Well this will be my last review of 2021 and unfortunately it's a tricky one.
The real story of Lifeboat 12 is actually a gripping tale of survival agaWell this will be my last review of 2021 and unfortunately it's a tricky one.
The real story of Lifeboat 12 is actually a gripping tale of survival against all odds. I am sorry to say it was not well captured in this middle-school verse novel. The story felt drawn out even though is was written in verse. There were some glimmers of the type of writing I would expect in a verse novel but in my opinion, it read more like prose with the enter button hit after every few words. The were some points where the author dabbled in the white spaces and kids will enjoy these, but overall it was a miss for me.
The photos and notes at the end were extremely interesting....more
Well this middle-school verse novel was a wonderful testament to the the strength of people escaping the injusticesCW: Depicts life as slaves
3,5 Stars
Well this middle-school verse novel was a wonderful testament to the the strength of people escaping the injustices and horrors of slavery.
Nine year old Grace is a beautifully drawn character and was the perfect narrator for this story. This could be used in classes as a launching point for studies on the abhorrent practice of slavery and then ownvoice accounts could be incorporated in this study to ensure authenticity, and that the right perspectives are heard on this topic....more
Well I am absolutely confused as to how a book about such a daringly brilliant undercover police operation could end up being quite a dull read.
When Well I am absolutely confused as to how a book about such a daringly brilliant undercover police operation could end up being quite a dull read.
When it came down to it, not much actually happened so there wasn't much to write about I guess. I loved that Ron infiltrated the Klan and that they were able to get some valuable information but sadly the stilted writing, less than ideal narration, and lack of intrigue made this just okay for me....more
Well that was a harrowing story of one girls struggle to survive life in a concentration camp.
I listened to this 4.5 Stars
CW: For horrific war crimes.
Well that was a harrowing story of one girls struggle to survive life in a concentration camp.
I listened to this in one sitting because it was short and gripping. It is probably one of the better holocaust survival stories I have read because the writing and characters drew me in. This was made all the more powerful by the fact that it is a true story. Elli's will to survive was remarkable and the strength she showed to bring herself and her mother through these horrendous times will stick with me for quite some time. Outstanding. ...more
UPDATE 15/08/2022 - I hadn't noticed how simply the story was written the first time around. I think this worked in it's favour as the focus became thUPDATE 15/08/2022 - I hadn't noticed how simply the story was written the first time around. I think this worked in it's favour as the focus became the characters experiences and I found it just as engaging the second time around.
UPDATE 09/08/2022 - Rereading in preparation to read books 2 and 3
CW: war atrocities such as gas chamber deaths, shootings and rapes.
Well what a moving story of survival and hope in the darkest of places.
Lale was determined to survive the horrors of life in a concentration camp. He spent nearly three years at Auschwitz-Birkenau as the tattooist who permanently marked the prisoners with their identification numbers during the holocaust. I was totally drawn to his strength and belief that he would live and find love. His journey was one filled with determination and compassion where he chose to help those around him survive this horrific ordeal. I thoroughly recommend this amazing novel....more
CW: (view spoiler)[drug use and addiction, children forcibly removed from mother, mental illness, suicide of inmate mentioned, father died by falling CW: (view spoiler)[drug use and addiction, children forcibly removed from mother, mental illness, suicide of inmate mentioned, father died by falling on train tracks but Malcolm later learns her was probably murdered (hide spoiler)]
Well that will teach me for not reading the blurb!
Whilst I found this to be a really engaging story it was the last hour that made for compelling reading. This story follows a young Malcolm as he grows up and makes one terrible decision after another. His life to spirals down and he eventually hits rock bottom in a jail cell. It's in the final part of this book that he takes tentative steps towards becoming Malcolm X, the bold human rights activist who agitated for Black empowerment. The writing in this stage was phenomenal! The afterword written by his daughter was also really interesting. I do recommend this book as I found it hard to put down, but go in with an understanding you are reading about the fall of Malcolm and the very beginning of his 'rebirth', without seeing his rise to greatness....more
CW: Shooting of protestors with some descriptions of victims
Well I have to say that the author chose an incredible format to deliver this informative CW: Shooting of protestors with some descriptions of victims
Well I have to say that the author chose an incredible format to deliver this informative account of a tragic historical event.
I didn't know anything about the Kent State protests so I found the introduction and notes at the end to be really helpful.
The format was genius. Not so much in that it was a verse novel as, if I am being honest, the writing itself wasn't particularly noteworthy. It was the fact that the author essentially wrote a conversation (or should I say heated debate) between people who represented different points of view on the Kent State murders. I found the voices to be quite distinct in their tone but it did help immensely that different fonts were used for the different points of view. I liked that the fonts themselves were carefully considered and reflected the characters perfectly. For example, a small sized 'soft' font was used for the scared members of the community and a bold capitilised font was used for the angry community members. Very clever. I was quite moved by the personal details included about the four slain students. It is amazing because as a Reader I knew in my heart what side I felt was right but at the same time I definitely think the author respectfully captured all sides of this terrible event. Definitely worth reading if you like historical verse novels....more
CW: descriptions of animal killing, rape, murder, suicide details, descriptions of bloody scenes and dead bodies
Well that was quite traumatic in partsCW: descriptions of animal killing, rape, murder, suicide details, descriptions of bloody scenes and dead bodies
Well that was quite traumatic in parts but that's to be expected in a book about a serial killer.
This is one of the first true crime books I have read so I didn't really know what to expect. Not knowing anything about this killer worked in my favour as it was all new information to me. I have to say I thought it was utterly disturbing how wrong detectives and police got things throughout this investigation. An interesting look into the mind of a serial killer but I wasn't blown away by this book....more
This WWII story is about Alice trying to uncover the mystery of why her grandmother left her an apartment in France in her will. She has uncovered the journal of Adalyn (her great-aunt) and tries to piece together why the apartment was abandoned after the war. The story is told in alternating narrative between Alice and Adalyn. I enjoyed Adalyn's voice more as her actions drove the plot forward. A couple of the characters had some mental health issues which, in my opinion, didn't seem to fit into the story. I feel like this was included in to add depth, but too me it felt superfluous as the main story-line was sufficiently engaging. That being said, I felt even this could have been fleshed out a bit and more tension added. At no point did I feel like I was on the edge of my seat as I have been in similar stories. Just an okay book for me....more
UPDATE 26/08/2021: Reread in order to prepare to read the next in the series for an assessment I will be book talking for. I stand by my original reviUPDATE 26/08/2021: Reread in order to prepare to read the next in the series for an assessment I will be book talking for. I stand by my original review.
2.5 Stars
Audrey Rose Wadsworth is a young feminist determined to throw off society's shackles in terms of the role of women in the Victorian era. I know this because it is repeatedly mentioned in the book. This is not a new notion and I don’t have an issue with it, however, we were being slapped in the face with the ‘I am woman hear me roar’ theme repeatedly. Repeatedly. Again and again. Numerous times. See what I did there?
I did like the chemistry and dialogue between Audrey and Thomas but aside from a few gory murder scenes and some cloak and dagger type sneaking around nothing much actually happened in the book. There wasn’t enough sleuthing or deduction going on amid the flirty banter in my opinion. I did like the ending though.
No thrills in a thriller isn’t ideal. Just saying....more
**spoiler alert** Challenging Content: Disabled people are killed because they don't fit with the idea of a superior race. **spoiler alert** Challenging Content: Disabled people are killed because they don't fit with the idea of a superior race. ...more
An action packed, tension filled WWII novel aimed at middle school and younger high school Readers. I enjoyed this one a lot more than Allied because An action packed, tension filled WWII novel aimed at middle school and younger high school Readers. I enjoyed this one a lot more than Allied because the young James Bond vibe made for an entertaining adventure. Readers will be treated to a mash up of a lot of WWII elements. I think it is important for young Readers to listen to the author's notes at the end as it gives the historical context for this fictional story. The difficulties Michael faced blending in with his fellow Hitler Youth whilst trying to sabotage them from within made for some tense moments, as he was nearly exposed on several occasions.
I will be adding the following comment in all of my reviews of Alan Gratz's books. Authors like Alan Gratz, who capture the interest of ‘reluctant readers’, are really important. I also love that his novels have been made into audiobooks so his engaging stories are accessible to those with learning differences. I think we can all appreciate that if you are after some more historically detailed WWII literature then you may be left wanting. I choose to enjoy Alan Gratz’s books as 'introductions' to an important period in our world's history....more
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