New Kid by Jerry Craft

Title: New Kid
Author: Jerry Craft
Publisher: Harper
Publication Date: 2019
ISBN: 978-0-06-269119-4

Just finished this amazing graphic novel. I cannot recommend it enough. It is a brilliant story about being the new kid in middle school. The main character Jordan navigates being new in a school that is very different from his old school. However, the book is not full of tired cliches about not fitting in at a new school. Instead, the book really is about racism and friendship. I loved the clever allusions to trendy brands, popular culture, and movies expressed through the modern graphics. I also loved the message of not judging.

Five out of five stars. I highly recommend this book!

Still Wimpy? Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 14

Jeff Kinney is at it again. Book 14 of a Diary of a Wimpy Kid was just published earlier this year. Wrecking Ball tells what happens to the Heffley family when they inherit enough money to remodel their house. As we have come to expect, not all goes as planned during the renovation.

I give this book two out of four stars. The characters are just as lovable as always, and the clever humor had me laughing in sections. However, the ending was so disappointing for me that I have to say this ended up being my least favorite book in the series so far. Nice try Jeff Kinney, but I will wait for the next book to join the Heffleys again.

Title: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball
Author: Jeff Kinney
Publisher: Amulet Books
Publication Date: 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4197-4421

⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Incredible Informational Text for Kids

A multi-award winning informational text, this book reads like a spy thriller. And the best part--it's all true. Not knowing much about this part of modern history, I loved learning about the espionage that occurred during World War II around the development of the atomic bomb. There are multiple players involved, including spies, scientists, hired hands, and government agencies. You'll never believe the layers of deceit.

Title: Bomb: The Race to Build - And Steal- the World's Most Dangerous Weapon
Author: Steve Sheinkin
Publisher: Flash Point
Date: 2012
ISBN: 978-1596434875

Evaluation: Five stars

Zen Shorts

Title: Zen Shorts
Author: Jon J Muth
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: 2005
ISBN: 0-439-78923-0
Summary: One day Michael, Karl, and Addy meet their new neighbor, Stillwater the panda. Stillwater uses Zen stories to teach the children about generosity, humility, acceptance, and forgiveness. The calming water color illustrations reflect the mood of the stories and create a pleasant experience for the reader.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

"Let's Get a Pup!" said Kate

Just a quick entry tonight. My family and I got our first puppy last summer, right around the start of the fall semester. She is an adorable tricolor Pembroke Corgi named Abby. We have all fallen in love with her, despite her natural herding instinct. If you have ever loved a dog, then this picture book by Bob Graham is for you. The author captures the struggles and joy of welcoming a dog into your forever home.

Title: "Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate
Author: Bob Graham
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: 2001
ISBN: 0-7636-1452-1
Blamey Rating: 5 out of 5 tail wags

Question: What is the image that you remember most from a children's book?

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

After reading and enjoying The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (author of highly recommended Looking for Alaska), I decided to try Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews. With the movie release this summer, the book got a bit of buzz and sparked my curiosity.

The book follows the selfish and totally unlikeable protagonist, Greg, as he makes weird movies with his best non-friend Earl and worries about not caring as his other non-friend Rachel dies of cancer. Nothing really happens. They never make a great movie. Greg never grows in character. The only really interesting character Earl just fades away.

I have to admit I was highly disappointed. Advertised as the "funniest book you'll ever read about cancer," the book did not make me laugh even once.

Title: Me and Early and the Dying Girl
Author: Jesse Andrews
Publisher: Harry Abrams
Publication Date: 2012
ISBN: 978-1419719608
Blamey Rating: 2 out of 5 stars