Month: March 2014

Item: Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe
Rating: 4
Author: Jana

Top Ten Books on My Spring 2014 Reading List

Posted March 17, 2014 by Jana in Top Ten Tuesday / 18 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted over at the other blog I write for, The Broke and the Bookish.

There are SO many good books already out and that are coming out this spring, but I just have this feeling that I am going to gravitate towards the cute romantic contemporaries and the travel books. I am SO ready to be done with winter and school, and am really excited for warm weather and vacations!

Open Road Summer by Emry Lord
Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae
Catch a Falling Star by Kim Culbertson
For Real by Alison Cherry
Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn
Let’s Get Lost by Adi Alsaid
How to Meet Boys by Catherine Clark
Just Like the Movies by Kelly Fiore
Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel
The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes

What’s on your list this spring? Do we have any in common?
Have you read any of these books already?

Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe by Shelley Coriell | Book Review

Posted March 17, 2014 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult Fiction / 4 Comments

Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe by Shelley Coriell
Published by Harry N Abrams on May 1, 2012
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Pages: 299
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
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Big-hearted Chloe Camden is the queen of her universe until her best friend shreds her reputation and her school counselor axes her junior independent study project. Chloe is forced to take on a meaningful project in order to pass, and so she joins her school’s struggling radio station, where the other students don’t find her too queenly. Ostracized by her former BFs and struggling with her beloved Grams’s mental deterioration, lonely Chloe ends up hosting a call-in show that gets the station much-needed publicity and, in the end, trouble. She also befriends radio techie and loner Duncan Moore, a quiet soul with a romantic heart. On and off the air, Chloe faces her loneliness and helps others find the fun and joy in everyday life. Readers will fall in love with Chloe as she falls in love with the radio station and the misfits who call it home.

This is an Epic Recs review! Racquel from The Book Barbies is my partner, and she recommended this book to me because I loved Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. It had not been on my tbr at all even though I had heard about it before. It just never really grabbed me enough to even read the summary. I am so glad Racquel pushed it on me, though, because I ended up really enjoying it! As always, my main points are bolded. :)

1. At first glance, this book looks bright and cheery. I was expecting a light and fluffy book as a result. While there are some very sweet, cute moments, this book tackles some major issues. I’m not usually a fan of issue books, but the author was able to do it in a way that made me hopeful instead of depressed. I can handle that.

2. Chloe is so much fun, and I love her snarky sarcasm and bluntness. She likes to be funny, and she really cares about people. And she is in love with vintage shoes, which made me love her. Because, really? I will talk about my beloved shoe collection with anyone. She is just real, and she is figuring herself out. Being a teen is tough, but I feel like she has risen above all the typical teen drama and knows what’s important. I would have loved a friend like her in high school.

3. I felt like the radio aspect gave us a larger opportunity to get to know Chloe. Rather than reading descriptions of her, or seeing what other people think of her in the story, we got this window into her thoughts through “listening” to her talk show. Teens giving teens advice does not always work out so well, but I really liked her genuine sensitivity and desire to help.

4. Speaking of the radio, I LOVED the characters who ran the radio station. They are all social outcasts for one reason or another, so they found each other and created this super close family. I particularly loved Clem, who is this hardened grump but ends up becoming a really sweet person. And I can tell she is so loyal. She and Chloe have a really entertaining relationship.

5. Duncan. I loved him so much. He’s super sensitive and caring, and he comes from a broken home, which I feel adds so much to his personality. He is always looking out for people and paying attention to them because that’s what he wants for himself.

6. Everything, and I mean everything in this book came about as a result of deep friendships. I loved that this book focused on friendship instead of romance. And these were not superficial friendships. They were stronger than some familial relationships, and I just drank it all in. Can I hug all of these people?

All in all, Welcome, Caller, this is Chloe was a darling contemporary that was fun, yet serious at the same time. I love the group of characters, and how they helped each other through their tough times. This book is so underrated, and I hope more people discover it and fall in love with it as I have. :)

Zips Goes Wandering by Chris March | Children’s Book Review + Giveaway

Posted March 14, 2014 by Jana in Blog Tour, Children's Book Review, Giveaway, Inner Child / 3 Comments

Welcome to my stop on the Zips Goes Wandering tour, hosted by CBB Book Promotions! I’m excited to tell you all about this sweet little picture book, and offer a giveaway for your chance to win a copy of your own!

Zips Goes Wandering written and illustrated by Chris Marsh
Series: Savannah Friends #1
Published by booktrope on March 14, 2013
Pages: 21
Grade Level: Preschool through 2nd grade
Source: From the publisher
Amazon • B&N • iTunes • Add to Goodreads

Zips is a zebra, a curious one at that. Despite his mum’s warnings, he follows his curiosity across the savannah. After a close brush with a lion and a croc, Zips discovers he’s lost, far from home. What should a youngster do when he’s lost and alone? Zips seeks friends he can trust and uses his wits till he’s reunited, safe and sound, with his mum. This colorful, rhyming picture book has lively pictures of African animals. Zips Goes Wandering can help parents and children discuss safety issues and what to do if they ever get lost or separated.

Zips Goes Wandering is a fun rhyming picture book about a little zebra who goes on an adventure and gets lost. Reminiscent of Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman, Zips goes to different animals to ask if they have seen his mother. He searches and searches before finding a really tall giraffe who is able to help him. Children will enjoy the repetition of Zips asking for his mom and then rushing off to see if that animal directed him in the correct direction or sent him to the wrong place again.

The illustrations are absolutely delightful, and are my favorite part of the book. Each illustration is bright, colorful, and enhances the text of the story so that emerging readers feel confident in trying to sound out the words. Children will love looking at pictures of several different animals. The author plays with perspective and Zips’s nose is frequently fish-eyed on the page, big and adorable. He has the sweetest little face, and so much personality.

The story presents a very important message to its readers, and that is to be careful and stay close by so as not to get lost. I think this is a great book to read to a child in order to explain this lesson, as well as come up with a plan for what to do if someone does get lost. Zips comes close to getting hurt by a crocodile and a lion, which is a compelling reason to not wander off. Luckily Zips was taught to ask other grow-ups for help, and he ended up home safe. I’ve found several lost children in stores over the course of my life, and it’s a super scary thing for everyone involved. This is such an important lesson to discuss with children, and I’m so happy to see such a sweet book that does just that. Highly recommended.

About the Author

Chris Marsh grew up in the heart of the English Countryside and spent many sunny days going on wild adventures and long expeditions, with his mother constantly reminding him to be careful. On those rainy days he would spend hours either reading, painting or drawing, letting his imagination go wild and creating a variety of stories and tales about his adventures. Surrounded by pets and constantly exploring the local wildlife and farm animals, Chris developed a love for animals which crept into his creativity. Years later it was Chris’ turn to do the careful reminding to his adventurous nieces and nephews and he found the only way to engage them was through stories.

Savannah Friends Website | Savannah Friends Facebook | Author on Goodreads

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That Artsy Librarian | My Children’s Lit Class Reading List

Posted March 13, 2014 by Jana in That Artsy Librarian / 8 Comments

That Artsy Librarian is a feature all about my journey through graduate school as I work towards my Master’s degree in Library and Information Science.

Last week Kel requested that I post my entire reading list for this semester’s children’s lit class. For the most part I have the option of choosing between a number of different titles. These titles are listed in my textbook, Essentials for Children’s Literature, in the genre indexes. Below, you will find my choices. If I review them on the blog, I’ll link you to my reviews. :)

Week 1: Newbery Medal Award
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

Week 2: Other Book Awards
The Westing Games by Elixabeth Raskin
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Week 3: Poetry
Forget-Me-Nots: Poems to Learn by Heart selected by Mary Ann Hoberman (anthology)
Around the World in Eighty Poems selected by James Berry (collection)
Behind the Museum Door: Poems to Celebrate the Wonders of Museums selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins (collection)

Week 4: Baby Books
Hello, Baby! by Mem Fox
Hello, Day! by Anita Lobel
Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett
Lemons are Not Red by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Week 5: Picture Books
Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes (Caldecott)
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems (Caldecott)Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey (Caldecott)
The Problem with Chickens by Bruce McMillan
Slugs in Love by Susan Pearson
Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes

Week 6: Beginning Readers
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassel (Geisel)
Penny and Her Marble by Kevin Henkes (Geisel)
Move Over, Rover! by Karen Beaumont (Geisel)Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas by Cynthia Rylant
Mr. Putter and Tabby See the Stars by Cynthia Rylant
Snowed in with Grandmother Silk by Carol Fenner
Ruby Lu, Brave and True by Lenore Look

Week 7: Folklore, Fairytales, Fables, and Myths
Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola (folktale)
Stone Soup by Marica Brown (folktale)
Rumpelstiltskin’s Daughter by Diane Stanley (fractured fairytale)
The Gift of the Crocodile: A Cinderella Story by Judy Sierra (cultural fairytale version)
The Korean Cinderella by Shirley Climo (cultural fairytale version)
Beauty and the Beast by Marianna Meyer (fiarytale)
Beauty and the Beastly Children by Michael O. Tunnell (fractured fairytale)
The Dragon Prince: A Chinese Beauty and the Beast Tale by Laurence Yep (cultural fairytale version)

Week 8: Fantasy and Science Fiction
A Wrinkle in Time my Madeleine L’Engle
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Week 9: Popular Children’s Books
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Keff Kinney
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Week 10: Contemporary Realism
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
The Double Digit Club by Marion Dane Bauer
The Summer Sherman Loved Me by Jane St. Anthony

Week 11: Historical Fiction, Mystery, and Adventure
Roland Wright, Future Knight by Tony Davis
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

Week 12: Multicultural Literature
The Jamie and Angus Stories by Anne Fine

Week 13: Information Books
Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Flemming
Leonardo da Vinci by Kathleen Krull
A sex ed book (I have not received the list of approved titles yet)
The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge by Joanna Cole
An art or music book (I have not received the list of approved titles yet)

Week 14: Graphic Novels and Non-Book Resources
Magic Pickle by Scott Morse
Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hal

Week 15: Censorship and Banned Books
1 banned picture book (I have not received the list of approved titles yet)
1 banned picture book (I have not received the list of approved titles yet)
a banned fiction book (I have not received the list of approved titles yet)

And there you have it! It’s a LONG list of books, but I’m a week passed halfway through the semester and it has actually been a pretty fun class, even though it is a ton of work!

Have you read any of these books? Which ones do you like or dislike?

The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski | Book Review

Posted March 12, 2014 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult Fiction / 8 Comments

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Series: Winner's Trilogy #1
Published by Farrar Straus & Giroux on March 4, 2014
Genres: Romance
Pages: 368
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher (Mail)
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In the tradition of Kristin Cashore and Cassandra Clare comes this brilliant, unputdownable, star-crossed romance about the curse of winning.

Seventeen-year-old Kestrel is an aristocratic citizen of Valoria, a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers. Here, a girl like Kestrel has two choices: join the military or get married. Despite her skills in military strategy, Kestrel’s real passion is music.Which is why she feels compelled to buy Arin, a slave with a talent for singing, at auction. It’s not long before she finds herself falling in love with Arin, and he seems to feel the same for her. But Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for Arin is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a new world, The Winner’s Curse is a story of wicked rumors, dirty secrets, and games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

I read The Winner’s Curse MONTHS ago. I’m not kidding. Almost 5 months ago, actually. And I have been mulling this book over in the back of my mind ever since. And I am so distraught, because during all these months of mulling I still have no idea what to write. None. I’m hoping that things will come to me as I write now, and that hopefully I will have some sort of epiphany. Now, don’t get me wrong. I did not dislike this book. I loved it! And that’s why I’m so perplexed as to why I can’t figure out what to say about it. Normally if I love a book I go crazy and fangirlie and have SO much to say that I can’t organize it and end up feeling like a babbling idiot. This time, though, I’m experiencing something completely different. I loved it, yet I have no idea how to tell you why. I’m going to try here, and I’m going to let things flow. No numbered and bolded lists this time! This is going to be a complete brain dump.

I love the idea of a girl saving a boy for once. Kestrel purchases Arin, a slave, at an auction. And she does it because he is musical. What a unique way to begin a story.

Things started out really slow for me. I was honestly terrified that I was missing something because I was seeing all these raving reviews, and I was just not on board at all. Things change, though, and as I read more I became entranced.

I love that Kestrel is smart. She has so much power within her mind, which makes her strong in a way that is not usually written about. She is strong mentally instead of physically.

Arin is swoony in a very understated and mysterious way. He observes and watches from the sidelines. I love that about him. He is also very intelligent, and challenges Kestrel. I love the tension this creates.

I know that there is some romance that is just barely beginning to bloom. There’s no instalove, but there is definite interest. Kestrel and Arin watch each other. They are figuring each other out. And when they start to realize that they are being discovered by one other, the intrigue grows. I just get this feeling that neither of them is used to being at the forefront of someone’s mind. They are both quiet and broody and smart. They are so good for each other, even though society views them are being very far apart.

I’m not usually a fan of politics, but they worked for me here.

The writing is very pretty. The story is beautifully told.

I cannot WAIT to learn more about these characters. I am hoping for lots of details in the next two books, because I want to become even more invested in their lives.

Wow. I think this review is full of fail. Haha! I have never had such a hard time getting my thoughts out. I just know I loved this book, and I guess that will have to be good enough. I just loved it, ok!?!?!

Anyone want to help me out here? What did you think of The Winner’s Curse? And please help me feel better by telling me I am not the only person who has loved a book just because they loved it!! Has this happened to you before?