Transition Age by Tyler Corriveau

First, I have to apologize. I noticed this morning that this post went up without the review! So, it's time to correct that.

Today's read is the first in a new science fiction series for young adults. Not only does that tend to catch my attention, but this one is also only 147 pages long. Scifi fans out there know that short reads like this are rare, which makes me wonder why. The other side of me is thrilled because it's nice to pick up a quick read, every now and then, too.

So, I'm opening this one up to see if it's grabbing fun or not.

TRANSITION AGE

by Tyler Corriveau

YA Science Fiction

147 pages

In a future rebuilt after nearly a century of war, collapse, and environmental failure, humanity survives inside mile-high vertical cities governed by artificial systems designed to optimize life, suppress instability, and enforce order at all costs. History is managed. Memory is curated. What came before has been buried beneath steel and data, entombed in an artificial twilight. It is an age shaped by systems, and a generation raised within their limits.

Iris Vale knows this world only as it has been presented to her until she escapes a covert research facility hidden deep within the city’s lower layers. Years of her life have been taken, her memories fractured, her existence classified. As fragments of her past begin to resurface, Iris realizes she was never an anomaly. She is part of a larger truth buried inside the very systems designed to control humanity.

Set in Chicago in the year 2159, Transition Age follows Iris as she navigates towering vertical districts, rigid social hierarchies, surveillance-driven institutions, and the forces that shaped her into something both feared and contained. As truth presses against control, she must confront what reclaiming her past will cost, and whether exposing what was buried is worth destabilizing a world built to value order over humanity.

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

A rich, scifi world opens up and races forward in a chase which keeps tension high the entire way through.

Iris suddenly wakes up in a lab, riddled with injuries and connected to machines, but there's little time to think as alarms howl and smoke rises. She has no idea what is going on...she has no idea who she even is. But that she needs to escape or die is very clear. Heading toward what she hopes is an exit, she bursts free and falls into a river just before everything falls apart and would drown if a passing small boat didn't fish her out further down the river. The man immediately recognizes that she's in trouble and promises to take her somewhere safe to give her care, while showing obvious disdain for whatever place it was that she escaped from. Unfortunately, those who held her are never going to let her go and will hunt her down no matter what.

The author begins this tale in an original and potent way. Instead of diving right into the story, the first 17 or so pages hit with summaries of the years, starting with modern times and ending when this story takes place, 2159. These lay out political and social events in a grabbing way to show how present day mutated into the world, where Iris faces her adventure, and the logic is nicely presented to create an intriguing and solid foundation. Then, we meet Iris...or the girl who later learns that she's Iris.

The moment Iris awakens, the book races with just enough breath in between action scenes to let the characters each gain a bit of depth as well. While it's not clear what Iris is up against, at first, the danger of the situation is impossible to miss. The hunt for her identity soon molds into a thick web of intrigue, which seems to grow more sinister and dire with each secret that's revealed. Add the constant ticking of the clock, which Iris faces since those hunting her are very powerful and capable, and it's a read to hold in the pages the entire way through. Considering that it's only around 150 pages, that's a short burst, too.

My critique: the book is too short...and I say that without taking away stars from my review. The book grabs and I found myself at the end faster than I realized that I'd reached the last page. That doesn't happen often. Unfortunately, the ending hits on a huge cliffhanger. It gives me the impression of a quick episode of a tale rather than the first novel in a series because everything is open and nothing is tied up. But I definitely want to know what happened next. So, those readers who don't like cliffhangers will have a problem with this, but those who simply enjoy good, grabbing tales in quick bites at a time...well, this one is exactly that.

Happy Book Birthday, The Underwearwolf by Gideon Sterer!

There are two reasons to celebrate today. First, it's Mother's Day!!! Here's wishing every mother out there a wonderful day. 

Second, it's book birthday time! Today's read, actually, doesn't hit the shelves in two days, but that's close enough for me. It's always fun to pick up a humorous read, and I have a feeling that this book is packed with that. Now, I'm wondering if that werewolf twist will give it a little adventure, too, but we'll find out if it does or not after we open it up and take a peek.

After making sure we don't have a full moon tonight, I'm ready to open this one up!

THE UNDERWEARWOLF

by Gideon Sterer

Illustrated by Charles Santoso

Simon & Schuster

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

Perfect for fans of Creepy Pair of Underwear, this wolfish picture book romp follows a kid who finds himself in a hairy situation when he dons a pair of not-so-normal undies under the light of the full moon.

Do not, under any circumstances,
Or for any reason,
Wear this underwear under the full moon.

Do you understand?

Get ready to howl with laughter as one rule-breaking, underwear-loving kid transforms into a—gasp!—UNDERWEARWOLF! Now he’s on an unforgettable nighttime adventure that may or may not include furry paws, sharp claws, uncomfortable wedgies, and an honest-to-goodness wild wolfpack! No butts about it—this is one read-aloud that’ll blow your undies off!

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Monsterly fun hits with a dash of underwear humor to make an original and exciting read.

This little boy really likes his underwear. He even has a pair hung up for each day of the week. So, when a relative gives him an unique pair of wool, fuzzy underwear, the boy is excited...although even he finds fuzzy underwear a bit odd. Stranger yet, there's a note on the inside, which warns from wearing the underwear during the full moon. The boy doesn't care about that, though, and quickly puts them on. The last thing he expects is to turn into a werewolf and take off into the night.

While I thought this would be an 'underwear humor' read...and it is that too...but it swings into the wilder side with the werewolf adventure, too. The boy is introduced with a bit of an oddity as very colorful underwear hang, each with its own hanger, along a wall. So while there is underwear humor, it comes with a little edge to keep it more subtle and run right along with the paranormal side. This makes it even a nice read for Halloween as the boy takes off into the night and meets more monsterly-ish adventures there. This side has a racing feel to it and keeps a slightly tense action style  Then, there's a little uncertainty as the boy wonders if everything is getting to be too much, but that's exactly when the author tosses in a phrase of humor, which adds a giggle of lightness despite the whisper of something heavier. 

The illustrations match the mood changes wonderfully and go from light silliness to dim and spooky. It creates a grabbing read and works well for read-aloud sessions or for listeners to explore on their own. 

And here they are...

Gideon Sterer is the New York Times bestselling author of The Christmas Owl, I Will Read to You, From Ed’s to Ned’s, Not Your Nest!, The Night Knights, and The Midnight Fair, among others. Gideon grew up in upstate New York, where his parents owned a little zoo in which he would run around after hours and let the animals out. He now lives in the Hudson Valley and invites you to visit him online at GideonSterer.com and on X.

Charles Santoso loves drawing little things in his little journal. He gathers inspiration from his childhood memories and curiosities he discovers in his everyday travels. He has illustrated several picture books, including The Snurtch, I Don’t Like Koala, Finding Muchness, and Ida, Always. Charles also works as a visual development artist, creating illustrations for feature film projects. He lives and works in Singapore. You can visit him at CharlesSantoso.com.

This is Who I Am by Rashmi Sirdeshpande

Today's read heads to Asia...and the U.S.. This one hits multi-cultural goodness and takes a look at what it's like to have '2 worlds'. Of course, this one caught my interest thanks to our own, multi-cultural family. While my kids have very much settled into American life by now, they still have to slip right back into the German one when heading back. And yes, there is a difference. It's not just about food or holidays, but also about mindsets and different ways of viewing and going about life. I think it's, actually, this aspect which makes switching back and forth most interesting and challenging. 

Anyway, let's see how this little girl coasts between the two worlds.

THIS IS WHO I AM

by Rashmi Sirdeshpande

Illustrated by Ruchi Mhasane

Magination Press

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

What does it mean to belong to two cultures?

One little girl explores how she has come to be who she is. She knows that she is much more than where she is from. Her family came from Asia, but there is more to it. She is also her ancestors, their traditions, and their environment, and she is her parents, who bravely moved to a new country, and their dreams, and she is all the people who helped along the way and even the people who didn't. She is her own memories, from family visits and the journeys back home to new traditions and old customs. She is every teacher and every book that has opened her eyes to the world around her.

She is all her experiences and those of everyone who came before her. As she navigates through her rich heritage, she finds she feels proud to be who she is.
With beautiful illustrations, rich prose, and a loving message, This Is Who I Am is a celebration of identity and the richness of diversity.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /    B&N

MY TIDBITS

These pages celebrate embracing every part of life...even if they sit on two sides of the world.

This little girl has lived in the U.S. with her family for a few years already and has very much settled in to everyday life and the world around her. And she likes it. But she's more than that, and also is a complete part of her life in Asia. Although she doesn't live there, that's where she came from and her relatives and friends still remain. So, when she returns, she dives right in and clicks into that puzzle of life as well. It's like two different lives in one person, and she loves it.

Positivity radiates from every page in this read as a little girl goes about her life in the U.S., and a few pages later, in Asia. She's smiling and energetic to show how comfortable it is to slide into both cultures seamlessly...and yet, it also makes it clear how different both sides can be. While the difference between the two cultures comes across loud and clear, the way she embraces and finds family and friendship on both ends, also demonstrates how love, concern, and family is everywhere. This balance allows listeners to fully enjoy and feel the excitement she does as she lives in both worlds.

The illustrations are detailed, draw in, and bring each moment to life with energy. They also bring across the differences in the two lives with visual clarity while offering information on that front. While the text explains a few aspects of each world, it's the illustrations which really hold the most goodness on that end. The text is fitting to the age group and creates a nice read-aloud. It flows nicely and introduces each moment while drawing in. It's an enjoyable read without any sense of preachiness and simply lets a young girl enjoy all aspects of her vibrant life. And this leaves a smile on the face.

And here they are...

Rashmi Sirdeshpande is an award‑winning children’s author who loves taking big ideas and making them accessible for children. She writes a mixture of picture books, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. 

Ruchi Mhasane studied at the Cambridge School of Art, UK. She works mostly in pencil and watercolor and enjoys capturing expressive gestures and movements, especially those of little children.

The Umbrella by Sylvia Walker

Today's read caught my attention not only because Spring's rains have been keeping things moist in our area, but it's marketed as a tale similar to The Mitten. This was one of my favorite stories while growing up and also one of the only books my parents had on their shelves for us kids. We read quite a bit, thanks to the weekly Saturday visits to the local libraries, so they didn't buy but a few reads over the years. Anyway, I could easily see the theme from The Mitten working under the idea of an umbrella and am excited to see how the author handles it.

THE UMBRELLA 

by Sylvia Walker

Denene Miller Books

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING JUNE 9th!!!

Getting caught in the rain at the park leads a little girl to discover a remarkable umbrella and, with it, the magic of friendship and community in this charming picture book inspired by Jan Brett’s classic The Mitten.

Zora’s fun day in the park is interrupted by a sudden rain shower, and she finds just the thing she needs to stay an umbrella big enough for one. When another child on the playground asks if he can join her, and then another and another still, Zora makes room for them all—and the umbrella does too!

But suddenly, a gust of wind blows the umbrella away, and Zora and her new friends must work together to find it, a search that helps them discover the true value of friendship and collaboration.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Sharing mixes with a big heart to create a touching read.

Zora is having a great time playing at the park, but a sudden rain shower has her looking for cover. Luckily, an umbrella is underneath the park bench. Zora immediately opens it up, glad for protection for the rain and realizes that others around her are searching for cover, too. Since the umbrella is easily large enough for more than just her, she invites everyone in.

This is a simple and, yet, potent read, which leaves all sorts of warm feelings inside. The setting is one that most young listeners can identify with, starting off the read with good vibes. These increase with each turn of the page as Zora's invitation stretches to everyone around her, friend or stranger. The strong sense of community, helping others, and working together come across loud and clear without even a dusting of preachiness or intentional messaging. It's simply a lovely tale to put a smile on the face and inspire to help out when one can.

The bright and cheerful illustrations invite in while bringing across the scenes with an every day atmosphere. Even the rain doesn't press down long thanks to the obvious warmth shown. The text is kept short and plays with the illustrations to add atmosphere while still working as a read-aloud. The words flow smoothly and make each moment clear without explaining exactly what is happening, so that the illustrations work to carry the story, too. This makes it also ideal for young listeners to pick up on their own and follow the story through the scenes.

It's a warming read, which is sure to get the word 'again'.

And here she is...

Sylvia Walker, a southern California native, brings a natural affinity to the artistic painting of diverse images, especially children. She expresses herself in a variety of media, including watercolor, pencil, ink, acrylic on canvas and wood, and recently digital images. After earning a BFA at California Institute of the Arts, she began a career in fashion illustration for department stores, fashion houses, and the Simplicity and McCall’s pattern companies. Sylvia has years of experience illustrating children’s books. The Umbrella is her author-illustrator debut. Sylvia lives in Sacramento, CA.

Happy Book Birthday, Arty Too by Penny Schneider!

I'm celebrating another book birthday today...yay! This one, actually, hit the shelves earlier this week, and I just managed to squeeze it in by shifting things around a bit. It's the second book in a series, and I did read the first one (amazing, right?). You can find that review HERE. It's a graphic novel for those readers out there, who are pretty sure of their words but need a little more practice...and if it's anything like the first one, it is very entertaining. 

Let's see what this pair of friends is up to this time.

ARTY TOO

 by Penny Schneider

Monarch Educational Services LLC

Children's Fiction  /   Graphic Novel

136 pages

ages 5 to 12

Tune in for a celebration of friendship with Arty and Slug where more laughs are shared, a map is followed, secrets are revealed, music is made, and magical dreams come true. When a new friend steps into the story, Arty learns that the biggest surprise might not be on the map at all.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Arty and Slug swim into an unexpected adventure, which packs more friendship, surprises, and some music, too.

Arty and Slug are playing a round of hide-and-seek, but Slug ends up in an odd situation. After finding Slug, Arty notices a hermit crab hiding near by, and the two try to coax it out. This leads to a map, a dive into Arty's past, possible friendships, and an unexpected trip with tons of fun.

This is a high-spirited graphic novel with characters to enjoy. Arty and Slug's friendship is inspiring, and their openness to new situations is contagious. They swim through unexpected situations with finesse and a dab of humor to keep the atmosphere cheerful and light. There's just enough depth to make them likeable, and readers will wish they could dive in and join them. It's a quick-paced read with quite a bit of heart and surprises. Everything is very fitting to the intended age group and hits upon themes, which readers can identify with. 

The illustrations are lively and let the personalities shine, while making the situations clear. The text is kept short and works with the images to bring across the scenes with emotion. Even reluctant readers are sure to enjoy the tale and can strengthen their reading and word skills along the way. Every now and then, the reader is asked to join in on the fun and draw something which connects with the tale. This interactive aspect adds a nice touch and gently feeds in a little food for thought. There is also goodness at the end surrounding a few sea creature facts, some simple sign language, and more to make this a read to enjoy in many ways. Still, it's the golden friendship of these two characters, which really makes this book shine.

It's a lovely addition to the series, and I can't wait to see where these two are headed next.