A Net in Time

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Reviews

The Raconteur’s Commonplace Book

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Kate Milford has gathered up a collection of 15 folk tale storytellers.  All individuals with secrets of their own, and a young lady determined to find them. The Raconteur’s Commonplace Book is a middle school read with a decidedly scary side to it. 

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The Raconteur's Commonplace Book

The Raconteur’s Commonplace Book, the basic details

The Raconteur’s Commonplace Book is book five in the Greenglass House Story.   400 pages of spine-tingling folk tales that seem to be unconnected, but in the end are.  Put together by Kate Milford I learned in the footnotes that this work was originally by Phineas Amalgram who was a Nagspeake folklorist. But given the interesting way this book was put together… I dunno if the author is just messing with my mind.   The intended audience is youth 8-12 years old. 

What do you get?

15 distinctly different people telling 15 different, yet occasionally similar, folk tales.  These aren’t light fluffy folk tales, these are the old folk tales.  Dark, captivating, drawing you in, and with a lesson to learn. 

I can’t say that I read every word as I don’t do alarming well, but for the most part as I wrote on Facebook “I felt like I should be alarmed but like I was watching these stories unfold in a dream”.   That distance made the stories dark and a curiosity as opposed to “let’s get scared”. 

Each story told it’s own tale, and admittedly, some of them were quite interesting and got a full read.  They seemed to stand on their own, but mid-way through it was obvious that they were somehow connected. 

The Raconteur's Commonplace Book

In this review copy from Raincoast Books, all the images were in greyscale and not all images were included. 

I found the youngest member of this troupe to be a fascinating little girl.  A very observant young lass with peculiar talents. The story took an unexpected twist at the end that caught me off guard.  I can well imagine that a child might have a similar reaction, and would advise a parent being a sounding board should that be necessary. 

Should you get it?

Honestly, I don’t know.  I don’t see The Raconteur’s Commonplace Book as a middle school read, I don’t.  But that’s because I don’t do scary or generally even mildly alarming.  As such, I don’t care to see middle school students do so either. 

Now… would I use selected stories?  For sure.  Some of them were fascinating, and if you’ve ever read through some of Grimm’s fairytales (the originals) … some of these tales would fit in with them.   So if you were going to a study on folk tales and how they have meaning under the surface… grab it up.  See folktales from different traditions and analyze them.   Pick carefully, and discover important lessons. 

Colors of Character, Review and Giveaway

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Many thanks to Collide Distribution for providing this product/product information for review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.  What I am reviewing is Colors of Character. 

I received a digital copy of Colors of Character, a documentary, for this review which tells the story of Steve Skipper.

Colors of Character

Fig Tree Media Group put together this biography on the life and times of Steve Skipper.  Mr. Skipper played an active role in the creation of this video.  As we go through his life we also learn a lot about the civil rights movement. Play time is 1 hr and 16 minutes.   This video was sent through vimeo.  Mr. Skipper’s faith in God was evident throughout.  I love hearing stories of faith… oh how God draws a person out of a life ill-conceived and shows them a different path.  It’s so good you know?  What I enjoyed the most about this documentary is the story of faith lived. 

Steve Skipper is not only an artist, but he also wrote a book called Dream On: A Journey to Deliverance.  He lived a rough life, became part of a gang, faced a lot of discouragement, and then he found the Lord.   I don’t want to give away too much of the story as it was brand new to me.  It might be brand new to you as well.  You can see his art work at the Steve Skipper Gallery. 

You’ll learn his story from life as part of a gang, through to successful artist.  He credits it all to God.  Such a solid story with a variety of people adding in bits.  Frequently we learned more of the civil rights movement.

To get a glimpse on what this movie is like I invite you to view the trailer

Should you get Colors of Character?

Colors of Character I found to be very interesting. I ran into some problems though.  I first tried to play it on my tablet but the sound would keep playing but the video part would simply stop.  Only by stopping, refreshing etc, could I get the video to play.  Now that said, it played perfectly on my laptop.   My tablet plays everything else faultlessly so I’m not sure why there was an issue with Colors of Character. 

Anyways, I’m glad it worked well on my laptop.  I’m not sure that it’s a story children would like, but I could easily see adults and teens enjoying it.  Might provide for some interesting discussions. Dove.org approved for ages 12 & up!

Purchase Colors of Character. 

Giveaway!

This giveaway is open to all those in North America.   You will receive a digital code so you can watch it at home. 

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Of A Feather

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Attention owl fans and lovers of middle school literature!  If you love owls and if you adore books where characters learn and become something more… Of a Feather is just the book for you.   

Affiliate links will be used in this review which as always, cost you nothing, but help me maintain this blog. 

of a feather

Of A Feather, the basic details

Publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books published Dayna Lorentz’s book Of a Feather. Written for youth 10-12 years.  336 pages in length.  I am reviewing an ARC copy for Raincoast Books. 

Dayna Lorentz writes a careful story about a young lady caught in a foster care system.  A mom who struggles with being sad, and a gramma who can’t be trusted. An aunt with concerns of her own takes Reenie in and thus a story is born.  The aunt does Falconry… Reenie is hooked! This makes the first part of the book make a whole lot more sense when we are let into the internal thoughts of a young Great Horned Owl named Rufus.  Reenie, Rufus and Falconry and thus a story is born. 

I’ll let you in on a secret… it’s a good story.  

Just what do you get?

of a feather

I loved the chapter images.  Isn’t Rufus an adorable owl?   Reenie had her own chapter image as well.  Occasionally they would share a chapter as well.  🙂   There wasn’t a lot of art work in this tome, but those chapter images were great!

Well-developed characters…. we got to know Rufus through his internal dialogue.  A thinker, who was lacking in confidence, and not doing well living as a wild owl.

Reenie, a young lass with a troubled family life and then the child care system became involved.   Needing a safe place, in stepped her aunt.  

You’ll find Of a Feather to be an easy read, suitable for most middle schoolers. 

Should You Get It?

YES!   Go get this book Of a Feather you won’t regret it.

Do be alert that issues come up that some families really struggle and some aren’t very good for children.  So depending on your children this may or may not be a good read for them.  BUT nothing bad happens directly, it’s just alluded to. 

But the story of Rufus and Reenie and how they helped each other… is such a sweet, good story.  Seeing confidence grow in both was a wonderful thing to observe.  Trusting their own abilities, learning to trust those around them.  Fantastic. 

When Harry Met Minnie

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Martha Teichner writes a quietly fun read in When Harry Met Minnie.  The love of a good bull terrier is ripe on every page, as is the camaraderie of sharing the lives of dogs and their people. 

Affiliate links will be shared in this review, which costs you nothing but helps me to continue bringing you quality reviews. 

when harry met minnie

When Harry Met Minnie, the basics

Author Martha Teichner writes a quietly reminiscent book recalling the tale of two meeting and how their relationship progressed.  Along the way, in When Harry Met Minnie, we see the impact of people’s lives upon each other. Bull Terriers feature magnificently throughout, with all their quirkiness and determination clearly on display. 

This true story of love and friendship was generously published by Celadon Books and runs at 256 pages.   An ARC copy received to review on behalf of Raincoast Books.   

This is such a sweet gentle read.  So much heart and human connection, and in the midst of it…. bull terriers!  You gotta love the goofiness and determination of a good bull terrier!

But it the people who these bull terriers brought together that will grab your heart and your attention. There is hardship, for dogs and people.  There is death, for people and dogs. But friendship abounds.  Tears happen. Laughter floods at times unexpected.   And you will be glad at the end that you took the time to read this love story between Harry and Minnie and all their people. 

The font is tidy, the chapter illustrations don’t vary, the language is careful, respectful, and very real.   Heartbreak happens. 

Should you pick it up?

Yes.  I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would.  The bull terriers dragged me in, the tenderness of the tale kept me reading.   It will keep you reading to.  So go, find When Harry Met Minnie.  Read it, and let all the connections give your heart a smile. 

Alone in the Woods

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Are you looking for a classic middle school read?  One that takes in the angst of starting to grow up, and the stresses that can cause in friendships and families?   Alone in the Woods brings an element of danger, middle school angst, family love, and in the end, some resolution. 

Affiliate links will be used in this review, which as always, cost you nothing, but help support my blog. 

Alone in the woods

Alone in the Woods, basics

Written by Rebecca Behrens, Alone in the Woods tells the story of Jocelyn and Alex.  The first half of this middle school read switches back and forth between the girls perspectives much like in Teacher Griefer.  The last half of this good middle school read was a shared experience for the girls. Could they find a way to work together to survive being Alone in the Woods?   Jocelyn and Alex are friends but having trouble with that friendship.  They go on their yearly trip to the woods where they get separated from their families.  Can they work their way past their differences to get back to safe quarters and with their families again? 

Published by Sourcebooks young readers, this is a 320 page chapter with occasional full-page images.  Rebecca Behrens has written a fair number of upper elementary/middle school reads which you can check out.   You’ll find themes of survival, friendship, family, middle school, action and adventure all centred around the lives of two young ladies. 

I am reviewing an advanced readers copy for Raincoast Books. 

Finer Details

Many of the chapters were introduced with grey scale illustrations.   Not every chapter, I found them mostly scattered.   Simple illustrations that occasionally repeated but showed landscapes from the story. 

alone in the woods

Occasionally page dividers would be these little branches which I thought were very cute.  They suited the nature of the book wonderfully. 

The language was very suited to the audience of youth aged 8-12 years.  

You really get to know the main characters well.  You get to understand the hurt felt and the mistakes made by both girls.  

I found it ever so interesting that both girls were able to use their abilities to help them get out of their dire straits.  

My only quibble is that the cover doesn’t match the story.  In the story the girls were wearing bathing suits, on the cover they are wearing full outfits and good shoes.  

Should you get Alone in the Woods?

Alone in the Woods is a good story about a friendship gone awry and how two girls figured out a way through to the other side.  Friendships change as one grows up and sometimes, with some work, they can be salvaged.  I was thrilled to see these two girls put the work into salvaging their relationship.

If you are looking for a middle school read with a good dose of encouragement to keep trying when friendships are hard and that has a well-done adventure as part of it.  Get this book.  If you want to see girls using their own skills, even in occasionally an unlikely manner… Get this book.   It’s not a hard or complicated read, but should be enjoyable by most upper elementary and middle school students. 

They Threw Us Away

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I was very divided about reviewing this book.  One of the things I love about Raincoast is that if they send me a book I don’t love, I don’t have to review it.  I was very intrigued by the title “They Threw us Away” with the picture of a bedraggled teddy bear on the cover.  I was immediately wondering why they would do with a book about a thrown-away teddy.    

Much of the story I liked, I skipped the bit of it, and then the ending left me feeling… concerned?  I’m not sure that’s the right word.   I had dreams that night which I’d rather have not had…. with angry teddy bears… not fun. 

But let me give you my review and you can make up your own mind.  🙂 

Affiliate links will be used in this review, as always, no cost to you but does help support my blog. 

They Threw Us Away

They Threw Us Away, the details

They Threw Us Away is the first book of a three-part series called “The Teddies Saga”.   Published by Henry Holt & Co. you will find it running at 256 pages.  Geared toward youth 10-14 years old.   I received a hardcover copy with a fly.  It comes in a kindle version as well.  Authored by Daniel Kraus and illustrated by Rovina Cai.

The Finer Details

From the Cover

Buddy wakes up in the middle of a garbage dump, filled with a certain awareness: he’s a teddy bear; he spent time at a Store waiting for his future to begin; and he is meant for the loving arms of a child. Now he knows one more thing: Something has gone terribly wrong.

Soon he finds other discarded teddies–Horace, Sugar, Sunny, and Reginald. Though they aren’t sure how their luck soured, they all agree that they need to get back to the Store if they’re ever to fulfill their destinies. So, they embark on a perilous trek across the dump and into the outer world. With ravenous rats, screeching gulls, and a menacing world in front of them, the teddies will need to overcome insurmountable challenges to find their way home.

Black and white images are scattered throughout.  The running of rats, the movement of teddies, the darkness of garbage dump seagulls, it’s all there in greyscale. 

The font is a bit small but not difficult to read.  

The characters feel real.  From the bubbly kinda out of it Sugar, to the thoughtful Reginald, the protective Sunny and fearful Horace.  Buddy seemed a natural leader.  They met some good and not so good characters along the way and learned their own history. 

Should you Get it?

So I think if you are a fan of Lord of the Flies, or Where the World Ends, you would probably enjoy this read.  I am not.    I don’t like books, where children are in essence, are sorted pitted against each other. 

The writing is at a higher level so I would recommend it for children probably at least 12 years old.   They Threw Us Away is a dark read.  Suffering fills the pages, but the teddies work together to find solutions.  They had to learn to listen to each other in order to reach their end objective… Find a child, find themselves a home. 

The Song for Everyone

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Every once in a while you get to meet a book that is so sweet.  The Song for Everyone is one such picture book. A sweet story of hope, of loss, and of a community coming together.  Let me tell you all about this sweet book today as I review it for Raincoast Books.  Affiliate links will be used. 

the song for everyone

The Details for The Song for Everyone

Over the course of 40 pages, Lucy Morris tells the story of The Song of Everyone. This is her first picture book though she has been an artist for several years.  3-5-year-olds will be delighted to see how a song lifts the hearts of all who hear it. They will want to know how to help when the song ends. 

This Bloomsbury Children’s book comes in hardcover or kindle formats. Lucy Morris uses her artist abilities to skillfully weave together prose and illustrations into a simple, yet wonderful story. 

I received an advanced readers copy for this review. 

What do you get?

The Song for Everyone

Beautiful illustrations that perfectly fit the telling of a sweet story.  Light, airy, floral themes dance across the pages. It’s like seeing music dance on the wind.  A music that no one knows where it comes from, but it lift’s the spirit and draws individuals (including a cat) into community. 

With a font that is easy on the eyes, and perfect for reading with one or more children.  The text wasn’t lyrical, but suited the story being told.  A quiet poor village rather down on itself in isolation… yet a song changed the picture for everyone. 

The hope all felt, the joy, and the connection to others was a delight to see.  And then the music stopped….. could a solution be found? 

You’ll have to read the book yourself to find out.  🙂 

The song for everyone

Should It go on your bookshelves?

The Song for Everyone is such a sweet story.  I thoroughly enjoyed this read even though I’m well beyond the picture book stage.  Sweet, touching, with growth and community.  

It’s lovely all on its own but would be a touching addition to a music study, or a unit study on how the arts are important to us. Lucy Morris has done a splendid job of illustrating her music-filled tale.