Review: Shanyaak'utlaax: Salmon Boy

Shanyaak'utlaax: Salmon Boy by Johnny Marks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is absolutely gorgeously illustrated. For that alone, I would have given it 5 stars. The only reason I am giving it only 4 stars is that the story itself is a bit too short for me. It left me feeling that I still didn't understand the importance of the boy's original disrespectful action. And, even though the audience is very young children, I still feel they could understand more.

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Review: Pearls Takes a Wrong Turn: A Pearls Before Swine Treasury

Pearls Takes a Wrong Turn: A Pearls Before Swine Treasury by Stephan Pastis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For a long time, I ignored this cartoon, probably because I saw a couple of strips that I didn't like. But now, thanks to my younger daughter, it has become one of my favorites. The sarcasm saves what little sanity I have left.

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Review: Orbital Resonance

Orbital Resonance by John Barnes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The writing in this book is a bit dated and the time frames are no longer far in the future, but the central premise is still interesting: how can people raised in one culture raise children to manage a better culture? What happens if they cannot understand the changes they have wrought? Is the ending realistic? Problematic? Overly positive? This is not a great book, in terms of fascinating characters or riveting plot, but I do enjoy thinking about the above questions.

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Review: But We Are Not of Earth

But We Are Not of Earth by Jean E. Karl
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a relatively quick read and I enjoyed it. I like science fiction for younger teens and this fits the bill, with some deeper self-reflecting things to think about.

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Review: Amal Unbound

Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Interesting book. It captured my interest and held it. The writing isn't gorgeous, but it is good enough. I enjoy books that expand my knowledge of other cultures and I especially appreciated them when they aren't pedantically trying to do so. I also enjoyed the obvious interest Amal had in learning. I wish our American children were that motivated.

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Review: I Am Woman Hear Me Draw: Cartoons from the Pen of Judy Horacek

I Am Woman Hear Me Draw: Cartoons from the Pen of Judy Horacek by Judy Horacek
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I like to collect cartoons from around the world, especially ones about everyday life. Women and cartoons, what could be better?

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Review: Sofia Valdez, Future Prez

Sofia Valdez, Future Prez by Andrea Beaty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have read several of the other books in this series, and have been a bit ambivalent about them. This one, however, I found I liked a lot better. The ways in which the child is helpful and proactive are mostly appropriate to a 2nd grader. It wasn't about making a big deal about some future nebulous (and a bit unrealistic) goal, but rather about things that real kids could potentially do. Sure, it has the tag-line of "Future Prez", but that is more in the spirit of "you can do anything", rather than "this is probably what you are going to do". I found the difference more appealing.

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