I chose several genres for this one because the fantastical story Rodriquez told is more of a memoir, but we only know that because of the author's noI chose several genres for this one because the fantastical story Rodriquez told is more of a memoir, but we only know that because of the author's note. Stunning illustrations!...more
Dan Santat is such a gifted illustrator! I could see kids laughing each time the dragon sneezes. Interesting Author's Note!Dan Santat is such a gifted illustrator! I could see kids laughing each time the dragon sneezes. Interesting Author's Note!...more
4.5 Well, I definitely understand the hype! What a ride! And the ending!! I'm going to take a break in between this and the next one, but I'll definit4.5 Well, I definitely understand the hype! What a ride! And the ending!! I'm going to take a break in between this and the next one, but I'll definitely be reading the sequel. The audio has a great narrator....more
Wow - what a departure from Wonder. I was swept away in this adventure. I just watched Colby Sharp's review, and it convinced me to read it again! Wow - what a departure from Wonder. I was swept away in this adventure. I just watched Colby Sharp's review, and it convinced me to read it again! ...more
Loved this funny, quirky, but poignant book. There are a lot of implications for equity, diversity, and education in this gem of a story. The audio isLoved this funny, quirky, but poignant book. There are a lot of implications for equity, diversity, and education in this gem of a story. The audio is excellent. Perfect choice for an Alex Award. While it is marketed as an adult book, it would be a great book for high schoolers as well....more
Wow - a powerful graphic novel adaptation of Kindred. I've never read Kindred, and this makes me want to!Wow - a powerful graphic novel adaptation of Kindred. I've never read Kindred, and this makes me want to!...more
Wow - loved this one and tore through it in one day. Perfect middle grade fantasy book - would be an awesome read aloud for middle graders! Reminds meWow - loved this one and tore through it in one day. Perfect middle grade fantasy book - would be an awesome read aloud for middle graders! Reminds me of City of Ember. Lots to talk about - freedom vs. safety, systemic racism, poverty, prison reform, politics, abuse of power, etc....more
Oh wow - what a story! This was a unique plot line - kept me captivated and intrigued. I wondered how in the world it would get resolved. Didn't guessOh wow - what a story! This was a unique plot line - kept me captivated and intrigued. I wondered how in the world it would get resolved. Didn't guess the ending at all....more
I love books about windows. This one is a feast for the imagination! I could definitely see this one inspiring kids' own drawings of what is behind thI love books about windows. This one is a feast for the imagination! I could definitely see this one inspiring kids' own drawings of what is behind the window!...more
Oh wow. It's been a while since I've read high fantasy, and I realize I missed it! This is a brilliant and epic story of betrayal, romance, revenge, rOh wow. It's been a while since I've read high fantasy, and I realize I missed it! This is a brilliant and epic story of betrayal, romance, revenge, redemption, violence, social injustice, and loyalty. Lest you think it is all fiction, however, don't miss the powerful author's note in which Tomi explains that this story was in response to police brutality and grief over Jordan Edwards, Tamir Rice, and Aiyana Stanley-Jones. This book was published in 2018, so in light of what has happened in 2020, the story is even more relevant and spur conversation among teens. A must-have series in the middle and high school! I will go on to the sequel....more
"Can't undo wrong. Can only do our best to make things right."
This book is profound. I especially loved the audio version because the narrator, (Miles"Can't undo wrong. Can only do our best to make things right."
This book is profound. I especially loved the audio version because the narrator, (Miles Harvey) was so excellent. Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot and killed by a policeman (based on the police shooting of Tamir Rice in 2014 in Cleveland), and we follow Jerome's ghost as he tries to figure out what he is supposed to learn and do in the afterlife. Going back and forth between Life and Death, we slowly hear the whole story. When he meets another ghost boy, Emmitt Till, and hears his story, he realizes he is not alone in what happened to him. He also wrestles with getting to know Sarah, the white daughter of the police officer who shot and killed Jerome.
Change starts in the hearts of each character - Sarah, Sarah's father, Jerome, Carlos, Jerome's grandmother and sister, etc. A must read to add to a text set that includes Hate U Give, Long Way Down, All American Boys, and Dear Martin. I would also pair Duncan Tonatiuh's Funny Bones and the Pixar movie, Coco, since they both teach us more about Day of the Dead, which Carlos celebrates with Jerome's family.
Heart-wrenching story, complex structure, a mixture of genres and points of view, dynamic characters, and the meeting of past and present would make this book a gem in the classroom.
LOVED Circus Mirandus, but this one underwhelmed me - could have been because I listened to the audio instead of reading the print version. Reminded mLOVED Circus Mirandus, but this one underwhelmed me - could have been because I listened to the audio instead of reading the print version. Reminded me of Savvy by Ingrid Law....more
Allegory? Science fiction? Adventure? Magical realism? I don't even know what to call this book!! SO unique and captivating. So many questions! This wAllegory? Science fiction? Adventure? Magical realism? I don't even know what to call this book!! SO unique and captivating. So many questions! This would be an amazing small group book with 6th graders and up. I would LOVE to hear what kids would say about it, the questions that would be asked. I know they would want a sequel, but would that ruin the mystery and the metaphor? Is it a metaphor? Wow....more
This was a great idea for a young adult book - a "what if" war story. What if the Axis powers had won WWII? Compelling! I loved Yael, who is a concentThis was a great idea for a young adult book - a "what if" war story. What if the Axis powers had won WWII? Compelling! I loved Yael, who is a concentration camp survivor, and because of experiments done to her in the camp, is now a skinshifter, set on assassinating Hitler. She impersonates a motorcycle racer, stopping at nothing to win the famous race, the Axis Tour, in order to get close to the Fuhrer. I want to read the sequel now....more
Oh wow, was that captivating and spooky!! I made sure I got the audio version after Donalyn Miller recommended it. I'm so glad I did! The narrator is Oh wow, was that captivating and spooky!! I made sure I got the audio version after Donalyn Miller recommended it. I'm so glad I did! The narrator is wonderfully talented in making the spooky parts REALLY spooky. Great sense of mood and setting - you'll feel like you were transported into another world. I gave it to one of my 6th graders to read (I got the print version so I could have it signed) - she's my "kid tester" after I read a new book, and she loved it right away. I can't wait to hear what she has to say after she finishes it. I loved meeting the author, Janet Fox, at NCTE. She felt like a friend right away! I'm a fan!...more
Our staff middle grade book club read this book and really enjoyed it. We agreed it would be best for lower middle grades - 3-5. There are a lot of thOur staff middle grade book club read this book and really enjoyed it. We agreed it would be best for lower middle grades - 3-5. There are a lot of things to talk about - kindness, diversity and empathy, family, friendship, cooperation, emotions, home, technology. Lots of action and adventure and tender moments. The illustrations are a wonderful addition. And who knew a robot could make me teary? When Roz watches Brightbill fly away, it's heartbreaking. I'm looking forward to hearing what kids say about it....more
Loading...
