Chloe Gong’s newest novel delves into a dystopian and not-so-distant future where the physical planet has been decimated by global sea rise and deadly epidemics.I found the concept of a virtual world that is mainly occupied by the rich and a physical, gritty real world that is occupied by the poor, to be fascinating and ultimately believable (even though this is a fantasy read). The story involves two girls, one from each world, getting pulled into special ops for warring virtual nations in different planes of reality. Gong races back and forth between the storylines and planes of reality, and while it is full of riveting action and epic twists and turns, it can get confusing. I think this is a book to read on a rainy weekend, from start to finish. Otherwise, if you’re like me and reading in installments, you’ll likely have to go back several chapters to follow the frenetically-paced thread. I do think Coldwire has potential for an epic cinematic experience if it’s ever adapted for the big screen. I rate it a 4 out of 5 stars.
In this fantasy novel by Mari Lowe, a Jewish boy named Ezra learns he is the Nivchar, or chosen one, who is destined to battle a dangerous fiery creature called the gurya during his bar mitzvah. If he wins, the world remains in a peaceful “Beinoni time,” free from war and suffering. But as strange events begin happening and the balance of the world starts falling apart, Ezra realizes something is wrong. Along with new friends, he uncovers secrets and conspiracies that challenge everything he has been taught about destiny, courage, and justice. The book is a little slow when it starts but is truly inspiring. The book is told with a first person narrator. This seems to either irritate readers or helps pull them in, depending on the reader. I did not mind it! For students willing to stick with the opening world building, it will be an enjoyable read. The book includes a glossary at the end of Jewish terminology that the reader might not be familiar with. It helps to add meaning to a book with a Jewish cultural background.
Reviewed by parent volunteer, Esperanza B.D. for Komachin Middle School
The autobiography tells the story of Ida B. Wells’s life as a fearless Black journalist, educator, and civil rights activist who fought against racism and lynching in the United States. She was born into slavery in Mississippi and became a teacher, she later became a newspaper writer who exposed racial violence and injustice. After the lynching of three Black businessmen in Memphis, she elevate a powerful anti-lynching campaign, risking her life to speak the truth. The book highlights her courage, investigative journalism, advocacy for women’s rights, and lifelong crusade for equality and justice. This was a very readable non-fiction – informative and flowed well. If you’re looking for a good, diverse biography, this is recommended.
The book includes a book written by Ida B. Wells in 1892, Southern Horrors Lynch Laws in all its phases. This was included after the book written about her by Erica Armstrong Dunbar & Candace Buford and adds to the page count, but more importantly, to the authenticity of getting to hear from Miss Wells herself.
Reviewed by parent volunteer, Esperanza B.-D. for Komachin Middle School Library
A combo book with a graphic novel spread throughout showing one school year and 6 middle school students. Three become very addicted to their phones and all the features that become time sucks. The other 3 either have old flip phones or phones without apps. You see a contrasting year where the ones NOT addicted to their phones actually get better at friendships, activities and life. The 3 addicted become more & more lonely and isolated until they make some changes by the following summer. The sections of the fictional story are separated by lots of non-fiction graphic information about the dangers of becoming addicted to technology and the benefits of finding balance. I was blown away by the chart on page 71 about how much of your life you ”lose” based on how many hours a day you get sucked into screentime. Just 4 hours a day of “time-suck” on a screen is as much as 2 whole months of your life. Yikes! The book is for teens, but it sure made me reflective of my own use. The book is filled with suggestions of how to make choices that enhance one’s life, instead of wasting it in a false sense of reality. I liked the bio. blurbs of older teens who reflected on their younger selves use of technology and how they use it now. It helps readers understand what real friendship, real freedom, and real fun looks like vs. the imitation that is often used in a manipulative way online. I read this wondering if it would feel too “preachy” or super anti-tech, but it didn’t really feel that way. It was empowering to the “rebels” who were able to make different choices with their tech so they could still be authentic in their day-to-day interactions.This felt like an important book for middle school students to pick up and read. I think the graphic-novel feel to it will help pull students in. Hopefully the message will resonate with them and empower them to make choices to better themselves. The book includes 4 specific steps a reader can take to become a rebel, notes and sources, a Learn more section, and an index at the end of the book.
Eugenia Wang, who loves art, decides to draw a comic, although her mom doesn’t want her to. However, whenever Eugenia sleeps, or even looks at the comic, she has a mysterious dream about a fire in her house. Her best friend, Keisha, decides to help her understand her dream. Eugenia’s birthday, which is on April 4, is an unlucky number. Will she be able to figure out what her dream is telling her? This book is perfect for someone who loves comedy and mystery. The art style adds so much to it, as well as the smaller details of the plot, which adds a more relatable scenario. The comedy details made me smile, and the mystery parts made me think. The use of comedy adds so much to the characters and plot. People will feel that they can relate more to the characters with the moments of comedy because it uses things that most people do in everyday life. I liked the book a lot, since I like mystery and comedy. Some of my friends, who also like similar genres would like it since they have a good sense of humor and like to figure things out, either in books or even real life. Overall, this book is very entertaining. I’d give it a 4 out of 5 stars. (I dropped a star just because it wasn’t my usual type, not because I didn’t like it.)
Reviewed by Lily I., 8th grader at Komachin Middle School
Mariann Edgar Budde is an incredible person with an inspirational story to share with the world. Her journey to becoming an Episcopal Bishop is beautifully intertwined with God´s love to help her. She found God in her life as an independent junior in high school living on her own with major changes and decisions in her life. She writes about how God helped her overcome and find stability in life, and a community in New Jersey when she had none. She shares stories, scriptures, books, and metaphors at each turn in her life, she shows that in everything there are signs of God. After moving to New Jersey, she moved to Minnesota and then Washington DC. All of the moves for church, she became bishop eventually, and gave many sermons. Some of the sermons she gave were criticized and when she made mistakes, she always made it right. Mariann shows that, like all people, she makes many mistakes too, and that without God she might have crashed her own ship. She writes about how stepping up to the plate and swinging is better than never stepping up at all. After all, you do miss 100% of the swings you never make. Mariann teaches children how to push past fear and make courageous choices. By combining personal stories, scripture, and tales from pop culture, the book encourages young readers to recognize that bravery is a lifelong journey practiced in everyday moments.
This book is strong and inspiring with many relatable stories about Mariann´s life, and her journey to the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. It´s a book everyone will need in their life at some point with its punchy prose. Mariann Edgar Budde wrote this book with a strong female lead, based off of her famous sermon called a House Built on Rock. She made this book after her sermon got famous. Her sermon was standing up to President Donald Trump after he claimed to be Christian. It is a highly spiritual book about the Episcopal church. She mentions her family life and journey on the path of becoming the Washington DC Episcopal church bishop. It is political, spiritual, and inspiring. It mentions a bit about her view and the church´s view on LGBTQ+ rights and political views. It follows her path and how others have affected it such as family, co-workers, members of her church, political people, other bishops, and God’s role in her life.
I liked how inspiring We Can Be Brave is and how much it shows that God can help you in your life when times are tough or when life is challenging. I feel that God gave me this book to read at this time in my life for a reason. With change in life, it can be good to have the reminder to think in a divine perspective.
I did not like how there was not super clear points or break of section, while the book was good and was divided into chapters, it was hard to get into the book and then find a good stopping part. It was harder to get through or into than other non-fiction books that I have read. It was inspiring and punchy along with precise language.
Overall, I’d give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. Book includes bibliographic notes at the end.
Reviewed by 7th grader, Eliza B. from Komachin Middle School
When Fanny Goldstein was six years hold her family immigrated to America from Russia seeking a safe place to practice their Jewish religion. Fanny started attending the North End Settlement House to learn about American customs. What Fanny loved best their was the library. Eventually Fanny started working as a librarian’s assistant and eventually became the first Jewish director of a Boston branch library. Noticing that Jewish families rarely checked out books about their heritage and stories, she decided to host a celebration of Jewish books and culture. This celebration has been going on for over 100 years.
An introductory biography with more information about Fanny and Jewish Book Week at the end. The author also includes a biography that he used for his research to write this book. The illustrations are welcoming for children without being cartoonish. An excellent choice for the biography section.
This is book 3 in a series about a friendship between young girl named Coco and a Bear. The first book is Share Some Kindness, Bring the Light and the secondis Find Your Brave.
Bear and Coco are walking in the snowy wood when Bear suggests building a castle. Coco says building a fort is a great idea. Coco gets carried away with her ideas and isn’t listening to Bear until Bear yells at her. An excellent story about communication and really listening to someone.
The watercolor and digital ink illustrations are beautiful and create a softness about the story even when Bear and Coco are having their first argument.
Penny’s family is always on the go. They are always in and out the door and no one stops to do puzzles, play the banjo, or scratch Bo-Belly’s ears. One day something green sprouts in the floor. Unsure what it is, but feeling that it is something special, Penny starts to nurture it. Soon a tree is growing in their house and the family starts to slow down, feel a sense of calm and spend more time at home.
The watercolor illustrations help evoke the sense of calm and wonder surrounding the mysterious tree that sprouts in the house. A wonderful reminder for overscheduled families to slow down and spend time together.
The Last Kids on Earth and the Destructor’s Lair is an adventure where Jack and Quint must stop a powerful monster from destroying Earth while trapped in the Monster Dimension.
The story is fast-paced and funny, with lots of action and suspense. It also shows the importance of friendship and teamwork when facing big challenges. The short chapters and illustrations make the book easy to read and follow.
Overall, this is a great addition to a school library. If you already have The Last Kids on Earth series, you should add this 10th edition to complete the set.
