Category Archives: Recommendation

First Day, Worst Day

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written by Andy Nonamus and illustrated by Amy Jindra

An anonymous narrator (we know this because we can’t see a face, which is covered by a sticker in all the illustrations and there appears to be no name) recounts the adventurous horror of the first day in a new school. Readers will cringe and laugh at all the crazy stuff that happens in this weird place, from being “attacked” by a pack of dogs that want to lick the maple syrup off their shirt to locating a classroom through a locker! Along the way, friendships are made and what started out as the First Day, Worst Day ended as the First Day, Best Day.

Written in very accessible language with fun black and white illustrations, this book will appeal to those reluctant readers that enjoy books that are humorous in a goofy way. Characters are diverse and their behaviors and interactions are age appropriate. This is the beginning of a series that will be popular. Recommended.

I’m an American

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I’m an American sets out to demonstrate the ideology that created the United States and why people from around the world continue to immigrate to the United States of America.

This is a powerful book that should be shared with everyone in every age group! Darshana Khiani’s words beautifully explain why people have been coming and continue to come, while Laura Freeman’s illustrations will warm your heart in a way take might just bring you to tears. Khiani has chosen people’s stories from China, Ireland, Russia, Muscogee Nation, Germany, Japan, and India knowing there are so many more countries that could easily be included. The values of: being able to vote, freedom of religion, perseverance, diligence, justice, pursuit of happiness, safety, equality, freedom to express yourself, and unity each tell a story of one people’s reason for traveling here for a new life.

It is important to continue reading after the illustrations are finished to include the Author’s Note, My Family’s Immigration Story, Migration Factors, and Around the World- about each of the groups listed above.

This book is a treasure of what America was created to be!

Submitted by Mary Pong

Fungi Grow

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WOW! written on two levels one simple and one complex, the world of fungi is amazing and will blow your mind! AND I’m not talking about ‘magic mushrooms’ .

This book is fun to share with young children using only the two larger sizes of words and the intricate illustrations of over fifty fungi, as a mature mushroom releases its spores to travel and reproduce. The small cursive font names the illustrated fungi. The small (half the size of the large font) print font explores the world of fungi on a biological study level.

DO NOT SKIP the three additional information pages at the end of the book concluding with the diagram of ‘Fungi Life Cycle’. “How Fungi Heal and Help’ includes information on how some fungi can break down plastics and other petroleum products. Some fungi can help decrease the use of chemical pesticides. And some fungi connect trees underground to where information can be passed from tree to tree. This is simply fascinating.

There are two or three Pacific Northwest connections to this book in the types of fungi mentioned and in where the field of study (mycology) is taking place.

Submitted by Mary Pong

Mall Goth by: Kate Leth

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Reviewed by OHS Library Secretary Mikel

This colorful and easy-to-read graphic novel will appeal to a young adult reader who enjoys a book set in the early 2000’s and can empathize with an outcast goth girl.

Liz Holme isn’t a good fit at her new high school and is struggling with multiple social issues. Just as she finds some sanctuary in the mall scene, gets a job, and makes a few new gaming friends, a possibly dangerous situation develops with a creepy teacher.

Liz’s realistic experiences will resonate with contemporary teens, especially those who may be negotiating a parental divorce or are dealing with being LGBTQ issues. I like that Liz is a strong character who demonstrates resiliency in the face of many odds; however, it was a bit clunky for me to read – the transitions were not very smooth in the storyline.

Mall Goth: 9781534476943: Leth, Kate, Leth, Kate, Sousa, Diana, Crank, Robin: Books - Amazon.com

Betting On You by: Lynn Painter

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Reviewed by OHS Student, Eliza T.

This book beautifully combines a soft romance with the challenges of having divorced parents.

Bailey and Charlie first meet on a plane when they are both flying to live with their other parent. They meet again when they are older, and their initial hate blossoms into a beautiful romance as they connect through their shared parental experiences.

This book is perfect for those looking to better understand the life of a child of divorce, or those who just want to cozy up for a sweet romance. I loved the banter throughout the book, as Charlie and Bailey learn that the other might not be so bad. Bailey’s mom’s boyfriend has a daughter, and I think there could have been more conflict there, where it felt very understated.

A Suffragist’s Guide to the Antarctic by: Yi Shun Lai

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Reviewed by OHS Staff M. Debuse-Losh

This high-adventure novel takes place in the frigid Antarctic in the early 1900’s. It has a gripping storyline but I felt the narrative was somewhat too elementary and I didn’t care for the diary format.

Clara has just come from the front lines of the violent suffragist movement in England, where women were being beaten for their demand that women have the same rights as men. She signs up for an Antarctic expedition just as WWI is starting, and encounters many challenges with the tortuous expedition itself and the all-male crew.

History buffs may enjoy the rendition of the famous Shackleton expedition told from a strong female protagonist’s point of view. Trigger warning: there is an attempted sexual assault in the story.

I enjoyed the extreme adventure depictions, and the descriptions of surviving in the Antarctic. I disliked the diary format spoken in a peculiarly juvenile voice (I imagine even an 18-year-old in 1914 would be a tad more sophisticated).

Ice Skating

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This book fulfills the idea of “Let’s Get Outdoors!” for the title ICE SKATING, but only provides a little information on the actual mechanics of ice skating. If a picture (photo) is worth a 1000 words it’s a good thing this title has a glossary. It shows what ice skating looks like but does not tell you how to ice skate. The color photos of young ice skaters build excitement for the sport.

The book contains a Table of Contents: ‘What is Ice Skating?’, ‘On the Ice’, ‘Ice Skating Gear’, and ‘Ice Skating Safety’ , before the glossary, index, and their safe internet search website for more information – Factsurfer.com. This title’s Factsurfer has two good site for more information of the three provided.

Submitted by Mary Pong

Snowshoeing

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This book fulfills the idea of “Let’s Get Outdoors!” for the title SNOWSHOEING, but provides minimal information on the actual mechanics of snowshoeing. If a picture (photo) is worth a 1000 words it’s a good thing this title has a glossary. It shows what snowshoeing looks like but does not tell you how to snowshoe. The color photos of young snowshoers build excitement for the sport.

The book contains a Table of Contents: ‘What is Snowshoeing?’, ‘Walking on Snow’, ‘Snowshoeing Gear’, and ‘Snowshoeing Safety’ , before the glossary, index, and their safe internet search website for more information – Factsurfer.com. This title’s Factsurfer has only one good site for more information of the three provided.

Submitted by Mary Pong

Cross-country Skiing

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This book fulfills the idea of “Let’s Get Outdoors!” for the title CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING, but only provides a little information on the actual mechanics of cross-country skiing. If a picture (photo) is worth a 1000 words it’s a good thing this title has a glossary. It shows what cross-country skiing looks like and tells you how to ski both classic and skate. The color photos of young skiers build excitement for the sport.

The book contains a Table of Contents: ‘What is Cross-country Skiing?’, ‘Classic or Skate?’, ‘Cross-country Skiing Gear’, and ‘Cross-country Skiing Safety’ , before the glossary, index, and their safe internet search website for more information – Factsurfer.com. This title’s Factsurfer has two good sites for more information of the three provided.

Submitted by Mary Pong

Downhill Skiing

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This book fulfills the idea of “Let’s Get Outdoors!” for the title DOWNHILL SKIING, but provides minimal information on the actual mechanics of downhill skiing. If a picture (photo) is worth a 1000 words it’s a good thing this title has a glossary. It shows what skiing looks like but does not tell you how to ski. The color photos of young skiers build excitement for the sport.

The book contains a Table of Contents: ‘What is Downhill Skiing?’, ‘On the Hill’, ‘Downhill Skiing Gear’, and ‘Downhill Skiing Safety’ , before the glossary, index, and their safe internet search website for more information – Factsurfer.com. This title’s Factsurfer has only one good site for more information of the three provided.

Submitted by Mary Pong