Tag Archives: Reading

Elem. – A Family of Readers

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Sanders, Rob. A Family of Readers. Illustrated by Gabbie Benda. Charlesbridge, 2026. 978-1-623-54647-2. 32 p. $17.99. Grades PreK-2. 

Libraries have something for everyone! Take a trip with a family to their local library and explore the interests of each, as they meet other community members and friends along the way. 

THOUGHTS: This book highlights not only all of the wonderful types of books that can be found in a library but also an assortment of people one might find using the library at any given time. Because, remember, libraries are for everyone. The rhyming stanzas take the reader from place-to-place and person-to-person in the library and nicely features what they’re reading or doing throughout the library day. It instills the joy of reading and subtlety incorporates how important reading together as a family is, leaving the reader eager to drop everything to go visit the library! 

Picture Book

Elem. – When You Love a Book

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Windness, Kaz. When You Love a Book. Flamingo Books, 2024. 978-0-593-62322-0. $18.99. Grades PreK-2.

A poetic ode to the love of books! While designed for students in Pre-Kindergarten through second grade, this is a story for all readers. From baby to grown, books are a companion that come in many different shapes, sizes, textures, and colors. The love of reading and books stays with us forever, becoming a true friend for our whole lives.

THOUGHTS: A beautifully written and illustrated book about the friendship of books. I really enjoyed the connection to popular books, done in an abstract way, and the illustrations created with book pages designed throughout the story. Truly a book for those who love books.

Picture Book

Elem. – I Want To Read All The Books

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Ohi, Debbie Ridpath. I Want To Read All The Books. Simon & Schuster for Young Readers, 2024. 978-1-481-41630-6. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades PreK-2. 

Hana starts the story wondering where rain comes from. Her mom gives her a book that helps her answer that question, which causes Hana to realize that maybe books can answer her other questions she has. So she starts reading all the books and getting answers to all her questions. Soon she runs out of books at her house so she goes to all her friends’ houses. Once she reads those books, her mom takes her to a bookstore where Hana declares that they should buy all the books. Her mom then takes her to their local public library where she gets more books! Hana is excited as she gets the answers to her questions, but those lead to more questions! Her mom takes Hana to another public library, this one is huge with tons of books but that doesn’t make Hana happy. She gets upset that she will never be able to read all the books! However, the librarian points out that isn’t the fun of reading sharing what you love with others? When Hana gets home, her mom asks her a question which gives Hana an idea and Hana’s book club is born!

THOUGHTS: This is a super fun picture book that would be a great beginning of the year read aloud, or for an event.

Picture Book

YA – This Book Won’t Burn

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Ahmed, Samira. This Book Won’t Burn. 2024, 978-1-536-22909-7. $16.97. 528p. Grades 8–12

This timely, important book explores book banning, activism, speaking out, and finding your voice. Noor Khan recently moved to a small town after her father abruptly leaves her, her sister, and their mother, forcing Noor to spend her last quarter of senior year surrounded by new people, places, and ideas. While she originally just wanted to blend in and keep her head down, when she sees that HUNDREDS of books are being pulled from the school library for “review” because they have been labeled “pornographic” or “obscene” she can’t just sit and watch this happen. Especially when she realizes that almost all of the books being pulled are books written about or by queer or BIPOC people.

THOUGHTS: This felt like a love letter to librarians. It’s a reminder of why we fight so hard for books that are windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors for our students. While I would love to put this in the middle school library, I feel like it is slightly too mature for middle level readers.

Realistic Fiction

Elem. – Rocket Says Speak Up!

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Bryan, Nathan. Rocket Says Speak Up! Illustrated by Dapo Adeola. Random House, 2023. 978-0-593-43126-9. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades K-3. 

Rocket Says Speak Up! is a book about Rocket who loves to borrow books from her local public library. One day she gets a note from the librarian that the library has to close due to lack of money. Rocket decides that she wants to stage a peaceful protest in order to save the library. Through her hard work and spreading the word, they are able to save the public library and even buy a bookmobile for the library. The moral of this story is one that needs to be shared! The main character sprinkles little facts throughout the book which are fun for the reader as they go through the story.

THOUGHTS: This is a must own and must read aloud for every elementary school library collection. There are other picture books with this same character that would be worth purchasing for elementary school collections.

Picture Book

Elem. – Hooked on Books

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Greanias, Margaret Chiu. Hooked on Books. Illustrated by Kristyna Litten. Peachtree, 2023. 978-1-682-63367-0. $18.99. 32 p. Grades K-3.

Pearl is an anglerfish who loves to read. Using the light of her lure, she attempts to settle down to enjoy a good book but is constantly interrupted by her ocean friends. Pearl longs for peace and quiet, so she dives deeper and deeper into the ocean zones, seeking a place to be alone. Whether she hides beneath seaweed or seeks the refuge of a shipwreck, Pearl is continually disturbed by a variety of amusing, illuminated creatures. At last, Pearl finds a dark and cozy nook where she can finally be alone to read her book. When Pearl finishes reading the book, she realizes she is all alone and is in fact lonely. Pearl longs to tell others about the book she enjoyed. Rising through the ocean zones, she finds her friends and offers to start a book club so everyone can share their love of books.

THOUGHTS: This book is absolutely delightful. Filled with information about the ocean that is cleverly woven into the story, the many puns and amusing illustrations will amuse children and adults alike. Deliciously detailed and adorable pencil, ink-texture, and digital illustrations by Kristyna Litten will entice readers.

Picture Book

Elem. – The Story of a Book

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McCullough, Joy. The Story of a Book. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2023. 978-1-665-90385-1. $18.99. 40 p. Grades PK-2.

Sitting high atop the “New Books” display at the library, a book waits to be discovered. Sometimes this book is not the right book for every reader. When the right reader comes along, it is absolutely magical. The book can transport a reader, comfort a reader, and be shared with other readers. There is even greater magic when it is a book that was self-selected. As this library book’s journey continues, some readers are confused by it, while others devour it. Some readers take extra good care of the library book, but others spill on it, crease the pages, or let it fall into the hands of babies or pets. The well-loved library book eventually reaches the end of its usefulness as a circulating library book and is sold at the library book sale to a family that recycles the pages to create something new.

THOUGHTS: This simple story depicts the life of a well-circulated library book. The gentle narrative is a guide to the gorgeous and fantastical illustrations by Devon Holzwarth. Each page is filled with rich details in gorgeously bright colors that depict each step of the book’s journey. An absolutely delightful find, this title could lead to a fabulous discussion about book choice, book care, books as windows and mirrors, and what happens to library books that can no longer be circulated.

Picture Book 

MG – The Lost Library

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Stead, Rebecca, and Wendy Mass. The Lost Library. Macmillan, 2023. 978-1-250-83881-0. 224 p. $18.99. Grades 4-7.

This well-narrated audiobook centers on Evan, an inquisitive boy who loves to read, as he approaches fifth-grade graduation. He lives in the sleepy town of Martinville, which lacks a library since the fire that burned down the old one twenty-five years ago. Two authors penned this delightful tale, ideal for any bibliophile to peruse. Multiple narrators flesh out the story: Mortimer the gold striped cat; AL, the assistant librarian who lives with the other library ghosts; and Evan. The town has just started a Little Library, and Evan nabbed some of the books from the box–all of them due the same day as the fire. As he gets deeper into one of his selections, How to Write a Mystery, checked out by M.C. Higgins, he tries to figure out who started the fire back in the 1980’s. He wonders if his father’s reticence and lack of communication has anything to do with the tragedy. With his best friend Rafe at his side, Evan follows the possible clues. In alternating chapters, AL reflects on her past, coming from the orphanage to serve as a fledgling librarian under the firm but kind head librarian, Ms. Skoggins, and conducting the book club for the local school children. The wise and attentive Mortimer, dear cat, provides the feline perspective on what it surveys: both the routine at History House where the ghosts reside and the movements of Evan as he puts together the puzzle pieces that point to his own dad. This book is a cozy homage to books, readers, libraries, and librarians.

THOUGHTS: A great read aloud. I hope this book can work its magic to entice listeners that libraries, books, and librarians are important. These two authors are some of the best, and this book will not disappoint. Pair it with the fine picture book about the beginnings of the Little Library or, if there are no Little Libraries in your neck of the woods, start a project to place them around town. If that isn’t possible, connect this book with a book drive for shelters. I just found out about a church food pantry that offers a book room for families. Or build a list of books where animals are key characters. At the very least, reading this book students will learn what a pseudonym is.

Fantasy (Magical Realism)

Elem. – The Whole World Opened Up

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Richmond, Laylah, and Sharon Richmond. The Whole World Opened Up. Two Pigeons Press, 2023. 978-0-991-81619-4. $14.99. 64 p. Grades 3-6.

Aspiring author, third-grader, Laylah Richmond, loves to read, write, and draw. At dinner after church, her grandmother tells her about a reading contest sponsored by The Black Star Project in downtown Chicago: Black Girls Read for Cash and Glory. Though Laylah is hesitant–she sometimes gets confused with the different pronunciation of words–she consents to enter if her grandmother accompanies her. Further encouragement comes when her best friend, Ria, says she will enter, too. Unfortunately as the competition draws closer, her grandmother has to attend a funeral on the morning of the contest. Though nervous and disappointed, Laylah and Ria attend the competition located in the historic Chicago neighborhood called Bronzeville. Founder, Philip Jackson, hosts the event and offers the prizes; he recites his motto, “Educate or Die.” Laylah and Ria select writings of African-American women heroines and mount the stage to recite the words of Harriet Tubman and Josephine Baker. Inspired and proud, Laylah returns home after her day and soon learns she is the recipient of a second-place prize. She and her family are invited to the African-American owned radio studio where Laylah and the other winners will be interviewed. Not only does Laylah grow in confidence through this experience, she also learns about the accomplishments of famous African-American people, nationally and locally. The title, The Whole World Opened Up, harkens to a Mary McLeod Bethune quote: “The whole world opened to me when I learned to read.” This beginning chapter book, illustrated with folk-like style art by the authors, acknowledges the importance of reading and language and pays tribute to Philip Jackson (1950-2018), the founder and director of The Black Star Project and The Parent Revolution Radio Program. The cozy narrative of this book will draw in young readers. Like the Ryan Hart series by Renee Watson, the Richmonds’ book offers a story with African American characters in a modern, family setting with the added bonus of finding out about the history of people and places about which they may not yet know.

THOUGHTS: The Whole World Opened Up is a simply written book that manages to interject seamlessly lots of helpful information: difficult English words, famous Chicago places, African-American owned businesses, and African-American people. Laylah and Ria take on the challenge, even though they are nervous. Laylah wins, but Ria doesn’t –and it’s fine. It is obvious that the grandmother/grandchild writing team want to honor Philip Jackson, a local businessman and public servant who dedicated his life to activism, particularly in education. A photograph at the end of the book verifies that Laylah was an actual winner of the contest, but the story is not set up like a memoir. Share this book with young readers and writers as an example of plot or even read it aloud to generate interest in African-American businesses and heroes and heroines in their own towns. (Note: I read an e-book ARC from NetGalley and Lorraine Hansberry’s name was misspelled.)

Realistic Fiction 

YA – Love Radio

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LaDelle, Ebony. Love Radio. Simon & Schuster, 2022. 978-1-665-90815-3. $19.99. 310 p. Grades 9-12.

Danielle Ford’s romantic mother has a big wish for her only child, to experience a great love story. That wish struggles to come true in Ebony LaDelle’s, Love Radio, a debut novel that is as much a homage to the great city of Detroit as it is to first love. High-achieving senior, Dani has been shut off from her friends and dating after a traumatizing sexual encounter with a college boy the previous summer. Keeping this secret from her besties and devoted parents, she buries herself in writing the perfect college essay to get into her dream school, New York University (NYU). When she has an awkward meeting in the library with classmate, Prince Jones, a popular teen disc jockey and local radio personality (DJLove Jones) who mixes love advice with music, she makes an assumption she regrets and wants to rectify. Told in alternating voices, the romance between Prince and Dani is enchanting. Prince shows a maturity beyond his years, perhaps because he has accepted much of the responsibility of taking care of his seven-year-old brother Mookie and household duties since his single mother received her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Prince has fallen hard for the guarded Dani and is determined to make her fall in love with him in five dates. After inviting himself over to her comfortable home to take out her braids, he plans two movie-worthy dates to a roller rink and bookstore. Dani starts to open up, reconnect with her friends, and dissolve her writer’s block. When she reciprocates with one equally perfect date to the Motown Museum, though, their intimacy triggers bad memories and she breaks it off with Prince. As Dani faces her trauma, she has the support of loving parents and patient friends as well as the therapy of writing unsent letters to her literary idols, Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou. Prince, too, acknowledges his need to suppress his dreams because of his home obligations and, with help, makes a plan for his future. Both characters come to realize that they are surrounded by a network of loving people who will support and help them achieve their goals. Characters are African-American.

THOUGHTS: Students in the mood for a dreamy romance will eat up this book. The author has an ear for teen dialogue and is from Michigan. Any readers familiar with Detroit will recognize the branding of different places (if I am ever in Detroit, I’m heading for that Dutch Girl Donuts) and the description of the neighborhoods. Dani and Prince are so wise; the thoughtful dates are out of this world; the child to parent relationships are so close. Though the romance doesn’t play out physically much, Dani’s traumatic encounter occurs when she a friend takes her to a frat house where she barely escapes date rape. After several dates, Dani leads Prince to her bedroom and encourages a sexual encounter, but Prince is reluctant to proceed. The portrayal of family is warm and loving, especially the way Prince helps out his sick mother. Though the letters to literary idols seem to be a critical link to Dani’s recovery from trauma, the book names Dani’s idols as Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, Alice Walker, Roxane Gay, Jesmyn Ward in the beginning chapter, but she only focuses on Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou. One of Dani’s friends is sick of appropriation and plans a hair fashion show. Lots of references to music. Some bad language. For those who are sticklers, the timeline is a little wonky: would college kids be on campus in the summer? (maybe).

Realistic Fiction          Bernadette Cooke, School District of Philadelphia