Ghost and Patina, by Jason Reynolds

Title: The Track series: Ghost and Patina
Author: Jason Reynolds
Genre/ issues: Middle grade. Sports. Family. Friendship.

Shop local where you can: For Australian readers, search Indies to locate your closest independent bookstore, or find it on Booktopia. US readers, check out Bookshop.org.

I read the first 2 books in Jason Reynolds’ Track series a few weeks ago and loved them. I was planning on posting about them all when I finished the series, but I’ve hit a slump so I’m leaving book 3 and will come back to them later, so here’s a quick review on Ghost and Patina so I don’t forget them in my #2020readingchallenge tally.

I’ve probably read more sportsing books this year than I have in my whole life – I’m making an effort to expand my reading horizons and explore genres and themes I’d usually skip over. This series is a fab middle grade read, 4 books about 4 different members of the same track team, who all deal with their own family and personal issues. Ghost, the eponymous character from the first book in the series, lives with his mother whilst his father is in prison for attempting to shoot them both. He is dealing with bullying at school, and is struggling to find his place, and to be seen for who he is. The metaphor of running in this book sets up a beautiful through line for the stories that are to come. Patina, in book 2, attends an elite private school and lives with her aunt, as her mum is unable to care for her because of her complex medical conditions. They both joined the track team at the same time, but are running their own races, literally and figuratively.
These are both great books, and I love the way Jason writes. He’s definitely one of my favourite author finds of the year.

#TamaraReads #2020readingchallenge 45/52 and 46/52

Happy reading,

Black brother, black brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Title: Black brother, black brother
Author: Jewell Parker Rhodes
Genre/ issues: Middle grade. Racism. Mixed-race families. School. Finding your place.

Shop local where you can: For Australian readers, search Indies to locate your closest independent bookstore, or find it on Booktopia. US readers, check out Bookshop.org.

Another “one session” read for me. I spent a couple of hours last night waiting for my daughter at her ballet class in the city, and smashed through this book in about 90 minutes. Black Brother, Black Brother is a wonderful middle grade novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes, which tells the story of Donte and Trey, mixed race brothers who experience very different treatment at their exclusive private school. Donte wants to disappear, wishing that he could just get through the day without being targeted or compared to his lighter skinned brother. A sensitive and powerful examination of the impacts of unconscious and systemic racism, with references to the impact of the school to prison pipeline effect, and an important message about finding your own strength. A really wonderful read.

#TamaraReads #2020readingchallenge 40/52

Happy reading,

Strangeworlds Travel Agency by LD Lapinski

Title: Strangeworlds Travel Agency
Author: LD Lapinski
Genre/ issues: Middle grade. Magic. Adventure. Mystery.

Shop local where you can: search Indies to locate your closest independent bookstore, or find it on Booktopia.

What a delight this book was! I started reading the proof copy, and then the released version arrived, so both of these copies have many dog-eared pages to highlight passages that I wanted to remember.
When Flick stumbles across The Strangeworlds Travel Agency, it’s not what she was expecting. After discovering she has a secret gift, she also discovers something else that’s quite magical – the suitcases filling the travel agency are actually portals to other worlds!
This book has a whimsy and joy that I’ve not come across in a while. I also loved that there’s not really a hideous villain – whilst there are certainly antagonists who our main characters have to go up against, they aren’t pure evil, and their actions aren’t totally heinous. That’s not the point of the novel – heroes defeat bad guys, world is saved, yadda yadda. It’s far more subtle than that. It’s two people stumbling their way through adventures as they figure out who they are and what’s important to them. It’s about the joy of travel and exploration, but also the treasures that you take with you on those journeys. At least, that’s what it was for me. Also, NEVER leave your suitcase behind.
This is LD Lapinski’s first novel. I genuinely hope we see much more from them. I wished I’d taken the time to pull out the rest of my suitcase collection for a suitable luggage photo of this one, but I have another book to start!

#TamaraReads #2020readingchallenge 27/52

Happy reading,

Percy Jackson series

Title: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters, and Percy Jackson and the Titan’s Curse
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre/ issues: Middle grade. Fantasy. Greek mythology. Action/ adventure.

I’ve not read Percy Jackson before, but Kelsey always speaks highly of it, so when I found the box set recently I decided to pick it up and give it a go. I finished book 3 today, and I’ve enjoyed them. Are they the best things I’ve ever read? Well, no. I know a bit about Greek mythology, so a lot of it was fairly predictable for me, but I definitely don’t mean that as a criticism. This mid-40’s woman is definitely not Rick Riordan’s target audience. Whilst not groundbreaking, I’ve found them engaging, and a whole lot of fun. I really love the “ADHD as a side-effect of hero status” element of the books. I’d totally wear a Camp Halfblood tshirt. I find the choice vs destiny theme really fascinating. Without wanting to be too spoilery, the ending of book 3, Titan’s Curse, made me genuinely emotional. I’m very much looking forward to reading the next 2 books, and would recommend them for your middle grade or high school readers who are after a great series with some fantasy, mythology and cracking action.

#TamaraReads #2020readingchallenge 21, 22 and 23/52

Happy reading,

The magic misfits, by Neil Patrick Harris

Title: The magic misfits
Author: Neil Patrick Harris
Genre/ issues: Verse novel, YA, contemporary issues.

I’m a sucker for a book featuring an orphan. I grew up reading my mum’s old British “orphan goes to boarding school/ finds a new home” books – Jan of the Fourth, The Secret Garden, and Anne of Green Gables were favourites. And I’m sure I don’t need to tell you how I feel about Harry Potter (books and movies – NOT author). So when The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris (yes, that one) came across my desk I nabbed it. Such a sweet story! I love that, despite the potential for scare factor (emotionally abusive carer, freaky-arsed clown bandits) it’s a gentle and nurturing story. Clever as you’d expect for a book about magic, it contains a number of “how-to’s” which will help aspiring magicians learn some clever sleight-of-hand and number trick magic skills. There are also a few hidden puzzles and ciphers for the sleuths among you. I particularly love the sweet dual dads, and hope that we get to see more of both of them in future books in this series. 10/10 recommend for your middle grade readers with an interest in magic, puzzles, and stories that have a bit of mystery but aren’t too challenging emotionally!

#TamaraReads #2020readingchallenge 9/52

Happy reading,