Inkling (Alfred A. Knopf, 2018) by Kenneth Oppel is a book I’m not quite sure how to describe. We’ve got a nonhuman, but likable main character, who is an inkblot. Seriously! He’s discovered by a boy named Ethan, who names him Inkling. Ethan’s sister Sarah who has Down’s Syndrome meets Inkling too although she calls him Lucy. We’ve got lots of drawing, both good and bad. We’ve got problems, kid-sized and adult. It’s funny. It’s sad. It’s touching.There’s a bad guy. But with some help Ethan and Inkling win in the end. And so do some other people.
This is a fun and satisfying story. Looking at it several weeks after I finished it, I find it hard not to pick the book up and read it again.
Kenneth Oppel is an award winning author. You can read about him here. See his awards here and check out his books here.
The illustrations (inside and out) are done by Sydney Smith. You can see a bunch of the illustrator’s covers here.
Tag: MMGM
Just Under the Clouds
I loved Just Under the Clouds (Alfred A. Knopf, 2018) by Melissa Sarno. It’s such a good book. And has a gorgeous cover.
Twelve-year-old Cora and her family, consisting of her mother and her sister Adare, have been moving from place to place for six years since Daddy died. Now they’re homeless. Cora gets comfort from knowing and climbing trees in Brooklyn, just like her father taught her. But with watching her “different” sister while Mom works, and struggling with algebra in school, Cora worries they’ll never belong anywhere.
Just Under the Clouds is the author’s debut novel. Read about the birth of the story here. Her next book, A Swirl of Ocean, comes out in late summer and I’m really looking forward to it. Read more about Melissa here.
Squirm
Squirm (Alfred A. Knopf, 2018) by Carl Hiaasen is an intriguing book involving snakes, eagles, grizzlies, panthers, and drones (the man-made kind). I love the cover!
Thirteen-year-old Billy Dicken’s is one tough kid. He makes the kids at school leave his locker alone by putting a live rattlesnake inside, stands up to bullies, and is determined to meet the father who left when Billy was four. Billy doesn’t know where his dad lives or what he does for a living, but he’s determined to find out. His mom and sister won’t help, so Billy will do whatever it takes to find his father. His journey takes him from Florida to Montana and back again.
Author Carl Hiaasen has five other books out for young readers. Read about them here. His book Hoot was a Newbery honor book and was made into a movie. You can listen to an interview with Carl on Mike Lupica’s podcast.
Amal Unbound
Amal Unbound (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018) by Aisha Saeed is SO Good! I’d been hearing a lot about this New York Times bestseller and am really glad I’ve now read it.
Twelve-year-old Amal loves school, but now she has to stay home and watch her little sisters while her mother recovers from the birth of another baby. Amal wants to be a teacher herself someday, so missing this much school is worrying. Her dreams are shattered one day when she is rude to the wrong man–a member of the ruling family in their Pakistani village. For her effrontery, she is taken away from home to be Jawad Sahib’s servant. How can she survive the intrigue among the Khan’s servants? Will she ever be allowed to return home?
This book would make a fantastic movie. As my previous recommendation, I wish kids all over America could read it.
Previously, I’ve recommended Aisha’s YA novel, Written in the Stars. You can read about it here.
I love this list of Fourteen Things about the author.
Front Desk
Front Desk (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2018) by Kelly Yang is a book I wish everyone could read. (Especially those who take what they have for granted…)
Mia Tang’s parents told her that America was this amazing place. But so far, no house, no dog, and very little money.
Ten-year-old Mia doesn’t want the kids at school to know where she lives–a motel, but better than when they lived in their car. She does like working the front desk. And making new friends. Although she wishes she could speak native English. And write it, too.
But Mr. Yao, the motel owner, is making it harder and harder on her parents. Will they all have to move and find jobs yet again?
Front Desk was named a “Best Book” many times over. See them all here.
Read the real story behind this wonderful story.
Besides being a children’s author, Kelly is a journalist and educator. Read more here.