Danielle > Recent Status Updates

Reading for work. Validating some practices I already have in my classroom and highlighting some ways I can help my students work smarter and not harder. We’ll see!

I wasn’t expecting such an action novel, but I’ve got it, and it’s so good! The heart and witty banter and uniquely quirky characters that Klune’s books tend to be full of- are all here. I dove into the book without knowing much, and I’m having a blast! It’s very hard to put down!

It’s just SO heartwarming. Every chapter. I’m tearing up. I’m laughing. Happy tears. Sad tears. Ridiculous laughter. Joyous laughter. Klune is just so good in these books!!

I cried happy tears and literally laughed out loud within the first ten pages. I am so happy to be back with these wholesome characters! I’m so excited to see the new way they bring happiness and change to their world using everyone’s super power: their voices!

After loving the Shades of Magic series SO MUCH, I was worried about diving into this book- worried I wouldn’t remember the details and adventures endured with my beloved Lila and Kell and Rhy and Alucard- but it’s coming back! And Lila and Kell are already making me grin like a fool as I read. Starting off meeting new characters was a risk- but it worked- I’m invested and excited!

I’ve never read such violent, horrific descriptions of war. It’s devastatingly well written. I’m almost to the end, but realized I hadn’t added it to Goodreads. Despite the setting, there are moments of levity, humor, and heart. I’m really enjoying every element to this book. I already know I’ll read the sequels!

I like that it’s organized into parts. I’m picking up more and more Pinocchio and even Wizard of Oz references. The machines trying to relate to human phrases and experiences is hilarious. There have been more heavy moments than I was expecting after so much levity in the beginning, but not in a bad way! I love all the commentary on humanity so far. Good and bad!

There’s just something about Klune’s characters that always put a huge smile on my face. Their dialogue and found-family banter is so much fun to read, immediately from the first page, but I know heartache is right around the corner. I just finished Chapter 8, and it had the most ominous final sentence!

I’ll be teaching this in just a couple weeks, and I haven’t read it since middle school. I can’t believe how much I forgot- but it’s been really fun to read as an adult. I’m definitely getting more out of it.

I had to look up a summary of the previous book to remember the details- but I’m only four chapters in, and already hooked back into this world!

The cozy vibes and small wholesome moments are perfect! Exactly what I was hoping for when I jumped into the book today.

First chapter was just a recap of the first book, but then we quickly picked up our adventure where we left off! Some of the characterization feels repetitive. I’m excited and nervous for this new setting within the Up and Under, and I’m excited to see how Zib and Avery’s friendship continues to grow! 😁

First, and I know this isn’t the point of the book, but it is insanely refreshing to read about realistic parenting: the ups and downs, the task management, all the emotions… AND such excellent parenting!! It makes me heart so happy. Second, I have cried multiple times. Happy, sad, frustrated.
Third, I am loving the insight this book brings forward. It’s absolutely beautiful!

I didn't really know what to expect going in to this novel, but I've already teared-up twice and laughed aloud multiple times. I didn't realize the perspective the narrator is writing from before diving in, and it is incredibly eye-opening and heart-wrenching/melting all at once. I can see why this would be a recommended novel for young reader's at the middle school level.