Monthly Archives: May 2023

Elem. / MG – Not an Easy Win

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Giles, Chrystal D. Not an Easy Win. Random House, 2023.  978-0-593-17521-7, 256 p. $13.99. Grades 4-6.

Lawrence’s family moves from Charlotte to Larenville, North Carolina to help out his granny. In school, he always seems to get in trouble and after too many fights gets expelled. While being expelled, he starts helping out his neighbor, Mr. Dennis at the rec center. A big part of the rec center program is playing chess. Lawrence starts watching the other kids compete against one another and wants to learn how to play chess.  A chess tournament is being held, and Lawrence wants to earn a spot on the team to go. Through ups and downs, Lawrence learns how hard work pays off and can be proud of who he is.

THOUGHTS: This was an excellent read. Lawrence may not have had the best life, but by changing his outlook he can persevere and thrive. He struggles with the change of moving and starting a new school, where there are few African Americans. He is a target for bullies and being picked on because he is different. This is a coming of age story, dealing with crushes, discrimination, and competitiveness. This was a wonderful story that I think everyone should read.

Realistic Fiction

Lawrence’s move from Charlotte to the country town of Larenville, North Carolina is the beginning of his bad luck. His father left the family; he was expelled from school for fighting too much; and his granny, who has taken in his family, does not seem happy to have him in the house. After his expulsion, his granny tells him he must find something to keep himself busy. Lawrence starts spending his day at the local rec center, run by granny’s neighbor, Mr. Dennis. He really likes all the kids at the rec center with the exception of Deuce, who seems to have it out for him. Most of the kids his age enjoy playing chess, and many are competing for the chance to go to the Charlotte Classic Chess Tournament. Suddenly, Lawrence wants to learn all about chess and win a spot in that tournament. With Mr. Dennis as his coach, he begins to learn how to think through the moves. The only problem is that he has to practice with Deuce who is determined to fight him and get Lawrence kicked out of the rec center. As he navigates his new life in Larenville, Lawrence learns more about family, friendship, and forgiveness than he ever thought possible, and he begins to understand how chess can be a metaphor for life.

THOUGHTS: Chrystal D. Giles, author of Take Back the Block, has written a touching story reminiscent of her own childhood. The story is relatable, especially to students who may deal with cultural tensions between generations living under the same roof. She tackles difficult topics such as racism in school and the impact of having an incarcerated parent with sensitivity. This is a must-buy for middle grade libraries.

Realistic Fiction

YA – These Infinite Threads

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Mafi, Tahereh. These Infinite Threads. HarperCollins, 2023. 978-0-062-97247-7. $19.99. 416 p. Grades 9-12.

In the fantastic world of Ardunia, humans and Jinn are allowed to live among each other, according to the Fire Accords set in place by the current king, as long as they don’t use their powers and lie low. Despite the accords, Alizeh keeps her Jinn identity a secret from everyone around her. Although Alizeh is a powerful Jinn with ice in her veins, she lives a lonely life as a servant cleaning the home of a duchess and working as a seamstress on the side for extra money. When she accidentally crosses paths with Prince Kamran, both her world and his are turned upside down. After a disastrous ball honoring Prince Kamran, King Cyrus of Tulan whisks Alizeh away on a dragon after murdering the King of Ardunia. As Alizeh attempts to understand Cyrus’s actions in a strange, new place, Kamran, badly injured, must keep his hold on his crown in a time of chaos and turmoil within his kingdom. Both Alizeh and Kamran have to decide who they can trust and what their futures now hold. 

THOUGHTS: This book was not what I expected at all. The entire novel takes place in a 24 hour time frame, and although a lot of information is provided about the characters, it doesn’t advance the plot in a major way. It does, however, establish a group of characters that will be either working together or against each other and introduces a potential love triangle. As a reader, I was at times frustrated with the novel, but I also couldn’t stop reading! Mafi doesn’t always follow the rules when it comes to what a reader may expect from a sequel, and I think that’s what makes this series, as well as her others, so appealing and unique. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading fantasy with a touch of romance.

Fantasy

Elem. – The Kindest Red: A Story of Hijab and Friendship

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Muhammad, Ibtihaj, and Ali, S.K. The Kindest Red: A Story of Hijab and Friendship. Illustrated by Hatem Aly. Hachette Book Group, 2023. 978-0-759-55570-9. unpaged. $18.99. Grades K-3.

On school picture day, Faizah’s teacher challenges the class by asking what kind of world they want. Faizah decides that she wants a kind world and spends her day being kind to her classmates by helping them out in various ways.  But when it comes time for a picture with her sister, Faizah is disappointed that they aren’t wearing matching clothes. Her classmates come to the rescue by sharing and being kind to her.

THOUGHTS: This sweet book is a perfect companion to The Proudest Blue.  A great story to share to show kindness.

On picture day, Faizah is very excited to wear her special red dress. It was passed down from her mother to her sister and now she wears it with matching ribbons in her hair. At school, Faizah’s teacher asks the students to describe a perfect world, and Faizah has just the answer. A perfect world is one in which everyone is kind, where everyone helps, and there is always a friend nearby. Faizah and her friends spend the day helping each other, especially right before pictures. Mateo needs help with his bowtie. Sophie needs help tying her sash into a bow. And when it is time for siblings to take pictures together, Faizah realizes she needs help, too. Her older sister Asiya wears a hijab, but Faizah does not wear one yet. She desperately wants to match Asiya in the picture. Sasha sees that she is upset and helps by taking off the red sash from her dress and handing it to Faizah. Asiya ties the red fabric around Faizah’s head and it becomes a matching hijab, just in time for a perfect sibling photo. 

THOUGHTS: This sequel to The Proudest Blue is a sweet story of sibling love and acts of kindness. The diverse cast of characters and positive, powerful representation of a Muslim family makes this a must-buy for elementary libraries.

Picture Book

Elem. – The Umbrella

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Ferry, Beth. The Umbrella. Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Clarion Books, 2023. 978-0-358-44772-6. unpaged. $19.99. Grades K-2.

A girl and her pup endure a string of soggy, rainy days. Everything is glum, but pup still needs his walk!  Encountering a curio shop, the girl and her companion find a tattered yellow umbrella – for free! Walking home, it falls apart. A day later, on another rainy walk, our characters find that the tatters have sprouted into new yellow umbrellas! Passing them out to people in the park, the cheerful colored umbrellas chase away the gloomy day!

THOUGHTS: This cheerful and sweet book is perfect for rainy days!

Picture Book

Elem. – Back to School, Backpack!

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Rich, Simon, and Tom Toro, illustrator. Back to School, Backpack! Little, Brown, and Company. 2023. 978-0-316-62834-1. unpaged. $18.99. Grades PreK-2.

Backpack has a secret: the first day of school always makes him nervous. When he hears the words “Back to school!” the anxiety sets in. Author Simon Rich brings readers along on Backpack’s hilariously chaotic day. He gets strange new binders shoved down his throat, stuffed in a locker, and dragged up the steps. Throughout it all, he is basically naked! But even worse, Backpack feels like he doesn’t fit in anywhere or with anyone. When he meets another backpack, a new friendship forms. Things suddenly seem better when Backpack realizes that “you don’t have to carry everything alone.” Tom Toro’s illustrations are hand-drawn and painted in watercolor, then rendered digitally. Lively panels in shades of green and blue against neutral backgrounds draw the reader’s attention to Backpack’s worried eyes and unhappy mouth (it’s also a zipper). 

THOUGHTS: While the first day of school can be nerve-wracking for kids, it’s even scarier for backpacks! Readers will laugh out loud while embracing the message of finding a supportive friend in the midst of a brand new experience. Back to School, Backpack! is an exceptional all-ages choice for a back-to-school read aloud!

Picture Book

MG – What Happened to Rachel Riley?

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Swinarski, Claire. What Happened to Rachel Riley? Quill Tree Books, 2023. 978-0-06-321309-8. 343 p. $16.99. Grades 4-8.

What happened to Rachel Riley? How did Rachel go from being the most popular girl in school to being a “Complete Social Outcast of the First Degree”? That’s the question that Anna Hunt, the new eighth grader at East Middle School, seeks to answer in her un-essay for Social Issues. Anna is also a podcast enthusiast, and as she plunges into this middle school mystery she sees an opportunity to craft her investigation into a podcast of her own. She might even be able to use it to apply for a spot in a podcasting workshop for young people with her podcasting idol, Mimi Miller. Anna perseveres with her investigation despite her teacher’s misgivings about a student researching another student. Not all of her classmates are eager to open up about what happened during 7th grade, but with the help of her older sister, ace coder Nik, Anna uncovers clues including a barn fire, stolen hall passes, and a recently scrubbed website. She soon learns that “harassment” is more than just a big word that only applies to adults. It’s alive and well in the halls of East Middle, slipping through the lines of the school’s well-intentioned sexual harassment policy. She also learns about the courage needed to take a stand when it would be easier to stay silent. What Happened to Rachel Riley? is told through notes, letters, emails, texts, podcast snippets, and conventional chapters. The combination makes for a fast-paced reading experience.

THOUGHTS: This is an absorbing mystery with an important (but not too heavy-handed) message about harassment and the culture of silence that enables it. Readers of Janae Marks’ Zoe Washington novels will love it!

Mystery

YA – ¡Ay, Mija!: My Bilingual Summer in Mexico

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Suggs, Christine. ¡Ay, Mija!: My Bilingual Summer in Mexico. Little, Brown and Company, 2023. 978-0-316-59196-6. 336 p. $24.99. Grades 8+.

During the summer after tenth grade, Christine takes a trip to Mexico City to visit their extended family. They’ve been coming to Mexico since they were three, but this is their first solo trip. Christine (“Crís” to their family) is excited to see grandparents, aunts, and cousins. They are also self-conscious about exposing their body in hot-weather clothing, communicating with their limited Spanish, and blending in (their skin is pale, courtesy of their white father). They gain confidence as time passes, particularly at the family’s country home in Querétaro. Crís learns about their heritage and soaks up all the sights, smells, and delicious food that Mexico offers. Author and illustrator Christine Suggs based this graphic novel on trips that they took to Mexico as a teen. Artwork is rendered in shades of blue, orange, and tan that range from muted to vibrant. In many panels, an adorable mini-Christine accompanies Crís and displays unfiltered reactions as they navigate each new experience, frustration, and breakthrough. ¡Ay, Mija! is truly a bilingual graphic novel; context clues (and mini-Christine) help, but untranslated Spanish phrases may confound readers who do not speak the language. 

THOUGHTS: This is an honest and affectionate coming-of-age graphic novel that readers of Kat Fajardo’s Miss Quinces and Lucy Knisley’s travel memoirs will love!

Graphic Novel

Elem. – Cinderella – with Dogs!

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Bailey, Linda. Cinderella – with Dogs! Freya Harris. Nancy Paulsen Books, 2023.  978-1-984-81382-4, 32 p. $18.99. Grades K-2.

What if your fairy Godmother appears, and she is a fairy dogmother? This story spins the tale of Cinderella and her fairy dogmother. She learns to take in the moment and enjoy the little things, like chasing squirrels. Her dogmother creates her ball gown out of a cozy blanket that any dog would love to lay on. Her hair ensemble resembles a poodle. When she shows up to the ball, she runs in like a dog chasing a toy not caring what the other people are thinking. All the royal dogs join in with her, as well as catching the eye of the royal prince who is a dog lover as well.  

THOUGHTS: With colorful, vibrant illustrations, this picture book would make a great read aloud. Most students know the story of Cinderella and will get a kick out of the dog version. Students will enjoy seeing the various dogs throughout the story. Any dog lover will enjoy reading this modern twist on a fairy tale classic.

Picture Book

MG – Iceberg

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Nielsen, Jennifer A. Iceberg. Scholastic Press, 2023. 978-1-338-79502-8. 339 p. $17.99. Grades 4-7.

Hazel Rothbury can’t afford a three-pound ticket to board the ship bound for New York. After being turned away, Hazel decides to stowaway on the ship rather than disappoint her family still struggling at home. The catch? It’s April 10, 1912, and Hazel just climbed aboard the infamous and “unsinktable” Titanic. Hazel is bound for work at a New York factory so she can send money home. After securing a cabin through her new porter friend Charlie, Hazel begins to explore the ship and gathers all kinds of information. The shores of Ireland disappear as drama and mystery unfolds between passengers. Hazel, an aspiring journalist, becomes unintentionally embroiled in a couple’s plot to steal hundreds of pounds from none other than her new first-class friend, Sylvia. As things get dangerous for Hazel, time keeps the ship moving forward toward the fateful collision with the iceberg. After the iceberg is hit and Titanic’s body begins to fill with water, all of the slow burn drama and mystery built-up between characters further fuels the novel’s fast-paced climax and conclusion.

THOUGHTS: While the ship’s icy end won’t come as a surprise to readers, there are still twists for those who like adventure stories. Nielsen’s story brings the human tragedy and error of Titanic to life for middle grade readers. While the story includes descriptions of the ship’s demise and also character development that intensifies the tragedy’s emotional impact, Nielsen’s writing in Iceberg is cleansed of the graphic horrors that stuck with me while watching a certain 90s film. Hazel sees plenty of red flags with the ship right away. Her foresighted concerns seem a little farcical—there are points where she reads a book on types of dangerous icebergs, and she directly challenges Captain Smith for answers about the ship’s design. There are also a few repetitious plot points where Hazel continuously encounters the villainous, thieving couple. Still, the dramatic irony at play will keep readers who know “something bad is coming” hooked through the heavy exposition toward the much later (more action-packed!) parts of the novel. Characters cue as white and European but range in social and economic status. Readers of Ruta Sepetys and Alan Gratz likely will gravitate towards this story as long as they are up for reading most of the book’s pages before ship and iceberg actually meet.

Historical Fiction

Elem. – Long Goes to Dragon School

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Wu, Helen H. Long Goes to Dragon School. Illustrated by Mae Besom. Yeehoo Press, 2023. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades K-3.

As the title implies, Long is a dragon-in-training that attends a school with dragons from all over the world. An interesting map on the endpapers shows each dragon’s location. Unlike the other dragons, however, the Long’s type of dragon does not breathe fire, but water. In back matter, the author explains that Chinese dragons are more like water sprites. Professor McKay leads the class in breathing fire exercises and encourages them to practice. The goal is to have a wonderful picnic with foods the little dragons have roasted. Of course, Long tries in vain to follow his teacher’s directions. The illustrations and text show Long practicing and failing, then trying again. Long listens to Professor McKay’s advice to “find your own path” and to pursue one’s “unique talents.” The story ends on a positive note as Long discovers at the promised picnic that it can boil the water to steam the food. The pastel watercolor washes enhance this simple, modern-day fable. Teachers can use this picture book to encourage resilience, show differences, and point out each one’s special talents.

THOUGHTS: This picture book can be used as a mentor text to introduce differences or highlight the importance of practicing a skill. At first, I thought struggling readers could use this book independently because it included some rhyming and onomatopoeia, but the words became more difficult as the story progressed. At its core, it is a fable only. The illustrations are pretty but fuzzy and there are tiny little dragon comments above the characters’ heads, making it hard for students to see in a read aloud setting. The comparison of different kinds of dragons around the world is interesting and noteworthy. If you are looking for a book that shows young students everyone has their own special talent if they only try hard enough to look, Long Goes to Dragon School, may be a good choice for your school collection.

Picture Book
Fantasy