Joe Hill is getting his own graphic novel imprint called Hil House Comics. This is their first book. Joe Hill has taken up his father’s torch in the horror genre, but also made it his own by going the way of graphic novels. This mystery is full of blood and guts and the big question is, who is telling the truth. Plus all the talking heads in the basket… This was a disgustingly fun read. I bet it eventually gets optioned for TV or movie. If you like horror and graphic novels, you are sure to like this book.
#BBRC
#Booked2020
#Beat the Back List 

 This was an interesting graphic novel. A girl was shy in middle school but really liked this one boy who talked to her one day. They were supposed to meet one night but he never showed up and completely disappeared from school. Now it's highschool, the boy is back with a different name and a new attitude. An attitude that gets the girl thinking about the choices she made to be popular in highschool. I can see lots of teens loving this series. I liked it, but I will not continue. It’s more HS drama that I care for, but I know exactly whose hands to put it in.
#BBRC #Orangeyougladtoseeme
#PopSugar 

 This was a nice read to go with the rest of the series.  The story “pits” superheroes against real people to show kids that they are one and the same. 

 Lovely and fun.  The words, the illustration, all of it.  I too wait for mail everyday, but no one has ever sent me a dragon and I am a little jealous. 

 This was an interesting graphic novel.  I can’t say it was short and sweet, more like short and creepy.  The major thing is, I have seen this story before.  Not this exact book, but the story.  I am not sure if it is an old folk tale or what, but I know I have seen this story done before.  Saying that, I still like this book for the excellent illustrations. But to get the full story, I will probably have to read book 2. 

 What a fun graphic novel and introduction of middle grade superheros/villans.  Everything about this worked.  The illustrations feel like marvel but look like Marigold.  Plus the story would have universal appeal and hits many diversity points that makes it almost perfect for everyone.  I hope there is a sequel and that I can get my hands on it soon. 

 

I have made it to the end and I LOVED it.  This book is at once YA, but something I would have no problem (and will probably) handing over to my 5th grade nephew.  The cover may be purple/pink and gold but there is something there for everyone.  

Rue is just a girl in her hood, East Row.  Or at least she was just a girl.  Until the day her mother died. She had no idea that magic existed, and that she can possess it.  But in typical fashion for someone who feels abandoned, she is not too happy with the father she just met.  Not only has he not been in the picture for as long as she could remember, but he has taken her away from her hood, from her sister, and from the life she was living.  Magic is nice and all, but Rue would give it all back to have her sister.

There are lots of discussions of #TeamJamal, or #TeamJulius.  I can’t really pick on.  I lean one way, but the thing is, this isn’t a romance.  There are some feelings, but it’s a side action.  We are just barely introduced to these characters.  This story is not about a love triangle.  This story is about Rue, her sister, and her home.  All of her homes.

But something sinister is going on in the Row.  Guns, Drugs, Thugs.  And somehow her sister is involved.  Rue is going to get to the bottom of the danger in her hood, figure out her new magical life, and hopefully survive the entire ordeal.

Readers will see modern politics reflected in these pages, but it is reflected in a way that is approachable and makes for teachable moments.  Black kids will see themselves, their family, their home.  White kids, hopefully will get a better understanding of what it feels like to be Black in american society or at least hopefully understand why or how our views are flawed.  Bri is an example of someone who doesn’t understand at first but tries to learn, like many in our modern society should try to do.  

This book was a fabulous read.  The Black Girl Magic spills from the pages.  And while I was constantly asking questions, or was annoyed with Rue for not giving her dad a chance, it all was wrapped up in a nice neat package that left a smile on my face at the end.  But the story hasn’t ended, and as a member of Rue’s Crew, I am really hoping J. Elle will be generous with galleys for book 2.  I don’t think I can wait an entire nother year to find out what happens in Ghazan.

 

I was really looking forward to this book.  I liked the premise and the start.  The idea of a haunted or cursed publisher who must appease a doll or dry trying was interesting, but not what I was expecting.  I expected a bit more Christmas or holiday to be honest.  WIth a title like secret Santa and the cover I expected something more like Black Christmas or Crampus.  You could take this book and set it at a birthday or a staff training day and still get the same story.  So for that aspect I didn’t like it.  I also was not a fan of the ending.  It felt like so much was maybe not building up, but more like chugging along, and then the end was ramrodded in.  Overall i did like this book, but I’ll never read it again.  And am disappointed I bought it for someone else without reading it first.

In Marshmallow Hollow, Maine, every day is Christmas.  Due to the town factory that manufactures christmas decorations, the town has gone christmas crazy.  It kind of reminds me of Santa Claus, Indiana, except for the theme park.  But wait, there is an evil developer in town trying to get people to sell their shops and lands to develop that theme park. Unfortunately he turns up dead and it’s up to Halliday Valentine to help solve the crime.  This book does connect to other Cassidy series, but it can  be read as a stand alone.  Atticus the hummingbird familiar is one of my favorite characters, but I think our main gal needs to be fleshed out a bit more. She is a psychic witch who hates that she has to hide her magic.  This book felt long, even though it was rather short.  It was a nice cozy for the holidays, and while I did buy the rest of the series, it will be held until next years holidays.  I am in no hurry to read the next book in the series.

What a great way to talk about not worrying.  The illustrations are simple but fun and the story is laid out in a way that is understandable, and relatable.