Category Archives: Reviewer’s Library Type

Nubia: Real One by L.L. McKinney and Robyn Smith

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This DC graphic novel flawlessly presents a strong message of fighting injustices and coming into your own against all odds, paired with deep characters and gorgeous illustrations. Since she was young, Nubia has had superpowers but has always hidden her abilities because when people see her, they assume the worst of her. An entitled and hateful boy begins to threaten Nubia’s best friend, Quisha, Nubia begins to use her powers to fight injustices and become a superhero in a society that keeps trying to force her down. The colorful and vivid illustrations paired with the message of bringing up people who have been forced down create a complex, bold graphic novel of coming into one’s own against all odds. This brave and persevering graphic novel built of thoughtful and often witty dialogue and vivid illustrations encourages activism for equality in society for BIPOC, fighting for social justice, as well as showing people the importance of supporting each other for who you are. Comic-book readers and social activism readers alike will appreciate the powerful messages bringing awareness to the struggles of becoming a superhero when most of society is up against you. Reviewed by a Washington Middle School Student,

Time Out

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By Sean Hayes, Todd Milliner, and Carlyn Greenwald

Time Out is a great novel for upper-middle to high school readers. Barclay Elliot is the high school basketball star that is expected to lead his team to the championship this year. He “walks on water” to all in his small hometown. Barclay decides that he is going to come out at the first pep rally and has a rude awakening when the town and his team do not have his back. Barclay learns what it means to be an upstander in his community. He learns that true friends can help a person get through hard times. This coming-of-age novel is a must-read for all who are navigating friendships and school. There are some rude homophobic remarks said by the basketball players and bad language throughout which makes it more appropriate for grades 8-12.

Seton Girls

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Traditions and connections are more important than most things at Seton Academic Prep. The football team has gone to the playoffs every year since 2006 when Cooper Adams was quarterback and he attributed it to the Seton Girls. A playoff birth became the expectation of every quarterback since and they would continue their “tradition” of making that happen with those exact Seton Girls. Enter “J” and “Alz”, two outsiders whose academic and extracurricular merits gave them scholarships to attend Seton. J and Alz have been a couple since they were kids and they walked into a hornet’s nest of affluent, and at times obnoxious, teenagers. J’s JV quarterback skills are promising for his senior year but first Parker will lead the team, and it’s “tradition” to win. Over the course of the summer though, Parker’s control of the “tradition” is lost, because of a few of the Seton Girls, including Alz’s brave decision and Britt’s recognition of how to play the player. In a story that would hopefully never happen, readers will discover just who the Seton Girls are, how have more control than they realize, and how certain traditions are meant to be broken. References to sex and partying are strung throughout the text but this is tame for high school audiences today.

Hands

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Torrey Maldonado

A short, quick read in an authentic voice, this book really packs a punch – all while wondering how hands CAN be a powerful force in the world without them getting him into trouble. Trev faces a number of challenges in this story, but the central problem is how to keep all the promises he’s made to people he loves. This comes down to how he’s going to use his hands – to fight off his stepfather’s potential abuse of his mom once he’s out of jail for hitting her OR trust the adults around him to protect his family and use his hands for their other promise & potential, drawing. He trains to become strong, but using his hands to fight will have consequences that will limit his other strengths. I really liked the dialogue in the book. It sounds real. It’s the short, choppy sentences of Trev’s real language that give the book so much authenticity. Every chapter is extremely short (1-3 pages) which should help get this book read by students who may not love to read but will love Trev’s story. The end feels incomplete-ish, but I think that’s deliberate. We know what Trev decides he’s going to do at the end, but the events that will put him to the test have not happened yet. We must trust, like he must, in the people around him. Perhaps there will be a sequel, but I think it’s okay if there is not. I highly recommend this book!

Junior High

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By Tegan and Sara Quin

This semi-biographical, fictionalized graphic novel is by the musical duo of over a million records, including the song, “Everything is Awesome” from The Lego Movie. Of course, the main thing is how true this book resonates with readers. Because these two twins have based their book on their own lives, the reader can feel both the bonds between these close siblings, but also the rifts that sometimes occur. Much of the book is printed in purple ink, but sections that focus on one twin or the other are in red or blue ink. The visual difference & combination of colors is an added element I really liked. The illustrations are soft, mostly monochromatic colors that do not detract from the story, but add to it. The plot focuses on their life in junior high after moving to a new school with their mom and her new boyfriend. Anyone who has ever moved can relate to the loss of old friends and the adjustment of finding new ones. It’s more complicated with twins because sometimes one twin finds different connections than the other does. This story chronicles the purchase of their first bras (horrifying!), dealing with their parents’ split & new relationships, bullying new classmates, and discovering a new love of music. It’s the discovery of a guitar in their garage that helps them start to heal the rift that had begun to form between these two close siblings. There is so much for students to relate to in this book. It’s also fun to see how a passion in junior high can morph into a real career as adults. The very last few pages include the true biographical information and how the fictionalized version varies from reality. Real photos of the girls’ lives, including early lyrics from their first song are included. I highly recommend this graphic novel to middle school readers.

The Kingdom Over the Sea

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By Zohra Nabi

When Yara’s mother passes away, she is given a letter. In the letter are some instructions, which lead her to a magical land across the sea and into a new world. But in that place, Zehaira, strange things and conflicts are occurring. Yara has to find out the truth about her identity, her mother, as well as to find her place in this new whole world. This book is very good for Zohra Nabi’s first book. The detail is good, and I love how she created this whole magical world while using England as an inspiration. There were also these really cool illustrations throughout the book  which I really liked since chapter books don’t often tend to have illustrations. The main character’s confidence was inspiring, as was Yara’s mother’s confidence. For example Yara just would not take no for an answer. She was stubborn in the best way. Also many fantasy books have romance but this book doesn’t.  I am all in for that refreshing change of pace! It wasn’t about “getting the relationship” in the end. The plot,in general, kept me going until the very end. However, I don’t really like the cliff-hanger at the end.  Since this is a new book, now I have to wait for the next part of the story! (But that could just be me. I’m sure it’s good for the author!) Overall, I would recommend this book to other fantasy lovers, especially if they’re not looking for romance, but rather a really strong set of characters and plot.

Review by 6th grader, Victoria L.

Luminary: A guide to magical self-care

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Reviewed by Taylor T. 11th grade – This Self-Help book is catered to a variety of people which makes it a perfect guide to bettering one’s self. The author of this book communicates how they learned about spiritual self-help. They use the knowledge gained from multiple different sources. This book’s goal is to provide help to people who are struggling to understand themselves but also provide background knowledge. This helps the book stay interesting as you’re learning multiple things at once. I liked how the author did not claim to be right. They made the reader aware that in order to get better it starts with you. There are not any big warnings I have about this book, but it is very spiritually based so it is important to keep that in mind if you plan on suggesting this book to other students. 

Rhythm of Time

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By Questlove with S.A. Cosby

The first of a new series about two friends from Philadelphia who get in over their heads when Kasia gives Rahim a new cell phone she’s created for him. Best part: it’s free & off the grid, so no pesky monthly bills. Worst part: it sends Rahim back in time to the Philly of his Dad’s childhood causing increasing problems with the time/space continuum. I loved that Rahim gets to see a side of his father that is so different from what he thinks he knows about him. It introduces the idea of the butterfly effect in messing with time in a kid-friendly way. Both main characters are black and smart and talented.  Rahim is a budding musician who loves rhyming and making music even though his father just wants him to be academic. Kasia is a brilliant scientist-in-the-making who pushes the boundaries, perhaps a bit too far, but without giving up on finding a solution.  The book includes a few drawn illustrations that I didn’t feel were absolutely necessary, but will appeal to readers who need a little visual support. The plot moves along with plenty of excitement and complications, but doesn’t dwell overlong in solving the problem of getting Rahim home. Overall, you can bet it will be a book my students will enjoy and will be wanting the next in the series because, of course, there is a tiny teaser at the end.

The Book of Stolen Dreams by David Farr

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This brilliant fantasy novel uses bright and detailed decisive imagery to pull readers into the story along with the characters! In a spiraling world of danger after helping their father steal an outlawed book, Rachel and Robert Klein have to work to figure out the secrets that the Book holds, while a corrupt new leader tries to steal the information they have. The vibrant, well-imagined characters slip around this complex story illustrated with quick energy. The bright imagery grabs readers’ senses and imaginations, immersing the readers in truly experiencing this mysterious fantasy novel! Audiences with a taste for mystery will appreciate the quick and winding puzzle, the humor sprinkled in across the pages will leave readers with a smile on their faces, and the figurative language paints a story that will pull in readers of any age. Reviewed by a Washington Middle School student.

All from a Walnut

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“All the best things grow with time. Even when you can’t see them, still they grow.” In this heartfelt story, the walnut embodies both the durability and change of family relationships as time passes. A young girl learns how as a child her grandfather left his home with only a small bag – and a walnut. He planted, nurtured, and protected the walnut as it grew into a towering tree. Her grandfather gifted her with a nut like he had for her mother before her. The grandfather then  taught the child all she needed to know to help the walnut flourish as he himself slowly declined. The teachings of the walnut help the girl accept change and provide a symbol of the strength and permanence of love.

All from a Walnut has so many layers; immigration, poverty, intergenerational families, single parent families, loss and grief, self growth, the power of nature. Tied together, these themes create a story with a powerful message for young readers.