Looking for sharks? Friendship? Humor? Can Clam Go? has it all. In this pre-level 1 Ready to Read title, Adam Lehrhaupt has created a fun little story with only a few words per page. In addition to sight words, the text is made up of repetitive, rhyming, and easily decodable words. The colorful illustrations add to the humorous appeal of this title.
Currently there are two books in the Shark Chums series.
When Coen is having a blue kind of day, the feelings are murky, prickly and tense. When the feelings just won’t go away, he curls up in a ball on his bed and refuses to get up. His Mom, Dad, and sister all try to convince him to get up, then try to distract him from his feelings, and finally they snuggle close and wait. With their waiting, they validate Coen’s feelings and show they’ll be there for him.
A Blue Kind of Day describes the miasma of depression from the perspective of a young child. In words and pictures, the book offers a supportive and accepting narrative to remind children that they are not alone in their big feelings.
Her Epic Adventures is divided into five sections; sky, peaks, ice, land, and water. Each section starts with a two paragraph explanation of some of the challenges associated with exploring that area of earth – especially for women. The book then highlights the perseverance and bravery of four women. From Charlotte Small around the turn of the 19th century to the Black Mambas founded in 2013, the women highlighted in the book span both time and geographical location. Each illustrated two page spread provides biographical information about the featured woman as well as appropriate supporting details, such as a map, tip, quote, or fact.
Endpapers include a paragraph and illustration each of about five additional women adventurers and an interview with Lois Pryce, an adventurer who rode her motorcycle from Alaska to Argentina. Also included is a world map showing the locations of the women’s adventures, resources, and an index.
Her Epic Adventure is an inspiring read for any would-be adventurer, especially for those who’s spirit leads them outside society’s traditional path.
Torrey Maldonado
A short, quick read in an authentic voice, this book really packs a punch – all while wondering how hands CAN be a powerful force in the world without them getting him into trouble. Trev faces a number of challenges in this story, but the central problem is how to keep all the promises he’s made to people he loves. This comes down to how he’s going to use his hands – to fight off his stepfather’s potential abuse of his mom once he’s out of jail for hitting her OR trust the adults around him to protect his family and use his hands for their other promise & potential, drawing. He trains to become strong, but using his hands to fight will have consequences that will limit his other strengths. I really liked the dialogue in the book. It sounds real. It’s the short, choppy sentences of Trev’s real language that give the book so much authenticity. Every chapter is extremely short (1-3 pages) which should help get this book read by students who may not love to read but will love Trev’s story. The end feels incomplete-ish, but I think that’s deliberate. We know what Trev decides he’s going to do at the end, but the events that will put him to the test have not happened yet. We must trust, like he must, in the people around him. Perhaps there will be a sequel, but I think it’s okay if there is not. I highly recommend this book!
By Tegan and Sara Quin
This semi-biographical, fictionalized graphic novel is by the musical duo of over a million records, including the song, “Everything is Awesome” from The Lego Movie. Of course, the main thing is how true this book resonates with readers. Because these two twins have based their book on their own lives, the reader can feel both the bonds between these close siblings, but also the rifts that sometimes occur. Much of the book is printed in purple ink, but sections that focus on one twin or the other are in red or blue ink. The visual difference & combination of colors is an added element I really liked. The illustrations are soft, mostly monochromatic colors that do not detract from the story, but add to it. The plot focuses on their life in junior high after moving to a new school with their mom and her new boyfriend. Anyone who has ever moved can relate to the loss of old friends and the adjustment of finding new ones. It’s more complicated with twins because sometimes one twin finds different connections than the other does. This story chronicles the purchase of their first bras (horrifying!), dealing with their parents’ split & new relationships, bullying new classmates, and discovering a new love of music. It’s the discovery of a guitar in their garage that helps them start to heal the rift that had begun to form between these two close siblings. There is so much for students to relate to in this book. It’s also fun to see how a passion in junior high can morph into a real career as adults. The very last few pages include the true biographical information and how the fictionalized version varies from reality. Real photos of the girls’ lives, including early lyrics from their first song are included. I highly recommend this graphic novel to middle school readers.
By Zohra Nabi
When Yara’s mother passes away, she is given a letter. In the letter are some instructions, which lead her to a magical land across the sea and into a new world. But in that place, Zehaira, strange things and conflicts are occurring. Yara has to find out the truth about her identity, her mother, as well as to find her place in this new whole world. This book is very good for Zohra Nabi’s first book. The detail is good, and I love how she created this whole magical world while using England as an inspiration. There were also these really cool illustrations throughout the book which I really liked since chapter books don’t often tend to have illustrations. The main character’s confidence was inspiring, as was Yara’s mother’s confidence. For example Yara just would not take no for an answer. She was stubborn in the best way. Also many fantasy books have romance but this book doesn’t. I am all in for that refreshing change of pace! It wasn’t about “getting the relationship” in the end. The plot,in general, kept me going until the very end. However, I don’t really like the cliff-hanger at the end. Since this is a new book, now I have to wait for the next part of the story! (But that could just be me. I’m sure it’s good for the author!) Overall, I would recommend this book to other fantasy lovers, especially if they’re not looking for romance, but rather a really strong set of characters and plot.
Review by 6th grader, Victoria L.
Reviewed by Taylor T. 11th grade – This Self-Help book is catered to a variety of people which makes it a perfect guide to bettering one’s self. The author of this book communicates how they learned about spiritual self-help. They use the knowledge gained from multiple different sources. This book’s goal is to provide help to people who are struggling to understand themselves but also provide background knowledge. This helps the book stay interesting as you’re learning multiple things at once. I liked how the author did not claim to be right. They made the reader aware that in order to get better it starts with you. There are not any big warnings I have about this book, but it is very spiritually based so it is important to keep that in mind if you plan on suggesting this book to other students.
By Questlove with S.A. Cosby
The first of a new series about two friends from Philadelphia who get in over their heads when Kasia gives Rahim a new cell phone she’s created for him. Best part: it’s free & off the grid, so no pesky monthly bills. Worst part: it sends Rahim back in time to the Philly of his Dad’s childhood causing increasing problems with the time/space continuum. I loved that Rahim gets to see a side of his father that is so different from what he thinks he knows about him. It introduces the idea of the butterfly effect in messing with time in a kid-friendly way. Both main characters are black and smart and talented. Rahim is a budding musician who loves rhyming and making music even though his father just wants him to be academic. Kasia is a brilliant scientist-in-the-making who pushes the boundaries, perhaps a bit too far, but without giving up on finding a solution. The book includes a few drawn illustrations that I didn’t feel were absolutely necessary, but will appeal to readers who need a little visual support. The plot moves along with plenty of excitement and complications, but doesn’t dwell overlong in solving the problem of getting Rahim home. Overall, you can bet it will be a book my students will enjoy and will be wanting the next in the series because, of course, there is a tiny teaser at the end.
“All the best things grow with time. Even when you can’t see them, still they grow.” In this heartfelt story, the walnut embodies both the durability and change of family relationships as time passes. A young girl learns how as a child her grandfather left his home with only a small bag – and a walnut. He planted, nurtured, and protected the walnut as it grew into a towering tree. Her grandfather gifted her with a nut like he had for her mother before her. The grandfather then taught the child all she needed to know to help the walnut flourish as he himself slowly declined. The teachings of the walnut help the girl accept change and provide a symbol of the strength and permanence of love.
All from a Walnut has so many layers; immigration, poverty, intergenerational families, single parent families, loss and grief, self growth, the power of nature. Tied together, these themes create a story with a powerful message for young readers.
Kids love water fights! Super Soakers covers the invention of the popular toy and its success; from the accidental invention to the many versions available today. The book focuses specifically on the Super Soaker brand and does not clearly address the magnitude of imitation super soakers. This book is a perfect read for the arrival of summer.
Pair Super Soakers with Chris Bartons, Whoosh! : Lonnie Johnson’s Super-soaking Stream of Inventions to highlight the African American creator.
Bellwether Epic Favorite Toys series is sure to appeal to young readers. The short sentences and simple text are enhanced with colorful images. Familiarity with the toy will make many of the names recognizable for young readers while new details and historical information will expand a reader’s knowledge. Pictures include young people, historical figures, and toys. Early in each title, a map highlights the geographic location of the toy’s origin. Each title also includes a timeline of the toy’s evolution. In addition, by showcasing an event celebrating the toy, each title demonstrates how toys and games nurture a community of shared interests.
Bold terms are defined in the glossary. Endpapers also include a To Learn More Section with both print and digital resources. Digital resources are found through accessing the title on factsurfer.com. Three curated age appropriate digital sources are available for each title. Index included.