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Marshmallow reviews Ashes by Laurie Halse Anderson

Marshmallow has already reviewed Chains and Forge, the first two books of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Seeds of America trilogy. Today she completes the trilogy by reviewing Ashes, the third and last book, first published in 2016.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like historical fiction or emotional roller coasters, or if you have enjoyed reading the first two books of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Seeds of America trilogy, then this might be the book for you.

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): This book starts a few years after the events of Forge. You might recall that it is the late 1700s (the time of the American Revolution), and Isabel is a runaway slave, who has been searching for her younger sister, Ruth. At age seven, Ruth was sold away and separated from her. Eventually, with her friend Curzon, Isabel escaped from her “owners” and set out to find her sister.

After many trials, hardships, and travels, Isabel and Curzon finally reach the area where Ruth might be living, in South Carolina. Isabel and Curzon’s friendship is in peril; they are both unsure of its future. The two have learned through several ordeals that, as former slaves, nowhere is safe for them. But after all of this, Isabel finds her sister living on a farm. Overjoyed, Isabel runs to her, only to find that her sister doesn’t recognize her.

We learn with Isabel that Ruth has been living with Mister Walter and Missus Serafina, an older couple who have raised her as their own. Isabel is grateful for their generosity but is heartbroken. When questioned further, Ruth admits to remembering Isabel but says that she is not her sister anymore, and that Isabel should go home.

Luckily, Mister Walter and Missus Serafina invite Isabel and Curzon to stay a while. There, they learn that the plantation that Ruth and the couple worked on was raided by Patriots and the owner left to go after them. After a second Patriot raid, many of the slaves on the plantation fled, but Mister Walter and Missus Serafina physically couldn’t run away. This is why Ruth stayed on the plantation. Another boy named Aberdeen tried to run away but was caught and brought back.

Isabel is still in shock from Ruth’s rejection of her when the plantation owner Prentiss returns. Mister Walter and Missus Serafina send Isabel, Curzon, Ruth, and Aberdeen away and tell them to run. Once again, Isabel is forced to confront a cruel world and must protect her sister from danger.

Marshmallow is reading Ashes by Laurie Halse Anderson. — Marshmallow is reading *Ashes* by Laurie Halse Anderson.

Marshmallow’s Review: Ashes makes a good ending to the Seeds of America trilogy. Like Chains, the first book of the series, it is narrated by Isabel. Ashes is a true emotional roller coaster, with ups and downs that keep you reading until the end.

The character development in this story is remarkable and adds to the depth of the plot of the book. Laurie Halse Anderson is very skilled at showing the external struggles faced by the characters and is very adept at weaving in the characters’ internal conflicts. We can see the development of Isabel’s feelings for Curzon change from pure friendship to romance, and the transition seems convincing.

The writing reflects the style of that period and accurately (I think) portrays life in that time. Also, just like she had done in the first two books, the author regularly includes quotes from real documents from the time of the Revolutionary War to provide some historical context. However, everything is still understandable and the book itself is very readable.

All in all, I appreciated the chance to read these three books and would recommend them wholeheartedly to other young bunnies interested in understanding the people and the events at the beginning of the United States as a nation.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 100%.

Marshmallow rates Ashes by Laurie Halse Anderson 100%. — Marshmallow rates *Ashes* by Laurie Halse Anderson 100%.

Caramel reviews Spy Camp: The Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs and Anjan Sarkar

Caramel is systematically going through Stuart Gibbs’s Spy School series. So far he has read and reviewed the first two books: Spy School and Spy Camp. He has also read and reviewed the graphic novel version of the first book: Spy School: The Graphic Novel. Today he talks to Sprinkles about the graphic novel version of the second book, Spy Camp: The Graphic Novel, published first in 2023.

Sprinkles: So Caramel you reviewed Spy Camp last week. And now you will tell us a bit about the graphic novel version of that book, right?

Caramel: Yes.

S: So let’s get started.

C: Sure. This book is essentially the same as the original book.

S: But usually in graphic novel versions, there are some parts that are shortened or completely taken out. How about this one?

C: Yes of course. There are some parts that we do not see in the graphic novel version, but the main story is essentially the same. Ben Ripley goes to a summer camp for spies. And dangerous things happen. So it is very much the same book. And it is still very good.

S: That is great! So I saw that the person who illustrated this one is the same person who illustrated the graphic novel version of the first book. So do the characters look like they did in that first graphic novel?

C: Yes.

S: So someone could just pick this up right after finishing the other book and they would be just fine.

C: Essentially, yes.

Caramel is reading Spy Camp: The Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs and Anjan Sarkar. — Caramel is reading *Spy Camp: The Graphic Novel* by Stuart Gibbs and Anjan Sarkar.

S: Okay, so I think the characters did not look like what you had thought they would look like in that first book. But by now, maybe you got used to them?

C: Yes.

S: So tell me a bit more about the illustrations.

C: They are very colorful and they show action really well. Like when they are pointing at something. And the facial expressions are very expressive.

S: That is cool. I know you have read a lot of graphic novels in your short life, so if you had not read the actual books, do you think you would still think these graphic novels are good books?

C: I think so. They can definitely stand on their own.

S: So would you recommend someone to start with the graphic novels? Or do you think the original books are worth reading too?

C: If you can I think you should probably start with the original books. But if you have only the graphic novels you can still have a lot of fun reading. Only the graphic novels are much newer, and the original series has a lot more books.

S: True. There are about eleven books I think. And there are graphic novel versions of only the first two.

C: Yes. And it seems like they are coming out one book a year. At best. But the series has a lot more books to read.

S: Kind of like the Wings of Fire books, then, where there is a whole series of fifteen books, but the graphic novels are not all out yet.

C: Yup. And you know I have been waiting for the next graphic novel. It will be Winter Turning, the graphic novel version of the seventh novel.

S: I think it is coming out at the end of this year, Caramel. I am guessing that you will read it as soon as it does.

C: I’d like to.

S: Okay, so let us come back to Spy Camp. So if you were to describe it in three words, what would you say?

C: Colorful, hilarious adventures.

S: That works! So are you ready for the next book?

C: Yes! Book Three, here I come!!

S: So let us wrap this up then. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading Spy Camp: The Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs and Anjan Sarkar, and he is ready to dive into the third book of the Spy School novels! — Caramel loved reading *Spy Camp: The Graphic Novel* by Stuart Gibbs and Anjan Sarkar, and he is ready to dive into the third book of the Spy School novels!

Caramel reviews Spy Camp by Stuart Gibbs

Caramel has recently begun the Spy School series by Stuart Gibbs and just can’t have enough! So far he has read and reviewed the original book, Spy School, from 2012, and the graphic novel version of it, Spy School: The Graphic Novel, which came out ten years later, in 2022. Today he talks about the second book in the series, Spy Camp, originally published in 2013. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking followup questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, you only recently discovered the Spy School series by Stuart Gibbs, and since then, you are inseparable from these books! So why don’t you tell us about this second book in the series?

Caramel: Okay. Ben Ripley learns that he has to go to a spy summer camp.

S: This is the same main character as before, right?

C: Yep.

S: Okay, so do his parents finally realize he is going to a spy school? Do they know the camp is a spy camp?

C: No. They think the camp is just a regular sleep-away camp.

S: Okay, so tell me more. What happens at the camp?

C: It is like spy school but it is more in the wilderness. The spy school was more urban.

S: I see. Does Ben have friends from spy school at the camp?

C: Yes. Zoe, Chip, and Jawa are three of Ben’s friends from school. Also there is Erica Hale, she is the daughter of Alexander Hale and the granddaughter of Cyrus Hale. And if you go many many generations back apparently she is related to Nathan Hale, who was a famous spy for the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War.

S: So she is spy royalty more or less.

C: Yep. And Ben really likes her.

S: Do they date?

C: He has a crush on her, but no they do not date. They are mostly friends.

Caramel is reading Spy Camp by Stuart Gibbs. — Caramel is reading *Spy Camp* by Stuart Gibbs.

S: Okay, so you told us about Cyrus and Alexander, Erica’s grandpa and father. Do they play an important role in this book?

C: Yes, but I cannot tell. But I can tell you that Cyrus is a mighty spy. Or I might say, he is a force to reckon with.

S: Hmm that is an interesting turn of phrase Caramel! Okay, so tell me, is this book as funny as the first one?

C: Yes. And just as exciting!

S: Okay, so I am guessing the first two words you would use to describe the book would be “hilarious” and “exciting”?

C: Yep.

S: How about a third word?

C: Hilarious, exciting, and adventurous.

S: Okay, so are you ready for book three?

C: No. I will first read the graphic novel version of this one, I think.

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

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading Spy Camp by Stuart Gibbs and is (almost) ready for book three! (He says he will first check out the graphic novel version of book two.) — Caramel loved reading *Spy Camp* by Stuart Gibbs and is (almost) ready for book three! (He says he will first check out the graphic novel version of book two.)

Marshmallow reviews Fun Home by Alison Bechdel

Today Marshmallow reviews Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel, published first in 2006. Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: I know you enjoy reading graphic novels, Marshmallow, so I thought this book might be right up your alley. Let us talk about it. Can you tell our readers first what the book is about?

Marshmallow: The book is about Alison Bechdel herself, who is a cartoon artist. The story is about her growing up and figuring out her sexual orientation and coming out to her parents.

S: That is a pretty serious topic.

M: It is. But it is not all. There is also the fact that her father is also gay, and she eventually figures this out and wants to feel close to him, similar to him.

S: So why is the book called Fun Home?

M: Because her family is running a funeral home, and when they talk of the business, they jokingly call their home the fun home.

S: Is the book funny?

M: I did not think that was the main point of the book. It is essentially a memoir, the artist coming to terms with her sexuality and her family.

S: So the themes seem to me to be more appropriate for older bunnies, would you agree?

M: Yes, probably high school or above. There is some somewhat explicit sexual content, and there is some mention of drug use as well. Caramel wanted to read it too, but I think he might not yet be ready for it.

S: Hmm, I see. Did you know that the book was banned in some places because it was deemed to be immoral?

M: I could imagine. A lot of books about different sexual orientations seem to bother a lot of people.

Marshmallow is reading Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel. — Marshmallow is reading *Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic* by Alison Bechdel.

S: Did you know this book was made into a Broadway musical?

M: It says so on the cover of the book. So we looked it up and found some of the songs. It apparently won lots of awards! I also remember that Alison Bechdel appeared in a Simpsons episode we saw recently, the one where Lisa and Marge write a graphic novel called Sad Girl.

S: Yes, that is true. And the Bechdel test was mentioned in that episode, too, do you remember? Do you know what the Bechdel test is?

M: Wikipedia says that it is “a measure of the representation of women in film and other fiction. The test asks whether a work features at least two women who talk to each other about something other than a man. The requirement that the two women be named is sometimes added.” That Simpsons episode talked about that too.

S: It is a neat idea, isn’t it?

M: And kind of sad that it is a thing actually.

S: Agreed. Anyways, back to Fun Home. All in all, I am glad you read this book, and we got to talk about it. It is an important book in many ways.

M: I can appreciate that. But I do think it is not very suitable for young bunnies.

S: I get it. So if you were to rate it what would you rate it as?

M: I’d rate it 90%. It is well written, well drawn, and tells an important story. But it is not quite appropriate for young bunnies, and parents and other adults responsible for young bunnies should read it before sharing with their young ones.

S: Fair enough. So let us wrap up this review. What would you like to tell our readers?

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

Marshmallow rates Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel 90%. — Marshmallow rates *Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic* by Alison Bechdel 90%.