by Matt Phelan
I picked this one up because a) I'm trying to read more graphic novels and b) Matt Phelan was judging the first battle of the BoB and so I just felt like giving one of his books a go. Set in Kansas during the Dust Bowl, a young boy is feeling somewhat useless in the midst of his family's troubles. But then he discovers the storm in the barn, and a storm is just what his dust-filled world needs. I know that this is a graphic novel, so it's told in large part through pictures. But... I needed more words. It felt overly simplistic to me. And the personified storm was so creepy looking - that fantasy element felt out of place in the very realistic world of the Dust Bowl.
by Augusta Scattergood
I had heard good things about Glory Be, and planned to feature it in an upcoming MG guest post. But as I read this story about a little girl whose summer is turned upside-down over an influx of white "Freedom Workers" and the town council's efforts to fight integration, I was struck by the total lack of African American characters (with the one exception of Glory's maid). Glory was a tough little cookie, but her story would have had so much more oomph if she actually knew and interacted with some of the people who she was trying to stand up for. And maybe that's just what was realistic for a girl like Glory at that time, but it seemed like African Americans should have a voice in a story about racism and segregation. Emma (Glory's maid) was a good character, but we still very rarely got to hear her inner voice. It bugged me. The story felt incomplete.
by Hope Anita Smith
I'm on a NIV kick right now, and had heard fantastic things about this one. It is the story of a boy whose father loses his job and walks out on his family. Even though I knew that was coming, it was pretty shocking because the father seemed so close to his wife, children, and mother who lives with them. At one point the grandmother said (and I'm paraphrasing here because I forgot to write the exact quote) "He's been leaving for a long time/now he's just gone." But I totally disagree - his disappearance seemed to come completely out of nowhere. After that, the rest of the book just didn't sit well with me. Although... I know many students who have been in the main character's position and I have a feeling that they would latch onto his story.
So now tell me, book lovers. What am I missing? I know many, many readers have had extremely positive experiences with all of the above! And what do you do when you read a book you don't especially care for? Review it anyway, or just let it go?
Posts
11 times? I like that Linc and I have the same taste in books.
ReplyDeleteYou both have excellent taste in literature :)
DeleteI usually review it even if I don't like it because in a few years, I will only remember that I read it, but not my feelings. This way, I can look back and decide if I should be recommending it.
ReplyDeleteSome good graphic novels to check out are Page by Paige (Gulledge), Level Up (Yang), Zita the Spacegirl (Hatke) and Nursery Rhyme Comics by a bunch of different artists. The last book is now my staple "new baby" gift...it's totally a book that will grow with the child.
Thank you for the recommendations!! I feel like you know graphic novels better than most, and I definitely trust your opinion. And, I love the baby gift suggestion :)
DeleteThe reasons why you didn't like Glory Be were the reasons why I did. I liked that Glory told the story because I felt like it was her story to tell. I didn't think it was suppose to be a book about the African American struggle during the Civil Rights Movement. I think it was a story of a young white girl struggling with a changing world and learning that what is right isn't always easy and change happens whether you want it to or not.
ReplyDeleteI loved the book because it was Glory's story and because Scattergood stayed true to Glory.
As for what to do when you don't like a book - review it or not? I don't review a book that I don't like because I usually don't finish reading it. I gave myself permission a few years ago to put a book down if I didn't like it. The decision was liberating. My husband has a t-shirt that says "Life's Too Short to Drink Cheap Beer!" I believe life is too short to read books you don't love.
Occasionally, I have a *less than positive* sentence or two in my reviews, but I try to post about books that I would recommend to children and the adults who love them.
Ali B.
Ali, thank you so much for that perspective on Glory Be! I'm afraid I approached it thinking that it was going to be a certain way, and then when it wasn't, I got frustrated. Glory was a strong character that I bet a lot of upper elementary/early middle school girls will be able to relate to.
DeleteAnd I admire you for putting books down! That's what I would always tell my students to do, but I can't seem to manage it myself. Too afraid that the book will "get good" right after I stop reading!
I really like your analysis of Glory Be. I've been wanting to read it but in all honesty, that is a very big problem given the time period and the subject matter.
ReplyDeleteThese are excellent reviews, nothing mini about them.
Thank you, Sarah! There are obviously a lot of different opinions about Glory Be - that was just my reaction :)
DeleteI haven't tried these so I can't say, but I love how your approached these mini/not lovin' reviews.
ReplyDeleteJuju - You are a super commenter! I wish I knew you irl bc I have a feeling we would have a lot of fun talking about books :)
DeleteI tend to be a bit hesitant about posting negative reviews too... but ultimately, I know people really appreciate hearing about what didn't work for a story. It's too bad these ones didn't turn out as good as you expected!
ReplyDeleteI think kind negative reviews have their place in the internet. If for no other reason than the times when I dislike a book that everyone else gave rave reviews, and then I find that one blog that agrees with me--it's nice to know I wasn't the only one who didn't love it.
ReplyDelete