Ash has finally chosen a name that feels just right but not everyone understands the change or has a clue what else is going on nor does anyone even sAsh has finally chosen a name that feels just right but not everyone understands the change or has a clue what else is going on nor does anyone even seem like they want to try! Escaping into the woods, trying to find Grandpa Edwin’s cabin and living away from all the people who seem so unconcerned about anything but their own lives seems like Ash’s only chance at happiness. After much research and some dog-sitting/walking to fund some survival gear, Ash figures out a way to get up to the ranch once owned by Grandpa Edwin and disappear into the woods. But even after finding the cabin, surviving alone is filled with difficulties and much failure, even with Ash’s loyal dog Chase and a few days of help from a young woman who knows a thing or two about outdoor survival. Will Ash be forced to go back home or be able to make it alone?
Ash’s difficulties seem to begin at home as she decides that they/them pronouns and less feminine everything suits them best but there are other struggles that have forced Ash to eat alone in a sympathetic teacher’s classroom and to seemingly withdraw from everyone, including family. The steps taken to be successful surviving in the woods in a small, frills-free cabin are thorough but real life is much harder than books make it sound. Readers will enjoy seeing Ash’s successes and failures detailed in drawings that show knots to create fishhooks, how Ash repairs the cabin, sets traps and more. The resolution may not be what is expected or even wanted by those readers, but it is realistic and hopeful. Outstanding illustrations and great use of Ash’s journal to help readers understand what they are feeling.
Text is free of profanity, sexual content and violence. Representation: MC uses they/them pronouns, classmates are shown with varied skin tones and body types. Readers of Ash’s Cabin might be interested in Megan Freeman’s Alone (NIV), Paulsen’s Hatchet, George’s My Side of the Mountain, Behren’s Alone in the Woods, Philbrick’s Wildfire, Dusti Bowling’s The Canyon’s Edge (NIV) and Rudd’s How to be Invisible.
I saw a blurb about Bowling’s upcoming release The Beat I Drum written from the perspective of Conner from her “cactus” books featuring 13 year old, aI saw a blurb about Bowling’s upcoming release The Beat I Drum written from the perspective of Conner from her “cactus” books featuring 13 year old, armless and amazing Aven Green and knew I had better find a copy of at least this first one and am glad I did.
Aven and her parents have made a good home for themselves in Kansas but with no job for Dad in the area, the opportunity to manage Stagecoach Pass, an Arizona frontier tourist town, arises and can’t be turned down. Leaving friends who have known her since kindergarten and all that is comfortable proves to be just as difficult as Aven imagined it would be—kids at her new middle school look at her like she is a freak when she does everything from write to eat with her feet leading her to hide out in the library or the hallway to eat her lunch rather than deal with the sideways glances, stares and comments. But it’s in those two hideouts that she meets Conner and Zion, two classmates who also feel like they can’t eat in full view of everyone, Conner because his Tourette’s Syndrome causes him to bark and spit food and Zion because he is heavy and feels like everyone judges each bite he places in his mouth. The trio not only become friends, but solve a mystery at Stagecoach Pass and help each other find a way to step out into places that scare them. Aven discovers new things about herself and her family while rediscovering how strong and capable she is.
Outstanding book for those in grades 4-7 with great disabled representation, Zion is Black and Conner lives in a single parent home. Text is free of profanity, sexual content and violence. Reading from the perspective of someone with a physical challenge may provide those without such differences a new way to respond when someone comes into their life who does....more
Eighth grade Savannah/Sav is not happy about moves from Orlando to beach town Sandy Dune, especially since going into the ocean deeper than her anklesEighth grade Savannah/Sav is not happy about moves from Orlando to beach town Sandy Dune, especially since going into the ocean deeper than her ankles brings on an almost debilitating fear. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t care about the creatures in that scary water, though, and when she finds out on a not-really-a-date date with popular Tanner that his family’s fancy restaurant serves shark fin soup, she discovers a passion for saving this scary animal that she has trouble channeling in a positive way.
Readers will cringe as Sav makes one bad decision after another in her misplaced efforts to raise awareness about what actually happens to sharks as fishermen seek to provide restaurants with the fins they want for a fancy dish. Along Sav’s path to find a better way to make her voice heard are lessons in dealing with an arrogant (but cute) Tanner and attempts at being a friend to a girl in trouble at home and another one who may have ulterior motives. Readers will wonder what Sav will try next while they learn not only about the importance of sharks to the ocean eco-system but the practice of “finning” as well as the workings of cochlear implants for a deaf person.
Note: Some may be bothered by Sav’s acts of vandalism that are not addressed in a very firm way.
Text is free of profanity, sexual content and physical violence. Target audience is likely grades 4-7. Pairs well with: Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet (Barbara Dee), Olive Blackwood Takes Action (Sonja Thomas) and Hoot (Carl Hiassen)
Thanks for sharing a print arc with me, Lerner Books/CarolRhoda Books...more
I absolutely loved 4th grader Carter Avery and am certain that he would have been a favorite of mine if I was teaching his class. A great teacher realI absolutely loved 4th grader Carter Avery and am certain that he would have been a favorite of mine if I was teaching his class. A great teacher really can turn a so-called difficult child into an asset in the classroom if they are willing to search for ways to turn weaknesses into strengths and adapt the learning environment a bit so that all are successful, not just the sit up straight/silent unless spoken to learners. Readers of Carter Avery’s Tricky Fourth-Grade Year should turn that last page with a warm fuzzy feeling in their hearts and a bit of food for thought in regards to judging people by their physical appearance, looking beyond annoying habits of others, and so much more. My rating for this book, based on my satisfied soul when I turned the last page would be 5 ⭐️s, but I am concerned that almost 350 pages is too many for most 3rd and 4th graders and those in grades 5 and 6 might overlook a book that is likely relatable to them because they get hung up on the words “4th grade year” in the title. Those factors make a target age range difficult to set for this one. “Carter Avery” would make a great one school/one book choice or read aloud in grades 3-5 with lots of opportunity for SEL conversations as well as generating ideas about solving relationship issues and then seeing how Carter, Missy, Brynn and Torrie did it.
Text is free of profanity, sexual content and violence. Representation: Physical descriptions beyond the cover showing Carter as Caucasian and a thorough word picture of Ms. Krane’s facial port wine stain are infrequent and cultural references aren’t a plot component so race of characters is left to the readers’ imaginations; Ms. Krane is a single woman who chooses artificial insemination to have a child; adult Mason is blind and has a seeing eye dog who is also a therapy dog at the library and in Carter’s classroom; atypical family configurations present-Carter and sister Brynn’s parents died and they live with a supportive grandmother and classmate Missy lives with her mom after being abandoned by her father. Note: “Artificial insemination” is defined simply and without any sexual references.
Thanks for sharing the print arc with #BookAllies arc-sharing group, Rob Buyea and Random House....more
Inspired by Judy Blume’s “Forever” and conversations with male peers, Jason Reynolds brings readers the story of Neon, a considerate and kind son, broInspired by Judy Blume’s “Forever” and conversations with male peers, Jason Reynolds brings readers the story of Neon, a considerate and kind son, brother, friend and boyfriend, as he contemplates having his “first time” with long time girlfriend Aria. The book begins as he stands nervously in the bathroom while Aria waits in her bedroom then reverses in increments of 24s (hours, minutes, days) to review their relationship from now, backwards to their first meeting. The two have a caring and committed relationship and neither takes the decision to become intimate lightly. Along the way, Neon gets advice and reminiscences from his mom, dad and sister plus some less than helpful and sometimes crude comments from a posturing friend.
Reynolds’ book does not ever sink into unnecessary and overly graphic descriptions of sex but clearly Neon’s sister is dating several young men and sleeping with all of them. Friend Dodie likes to talk big and gives some classmates a demonstration of how to stroke a girl’s breasts using an orange. However, there is never a time that this book comes across as promoting sexual intimacy in a flippant way. Rather, Neon’s dad shares how much he regrets that his first partner, Neon’s mom, was not his only partner. Neon’s mom hammers home the concept of mutual respect, the fact that he is more than just a penis and that waiting is absolutely an option. The modeling of honest conversation between parents and Neon is what I would hope for all young people and during a Simon & Schuster author talk, Reynolds voiced his hope that his book would be a springboard for more open dialogue between parents and their children.
Parents and librarians of those age 14 and up will need to consider this book carefully; there is a time and place for this book and the overall message encourages committed relationships and mutual respect (and as Neon’s dad said several times, not bringing home no babies!) The closing scene does not definitively state (nor describe) Neon and Aria having sex, but the curtain closes with their fingers linked, verbal expressions of love and clothes on the floor.
Not only is this a survival book like Paulsen’s Hatchet, Freeman’s Alone and even more closely, Jean Craighead George’s My Side of the Mountain, it isNot only is this a survival book like Paulsen’s Hatchet, Freeman’s Alone and even more closely, Jean Craighead George’s My Side of the Mountain, it is a book about being loved, cared for and SEEN. Raymond Hurley’s parents have never seemed to want to be parents and as a result, Raymond has taken care of himself pretty much exclusively for as long as he can remember. But this time, his mom and dad seem to have truly vanished with no intention of seeing him again. Forging a home in the woods near his middle school was an accident, but between the hollowed out log, the fishing, and the dumpsters behind the school, he is making it just fine by himself. Then classmate Harlan begins to make a place for himself in Raymond’s life. Next, Lexi begins to seek out his company, and finally, Stigs rescues Raymond’s dog Rosie and takes the pair under his wing during her healing time. Maybe he needs help after all??
Rudd’s debut middle grade novel kept me hooked from beginning to end. All three middle school characters, Raymond, Harlin and Lexi, made me laugh and warmed my heart and the trio really demonstrated the kind of loyalty that should be present in friendship. Loved how Stigs, the loner adult, found a way to help Raymond in big and little ways and several teachers and a librarian were a source of support to a young man in crisis. Yes, it is hard to believe that none of the adults did more to intervene on Raymond’s behalf, but I have to think that if the snake hadn’t happened, one of those adults would have stepped up in a bigger way.
Text is free of profanity, sexual content and violence. Representation: diverse family configurations, Raymond’s parents were taking pills, Harlin’s mom is in jail and his dad struggling with his own demons which could be mental illness or drug abuse. Target age: grades 4-7
A 2024-2025 Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee....more
Bea was born fighting to live but now as a sixth grader, she is content living with her adoptive mom, Max, next door to Lucius and Aaron, and being a Bea was born fighting to live but now as a sixth grader, she is content living with her adoptive mom, Max, next door to Lucius and Aaron, and being a sixth grade big sister to kindergarten Josie at school. Life is good, even from where she sits in the wheelchair she must use due to the cerebral palsy she has had since birth. But a school shooter changes everything.
Jamie Sumner’s book might be hard for some middle grade students to read, but its overall messages of rediscovering a sense of security, finding comfort in family (and a horse), plus learning to fight for what is important keep PLEASE PAY ATTENTION from being too harsh or frightening. Bea represents more than just a girl in a wheelchair and many readers who have felt powerless will find a connection to her. Others may take courage and decide to take action for a cause they believe in. Hopefully, the subject will result in meaningful conversations between students and their teachers, caregivers, pastors and other important adults in their lives.
Text is free of profanity and sexual content and the shooting does not include any physical descriptions of victims nor does the violence get overly graphic or an excessive word count. Representation: Bea has cerebral palsy and is adopted; neighbors Lucius and Aaron are a gay couple; Little Sister Josie struggles with anxiety.
Solid choice for those who enjoy NIV format and books that pack an emotional punch and leave them thinking. Target age: grades 5-7.
Read alikes: The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga (NIV) and This is Not a Drill by K.A. Holt (written primarily in text messages)
Laura had no idea when she dialed 9-1-1 that her life would be changed so completely, but that decision led to her parents placement into rehab and heLaura had no idea when she dialed 9-1-1 that her life would be changed so completely, but that decision led to her parents placement into rehab and her being dropped off at Titi Silvia’s apartment on the posh side of town with nothing more than a backpack full of hastily gathered clothes. How is she going to make peace with living with a stranger, going to a new school and trying to fit in, especially when all of this is so temporary?
Andrea Beatriz Arango’s SOMETHING LIKE HOME tackles addiction, the foster and kinship care system, as well as universals such as being the new kid, making friends, and worries about the “now” in addition to the facing the mistakes in the past and the unknowns of the future. The NIV format packs an emotional punch as feelings are hurt, guilt grows and disappointments keep stacking up. But amid all the trauma is love, hope and the comforting realization that sometimes home can look a lot different from what we thought it should.
Text is free of profanity, violence and sexual content. Representation: Laura and her family are Puerto Rican and Spanish phrases are sprinkled throughout with some easy to comprehend and a few that need a direct translation or at least more context clues; Laura’s mother was kicked out of her home in Puerto Rico when her parents disapproved of her choice to date another girl; The counselor who provides Laura and Titi with group therapy uses they/them pronouns; Introductions at Laura’s new school include identifying pronouns as a standard course of action; Benson, Laura’s new and supportive best friend, is Black and struggles with his health due to sickle cell.
Solid choice for readers who enjoy NIV and sad-happy heartwarming books.
A 2024-2025 Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee....more
It’s picture day for 7th grader Andrew Yaeger and he is looking sharp in a new, name brand collared shirt and is determined to take the kind of picturIt’s picture day for 7th grader Andrew Yaeger and he is looking sharp in a new, name brand collared shirt and is determined to take the kind of picture that his mom will be proud to hang on the wall. But the fates have another idea. Thus begins the day from you know where and making everything worse is the fact that Andrew struggles with anxiety and has some stemming habits that he is trying to keep hidden. So with every encounter with Mean Gene, every errant basketball that connects with his face and each mishap in the science lab, the tension grows from a cold little popcorn kernel to one that has been sitting in hot oil and is ready to pop. Fortunately, Andrew has best friend Jonesy by his side, a nurse who not only can tend to his black eye but can repair his Gene-ripped shirt, a mom who loves him unconditionally, a counselor who has handed him a few tools, and several teachers and one administrator who are ready, willing and able to support him.
Rob Harrell (author of WINK and the hilarious LIFE OF ZARF) draws on his own experiences with anxiety, OCD and panic attacks to give authenticity to Andrew’s feelings and uses his drawing skills and quick wit to provide some moments of relief so that readers don’t find themselves drowning in Andrew’s intense emotions. POPCORN may help those with similar feelings find the words to describe what is going on in their hearts and minds and to seek help until they find it. Those who have never battled the overwhelming pressure of panic pressing them down may gain a better understanding of what some people in their lives do feel, better preparing them to be supportive.
Text is free of profanity and sexual content. While there is a bully, there is little violence other than that done by a basketball and a test tube confined explosion plus an errant ketchup bottle rocket. Highly recommended for grades 4-7.
Thanks for the print arc, Penguin Random House....more
Gordon Korman just keeps putting out fantastic books for middle grade students! Old School is his 105th book and he still creates new and wonderful stGordon Korman just keeps putting out fantastic books for middle grade students! Old School is his 105th book and he still creates new and wonderful stories that keep me turning pages as fast as I can and providing reminders that our kids are something special.
This title focuses on a 7th grade boy who has lived most of his life with his grandmother in a condo in a senior living community. Lack of proper registration as a homeschooled student results in a visit from a truancy officer and puts Dex into a public middle school for the first time and it is awkward with a capital A. After a short time and a unjustified suspension, nearly the whole school rallies behind him, begins to show up at the senior center and finds that hanging out with those age 60+ is fun! Of course it wouldn’t happen in real life. Unfortunately, our kids don’t have always that sense of justice and ability to unify in support of a cause so completely. BUT, it’s nice to think they could and the sheer rightness of their actions will make readers cheer!! There is laughter, tears and kids being kids and I had one of those sighs of satisfaction at the end that means I gave it 5 stars, which is very rare for me.
Main characters Dexter, Gianna and her brother Ronny, Jackson, and strong supporting characters Ms Napier and Teagan each tell what is happening in their own chapters providing multiple views of the same event. The group represents typical personalities present at any school-Dexter is a bit of an oddball whose intelligence puts him at the top of the class very quickly. Gianna is a budding newspaper reporter with integrity. Brother Ronny is an obnoxious bully, has repeated a grade and may have to repeat another if he doesn’t pull things together. Jackson is a stellar athlete and was at the top of the class until Dex arrived. Ms Napier, unlike the clueless principal, actually seems to like and understand the tweens and teens on campus. Teagan is one of those fair weather friends who has decided that what ever is important to her should be the biggest priority for all. Korman develops each personality clearly but even the “bad guys” have traits that should evoke some sympathy and understanding with readers.
Korman keeps his works free of profanity, sexual content and any violence is kept mild. Page count is under 300 pages, making it more accessible than many other books being published for the grades 4-8 crowd.
Hannah loves to play her violin and how it feels in her arms but she does not want to perform in today’s recital and hopes for something wild to happeHannah loves to play her violin and how it feels in her arms but she does not want to perform in today’s recital and hopes for something wild to happen so she doesn’t have to. The author/illustrator has birds swoop into her bedroom and fly off with her clothes, bunnies dig up into the family’s kitchen to create a ruckus and steal her violin, dolphins burst out of a water fountain and whisk her away but none of those things happen and her time to shine arrives. The message is clear-there is nothing wrong with being nervous, but you can do brave things despite those anxious feelings. Great topic for SEL lessons, plenty of opportunity to discuss feelings and ways to handle them, plus a terrific way to stimulate creative thinking about other wild things Hannah might have wished for. Illustrations are done is soft shades using charcoal, pastel, acrylic paint and digital tools. Target audience: age 3-8.
Thank you for a copy of this beautiful picture book, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library....more
Tate isn’t sure what extra curricular activity fits but when Eli Violet, a child prodigy, is heard playing their viola, a new string instrument playerTate isn’t sure what extra curricular activity fits but when Eli Violet, a child prodigy, is heard playing their viola, a new string instrument player is born! A summer camp designed to improve orchestra members’ abilities while also participating in the usual arts & crafts, swimming and sports activities is offered, Tate snaps at the chance to improve. Surprisingly, Eli Violet is there, too, but under an assumed name as they try to overcome a severe case of burnout coupled with intense anxiety. The two become friends and begin to share thoughts and feelings with one another and soon realize that they have similarities well beyond simply playing the viola—both are non-binary and both are struggling with anxiety. Tate and Eli make a deal to help one another leading Tate to not only earn section leader status and the big solo during the end of summer concert but to come out to friends and family.
The subtle advice to tweens and early teens about seeking out help for emotional struggles in a variety of places begins right away and may be of real benefit to readers whether to help them find relief for their own panic or to gain some understanding of others. A message of working hard, goal setting and determination to improve skills comes through loud and clear without seeming “preachy.” The coming out aspect of Camp Prodigy did seem rather contrived with Eli Violet coming from a two mom family and finding it easy to announce their pronouns of they/them to everyone and Tate only needing one month to gain the courage to come out to new friends and his family. The responses from all was easy acceptance and understanding which is fairly unrealistic. The action of a camp counselor asking each camper to share their name and pronouns during the first meet and greet may be common in some areas, but would not be typical in others.
Text is free of profanity, violence and sexual content. Representation: Black and Caucasian characters, several non-binary characters and Eli Violet has two moms, campers’ body shapes, clothing choices and hairstyles demonstrate a great variety, one camper is on the spectrum. Target age group: grades 5-8.
Thanks for the print arc, Simon & Schuster/Atheneum Publishing....more
“It’s okay to let your guard down. It’s okay to let yourself be seen. It’s okay to share your heart with other people. Not everyone will be gentle wit“It’s okay to let your guard down. It’s okay to let yourself be seen. It’s okay to share your heart with other people. Not everyone will be gentle with it. Some will etch little cracks in it. Some will make giant breaks. But cracks and breaks eventually mend. Hearts hidden behind thousand-foot-high, twelve-inch-thick walls don’t. They don’t even get the chance.”
Victoria ends her story of the summer before 8th grade with this thought after finally allowing Kyle to step into her family’s life as her mother’s husband and some kind of dad for her, older brother Jack and younger sister Maggie. In the first book about Victoria and her family, Dad has left for another woman and deeply wounds them with the jagged and permanent break he makes from all four. Now, mom has met a new man who is doing all that he can to demonstrate that he wants to be a permanent part of the family but Victoria is just as determined to make him leave.
The anxiety felt by Victoria over so many things is palpable and almost overwhelming. She is afraid of her dad calling and not calling, she fears the loss of her best friend but continues to push Sarah away, and her preoccupation with the changes in her body presses down on not her, but readers as well. Ultimately, the message of allowing people to know you and be a real part of your life comes through, but at no point is there any suggestion that Victoria (and likely the whole family) needs help processing the grief and damage caused by Dad’s abandonment and Victoria, specifically, could benefit from some counseling over ways to cope with anxiety and an unhealthy view of her own body. Author R.L. Toalson demonstrates a real gift in conveying the depth of emotion felt by Victoria throughout the book but this is definitely not a title for everyone and some could find it triggering should they have similar family trauma or battle body image-related anxiety.
Text is free of profanity, violence and sexual content. Race of all characters is left up to the imagination of the reader except that Victoria is pictured as Caucasian on the book cover I had. While a sequel, I read this one easily without having read The First Magnificent Summer. Recommended for grades 5-8.
Thanks for sharing an electronic arc with me, Edelweiss....more
Three kids, all dealing with significant losses, find connections and ways to help each other cope with their situations. Tildy has lost the necklace Three kids, all dealing with significant losses, find connections and ways to help each other cope with their situations. Tildy has lost the necklace her mom gifted her and is afraid that will be the “last straw” factor that causes her to leave the family again when she has only been back for a short time. Leon’s grandfather has died, left him and his grandmother alone and he is afraid she will be lost in the “Depths of Despair” unless he manages to contact the spirit of his dead relative. New to town Nell and her mom have lost their home and almost everything they own to a hurricane and this loss is on the heels of the death of Nell’s mum. Told in alternating chapters from the perspective of each young person, readers will be rooting for the trio to regain the security and joy in life that we all yearn for. Excellent character development in the three main characters and Tildy’s younger sister Marguerite; strong supporting roles played by Tildy’s parents, Nell’s mom, Leon’s grandmother and even the dearly departed Frederica Verne. The conclusion is ultimately positive but I’m pretty sure that not all will expect all three resolutions to play out like they do. Representation: Nell has two moms, Tildy has a traditional family and Leon lives with grandparents and does not have relationship with either of his parents. Race of the characters is left vague and even naming conventions do not lean towards any particular group meaning that readers can attach their own choices to characters unless they dwell on the cover for too long! Text is free of profanity, sexual content and violence. Target audience is likely grades 4-6 even though the trio are all in junior high school.
Thanks for the print arc, Peachtree Publishing....more
Who hasn’t felt “crushed” at one time or another? For Sophie, feeling crushed means crowds, changing friendships, unwelcome contact with a boy who getWho hasn’t felt “crushed” at one time or another? For Sophie, feeling crushed means crowds, changing friendships, unwelcome contact with a boy who gets too up close and personal, the fall out from misused dares shared on social media and panic attacks she does not know how to stop. Melanie Conklin (Every Missing Piece, A Perfect Mistake) tackles so many very real battles being faced by young people every day and in each situation and models ways to find help-a therapist, a grandmother, new friends, parents, a caring school nurse. The book moves quickly and its realistic plot and strong characterization should keep readers engaged while they, hopefully, see some wisdom they can use in their own lives. Representation: Race of main characters is unclear, but two players in the story select they/them pronouns or use ones different than those assigned at birth. Important issues tackled in this one targeted at grades 5-8....more
Another winner for middle grade readers from the author of Partly Cloudy, Serena Says, and Figure It Out, Henri Walden. Rylee has had a steady best frAnother winner for middle grade readers from the author of Partly Cloudy, Serena Says, and Figure It Out, Henri Walden. Rylee has had a steady best friend group for the last few years but shortly before 8th grade begins, the group plays an embarrassing and downright mean-spirited trick on her, leaving her floundering and wondering if lunch was going to be alone reading a book or hiding in the library from now on. In response to the loss of those she had planned her 8th grade elective courses with, Rylee joins several classes and activities where Aaliyah and her group of sycophants won’t be. Journalism puts her with several people she has known fleetingly but certainly didn’t count as friends and being assigned to work on a series of newspaper articles on what makes friendships work or not work with DeNia may be harder than it would be to stick it out with Aaliyah.
Terrific characters that will resemble many in the schools of readers. There is a mix of ethnic backgrounds, with some being defined outright and others only vaguely referenced using adjectives like brown and some descriptions of hairstyles that could be attributed more to one population than others. But unlike in Partly Cloudy, the main characters’ races are not critical to the plot, how they treat each other is. Throughout the book and as DeNia and Rylee research scholarly articles, survey and observe people from a wide range of ages, readers will see positive and negative examples of being friends, times when friends are simply bystanders and others when they are upstanders, and will likely experience some frustration when Rylee keeps making mistakes. Ultimately, Rylee finds her people and in a way that may help those reading her story to do the same.
The story centers on students in the 8th grade, but illustration of Rylee on the book cover and many of the interactions between the characters make them several years younger. The likely readers for this excellent book are those in grades 4-6. Text is free of profanity, violence and sexual content. A few characters mention liking another and similar but pairing off as a couple does not occur. Representation: Black, Hispanic, AAPI and Caucasian characters, a question to an advice column writer in the newspaper refers to a friend who uses they/them as pronouns.
With a summary surprisingly similar to another mid 2024 release, Gordon Korman’s Faker, I was uncertain how Perry’s story would line up with Trey’s buWith a summary surprisingly similar to another mid 2024 release, Gordon Korman’s Faker, I was uncertain how Perry’s story would line up with Trey’s but with so many terrific books already under Beth Vrabel’s belt, I shouldn’t have worried. Both con artist/traveler/grifter families are out to get something for nothing, both main characters want something different for themselves and schools feature in each but the way those parts fit together is very different and the end results are equally satisfying. Perry’s family turned “bad” when everything fell apart after his mom’s battle against cancer, however, that catalyst is not made clear until well after readers are likely to dislike dad, mom, and Uncle Manny’s for their conniving and cheating and feel indignant on behalf of the teenage twins, 13 yr old Perry, 10 year old voluntarily mute Riley, spunky 7ish Pauly and the baby that they couldn’t be bothered to name! Some of the family cons are humorous, some unbelievable and others straight out of the news but between all the places they visit and the sneakiness done, the entertainment level is high. Added bonus at the Homers’ final destination is solid information about animal rescue and big cats, in particular. Other readalikes besides Korman’s Faker, either due to travels or terminal illness would include Far From Fair (Elana Arnold), Clean Getaway (Nic Stone), Wrong Way Summer (Heidi Lang) and both Coyote Sunrise books (Dan Gemeinhart) Text is free of sexual content and violence and while the text states or implies that a character or two might use some “vulgarity,” none is actually written out.
Terrific early chapter book and first in a new series for younger elementary-aged readers! Sentences are short, much repetition and plenty of picture Terrific early chapter book and first in a new series for younger elementary-aged readers! Sentences are short, much repetition and plenty of picture clues and textual context to help with more challenging and possibly unfamiliar words for objects found in a seaside location. Illustrations by Lynnor Bontiagao are on every page and have details that provide for additional conversation/vocabulary building when used as a read aloud and several chapters end with questions that allow for many possible answers to further deepen thinking. Illustrations reveal main characters to be both dark and light skinned and imply different family configurations such as multi-generational. All six children exhibit different interests and each create and play in ways that are relatable to most grade 1-3 students, although the absence of adult supervision while roaming the town and beach is a bit unrealistic! Excellent addition to libraries serving younger readers.
Thanks for the print arc, Amulet/Abrams Kids/Hachette Book Group....more
Lois Lowry has written many wonderful books and this one ranks right up there with the best of them. The story of 11 year old Sophia and her dearest fLois Lowry has written many wonderful books and this one ranks right up there with the best of them. The story of 11 year old Sophia and her dearest friend Sophie, who happens to be 88 years old, is thoughtful, warm, sad and happy, all stirred together beautifully. When Sophia finds out that Sophie’s son is having his mom evaluated for possible dementia and may move her into an assisted living facility closer to him and far away from her, she sets her mind on fixing the problem. But in the course of some sharing of memories of her childhood in the midst of World War II and some careful observations of a young neighbor friend who is likely on the spectrum, Sophia comes to some very tough realizations: 1) some problems can’t be fixed, and 2) some things that seem like problems really aren’t. I read Tree.Table.Book through in one sitting and know that this will be a book that readers of Barbara O’Connor, Cynthia Lord, Lisa Graff, and maybe even Gordon Korman and Jordan Sonnenblick will connect with. Text is free of profanity, sexual content, and violence. Representation: Jewish, Catholic, Methodist and non-religious families; single mom, older widow and traditional two parent homes. Highly recommended for grades 4-7.
Note: Not too thrilled with the cover art and think that librarians will need to put it into the hands of potential readers, create shelf talkers, include in an author talk of Lowry works, etc. until the word gets out.
Chris Lynch, author of YA books such as Freewill, Iceman, and Gypsy Dancer, enters the world of middle grade novels with this story of change. Louis hChris Lynch, author of YA books such as Freewill, Iceman, and Gypsy Dancer, enters the world of middle grade novels with this story of change. Louis has always been known for lack of engaging with the world around him to such an extent that his mother has dubbed him the “INactivist,” but this summer he finds that about to change. A forced dog sitting gig reveals a camaraderie that exists between Louis and the four-legged (and sometimes even three) and a lucrative dog-walking business begins. That business leads to meeting new people, making a few friends, coming to grips with his mother’s current stint in a rehab facility for her addiction to pain-killers, and discovering that life is better with a pack instead of going it alone. Lynch does an excellent job of conveying Louis’ solitary life and the changes over time as well as creating memorable characters in bossy little sister Faye, overbearing and hostile elder brother Ike, friendly but struggling with a difficult home life Agatha and all-around good guy Cy. The introductory section starts slowly and may lose readers before they are fully immersed in what develops within several storylines, but once the main players are actively engaged in their contributions to Louis’ changes in thinking and behaving, older elementary and middle school students will want to reach the book’s satisfying conclusion. Race is not a real factor in Walkin’ the Dog, but Cy is from a Haitian background. Louis’ family is middle of the road financially and Agatha and Cy’s families struggle to make ends meet. Families represented by dog owners and of the main characters have diverse compositions. There is no violence or sexual content but there is one F-bomb that seemed to be placed there to show how ineffective Louis is in making a good argument even with a strong expletive. (It is my hope that the final edition deletes this word.)
Thanks for the print arc, Simon & Schuster for Young Readers....more
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