Robbie Couch has a gift for writing intimate stories that draw the reader into the protagonist's cares and concerns. Within the first pages, Blaine had become real to me, and I was cheering for him—along with his cool friends and cool aunt—even as I anticipated the messes to come. And when the messes struck, I cried with him. Blaine is surrounded by a diverse cast of loving, supportive friends and family. Friends and family—and a slow-burn romantic interest—who accept and support him, but ... Read More about 5 Takeaways: Blaine for the Win by Robbie Couch
Picture Books: Fly & When Langston Dances
When she sees a poster advertising an upcoming double Dutch Competition, Africa decides to participate and show the world what she's made of. The problem: she's never double Dutched before. When practicing by herself proves fruitless, she decides to ask her friends for help. None of them has double Dutched either, but they each have something unique to teach her. Something that can help her "jump, fly, double Dutch to the sky." The author creates a beat and rhythm to the story by restating ... Read More about Picture Books: Fly & When Langston Dances
Two Books by Jessie Sima: Hardly Haunted & Perfectly Pegasus
Hardly Haunted is a charming read about a house who longs for a family to move in and make her a home. Except, she has one problem—she's haunted! She's dusty and cobwebby, and she makes a lot of noise. Who would ever want to live in a haunted house? Jessie Sima captures House's feelings of loneliness and longing. Feelings with which readers can connect. The story is told in simple language that speaks straight to the heart and brought to life through charming artwork. Sima's playful use of ... Read More about Two Books by Jessie Sima: Hardly Haunted & Perfectly Pegasus
How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion by Ashima Shiraishi
At age 15, Ashima Shiraishi became the first female and youngest climber to solve a V15 (boulder) problem. The next year, she swept the IFSC Youth World Champions for the third year running and placed first on the SCS Nationals. In her debut picture book, Shiraishi shares how she approaches a problem, which is what rock climbers call their boulders. Which is to say, she falls a lot. Each time, she gets back up, takes what she learned through her fall, and approaches the problem again, and again. ... Read More about How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion by Ashima Shiraishi
3 Biographical Picture Books: Dancing Hands, When Angels Sing, & What Do You Do with a Voice Like That?
Dancing Hands tells the story of musical prodigy Teresa Carreño as she discovers her love and gift for music, grows in skill and renown, and eventually plays at the White House for Abraham Lincoln. The narrative can be broken roughly into two parts: (1) her childhood in Venezuela, learning to play the piano and compose her own songs, and (2) her journey in the States, finding a place for herself through music and growing in fame as the Piano Girl. Images of war thread through both halves, as ... Read More about 3 Biographical Picture Books: Dancing Hands, When Angels Sing, & What Do You Do with a Voice Like That?
Two Books by Margarita Engle: A Song of Frutas & Light for All, plus Discussion Questions
A Song of Frutas is a sweet, heartwarming story about a girl and her abuelo, or grandfather, a street vendor who sells fruit. The story is based on los pregoneros, singing vendors who "walk the streets of Cuba describing the things they sell in poetic ways, to attract customers" (author's note at end of book). Likewise, Engle tells the story in poetic language, interweaving English and Spanish. As she explains, in her author's note, "...because that is the way people talk on both shores of the ... Read More about Two Books by Margarita Engle: A Song of Frutas & Light for All, plus Discussion Questions
Review: Geraldine Pu and Her Lunchbox, Too! by Maggie P. Chang
Geraldine Pu loves her family, her Biandang (lunchbox), and school. But after a boy at lunch (Nico) makes fun of her lunch, she's reluctant to eat the food her Amah (grandmother) prepares for her. Soon, the other students join in, even making fun of her last name. When Nico begins making fun of another student at her lunch table, Geraldine decides to take a stand. Geraldine Pu and Her Lunch Box, Too! is a delightful book. It's humorous, but it also explores serious topics like name-calling ... Read More about Review: Geraldine Pu and Her Lunchbox, Too! by Maggie P. Chang
Beautifully Me by Nabela Noor: A Children’s Book on the True Meaning of Beauty
Zuri Chowdhury is excited for her first day of school. Until she sees her beautiful mother staring at herself in the mirror and complaining that her tummy is getting too big. As the day progresses, Zuri observes other members of her family criticizing their own appearances, and she hears a student call another student fat—and not in a good way! Their words cause her to question her own appearance. If so many beautiful people dislike their bodies, how can she be beautiful? Beautifully Me is a ... Read More about Beautifully Me by Nabela Noor: A Children’s Book on the True Meaning of Beauty
Review: Super Sidekicks #1 & 2: No Adults Allowed & Ocean’s Revenge by Gavin Aung Than
Junior Justice (JJ) is tired of being a sidekick. His mentor, Captain Perfect, makes him clean his secret headquarters, do his laundry, and stay in the shadows while he takes all the credit. So, he decides to form his own team. Joining him: Flygirl, who's stressed by the unpredictability of Rampagin' Rita; Dinomite, who's tired of turning into a Tyrannosaurus Rex for Blast Radius to ride into battle; and Goo, who's escaped his creator and tormentor, the evil Dr. Enok. Before they can establish ... Read More about Review: Super Sidekicks #1 & 2: No Adults Allowed & Ocean’s Revenge by Gavin Aung Than