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mamadaughterbookclub's reviews
40 reviews
Right Back at You by Carolyn Mackler
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ahead of publication date. I really enjoyed the first book and was looking forward to the conclusion. It was even better than the first - enthralling, captivating, and unputdownable.
I can't think of a better character than 13 year old Max. A Jewish teenager who escaped from Germany, only to return to his home country as a spy for the British? This book had it all. It was action packed, tense, and nerve racking. Max was in so much danger every step of the way, at any time he could be discovered not only as being Jewish, but also being a spy. There were so many moments where my heart was pounding and I was terrified for Max.
Gidwitz does a fantastic job in showing what Nazi led Germany was in the early 1940s. How could a nation of 70 million believe the lies and propaganda from Hitler and the Nazi party? How could everyday Germans stand by and watch was happening to the Jewish people, the Romany, the disabled, the gay, and other marginalized groups? How could it have happened in modern times?
The horrors and tragedies of genocide were also portrayed, and done so in a way that was suitable for middle grade readers while still showing the depravity and evilness of German concentration camps. I can't stress how important it is to have books like this for kids today. We must never forget the past and the darkest moments of history.
Recommended for readers 10+ due to mature themes.
I can't think of a better character than 13 year old Max. A Jewish teenager who escaped from Germany, only to return to his home country as a spy for the British? This book had it all. It was action packed, tense, and nerve racking. Max was in so much danger every step of the way, at any time he could be discovered not only as being Jewish, but also being a spy. There were so many moments where my heart was pounding and I was terrified for Max.
Gidwitz does a fantastic job in showing what Nazi led Germany was in the early 1940s. How could a nation of 70 million believe the lies and propaganda from Hitler and the Nazi party? How could everyday Germans stand by and watch was happening to the Jewish people, the Romany, the disabled, the gay, and other marginalized groups? How could it have happened in modern times?
The horrors and tragedies of genocide were also portrayed, and done so in a way that was suitable for middle grade readers while still showing the depravity and evilness of German concentration camps. I can't stress how important it is to have books like this for kids today. We must never forget the past and the darkest moments of history.
Recommended for readers 10+ due to mature themes.
Max in the Land of Lies : A Tale of World War II by Adam Gidwitz
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ahead of publication date. I really enjoyed the first book and was looking forward to the conclusion. It was even better than the first - enthralling, captivating, and unputdownable.
I can't think of a better character than 13 year old Max. A Jewish teenager who escaped from Germany, only to return to his home country as a spy for the British? This book had it all. It was action packed, tense, and nerve racking. Max was in so much danger every step of the way, at any time he could be discovered not only as being Jewish, but also being a spy. There were so many moments where my heart was pounding and I was terrified for Max.
Gidwitz does a fantastic job in showing what Nazi led Germany was in the early 1940s. How could a nation of 70 million believe the lies and propaganda from Hitler and the Nazi party? How could everyday Germans stand by and watch was happening to the Jewish people, the Romany, the disabled, the gay, and other marginalized groups? How could it have happened in modern times?
The horrors and tragedies of genocide were also portrayed, and done so in a way that was suitable for middle grade readers while still showing the depravity and evilness of German concentration camps. I can't stress how important it is to have books like this for kids today. We must never forget the past and the darkest moments of history.
Recommended for readers 10+ due to mature themes.
I can't think of a better character than 13 year old Max. A Jewish teenager who escaped from Germany, only to return to his home country as a spy for the British? This book had it all. It was action packed, tense, and nerve racking. Max was in so much danger every step of the way, at any time he could be discovered not only as being Jewish, but also being a spy. There were so many moments where my heart was pounding and I was terrified for Max.
Gidwitz does a fantastic job in showing what Nazi led Germany was in the early 1940s. How could a nation of 70 million believe the lies and propaganda from Hitler and the Nazi party? How could everyday Germans stand by and watch was happening to the Jewish people, the Romany, the disabled, the gay, and other marginalized groups? How could it have happened in modern times?
The horrors and tragedies of genocide were also portrayed, and done so in a way that was suitable for middle grade readers while still showing the depravity and evilness of German concentration camps. I can't stress how important it is to have books like this for kids today. We must never forget the past and the darkest moments of history.
Recommended for readers 10+ due to mature themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Genocide and War
The Secret Language of Birds by Lynne Kelly
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really strong middle grade book with an overall message of acceptance and coming of age. Enjoyed the setting at a summer camp in Texas, where the main character Nina is spending a summer with her Aunt Audrey, who is the camp director. Nina is different and has trouble making friends at school because she will sometimes get intense about a certain thing, and she struggles with picking up on nonverbal clues. She loves the outdoors and is especially passionate about birds, so her parents reason that spending a summer at the camp in the middle of a marsh is a great experience.
There's a group of misfits at camp that Nina instantly befriends. She discovers by accident that a whooping crane may be living in the marsh. Which is a really big deal because whooping cranes haven't been seen in Texas in years! She sets about, with the help of her friends, learning more about whooping cranes and their extraordinary lives.
Recommended for ages 8+.
There's a group of misfits at camp that Nina instantly befriends. She discovers by accident that a whooping crane may be living in the marsh. Which is a really big deal because whooping cranes haven't been seen in Texas in years! She sets about, with the help of her friends, learning more about whooping cranes and their extraordinary lives.
Recommended for ages 8+.
Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults): A True Story of the Fight for Justice by Bryan Stevenson
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
This Young Readers adaptation of the NYT Bestseller is a must read for students passionate about social justice. It's a deep and personal look at the prison system in America, and how the system is set up against poor and marginalized young people. Bryan Stevenson shares his background as a lawyer and social justice advocate, and takes us through some of his most challenging cases of the wrongfully imprisoned, some who were on death row awaiting execution when he started his career.
The first half of the book mainly focuses on Walter McMillian, a black man in Alabama wrongfully convicted of murder, who is awaiting the death penalty. Everything about the case was mismanaged and the lead detectives and lead witness both admitted to lying. Readers learn about Walter's case in detail, interspersed with other inmates, many also on death row, that Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative are working to make just.
Towards the latter part of the book, Stevenson focuses on the problem of American youth in marginalized communities who are not only tried as adults and forced to be jailed with adults, but are then giving life sentences. Many of them only 13 or 14 when they committed their crimes, many of them dealing with mental illness and poverty and other vulnerable circumstances.
Riveting, immersive, compassionate, and just, I recommend the Young Readers adaptation of Just Mercy for young readers ages 12 and up.
The first half of the book mainly focuses on Walter McMillian, a black man in Alabama wrongfully convicted of murder, who is awaiting the death penalty. Everything about the case was mismanaged and the lead detectives and lead witness both admitted to lying. Readers learn about Walter's case in detail, interspersed with other inmates, many also on death row, that Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative are working to make just.
Towards the latter part of the book, Stevenson focuses on the problem of American youth in marginalized communities who are not only tried as adults and forced to be jailed with adults, but are then giving life sentences. Many of them only 13 or 14 when they committed their crimes, many of them dealing with mental illness and poverty and other vulnerable circumstances.
Riveting, immersive, compassionate, and just, I recommend the Young Readers adaptation of Just Mercy for young readers ages 12 and up.
Isabel in Bloom by Mae Respicio
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Wonderful novel-in-verse book about a Filipino girl who moves to California to be with her mother when she is 12 years old. Isabel leaves behind her home and her grandparents and all that she has known to start a new life in America. She makes friends and finds pieces of home when she starts up a garden club at her school to bring back the neglected garden. The poetry is lyrical and moving, and the story flows well as the different parts of Isabel's life represents the different stages of growing a garden. Very enjoyable and a quick read. Recommended for ages 8+.
The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival by Estelle Nadel
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
Heartwrenching graphic novel memoir about Holocaust survivor Estelle Nadel (Enia Feld as a child in war occupied Poland). My 10 year old daughter and I read this together, and we were both saddened and horrified by the atrocities of the Holocaust, but also so appreciative that this book exists. Young readers need to know the history of antisemitism and the Holocaust, and sadly Estelle's family suffered greatly. Beautiful storytelling and illustrations make this a powerful and memorable read. Recommended for ages 10+ and be mindful of content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Antisemitism, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Genocide, Violence, and Grief
Shark Teeth by Sherri Winston
What gives me hope is that the community rallies around Kita and her siblings. There are people who truly care for her, including her friends, her assistant principal, her counselor, and her art teacher. The love and bond that she and her siblings have for each other is beautiful.
A tough book to read (be mindful of sensitive kids), so recommended for ages 10+ who can handle mature themes.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is an intense read so please check the trigger warnings. In a year stacked with bad moms in middle grade books, Mama in Shark Teeth may take the cake. In addition to putting her kids in physical harm, the emotional impacts of her neglect and abuse was heartbreaking to read.
Sharkita "Kita" is 12 years old but has the responsibilities of an adult. We start the book with her being reunited with her younger siblings and her mama, after the 3 of them were separated in different foster care homes due to their mama's neglect. Readers quickly realize several things.
Sharkita "Kita" is 12 years old but has the responsibilities of an adult. We start the book with her being reunited with her younger siblings and her mama, after the 3 of them were separated in different foster care homes due to their mama's neglect. Readers quickly realize several things.
- Kita is parenting her younger siblings, full on parenting. Caring for their physical and emotional needs, feeding them, keeping them clean, keeping them safe. She is also managing the household - doing the cleaning, paying the bills, cooking, laundry, the works.
- Kita is suffering from anxiety which manifest in panic attacks, or as she calls them, shark attacks. She feels that she's being squeeze to the point where she cannot move and thinks she's having a heart attack.
- Kita blames herself for things that are not her responsibility and things she cannot control.
What gives me hope is that the community rallies around Kita and her siblings. There are people who truly care for her, including her friends, her assistant principal, her counselor, and her art teacher. The love and bond that she and her siblings have for each other is beautiful.
A tough book to read (be mindful of sensitive kids), so recommended for ages 10+ who can handle mature themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcohol
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I reread this childhood classic for my #RereadYourChildhood challenge. I just finished the audiobook and sat in my car weeping. I am unwell. It is beautiful and wonderful but oh so heartbreaking.
35+ years after I originally read this with my mom and sister, Where the Red Fern Grows is just as emotional as ever. Probably one of the first coming of age books I can remember, I had forgotten the details, but one thing I have always remembered are the courageous, loyal, noble, and brave Old Dan and Little Ann. The best dogs a boy could ever have.
I learned more about coon hunting than I thought possible, and enjoyed the adventures that Billy and his dogs went on. Had completely forgotten about much of the story. But I cherished it during this reread.
This book has stood the test of time and remains a beloved classic. I'm so glad I reread it.
35+ years after I originally read this with my mom and sister, Where the Red Fern Grows is just as emotional as ever. Probably one of the first coming of age books I can remember, I had forgotten the details, but one thing I have always remembered are the courageous, loyal, noble, and brave Old Dan and Little Ann. The best dogs a boy could ever have.
I learned more about coon hunting than I thought possible, and enjoyed the adventures that Billy and his dogs went on. Had completely forgotten about much of the story. But I cherished it during this reread.
This book has stood the test of time and remains a beloved classic. I'm so glad I reread it.
Buffalo Dreamer by Violet Duncan
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book packs a lot in a slim 104 pages. A beautiful story covering a very dark part of Canada's history and its treatment of Indigenous children being sent to residential schools, and the abuse they endured. Summer is visiting her grandparents with her mom and younger brother Sage. They pass by a former residential school and learn that their Mosom (grandfather) had been sent to a school when he was only 5 years ago. Summer starts having dreams about a girl named Buffalo Dreamer who ran away from a residential school and got caught in a blizzard. She sets about discovering if the dreams are based on a real person.
Ultimately while the story is steeped in a sad part of history, this is ultimately a book about hope and how future generations can heal and thrive, while learning about their ancestors' pasts.
Ultimately while the story is steeped in a sad part of history, this is ultimately a book about hope and how future generations can heal and thrive, while learning about their ancestors' pasts.
The Wrong Way Home by Kate O'Shaughnessy
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Incredibly well written middle grade contemporary fiction with a unique premise. 12 year old Fern and her mother live in an off the grid community in New York run by a man named Dr. Ben. It's been their home for 6 years. One night, Fern's mother has them leave their home behind, and they drive all the way across the country to California. Fern is confused and wants nothing more than to return to her home, as she starts to the experience the real world and learns that maybe things weren't quite what she thought they were.
I couldn't put this down. I was caught up in Fern's story and rooting for her and her mother to find their way away from their past life. I adored the people they met in Driftwood Beach and the friendships they developed. I was frustrated with Fern trying so hard to get back in touch with Dr. Ben but found it to be so realistic given how she had been raised.
Also loved that the fictional town was based on Rockaway Beach in Pacifica which is an area I know very well. And that the beloved tea shop was based on a local darling, Lovey's Tea Shop which is one of my favorite places to get tea!
I couldn't put this down. I was caught up in Fern's story and rooting for her and her mother to find their way away from their past life. I adored the people they met in Driftwood Beach and the friendships they developed. I was frustrated with Fern trying so hard to get back in touch with Dr. Ben but found it to be so realistic given how she had been raised.
Also loved that the fictional town was based on Rockaway Beach in Pacifica which is an area I know very well. And that the beloved tea shop was based on a local darling, Lovey's Tea Shop which is one of my favorite places to get tea!