I have several issues with this book: 1. The forced rhymes take all the enjoyment out of it for me 2. The cursive script used for the text spoken by theI have several issues with this book: 1. The forced rhymes take all the enjoyment out of it for me 2. The cursive script used for the text spoken by the creatures will be very difficult for emerging readers 3. The anthropomorphizing of the creatures. I get it; it's intended for a young audience but it degrades the science. They are definitely 5 minute long reads about some very interesting sea creatures. For the most part the science seems to be accurate - except for the giving of human characteristics, as mentioned earlier. Each creature is given a story and then followed up with a more scientific section. The illustrations are charming. Back matter consists of a few suggestions for further reading. ...more
This sturdy board book is a perfectly adequate counting book for numbers 1-20. However, the flaps may not last long as they are not made of the same mThis sturdy board book is a perfectly adequate counting book for numbers 1-20. However, the flaps may not last long as they are not made of the same material as the pages and little hands may tear them more easily. The variety of items was cute but fairly standard. The best part of this book is the QR code on the back that leads you to an audio recording of the book. I really liked how there was a different sound for lifting the flap versus turning the page....more
This sturdy board book is perfect for giving baby some tummy time. The pages fold out and let your little one meet a variety of animals like ducks, buThis sturdy board book is perfect for giving baby some tummy time. The pages fold out and let your little one meet a variety of animals like ducks, butterflies, squirrels, and a dog, etc. When you flip it over, there are close-ups of each creature with a mirror at the end for baby to say hello to themself. The best part of this book is the QR code on the back that leads you to an audio recording of the book....more
3.5 stars Book 2 in series Vera meets Millie who is hanging around the police station. Of course, Vera befriends here. Millie tells her about her friend3.5 stars Book 2 in series Vera meets Millie who is hanging around the police station. Of course, Vera befriends here. Millie tells her about her friend Thomas who died. The police think it is suicide but millie does not. Vera of course thinks that she is an ace investigator now so promises to help Millie figure out what happened. Vera barges into the case in her typical style and quickly finds out that Thomas/Xander was not all that he appeared. She quickly has a new list of friends/suspects to feed and interrogate. This one is darker than the other but still full of humor and will make you long for a plate full of delicious Chinese food and a hot cup of tea. CW: violence (view spoiler)[human trafficking (hide spoiler)]...more
Joy loves baking cookies with her older brother. But when she witnesses Noah and his boyfriend being bullied by a neighbor kid, she feels bad and doesJoy loves baking cookies with her older brother. But when she witnesses Noah and his boyfriend being bullied by a neighbor kid, she feels bad and doesn't know what to do. She talks to her mom about it. Together they come up with the idea of holding a bake/cookie sale to support the teen center Noah and Miguel go to. There are several things I really appreciate about this book: Joy talked to her adult about what she saw and how she felt Joy asked Noah if it was OK if they held the bake sale before they proceeded with their plan There are discussion questions in the back matter for before/during/after the reading of the book!!!! (I think this is the one I like best) This is perfect for talking about how to be an ally....more
Lucy is supposed to be going on a spring break vacation with her dad but instead gets dragged to a small town with her private investigator mom. TurnsLucy is supposed to be going on a spring break vacation with her dad but instead gets dragged to a small town with her private investigator mom. Turns out her mom has been hiding some secrets about her past but there is also a murder to investigate. These things are not unrelated... Lucy gets involved with the case and with one of the suspects, a motorcycle-riding girl named Audrey. This was a solid debut novel and my students looking for mysteries will enjoy it. I didn't find there to be anything particularly new or interesting in the story, hence 3/5 but I look forward to what the author comes up with next. CW: violence...more
3.5 stars Agnes and Daisy are best friends. They are devastated when they find out that Agnes is going to be moving away at the end of the summer. They3.5 stars Agnes and Daisy are best friends. They are devastated when they find out that Agnes is going to be moving away at the end of the summer. They revive an old tradition from when they were young and make a list of everything they are going to do together this summer before Agnes leaves. however, Daisy gets a new boyfriend and starts hanging out with him instead and/or bringing him to all the events and changing all the plans. Agnes is understandably upset but feels like if she says anything, Daisy will just spend all of her time with the new boy instead of her.
This is such authentic teen drama! I loved the goth illustrations and feel like my students will absolutely adore the art style. I just couldn't get past my adult anger at Daisy for messing up her time with Agnes for the boy (which is why I rounded down to 3.5 stars). To give the boy credit, though, he was not the one encouraging Daisy to drop Agnes to spend time with him....more
This sweet little book is about 100 pages long. It is basically an essay about the abundance of things in nature, Euro-centric/American views of scarcThis sweet little book is about 100 pages long. It is basically an essay about the abundance of things in nature, Euro-centric/American views of scarcity, and how these things tie into commodities and the economy, especially from an Indigenous perspective. It really made me think about how small towns/communities and Indigenous people look at the collective good as opposed to how most other societies only look out for themselves and/or their immediate family members. What a difference it could make to our society if we did more of this collective thinking - and I loved her example of public libraries. If we made sure that the need of all were met instead of how the 1% are only looking out for themselves? What a different world we would live in!...more
This beautifully illustrated graphic novel tells the true story of two families in the Seattle area during the Japanese incarceration camps of WWII. IThis beautifully illustrated graphic novel tells the true story of two families in the Seattle area during the Japanese incarceration camps of WWII. It's told by the Jewish grandson who is surprised to see so many Japanese people who have come to mourn his grandfather's passing. They share with him the story of his special friendship with one man in particular but also how he helped many people in the Japanese community when they were forced to leave their homes and businesses behind.
I think what I love most about this is how this man did the right thing and then did not gloat about it - ever! His family did not know what he had done until after he had died to help all these people. His humility is astonishing and inspiring....more
I was at the public library and ran into one of my students looking at a display of books all wrapped up in newspaper. They were labeled only as fictiI was at the public library and ran into one of my students looking at a display of books all wrapped up in newspaper. They were labeled only as fiction or mystery. We both decided to try one. I took a mystery and this is what I got. I was actually quite happy with it - and probably never would have picked it off the shelf myself. This is part of an ongoing series, but stands alone just fine.
Dr. Brockton, a forensic scientist, gets a frantic call from his apprentice Miranda who is currently in France. She and an archeologist have discovered an ancient skeleton - and indications are that it could be the bones of Jesus! Lots of action, suspense, and intrigue follow.
Merged review:
I was at the public library and ran into one of my students looking at a display of books all wrapped up in newspaper. They were labeled only as fiction or mystery. We both decided to try one. I took a mystery and this is what I got. I was actually quite happy with it - and probably never would have picked it off the shelf myself. This is part of an ongoing series, but stands alone just fine.
Dr. Brockton, a forensic scientist, gets a frantic call from his apprentice Miranda who is currently in France. She and an archeologist have discovered an ancient skeleton - and indications are that it could be the bones of Jesus! Lots of action, suspense, and intrigue follow....more
Ming Lee is starting middle school. He's Chinese American but doesn't speak Chinese. His mom is very devout and though she believes God will provide, Ming Lee is starting middle school. He's Chinese American but doesn't speak Chinese. His mom is very devout and though she believes God will provide, she also saves money by cutting Ming's hair herself and only shopping from the 50% off rack at thrift stores. Ming desperately wants to fit in and these things don't help his cause much. He is saving money to buy a fancy pair of sneakers and then comes up with a plan to steal the "in" shirts. He ropes his 2 friends into the plan as well. Things go terribly wrong. The author based this graphic novel loosely on events from his own life experiences so it is semi-autobiographical. Many will find the theme of trying to fit in during middle school very relevant. It's a good read-alike for Jerry Craft and Raina Telgemeier....more
Mella is the chicken girl at artist Botticelli's estate. She also occasionally helps with cleaning out the brushes and other tasks around the studio. Mella is the chicken girl at artist Botticelli's estate. She also occasionally helps with cleaning out the brushes and other tasks around the studio. She loves to draw and would love to be an actual apprentice like Datus, especially since he can't draw! This is an engaging and informative GN about art in the renaissance period as well as a girl standing up for her rights. It reminded me of the novel in verse "Blood Water Paint" which I really enjoyed but I can't get very many of my students to read. I think more of my students will pick this up since graphic novels are so hot right now. Back matter includes further info about the period, artists, and subject matter....more
Ruby's mom has gone missing. Again. She and her aunt are used to this because her mom has mental health issues. When her mom has a crisis, whether it Ruby's mom has gone missing. Again. She and her aunt are used to this because her mom has mental health issues. When her mom has a crisis, whether it is drug use or some other psych crisis, she often runs away from home as a result. Ruby and her aunt set out to find mom, with some interesting encounters along the way. This is a fantastic insight at how mental health affects the whole family/community, how we don't know everyone's story, and how every person is "somebody's someone". It could really help develop empathy and/or understanding for other people's situations....more
I listened to this as an audiobook so had no idea it was a novel in verse until I got my hands on a physical copy of the book. Bea is a student at a mI listened to this as an audiobook so had no idea it was a novel in verse until I got my hands on a physical copy of the book. Bea is a student at a middle school. She has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. She mentors a "little", one of the elementary students and is helping her adjust to school life. However, one day there is a shooting at the school. Not a drill. Bea freezes and realizes that she can't get down as instructed. The aftermath of the shooting changes everything for Bea. This book is difficult to read because of the content - but it is harder to LIVE IT! So, why do we keep putting our students and staff through the trauma of school shootings and active shooter drills All. The. Time? This book is based on real events in Nashville. I appreciate the therapy that Bea receives and how that might look different for each person - whether it is traditional, or activism, or horseback riding, (or a combination) etc. As an educator who has to go through multiple lockdown drills every year, I feel like all politicians who are not fighting for stricter gun laws should be forced to read this book. CW: school shooting/gun violence, PTSD, cerebral palsy...more
3.5 stars I saw this in a bookstore and read through it because I've heard mixed reviews - but I love both Sanderson and Kibuishi. The humor is very to3.5 stars I saw this in a bookstore and read through it because I've heard mixed reviews - but I love both Sanderson and Kibuishi. The humor is very tongue in cheek. The illustrations are classic Kibuishi and I loved them. But yes, the text without the illustrations absolutely dull....more
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
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