The Witch Boy by Lee Knox Ostertag

The Witch Boy by Lee Knox Ostertag

The Witch Boy #1, 224 pages

⭐⭐⭐.5/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

In thirteen-year-old Aster's family, all the girls are raised to be witches, while boys grow up to be shapeshifters. Anyone who dares cross those lines is exiled. Unfortunately for Aster, he still hasn't shifted . . . and he's still fascinated by witchery, no matter how forbidden it might be. When a mysterious danger threatens the other boys, Aster knows he can help -- as a witch. It will take the encouragement of a new friend, the non-magical and non-conforming Charlie, to convince Aster to try practicing his skills. And it will require even more courage to save his family . . . and be truly himself.

Kristy's Great Idea: A Graphic Novel by Raina Telgemeier, Ann M. Martin

Kristy's Great Idea: A Graphic Novel by Raina Telgemeier, Ann M. Martin

The Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels #1, 192 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

In this new graphic novel edition of the very first Baby-Sitters Club book, Raina Telgemeier captures all the drama of the original in warm, spunky illustrations. Witness Kristy's eureka moment, when she gets the idea for a "baby-sitters club" and enlists her best friends, shy Mary Anne and artistic Claudia, in an exciting new venture. But the baby-sitting business isn't the only thing absorbing their attention: Kristy is having a hard time accepting her stepdad-to-be, and the newest member of the gang, Stacey, seems to be hiding a secret.

1776 by David McCullough

 1776 by David McCullough-386 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

America’s beloved and distinguished historian presents, in a book of breathtaking excitement, drama, and narrative force, the stirring story of the year of our nation’s birth, 1776, interweaving, on both sides of the Atlantic, the actions and decisions that led Great Britain to undertake a war against her rebellious colonial subjects and that placed America’s survival in the hands of George Washington.

In this masterful book, David McCullough tells the intensely human story of those who marched with General George Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence—when the whole American cause was riding on their success, without which all hope for independence would have been dashed and the noble ideals of the Declaration would have amounted to little more than words on paper.

Based on extensive research in both American and British archives, 1776 is a powerful drama written with extraordinary narrative vitality. It is the story of Americans in the ranks, men of every shape, size, and color; farmers, schoolteachers, shoemakers, no-accounts, and mere boys turned soldiers. And it is the story of the King’s men, the British commander, William Howe, and his highly disciplined redcoats who looked on their rebel foes with contempt and fought with a valor too little known.

Written as a companion work to his celebrated biography of John Adams, David McCullough’s 1776 is another landmark in the literature of American history.

Thoughts: This has been on my TBR for quite some time and I decided to finally read it for this month's challenge. I like that McCullough begins in late 1775 with the British perspective and the events in the British Parliament that lead to the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. I learned some things about King George III (he had 15 children!) and his attitude toward the American colonies and the conflict that he viewed as a rebellion. I also learned that some British MPs (Members of Parliament) were more sympathetic towards the American colonists and wanted to try more conciliatory measures, but were ultimately outnumbered. This is a nuanced, even account of the first year or so of the American Revolutionary War and especially of Washington and his Continental Army. It was very bleak for Washington and the army for most of 1776. Even though the Declaration was signed on July 4, it was not looking good for the Americans for most of the year. The tides finally turned in late December, 1776 at the Battle of Trenton where the Continental Army surprised approx. 1,500 Hessians and routed them inflicting 1,100 casualties (111 dead or wounded, 900 captured). Up until that point it had been defeat after defeat. In early 1777, the Continental Army won another victory at the Battle of Princeton. If not for these two victories (especially Trenton), the American Revolutionary War may have ended quite differently. This was a really good read and I learned some things.

Spacewalking With You, Vol. 1 by Inuhiko Doronoda

Spacewalking With You, Vol. 1 by Inuhiko Doronoda

Kimi to Uchū wo Aruku Tame ni #1, 224 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Kobayashi just can’t focus--not on studying, not on work--and the adults in his life think he's in danger of becoming a worthless dropout. Then, one day, a strange new presence arrives in his class: an energetic and naive kid named Uno. Kobayashi saves Uno from getting scammed, and that close encounter launches a new friendship. Uno's definitely a space cadet, but Kobayashi can't help admiring the way he floats through life, and before he knows it, he might start feeling his feet lift off the ground, too...

Fighting Fifteen by Stephen L. Moore

 Fighting Fifteen: The Navy's Top Ace and the Deadliest Hellcat Squadron of the Pacific War by Stephen L. Moore -421 pages

Fighting Fifteen was the fighter unit based on the carrier Essex in 1944 through the major air battles over the Marianas and the Philippines during a seven month war cruise. The deployment was supposed to be six months but was extended to seven. The unit shot down more enemy planes than any other in a single deployment (and sunk many ships) and produced 26 aces. David McCambell, commander of the Essex air group, shot down 34 enemy planes and had several more "probables" as the Navy's top ace. The unit also paid a high price. The air group lost 26 fighter pilots, and 57 bomber and torpedo pilots and crew. This is a good read for anyone interested in World War II carrier operations.

My Hero Academia, Volumes 26 - 30

My Hero Academia, Volume 26 - 200 pages

My Hero Academia, Volume 27 - 184 pages

My Hero Academia, Volume 28 - 184 pages

My Hero Academia, Volume 29 - 184 pages

My Hero Academia, Volume 30 - 200 pages

Kohei Horikoshi, Caleb D. Cook (Translator)

Series Summary (From Volume 1 on Goodreads)

What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called “Quirks” at age four? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?

Middle school student Izuku Midoriya wants to be a hero more than anything, but he hasn’t got an ounce of power in him. With no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes, his life is looking more and more like a dead end. Then an encounter with All Might, the greatest hero of them all, gives him a chance to change his destiny…

Review

Much of the events in these volumes are focused around one major confrontation between the Paranormal Liberation Front and the protagonists and their allies.  That said, I wouldn't say the pacing has been negatively impacted, as there's plenty of intense action.  The events of this arc make for a much darker tone going forward.  The revelations in volume 30 in particular seem set to precipitate the collapse of the current hero-centric society.  

A Sign of Affection, Vol. 4 by Suu Morishita

A Sign of Affection, Vol. 4 by Suu Morishita

Yubisaki to Renren #4, 164 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Yuki, a deaf college student who’s led a relatively sheltered life, has just taken a huge step: She’s got a boyfriend! And he seems like a keeper: Itsuomi is a multilingual globetrotter who works hard, and he’s a knockout, to boot. Yuki can still scarcely believe that Itsuomi casually dropped the question, “Wanna go out with me?” And she can’t help wondering—when will Itsuomi start to open up to her about his past, and his dreams for the future? Is this a whim, or is it real?