Category Archives: Highly Recommend

Out of My Dreams by Sharon Draper

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Reviewed by Michelle, a high school student

Out of My Dreams is an outstanding continuation of the Out of My Mind trilogy. It details Melody’s journey following an exciting accomplishment regarding the aid of an elderly neighbor. After being called for an interview on television, she goes through physical and emotional challenges, feeling excited and scared through the process. She provides a unique perspective on the issues and stigmas surrounding the world today, and a perspective from a one-of-a-kind source. The novel will empower young minds to strive towards excellence and overcome obstacles in their way. Overall, this story is an excellent read for teens, and is a necessity in middle-grade libraries.

Happy & Sad by Alex Thayer

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Reviewed by Michelle, a high school student

This story presents a thoughtful story about two friends, Dee and Juniper, who have drifted apart. Dee misses her friend and wants to hide from difficulties in the school bathroom. She later discovers a talent in helping and listening to other people. The novel offers a perspective on introverted and quiet teenagers who are unable to speak out about their problems, but secretly have hidden talents. Readers who may be confused about identity and their changing friendships will enjoy and relate to this story. The novel provides a superb view on companionship and relationships that many may overlook. The modern problems this story presents will relate to a plethora of teens struggling with connections with their fellow peers. All in all, this tale is an excellent book for middle school readers and an outstanding read overall.

Unstoppable John: How John Lewis Got His Library Card and Helped Change History by Pat Zietlow Miller

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John Lewis wanted a books. Lots of them. John’s family couldn’t afford books and his school didn’t have very many books. What John needed was a library card, but in 1956 John, age 16, was denied a library card at Pike County Public Library in Troy, Alabama. There were many laws that were unfair to Blacks and John decided to fight against them. He organized sit-ins at lunch counters and stand-ins at movie theaters.

This biography of civil rights leader John Lewis follows the storyline of his desire to read and get a library card. It shows how he fought back against the unjust laws of the time and the impact he has had on our nation. At the end, there is a timeline of John Lewis’s life and a bibliography to learn more.

Brave by Weshoyot Alvitre

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Braids are brave. This is the only line on a two page spread to start the story. The illustration shows a woman braiding someone’s hair. We then see it is a mom braiding a boy’s hair. He thinks the tugging and untangling hurts, but he is trying to be brave. While watching his father, he hopes to have long hair like his. The boy is teased at school for his long hair, but the boy decides to be brave and stand up to them. The father then tells how their hair was traditionally worn and the times that he and his family were made to cut their hair because they were not allowed to practice their traditions and culture.

This powerful story between a father and a son explores the intergenerational trauma and the effects of being forced to cut their hair and reclaiming their Native pride. The illustrations depict Native Americans in the present day as well as in the past.

Water Day

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Cuban-American author Margarita Engle has written a story to explain what water delivery days are like. This story follows a young girl as her family prepares to receive water from the delivery man. The man delivers water about every 5 days. The family fills their blue tank each time to prepare for their water needs such as bathing, cooking, and having enough to drink. It is such a simple story yet so simply teaches that water conservation is of utmost importance. It also points to the fact that many places in this world do not have access to clean running water. In this story, you will find beautiful illustrations that show a joyful family that works together to fulfill the basic human need for water.
Water Day is written in English.  The Spanish version of the same story is El Dia del Agua

El día del agua

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Cuban-American author Margarita Engle has written a story to explain what water delivery days are like. This story follows a young girl as her family prepares to receive water from the delivery man. The man delivers water about every 5 days. The family fills their blue tank each time to prepare for their water needs such as bathing, cooking, and having enough to drink. It is such a simple story yet so simply teaches that water conservation is of utmost importance. It also points to the fact that many places in this world do not have access to clean running water. In this story, you will find beautiful illustrations that show a joyful family that works together to fulfill the basic human need for water.
Water Day is written in English.  The Spanish version of the same story is El Dia del Agua

When You Love a Book

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When You Love a Book by Kaz Windness

Written by Kaz Windness. Illustrated by Heather Brockman Lee.

When You Love a Book is a sweet, rhyming ode to the joy of reading. It opens by introducing the idea of a book as a friend, then moves into playful references to beloved picture books, like “A book is a cookie you give to a mouse.” The text continues in simple, heartfelt language to express the power of things like seeing yourself in stories, and it ends with today’s book-loving kid passing their love of reading on to the next generation.

The illustrations are whimsical and modern, with book pages transforming into things like cityscapes, trains, and even a library carpet. I especially enjoyed the nods to familiar picture books, and I think kids will have fun spotting the references and naming the stories they recognize. I plan to read this to my kindergarten and first grade students at the beginning of the year to celebrate our shared love of books.

Poo Pile on the Prairie

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Poo Pile on the Prairie

By Amy Hevron

Amy Hevron follows up her two previous Tiny Habitats books with a fascinating look at the life that flourishes around bison poo on the prairie. The story begins in spring, as dung beetles and flies discover the fresh pile, and continues through the seasons, ending in winter when the last of the nutrients return to the soil to feed the grasses. When a baby bison bounds by the following spring, we are reminded that this natural cycle has repeated for generations, and it will continue as long as bison roam the prairie.

While the book centers on excrement, it steers clear of potty humor and instead highlights the animal species and natural processes connected to this vital part of prairie life. Hevron’s illustrations are adorable, and bring an element of cuteness sure to hook many young readers. The back of the book includes additional facts about bison, along with a lovely illustration featuring all the species introduced in the story. I’m thrilled to add this to my nonfiction collection and can easily see both teachers and students reaching for this title.

Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation

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By Cathy Ballou Mealey and Kelly Collier

Once again we see these close friends working together in this sequel to “Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle”. In this book they decide that they have had so much success with their pickle stand that they can take a vacation. While wanting to spend time together doing the same things once again, they find that they are separated. Squirrel does many activities but realizes that they just want to spend time with their friend Sloth. When they return, Sloth is gone. Sloth has gone out searching for their friend Squirrel!

This is another wonderful picture book about friendship, adventure, differences, acceptance and just the happiness of being together. I would strongly recommend purchasing this beautifully illustrated picture book for elementary school libraries.

Lunar New Year

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Written by Margaret McNamara and Wendi Gu. Illustrated by Mike Gordon

This beginning reader is a wonderful introduction story about how one family celebrates the Lunar New Year. Eigen’s mom comes to school to help him celebrate his favorite holiday with his class. She brings his favorite holiday treats and talks with the teacher and class about the holiday and what it means to Eigen’s family.

This simply written leveled book is great for younger readers who are interested in holidays and culture. I would strongly recommend this purchase.