Review - The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda by Tom Angelberger (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Fiction
Size: 160 pages
Publisher: Amulet Books
Release Date: March 1, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0810984257
Stand Alone or Series: 1st book in the Origami Yoda series
Source: Swapped through paperbackswap.com
Rating: 4/5 stars

I have been wanting to read this book for some time and finally got around to it. This book does an absolutely wonderful job of portraying the politics of sixth grade and some of the strangeness that goes with it all.

Tommy has an acquaintance (friend?) Dwight who is a total loser. Dwight gives advice to people with a origami puppet of Yoda that he wears on his finger. The odd thing is that origami Yoda gives strangely...almost eerily...excellent advice. How can Dwight be such a loser when his Origami Yoda is so wise? Through a series of case studies provided by his classmates (and goofy pictures provided by one of Tommy’s friends) we get to see the affect of Yoda’s advice on the sixth grade class.

This book is definitely targeted at middle grade boys, so I am not the target audience at all. Still I enjoyed the book and thought it was cleverly put together. It does give great insight into sixth grade politics and the story is strangely compelling as we follow along and try to figure out what is up with this Origami Yoda.

The characters are all very realistic, which at times doesn’t make them all that easy to like. Still they all have good and bad aspects to their personalities and are all very easy to relate too. Tommy is on the fringes of the crowd, he is kind of a geek but he’s not as bad off as Dwight is.

Dwight is fascinating, he give super wise advice through his finger puppet Yoda, but he himself is strange, abrasive and incredibly tough to get along with. You keep wondering what’s going on in his head.

The story is compelled forward by a common and a not so common theme. The common one is will Tommy get the girl he’s dreaming of? The not so common one is how does this Origami Yoda give such great advice?

The author does an excellent job of giving the stories by different kids individual personalities; you can tell each Yoda story is being told by a different kid with a unique voice. The pictures are amusing and there is a lot of middle grade humor here.

The book touches on a number of great topics (friendship, being different, general school social structure) without ever taking itself too seriously.

The book is well written and engaging. It didn’t blow me away, but I think that is partly because I wasn’t the intended age group. Still I did find it to be a quick and fun read. The book also has instructions on making an origami Yoda in the back, which was fun.

Overall a fun and well done coming-of-age type story. It is done in a creative way; basically a number of stories about the Origami Yoda are provided by the kids in Tommy’s class. There is a lot of humor, yet the story touches on serious issues as well. This would be a great read for a middle grade boy; young adults and older will find it amusing and find themselves thinking about all the weirdos in their sixth grade class. I will definitely pick up Darth Paper Strikes Back to read at some point.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- 150+ Books Reading Challenge
- TBR Pile Reading Challenge

Graphic Novel Review - Bake Sale by Sara Varon (4/5 stars)

Reading level: All Ages
Genre: Graphic Novel
Size: 160 pages
Publisher: First Second
Release Date: August 30, 2011
ISBN: 978-1596434196
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 4/5 stars


I borrowed a copy of this graphic novel from my library; it was a cute book that I enjoyed reading with my son. It wasn't awe-inspiring or anything just a cute book about running a bakery and friendship.

Cupcake runs a bakery and is dying to meet his baking idol Turkish Delight. When his friend Eggplant says he is going to Turkey to meet his aunt Cupcake thinks it is the perfect time to make his lifelong dream come true. Cupcake works very hard to make extra money to make his dream of meeting Turkish Delight come true. Will he make enough money to join Eggplant on an excursion to Turkey?

This was a cute book that gives some insight into how a bakery runs. My son and I enjoyed the cute pictures and the talking food. It touches on some good lessons as well. Basically Cupcakes has to work hard to make his dreams come true. When something bad happens to Eggplant, Cupcake has to make a tough decision about what is more important to him his personal dream or his friendship. It is a great lesson on hard work and the value of friendship.

There are a number of delicious looking recipes sprinkled throughout the book. I didn't get a chance to try any of them and would be curious about if they are any good. The pictures are simple and colorful, super cute and fun to look at.

Overall I enjoyed reading this. It was a cute read that addresses some good life lessons while showing how a bakery is run. It's a graphic novel the whole family can read together. To be honest it probably isn't something I would read again or go out and buy, but it was a quick read and a sweet diversion. I'll be interested to see what Varon comes up with in the future. I'd recommend this as a great read for the graphic novel baking enthusiast in your family.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- Graphic Novel Challenge
- 150+ Books Reading Challenge

Graphic Novel Review - The Way Home and the Bittersweet Summer (Owly, Vol 1) by Andy Runton

Reading level: Children's (Age 5+)

Genre: Graphic Novel
Size: 160 pages
Publisher:   Top Shelf Productions
Release Date: September 29, 2004
ISBN:  978-1891830624
Stand Alone or Series: 1st book in the Owly series
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 4/5 stars

This book was recommended to me by one of my Goodread friends who also likes graphic novels.  It was a very cute book with adorable drawings that told a great story despite having very few words.  This is something young kids and adults alike will enjoy.

The book tells two stories.  The first is The Way Home in which Owly saves a worm from drowning and helps the worm to find his family.  The second is The Bittersweet Summer where Owly befriends some hummingbirds and struggles with how to take care of them as the summer fades.

The book has very few words, the story is almost completely told in pictures.  It is a great story that teaches about friendship and nature.  I enjoyed it and thought it was sweet and fun.  I actually became very emotionally involved with Owly as he tried to care for his hummingbird friends.

The pictures are simple, done in black and white with simple clean lines.  Somehow they manage to convey a wealth of story in each picture though.  The expressions on the animals faces are spot on.  Owly is adorable and so earnest in his need to help his fellow forest creatures.

The best thing about this book is that everyone from a very young child (3-4 years old) to an adult can enjoy the story.  I love graphic novels that span all age groups.

On a side note, I read this right after reading Grant Morrison's Arkham Asylum....it almost gave me mental whiplash.  This book is pretty much the opposite of everything Arkham Asylum is; I only bring it up because the difference is crazy and it was quite a change in pace :-)

Overall this was a quick, well-done, and fun read.  I would recommend it to fans of graphic novels; especially those who are interested in graphic novels that younger kids and adults can both enjoy.  The artwork is cute and conveys a wonderful story without many words.  This is a great story about friendship and teaches some about the natural world around us.  I will definitely be checking out future installments.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- 100+ Reading Challenge
- Graphic Novels Challenge List

Early Review - Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu (5/5 stars)

Reading level: Middle Grade
Genre: Adventure/Fantasy
Size: 320 pages
Publisher: Walden Pond Press
Release Date: September 27, 2011
ISBN: 978-0062015051
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Around the World ARC Tours
Rating: 5/5 stars

I got a copy of this book through Around the World ARC tours.  I saw the premise of this book and the wonderful cover and absolutely had to read it as soon as I could.  It was an excellent book.  It is kind of a retelling of The Snow Queen fairy tale, but on top of that it is so much more.  

Hazel is a dreamer and loves adventure. Hazel's best friend is Jack and together they have the most fabulous adventures.  Then Jack stops talking to Hazel and one of Jack's friends tells Hazel that he saw Jack leave with a woman made of ice.  Now Jack is gone and Hazel has to make a choice.  Should she grow and do normal girl things like her mother is pushing her too?  Or should she follow her imagination and try to save Jack from the ice woman?

There are a million things I loved about this book.  The writing is beautiful and the descriptions done in such a way that all of the settings come alive for the reader.  Hazel is an absolutely wonderful character she is struggling with her dad having left her and her mom; she is struggling with fitting in at a traditional school (she used to go to a creative arts school).  The best thing about Hazel though is that she is not afraid to be herself; the problem she has is that she isn't willing to compromise to fit in with other people...as a result her classmates have trouble understanding her.

There are numerous references to geeky fantasy culture things; lots of Harry Potter references along with a number of other references to classic fantasy literature.  I enjoyed these a lot.  There are parts of the story that made me laugh out loud and were very fun; for example superhero baseball.  Jack and Hazel create a fun world of their own and as a reader, it is a world you wish you could live in.

The second half of the book is more serious as Hazel ventures into the woods and is forced to face a number of people who seem nice, but end up being pretty evil.  Hazel's quest to rescue Jack teaches her a lot about herself and a lot about growing up.  Parts of this book are a little sad because Hazel learns that as she grows there are certain things she will have to leave behind; I think all of us see that as we get older and it is always a bit sad.  Jack's background is also a bit sad, he has a mother that is suffering from severe depression and the book talks some about Jack having to deal with that.

There is some magic in the book but the majority of this story is about friendship and growing up.  The characters throughout are quirky and interesting.  Hazel's journey through the woods is where most of the magic takes place and even there it is more like magical realism than right out magic.  The whole story has a fairy tale feel to it, but is still very modern.  There is beautiful artwork throughout the book as well (most of the artwork wasn't in the ARC yet but the artwork I did see was breathtaking and really added to the story).

Of course the book takes place in my home state of Minnesota and I love that.  Ursu has done an excellent job capturing Minnesota winters and the adventure that driving through them can provide.

Overall I loved everything about this book.  I loved the characters, the writing, the description, the story, all the quirky reference to fantasy literature, and the lessons Hazel learns throughout.  I will definitely be reading anything that Ursu writes in the future.  I just love this book so much!  If you are a fan of fantasy adventure or fairy tales pick up this book as soon as it releases!  The book might get a bit scary for younger children,  but in general it is appropriate for all ages.

This book goes towards the following reading challenge:

- 100+ Reading Challenge

Children's Book Review - The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari by Donita K. Paul (4/5 stars)

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Genre: Imagination and Play
Size:  40 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Release Date: January 11, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0307446459
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd The Dragon and The Turtle Book
Source: Finished Copy through Librarythings's Early Reviewer Program
Rating: 4/5 stars

I got a copy of this book through Librarything's Early Reviewer program.  I have a four year old son who adores dragons and was really looking forward to reading this book with him.  The strong point of this book are the wonderful illustrations.  The story is decent too and teaches some good lessons.

Padraig (the dragon) and Roger (the turtle) are determined to camp out all night on a pretend safari.  The problem is they keep encountering and hearing dangerous wild animals, for example baby cougars (kittens), etc.  They are going to try and make it through the night but when Padraig gets too scared it might be time to retire to the comforts of home.

This book had a lot of strengths.  The illustrations are cute and the story is fun.  The friends are supportive of each other and when Padraig gets too scared Roger lets him know it's okay to admit you are scared and to try again another time.  It's a good example of imaginative play where the characters are pretending to be on safari but are really only in their backyards.

There were also a couple of problems with the book.  First of all there is a lot of Brit-speak in here.  I thought it was kind of cute, but my four year old found it confusing at points and wanted me to stop and explain what all the words meant or why they were used that way.  Okay if you want your kid learning British English, but a bit confusing for kids just learning how to read.  The plot was a bit confusing too, at first it wasn't clear whether they were actually on a safari or pretending to be on a safari.  At points the pictures actually show giraffes and stuff and at other times they show the actual animals (Raccoons, squirrels).  As an adult I found it kind of confusing and my son was totally confused.  He thought they lived in the jungle and then wondered why they were calling things a cougar but showing a kitten.  So that is a bit confusing also.

Overall though it was definitely a winner for my son.  He enjoys the story and grabs it off the bookshelf quite often to read.  It is not his favorite book but he enjoys it.  I really enjoy the great illustrations but having to stop to explain the British English gets a bit tiresome.  Cute story for fans of dragons.  Teaches imaginative play and how to be a good and sensitive friend.  It is a decent read, but my son and I didn't like it enough to go out and by the first book in this series: The Dragon and the Turtle.

Review - The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester by Barbara O'Connor (3/5 stars)

Reading level: Middle Grade
Genre: Adventure
Size: 176 pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and GirouxRelease Date: March 6, 2007
ISBN-13:  978-0374368500
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Amazon Vine
Rating: 3/5 stars

I got a copy of this book through the Amazon Vine program.  It looked like a fun little read.  It ended up being okay but was a bit simpler and less wondrous than I was hoping for.

Owen Jester lives in a house with his parents, grandfather, and housekeeper.  No one does much with him and he is left mainly to his own devices; he has two friends he hangs out with and there is a girl who bothers them from time to time.  Most of the book is spent dealing with Owen's struggles about whether or not he should keep this magnificent frog he caught or release him.  The other parts of the book deal with Owen and his friends trying to find something that fell off of a train in the middle of the night.

The story is well-written and paced well enough.  It teaches about responsibility, a little about ecology, and about friendship.  Honestly I thought it was a bit boring, but a younger reader might find it to be more interesting.

Owen's parents aren't really more than place-holders and his friends aren't that well-developed as characters either.  The highlights of the story are definitely Owen himself and the girl that shadows Owen and his friends.

Overall a simple story that is well written and tells of a boy's summer adventures.  An okay read, but nothing very wondrous or fantastic here.  I thought it was a bit boring and that the characters were underdeveloped.  Younger readers might find the story more intriguing.  Personally I would recommend "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" or "The Year Money Grew on Trees", as better stories about middle grade kids spending their summers in interesting ways and learning interesting things.