Sticks & Stones

This was just disturbing beyond belief. It really rubbed me the wrong way. I stopped after the first few chapters. Amazon writes, "Ever since she was a baby, the words people use to describe Elyse have instantly appeared on her arms and legs. At first it was just "cute" and "adorable," but as she's gotten older and kids have gotten meaner, words like "loser" and "pathetic" appear, and those words bubble up and itch. And then there are words like "interesting," which she's not really sure how to feel about. Now, at age twelve, she's starting middle school, and just when her friends who used to accept and protect her are drifting away, she receives an anonymous note saying "I know who you are, and I know what you're dealing with. I want to help." As Elyse works to solve the mystery of who is sending her these notes, she also finds new ways to accept who she is and to become her best self".  All in all, I say: SKIP IT

The Fourteenth Goldfish

This book was a quick, fun read. It's science fiction. A girl's grandfather, a scientist, tests a reverse aging formula on himself and turns into his 13 year old self. It ends help bringing the three generational family closer, and it helps the main character find an interest science. This sparks interest in science for girls. Amazon writes, "Galileo. Newton. Salk. Oppenheimer. Science can change the world . . . but can it go too far? Eleven-year-old Ellie has never liked change. She misses fifth grade. She misses her old best friend. She even misses her dearly departed goldfish. Then one day a strange boy shows up. He’s bossy. He’s cranky. And weirdly enough . . . he looks a lot like Ellie’s grandfather, a scientist who’s always been slightly obsessed with immortality. Could this gawky teenager really be Grandpa Melvin? Has he finally found the secret to eternal youth? With a lighthearted touch and plenty of humor, Jennifer Holm celebrates the wonder of science and explores fascinating questions about life and death, family and friendship, immortality . . . and possibility. Look for EXCLUSIVE NEW MATERIAL in the paperback—including Ellie’s gallery of scientists and other STEM-appropriate features.". All in all, I say: READ IT

The Girl Who Drank the Moon

This had so much potential to be a really cool story. The plot is intriguing. The author just wasn't able to follow trough. It feel way short of its potential. Amazon writes, "Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the Forest, Xan, is kind. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon. Xan rescues the children and delivers them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey. One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. As Luna’s thirteenth birthday approaches, her magic begins to emerge—with dangerous consequences. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Deadly birds with uncertain intentions flock nearby. A volcano, quiet for centuries, rumbles just beneath the earth’s surface. And the woman with the Tiger’s heart is on the prowl . . ." All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Half a World Away

As I read, I just kept saying to myself hell no. I wouldn't be able to do what those parents didn. Amazon writes, "Eleven-year-old Jaden is adopted, and he knows he's an "epic fail." That's why his family is traveling to Kazakhstan to adopt a new baby--to replace him, he's sure. And he gets it. He is incapable of stopping his stealing, hoarding, lighting fires, aggressive running, and obsession with electricity. He knows his parents love him, but he feels...nothing. When they get to Kazakhstan, it turns out the infant they've traveled for has already been adopted, and literally within minutes are faced with having to choose from six other babies. While his parents agonize, Jaden is more interested in the toddlers. One, a little guy named Dimash, spies Jaden and barrels over to him every time he sees him. Jaden finds himself increasingly intrigued by and worried about Dimash. Already three years old and barely able to speak, Dimash will soon age out of the orphanage, and then his life will be as hopeless as Jaden feels now. For the first time in his life, Jaden actually feels something that isn't pure blinding fury, and there's no way to control it, or its power. From camels rooting through garbage like raccoons, to eagles being trained like hunting dogs, to streets that are more pothole than pavement, the vivid depictions in Half a World Away create "an inspiring story that celebrates hope and second chances" (Publishers Weekly, starred review)". All in all, I say: SKIP IT unless adoption is of interest to you.

A Handful of Stars

This is a sweet book about two girls from different backgrounds that form a friendship at just the time. Amazon writes, "When Lily's blind dog, Lucky, slips his collar and runs away across the wide-open blueberry barrens of eastern Maine, it's Salma Santiago who manages to catch him. Salma, the daughter of migrant workers, is in the small town with her family for the blueberry-picking season. After their initial chance meeting, Salma and Lily bond over painting bee boxes for Lily's grandfather, and Salma's friendship transforms Lily's summer. But when Salma decides to run in the upcoming Blueberry Queen pageant, they'll have to face some tough truths about friendship and belonging. Should an outsider like Salma really participate in the pageant -- and possibly win? Set amongst the blueberry barrens and by the sea, this is a gorgeous new novel by Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord that tackles themes of prejudice and friendship, loss and love". All in all, I say: READ IT

Angel Catbird

Margaret Atwood, feminist author from Canada tries her hand at writing a graphic novel. The result...it was pretty weird and not really enjoyable. The writing was a disappointment as was the plot. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Doom Patrol

Two seasons now on HBO based on the comic. Season 2 has a Wizard of Oz and porn feel to it. Season one has a lot of origin story and background. You will see how many other comics this one influenced like X-Men. You will what influenced it like the Invisible Man. It has some humor, some drama, and some vulgarity. April Bowlby (Drop Dead Diva), Matt Bomer (Magic Mike), Brendan Fraser (Crash), Timothy Dalton (Penny Dreadful), and Alan Tudyk (Resident Alien) also star. All in all, I say: TRY IT if you like comics/superhero stuff.