Book Review: 'The Reign of Wolf 21' by Rick McIntyre

✰✰✰✰½  For Wolf 21 and Wolf 42, it was love at first sight. Unfortunately, Wolf 42's dominant sister stood in the way. After alliances within the pack changed, Wolf 42 was able to oust her sister as alpha female and true love prevailed. Together Wolf 21 and Wolf 42 became the leaders of Yellowstone's most successful wolf pack, the Druids. This is the true story of their partnership and legacy, but it's not for the feint of heart. This page turner is filled with drama and carnage as well as tender moments and compassion.

The Bottom Line: Part science, part natural history, and part love story, this book includes detailed observations, maps of pack territories, and charts of pack members. The only thing missing were photographs. Highly recommended for fans of brilliant science writing and natural history.  

While this is the follow up to McIntyre's earlier book, The Rise of Wolf 8: Witnessing the Triumph of Yellowstone's Underdog, it is not necessary to read the books in order as there is ample information in this installment.

Details: The Reign of Wolf 21: The Saga of Yellowstone's Legendary Druid Pack by Rick McIntyre. Advance Reader's Copy published by Greystone Books in 2020. 272 p. ISBN: 978-1-77164-524-9 [Note: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.]

Book Review: 'All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team' by Christina Soontornvat

✰✰✰✰ In 2018 the world was captivated by the amazing rescue of twelve young boys and their coach from a flooded cave in Thailand. The members of the Wild Boar soccer team often liked to go on adventures together after practice. One day the boys and their coach decided to go caving. What started out as an adventure, turned into a nightmare as they quickly found themselves trapped in a cave with floodwaters rapidly rising all around them. There was no way out. All the boys and their coach could do was huddle together on a patch of land in complete darkness and wait.

As news of the missing boys spread, experts from all over the world arrived to help with the rescue. But this would be no ordinary rescue. Even trained divers struggled against the muddy waters and strong currents. With time running out, it would take the coordination of many people with different areas of expertise to orchestrate this harrowing rescue. Some even doubted a rescue could be possible. With time running out, and the rainy season just arriving, the rescuers had no choice but to proceed as quickly as possible. You won't be able to stop turning the pages as this rescue against time unfolds.

The Bottom Line: In this suspenseful, detailed account of this rescue, Soontornvat also includes abundant information about Thailand's culture, religion, and politics. Maps, photographs, and other interesting facts supplement the text to help illustrate the complexity of this rescue effort. Suggested reading for middle grade science class and anyone interested in rescue or survival stories. [Note: Full-color photographs not seen in the ARC.]

Details: All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat. Advanced reading copy published by Candlewick in 2020. 288 p. ISBN: 978-1-5362-0945-7 [Note: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.]

Book Review: 'Tracks in the Snow' by Wong Herbert Yee

 

✰✰✰✰½ A curious little girl sets off in the snow to follow a set of tracks. Who made these tracks? And where do they go? She follows the tracks through rocks and across a bridge, but there's many more to follow. Into the wintry woods she goes looking for a rabbit or maybe a bear or perhaps a woodchuck. Where will she end up? And who made the tracks? Read this sweet little story to solve the mystery.

The Bottom Line: Check out this easy read with rhyming verses and repetition. Tots who enjoy exploring nature will appreciate the engaging illustrations in colored pencil as they follow this little girl's adventure through the snowy woods. Highly recommended for beginning readers ages 2 - 5. 

Details: Tracks in the Snow written & illustrated by Wong Herbert Yee. Picture book published by Henry Holt & Company in 2003. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0805067712 

Book Review: 'Below Stairs' by Margaret Powell

✰✰✰✰ A teenaged Margaret Powell had her sights on becoming a teacher, but lack of money squashed her plans. Instead she entered domestic services as a kitchen maid, the very lowest level of domestic service there was. The job was bewildering at first; the cook expected her to know how to do things like blacklead the grate, scrub the steps, and iron bootlaces. No one showed her anything, and she had to quickly learn on the job. Margaret soon realized there was little time for fun. As Powell worked her way up to cook, she tried to bide her time until she could fulfill her real goal: finding a suitable husband. Filled with wit and wisdom, Below Stairs gives the reader a look at the many challenges and scant rewards of being in domestic service during the first half of the 1900s in England. 

The Bottom Line: This quick read is perfect for the beach or a rainy weekend. Powell takes the reader on a behind-the-scenes tour of life in domestic service. Things have changed a bit since Powell was in service, but many of her insights and observations are still relevant today. This memoir will appeal to fans of Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey. Also, recommended for fans of tell-all memoirs and British social history. 

Book Club Notes: On a scale from 0 - 5, with 5 being the highest, this book averaged 4 stars. Our book club has the option of reading the book, watching the movies, or both. A good number of our group watched either Downton Abbey or Upstairs, Downstairs and noted that both series were more about entertainment and romanticism than the book. The book was very detailed and written in a diary-like form. Powell's observations were intelligent, and someone noted that Powell could have gone far in life if she had been born into a different family. 

We enjoyed reading this book and taking a look at a different era. Although the stories may not have been as juicy as expected, Powell was spunky. Servants had very limited opportunities back then, but she challenged herself to do better in life. She achieved her lifelong goal of find a husband and even managed to go back to school. 

The reprint edition includes discussion questions, but you can also find them in a guide from the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library. 

Details: Below Stairs: The Classic Kitchen Maid’s Memoir That Inspired Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey by Margaret Powell. Paperback published by St. Martin’s Griffin in 1968. 224 p. ISBN: 978-1-250-02321-6