The Fairview Review: August 2022

Sunday, August 28, 2022

Summer Reading 2022 Station Eternity: The Midsolar Murders #1

Sometimes you need a change of scenery to change your luck, but that doesn't always help. Mallory Viridian has the bad luck to be murder-adjacent so often that the police and even the FBI begin to suspect she is somehow involved in the deaths. When she gets the chance to leave Earth and live on a space station filled with aliens, she thinks she may have found the answer to her lifelong dilemma. But once the station allows a shuttle loaded with humans to visit, all bets are off.

The flashbacks to different murders show Mallory at various ages when she witnessed or helped to solve the crimes. The problem began back in her childhood - including the death of her own mother. She has tried over the years to avoid making connections with other people (hard to maintain that sort of lifestyle), see therapists (who don't believe her), or even become a private investigator. Nothing has helped except this hiatus among beings from other worlds.

The space station itself is intriguing. I imagine it as a sort of Babylon 5 with various interstellar species living there and mostly cooperating. The station itself is sentient, like the ships in the Binti books. All the alien species think humans are unevolved because they do not form symbiotic relationships with other beings. Among the aliens are the wasp-like Sundry, the Gneiss (who look like Fantastic Four's Ben Grimm), the chameleon-like Phantasmagore (who "looked like a bendy store manikin had gotten into a fight with a honeysuckle vine"), the Silence (who have no verbal speech), and the Gurudev (a "humanoid stick insect"). In a Babel fish sort of way, the aliens have developed a universal translator that is a chip stuck into the ear.

What makes this story unique is the way it takes elements found in other successful media and recombines them in such a clever way. The sentient space station that needs a symbiont to communicate and function properly. Aliens who enjoy visiting Earth, but aren't impressed with humans (okay, a bit like "Men In Black"). A cozy mystery in a closed setting with connections between many of the characters, but including aliens and advanced technology. There is so much going on that readers must pay close attention or they will miss the clues.

This book is due out on October 4th and is listed as #1 of a series, so there will be more to look forward to. I received an advance copy from the publisher for review purposes.

Summer Reading 2022 Dead Man's Hand

I admit, I picked up this book because of the blurb saying that it was a "brilliant urban fantasy" from the son of Jim Butcher (author of The Dresden Files). Urban fantasy is one of the genres I enjoy and I was curious to see what the next generation in the Butcher family had to offer readers. It is a world filled with the Usuals (aka Muggles) and the Unorthodox (anyone or anything magical). The Department of Unorthodox Affairs has witches known as Auditors (aka Aurors of a sort) who handle problems involving magical entities and artifacts.

The protagonist is a mediocre witch who has physical problems that interfere with his use of magic. He grew up wanting to be an Auditor, but didn't make the cut during training. Now the witch who had him dropped from the program is dead and the Department is after him as a suspect. How does one failed applicant take on the might of the Auditors and prove his innocence? Among other things, he is also at a disadvantage because of his name - Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby. (What kind of parent does that to a child?)

There are power plays at work within the Department, ordinary troubles at Grimsby's job, the retired partner of the dead witch takes an interest in the investigation, and creatures from Elsewhere (an alternate dimension that witches can see and enter) are also following poor Grimsby around. When it rains, it pours.

I especially liked the descriptions of Elsewhere. They reminded me of the movie "Constantine" when he enters the afterlife. Locations have a connection to those in our physical world, but they may look different or be inhabited by dangerous creatures. The method of entering and exiting the Elsewhere is also clever (nope, not telling), and the need for witches to wear some sort of mask to block their perception of that dimension is an interesting touch.

The ending wraps up some issues, but also leaves openings for a sequel. For those who have come to appreciate Grimsby and his underdog style, as well as some of his companions, that means more adventures in the future. For now, Dead Man's Hand hits shelves on October 11th.

I received an advance copy from the publisher for review purposes.

Summer Reading 2022 Killers of a Certain Age

Have you seen the movie "RED" (Retired, Extremely Dangerous)? Remember the character of Victoria, played by Helen Mirren? She seems such a refined, genteel lady with her B&B, but still takes assassination contracts on the side. Now imagine four of her - each with a different personality and physicality, but each deadly. Put these ladies on a cruise ship to celebrate their retirement, and then send someone to take them out. Women like this do "not go gentle into that good night."

The book is full of the clever ways they use to track down who has put out the hit on them, how they handle the agents who come after them, and what they do about the problems within their own organization. There also flashbacks to their original recruitment and training, and some of their early missions. Those scenes not only introduce some of the other players within the world of secret operatives, but also reveal more about the individual characters and how they respond to situations.

One of the humorous elements in the book is the protocol for naming things within the agency they work for. The organization itself is known as the Museum, so each department within it has a related name. The women were recruited for "Project Sphinx, the first all-female squad." Those with "an aptitude for blowing things up" are assigned to "Temporary Installations." Provenance is staffed with the computer experts who do all the research into a target, etc.

The main action takes place in our current timeline, so the early missions are placed 40 years earlier. As one character thinks back, she remembers the late 1970s as a time of "high-minded principles," but also the lack of Black field agents and the sexist behavior of the male agents. So you might think of this as the revenge of all the "Bond girls" of the past, if they had been given the chance to really do the same job as the double-0s.

Whether you are in it for the intrigue, the action, or the chance to see ladies of a certain age prove they still have the skills to come out on top of a situation - be sure to swing by stores on September 6th and pick up a copy.

I received an advance copy from the publisher for review purposes.

Saturday, August 27, 2022

Summer Reading 2022 This Is the Sun

Need a book to help illustrate a food chain? Prefer something with colorful illustrations that will catch the attention of young readers and students? Then you should try This Is the Sun. Written in a cumulative fashion similar to "This Is the House That Jack Built," the text walks readers through the pieces of the food chain. Beginning with the sun providing energy for a tree to grow, other creatures such as insects and lizards are added to each spread until the entire cycle loops back around to a new tree sprouting in the sun.

Illustrations are a vibrant collage style and they add each new member of the food chain. Each new creature mentioned in the text is shown up close on the left-hand page, while the growing scene is shown on the right. The complexity builds from the sun shining over the planet's surface to a healthy ecology with each niche in the food chain filled. A final page shows the fox curled up sleepily next to the young sapling growing from the seed dropped from the original tree.

A free teacher's guide is available from the publisher's website; it includes discussion questions, experiments, and hands-on activities. The author is a former teacher with 16 years of classroom experience. She has two more books coming out in 2023. This Is the Sun is due for publication on October 4. - in English, Spanish, print and e-book formats.

I was lucky enough to win an advance copy in a giveaway at the U.S. Book Show.

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Summer Reading 2022 American Murderer: The Parasite that Haunted the South

For those who have been following Gail Jarrow's Medical Fiascoes series (Blood and Germs and Ambushed were previous releases), the latest title will be out September 27. Just let me warn you - don't read it close to mealtime. In this detailed account, Jarrow tracks the discovery of the Necator americanus hookworm, otherwise known as the American Murderer. Historic photographs show the wasted bodies of those infested with the parasites, and in some happy cases there are also photos of their recovered health after treatment. With the painstaking research we have come to expect from this author, the career of scientist Charles Stiles is traced from his schooling to his discovery of the American hookworm species, and his involvement with the Rockefeller Sanitary Commission and its campaign to eradicate hookworms in the United States.

The international efforts of Rockefeller's philanthropic arm are also discussed, as well as information on later surveys in the 1950s and up to 1987 which still found infestations in some states. Extensive back matter includes a timeline, glossary, suggested websites with more to explore, an author's note, source notes, bibliography, and picture credits. Students who delight in the gruesome and gory will love this book with its photos of worms removed from patients, as well as details of how they enter their hosts, and the debate over proper construction of outhouses.

Recommended for middle and high school students who can appreciate the scientific facts, the political and social forces involved in the campaign to eradicate the problem, and the other issues addressed.

I received an advance copy from the publisher for review purposes.

Summer Reading 2022 A Stitch through Time

Follow along as Ava and her Aunt Jo (outlined in blue on the cover) travel through time to see the work of famous Black designers. Their trip begins when Aunt Jo shows Ava a quilt made of fabrics that from Elizabeth Keckley gowns. They see her as she works to save up enough money to buy her freedom from enslavement, then follow her to DC and see a gown she created for Mary Todd Lincoln. Next they visit Ann Cole Lowe as passion for design takes her from Montgomery to New York to the runways of Paris. Fannie Criss and Zelda Wynn Valdes are also included, and the trip ends with a visit to Hollywood to see Mildred Blount creating hats for movie costumes.

This would be fun to build a text set around, such as:

- Fancy Party Gowns by Deborah Blumenthal features Ann Cole Lowe.

- Stitch by Stitch by Connie Schofield-Morrison features Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly.

- Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Lynda Jones also tells Keckley's story.

- Tiara's Hat Parade by Kelly Lyons would match up well with the millinery talents of Mildred Blount.

Students could also research these and other fashion firsts online. Ava's visit to Aunt Jo's attic could be the start of a unit on fashion and artistic careers, perhaps even collaborating with the art teacher to showcase student designs and sketches. Whether it leads to further exploration or not, the book is sure to be enjoyed by those who appreciate creativity and strong Black women.

Sunday, August 21, 2022

Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law Virtual Book Tour

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law, and a $50 gift card to bookshop.org*.

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

An autographed copy of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

A $50 Bookshop.org or typebooks.ca gift card*

Four (4) winners receive:

An autographed copy of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

ABOUT THE BOOK

Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Written by Amy Flanagan

Illustrated by Jon Davis

Ages 5+ | 90 Pages

Publisher: Whitefox | IBN-13: 9781915036094

About the Book: Mrs. R Snugglesworth is 70 pounds of low-to-the-ground PRECIOUS. She is the Best at Finding Slightly-Used Sandwiches and the Best at Loving Ham—and now she’s looking for her next big challenge. To her surprise, she finds it at the local Bark Park, when she discovers a passion for the law. Dog law, that is.

In two wags of a tail, she enrolls at Wagsworth Legal Academy, eager to become a lawyer. Turns out, it’s not that easy learning to be the Best at Law School. But when Mrs. R. learns that her friend Pitter-Patter needs help, she can’t wait to take on her first case. Only one small issue: she hasn’t quite finished her law degree. Some dogs might consider this a problem, but not Mrs. R! After all, Pitter-Patter needs a lawyer, and she is ALMOST a lawyer. Which everyone knows is practically as good as being a lawyer, right?

She’ll just juggle her law classes, naps, walks, power naps, chasing tennis balls, snacks, naps, and work on Pitter-Patter’s case at the same time! What could possibly go wrong?

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Bookshop.org

Barnes and Noble

MY REVIEW

Stories from a dog’s point of view always have the possibility of being entertaining. Just think of Hank the Cowdog or J.J. Tully in The Trouble with Chickens and how humorous their interpretations of events and their responses can be. The same is true of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth. She is “seventy-pounds-of-low-to-the-ground PRECIOUS.” (She tells us so herself.) Mrs. R. explains that jury duty at the Bark Park led to her decision to pursue a career as a lawyer. Luckily, law school only takes a week for dogs - and it will need to be quick, because she has her first case before she has even completed her training. The students of the Legal Beagles must learn “Case Law, and Stealth Evidence Gathering Forensics.” Of course, Mrs. R. isn’t worried about being stealthy. She is already very good at “Not Arousing Suspicion” so that she can “sneak extra treats.” But she will need to organize her humans into taking her on walks to gather evidence, make sure she gets to Wagsworth Legal Academy on time each day, and prepare to defend her client against charges of “Intentional Destruction of a Stuffed Animal.” Along with “Being the Best at Finding Slightly Used Sandwiches” we are lucky that Mrs. R. is also “Best at Telling Really Good Stories.” If we are even luckier, she might tell us another one soon.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amy Flanagan is an Instructional Designer and children’s author living with her family in the Chicago suburb of Batavia. She began writing Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law in early 2021 to stay busy during the long pandemic winter. She wanted to create something that would make kids (and adults) laugh out loud. She is already working on the second book in the “Mrs. R.” series. Like you, she wonders what the ‘R’ stands for.

Visit her online at https://www.mrsrsnugglesworth.com/.

https://twitter.com/AmyFlanagan6

https://www.instagram.com/AmyFlanaganAuthor/

https://twitter.com/MrsRSnuggles

https://www.instagram.com/MrsRSnugglesworth/

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Jon Davis is an award-winning freelance illustrator living and working in Cumbria, UK. He always loved drawing as a child, thinking up characters and stories – paints, pencils, felt tips, crayons, anything would do. So he decided to study Illustration at Glyndwr University, Wrexham. He works digitally in Photoshop with a tablet and pen because the ‘undo’ function saves him from the depths of frustration.

Visit him at https://www.jonsmind.com.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, August 15, 2022

The Children’s Book Review