I wish this book [4.5 for me!] had received more attention than it did since it's important, moving, and insightful. The author, a journalist who workI wish this book [4.5 for me!] had received more attention than it did since it's important, moving, and insightful. The author, a journalist who works for the New York Times, spent several months in and around Chinle, Arizona, following the high school basketball team and its coach, Raul Mendoza, as he tries to shape his players as basketballers but also as human beings with a bright future. Naturally, there are many challenges to these tasks--sometimes even the young men themselves and the long, wearisome road trips necessary to reach some of the teams they'll play. While basketball is the focus here--or the excuse to publish the book--this is so much more than a book about a basketball team. Author Michael Powell conducted many interviews with individuals living on the Navajo Nation, including families of the team, fans--and basketball is SERIOUS business in Chinle--educators, even a ranger. While Powell acknowledges the isolation, poverty, abuse, addiction, and suicide that are so often a part of the boys' lives, he also celebrates their tenacity, determination, and spiritedness that they possess. Several parts of the narrative are downright poetic as Powell soaks in the culture, the awe-inspiring beauty of the land, and the warmth of his welcome even as he ruminates on what he's observing and feeling. The connection to this place is strong even while many of its residents, especially the youth, dream of a different, not necessarily better, life. Fans of those Netflix docudramas about basketball and football should love this one with its insight into a place and its inhabitants. ...more
It took the author twenty years to write this particular story focusing on a little-known part of Holocaust history--the Nazi Lebensborn program. ThisIt took the author twenty years to write this particular story focusing on a little-known part of Holocaust history--the Nazi Lebensborn program. This effort to insure abundant future generations of Aryans with "pure" bloodlines involved women, some of whom volunteered to become pregnant for the honor it would bring, but it also had a cruel consequence since babies who weren't perfect were often killed. In this particular book, the protagonist, Allina Strauss is taken to Hochland Home after her family and village are destroyed and she is assaulted. She works there as a nurse, eventually tending to the children who are deemed slower or more flawed than the others and initiating a program to help develop the skills they've lost through neglect. (This part of the story is fictionalized.) Allina meets a high-ranking SS officer, Karl, who turns out to be nothing like she expects. His involvement in helping some of the Jewish children and families escape is part of his efforts to atone for his blind involvement in the Nazi Party when he was younger. While Allina and Karl might be considered ordinary or little cogs in the big picture, their actions are, indeed, heroic, and demonstrate that it is possible to stand up for one's beliefs and act against the wrongs that are in the world, even though those actions may come with a heavy price. Readers will be deeply invested in this story, told from the points of view of Allina and then of Karl as well as being bookended by another character's thoughts. The characters are complex, the setting unique, and the descriptions of people, places, and events carefully detailed. This is one of those books that will stay with readers for some time, prompting reflection about choices, sacrifice, and the power of love in the midst of impossible circumstances. I thoroughly enjoyed it, appreciating the author's attempt to bring to light this horrible practice of eugenics. I've read a couple of books about this topic so this one is unique in its focus. ...more
Although this book [2.5 for me!] wasn't my cup of tea, I'm sure its intended audience will gobble it up and wish that they too could dine on dinosaur Although this book [2.5 for me!] wasn't my cup of tea, I'm sure its intended audience will gobble it up and wish that they too could dine on dinosaur pie. The plot concerns Rory, whose mother purchases dinosaur pie for him at the local supermarket. The dish has a strange side effect as Rory and anyone else who eats it transforms into--you guessed it--a dinosaur. This might seem great fun at first, but as Rory and his two friends, Oleg and Daria, discover, it's also quite convenient when it comes to going to school, using the toilet, and just walking down the street. There are several moments that will prompt giggles from readers as Rory's mother endeavors to hold the store accountable, and as the youngsters search for an antidote. I confess that I giggled at Oleg's need for online validation and Rory's nickname for their teacher. There are several illustrations accompanying the text, making this a quick read that some fans of dinosaurs may enjoy. ...more
There continues to be something charming about this series set in Nigeria. Perhaps it's the books' protagonist, Anna Hibiscus, with her fondness for hThere continues to be something charming about this series set in Nigeria. Perhaps it's the books' protagonist, Anna Hibiscus, with her fondness for her home and extended family, including a rooster called Snow White. Maybe it's the unfamiliar setting. Or perhaps it's the almost hypnotic way each story is told. Or how relatable some of her adventures are, despite their setting. Whatever it may be, the same elements that have appealed to readers like me from the very first title in this series are still apparent in this, the sixth chapter book in the series. This time around Anna follows her grandparents to the village where both of them once lived. She's been told that travel on a crowded bus is fun, but that doesn't seem to be the case at first. Nor is it easy to get to the village after the bus drops her off since she must make her way through the bus. She also faces moments of being bullied by some of the village's youngsters due to her lighter skin. But as with every situation in which she has found herself in previous books, she eventually figures a way forward, solving problems with some sound advice from her elders. The illustrations, rendered in ink, capture some of the important moments in the book perfectly, and I wouldn't change a thing about the text or artwork. This one might be a good classroom read aloud choice. ...more
I liked this middle-grade science fiction story [3.5 for me!] a lot. I wasn't sure about its contents, based on the cover, but it drew me in from the I liked this middle-grade science fiction story [3.5 for me!] a lot. I wasn't sure about its contents, based on the cover, but it drew me in from the first page when Michael Rosario is stealing peaches from the grocery store in preparation for Y2K. Not only does Michael worry about what will happen then, but he worries about how hard his mother works. Twelve-year-old Michael is so relatable as he's small for his age, quiet, helpful, and picked on by others. He also has a caring heart as he feeds the stray cats in his apartment complex in Delaware and enjoys spending time with Mr. Mosley, who works in the complex. When he spots a strange boy, Ridge, hanging out nearby, Michael and his babysitter Gibby introduce themselves and are puzzled by his odd use of slang and strange clothing. As it turns out, Ridge is from the future, and he's traveled back in time to 1999 to see what the world is like. The way the story is told is interesting since part of it is straight narrative, and other parts are audio transcripts from 2199 as his mother and siblings try to bring him back. All this is interesting enough, bringing to mind at times Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me, but what might resonate most with readers is Ridge's advice that Michael learn to live in the present and being fully engaged in the now rather than worrying constantly about the future or bemoaning the past. The notion of "the first state of being" is that present. This one is a fast read with interesting characters and a protagonist with flaws but good intentions as well as hints about what the planet's future will be like--no bees, no tigers, for instance. Some readers will feel cheated because Ridge doesn't explain a great deal about life in 2199, instead, simply saying that "it's complicated," which may make them feel cheated. Readers won't want to miss the Additional Excerpts at the back of the book. ...more
Set in Chicago during 2016-2017, this middle-grade novel in verse is structured like a football game with a preseason section, quarters, headings thatSet in Chicago during 2016-2017, this middle-grade novel in verse is structured like a football game with a preseason section, quarters, headings that are pertinent to the sport, and football tidbits. At first those tidbits seemed unnecessary to someone who has followed the game since she was a young girl, but eventually, I realized how they were meant to work and were woven into the plot itself. Perhaps this structure and the subject matter itself--the Muslim ban during President Donald Trump's presidency [Executive Order 13769]--captivated the judges for the National Book Award since this one won the prize for Young People's Literature. Kareem, the seventh-grade narrator, wants nothing more than to play quarterback for his school team. When Austin, the current QB, promises to help him get on the team in exchange for "help" on an assignment, Kareem is conflicted, but he also wants that acceptance and a chance to show what he can do on the field. As Austin leans on for even more help, Kareem grows increasingly uncomfortable, betraying himself, his culture, and Fadi, a newly arrived refugee. As often happens in these sorts of circumstances, his behavior grows erratic, and he tries to cover up some of his deceits. But actions have consequences, and the results of his actions have a domino effect on his whole family, particularly since his mother has traveled to Syria to bring back his ailing maternal grandfather and grandmother. Parts of this story filled my heart with emotion and with hope that things can and will get better, and the book clearly has value for class discussions about xenophobia, prejudices, and social activism, all topics that are nestled within the middle-school drama and humorous moments. ...more
With starkly powerful artwork filling at least one side of each page in this picture book [3.5 for me!] as well as powerful words, this book demonstraWith starkly powerful artwork filling at least one side of each page in this picture book [3.5 for me!] as well as powerful words, this book demonstrates effectively how censorship works in action. It is, of course, the story of a book whose content has been subject to censors. Some of the words--sometimes one or two and other times big chunks of text--have been blacked out so that it's almost impossible to tell what is meant. Pages 18, 21, and 22 show this practice in particularly effective fashion. The book is challenged, defended, and finally thrown into the trash. It's interesting how the book undergoes redaction, removal, and then destruction, somewhat mirroring how the attacks on the right to read and First Amendment freedoms operate. This is a title to share, discuss, and reflect upon as readers ponder what effects these censorship efforts have on intellectual freedom and their own future ability to question the status quo or choose what they want to read. ...more
Interestingly vibrant illustrations, created with watercolor and digital techniques, and strong, reflective text, showcase the possibilities art and cInterestingly vibrant illustrations, created with watercolor and digital techniques, and strong, reflective text, showcase the possibilities art and creativity have to change the world. Focusing on the efforts of Corita Kent, a Catholic nun whose work consisted of a combination of words and images and who encouraged her art students to break the rules, this picture book biography [3.5 for me!] profiles someone not often, if ever, mentioned in history books. And yet, this artist was quite influential. Since she was working during a historical period when the Catholic church and mainstream society was changing, she became a part of the revolution. Although she eventually left the church, she continued to use her own art to highlight issues, encourage change, and offer hope to others. It's impossible to read her story, examine the illustrations, and consider her impact without feeling inspired and energized to carry on her work. The book's title fits its contents perfectly since it's abundantly clear that Corita Kent put her whole heart into her work. Add this title to a collection of artists' biographies as well as one devoted to activists or individuals who have made a difference....more
Reading this folktale [3.5] was a hoot. Twelve-year-old Mendel Schlotz is certainly well meaning, but for some reason--perhaps because he was cursed bReading this folktale [3.5] was a hoot. Twelve-year-old Mendel Schlotz is certainly well meaning, but for some reason--perhaps because he was cursed before birth--his good intentions always go awry. Even the simplest tasks such as setting the table for a meal or responding to questions in class end up causing a mess. Mendel just can't help it. But when Cossacks threaten the village of Lintvint, it's his quick thinking that saves the villagers. I won't spoil how this happens since there are several twists and turns as well as unexpected moments that make all the difference in the world. Middle grade readers will be familiar with the adage that sometimes our weaknesses can become our strengths. which makes Mendel's experiences all the more relatable, but they won't expect some of the events in this story or how that adage plays out. And ugh! a drink made from goat sweat! Even the thought of such a beverage will make readers shudder. The artwork and text fit together in an engaging way, making this read a delight from start to finish with plenty of humor, some pathos, and lots of suspense. There are surely plenty of Mendels out there who will see themselves in this one. ...more
As their musical career begins to ramp up, twins Tegan and Sara are dealing with many changes in their lives. Both girls have crushes on different girAs their musical career begins to ramp up, twins Tegan and Sara are dealing with many changes in their lives. Both girls have crushes on different girls, and their approaches to romance and love are just as different as their approaches to their music and performing. While all of this is exciting, it's also a bit disconcerting since they find themselves increasingly at odds about just about everything, including what songs to perform for a competition. The girls are at risk for being crushed under all the drama of their eighth-grade year, particularly because they have a manager who may be rushing them into the music business too fast. This is a good follow-up to last year's Junior High since it features several characters introduced in that one. Middle graders will relate to much of this graphic novel's content and the honesty of Tegan and Sara who are continuing to try to figure themselves out even if that means moving away from each other a bit. ...more
What a clever way to handle tough topics! In this graphic novel with a variety of sizes of panels and different colored text for different speakers, mWhat a clever way to handle tough topics! In this graphic novel with a variety of sizes of panels and different colored text for different speakers, middle grader Lonnie is struggling to accept his parents' divorce and having two different homes as well as issues of identity, being different from classmates whose parents live together, and how to deal with conflict. These are hard topics, often shunned by parents and their offspring, and after his father picks him up after school each day, Lonnie buckles up for the ride and broaches some of those issues. Many readers will be familiar with the experience of being trapped in the car with a parent and how that affords them the chance to talk things out or simply remain silent and ignore any issues that might be troubling them. Kudos for Lonnie for holding his father accountable for his words and actions, including careless, dismissive remarks about a classmate's two moms and about therapy and mental health. The facial expressions of the characters speak volumes, and this book could serve as a starting place for other families such as Lonnie's as they have those challenging conversations. This is a fast but important read, easily enjoyed by its intended young audience but the adults in their lives as well. I loved how Lonnie's mother reprimanded her son and daughter, Nicole, for calling each other stupid, instead insisting that they are "young, gifted, and Black" (p. 10), and how they pick up on her assessment. While the conversations with Mom driving her children to their destinations aren't as deep as those Lonnie has with his father, they're still important as well. ...more
This was an impressive sophomore effort [3.5 for me!] from a writer who really knows how to develop characters and situations that will strike home foThis was an impressive sophomore effort [3.5 for me!] from a writer who really knows how to develop characters and situations that will strike home for teen readers. After all, most of us have faced turning points at which we had to make choices, sometimes feeling as though there's no good choice available. In the case of Reed Beckett, the narrator, the bad choices are all that stand between his sister Bea and him and disaster. Although Reed, 17, gets good grades, he could care less about school or applying for colleges since much of the responsibility for his sister falls on him, especially during stressful times. In fact, when it's clear that Bea, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, is in line for surgery, their mother goes AWOL with Seth, her latest boyfriend. For some reason, she thinks Reed can handle everything, including paying for the rent, buying groceries, and any hospital costs. The only way he can do this is to engage in some illegal activities, including making false IDs and providing answers to test questions. As Reed does his best to take care of Bea, he has help from an unexpected ally with whom he has a past that relates to the book's title. But how far will he have to go to keep afloat, and how long will he able to get away with his moneymaking schemes? Readers will enjoy the ups and downs in his relationship with Helena and the delightful personality of Bea as well as the way the siblings interact with one another. The scene in which the two go grocery shopping for the first time and follow another shopper who seems to know what she's doing is amusing but also realistic. On the other hand, it's hard to imagine a mother being as careless as Reed's, though. ...more
Fans of this Canadian musical group will love this glimpse into their formative years as they navigate a move to a new neighborhood, start junior highFans of this Canadian musical group will love this glimpse into their formative years as they navigate a move to a new neighborhood, start junior high, and try to figure out various aspects of themselves, including romantic interests, friendship, and express themselves through music. Although several of the pop cultural references are current rather than being true to the years in which Tegan and Sara actually attended junior high, the story is relatable, humorous, and honest, showing the sisters at their best and their worst. I don't think it would have been hampered if the narrative had stayed true to the music the twins were listening to back in the day, but perhaps the publisher felt that it would have more appeal or seem fresher with these changes. It's great for middle graders and teens to have this example of how growing up is messy, even when you're famous. The illustrations are just as delightful as Tegan and Sara themselves. ...more
High schooler Calvin Greene and his parents have fled Chicago for the Pennsylvania suburbs after violence and a tragedy disturbed their quiet lives. SHigh schooler Calvin Greene and his parents have fled Chicago for the Pennsylvania suburbs after violence and a tragedy disturbed their quiet lives. Since the Greenes are white-skinned, they are able to pass for white, even buying a house in a white-only neighborhood, and having Calvin attend the local white school. But his passing comes at a price. As time passes, Calvin becomes increasingly uncomfortable pretending to be someone he isn't, having to rebuff the attentions of a determined neighbor girl, hiding his love for jazz, and watching in horror as Lily, a local Black girl, enters the school and endures systematic bullying. Since the story is set in 1955 after the murder of Emmett Till, who Calvin knew as Bobo back in Chicago, the fictionalized portion has even more resonance, emotion, and relevance, particularly when read through the perspective of today's political climate. The dangers of traveling through certain towns after sundown, the helpfulness of the Green Book, and the fears that caused others in Calvin's circle to remain silent are all covered in this page-turner. There's even a subplot concerning Calvin's older brother, Robert, and the small community he's cobbled together. Calvin is relatable because of his honesty, his mistakes, and how he often fails to realize the consequences of his actions for others. But he's also heroic for those same things. Anyone trying to understand parts of American history and the intricacies of being true to oneself and putting oneself and others in jeopardy and living a lie that promises safety yet means denying part of one's identity will find answers--and some questions--in this engaging, well researched historical fiction title. ...more
This middle-grade novel [3.5 for me!] has so many quotable passages or golden lines as well as three characters that will touch readers' hearts with tThis middle-grade novel [3.5 for me!] has so many quotable passages or golden lines as well as three characters that will touch readers' hearts with their individual plights. The way the book is structured reminds me in many respects of Louis Sachar's classic Holes although there is no work camp for kids or incarceration or unrequited love in this one. But as is the case with Holes, there are parts of the narrative that seem at first to have no connection until suddenly, they do. Tildy has lost the amber necklace her mother gave her, and fears that her mother will leave once again. Leon fears losing his grandmother after his grandfather died, and he's desperately trying to communicate with the man's spirit to lift her out of the Depths of Despair. (I love how this is capitalized throughout the narrative.) And Nell is on an impromptu road trip with her mother after their house in Florida was destroyed by a hurricane. Nell wants to go home where she has happy memories of times with her other mom. Beneath all these different kinds of losses are raw emotions and complex feelings about safety, belonging, and family as well as attachments to things that seem terribly important. Parts of the story are stronger than others, but this one is certainly worth a read as even older readers will find themselves thinking about what matters most in their own lives. The author effectively balances humor and heartache, and readers will miss these characters and the small town where all this takes place once all the loose ends are tied up. ...more
I'm pleased that youngsters will have the chance to continue to get to know third grader Bibsy Cross while maybe learning more about themselves and hoI'm pleased that youngsters will have the chance to continue to get to know third grader Bibsy Cross while maybe learning more about themselves and how to navigate life's challenges through this chapter book series for young readers. Fans of Junie B. Jones and Clementine will dive right into this, the second book in the series, and feel at home as Bibsy learns to ride a bike, finds out that winning isn't everything, and that sometimes classmates who seem to be mean also deserve a helping hand. The Photoshop illustrations endearingly depict Bibsy, her family, and those around her. The text and scenarios she encounters are relatable for the book's intended audience, similar to those that some of them have faced or will face in the future. Her battle with her teacher, Mrs. Stumper, continues in some respects as Bibsy simply can't help asking questions or sharing. As someone who had a similar predilection when I was growing up, I can certainly identify with Bibsy urges, her love for books and reading, and her competitive nature. And her parents' habit of having her share the sweet and sour of her day is simply precious, allowing the events of the day to be reviewed in perspective. ...more
Prankster and social media star Tommy Harding has arranged for his senior class to have access to Sunny World, a Florida theme park, after it closes fPrankster and social media star Tommy Harding has arranged for his senior class to have access to Sunny World, a Florida theme park, after it closes for the day. It's hard to see what his followers--not to mention the girls he's stringing along--find attractive about him since he seems self-centered, impulsive, cruel, and dishonest, as painted in this novel. Every move he makes is calculated, intended to gain more likes, followers, and attention, while keeping his longtime girlfriend, Kiara, in line. But when all the romantic balls he's been juggling unexpectedly come down on his head, his deceitfulness is revealed online, Tommy ends up dead, and suspicion falls on the three girls with whom he's been involved. Honestly, it's hard to care about his death since he seems to have betrayed everyone around him. Since the story is told from multiple points of view [the three girls: Kiara, Priscilla, and Nevaeh, readers are treated to each of their perspectives and their possible motivations for doing him in. But this doesn't save the book since the girls are stereotypes, and readers aren't afforded much insight into their personalities or what drew them to Tommy or in the case of two of them, what kept them hooked. The book cover and teaser were quite promising, but the actual story didn't live up to its billing. Too bad since there are surely plenty of teens and older folks out there who have fallen for a Tommy or two in their time and could have used a lifeline for how to escape his clutches. Because parts of the narrative bounce around too much and the three girls are all too quick to point the finger of suspicion at one another, the entire thing became too predictable and parts of it all too unbelievable, at least for me. ...more
Seventeen-year-old Hannah Lynn is eager to leave her small Maine town behind when she starts college, hopefully at Tufts where her mother went but faiSeventeen-year-old Hannah Lynn is eager to leave her small Maine town behind when she starts college, hopefully at Tufts where her mother went but failed to graduate. Having lost her mother when she was four, Hannah has become quite independent and distant due to her father's less than organized way of life. When her troubled [and often troublesome] older sister, Pauline, gets in trouble one again and her two sons need a place to stay, Hannah reluctantly agrees with her father that they should take in Henry and Simon. Feeling guilty for the mistakes he made with his own girls, her father, a former baseball star, turns over a completely new leaf. But nothing is easy with the boys. They are anxious about their places in their new home, uncertain about how long they will be able to stay, and understandably confused. Hannah never planned for them to be with the Lynns for long, just long enough for her sister to be in recovery and come get them or until a different placement can be found. But along the way, no matter how hard she tries to harden her heart, Hannah falls in love with her two nephews as well as someone else who has become important to her. While her choices aren't easy and she questions her decisions constantly, there are rewards for those decisions. This well-written story, told from Hannah's perspective, is filled with hope, heart, and insight into the foster care system. With several passages describing how Hannah deals with enormous grief and falls apart at times as well as coping, t's a 3.5 for me. Because of her flaws, she is all the more relatable. ...more
Too Small Tola isn't without resources as readers of this unique series come to realize. Fans of the previous three books in the series will enjoy watToo Small Tola isn't without resources as readers of this unique series come to realize. Fans of the previous three books in the series will enjoy watching this young girl solve problems for herself in three different chapters or stories. Not only does she find a way for elderly and frail Mrs. Shaky-Shaky to stay connected to the rest of the community, changing her grandmother's opinion of the boys her brother, Dapo, hangs around with, but she also takes a trip to the beach with her grandmother and realizes that some rules are meant to be broken and some fears can be overcome. Even though the beach is filthy and littered, there's still love to be found with Grandmommy. In the third story Tola loses track of the baby for whom she's caring and gets acclaim for having a song written about her. All the stories are connected in some way and originate in Grandmommy's apartment in Lagos, Nigeria, and Tola's pride and self-confidence are evident in each story, particularly since she is supported by her family and neighbors. The digital artwork allows readers to get to know the characters and setting even better. This is a quick read featuring characters that many readers will love. I look forward to the next installment of Tola's adventures, which, while they may seem small, are surely meaningful. ...more
Although the premise behind this middle-grade story [3.5 for me!] is rather far-fetched, I still loved most of it, partly because it takes part in a lAlthough the premise behind this middle-grade story [3.5 for me!] is rather far-fetched, I still loved most of it, partly because it takes part in a library and partly because I liked the characters. Essie, who becomes known as "the library girl," has lived in the Huffington Public Library for all of her eleven years of life, apparently abandoned on a bookshelf by someone. Four kind-hearted librarians (Doris, Taisha, Lucinda, and Jeanne-Marie) can't resist taking care of her when no one shows up. They keep her hidden, protected, and loved. But as she grows older, they decide it's time to allow her to explore the world outside the library first-hand rather than from books. While checking out a department store, she meets a boy who looks just like her, and the truth behind her birth and family is slowly revealed. All four librarians are wonderfully depicted and take their roles as mothers quite seriously. Despite the tough topics the book addresses and the mistakes that many characters, including Essie, make, there are many humorous moments and individuals who step in when help is needed, particularly when Essie and the four librarians, come into conflict with newly-hired Ms, Matterhorn, who has to be one of the most meddling characters ever written and described as "a woman so disagreeable that cats leapt into open manholes when they saw her coming" (p. 66). And oh, how this book provides a roadmap for dealing with life's challenges: "If people were like books in the library, if everyone was their own story, then what had her mothers taught her? That all stories were good stories as long as they were true to the teller. And that you should never try to pretend that the things that had happened in the past hadn't or that the way people believed or thought or felt hadn't happened. Because what good was a story if it was censored and untrue? Stories were for sharing the infinite ways there were to be human" (p. 237). ...more