4.2 Stars

Twelve-year-old Stina knows she will die someday. She has tuberculosis but not enough money for treatment. Her widowed mother tries her best to take care of Stina and her five siblings. 

When Stina is sent to the Raspberry Hill Sanatorium for recovery treatment, she and her family are excited. It’s not every day that the poor have the same opportunities as the rich. However, Stina’s stay at the huge sanatorium has mixed results. 

There are secrets around her, and one such secret could put her in grave danger. What happened to the East Wing? Why are there no other kids recovering at the sanatorium? What secrets is the place hiding? Can Stina find out the truth before it’s too late? Does she have a chance to recover and live longer than she hoped? 

The story comes from Stina’s first-person POV. 

The story has been translated from Swedish to English and reads well. It is short and fast-paced yet has enough material to entertain a middle-grader. 

The book starts with Stina announcing her impending death (because of TB). This is repeated a few times, which may or may not work for all kids. Of course, it is to be expected when Stina is the narrator. 

The atmospheric setting is done well. I could visualize Raspberry Hall and its gloomy surroundings. 

The occasional hits of cheeky humor keep the tone lighthearted despite the heavy topic. Stina makes some thoughtful observations. She’s a smart girl with realistic traits and reactions. 

A few scenes are convenient, and there are easy coincidences towards the end. However, this is a book for kids. They need some amount of positivity to believe in happy ever afters and magic. No complaints here (after all, I’m not the target audience for the book). 

The book can be finished in a single sitting. The way it blends death, health issues, poverty, greed, etc., with adventure, mystery, and bravery makes it a worthy read. I also liked how Stina makes some wrong assumptions instead of being right every time. 

The paranormal bits are an integral part of the plot. It’s easy to figure things out as an adult (though I think kids would, too), but that’s where the charm lies. 

The characters are well-defined (and yes, some are stereotypical, but who cares). I could imagine even those characters who didn’t have an active role in the story. 

To summarize, The Mystery of Raspberry Hill is a touching book with a lovable heroine and an intriguing setting. Just make sure your kids can read about death before picking this for them. Adults shouldn’t have anything to worry about. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Pushkin Children's Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

The book is based on real-life incidents and packs a punch. It is hard-hitting without being overly dramatic (until the end when it loses a bit of control and becomes melodramatic). 

The pacing is slow in the first half but picks up in the second. The setting is an integral part of the story without any descriptive prose, which works well for the plot. 

The author's note at the end provides more information about the historical events and gives us a glimpse of the research that went into the book. The inclusion of pictures was a great touch. 

This is a bittersweet book with a variety of themes. Pick it up when you're in the mood for something heavy yet heartwarming. It has quite a few triggers, though. Be prepared. 

TW:

Parental death, poverty, sexual assault, racism.

4.3 Stars

Little baby bear looks up at the sky from his room and asks his mama bear for a star. She promises to catch him one, and they travel across the forest, sail through the waters, trudge in the snow, and finally climb Mount Digger-Do. 

Mama bear cannot reach the stars, and the little one realizes something important. They see the light in their home and get back to it. After all, home is a safe haven and has everything we need. 
The theme isn’t new, but the story is. It comes in easy verses with a recurring stanza by the kiddo bear. But that’s not what I love about the book. So guess what? 

Yes! It’s the illustrations. The bears are cute enough, but the landscape is wow. Some pages are double-spread (I think that’s what it’s called), with the illustrations covering both sides of the book. The colors are dark greens, dark blues, and browns with detailing in creams and whites. The forest shrubs have eyes staring at the reader. ;) 

The page with the sea is my favorite. The waves are majestic, sweeping the expanse of the book from one end to another. The pages with snow have a Christmasy feel, and the one with the mount and the emerald sky is dramatic. (you get the drift). 

To summarize, Look Up at the Stars is a sweet book with a heartwarming theme. But pick it up for the illustrations.  

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books and am voluntarily leaving a review. 

The book is a collection of folklore from different cultures and countries about the earth (land, water, hills, caves, etc.) It has Ireland, England, Mayan, Nordic mythologies (and many more), fairy rings/ witch rings, flower faeries, Indigenous Tejas Legend of North Wind and Spanish Moss, moss/ grass for herbal healing, Greek dryads and tree bonding, Danish Huldre, Slavic baba Yaga, Cajun werewolf, the sound of a conch shell, red coral and Medusa, mermaids and merrows, ningyo (Japanese mer-monkey), mountains, dwarfs, trolls, volcanoes (Pele, Hawaiian goddess), mountain spirits, hills and valleys, megaliths,  Anie’s Hill Ireland, stone circles, dragons and caves, rivers, streams, lakes and their mythical creatures. 

The underlying themes across the indigenous folklore overlap almost throughout the book. Our ancestors used tales and mythical creatures to make people respect nature. They feared evil creatures and tried to be good to avoid being attacked or captured by the creatures that could harm them. 

The illustrations are expansive, vivid, and wonderful. Some of them are just too cute (though Hulders and mermaids could have been prettier and less scary). Kids will absolutely love the color scheme and illustrations. 

The myths and stories are provided in a single paragraph. The brevity helps retain more information. I wish the book had more Hindu (we have so many!) and Asian folklore. There are a few, but not enough when you look at the entire compilation. 

To summarize, Lore of the Land: Folklore Wisdom from the Wild Earth is a beautiful collection of folklore about the earth, nature, and everything she offers. It’s time we learned from the lore and respected nature. 

I received an ARC from Edelweiss+ and Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions and am voluntarily leaving a review. 

 3.7 Stars

The Empress of Indraprastha - Entering Kuruvansh is the first book in the five-part series retelling Mahabharat from Draupadi’s perspective. The book deals with her Swayamvar until the partition of Hastinapur, where the Pandavas are allotted the barren section (Khandavprastha) of the kingdom. 

The book is short, crisp, and easy to read. It sets a decent foundation for the remaining four books in the series. 

I haven’t found any triggers (pseudo intellectuals colonizing the original), so that’s a relief. I will read the subsequent works to see if the intent continues or changes. 

The overall feeling the book gives is light. As if I skimmed the surface and didn’t go into deep waters. This is an advantage and disadvantage, depending on what the reader wants. 

The vibes are pretty much positive despite the post-modern phrases like gender equality (I was worried when this term appeared thrice in the first two chapters) and caste discrimination (which has to be ‘varna’ as there was no ‘caste’ during the Mahabharata era). 

There’s Draupadi’s obsession with Karn again, albeit in a different manner. However, it could go either way, and I’ll reserve my views on it until I know where it leads. The author did handle it better in this book compared to CBD’s Palace of Illusions. I hope it continues. 

Sahdev gets more screen space in this one, which I like. The interactions have strong undertones of foreshadowing (a little too much at times). Krishna’s wordplay gets a special mention (something I always enjoy in our old Telugu movies). 

The book has more domesticated scenes that show the other side of the princes and kings. Of course, the author’s imagination is at work, but as long as it doesn’t harm the original, I don’t mind. 

A little more research into confirming timeframes for samosas and Jaunpuri rang would have been better. Historical inaccuracies don’t look good in books. (it’s not like we don’t have enough native dishes and ragas to borrow from another culture and time) 

There are descriptions of the setting where it matters, and the individual characteristics of the Pandava brothers are well presented. But the book, as such, misses the feel of historical fiction. 

A book set in ancient times has to have the charm of the period. Despite the sprinkling of some native words, the impact isn’t there. The writing feels contemporary (almost like modern-day characters role-playing a periodic drama). 

To summarize, The Empress of Indraprastha - Entering Kuruvansh is a decent beginning to the series and a fast read if you aren’t too particular about a few things. Rounding off the rating to 4 stars since this is the author’s debut work (and I didn’t find anything offensive). 

I thank the author for the complimentary copy of the book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions. 

***** 

If you’re interested in knowing more about Draupadi and Mahabharata in general, check out the Draupadi Parashakti website by a friend. It mentions the references from where the information is collected and presented in individual blogs. 

Nell arrives at her family home to celebrate the fifth anniversary of her father’s famous book, The Golden Bones. The book has become a cult favorite and eventually put Nell in danger. She still spends her life like a nomadic traveler. After all, the Bonehunters are still actively searching for the missing bone to revive Eleanor (from the book). 

Frank Churcher, the author of The Golden Bone, is all set to reveal the location of the missing bone and launch the mobile app version of the puzzle. However, he unleashes the buried past on everyone in the Churcher and Lally family. 

With secrets coming out one after another and threats mounting pile high, Nell has to choose between family, her life, and doing what’s right. 

I’m glad I read it as a family drama rather than a mystery. I expected the story to be centered on the dysfunctional family and wasn’t disappointed (thanks to my brain that forgot the blurb). 

The overall premise is excellent, and some scenes are very well-written. But the book feels a little heavy with many things happening and the constant shift between past and present. 

The pacing is slow and uneven. The story has a loop within a loop that keeps the reader going in circles. It doesn’t help that the book is 500+ pages long (something I missed when I requested the ARC). 

There are multiple POVs in different timelines. While I’m used to this, the ARC I had didn’t have proper formatting. It was hard to know which POV belonged to which character. The saving grace was that except for Nell’s first-person POV, the others are in the limited third-person. 

The middle of the book was info heavy. Though it revealed more information, the process was laborious and long-winded. Sometimes, ‘telling’ works better. The book would have worked much better if it was 70-100 pages shorter. 

The last 15% to 20% left me with mixed feelings. In fact, I should say it made me dislike Nell when I should have been supporting her. None of the characters were likable except Billie, but that wasn’t an issue. There weren’t supposed to be liked anyway. 

Frank is currently in jail and accused of a murder he didn’t commit. Now Nell wants Lal to convince her brother to reveal a certain truth that would clear Frank’s name and bring him out. Because hey, he may be a monster and pedophile, but he didn’t murder anyone (so what if she was a victim of his narcissism?)  

What annoyed me was Nell’s holier-than-thou attitude in the climax. What Frank did was a greater crime than murder, in my books. I give this one 4 stars (despite my rants or because of them) for the ending. 

I like how the book ended. Some families are clearly not meant to be together, and the author worked the plot to reach this stage. Nell’s actions gave the story the ending it needed. I dislike her character, but I like the story and its closure. 

The epilogue is a master touch. It confirms my assessments of the characters. It actually makes me feel justified for siding with the family, lol. A definite plus. 

To Summarize, The Skeleton Key is a cleverly plotted novel about unlikeable characters, dysfunctional families, and human fallacies. It would have worked a lot better if the plot was presented with more precision in fewer pages. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheSkeletonKey 

 

 

What a heartwarming little book this is! We see quite a few books for girls and women empowerment. But we also need books for boys. Little ones need to know they don’t have to adhere to the rigid stereotypes of who they should be. This book opens up the endless possibilities of what little boys are made of and who they can be. I love the part about boys expressing their emotions and crying when they feel like it. Another favorite is where the boys know it’s okay to get things wrong and practice harder to learn and become better. 

Isn’t that what we should be telling the kids? They don’t have to be invincible or correct all the time! They just have to be open to learning when they are not right. The affirmations at the end of the book can help the little ones become confident, compassionate, and kind. 

The illustrations are a treat, and I mean it. Kiddo books, for me, are more about illustrations. The pictures on the pages can directly sit in the child’s mind. Kids notice details without seeming to and can recollect them at random. The kiddo could decorate a cupcake better than I did. ;)  

The color scheme on each page is perfect. The illustrations are inclusive and diverse. I wish there was a little more inclusivity, but this is good too. 

The font is big and easy to read. I love picture books with large fonts, so that’s another plus. The language is simple enough for little ones to understand. Don’t look for the rhythm (that can affect your reading experience). Go with the flow and enjoy when you see rhyming verses. Read the book with your little boys and talk to them about things that matter. 

To summarize, What Little Boys Are Made Of is a beautiful and adorable book that breaks stereotypes and gently nudges kids to be confident in their skin. They deserve to be happy and loved. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Kids, and Sourcebooks Wonderland. I am voluntarily leaving a review. 

4.3 Stars 

Lynette goes to live with Aunt Magnolia (Mags) after her father’s demise. She’s a nine-year-old with no friends or anyone else in her life. Moving with Aunt Mags opens up a new world, where Lynette learns nature’s secrets, self-reliance, and confidence. But things can’t stay the same forever, and Lynette may have to make another choice soon. 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Lynette. 

As a short story writer and fan, this little book was a delightful experience. The story doesn’t feel like speculative fiction except at the beginning and the end. This can be an advantage or disadvantage, depending on the reader’s expectations. 

The imagery is beautiful and reminded me of Foster by Claire Keegan. The themes overlap, while the books deal with two different issues. 

Aunt Mags is a wonderful character. I love people like her- the ones who teach how to look at life and navigate the ups & downs with grace and persistence. 

You need to go with the flow rather than ask questions, as some things are left unsaid (felt like a deliberate choice). 

The ending was a little too quick. I understand the why, but it could have been a couple of paragraphs longer to lead the readers to the inevitable ending. 

To summarize, My Alien Life is a bittersweet and heartwarming short story that leaves you with a soft smile (once the ending sinks in). Oh, I like the wordplay in the title and how it works in the story. 

Thank you, BookSirens and J. Martain, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

This is such a wonderful book for kids who love magic. The foreword by David Copperfield, famous Magician, sets the tone for the rest of the book. The author’s note at the end solidifies the intent. The book is aimed at girls who want to become magicians. Of course, boys can read it too, but the focus is on girls (the foreword explains why).  

The illustrations are a delight! The detailing of a family home, a child’s messy bedroom, diverse characters, and the color scheme make the book lively and attractive. I love Greta the Great’s representation. 

The content comes in rhymed verses. I did find a couple of them odd in the beginning. Once I got into the story, I didn’t even think of rhymes. The book shows what you need to become a magician- passion, patience, and practice. There’s a small magic trick at the end (along with tips) for young readers to try. There’s a note for parents too. After all, kids look to adults for support and encouragement to achieve their dreams. 

To summarize, Hocus Pocus Practice Focus is for kids and adults who want to enter the world of magic. I haven’t read any children’s book on this topic, and this one felt like it hit the right notes from start to finish. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial and am voluntarily leaving a review. 

This little non-fiction book is for kids aged 5 and up. It explains who beekeepers are and what they do throughout the year. The writing is simple enough for kids to understand (you can read it to them or make them read it themselves). There’s some repetition that helps kids memorize it better. 

The font is of the right size and neatly placed to the side. The illustrations are vibrant, colorful, and done to resemble children’s drawings. The thick layering of watercolors with simple outlines makes the bees and the beekeepers adorable. 

The book also emphasizes how bees are handled with care, and there’s enough honey left in the combs for bees to eat during winter. I love that the beekeeper is a woman. 

To summarize, Beekeepers and What They Do is an educative and informative book with adorable illustrations kids will love. The information is just right to not overwhelm little ones. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Clavis Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.