Review: Crunch

Crunch by Leslie Connor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a good book, with an interesting premise: the gas shortage has turned into a complete unavailability of gasoline. So bicycles are now the chief mode of transportation and the bike repair business is booming. But the parents are stuck away from home, so the kids have to manage on their own - with the help of the community.

I am always struck by the ways especially American authors seem to find ways to get rid of the parents so that the kids have agency on their own. I would have bet that this was an American book, even before I looked it up and found out that I am right. Many of the Australian kids' books keep the parents in the books. In the Australian books, the kids are allowed to try to solve their problems as much as possible themselves, with the parents there for backup if needed. In the American books, most of the time, the kids are left to solve the problems on their own, often with help from others in the community, but not usually the parents. I am not sure what that says about the two mindsets. It makes me feel that the Australian kids are trusted to venture out on their own, as they are able. The American kids aren't necessarily trusted to do so - they are thrust into the necessity to do so by various circumstances. Americans seem to expect that the kids will make it through the problems largely on their own, because they have to. Aussie kids are allowed to make it on their own, but support is there and given, if it is needed.

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Review: Footrot Flats 10

Footrot Flats 10 by Murray Ball
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is another cartoon book from a culture different from mine. It is interesting to see how humor from different countries has different characteristics. Since this is a book about farming and rural people, there is a lot of physical humor and a bit crude humor, but it isn't offensive, for the most part. It is sort of a backhanded stab at their own culture and ways. Self-deprecating.

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Review: No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference

No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is an important book, but it is not an especially good book. It is way too repetitive and in need of a good editor. I am a strong advocate of climate science, but if you are looking for scientific information and not just political advocacy, look elsewhere.

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Review: Not from Brazil - Volume I

Not from Brazil - Volume I by Vanessa Betttencourt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I like cartoons that address, gently, the differences between cultures, so this one was right up my alley. In this case, the author is from Portugal and falls in love with an American. Not a great amount of depth, but sweet and nuanced.

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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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