Category Archives: Highly Recommend

Firefighter Heroes Book Set

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by Spencer Brinker

Do you need to update your community helpers section of your library? This four book set geared toward your youngest learners is perfect! Each of the four books focuses on a different type of firefighter. Titles include: Smoke Jumpers, Firefighters on the Water, Airport Firefighters and City Firefighters.

Simple text and exciting photos that illustrate each firefighter’s type of job in an emergency situation are very engaging. For example, Smoke Jumpers starts with a forest fire scenario and moves through the course of fighting the fire, showing equipment and the work of the smoke jumpers.

There are several important nonfiction text features in these books. A basic table of contents and index show the book’s organization for young readers. Headings are clearly identifiable and students can easily find the sections they want. Unfamiliar words are in bold type and defined in the glossary. Each two page spread has a short passage and large photo that illustrates the text. Many of the photos are labeled to further note the important details. Additional exploration is possible with suggested books and webpages noted at the end.

These books are a well-organized and appealing introduction to different firefighting jobs and a sound purchase for those libraries looking to update their collection. Teachers will appreciate the many nonfiction text features. Students will love these books, because they are exciting and fresh, with many different types of people doing jobs that kids might want to do in the future Highly recommended.

Torque: Music Superstars series

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18 book series written by Ariel Factor Birdoff (11) and Suzane Nguyen (7)

This engaging high-low series is full of facts and photos of today’s most popular musical superstars and will entice even the most reluctant reader. Each book follows the childhood and career of a singer or songwriter in short, accessible text blocks and color photos. Titles and subtitles are large enough to draw attention immediately to the topic addressed. Abundant illustrations are explained in the accompanying captions. Highlights of the musicians’ careers, including favorites (foods, shows, pets, etc.) and top hits are located throughout each book in sidebars. A timeline of the stars’ careers begins with their start in the industry and typically includes song releases, awards and big events. And, awards are also shown in a simple table. Bold words within the text help readers determine context within the text and are further defined in the glossary at the end. A Table of Contents and Index are helpful for organization and students will enjoy learning more from the resources listed on the “To Learn More” page.

These slim books will fly off the shelves in your library as they pack a lot of information in a very accessible and highly engaging format. Biographies of contemporary musical artists are immensely popular and students will be very motivated to read them. Students will love the content and teachers will love the clearly presented nonfiction text features. These books are highly recommended and will be great additions in an updated biography section at the elementary and middle school levels.

A Place For Us

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by James E. Ransome

A wordless picture book about a mother and son, who live with the reality of homelessness. The story begins with a mother waiting for her son outside his school, one of the many parents standing near the school. They walk to a fast food restaurant for dinner and then to the library, where the boy completes his homework as his mother reads a book. They leave as the librarian closes up and end at a bench to settle in for the night. The boy lays his head on his mother’s lap and sleeps while she watches over him protectively. The morning comes, he changes his shirt and brushes his teeth at a park fountain and they head to school for another day.

This beautifully illustrated book uses the power of pictures to tell a painful story. A loving mother that will maintain some sense of normalcy for her child in the harsh reality of homelessness that strikes a vast number (any number is too many) of people in the United States. An even larger group is the rather cliched “one paycheck away” from the same fate. A note from the author at the beginning of the story relates the intent of this book – to encourage thought and discussion about our responsibility to those that don’t have even the basic necessities. This book will certainly do just that. And, the youngest of readers will be able to reflect as a result.

The extraordinary orbit of Alex Ramirez

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by Jasminne Paulino

This beautifully written verse novel about a neurodivergent 7th grader named Alex pulls you in immediately. Alex is in a self contained classroom because of outbursts in third grade. Now, in 7th grade, he desperately wants to be in a regular science class to learn about his favorite topics like everyone else. He still struggles to keep thoughts in his head and not let them explode out of his mouth or body. He has new friends in his SC class and still sees what used to be old friends but who now taunt and tease him. He just wants the chance to try. Alex has a lot on his plate as he learns to navigate asking for help to meet his goals and adjust to new demands on his studying. I loved how he really had to advocate for himself with his teachers, but also his parents. It’s hard to watch someone struggle and TRY, even though that is how we grow. Alex struggles with this too! I also really liked that when the students made mistakes, there were legitimate consequences and restorative methods for healing and moving forward. The other thing I enjoyed about the book was the mix of Spanish and English. Alex’s family has Puerto Rican roots, so at home, they speak a mix of Spanish and English. I do not speak Spanish, but interestingly, did not find it a barrier to understanding the family conversations. I didn’t even feel like they all needed to be translated. It was lovely to see it all mixed in as part of the norm. I highly recommend this beautiful book showing strength and bravery in the face of adversity and challenge. 

Marsupials series

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Unique and interesting animals are a great way to encourage the curiosity of young readers. The Marsupials series by Bullfrog Books is sure to catch their interest! With less than a dozen words per page in simple sentences, the content is perfect for preschool and early elementary children. Bullfrog books uses large up-close photos to support the text. The Table of Contents is limited to the five sections of each book – the body of the book and the four endpaper sections; Parts of the animal, Picture Glossary, Index, and Learn More. The square shape of the book is easy for young hands to enjoy independently.

The Bullfrog Books Marsupials series includes the following titles: Kangaroos, Koalas, Opossums, Sugar Gliders, Tasmanian Devils, and Wombats

Zombees by Justin Colón

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A swarm of zombees invade a town on Halloween night. They are a ghastly green and drag a glowing sack. Did they come to eat our brains? The town gets out their smokers to ward off an attack. The text is rhyming and leads us on a frolicking tale with a twist at the end.

The illustrations are color and bright with the “ghastly green” drawing readers in. Each page contains two lines of rhyming text.

Perfect choice for a not so spooky Halloween read. Fans of Creepy Carrots will delight in this tale.

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.