Mexikid

Mexikid
Pedro Martin
Dial, 2023

309 pages
Grades 3-6
Graphic Memoir

Meet Pedro-or Peter-depending on where he is. Pedro is of Mexican heritage with immigrant parents, but was born in the US where he goes to school, watches TV, reads comics, and collects dolls (ahem, action figures). Pedro, his parents, and his eight brothers and sisters are squished into a small California house in the middle of the 1970's. Now Abuelo must move in, but where will they put him? Abuelo is super old and took part in the Mexican Revolution, so he is a tough guy. Pedro's family hops into the camper van and travels down to Abuelo's Mexican town to bring him back stateside. Abuelo has many loose ends to tie up, including relocating his late-wife's body after the cemetery floods. The older kids travel in the family's pickup truck and enjoy a bit of freedom. Pedro is stuck in the camper with his parents, boring food, and three rambunctious brothers. Is there a way for Pedro to make a name for himself within his busy family besides being "the round one"? Towards the end of the story a situation presents itself to help make Pedro shine, but is he up for the challenge? Will his family ever take him seriously?

Martin, a long time graphic artist, finally breaks through to children's graphic novels in this hilarious full-color debut. The 1970's setting is fully realized and I related to the story even though I grew up on the other coast in a much different household. Cultural references, such as Happy Days and the Fronz, will go over contemporary children's heads. Kids in big families will relate (do we still have those?) and those without will wish they were part of this unruly mob. There are a lot of characters, but a helpful guide at the beginning tells us who is who. The artist helpfully gives our hero a bad haircut early on in the novel, which helps him stand out. As one would expect from a book featuring a Mexican family, many words are spoken in Spanish. Martin adds clues when the character is speaking in Spanish (but leaves the words in English) or leaves translated footnotes at the bottom of the page. Will the 1970's setting put off today's tech savvy readers? Maybe, but readers will appreciate the freedom and danger afforded Pedro and his siblings. These young boys hang out alone on the top of the camper, set off fireworks, and eat copious amount of junk food. There are many gross-out bits that will appeal to the target audience, but may put some parents off. Actual photos at the end of the volume show the reader the whole cast of characters and lend authenticity to the proceedings. At times laugh-aloud funny, kids will both relate to Pedro and be entertained by the outrageousness of his family and times. And any author that can slip in Shipoopi (a past favorite ditty in my household) in a winner in my book!

The Puppets of Spelhorst

The Puppets of Spelhorst
Kate DiCamillo
Candlewick, 2023
149 pages
Grades 2-5
Fantasy

Written in a series of acts, this is the story of a trunk of puppets and the lives they touch. A long time ago an old sea captain at the end of his life spots some puppets in a toy store window and one of them remind him of past regrets. He purchases the lot and takes them back to his small room. At night we hear the conversations of the various puppets: a king, a wolf, an owl, a girl, and a boy, as they try to make sense of their world. A series of events takes them to the home of two girls, where the puppet's adventures continue and the girls become inspired to create a show. They perform this show for a special audience to great acclaim. Lives are touched by the message of the theatrical, bringing the tale back to the beginning. One participant becomes inspired to make a serious change, leading the puppets on yet another chapter of their adventurous lives.

This is a sweet and simple story set in the past and told within the framework of an old tale. In typical DiCamillo fashion, not one word is wasted, yet much is conveyed. The main themes of the story are living your life to your full potential with no regrets and to put love first. Similar in format to the author's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, the reader experiences the events through the eyes of puppets, who can feel and have personalities, even though they need human hands and voices to make them work. Placing the plot within acts gives the story the mood of an actual puppetshow and adds dimension to the story. Haunting pencil illustrations by Julie Morstad give the tale an extra layer of depth and convey the final thought at the end of the tale. I personally am a fan of puppets, believe in the power of story and performance, and love DiCamillo's writing style, making this one of my favorite books of the year. Will it resonate with kids? I don't know that they will read it on their own. That said, it would serve as a great read aloud for a classroom or a family. A beautiful story for a cold winter's night that is sure to touch many hearts and will invite kids to look at their beloved toys a bit sideways.

Something Like Home

Something Like Home

Andrea Beatriz Arango

Random House, 2023

246 pages

Grades 4-6

Realistic Fiction/Narrative Poetry

Laura's life blew up when she called 911 to report her parent's nonresponse condition. Now they are stuck in drug rehab and she is stuck living with an aunt she never met. Laura must start a new school, where she hopes that no one finds out about her situation. Titi Silvia is not easy to live with. She is a doctor at a hospital and works unusual hours. Titi has a lot of rules and is not very huggy or seemingly happy to have her niece living with her. Where was she all of those years when Laura and her parents were struggling financially? After a bumpy start at school, Laura finally makes a friend. Benson is kind and a great listener, but he has a secret just like Laura and really could also use a friend right now. One afternoon after school Laura finds a puppy left out to die and brings him home. Puppy Sparrow changes Laura's life by giving her something to love who loves her back unconditionally. Laura gets a great idea: if she trains Sparrow to be a therapy dog they can go to the rehab center where Mami and Papi are and visit. Of course the plan does not go as planned and Laura must, with the help of an understanding therapist, learn how to forge ahead with her life as it is now.

Laura's story, told through narrative poetry, is much like the author's Newbery honor winning book this year Iveliz Explains it All in that it is written in the same format, features a Puerto Rican protagonist and has it's main character working through a big life-changing problem. Laura learns how to adjust to her new life and let go of the guilt behind that 911 call with the help of her therapist and understanding family and friends--and of course a wonderful canine companion. This is a book with a lot to say. Readers learn about the dangers of drug addiction, dysfunctional families, sickle cell, and the therapy dog certification process. Representation happens in the form of race and gender and Laura's family's heritage is an integral part of the story. I love that the author demonstrates that families come in all shapes and sizes. Having been personally touched by drug addiction in my own family, I know what it can do to the children left behind and also know that other family members can step in and create an unconventional, yet just as powerful, unit. Because of the format this book reads quickly. It is the perfect choice for kids who are always looking for suggestions after reading Out of My Mind or Front Desk. The story ends predictably neatly with a message of hope, which will satisfy the target audience.

The Lost Year

The Lost Year
Katherine Marsh
Roaring Brook Press, 2023
338 pages
Grades 5-8
Historical Fiction

Three narrators tell the story of three cousins during the 1930's experiencing famine in Ukraine in different ways. Matthew is our main narrator who pulls all of the stories together. He is stuck sheltering in place during the early days of the COVID pandemic with his mother and elderly great-grandmother. Matthew misses his father, who is trapped in Paris, very much and is struggling with the isolation. Conversations with GG, his ninety-nine year old great-grandmother, lead to her sharing the story of her past. We slowly hear the tales of the three cousins. Helen lives in Brooklyn with her Ukrainian immigrant parents. A letter from a Ukrainian cousin, who she has never heard of, alerts her to the struggles of Ukrainian farmers suffering from hunger at the hands of the Soviets. Nadiya is the starving cousin. After the death of her mother and brothers, she travels to the city to find another brother of her father's who may be able to help. This uncle is a Soviet higher-up and is the only family to whom she can turn. Mila is the Soviet official's daughter. She has lead a sheltered and privileged life in Kiev and is shocked when a cousin of whom she has never heard lands on her doorstep starving. She is even more shocked when her beloved father sends the cousin away. Mila is determined to help, even if doing so is dangerous and leads to deadly consequences. Matthew pulls together all of the strands of his family history's braid to create a tale, offering truth and solace to his beloved GG.

This National Book Award nominee is a true winner. Historical fiction at it's best, it explores a lesser-known chapter of world history, the Holodomor-or great Ukrainian famine of the 1930's, while still offering a thrilling story. Marsh further draws in a contemporary audience by telling the tale through the eyes of a contemporary boy living through the pandemic, which is history in the making. I love that Matthew lives in a nearby town to where I work in New Jersey, further making the book relatable to my young readers. The different narrators and time periods are always made clear at the start of the chapters and I was never confused as to where we were or who was talking. The plot is compelling and readers will be at the edge of their seats. Dangers lurks behind many corners and there is a huge twist to the plot that completely took me unawares. The author includes historical information at the end of the volume, including her own family history, that will plug readers into the fact behind the fiction. This book was a little long for me, but it reads quickly and I couldn't wait to get back to it. Marsh does not waste words, but is very intentional in her writing. A perfect fit with contemporary events, young people will see that history can repeat itself and this volume offers a cautionary tale to pay attention to the past. Another plus: kids may be encouraged to talk to their own relatives about their stories and write down the histories. A true gem of a book with many relevant connections.

The Apartment House on Poppy Hill

The Apartment House on Poppy Hill

Nina LaCour

Sonia Albert, Illustrator

Chronicle, 2023

128 pages

Grades 2-5

Realistic Fiction

Three separate, yet connected, stories describe life in an apartment house on a hilly street in San Francisco. Ella has lived at 1106 Wildflower Place her whole life, so when new tenants move into one of the five apartments, she is ready to help. Who better to tell them the rules of the garden, show them around, describe the glitches in their oven and lights, and warn them of the strange noise coming from the apartment across the hall every evening at sunset. Eventually the reader gets to know the other neighbors: the eccentric tea drinking Matilda, the busy dog-loving newly married couple Jacques and Merland, and Ella's moms Abby and Livy. The neighbors the reader does not get to know are the Robinsons, the mysterious recluses who live on the top floor. In fact Ella has never seen them, though not from lack of trying, and evidence of their presence can be found from their marvelous roses in the garden to their mail disappearing. Finally, one fateful day, Ella gets an invitation to the top floor. She will finally get to meet the mysterious neighbors. What will they be like?

Printz winning teen author, LaCour tries her hand at a chapter book in this departure from her usual style. Ella is a likable and jaunty protagonist, who is sure to resonate with readers. She is blessed with a need to be helpful and a can-do attitude. The book never strays from the apartment house setting and the reader gets the impression that it is Ella's whole world. I like that LaCour has included queer characters naturally as part of Ella's world and not as a big issue of the story. The simple conflicts arise from interactions with Ella and her family, both her actual family and her larger apartment family. The identity of the mystery neighbors was a fun plotline and added a bit of drama. It is nice to see a book that includes friendships across generations, though I would have liked to see Ella interact of talk of at least one other child. The design of the story will serve new chapter book readers well with large font size and margins and plenty of cheerful illustrations. There is nothing too overwhelming about this book and children will enjoy the cozy easy read. I can see more adventures for Ella and her gang ahead. Maybe then she will make a friend her own age.

Iveliz Explains It All

Iveliz Explains It All

Andrea Beatriz Arango

Random House, 2022

263 pages

Grades 4-7

Realistic Fiction/Narrative Poetry

Take a dip into Iveliz's journal to experience first hand the life and times of this troubled seventh grader. Iveliz has not been right sine her father passed away. She feels responsible for his death and unloved at his passing. Lucky for her, his ghost still visits, though this often gets her in trouble. Mom has problems of her own and works a lot to support them both. Amir, Iveliz's best friend, also has troubles with a chronically ill brother and seems to want more from her than she can possibly give. Abuela Mimi arrives from Puerto Rico and, finally, Iveliz gets some company and finds someone who believes her about Dad's ghost. The problem is that Abuela's mind isn't quite right and now Iveliz feels responsible for her grandmother's safety. Seventh grade was suppose to be a fresh start, but Iveliz finds herself reverting to old patterns at school. Her grades are terrible and she is losing her temper and getting into fights. Mom brings Iveliz to a therapist, but will the wretched "Turnip" be able to help her?

In this Newbery honor book Arango explores depression and mental illness in young people, a problem which is haunting current society. Readers see a first person account through the narrative poetry in Iveliz's journal. The book is designed to really look like a journal with lined paper and a font that looks like actual printing. This will help immediately suck kids into the story and lends an air of authenticity to the tale. We all know (including Iveliz) that Dad is part of her mental troubles and not a real ghost and it is with relief that he finally comes to see her less often. Despite the pressures of a new family member in need of care, Iveliz's mom is responsive to her daughter's troubles and gets her professional help. Iveliz also works through friendship problems with Amir and learns to give as well as take and to be a better friend. The story ends on a hopeful note with both Iveliz's relationships and mental illness under control. An author's note and resources at the end invite readers to get help if needed for their own problems and Arango lists places to get started. Certainly a sad story, but one that will appeal to many thoughtful readers.

Bea Wolf

Bea Wolf

Zach Weinersmith

Boulet (Illustrator)

First Second, 2023

183 pages

Grades 5-Adult?

Graphic Novel

Be transported to a land where kids rule in this modern retelling of the classic Beowulf. The thousand year old epic poem, originally written in Old English, is made fresh in a tongue-in-cheek approach to childhood. In a society made-up of very small parentless children, King Roger inherits the throne. In order to put his mark on this wild sugar-induced society before aging out, he gets a great idea. King Roger decides to build a treehouse, dubbed Treeheart, which serves as a sanctuary for wild children up to all kinds of shenanigans. Unfortunately, a crabby neighbor by the name of Grindle vows to take down the rambunctious crew. He wins the first battle, turning most of the Treeheart's inhabitants into teenagers and old people. Luckily, a nearby King, who owes a debt, sends her best warrior with a band of child-thugs to lend aid to poor King Roger. A wicked battle ensues, with poor Grindle suffering an unpredictable fate. Our story ends with a party to end all parties and a potential cliff-hanger to lead to another installment.

Hmmm, this book is a tough one. Librarians and other literary adults love it. It is already on the top of many best books of the year lists. Every library in my consortium bought it, maybe because of all the star reviews it received. That said, out of 56 copies in the system, 46 remain currently on the shelf, and one of those is checked out to me. The question remains: who is the intended audience? The writing is exquisite. Weinersmith manages to capture the texture and patterns of the original poem and contemporize it, adding humor and substituting small children as the main characters. The writing is thick and unfamiliar to young readers, who won't have the patience to persevere through the language. The illustrations, though a cut above the usual fare for young people, may be off-putting in that they are entirely in black and white. The cover is enticing with gold accents, but no color within. I asked a group of graphic reading middle school kids what they thought of this book and they couldn't get through the first few pages. Sure to win awards, and deservingly so, this is a book for literary adults familiar with the poem or, maybe, really clever young people looking for more meat in their comics.