Bit About Books SRC Wrap Up & Reviews [MGLit]

Books Read

As August has ended, so too has my participation in Bit About Books Summer Reading Challenge. Here are the books I selected for the challenge (checkmark = book read):

1. Pandemic Promotions: The Circus of Stolen Dreams by Lorelei Savaryn ✔
2. Family and Friends: Where the Lost Ones Go by Akemi Dawn Bowman ✔
3. Debut: Turtles of the Midnight Moon by María José Fitzgerald ✔
4. Action & Mysteries: The House that Whispers by Lin Thompson ✔
5. Historical: Season Most Unfair by J. Anderson Coats ✔
6. Novels in Verse: The Song of Us by Kate Fussner ✔
7. Graphic Novel: Séance Tea Party by Reimen Yee ✔
8. Social Issues: Small Town Pride by Phil Stamper ✔
9. Fantasy & Scifi: The Vanquishers by Kalynn Barron
10. Trail Mix: The Gray by Chris Baron ✔
11. Nonfiction: Are We Having Fun Yet? by Maria Birmingham and Katy Dockrill ✔
12. Diversity & Multicultural: Speculation by Nisi Shawl

I ended up not getting to my picks for fantasy & scifi and diveristy & multicultural – which would typically be my most read categories, if you look at my middle grade reading for an entire year! But, almost all of the other books I read for this challenge fall into both of those categories anyway.

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Mini Reviews

The Circus of Stolen Dreams by Lorelei Savaryn (grief, dreams, family)

I reviewed this book as part of my “I Can’t Believe I Haven’t Read That Yet” series. You can read my full review here. The tl;dr is that books involving a speculative fiction journey undertaken by the protagonist, the journey being an allegory or avenue for resolving some challenge in their ‘real’ life, are not for me.

Where the Lost Ones Go by Akemi Dawn Bowman (grief, ghosts, girl crush)

This book took awhile to get going, but I became more invested in the story after the first half. The speculative elements are more my style than those in The Circus of Stolen Dreams. There’s some clever plotting in how everything comes together at the end.

Turtles of the Midnight Moon by María José Fitzgerald (ecology, mystery, Honduras)

I started reading this book at the height of some discourse about the length of middle grade books, so I may have been influenced by that, but… I thought the first 75 pages could have been cut down to 25 pages. Is that too ‘old fashioned’ of me? Would too much setting establishment be lost? Certainly the protagonists weren’t so complex that we needed nearly 100 pages before we got to the bulk of the story… each girl could have been established in one chapter. So, the initial part drags a bit, but then we finally get Barana and Abby together and they start to warm to each other and try to crack the mystery. I love an island setting, and the plot is unique for middle grade. Recommended for sea turtle lovers!

The House That Whispers by Lin Thompson (mystery, closeted trans boy, family)

A lovely successor to The Best Liars in Riverview, The House What Whispers features a similar melancholic (and at time downright heartbreaking) tone and coming out story. I was disappointed by the ghost, but Simon is a sweet boy to be cherished. Assorted notes:

• “If I told the rest of my family about being Simon, I think they’d be supportive. But I don’t think I’m ready for things to change. There’s an awful lot of things changing already. And If I’m totally honest, maybe I don’t want the changes to be my fault.” (pg 33) – reminder that kids can be so observant and take so much on themselves!!
• Subplot involves grandmother’s developing dementia symptoms
• ONe or two pages of religious commentary (guardian angels, prayer) – Mom prays to guardian angels and taught the kids to do so as well, Nanaleen has angel statues everywhere.
• Unlike The Best Liars in Riverview, religious homophobia and racism do not have a part in this story.

Season Most Unfair by J. Anderson Coats (medieval, candlemaking, gender roles)

I knew I probably wouldn’t love this as much as The Green Children of Woolpit because it has no fantasy elements – and that prediciton turned out to be correct. It’s a less dense and less poetic tale that’s at times hard to believe. Scholastica never realized that she couldn’t become an apprentice, even though she is aware women aren’t allowed to be apprentices? She doesn’t think ahead much at all and that repeatedly causes her problems… but I suppose some peopls really are just like that, haha. Her father’s disbelief/lack of recognition at how much he hurt her was frustrating. But overall, still a fun read – who doesn’t love a medieval setting with a summer fair at its heart? 😉

The Song of Us by Kate Fussner (gay romance, poetry, heartbreak)

I forgot this was a novel-in-verse until I started reading – it’s beautifully written. The story takes the middle grade romanc seriously. This isn’t one of those cute “omg I think I have my first crush” stories. The love between Olivia and Eden is written as true, deeply felt love. Even I, perpetual disliker of romance, thought it was sweet and moving, and strikingly written. But alas, most of the story is quite painful ;-; Their fight was so harmful! Poor sweet beans. The ending wiped me off my feet and was a bit abrupt. I have no idea what the plot of Orpheus and Eurydice is or how this retells it lol but perhaps if you are familiar with that story, you’ll be more emotionally prepared for this one than I was…

Seance Tea Party by Reimena Lee (friendly ghost, colourful, self-discovery)

Although I’m not a regular reading of MG graphic novels, I have read several on account of their super cute illustration style. Often, the premise sounds cozy and promising but I find the story too thin. Séance Tea Party delivers both on the cute illustrations and satisfying story fronts! I like how this coming of age tale shows Lora not resenting her past self, but rather growing into her own identity and finding a supportive group of friends.

Small Town Pride by Phil Stamper (gay pride, friends, activism)

Another fun story that’s not too long or dense or serious. Well, it is a serious toipc, but it has a good middle grade heart. The setting is valuable to see in this genre (rural small town). It features municipal politics in a kid-friendly way. I appreciate the inclusion of Songbird Hollow, a Stardew Valley Analogue.

The Gray by Chris Baron (anxiety, horses, bullying)

This book was a bit too real for me. Kids who experience anxiety will find a kindred spirit in Sasha. I struggled with the idea that folks in town are wary of Eli. I was also jealous of the fact that Sasha has the opportunity a month in the country with his cool aunt in order to alleviate his mental health challenges. 😛 At times I felt the story was a bit didactic/preachy but I am pretty certain that was me projecting. It’s hard to read about video games can so negatively impact a kid and how getting out in nature can help them so much, when often those topics are so hyerbolically written about (even when true).

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Did you participate in any Summer Reading Challenges?
What was your favourite summer read?