Monthly Archives: November 2023

Elem. – Animals at Risk (Series NF)

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Grack, Rachel. Animals at Risk. Bellwether Media, 2023. $18.95 ea. 24 p. Grades K-2. 

Axolotls. 978-8-886-87118-0.
Rhinoceroses. 978-8-886-87119-7.
Snow Leopards. 978-8-886-87120-3.
Tasmanian Devils. 978-8-886-87121-0. 

The Animals at Risk non-fiction series continues to expand with the addition of several new titles. The purpose of the series is to inform early readers about threats facing animals that are at risk of extinction throughout the world. Each title starts with a brief chapter that presents basic information about the species. The following chapter, entitled “In Danger!” explains to readers why the species is facing potential extinction. Ways individuals and/or groups can help save the animal are also presented. This reviewer had the opportunity to view the volume on Axolotls. These amphibians, which only live in a small area in Mexico, are under threat due to loss of habitat. Ways they are currently being helped include the creation of floating gardens to filter harmful pollutants from the water as well as attempts to remove invasive predators from the axolotl habitat. All pages contain high quality, engaging photos, many of which are close up views of the unique looking axolotl. Each volume within the series contains a table of contents, an index, as well as a list of additional resources and suggested websites appropriate for student research.

THOUGHTS: Early readers are sure to find this series engaging and informative. Appropriate for young researchers or animal fans, these titles will be in regular demand. They would also be excellent resources for classroom units on endangered species. A worthwhile purchase for elementary libraries serving primary aged students looking to expand or refresh their animal collections.

599 Animals

Elem. – Animal Fact Files (Series NF)

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McHale, Brenda. Animal Fact Files. Bearport, 2023. $19.95 ea. $79.80 set of 4. 24 p. Grades 1-3.

Animals in the Air. 978-8-885-09353-8.
Animals in the Sand. 978-8-885-09354-5.
Animals on Land. 978-8-885-09355-2.
Animals Under Water. 978-8-885-09356-9.

Animal non-fiction titles are a popular choice for many readers, who will likely gobble up the new series Animal Fact Files. Featuring engaging text and numerous photos, this series aims to share interesting and unique facts about various categories of animals. This reviewer had the opportunity to read Animals in the Sand, which featured facts on eight animals (meerkats, honeypot ant, shovel-snouted lizard, etc.) that make the desert their home. A brief introductory passage discusses what types of animals live in sandy habitats, before transitioning to two page spreads on each of the spotlighted spotlighted animals. Each spread features a fact file box to identify the type of animal, range, and diet. The remainder of the spread features 4-5 facts about the animal as well as 2-4 photographs. A closing chapter briefly introduces some additional creatures that reside in the desert. Each volume contains a glossary and index. 

THOUGHTS: Best suited for recreational reading as opposed to research, this series merits consideration for elementary libraries looking for engaging animal titles. Readers will enjoy the mix of animals featured, from the common to the less well-known. Sure to be popular with fans of fact-style books as well as animal fans. 

591 Animals

Elem. – Chi-Chi and Pey-Pey

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Fosberry, Jennifer. Chi-Chi and Pey-Pey. Simon Spotlight, 2023. $17.99 ea. 64 p. Grades PreK-1.

School Day Drama. 978-1-665-93189-2.
Cupcake Catastrophe. 978-1-665-93201-1. 

Chi-Chi the chicken and Pey-Pey the penguin are getting ready to start school in the graphic novel School Day Drama. Chi-chi (who loves cheese puffs, cheerleading and the cha-cha) is nervous to start school. Pey-pey (who enjoys pirates, popsicles and pogo sticks) is chill and relaxed about starting the school year. When their teacher, Mrs. Possum, pairs them up as class buddies on the first day of school, and asks them to discover something they both like, the task seems impossible. The pair discuss their favorite desserts, hobbies, snacks and shapes, but they can’t agree on anything! The teacher suggests they mix some of their favorite things and make something new. But combining cheese puffs and popsicles or pom-poms and pirate ships are not winning combinations. When they stalk away from one another in frustration, they discover they can combine Chi-Chi’s love of the cha-cha and Pey-Pey’s love of jumping into a jumpy dance and a new friendship is born. As Cupcake Catastrophe opens, Chi-Chi and Pey-Pey are now fast friends who love hanging out and playing games with one another. In fact, they get along so well, they never fight. But one day at school, cupcakes are on the menu at snacktime. And not just any cupcakes, but cupcakes with brightly colored frosting. Chi-Chi wants a purple cupcake. Pey-Pey wants a purple cupcake. No problem, right? Wrong! There’s only one purple cupcake! They chirp and peep and fight over the cupcake. They finally decide to split the cupcake…but it’s gone (perhaps their teacher was responsible?). Dejected, Pey-Pey takes a blue cupcake and Chi-Chi selects a red cupcake, only to realize if they combine their frosting, they will each have a purple cupcake. Crisis averted!

THOUGHTS: The Chi-Chi and Pey-Pey series is part of Simon & Schuster’s Ready to Read Graphics series and is intended to introduce emerging readers to the graphic novel format. The larger panels feature large, simple text and brightly colored illustrations that will engage readers. Readers will also be able to relate to the storyline in each volume, as many student have encountered new peers on the first day of school or had an argument with a friend. A worthwhile purchase for graphic novel collections serving early readers.

Graphic Novel

Elem. – Pizza and Taco

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Shaskan, Stephen. Pizza and Taco. Random House, 2023. $10.99 ea. 58 p. Grades K-2.

Pizza and Taco: Rock Out! 978-0-593-48124-0.
 Pizza and Taco: Dare to be Scared! 978-0-593-48128-8.

Best friends Pizza and Taco (last seen in Pizza and Taco: Too Cool for School) are back in two new additions to the graphic novel series. In Pizza and Taco: Rock Out!, the pair decide to start a rock band. Although they enjoy music, they have no experience playing instruments, but they don’t let that stand in their way. After deciding on their instruments (Pizza will play the guitar and Taco the drums…or perhaps the tambourine), their genre of music (rock, of course) and their band name (Awesome Yaas!), they are ready to recruit some band members. An advertisement results in several folks showing up to tryout, including the folk playing Veggieburger and Tofu Dog, and the hard rock Cookie and Muffin, they ultimately decide to invite Hamburger and Hot Dog to join the band. But the band breaks up when Hamburger and Hot Dog discover Pizza and Taco can’t read or play (or as it turns out, write) music. This leads Pizza and Taco to reassess their plans. Maybe starting a band takes a lot more work than they initially thought… In Pizza and Taco: Dare to be Scared!, the pair decide to challenge each other to a “Dare-to-be-Scared Challenge”! The scary challenges include staying in a dark closet, entering the dark basement, and watching a scary movie (though Pizza’s mom nixes their initial choice of watching Night of the Living Bread). They decide to watch an episode of Ghost Pepper Hunters, with hosts Turkey Sub and Chicken Sandwich, but the show turns out not to be that scary, so they decide to go ghost pepper hunting on their own. Flashlights in hand, hats on hand, Pizza and Taco set out for a nearby graveyard when it gets dark. Upon entering the graveyard, they hear a noise…could they be about to encounter a ghost pepper?!?

THOUGHTS: These welcome additions to the Pizza and Taco series continue the laugh out loud antics the pair have shown in earlier volumes. Kids will love the humorous storyline and adults will get a kick out of play on names Shaskan incorporates throughout the text (Pizza loves the rock singer Jam Jett and her song “I Love Lobster Roll”, Taco enjoys The Beetles and their song “Love Me, Stew”). This series deserves a spot in the graphic novel collection of any library that serves younger readers. 

Graphic Novel

Elem. – Gloria’s Promise: A Ballet Dancer’s First Step

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Preiss Glaser, Robin, and Jacqueline Preiss Wietzman. Gloria’s Promise: A Ballet Dancer’s First Step. Random House, 2023. 978-0-593-43514-4. Unpaged. $15.99.  Grades PK-2.

Gloria’s Promise  is the story of a young girl’s passion for ballet and her audition for the American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive program. On her way to the audition room, Gloria discovers a room of pointe shoes, dancers being fitted costumes, and a rehearsal in progress. All serve to heighten Gloria’s excitement for her big moment in front of Miss Harvey, the director of the dancing school. Unfortunately, things don’t go quite as planned when Gloria falls in the midst of skipping across the floor with the other dancers. With a few encouraging words from Miss Harvey, Gloria picks herself up and continues with the audition. Then begins what seems to Gloria a very, very long wait to receive her results. Fortunately, the story ends on a positive note for Gloria, and she dances into a new adventure.

THOUGHTS: The illustrations in this book showcase the author’s and Gloria’s love for dance–and the authors’ message of perseverance and hard work is clear, but not heavy-handed. Recommended for anyone looking to update or add to their collections for young dance enthusiasts.  

Picture Book

YA – Snow & Poison

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De La Cruz, Melissa. Snow & Poison. G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 2023. 978-0-593-32668-8. $19.99. 288 p. Grades 9-12.

The year is 1861. Lady Sophie of Bavaria has a lot of change coming her way. Her father, Duke Maximillan, is preparing for his wedding, and on the same night, Sophie will become a member of high society. After the wedding, Sophie does her best to befriend her new stepmother, Claudia, although mysterious things seem to happen when she’s around. When Sophie meets Prince Phillip of Spain at a ball, the two have an immediate connection. Unfortunately, Phillip’s father will only allow him to marry a princess, and Sophie is heartbroken when he must return to Spain. She tries to find comfort in Claudia, but rumors about her past and magic use persist to swirl around the castle. As Sophie attempts to discover the truth about Claudia, she also finds herself at the center of a war between kingdoms and does what she can to protect her family, her home, and her heart.

THOUGHTS: Snow & Poison is a twist to the familiar story of Snow White & the Seven Dwarves. In this version, most of the aspects of magic and fantasy have been removed, and this retelling is loosely based on some of the stories that inspired the original Snow White fairy tale. I haven’t read as many Snow White adaptations, and this one would be enjoyed by any reader that loves fairy tales, romances, and mysteries. 

Historical Fiction      

Elem. – Carina Felina

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Deedy, Carmen Agra. Carina Felina. Illustrated by Henry Cole. Scholastic, 2023. 978-1-338-74916-8. Unpaged. $19.99. Grades PK-3.

Oh, Carina Felina. The cat who believes, “I do what I like and earth what I wish.” Carina Feliina. She behaves badly and eats anyone who objects, from the parrot whose crackers she consumed, to the florist whose lilies she destroyed. When the oxcart man objects to her bad behavior, he, too, is consumed.  No one in her community seems to be safe from Carina Farina… until she meets two clever crabs who decide to take a stand and rescue those she has eaten. Carina Felina learns her lesson and becomes a very picky eater. Back matter shares the history of the Carina Farina story, the pronunciation/meaning of Spanish words included in the story, and a recipe for Cuban Crackers.

THOUGHTS: Carina Felina has much for young readers to love. Henry Cole’s illustrations bring the story to life in a boldly colored village filled with expressive characters. Portions of the text repeat and rhyme as the story builds, inviting developing readers to join in the reading. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout the story, adding to its Caribbean feel and appeal to those who love language. Carina Felina is just naughty and arrogant enough to keep the pages turning as readers ask “What next!?,” and the crabs are unlikely heroes that make the reader think about cleverness hidden in small packages. The premise of the story will be familiar to those who have sung about the Old Lady and the Fly, but different enough to feel fresh and new. Recommended to those looking for a fresh take on an old favorite as well as those seeking books that incorporate Spanish language into storytelling.

Picture Book 

YA – Song of Silver, Flame Like Night

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Zhao, Amelie Wen. Song of Silver, Flame Like Night. Delacorte Press, 2023. 978-0593487501. $19.99. 480p. Grades 9-12.

Lan is a performing song girl in Haak’gong, and although her life appears to be the same as the other girls she lives and performs with, she has a secret. Lan spends her days trying to understand the message behind the strange mark left on her arm by her mother before she died. In her quest for answers, she meets Zen. Zen is a practitioner and only uses his magic in secret. When their worlds collide one fateful night, Zen agrees to take Lan to his practitioner masters after she uses her powers in a moment of panic. As Lan begins to understand her powers and the fate of her mother and her people, Lan realizes that everyone has secrets. She’s swept up in a war to overthrow the Elantian regime who want to outlaw her magic. Drawing upon ancient Chinese myths and legends, Zhao has crafted a story of love, loss, betrayal, and power. Will Lan and Zen use the powers they possess to save their world, or will they destroy it?

THOUGHTS: This book really kept me on my toes! I felt that a lot of the characters made surprising decisions that somewhat “broke the mold” of what I would expect of a YA character. There is a ton of gray area when it comes to the magic the characters possess and the decisions they make when it comes to obtaining power to protect the ones they love. Readers will enjoy the action, mystery, and adventure this fantasy novel provides as well as the inclusion of ancient Chinese mythology.

Fantasy

YA – Silver in the Bone

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Bracken, Alexandra. Silver in the Bone. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2023. 978-0-593-48165-3. $19.99. 496 p. Grades 9-12.

In a world full of magic, Tasmin Lark has none. After being abandoned by their guardian Nash, she and her brother, Cabell, must learn to survive on their own. Years later, as members of the Hollowers, they spend their time breaking curses and entering ancient crypts in search of treasure. When Tamsin takes a job from a sorcerer, the race to find an ancient ring begins. According to the rumors, Nash was the last to have it, and Tamsin hopes to find it to break a curse on Cabell. Others are after the ring as well, including her rival, Emrys. Suddenly, Tamsin finds herself in Camelot, navigating the myths and legends of old while discovering the dark and dangerous secrets of the realm and learning to open her heart to others.

THOUGHTS: I love the fantasy world created by Bracken for her newest series. It’s a mix of urban and ancient fantasy, and she is able to blend the two worlds seamlessly. This one hooked me from the start, and I think the uniqueness of the story will draw in other fantasy readers as well. The slow burn romance between Tamsin and Emrys was also a highlight of this novel, and I’d recommend this one to any reader who loves fantasy or the stories from the Arthurian legends. 

Fantasy

Elem – Sisters in Science: Marie Curie, Bronia Dluska, and the Atomic Power of Sisterhood

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Marshall, Linda Elovitz. Sisters in Science: Marie Curie, Bronia Dluska, and the Atomic Power of Sisterhood. Alfred A. Knopf, 2023. 978-0-593-37759-8. Unpaged. Grades 2-5. $18.99.

Although many are familiar with the scientist Marie Curie, few know the accomplishments of her older sister Bronia. The girls grew up in Poland and loved learning. They even went to a secret university, since women were not allowed to attend college at that time. Eventually, they were accepted at the Sorbonne in Paris, but they could not afford to go together. The siblings made a pact and agreed that Bronia would go first to study medicine and after her studies were finished, it would be Marie’s turn. Marie loved her time in Paris and enjoyed studying chemistry, physics, and math. After graduation, she shared a laboratory with another scientist, Pierre Curie, and they eventually married. Together they ascertained the process of radioactivity for which the couple and another scientist won the Nobel Prize in Physics. Later the widowed Marie won her second Nobel Prize, this one in chemistry, for discovering two new elements.  Bronia and her husband returned to Poland and opened a hospital. Then Marie invented the X-Ray machine, which both she and Bronia used during WWI to help soldiers with their gunshot wounds and other injuries. After the war, Curie opened a Radium Institute in Paris and later another one in Bronia’s hospital in Warsaw, both designed to treat patients with cancer. These two sisters made a pact and overcame adversity to make advancements in both science and medicine. The back matter includes a timeline, a list of suggested print and digital resources, and an author’s note. Interestingly, the illustrations were created by Anna and Elena Balbasso, who happen to be twin sisters from Italy. The award-winning pair uses a variety of media in their detailed drawings, which help make the storyline come alive. 

THOUGHTS: The story of the lives of these sisters shows the power of science and working together. It is a good choice in science or STEM units and as a read aloud during Women’s History Month. Perhaps their story will inspire children to work hard to achieve their dreams. Highly recommended for elementary collections.

Picture Book Biography
540.92 Chemistry-Biography