Things I've Read Recently (65)

My Basmati Bat Mitzvah by Paula J. Freedman

Published: October 1st, 2013 by Harry N. Abrams
Genre: Contemporary MG
Binding: Paperback
Page Count: 236 plus recipe and a glossary.
Part of a series? Nope.
Got via: The library.
Amazon / Book Depository / Indiebound

Summary (from goodreads): During the fall leading up to her bat mitzvah, Tara (Hindi for "star") Feinstein has a lot more than her Torah portion on her mind. Between Hebrew school and study sessions with the rabbi, there doesn’t seem to be enough time to hang out with her best friend Ben-o--who might also be her boyfriend--and her other best friend, Rebecca, who’s getting a little too cozy with that snotty Sheila Rosenberg. Not to mention working on her robotics project with the class clown Ryan Berger, or figuring out what to do with a priceless heirloom sari that she accidentally ruined.

Amid all this drama, Tara considers how to balance her Indian and Jewish identities and what it means to have a bat mitzvah while questioning her faith.

Thoughts: This was cute. It's not the most unique thing I've ever read plot-wise, but I think that's a point in its favour, for sure, because it's a kind of book, especially in middle grade, that is pretty timeless and universal and relateable. The tropes this is made of are familiar to the genre if you've read things like Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

But the thing that makes this unique, and important, are the context of who Tara is, being both Indian and Jewish, which are obviously pretty underrepresented in general, and in books especially. This is something I really struggle to explain in reviews, but I really like. It's taking a story that you probably know, that's been told from basically the same perspective again and again, and changing who it's about, and that is a strength, not a weakness.

There was some ableist language I wasn't real fond of, some food and body shaming, and one moment of bad science that kinda annoyed me (that eye genetics thing that they teach in school, it's way more complicated than that), but overall, I liked this one. I learned a few things, too, and I enjoyed it.

Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle

Published: February 5th, 2013 by Simon and Schuster
Genre: Contemporary YA
Binding: Paperback
Page Count: 275 plus a discussion guide and excerpt and stuff.
Part of a series? This is the first in the Better Nate Than Ever duology.
Got via: The library.
Amazon / Book Depository / Indiebound

Summary (from goodreads): Nate Foster has big dreams. His whole life, he’s wanted to star in a Broadway show. (Heck, he'd settle for *seeing* a Broadway show.) But how is Nate supposed to make his dreams come true when he’s stuck in Jankburg, Pennsylvania, where no one (except his best pal Libby) appreciates a good show tune?

With Libby’s help, Nate plans a daring overnight escape to New York. There's an open casting call for E.T.: The Musical, and Nate knows this could be the difference between small-town blues and big-time stardom.

Thoughts: Editing note: Allegations about this author have been made that make me uncomfortable recommending this. However, I will leave my review for posterity.

This has a great voice. The very first page has a line that made me laugh. I think one thing I would say is this was not as fluffy as I was expecting. There's a fair amount of heavy stuff going on, especially queerphobia and some family issues. I respect that, but I was kind of expecting something a little lighter from the impression I got from other people. It is a really good book, though.

This lacks a bit in representation of non-white people, disabled characters, and queer characters who aren't just cis allo gay. I'd hope if it was published today - it's already been almost 5 years! - that would be better. The other thing that kind of annoyed me were basically cheap jokes. Ableist expressions that were outdated in 2013, a line about Native American people that just seems out of place, that kind of thing. There's not a ton of it, but it's there.

Now I'm gonna rant about other people for a moment - I'm really uncomfortable with people saying Nate is definitely homosexual (and that's a quote from a review I won't link) based on this book. Maybe book two goes more into it, but as of this book, he is questioning, and undecided on what his sexuality is. He full-out says that he's undecided, and doesn't really want to kiss anyone yet. Assigning a sexuality to a kid because of his interests is literally what his bullies do. He could be gay, sure. He could also be bisexual, or straight, or genderqueer, or aromantic, or asexual, or pansexual, or a million other things! The point is he doesn't know yet, and that's okay.

Let this be about a kid who's questioning and doesn't need to decide a label yet, yeah? Because it's okay to not know. That just... irked me, when I was scrolling over reviews.

All and all, this reminded me a lot of books I'd read as a kid, with how much of an adventure in the big city Nate has, and I thought the stuff talked about with his small town was incredibly relateable. I loved him as a character, the voice was great, and I'd like to read the next one. Not a perfect book, but a solid one, and definitely an enjoyable one.

Little and Lion by Brandy Colbert

Published: August 8th, 2017
Genre: Contemporary YA
Binding: Hardcover
Page Count: 327 plus acknowlegements
Part of a series? Not so far as I know
Got via: The library
Amazon / Book Depository / Indiebound

Summary (from goodreads): When Suzette comes home to Los Angeles from her boarding school in New England, she isn't sure if she'll ever want to go back. L.A. is where her friends and family are (along with her crush, Emil). And her stepbrother, Lionel, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, needs her emotional support.

But as she settles into her old life, Suzette finds herself falling for someone new...the same girl her brother is in love with. When Lionel's disorder spirals out of control, Suzette is forced to confront her past mistakes and find a way to help her brother before he hurts himself--or worse.

Thoughts: I liked this pretty well. I was worried it was going to make me cry, but surprisingly, it didn't. Which isn't to say it isn't honest or emotional, but it wasn't as emotionally walloping as it could have been, and I appreciate that a lot, because I think a lot of books would go there and that can really be exploitive. One thing I thought was especially nifty was that there's a real lack of tokenism in this - there's more than one disabled character, for instance. There is definitely calling out of things like ableism, racism, etc.

There were things I have qualms about, though. I think the blurb is actually really misleading, both in saying that this is much more focused on Suzette's relationship with Rafaela, and villanizing Rafaela. I'm gonna link to some reviews that talk about the bisexuality rep some, and I saw one that mentioned the pansexuality rep could be questionable but I lost it, and this one in general because yeah, this. I would also be very interested in reviews from reviewers who actually have bipolar which I'm having trouble finding, because it seemed...

Maybe not the best. It really made me question why the big drama of the book had to be revolving around Lionel going off his meds and then having a breakdown. Why is that such a common plotline with this kind of representation. Here's kind of an example. My mom actually thinks bipolar people are almost one hundred percent likely to go off meds because that's all she ever sees on TV. I think the book also made taking medication kind of all or nothing. I know that's probably how Lionel felt... but I can't think that's very nuanced.

I dunno. There's a lot to like here, but I have some mixed feelings about some things, too. I really loved the voice, though, and I would like to read more from the author.

Also, the cover is gorgeous.

The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy

Published: January 1st, 2014 by Delacourte Books for Young Readers
Genre: Contemporary MG
Binding: Hardcover
Page Count: 256 plus acknowledgements and about the author
Part of a series? Yes, there is a sequel I will be ordering soon.
Got via: The library.
Amazon / Book Depository / Indiebound

Summary (from goodreads): Meet the Fletchers. Their year will be filled with new schools, old friends, a grouchy neighbor, hungry skunks, leaking ice rinks, school plays, wet cats, and scary tales told in the dark!

There’s Sam, age twelve, who’s mostly interested in soccer, food, and his phone; Jax, age ten, who’s psyched for fourth grade and thinks the new neighbor stinks, and not just because of the skunk; Eli, age ten (but younger than Jax), who’s thrilled to be starting this year at the Pinnacle School, where everyone’s the smart kid; and Frog (not his real name), age six, who wants everyone in kindergarten to save a seat for his invisible cheetah. Also Dad and Papa.

WARNING: This book contains cat barf, turtle pee, and some really annoying homework assignments.

Thoughts: This was adorable. It is really, really funny. There's a moment where Jason (Papa) asks if there's a way to explain why a soaking wet cat had just bolted through his office while he was video-conferencing, followed by two of the boys, one of whom was wearing nothing but his underwear and a cape, and Tom (Dad) just sits down and laughs til he cries. It's hilarious to read, but also so relateable. Occasionally the boys end in some ridiculous situations, but they're ridiculous in that real kid way. And the moments of their dads being absolute goofs are just wonderful.

This really did remind me of books I read as a kid, just with a more modern setting and premise (to some extant - wacky family is pretty timeless as a premise). This would be so great for reading out loud to a younger kid, or reading as a family, because it's funny for both adults and kids. I had a few small foibles, like apparently Frog's class doesn't have an atheist or agnostic kids (it comes up in a discussion of holidays) and occasionally the voice is just slightly off, but I enjoyed it a lot, and I'd really like to read the sequel.

Okay, interesting mix of books here! What have you guys been reading?

Peace and cookies,
Laina