Wrapped Up Vol. 1 by Dave Scheidt

Score: 4/5

First sentence: Hey!

There is a free comic listed on Amazon  just to give it a taste test.

It's a collection of comics about this zombie kid named Milo and the weird things that happen to him.

Good:

Artwork and easy to read fonts. It consists of spontaneity that upper elementary/middle school kids will like. A neighbor who does not have boundaries and breaks your house and makes life miserable but also goes with you to fix things. Small amount of bathroom humor.

Diversity in the side characters in some of the comics. It's fun, interesting and definitely would be liked by kids who like random, odd, and some small gross moments in this.

Bad:

Whacky neighbor who bothers the family. Destroys their house with a Gorilla busts through window for pizza. Kid steals Dad's card and goes to town eating pizza without permission. Bathroom humor.

Recommend?

Yes.

Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling

Score: 4/5

The first time that I read this was in 2016. I was one of the kids who wasn't allowed to read this because "evil" "magical" and whatever other nonsense. So, I missed out on the magic of this series and never got into it.

I watched the movies as a kid at other family members households without my Dad knowing. At the time I wasn't aware that it was just my Dad who wasn't allowing us to read it. Mom never stated whether she was fine with us reading it or not -- which would have helped. 

Good:

It is an enjoyable read for any age. Characters are likeable and what happens in this is interesting to read about.

Ron is more likeable in the books than he is in the movie. That was a pleasant surprise because I never understood why his movie character was the way he was. He was the younger brother who figured he would never shine compared to his older siblings. This is his first year at Hogwarts.

Hermione is compensating for her upbringing.

Harry Potter, you realize why he was ditched at such awful people's houses. They needed him to be easily built to defeat the bad guy.

This book demonstrates to kids that in life that there are gray areas. Things aren't always just Good guys doing Good, and the bad doing bad. The good in this --- Harry Potter, Hermione, and Ron break the rules and at one point hurt their friend, Neville, to defeat the evil.

It demonstrates how kids can be hypocritical. They tell Neville that he needs to start sticking up for himself. So, he does and they are annoyed with him because he's sticking up for himself against them. The whole, "Yes, sometimes you have to speak up against friends."

Bad:

I didn't grow up with this so there isn't some sort of spark that enraptures me. I have enjoyed reading this. While I do plan on reading more of the series there isn't some urge or yearning to do so immediately. To me, it feels like a book I could have and should have been obsessed with as a kid and as adult struggle with getting into it.

But this series has influenced society and it is there and everywhere you look. Quotes in newer books, in television series, in daily life...just everywhere. 

Recommend: 

You've probably already read this before. Or twice. Or 80 times by now.

One Crazy Summer - Rita Williams-Garcia

Score: 4/5

Summary: These girls go to their mom's house. Their mother is not excited that they are in her life. They go to a Black Panther summer camp -- they provide food, etc.

You go through the year of '68 in the view of these kids and the things that are happening in their life. Things are changing with some people happy about it and other's not so much.

For some, the issue with this book is that it shines a positive light on the Black Panthers. Black Panthers had positive community services so for kids this is going to be something positive and nice to have.

Their mother is only in what she did to give them life. She doesn't want or want to be around these kids that she birthed.

When their grandparents send them off, I was disappointed that they were brought to their mom. I know they had to eventually meet her one way or the other but wow.

It's more of a glimpse of the changes and what happened at this time in history. It's not really a happily ever after and family come together kind of story.

Welcome

Welcome to my book review blog. 

The URL to get to the blog is now spoonsnbooks.com but it is the same website. I wanted something smaller than what my blog is originally named.

Spoons is based on the Spoon theory. Chronic illness and spoons as a metaphor about reduced energy levels. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and other medical problems.

I review books through Netgalley and Hidden Gems. Occasionally, I will write reviews of books that I did not get from these websites. If you cannot tell there will be a statement about downloading the book through either website for an honest review or it will be tagged as either Netgalley or Hidden Gems.

If they're not tagged with either then it was a book that I decided to review on my own. I enjoy reading and encourage anyone who pops on to leave a comment/chat.

If you have an issue with one of the books I've reviewed. There  is a contact form on the front page.

Thanks!

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