We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book introduces a modern Cherokee family and some of their traditions throughout the year, centered around being grateful for each season. Cherokee words are integrated into the text, then at the bottom of the page, that page’s word is spelled out in English, written out phonetically, written in Cherokee script, and defined. There is a glossary at the end of the book to explain concepts like shell shakers, Trail of Tears, gigging, stickball, etc. It’s just a fabulous book about gratitude and Cherokee culture.

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Mary Had a Little Snowplow

Mary Had a Little Snowplow by Rachel Matson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

What I LOVE about this book is that the main character, Mary, is a clever girl who knows how to use tools to build things—in this case a tiny snowplow that follows her like the lamb in the original nursery rhyme. I also love that she is depicted as possibly being Asian, with classmates who have a variety of skin and hair colors. And when the text follows the rhythm of the nursery rhyme, the story rolls delightfully off the tongue. 

However, there are some pages when the rhythm falters, requiring practice and thought to figure out which syllables to emphasize, and one page where I simply cannot figure out where the rhythm went. (“The shovel bravely went SWISH/As the snow turned to muck.” What??  It doesn't fit with the "Mary had a little lamb" pattern.)

Bottom line is there is lots to love but rehearse before reading aloud!

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Rabbit's Snow Dance

Rabbit's Snow Dance by James Bruchac
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A traditional Iroquois story retold by James & Joseph Bruchac about a time when Rabbit had a long tail and short patience. A cautionary tale for anyone wanting lots of snow Right Now, no matter the season or the needs of your fellow creatures.

The repetition and chanting would make this an excellent read-aloud for preschool through elementary audiences.

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The Snowy Day

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How is it that I am today years old before I read this classic?? Or if I read it before, it was so many decades ago, I’ve entirely forgotten this sweet story of a little boy who goes out to play in the snow. Lovely! I’m so glad it was included in a pack of snow-themed books I bought for my kids through the Scholastic book program at school.

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The Last Curtain Call

The Last Curtain Call by Juliet Blackwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When the mysterious Xerxes group hires Turner Construction to take over the renovation of the decaying historical Crockett Theatre in San Francisco, Mel expects there to be ghosts. Lots of ghosts. She just doesn't expect one of them to be so...new. As Mel tries to figure out what happened at the theatre, she simultaneously starts researching how there came to be a ghost living in the attic of the home she and her fiancé are renovating. In the end, she solves more than one murder mystery.

I began listening to this as an eAudiobook but had to switch to reading the eBook for the last few chapters when my checkout expired before I had a chance to drive around long enough to finish. (There were holds on the eAudio but not the eBook.) I love the cozy family atmosphere in the Turner household, though I felt bad for Mel's fiancé Landon, as Mel delayed setting a date for their wedding to the point where I really wished she'd go get some therapy to deal with her issues.

For readers' advisors: story doorway is primary, setting secondary (tons of details about San Fransisco). No sex, a little mild swearing, some references to strangling & stabbing, and the threat of imminent gun violence, but nothing graphic at all.

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The Other Miss Bridgerton

The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Poppy Bridgerton did not intend to get kidnapped (does anyone?), and Captain Andrew James (Rokesby, but his crew doesn't know that) never intended to hold anyone captive, but life has a funny way of turning out sometimes. If only Poppy had chosen to walk the opposite direction on the beach that day. If only Andrew hadn't needed to ensure the cave remained secret and the documents got safely delivered tomorrow. But she did, and it did, and they did, so Poppy awoke to discover herself confined to the nicely appointed captain's quarters aboard the privateer ship Infinity enroute to Portugal.

I absolutely adored this book, especially the banter between Poppy and Andrew and the way that they each slowly realize this person they are stuck with is actually someone they want to spend time with, is in fact a kindred spirit. I love that each really sees and appreciates the other in a way that no one else ever has. This is a character-driven story for sure, but with a plot twist I didn't see coming.

For readers' advisors: character and language doorways are primary, setting (at sea headed to Portugal in 1786) is secondary. A few mild swear words. The threat of violence in one scene about 3/4 of the way into the book, but no one gets hurt. Two steamy but not terribly explicit sex scenes near the end.

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Secret of the Haunted Hotel

Secret of the Haunted Hotel by Shanna Swendson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Is Hilltop House haunted? It's Halloween weekend, and Lexie Lincoln is headed to report on the B&B's grand opening for her newspaper, and she hopes the answer is no because her fellow guests are ghost-hunters. Lexie doesn't want to accidentally reveal that she can see and hear ghosts lest it damage her credibility as a journalist. Never mind that her boss is a ghost! Unfortunately for Lexie, the weather turns nasty once they arrive, stranding everyone at the new inn, and it turns out the house most definitely *is* haunted, though only some of the ghost hunters are legit enough to notice. After Lexie discovers the newly deceased body of one of the guests, the "locked room" mystery begins, and accusations fly.

Surprisingly, I figured out the killer right away. That didn't dim my enjoyment of the tale, however. Since I read for character, I appreciated that Lexie and her friends made sensible decisions and never did anything really stupid, aside from a choice Wes made near the end that resulted in having his back to the culprit. I especially appreciated finding out the source Wes and Jordan's estrangement, and I'm grateful Lexie and Wes finally inched forward in their relationship.

For readers' advisors: story and character doorways. No sex or swearing. On-screen violence is limited to tackling someone to prevent escape. Several of the characters are BIPOC, though not Lexie.

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