Category Archives: Reviewer’s Library Type

Pickleball for Me

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Joanne Mattern

This book is a great addition to any elementary library’s non-fiction sports section. It has great color images of kids playing pickleball. It explains the history of the sport, the rules and how to play the game, what equipment is needed, and if it is the sport for you. It also explains how young readers can successfully read non-fiction. It has a glossary as well as recommendations for further reading and internet sites. It is clear and concise and an interesting read. I would recommend this book for purchase as there are few books about this sport at a lower reading level.

Bittersweet

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Based on the True Tale of the Berlin Candy Bombers

By Christy Mandin

This adorably illustrated book is about Berlin after World War II. It describes how many were short on food and supplies and many buildings were destroyed and rubble was everywhere. Hilda was struggling to survive as the roads, rivers and railways were being blocked by the eastern side of the city. The U.S. decided that the best way to resolve this by flying over and dropping supplies. One pilot decided that kids needed hope and thus dropped chocolate and other treats for kids.

This is a great book that talks about post war situations that could be happening today in our world. It also talks about how others can create hope in the world. I would recommend this book for purchase as there are many ways to address it. There is also a great author’s note at the end as well. For older readers it would be a great pairing with Michael Tunnell’s non-fiction book, “Candy Bomber: The Story of Berlin Airlift’s Chocolate Pilot”.

Little Troublemaker Defends Her Name

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Written by Juvvie Ajayi Jones, Illustrated by Joey Spiotto

Luvvie is experiencing her first day at a new school. After she introduces herself to the class, Tommy teases her about her unique name. This upsets her and she calls him Dummy just as the teacher is walking by. After the teacher asks her to apologize she is upset for the rest of the morning.

This book is about a few common occurences that can happen in the classroom. In the end, the teacher helps to resolve the situation and all end up being friends.

Monsters in the Moonlight; A Yalda Night Adventure

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By Sina Merabian

Yalda Night is an ancient Persian celebration that occurs on the Winter Solstice. It is a celebration of darkness being defeated by light. Choori and Shooli are young divs (malevolent supernatural beings) heading out on their first Yalda Night to cause trouble and ruin families celebrations. When they join a family and try to ruin the night they only find that nothing can do that as long as loved ones are together.

This adorably illustrated picture book would need some explanation of this Persian holiday for those who may not know about it. It could also be an opportunity to introduce other cultural celebrations from around the world. I recommend this book as and extra purchase for elementary libraries that are interested in holidays and celebrations around the world.

Good old-fashioned Korean spirit

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Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada

Taehee and her college friends all have secret lives from their parents and grandparents – Korean families with different generational expectations of their children. They all get tricked into going to Taehee’s grandmother’s farm for Daeboreum, the first full moon of the year. Taehee had overheard her grandmother and her friends discuss spooky plans for the celebration and Taehee is hoping for her friends’ help in surviving the overnight stay at the farm that her parents are requiring that she attend. Along the way, the kids and the grannies all get what they need in surprising ways. The reader learns a bit of history of Korea, a bit of tradition and how modern generations are finding their way through all of it. 

The characters are a bit older than my middle school readers since they are in college, but the book is otherwise perfect for middle school audiences. I liked the bright bold illustrations, with muted ones indicating historical events.This multi-cultural, multi-generational book should be a hit with graphic novel lovers.

A Light for Lucinda: A Story from the Cuban Revolution

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By Olga Herrera

Lucinda’s neighbors scurry inside and close their doors tightly as the sounds of battle grow near. Lucinda peers outside before locking the shutters. As family and friends gather inside, the earth trembles, flashes of light burst between the shutters and sounds and smells of battle pervade the house. Lucinda wonders how her mother can continue to cook with all that is going on. Her mother explains that everyone does their part in the family when times are rough and her part is to cook. Lucinda helps her mother and finds that by being part of the solution makes a difference in how she copes with the uncertainty of armed conflict.

The juxtaposition of the percussive rat-a-ta-tat with the soothing sounds of her mother cooking and the supportive actions of her Abuelo and Tia create a story of human resilience and unity. While a complex and troubling topic, this soothing story is still clearly written for young children. 

The story is set in the 1950s during the Cuban Revolution and is based on a story the author’s mother told her. The recipe for Mama’s picadillo is included.

This book is also available in Spanish – Una luz para Lucinda: Una historia de la Revolución cubana (978-1-62354-819-3)

The Raven and Other Writings

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by Edgar Allan Poe

A beautiful new printing of the stories and poems by Edgar Allan Poe. I found my old favorites and a few that I had never read before. I had never read “Manuscript Found in a Bottle”, the opening tale and enjoyed discovering something “new” by Poe. I found all my old favorites with “The Cask of Amontillado”, “The Tell- Tale Heart” among others. The same was true in the poetry section. My favorite of “Annabel Lee” was at the end of this section of the book, while ones I had never read before, like “Al Aaraaf” opened this part of the book. And, of course, it includes The Raven! A collection by Poe would nevermore be complete without it.

If you’re looking to replace an old, sad copy of Poe’s works, this book has an appealing cover and a comprehensive list of his works. It is not noted with definitions or translations,so readers should know it’s in Poe’s original language. It looks like part of a series of classic reprintings including Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dracula, Frankenstein, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and The Phantom of the Opera.

May’s Too-Big PIzza by A.T. Woehling

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This early reader story follows May and her large family as they decide to make homemade pizza together. With so many siblings helping out, their simple plan quickly turns into a funny and chaotic situation. As the pizza gets more complicated, May and her family must work together to solve the problem. The story shows the humor and teamwork that comes with being part of a big family.

I recommend this title as an additional purchase for elementary libraries. It is a fun, easy-to-read book that highlights teamwork and family life in a way that will appeal to early elementary students. It is also a good addition to early readers or Ready-to-Read collections.

Footeprint : Eunice Newton Foote at the dawn of climate science and women’s rights

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By Lindsay H. Metcalf

Written in a variety of verse forms, this is an interesting biography of the mother of climate science who was  overshadowed in the history of science by men who claimed their spots after her, but in her limelight. Eunice Newton Foote was a scientist, inventor, mother, and political activist in a time when women rarely got to claim their acknowledgements. This verse biography spans her lifetime from 1819 to her death in 1888. It covers women’s role in science education, membership in scientific organizations, the history of early patents (& who was allowed to claim them), women’s civil rights, the Civil war and the subsequent Reconstruction era. The book ends with one final poem about 2010 when a retired petroleum geologist comes upon an old book with her paper on climate science from 1856, predating the one by John Tyndall in 1859. 

I learned a lot of history in this book, including the life of one pretty amazing woman. I enjoyed they variety of poetic forms. Most are free verse, but some are long, some short, some are more concrete in form. I hope this fascinating book finds readers who will enjoy it as much as I did!

The Elevator on 74th Street by Laura Gehl

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This story follows Ellie, an elevator who works in a busy apartment building and loves helping the people who ride her every day. She especially cares about Thea, a girl who used to be happy and full of energy. But after her best friend moves away, Thea stops smiling, and Ellie wants to help her feel better. Even though Ellie is just an elevator, she finds a special way to bring joy back into Thea’s life. The story shows kindness, friendship, and how small acts can make a big difference.

I recommend this title as an additional purchase for elementary libraries. It is a sweet and creative story with a strong message about caring for others and helping friends through hard times.