Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

This is a truly inspiring story in a continually inspiring series.

Jane Goodall knew what she wanted from a young age and figured out a way to realize her dream. Starting from the moment that her father gave her a stuffed animal named Jubilee, Jane was in love with chimpanzees. Unable to afford university, she made her way to Africa, met Leakey and began to patiently observe chimps in the wild. Touchingly, she named the animals and did not only see them as research subjects. Through patient study, Jane learned a great deal and made an amazing discovery (read the book to find out what this was). In later years, she has fought tirelessly for our environment.

Jane is a determined woman and her story will encourage young readers to be determined in setting and keeping to their own biggest hopes and dreams.

Highly recommended! Thanks to NetGalley, Quarto and the author for this excellent entry in an excellent series.

#JaneGoodall #NetGalley

Do you know a child who has been afraid? Do they have a fear that just seems to grow and grow? In this short children’s book, the author personifies fear as an ever present companion to a school-aged girl. Over the course of this story, the protagonist’s fear shrinks to manageable size. She learns that many of her peers face fears as well and so she is not alone. This is a reassuring book that maybe some of us adults could benefit from as well!

Have you ever tried to visit an art museum with a child? Were you ever a child who found art museums to be boring? Would you like to find your own adventures in a museum, even if they create some chaos? If any of these could be true, read this picture book to a child in your life. As an extra bonus, there are reproductions of famous artworks in the story with a chance to learn more about them and the artists. A clever book and one that is well executed with enticing illustrations.

This book, written by a seventh grade English teacher, is replete with the biographies of those who faced significant challenges in reaching their goals. Just a few of those featured are Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, J. K. Rowling, Oprah Winfrey, (the horse) Seabiscuit, Vincent Van Gogh, Christopher Reeve, Albert Einstein and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Each entry starts with a fantasy description of how things went before, more accurately, detailing the setbacks that were faced along the way. The author believes that it is important that young people focus, not on being perfect, but on risk taking and learning. He tells his own story of having been a poor student and then turning things around. The author offers comments to students suggesting coping mechanisms when they face challenges. This book is broad and expansive. It would be an excellent resource for students and school libraries.

In this picture book, worry is anthropomorphised into a large gray monster that looks a bit like a critter from a book by Maurice Sendak.  Worry tells the unnamed little girl that she cannot do things, will not be liked and is not safe at night.  Sometimes Worry whispers while at other times Worry shouts.  Worry follows her everywhere.  The young girl in the story learns how to successfully talk back to Worry and notices that Worry then shrinks in size and moves on to someone else.  Interestingly, in this story, the girl figures things out for herself; she does not turn to an adult.  This may be an empowering message for children although perhaps the book would have been strengthened by showing a connection to a trusted adult as well.  At the end of the book there are strategies for adults to help children.   Recommended as a good addition to a young person’s mental health bookshelf, for school libraries and for those who work with children.

#WorrySaysWhat #NetGalley

This is a charming woman’s fiction read about Emilia, her father, the people in her community, romance and BOOKS!  I read it a little while ago and enjoyed it as a very good light read.  It $1.99 today.

“Henry describes her novel as an ode to bookshops, and it is that. . . Readers who laughed and cried over ­Gabrielle Zevin’s The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove will love this one.”
—Library Journal

“Romantic, utterly heartwarming and a perfect treat for bibliophiles everywhere.”
–Jenny Colgan, New York Times bestselling author of The Café by the Sea

“Henry’s quirky cast of characters with their heartwarming intertwined tales of loss, love, and community make this a must-read for summer.”
—Amy E. Reichert, author of The Coincidence of Coconut Cake 

“Henry’s sweet novel, filled with likable characters and shaped by a love of books, will appeal to fans of tender fiction who find bliss in bookstores and libraries.”
–Booklist

“A gorgeous escapist read.”
–Good Housekeeping (UK)

This is an important, painful, fascinating and uncompromising look at the life of Anne Frank, her family and the destruction of the Jews during the Nazi years. The narrative is readable and makes Anne and her family come alive. There are many photos of Anne’s daily life which serve as a painful reminder of all that was lost and the absurdity of one group of people despising and mistreating another. There are many asides in the book that answer historical questions. While not an easy read, this is a superb introduction to Anne, the horrors of WWII and antisemitism. The courage of those who hid the Franks is also noteworthy. While written for middle school to teen readers, adults can surely benefit from spending time with this book as well. I recommend it most highly.

I’ve been thinking about how to best write about this book by first time author Jess Montgomery. First time author! Wow, Ms. Montgomery writes like an experienced novelist as she effectively creates a place, characters and narrative tension. She has written what I consider to be a truly excellent debut novel.

The Widows are Lily and Marvena, each of whom has children, has lost a husband and is trying not to lose her way. Life in Bronwyn County, Ohio for them and those they love, following WWI is full of hardship. Coal is king and a harsh master. Poverty and company scrip rule many lives.

In this world, Marvena and her common law husband John have worked to organize the miners. This is a freighted and difficult task given the strong arm tactics of the mine owners. Pinkertons are brought in to quell resistance. Other outsiders try to dominate illegal moonshine businesses.

On the surface, Lily’s life looks better. She is married to Sheriff Daniel Ross, a former boxer and half brother to the mine owner. However, early in the novel, Daniel is killed. The circumstances surrounding his death are a central mystery in the novel.

Both Marvena and Lily have relationship history with Daniel. Each realizes that she did not fully know him. As they come to know one another, Lily and Marvena come to also know themselves.

Peopled with many additional characters that come vividly to life, this novel is engaging, realistic and compelling. Put it on your TBR pile for January when it will be released. I recommend this one very highly.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and St. Martin’s Minotaur for this fantastic read!

#TheWidows #NetGalley

Have you ever been asked to name your favorite fiction title? Have you ever tried to answer this question just for yourself? When I am in this situation, I always think about Bel Canto. I delayed reading this novel for ages. Who needs to read a novel about a hostage situation I would ask myself. Life is tough enough. Wow! Was I wrong. This is an amazing book. Never have I cared about characters so much and been so sad to know that there could not be a happy ending for them all. The set up is a hostage takeover at an opera performance for a private party and the aftermath of this event. All of the characters are nuanced and I cared for each and every one of them. If you have not read this, do so, do so, do so!

As you can see, the book has been made into a movie starring Julianne Moore.  It comes out on September 14th.  See below for an article on opera and music in movies and for more on Bel Canto.

https://nyti.ms/2NSSuEP

This illustrated book includes so much information that it will be read and re-read by young folks interested in science and the skies. The book starts by encouraging readers to observe what they see when they look up into the sky; for example, they may see those in apartment buildings or window washers or lightning rods on tall buildings. The author then has readers see what there is by going higher and higher before back down to earth. So…there are airplanes, space stations, galaxies, etc. and on the way down clouds, birds and so on. The illustrations are engaging and add to the fun of the facts. This book seems like a great way to encourage young readers and their adults to observe and learn more about their world.

#TheSkiesAboveMyEyes #NetGalley