Take a photo of a barcode or cover
anabel_unker's Reviews (1.16k)
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
Looking for an escape for all different reasons, three young women join the Women's Land Army in search of a fresh start. Beatrice, the spoiled daughter of a wealthy war-hero, fights against her parent's expectations while also trying to prove herself as something more than just a pretty face. Rosie, a factory worker and survivor of childhood abuse, who follows her own set of rules to prevent from getting hurt again. And Keeva, a girl who struggles to find her own identy outside of her father's Conchie status.
Thrust into the back-breaking, and often thankless, work of training to be a Lumberjill, the three fight against each other and themselves throughout the majority of this story. The environment is lush and beautifully described, and the amount of research Foat did comes through in the authentic feel of her writing. It's heartbreaking to think that these fictional women's stories were modelled after real-life counterparts, their journey inspired by 60 Lumberjill's own experiences.
While I found it difficut to connect and sympathise with the main characters until the last 20% of the book, Foat did a wonderful job of justifying their decisions through accurate characterization. Every bit of dialouge and action was explainable by their intrisic motivations-- even if I didn't end up liking the three women very much.
Overall, THE LUMBERJILLS is good choice for anyone looking to learn more about the Lumberjills and the Women's Land Army.
Looking for an escape for all different reasons, three young women join the Women's Land Army in search of a fresh start. Beatrice, the spoiled daughter of a wealthy war-hero, fights against her parent's expectations while also trying to prove herself as something more than just a pretty face. Rosie, a factory worker and survivor of childhood abuse, who follows her own set of rules to prevent from getting hurt again. And Keeva, a girl who struggles to find her own identy outside of her father's Conchie status.
Thrust into the back-breaking, and often thankless, work of training to be a Lumberjill, the three fight against each other and themselves throughout the majority of this story. The environment is lush and beautifully described, and the amount of research Foat did comes through in the authentic feel of her writing. It's heartbreaking to think that these fictional women's stories were modelled after real-life counterparts, their journey inspired by 60 Lumberjill's own experiences.
While I found it difficut to connect and sympathise with the main characters until the last 20% of the book, Foat did a wonderful job of justifying their decisions through accurate characterization. Every bit of dialouge and action was explainable by their intrisic motivations-- even if I didn't end up liking the three women very much.
Overall, THE LUMBERJILLS is good choice for anyone looking to learn more about the Lumberjills and the Women's Land Army.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
Quinn, Quinnie, or Quinn(ie) is a thirteen year-old girl who somewhat happily lives in the margins. In the shadow of her gold-star brother who's off to college, on the outskirts of her main friends (including Jack, her childhood Best Friend), and overall just not noticed by anyone or anything. Quinn doesn't know what she wants or what she can do. Stuck in the rut of being a below-average student who no one expects much out of, she spends her days not turning in assignments, attempting skating tricks, and trying to avoid her parents near-constant fighting.
Her life, and the book, is split into three parts-- before, during, and after. Written in verse, the readers follow Quinn through a couple of different types of growth. We watch, through Quinn's eyes, as the neighborhood around her falls apart and begins to rebuild following a devestating tornado. We are also treated to Quinn's personal growth as she begins to decide what type of person she wants to be.
ODE TO NOBODY is one of the most moving middle grade books I've read in a long time. While Caroline Brooks DuBois touches on so many pertient and universal experiences. With the recent increase in natural disasters, many readers will relate to Quinn losing her home and the rebuilding of her community. But everyone will relate to her personal journey out outgrowing friendships, parental divorce, and the pains of growing up.
Quinn, Quinnie, or Quinn(ie) is a thirteen year-old girl who somewhat happily lives in the margins. In the shadow of her gold-star brother who's off to college, on the outskirts of her main friends (including Jack, her childhood Best Friend), and overall just not noticed by anyone or anything. Quinn doesn't know what she wants or what she can do. Stuck in the rut of being a below-average student who no one expects much out of, she spends her days not turning in assignments, attempting skating tricks, and trying to avoid her parents near-constant fighting.
Her life, and the book, is split into three parts-- before, during, and after. Written in verse, the readers follow Quinn through a couple of different types of growth. We watch, through Quinn's eyes, as the neighborhood around her falls apart and begins to rebuild following a devestating tornado. We are also treated to Quinn's personal growth as she begins to decide what type of person she wants to be.
ODE TO NOBODY is one of the most moving middle grade books I've read in a long time. While Caroline Brooks DuBois touches on so many pertient and universal experiences. With the recent increase in natural disasters, many readers will relate to Quinn losing her home and the rebuilding of her community. But everyone will relate to her personal journey out outgrowing friendships, parental divorce, and the pains of growing up.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
In the utterly charming graphic novel, THE SPRITE AND THE GARDENER, gardening sprites are not quite as needed as they once were. People have taken it upon themselves to tame nature, and so sprites spend their days enjoying sun rays and finding the prettiest blossoms. Wisteria, a sprite new to the area, finds herself on the outside of the local group and eventually begins trying to help a failing flower garden flourish.
This is a story with a lovely moral about friendship and opening yourself up to new possibilites. The artwork is just... stunning-- every page feels like it's own masterpiece. Lush and so vivid it feels like you could just step into the picture, TSATG is a true delight to read and experience. This books is perfect for people who love beautiful graphic novels, elementary or middle school readers, or people who want to live in a Studio Ghibli film!!
In the utterly charming graphic novel, THE SPRITE AND THE GARDENER, gardening sprites are not quite as needed as they once were. People have taken it upon themselves to tame nature, and so sprites spend their days enjoying sun rays and finding the prettiest blossoms. Wisteria, a sprite new to the area, finds herself on the outside of the local group and eventually begins trying to help a failing flower garden flourish.
This is a story with a lovely moral about friendship and opening yourself up to new possibilites. The artwork is just... stunning-- every page feels like it's own masterpiece. Lush and so vivid it feels like you could just step into the picture, TSATG is a true delight to read and experience. This books is perfect for people who love beautiful graphic novels, elementary or middle school readers, or people who want to live in a Studio Ghibli film!!
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
An imaginative retelling of the classic fairy tale 'Rumpelstiltskin', GOLD SPUN is told through the viewpoint of Nor-- a war orphan scrabbling for a dishonest living with her three brothers by tricking people into buying their newest snake oil. However, after a disappointing reconnaissance of a nearby town, Nor stumbles across the distressing scene of a Faerie man captured by two ruffians. After taking the risk to free him-- what follows sets in motion a story of war, drama, and the classic YA love triangle.
Our heroine, Nor, is rough around the edges and fiercley loyal to herself (and her brothers)-- well aware it's her against everyone else. Her character development was realistic, and I enjoyed getting to watch her grow into someone who thinks outside her personal bubble.
GOLD SPUN is a solid choice for young adult readers, fans of magic and PG romance, or anyone who enjoys a good fairy tale retelling!
An imaginative retelling of the classic fairy tale 'Rumpelstiltskin', GOLD SPUN is told through the viewpoint of Nor-- a war orphan scrabbling for a dishonest living with her three brothers by tricking people into buying their newest snake oil. However, after a disappointing reconnaissance of a nearby town, Nor stumbles across the distressing scene of a Faerie man captured by two ruffians. After taking the risk to free him-- what follows sets in motion a story of war, drama, and the classic YA love triangle.
Our heroine, Nor, is rough around the edges and fiercley loyal to herself (and her brothers)-- well aware it's her against everyone else. Her character development was realistic, and I enjoyed getting to watch her grow into someone who thinks outside her personal bubble.
GOLD SPUN is a solid choice for young adult readers, fans of magic and PG romance, or anyone who enjoys a good fairy tale retelling!
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
In this English translation of a French comic, WHO OWNS THE CLOUDS is a graphic novel exploring the impact of war on a child, Mila. She tells the reader about her dreams, her sleeping and her need to stay awake, and her game of guessing who owns the clouds.
It's spellbinding and beautiful, the artwork reminiscent of vintage advertisments but lovingly rendered. While the story itself is simple, the story is full of layers-- each one peeled back to reveal another heartbreak. It touches base on PTSD, coping mechanisms, and the way childlike innocence can protect a child from understanding horrors.
In this English translation of a French comic, WHO OWNS THE CLOUDS is a graphic novel exploring the impact of war on a child, Mila. She tells the reader about her dreams, her sleeping and her need to stay awake, and her game of guessing who owns the clouds.
It's spellbinding and beautiful, the artwork reminiscent of vintage advertisments but lovingly rendered. While the story itself is simple, the story is full of layers-- each one peeled back to reveal another heartbreak. It touches base on PTSD, coping mechanisms, and the way childlike innocence can protect a child from understanding horrors.
