Review / Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey

March 27, 2023March 25, 2023 / ofmariaantonia / 8 Comments

Book: Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey (2021)
Author: Erin Entrada Kelly
Genre: Lower MG, Contemporary
Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Opening lines from the book …
There is a magnolia tree in Marisol Rainey’s backyard. The tree is named Peppina. It is perfect for climbing. The branches are practically made for human feet. It’s as if Peppina wanted to say: Step here, and here, and here.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…

1) Marisol is a character that’s easy to root for. She has such an imagination that she names everything from the fridge to the tree in the backyard!

2) I loved Marisol’s friend, Jada. Such a lovely friendship between the two girls. She understands Marisol’s fear of heights and encourages her to climb the tree, but isn’t too pushy. We could all use a good friend like Jada!

3) And then there’s Peppina! The first chapter gets right into it with Marisol’s fear of climbing Peppina. Will Marisol do it? Maybe?

4) I loved all the little nods to silent film. Marisol is big into watching old Mary Pickford movies and Charlie Chaplin.

5) And the art! I was looking to see who did the art, only to realize that the author and illustrator are one and the same! Who knew Erin Entrada Kelly could draw. I think the illustrations are adorable!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Definitely for the younger MG crowd. This sweet story is a lovely read!

YOUR TURN…

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Note: I’m posting this for Greg Pattridge’s Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday…

Photo Challenge #12 / Dreaming

March 25, 2023 / ofmariaantonia / 4 Comments

“Wise Little Owl” / Theme: Dreaming

A little about this photo…

The wisdom of this little owl is all about gratitude. Her name’s Athena and the wisdom she spouts is to remind me to be thankful for all the little things in life. A coin drops in for good news and (now hear this!) not-so-good news. For me, that means a rejection for a magazine story gets a coin. Not because I’m thrilled with this news but because it means that I got up and did something. I put myself out there. I think it’s a good thing when dreaming and gratitude go hand in hand.

THIS 2023 WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – This year is YEAR SIX of doing this photography challenge! (I began in 2018.) For more information about the list of prompts for this year, click on this link. And join me in posting your own photos every Saturday with #2023picoftheweek

Review / Controlled Burn

March 20, 2023March 17, 2023 / ofmariaantonia / 5 Comments

Book: Controlled Burn (2022)
Author: Erin Soderberg Downing
Genre: MG, Contemporary
Publisher: Scholastic Press

Opening lines from the book …
I felt the fire before I saw it. It wasn’t the suffocating heat or the smell of smoke that hit me first. Nor did I see the claws of flames that eventually reached into every corner to rip apart our lives.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…

1) The story begins with … you guessed it … a fire. Maia’s at home, babysitting her little sister when the fire breaks out. Amelia (the sister) ends up in the hospital and Maia is really scared that it’s all her fault! Yeah, a lot of guilt processing in this book.

2) Anyhow, she ends up going to stay with her grandparents. She doesn’t really know them too well. I immediately liked Grandpa. (He drives a motorcycle!). And Grandma’s good too. Still, Maia’s not too nuts about being away from home. (Even though she doesn’t really have a home!)

3) Not only is Maia dealing with guilt, but she also deals with fear. Of pretty much EVERYTHING. She spends most days with Grandpa who watches for forest fires in the fire tower, but Maia is scared to climb to the top with him.

4) There’s a stray dog that hangs out with Grandpa, although Grandpa won’t give him a name. I like how Maia changes that.

5) The cover kind of gives away the end. But you can probably guess this book has to end in another fire, just from the book title alone! So, you’re in for some excitement at the end.

6) I really liked the “Stages of a Fire” sections that broke up the various chapters.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This book was a teeny bit hard for me to read as I have my own fire-trauma story (not a house-burned-down experience but close!) But I did enjoy the book overall. I was definitely rooting for Maia. And I’m a sucker for grandparents in books, so there’s that!

YOUR TURN…

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Note: I’m posting this for Greg Pattridge’s Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday…

Photo Challenge #11 / Eye-catching

March 18, 2023March 18, 2023 / ofmariaantonia / 9 Comments

“Indoor Icicles” / Theme: Eye-catching

A little about this photo…

As the snow melts outside, these are really the only kind of icicles I need. Pretty, aren’t they? They’re made with pipe cleaners, water, and borax powder. Et voila! We get indoor icicles!

Here are a few more shots up close …

PB Review / While We Wait

March 16, 2023March 15, 2023 / ofmariaantonia / 3 Comments

Book: While We Wait (2022)
Author: Judy Ann Sadler
Illustrator: Élodie Duhameau
Publisher: Owl Kids
Genre: Picture Book

Opening Lines of the Book…
Everything is ready,
there’s nothing left to do.
Grandma says, to fill the time,
let’s sit and
knit and
wait.

MY THOUGHTS…

This is a lovely book about a grandma and her oh-so-impatient grandson as they wait, wait, wait! They sit and knit (or at least Gran knits!) and stretch and rock. And wait. I had my suspicions about what they’re waiting for (and I was right), but when the moment came it was done in such a beautiful way that I was deeply moved! Such a lovely picture book!

I also found the art to be quite appealing. I love how both Gran and the boy have glasses!

12 CHALLENGE

12 months to feature 12 picture books…

This picture book review is part of a monthly challenge I’ve set for myself. Have a recommendation for me? I’d love to hear about it in the comments. (Published within the past 3 years, please!). I may just feature your pick one of these months!

Review / New Kids and Underdogs

March 13, 2023March 11, 2023 / ofmariaantonia / 13 Comments

Book: New Kids and Underdogs (2022)
Author: Margaret Finnegan
Genre: MG, Contemporary
Publisher: Atheneum Books

Opening lines from the book …
Robyn Kellen stepped out of the car and stared at her new home. It was not much to look at. A small, boxy house covered in stucco, with gravel and succulents where a front lawn should have been. But there was a palm tree. People had promised California would have palm trees.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…

1) Robyn is a new kid … again. After a visit to her dad’s, she comes home to her mom’s new house. And she’s glad for the constant in her life, her dogs, Sundae and Fudge.

2) When Robyn goes to school, she meets two new friends, Lulu and Marshan. These girls are popular and right off the bat we see that they’re not the best friends for Robyn. And while we know that, I like how the author doesn’t make them “evil.” Of course, she’s got to learn that her true friends are Nestor, Alejandra, etc.

3) I like Robyn’s babysitter Nivien and the advice she gives near the end. I actually wish we got to know her a little earlier in the book. All she seems to do initially is walk with Robyn to school or wherever. I love how the relationship works by the end of the book.

4) When Robyn’s at her dad’s, she gets a phone. Let’s just say that Mom didn’t really like that idea. I love how she puts all the no-phone rules in the house. But I also like that when Robyn needs to do research, Mom agrees that it’s okay to use said phone in a no-phone area!

5) Fudge and Sundae are wonderful dogs and Robyn obviously loves them very much. “Poor Fudgie” is nearly blind and Sundae has fear issues due to his chaotic life as a puppy previous to living with Robyn. I love how all of this comes into play in the story.

6) And finally, let’s get to the agility training. Such a fun, interesting topic of dog training. And I loved Nestor’s ability training for Fudge!

FINAL THOUGHTS

This is a book for anybody who’s been a new kid! And also for dog lovers. The agility training parts of the story were very interesting.

YOUR TURN…

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Note: I’m posting this for Greg Pattridge’s Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday…

Photo Challenge #10 / Gotcha!

March 11, 2023March 10, 2023 / ofmariaantonia / 2 Comments

“It’s Snowing” / Theme: Gotcha!

A little about this photo…

When March hits, I start to think about getting my garden ready. I don’t really expect a snowstorm! But I have to remind myself. March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. (Sometimes, it goes out like a lion, too!) I really shouldn’t be surprised.

But I AM ready for a little Spring!

Review / Who Killed Darius Drake?

March 6, 2023March 4, 2023 / ofmariaantonia / 6 Comments

Book: Who Killed Darius Drake? (2017)
Author: Rodman Philbrick
Genre: MG, Mystery
Publisher: Blue Sky Press

Opening lines from the book …
Whatever you’ve heard about Darius Drake is probably wrong. Dead wrong. Some of the stories are lies, some are mistaken, and the rest were invented by Darius himself, to fool his enemies.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…

1) The title definitely brings you in. When you start reading, you’ll notice that Darius Drake is very much alive. Although, he’s an orphan and his parents were killed in a car crash. The thing is, it may just be a matter of some time before, you know…

2) I like that the story is told from the POV of the school bully, Arthur “Bash Man.” But Arthur isn’t your typical bully because he’s more of a thug-for-hire. And he gets paid in chocolate bars. What I like is that he and Darius team up and you find that he’s more than the thug facade he hides behind.

3) I like how Arthur’s step-sister comes into the plot. And she’s a pretty positive influence for the boys!

4) There’s a nice bit of Holmes/Watson in this story. Darius definitely has the personality of Sherlock Holmes and Arthur that of Watson. And there’s a mystery afoot!

5) Darius has a grandfather that turns up with a complicated past. Adds to the mystery of the whole thing. And there’s secret rooms and all sorts of great stuff.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’d definitely recommend this book to people who like mysteries, especially if you like a good Sherlock Holmes’ story. This is kind of like a middle-grade version of that!

YOUR TURN…

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Note: I’m posting this for Greg Pattridge’s Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday…

Photo Challenge #9 / Pick a Letter

March 4, 2023March 3, 2023 / ofmariaantonia / 1 Comment

“Time for T” / Theme: Pick a Letter

A little about this photo…

I’m going with the letter T. And the best word that begins with this letter is also a word that sounds like the letter itself: TEA! Here I’m enjoying a cup of Darjeeling tea, the kind of tea I use when I’m feeling a little fancy.

(Note: As you can see, this apparently is a souvenir of Vancouver, Canada. I’ve actually never been to Vancouver. However, it WAS a gift from my sister, but I don’t think she’s been to Vancouver either. I’m pretty sure this was an awesome thrift store find. And every time I look at it, I remember my awesome sister!)

Review / Bad Kitty Goes on Vacation

February 27, 2023February 25, 2023 / ofmariaantonia / 5 Comments

Book: Bad Kitty Goes on Vacation (2020)
Author: Nick Bruel
Genre: Lower MG, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Opening lines from the book …
Radio: It’s time for a vacation giveaway!
Uncle Murray (in the shower): A vacation giveaway?!
Radio: THAT’S RIGHT! A vacation giveaway!
Uncle Murray: I want a vacation! I NEED a vacation! I haven’t had a vacation in years!

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…

1) This is Uncle Murray’s story. He wins a trip to LOVE LOVE ANGEL KITTY WORLD (which is kind of like if Hello Kitty met Walt Disney World!) Anyhow, guess who really likes Love Love Angel Kitty? Who adores Love Love Angel Kitty? (Can you tell how much I like saying Love Love Angel Kitty?!) If you guessed Bad Kitty herself, then you’re a winner!

2) They initially try the airport. But there are problems. And issues. (As you can see from the cover art, they have to drive.)

3) And don’t think the problems stop when they get to Love Love Angel Kitty World. (Spoiler! Ironically, no cats are allowed in the theme park. But Uncle Murray and Kitty won’t let that stop them.)

4) And then there are the height requirements. Oh boy! That leads them to the only ride they can enjoy together … It’s a Small Wor— Well, let’s just say you’ll be singing a song over and over again. (Poor Uncle Murray!)

5) Yes, the book is funny. But the best BAD KITTY books have heart to them, and this one comes through in the end!

FINAL THOUGHTS

A fun book for BAD KITTY and Uncle Murray fans. If you haven’t read this series, I’d start with the first books. (Not all the books are my favorites, but I really like Bad Kitty Vs. Uncle Murray and Bad Kitty Meets the Baby.)