That's Noteworthy! (vol. 16)

a late newsletter means lots of books for you!

Hi friends! It’s been a little while since I last wrote, as I took an extra week (plus some) between editions this time. I’ll still publish 2 of these notes in March though because of the way the weeks work out.

I had a week off from work in February, and since then I’ve been really digging into my work-in-progress. I hope by my next newsletter that I’ll be able to tell you that I finished my first draft. 🙏🏼

I’ve also done a lot of great reading since my last edition, so without (much) further adieu, here’s what I’ve been reading in the middle grade and young adult categories, along with some other fun & noteworthy tidbits down below (quick reminder that if you’re curious about the adult age category, those reads are all always recorded in my StoryGraph account).

As a note, my star ratings are simply my own opinions (from a subjective and unavoidably adult perspective), which is why I like to give readalikes and comps in my reviews when I can, and why I often mention whether it will be a good fit for my library or whether my own kids liked a book.

📚. Books I recently read…

• Duel by Jessixa Bagley (illustrated by Aaron Bagley) :: (MG/Graphic Novel) A poignant look at both sisterhood and grief, this graphic novel is also a fun story of friendship and fencing! I love the artwork and the use of color changes in memories and between characters, and style changes with excerpts from an annotated textbook to begin each chapter. Sisters who might think they’re very different come to an understanding of each other that’s very touching and relatable. I have this one on order for the library.
  4.5⭐️s

• Ready, Set, Dough! by Kelly J. Baptist :: (MG) This middle grade book showcases a character with passion, drive, perseverance, and gumption. While her singlemindedness does cause her some problems, Zoe shows how hard work can pay off. She also learns a little about herself, and how to be a better friend/sister/daughter in the process, but her journey doesn't feel heavy-handed or didactic in any way; the lessons feel realistic and relatable. A great (short!) option for elementary libraries-- the length actually makes it perfect for readers who enjoy older novels like those of Andrew Clements, Judy Blume, and Beverly Cleary. 
  4⭐️s

• Free Throws, Friendship, and Other Things We Fouled Up by Jenn Bishop :: (Upper MG) I listened to this with my daughter Hallee and we both loved it. This is a fantastic middle grade book that seamlessly mixes themes of friendship, family, and the joys and heartbreaks of youth sports (specifically girls in basketball). I love the mystery that our two new friends have to figure out-- why their dads seem to hate each other-- and how we get peeks into the past with cameo POVs from the two dads as kids, and even some special guest adult characters. The audio is so well-done-- both readers embody the character whose POV they read for so perfectly. This is about older MG characters (8th graders) but it doesn't feel too mature for upper elementary. I imagine it being one of my favorite MG books of the year and would love to see it in my library.
  5⭐️s

• The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers :: (MG) For me personally, award-winners aren’t always a win. But Oh! This book! 🤩 Funny, exciting, insightful, beautiful. I heartily support its Newberry medal. A tale of friendship, freedom, knowing yourself, and running fast (the ways Johannes describes running are so wonderful). For fans of The Wild Robot and The One and Only Ivan. Audio narration by Ethan Hawke is *chef’s kiss* good. I loved it and hope to listen again with my family on a future road trip. Can’t wait to recommend it to kids and see what they think. Still waiting on a library hard copy so I can get a good look at the beautiful illustrations. A line I loved: “Freedom begins the moment we forget ourselves.”
  5⭐️s

  

• Killers of the Flower Moon: Adapted for Young Readers by David Grann (YA) What an eye-opening, captivating report of a horrific time and story in our nation’s history. I’m so glad David Grann adapted this book and I think it should be available widely in middle and high school libraries. The three-part structure was very interesting as we focus not only on the crimes and the investigation, but also the birth of the FBI, and also much-later discoveries to the extent of the Reign of Terror. Pairs perfectly with The Mona Lisa Vanishes (the Bertillon investigation techniques are mentioned in this one, too), though this one obviously deals with heavier topics. The audio was excellent (3 different narrators, plus the glossary and “character” list is also read), and I’m glad to also have access to the hard copy as it is full of photographs. It’s really nice to know that the Osage tribe supports the telling of this story. There are content warnings but the young reader’s version takes out the graphicness of the violence (and any mention of rape from my research/comparison)— for me this version was perfect as I’m on the sensitive side. My personal age recommendation is for grade 8 and up (but you know your own readers). I shared about my interesting book club experience with this one in an IG post.
  5⭐️s

• Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang :: (YA/Graphic Novel) I loved this graphic novel! It's a romance with a lot more to it-- family themes, beautiful cultural imagery and traditions, loss and heartache, and a strong thread of hope. The artwork is stunning. A YA that I feel fine handing to my middle schoolers.
  5⭐️s

• The Brothers Hawthorne (The Inheritance Games #4— sort of?) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes :: (YA) I say sort of there, because rather than a true book 4 added to the original trilogy, this is a bit more of a spin-off, specifically an exciting dual storyline that takes us back into the world of the Hawthorne boys (and Avery). Both Grayson’s and Jameson’s stories were captivating puzzle-filled mysteries relating to their respective fathers, which gave us deeper insight into each character. We also meet new characters— some we like, some we don’t, some we’re unsure about. Can’t wait for more (what was set up in his one sounds so fun). JLB writes such great character arcs and such well-plotted mysteries. While nothing graphic happens on the page, characters do allude to what happens behind closed (bedroom) doors.
  5⭐️s

• Thieves Gambit by Kayvion Lewis :: (YA) What I wish I’d known before reading this: first in a series! 🤦🏼‍♀️ As for the book itself, I did a hybrid read and just like one of my friends said, on paper I got a bit bogged down in the details, and the audio did help with that (great narration!). I think it will be a fantastic movie, and I think once I read the next book, this one won’t feel as rushed at the end. I didn’t find myself really connecting to the characters, but again the series does have me intrigued enough to probably continue (book 2 comes out in November), and hopefully I’ll feel more of that as story goes on. Nothing graphic happens on the page, though there is some kissing and some violence.
  3.75⭐️s

🤓. In the library…

Currently, the most popular graphic novel series is Amulet and my students were so excited to get book 9, Waverider, the newest installment. When I realized how long readers have been waiting for this last book, I did a little digging and it turns out that the reason for the long wait was because Kazu Kibuishi got seriously ill between books eight and nine. Thankfully he recovered, and his story of persevering on a long career journey is quite inspiring. You can read about his story here.

📖. What my kids are reading…

• Gigi (16) is reading the sequel to Scythe, Thunderhead.

• Brody (13) is re-reading books 1-4 of City Spies (currently on book 2) along with Why We Love Baseball.

• Hallee (12) found on Libby and started listening to a middle grade rom-com (apparently this is a thing now?) called Courtesy of Cupid (I will be reading it next, for sure!) and it coincidentally has the same narrator as Thieves’ Gambit.

🥰. Things bringing me joy right now…

• Brooklyn 9-9 came to Netflix and we finally started watching it with our sixteen year-old. It’s just the right brand of humor for us.

• Spring softball started for my daughters and if we just get the rain to stay away, it looks to be a fun spring of sports for my family.

• I met up with two friends for book talking/shopping/exchanging last weekend and it was delightful.

• During my week off I got write at a coffee shop and I also ate the most delicious quiche ever. Such an all-around treat!

Happy Friday Monday and happy reading!

xo,
Nicole

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