Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

The Little Fir Tree is a beautifully told and illustrated fairy tale that children may enjoy on a literal level. For the adult reading this tale, there is much metaphor and much to think about. Some of the things that came to me included why do we want to grow up so quickly? how will we later look back on this rush? what happens when we go from one place to another? how fleeting is joy? can we cycle back to it? what is it like to make room for the next generation? That is quite a lot for a short fairy tale. This is a book to buy for a child you know, both to read now and to save for later. It will remind you to be aware and appreciative of life in the current moment.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.

From the Publisher

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This book is a fantastic resource for elementary school students, especially girls, who are interested in science. Reading it either in order or at random, they will see all that women have accomplished despite formidable obstacles. Girls will realize that with curiosity and perseverance there is no limit to what they can accomplish.

The book begins with a helpful introduction on women in science. One fact that I learned, for example, was that, since women did not attend university until about 200 years ago, many women were educated in convents. The book goes on to look at scientists in many fields with entries that date all the way from 2700 b.c.e to current times. Adults will see names that they recognize along with many that may be new to them. Girls will read about physicians, astronomers, plant scientists, women in computing, environmentalists and more. There are women from many cultures and societies in this book which attempts to be diverse.

I wish that I had had a book like this when I was thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up. It is expansive, well illustrated, easy to read and full of inspiring stories. By the way, this book is not only for girls. Boys will be inspired and also be reminded that girls are their equals.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

This picture book story is one that children who experience anxiety will relate to.  It tells the story of Ruby who is quite anxious about doing her show-and-tell at school.  Her fears are realized when she has issues with her presentation.  What happens after this? That is the heart of the story.

Young readers/listeners will watch as Ruby re-groups.  They will see Ruby reach out to another child and how this helps her to cope, helps another child and leads to a friendship.  At the end of the book, there are pointers for adults and questions for class discussion.

All in all, this book may help to de-stigmatize issues for a child you know.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is part of a series of biographies; this time elementary school aged readers will learn about Maya Angelou. Maya’s story is clearly and inspiringly told. The ups and downs of her life, the struggles, losses and victories all receive attention, although the full details of some of the more difficult aspects of her life are not fully explicated. This makes sense given the book’s audience.

Maya’s early life, her move to her grandmother, her return to her mother and subsequent elective mutism are all here. Her love of reading and her eventual finding of her voice are described.

The many accomplishments and first that this remarkable woman achieved are described beginning with her becoming the first black woman train conductor, work in television and of course, her commitment to civil rights and teaching. Maya knew and grieved the loss of other well known African Americans including Malcolm X and Martin Luther king. Ms. Angelou’s writings are also cited, starting with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and going through her inaugural poem for Barack Obama. Her many awards are also listed.

The back of the book details a timeline and there is also a glossary.

This is an excellent and inspiring biography. As an adult, I finished the book knowing more about this remarkable woman than I had previously.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a delightful story about a young girl who wants a dog. Almost every reader and/or listener will relate. They will either identify with the little girl who wants a puppy or the mom who is saying no. Adults will guess the ending, children will be delighted and all will enjoy the illustrations…especially the last page of the book. A cute story for young (or older) pet lovers. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.

Mystery and suspense here along with a trip to Venice.

I really enjoyed this entry in the Karen Pirie series. Check for review in my archive.

I reviewed this book as you can see in my archive. Library Journal recommends it highly.

GALLOWS COURT (Poisoned Pen, paper, $15.99) seems awfully bloodthirsty for a traditionally designed mystery set in foggy old London in 1930. Rachel Savernake, the daughter of a dearly departed “hanging judge,” is determined to carry on the family legacy. “The judge is dead,” she declares, “but I inherited a taste for melodrama.” So when a woman’s body is discovered in Covent Garden but her head turns up elsewhere — and in a trunk — the atrocity prompts Rachel to exercise her sleuthing skills. Little does she know, or care, that the author’s designated detective is Jacob Flint, an eager-beaver reporter for a not entirely respectable newspaper.

Rachel and Jacob dance around each other, but theirs is not a romantic relationship. Fans of clean-cut heroes will be rooting for Jacob, although some of us would rather see devilish Rachel clean his clock. Either that or commit a clever, more refined murder of her own.