Tag Archives: Parties

Elem. – There Was A Party For Langston

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Reynolds, Jason. There Was A Party For Langston. Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2023. 978-1-534-43944-3. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades K-3.

There Was A Party For Langston is a celebration of Langston Hughes and his words as well as the people that he inspired. It celebrates his poetry and showcases how he was able to use language and create things that made other people create things. It shows how he inspired Maya Angelou to create her stories. The way the illustrations add to the story will cause the reader to go back through this book several times to find different things that they missed.

THOUGHTS: This is Jason Reynolds’ debut picture book, and he hits it out of the park (which isn’t surprising). This is an excellent introduction to Langston Hughes, as well as other authors. The author’s note in the back of the book will make the reader want to know more about all of the authors that are featured in this book, as well as more about Jason Reynolds himself. Must own for every elementary, and even a middle school collection (even though the book is clearly for younger readers).

Picture Book

Elem./MG – Party Time!

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Neuenfeldt, Elizabeth. Party Time! Bellwether Media, 2023. $19.95 ea. $119.70 set of 6. 24 p. Grades 3-7. 

Throw a Halloween Party. 979-8-88687-182-1.
Throw a Lunar New Year Party. 979-8-88687-183-8.
Throw a St. Patrick’s Day Party. 979-8-88687-184-5.
Throw a Valentine’s Day Party. 979-8-88687-185-2.
Throw an Earth Day Party. 979-8-88687-186-9.
Throw an Independence Day Party. 979-8-88687-187-6.

The Party Time! series offers readers tips and suggestions for celebrating six holidays. Each volume offers instructions on creating crafts, games, decorations, snacks, and drinks to celebrate a holiday. This reviewer had the opportunity to read Throw a Halloween Party. Some of the items readers learned to create included spooky bat bunting, eyeball cake pops, a ghouslish party punch, and a witch hat ring toss. Each craft included a paragraph that offered readers insight into the history and symbols of the holiday. A materials list (or ingredients list for recipes) and step by step visual instructions were provided with all projects. Basic art supplies (paper, glue, scissors, etc) were all that was needed to create the craft projects. Adult assistance would be needed for the cooking-related projects. For those looking to go the “extra mile” when throwing their party, tips accompanied all projects that offered ways to vary or enhance the craft.

THOUGHTS: A great choice for party planners, this series could also be used by educators looking for seasonal projects/activities for their classrooms. Several volumes of the series focus on holidays that do not often receive coverage in party-planning related books available to students. Librarians looking to re-fresh or add to their party/event planning collections should consider this series.

745.594 Crafts and Activities

Elem. – Mermaid Day

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Murray, Diana. Mermaid Day. Illustrated by Luke Flowers. Sourcebooks. 2023. 978-1-728-27132-3. 32 p. $18.99. Grades K-2.

It’s Mermaid Day, and the mermaid queen is having a party. All sorts of sea creatures attend the festivities. When a shark shows up, is the party over? No! He came to party too, and he does not bite.

THOUGHTS: This title will be great to add to a collection where mermaid books are popular.

Picture Book 

YA – Kill Joy

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Jackson, Holly. Kill Joy. Delacorte Press, 2023. 978-0-593-42621-0. 117 p. $12.99. Grades 9-12.

With other things on her mind, Pip isn’t thrilled to be attending a murder mystery party, especially one set in the 1920s and requiring a costume. Staying in character with her friends isn’t always easy. But as clues pile up, and Pip’s notepad fills, she becomes more invested in the mystery of who killed Reginald Remy. Everyone has something to hide, even Pip’s character. When a real mystery interrupts the fictional one, how will the group respond? And will they figure out what happened to Reginald Remy before their time expires? A less serious approach (it’s a party game, not a real murder) doesn’t detract from the suspense as secrets are revealed.

THOUGHTS: Hand this one to fans of the popular A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (trilogy) or readers looking for a quick pick mystery. Prior reading of the trilogy is not a requirement, though Andie Bell and Sal Singh are mentioned.

Mystery

YA – Friends Like These

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Alvarez, Jennifer Lynn. Friends Like These. Delacorte Press, 2022. 978-0-593-30967-4. 384 p. $18.99. Grades 9-12.

Tegan Sheffield is known for her Fourth of July beach bonfire and end of the summer party. Those in Tegan’s orbit are at her beck and call, while those not so close clearly are on the outside. People love her and love to hate her. Jessica Sanchez has been dating Jake Healy, Tegan’s ex, for months. While Jake promises there’s nothing between him and Tegan, Jess doesn’t want to attend the end of the summer party. The last place she wants to be is at Tegan’s. They had a friendship falling out in fifth grade, and everything has been uncomfortable since then. Parties aren’t really Jess’s scene anyway, but she knows Jake loves them. The last party before senior year is going to be epic. But things go horribly wrong. An explicit video from the party goes viral, two girls are missing, and some relationships never will be the same. The police are being pretty tight-lipped about their evidence, interviewing everyone who was at the party, while the FBI works to clean the video before it reaches the deep web. With Tegan’s family connections, this case is a top priority. Then a body is discovered in the water below a popular cliff overlook not too far from Tegan’s house. As the police search and investigation intensify, secrets are revealed. Not not everyone is as innocent as they may seem, and loyalties shift. Is everything an innocent tragedy, or will a killer strike again?

THOUGHTS: Told in alternating chapters from earlier in the summer, the party, and the aftermath, multiple narrators will keep readers’ interest as they try to piece this thriller together. Highly recommended for high school libraries.

Mystery          Maryalice Bond, South Middleton SD
Thriller

Elem. – A Party to Remember

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Tebow, Tim, with A.J. Gregory. A Party to Remember. Illustrated by Jane Chapman. Waterbrook, 2021. Unpaged. 978-0-593-23204-0. $17.99. Grades K-2. 

Bronco is a friendly, loveable puppy who needs glasses to see clearly. He wakes one morning to his friend Squirrel chattering that “the party is tonight! Do you have your puzzle piece?” Every invitee has received a puzzle piece, but though Bronco received an invitation, he figures the party isn’t for someone nearsighted like him. But he really wants to go. He begins to search for his puzzle piece and encounters other friends with puzzle pieces who are excited to attend the party. When he tumbles into Chelsie the rabbit, who has fallen over her extra-long ears, he finds that she, too, feels inadequate to attend the party. Bronco encourages her to go with him, saying, “It’s always better together.” They add to their small group Ethan, the cardinal with a broken wing, and Alexis, the goat who sneezes too loudly and scares everyone away. But as they continue, Alexis’ sneeze reveals the party, Bronco discovers his puzzle piece, and they happily find that they all fit at this party. “Each creature is born unique. Our differences make us special. And someone special, like you, is always able to do great things,” says Colby the panda. The friends joyfully dance and enjoy party food and music. The book closes with a scripture verse, “we are God’s masterpiece” and a reminder, “You are unique. You are special. And you are wonderful.”  This is an often-shared message that kids still need to hear, and it gets expert treatment from illustrator Jane Chapman, who makes these characters feel like friends that the reader would like to join.

THOUGHTS: This is definitely a positive look at differences and feels like an inviting beginning to the series “Bronco and Friends.” This is a definite encouragement for all readers.

Picture Book          Melissa Scott, Shenango Area SD