Author Archives: Midge Livingston

I am John Lewis

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By Brad Meltzer, Illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos

In another wonderful addition to the Ordinary People Change the World biographical series, Brad Meltzer has done an excellent job writing about yet another impactful person in history. Not only is this title an introduction to John Lewis. It also introduces the Civil Rights Movement in a way that is colorful and visually appealing to young audiences. Meltzer touches on others in the movement such as Martin Luther King, Jr as well as important events in Civil Rights history. Also included are historical images and a timeline.

This is a book in a must have series for libraries that shows grit and determination.

Zara’s Rules for Living Your Best Life

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By Hena Khan, Wastana Haikal – Illustrator

Zara, a young Muslim American, is looking forward to spring break while she organizes activities with her best friend for the neighborhood kids. When everything is coming together she finds out her friend, Naomi, is going to be at Hebrew Camp for the entire week. Then she finds out that she will be staying at her grandparents home with her brother Zayd every day as her parents have to work. While she is disappointed to not be spending time with friends she is still excited to spend time with her grandparents. Zara is determined to have an adventuresome and fun week only to find that Naano (grandma) is trying to make games out of doing chores and Nana Abu (grandpa) only wants to doze on the couch. Will the week be disappointing and boring? or will Zara find a way to make sure her grandparents are living their best lives and have fun the whole week?

This is a very heartwarming diverse book that many older elementary readers will enjoy. It is recommended for purchase as it is a book with humor and diversity.

Baby Badger

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By Hannah Shaw

Animal Advocate, Hannah Shaw, has written 4 books in the series “Adventures in Fosterland”. This title is book three and book five will be released Spring 2024. Baby Badger is a newborn kitten that has been abandoned by his mother during a winter storm. When he is about to die he is saved and brought to Fosterland where he fights to survive in an incubator. As he is becoming healthier, a pregnant cat, Mamma Mia, comes to Fosterland as well. Badger soon finds that being alone is not something that he has to endure. This heartfelt story of survival and the true meaning of family is recommended for elementary school age readers. Cat lovers in particular will enjoy this story of perseverance and acceptance.

This is book 3 in a 4 book (soon to be 5) series that is a great introduction to animal rescue groups for emerging readers. As I have not read the other books in the series, I cannot say if they are all as enjoyable as this one but after reading this one, this librarian plans on purchasing the others for her library!

Happy Holidays! Juneteenth

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By Rebecca Sabelko

Juneteenth is a new and important holiday in our country. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are bright and welcoming. Each page has one to three simple sentences. There are many illustrations emphasizing celebrating as a community and as a family. Basic history of Juneteenth is also explained. This book would be a good purchase as there are few school library books focusing on this holiday. It is also extremely simplified and allows for readers to get the basic information they need in order to broaden understanding and appreciation in the future. It is highly recommended for libraries as there are not many titles published about this holiday as of yet.

The Blastoff! Beginners Happy Holidays! series contains informational chapters including but not limited to: simple information about what individuals do for the holiday, when the holiday is and what it is about, the importance of the holiday and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms and definitions that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades Pre-K to 3rd. They are at “Level 1″ which offers early readers information through simplified sentences for better understanding.

Happy Holidays! Saint Patrick’s Day

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By Betsy Rathburn

Saint Patrick’s Day is a fun holiday with a long history. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are bright and welcoming. Each page has one to three simple sentences. There are many illustrations emphasizing celebrating as a community and as a family. Basic history of Saint Patrick’s Day and Saint Patrick himself are also explained. This book would be a good purchase as there are few school library books focusing on this holiday. It is also extremely simplified and allows for readers to get the basic information they need in order to broaden understanding and appreciation in the future. It is recommended for libraries where there is a need for lower reading level books about holidays such as this one.

The Blastoff! Beginners Happy Holidays! series contains informational chapters including but not limited to: simple information about what individuals do for the holiday, when the holiday is and what it is about, the importance of the holiday and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms and definitions that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades Pre-K to 3rd. They are at “Level 1″ which offers early readers information through simplified sentences for better understanding.

Happy Holidays! Veteran’s Day

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By Betsy Rathburn

Veteran’s day is an important holiday in January for our country. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are bright and welcoming. Each page has one to three simple sentences. There are many illustrations emphasizing celebrating as a community and as a family. Basic history of the Veteran’s Day is also explained. There are many titles focusing on this holiday and thus, it is recommended as an extra purchase unless your school is limited on the amount of books on this topic at a lower reading level. It is also extremely simplified and allows for readers to get the basic information they need in order to broaden understanding and appreciation in the future. It is recommended for libraries where there is a need for lower reading level books about holidays such as this one.

The Blastoff! Beginners Happy Holidays! series contains informational chapters including but not limited to: simple information about what individuals do for the holiday, when the holiday is and what it is about, the importance of the holiday and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms and definitions that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades Pre-K to 3rd. They are at “Level 1″ which offers early readers information through simplified sentences for better understanding.

Happy Holidays! Eid al-Fitr

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By Rebecca Sabelko

Eid al-Fitr is a Muslim holiday celebrating the end of the month of Ramadan. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are bright and welcoming. Each page has one to three simple sentences. There are many illustrations emphasizing celebrating as a community and as a family. I appreciate the diversity that is represented in the images. How this holiday is celebrated is simply explained. This book would be a good purchase as there are few school library books focusing on this holiday. It is also extremely simplified and allows for readers to get the basic information they need in order to broaden understanding and acceptance as the grow older. It is recommended for libraries where there is a need for lower reading level books about holidays such as this one.

The Blastoff! Beginners Happy Holidays! series contains informational chapters including but not limited to: simple information about what individuals do for the holiday, when the holiday is and what it is about, the importance of the holiday and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms and definitions that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades Pre-K to 3rd. They are at “Level 1″ which offers early readers information through simplified sentences for better understanding.

Happy Holidays! Independence Day

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By Rebecca Sabelko

Independence Day (The Fourth of July) is an important summer holiday in our country. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are bright and welcoming. Each page has one to three simple sentences. There are many illustrations emphasizing celebrating as a community and as a family. Basic history of the Fourth of July is also explained. This book would be a good purchase as there are few school library books focusing on this holiday. It is also extremely simplified and allows for readers to get the basic information they need in order to broaden understanding and appreciation in the future. It is recommended for libraries where there is a need for lower reading level books about holidays such as this one.

The Blastoff! Beginners Happy Holidays! series contains informational chapters including but not limited to: simple information about what individuals do for the holiday, when the holiday is and what it is about, the importance of the holiday and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms and definitions that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades Pre-K to 3rd. They are at “Level 1″ which offers early readers information through simplified sentences for better understanding.

Happy Holidays! Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

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By Betsy Rathburn

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an important holiday in our country. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are bright and welcoming. Each page has one to three simple sentences. What I appreciated about this title is that there are many illustrations representing a diverse population. This book encourages readers to volunteer time to support others. It also emphasizes the importance of treating all people equally. This book would be a good supplement to support the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday as it is extremely simplified and allows for readers to get the basic information they need in order to broaden understanding and appreciation in the future. It is recommended for libraries where there is a need for lower reading level books about holidays such as this one.

The Blastoff! Beginners Happy Holidays! series contains informational chapters including but not limited to: simple information about what individuals do for the holiday, when the holiday is and what it is about, the importance of the holiday and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms and definitions that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades Pre-K to 3rd. They are at “Level 1″ which offers early readers information through simplified sentences for better understanding.

When Impossible Happens

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by Jane De Suza

A girl in an apartment looking up at the moon.

During the pandemic lockdown, Swara, a nine year old girl living in India, has lost her beloved grandmother to the COVID virus. Being in denial of her loss, she begins investigating the disappearance of her grandmother from her apartment window only to stumble upon a neighborhood mystery just below her. With the help and support of other children in her building that also find themselves locked in their apartments, Swara attempts to solve the question of what men are doing across the street in the clothing shops. Within the story are many reminders of the pandemic experience that readers can make a connection with such as: not being able to see family and friends, being detained in your own home, the possibility of parents losing their jobs, and the threat of not being able to pay rent, the loss of loved ones without an opportunity to have closure and say goodbye. This poignant mystery can be a wonderful addition to any library that may be in need of more multicultural/international chapter books. It also is one of what can soon be many books about the COVID lockdown experience for a child. Because the story is based in another country, there are times where young readers may not understand some cultural differences and yet, these differences may promote questions and more acceptance.

Finding My Dance

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Ria Thundercloud, Writer, Kalila J. Fuller Illustrator

At 4 years old, our author was brought into the powwow circle to dance with her tribe and family. Even though Ria had incredible drive and talent, she felt like an outsider in dance classes as she was always the only indigenous performer. This biographical picture book is one that shows what ambition and determination can achieve. The bold and beautiful artwork will be an eye catcher for many. It is a wonderful book for elementary library that allows for indigenous readers to see themselves in a book. The author, Ria Thundercloud is now a professional dancer who has performed all around the world but always returns to her homelands. I would highly recommend this book for libraries as it celebrates Native Americans and shows culture for all.

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

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A. F. Steadman

This fantasy for 4th – 8th graders is a wonderful addition to any library. In a world where children dream of living on a secretive island of wild unicorns, Skandar’s only wish is to pass the Hatchery exam and leave to mainland and become a unicorn rider. His hopes and dreams are dashed when he is not allowed to take the test. In the middle of the night he is whisked away to sneak onto the island in search of the unicorn he knows he is destined to ride. Book one of the Skandar series is everything a lover of Harry Potter or Percy Jackson would want in a fantasy novel. A child that is denied opportunities only to get them, aggressive, violent and fantastical unicorns with elemental powers, an evil archenemy with a surprising past and all the sneaking around and mystery solving a reader would want. I was pleasantly surprised by this title and would highly recommend it for any fantasy lover at any age.

Snoopy Soars to Space

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By Charles Schulz et al.

This compilation of original and new Peanuts comics would be a nice addition to any library. Comics consist of “The Beagle Has Landed, Charlie Brown!”, “Plane and Simple”, “Food for Thought”, Have Dish Will Travel”, and Charlie Brown’s Star”. All the gang are here. It is a nice introduction to a classic that some students may have never known. This book is recommended as an extra purchase.

Figgy & Boone: The Big Cheese

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By Janee Trasler

This whimsical emerging reader graphic novel is a great starter book to interest children. Figgy and Boone are two very hungry mice who are missing cheese when a large wheel of cheese flies off of a truck right in front of them. The graphic novel has a brief explanation on how to read graphics/comics. It also is a great introduction to chapters as it has 3 short ones. The bright colors and strong lines will appeal to many. I would recommend this book for emerging readers.

Bookstore Bunnies

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by Eric Seltzer, Illustrated by Tom Disbury

This is a well illustrated emerging reader book about bunnies who run a bookstore and the customers they have that request different books. They run from area to area in search of the best book for their clients. Like a library, they have story hour where everyone loves the read aloud.This book contains short sentences on pages for emerging readers. The illustrations are detailed and allow for finding more on the page as it is read again and again. I would recommend this book for preschool to 1st grade.

In Honor of Broken Things

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By Paul Acampora

Three middle school students from differing backgrounds become friends when they are seated together in pottery class. All have recently experienced a traumatic event in their lives: a sister’s death due to Cancer, a drastic move from the big city to a very small town and leaving the homeschool life to be in public school where everything is different and unknown. All are feeling like the broken pottery they have seen/experienced in their class but find solace from each other. Will they come to realize that it is okay when some things stay broken? This wonderful middle level book is appropriate for 5th through 8th grades but could also be recommended for more mature readers at a younger age who may be experiencing trauma and could relate to the characters.

Countries of the World: Russia

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By Rebecca Sabelko

Russia covers basic information of the country. It has appealing images and maps as well as words in bold that correlate to a Glossary at the end of the book. Readers will be interested in the unique animals of the expansive Russian country as well as some of the exotic items the people eat including: kasha, pirozhki, and borscht. This book is recommended for any library where students at a young age do country research or for English language learners.

The Blastoff! Readers Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: All about the country, land and animals, life for the people, and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 1-3. They are at “Level 2 which offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied sentences, increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”

Countries of the World: Mexico

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By Monika Davies

Mexico covers basic information of the country. It has appealing images and maps as well as words in bold that correlate to a Glossary at the end of the book. Readers will be interested in the unique animals of Mexico as well as some of the exotic items the people eat including: pozole, chilaquiles, and dulce de leche. This book is recommended for any library where students at a young age do country research or for English language learners.

The Blastoff! Readers Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: All about the country, land and animals, life for the people, and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 1-3. They are at “Level 2 which offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied sentences, increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”

Countries of the World: Japan

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By Rebecca Sabelko

Japan covers basic information of the country. It has appealing images and maps as well as words in bold that correlate to a Glossary at the end of the book. Readers will be interested in the unique animals of the Japanese Islands as well as some of the exotic items the people eat including: miso soup, sushi and sashimi. This book is recommended for any library where students at a young age do country research or for English language learners.

The Blastoff! Readers Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: All about the country, land and animals, life for the people, and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 1-3. They are at “Level 2 which offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied sentences, increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”

Countries of the World: Italy

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By Rebecca Sabelko

Italy covers basic information of the country. It has appealing images and maps as well as words in bold that correlate to a Glossary at the end of the book. Readers will be interested in the unique weather of the Italian peninsula as well as some of the exotic items the people eat including: risotto, salsa al pomodoro and delicious gelato. This book is recommended for any library where students at a young age do country research or for English language learners.

The Blastoff! Readers Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: All about the country, land and animals, life for the people, and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 1-3. They are at “Level 2 which offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied sentences, increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”

Countries of the World: Iraq

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By Rebecca Sabelko

Iraq covers basic information of the country. It has appealing images and maps as well as words in bold that correlate to a Glossary at the end of the book. Readers will be interested in the unique animals of Iraq such as: the Arabian horned viper and the sand cat as well as some of the exotic foods the people eat including: quzi, khubz and dates. This book is recommended for any library where students at a young age do country research or for English language learners.

The Blastoff! Readers Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: All about the country, land and animals, life for the people, and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 1-3. They are at “Level 2 which offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied sentences, increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”

Countries of the World: India

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By Monika Davies

India covers basic information of the country. It has appealing images and maps as well as words in bold that correlate to a Glossary at the end of the book. Readers will be interested in the unique animals of the Indian sub-continent as well as some of the exotic items the people eat including: chapati, dal and biryani. This book is recommended for any library where students at a young age do country research or for English language learners.

The Blastoff! Readers Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: All about the country, land and animals, life for the people, and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 1-3. They are at “Level 2 which offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied sentences, increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”

Countries of the World: France

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By Rebecca Sabelko

France covers basic information of the country. It has appealing images and maps as well as words in bold that correlate to a Glossary at the end of the book. Readers will be interested in the unique animals of France including: the Genet and the Egyptian Vulture as well as some of the exotic items the people eat including: croissants, crepes and bouillabaisse. This book is recommended for any library where students at a young age do country research or for English language learners.

The Blastoff! Readers Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: All about the country, land and animals, life for the people, and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 1-3. They are at “Level 2 which offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied sentences, increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”

Countries of the World: England

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By Monika Davies

England covers basic information of the country. It has appealing images and maps as well as words in bold that correlate to a Glossary at the end of the book. Readers will be interested in the unique animals of the British Isles as well as some of the exotic items the people eat including: Bangers and mash, fish and chips and biscuits served with tea. This book is recommended for any library where students at a young age do country research or for English language learners.

The Blastoff! Readers Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: All about the country, land and animals, life for the people, and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 1-3. They are at “Level 2 which offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied sentences, increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”

Countries of the World: China

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By Monika Davies

China covers basic information of the country. It has appealing images and maps as well as words in bold that correlate to a Glossary at the end of the book. Readers will be interested in the unique animals of the Asian continent, favorite sports like: table tennis and Tai Chi, as well as some of the exotic items the people eat including: Sichuan pork, Peking duck and dumplings. This book is recommended for any library where students at a young age do country research or for English language learners.

The Blastoff! Readers Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: All about the country, land and animals, life for the people, and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 1-3. They are at “Level 2 which offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied sentences, increased text load, and test-supportive special features.