Ah yes, the first in L.A Meyer’s ship-faring, sailor girl series. I actually have this series before, and by read, I meant skimmed. So while I knew the basics of the plot, this is my first time actually reading it, and I enjoyed it very much.
Modern day Hale (same name, no relation) uses the famous Revolutionary spy, Nathan Hale (of “My one regret is that I have one life to give” fame) to narrate adventures and incidents throughout history. This abundence of knowledge from the future occurs after Hale is scooped up into a magical history book, and uses these entertaining stories to keep the Hangman and British Officer from hanging him. Sort of like Schrezade in 1001 Nights. As you can tell it is cartoony in its executions and the childish Hangman is always there to lend comedic relief. But it is very good in condensing such vast histories like the start of WW1 and the first three years of the Korean War. While also going into more individual events like the Donner Party and Harriet Tubman’s lifestory. And don’t worry it doesn’t skimp on the gore, it has hazerdous ratings on the back so readers can be warned of the assassinations, eye stabbing, massacre-ing and such that is within.
For a lighter, broader comic about history try Stan Mack and Susan Chaplin’s The Cartoon Chronicles of America duology.
Lumberjanes by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Noelle Stevenson and Brooklyn Allen
Fun little series about girls being badass and meeting up with all sorts of fantastical creatures a la Adventure Time style. It is very girl power being an all-girls camp and wishes to impart life lessons in its chapters with each badge the girls undertake to get. And it works. The series really makes the girls three dimensional in their flaws and conflicts, even with each other. But it is always all right in the end because friendship is power. There is also an overarching mystery with why the mysterious creatures and dinosaur portals always hit the camp. Plus plenty of sweet friendships and Lgtbq romances for the fans.
Okay so I finished allll the Jem and the Holograms comics, the 5 volumes, the Misfits spin off, the Dimensions one-off and Infinite special and I loved all of it.
This is a classic dog story so I won’t go too into it. Just yes, read the book. It is relatable, funny and tearjerking all at once. You will fall in love with the “worst dog in the world” okay.
Oogy: A dog only a family could love by Larry Levin
Like Marley and Me, this book recounts the tale of a family and how their love for a poor, mutilated dog saved them rather than the other way around. It touches on the horror of dog fighting (which is how Oogy lost her ear and was incredibly injured and distrustful) but how love and patience helped her get through her awful past. So moving and yes, I cried at this too.
Saving Sadie: How a Dog that No One Wanted Inspired the World by Joal Derse Dauer
Sadie was left for dead. Sadie was bred for puppy mills and when her owners decided she was useless to them, shot her in the head and legs. But she survived. And with the torn patience and fierce determination of her owner, Daur, she learned to walk again and become an advocate for the disabled, bullied and marginalized. She become an inspiring beacon of hope, teaching kids to accept differences and bringing light to animal abuse.
Following Atticus: Forty Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog and an Extraordinary Friendship by Tomas Ryan
This memori shows the bond between man and dog, how having one steadfast, lyal companion can inspire you to accomplish more than you could ever thought. and Atticus traverse mountains as a duo, becoming well-known for their adventures n his blog. Caring for Atticus also helped Tomas through some of personal demons regarding his father and how it changed his outlook. Atticus sadly has passed, but Thomas narrated his audiobook and yes, I was very moved to tears.
Cleo: The Cat who mended a family by Helen Brown
The Brown family adopted a cat after the most tragic of events, the death of her five year old by a speeding car. Through hard years of grief, Cleo, mischevious, introspective Cleo seems to know exactly what to do to help the family through triumphs and more tragedies and proves cats may be magical.
The History of the World in Fifty Dogs by Mackenzi Lee
This book has a fun, twitter-casual tone that may be off-putting for some but I find it enjoyable. Especially as Lee recounts historical incidents like Balto and his long run to deliver vaccines to the stranded people of . To lesser known facts like how Josephine’s pet pug was the bane of Napolean the Conqueror’s life. It also has a tough chapter like the history of vivisection (live animal dissection) and the fight to stop it. But mostly, it is humerous and heartwarming, celebrating man’s best friend.
Babylon’s Ark by Lawrence Anthony with Graham Spence
Everyone suffers in wartime, especially those who are unable to get out. This remains true for the inhibitants of the Baghdad Zoo in Iraq. Once beautiful, and prosperous, many of the animals have been released, or poached. The ones that remain are sick, ill and starving despite the desperate care by their keepers. South African conservationist Lawrence heads over there to help where he can and is faced with lack of funds, and of course, potential looters and bombs. But they do it, Lawrence and the caretakers with the help of numerous international animal conservation groups come together to rescue those who remain despite the terror. It gives insight to how much hard work goes into the field of zoos and animal conservation, the steadfastness in helping and in hope and sobering as he details what is still left to do and to fight for as climate disaster approches.
Liz Braswell’s Unbirthday asks the question “What if Wonderland was in peril and Alice was very very late?” and is perfect for all those who wish to return to Wonderland.
Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women by Kate Moore
This book takes on what should be a more well-known historical case in the history of women’s rights and workers rights. The case of the Dial Girls who slowly poisoned themselves and the managers who tried to willingly ignore their complaints and ailments that signaled radium posoining. why? They were just poor, working women, they could get more of them. Besides the important thing was making a profit, not safe working conditions with non-hazerdous materials. However, several women would not take this lying down. They went to court, they sued and they won. It’s a well-researched story that weaves in the tragic narratives of these girls who didn’t have much time left but wanted to save those who came after them. Also warning that there are pictures. Very intense pictures of the swelling and crumbled bodies.
Yes She Can: 10 stories of Hope and Change from Young Female Staffers of the Obama Adminstration
We all hear how people can get into politics while they’re young and how they can help implement change, but I guess I never really believed it for some reason. Until I read this. Just graduated or seeking internships, these girls got a front view seat to the White House, working on committees ranging from cancer research with the VP’s team to helping implement a better healthcare communications for Jewish elders. It was lovely to hear a bit of their work and the personal stories that led to their decisions to dive into this fast-paced world.
Diary of Anne Frank
I don’t think I can add anything else to this. It’s moving, it’s full of hope and humanity in the darkest times. Roosevelt said it best, everyone should read this book so that we shall never forget.
I remember having this debate a long time ago, but I just thought of this again while working on my fairytale books blogpost.
Are mermaids within the fairytale genre or is it a separate subgenre of its own? After all mermaids are featured in fairytales but the only major princess is Ariel from the Little Mermaid. Which can be excluded for those who want to focus on landlocked kingdoms.
However, much like fairy books they can be seperated on their own as seen below without any mention of fairytales. So within genre or subgenre?
Second question are unicorn books under the umbrella of fairytales or also a subgenre of its own?
Whether it be fractured or an innovative retelling, here are some fairytale books for kids and young adults.
Kids
Land of Stories by Chris Colfer
This Glee star is definately multi-talanted. Using his own literary love for fairytales, he has created the Land of Stories. A land where every fairytale has happened once, but rather repeat on an endless loop, they have grown up and continued. That’s what Bailey and Alex find out after they stumble through their grandmother’s book of stories. Yep, their grandmother is the famous Fairy Godmother! And what starts as a regular quest to get back home turns into a whole series of adventures as Alex embraces her fairy powers, and Bailey begins to realize the power of stories and storytelling. A great plus of this is Colfer’s sarcasm and humor throughout the book especially in form of the comedic dumb blonde, Queen Red Riding Hood. Plus it adds some innuendos and references like Machiavello’s The Prince so even older readers can enjoy. He is currently writing a spin off series entitled A Tale of Magic.
Tiara Club by Vivian French
While this is all about becoming the best princess you can be, it’s not so much sewing and needlepoint. These princesses go to a boarding that teaches them how to bake for dragons, win at field days and learn to drive a boat. It’s anachronistic but its a fun series delivering morals on friendship and believing in yourself with a touch of magic.
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
Another boarding school for dairytales but takes a darker spin on it by exploiting the obvious legacial fears and issues that come with being the child of fairytale characters. Not to mention the expectations of your own fantasies and roles that others expect you to fufill. That’s the main issue between best friends Agatha and Sophie who end up at opposite schools. They believe its a mistake but it seems the Storyteller may be right after all. However, Agatha and Sophies friendship is much stronger than anyone could have predicted and ends up changing the world forever. It’s an epic, twisty, daring series and is becoming a Netflix film soon.
And buy gift reads, I’m referring to books that I couldn’t think of fitting to other categories, but I still enjoyed as they were gifts for my birthdays/graduations/Christmas’ pasts.
100 Days and 99 Nights by Alan Madison
This is a sweet book about a veteran’s daughter waiting for the 100 days and 99 nights until her dad comes from home. While waiting she goes alphabetically goes through all the stuffed animals she has, the stories of how he gave them to her and how they comfort her while he is away from the homefront. It’s a nice children’s book and I think those with soldiers in the family would relate to it very much.
The End of the Beginning by Avi
You know how people say it’s more about the journey than the destination. That’s what this book emphasizes too as Avon the snail longs to go on an adventure. With his friend, Edward the ant, they do just that. It’s a bit meandering but then again most philosphizing about life is. It’s also about friendship and the journey, and that’s all you really need.
The Fashion Disaster Changed My Life by Lauren Myracle
I got this for my 13th birthday just as the protagonist goes through her harrowing seventh grade year. Her breakout year for all the wrong reasons. Alli encounters the most humilating experience of her mom’s panties popping out of her pant leg during class, resulting in mocking jokes about her future career as a stripper. Isn’t middle school so fun? However, it has the upside that the most popular girls in school come to her rescue. But popularity isn’t all its cracked up to be. Alli really grows here, coming to see things from a different point of view and coming to recognize toxicity. A good book for any preteen I think.
A book that shows how the bond of pen pals can really mean more than you think. It can be the confidante for secrets and feelings you can’t share anyone else. And Sophie and Katie really do need it. Sophie’s parents are divorcing while her friendship with Jess goes to tatters. Katie has so much ambition and drive to help earthquake victims but will her jealosy of her best boy friend’s new crush ruin their partnership. Sheinmal deftly handles those complex feelings and hormones that make sixth grade so fraught but also highlights the simple moments of compaionship and relief that friendship brings even when you’re across the country.
Wild Girls by Pat Murphy
This novel is wonderful in how it emphasizes the importance and power of storytelling, whether it be creating your own backstory of your fox mother or listening to other perspectives. When Fox and Lizard become friends, and enter a writing contest together, they soon find the normal world constrains them too much. Their story cannot be heard, cannot be understood without the wildness in them. So with war paint, they do so which gains them entrance to a writing program, enocuntering good witches and stilt walkers and the ability to see a whole new view from people they thought they’d never understand. 5 star read.
The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place by E.L. Konigsburg
This book also deals with art and its power. After Margret Rose leaves her stuffy, by the rules, summer camp, she stays with her eccentric uncles and their amazing glass towers. However, their towers are to be torn down as part of the growing gentrification process, moving out all the interesting people and immigrant stories that have settled there. Not on Roses’ watch, she with her uncles and handyman friend try their best to stop the destruction and save outsider art.
Rachel Reads & Reviews 