I love my fluffy, puffy curls.

I’m so happy they are mine.

When I believe in myself,

They shimmer and they shine.

Princess Truly has sparkling curls that take her to new and exciting places. She has a race with dinosaurs, visits the pyramids, climbs into a submarine to explore the ocean, and zooms off in a rocket to visit space. Written with rhythmical, rhyming text, the author spreads the message that if you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything. The watercolor illustrations are bright and create the sense of wonder and imagination.

This is a beginning nonfiction book. The text contains one to two simples sentences per page with a full page photograph. There are a few informational text features such as color words, headings, table of contents, index and a picture glossary. The information contained in the text is very basic, but would work well for younger students to attain informational text reading skills.

James L. Swanson is true to form in his research regarding Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassin. This book, like all of Swanson’s others is rich in historical information, primary source documents and images. For someone who doesn’t gravitate to nonfiction, I was thoroughly caught up in the investigative reporting for this piece. Swanson is a great story teller, not only is this book about the murder of King, it also chronicles in great detail the events and significance of his life. While reading the book, one feels catapulted back in time to the heart of the Civil Rights Movement. Also impressive is the last 1/3 of the book where Swanson lists all references used in the creation of his work. Those interested in the subject will have a wealth of other sources to look into due to the extensive bibliography provided. This is a must have book for all middle and high school libraries.

Nominated as a Teen Top Ten book for 2018, The Book of Lies grips the reader from start to finish. Twin sisters Quinn and Piper do not meet until the age of seventeen at their mother’s funeral. Neither of the sisters knows much about the other. Once they meet they become even more curious about their backgrounds and try to unravel the mysteries of their pasts. This novel presents strange, memorable characters – some of which are downright creepy. The dark setting and circumstances leave the reader with a lot of questions and squeamish feelings. Recommended for grades 9-12. This is one is highly recommended.

The book Keeping the Beat is a murder mystery that keeps the reader’s attention by slowly revealing the details through multiple characters’ perspectives. The book begins with a murder then shifts back in time to chronicle the events that lead up to it.

The cast of characters are five girls from Britain who form a rock band and win the opportunity to spend a summer in Los Angeles in attempt to make it big. Each girl tries to maintain her own relationships outside of the band while also continuing to support the efforts of the band. The details are given at a fairly slow pace, making the novel feel as though it drags at times. The characters are relatable and the style of prose is also easy to get into and well written. Recommended for grades 8-12.

The book Light is part of the Abdo Zoom into Science Concepts series.  The definition of the basic characteristics of light is followed by the role of light in sight, natural and human generated light, light used in art, and some numbers relating to light.  Text is supported with simple colorful photographs.  The book is a good introduction to the concept of light for young readers.

Contains a Table of Contents, Glossary, Booklinks, and Index.  The external links found at Abdobooklinks all access age appropriate educational resources.

Dams in the Abdo’s Engineering Superstructures series is a solid choice to support engineering standards for the youngest learners.  The book covers the definition of a dam, it’s purposes and it’s construction.  The simple text is supported by colorful photographs.  The small size of the book will fit well in little hands.

Includes Table of Contents, Glossary and Think About it section.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner Josh Schneider has aged his character James a little , since he appeared in Tales for Very Picky Eaters.

This story begins innocently enough with Jimmy doing his homework. When “an extremely annoying howl” causes him to head to the secret door in his bedroom closet where Jimmy will transform into KID AMAZING. Now dressed to keep his identity secret, he answers the commissioners call to stop the howling. Kid Amazing reassures the commissioner he will take care of his ‘arch-nemesis, the Blob!’ Kid Amazing follows the ‘stink trail’ to the Blob’s lair. With tools from his utility belt, he spritzes the stink cloud with his de-stinking spray. Then, he cleans up the floor with his clown print de-sliming wipes. Kid Amazing is now face-to-face with the Blob, but his utility belt is empty. “The howl is melting his brain. He dives for cover. Then he sees it: the Blob’s howl neutralizer.” Kid Amazing pops the howl neutralizer ( a binky / pacifier) into the Blob’s mouth. The commissioner [aka: mom] will see about getting a reward [ a cookie] for Kid Amazing’s services.  Kid Amazing lets the commissioner know that the Blob also “needs a new stink-containment unit.”

Spoiler Alert! There is a surprise ending.

Toby is a very literal little boy. When his little sister argues that he never gives her anything, Toby replies, “Just last month I gave her a cold!” (31) This is the typical line of humor in this graphic novel formatted book. There are many one-liners, and a few sections where the humor revolves around a particular person or place: little sister, younger friend, mother, parents, or school and teacher.  There is no plot. It is innocent humor the likes of Dennis the Menace.

On page 35, a traveling salesman asks Toby if his mother is home. Toby replies, “Oh, yeah…”. When the salesman returns to Toby after ringing and ringing the door bell with no one answering the door, the salesman states, “I thought you said your mother was home?!” “She is!…but I don’t live here…”, states Toby.

Or on page 44 where Toby asks his little friend George, “George, what’s the difference between broccoli and boogers?” George replies, ” I never eat broccoli!”

MARVEL comic AVENGER hero Falcon is in trouble when Red Skull hits him with “a powerful mind-control blaster.” (6) “Now Falcon is afraid to fly!” (8)

When Red Skull attacks the city with flying robots, Falcon is less successful because of his fear to fly. Iron Man helps fight the robots. Afterwards, Iron Man encourages Falcon to keep trying. There are more flying robots the next day.  This time Captain America helps Falcon. Afterwards, Captain America encourages Falcon.

“Falcon practices everyday… at first, he can not fly very high.” (23) Falcon overcomes his fear to rescue his partner – Redwing. In Falcon’s next battle with Red Skull the mind-controller no longer works on Falcon. Red Skull is taken to jail.

Perseverance is the theme of this superhero book for young readers.