Waiting on Wednesday: Just Like That by Gary D. Schmidt

Image: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Just Like That by Gary D. Schmidt. 400 p. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, January 5, 2021. 9780544084773.

Happy Wednesday! Waiting on Wednesday features Just Like That by Gary D. Schmidt. I'm a huge fan of Mr. Schmidt's books. They are extraordinary - literary, humorous and peopled with memorable characters. 

On January 5, readers will get to read about Meryl Lee Kowalski, who, following the death of her best friend in the summer of 1968, heads off to a girls' prep school. While she's trying to navigate the social hierarchy that favors the rich students, Mike Coffin comes to town with a pillowcase full of money he stole from a gang. He's on the run with angry criminals in pursuit.

While you're waiting, check out some of Mr. Schmidt's other titles like, The Wednesday Wars, Okay for Now or Orbiting Jupiter among others.

Board Book Review: This is a Book of Shapes by Kenneth Kraegel

 

Images: Candlewick Press

This is a Book of Shapes by Kenneth Kraegel. unpgd. Candlewick Press, September, 2020. 9781536207019. (Review of finished board book courtesy of publisher.)

Concept books can be rather dry things unless the author and/ or illustrator does something to shake things up. Generally, clean lines, brilliant colors or textures capture and hold interest. We have all that here in this sturdy, attractive board book, and then some. A visit by an emu, a porpoise and a hippo shake things up a bit by their unexpectedness. But what to do about the pineapple? This whimsical book is bound to spark giggles and conversation. Such fun!

What's New? Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Hop on over there to ogle what other bloggers got this week.

When I enter book contests, I usually don't expect to win. Occasionally, I am surprised when I do. I didn't win the giveaway for Every Missing Piece, but I received a consolation prize of bookmarks! Thank you Melanie Conklin!

For Review: I received a finished copy of The Black Friend. I received an arc of this, recently read it and plan on reviewing it soon.

Image: Candlewick Press

The Black Friend: on being a better white person by Frederick Joseph. 252 p. Candlewick Press, December, 2020. 
9781536217018.

Publisher synopsis: “We don’t see color.” “I didn’t know Black people liked Star Wars!” “What hood are you from?” For Frederick Joseph, life as a transfer student in a largely white high school was full of wince-worthy moments that he often simply let go. As he grew older, however, he saw these as missed opportunities not only to stand up for himself, but to spread awareness to those white people who didn’t see the negative impact they were having.

Speaking directly to the reader, The Black Friend calls up race-related anecdotes from the author’s past, weaving in his thoughts on why they were hurtful and how he might handle things differently now. Each chapter features the voice of at least one artist or activist, including Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give; April Reign, creator of #OscarsSoWhite; Jemele Hill, sports journalist and podcast host; and eleven others. Touching on everything from cultural appropriation to power dynamics, “reverse racism” to white privilege, microaggressions to the tragic results of overt racism, this book serves as conversation starter, tool kit, and invaluable window into the life of a former “token Black kid” who now presents himself as the friend many readers need. Backmatter includes an encyclopedia of racism, providing details on relevant historical events, terminology, and more.

Writing from the perspective of a friend, Frederick Joseph offers candid reflections on his own experiences with racism and conversations with prominent artists and activists about theirs—creating an essential read for white people who are committed anti-racists and those newly come to the cause of racial justice.

Purchased: Nothing! But my school's PTO is having an Online Scholastic Book Fair and I have some books in my shopping cart! 

If you leave a comment, leave the link to your stack. I will pop by and to check out your stack! 

Fact Friday: Almost American Girl: an illustrated memoir by Robin Ha

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Almost American Girl: an illustrated memoir by Robin Ha. 240 p. Balzer + Bray/ HarperCollins Publishers, January, 2020. 9780062685094. (Review of finished copy borrowed from public library.)

Fact Friday features Almost American Girl: an illustrated memoir by Robin Ha. This graphic novel memoir movingly depicts the author's experience from the time her single-mother took fourteen-year-old Chuna to America for "vacation" in the middle of the school year to visit friends in Huntsville, Alabama through college. She liked her host family well enough but when Chuna's mom announced that she was getting married and Chuna would begin school, she's devastated. She speaks almost no English. While her now step-family is kind enough, the eldest daughter, who is supposed to be helping Chuna at school, isn't. Her bond with her mom is still strong despite the upheaval and her mom reminds Chuna how much she loves to draw. She enrolls her in a cartooning class, where Chuna finds friendship at class and solace in her art.

The palette of this graphic novel is mostly muted blues. Chuna's memories of her life in Korea and the different bullying she received there because of her mother's unmarried status, are depicted in browns. The art is enthralling. 

Though the abrupt changes in Chuna's life are crushing, Ms. Ha's memoir is not bitter. There are plenty of moments of hilarity mixed with the disruptions and tension. Fans of graphic novel memoirs will love this one.

#tbt: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Image: Candlewick Press

Happy Thursday! #tbt celebrates the 20th anniversary of one of my favorite books! It was twenty years ago this past Tuesday that Kate DiCamillo's debut, Because of Winn-Dixie was published! 

Motherless Opal Buloni moves to a trailer park in Naomi, Florida with her father, The Preacher. Opal spies a dog tearing up and down the aisles of the Winn-Dixie supermarket wrecking things and causing mayhem. On impulse, she claims the dog is hers and takes him home. She names him Winn-Dixie; the two form a strong bond and Winn-Dixie helps Opal to settle in to her new home and meet new friends, many of whom are older members of the community.

Because of Winn-Dixie was named a Newbery Honor (not bad for a debut), and received the Josette Frank Award as well as the Twain Award. The NEA put it on its list of 100 Top Books for Children and it won numerous State Reading Awards. It certainly is a favorite at TMS. It was adapted for film in 2007.

If you love character-driven stories that have a leisurely pace and tug at the heartstrings, Because of Winn-Dixie is the book for you. I am so happy this book is in the world. I think I saw that there is an anniversary edition available, but haven't been able to find it yet. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Across the Pond by Joy McCullough

Image: Simon & Schuster

Waiting on Wednesday features Across the Pond by Joy McCullough. 288 p. Atheneum Books for Young Readers/ Simon & Schuster, March 16, 2021. 9781534471214.

Here's the publisher synopsis for this book that is due out on March 16: Callie can’t wait for her new life to start. After a major friendship breakup in San Diego, moving overseas to Scotland gives her the perfect chance to reinvent herself. On top of that, she’s going to live in a real-life castle!

But as romantic as life in a castle sounds, the reality is a little less comfortable: it’s run-down, freezing, and crawling with critters. Plus, starting off on the wrong foot with the gardener’s granddaughter doesn’t help her nerves about making new friends. So she comes up with the perfect solution: she’ll be homeschooled. Her parents agree, on one condition: she has to participate in a social activity.

Inspired by a journal that she finds hidden in her bedroom, Callie decides to join a birding club. Sure, it sounds unusual, but at least it’s not sports or performing. But when she clashes with the club leader, she risks losing a set of friends all over again. Will she ever be able to find her flock and make this strange new place feel like home?

I happen to love moving household stories, have always wanted to live in a castle and am an avid birder. This sounds like the book for me.

Teen Tuesday: Layoverland by Gabby Noone

Image: Penguin Random House

Layoverland by Gabby Noone. 304 p. Razorbill/ Penguin Random House, January, 2020. 9781984836120. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Teen Tuesday features Layoverland by Gabbie Noone. Our narrator in this superb debut is seventeen-year-old Bea, a snarky, prickly cynic who keeps everyone at arm's length and doesn't suffer fools lightly. She's ugly-crying in her car after a fight with her sister when she's hit head-on by another car. When she awakens, she's on a plane bound for...where now? She's wearing the unfortunate outfit she had on and her mascara is running but can't be wiped off. Turns out, Bea died instantly and is on board a plane headed for the afterlife. Only Bea has some unresolved issues and doesn't have a connecting flight to her final destination. She's stuck at the airport, has to sleep in an airport motel and all her food is encased in jello. She's been given a job and has to help thousands of souls find out what their unresolved issues are and help them move on before she herself can move on. To make matters worse, the dude who plowed into her is also stuck in Layoverland and it's Bea's job to help him move on. No way, Bea is determined to make him suffer. There's a problem though. He's very cute. 

So, this is a coming-of-age story even though the protagonist is dead. Hilariously funny and yet surprisingly deep and poignant. I just loved the voice in this sparkling debut.