A little girl makes a snowman and names her Wonder. She and Wonder spend so much time together, but when spring comes it is time for Wonder to go. The girl is sad until she finds something else that sparks wonder. The color change in the illustration highlights the girl’s feelings. When she is happy and can see the beauty around her, the illustrations are colorful. When she is sad the illustrations are shades of gray and white. A sweet story of friendship and finding joy in everyday things.
Category Archives: Recommend
Planting Hope: A Portrait of Photographer Sebastião Salgado by Philip Hoelzel
Sebastião Salgado grew up on his family’s farm in Aimorés in the forests of Brazil. He spent time in the forests and loved his home but eventually moved away. He soon discovered his love of photography and how he could show what he saw and how it made him feel through pictures. He took photographs for different news stories, but the weight of what he saw made him no longer want to take pictures. After moving back to his family farm and seeing the destruction caused by cutting down the forest, Sebastião and his wife Lélia decided to rebuild the forest of his childhood.
This beautifully illustrated book takes you through the life and work of Sebastião Salgado. Also offering the reader a chance to think about and reflect on human’s impact on the earth. The author’s note at the back offers further information.
How to Cheer Up a Friend by Stephanie Calmenson
What do you do when your friend is sad? How do you help them feel better? Do you offer treats, make them laugh, listen? Through rhyming text, the narrator offers suggestions of how to help a friend: make him laugh, take a walk, listen. A young boy tries to cheer up an elephant who really just needs someone to listen. The pages consist of 1-2 sentences per 2 page spread. The colorful illustrations bring life to the texts and convey the elephants emotions. Perfect for helping young readers learn about feelings and helping others.
The Blood of Kings
by Matt Myklusch
An action-packed graphic novel set in a medieval land surrounded by more modern kingdoms. It is being attacked by Night Lander warriors every evening. Skerren finds himself defending his kingdom and his king from this invading force and from enemies within as well. The story moves along with plenty of visual action and plot twists. I liked the map at the beginning of the book, but wished that it had included more of the kingdoms that actually appeared in the book. For instance, the Night Landers home location was not on the map.There are other books in the Imagine Nation world, so perhaps those books included information I felt was missing in this volume. Clearly, Skerren’s friends, Jack and Allegra, were in other volumes. This book alluded to earlier adventures with the friends. Graphics are bold & colorful and the pace of the story moves right along.
The Forgotten Magic of Zoey Turner by Erin Stewart
This upper elementary/middle grade novel is perfect for many readers: anyone managing an anxiety disorder, anyone who loves to write fanfiction or fantasy, anyone who’s been bullied, anyone who’s lost a parent, anyone receiving support from a therapist, or anyone who worries or fixates on worst case scenarios. Zoey Turner lost her father to a bus accident and now struggles with debilitating anxiety. Her fears include but aren’t limited to buses, germs, crowds, cars, the deep end of the pool, and she spends her time googling worst-case scenario facts. She is obsessed with Raven M. Wells, author of her favorite fantasy series about a hero’s journey. Cleverly, this is exactly what Zoey finds herself embarking on after she obtains what she believes to be a “magic pencil” at the author’s signing event because when she proceeds to write with it, her stories come true. Readers will ponder what they would write if they had a magic pencil. Zoey’s quest includes: a supportive mother; book store owner, Jada; Derek, a boy bullied by others; and best friend, Lena, who loves and supports her, but who is also being pulled into a new circle of not-very-nice girls. During the course of her quest, Zoey learns that it’s okay to need others, courage means acting in spite of fear, “bad things…happen to all of us, be we decide how those things change us” (298), the magic is in us, and we can’t just be the hero; rather, we have to become one. All powerful and necessary messages. The twist at the end will delight readers while they cheer Zoey on during the final stages of her hero’s journey.
Heartfelt by Elaine Vickers
What is love? How do you show love? The main character makes small hearts and gives them away after completing acts of kindness. The character uses their senses to describe love. Love feels like a gentle hand to lift you up if you fall down. Love tastes like warm cookies we take to the neighbors. The diorama illustrations are colorful and help carry the story. Many small acts of kindness are demonstrated through the words and collage illustrations of this book.
With Just One Wing by Brenda Woods
Reviewed by North Thurston High School student, Michelle E.
This is an exquisite middle-grade novel that sensitively explores identity, belonging, and the intricacies of adoption. Readers are transported into a heartfelt coming of age story through nearly twelve-year-old Cooper “Coop” Garnet’s eyes, who finds himself needing to rescue an injured mockingbird. Coop, who was adopted at infancy, struggles with questions about his birthmother and where he fits into his beloved, yet adoptive family. Coop and his buddy, Zandi, find an orphaned fledgling, who only has one wing; it won’t be able to fend for itself. They choose to take care of the bird, and name it Hop. As Coop pours his energy into Hop’s care, he starts to notice parallels between the bird’s plight and his own abandonment and acceptance issues. This experience teaches him about love, sacrifice and the complexities of his own adoption. Woods uses straightforward, conversational language to enliven Coop’s first-person narrative, helping to explain complicated feelings to young readers. Ideal for fans of… The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng; Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan Readers who enjoy tales of personal transformation, family relationships, and the redemptive power of tending to another’s needs will especially resonate with With Just One Wing, a warm, approachable family story with believable conflicts and satisfying resolutions. The complexity of Woods’ story mirrors the intricacies of relationships woven among those we love, the sense of responsibility we have for families we choose, and how to balance that with the hard realities of life. More than a heartwarming book, this is a great addition to middle-grade literature because it reads like a love letter mixed with life lessons.
Unstuck by Barbara Dee
Reviewed by North Thurston High School student, Michelle E.
This is a terrific middle-grade read that explores writer’s block, how friendships aren’t linear in their growth, and family expectations. By seeing it all through the eyes of seventh grader Lyla, readers get an authentic view of young writers trying to work through these struggles so they will enjoy it and possibly be inspired by it as young authors and middle schoolers. The story follows Lyla, who is excited when her English teacher gives her a daily creative writing assignment. While she spent the last year mentally building an elaborate fantasy novel, this is now her chance to put her story on paper. While trying to work through writer’s block, Lyla also deals with changing dynamics with her best friend, Rania, and the buildup of pressure to do well in a town writing contest. Dee captures that sensation of middle school – the bittersweetness of shifting friendships, the burden of academic (and personal) expectations – perfectly. Lyla’s internal conflicts about perfectionism and self-doubt, in addition to the practical writing advice embedded into the narrative itself, offers useful lessons to young authors dealing with such obstacles. This novel is ideal for fans of Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary and Front Desk by Kelly Yang. All in all, Unstuck is a tender, comical meditation on making your way through life as a young writer on and off the page. Barbara Dee is a fabulous storyteller, and the lessons in this book empower readers to feel comfortable expressing their creative passions, while also dealing with adolescent trials with empathy and resilience. This novel is a welcome addition to middle grade literature.
Not Nothing by Gayle Forman
Reviewed by North Thurston High School student, Michelle E.
This heartwarming and deeply moving middle-grade novel should be required reading for everyone who has ever grappled with guilt, redemption, or finding their voice in an unlikely setting. Forman tells such a lovely story of an unlikely friendship formed between a troubled twelve-year-old boy and a 107-year-old man who has had no voice for years. This novel is a tender and evocative novel about forgiveness, resilience, and healing. The plot centers around Alex, a boy who winds up doing community service at a retirement home after a mistake leaves him in some hot water. Although he’s reluctant at first, he changes when he meets Josey, an elderly Holocaust survivor who has been rendered unable to speak. As Alex starts to spend more time with him, he gradually unravels his past and learns the true cost of silence. Their connection deepens and urges them both to face bad memories and believe in the present. Not Nothing is both a funny and nakedly honest story of second chances and how we connect, and Forman juggles those emotions with grace. This book is ideal for fans of… The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, Restart by Gordon Korman, and The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. It is a beautifully written and deeply moving novel, and is a significant read for all. Highly recommended!
Ladybug Launch by Melissa Trempe & Natalia Ojeda
Ladybug Launch is inspired by a true story of the author’s experience in the project of sending ladybugs to space. Two stories run parallel to each other throughout the book. Natalia, a young girl in Chile, wonders if she could be the first in her family to attend university. Luna, a chinita (ladybug), longs to go to space. One day Luna finds her attending school with Natalia when Natalia’s class is creating an experiment for space. If humans can live in space, they would need to grow food. If they grow food, they will need something to combat the pests. This book is fictional with an anthropomorphized ladybug, but does include an author’s note at the end recounting her real experience with this experiment. Spanish words are included throughout the story and a glossary is included at the back as well as websites for further information about ladybugs and NASA.
Lost Stick by Anoosha Syed
While out for a walk, Louise throws a stick for Milo. Milo brings it back again and again because it makes Louise happy. One time Louise pretends to throw the stick and Milo thinks she has thrown it really far, so Milo goes in search of it. He searches the neighborhood, puts up posters and eventually sets off around the world looking for stick. He finds a lot of different sticks, but not Louise’s stick. Through the illustrations you can see that at the same time, Louise is searching for Milo. Pay careful attention to the bright, detailed illustrations to see the emotions of Milo and Louise as well as details of the story.
I Want to Read ALL the Books by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
When Hana learns that books can answer her questions, she sets out on a mission to read all of the books. She starts with reading all of the nonfiction books on her shelf and then the fiction books. Soon she has read all of the books in the house and her friends’ houses, but her list of questions just keeps on growing. Hana’ wants to buy all of the books. ‘s mom takes her to the library, but Hana becomes overwhelmed that she will never be able to read all of the books. After a talk with the librarian, Hana starts a book club with her friends so they can share their books.
The pictures are colorful and the characters are diverse. The font changes to express how Hana is feeling throughout the story. A wonderful about the importance of curiosity and sharing the books we love.
Ruby Rene Had So Much to Say by Ashley Iman
Ruby Rene knows a lot of things and she desperately wants to share them, but that leads to her getting in trouble at school for talking too much. Her dad gives her a journal to write her thoughts in, but then she is not paying attention in class. Eventually the principal helps her come up with a way to foster her curiosity and share her knowledge with others.
The text of the book is complemented by colorful illustrations and the incorporation of speech and thought bubbles. A wonderful story about those who just can’t contain themselves with their need to share and a way that it can be turned into a positive instead a negative trait.
Nothing Scares a Dinosaur by Jonathan Fenske
A young boy gets ready for bed and in the illustrations you can see a dinosaur looking back at him in the mirror. After his mom turns out his light, he hears a sound. He is not afraid of the sound because he is a dinosaur. He is not afraid of the shadow, a spider, a monster, or the weather because nothing scares a dinosaur.
This Ready to Read Level One book features large, easy to read type, rhyming text and one to two sentences on the page. The illustrations are colorful and cartoonish bring humor to a book about being afraid of things at night. A humorous story to be read aloud or for those learning to read.
Bijan Always Wins
Written by Adib Khorram and illustrated by Michelle Tran
Bijan always wins (in his mind). Whether it’s eating a sandwich or tying his shoes – he’s the winner. All this winning has an impact on friendships, though. Not many other kids want to play with a self-declared winner of everything. Bijan becomes more intuitive over time, noticing that other children are avoiding him. And, after some reflection, he makes some changes and realizes that when you’re playing together and no one ‘wins’, you actually all win.This very sweet story shows that people can change as we watch an annoying main character change for the better and become a friend to others. As a result, he is happier, too!
The muted tones of the illustrations are lovely and the pages are awash in color. Characters are diverse and children will be familiar with the school settings in which the book is set. They might even see themselves in the characters. Recommended.
Finding Mr. Trunks
written by Annemarie Riley Guertin and illustrated by Andrea Alemanno
Mr. Trunks is at the airport with his person, Libby, and her family when disaster strikes. Libby drops him! She doesn’t realize it and rushes off with her family, leaving Mr. Trunks behind. Luckily, a baby picks him up and he boards a plane to Italy with the baby’s family, who realizes that Mr. Trunks has tagged along with their family by mistake. With the help of social media and the kind family he is traveling with, Mr. Trunks finds his way back to Libby. He had a lovely trip along the way, which was followed by many interested folks. #FindingMrTrunks
This lovely picture book shows that social media has a positive side where people connect to bring Mr. Trunks and Libby back together again. And, Baby’s Mom does a great job of chronicling his adventures along the way. Characters are mix of human and anthropomorphic animals. engaged in typical travel fun. Recommended.
Spin Of Fate
Reviewed by Student: Jolleen M.
I would say to a friend that Spin of Fate is a vivid and dynamic world. If you’re into fantasy or science fiction, then I definitely recommend it. In my opinion, I feel like it was a good read, the story isn’t too complex and doesn’t have an overwhelming exposition.
The Ballerina of Auschwitz
Review by student: Akela B.
Edie is a gymnast and dancer who lives in a house with her family. Because they are Jewish, during WWII they are sent to the camps; she is separated from her first love, her boyfriend. While in Auschwitz, Edie dreams of seeing her boyfriend again. In the camp dormitory, the camp director is a creepy lurch who has Edie dance for him in exchange for a whole loaf of bread. When they are liberated, Edie and her sister, Magda, find out who made it out of the camps and who didn’t. They have to create a new life after the war.
I like the book because it goes into detail about life after the war and their recovery. I like this book because I knew it was the author’s life.
With Love, Echo Park
Review by student: Jolleen M.
Los Angeles Cuban Community: Clary, 17, takes great pride in her family florist. Her childhood nemesis, Emilio, would rather run away from his family bike repair business. Opposites attract, and they’re stronger together.This was a fun read about strengthening the Cuban community in Los Angeles, especially in light of the recent, devastating fires in Los Angeles and because I lived in Los Angeles. I could totally picture Echo Park and the sultry summer days.
The book was well paced and characters were easy to relate to. I like the switching narratives between Clary and Emilio. I think the author nailed the meddling Cuban family. I loved all the references to flowers and food and Cuban culture.
I feel like the romance between Clary and Emilio could have been a little more mysterious. It was an obvious romance. There seemed to be a competing storyline for Clary and her family drama, but Emilio does help her through it. They are a good couple.
If You Can’t Take the Heat
Review by student: Jolleen M.
Theo is a sweet, sometimes naive, 16 year old boy who is mourning the loss of the life he loved and adjusting to his new life. He broke his leg and is adjusting his plans for the summer. He works as a prep chef under a high-end french restaurant and meets a girl named Julia who he falls in love with.
I would definitely recommend this book to a friend who is into drama and romance. At least for me, it was quick and easy to read because I do enjoy a good romance book. It’s nothing too complicated to understand. I feel like it’s a good book to read if you’re into romance and drama or even maybe a little bit of culinary.
I really liked Theo’s character development throughout the story and that it takes place in the 80’s. I don’t have any suggestions. I quite enjoyed this book.
The Last Dragon on Mars
By Scott Reintgen
A little bit How to Train Your Dragon and a little bit Ender’s Game, this compelling story of Lunar Jones, orphan living on Mars, and his newly developed connection with a hidden dragon, Dread, throws him and all who have been keeping Dread a secret into a series of complications. Because Dread is being hunted by other powerful celestial dragons, he has been kept a secret and trained with many humans hoping to bond with him. When Lunar is the one Dread chooses, even though they’ve just met, the secret gets out and they must flee to find protection from an all-powerful dragon of Jupiter. The rag-tag collection of crew that accompany Lunar and Dread learn even more secrets of the past. This is the first of a new series, and I, for one, am anxious for the next book in the series to be completed! I think this will be a big hit with fans of Ender’s Game. I also love the paper edges of the hardback copy I have because it is covered with dragon scales. The idea that dragons are the magical spaceships to travel the universe as well as the guardians of planets and moons is a unique and intriguing concept. I don’t see a book 2 out yet, but I hope we don’t have to wait too long.
Bridges Instead of Walls: The Story of Mavis Staples
Written like lyrics with rhythm and rhythm, Bridges Instead of Walls is Mavis Staples memoir of growing up in a musical family and going on to successful performance career. Each part of Mavis’s life is treated as almost its own song, reinforcing the musical theme in her life. The Staple Singers, Mavis’s family’s performing group started as gospel group and eventually expanded to add message music that supported the Civil Rights Movement.
Mavis sees her life as a series of bridges, many of which were built from the music in her life. Born in Chicago to a poor black family that moved north during the Great Migration, Mavis met Elvis, Dr King, and Prince; she sang for presidents and princes; and earned accolades and awards for her music. Recommended for collections looking for books on music in the Civil Rights Movement.
The book includes a recommended listening list, recommended viewing list, and a timeline.
The Reunion by Kit Frick
Reviewed by OHS Student, Kloie P.
The Mayweathers and Hunts all officially meet each other in Cancún for an engagement party. However, old problems arise and relationships become tense, with the breaking point of someone mysteriously dying. This book has plenty of suspense- since the first page, tidbits of information is given of a murder that happens further along the two families week-long vacation in Cancún. In between, events leading up to the death explain backstory, as well as more side stories that account for certain distasteful relationships between characters.
This book keeps you guessing; you think you know everything, and think that you can probably draw a good conclusion, except more information is constantly revealed and keeps you pretty hooked. It also had some representation, which is always nice. However, I feel like the way the author portrayed how teenagers act is how they acted in 2005-2015 (and caused me to cringe a couple times). The vocabulary is also not that advanced. The latter kept me from finishing this book as quickly as I usually would, as it just felt somewhat bland to me.
I think anyone could read this book if they enjoy thriller (and are above maybe 5th grade?), and the vocabulary doesn’t have too many fancy words.
Veena and the Red Roti: A Story of Hope During Partition by Namita Moolani Mehra
Veena loves to be in the kitchen when the women are making roti. Veena practices making the roti and finally gets the hang of it. Then her world changes and the Partition of India occurs and her family leaves their home. They end up in a migrant shelter, where she is given a roti that was like nothing she had tasted before, it was red and hard to swallow. Veena decides that she needs to do something to help at the kitchen and makes red roti.
The end of the story includes a glossary, an author’s note and historical context. The story is inspired by the author’s grandparents’ journey during the Partition of India. The historical context explains what the partition was and is important for those who may not know this piece of history.
I Worked Hard on That
After seeing a beautiful web, Kiara is inspired to make her own web. It was not as easy as it seemed and her first webs were not works of art. Finally she created a masterpiece when a squirrel ran through her web, destroying her work. Each web Kiara created were ruined by others not paying attention. Kiara meets another spider, Orb, and they work together to create something beautiful until Orb gets hungry and eats the web. Frustrated Kiara runs away destroying Paws, the squirrel’s, sculpture. Kiara helps Paws and learns that creating is just as important, if not more than the finished product.
The digitally created illustrations feature expressive characters, intricate webs, and designs to demonstrate varying textures.
This book would be great for discussing frustration when creating something and for how to respond when you accidentally ruin someone’s creation.