Today's read... Soara and the House of Monsters by Hidenori Yamaji

I've found time to squeeze in this month's Joker Read! I've really been looking forward to diving into this one thanks to the cover. The details in the tree house invite to fantasy pure. Plus, I'm thinking that this read might dive more into architecture...and the cutest creatures?

SOARA AND THE HOUSE OF MONSTERS

Volume 1

by Hidenori Yamaji

Seven Seas

Middle Grade / YA Fantasy Manga

206 pages

ages 10 and up

COMING...

SEPTEMBER 5th!!!

In this delightful and intricately illustrated fantasy tale, a girl who was raised to fight monsters starts building cozy homes for them instead!

Soara is a young orphan girl who was raised by knights and trained to fight against marauding monsters. By the time Soara is old enough to join the fray, her blade is no longer needed, as peace has been declared with monsters. Searching for a new calling, Soara stumbles upon Kirik the dwarf, Architect of the Monster World. Suddenly, instead of fighting monsters, Soara finds herself working alongside Kirik to build comfortable homes for monsterkind! In the course of her new career, will Soara find a home for herself?

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MY TIDBITS

Creativity slams into fantasy with a touch of action to create a fun read about building amazing homes in an imaginative world.

Soara hasn't had a kind life. As an orphan, she was taken and trained to be a fighter in the war against monsters, a job she was very, very good at. Just before being proclaimed by the king to the mightiest monster fight in the realm, the war ended. Left wandering with no home and no idea about what to do with her life, she happens across an odd group of dwarves, who are on a mission to build ideal homes for the devastated monster world. The group allows her to tag along, although she herself isn't sure what her intentions might be or where this will lead her.

Soara's history is skimmed through at a rapid pace, giving just enough to understand her situation without weighing down before the main thrust of the tale. Her hestitation, concerns, and suspicions are more than understandable, and this is nicely plays in in the illustrations. Often, the monsters and surroundings visually hang on the border of dangerous and strange, and there are even moments where things do get tense and deadly. But most of the time, it's tons of fun to see what creative creatures are going to pop up next.

The dwarves are born architects and construction pros. Each of their projects portrays an illustration of the initial home of their client as well as a final sketch of the improved version. The imagination hits in all the best ways, not only in the house layout but in the very creative materials. The notes explaining the highlights (or downfalls) of each home are a treat and might spark architectural ideas in readers as well.

Then, there's the emotional message, which adds depth. Soara has to deal with her view of monsters being flipped on its head, and that to the extreme. Friendship, learning what it means to have a home, and helping others are more aspects, which make the tale shine. 

While it might seem that the gentle side of the plot could stifle any real adventure, this also isn't the case. Like humans, not every monster is kind. There are action scenes and tense moments to let Soara's years of training come to light. Plus, the end of this first volume opens the door to an entirely new promise of dangerous tension. I'll be keeping my eyes open because I'm exciting to see where volume two will take the group next.

Today's read... 10 Cats by Emily Gravett

One look at the cover on today's read, and I had a huge smile on my face. This book promises tons of cats and a bit of silly antics. It also is said to promote counting skills and color recognition, too. So, let's dive in and take a peek.

10 CATS

by Emily Gravett

Boxer Books

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 3 to 5

Award-winning, bestselling author and illustrator Emily Gravett follows a group of playful cats as they turn a mess of color into an engaging display of art and text in this early learning picture book, perfect for anyone looking for books for 3-year-olds and up.
 
Follow the lives of ten kittens as they playfully pounce, bat, and swat while their mother sleeps. Buckets of paint quickly turn the kittens—and their sleeping mother—into brilliant works of art. When mama cat wakes up, playtime turns into bath time. 
 
Full of playful and engaging art, this inventive cat book creates page after page of spot-the-difference fun perfect for repeat reading.
 
This charming counting book is perfect for helping young readers learn their colors as well as how to count to ten. Emily Gravett’s adorable cat art makes 10 Cats just as appealing to those looking for gifts for cat lovers as to anyone searching for kids books ages 3 – 5.

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MY TIDBITS

The cover might seem adorable, but it's nothing compared to the cute and simple antics inside.

This read weaves three things together in a wonderful way: counting, color recognition, and cute cats. Actually, I'm going to add family warmth to this, since a mother and her litter are at the center of everything. The first page begins with a calm picture of a mother cat and her nine kittens. From there, the read builds little-by-little, page-by-page into more chaos and fun. 

Each scene starts with a number (one to ten), and then, holds a very short text (four words at most) which mentions a color or, in a few instances, a pattern. The illustrations take over the rest and let the scenes increase in liveliness and chaos page by page. The cats are well portrayed and add more and more humor as the read continues. All the while, the mother embodies a warming calmness, which  radiates love and care. 

The text is fitting for those just starting to head into the reading journey. The counting combines with a little searching and keeps readers actively engaged. The colors and patterns also need to be found or pointed out, which strengthens the learning process. The paint splotches do get a bit all over the place, but it does create a fun atmosphere. It's a read young readers are sure to enjoy again and again.

And here she is...

Emily Gravett is the two-time winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal for Wolves and Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears. Her internationally award-winning picture books include Meerkat Mail, Tidy, and Old Hat. She has illustrated bestselling fiction, including Matt Haig’s Evie and the Animals and a recent full-color edition of Quidditch Through the Ages.

Happy Book Birthday, Escape Route by Cassandra Rose Clarke

I'll admit it. As a kid, I was a Star Trek fan (I'd say Treky, but I wasn't extreme) and stayed that way all the way into college. Actually, there was a manager at the fast food place, where I worked during high school, who was a full-blown Treky. He went to the conventions, ran around shouting 'Beam Me Up, Scotty!' when an order wasn't out in time, and even picked up an original phaser and communicator from the original show. Yes, I got to hold one of these (which seems cooler when looking back than I gave it credit for as a teen). Anyway, today's read heads down this path in an attempt to draw in a new generation and have them dreaming of space and beyond. 

This is the third book in the series... and yes, we're celebrating its birthday, today!!! I have not read the first two in the series and will be hitting this one with fresh eyes.

ESCAPE ROUTE

Star Trek Prodigy, #3

by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Simon Spotlight

Middle Grade Science Fiction

160 pages

ages 8 to 12

Star Trek: Prodigy TM is a brand-new animated series streaming on Paramount+ and airing on Nickelodeon! Don’t miss this thrilling, original middle grade novel starring the Protostar crew!

The crew is on their way to Starfleet. Their shuttle is cramped, and everyone is cranky. That’s when Murf spots a moon that isn’t on their charts. Murf really wants to go there, so the crew decides to make a stop to stretch their legs and get some supplies.

But a small detour turns into a big dilemma when the inhabitants of the moon ask Murf to stay with them. The rest of the crew begins to wonder if this is a sign. Could it be time for each of them to go their separate ways?

TM & © 2023 CBS Studios Inc. STAR TREK and all related marks and logos are trademarks of CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved. NICKELODEON and all related marks and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

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MY TIDBITS

With fresh, young space explorers, this is an exciting adventure just right for young science fiction fans.

After escaping their prison and joining together in a small space craft on a very long journey back to Earth, the young crew is faced with a malfunction, which will make their trip go from another month to many years. Plus, they are already cranky from cramming together in the tight space for so long. To repair the ship, they'll need to stop on a planet, and while it first appears that this will be an impossibility, a strange moon suddenly appears where one shouldn't be. Not sure it's safe but having no choice, the crew lands, and what will soon promise to be a blessing is also a nightmare.

I recommend reading this one as a series. While each book holds a specific, wrapped-up adventure, it was a little difficult to settle in with the characters without having experienced their journey up to that point.

After stumbling a bit in the first chapter (which was my own fault for hitting this book without reading the other two first), this read takes off into an exciting ride. I was afraid it might force itself into the Star Trek universe, but while there are a few loose nods, these characters and the plot take their own direction. Each member of the crew has unique characteristics, talents, and personality (each being a different species), and they're still figuring out how to fit together as friends and a crew. Even though these are aliens, their actions, thoughts, and concerns are very fitting to the readers' age group. It's easy to connect with them, and readers will be able to picture themselves tackling the dangers of space right along with them.

The author has done a wonderful job at building the world and characters. There are just enough details to make the scenes come to life, while still leaving others to the readers' imaginations. It creates a fun balance, which also doesn't bog down with unnecessary descriptions. The exotic world, of course, holds a tense adventure, which draws in and doesn't let go until the end, since it's not clear how the crew will escape the problems they run into. And while this is moving along, the author slyly weaves in slight messages concerning pollution, friendship, trust and more. But these never steer the plot.

What I appreciated most was the pure, space fun. This lets the explorer spirit free and allows the excitement of discovering exciting, unexpected places and adventures to take simply take control. It's the kind of read, which invites to building a space craft and heading out to see what the universe holds.

Today's read... Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm by Kimberly Behre Kenna

JETT JAMISON AND THE SECRET STORM

by Kimberly Behre Kenna

Black Rose Writing

Middle Grade Contemporary

174 pages

COMING...

AUGUST 3rd!!!

Jett Jamison can’t catch a break. Her home in small town Wisteria is noisy as a zoo, and her mind buzzes with bits of a traumatic memory she’d rather
forget. She’s filled a shoebox with one hundred thirty-three
to-do lists, her roadmaps to peace, but they only lead to dead ends. Sister Gia, master gardener and cat-whisperer extraordinaire, suggests a book by an anonymous author, but it’s disappeared from all local libraries, and nobody wants to talk about it. Enraged at the injustice, Jett continues to dig for answers and is drawn into a censorship battle with a high-profile radio host. Her peaceful protest backfires big time, and the town goes berserk. Now, for peace to be within reach, Jett must either face up to her past or remain forever bound by silence much more suffocating than the din in Wisteria.

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/138346475-jett-jamison-and-the-secret-storm

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Jett-Jamison-Secret-Storm-Collection-ebook/dp/B0C47JVCH3

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jett-jamison-and-the-secret-storm-kimberly-behre-kenna/1143461195

MY TIDBITS

This is a potent tale about a girl, who learns to open up and raise her voice in several ways.

Jett craves organization, quiet situations, and calmness, all those things she doesn't have at home thanks to her busy parents and more than lively brothers. Even her reading time at the library is disturbed, leaving her with no where to go. When a nun suggests a novel to her, which will get to the true core of the issues Jett faces, Jett can't even read it thanks to the town's censorship. So, Jett does something out of character. She protests, and this causes more than just a little uproar.

This is a read which hits upon some very tough themes, and it does it with care. Jett suffers under the aftermath of sexual assault by a family member. She hasn't told anyone due to several reasons, and it's eating her up. Not only do others see her as odd, but she hears voices and loud noises scare her (although it's not explained why certain things set her off). This is a difficult but important topic for this age group, especially considering how many girls will connect with this (so sad but true). The author has kept it very age appropriate and brought across Jett's struggles clearly. Still, I wouldn't recommend this for every reader, since it also can serve as possible trigger in certain cases. Adults should take a peek at this one themselves before giving it to young readers in question. But for other readers, it will be a nice push of encouragement, support, and open up understanding.

That said, Jett has other things to deal with, too. Her parents and home life, while appearing balanced, sometimes leave her lacking needed support, and school life is rocky, especially on the social end with leans toward bullying. The beginning pages were a little confusing, but Jett's problems soon settle in, and it's easy to feel for her and root for her after that. The problems with censorship and reactions of the people around her also carry some bite and add another level to the read. It creates quite a few layers for the age group and leaves more than a little food for thought.

Happy Book Birthday, Lolo's Sari-sari Store by Sophia N. Lee

 It's time to celebrate another book birthday! The cover on today's read invites right in. Honestly, I'm not sure what it will be about...a store, a girl and selling? But we'll find out.

LOLO'S SARI-SARI STORE

by Sophia N. Lee

Illustrated by Christine Almeda

Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

A little girl holds lessons learned in her grandfather’s sari-sari store close while adjusting to a new home in this sweet picture book about the joy of community, connection, and Filipino culture.

For one girl, summers used to mean helping Lolo run his sari-sari store, which was always brimming with goods for the neighborhood: shampoo packets for Ate Jane, rice and eggs for Tonton, and a sympathetic ear for anyone who needed it. “Sari-sari means a good variety—just look around and you’ll see. What help can you give your community?” Lolo would say, as he filled his shelves with what people would need.

Now that she’s far from the Philippines, she misses Lolo and the friendly faces that surrounded his sari-sari store. But when she remembers her grandfather’s words, her heart keeps Lolo close, and she starts to see opportunities for connection and community in her new home.

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MY TIDBITS

This read begins with a young girl and her memories of working with Lolo at his sari-sari store. Not only is the store a visual treat, but warmth and joy come across as she explains the various pepole, who would come by the shop. Lolo's heart of gold is inspiring and is sure to bring a smile to the face. These earlier scenes especially invite in and will have readers wishing they could join Lolo, too, since there's always someone with a smile or hello. 

Then, it switches to the little girl's new life in the US with her mother. Since the mother works, the girl feels alone and misses the neighborly life. Her sadness weighs down just enough to bring the emotions across without growing too heavy. It sets the atmosphere for hope and reaching out, which also forms the main message in these pages. The situations come across with familiarity and are very fitting to the age group.

A sense for community and helping others rings loud and clear as the reader accompanies the girl in finding new connections. Giving and recognizing others' needs also rounds off the message and leaves the reader with a sense of hope...and maybe, a few ideas of their own. It does open up the possibility to a discussion or even a project surrounding the community.

And here they are...

Sophia N. Lee grew up in the Philippines. She wanted to be many things growing up: doctor, teacher, ballerina, ninja, crime-fighting international spy, wizard, time traveler, journalist, and lawyer. She likes to think she can be all these things and more through writing. She is the author of Soaring Saturdays; What Things Mean, which won a Scholastic Asian Book Award’s grand prize; Holding On; and Lolo’s Sari-sari Store. Learn more about her at SophiaLeeWrites.com.

Christine Almeda is a Filipino American freelance illustrator and lover of sunshine from New Jersey. Lolo’s Sari-sari Store is her first picture book. Christine believes that, through the power of creativity and storytelling, art can make life more beautiful. Visit her at ChristineAlmeda.com or @EyChristine.