Cub

Cub
Cynthia Copeland
Algonquin, 2020 223 pages
Grades 4-8
Graphic Novel

Cindy finds herself stuck in the wilds of junior high school in the early 1970's. Everything is tricky and confusing. Cindy is a bit of a nerd and lives in terror of the judgmental popular girls. Luckily, she has her best friend Katie to hang-out with and ignore the rest of the jungle. Life gets even more confusing when Katie starts to hang out with the popular mean girls and Cindy has to brave junior high society alone in search of a new friend group. Her only solace is English class, where her no-nonsense teacher likes her writing and encourages her to keep at it. The teacher even connects Cindy with a journalist from a local paper, who takes the new cub reporter under her wing and teaches her the ropes. Seventh grade chugs along and Cindy gradually grows in confidence as she hones her writing talent, discovers a love of photography, and experiences a first love. Meanwhile, the political and social landscape of 1972/1973 looms behind her, adding further confusion, yet also opportunities for a young woman to excel and pursue her dreams.

Copeland offers a graphic memoir in the tradition of Raina Telegemeier, Victoria Jamieson, and Jennifer Holm. It is most reminiscent of the Sunny series being that it takes place in the 1970’s yet has a much different focus. Copeland's memoir features a young woman coming of age and owning her true nature and abilities in a time when women are first welcomed into the work force and the Equal Rights Amendment is passed. The reader sees the growth of Cindy from the beginning to the end of the school year where she turns from a mousey nervous girl to a self-assured young woman. It will give readers inspiration and motivation to discover their own passions, all while being entertained with a great story. It also offers great social advice, demonstrating that when the bottom feeders all rally together, the Queen Bee loses power. Cindy finds a way to control her own story and refuses to continue grant others the power over her life. I particularly enjoyed this story, also being a child of the 70's, though I was a bit younger during this time. Back matter features Cindy's 1970's sketchbook, which was for me a walk down memory lane and will be a source of amusement for young readers. As America celebrates the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment it is nice to spend time with some classic girl power: seventies-style.

What Lane?

What Lane?
Torrey Maldonado
Nancy Paulsen/Penguin May, 2020 126 pages
Grades 5-8
Realistic Fiction

Middle Schoolers Stephen and his best friend Dan love Miles Morales and Stranger Things and are in complete sync: that is, until Dan's cousin Chad moves to the neighborhood. Chad doesn't have much in common with Stephen and Dan and seems to make snarky comments aimed at Stephen whenever he is over. Of mixed race, an incident outside his apartment building and the grocery store opens Stephen's eyes to the fact that he is treated differently than his white counterparts. People assume that he is either starting trouble or doing something wrong, while Dan's behavior is never in question. A bulletin board at the high school exposes Stephen to the Black Lives Matter Movement and some of the obstacles and violence facing black young people. His African American father backs this up and tries to educate him about the discrimination against black male teens, even though his white mom thinks he's too young to know these harsh realities. His friends of color seem to travel in a different lane than Stephen and his white friends. Should he move over to their lane? When Chad's meanness seems to be racially driven, even Dan seems to notice. Finally, a violent incident puts Stephen in danger and forces him and his friends to question what lane they want to travel in and figure out a way to possibly move forward together.

Maldonado pens a follow-up to award winning Tight with an intention driven novel written to encourage kids think about race and their roles in this controversial and timely social topic. Perfect for classroom use, teachers will find this to be an excellent book to use with students as a jumpstart to important, yet tricky discussions. As he grows into a man the world is suddenly different for Stephen. People see him differently and only his friends of color seem to get it. Eventually, they do see the situation and it becomes everyone's responsibility to decide "what lane" they chose to follow in their lives. Kids of color will relate to the story, while white kids will have their eyes opened to the struggles facing their classmates. Race in America is everyone's social struggle and young people in our society need to own it and do the right thing, even if its uncomfortable and awkward. The cover resembles the comics that Stephen and Dan enjoy so much and will attract the target audience. Also, the book is short, which will make it appealing to reluctant readers. The purpose tends to overshadow the plot, making it a better fit for classroom use than pleasure reading, yet there is enough of a plot to give the message some context. Maldonado completely nails the speech of young urban teens, further making the book accessible, yet also dating it quickly. A timely book of contemporary importance that may have some limitations.

Wannabe Farms

Wannabe Farms
Brian McCann
Meghan Lands, Illustrator
Penguin Workshop, 2020 148 pages
Grades 2-5
Humor

This silly chapter book told almost entirely in rhyme relates what happens to a farm as the city encroaches and the animals become inspired by human ways. Each chapter focuses on a different farm animal and the adventures they have when they try to replicate a human practice or invention. The cows design a car, the chickens attempt to invent a television set, the pigs attempt to share in an elegant feast, and so on. Each chapter/adventure ends with hilariously disastrous results. Each chapter title warns us that the attempt will be a fail, so the kids will be in on the joke. The narrator breaks the fourth wall with bonus non-rhyming insights in a different color ink and font that are also humorous in nature. The story ends with the conclusion that animals are just not meant to behave as humans and asks the question: Where is that farmer, anyway?

Award winning television comedy writer, McCann, channels his inner Dr. Seuss with this silly story told in verse. Writing children's books looks easy and many people think they can do it and the common trap is to write for children in rhyme. Since this is a very early transitional chapter book, the rhyme can sometimes help the developing reader anticipate the last word of a connecting sentence. On the downside, it also encourages some challenging vocabulary and storylines that don't always make sense. The story is silly enough that readers will not care that the rhymes do not always work and they will enjoy the jokes. The best writing occurs when the narrator speaks directly to the audience without the rhyming. Those bits are truly funny and clever and being printed in a different color and font will not confuse the intended audience. The comic illustrations are properly silly and plentiful and highlighted in pink for extra interest. The whole time I was reading this story I kept asking myself "where is the farmer?" He/she is seen to exist, from evidence within the pages, yet these crazy and destructive shenanigans are being allowed without intervention. The narrator answers my question by the end, questioning the same thing. Neither of us gets our answer, yet that bit made me laugh. Probably not the best transitional chapter book out there, but sure to be enjoyed by the target audience. Give to fans of Mercy Watson.

Mananaland

Mananaland
Pam Munoz Ryan
Scholastic, 2020 247 pages
Grades 4-7
Adventure

Max REALLY wants to make the town's soccer team now that he is finally old enough to try out. His friends are going to a summer clinic to sharpen their skills and invite Max to come along. Max lives with his single father and grandfather and when Papa not only won't allow Max to go to the clinic but cannot locate his birth certificate necessary to prove his age to the team, the boy is devastated. As he digs through Papa's secret stash for both the birth certificate and information about his disappeared mother, he unravels some family secrets. The members of his family are from a long line of Guardians, people who escort the Hidden Ones, who are escaping persecution, to safety. One day, while alone, a runaway arrives on his doorstep. He decides that it is up to him to take the Hidden One to the next stop and maybe find his lost mother in the process. The journey to the next safe spot is perilous and involves wits and stamina. Does Max have what it takes to get his charge to safety? Will he find out the truth about his mother? And what about the soccer team?

I am a very big fan of Pam Munoz Ryan, Echo being one of my favorite books EVER. I will admit I did not like this book as much as some of her other titles. It feels like a fairy tale in both mood and style and is elegantly written. The setting is both fully realized, yet unclear as to time and place. I think it is meant to be a fictional location in Central or South America in present day or very near future/past. The plot is magical without being true fantasy and there are mystery elements, yet I would not call it a mystery. The plot is linear but at times I found my mind drifting and I didn't quite catch exactly what Mananaland is all about. Certainly, relevant to the plight of fleeing refugees today, the book, though feeling timeless, is reflective of today's society. Max discovers secrets about his own life and his heritage and finds the inner courage to prove to himself and his family that he is responsible and mature enough to share the burden of his truth. I do not know that many young readers will have the patience to push through this book to the end, though the soccer element, though brief, may be a draw. There is much symbolism that though adding an extra rich layer to the book may muddy the waters for many young readers and sail over their heads. Regardless of its readability, this book is beautifully written and timely, and will surely win awards.

Trouble at Table Five: The Candy Caper

Trouble at Table Five: The Candy Caper
Tom Watson
HarperCollins, 2020 85 pages
Grades 2-4School Story/Realistic Fiction
Trouble at Table 5 series #1

Elementary Schooler Molly lives with OCD. She needs to eat her Froot Loops in a certain way in the morning and keep her socks organized in her drawer in a system that makes sense only to her. Luckily, Moly has parents that support her and are well aware of her condition, as well as two awesome best friends and school seat-mates, Rosie and Simon. When Molly stops at the principal's office on an errand for her teacher and sees the glass jar of Skittles, she absolutely HAS to count them. Simon and Rosie understand and help her to devise a plan to grab that jar and count the Skittles. The plan involves toilet paper, thumb tacks, flip flops, and super glue-as well as getting into trouble. Molly has never been in trouble before. Is it worth getting sent to the principal's office if it means that she can count the Skittles? Yet it is! The three friends pull off a hilarious heist, followed by satisfaction-and, finally, consequences.

Tom Watson, of Stick Dog fame, goes in a different direction for newly independent chapter book readers without losing his characteristic humor. Molly is a character to whom many kids will relate. Her impulses at times overpower common sense and often take control of her brain. Kids with OCD will appreciate seeing themselves in a chapter book. There is also a bit of an educational element to the story as the friends reason out their plan and figure out mathematically a way of estimating the contents of the jar. Readers may also identify with Molly being bi-racial, whose loving and supportive parents have different skin tones. This fresh series is part of a new line of books called HarperChapters, which I highly recommend to readers just cracking into chapter books. The print is large and easy on the eyes. Three-color cartoon illustrations, contributed by Marta Kissi are on every page and help to add to the plot and mood of the story. At the end of each chapter a bar graph shows readers their progress and encourages them to keep going. The end of the book sports a congratulatory page with some fun supplemental activities for parents and teachers. The next book in the series (released simultaneously) appears to feature table-mate Simon, who has troubles controlling his chatting. Two other series in the line include one about a unicorn named Sparkleton and a scary series titled 13th Street. Give to the audience of the Branches books or Mercy Watson.

Dig

Dig
A.S. King
Dutton, 2019 400 pages
Realistic Fiction
Grades 9-Up

The title of this book refers to a potato farm that links our six teenage narrators, as well as that of a disappointed old man and his miserable wife. The old man, Gottfried recalls a pivotal moment in his youth when he started to make bad decisions. Greed overtook his trajectory and he missed out on meaningful relationships with his five offspring. His wife, Marla, holds a secret that she thinks has tainted her life forever, punishing her with this unsatisfying life of unhappiness. Meanwhile, their grandson, Malcolm, stays weekdays with the elderly couple, while traveling weekends to Jamaica with his cancer-ridden father. New to town, The Shoveler takes a job painting Gottfried and Marla's house, while trying to process information he wishes he didn't discover about his new neighbor/friend. The Ring Mistress operates a flea circus in the backroom of her trailer, all while her abusive father beats her mother. CanIHelpYou? comes to terms with her mother's racism and entitlement by working at a fast-food restaurant and dealing pot on the side. Jake is growing away from his older brother the bully and the secret they are hiding. The Freak is the thread that weaves them all together as she visits them all at different times and brings them different gifts. Finally, all of the stories intersect as an old wrong is righted and the new generation choses to stop the unhealthy cycle started long ago.

A.S. King packs a wallop of a book in this 2020 Printz winner. Yes, there is a lot going on in this book and the story is told by many characters, but it all makes sense and comes together by the end. I love books like that! There are plot twists that link characters and readers will have several "A-Ha" moments as the pages turn. Themes such as white privilege, racism, American greed, and sexism are all explored. Readers will feel uncomfortable while reading this book-and that is the author's point. She is unapologetically challenging teenagers to examine their own lives, question the wrongs, and stand up for what is right. The teens in the story discover the "right thing" and break the cycle of dysfunction to live a different kind of life than their elders. The book is expertly written and, though it features young characters, feels for more of an adult audience. Many teens will be confused by the various narrators and parts of the book will go right over their heads. Bright and patient older teen readers will have a huge payoff and may find a real game changer in this volume. I labeled the book "realistic fiction", but there is a thread of fantasy, though this is not obvious at first glance. There are also several mysteries within the plot, all of which are solved satisfactorily in the way crafted by the best authors. A well-deserved win by an amazing and principled talent.

Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer

Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer
Gillian Goerz
Dial, July, 2020 221 pages
Grades 3-6
Graphic Novel

Basketball loving Jamila has recently moved to a new neighborhood where she has no friends and a looming summer ahead filled with dreaded science camp. A chance encounter with an eccentric girl buying a trench coat at a yard sale leads to her first new acquaintance: Shirley! The following day Shirley and Jamila's mothers decide that the two girls do not have to go to their horrible respective camps: if they promise to hang out together and follow the rules. Both girls jump on the offer and a friendship of convenience is formed. Every summer morning, they head to the basketball courts and Jamila shoots hoops, while Shirley meets with clients. It is revealed that Shirley is an amateur detective and many of the neighborhood kids use her services. Jamila gets dragged along as her new friend solves the case of the missing gecko and she finds that she is enjoying the chase. When Shirley won't let Jamila in on her thought process, the two get in a fight and the friendship seems over. Will the dynamic duo work out their differences before their mother's force them to go to camp?

A new graphic novel that is sure to appeal to young readers by an emerging talent. Shirley and Jamila are likable protagonists who are both opposite and eccentric in their own ways. They learn to appreciate the other's talents and develop a friendship, even though both of them have little experience in this department. This new title is sure to appeal to realistic graphic novel fans who may prefer something a bit lighter than the usual problem-heavy fare. Readers will enjoy the mystery and seeing Shirley expertly solve the case. I appreciate that Jamila's parents are immigrants from the middle east; an underrepresented population in contemporary children's literature. I also like that she is into basketball. Although the story features two girls, it is far from "girlie" and boys will enjoy the story as much as their female counterparts. The comics are well drawn, scan well, and will be presented in full color. Reading this forthcoming title while stuck in quarantine has made me nostalgic for days when kids could run around their neighborhoods with friends. I think many readers will need their “summer saved”, much like Shirley and Jamila, and will enjoy experiencing the adventures through the book's pages. I can see a series following this first stand-alone title, continuing the adventures of these unlikely friends.

Stuart Little

Stuart Little
E.B.White
HarperCollins, 1945 131 pages
Grades 3-6
Fantasy/Classic

Stuart is born to the Little family of New York City. Though from a family of privilege, he enters the world resembling a small mouse and clocking in at only a little over two inches high. The Little family loves him just the way he is and makes allowances for their boy, including customizing a bedroom and the bathroom. Dangers lurk for such a small guy, including encounters with the family cat and traipsing around the city on a bus, but life is not all a drudgery. Because of his size, Stuart is able to sail a model boat in Central Park and ride around in toy cars. After an injured bird lands on the Little's windowsill Stuart makes a new friend. Margalo and he have much in common and pass the days quite pleasantly until the family cat prompts the bird to fly north for the summer. Stuart takes it upon himself to find his dear friend and runs away from home. After loading up his little car, he hits the open road, only to find further adventures and meet more new friends along the way.

I always loved this book growing up. Being decidedly "undersized", I could relate to Stuart's plight and challenges of getting by in an inaccessible world. I envied his unabashed personality and confidence. Another winning piece of the puzzle of why I love this book are the sweet and gentle illustrations by childhood favorite, Garth Williams. reading the book forty-five years later, I still find it comforting and cozy. Stuart is a remarkable figure. He doesn't let much slow him down. He is fearless and willing to throw himself in any situation, even if he is not an expert on it. My favorite bit is when he teaches school. He throws traditional teaching on its ear and reaches the kids on his own terms. The book is a series of vignettes. We see snippets of Stuart's life and different mini-adventures. The ending leaves some loose ends, yet the reader is assured that Stuart's journey will continue and that he will always land on top. Has it stood the test of time? The book will certainly still appeal to children and the plot has enough action to keep this generation of distracted readers interested. There are bits that are dated and perhaps not politically correct in today's times such as cigarette smoking, the mother portrayed as a ditzy housewife, and dated terms and references. Still, it is a comforting read from a classic children's author legend. Give to fans of Flat Stanley and Beverly Cleary's Runaway Ralph.

Prairie Lotus

Prairie Lotus
Linda Sue Park
Clarion, 2020, 247 pages
Grades 4-7
Historical Fiction

Hanna travels in a covered wagon from California to LaForge, South Dakota with her father to open a store selling fabric for women to make dresses. Hanna's decreased mother was a dressmaker and she dreams of following in Mother's footsteps once the store opens. Meanwhile, Hanna must finish school and get her diploma. The families of the other students are uncomfortable sending their kids to school with Hanna since she is half-Chinese in a town where everyone is white-except for the Indians, who are feared and seen as enemies. Hanna's teacher refuses to dismiss her from school based on her heritage, causing almost all of the other families to withdraw from the school. The teacher devises a creative plan to fix the situation and Hanna's studies continue. Meanwhile, she befriends a quiet, fellow classmate and the two establish a relationship despite town disapproval. Two separate encounters with a group of kind Indian women and unkind white men leave Hanna misunderstood and a further outcast in the community. Will Hanna's parentage keep her father's business from successfully opening? Will she ever find her footing in this discriminatory place and time and will her dressmaking dreams ever be realized?

Park recognizes in an author's note in the back of the volume that this book is a written response to the Little House books of her childhood. She acknowledges that she loved those books yet could not see herself-or anyone of Asian ancestry- within their pages. Prairie Lotus illustrates the discrimination faced by settlers of different ethnicities, as well as the Native Americans, who were forced off their lands and onto reservations, which they did not understand. Hanna is a talented, hardworking girl who misses her deceased mother terribly. Her distant father is all she has. Throughout the book Hanna faces hardship and blatant prejudice, learning how to think outside the box to solve her problems and gaining confidence along the way. Father makes a gesture at the end to demonstrate that he really is supportive of her efforts and eventually the town comes around to a reluctant acceptance. Hanna learns through her new Indian friends that it is not just the Chinese that are treated unfairly in the American west, but all minority groups. Settlers of the American prairie have been romanticized in children's literature for generations. Now, finally, a mirror is being held up, showing the grim realities faced by non-white individuals. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this well-rounded portrayal, as well as readers who appreciate a character-driven heart-felt tale.

Farah Rocks: Fifth Grade

Farah Rocks: Fifth Grade
Susan Muaddi Darraj
Capstone, 2020 134 pages
Grades 2-5
Realistic Fiction
Farah Rocks series #1

Farah Rocks loves to learn and is in the accelerated program in her elementary school. Mathematical figures dance around in her head and she always makes straight A's. That is until new girl Dana walks on the bus. Farah's parents are Palestinian immigrants and must work very hard to keep the family afloat, leaving Farah's little brother, Samir, often in her charge. Now Dana hops on the bus and begins to tease Samir in a mean manner. Farah catches Dana further bothering younger students on the playground. It has always been Farah's dream to go to the magnet STEM middle school. Now she is afraid to leave her neighborhood school and abandon Samir to the mercy of Dana. When two adults in whom she confides do not help, Farah takes matters into her own hands and purposely gets poor grades in order to not be accepted by her dream school. This plan, naturally, backfires and leads to a meeting with the principal and Farah's parents. Will she be in trouble forever? Are her parents disappointed in her? What will happen to her academic ambitions?

Darraj makes her debut with a series that ticks a lot of boxes. Farah is a dynamic and interesting character who many kids will relate to. She is special in that she loves math and science, which is just now starting to be a "thing" in books with female protagonists. As an Arab-American she offers diversity featuring an underserved population in children's literature. Another unusual feature about this character is that we see her taking responsibility for chores around the house and care for her brother. Lastly, Farah's family, though Arabic, are Christian and church is part of their lives in a natural and non-recruiting way. It is who her family is and what they do. Farah, for all of her wonderful character traits, is flawed like all of us, and tries to solve her own problem. She learns by book’s end to get help when needed and to make a mends when you blow it. Readers get to experience the power of forgiveness and second chances through Farah as she corrects her mistakes. The reading level and subject matter are perfect for both advanced second graders and struggling older elementary readers. Placing Farah in fifth grade will make older kids feel less embarrassed about reading below level and the plot is not too mature for advanced younger readers. Black and white illustrations, contributed by Ruaida Mannaa, will help to keep readers engaged. A glossary of both Arabic words and tricky terms is included at the back and a recipe for hummus (Farah's favorite) is the cherry on top. Perfect for both school use and recreational reading, this one is a winner!

The Queen of Nothing

The Queen of Nothing
Holly Black
Little Brown, 2019 320 pages
Grades 9-Up
Fantasy
Folk of the Air Trilogy #3

Jude has been banished back by the High King Cardan to the mortal world. She is content living with her sister and brother, taking on odd "specialty" jobs as she can for enough cash to survive. Out of the blue her estranged twin sister Taryn shows up. Taryn is being accused of murdering her husband and Jude must return to Faerie disguised as her twin in order to clear her name. Posing as Taryn, Jude comes face to face with her betrayer husband and evil warlord father. How long will Jude be able to keep up the premise? Not very long, as her identity is discovered, and she finds herself in mortal peril. Although technically the queen of Faerie, Jude's situation is tenuous at best. She needs to reunite with old allies, repair old hurts, and depend on her wits, training, and connection to the land. As the novel progresses, the final battle for the rule of Faerie comes to a head and Jude is, naturally, in the thick of it. Who will emerge as the supreme ruler? And what will happen to the losers? All is revealed by the book's end, as well as the fate of most of the trilogy's main characters.

I first discovered Holly Black about 20 years ago and immediately became obsessed with her Faerie books. After the success of Twilight, she transitioned to vampires (as many fantasy authors did at the time). I am so happy that she has returned to Faerie with this trilogy. As many of you know, I do not read sequels: usually. My reading time is limited and I must try to cover as much ground as I can. An exception was made for this trilogy. I loved every volume and was frustrated to have to wait for the next. My eighteen-year-old daughter has also read them all and was so surprised that I hadn't finished it as soon as the last installment came out. The problem was, I was on a waiting list at the library (yes, librarians have to wait too!) and it finally became my turn. I found the concluding book as magical, enveloping, and exciting as the previous two. Black offers many plot twists, betrayals, and surprising alliances. This volume is a bit more romantic than the others in the series, which will satisfy readers. The ending ties up the various plot points in a way that will make readers breathe a sigh of relief, all while leaving room for, possibly, more companion books. Jude is a fierce character, who becomes a bit vulnerable in this final installment, proving that being human does not equate being weak. A wonderful diversion that makes reading fun. The best part, while most of us are under quarantine, the trilogy is available through Libby/Overdrive both as an audio and e-book.