This Bellwether Media series is sure to be a hit with car enthusiasts. Each title is packed with stats and specs focusing on special features for each vehicle. The text is supported by diagrams, timelines, maps, and a glossary. Nontraditional options are included such as hybrid and electric vehicles. Students who are familiar with cars will easily connect with the content.
There are 32 titles in this series. The books reviewed from this series: –Ford Mustang: Dark Horse –Toyota GR: Supra –Lamborghini: Countach –Maserati: Grancabrio
Frank E. Armadillo (the E stands for Expert, Explorer Extraordinaire) knows about a lot of stuff. Like flamingos. Or as he refers to them pretty, princess birds who are practicing to be ballerinas and are pink because they eat cotton candy. But when he is interrupted by a real flamingo, Frank begins to question if he really knows about flamingos and learns that real experts ask lots of questions.
An entertaining book with facts about flamingos which also teaches readers that they don’t need to have all the answers and it is good to ask questions to become an expert. This book could be used as a starting point for animal research.
Spencer moves to a new town and instantly makes a friend and then more friends. His friends are just not the type that the adults in his life expect. Spencer’s friends are plants. The adults around him asks if he would like friends that are more human, but Spencer is content with his friends. One day while visiting his friend Eugene (an oak tree), Spencer sees someone else at the tree. Will this be another friendship for Spencer?
A sweet book about friendship and being true to yourself. The illustrations are colorful and feature diverse characters and a wide variety of plants.
Bollywood Beat is a brightly illustrated story of two sisters preparing for a dance recital. It’s told through a series of onomatopoeias and two-word phrases that capture the motion and emotion of the busy celebration. Young readers will be drawn to the joyful illustrations, and this title is a great option for pre-readers, as the entirety of the story can be understood through the vibrant artwork. There are a few key words explained in the back, making this a great story for caregivers to read with younger children as well. This would be a hit with preschool and kindergarten-aged kids.
The Cities Through Time series offers a glimpse at key moments in different cities’ history. The text features in these books are perfect for beginning readers or for a teacher/caregiver looking to introduce features of nonfiction texts. Each book begins with three goals for the child as they read. The table of contents then clearly outlines the topics in the book, and each two-page spread features bright illustrations and a variety of labels, bolded words that can be found in the glossary, and even “Jimmy Says” features that allow the books’ guide, Blastoff Jimmy, to share facts or offer comprehension support throughout.
A timeline, glossary, and index, along with post-reading questions and ideas for where to learn more, round out the features of this series. This is a great introduction to timelines and key moments in history, though, of course, the length and target audience of these books leave gaps in discussions about colonialism and key events that might be difficult for young children to understand without more historical and cultural context. Still, this is an excellent series for young learners to learn a bit about history, geography, and a lot about nonfiction text features.
Benjamin Grows a Garden is the follow-up to Benjamin’s Thunderstorm, and it’s another beautifully crafted realistic fiction story by Melanie Florence. While the previous book followed Benjamin as he enjoyed a rainy day and thought about the Thunderbird, this story follows him as he plants, cares for, and eventually harvests fruits and vegetables from his garden. The book includes Cree words throughout, with a pronunciation guide in the back. Pichette’s illustrations are eye-catching and unique, and kids will be drawn to the bright colors and beautiful depictions of the natural world. It feels like a celebration of the garden and all it provided. This will be an excellent addition to any elementary library.
Sera Watkins was born with a heart condition that required a heart transplant. Arriving back at her family’s summer house in Cape Cod, she plans to perfect her art and avoid her former best friend, neighbor, and recipient of her old heart valves, Luke Tisdale. The complex relationships Felleman creates between the characters makes this teenage romance feel real and truly special. The way Sera is not defined by her illness is truly inspiring. The author’s writing style throughout the novel really allows for a wide range of emotions to be felt by the reader. The romance is sweet, but can also be intense at times. The variety of characters in this novel is amazing; they are relatable and complex. I felt like the depth of Luke’s character was not thoroughly conveyed through the small amount of chapters featuring his perspective. I thought it would’ve added to the story if we could hear more about his life and ideas. In the beginning, I thought some of the plot points in the book were somewhat predictable, but as I continued to read, more twists and surprises showed up making it an addictive read. I would recommend this book to someone who likes romance, deeper themes about life and death, and books that make you emotional. I think you should read this book because it shares the important lesson of making the most of the time you have and growing the relationships you have with others. Overall, this book was really great and I’m so glad I read it.
Dante Nimrod Inferno is your typical 6th grade demon – uncool, goofy and ready to to change his reputation in middle school. Bullied and laughed at ever since his pants fell down in the cafeteria, he plans a fresh start in a new school, where his elementary classmates combine with the kids from the school in Blisshaven. New school means new Dante, right? Not really, because the same yucky bullies are there and his old reputation is lingering. Virgil, a brainy new friend from Blisshaven, enters the story and becomes a rather unwitting ally in Virgils’ quest for greatness. The story ends with a huge school competition (kind of like middle school Jeopardy) in which the teams are in a nail-biting near tie for the win. Dante’s knowledge of comics saves the day for Virgil and him in and they win, becoming slightly more cool and ready for more adventures.
While young readers may not get the references to Dante’s Inferno, they will certainly understand the burps, farts, annoying siblings and schoolyard escapades in this book. And, they will really get into all the hilarious illustrations that are generously peppered throughout the story. Hand this book to those readers who enjoy Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Timmy Failure. They won’t be disappointed. Recommended.
Written by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Illustrated by Natasha Donovan
Michael is on his way to the soccer field for some solo practice, when he is nearly hit by something. Jet, the “bird nerd” sister of a fellow soccer player, is nearby and explains that it is a snowy owl. They have a wealth of knowledge about birds and shares with Michael, who finds himself growing interested in this magnificent creature. When he goes back to the field the next day, the field is overrun by birders, who want to see this bird themselves. Jet gets his attention and asks for help to take the owl, who is now looking very ill in a cardboard box, to a bird rehab center some distance away. They sneak past the crowds and enlist the help of another young bird enthusiast, who loans them a motorized bike. Through a snow storm and dark woods, they manage to deliver the sick owl to the vet at the rehab center. Their parents find them there and the owl is saved. The story ends with the owl release and Jet and Michael successfully reaching out to the school principal about the dangers of rat poison, which poisoned the rat that the owl ate and was, in turn, poisoned as well.
This satisfying story packs a lot into 135 pages and does so very seamlessly. Characters are realistic and their interactions make sense. Jet comes through as younger, stubborn and passionate about birds and conservation while Michael is focused on soccer and following the rules, struggling at times with their trajectory but slowly building a great deal of empathy and respect for Jet’s ideals and gaining an insight into the world around him. The writing moves us through the story at a good pace and the black and white illustrations are a nice addition without overpowering the words. Add this to your collection for those readers that enjoy animal stories with a good dose of adventure along the way.
In this memoir addressed to women, survivors, writers, and readers, Jeannine Atkins documents her journey to unravel the emotions and relationships in trauma’s aftermath. The book is written and reflected on in verse; it presents the lessons learned by the author from each person in her life – and from herself.
This book is incredibly immersive for being a memoir – everything was visible in the mind, and many verses hit painfully and deeply in a relatable way. The intentional ambiguity of Atkins’ diction was very thought-provoking as well.
This novel is incredible for those drawn to themes of psychology, social behavior, and seeking healing & closure. This novel really makes you think about how every single person has untold experiences and struggles – but also healing and hope are possible.
Things that work well for the book: Authenticity – sometimes the chronology feels like a blur, or perhaps a misrecalled memory; there were also repeated descriptions and motifs (deja vu); the author doesn’t go too in-depth when writing about other people and describes them in similar ways; these all add to the relatability of one’s mental state being so off that days, people, and experiences blend together.
Subtle theme of ‘hidden dangers’ – things that make you think “this wont happen to me,” or “this isn’t hurting me” until you realize too late; shows how simple yet unpredictable people are – I personally enjoy seeing this in literature; allusions that mean even more if you know about them (Icarus, Sylvia Plath, Ruby Bridges, Picasso, Guernica, Monet, etc.)
Favorite Lines: She won’t know that ill always remember her. (273) I don’t fit in my body and I don’t want to have one. (26) I’d looked out for us. that wasn’t wrong. (31) A pillow. a brick. breath ending. (34) Where a boy fell, feathers and waxen wings on fire. no one looked up. everyone was busy. (38) I miss stumbling into moments when a girl in a book seemed to become me. (50) We think we want an ending but mean a victory. (103) While rocks are battered by waves, sand ever so slowly, beautifully crumbles. (229) The only proof she fought hard enough is if she’s dead. (233) It was hard, never getting enough sleep, but I loved holding a life in my arms. (236)
Things that do not work well for the book: The timeline was somewhat confusing, but I did say I liked this part because it may have been intentional. It also allows for parallels to be made between reality/fiction and people.
