tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32441036852183067132024-03-13T12:18:43.767-04:00KateOnKidsBooksKate on Kids Books has migrated! Please visit Miss Kate's new blog at katenafz.substack.comKate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.comBlogger1028125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-34114879703212284562024-02-24T10:56:00.008-05:002024-02-27T16:51:18.110-05:00Kate On Kids Books has a new website!<h2 style="height: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #990000;">Miss Kate's blog has moved to a new website!</span> For her latest book reviews, please visit her new site at substack </span><span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: verdana;">https://katenafz.substack.com/?utm_source=%2Fsearch%2Fkate%2520on%2520kids%2520books&utm_medium=reader2&utm_campaign=reader2</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-11015954260843920332024-02-13T10:00:00.005-05:002024-02-13T10:00:52.357-05:00Plan A<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ4FuzMFXA7Zy6Xn5WWZ8HHUdfdYX_fDc3qi-cKkEFhFcpvPrwxQd_gomBTXLkfXBOeKEo&usqp=CAU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="181" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ4FuzMFXA7Zy6Xn5WWZ8HHUdfdYX_fDc3qi-cKkEFhFcpvPrwxQd_gomBTXLkfXBOeKEo&usqp=CAU" width="130" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i>Plan A</i></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Deb Caletti</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">2023, Labyrinth Road/Penguin</div></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">404 pages</div></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">Grades 9-Up</div></span></span><span><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Realistic Fiction</span></div><div style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At sixteen Ivy is pretty content with her life in Paris, Texas. She has an adorable boyfriend, a group of great friends, a supportive family, and a job that seems to appreciate her at the local drug store. It all threatens to come crashing down with a little line on a pregnancy test and becomes all too public when the test falls out of her backpack in the middle of class. Pretty soon the whole school--and then the whole town knows Ivy's predicament and they all have strong feelings. The situation is that much more complicated because Ivy's boyfriend is not the father of the unborn fetus. That honor goes to a bad altercation that Ivy would rather forget. Boyfriend Lorenzo knows the whole story and is willing to take responsibility for whatever direction Ivy choses. When she, with her mother's blessing, decide that an abortion would be the best course of action, they must travel to Ivy's grandmother's town in Oregon since the procedure is illegal in Texas. Lorenza volunteers to drive and what follows is an interesting road trip filled with various folks, landmarks, and stories. Meanwhile, the situation back home intensifies and even from long distance Ivy is feeling social pressure to change her course. Will she go through with the procedure? And how will it all affect her future?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Printz winner Caletti is not afraid to shy away from hot-button topics. This time she takes on the woman's right for an abortion and explores the journey for a teenager who is violated and then persecuted when the town finds out that she is pregnant and choosing to terminate. Ivy is reading the book <i>Tess of the D'urbervilles</i> and the author draws connections to Tess's plight in this modern setting. Much of the plot is the road trip and Ivy listening to various points of view about her situation from both sides of the fence. I liked the road trip enough, but found the book a bit "talky" for my taste and agenda driven. I think that the topic is important, but would have appreciated something else to happen within the</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> story. </span><span>You have to really be looking for a pregnancy</span><span>/abortion book to pick this up. We</span><span> hear many differe</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">nt women's stories along the way, which showcases the history of the struggle women have had with sexuality and male dominance, which will appeal to young feminists. Music plays a big part of the story, yet much of the music leaned on to annunciate feelings come from the world of Mom or Grandma. I think young readers would appreciate some of Ivy's music and maybe to include some songs from this century. A playlist at the end would also have been a nice addition. Not my favorite of Caletti's, but well written, timely and with something important to say.</span></div></span></span></div><p></p>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-38669101427608820172024-02-11T14:54:00.000-05:002024-02-11T14:54:42.010-05:00Ellray Jakes is a Rock Star<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/613LEHGdXiL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="521" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/613LEHGdXiL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="130" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><i>Ellray Jakes is a Rock Star<br /></i></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Sally Warner<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Viking, 2011<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">116 pages<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Grades 2-5<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Realistic Fiction</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Ellray Jakes series #2</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">As the shortest kid in his third grade class, Ellray Jakes feels that he needs to prove himself. One of his classmates is rich and another has a Dad with a new red ATV with flame details. All Ellray can say about his Dad is that he is a geologist and teaches about rocks at a college. Borrrrrring--or is it? Since Dad is away at a conference, Ellray has a great idea. He borrow some of Dad's special crystals from his study to bring to school to show the class. That will impress everybody, right? Ellray's plan seems to work. The class is duly impressed with the sparkly stones and crystals. It all goes wrong when after school kids ask to hold the precious stone and Ellray finds himself giving Dad's collection away. Once back home, Ellray rearranges Dad's study so he won't notice. Back early from the conference, Dad notices pretty much right away. What should Ellray do? Lying might get someone else in trouble, but telling the truth will be embarrassing and jeopardize his new found popularity. Ellray pushes forward in the most sincere way possible, even if it's hard, proving that some things are more important than popularity.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The second in the Ellray Jakes series, this title works alone with no prior knowledge of the first. Ellray is a sincere and likable third grader who kids will identify with. I, personally, related to being the shortest kid in the class and though I didn't give away my father's rock collection, I made other bad choices in order to be seen. In the end Ellray confesses his wrong doing and makes the matter right, even though it's hard. This transitional chapter book will appeal to reluctant readers and is also appropriate for advanced younger ones. Warner includes gentle humor and captures the tribulations of elementary school accurately. Plentiful black and white illustrations, contributed by Jamie Harper, will help encourage readers along and decode the plot. Even though Ellray must do something difficult, all's well that ends well and kids are encouraged to try other volumes in the series. Perfect for Valentines Day, the action takes place during this particular week, yet this doesn't overwhelm the plot, making it appropriate for all year long. A fun school story with some underlying realistic conflict. </span></div><p></p>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-44228322502576246702024-02-08T10:55:00.002-05:002024-02-08T10:55:52.067-05:00Mabuhay!<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://embed.cdn.pais.scholastic.com/v1/channels/clubs-us/products/identifiers/isbn/9781338738605/primary/renditions/900" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="540" height="200" src="https://embed.cdn.pais.scholastic.com/v1/channels/clubs-us/products/identifiers/isbn/9781338738605/primary/renditions/900" width="135" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Mabuhay!</span></i></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Zachary Sterling</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">Graphix/Scholastic, 2023</div></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">235 pages</div></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">Grades 3-7</div></span></span><span><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Graphic Novel</span></div><div style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ and Althea struggle with fitting in at their Oregon middle school. Their immigrant Filipino parents force them to work at their embarrassing family food truck and just don't "get it". Mom and Dad share stupid stories from the old country, cautionary tales of lazy children gone bad, as well as evil spirits. A weird estranged uncle shows up right around the time the siblings get identical nightmares. Could there be a connection? Family secrets are eventually revealed and JJ and Althea find out that their mother is a superhero, equipped with powers to fight evil demons. Most shocking of all, they were also blessed with similar powers. The family teams up with Mom's distant guardians and they must all ban together to fight evil. The young people discover that their family is not as nerdy and boring as they thought as they engage in a classic battle of good versus evil. Finally, peace is restored and it's back to business as usual. The family is catering an end of school year party for the cool kids. Will JJ and Althea make any social connections or are they doomed to be outsiders forever?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Own voices storyteller and illustrator, Sterling, pens a story of immigrant kids learning to embrace their culture and find their superpowers both literally and figuraly. Readers will learn a bit about Filipino culture--and a lot about empathy. Rick Riordan has allowed for world cultures to be explored and celebrated by young readers, helping this story to find a natural audience. Stories, memories from the past, and nightmares are set in a slightly different format to cue kids that we are leaving present reality. The full color illustrations are cleverly drawn and panels are easy to follow. Beyond the mythology, this is at its core a story about confidence, friendship, and fitting in. Middle school social dilemmas are expertly captured and young readers will find much to relate to. Not exactly a graphic memoir, which continues to be the rage, but more of a superhero/action/fantasy with underlying truths that is sure to appeal to the target audience. An easily digestible read with some quality content.</span></div></span></span></div>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-4512282384872796292024-02-05T09:33:00.000-05:002024-02-05T09:33:08.887-05:00What Happened to Rachel Riley?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F06d1420b-69f1-4aad-98cf-14e7331951c3_1128x1702.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="530" height="200" src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F06d1420b-69f1-4aad-98cf-14e7331951c3_1128x1702.jpeg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><br /><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">What Happened to Rachel Riley?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Claire Swinarski</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">HarperCollins, 2023</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">343 pages</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Grades 6-8</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Realistic Fiction</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Eighth grade is bad enough, but extra worse for Anna. She has just moved from Chicago to Madison Wisconsin and has started at new school where she knows no one. Her new neighborhood is too quiet and she is lonely without the snoring of her big sister at night. As much as Anna seems to have it bad, Rachel Riley seems to have it worse. Rachel sits alone at lunch and the school ignores her. She seems okay to Anna, so what led to the social stigma? A budding podcaster, Anna decides to research Rachel's social stigma as an audition piece to be accepted to an elite podcasting camp. The problem is, no one will talk to her about Rachel. It seems that Rachel set a barn on fire the night before the seventh grade spring fling, but that seems so out of character. Even more confusing, Anna finds pictures of Rachel hugging some of the popular girls who used to be her friends. What in the world happened? Slowly as the school year progresses the truth is uncovered and the penny drops. Anna gets to the bottoms of last spring's events and tries to set the matter straight. Is she brave enough to take a stand?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Swinarski explores the complexities of middle school social life, while also exploring important topics such as sexual harassment, gender dynamics, and bullying, all within the context of a friendship story. Young readers will be enthralled with the mystery and will keep turning pages to get to the bottom of what really happened to Rachel. Organized unconventionally, the plot is revealed through podcast excerpts, interviews, emails, and texts. Though Anna is the featured narrator and we experience the story through her eyes, we also learn plot points through the correspondence of others. Beyond the main themes of the novel, the author also encourages readers to do the right thing, stand up for the underdog, and to find their voice. Both boys and girls need to embrace the importance of consent and this is a valuable read for both genders. The target audience is late middle school, making the story in my opinion a bit too advanced for elementary school. The cover makes it look more juvenile than what it is. This is an important addition to the middle school cannon that is entertaining, readable and still has a lot to say.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p></p>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-25640387962658707942024-02-01T09:16:00.000-05:002024-02-01T09:16:11.136-05:00Lunar New Year Love Story<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91cGJYyT3WL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="565" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91cGJYyT3WL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="141" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i>Lunar New Year Love Story<br /></i></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Gene Luen Yang<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Leuyen Pham, Illustrator<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">FirstSecond, 2024<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">345 pages</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Val loves Valentine's Day. Every year as February 14th rolls around her imaginary friend, a little cherubic cupid, appears and the two make valentine's together to distribute to Val's friends, single Dad, and departed mother in heaven. The tradition continues up to Val's freshmen year in high school, when the ritual backfires, forcing Val to realize that maybe Valentine's Day is stupid. Out of the blue Dad's estranged mother arrives back in her life and drags her to church, where Val comes face to face with Saint Valentine, who looks gloomy and completely different from lovable cupid. Now replacing cupid, Saint Valentine visits Val when she's sad and lonely and strikes a bargain. Val has one year to find love or sacrifice her heart to the creepy ghost-saint. It looks like Val might win when she meets handsome and confident Les, who gets her involved in lion dancing. It is here that she reconnects with classmate Jae, who has troubles of his own. As time progresses Val learns more about her mother and secrets are revealed. She can only find peace and keep Saint Valentine at bay when she is dancing inside the lion suit. The only person who understands is Jae, but he keeps her at arms length. Will Val fall in love by the year's end or is she doomed to live out her life alone?</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Printz winning graphic novelist, Yang, takes the back seat in illustration to tell a teen love story with layers. He is a great artist and I would be skeptical about anyone taking over the illustration, except for Pham, who is one of the best in the field. The two are a dream-team and the words and pictures work together seamlessly to convey this heartfelt tale. More than a love story, this story takes place within the framework of the American-Asian experience, using Valentine's Day and the Lunar New Year as anchors. More than teen love, family issues, forgiveness, trust, and healing are all explored. All the characters, teens and adults alike, are both fabulous and flawed and certainly well developed. The full color illustrations are expertly penned and Phan is intentional with color, helping us to understand Val's depression and the appearance of the ghost of Saint Valentine. There is a full page visual at the end that uses color to bring the story to a satisfying climax. My only complaint is the inclusion of a shushing librarian, which is, much like Jersey jokes, low hanging fruit and unkind to the book's potential cheerleaders. A little bonus at the end by the author's notes offers an update on the characters with a little plot twist on the final page that made me cry. So far, my favorite book of the year!</span></div>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-23374215506559548652024-01-25T08:49:00.001-05:002024-01-25T08:49:40.002-05:00Ghost Book<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81DZ7ON-cGL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="550" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81DZ7ON-cGL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="138" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Ghost Book<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica;">Remi Lai<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica;">Holt, 2023<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica;">313 pages<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica;">Grades 3-7<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica;">Graphic Novel</span></span></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">July Chen does not have an easy life. She is often overlooked by her friends and teachers and--even more disturbing--can see ghosts. Her single father says that ghosts aren't real and July's abilities are impossible. Now it is ghost month and the Hungry Ghosts are allowed out to devour other ghosts and it is then that she saves the ghost boy from getting eaten. The two become friends and July discovers that William is not really a ghost at all but something hovering between life and death. Further investigation reveals that they have a connection from the time of July's birth and mistakes were made. The only way to make William a real boy is for July to die. Is there any other way to make the impossible happen and to save them both? Meanwhile, family secrets are revealed and more supernatural beings are introduced. Will July be able to save both William, herself, and her relationship with her father?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Seeped in Chinese culture and legend, this new graphic novel by a wonderful creator is a work of art. Kids who like their stories somewhat spooky and atmospheric will be the natural audience, but fans of Rick Riordan and his many spin offs will also find much to enjoy. Shy readers will relate to July felling often overlooked and applaud her finding her voice, having the courage to help her new friend and fight for their survival. The illustrations are in full color and enhance the plot. Lai skillfully makes clear who is human and who is a ghost and readers will not be confused, even with William's transformation. Although of a serious nature and gently scary, the creator manages to infuse humor into the proceedings, making for an enjoyable and entertaining read and softening the scare factor. Age appropriate, unique, and a lot of fun--with some surprises along the way.</span></p>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-91195819801337784352024-01-24T10:32:00.000-05:002024-01-24T10:32:43.010-05:00Best Books: the 2023 <p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This was a crowded year for great books, especially in middle grade, which is my main area of focus. Highlights of the year included my first ever ALA Youth Media Awards banquet. It was wonderful to be part of the scene that I have observed from the wings for my entire career. Unfortunately, that experience was probably a "one and done", but regardless, my enthusiasm for the field will never flag! Here are my favorite titles of this past eventful year:</span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Picture Books:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91FRB4I04oL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91FRB4I04oL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /><i>An American Story</i> written by Kwame Alexander & Illustrated by Dare Colter</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The illustrations are breathtaking and help to communicate the narrative in a powerful way. Written as a way to explain the horrors of slavery in a school setting, the book is disturbing and geared towards an older audience than traditional picture books.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images.randomhouse.com/cover/9781536223361" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="340" height="200" src="https://images.randomhouse.com/cover/9781536223361" width="151" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i>The Skull</i> by Jon Klassen<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Super weird, this Tyrolean folktale could only be shared through the capable hands and imagination of Jon Klassen. Also not for a young audience due to the disturbing nature of the story, but I loved it!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images.penguinrandomhouse.com/cover/9780823442621" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="406" height="200" src="https://images.penguinrandomhouse.com/cover/9780823442621" width="180" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i>Do You Remember?</i> by Sydney Smith</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Beautiful storytelling and illustrations convey yet another sad tale that will help kids process their emotions in times of upheaval and change.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Zc+dgT+hL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="798" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Zc+dgT+hL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i>In Every Life</i> by Marla Frazee<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I think that Frazee is my favorite living illustrator (along with the Fan brothers). In this new book the text is irrelevant because they take a back seat to the gorgeous pictures.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Middle Grade:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://chrishollimandotcom.files.wordpress.com/2023/09/img_8871.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="556" height="200" src="https://chrishollimandotcom.files.wordpress.com/2023/09/img_8871.jpg" width="139" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The Labors of Hercules Beal </i>by Gary Schmidt</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This is the only book this year that made me cry. I felt very invested in the characters, setting, and community. One thing about Gary Schmidt: the man can write!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images.penguinrandomhouse.com/cover/9780593643846" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="298" height="200" src="https://images.penguinrandomhouse.com/cover/9780593643846" width="132" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i>The Mona Lisa Vanishes</i> by Nicholas Day<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Nonfiction that reads like fiction. Yes, I'm an art lover, but this book delves in further with historical information, exciting heists, and quirky real-life characters. Even the most educated art historians will learn something--and be entertained along the way.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81jRt1tGF7L._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="626" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81jRt1tGF7L._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="157" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><br /><i>The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams</i> by Daniel Nayeri</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium; text-align: center;">An unusual setting, quirky characters, life and death adventures, hilarious scenarios, and excellent storytelling made this new title by a former Newbery winner one of my favorites of the year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Graphic Novels:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81lj7BndydL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="550" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81lj7BndydL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="138" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i>A First Time for Everything</i> by Dan Santat<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The story starts out hilarious and embarrassing--and stays that way, bringing us all back to our youth and our various first times as the author recounts his european adventures as a tween. Santat had me at the playlist!</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://images.penguinrandomhouse.com/cover/9780593462287" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="306" height="200" src="https://images.penguinrandomhouse.com/cover/9780593462287" width="136" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /><i>Mexikid</i> by Pedro Martin</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Martin did a great job at creating a book that in some ways I completely identified with, and in some ways completely didn't, discovering a cultural experience that though specific, felt universal. There is a scene taking place in Mexico that is so crazy I will remember it forever. I love to be surprised! </span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Teen:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">True disclosure: I read less teen books this year and actually read more adult books than ever before (gasp!). Reason being: my kids are finally leaving their teen years and I think that I need a break from teenagers. I plan to try to get into the genre a bit more regularly in 2024.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/819yRWfa7nL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="530" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/819yRWfa7nL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="133" /></a></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i>Impossible Escape</i> by Steve Sheinkin</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">A holocaust book based on actual people, this riveting story traces two childhood friends now fighting for survival in two different unbelievable situations--and then finding each other again. An excellent piece of research and storytelling.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91HIx1adwpL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91HIx1adwpL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="132" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /><i>Warrior Girl Unearthed</i> by Angeline Boulley</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Boulley takes her world of Printz winner <i>The Firekeepers Daughter </i>and explores the story of the next generation with a new mystery and further eye-opening injustices against indigenous Americans and women in general.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-71042985575217985502024-01-22T09:42:00.003-05:002024-01-22T09:42:58.148-05:00The Probability of Everything<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://diversebooks.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ProbabilityofEverything-hc-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="200" src="https://diversebooks.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ProbabilityofEverything-hc-c.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The Probability of Everything</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Sarah Everett</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">Harper Collins, 2023</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">326 pages</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Grades 5-7</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;">Realistic Fiction</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Kemi is enjoying a typical Sunday morning breakfast with her family when something crazy happens. They discover that a giant asteroid will hit the earth in a mere matter of days. Kemi, a probability expert, learns that AMPLUS-68 has an 84.7% chance of hitting Earth, which are not good odds. Mom & Dad leave Kemi and her toddler sister with a neighbor until their aunt picks them up and whisks them to her house so the whole family can wait out the end of the world together. Safe within the confines of her family, Kemi undertakes a project to put together a time capsule of everything that is important to all of her family members. She hopes to bury it in order for any future civilizations to have a record of them and their lives. As the days tick by we learn about what is important to individuals in Kemi's family, but something seems off. Finally, it is the last day of the world and the worst happens--only it is not exactly as the reader was led to believe and in some ways the truth is much worse.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This is a great book that has affected many young readers to the point that I felt compelled to read it myself. I love the premise and Everett had me at the first page. I also love an unreliable narrator and once I started to see the cracks in Kemi's story and suspected that there was more there, I started turning pages quickly to get to the reveal. The book is a tearjerker and will appeal to kids who love sad problem novels, of which my library has many. Everett packs an emotional punch, while bringing current social issues into sharp focus and making them personal. Readers will learn what it is like to walk in someone else's uncomfortable shoes, all while being challenged to ask themselves how they would handle the end of the world. The author does a great job developing her characters and I appreciate that Kemi is interested in math and statistics. Readers will feel like a part of this family and genuinely care about what happens to them. Hand it to middle grade kids that love an emotional tale that pulls at the heartstrings, yet offers substance over fluff.</span></div>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-32580377120305004812024-01-20T09:32:00.001-05:002024-01-20T09:32:35.813-05:00The Blood Years<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81l03a1vFUL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="530" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81l03a1vFUL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>The Blood Years<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Elana K. Arnold<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Harper Collins, 2023<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">390 pages<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Grades 9-Up<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Historical Fiction</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Frederike (Rieke) is a Jewish teenager growing up in late 1930's </span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Romania. As Hitler rises to power in Germany, antisemitism in her home city increases by the day, making going to school and her grandfather keeping his business impossible. The Soviets invade and take control, which is both a blessing and a curse. When the Nazi's eventually kick out the Soviets and absorb Romania into their empire, life gets even harder, as families are taken away and all human rights are stripped. Meanwhile, life continues for Rieke and her older sister Astra. Having had to fend for themselves when their father left the family and their mother fell into a deep depression, their lives have been centered around dance and each other. Everything changes as Astra falls in love with a philandering doctor and becomes a crazy person. As her personal life shifts, so does Rieke's existence, as it becomes increasingly difficult to find food, stay warm and simply survive. A deadly disease and move deportations threaten her small family unit. Will they survive this terrible war? And what will become of whoever is left when the communists take over yet again?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Historical Fiction is making a comeback and it feels like holocaust books are on the rise. This new story by an accomplished author brings something new to the table: the holocaust experience in Romania. Through reading this story, I learned about the political culture of the time and the back and forth of the controlling governments. The story, based on the author's own grandmother's experiences, is gripping. What Rieke and her family goes through and what they resort to for survival is eye-opening. Arnold, as always, tells the story in a way that is both beautifully written and fully compelling and well paced. I love that there is truth behind the tale. My favorite part is the actual family pictures at the end of the volume and my only complaint is that I would like to have been told more about these real-life figures after the war. Some truly disturbing events take place within the pages of this volume, including extreme violence and rape, and it is not suitable for younger teens. Human rights are important, especially in our world right now, and the timing for this book is perfect. Let's hope that many young people read it and are compelled to be kind and speak for the voiceless.</span></div>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-60231741497119238412024-01-17T09:12:00.001-05:002024-01-17T09:12:41.578-05:00The Hobbit: or, There and Back Again<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://target.scene7.com/is/image/Target/GUEST_59c903f8-22f5-49b4-bb7e-c8bdfb314bb2?wid=488&hei=488&fmt=pjpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="488" height="200" src="https://target.scene7.com/is/image/Target/GUEST_59c903f8-22f5-49b4-bb7e-c8bdfb314bb2?wid=488&hei=488&fmt=pjpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The Hobbit: or, There and Back Again</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">J.R.R Tolkien</span></div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">George Allen & Unwin, 1937 (original publication)</span></div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">320 pages</span></div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Grades 4-Adult</span></div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fantasy/Adventure/Classic</span></div><div style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bilbo Baggins is surprised one day by a knock at his door only to be greeted by a party of dwarfs, expecting refreshment, and a wizard named Gandalf. The dwarfs are in need of a thief to help them retrieve their family treasure from an evil dragon and Gandalf thought that the quiet home-body was just the ticket. Naturally Bilbo resists, but something deep in his nature decides to go the adventure. Positive events happen along the way of this important quest, such as new friendships and being entertained by kind elves. Unfortunately, grave danger also awaits in the form of nasty trolls, wolves, giant spiders, and-finally-the dragon himself. Through it all Bilbo gains a new sense of confidence, as well as a sword and a magical possession that gets him out of many scrapes. The action reaches a crescendo as all of the creatures encountered throughout the tale come together in a battle of good verses evil. Who will come out the victor and will any of our friends parish? Most of all, will Bilbo ever return to the safety of his Hobbit hole?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The days are cold, we are stuck inside and it's time to revisit a classic. Before there was Harry Potter there was Bilbo Baggins, who sets the stage for many works of fantasy in the years to come. Although not strictly a children's novel, it is a tale that smart kids who want a challenge can safely dive into and enjoy. I find this book just the right size and it moves along quickly. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a bit more hardcore and too much for kids. It practically broke me when I read it as a young adult. Bilbo's adventures will excite even the homiest homebody and encourage all of us to step out of our comfort zone and find adventure. Besides taking chances, Tolkien explores themes of loyalty, brains over brawn, and courage, while warning the reader of the traps of greed. There are plenty of magical creatures and characters and the plot move along quickly. It is written as if in days of old when dragons roamed the earth, which may put off today's readers. I find the writing style helpful to place me firmly in Middle Earth and I felt fully absorbed in this magical world of old. A readable classic, give this title to kids who need something more advanced, but aren't ready for adult themes.</span></div></span></div><p></p>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-58490719276985167362024-01-08T09:07:00.001-05:002024-01-08T09:07:29.592-05:00Chinese Menu<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/9780316486002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="683" height="200" src="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/9780316486002.jpg" width="171" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Chinese Menu</span></i></span></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Grace Lin</span></div><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">Little Brown, 2023</div></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">288 pages</div></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">Grades 3-6</div></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">Short Stories</div></span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The history of Chinese food is explored in this heavily illustrated book, organized like a menu in a Chinese restaurant. Section headings divide the origin stories into groups labeled Tea, Appetizers, Soup, Side Orders, Chef's Specials and Dessert. An introduction, timeline and map set the scene and Lin expertly explains the difference between food in China and American-Chinese food as found in American restaurants. She also delves into several origin stories about chopstick and explains the proper way of using them with helpful diagrams. All of the stories are introduced by the author and tell the place and time period of the tale. The volume ends with an author's note, explaining why Chinese food in America is considered "cheap" with a brief history of the Chinese experience in America, as well as her inspiration and process in writing the book, a family recipe, extensive endnotes, bibliography and index.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Award winning children's author, Grace Lin, has created a truly original book based on her culture as a first generation American raised by Taiwanese parents. Her love of Chinese food (both what her mother authentically made at home and that ordered at an Americanized Chinese restaurant) comes through in her words. Meticulously researched and noted, Lin did her homework and offers entertaining, yet authentic, tales behind some of our most favorite foods--and others yet to be explored. The extemporary writing is highlighted by Lin's wonderful illustrations. Looser and simpler drawings accompany the stories, while striking and colorful illustrations (featuring the author's daughter) introduce the sections. I was expecting more recipes, but this is not a cookbook, as I soon found out. Including a single family recipe (Scallion Pancakes) is enough and readers can find more if they are so inspired in other sources. One thing is for sure, after reading this book you will crave Chinese food and your mouth is sure to water! Lin ties-in the current hostilities towards Chinese-Americans since the COVID outbreak and touches on the difficult history of the Chinese in America. Readers will learn plenty about food, Chinese culture, and folklore, all while being highly entertained. A great choice for a family read-aloud or independent reading.</span></p>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-91174578232812151292024-01-04T20:08:00.000-05:002024-01-04T20:08:15.123-05:00Hope in the Valley<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://mpd-biblio-covers.imgix.net/9780374388508.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="200" src="https://mpd-biblio-covers.imgix.net/9780374388508.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hope in the Valley</i></div></i><div style="text-align: center;">Mitali Perkins</div><div style="text-align: center;">FSG, 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;">297 pages</div><div style="text-align: center;">Grades 5-8</div><div style="text-align: center;">Realistic/Historical Fiction</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">Pandita's plans for a quiet summer are shattered when her bossy older sisters convince her widowed father to send her to theater camp. She is naturally shy and though she likes to sing, she is uncomfortable doing it publicly. Pandita would rather visit her elderly friend at the nursing home and hang out on the porch of the abandoned house across the street, remembering her deceased mother and writing her letters. The worst happens when the property is slated to be sold to developers and all of her mother's hidden letters disappear in the demolition of the house. Hope arrives in the form of a new friend at theater camp, reuniting with an old friend who moved on with a different bestie, and joining the preservation committee to fight change. Plans to save the property don't go as planned, but Pandita sees that change is not always a bad thing and maybe it is time to let go of some of the past to make way for the future. Meanwhile, Dad is bringing a new lady around. Are Pandita and her sisters ready to share their father with a new love?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Perkins' latest offering harkens back to the California of her youth, as the Silicon Valley transitions from farms to housing and tech. The place is well developed, but readers might not fully pick up on the time period. We know it's in the past because the kids don't have cell phones, but that is really the only major distinction. I enjoyed the battle for preservation, having experienced a bit of that myself. Pandita learns that progress is not always a bad thing, but it must be mindful and better the present. I also appreciated the transformative experience of theater camp. Through theater and participating in The Sound of Music, Pandita gains confidence, friends, and finds her voice. This is a book about standing up for what is right, finding your people, and learning to see the world through the eyes of others. Our hero grows up quite a bit within the summer of this novel and gains clarity, maturity, and empathy. A splashy town meeting scene at the end of the novel will get readers cheering and leave them feeling satisfied and happy. Tying the past to the future, Pandita finds her place within the history of her California community and makes her mark, while alerting the world to it's important past. Though not a book for everyone, thoughtful young readers will enjoy this novel and speed through it handily.</span></div>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-92064494009936355772024-01-02T09:07:00.000-05:002024-01-02T09:07:00.942-05:00Project F<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images.penguinrandomhouse.com/cover/9780593643808" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="298" height="200" src="https://images.penguinrandomhouse.com/cover/9780593643808" width="132" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i>Project F<br /></i>Jeanne DuPrau<br />Random House, 2023<br />210 pages<br />Grades 3-7<br />Dystopian/Science Fictio</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">n</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Set in Earth's distant future, folks now live only with clean energy and all fossil fuels are against the law. Keith is sent by electric train (the only allowed mode of transportation outside of bicycles) to fetch his recently orphaned six-year-old cousin. On the train he meets an interesting scientist, who departs at a seemingly unhabituated outpost and leaves his suitcase behind. Keith becomes interested in Malcolm's mysterious project and longs to find out more. On the return trip with Lulu in tow, Keith gets off at the outpost under the guise of returning the case, but is actually craving a good look-around to see what this project is all about. He and Lulu stumble onto the scientists and they appear to be trying to fly. Could Malcolm and his team have invented a flying machine? It would appear to be so, but how is it getting power? Keith returns home, but Project F continues to haunt his thoughts. Could he get involved in revealing this incredible invention to the world? Would he be able to fly himself? What exactly is the fuel on which the machine runs? And, most importantly, should he tell the secret of Project F to his parents? Lulu has similar qualms and they are making her physically ill. Read this quickly paced adventure to see how it all pans out!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">One of the tightest books for young people ever written is DuPrau's <i>The City of Ember</i>. This new stand alone title is not as good as that first novel, but is certainly original and an entertaining read. Kids will identify with Keith's curious spirit and agree with his decisions to further investigate and do anything to try to fly, even though we all see it as a bad idea. Lulu provides the conscience for the book and is a sympathetic counter-point to her daring cousin. The writing is clear and tight. The plot is linear and does not get bogged down with bonus storylines. DuPrau offers a cautionary tale for our current environmental concerns and shows a future where the worst has already happened. That said, the folks in DuPrau's future are calmer and more peaceful with a better quality of life without the constant noise of technology. Other lessons include the importance of honesty and doing the right thing. Malcolm is clearly the greedy villain of the story and gets his comeuppance by the book's end. Keith learns lessons, Lulu clears her guilty and all ends as it should, which will please the target audience. More dystopian than science fiction, it will scratch the itch of readers looking for futuristic imaginative tales.</span></div><p></p><p><br /></p>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-36546817625741117122023-12-29T08:44:00.002-05:002023-12-29T08:44:27.652-05:00Impossible Escape<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://mpd-biblio-covers.imgix.net/9781250265722.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="530" height="200" src="https://mpd-biblio-covers.imgix.net/9781250265722.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>Impossible Escape<br /></i>Steve Sheinkin<br />Roaring Book Press, 2023<br />243 pages<br />Grades 8-Up<br />Non-Fiction</span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Three different points of view relate the story of two teenage </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Slovakian acquaintances who must escape the Nazis when their world crumbles at Hitler's rise to power. The primary story is seen through the eyes of Rudolf Vrba. After trying to escape multiple times from the Nazis he ends up in the worst imaginable place: Auschwitz. Once there it is an unbelievable fight for survival. After lucky breaks, near misses, and heroic actions, Rudi is the first person to actually escape from the Nazi death camp and tell his story to the Jewish underground. After joining the resistance and pulling his life together after the war, Rudy dedicates himself to telling his story so that it will never be repeated. We also experience the war through Rudy's friend Gerta, who though not initially arrested, experiences her own near-misses, relocations, hiding, and courageous acts of survival and resistance. The third voice is a narration offering the historical account of the war during this time period in order to educate the reader and give them context to the accounts of the two young people.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Sheinkin has won numerous awards for his non-fiction and this book is also worthy of praise. Meticulously researched, the back of the volume contains incredible source notes, a bibliography and an index. That said, the book reads like a novel. Sheinkin does add dialogue, but relied on the writings and accounts of the subjects and so it is based on actual memories. The plight of these two young people is staggering and though what happens to them is horrific, it is impossible to stop reading. They left accounts of their lives, so we know they must survive and that is what kept me going even as I was getting upset at the brutality of the Nazis. Maps are included within the text along with one photo of the young people after the war. That was all I need to get a visual in my head--and to know that they turned out okay. I love that Sheinkin did not rely on illustrations to tell this tale. An author's note at the end gives his account of following Rudi's heroic escape on foot, complete with some photos of this trek. The book was just the right length, every word mattered, and I felt different after reading it. Readers will be inspired by the actions and courage of these young people and will be left to ponder, as Sheinkin leaves the reader with this thought at the end of the book, "You read the story, you know what to do". In this crazy world, we are challenge to not to repeat the mistakes of the past.</span></div>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-63378411016493587102023-12-27T09:09:00.004-05:002023-12-27T09:09:59.353-05:00Rosie Frost & the Falcon Queen<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://target.scene7.com/is/image/Target/GUEST_f4af8fae-9a8d-4c4b-b304-f0461a7b4fb3?wid=488&hei=488&fmt=pjpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="488" height="200" src="https://target.scene7.com/is/image/Target/GUEST_f4af8fae-9a8d-4c4b-b304-f0461a7b4fb3?wid=488&hei=488&fmt=pjpeg" width="200" /></a></div>Rosie Frost & the Falcon Queen<br /></i>Geri Halliwell-Horner<br />Philomel, 2023<br />452 pages<br />Grades 4-7<br />Mystery/Adventure</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">London native Rosie is having a bad day. She is being framed by bullies for wrong doing and is in trouble--yet again. Once at the principals office she finds that her problems are much worse than simply getting detention. Rosie's mother is suddenly dead of unknown reasons and she must be instantly transported to a boarding school on a remote British island. Rosie is devastated and thrown off-balance, further complicated by a shaky helicopter ride and a dump-and-run once on land. At the school Rosie is greeted by a sinister deputy headmaster, who confiscates a case belonging to her mother and puts her in the care of the school rich-girl/bully, who locks her in the creepy portrait gallery. In the middle of the night Rosie is visited by the ghost of Anne Boleyn, for whom Queen Elizabeth I dedicated the school. Known as the Falcon Queen, Anne has a code of conduct, which she shares with Rosie as she helps her along the way at the new school. Rosie is just in time for the annual Falcon Queen Games. She must win in order to gain an audience with the true headmistress and inform her of the evil doings that she begins to uncover. Despite her unwillingness to make friends, Rosie manages to find allies, both human and otherworldly, and get to the bottom of the mysterious happenings on the island.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Rosie Frost is a new hero in what seems to be projected to be a new mystery series penned by former a Spice Girl. There is a lot I liked about this book, including that it has more layers compared to other mysteries. At it's core this is a friendship story and Rosie begins to work through the loss of her mother by opening up to and trusting her new friends. She is a strong character, who is also a song writer. The author adds a QR code to the back of the book, which will lead readers to the song that Rosie writes in the story. I also like that the tale is seeped in British history. Fans of the Broadway show <i>Six </i>will be naturally drawn to the premise. The main arc reaches a satisfying conclusion and the mystery is solved. Left hanging is the whereabouts of Rosie's mother, who the reader will be left to assume is still alive somewhere. There are Harry Potter connections (British boarding school where students have to save the day), but it is more mystery and less fanciful. The fantasy element is slight and it is mostly realistic, save the ghostly Falcon Queen showing up. What I didn't like was the length. It is Waaaay too long and will turn off all but the most ambitious readers. I found myself struggling at the end and can't imagine that kids wouldn't feel the same. The end contains a glossary of British terms and a cute family tree of Henry the Eighth and his wives. A great choice for smart readers looking for a book to bite into.</span></div>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-15468835942535168192023-12-20T10:45:00.000-05:002023-12-20T10:45:07.257-05:00Lo and Behold<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81BI7v7lT-L._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="561" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81BI7v7lT-L._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>Lo and Behold<br /></i></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Wendy Mass<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Gabi Mendez, Illustrator<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Random House, 2023<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">205 pages<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Grades 3-7<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Graphic Novel</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Ever since Mom's bicycle accident, nothing has been right in Addie's family. Finally, Mom is off getting help and Addie and her dad are traveling across the country so Dad, a college professor, can work with a group of students developing VR games. Addie is carrying a lot of baggage and is unwilling to make friends, although Mateo, a cheerful guy from the down the hall, starts to wear her down. Mateo has troubles too. His brother spends a lot of time in the hospital fighting illness and he understands an unstable family. Meanwhile, the VR college gang are kind and cool. They are developing some amazing products and Addie and Mateo enjoy testing them out. Sometimes Addie feels as if it might be easier to live in the VR world and it is through the games that she starts to let her guard down and find some healing. One day while at the hospital they get a great idea: what if they develop a VR game to distract kids who are scared to get their treatments? With help from the college team Addie and Mateo set out to use the new technology to make a difference.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Mass, a middle grade author who is not afraid to dive deep, tackles a graphic novel that will attract readers, all while giving them an extra layer of content. At first glance I thought that this book was science fiction, but it is fully in present reality. All adventuring is done through VR goggles and Mass demonstrates how the technology can be used for healing and positive distraction. I liked the friendship between Addie and Mateo and thought that they were both great characters. Both young people are dealing with troubles that though present in the story and the catalyst behind their invention, do not overwhelm the plot. The full color illustrations by Mendez are expertly done, cheerful, and will attract readers. The coloring used when the kids are in VR land is slightly different, cluing readers in that this is not reality. I appreciate that Mass shows a positive side of technology besides video games and at the end of the volume she elaborates on her love of virtual reality and the path that lead her there. Also included are some notes from the illustrator on her process. This is a great recommendation for both boys and girls who are looking for a realistic memoire-type graphic novel, but don't want to get too heavy and will also appeal to reluctant readers.</span></span></div>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-35077059800313474042023-12-15T08:57:00.003-05:002023-12-15T08:57:58.453-05:00Alebrijes<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82a65c_8f022787415d438089ab75ec6f7f9079~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_372,h_550,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Alebrijes%20Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="372" height="200" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82a65c_8f022787415d438089ab75ec6f7f9079~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_372,h_550,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Alebrijes%20Cover.jpg" width="135" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Alebrijes</i></span></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Donna Barba Higuera</span></div><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">Levine Querido, 2023</div></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">399 pages</div></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">Grades 5-8</div></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">Dystopian/Science Fiction</div></span></span></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Leandro and his sister Gabi are trying to survive as Cascabeles (second class citizens) in the pocket of civilization known as Pocatel. Life is hard. They must forge in the fields for scraps and work for the ruling class, much like slaves. To make a little money to escape, Leandro turns to pickpocketing, which is a risk. If caught, he could be turned out of the safety of the city and into the wilderness with no food or water and where the dreaded and deadly wyrms hunt for prey. One fateful day Gabi steals a precious strawberry and Leandro must take the fall. He is exiled, which means certain death. A kindly scientist offers him a deal. If Leandro agrees to have his essence put inside an ancient drone, she will help him to live. In exchange, Leandro must try to find the scientist's daughter, who was previously exiled and is currently also existing inside a drone. Leandro takes the deal and for the first time sees what life is really like outside the city walls in the body of a zippy hummingbird. He finds an unexpected haven for drone refugees and learns that maybe there really is hope to be found on this barren planet. If only he can get back into his body, rescue his sister, and lead others to the new paradise without getting caught by the evil rulers of Pocatel.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">In Mexico Alebrijes are brightly colored animal statues often representing people's unique spirit animals. This is a fitting title for a story about young people finding hope and independence while taking refuge in the body of animal drones. Higuera, Newbery winner for <i>The Last Cuentista </i>revisits the last days of an environmentally ravaged earth, offering a cautionary tale for what is to come if we don't act now. Other themes include loyalty, greed, the importance of community, and little guys can do big things. For a dystopian novel, which is a saturated field, this one felt fresh and original. I liked the concept and thought that the young people escaping and exploring the world through drones was a great idea. I also liked the wyrm (giant worm-like monsters) and the secret behind them. Set up as if this is a true account, readers will fall right into the story--and especially pour over the included map. Leonardo is a great character. Though often referred to as "he", he felt very gender neutral and everyone will relate to this character and tap into their better selves through him. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout and context clues will help readers decipher the meaning. Though loosely connected to the previous Newbery winner, I didn't quite enjoy this book as much. I felt that it went on for too long and became a bit of a slug at points. I would recommend this book to smart kids who want something that will challenge them and fans of the author's first.</span></div>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-3572419847321513612023-12-13T10:26:00.000-05:002023-12-13T10:26:02.129-05:00Dear Mothman<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71oTByoLBNL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71oTByoLBNL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="134" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Dear Mothman</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Robin Gow</span></div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Amulet, 2023</span></div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">313 pages</span></div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Grades 6-8</span></div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Narrative Poetry/Realistic Fiction</span></div><div style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unconventional formatting and narrative poetry convey the story of Noah, a transgender boy, who is dealing with the loss of a best friend and revealing to the world his true identity during the spring of sixth grade in a small Pennsylvania town. Noah processes his feelings by writing a series of letters to Mothman, a cryptid who has been sighted in the area and was greatly followed and adored by Lewis, the departed friend. Noah, who is on the spectrum, has a hard time understanding other people's intentions and often is confused when other kids make fun of him. It is with trepidation and cautious optimism that Noah begins to make some new friends: three girls who also march to the beat of their own drummers. One of the girls, Hanna, might even turn out to be a possible crush and love interest. The kids have a sleepover at Noah's house to try to catch Mothman on his daily nocturnal visits. They think they see him--and all run away scared. Noah feels terrible. He now has proof that Mothman exists, but needs physical evidence in order to make the other kids believe and get a passing grade in his science project. Desperate times call for desperate measures and Noah takes it upon himself to go into the woods to track down Mothman with predictably disastrous results. Will Noah survive the adventure? Will the world finally believe in Mothman and learn to accept Noah for who he truly is?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, its that time of year. I am reading all of the newly reviewed books of the year that are showing up on the "best of" lists. This is another beautifully written and powerful book--that the target audience is not reading. Thirty-three libraries in my consortium bought this book and only one is out--checked out to me! That said, <i>Dear Mothman</i> is deserving of all of it's praise. The poetry is gorgeous with every word important. The format is eye-catching. Different fonts are used for the narration and the letters with Hanna and Noah each getting their own distinct font. Pencil illustrations seem child-like and appear to be taped into the book scrapbook style. The edges of the pages are shaded to make the volume look like a journal. The representation is important, featuring a transgender autistic kid. The plot, though quiet, is interesting and I caught myself holding my breath to see if Mothman would really appear. I found certain situations a bit contrived. I was surprised that Noah managed to find such like minded and well-adjusted friends so quickly. In some ways Noah felt very immature, and in others the opposite was true-especially in the dating realm. I listened to the audio, which lost something without the benefit of seeing the formatting and I didn't quite believe the narration. This is a story best enjoyed by the physical book, which will require a bit of handselling to the right reader.</span></div></span></div><p></p>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-58955718884772581652023-12-12T08:59:00.000-05:002023-12-12T08:59:22.911-05:00The Cursed Moon<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://embed.cdn.pais.scholastic.com/v1/channels/sso/products/identifiers/isbn/9781338814019/primary/renditions/700" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="465" height="200" src="https://embed.cdn.pais.scholastic.com/v1/channels/sso/products/identifiers/isbn/9781338814019/primary/renditions/700" width="133" /></a></div>The Cursed Moon<br /></i>Angela Cervantes<br />Scholastic, 2024<br />221 pages<br />Grades 4-7<br />Horror</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Rafael loves to write and tell scary stories. This is a release for him after living through a pretty scary early childhood with a mother struggling with addiction. Now he lives peacefully with his grandparents and little sister, but Mom is getting released from prison soon and he is very apprehensive about this new development. One day he tells a group of friends a new story about a creepy character named The Caretaker, who lures kids into a neighborhood pond. A neighbor overhears him and freaks out because he told the story under a Blood Red Moon and that means that the tale will come true. Is the neighbor crazy? Maybe, but her brother did disappear years ago as a child and he also told scary stories, so maybe she knows something about this. A mysterious large cat creeping around the neighborhood puts everyone further on edge and then bad news arrives when Rafael is suddenly not allowed to go on the neighborhood camping trip for the kids. He is disappointed--but also nervous for his sister. Will the Caretaker strike? He needs to figure out how to stop this sinister menace before more kids disappear. Help comes from unexpected places and Rafael dives deep to find the wits and courage to save the day.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Veteran author Cervantes serves up a spine-tingler seeped in realistic dilemmas. Horror is currently trending and this title will fill the bill for kids looking for scary fare. It is seriously creepy with a repeating scary refrain (One, two, he's coming for you...) and the situation feels plausible. Kids will be scared without being scarred and no one is permanently injured or killed. There are other levels to the story. Rafael is dealing with a parent that is overcoming addiction and is currently incarcerated, an absentee father, and friendship problems. Meanwhile, he feels very responsible for his younger sister, who he has always had to care for. I also like the representation of kids living with their grandparents of which there are a lot these days. Another layer is that Rafael's family is Hispanic and Spanish words are sprinkled throughout the text and the culture is represented. At the end of the day, Rafael finds the courage to beat the monster, make friends with his enemies, and give his mom a second chance. Not your run of the mill horror story, this is one with a bit of depth and more content than simply screams.</span></div>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-18826587539137702082023-12-06T09:01:00.000-05:002023-12-06T09:01:04.275-05:00Remember Us<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images.penguinrandomhouse.com/cover/9780399545467" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://images.penguinrandomhouse.com/cover/9780399545467" width="133" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Remember Us</span></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Jacqueline Woodson</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">Nancy Paulsen/Penguin, 2023</div></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">178 pages</div><div style="text-align: center;">Grades 5-7</div></span></span><span><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Realistic/Historical Fiction</span></div><div style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Short chapters and lyrical writing captures the reminiscences of Sage, a rising seventh grader experiencing a pivotal summer in her beloved neighborhood of Bushwick, Brooklyn. It is the 1970's and much of Bushwick is on fire, earning the nickname of "The Matchbook". As Sage goes through her summer playing basketball with her friends the constant background noise of sirens keeps everyone on high alert. A new boy moves to the neighborhood and Freddy and Sage become instant friends, supporting each other and sharing the love of basketball. This is the summer that Sage begins to question if its okay to want to hang out with the boys and play basketball instead of hopscotch with the girls. When an older boy calls her gender into question and steals her deceased father's basketball, she starts to feel "less than" and begins to fade away. A supportive mother, Freddy, and a neighborhood tragedy recalibrate Sage and she emerges more sure of herself and ready to embrace being who she is and doing what she loves. As the summer winds down Mom has some devastating news. Sage begins seventh grade in a place in which she didn't imagine living, yet pushes through, makes new friends, and continues her journey.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am a huge fan of the writing of Jacqueline Woodson. She is one of those authors that is super intentional and every word included counts. This new book I particularly enjoyed because it harkens back to my childhood. Though I did not grow up in Brooklyn, there were enough references that made me feel as if I was back in the 1970's on a hot summer day with a popsicle dripping down my arm. Although the story is written as a narrative, it feels almost like poetry, much like the author's <i>Brown Girl</i> <i>Dreaming</i>, and is also semi-autobiographical. Themes such as overcoming gender norms, the importance of community, finding friends who get you, being true to yourself, and mourning the loss of a parent are prevalent within the pages. The format is unconventional, the chapters are sometimes very short (there are 77 of them), and there is a lot of white space on the page, so this book reads quickly. Though it is relatively short, it is jam-packed with content and is meant to be savored. It would make an excellent read-aloud and would benefit from some adult context. There is an author's note at the end with some historical information, but I am not sure that young readers will make it there on their own. Though beautifully written, this is not a book that kids will understand or pick up to read. I think it is thoughtful adults who will make the best audience. It reminded me a bit of Spinelli's <i>Hokey Pokey</i>, a story written to capture a long-ago childhood and not something necessarily intended for consumption by today's youth.</span></div></span></span></div>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-63027272097029849332023-12-04T14:07:00.000-05:002023-12-04T14:07:06.069-05:00Warrior Girl Unearthed<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://mpd-biblio-covers.imgix.net/9781250766588.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="200" src="https://mpd-biblio-covers.imgix.net/9781250766588.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i>Warrior Girl Unearthed</i></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Angeline Boulley</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">Holt, 2023</div></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">396 pages</div></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;">Grades 9-Up</div></span></span><span><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mystery</span></div><div style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Perry Firekeeper-Birch loves her life as a tribal member of Ojibwa Indians living on Sugar Island in Michigan. As summer begins she is looking forward to fishing and taking it easy. After an accident that messes up her truck, Aunt Daunis forces Perry to join the same internship program as her ambitious twin Pauline. Pauline is assigned the plume role at Tribal Council, while Perry is sent to the local museum with the eccentric director. A meeting for the re-appropriation of tribal artifacts at a local college brings Perry face to face with the Warrior Girl, the skeleton of a long-deceased ancestor. The artifacts and actual remains of previous members of Perry's tribes are scattered all over the region--and even all over the globe. As Perry's eyes open to this travesty, she gets angry and decides to take matters into her own hands, leading to a bad decision that lands her in a new placement. Now it is Perry at the Tribal Council and Pauline reassigned, because of inappropriate advances made by the chief. Perry is now assigned to the tribe's second in command, who is sympathetic to her cause to reclaim their ancestors and historic possessions. When Perry discovers some atrocities, she comes up with a plan to retrieve the sacred items, possibly putting herself and those she loves in danger. Throw in a murder, missing girls, and a possible love interest and you have another winner from a Printz winning author.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Boulley revisits the same family and location of her award winning book <i>Firekeeper's Daughter</i>. It is ten years later and though Daunis is a character in the story, we now are focused on her twin nieces Perry and Pauline. The relationship between the two girls is interesting and both grow a lot during the story. I learned about Indian Repatriation of artifacts and human remains. I really had no idea of the extent of the theft from native peoples and now that my eyes are open I will be more cognizant moving forward. Not as much of a sequel, but more as a companion novel, readers can dive into this story without having read the first, but certain characters and items are richer with prior knowledge. The plot is super absorbing and I was instantly swept up and enjoying the twists and turns of Perry's crazy summer. For some reason both this book and the predecessor are not big hits with teens readers in Bergan County New Jersey. Although practically all of the libraries in my consortium bought them, very few are out. I think in this case the cover does not help the book and it may require some handselling. Both mysteries, the missing girls and the murder, are solved by the book's end in a satisfyingly manner and readers will have closure. Set in 2014, maybe next the author will skip ahead to the present and we can see the fate of the Warrior Girl.</span></div></span></span></div><p></p>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-78864316631741604012023-11-30T09:26:00.000-05:002023-11-30T09:26:44.210-05:00We Are All So Good at Smiling<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/512StWo2rQL._SY445_SX342_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="287" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/512StWo2rQL._SY445_SX342_.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>We Are All So Good at Smiling<br /></i></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Amber McBride<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Feiwel and Friends/Macmillan, 2023<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">283 pages<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Grades 9-Up<br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Fantasy/Narrative Poetry</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Narrative poems trace the account of teenager Whimsy, who begins her story back in the hospital to treat her clinical depression. She is obsessed with fairytales and knows that she is magic. It is with surprise when Whimsy encounters the new resident in her therapy group: a fae boy with hidden wings named Faerry. The two share a connection, through she tries to keep him at arm's length. Upon release the teens are reunited when Faerry moves to Whimsy's neighborhood and they strike up an unlikely friendship. At the end of the street is a forest that draws both teenagers to it, though they are also scared of it. Whimsy hasn't entered the forest since an incident years ago that her family has tried to bury in the past and make her forget. Of course they go into the forest to face the past that is calling to them. Once inside they enter a magic garden and meet Sorrow, as well as other fairytale characters. It is up to Whimsy and Faerry to outsmart Sorrow and follow the quest along the Yellow Brick Road in order to encounter the truth of their shared past and find peace and healing.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This is the sophomore effort of the author of <i>Me (Moth)</i>, a title from 2021 which was critically acclaimed. McBride crafts another work of art, still within the themes of depression and overcoming trauma, yet now within the framework of fairytales. I personally love fairytales and enjoy seeing traditional characters reworked in new settings and situations. The fairytale elements serve as metaphors and honestly sometimes went over my head. It is never entirely clear if the story was fully what happened or part of the main character's mental illness, though it doesn't really matter. Much like Dorothy's trip to Oz, the point is the journey, the people encountered and lessons learned along the way. The writing is startling beautiful and I reread certain passages to savor them longer. I think that this book, though wonderfully crafted, will prove to be a bit artsy for the target audience, who may not have a background in fairytales or the patience to to savor the writing. That said, it reads quickly and never strays from the basic plot or swirly dark mood. Reminiscent of Neil Gaiman's work, the best audience is nerdy adults. Information and resources for clinical depression, a glossary of fairy tale characters, brief summaries of the stories referenced, and--best of all--a playlist are included at the end of the volume. A lovely and moving book that may have to work to find it's readership.</span></div>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-91241388544671008052023-11-29T09:07:00.001-05:002023-11-29T09:07:37.622-05:00The Area 51 Files<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51i3SiL5TzL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51i3SiL5TzL.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>The Area 51 Files<br /></i>Julie Buxbaum<br />Delacorte, 2022<br />289 pages<br />Grades 2-6<br />Science Fiction/Humor/Mystery</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The Area 51 Files series #1</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Sky Patel-Baum must leave her California home and move out to the desert and in with an uncle, who she has never met, when her grandmother moves to a retirement community. This is no ordinary desert town. There is high security and Sky learns that she will NEVER be allowed to leave. Yikes! The reason for all of the secrecy is that Area 51 is the only place in the world housing real aliens and their existence must remain unknown to the rest of the world for privacy and safety reasons. With only Spike, her pet hedgehog, for company Sky is not sure what she is getting into. Luckily, right off the bat she meets a friendly next door neighbor, who also happens to be an alien. She and Elvis are instant friends and he shows her the ropes. There are many "breakthroughs" or aliens in Area 51 and they all present themselves in different ways. School is an interesting endeavor with all of the different species and non-traditional subjects to study. When a group of Zdstrammars turn up missing (coincidentally the same moment as Sky's arrive) fingers point to Sky's Uncle Anish. Sky is pretty sure that her uncle is innocent. It is up to Elvis and Sky to get to the bottom of the mystery and find the missing aliens. Danger lurks behind every corner and helps comes from unexpected places. Do the new friends have what it takes to save the day?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This is a new series that is already proving to be popular with young readers. Heavily illustrated with comic drawings by Lavanya Naidu, the format will appeal to the Wimpy Kid crew. What sets the illustrations slightly above the norm is that they participate in moving the plot forward and are an integral part of the story and not just reader eye candy. Reluctant readers will have no trouble plowing through the 289 pages and find much to enjoy. The alien premise is interesting and original. There is a lot of humor infused throughout the book and a few gross jokes, groaning puns, and low-hanging fruit. The rollicking plot will encourage kids to keep turning pages, as they try to figure out who is the culprit. The mystery is get-able and kids will pat themselves on the back once they figure it out. The characters are likable and readers will learn from them not to judge based on appearances, give new people a chance, and to be kind to each other. Sky and Elvis pick up an unexpected new friend along the way who was formally an enemy, demonstrating the power of second chances. After the mystery is wrapped up the author throws in a coda cliff-hanger, leading readers straight to the second installment in the series, <i>The Big Flush</i>, which is already available.</span></div>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3244103685218306713.post-26935360083323502262023-11-28T08:53:00.001-05:002023-11-28T08:53:29.429-05:00Control Freaks<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/8114MgfeKUL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="554" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/8114MgfeKUL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="139" /></a></div>Control Freaks<br /></i></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">J.E. Thomas<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Levine Querido, 2023<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">297 pages<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Grades 4-7<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Realistic Fiction</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Multiple first person narrations tell the story of a week in the life of an advanced STEAM oriented magnet middle school made up of super-high achievers. Principal Yee announces a weeklong STEAM competition and the students are stoked! Not so much when they realize that they must break into teams, which gets complicated. Out main hero, Frederick Douglas Zezzmer (Doug), knows that he MUST win this competition. He needs to go to GadgetCon this summer to perfect his skills at inventing, but needs the principals endorsement in order to be accepted. To make matters more complicated, Doug's biological father is back on the scene and insisting that he participate in an intense summer sports program of which he has no interest. The other misfit members of Doug's team (TravLiUeyPadgeyZezz) have their own reasons for wanting to win and the need to prove themselves. We see the points of view of the other members of the team, plus that of the principal, Doug's sportster step-brother, as well as other characters to round out the story. Because of family pressures, Doug makes a bad decision with terrible consequences. The competition rolls along with surprising, and sometimes hilarious, results and ends just where it should with all participants changing for the better.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This is a perfect story for high-reaching kids, who will find much to relate to in the characters within the pages--and wish that they could go to a school like Benjamin Banneker College Prep. The competition provides a framework for the character </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">development and subplots involving the individual situations of the students. Readers will see that every family is complicated, problems can be worked out in time, don't give up on making a friend, and we all have something within us that makes us special. Oh-and cheating is bad. They will also see that grown-ups are human (including principals) and even though we don't always have everything figured out, we love our kids. The first person multiple points of view are all written distinctly with labeled characters at the chapter heads in order to know who is speaking. I was never confused and enjoyed the changing perspectives. The book runs long, but stays interesting and kept me going until the end. The story doesn't read as entirely realistic (for one thing there aren't enough teachers present), but kids won't care and will enjoy the simplified proceedings. Readers will eagerly watch the competition play out and cheer for the misfit team. The real prize is friendship, which our heroes all come out as winners. A fun story with something to say that may help overachievers see themselves and encourage them to take a breath.</span></div>Kate on Kids Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298585013217608118noreply@blogger.com0