children's nonfiction

Book Review: Nazi Architects of the Holocaust

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Nazi Architects of the Holocaust
by Corona Brezina

My rating: 4 / 5
Genre: Middle grade nonfiction

I read this book to fulfill a nonfiction requirement for a reading challenge at my local library. It’s meant to give kids an understanding of the Nazi party’s rise to power in Germany and how the camps evolved to be part of the “final solution.”  Complete with pictures that shed some light on the situation without being too graphic for younger readers, one of the things that struck me as I read, as is also mentioned in the text, is how normal these men looked. Hitler, who has become the face of the Holocaust for many of us, brings to mind thoughts of darkness and evil. But other men who were just as much a part of the murder of millions wouldn’t be easily recognizable to me as being part of this atrocity. They’re just men, though their names bring to mind giants and monsters, at least in my mind.

As an adult, there is not a lot of information here I didn’t already know, but there are details given I’ve probably forgotten over the years and maybe some I didn’t know. I don’t know for sure the exact age group this is meant for, but I’d guess around 10-12. Though some of the information can be difficult to follow, and in general it would probably be good for a parent to be on hand to discuss some of the information in the book, I think it could be a good book for kids to learn some facts about this time in history. It’s also part of a series of other books related to the Holocaust, so they could all be worth checking out.

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Book Review: Tasty

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Tasty: A History of Yummy Experiments
by Victoria Grace Elliott

My rating: 3.5 / 5
Genre: Middle grade nonfiction, graphic novel

This history of certain foods told by “food sprites” in a colorful graphic novel is a fun, unique book for kids. It may work better for the age group it’s intended for than it did for me, not that I didn’t enjoy it overall. However, I had hoped for a little more of the science promised at the beginning of the book, especially at certain points when a statement is made that leaves me wanting to know more (like how does the wheel shape help cheese stay dry and avoid spoiling?). It makes sense that this wouldn’t be a comprehensive look at the foods chosen to be included—cheese, pickles, gelatin, etc., but some of the information goes by so fast, it’s hard to absorb it all.

Outside of the history told, there’s (sort of) a story going on with the sprites, but it’s really confusing to me. The main sprite, Peri, seems to have some kind of rivalry with a water sprite that pops in to talk about liquids sometimes, but why? I have no idea. I guess the author felt that giving the sprites a little of their own story would make it more engaging to kids, but I paid little attention to their little asides, other than the bizarre contention between Peri and Maia, which stuck out quite a bit. And there’s a place in the pickles section where the characters cry, “THE SAUCE” like a battle cry, like something we’re supposed to “get”…but I don’t. Maybe some of this connects back to the pervious book by this author, Yummy: A History of Desserts, but not having read that one, I can’t say for sure. While I do think that kids who are interested in food or cooking would probably enjoy this graphic novel, I don’t know that I’d recommend it for adults, unless they’re really into food history. Though in that case, they probably already know all of, or more than, what this book provides.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children’s Books for providing me a copy of this book to review.

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Book Review: The Faithful Spy

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The Faithful Spy
by John Hendrix

My rating: 5 / 5
Genre: Middle grade nonfiction, graphic novel

I read this book after my 13-year-old daughter, who read it for book club at the library. It’s an impressive mixture of information about Bonhoeffer, who was part of the conspiracy to stop Hitler before and during WWII, and a concise picture of how Hitler came to power in Germany and then went on to conquer lands around it. Bonhoeffer’s struggle to accept what was happening in Germany and then figure out how he should act in response is well presented, and I can really appreciate his (and others’) difficulty trying to reconcile his faith and God’s commands with wanting to do what he/they can to stop Hitler’s reign of terror. It presents the reader with the question of what he/she would do in the same situation.

Hendrix does a great job of presenting all of this in a way that is easy to follow, not just because of the artwork, but because of the clear, simple wording he uses. My daughter isn’t exactly a history buff, and frankly, neither am I, but we were both caught up in the book. I gained a lot of insight into the history around WWII, things that I either never knew or forgot from my school days. The artwork is stunning and poignant, with symbolism here and there like Hitler as a wolf or the Nazi party as rats invading the “cellar” of the German government. A few of the images are a little dark, not that the subject matter doesn’t lend itself to that, but it’s something to keep in mind for younger readers. While I’d recommend pre-reading for parents of younger kids or those prone to be sensitive, I highly recommend this book for teens and even adults.

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Book Review: Olivia & the Gentleman from Outer Space

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Olivia & the Gentleman from Outer Space
by Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev

My rating: 2 / 5
Genre: Children’s science fiction

12-year-old Olivia is surprised when a visitor from outer space lands in the wheat field near her house and even more surprised when she’s told he might be able to heal her father’s cancer. But first he needs Olivia’s help to find a black ruby that will give him the power he needs.

This book has an interesting premise (and a pretty cover), but I’m afraid it falls apart in execution. A lot of the story is kind of muddled, especially in the details. Olivia is called the Princess of Blue Earth, but I never did understand what makes her a princess exactly. Her dad doesn’t seem to be a king of anything, and maybe her rare ability to read the treasure map to the black ruby is what makes her a princess, but it wasn’t really explained. The gentleman from outer space, who might have been about Olivia’s age, but it’s hard to say, tends to glow in different ways depending on mood, physical status, etc. (like the alien in the movie Home), which was an interesting addition to the story. However, somehow his glowing didn’t attract the attention of the bad guys, though Olivia could often see his face, hands, and even chest glowing through/inside his space suit. And they’re in a hurry to bring the black ruby back before Olivia’s dad dies, but somehow they have time to stop on the moon for sightseeing, not once, but twice.

I didn’t realize until after I’d started reading it that it is self-published, though I’m not against self-published books by any means and am a self-published author myself. I think the book needed more editing, someone to ask important questions (like why does the author write as if Olivia would literally float away on the moon? There is some gravity) and notice some of the more nonsensical dialog and narration moments. The author seemed to put a lot more effort into the settings, and while his imagination does come through, and I appreciate the brilliant visuals in some of the locations, I would have preferred a more cohesive plot and more developed characters.

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book to review.
Publication date: April 11, 2023

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Book Review: Saint Patrick the Forgiver

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Saint Patrick the Forgiver
by Ned Bustard

My rating: 5 / 5
Genre: Children’s Christian historical picture book (biographical)

I’m not Catholic, but then St. Patrick was never officially canonized as a saint either. I didn’t know much about St. Patrick, and what I did know was probably false. I appreciate that this book not only sheds light on a legendary figure’s true history, but does it in a way that kids can relate to, with simple, rhyming verse. I’ve never read anything by this author, nor have I seen his art before, but I did like the illustrations in the boo; they’re engaging and detailed. With a focus on Patrick first becoming a slave in Ireland and then later returning to preach the truth of the Gospel to them, it’s a great lesson on forgiveness. Specifically, Bustard explains clearly that true forgiveness, especially of one’s enemies, is only possible with Christ. I will never think of St. Patrick’s Day the same way again.

Thank you to Netgalley and InterVarsity Press for providing me a copy of this book to review.
Publication date: February 21, 2023

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