Recent Reads #11; the 11th and 13th of 2018.

* Yes, I am aware that this title may be confusing. Let me clear this up: the wonderfully magical YA 'Out of the Blue' by Sophie Cameron was my 12th read of 2018, and I devoted a whole post to it (with a review from me, and an interview with the author) last week. Okay? Cool. We good. Onwards! *

King Coo, by Adam Stower (published with David Fickling Books).

BEN POLE is on the run from his arch-enemy MONTY GRABBE when he discovers a forest with rope swings, water slides, Herbert the wombat, and best of all KING COO.

(Goodreads.com)

Yes, I was sent a copy of this (delightful, short 'n' sweet) Middle Grade novel, but that in no way affects my opinion of it. And my opinion is: it's GREAT. 

It was just what I needed to get out of my reading slump, and mix things up a little after a lot of non-fic and tragic YA (tragic as in sad, not as in badly written!). This story was simply gorgeous and light and special, and since reading it I've seen people post tweets about how positive it is in terms of gender role subversion (King Coo, ruler of the jungle, is a young girl with a luscious beard!) and also how it teaches kids to stand up to their bullies. 

Moxie, by Jennifer Mathieu (published with Hodder Children's Books).  

'Vivian Carter is fed up. With her high school teachers who think the football team can do no wrong, the sexist dress codes, hallway harassment and gross comments from guys during class. But most of all, Viv Carter is fed up with always following the rules. Viv takes a page from her mother's '90s Riot Grrrl past and creates Moxie, a feminist zine she distributes anonymously to classmates. Soon, other girls respond and spread the Moxie message. Viv forges friendships across the divides of cliques and popularity rankings, and realises that what she has started is a great girl revolution.'

(Goodreads.com)

Everyone was telling me to read this, and now I've finally got round to it I can see why. I'm normally a little hesitant to read American YA, as I find the writing style and dialogue between characters a little grating, to be brutally honest. But this novel was brilliantly written, and the American angle to it was super sweet. 

And goddamn, it fed the feminist fire in my gut! 

This excellent book is currently £7.59 on A Great Read!

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