Category Archives: Recommendation

Phantom Academy by Christine Virnig

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Reviewed by Michelle, a high school student

Phantom Academy is a story that explores the theme of death. The book approaches the topic with a tale about a young boy named Finn, who, having recently died, is transported to Phantom Academy, where ghosts learn how to be ghosts. He deals with complicated feelings of homesickness, and the fear of losing his memories of spending time with his family. With newly found friends, he embarks on a journey to leave the school before it’s too late. Although the book includes supernatural phenomena, it may still be a relatable read for younger readers. This book is recommended to readers who may be transitioning to a new school, or who are dealing with a loss.

The Unforgettable Leta “Lightning” Laurel by R. L. Toalson

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Reviewed by Michelle, a high school student

The Unforgettable Leta “Lightning” Laurel is a book about perseverance, as well as mental and physical health. The book is about Laurel, a girl struggling with an insecurity with food, familial issues, and an absence of male presence in her life as she works to win the district track championship. Toalson explores mature themes of eating disorders, female stereotypes, and poverty with an inspiring tale about a determined young girl. This is an “unforgettable” story, perfect for teens struggling with self-doubt and body image. Recommended for readers as they transition from elementary to middle school, or middle to high school, as they begin to explore new opportunities for physical or social activity.

If I Built a Town

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What would you build? Maybe a house? A school? A car? In Chris Van Dusen’s newest book in the series, Jack plans the perfect town…through the eye of a child. In this humorous and imaginative book Jack’s recommendation for the Mayor, include the perfect fountain, zoo, housing, stores and more. The text’s rhythm and rhyme make it a fun read aloud.

More fantastical than realistic, this title is a great jumping off point for teaching planning and to encourage students to think outside the box. It’s sure to be a hit with fans of Van Dusen’s other If I Built books.

A Roof!

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In a small village on an island in the Philippines, a storm blows in one night – a storm big enough to damage buildings. Maya wakes the following morning with a roof in the backyard. Maya and her father roll the roof up like a lumpia and set off to find its owner. On their journey they witness both the devastation of the storm and the beauty of their strong community. A farmer and his carabao help carry the roof, fishers help them cross the raging river, and a multitude of community members help clear the debris. Finally that roof is reunited with the family so they can rebuild, “nail after nail, board after board, heart after heart,”

This is an uplifting story based in the Philippines, a country often hit by natural disasters. The endnotes explain that writing your address on the their metal roof, is a common practice. The Filipino community spirit called bayanihan embodies the tradition of working together to support the community’s needs.

This book is highly recommended for lessons highlighting Southeast Asian/Filipino culture and to show the impact of all members working together to address the needs of the community.

War is Over!

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We all know and love the famous Christmas song from John Lennon and Yoko Ono, this book takes the song and gives a background story that kids can relate to. In War is Over! the reader follows a carrier pigeon named Julia as she relays messages for a chess game between two soldiers on opposite sides of a war. (The book uses green coats and red coats, not specific countries fighting). As you’re reading the story, the lyrics from the song are intertwined with the text and stand out with larger font and bold print.

Readers will get to know the two soldiers through their chase game and Julia carrying their moves/messages back and forth. By the time the two must fight, the reader, and the characters, have empathy for eachother. I can envision using this book to talk about finding commonalities among your outward differences, or working with kids to understand empathy and how its so important in our world. I also really enjoy that Julia the carrier pigeon plays such an important part of the story, moving the plot forward. Students may never have heard of carrier pigeons before and this is an easy and fun way visualise their roles.

This book is a great conversation starter for kids K-3. Use it in a social emotional lesson, or a friendship lesson and guide your readers through their conversation – a perfect jumping off point.

cover of the book War is Over! with black text on white cover and Julia the carrier pigeon flying.

On Thin Ice

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By Jessica Kim

Twins, Phoebe and Dexter, are fierce competitors on the ice. When Phoebe’s partner is injured and Dex is cut from the star hockey team neither knows what to do. Dexter agrees to pair up with his sister so she can still compete but is there enough time for him to learn the routine? Let alone be successful? While these two and their mother are still reeling from their dad’s death from cancer, they have become further apart from each other and their friends. Will they reconnect? Will their mother be okay? This middle grade fiction will be enjoyed by many who are interested in sports, school stories as well as family tales.

I would strongly recommend this book for upper elementary and middle school. There is a light crush in this book as Phoebe gets to know her brother’s replacement on the team but nothing that would be concerning for younger readers.

I Hate Everything by Sophy Henn

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Ghost declares, “I HATE EVERYTHING! His ghost friend listens and asks him if he hates sweets, dressing up, and cakes. Ghost does not. Through his friend listening ghost realizes maybe he doesn’t hate everything.

The illustrations feature adorable, expressive ghosts and vivid pictures on bright backgrounds. A great story for dealing with a bad day and strong emotions.

Can I Keep It, PLEASE? by John Sullivan

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Evie and her pet cat, Sasha, are on the way to the pet parade. While at the parade, Evie decides that her pet is boring. She sets off to persuade her parents to let her get a more exciting pet. When she finds a snake in her backyard, her parents let her keep it. But a snake for a pet was not what Evie was expecting. And as she learns about her snake, she learns that maybe not all animals are meant to be pets.

Inspired by the author’s childhood of catching a wild garter snake and keeping it as a pet. He notes that there are now laws in some states to protect wild snakes and it is better to get a snake from a reputable source.

The Day the Crayons Made Friends by Drew Daywalt

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Another book in the Crayon series by Drew Daywalt. Duncan’s crayons have disappeared again. This time the crayons have set out to make friends. White crayon no longer feels invisible since meeting the chess set and filling in as the missing queen. Blue crayon’s problem of being short is solved when they find a doll who’d lost a head and they team up. Each crayon’s story is told as a letter from that crayon.

Bela and Lily by Natasha Khan Kazi

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A young girl moves to the United States from Bangladesh. She does not know many English words and this makes it hard to make friends. She meets Lily and they start to play together. Even though they don’t speak the same language, they become friends.

Based on the author’s own experience of moving to the United States at five and not speaking English.

The back matter gives an author’s note and some games that can be played without words. The end papers include pictures with words in English and Bengali.