ARC Review: Moo

Moo | Sharon Creech

Published by: HarperCollins, August 30th 2016

Genre: Children's, Verse

Pages: 304

Format: Ebook

Source: HarperCollins, via Edelweiss

Fans of Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech’s Love That Dogand Hate That Cat will love her newest tween novel, Moo. This uplifting tale reminds us that if we’re open to new experiences, life is full of surprises. Following one family’s momentous move from the city to rural Maine, an unexpected bond develops between twelve-year-old Reena and one very ornery cow.

When Reena, her little brother, Luke, and their parents first move to Maine, Reena doesn’t know what to expect. She’s ready for beaches, blueberries, and all the lobster she can eat. Instead, her parents “volunteer” Reena and Luke to work for an eccentric neighbor named Mrs. Falala, who has a pig named Paulie, a cat named China, a snake named Edna—and that stubborn cow, Zora.

This heartwarming story, told in a blend of poetry and prose, reveals the bonds that emerge when we let others into our lives.

A memorable story with a big heart and unforgettable characters of many species.

I loved this story. I loved Zora. I loved the children discovering themselves in a new town, and transitioning from inside kids to outside kids (although rather them than me...) Many things are wonderful about this book - every animal has its own distinctive personality, the setting itself seems another character, even minor characters are charming and interesting. And I LOVED the preparation for showing Zora and the actual fair. This was just all lovely, and quite emotional toward the end.

Kids will love this big, heartfelt book of stubborn animals and delicate friendships.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

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ARC Review: The Screaming Statue

Curiosity House: The Screaming Statue | Lauren Oliver & H. C. Chester

Published by: Harper Collins Children's Books, May 3rd 2015

Genre: MG, Fantasy, Historical

Pages: 368

Format: Ebook

Source: Harper Collins Children's Books, via Edelweiss

In this second book in the exceptional Curiosity House series by bestselling author Lauren Oliver and shadowy recluse H. C. Chester, four extraordinary children must avenge their friend’s death, try to save their home, and unravel the secrets of their past . . . before their past unravels them.

Pippa, Sam, Thomas, and Max are happy to be out of harm’s way now that the notorious villain Nicholas Rattigan is halfway across the country in Chicago. But unfortunately their home, Dumfreys’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders, is in danger of closing its doors forever.

But their troubles only get worse. The four friends are shocked when their beloved friend, famous sculptor Siegfried Eckleberger, is murdered. As they investigate, they find clues that his death may be tied to the murder of a rich and powerful New York heiress, as well as to their own pasts.

This is the second book in the series and so boasts many wondrous and mysterious things inside, such as:

·       Howie, the “Human Owl,” whose head turns just about all the way around

·       A mean but important house cat

·       Some perfectly ghastly wax sculptures

·       A very thin boy named Chubby

·       An awful mechanical leg

It continues not to have:

·       A cautionary tale about running with scissors

·       A list of time-consuming chores

·       Nutritious and decidedly not delicious vegetables

·       A perfectly sweet bedtime story about a wayward bunny

·       Two wet kisses on the cheek from your aunt Mildred

Just as exciting and endearing as the first book.

I really enjoy the characters of this series - they make every book come to life. Sam is my favourite because he's so cute (despite his super strength and breaking things) but every character, even minor, has something that makes them stand out. No character blends into the background.

The murder mystery of this was fun - and kept me guessing. I did not see the murderer coming, although it seems pretty obvious now. The continued suspicion and mystery around Rattigan and the kids' creation added another level of suspense too. I enjoyed the story - it's not too dark, not too lighthearted, and it's thoroughly memorable.

Mystery, adventure, and characters you can't help but love. Another great installment.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★★☆

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The Shrunken Head (ARC Review)

Curiosity House: The Shrunken Head | Lauren Oliver

Published by: Harper Collins Children's Books, September 29th 2015

Genre: MG, Fantasy, Historical (pretty sure?)

Pages: 368

Format: Ebook

Source: Harper Collins Children's Books, via Edelweiss

What you will find in this book:

– A rather attractive bearded lady
– Several scandalous murders 
– A deliciously disgusting Amazonian shrunken head
– Four extraordinary children with equally extraordinary abilities 
– A quite loquacious talking bird

Blessed with extraordinary abilities, orphans Philippa, Sam, and Thomas have grown up happily in Dumfrey’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders. But when a fourth child, Max, a knife-
thrower, joins the group, it sets off an unforgettable chain of events. When the museum’s Amazonian shrunken head is stolen, the four are determined to get it back. But their search leads them to a series of murders and an explosive secret about their pasts. 

This sensational new series combines the unparalleled storytelling gifts of Lauren Oliver with the rich 
knowledge of the notorious relics collector H.C. Chester. 

What you will NOT find in this book:

– An accountant named Seymour
– A never-ending line at the post office
– Brussel sprouts (shudder)
– A lecture on finishing all your homework on time
– A sweet, gooey story for nice little girls and boys.

The Shrunken Head is cute and fun and lively, and if you're looking of a lighthearted book with a lot of heart, you need to read it. Not only does it have a cool historical feel, an engaging mystery plot, and a fascinating cast of characters, it's fast paced.

The first thing I liked was the story telling - I love the way it's written. I really felt like I was witnessing a dime museum. I also really like the four main characters, even though I do think it wouldn't have been so difficult to have a main character of colour among the four kids. The way they interacted, and how their relationships built as the book went along felt really authentic. (Plus Sam and Max were total cuties.) The story, too, is exciting - murders and curious objects and one cad of a reporter. I really enjoyed everything.

My only gripe, beside the overly white cast, is the ableism throughout, although that's mostly to be expected with the subject matter (i.e. freak show) and it is time appropriate (to when it's set, not really when it's written.) 

Still, it's pretty darn great and I recommend it.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★★☆

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The Wolf Wilder (ARC Review)

The Wolf Wilder | Katherine Rundell

Published by: Bloomsbury Childrens, September 9th 2015

Genre: Children's, Historical or Contemporary (I can't tell which, oops) (if it helps, it has a real Fantasy feel)

Pages: 256

Format: Ebook

Source: Bloomsbury Childrens, via Netgalley

Feodora and her mother live in the snowbound woods of Russia, in a house full of food and fireplaces. Ten minutes away, in a ruined chapel, lives a pack of wolves. Feodora's mother is a wolf wilder, and Feo is a wolf wilder in training. A wolf wilder is the opposite of an animal tamer: it is a person who teaches tamed animals to fend for themselves, and to fight and to run, and to be wary of humans.

When the murderous hostility of the Russian Army threatens her very existence, Feo is left with no option but to go on the run. What follows is a story of revolution and adventure, about standing up for the things you love and fighting back. And, of course, wolves.

The Wolf Wilder is what children's fiction is all about. A sweeping landscape, an unforgettable main character, a budding revolution, and wolves!

This book held my attention from the first page, so much so that I read a huge chunk of it in one sitting (50%!) I was instantly drawn into the snowy wilds of Russia, and my heart attached itself to Feo and the wolves without my knowing. This book is just so unique, and genuine, and unlike anything I've read before that it was impossible to put down.

When we get into the second half of the book, we're made aware of the state of Russia, and how beaten they are by Rakov, the terrible tyrant who rules over Feo's little corner of Russia. And we meet a slowly-building revolution, with ordinary, and angry, children at the heart of it. This book, if nothing else, tells of the power of children. And it shows, when organised and determined, that someone small can accomplish something great and affect the lives of hundreds. Feo's bravery drove this story, but her love for the wolves, her mother, and Ilya really brought it to life.

Charming and magical, The Wolf Wilder is a captivating novel of courage and love for people of all ages. I loved it!

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world-building ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★★☆

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For The Right to Learn (ARC Review)

For The Right To Learn | Rebecca Langston-George & Janna Bock

Published by: Capstone Press, September 1st 2015

Genre: Childrens, Picture Book, Non-Fiction, Biography

Pages: 42

Format: Ebook

Source: Capstone, via Netgalley

She grew up in a world where women were supposed to be quiet. But Malala Yousafzai refused to be silent. She defied the Taliban's rules, spoke out for education for every girl, and was almost killed for her beliefs. This powerful true story of how one brave girl named Malala changed the world proves that one person really can make a difference.

*A fascinating story of peace, bravery, and non-violent protest*Malala Yousafzai won the Noel Peace Prize*An inspiring, illustrated nonfiction picture book for young readers

Powerful and vitally important, For The Right To Learn makes Malala's story accessible to the young generation who need it most.

I'm really sad that the galley I got hard a LOT of overlapped text formatting, which made whole pages impossible to read, because I would have loved to read the whole thing. But even with parts illegible, the message was stark and the story unforgettable. It reads like horrifying fiction, like the darkest most scared parts of someone's imagination, but for it to be true is unbelievable for someone like me, who has never lived with conflict or the threat of the Taliban. I hope this book will educate others like me, and reach those who may have heard the name Malala Yousafzai but never known the true extent of her bravery.

The art of this story is beautiful and accentuates the story perfectly. These pages are my favourite, art-wise, even if the story it's telling is God-awful. There's just something beautiful about the colours.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world building ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★★

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