Revenge of the Teacher's Pets by Jennifer Ziegler. Brewster Triplets #4. 256 p. Scholastic Inc., June, 2018. 9781338081236. (Review from finished copy courtesy of publisher.)
The Brewster sisters are all set to start seventh grade with a splash until their schedules come and they discover that they have different schedules. The only class they have together is their elective and they are upset to find that they are in cheer instead of color guard. Seems that one of them were swayed by the snacks instead of devotion to color guard! They beg their principal to change their schedule but he suggests that it might be good for them to have differing schedules.
As with all the Brewster triplet books, the POV shifts between the painfully shy Darby, hyperactive Delaney and bossy Dawn as they negotiate middle school without being attached at the hip. Dawn's plans always seem to backfire and Darby and Delaney discover some new friends away from Dawn's constant direction.
It was such fun watching these girls grow up. This series is fun, frequently laugh-out-loud funny and oh so true in so many sisterly ways.
Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora. Unpgd. Little, Brown and Company, October 2, 2018. 978031643218. (Review from arc courtesy of publisher via SLJ Basecamp.)
There is a note to the reader on the front end-pages that explains the pronunciation of "Omu," (AH-moo) and the fact that it is the Igbo term for queen. Take a closer look at the collage of a neighborhood and you see that the story actually begins there. A ribbon wafts out of a window at the top floor of a building. The title page shows a white-haired lady toting shopping bags in front of a building where a black pot sits in a top floor window.
Omu is making red stew. When she tastes it, she proclaims it the best she ever had. With the aroma of her stew drifting out the window, she goes to read a book while the stew simmers and thickens.
Someone knocks on the door. She opens it to find a little neighbor boy drawn by the delicious smell. She shares it with him. Once he is on his way, she returns to her book only to hear another knock at her door. It is a police officer. The stew is large, so she shares. And shares. And shares as one neighbor after another knocks.
At dinnertime, Omu finds her stew pot empty. But then there is another knock at her door.
This exuberant debut is sure to be a favorite read aloud. It's sort of a reverse Stone Soup. The crisp collages help propel the story of a generous soul. There's a lot to like here from the multicultural cast of neighbors to the small details in the collage work to the heartwarming story. Thank you, Omu! is not to be missed!
Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Hop on over there to ogle what other bloggers got this week.
For review:
Bone Soup: a spooky, tasty tale by Alyssa Satin Capucilli. Illustrated by Tom Knight. unpgd. Paula Wiseman Books/ Simon & Schuster, July, 2018. 9781481486088.
Publisher synopsis: Three little witches and a bunch of spooky characters come together to prepare a delicious batch of Bone Soup in this Halloween tale based on the beloved fable, Stone Soup. This just-scary-enough picture book comes with a recipe for Bone Soup—perfect for Halloween eating.
Trick-or-treat? Trick-or-treat!
We’ve something usually good to eat!
One Halloween morning three witches are looking for a tasty treat and they find only a small bone in their cupboard. So they decide to go from door to door in their village to find just the right ingredients for their Bone Soup. No one in the village is convinced that soup can be made from a bone, until the littlest monster reveals just what the special ingredient should be.
Purchased: Nothing! But I do have a few books in the shopping cart on Amazon b/c I have gift certificates to spend.
That's what's new with me. What's new with you? Leave a link to your haul in the comments and I will stop by.
The Great Penguin Rescue: saving the African penguins by Sandra Markle. 48 p. Millbrook Press/ Lerner Publishing Group, September, 2017. 9781512413151. (Review of purchased finished copy.)
Did you know that there are penguin colonies off the coast of the African countries of Namibia and South Africa? Back in the 1800s, they numbered in the millions, but human interference such as harvesting eggs, overfishing, and disturbing nesting sites have driven their numbers down to less than 50,000. Fact Friday features The Great Penguin Rescue by Sandra Markle.
Science writer Markle explains the plight of the African penguin in a beautifully designed book filled with plenty of gorgeous full-color photographs. She tugs at the reader's heartstrings with the story of a hungry chick awaiting her parents' return. Adult penguins return from the ocean to feed their young, but our little chick waits in vain. Another day and night go by before the chick wanders off. Sob!
Markle's strength as a science writer is her ability to make an emotional connection with the reader and then explain complicated science concepts in a straightforward, accessible manner. She also highlights the work of scientists and conservation volunteers. Lerner's strength is in designing beautiful backgrounds, colors and font that keep the reader engaged. There is at least one full-color photo on every page. All are well-captioned and support the text. There are also maps and charts to enhance understanding.
Backmatter includes an author's note, a "Did You Know?" page, a timeline, source notes, a glossary, a list of three books and four websites for readers who want to learn more about African penguins. This book belongs in every school, public and science classroom library.
A visit to Ms. Markle's website revealed the news that she has a new book releasing this January! Thanks for the heads up!
Redwall by Brian Jacques. Illustrated by Troy Howell. 351 p. Philomel Books, June, 1987. 9780399214240. (Own)
#tbt features Redwall by Brian Jacques (pronounced Jakes). Jacques wrote Redwall for the special friends he had been reading to at a school for the blind. He didn't like the books and wrote his own. Redwall is the first book in the Redwall series and was published in 1986. He wrote twenty two more until his death in 2011, with the last book being published posthumously.
Redwall is an abbey where animals live in peace. Young Matthias dreams of adventure. That comes in the form of Cluny the Scourge, a huge rat with a poisonous tail. He dreams of making Redwall Abbey his own. All the characters are animals and they all have their own curious dialect, making the reading a bit difficult. Hang in there. The books are satisfying reading, especially if you enjoy animal fantasy.
My family owns the tenth anniversary edition. I love the cover of this one.
The Deceiver's Heart by Jennifer A. Nielsen. The Traitor's Game series #2. 384 p. Scholastic Inc., February 26, 2019. 9781338045413.
Publisher synopsis: In this sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller The Traitor's Game, Kestra Dallisor has finally gained possession of the Olden Blade. With the dagger in her control, she attempts to destroy the tyrannical Lord Endrick. But when Kestra fails, the king strips her of her memory, and leaves her weak and uncertain, bound to obey him. Heartbroken, Simon is desperate to return Kestra to the rebel she was, but refuses to use magic to heal her. With untrusting Coracks and Halderians threatening to capture and kill her, and war looming on the horizon, Kestra and Simon will have to learn to trust each other again if they have any hope of surviving. But can a heart once broken ever be healed?
I posted a review of The Traitor's Heart yesterday.
The Traitor's Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen. Traitor's Game series #1. Unabridged downloadable audiobook. 11 hours. Read by Jesse Vilinski and Michael Curran-Dorsano. Scholastic Audio, February, 2018. (Review from downloadable audio borrowed from public library.)
Teen Tuesday features a new series by Jennifer Nielsen. Fans of The False Prince will enjoy The Traitor's Game. Sixteen-year-old Kestra has been summoned home to Highwyn by her father. She has been away for three years and wonders what her stern father wants. Her party is attacked by a band of Coracks, who hold Kestra's maid and beloved guard and mentor hostage. The ransom? They want her to find and recover the Olden Blade, a weapon with magical properties fabled to be the only weapon that can kill the immortal and evil Lord Endrick.
The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Kestra and Simon, one of her captors, who is a former servant with a grudge. This court intrigue fantasy is pretty violent and betrayal and plot twists abound leaving readers to anticipate the next installment. While no new ground is broken here, the quick pace and suspense will have appeal for readers who like their fantasy fast and furious.
The world-building was a bit vague. The narrators were both new to me. Jesse Vilinsky's clipped, no-nonsense, almost monotone delivery had initial appeal, but soon wore thin. Curran-Dorsano's delivery had more emotion. I am definitely on board for the sequel; but will probably opt to read with my eyes.
