Category Archives: Highly Recommend

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

Posted on by

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.

Acadia National Park

Posted on by

Christina Leaf takes on an impressive undertaking of providing elementary age readers with the who, what, where, when, and why of the Acadia National Park in 32 pages of color photos and text.

Leaf gives basic facts and visuals on Acadia National Park while not being a vacation travel advertisement. Acadia National Park was the 6th most visited national park in 2021.

Leaf includes: plants and animals (p 12-15), history of peoples in the area (p 16-21), how ice breaks down granite (p 8-9), top sites (p 22-23), and perhaps most importantly protecting the park (p24-27) from too many visitors and climate change.

Leaf also includes graphics of 6 Acadia National Park facts, food web, and a timeline (p28-29).

More information on the Acadia National Park can be gotten safely through Factsurfer.com..

Submitted for Annette McQueen by Mary Pong

Trapped in Terror Bay: Solving the Mystery of the Lost Franklin Expedition

Posted on by

Personal rule: a book that starts with a map is going to be great.  Trapped in Terror Bay is no exception to that rule, although it takes some skill and attention to navigate, much like the poor sailors on the lost Franklin expedition to the Arctic.  Written almost in the style of a choose-your-own-adventure, this non-fiction book puts the reader in the doomed shoes of Captain Francis Crozier, sailing through imagined accounts of events onboard the ship, tracking the voyage across the Atlantic, around Greenland and eventually into the maze of ice and islands between the North American continent and the North Pole.  As weather worsens, disease rampages, and nature triumphs over the technology of 1848, the reader explores this tragedy and its mystery in short, engaging chapters.

Within each chapter are subsections that include modern forensic research into the expedition, sidebars about characters, politics, nautical technology, and knowledge from the native peoples who have lived on the Arctic ice since time immemorial.

It took me a while for me to notice subtle changes in fonts, page color or border, or headings to denote these different sections, but once I did I read this like a textbook, skipping around to follow the parts I was interested in, then doubling back to read the sidebars that explained something in the main storyline.  With that in mind, this is a great book to teach some textbook reading skills. Readers will love the inevitable doom, perfectly captured by the author, the fascinating facts and insights into life in the mid-1800’s, and the modern quest to understand the events of the past.

Walter Had a Best Friend

Posted on by

Deborah Underwood, Author Sergio Ruzzier, Illustrator

Walter and Xavier are best friends until they meet Penelope. Soon, Walter no longer Is Xavier’s best friend. He is sad and lonely because his friendship is not the same now that Penelope is in the picture. He feels like there is a hole in his heart where Xavier used to be. Eventually, he decides that one sunny is going to be a good day. Walter goes out on his own to create his own adventure only to find that one can find friends in the most interesting places. This is a wonderful book about how friends come and go and that’s okay. I would highly recommend this picture book for elementary school.

Stories to Keep You Alive Despite Vampires

Posted on by

By Ben Acker

This is the next book you should read after you have read and enjoyed “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark”. As the reader you are being held captive in the house of vampires where you have found this book. Our narrator (and author) intertwines his story and experience with the vampires within the short stories written. The end has a great twist that will make you laugh. This collection of spooky short stories will be enjoyed by any student who likes to be scared and laugh about it. I would highly recommend this book for upper elementary and middle school students.

Los Mapas de la Memoria (The Maps of Memory)(Spanish version)

Posted on by

by Marjorie Agosin

This book is about the  deep history and woeful past of a city in Chile. It makes it an interesting book for readers who will learn about a culture that may be new to them. Celeste must find her friend Lucilia. She must also learn about her mother’s and father’s past. She’s upset that she got sent away to the states, but will get over it eventually. Until then,  everyone in the city is haunted by the past of what happened on the Esmeralda boat when the supposed enemies of the general were kidnapped. The author did a great job setting the plot and making it an eventful and interesting story. I liked Celeste’s  interest in finding her parents’ past on the Esmeralda boat and her growing interest in the boys. This book has the same soft illustrations throughout like the first book in the series does. There was nothing I disliked. It was a perfecto book! Overall I’d give this book a 5 out of 5.

Note: This book was originally read from the English edition.

Reviewed by 6th grader, Addison K.

Viví en el cerro Mariposa (I Lived on Butterfly Hill) (Spanish Edition)

Posted on by

by Marjorie Agosin

Celeste lives on Butterfly Hill in the Chilean city of Valparaiso. She loves her town and her family that live in this beautiful place – the only place she’s ever known. The government is in turmoil, the streets don’t feel safe, and her parents are unfortunately drawn in as they go to help people who need medical attention. Whether a reader knows anything about the history of Chili or not, the story of a young girl sent away from her home to find safety elsewhere will touch many readers. Celeste eventually finds herself sent to her aunt who lives in Massachusetts so she can be safe during the time of violence & changing regimes. She misses home and must learn to navigate in a new place and a new language. I loved the occasional soft illustrations that give the reader a glimpse into Celeste’s new life. I learned more than I ever had known before about Chile, its culture, and its history. This book won the Pura Belpre award & I feel it was much deserved. An immigrant story. A positive portrayal of a feisty Hispanic heroine. A gem of a book!

Note: I originally read this book in the English edition.

My Nest of Silence

Posted on by

by Matt Faulkner

In this book, while living in Manzanar Relocation Center in California,  Mari makes a vow of silence not to talk until her brother Mak returns from the military during WWII. She intends to keep this promise by compensating with her facial expressions and her art.  This  internment camp story will be of interest to those who want to learn how others were treated and how they dealt with events of life in the 1940s. I like the graphic novel sections for the telling of Mak contrasting to the full text sections from Mari’s point of view.  It makes it very interesting and easier to see the difference between the 2 main characters and what life was like IN the camp and during the war. I didn’t dislike much about this book, actually. I just dislike how the Japanese-Americans were treated back then. It was so unfair. The book will be a great read for people who are interested in historic events to learn how people had to live back then.

Reviewed by 6th grader, Addison K.

Freaks

Posted on by

by Brett Riley

This book is a great read for those who are in love with the supernatural. In this story, despite the bullying happening to them in high school, the four friends, the freaks, have to save their Arkansas town from a mysterious danger and bloodthirsty creatures. I like how the kids stick together throughout their hardships. I particularly love the character Christian’s personality. She doesn’t care about what other people think about her. She makes everything seem funny. There wasn’t much to dislike, but maybe there was not enough story on the monster’s side of things. There is some swearing in the book, so if a reader is offended by that, perhaps this wouldn’t be the book for them. Overall, I’d give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I really liked it!

Reviewed by 6th grader, Addison K.

Note: Book cover recommends 14 years and up. This student reviewer is often the student to let me know if the content is too mature for 6th graders, however, other than the swearing, the rest of the content did not bother her.

Operation Final Notice

Posted on by

by Matthew Landis

This is a good book for people who play an instrument or have money problems, or perhaps people who have had to play in front of an audience. Characters Ronny and Jo both have problems. Ronny’s family has bills marked “Final Notice” that cannot be ignored and Jo has an audition coming up and is feeling unprepared. They only have until January to take care  of these things – only 4 weeks away. Can they do it? The countdown is ticking!  The main character Jo plays a cello. She had to play in front of everyone and that made her nervous.. I play the violin and I know what it feels like to play in front of everyone. I liked this book since I can relate. I also know some people who have money problems like the other character named Ronny. I really like the characteristics and personality of the characters that are throughout the story. The dialogue sounds believable. I feel like something the author did well in this were the conflicts that are very relatable. I related to Jo mostly. These conflicts made me wonder what would happen next. Also  you could tell how nervous and desperate they both were. I didn’t really like the way it was kinda fast, though other people might like that . Overall, I’d give this book a 4 out of 5 stars and would recommend it to friends. 

Review by 6th grader, Victoria L.

SmART: Use your eyes to boost your brain, by Amy E. Herman with Heather Maclean

Posted on by

This non-fiction book is a guidebook of self-discovery and self-education to help the reader learn to stimulate their brain and get smarter. The strategy involves really learning to see the things around us, but particularly using famous works of art to learn to do this. The author does a nice job asking the reader to interact with each piece of art in the book, often multiple times, as the reader is encouraged to notice more and more interesting aspects of the art. By the end of the book, I found I was noticing more than I was at the beginning of the book. I also liked that by using these strategies, the reader might find these observational skills might help reduce stress since it refocuses the brain on something else, taking a break from whatever might be stressing them. The book is very interactive which I liked, but if a reader is more passive & chooses not to engage, they may not get as much out of the book. And that would be a shame. The message is powerful and the strategies work! This book should appeal to students who like art, but it can equally be enjoyed by someone who knows NOTHING about art.

The Edge of Being by James Brandon

Posted on by

Reviewed by OHS Library Secretary, Mikel D.L.

I read this book in record time. The author has a highly emotional, gripping writing style that made it hard to put down. There’s lots of internal struggle that Isaac is processing, having never had a dad in his life. He has always felt like half of himself is missing. The quest for his father and his slow breakup with his boyfriend have him on the edge of a breakdown, but surprising events (no spoiler!) change that trajectory. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy realistic fiction and stories about mental health. 

Generation Wonder: The New Age of Heroes by Bary Lyga

Posted on by

Attention all superhero fans! Award winner, writer of a New York Times Bestseller edits this story of heroes and superheroes in an anthology format with popular and diverse YA writers. If you want to fly, figuratively, this is the book to read. When is the last time you deliberately made mistakes or performed poorly to avoid the suspicion that would inevitably follow a perfect performance.  It’s here in the book for you!  Compelling graphics begin each new chapter.  If you are looking for an exciting “can’t put it down” book, this one’s for you.

Reviewed by: OHS Substitute, James D.

Gold!

Posted on by

David Shannon’s fabulous artwork illustrates this modern tale alluding to the folktale of King Midas. In Shannon’s version, young Maximilian Midas’s first word is gold, and his obsession leads him into unscrupulous ways in his efforts to acquire the shiny substance, from cheating on all his tests in school to accumulate gold stars to sabotaging the efforts of the lemonade stand competition. He spends all his earnings on gold until he has a mountain of it, topped with a castle with a gold fountain. When he takes to the idea of sprinkling gold dust on his breakfast cereal, he finds himself transformed into a gold statue, alone in his castle, forced to watched the joyful life going along outside his window without him. When he’s moved enough to shed the last tear he has within himself, it melts his statue self as well as his mountain, allowing him to return to his family and neighborhood a changed boy, ready to share his millions to make the world a better place because he’s learned that gold can’t make you feel as good as being nice. The rich humor of Shannon’s artwork and the silly rhyming text he uses to tell his story allows the message to be delivered without seeming overly pedantic.

P Is for Purr!

Posted on by

Following a classic alphabet book format, the rhyming text introduces 26 words and how they refer to cats, each accompanied by a related fun fact in standard prose. The illustrations will be what really draws the cat-lovers in: they absolutely adorable, sometimes silly, sometimes endearing, always the kind of cute that make you say, “Awwww…!” The simple text manages to pack in a lot of information, in small enough doses not to intimidate beginning readers.

Hippos Go Berserk!

Posted on by

It’s a redrawn, forty-fifth anniversary edition of Sandra Boynton’s first book, originally published in 1977. I don’t have the original drawings to compare, but this one certainly captures the classic Boynton style, with simple, colorful illustrations, full of personality. It’s a rhyming, counting book, first counting forward and then back, as one hippo calls two, and then further (ever growing) groups arrive for a party, then depart the next day. It invites the reader into math, wondering just how many hippos did party together, and the final line of the book provides the answer.

King Kong’s Cousin

Posted on by

Don’t we all have someone we compare ourselves to, and come away feeling like we don’t measure up? The story is a series of parallel descriptors comparing the famous King Kong to his not famous cousin, Junior. There’s no value statements given, but the reader can just feel Junior’s sense of inadequacy. When his mother assures him that he’s just as special as his cousin, Junior doesn’t believe her. But in the end, when his beloved cat needs rescuing, it’s Junior who came to the rescue, and he’s left feeling warm and happy and maybe just a bit bigger. The illustrations are fabulous! Though they’re all in shades of gray, they are full of warmth and personality and feeling.

Love is Loud: How Diane Nash Led the Civil Rights Movement by Sandra Neil Wallace

Posted on by

Growing up in Chicago’s South Side, Diane’s high school included everyone. When she moved to Tennessee to attend Fisk University she encountered racism and segregation. Diane decided to change this wrong and fight racism in a peaceful way. The book highlights Diane Nash’s leadership throughout the Civil Rights movement and hits upon some of the sexism she faced within the Civil Rights movement. The end includes an author and illustrator note giving more background information. There is also a timeline of events not only in Diane Nash’s life, but events in the Civil Rights movement and resources to learn more. The watercolor/collage illustrations complement the text.

Holding On by Sophia N. Lee

Posted on by

A Filipina child visits her grandmother, Lola, in the summers where music fills there mornings, afternoons, and evenings. When they are separated in the winter, the little girl remembers all of the ways Lola holds on. “It’s important to remember, Lola tells me. So I listen to her stories and remember with her.” As Lola’s memory starts to fade the little girl decides to remember for her and sings the songs for Lola and let’s her know that she will remember for her. The mixed-media/collage illustrations reinforce the gentle message of love and caring for a family member whose memories are fading. I highly recommend this book.

A Heavy Dose of Allison Tandy

Posted on by

by Jeff Bishop

Review by David R. 11th Grade

A Heavy Dose of Allison Tandy surprised me. Based on the cover, I thought it would be too romantic and light. I was wrong. This book is darker and definitely more suspenseful and interesting than you would think by looking at its pink cover. I definitely recommend it, especially for guys who want to read a romance from the boy’s point of view.

Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun, by Tọlá Okogwu

Posted on by
Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun

This novel is a little bit Harry Potter magic, a little bit X-Men or Black Panther superheros,  a little bit Lightning Thief mythology & adventure. It’s rich with girl-power and learning to love oneself – flaws and all. Set initially in the States, the plot moves quickly to Nigeria and its magical school in the country’s capital city of Lagos.  This action-packed story hits all the marks for an amazing middle grades read. While some readers may be thrown by pronunciation of Nigerian names, some of which include potentially unfamiliar accent marks, if they just read on without  too much worry, it doesn’t really effect the story. I enjoyed the audio book because I got to hear the actual pronunciation of these names. The book does include a glossary of cultural terms the reader may need explained. I loved that Onyeka’s superpower is her hair which she hates at the beginning of the story because it is so different from her friends and is so unruly. She learns through the story to love it and the power it brings her. By the end, you realize this is definitely meant to be book 1 in a series. Future books to come. I think middle school readers will be anxious to read the next one! (Due out May, 2023) This is a nice addition to any fantasy collection, especially if you’re interested in having diverse authors who tell a rich tale. This fits the bill!

Youngblood

Posted on by

Review by Lili, Student

Be prepared for plot twists and the unexpected–even for a vampire book. You will never know where it is going to go. Kat and Taylor were best friends until the age of 13 when their parents fought, and Kat moved away. Later, Kat and Taylor find themselves roommates at a private school, a vampire school. My favorite part is when Kat finds out who her true fang-maker is. It all begins to make sense when Kat has a meeting with Victor Castel.

Nugget and Dog: S’more than Meets the Eye!

Posted on by

Nugget (a chicken nugget) and Dog (a hot dog) are so excited to have some fun at summer camp. Unfortunately, Dijon (yes, he’s mustard) has an evil plan to scare everyone! He and his sidekick, Crouton (self-explanatory) mess up their plan to scare everyone with the Mean Green Pine Thing, which ends up being Honey Dijon (Dijon’s cousin), who just wanted a little attention herself. Rounding out the cast of delicious campers is Fry and the grumpy camp counselor, Grizzle.

This beginning graphic novel begins with some simple information about panels, thought bubbles and speech bubbles as well as how to follow the story on a page. This is very helpful for those readers new to graphic novels. Illustrations are bright and text is simple. This is a nice introduction to graphic novels and is really humorous. How can it not be funny with a hot dog and chicken nugget as main characters? highly recommended.

Judge Kim and the Kids’ Court: The Case of the Missing Bicycles

Posted on by

Bicycles are missing from Kim’s school and rumors are flying. Kids start accusing the new boy, Corey. So, Kim takes matters into her own hands and assigns her friends to gather facts and evidence. She convenes a “Kids’ Court” in the tree house that her dad just built, overcoming her fear of heights to climb the ladder for court. Kim handles the case with unusual maturity, which is not surprising since her mom is a judge and Kim’s been to her courtroom. The story ends happily with Corey’s explanation that he wanted to fix up his peers’ bikes in order to make friends and apologizing for stealing them to do so. His classmates forgive him and are thrilled with their newly fixed bikes.

The book begins with a short explanation about the correct way to read a graphic novel. This is helpful, because readers new to graphic novels will now know the difference between a speech and thought bubble and the direction of the story on each page. The story itself is fairly short and the text is very accessible. Illustrations are bright and characters are diverse. Highly recommended for those new to graphic novels.

Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion

Posted on by

This is one of those picture books that has a place with older readers as well. It is a beautifully illustrated biography about a girl who loved music, but when she started to go deaf at the age of ten, a doctor told her parents she would need hearing aids for the rest of her life, would need to attend a school for the deaf, and would never be able to play music. Her parents pushed back and she continued in traditional schools. At the secondary level she was interested in joining the percussion section of the orchestra, but the school’s test of music ability tested only her ears’ ability to hear, when she listed with her whole body. Persistence and an understanding teacher brought her into the world of percussion, where she excelled. But when she wanted to attend The Royal Academy of Music, persistence was again required to win an audition. Her successful career in music brought her to the attention of Queen Elizabeth and brought the world’s attention to the doors too often closed too quickly to those with disabilities.