The Other Talk by Brendan Kiely

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This book has an introduction by Jason Reynolds.

The book is definitely written at teens – the casual language and clearly defined vocabulary and anecdotes will hold the attention of teen readers. The thing I liked most about the language in this book was the use of “Global Majority” as the descriptor for BIPOC folks in the United States. This puts a constant reminder in the reader’s mind that the BIPOC population is NOT the minority – and even in the US this population will outnumber the White population within the next couple of years.

This book explains why it’s important to speak of and acknowledge white priviledge within our society. It’s main message is to listen.

The book is accessible and appropriate for grades 6-12. It’s a quick read; the audio version is read by the author, so it’s equally as good.

Itzel and the Ocelot by Rachel Katstaller

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Itzel lives with her nana on the edge of the jungle. Times are hard, because there has been no rain and the seeds her grandmother planted cannot grow without water. Her nana tells her a story about the great snake that brought the rainy season so long ago. But, people no longer believe and the snake retreated to the origin of water. Itzel wants to help her nana and decides to find this snake to bring back the rainy seasons. She enters the jungle and meets up with an ocelot, who agrees to accompany her on her quest. Other animals join along the way, because they too need water. They finally come to the dry riverbed and Itzel realizes that is no giant snake or water. Itzel sits down to play her flute, tears running down her cheeks. Suddenly, something crashes and bangs and the riverbed fills with water. Itzel and the ocelot are carried downriver and their animal companions on the riverbanks return to their homes. Itzel and the ocelot end up back with her nana and watch the rains come down. Her bravery and beliefs brought the rain back.

The story is eloquently told, with additional words in Spanish (word origin is Nawat, and indigenous Salvadoran language. This language is explained (with a glossary) at the back of the book along with an author’s note that gives information about folktales from this culture. Text is accessible and the glossary is helpful for those words that are unfamiliar. Accompanying illustrations are in a folk-art style, which is perfect for this story. Highly recommended.

Kidstory: 50 children and young people who shook up the world

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First there was history, then there was ‘herstory’, and now Tom Adams presents “Kidstory” : 50 children and young people who shook up the world. As the INTRODUCTION states: “…these children are not the only amazing ones. This book could have included fifty more amazing children. And another fifty, And fifty more…contributing to making this world a better place.” (pg 5)

The contents list five chapters: Think & Invent, Crete & Dream, Hope & Believe, Lead & Triumph, and Change & Conquer. Each chapter contains ten young people (under the age of 20) who have made a wonderful contribution to their/our world. Some of these young people are well known from past history, examples – Louis Braille ( Create & Dream) , Pocahontas (Change & Conquer) , and Anne Frank (Hope & Believe), while others are known from more recent times: Greta Thunberg ( Think & Believe), Bethany Hamilton and Laura Dekker (Lead & Triumph), and Malala Yousafzai ( Hope & Believe). Seven of these young people were born before 1899, thirty-four between 1900 and 1999, and the last nine from between 2000-2005.They come from North and South America, Europe and Asia, Africa, and Australia.

My favorite young person, previously unknown to me, is Ann Makosinski ( Think & Invent) (pg. 14-15) who invented “The Hollow Flashlight [which] uses just the heat of your hand to power it.” Ann invented it to help her friend living in the Philippines be able to study after dark because their electricity supply was not very reliable.

Quite a few of these young people have been awarded the International Children’s Peace Prize.

This book is inspiring!

Another Squiggly Story by Andrew Larson

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A young student has a problem. His teacher, Mr. Lopez, assigns the task of writing an autobiography. First of all, what is that? His classmates get right to work. His best friend, Marcus, loves hats and Alia wants to write about vampires, because she thinks about them all the time.

He is stuck! But, his sister comes to the rescue, telling him about her autobiography and reassuring him when he makes mistakes (it’s ok, you can edit). In class, the writing continues, with brainstorming , lists and first proofs. The boy continues his writing journey with a title, cover and more editing. The story ends with an addition to his list of “Things I Want to Be” – an author.

This is a fantastic book for kickstarting the writing process for young students. Appropriate vocabulary and simple illustrations make it a quick read and great discussion starter. I appreciate that the young boy works through his frustration and learns as he goes along. We have all been in that same place in our own writing journey. His friend, Marcus, adapts his autobiography into a comic style piece, noting that “drawing is easier than writing for me”. What a great representation of the reality of writing for so many kids. And, we can infer that the teacher is accepting of this change, since Marcus proudly shows his work-in-progress to the young writer. Use this book to introduce some of the elements of the writing process as well as the concept of autobiographies. Highly Recommended

Pugs Cause Traffic Jams by Jennifer McGrath

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Kirby, the pug, is missing! As his owner searches the town for her errant puppy, the reader sees Kirby causing all kinds of problems in the streets. Each page is full of color and life and different breeds of dogs. Kirby’s owner notes each breed’s characteristic. For example, “Huskies are singers”. And, “Samoyeds just smile and smile”. Finally, we find Kirby at the end, somehow turning all these traffic jams into a street party, complete with red carpet and cake.

This is a fun romp of a story with lots of dogs. Pugs are the current stars of many popular picture books and this one will be equally popular with younger readers. Busy illustrations are engaging and fun. And, the author is pretty spot on with the breeds’ personalities. Recommended.

When Whales Fly by Erica S. Perl

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Whale, Quail and Snail are hanging out watching the clouds when Whale states that she wishes she could fly. Snail, in a very matter-of-fact voice, tells her that she can learn to fly and that he and Quail will teach her. Quail is pretty dubious about this and states repeatedly that whales cannot fly. Snail believes it can happen and, eventually, Whale leaps (or flies) out of the water much to her delight and astonishment. Her big splash knocks Quail off the surfboard and Quail flounders, because he can’t swim. Whale offers to teach him how, because she’s a great swimmer…and pretty good at flying, too (according to Quail).

This Level Two reader has very accessible text and slightly longer sentences and simple chapters. Illustrations are bright and cartoon-like, filling the page with happy color. This is a fun story in a book that feels like a chapter book, perfect for young readers ready to move up a notch from picture books. Recommended.

Parker Bell and the Science of Friendship by Cynthia Platt

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Parker, a budding scientist, is so excited when her teacher announces a three part science competition. She knows that she and her coding-expert best friend, Cassie, can easily win and will set her on her path to be be as great a scientist as her heroes, Mae Jemison and Jane Goodall. Unfortunately, Cassie invites super shy Theo to be part of the team. Parker isn’t happy. Cassie asked him without consulting her and she’s worried that Cassie might have a new friend that come between them. Also, she is concerned. Will he contribute to the project when he can’t even speak loudly enough for her to hear.

Friendship and STEM come together in a nicely written story that is both realistic and humorous. Three teammates struggle to come up with the best science project ever while navigating the pitfalls of new friends and old friends working together. Parker’s idea of building guinea pig robots is perfect, right? Nothing can go wrong with that. Or, can it?

Illustrations are cartoon-like, full page digital artwork. The story packs some STEM fun into a friendship story that breaks some gender boundaries. Parker LOVES science and has her own Mad Science Lab. Her dad is a baker and her mom is a P.E. teacher, who both encourage her scientific enthusiasm. Give this book to your budding scientists. They will certainly connect with Parker and her friends! Recommended.

I Will! by Juana Medina

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This is a book of fourteen affirmations for young students. Each double page spread has hand-lettered words on one side and an accompanying illustration on the other. Characters are diverse in ethnicity and ability and the illustrations are digitally rendered in bright colors, which is very engaging for the target audience.

Affirmations are split between those that help others and those that are more self reflective. Examples include “I will help those in need and ask for help when I need it”. This book will be very useful for discussion with young children about being the best they can be to themselves and others. And, as the story says “I will join with you to make this a better world for everyone”. Recommended

Waiting for Mama by Gianna Marino

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This is a story about the life of an emperor penguin chick, mostly told from inside the egg. The chick and father await mama’s return from feeding with the egg mostly tucked under the father’s belly on his feet. The chick describes what he hears and feels from inside the egg until near the end of the story when he “CRACK” comes out of his shell to greet his father and returning mother.

This simple story with its warmly colored illustrations gives some great details about the emperor penguin interwoven with the flow of the story. Young students will be learning without even realizing it. An author’s note expands on the information given in the story, which will certainly lead to further research for many interested young penguin enthusiasts. Recommended

The Rainbow Hunters by Andrea Farotto

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Bill is on a rainbow hunt and as he begins his adventure, he is joined by three friends. Each adds something – butterfly net, candy and so forth. They travel in every direction yet don’t find the end of the rainbow or treasure. They do find something even better – a wonderful day with friends full of adventure (and a bonus white dog that they name Cheesecake, or is it Coconut?). The story ends with Bill setting out on another hunt, this time for Bigfoot and the story continues…

This wonderful story is all about the fun of being with friends and having an adventure outside. The goal, like the gold at the end of the rainbow, might not be achieved. But, it is the journey and its excitement that is the the memorable byproduct. Young readers will identify with the four friends as they turn here and there during their quest. And, they will certainly agree that the most fun part is is the hunt itself.

Text is appropriate for young readers and illustrations are simple and bright. Characters are diverse. Recommended.