Category Archives: Recommendation

Hooves or Hands by Rosie Haine

Posted on by

Would you rather be a horse or a human? An imaginative look at comparing horses and humans and what it might be like to be a horse told through rhythmic text. The color choices in the illustrations reflect the use of imagination as the horses are pink on some pages. The color palette is also limited to primarily pinks, oranges, and blues.

I imagine children would laugh about the line “Stop wherever you are and have a poo…” and the illustrations that show dots for nipples on the half humans, half horses, but I think I would pass on this book.

Sylvie by Jean Reidy

Posted on by

Sylvie the spider loves the people in her building and one day she notices that something seems wrong. Worried that not everyone appreciates a spider that calls attention to herself, she finds the courage to unite the people in the building. Finally she feels the appreciation and friendship that she has been longing for.

The author also wrote the book, Truman, and Truman the tortoise makes an appearance in this book as well. It was fun to see that tie in. The illustrations in the book are colorful and help tell the story, but the storyline is difficult to follow and requires inferencing.

I am I. M. Pei by Brad Meltzer

Posted on by

I am I. M. Pei is a part of the Ordinary People Change the World Series by Brad Meltzer. It begins with I. M. Pei’s childhood and is told in the first person. The book is written in a conversational tone and the illustrator, Christopher Eliopoulos includes comic inserts on various pages. There is a lot of text on the pages, but it is broken up with illustrations. As a child, I. M. Pei is drawn as a miniature adult and in the pages where he is an adult, he is much shorter and more childlike than the other adults in the illustrations. This book is only a brief look at his life. The themes of persistence and grit come across throughout the biography. When talking about the renovation of the Louvre, there is a page with a pop-up Louvre. A timeline of his life and pictures of I. M. Pei are included at the end of the book.

Simon at the Art Museum, by Christina Soontornvat

Posted on by

A young child visits his first art museum with his parents. The things that intrigue Simon aren’t necessarily the art. He notices the the marble floors perfect for sock skating, the pigeons, and the cheesecake. The whole day seems both boring and a bit overwhelming through the eyes of a young child. The illustrations portray a variety of art types and a diverse museum visitors. Simon finally finds a piece of art that speaks to him – a painting of a young red-haired boy chasing pigeons.

Recommended as a field trip teaser or a sweet family day adventure.

Fred’s Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Mister Rogers by Laura Renauld

Posted on by

Fred’s Big Feelings is a biography for young readers that focuses on Fred Rogers life long commitment to early childhood social-emotional learning. As a child, Fred Rogers was quiet, sad, and often bullied. In high school, through a confidence bolstering friendship, Fred became a leader and experienced how one person can deeply affect the life of another. After he graduated from college, he became involved in the beginnings of community-supported television. His self-appointed mission was to create child appropriate programing that addresses how to recognize and appropriately express feelings.

Through almost 900 episodes and 33 years of programing, Mr. Rogers conveyed the message to children in his parting message each day:

“You always make each day such a special day. You know how? Just by being you! There’s only one person in the whole world like you, and people can like you exactly as you are.” (page 27)

Includes an author’s note with more information about the Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood programming.

Highly Recommended.

Born Behind Bars by Padma Venkatraman

Posted on by

Inspired by a true story, Padma Venkatraman tells the tale of Kabir, born in jail to a mother who is imprisoned for a crime she did not commit. Because of her low caste, she is treated unfairly and kept in jail an unfair length of time, even if she had been guilty of the theft of which she was accused. When a new warden leans of his age, Kabir is released to the outside world, because he is too old to stay. Kabir has never met his father and is anxious to finally meet him. Released to his uncle, who is really a fraud, Kabir runs away but never loses his dream to find his father and see to it that his beloved mother is released from prison.

Alone in the world, he meets Rani, another street kid who helps him understand the world outside the prison. She also helps him to never lose sight of his goal to free his mother. This is a story with elements of hope, disappointment, sorrow, friendship, and determination. Set in India, it is rich with culture and family dynamics.

Map of Flames by Lisa McMann

Posted on by

Meet five children, Birdie, Brix, Tenner, Seven, and Cabot, all born to supernatural criminals and all with supernatural powers of their own. Raised by Birdie & Brix’s dad, because the other parents have mysteriously disappeared, the death of their father has the five children leaving their isolated hideout and entering the outside world in search of their mother. Armed with a map with clues to her whereabouts, the five children navigate life in this new, unfamiliar world so unlike the isolated one they lived in until now. Sometimes comical, our young heroes taste pizza for the first time, discover “magical” elevators, and scream in surprise as they have their first experience with flush toilets! This fantasy is the first book in the Forgotten Five series, with the second and final book, “The Invisible Spy” coming out November 8, 2022.

Little Red and the Cat Who Loved Cake

Posted on by

by Barbara Lehman and illustrated by Barbara Lehman

This wordless book is rich in illustrative storytelling The story chronicles a cat’s love of cake and the distress it is experiencing as the cake he sees being baked is obviously not intended for him. He follows Little Red as he goes to visit his grandmother, in hopes of receiving a piece of this cake. Instead, he settles for it in his dreams that night.

The story becomes endearing, at the end, when the author challenges the reader to find 24 lost sheep scattered thougouht the illustrations in the story. After this hunt, it really begins.There are four pages of pictures from the story, which have references to fairy tales or nursery rhymes and the reader is asked to find them Also included, is the full verse to every nursery rhyme and title to every fairy tale referenced. This book is recommend as a tool to open up rich discussion and discovery with a young child or classroom!

Trees

Posted on by

by Tony Johnston, Illustrated by Tiffany Bozic

Large picture book with artistic pages celebrating the beauty of trees and the natural world. The artwork by Tiffany Bozic is stunning. The words are in prose, like a long poem separated into stanzas or lines on each page. This book would make a beautiful addition to a unit on trees, natural world, earth day, poetry month, or simply to revel in the beauty of the written words and artistic talent.

A nice addition is the last two pages of this book have an author’s note with additional facts and information about trees and forests, including the idea of of nine year old Felix Finkbeiner known as Plant-for-the-Planet. In order to stop global warming, children of all countries could plant one million trees. Also, Illustrators not about trees and Suggestions for Further Reading, and Resources as well as a sweet List of Trees in This Book, including thumbnail pictures.

All Star, How Larry Doby Smashed the Color Barrier in Baseball

Posted on by

by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Cannaday Chapman

Larry Doby may be a little known name, but he was the first Black player in the American League, and the second in major-league baseball overall. And, the first Black athlete in Major League Baseball, to hit a home run in the World Series!

Larry Doby was born in South Carolina in 1923, during a time when racism was overt and pervasive. Although he played baseball with all kids of all colors in his neighborhood, they attended segregated schools. As he became an adult athlete, Jackie Robinson, 11 weeks ahead of him, became the first Black athlete in the major leagues. He faced terrible racism. Threats were made against him. Larry was the second Black athlete signed in. Although Larry faced racism by some of his own teammates of the Clevnland Indians team, the team owner Bill Veeck treated him without prejudice or bigotry. While traveling with the teammates, he often couldn’t stay in the same hotels or eat at the same restaurants. Then came the world series where Larry Doby hit the famous home run which propelled his team to championship. A famous picture of him (black) hugging Seve Gromek, (caucasian) was circulated and discussion ensued as these two men look gleeful and joyful in each other’s embrace. Although change has been slow, we have come a long way and continue to grow and change. To date of this publication, the Cleveland Indians have yet to rename their team.

Just Help, How to Build a Better World

Posted on by

by Sonia Sotomayor, Illustrated by Angela Dominguez

This lovely picture book story, with simple yet bold illustrations, is Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s childhood family memories. Her family worked to be productive and contributing citizens of the United States. Each morning when Sonia work up, her mother would as her, “How will you help, today?” Her parents both contributed to the community both through their work and their generosity of time, spirit, and material items. Sonia helped gather items to be shipped to soldiers overseas, items to be donated to the hospital, and helped her mother remind all people in their neighborhood to vote.

This books calls us home, to our duty, as citizens of the United States of America, to have compassion, care, work ethic and contributing to our community, as part of our daily lives.

Wildfire!

Posted on by

by Ashley Wolff, illustrated by Ashley Wolff

Rich, acrylic paint illustrates the beauty and fragility of our forests. Our story begins with a buck noticing a small fire and spreading the news throughout the forest and to the other animals who in kind alert others. Soon the humans in the look out tower spot the fire, as well. Airplanes with fire retardant come to make their drop. The animals all work to flee, while human wild land firefighters come to battle the blaze. By the end of the battle, all are exhuasted and life resumes after the fire is out.

In the back of the book are an Author’s Note regarding the history of forest fires and what we can do to prevent them. And how this problem is being exacerbated by climate change. It also has Firefighting Terms, Firefighting tools, and additional sources. This books is recommended reading, teaching and learning about the realities of forest fires.

Omar Rising by Aisha Saeed

Posted on by

For fans of “Amal Unbound,” this companion book has you celebrating Omar’s success when he gets into Ghalib Academy, an elite boarding school. Omar is thrilled to have a path in life with the potential to lift him and his mother out of poverty. A talented soccer player with an interest in astronomy, he is determined to make the most of his time at school.

Struggling with hard classes, especially English with the gruff headmaster as his teacher, Omar learns that scholarship students aren’t allowed to take part in extracurricular activities. In addition, they must work service hours not expected of regular students. Even worse, the rules state that a scholarship student must earn an average of an A+ in order to be invited back the next year. Omar keeps this from his mother, forfeits joining in any of the fun activities at school, and studies non-stop. While his grades improve, it’s impossible to reach that A+ average.

Omar and his friend, Naveed, decide to try to rise up and lead a campaign to get Ghalib Academy to change their unfair rules. With the backing of his friends, this novel has the Disney ending you hope for, giving the readers hope for justice.

Amal, from the book “Amal Unbound, appears in this book, but it’s not important to read that one first. These two books can be read in any order.

In Our Garden

Posted on by

By Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Melissa Crowton

From a small idea to a rooftop garden, our mail character Miller sees her vision through to the end. She has recently moved to a big city from another country, where they used to grow their own food. She is inspired to work with her teacher and classmates to build a roof top garden, It took patience and hard work, but she didn’t give up. The whole community helps and shares the labors, building the beds, planting seeds and harvesting!

Darling pictures which feature students and staff in the community and school as varying ethnicity coming together as one~

All My Rage; by Sabaa Tahir

Posted on by

All My Rage follows Misbah’s journey in the United States as she struggles with opening a motel and her husband’s alcoholism. Years later, her son Salahudin and his best friend Noor face the challenges of Misbah’s poor health, the failing motel, and the racism of their town.

The reality of the “American Dream” is portrayed by the lives of Pakistani immigrants in a rural California town.

I loved that All My Rage was so brutally honest and that the author did not sugarcoat anything. She dismantled the flawed ideology that one must simply work hard for the american dream. The novel was a personal and raw look at the lives of immigrants and the struggles they face. The relationships between the characters was also well done. I especially liked Salahudin’s relationship with his father because it was complex and imperfect. I loved the poetic language in Misbah’s chapters and they were always beautiful to read. Also, I cried for the last twenty pages of the book and I really like sad and emotional books.

Realistic Fiction, Multiple POV, Diverse Characters, Religion, Trauma, Friendship, Romance, Social Commentary, Parental relationships.

Reviewed by OHS Student, Mia W.

The Prison Healer; by Lynette Noni

Posted on by

Growing up in the kingdoms of Wenderall, Kiva Meridan has known political disrest her entire life. The only way she has survived ten years in Zalindov, a brutal prison camp, is the job of Prison Healer, which her father trained her in before he died. When Tilda Corentine, the leader of the rebellion, is captured and brought to Kiva’s infirmary, she faces a sentence worse than death: four trials which have never been survived, and are only achievable by those born with elemental magic. The only problem? Tilda is sick, barely able to move or open her eyes, let alone face four grueling Ordeals. Surprising everyone, even herself, Kiva volunteers in Tilda’s place. If she can survive, she has the chance of freedom for herself and for the Rebel Queen, but that chance is slim for a girl with no power over the elements. Kiva finds unlikely friends, mysterious love interests, and is deceived by false identities. Lynnette Noni’s writing is riveting, full of twists and turns and coded messages, and will have you at the edge of your seat. Her use of colloquial speech characterizes each personality in an engaging and unique way, and elements of magical realism are integrated with ease, creating a fantasy world that is relatively uncomplicated and easy for the reader to step into. If you are a lover of suspense, slow burn romance, and fantasy, this book is for you!

Reviewed by: OHS Student Scarleht

Layoverland by: Gabby Noone

Posted on by

Bea dies in a car accident and wakes up in “purgatory,” an airport called Layoverland.  To move on to Heaven, she must help 5000 people move on themselves! However, her first real assignment is the one who killed her. Can she help her killer? You should read this book because: It’s moving and thought-provoking while being funny and real. Bea is a fun, relatable character that you can hang out with. Genre: Realistic Fiction/ Fantasy

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Review by OSD Sub. Angela

How it Feels to Float by: Helena Fox

Posted on by

Riz the main character experiences dissociative experiences, memories of her father who passed away years ago. We watch as she holds on to the grief of her father’s death- almost a metaphor for keeping going and holding on to life and love.

If you enjoy books that are filled with emotion this book is perfect for you!  I loved this book and could not stop

Reading it because it’s so easy to connect your own emotions with the characters.

The genre is Realistic Fiction.

Reviewed by OSD Sub: Maxine

Wutaryoo

Posted on by

It tells of a small unspecified animal who was the only one of her kind, who didn’t know what she was called or where she came from, so when other animals in her community ask, “wutaryoo,” she simply repeats it back at them, and listen as all her animal friends tell their origin stories. Eventually, tired of not having her own story to tell, she sets off to search for it. Along the way, she meets several creatures she’s never seen before, but eventually finds herself back where she started. At first sad and disappointed, she now finds herself facing new questions: Are you all right? Where did you go? What did you see? What did you hear? And this time she has her own story to tell, not about where she came from, but about where she went and what she did.

About a Song

Posted on by

It’s a celebration of the ways music can uplift our lives. The text is simple, about a father and son’s day out, and the son sharing all his dad has shared with him about all the different things a song can do for us. The slightly vintage-looking illustrations do a good job of enhancing the text: when the text says that a song can remind us of the past, we see an older couple gathered at a piano, surrounded by memories upon their walls; when it says a song can reveal our feelings, we see a sad young boy laying on his bed and listening to his earphones while surrounded by fliers for his missing dog… In the back of the book, the author/illustrator offers commentary on some of the illustrations that offer context to young readers who might not notice some of the historical and musical references they include.

The Brave Little Gorilla

Posted on by

It’s got a really good message about not making judgments without all the facts. It tells about a little gorilla who’s been sent by his grandfather to pick up some eggs that crane offered to leave for them. But unfortunately a mischievous monkey decides to follow along and watch him from afar, and all along the journey that monkey misinterprets what he sees. Worse yet, the monkey shares his accusations with other jungle dwellers who accept them at face value. By the time the little gorilla is about to arrive home with his precious cargo, the others are ready punish him for a list of crimes he didn’t commit. Luckily he is rescued when a giant hippo emerges from the river with his little bird who corrects the accusatory monkeys by announcing he’d been up close and personal to all the gorilla’s transactions, and scolds them for making accusations based on things they have not seen with their own eyes and heard with their own ears. Though I like the message, I thought both the telling of it and the illustrations were a bit flat.

The Message

Posted on by

I highly recommend this book. I learned stuff I didn’t know. It takes something we’re all so very familiar with and yet most of us really don’t understand, sending a text to the other side of the planet, and explains it. And when I say it explains how it happens, I mean it starts with the microscopic hairs inside your ears that detect a disturbance in the air that your brain interprets as a ringtone that causes you to look at the incoming text you’re about to reply to. It almost draws parallels between the human parts that talk to each other to send messages from eyes to brain to fingers along your nervous system and the hardware parts on the global communications infrastructure to send the message along wires and fiberoptic cables. The whole thing is so complex and yet all happens in a matter of seconds a bazillion times a day, and we all take it for granted without really thinking about it. This book makes you think about it. Even as it explains things really quite clearly (despite great big vocabulary words), it makes the mind boggle at the same time. The illustrations really do a great job of communicating the process and supporting all those great big vocabulary words (like radiating electromagnetic photons). It’s a marvel!

The House of Love

Posted on by

As someone who grew up in a large family I totally appreciate this story about a young girl spending Valentine’s Day at home alone with her mom, while her six siblings are out for the day with their dad. Together they get the household chores done before breaking out the Valentine’s Day decorations setting their creativity loose to make the day special for the rest of their family. The main character’s name is Mia Valentina (i.e. my valentine), so she revels in her favorite day while making valentines and baking cupcakes, but then the day is tarnished when she notices that no one made a valentine for her, until at bedtime she finds the one her mom made for her tucked under her pillow. Throughout the story the old house is almost another character, with cracked windows and peeling wallpaper making it clear that the family maybe didn’t have a lot that was shiny and new, but overflowing with love that finds joy in simple delights. The story is warm and cozy and sentimental, and the illustrations capture and add to that tone beautifully.

Mr. Walker Steps Out

Posted on by

This book starts with something everyone sees all the time and doesn’t think much about (a crosswalk signal), and asks the reader to stop and think about it, to imagine that the little man inside the sign might have some ambitions and adventures. It brings the man inside the walk signal to life, imagining what he’s thinking as he looks out on the world, and what he would do if he could climb out of his box and explore the world on his own. After exploring the world for a bit, jumping to the rescue when he sees a small child alone in the middle of the street, he finds himself missing his own corner and recognizing the value he serves in keeping people safe, so he returns home (but still needs a vacation occasionally). I think it would be a great launching off spot for discussion and/or writing prompts getting kids to imagine stories for other common items in our world.

Happy Cats

Posted on by

It’s essentially an illustrated list of different kinds of cats, and when I say kinds, I’m not talking breed, I’m talking about color and attitude and pose, etc. Yet it works in opposites and rhyming and adjectives in a way that makes it a great support for emergent literacy. The illustrations are full of personality and act as a support for the text, all while capturing some classic cat moments that will be very recognizable to cat families.