Sharon Mentyka

Gentle, thoughtful, book about a gender fluid child and the trials and tribulations of a second grade experience gone badly wrong. Love the support B gets at home and from his friends. Love the message of kindness.

I am wondering at the fact that of the 3 books I have read with a trans/gender fluid child in them has a denouement that centers on the school play, and wanting to act the part of a female character. I see why a school play is a perfect vehicle/ space for kids to experiment with clothing and with trying on identity, however, it is striking that all of the books have the same plot. George, Gracefully Grayson, now this one -- perhaps it is the only place in an elementary school for a person born male to triumph in a public female role. Something to consider.… (más)

Great story about a girl coming to terms with her mother's mysterious trip away/ possible abandonment; set in Dyes Inlet, when the Orcas come to explore and get trapped. A good balance of the internal struggles/worries of the character and the all consuming fascination with whales. Lots and lots about Orca culture and communication, respectful depiction of the Suquamish Nation, and a moving portrait of the environmental impact of modern life on the world around us.

Things that were not quite on point: Marisa is supposed to be 12, but reads as an older character -- at one point, I was trying to figure out if she was 16-18. She has a lot of leeway when it comes to water time -- often taking boats out with her friends, once even kayaking solo and getting caught in fog on the inlet -- while in general that seems like an idyllic way to grow up, I feel like 12 seems awfully young for that level of independence. That said, I didn't grow up near water, so I really have no idea what it's like or when kids start being ok on their own. Some of the things feel like a bit of stretch -- why is her mother so secretive about her past? Does Marisa really have to be the central agent in every scenario that happens in the book? Would the school really let all the kids out for the afternoons in order to spend time on whale conservation? Why does she only have 1 class on Fridays -- that seems like a college schedule.

However, I really, really appreciated the hyper-local (to me) setting, and in general, I think that it was an excellent book.… (más)

An excellent, rather comprehensive (for a picture book) biography of basketball star Sue Bird, with lively illustrations by Ellen Rooney (Her Fearless Run) and extensive back matter about Sue Bird herself and women in sports generally.
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Read (in print) with L (7.5). She enjoyed it, and was impressed by Sue even if some of the terms weren't familiar to her (assist, jumper, WNBA Finals). Back matter includes information about Title IX and a timeline of Sue's life, including her engagement to soccer star Megan Rapinoe.… (más)