2014 in Review: the Numbers

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Katy K.

Once again, it’s time for me to look at how I did with my reading and blogging this year. I am a geek, and I enjoy graphs – so join me if you like graphs too. If not, I’ll be back to reviewing soon!

I reviewed 173 books in 2014, down a little from 188 last year but still up from 122 in 2012. It felt like tracking my Cybils reading took a lot of my regular posting time– not the actual reading but the tracking of which books I’d read and which ones I needed to lay hold of. I logged 254 books that I read, but I realized looking at my charts of age distribution that I haven’t been logging the early chapter books my daughter and I listen to in the car. Just going by the series number of the series we’ve listened to (35 Magic Tree House Books, 24 Junie B. Jones books and quite a few Ivy and Bean books), I get an additional 65 early chapter books – yikes! – which I then added into my reading graph. That would bring my total books read up to 319.

Last year, I had only one graph – but this year I kept a spreadsheet and tracked more things, like this:

audience
I feel like I need to read more teen this year! More graphic novels! I guess I’m back to the pipe dream of being able to read everything interesting.

And just perhaps being on the Cybils mg speculative fiction committee led to me reading so very much fantasy this year.
genre2014

I feel like I did pretty well for gender split on my authors, but even though I was actively trying to read diverse books, I feel like it doesn’t really show in these author stats. Part of that is that many of the books I counted as diverse had diverse characters, but not necessarily diverse authors. Part of it is that most authors don’t announce their heritage in their bios – I went by clues from names and photos, which can be misleading – you’d never know my husband is part Asian by his name, nor my kids by their faces. But part of this, of course, is that I need to work harder at finding, reading, and reviewing diverse authors.

gender2014
ethnicity2014

Some other book blogger (I forget who, now) shared her spreadsheet a few months ago, with even more data. This year, I’m separating out format from genre, so I can tell print to digital to audio – and I’ll also track author nationality, which should also be interesting. If you have things that you track, or that you think it would be interesting for me to track, I’d love to hear them.

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Cybils Finalists!

Posted on January 1, 2015 by Katy K.

The Cybils Finalists are live!  Go over and take a look at all the fantastic books!  And have a happy New Year!Cybils-Logo-2014-Rnd1

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Three More Silly Picture Books

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Katy K.

I’m finally feeling like I’m crawling out from under the massive cold I’ve had for the past couple of weeks – but I’m afraid my energy is still low and thoughts of doing massive review catch-ups or 2014 retrospective posts will have to wait for next year.

But! My Cybils Round 1 committee has a short-list! It will be announced on January 1. I’m so excited both for everyone else to see what we came up with and to see for myself what the other committees were doing.

In the meantime, here are just brief reviews of three laugh-out-loud funny picture books, all of which my daughter loved enough to bring in for her teacher to read to the class.

thisbookjustatemydogThis Book Just Ate My Dog by Richard Byrne. Henry Holt, 2014.
This is a fun inter-contextual, interactive picture book: the book itself is hungry, and Bella’s dog and everyone who tries to rescue it keep disappearing into the gutter. Only the reader can save them! Cartoon-like illustrations with lots of white space add to the effect.

bookwithnopicturesBook With No Pictures by B.J. Novak. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2014.
True to the title, there are no pictures in this book, just brightly-colored text in fun fonts. It has to be read aloud to be properly appreciated, as the whole thing hinges on the silliness that ensues when adults have to read everything in the book, including lots of nonsense words and some mild potty humor, with commentary from the supposedly increasingly frustrated adult already written in. You probably will get tired of this before your kids do.

ShhShh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton. Candlewick, 2014.
This is a rare picture book that’s beautiful and silly, with a deeper message underneath. Four people of indeterminate gender are going through a blue forest after a bright red bird. The first three are trying to catch it in a net, while the fourth keeps going up to it, trying to make friends. “Shh! We have a plan!” say the other three, every time, but the plan fails every time. Their refusal to learn, which could come off as depressing, is somehow funny instead, with the reader coming off as the wise insider. Repetitive, easily learned language and the bold block-print art make this a fantastic choice for story time.

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The Princess in Black

Posted on December 26, 2014 by Katy K.

I’m hoping to do a longer post on the holiday books soon, but here’s the prose book we gave my daughter yesterday.

Princess in BlackThe Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale. Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Candlewick, 2014.
Princess Magnolia is the very picture of a perfect princess, sipping her hot chocolate and eating scones with Duchess Wigtower in an impeccable frilly pink dress. But when her monster ring alarm goes off, she slips into the broom closet, puts on her black clothes and mask, and meets her faithful pony Blacky – who also has a day-to-day disguise as Frimplepants the unicorn – and goes off to defeat the monster. A young goat boy watches as the mysterious Princess in Black uses a combination of martial arts and scolding to send the wayward monster back through the hole to Monsterland. But will Princess Magnolia get back to the nosy Duchess Wigtower before her secret is discovered???

I’ve been seeing a kind of princess battleground lately, as toys and clothes for girls get more and more pink and frilly (see my review of Cinderella Ate My Daughter)while at the same time, educated parents are deciding that girls shouldn’t be told the traditional fairy tales with their too-passive princesses. I can see valid points on both sides – and while I certainly don’t want to tell my daughter that she should make herself beautiful so she can attract a handsome man, she loves the beautiful dresses and the traditional fairy tales. There’s a nice article on Princess Shaming from Liz B. at A Chair, A Fireplace and a Tea Cozy, with thanks to Maureen of By Singing Light for bringing it to my attention. My approach up until now has been to read her the traditional stories as retold by Berlie Doherty, who makes it clear that all the romantic relationships are consensual, and including large amounts of folk tales with strong women – both the Jane Yolen anthology mentioned here, and my old Tatterhood collection edited by Ethel Johnston Phelps.

In this early chapter book, Shannon and Dean Hale make it clear – in a silly and engaging story – that girls don’t have to choose between the pretty dresses and being part of the action. The story is told in chapters that take about three minutes each to read aloud – perfect for waking a sleepy girl up for school – and illustrated with LeUyen Pham’s beautiful yet adorable full-color paintings. My girl was thrilled with this when we had it out from the library in October, and even more excited to have her very own copy to keep.

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Winterfrost

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Katy K.

I was first introduced to the concept of nisse when my family had a Danish exchange student back in the 90s. I was delighted to find this beautifully Christmassy tale about them nominated for this year’s Cybils award.

Wishing all a happy Christmas, Solstice, and/or Hannukah, as appropriate!

winterfrostWinterfrost by Michelle Houts. Candlewick, 2014.
Now that Bettina’s twelve, she’s not really sure she believes in the little nisse, whom her grandfather told her help Danish families take care of their farms. Her family always used to set out the traditional bowl of rice pudding for the nisse on Christmas Eve anyway, just in case. But this year everything has gone wrong. Grandfather isn’t there, for the first time ever. And Mor and Far were both called away right after Christmas Eve dinner, leaving Bettina in charge of baby Pia. But in all the upset, no one remembered the nisse. And the nisse aren’t happy… Baby Pia goes missing during her nap, and Bettina must find her before her parents get back.

It’s a little hard as a modern parent to get past the twelve-year-old being left alone, much less with a baby to take care of. But if I doubt that’s a difficulty that children will have, especially once they get into the story. It’s a gentle adventure, overall, exploring Danish countryside and folklore as Bettina’s journey to rescue her sister turns just as much into a journey of forgiveness and self-discovery. There’s just enough tension to keep it from being boring while still staying a cozy Christmas story. My son is reading it to himself now.

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Seven Wild Sisters

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Katy K.

Converging craziness from all angles of life has been making posting difficult – but here is a lovely summery read for anyone feeling the cold.

Seven Wild SistersSeven Wild Sisters by Charles DeLint. Illustrated by Charles Vess. Little, Brown and Company, 2014.
Sarah Jane is the middle of seven sisters raised on the edges of the wood. Her exploring leads her to discover old Aunt Lillian, living alone on a farmstead in the hills. Clearly, Aunt Lillian is the young Lillian about whom The Cats of Tanglewood Forest was told. And where that story didn’t seem firmly anchored in time, this one feels much more like the present day, if still loosely defined. At any rate, Aunt Lillian tells Sarah Jane stories about the creatures of the woods – the rivalry between the ‘sang men and the bee fairies, the old man who lives in the apple tree out in the orchard. But as fascinating as Sarah Jane finds the stories, Aunt Lillian tells her that it’s dangerous to get involved. Sarah Jane tries, but one day, out picking the ‘sang, she finds a tiny man stuck full of arrows. Of course she takes him back to Aunt Lillian and tries to save him – but now she’s in the middle of a battle between the ‘sang men and the bee folk, one that escalates to include all of her sisters.

As before, pieces from traditional Celtic fairy lore are mixed with Appalachian flavor. But whereThe Cats of Tanglewood Forest was very episodic and had lots and lots of different magical people and their ways, this one has a much more streamlined plot and focuses on just a few magical people as well as the seven sisters of the story, all held together with Vess’ lovely full-color illustrations. This was a satisfying story of the perils of crossing the boundaries between the human and magical worlds.

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Frostborn

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Katy K.

FrostbornFrostborn. Thrones and Bones Book 1. by Lou Anders. Random House, 2014.
In a Norse-inspired fantasy world, teenage Karn is supposed to be learning how to be the ruler, or hauld, of his village. But instead of learning how to be good at bartering, he spends all his time bettering his skills at the board game Thrones and Bones (rules included; loosely based on the Viking Game or Tafl). He’s so focused on his game that he doesn’t notice that his Uncle Ori’s friendliness is really just trying to get Karn out of the way so that Ori can be hauld instead. Though several of his schemes fail, Ori finally succeeds in tricking Karn into waking the ancient king Helltoppr and his undead warriors.

Meanwhile, young Thianna is a half Frost Giant. She never knew her human mother, and though between human and giant in size, has spent her time trying to be more giant-like than the giants, a fierce and rugged warrior. But when wyvern-riding warrior women come after her, she can’t hide with the giants.

Both on the run from terrible enemies, Karn and Thianna meet each other. It takes some serious readjusting of thinking for both of them, but eventually they realize that teaming up could be helpful. Together, they might just be able to defeat all of their enemies.

This is a fantasy adventure great for those who love games and historical fantasy. Karn and Thianna have to use cunning as well as Thianna’s battle skills to defeat their enemies, and both of them must confront their various prejudices – serious themes underlying battles against treachery, zombies, wyverns, and an ancient dragon. I have several young readers I’d be happy to give this one to, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

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The Swallow: A Ghost Story

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Katy K.

Here’s a lovely ghost story, which I was fortunate enough to read for the Cybils right around Halloween.
The SwallowThe Swallow: A Ghost Story by Charis Cotter. Tundra Books, 2014.
In 1963 Toronto 1963 two lonely girls discover that they are neighbors and make friends. Lonely Rose is too often left alone in her big house as her parents work. Polly, on the other hand, is lonely because of living in a house crowded with so many children that she feels ignored. The houses connect through the attics, in homage to Polly and Diggory’s attics in The Magician’s Nephew. They also overlook a large old cemetery, and this provokes much discussion between the girls. Polly has been obsessed with ghosts her whole life and longs to see them in the cemetery. She hopes that quiet, pale Rose might be one herself. Rose, on the other hand, hates ghosts. She sees them all over, constantly asking for things, and wishes she couldn’t. The thought that she might be one is dreadful. Together, the two girls discover things hidden in Rose’s house that reveal secrets about her family’s past, at the same time trying to avoid the terrifying “Door Jumper” ghost that tries to jump on Polly every time she comes over.

Polly and Rose’s friendship develops beautifully, helping both of them grow. There are more mysteries than either girl is aware of at first. The whole story is told in short chapters, mostly alternating between the two girls’ perspectives. It went places I did not expect, places that left me lying awake in bed worrying about the girls and crying actual tears when the truth was revealed. Sad and spooky are not places I normally look to go in my reading, but The Swallow does both of these things very well, with a rare and pleasant Canadian feel to boot. Happily for tender-hearted readers such as myself, the book ends on a note that is hopeful as well, making this a good choice for those who like quiet but creepy ghost stories.

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Almost Super

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Katy K.

Here’s a book that’s great for fans of superheroes and silliness!

Almost SuperAlmost Super by Marion Jensen. Harper, 2014.
It’s the day Rafter and Benny Bailey have been waiting for their whole lives: February 29 after they’ve both turned twelve. (Rafter is only a year older than Benny.) Today, they’ll find out their superpowers. Tomorrow, they’ll be able to join the Bailey family’s generations-long struggle to defeat the villainous Johnsons. Except that their superpowers are utterly useless. Rafter can light strike-on-the-box matches on polyester instead, while Benny can change his innie belly button into an outie. They are about to take it out on the only Johnson their age, Juanita – only to find out that she’s also gotten a lousy power and is blaming it on them. Then they learn that Juanita’s power is just as lousy – and that she’s always thought that the Baileys were the villains! Hilarious and exciting action results as the three kids work together to discover the history of the rivalry, at the same time trying to figure out how to be the superheroes they were raised to be without superpowers.

This is a fun and fast-paced book that wraps up in just 251 pages, great for reluctant readers or last-minute reading assignments. The story is told by likeable heroes who are believably the only ones able to look outside the narrative they’ve been given. It’s also a lot of fun to explore the superhero lairs, suits, gadgets and team make-up of the two families. The theme of getting to know enemies and learning that they might not be so bad is a good one, very rarely explored in the usually black-and-white superhero genre. My biggest beef was that the ending contradicts everything the book seemed to be building up to, though it does leave the story open to a sequel. I’d still recommend this, especially to kids in about third through fifth grade.

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Zero Degree Zombie Zone

Posted on December 2, 2014 by Katy K.

Who doesn’t love zombies??? Well, ok, I don’t… but as I’m always looking for books to appeal to the Reluctant Boy Reader, this was a very welcome addition to my Cybils reading.

Zero Degree Zombie ZoneZero Degree Zombie Zone by Patrik Henry Bass. Illustrated by Jerry Craft. Scholastic, 2014.
Bakari Katari Johnson is in a pickle: his best friend Wardell has signed him up to run for hall monitor, an elected position currently held by the deservedly popular Tariq Thomas. His superiority is enforced by his cousin Keisha, who is angelic towards adults and as mean as it takes to get her way to kids. When Bakari steps out into the hall to escape the situation, things get worse: the giant ice king Zenon tells him bring back his ring, or else! Zenon has ice zombies and can take Bakari to his evil ice world. Bakari doesn’t know anything about the ring to start with, but the situation puts the special granite marble his grandfather gave him at risk. And he and Wendell may actually have to work with Tariq and Keisha…

There were lots of things that I liked about this book. I liked the all-African-American school, and that there was a nice resolution of the school plot as well as the zombie plot, with actually useful advice on the election situation (see Charlotte’s review). I appreciated, especially in a book perfect for third- and fourth-grade kids, that the exciting zombie action was free of blood and zombie slime. The illustrations by Jerry Craft are plentiful and done in a confident cartoon style. On the down side, there’s never any explanation of how the zombie king ended up in Bakari’s elementary school in the first place, and the book in general doesn’t have the depth that older middle grade students or adult readers of children’s literature would want. But for young or reluctant readers needing some enticing zombie fighting grounded in a relatable school situation and wrapped up in 130 pages, this is a fine choice. My son is reading it to himself right now.

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