Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Book Review - Raybearer

  ðŸ“–Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Raybearer

by Jordan Ifueko

Half-human and half-ehru, Tarisai has always longed for a family. Her mother, known as The Lady, is often absent from her life and shelters Tarisai in an estate with only tutors and servants. One day, The Lady shows up and tells Tarisai she will be going to the capital to try her shot at becoming one of the eleven on the prince's council. Except she doesn't exactly tell her like that; instead, she tells her when the boy in the portrait selects her to be by his side, she must kill him. Due to a wish made before Tarisai's birth, she is compelled to do what her mother ordered. Upon arriving at the palace and learning the truth, Tarasi finds herself in a world of complication.

This is an intriguing and incredible high fantasy story in the first of a planned series or duology. While there isn't a ton of action, the story isn't dull, and the world created is one readers will enjoy. There are numerous characters in the book, and the minor ones will be hard to keep track of, but the important ones shouldn't be too complicated to remember. The book's back contains a guide to help readers with the pronunciation of all the character names. Though there will be at least one other book following this one, the ending is relatively conclusive enough to leave readers satisfied if they don't wish to continue.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Book Review - From the Desk of Zoe Washington

   ðŸ“–Recommend for Grades 6 and up📖

On her twelfth birthday, Zoe Washington receives a letter from her estranged father, Marcus. Without her mother's permission, Zoe responds to Marcus, but what do you say to a man who has been in prison your whole life for murder? As the two correspond, Marcus shares with Zoe that he is innocent. With her friend and neighbor Trevor's help, she sets out to prove her father's innocence. Trying to help Marcus means putting a lot of the line. This includes jeopardizing the possibility of her mom and step-dad, allowing her to audition for a baking show.
This book is a fantastic read with an equally excellent main character. Zoe is Black and does face some microaggressions. Readers get an age-appropriate look at wondering if Marcus would have been treated differently if white. This book is a beautiful story encompassing racism, family, friendship, and a love of baking. A fun element of this book is that in each letter, Zoe's father includes a song for her to listen to, so readers will have a playlist of songs themselves by the end of the book. As previously mentioned, Zoe is a huge fan of baking, and the book involves a lot of cupcake talk, so be prepared to be craving them.