Monthly Archives: February 2023

Elem./MG – The Last Fallen Moon

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Kim, Graci. The Last Fallen Moon. Disney, 2022. 978-1-368-07314-1. 363 p. $16.99. Grades 3-7.

The second book in Kim’s Gifted Clans series picks up immediately after the events of The Last Fallen Star. Riley Oh, having destroyed the patron goddess of her family’s Gom clan, ignited a backlash against her from the Korean community. When a group of witches hex the thirteen-year-old’s house, telling her to go to hell, Riley ends up taking them literally. She decides to journey to the underworld to find a new patron god and restore her standing in the community. The only problem is, she has to be, well, dead, to go to the spirit realm. One failed love potion later and Riley is on her way. But no trip to the underworld is going to run smoothly, and Riley’s ill-conceived plan goes awry almost immediately, (beginning with the fact that she’s not really dead). Luckily, Dahl, an underworld janitor-cum-tour guide steps in to assist Riley in her quest. From this point on, the action never slows. Riley discovers that the spirit world has been rebranded as a series of amusement parks and fried food restaurants. Working quickly, Riley, Dahl, and various friends who manage to infiltrate the underworld battle bureaucratic red tape, corrupt and apathetic politicians, and a variety of monsters. Eventually Riley saves the underworld and makes it home with a posse of new allies in the potential war against the clan goddesses. All major characters are Korean, and while a glossary of Korean terms is included, it is frustratingly incomplete, and a map would help readers navigate the complexities of a spirit world set in New York’s five boroughs. 

THOUGHTS:  Fans of the first book should be satisfied with the continuation of the series. The combination of humor, action, and Korean mythology and culture is a winner. 

Fantasy          Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor SD
Mythology

MG – Ravenous Things

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Chow, Derrick. Ravenous Things. Disney Hyperion, 2022. 978-1-368-07763-7. 325 p. $16.99. Grades 4-7.

Reggie misses his dad so much. He knows he should feel stupid going to his dad’s grave and giving him a birthday present – a model of the Enterprise he made, but it’s the only way he can feel close to him. When a curious, oddly speaking man accosts him on his way home from the cemetery, he tells Reggie he can obtain his heart’s desire if he comes to the subway station at midnight. There is only one thing Reggie wants, his dad back. Maybe he’ll be less angry then. Maybe his mom will become herself again, instead of the spaced out agoraphobe she has become. Even though Reggie is skeptical, he boards the train, joining dozens of other kids, including his arch enemy, Gareth, and Chantal, a peppy, bossy Black girl. Each child is thrilled to be reunited with their deceased loved one, but the dream-come-true reunions quickly turn into nightmares, and the three team up to escape from the terrifying parallel world. As the trio attempts to unravel the situation, they uncover a Pied Piper tale taken to extremes. The verminous conductor is luring children underground in order to replace them with transformed rats. Can the three friends stop the conductor and return the lost children to their homes? This creepy horror story provides chills and shivers galore, while exploring the manifestations of grief and loss in children. The three protagonists have dealt with loss in three generational forms, each of it traumatic and life altering. Their teamwork to derail the conductor offers them support as they work through grief, loss, and survivor guilt. Reggie acknowledges his anger issues, Gareth reclaims his music, and Chantal emerges from her sister’s memory. Reggie presents as Asian, Garrett is white, and Chantel is Black. 

THOUGHTS: This story succeeds on multiple levels. The Pied Piper tale is imaginative and creepy, but balanced by the exploration of grief and its aftermath. Purchase where horror books are popular. 

Horror         Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor SD

YA – We Are All We Have

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Budhos, Marina. We Are All We Have. Wendy Lamb Books, 2022. 978-0-593-12020-0. 241 p. $17.99. Grades 7-12.

Rania is looking forward to high school graduation, a job in a bookstore, and college. But those dreams dissolve in an instant when her mother is caught in an ICE raid on their Brooklyn apartment. The 17-year-old Muslim teen knows it’s all a mistake. Ammi has been working with a lawyer for years, seeking asylum for their family. Rania’s father had been a journalist in Pakistan when Rania was young, and when he was killed, Rania and her mother fled to the United States, where her younger brother, Kamal, was born. Fierce, determined Rania knows she can hold things together until her mother is released, but the siblings end up in a detention center for immigrant children, where they are befriended by Carlos, a teen from Mexico. Pursuing every lead to get out of the detention center, Rania, Carlos, and Kamal hit the road, like the Beat poets Rania idolizes. Their journey travels from joy to heartbreak to love, as Rania encounters myriad faces and stories of immigrants, individuals like Rania and her family and friends who are trying to follow the rules and live their lives in the shadow of border closures, family separations, and strangling red tape. We Are All We Have is an important look at the story of immigrants beyond the sensationalized headlines. Rania takes us through the immigrant experience, from day-to-day life with the ever-present fear of ICE, to government detention facilities, to sanctuaries and safe houses. 

THOUGHTS: An emotional ride through the world of immigrants, with feisty Rania as a guide, this book humanizes the immigrant experience. A first purchase for middle school and high school collections. 

Realistic Fiction          Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor SD

Elem. – Together We Ride

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Bolling, Valerie. Together We Ride. Illustrated by Kaylani Juanita. Chronicle Books, 2022. 978-1-797-21248-7. Unpaged. $16.99. Grades Pre-K – 1.

The everyday moment of learning to ride a bicycle is commemorated in this heartwarming book. Father and daughter take to the cul-de-sac to conquer the two-wheeled bike. With extreme economy of language (a total of 31 words in the book), Bolling rhymes her way through the familiar experience – getting ready, trying, trying, riding, falling, getting back on. The ultimate reward is when the young girl gets to ride her bike alongside her parents, as the family, with younger brother in the sidecar, pedal off for a family picnic. The sparseness of text allows the artwork of Illustrator Kaylani Juanita to shine. While dad and daughter dominate the page, details in the pair’s surroundings delight the eye – a snail crawling up a birdbath, sidewalk chalk drawings, a proliferation of small creatures watching the progress. The whole book makes you smile as you join the celebration of this important milestone. The family portrayed is Black. 

THOUGHTS: This book will be appreciated by any young child who is waiting to learn, or who has recently learned, to ride a bike. The simple, rhyming vocabulary is perfect for emerging readers. 

Picture Book          Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor SD

Elem. – Lemon Bird Can Help

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Ganucheau, Paulina. Lemon Bird Can Help. RH Graphic, 2022. 978-0-593-12267-9. 98 p. $12.99. Gr. PreK-3. 

Lemon Bird, a precious piece of citrus with a beak and wings, may have trouble flying, but has more than enough traits to compensate. She makes a best friend in Pupkin when she rescues the pumpkin/pup from some aggressive vines. The pair romp about the farm yard but make the mistake of  napping in the back of a produce truck. They wake up far from home, but clever Lemon Bird comes up with a plan. The sweet, kind pair make new friends all along the journey, even winning over sour Keylime, who originally bullies Lemon Bird and mocks her for not being able to fly. This graphic novel could have been saccharine sweet, but manages to pull off adorable and heartwarming. Lemon Bird reminds others that it is OK to ask for help, and OK to be scared, good lessons for young readers, too. Ganucheau’s oversized illustrations are perfect for primary readers, drawing them into the story. One delightfully ironic vignette has Lemon Bird and Pupkin taken in by an elderly woman and her Boarnana, who daintily sips tea from a china cup, while Lemon Bird and Pupkin end up being the pigs and making a mess at the table. It is hard to imagine anyone not falling in love with Lemon Bird and Pupkin! As an added bonus, at the end of the book Ganucheau includes a lesson on how to draw Lemon Bird, as well as an exercise in imagining other Fruit Animals. 

THOUGHTS: This thoroughly delightful graphic novel should be popular with readers young and older. The produce-animals are adorable and engaging, the illustrations delightful, and while the storyline seems simplistic, it is an appreciated reminder that being kind is easy, and has unanticipated benefits. 

Graphic Novel          Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor SD

Elem. – Rosa’s Song

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Rhee, Helena Rhee. Rosa’s Song. Illustrated by Pascal Campion. Random House, 2022. 978-0-593-375495. Unpaged. $17.99. Grades Pre-K-3. 

Jae, a young boy with light brown skin, is anxious about moving to an apartment in a new country. The view out the window is alien, the language unfamiliar. His mother wisely encourages Jae to meet other children in the building. Fortuitously, Jae rings the doorbell at Rosa’s apartment. The vibrant, outgoing girl with darker skin immediately makes Jae her friend, introducing him to her pet parrot, Pollito, and racing upstairs to investigate Jae’s apartment. As  Jae struggles to explain how different this unfamiliar place is from home, Rosa merrily shows him how a little imagination can overcome homesickness. The two youngsters become inseparable throughout the summer, until one morning Jae learns Rosa and her family departed suddenly, to return to her home country. Rosa has left Pollito behind with Jae, but the boy is inconsolable, until there is a knock on his door. Two new Black children stand in the doorway. Jae introduces himself, and Pollito, and begins to feel a bit less lonely. This sweet book, beautifully illustrated by Pascal Campion, is an ode to friendship, as well as a subtle representation of immigrant experiences. Rosa, who was once new to the country, knew how to reassure Jae and make him feel less lonely. Then, it is Jae’s turn to comfort and befriend the new children. No reason is given why Rosa’s family suddenly moved back to their South American home, but one can imagine a scenario that might require such a relocation. Many children will relate to this story, whether they moved across town or across the world.

THOUGHTS: This is a book to which any child will relate. Rhee’s evocative prose is perfectly paired with Campion’s graceful illustrations. Childhood emotions of loneliness, fear of rejection, friendship, and loss are universal, whether or not you are an immigrant.

Picture Book          Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor SD

YA – Murder for the Modern Girl

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Kulper, Kendall. Murder for the Modern Girl. Holiday House, 2022. 978-082-344972-9. 352 p. $19.99. Grades 9-12.

To the outside world, Ruby Newhouse seems like just another eighteen-year-old flapper, living a carefree life and enjoying the jazz clubs and parties of 1920’s Chicago. But Ruby has a secret – she’s been using her mind-reading abilities to identify men who target and victimize vulnerable women. Their crimes may go unpunished by law enforcement, but Ruby has been using her knowledge of poisons to ensure that these dangerous individuals are permanently removed from the streets. Buty is a morgue janitor with a secret of his own – he has the ability to transform his appearance into anyone he wants. He’s taken a job at the Chicago morgue in the hopes of learning more about his condition, but in order to do that, he has to assist the corner in solving a string of poisoning murders occurring across the city. Guy and Ruby seem set on a collision course. As they travel the streets of Chicago, the pair also must contend with Chicago underworld mobsters, crooked cops, unethical politicians, and more. 

THOUGHTS: This highly engaging historical fiction title will have readers eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next. Holds appeal for fans of mystery, historical fiction, romance, and fantasy. Highly recommended.

Historical Fiction          Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD

Elem. – Makerspace Trios (Series NF)

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Makerspace Trios. Abdo, 2022. $22.95 ea. $137.70 set of 6. 32 p. Grades K-3. 

Felix, Rebecca. Creating with Cardboard, Crayons & Duct Tape. 978-1-532-19640-9.
Olson, Elsie. Creating with Chenille Stems, Bottles & Tissue Paper. 978-1-532-19641-6.
Olson, Elsie. Creating with Egg Cartons, String & Straws. 978-1-532-19642-3.
Felix, Rebecca. Creating with Felt, Craft Sticks & Clothespins. 978-1-532-19643-0.
Felix, Rebecca. Creating with Newspaper, Buttons & Paper Clips. 978-1-532-19644-7.
Olson, Elsie. Creating with Paper Tubes, Rubber Bands & Yarn. 978-1-532-19645-4.

Each volume in the Makerspace Trios series challenges readers to become a maker by using three common items to complete projects. The title opens with an overview of the concept of a makerspace. Next, each of the three craft items is introduced. Their characteristics and properties are presented, and various prompts are posed in order to get readers thinking about way they could use and transform the items in various projects. Readers are then encouraged to consult adults, gather maker tools, set up a makerspace area, and get to work creating and innovating. While some specific projects are presented (such as weaving plastic straws and string to create mat to use as a coaster, or making a wall hanging out of cut and painted egg cartons), readers are are also prompted to imagine and think about other ways they could use the items to create or solve problems. 

THOUGHTS: This series serves as an excellent gateway into the concept of makerspaces for young readers. Many of the materials used are common items found in most households. Some projects can be completed independently, while others will require adult assistance (cutting, etc.). A worthwhile purchase for elementary libraries looking to expand their makerspace collection. 

745.5 Crafts          Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD

Elem. – Transforming Animals (Series NF)

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Gieseke, Tyler. Transforming Animals. Abdo, 2022. $21.95 ea. $131.70 set of 6. 24 p. Gr. K-2. 

Turning into a Butterfly. 978-1-098-24114-8.
 Turning into a Dragonfly. 978-1-098-24115-5.
 Turning into a Fish. 978-1-098-24116-2.
Turning into a Frog. 978-1-098-24117-9.
Turning into a Jellyfish. 978-1-098-24118-6.
Turning into a Newt. 978-1-098-24119-3.

The ability of animals to transform and grow has been a source of fascination to people of all ages for centuries. The Transforming Animals series explores the life cycle processes of six common creatures. This reviewer had the opportunity to examine the Turning into a Butterfly volume. The text takes readers on a journey of the life cycle of the butterfly–from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to adult butterfly. Each spread includes high-quality close-up photos of each stage of the butterfly’s life cycle. QR codes within the book allow readers to access a video, additional information, useful links and activities. Back matter includes a Making Connections page and a glossary. 

THOUGHTS: This series would be a worthwhile addition to any library serving primary age students. The life cycle of each animal is clearly and simply explained. Characteristics of each animal are also identified and explained. The supplemental material available via QR code is high-quality, and the activities easily could be incorporated into classroom science lessons. Highly recommended.

570s; 590s Insects, Animals           Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD

Elem. – Trains (Series NF)

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Murray, Julie. Trains. Abdo, 2022. $21.95 ea. $131.70 set of 6. 24 p. Grades K-3. 

Disney Monorail. 978-1-098-22671-8.
 Eurostar. 978-1-098-22672-5.
 London Underground. 978-1-098-22673-2.
 New York City Subway. 978-1-098-22674-9.
San Francisco Cable Car. 978-1-098-22675-6.
 Shinkansen Bullet Train. 978-1-098-22676-3.

Author Julie Murray explores the histories of some of the world’s most popular trains in this new series intended for emerging readers. Each volume contains a brief history of the train (or train system) as well as an overview of the current operations of the train today. This reviewer had the opportunity to view the London Underground volume of the series. This volume traced the history of the Underground (or “The Tube”) from its founding in 1863 to its present day services. Numerous historical photos and drawings as well as contemporary photos were present throughout the text. Back matter in each title includes a list of facts and glossary. 

THOUGHTS: This series is sure to be popular with young train enthusiasts who will enjoy learning about some of the unique and popular trains around the world. This series merits consideration for libraries serving younger readers looking to expand their transportation collection.

388.42 Transportation           Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD