Clara travels with her parents to her extended family’s orange groves in California. She listens to family stories around the table with her cousins, aunts and uncles and grandparents. Wanting to make her own memories with family, she hides in her grandpa’s truck when he leaves for the fields. After she reveals herself, they spend the day there together making those memories that she needs to connect to her family there in California. He shares the family history with her, mostly good but some painful.
Based on the author’s own family history, this is a sweet story of generational connections and strong family roots. Written in Spanish with lovely illustrations and a strong message of family. Add this one to your collection. Recommended.
written by Natalia Sylvester and illustrated by Juana Medina
Dulce can’t wait for Abuela’s visit from Peru. When her grandmother asks what she would like her to bring in their video chat, Dulce replies “Just you”. But, Abuela brings so much in her maletas – candies, baked goods, books, a cozy blanket and more. Dulce and Abuela make memories together – making food, listening to cousins’ messages and her grandmother’s stories. The time comes for Abuela to return home and Dulce wants to send her off with mementos of the visit like photos, favorite soaps and a journal she kept during the visit. At the airport, Dulce feels the sadness of Abuela’s impending departure. Her grandmother tells her to look for a surprise under her bed. It was a maleta with Dulce’s name on the tag and full of wonderful things to remind her of her Abuela and her homeland. The accompanying note says that the suitcase will never run out of the love and beauty they share.
This wonderfully sweet story about a grandparent’s visit is a reminder that many children have grandparents that are far away and time together is a precious time. The text is simple yet conveys the connection between the two and their love for each other. Accompanying illustrations add gentle depth to the already lovely story. The only criticism that I have is the font choice, which is quite small and, therefore, will make the book difficult to use as a read aloud. That’s a shame, because this story needs to be shared. Otherwise, it’s a wise choice for your library.
written by Charlotte Cheng and illustrated by Amber Red
GoGo, a stray dog, is resting near the bustling night market when his nose leads him to some delicious snacks. As he wanders through the crowds, he notices a little girl that looks sad and alone. He leads her through the market, sharing its vibrant scents and sights. Eventually, she breaks away from him to run into her parents’ arms, who tearfully hug her. GoGo thinks his friend is now gone. But, no! They call him over and he now has a family and a home!
This vibrantly illustrated book is a wonderful glimpse at the lively hustle and bustle of a night market. Text is spare and the illustrations serve to fill out the story beautifully. And, who doesn’t love a story where the girl and the dog become best friends forever?
Three sisters are sent to a rigorous camp together as a punishment for their constant fighting and terrible choices. Ollie ( age 9), Emma (age 12) and Abby (age 14) had moved to a new home and making friendships was difficult. Prior to this move, they had had typical sibling relationships, sometimes doing things together or sometimes two breaking off to have their own adventure. Abby starts to pull away as she tries to forge new friendships and in the process embarrasses Emma at school pretty horribly. Emma and Ollie then team up to get revenge and target Abby. As a result, their parents send them to a camp known to help kids figure things out.There are lots of unpleasant hikes and the girls don’t seem to regain their previous close bond. There is an incident and the head of the camp decides to take the girls on a punishment hike. During this hike, the girls stray from the trail and leave the camp director. What ensues is a harrowing few days as the girls work together, surviving every possible outdoor disaster (ear drownings, falling down a cliff, bear encounter and so much more) and realize they really do love each other.
The story is told in alternating views and jumps back and forth from the present (at camp) and the past (all the awful stuff leading up to it). These girls are absolutely horrible to each other and I was feeling secondary embarrassment on their behalf with each social/emotional attack they wielded. The camp part was a little over the top, with every conceivable disaster befalling the girls. I could see a couple things going wrong. But, this was EVERYTHING. You might want to take my view with a grain of salt, though, because my family has grown up in the outdoors and guides in Alaska during the summers. So, that part might be more believable to a reader that doesn’t have such a background. I did like how the girls spent quite some time reflecting (individually and together) on their actions and came to the conclusion themselves that they needed to change. Buy this book if you are looking for a survival story that has all the bells and whistles.
written by Emma Otheguy; illustrated by Sara Palacios
Martina is not happy that her three tias are coming to her home. They are loud and vibrant and they give her a headache. She slips into the kitchen to smell the pot of bubbling guava fruit and is transported to a wonderful island paradise, where she meets a variety of animals. Each animal wants to play. But, their voices are too loud for Martina. She meets a mouse, who sits quietly as he plays and it’s perfect! Eventually, he tires and leaves. This is when Martina becomes lonely and it seems almost too quiet. She is then transported back to her loving, lively family and tells her story. She realizes her family is special and her place is there with them.
This story is a nod to the Caribbean folktale “La Cucaracha Martina” and reminds us all that individuals come in all shapes, sizes (and volume) yet can fit together like puzzle pieces to make a nurturing close-knit family. The author’s note discusses this and the connection to “La Cucaracha Martina”. Digital collages illustrate the story beautifully in bright, vivid colors, which are especially appropriate in the illustrations of the tias. This is a fun, warm story that will definitely resonate with the quieter kids in the family.
All Lia wants is make it into the International Magic School with her friend, Joon. Her overprotective parents, who work mundane desk jobs for the magical organization, won’t let her do anything and she can’t figure out why. In an act of rebellion, Lia attends the party of the popular girl from school and ends up revealing her family’s location (by breaking an ancient protection spell) to the evil diviner spirit, Gaya, who kidnaps her parents and demands a ransom. Lia’s parents manage to get a message to her during the kidnapping and she and Joon are magically transported to Korea. There, they discover Lia’s true lineage as they and Lia’s grandmother desperately fight to save her parents and destroy Gaya before she returns Korea to a vastly different time hundreds of years before.
This book brings together Korean mythology, magic, modern day technology and typical tween feelings in a wonderfully rich, exciting story. Lia is a twelve year old that is feeling a little (ok, a lot) hemmed in by her parents and sets off a chain of events that will change her life (and possibly the world) when she sneaks out to a swim party at the popular girl’s house. This act of rebellion leads to a fast-paced fantasy adventure that will cause you some sleepless nights, because you just can’t put it down. Hand this book to those students that love Rick Riordan’s books. They will thank you!
written by Nicholas Solis; Illustrated by Luisa Uribe
Two cousins live on either side of the Mexico-U.S border and share what they love about their homes as well as their enjoyment of their cousin’s town. Each two page spread shares a unique aspect of their towns in both English and Spanish. They share about their houses, schools, markets, holidays and time together in both towns. This sweet story ends with the cousins and their families crossing the border, a bridge over a river, with guards on both sides and both kids expressing the wish that visits could be easier. They stand overlooking the river and share that both towns feel like home.
This story is great on many levels. The lovely illustrations, which offer details of life on both sides of the border, are perfect for some compare and contrast discussions. The English and Spanish is simple enough for language learners and read alouds. And, students will notice the joy that these two cousins experience no matter what town they are in together.
Lumberjackula (or Jack, for short) is at a critical time of his life. He is aging out of of under-school and must decide whether to become a lumberjack like his mom and attend Mighty Log Lumberjack Prep or a vampire like his dad and attend Sorrow’s Gloom Vampire Academy. His parents are very supportive from the start and will be proud of his choice no matter what he does. Yet, Jack is feeling pressure, because he’s not sure he wants to go to either school and follow in his parents’ footsteps. Truthfully, his real passion is dance, which he sneaks of and does when he has the opportunity.
As he is visiting both schools and agonizing over his choices, a new friend enters his life. Plenty is a student at Tip Tap Twinkle Toes Dance Academy and stumbles upon Jack during one of his secret solo dances. She is so impressed that she makes him a map to the dance academy and invites him to come. He makes his way there (past some monsters and a very cool manatee that provides most excellent advice) to discover that dancing is what he is born to do. But, how can he? He as to follow in his parent’s footsteps, doesn’t he?
The rest of the story involves a lot of sneaking around, dancing and a climactic dance recital where Jack’s parents and grandparents discover his talents. They are, as we knew they would, very supportive and excited about Jack’s choices. The end of the story shows students from all three schools and the adults in Jacks’ life connecting through an after-school enrichment program, learning some wonderful skills like hip hop and axe-throwing.
This delightful graphic novel uses accessible text and varying panel configurations and illustrated with clean, boldly colored artwork. While the storyline is somewhat predictable (we readers knew all along that Jack’s parents were supportive and would be fine with his choice), it allows us to enjoy a gentle story of a child (vampire/lumberjack), who is struggling with his view of expectations versus his needs. It’s a lesson on finding your way and being who you really are, not who you think the people around you want you to be. Follow your dreams – be a dancer, a vampire, or a lumberjack. it’s your life and your choice! Highly recommended.
written by Michelle Sterling; illustrated by Dung Ho
Ren jumps out of bed, ready for a busy day in preparation for Lunar New Year. She wonders if she is old enough this year to help her family make the special foods or decorations for the festivities. She asks to join family members in their tasks – Baba with decorations, Mama and Uncle Jian with the dumplings and Auntie Weili with the noodles. It’s not going to happen this year, because she’s too small. But, things change when her brother, Charlie, enters the home. He patiently shows her how to make the traditional pineapple cakes, rolling, patting baking and sometimes, cleaning up a little mess. The cakes turn out beautifully and are part of a wonderful family Lunar New Year celebration. At the end, there is a recipe for those special pineapple cakes. Yum!
Bright cartoon-like illustrations accompany simple text in this wonderful book about an event that is culturally significant to many people around the world. An author’s note discusses the holiday and her connection to it, while the recipe at the end of the book is an invitation to join the festivities. Highly recommended for those libraries looking to increase their diverse literature selection.
Izzy and her friend, Zoe, love to dress up her dog in baby clothes and play “baby stealer” with Zoe’s older brother. It’s typically a giggle-filled screamfest when Izzy and Rolo are at Zoe’s house. Unfortunately, things are changing and it’s hard for Izzy. Rollo is growing into a big dog and the baby clothes are getting too small. He’s also getting into some big doggy trouble. Lionel, Zoe’s brother, is becoming a teenager. And, he is the epitome of a teenager – surly, pimply and no fun at all.
Izzy doesn’t like these changes and is determined to find out of there is some kind of cure for these two maladies. She and her mom take Rollo to obedience school and he doesn’t do well. Izzy works hard with him and uses some of what she learns to engage Lionel, which turns out surprisingly well.
Through some gently comedic adventures, Izzy works on these problems, realizing along the way that change is inevitable. But, the fun doesn’t have to end, it’s just different.
Readers new to chapter books will enjoy this story. Accompanying illustrations in black and white break up the text and provide extra giggles. Add this to your collection along with the first book, Izzy in the Doghouse. Recommended.
