The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo is a beautifully written middle grade fantasy novel that will be an enjoyable read for any age. This well-loved children’s book touches on many themes, and the element of magic adds intrigue to the story. It is a spellbinding story that is a must-read for fans of the genre. Continue reading
Battle of the Bands by Lauren Gibaldi and Eric Smith (editors) is an upbeat anthology of interconnected stories about a battle of the bands competition. I loved the wide range of perspectives, featuring characters with differing relationships to the event, and each of the works within it are strong. The audiobook version is equally engaging, and the full cast makes the world of the contest feel like a real community. This is a great read for those looking for something quick that will leave them with a smile on their face. Continue reading
The Great Gatsby adapted by K. Woodman-Maynard is a great way to make The Great Gatsby more accessible in a graphic novel format. I enjoyed the slight changes the author makes to the source material, and the art style makes elements such as mood and symbolism much easier to understand. However, I also felt as though the story is rushed, and the art also makes the text difficult to read at times. Despite this, I still appreciated what the book accomplishes in terms of making The Great Gatsby easier to digest. Continue reading