Such a sweet intergenerational story that is perfect for those who are looking to add more bilingual stories to their shelves. Text alternates betweenSuch a sweet intergenerational story that is perfect for those who are looking to add more bilingual stories to their shelves. Text alternates between Mandarin and English. ...more
I enjoyed the back matter about the history and uncovering of wells in India but the story itself was a little lack luster and I wasn’t a fan of the aI enjoyed the back matter about the history and uncovering of wells in India but the story itself was a little lack luster and I wasn’t a fan of the artwork. ...more
Unfortunately, I was expecting a little more from this one. I understand where Saeed was going with the story, but it didn't pack the intended punch.Unfortunately, I was expecting a little more from this one. I understand where Saeed was going with the story, but it didn't pack the intended punch....more
This is definitely a difficult one to rate. It's my first Stacey Lee book and while my reading experience wasn't horrible, it wasn't great. CW: racismThis is definitely a difficult one to rate. It's my first Stacey Lee book and while my reading experience wasn't horrible, it wasn't great. CW: racism, use of slurs on page, murder
Killer Her Twice is a historical mystery that takes place in the 1930s and follows sisters May and Gemma as they attempt to solve the murder of former neighbor and starlet Lulu. After finding her body in a stable, May and Gemma attempt to enlist the help of the LAPD, but quickly realize that their discriminatory behavior will prevent them from solving the case and finding Lulu's murderer. What follows is a journey to discover the truth while also saving their neighborhood.
What Worked: I absolutely adored the relationship between May, Gemma, Peony, and their father. He spends a great portion of the novel in a sanatorium, but continues to connect with the girls through phone calls supporting them in ways when the least expect it. Lee also did a wonderful job creating and developing the gritty environment of the 1930s. She not only addresses the state of a depression era America, but exceptionally develops the experiences of Asian Americans and the discriminatory behaviors that they not only experienced in their own communities, but also in Hollywood. In the authors note, Lee discusses that Lulu is loosely based on Anna Mae Wong who was the first Chinese American actress to become a major box-office attraction.
What Didn't Work: This novel was PAINFULLY slow. While I thought the setting and the main characters were interesting, Kill Her Twice suffered majorly from poor pacing. I've seen other reviewers classify this as a thriller; however, it doesn't contain the same energy needed to keep the reader continuously engaged. It's unfortunate because had the pacing been better, I would have easily rated this book four stars. But to be quite honest, this book nearly put me in a reading slump. While it doesn't make me hesitant to check out some of Lee's other works, it does make me feel as though I would only recommend this title to a very specific audience.
Overall, this was just okay. With better pacing this could have been a phenomenal read....more
The best picture book that I’ve read ALL year long. The artwork is absolutely beautiful! If this doesn’t get a Caldecott in January of 2025 I will be The best picture book that I’ve read ALL year long. The artwork is absolutely beautiful! If this doesn’t get a Caldecott in January of 2025 I will be pissed....more
I’ve been on the hunt for more children’s books with Native Hawaiian representation. This is a great early graphic novel that retells a well known legI’ve been on the hunt for more children’s books with Native Hawaiian representation. This is a great early graphic novel that retells a well known legend. I was familiar with Pele and her sister Hi’iaka from a middle grade series but it was nice seeing them represented through graphic art. I’ll be checking out more from the Global Folktales series soon! ...more
This was my first time learning about Minda Dentler! I really enjoyed this read as it provided more information about the importance of the polio vaccThis was my first time learning about Minda Dentler! I really enjoyed this read as it provided more information about the importance of the polio vaccine, the Ironman World Championship, adaptive equipment used during the race, as well as the way in which Minda was able to find courage, strength, and confidence in herself to become the first female wheelchair there to complete the Ironman World Championship. Stephanie Dehennin did a wonderful job with the artwork! ...more
This was absolutely beautiful! From the artwork to the acknowledgment of the work that the CDCR inmates did in 2020 to help manage the wildfires, thisThis was absolutely beautiful! From the artwork to the acknowledgment of the work that the CDCR inmates did in 2020 to help manage the wildfires, this did not miss. The connection between Vietnamese refugees and then the Vietnamese community becoming refugees of sorts again with the next generation was such an interesting parallel and great way to capture the story and the connection between Simone and her mother. The contrast of black and white and the brief moments of color was handled brilliantly by Minnie Phan. ...more
This was so good and the artwork was bright and fun! Honestly, prior to reading this, I didn't know anything about I.M. Pei. To be quite honest, it's This was so good and the artwork was bright and fun! Honestly, prior to reading this, I didn't know anything about I.M. Pei. To be quite honest, it's embarrassing since I've seen so much of his work in person! I appreciate the work that authors and illustrators are doing to bring more light to figures across the globe that have contributed so much to society. While it's great to get newer biographies of well-known individuals, I also think it's important to shine a light on those lesser known figures to give younger readers a broader scope of information. Lueng created text that is easily digestible and with beautiful illustrations by Yifan Wu, this is a biography that you don't want to miss adding to your collection....more
As a undergraduate history major, I'm somewhat ashamed of how little I know about the Chinese cultural Revolution. Ying Chang Compestine provides younAs a undergraduate history major, I'm somewhat ashamed of how little I know about the Chinese cultural Revolution. Ying Chang Compestine provides younger readers with an opportunity to learn more about this moment in Chinese history through her experience as a child. The illustrations by Xinmei Liu are absolutely beautiful and capture the struggle that Compestine and her family faced during this time in history. If you're looking for an easily digestable information picture book/biography that focuses on a part of history that isn't typically taught to secondary education students, I highly recommend checking this one out....more
This was such a quick read, but also excellent. It's taken me forever to pick this one up, but I'm glad that I finally did. CW: racism, bullying, vandThis was such a quick read, but also excellent. It's taken me forever to pick this one up, but I'm glad that I finally did. CW: racism, bullying, vandalism
In the Beautiful Country is a middle grade novel written in verse that follows the Zhang family as they move from Taiwan to the US in search of new opportunities. Although they were supposed to receive help from a family friend when they arrive, they find that they must start over from scratch by opening a fast food restaurant. Kuo beautifully captures the every day experiences of this immigrant family as they attempt to adjust to live in a new country and city.
What Worked: The writing was absolutely beautiful. Kuo is a master storyteller that's able to capture so many different aspects of this family's experience through verse. Anna's voice is so strong and as a reader you truly connect and empathize with her feelings of loneliness, frustration, and heartbreak. Kuo maintains this difficult balance of having Anna keep the voice of a child, but still illustrate the complexity of immigration. And while the story itself is dark at times, Kuo is sure to maintain a semblance of hope for both the readers and the characters. It's been a while since I've been so invested in a family of characters, but Kuo had me rooting for each one of them until the end of the book.
What Didn't Work: Unfortunately, this book technically is a historical fiction, but quickly looses that feeling due to lack of descriptions. To be quite honest, I kept forgetting that this book takes place during the 1980s instead of present time. Although everything covered definitely can take place now, I wish that Kuo would have provided more elements that were reflective of the established time.
Overall this was a great read and I'm definitely looking forward to diving into the companion novel....more
Once Upon a Sari is one of those picture books that leaves an emotional and lasting impressions. The story follows a little girl who is caught playingOnce Upon a Sari is one of those picture books that leaves an emotional and lasting impressions. The story follows a little girl who is caught playing with her mom's saris. Instead of scolding the little girl, her mother begins to tell her the history behind each of the saris. The illustrations were absolutely gorgeous and told the beautiful history of their family and India. There is nod to the partition of India without directly naming it. If this is being utilized as a read aloud with an older group, I would recommend having a brief discussion about it. Even my four year old asked me why the family had to move from their homes to another place. Overall, this was great and absolutely beautiful. Avani Dwivedi's artwork captured the personality and history of each sari beautifully! ...more
Ooo my friends...I wanted to enjoy this one, but it didn't work for me. CW: violence (some involving children, death, grief, death of animals.
DragonfrOoo my friends...I wanted to enjoy this one, but it didn't work for me. CW: violence (some involving children, death, grief, death of animals.
Dragonfruit has been gaining quite a bit of traction this year as the genre of romance fantasy becomes more widespread in popularity. It follows main character Hanalei of Tamarind who has been living in exile due to her father's thievery. Eventually, she is able to return to Tamarind to help Sam (the current prince) find another dragonfruit to help his ailing mother who's been sick for so long.
What Worked: This book had a lot of potential. Lucier did a wonderful job introducing what could have been a complex and beautiful world that illustrated interactions between the different kingdoms, gods/goddesses, and dragons. There was also some great messaging towards the end where Hanalei and Sam both acknowledge the mistakes that we all make throughout life especially when we're younger.
What Didn't Work: Oh so much of this book didn't work! The pacing was extremely slow which made the stakes feel low even though they technically were high. Hanalei and Sam lacked the necessary character development for me to be invested in them as individuals and as a couple. Granted, the two grew up together, but I did not understand nor could justify any reasons for them to be together outside of repairing their old friendship. There was no chemistry between the two although Lucier attempted to make the attraction between them apparent. To be quite honest, the plot was probably the true villain behind this entire novel. Lucier not only leaves loose ends untied, but there elements of the book that go unexplained particularly the magic system. I'm still unclear about the purpose and magic/lore behind the dragonfruit. This is one of those books that I think works well as a "vibes" read; however, it terms of actually delivering in relationship to the plot and world building is a completely different story. It was repetitive in sections while being unclear in others. Writing a stand alone fantasy is a task that takes great execution skills and I don't think we get that in this title. It's underwhelming and would have served better as an opening to a series.
Overall, I was disappointed by this read; however, I am an outlier and I know that people really adore it. While this particular title didn't work for me, I would be interested in checking out something else by Makiia Lucier in the future....more
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