Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier

Astronauts: Women on the Final FrontierAstronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani, Maris Wicks
Published by First Second on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 1626728771
Pages: 176
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a fascinating graphic novel of the story of the first women astronauts, from cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova to Sally Ride to Mary Cleave. This is not only an interesting and informative look at the world of space flight and scientific experiments in space, it is also the history of women’s equality. The text is funny at times and the illustrations are beautiful.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

five-stars

Arlo Finch in the Kingdom of Shadows

Arlo Finch in the Kingdom of ShadowsArlo Finch in the Kingdom of Shadows by John August
Published by Roaring Brook Press on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 1626728186
Pages: 320
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

“Loyal, brave, kind, and true — Keeper of the old and new — I guard the wild, defend the weak, mark the path, and virtue seek. Forest spirits hear me now as I speak my Ranger’s vow.”

August has written a very satisfying conclusion to the Arlo Finch trilogy. Readers should read the books in order as #3 starts out with a bang and will be confusing to those starting here. Arlo Finch lives with his mother, sister, and uncle in a remote area in the mountains of Colorado. His father is hiding from the government in China. Arlo and his sister set out through the magical Long Woods to rescue their father and bring him to Colorado but then everyone from the FBI, to the mysterious Eldritch of the Realm beyond the Long Woods, to the sociopathic former Ranger Scout Hadryn seem to want something from Arlo. Middle school aged kids will be clamoring to finish reading the trilogy.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

five-stars