Outside In by Deborah Underwood (illustrated by Cindy Derby, 2020) is a lusciously illustrated picture book that captures the beauty of nature by observing how it comes into our modern lives. The illustrations stand out to me, as they are created with watercolor, graphite, and dried flower stems in ink. I love the combination of
In the picture book Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña (illustrated by Christian Robinson; published 2015), a young boy travels across town with his Nana and learns to find joy and beauty in the ordinary as he travels. CJ begins by not wanting to be traveling on the bus, but by
A Tale of Two Beasts by Fiona Roberton (published 2015) is an amusing tale about a girl who finds a strange beast in the woods and brings him home to take care of him. It is also the tale of a beast who is minding his own business when he is accosted by a terrible beast
Talk about meta! The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill (published 2022) is a novel written as if a writer (Hannah) is writing a novel about a writer (Winifred) writing a novel. While Winifred, or Freddie as she known, is writing her novel, she must solve a real mystery of her own about a
John Adams loved life. He was awkward and yet confident. He was strident and yet humble. He was honest. There is no contrary side to that: he was honest. I earnestly enjoyed my reread of John Adams by David McCullough (published 2001) because his life was so ordinary and yet extraordinary at the same time.
The Dark Star of Itza: The Story of a Pagan Princess by Alida Malkus (published 1930) is a 1931 Newbery honor novel featuring ancient Mayan traditions in a story of the city of Chicken Itza. Nicté is the only daughter of the high priest and has visionary abilities as she gazes into a dark stone.
Meggy MacIntosh: A Highland Girl in the Carolina Colony by Elizabeth Janet Gray (published 1930) is a middle grade novel awarded a Newbery Honor in 1931. As the subtitle suggests, it focuses on Scottish immigrants to South Carolina, specifically during the Revolutionary War. Meggy comes from a long line of highland wealth, but upon becoming
Amaze! Amaze! Amaze! Yes, I’m writing about Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (published 2021). I read it in 2022 shortly after it came out, and I desperately wish I’d reviewed it before the movie came out, so I could give you my movie-free perspective. After I watched the movie, I did listen to it
Radicalized by Cory Doctorow (published 2019) contains four short stories that encompass concepts of rebellion and social action. Dystopia is the common theme, although all of them seem to be pertinent and modern at the same time. He did an amazing job of condensing real issues from society today into fictional societies that still feel
Middle grade novel Big Tree by Brian Selznick (published 2023) tells the story of two sycamore tree seeds (Merwin and Louise) using a mix of illustration and text. In their journey from seed to tree, they encounter dangers as well as other creatures, including a butterfly, small microscopic creatures in a seashell, a seaweed, ferns,
The Quiet Gentleman by Georgette Heyer (published 1951) is almost more mystery than romance. In this story, it seems like the new Earl of St. Erth is being targeted by his younger half brother, Martin, who would inherit all if not for Gervase. With the help of the others in residence at Stanyon, including the
Native Nations: A Millennium in North America by Kathleen DuVal (published 2024, Random House) is a sweeping overview of some of the many nations of Native Americans throughout history. It begins by looking at the societies that thrived long before European contact and continues looking at major nations through to today. It is a comprehensive
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