First of all, I transferred my reviews from The StoryGraph to Goodreads because I realized there were just too many I kept forgetting I read already.
Cely’s Crocodile: The Art and Story of Araceli Limcaco Dans / Si Cely at ang Buwaya: Ang Sining at Buhay ni Araceli Limcaco Dans by Gabriela Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’d been curious about this book and I finally got it as a birthday gift.
I didn’t realize it was a nonfiction picture book which was a pleasant surprise since I didn’t know anything about this artist and her signature style.
Araceli Limcaco Dans pursued her passion for art even when she was discouraged to do so. She used it as a way to express herself and to help others during World War II.
I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, 1900 by Lauren Tarshis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I finally picked up a book in this series. I didn’t realize how intense they were. Although, that’s pretty much on me considering what the series is called and what this book was about. I can see the kid appeal to this. Plenty of excitement in the safety of a book. Lots of additional information after the story for kids who are still curious about the subject.
Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea by Ashley Herring Blake
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I somehow managed to simultaneously end up reading two middle grade novels about dealing with the loss of a parent and how the eldest child sort of has to be the functioning grown up in the family. This one is the most serious of the two.
Ashley Herring Blake is a wonderful writer. This book was rather depressing. I was annoyed and angry at the mom. I feel like a lot of my dislike of this book comes from me wanting Hazel to hold on to her grief and anger longer which is not character growth at all for a kids novel.
MythSpace: Ignition by Paolo Chikiamco
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Even though this wasn’t for me, I could appreciate the fresh take on Philippine mythology. These six stories reimagine old lore into a futuristic intergalactic setting with anime-style illustrations.
You can view all my reviews over on Goodreads. Please consider supporting independent bookstores when you want to buy any of the books I’ve mentioned via Bookshop.org or Libro.fm.
Thanks for visiting my blog. Happy Reading!
The Chronicles Of A Children's Book Writer - Earl Dizon 
The I Survived series is a great way to get kids more interested in history. It was the only non-required reading with a history focus our son would read. Cely’s Crocodile sounds like a great story, and the cover artwork is wonderful.
I think I’ve only ever read one book in the I Survived series. I know I definitely read the one about the Great Molasses Flood because of the connection to where I live. I just picked up one at our book fair about an avalanche. Kids really love the series.
I am sad that Cely’s Crocodile is not available at any of my local libraries. I love nonfiction picture books. I don’t think I will read Hazel Bly. As the eldest child in a family with a chronically ill adult, I find reading books where parentification plays a role, hit a bit to close to the bone for me.