One Chapter

Thirst by Varsha Bajaj

5 stars Middle School Realistic Fiction

I loved, loved this book. Oh, the things that we take for granted. Minni and her family soon realize how much their Ma did for them when she falls ill and decides to move in with relatives who can tend to her until she’s recovered.

Water was the main focus of this book, but I thought there were many other great themes captured within its pages. Minni and her family live in the slums and someone must wake up early to gather water. Grabbing vessels to carry water back to their living quarters, families wait in line to fill from a common tap outside, for their daily water. If you wait too long, you might not get any water, or it might take a long time if the water pressure gets too low. It’s like a social event but it’s not really a pleasant one. Ma usually handled this job each morning. Once back home, that water must be boiled to make it safe for consumption and this is where the problem started for Ma.

While Ma is away, she asks Minni to take over her job, so she does not lose it. Minni knows her family depends on that money and hopefully, Ma won’t be gone that long, so Minni takes on the job after school. Sounds quite eventful for such a young child. Minni the maid.

Tending school full-time, working as a maid part-time after school and helping around the house when she gets home, Minni days are full. Oh wait, she must also get water early in the morning, once the tap has been turned on. Minni is a terrific student showing great potential so keeping up her studies is high on the list. When Minni starts the job, it doesn’t seem fair when the individuals living in the luxury apartment building have fresh, clean water flowing out their taps, right inside their apartments! They don’t even have to boil it! They can drink immediately from the tap! Ma has learned she must have proper behavior while working but Minni, she hasn’t yet. It’s a hard reality to understand but Minni must, if she is to keep her Ma’s job.

I liked how Minni’s community came together to help her when they realized how much she was trying to juggle. Seeing life through Minni’s eyes, we get to see the inconsistencies and how Minni tries to cope with them. This was a fabulous read and one of Iowa’s Children Choice Award Books for 2024-2025. 5 stars

The Golden Hour by Niki Smith

5 stars Children/ YA/Middle School Graphic Novel

It only took a minute to change Manuel’s life. What happened to change his life isn’t immediately apparent as I started reading this book but with his teacher absent, counselor’s available and Manuel walking on eggshells, unfortunately I had a feeling I knew what had gone down. Manuel wasn’t a popular child and now, he seemed even more on the outside looking in.

When Manuel is grouped with Sebastian and Caysha to work on a school project, I liked how these two kids accepted Manuel into their group. Looking into Manuel’s face and eyes, I felt he was off into another world, as his two peers carried out the conversation, making plans for the three of them.

As they gathered at Sebastian’s farm in the country, Manuel is still in his own dark world inside his head. Glancing around, he’s fascinated by what he sees, and Manuel takes out his phone and starts snapping photos. As they begin to work on the project, Manuel finally emerges from his shell and joins his peers. There is laughter and joy on his face, it has finally occurred.

I liked how Sebastian and Caysha encouraged Manuel but didn’t try to pry into his personal life. When they saw how fabulous his photographs were, they encouraged him to enter some of them in the fair. When Manuel helped them, they were appreciative and enthusiastic about his assistance which kept Manuel out of his dark world.

What occurred is revealed in pieces throughout the book, in black and white flashbacks which stand out in comparison to the colorful illustrations of the present-day activities. From the facial expressions, the body language, the text, you can really tell how this event has changed Manuel. This is a heavy graphic novel (physically heavy) with nice, slick thick pages. 5 stars

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

5 stars Fiction Historical

You go, girl! You talk about a strong female character! Martha Ballard knew how to a thing or two or twenty about the world and her position as a midwife allowed her to see both sides of the world in which she lived. She knew her position didn’t sit well with those who preferred the traditional doctor, but Martha was smart enough to know that she didn’t understand everything in the medical field, and she was willing to learn. Most of the area women trust Martha and when one of them gets raped, its Martha that they call upon.

Martha keeps track of her days inside a personal journal. This journal becomes both a powerful force and a hardship when Martha is summoned to court when the rape case goes to trial. Martha is such a strong and impressive individual while other female’s knees start to bend when they are around intimidating males. I liked how Martha’s husband was there for her and how Martha wasn’t overpowering in nature but was trying to stand her ground. The ending of the book was a surprise and a shocker. It was amazing and while I was laughing, I was thanking the author for such a great ending. I listened to the audio of this book and although it was long, it didn’t drag on. 5 stars

Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy

5 stars Fiction

This was such a sweet story! I will definitely have to reread this one over and over again as I loved its simplicity and the way the story made me feel. The isolation of Helen, how Helen felt when she met Sipsworth and what Sipsworth brought to her and everyone around her. The story felt simple, but it was a powerful story, in its connections and its emotions.

Helen has just returned to her hometown after being overseas for 60 years. Eighty-year-old Helen had just purchased a cottage off the internet and was now making it her home. Something about an 80-year-old woman desire to accomplish this, amazed me. As the book processes, it has been three years, and it seems that Helen has led a secluded life in her new cottage. She watches the neighborhood and she’s alert but she’s not one to partake in life outside her walls.

It’s Friday and she’s noticing her neighbor’s hauling their garbage out to the curb. Garbage day is a big event for Helen as she has scored some big finds for herself out of her neighbor’s trash. There’s something in this week’s trash that sparks her curiosity and so, while no one is watching, Helen sneaks outside. There’s a fish tank which has other items with it. Afraid of missing out on any treasures, Helen takes everything and hauls it all home. I loved how this garbage triggered a memory, and we learned a bit about Helen and her past. Leaving the items in her yard to clean-up tomorrow, Helen gets ready for bed.

Helen hears something that night coming from her backyard. The anticipation was killing me, as I didn’t know what Helen might do. Upon discovering the mouse amongst the items that she rescued from her neighbor’s trash, Helen goes about setting it free. It should be over, it should be out of Helen’s mind now because yes, she set it free. Yet when it starts to rain, Helen can’t stop thinking about the mouse and its safety. I had to smile as I read, for Helen is a loving and caring soul and now, the mouse is her companion. Helen tries to relinquish control by calling the authorities, but her efforts are brief. All thoughts and activities now include the mouse and Helen makes accommodations for her new friend. Bringing this mouse into her life opens the door for Helen as her compassionate and kindness spreads to others around her.

I loved the way the author transitioned through the days; it was such a fantastic technique especially towards the end of the book. As the days passed, I felt the drama, energy, and seriousness of the events unfold. I can’t say enough about this book except read it!! Such a sweet story about friendships, community, and family. 5 stars+

Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon

4 stars Mystery

Not even brain tumors can slow Lana down. Lana found herself on the floor of her own kitchen. Rushed to the hospital, Lana discovered that she had brain tumors and that after her surgery, she would need assistance. Her daughter was a nurse so Lana decided that she would stay with her, just until she could get back on her feet again.

Lana wasn’t used to this laid-back, small-town-living, what did individuals do here for excitement? Lana liked her glamorous life as a real estate ion, her fancy lifestyle was nothing like this small coastal town where her daughter and granddaughter lived. Lana knew that she needed their help and this was only going to be temporary, so she just tried to make the best of it.

Watching out her bedroom window, Lana eyes search across the water. With a pair of binoculars, Lana spots a man pushing a wheelbarrow late at night. He was dumping something into the water, as whatever it was, it made a splashing sound when it hit the water. What this man was dumping didn’t seem to alarm Lana until days later when her granddaughter returns home from work. Jack, working as a guide at a local kayak shop had taken a group of kayakers out when they came across a lifeless body. Immediately, Lana remembers the wheelbarrow and man pushing it. Was this what the man dumped into the water? Had Lana seen the man who committed this crime?

The investigation gets twisted as mother, daughter, and grandmother get involved with the investigation. Lana starts her own investigation as she has her own way of getting answers that the official team can’t. The story is funny at times as Lana puts her own twists on things. Jack likes the combination of her mother and grandmother together and it’s nice to see the three woman working things out. I enjoyed this audio and highly recommend listening to it. 4 stars

Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena

5 stars Thriller

I really didn’t like any of the characters in this book, except for Michael. Michael didn’t have much of a role in this book though. He was the one who I felt got left out when his emotions were high for no one gave him a second glance. It was Avery who was dancing in the limelight. Avery was Michael’s younger sister. They knew she was a “difficult child.” Yep, they had that right! She was a player, the one that had got my goat.

William had just gotten dumped by his lover, and he had come home to sulk. Finding his daughter at home was a surprise and not a good one. He wanted time alone, time to think and his nine-year-old daughter was not giving him the space that he wanted. But, it was Avery and she was being herself and right now, William was not in the mood. One thing led to another, and William tried to apologize for what had transpired between the two of them, but it was too late, the damage had been done.

Hours pass and Avery does not return home. Her whereabouts are unknown, and the police are called. A timeline is constructed and piecing the puzzle together brings out the truth that others have been trying to cover-up.

I enjoyed listening to this book and when another story was introduced, I had to know how this story was going to play out. William was having a terrible day when his lover left him but that was just the beginning. He hasn’t been paying attention to the world around him and now, it’s all coming at him. Avery is only nine, yet the way she thinks, she’s much older. Her parents know she’s a handful, but they don’t know the extent of it. She feels that she’s in control and I had to wonder if she really was at times. An entertaining read. 5 stars

After reading notes: Who is running this house, nine-year-old Avery or her parents? William, her father is a smart man to some extent but when it comes to his wife, his loyalty falls short. Avery likes the attention, the limelight – perhaps she gets that from her father but in the end, the stage is too much for this nine-year-old.”

The Circuit Graphic Novel by Francisco Jimenez

5 stas Middle School Graphic Novel

This was to be their ticket out of poverty. Papa’s eyes sparkled with excitement while his brother was thrilled to be leaving Mexico, it was too much work just to survive there. Roberto wanted what the states had to offer, their cousin had filled their heads with everything that Roberto had dreamt about, he was tired of just surviving. Panchito looked forward to this new adventure.

His parents planned out the trip, all the details finalized. The train ride to California was exciting and uneventful. Their parents knew exactly where to enter the state of California, as the family secretly climbed under a fence undetected. In California, their ride was waiting for them, so things were going according to plan. It was now time to find the camp which would be their new home. A camp which was the home to many and would keep them safe, for now.

I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel as it gave an excellent account of how this young boy’s life was. As this migrant family works, the author shows the reader the struggles that they faced and the relationships that they created. It was interesting how they also viewed the United States. An eye-opening read. The illustrations were nicely down and the text boxes were not too busy. 5 stars

Global by Eoin Colfer

5 stars YA Graphic Novel

Two different stories told from opposite ends of the world grip the reader as they learn that the connecting factor linking them together is global warming. While some individuals claim that global change and global warming are just fictious, Yuki and Sami lives are living proof that it’s happening, and its effect is very real.

From “here” Sami is a fisherman, like his grandfather in the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean. The sea is once again pushing its way onto the banks of his village. The seawall is crumbling, and the houses will once again have to be moved more inland. Land is becoming scarce as the ocean claims everything around them. Fishing is their livelihood, their means of existence. The water that was once their friend has now become their enemy as a constant struggle occurs as they struggle to bring home enough fish to earn a paycheck and the ocean tries to claim their home. Just when Sami and his grandfather thought that they had caught the “big one” and their luck had changed, they realized that the water was not their only problem.

From “there” Yuki, his dog Lockjaw live with her parents inside the Arctic Circle in Northern Canada. With the warmer winters, the snow and sea ice are melting rapidly creating issues for the residents and the bears who rely on it. With less ice, the bears are moving into the residential areas to forge for their food. Yuki doesn’t like how the town addresses this issue, so she takes it upon herself to find a better solution. Bundled against the cold winter landscape, fourteen-year-old Yuki sets off with Lockjaw for the answer.

As Sami and Yuki shared their stories, their stories felt real. The details and the emotions that were expressed felt heartfelt and sincere. The illustrations in this graphic novel were terrific! You could feel the tension, frustration, and excitement within each text box. The colors used helped create this dramatic storyline and it was hard book to put down.

I enjoyed the extra text pages at the back of the book as they helped explain the idea behind the book and about global warming. I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel. 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Kids for an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion of this book.

Pizza and Taco: Super-Awesome Comic! by Stephen Shaskan

5 stars Children’s Graphic Novel

There’s been at least one time in your life that you’d like to be someone different whether that person is real or fictional. Pizza and Taco have decided to act on this and create a graphic novel together.

They believe that they would make great fictional superheroes, so the besties start planning out how to accomplish this goal together.

It truly is a fun, creative plan. Pizza is good at writing so he’ll be writing the story and with Taco’s great handwriting and artistic ability, Taco will oversee the graphics. It’s funny as they work all day separately writing/sketching and when they come together to discuss their ideas, the reactions they get from one another. Will Taco Awesome and Super Slice ever make it past the preview stage? Could they have done this a different way to be successful? Through it all, they did come up with some Rules for Working Together: 1. Listen 2. Be Positive 3. Compromise

My grandchildren enjoy this book as they like how Pizza and Taco create their superhero and how they argue back and forth but they’re still friends. They’re able to express themselves, be heard, and still have a friend at the end of the book.

I love the illustrations and how everything is not rosy. There is conflict and differences which they work out without a bunch of drama. 5 stars

Pizza and Taco: Rock Out! by Stephen Shaskan

5 stars Children’s Graphic Novel

How hard is it to create your own band? Well, Taco and Pizza soon find out. After discussing their favorite bands: Beetles, Jo-Jo’s, Jam Jett, and Food Fighters, they decided to create their own band because that would be so cool!

They each have their own vision of what they should sound/look like, the besties must now make some comprises as they get to work planning and putting their new group together. I love the creativity behind this book as there are lots of funny moments as the duo discovers that this new dream of theirs is harder than they imagined.

Pizza will be strumming the guitar and Taco really wants to play the tambourine in their new band. A calm Taco is portrayed rocking it out, with colorful strings hanging off his instrument as he moves to the music. Pizza feels that Taco should take it up a notch and hammer down on some drums in their band and the contrast between these two pictures is funny. From deciding what they should call their band to recruiting other band members, and deciding how to move forward, it’s obvious that they need to comprise. Pizza needs to let Taco help make some of the decisions as this is a group decision.

The Best Friend’s Dance makes an appearance as they needed some music to perform. After they did some “think, think, think” to come up with some lyrics to write and coming up empty, they put their famous dance to music. The reaction from their potential band members wasn’t what they hoped but the besties thought it was “awesome!” “yaaas!” and that keeps their energy pumped. Who thought putting a band together would be this much work?

Super fun series that keep my grandchildren and I laughing as we read each book. We’ve read each book in this series so many times, my preschool grandchildren know each story by heart, and they tell me if I am missing a word when I read them out loud to them. You don’t really need to read them in order, but you’ll appreciate them more, if you do. They sometimes relate to the previous stories in the sequential books but for the most part, you’ll be able to follow the story. 5 stars