We talk about books being both mirrors to reflect our own experiences, as well as windows to show us a world beyond our own experiences. This book has the potential to serve as both for many children. On the one hand, it offers a glimpse of Armenian language and traditions to students who may not be familiar with this culture (or a mirror to those who come from this background). As a story about a young girl celebrating family run-washing day as her favorite day of the year, it simultaneously gives readers the opportunity to reflect on their own family chores that can be turned into fun. I really like when a book serves as both window and mirror, because it helps young readers find connection with those that may at first seem different and unfamiliar. The world needs us all to be able to find more connection.
Category Archives: Reviewer’s Library Type
Izzy’s Dog Days of Summer
written by Caroline Adderson
Izzy and Zoe are so excited to go to summer camp until they realize two things: it’s awful (partly because Izzy drew big black eyebrows on her face with permanent marker) and you don’t even camp out overnight! So, Izzy and Zoe plan their own week of summer camp in Izzy’s backyard under the watchful eye of Izzy’s nanny, Rosa. They have so much fun and are so loud (partly because of Rollo, Izzy’s excited dog) that the neighbor, Mr. Entwistle, is even grumpier than usual on his side of the fence.
Camp gets less fun when Zoe gets sick and can’t come over. Then, Izzy’s mom tells Izzy about Mr. Entwistle’s late wife, Maevis. Izzy realizes that Mr. Entwistle might just be lonely and she invites him to her backyard summer camp. He comes over for lunch and they get along so well that she goes to his house while Rosa is getting her hair done. Well, excitement ensues when Rollo knocks the bathroom door shut and it locks Izzy and Rollo inside. Mr. Entwistle calls 911 and the friendly firemen (who all know Izzy) get her out of the bathroom, which makes for the most excitement that Mr. Entwistle has had in a very long time. All this excitement (and more) leads to a wonderful friendship between Mr. Entwistle (Isodor) and Izzy (Why, they are almost twins with those names!).
This lovely, accessible chapter book is brimming with fun and energy. While there is a moment of reflection when Izzy learns why Mr. Entwistle is so grumpy and sad (done in a very respectful and gently way), the overall tone is humorous and light. The black and white illustrations on nearly every two page spread add to the accessibility of the story. Give this book to your early readers. They will love it!
Grumbones by Jenn Bennett
Driven by a desire to ensure that her beloved late grandmother, Babi, is truly at peace, 6th grader Helena Novak has been leaving gifts at Babi’s grave in the hopes of luring her spirit back to the world of the living. While investigating the sudden disappearance of these gifts, Helena and best friend Ben discover a passage which plunges them into an eerie and extensive underworld full of creepy forests and shady characters. Helena and Ben’s presence in the underworld is perilous (getting lost is not an option!) and even with their new found guide, Grumbones, they are ill at ease, but determined to find Babi.
Bennett creates a palpable, powerful, and fantastical sense of place in this story; the underworld is truly an enticingly and fascinatingly weird and wonderful realm. Readers will be on the edge of their seats as Helena and Ben journey through the underworld and will be mesmerized by the equally mysterious and suspicious Grumbones. And while the chilling and eerie aspects of the underworld will initially hook middle school readers, Helena’s love and care for Babi and her steadfast friendship with Ben, will resonate with readers long after the last page. A perfect paranormal fantasy with plenty of intrigue and heartfelt feeling.
Dear Brother by Alison McGhee (Author) & Tuan Nini (Illustrator)
In a series of super relatable and laugh out loud funny letters steeped in sarcasm, Sister makes her case for being America’s Overlooked Sibling. She uses her family photo album as evidence: Brother is always front and center, the smiling, shining star, while Sister (to her most expressive displeasure), is relegated to the background. As America’s Overlooked Sibling, Sister does all the work while Brother receives (and laps up!) all the praise and accolades. When Brother goes to music camp, Sister has to take care of Brother’s bearded dragon, Frightful, the pet that’s about as far from the dog she wanted as possible. Initially outraged, Sister surprises herself by actually enjoying her bearded dragon pet sitting duties and when Brother returns, there a heartfelt and uplifting shift takes place between the siblings.
McGhee’s hilarious, sincere exploration of the complex relationship of this Sister-Brother pair is delightful and deeply relatable. The illustrations are incredibly expressive and pair perfectly with Sister’s case for being America’s Overlooked Sibling. Dear Brother makes for a fun and funny romp of a read for all middle schoolers with siblings.
Code Red by Joy McCullough
After an injury brings her gymnastics career to an abrupt end, Eden (13) is feeling lost – that is, until a school suspension alongside her classmate and friend Maribel, results in the discovery of an impassioned, innovative, and generous community that includes Maribel and her family, Will, a trans boy, and his mom, Raven. As Eden learns about poverty, inequity, and many women’s lack of access to menstruation products, she unearths a passion for helping people as well as a knack for sewing that she uses to sew reusable cloth menstrual pads that are freely distributed by the small nonprofit Raven runs. As Eden finds her passion, purpose, and explores period related aspects of social justice, however, her relationship with her mother, Heather, a super successful business woman who makes menstruation products for profit, becomes increasingly strained.
Readers will root for Eden as she navigates shifting perspectives and priorities with nuance and authenticity and will feel empowered by this thought-provoking and inspiring storyline centering on the hardships and rewards of taking thoughtful and empathic action. McCullough skillfully touches upon complex issues of poverty, inequity, mother-daughter relationships, middle school friendships, and social justice through well rounded, highly likable characters in moving and relatable ways, offering readers a powerful narrative of resilience and determination. Often funny and hugely heartfelt, Code Red is a highly recommended and timely read for all middle school audiences.
Countries of the World: Ukraine
By Monika Davies
Ukraine 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 geographical features including the Dnieper River as well as some of the exotic animals of the country: gray wolves, steppe polecats and wood grouse. It shows the vibrancy of life in the country as wells as popular sports: soccer, volleyball and swimming and favorite foods: borscht, holubtsi, and verguny. This book does not mention the war that is currently occurring in Ukraine and thus is general enough to be a basic resource in the library for many years. 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: Thailand
By Monika Davies
Thailand 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. Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the world and thus readers will be interested reading this book. There are unique geographical features including: the Chao Phraya River. Included is an explanation of the weather in Thailand well as some of the exotic animals of the country: clouded leopard, Asian elephant, and the Irrawaddy dolphin. It shows the vibrancy of life in the country as wells as popular sports: Muay Thai, and swimming, and favorite foods: pad thai, som tam and kluai khaek. 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: South Sudan
By Monika Davies
South Sudan 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. At the publishing of this book, South Sudan is the youngest nation in the world as it became a country in 2011. Readers will be interested in the unique geographical features including: the White Nile River, the Boya Mountains and the Sudd of the South Sudanese country as well as some of the exotic animals of the country: African savanna elephants, shoebills, and Nile lechwe. It shows the vibrancy of life in the country as wells as popular sports: wrestling, basketball or soccer, and favorite foods: kisra asida and ful. 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: Peru
By Monika Davies
Peru 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 geographical features including: Rainbow Mountain, Atacama Desert and the Andes Mountains of the Peruvian country as well as some of the exotic animals of the country: humboldt penguins, scarlet macaws and black caimans. It shows the vibrancy of life in the country as wells as popular sports, and favorite foods. 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.”
Happy Holidays!: Cinco de Mayo
By Betsy Rathburn
Cinco de Mayo is a fun holiday celebrated yearly on May 5th. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are vibrant and colorful. Each page has one to three simple sentences. What I appreciated about this title is that there are many illustrations of this Mexican holiday that many others join in as well. This book explains the history behind the day and how a a battle was fought in Puebla, Mexico. It shows what students do in school to appreciate and better understand this celebration of Mexican heritage. This book would be a good supplement to support the variety of holidays celebrated 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.
Happy Holidays! Groundhog Day
By Rebecca Sabelko
Groundhog Day is a fun holiday that helps our country decide when the Spring season begins. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are vibrant and colorful. Each page has one to three simple sentences. What I appreciated about this title is that there are many illustrations of the official location of the event that happens on February 2nd. This book explains the history behind the day and how a groundhog is used to guess what the weather will be. It shows what students do in school to appreciate and better understand this celebration welcoming Spring. It introduces Phil, the famous groundhog who sees his shadow or not. This book would be a good supplement to support the variety of holidays celebrated 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.
Happy Holidays! Holi
By Betsy Rathburn
Holi is a little know holiday to the average American student. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are vibrant and colorful. Each page has one to three simple sentences. What I appreciated about this title is that there are many illustrations representing a diverse population at the age of the recommended readers. This book explains the history behind the day and where Holi is mostly celebrated in the world, when it is celebrated annually and why it is an important holiday. It shows what students do in school to appreciate and better understand this celebration welcoming Spring and how people celebrate using colored powder, bonfires and what is traditionally cooked. This book would be a good supplement to support the variety of holidays celebrated throughout the world 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.
Happy Holidays! Memorial Day
By Rebecca Sabelko
Memorial Day is recognized as a national holiday in all public schools. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are vibrant and colorful. Each page has one to three simple sentences. What I appreciated about this title is that there are many illustrations representing a diverse population at the age of the recommended readers. This book explains the history behind the day, when it is celebrated annually and why it is an important holiday. It shows what students do in school to appreciate and better understand this celebration honoring our fallen soldiers and what people do to commemorate the day. This book would be a good supplement to support the variety of holidays in the United States 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. Being that many of my students are children of active servicemen/women and veterans this book was a wonderful addition to my library. 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! Presidents’ Day
By Rebecca Sabelko
Presidents’ Day is a valuable and historical holiday in our country. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are vibrant and colorful. Each page has one to three simple sentences. What I appreciated about this title is that there are many illustrations representing a diverse population at the age of the recommended readers. This book explains the history behind the day, when it is celebrated annually and why it is celebrated in February. It shows what students do in school to appreciate and better understand this celebration of our past U.S. leaders and what people do to commemorate the day. This book would be a good supplement to support the variety of holidays in the United States 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.
Happy Holidays! Valentine’s Day
By Betsy Rathburn
Valentine’s Day is a fun holiday in our country. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are vibrant and colorful. 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 explains what children can do on this day. It gives the date the holiday is celebrated on annually and a basic history and what people do on the day to show others they love. This book would be a good supplement to support the variety of holidays in the United States 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.
The Shawnee
The Shawnee people are keeping their culture alive. The Shawnee originally lived in the Ohio Valley and today their reservations are in Oklahoma.
Sonneborn writes about the Shawnee’s contact with early Europeans. Sonneborn continues with their life today with their traditions seen especially during Pow Wows. The Shawnee are in a fight to keep their language alive. They have developed a language app and a website. This fight began during the days when native children where taken away to boarding schools.
The book ends with a glossary, index, and the child safe website – www.factsurfer.com where the official Shawnee websites are linked.
Submitted by Mary Pong
Can I Recycle This? : a kid’s guide to better recycling
It is about time a new children’s book with up-to-date information on recycling has been published! Jennie Romer explains what happens to the items we place in our recycling bins and promptly think we’ve done our part. Most paper, glass, metals, and #1 & #2 plastics are easily recycled because there are buyers for these materials. Other items may or may not be recyclable depending on the local area where a person lives and depending upon whether there is a buyer for the sorted out items.
Romer describes how the recycling is sorted with the help of Christie Young’s illustrations.
She goes onto to mention “wishcycling” – ” placing non-recyclable items into recycling bin because you hope they’ll windup getting recycled anyway. (Unfortunately, this doesn’t work!)” ( 37) I’m guilty of this.
And Romer finishes with everybody “can’t do all these things ( reducing, recycling and reusing) all the time. Try your best, and do what you can!”
Submitted by Mary Pong
The Welcome Home
By Amy June Bates
Mr. and Mrs. Gargleson-Bittle are happy in their beautiful home but feel that something is missing in their lives. Making waffles was satisfying for a short time but when they felt they needed more the menagerie started growing. First is was a snail named Gordon followed by Louise the elephant and Sam the aardvark and many more. Their home was no longer too quiet but something was still missing. Will they find their missing piece?
This is a well written and well illustrated book that will make readers smile and feel warm inside. It is highly recommended for PreK – 2nd grade.
Rover and Speck: Splash Down!
By Jonathan Roth
Rover and Speck are at it again in their second book “Splash Down”. These two are space explorers who travel the universe exploring uncharted planets. When they arrive on the water covered Planet K2-18b they find themselves in the mouth of a big blubbery beast. Will they be able to help their new friends find their brother who was swallowed by the beast? or will they end up drowning on the watery planet?
This graphic novel is part adventure story, part informational text. Within the story are wonderful and fun science facts that will have students interested in learning more. There are also fun activities at the end of the book for readers to enjoy. This book, as well as book one, “This Planet Rocks” are highly recommended!
Misfit Mansion
By Kay Davault
In a huge house full of horrors, Iris has never felt at home. Halloway, the man who saved her, protects them all from the outside world and the paranormal investigators who want to capture them by locking them into the mansion, never allowing them out. But what happens when someone finds the mansion and unlocks the door? What happens when one of the horrors finds their way to the town of Dead End Springs?
This is a wonderful graphic novel about friendship and resilience. The characters are rich and diverse. I highly recommend this book for all readers who enjoy graphic novels.
Penny & Pip
By Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann
When Penny goes on a field trip with her class she sees an egg hatch in the dinosaur wing of the Natural History Museum. As she enters another area she finds that a small dinosaur is following her. Pip is alone in the world and worried about Penny leaving without them. Together, the devise a plan to be together forever.
This book could be a nice introduction to seeing a museum. The illustrations are lovely and the characters are quite expressive. This would be a wonderful extra purchase if one had a little bit extra in their budget.
Beatrice and Barb
By Kate Jenks Landry, Illustrated by Vivian Mineker
More than anything, Beatrice wants a pet to cuddle, snuggle and take care of. After a long negotiation with her mom, they agree upon a plant. While Barb is not the most affectionate pet a girl can have, Beatrice does everything she can to take care of her plant. She begins to notice that Barb is not doing well and is beginning to look sick. What can Beatrice do to save her beloved pet?
I would highly recommend this well illustrated book that shows determination, dedication and love.
The Snow Man
By Jonah Winter, Illustrated by Jeanette Winter
This is the biography of billy barr (he chooses not to capitalize his name), a man who chose to live in the Rocky Mountains alone in the early 1970’s and continues to live there to this day. The author’s note at the end explains that billy become bored and thus started measuring and noting information about the first snowfall, snowpack and when certain animals and flowers returned to the mountains or came out of hibernation. His notebooks are still used when researching climate change and global warming.
I would highly recommend this book for elementary school. It is a wonderfully written and illustrated book that can be used extensively when recognizing climate change as well as a great example of the scientific method in action.
The Bravest Warrior in Nefaria
By Adi Alsaid
Bobert lives in the evil kingdom of Nefaria where everyone does what they can to keep evil “in check”. He lives a life where he feels that he is invisible. He is forgotten by all around him, even his parents. When he follows his classmates to a cursed gumball machine, he is sucked into an evil scheme created by Matt the evil wizard. Will Bobert finally be remembered by his classmates and found before the kingdom is taken over by Matt? Will Nefaria once again become a kingdom that is impervious to these evil schemes?
I found this book to be somewhat difficult to get in to as the storyline seemed difficult to understand at the beginning. The main character, Bobert, was difficult to get behind. If a reader enjoys quirky fantasy with underdog protagonists then they may enjoy this book.
A Wilderness of Stars
Shea Ernshaw’s A Wilderness of Stars brings multiple genres of adventure, romance, and sci-fi together as it starts off strong but finishes disjointed and rushed. Vega is from a line of “Astronomers”. When the stars are in alignment, she begins a journey to find the “Architect” and save the world. She meets a girl named Cricket who saves her from danger and brings her to the “Architect”. After the “Architect”‘s sudden death, the apprentice Noah replaces him and brings Vega to her final goal. This follows a traditional plotline that incorporates more serious topics of disease, poverty, and harsh environments that the author executes beautifully. However, the story falls flat with the climax and ending. The timing was inconsistent and the added science-fiction element created a disjointed flow—like a car jerking as it runs out of gas. And additional purchase for most libraries.
Kristine Ehlebracht for Kristi Bonds