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
Eight-year-old Obioma plays soccer, never letting her wheelchair slow her down. She even has a special stick to help her score goals. After getting inEight-year-old Obioma plays soccer, never letting her wheelchair slow her down. She even has a special stick to help her score goals. After getting in trouble at school for being somewhere considered off limits, she arrives home to some more bad news. Her family is moving, and by the time she turns nine, she's in a brand-new school where her classmates aren't as accepting as her previous ones. They seem to see her wheelchair as something exotic and something that will prevent her from playing football. Eventually, though, one girl extends the hand of friendship, and Obioma gets the chance to show off her soccer abilities, leading to acceptance and acclaim from the others. This empowering story, told from Obioma's perspective, is complemented with artwork depicting several lively scenes on the soccer field at both schools. It might be a good picture book to share to encourage empathy and raise awareness in youngsters....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
**spoiler alert** Unlike some readers, I liked The Plot, this novel's predecessor, more than this one [3.5 for me!]. This one started too slowly for m**spoiler alert** Unlike some readers, I liked The Plot, this novel's predecessor, more than this one [3.5 for me!]. This one started too slowly for me, but it gained steam as I moved through its pages. There are plenty of twists, turns, and surprises, and as the protagonist, Anna Williams-Bonner, the widow of a deceased writer, goes to great lengths to hide her past and put to rest any ghosts who might possibly haunt her. The ghosts, of course, aren't actual supernatural beings, but excerpts of a manuscript written by her brother, the contents of which bear a striking resemblance to her husband's novel and to her past. All this is interesting on its own merits, providing glimpses into the world of publishing and book tours as Anna travels around the country in support of her own book, but what makes the story even more interesting for me is how Anna justifies her actions, almost as though she's simply clearing the road of unnecessary traffic or removing leftovers that have started to mold. Don't read this one before The Plot, but once you've read that one, definitely dive into this one with its totally amoral protagonist. (Well, maybe not completely amoral--after all, she does save the cat!)...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
This one is a 2,5 for me. Despite the fact that hordes of readers loved this one and it garnered great critical reviews, it didn't work for me. And itThis one is a 2,5 for me. Despite the fact that hordes of readers loved this one and it garnered great critical reviews, it didn't work for me. And it's not that I'm offended by sexually frank descriptions or that I'm too young to have gone through menopause. I just felt frustrated by the protagonist, her midlife crisis, and her constant whining. Parts of the writing are funny, reflective, intense, but also, quite annoying as her planned cross-country drive from LA to NYC ends up being a short jaunt in which she decides to stay nearby, hire a decorator for her motel room [spending $20,000 to do so], and engage in a mating ritual with a young dancer who works for Hertz. Parts of her story are relatable as she mourns the loss of her youth, worries over menopause, and looks for meaning beyond that of a wife and mother, but she leaves quite a bit of wreckage in her wake. I didn't like her enough to care about her, unfortunately, and I didn't see the point of her journey. ...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
I know my rating and comments will be in the minority here, but I found this book so disappointing. Not only are there punctuation errors throughout, I know my rating and comments will be in the minority here, but I found this book so disappointing. Not only are there punctuation errors throughout, a need for tight editing, but there are gaping holes in the plot, and the dialogue sounds completely stilted and inauthentic. That said, the book's premise was a promising one. A successful defense attorney ends up defending her husband, who is accused of murdering his mistress. That idea really struck me as having great potential since the attorney, Sarah Morgan, would surely struggle with her anger at his betrayal but also still love him enough to try to save his life. Since the story is told from alternating points of view--Sarah's and her husband, Adam's--readers are given insight into the motivations of both. But she's so over the top, and he's such a mousy, confused, self-pitying creatures, that it's hard to like either one of them. I suspected how this one would end very early on, and while there are some other possibilities hinted at throughout the story, the book ended exactly how I expected. I picked this one up because it had so many rave reviews, and while I acknowledge that tastes vary, for me, this one was far from perfect. ...more
Appropriately filled with colors usually seen as the day ends and the sun begins to set, this board book sets a comforting, warmly accepting tone as aAppropriately filled with colors usually seen as the day ends and the sun begins to set, this board book sets a comforting, warmly accepting tone as an older bear and a younger one prepare to call it a day. The older one offers words of reassurance to the little one as they nestle down for the night. As readers turn each of the pages, a yellow strip of ribbon comes into view, followed by larger ones further down in each subsequent page. Who wouldn't feel special when they know that a special star is watching over them? This is the first Sliding Ribbon book I've seen, and I'm impressed with how it works, Youngsters will be as well as they also digest the message of unconditional love in the simple, accessible text. ...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
Ah, what a better world we'd have if more of us remained quiet for a few moments and listened to the trees! Written in haibun, which combines haiku anAh, what a better world we'd have if more of us remained quiet for a few moments and listened to the trees! Written in haibun, which combines haiku and prose, this picture book biography describes the formative years, the inspiration, and the career of George Nakashima, a talented woodworker, eschewing a career in architecture for one involving making furniture. Having traveled widely, Nakashima, a Nisei who was born in the United States, had barely returned to the United States and opened his own shop, when paranoia prompted the U.S. government to incarcerate George and his young family during WWII. But even there, despite the unpleasant conditions, Nakashima continued to hone his craft, learning from others. After the war, they moved to Pennsylvania, where they built their own home and started George's business. The text and illustrations beautifully depict the respect Nakashima had for trees but also for timber, the wood from cut trees. This admiration for the grains of the trees led him to embark on an ambitious project to build massive peace altar tables. As if his life weren't interesting enough, the back matter, which includes descriptions and sketches of the time-consuming woodworking process, also contains photographed examples of his work, leaving readers such as I in awe at the patience, attention to detail, and imagination of this talented man, who clearly listened to the trees throughout his live. The author's text is nimble, expressive, and reflective, and the digital artwork is filled with large shapes and colors, both a stunning tribute to Nakashima whose work is clearly unique. ...more
Featuring two fetching pandas--a mother and a child--this fetching padded board book with softly-colored scenes of the animals' natural habitat, filleFeaturing two fetching pandas--a mother and a child--this fetching padded board book with softly-colored scenes of the animals' natural habitat, filled with abundant greens, contains some surprises. Unlike many other books for youngsters in which certain personality traits or experiences are what the parent longs for their child, this one focuses more on resilience, sharing joy, and the strength to deal with life's challenges. This one is just different enough from the usual ones to seem fresh and new, something that will make parent and child reach for it frequently. The thick padding is a bonus, guaranteeing a long life of usage. ...more
Originally published in Ukraine, this picture book [3.5 for me!] will surely join the other stories that are considered holiday classics. The plot is Originally published in Ukraine, this picture book [3.5 for me!] will surely join the other stories that are considered holiday classics. The plot is unique, and the protagonist, Little Hare, is so determined and charmingly rendered in the whimsical illustrations that the book is impossible to resist. Little Hare is awakened by a loud noise. When she investigates, she finds an enormous present, which she loads onto her sleigh and searches for its intended recipient. But even though she asks several other animals, none claim the present. As it turns out, this package and others were lost by Santa Claus due to a blizzard. Little Hare offers to help the Jolly Old Elf, and the presents are transported to the right animals. Little Hare also receives just the right gift, something that will be both fun and useful. Youngsters will love how everything turns out okay in the end even as they wonder about how challenging it must be to deliver so many presents under less-than-ideal weather conditions. I was completely charmed by this story. ...more
Appropriately sunny graphite and Procreate illustrations, given this picture book's subject matter, fill each page with yellows, oranges, and blues. TAppropriately sunny graphite and Procreate illustrations, given this picture book's subject matter, fill each page with yellows, oranges, and blues. Two youngsters deal with life's ups and downs as too much of a good thing, such as the sun or certain sounds or even speeds, can be a very bad thing. What's interesting about this book is how the two support each other throughout all these moments. And then, as the book concludes, they return to their separate homes where love and family are waiting for them as they have been all along. The next-to-last double-page spread is filled with so much unspoken yet visible emotion. This picture book might be useful to share while discussing self-regulation or resilience or the importance of community. ...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
The message of empowerment in this picture book [2.5 for me], written by a celebrity, is more attractive than the digital artwork. There are plenty ofThe message of empowerment in this picture book [2.5 for me], written by a celebrity, is more attractive than the digital artwork. There are plenty of readers to need to hear the words describing the different narrators' feelings and experiences. Being true to oneself and not worrying about trying to be like everyone else, leads to a healthy, happy life, according to the author, and it also means embracing yourself and your own unique qualities. The illustrations feature a diverse cast of youngsters, some who are struggling while others are self-confident. ...more
The narrator, a young girl, doesn't have the best start to her family's Passover celebration, but the story her uncle Ezra tells about his first PassoThe narrator, a young girl, doesn't have the best start to her family's Passover celebration, but the story her uncle Ezra tells about his first Passover in the United States changes her attitude. Arriving at Ellis Island when he was nine, Ezra ends up spending the night with others from the ship, celebrating the holiday with what they have on hand, because authorities can't find his older brother, Mendel, who was supposed to meet him. Based on a family story, this one is quite charming, especially when the narrator focuses on Ezra not knowing how to eat a banana but sure about how to make a seder. The text and artwork have great child appeal, and young readers will probably reflect on the importance of family traditions after reading this one. ...more
There's no doubt about it: Life can be hard and filled with struggles. There's no way around that fact. In this colorful picture book set in a local fThere's no doubt about it: Life can be hard and filled with struggles. There's no way around that fact. In this colorful picture book set in a local fair, several youngsters learn that life has its ups and downs, but there is always hope that things will get better. The text is based on a song, and the artwork fits the mood of each scene with a rollercoaster, a carousel, and even teacup rides demonstrating just how unexpected events in life can seem. Through it all, though, the narrator, a musician strumming a guitar, offers an optimistic outlook for the youngsters and young readers. This one might be a good choice to share when times are especially troubling for young students. ...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