Reviews – Page 19 – BookBunnies

Marshmallow reviews Fearless by Lauren Roberts

Last year Marshmallow reviewed Powerless and Reckless by Lauren Roberts, the first two books of her Powerless trilogy. Then earlier this year, she reviewed Powerful, a novella that recounts events taking place in the same story world as the trilogy, involving some of the same characters that we met in those first two books. Today she is finally ready to talk about Fearless, the third and last book of the trilogy that was published just this April.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you liked Lauren Roberts’ previous books in her Powerless series, then this is definitely the book for you—though probably you had already been waiting for it!

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): [For most of the background, readers should probably begin with my review of the first book, Powerless, and my review of the second book, Reckless.]

At the end of Reckless, Paedyn Gray returns to Ilya as a prisoner believing she is approaching her own execution. Her captor is none other than her beloved Kai, who is bound by duty to bring her to his brother Kitt. However, it turns out that Kitt wanted Paedyn brought back to Ilya so he could propose to her. This is a shocking turn of events since she had killed their father—the king of Ilya—in the first book. (She did have a valid justification of self-defense.) After a while though, Kai has forgiven her. Kitt, on the other hand, seems to be stuck somewhere entirely different from the spectrum of forgiveness and hate.

Paedyn accepts Kitt’s proposal because she believes it will help bring equality in Ilya between the Ordinaries and the Elites. But even though she is now engaged to Kitt, Paedyn finds herself still pining for Kai. Once again, their love seems impossible. But they separately start to realize two things: first, Kitt has changed and no longer seems like himself, and secondly, they cannot be apart. Luckily for them, Kitt has arranged new Trials for Paedyn in order for her to prove herself as an Ordinary to the Elites of Ilya. She must retrieve ancient artifacts, gain the trust of foreign kingdoms, and make the ultimate sacrifice.

I won’t spoil more. But if you thought Roberts’ plot was complex in the first two books, you will be happy to know that the story ends in a most satisfactory way, though with many twists and turns along the way that I never saw coming. Will Paedyn, Kai, and Kitt all make it to their happy ending? Or will one or more get lost along the way?

Marshmallow is reading Fearless by Lauren Roberts. — Marshmallow is reading *Fearless* by Lauren Roberts.

Marshmallow’s Review: Fearless is a really complicated book that adds a lot of depth to the original story, the fictional world, Ilya’s history, the characters, and the series. Ultimately, the ending is bittersweet, but I can say that things are resolved pretty well. I was not disappointed with the end and I felt like this is probably the best way for the series to end without leaving a majority of the readers bawling with tears in their eyes. That said, it is still touching and emotional. In Fearless, Roberts reveals many layers of Ilya and the entire world that had been previously unseen. These revelations make the end an even more satisfying one because the story becomes a lot richer with detail.

I will say though that I did notice some things were a little too similar to the Hunger Games series to be coincidental. The Purging Trials of Ilya are almost carbon copies of Panem’s Hunger Games, and Paedyn in many aspects seems like a reflection of Katniss. I know a lot of readers are disappointed by these striking parallels. Many have pointed to several other books that Roberts seems to have “taken inspiration from.” I haven’t read all of the books they list, but I can see why some say that some aspects of Roberts’ work are a little suspiciously close to other peoples’ work. However, I found the plot twists in this book unique and these make all the difference. The twists in this third installment were so unexpected yet so well-executed that I could not put the book down till it was done.

I’m a little sad the series is over, and I do wonder if this emotional journey with Paedyn has been beneficial to me. (The series is rough on the tear ducts!) But overall, this was a very well-done conclusion for a very well-done series! Not all fans will be happy, but when have we readers ever agreed on an ending? Overall, I would recommend this third book because I really appreciate how, despite all the darkness in the previous books, it ends on a hopeful note.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 100%.

Marshmallow rates Fearless by Lauren Roberts 100%. — Marshmallow rates *Fearless* by Lauren Roberts 100%.

Caramel reviews Will the Pigeon Graduate? by Mo Willems

All the book bunnies love Mo Willems and his books about the Pigeon. Caramel even reviewed a couple of them for the book bunnies blog. See, for example, his reviews of The Pigeon HAS To Go To School and Be the Bus. Today he talks to Sprinkles about a brand new Pigeon book: Will the Pigeon Graduate? As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, today we are talking about a new book about the Pigeon!

Caramel: Yep, the best pigeon in the world is back!

S: You have read quite a lot of the other books about the Pigeon. You also reviewed two of them. What is this one about?

C: This one is about how the pigeon is growing up, and he is scared about the future after finishing school.

S: He is already graduating? How exciting!

C: Well, he had to go to school back in 2019 so I suppose it is time.

S: You are right of course. At some point school ends and the rest of life begins.

C: Yep, but I don’t like that idea.

S: Why not?

C: I like being a young bunny going to school. I like it too much.

S: Why do you like it so much? I know you learn a lot of things at school every day and I know you like learning. But you can continue to learn outside of school. too.

C: True, I guess you are right. But at school you have friends–

S: You can make friends after school, too.

C: Yes, but school friends are the best! And at school, people tell you to do things, and you do them, and that is all the work you have. You do not have to earn money, save money, buy or rent a house, and all that adult stuff.

S: I get that, Caramel. Growing up can be hard. And this is exactly what this book is about, isn’t it?

C: Yeah, I guess that the Pigeon is very smart.

S: How so?

C: Well, he knows finishing school means he has to start making important decisions and taking care of more things and being careful about all kinds of details and so on.

S: That is very much true Caramel. But in the end he gathers up his courage and decides he is ready for whatever is coming his way, right?

C: Yes.

Caramel is reading Will the Pigeon Graduate? by Mo Willems. — Caramel is reading *Will the Pigeon Graduate?* by Mo Willems.

S: I am thinking this could be a really nice gift for someone finishing high school or elementary school or even college. What do you think?

C: Yep, I think in a couple of years, Marshmallow might like it. There is even a little place in the inside cover of the book for a photo of someone graduating. We could put Marshmallow’s picture there.

S: We could definitely do that. But we could also save it for you. You will also be graduating soon yourself.

C: Yes, but I am going to go to another school right after.

S: That still counts as moving to a bigger new world. That new school is bigger than your current one. And there will be a lot of changes.

C: Hmm, I am not sure I am ready for a lot of changes.

S: I know. We are not always ready but they come nonetheless. Anyways, there is still some time, but by the time that change comes, you will be ready. I am quite sure.

C: Hmm, I hope you are right, Sprinkles.

S: Remember how many years ago, you were about to change classrooms and get a new teacher and you were kind of anxious about it? We talked about it when we were discussing My Teacher Is A Robot.

C: Yeah, that was a good book. And I did end up liking my new teacher a lot. Okay, maybe you are right. Maybe I can handle some changes, just like the Pigeon.

S: Yay! That’s the right attitude Caramel! I think this is a perfect place to end this review.

C: Alright by me!

S: Okay, what would you like to tell our readers then?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading Will the Pigeon Graduate? by Mo Willems and thinks this book would be a great gift for new graduates. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Will the Pigeon Graduate?* by Mo Willems and thinks this book would be a great gift for new graduates.

Sprinkles reviews Out Of Wonder: Celebrating Poets and Poetry by Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley, and Marjory Wentworth

Today Sprinkles reviews Out of Wonder: Celebrating Poets and Poetry by poets Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley, and Marjory Wentworth. Illustrated beautifully by Ekua Holmes, this poetry collection was first published in 2017.

I have already reviewed a handful of poetry books through the years for the book bunnies blog. Most of these reviews were about individual books, but earlier this year, I have also reviewed three anthologies. The book I am reviewing today can also be viewed as an anthology of sorts, though it is a very particular type. Out Of Wonder presents twenty poems from three distinct poetic voices: Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley, and Marjory Wentworth. And each poem is an homage to a specific poet that had a significant impact on the poet writing about them.

The book begins with a preface written by Alexander, where he introduces us to the project: through poems inspired by individual poets, the three authors of this book aim to introduce to the young reader the depths and breadths of poetry. Alexander writes:

“The poems in this book pay tribute to the poets being celebrated by adopting their style, extending their ideas, and offering gratitude to their wisdom and inspiration.”

Following this description then, it should not surprise the reader that the poems in the book are organized into three parts.

Part I, titled “Got Style?”, offers us six poems, written in the styles of Naomi Shihab Nye, Robert Frost, e. e. cummings, Bashō, Nikki Giovanni, and Langston Hughes. It is a great idea indeed to start with a style focus like this; these poets have particularly distinct styles, and the six poems honoring them manage to showcase to the young reader what possibilities exist for poetic form.

Part II, titled “In Your Shoes”, celebrates Walter Dean Myers, Emily Dickinson, Terrance Hayes, Billy Collins, Pablo Neruda, Judith Wright, and Mary Oliver with seven poems that explore themes and contexts that come directly from these poets’ own works.

Part III, titled “Thank You”, includes seven more poems, this time explicitly thanking and celebrating Gwendolyn Brooks, Sandra Cisneros, William Carlos Williams, Okot p’Bitek, Chief Dan George, Rumi, and Maya Angelou.

The book ends with a list of biographies of the twenty poets celebrated in it, so the curious reader can learn a bit more about these poets if desired. But of course the really curious bunnies will also want to check out poems by these poets. To that end, most of the links I provided above to the poets go to the Poetry Foundation page on them where you can find at least a couple sample poems.

Sprinkles is reading Out Of Wonder: Celebrating Poets and Poetry by Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley, and Marjory Wentworth. — Sprinkles is reading *Out Of Wonder: Celebrating Poets and Poetry* by Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley, and Marjory Wentworth.

All twenty poems in Out Of Wonder are accessible to young readers, but they do not underestimate them. Each poem stands on its own, with its distinct style and voice. Alexander’s “Jazz Jive Jam” celebrating Langston Hughes dances even!

These are all really appealing poems. For example Marjory Wentworth’s “In Every Season” celebrating Robert Frost leaves resonances in one’s palate which complement the experience of reading his “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”. Chris Colderley’s “For Our Children’s Children” celebrating Chief Dan George is striking in its simplicity–here is an excerpt:

Let the shadows 
of drifting clouds 
warm your cheek
and whisper softly:

Share the earth
with all creatures.
Love them, and they 
will love you back.

Kwame Alexander’s “I Like Your” celebrates e. e. cummings in a style that reflects the latter’s very own–here is the beginning of this lovely poem:

I like my shoes when they are with
your shoes. Mostly the comes. Leastly
the goes. I carry your footsteps(onetwothreefour)
in between today(...)tomorrow.

Each and every one of these poems is a joy to read. And each is accompanied by beautiful illustrations by the talented Ekua Jolmes. Most poems thus get a full two-page spread and the illustrations are as distinct and striking as the poems themselves.

This is not a book to read from cover to cover in one sitting. Read one poem, look at the beautiful illustrations accompanying it, check the bio of the poet celebrated by the poem that is provided at the back of the book, and then finally, if you have the time, go find some poems by the same poet to see if you will find a new favorite of your own.

***

If you would like to know a bit more about the book, you should probably know that it has its own Wikipedia page! And you can also view the book trailer on Youtube:

Caramel reviews Voyage to the Bunny Planet by Rosemary Wells

Today Caramel is talking to Sprinkles about Voyage to the Bunny Planet, a little book by Rosemary Wells, first published in 1992.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, today we are talking about a book about a planet of bunnies!

Caramel: Yep, something we would like!

S: Well, I quite like living on this planet.

C: Me, too. But it is also cool to think of a planet only for us, you know.

S: That is true. It might be fun to think about that… Okay so tell me what this book is about.

C: It is about three bunnies named Robert, Claire, and Felix, who are sad, and they dream about a planet called the bunny planet. On the bunny planet, there is a bunny, Janet the Bunny Queen, who helps them feel better about their day.

S: That sounds neat!

C: Yeah, it is a neat idea.

S: So they get to do a do-over of something that went wrong?

C: No, it is more like she helps them feel better by seeing things in different ways.

S: That makes sense. So do all three bunnies have a bad day at the same time? Are they friends? Do they know each other?

C: No, I don’t think so. The three bunnies each have their own stories. It looks like each story is independent, and maybe they were even published as separate books first, and they put them in one book here.

S: Yes, it does seem like it, Caramel. I saw online that there were three little books before this one, and this one brings all three together and adds a little bit to the beginning about Janet the Bunny Queen.

C: That makes total sense. The three bunnies’ stories are all separated, like different chapters. The first story is about Claire and is called “First Tomato”. The second is about Robert and it is called “Moss Pillows”. And the last one is called “The Island Light”, and that one is about Felix. So I can see how they were separate books first.

Caramel is reading Voyage to the Bunny Planet by Rosemary Wells. — Caramel is reading *Voyage to the Bunny Planet* by Rosemary Wells.

S: I think the author added an introduction about Janet the Bunny Queen for this collection. But it all seems to have worked out fine, right? It worked like a single book for you?

C: Yes. Of course this book is already quite short, so the three individual books must have been even shorter. But then again, it is a little book for little bunnies, so that makes sense, too.

S: Yes it does! And I think little bunnies can read them with a parent bunny or with an older sibling bunny, and they can read one story at a time. I can imagine how that could work for a nice nighttime reading.

C: Yeah, it would be a nice calming book to read, or be read to from, after a hard day. And every little bunny has a hard day every now and then.

S: Of course! Every bunny has a hard day sometimes. Remember Alexander, who had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day?

C: Yes! But that book went through the whole day, and everything did go bad for Alexander, and he kind of had a bad attitude about it, too, and it ended that way in the end, too. Here the unhappy bunnies end up happy.

S: I can see how someone who had a bad day can appreciate Alexander’s story, too. When you are really grumpy, you might want to continue to be grumpy and annoyed and feel like all is wrong with the world and sulk. But more generally, it is a good idea to be able to shift perspective and take a different look at things, and try to see them from more positive angles. Voyage to the Bunny Planet seems to be saying that.

C: Yes. You know, I kind of was angry at Alexander. He did get a bit too whiny when a lot of the time he was just unlucky. And there were no bunnies in that book. So I think I like this book a lot better.

S: I can understand that! Also, Alexander’s story does not end happily, and you like happy endings.

C: Yes, that is another reason why I like this book a lot more.

S: I am glad you found yet another book that you like Caramel! So this is a good time to wrap up this review, I think.

C: Yep, I agree.

S: What do you want to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading Voyage to the Bunny Planet by Rosemary Wells and recommends it to all the little bunnies and their adults who had a bad day and want to curl up into a ball and read a bit of happiness into their day. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Voyage to the Bunny Planet* by Rosemary Wells and recommends it to all the little bunnies and their adults who had a bad day and want to curl up into a ball and read a bit of happiness into their day.