School Librarian Review I would put this book in any library! School kids of all ages will enjoy learning about Oman, and the boys' adventures are ableSchool Librarian Review I would put this book in any library! School kids of all ages will enjoy learning about Oman, and the boys' adventures are able to translate into any culture. It is a great book for showing that no matter where we live, we are all basically the same.
SLIGHT SPOILER - I went into this expecting Aref to get to the US and learn how he handled the transition from Oman to the US, but the book ends as he finishes packing...so be prepared to be slightly disappointed that we don't see the next step in his story. This is a book about saying goodbye....more
School Librarian Review: Kids might love this book. If they go in expecting it to be a teen romance, rather than anything with any hint of historical School Librarian Review: Kids might love this book. If they go in expecting it to be a teen romance, rather than anything with any hint of historical value. It is simple and fluffy, and the characters would probably intrigue middle or high school readers.
A teacher might be able to use this as a jumping-off point for how fragile our democracy is, or how the US is unique...when it could just as easily be just the same as any other monarchy.
I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, but those who are the target audience might love it.
Personal Review: I didn't enjoy this book as much as I hoped I would. The characters were fine, but spoiled - which is the whole point, but it still made it hard for me to care about them. The Idea that Washington chose to accept the crown is a very interesting idea for alternate history. I loved the idea, but then it became a lot like every other monarchy and so...why? I was hoping that the American monarchy would become something more interesting than just following all the old rules.
So, I guess this is just a teen romance set against the backdrop of a Royal Family, which happens to be America. This was not as interesting as I had hoped.
SPOILER: - - - - Also, I didn't realize this was a series...and the ending was infuriating! - - - - - Not a single character got what they wanted...everyone's life sucks and there is no joy anywhere. ...more
The Audiobook version of this is so well done! I would recommend it over a paper version...and I don't usually say that. The voice actors were perfectThe Audiobook version of this is so well done! I would recommend it over a paper version...and I don't usually say that. The voice actors were perfect for their roles.
Librarian's Recommendation: I would put this in a high school, maybe a middle school that isn't too conservative. There are references to sex and some drinking scenes, and the kids are not avoiding it, it's just a normal part of their experience. If that's going to cause parent complaints...you should be aware of them. I, however, would defend this book and would put it in my school.
This is a great book for teaching kids that friendships can be broken...and it's hard to repair them. A single action, or inaction, can have lasting effects and these cannot always be fixed with an 'I'm sorry'.
The families here are broken...but not through anything devious or illegal...just life taking bad turns. Each family has to deal with unimaginable loss before the book begins, and it is interesting to see how the pre-history of the character defines their outlook in the face of a new tragedy.
Personal Review: I love books like this because they show you what life is like in a time/place/age/gender/ethnicity I will never experience. I was abPersonal Review: I love books like this because they show you what life is like in a time/place/age/gender/ethnicity I will never experience. I was able to see the world through the eyes of a Black girl in the 1960's. And, yet, I feel that I have a deeper understanding of that time because I have read this book. It was a quick read, and with short chapters, it was easy to jump into and out of and still keep the thread.
Librarian Review: I would recommend this for every library elementary through high school. It is simple in writing, but complex in ideas. It has a Black girl on the cover in a happy and welcoming state - it doesn't imply any of the 'dark' themes that a lot of other Black covers use to capture readers' attention. A girl and her dog...joy and hope. Even so, there is darkness and truth in the novel. It doesn't gloss over the hurtful nature of the times, but there is hope in everything she does.
While the story is interesting and the topic is important, the writing was not fun to read. He is a journalist...and this was a very long article. TheWhile the story is interesting and the topic is important, the writing was not fun to read. He is a journalist...and this was a very long article. There was a ton of facts, but little human connection.
I had never heard dof Bass Reeves. And I guess that's the point of the book. Gary Paulsen asks why are we glorifying the criminals of the Wild West anI had never heard dof Bass Reeves. And I guess that's the point of the book. Gary Paulsen asks why are we glorifying the criminals of the Wild West and overlooking the truly good people?
This is a story that is very scarse on research material, so Mr. Paulsen does the best he can and then imagines the rest. He tells us the truths and then he tells us a story. It's an interesting way to get the facts of Bass Reeves life o there while also entertaining us and asking us to think.
Well done, again, Mr. Paulsen You are a jewel!...more
I listened to this in audiobook, and I loved the narrator. I'm honestly not sure I would have finished this book if I were reading it in the traditio I listened to this in audiobook, and I loved the narrator. I'm honestly not sure I would have finished this book if I were reading it in the traditional format. I know a lot of people love it, but I just never felt that any of the characters mattered to me. It was a slog to get to the interesting points and I felt the people were each too absorbed in themselves for me to care about them. Meh. ...more
I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review:
Most fantasy is light and fluffy, or at least written in a way that young boys wouldI received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review:
Most fantasy is light and fluffy, or at least written in a way that young boys would be attracted to it and mothers wouldn't bar them from reading it. This is not that. This is a book written for an adult audience. This is written in the same vein as popular modern military novels, or CIA terrorism adventure stories. This is a gritty fantasy novel, but not obscene. Be prepared.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. I liked the characters, loved the storyline, I thought the dialogue was smooth and easy to follow. Like any first novel it seemed raw in a few places, but not enough to stop my reading. I have a group of gaming friends I would specifically recommend this book to.
If you play D&D (any version) and enjoy reading thrillers or adventure novels, you should think about buying this novel.
If you read all the TSR novels and thought, those were light and fluffy and wished for something darker and grittier, you should definitely give this a try.
If you are looking for cannon D&D materials, this is NOT the book for you. This is not an officially sanctioned D&D product. This doesn't cross the line into fan-fic so much as takes the elements that interest the author and writes a new novel building on 'non-copyrighted' elements. It is not a campaign re-hash. It's a fantasy novel that draws heavily from role-playing game elements we are all familiar with. There's a fine line here that the author seems to have trod very carefully. ...more
I have not read the original (mature) version. I don't think I need to.
This book was wonderful on so many levels! I love Trevor Noah from his TV and I have not read the original (mature) version. I don't think I need to.
This book was wonderful on so many levels! I love Trevor Noah from his TV and YouTube bits. I agree with him politically. I enjoy learning about other cultures and lives. This was a perfect book for me.
As a teacher, it is also a perfect book. He doesn't try to tell anyone what they should believe - but he states his own beliefs clearly, with reasoning to back them up. He is a brilliant storyteller and even when he does something 'wrong' he admits that he might not make the same choices, not that he has lived more of his life. He doesn't say he regrets anything, just that he didn't have all the information at that point and did what seemed the best thing at the time.
He talks about the history of South Africa in a way that is easy to understand, and from the point of view of someone directly impacted by it. It's not a dry lecture about the causes and effects of apartheid. It is one man's interaction with a system that treated his family as less than human. It was fascinating and terrifying at the same time. Only made less so by the knowledge that everything turns out all right in the end. At least for this one mixed-race boy.
Every school library should have this book. I suggest multiple copies.
Every teacher and administrator should read this book. It should be a staff book club. ...more
A young Black boy is in trouble, again...and his dad is mad at him, again. So when his grandmother asks him to join her on a road trip, he jumps at thA young Black boy is in trouble, again...and his dad is mad at him, again. So when his grandmother asks him to join her on a road trip, he jumps at the chance to get away. Little does he know that his grandmother has a few troubles of her own.
He gets the feeling something is off but ignores it. He knows she's not telling him something, but trusts her. As they travel, he learns that she is human, just like him. He also learns that she has a past that she might not be very proud of...and that's why she's on this trip. Maybe she can make things right...or maybe she'll just make things worst.
This story is set against another plotline where the white grandmother is telling her Black grandchild what her life was life as a mixed-race couple in the 1950s. As they travel through the south, she gives him her copy of an authentic Green Book and talks to him about some of their troubles trying to travel together.
This was a simple story, with lots of jumping-off points for discussion. Maybe too many. I think the story touches on many important issues but doesn't dive deep on very many. As a teacher I would treat this is a book to introduce the topic of race in the US. It is an overview of racism and history...and if pieces interest kids there are many books that will allow them to explore any of the events or places more fully.
A necessary purchase for any school library! ...more
The back of the book pretty much tells the whole tale...but reading the details inside the book makes it an amazing experience. The memories of this sThe back of the book pretty much tells the whole tale...but reading the details inside the book makes it an amazing experience. The memories of this small boy are so real, and yet so incredible. ...more
I wanted to like this book! I really REALLY did. But, alas, I didn't care about any of the characters, and the 'secrets' were just not that interestinI wanted to like this book! I really REALLY did. But, alas, I didn't care about any of the characters, and the 'secrets' were just not that interesting. I love that the author tried new things and broke new ground. I will read more of her work and hope that this is just the opening to a wonderful career. ...more
I hate it when I read a really good book, but I can't put it into my library because there is a single-sex scene or unnecessarily vulgar language. In I hate it when I read a really good book, but I can't put it into my library because there is a single-sex scene or unnecessarily vulgar language. In this case, I am super disappointed because neither of them was really needed. I get that this was a high school senior, but truly, she seemed like an 8th, 9th or 10th grader to me. I would have loved to put this book into the hands of some of my 5th grades. The story was awesome. But, I can't because there's off-screen sex (which is a talking point between characters) and the word orgasmic (which I know my kids would go online to lookup).
Damn!
This is a book perfect for discussion about economic inequalities. So much discussion. If only I could go back in time and ask Mrs. Stone to reconsider those two moments...
This is a great gateway book for people who are interested in having a beginning conversation about racism. The view is from a 'safe space' and yet frThis is a great gateway book for people who are interested in having a beginning conversation about racism. The view is from a 'safe space' and yet from the eyes of a Black girl who is beginning to be aware of the issues we are seeing throughout the world today.
It mentions BLM and a trial but doesn't get too 'gritty'. If a teacher is looking for a starting point for a conversation about race with upper elementary or middle school kids. There are 'crushes' and a bit a kiss...but nothing inappropriate for school use.
Rich (no, really really rich) girl from Mexico City moves to LA while her mom shots a TV show. Everyone at her new school assumes she is a 'scholarshiRich (no, really really rich) girl from Mexico City moves to LA while her mom shots a TV show. Everyone at her new school assumes she is a 'scholarship kid' and her mom's a maid - and probably 'an illegal'. She is so stunned by this racism that she doesn't know how to react...so she doesn't and the assumptions continue. After a while, she just goes with it to see how racist people can be...and by the time she wants to tell the truth...it feels like it's too late.
A very interesting look at cross-cultural racism told from a Mexican girl's perspective, who has only ever known what it was to be surrounded by other Mexicans. Going from 'no racism because we are all alike' to everyone in America has a different 'look' about them is a great 'new' way to look at a topic that is all too relevant today.
I highly recommend this book to students, teachers, and anyone wanting to see the world from a different perspective.
As a side note - my sons who are fluent in Spanish found it annoying that every time the characters would say something in Spanish, they would then translate it into English. "Even when it was obvious!" So, if you are a native Spanish speaker - just letting you know that this was written for a non-native audience. But, the story is so unique I would still recommend it to native speakers....more
Two boys. Both outsiders. Both so involved with their own problems, they don't see that anyone else might have it worse than themselves.
Written a newTwo boys. Both outsiders. Both so involved with their own problems, they don't see that anyone else might have it worse than themselves.
Written a new Indian author and an established American author, this is a great book to start conversations about race relations, bullying, and immigration.
Highly recommended for classrooms and teachers for read aloud.
Recommended for casual readers who are looking for a quick and good read. ...more
I thought this was an excellent idea for a novel. I was really looking forward to it. I won and ARC and it was personalized by the author with a cute I thought this was an excellent idea for a novel. I was really looking forward to it. I won and ARC and it was personalized by the author with a cute note and everything.
Unfortunately, it's not written at the right time. The story pales compared to what is actually happening in the world today and can't live up to the 'possible' future when read at the same time our current days are so much worse.
I am so sorry that the year 2020 took this book and made it obsolete.
It took me a long time to write this review because I don't want to hurt the authors feeling. I'm sorry, but I was not able to connect with the characters, and the whole book broke the whole 'show, don't tell' rule. It was unlikely that the entire world would start to riot because of a few teachers...and yet, here we are. I hope you keep writing, but please get a few beta readers first and a good editor before you publish it. There was a lot of potential here, but it seem like a good example of why people should not self-publish. ...more
I am not sure if I would ever read this to a group of kids in a daily classroom. I don't know how I feel about the idea of little 'monsters' running aI am not sure if I would ever read this to a group of kids in a daily classroom. I don't know how I feel about the idea of little 'monsters' running all around my life as I go about my day to day living. I think it might be confusing or even scary if it's read to a bunch of kids without a one on one explanation or check-in.
I WOULD totally buy this for my collection, and definitely for the school psychologist or SpEd teachers who could use it as a tool for their one on one interactions with kids who need to better understand their feelings and learn to cope with the outside world....more
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