A Net in Time

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The Spinner of Dreams

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This book, The Spinner of Dreams, was so interesting… I’m actually tempted to re-read it since I read it during vacation in September.  When I read it I thought “I have to review this on my blog because it was so interesting.”  But since it’s been a while not all the details are sharp you know? 

Imagine struggling with a diagnosis and then writing a character who reflects it.   Finding a way to bring that struggle to life in a way that others understand.  Even though I know that different people struggle with the same condition in a variety of ways, seeing how one person handles it can help with understanding others.  

Spinner of Dreams

The Story’s Synopsis

The Spinner of Dreams brings us Annelise and her uniqueness in life.  She lives a life of aloneness since she was cursed by the Fate Spinner at birth.   She has a black mark on her hand and a monster living within and a whole town around her blaming her for everything wrong in their lives.   Her parents love and protect her, bringing light into her dark existence.  The monster within is getting worse.  What can she do?   

Annelise does what she must!   She will rid herself of this curse, she’ll find the Fate Spinner by entering the Labyrinth of Fate and Dreams.  She needs to make it out alive.   By doing so she’ll meet the merciful Spinner of Dreams and make her life better. 

Title: The Spinner of Dreams
Author: K.A. Reynolds
Illustrator: Flora Delargy
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 416
Intended Audience: 8-12 years
Genre: action & adventure, fantasy, fairytale, mental health
Available formats: hardcover, Kindle

Spinner of Dreams

So what did I think?

Honestly, it took me a while to get into this story as I found it rather horrifying the way Annelise was blamed for everything.  People treated her and her family so badly.  And then the cat showed up.

The cat was …. a bit odd, and somewhat unexpected. 

And my curiosity got spiked.   What’s with this odd cat?   What does he have to do with the story?

And so I followed along with the cat, and got hooked on the rest of the story.   You’ll note that every chapter has it’s own bit of artwork attached. 

I saw kindness, trickery, pain, sadness, impossible odds, and more.

It was at times rather odd, but once I read about how the author tried to include her uniqueness’s with the story it all rather fell into place.   Perhaps read the author’s note before reading the story?  NAH, that might wreck it for you!   🙂 

It took me off-guard with how much I enjoyed this rather quirky book.  So in-between fantasy and fairytale while maintaining the good vs bad story. 

Not everything is easy or perfect in The Spinner of Dreams.  There’s lots of description, bad things happen in the maze, unique things happen that will make you wonder what is going on, and you’ll finish the story and want it to go on.  🙂 

Gold Rush

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product Gold Rush through Quarto. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Did you know there was some controversy over who first discovered the gold that started the Klondike Gold Rush?   I didn’t!   Granted, I had no idea who or what started it, but definitely didn’t consider there would have been any argument about it.  So was it a first nations woman or was it some guy?  This story explores this story from the viewpoint it was started by a first nations woman.   Come along on this trip of discovery.  Loads of illustrations, complete with explanatory text, showcase this tale.  Let’s Go!

gold rush by Flora Delargy

The Basic Details for Gold Rush

Title: Gold Rush
Author: Flora Delargy
Illustrator: Flora Delargy
Series: Hidden Histories
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
Pages: 80
Intended Audience: 7-11 years
Genre: First Nations, Gold Rush, Picture Book, Indigenous, history, American History, Women & Girls Issues
Available formats: hardcover
Received: hardcover
Reviewed for: Quarto

Author and Story

Flora Delargy comes from Belfast and has written a couple of children’s books.   She not only writes them but illustrates them as well. In 2019, she was selected for the Illustrators Exhibition at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.  She attained a master’s degree in Children’s Book Illustration. 

In Gold Rush, Delargy brings us into the discovery of gold in the Yukon.  She makes excellent illustrations showing the forbidding mountains, rickety railway tracks, dogsledders, and the beauty of the Yukon countryside.  She walks us through all the steps to getting the gold in the Yukon.  Supply lists, who the adventurers are, the treatment of First Nations people, and so much more.   Learn the legacy of the Gold Rush! 

gold rush by Flora Delargy

Looking Deeper

Wow!   You can really tell Delargy spent some time in art school.  Her illustrations really help to tell the story.  Can’t you just see yourself struggling up this mountain pass?   Both women and men struggling through snow and ice all in the search for gold. That climb could make or break you couldn’t it?

There is SO MUCH information contained within these pages.   Six chapters

  • Kate Carmack (Shaaw Tiaa): the Discover
  • Martha Black: The Stateswoman
  • Belinda Mulrooney: The Boomtown Entrepreneur
  • Nellie Cashman: The Prospector
  • The Beauty of the North
  • The Impact of Kate Carmack

Within each of these chapters we’ll learn about supplies needed, places to live, how to mine for gold, impact on First Nation folk, those who stayed after the gold rush was over, and everything in-between. 

I so enjoy the artwork found within. The period dress, the action, the animals, and the natural beauty of the northlands. 

So my one big complaint about Gold Rush is the text.  It is SO small.  The headlines are a reasonable size font for reading, but the text is done in what I think is an 8 maybe a 10 point font.  Not good to read if you want to share with a group, and difficult enough to read yourself just for enjoyment. 

Do not misunderstand me, this an issue for me with the size of the text, not with the quality or quantity of the written material.

Recommendation

If you are studying Canadian History, learning about the Gold Rush, or curious get this book.  I love how it covers the Klondike Gold Rush so thoroughly, and broaches on issues other books generally don’t.   My consideration has never before been how the Gold Rush would have affected the native population.   I knew they used the people as porters (so some good income could be made for a while), but never thought of it would be culturally or just even short-term with the congestion and lawlessness. 

Flora Delargy did a good job pulling all her research together into an easily accessible resource.   Gold Rush does an good job of teaching (and showing) it’s readers about this part of history. 

The Animal People Choose a Leader

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product The Animal People Choose a Leader through D & M Kids. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Before people came into the world the animals could talk with each other.  They decided they needed a leader and so they sought one out!  Would the quickest be it?  What about the strongest?  Would quick wits be the answer? Just what makes a good leader anyways?  Perhaps the animals will discover the answer!

the animal people choose a leader

Basic Details for The Animal People Choose a Leader

Title: The Animal People Choose a Leader
Author: Richard Wagamese
Illustrator: Bridget George
Publisher: D & M Kids
Pages: 32
Intended Audience: 6-8 years
Genre: First Nations, Animals, Picture Book, Indigenous,
Available formats: hardcover, Kindle
Received: hardcover
Reviewed for: D & M Kids

Author and Story

Richard Wagamese brings us into a world before humans walked on earth, a world where animals talk and make choices.  In this story they want a leader and set out to choose one. 

Richard Wagamese brings this story steeped in the culture of the Ojibway peoples.  Though Mr. Wagamese is no longer with us, he brings his story-telling talent to life in this story that emphasizes the true talents that leaders need.   He was an Ojibway member, a journalist living in Northwestern Ontario.  Interesting fact, when he was starting to reconnect to his cultural heritage he was told by an elder he was meant to tell stories.  And so he told stories.   Best known for his novel Indian Horse (which I read and found good), he has lived up to that calling.  

the animal people choose a leader

Looking more closely

This is not a simple picture book, but a meaty story destined to help children think through what a good leader is.   But it’s not so simple right? Is a good leader the one to takes their time in completing a challenge, one who offers encouragement, or one who commits fully to the challenge? 

Even if the answer seems obvious by the end of the book, I found qualities in many of the competitors that help make a good leader. So this story could lead to many a good discussion by elementary students.  (At least I’d like to be there for that discussion). 

Fantastic artwork fills the pages. Some pages illustrate wonderfully the indigenous nature of this story.  Other pages the illustrations flit around the edges, drawing us in to considering more of the story.  Can a horse really get trapped in brambles?  Or a wolverine struggle climbing a ridge, or the struggles that Cougar and Buffalo had be real?  Does rabbit even have a chance? What qualities of leadership will this race around the lake showcase?

The text is easy to read, but not really in the 6-8 year old reading level.  Doesn’t mean they couldn’t understand the story, but they’d be asking for help with a lot of the words.  You might also notice that of all the animals taking part in the race, only one has a name other than what type of animal it is.  Makes it rather obvious who to pay attention to eh? 

Recommendation?

I think that The Animal People Choose a Leader is well-worth reading.  I love the talking points found throughout, and the artwork is well done. Bridget George did a good job of bringing the work of Richard Wagamese to life.   Give it a read.  Share it with your classroom.  Discuss what ideas of leadership came up.  Get the teacher’s guide to assist you in leading discussions. 

The Bears and the Magic Masks

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product The Bears and the Magic Masks through Nightwood Editions. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

First nations author Joseph Dandurand brings to life some helpful bears and a thankful wood carver.  The Bears and the Magic Masks showcases five animals and bears who figure out how to use the masks.  Masks can be such useful things (particularly if you are hungry, helpful bear. 

the bears and the magic masks

Basic Details for The Bears and the Magic Masks

Title: The Bears and the Magic Masks
Author: Joseph Dandurand
Illustrator: Elinor Atkins
Series: Kwantlen Stories Then and Now, book 4
Publisher: Nightwood Editions
Pages: 28
Intended Audience: 6-8 years
Genre: First Nations, Animals, Picture Book,
Available formats: Paperback
Received: Paperback
Reviewed for: Nightwood Editions

Author and Story

Joseph Dandurand is a member of the Kwantlen First Nations in British Columbia.  An author of several children’s books, he lives with his three children.  He also writes poetry and was shortlisted for the Griffin Poetry Prize.  His work relates to his indigenous culture. 

The Bears and the Magic Masks features the first nations group he is part of.  Afterall, it’s a Kwantlen wood carver that the bears thank, who then in turn makes the masks the bears have much fun with. 

the bears and the magic masks

Mr. Dandurand’s story is reminiscent of other native/first nations stories that I have read.  They have a certain flow and tone to them.  So I supposed you’d stay this is written in a classic first nations style!  🙂 

The story is simple.  The bears saved a life.  A thank you gift was made.  The bears had to discover the secret (magical) nature of the gift.  And then a thank you was again extended from the bears to the carver.  Such a good lesson to be heard. 

The art work is very first nation in design and style. The shape of the masks reminds me of the totem poles I’ve seen in videos (when my son was studying Canada) from British Columbia. Along with the animal masks made.   Generally very much what I would have expected from this traditional First Nations tale.

I totally expected and discovered an eagle, a raven, a wolf, and a coyote.   I thought the fifth would be a salmon but ended up being a sasquatch.  So I learned something new in this story … about the importance of the Sasquatch in their history. 

Recommendation?

So should you read this story with your children?  I think so yes.  It is not an exciting, grab you by the seat of your pants story, but it’s a learn about us story.  See what happens when you are helpful and kind and thankful kind of story. And that’s a good thing yes?  Don’t we all need more thankful, kind, and helpful people surrounding us? 

I can TOTALLY see a homeschool connection here eh?   If you are studying Canada or even just the First Nations people, read this book.  Get a bit of a feel for the culture, and then perhaps make a paper totem from the animals you learned about, or even the bears themselves! Learn about the Kwantlen people, study the Fraser River, learn the history of Vancouver, and British Columbia.  

Medici Heist

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product Medici Heist through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Take a trip into the past with Medici Heist.   Back into Italy in the days of the Medici brothers and political upheaval, where revenge, friendship, and family are all put to the test.  Secrets abound, and difficult situation raise ugly heads, and through it all, a bit of history is revealed. Medici Heist keeps you on your toes wondering who will win out in the end. 

Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderhan

General Info for Medici Heist

Title: Medici Heist
Author: Caitlin Schneiderhan
Publisher: Square Fish
Pages: 432
Intended Audience: grade 9-12, 13-18 years
Genre: Renaissance Historical Fiction, Young Adult, LGBTQ, Historical Romance
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover, Audio, Paperback
Received: ARC Paperback
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

Author and the Story

Ms. Schneiderhan loves Terry Pratchet books and grew up on them as a 13 year old.  They remain as part of her adult library (I don’t blame her at all).  She’s also an writer for the TV show Stranger Things. 

In Medici Heist she brings us into the world of Florence in 1517.  The Medici brothers rule Florence getting richer while the poor get poorer (with the church taking part in the wealth distribution). Into this world of opulence and intrigue drops in Rosa Cellini, a con woman with a mission.  She wants to steal the money back!   She assembles a rather motley crew of skilled misfits including a tinkerer, a fighter, and a master of disguise.  Artist Michelangelo even plays a role.  But the Medici’s have their own crew, and this crew has it’s own problems.  What will happen?   You’ll have to read to find out!  🙂 

Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderhan

Taking a Closer Look

Mystery presented to us within the historic world of the Medici brothers in Florence, Italy.  We know the Medici brothers are wealthy, and wanting to become more wealthy and getting more money through the church would be helpful to them.  Helping the church sell indulgences may be part of their biggest pay out yet!

But we have a small problem.  There’s a lot of political unrest, more guards are needed to keep the people under control, and unbeknownst to the Medici brothers there’s a lady out for a payout of her own with… just a touch of revenge mixed in.  She’s assembled a crew and as the story progresses we get to hear them all. 

Clear up warning… some of the stories are hard to listen to.  Brutality and hardship abound in the lives of the crew.   Pain is managed and not always talked about, until it is. 

Character Development Pivotal

Relationships within the crew are flexible and not always as clear cut as one might wish.  Same gender relationships are part of the mix.  I was admittedly surprised by one of them.  

Good character development and lots of history is included.  One can well imagine being in the heart of Florence in 1517.   

I do have to admit I didn’t quite get all of the Michelangelo stuff.  He was an important figure but I had too many unanswered questions about him.  Part of that is of Michelangelo’s historic relevance right?  You expect bigger things and more details about him and his work.  It’s kinda hard to explain, but of all the characters, I found his development the weakness.

Ms. Schneiderhan’s writing style is easy to read, with a compelling desire to find out how the story ends.  Will Sarra’s prediction that her tinkering skills will be needed with the wagon?   Khalid’s past… will it catch up to him in a solidly bad way for him?  Does the life Giacomo lived through prevent his future from becoming a reality?  Will Rosa get her revenge or will that desire jeopardize everything?   These questions will fuel the desire to finish the story.   You need to know the answers eh? 🙂

I received an ARC copy to review, so I don’t know if the greyscale artwork will remain as such in the final review copy.  There are three distinct parts of this tale with the artwork remaining consistent for each part.

Should you read it?

Other than the one surprising to me same gender relationship that kinda spoiled the ending for me, I enjoyed this read.  I loved the history, the mystery, and the interplay between not only the main characters, but the little add-on ones as well.   

As a former homeschooler I would want my highschooler to see just how accurate the author was in depicting Italy and the Medici brothers in 1517.   I don’t know my history well enough to tell you how accurate it all is.  🙂  But the sights and sounds feel historically accurate. 

I enjoyed the story of Medici Heist, the stories of the crew drew me in, then the events they were going through swirled around me.  Their life stories brought the struggles and dangers they were to life in a tangible way.  Well-written and interesting. 

Children of Anguish and Anarchy

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product Children of Anguish and Anarchy through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Sometimes you read a book that is part of a series and you enjoyed the book but keep thinking, man, should have read this series in order.   THAT is how I feel about Children of Anguish and Anarchy.  Good story, but reading this series out of order didn’t work for me.  I keep thinking, I’m missing something here, there is stuff I don’t quite understand. DO NOT misunderstand me… It’s worth the read.  Sacrifice, determination, a fair amount of grit, mistakes and misunderstandings, and so much concern for each other.  It’s a good team. With a real enemy you can dislike intensely.  All these things make a story work.  This story works, I just wanted to know more.  🙂 

Children of anguish and anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi

General Info for Children of Anguish and Anarchy

Title: Children of Anguish and Anarchy
Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Series: Legacy of Orisha, book 3
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Pages: 368
Intended Audience: grade 10-12, 14-18 years
Genre: Epic Fantasy, Prejudice & Racism, Sword & Sorcery Fantasy
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover, Audio, Paperback
Received: ARC Paperback
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

About the Book and Author

Tomi Adeyemi an American whose parents came over from Nigeria. She is a Hugo and Nebula Award winning author.  At the Writer’s Roadmap she teaches writing skills. Children of Anguish and Anarchy is the third book in her series, Legacy of Orisha.  Children of Blood and Bone and Children of Virtue and Vengeance are the first two books in the series. 

This last book in the series outlines the final battle against Baldyr and his forces. Zelie, Amari, and Tzain need to find their way through turmoil, pain, and uncertainty to fight to save civilization.  

Children of anguish and anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi

Looking More Closely

You will discover highly developed characters with their own quirks and foibles.  These people for the most part felt very real to me, though, I didn’t always find them like-able.  BUT one doesn’t need to like every character right?

Whose point of view we were witnessing changed among the main characters.  Chapter headings clearly let us know who was speaking.  They switched between Amari, Inan, Tzain, and Zelie, and not always in the same order. Through each of them we saw different aspects of the situation facing them. 

The writing style was very clear showcasing the danger they faced.  The images given were not always pretty or easy to read.  They faced some solid danger. 

I did find the end result to be disturbing.  Just left me feeling like “meh, shouldn’t have read that”, but at the same time I’m glad that good prevailed over evil. 

For those curious, there is some same-gender relationships happening, but it wasn’t pivotal to the story or made to be a central theme. 

Overall, I think I would have enjoyed the story more if I had read the previous two books in the series.  I felt like there was too much that I missed, that wasn’t satisfactorily explained in this one.  Some books do an excellent job of rehashing the previous story, this one left me hanging a bit.   

If you have read Children of Blood and Bone and Children of Virtue and Vengeance, be sure to snap up this compelling final installation in the Legacy of Orisha.

Come Thou Long-expected

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You know what?   I am SO GLAD I double-check what this last word prompt of the year would be.  I’ve been contemplating the word loud most of the day.  As I sat here tonight it was like.. Loud… what the heck kind of word is that for the end of the year?   But then I saw the word was actually Long, and I immediately thought of the song Come thou Long-expected Jesus… and words started coming to me. 

text: Come thou long-expected Image: woman in black dress pregnant

Come Thou Long-expected

Come thou
long-expected Jesus
born to set thy people free.
These words echo through my mind
as I contemplate a simple word.

Come
It’s a word of action you know?
Like people don’t just drop in
at the grocery store. They come with
intent. Something to do (work) or
something to get (food, supplies).
Often seen is a list in hand.

Thou
It’s an old word you know?
Thou. it’s the archaic or dialect form of you
Makes sense for a song from the past
our church history showing forth.
but it’s used for people you know?
thou beastie isn’t oft heard,
but thou person, yes indeedy

Long-expected
Do you hear it?
the mournfulness, the longing
this strong desire for more
And what is that more?

Jesus.
God saves. Our saviour.
God’s son! The one we waited for.
The one the whole world groaned
for in expectation.
The one that in some ways
we are still waiting for.
One day he will return.
The old becomes new again
Won’t that be a sight, and a surprise?

people at theater
Photo by Monica Silvestre on Pexels.com

Oh my lands…. the words I had running through my brain were SO different than what came out of my fingertips!   I was going to talk about the length of the year, and the anticipation this time of the year holds, and how it’s a fitting end.   Instead…. I waxed poetic differently.  🙂 I find it so funny/odd when that happens, it’s like my fingertips have a mind of their own.   But that’s the Long-expected I came up with!

My Jim is at a DND meeting tonight.  They meet once a month for a time of male-bonding.  Tomorrow we hopefully finish the tree, and possibly some website work (for me), and I dunno what else before heading out for a night out.  He’s preaching in a church about 2 hours away so we’ve booked a night at a place near where we have to be.  Means a not as early start on Sunday.  It also means time away where we can just chat and hang out together for a bit.  The kids will mind the cats and bunnies for us and hopefully get the laundry done!  🙂  Time will tell eh?   

Ah, he’s home!   He’ll be going to bed soon which means soon I’ll start snoozing in my chair until I wake up enough to go to bed.  I’ll finish up here so as to avoid all that!  🙂   Cheers!