Bomb by Steve Sheinkin- Alyson's Review

I was psyched that this was a Newbery Honor book--I love history, especially WWII--but I had no idea I'd find it as fascinating as I did.  Steve Sheinkin brings faces and personalities to all different kinds of people here, from the Norwegian resistance fighters who destroyed Germany's chances of winning the race to the scientists--old, middle-aged, and freakishly young--who won it for America (as well as those who then gave away the victory to the waiting KGB). Much of the story was new to me, and I was spellbound.  

What I loved most about Bomb is how it marries being accessible with being intelligent and informative.  It's hard to see this as a book specifically for young people--it works just as well for adults, I think--and it manages to be incredibly well-researched without actually feeling scholarly (in the dry, academic sense, that is.).  It's an introduction to the topic, it's true, but it's all the introduction most people will ever need.  And in case you were wondering, it's just as gripping for those of us whose worst subjects were Chemistry and Physics!

Bottom line--I loved it.  Sheinkin weaves together all kinds of different threads to tell a remarkable story, and it requires concentration, but it's more than worth it.  Do not miss this one.

Bomb by Steve Sheinkin

The Race to Build- And Steal- the World's Most Dangerous Weapon

5 stars
juvenile nonfiction
Newbery honor
book club pick

Oh my gosh, this book was FASCINATING.

Utterly amazing.

I love it.

You kind of need to be able to devote the time to read it pretty quickly, because there are many threads to keep track of, but it's so worth the time commitment.

Seriously, so worth it.

So go read it.

Now.

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

5 stars
JF
Newbery honor
Copy received for review

This book is adorable.

Mo is a bit of a misfit.  She was found by a man known as the Colonel, who owns a cafe and has secrets of his own, on the night of a hurricane.  No one knows where she came from, but the Colonel and Miss Lana have taken her in as their own.

But when a lawman comes to town asking about a murder things get interesting, and Mo and her friend Dale are on a hunt to find the truth... about everything.

Fabulous book.

Absolutely recommended.

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

4 stars
Newbery

A touching novel set in verse about leaving your home and starting all over again.

Ha is just a girl when Saigon falls and a new life in America may not be all it's cracked up to be.

I love the parts about learning English-- so true and so funny.

Overall a poignant quick read.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

5 Stars
JF
Newbery honor book, Beehive

So, obviously, I read this one with Boo.  (If you're on the home page, just scroll down for her review if you missed it Saturday.)  Mister sat in a little, but it didn't hold his attention.

This was a lot of reading aloud, which I don't love, but I really enjoyed the story, as did Boo.  I'm sure she didn't understand quite all of it, but she liked it.

I love all of the little stories within the story-- each set apart with a different font from the main text and titled.  It really emphasized the storytelling traditions. 

And Grace Lin weaves all of these different stories together flawlessly, creating a rich tapestry.

Definitely highly recommended.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by e. l. konigsburg

5 Stars
JF
Newbery Medal Winner

(Apparently I have been spelling "Newbery" wrong all this time. I feel a bit sheepish.)

How can you not love two kids who run away to live in a museum? I mean, if you're set on running away, that seems like a fabulous place to run to.

Claudia and Jamie run away from home and live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a week, where they find a mystery, adventure, and a little bit about themselves.

A really cute story. The characters are fun and the voice is fabulous. But then, it's e. l. konigsburg, so what else would you expect?

And apparently there are movies.... I did not know this. That could be fun. I may have to investigate that.

Anyway, definitely worth owning. I think all of hers are, though. And she's written so many. :D

What's your favorite e. l. konigsburg work?

Wednesday Morsel Answer Time

That's right it was indeed--
The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron



I just LOVE that part. Don't you?

Now I'm dying to know why it's been banned in some libraries! I've read it, but what did I miss? What am I forgetting?

And how on earth could anyone ban The Giver?????????? That's positively criminal.

A Fabulous Newberry

Savvy by Ingrid Law
5 stars
jf- Newberry Honor

LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED this book. It was fabulous.

Here's what the back says-- "What if your grandpa moves mountains, one of your brothers causes hurricanes, another creates electricity... and now it's your turn?"

It's Mibs' 13th birthday and she'll be getting her savvy. But all she really wants is to help her Poppa.

So fun, so sweet, very cute. My friend who's out to read all things Newberry thinks it should have been the award winner instead of The Graveyard Book. I don't know, I liked them both. I think Savvy would be better for younger audiences than the other was.

I'm really hoping there will be a sequel. Really really hoping. After all, there are younger siblings who don't have their savvies yet! I want to know what happens with Samson...

More Newberry Goodness

The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope
5 stars

This is a Newberry Honor Book from the 70's. I LOVED it! It was excellent. A fabulous blend of history and fantasy, The Perilous Gard is the tale of Kate Sutton, exiled from exile.

Which is not the double negative = a positive that you would think. It's house arrest at the home of a man she's never met.

And eventually, mysterious events lead her to the world of the Fairy Folk.

I quite liked Kate as a character. Her sister is an idiot, but what can you do? The last chapter, especially, is hilarious. (Not a good thing to be reading at midnight when everyone is asleep... you end up having to smother yourself.)

It's Newberry Time

It's that time of year again. The time when my friend spends vast amounts of time and energy furthering her quest to read every book that has ever won a Newberry (award or honor).

And she's inspired me. She printed me off a list a couple of years ago and I dutifully marked all the ones I'd read. (No, I'm not sure where my list is at the moment.... it's here somewhere.)

And now I pay attention when the new winners are announced. And I'm pretty proud of myself, because I've finished reading the winner before her.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
4 stars

Okay, so here's my problem with this book-- like Natasha at Maw Books, I hated the illustrations. I actually like the cover, but I was so not impressed by the illustrations.

Now that I've got that off my chest... I really enjoyed the book. It didn't end up being as dark as I thought it would be. I mean, okay, he grows up in a graveyard, but Bod actually has a pretty good life. Not in the conventional sense, maybe, but all-in-all, it's good. He's loved, he's protected, he's taught... what more can you give your child? I thought it was a good story.

My only bone to pick with the author-- I didn't feel like there was enough of an explanation of why his family was killed. Maybe I missed something, but I didn't see a real full, satisfying account of what was going on. Now, I'm actually not positive that that's required, but I'm a little CDO (that's obssessive/compulsive disorder, but alphabetically as it should be) and it bugged me.

Over all, I liked it. Not something I want to read to Boo, but hey. In a few years, sure, why not.

Of Mice and ..... Well, More Mice

And rats..... and the occasional person.

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
5 stars
R-0

This is a fabulous little story. Absolutely fabulous.

I'd never read it, and with the movie out and all I figured I needed to. Now I really want to see it. Assuming they didn't screw it up.

Despereaux the mouse makes an adorable knight in shining armor. And of course, everyone lives happily ever after.

I'm really thinking that this might be one to try with Boo. A bit long perhaps, but really fun. I might watch the movie with her first and then read it to her....