This page is a collection of recent book reviews written by school librarians from around the Monroe One and Monroe 2 regions. Books for all age levels and from all genres are welcome.
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Reviewed by: Ashley Poulin, Brooks Hill Elementary School
Title: The Tryout Author: Christina Soontornvat
Publisher: Scholastic Graphix
Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 4-8 Genre/Type of Book: Realistic fiction
Content Warnings: Racism, racist language
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Published Summary:
Thai American Christine lives in a small, predominantly white Texas town, where her parents run a Chinese restaurant. Christine’s start-of-seventh-grade anxieties about finding her place and fitting in aren’t necessarily eased when her best friend, Iranian American Megan, suggests they try out for the cheerleading squad. Christine’s excited at the prospect of becoming a cheerleader, but tryouts will culminate in a performance in front of the entire school, with the final decision coming down to a vote by the student body. One of the many pleasures of this spirited, often funny graphic novel is that it smartly avoids tropes, instead offering complexity and nuance and balance. The cheerleaders aren’t mean girls; the candidates are generally supportive of one another; and when Megan partners with someone other than Christina for the tryouts, it isn’t the beginning of the end of their friendship. The talk Christina and Megan eventually have is deep and genuine, revealing Christina’s hurt but also Megan’s hope that partnering with white girls would give them each a better chance of making it. Christina is making new friends and trying new things outside of cheerleading, too, as well as asking questions about who she is (what does it mean to be both Buddhist and Presbyterian—is that even possible?). So many thoughts and feelings flow through this story, all of them genuine. As for the tryouts: The tension is real as the story builds to its climax. This fictionalized account is inspired by author Soontornvat’s seventh grade year.
Review:
The Tryout is a graphic novel loosely based on the author's experience beginning middle school, having moved from Dallas to rural Texas. Major themes throughout the book include her trying out for the cheerleading squad and navigating new and existing friendships. Christina is Thai and her best friend Megan is Iranian, and both of them experience racism (comments from adults and peers) and the book openly talks about challenges that children of immigrants can face.
I chose to read this book because it is recommended for grades 4 to 7, and I work in a K-5 school. I try to read a lot of books that bridge that upper elementary-middle school age range. Given how appealing the cover and graphic novel format were, I knew it would fly off the shelves! My school also serves as the ENL magnet school for the district, so we have many students who have newly arrived in the United States. I think there are many students who will see themselves mirrored in this book, and it will be an age appropriate window for their classmates. I think the content is a bit sophisticated for younger students, who will likely be drawn to the colorful cover and think it's a book about cheerleading. While cheerleading occurs throughout, the experience of trying out for the team is really used to foster conversations about friendship and belonging. Students who love books like Sunny Side Up, Allergic, Smile, Click, etc. will really enjoy this book.
Favorite Line:
This book is already checked out to a student, so I don't have a specific line to share! My favorite parts were when Christina and Megan finally resolved their conflict in the book, as it wasn't as "pretty" as these things often are in children's books. The two characters were honest with each other and both recognized mistakes made.
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Reviewed by: Lisa Rice, A.D. Oliver Middle School Title: Wish You Were Here Author: Jodi Picoult Publisher: Random House Publishing
Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 11-12, Adult Genre/Type of Book: Contemporary fiction, realistic fiction
Content Warnings: Covid-19/pandemic trauma, self-harm
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Published Summary:
Diana O’Toole is perfectly on track. She will be married by thirty, done having kids by thirty-five, and move out to the New York City suburbs, all while climbing the professional ladder in the cutthroat art auction world. She’s an associate specialist at Sotheby’s now, but her boss has hinted at a promotion if she can close a deal with a high-profile client. She’s not engaged just yet, but she knows her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident, is about to propose on their romantic getaway to the Galápagos—days before her thirtieth birthday. Right on time.
But then a virus that felt worlds away has appeared in the city, and on the eve of their departure, Finn breaks the news: It’s all hands on deck at the hospital. He has to stay behind. You should still go, he assures her, since it would be a shame for all of their nonrefundable trip to go to waste. And so, reluctantly, she goes.
Almost immediately, Diana’s dream vacation goes awry. Her luggage is lost, the Wi-Fi is nearly nonexistent, and the hotel they’d booked is shut down due to the pandemic. In fact, the whole island is now under quarantine, and she is stranded until the borders reopen. Completely isolated, she must venture beyond her comfort zone. Slowly, she carves out a connection with a local family when a teenager with a secret opens up to Diana, despite her father’s suspicion of outsiders.
In the Galápagos Islands, where Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection was formed, Diana finds herself examining her relationships, her choices, and herself—and wondering if when she goes home, she too will have evolved into someone completely different.
Review:
Did you miss out on any big plans due to Covid? Diana is about to miss out on her dream trip to the Galapagos, along with her boyfriend, maybe soon to be fiancée after the trip. Up until this point, her life has been going perfectly- her career has been going well, she is about to be engaged, and life is good. Her boyfriend is a surgical resident, and when Covid comes to NYC, he is not allowed to leave, and he tells Diana to go enjoy the trip to the Galapagos alone. Diana leaves for her dream trip by herself but when she gets there, she realizes that Covid is everywhere. The hotel is shut down due to the pandemic, her luggage is lost, there's no wi-fi, and she is stranded on the island until the quarantine is lifted. There's no turning around and going home. Perhaps as many people did over the pandemic, she reexamines her life and the choices she has made while exploring the island. She considers what really matters in life- forgiveness, love, bravery, and resiliency.
There are some big surprises in this novel that I didn't see coming (much like Covid-19) that made it a game changer! I loved the description of the Galapagos and what it must have been like to be on your dream vacation, only during a pandemic. Exploring the Galapagos on your own, and enjoying the stillness that the quarantine demanded but also worrying where your next meal was coming from made me think about where I would have liked to be during the pandemic.
The book shows the dark sides of Covid, especially for the medical profession in NYC, but it also shows the many different angles of Covid and how lives were affected.
This book is an Amazon's Editor's Pick: Best Literature & Fiction, #1 New York Times Bestseller, She Reads: One of the Best Books of the Year, a Goodreads Choice Award, and the rights have been sold to Netflix for adaptation as a feature film.
Favorite Line:
"You can't plan your life, Finn," I say quietly, "Because then you have a plan. Not a life."
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Reviewed by: Becki Truelson, Eastridge High School
Title: The Q Author: Amy Tintera
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 9-12 Genre/Type of Book: Dystopian/Science Fiction
Content Warnings: There is a fair amount of adult language, teenagers who are armed and not afraid to use their weapons. |
Published Summary:
In this action-packed adventure from a New York Times bestselling author, two teenagers from opposite worlds must fight their way through a vast walled quarantine zone in a dystopian America toward their only chance for survival.
Seventeen-year-old Maisie Rojas has spent her entire life in the Q—a post-pandemic quarantine zone that was once Austin, Texas. Born and raised behind the high security walls that sealed their fate, she’s now a trusted lieutenant for one of the territory’s controlling families.
Lennon Pierce, the charismatic son of a US presidential candidate, has just been kidnapped by his father’s enemies and dropped out of a plane into the Q with nothing but a parachute strapped to his back. Lennon is given a temporary antidote to the disease and crucial intel for his father, but Maisie must get him out of the zone within forty-eight hours–or he will be permanently infected and forced to remain.
With unrest brewing both inside and outside the Q, reaching the exit is a daunting and dangerous task. But if Maisie and Lennon fail, it could mean disaster for the entire quarantine zone and its inhabitants—and could cost Lennon his life.
Strap in for breakneck action and compelling characters in this timely, nonstop thriller.
Review:
The Q is set in a post pandemic future. The US still exists, but so does "The Q", a quarantine zone that was annexed from the US. The virus in this story has no cure and no vaccine. Once infected, residents can be infected over and over. The infected are kept in The Q and receive shipments of goods from the US, but these shipments are not always reliable.
One day an outsider is dropped from a plane into The Q. It is discovered that he is the kidnapped son of the president elect of the US. Will he become infected with the virus? Will he ever be allowed back into the US? Will the residents of The Q be hostile toward him? You will have to read to find out!
I enjoyed this "teens save the world" story. Adults and their influence are present, but the adults themselves never appear in the story allowing the teens to navigate the social and political fallout from the unexpected visitor. Maisie is the main character, and she is a force to be reckoned with. She is a fierce leader both physically and mentally. The other characters are well developed and believable. This story is an exciting adventure with just enough humor and romance to make it interesting to a wide audience. The ending is satisfying and forces the reader to consider what they value in a society and community.
Favorite Line:
Maisie: Can they just do that? Just kill us all?
Hadley: We do have US history books in here. They've bombed a lot of people throughout they years.
Maisie: Crap.
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Reviewed by: Angelina Brodie, Gates Chili High School Title: The In-Between Author: Katie Van Heidrich Publisher: Simon & Schuster Year: 2023 Good for Grades: 4-8 Genre/Type of Book: Memoir in Verse Content Warnings: Homelessness, Depression, Divorce |
Published Summary:
For fans of Enchanted Air by Margarita Engle and Life in Motion by Misty Copeland, this middle grade memoir in verse chronicles a young girl and her family who must start over after losing their home.
In the early 2000s, thirteen-year-old Katie Van Heidrich has moved more times that she can count, for as long as she can remember. There were the slow moves where you see the whole thing coming. There were the fast ones where you grab what you can in seconds. When Katie and her family come back from an out-of-town funeral, they discover their landlord has unceremoniously evicted them, forcing them to pack lightly and move quickly.
They make their way to an Extended Stay America Motel, with Katie’s mother promising it’s temporary. Within the four walls of their new home, Katie and her siblings, Josh and Haley, try to live a normal life—all while wondering if things would be easier living with their father. Lyrical and forthcoming, Katie navigates the complexities that come with living in-between: in between homes, parents, and childhood and young adulthood, all while remaining hopeful for the future.
Review:
In this memoir in verse, thirteen-year-old Katie is stuck in-between. In-between her divorced parents, in-between childhood and adulthood, and in-between houses. After an unexpected eviction her mother moves her and her two younger siblings into an extended stay motel funded by the generosity of a friend while she tries to find a job. Katie grapples with the sudden change, another move on top of a dozens throughout her life, and while her Mother says it will only be for a few days weeks pass with siblings trying to find some consistency in their new circumstances. Throughout the book we see Katie struggle in ways that many of our students may struggle. Katie tries to be the mender in her family, smoothing over her siblings conflict, placating her Mother's often blue moods when jobs fall through, and bottling up her feelings of being a "guest" in the spacious home he shares with his new wife. Inevitably Katie's emotions "erupt" and we see her learn how advocating for herself can give her some control and peace during this in-between time.
I recommended this book because homelessness is underrepresented in literature for young people. Katie's story is likely relatable for many children living in-between. The format is accessible and Katie's voice speaks to the authors authentic experience. End pages include pictures of Katie and her family and friends featured in the book.
Favorite Line:
"Words, after all have power, and there are so many I've still yet to discover, which excites me and gives me hope that there will always be new ways of knowing and understanding, and being'" (42)
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Reviewed by: Lisa Rice, A.D. Oliver Middle School Title: The Natural Genius of Ants Author: Betty Culley (award winning author) Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers (Imprint of Penguin) Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 3-7 Genre/Type of Book: J fiction, coming of age story, contemporary fiction Content Warnings: Deals with death and dying |
Published Summary:
Harvard is used to his father coming home from the hospital and telling him about all the babies he helped. But since he made the mistake at work, Dad has been quieter than usual. And now he is taking Harvard and his little brother, Roger, to Kettle Hole, Maine, for the summer. Harvard hopes this trip isn’t another mistake.
In the small town where he grew up, Dad seems more himself. Especially once the family decides to start an ant farm–just like Dad had as a kid! But when the mail-order ants are D.O.A., Harvard doesn’t want Dad to experience any more sadness. Luckily, his new friend Neveah has the brilliant idea to use the ants crawling around the kitchen instead. But these insects don’t come with directions. So the kids have a lot to learn–about the ants, each other, and how to forgive ourselves when things go wrong.
Review:
Ever make a mistake at work? Haven't we all? What if you are a doctor and there are serious consequences for the decisions made on the job? To escape a decision he made and the consequences, Harvard's dad leaves his job and brings the family back to where he grew up. Harvard helps his dad deal with his grief (he tries to keep his dad away from anything sad, including mistakes made with the ants), makes a new friend, Nevaeh, and together they learn to take care of an ant farm. The main characters include Harvard and his little brother Roger, Harvard's new friend, Neveah, and dad.
There are so many great lessons in this book. There are lessons about ants (I learned a lot about ants!), friendships, mistakes and how we deal with them, dealing with grief, and the fact that grownups make mistakes too. This book would make a great read aloud with lots of things to discuss. It takes place in rural Maine, and I can see discussing nature and ants and how we make friends. I can see touching on the relationships we have with parents and siblings. The book deals with grief and gentle ways to deal with it. There is sadness but it also has humor and wit and many insights. There is a lot of fun banter between the characters. I liked that a book about grief, sadness, and dying weirdly, was not a sad book. I also really liked the cover of this book- who doesn't judge a book by its cover?!
Favorite Line:
Didn't have a favorite line per se but there is a lot of fun with word play (trying to figure out why some words are one compound word and others are broken into two words), and I did learn a lot about ants, which generally I despise. After reading this book, I still despise them, but a little less!
From p.53: "Cool facts about carpenter ants:
1. They have no eyes or legs when they are born.
2. They are more active at night.
3. They use their antennae to figure out if someone is a friend or an enemy."
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Reviewed by: Kathy Jaccarino, Brockport High School Title: Ain't Burned All the Bright Author: Jason Reynolds Publisher: Atheneum (Imprint of Simon & Schuster) Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 7-12 Genre/Type of Book: Novel in Verse, Contemporary Fiction Content Warnings: Deals with issues related to systemic racism and emotional issues related to being quarantined during the pandemic. But nothing overt. |
Published Summary:
A Caldecott Honor winner!
Prepare yourself for something unlike anything: A smash-up of art and text for teens that viscerally captures what it is to be Black. In America. Right Now. Written by #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jason Reynolds.
Jason Reynolds and his best bud, Jason Griffin, had a mind-meld. And they decided to tackle it, in one fell swoop, in about ten sentences, and 300 pages of art, this piece, this contemplation-manifesto-fierce-vulnerable-gorgeous-terrifying-WhatIsWrongWithHumans-hope-filled-hopeful-searing-Eye-Poppingly-Illustrated-tender-heartbreaking-how-The-HECK-did-They-Come-UP-with-This project about oxygen. And all of the symbolism attached to that word, especially NOW.
And so for anyone who didn’t really know what it means to not be able to breathe, REALLY breathe, for generations, now you know. And those who already do, you’ll be nodding yep yep, that is exactly how it is.
Review:
I selected this book to read because, first, I love Jason Reynolds, and second, it was a Caldecott Honor Award winner...which surprised me as Reynolds is typically a YA author. I knew this would draw some controversy. This book fits squarely in the YA realm, but it is beautifully illustrated, so I get the reason behind the award.
It is a novel in verse that is told in three parts or breaths (indeed, as stated on the flap, "Three looooooong sentences!"). These verses tell the experiences of a young black boy during the pandemic, when the racial issues were spiraling out of control in our country. There is a parallelism (duality) between his struggling to breathe because of anxiety, and George Floyd's inability to breathe when the officer had his knee on his neck. Very powerful stuff.
I love the obvious closeness of the family and how the simple things are used to illustrate the power of just breathing in and out! Smelling a flower and blowing our a birthday candle. In spite of the emotional nature of the topics (systemic racism and the pandemic/quarantine) the book seems hopeful. I think I got that from his relationships with his family and the mundane things in everyday life.
Favorite Line:
The repetition of the phrase: "breath...in through the nose...out through the mouth"
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Reviewed by: Lisa Rice, A.D. Oliver Middle School Title: Dig Author: A.S. King Publisher: Penguin Books Year: 2020 Good for Grades: 8-Adult Genre/Type of Book: YA Fiction, Fantasy, Magical Realism Content Warnings: Drug use, sexual content, adult themes, use of profanity |
Published Summary:
“I’ve never understood white people who can’t admit they’re white. I mean, white isn’t just a color. And maybe that’s the problem for them. White is a passport. It’s a ticket.”
Five estranged cousins are lost in a maze of their family’s tangled secrets. Their grandparents, former potato farmers Gottfried and Marla Hemmings, managed to trade digging spuds for developing subdivisions and now they sit atop a million-dollar bank account—wealth they’ve refused to pass on to their adult children or their five teenage grandchildren. “Because we want them to thrive,” Marla always says.
But for the Hemmings cousins, “thriving” feels a lot like slowly dying of a poison they started taking the moment they were born. As the rot beneath the surface of the Hemmings’ white suburban respectability destroys the family from within, the cousins find their ways back to one another, just in time to uncover the terrible cost of maintaining the family name.
With her inimitable surrealism, award winner A.S. King exposes how a toxic culture of polite white supremacy tears a family apart and how one determined generation can dig its way out.
Review:
Winner of the Michael L. Printz medal and a finalist for the 2020 Los Angeles Times Book Prize, School Library Journal Best Book, a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults title.
This book is about a Pennsylvania family that has a lot of secrets and the story is told through multiple viewpoints. At times, the story line can be hard to follow and can seem like a puzzle. There were times I was confused, and yet, I really liked this book.
The title and the cover refer to potato farming, which is how the Hemming family made their money and then proceeded to cut off their children, who they wanted to be able to make it on their own. The children are bitter about this. The book goes on to tell the story the five teenagers- the Shoveler, the Freak, "Can I Help You," Loretta the Flea Circus Ring Mistress, and First Class Malcolm, and their dysfunctional family. It is interesting how their stories relate.
This book is about generational divides, racism, abuse, white privilege, the reality of American society, and teen struggles. It is definitely relevant in today's world. The storyline can be confusing and it can be uncomfortable at times but it is definitely worth the read. I'd like to go back and read it again. I was not expecting the ending.
Favorite Line:
"Wish I could have raised you in a place where history books don't lie, but pretty much all history books lie." There really are a lot of passages in this book that will make you stop and think.
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Reviewed by: Lisa Rice, A.D. Oliver Middle School Title: I Must Betray You Author: Ruta Sepetys Publisher: Philomel Books, Imprint of Penguin Random House Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 6-11 Genre/Type of Book: Mystery, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Historical Thriller Content Warnings: Death of a parent, emotional abuse, physical abuse, genocide, violence, war |
Published Summary:
A gut-wrenching, startling historical thriller about communist Romania and the citizen spy network that devastated a nation, from the #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray.
Romania, 1989. Communist regimes are crumbling across Europe. Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a writer, but Romanians aren’t free to dream; they are bound by rules and force.
Amidst the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu in a country governed by isolation and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He’s left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves—or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil dictator in Eastern Europe.
Cristian risks everything to unmask the truth behind the regime, give voice to fellow Romanians, and expose to the world what is happening in his country. He eagerly joins the revolution to fight for change when the time arrives. But what is the cost of freedom?
Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys is back with a historical thriller that examines the little-known history of a nation defined by silence, pain, and the unwavering conviction of the human spirit.
Review:
Cristian wants to be a writer but is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. It is hard to know who to trust in Romania in 1989, even your family and closest friends.
I had no idea what living in Romania in 1989 was like, and I learned a lot from this historical thriller. I found myself researching the Ceausescu family and wondered why I did not know about them before this book.
It is definitely a page turner and I didn't want to put it down! Crumbling Communist regimes, blackmail, informants, secret police- and also humor! Cristian's grandfather brings an element of much needed humor to the story. You will learn a lot about Romania and will want to enjoy a Coke, chocolate, and bananas while you read this book!
It is a #1 New York Times and national bestseller.
Favorite Line:
"Good luck comes at a price. Bad luck is free."
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Reviewed by: Becki Truelson, Eastridge High School Title: The Island Author: Natasha Preston Publisher: Delacorte Press, Imprint of Penguin Random House Year: 2023 Good for Grades: 9-12 Genre/Type of Book: Mystery/Thriller Content Warnings: Just a couple of instances of swearing, murder but not super descriptive |
Published Summary:
They said goodbye to their friends and family for the weekend. They weren’t counting on forever.
Jagged Island: a private amusement park for the very rich—or the very influential. Liam, James, Will, Ava, Harper, and Paisley—social media influencers with millions of followers—have been invited for an exclusive weekend before the park opens. They’ll make posts and videos for their channels and report every second of their VIP treatment.
When the teens arrive, they’re stunned: the resort is even better than they’d imagined. Their hotel rooms are unreal, the park’s themed rides are incredible, and the island is hauntingly beautiful. They’re given a jam-packed itinerary for the weekend.
But soon they’ll discover that something’s missing from their schedule: getting off the island alive.
Review:
I was instantly drawn to this book. The cover is eerily beautiful, and the description is irresistible. A brand-new amusement park is opening soon on its own island. The gothic park also provides a luxury hotel for guests. The owner decides to invite a group of teenage social media influencers to be the first to spend the weekend there. As they share their experiences with their followers, everyone will want to come to The Island. The teens do not meet until they arrive at the island.
The teens excitement turns to terror the first night when one of them goes missing and turns up dead. Sadly, that is where the allure ended for me. I never became invested in the details of the story. The characters were not developed enough in the beginning for me to care enough about their plight. The story was disjointed and there were many references to current social media trends that I do not see aging well. It was just OK for me.
Favorite Line:
People listen to someone online they've never met more than they do to their parents, teachers, doctors....it's tragic really.
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Reviewed by: Lisa Rice, A.D. Oliver Middle School Title: The Extraordinaries Author: T.J. Klune Publisher: Tor Teen, Imprint of Macmillan Year: 2021 Good for Grades: 7-11 Genre/Type of Book: Superhero fiction, YA Contemporary fantasy, LGBTQ+ Content Warnings: Grief, parent death in the past, some self harm, some violence, mental illness, abandonment |
Published Summary:
Some people are extraordinary. Some are just extra. New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune's YA debut, The Extraordinaries, is a queer coming-of-age story about a fanboy with ADHD and the heroes he loves.
Nick Bell? Not extraordinary. But being the most popular fanfiction writer in the Extraordinaries fandom is a superpower, right?
After a chance encounter with Shadow Star, Nova City’s mightiest hero (and Nick’s biggest crush), Nick sets out to make himself extraordinary. And he’ll do it with or without the reluctant help of Seth Gray, Nick's best friend (and maybe the love of his life).
Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl meets Marissa Meyer's Renegades in TJ Klune's YA debut.
Review:
This is a sweet, funny, gay fantasy romance with lots of humor! It reminded me of The Incredibles. It has lots of diverse characters. I don't normally love superhero books, but the characters sold me with their every day and not-so-every day struggles and how they coped with them. I loved the growth they showed, the romance, and the honesty. They are imperfect characters trying to make a difference in their world. It could be edited some and the ending is somewhat predictable but that didn't stop me from quickly picking up the next book in the series to see what these characters were up to next.
Nick Bell is a main character and a fan fiction writer who would like to be a super hero. His mom died a few years ago and he struggles with his ADHD. His father is a cop who is busy with his job, until he gets hurt on the job, and then tries to get back into his son's life.
This book is an Indie Bestseller, Indie Next Pick, Gold Nautilus Book Award Winner, Goodread's 'Most Anticipated YA Novels of 2020' book, and Book Page's 'Most Anticipated YA Summer Reads.'
Favorite Line:
"No one who started a sentence with 'well, well, well,' ever wanted something nice."
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Reviewed by: Kathy Jaccarino, Brockport High School Title: The Assignment Author: Liza Wiemer Publisher: Random House Year: 2020 Good for Grades: 9-12 Genre/Type of Book: Realistic Fiction Content Warnings: No |
Published Summary:
Inspired by a real-life incident, this riveting novel explores the dangerous impact discrimination and antisemitism have on one community when a school assignment goes terribly wrong.
Would you defend the indefensible?
That’s what seniors Logan March and Cade Crawford are asked to do when a favorite teacher instructs a group of students to argue for the Final Solution–the Nazi plan for the genocide of the Jewish people.
Logan and Cade decide they must take a stand, and soon their actions draw the attention of the student body, the administration, and the community at large. But not everyone feels as Logan and Cade do–after all, isn’t a school debate just a school debate? It’s not long before the situation explodes, and acrimony and anger result.
Based on true events, The Assignment asks: What does it take for tolerance, justice, and love to prevail?
Review:
I read this book because it was chosen as the Greater Rochester Teen Read for Oct. 2022. I read The Wave and as this book was compared to that, I was intrigued. The book is based on an actual assignment at a HS in upstate New York, similar to the assignment written about in this book, which also made me curious as I had not heard of this conflict in the news. The main characters, Cade and Logan, are HS seniors who decide to oppose an assignment given by their favorite history teacher, to defend Hitler's Final Solution. The teacher assigns this project feeling strongly that looking at history from different perspectives would teach critical thinking skills, however, Cade and Logan disagree and find the assignment crosses the line. The two students go to great lengths to oppose the assignment and get it removed from the curriculum. They go against their teacher, the principal, the Commissioner of Education...and the white supremacists and anti-Semitics they realize are in their town.
I found the main characters to be very like-able, but was surprised that more of their peers did not stand with them from the beginning, this was a bit frustrating to me. I thought their families were supportive, which is sometimes not the case in YA novels.
I liked the subtle changes in their relationship!
Favorite Line:
I think my favorite quote is not from the book itself, but from the preface from the author: "Any county. Any town. Any school. Even Yours."
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Reviewed by: Lisa Rice, A.D. Oliver Middle School Title: Zombie Makers Author: Rebecca L. Johnson Publisher: Millbrook Press, A Lerner Imprint Year: 2013 Good for Grades: 3-8 Genre/Type of Book: Narrative Non-Fiction for Children Content Warnings: Not really - just grossness! |
Published Summary:
Are zombies real? As far as we know, dead people do not come back to life and start walking around, looking for trouble. But there are things that can take over the bodies and brains of innocent creatures, turning them into senseless slaves. Meet nature’s zombie makers—including a fly-enslaving fungus, a suicide worm, and a cockroach-taming wasp—and their victims.
Review:
Zombies, vampires and other "monsters" in the insect world- what's not to love, or so I thought! This book will give you the creepy crawlies at best and at worst, nightmares! And yet I couldn't put it down! Immediate additional research ensued because...this stuff couldn't really be true, could it!? Unfortunately, yes.
Get hand sanitizer ready- you will want it as you read this book! The characters include fungi, worms, and wasps that take over the brains of their victims and get them to do some pretty bizarre things! For example, hairworms that cause crickets to commit suicide, a wasp that turns cockroaches into a walking restaurant for its babies, and plenty more to disgust even the bravest middle schooler! I can see this book being a great way to spark interest in research as it certainly did for me! I can also see it as a book that goes along with a "fake news" lesson.
This book has several distinctions: a Junior Library Guild selection, Junior Library Guild Top Pick, ALA Notable Book, Kirkus Reviews: Best Children's Book, and the National Science teachers Association recommended Book, and more.
Favorite Line:
"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one-quarter of adults and adolescents in the United States are infected with T.gondii. They just don't know it. That means you, or someone you know, could be infected with a tiny brain-dwelling zombie maker right now." (p.41)
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Reviewed by: Kathy Jaccarino, Brockport High School Title: Internment Author: Samira Ahmed Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers Year: 2019 Good for Grades: 9-12 Genre/Type of Book: Realistic Fiction Content Warnings: No |
Published Summary:
Set in a horrifying near-future United States, seventeen-year-old Layla Amin and her parents are forced into an internment camp for Muslim American citizens.
With the help of newly made friends also trapped within the internment camp, her boyfriend on the outside, and an unexpected alliance, Layla begins a journey to fight for freedom, leading a revolution against the camp’s Director and his guards.
Heart-racing and emotional, Internment challenges readers to fight complicit silence that exists in our society today.
Review:
This novel takes place "in the near future America" after the 2016 election. It is the story of seventeen-year-old Layla Amin and her parents, who are among the Muslims rounded up and transported to Manzanar, an internment camp for Muslim American citizens. The novel looks at the internment of Muslims, similarly to the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. Although many of the older Muslim Americans accept this fate, Layla struggles to find her voice and to protest against the complicit silence. Layla is a strong, female character who uses her voice and compassion to start a revolution. It is intriguing to look at this situation through the lens of the 21st century and how young people used the media and technology to overcome the prejudices they face as Muslim Americans. How different, but not, from WWII! Layla's father is a poet, I love how the book is almost grounded in his poem, "Revolution" (32). I found the story to be compelling, and a strong "cautionary tale." The author, in her notes states, "When fascism comes to America, it will come draped in a flag." Scary thoughts! Another novel with a strong own voice!
Favorite Line:
Layla's grandmother tells her, “Praying is important. But you can’t simply pray for what you want. You have to act.”
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Reviewed by: Kathy Jaccarino, Brockport High School Title: Girl in Translation Author: Jean Kwok Publisher: Penguin Random House Year: 2010 Good for Grades: 9-Adult Genre/Type of Book: Realistic Fiction Content Warnings: None. This was officially published as an adult title, but won the Alex Award. I think a mature 9th grader could easily read it. |
Published Summary:
When Kimberly Chang and her mother emigrate from Hong Kong to Brooklyn squalor, she quickly begins a secret double life: exceptional schoolgirl during the day, Chinatown sweatshop worker in the evenings. Disguising the more difficult truths of her life—like the staggering degree of her poverty, the weight of her family’s future resting on her shoulders, or her secret love for a factory boy who shares none of her talent or ambition—Kimberly learns to constantly translate not just her language but herself back and forth between the worlds she straddles.
Through Kimberly’s story, author Jean Kwok, who also emigrated from Hong Kong as a young girl, brings to the page the lives of countless immigrants who are caught between the pressure to succeed in America, their duty to their family, and their own personal desires, exposing a world that we rarely hear about. Written in an indelible voice that dramatizes the tensions of an immigrant girl growing up between two cultures, surrounded by a language and world only half understood, Girl in Translation is an unforgettable and classic novel of an American immigrant-a moving tale of hardship and triumph, heartbreak and love, and all that gets lost in translation.
Review:
Kimberly Chang and her mother immigrate to the U.S. (Brooklyn) in the 1980s for a better life. They end up living in a condemned building filled with roaches and no windows, no heat, while Kim's mother does back breaking work as a piece worker (for her sister) in a sweatshop, in abusive conditions. In spite of all these hardships, Kim attends school, works hard, learns English and excels, knowing that education is her ticket to a better life for her and her mother. She gets into an elite private middle/high school and lives a double life...student by day and sweatshop worker by night and weekends. She struggles to fit into both worlds. The most poignant part of the book is the relationship between Kim and her mother. A first love complicates things for Kim as Matt does not share the same aspirations and commitment to education as she does. I loved the ending! I know this book is older, and we were encouraged to read more recent titles, but I was intrigued by the recent challenge of this title, and it is a diverse title told in "own voice." It was also a 2011 Alex Award Winner.
Favorite Line:
Kimberly to Matt, "You don't need to rescue us. I'm going to do it" (252).
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Reviewed by: Beth Larter, Walt Disney Elementary School Title: Swim Team Author: Johnnie Christmas Publisher: Harper Collins Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 3-8 Genre/Type of Book: Graphic Novel Content Warnings: None |
Published Summary:
A splashy, contemporary middle grade graphic novel from bestselling comics creator Johnnie Christmas!
Bree can’t wait for her first day at her new middle school, Enith Brigitha, home to the Mighty Manatees—until she’s stuck with the only elective that fits her schedule, the dreaded Swim 101. The thought of swimming makes Bree more than a little queasy, yet she’s forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears. Lucky for her, Etta, an elderly occupant of her apartment building and former swim team captain, is willing to help.
With Etta’s training and a lot of hard work, Bree suddenly finds her swim-crazed community counting on her to turn the school’s failing team around. But that’s easier said than done, especially when their rival, the prestigious Holyoke Prep, has everything they need to leave the Mighty Manatees in their wake.
Can Bree defy the odds and guide her team to a state championship, or have the Manatees swum their last lap—for good?
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
National Book Award Longlist
Kirkus Best Book of the Year
Harvey Award Best Children’s or Young Adult Book Nominee
Review:
This book is a middle grade graphic novel about a Black middle school student named Bree who moves from Brooklyn to Florida. When she falls into the pool at her complex and is rescued by her neighbor, Etta, she confides in her that she doesn't know how to swim and Etta volunteers to begin teaching her. The story follows Bree as she makes new friends, joins the swim team, and as the swim team tries to qualify for the state championship. The story also reveals that Etta was a swim champion at the same school who faced discrimination as more of the public pools became private pools in order to prevent integration. The characters are dynamic and change throughout the course of the book, with growth towards greater understanding of each other being a main theme. The artwork is joyful and detailed and adds to the story. The book very thoughtfully handled telling the story of Etta and the discrimination she faced, and how she felt let down by her white teammate who didn't speak up when they were kept out of a neighborhood pool. As well as the stereotype voiced by Bree that Black people aren't good at swimming, which is answered by Ms. Etta with a story about segregated pools and the lack of access to public pools for Black Americans who live in urban areas of the country. The book also touches on issues of inequality when comparing their public school to the well-funded private school who they compete against, without turning Bree and her classmates into victims or making their story all about oppression. Bree is a likable character who grows in confidence, while remaining true to herself. The book also includes several positive adult characters. I would recommend this book to any students who are fans of Raina Telgemeier, the Babysitter's Club, or The New Kid series.
Favorite Line:
"I didn't make Bree a good swimmer. It was already in her. It's in all of your girls. I can see it. But you need to believe it so they can too."
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Reviewed by: Becki Truelson, Eastridge High School Title: Unretouchable Author: Sofia Szamosi Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 9-12 Genre/Type of Book: Graphic Novel Content Warnings: None |
Published Summary:
Olive is spending the summer before art school at a coveted internship, helping one of the fashion industry’s elite digital-imaging specialists. After a glamourous New York photoshoot, she learns that taking pictures is only the first step. She discovers the “violent verbs” (cut, crop, slice, lasso) of image retouching software and the secrets behind “virtual models.”
Soon Olive is fixating on her own appearance and pondering the ethics of her work behind the scenes. As college gets closer, she’ll try to get out of her own head, attempt to quit the Internet, and finally embrace image-making on her own terms. Unretouchable is a window into the little-known, hugely influential world of fashion photography and a tribute to self-acceptance.
Review:
It is the summer before Olive goes to college. She lives in NYC with her mom who works for a golf magazine. Olive's mom is able to get her a summer internship with Fash magazine in the editing department. As Olive discovers what goes on behind the scenes to create content for the magazine, she realizes that so much of the media we consume every day is not realistic. Olive begins to examine her own relationship with media and how it affects her self-image. She questions her own desire to become an artist. The themes explored in this book are not new, but the characters give fresh perspectives on how to navigate unrealistic expectations of ourselves and others. Social media addiction and morality when it comes to editing images is explored. This book leaves room for a sequel as Olive goes off to college and starts her journey as an artist.
Favorite Line:
I have two.
#1: "Are we all just fake, superficial, validation-seekers? The influencer I had been idolizing wasn't even a REAL PERSON...."."
#2: " I could have left the internship telling myself that retouchers were all maniacal women-haters preying on women's insecurities to get rich...but I knew in my gut that wasn't quite right. They were real people, working to pay their rents and make their art...and grappling with the same conundrums we all face in an image-obsessed culture"
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Reviewed by: Colleen Woods, Martha Brown Middle School Title: This is Our Story Author: Ashley Elston Publisher: Hyperion Year: 2016 Good for Grades: 8-12 Genre/Type of Book: Mystery Content Warnings: Main plot involves a murder; some references to drugs, alcohol, gambling. Some profanity. |
Published Summary:
Five boys went hunting. Four came back. And the evidence shows it could have been any one of them, in this thrilling mystery with a big twist, for fans of Courtney Summers.
Kate Marino's senior year internship at the District Attorney's Office isn't exactly glamorous–more like an excuse to leave school early that looks good on college applications. Then the DA hands her boss, Mr. Stone, the biggest case her small town of Belle Terre has ever seen. The River Point Boys are all anyone can talk about. Despite their damning toxicology reports the morning of the accident, the DA wants the boys' case swept under the rug. He owes his political office to their powerful families.
Kate won't let that happen. Digging up secrets without revealing her own is a dangerous line to walk; Kate has personal reasons for seeking justice. As she gets dangerously close to the truth, it becomes clear that the early morning accident might not have been an accident at all-and if she doesn't uncover the true killer, more than one life could be on the line including her own.
Review:
Five best friends from an elite prep school go out for an early morning hunt and only four of them return. The four remaining friends become the prime suspects, but they all have the same story: it wasn't me.
Senior Kate Marino works at the district attorney's office where her mother is a secretary. The Assistant DA they work for gets assigned the case, and Kate finds herself drawn into the plot as it begins to thicken. She also has her own reasons for wanting to determine the killer.
The narrator goes back and forth between Kate and the killer. In doing this, bits and pieces of the story are revealed slowly, helping to build the suspense. You will find yourself racing through the last one hundred pages to find out who's telling the truth... and who is not.
Favorite Line:
"A ten-point buck and a dead body make the same sound when they hit the forest floor." (first line)
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Reviewed by: Colleen Woods, Martha Brown Middle School Title: Better than the Movies Author: Lynn Painter Publisher: Simon & Schuster BFYR Year: 2021 Good for Grades: 8-12 Genre/Type of Book: Realistic Fiction Content Warnings: Loss of a parent (past-tense), some under-age drinking |
Published Summary:
Perfect for fans of Kasie West and Jenn Bennett, this “sweet and funny” (Kerry Winfrey, author of Waiting for Tom Hanks) teen rom-com follows a hopelessly romantic teen girl and her cute yet obnoxious neighbor as they scheme to get her noticed by her untouchable crush.
Perpetual daydreamer Liz Buxbaum gave her heart to Michael a long time ago. But her cool, aloof forever crush never really saw her before he moved away. Now that he’s back in town, Liz will do whatever it takes to get on his radar—and maybe snag him as a prom date—even befriend Wes Bennet.
The annoyingly attractive next-door neighbor might seem like a prime candidate for romantic comedy fantasies, but Wes has only been a pain in Liz’s butt since they were kids. Pranks involving frogs and decapitated lawn gnomes do not a potential boyfriend make. Yet, somehow, Wes and Michael are hitting it off, which means Wes is Liz’s in.
But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz noticed by Michael so she can have her magical prom moment, she’s shocked to discover that she likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow closer, she must reexamine everything she thought she knew about love—and rethink her own ideas of what Happily Ever After should look like.
Review:
Liz Buxbaum has high hopes for her senior year. Her childhood crush Michael Young has moved back to town. She is convinced that fate has brought him back into her life to make all her romantic dreams come true. But she needs help inserting herself into his group of friends. Enter Wes Bennett. Annoying neighbor. Arch nemesis. Person least likely to help Liz. However, Wes might be the only hope Liz has of reconnecting with her long lost love.
This book was such a fun read. One might criticize its predictability, but knowing where it was headed did not detract from the good stuff: the witty banter, the slow burn, the hilarious inner dialogue, the character depth of all those involved in Liz's story, and the way each chapter begins with a classic romcom movie quote. This book will have you reminiscing about first loves, proms, pep rally's and all the nostalgia of being young and in love <3
Favorite Line:
"It seemed to me that because of things like car accidents and lost loves, life and death and broken hearts, we should grab every moment and absolutely devour the good parts"
"I miss your clothes and curly hair. You look best when you're you."
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Reviewed by: Kathy Jaccarino, Brockport High School Title: The Door of No Return Author: Kwame Alexander Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 7-10 Genre/Type of Book: Historical Fiction, in verse Content Warnings: None |
Published Summary:
An instant #1 New York Times Bestseller! From the Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award winning author Kwame Alexander, comes the first book in a searing, breathtaking trilogy that tells the story of a boy, a village, and the epic odyssey of an African family.
In his village in Upper Kwanta, 11-year-old Kofi loves his family, playing oware with his grandfather and swimming in the river Offin. He’s warned though, to never go to the river at night. His brother tells him ”There are things about the water you do not know. “ Like what? Kofi asks. “The beasts.” His brother answers.
One fateful night, the unthinkable happens and in a flash, Kofi’s world turns upside down. Kofi soon ends up in a fight for his life and what happens next will send him on a harrowing journey across land and sea, and away from everything he loves.
This spellbinding novel by the author of The Crossover and Booked will take you on an unforgettable adventure that will open your eyes and break your heart.
The Door of No Return is an excellent choice for independent reading, sharing in the classroom, homeschooling, and book groups.
Review:
This is the story of a young boy, Kofi, who lives in Upper Kwanta in 1860. According to the author this story is based on the Asante people. This is a story of a young boy's life in his village. What is remarkable about the tale is that Alexander is able to transcend cultures and time. We see that Kofi has similar struggles and joys as someone living today. He attends school, deals with a difficult teacher, struggles with a cousin who is a bully, has a good buddy, and a crush on a girl...universal themes that are very relatable. Kofi has a good life, is a strong swimmer, close family and friends. However, his life changes after a festival with Lower Kwanta in which his brother accidently kills a member of royalty. As his family struggles with this, Kofi is captured, taken captive and sold to white men and held prisoner before being loaded onto a slave ship. The story ends as a cliff hanger when the ship is destroyed. I believe this is the first book in a planned trilogy? Through out the narrative the role of story telling is prominent and impactful. Beautiful and lyrical.
Favorite Line:
Nana Mosi remarks that “a history unknown will replay itself” (p. 171) and “until the lions tell their side of the story, the tale of the hunt will always celebrate the hunter” (p. 342).
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Reviewed by: Jennifer Costello, Laurelton-Pardee Intermediate School Title: Goodnight Racism Author: Ibram X. Kendi Publisher: Kokila (Imprint of Penguin Random House) Year: 2022 Good for Grades: K-3 Genre/Type of Book: Picture Book Content Warnings: N/A |
Published Summary:
National Book Award–winning and New York Times bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi (How to Be an Antiracist, Antiracist Baby) returns with a new picture book that serves as a modern bedtime classic.
As children all over the world get ready for bed, the moon watches over them. The moon knows that when we sleep, we dream. And when we dream, we imagine what is possible and what the world can be.
With dynamic, imaginative art and poetic prose, Goodnight Racism delivers important messages about antiracism, justice, and equality in an easy-to-read format that empowers readers both big and small. Goodnight Racism gives children the language to dream of a better world and is the perfect book to add to their social justice toolkit.
Review:
I chose this book as I am a fan of the author, Ibram X. Kendi and have read a couple other of his titles. This is a goodnight book of wishes and dreams for the world and our children. It reminds us that children are born open minded and accepting and the importance of keeping it that way. I really liked the illustrations that depict people of all races, religions, sizes, etc. and would be a good book to add to a primary/intermediate collection.
Favorite Line:
"When we dream, we imagine what is possible, what the world can be, and the world grows a little bit lighter."
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Reviewed by: Jennifer Costello, Laurelton Pardee Intermediate School Title: From the Tops of the Trees Author: Kao Kalia Yang Publisher: Carolrhoda Books, An Imprint of Lerner Year: 2021 Good for Grades: K-4 Genre/Type of Book: Historical Fiction, Picture Book Content Warnings: None |
Published Summary:
**Winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature in the Picture Book Category**
“Father, is all of the world a refugee camp?” Young Kalia has never known life beyond the fences of the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp. The Thai camp holds many thousands of Hmong families who fled in the aftermath of the little-known Secret War in Laos that was waged during America’s Vietnam War. For Kalia and her cousins, life isn’t always easy, but they still find ways to play, racing with chickens and riding a beloved pet dog.
Just four years old, Kalia is still figuring out her place in the world. When she asks what is beyond the fence, at first her father has no answers for her. But on the following day, he leads her to the tallest tree in the camp and, secure in her father’s arms, Kalia sees the spread of a world beyond.
Kao Kalia Yang’s sensitive prose and Rachel Wada’s evocative illustrations bring to life this tender true story of the love between a father and a daughter.
Review:
This is a first-person story of the author's memory of growing up in the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp. When she was four years old, she and her father climbed to a top of a tree in the camp and imagined a life in the world beyond. I chose this book as we have a lot of immigrants and refugees in my school, and I wanted them to experience a relatable story filled with hope and love.
Favorite Line:
"When someone falls you have to pick them up and lift them higher than they were before."
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Reviewed by: Colleen Woods, Martha Brown Middle School Title: Ruby in the Sky Author: Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Year: 2019 Good for Grades: 5-7 Genre/Type of Book: Realistic Fiction Content Warnings: There's a scene involving an accident with a pet dog, but all ends well. |
Published Summary:
Twelve-year-old Ruby Moon Hayes does not want her new classmates to ask about her father. She does not want them to know her mother has been arrested. And she definitely does not want to make any friends. Ruby just wants to stay as silent and invisible as a new moon in the frozen sky. She and her mother won’t be staying long in Vermont anyway, and then things can go back to the way they were before everything went wrong.
But keeping to herself isn’t easy when Ahmad Saleem, a Syrian refugee, decides he’s her new best friend. Or when she meets “the Bird Lady,” a recluse named Abigail who lives in a ramshackle shed near Ruby’s house. Before long Ahmad and Abigail have become Ruby’s friends—and she realizes there is more to their stories than everyone knows.
As ugly rumors begin to swirl around the people Ruby loves, she must make a choice: break her silence, or risk losing everything that’s come to mean so much to her. Ruby in the Sky is a story of the walls we hide behind, and the magic that can happen when we’re brave enough to break free.
Review:
"Ruby in the Sky" is the story of an 11-year old girl named Ruby. At the beginning of the novel, Ruby and her Mom have just moved to the small town of Fortin, Vermont, where her Mom grew up. Since the death of her father, Ruby and her mom have been moving, constantly in search of their new "forever home." Even though Ruby's mom is convinced Fortin will be it, Ruby has no plans of staying long, in hopes that they'll soon return to D.C. (their actual home), and things can finally return to normal. However, a new job working at a diner results in some legal trouble for Ruby's mom, putting their future in jeopardy.
In the meantime, Ruby makes an unlikely friend with the town recluse, an older woman named Abigail who keeps to herself, talks to animals, and lives in the tiny shed outside her abandoned, run-down home. Ruby also befriends a boy in her class named Ahmad, a Syrian refugee, whose own story helps Ruby realize that everyone has problems, it just takes bravery to face them. I cannot recommend this book enough. It will make you laugh, cry and everything in between. Ruby must find her own magic in order to help these new friends she never intended to make, in a town she never intended to call home.
Favorite Line:
"Even when you can't see it, courage can be found when you simply stand up. The problem comes when you don't speak at all. Then you're letting someone else tell your story."
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Reviewed by: Colleen Woods, Martha Brown Middle School Title: Two Degrees Author: Alan Gratz Publisher: Scholastic Press Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 6-8 Genre/Type of Book: Adventure Content Warnings: Some violence/gore |
Published Summary:
Fire. Ice. Flood. Three climate disasters.
Four kids fighting for their lives.
Akira is riding her horse in the California woods when a wildfire sparks--and grows scarily fast. How can she make it to safety when there are flames everywhere?
Owen and his best friend, George, are used to seeing polar bears on the snowy Canadian tundra. But when one bear gets way too close for comfort, do the boys have any chance of surviving?
Natalie hunkers down at home as a massive hurricane barrels toward Miami. When the floodwaters crash into her house, Natalie is dragged out into the storm--with nowhere to hide.
Akira, Owen, George, and Natalie are all swept up in the devastating effects of climate change. They are also connected in ways that will shock them--and could alter their destinies forever.
Bestselling author Alan Gratz is at the top of his game, shining a light on our increasingly urgent climate crisis while spinning an action-packed story that will keep readers hooked--and inspire them to take action.
Review:
Two Degrees by Alan Gratz is an adventure-fiction novel perfect for middle grade readers, on the topic of climate change. It's essentially three stories in one - each one introducing readers to a different character whose life has been impacted by climate change. First we meet Akira, who is horseback riding with the father in the Sierra Nevada's when their path home is blocked by a growing wildfire. Next we meet Owen and George, who live in Churchill, Manitoba-the "polar bear capital of the world." The two boys are attacked by a hungry mother polar bear after they get too close to her cubs. Lastly, we have Natalie, who lives in Miami, FL with her mother. A massive hurricane is headed their way, and with no where to go, they hunker down in hopes of riding out the storm. However, when the waters begin to rise, Natalie literally finds herself being swept away from her home and her mother.
Short chapters and action-filled scenes help make for a quick read. I also found it to be extremely informative on the topic of climate change. All of the characters show extreme bravery as they are forced to confront dangerous situations. Some of the scenes can be a little gory and graphic, mostly in regards to victims of the wildfire and the polar bear attacks. But the endings are mostly happy, with a strong message of urgency for change. As with other Gratz titles, the three stories come together at the end, helping drive home the message that climate change is not happening in isolation; it connects us all, and will therefore require effort and change from everyone in order to make a difference.
Favorite Line:
In the author's note at the end, Gratz writes to the implied young reader, "It's your world, your future. It's up to you to decide what you want that future to be like, and what you can do to make it happen."
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Reviewed by: Jennifer Costello, Laurelton Pardee Intermediate School Title: Laxmi's Mooch Author: Shelly Anand Publisher: Kokila, Imprint of Penguin Random House Year: 2021 Good for Grades: K-3 Genre/Type of Book: Picture Book/Realistic Fiction Content Warnings: N/A |
Published Summary:
A joyful, body-positive picture book about a young Indian American girl’s journey to accept her body hair and celebrate her heritage after being teased about her mustache.
Laxmi never paid much attention to the tiny hairs above her lip. But one day while playing farm animals at recess, her friends point out that her whiskers would make her the perfect cat. She starts to notice body hair all over–on her arms, legs, and even between her eyebrows.
With her parents’ help, Laxmi learns that hair isn’t just for heads, but that it grows everywhere, regardless of gender. Featuring affirming text by Shelly Anand and exuberant, endearing illustrations by Nabi H. Ali, Laxmi’s Mooch is a celebration of our bodies and our body hair, in whichever way they grow.
Review:
Laxmi is a young girl who learns to love her 'mooch' - a little mustache. When her friends tease her about it at school, she shows them that they all have hairs on their upper lips, and they learn to embrace it instead.
Favorite Line:
"My cheeks grew hot as a steaming bowl of Mummy's aloo gobi."
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Reviewed by: Becky Hibbert, East Irondequoit Middle School Title: Odder Author: Katherine Applegate Publisher: Fiewel and Friends (imprint of MacMillan Publishing Group, LLC) Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 4-6 Genre/Type of Book: Children's Literature Content Warnings: N/A |
Published Summary:
Meet Odder, the Queen of Play:
Nobody has her moves.
She doesn’t just swim to the bottom,
she dive-bombs.
She doesn’t just somersault,
she triple-doughnuts.
She doesn’t just ride the waves,
she makes them.
Odder spends her days off the coast of central California, practicing her underwater acrobatics and spinning the quirky stories for which she’s known. She’s a fearless daredevil, curious to a fault. But when Odder comes face-to-face with a hungry great white shark, her life takes a dramatic turn, one that will challenge everything she believes about herself—and about the humans who hope to save her.
Inspired by the true story of a Monterey Bay Aquarium program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers, this poignant and humorous tale told in free verse examines bravery and healing through the eyes of one of nature’s most beloved and charming animals.
Review:
Odder is the story of a risk-loving sea otter who can sometimes be too brave for her own good. This time, it gets her into a spot of trouble with a Great White shark.
The story is told in verse and broken down into four parts: (1) current day Odder with shark problems; (2) abandoned Odder as a pup, rescued by Monterey Bay Aquarium aquarists, who teacher her how to "otter," (3) current day Odder, post-shark problems; and (4) a brief epilogue.
This story was beautifully written and the illustrations by Charles Santoso are absolutely gorgeous. Katherine Applegate is such a champion for animals and her stories do so much to raise awareness; also, you can't help but fall in love with the subjects of her stories, and the same holds true for Odder. Applegate has a gift for making her characters anthropomorphic, but with such ease that you get the impression she can actually communicate with these animals. It seems as if she has a true affinity and depth of understanding for the wild creatures of this world; it's definitely a hard thing to do, but she does it without making them seem trite. It's a true gift. Reading this book, I got such a sense of each character's distinct personality, but none more so than Odder. I was instantly enamored by Odder and her antics. I'm definitely adding this book to my personal collection.
Additionally, Odder is based on a true story of the Monterey Bay Aquarium program that pairs abandoned otter pups with surrogate mothers as a way to improve their chances for a successful life upon their release back into the wild. This book will definitely give you all the warm and fuzzy feels!
Favorite Line:
"Imagine that dive of hers, that hypnotizing cyclone of fur and bubbles, and smile through your joyful tears." (p. 178)
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Reviewed by: Jennifer Costello, Laurelton-Pardee Intermediate School Title: The Party Diaries - Awesome Orange Birthday Author: Mitali Banerjee Ruths Publisher: Scholastic, Inc. Year: 2023 Good for Grades: K-4 Genre/Type of Book: Realistic Fiction/Early Chapter Book (Branches) Content Warnings: NA |
Published Summary:
This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!
Priya is excited to plan her aunty's birthday party. She will donate the money she makes to help the cutest endangered animal on the planet, the quokka! But the party is this Saturday! With so many items on her to-do list, can she get it all done in time? Priya sends out handmade invitations, makes DIY decorations, and sets an orange-only snacks menu -- including pumpkin samosas! Will Priya's very first party be a success?
Review:
Priya Chakraborty is a Indian-American young girl who loves party planning, quokkas, and DIY crafts. In this first book of the series, Priya starts her own party planning business and plans a surprise 'Awesome Orange Birthday' for her Layla Aunty. This is an illustrated early chapter book full of beautiful pictures, Indian terminology and culture. In the back, she includes a craft idea and comprehension questions.
Favorite Line:
"A to-do list can help me plan ahead, stay on track, and feel good. When I finish one of my jobs, I can cross it off the list."
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Reviewed by: Lisa Rice- AD Oliver Middle School Title: Girl, Serpent, Thorn Author: Melissa Bashardoust Publisher: Flatiron Books (A Macmillan Imprint) Year: 2020 Good for Grades: 6-12 Genre/Type of Book: Fantasy, Romance, Adventure, "Coming of Age" Novel Content Warnings: Some profanity, death of a father, kidnapping |
Published Summary:
There was and there was not, as all stories begin, a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch. But for Soraya, who has lived her life hidden away, apart from her family, safe only in her gardens, it’s not just a story.
As the day of her twin brother’s wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if she’s willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time. Below in the dungeon is a demon who holds knowledge that she craves, the answer to her freedom. And above is a young man who isn’t afraid of her, whose eyes linger not with fear, but with an understanding of who she is beneath the poison.
Soraya thought she knew her place in the world, but when her choices lead to consequences she never imagined, she begins to question who she is and who she is becoming...human or demon. Princess or monster.
Review:
As per Kirkus, this is "an alluring feminist fairy tale." It has themes of good vs. evil but also hidden evil. It also explores themes of family issues, and sexuality exploration. It is very fairy tale-like and is Persian mythology inspired.
The main character, Soraya, is cursed- anyone who touches her is poisoned. Soraya wants a cure to this curse, and Parvaneh, a fairy div (or demon) can help her solve this problem, but Parvaneh is being held prisoner. I like that this coming of age novel is about a girl struggling to claim her power and figure out who is helping her and who is not. In this novel, no one is purely good and no one is purely evil and it askes the question of what would you do for love? It is well written and has a beautiful cover too (not that we are judging books by that!) :) Like real life, this novel shows that there are gray areas in life and not everything is clear cut. It was named a Best Book of the Year by Booklist, BuzzFeed, and Amazon. It was a Book of the Month Club selection and a Junior Library Guild selection. It was ALA's Best Fiction for Young Adults and also ALA's Rainbow Book List.
Favorite Line:
From page 253: "She had never realized how easily hope died when there was no sunlight, how hard it was to believe that another day was worth fighting for when there was only night." I really enjoyed all the writing in this book!
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Reviewed by: Becki Truelson, Eastridge High School Title: Solutions and Other Problems Author: Allie Brosh Publisher: Simon & Schuster Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 9-12 Genre/Type of Book: Memoir/Graphic Novel/Short Stories Content Warnings: There is adult language sprinkled throughout the book |
Published Summary:
Solutions and Other Problems includes humorous stories from Allie Brosh’s childhood; the adventures of her very bad animals; merciless dissection of her own character flaws; incisive essays on grief, loneliness, and powerlessness; as well as reflections on the absurdity of modern life. “No one sums up the hilarity, devastation, and bizarreness of life quite like comic artist and blogger Allie Brosh” (NPR)
Review:
This book was a recommendation from the NYPL and I was intrigued as it is such a unique book. It is at once a memoir, a graphic novel, a hilarious reflection on childhood and family, and a tragic look at the effects of pervasive mental illness among several family members.
The author, Allie Brosh, is described as "living as a recluse in her bedroom in Bend, Oregon". I did not believe that was true so I did some research on her and it is indeed true. She has lived with severe depression for many years and has disappeared from the public eye more than once. Her art and writing is so creative and relatable that it was hard for me to believe that it came from someone who struggles with mental illness.
The book is set up at a series of graphic short stories from Allie's life. Some are absolutely hilarious. My favorites were "Neighbor Kid" about the neighbor's 5-year-old who stalks Allie and asks her incessantly if she wants to see the little girl's room and "Sister" which explains the strange relationship Allie's younger sister had with her friend, Becky.
There are also stories that are painful to read. "Losing" is a story about how Allie's health deteriorated, and she started "spontaneously bleeding to death inside my body". This is not an exaggeration. During this health emergency, Allie lost her younger sister in a train accident. The ways in which she conveys her experiences in very few words and often just pages of art were mesmerizing to me.
Solutions and other problems was unlike any book I have read. The graphic format and depth of emotions, both heavy and light, kept me wanting to turn the pages. I will be ordering this book for our high school collection and book talking it often.
Favorite Line:
"I wanted to go on to express how unfair the world is, and how many mistakes it's possible to make even when you are trying as hard as you can...."
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Reviewed by: Jennifer Costello, Laurelton-Pardee Intermediate School Title: Measuring Up Author: Lily LaMotte Publisher: HarperCollins Year: 2020 Good for Grades: 3-6 Genre/Type of Book: Graphic Novel/Realistic Fiction Content Warnings: None |
Published Summary:
Twelve-year-old Cici has just moved from Taiwan to Seattle, and the only thing she wants more than to fit in at her new school is to celebrate her grandmother, A-má’s, seventieth birthday together.
Since she can’t go to A-má, Cici cooks up a plan to bring A-má to her by winning the grand prize in a kids’ cooking contest to pay for A-má’s plane ticket! There’s just one problem: Cici only knows how to cook Taiwanese food.
And after her pickled cucumber debacle at lunch, she’s determined to channel her inner Julia Child. Can Cici find a winning recipe to reunite with A-má, a way to fit in with her new friends, and somehow find herself too?
Review:
This book is about a girl who just moved to Seattle from Taiwan. She wants nothing more than to celebrate her A-ma's 70th birthday together, but plane tickets are just too expensive. When she sees a kid's cooking contest, she enters in the hopes of winning the grand prize and flying A-ma to Seattle. Cici is a great cook, but only knows how to create Taiwanese dishes. With the help of her friends and inspiration from Julia Child, she is able to find a way to fit in at a new school, with her new friends and celebrate her A-ma's birthday.
Favorite Line:
"Just never spaghetti straws. But they are still noodles. I can do this."
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