I really enjoyed this collection of long form articles the author has published prior to the publication of this book. Keefe has a captivating writing style and cutting with that shines in these shorter pieces. The information magpie that I am loved getting these tastes of a variety of topics with each piece deep enough to satiate but not so deep as to bore. This style of book is not for everyone but it worked brilliantly for me.
I knew, based on my experience with Graudin’s more recent middle grade novel, that I had a high chance of enjoying this one. My expectations proved correct. This speculative novel builds on the idea of the alternative outcome of World War II, the Axis powers won. The main character escaped the death camps, in which a sadistic doctor a la Mengele chose her for an experiment, one to forcibly “Aryan-ize” all those who don’t fit
those arbitrary guidelines. He did not, however, expect the outcome that allowed the main character to escape, the ability to shift her physical features entirely to match anyone she has ever seen. The narrative alternates between timelines, one while the experimentation occurs and the other while she participates in the Axis Tour, a contest between German and Japanese riders across Axis controlled territory from Berlin to Tokyo so that she can meet and kill Hitler in spectacular, public fashion and thus spark a rebellion. The alternative world Graudin feels depressingly real and possible, especially in light of recent national events. (Side note: I really hate the fact that books describing things like fascism and authoritarian regimes have any relevance in the country in which I live.) Graudin plotted the events well with a pace that kept me thoroughly engaged the entire time, so much so that the need for a sequel fits so well and I want to read it as soon as possible.
Even though I read the first book a little over a year ago, I had no trouble picking up this story right where I left off. Granted, with books as long as these, I probably forgot some things which would have further enhanced my reading experience but the not knowing did not detract from it either. Islington has created a thoroughly complex yet comprehensible world that kept me engaged the entire time. I did not find myself
bored or confused at all and find myself eagerly anticipating my read of the conclusion as well as the sequel to his recent hit, The Will of the Many, set to publish later this year.
I should have DNFd this book. I did not because it’s part of the reads that I need to complete for a professional development project. This book, ostensibly aimed at middle grade readers, lost me multiple times throughout the narrative. I could not figure out how much of the fantastical elements were supposed to be real (Actual fantasy) and how much stemmed from possible mental illness, something that the author mentioned
in his note that prefaced the novel. Unfortunately, I do not recommend this book.
This book did not read like the middle grade novel it purported to be. The main character is the daughter of a selkie who shed her seal skin to marry the fisherman who found her. Although the main character does not have a seal skin of her own, she does have webbing which grows between her fingers that her aunt regularly cuts away – yes, it is as painful as it sounds – so that her mother’s selkie nature will nto be revealed to the small town
in which they live. Various events move the plot along but the narrative lacks an overarching or uniting conflict or problem. Additionally, aspects of the world building appear to contradict each other which makes the magic of the selkie’s conveniently flexible enough to suit the needs of the plot. I do not recommend this one.
I always appreciate memoirs and the authors who chose to share aspects of their live with the readers. While this particular memoir is on the shorter side, Jones uses the pages to show the readers the behind the scenes of those who make history by being the first, the reality of how that does or does not change their story. So many imagine fairy tale journeys and endings for these people yet the reality is that life ends up being utterly
mundane. This memoir does not go exceptionally deep but it does not have to.
Every time I read a nonfiction book geared towards younger readers, I always have the question in the back of my mind about how many kids may actually show interest in the topic and consider that along with the narrative structure. I found the topic fascinating and well played out with plenty of pictures throughout the narrative. That much Boughton did extremely well for the target
age group. The topic, however, I wonder at the interest level. Some kids, like myself at that age, may pick up the book voluntarily. Most would not. However, all of the other components of the book make this a fantastic tool for teachers to use while teaching information text reading.
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