April Mini Reviews

So I read a bunch of books during the Dewey Read-a-thon in April. Then I got through a good number of books when we were lounging on the beach for a week in May. Unfortunately lots of reading means I’m now way behind on reviews. So I’m going to give a few super short thoughts on a few of the books this week to finally catch up. If the review is short it doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the book! 

All The Light We Cannot See
by Anthony Doerr
★★★★☆

This novel, set during World War II in Europe, tells the parallel stories of Marie-Laure and Werner. She is a young blind girl who lives with her father in Paris. He is a German orphan with a skill for building and fixing radios. Both tales are rich in their own right, but they build towards each other throughout the book.

The writing was wonderful. I felt myself running my hands over the miniature city that Marie-Laure’s father builds for her. I flinched alongside Werner when the fellow boys in the Hitler youth program beat one of his friends senseless. All along the way we hear about a famous jewel that curses the life of its owner in horrible ways. All these details are significant.

BOTTOM LINE: A great read. This one didn’t make me fall in love with it in the same way that The Book Thief did, but it was a beautiful book

The Big Fight
My Life In and Out of the Ring
by Sugar Ray Leonard
★★

This one isn't my normal kind of book, but I read it in order to prepare for my interview with the author. Leonard’s path to the ring makes for a great story. I hadn’t realized he was an Olympic gold-medalist and that he’d battled addiction throughout his career. It was interesting to learn more about the boxer's life, but it wasn't something that will stick with me.

Blood of Olympus
(Heroes of Olympus Book 5)
by Rick Riordian
★★★

This is the final chapter in the Heroes of Olympus books. It was a good way to wrap up the series. I felt like each of the characters got closure.

My main complaint about the series as a whole is that is always felt more driven by action and plot than by character development. Every time I got truly invested in a character’s storyline, a huge god or giant would pop up and there would be a battle. I wish we’d gotten to spend a little more time seeing those relationships unfold. I particularly loved the interaction between the demigods and their parents. I wish there had been more of that.

BOTTOM LINE: Glad I read it, but it’s not a series I think I’d return to.

The Tiger Rising
by Kate DiCamillo
★★★★

This book hits some heavy issues from the first page. A young boy has lost his mother. His father is cold and distant. They move from their home state to live in a motel in Florida. He’s being bullied by his fellow sixth grade classmates. He meets a girl named Sistine who becomes his only friend. DiCamillo is a talented author and in this book she tackles the danger of ignoring your grief and sorrow. When we ignore our hurt or bury it, it never goes away.

BOTTOM LINE: I enjoyed this one, but if I was giving it to a younger audience I would make sure I followed the reading with a discussion of the issues.

“Ain’t nobody going to come and rescue you. You got to rescue yourself.”

“Rob realized why he liked Sistine so much. He liked her because when she saw something beautiful, the sound of her voice changed.”

Mini Reviews: Railway Children, Magician's Elephant and The Missing Ticket

 



The Railway Children 

by Edith Nesbit

★★★★

 

In the great tradition of British children’s literature, Nesbit’s name is always mentioned with reverence. This is my first book of her’s but I can’t wait to recommend her to my nieces and nephews. The story, published in 1906, is about an English family whose father is accused of espionage and imprisoned. His role is rarely mentioned (think of the father in Little Women) and is more notable in his absence than presence. 

 

The children walk to the railway station almost every day and make friends with the regular travelers. They also help an ailing Russian man who is looking for his family. Their mother is strong and supportive, shielding her kids from knowing about their struggles.

 

BOTTOM LINE: The sweet story is a perfect one to read aloud with young kids. The adventures are very episodic and would work well being spread out over the course of a week or two. It reminded me of Swallows and Amazons, another good British children’s book. 

 

 

The Magician's Elephant

by Kate DiCamillo

★★★★☆

 

A young orphan named Peter visits a fortune teller in the hopes of finding out whether his sister is still alive. Her confusing answer leads him on an odd journey. Meanwhile a magician accidently makes an elephant appear out of nowhere in the midst of a performance. The story is full of strange characters and impossible situations, but that just makes it all the more delightful.

 

As the dream-like tale unfolds we meet a nun at a local orphanage, a beggar and his clever dog Iddo, and Hans Ickman, who once had a dog who could jump incredibly high. There’s nothing earth-shattering in this novel, but the way it’s written is charming.

 

BOTTOM LINE: For a slim little novel this story packs a punch. There were little lines full of wisdom that resonated with me. I can’t wait to share this one with my nieces and nephews.

 

“Magic is always impossible,” said the magician. “It begins with the impossible and ends with the impossible and is impossible in between. That is why it is magic.”

 

“We must ask ourselves these questions as often as we dare. How will the world change if we do not question it?”

 

“It is important you say what you mean to say. Time is too short. You must speak words that matter.” 

 

 

The Missing Golden Ticket and other Splendiferous Stories

by Roald Dahl

★★★

 

I’ve always been a huge fan of Roald Dahl, from reading The BFG and Matilda as a child to discovering his adult short stories years later. This fun book gives readers a glimpse behind the curtain to learn a bit about how he worked. It includes some fun facts and information about characters that he cut from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

 

BOTTOM LINE: Don’t expect a lot of depth, but this quick read is provides a few interesting tidbits about Dahl and one of his most famous novels.