Lia Anshar's Honest Pages

  Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) If you read and loved Milford's book, Greenglass House, you know what to expect: rich atmosphere and mysteries with a touch of wonder that pulls you right in. That’s exactly what I hoped for when I picked up Rialto and what I got was... something very different.  The story follows sisters Ivy and Dahlia Vicar, who travel to Rialto, Missouri, for a summer visit. Twelve-year-old Dahlia is an artist who lives with anxiety, and she’s eager for a change of scenery. Fourteen-year-old Ivy loves mysteries, but she’s struggling to figure out how to be a good big sister lately, and she misses the carefree vacations they used to have when they were small.  Rialto sounds like the perfect place for adventure: it sits in the middle of a strange forest and there’s even an abandoned theme park that feels like it’s full of secrets.  Here’s the thing, the blurb and the cover make this sound like a magical, theme park-centered mystery. But that’s not what this book ...

  "I don't ask if today is a kite day.. Mamuś's smile is hidden, a seed buried waiting to bloom again.."  Kite Day by Lisa Varchol Perron is a cozy yet powerful picture book that offers young readers an honest and hopeful look at living with a parent who struggles with mood disorder. It’s the kind of story that handles a complex topic with care, empathy, and a lot of heart.  The story follows a young boy as he navigates the emotional ups and downs of life with his mother. Some days are bright and joyful, while others feel heavy and confusing. Instead of explaining everything directly, Perron uses the simple act of flying a kite as a beautiful metaphor for these emotional highs and lows. Just like a kite rising in a good day and falling in the bad day, the family experiences moments of difficulty as well as moments of hope.  The lyrical writing makes the story feel sweet but also reflective, allowing young readers to understand big emotions without feeling overwhelme...