Resplendent Photoshop and Procreate illustrations soar across the pages of this picture book [3.5 for me!], just like a bird, a plane, or the dreams oResplendent Photoshop and Procreate illustrations soar across the pages of this picture book [3.5 for me!], just like a bird, a plane, or the dreams of its characters. Based in part on the author/illustrator's own first time on an international flight to China, the story offers reassurance to other youngsters who might be traveling somewhere new for the first time. But through the lens of a mother and child, it also empowers readers to embrace their cultures and identities while acknowledging that borders between countries are only imaginary. After all, many of us have family members who live quite far away, but we can still feel connected and appreciative of our roots and family ties....more
Part of the six-title We Deliver It! series for truck lovers, this book focuses on concrete mixer trucks. With colorful photographs and accessible texPart of the six-title We Deliver It! series for truck lovers, this book focuses on concrete mixer trucks. With colorful photographs and accessible text, readers are introduced to the importance of concrete and the steps taken by someone who drives a concrete mixer truck must take, starting from filling the truck's water tank with water and ending with the task of cleaning the truck's drum so that the process can be started all over again the next day. It's clear that not all trucks or truck drivers are alike, something that this particular series points out. While youngsters who love trucks will simply have to have this title, others who are less interested in those vehicles will still find something of interest here. ...more
Many youngsters who've traveled on the nation's interstate system will have seen those large trucks that carry loads of new cars. This book will be riMany youngsters who've traveled on the nation's interstate system will have seen those large trucks that carry loads of new cars. This book will be right up their alley since it showcases these car carriers but also explains why they're necessary and how the cars are loaded and unloaded. It's also worth noting that the driver must check the route being followed in order to make sure the load will be able to pass under bridges or other physical challenges. The inclusion of a Glossary and Index as well as colorful photographs guarantees that this one will have child appeal. ...more
Unlike her best friend, Aggie, Jazzy is disinterested in magic, the spells they are learning, and mastering the broomstick, all parts of a witch's tooUnlike her best friend, Aggie, Jazzy is disinterested in magic, the spells they are learning, and mastering the broomstick, all parts of a witch's tools. Plus, she's not all that enamored to take over the family business of making brooms. Instead, she falls in love with bicycles and biking. Instead of practicing flights with her broom, she's out cycling all over the countryside, forgetting that a reckoning is coming when she'll have to show off her nonexistent flying skills. She even ignores the advice and nagging of her bat, Fiona. This humorous but relatable start to a new graphic novel series has plenty of appeal for anyone who is interested in witches but also anyone who has felt as though he/she/they doesn't fit in or marches to a different drummer. The book's title is clever, and the plot has more than a few complications. ...more
While presumably most youngsters know that milk comes from cows, they are not likely to know how that milk gets to the store where their parents or caWhile presumably most youngsters know that milk comes from cows, they are not likely to know how that milk gets to the store where their parents or caregivers buy it. This book, part of the We Deliver It six-part series, describes all the steps taken by the milk tankers and their drivers in making that milk available. There's a lot of preparation, including checking tires and cleaning the tanks, that goes into this, and these tankers collect milk 365 days a year. But there's more than driving, pumping milk, and delivering it to stores or processing plants involved. The drivers must also test the milk to make sure it's fresh before transporting it. And they need to make sure they keep it cool as well as driving carefully since a load of sloshing milk could cause the tanker to tip over as shown in one photograph. This is a must-have for readers who love trucks, really big trucks. ...more
A fast, immersive read, this one is a 3.5 for me, mostly because it covers a lot of familiar territory and I was still left uncertain about what happeA fast, immersive read, this one is a 3.5 for me, mostly because it covers a lot of familiar territory and I was still left uncertain about what happened on that fatal night. Perfect for true crime and podcast junkies, this investigation and recap of the case of a college student missing since June 2011 raises several questions and poses possible reasons behind her disappointment. Having been the first reporter on the scene when Lauren Spierer disappeared after a night of drinking with friends and acquaintances, Cohen revisits the available evidence, published reports, and interviews various individuals who were close to Lauren or were possible suspects or persons of interest. What emerges is a portrait of a complicated young woman whose personality drew others to her even while she herself was dealing with drug and alcohol issues. Parts of the account of the night she went missing while attending college in Bloomington are hard to read as she wandered the streets, shoeless and inebriated. And while it's true that we are responsible for our own actions, surely someone should have been looking out for her and not let her leave from the apartment where she landed without accompanying her. Perhaps also it's eye-opening to those of us who are naive to realize just how much drinking and partying go on at universities or to reflect on how close we ourselves might have come to a similar fate had luck not been with us. I appreciated the author's decision to follow all sorts of leads, even if they seemed unlikely, and his efforts to show Lauren as someone with a bright future and not just a victim. ...more
**spoiler alert** Although it's impossible not to think of Paul Fleischman's equally moving Whirligig while reading this novel in verse, this middle g**spoiler alert** Although it's impossible not to think of Paul Fleischman's equally moving Whirligig while reading this novel in verse, this middle grade story is just as appealing in its own right as that one even if it's not quite as strong. Seventh grader Finn Connelly has completely lost his way, mired in anger and sadness over his firefighter father's death. After an act of vandalism results in a unique way of making restitution, Finn finds himself reluctantly climbing 46 peaks in the Adirondacks. He has three different nannies, all mountain climbers, who accompany him at various stages of this journey that takes place during the summer. Messner skillfully traces the changes in Finn as he morphs from embittered sarcastic tween to a boy who starts to heal and see the beauty around him. Messner skillfully slips in cookie recipes created by Finn based on the summits as well as the panic surrounding COVID-19 and the PTSD experienced by First Responders during 9/11. There are also poignant scenes when Finn remembers how his father judged him for pursuits he considered to be too "girly" and ruminations about heroes, as hinted at in the book's title. The inclusion of photos of the various peaks and a loveable but drooly dog named Sebastian add to this book's appeal. (I did wonder about the reference to a photo of Finn found in his father's wallet that was "from last April" (p. 181) when his father's been dead for two years....more
Oh, what an ending to a great series! Jason Reynolds takes a well-deserved victory lap in this story about Coach, the mentor of the track stars in hisOh, what an ending to a great series! Jason Reynolds takes a well-deserved victory lap in this story about Coach, the mentor of the track stars in his four previous books--Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu. Fans of the series will be interested in learning about Coach's background. When he was just a kid, Otis Brody, Jr. dreamed of Olympic and Junior Olympics glory, just like his father and Carl Lewis did. But bullying at school and his father's frequent absences for his job sometimes get him down. The best part of his days are spent training with Coach Marvin and his father. When a haircut gone wrong results in a bad head and no eyebrows, Otis plays it off as an attempt to become more aerodynamic and speedier. And when his father arrives home with new Jordan shoes, he's convinced that his new footwear will allow him to run faster and jump higher. But there are secrets that his family and some of those around him have been keeping that rock him to the core when he finds out. Reynolds builds the tension in his story perfectly, blending in descriptions of Otis's neighborhood and secondary characters that hint at what's to come. As usual, the writing is stellar, the characters believable, and the message hopeful. Small but meaningful touches such as this one about his home life will resonate with readers, revealing more than they conceal: "...my father was the cook of the family. So when he was gone, the meals went from home-cooked to home-poured. She set the bowl on the coffee table, touched the napkin to her tongue before scrubbing the lipstick off her lips. The lipstick she put on every morning along with that powder stuff. And the pencil she used to outline everything like I used to do in my coloring book when I was little" (p. 61). This one is definitely worth a read and a reread. ...more
As his birthday approaches, all Gio, who is able to communicate with dogs and can hear what they are thinking, wants is to be able to spend the day wiAs his birthday approaches, all Gio, who is able to communicate with dogs and can hear what they are thinking, wants is to be able to spend the day with his best friends. But they are seven hours away from his new home in Milton, and his mother has made other plans related to her dog care business. He falls in love with a new lab puppy, Bean, that she's training so that he can be adoptable. But Gio worries about who might adopt the dog and about how the other dogs are reacting to Bean and his closeness. This satisfying follow-up to the first book in the series, Barker's Doghouse: Fetch!, has relatable messages about acceptance and learning to let go of anger when things don't go one's way that are just as relevant for humans as for dogs. After all, there are often treats involved as rewards. With its charming artwork and plot, this is a good read aloud choice for fourth and fifth graders. ...more
This impressive debut is imaginative, filled with flawed characters and a unique concept in its time space with a library of books containing the memoThis impressive debut is imaginative, filled with flawed characters and a unique concept in its time space with a library of books containing the memories of those who have died. This is particularly poignant, given the initial setting, which is 1938 in Nurenberg, Germany. Eleven-year-old Lisavet Levy is trapped there when her father, a watchmaker and timekeeper, hides her from the Nazis while he goes in search of her brother. I don't want to spoil some of the book's surprises, but Lisavet eventually realizes that there are competing government agencies who want to destroy some of those memories in order to insure that their version of the truth and history is the only one available. It's impossible to read this without thinking about the censors and book banners that are at work even today trying to limit access to reading materials. This book has something for everyone--romance, star-crossed lovers, spies, war, and the importance of memory, both personal and institutional. There are some sections that seemed beyond belief, but overall, the story is moving and will prompt much reflection. And once again, readers watch as various individuals and agencies try to take advantage of those like Lisavet with special gifts. ...more
I'm reading some of the books up for the Booker Prize, and this one caught my eye. As others have commented, the writing is sublime, filled with introI'm reading some of the books up for the Booker Prize, and this one caught my eye. As others have commented, the writing is sublime, filled with introspection and insight into the roles we assume in life as well as on stage as is the case of the narrator, who is in rehearsal for a newly staged play. It seems that she takes on different roles in life in this particular book--a woman who once had an abortion in one part and a mother whose son has come home to stay briefly, eventually bringing in his girlfriend and plenty of emotional baggage in the other part. The concept is interesting on its face, but I wasn't sure what exactly I was reading--and I've read a LOT of books--and what any of it means, especially the last 50 or so pages. If the point is that we all play different roles and wear different masks with those around us, then yeah, that's pretty obvious, and as another reviewer pointed out, it's a notion that's been with us since William Shakespeare's times. I ended up feeling disappointed by the entire endeavor even though the writing dazzled me. But what does any of it mean? And for whom are we auditioning? ...more
Seventh grader Bunny Baxter couldn't be more miserable about the start of the school year. Due to a redistricting plan, she must attend a different miSeventh grader Bunny Baxter couldn't be more miserable about the start of the school year. Due to a redistricting plan, she must attend a different middle school than her friends. Although she hopes to at least fly under the radar at E.D. Britt Middle School, several embarrassing mishaps on the first days of school spoil those hopes. Instead, Bunny becomes the butt of jokes, the object of bullying, and a troublemaker. She hatches a plan to get sent to an alternative school, thinking that she can attend Wade's Run where her friends go. Her plan works far too well, but she has miscalculated, and the plan backfires. As time passes, Bunny becomes passionate over building a pollinator garden and some shade near the school track, and she realizes that she and her friends are changing. Could it be that she's been in the right place all along? It's likely that many readers will see parts of themselves in Bunny, who loves insects and suffers from anxiety at stressful moments, and relish being taken on her journey. The book's title fits its contents and what happens to Bunny perfectly. The characters are well drawn, complex, interesting, and just like classmates in our own middle schools. Parts of this story made me laugh while others made me sad because of how clear it is that others bully anyone who is different in any way. Still, with strong support and brave hearts, it is possible to survive all this and emerge as the beautiful, unique creatures we were meant to be. This one [3.5 for me!] would be a great choice for a class read aloud. ...more
Torn from her birth family during the Sixties Scoop in Canada [something I'd never heard of], Na'kuset describes how she and her sister "were plucked Torn from her birth family during the Sixties Scoop in Canada [something I'd never heard of], Na'kuset describes how she and her sister "were plucked like tiny trees from our roots" (unpaged) late at night, separated, and sent to new homes. Obviously, she's confused by all this plus being given a different, new name, but she finds solace in her grandmother, Bubbie, who welcomes her and spends time with her. While there are parts of her new life that she comes to enjoy such as attending synagogue, there are other aspects such as the erasure of her Cree identity that trouble her. With her help, she reunites with her sister, and then later, and Elder tells her what her Spirit name is. The watercolor and digital artwork are filled with emotion, allowing readers to feel the emotions of the main character in this autobiography. I wish there had been more information about the Spirit name and the author's parents. As it is, her story covers unfamiliar but important ground. ...more
Ideal for newly independent readers, this graphic novel features Night Chef, a racoon who lives in the walls of a fancy restaurant and learns how to cIdeal for newly independent readers, this graphic novel features Night Chef, a racoon who lives in the walls of a fancy restaurant and learns how to cook by observing the chefs at work. When she comes upon an egg that hatches into a crow before she can prepare her planned meal, she knows she needs to bring it to its home. Into the woods she goes, staving off and owl, meeting new friends who are engaged in a battle for survival, and befriending some canines by opening cans on a train. And that small crow? Returning it to the other crows in their roost leads to some revelations about the Night Chef's own history. This tale is heartwarming--and heartburning, unless you're in the mood for crickets or worms. ...more
When a bad cold sends Santa Claus to warmer climes right before Christmas, he leaves Elmore the Moose in charge of everything at the North Pole. ElmorWhen a bad cold sends Santa Claus to warmer climes right before Christmas, he leaves Elmore the Moose in charge of everything at the North Pole. Elmore is confident at first, but things don't go as smoothly as he had imagined, judging from his letters to Santa and the scenes of rebelling reindeer, dilemmas over who's been naughty and who's been nice, and some mistakes in what toys were being made. But Santa reminds him to just do his best and do things his way, which turns out to be just the advice Elmore needs. The digital artwork adds a great deal to the fun of reading this unusual holiday story. Looking at the back endpapers gives readers some idea of how things went--not as smoothly as might be desired, but Elmore deserves a break since this was his first time being in charge of the whole shebang. ...more
Drawn to this debut novel by its cover and title, I was certainly not disappointed. Told entirely through letters and containing some literary referenDrawn to this debut novel by its cover and title, I was certainly not disappointed. Told entirely through letters and containing some literary references to the books she and friends are reading, it will make some readers such as me long for those times when correspondence occurred through letters, post cards, and the mail rather than through email. There's just something about a letter that seems to take more time and thought and seem more permanent than anything sent through cyberspace. The correspondent in this case is Sybil Van Antwerp, strong willed, sometimes arrogant to the point of rudeness, now retired from a successful career as a law clerk, and writing to various acquaintance as she has all her life in her last decade as she faces slowly diminishing vision. But through her letters and some of those she receives from others, readers come to know her and realize, as she does, some of the mistakes she's made over the course of her life as well as the guilt she's borne for many years. This is a memorable character study in the hands of a gifted storyteller. Some readers will recognize parts of themselves in Sybil and perhaps even feel moved to write a letter to her or to her creator. Yes, she's that real. This is a fast read, and readers will be able to fly through the book's pages, but they'll find it difficult to forget Sybil. ...more
The secrets we keep often damage others as much as they do ourselves. In this novel that moves across several decades in small-town Bonhomie, Ohio, a The secrets we keep often damage others as much as they do ourselves. In this novel that moves across several decades in small-town Bonhomie, Ohio, a brief affair leads to unexpected consequences, changing lives in surprising ways. Two couples are the focus of this book. The pain of being abandoned never leaves Margaret Salt although she never shares this with her husband, Felix, who has secrets of his own. The other couple, Cal and Becky Jenkins, are more suited for each other, but a rift occurs when he doubts her ability to connect with the dead. The effects, both direct and indirect, of war, notably WWI on Cal's father, and WWII and Vietnam on the other characters, are an important part of the narrative. Character development is this historical novel's strength as these individuals are complex even while they search for acceptance, love, and a safe place. Although I certainly didn't like everything about them or agree with their choices, I was swept up into their lives even while anticipating something of a trainwreck once the truth came out. This one was a 3,5 for me. ...more
In order to achieve his lifetime dream of being an astronaut, Tate Tuber smuggles himself aboard a rocket. But the astronauts aboard the ship disappoiIn order to achieve his lifetime dream of being an astronaut, Tate Tuber smuggles himself aboard a rocket. But the astronauts aboard the ship disappoint him when they inform him that he's part of a test about growing vegetables in space and he is definitely not an astronaut. Not only does he annoy the astronauts with his constant questioning and meddling, but once the test is over, there's more than one Tate. They earn their stripes and plenty of respect when the ship loses power and the taters come to the rescue. This one, part of the I Like to Read Comics series, is ideal for those science geeks out there and anyone who's ever experimented with using a potato as a battery. The potato-related puns are amusing, and the digital artwork is pleasant and entertaining. ...more
Engaging, inspiring, and hopeful, this biography about the woman who founded the International Youth Library in Munich, Jella Lepman, offers readers aEngaging, inspiring, and hopeful, this biography about the woman who founded the International Youth Library in Munich, Jella Lepman, offers readers a great example of one individual determined to make a difference in the lives of those around her. Although she had left Germany when the Nazi Party made it impossible for Jews to live there safely, she returned afterward in 1945 with a mission. She saw the suffering of the children of Germany and decided to take action. Begging for books from publishers, she pulled together a traveling library for children. Like so many, she was convinced that books can heal and make a difference in readers. Perhaps they could even change minds and hearts and lead to peace rather than conflict and war. Paterson captures the personality of Lepman, who seems to have been quite a force to reckon with. How easy it would have been for her to ignore these children or leave their tending to others after WWII. But she didn't. The artwork, created with pencil and then colored digitally, has a timeless quality, capturing the time period and scenes from some of the beloved children's books that Lepman had in her treasure trove. Read this one, which is a longer picture book than usual with dense text and a strong narrative voice, when you're feeling discouraged about the world around you. While I tend to bury myself in books during those times, perhaps the better way would be to share books and spread love, hope, harmony, and joy by passing books on to others. ...more
Tiger leads the way as he and his friend Mei search for something fun to do. But they make quite a mess of the drying tea leaves gathered by Mei's famTiger leads the way as he and his friend Mei search for something fun to do. But they make quite a mess of the drying tea leaves gathered by Mei's family, even breaking something. After running away in order to avoid being punished, they frolic for a while but then return home to face the consequences. But to their surprise, no one is angry. In fact, the other family members are happy to show them how to make tea, including churning and then roasting the tea leaves. Youngsters will relate to their experience and chortle at the book's last line as the two friends anticipate "helping" in some other way the next day. Plenty of greens, browns, oranges, and yellows are used in the artwork. ...more