That's Noteworthy! (vol. 18)

finally getting back on my newsletter horse! hopefully, I can stay aboard in the craziness that is May.

Hi friends!

Ever since I got hacked, it has taken me a while to get back into the swing of Substack things. I have been working hard on revisions on my middle grade manuscript after getting some helpful feedback from a couple of SCBWI critiquers. I’ve also been reading a lot and getting ready to wrap up the school year, both in the library and with my own kids. I’ve heard the nickname "May-cember” to reflect how crazy this month can get, and that’s always true since my kids have been in school, but this year more than ever, with everything my older kids have going on (not to mention the fun things my husband and I try to squeeze in for ourselves)… oh! And let’s throw in a sick kid and an injured kid while we’re at it. Whew! Anyway, I have another bookish week coming up with an author event and two book clubs meeting, and I can’t wait (just need to finish some books for those 😉).

Now, let’s get to some book reviews!

📚. Books I recently read…

• Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan (upper MG) :: My son and I listened to this together and I think we have similar feelings about it. While I enjoyed this book overall, it wasn't a standout to me, especially compared to the other Rick Riordan books I've read. The voice wasn't as captivating, and there were some elements that I wasn't crazy about him adding (as a male author, writing a female main character). And the characters themselves did not really seem to act their age. The world was interesting and exciting (super cool tech!) but I felt like the plot could have been more developed. I know he planned this as a stand-alone, but I feel like if it kept going as a series, it would only get better. After this I also picked up Who Was Jules Verne? by James Buckley, and it was fun to learn a little biographical information about him so his writings feature so prominently in Daughter of the Deep (and also The Jules Verne Prophecy, which I liked better).
  3.5⭐️s

• Hummingbird Season by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic (MG novel-in-verse) :: This was the first book I read that really centered on the pandemic and what life was like during that time (it took me four years to be able to do that). It's a novel-in-verse told from the POV of a young boy (9, I believe), and while it stirred up so many emotions in me, it was primarily feelings of hope, rather than anxiety. I loved how the author wove in facts about hummingbirds and how the poetry conveyed the characters' emotions. Great on audio. This is one I want for my school library— both for kids who lived through the pandemic and those in the future that want to see what it was like.

  5⭐️s

• Spaced Out by Stuart Gibbs (Moon Base Alpha #2) (upper middle grade) :: This is such a fun series with a well-crafted world and characters who I’ve come to either love or loathe. I wish we’d seen more of Kira in this one but once again it was great to see Dash in action on the case. Violet is still a particularly delightful side character. The element which really takes the book into the sci-fi realm took a strange turn but I’m still interested in seeing where that storyline goes. Looking forward to seeing how the series wraps up with one more mystery when our library hold comes in (Hallee and I are loving listening to this series together).
  4.75⭐️s

• Ferris by Kate DiCamillo (middle grade) :: A beautiful story of a family-- a love story, as all stories are, as Grandma Charisse says-- with endearing characters. This book has a subtle plot; it's definitely more character-forward, and yet, it never seems to drag. The plot threads are strange but delightful. It hearkens back to the feelings that Because of Winn-Dixie gave me when I first read it. The audio is done by Cherry Jones, who you may recognize from the Little House audiobooks. Thanks to Libro.FM for the educator Audiobook Listening Copy.
   4.5⭐️s

• Shipwrecked!: Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor by Martin W. Sandler (upper MG nonfiction) :: This was an interesting and informative book! I learned a lot, and was impressed by how much of the information on discoveries and recoveries came from the last ten years. I personally found the info about Clive Cussler and his fiction-to-real-life story if NUMA and the discovery of the Hundley to be the most interesting part. 
  The audio was great, but being able to take a look at the hard copy, with the photographs and very readable text is definitely worthwhile. A great addition to my library for students interested in higher-level nonfiction.
  5⭐️s

• The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2) by Rick Riordan (upper MG) :: Another rollicking, humorous adventure where it was fun to see how the Greek myths, heroes, and monsters were translated to the modern western civilization setting. I liked seeing how Percy and Annabeth’s friendship developed over this book, and the addition of Tyson brought about a new depth to the story as well. 
  5⭐️s

• Julieta and the Romeos by Maria E. Andreu (young adult) :: A cute YA romance that’s also a lot about figuring out your path and choosing who you want to be. This book is also definitely about friendship and seeing the good we have right in front of us. I loved the setting of the small-town Argentinian restaurant and family. The author kept me guessing almost to the end in regards to the various “Romeos” in Julieta’s life. Also, as a writer this book spoke to me thru Jules’ writing workshop. Loved this line: “I was not the most talented one. I was the one who never gave up.”
  4.25⭐️s

🤓. In the library…

Well, yesterday was the last day of book checkout for the year! Now to try to get all the library books back so I can do inventory. Next week I finish my readalouds and I have had so much fun with the last five books of the year. I have decided I’m going to make it my tradition to read Hot Dog as my last book of the year. I love it so much for its sweet summer vibes.

One highlight I wanted to mention from a few weeks ago was that my book club that finished reading Jasper and the Riddle of Riley’s Mine capped off our time with a Zoom discussion with author Caroline Starr Rose. I loved hearing the kiddos engage with her with questions they prepared. She was awesome with them as well. Thank you, Caroline!

Other fun library happenings— a blackout poetry activity for National Poetry Month and TS’s Tortured Poetry Department release, and taking a whiteboard survey (I only had to erase a couple of things🤭).

Kids love to write on the board. :)

📖. What my kids are reading…

• Gigi (17) just finished Reign and loved how the American Royals series wrapped up.

• Brody (14) is reading Charlie Thorne and the Royal Society (I can’t wait to read it!). He also recently has been reading The Unwanteds series. At school he’s reading (and enjoying) Twelve Angry Men (he’s reading the part of Juror Number 8).

• Hallee (12) has been listening to a ton of The Penderwicks (her comfort listen is any book in the series), and also reading the adorable chapter book series called Ada Lace by Emily Callendrelli. These are way below her reading level, but she finds them super cute. Let them read what they want! At school she’s reading Brown Girl Dreaming.

🥰. Things bringing me joy right now…🥰.

• sweet notes from students

• Lian Cho’s art (specifically, her picture books)

• getting excited for the return of Strong Sense of Place podcast (season 6)

• looking ahead to summer break (3 weeks left!)

• watching my kids play sports (and always keeping a book handy for in-between moments)

Happy Friday Saturday and happy reading!

xo,
Nicole

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