63. Thank You, Sun. Douglas Florian. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [children's poetry, 4 stars]

First sentence: Thank you, sun. You give us light. You shine all day until the night. You warm our planet as you burn--and ask for nothing in return.

Premise/plot: Douglas Florian's newest poetry picture book is Thank You, Sun. It is a book celebrating nature. Each poem is illustrated by the author. The poems are accessible and lovely.

My thoughts: I don't always read poetry but when I do...it is usually Douglas Florian. I really love his poetry. I am SO thankful to have found his works. Do seek him out if you're looking to add poetry books to your classroom library or home library.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

This week I read seven books!

61. Old Man's War. John Scalzi. 2005. 318 pages. [Source: Library] [adult science fiction, 5 stars, military science fiction]
62. In the Red. Christopher Swiedler. 2020. [March] 288 pages. [Source: Library]
63. Orris and Timble Star Stories. Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Carmen Mok. 2026. 80 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, early chapter book, animal fantasy]
64. WhoHQ: The Beatles. Ellen Labrecque. Illustrated by Fanny Liem. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, j nonfiction, j biography, music appreciation]
65. Shy. Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton. 2026. 52 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, animals, music appreciation]
66. We Are All Ears. Jonathan Fenske. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [beginning reader, 3 stars]
67. Hairy and Scary! Jan Thomas. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, humor, picture book]


Century of Viewing #35

1950s

• 1956 Invasion of the Body Snatchers. This was such a GREAT movie!!!! I definitely enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The title does say it all. I also love the way the story unfolds--as a flashback. One lone man trying to warn the world....
• 1959 4D Man. This one has a bit of everything. TWO brothers fall in love with the same girl. Both are scientists. Both want to be inventors. Both have theories that seem impossible. Both end up working for the same company. But one brother, well, he takes things WAY too far. It's got a snazzy, jazzy soundtrack. And it sounds like some of the sound effects in this are the transporter sound effects in Star Trek. Though I'm not saying they are the same, just that they sound extremely similar. IT was a very entertaining film. Very dramatic.

2020s

• 2026 Agent Kim Reactivated. EXTREMELY action-packed and dramatic. YET there is EMOTION in every episode. A retired agent comes out of retirement (hiding) when something terrible happens to his daughter.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

62. In the Red. Christopher Swiedler. 2020. [March] 288 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: By Friday afternoon, after a week of careful thought, Michael Prasad had come up with just one theory for how he might make it to Monday morning without getting grounded for the rest of his life.

Premise/plot: In the Red is a middle grade science fiction novel set on Mars. Michael, the hero, has been forbidden to try (again) for his basic certification--being certified to go out on the surface of Mars in an environmental suit. Most pass by the age of ten--he's twelve. But he's experienced panic attacks in the past on test day--that were not pretty. Michael feels certain he's a big disappointment to his dad. If he can just get over his panic attacks then he could visit his father at work on the station. So many things he could do...if only his body didn't betray him.

Lilith, Michael's best, best, best friend, is so supportive of him. For better or worse--after another failed attempt--she suggests the two of them SNEAK out and go to the surface. What could go wrong????

If nothing went wrong, In the Red would be a short story that few would find super-compelling. Instead it is action packed and filled with danger. Action packed yet still character driven. Despite the jacket copy telling readers a LOT of what to expect, I recommend reading it knowing as little as possible.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, LOVED, LOVED this one. If you like survivor stories, science fiction, coming of age, characters with depth that are relatable, adventure, action...this one has it all. It's so well paced too. I loved the narrator, Michael. I loved his relationships with his best friend, Lilith, and with his brother. (Though we see very little of Peter.)  

It is premise-driven, action-driven, and character-driven. It's hard to be all three--to excel at all three. It is easy to *try* not so easy to succeed. This is an excellent book.

ETA: I first read In the Red in July 2021, I reread it in August 2026. It was just as awesome as I remembered. It was SO good. Highly recommend.

Quotes:

"Well, whatever you do, don't give up, okay?" Peter said. "Don't let anyone convince you that you're some kind of freak."
"I am a freak," Michael mumbled.
"No," Peter said firmly. "You're not. I don't care how many panic attacks you have."
"Mom and Dad don't see it that way."
"Mom and Dad just want to protect you, because that's their job," Peter said. "But part of growing up is deciding when you don't need protection anymore."

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

61. Old Man's War. John Scalzi. 2005. 318 pages. [Source: Library] [adult science fiction, 5 stars, military science fiction]

John Perry, our narrator, is a great guy to get to know. He's seventy-five, but his life is just beginning. Or should I say, just beginning to begin again. John and Kathy--like so many other senior citizens--decided upon reaching the big 6-5 to volunteer for the army. (They have ten years to change their minds. They're called into service when they're 75.) What does this mean? It means that as soldiers they'll be leaving Earth behind forever. They're not allowed to return...ever. But it also means--in a way--longevity. Though no one knows quite how, they know that *something* will be done to their bodies to make them young and strong and vibrant again. Sure, to get this vitality, this new youth, this health they have to pledge themselves to serve in the army, to fight to protect human colonies on other planets. Two to ten years. That's what it will cost. If they survive, they'll have a second life, a second chance. (Just remember that a younger body doesn't make for a younger soul.)

John doesn't know exactly all that he's in for. But he knows it's bound to be better than just growing old and dying. He figures that he can adapt to just about anything.

War. It's inescapable when it's in the title. John Perry will have to fight to survive, to stay alive. He'll have to learn to follow orders. (Not all of his fellow soldiers do, you know. Some pay for this with their lives.) And John has the makings of an excellent soldier. He's good at surviving. Suspiciously good at surviving if you ask some folks. Unlike most soldiers, John is going to have some close encounters with the Special Forces. Actually serving alongside them for a while. And what he learns is a bit shocking...to him at least.

Old Man's War is an engaging read. It has just the right blend of humor and action to make it worthwhile.

I first read this one in July 2009. I reread it in August 2026. I had forgotten so much except that at one point I loved it. I ended up loving it again. There were a few chapters that I didn't quite love--that weren't clean. But most readers probably don't mind that. And it wasn't like it was every chapter or every few chapters. It was isolated almost to one or two chapters. It was VERY military oriented. It was good.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

This week I read three books!

58. Every Time a Bell Rings: The Legacy of It's a Wonderful Life, America's Most Beloved Holiday Film. Emily St. James and Lauren Theisen. 2026. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [2 stars, adult nonfiction, essays]
59. The Phantom Tollbooth. Norton Juster. Illustrated by Jules Feiffer. 1961/2011. Random House. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, children's fantasy, children's classic]

60. A Mismatch Made in London. Melanie Dickerson. 2026. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, historical romance, clean romance]

Century of Viewing

1980s

• 1980 Flash Gordon. Was it ridiculous???? YES. All the yes. Was it enjoyably ridiculous? Mostly. So Flash Gordon must save the world, the galaxy, something like that.

2020s

• 2023 Strong Girl Nam-Soon. I loved, loved, loved this k-drama! The women in this family are super-super-super-strong. Gang Nam-soon went missing as a child....lost on a trip with her dad in Mongolia. She comes to Korea looking for her birth parents...and discovers SO much more. This one is all the awesome. Loved the intense drama. Loved the romance. Loved the quirky characters.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews