Reviews – Page 49 – BookBunnies

Marshmallow reviews The Mysteries by Bill Watterson and John Kascht

Marshmallow is a big fan of Calvin and Hobbes, the comic strip about the often obnoxiously cynical but extremely curious six-year-old Calvin and his stuffed tiger Hobbes who comes alive only when nobody else but Calvin is looking. Early during the COVID-19 pandemic, she reviewed The Authoritative Calvin and Hobbes: A Calvin and Hobbes Treasury by Bill Watterson for the book bunnies blog. So she was very excited to hear that Watterson teamed up with the illustrator John Kascht in a new book project. Today Marshmallow talks to Sprinkles about this book, The Mysteries, which was published in October 2023.

Sprinkles: So Marshmallow this book was not quite what we expected, was it?

Marshmallow: No.

S: We were kind of hoping to see something of Calvin and Hobbes, at least perhaps some humor, right?

M: I was.

S: But before we dig in any further, can you tell our readers what the book is about?

M: Sure. This is a fable about a small village or country in some faraway place which was near a big forest. And in the forest were scary things, things the people did not understand.

S: And maybe they were scared because they did not understand.

M: Actually that is probably one of the points of the story. Because they tried very hard to capture one of these scary things, they called them the Mysteries, and then when they caught one, they were not very impressed.

S: Hmm, so what do you think that means?

M: I am not sure. But maybe it refers to things like thunder and lightning and solar eclipses and earthquakes, which were very very scary things, until we figured out what they were really all about.

S: Hmm, so once we had scientific explanations for them, their power to inspire fear and awe diminished.

M: Yes, but I think it is more than that. I think the Mysteries represent the mysteries of the universe. They go beyond thunder and lightning. And maybe the people got a bit too arrogant once they figured out how thunder worked that there was no mystery left that they should be scared of. But lightning still starts fires. Earthquakes still cause lots of damage to life and property. So in some sense, we will never be able to completely tame and understand nature, let alone the whole universe.

S: I think you might be on to something Marshmallow.

Marshmallow is reading The Mysteries by Bill Watterson and John Kascht. — Marshmallow is reading *The Mysteries* by Bill Watterson and John Kascht.

S: Coming back to our original expectations about this book, maybe I am going to say, we actually should not have been too surprised.

M: What do you mean Sprinkles?

S: Maybe the end especially is pretty fitting for a fable coming from the creator of Calvin, the youngest and toughest misanthrope of all time.

M: What do you mean by that?

S: I feel like there is some pessimism about humans in the book. And I think there is some of that cynicism in Calvin, too.

M: Well, I did not notice that, but then again, when I read Calvin and Hobbes, I just laugh at his ridiculous plans and hilarious excuses for not doing what he is supposed to do.

S: Sure, there is definitely that level of hilarity to Calvin and Hobbes, but I’d say there is a lot of questioning of mainstream beliefs and assumptions, too, and some of the questioning does not leave much space for optimism. At least that is how I read it sometimes.

M: I guess I will need to reread Calvin and Hobbes, this time with that perspective, to see what you mean.

S: But coming back to The Mysteries, why do you think it is a fable?

M: Well, the space and time are not very clearly set, and it could be anywhere anytime, almost. And the kingdom seems to be all there is. And the authors are trying to give us a moral message.

S: Ooh, I like that! Can you tell me what that moral message is?

M: If we lose our awe of the mysteries of life and the universe just because we think we understand some of them, we might lose our respect for life and the universe, which can only end in disaster.

S: That is deep. Marshmallow!

M: But there is more. I think the fable is also telling us that there is always more mystery. That we will never run out of them, that there is always some magic and something to be in awe of when it comes to life and this universe.

S: I see. And the book says all this in so few words!

M: Yes. Each two-page spread has only a handful of words, and at least one of the two pages is a full page-picture.

S: Can you tell me a bit about the illustrations?

M: I think the only word that comes to my mind is “haunting”. Everything looks kind of deformed. The people look like they are made out of clay. It is almost like we are seeing our world but through some kind of a magic lens which shows us only the darker, more arrogant side of humanity.

S: In some sense though, I think one could read the ending as a hopeful message.

M: No!

S: I do! No matter what, life and the universe just go on.

M: I am not sure I agree with you on that, Sprinkles. But I guess we will just agree to disagree.

S: Sure, I am okay with that. But at least I think we agree that the core message is a warning.

M: Yes. We do agree. The core message is to warn people not to be too arrogant. As a species, humans should not get too arrogant. I think that is what the authors are saying. And they are telling us that we are like boats; a boat can cross the ocean but it can never conquer the waves.

S: That is a beautiful way to put it Marshmallow. Did you just come up with that yourself?

M: Yep.

S: I will definitely use that sentence again, Marshmallow, and I will cite you.

M: Thank you!

S: Okay, so let us wrap up this review then. What would you like to tell our readers?

M: Stay tuned for more amazing reviews from the book bunnies!

Marshmallow appreciated reading The Mysteries by Bill Watterson and John Kascht and talking about it with Sprinkles. — Marshmallow appreciated reading *The Mysteries* by Bill Watterson and John Kascht and talking about it with Sprinkles.

Caramel reviews Spy School: Secret Service by Stuart Gibbs

Caramel is on a roll, reviewing the Spy School books of Stuart Gibbs one by one. Today he talks about the fifth book in the series: Spy School: Secret Service, first published in 2017. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, here we are, talking about yet another Spy School book. What is this one about?

Caramel: Ben is re-activated and saves the chairman of Joint Chief of Staff and the president from being assassinated by SPYDER.

S: Wow, that sounds serious and dangerous!

C: It is! Spying is dangerous business!

S: So reading these books is not giving you any ideas of becoming a spy?

C: No, definitely not. I just like reading about Ben’s adventures and misadventures.

S: That’s fair. So do we meet any new characters in Spy School: Secret Service?

C: Yes. Kimmy, Jemma, Jason, and President Stern.

S: So who are all those people? I’m guessing President Stern is the president of the United States and the person Ben will save. So who are the other three?

C: Jason and Jemma are the President’s kids. Kimmy is a person who is on the staff of the White House. She gives Ben a tour of the White House and introduces him to Jason.

S: Okay. I am assuming these people all play some important roles in the adventure?

C: Yep.

S: Do any of the characters from the earlier books show up too?

C: Yes of course. Ben’s friend Erica is there, and his nemesis, the evil genius Murray Hill is there. And so on.

Caramel is reading Spy School: Secret Service by Stuart Gibbs. — Caramel is reading *Spy School: Secret Service* by Stuart Gibbs.

S: What did you like about this book most?

C: I liked the part when Ben and Murray fight with swords the most.

S: Why?

C: Because it was really funny. And I like it when Ben can beat Murray in something.

S: I see. I guess it is normal to root for the main character. So Id you were to describe this book in three to five words, what would you say?

C: Funny, fight scenes, and somewhat tense.

S: I like that recap! So is it tenser than the earlier books?

C: Not really. It is a little higher stakes maybe, but then again, I know Ben will figure things out. So it is not that bad.

S: I see. I guess we do know there are quite a few more books in the series, so surely Ben will make it out of this one.

C: Yep.

S: So does this book make you want to continue to read the rest of the series?

C: Yes. I am ready for the next book!

S: Alright, then. Let us wrap up this review. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading Spy School: Secret Service by Stuart Gibbs and is ready for the next book. — Caramel loved reading *Spy School: Secret Service* by Stuart Gibbs and is ready for the next book.

Marshmallow reviews Dare to Disappoint by Özge Samancı

Today Marshmallow reviews the autobiographical graphic novel Dare to Disappoint by Özge Samancı, first published in 2015.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like graphic novels or if you enjoy reading books about growing up in general, then this might be the book for you.

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): Özge Samancı grew up in Izmir, Turkey (in late 1970s and early 1980s). Ever since she was very young, she was obsessed with the idea of going to school and loved the school uniforms. Her family’s house was across the street from her older sister’s elementary school, and everyday, Özge and her mother would wave at the sister who was at school. Özge longed to be on the other side, waving back home from behind the school fence. Finally, when she started to go to elementary school, she idolized her first-grade teacher (Turkey did not have a kindergarten grade at the time). But one day, after talking about a bizarre incident on the television, Özge was beaten by her teacher with her pink ruler. Her entire class was punished as well. Özge was confused as to what she or any of her other classmates had done.

As Özge grew older, the political tension in Turkey increasingly impacted her family and her family’s life and lifestyle. Knowing that education was a way for her to gain a steady, stable life, Özge set her mind up to enter a prestigious public high school. She, along with her sister, studied obsessively so they could do well in the test that would determine their high school placement and (practically) the rest of their academic lives.

When she began attending college, Özge found herself drawn to art, theater, and other creative endeavors. However, her father wanted her to study more practical and pragmatic fields like engineering or medicine. Eventually, Özge faced a decision: do what her father wants her to do or live a life of uncertainty on her own terms. Read to find out how she resolved this issue…

Marshmallow is reading Dare to Disappoint by Özge Samancı. — Marshmallow is reading *Dare to Disappoint* by Özge Samancı.

Marshmallow’s Review: Dare to Disappoint is an interesting and entertaining book. It describes a young person’s search for her own artistic and creative identity in the context of a loving but perhaps somewhat rigid family. It also offers insight as to what life was like for a young child in Turkey in the 1980s. It was especially interesting for me to see the many details of life in a different time and different place than what I have experienced so far.

I liked reading Dare to Disappoint. The author’s voice is down to earth and relatable. The plot and storyline of the book are easy to understand and follow. This is a graphic novel, and the illustrations are really cute, but also detailed and expressive. Color is sparse, but well distributed. Additionally, photos of 3-D objects are inserted and sort of interwoven with the author’s drawings. Today Samancı is a media artist who also teaches at a university. It was cool to read about her earlier life in this format and have the opportunity to learn about her path to finding her own artistic voice.

Though the illustrations are vivid and cute, and the author voice is friendly and accessible, Dare to Disappoint may not be appropriate for very young bunnies. My only concern is that at some point, the author is physically attacked and is almost sexually assaulted, which might be too scary for some younger readers. But other than that, I think that the book tells a beautiful and very personal story, and bunnies of all ages can appreciate the tale of an artist’s childhood and growing up into her own.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 100%.

Marshmallow rates Dare to Disappoint by Özge Samancı 100%. — Marshmallow rates *Dare to Disappoint* by Özge Samancı 100%.

Caramel reviews Spy Ski School by Stuart Gibbs

Caramel has already reviewed the first three books of the Spy School novels by Stuart Gibbs. Today he is talking about the fourth book, Spy Ski School, first published in 2016. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking followup questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, here we are, and you have yet another Spy School book in your paws.

Caramel: Yep.

S: So tell me, what is this one about?

C: In this book, Ben becomes an actual agent for the CIA and stops a bad person from setting a bomb off in Oregon.

S: Wait, Ben is still a kid though?

C: I know. But he still becomes an agent.

S: I am not sure that is terribly realistic.

C: Well, nobody said anything about realistic. That is why it is called fiction, Sprinkles!

S: Okay, okay, you are right. So there will be some unexpected things happening. So tell me, are there any new characters in this book?

C: Yes. Dane Bramage, Jessica Shang, and Leo Shang.

S: Okay, so who are they?

C: Leo Shang is an evil dude; he is a Chinese salesman. Jessica is his daughter but she is not at all evil. And she becomes friends with Ben. And she has a crush on him.

S: Okay, so wait, does the book get too mushy?

C: No. you know I would not like it if it did.

S: Right. Okay, so who is Dane Bramage?

C: He is a bodyguard; he guards the Shangs. His name looks like Brain Damage.

S: Yeah, I can see that! So is Leo Shang the main baddie in this book?

C: Yes, but Murray Hill, the main bad person from the first book, Spy School, also shows up.

S: Okay. So what is the ski school part about?

C: Ben goes to a ski school in Oregon to infiltrate the evil network.

Caramel is reading Spy Ski School by Stuart Gibbs. — Caramel is reading *Spy Ski School* by Stuart Gibbs.

S: What did you like about this book most?

C: The time where Ben knocked Murray out.

S: Why?

C: Because it serves him right!

S: I see. So there is a lot of violence in these books?

C: I guess.

S: I suppose that could be expected. After all, these books remind me of the adventures of James Bond. One of our readers even suggested that SPYDER could be analogous to SPECTRE, the international crime syndicate in many of the Bond stories.

C: I have not watched enough Bond movies to agree or disagree.

S: That was a very diplomatic answer Caramel! Anyways, let us get back to Spy Ski School. Can you describe it using three to five words?

C: Intense, funny, and suspenseful.

S: Those work! Does this book make you want to continue to read the rest of the series?

C: Yes, of course. I have to get my paws on the next book!

S: Okay, okay. So let us wrap this up then. What do you want to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel has loved reading Spy Ski School by Stuart Gibbs and cannot wait to get his paws on the fifth book of the series. — Caramel has loved reading *Spy Ski School* by Stuart Gibbs and cannot wait to get his paws on the fifth book of the series.