Winter Reading 2022 The Paradox Hotel

 

If movies and shows that deal with wibbly wobbly timey wimey are your cup of tea, then you should try The Paradox Hotel. Time travel has been invented and the rich and famous spend large amounts of money to vist Ancient Egypt, see dinosaurs, or watch showdowns in the Wild West. Agents are trained to supervise these excursions and prevent anyone from trying to make changes to the timeline. There is a slight problem with some personnel coming "Unstuck" as they are exposed to the radiation needed to make time travel possible. They being to experience scenes that have already happened or even previews of things to come. Eventually their minds become completely unanchored and they are reduced to lying in a bed hooked up to life support, unable to distinguish the present reality from those other times. 

January Cole was once such an agent, but she has taken the job of house detective at the hotel that serves the visitors before and after their excursions. As the hotel prepares to host a conference of several trillionaires who are interested in purchasing the time travel facility from the government, January's fitness for duty is questioned as she begins to see things that no one else notices. Is she slipping into the advanced stages of being Unstuck, or is there really something sinister happening in the hotel? It doesn't help that the rich guys, their various entourages, and the U.S. senator who is overseeing the sale all have overinflated egos, fluctuations in the equipment cause the cancellation of several planned excursions, and a blizzard dumps several feet of snow on the hotel and facility.

The science fiction elements are intriguing. Could time travel tourism actually be possible and sustainable? Would it be profitable or a money pit? Would radiation from the process cause neurological changes in the staff that were frequently exposed? How much change could the time stream accommodate without negative repercussions in the present? 

To add even more layers to the book, the relationships and personalities of the staff in the hotel are interwoven with past experiences and the interdependence of a large and boisterous family. January's  personal reasons for staying in the job and the causes for the distance she imposes between herself and others become more clear as the story unfolds. With the increasingly bizarre behavior of time within the hotel and January's perceptions of it, she makes a captivating but possibly unreliable narrator. That is one of the mysteries that readers must solve - can January and what she sees be trusted? 

I read an advance copy supplied by the publisher for review purposes.

Winter Reading 2022 The Grayson Sherbrooke Otherwordly Adventures

 I must confess, I have only read Coulter's FBI thrillers before now. But I came across this collection of novellas and I was intrigued. A mix of historical fiction (set in the mid nineteenth century), mystery, and fantasy elements, the stories follow Grayson Sherbrooke and his growing "family" as they investigate unusual occurrences. Sherbrooke has his son Pip (a precocious almost five-year-old), and they become close friends with their neighbors - a beautiful widow named Miranda, her daughter P.C. (a very self-possessed eight-year-old), and their stable boy Barnaby. Sherbrooke comes from a well-known family, but is not in line to inherit a title. He writes gothic adventure stories featuring a character named Thomas Straithmore who has generally "smashed the evil hard" by the end of each book. When it seems that some sort of ghost or poltergeist has begun causing trouble at the home of her great grandfather, P.C. has Barnaby help her reach out to Sherbrooke for help.

The novellas each feature a different supernatural foe in a different location. It may be at a neighbor's home, the ancestral seat of the Sherbrooke family where his aunt and uncle live, or even the manor house of an old schoolmate. There are ghosts, witches, kelpies, and plenty of curses and enchantments to overcome. Although his earlier novels were purely fiction, Sherbrooke begins to incorporate some of the real-life action into his books as he continues to be pulled into these mysteries. At least he can keep his editor and fans happy with tales of bewitched parties, visits to the past to see Camelot, and spirits that try to control the living. 

The ensemble cast really makes the stories entertaining. Pip is so convinced that his father can accomplish anything and has an amazing vocabulary for his age (but his father is a writer after all). P.C. will not allow anyone to know her real name and only plans to "speak it aloud and horrify [her] great-great-grandchildren because they'll doubtless deserve it." She is also determined that she will marry Barnaby when they are old enough and works hard to correct his speech and manners. Miranda is a spirited woman who has been left a widow with this energetic daughter to raise. Together they create a found family that readers can admire and cheer on through their escapades.

Fans of Randall Garrett's stories about Lord Darcy and his magical investigations may find another hero to admire in the Grayson Sherbrooke stories. I read an advance copy provided by the publisher for review purposes.

Elijah Goes to Cleveland Virtual Book Tour

 

Elijah Goes to Cleveland: Book Giveaway

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win one of ten autographed copies of Elijah Goes to Cleveland—5 books will have a gift card to one of the following places: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Museum of Art, West Side Market, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Karamu House!

Five (5) winners receive:

A signed copy of Elijah Goes to Cleveland

A gift card to one of the following places: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Museum of Art, West Side Market, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, or Karamu House!

Five (5) winners receive:

A signed copy of Elijah Goes to Cleveland

ABOUT THE BOOK

Elijah Goes to Cleveland

Written by Mark Darden

Illustrated by Anh Bui

Ages 4+ | 32 Pages

Publisher: Buckeye Muscle Media | 9871736703007

Publisher’s Synopsis: Elijah is in Cleveland visiting his grandparents when he finds out that his favorite music band will be performing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The tickets are free, but there is a catch: You have to do a scavenger hunt to find band members at various landmarks throughout Cleveland. With the help of his grandparents, will Elijah be able to secure tickets to see his favorite band perform? Pick up a copy of Elijah Goes to Cleveland to find out.

PURCHASE LINK

https://buckeyemuscle.com/shop/elijah-goes-to-cleveland

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Darden is an author, sports travel blogger, and Chief Content Creator for Buckeye Muscle Media, LLC. Since 2017, Mark has documented his sports travel adventures on his blog, buckeyemuscle.com. Originally from Cleveland, Mark’s first book is IT’S GAME TIME FOLKS!: Quest for 30, a travelogue of his journey visiting all 30 MLB ballparks during the 2017 season. He is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA).

For more information, visit https://buckeyemuscle.com.

MY REVIEW

While visiting with his grandparents in Cleveland, Elijah learns that his favorite band is giving away free tickets to their concert at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His family helps him decipher the clues and visit each of the locations that the band posts in their scavenger hunt, but they always seem to arrive just a little too late. Will his perseverance pay off? Stories that show intergenerational affection within families are always fun to share. I appreciate the supportive relationship between Elijah and his grandparents. They take a day out of their visit to drive him around town searching for the band and helping him decipher the clues. They demonstrate pride in their city and what it has to offer, but they are also patient with Elijah's determination to win the concert tickets. Elijah's adventure with his grandparents gives him the chance to enjoy a concert by his favorite band and also introduces him to some of the famous sites within the city of Cleveland. Readers will learn along with Elijah as his grandparents share facts about the sites they visit. Details of Cleveland's history from its founding in 1796 to the opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 are written into the story. More information about each location is included in the back matter along with URLs to visit their websites and the site for the city itself. Our school district participates in a yearly One Book Blitz in which each student in grades K-5 reads the same book. One of the activities planned around the Blitz is a scavenger hunt around town; small businesses have a plush character from the book hidden on their premises and families visit to find it and get their scavenger cards punched. As much fun as the kids have looking for Wilbur or Stuart Little, I can imagine they would also enjoy visiting historic buildings and learning a bit of local history the way Elijah does. Perhaps older students could create the hunt as part of a social studies project and share it with the lower grades. It could even be done as an online hunt or a digital escape room. Reading about Elijah could inspire a lot of history hunters.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, March 7, 2022 The Children’s Book Review Tour Kick-Off

Tuesday, February 15, 2022 The Fairview Review A book review of Elijah Goes to Cleveland

Tuesday, March 9, 2022 The Momma Spot A book review of Elijah Goes to Cleveland

Wednesday, March 10, 2022 Life Is What It’s Called An interview with Author Mark Darden

Tuesday, March 15, 2022 icefairy’s Treasure Chest A book review of Elijah Goes to Cleveland

Wednesday, March 16, 2022 Barbara Ann Mojica A book review of Elijah Goes to Cleveland

Thursday, March 17, 2022 Because I Said So A book review of Elijah Goes to Cleveland

Friday, March 18, 2022 Crafty Moms Share A book review of Elijah Goes to Cleveland

Wednesday, March 23, 2022 Tales of a Wannabe Superhero Mom A beyond the book activity for Elijah Goes to Cleveland

Thursday, March 24, 2022 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers A guest article by Author Mark Darden

Friday, March 25, 2022 Lisa’s Reading A book review of Elijah Goes to Cleveland

The Fairview Review is participating in the blog tour in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Mark Darden.

Winter Reading 2022 How Do I Un-Remember This? Unfortunately True Stories

 

I must admit, I had not heard of Danny Pellegrino before seeing this book. But I spent a lot of time laughing over his stories. Danny tells about instances from his childhood up to the present day and manages to find the humor in even the most embarrassing things that have happened. There was the time the high school cheer team made up a spontaneous chant to tease him after his mother called for him on the loudspeaker (as if your mother calling for you by public broadcast wasn't humiliating enough). Or the time he tweeted about another member of a friend's wedding party and was then chastised by the woman's boyfriend for commenting on her behavior. 

Danny shares stories of growing up in small-town Ohio as a closeted gay kid struggling to understand his own identity and also of his early adult years trying to succeed on his own in California. The tales are spiced with references to Kelly Clarkson, Brandy, and iconic movie scenes. Everything from the time his father bought a car that would not fit in the family garage, to a weekend with a friend in Las Vegas, and even episodes of dealing with depression are threaded together with the same warmth and humor for even the dark days. 

For those like me who aren't familiar with Danny's work, he is the creator and host of Everything Iconic with Danny Pellegrino, a comedic pop culture podcast. If you were already a fan, then you will enjoy the book since it takes his love of pop culture and mixes it with his own life stories. The book goes on sale March 8, 2022. I read an advance copy provided by the publisher for review purposes.

Winter Reading 2022 Whats the T?

 

Writer and activist Juno Dawson has revisited her idea of a manual to answer questions for teens about  LGBTQIA+ topics. Dawson also wrote This Book Is Gay, originally under the name James Dawson, now with a revised and updated edition under the name Juno Dawson and with an introduction by David Levithan. This time she has gathered stories from real teens about their experiences, information about the "full spectrum of gender identity," and Soofiya Andry has created humorous illustrations that are sprinkled throughout the book. There is a special chapter for parents and caregivers, a chapter on organizations to contact for support, as well as a glossary, references, and a list for further reading.

Juno makes a statement early in the book; "I am not here to sell you a Transgender Package...I don't know why you're reading this book." She mentions several possible reasons including curiosity, support for a transgender friend or family member, seeing the book on display in a store, or because you have questions about your own gender. The explanations and examples she gives in the book are geared to answer the questions of readers, whatever their reasons. 

The first part of the book deals with identity (including gender identity), a brief mention of some trans figures from the past hundred years or so, a look at some scientific studies, and a chart of how genders are identified in various cultures around the world. The second part discusses coming out, problems that are encountered in various aspects of life, medical questions, love and romance, and legal issues. Before each chapter is a profile of someone from the "Transgender Hall of Fame" like Ayla Holdom (UK police force helicopter pilot) and Hanne Gaby Odiele (top fashion model).

This book is for young adults due to the language and topics included, as well as for adults who live or work with young adults. It is written as if the reader is having an open and honest conversation about a difficult topic with someone more knowledgeable. That will probably also be what causes many people to disapprove of the book. As the title of chapter 8 says, "The problem is other people." Like many other books recently, this one will probably garner a lot of criticism and pushback, but perhaps it will have the chance to help some YA readers who are very confused and don't know where to turn for information. 

The book is due for release on June 7, 2022. I read an advance copy provided by the publisher for review purposes.

Winter Reading 2022 Me and White Supremacy: Young Readers' Edition

 

Layla Saad has written a guide  to "give you the tools you need to help become an anitracist change agent." She explains that it began with her "own lived experiences...deepened and further illustrated by drawing on examples from experiences I have witnessed, historical contexts, cultural moments, fictional and nonfictional literature, the media, and more." She also explains that this young reader edition is meant for young people so they can "grow into adults who know how to have conversations about race and racism with confidence and know how to work together collectively to create an antiracist world."

Various chapters explain how to work through the book, introduce the author, guide readers to look at the various parts of their own identities, and explore what is meant by terms like white supremacy and white privilege.  Readers are encouraged to keep a journal, work through the book at their own pace and recognize their emotions as they learn about these difficult topics. At the end  of each chapter  they are guided through a recap of the definition, reflective questions, and look at "ways to practice antiracism." Back matter includes a closing letter from the author, a glossary, and a suggested reading list.

This book could be read independently, as part of a group, or with a trusted adult.  I appreciate how the author explains her own introduction to discussing race. Her mother began talking with her about it at an early age because her parents had come to the UK from Africa and Layla "was always the only Black and Muslim girl in all [her] classes." Hearing about the experiences of others can make a situation much more clear than just a dry discussion of terms related to identity

Winter Reading 2022 Her Hidden Genius

Marie Benedict is a master at creating historical characters that are relatable and believable. If you have read some of her other books such as The Other Einstein, The Only Woman in the Room, or The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, then you know what I mean. She takes the facts about these famous women and then adds her own best reconstruction of scenes with their friends, family, and coworkers to allow readers entrance into the lives of these remarkable individuals. This time she takes us into the Paris lab, the London university, and shows Franklin's love of science no matter where she worked.

Just like her stories of Hedy Lamarr and Mitza Maric Einstein, this book shows the way women were treated as less capable and less important than husbands or coworkers. All the microaggressions, petty jealousies, and other attempts to push women into the shadows come through clearly in the tale of Rosalind Franklin and her work to capture the image of DNA for further study. Anyone who is unfamiliar with Franklin's research and her treatment by coworkers will find themselves pulled in without the need for prior knowledge. Those who already knew the public side of Rosalind's life will find themselves finishing the book and saying, "That's just how I thought it happened!"