Tuesday, October 02, 2018

The Bookshop Girl, 9 From the Nine Worlds

38371983Bishop, Sylvia. The Bookshop Girl
October 1st 2018 by Peachtree Publishers
ARC provided by the publisher

Property Jones (so named because she was abandoned in a bookstore and put into the lost property cupboard by Michael Jones, whose mother Netty ends up adopting the girl) loves living and working in the White Hart bookstore with her family, but times are hard. When there is a contest to win the best bookshop in the UK, The Great Montgomery Book Emporium, Netty enters and is greatly relieved to win, since the White Hart was in danger of going under. The Emporium is a mechanical bookshop, with fascinating rooms, and Michael and Property are thrilled to be there. However, not long after they arrive, Mr. Eliot Pink comes to inform them that Mr. Montgomery bought a draft of one of Shakespeare's books from him but never paid for it, so the Joneses must pay him 43 million pounds or forfeit the shop to him! Of course, they don't have that much money, but Property thinks she has seen the book. The family finds it, but it has been badly damaged. Something seems not quite right about both Mr. Pink and the book, and it's up to the children to find out why so they can save their fabulous new home. Property must struggle with another issue she is keeping a secret, and this complicates matters.
Strengths: This was delightful, and any young reader who would love to like in a bookstore will adore this. There's a light mystery, cats, and lots and lots of tea. There are even a few illustrations, and the ARC came with the most adorable buttons! There is an undeniably British feel to this, so readers who enjoy Roald Dahl or Kate Saunders will want to read this. It's sort of a UK version of Mr. Lemoncello's Library, without quite as many cool rooms.
Weaknesses: I had a lot of trouble believing that Property could keep her secret from Netty, but if I've learned nothing from UK middle grade lit, it's that most UK parents are apparently rather rubbish. (Ahem.)
What I really think: I would definitely purchase this for an elementary library. I'm debating for middle school, because I spend so much on these easier readers last year. That said, I know JUST the reader to whom to give the book and the pins!

38463343Riordan, Rick. 9 From the Nine Worlds
October 2nd 2018 by Disney-Hyperion
E ARC from Edelweiss Plus

If you haven't ordered this for your library already, you need to! It's hard for me to review short stories, and the Norse mythology is not my strong suit, but there are different camps of Riordan fandom emerging now, and Asgard lovers will need this! I have to admit to loving The Lightning Thief best of all, although one of my runners is trying to convince me that The Kane Chronicles is really the best. (And I would love to see a movie of that one, as long as they didn't actually blow up the British Museum!)

From Goodreads:
The Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard trilogy may have concluded, but we haven't heard the last of our favorite peeps from the Nine Worlds. Join Hearthstone, Blitzen, Samirah, Alex, Jack, T.J., Mallory, Halfborn, and more on a hilarious and unforgettable journey through Rick Riordan's unique take on Norse mythology. While Magnus is off visiting his cousin, Annabeth, his friends find themselves in some sticky, hairy, and smelly situations as they try to outwit moronic giants, murderous creatures, and meddlesome gods. Can they stave off Ragnarok at least until Magnus gets back?
Ms. Yingling

2 comments:

  1. I added The Bookshop Girl to my daughter's wish list. Thanks, Karen! It looks right up our alley.

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  2. My son liked 9 From the Nine Worlds and he's a huge Riordan fan. We have been reading D'ulaire's Norse Mythology as well to get a a grip on it. It's confusing, this Norse mythology. It probably took us about 3 or 4 books on just Norse mythology to understand the nine worlds and their gods, goddesses, giants, dwarves, and elves.

    We need this supplementary reading for Riordan Presents newest series on Mayan mythology.

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