Kate Mester

Enjoyable, but I maybe read this too soon after finishing God in Ruins, because I kept comparing the two in my head, unfavorably to Doerr.

Sweet and heartwarming, if a little overly didactic.

Story by about Trombone Shorty is interesting, but what makes this 5 stars is Collier visual interpretation of TS's life and music. I heard that the detail that set last year's Caldecott committee over the edge was the piece of tape on Beekle's crown - so innocent and poignant. Here, it must have been the spread with TS's friends holding their cobbled instruments. Collier has given all the boys hovering translucent crowns. It made me gasp, its such an arresting image and artistic interpretation of the story.

Lot to love here, though I think there are just a few false notes (the spread of CJ and the music was too far out of the tone and pace of the story). Overall, a lovely and authentic story about a familial relationship that's not often shown in this way and gentle lessons on service, community, and attitude.

I'm still wondering about the claim for Newbery, though. Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for the final committee arguments.

Gorgeously colorful and fluid illustrations that move with the poem and add to it's verbal liveliness. Not enough back matter to truly know more about this real-life drummer, but an uplifting tale beautifully rendered.

Another great Tonatiuh. Knew calaveras but didn't know about Posada, which is the point. Great interplay of Tonatiuh's and Posada's art, informational how-tos on art making, and thoughtful questions for the reader.

Sweet, but I think many Henkes feel like they're more for the adults reading than the kids listening.

Inspirational wirh illustrations that serve the uplifting story. Author's note fleshes out the details. Reading through YMA winners now, and this one was a beautiful starting point.

Dropped a few reveals into Lockwood's past. but nothing really happened until the final quarter of the story. Don't know why Stroud's drawing out this series that started so strongly. This book felt like filler. Still enjoy the audio narrator's ability to create distinctly voiced characters, but if the next book isn't the conclusion, then it won't be worth it to keep up with the series.

A one sit down kind of read. HONY feeds my soul

Fun and jokey with a great message. Superheroes aren't typically my jam, but really enjoy this series with vast teen appeal.

Respect to AS King for trying surreal & experimental, but easily the worst of her books. Would be interested to see teen reactions, because there are very few I could think of liking this. Finished to see if it got better, but I don't think it did. Mostly just found it annoyingly bad.

Enjoyed the meta teen trope intros as the frame for the characters, they were always good for a knowing nod or chuckle. Really liked the exploration of gray areas in feelings and friendships. Ness's characters feel more like true teen thinking, not adults-as-teens, which can happen a lot in YA

Enjoyed the Biltmore details. Other than that, fairly standard middle grade supernatural fantasy. Plodded along at points, especially in the cave scenes which were meant to be climactic.d

New favorite Sheinkin. I learned so much and the pace never let up. He pulls off the magic of a but-then-what-happens thriller despite the reader knowing the historical ending. It's also one of the most thoroughly researched YA books I've seen, even compared to his other works. His researching and publishing pace is clearly superhuman. This book will definitely net him more medals in January!

HIGHLY recommend the audio book. The story is gorgeous and the audio narrator is so captivating. Loved Teddy's story even more than Ursula's. Atkinson can really spark magic in the mundane

Interesting that she continues to tell Michaux's story to different age groups, but No Crystal Stair was the better telling.

Not as good as FiOS, but had some dead funny one liners delivered by the audio book cast. Have had kids love it, so it's an easy book to sell, especially with a movie tie-in. Will be interested to watch now and see the interpretation

I liked the slow, foreshadowed build to the inevitable reveal of the horrors in the last bit of the book. McNeal took his time reveling in the creepiness and building the mood. I didn't understand the choice to set the plot in small town, current USA. Whenever the narrator mentioned something about this being present day America, I was thrown.

Repetitive at times but important content

Took a while to get into, and not what I was expecting, but savagely beautiful by the end. Always helps to listen to it read by Toni herself.

Started out slowly, but built to a powerful and emotional ending. Not sure I would have liked this as much reading instead of listening. Narrator did a good job of making Elijah less annoying than his character traits and more relatable

Only moved the plot a bit, but was totally worth it for a long Poyo backstory. As the Devil himself says, that is one bad*** mf-ing bird!

Got turned on to this series by a former student, and I'm still enjoying it. It's hilariously depraved, has clever small-detail sight gags and references, and an intricate plot that spirals larger each volume. Hope the rest of the volumes keep up this pace

Narrators did such a great job giving life to the characters. So beautifully written, I wanted to continue spending time with Benji and Red. Will be happy to learn more about Cooter and Elijah in Elijah of Buxton.