Before Title IX which opened up the world of women's sports in the 1970s, there was Annette Kellerman who completed against men in swimming and desigBefore Title IX which opened up the world of women's sports in the 1970s, there was Annette Kellerman who completed against men in swimming and designed a more modern and equitable swim costume in the early 1900s. Learn more about her in this picture book biography....more
Awkward, that's how Maia (IMO) feels throughout this story and how you might feel after reading this young adult/new adult graphic novel about Maia KoAwkward, that's how Maia (IMO) feels throughout this story and how you might feel after reading this young adult/new adult graphic novel about Maia Kobabe's figures out eir gender identity. For some this book will be a breath of fresh air, a book that helps em see em self, learn about something they are curious about or desire a better understanding of. If read by younger teens (IMO), it may leave them questioning their own identity or feeling confused about what they thought their gender identity to be. Final thoughts - if you know a teen or young adult actively wrestling with gender issues, this 2020 Stonewall Honor book is for them. It's a book to help them know they are not alone....more
This is not an image of Maria von Trapp or Julie Andrews singing the classic song from The Sound of Music; it is Guido d'Arezzoa, monk from the 1000s This is not an image of Maria von Trapp or Julie Andrews singing the classic song from The Sound of Music; it is Guido d'Arezzoa, monk from the 1000s (aka the eleventh century). He came up with the idea of writing down and naming notes (tones) to teach songs;the notes that would later be used in the mid 1900s song, Do-Re-Mi. Like Matthew Kelly'sRediscover Catholicism or some of Tomie dePaola's works (i.e. Francis: The Poor Man of Assisi, The Clown of God, Lady of Guadalupe), this is a story that shows the Catholic faith in a positive light....more
Could you sit in silence for 4 minutes and 33 seconds? What would you hear? That's the premise of John Cage's4'33", a song that's never the same twicCould you sit in silence for 4 minutes and 33 seconds? What would you hear? That's the premise of John Cage's4'33", a song that's never the same twice. As I read this, I couldn't help but start hearing Simon & Garfunkel's The Sounds of Silence (which appears to be only 3 minutes and 7 seconds).
A well-done picture book biography about Ketanji Jackson. Seeing this is by the talented (IMO) Kekla Magoon (who I have loved since The Rock and the RA well-done picture book biography about Ketanji Jackson. Seeing this is by the talented (IMO) Kekla Magoon (who I have loved since The Rock and the River) , this does not come as a surprise. If you are looking for nonbiased picture books about people in American government, this is for you....more
Learn how families sheltered refugees in South Korea during the Korean War. Based on the author's grandmother's life.Learn how families sheltered refugees in South Korea during the Korean War. Based on the author's grandmother's life....more
Fun story about the man behind the Rubik's Cube. If you are looking for a mentor text about growth mindset or perseverance for children or tweens, givFun story about the man behind the Rubik's Cube. If you are looking for a mentor text about growth mindset or perseverance for children or tweens, give this picture book biography a try....more
Part of the She Persisted series, this is an accessible biography for young readers. Fans of the Who Was? series will enjoy this.Part of the She Persisted series, this is an accessible biography for young readers. Fans of the Who Was? series will enjoy this....more
Blurs the lines between picture book, nonfiction and memoir/biography. Scientist Melissa Cristina Márquez writes a picture book that celebrates women Blurs the lines between picture book, nonfiction and memoir/biography. Scientist Melissa Cristina Márquez writes a picture book that celebrates women in science; especially Latina, the wonders of the ocean and envisioning your goals & dreams. Fans of The Little Mermaid will enjoy this hybrid book which crosses Márquez's young self's goals and dreams with a glimpse of her future self through a talking hermit crab. There's a lot you can learn from a picture book....more
For those who are interested in inventors, black history and Lewis Latimer himself, this book works as an introduction. Told through lists of facts anFor those who are interested in inventors, black history and Lewis Latimer himself, this book works as an introduction. Told through lists of facts and visuals instead of as a narrative....more
Can you imagine living to be 109? That's Charlie White who lived from 1905-2014. He saw a century of change in automobiles & how we travel and as a doCan you imagine living to be 109? That's Charlie White who lived from 1905-2014. He saw a century of change in automobiles & how we travel and as a doctor advances in medicine. This book will leave you reflecting on the changes you have seen during your life and perhaps pondering on his motto (which his mother gave him as advice), "Just do the right thing."...more
Told from Temple Grandin's point of view, she tells us why she is proud to be different. This is the first book I have read from the Ordinary People CTold from Temple Grandin's point of view, she tells us why she is proud to be different. This is the first book I have read from the Ordinary People Change the World series. At a glance, I thought this would be a very basic biography on Temple's life. What I discovered was a picture book that was dense with words. A lot of information was packed into this small sized book. I also found it interesting that illustrator Christopher Eliopoulos kept both young Temple and adult Temple looking the same....more
Thank you to the author1124669 and the publisher, Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advanced readers copy of this bThank you to the author1124669 and the publisher, Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advanced readers copy of this book I am sorry it took me so long to read it. I received an arc of it by the author in Fall 2023. I had loved Kao Kalia Yang's other family memoirs, The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir and The Song Poet: A Memoir of My Father. It was such a gift to receive a copy of this book from her. I was excited to read this one too and had good intentions of starting it ASAP. Good intentions turned into months. The book was published in March 2024 and I still hadn't started it. Late July came and I finally picked it up with the goal of reading a chapter a day since I was reading numerous other books at the same time. Once again good intentions failed me. I felt compelled to pick this up again a few nights ago. The third time was a charm. I finished reading over half the book in a matter of days. After writing her own memoir and one for her father, Yang writes one for her mother. From her early days in Vietnam to being a young wife and refugee in Thailand to moving to the United States and becoming Hmong American; this is Tswb Muas's story. I enjoyed Part III the most where Twab talks about each of her children who I had been introduced to in The Late Homecomer. I loved revisiting them and learning more of their stories. I also enjoyed Part IV Return of the Refuge in which Tswb, her husband Npis and their three oldest children travel back to Vietnam. It was a perfect ending (IMO). If you like memoirs, learning about ethnic minorities or #OwnVoices stories, this book is for you....more
3.5 stars, give this to anyone who has participated in spelling bee or enjoys watching/following the National Spelling Bee in June each year. This is 3.5 stars, give this to anyone who has participated in spelling bee or enjoys watching/following the National Spelling Bee in June each year. This is the story of a young girl who participated in the 1961 bee. What happens when she travels from Ohio to the segregated Washington DC for the bee? What kinds of discrimination will she face? Could it affect how she does on the day of the competition? Could the judges find a way to stump her? If you're curious about what happens to MacNolia after the Bee, read the Epilogue at the end of the story....more
Graphic novel memoir about growing up with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and now known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Fans of Graphic novel memoir about growing up with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and now known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Fans of graphic novel memoirs like Drama will want to check this one out....more
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title. With the 2024 summer Olympics starting soon, this booThank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title. With the 2024 summer Olympics starting soon, this book caught my attention. It is a young adult memoir by former track and field star and gold medal Olympian Caster Semenya about the discrimination she has faced over the years as her wins and medals have been questioned and contested over the years. Caster was born female with parts on the outside but no Fallopian tubes or a uterus on the inside. She has a higher level of testosterone than the 'typical' female. Despite being born different, Caster is a woman; she does not want to be a man. This is a story of a young woman who wants to make a difference in the world for other young athletes who may find themselves in the same situation....more
A beautiful picture book biography about how Augustus Jackson became known "the father of ice cream" in the early to mid 1800s Pennsylvania by his impA beautiful picture book biography about how Augustus Jackson became known "the father of ice cream" in the early to mid 1800s Pennsylvania by his improvements to the ice cream making process. For those like ice cream, picture book biographies or African American history, this is a colorful, enticing and flavorful read....more
If you thought, "I don't need another World War II book," you may change your mind after reading this true story from the French Resistance about a yoIf you thought, "I don't need another World War II book," you may change your mind after reading this true story from the French Resistance about a young woman who helped Jews escape with a toy duck. ...more
3.5 stars, chefs and want-to-be cooks of all ages will enjoy this story about Edna Lewis who grew up in Virginia and learned to cook from her mother. 3.5 stars, chefs and want-to-be cooks of all ages will enjoy this story about Edna Lewis who grew up in Virginia and learned to cook from her mother. Moving to New York City in the early 1930s, she brought her style of Southern cooking to the north. Those who love illustrations and the Easter eggs that artists included in books will want to look carefully at the illustrations on the endpapers and book jacket. Then take a peek under the book jacket for another look at Edna's life....more
3.75 stars, rounded up to 4 stars. Learn how Edith Clarke used her mathematical smarts to become the first female electrical engineer in the United St3.75 stars, rounded up to 4 stars. Learn how Edith Clarke used her mathematical smarts to become the first female electrical engineer in the United States in the early 1900s (she graduated from MIT in 1919 and was hired by GE in 1922)....more