Category Archives: Highly Recommend

Sunken Ship (Tiny Habitats)

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by Amy Hevron

in 1733, a ship sank in a big storm as the crew swam to safety. As the years go by, we see the changing habitat, resulting in a thriving artificial reef that sustains a rich variety of marine life. Based on the sinking of the San Pedro (as noted in the afterward), this delightful book looks at Year 1, Year 10, Year 100 and the present day. Not only does the ship provide a wonderful place for the myriad of sea life, the wood itself enriches its resting place as it decomposes.

Students will enjoy the colorful, smiling creatures as well as the funny speech bubbles while they learn some solid science. The back of the book contains a note about artificial reefs and the original San Pedro shipwreck as well as additional reading suggestions and selected sources. Add this book, and the first book, Log Life, to your library. This charming book will hook your kids into more exploration of tiny habitats. Highly recommended.

Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents

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by Nicki Pau Preto

Vin’s magic is out of control and it has caused her to get kicked out of almost every magical school in the world. She has landed in the last possible chance she has: The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents. This is her last chance to figure out how to control her magic without it exploding into disaster. She discovers loyal friendships and finally gains an understanding of how her magic actually works. This book is full of heartwarming characters who are quirky, but accepting. All of them have been a bit of a mess and found this welcoming home of last chances. The headmistress of the school is very kind and works diligently with her troubled students to find their confidence and control in a safe space while not giving up on them when the “oopsies” happen with their developing magic. I enjoyed this book a lot. Clever magic, kind, brave characters, and plenty of action made for a fun read. Vin’s fear of failure and of being cast out felt very real and tugged at my heart. I think lovers of magic & fantasy will really enjoy this book. The ending also left room for a sequel. I would definitely read another book if this were a series!

A Game of Noctis

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by Deva Fagan

Pia, a girl from the poor side of town, is recruited to play with a team in the Great Game of Noctis where the stakes are life and death. If she and her team win, she just might be able to save her grandfather, banished to the island of pawns who may no longer play in the games. I enjoyed this book of games, riddles and strategies and Pia’s quest to get ahead in life. All of the games had similarities to common, real world games like chess or tag, but all were unique and different. One scene reminded me a bit of the human chess board in the 2nd Harry Potter book, but again, every game and puzzle was something brand new with just an echo of a familiar one. The book is full of twists and turns, allies and enemies, and stakes worth playing for! I cared about the characters and was rooting for their success or downfall, depending on who they were. A rags to potential-riches story worth reading, and I think my middle schoolers will really enjoy this one.

Sing It Like Celia by Monica Mancillas

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Reviewed by North Thurston High School Student, Michelle E.

A moving, middle-grade novel about identity, resilience, and the power of music. The main character is twelve-year-old Salvadora “Salva” Sanchez, whose life is turned upside down when her mother vanishes from the family store without a trace. Salva wrestles with abandonment and insecurity when she is reluctantly uprooted to live with her estranged investigative journalist father at an RV campground. The plot reveals broader social issues through Salva’s personal struggles. The subplots add dimension to the narrative, drawing attention to the struggles of immigrant families. Salva’s involvement in a band creates group dynamics, including friendship, jealousy, and identity, along with personal growth, particularly in her confrontation with the original lead singer of the band. The narrator’s yearning moments arise as Salva discovers the truth about her mother’s disappearance, forcing Salva to reckon with harsh realities and find strength within herself. Mancillas treats complex topics with sensitivity and age-appropriate concepts. The mix of Jeronimo Pretto and Celia Cruz’s legacy adds a rich cultural layer celebrating music and the importance of role models. Ideal for fans of… The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart and Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina. If you enjoy reading stories about growth and family and music as balm, you might find Sing It Like Celia especially enjoyable. This is an impressive novel that will encourage children to embrace their identities and use music as a source of solace and expression.

Camp Twisted Pine by Ciera Burch

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Review by North Thurston High School student, Michelle E.

This intriguing middle-grade novel brings together mystery, adventure, and self-discovery. Set at a summer camp in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, the story follows 11-year-old Naomi, a nature lover who likes to learn about the outdoors through books rather than experience. Naomi is drawn into a suspenseful adventure when fellow campers start disappearing in later episodes under mysterious circumstances. The story follows Naomi, a girl whose parents have separated and who is sent to Camp Twisted Pine with her younger twin brothers as their parents try to navigate this new stage in their lives. Impressed by the activity-heavy camp experience, Naomi finds comfort in her friendship with Jackie, whom she meets at camp and who is hard of hearing. The two bond over sign language lessons and skepticism of camp traditions. Things take a sinister turn when campers begin to go missing, including Jackie. Desperate to get to the bottom of things, Naomi uses her scientific knowledge and logical reasoning to combat the strange forces while embarking on a personal journey of courage. This book is ideal for fans of… Small Spaces by Katherine Arden and Whispering Pines by Heidi Lang and Kati Bartkowski, as well as those who enjoy spooky campfire tales. Ultimately, Camp Twisted Pine is a delightful combination of spooky adventure with heartfelt storytelling. Burch’s story inspires readers to venture out of their comfort zone, to appreciate the power of friendship, and to face life’s unknowns with curiosity and bravery. It’s a MUST READ that teaches about life, while also being part of a suspenseful plot—definitely one for the middle-grade literature “A” list!

Light Enough to Float by Lauren Seal

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This novel in verse follows protagonist, Evie, as she struggles to acknowledge and overcome her eating disorder. Evie’s dysmorphia prevents her from seeing and thinking about herself accurately; instead she is continually able to justify her food avoidance behaviors and thoughts as normal. Her family’s concern over Evie’s weight and behaviors propels them to take her to her doctor where they learn that she is anorexic and that her internal organs have begun to shut down. Evie is immediately taken to an in-patient facility in order to nurture her mind and body back to health. This is not an easy journey for Evie; she is angry at her family and continues to find ways to remain in control of her calorie intake. Throughout her recovery she connects with therapists and other people suffering with eating disorders; fortunately for her these connections fuel her to continue the work of healing.

The author’s note at the start of the book lets readers know that Evie’s story is based closely upon the author’s own experiences. It’s clear when reading how intimately the author knows the thoughts, emotions, and struggles that Evie is dealing with. The book is very heavy in topic and plot; the verse style helps readers access the content more easily.

Readers who enjoy realistic fiction dealing with difficult topic will enjoy this book. Although there are many dark, challenging moments in Evie’s story we still feel a bit of hope in the end.

Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller by Breanna J. McDaniel

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Before she was a storyteller, Augusta Baker, was a listener. She listened to her grandmother tell stories, emphasizing if there is a will, there’s a way. Augusta wondered if she could become a storyteller too. After attending teacher college, she became a children’s librarian at the New York Public Library in Harlem. Since there were few books with Black people in them, Augusta became an advocate for educators, librarians and writers who created stories about Black people.

This biography of Augusta Baker features a timeline, a list of citations, photographs of Augusta as a librarian and an author’s note on her own connection with librarians. This book definitely demonstrates that if there is a will, there is a way.

I Want to Read ALL the Books by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

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When Hana learns that books can answer her questions, she sets out on a mission to read all of the books. She starts with reading all of the nonfiction books on her shelf and then the fiction books. Soon she has read all of the books in the house and her friends’ houses, but her list of questions just keeps on growing. Hana’ wants to buy all of the books. ‘s mom takes her to the library, but Hana becomes overwhelmed that she will never be able to read all of the books. After a talk with the librarian, Hana starts a book club with her friends so they can share their books.

The pictures are colorful and the characters are diverse. The font changes to express how Hana is feeling throughout the story. A wonderful about the importance of curiosity and sharing the books we love.

The Hawk Shadow

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written by Jan Bordeau Caboose and illustrated by Karlene Harvey

Serenity accompanies her brother, Big Ed, on a fishing trip to the Hawk River. As they walk, the siblings chat and tease each other and Big Ed explains the significance of the river’s name. It is named for the the Hawks, Gekek, Keepers of the River and their Protectors. Big Ed and Serenity arrive at the edge of the river and cast their lines, his from a beautiful new fishing pole and hers from a spruce branch made by their father. Serenity is daydreaming as she fishes when a Red Tailed Hawk (Gekek) suddenly appears, swooping over her and screaming, before flying off over the river. Serenity looks around and her brother is no longer there. Gekek, the Red-Tailed Hawk, returns, screams and flies up the river again. Serenity follows and finds her brother, his foot caught between rocks in the river. She doesn’t know what to do until Gekek swoops down over her pole. Serenity holds the pole out to Big Ed and he grabs hold. Together, they work to return him to safety on the river bank. They lay on the river bank for a few moments before heading back home, thankful for the protection of the Spirit guides.

This lively story is wonderful for many reasons. We are given a glimpse of the culture and lives of the Anishinaabe people, an exciting rescue and the loving relationship of a brother and his younger sister. All of this is set in a picture book with vibrantly colored illustrations that transport the reader to the trails and river banks of the Hawk River. Highly Recommended.

Monster Hands

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written by Karen Kane and Jonaz McMillan; illustrated by Dion MBD

Milo reads some bedtime stories and makes the mistake of reading one about a monster under the bed. Now, he’s POSITIVE there’s a monster under his bed! He knows what to do. He reaches out to Mel, his friend across the street. Placing their flashlights under their hands, they sign to each other. Milo explains his dilemma about the monster under his bead and Mel gives advice and suggestions. Finally, they team up to make hand shadow monsters together to scare away any would-be monster that might be lurking under Milo’s bed. Phew! Such a relief! The story ends with Milo and Mel sharing a signed hug, because monster hands can also give hugs.

This sweet story incorporates ASL in a very natural way as part of the story as Milo and Mel work out how to chase away those monsters. Children will enjoy a story about a situation that might be all too familiar to them – seriously, who hasn’t had a monster under their bed at one time or another? The illustrations are bold and seamlessly incorporate signs along the way. Add this to your collection as it will be a hit. Highly recommended.