3.5 stars. Probably my biggest complaint was I didn’t love the artwork. However, this graphic novel is a terrific way to introduce kids to John Muir’s3.5 stars. Probably my biggest complaint was I didn’t love the artwork. However, this graphic novel is a terrific way to introduce kids to John Muir’s life and work. Yosemite is absolutely my favorite National Park. I also greatly appreciated that the author used some direct quotes from Muir’s books. And now I should read his actual books. ...more
A fascinating combination of culture and religion in this graphic novel. Yet it made me think how all everything around us contributes to who we are aA fascinating combination of culture and religion in this graphic novel. Yet it made me think how all everything around us contributes to who we are and how we see ourselves. And we can learn truth and relatable stories from anywhere. ...more
I thought this excellent of a girl just wanting to wear her hair curly despite some social norms. I also appreciated the small look into anti-blacknesI thought this excellent of a girl just wanting to wear her hair curly despite some social norms. I also appreciated the small look into anti-blackness and the debate over how black people should wear their hair. Breaking multi-generational opinions can be tough. ...more
A well-executed middle grade graphic novel. I appreciated how these five students came together to help another person. I also liked how they were ablA well-executed middle grade graphic novel. I appreciated how these five students came together to help another person. I also liked how they were able to see their differences and similarities and become sort of friends. ...more
I’m really enjoying Lucy Knisley’s graphic novels. This felt like a good second series book exploring how friendships may become complicated as romancI’m really enjoying Lucy Knisley’s graphic novels. This felt like a good second series book exploring how friendships may become complicated as romance enters the middle school years. Sounds like more books will be added to the series, which is exciting. ...more
I’ve really enjoyed all her books, and this was great too. A middle-grade, graphic novel memoir, which I think most middle schoolers would find relataI’ve really enjoyed all her books, and this was great too. A middle-grade, graphic novel memoir, which I think most middle schoolers would find relatable. It is tough to try something new and compete in the school popularity contest. It seems in middle school especially everything is changing as to friendships and pursuits, yet kids press on and grow. The final line resonated with me: Every ending is a new beginning. ...more
Absolutely terrific middle-grade nonfiction. Phenomenally researched, written and told. The author flips between Leonardo da Vinci’s life, the paintinAbsolutely terrific middle-grade nonfiction. Phenomenally researched, written and told. The author flips between Leonardo da Vinci’s life, the painting’s history, the painting’s theft, and even current day seamlessly. I’ve learned a story I never knew and it is pretty remarkable. Funny how a slew of unlikely events can make something famous worldwide. I’m not surprised this book won notoriety this year....more
Goodness I loved this. Inspiring and hopeful and triumphant. The community came together and people relied on each other and there was so much good. AGoodness I loved this. Inspiring and hopeful and triumphant. The community came together and people relied on each other and there was so much good. A moving modern story based on Greek mythology. And whenever I read a book by Gary Schmidt I enjoy, I think I need to go back and give The Wednesday Wars a second chance. ...more
My fourth-grader read and loved this, so I picked it up, too. Considering I enjoyed City Spies by James Ponti, I had high hopes.
Indeed, it was a fun My fourth-grader read and loved this, so I picked it up, too. Considering I enjoyed City Spies by James Ponti, I had high hopes.
Indeed, it was a fun middle-grade mystery. Florian and Margaret make a great team and I didn’t guess all the resolutions. I especially liked the idea of focusing on the little details to better understand a situation. ...more
Awesome, insightful middle-grade book. Really interesting to read about books being banned from an elementary school library and how the kids fought bAwesome, insightful middle-grade book. Really interesting to read about books being banned from an elementary school library and how the kids fought back. Although a fictional story, I can see it happens in real life. Things you would expect seemed true—banning a book meant more wanted to read it, often the reason seemed “silly” to certain people, once you remove one book you can find a reason to get rid of many more. I liked the idea that just parents should be able to decide what books their kids read. ...more
I listened to this along side my 6th grader who read it for school. A beautiful journey of remembering and finding who you are. I loved Sophie and CodI listened to this along side my 6th grader who read it for school. A beautiful journey of remembering and finding who you are. I loved Sophie and Cody equally appreciating their stories and development. Surprisingly, I pretty sure this was my first time reading Sharon Creech. ...more
A sweet story of three kids taking care of themselves in NYC while their dad is fighting in WWII. I didn’t love it as much as A Place to Hang the MoonA sweet story of three kids taking care of themselves in NYC while their dad is fighting in WWII. I didn’t love it as much as A Place to Hang the Moon, but it was nice to see some of the hardship on the America side. The sibling relationships are incredible. Probably my favorite was Albus’s inclusion of so much pop culture and 1940s history as it felt effortlessly included and added to my understanding of the times....more
A fine graphic novel. A bit calmer and more mellow than many. Certainly interesting learning about the vaudevillians with lovely watercolors, but overA fine graphic novel. A bit calmer and more mellow than many. Certainly interesting learning about the vaudevillians with lovely watercolors, but overall I thought it just okay. ...more
Still love this nonfiction, true crime, kid series. Absolutely fascinating. I’ve learned about this museum robbery before as there’s a Netflix documenStill love this nonfiction, true crime, kid series. Absolutely fascinating. I’ve learned about this museum robbery before as there’s a Netflix documentary, too. Well researched and interesting. ...more
Another terrific graphic novel. I especially liked how this one explored some of the discrepancies and unfairness surrounding blacks and swimming acroAnother terrific graphic novel. I especially liked how this one explored some of the discrepancies and unfairness surrounding blacks and swimming across the years. But also, it is really wonderful story about teamwork, grit, and friendship. ...more
Phenomenal middle-grade nonfiction on the American Japanese incarceration during WWII. The focus was through photos from three photographers which encPhenomenal middle-grade nonfiction on the American Japanese incarceration during WWII. The focus was through photos from three photographers which encapsulated much of the American Japanese experience. Hardship and perseverance through an unjust, even criminal, detention. Definitely recommend this read. ...more
A sweet middle-grade book that opened my eyes to water disparity in India. It is discouraging that such a basic necessity may be limited. I knew educaA sweet middle-grade book that opened my eyes to water disparity in India. It is discouraging that such a basic necessity may be limited. I knew education can determine a person’s success, but hadn’t realized similar importance to water. Minni was inspiring in her grit and determination. ...more
Awesome, sweet late elementary/middle-grade graphic novel. I especially loved that it positively and accurately describes a big family! I wish there wAwesome, sweet late elementary/middle-grade graphic novel. I especially loved that it positively and accurately describes a big family! I wish there were more books full of lots of kids. ...more
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