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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated This is How it Always Is in Books
Feb 1, 2018
Rosie and Penn are a bit of an amazing love story. They both knew they'd fall in love before they even met. Now they have five rambunctious kids, a farmhouse in Wisconsin, and a crazy, wonderful life. Things get a little more complicated, however, when their youngest son, Claude, starts wanting to wear a dress to preschool. Claude wants long hair with barrettes. Claude wants to be a princess when he grows up. Rosie and Penn are supportive of Claude: they just want their children to be happy, after all. But they soon realize Claude isn't just going through a phase. Claude has gender dysphoria, and their son wants to become a little girl named Poppy. The family is willing to support Poppy, but Rosie and Penn make the decision to do so in secret. But secrets don't stay kept forever.
<i>This is a fascinating, heartbreaking, and beautiful book.</i> It's filled with endearing characters, and I will certainly be recommending it to many people. I had a few issues with some of the realism aspects (more on that below), but I loved its details about raising children (of all kinds) and its humor. Penn, Rosie, and their kids are real.
Woven and embedded throughout this novel is a fairytale that Penn tells his children--starting with when his first boys were babies--and in some ways, the novel itself has its own fairytale moments. Frankel mentions that she does have a child who used to be a little boy and is now a little girl, but the story is not about her daughter. It is, she writes, "an act of imagination, an exercise in wish fulfillment." Still, you can imagine her as a supportive parent. That's certainly not everyone's experience. Does that mean everyone has to write a novel where the child's parents throw them out and society shames them? No. Would I have liked to have a seen a little more of a realistic take on how Poppy and her parents would deal with her secret and how those around her would take it? Maybe. It's not that the family doesn't have hardship, because they do, and Frankel does a good job showing that it takes a bit of a toll on her clan of brothers, as well. But--and I don't want to go into too much, as I don't want to give spoilers--I felt the resolution to the story was a bit pat. Much like Penn's fairytales, it seems to allow things to just wrap up quickly easily. So that was a little problematic for me. But, I didn't feel as irritated after reading Frankel's afterword, because I realize that this novel--for her--is indeed an "exercise in wish fulfillment." This is what she wants in the world. I won't lie: it's what I wish for as well. And perhaps reading novels like this, featuring a wonderful, precocious little boy who can become a wonderful, beautiful, mostly accepted little girl, is a great first step.
The novel is intricate and very detailed, though quite well-written. It's heartbreaking in Penn and Rosie's realization that Claude wants to be a girl and what that will mean for him and the family. They only want for their children to be happy. Frankel does an excellent job at portraying how adults and children can see the world so differently--in terms of gender and much more. As a parent, I often found myself wondering about what I'd do in their situation: it's a book that gets you thinking, for sure. In the end, I loved the family very much and was quite invested in their happiness. Again, another reason why I would have liked a slightly more developed ending after having gone through so much with them.
Still, this is a lovely, timely book. No matter some of the issues I had, I still enjoyed it and certainly recommend it.
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<i>This is a fascinating, heartbreaking, and beautiful book.</i> It's filled with endearing characters, and I will certainly be recommending it to many people. I had a few issues with some of the realism aspects (more on that below), but I loved its details about raising children (of all kinds) and its humor. Penn, Rosie, and their kids are real.
Woven and embedded throughout this novel is a fairytale that Penn tells his children--starting with when his first boys were babies--and in some ways, the novel itself has its own fairytale moments. Frankel mentions that she does have a child who used to be a little boy and is now a little girl, but the story is not about her daughter. It is, she writes, "an act of imagination, an exercise in wish fulfillment." Still, you can imagine her as a supportive parent. That's certainly not everyone's experience. Does that mean everyone has to write a novel where the child's parents throw them out and society shames them? No. Would I have liked to have a seen a little more of a realistic take on how Poppy and her parents would deal with her secret and how those around her would take it? Maybe. It's not that the family doesn't have hardship, because they do, and Frankel does a good job showing that it takes a bit of a toll on her clan of brothers, as well. But--and I don't want to go into too much, as I don't want to give spoilers--I felt the resolution to the story was a bit pat. Much like Penn's fairytales, it seems to allow things to just wrap up quickly easily. So that was a little problematic for me. But, I didn't feel as irritated after reading Frankel's afterword, because I realize that this novel--for her--is indeed an "exercise in wish fulfillment." This is what she wants in the world. I won't lie: it's what I wish for as well. And perhaps reading novels like this, featuring a wonderful, precocious little boy who can become a wonderful, beautiful, mostly accepted little girl, is a great first step.
The novel is intricate and very detailed, though quite well-written. It's heartbreaking in Penn and Rosie's realization that Claude wants to be a girl and what that will mean for him and the family. They only want for their children to be happy. Frankel does an excellent job at portraying how adults and children can see the world so differently--in terms of gender and much more. As a parent, I often found myself wondering about what I'd do in their situation: it's a book that gets you thinking, for sure. In the end, I loved the family very much and was quite invested in their happiness. Again, another reason why I would have liked a slightly more developed ending after having gone through so much with them.
Still, this is a lovely, timely book. No matter some of the issues I had, I still enjoyed it and certainly recommend it.
<center><a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">Blog</a>; ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/mwcmoto">Twitter</a>; ~ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/justacatandabook/">Facebook</a>; ~ <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+KristyHamiltonbooks">Google+</a>; ~ <a href="https://www.instagram.com/justacatandabook/">Instagram</a>; </center>
OneStarReads (141 KP) rated The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events #2) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
I created a video explaining my slow decent into hating this series, book by book, for your viewing pleasure:
My written review is as follows:
Sometimes, you simply have to remember this book is a kids story. But there's only so much that can make up for; after a while things just get tiring. The whole 'defining words we think the Baudelaire's can't understand, even in somewhat dire situations' became annoying quite fast in the first book, and it's still here in this one. Not only that, but it's always incredibly jarring. Speaking of jarring, the author constantly interrupts by way of Lemmony Snicket to over describe how terrible the Baudelaire's are feeling at one moment to the next, and also constantly remind us how terrible their lives are and forever will be. In some parts it's well done, and in others, not so much. It becomes overused to the point that the story doesn't become enticing anymore, I just get annoyed at the narrator.
However, even with these minor quibbles I did want to keep reading. It's a good book for it's intended audience, as long as they don't mind the slight condescension the author brings to the reader. In my view, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't good, so three stars. If I wanted to over-analyze, I'd bring Mr. Poe into this (heaven help the children; no wonder the events are unfortunate)
My written review is as follows:
Sometimes, you simply have to remember this book is a kids story. But there's only so much that can make up for; after a while things just get tiring. The whole 'defining words we think the Baudelaire's can't understand, even in somewhat dire situations' became annoying quite fast in the first book, and it's still here in this one. Not only that, but it's always incredibly jarring. Speaking of jarring, the author constantly interrupts by way of Lemmony Snicket to over describe how terrible the Baudelaire's are feeling at one moment to the next, and also constantly remind us how terrible their lives are and forever will be. In some parts it's well done, and in others, not so much. It becomes overused to the point that the story doesn't become enticing anymore, I just get annoyed at the narrator.
However, even with these minor quibbles I did want to keep reading. It's a good book for it's intended audience, as long as they don't mind the slight condescension the author brings to the reader. In my view, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't good, so three stars. If I wanted to over-analyze, I'd bring Mr. Poe into this (heaven help the children; no wonder the events are unfortunate)
Hazel (1853 KP) rated The Case of the Paranoid Panda: An Irwin Lalune Mystery in Books
Dec 14, 2018
<i>This eBook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The Case of the Paranoid Panda</i> is a delightful children’s story by Bruce Murphy about a skunk detective who enjoys solving mysteries. Irwin Lalune is a skunk on a mission after he is informed about a panda at the zoo that has been acting strangely. The panda – Ling Ming – has not been eating or sleeping and has become very paranoid; Irwin is determined to find out why.
With the help of Larry the squirrel, Irwin investigates and interviews a variety of animals as he slowly pieces together what it was that scared the panda so much. The more Irwin probes into the case the more dangerous it becomes.
<i>The Case of the Paranoid Panda </i>is an enchanting little story that will amuse both children and adults. It is full of wit and adorable characters that everyone will be able to appreciate. Some of the humour may not be detected by younger readers, therefore readers of ages eight and upwards are the most appropriate target audience for this book.
Christian Paniagua has provided charming illustrations of the characters throughout the book, which will greatly appeal to youngsters. Although this is the only Irwin Lalune mystery so far, there is great potential of developing a series of stories with animal related cases for the skunk to crack.
The Case of the Paranoid Panda</i> is a delightful children’s story by Bruce Murphy about a skunk detective who enjoys solving mysteries. Irwin Lalune is a skunk on a mission after he is informed about a panda at the zoo that has been acting strangely. The panda – Ling Ming – has not been eating or sleeping and has become very paranoid; Irwin is determined to find out why.
With the help of Larry the squirrel, Irwin investigates and interviews a variety of animals as he slowly pieces together what it was that scared the panda so much. The more Irwin probes into the case the more dangerous it becomes.
<i>The Case of the Paranoid Panda </i>is an enchanting little story that will amuse both children and adults. It is full of wit and adorable characters that everyone will be able to appreciate. Some of the humour may not be detected by younger readers, therefore readers of ages eight and upwards are the most appropriate target audience for this book.
Christian Paniagua has provided charming illustrations of the characters throughout the book, which will greatly appeal to youngsters. Although this is the only Irwin Lalune mystery so far, there is great potential of developing a series of stories with animal related cases for the skunk to crack.
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Hazel (1853 KP) rated Into Coraira (Legend of Rhyme, #2) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
<i>This eBook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Into Coraira</i> is Jaime Lee Mann’s second book in the <i>Legend of Rhyme</i> series for older children. Previously twins, Ariana and Asher, have been reunited after being separated for most of their childhood. They have also helped to defeat an evil witch, but their troubles are only just beginning.
When the witch, Elora, was sent to the dark realm, the most powerful and evilest sorcerer escaped. If he gets access to the magical realm of Coraira, all hell will break loose. Ariana and Asher are only just learning about their own magical powers; ones they never knew they had. Eager to show off this newfound magic, they inadvertently aid the villain in his quest to regain his wicked rule over the world.
In a world where it is not clear who to trust, <i>Into Coraira</i> is full of twists and turns as the characters begin to learn the truth about their friends and family. With an exciting central plot, children will be fully engaged with the magical story enfolding on the pages in front of them. Alongside the fantastic creatures featured in the first book are unicorns, mermaids and dragons. Such beasts will amaze and inspire young minds and imaginations.
Although only a hundred pages, there is so much adventure crammed into this book. Two books into the series and enough surprises have happened fill a lifetime. Once again readers are faced with a cliffhanger, urging them to purchase the next installment. Whatever will happen to Ariana and Asher next?
Into Coraira</i> is Jaime Lee Mann’s second book in the <i>Legend of Rhyme</i> series for older children. Previously twins, Ariana and Asher, have been reunited after being separated for most of their childhood. They have also helped to defeat an evil witch, but their troubles are only just beginning.
When the witch, Elora, was sent to the dark realm, the most powerful and evilest sorcerer escaped. If he gets access to the magical realm of Coraira, all hell will break loose. Ariana and Asher are only just learning about their own magical powers; ones they never knew they had. Eager to show off this newfound magic, they inadvertently aid the villain in his quest to regain his wicked rule over the world.
In a world where it is not clear who to trust, <i>Into Coraira</i> is full of twists and turns as the characters begin to learn the truth about their friends and family. With an exciting central plot, children will be fully engaged with the magical story enfolding on the pages in front of them. Alongside the fantastic creatures featured in the first book are unicorns, mermaids and dragons. Such beasts will amaze and inspire young minds and imaginations.
Although only a hundred pages, there is so much adventure crammed into this book. Two books into the series and enough surprises have happened fill a lifetime. Once again readers are faced with a cliffhanger, urging them to purchase the next installment. Whatever will happen to Ariana and Asher next?
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