This is the true story about the first woman to play in the NCAA with a hijab. This book starts from her girlhood and how she always plays ball up to her college career and even trying to turn pro. But the pros had denied her because of the hijab. She fought to get the rules changed, and she won. This is an interesting book. The author chooses a strange way of telling the story. It has a unique rhythm and wordplay that is not normally seen in a picture book. This isn’t bad it’s just odd. It was an interesting look at a real person who is making change not just for themselves but for other girls as well. 

 

This was a fun mix of stories and nonfiction info bits. It flows and works well together. Add the illustrations and kids will be laughing and learning at the same time. This is a well-done primer for kids on volcanoes with enough information to be interesting, but not so much it makes the book boring. 

 

I know this is based on a TV show, but what I like about these books is that they don’t feel like a TV show rehashed on paper. In this book, the kids wonder why a watch strap works and discover the wonder that is Velcro. This is a fun series of kids going I won’t wonder why something and then finding and looking for the answer. It just all works together well. 

 

This time the kids are wondering why a plant grew in a zigzag. Did it happen in nature or did it happen because of something else. The kids ask good questions and use the clues in nature to help them find the answer. This is a fantastic series, and I understand why so many people like it. 

 

This is a great beginning book on lettering. I do wish it was a workbook and not just an instruction book. The way the instructions are given does work well it shows you how to make different letters and the steps and the type of equipment best used for different things. Overall, it’s well done and useful. 

 

I get it. I know why this book is all over TikTok. This book is fabulous and the fact that I must wait for book two is annoying. This book reads very much like an 80s historical romance novel. I mean that as a compliment. There are two competing journalists, who both want the same job. But war has come about, and they both end up on the front lines as war correspondents. Besides our historical setting, you have a fantastical element that this is a war of God’s, not a war of people. We also have a “You Got Mail” type of plot where they are communicating by letters, and only one person knows the real identity of the other one. This book was adventurous, had action, it was sweet, and it had heart. There were times that I thought... well this is the end, and then it wasn’t, but I’m glad it wasn’t. There are a few things that are a little odd in this world.  First, the setting is 1892 yet it feels more like 1930s.  However, there are certain things like IVs and medicines that help heal that seem really out of place for the time. Third, this is a love story that wants the reader to know both characters are virgins who get married at age 19. The sex scene was decently done but not needed. I think part of the problem with this book is it feels like an adult book but marketed as YA. I would not put it as a new adult because the stuff that makes new adult, new adult, isn’t in this. At its heart, this book is a sweet romance that leaves the reader desperately needing the next book. And the fact that there’s not even a year between the two books is a very good thing. And since I listen to this as an audiobook, I will have to say there are a few instances where the tone of the audiobook changes. Almost like they cut in a corrected section. While it takes nothing away from the story, it does pull the reader ouch of their language trance and snaps them back into reality. 

 

This is supposed to be a horror graphic novel about trans and queer kids. And technically it is. At the very beginning there is a trigger warning page and while I understand the need for it, I didn’t think this was as horrific as it could be. In this story, we have a group of kids. I’m not sure if all or just many of them are trans. Trans ideas are not a major part of the story, but it does play a factor. What you have is a town on edge in 1979 because a pastor’s wife has gone missing. This is a religious town where the sheriff goes to the preacher, wanting more sermons. But the reader knows that in the background, there’s something evil afoot, and they’re using the preacher and his sermons, and the missing wife to start the Satanic panic for whatever is going on in the background. The Satanic panic was real events in the 80s and this story plays into it. This story doesn’t end and is very much a volume one. The story is completely up in the air and I’m not sure quite yet what to make of it. The illustrations are fantastic, and I think this has an interesting story arc, and hope I get to read the next volumes. 

 

This book is a bounding of multiple smaller comic books or stories. There is no flow from one story to the other. It almost feels like these were graphic novels made from TV episodes. That may be what it is, maybe not I’m not sure. Well, I personally didn’t find the book entertaining or interesting. Personally, I thought it was boring, kids will enjoy this and find the crazy things that the mummy Milo gets into to be entertaining and exciting. 

 

This book is about a city where water just keeps getting taller and taller and everybody ignores it until the point they can’t. In this case everybody happens to be animals. But one person or one otter knew what to do. After convincing the rest of the animals of what to do, they did it, and while the water receded things were not the same.  The  just knew whatever challenge appeared teamwork would help with whatever was needed. This book is beautifully illustrated but it’s a hard story. You’re expecting it to be an environmental story or an allegory and then it’s just about working together. It’s odd.  It’s not bad, it’s just odd. 

 

This was a fascinating story. The year is 2112, the apocalypse has happened, and earth is either flooded or completely dry. A group of four find a magic cave. It allows them to travel back in time. They are of Indian nations, who believe the best way to save their people and their country is to go back in time and kill Columbus. Seth Grimm Jones writes stories that keep you thinking and staying in your mind for a long time. His debut graphic novel is no different. There are times I wish this was a full novel, but it is superb. It is violent and bloody and gory because it is horror, but done as only South Graham Jones can do.