Love Radio

Review by Harmony M., 10th grade student

Love Radio is a classic black love story: heartbreak, vulnerability, and learning to trust again. Dani is a passionate young woman who wants to thrive at becoming a famous writer. She is trying to work on her future, but she’s stuck in the past. Prince is a DJ and Detroit’s youngest love couch; he takes care of his little brother, Mook, and his mom who has MS. Prince has had a crush on Dani since elementary school, but Dani isn’t looking for a relationship at the moment. I liked the plot and how Prince seeks out what Dani likes. He uses this information to plan their dates, putting in the effort. The first couple of chapters were a little less interesting, but the plot kept me entertained. Love Radio took me about 3 days to read; I wish there was more to the story. I liked that the book a lot I could relate to it. The only thing I didn’t like was the ending. I only wish the author included an epilogue, so we could see Dani and Prince together. Maybe there’ll be a sequel. . . .

Awesome Amphibians

Awesome Amphibians starts by highlighting the characteristics of amphibians; the fact that they are cold-blooded, have backbones, and start life in water. The mission then takes the reader around the world, continent by continent to discover interesting and unique amphibians.

Blastoff Missions Amazing Animal Classes is a series sure to inspire a child’s natural curiosity. Each title starts with Mission Goals to promote fluency (identify sight words), enhance comprehension (identify traits), and promote critical thinking (think of a question).

The informational text engages the reader as a participant in the narrative. The conversational style of the text provides age appropriate academic and subject specific vocabulary. Bolded vocabulary terms are defined in the glossary. Colorful illustrations include identifying and descriptive captions. Extra tidbits of information are provided by Jimmy, a space traveling, cartoon-like avatar who accompanies the reader on all the narrative missions.

Endpapers include a glossary, index, and To Learn More section. The To Learn More resources have three print sources in the At the Library section. The On the Web resources direct the reader to Factsurfer which provides easy access to three curated age appropriate digital resources. Endpapers also include three extension questions in the Beyond the Mission section to help readers connect their learning from the book to their own experiences.

Fantastic Fish

Fantastic Fish explores the waterways of the the world as it introduces the reader to the fish class. While highlighting unique and interesting fish, the text repeatedly reinforces the identifying characteristics of fish as cold-blooded creatures with backbones that breathe through gills.

Blastoff Missions Amazing Animal Classes is a series sure to inspire a child’s natural curiosity. Each title starts with Mission Goals to promote fluency (identify sight words), enhance comprehension (identify traits), and promote critical thinking (think of a question).

The informational text engages the reader as a participant in the narrative. The conversational style of the text provides age appropriate academic and subject specific vocabulary. Bolded vocabulary terms are defined in the glossary. Colorful illustrations include identifying and descriptive captions. Extra tidbits of information are provided by Jimmy, a space traveling, cartoon-like avatar who accompanies the reader on all the narrative missions.

Endpapers include a glossary, index, and To Learn More section. The To Learn More resources have three print sources in the At the Library section. The On the Web resources direct the reader to Factsurfer which provides easy access to three curated age appropriate digital resources. Endpapers also include three extension questions in the Beyond the Mission section to help readers connect their learning from the book to their own experiences.

Incredible Insects

Incredible Insects starts in your own backyard. The journey of discovery takes the reader to the prairies of North America then on to interesting insects from other continents. While identifying unique insects, the text also highlight features characteristic of the insect class.

Blastoff Missions Amazing Animal Classes is a series sure to inspire a child’s natural curiosity. Each title starts with Mission Goals to promote fluency (identify sight words), enhance comprehension (identify traits), and promote critical thinking (think of a question).

The informational text engages the reader as a participant in the narrative. The conversational style of the text provides age appropriate academic and subject specific vocabulary. Bolded vocabulary terms are defined in the glossary. Colorful illustrations include identifying and descriptive captions. Extra tidbits of information are provided by Jimmy, a space traveling, cartoon-like avatar who accompanies the reader on all the narrative missions.

Endpapers include a glossary, index, and To Learn More section. The To Learn More resources have three print sources in the At the Library section. The On the Web resources direct the reader to Factsurfer which provides easy access to three curated age appropriate digital resources. Endpapers also include three extension questions in the Beyond the Mission section to help readers connect their learning from the book to their own experiences.

Marvelous Mammals

The search for Marvelous Mammals starts with the cats and dogs found in many homes. From there, the reader it taken north to the Canadian taiga and south to the Amazon rainforest before continuing around the world. The text introduces the common mammal characteristics (warm-blooded, backbone, hair or fur, and feed their babies milk) while highlighting unique and interested mammals in various habitats.

Blastoff Missions Amazing Animal Classes is a series sure to inspire a child’s natural curiosity. Each title starts with Mission Goals to promote fluency (identify sight words), enhance comprehension (identify traits), and promote critical thinking (think of a question).

The informational text engages the reader as a participant in the narrative. The conversational style of the text provides age appropriate academic and subject specific vocabulary. Bolded vocabulary terms are defined in the glossary. Colorful illustrations include identifying and descriptive captions. Extra tidbits of information are provided by Jimmy, a space traveling, cartoon-like avatar who accompanies the reader on all the narrative missions.

Endpapers include a glossary, index, and To Learn More section. The To Learn More resources have three print sources in the At the Library section. The On the Web resources direct the reader to Factsurfer which provides easy access to three curated age appropriate digital resources. Endpapers also include three extension questions in the Beyond the Mission section to help readers connect their learning from the book to their own experiences.

Remarkable Reptiles

Search the world for scaly cold-blooded animals with backbones that lay eggs in Remarkable Reptiles. While reinforcing the characteristics of reptiles the text highlights the unique and extraordinary species of the class. From venom to hoods and third eyes to frills – reptiles are remarkable.

Blastoff Missions Amazing Animal Classes is a series sure to inspire a child’s natural curiosity. Each title starts with Mission Goals to promote fluency (identify sight words), enhance comprehension (identify traits), and promote critical thinking (think of a question).

The informational text engages the reader as a participant in the narrative. The conversational style of the text provides age appropriate academic and subject specific vocabulary. Bolded vocabulary terms are defined in the glossary. Colorful illustrations include identifying and descriptive captions. Extra tidbits of information are provided by Jimmy, a space traveling, cartoon-like avatar who accompanies the reader on all the narrative missions.

Endpapers include a glossary, index, and To Learn More section. The To Learn More resources have three print sources in the At the Library section. The On the Web resources direct the reader to Factsurfer which provides easy access to three curated age appropriate digital resources. Endpapers also include three extension questions in the Beyond the Mission section to help readers connect their learning from the book to their own experiences.

Brilliant Birds

While exploring the world looking for Brilliant Birds, the common characteristics of the bird classification are reinforced with multiple examples. The text also highlights the many different ways birds nest.

Blastoff Missions Amazing Animal Classes is a series sure to inspire a child’s natural curiosity. Each title starts with Mission Goals to promote fluency (identify sight words), enhance comprehension (identify traits), and promote critical thinking (think of a question).

The informational text engages the reader as a participant in the narrative. The conversational style of the text provides age appropriate academic and subject specific vocabulary. Bolded vocabulary terms are defined in the glossary. Colorful illustrations include identifying and descriptive captions. Extra tidbits of information are provided by Jimmy, a space traveling, cartoon-like avatar who accompanies the reader on all the narrative missions.

Endpapers include a glossary, index, and To Learn More section. The To Learn More resources have three print sources in the At the Library section. The On the Web resources direct the reader to Factsurfer which provides easy access to three curated age appropriate digital resources. Endpapers also include three extension questions in the Beyond the Mission section to help readers connect their learning from the book to their own experiences.

Finding My Dance

Ria Thundercloud, Writer, Kalila J. Fuller Illustrator

At 4 years old, our author was brought into the powwow circle to dance with her tribe and family. Even though Ria had incredible drive and talent, she felt like an outsider in dance classes as she was always the only indigenous performer. This biographical picture book is one that shows what ambition and determination can achieve. The bold and beautiful artwork will be an eye catcher for many. It is a wonderful book for elementary library that allows for indigenous readers to see themselves in a book. The author, Ria Thundercloud is now a professional dancer who has performed all around the world but always returns to her homelands. I would highly recommend this book for libraries as it celebrates Native Americans and shows culture for all.

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

A. F. Steadman

This fantasy for 4th – 8th graders is a wonderful addition to any library. In a world where children dream of living on a secretive island of wild unicorns, Skandar’s only wish is to pass the Hatchery exam and leave to mainland and become a unicorn rider. His hopes and dreams are dashed when he is not allowed to take the test. In the middle of the night he is whisked away to sneak onto the island in search of the unicorn he knows he is destined to ride. Book one of the Skandar series is everything a lover of Harry Potter or Percy Jackson would want in a fantasy novel. A child that is denied opportunities only to get them, aggressive, violent and fantastical unicorns with elemental powers, an evil archenemy with a surprising past and all the sneaking around and mystery solving a reader would want. I was pleasantly surprised by this title and would highly recommend it for any fantasy lover at any age.

Snoopy Soars to Space

By Charles Schulz et al.

This compilation of original and new Peanuts comics would be a nice addition to any library. Comics consist of “The Beagle Has Landed, Charlie Brown!”, “Plane and Simple”, “Food for Thought”, Have Dish Will Travel”, and Charlie Brown’s Star”. All the gang are here. It is a nice introduction to a classic that some students may have never known. This book is recommended as an extra purchase.