Daeyeon's grandma is a Haenyo (Korean deep sea diver). Daeyon wants to be a Haenyo when she grows up but after jumping in one time and getting water iDaeyeon's grandma is a Haenyo (Korean deep sea diver). Daeyon wants to be a Haenyo when she grows up but after jumping in one time and getting water in her nose, ears, and eyes plus a fear of sharks, she is not so sure this will really happen. Grandma encourages her and they dive together.
This is a lovely picture book about these amazing female divers. The note in the back has much additional information. Solid addition for an AANHPI collection, women's history, etc....more
This is a picture book biography of Chinese-American pilot Hazel Ying Lee from Portland, OR. She was fearless growing up and after she rode in a planeThis is a picture book biography of Chinese-American pilot Hazel Ying Lee from Portland, OR. She was fearless growing up and after she rode in a plane for the first time, she knew she wanted to be a pilot. There weren't many jobs for a Chinese-American girl in the 1030's but she worked as an elevator operator in order to pay for flying lessons. She *loved* flying and soon earned her pilot's license and also learned how to do some tricks. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the US needed female pilots to test planes and formed the WASPs. Hazel quickly signed up. Some of their flights were dangerous because they were flying planes for the first time and they might have flaws. One time she had a plane with an engine that quit and she had to crash land in a field. The farmer thought she was a Japanese enemy. Hazel died in a plane crash due to a miscommunication at the tower. This is addressed in the book, so don't do a cold read or be prepared to talk about this. IE - know your audience if using as a read aloud. Excellent addition for women's history, AANHPI, aviation. Author's note has even more info about Hazel Ying Lee...more
One of my middle school students loaned me their copy so I could read it to consider adding it to our collection. I found it to be an engaging read. IOne of my middle school students loaned me their copy so I could read it to consider adding it to our collection. I found it to be an engaging read. It is a graphic novel biography about the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer told from the perspective of one of his "friends" from high school. It is dark, it is sad, it is thought provoking. I also somehow manages to stay subjective and is not overly graphic for such a morbid topic. I do think it is still more appropriate for a high school setting (or adult) but I can appreciate that some middle schooler would want to read it and they will not be scarred for life if they do. The end notes are fascinating and add another level of depth to the understanding of Dahmer's isolation, repression, alcoholism, etc that led to his final bleak path....more
book 2 in series Percy and Merlynda are twins and descendants of Merlin. They have magical powers. In book 1, Percy misused his and "hollowed" people abook 2 in series Percy and Merlynda are twins and descendants of Merlin. They have magical powers. In book 1, Percy misused his and "hollowed" people and objects, taking their magic away. Now Percy has reformed but he can still hear the voice of Morgan Le Fay in his head. He is trying to atone for his misdeeds but it looks like there is a shadowsoul on the loose as there are newly hollowed objects appearing and Percy knows it is not him doing it. He and Merlynda set off to find the shadowsoul and stop the destruction.
This is an interesting twist on Arthurian lore. I would probably like it more if I had already read book 1... Nothing on the book jacket indicates that it is second in a series, however, which I find very irritating. I loved the flying squirrel character, Forest. It's a solid MG fantasy/quest novel but make sure you have book 1 also...more
Sequel 3.5 stars I liked the characters and humor in book 1 enough that I picked up the sequel. The way that Evie and the Villain continue to not see tSequel 3.5 stars I liked the characters and humor in book 1 enough that I picked up the sequel. The way that Evie and the Villain continue to not see their love for each other continues to annoy me but I like the rest of the plot. I especially like Kingsley, the frog....more
3.5 stars I saw a student reading this and it looked intriguing so I checked out a copy. It was entertaining (I read the sequel too).
Evie Sage was walk3.5 stars I saw a student reading this and it looked intriguing so I checked out a copy. It was entertaining (I read the sequel too).
Evie Sage was walking through the forest and interrupted an attack by the villagers on ??? She thought it was an animal but turns out it was The Villain, who everyone in their village despises but apparently no one actually knows what he looks like. As she escorts the injured yet handsome man back home, he ends up offering her a job as his assistant - which she desperately needs to provide care for her sick father and younger sister. She accepts and life is changed forever for both Evie and the villain...
Lots of snarky humor and interesting characters but I did not like how Evie and the villain liked each other but neither one would admit it or see that the other liked them and that is why I did not rate it any higher....more
The description compared this to Aru Shah, which I loved, so I *had* to read it. Unfortunately, it did not live up to the hype for me.
When Yara is 12,The description compared this to Aru Shah, which I loved, so I *had* to read it. Unfortunately, it did not live up to the hype for me.
When Yara is 12, her mom dies but she leaves behind a letter and a mysterious set of instructions for Yara. Yara will need to travel to a place that is not on any map and where magic has been outlawed.
This is a serviceable fantasy and many middle grade students will probably enjoy it. I think if it hadn't been compared to a book that I like so much, I would have been less critical. However, I did also find it quite predictable...more
While technically this book is a stand alone, it does involve a group of kids from a previous book, so it helps to have read that one so you have the While technically this book is a stand alone, it does involve a group of kids from a previous book, so it helps to have read that one so you have the background knowledge, otherwise they/it can get a bit confusing. DJ and his friends are a bit like middle school Robin Hoods. They can help with unfair teachers or bullies. Then they get clued in that something odd is happening where lots of second place people are suddenly becoming number one. Is it just a coincidence or is there something devious going on? ...more
Danilo lived in Panama when it was invaded by the US military to deal with dictator Noriega. It left his neighborhood in utter shambles and him with PDanilo lived in Panama when it was invaded by the US military to deal with dictator Noriega. It left his neighborhood in utter shambles and him with PTSD (although he does not know or use that term). He, his mom, and his little sister have been struggling ever since his dad left for the US and stopped sending money. Danilo and his dad had a shared love of baseball and both excelled at the game. But after his dad abandoned them, Danilo's heart wasn't in it anymore. However, he is persuaded to play in a game for fun at a US charity event where a US coach sees him. Danilo is invited to come play in California for two months on a youth team. He goes, hoping he can find his father and persuade him to start helping his family in Panama again.
I remember hearing about Noriega when I was growing up but I never really knew details about the situation. This book didn't clear up a lot of the details for me except for where, when, and how much of a disastrous impact it had on the Panamanian people. For readers who are not into historical fiction, this is still an engaging read about family, friendship, and perseverance (and baseball)....more
4.5 stars This is the sad, true, yet hopeful story of the Hawaiian island Kaho'olawe. It was once lush and beautiful. However, that changed with the ar4.5 stars This is the sad, true, yet hopeful story of the Hawaiian island Kaho'olawe. It was once lush and beautiful. However, that changed with the arrival of newcomers and invasive species like goats and feral cats. And was completely devastated in WWII when the US military took over the island after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. They said that the island was only fit for military practice, and they proceeded to bomb it to pieces for years afterwards. Even after the end of the war, they continued to use it for target practice, destroying all wildlife, including the coral reefs off shore in the process. Beginning in the 1970's activists began to work tirelessly to try to get the land back, using a variety of strategies. However, it wasn't until 1993 that Hawaii finally got her island back. With patience, love, care, and advocacy, they are beginning to bring the island back to life but the destruction is going to take years to repair.
This is a testimony to the dual nature of humanity, the good and the bad within us, but hopefully as we move forward we can continue to see how important it is to care for our world and the special places like this beautiful island. The illustrations are vibrant and perfectly offset the text. Back matter includes author and illustrator notes, a timeline, a glossary, how you can help, additional resources, and selected references. Highly recommend...more
This novel in verse is Zoboi's debut into contemporary fantasy. It is the story of two girls. The 1st is 15 year old Marisol who was living with her mThis novel in verse is Zoboi's debut into contemporary fantasy. It is the story of two girls. The 1st is 15 year old Marisol who was living with her mom in the Caribbean but they have moved to Brooklyn. They are both Soucouyants. This means that once a month they shed their skin, keeping it behind in some vessel for safekeeping, while they find a soul to feed on. The 2nd girl is 17 year old Genevieve who is biracial but never knew her mother. She now lives in Brooklyn with her white dad and white stepmother and newborn twins. Marisol's mother is hired to take care of the twins and the girls end up at the same school. The two girls have a lot of animosity towards each other but realize that they may also have some things in common. Huge plot twist at the end.
I like novels in verse as they can convey intense topics well but I felt like this one was a bit choppy and might have done better in prose. The pacing was a bit uneven, the Caribbean folklore could have been explained more fully, and secondary characters could have been developed further. CW: colorism, idea with being pretty that is tied to white beauty ideals However, Kirkus says "A vividly creative, heart-pounding poetic journey infused with Caribbean folklore." and Publishers Weekly says it is a "searing exploration of personal growth and self-discovery."...more
I might have liked this better if I had read the print version instead of listening to the audiobook. I should have known that a Selznick book would hI might have liked this better if I had read the print version instead of listening to the audiobook. I should have known that a Selznick book would have had illustrations to go along with it... As it was, the audio was not enough to hold my attention completely. The concept of the story was sweet, though. It is set in Rome. There are two boys who meet, one of whom lives there and the other is there with his mom temporarily while she works at the library. ...more
3.5 stars I didn't realize this was the second book in the series until I was several chapters into it when they kept referencing earlier events... The3.5 stars I didn't realize this was the second book in the series until I was several chapters into it when they kept referencing earlier events... There was enough info that it was fine but it was also kind of annoying - not enough to make me go back and read book 1 however. Samantha is at college and gets turned away from a summer program for an archeological dig in Greece because the adviser is a misogynistic jerk, even though she had earned her place. She and her boyfriend and her best friend (who is her boyfriend's sister) end up finding a letter from a renowned archeologist in Greece that had been sent to another professor on campus who is currently on medical leave and they respond to his call for help. This puts them in the same location at the same time as the adviser who has a vendetta against Samantha. Samantha and friends find a hidden cave with amazing artifacts that belonged to the snake goddess. Things then proceed to go terribly wrong.
3.5 stars I loved this story of how a science teacher on Maui helped students from the island form a swim club. They eventually went to the Olympics (a3.5 stars I loved this story of how a science teacher on Maui helped students from the island form a swim club. They eventually went to the Olympics (after having their plans disrupted by WWII) and won gold.
I did not like the forced rhymes and poetry. I found myself adding words here and there to make it clearer for my students during a read-aloud. Perfect for AANHPI, esp if you need more Native Hawaiian to add to your collection...more
Flora and Julian were raised in the foster care system but they have been adopted! However, because their Lifebooks and records have been lost, they aFlora and Julian were raised in the foster care system but they have been adopted! However, because their Lifebooks and records have been lost, they are convinced that they were never actually born. Instead, they have created many theories about how they came into being. Flora and Julian both have other issues from their time spent in foster care but their new, loving adoptive home is helping ease them. But when the adoptive parents realize the kids think they were not born the usual way, they set out on a journey through their past homes to try to find their birth mom as well as the missing Lifebooks.
This is a testament to how broken our foster care system is, although there are also some really good people in it as well. Also, the trauma is real and does not just go away immediately once children have been adopted. *A friend of mine also read this and pointed out that they should have been able to just get the kids' birth certificates. though... (duh)...more
book 2 Huda's family goes on a road trip to Disney. She is conflicted about being visibly Muslim but makes a friend and also learns some things about fbook 2 Huda's family goes on a road trip to Disney. She is conflicted about being visibly Muslim but makes a friend and also learns some things about family. Highly recommend CW: Islamophobia...more
3.5 stars I wanted to like this more because it got so many good reviews but it just never fully pulled me in. I'll definitely get it for my school lib3.5 stars I wanted to like this more because it got so many good reviews but it just never fully pulled me in. I'll definitely get it for my school library though A is trans but his parents refuse to recognize that he is a boy and continue to make him dress like a girl and use his dead name. Then a golem appears and tells him he is the chosen one and this is a dangerous time and it is up to him to save the world....more
Set during WWII, this is about a boy and his father who are attempting to be in the first group to summit Everest. When things go wrong, Atlas and MadSet during WWII, this is about a boy and his father who are attempting to be in the first group to summit Everest. When things go wrong, Atlas and Maddie (the daughter of another climber) decide to take matters into their own hands to rescue their fathers and the others despite the possibility of Nazis on the mountain as well - not to mention the other dangers of summiting Everest. For fans of Hatchet, Peak, and other survival novels....more
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