Kit McBride Gets a Wife - Amy Barry

Publisher: Berkley (Penguin Random House)

 ISBN: 978-0-593-33557-4

Subject: Romance

Fourteen-year-old Junebug McBride, feeling suffocated by the amount of chores she does for her four older brothers, puts out a matrimony advertisement for her second oldest brother, Kit. Best part? He doesn't know anything about it until his "wife" stumbles into a rabbit hole, figuratively and literally, on their Montana land. The "wife" is a young lady named Maddy Mooney, an unpaid maid far from her birthplace in Ireland. The story builds between various viewpoints of these three characters, with the main romance starting halfway through the book. The romance builds slowly until an unfavorable character reenters the story, causing minor problems. Ultimately, the books ends the way most romance novels do: Kit and Maddy get married.

Where to start? First off, it's a romance. But a good one. It's not erotic or even wildly passionate. "Intimate" would be a good word for the romance between the main characters. It definitely has its tropes and clichés, but it works in this story. The most interesting character, by far, is Junebug. She's a wild child with a lot to say. She's also smart and perceptive. The story arc is kind of flat, with no real build-up, but a good introduction to the romance genre, especially for a more prude reader. Those into thrilling romances will find it boring. The writing is okay, though the author uses unnecessarily big words throughout. It fits in with Junebug's and Kit's characters, but not for Maddy. 

The author did a good job on her research of what Montana is like and how people in different cultures responded to various situations. She also did a good job portraying the time period, especially in different settings. 

I would probably give it a 6/10 in it's own genre (romance books don't break 2 in my general reading scale). 

The Princess and the Grilled Cheese - Deya Muniz

Publisher: Hachette Book Group

 ISBN: 978-0-316-53870-1

Subject: Graphic Novel

Count Camembert is a secluded count, keeping to himself. with only his servant/best friend Feta for company. Everything changes when he accepts an invitation to a royal ball held by Princess Brie. In he walks, making a statement that garners attention from everyone, especially the princess. This leads the two to become close, and as the Count (or Cam) spends more time with the princess and her friends (and more time eating royal grilled cheese sandwiches), the more he falls in love with Brie. Delightfully, she feels the same towards Cam. Until she discovers Cam's not-well-kept secret (but well enough to fool everyone). She abruptly ends things with Cam who is devastated and remains secluded, playing the Switch, until fate (and Feta) push Cam into a spiral of events common to a princess romance story. Soon, Cam is proposing to Brie with a grilled cheese sandwich, and a wedding is held, during which Cam's big secret is reveled in the most appealing way. 

I love graphic novels for the art, mostly. Especially Manga because there's something about the facial expressions and small details that make the story even better. This isn't a manga, but it definitely has the feel of one. The story was fast-paced, which made the arc seem more flat than it was, but it was funny and intriguing and unique. The artwork was great and the characters had their own personalities, though I think if the story were longer the personalities would be able to really come through in their differences. As is, they feel minimized because there isn't enough time to really develop a relationship with the characters. This story blends the modern with the antiquated, using the feel of princesses and counts while addressing modern ideas like feminism and LGBTQ+. The cover cleverly hides this treasure inside. I was surprised as I started the book but loved it all the same. 

I rate it an 8/10.  

Chinese Cinderella - Adeline Yen Mah

 Publisher: Delacorte Press

ISBN: 9780385740074

Subject: Literary Non-fiction

    Chinese Cinderella is a beautiful telling of Adeline Yen Mah's life from age 2 to 14. Yen Mah tells her story with the softness of a child and the power of a survivor. She says she wrote this book in hopes that others who felt unwanted, neglected, or unloved would realize they are unique, and by doing their best they could overcome what they have been or are going through. 

This literary non-fiction is a vibrant and true story of Adeline, her 4 siblings and 2 half-siblings, and her father and step-mother. It also gives some insight to what the eastern Chinese coast went through from 1937 to 1950.

    Adeline Yen Mah's story begins much like any Cinderella story: her mother has died, her father remarries, the step-mother is cruel and favors her own children, and slowly Adeline is abused and pushed into the shadows. Her Aunt Baba takes great care of her, and she and Ye Ye (her grandfather) encourage her to do her best and become more than she believes she can. 

    Adeline does not transform and go to a ball, but attends school and transforms into a smart and talented girl. She is loved by her classmates. She works hard to become the best to gain her father's attention. But her step-mother will not let her be, and Adeline is sent to various boarding schools, always forgotten and alone. With encouragement from the few who believe in her, Adeline persists, and through a writing competition she is finally recognized by her father who grants her the opportunity to be educated in England, go to college, and become who she wants to be.

    I love this story, especially because it is a true telling of a good-natured girl with much to give. I would recommend this book to anyone from 12 years and up, especially those, who, as Yen Mah states, feel unwanted, neglected, or unloved. Because this book gives an overview of Chinese words pertinent to the story, and a summation at the end of China's history between 1842 to 1950, I think it would be a difficult read for those younger than age 12.

The Snow Spider - Jenny Nimmo

 Publisher: Orchard Books

ISBN: 9780439846752

Subject: Children's Fantasy

(The Magician Trilogy: Book One)

I found this book at a thrift shop and was drawn in by the cover, which is beautiful, and represents the unique story well. The Snow Spider is about a young boy named Gwyn (short for Gwydion), who receives five unusual presents for his ninth birthday: a metal brooch, a whistle, a piece of seaweed, a yellow scarf, and a small broken horse. Oh, and he is told by his grandmother that he is descended from magicians. Naturally, these become key points in the story, and the objects bring forth incredible things that only Gwyn sees.

The reader quickly learns of Gwyn's strained relationship with his father, due to the absence of his sister; of his mentoring from his grandmother, who is shown as eccentric; and of his friendship with his best friend named Alun (yes, with a "u"). The appearance of a strange spider and an unearthly girl set the stage for the climax of the story. As the story ends, there are still questions unanswered, which pave the way for a second story.

Welsh references and words are used to indicate that the family is either living a place where the language is common, or they are descended from Wales. The time period is vague, with a coal stove, active candle use, and an apron-wearing mother, but electricity is the main source of lighting and the father owns a Land Rover. Regardless of the time period, the author does a brilliant job building beautiful scenery, both in the ordinary and the extraordinary worlds (yes, plural). The age of Gwyn is portrayed accurately in the things that Gwyn does. The character arch for the girl is like a blurry picture that slowly sharpens, causing the reader to unknowingly predict the reveal.

Because it is a children's book, the pacing is quick, as is the climax. It's been awhile since I've really dived into books for this age group, but I feel the climax fell short of what it could have been. During the rising action, Gwyn is faced with more and more difficult situations. One in particular involves him directly battling an evil force to retrieve something. The scene is short and revealed to the reader through the eyes of the girl. When the climax is reached, Gwyn must face the same evil force but this time he must trap it with the aid of the spider. However, Gwyn does not battle the evil force, and the spider does all the work. In addition, the story doesn't focus on the "battle", but on Alun who has been caught in the middle of things.

Another thing that bothered me, though very small, was the heavy use of the exclamation point. Yes, children are the epitome of the exclamation point, but the use in this book was too much. The best part of the book though, besides the vivid imagery, was the very end. The falling action was expected up until the last two pages, and even within the unexpected twist there was another sharp turn. 

Though definitely a story for elementary and middle school kids, there are a few things that would make a young reader stumble: the use of foreign language, the tricky names, and the time period (though I doubt that makes much difference to a 9 year-old). I would recommend this book for any child, and for adults who enjoy unique children's
books.

*If you need another reason to read this book, Jenny Nimmo is also the author of the Charlie Bone books.

The Tradition - Jericho Brown

 Publisher: Copper Canyon Press

ISBN: 9781556594861

Subject: Poetry

I'll admit, this wasn't my favorite to read as far as poetry goes. Jericho Brown writes about very serious things, such as slavery, shootings, rape, and abuse. However, he really puts himself into his poetry and has a great mind for knowing just how to frame his subjects for layered meanings. Even the title of his book reflects the poetry within, as they combine traditional forms of poetry with non-traditional surprises. Brown actually invented his own form, which he calls a duplex. This form combines other forms of poetry (including the sonnet, the blues, and the ghazal) to reflect who he is and better express his thoughts. The name "duplex" represents duality in his new form, and Brown lives up to it. Although I wouldn't recommend this book for pleasure reading, it is an excellent book for studying poetry. This book is especially important for hearing a unique point of view from a member of the black community and the LGBQT+ community.

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde

Publisher: Wordsworth Classics

ISBN: 9781853260155

Subject: Monster, Classic

    This book is exceptionally controversial, and I suppose it depends on which edition you read and in what mind-frame you read it. My edition is the 1992 Wordsworth text, with an enlightening introduction by Professor John M. L. Drew, of the University of Buckingham, and a preface by Oscar Wilde himself.

    While the introduction goes over Oscar Wilde's life and speculates on the characters of his novel, as well as other notable things, the preface gives Wilde's opinion of art, summed up in three sentences: "All art is at once surface and symbol... It is the spectator and not life, that art really mirrors... All art is quite useless." (3-4)

    The book itself follows those thoughts, bringing forward three major characters. First, there is Basil Hallward, who believes "An artist should create beautiful things, but should put nothing of his own life into them." (13) Second, there is Dorian Gray, the famed star of whom the painting reflects, and who we will talk about momentarily. Third, there is Lord Henry, who believes "Art has no influence upon action." (172)

    Dorian Gray has varying opinions of life and art that shift throughout the book, but his central opinion was to experience everything life had to offer, art or not. This opinion was influenced by Lord Henry as Dorian sat for Basil to paint him. The joining of the three in one afternoon led to the famed painting of Dorian.

    Now, if you're like me and you saw "League of Extraordinary Gentleman" before reading Dorian Gray, you believe the painting keeps Dorian alive no matter what physically happens to Dorian, including old age. He also cannot look upon his own portrait or everything that has happened will happen to him. None of this is the case. While Dorian does cease to show signs of age, with the portrait aging instead, it is only the things that affect his soul that are portrayed in the picture. 

    The reason behind this is the novel was written in the late Victorian era, where society believed that all your sins were physically written upon the face and body. This idea, and similar others, led to many great monster novels of its time, including Jekyll and Hyde, The Turn of the Screw, and Dracula. But let's get back to Dorian Gray.

    As far as not being able to look upon his portrait, Dorian actually visits the portrait quite often. When he first notices it changing, he hides it away where only he can access it. He visits it with revelry, comparing his beautiful, youthful face in a mirror against it. Then he starts to go mad, wondering if his servants have tried to break in to see it, refusing to show Lord Henry and Basil the painting, claiming it got stolen. 

    Through the brilliant writing of Oscar Wilde, the reader sees Dorian's madness deepen and his misdeeds grow greater, until Dorian finally commits the biggest sinful act: murder. This sends him over the edge into truly being a monster, although not physically. Again, all of this is evident in the painting of Dorian alone.

    Finally, at the end of the book, Dorian comes to despise the painting. In a wonderful sentence by Wilde, he recounts "Its mere memory had marred many moments of joy." (176) With that, Dorian decides to slash the painting with the same knife he used to commit his murder.

    What happens, you ask? I think you should read it for yourself. The book does have the flowery language of Victorian writings, but Oscar Wilde does a phenomenal job of showing the ideals of times and rebelling against them, at times mocking them. He gives us three wonderful characters and a unique monster. I give you, The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens

Inside artwork, Meighan Cavanaugh

 Publisher: Putnam

ISBN: 9780735219090

Subject: Fiction, Coming of Age

I'll admit, I had no interest in reading this book until fellow classmates discussed it during our book club one night. The parallels it seemed to draw with The Thirteenth Tale, which I had just finished, drew me in. 

Both books are centered around a young woman who finds herself in a unique way. In Where the Crawdads Sing, Kya discovers what she is capable of through isolation and the study of the marsh where she lives. In The Thirteenth Tale, Margaret finds peace in her own story through the story of another woman. Both books involve familial abuse, harsh men and rescuers, affable supporting characters, and a mystery with a twist ending. Far beyond that, however, both books center on a theme that enhance the story. In Crawdads, its the beauty and science of the marsh, and in Thirteenth, its the power of writing and reading.

Where the Crawdads Sing is a beautiful and realistic coming-of-age story in which the lead character, Kya, finds strength in loneliness, comfort and heartbreak in relationships, and a quiet talent for science and art. 

Personal Opinion: I don't feel this book is suitable for anyone under 15 years of age due to mature elements portrayed. However, it is a fantastic story, very well written, and now on my list of books to own. My favorite characters were Kya and her brother Jodie, and the best part of the story was the final chapter.