For the most part, I liked this spooky story -- and it was fairly scary. Readers who read a lot of horror will see the ending coming a mile off, but gFor the most part, I liked this spooky story -- and it was fairly scary. Readers who read a lot of horror will see the ending coming a mile off, but getting there is still pretty fun. All told, the framing narrative felt really disconnected from the main storyline and I hope that future installments of this series will help to resolve that. ...more
I fell in love with the idea of this story, but the execution fell completely flat for me. I thought the pacing was really off -- it took too long to I fell in love with the idea of this story, but the execution fell completely flat for me. I thought the pacing was really off -- it took too long to get scary, and the ending felt rushed. Part of that might be the audiobook narrator, who I don't think was the right choice. I had to keep checking that this was really meant to be a horror story, because it was just lacking. There are better Southern horrors, including others by this author, and I would point readers to those first....more
Although this is about a high school girls basketball team, it definitely reads younger. Ages 8-12 is probably spot on. Follows high school freshman AAlthough this is about a high school girls basketball team, it definitely reads younger. Ages 8-12 is probably spot on. Follows high school freshman Aliya who has just moved from Florida to Wisconsin. Though she's now closer to family, she has a lot to adjust to. But she is thrilled that her Islamic high school has a girls' baseketball team for her to join. Over the course of the story, the team, which starts out horrible, gets better and draws attention to themselves. The all-Muslim, hijab-wearing team catches the attention of local news and with it the attention of ignorant and uninformed people. Despite the frank conversations about Islamophobia, this book remains pretty lighthearted and inspiring. A great sport-centric graphic novel....more
This is a lovely and poignant picture book about a Portuguese word that doesn't have a direct English translation. We learn it means a longing for a pThis is a lovely and poignant picture book about a Portuguese word that doesn't have a direct English translation. We learn it means a longing for a person or place. The message is conveyed in a way that readers will really ponder, and the illustrations are lovely....more
This was the first time I'd heard about the nine night festival of Navarathri, a women-only festival. This is a cute picture book and lots of kids wilThis was the first time I'd heard about the nine night festival of Navarathri, a women-only festival. This is a cute picture book and lots of kids will relate to the emotions of being excited for a big event but also nervous about how it would go. The illustrations are cute....more
This is the second book I've read from the Race to the Truth series, and I already really like this honest-yet-approachable series for helping young rThis is the second book I've read from the Race to the Truth series, and I already really like this honest-yet-approachable series for helping young readers understand social issues. This is a great book to help explain land acknowledgment and foster understanding of Indigenous homelands in North America. ...more
Colorful and transportational, I really liked this picture book. I do think it is one of those books that you have to read the author's note (at the eColorful and transportational, I really liked this picture book. I do think it is one of those books that you have to read the author's note (at the end!) in order to fully understand and appreciate the story -- and I always hate that a little. But the text is beautiful and the images are distinctive and I love the cover under the jacket....more
A lyrical celebration of things that make Black and brown girls special and important, while acknowledging the hurt that they'll experience. A self-esA lyrical celebration of things that make Black and brown girls special and important, while acknowledging the hurt that they'll experience. A self-esteem booster to read aloud....more
I am really sorry to be that person, but I am so painfully over children's books in ABAB rhyming schemes. It is a real detractor for me, and the text I am really sorry to be that person, but I am so painfully over children's books in ABAB rhyming schemes. It is a real detractor for me, and the text is often so awkward to read because of the forced rhymes. That is my main complaint with this book. I loved the colorful illustrations and I really appreciated the bilingual text -- but man alive the rhymes were painful....more
I think I use the word joyful too often in reviews, but it is the perfect word for this book. It is joyful and affirming with unbelievably cute illustI think I use the word joyful too often in reviews, but it is the perfect word for this book. It is joyful and affirming with unbelievably cute illustrations....more
11-year-old Ojibwe girl Ariel loves to dance ballet, but now that her Auntie Bineshiinh is missing, Ariel can't dance anymore. Not only does it not fe11-year-old Ojibwe girl Ariel loves to dance ballet, but now that her Auntie Bineshiinh is missing, Ariel can't dance anymore. Not only does it not feel the same, but her parents tell her all of their extra money needs to go to trying to find Auntie. 12-year-old Tomah, Ariel's neighbor in their Intertribal Housing Complex, misses Auntie Bineshiinh too -- she was his babysitter. At school, Tomah acts like a class clown to hide the fact that he struggles to read. Ariel decides to do a school project on the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in order to raise awareness of people like Auntie Bineshiinh. She also learns to perform the Jingle Dance from Tomah's grandmother which helps her think how her love of dancing can help heal her and her community.
This intricately woven novel in verse shows two Indigenous tweens who find ways to persevere despite their challenges. The verse switches between Ariel and Tomah's perspective seamlessly and incorporates Ojibwe language throughout. This book is emotional, and sensitive readers will be able to connect with the protagonists easily. This book is beautifully written and filled with heartbreak and hope in equal measure....more
The plot of this book wasn't really anything original, but Ava Lin makes for a darling protagonist and this is a very kid-level story. I especially loThe plot of this book wasn't really anything original, but Ava Lin makes for a darling protagonist and this is a very kid-level story. I especially loved the introduction of some comic panels. ...more
An introduction to important figures of all races and an incredibly affirming read. This would be great to have in a classroom for kids to flip througAn introduction to important figures of all races and an incredibly affirming read. This would be great to have in a classroom for kids to flip through....more
A picture book exploration of a Jewish philosophy I had never heard of. But this book is a really beautiful representation -- where a young girl is inA picture book exploration of a Jewish philosophy I had never heard of. But this book is a really beautiful representation -- where a young girl is inspired to doo something to improve her community and it inspires her neighbors to do the same. The illustrations are hopeful and filled with color....more
This is a solid coming of age graphic novel about a timid kid who is trying to fit in at a new school, learn to stand up for himself, and avoiding becThis is a solid coming of age graphic novel about a timid kid who is trying to fit in at a new school, learn to stand up for himself, and avoiding becoming an "oreo" like his sister warns him he might.
Merged review:
This is a solid coming of age graphic novel about a timid kid who is trying to fit in at a new school, learn to stand up for himself, and avoiding becoming an "oreo" like his sister warns him he might....more
I don't always love, love, love Gracey Zhang, but I did love, love, love this book. The dynamic ink and gouache spreads capture the movement of a bicyI don't always love, love, love Gracey Zhang, but I did love, love, love this book. The dynamic ink and gouache spreads capture the movement of a bicyclist with a heavy tray of noodles and the expert use of white space helps to focus the story in on the deliverymen. The story is crazy compelling. I can't imagine a world in which this is not a strong caldecott contender....more
Based on a true, heartwarming, viral story of a young Kurdish refugee who is forced to leave her home. In Netherlands, while waiting for a place to goBased on a true, heartwarming, viral story of a young Kurdish refugee who is forced to leave her home. In Netherlands, while waiting for a place to go, a kind landlord gifts Mevan a bicycle. Years later, after moving to America, Mevan travels back to Kurdistan and Netherlands where she reconnects with the kind man who "made her feel 100 feet tall". This is an uplifting story with a valuable author's note in the back. Great illustrations. This empathy-building picture book is a real treat....more
I am actually obsessed with this book? Like, this is so fun and engaging and the perfect blend of Percy Jackson and Dragon Ball-Z in a graphic novel tI am actually obsessed with this book? Like, this is so fun and engaging and the perfect blend of Percy Jackson and Dragon Ball-Z in a graphic novel that is cute and funny and informative? What? How? I want 100 more of this series.
This worlds collide graphic novel starts with the myth of the Chinese Monkey King, Sun Wukong, who sneaks into the heavenly kingdom of the gods and makes a deal to become a god himself. Although told that beasts like him cannot become gods, he's determined to try and becomes a monster hunter in the hopes of earning his deification. His first mission sends him to the world of Ancient Greek myths where he must defeat the Minotaur of the labyrinth. Though neither the Chinese or Greek myth is told in it's most textbook formula, readers who are used to mythological retellings will be unfazed. ...more
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