Category Archives: Recommendation

Nayra and the Djinn

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By Iasmin Omar Ata

Nayra Mansour’s life is in chaos. Pressure from her family, bullying at school, and a friendship demanded from her only other friend all make her world challenging. Her family fasts during the Muslim holiday Ramadan, though something is different this year during fasting. A mythical Djinn has appeared in the human world. His life is also in chaos. As Nayra and the Djinn Marjan meet, Iasmin Omar Ata weaves his story to create a very interesting book. Nayra’s world is interrupted and enriched by their new friendship. I think that readers that really like graphic novels with a kinda soft and a cute style of drawing will really like this book. The drawing is really top rated, and as a person who doesn’t really like bright colors, the pastel and calm colors were really great for me. I really like how the author wove Islamic folklore and the tradition of fasting into this book. Another  thing that I could relate to in this book was the pressure from her mom.  I could relate a lot to the main character of this book. The plot and the conflict in this book between Marjan and Zirkouniya, as well as between Nayra and Rami, kept me interested throughout the whole book. Overall, I really liked this book and its writing and drawings and would give it a 5 out 5 stars!.

Review by 6th grader, Victoria L.

Biblioburro: Una Historia de Columbia

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By Jeanette Winter; traducción de Alexis Romay

This image is the cover in English; Book reviewed is in Spanish.

This Spanish language book is a true story from Columbia about a man named Luis who wanted to take books to children in Columbia. He bought two burrows named Alpha and Beto. He built book holders that hung over the burros backs and loaded the books. Each week he traveled over  mountains, through prairies, and crossed creeks to get books to children. Beautiful and colorful artwork. Very enjoyable. This book in Spanish is perfect for students who are fluent in Spanish or who are bilingual and want to brush up on their Spanish reading skills. It’s intended for elementary school students (K-4), but I think middle school readers will also enjoy the sweet story and the basic Spanish vocabulary. The book is also available in English, in which case I would recommend it for K-4 & not middle school.

Review by Julie Stringfellow at KMS

Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth

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By L.E. Carmichael; illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler

This beautiful picture book is a gorgeous collection of information and illustrations about the Arctic and Antarctic and the life that inhabits these cold, icy landscapes. The artwork is full of cool colors and an almost lithographic feel to the designs. I can’t tell if it’s painted, airbrushed, lithographic, or some combination of all. Some sharp lines & some soft layered ones. I found the artwork beautiful, stark and a perfect complement to the harsh environment about which it was depicting. The text is rich with information about the polar regions. Much of the book is arranged by months of the year & the various events that happen in different seasons. Interestingly, it is organized from March to March. Each 2 page spread includes one page on the Arctic and one page on the Antarctic – showing contrasting seasons nicely. The 2 pages also feature a similar topic, for example the pages on June feature information about how insects adapt to the cold regions in summer in the Arctic versus winter in Antarctica. The book finishes with information about climate change and how the polar caps are seeing the great consequences which only seem to be getting worse. The reader is left with some ways to take action and learn more. The book also includes a glossary and a list of resources for further reading. This is a picture book that flows nicely through the middle grades and extends beyond elementary school. The text is tiny and much more appropriate for upper elementary or middle school readers.

The House that Ruth Built

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By Kelly Bennett; illustrated by Susanna Covelli

This is a picture book that can be read at many different levels. It is a simple poem of a story that could be read aloud to young students – or older ones to analyze the literary elements of the central story. It is a book rich with supplementary text in small print on both sides of the central story that could be enjoyed by more adventuresome upper elementary or middle school students really interested in all things historical about Babe Ruth, the early days of baseball, and the Yankees.  These side panel pieces include information on the Star-Spangled Banner, Cracker Jacks, Early Baseball Leagues, Rocks and Stones (early forms of the game), Baseball caps, Bats, Gloves, and Balls, and many, many more. The artwork of the central story pulls you in and helps you feel as if you’re there on the opening day of a brand new Yankee Stadium. The historical photographs and real memorabilia of the side panels contrast and visually allow the reader to focus on one or the other.  I thought this was a beautiful book about Babe Ruth and the early days of baseball, sure to be enjoyed by both casual baseball fans and those with a passion for all things baseball!

Bad Drawer by Seth Fishman

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Seth has a great story idea but there is just one problem, he can’t draw. He does have a lot of friends that are really good at drawing, but Seth is a bad drawer. What if he teams up with his friends to tell his story about the mouse named Bailey and Catbird half cat, half bird?

Different illustrators contributed to the making of this book and are the friends that are good at drawing mentioned in the story. The illustrations showed the different styles of the illustrators as they were introduced to the story.

The theme of working together and playing to each others strengths was effective. I do wish that it was emphasized that even his simple drawings were clear and we all can draw, especially considering the audience the book is geared towards.

How to Succeed in Witchcraft

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I went into this book expecting a re-imagined magical world AKA Harry Potter. So, I was pleasantly surprised with Aislinn Brophy’s portrayal of a magical high school. One that is supper focused on success and the pressure that entails for the students. I also appreciated how the story dealt with exploitation and predatory behavior many teens face.

Love Radio

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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

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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

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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

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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.