“All the best things grow with time. Even when you can’t see them, still they grow.” In this heartfelt story, the walnut embodies both the durability and change of family relationships as time passes. A young girl learns how as a child her grandfather left his home with only a small bag – and a walnut. He planted, nurtured, and protected the walnut as it grew into a towering tree. Her grandfather gifted her with a nut like he had for her mother before her. The grandfather then taught the child all she needed to know to help the walnut flourish as he himself slowly declined. The teachings of the walnut help the girl accept change and provide a symbol of the strength and permanence of love.
All from a Walnut has so many layers; immigration, poverty, intergenerational families, single parent families, loss and grief, self growth, the power of nature. Tied together, these themes create a story with a powerful message for young readers.
Kids love water fights! Super Soakers covers the invention of the popular toy and its success; from the accidental invention to the many versions available today. The book focuses specifically on the Super Soaker brand and does not clearly address the magnitude of imitation super soakers. This book is a perfect read for the arrival of summer.
Pair Super Soakers with Chris Bartons, Whoosh! : Lonnie Johnson’s Super-soaking Stream of Inventions to highlight the African American creator.
Bellwether Epic Favorite Toys series is sure to appeal to young readers. The short sentences and simple text are enhanced with colorful images. Familiarity with the toy will make many of the names recognizable for young readers while new details and historical information will expand a reader’s knowledge. Pictures include young people, historical figures, and toys. Early in each title, a map highlights the geographic location of the toy’s origin. Each title also includes a timeline of the toy’s evolution. In addition, by showcasing an event celebrating the toy, each title demonstrates how toys and games nurture a community of shared interests.
Bold terms are defined in the glossary. Endpapers also include a To Learn More Section with both print and digital resources. Digital resources are found through accessing the title on factsurfer.com. Three curated age appropriate digital sources are available for each title. Index included.
Matchbox! Hot Wheels! Names sure to grab the interest of young readers. Starting with the die-cast toys cars made by the Dowst Brothers Company in the early 1900s the title hits on the major developments in toys cars through the years. Toy cars continue to intrigue youngsters. From the less well known slot cars, to Remote Control (RC) cars and the incorporation of toy cars in online game play, there’s lots to learn in this title.
Bellwether Epic Favorite Toys series are sure to appeal to young readers. The short sentences and simple text are enhanced with colorful images. Familiarity with the toy will make many of the names recognizable for young readers while new details and historical information will expand a reader’s knowledge. Pictures include young people (though often younger than the expected audience), historical figures, and toys. Early in each title, a map highlights the geographic location of the toy’s origin. Each title also includes a timeline of the toy’s evolution. In addition, by showcasing an event celebrating the toy, each title demonstrates how toys and games nurture a community of shared interests.
Bold terms are defined in the glossary. Endpapers also include a To Learn More Section with both print and digital resources. Digital resources are found through accessing the title on factsurfer.com. Three curated age appropriate digital sources are available for each title. Index included.
Chess, Clue, Monopoly, and Catan – board games have entertained and brought friends and family together for thousands of years. Board Games describes the origin of early games and the development and evolution of more modern games.
Of the books in the Favorite Toys Series, this title has some less than ideal formatting issues. The map references Egypt from the previous page, but not India which is on the map page. Additionally, unlike the other books in the series, the timeline does not reflect the whole history covered in the book – the oldest games are not on the timeline. Finally, on the page with board game types, the game name precedes the game type and the type is in parenthesis, implying it is the less significant information.
Bellwether Epic Favorite Toys series is sure to appeal to young readers. The short sentences and simple text are enhanced with colorful images. Familiarity with the toy will make many of the names recognizable for young readers while new details and historical information will expand a reader’s knowledge. Pictures include young people, historical figures, and toys. Early in each title, a map highlights the geographic location of the toy’s origin. Each title also includes a timeline of the toy’s evolution. In addition, by showcasing an event celebrating the toy, each title demonstrates how toys and games nurture a community of shared interests.
Bold terms are defined in the glossary. Endpapers also include a To Learn More Section with both print and digital resources. Digital resources are found through accessing the title on factsurfer.com. Three curated age appropriate digital sources are available for each title. Index included.
Many kids envision the movies and animated shows when thinking of Transformers. The actual Transformer toy was first made over 40 years ago. The book Transformers covers the evolution of the original Transformers to the current types such as Dinobot, BotBots, and Rescue Bots. The book is sure to be a hit with fans of Transformers.
Bellwether Epic Favorite Toys series is sure to appeal to young readers. The short sentences and simple text are enhanced with colorful images. Familiarity with the toy will make many of the names recognizable for young readers while new details and historical information will expand a reader’s knowledge. Pictures include young people, historical figures, and toys. Early in each title, a map highlights the geographic location of the toy’s origin. Each title also includes a timeline of the toy’s evolution. In addition, by showcasing an event celebrating the toy, each title demonstrates how toys and games nurture a community of shared interests.
Bold terms are defined in the glossary. Endpapers also include a To Learn More Section with both print and digital resources. Digital resources are found through accessing the title on factsurfer.com. Three curated age appropriate digital sources are available for each title. Index included.
In the third book in the graphic novel-like series of Day in the Life books, the author explores all things space. Each page consists of many panels with information on a specific day in the life of an item from space. Sometimes there is a companion page that gives you the bigger picture and extends the information a bit. There are even a few secret diary pages in the mix, like the secret diary of a Hairy Star. I wanted to know more about that cool title! The illustrations are bright, bold cartoons in very typical cartoon panels. The writing is factual, but humorous. The end of the book includes a Glossary of terms. This is a fun book to flip randomly through and just read some pages OR to read cover to cover. I can see students doing both. I think students who enjoy graphic novels will enjoy this dip into non-fiction. It will also appeal to astronomy fans looking for a delightful way to read about their favorite topic. I highly recommend this book (or any of the Day in the Life books).
This richly illustrated book of astronomy is a visual delight of information and drawings that beautifully explain the night sky. Because the images are created by an artist, constellations not only show the location of stars, but show the image that the stars represent. For example, the constellation Orion is explained & various stars are explained and the Orion Nebula is zoomed out so you can see it up close. The book covers all manner of topics someone looking at the night sky might be interested in knowing – from best ways to watch the night sky to what constellations you might see at various times of the year, phases of the moon, the milky way, our galaxy and beyond. All are explained in student-friendly, detailed language and gorgeous illustrations. Want to know more about moon landings? A lovely 2 page spread gives you the highlights with explanatory images. Want to understand comets and asteroids? Easy to understand explanations and illustrations that zoom in and out to show you the close up and the distant all on beautiful 2-page spreads. The back of the book includes some hands-on activities students can make and do followed by a Glossary, ways to find out more, and an index to help the reader locate the specific information they want. This is going to be a popular book with my astronomy fans in my middle school. It is a feast for the eyes as well as the mind.
a Blastoff Discovery series intended for grade 4 readers, interest through 8th grade
Nintendo – by Paige Polinsky, ISBN:979-8-88687-143-2
Pokemon – by Betsy Rathburn , ISBN: 979-8-88687-144-9
Star Wars – by Paige Polinsky , ISBN: 979-8-88687-145-6
Disney – by Sara Green , ISBN: 979-8-88687-140-1
Lego – by Sara Green , ISBN: 979-8-88687-141-8
Minecraft – by Sara Green , ISBN: 979-8-88687-142-5
Each book in the Behind the Brand books follows a similar format with a look at how the brand is used in the world today, followed by a bit of history of how and where the brand got started. Mini-biographies of key players in the development of the product help the reader get to know the real people behind the companies that created favorite products of many students. Each book shows how the companies give back to their communities or the world with charitable events or money to various charitable organizations. By the end, readers see other ways fans of each brand can become involved beyond each product with cosplay events, conventions, or the like. Each book includes a glossary of key challenging words that were bolded during the reading of the book, ways to learn more from the library or a FactSurfer website, and an index that students can use to quickly get to a page on a specific part of the book. I appreciated the logical organization of information, the bold photographs and additional infographics included throughout each book. They were all engaging books about brands that are very popular. Some of the books had cross-connections. For instance, the book about Star Wars included information about Disney and the Disney book mentioned Star Wars. Similarly, the Pokemon & Nintendo books had crossovers. These are in their Blastoff! Discovery level, indicating books are at a 4th grade reading level. In my middle school library, anything about Minecraft gets frequently checked out. I’m sure this series will find footing with readers who love these products!
This is an easy reader book about the history of women in soccer in the U.S., including some short biographies of some of the famous players of the sport like Mia Hamm, Megan Rapino, Trinity Rodman, and more. The book is intended for elementary school readers, but is also appropriate for struggling middle school readers. The book includes a table of contents, tips for learning 3 basic soccer skills, history of not just women’s soccer, facts and figures about the game, and a quiz the reader can take at the end to see how much they learned. The book is illustrated with drawings, rather than with photographs. Since it is part of a leveled reading series, it should help teachers get the book in the right hands, but might turn off some readers at middle level.
Will Chamber’s life is profoundly changed by an episode of bullying in a 4th grade hallway where he is publicly humiliated by Nick Fisher who loudly calls him FAT. Over the next 3 years, he internalizes the label & is more a bully to himself than any continued taunting by anyone else. He comes to hate himself and believe he is unlovable and that no one would want to be his friend. He quickly alienates the 3 friends he’s always had and becomes a loner in baggy clothes. Much of the book takes place when he decides he has to change his habits with food and quickly develops some very unhealthy food and mental behaviors during 7th grade. This verse novel is very accessible to middle school readers – even the reluctant ones. Few words on the page, paired with scribbled sketches like one might put in notebooks, pull you into Will’s self-destructive world. The addition of a skateboarding character who moves school frequently is a pivotal moment in the book. Will meets Markus during lunchtime behind the auditorium where Will hides during lunch and Markus just wants to skateboard. Markus begins to help him after a sad scene where he hits rock bottom. He finally gets help from his parents, his new friend, a doctor and a therapist. I liked that the book is about a boy with an eating disorder. We don’t see many books that help us see that it’s not just a problem girls face. There are resources for help at the back of the book to help anyone who sees themselves struggling in a similar situation. For anyone who feels “less than” the book shines a light on the possibility of hope in being, not perfect, but rather a work in progress. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and know it will do well in my middle school library.
Nayra Mansour’s life is in chaos. Pressure from her family, bullying at school, and a friendship demanded from her only other friend all make her world challenging. Her family fasts during the Muslim holiday Ramadan, though something is different this year during fasting. A mythical Djinn has appeared in the human world. His life is also in chaos. As Nayra and the Djinn Marjan meet, Iasmin Omar Ata weaves his story to create a very interesting book. Nayra’s world is interrupted and enriched by their new friendship. I think that readers that really like graphic novels with a kinda soft and a cute style of drawing will really like this book. The drawing is really top rated, and as a person who doesn’t really like bright colors, the pastel and calm colors were really great for me. I really like how the author wove Islamic folklore and the tradition of fasting into this book. Another thing that I could relate to in this book was the pressure from her mom. I could relate a lot to the main character of this book. The plot and the conflict in this book between Marjan and Zirkouniya, as well as between Nayra and Rami, kept me interested throughout the whole book. Overall, I really liked this book and its writing and drawings and would give it a 5 out 5 stars!.
This image is the cover in English; Book reviewed is in Spanish.
This Spanish language book is a true story from Columbia about a man named Luis who wanted to take books to children in Columbia. He bought two burrows named Alpha and Beto. He built book holders that hung over the burros backs and loaded the books. Each week he traveled over mountains, through prairies, and crossed creeks to get books to children. Beautiful and colorful artwork. Very enjoyable. This book in Spanish is perfect for students who are fluent in Spanish or who are bilingual and want to brush up on their Spanish reading skills. It’s intended for elementary school students (K-4), but I think middle school readers will also enjoy the sweet story and the basic Spanish vocabulary. The book is also available in English, in which case I would recommend it for K-4 & not middle school.
By L.E. Carmichael; illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler
This beautiful picture book is a gorgeous collection of information and illustrations about the Arctic and Antarctic and the life that inhabits these cold, icy landscapes. The artwork is full of cool colors and an almost lithographic feel to the designs. I can’t tell if it’s painted, airbrushed, lithographic, or some combination of all. Some sharp lines & some soft layered ones. I found the artwork beautiful, stark and a perfect complement to the harsh environment about which it was depicting. The text is rich with information about the polar regions. Much of the book is arranged by months of the year & the various events that happen in different seasons. Interestingly, it is organized from March to March. Each 2 page spread includes one page on the Arctic and one page on the Antarctic – showing contrasting seasons nicely. The 2 pages also feature a similar topic, for example the pages on June feature information about how insects adapt to the cold regions in summer in the Arctic versus winter in Antarctica. The book finishes with information about climate change and how the polar caps are seeing the great consequences which only seem to be getting worse. The reader is left with some ways to take action and learn more. The book also includes a glossary and a list of resources for further reading. This is a picture book that flows nicely through the middle grades and extends beyond elementary school. The text is tiny and much more appropriate for upper elementary or middle school readers.
This is a picture book that can be read at many different levels. It is a simple poem of a story that could be read aloud to young students – or older ones to analyze the literary elements of the central story. It is a book rich with supplementary text in small print on both sides of the central story that could be enjoyed by more adventuresome upper elementary or middle school students really interested in all things historical about Babe Ruth, the early days of baseball, and the Yankees. These side panel pieces include information on the Star-Spangled Banner, Cracker Jacks, Early Baseball Leagues, Rocks and Stones (early forms of the game), Baseball caps, Bats, Gloves, and Balls, and many, many more. The artwork of the central story pulls you in and helps you feel as if you’re there on the opening day of a brand new Yankee Stadium. The historical photographs and real memorabilia of the side panels contrast and visually allow the reader to focus on one or the other. I thought this was a beautiful book about Babe Ruth and the early days of baseball, sure to be enjoyed by both casual baseball fans and those with a passion for all things baseball!
Seth has a great story idea but there is just one problem, he can’t draw. He does have a lot of friends that are really good at drawing, but Seth is a bad drawer. What if he teams up with his friends to tell his story about the mouse named Bailey and Catbird half cat, half bird?
Different illustrators contributed to the making of this book and are the friends that are good at drawing mentioned in the story. The illustrations showed the different styles of the illustrators as they were introduced to the story.
The theme of working together and playing to each others strengths was effective. I do wish that it was emphasized that even his simple drawings were clear and we all can draw, especially considering the audience the book is geared towards.
I went into this book expecting a re-imagined magical world AKA Harry Potter. So, I was pleasantly surprised with Aislinn Brophy’s portrayal of a magical high school. One that is supper focused on success and the pressure that entails for the students. I also appreciated how the story dealt with exploitation and predatory behavior many teens face.
Love Radio is a classic black love story: heartbreak, vulnerability, and learning to trust again. Dani is a passionate young woman who wants to thrive at becoming a famous writer. She is trying to work on her future, but she’s stuck in the past. Prince is a DJ and Detroit’s youngest love couch; he takes care of his little brother, Mook, and his mom who has MS. Prince has had a crush on Dani since elementary school, but Dani isn’t looking for a relationship at the moment. I liked the plot and how Prince seeks out what Dani likes. He uses this information to plan their dates, putting in the effort. The first couple of chapters were a little less interesting, but the plot kept me entertained. Love Radio took me about 3 days to read; I wish there was more to the story. I liked that the book a lot I could relate to it. The only thing I didn’t like was the ending. I only wish the author included an epilogue, so we could see Dani and Prince together. Maybe there’ll be a sequel. . . .
Awesome Amphibians starts by highlighting the characteristics of amphibians; the fact that they are cold-blooded, have backbones, and start life in water. The mission then takes the reader around the world, continent by continent to discover interesting and unique amphibians.
Blastoff Missions Amazing Animal Classes is a series sure to inspire a child’s natural curiosity. Each title starts with Mission Goals to promote fluency (identify sight words), enhance comprehension (identify traits), and promote critical thinking (think of a question).
The informational text engages the reader as a participant in the narrative. The conversational style of the text provides age appropriate academic and subject specific vocabulary. Bolded vocabulary terms are defined in the glossary. Colorful illustrations include identifying and descriptive captions. Extra tidbits of information are provided by Jimmy, a space traveling, cartoon-like avatar who accompanies the reader on all the narrative missions.
Endpapers include a glossary, index, and To Learn More section. The To Learn More resources have three print sources in the At the Library section. The On the Web resources direct the reader to Factsurfer which provides easy access to three curated age appropriate digital resources. Endpapers also include three extension questions in the Beyond the Mission section to help readers connect their learning from the book to their own experiences.
Fantastic Fish explores the waterways of the the world as it introduces the reader to the fish class. While highlighting unique and interesting fish, the text repeatedly reinforces the identifying characteristics of fish as cold-blooded creatures with backbones that breathe through gills.
Blastoff Missions Amazing Animal Classes is a series sure to inspire a child’s natural curiosity. Each title starts with Mission Goals to promote fluency (identify sight words), enhance comprehension (identify traits), and promote critical thinking (think of a question).
The informational text engages the reader as a participant in the narrative. The conversational style of the text provides age appropriate academic and subject specific vocabulary. Bolded vocabulary terms are defined in the glossary. Colorful illustrations include identifying and descriptive captions. Extra tidbits of information are provided by Jimmy, a space traveling, cartoon-like avatar who accompanies the reader on all the narrative missions.
Endpapers include a glossary, index, and To Learn More section. The To Learn More resources have three print sources in the At the Library section. The On the Web resources direct the reader to Factsurfer which provides easy access to three curated age appropriate digital resources. Endpapers also include three extension questions in the Beyond the Mission section to help readers connect their learning from the book to their own experiences.
Incredible Insects starts in your own backyard. The journey of discovery takes the reader to the prairies of North America then on to interesting insects from other continents. While identifying unique insects, the text also highlight features characteristic of the insect class.
Blastoff Missions Amazing Animal Classes is a series sure to inspire a child’s natural curiosity. Each title starts with Mission Goals to promote fluency (identify sight words), enhance comprehension (identify traits), and promote critical thinking (think of a question).
The informational text engages the reader as a participant in the narrative. The conversational style of the text provides age appropriate academic and subject specific vocabulary. Bolded vocabulary terms are defined in the glossary. Colorful illustrations include identifying and descriptive captions. Extra tidbits of information are provided by Jimmy, a space traveling, cartoon-like avatar who accompanies the reader on all the narrative missions.
Endpapers include a glossary, index, and To Learn More section. The To Learn More resources have three print sources in the At the Library section. The On the Web resources direct the reader to Factsurfer which provides easy access to three curated age appropriate digital resources. Endpapers also include three extension questions in the Beyond the Mission section to help readers connect their learning from the book to their own experiences.
The search for Marvelous Mammals starts with the cats and dogs found in many homes. From there, the reader it taken north to the Canadian taiga and south to the Amazon rainforest before continuing around the world. The text introduces the common mammal characteristics (warm-blooded, backbone, hair or fur, and feed their babies milk) while highlighting unique and interested mammals in various habitats.
Blastoff Missions Amazing Animal Classes is a series sure to inspire a child’s natural curiosity. Each title starts with Mission Goals to promote fluency (identify sight words), enhance comprehension (identify traits), and promote critical thinking (think of a question).
The informational text engages the reader as a participant in the narrative. The conversational style of the text provides age appropriate academic and subject specific vocabulary. Bolded vocabulary terms are defined in the glossary. Colorful illustrations include identifying and descriptive captions. Extra tidbits of information are provided by Jimmy, a space traveling, cartoon-like avatar who accompanies the reader on all the narrative missions.
Endpapers include a glossary, index, and To Learn More section. The To Learn More resources have three print sources in the At the Library section. The On the Web resources direct the reader to Factsurfer which provides easy access to three curated age appropriate digital resources. Endpapers also include three extension questions in the Beyond the Mission section to help readers connect their learning from the book to their own experiences.
Search the world for scaly cold-blooded animals with backbones that lay eggs in Remarkable Reptiles. While reinforcing the characteristics of reptiles the text highlights the unique and extraordinary species of the class. From venom to hoods and third eyes to frills – reptiles are remarkable.
Blastoff Missions Amazing Animal Classes is a series sure to inspire a child’s natural curiosity. Each title starts with Mission Goals to promote fluency (identify sight words), enhance comprehension (identify traits), and promote critical thinking (think of a question).
The informational text engages the reader as a participant in the narrative. The conversational style of the text provides age appropriate academic and subject specific vocabulary. Bolded vocabulary terms are defined in the glossary. Colorful illustrations include identifying and descriptive captions. Extra tidbits of information are provided by Jimmy, a space traveling, cartoon-like avatar who accompanies the reader on all the narrative missions.
Endpapers include a glossary, index, and To Learn More section. The To Learn More resources have three print sources in the At the Library section. The On the Web resources direct the reader to Factsurfer which provides easy access to three curated age appropriate digital resources. Endpapers also include three extension questions in the Beyond the Mission section to help readers connect their learning from the book to their own experiences.
While exploring the world looking for Brilliant Birds, the common characteristics of the bird classification are reinforced with multiple examples. The text also highlights the many different ways birds nest.
Blastoff Missions Amazing Animal Classes is a series sure to inspire a child’s natural curiosity. Each title starts with Mission Goals to promote fluency (identify sight words), enhance comprehension (identify traits), and promote critical thinking (think of a question).
The informational text engages the reader as a participant in the narrative. The conversational style of the text provides age appropriate academic and subject specific vocabulary. Bolded vocabulary terms are defined in the glossary. Colorful illustrations include identifying and descriptive captions. Extra tidbits of information are provided by Jimmy, a space traveling, cartoon-like avatar who accompanies the reader on all the narrative missions.
Endpapers include a glossary, index, and To Learn More section. The To Learn More resources have three print sources in the At the Library section. The On the Web resources direct the reader to Factsurfer which provides easy access to three curated age appropriate digital resources. Endpapers also include three extension questions in the Beyond the Mission section to help readers connect their learning from the book to their own experiences.
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.
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.
