See Where We Come From! (A First Book of Family Heritage) by Scot Ritchie (British Columbia)

 See Where We Come From! (A First Book of Family Heritage) by Scot Ritchie (British Columbia)

I just happened to pick this one up on July 1st, and as I was reading it, I realized it fit the challenge.  I enjoyed this look into the different heritage people around us could have, as well as the many ways heritage can be expressed, whether that is food, sports, traditions, or stories.  

The book ends with a project (well, technically it ends with a glossary, but still...) for children to explore their own heritage.  I was especially pleased that it includes speaking with others and asking for their stories.  I feel that is so important, and we all should do it while we can (if we can).

For the technical stuff... this is a fictionalized non-fiction book - if that is a thing.  The overall book is teaching real information about various cultures etc., but through fictional characters.  I already mentioned the glossary; it includes words that are used throughout the book.  And the author speaks directly to the audience throughout the book with notes, explanations, pronunciations, and even questions ("Does anyone in your family prepare special dishes that you love to eat?").

This is apparently part of a series called "Exploring Our Community", and I'm be interested in reading more.

The Elephant Keeper: Caring for Orphaned Elephants in Zambia

The Elephant Keeper: Caring for Orphaned Elephants in Zambia by Margriet Ruurs and illustrated by Redro Covo

Margriet Ruurs is a Canadian author (British Columbia), qualifying this read for the 12th annual Canadian Book Challenge.

I have a fondness for books about conservation and animal rescue, and this book is a double whammy.  Aaron helps with the rescue and care of a young orphaned elephant.  In the process he discovers a passion for helping these beautiful animals that are not the terrifying and horrible beasts he grew up hearing about.

The story is moving with some lovely illustrations.  In a couple places the book breaks to interject some facts and figures about elephants.  The content was interesting and important, but my involvement in the story was broken up in the process of reading these details.  I can see where it might be useful to help connect with the real deal, but I feel it might have done more harm than good.  Personally, I ended up skipping over these parts to finish the story and easily could have not missed them altogether.  I feel they might have been better at the end of the book, when, having finished tehstory, a reader would want to learn more.

In the end you learn that Aaron is a real person who really is one of the elephant keepers at the Lilayi Elephant Nursery.  Overall, I enjoyed and appreciated the book and story.

Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein

Title: Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein

Author: Linda Bailey; Illustrated by Júlia Sardà

Publisher: Tundra

ISBN: 9781770495593

Length: Unnumbered + "Author's Note" + "Sources"

Obtained: Library hardcover picture book

Comments:

I have a series of Frankenstein programs scheduled for work, and I've been reading some Frankenstein related books (just kids books so far). This is one of them, but I realized when I finished it that the author, Linda Bailey, is Canadian, so I'm posting to fulfill the 12th Annual Canadian Book Challenge.

 This is a children's book that looks into Mary Shelley's background from her childhood on. It focuses on what inspired her creation of Frankenstein, from her "dreamer" nature as a child to the challenge that prompted the story. The illustrations are charming, and I couldn't help but like Mary her past and creativity is uncovered.

Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family's Journey

Title: Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family's Journey

Author: Margriet Ruurs [Website][Twitter][Facebook]; Artwork by Nizar Ali Badr [Syrian Creative Havens]

Publisher: ORCA

ISBN: 9781459814905

Length: unnumbered

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I was continually seeing information on this book from the publisher (mostly in emails, also at #alaac17).  Anyway, I finally managed to request it.

Comments:

Told in English and Arabic, as well as by the use of stone art, the story of Rama and her family as they leave their homes, become refugees, and their journey to safety and happiness is touching.  Also touching (and interesting) is the introduction's detailing how the book came about.

Take Shelter: At Home Around the World

Title: Take Shelter: At Home Around the World

Author: Nikki Tate & Dani Tate-Stratton

Publisher: Orca Footprints

ISBN: 9781459807426

Length: 46 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Lately I've found myself more interested in themes of conservation and impact.  I'm planning on working through the bulk of the footprints series/line.

Comments:

I almost gave up at the beginning, because this book seems less about action that can be taken within the life of the reader (or at least this reader).  But I stuck with it and was pleased.  The information about the various housing settings and materials used was interesting and informative.  I did find the "My Place" potions confusing, though.

Dualed

Title: Dualed

Author: Elsie Chapman [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Random House

Series: Dualed, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780307931542

Length: 291 Pages

Obtained: ARC from the staff lounge.

Why this book?:

Apparently the director and director's secretary have been going through ARCs they picked up and thought they would read but haven't gotten around to.  After offering them up to all the branch managers, they brought those left to the lounge.  So this had a 2013 release date (according to the spine), but I just picked it up a couple days ago.  And then I thought to myself, "Self, aren't you clearing through these?  Do you really need more?" And myself thought back, "But it looks good, and you need a print book to read right now so you don't drain your cell battery."  And I ended up not only snagging it, but also reading it.

Comments:

While this type of book (dystopian) is not my book of choice (usually), and while it had themes I did not like that reminded me greatly of Hunger Games (kids/teens killing each other for survival), this was actually a pretty interesting book.  It had a lot of the 'who am I?' and 'what makes me me?' and general detachment from society themes that YA books do so well.

There was an assassin spin that I would have appreciated more if only it hadn't been assassination of kids by a kid.  Which kinda sent me in a tailspin, cause it didn't fit my 'moral code of fictional assassin protagonists' mental grouping/ideas.  I'm not sure that makes sense in the writing the way it does in my head.

But there is a book 2, Divided.  And it's already published which means I already put it on hold...

Search and Rescue

Title: Search and Rescue

Author: Gail Anderson-Dargatz [Website][Twitter]

Publisher: Raven Books Rapid Reads

Series: Clair Abbott Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781459805767

Length: 102 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

This is one of the Rapid Reads books I asked the library to read.  It is also another book that counts toward the 8th annual Canadian Book Challenge held by The Book Mine Set since Gail Anderson-Dargatz lives in British Columbia.

Comments: 

Hmmm.  Claire seems like an interesting character.  But her mom seems a bit of a ditz and Claire has indications of following in her footsteps - and I'm not referring to the psychic abilities.  This is one of the Rapid Reads which means it is supposed to promote adult literacy.  It takes place all in one night, with dangerous conditions and scenario to help keep the blood pumping and the reader involved.  

In general, I enjoyed it, and I probably would/will read more of the series.  

But that isn't to say I didn't recognize problems and they do exist.  The rest of this has SPOILERS... beware...


- Claire stands up her date - again.  And despite repeated reminders, never calls to tell him or explain.
- Claire, once knowing she's going to trek around in dangerous winter conditions in search of a missing girl, does not take the time to stop and change her entirely inappropriate clothes or pick up the mobile phone she left at home.
- Claire's mom, instead of getting help in a hostage situation, sticks around so they all are in danger with no possibility of backup.  This leaves them dependent on sheer luck. !!! This is the only point I mention about Claire's mom, but it is such a big one I just couldn't BELIEVE it.
- After everyone, including Mike, believes in Claire, he takes her out.  Claire STILL hasn't contacted her planned date.  She thinks it's over, and has decided she's not really into him.  But she hasn't even told him yet.  Seemed kinda tacky and in poor manners.  On both her and Mike's parts (he's aware of the situation).