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2.59k reviews by:
librarybonanza
Age: Middle school-high school
As someone who loved the original trilogy, this prequel was extremely satisfying. Reading about one of the first Hunger Games was interesting but I was completely invested in President Snow's origin story. He is one of my most despised villains in literature and this book really elaborates on his descent into "justified" madness.
Throughout the novel, the reader sees a normal teenage boy with charisma, pride, and quite an aptitude for empathy and forging connections with people who may be seen as outsiders, as he is one himself. While the book documents Snow's occasional selfish thoughts and decisions, he turns on a dime in the end and it is terrifying. I love how Collins goes into his unreasonable hatred for mockingjays, providing a lovely backdrop for the original trilogy.
As someone who loved the original trilogy, this prequel was extremely satisfying. Reading about one of the first Hunger Games was interesting but I was completely invested in President Snow's origin story. He is one of my most despised villains in literature and this book really elaborates on his descent into "justified" madness.
Throughout the novel, the reader sees a normal teenage boy with charisma, pride, and quite an aptitude for empathy and forging connections with people who may be seen as outsiders, as he is one himself. While the book documents Snow's occasional selfish thoughts and decisions, he turns on a dime in the end and it is terrifying. I love how Collins goes into his unreasonable hatred for mockingjays, providing a lovely backdrop for the original trilogy.
Age: 3rd-8th grade
Fantasy: Indian Mythology
This book had everything I needed in it: an epic quest, emerging powers, action, humor, intrigue, epic battles, and a mysterious villain. There's even an animal sidekick in the form of a disgruntled pigeon. The one-liners actually had me loling and Aru Shah is an incredibly well-written protagonist with depth of personality and room to grow in the series. I will absolutely recommend this to fans of Harry Potter and Rick Riordan but Chokshi allows this book to stand out with her comedic element.
Fantasy: Indian Mythology
This book had everything I needed in it: an epic quest, emerging powers, action, humor, intrigue, epic battles, and a mysterious villain. There's even an animal sidekick in the form of a disgruntled pigeon. The one-liners actually had me loling and Aru Shah is an incredibly well-written protagonist with depth of personality and room to grow in the series. I will absolutely recommend this to fans of Harry Potter and Rick Riordan but Chokshi allows this book to stand out with her comedic element.
Age: High School+
Activism: Feminism
LGBTQ:
Science Fiction: Robots, Aliens, Dystopian future
This is going to make for an excellent movie series! Zhao has a glorious way of keeping an exciting, fast-moving plot while intricately describing astounding things like mecha-robots (Chrysalises), costumes, and setting. If you're looking for a hero-villain, Zetian is your girl. Disgusted by the violent patriarchy that sent her sister to her death, Zetian seeks to avenge her death while finding new ways to defy her restrictive culture's expectations.
Not a native Chinese speaker? Watch this video from the author so you can properly pronounce the character and location names.
Activism: Feminism
LGBTQ:
Spoiler
PolygamyScience Fiction: Robots, Aliens, Dystopian future
This is going to make for an excellent movie series! Zhao has a glorious way of keeping an exciting, fast-moving plot while intricately describing astounding things like mecha-robots (Chrysalises), costumes, and setting. If you're looking for a hero-villain, Zetian is your girl. Disgusted by the violent patriarchy that sent her sister to her death, Zetian seeks to avenge her death while finding new ways to defy her restrictive culture's expectations.
Not a native Chinese speaker? Watch this video from the author so you can properly pronounce the character and location names.
Age: 4th-8th grade
Activism: Civil rights, wartime injustice
Identity: Japanese American
An expertly arranged presentation of the discrimination and debilitating hardship wrought on Japanese Americans after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in the early 1940s.
Every activist has a role in a revolution and bringing about justice. There are outspoken activists that seek change on the front-lines of protests, organizing in their communities, and petitioning their government for change. Most activists that are present in biographies are depicted as these bigger-than-life people. Atkins expertly presents Korematsu as an average citizen caught up in a horrific time but with just the right amount of defiance and bravery needed to step forward.
Trying to avoid the fate of 120,000 other Japanese Americans that were sent to prison camps, Fred Korematsu attempted to hide under the radar of government detection but was eventually detected. While in jail, an ACLU lawyer sought Korematsu's participation in the only legal case to be brought against the US government for their wrongful persecution. His activism was more subdued and less grandiose but, nevertheless, defiant and brave.
Bouncing between Korematsu's narrative and a fact-based presentation of the historical events that led to the false imprisonment of Japanese Americans, the length and language of this book make it an excellent an accessible read for a wide ranged audience.
Activism: Civil rights, wartime injustice
Identity: Japanese American
An expertly arranged presentation of the discrimination and debilitating hardship wrought on Japanese Americans after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in the early 1940s.
Every activist has a role in a revolution and bringing about justice. There are outspoken activists that seek change on the front-lines of protests, organizing in their communities, and petitioning their government for change. Most activists that are present in biographies are depicted as these bigger-than-life people. Atkins expertly presents Korematsu as an average citizen caught up in a horrific time but with just the right amount of defiance and bravery needed to step forward.
Trying to avoid the fate of 120,000 other Japanese Americans that were sent to prison camps, Fred Korematsu attempted to hide under the radar of government detection but was eventually detected. While in jail, an ACLU lawyer sought Korematsu's participation in the only legal case to be brought against the US government for their wrongful persecution. His activism was more subdued and less grandiose but, nevertheless, defiant and brave.
Bouncing between Korematsu's narrative and a fact-based presentation of the historical events that led to the false imprisonment of Japanese Americans, the length and language of this book make it an excellent an accessible read for a wide ranged audience.
Age: Toddler-Kindergarten
SEL: breathing technique
I am SO delighted that famous kids yogi Kira Willey has made these gorgeous board books featuring her effective mindfulness techniques for the younger crowd. For more in this series, check out Breathe Like a Bear, Bunny Breaths, and Listen Like an Elephant.
Hot cocoa calm invites children to blow on a cup of hot chocolate to cool it off; then, to take a sip and let out of a delighted "Mmmm".
Willey had to limit her words for the board book format, which detracts from the effectiveness of the technique so please seek out her CDs or YouTube channel to further the practice with your children.
SEL: breathing technique
I am SO delighted that famous kids yogi Kira Willey has made these gorgeous board books featuring her effective mindfulness techniques for the younger crowd. For more in this series, check out Breathe Like a Bear, Bunny Breaths, and Listen Like an Elephant.
Hot cocoa calm invites children to blow on a cup of hot chocolate to cool it off; then, to take a sip and let out of a delighted "Mmmm".
Willey had to limit her words for the board book format, which detracts from the effectiveness of the technique so please seek out her CDs or YouTube channel to further the practice with your children.
I totally dug the setting and the "historical" presentation of the vampire bloodlines and the fight scenes. However, the audiobook narration of Atl was rough. The tone of her voice was whiny, entitled, and incredibly off-putting. I understand that her character is intended to be selfish in a way of self-preservation but woof.
A dark, plot-driven novel that excels at background development but drops the characters.
A dark, plot-driven novel that excels at background development but drops the characters.
Age: Toddler-Preschool
Emotion: Anger
SEL: Breathing
An amazingly concise and interest-grabbing board book to introduce those pesky feelings anger and frustration. When kitty doesn't want to be held, Baby gets sad then mad! The colors of the pages become deep crimson and shift to gentler colors as Baby tries different techniques for calming down. And, boy, does Baby try them all!
Patricelli has been publishing this series since 2003 covering a range of topics for toddlers and preschoolers. Truly a gift to the board book world!
Emotion: Anger
SEL: Breathing
An amazingly concise and interest-grabbing board book to introduce those pesky feelings anger and frustration. When kitty doesn't want to be held, Baby gets sad then mad! The colors of the pages become deep crimson and shift to gentler colors as Baby tries different techniques for calming down. And, boy, does Baby try them all!
Patricelli has been publishing this series since 2003 covering a range of topics for toddlers and preschoolers. Truly a gift to the board book world!
I really loved *all* of the characters and the world building. Unbeknownst to my clueless self, it is technically book #6 in the Grisha universe. Who knew? (Everyone knew) But I was able to follow along without realizing it so that must say something to the crafty writing of Bardugo.
Also, this is an excellent book for ignoring burning heartburn, belly growing pains, and overall misery from pregnancy. Two fetus thumbs up.
Also, this is an excellent book for ignoring burning heartburn, belly growing pains, and overall misery from pregnancy. Two fetus thumbs up.
