Shelf Awareness--Her Dark Wings

YA Review: Her Dark Wings

Her Dark Wings by Melinda Salisbury (Delacorte Press, 336p., ages 13-up, 9780593705582, December 12, 2023)

Her Dark Wings is a fierce and fanciful tale wherein a spurned young woman's accidental interaction with Hades causes a mythically sized shift in her life as well as massive changes in the Underworld.

Corey Allaway has been betrayed. It's always been "Bree-and-Corey, Corey-and-Bree," but the summer they're 17, Bree cuts Corey out of the picture and takes up with Corey's ex-boyfriend, Ali. Corey, hurt, humiliated, and extremely angry, kisses a "random" boy at a bacchanal to honor Demeter while wishing with her "whole heart" that Bree would be "dragged to the Underworld and left there to rot." When shortly thereafter, Bree's body is found in the lake "flirting with the weeds," Corey feels confused, outraged, and completely without closure.

Then Corey looks "over [her] left shoulder, out to the west." This, legend says, is a way to catch a glimpse of the Underworld. Not only does Corey see into that forbidden place, but she also observes Bree's shade with "impossible, awful" Hades himself. The king of the Underworld sends messenger-god Hermes to warn Corey to forget she's seen the afterlife but, when Corey learns the "random" boy she kissed is Hades himself, she realizes her desperate wishing may have caused Bree's death. Though Corey would like nothing more than to be left alone to process her feelings, she is dragged to the Underworld, where three winged Furies want her to join them in their "inhumane" punishment of "guilty" shades. Corey, who is still furious with Bree, must fight to keep her anger in check, as she struggles to keep from becoming a monster.

Her Dark Wings is a feisty, compelling modern-day retelling of the Persephone myth. Melinda Salisbury's riveting plot may serve as an excellent entry point for readers not overly familiar with the Greek pantheon: Hades, Hermes, the Furies, the Boatman, and Hecate all populate these pages and stealthily impact the humans they encounter. Salisbury (The Sin Eater's Daughter series) smoothly shifts between Corey's unlikely, god-filled present and her recollections of the lies and betrayals she suffered at the hands of her two exes. These deceptions continue to shape her future as she navigates harsh and unforgiving landscapes in the Underworld. There are gods and magic, yes, but above all looms the question of what it means to be human. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author.

Shelf Awareness--Big

PB Review: Big

Big by Vashti Harrison (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 60p., ages 4-8, 9780316353229)

The inspiring and deeply moving picture book Big tells the story of a Black child "with a big laugh and a big heart and very big dreams." She is praised by caring adults for being "a big girl," and this is good--until it's not. Suddenly, big means getting stuck in a swing, being teased by other kids, and finding herself belittled by adults. It means feeling "out of place, exposed, [and] judged." Until, finally, powerfully, this wonderful girl begins to "shake off" the words of others, to "see things more clearly," and to "make more space for herself." Little Leaders series creator Vashti Harrison's succinct text is emotionally resonant and gracefully executed, as are her beautifully rendered digital and chalk pastel illustrations, both of which keep the focus clearly on the child and her rewarding journey to self-love. The gatefold at the heart of the book is stunning, as the child remembers who she is... and it's good! --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author.

November's Book of the Month--The Scariest Kitten in the World

Once upon a time, on one of those infamous dark and scary nights, you’ll read THE SCARIEST KITTEN IN THE WORLD, by Terrifying Kitten (with help from Kate Messner) and illustrated by Mackenzie Haley, and you’ll howl with laughter!

In a “TERRIFYING HAUNTED HOUSE,” behind a “ragged old door—all splintery and creaky,” our narrator strongly warns readers NOT to turn the page because, if they do, they'll find “the fiercest, most horrifying creature.” And “SNARL! GROWL! ROARRRRRR!” it’s… a cute little kitty, who spends the rest of the book trying to keep us from turning any more pages because surely we will be scared silly. Helped—sort of—by a houseful of adorable critters, the kitten exposes us to one—ahem—terror after another.

The short text is narrated by this most fearsome kitty, with conversational asides by animal cohorts which include a chick, a sloth, and a hedgehog. Spooky! The cartoony art, with its strong yellows, blues, pinks, strikes just the right tone—scary and sweet, as the text commands. Perfect for wee scares and humongous giggles all year long.

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--Rock Your Mocs

PB Review: Rock Your Mocs

Rock Your Mocs by Laurel Goodluck, illus. by Madelyn Goodnight (Heartdrum, $19.99, hardcover, 32p., ages 4-8, 9780063099890)

Rock Your Mocs joyfully invites readers to take part in a "wonderful celebration of Native and First Nations cultures" as Indigenous children show their Native pride on November 15--and perhaps every day--by "stepping out" with "beauty on [their] feet."

"There's a celebration beginning," and it's time for children of Indigenous Nations to be "kicking it up" wearing traditional footwear. These "vibrant expression[s] of tribal pride and individual style" are created with deer, elk, moose, or seal, as well as with "love, stories, and laughter." Beaded and fringed, shimmering and shining in a "blend of colors and shapes," moccasins are crafted with "skilled hands and knowledge passed down." The mocs themselves can be passed down, too, or they can be new ones that are "traced to fit," thereby honoring "deep-rooted traditions, while adapting to [the] sacred present." Children of all clans--Yurok, Osage, Seminole, and many more--boldly rock their mocs with pride and style, because these exuberant creations are precious gifts, works of art, and symbols of community.

Author Laurel Goodluck's graceful, buoyant text beautifully honors the proud connection between moccasins and "history and identity," as well as how they can be a meaningful way of "stepping into the future." Madelyn Goodnight's energetic, festively colored digital illustrations likewise take care to focus as much on the lifestyles, passions, and communities of the children as they do on their moccasins, further communicating how integral the footwear is to linking Indigenous children with the best version of themselves. Indeed, Rock Your Mocs encourages readers to celebrate their very best selves, each and every day. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author.

October Recommendations

BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE MUSIC OF JOHN CAGE, written by Lisa Rogers and illustrated by Il Sung Na, delves into what’s behind the music of this avant-garde artist who tried to use “all the sounds” in his compositions, as well as “curlicues and dots and more curlicues and squiggles” rather than musical notes, and “stuck erasers and bolts and screws” inside a piano, and “composed a piece of piano music without any notes,” and set his pants on fire during a concert, and… By framing this book as a series of “what if” questions, the text encourages readers to think, explore, and listen. Art uses “shapes and colors to represent each sound,” and back matter provides more context. It’s an excellent, kid-friendly intro to Cage and to nurturing your own unique vision.

A BUCKET OF QUESTIONS almost answered by Tim Fite (the “wiki-wonky, giggly-googly, jingly-janky, and 100% pooky-pooky” person who wrote and illustrated this picture book) resists following the usual rules and instead creates something new. We begin with a bucket full of questions, and proceed to answer and/or evade them completely. “Why do seals clap?” “Why do kids lose their teeth?” “What are hot dogs (actually) made of?” It’s random unless it’s not. It’s also fun, so give it a try!

LAST FLIGHT, written by Kristen Mai Giang and illustrated by Dow Phumiruk, vividly describes the tension-filled experience of living in Saigon during the Vietnam War, and rushing to get out on the last American plane to leave the city before the North Vietnamese marched in. “As the war close[s] in” around one young girl and her family,” they navigate all kinds of difficulties until ultimately “the plane race[s] for [their] lives down that runway.” This highly personal account is an evocative recollection of the author’s escape from Saigon, with illustrations that perfectly communicate both the drama and hope in the situation.

In THE WELCOME HOME, by Amy June Bates, Mr. and Ms. Gargleson-Bittle are “missing something.” They want a “soft,” “waggy,” and “lick-your-face-play-fetch-roll-over-rub-its-belly-and-chase-its-tail” sort of thing, so they get… a snail. Which they love, but they want “something more.” And more. And more, until their house fills up, with a whale and a cat and some goldfish and “a tiny armadillo named Cauliflower,” and on and on until one more something shows up on their doorstep and everything is perfect. This is a warm, fuzzy, inclusive kind of a book that’s sweet and silly and feels just right.

In THE PET STORE WINDOW, written by Jairo Buitrago, illustrated by Rafael Yockteng, translated by Elisa Amado, a girl finds a puppy and brings him to the pet store where she works. Every evening, Ana goes home, and the now-grown-and-unsold dog wonders why he’s not “walking down the street” with her. Until the uncaring owner of this “very small store” tells Ana the store will be sold, and even though Ana and her grandmother can’t afford it, they take in the leftover pets: the dog, a rat, and a hedgehog—because “it’s good to be together.” This creative duo has produced some noteworthy books (including Afterward, Everything was Different, and Drawing Outdoors) and this one should satisfy, as well.

CHINA, written by Songju Ma Daemicke and illustrated by Jam Dong, is a delightful board book (in the Barefoot Books Our World series) which welcomes the youngest of readers to spend a day in China. From “a fluffy kiss on my cheek,” through dumplings for breakfast, kite-flying, paddle-boating and fruity treats, then on to ink-grinding, dinner, and a sweet bedtime, CHINA is a lovely treat for little ones. The text is bright and cheery, and so is the art!

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--Curious Tides

YA Review: Curious Tides

Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 544p., ages 13-up, 978166593927)

Complex world-building and original lunar lore help make this debut fantasy, the first in a planned duology, an impressive standout.

"Mousy" blonde-haired Emory Ainsleif, with "storm-colored" eyes, is a second-year student in House New Moon at Aldryn College for Lunar Magics. She is returning to school despite the horrific night last semester when she, best friend Romie, and seven other students went into the mystical sea cave called the "Belly of the Beast" to perform an arcane ritual. Emory--the sole survivor--washed ashore on the banks of the Aldersea with "a spiral burned in silver" on her wrist. Now, one of the eight students thought to have drowned that night four months ago washes back with the tide. As Emory calls on her Healer magic to help the nearly dead student, she accesses rare, new powers and enlists the aid of Romie's brother, Baz, to teach her how to control her magic. Eager to help is entitled, "dapper," chestnut-haired Keiren, a fellow student privy to surprising secrets. Emory, trying to understand the ritual and learn what killed her friend, is determined to find answers within Aldryn's secret, cult-like society.

Magic and an original mythology propel the engrossing dual narratives of Emory and Baz, each differently motivated but equally compelled to investigate Aldryn's dark underbelly. Ambition, power, magic for benevolent-vs.-selfish motives are all on display in this arresting and imaginative escape to a complex fictional world infused with tantalizing lunar magics. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author.

October's Book of the Month--A Walk in the Woods

October's Book of the Month is the luminous/transcendent/superlative picture book, A WALK IN THE WOODS, written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney.

“A week after the funeral,” a boy opens an envelope his dad left for him. Rather than “a letter, some special advice, a secret even,” he finds a “stupid” treasure map. The boy reluctantly laces up his boots and stomps into the woods. There, he is able to slow down, breathe deeply, and “drink in the quiet,” as “the hurt inside [his] heart pounds less, and less.” Eventually, he finds a box which holds drawings of wildlife his dad did years ago in these very woods, along with an “unfinished story scrawled beneath each sketch.” The story is shared with readers, as are the sketches, and they are all breathtaking. And the boy feels his dad’s “hand on [his] shoulder, light as leaves.”

Written in both prose and poetry, this book is seriously wonderful. Nikki Grimes and Jerry Pinkney wanted to do a book together, and decided on A WALK IN THE WOOD, based on the artist’s daily walks in the woods. Both had “noticed the rarity of children’s books that feature African American characters engaging with nature.” When Jerry died, his son Brian, another acclaimed picture book artist, was able to take his dad’s sketches, add his own paintings—“impressionistic swirls of color and form”—and the art was merged digitally. The result is sublime. Please read it!

--Lynn