The Ship in the Window is written by Travis Jonker, author of 100 Scope Notes a School Library Journal blog, and illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell. This book gorgeously tells the story of a three character, a man, a child and a mouse and how although they are three separate strands, they are connected, just like a roped, twisted together and much stronger that way. The man creating a beloved model ship, covets his model and puts such care in it. He clearly wants the child to also love the ship, but isn’t ready to have the child help with the special project. Any grown up can relate to this as you work so hard on something and want your child to love it as well, but don’t feel like they are ready to partake in creating it to your standard yet. The mouse watches it all from a distance. And then, one night, the mouse dares to take the ship out to sea. The mouse, now the captain of the ship, sails until dawn when he is discovered by and angry man and shocked child. Slowly joy takes over both the man and the child as they see the ship doing what it is meant to do. Until….tragedy! The story comes to a magnificent and compassionate ending and you discover this book is really about how we react in hard situations, its how we move forward that matters the most. And this man, child, and mouse, choose to move forward together. Finally seeing that there is love and power in connection and creating things, like the ship, together.

This book is important to both grown ups and children! The illustrations add to the simple, yet strong text and make it even more profound. Every time you flip through the story you will find something else to look at in the drawings. Every person should at least read it twice.

I highly recommend this beautiful book and think it belongs in every school.

Enlightenment is Sachi Ediriweera’s passion project — a vision of Prince Siddartha’s life as Ediriweera’s heart and mind piece together his lessons in the faith. First, the artwork is phenomenal. The calming watery blue and earthy tan color choices keep the tone calm and grounded, reflecting the subject matter well. Siddartha’s anguish in discovering what is necessary to “search for life’s truths”, and contemplating the necessities of life while struggling with human bodies and minds, is illustrated in facial expressions and other imagery just as powerfully as in the word choices of the author. “Desire and suffering” feed each other, but they are not the focus. Teens who ask powerful questions about the “why” of this life we live will enjoy watching Ediriweera’s vision of Siddartha bloom into the Gautama Buddha. Character development sketches at the very end are a bonus look into Ediriweera’s technical skill as an artist. It is a recommended fictionalization of what might have been back in 500 BC.

Cerulean, erroneously called Sara by the English teacher Cerulean hates, is struggling with their place in the confines of high school. While they know they are smart and have strong friendships, including a doting partner, Cerulean doesn’t feel as successful because so much of what is success in young adulthood involves how well one does in school. The story told in verse jumps between present and past experiences as well as between the voices of those in Cerulean’s sphere of influence. After an explosion that nearly kills their father, Cerulean must escape, even if it means leaving behind everyone who loves and has been influenced by their spirit. Cerulean is a character you cheer for, and they will find their happiness just around the next page. When Curulean purposefully disappears, some readers could praise the character for finally putting themself first, walking away from a situation they had little control over to forge a new path. Other readers will be frustrated that they left behind so many people who love them. But just like the sourdough starter found in the very back of a forgotten refrigerator of moldy items, Cerulean is still alive, out there somewhere, for her younger sister to find.