Six sliders, including one on the cover and one on the back, allow youngsters to push, pull, and turn part of this board book and reveal Suki Cat as sSix sliders, including one on the cover and one on the back, allow youngsters to push, pull, and turn part of this board book and reveal Suki Cat as she imagines being an astronaut. The colorful artwork and rhyming lines in this interactive board book [2.5 for me!] follow her in her imaginative play, complete with an astronaut's attire, a rocket, and even an alien that she helps escape from a spacecraft. It's encouraging to see an animal character using her imagination as well as her thinking skills to amuse herself and solve problems. ...more
Like so many Goodreads reviewers, I've been a longtime fan of Stephen King, and I especially enjoy his short stories. I can remember being convinced tLike so many Goodreads reviewers, I've been a longtime fan of Stephen King, and I especially enjoy his short stories. I can remember being convinced that he was Richard Bachman before his identity was revealed and loving Carrie, Salem's Lot, and Pet Sematary as well as the addictive Dark Tower series. While it's clear that he still knows how to tell a story, slowly building tension and managing to say more in 10 pages than some authors can do in 100, this collection of 12 stories didn't strike me as particularly original or very dark, for that matter. Perhaps I'm simply jaded or have read too many similar stories or have grown out of this sort of thing, but I ended up feeling just okay about several of the stories and bored by some. My favorites were probably "The Answer Man," "Laurie," and "The Turbulence Man," but none of them made me sit up and pay attention or want to do a reread. Some such as "On Slide In Road" COULD have become favorites if the characters had been developed a bit much, but others such as "Two Talented Bastids" seemed far too familiar and ultimately disappointing. Even before reading the Afterword, I had the distinct feeling that several of these has been works-in-progress, stashed away somewhere and then unearthed and spruced up. Since the best part of this disappointing collection (for me) was the book's jacket cover, I'm glad that I borrowed this one from the library. ...more
I know this graphic novel series is popular with youngsters, but I just don't find it particularly amusing. The plot concerns Marshmallow Martians attI know this graphic novel series is popular with youngsters, but I just don't find it particularly amusing. The plot concerns Marshmallow Martians attending a sleepover at a museum. Their object is to find a large creature such as a dinosaur or a unicorn to win a contest back home. I can see the appeal of the images--lively marshmallows in various colors--for little ones, but this one and the series are just too outlandish and jump around too much with not enough transition for my tastes. ...more
This picture book does a fine job of introducing youngsters to some of the practices of Islam during Friday services, especially as experienced by a yThis picture book does a fine job of introducing youngsters to some of the practices of Islam during Friday services, especially as experienced by a young child. Zain is all ready to spend time with his father as they fight off aliens. Although Zain is distracted at first and has his mind on other pursuits, his father and the patient Imam help him feel comfortable in the mosque for jumu'ah prayers. Washing certain parts of the body, removing their shoes, and sitting attentively on the carpet are all part of the process. The energetic text and digital illustrations depict the superhero and religious aspects of the experience quite well. Zain is adorable in his actions and observations, and his father isn't half bad himself, deftly blending the religious and the secular in a way that won't be off-putting to a child. ...more
Often, the news media covers various book challenges and attempts to censor material in classrooms and libraries. But there are other types of censorsOften, the news media covers various book challenges and attempts to censor material in classrooms and libraries. But there are other types of censorship, one of which is described in this middle-grade novel featuring a guest appearance by author Jane Yolen. As a new school year begins, students in Ms. Sett's sixth grade class in Independence North Elementary School in Pennsylvania are excited about the freedom their teacher promises them but also somewhat baffled by her expectations and her frequent remarks on various issues raised in the town in the local newspaper. During the class's lit circles activity, the book's protagonist, Mac Delaney, becomes troubled when he realizes that certain words or phrases in The Devil's Arithmetic have been covered with the help of a black Sharpie. Encouraged by his mother and his maternal grandfather, who served during the Vietnam War, to think for himself, Mac, a hero who will warm the heart of librarians and those who believe in democracy and the Right to Read, obtains an unmarked copy of the book and remains puzzled as to why certain words aren't visible. Once he realizes that adults don't have all the answers and that some adults, even those who claim to have his well-being in mind, can't be trusted, he and his friends, Denis and Hannah, get involved in protesting what they see as terribly wrong. There's an interesting subplot involving Mac's father and his claim to be an alien that adds even more complications to the story, and readers will quickly see that actions that are taken for someone's good or to protect them can actually be problematic. Fans of school stories as well as those who love seeing youngsters stand up for themselves will cheer for Mac and the other young activists as they fight the good fight. This title would be a good one to share during Banned Book Week or provided to those would-be censors in our communities who are bent on "protecting" others from hard truths. There is much to consider and discuss in the book's contents. ...more
Using accessible language and an alien protagonist, this picture book celebrates diversity and the many qualities that make humans--and maybe even aliUsing accessible language and an alien protagonist, this picture book celebrates diversity and the many qualities that make humans--and maybe even aliens--unique. Frank is an alien who lives on the planet Xob, where everyone seems to look and act the same. Bored with this mundane existence and all the sameness, Frank travels to Earth where he dons a disguise and meets three friendly young Earthlings. May, Otis, and Asha introduce themselves to Frank. When Frank expresses puzzlement that they don't all look the same, the youngsters, each with different skin colors and hair colors and styles, are proud of their specialness. Frank notes how happy they and the others around them are and how very different everyone seems to be. Frank returns home, ready to share what he's learned with others on Xob. Or could it be that he returns with an entirely different perspective, able to see the differences in those around him or encourage them to celebrate their unique identities? While his fellow citizens might still all be green and shaped like boxes, there are bound to ways in which they can be different from one another. This debut picture book featuring digital artwork might be quite useful in a class discussion about differences in body shapes and sizes and skin colors since there are so very many different variations of all of these in humans. ...more
Simply filled with humorous situations and misunderstandings because of the alien character, Bumpfizzle [or is it Daniel, an Earthling?], this book wiSimply filled with humorous situations and misunderstandings because of the alien character, Bumpfizzle [or is it Daniel, an Earthling?], this book will turn even the cloudiest day into a sunny one because of the laughs it will prompt. Ideal as a read aloud, it follows the adventures of Bumpfizzle, who has been sent to Earth from Planet Plonk to report on its citizens. Maintaining a journal and sending official reports back home from October to December, it quickly becomes clear that he resents The Baby who has entered the home and seems to keep the family distracted, and that he's at war with a four-footed furry younger brother named Mr. Sooty--a cat. From trying the cat food with the expected results to biting a teacher, watching horror movies featuring aliens, and maintaining an on-again, off-again relationship with Lucy, Bumpfizzle keeps sending reports on his observations to Great Master Hornswoggle on the possibility of these humans providing sustenance for the aliens back home. Watching him change his tune about The Baby and life on earth is quite amusing because of the unique perspective he provides and how he misinterprets so many things. The author has effectively delved into the mind of a ten-year-old in this account, complete with equally amusing black-and-white drawings. ...more
Although this author's books have been on my radar for some time, it was only at a trusted friend's urging that I finally picked this one up. Not onlyAlthough this author's books have been on my radar for some time, it was only at a trusted friend's urging that I finally picked this one up. Not only does the author faithfully, lovingly, and almost religiously describe parts of the Great Smoky Mountains, but he imagines a bleak future for this planet that just might not be as far off or unlikely as some might think. There are references to the power-mad and social-media addicted President of the United States and others in power that will seem uncomfortably true and reminiscent of the previous political administration as well as comments about science and space exploration or the search for other life forms that are downright startling--and yet, also, quite familiar. In so many ways, this futuristic novel swept me up and made me forget the world around me, but in other ways, it made me all-too-aware of the current state of the world as many species are endangered or extinct, caused by human encroachment, selfishness and apathy. The book opens as Theo Byrne, an astrobiologist, spends time in the wilderness with his son, Robin, a bright, troubled, neurodivergent nine-year-old. Both of them are still reeling from the death of Aly, Robin's mother, an environmental activist who died in a car crash. The author doesn't reveal everything about the relationship he and Aly had or the bond between mother and son right away or even the troubled school history Robin has, allowing these bits of information to filter in gradually. It's clear that Robin is quite a handful, but he also seems to trust his father, and their interactions are honest and true to life. Theo is desperate to help his son heal, and when Robin responds well to neurofeedback treatment, he is relieved but also somewhat jealous that the experimental treatment gives his son access to part of Aly's brainwaves and emotions. Still, Robin seems to be healing, thriving, and inspired to enlist others in his efforts to save the species that are dying. But when funding is cut, his progress slows and even regresses. Readers familiar with Daniel Keyes' Flowers for Algernon, written several decades ago, will recognize this part of the plot, acknowledged through Theo's sharing of the book itself with his son in Bewilderment, and read certain passages with a growing sense of foreboding and doom even while falling madly in love with this young boy's activism and clearsighted vision for the future. This is a book that will leave readers emotionally gutted and cynical about those in power as well as guilty about not taking more action to make a difference in the world around them/us....more
While it's clear that monsters could easily take over the world, instead they've decided to live on a remote island called Creep's Cove. There, they rWhile it's clear that monsters could easily take over the world, instead they've decided to live on a remote island called Creep's Cove. There, they rear their offspring in peace, even sending them to school at Stubtoe Elementary where they are led by Ms. Verne, a teacher with a long reach due to her tentacles. In this, the first of an illustrated series that will appeal to third, fourth, and fifth graders as well as some older students, readers meet some of the young inhabitants of this place. As it turns out, the young vampires, werewolves, mummies, and aliens have a lot more in common with human youngsters than might be expected. Vlad, for instance, wants to push the boundaries of where he can go, and Erik, who covers part of his face with a Phantom of the Opera mask, is constantly composing depressing songs about lost loves and opportunities. And together, they want to form their own band, the secret dream of many an intermediate or junior high schooler. The chapters are held together by brief introductions to each of these terrible creatures who turn out to be far less frightening than humans. The use of spot artwork and comic strips hints at the very strange world these youngsters inhabit and makes the reading of the book go quite quickly. This book is a good choice for readers in search of something different from the usual fare. ...more
Although it's very different from her previous Newbery winner, When You Trap a Tiger, this middle-grade novel is just as good. While some readers may Although it's very different from her previous Newbery winner, When You Trap a Tiger, this middle-grade novel is just as good. While some readers may be put off by the references to aliens or the science fiction aspect of the book, there is so much else that is relatable that they will surely be able to get past any qualms they have. The story opens with the disappearance of Jennifer Chan and the narrator's concerns about her own culpability in that disappearance. Over the course of the book, readers learn just how much responsibility Mallory and her friends bear for what has happened. When Jennifer moves from Chicago to Florida after her father's death, she is an unknown element. She spends time with the narrator, Mallory Moss, sharing her notebooks and thoughts on extraterrestrial life. Mallory acknowledges that Jennifer is a bit different than her classmates, but she enjoys getting to know her. But she also knows how tenuous popularity is, and when Jennifer manages to turn bullying by a male classmate into respect and admiration, she angers Reagan, who likes the boy and can't bear for anyone to have more attention than her. Mallory is one of Reagan's followers, having moved into the popular circle due to their friendship. But that friendship comes at a price, and Mallory loses sight of herself and becomes something of a bully to keep Reagan's friendship. Some of the passages describing the girls' interactions are rather chilling in their authenticity, and readers will vacillate in their feelings about Mallory and Reagan. They'll find it much easier to dislike Tess, another member of Reagan's inner circle. Feeling responsible, Mallory uses Jennifer's notebooks, her "Jennifer Chan's Guide to the Universe" in order to figure out where she might be. Has she made contact with aliens? Has she run away or gone back to Chicago? No one knows, but Mallory is determined to find answers, even though they may not be the ones she seeks. The story is full of hope and truth about how humans treat one another and our lack of tolerance for anyone who isn't just like everyone else. It also addresses friendships, loyalty, and how we lie to ourselves or hide parts of ourselves at times. Bullies come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and Mean Girls like those in this book often make school a very unsafe place for anyone who refuses to fall in line. As I read this book and reflected on its contents, I was reminded of Jerry Spinelli's classic Stargirl, which covers similar territory. Middle-grade teachers and students will find this one just as insightful concerning human behavior, and maybe, just maybe, they'll embrace the Jennifer Chans of the world rather than shunning and belittling them. It's also worth mentioning that Jennifer's own mother seemed rather clueless about her daughter's feelings and what was happening to her. Surely, she needed to spend time with a therapist to deal with her loss and the move to a completely new place. ...more
Unlike most other reviewers, I didn't love this graphic novel mixing realistic issues such as moving to a new place, making friends, and bullying withUnlike most other reviewers, I didn't love this graphic novel mixing realistic issues such as moving to a new place, making friends, and bullying with science fiction. That probably shouldn't matter because this book will surely find its intended audience. I was a bit distracted by some of the shifts from scene to scene and my early realization about where the camp actually was. Many middle graders will be able to relate to Vega's unhappiness about her family's relocation from Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, Washington for one of her fathers' jobs. Not only has Vega lived in Portland all her life, but she knows she will miss her best friend, Halley. Trying to be supportive and ease the transition, her parents arrange for her to attend Camp Very Best Friend for the summer in order to make friends. But the camp is strange. The food doesn't taste right, and one of the campers, the chameleon-like George, seems to be the apple of the counselors' eyes. He's rude to Qwerty, one of the campers, as well as to Vega, who keeps desperately trying to call and send texts to Halley. After an encounter with a bear in the woods, Vega and her three new friends--Qwerty, Gemma, and Isaac--find several clues that lead them to the truth about their whereabouts and the lengths some individuals will go to make friends. I appreciated the colorful variety of panels, some even full-page....more
This one is a 2.5 for me, and it's filled with silliness that will appeal to its intended audience, if not me. It's impossible to keep Carlton CrumpleThis one is a 2.5 for me, and it's filled with silliness that will appeal to its intended audience, if not me. It's impossible to keep Carlton Crumple down. Even though he's grounded and forced to work at Chubbzy Cheeseburgers to make up for a mistake he made, he's still a loyal friend ready to come to someone's rescue. When aliens capture the pets of his buddy Lulu, Carleton uses his hover couch to find them. He's accompanied by Lulu, Dexter, and Tot Bot. They work together using parachute silk, sticky candy, and their own ingenuity to capture the missing runaway reptodactyl that the reptoids have been seeking. At the end of the day, despite several close calls, Carlton Crumple has captured his third strange creature, and Shady Plains can breathe a sigh of relief. There's plenty of action in this humorous outing, and the endpapers contain a map of the area. Although this graphic novel won't be to everyone's taste, it has appeal for many third, fourth and fifth graders, who may be inspired to create their own creatures for Carleton to catch in the future. ...more
Drawing inspiration from her travels around the world and her classroom visits, the two-time Caldecott Medalist celebrates the wonders of this amazingDrawing inspiration from her travels around the world and her classroom visits, the two-time Caldecott Medalist celebrates the wonders of this amazing place we call home through the words of a boy named Quinn who writes a letter to a "Visitor from Outer Space" (unpaged). He describes Earth, its terrain, its families, its animals, its challenges, its weather, its modes of transportation, and the need to lend a helping hand to others, before offering to share his room with this possible guest. The earnest text, written in the voice of a child, and the stunning--yes! there really is no other word for them!--illustrations, created with Chinese ink and watercolor, and will prompt much reflection about this wonderful planet we call home and its inhabitants and what we owe to it rather than what it owes to us. There is a strong note of personal responsibility for the environment and our fellow citizens sounded throughout this picture book. Honestly, every time I think that Sophie Blackall has offered up her best work in a picture book, she manages to surprise and delight me as she has done here. If there are visitors from other planets contemplating a stop here, they would do well to read this book before arriving....more
Omar's teacher, Mrs. Hutchinson, is absolutely the best teacher in the world because she makes learning fun. But after winter break, she is no longer Omar's teacher, Mrs. Hutchinson, is absolutely the best teacher in the world because she makes learning fun. But after winter break, she is no longer in the classroom, and a substitute teacher, Mrs. Crankshaw, takes her place. Omar becomes convinced that she's been kidnapped by aliens, especially when he sees that her mail has piled up inside her house and overhears some gossip in the teachers' lounge. But before he can get to the bottom of her disappearance, his family travels to Pakistan for a wedding. Little does he know it, but the mystery will be solved there, in the most unlikely of places. Older readers will probably have a good idea about what's going on, but younger ones won't, and they will enjoy trying to follow the bread crumbs in the story to the right resolution alongside Omar. The author has effectively captured the voice, personality, and thinking of someone Omar's age, and alongside the black-and-white illustrations, the entire story is kid-friendly. Omar's Muslim family and his own vivid imagination and view of the world are appealing and realistic, and readers will hope this won't be the last they hear from Omar. This is the third book in the series. ...more
The Xenith Trilogy concludes in a satisfying way as Delaney Grace continues to help her alien friends deal with a fierce enemy who will go to any lengThe Xenith Trilogy concludes in a satisfying way as Delaney Grace continues to help her alien friends deal with a fierce enemy who will go to any lengths to gain even more power. As the story moves forward, it's clear that Delaney is torn about her own future. Her growing feelings for Trystan vie with her love for Ruckus, and her sense of obligation to this new world that she's come to love conflicts with her desire to return home to Earth. Since it's impossible to have or to do both, Delaney must choose. Fans of the series will appreciate the ending as well as the interesting world building present here. Readers looking for almost nonstop action, detours to interesting places with delicious foods and unique customs, and a strong female protagonist will find it here. There are a few plot threads that made Delaney's ultimate choices seem more palatable, but they seemed to have been placed there just for those purposes, in my opinion. While I find the novel's start to be a bit slow, once I settled into the story and was swept up in all the politics and intrigue, I was hooked. However, readers looking for much introspection and philosophizing won't find those here and will need to look elsewhere. ...more
This book was a 3.5 for me, and it definitely was not quite what I expected it to be from the cover and the title. In fact, overall, the writing kept This book was a 3.5 for me, and it definitely was not quite what I expected it to be from the cover and the title. In fact, overall, the writing kept me engaged, and the characters' actions made me question my own self and what I might do in a particular situation. Although there were parts that were just not believable, there is enough truth in it to make a believer out of me. Seventeen-year-old Liv Fleming has spent part of her freedom checking the traps her father laid to catch aliens before disappearing from their rural Iowa home two years ago. Her friend, Doug Monk, always accompanies her on these trips since both he and Liv had been trained by Lee, her father, in the use of weaponry and in how to spot signs of aliens. Liv dearly loved her father, but she was humiliated when he suffered a very public meltdown. Since then, she and Doug seem to have little in common, and she's tried to put all that talk of aliens behind her. But on one last trek around the area where the traps have been placed, she finds a creature wearing something of her father's. She and Doug decide not to contact the authorities, but instead, to vent their anger and frustration on the creature. Doug even unearths various government advice on torture, and they go to work on this alien, dubbed A by Doug. At first Liv is a willing partner, but eventually she feels guilty about what they are doing, and once she realizes what the garbled sounds the alien made actually are, and follows that clue to the truth, nothing will ever be the same for her. The growing horror I felt as Doug and Liv attacked A only increased even more once I began to suspect A's identity. Even teen readers who aren't science fiction fans will enjoy this one as it features themes of bullying, self-identity, guilt, revenge, and a dash or two of conspiracy theories as well. Once I got rolling with the book, I found it hard to put down. ...more
Filled with nonstop action and a series of events that just might happen, this first book in a promised trilogy will keep readers up at night and makeFilled with nonstop action and a series of events that just might happen, this first book in a promised trilogy will keep readers up at night and make them look at their own plants with more than a hint of suspicion. On a small Canadian island, rain pours from the sky, and black vegetation seems to be everywhere. It isn't clear what has caused all this new life, but the plants seem determined to take over the island. Three teens--Anaya, Petra, and Seth--aren't affected by the plants in the same way that others in their community, and once they learn the reason why, all three are by turns shocked and strangely somewhat relieved. But the physical changes that each of them is experiencing will make others mistrustful of them. After a cryptic message from Anaya's father, a botanist who works with an experimental farm, arrives, the authorities decide to rescue him since he might have a way to combat the plants. Life will never be the same again since these plants seem to be intelligent. The last couple of pages are chilling, and readers will be desperate for the next two installments in this series. Readers looking for a quick and exciting read with some neat facts about plants and botany embedded will find it here. ...more
Add this new novel to the already stellar collection of stories told by Rebecca Stead. Her ten-year-old protagonist Bea will steal readers' hearts as Add this new novel to the already stellar collection of stories told by Rebecca Stead. Her ten-year-old protagonist Bea will steal readers' hearts as she navigates through the changes in her life. Not only have her parents divorced and her father has moved on with his new love, Jesse, but the couple is planning a wedding. As excited as Bea is about the event and her new sister [Jesse's daughter Sonia], Bea worries about her mother's reaction to the wedding. But it takes time for relationships to develop, and Bea will need to be patient as Sonia comes to terms with what the marriage will mean for her life. Bea is more than a little impulsive, and gradually the author reveals some of the issues that have led to her appointments with Miriam, a therapist. Bea is a worrier, after all, and like most youngsters, she has concerns about what will change in her life. One of my favorite parts of this book is how her parents provide her with a notebook in which they've carefully written individual reassurances that they will always love her, something many children with separated or divorced parents need to hear. Her annoyance with one classmate and her teacher who seems to value spelling, something that isn't Bea's thing, are described perfectly, from a child's perspective. I also loved how she sent a wedding invitation to Mission, Jesse's brother, hoping to heal the wounds between the two brothers. But life isn't a fairy tale, and good intentions don't always result in the ends that we might hope, which leads to how the wedding ceremony does not go as planned. Clearly, some individuals can't change and cannot open their hearts to others no matter how much we might wish that could happen. Throughout the book, Bea holds onto a secret about something that happened during the summer and about which she feels terribly guilty. Clearly, life is messy, and finding love and acceptance is easier said than done. The story is told with the lightest of touches and a very keen awareness of what youngsters like Bea think, feel, and do, and the story about corn that bookends the book contains a kernel of truth for all of us: "It's about two brothers, listening, together. It's about the kind of love that doesn't ask you to be anyone but who you are" (p. 216). Ah, if only everyone had that kind of love in their lives! Anyone looking for a book with a positive message and a definite pick-me-up that will stay with them for some time need look no further than this one, perfect during these all-t0o-uncertain times. ...more
The Star Scouts offer Avani everything she's ever wanted--acceptance, friendship, and a chance to give back to the world. She and Pam, a methane breatThe Star Scouts offer Avani everything she's ever wanted--acceptance, friendship, and a chance to give back to the world. She and Pam, a methane breather, have brokered a friendship even though their relationship started off poorly. After all, Avani is an oxygen breather. With their example, the adults in their lives are hopeful that both groups can get along and learn to work together. While this is in the formative stages, Mabel, Avani's friend, becomes jealous of Pam and inadvertently sets off a robot and its minions, all bent on destroying the Earth. Amid all the seriousness of trying to save the world, this graphic novel offers plenty of humor with some of the Scouts' new partnerships and tasks and the Flower Scouts' selling of Skinny Mints. Clearly a take-off on the Girl Scouts' popular Thin Mints, the name and boxes that morphed into weapons of destruction made me chortle as did Avani's father's fondness for them, so much so that he ordered 52 boxes, one for each week of the year. Having eaten my share of those cookies, I can certainly relate. The colors in the illustrations, the careful worldbuilding, and the unique creatures make this book and series stand out. I appreciated having the story conclude 30 years later, but I will miss all these characters. ...more
Twins Olivia and Viola are just as close as one might guess that sisters would be. After all, they've followed their scientist parents from one part oTwins Olivia and Viola are just as close as one might guess that sisters would be. After all, they've followed their scientist parents from one part of the universe to the next and are often the only comfort each other has. Viola has a rare genetic disease, which keeps her in the family compound while Olivia attends school. But here on Zagreus, the planet that Olivia hopes will be her xenobiologist parents' last step before returning to Earth, Olivia feels on the outs with her classmates, who tend to judge her because she's not from their planet. As Olivia takes the first steps in wooing Kora, the daughter of the planet's leader, her father leaves on a mission to check out a shuttle. He sends a message warning Olivia to leave as soon as possible before dying, and the next thing Olivia knows, the shuttle has crashed, bringing with it creatures that are more deadly than anything in her wildest imagination. The girls race for shelter in the dome the planet's citizens have erected. After warning their fellows, Olivia and Kora return to the outer perimeter to find Viola, who has been snatched by one of the creatures. There are horrors aplenty waiting for the girls, who often seem one step away from death. While many of the scenes described here are chilling, they bring to mind other sci fi books and films, and I found myself wondering how it was possible that the creatures could have killed so many and left their deposits so quickly after crashing. I can understand that these living things were like nothing anyone had seen before, but I would expect some of this to take a little longer than the hours described in the book. ...more
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