Big Tree

Big Tree
Brian Selznick
Scholastic, 2024
525 pages
Grades 4-Up
Fantasy

Caldecott Winning, Seznick, offers another text/illustrated hybrid where the words and pictures work together to tell the story. Louise is a tiny Sycamore seed. Her brother Merwin is her best friend and helps to interpret the world from the safety of their big mother tree. The siblings life is shattered when a huge fire forces them from their mother and out into a big and dangerous world that does not make sense. They must battle many dangers including dinosaurs, volcanoes, and hostile environments, where seeds cannot take root and grow. Merwin finds himself stuck for many years in such an environment, where he at last learns to listen to the voice of the earth just as he struggles for survival. Eventually Merwin and Louise are united again--and this time a huge surprise is in store for him. The story ends with a child in a city who finds a little seedling in a crack in the sidewalk and the cycle starts all over again.

Selznick is amazing! He is uber-talented and his masterpiece Wonderstruck is, in my opinion, one of the best books ever created for middle grade readers. For this reason anything he creates will be published, even if it may not connect to what is considered the target audience. Big Tree is an important story spanning millenium. It has environmental themes and demonstrates the interconnectivity of the natural world. Any book featuring dinosaurs is a draw, so this alone could help to sell the volume. The problem is the story is a bit too esoteric for kids and will go over the heads of many. The illustrations are plentiful, as beautiful as always, and help to tell the story, but are sometimes a bit muddy and loose and I had a hard time understanding what was going on. The good news is, as with Selznick's other titles, the book reads quickly, but the thickness of the volume will put young readers off. It will certainly take some hand-selling and may work best as a one-on-one read aloud. An afterward offers some scientific explanation to the events in the story, as well as the author's journey writing the book, which kids won't care about. This is a gorgeous piece of literature and illustration that will best be enjoyed by fans of the author or artsy adults.

The Windeby Puzzle

The Windeby Puzzle
Lois Lowry
HarperCollins/Clarion, 2023
186 pages
Grades 5-8
Historical Fiction

Newbery award winning author, Lowry, adds personal narration to a real life archeological find: The Windeby Child. Discovered in 1952 in a German bog, these remains are that of a 2,000 year old teenager, first thought to be a girl and later discovered to be a boy. Lowry suggests two connected tales that may explain how the young person died, only to be preserved by the bog and discovered centuries later. The first tale features Estrild, a young teen on the brink of maturing. She resents the choiceless and drudgery-filled life of women in her village and disguises herself as a boy, trying be inducted into the team of warriors. The second stories stars Varick, an orphan with a physical disability. His life choices are also severely limited and he works for the blacksmith for his meager existence. Always interested in nature and science, when his boss is injured, he knows what to do to fix the problem from observing animal anatomy. The blacksmith survives, but life deals Varick a different hand. The stories are linked on either end by the author's narration and commentary, providing a journey to the iron age that is fictional, yet seeped in fact.

Beginning with a full-color photo of the discovery of the Windeby skeleton on the endpapers, I was instantly intrigued. Lowry sets up the premise and puzzle (How did the Windeby child die?) and then offers two possible explanations. Both characters are featured in each other's stories and the bones of the ancient German village remain the same. Beyond the commentary, the stories are held together by compelling illustrations of an owl, contributed by Jonathan Stroh, who is also present in the tales. Lowry clearly did her research before hopping onto the iron age and extensive backmatter gives further information, photos of relics, and a bibliography. Book discussion questions are also included, which I always appreciate. I am interested in archeology and found this book compelling and a quick read. That said, I'm not sure that the target audience will feel the same way. Kids struggle with a long-winded introduction and will not appreciate the author's commentary. I enjoyed the non-traditional approach to storytelling, but am not sure if kids will care. They prefer an exciting story with maybe some true information at the end. Another potential problem is that the "puzzle", as advertised in the title, never gets solved. I thought the book would be a mystery. It was of sorts: a real-life historical mystery. The problem is that there is no clear-cut solution, which will frustrate middle-grade readers. A fun book for the archaeologically or historically minded, but maybe not for the average tween.

The Guardian Test

The Guardian Test
Christina Soontornvat
Scholastic, 2023
147 pages
Grades 3-5
Fantasy
Legends of Lotus Island series #1

Plum has spent her entire life on her rural island with her grandparents where she communicates with animals and plants, helping to make them grow. Unbeknownst to  her, Grandfather nominates Plum to join the prestigious school for Guardian training on the Santipap Islands. All of the other students are from wealthier and more cultured areas and Plum feels out of step. Luckily, she meets a new friend, Cherry, and the two girls bond over being named after fruits and feeling less sophisticated than the other students. Other friends emerge from unexpected places as Plum finds her footing and gains self-confidence. Training proves to be difficult and Plum worries that she is not advancing fast enough. Will she pass the test and learn to transform into a mythical beast in order to protect the land? The school mean-girl seems to hate Plum from the start. When she offers Plum a shortcut to transformation, the young student is torn. Should she accept the gift and force the transformation or depend on the process and risk being sent home?

Three-time Newbery honor winning author, Soontornvat, knows her way around storytelling. This new series, though for a slightly younger audience than her usual middle grade, fills a much needed void and scores a bullseye for the target audience. here is a gap between early chapter books and denser stories where it is difficult to find books, especially fantasy. Kids not quite ready for Harry Potter or Rick Riordan will greatly enjoy this series opener, filled with lovable magical creatures, ninja-type sparring, and colorful characters. The plot is relatively straightforward and the setting is fully and magically realized. Though there are a good number of characters, they are distinctive and not confusing. Readers will relate to plucky Plum and her struggles with fitting in, imposter syndrome, and the tempation of a shortcut. Plum's abilities to communicate with animals and plants are compelling and though she does not see them as special, young readers will be envious. Though the story is lighter and simpler than the author's usual fare, it is nevertheless a slam dunk and a welcome new series. The next installment, Into the Shadow Mist will be released in July, so readers do not have long to wait.

Simon Sort of Says

Simon Sort of Says

Erin Bow

Disney/Hyperion, 2023

320 pages

Grades 4-7

Realistic Fiction

Simon and his parents move to a small midwestern town where there are no cellphones, microwaves, or internet. Scientists have been working on alien communication and anything that could potentially mess with the signal is not allowed. This is a welcome change for Simon and his family. Two years ago he was the sole survivor of a school shooting and the media has been hounding his family ever since. This isolated town is the perfect place to start fresh, where no one knows who he is. At first life as the "new kid" is lonely and awkward, but he slowly makes two new friends. The unlikely trio devise a scheme to contact aliens that sets the town on it's ear and gives Simon new troubles to worry about. Meanwhile, he is trying to combat his PTSD, while realizing that his mortician mother and church leader father are also struggling with the past and trying to move forward in a healthy way. 

This is a terrific middle grade selection that will entertain as it also highlights events that seem to be ripped from the current headlines. I read this book during a week of yet another school shooting and it made the story that much more powerful. Bow does not make light of Simon's family's experiences as they try to heal, yet offers some balance to the story with quirky characters and humor. Simon's two new friends are as different as night and day, but are both developed and interesting. His parent's occupations do not seem funny but after an incident with a disappearing body and a squirrel falling out of the altar, I found myself laughing. An event at the end had me holding my breath and realizing that I was very invested in Simon's story and hoping that this family can have a well-deserved happy ending. Agate, one of Simon's new friends, is on the autistic spectrum and how she and Simon relate to each other's processing of the world is respectful and touching. Bow has a lot to say about gun violence, social media, the press, and obsessive scientists, all within an entertaining and non-preachy tale that readers on all levels will enjoy. A gem of a book!

You are Here: Connecting Flights

You are Here: Connecting Flights

Ellen Oh, Editor

HarperCollins, 2023

265 pages

Grades 5-8

Short Stories

Twelve connected short stories tell of the different experiences of twelve different Asian-American tweens as they navigate their journeys--on many different levels. All of the accounts take place at the same airport (Chicago's O'Hare) on the same day. A raging summer storm has delayed, cancelled, and grounded flights. Travelers are stuck at the airport for an unknown amount of time and tempers are flaring. The first story takes place at customs as a boy's grandmother causes a commotion at customs as she tries to smuggle her late husband's ashes through to return to Thailand. The delay closes down a line of travelers and results in a racist incident. This story builds into the next as the different characters from different circumstances and traveling to different Asian countries encounter each other, if only briefly, and find strength in a shared experience. The final story, contributed by Oh, brings the other stories together, the racist lady is put in her place, and redemption is fulfilled.

I love reading short stories, especially when they are interconnected, such as this collection. Following up her groundbreaking Flying Lessons and Other Stories, one of the founders of We Need Diverse Books turns her talents to gething this group of tales and authors of Asian heritage. Some of the authors are famous, such as Grace Lin, Erin Entrada Kelly, and Christina Soontornvat, while others are less known. There is certainly an agenda in the collection: to showcase the different cultures represented within the Asian-American community and the different experiences. I particularly enjoyed the story of the New York girl with two dads who adopted her from Korea and want to take her to connect with her "homeland". Culture and family can be complicated and messy and this book highlights this. Other important themes include Asian hate (especially since the pandemic), stereotyping, and police harassment. Many of the characters experience growth while waiting for their flights and learn more about who they are as people. A solid collection that will be particularly enjoyed by Asian Americans, but should be read by all.

The Labors of Hercules Beal

The Labors of Hercules Beal

Gary Schmidt

Clarion, May, 2023

352 pages

Grades 5-8

Realistic Fiction

Seventh grade does not have a promising start. Hercules's brother Achilles moves back home to raise him after a tragic accident and becomes busy managing the Beal Brothers Nursery and Garden Center in their Cape Cod small town. Achilles transfers Herc to a new school, away from his best friend, but where he makes a new friend--and an old enemy. His quirky homeroom teacher, Lieutenant Colonel Hupfer, gives the class a strange assignment: take a classic Greek myth and rework it in present reflecting your own interests. Naturally, Hercules takes on his namesake, recreating the ancient hero's labors in new, yet poignant, ways. Working at the family garden center is exhausting and school is a lot (especially when it moves to the family's property), but luckily Herc has a couple of good pets and good friends to keep him company. Throughout the school year Hercules weathers storms, both personal and physical, faces his past, and becomes finally ready to face his future with the help of his tight knit community and his newly reconstructed family.

This is award-winning author's Schmidt's new novel and in my humble opinion his best yet. Set in present day with relatable characters, kids will find the story approachable. Since Hercules has suffered tragedy, they will also find the story compelling. The reader does not know initially what happened to Herc's parents, but eventually the back story is revealed as he is able to finally face the events and come to terms with his past. Hercules finds healing through the help of community and the assignment to repeat the labors of his namesake. This is a character driven story in that all of the various characters are all unique and developed, most especially Hercules himself. Each labor serves as a slice-of-life mini-adventure, which all add up to a satisfying conclusion that will make the reader breath a sigh of relief when they close the book knowing that Hercules and all of the folks around him will be okay. A worthwhile read, reminiscent of Dead End in Norvelt, that is sure to win awards. 

The Golden Hour

The Golden Hour

Niki Smith

Little Brown, 2021

237 pages

Grades 5-8

Graphic Novel

A new teacher greets the art class after spring break and Manuel is placed at a different table with two kids he doesn't know. The changes feel weird, but welcome as Manuel struggles to put one foot in front of another after a tragedy not immediately revealed to the reader. His new tablemate, Sebastian and Caysha are friendly and feel like a fresh start. Sebastian invites the group to his house on a local farm to work on a project and Manuel instantly feels at home. He helps Sebastian raise his new calf, learns to center himself when having panic attacks by taking photos, and, finally, begins to heal. Eventually, we see that Manuel was involved in a school shooting of which he feels responsible and his beloved art teacher was hurt. The post traumatic triggers still at times leave him feeling debilitated. As a rural midwestern spring turns to summer and with the help of his new friends, the gift of time, and afternoons on the farm, Manuel starts to finally heal and breath a little easier. Now if only he could help his mother stop worrying so much and give him a bit of freedom.

This is a beautiful coming of age graphic memoir sure to please readers who like stories about kids overcoming problems. The school shooting seems straight from our current headlines and is scarily realistic. Manuel's grief and anxiety come through and when he is going through an "episode" the illustrations become very dark and reflect his emotions. In contrast life on the farm is painted in healing bright colors and gorgeous images. Readers who are also experiencing troubles will find strategies through Manuel's choices of taking photos as an anchor, finding positive friends, and happy places that spark joy. Hints at an innocent queer relationship between Manuel and Sebastian will go over the heads of some kids, yet be welcome to others. The writing of The Golden Hour is solid, yet it is the full-color illustrations that really steal the show. Smith is particularly strong at capturing sunrise and sunset in his fully realized Kansas setting. Backmatter includes an author's note about PTSD, the sources behind the featured famous photographs, and early sketches. A quiet story that will find an audience among thoughtful young people.