Date Published: August 4, 2015

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library

Date Read: October 26, 2019

Read for Halloween Bingo Spellbound square

Blurb

Most children think twice before braving a haunted wood filled with terrifying beasties to match wits with a witch, but not Masha. Her beloved grandma taught her many things: that stories are useful, that magic is fickle, and that nothing is too difficult or too dirty to clean. The fearsome witch of folklore needs an assistant, and Masha needs an adventure. She may be clever enough to enter Baba Yaga's house on chicken legs, but within its walls, deceit is the rule. To earn her place, Masha must pass a series of tests, outfox a territorial bear, and make dinner for her host. No easy task, with children on the menu!

Wry, spooky and poignant, Marika McCoola's debut--with richly layered art by acclaimed graphic artist Emily Carroll--is a storytelling feat and a visual fest.

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A fun romp through a modern retelling of Baba Yaga through the eyes of Russian-American teenager, Masha.  Baba Yaga is in need of an assistant, but first the interviewee has to pass a series of tests. Masha is tired of her home life and decides that with her grandma's stories/lessons, she has a shot of passing the tests and getting the job. Baba Yaga is a witch and is used as a symbol by parents as a warning to their children. Masha doesn't have any fears regarding Baba Yaga, and sees Baba Yaga as a mentor almost. Baba Yaga admires Masha's quick thinking and deductive reasoning. A team is born by the end of the story.

Update 6

The nap was so strong I didn't wake up until 8am. 

Closing Survey!

1. 1. How would you assess your reading overall? Good in that I knocked out four books, okay if you take into account quality of said four books
2. 2. Did you have a stategy, and if so, did you stick to it? Nope, lol
3. 3. What was your favorite snack? I ended up drinking too much caffeine and didn't eat much of anything
4. 4. Wanna volunteer for our next event? Nope

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Update 5

I finished A Colony in a Nation and Gone with the Ghost. I'm too tired for the energy drink to work, so I'm going to take a nap to refresh my eyes and help me finish strong.

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Update 4

Read two more sections of A Colony. At the 37% mark on Gone with the Ghost. 

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now? Gone with the Ghost
2. How many books have you read so far? 2 finished, two in progress
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? finishing A Colony in a Nation; reading a little of Bud, Not Buddy so the kids can participate in the read-a-thon
4. Have you had many interruptions? Yes.  How did you deal with those? Told the kids to play outside or on the electronics until I had to feed them and do bedtime routine
5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? that I realized a couple of hours ago that since the Read-a-thon falls on the same weekend as the time change, this is a 25 hour read-a-thon

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Update 3

Got Crazy done despite the fact that I wanted to DNF after the fourth chapter and I half-read the book while playing soltaire on my laptop. Going back to A Colony for section three while munching on caramel popcorn and drinking warm apple cider.

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Update 2

Knocked out Baba Yaga's Assistant before having to wake up the kid to get ready for the game. Read section two of A Colony in a Nation during the game (our team won! but of course one of the parents from the other team had to have fight with the referee). Because the subject matter of A Colony is heavy, I am taking breaks after each section to read something lighter; currently just started Crazy.

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Update 1

Opening Survey:

1. What fine part of the world are you reading from today? Wichita, Kansas

2. Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? Don't have a preference

3. Which snack are you most looking forward to? Caramel popcorn

4. Tell us a little something about yourself! I love a good Scholastic Book Fair.

5. If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what's one thing you'll do different today? I went with a theme this year and really delved into the autumn season with my food and book choices.

Good Luck to those participating in today's read-a-thon!

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Where to Read

1. At my son's soccer game

2. Hoping to read a little on my deck, soaking up some sun

3. Under blankets on the couch

Kids have to go to a birthday party, but it is at someone's house here in the neighborhood (read: Daddy can walk them over and walk them home, lol). I can't read in bed because I get too sleepy. Start time for me is 7am.

Where I'm Posting

1. BL for full updates, GR just for reading progress

2. IG

I'm using this weekend not to go on FB or Twitter as I need a day (or all weekend) to unplug from those toxic wastelands.

Food and Drinks:

1. Tea and Apple Cider (hot)

2. Apples with cheese

3. Popcorn and dried cranberries

4. Oatmeal

5. Soup

It is cold here in Kansas this weekend and I just want warm comfort foods and drinks. Keeping it to fall flavors (apple, cranberries, etc). 

TBR:

1.  A Colony in a Nation by Chris Hayes (finish)

2. Copycat Killing (Magical Cats #3) by Sofie Kelly

3. Gone with the Ghost by Erin McCarthy

4. Crazy by Eve Langlais

5. A Sip Before Dying by Gemma Halliday

I wanted to keep my TBR for the read-a-thon short so that I can finish the books through the rest of October if needed and have the slate clean before 24 Festive Tasks. 

Honesty I am giving this four star because the second story was so wonderful. It is a retelling of the Snow Witch from Japan. The first story was good, but the artwork was better than the story. The third story was a let down. The fourth, which features Baba Yaga, was well done.   The illustration for that one, in particular the depiction of Baba Yaga herself, was so well down and creepy.

I love Emily Carroll's art and I love Baba Yaga and Slavic folklore, so I HAD to read this one.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story. It played on a lot on the traditions of the folklore and I love the twists and the ways Masha was able to "outsmart" Baba Yaga. The biggest critique is the stakes really weren't that high. It was more of a steady pace, rather than becoming particularly intense. Still, it was a cute and heartwarming story and I'd be happy to read it to my baby cousins. 

Final rating: 4.5 out of 5