ARC Review: Good Dog

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

Title: Good Dog
Author: Dan Gemeinhart 
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Pages: Print 309
Release Date: March 27, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I was provided a copy of this book from @KidLitExchange #partner in exchange for my honest review. Thanks again to @KidLitExchange  #partner for access to review a free copy of this book! The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or KidLitExchange. The  copy used in this review is an uncorrected copy.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Brodie didn’t remember the exact moment that he died. But he did remember the exact moment that he woke up afterward. When he woke up he was already running.

In his awe-inspiring new novel, acclaimed author Dan Gemeinhart brings his signature blend of action, heart, and beautiful, deliberate prose to the story of a good dog who can’t move on to the afterlife until the boy he loves is safe.

Final Thoughts: 

Good Dog is a compelling novel written about a dog named Brodie who has just died. Brodie is now dead and stick in between the worlds. He can’t move on because he is not at piece. Brodie needs to go back to the world of the living go save his best friend, Aiden. Aiden and Brodie have been together since the beginning. Brodie remembers all of the amazing moments they shared. He also remembers that something dark is near Aiden and Brodie has to go back to protect him. Brodie will sacrifice his soul to save his human. Will Brodie get to Aiden in time? Will Brodie move on to his forever place?

Overall this novel almost had me in tears. The author did such a great job showcasing the bond between human and animal. Brodie will stop at nothing to get back to his human on earth after his death. Even in the afterlife he strives to protect Aiden from the danger that awaits. Think of a time when your pet did whatever it took to protect you from the danger that awaits. My cat pickles is always crying when I’m in the kitchen. He assumes that I am in danger and I love that he is willing to protect me. Any animal big or small will form a bond with its human and this story brings that bond to life. I loved this book so much and I almost cried at the connection I felt. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a heartfelt read about the love animals posses.

Interested in me reviewing your book or have suggested reads? Email me at librarielbookreviews@gmail.com

Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

img_0895Title: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Author: Becky Albertalli
Genre: Young Adult LGBTQ Romance
Print: 303 pages
Rating: ★★★★

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I purchased a copy of this book from my local bookstore. The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or the publisher.

Goodreads Synopsis 

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

Favorite Quotes:

“…I’ve been basically picturing this moment for ten hours, and now that it’s here , I don’t have a clue what I’m supposed to say. Probably something awesome and witty and not school-related.” – Simon

“It’s strange, because in reality, I’m not the leading guy. Maybe I’m the best friend.”- Simon-

“This was supposed to be–this is mine. I’m supposed to decide when and where and who knows and how I want to say it.” -Simon-

Final Thoughts:

Simon Spier is a hundred percent sure that he is gay, but he is also a hundred percent sure that he is not ready to share this information with anyone else. He is so entranced with the fact that someone else at his school is also a “closeted gay” that he forgets to log out of his email at the school library. Simon has had a secret, email, relationship with a student attending the same school as him. However, he has no idea who this student is, and from the looks of the pseudonym Simon is using, he’s not ready to reveal his true identity either. Martin, however, is prepared to use any information he has against Simon to advance his love life. This story follows the life of Simon Speir, a teen male in high school trying to figure out a way to get through his junior year without any hiccups. Martin is a straight teen male who merely wants to get closer to Alice, Simon’s best friend, by any means necessary. Will Martin win the heart of Alice or will his attempt at blackmail fail? Will Simon ever figure out who the other closeted gay in his school is? Will Simon ever feel comfortable to tell anyone about his sexuality before Martin does?

Overall, I thought this book had a lot of potentials. I am a fan of Becky Albetalli and her other works such as “The Upside of Unrequited,” but I thought this book fell a little bit short for me. I wanted more from the author in this tell-all LGBTQ novel. I guessed who the secretly closeted gay was at the beginning of the book. However, I felt inclined to finish the entire story, and I am glad that I did. The book started off a bit slow for me, but I did love the email interactions between Simon and Blue. I enjoyed reading the responses from both parties. I also liked the writing style in this book. The author did a great job portraying the drama and using adequate descriptive terms for all the supporting characters. I was able to channel my inner imagination to create what I assumed Simon’s best friends looked like. There was an adequate amount of drama, romance, tears, and friendship turmoil. I wanted more information about Leah, but overall the author did a great job with this book. I especially loved the developed drama between Martin and Simon and I legitimately almost cried during the epic scene towards the end. I would say that I should not have watched the movie trailer before reading the book. I had preconceived notions of what would happen and how the book began. I recommend this book to any teen looking for a fun, heart-wrenching, LGBTQ romance novel that focuses on the right side of coming out.

Read any good LGBTQ novels lately and want to share it with me, comment below!

Interested in me reviewing your book or have suggested reads? Email me at librarielbookreviews@gmail.com

One Lovely Blog Award

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

one-lovely-blog-award-rules

I was nominated by Jessica from Odd and Bookish  for the One Lovely Blog Award. I am beyond honored to have been nominated for this. Thank  you so much to Jessica. I got to know Jessica a lot more in these past few months and she is such an amazing person. She is so resilient and is the essence of girl power. Here is the link to her One Lovely Blog Award Post. 

HERE ARE SEVEN FACTS ABOUT LIBRARIEL!

  1. I am actually a librarian. My blog name is a combination of my name and librarian. I decided it would be interesting after I received my library science degree. I work full time as a Youth Services Librarian and Assistant Manager. I serve kids 0-18 and ensure there are a wide range of programming available for adults and the youth. I love interacting with the youth in the neighborhood of my library.
  2. I used to be a teacher! Before I became a librarian, I worked as an elementary school teacher. I enjoyed teaching but felt I would be better suited inside a library. I love using my teaching skills to better engage with the youth in the area. Both jobs are rewarding positions!
  3. I am very crafty! I used to create my own clothing from scratch and I own a sewing machine. I have created a lot of materials using my sewing machine and love mixing patterns.
  4. I can’t see! I’ve been wearing glasses since I was three. I love getting new glasses every year.
  5. I love museums and libraries. When I take vacations I make it apparent to visit a museum or library in the area.
  6. My favorite artists are Linkin Park and Eminem.  In my opinion, both are classics.
  7. I completed my first puzzle last year! I have never completed a puzzle until last year. My husband and I spent a total of three hours working on a five hundred piece Bob’s Burgers puzzle.

NOMINATIONS!!!

Interested in me reviewing your book or have suggested reads? Email me at librarielbookreviews@gmail.com

ARC: Class Action by Steven B. Frank

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

img_2983Title: Class Action 
Author: Steven B. Frank
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Pages: Print 243
Release Date: April 3, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I was provided a copy of this book from @KidLitExchange #partner in exchange for my honest review. Thanks again to @KidLitExchange  #partner for access to review a free copy of this book! The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or KidLitExchange. The  copy used in this review is an uncorrected copy from HMH.

Dust Jacket Synopsis:

NO. MORE. HOMEWORK.

That’s what sixth grader Sam Warren tells his teacher while standing on top of his desk. He’s fed up with doing endless tasks from the time he gets home to the time he goes to sleep. Suspended for his protest, Sam decides to fight back. He recruits his elderly neighbor/retired attorney Mr. Kalman to help him file a class action lawsuit on behalf of all students in Los Angeles. Their argument? Homework is unconstitutional.

With a ragtag team—aspiring masterchef Alistair, numbers gal Catalina, sports whiz Jaesang, rebel big sister Sadie and her tech-savvy boyfriend Sean—Sam takes his case to federal court. He learns about the justice system, kids’ rights, and constitutional law. And he learns that no matter how many times you get knocked down, there’s always an appeal…until the nine justices have the last say.

Will Sam’s quest end in an epic fail, or will he be the hero who saves childhood for all time?

Favorite Quotes:

“Earlier this year we had to projects on endangered species. I did mine on the red panda because I love trees and so do they. But if I had to do it again, I’d choose a different endangered species. I’d choose childhood.” -Sam-

“You can’t tear down a wall if you don’t take a swing.” -Sam-

Final Thoughts:

This middle-grade fiction follows the life of Sam Warren. Sam has come home every day from school with mountains of homework. He has no time to build the treehouse with his dad, spend time with his mom, watch tv, or even hang out with his friends. His sister, Sadie, stays up late many nights working on special projects. One day in class, his teacher decides to give everyone a packet to complete over Columbus Day weekend. This weekend is one of his only a few long weekends he was looking forward. At this moment, Sam realizes that he cannot take it anymore, “it” being the endless amount of homework. Sam tries to rally other members of his class to stand with him against homework, but he learns that it is going to take a lot of hard work, a team of friends, an expert, and a sister on the debate team to keep homework away from home. Can Sam get homework removed from the home? Can Sam speak up for those students who are afraid to speak up? Will Sam stop student’s childhoods from going extinct?

Overall, Class Action is a fantastic story of bravery, commitment, determination, and the power of believing in yourself. A group of kids works together to achieve something that no one has ever tried to reach before. With the support of Sam’s parents and Sadie doing research, they might stand a chance to win their case. Mr. Kalman was tough to get on their team, but in the end, he was one of their biggest supporters. This novel encourages youth to stand up for what they believe in and not to be afraid to challenge their rights to freedom. The author did an excellent job with this storyline. I felt transported into the fight for no homework with the students in this book. I also liked the factual information provided about education court cases presented in this book. It served as a fiction read while also providing some educational facts. I personally would have liked for more interaction between Sam and the principal of the school. I think that would have added more to the story. I recommend this book to anyone interested in a fictional read that follows the life of one student who started a movement.

Interested in me reviewing your book or have suggested reads? Email me at librarielbookreviews@gmail.com

The Beauty That Remains by Ashley Woodfolk

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

img_2966Title: The Beauty that Remains
Author: Ashley Woodfolk 
Genre: Young Adult LGBTQ Contemporary
Pages: Print 324
Release Date: March 6, 2018
Rating: ★★★★.5

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I was provided a copy of this book from @KidLitExchange #partner in exchange for my honest review. Thanks again to @KidLitExchange  #partner for access to review a free copy of this book! The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or KidLitExchange. The  copy used in this review is an uncorrected copy from Random House.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Music brought Autumn, Shay, and Logan together. Death wants to tear them apart.

Autumn always knew exactly who she was—a talented artist and a loyal friend. Shay was defined by two things: her bond with her twin sister, Sasha, and her love of music. And Logan always turned to writing love songs when his love life was a little less than perfect.

But when tragedy strikes each of them, somehow music is no longer enough. Now Logan can’t stop watching vlogs of his dead ex-boyfriend. Shay is a music blogger struggling to keep it together. And Autumn sends messages that she knows can never be answered.

Despite the odds, one band’s music will reunite them and prove that after grief, beauty thrives in the people left behind.

Favorite Quotes:

“Sometimes when I look in the mirror for too long, I start to look like someone else.” -Logan-

“Sometimes loving someone is scarier than leaving them.”

“Ever since, I’ve felt a little out of control. But there’s something about music that tethers me to the rest of the world.”- Shay-

“I just tell the rose how much I’m going to miss you. How much I already do. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. There’s never an I miss you not. And there aren’t enough petals on the flower. There aren’t enough petals in the world.” -Autumn

Final Thoughts:

This young adult contemporary novel captures the view of loss from the perspective of three different teens. Each must learn to deal with the grief associated with losing someone close to them. They must learn to overcome the guilt, learn to move on with their lives, and face each day head-on. Autumn, Logan, and Shay are three teens who are connected by the music they enjoy and by the grief they have experience. The book starts off with the perspective of each teen following each crippling loss that has consumed their lives.

This entire novel I was captivated by the emotional connection I felt with each character. The author did a great job showcasing the different stages of grief and the challenges faced with trying to move on. Autumn lost her best friend, the only girl that understood her, and now she is clinging to the only person that understands her grief. Logan lost a former lover; he finds solace in alcohol rather than something healthier like music. Shay has lost her twin sister, her partner in crime, her best friend, and now she must move on with a project they started together. Autumn, Logan, and Shay learn to cope with their losses in unique ways. This young adult novel both provides examples of the different stages of grief but also examines the connections of sorrow. Each of these teens is connected to each other by the loss they share and the hope of escaping through music. Logan used to write the most beautiful songs but can’t pick up a pen. Autumn will only listen to specific music but refuses to draw. Shay, can’t seem to get through one music show without wanting to escape. The emotions showcased in this novel feel real, and the connections between each character are meaningful. These teens face some tough decisions they can only overcome with the help and support of family and friends. A loss is unpredictable but having a good support system can help in the healing process. This message is evident throughout this entire novel.

Overall, I thought this was a relatable original novel that had me engulfed in the story-line from the beginning. The author writes each chapter from the perspective of these three teens. I was on the verge of tears after reading about Shay’s sister, Logan’s lost lover, and Autumns best friend. I would have loved to learn more about the death of Autumn’s best friend and the same for the other members lost. I would have liked to see more development of the supporting characters such as Shay’s friends as well as Logan’s friends. I recommend this novel to anyone interested in a compelling young adult novel about loss and connection.

Interested in me reviewing your book or have suggested reads? Email me at librarielbookreviews@gmail.com

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

img_2886Title:The Poet X 
Author: Elizabeth Acevedo 
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Pages: Print 357
Release Date: March 6, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I was provided a copy of this book from @KidLitExchange #partner in exchange for my honest review. Thanks again to @KidLitExchange  #partner for access to review a free copy of this book! The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or KidLitExchange. The  copy used in this review is an uncorrected copy from Epic Reads.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking.

But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers—especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. With Mami’s determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself.

So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out, much less speak her words out loud. But still, she can’t stop thinking about performing her poems.

Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.

Favorite Quotes:

“Their gazes are words are heavy with all the things they want you to be.”

“It is ungrateful to feel like a burden. It is ungrateful to resent my own birth.”

“….she should be remembered as always working to become the warrior she wanted to be.”

“If I were nothing but dust would anyone chase the wind trying to piece me back together?”

Final Thoughts: 

The Poet X is a compelling young adult novel written about the challenges faced by a young Xiomara. In a world that never hears her, she must find her voice and speak up. Xiomara and her twin brother are seen as their parent’s gift from God. Her parent’s struggled to have children, and the twins were their miracle. The two have to live up to the high expectations of their mother and the lack of awareness from their father.

Growing up in a Catholic household, Xiomara is taught not only the ways of her Catholic mother. She is continuously scolded when she breaks any rules. She learns to explore her feelings for the opposite sex while trying not to get caught. She experiences her first love, shares her first kiss, and hides a secret about her brother. Mami continues to put immense pressure on Xiomara, expecting her uphold to a high set of standards or be punished. X continues to be exploited solely for her looks instead of for her intelligence or words. Her only place of solace in the poetry club at her school. Her English teacher encourages her to apply for the poetry slam in the upcoming months. Xiomara expresses her feelings through her poetry until one day she goes mute after a terrible thing between her and her mother. Can she ever forgive her mother? Will her mother ever accept her? How long can she keep Twin’s secret?

Overall, I thought this was a great novel, and I enjoyed the relationship between Xiomara and her English teacher. I like the concept that teachers have a significant influence on students. It is always great to read about teachers encouraging their students. I think the author did a great job with the writing of this book and I enjoyed the poetry format. I felt more connected with each character as the emotions were eloquently displayed. I recommend this book to young adults between the ages of thirteen and up. I had a teen ask about poetry books recently, and I suggested this book.

Interested in me reviewing your book or have suggested reads? Email me at librarielbookreviews@gmail.com

Hayley Soon by Andrew Henley

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

img_2803Title: Hayley Soon
Author: Andrew Henley
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary LGBTQ
Pages: Print 192
Rating: ★★★

Disclaimer: The contents of this review is solely my opinion and mine alone. A copy of this book was sent to me directly from the author in exchange for my honest review. The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or the publisher.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Hayley Soon is the tale of a Korean-American transgirl with a fractured mental health, obsession with pop culture, cosplay and a rapidly declining interest in her studies.

Featuring movies, music and a diverse cast all entangled in themes so dark you’ll need a flashlight, Hayley Soon puts the trans in transgressive fiction.

Final Thoughts:

A copy of this book was sent to me by the author in exchange for my honest review. In the past, I have read novels that showcase the challenges faced by members of the LGBTQ community. These books shed light on the struggles that non-cisgender individuals face on an everyday basis. The author of this book tries to shed light on some of those challenges.

Hayley Soon is a short novel that focuses on the life of a Korean American transgender. Hayley struggles with finding a place where she belongs. She struggles with the challenges of embracing her body even if it isn’t what she wants it to be. She struggles with bullying from a former high school classmate and even going to the bathroom in public. Hayley has a hard time trying to accept herself for who she is and embracing her inner beauty. Many people have given her compliments on her appearance just as much as people have chosen to bash her appearance in person and online. Will she ever figure out where she belongs? Will her mother finally accept her? Or will everyone continue to refer to her as her birth name?

Overall, I liked the idea of this novel and the focus content but did not entirely like the delivery. I wanted more of the story with Hayley, and the ending left me questioning a lot of things. What happened to her after the incident? Why wasn’t her best friend more supportive? Why did Hayley keep the secret from her best friend? The story felt more like it was occurring in a high school versus on a college campus. The bullying felt a bit high school and did not feel realistic. I have seen contemporary novels that felt a bit more realistic, but this just felt like the information was not pulled from realistic experiences but from what someone thought it would be like. I felt as though there could have been more development of the storyline, a more developed ending, a bit more drama, more problem solving, and more realism. Of course, I understand that this is fiction novel, which it feels fictional, I just expected more.

The main character Hayley does struggle a lot in this book, and she is portrayed as a character who has a mental illness that has not been diagnosed. She struggles with anxiety, depression, identification issues, and self-esteem issues. If you are interested in reading a book about a transgender person who faces many daily struggles and finds unique ways to cope, then this is your novel. If you have experienced extreme depression and anxiety, this novel has a few triggers in here so I would read this at a cautious pace. If you are a person who just wants to read a unique story that challenges many theories, then you should pick this book.

Interested in me reviewing your book or have suggested reads? Email me at librarielbookreviews@gmail.com

Alex and Eliza by Melissa De La Cruz

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures
eliza and alex
The following image is taken from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32860355-alex-and-eliza

Title: Alex & Eliza: A Love Story
Author: Melissa De La Cruz
Next Book in the Series: Love & War: An Alex and Eliza Story (Releases in April)
Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction
Print: 368 pages
Rating: ★★★★★

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I checked out a copy of this book from my local library. The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or the publisher.

Goodreads Synopsis:

1777. Albany, New York.

As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families, and even prouder still of their three daughters—Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival that of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball.

Still, she can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.

Final Thoughts:

The story of Eliza and Alex marks my first time reading a book written by this author, and I adored the writing style used. This book is my second historical fiction read of this year, and the author did a great job portraying the story of Eliz and Alex. I listened to this book on audio but will read the print version of the next in the series. I wanted to read this one since I am a part of a blog tour for the next book in the series.

I enjoyed the historical references throughout this novel. I loved that the author did her research before writing this book. I have a BA in History, and it is hard to find historical fictions that have somewhat relevant information in them. The time frame of the war, the challenges women on the home front faced, and the problems of men enlisting in the war were portrayed excellently in this book. The love story between Eliza and Alex was one that was remarkable. The interaction between each character enhanced the overall storyline. There were a lot of moments in this book that had me laughing. I especially loved the first part of the novel when the Schuyler’s threw a party to marry of the three sisters. The eldest of the Schuyler sisters is a spunky, determined, level-headed, older sister who feels she must marry well. Each daughter must find a suitable mate that will not only enhance the already established family name but also financially support the daughter. Alex does not fit any of these requirements. He struggles to earn the trust of one Schuyler sister in particular while trying to help in the war efforts instead of just being General Washington’s clerk. Alex struggles to find his place in the world, struggles to fight for the one he loves, and struggles to know his worth. Is love worth more than power? Does love truly conquer all?

Overall, I thought the author did an excellent job with this novel. She focused on the struggles intellectual women faced during the time of American Independence. Women were meant to be seen but not heard. Eliza is an intelligent woman who wants to contribute to the war effort like her aunt. She wants to feel as though she is making a difference. She isn’t worried about clothing or class, but she struggles to follow her heart in a time where her parents make the final decision. Eliza and Alex both grow together in this novel, and the character development of each is impeccable. This story is filled with love, loss, bravery, honor, and strength. I recommend this book to anyone interested in a young adult historical fiction.

What is your favorite historical fiction?

Interested in me reviewing your book or have suggested reads? Email me at librarielbookreviews@gmail.com

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

img_2789Title: A Wrinkle in Time
Author: Madeline L’Engle
Series: Quintet
Next Book in the Series: A Wind in the Door
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Pages: Print 251
Rating: ★★★★

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I purchased a copy of this book from my local library in anticipation of the movie. The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or the publisher.

Goodreads Synopsis:

It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger.

“Wild nights are my glory,” the unearthly stranger told them. “I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me be on my way. Speaking of way, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract”.

Meg’s father had been experimenting with this fifth dimension of time travel when he mysteriously disappeared. Now the time has come for Meg, her friend Calvin, and Charles Wallace to rescue him. But can they outwit the forces of evil they will encounter on their heart-stopping journey through space?

Final Thoughts:

I have never heard of this book until the recent release of the movie. I read it in one morning as it was a short read. I, with the help of the programming department, planned an event at my library to provide STEM activities and free tickets to the movie. I wanted to read the book in case someone asked me questions about it during the program, no one asked me questions, but I stilled shared information about the book with the kids.

The book has a Christian influence throughout the reading. I felt that two ideals were clashing in this novel, i.e., science and religion. I could tell there was a religious influence throughout the pages due to the “non-earthly beings” referred to as guardian angels toward the end of the book. The book initially published in 1962 and the dated terminology was noticeable throughout this entire novel. The influence of science and technology was prevalent as well. The description of the time travel was fascinating and the diagrams displayed in the book were helpful in understanding the proposed time travel theory. I enjoyed the influence of science, technology, time, and family in this book. I adored the main characters, Margaret and Charlie. I loved the description of Margaret and how she continued to underestimate herself. In contrast, Charlie purposely projected himself as being illiterate to others so that they may underestimate his abilities. Each child has something special inside of them, and they just need to stick to their guns and never give up on themselves.

The mention of Margaret struggling in school not because of the curriculum but because of the lack of a challenge was significant. This is something that is still relevant in schools today. Students aren’t necessarily illiterate; they just need to solve problems the best way that works for them. The book continues to showcase the importance of family and believing in yourself as we watch the two siblings, Calvin, and their guardian angels work together to defeat “IT.” The all must learn their strengths to travel through time and space to save Margaret and Charlie’s dad.

Overall this is an exciting book. I like the lessons that were being taught in this novel and enjoyed the interaction between characters. I have never read this book and only heard of it recently. The concept that you can create a wrinkle in time to travel through dimensions indeed makes this fantasy novel stand out. The author did a great job capturing my attention, but there were also parts where I felt confused. The ending felt a bit rushed, and I wanted more. I haven’t decided if I’m going to look into obtaining the next novels in this series, but if you are interested in a fantasy book that will leave you feeling intrigued, this is your book.

Have you read ever read this book? What did you think of it?

Interested in me reviewing your book or have suggested reads? Email me at librarielbookreviews@gmail.com