Review: Giant Days, Vol. 1

Giant Days, Vol. 1 by John Allison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When I first saw some of the angry illustrations in this book, I was sure that I was going to dislike it. I didn't (and still don't) like the exaggerated angry looks and evil-looking people. And then I read some of the story. I like the premise - three young women going off to their first semester at the university and forming a friendship. But some of the story lines were a bit much for me - the anger at the previous boyfriend, the pill-popping rave. Nevertheless, by the end of the book, I was interested. Since this book isn't available through my local library, I am even seriously contemplating buying the next installments in the series. I am still not sure what drew me in, but I am going to at least try the next one.

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Review: Modern Houses: Who Built That?: An Introduction to the Modern House and Their Architects

Modern Houses: Who Built That?: An Introduction to the Modern House and Their Architects by Didier Cornille
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have long been fascinated by floor plans (and maps in general, of which floor plans are a subset) and I am glad that this book has included not just views of the outsides of the houses, but also indications of how the insides are planned and arranged. And, unlike many people I know, I actually like the simple, blocky style of most of these houses.

This book was originally published in French as Toutes les Maisons Sont dans la Nature or All Houses Are in Nature. I am not sure what to make of the French title. Perhaps it is that all of the houses that are featured have extensive views of their surroundings. But the French title doesn't say anything about the idea that these houses (and other buildings) have a very different style from many of the houses that preceded them. So it is curious that the English title emphasizes the modernity of the houses, while the French title emphasizes the relationship to nature.

There are other books in this series, one on bridges and one on skyscrapers. Those interest me less than houses, so I will probably skip them.

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Review: Lotta on Troublemaker Street

Lotta on Troublemaker Street by Astrid Lindgren
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This version of the story is somewhere between the original version and the Lotta Makes a Mess! version. The siblings' names are Jonas and Mary and, while the running away isn't part of the title, at least it is sort of included.

For me, the most interesting thing is that Mrs. Berg actually caters to Lotta's wishes. I am not sure I would have been so tolerant: helping her re-arrange the attic and decorate it, staying with her while she discovers and plays with the doll, and bringing her two meals. I am not surprised at the mother's matter of fact attitude, but she (the mother) doesn't seem to abet Lotta's plans as much as Mrs. Berg does.

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Review: Wombat Words of Wisdom and Other Oxymorons

Wombat Words of Wisdom and Other Oxymorons by Ian Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love to collect cartoons/comic strips from various parts of the world and I especially enjoy them when they feature some unique aspect of the place from which they originate. This book is a prime example of that, with the adorable wombat, Doug, as the main character, but many different iconic Australian animals as co-conspirators.

Besides that, it features some good puns, some guest characters from other comics (I am greatly amused by crossovers, for some reason), and above all, good art work. Art work is where a lot of comic strips fail, in my estimation, but this one does not disappoint. The art work is consistently good.

If there is one critique I have of the strip, it is that I am not a huge music / movie buff, so some of the extended pun strips about music groups or movies go a bit over my head, but the other strips about friendship and everyday adventures more than make up for it.

Recommended.

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Review: The Breaking News

The Breaking News by Sarah Lynne Reul
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I guess I don't find this book as comforting as many people do. Yes, it uses the "Mr. Rogers" device of looking for the helpers and doing small acts of kindness. But I find it a bit unsettling that the parents don't seem to explain to the children, in simplified terms at least, what is going on and what to expect in the future.

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Review: Snow White in New York

Snow White in New York by Fiona French
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book would be a good candidate for inclusion in an upper grades unit on multiple versions of classic stories / fairy tales. It really only works if students are already familiar with the classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which cannot necessarily be assumed nowadays. Good illustrations. I would find it interesting to have students analyze what parts of the classic story work and don't work in a more modern setting. What has been left out? What has been added? Why?

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Review: Just Like Jackie

Just Like Jackie by Lindsey Stoddard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Since I was, as a child, almost the complete opposite of the protagonist, it took me a while to warm up to her. We have in common the tendency toward an inner dialog that differs substantially from the way options for action. It brought home to me, once again, the power of being able to see yourself in characters in the story. I am a bit ashamed to admit that I might have like the story better if I felt more like one of the characters.

Nevertheless, it is a powerful story. It suffers just a tiny bit from "all possible problems" syndrome, but the context is at least likely. The characters are interesting.

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Review: I Heard the Owl Call My Name

I Heard the Owl Call My Name by Margaret Craven
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is another book that I really wasn't planning on reading right now, but somehow it drew me in. I have long been interested in understanding different cultures from their point of view and I think this book is one of the more successful ones, in that respect.

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Review: Ghost Boys

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is a fairly quick read about an important topic. I wasn't terribly anxious to read about this topic, as it is too painful right now, with similar events happening far too often. I don't know if it brings resolution to them or not. In a way, the book makes me feel more helpless than ever. The good things that happen are slightly unrealistic and the bad things all too common. In spite of that, I hope this book helps make things slightly better.

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