tatyana_'s reviews
173 reviews

This was my first official introduction to this author's work and I LOVED it. The Tiger Came to the Mountains is told by a young girl who is living during the Mexican Revolution. When her mother sends her and her brother to retrieve food from one of their hidden spots in the mountains, they quickly realize that a tiger is following them. They need to find a way to survive and come back home, but the tiger isn’t their only obstacle. I absolutely loved the way Moreno-Garcia created an entire world in just a few short pages, it felt like I was reading an entire novel instead of a short story. I can’t wait to read her other books. This short story is based on the experiences of Moreno-Garcia's great-grandmother.

This retelling of Hansel and Gretel was really weird. The synopsis did not prepare me for how dark or disturbing this would be. Also, I really am not sure how I feel about the way the teens speak here. They sound more like what adults expect young people to speak than how they actually do. 

This book follows a group of researchers and grad students excavating Bronze Age artifacts in the Mediterranean that detail the travels of Sfas. With their discovery comes many challenges from individuals and institutions who want to take credit and manipulate the team. Additionally, the team must navigate how this discovery will impact them professionally and personally, with culture and religion also playing a role in their dynamics. 

You can truly tell how much research the author put into this book. There were many interesting details about the ancient culture and history and the procedures and skills the discovery team used. Translations and drawings are even included in the book, so it’s like you are gathering the story of Sfas with the crew. It was very cool to see how different historical and cultural influences came together to form the epic detailed on the artifacts. And as someone who enjoys ancient history, it was fun to see familiar historical and cultural figures in the translations. 

While I did enjoy the archaeology background provided at times, at other times it felt like an info dump. There were times when I felt lost while trying to follow the many characters and their relationships. At other times it felt like I was being told things more than being shown, or that dialogue was telling the plot. Instead, I wish we got to see more of their interactions with each other and got into their heads more. This probably would have helped make the dangerous moments and the plot twist more explosive. 

Overall, this was a pretty interesting, slow-to-medium-paced read, and it made me want to brush up on ancient history!

Thank you to NetGalley, Lerner Publishing Group, and the authors for an advanced copy of this book. 

I’ve been intrigued with Braiding Sweetgrassfor some time, so when I heard about the YA adaptation I jumped on the opportunity to read it. Robin Wall Kimmerer uses personal experiences, anecdotes, and gathered knowledge to weave together lessons about ecology. The book covers an array of topics including understanding sustainability and reciprocity, gratitude, our relationship with nature, and reclamation. 

 

Throughout the book, I enjoyed the push to reconnect with history and reclaim culture. I also deeply appreciate and respect the frequent reminders that readers should find ways to learn from this information without appropriating Indigenous culture and practices. 

 

I honestly think the YA adaptation of Braiding Sweetgrass is a perfect gift to younger readers. The entire time I was reading, I kept thinking about how I would have benefitted from having this book at a young age. The information is presented in an accessible language without degrading the message or making the reader feel like they are being spoken down to. The illustrations and photographs add to the book's character. I found the sidebar definitions fit in well, and the guided questions kept me engaged with the overall message. 

 

This should be a staple that is reread periodically to fully digest the message. I’ll be recommending this to everyone I can. 

“I am the glowing embers you continue to poke and prod with meanness.”

For me poetry is usually a hit or a miss. However, this collection is one that I found particularly moving. i am the rage is a collection of poems by Dr. Martina McGowan a retired MD reflecting on current events in America during the pandemic. This short collection is emotional, unique, and powerful.