Deeplight by Frances Hardinge (Young Adult Fantasy Book Review)

I received a physical copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Deeplight
by Frances Hardinge
Published by Amulet Books
on April 14, 2020
(first published October 2019)
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Length: 432 pages
Ages: 14 - 18 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Literary Awards:
British Science Fiction Association Award Nominee for Best Artwork (2019)
Lodestar Award Nominee (2020)

Synopsis:
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea meets Frankenstein in Frances Hardinge's latest fantasy adventure.

The Gods are dead. Decades ago, they turned on one another and tore each other apart. Nobody knows why But are they really gone forever? When 10-year-old Hark finds the still-beating heart of a terrifying deity, he risks everything to keep it out of the hands of smugglers, military scientists, and a secret fanatical cult so that he can use it to save the life of his best friend, Jelt. But with the heart, Jelt gradually and eerily transforms. How long should Hark stay loyal to his friend when he's becoming a monster--and what is Hark willing to sacrifice to save him?

My Thoughts:

Hark and his best friend Jelt are fellow orphans that grew up in a busy island chain called Myriad, where the gods that once ruled the land have been destroyed and sunk into the sea. Both Hark and Jelt have survived any and every way they can, but when Jelt pulls Hark into a dangerous job that ends him landed in indentured servitude, he learns an important lesson about trusting others and friendships that go too far.

Deeplight is rich with detail and description and has great worldbuilding that includes a culture of ancient gods, magical artifacts, and the underwater scavengers that hunt for them. There's a lot of great character growth as well as a focus on friendship and toxic relationships.

I really got some Lies of Locke Lamora and Six of Crows vibes from this right off the bat. Hark and Jelt grew up learning to take care of themselves and how to easily earn extra coin in the meantime. When Hark is captured and sold off to the highest bidder, it is his ability to lie and draw the crowd in with a good story that saves his life and he ends up as a trusted indentured servant to someone who helps him learn new skills and hone his old ones.

This was enjoyable but it took me a couple of tries to really get into the story (although I will say that is mostly on me and my inability to concentrate on bigger books during the pandemic). There's a lot of extra side characters that I had a hard time keeping track of at first. I was mostly drawn in by the friendship that Hark was so eager to praise but quickly seemed like it toxic, if anything.
Once I got a hang of the setting and characters and read about the Hidden Lady, a god that dwells in the deep, I was hooked.

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Most of the Better Natural Things in the World by Dave Eggers & Angel Chang (Children's Picture Book Review)

Most of the Better Natural Things in the World

Written by Dave Eggers 
Illustrations by Angel Chang
Published by Chronicle Books
on November 5, 2019
Genre: Children's, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Nature
Length: 52 pages
Ages: 5 - 8 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository



Synopsis:
A tiger carries a dining room chair on her back. But why? Where is she going? With just one word per page, in lush, color-rich landscapes, we learn about the features that make up our world: an archipelago, a dune, an isthmus, a lagoon. Across them all, the tiger roams. An enigmatic investigation of our world's most beautiful places from bestselling author Dave Eggers, beautifully illustrated by debut artist Angel Chang.

Our Thoughts:

This beautiful picture book shares a white Bengal tiger's journey around and through most of the better natural things in the world. From the plains to a river gorge, through an estuary to an atoll, this tiger travels near and far, sharing each and every new discovery on his journey. 

With gorgeous full-color illustrations, this book shares many natural geographic landscapes that can be found around the world, from islands to mountains to the valleys and forests in between. 

With only one word describing the landscape on each page, this book is simple and quick to get through, but there's a visual story mixed in with a fun and happy ending. There is a glossary at the end explaining each of these geographic landscapes and end pages with the world map on them! 

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I Am A Warrior Goddess by Jennifer Adams (Children's Picture Book Review)

I Am A Warrior Goddess

Written by Jennifer Adams
Illustrated by Carme Lemniscates
Published by Sounds True
on February 1, 2018
Genre: Children's, Picture Books
Length: 32 pages
Ages: 4 - 8 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
You don't have to be a grownup to be a hero! I Am A Warrior Goddess shows how in the empowering tale of a little girl with big aspirations. Through the clever play between illustration and text, readers see that each day is full of opportunities for little people to make a big impact with ordinary actions. As our heroine connects with the earth, takes care of her body, and finds strength in kindness, she discovers her inner warrior goddess and inspires young girls everywhere to do the same.

My Thoughts:

Featuring a brave and beautiful red-headed girl, I Am A Warrior Goddess takes us through her day, sharing all the wonderful things she is, does, and can do!

This cute picture book has beautiful collage-style illustrations that include lots of nature with uniquely detailed trees and flowers, a library full of books, and plenty of kind and helpful interactions to show readers what it is to be a warrior goddess! We loved all the neat details and bright flowers!

This empowering book would be a great gift or addition to any little girls' library! 

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Top Ten Tuesday - Summer TBR

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish and continued by That Artsy Girl in 2018. 


Books On My Summer TBR

I'm a big mood reader when I can concentrate on reading but everything has been up in the air lately so don't hold me to this TBR.

Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become A Good Ancestor  by  Layla F. Saad

White Fragility: Why It's So Hard For White People to Talk About Racism  by  Robin Diangelo

{White Fragility was on my original TBR for this year and I'm shaking myself for not reading it sooner. It's almost impossible to get from the library right now. I just purchased an ecopy of Me and White Supremacy though.}

Squirm  by  Carl Hiaasen

Scat  by  Carl Hiaasen

{I'm slowly working my way through Hiaasen's MG/YA novels and really want to read these this summer. These are set in Florida so I'll get to experience my adventures from home now that we are in the second wave of Covid19.}

Elysium Girls  by  Kate Pentecost

Crown of Coral and Pearl  by  Mara Rutherford

{These are both books I've won in giveaways and would like to get them read and reviewed soon!}

The Boneless Mercies  by  April Genevieve Tucholke

Seven Endless Forests  by  April Genevieve Tucholke

{I usually crave fantasy & adventure during the summer and might dig into these if I get the time.}

Firefly Lane  by  Kristin Hannah

Night Road  by  Kristin Hannah

{I read The Nightingale and The Great Alone last year and enjoyed them so much that I've been planning to read more ever since and have these on my shelves.}


What's on your summer TBR?
I'd love to know!
Feel free to link to your TTT in the comments!

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Dinosaur Lady by Linda Skeers & Marta Alvarez Miguens (Children's Nonfiction Picture Book Review)

We received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dinosaur Lady:
The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist
Written by Linda Skeers
Illustrated by Marta Alvarez Meguens
Published by Sourcebooks

on July 1, 2020

Genre: Children's, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Biography, History, Science
Length: 40 pages
Ages: 4 - 8 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository
Our Thoughts:

Mary Anning grew up by the sea in England and spent her childhood searching the shores for shells, rocks, and fossils. Her curiosity led her to research everything she could about the bones and fossils she found. One day, while on the beach with her brother, they discovered a dinosaur skull before the word 'dinosaur' even existed! Her discovery went off to a museum for others to ponder over. Meanwhile, Mary continued to make new and exciting discoveries despite the limitations she had at a time when women weren't even allowed to go to university. Nonetheless, her discoveries helped form paleontology!

Dinosaur Lady is a wonderful look at the life and discoveries Mary Anning, the first paleontologist, with lovely illustrations that make you feel like you are right there with her combing the beach and discovering bone formations in the cliff sides.

I really enjoyed that some of the scientific names of the fossils and shells that Mary collected were included in the story, like ammonite and coprolite, as well as the overall museum feel of the book! I also love a good story about a woman persevering despite her limitations! This book is inspiring!

Includes a spread about 'bone bits and facts' as well as a timeline spread of Mary's life and discoveries!

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The Sunday Post - Wk 24 - Hiking & Stuff

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

and is a chance to share news, both new and old!

Hey there, bloggers!

Here's my week at a glance!

Currently reading:

I purchased an ecopy of Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Said this week and started my graphic novel choice for the month, Glass Town by Isabel Greenberg.


Recent Reviews:

We shared Inky the Octopus by Erin Guendelsberger and NatGeoKids: Extreme Ocean by Sylvia A. Earle for World Oceans Day and also reviewed You're the Hero: Pirate Adventure by Lily Murray, which is a fantastic 'create-your-own-story' book, and Why Do We Cry? by Fran Pintadera this week!

What I'm Watching:

We had a family movie night and watched Trolls 2, which was really good with themes about unity and celebrating our differences, and the new Artemis Fowl movie!


Off the blog:

I've been terribly disappointed in the blatant racism and/or lack of understanding of it from locals, old acquaintances, et cetera that has been on display loud and clear this week so I've taken a little break from most social media and spent more time blogging, signing petitions, and sending emails, among other things. I feel like the best thing to do right now is to educate myself more and continue to bring diverse literature into my own spaces.

Monday was World Oceans Day so we did some ocean themed arts & crafts, storytime, and educational videos throughout the week.

We also finally ventured out into the world for a hike. We didn't have to stop anywhere or interact with anyone or touch anything so that was great and my kiddo and I got some peaceful time in our happy place. We've been cooped up since early March so it was nice to 'get out' but Covid19 cases and deaths are going up drastically in Florida this week.

It looks like we are heading into rainy/hurricane season but we did get two dry, sunny days this week so we got lots of yard work done while we could. The grass was getting way too tall. There's nothing new going on in the garden but we are getting lots of peppers now.

How'd the week treat you? Anything new to share?
Stay well! Happy reading!

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Why Do We Cry? by Fran Pintadera & Ana Sender (Children's Picture Book Review)

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Why Do We Cry?
Written by Fran Pintadera
Illustrated by Ana Sender

Published by Kids Can Press

on April 7, 2020

Genre: Children's, Picture Books

Length: 34 pages

Ages: 3 - 7 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:

This sensitive, poetic picture book uses metaphors and beautiful imagery to explain the reasons for our tears, making it clear that everyone is allowed to cry, and that everyone does.

In a soft voice, Mario asks, "Mother, why do we cry?" His mother thinks for a moment and then begins to tell him about the many reasons for our tears. We cry because our sadness is so huge it must escape from our bodies. Because we don't understand the world, and our tears go in search of an answer. Because we can't find the right words, and our tears speak a universal language. Most importantly, she tells him, we cry because we feel like crying. And, as she shows him then, sometimes we feel like crying for joy.

By exploring the causes of our tears, Fran Pintadera's thoughtful picture book story defends the right to cry and reinforces crying's importance as a way to release our pain, to calm us and to help us grow.

My Thoughts:

"Some days we cry because we call out for a hug but all we get back is an echo."

Why Do We Cry? begins with a boy asking his mother why we cry. There are many answers to such a question and the mother helps the boy explore the many reasons why we may shed tears.

As the mother explains the reasons why we cry, the illustrations become a bit surreal, to show the emotions and feelings associated with crying, from sadness to anger to grief. The mother compares and contrasts, all the while weaving a poetic story about her own life or memories and tear-inducing emotions.

This book reminds us that it is okay to cry, that crying can be a release, a way to heal, or let go. It helps us understand the difference between emotions and how they affect us.
There's an educational spread at the end of the book that teaches us the different types of tears, one of which--emotional tears-- is featured in this book, what they are made of, and even how much they weigh!

More like this:

When Sadness Is At Your Door by Eva Eland

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