Middle Grade Review: Ink Girls

Cinzia is the printer's apprentice. Mestra Aronne is determined to publish a story that will anger the ruling family. Even though the story is true; the guards come for both of them in the middle of the night. Cinzia manages to escape. She runs into Elena - she's part of the ruling noble family. Elena thinks she can help Cinzia. Together, they can discover the proof Mestra Aronne has and bring it to the family. With Elena on her side, Cinzia hopes they can save her found family. But will the city support her?

My Thoughts: I loved this graphic novel! There's action, danger, found family, and fighting for good. A group of girls, who wouldn't normally be friends, find each other and fight to change the world. Just one girl has a hard time changing the world, but together, they seem almost unstoppable. A great feminist graphic novel. There's a rumor that this is book one - here's hoping this is true, because I want more Ink Girls! 

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: my Library

Library Recommendation: A must have graphic novel for your library's collection. 

Book List: Women's History Month

Happy Women's History Month:

Here are just a few of my favorite Children's Nonfiction Books to Get You Started

Books Pictured:

Little Leaders: Vasti Harrison

Count on Us by Amy Nathan

Almost Astronauts by Tanya Lee Stone

Girl Rising by Tanya Lee Stone

Bold Words from Black Women by Tamara Pizzoli (Review coming soon)

Let Me Play by Karen Blumenthal 

Yankee Doodle Gals by Amy Nathan

 

What others do you recommend for ages 7-11?

Top Ten Tuesday: Sexual Assault Awareness Month

This week, I'm changing the topic up a little bit. As you know, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. While I love reading these books, I hate reading these books. Yes they are empowering. But they are also heartbreaking. But they are so important for teens to know they are not alone. And it's not their fault.

Check out the website: National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)

for more resources! 

Some Books I've read:

Still to Read:

I made a brochure for teens about reading recommendations. It includes books about sexual violence and assault, but it also includes romance books because I think it's great for teens to see positive relationships. There's also a playlist of songs about women - mostly about surviving but also about friendship. 

I have copies in my library - but if you'd like me to email you a PDF, leave a comment. 

Review: Detective's Assistant

Nell arrives on her aunt's doorstep; her Aunt Kitty is her only living relative. Nell feels lucky to have found her, but t's clear that Aunt Kitty does not feel the same way. Nell's father accidentally killed her husband and she can't see past the deed. No one knows what happened that night, but Aunt Kitty's holding on to her anger.

Aunt Kitty struggles, but she gives Nell a home at the boarding house. Nell's determined to help out any way she can. She doesn't want to live in a home for orphans. She's intrigued when she learns of Aunt Kitty's job - working as a lady detective for Mr. Pinkerton. She can help too - if she doesn't spoil everything first.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I'm sad I waited so long to read it, it was misplaced in my house. But it was really good. I loved the detective agency assignments - especially the last one! I loved  the letters between Nell and her best friend - especially the ciphers. I love how the relationship between Nell and Aunt Kitty changed over the course of the novel. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: Book won in a contest
Library Recommendation: A great book for your school and public libraries.

Review: Little Dreamers

Showcasing more amazing women from around the globe.

I loved this book - for the women it mentioned and for the amazing artwork.

I loved learning about awesome women from various races and who had a multitude of interests. I love how all of them made a difference. And of course as a librarian, I loved the shout out to research at the end of the book.

Library Recommendation: This book is a must have for both schools and public libraries.

Just a few picture book biographies of some of the women mentioned:

Maya Lin

Ada Lovelace

Mary Blair

Hedy Lamarr

Guest Post Today

Hi Everyone, I'm over today at Teen Librarian Toolbox 

where I'm talking about some of my favorite (older titles) books with Girls Saving the World as part as their Feminist AF series.

Reviews: Two Peas in a Pod

* Book 11 in the Whatever After series *

After a rough day at school, Abby has no choice but to follow her puppy and her brother into the magic mirror. They fall into the Princess and the Pea story. Abby accidentally takes the place of the princess. But Abby knows she's not the person for the job.

She also doesn't like the way they view Princesses. She believes Princesses shouldn't be passive. Abby helps create a test for the next Princess - which involves kindness, strength, and intelligence. She hopes they can crown a princess before she has to return home.

My Thoughts: I really love this series. I adored this book - for all the usual things: the friendships, the sibling relationship, and the fairy tales. But I loved this book more because of the feminist twist. I love how Abby and other females in the book decided to test any girl in the kingdom. I love how they designed the test and how they decided which attributes a princess should have. I loved the contest and seeing how everything turned out. I will forever read this series.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable. I really love these covers
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school and public library.

Review: Stay Sweet

Molly Meade started her ice cream stand in 1944, during the war. At first it was something to help out her family and spread some joy. But it became bigger than that. She only employed girls. Now, in present day, Amelia can't believe it's her last summer at the ice cream stand. Nor can she believe that she's head girl.

But on her first day, she discovers Molly's body. There goes her perfect summer hanging out with her best friend, Cate and scooping ice cream.

Molly left her stand to her great nephew. More than anything Amelia wants to help him, but she's concerned about the changes he wants to make. Meade Creamery stands for more than just ice cream.

My Thoughts: Two concepts hooked me on this book: feminism and ice cream. I loved the dual timelines and how they came together. I loved learning about Molly's life in stages, through her diary. I really loved how the ice cream stand came to be - first with fun for her friends and then through business. I loved Amelia and her dedication to the creamery. I loved her determination, her brains, and how she wanted to make the summer magical for the other girls. I would have loved to work at the stand. I liked her relationship with Cate and how that worked out, even through the rocky moments. I felt badly for Grady and his relationship with his father. This book made me crave ice cream so badly! Stay Sweet is the perfect summer read!

Cover Thoughts: Love it.. I love the wrap around.
Source: Book sent for review
Fun Fact: The author is super sweet and fun!
Library Recommendation: A must have for school and public libraries.

Board Book: Feminist Baby

Feminist baby is perfect for sharing you're feminist beliefs with any baby, but particularly girls. The illustrations are fun. The Girls Can Do and Be Anything message is amazing. She's determined, smart, and of course practically perfect in every way; how could you not want to share this book?

If you're going to a baby shower this Spring,

check out some other favorites board books to gift.

Graphic Novel Review: Speak

I really enjoyed this adaptation of Speak. I felt that it captured the feelings I had when I first read the novel. I felt the horror, the helplessness, the anger, and the emptiness all over again. Most importantly I felt her braveness. I loved seeing the art that Melinda created with the trees.

I loved the art work. I love how it was black and white. I wish at the end, there had been a tiny bit of color to show her growth and healing and also to match the cover.

I hope this version of the book reaches a new generation of teens and touches their lives. And spurs conversations about consent, rape, and friendship. 

Blog Tour: Princess Pulverizer

ABOUT THE BOOK 

Meet the princess who'd rather wear a suit of armor than a crown!

Princess Serena (or as she prefers, Princess Pulverizer) doesn't want to be a princess--she wants to be knight! But her father, King Alexander of Empiria, thinks she still has a lot to learn when it comes to exhibiting valiant behavior. So he presents a challenge: the princess must first go on a Quest of Kindness and perform good deeds to prove that she truly deserves to go to knight school. With help from a friendly dragon named Dribble and a perpetually terrified knight-in-training named Lucas, can she complete her quest and discover what it really takes to be a hero?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

 Nancy Krulik is the author of more than two hundred books for children and young adults, including three New York Times Best Sellers. She is best known as the author and creator of the Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo; George Br
own, Class Clown; How I Survived Middle School; and Magic Bone book series. Nancy lives in Manhattan with her husband, composer Daniel Burwasser. When she's not writing, Nancy can be found reading, going to concerts, traveling, or running around Central Park with her crazy beagle mix, Josie.

MY THOUGHTS:

I really enjoyed this book. From the very beginning it hooked me.  Princess Pulverizer knew what she wanted and she went after it; she wasn't going to let anyone tell her differently. I liked her determination. I really liked the idea if a Kindness Quest. I loved the dragon and the knight she met along the way. I love their team work. I wish I had a dragon who made me grilled cheese. Looking forward to their next adventure!

8 Ways for you to show kindness:

1. Leave an anonymous nice note on a school locker or in a library book

2. Donate gently used books to a school or public library
3. Volunteer somewhere - anywhere
4. Donate food to your local food shelter
5. Make some no sew blankets or ties for animals in shelters
6. Help our your neighbors with an errand, shoveling, raking leaves...
7. Send cards to military overseas
8. Bake something delicious and give to your local fire station, police station, post office, library....

How do you show kindness?

Princess in Black: Mysterious playdate

Princess Magnolia has a play date - but what happens when monsters come out during it?  She has to take long breaks. There's no monster in sight, but the alarm sounded. Plus there's another monster fighter in the area, who could it be? And does she know the Princess in Black's true identity?

My Thoughts: I was finally able to get my hands on this book; it came out in September. It was super cute. I loved how the monster blended in. I loved the play date - both as the Princesses and as monster hunters. Another winner for the series!

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Final Thoughts: If you don't have this series in your library, what are you waiting for?

Review: Wonder Woman

Princess Diana feels like an outsider. She finally has a chance to prove herself, but she spies someone in trouble. Giving up her chance, she rescues the human. Bringing her onto the island causes her people pain. When she realizes what she's done, Diana learn what she must do to reverse her mistake.

Diana and Alia get off the island, but instead of ending up in Greece, the pair end up in New York. For Diana, who's never been outside of her island, the world is very different.

They have a limited time to get to Greece, but Alia isn't convinced of the plan. Until, more people start coming after her and attacking them.

Diana does everything in power to keep Alia safe, but if they don't get to Greece in time, the world could crumble with wars.

My Thoughts: I LOVED this one - for the action, the danger, the loyalty, the awesome female characters kicking butt and taking names. (Let's be honest -mostly for that last part.) I really liked the friendship between Diana and Alia - and the promise they made to each other. I liked the group of friends who traveled with them - and the banter between them.I really loved Nim - and her sense of fashion. I liked the bloodline idea - it reminded me a little bit of the Da Vinci Code. Beside Diana - the rest of the characters are not white. And of course my heart hurt at the one scene, but it eased by the ending. I desperately hope to see these characters again!

Cover Thoughts: Love
Source: My Library
Librarian Recommendation: A must have for school and public libraries! Don't miss this one.

Mini Review: Strong is the New Pretty

Photographs of girls being girls - with quotes about themselves. Girls of all ages showing off their skills, their fearlessness, and their interests.

One of my favorites from the book.

Great photographs: a mix of action shots and posed photographs

Great quotes from the girls about their beliefs, their strengths, their joys all about being girls and awesome.

A wonderful celebration of girls and their strengths

Perfect for libraries and for gifting.

On Your Radar (6)

Title: Moxie

Author:  Jennifer Mathieu

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Publication Date: September 19, 2017

Why it Should be on Your Radar:

Feminist Read 
Feminist Revolution 
Peaceful Protests
Zine Pages
Girls Uniting 
Friendship
Making a Difference
Using your Voice

I couldn't stop reading this book, it really struck a cord with me. It's the perfect read to counteract the views politicians have about women and how they want to control us. Read it, pass it on, and become a Moxie Girl too! 

Nasty Women's Nonfiction Books

This is by no means an extensive list, only a list of books that have stuck with me and recent reads. But if you're looking for feminist middle grade books (and who isn't?) this list is a good jumping off point.

You might also like my feminist picture books post and my Fierce Female YA books post and my Middle Grade books.