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camp_redwood's reviews
85 reviews
What Was Stonewall? by Nico Medina, Who HQ
informative
inspiring
reflective
4.0
Really helpful classroom resource (4th grade) on LGBTQ+ history in general-
***as long as you clarify that it was published in 2019 and much has changed in recent years.***
I would love to see a deliberate follow up from WhoHQ in an updated edition or separate book
***as long as you clarify that it was published in 2019 and much has changed in recent years.***
I would love to see a deliberate follow up from WhoHQ in an updated edition or separate book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Violence, Religious bigotry, and Outing
Minor: Chronic illness, Sexism, and Transphobia
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Amil and the After by Veera Hiranandani
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a short (two sitting, for me) read that I absolutely plan on folding into my 4th grade historical fiction unit. (Number the Stars is great and all, but… it’s time to shake it up.)
This middle grade read covers hard realities of Partition, in a way that is thought provoking and encourages discussion, but isn’t immediately traumatic exposure.
Beyond the historical perspective, it’s a sweet narrative about choosing to keep living despite grief, to keep choosing joy, that terrible things can happen and you still deserve to make art, to just want to ride a bicycle.
This middle grade read covers hard realities of Partition, in a way that is thought provoking and encourages discussion, but isn’t immediately traumatic exposure.
Beyond the historical perspective, it’s a sweet narrative about choosing to keep living despite grief, to keep choosing joy, that terrible things can happen and you still deserve to make art, to just want to ride a bicycle.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Classism
Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
I’ve never wanted so badly to be finished with such a beautifully written book. Gut wrenching. I dreaded picking it back up and following Annis’s story. But if some atrocities had to be lived, if this author out this much into this book- it deserves to be read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Torture, Grief, and Pregnancy
Where You End by Abbott Kahler
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Melancholy memoir of vampire girl as she navigates life as a post grad tortured artist trying to prove herself, explore culture, and deeply enjoy life- you know, the things that are already tough and churn up existential dread even if you are a fully mortal human.
Witches Don't Do Backflips by Debbie Dadey, Marcia Thornton Jones
fast-paced
4.0
We listened to this one while we did crafts on a teacher work day.
“I like it that they think there’s a witch. Her house was magical. We should give it ten stars. 🦄🍭🧚🏽🧜♀️👑💍👛” -Thea, age 5
“I like it that they think there’s a witch. Her house was magical. We should give it ten stars. 🦄🍭🧚🏽🧜♀️👑💍👛” -Thea, age 5
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
This book probably deserves higher than I’m giving it- but I glazed over until 3/4ths of the way after all of the trigger warnings I ignored. Obviously we know that foundation of Medusas story but I wasn’t braced enough for it at the time. It cued my Shrodeingers Rapist senses on so much the first half I couldn’t really focus for a lot longer than o proud of.
The rest of my feedback is beating a dead horse with everyone else. It’s a misnomer to consider this work focused on Medusa, but not in a bad way. There is a very wide cast of POV, and the story wanders around a lot of the adjacent lore, and the ruthless way she portrays Perseus and Athene ego wise is super satisfying.
The rest of my feedback is beating a dead horse with everyone else. It’s a misnomer to consider this work focused on Medusa, but not in a bad way. There is a very wide cast of POV, and the story wanders around a lot of the adjacent lore, and the ruthless way she portrays Perseus and Athene ego wise is super satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
It’s hard to put this one in a box- there’s a little of everything for everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Grief, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Moderate: Suicide and Gaslighting
Minor: Religious bigotry
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The way I leaky cried at the ending… oh my heart.
I needed a squishy one like this to keep on my bedside table after hard days.
Some escapism is an dangerous adventure, a fever dream, an alternate reality- this one is here if you just need a hug and someone to tuck you in. I will absolutely end up rereading this one again.
I needed a squishy one like this to keep on my bedside table after hard days.
Some escapism is an dangerous adventure, a fever dream, an alternate reality- this one is here if you just need a hug and someone to tuck you in. I will absolutely end up rereading this one again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury