Different and Good!

Archer's Quest by Linda Sue Park was a very good read and one that I will recommend for sure.  I like magical realism and it works really well here.  I liked learning about Korean mythology for the first time ever.  The story is about a normal kid from Upstate NY who happens to meet Chumong, a dude from Korean Mythology. 

Hard to Criticize

A Long Walk to Water is based on the remarkable true story of Salva Dut, a young man who was one of the "Lost Boys of Sudan" displaced from Sudan in 1985 during Second Sudanese Civil War.
His story is truly incredible.  What a man of strength.  We talk about heroes and bravery, well, Salva Dut is a brave hero for sure.  But the thing is, I really am not into Linda Sue Park's books.  Well, I have only read two, this one and A Single Shard, but I really didn't like A Single Shard and this one I just didn't like either.
But, I did read Bee-bim Bop and it is an awesome picture book.  So maybe I just like her picture books!  Next I am going to read Project Mulberry, though because I have heard really good things about it.  I am going to say that this book is Good for Dudes though, because it IS good for dudes.  I mean, here is the story of an incredible man.  It was just the second story that was told in alternating chapters that was bad.

Not quite 1954...but almost

A Single Shard isn't as in love with itself as Reach Me. So we aren't talking the Travesty of 54 status here.  It isn't as ridiculous as Wintergirls either. Ming the Potter is perhaps as unlikable as Margaret's gang, but at least he has a reason (he's grieving the loss of his only son) and he redeem himself. But SS is predictable in a major way. As soon as you find out that Ming the Potter is hoping to get a royal commisson to make pots you KNOW what's gonna happen. The title gives it away. No big deal though. That happens, right? Murder on the Orient Express, Killing Mr. Griffin, etc. SS is a nice little story. It's just that it probably could have been done better as a picture book for older readers. Some thing along the lines of My Rows and Piles of Coins or Demi's The Empty Pot and The Hungry Coat. I could see SS done like one of  these with no complaints. But to drag out such a predictable story, no matter how "cute" it is...I just don't think that's Newbery Neighborhood. Ok sure, I'm the one who can't wait for the next LA Candy to come out, but I am also the one who picked up on the shear ridiculousness of After Tupac only getting Honor status.  I won't do a summary of SS, it would end up being longer than the book should have been if I try. I'm just terrible at that, as you know. Then again, nobody's giving me a Newbery, are they?  Still if you have to pick one to read, go with Everything on a Waffle.  It is a much better book.