Category Archives: Highly Recommend

Countries of the World Series

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The Countries of the World series is a perfect addition to any elementary classroom or school library. These Level 2 Blastoff Readers are ideal for first through third graders interested in geography, working on research projects, getting excited about upcoming vacations, or learning more about their families’ countries of origin.

The nonfiction text features in these books are exceptional. The table of contents clearly outlines the sections, with each book including “All About ___,” “Land and Animals,” “Life in ___,” and “___ Facts.” The opening spread features a map alongside information about the country’s continent and capital. From there, high-quality photographs and fact boxes highlight natural landforms, weather, and animals through simple, accessible text. A section on daily life introduces readers to the country’s food, popular sports, and holidays, and many children will especially enjoy learning how to say “hello” in the local language.

Additional nonfiction text features, including graphs, are included in the “Facts” section, and the books conclude with a glossary, resources for further learning, and an index. I highly recommend this series for primary students.

The Cloud that Stuck

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Written by Karen Krossing, Illustrated by Dorothy Leung

Tansy had a cloud blow in and get stuck above her. No matter what, nothing could get it to go away. Her father tried to pull it away from her. Tansy’s teacher grabbed a fan and tried to blow it away from her. and her friend, Rue, tried to shoo it away. Nothing could make the cloud go. With Rue’s help, Tansy learns how to work with the cloud around her and in the end, a rainbow comes out and the sun shines even though the cloud never goes away.

What a great book to help with grief or situations that will never go away. I would highly recommend this book for purchase for your library.

The Sweater: a Story of Community

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Written by Larissa Theule, Illustrated by Teagan White

A young bird arrives into the forest neighborhood. The raccoon notices that they have been through some tough times. Raccoon goes around to all the animals in the community and collects things to create a sweater for the new bird. The animals gather at the new birds house to give their welcoming gift to them and they help him to make his home safer from the storm coming. When the wind storm is over, the bird gives the people a gift of their song.

This is a warm felt story of acceptance and community. The illustrations are clean and inviting for all readers to enjoy. I would highly recommend elementary schools to purchase this book as it can have many layers of meaning to it from welcoming a new member of the classroom or helping young readers have a better understanding of people coming from other countries.

Call Me Gray

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Written by Andrew Larsen and Bells Larsen, Illustrated by Tallulah Fontaine

This Stonewall Honor and Ezra Jack Keats Honor Award book tells the story of how Gray talks to their father about how they no longer feel like a boy inside. They want to change their name and be recognized for what they identify themselves as and the acceptance their father has. This is a beautifully illustrated book that very kindly tells the story of the author and their father.

I would highly recommend this title for elementary school libraries as it explores acceptance and identity.

Hello, I’m a Loris by Hayley Rocco

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Hello, I’m a Loris is a delightful nonfiction picture book. The text is simple enough to be accessible to the youngest elementary school students but provides enough information to support research projects or just give readers a better understanding of this unique animal. The book also addresses the serious issues of habitat loss and the illegal pet trade in an age-appropriate way for young readers.

My favorite part of this book is the illustrations. The expressions on the loris’s face, though not objectively ridiculous in any way, had me laughing out loud several times. I am so excited to add this to my library because I know these pictures will make students fall in love with this creature and want to learn more about it. I highly recommend this book for both school and home libraries.

Glitter Kittens By William “Sparkle” Joyce

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Glitter Kittens by William Joyce is sure to be a much sought after book in the library. It has cute kittens, bizarre side characters (e.g. Mr. Spudly the elegant potato and Crash the dented airplane), and glittery textured elements kids will love. The story tells of the Glitter Kittens, who are incredibly proud of their sparkle and shine. When their friends need help, though, the Glitter Kittens show that what’s on the inside is what really matters.

While this book isn’t quite as charming as a read-aloud as Joyce’s Rocket Puppies, it will likely be more popular at checkout. The illustrations are playful and silly, there are adorable Glitter Kitten songs sprinkled throughout, and the bright, colorful pages make it especially appealing for developing readers. It’s the kind of book kids will return to again and again, whether for the story, the illustrations, or just to touch the glittery pages.

Ancient Civilizations Series

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The Ancient Civilizations series features titles like A Day in the Inca Empire and A Day in Ancient Greece and is an excellent resource for helping kids understand what life was like in these ancient civilizations. Each book begins with practical tips for teachers and caregivers to support young readers’ understanding and enjoyment of the text. Though the series is ideal for reading with adult support, the text length and word choice also make it very accessible for independent reading.

The authors depict key features of life in these civilizations, but they also thoughtfully include details about the lives of children as well as events and customs kids will find particularly intriguing. These elements help keep young readers engaged throughout. The nonfiction text features at the back of each book are another highlight and make this series an especially valuable addition to a classroom or school library. The simple timeline of key events and colorful map are perfectly suited to younger elementary students’ needs, while the glossary, index, and resources for further learning support research and provide opportunities to teach nonfiction text features.

Bionic Boy by Lynn Plourde

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Reviewed by Michelle, a high school student

The Bionic Boy by Lynn Plourde is a fantastic read told through an incredibly unique perspective. The book follows a young boy named Benji who was born without hands. Feeling self-conscious about his disability, and wanting the ability to help people like the superheroes he looks up to, he feels conflicted about the decision to get prosthetic hands. Although not every elementary/middle school reader will relate directly to Benji’s dilemma, their feelings of wanting to help others and not knowing how to will likely be identical. The novel is an excellent read for people of all ages (and especially those who love superheroes!)

Finding Lost by Holly Goldberg Sloan

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Reviewed by Michelle, a high school student

The novel Finding Lost is another excellent novel from Holly Sloan, and an extraordinary read for students struggling with grief or loss. The story follows a young girl named Cordy who is battling difficult feelings following her father’s death and finds solace in a stray dog she names “Lost”. The book uses specific dialogue to describe Cordy’s complex emotions, focusing on specific details or memories that may remind her of her father. Holly Sloan has written an excellent story about friendship and resilience for all ages.

How to Free a Jinn by Raidah Shah Idil

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Reviewed by Aspen, a high school student

In How to Free a Jinn, Insyirah has just moved to Malaysia when she discovers that her family has the ability to control jinn, powerful spirits from Islamic tradition. As strange events begin occurring around her new home and school, she learns that an evil jinn is threatening those around her, and in order to protect her family and friends, Insyirah must embrace her unique abilities and learn more about her heritage, faith, and herself.

Before reading this novel, I had not read many fantasy novels that centered on Muslim characters and Islamic traditions. What stood out to me about this novel was how naturally it incorporates Muslim life into the story. Insyirah’s faith is an important part of who she is, but it is not treated as something unusual or something that needs to be explained to the reader. She prays, learns about her religion, and relies on her family for guidance while also dealing with challenges that many young people face, such as fitting in and finding confidence in themselves.

The novel also does a great job of exploring themes of identity and belonging. As Insyirah adjusts to life in Malaysia, she learns to appreciate both her cultural heritage and her unique abilities. The inclusion of Malaysian culture and Islamic mythology makes the story feel authentic and gives a perspective that is not seen in many other fantasy books.

The writing is a good fit for middle level readers, and the themes of self-acceptance, family, and faith make it meaningful for everyone, and I would highly recommend it.