The historical fiction story, Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry is about a young girl named Annemarie who lives in Denmark during World War II and Denmark is filled with German soldiers. She has a friend named Ellen and a sister named Kristi, but Ellen is a Jewish person, which puts her and her family in danger. Ellen pretends to be Lise, Annemarie’s dead sister to stay safe from the German soldiers who are relocating as many Jewish people as they can.
Later, they go to visit Annemarie’s uncle Henrik, who is a fisherman who owns a boat named the Ingeborg. He is a rebel who helps Jewish people escape the free Sweden. There is a secret meeting where Jewish people and Peter, another rebel who helps Jewish people hide inside of the boat, and Ellen and her family are some of them.
Then, the war ends and all the Jewish people can come back from Sweden to Denmark, back to their homes. While the story doesn’t mention that Ellen comes back, it is implied that she does after the story ends.
The story is an amazing example of bravery and courage in a time of turmoil and war. It shows how brave people choose to rise up to help others, sometimes who they didn’t even know because it was the right thing to do. The story shows that while some people decide to try to destroy and kill, many more people will help people survive for the betterment of others.
Invincible Compendium Volume 1 by Robert Kirkman (2011) 1092 pages
Invincible Compendium Vol. 1 collects the first 47 issues of Invincible by Robert Kirkman, with art by Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley. The story follows Mark Grayson, a seemingly normal teenager whose life changes when he develops superpowers inherited from his father, Omni-Man, the greatest hero on Earth. What starts as a coming-of-age superhero tale quickly spirals into a brutal, morally complex narrative that explores the darker realities of heroism.
Mark’s initial struggles to balance high school, relationships, and his new responsibilities are relatable and engaging. However, Kirkman subverts genre expectations by introducing shocking plot twists, particularly when Mark discovers the horrifying truth about his father. Omni-Man’s betrayal and the subsequent emotional fallout create a deep and intense conflict that drives the series forward.
The world-building is extensive, introducing a variety of heroes, villains, and alien species, each adding layers to the narrative. Supporting characters like Atom Eve, Robot, and Allen the Alien are well-developed and contribute meaningfully to Mark’s journey. The Vil trumite threat and Mark’s internal struggle between his human morality and his alien heritage create compelling tension that remains a central theme.
Ottley’s art takes over after Walker’s initial issues and brings a dynamic, visceral quality to the action sequences. The violence is graphic, often pushing the boundaries of the superhero genre, but it serves a purpose, highlighting the stakes and consequences of Mark’s actions.
What sets Invincible apart is its willingness to tackle difficult themes like betrayal, responsibility, and identity while maintaining a balance between humor, drama, and high-stakes action. The pacing is brisk, with each arc raising the stakes and deepening Mark’s character development.
Invincible Compendium Vol. 1 offers a gripping introduction to one of the most thought-provoking and intense superhero stories in modern comics. It blends traditional superhero tropes with unexpected twists and complex emotional depth, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.
Invincible Compendium Volume 2 by Robert Kirkman (2013) 1184 pages
Invincible Compendium Vol. 2 continues Mark Grayson’s tumultuous journey as a superhero, covering issues #48–96. This volume pushes the story into darker, more morally complex territory, as Mark faces increasingly difficult challenges that test his resolve, morality, and relationships.
The fallout from Omni-Man’s betrayal still looms over Mark, but he struggles to carve his own path as Invincible. As he grapples with the responsibility of protecting Earth, Mark begins to question the black-and-white nature of good and evil, especially as he confronts morally ambiguous situations where violence may be necessary. His internal struggle is heightened by his encounters with Viltrumites and the looming threat of their eventual return, which adds a constant sense of tension.
One of the most compelling aspects of this volume is Mark’s evolving relationship with Atom Eve. Their romantic dynamic adds emotional weight to the narrative, giving Mark a sense of stability amidst the chaos. However, even their relationship is tested as Mark’s decisions, including his alliance with Dinosaurus and the consequences of his actions, blur the line between hero and villain.
The introduction of Conquest, one of the most terrifying and brutal villains in the series, raises the stakes to a new level. His relentless violence and near-indestructibility push Mark to his physical and emotional limits, leaving him traumatized and questioning whether he can continue being Invincible. The confrontation with Conquest highlights how far Mark is willing to go to protect Earth, even if it means compromising his values.
Kirkman continues to excel at subverting superhero tropes, showing the real-world consequences of Mark’s choices. The narrative becomes more complex as Mark faces betrayals, unexpected alliances, and the burden of leading Earth’s defense. The moral ambiguity of his actions, particularly his decision to take over the Viltrumite Empire to protect Earth, creates a compelling internal conflict that adds depth to his character.
Ryan Ottley’s artwork continues to impress, capturing both the intense action and emotional weight of the story. His ability to depict graphic violence while maintaining the emotional nuance of quieter moments keeps the reader fully immersed in the narrative.
Invincible Compendium Vol. 2 delves deeper into Mark’s growth, forcing him to confront the harsh realities of being a hero. The volume maintains a perfect balance between action, emotional depth, and ethical dilemmas, making it a gripping continuation of the Invincible saga.
Invincible Compendium Volume 3 by Robert Kirkman (2018) 1112 pages
Invincible Compendium Vol. 3 concludes Mark Grayson’s epic journey, collecting issues #97–144 and delivering a thrilling, emotional, and brutal finale. This volume explores the aftermath of Mark’s morally complex choices and the consequences of his attempts to reshape the universe. As the Viltrumite threat lingers and new dangers arise, Mark is forced to confront the cost of power, responsibility, and sacrifice.
Mark’s character arc reaches its peak as he faces the challenge of balancing his role as a protector of Earth, his family life with Atom Eve, and the growing influence of the Viltrumite Empire. His decisions become even more morally ambiguous, especially as he tries to prevent future devastation by taking control of situations before they escalate. Mark’s internal struggle—whether to rule as a benevolent protector or trust in the natural course of events—creates a powerful emotional conflict that resonates throughout the volume.
The relationship between Mark and Eve remains a core emotional anchor. Their dynamic evolves as they navigate the challenges of parenthood, while Mark’s increasing sense of duty pushes them both to their limits. The birth of their daughter, Terra, adds emotional stakes that make Mark’s choices even more difficult, forcing him to balance his responsibility as a father with his role as a savior.
This volume introduces new threats, including Thragg’s relentless quest for dominance and the rise of Mark’s brother, Oliver, who faces his own struggles with loyalty and morality. Thragg’s descent into ruthless villainy makes him one of the most formidable antagonists in the series, and his final confrontation with Mark is a brutal and emotionally charged battle that feels like the culmination of years of tension.
Kirkman masterfully escalates the narrative, weaving intense action with emotional depth and thought-provoking dilemmas. The exploration of legacy, sacrifice, and the weight of power is handled with nuance, making Mark’s ultimate decision to leave Earth and explore a peaceful future with his family feel both earned and poignant.
Ryan Ottley’s artwork continues to shine, capturing the raw intensity of battle sequences while also bringing emotional subtlety to quieter moments. His ability to depict large-scale galactic conflicts and intimate emotional beats adds to the richness of the story.
Invincible Compendium Vol. 3 provides a satisfying and emotionally resonant conclusion to Mark Grayson’s saga. It masterfully balances high-stakes action with profound emotional growth, leaving readers with a sense of closure while reinforcing the complexities of heroism, family, and sacrifice.
The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling (2021) 288 pages
The Christmas Pig is a fantasy novel by award-winning author J.K. Rowling, who is also the author of the fantasy series Harry Potter. The Christmas Pig has relatable characters and themes. The main character, Jack, who goes into a magical land called the Land of the Lost, where all lost things go until they’re found, to try to save his beloved stuffed pig, DP (Dur Pig). He meets many Things along the way and discovers that lost Things don’t have to be physical (such as Pain, Pretense, Power, Ambition, Beauty, Memory, Happiness, Hope, Principal, Optimisim, Bad Habits, and many more). He meets many friends, and has to defeat the Loser, the ruler of the Land of the Lost, who apprarently is the cause of humans losing items. Overall, The Christmas Pig is an amazing novel, with themes such as to embrace what you have.
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum (2022) 307 pages
I wanted to read this novel because I sort of relate to the main character after reading the description. It centers around Yeong-ju, a burnt out South Korean woman who had no time to read or get back into novels due to her rigorous work schedule. She decides to change that by dedicating her life back to books and opening a bookstore in Hyunam-dong. The novel is a very light-hearted cute slice-of-life story that tells the day-to-day happenings of the bookstore Yeong-ju opens, including choosing books, coordinating and having Q&A’s with authors events, starting book clubs, etc. in which people who like that sort of thing would very much enjoy. Because of that slice-of-life feel, it may seem to lack a concrete plot to readers who enjoy that sort of thing. This novel seemed to be one that’s basically like a leisure read, one that’s made for those who just want to read and not worry about following a plot. It is very calming, and reflects daily life perfectly. It also features key aspects of not just Korean life, but life anywhere in the world if one constantly is working, which is the toxic work culture and obsession with money, as well as work burn-out and anxiety. Those aspects of the book were there, but it wasn’t really central in any core plot, it just simply existed. And maybe that’s fine too, since oftentimes we are so caught up in trying to reach a goal, in figuring out a plot, that we forget that books can just be about things just existing with absolutely no meaning behind it at all.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, book 1 (2005) 416 pages
The first book in the series is always the best most of the time in my opinion. Because I have ADHD, I can kind of relate to this book on a more personal level compared to most. However, I also know that this is not me because I have two loving parents. The characters and the concepts of the book have a very interesting concept and I’m all for it. I think anyone that likes action, romance and drama would definitely enjoy this book to the fullest.
