The Beatryce Prophecy, by Kate DiCamillo

     The Beatryce Prophecy is not author Kate DiCamillo's latest book, but the latest one I have come across and read. It was published in 2019, which means I'm a few books behind with her, but oh, what joy to read DiCamillo's writing! This is probably the 6th or 7th DiCamillo book I have read over the years, and every single one made me happy to have read it after I was finished. This book is no exception, and in fact, this may be my favorite DiCamillo book yet!

    Beatryce is a girl who finds herself in a monastery, covered in dirt, laying next to a very spirited goat, in the barn, not knowing who she is or where she has come from. Brother Edik, the monk who discovers her in the barn, also learns she has a very dangerous secret, one that has her being hunted by soldiers of the king. Brother Edik shaves her head to help her blend with the rest of the monks, but when word spreads in the monastery of her secret, she is sent out into the woods and told never to return. What transpires changes the lives of everyone - Beatryce, Brother Edik, the goat...the entire kingdom!

    DiCamillo asks near the end of this book whether this story is taking place in the past or the future. No matter, because whenever it is taking place this book is magic! DiCamillo is a master storyteller, and her writing will absolutely put hope and joy in your heart! Artist Sophie Blackall's drawings further enhance the beauty of this book. I love this story, and almost started it over as soon as I finished the last page. Treat yourself - more than once, even - and read this (or any!) DiCamillo offering! 5 paws!

Fighting Words, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

     In Fighting Words, sisters Della (twelve years old) and Suki (seventeen years old) have just landed in another foster home. Their mom is incarcerated (in jail) for drug use and related issues. Both sisters have been abused for quite a long period of time, until something happens that gets them placed in foster care. Nothing about this story is easy, or necessarily nice, but it is a story that author Bradley has real life experience with. This book is interesting, intense, and very, very well written. I don't know how anyone can write of abuse, especially abuse of children, with clarity and poise and such real-world words and feelings and in such an engaging way, but Bradley does it.

    I have read a few of Bradley's books, as she is one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. Fighting Words is not historical but very realistic, and was awarded the Newbery Honor the year it was released, 2020. I found it to be a very difficult subject to read about, but so well written that I couldn't help keep reading. I was bummed when the book was finished, but so happy at the strength of the sisters...I recommend this tough book to anyone. 5 paws!

The Storyteller, by Brandon Hobson

     This is the first book for teens by author Hobson. According to the author info at the back of the book, he has written four books for adults, one of which was a National Book Award finalist (a pretty big deal for a book and author!). He currently teaches creative writing at a university in New Mexico, and is a member of the Cherokee Nation Tribe.

    I mention all of this because it all relates to this book, The Storyteller. Ziggy, the main character, is trying to find his mom, who disappeared many years before, as apparently many Cherokee women do. The book is full of Cherokee beliefs and folktales, which is much of the charm of the story. The downside of this book is that it reads like it was written by a 7th grader, not by someone who used to teach 7th grade English. My human has also taught English in all the middle grades, and I have read my fair share of stories and papers. Nothing wrong with any of them, but very few rise to the level of a published author. 7th graders are still developing story, and often don't do well with character voice, transitions, dialog, etc. 

    The Storyteller is just like an okay story written by a middle school student. So much of the dialog and descriptions are very, very basic. It feels as though author Hobson didn't know how to write for kids, instead of like kids. If this book were written by a middle school student, I would consider it incredible! But because it was written by an author who is considered for book awards, I expected more. 

    If you want to read exceptional stories where Native beliefs, people, ideas, and folklore are well represented and discussed, consider any book by Joseph Bruchac, Michael Dorris, Sherman Alexie, or Eric Gansworth...but I don't think this book is worth your time. I am hopeful that Hobson's next book for teens gets better, and it won't take a lot to be better. But with this one, he leaves me wanting more...a lot more. 2 paws and wag (for effort).

The First State of Being, by Erin Entrada Kelly

     Newbery-winning Kelly submits her newest, latest book, and like her others, it is full of science!. But unlike Hello, Universe and We Dream of Space (my favorite of hers!), The First State of Being deals with time travel. In this sense it dips its toe into fantasy as well as science fiction, which she works pretty well.

    In this new release, Michael Rosario meets a strange new boy hanging out at his apartment complex. Strange for the way he's dressed and strange for the way he acts (like someone is following him, when there doesn't appear to be anyone there). Ridge is different, that's for sure. You'd dress and act differently, too...if you were from the future!!! While Michael is trying to navigate his own life, he becomes part of Ridge's life, too. Is this new kid a little crazy, because he can't really be from the future...can he?

    Kelly again creates a wonderful cast of characters - Michael, his babysitter/crush Gibby, Ridge, Mr. Mosely, the custodian at the apartment complex - and a believable, realistic setting. But she also relies on transcripts of sorts, to share information from the future, which is a little like using text messages in a book to make a story work. That drives me a little crazy, to be honest, and seems a little...easy. That doesn't mean this isn't a good book, because it is, and Kelly is a strong storyteller. First State of Being takes place a few months before the calendar turned to the year 2000, which was a pretty big deal in many places of the world. no one knew if computers were going to make that transition from 1999 to 2000 without shutting down. That would mean everything in the world that uses computer technology to function - and that is a lot of things! - might stop in January 1st, 2000. This setting added an exciting element to the story as well.

    This books reminded me of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty, who is another good science fiction writer. Both books are good - not quite great - but still worth your time, especially if science interests you in any way. 4 paws! 

The Mona Lisa Vanishes, by Nicholas Day

     The first book for teens by author Nicholas Day, and if you like historical fiction, even just a little bit, you'll be entertained by this one! The Mona Lisa Vanishes tells the story of one of the most famous paintings in the world, the painting of Mona Lisa. Painted way back in the 1500s, the painting was stolen in 1911. At the time, it wasn't a very famous painting at all. In fact, it was described as a bit boring. But then it was stolen, and would become something so much bigger than it had ever been...very, very famous!

    Day jumps back and forth, from the making of the painting - the artist, Leonardo da Vinci, the believed model - to the theft from the Louvre in France and the subsequent investigation. It took years to find the thief, and even when he turned himself in, people didn't believe he was the thief! It is a fun, fascinating tale, one most of you will really enjoy! And, like all good historical fiction, you'll learn a lot along the way!

    Fans of my blog know I love non-fiction and historical fiction writer Steve Sheinkin. Day isn't quite at that supreme level of storytelling - yet! - but if he continues on this trajectory (or path), he might be. He is certainly someone I will watch and read again in the future. Winner of the Robert F. Sibert Medal for the best informational book...give this book a try - it's a page turner! 5 paws!

Watercress, by Andrea Wang & Jason Chin

     Another picture book that I've been trying to get my paws on, and I'm so glad I did! Winner of the Caldecott Medal, a Newbery Honor Award winner and Picture Book Award Winner from the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association, Watercress tells a story of change, and movement, and learning to see things from other people's perspective. 

    In this story, author Wang tells about growing up in Ohio to Chinese immigrant parents. She is embarrassed when her parents spot some watercress plants on the side of the road and pull over to gather it. She's afraid she'll be seen standing in a ditch, ankle deep in water, picking plants out of the ground. What she doesn't realize is how this plant has meaning to her parents, and to their experiences growing up during a famine. Two cultures collide, and the girl narrator is struggling to navigate both, as many people do. 

    Artist Chin beautifully illustrates this book with watercolors and he captures the era as well as the emotions and feelings of the characters on every page. This is another wonderful book that I recommend! Don't miss out on such great art and story because of the picture book format..."everybody" books are not just for small children, they are for everybody! Even you! 5 paws!

We Are Water Protectors, by Carole Lindstrom & Michaela Goade

     This wonderful picture book was published in 2020, but it's taken me a while to finally get a copy...not for lack of trying! This is a very popular book, and with good reason! Winner of the Caldecott Medal means this book is exceptional in its illustrations. Artist Goade lives in Alaska and is a member of the Tlingit tribe, which makes her a great choice to illustrate this book about protecting the Earth.

    Author Lindstrom tells a powerful story of earth and all of its important resources, especially, in this case, water. 

                    "Water is the first medicine. It affects and connects us all..."

    This story is told in few words, relative to most chapter books you and I read in middle school, which makes it better, in my opinion. It briefly describes the "black snake" that will someday come and threaten all of the water in the world, and how we all must fight against that happening. The book also describes how that native story is coming to pass in today's world, all around the world, including in the United States. The book implores and empowers us to be stewards for our planet, which means being strong voices in favor of doing what is right and for those without a voice. We all share the water on Earth, and when it is gone (or no longer clean enough to drink), we will disappear like the dinosaurs.

    This picture book is powerful, beautiful and important. Read it. Then read it again. 5 paws!