kathyellendavis's reviews
32 reviews

The Skull by Jon Klassen

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No
My kids really like this book! It's a bit spooky, a bit weird, a bit dark, a bit sad, and a bit hopeful and has a nice friendship to it. Who can resist a story about running away, some dark woods, a talking skull, and a mysterious skeleton who comes at night? Somehow it's not too scary and draws the kids in.
Paper Planes by Jennie Wood

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I really liked how the book flashed back into the past to give us that part of the story. I loved Leighton and Dylan's friendship, and the harsh reminder that sometimes we have to push away the people we love due to things out of our control. I was happy to see the gender euphoria and asexual rep too. It felt very true to the high school experience, and I felt like the ending was really hopeful. 
Truly, Madly, Deeply by Alexandria Bellefleur

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adventurous emotional hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
What a fun read! I thought the bi-rep was awesome, loved the texting, the secondary characters, and of course the main characters; I kind of liked that there was no huge breakup moment, just lots of uncertainty moments for Truly along the way. Very spicy and a quick and enjoyable read. I loved how they modeled good communication (eventually, when Truly got there) and laughed out loud at a few points. Read this, you won't regret it!
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

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adventurous funny hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Whew, I was exhausted for Lauren, having to deal with all of these husbands, and trying to figure out how she can make her life around this attic problem. I didn't see most things coming, it made me think about my life and relationships, and it was unlike anything I had ever read. As an anxious person, it made me anxious for Lauren, so great job getting me to relate to her so well, author! I have a feeling this will be one that gets sold and beloved simply on the plot alone, but the story will stick in people's minds for a while too.
Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents by Margaret Kimberley

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informative reflective sad medium-paced
This is an excellent book for every American in particular to read. We are taught about all the great things the Presidents have done; this book looks at each one and their policies and views concerning Black Americans, when they were in office and out. I knew many Presidents owned slaves, but I did not know how so many of them were openly racist, supported sending all Black Americans out of the country because they didn't think they could co-exist with white Americans, and promised things to Black voters simply to get their vote, then went against everything they promised. We have to do better in our country, and the first step is learning the truth about these people that are painted in such a great light. Everyone deserves to learn the truth and deserves representatives who will work hard to undo the racism that our country was built on
Adventures in Cartooning: Christmas Special by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold, Alexis Frederick-Frost

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
Fun Christmas book that will inspire kids to make cartoons and comics. Nice touch that the dragon celebrates Hanukkah and not Christmas. Fun rhyming text, engaging illustrations, and a suggestion for readers to write their own comics to Santa.
A Very Babymouse Christmas by Jennifer L. Holm, Matthew Holm

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Babymouse is so funny and anxious and excitable and imaginative. It's always a fun rollercoaster reading one of her books. I liked how Hanukkah was included as well even though it's a Christmas book. 
Chef's Kiss by TJ Alexander

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emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was a fun story to be in. I really liked the main characters and felt like I knew them right away and could relate. There were funny and tense moments, moments where characters said the right thing and where characters said the wrong thing, and so many interesting moments around baking, food, and beer! It was also the first time I had read a book where a character got top surgery; I can't speak for how accurate the representation of that was but I can be thankful it was included. I would read another book with these characters in a heartbeat!
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

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challenging funny hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

4.75

Such an interesting read about how language can entice us to join a cult or want to be part of a cult like group. Language can be used to manipulate, like in cults, Scientology, and Multilevel Marketing, and it can also make ya feel a part of something that can ultimately be good, like a type of workout practice. A good read to make us aware of how powerful language is and how easy it can be get sucked into harmful things because of it. Though some of it was repetitive (across each section groups used language to help people form identities and ideas that ranged from extremely harmful to probably not bad) I enjoyed the nuance of how the language worked and was used to manipulate/encourage, depending on the case/environment. Pretty fascinating.
Textbook Of A (Parenthetical) Life: Poems by Rachel Toalson

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Excellent poetry about a range of topics. I love Rachel’s writing style; it’s so honest and vulnerable. She really makes you feel everything she’s feeling and working through with these poems. And I’m doing that it encourages you to examine your life more closely. 
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