While I will be quick to admit that the sports genre is not my first pick, I was excited to find this picture book with a diverse family featured on tWhile I will be quick to admit that the sports genre is not my first pick, I was excited to find this picture book with a diverse family featured on the front that also emphasized the importance of belonging to the "team", no matter what. But despite the message and the colorful, inclusive illustrations, the forced rhymes were overplayed and just seemed like they were trying too hard....more
Mateo lives with his aunts (one of whom is more alive than the other!) in Brooklyn after their magical island of San Madrigal disappeared 16 years agoMateo lives with his aunts (one of whom is more alive than the other!) in Brooklyn after their magical island of San Madrigal disappeared 16 years ago. After he witnesses a murder, he gets caught up in ancient battle that will determine whether or not his people will ever get to go back to San madrigal.
This is the first YA (not MG) book in the Rick Riordan Presents series. While it has a renowned author and the premise of the book is solid, the actual story starts out very slowly and has heavy political leanings which detract from the plot. CW: violence/murder...more
Bea loves softball. She is good at it plus it is one of her bonding activities with her dad. Unfortunately this all changes when her dad is involved wBea loves softball. She is good at it plus it is one of her bonding activities with her dad. Unfortunately this all changes when her dad is involved with a legal scandal. Bea is thrown off her game and her dad is humiliated. Bea ends up going to stay with her aunt while the entire family tries to get their game back together. This is an engaging book about sports, family dynamics, friendship - and somehow does all of them well. An excellent middle school read....more
When Mattie's mom remarries, they leave Minnesota and move to California. At her new school there is lots of buzz because Mattie looks so much like anWhen Mattie's mom remarries, they leave Minnesota and move to California. At her new school there is lots of buzz because Mattie looks so much like another girl, Mercedes. Mattie and Mercedes learn that they do indeed have something in common - a dad from Columbia that neither one of them has ever met. Even though they don't really get along, they decide to try to meet this man even though it will mean a lot of working together. Good for those looking for stories about blended families, working through differences... Grades 5-7...more
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was a contemporary of Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. She was just as active in the fight for suffrage rights as they were,Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was a contemporary of Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. She was just as active in the fight for suffrage rights as they were, yet history has erased her. Walker was also a trained medical doctor during the civil war but even though her skills were desperately needed, the men scorned her and refused to let her join them - at least at the same level or for pay. Walker persevered despite the many challenges in her path: the people who refused to work with her, those who refused to listen to her, and the ones who were appalled by the fact that she chose to wear pants under long jackets instead of dresses. She was way ahead of her time and still does not get the credit she deserves. I learned a lot from this book. Walker is a fascinating figure from history. With that said, this reads a bit like a history book at times, so may need a bit of a niche audience in order to find the appropriate readers. Not a lot of students are going to pick this up of their own accord. CW: medical descriptions of amputations, etc, also a fairly brief but blunt speech about masturbation and other health topics...more
Rain is in 8th grade, struggling with depression, body dysmorphia, and colorism. She has a great relationship with her older brother Xander (X), whichRain is in 8th grade, struggling with depression, body dysmorphia, and colorism. She has a great relationship with her older brother Xander (X), which is great because her mom works a lot and her dad is distant. Things take a turn for the worse when X is a victim of a hate crime. This novel in verse by debut author Comrie is an intense emotional journey that both middle and high school students will be able to relate to. Main characters are especially authentic. While not every issue is resolved, there is healing and there is hope. Give to your students who like The Hate U Give and The Poet X. CW: depression, self-harm, racism, colorism, hate crime...more
Nikhil is a voice actor for a popular animated TV series featuring an Indian boy in space. He and his mom live in LA but when his estranged grandpa inNikhil is a voice actor for a popular animated TV series featuring an Indian boy in space. He and his mom live in LA but when his estranged grandpa in Ohio gets sick and needs help, they decide to move there. Nikhil is able to find a studio and record his part, so he is able to keep his job but now his voice is starting to crack which means it won't last for much longer. In addition, Nikhil was out and proud in LA so he doesn't think twice about telling people in Ohio that he is gay but apparently it is a big deal in his new community, even starting a protest from some concerned parents. This is a well-written and engaging middle grade novel. Highly recommend. CW: homophobia, dying grandparent...more
This novel in verse is about a girl named Cass whose dad has been battling cancer for years. It turns out that it is genetic, so now she is given the This novel in verse is about a girl named Cass whose dad has been battling cancer for years. It turns out that it is genetic, so now she is given the option to get tested to see if she also carries the gene for Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. In the meantime, she is trying to enjoy time with her dad, figure out how they can go to the World Series one more time, and figure out how to repair her relationship with her mom who has kept a big secret from Cass.
As with many novels in verse, this one carries a huge emotional weight with the topic that it has taken on. It is well-written and perfectly suited to the middle school audience it is intended for.
3.5 stars Hoose takes on the story of the mockingbird in his latest non-fiction work: "Duet". It is an engaging read that linearly follows the history 3.5 stars Hoose takes on the story of the mockingbird in his latest non-fiction work: "Duet". It is an engaging read that linearly follows the history of this bird that was once extremely common. Sadly, humans decimated the population although conservation efforts have been able to start bringing the numbers back up again. Readers may also make the connection between the mocking bird and Suzanne Collins' MockingJay from the Hunger Game series (which is mentioned in the book). There is a little something for everyone here: science, music, literature, and history - as well as a bit of a push to do your part to keep this bird (and others) prospering in the future. I feel like it always takes a special kind of student to pick up these books. Even animal lovers aren't as inclined to choose the books about birds for some reason. It's a good addition to your collection, however, especially for a focus on animal rights and/or activism....more
I'm always looking for new manga for my middle school, so one of my friends let me borrow this to preview it. It's rated T+ which I will assume is forI'm always looking for new manga for my middle school, so one of my friends let me borrow this to preview it. It's rated T+ which I will assume is for the violence and demon creatures, references to the occult but not satan or satanic. There are a few swears. No kissing, no sex or sexual references, no exposed body parts. If you're in a conservative area, keep it in your high school but if you have Demon Slayer you could have this one too....more
3.5 stars I love Graceling - it's one of my favorite books; I named one of my cats Po, so I will always read books in this series. I want to love the s3.5 stars I love Graceling - it's one of my favorite books; I named one of my cats Po, so I will always read books in this series. I want to love the sequels as much as I loved the original. However, the latest 2 just don't seem to measure up to the original trilogy for me. SeaSparrow is 600 pages long - it seriously needed some editing. I don't need that many descriptions of ice. CW: references to sex, sexual assault, drowning, frostbite/amputation...more
Grimsby didn't make it into The Department as a witch, so he uses his meager talent as a magician at a kids food and entertainment complex. However, wGrimsby didn't make it into The Department as a witch, so he uses his meager talent as a magician at a kids food and entertainment complex. However, when the city's most powerful witch is killed, he is somehow targeted as the killer. He pairs up with an outcast from the Department to prove his innocence and catch the real killer.
I never really engaged with any of the characters but the writing was solid. I wouldn't read the sequel but I might try one of his other books later in his career. Also, the picture on the cover totally looks like a Harry Potter rip off. CW: drinking, swearing, violence, magic (duh)...more
If you want to know why schools should not have dress codes, read this book! They often unfairly target girls and they end up doing more harm than gooIf you want to know why schools should not have dress codes, read this book! They often unfairly target girls and they end up doing more harm than good because of body shaming and keeping them out of the classrooms. CW: body shaming, swearing, references to periods and boobs...more
Jo (short for Jolene) has made friends online with another 12 year old girl online. This girl flies an ultralight trike. One day while Jo is watching Jo (short for Jolene) has made friends online with another 12 year old girl online. This girl flies an ultralight trike. One day while Jo is watching Addie's livestream of her flight, Addie crashes in the desert. No one will listen to Jo because she is just a kid and because the video was online and live-streamed so there is now no evidence. Jo sets off by herself to rescue her friend. Nothing could possibly go wrong...
CW for drug addiction. I love all of Bowling's stories. She has characters that persevere despite their circumstances; they are very relatable and engaging. Props to the teen character that says "cuss" instead of an actual swear word....more
This informational board book about sharks is an excellent introduction to a wide variety of sharks. It is entry level. Ex: "Many cat sharks are smallThis informational board book about sharks is an excellent introduction to a wide variety of sharks. It is entry level. Ex: "Many cat sharks are smaller than ducks." Illustrations are actual photographs. ...more
This colorful board book by Boynton is a silly little book to get your little one moving. It is about the barnyard animals dancing around the barnyardThis colorful board book by Boynton is a silly little book to get your little one moving. It is about the barnyard animals dancing around the barnyard, easy to replicate with your little one. Get MOO-ving!...more
This colorful board book from Boynton is perfect for getting your little one into their pajamas and ready for bed. As the animals all put on their difThis colorful board book from Boynton is perfect for getting your little one into their pajamas and ready for bed. As the animals all put on their different pajamas and do a little dance, you can't help but want to put yours on, too. The end settles everyone down with darkened color palette and hush hushes to say goodnight....more
This colorful board book from Boynton is the perfect thing to read while snuggling up with your little one at naptime or bedtime. Adorable illustratioThis colorful board book from Boynton is the perfect thing to read while snuggling up with your little one at naptime or bedtime. Adorable illustrations, sweet rhyming text (meant to be sung?), all letting your little one know how much they are loved. Ends with a big kiss from you....more
One of my students told me to read this one, so I did. I loved it. One of the Rick Riordan presents series. Sal is a magician who has just started a nOne of my students told me to read this one, so I did. I loved it. One of the Rick Riordan presents series. Sal is a magician who has just started a new middle school. He knows how to deal with the bully at the locker next to his: make a raw chicken appear in it! Little does he know that the bully will have a lawyer appear at the principal's office in the form of Gabi, student body president. Sal and Gabi may have met their match in each other - and the bully may have more to his story as well. Highly recommend this story with lots of humor, magic, family - and some raw chicken....more
This dystopian novel looks at what could happen in a world, particularly the US, where Asian hate is taken to the extreme after The Crisis. Bird was jThis dystopian novel looks at what could happen in a world, particularly the US, where Asian hate is taken to the extreme after The Crisis. Bird was just 9 when his Chinese mother left; now he is 12 and has received a letter that can only be from her. Depressing in how quickly this could turn to reality. Pacing is a little off in places but story is compelling. CW for racism, prejudice, violence including violence to animals...more
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