A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Reviews

The Beast Player

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The Beast Player is another book I read last summer while on vacation that has just stuck with me, so I’m going to tell you about it.   We have interpersonal connections,

The Beast Player is a story about a young girl, bereaved of her family, who finds herself in the unique position of being able to talk to terrifying beasts while living far away from her people. A coming-of-age story where change is vital for man and beast.

The beast player

Basic Details for The Beast Player

Title: The Beast Player  Book 1
Author: Nahoko Uehashi, translated by Cathy Hirano
Series: The Beast Player
Publisher: Square Fish
Pages: 368
Intended Audience: 12-18 years
Genre: fantasy, epic fantasy, women and girl issues, 
Available formats: hardcover, paperback, audio, kindle

Nahoko Uehashi is a Japanese author who primarily writes fantasy books. She is an associate professor at a Japanese university.  She attained a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology.  The indigenous peoples of Australia are of interest to her.   Writer of several books, The Beast Warrior is the second in this series. 

the beast player

Digging Deeper

One of the things I appreciated in this read was that it didn’t read like a translated work.  The story proceeded as I expected it to without feeling stilted due to translation issues.  You could tell it came from another culture, but it fit so well with the storyline, so it felt like part of the story. Just like you would expect with any book written by someone raised in another culture.  Your culture influences everything about you doesn’t it? 

I also just liked this journey of discovery.  Enjoying seeing Elin develop an understanding of her past, and learning how to be the person she was meant to become was just intriguing.   She was pushed out, pulled in, and learned over time to ask for better.  And in the end, her people learned and did better.  A good thing that eh?  

Artwork and more

Artwork is minimal and varies from chapter to chapter as part of the heading.  Simple drawings that have something to do with what the chapter is about.   

You’ll find the chapters have smaller chapters/sections within them, all numbered.  This breaks the long chapters up into readable sections. 

I loved how each of the main characters stayed true to themselves.  Elin’s mothers devotions to her beasts (to the extent she died for them).  Joeun, who took her in, and then the teachers at the Beast Academy, the leaders of the land, and the living shields who protect her.  Each glimpse of these people just open up their characters a bit more.  My favourite character I think was the Ialu one of the royal shields. A strong, silent man with a love of carpentry and a fierce deadly intense quality to him.  A quiet thinking man with reflexes quicker than a cat.  Such an interesting character, I could read a book just focused on him.   Isn’t it great to have books with fascinating characters in them? 

At times I found the story a little bit slow and I just wanted things to move along.  Helped me develop a bit of patience I suppose that eh?  🙂   You will learn a lot about a variety of animals, mostly the Toda and the Royal Beasts.  Animal care is a big focus of how the story develops.   Be prepared for some politics, there are people in battle just so you know.  

I’m glad there is a second one in the series called Beast Warrior.  The second picks up the story 10 years later.  I hope it will give a solidly satisfying ending, I’ll find out when I get it eh?   But Beast Player is do definitely worth the read!  

Whiplash

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One of my pleasures in life is reading books.   I’m studiously working through my “to be read” pile that sits beside my bed.  Since I’m often working when I’m home (or half asleep in my chair) I’ve been bringing my “to-be-read” books to work to read on my lunch break.    My latest lunchtime read is Whiplash.   

Whiplash is an FBI novel featuring Lacey Sherlock and Dillon Savich, married FBI agents.  They are working a case with what seems to be a ghost, when another case drops into their laps.  Both require their attention, so this mystery book features a two-mystery scenario rather than the normal solve this one mystery read. 

Whiplash by catherine coulter

The Basic Facts for Whiplash

Title: Whiplash
Author: Catherine Coulter
Series: An FBI Thriller, book 14
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
Pages: 80
Intended Audience: 7-11 years
Genre: FBI, Mystery, Thriller, Ghost, political thriller, 
Available formats: hardcover, paperback, audio, kindle

Catherine Coulter has written 97 books!!!   Wow… I was shocked to read that!  🙂  She gained her skills writing historical romances.   She eventually branched out into writing thrillers.  In this series she’s written 27 books.   She lives in the San Francisco area with her hubby, loves to hike, watch football, and amuse herself writing novellas. 

So What Did I Think?

One doesn’t get to be a New York Times bestselling author by putting together shoddy work.  Whiplash is no exception.  It’s a well-paced story with interesting characters. 

I was SO not expecting an F.B.I. agent that could talk to ghosts.  Admittedly, I’m very skeptical when it comes to that sort of thing but I can work with it as part of a storyline.  Just seemed a bit … Surprising I think is a good word. 

The agents seemed to be good at their jobs not just because of the training they receive, but also due to their innate abilities to pay attention to details. Those details matter when you are tying details together.   Coulter managed to surprise me with who the bad guy was in the second mystery case.  it’s good to be surprised once in a while eh? 

So because the story had great pacing, surprised me, and I liked the characters… I laughed, I gasped in horror, and quickly turned pages.  🙂  Go read it!   A fun who-done it! 

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.