Seventh grader Casey is tired of moving for his father's job and always being the new kid in school. Now that he feels at home in Armstrong's Point, tSeventh grader Casey is tired of moving for his father's job and always being the new kid in school. Now that he feels at home in Armstrong's Point, the chances of their moving AGAIN are high since the local library is in danger of being shut down due to expensive repairs. He joins two other classmates in an effort to save the library--and maybe salvage his friendship with someone who he threw to the wolves at a birthday party. The more time he spends with the other two students, the more he realizes just how unkind a couple of his other friends on the soccer team are. Casey is likeable, relatable, and a hero even though he doesn't always do the right thing. The fact that the library's closure will be a disaster for Daisy, the duck that nests on its roof, adds even more poignancy to this story. A good read aloud choice, this one is a 3.5 for me. It's nice to see librarians and library kids win one occasionally. ...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
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
Eighth grader Virginia Vaughn is like a lot of us in middle school. Rather insecure about her place in her popular friend group, she hides parts of heEighth grader Virginia Vaughn is like a lot of us in middle school. Rather insecure about her place in her popular friend group, she hides parts of her identity and goes along with whatever the rest of them want. This includes making cruel comments about classmates in their group texts. But when a disagreement among the girls escalates and she's kicked out of the group, things get even worse. Several of her comments are posted publicly, and she is anathema to the rest of her classmates. Her older sister, Victoria, provides unexpected support and advice. The only other solace she finds is through her conversations with a boy she's recently started texting with. But even that budding relationship is threatened when even more posts are published. Virginia is a well-drawn character, well meaning, fearful, and trying to navigate complicated friend relationships. Many readers will see parts of themselves in her and the mistakes she makes while also applauding her efforts to do better. This one--a cautionary tale about social media and Mean Girls-- is a 3.5 for me. ...more
Thirteen-year-old (almost fourteen) Keedie Darrow, who is neurodivergent, is fed up with the bullies in her small town of Juniper who make fun of her Thirteen-year-old (almost fourteen) Keedie Darrow, who is neurodivergent, is fed up with the bullies in her small town of Juniper who make fun of her or don't try to understand her. Not only are there bullies in the wider world, but she must deal with those in her class and even in the inner circle of her twin sister, Nina, who seems to be moving steadily away from her. When she starts an anti-bullying business, several students contact her for help, and she realizes that sometimes bullies are actually afraid of some of their truths being revealed. As things escalate, Keedie speaks what she considers to be the truth to Nina's friends and others, but not to protect herself as much as her little sister, Addie. Middle-grade readers will be drawn to this outspoken, courageous youngster who is fiercely loyal to her friends but who sometimes seems far wiser than her years--maybe unrealistically so. Fans of the author's previous book, A Kind of Spark, will like this prequel just as much and root for Keedie. ...more
With an empowering message as yummy as the digital artwork that explodes from this picture book's pages, this story reminds readers that gender doesn'With an empowering message as yummy as the digital artwork that explodes from this picture book's pages, this story reminds readers that gender doesn't necessarily relegate us to certain roles, areas of interest or careers. Faruq loves hanging out with his ajee as she cooks various dishes. But she never lets him help since she knows his family has other plans for him. Overhearing him when he's outside, a neighbor offers to give him cooking lessons. She even teaches him about the wiri wiri peppers growing nearby. It's a good thing, too, since he pitches in to fix soup and lunch for the whole family when his grandmother is ill. It looks as though the kitchen is where he belongs, as the book asserts: "Cooking for his family filled Faruq's heart with love" (unpaged)....more
Of course, the problem with well-meaning educational activities such as drawing and sharing one's family tree is that some students won't have much inOf course, the problem with well-meaning educational activities such as drawing and sharing one's family tree is that some students won't have much information to share or may have trees that don't have many branches or names. This is the dilemma faced by Emmylou, the narrator of this picture book [3.5 for me!]. Intimidated by the presentations of her classmates and disappointed by her mother's refusal to share anything more than her own mother's name, Emmylou realizes that she does have a family--her neighbors, including Mrs. Patel, who gives her a jar of chutney; Mr. Li, who taught her how to ride a bike; Rosa, Gabriel, and their twins, Ava and Leo. Suddenly, she knows just how to draw her tree, based on how hers has grown through found family and bonds that are "tight / tight / tight" (unpaged). The text and Emmylou's situation are moving, tender, and understated, supported beautifully with sweeping artwork, created with watercolor and digital techniques, and filled with shadows and light. This one would fit perfectly in a collection of books about families and family compositions, and it just might be the perfect choice as a read aloud before starting a family tree project. ...more
This solid middle-grade novel [3.5 for me!] set during the midst of the Vietnam War era in 1967 and 1968, covers a lot of ground not usually discussedThis solid middle-grade novel [3.5 for me!] set during the midst of the Vietnam War era in 1967 and 1968, covers a lot of ground not usually discussed in a book for readers of this age. The author includes so many details and cultural references that readers will feel as though they are experiencing the late Sixties vicariously. For older readers such as me, the references will feel particularly poignant as we'll recall the escalating war, LBJ's address to the nation, MLK's assassination, and several of the musical references, including the Monkees and Simon and Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair." The protagonist, twelve-year-old Yolanda (Yoli) Sahagun, sees parallels between her life as one of nine children and the Von Trapp family in the motion picture, The Sound of Music. The child of Mexican immigrant parents, Yoli decided at the age of eight that her vocation is to be a nun along with her best friend, Lydia. But over the course of her first year in junior high, she questions her commitment due to her attraction to an altar boy. Still, as she struggles to find a way to prevent her beloved older brother, Chuy, from going to war, she makes a pact with God. Her emotions and behavior are captured perfectly in this tender story about a complicated girl and her family. I really enjoyed this, which could work well as a class read aloud or community book. Most likely this book may become one of the favorite things of several young readers. ...more
This unique perspective on death--radical acceptance--left me thinking a great deal about how I deal with death. In this well-written, provocative memThis unique perspective on death--radical acceptance--left me thinking a great deal about how I deal with death. In this well-written, provocative memoir, the author focuses more on her thoughts than on her feelings about the death by suicide of her two sons, Vincent and James. Her earlier book, Dear Friend, From My Life I Write to You in Your Life, was a conversation she wrote to her son, Vincent, after his death, and this one explores her thoughts around James's death even while there are instances where Vincent's death is described as well. How could it not be? For her, dealing with grief and loss isn't a process or one filled with various stages but something to be experienced for the rest of one's days. Death is part of the natural order of things, and it is accepted because it must be and there isn't anything else we can do. We go on because we must, and we do what we can to move into the next day. While I'm not completely sure that I agree with everything she offers here, her thoughts are worth considering, including passages about how well-meaning individuals often said or did the wrong things after the suicides and how helpful her friends were as well as how she found solace or distraction or perhaps purpose in her writing, reading, teaching, and gardening. ...more
Fifth grader Casey Cauldwell is on the case--well, several cases, actually--again in this follow-up to the previous graphic title. The would-be detectFifth grader Casey Cauldwell is on the case--well, several cases, actually--again in this follow-up to the previous graphic title. The would-be detective is trying to sort out some tricky parts of life that she styles as cases, including solving the mystery around small-sized clothing in her house, figuring out how to ask someone to a dance, dealing with an embarrassing bathtub photo, running for class president, and finding good homes for her cat's kittens. There's so much relatable drama in this installment that readers will surely feel seen and heard. Amid the humor, there are some serious moments such as possible friend betrayal, offering forgiveness, and accepting that parents can love more than one child. Everything turns out not to be as terrible as Casey thinks. ...more
Stunning text and powerful watercolor illustrations bring an inspiring story of a secret teacher to life in this memorable picture book. As I often teStunning text and powerful watercolor illustrations bring an inspiring story of a secret teacher to life in this memorable picture book. As I often tell my students, literacy is powerful, and being able to read and write is an act of rebellion and courage, especially given the fact that most enslaved individuals in this country were denied access to these skills, which are, of course, life changing. The narrative immerses readers into the world of Teach by describing his experiences over the course of a week. Having learned how to read, write, and use numbers alongside his master's son, he now works as a clerk, but he also shares his knowledge with local children and adults, reads and digests newspaper articles to distill later with others, writes a pass that will enable one enslaved woman to travel elsewhere safely, and reads parts of the Bible encouraging rebellion and reminding listeners that they should be free. His is an example of quiet, effective resistance, a stance that is/was just as meaningful as those who voiced their concerns more loudly. Educators and social justice activists, young and old, will find inspiration and hope in this important book, a vivid reminder of why literacy matters. ...more
In this, the second graphic adaptation of the popular children's series, Kindergartener Junie B. Jones is excited about a new addition to her family, In this, the second graphic adaptation of the popular children's series, Kindergartener Junie B. Jones is excited about a new addition to her family, especially when her grandmother calls him "the cutest little monkey." Junie B., decides to capitalize on this unusualness, sharing about her brother at Show-and-Tell and setting off a bidding war between her two best friends, Grace and Lucille. But her teacher puts a stop to that once she sees Junie B. with three snack tickets. The humor in this misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the idiom and the protagonist's irrepressible personality are just as present in this adaption as in the original. Fans of the series will enjoy this one, and Barbara Park would approve of this depiction of the wide-eyed Junie B. Jones, who seems to attract trouble like flies to honey. Still, she always manages to come out on top. ...more
As is the case for most of us, Rexy suffers from a lack of self-esteem. She worries about the size of her head. teeth, and arms, and she's sure that hAs is the case for most of us, Rexy suffers from a lack of self-esteem. She worries about the size of her head. teeth, and arms, and she's sure that her new classmates will be nothing like her. The digital artwork and text depict her nervousness, which is only exacerbated after a couple of embarrassing incidents. But as it turns out, each of the other dinosaurs has something about which they also feel insecure. Maybe Rexy is a lot more awesome than she thought. This picture book would be a good choice for the first day of school since it offers reassurance that others have similar fears or anxieties about their looks and abilities. ...more
The lively teacher in this book [2.5 for me!], written as a comic book, uses several great examples to teach his students about change. Afterward, theThe lively teacher in this book [2.5 for me!], written as a comic book, uses several great examples to teach his students about change. Afterward, they are tasked with working with a partner or team to come up with examples of how one object can become something else. Teachers might draw inspiration from several of the students' experiments, some of which are more successful than others. All of the materials the students use are easy to find and not expensive, making this book quite practical. ...more
While great admiration is due to the book's author, Ruby Bridges, and her teacher during that first lonely year of isolated education at Frantz SchoolWhile great admiration is due to the book's author, Ruby Bridges, and her teacher during that first lonely year of isolated education at Frantz School in New Orleans, Mrs. Henry, 1959, this story just didn't have the emotional impact I expected it to have. Maybe because there's just too little of Mrs. Henry and their conversation once they were reunited 35 years later in 1995, maybe not. Perhaps because it veers from her disappointment in not seeing Mrs. Henry again as a second grader to 1995, leaving readers wonder what happened in between. The book opens as Ruby prepares to begin second grade and looks forward to seeing her teacher. But even though the school is now integrated, Mrs. Henry is gone. Once Ruby's book about her experiences is published, they meet and chat in a conversation that seemed rather stilted to me. Still, this is a loving tribute to shared memories and experiences, the impact of teachers, and resilience as well as cross-generational friendships that is worth a read, especially for those educators who wonder sometimes if they are making an impact in the lives of their students. Created with Adobe Photoshop and Procreate, the illustrations have a soft, sentimental feel to them that allows readers to feel as though they are peering back through time. ...more
Particularly striking illustrations, created with paper collage, textiles, and watercolor, accompany a moving story about grief, loss, and coping withParticularly striking illustrations, created with paper collage, textiles, and watercolor, accompany a moving story about grief, loss, and coping with a natural disaster. The illustrations are particularly effective in depicting the calm before the storm as Hana, the protagonist, looks out at the ocean from her classroom, and then as the power of the tsunami and earthquake shake the walls and desks of that room, and she and her classmates huddle beneath their desks. An especially effective double-page spread shows the youngsters as they move to higher ground, watching in horror as the wave "crush[es] the forest of pine trees along the shore" (unpaged). This image is followed by a second double-page spread depicting the students' view of the disaster from the school roof with houses, cars, boats, and debris intermingled within the rushing water. The text describes the scene with language that children can understand: "Like a monster in a bad dream, it pushed the fishing boats into a screeching, creaking mountain of wood. It dragged the ocean across the village, tossing cars and trucks like toys" (unpaged). And then, the deluge stops, and the reckoning begins. As the authorities try to reunite the survivors with their family members, Hana waits, sure that her mother, who works at the fish market, will come for her, possibly even swimming to safety. But that happy ending is not to be. When her father and grandmother arrive, they are alone, and "A wave, darker than the one that had taken their village, washed over Hana's heart" (unpaged). Hana's Obaasan teaches her the art of Sumi-e, and Hana finds solace in painting the plovers her mother once painted--a thousand of them in all, symbols of hope and resilience. The afterword explains the meaning of the book's title and its relevance to the 2011 tsunami in Iwate prefecture. This is yet another wonderfully moving picture book about how art can heal and help individuals chart a way forward. ...more
This graphic novel is perfect for those youngsters who dream of creating their own comics. Basically a primer for how to do just that, the examples, aThis graphic novel is perfect for those youngsters who dream of creating their own comics. Basically a primer for how to do just that, the examples, advice, and even terminology are nestled within a story of four youngsters (Makayla, Howard, Lynda, and Art), all of whom are creative and interested in visual storytelling. The school librarian, Ms. Fatima, serves as their guide along the way. Although the characters aren't particularly well developed, there's still something about them that is relatable for the book's intended audience. For instance, one character is so frozen by perfectionism that she can barely finish a sketch, and another one is brimming with ideas but doesn't know how to pull them all together. If nothing else, this book will make youngsters such as these feel seen and perhaps even inspire more Cartoonists Clubs throughout the land. ...more
I've been aware of this author's ability to create memorable characters ever since reading his first one, She's Come Undone back in 1992. I was utterlI've been aware of this author's ability to create memorable characters ever since reading his first one, She's Come Undone back in 1992. I was utterly blown away by his ability to portray a woman struggling with self-esteem, identity, and body image so perfectly. This man, I told myself and the many others to whom I recommended the book, really understood those who are all too often overlooked, misunderstood, and forgotten. That's the case once again in this, his latest novel. The protagonist, Corby Ledbetter, isn't particularly sympathetic during the book's opening pages. He's in total denial about his addiction and his carelessness as well as his dishonesty toward his wife, Emily, about his job searches even as he tries to hold down the home fort while she pursues a teaching career. If his life has been falling apart before, it only gets worse once he accidentally runs over his twin son, Niko. Sentenced to three years in prison, Corby struggles to find a way forward and a way to forgive himself or to hope that his family can forgive him. The novel raises important questions about humanity, redemption, the justice system, and takes readers to some very dark and disturbing places as Corby deals with abusive guards and silence and anger from his wife. But ultimately, he is saved by the friendship of a gregarious cellmate, a prison librarian, and a mural that he initially paints reluctantly. There are several passages that brought me close to tears and others that made me smile, but this book doesn't offer any easy answers or resolutions to the questions it poses. As Corby's sentence nears its end, I wondered how everything would be resolved, and while I shouldn't have been surprised, given the timeframe, at how the author wraps everything up, I was, and I closed the book wondering about what might have been, for Corby and so many others like him. I'll be thinking about this story for some time. ...more
The Samuelson family is a lot like most families. On the surface, all is well until the oldest son, Ellis, recently graduated from college, dies in a The Samuelson family is a lot like most families. On the surface, all is well until the oldest son, Ellis, recently graduated from college, dies in a freak accident. Not surprisingly, his death affects all the family members in different ways, and each ones tries to cope however they can. But as the novel proceeds, readers start to see the cracks in the veneer of the family's happiness, and secrets about each one start to spill out. Although some parts of this story are expected--Sib's secret alcoholism and a liaison, for instance--others are not, and readers are left to ponder the small and large moments that shape us and how joy is still possible amid tragedy. Well written and compelling, the novel [3.5 for me!] contains characters that are easy to embrace and about whom we want to know more. I'm glad to have discovered this author. ...more