Book Reviews
Donnelly, Jennifer. Beastly Beauty. New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. 321pp. Grades 7-12.
A tale as old as time with a twist. A thief and his gang race through a dark and foreboding forest to escape capture by an angry mob. They come upon what they think is an abandoned castle. A perfect hideout - or is it? With a feast of delightful food set in the banquet hall and rooms full of riches, the thieves can’t believe their luck. However, as a clock chimes midnight, their luck changes when a horrifying beast appears. All are lucky to escape with their lives, except for one, Beau, who is left behind and trapped. Beastly Beauty is a fascinating take on Beauty and the Beast. The beast is Arabella, a Duke’s daughter, and the beauty is Beau, the handsome thief. As time ticks down, will Belle find the strength to break the curse and save all who are trapped? Donnelly unfolds one mystery at a time in this exciting and colorful tale, leaving the reader rooting for the inhabitants of the castle and puzzling out the mystery of the oppressive and manipulative creatures that are Belle’s ladies in waiting.
Cole, Bill. Carol Gilligan and the Search for Voice. Illustrated by Sarah Green. Washington, DC. Magination Press, 2024. 134pps. Grades 7-12.
Voice is more than the sounds humans make. To developmental psychologist Carol Gilligan, voice is the self. The part of who we are and what we decide to say or not say. Carol Gilligan and the Search for Voice is a biography of the American developmental psychologist Carol Gilligan, known for her research and teachings on moral responsibility, ethics, and the questions of voice, particularly the female voice. Gilligan studied how society impacts the female and male voice differently. The biography, with its engaging narrative style, does an excellent job of highlighting each aspect of Gilligan’s life and work as a distinct type of voice, from a growing voice to an echoing one. This book is an exceptional teaching tool. Questions are posed, events and timelines are presented, and thoughtful exercises are offered at the end of each chapter. The glossary, bibliography, and further reading suggestions are additional learning resources. The biography also benefits from photographs and Sarah Green's excellent illustrations, which effectively convey essential points and represent specific emotions.
Teer, Samuel. Brownstone. Illustrated by Julia Mar. New York. Versify, 2024. 315 pps. Grades 7-12.
Brownstone is a touching, well-crafted coming-of-age story. This graphic novel tells the story of Almudena, who spends the summer living in and working on a broken-down brownstone house with her Guatemalan father, whom she has just met. Almudena faces challenges navigating her father's Spanish and fitting into the neighborhood’s close-knit Latin American community. If you are looking for a beautifully illustrated graphic novel full of love, compassion, identity, and culture, Brownstone is the book for you.