IWSG and A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur

It's IWSG time!  This group is definitely worth celebrating. Starting as the brainchild of the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh, this support group for writers has transformed from a monthly blog hop to a true platform, where many just as amazing writers gather and exchange thoughts, worries, ideas, support, encouragement, and more. We still meet the first Wednesday of every month, though, the group can be now found in many other settings. 

Special thanks goes to this month's co-hosts:

Victoria Marie Lees, Kim Lajevardi, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine!

I think this month's question hits the nail on the head:

How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you?

First, define distraction because life is the biggest 'distraction', especially this time of year when the work around house and farm kicks into high-gear. I think it's safe to say that this is the busiest time thanks to repairs after winter, getting everything growing, animal sales happen right now, and...and...and... But I consider that more of a time issue.

Now, if we're concentrating on 'distractions' as in I'm sitting and typing, I can usually shove anything aside and don't get distracted easily. I grew up with six younger siblings and foster kids in a three bedroom house in the city. So I've learned to block out the world.

If it's a family member (kids, husband), that's a different realm again. I can't ignore them (although it would be nice, sometimes). Thanks to my 'block out everything' ability, they do need to be loud and repetitive to get my attention. But after that...yeah, I'm derailed because that usually means my writing time is done.

*******

Today's read:

I read the blurb and immediately placed this one in my must-be-read pile. It's set in 1506 Joseon, Korea, and promises to weave in a tale of intrigue, survival and enemies-to-friends romance, while addressing the very difficult events of that time. I'm always in for a good historical work of fiction, especially when the author has already gotten much praise for their other works...which June Hur definitely has.

Ready to dive into the past and see how tense this one gets?

A CRANE AMONG WOLVES

by June Hur

Feiwel & Friends

Young Adult Historical

364 pages

COMING...

MAY 14th!!!

June Hur, bestselling author of The Red Palace, crafts a devastating and pulse-pounding tale that will feel all-too-relevant in today’s world, based on a true story from Korean history.

Hope is dangerous. Love is deadly.

1506, Joseon. The people suffer under the cruel reign of the tyrant King Yeonsan, powerless to stop him from commandeering their land for his recreational use, banning and burning books, and kidnapping and horrifically abusing women and girls as his personal playthings.

Seventeen-year-old Iseul has lived a sheltered, privileged life despite the kingdom’s turmoil. When her older sister, Suyeon, becomes the king’s latest prey, Iseul leaves the relative safety of her village, traveling through forbidden territory to reach the capital in hopes of stealing her sister back. But she soon discovers the king’s power is absolute, and to challenge his rule is to court certain death.

Prince Daehyun has lived his whole life in the terrifying shadow of his despicable half-brother, the king. Forced to watch King Yeonsan flaunt his predation through executions and rampant abuse of the common folk, Daehyun aches to find a way to dethrone his half-brother once and for all. When staging a coup, failure is fatal, and he’ll need help to pull it off—but there’s no way to know who he can trust.

When Iseul's and Daehyun's fates collide, their contempt for each other is transcended only by their mutual hate for the king. Armed with Iseul’s family connections and Daehyun’s royal access, they reluctantly join forces to launch the riskiest gamble the kingdom has ever

Save her sister. Free the people. Destroy a tyrant.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Every page propels the mystery and intrigue forward to create an exciting adventure with more than a few dark undertones.

Iseul is determined to save her older sister after the king nabbed her from the village and dragged her to the capital to join his ever-growing circle of concubines. The entire kingdom suffers under the tyrant's cruel rule, one which has left Iseul parentless after the king's last 'purge' on his government officials. With no money and no allies, the task is dangerous and impossible, but even if it means her death, Iseul won't let her sister suffer. When she's set face-to-face with a series of murders which is threatening the king, she realizes that finding the criminal might be the only chance she has to save her sister. But that brings her to the prince, and he will either be her undoing, her greatest ally, or both.

When I picked this up, I was expecting an historical read...which this is but not with as many details as I expected. Instead, the setting radiates through the little things, which demonstrate the aspects of the daily life, ideologies, and cultures around 1506. This was a tumultuous time in Korean history, where the king lost his mind in greed and power. The author doesn't numb the cruelty, which also means there are more than a few triggers in this read. Still, it doesn't settle into the gore of details, but rather, lets the situations hit with the seriousness and emotions they deserve. 

It's a darker read, which even goes beyond the cruelty of the king and heads into a string of murders and mystery. There's quite a bit of intrigue thrown in, which when mixed with the planning of a coup, creates a heavy weave that thickens and thickens. There's a lot to work through, and that in just this one novel. It creates a quick-paced read with little time to take a breath before the next twist arrives. The general world building does slide back in terms of scenery and surroundings, and this will be an easier read for those who have already sunk into Asian culture before. But it's a tale, which grabs and stays tense the entire way through.

On the character end, the author has placed the leads in two, very different realms before bringing them together. The tale switches back and forth between Iseul and Daehyun, and they don't meet until several chapters in. This gives the reader time to get a feel for both personalities as well as gain the needed foundation of life inside and outside of the palace. When the two meet, it's not insta-attraction by any means. Romance isn't high on the list when lives are at stake on so many levels. It was refreshing to see the main issues remain in control over the romance in a YA read. This strong flow of plot did mean less on character depth and reflection, but that also makes it a lighter read...if it can be called that.

While this didn't have as much of the historical flair as I expected, it is an exciting read. The intrigue, mystery, and dangerous situations drive each moment forward and add many tense moments. The characters are determined and easy to root for as they try their best to turn everything around. Add the powerful ending, and it's well-worth a read for those who enjoy darker adventures set in historical times.

And here she is...

June Hur is a bestselling and Edgar Award-winning author of YA historicals, including The Silence of Bones, The Forest of Stolen Girls, The Red Palace, and A Crane Among Wolves. Born in South Korea, June spent her formative years in the USA, Canada, and South Korea before studying History and Literature at the University of Toronto, and working at the city’s public library. Her work has been featured in Forbes, NPR, The New York Times, CBC, and KBS. June resides in Toronto with her family and can be spotted writing in coffee shops.

What's Coming in May?

May is always a busy month. Gardening hits hard—while lettuce and such have already been growing, it's time to set out tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, and...and...and...  School is ending, which isn't as major a twist as it once was, but it still switches up the pace in our household and adds stress for a week or two. Then, my eldest daughter is graduating with her Master's and that needs to be celebrated! Maybe, we can sneak in a short road-trip somewhere? I do love a nice road trip. 

And of course, there's the reading end. 

This month is a little odd compared to my usual list. I have a pretty good sized stack of graphic novels, which leans especially toward the young adult side. There are several reads centered around the arts, and a couple hitting time travel, but then, science fiction is stronger this month, anyway. Then, I have more than a few reads, which seem to dance to their own tune... By than, I mean that they seem to have some very original twists and mixes, and I'm not sure what to expect. Could be bad; could be good. I also have a few deeper reads and a fantasy or two, so it's going to be a surprising mix!  

A CRANE AMONG WOLVES

When I read the blurb, I was hooked. Set in 1506 in Korean, it wraps historical facts around two people from very different backgrounds, who despite being enemies, need to work together to save their country. It promises intrigue, a bit of mystery, romance and tons of historical goodness. I'm going to shoot off the month with this one and hope it rings in a great May reading list.

Young Adult Historical

THE REAL COWGIRL

This read screams fun for young horse fans. While it's not hard to find books about girls and their horses in chapter books and middle grade reads, I don't see them very often in picture book form...that could just be me. This one promises friendship and more. I'm looking forward to taking a peek at it on the 3rd.

Picture Book

THE CITY BEYOND THE STARS

This is the 2nd in a series, and I did read the first. (Wow!) It continues where the first book left off and follows a girl's magical adventure as she heads against evil with friends at her side, this time, to see if she can't free her mother. Since the first one was an enjoyable read, I am looking forward to see where the tale goes next. Join me on the 6th to learn more.

Middle Grade Fantasy

YOU ARE LOVED

May flowers (or I'll call them that) add so much color to this cover and fit perfectly to the season. Plus, feel good books are a must for young readers, and the character on this one with its bunny ears made me smile. I'm looking forward to diving in and don't know quite what to expect...except warming goodness. Join me on the 7th and be prepared to smile.

Picture Book

TIME BUDDIES

This is the first in a new graphic novel series, which slides in a similar direction-ish as Cat Ninja. But this one centers around an owl and a out-of-his-comfort-zone boy as they explore time. I believe it weaves in some history along with adventure and fun, but I'll figure that out and share it with you on the 12th.

Chapter Book Science Fiction  /   Graphic Novel

MONET CHASES THE LIGHT

Time for some knowledge goodness! This book highlights Monet and introduces young readers to not only his art but should take a peek at him as a person, too. I am curious to see how this one goes...the cover hints that it should be fun too. I'll be grabbing inspiration and heading into this one on the 13th.

Picture Book Nonfiction

TAGGING FREEDOM

I'm a little late to the game with this read, since it hit the shelves early November last year, but I'm looking forward to finally having the chance to take a peek. It centers around art, culture clash, the impact of war on kids, and trying to have voices heard. It also rotates around a character from Syria, which adds a twist I haven't seen often in kidlit, either. Settle down with me on the 18th to hear more.

Middle Grade Contemporary

INFINITE WHEATPASTE, VOL. 1

I'm ready to walk into the amazing world of science fiction with this read...and that with not only graphic novel goodness but with unique flare. Or so I believe? It hovers around "relationships...androids...car repair...time travel...gods", so we're looking at quite the mix to add in tons of twists, excitement, and unexpected moments. And there should be STEM wonders as well. I'm sitting down with this one on the 21sr.

Young Adult Science Fiction   /   Graphic Novel

MOVIES SHOWING NOWHERE

Time travel, memories and loss are the key words surrounding this read. I haven't really studied this one too much, yet, but maybe, the movies transport the main character? That would be so neat! I'm expecting mystery, secrets, and a capturing world, but whether or not it will be anything like that, remains to be seen. I'll be able to say more about it on the 26th.

Middle Grade Time Travel

THE SPACE YOU LEFT BEHIND

I'm going to end the month with a read to pull at the heart-strings and twist in a bit of mystery, too. Written in verse, this novel follows a girl with mild cerebral palsy as she tries not only to find acceptance but is on the hunt to discover the truth behind her father's donor. There's romance, emotion, and...well, I'll discover more and share it with you on the 30th.

Young Adult Contemporary

Let's not forget this month's joker read! This is a book, which I have waiting on the sidelines to get its time to shine. And it will receive it. But right now, my month is booked out (word pun not intended), and I'm going to have to simply wait to see when it will have a chance to slide in.

A ROVER'S STORY

This one isn't a 'new' read and already hit the shelves two years ago. I just ran across it and loved the idea of a moon rover adventure...so original! It actually going to be a library read, and I'm hoping to sneak it in around the end of the month...at least, that's what I'm suspecting. Depends on what happens with the rest of the books I already have scheduled. 

Anyway, I'm looking forward to this one and hope it's as fun as it could be.

Middle Grade Science Fiction

The Door That Had Never Been Opened Before by Mrs. & Mr. MacLeod

Today's read should be unique and exciting. I say that because I read the first book from this pair of authors, How to Eat a Book, last year and enjoyed it quite a bit. I don't know what this one will be about....well, a door that had never been opened before, I'm assuming...but knowing these authors, that is only a small peek at what the fun might be. 

So, let's open this one up and see what it holds.

(Note: This one was so much better than I even thought it might be and is now finding its place on my possible favorites of 2024 list.)

THE DOOR THAT HAD NEVER

BEEN OPENED BEFORE

by Mrs. & Mr. MacLeod

Union Square Kids

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 4 to 8

Mrs. & Mr. MacLeod, authors of the award winning How to Eat a Book, present a whimsical, thought-provoking picture book about coming face-to-face with the unknown. Beautifully illustrated and lyrically written, The Door That Had Never Been Opened Before has strong read-aloud appeal for families, libraries, booksellers, and educators.

The Grunions' house had many doors. But there was one door, that had never been opened before!

The door that had never been opened before was built closed shut, locked tight, and never opened for a reason. A reason that nobody knew.

Geraldine opened every door she ever found. Geraldine opened every door and went everywhere and met everyone and did EVERYTHING. Everything, except ONE THING. Geraldine had never opened the Door that had NEVER been opened before...NOT yet!

The Door That Had Never Been Opened Before is a contemporary look at a timeless question—with hints of Shel Silverstein and a smattering of Edward Gorey. Fantastically illustrated with dipped pen-and-ink cutout art, photographed in a three-dimensional stage diorama and hand-colored, this children's picture book is a HIT from the talented Mrs. & Mr. MacLeod.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON     /    B&N     /      LINDEN TREE BOOKS

MY TIDBITS

If you ever wondered whether a single, closed door can be exciting, this book answers that question and more.

The Grunions, a group of three children, live in a very large house which has many, many doors. Geraldine loves to open every door she finds. Gerald likes to keep them closed. Sheila spends time wondering about the only door in the house, which has never, ever, ever been opened...not for the 150 years since it was first built. The three are determined in their own ways, to handle the situation with the closed door. But none of them consider what might happen if the door ever does open.

This book is described as a meeting of Shel Silverstein, Lewis Carroll, and Pete Mondrian, and while this first sounded like a pretty wide range to me, it does fit. Sometimes, there's a poetic feel, and yet, it never really goes that direction. There is a good heaping of quirky adventure. Then, there are hints of a message, which whispers behind a very ridiculous back and forth between the characters....or maybe, behind that closed door. 

The three kids are normal and easy to understand. Each of them has a very different (and stubborn) personalities, and that already promises quite a bit of fun as they clash against each other.  But the true fun comes when imagination explodes. At that moment, the mystery turns into an amazing adventure with silliness and tension. 

The illustrations and text are very well done. 3D flair makes each image seem to stand off the page to add a hint of life. While most of the scenes stay in black and white with simple and thick lines, there are pops of color right where it matters most. It's a technique, which is handled masterfully. The text flows with purpose, making every word count and plays as much as the images with various font sizes. It makes a great read-aloud and works for early readers, too.

Listeners will laugh, giggle, gasp, cringe, scoot to the edge of their seats, smile, and probably be saying that beloved phrase—"again".

And here they are...

Mrs. & Mr. MacLeod are an award-winning, critically acclaimed author and illustrator team living with their five children in California. Their debut picture book, How to Eat a Book, won the Barnes & Noble Picture Book of the Year Award in 2023.

Yellow, Red, Green—GO! by Ellen Mayer

 It's been a little bit since I've presented a board book, and I don't want to forget the youngest readers out there! This one is part of a series, which introduces the very first foundations of math...which aren't as scary as some people might think. The positive cover has me believing this won't be a boring read, but we'll see.

YELLOW, RED, GREEN—GO!

by Ellen Mayer

Illustrated by Ying-Hwa Hu

Star Bright Books

Board Book

20 pages

ages 1 to 4

COMING JUNE 25th!!!

Helmet on, buckle up, and off they go! As mother and young child bike together through their neighborhood to visit grandma, they see many things. They slow down as the traffic light turns yellow, then stop when it turns red, and then pedal forward when it switches to green, not only talking about what the color of each light means, but also about the pattern the lights make as they repeat. What other patterns will they discover along the way?

Yellow, Red, Green—GO! is a delightful addition to the Small Talk Books® math stories. This story explores patterns, an important early math concept.

GOODREADS    /    STAR BRIGHT BOOKS

MY TIDBITS

Discovering patterns in the world around us meets familiar scenes with happy moments and fun.

A child and its mother are off to Grandma's house, riding a bike to get there. On their way, they pass traffic lights, which turn yellow, red and green. The mother points this out to her child, and when they make a stop at a store, the child notices the pattern in something else. Soon, they discover other patterns together.

The good vibes and positive emotions start this book out on a wonderful note and will have young listeners wanting to head out, too. The first example of a pattern, a traffic light, isn't only familiar, but listeners will have plenty of opportunity to spot this example when they are out-and-about themselves. It's a clever start. By tying this pattern to the next...and that in a store with toys...a nice flow is created, which hits the point in a way kids can connect to. This doesn't overload with patterns, either, but sticks to just a few.

The text is a little heavier than in many board books for this age group but stays at a level young listeners can understand. There are extra, repetitive phrases to add fun and invite listeners to join in. This goes beyond just the tale and includes things such as the patterned sound of the bicycle...a gentle way to illustrate the theme.

The illustrations are very detailed and hold familiar scenes. These allow for a little exploration and will have listeners discovery small things they didn't notice before when revisiting the read. 

This is part of a series, which introduces first building blocks to math logic. There's also a Spanish edition (I believe) available. So, this book has a lot to offer. 

And here they are...

Ellen Mayer is an award-winning children’s author who has worked as an education researcher and early literacy home visitor. Her Small Talk Books® series with Star Bright Books focuses on two aspects of early childhood education with engaging stories: early language development and early math development. Her most recent publication, Yellow, Red, Green—GO! is her tenth book with Star Bright Books. She lives with her husband and very large cat in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Visit Ellen's website here.

Ying-Hwa Hu is an award-winning illustrator. Her work has been exhibited at the Bologna Book Fair and The Society of Illustrators Original Art Show. Ying-Hwa has illustrated over 30 books, many of which she collaborated with her husband Cornelius Van Wright, also an illustrator and author. She lives in New York City with her husband. Visit www.yinghwahu.com

Not Nothing by Gayle Forman

 I was excited to get my hands on today's read, since it dives into history while playing in the contemporary world. Nope, no time travel. Instead, it centers around a boy, who is helping out at an nursing home and strikes a friendship with one of the residents, a 107 year-old man.

While growing up, we lived across the alleyway from a bachelor, who was 99 years old. Us siblings would take turns visiting him in the afternoon for half-an-hour or so. And we loved it. There'd be green grapes and saltines for us to snack on, while he listened to our stories (and we told him everything). Then, sometimes, he'd tell us stories about his life, while building the Panama Canal. He was on the third ship to ever cross it, too.

So many people have interesting moments in life.

Anyway, this one heads into tales from WWII, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it handles things. 

NOT NOTHING

by Gayle Forman

Aladdin

Middle Grade Contemporary

288 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

AUGUST 27th!!!

"The book we all need at the time we all need it.” —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award–winning author of The One and Only Ivan In this middle grade novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Gayle Forman, a boy who has been assigned to spend his summer volunteering at a senior living facility learns unexpected lessons that change the trajectory of his life.

To say Alex has had it rough is an understatement. His father’s gone, his mother is struggling with mental health issues, and he’s now living with an aunt and uncle who are less than excited to have him. Almost everyone treats him as though he doesn’t matter at all, like he’s nothing. So when a kid at school actually tells him he’s nothing, Alex snaps, and gets violent. Fortunately, his social worker pulls some strings and gets him a job at a nursing home for the summer rather than being sent to juvie. There, he meets Josey, the 107-year-old Holocaust survivor who stopped bothering to talk years ago, and Maya-Jade, the granddaughter of one of the residents with an overblown sense of importance. Unlike Alex, Maya-Jade believes that people care about what she thinks, and that she can make a difference. And when Alex and Josey form an unlikely bond, with Josey confiding in him, Alex starts to believe he can make a difference—a good difference—in the world. 

If he can truly feel he matters, Alex may be able to finally rise to the occasion of his own life.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

'Opportunities' takes on new meaning in a novel with depth and heart.

Alex has gotten himself into trouble but has been given a second chance from the courts by helping out at a nursing home. His father left long ago, and he's been temporarily separated from his mother due to her mental issues. The aunt and uncle he's living with see him as a burden and make their opinion clear constantly. The nursing home is not exactly a place Alex wants to be. Not only does it smell and is filled with zombies, but the person in charge of him is a girl about his age, who is as bossy and irritating as can be. When he runs across Josey, a 107-year-old resident who hasn't spoken a word for the last five years, Alex finds someone to connect with...especially since Josey deems that Alex is the first person worth talking to. As Josey reveals his life during the WWII years, not only does Alex start seeing things in a new light, but his own life starts changing.

Alex is a bit lost in life, especially since he's gotten himself into trouble with the courts. It's not said what he did until the end of the book (which wasn't my thing but does have its purpose), but it's clear that he's dealing with a very rough family life. He's got an attitude and is rough on the edges, but there's enough goodness shining through to see his good heart. His situation is easy to sympathize with, and some of his comments do add just the right amount of snark and humor. So, he's a well-rounded character, which is easy to root for and connect with.

Then, there's Josey, the 107-year-old, who not only adds a nice twist with his wisdom but opens the door to historical aspects of WWII. His stories center around his relationship with the love of his life and take unexpected directions, which build the tension while also giving insights into the time period. Josey holds quite a bit of personality, which comes across clearly with much of the novel written from his point of view. These carry a third-person, omniscient voice, in which he refers to Alex as 'the boy'. His tales from the past are printed in a slightly different font to make it clear when he's heading back in time. So, things never grow confusing despite the constant back and forth.

Even the other characters battle with their own issues and carry distinct personalities, which help guide Alex along his way to learning to embrace opportunities. This makes the read quick-paced with something new happening with every turn of the page, since so much is coming together. 

There's a lot being explored in these pages. There are family issues, problems of living as a foster child (even when with relatives), moments of therapy, dealing with cancer, and more. Then, there's the historical details of WWII and concentration camps. All of this is set in a nursing home, where even  problems surrounding such institutions and people also somewhat come to light. Still, the story doesn't weigh down, but it does hold a pretty serious tone even with a few lighter moments here and there to keep it entertaining and molded to the middle grade age group.

Readers, who enjoy diving into heartfelt reads with inspiring character arc, will enjoy this one. It's also nice for anyone wanting to learn more about WWII and life at that time. It's not for everyone, but it does carry a lot of goodness.

And here she is...

Award-winning author and journalist Gayle Forman has written several bestselling novels, including those in the Just One Day series, Where She Went, and the #1 New York Times bestseller If I Stay, which has been translated into more than forty languages and was adapted into a major motion picture. Her first middle grade novel, Frankie & Bug, was a New York Times Best Children’s Book of 2021. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her family.