Author Archives: SSBRC Former Member

Write to Me: Letters from Japanese American Children to the Librarian They Left Behind

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A young Japanese American, Katherine Tasaki, turns in her library card and books to the librarian. She tells the librarian, Clara Breed, that she will be moving soon like all of the Japanese. Clara gave Katherine a stamped postcard and asks her to write so that she knows where they are. Clara went to the train station as the families are leaving and handed out books and more postcards.

The story is told partly through the postcards the children write to Miss Breed. They discuss where they are, things that happen and the living conditions. They also thank her for the books that she sends to them.

An author’s note at the end includes more information about Clara Breed, notable dates in her life, selected history of Japanese People in the United States as well as a bibliography and resources for further reading. The end papers include photos of Japanese Americans on their way to or at internment camps.

The Funniest Man in Baseball: The True Story of Max Patkin

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Max Patkin wanted to be a professional baseball player, but due to injuries he ended up being a baseball clown. Before there were team mascots, baseball clowns would entertain baseball fans. It started after Joe DiMaggio hit one of his pitches and Max chased him around the bases while making faces. When he could no longer play baseball, he took to entertaining the crowds.

An interesting look at a different side of baseball history. The illustrations are colorful and add to the fun of this true story. The author’s note at the end includes photographs of Max Patkin, information and a bibliography.

All Kinds of Families

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This is the 40th Anniversary Edition of this title- All Kinds of Families. It is in picture book format, but can and perhaps should be used for all age levels. “Children need grown-ups who take care of them.” Almost every kind of family imaginable is in this book in one place or another: big , little, new, old, multi-generational, grandparents, two mothers, two fathers, aunts and uncles, adoptees, step sisters and brothers, people with different last names, multi-racial, and on and on. The important thing is that people “living together, sharing good times and bad times… growing together.” Families are ever growing and expanding with marriages, births, and deaths. When families get together for holidays, birthdays, weddings, and sad times stories are told and retold.  “Their family feelings keep people close, like a strong, invisible circle.”

This book is a wonderful jumping off point for discussions on what family is for you and others. Illustrator Sarah S. Brannen has done her part to positive provide families from different ethnic and culture groups, as well as, different age groups. Very well done!

Power Forward #1: Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream

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Zayd Saleem is living between two cultures. His family is Pakistani, but they are living in America. Zayd’s mother sees her son as becoming an outstanding violinist. Zayd sees himself as becoming a famous NBA Basketball Star. The extra orchestra practice time his family is paying for is held before school. This is the same time as the extra basketball practice time held in the school gym. Zayd begins skipping his before school orchestra to practice basketball. When Zayd’s mother finds out about him skipping orchestra, Zayd is banded from all basketball, in any form, for two weeks. This means he will miss the fourth grade team basketball tryouts for which he has been working so hard. Zayd is, also, required to make up practicing his violin for the practices he has missed.

Days before the tryouts, Zayd’s stomach hurts so badly his uncle mamoo is called to pick him up from school. During their time together mamoo tells Zayd he needs to tell his mother and father what he wants- basketball , not violin. And Zayd learns that mamoo is not being pushed into a marriage.

After their heart to heart talk, Zayd’s parents decide to let Zayd play basketball again in time for the tryouts. Zayd should, also, continue with his regular violin lessons during the school day, while discontinuing the before schools lessons.

The evening after the tryouts is grandfather’s birthday. The whole extended family goes out for a Chinese dinner. Zayd’s fortune cookie reads- “You must power forward to achieve your dreams”, which is quite fitting since he has made the basketball team.

Just enough basketball and family interaction to make this story believable.

Each of the 19 chapters begins with a different basketball action silhouette. There are seven illustrations and eight cameos sprinkled throughout the book.

Includes chapter 1 of the next book in the series – On Point.

Movie Monsters from Godzilla to Frankenstein

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I enjoy a good monster movie perhaps because I know I am safe and “watching the mistakes that created monsters warns us to take care of the people and the world around us.” (25)

In four brief chapters, Krystyna Poray Goddu gives her readers a brief history of some of the most famous movies monsters viewed in America. Frankenstein first appeared in a movie in 1910. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde appeared in 1931. Movie monsters can be shape shifters like wolfman, Maleficent, and characters from the Ghostbusters. They can also be the result of “scientific experiments gone wrong” (17) Some movie monsters are ‘gentle giants’ (9) like King Kong and Godzilla not meant for the human world, but brought here against their will.

In chapter 2, “Movie Monsters Everywhere” it states monster movies are especially popular around Halloween. Movie monsters come in the shape of toys( Mattel’s Monster High), shown on TV (Scooby-Doo), in movies, in games, and General Mills even has a line of monster cereals: Franken Berry, Boo Berry, and Count Chocula.

Chapter 4 “Movie Monsters Forever” tells about how Godzilla, Frankenstein, and King Kong have each been made into multiple movies.

There is not much meat to this book, but readers who are viewers of monster movies will enjoy agreeing with the information that is provided.

Lastly, Goddu compares Frankenstein and Godzilla as though they were in an arranged bout. Who would wins such a bout? Spoiler alert: Godzilla do to shear size- 164 feet against Frankenstein at 8 feet.

 

Includes: Table of Contents, Glossary, Further Information, Index, and “download free, complementary educational resources for this book form our website, www.lernerresources.com.” (30)

Royal Sweets: A Royal Rescue

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Early readers getting ready for chapter books will love this sugary sweet new series about fairies from Candy Kingdom. In this first book in the Royal Sweets series, today is going to be Princess Mini’s first day at the Royal Fairy Academy.  Along the way there she and her flying unicorn, Butterscotch, hear a cry for, “Help,” from a very young, small troll. Princess Mini helps Gobo, the troll, out of the caramel thornbush just as the bell begins to ring to start school. Gobo says trolls and princesses are not supposed to talk to each other, but Princess Mini says, “fairy princesses are supposed to help other.” (15)

Princess Mini arrives at school as the last bell rings. Her first class is making sugar and spice candy using cinnamon or a dash of mint. The whole time Princess Mini is distracted by thinking about Bogo. At recess, a bit of intrigue begins as Princesses Cupcake and Swirlie come over to talk to Mini with negative compliments. Then, Prince Frosting almost overhears Mini telling her friend Taffy about Bogo. As the first day of school comes to an end, Frosting still does not know about Bogo, but he isn’t giving up on finding out their secret.

Mini and Taffy have just gotten Bogo to come out from finding when Frosting flies up on his unicorn. Bogo, though, is too quick to let Frosting see him. Afterwards, Taffy , Mini, and Bogo ‘pinkie’ promise “to a sweet secret friendship!”(65)

The reader will want to fly through the text, but want to slow down for the two or three black and white illustrations per chapter. The font is large and the chapters are short enough for beginning chapter book readers to feel successful.

Includes: Table of Contents, Word List (glossary, with pronunciation) , and questions.

Yours Truly

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Truly Lovejoy is back in this second installment of the Pumpkin Falls Mystery series. Readers do not need to have read book one, Absolutely Truly, in order to follow the storyline of this book.  The author references elements of book one, but provides context so book one details do not detract from this story. In the second book, Truly learns about her namesake and the history of the house she now calls home in Pumpkin Falls, New Hampshire. As the story develops, there are multiple mysteries that interconnect to reveal the rich history of the area and the founders of the town. Truly and her friends call themselves the Pumpkin Falls Private Eyes, and they work together to crack a maple syrup crime and settle a town feud. Along the way, Truly also investigates her family’s history, uncovering a local connection to the underground railroad and uses her quick wit to find her younger sister when she goes missing. With a complex mystery to solve, historically accurate details, and engaging and realistic family and friendship complications, this book will be a winner with mystery, historical, and realistic fiction readers.   

For This Life Only

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The book “ For This Life Only” written by Stacey Kade is deeply describing how unexpected and horrible accident can change the person’s and family’s life.  Throughout the story there is a common theme of how important it is for a family to help, understand and be open with each other, as well as being together, especially through the hardest times of their life. In my opinion, this realistic novel includes a lot of philosophical and psychological aspects and themes.

Nobody ever could expect that one winter evening could change Jacob (Jace) Palmer’s life forever. That day was when the main hero of this book, Jace asked his twin brother Eli to pick him up from his friend’s party and drive him home. On a way to their house, while they had conversation, Ely suddenly loses control of the car and crashed, “… Jeep rolled, turned our world upside down…”. Jace was dead for three minutes followed by couple months of struggling for his life and a lot of surgeries, he tried to get back to his normal life but now without his identical twin brother Eli, who died in the car accident that horrible night. Now Jace must learn, how to live and struggle, not just with his physical pain, but also with his emotions, feelings, and pain that he keeps inside of himself, “…Wake up. Take more pills…Try not to think… It was difficult for me to step back into a life that was all sharp edges and no soft landing places, a life that no longer left like mine-that didn’t matter…”  Throughout the story we see how Eli’s death impacts people and friends surrounding him, especially his family and his little sister. Also, there is a deep conflict inside the family, more so because their father is Pastor, who often helps to solve other people’s problems, sometimes caring for them more than his own family, particularly now when they need him the most. Jacob’s family is falling apart, arguing a lot, feeling guilty, blaming each other about Eli’s death, and everybody tried to avoid the conversation dealing with it. Thankfully, Jacob met a good friend, Thera (even if she was weird and he ignored her before), who helped him to organize his thoughts, fears and feelings, by listening and talking with him about it.

Through this story a lot of different questions arise about the life, expectations, difference between right and wrong, many religious questions, and afterlife (if it’s exist), but only a few answers. This is a well written story, because while you read this book you are totally immersed and feel the characters’ emotions, worries, fairs, grief, and relationships. Personally I think it’s really sad story, and it has many curse words, which is why I would recommended this book for high schoolers and young adults, who like this type of books.

Review by M.M.

Armstrong & Charlie

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Armstrong & Charlie is a historical fiction novel. The book is set in the Hollywood Hills of California during the 1970s and the Opportunity Busing program has just started. Boys and girls from the inner city travel to Wonderland Elementary in an attempt at desegregation.  The story focuses on a friendship that emerges between Armstrong and Charlie. Charlie is a Jewish boy of privilege. Armstrong is the youngest of six kids who is ready to fight for everything. Finding themselves at odds with one another in multiple school situations, Armstrong and Charlie are pushed into an unlikely friendship. Separately, each boy is also on a journey of self-discovery. This is a story full of heart and soul, friendship, and growing up.  Chapters are told from each character’s perspective. This provides insight to each character’s motivation and emotions regarding shared experiences. The story, the characters, and the compelling structure, keep readers engaged from start to finish. Highly recommended.

Ebb & Flow

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Heather Smith’s Ebb & Flow is a novel in verse. Smith grabs readers from the first page. Once started, the reader will want to read the book in one sitting to unfold Jett’s story.

After “a rotten bad year,” Jett’s mother sends him from the mainland to spend summer on a quaint coastal island with his eccentric grandmother. While on the island, Jett rediscovers himself and must learn forgiveness. Raw emotions roll in like rogue waves, changing as new experiences and memories merge. At times he is playful & clever, but he is also angry & bitter. While Jett’s catchphrase is “No Regrets”, he is deeply remorseful and ashamed of his actions. Grandma Jo’s unconditional love and patience help Jett to see himself the way she sees him – a compassionate, smart boy who made a mistake. He must take responsibility for his role in his “rotten bad year”. As Jett make amends for actions, he discovers forgiveness is possible.

Ebb & Flow is a fitting title, as Smith’s telling of Jett’s journey is not a direct path. His story takes the reader from the present to memories from the past. His emotions come and go like the tides. The story evokes strong emotions. Give this book to readers who like books that don’t sugar coat things but tell stories the way life happens with all the gritty, heartfelt details. They’ll appreciate the honesty of Jett’s journey to redemption.  

The Thing About Leftovers

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The cover of the book doesn’t begin to describe the story within. Following a middle school girl that has her own problems to deal with, it’s a story with depth hiding underneath the camouflage of a bright appearance. The Thing About Leftovers by C.C. Payne followed Fizzy Russo, a girl with dreams of winning the Southern Living Cook-off. However, recent turmoil in her own family has her feeling like a leftover. Now she lives with her mom and attends a new school. There, she finds new friends in Miyoko and Zach, and along the way learns that sometimes things change, but it can be for the better. I enjoyed the realism and emotion in the story. It was very personal with how Fizzy felt about these events that were happening in her life, and I was swept up in the story immediately. My only frustrations were that it didn’t last longer! I would’ve enjoyed a much more closed resolution, but an open ending is always open to imagination. The conflict and setting were very relatable from a middle school standpoint. Divorce and moving are both very real events that can happen and affect students, especially in the middle school years. Overall, the pace of the story was great and I was left satisfied when I put the book down. Personally, I would recommend this book to anyone who is passionate about a hobby or sport. Fizzy’s pursuit of her dreams are relatable to anyone who aspires to do the same, and her nonstop work can be an inspiration to those with their own ambitions. It was an entertaining read.

-Review by B.W.

League of Archers

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What really caught my eye was when the girl was telling the story to the little boy. She  said Robin Hood snuck into the archer shoot-out in disguise and didn’t get caught when he was only wearing a hood. This book is about a girl on the run after committing a crime she didn’t commit. It was really good. I really liked it when the girl told a story to the little boy when he was sick. I think for people woh are really into adventure books then this is a book for you.

-T.C.

The Shadow Cadets of Pennyroyal Academy

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The Shadow Cadets of Pennyroyal Academy. This book is a part two to the Pennyroyal Academy series and it’s filled with mystery, action, and plenty of magic. Evie starts out in a castle where she and her dragon family live. She has lost her father and dragon father for different reasons. She has gone to the Pennyroyal Academy to learn how to be a princess with magical powers. She gets strange warnings about how someone at the school is not who they seem and that someone is a traitor. She also has an official princess watching her and her classmates, and they are all in danger of being kicked out. This is a amazing book that keeps you wondering at times. I would recommend this book to people who like books with magic, mystery, action, and a bit of romance.

-D.K.

Sky Full of Stars

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The book is about a young girl and how she faces her challenges. The book is about the struggles of an African-American life during the time of oppression and inequality. The protagonist is a young girl who lives with her grandmother and experiences many challenges at this age, and witnesses things that change her perception of the world over time. She witnesses people her age also going through similar struggles and we get to view her thoughts and opinions and sometimes even fears. I thought that the book was a bit slow towards the beginning but once it picked up the pace it was super exciting and emotional. (Due to the fact this is based on a true story). I would recommend this book to those who really enjoy reading about black history and especially the hardships and what it took in order to get to the way things are now. Be wary that this is about the murder of a young boy named Emmet Till and this incident actually happened and isn’t fictional.

-I.D.

Width of the World

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Vega and her friends find themselves in True being chased by two maladons to get to safety but the adventure isn’t over. They find secrets and worse enemies than they could ever imagine. They make new friends and find old friends once lost. The Width of the World is an overall good book. I recommend it for anyone who wants a fiction book about adventures.

-Z.C.

Vampires on the Run

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Quinnie Boyd is once again faced with the possibility of solving a mystery. Her friend, Ella, has just welcomed her long-time family friends, to whom she refers as aunt and uncle, to her Maiden Rock, Maine home.  Aunt Ceil and Uncle Edgar Waterman are famous authors of the best seller Transylvanian Drip, the latest installment in their vampire novel series. This sleepy Maine town is excited to be hosting the famous vampire writers. Eccentric barely describes the looks and behaviors of the duo. Meanwhile another pair of odd individuals come to town for a fishing vacation and a new family with a teenage son relocates to Maiden Rock. Quinnie quickly makes friends with Dominic, the new kid, and the two of them become almost inseparable. They begin to notice mysterious occurrences that appear to be linked to Ella’s aunt and uncle.  In an attempt to prove Ceil and Edgar are real vampires, Quinnie and her friends discover another secret that threatens the safety of the citizens and visitors of Maiden Rock. A quirky story, this book will leave readers looking forward to the next Quinnie Boyd Mystery release.

Yours Truly

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Truly Lovejoy is back in this second installment of the Pumpkin Falls Mystery series. Readers do not need to have read book one, Absolutely Truly, in order to follow the storyline of this book.  The author references elements of book one, but provides context so book one details do not detract from this story. In the second book, Truly learns about her namesake and the history of the house she now calls home in Pumpkin Falls, New Hampshire. As the story develops, there are multiple mysteries that interconnect to reveal the rich history of the area and the founders of the town. Truly and her friends call themselves the Pumpkin Falls Private Eyes, and they work together to crack a maple syrup crime and settle a town feud. Along the way, Truly also investigates her family’s history, uncovering a local connection to the underground railroad and uses her quick wit to find her younger sister when she goes missing. With a complex mystery to solve, historically accurate details, and engaging and realistic family and friendship complications, this book will be a winner with mystery, historical, and realistic fiction readers.   

Bubonic Panic: When Plague Invaded America

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The book explained the Bubonic Plague, and how it happened really well. The author really went in depth on how the plague affected the world, how the rats had spread the disease, and how the scientists figured out how to deal with it.

The writing style the author had used was really interesting, one thing that confused me was the time jumps. The author skipped to different times in the book. It took me a while to figure out why I kept getting lost. So I had to go back and re-read some of the parts in the book, but I eventually figured it out. If you like science and/or history this book is definitely for you. Watch out for the time jumps though.

Z.S.

The Enemy Above: A novel of World War II

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It started as rumors that the Nazis were coming ,until the gunfire got louder and closer. On the run, being chased and hunted to be killed or captured after have to flee from their home. All for being born Jewish. What first caught my eye looking through the pile of books was the book cover. When I read the summary it sounded like a action packed story which is why I chose it. One thing I loved about the book was when it got into the action it was really good and every big moment connected to the others very well. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes books with real life facts in it but also somewhat fiction in the book.

W.G.

The Scourge

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Ani Mells falls from one small problem into an entirely different, huge problem.  After falling from a tree, she is taken into custody to be tested for The Scourge – the fatal and incurable disease sweeping through the land. Her best friend, Weevil, seeing her capture finds a way to join Ani.  Together they find themselves in a holding cell, waiting to be tested. Not new to close scrapes, the two escape. Unfortunately Ani is recaptured, tests positive, and is sent away to finish her days with other Scourge victims. Ani doesn’t know how to be a compliant, docile captive and Weevil finds a way to join Ani in captivity. Together, they plan to escape, disease and captivity.  During their time in the isolated Scourge colony, they begin to piece together the mystery of the disease, the care and the treachery of Governor Felling and the lengths to which she will go to remain in power.  Ani, a natural leader, along with Weevil, plot to unite the colonist and foil the Governor’s plan. The story is action packed and readers won’t want to put it down. Another hit by Jennifer A. Nielson.

The Gathering

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Five kids, living in different parts of the country, who do not know each other, are each drawn to Larkspur House.  For Poppy, who is at an orphanage, Larkspur is a connection to her past.  To Marcus, Larkspur is an opportunity to study music, unhampered by his family. To Azumi, it represents distance from a family tragedy. To Dylan and Dash, the Hollywood twins, it is another chance to star in a movie. Whatever the pretense, each child makes his/her way to Larkspur where nothing is as it seems and nothing is as promised.  Broken promises yield to Larkspur’s dark past and the kids must band together to survive the hauntings of Shadow House. Kids who are looking for a thrill will like this book. Complete with the Shadow House app, available for free download, kids will enter the haunted world through the written word and augmented reality software.

The Skeleth

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An epic tie into the Nethergrim, bringing Matthew Jobin into an even brighter light than before. As Edmund, Katherine, and Tom very narrowly escape the clasping jaws of the Nethergrim, a new danger emerges from the shadows; The Skeleth. Taking over any and all control of their victim, the Skeleth turns the man inside into a ruthless killer. Bus as Edmund searches for an answer, the Skeleth draw newer , supposedly led by a new king. The action and adventure is the perfect amount, making the reader sit on the edge of their seat, wanting so much more. Those who seek for adventure and mystery will thoroughly enjoy The Skeleth.

M.C.

First Class Murder

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Journey back in time to Europe in the 1930’s and take a train ride on the Orient Express.  Our heroines, Hazel Wong and Daisy Wells, just finished school term and are taking a journey with Hazel’s father. They have been given strict instructions to avoid detecting. This is something they cannot do when a mystery lands in their laps. In order to find a murderer and a spy, they must employ their deductive reasoning skills once again even at the risk of upsetting Hazel’s father and placing themselves in danger. The title can stand alone or may be read in order with the other books in the Wells and Wong Mystery series. A recommended read for who-done-it enthusiasts.

Unidentified Suburban Object

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The title invoked a colorful mix between science fiction and everyday life. The blurb addressed “not fitting in”, a concern for many middle schoolers and diversity in a small town.

The plot focuses on Chloe Cho who despite being extremely successful in everything she does is frustrated because she has no one to talk with about her cultural background. She is the only Korean girl in town, and her parents don’t talk about their heritage, so when a new teacher, also Korean, arrives, Chloe is anxious to learn from her. However, the plot twist comes when Chloe soon discovers more about her family than she ever wanted to know. Chloe struggles with the new knowledge and her status as “the best” at everything also suffers. In the end, Chloe has to come to terms with who she is and what it means to “fit in”.

The reader initially sympathizes with Chloe as a girl who is just trying to learn more about her background. However, through the plot twist, Chloe becomes harder to like, as her narrative becomes completely selfish. The reader starts to side with her parents. The plot twist does keep you on your toes, and Chloe’s reactions are normal for a teenager, it just would have been a more enjoyable read if Chloe had been a little more relatable.

If you enjoy realistic fiction with a science fiction twist, then Unidentified Suburban Object is the book for you!

S.H.

Some Kind of Happiness

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 “Some Kind Of Happiness“ written by Claire Legrand is story about young girl’s real life mixed with mystery and fantasy, who tried to struggle with her anxiety and overwhelmingly difficult days all by herself, keeping her secret only in the notebook through imaginary stories.

      The book is best summed up in author’s pre-words/preview:

                            “If you are afraid, sad, tired, or lonely

                                  if you feel lost or strange

                          If you crave stories and adventure,

                       And the magic possibility of a forest path —

                                    this book is for you.“

   Finley, 11 year old girl, who has been sent to her unknown grandparents’ house (Hart’s House “enormous and white, the largest house I ever seen in real life…”), from her father’s side for the whole summer, until Finley’s mom and dad can solve their relationship problems.  This little girl tried to escape reality through her imagined tales, which helped her deal with real life problems, like dealing with her previously unknown cousins or her weird neighbors ( children of Bailey’s family ), who go on to become her best friends.  Through her stories, she creates an imaginary kingdom of Everwood – “towering green place full of sunlight”, where she pretends to be “an orphaned girl”, while everyone else had their own roles in the story.  Meanwhile she tries to uncover an old secret , why her father’s family got separated.  Her imaginary game ends up uniting the feuding families after years of avoiding each other.  This feud inspired her to seek out, what caused the falling out between these families ( Hart’s and Bailey’s ), which heavily involves her father.

This book spans three generations of her family, showing that family secrets can become huge issues, even between the closest family members.  But even with all the issues within the families, the children still love and cherish their parents, no matter their flaws.

In my opinion this story is very informative and educational to the young readers for several reasons.  Firstly, it shows how the reader can organize all their thoughts .  Secondly, it introduces interesting words in a way that sticks with the reader, expanding their vocabulary in the process ( “ … one of my favorite words, a nine-letter word for “slow, heavy, rhythmic” : ponderous.” ). Thirdly, it encourages the young readers to use their imagination to create fun and adventurous games in real life.

Reading as an adult, it was interesting to see the world through 11 year old Finley’s eyes, especially the way she sees adults in her life, bringing me back to my own childhood and various games we used to play. It was fun.

I would highly recommend this book for young readers (middle school age) as well, as for adults.  This book manages to be both relaxing and breathtaking at the same time, gripping the reader with its mysteries and memorable plot . I really enjoyed this book.

M.M.