Daisy, the protagonist of this picture book, goes all in for her belief in letting nature take its course. She even composts her baby food and prefersDaisy, the protagonist of this picture book, goes all in for her belief in letting nature take its course. She even composts her baby food and prefers a leafy bed to a foam mattress. Not surprisingly, she stops bathing and becomes fertile soil for various vegetation, all of which seems to flourish on and around her. As her efforts at healing the environment succeed, her family and neighbors notice, and the neighborhood becomes a very different place. Her efforts at rewilding are interesting, and this is a topic that is rarely, if ever, covered in children's books. The green-and plant-filled illustrations, created with ink and watercolor, may prompt some readers to follow Daisy's lead. If nothing else, seeing the abundant, healthy plants and animals drawn to Daisy might call for some to adjust their attitudes toward areas that seem messy and not neatly manicured. Perhaps the owners of these yards have decided to join the rewilding movement, which is explained in the back matter. ...more
Oh, how easy it is to be blinded by the fame and celebrity of someone else, especially when that person seems to be a friend. In the latest installmenOh, how easy it is to be blinded by the fame and celebrity of someone else, especially when that person seems to be a friend. In the latest installment of a blended Black family living in New York City, Sunday Saunders, who has far too many great ideas but who suffers from a lack of self-confidence, is determined to host a community musical with auditions and performances from various neighbors. But she doesn't know how to pull everything together, especially since she refuses the help of her sisters, Bo, Lil, and Lee, in favor of the promised assistance of television star Talitha Thomas, who has just moved into the neighborhood. Sunday's not the best at planning and organizing although she's creative and innovative, and readers will recognize early on that Talitha is more talk than action and that she's into the project for her own purposes. Even the book's title gives away what is essentially happening. Reading this humorous book with its realistic characters felt like pulling a warm blanket around me on a cold summer night. There's plenty of Black girl magic and familial and community love sprinkled throughout its pages. ...more
As so many of us who are moving into our sixties and seventies have come to realize when looking in the mirror or facing surgeries or physical limitatAs so many of us who are moving into our sixties and seventies have come to realize when looking in the mirror or facing surgeries or physical limitations have come to realize, we're not eighteen anymore. That doesn't mean that there isn't any joy or changes left in our lives. While society, popular culture, and even modern medicine often seem to relegate older individuals to the sidelines or overmedicate them, that shouldn't be the case. Weaving science, years of experience, personal anecdotes, and literature in an engaging narrative, Louise Aronson makes a strong case for change within the medical profession and within ourselves and those around us. How strange it is that so few others have come to the same conclusions as Aronson has! Reading this book has made me want to rage, rage, rage against those who would relegate the aged and the elderly to the sidelines. A geriatrician, she raises important questions and examines her own initial and subsequent reactions to aging. This is one of those must-reads. ...more
As one of those conscientious individuals who does her best to separate trash from materials that can be recycled, I knew that I wanted to read this bAs one of those conscientious individuals who does her best to separate trash from materials that can be recycled, I knew that I wanted to read this book as soon as I saw its title and cover. While it didn't address some of my questions or expectations since I thought the author would follow the path of one particular load of trash or the contributions of one community from beginning to end, it did something even more important. In painstaking detail with statistics, interviews, and anecdotes, the book reveals the sordid truth behind trash and its fate. As it turns out, not surprisingly, most of the world's trash, including stuff that is deemed "recyclable," comes from the more affluent countries and ends up being shipped to poorer countries rather than in our cities' back yards. There is money to be made and saved from these efforts, even though how these discards are handled turns out to be more harmful to the environment than some of the fossil fuels being used to heat our buildings or power our cars. And despite what we've been told, plastics really aren't recyclable. They might be broken down into smaller bits, but they never really go away. Filled with humor, anger, and empathy for those who make a living sorting through or burning trash from foreign lands, this expose is a must-read for elected officials across the world and a wake-up call for the rest of us. With some historical background about consumerism, references to Vance Packard and Rachel Carson, the book left me feeling terribly guilty and responsible for my own careless lifestyle while wondering how to avoid plastic in the future, buy fewer items, and solve the problems identified in its pages. It completely answers the question of where all that trash goes. ...more
Poems and short stories compose this tribute to the resilience of young people during and after the pandemic. Sometimes slightly disjointed and as disPoems and short stories compose this tribute to the resilience of young people during and after the pandemic. Sometimes slightly disjointed and as disorienting as the virus's relentless incursion across the globe, the book gives insight into the lives, thoughts, and feelings of various young New Yorkers during that bleak and confusing time. As the book's title declares, there is hope that life will go on and that there will be joy, even from the seemingly smallest moments. From Malachi Craig's surreal imaginings of the aftermath of the pandemic after losing three years as the result of COVID-19 to Tariq's description of the seven stages of quarantine to Hyacinth and Electra's reminder that we need each other and on to Zamira as she watches her older sister, Tamara (Tam) double-glove to stay as safe as she can as she delivers groceries throughout the city, all of them and several others are "just trying to make our ancestors proud / even when our backs are against the wall" (p. 145). Readers will long for more from each of the voices that are speaking here and hope that things will improve. ...more
Life is messy, and relationships are often not very easy. In her latest offering for adults, Renee Watson examines both through the lens of Lena, a biLife is messy, and relationships are often not very easy. In her latest offering for adults, Renee Watson examines both through the lens of Lena, a big Black woman edging toward 40 in Portland, Oregon, where she's lived all of her life. When her plans to marry Malcolm are disrupted by his unexpected confession on the day of their wedding, Lena is sent reeling and feels uncertain about her next steps, especially since she has her beloved daughter, Aaliyah, to consider. As she tries to affirm Aaliyah and surround her with love, she also realizes that she, herself, has much work to do since she still struggles with body image issues and the prejudices and racism associated with her size and her skin color. She's deeply involved in a project to reclaim and celebrate the history and legacy of Black Portland and Oregon whose contributions have been ignored. Cleverly, Watson includes tidbits about these individuals in various sections sprinkled throughout the book, offering a small bit of breathing space from the rest of the narrative. There's so much to appreciate about this book--the writing, the honesty, the community, the friendships, the characters, all of whom are multifaceted, and the family dynamics described here. There are aspects of the story that will make readers uncomfortable, but those moments are also so raw and so authentic that removing them would detract from the book's power. As Watson reminds us, there is still prejudice about women who are considered too large, plus, heavy, or fat. I winced several times in self-recognition. I almost chose to skip this one so that I could read some other books, but I'm glad that I didn't. The reminder that we're all works in progress, no matter our ages or life situations is supportive and empowering...more
Neal Shusterman never misses. Having read just about everything he's written and been particularly impressed with his Arc of Scythe series, I was eageNeal Shusterman never misses. Having read just about everything he's written and been particularly impressed with his Arc of Scythe series, I was eager to see what this one was all about. I was not disappointed because it's original and yet something that I could see happening in the future. Not too long after the recent pandemic, another one rears its ugly? (depending on one's perspective) head. Crown Royale, the new virus kills one out of 25 individuals who contract it. But those who survive it are changed and feel completely content with life. Not surprisingly, there are those who want everyone to come into contact with the virus so the world might be a better place, but there are also those with money and power who are completely opposed and seek some sort of antidote. While the book isn't short and features a large cast of characters, as is often the case with Shusterman's books, it's worth a read because of some of the philosophical and moral questions it raises. While I wish those had been explored more in depth, I was easily drawn into the book and couldn't wait to see how everything would be wrapped up. It's hard to relate to any of the characters, though, since they are all quite extreme in their perspectives, but that won't keep readers from enjoying this glimpse into what may be humanity's future. ...more
As much a love song to music as to relationships, this novel is a 3.5 for me. Honestly, this romance reminded me more of Dexter and Emma from Netflix'As much a love song to music as to relationships, this novel is a 3.5 for me. Honestly, this romance reminded me more of Dexter and Emma from Netflix's One Day than it did Daisy Jones and the Six, which several reviewers have compared it to. I knew from the start that Percy Marks, the protagonist, would eventually, maybe on the book's final pages, end up with Joe Morrow even as the years after college passed and they drifted in and out of each other's lives. Neither one made me want to embrace them or add them to my collection of friends since in their own way, each was so self-indulgent as to become rather annoying. Drawn together by a love for indie music and words, it made sense that they'd want to make music together, and I kept expecting Percy to speak up for herself and make it happen. What did compel me to keep reading was the delightful musical references embedded within the narrative and in the chapter titles. Some were songs with which I was familiar, which interrupted my reading since I had to go search online to listen to them again, and others were new to me, and I'm grateful for the introduction. But reading parts of the story simply made me feel tired, old, and hopelessly out of date and unhip. Maybe if the author had provided more of the back story for both Percy and Joe, I would have felt more engaged in their journey instead of feeling detached and viewing all this from a very, very far way off. ...more
Sure to be a hit with the middle-grade group, this fascinating look at animal waste products takes a completely different approach to the topic than mSure to be a hit with the middle-grade group, this fascinating look at animal waste products takes a completely different approach to the topic than might be expected. The slightly wry chapter titles and clever writing, which is peppered with word play and vignettes that provide insight into the problem of poop, draws readers in almost immediately. Acknowledging that what goes in must come out and that most living things need to poop, the author takes readers on an interesting journey through the desert, in the ocean, and high in the sky with examples of how scat can actually be helpful in restoring forests or providing clues about the health of a species. The sad story of the end of the passenger pigeon and the consequence of human short-sightedness is eye-opening even while the author puts a positive spin on its end since it served as a wake-up call to environmentalists. While it's clear that there can be too much dung, it clearly has many uses that have often been ignored in the past. And even those loveliest of creatures--butterflies--need the moisture from scat to survive. With several colorful photographs, several of them showing animals in vulnerable positions, and a field guide to scat, the book won't remain on classroom library shelves for long. Part of the Books for a Better Earth series, this is one of those rare titles that actually offers solutions to problems while highlighting something that many might find disgusting. Readers who liked this one might want to check out the author's previous title, The Forest in the Sea. ...more
Oh, what a delightful--and hopeful--read this one [3.5 for me!] is! The success story of the brown pelican, almost wiped out by DDT in the 1950s, is oOh, what a delightful--and hopeful--read this one [3.5 for me!] is! The success story of the brown pelican, almost wiped out by DDT in the 1950s, is one of encouragement as well as a reminder that individuals can make a difference, that science matters and can prompt change, and that the Environmental Protection Agency's work is important and should not be undone. This book's design is eye-catching and clever as some of the words in the text are stacked or positioned so that they resemble the path a pelican, its subject, takes when searching for, spotting, and diving down for its food. The text is just an engaging, drawing readers into the mystery behind the bird's demise as scientists tried to find answers as well as describing the pelicans in such a way that readers can't help but appreciate them. The text also credits Rachel Carson's writing and the support of many individuals who fought for change as contributing to the recovery of this particular species. But as much as it celebrates this success story, the text also points out that other species are under threat and urges youngsters to let their voices be heard and follow the science. The back matter offers additional information about the EPA and the Endangered Species Act and their importance. When reading this, I wondered about the future of both as well as other species like the pelican that are at the tipping point. The gouache and acrylic artwork is stunning, bringing the pelicans and those who cared about them to life and carefully depicting their environment and those nests containing eggs so fragile that they shattered with the birds' weight. The concept of bioaccumulation is particularly strong in one vertical double-page spread, enabling readers to see how much DDT built up inside a penguin's body because of what it ate, which contained DDT. Another double-page spread is haunting and mysterious as it shows a pelican resting on top of a piling as various vessels move across the waters. It needs no words to express the loneliness and despair that bird must have been feeling. Add this one to an elementary or middle-grade science classroom collection. We need more books such as this one to remind us that we are stewards of nature and the planet's living things depend on us to fix what we've messed up. ...more
Students of history or the fashion industry may be surprised to learn about the woman who changed the way scientists studied birds and insured that biStudents of history or the fashion industry may be surprised to learn about the woman who changed the way scientists studied birds and insured that birds would no longer be a part of a woman's wardrove. This lively, imaginative biography of Florence Merriam Bailey explains how she grew up loving birds, studying them alongside her older brother, but becoming increasingly troubled by how scientists went about their work since they collected specimens and brought them back to their labs. Florence thought that this was cruel and unnecessary, instead preferring to observe them in the wild. While attending college, she became angered when a friend related seeing a woman with a hat bedecked with 13 birds, kingfishers Florence knew from the description. She became a one-woman activist, spreading the word about the beauty of birds, riling up the campus community so that many women gave up any hats they owned that contained birds--a common practice at that time--and then arranged outings into the woods so others could use opera glasses to see the beautiful creatures she loved so much. and eventually writing the first field guide to American birds, based on her notes, sketches and observations over the years. Not only is Florence's story inspiring and revelatory, but Keating's predilection for specificity, naming the different bird species and describing their movements and personalities, some playful, some retiring, enables readers to appreciate birds more and understand Florence's passion for birdwatching and her determination to protect birds. So saturated with rich, layered colors are the illustrations, created with gouache, watercolor, colored pencil, and Procreate, that the birds come alive, almost seeming to pose, preen, flit and gather food, right before readers' eyes. The look of wonder in Florence's eyes at various points is simply everything. This is a must-have for any science classroom library. ...more
The Anna Hibiscus stories are simply irresistible, and I hate to see the series coming to an end. In this, the seventh title, which picks up where theThe Anna Hibiscus stories are simply irresistible, and I hate to see the series coming to an end. In this, the seventh title, which picks up where the previous one ended, she's still visiting her grandparents' birthplace, a village in the countryside. As always, the book begins with "Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa. Amazing Africa. In a country called Nigeria" (p. 1) and goes from there. In the four interlinked and closely related chapters or short stories here, she learns some harsh truths about poverty and her own privilege while teaching some of the village children literacy and math skills. She also catches a thief stealing a banana when she and her cousins go to market, later learning the truth of his everyday existence and the flaws of the country's health care system. It's heady stuff, eye-opening for Anna Hibiscus and the readers of this series, but, with some help from her supportive family, she finds a way to make a difference and be a good friend. The plot here is important, but the artwork, rendered in pen, and the details about her family's names and mode of transportation add to the delights of reading this book and becoming immersed in Anna Hibiscus's world. There is love from Anna Hibiscus on every page. ...more
This must-have book [3.5 for me!] reminds readers that queer folks have always existed and that queerness is not a modern phenomenon. Consequently, itThis must-have book [3.5 for me!] reminds readers that queer folks have always existed and that queerness is not a modern phenomenon. Consequently, it does exactly what the title sets out to do--highlighting the history of queer activism by means of ABCs. Starting with ACTIVISM and ending with a most surprising ZAP, the text covers pivotal moments in that history, beginning in 1924. The vignettes about each letter or activist or action are well-written and engaging, and often, they contain teasers that prompt readers to head to another section of the book for more information. There are suggested resources and an actual list of examples of activism from 1924 to 2020 in the back matter as well as profiles of 35 more individuals important to queer history. Although the artwork is colorful enough, helping brighten up the text, it would have been helpful to include thumbnail sketches or actual photographs of these individuals at some point. Still, this title contains quite a lot of information that will empower teen and middle-grade readers and may even surprise and enlighten older ones. It's a great reference to counteract those who regard queer folks negatively and fosters self-respect and, dare I say it, a sense of pride. ...more
The way this book is organized is impressive since the table of contents and each small section honor all the different ways individuals have protesteThe way this book is organized is impressive since the table of contents and each small section honor all the different ways individuals have protested in the past. From writing books to showing up to walking alone to walking out, there are many different ways to make our voices heard. This particular title makes it seem as though protesting is part of the American way, which was encouraging and affirming for the next generation. Although some of the rhyming lines don't flow as smoothly as might be desired, they still move readers from page to page against the backdrop of bright colors in the gouache artwork and individuals who are engaged in activities that might lead to change but certainly insure that voices are being heard. There are sidebars along the way that identify the protest or change that was being sought. Of course, not every protest accomplished its intended goals, something the author makes sure to acknowledge. There's also a double-page spread map of the United States showing where these protests took place. Ten pages in the back matter expand on the protests highlighted on the previous pages. RISE UP, INDEED! It almost goes without saying that this book is important to have in today's classrooms as many changes in laws and regulations are being proposed that might be worth challenging. Add this one [3.5 for me!] to a social studies or history classroom library. ...more
Youngsters can never hear enough the messages of positivity and affirmation as presented in this picture book [3.5 for me!]. With colorful digital illYoungsters can never hear enough the messages of positivity and affirmation as presented in this picture book [3.5 for me!]. With colorful digital illustrations filled with warm, exuberant scenes showcasing the queer community in all its unique glory, the book follows a queer family as they venture into the streets to celebrate Black Pride. Empowering posters, flags, a parade, and fireworks are the backdrop for the festivities while the text contains an important message of parental acceptance of their child and whatever choices he/she/they may make. Back matter includes information about the Black Gay Pride Movement as well as a display of various flags symbolizing different sexual identities, including aromatic, intersex, and demisexual. There aren't many picture books focusing on Black Gay Pride, which makes this one that helps fill that gap. After all, it is PRIDE, Baby, in every sense of the word. ...more
WOW! There are hardly words to do justice to this intense, moving, highly original graphic novel, the follow-up to the previous My Favorite Thing Is MWOW! There are hardly words to do justice to this intense, moving, highly original graphic novel, the follow-up to the previous My Favorite Thing Is Monsters. Picking up where the earlier book left off, this fictional graphic diary written and illustrated by 10-year-old Karen Reyes will keep readers' attention throughout the entire book even though it's a long one. Still missing her mother and trying to make sense of the actions of her brother, Deeze, Karen is determined to figure out who killed her upstairs neighbor, Anka Silverberg, a Holocaust survivor, even while other important events swirl around her. Set in Chicago in 1968, the book takes readers and Karen to Grant Park for the Festival of Life where she sees police violence in action. She also considers her own sexual identity, begins a romantic relationship, and ponders her brother's complex nature, nurturing toward her but violent toward some others. By the time the final page of this resplendently illustrated book is reached, readers will be pretty sure about the identity of the real monsters among us. This book and volume one are the kinds of reading material that require readers to sit with them for a few minutes or hours after finishing them in order to allow some of what has been lived through vicariously to be digested. Others have called these two books masterpieces, and I wouldn't disagree. ...more
Although the writing didn't particularly impress me since it was a bit clunky, simplistic, with odd coincidences, and it didn't build tension the way Although the writing didn't particularly impress me since it was a bit clunky, simplistic, with odd coincidences, and it didn't build tension the way that might have been expected, I'm still glad that the book was written since it's an important topic--residential boarding schools for Native Americans and the generational trauma that resulted from those experiences--and one only rarely, if ever, addressed in books for children or middle graders. In this one, the protagonist, twelve-year-old Summer, who is Cree, soaks up the culture and comfort as she's surrounded by family members living on the Cree reservation in Alberta, Canada. She and her cousin, Autumn, become interested in history, spurred on by the strange dreams Summer has about a girl who is running away from the boarding school during freezing weather. Plus, as the members of the community prepare to gather for a protest march, some of the elders, including Summer's own grandfather, slowly start sharing their own stories about those boarding schools and as some of the mass graves near the former schools are unearthed. There are several culturally rich passages and references in the narrative, and the story itself is hopeful despite its troubling subject matter. ...more
With her big doe eyes and activist spirit, Anjali, the young protagonist of this picture book, is an inspiration for us all. In this, the third book fWith her big doe eyes and activist spirit, Anjali, the young protagonist of this picture book, is an inspiration for us all. In this, the third book featuring the determined young girl, she mounts a fight to save the community center. With help from her parents and brother, she canvasses the neighborhood, writes letters, and leads a small protest against the closure. Even though she's initially disappointed by the small turnout, the community rallies around her for change later in the day. While the outcome of this activism comes much more quickly than it would in reality, Anjali's example is still encouraging and might prompt other youngsters to stand up for the changes they want to see around them. After all, even if standing up doesn't result in changes immediately, it matters to be counted. Colorful artwork, rendered with Procreate, of the various scenes and Anjali's efforts, add to the child friendly nature of this story. ...more
I really needed to read this biography [4.5 for me!] of the legendary civil rights activist because it seems more and more that our nation is mired inI really needed to read this biography [4.5 for me!] of the legendary civil rights activist because it seems more and more that our nation is mired in hopelessness, despair, and profit, and I wanted to bask in the story of someone who remained dedicated to his cause and continued to cling to the nonviolent way. My expectations were satisfied in this thorough, engaging book, arguably THE book to read about John Lewis. Relying on interviews with Lewis and more than 275 interviews with those who knew him, this well written book covers his formative years as well as his leadership in SNCC and his travels with the Freedom Riders as well as his time as a representative from Georgia in Congress. Biographer David Greenberg includes various tidbits about his daily routines, his food preferences, his attire, and his art collection, all intended to humanize Lewis, as well as lines from some of his speeches. While no one is perfect, Lewis remains as an example of moral leadership and someone who would surely be appalled at what is happening in our country right now. I finished the book filled with respect and in awe of the man even though I still have questions about some parts of his life's journey, including his involvement with the LGBTQIA+ and religious communities, and perhaps more about his childhood and school days. That notion of his about getting into good trouble continues to resonate with me and many others. For those of us who love history and biographies, this was quite a page-turner. ...more
The Reconstruction period after the Civil War is an interesting time, brimming with emotions and rife for storytelling. It's not an exaggeration to saThe Reconstruction period after the Civil War is an interesting time, brimming with emotions and rife for storytelling. It's not an exaggeration to say that this debut novel is one of the best accounts of life during that period that I've read and one of the most unusual. The Walkers--George and Isabelle--have a large homestead that has largely remained fallow. George impulsively hires two brothers, Prentiss and Landry, who are newly emancipated from a nearby plantation, to help him plant and tend a peanut crop. The brothers agree, hoping to save up enough money to make their further travels to the North easier. The reaction of some of the citizens of Old Ox, the nearby town, is less than pleasant. But tragedy occurs when the Walkers' son Caleb returns from war, reunites with his closeted lover, and Landry sees their tryst. While some readers may not appreciate the slow burn aspect of the story, its complex characters, whose actions often seem surprising or puzzling, are the stars here, fascinating examples of humanity at its best and at its worst. Historical fiction fans will enjoy this one a great deal, reflecting on the impact of certain choices and how lives can be changed at a moment's notice. Wonderfully descriptive language filled with insight and heart make each line a delight to read. I'm so pleased to have discovered this author and eager to read his next book. ...more