Tag Archives: nonfiction

Review: Don’t Sit on the Baby! by Halley Bondy

Book Review and Content, Nonfiction, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , ,
Don't Sit on the Baby by Halley Bondy

Don’t Sit on the Baby!, 2nd Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Sane, Skilled, and Safe Babysitting
Halley Bondy
Zest Books
Published September 6, 2022

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About Don’t Sit on the Baby!

Babysitting is one of the most popular part-time jobs for teens, but caring for kids is no easy feat. Offering useful tips on everything from navigating naptime to negotiating pay rates, this funny, no-nonsense guide covers all the basics any babysitting hopeful needs to know and much more. This revised edition includes updated ideas for finding jobs, keeping kids–and yourself–safe, and handling behavioral challenges. Learn what to expect from kids ages 0 to 10, how to land (and keep) the perfect babysitting gig, what to do in situations ranging from dirty diapers to emergencies, and how to communicate with parents. Plus, read real-life stories from teens about their experiences on the job.

My Review

My favorite thing about this book is how practical it is. It’s broken down into specific sections about issues babysitters could face. Things like how to navigate mealtime with kids of different ages, and what to expect in terms of entertaining kids of varying ages. Many of the chapters are broken down into individual parts with information on caring for kids of specific ages, like infants, toddlers, preschoolers, etc.

The book also gives some basic tips for how to find babysitting jobs, what to do in an interview with a prospective client, and how to quit a job that isn’t working for you. I like that the book covers so many different topics and gives solid, foundational advice.

All in all, this is the kind of book I wish I’d had as a young babysitter. I learned a lot from caring for my youngest sister as well as on the job, but it would have been great to have a resource like this. I think this would make a great read for older siblings who are responsible to care for younger ones and for kids looking to get out there and make some money babysitting.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Representation
Aimed at any kids looking to babysit. Does mention asking parents about accommodations for kids with disabilities or allergies.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Offers safety tips for meeting with potential clients.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of DON’T SIT ON THE BABY! in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Plague Busters! by Lindsey Fitzharris and Adrian Teal

Book Review and Content, Middle Grade 8-12, Nonfiction, , , , , , , , ,

Plague-Busters!: Medicine’s Battles with History’s Deadliest Diseases
Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris
Illustrated by Adrian Teal
Bloomsbury USA Children’s
Published October 10, 2023

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About Plague-Busters!

Smallpox! Rabies! Black Death! Throughout history humankind has been plagued by . . . well, by plagues. The symptoms of these diseases were gruesome-but the remedies were even worse.

Get to know the ickiest illnesses that have infected humans and affected civilizations through the ages. Each chapter explores the story of a disease, including the scary symptoms, kooky cures, and brilliant breakthroughs that it spawned. Medical historian and bestselling author Lindsey Fitzharris lays out the facts with her trademark wit, and Adrian Teal adds humor with cartoons and caricatures drawn in pitch black and blood red. Diseases covered in this book include bubonic plague, smallpox, rabies, tuberculosis, cholera, and scurvy.

Thanks to centuries of sickness and a host of history’s most determined plague-busters, this riveting book features everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the world’s deadliest diseases.

My Review

This book is filled with deeply fascinating information. From stories about the history of medical treatments for various illnesses to the development of hospitals and sanitary conditions, the text introduces readers to so many ways the medical field has changed. And some ways in which it’s still the same. We continually discover new treatments and uncover problems with previously established methods. We also continue to encounter new diseases.

I loved learning about the different medical issues represented in the book. From cholera to rabies, the plague, and smallpox, the book takes a close look at several diseases that had a huge impact on human history.

I was surprised that the book didn’t cover the influenza pandemic of 1918, which reportedly killed between 50 and 100 million people. It also didn’t mention the AIDS virus, which continues to have a huge impact on our population and has had a lot of medical breakthroughs since the disease was first discovered.

All in all, though, I enjoyed the upbeat tone and clear way the information in the book was presented. It made me think about a lot of things, and I think young readers interested in medical history and the history of diseases will find this book to be a deeply fascinating introduction to several major illnesses.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 up.

Representation
The text primarily focuses on pandemics and plagues in Europe, though other places are mentioned. Most of the medical professionals mentioned, or advancements covered are from Europe.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
One reference to a swear word, all but the first and last letter replaced with symbols. It’s from a quote of Doc Holliday’s last words.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
References to churches and church leaders impacted by illnesses. Sometimes, church members gathered to repent in hopes of ending the outbreak of disease they believed was God’s judgment against their sins. References to monks caring for the sick.

Violent Content
Lots of descriptions of disease and fatalities due to disease. In one chapter, medical students arrange for the death of a doctor who tried to enforce a new policy requiring them to wash their hands before encountering pregnant patients.

Drug Content
Some of the early “treatments” for different illnesses we now know are poisonous (like mercury) or highly addictive (such as opiates).

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of PLAGUE-BUSTERS! in exchange for my honest review.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Mondays

I’m sharing this post as a part of a weekly round-up of middle grade posts called Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays. Check out other blogs posting about middle-grade books today on Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle with Greg Pattridge.

Summer 2023 Backlist Check-in

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Summer 2023 Backlist Reading

One of the things I’ve been frustrated and feeling a bit stuck about is how to share backlist titles that I’ve been reading lately. A lot of my lists feature books from the upcoming season or the season just passed, and I’m never sure what to do to feature backlist books more regularly.

For one thing, I read backlist titles kind of sporadically. And because my review calendar has been so full the last couple of years, sometimes I’ll read a book but not post the review for months. Which means I’m waiting months to talk about some truly incredible books.

At first, I experimented with a weekly wrap-up post. I love the idea of those posts, but the sad truth is that I’m often too busy to keep up with them. I don’t have a good rhythm to a set time to create them yet.

So, meet my newest idea! A Seasonal Backlist Check-in! This will include all the backlist titles I’ve read this past summer (which is actually a little more than I thought). I’m being pretty liberal with my definition of backlist. Basically, if it came out before this summer and I read it too late to include it in my seasonal favorites list for the season it was released, I’ll include it here.

Thanks for checking out the books I read in my summer 2023 backlist reading.

Money Out Loud: All the Financial Stuff No One Taught Us Berna Anat

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Practical money advice presented in a clear, super fun way. This was a lot of fun to read, actually. A must-read for anyone entering the workforce or still struggling to figure out their finances.

Published: April 25, 2023 | Review to Come

J.R. Silver Writes Her World by Melissa Dassori

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What you need to know: J.R. discovers the things she writes in her school essays come true, but they have consequences. A story about changing friendships and a budding writer. I loved this one. Perfect for fans of Gillian McDunn.

Published: July 19, 2022 | My Review

Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: When rumors of a vampire reach Garlic and her friends, they nominate her to deal with him. After all, vampires can’t tolerate garlic, right? Such a cute book! I loved all the veggie characters and the warm conclusion.

Published: September 28, 2021 | Review to Come

The Deadlands: Hunted by Skye Melki-Wegner

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A group of young dinosaurs exiled from their tribes team up to expose a hidden threat to their former tribes’ survival. This one completely took me by surprise. I loved the characters and the prehistoric adventure. It’s very LAND BEFORE TIME meets WARRIORS.

Published: April 4, 2023 | Review to Come

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken, Leigh Dragoon, and Kit Seaton

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A wizard and a weaver journey to the capital with information that could stop a war, their enemies following closely behind them. I enjoyed this adaptation of the young adult novel. Now I want to read the original.

Published: September 28, 2021 | Review to Come

Roll for Initiative by Jaime Formato

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: After her brother (and best friend) moves away to college, Riley finds new friends and independence through playing Dungeons and Dragons. This charming story has nuanced relationships and a fun celebration of a beloved game. I loved it!

Published: September 27, 2022 | My Review

House of Salt and Sorrow (Sisters of Salt #1) by Erin A. Craig

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What you need to know: Annaleigh mourns the loss of another sister as rumors of a curse swell around her family. Desperate to find a marriage match, Annaleigh and her sisters sneak away to dance through the night at ball after ball, leaving their father puzzled at their worn slippers. A haunting, sea-bound retelling of Twelve Dancing Princesses. I enjoyed the romance, though I think I like the second book in this series better.

Published: August 6, 2019 | Review to Come

The Vermilion Emporium by Jamie Pacton

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What you need to know: Marketed as RADIUM GIRLS meets HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE. I adored this love story and the immersive fantasy world in which it takes place. One of my favorites for the year.

Published: November 22, 2022 | My Review

Sorceline by Sylvia Douyé, Paola Antista, and Tanya Gold

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What you need to know: Sorceline joins a school on a magical island, learning to identify and help magical animals. A mysterious threat begins turning students to stone, and Sorceline may be the only one who can stop them. I loved the lush, fantastical illustrations in this book.

Published: May 17, 2022 | My Review

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: The author compares the caste system of India to Nazi Germany and slavery and race relations in the United States. It’s definitely the kind of thing you can’t unsee afterward, if that makes sense. Definitely worth reading.

Published: August 4, 2020 | Review to Come

Have you read any of my summer 2023 backlist titles?

Which book sounds like the one you’d enjoy most? Have you read any of the books on my list? Will you be adding any of these titles to your backlist reading list?

Review: Learning to Be Wild by Carl Safina

Book Review and Content, Nonfiction, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , ,

Learning to Be Wild: How Animals Achieve Peace, Create Beauty, and Raise Families (A Young Reader’s Adaptation)
Carl Safina
Roaring Brook Press
Published August 22, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Learning to Be Wild

From New York Times -bestselling author Carl Safina comes LEARNING TO BE WILD, a young reader’s adaptation of the notable book BECOMING WILD that explores community, culture, and belonging through the lives of chimpanzees, macaws, and sperm whales.

What do chimpanzees, macaws, and whales all have in common?

Some believe that culture is strictly a human phenomenon. But that’s not true! Culture is passed down from parent to child in all sorts of animal communities. It is the common ground that three very different animals – chimpanzees, macaws, and whales – share.

Discover through the lives of chimpanzees in Uganda, scarlet macaws in Peru, and sperm whales in the Caribbean how they – and we – are all connected in this wonderous journey around the globe.

My Review

I love the idea of adapting a book like this to make it accessible to younger readers. The topic is really intriguing, and I think a lot of readers would find the book engaging.

I thought the writing was a bit dense for a younger audience. There were sections I needed to read more than once to be sure I understood them, so it’s definitely not an easy read. I don’t know how it compares to the adult version. The table of contents shows the same sections, just in a different order, but I’m not sure how much the writing itself was simplified from one version to the other.

The book focuses primarily on three different animal groups: chimpanzees, scarlet macaws, and sperm whales. In each section, the author gives lots of supporting examples of other animals’ behavior and tons of interesting facts scientists have observed about animal culture. I found those snippets and the examples from the main animal groups to be the most interesting parts of the book.

It’s funny that I never really thought about how animals learn things beyond their instinctive behaviors. It makes so much sense that they learn from one another and have their own communities and cultures. I loved getting to peek into what those cultures look like and how they impact animal life.

The book also highlights how decreasing populations due to the destruction of habitat and climate change impact animals, making it harder for them to survive. I hadn’t thought about some of the ways the author lists. Seeing how decreasing population impacts culture and impacts the animal’s ability to survive also helped show how important their cultures are to them. It’s cool to see and study, but it’s also a deeply important element of their lives.

All in all, I love the topic of this book. I wish the writing were a little simpler because it’s got a lot of really great information to share with young readers and animal lovers.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Representation
The book focuses on animal behavior but includes references to some human researchers. Some are white. One is African and another is Peruvian.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
References to animals choosing mates.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Some brief descriptions of animals displaying territorial aggression. Brief descriptions of how a chimpanzee reacts to getting a limb caught in a trap and how that injures them.

Drug Content
Brief mention of cigarette butts collected by birds who use them in their nests to repel insects.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of LEARNING TO BE WILD in exchange for my honest review.

Review: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

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The Gifts of Imperfection
Brené Brown
Hazelden Publishing
Published August 27, 2010

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About The Gifts of Imperfection

A motivational and inspiring guide to wholehearted living, rather than just the average self-help book, with this groundbreaking work Brené Brown, Ph.D., bolsters the self-esteem and personal development process through her characteristic heartfelt, honest storytelling. With original research and plenty of encouragement, she explores the psychology of releasing our definitions of an “imperfect” life and embracing living authentically. Brown’s “ten guideposts” are benchmarks for authenticity that can help anyone establish a practice for a life of honest beauty—a perfectly imperfect life.

Now more than ever, we all need to cultivate feelings of self-worth, as well as acceptance and love for ourselves. In a world where insults, criticisms, and fears are spread too generously alongside messages of unrealistic beauty, attainment, and expectation, we look for ways to “dig deep” and find truth and gratitude in our lives. A new way forward means we can’t hold on too tightly to our own self-defeating thoughts or the displaced pain in our world. Instead, we can embrace the imperfection.

When our embarrassments and fears lie, we often listen to them anyway. They thwart our gratitude, acceptance, and compassion—our goodness. They insist, “I am not worthy.” But we are worthy—of self-discovery, personal growth, and boundless love. With Brené Brown’s game-changing New York Times bestseller The Gifts of Imperfection—which has sold more than 2 million copies in more than 30 different languages, and Forbes recently named one of the “Five Books That Will Actually Change Your Outlook On Life”—we find courage to overcome paralyzing fear and self-consciousness, strengthening our connection to the world.

My Review

Okay, so I listened to DARING GREATLY multiple times because it was too good to read just once. I wanted to hear it all from the beginning a second time (and a third time) once I kind of had the whole in my head already. And I’m super glad I did that.

I will do that same thing with GIFTS OF IMPERFECTION, but I’m writing the review between my first and second times reading it. (Mostly because I’ve been swamped and am way behind where I want to be with my reading and review calendar. Also because the publication dates on books keep getting pushed back, leaving me with weird, unexpected gaps in my calendar. It’s stressful, y’all!)

At any rate. So. This book. First, I want to say that I had this playing on my Audible account while wrapping Christmas gifts, and my daughter listened to it with me briefly. That led to some really great conversations. I hope we can listen to more of the book together at some point.

So I loved that DARING GREATLY gave this deep dive into what vulnerability is and why it’s so critical to be able to experience it in a healthy way in order to have healthy relationships and connections in your life. GIFTS OF IMPERFECTION is similar, but it focuses a lot more on perfectionism. The book examines our tendencies to overcommit or fill our lives to the seams with events and stuff and busyness.

And HOW not to do that. WHY not to do that.

I need this book in my life. Because I so do that. Everything must have a purpose, be structured, have some sort of benefit or gain. I forget sometimes that there is real value in just wasting time on something you love for no other reason than you love it. For me the biggest black hole of this kind of unstructured time is social. I end up feeling guilty later if it took me a long time to get something done. This is especially true if in addition to working on the tasks, I was chitchatting with someone.

I feel like I’m still learning to rewire myself to consider that time valuable and productive. And to try to listen to my heart or my body or my spirit and respond when I really genuinely need that rest time or unstructured, unproductive time.

At any rate, this book was a pretty key read for me in this season of my life. I’m super glad that I read it. I noticed that Brown has a new book out recently called ATLAS OF THE HEART. So, that one is now on my reading list!

If you’re looking for a book that kind of helps you quantify why being super busy feels like it’s not sustainable or not working, or you just feel like it’s time to rebalance priorities in your life and make more time for what matters, this is a GREAT book to read. I highly recommend it.

Content Notes on The Gifts of Imperfection

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Representation
Relates stories and data based on a broad range of research.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Some brief mentions of sex from the perspective of the way that asking for sex or participating in it means experiencing vulnerability. .

Spiritual Content
Mentions going to church.

Violent Content
Vague mentions of abuse situations.

Drug Content
Mentions of drinking alcohol and smoking as a poor coping strategy for vulnerability. She also discusses the connection between shame and addiction.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog.

10 Great Books on the Environment and Climate Change for Young Readers

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10 Great Books on the Environment and Climate Change for Young Readers

It’s Earth Day on April 22, so to celebrate, I wanted to share some of my favorite books on the environment and climate change for young readers. These books cover topics from the water crisis in Flint, Michigan to the falling populations of giraffes or butterflies. Some explore the damage to the environment (and to us!) caused by pollution. Others tell stories about activists who’ve dedicated their time and energy to problem-solving and speaking out to protect the planet.

Trashing the Planet by Stuart K. Allen

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: What happens if trash isn’t properly handled? How are we going to fix environmental crises caused by trash? This book started my interest in environmental reading, and I still sometimes refer back to it for information. A fabulous read.

Ages: 10 up | Published August 1, 2017 | My Review

Giraffe Extinction by Tanya Anderson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Great balance of interesting facts, history and context for why giraffes are threatened and what happens to their environment if they become extinct. I learned so much from this book.

Ages: 12 up | Published October 1, 2019 | My Review

Making Waves: Saving Our Oceans by Albert Bates

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Focuses on how pollution harms marine life and ecosystems. Beautiful illustrations. Great for middle school readers.

Ages: 10-14 | Published August 5, 2021 | My Review

When the World Runs Dry by Nancy F. Castaldo

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Explores LOTS of causes of water crises from environmental to border issues to contamination. Each chapter features case studies exploring real communities facing these problems. Really well done.

Ages: 10 up | Published January 18, 2022 | My Review

Poisoned Water by Candy J. Cooper with Mark Aronson

Review | Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: An informative, heartbreaking look at what citizens in Michigan endured (and are still enduring) in their fight for clean water. A must-read book.

Ages: 14 up | Published May 19, 2020 | My Review

The Story of More by Hope Jahren

Review | Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Gives a great overview of how we got to where we are with climate change from changes in human population, farming and other industries, etc. Looks at how individual changes can impact communities.

Ages: 14 up | Published November 2, 2021 | My Review

Bugs in Danger by Mark Kurlansky

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Great starting point for understanding how important bees, butterflies and beetles are to our environment. Easy to read. Informative and engaging.

Ages: 10 up | Published November 12, 2019 | My Review

The Environment: Explore, Create and Investigate by Jonathon Litton

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: I really liked the broad reach of the information it offers and pairs with experiments and activities. Perfect for use with a science unit or to inspire summer crafts.

Ages: 6-12 | Published September 22, 2020 | My Review

The Magic and Mystery of Trees by Jen Green and Claire McElfatrick

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Packed with fascinating information and gorgeous diagrams explaining processes from growth to reproduction to communication and protection. I bought the ebook version of this book on sale and ended up ordering a hard copy as well.

Ages: 8 up | Published March 5, 2019 | My Review

Girl Warriors by Rachel Sarah

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: 25 profiles of young climate activists under 25 years old, how they got started making changes and how their work impacts communities across the globe. I found these stories incredibly inspiring and hopeful.

Ages: 8 up | Published April 6, 2021 | My Review

What are your favorite books on the environment or climate change?

What are some of your favorite books on the environment and climate change for young readers? Let me know if you’ve read any of these books or have other favorites I should check out! I’d love to expand my library and add more books for review. Happy Earth Day!