Ave, a nonbinary middle schooler, moves with their family to the United States after growing up in Mexicali, Mexico. Ave struggles to assimilate, unliAve, a nonbinary middle schooler, moves with their family to the United States after growing up in Mexicali, Mexico. Ave struggles to assimilate, unlike their younger brother who chooses a more English-sounding nickname and prefers speaking in English. Ave is also struggling because their family is separated. Their father and older sister have stayed behind in Mexicali. As Ave struggles, they find a supportive group of friends. It's a moving reflection of culture, identity, and change.
The artwork is gentle and welcoming even when showcasing the vast desert landscape of Mexicali or the imposing architecture on the University of Kansas campus. Ave's gender is explored through clothing, hair, and makeup choices that showcase the character's fluid identity. While US-Mexican border relations are touched on, the story keeps a generally lighthearted tone.
Thank you Random House Children's for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own....more
Zelu is a complicated character dealing with professional rejection and a family that doesn't understand her. The daughter of Nigerian immigrants and Zelu is a complicated character dealing with professional rejection and a family that doesn't understand her. The daughter of Nigerian immigrants and paralyzed from the waist down since a childhood accident, she struggles to prove her worth in a world that condescends to her existence. At a very low point, she writes a novel that will completely change her life's trajectory, for good and bad.
Told through multiple viewpoints, we read Zelu's story, interspersed with selections from her philosophical science fiction novel about a post-human world populated by robots and AI. There are also interviews with those in Zelu's orbit. She's not the easiest character to love, but as the novel progresses, so does our understanding of her. The novel takes lots of zany turns, and as a reader, I was never sure what might happen next, but at its heart, I think the novel is an examination of what makes us human, what motivates and connects us to the world, and what role technology can play in that. Highly recommend!
Thank you William Morrow for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own....more
A clear and precise biography of scientific and feminist hero Barbara McClintock written for older elementary school students. This book highlights geA clear and precise biography of scientific and feminist hero Barbara McClintock written for older elementary school students. This book highlights genetic concepts and advances in a way anyone can understand. Told in a linear fashion, the reader meets McClintock as a young girl so fascinated by learning that she forgets her name. She bucks traditional roles for girls and women in the early 20th century, cutting her hair short, wearing pants, and insisting on going to college. Her scientific career also bucks tradition, as she challenges the beliefs of other scientists through her meticulous, often solo, experiments. She became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine as a solo scientist (30 years after she made her groundbreaking discovery) and the book takes the time to show how her work led to the advances we see in genetics today.
The illustrations are soft and cozy, adding a whimsical touch to the biography that reflects McClintock's at-times-unorthodox scientific approach.
Thank you HarperCollins Children's Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own....more
Abby Cohen is struggling to keep her coffee shop open in the small Vermont town she now calls home. When she's recruited to drum up tourism by creatinAbby Cohen is struggling to keep her coffee shop open in the small Vermont town she now calls home. When she's recruited to drum up tourism by creating a Hanukkah festival (the Vermont market is saturated with Christmas festivals), Abby struggles with the microaggressions of other small business owners who think dressing a Christmas festival in blue and white is close enough. Searching for allies, she discovers the only other Jewish person in town just happens to be her most annoying customer, and he's got a proposition: he'll help her make the festival a success if she goes home with him to New York and pretends to be his girlfriend.
The fake relationship trope works well with this grumpy-sunshine romance. Abby doesn't let people in because of childhood trauma, but Seth's optimism and gentle presence seems to be the balm her soul needs. I also enjoyed meeting Seth's friends, and seeing Abby connect not just with Seth, but also with them. A great winter holiday read!
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own....more
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