ABC Challenge Success!

When I first heard about the A-Z Challenge, I knew it would be great fun. But I also knew that some letters would be very difficult, like Q, X, and Z. In the A-Z Challenge you read a book for every letter of the alphabet. Some people include the author's name as eligible, but I prefer to just use titles.

I have completed this challenge for the last two years, and am so happy to have done it again this year. Once again, I cut it close - struggling with Q and Y. I completed the last book with just 7 days to spare.

Behold, my list:
** Reviews are linked **

A - And  Still I Rise by Maya Angelou (2.12.2015)
B - Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater (1.19.2015)
C - Carver: A Life in Poems by Marilyn Nelson (3.17.2015)
D - The Diviners by Libba Bray (3.1.2015)
E - El Deafo by CeCe Bell (1.20.2015)
F - Fairest by Marissa Meyer (2.1.2015)
G - The Great Fire by Jim Murphy (1.10.2015)
H - H.I.V.E. by Mark Walden (1.4.2015)
I - The Inquisitor's Mark by Dianne K. Salerni (1.1.2015)
J - Jane, the Fox, and Me by Fanny Britt (11.27.2015)
K - King of Thorns by Mark Lawrence (5.18.2015)
L - Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman (1.24.2015)
M - My Life in Dog Years by Gary Paulsen (1.11.2015)
N - Nnewts by Doug TenNapel (4.6.2015)
O - One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullally Hunt (3.1.2015)
P - The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell (2.16.2015)
Q - Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta (12.10.2015)
R - Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson (4.11.2015)
S - Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (1.7.2015)
T - Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage (2.8.2015)
U - Unwind by Neal Shusterman (7.18.2015)
V - The Vanishing Coin by Kate Egan (1.21.2015)
W - The Watson's Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis (2.5.2015)
X - The Alex Crow by Andrew Smith (7.30.2015)
Y - You Can't Take it With You by Moss Hart (12.24.2015)
Z - Zac and the Dream Stealers by Ross MacKenzie (1.29.2015)

Hooray, me!!!

Book Review: Breakthrough

Premise: The story of how heart surgery was invented by a team of very intelligent, but overlooked surgeons. 

Title: Breakthrough!
Author: Jim Murphy
Length: 144 pages
Genre: Nonfiction
Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone
Content appropriate for: Grades 7-12
Format: Digital ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley

Three adjectives that describe this book: interesting, lacking, thought-provoking

Breakthrough! explores the invention of heart surgery by three scientists. I loved that the text really demonstrated how science is collaborative and how failure and creative problem solving are critical to the process. Of course, it was also lovely that one of the three scientists was a woman, and one was African American. Murphy took a  wonderfully explicit approach the issues of discrimination faced by these scientists.

Compared with other books by Murphy, though, Breakthrough! lacked some depth. It is extremely narrowly focused, and could have benefited from fleshing out more of the people and setting. This story of discrimination, tenacity, risk-taking, and scientific exploration didn't quite reach it's potential for captivating narrative.

This book is probably best suited for older students, as it uses medical and anatomical terminology with little explanation.

Book Review: Warren the 13th

Premise: Warren lives in a hotel that has been in his family for 13 generations. But now, his uncle isn't taking good care of the place, and has married a strange, heartless woman. With no guests, Warren is trying desperately to keep the hotel going, as his aunt destroys the rooms in her quest to find the mysterious "All-Seeing Eye," a treasure she claims is hidden in the hotel.

Title: Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye
Author: Tania del Rio
Length: 224 pages
Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
Content appropriate for: Grades 3-6

Three adjectives that describe this book: mysterious, creative, fun

This book has all the hallmarks of a fun middle grades book. A well-meaning protagonist, his questionable friends, useless adults, creative humor, and a delicious villain who is both creepy and fun to laugh at.

I was surprised how captivating this book was. I expected it to be quirky. And it was - with details like an uncle who sleeps in the lobby because he's too lazy to go up to his bedroom and a hotel guest who looks and acts like a pirate, but isn't one. There were so many terrific quirky elements thrown in that kept Warren the 13th super fun and engaging.

But what surprised me was how captivating the plot was as a mystery. There were twists and turns and dark corridors and clues and mazes and cellars. The whole thing had a lovely, mysterious, film noir feel and I loved it.

And look at those illustrations!

Plus the layout of the book is beautiful, and will keep middle grade readers going, providing them with visual support and keeping their curiosity/engagement piqued. Check it out:

And if you aren't intrigued enough, be sure to visit the wonderfully-crafted Warren the 13th website and watch the trailer below:

Book Review: These Shallow Graves

Title: These Shallow Graves

Author: Jennifer Donnelly

Length: 496 pages

Genre: Historical Mystery

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Content Appropriate for: Grades 9-12

Three adjectives that describe this book: dark, complex, believable

Murder mystery set in 1890s New York. Fun to read with a very conflicted main character who helped this historical setting come alive. Even though I had the murderer pegged early on, it was still fun to figure out how all the pieces fit together. Additionally, I enjoyed the way Donnelly crafted the setting and how she portrayed several different classes and how they interact with one another. Overall, a bit slow at the start, but with intriguing characters/setting.

3.5 stars

Book Review: Dead Boy

Premise: Crow died 2 years ago. But he's still alive. Sort of. He doesn't sleep or eat anymore, and his sometimes maggots crawl out of his ears, but other than that he's a pretty normal kid. Except that Crow isn't allowed to leave his house. And his parents won't tell him how he died. And then, a new neighbor moves in next door and Crow gets a chance for true friendship. Together they discover the secret of Crow's death.

Title: Dead Boy
Author: Laurel Gale
Length: 256 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone
Content appropriate for: Grades 4-7
Format: Digital ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley

Three adjectives that describe this book: surprising, engaging, creative

I was expecting Dead Boy to be interesting and fun, a little gross and probably humorous. It was all of the things, but it was also entirely more. Much richer, stronger, and complex than it appears at first. There's something for everyone here.

Dead Boy is a story that reinvents itself over and over. First, it explores the tribulations of being a dead-ish kid. Not a zombie, a dead kid who's still mostly functional. Then, we turn to a friendship and family drama tale. Just as you think you know where the story's going, BAM you get an adventure novel with a crazy does of magic/fantasy/quest. It feels a little Indiana Jones! And in the end, you realize that somehow it was a coming of age story all along.

I found Dead Boy to be completely novel, highly engaging, and really well-done. It would be easy for many authors to struggle with piecing all those elements together cohesively, but somehow they flow together seamlessly with just the right balance of action, dialogue, description, and exposition. Highly recommended.

4.5 stars

Book Review: Secret Coders

Premise: "Welcome to Stately Academy, a school which is just crawling with mysteries to be solved! The founder of the school left many clues and puzzles to challenge his enterprising students. Using their wits and their growing prowess with coding, Hopper and her friend Eni are going to solve the mystery of Stately Academy no matter what it takes!" ~Provided by the publisher

Title: Secret Coders

Author: Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes

Genre: Graphic Novel, Mystery

Series or Stand Alone: First book in a new series

Content appropriate for: Grades 4-8

Three adjectives that describe this book: disappointing, forced, meh

I don't quite know how to explain my reactions to this graphic novel. It's definitely trying to cash in on the coding craze, and the coding stuff is done pretty well. The story around the coding is kind of meh, though, and the ending is horrifically sudden.

The good: diverse characters, clear coding explanations, humorous 

The bad: coding element is a bit forced, negative example of kid/grownup relationships, non-existent ending 

Overall: I could see using this as a starting text in a coding course or club. I'm not sure the intended audience would choose it for pleasure reading, though. Sometimes it felt very instructional.

2.5 stars

Book Review: Milo Speck

Premise: Milo is looking for a sock when he gets pulled through the dryer into a land of giant ogres who love to eat little boys. As Milo tries to find his way home, he uncovers am incredible secret agency and an deadly scheme.

Title: Milo Speck, Accidental Agent
Author: Linda Urban
Length: 272 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone
Content appropriate for: Grades 3-5
Format: eARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley
Publication: September 1, 2015

Three adjectives that describe this book: fun, creative, fast-paced

Milo Speck is a super fun story. The cover makes it look like Milo shrinks, but actually he ends up in a land of giants/ogres. The ogres provide quite a bit of comedy with their short attention spans and general lack of intelligence. It's pretty slapstick, perfect for middle grade readers who have a silly sense of humor.

There are some interesting characters, too, in this fast-paced plot-driven story. Urban manages to squeeze in quite a lot of depth. There are secret-pasts for some characters, betrayal by others, and transformation for several.

Heads up, though - the premise and cover made me think, "This looks purpose for readers who need more support!" But, actually, the story is pretty complex, and some of the language is a tricky. For instance, the main character, Milo, really enjoys putting "esque" on the ends of words. He says things like, "The chair looked tree-esque."

Overall, I really enjoyed Milo Speck. It was a quick, engaging, light story with unexpected complexity.

4 stars