An old box of buttons becomes the basis for a lesson in 6th grade economics and politics when collection-loving Grace accidentally starts a fad at schAn old box of buttons becomes the basis for a lesson in 6th grade economics and politics when collection-loving Grace accidentally starts a fad at school that drives her and BFF Ellie apart.
A quiet story with plenty of relatable friendship drama. ...more
Collects three cozy, comforting illustrated stories about simple pleasures in the life of a quietly content shrew.
Sweet, but it is hard to get a feel Collects three cozy, comforting illustrated stories about simple pleasures in the life of a quietly content shrew.
Sweet, but it is hard to get a feel for the audience of this one. The page count is higher than most picture books but the small font may limit its appeal to easy reader and transitional chapter book fans....more
An upbeat and empowering picture book that embraces inclusion and all kinds of diversity. The text is a bit earnest, but the message of unity hits itsAn upbeat and empowering picture book that embraces inclusion and all kinds of diversity. The text is a bit earnest, but the message of unity hits its mark....more
When a tough new teacher challenges 12-year-old Hercules Beal with a daunting task--recreate and write reflective essays explaining his personal conneWhen a tough new teacher challenges 12-year-old Hercules Beal with a daunting task--recreate and write reflective essays explaining his personal connection to the 12 tasks of his mythological namesake--Hercules, who is still grieving the deaths of his parents, learns that it's possible to go to "hell" and return, and that he still has something to live for.
Set in an oceanfront Cape Cod town, pops of humor balance quiet reflection in this honest narrative. Teachers will especially like how Schmidt works in pointers for effective essay writing....more
"Freakish giant" Stevie Crumb is sick of always standing out for the wrong reasons: she's way taller than Another pitch-perfect tween read from Wyman.
"Freakish giant" Stevie Crumb is sick of always standing out for the wrong reasons: she's way taller than her peers, even the boys; and her clothes never fit right. At home, she feels almost invisible, eclipsed by her older brother's basketball aspirations. Stevie is thrilled to learn that her middle school offers a Debate Club; finally, here's a chance for her to be part of a team that needs her mind more than her body. But joining the club sows a rift between her and her BFF and means that she has to take the train home by herself--with all the unwanted attention from creepy older Brooklynites.
This is a powerful friendship story and an honest look at financial precarity, growing bodies, and family favoritism--but more than that, it's a necessary treatise on how to be female in the modern world, and what privacy and consent mean in the digital age. Read it and pass it on....more
I was excited to pick this up but had trouble connecting with the characters and the story--maybe, for me, something was lost in the translation or thI was excited to pick this up but had trouble connecting with the characters and the story--maybe, for me, something was lost in the translation or the adaptation to the graphic format...or maybe I just wasn't in the mood for an intense coming-of-age story conveyed in a muted color palette....more
Sixth grader Maggie is struggling to adapt to middle school but finds solace in rolling a 20-sided die to help make decisions. Maggie uses the same diSixth grader Maggie is struggling to adapt to middle school but finds solace in rolling a 20-sided die to help make decisions. Maggie uses the same die to determine outcomes in her favorite fantasy-based role-playing game. Slowly, Maggie's supportive family--which includes two older sisters--become aware that Maggie's die-rolling is a symptom of OCD. With help from a new friend (Clara), Maggie gradually begins to manage her compulsions and stand up to her own intimidating anxiety.
This is a thoughtful, honest look at OCD, anxiety, and mental health, and a very comforting and empowering book for young readers....more
6th grader guitar-loving Jake Wind is actually a human-shaped blob of alien goo, and as middle school approaches, he struggles to control his form and6th grader guitar-loving Jake Wind is actually a human-shaped blob of alien goo, and as middle school approaches, he struggles to control his form and finds himself spontaneously growing fur or pointy piranha teeth at inopportune times. While trying to keep his true identity under wraps, Jake teams up with aspiring superhero Agnes Oakes to figure out why sinkholes have suddenly been appearing around town. But when Jake begins to suspect that the sinkholes are connected with his shapeshifting abilities, Jake has to decide how much he trusts Agnes. A mad scientist, plenty of butt jokes, and touches of unexpected depth round out a pitch-perfect chapter book adventure. ...more
While navigating changing friendships, tension on her swim team, and the arrival of a new neighbor with roots in India, 11-year-old Indian American LeWhile navigating changing friendships, tension on her swim team, and the arrival of a new neighbor with roots in India, 11-year-old Indian American Lehka must decide whether--and how--to use her voice after an act of hate rocks her small Michigan town.
Lekha's voice feels real and authentic, and I enjoyed learning about Hindu holidays and East Indian culture through her eyes as she struggles to figure out who she is and what she wants. This is a satisfying story that skillfully probes middle-game themes of identity and friendship, but I didn't fall into it the way I wanted to.
Kirkus notes: "At times, the author's view can be Hindu-centric, as when she refers to Marathi New Year as an Indian, rather than Hindu, holiday....Tackles important issues with nuance--but pacing lags."...more
**spoiler alert** While searching for her purpose and trying to reconcile conflicted feelings about a friend she failed, 11-year-old Becca nurses a si**spoiler alert** While searching for her purpose and trying to reconcile conflicted feelings about a friend she failed, 11-year-old Becca nurses a sick piglet back to health.
Things I loved: Becca's endearingly curmudgeonly Grandma is always complaining. The family (Becca is a quadruplet) takes a walk together every evening. Saucy the pig's personality. Black and white illustrations that ground this as a perfect read for grades 3-5. Big questions seamlessly woven into a narrative that never loses sight of its audience. Positive disability rep in Becca's wheelchair-using brother.
Too many exclamation points in the narrative for me personally, but young readers won't mind that. The farm factory rescue at the end stretched credulity but effectively highlighted animal rights in an age-appropriate way. All in all, this was a feel-good story for animal lovers. ...more
While at the park, Joe, who has one leg and just wants to play, faces a barrage of questions from other kids.
WOW. Ability differences are portrayed wiWhile at the park, Joe, who has one leg and just wants to play, faces a barrage of questions from other kids.
WOW. Ability differences are portrayed with sensitivity and grace here, and the message--that "what" happened doesn't really matter, and we can all play together regardless--comes through clearly without being heavy-handed. Parents will appreciate the resources at the back....more
When four kids chosen to compete in a candy-making contest uncover a plot to put their beloved candy factory out of business, they team up to prevent When four kids chosen to compete in a candy-making contest uncover a plot to put their beloved candy factory out of business, they team up to prevent the closure by making the best candy ever.
Mass skillfully unfolds the tale from each of the kids' POV, and it's cool how walking in each kids' footsteps changes our perception of them and their motives.
But at over 400 pages, this felt a little long to me.
Young, voracious readers will enjoy this gently magical mystery and its Wonka-esque descriptions of chocolate pizza and high-jumping jelly beans....more
Having recently transferred from a small Islamic academy to public school, seventh grader Nimra is glad to have her BFF (Jenna) at her side to show heHaving recently transferred from a small Islamic academy to public school, seventh grader Nimra is glad to have her BFF (Jenna) at her side to show her the ropes. But public school Jenna lets Nimra down and grows distant--until Nimra gets an invitation to sing in a Muslim band alongside three popular, eighth grade boys. Although Nimra's family practices a version of Islam that doesn't allow for creating music, Nimra leaps at the chance to win back her best friend by singing with the cool kids, all the while asking herself: would a true friend expect her to betray herself?
Nimra's voice is engaging and relatable, and I love how this book explains that there are many different ways to practice Islam. ...more
Afraid to speak up when her best friend gets bullied, sixth grader Charlotte learns to manage her stutter and find her voice by writing anonymous noteAfraid to speak up when her best friend gets bullied, sixth grader Charlotte learns to manage her stutter and find her voice by writing anonymous notes of encouragement and acting in a musical.
While the ending twist with the musical felt a little too convenient, it made for a good story. Kids will like the note-writing and be inspired to write their own....more
An inspirational and aspirational story about making the world a better place, for any child who has ever been told, "You're too young and too small tAn inspirational and aspirational story about making the world a better place, for any child who has ever been told, "You're too young and too small to make a difference."
Second-person narration lends intimacy and urgency to Gorman's hopeful message. Robinson's bright, signature illustrations create a specific narrative--about a blighted inner-city neighborhood and a trio of kids determined to clean up the litter and green up the space with a thriving garden bed--from Gorman's spare and generalized free verse....more
A fall from a roof leaves 8th grader Chase Ambrose with amnesia, and struggling to reconcile the bully he was before the accident with the person he iA fall from a roof leaves 8th grader Chase Ambrose with amnesia, and struggling to reconcile the bully he was before the accident with the person he is now.
Multiple narrators--including Chase; video club geek Brendan Espinoza; former bullying target Joel; and Joel's protective twin sister, Shoshana--slowly unravel a layered narrative about empathy, the choices we make, and our potential for change. Poignant and sometimes funny, fully-realized characters and a fresh premise make for a unique twist on the topic of bullying.
The full-cast audio is an absolute delight....more
Four slice of life stories for new readers about best friends Bear and Bird.
Bear and Bird's relationship is sweet, and there are plenty of comical miFour slice of life stories for new readers about best friends Bear and Bird.
Bear and Bird's relationship is sweet, and there are plenty of comical misunderstandings that will keep kids giggling. But the adult in me was a little disappointed that sometimes protecting each other's feelings seems to matter more than being honest with one another. True friends learn that they can be honest and work through hurt without compromising the friendship. ...more
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