Solid skills, laid out simply and succinctly. I couldn't read it all in one go, because it's more of a "stop and think about this, or even try it maybe" kind of book, but I think that's a good thing. I could see this book being a good book to have on your personal shelf, you pull out and open to a random skill to try when your feelings address taking over. I'm not a huge fan of washing swear words in to sound hipper, but I can get past that because the content is so there.

The sentiment is good, and I'm glad there is a diverse cast of characters BUT. The emotions that are solved by breathing break down in the images like so:
White girl: Sad
White boy: Anxious
Black boy: Lonely
Black boy: Angry
Black girl: Stupid
White girl: Scared

See the issue? Now it's not as terrible to show the black boy angry, because there is at least another option. But the only girl of color in the whole book is, looking at the picture, having trouble with her math homework. The text doesn't say she's stupid, but the implication is clear. This is a jarring note to find in what is clearly supposed to be a calming and affirming book.

Clear and concise nonfiction, on a compelling topic. Pull-out boxes and illustrations are illuminating and not overly distracting form the text, which is written in a narrative style.

A sweet light book. There was real potential for depth though, that never fully materialized. For example, her mother had, for most of her life, taken away her magic. If that isn't a powerful metaphor for abuse, I don't know what is. And yet, instead of there being fallout for it, the mom just goes "oh, ok now you're magical I guess" and that's the end of it. Similarly, the father's disappearance/abduction and reintroduction to the family could bring up deep and mixed emotions, paralleling experiences many children have had in their lives. Instead of addressing any of them, it's a simple happy reunion. Many other points like this are missed, and so the tale becomes a fluffy one, when it could have held real intensity.

I loved everything...except for the protagonist. She is slow on the uptake, and mostly waits for everyone else to bail her out. No character growth, nothing. I'ts so sad to have a blank slate for a main character. Especially when she stays that way! That said, the action scenes are very fun.

Gothic beauty in its pure form. Hauntingly exquisite. And with a completely consistently built world and gorgeously clear prose!

For a similar world, read this next: Cheshire Crossing, by Andy Weir
For a similar goth vibe, read this next: The Graveyard book, by Neil Gaiman

Did you know that trees can literally MAKE CLOUDS when they are thirsty? Honestly, I would have given this book 5 stars on the merit of that fact alone, but I did read the rest of the book to make sure it held up to scrutiny. It did. Trees also communicate, sleep, and breathe. Wonderful beautiful facts, written clearly and plainly against a backdrop of forest pictures. What's not to like?

SO MUCH CRINGING. but in a good way, really. Pitch-perfect middle school drama, dealing with racism and social inequality and fitting in and code switching and all kinds of important stuff.

I laughed actually out loud, giggling at my desk. Not totally certain kids would get how funny this is, but I loved it! Illustration are perfect for the lyrics, and the whole book reads like a song.

Similarly strange and whimsical as the first in this series [b:Every Heart a Doorway|25526296|Every Heart a Doorway (Wayward Children, #1)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1431438555l/25526296._SX50_.jpg|45313140], but not quite as magical. Though perhaps that is only because I've already entered this world and the first taste was so delicious. In any case, this book is a lovely confection of the macabre all wrapped in spun sugar.