fledgling. Raisa, Nada, and the other characters I didn’t mention in this review are fully fleshed out and easy to relate to. Being in each of their perspectives at different times helped me understand their motives and what drove them to certain actions. This is a duology, however the ending is satisfying ending at a point that feels natural for what is to come next. I highly recommend this one to fans of sci-fi.

Audiobook Note: I alternated listening to the audiobook and reading my arc. There are five different narrators for each of the main characters. I’ll admit this helped in keeping track of who was telling the story. While I enjoyed the female narrators, I struggled with both of the males. They sound very similar, both still good, just harder to tell apart then the females. I listened at my normal 2x speed. Overall I enjoyed the audiobook and would recommend it to those who prefer to listen.

*Find More Info & Buy This Book HERE!*

Middle-Grade Review: An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott

November 23rd, 2024 by

 

About This Book:

Over the course of summers spent with a much wealthier friend, a country girl struggles to stay true to herself and her values in this tender story from Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women!

 

When fourteen-year-old Polly Milton goes to stay with her friend Fanny for the summer, she finds that the Shaw family’s wealthy city life couldn’t be more different from her country upbringing. With her plain clothes and more practical interests, Polly is out of place among a crowd focused on following the latest trends and presenting the right image. One of the few people who doesn’t pressure her to fit in is Fanny’s brother, Tom, but he’s also one of the most annoying people Polly has ever met.

Over the next six years, Polly’s annual visits challenge the Shaw family to question their values even as Polly feels pressured to conform to societal expectations, though she remains old-fashioned at heart. As Polly navigates the highs and lows of growing up, friendship, love, and fortune, her greatest challenge is being true to herself.

 

*Review Contributed By Karen Yingling, Staff Reviewer*

A Fresh Cover on an Old Favorite

Polly Milton travels from the country to the city in 1869 to spend several weeks with the Shaw family. Fanny is slightly older than she is, and quite the young lady. Tom is also fourteen, and not taken seriously by anyone but his grandmother. Maud is very young, and is spoiled and considered “fractious”. The Shaw’s wealthy lifestyle contrasts sharply with Polly’s more modest, hardworking background, and soon Polly is improving the lives of everyone around her by encouraging more wholesome pursuits and attitudes. She’s appalled and the frippery that Fanny wears, and encourages the other children to get more exercise, even sledding with Tom even though she is much too old to do so. She listens to the grandmother’s stories, placates Maud by playing dolls with her, and lightens Mr. Shaw’s hear by telling Fanny that children are never too old to kiss their parents. There are temptations along the way, and Polly regrets spending the $10 she has brought to get gift for her family on a pair of bronze boots for herself. When her visit is over, the Shaws are sad to see her go, but have new insight into their lives.

This story appeared in a magazine, and Alcott got so many letters about Polly’s fate that she added more to the story. Set six years later, we see how the young people have grown up. Fanny has slid back into her petty and trivial ways, Tom is engaged to a calculating minx named Trix, and Maud would rather make messes in the kitchen than worry about her lessons. Polly arrives in town to teach music lessons, in order to put her brother Will through college, and is too proud to stay with the Shaws. She does spend a lot of time with them, and continues to show them “the sunny side of poverty and work”. She enlighten’s Fanny’s sewing society, and spends time with her neighbor, the elderly Miss Mills, who engages in a lot of social work. Sometimes the privations of her life make Polly cranky, and she briefly entertains the idea of marrying the very kind Mr. Sydney, but he is so well to do that she can’t imagine her life with him. She is rather fond of Tom, but it isn’t until Mr. Shaw goes bankrupt that the two feel that their romance is a possibility. Polly helps Fanny and Maud adjust to their new reality with helpful hints on running a household, and she and Tom get ready to embark on a life of their own.

Good Points
1869 was a very long time ago, and it amazes me that Alcott’s work has endured for so long. Certainly, in the 1970s, I was a huge fan, and read everything that she wrote. While it is possible to get free online versions of all of her titles, I’m not surprised to see this reissue with an updated style of cover; it’s the sort of book that grandmothers love to buy as gifts for their granddaughters.

While Alcott’s didacticism wouldn’t fly today, I think it’s fascinating to read. The idea of moral improvement is at such odds with the modern idea of self care that it makes for an interesting juxtaposition. Alcott’s writing is strong, so readers who enjoy historical fiction would do well to pick this up, especially since there aren’t a lot of middle grade titles about daily life around the time of the Civil War.

If vintage literature makes your day, combine Alcott’s An Old-Fashioned Girl with the relatively new Anne of Green Gables, as well as the even newer work of Grace Livingston Hill for a look at the past that encourages hard work, simple living, and kindness to everyone. This was always my favorite title from this impressive author.

*Find More Info & Buy This Book Here*

Kid Review: Play outside with me by Kat Chen

November 23rd, 2024 by

 

About This Book:

Take part in an outdoor playdate-in-a-book, with small learnings and tender moments.

 

This board book series invites young readers to take part in a playdate activity of their choice, thereby empowering them with autonomy and validation. In this second book, the outdoor playdate models balanced and shared play, creating a positive reference for what caring and considered friendship looks like. Many toddlers and preschoolers consistently ask for someone to play with them, and this book provides just that for the quieter moments of the day. Simple language and gentle questions will help children develop their social skills by practicing conversations, all while engaging them in fun and familiar topics.

 

*Review Contributed By Clara Graham-Reid, Staff Reviewer*

An Interactive Adventure

In “Play Outside With Me,” the main character, Sam, heads to the playground with their trusty stuffed squirrel (aptly named Squirrel—a choice that resonates perfectly with the age group this book is aimed at). As Sam and Squirrel explore the playground, they invite the reader to join in, introducing different activities on each page, which makes for a fun, varied experience.
What I love most about this book is how it keeps little ones engaged. Sam asks questions throughout the story, prompting readers to respond, which is great for practicing verbal communication. Beyond that, Sam is a wonderful role model for how kids should interact with others. Sam regularly checks in with the reader, making sure they’re still comfortable with playing together. There’s a particularly sweet moment later in the story when Sam reassures the reader, saying, “It’s okay if you don’t want me to.”
My son absolutely loves this book—we’ve read it countless times already because he enjoys answering all of Sam’s questions. It’s also given me a handy reference point when guiding his interactions with other kids, whether at the playground or elsewhere. “Play Outside With Me” targets toddler and preschool age children, but would still be engaging and valuable for slightly older children. This book would be an excellent resource for teaching social expectations, especially at the start of the school year. However, you might need to tweak a few phrases if you’re reading it to a group, because the book is written as a one-on-one conversation. Overall, “Play Outside With Me” is an excellent way for young children to explore the possibilities of playing outside with friends!
Good Points
-Interactive
-Colorful
-Diverse Story
-Models Social Skills

*Find More Info & Buy This Book Here*

Kid Review: The Mommies on the Bus by Hannah Eliot

November 23rd, 2024 by

 

About This Book:

Set to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus,” this sweet and funny board book shows how mommies keep their kids entertained on the bus!

 

While a child might only think of how a bus’s wheels go round and round, round and round, round and round, mommies know to be prepared with “snacks, snacks, snacks.” And she’ll have to remind her child “here’s our stop, here’s our stop, here’s our stop!”

 

*Review Contributed By Karen Yingling, Staff Reviewer*

The Mommies on the bus say “Turn the page”!

This board book puts a new spin on the traditonal “Wheels on the Bus” song by involving a wide variety of mothers who are on the bus with their young charges. These mothers have gentle reminders to hold their hands, sit down, and say thank you, and even have snacks and say I love you. The phrases are all repeated so that this could be sung to the tune of the song if the reader is so inclined.

Good Points
O’Callaghan’s illustrations capture the the interactions of several different mother and children combinations, so that young readers will be able to find characters that look like they do. There are even some very cute pets!) and show lots of activity. The colors are bright and fun, with lots of blue bus seats as background for the pinks, teals, and yellows. There are plenty of details that young readers can be asked to find such as what snacks are on the bus, what is the weather like, or what sorts of things are the people carrying.

While “Mommies on the bus say ‘Stop that now'” has a better rhythm than some of the lines used, this book is a more positive look at parent child interactions. There are a huge number of picture book variations on this song, including Albee and Ewers The Monsters on the Bus (Sesame Street), Mills and Mantle’s The Spooky Wheels on the Bus, Charman and Sharratt’s The Whales on the Bus, Hort and Karas’ The Seals on the Bus, Sindelar’s The Cows on the Bus, Mantle and Ardagh’s The Bunnies on the Bus, and even a Deans’ Pete the Cat version, but this short, sturdy book is perfect for putting in a bag and taking along on a bus ride, as long as it’s keep away from the bananas and bottles!

*Find More Info & Buy This Book Here*

Kid Review: All the Animals Were Sleeping by Clare Helen Welsh

November 22nd, 2024 by

 

About This Book:

On the dry, grassy plains of the Serengeti, a little mongoose makes his way home to his burrow. On his way, the mongoose passes giraffes, zebras, monkeys, elephants, storks, lizards, butterflies, and cheetahs, all sleeping in their own unique ways. A stunning, lyrical, and reassuring bedtime story, perfect for young animal lovers, with non-fiction facts at the end. Every Nosy Crow picture book comes with a free ‘Stories Aloud’ audio recording- just scan the QR code and listen along!

 

*Review Contributed By Bethany Wicker, Staff Reviewer*

Cute Animal Bedtime story

On his way home, a little mongoose travels the plains of Serengeti and discovers all kinds of animals that inhabit the African environment. His adventure leads him to giraffes, monkeys, zebras, and more, but all the animals are sleeping, which is something the mongoose should be doing. In isn’t until he sees a cheetah twitch that he quickens his pace to get home to his burrow.

ALL THE ANIMALS WERE SLEEPING is the perfect bedtime read that also introduces different types of animals that wander the African plains. Even though mongoose continues to explore, all the animals he stumbles upon are asleep which adds repetition to the text, helping to soothe a child to sleep. The illustrations are a beautiful depiction of African life, but in some places the text is difficult to read because of the dark colors of the pictures and font.

Final Verdict: I would recommend this book as a bedtime story for children aged four and up who love animals and adventure. It’s a cute read that showcases African wildlife using darker images to not risk stimulating a child while they’re settling down for bed.

 

*Find More Info & Buy This Book Here*

Kid Review: I Was: The Stories of Animal Skulls by Katherine Hocker

November 22nd, 2024 by

 

About This Book:

A graceful tribute to the cycle of life reveals the secret language of skulls—and the traits and behaviors of the animals they once belonged to.

 

Strong, smooth domes, skulls are more than remnants of creatures that used to be. They are artifacts that allow us to travel back through time. Every ridge, hollow, and crevice of a skull reveals something about an animal’s habitat, food source, and skill set. By observing the characteristics of six different animal skulls, readers can learn about the lives once led by a lynx, a deer, a beaver, a hummingbird, a wolf, and an owl. Katherine Hocker’s lyrical text and Natasha Donovan’s fluid artwork, paired with sound scientific data and back matter resources, will ignite a child’s native curiosity and encourage mindful observation of the wonders hidden in nature—and ourselves.

 

*Review Contributed By Bethany Wicker, Staff Reviewer*

All About Skulls

I WAS: THE STORIES OF ANIMAL SKULLS teaches children all about skulls and shows pictures of what the animals look like alive before all that’s left is their bones. While death and bones are usually a morbid topic, this book colors the subject in a positive light that will spark a child’s curiosity. The writing is lyrical and educational which held my daughter’s attention. The illustrations highlight the details of skulls, but I do feel like the words were hard to read in some places because of the coloring. In the back of the book, the author revisits the animals featured while teaching more about the differences in their skulls. It shows how not all creatures were made the same. I like how the author also teaches about the human skull and what each part is responsible for.

Final Verdict: I would recommend this to children who are fascinated by animals and biology like my daughter is. It’s a unique way to learn about what is and what was: what happens to us after our bodies decay and only bones are left.

 

*Find More Info & Buy This Book Here*

Middle-Grade Review: Ellie and the Marriage List (One Extra Sparkle) by Tricia Seabolt

November 22nd, 2024 by

 

About This Book:

Ellie is ready to have the best summer ever.
She’s especially excited to draw under her favorite tree and hang out with her big brother, Ben. But all Ben seems to care about is impressing the new lip-glossy neighbor, Sara. And all Sara seems to care about is turning Ellie’s brother into a Hawaii husband! 

Luckily, Ellie’s best friend, Ling, has the marriage list―a top-secret tool to track the lovebirds and stop a wedding before it starts. But nothing goes to plan, and while trying to rescue Ben, Ellie ends up putting the weeping willow in her garden in danger. Faced with losing everything she loves most, can Ellie find a way to win back her brother and save her beloved tree? 

An utterly charming story about a lovable 10-year-old with Down syndrome whose extra sparkle never fails to shine bright.

*Review Contributed By Connie Reid, Staff Reviewer*

Unique aspect of age -gap siblings explored

One Extra Sparkle navigates the confusing time when younger siblings, like Ellie, are trying to understand their older siblings, like Ben, finding romantic relationships. Ellie has Down syndrome which makes for a unique perspective that I haven’t seen in a main character before. I can’t judge how accurate the portrayal of Down Syndrome is in this book, but Ellie is high-functioning, and with the aid of the written word you can clearly understand her thoughts, motivations, and speech. The context of her thoughts and actions also adds information about Down Syndrome without that being the focus.
Ben is 15 yrs. Old now and a great big brother that Ellie worships. He is interested in Sara who moved into the neighborhood recently. Ellie wants Sara to like her but she also makes her feel prickly when she starts joining in on activities she likes to do with Ben. Then her friend, Ling, comes with a list of the steps to marriage and Ellie becomes distraught at the idea that Ben will marry and end up moving to Hawaii and leaving her behind forever. This mixed-up feeling and bad information from her BFF have Ellie acting in very mean ways to Sara which upsets her family. It takes most of the book for Ellie’s underlying fears to come up and be sorted out in better ways.
This was an unusual topic choice for an early Middle-Grade book. However, being a younger sibling myself, I understood Ellie’s jealousy about having to share an older sibling that you hero worship. Given its uniqueness, it may help other younger siblings start to navigate their teenage sibling’s new romantic relationships better than Elie and I did.
I do think the title may keep some adults from choosing to stock this title in libraries, stores, or personal libraries. I had a gut reaction when I saw a Middle-Grade novel involving “Ellie and the Marriage List” and wondered how appropriate this would be since most Middle-Grade topics avoid romantic overtones. However, this book ended up being charming and age-appropriate to a very real family dynamic that happens with age-gap siblings. Ellie having Down syndrome made it even more innocent in its execution.
Overall, this was a sweet book that features an underrepresented group and a unique but real topic in sibling relationships making this a good read for upper elementary-age students.

 

*Find More Info & Buy This Book Here*

YA Review: Inheritance of Scars (Crystal Seitz)

November 22nd, 2024 by

About the Book:

Belladonna meets Norse mythology in this gorgeous dark fantasy debut that follows a teen who accidentally awakens an imprisoned draugr and must follow him into a deadly magical forest to rescue her grandmother.

Never go beyond the stave church.

Within Tiveden Forest, bloodthirsty monsters known as draugr lurk behind every tree, and secrets run through the soil like twisted roots. When her grandmother vanishes into the forest, Astrid won’t let Crohn’s disease get in the way of finding her. But in searching for her lost loved one, Astrid soon uncovers an even greater mystery:

A conflict that’s haunted her village and family for generations.
An ancient blood oath her ancestor made to protect them.
A deadly draugr imprisoned for centuries…who Astrid accidentally awakens.

Newly revived, Soren first mistakes Astrid for her ancestor, his ex-lover turned enemy. Astrid can’t tell if he would rather kill her or kiss her. But Soren knows the forest better than anyone, and Astrid quickly realizes that she’ll need his help to rescue her grandmother.

The deeper they venture into Tiveden, the closer Astrid gets to the cold, alluring Soren and the truth behind her grandmother’s disappearance. To save her home, a dark ritual must be performed before Midwinter—and only Astrid can fulfill her ancestor’s blood oath…or break it.

That is, if Soren—or the forest—doesn’t break Astrid first.

*Review Contributed by Katelyn McCall, Staff Reviewer*

I don’t know why, but I went into this book thinking it was going to be one thing. Then the complete opposite happened, and now I’m slightly confused and underwhelmed? Yet, I still really liked this book.

Inheritance of Scars by Crystal Seitz is a YA fantasy that plays off the gimmick of featuring fairy tale vibes, mixed with Norse mythology. Looking at the cover and reading over the premise, I thought this book was going to be darker version of Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek, but it wasn’t really? Never go beyond the stave church. Within Tiveden Forest, bloodthirsty monsters known as draugr lurk behind every tree, and secrets run through the soil like twisted roots. When her grandmother vanishes into the forest, Astrid won’t let Crohn’s disease get in the way of finding her. But in searching for her lost loved one, Astrid soon uncovers an even greater mystery: A conflict that’s haunted her village and family for generations. An ancient blood oath her ancestor made to protect them. A deadly draugr imprisoned for centuries…who Astrid accidentally awakens. Newly revived, Soren first mistakes Astrid for her ancestor, his ex-lover turned enemy. Astrid can’t tell if he would rather kill her or kiss her. But Soren knows the forest better than anyone, and Astrid quickly realizes that she’ll need his help to rescue her grandmother. The deeper they venture into Tiveden, the closer Astrid gets to the cold, alluring Soren and the truth behind her grandmother’s disappearance. To save her home, a dark ritual must be performed before Midwinter—and only Astrid can fulfill her ancestor’s blood oath…or break it. That is, if Soren—or the forest—doesn’t break Astrid first.

First off, I really liked the vibes of this book. The mood was dark and perfectly matched the general direness of the plot. And I am quite the sucker for books featured in a forbidden or dangerous forest. Though I will admit, I wasn’t the biggest fan of that plot twist, I feel like I saw it coming from page one, so it didn’t have that much of a pay off.

I feel like the biggest hurdle of this book, was that it had a really cool concept. But in the actual execution of the narrative, I found myself more confused more than anything. And I feel like that can be blamed on the simple fact that I am not an expert in Norse mythology.

Regardless, this is a solid read. The vibes are spooky, the plot it a bit flimsy at times, but it’s one of the many books that are to be paired with the spooky season for the best enjoyment.

*Find More Info & Buy This Book HERE!*

Kids Review: Umbrella ( Elena Arevalo Melville)

November 22nd, 2024 by

About This Book:

Clara finds an umbrella on the ground at the park and does a good deed by putting it on a bench. The umbrella says “thank you” and invites Clara to make a wish.
So unfolds a magical chain of events featuring a new friend, an elephant, musical butterflies, and a naughty fox who learns his lesson. The artwork in this quirky piece of magical realism is packed with humor and character, and the surprising ending is both heart-warming and uplifting.

*Review Contributed by Connie Reid, Site Manager*

Fans of Frosty the Snowman will like the charming tale of Umbrella. When Clara needs a friend at the park the umbrella grants her wish and the lives of those around her lives are also made better by the enchanted umbrella. The sneaky fox who tries to steal the umbrella for greedy purposes soon learns the error of his ways. The imaginative story and low-key illustrative style are sure to ignite the imaginations of young readers. I like the message of helping others and that it can make the day better for everyone.

*Find More Info & Buy This Book HERE!*

Kids Review: Who’s in Charge? ( Stephanie Allain and Jenny Klion)

November 22nd, 2024 by

About This Book:

People Magazine Back-to-School Selection

With its infectious refrain, this powerful, age-appropriate picture book for young children underscores kids’ right to set boundaries—and take charge of their own bodies, voices, and choices.

Who’s in charge of your giggle? I am!
Who’s in charge of your wiggle? I am!
Who’s in charge of your face? I am!
Who’s in charge of your space? I am!

With playfulness and a powerful sense of confidence, the children in this book assert in no uncertain terms who is in charge of their lips, their hips, their eyes, their thighs, their nose, their toes, their voice, and their choice. “I AM!” comes the response that little readers will echo loudly and happily. From Stephanie Allain and Jenny Klion, debut authors who are longtime friends and activists for equity in Hollywood, comes an invigorating anthem brought to colorful life in the energetic artwork of Marissa Valdez.

*Review Contributed by Adrien Guerra, Staff Reviewer*

Who’s in Charge is a book that teaches children about body autonomy, their voice, and their choices. The author does this through colorful images in which children are asked who is in charge of different parts of their body and the children answer that they are in charge of all these various items.

What I liked: I am excited to see the body of literature growing regarding consent for younger children. It’s important that children begin learning about consent at a young age and have the language to explain that their body belongs to them. I love that this book goes through various body parts and not just the general ones that we instantly think of.

I also like that this book shows how children’s voices belong to them as well as the choices that they make. I appreciate that this book is not only about body autonomy but also accountability for your actions and choices with others.

What left me wanting more: There were several pages in which I had to spend a lot of time looking for the words on the page because they were blending in with the background. There was not a lot of contrast between the words and the background which would make this difficult to read aloud to children unless you had the book memorized.

Final Verdict: Who’s in Charge is a great book to introduce young children to body autonomy, consent, and their choices. This book will keep children engaged and help to start conversations about their bodies, their voice, and their choices.

*Find More Info & Buy This Book HERE!*

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