Hilariously gross perfection. I have had my kids ask me this exact question, and trying to explain how the pipes take our poop away is confusing without pictures! Plus, I never really knew what they did at waste treatment. Kids love gross truths, so this will go down extremely well with basically everyone under 10, and many over that age as well.

Advance Reading Copy provided by NetGalley

I like that these are all, really and truly, 5 minutes exactly, which means that this audiobook could be a perfect little wind down ritual at bedtime. Not as interesting as i could wish, but that's also part of the wind-down vibe. This is not a book to read all the way through, it is mean to be digested one or two little 5 minute chapters at a time.

This book contains the most accurate to life queer moment I maybe have ever read, and for that it gets all the stars.

Spoiler

They talk about exes, and moving on, and are really supportive of each other's pasts, and THEN kiss. It's lovely.

And then then they overthrow the patriarchy!

I will note, however, that despite its general loveliness this book does suffer from two very common issues:

1) Our protagonist just magically knows and agreed with current morality despite growing up in her highly patriarchal society.

2) It's too damn long! I guess that's what happens when I read YA instead of midgrade.

Still, I'm not taking off any stars. Because Black lesbian teenager overthrows the patriarchy in a fantasy novel whose story arc is a fractured fairy tale checks literally every single box for me.

Very fun! This doesn't fit neatly into any tropes, and I love that about it. The characters are quirky but don't exhibit much growth, and the plot is fun but not riveting. Still, I do appreciate a solid story that is just really really new.

It is wild to think that Dan Brown, author of such thrillers as [b:The Da Vinci Code|968|The Da Vinci Code (Robert Langdon, #2)|Dan Brown|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579621267l/968._SY75_.jpg|2982101] wrote not only a wholesome children's book but a collection of poetry, and also HE COMPOSED A SYMPHONY. Ok, calming down, this is a good book and symphony, and my kids love the music and now are interested in hearing other symphonies, and the app is rather magical. Lovely addition to our bedtimes. From a public librarian perspective, I would appreciate an adition of this book that did not require a smart phone. An in-book player would be good.

Solid beginners book. I learned a few good tips, especially when it comes to turning corners!

Solid character development, fun adventures, and a nicely cohesive universe. Unfortunately, the plot dragged in places and the whole thing ended without resolution. Still, I will likely read the sequel, if/when it gets written.

Reviewed via ebook provided through NetGalley

Sweet and soft, the signature Patricia MacLachlan touch. Nothing can't ever best here Baby, but this is still very good.

I really enjoyed this book. The narrator is calm and clear, the overview of world history is accurate and concise, without being overly western (I think), and the treatment of enslaved people, native peoples, and others is sensitively done. I look forward ot reading the sequel, "Absolutely Everything Else" that is promised in the afterword!

Review based on audiobook provided pre-publication by NetGalley