"The only way to tell this story is through poetry. Because black girlhood is eternally laced with rhythm." In this memoir-in-verse, Young traces her "The only way to tell this story is through poetry. Because black girlhood is eternally laced with rhythm." In this memoir-in-verse, Young traces her ancestry back to Amy Coleman, an enslaved woman who bore her white enslaver's child. Young appears seven generations later. Through beautiful poetry, Young explores the lives of her foremothers, Black girlhood, womanhood, and American history.
"Mothers are harshest when their hope is helping you avoid making the mistakes that had once their own." ...more
I loved everything about this book. I love that it exists for teens and adults. I think there is probably more sex education in these pages than most I loved everything about this book. I love that it exists for teens and adults. I think there is probably more sex education in these pages than most people get in their lives. I love that this book is sex positive. Just read it....more
This fantasy follows four siblings: Vira, Ronak, Kaleb, and Riya. They are very different, don't really like each other much, and are each harboring sThis fantasy follows four siblings: Vira, Ronak, Kaleb, and Riya. They are very different, don't really like each other much, and are each harboring secrets and conflicting agendas. The siblings find themselves needing each other when magic, a prized resource, runs out and is the only thing between peace and war. Thus begins their quest for the Ivory Key, which will save Ashoka, and the siblings. I don't know if I have ever read a book from four siblings points of view, I really liked it. Each of the siblings were well developed with distinct personalities. The pacing of the story was a bit off, the questing chapters were too much for me, but I really enjoyed the story and the characters and love the cliffhanger at the end. The epilogue is told from a fifth perspective, a tease for the duology’s next installment, which I will definitely be reading....more
This is a very strange and whimsical book and I kinda loved it. I especially loved the diverse cast of characters. The central hero is the young, blinThis is a very strange and whimsical book and I kinda loved it. I especially loved the diverse cast of characters. The central hero is the young, blind, and bookish Safia, sent to live with her distant aunt (who has a secret!) after a fire leaves her orphaned. This mostly all-female cast with non-binary rep has a strong adventure-mystery, unique art, and original storytelling. I hope students will pick it up!...more
This is a beautifully illustrated biography of Favio Chavez and his work with the children's orchestra in Cateura, Paraguay. This is a beautifully illustrated biography of Favio Chavez and his work with the children's orchestra in Cateura, Paraguay. ...more
I really don't know what to say about this book because I loved it so much. I was swept away from the first page and was completely immersed until theI really don't know what to say about this book because I loved it so much. I was swept away from the first page and was completely immersed until the final page. This is an intricate, character-driven story full of heart and beauty and you never really know where it is taking you. The writing is lyrical and the pace is slow and purposeful. The setting is imaginative and tangible and really felt like another character. The characters are rich, I loved the multi-pov and was invested immediately in all the relationships. The romantic tension between the two main couples was beautifully written and I rooting for them. I don't know if I have read a "cozy romance" before, I usually like a little more steam with my romance, but this was so beautifully done.
The magical island of Cadence, where woven plaids are enchanted, and hostile spirit folk carry secrets on the wind, is divided in two by an age-old feud between two clans. Tensions rise as the magical border that separates the east and west comes into question as young girls are kidnapped. Jack, who was sent away 10 years ago to the mainland, is called back by his rival, Adaira, to help solve the mystery. I was not expecting to be surprised by the story but at one point I gasped out loud. This is inspired by Scottish myth and legend is also a story about secrets and the power of storytelling, and about honoring the spirits of earth, fire, water and air, and about finding your home.
I felt similarly reading this the second time as I did the first. It was a bit heavy handed with the religion. I preferred the first two books in the I felt similarly reading this the second time as I did the first. It was a bit heavy handed with the religion. I preferred the first two books in the series much better....more
An intimate novel that focuses on the relationship between father and son, humans and ecology, and science and politics. I enjoyed the writing and theAn intimate novel that focuses on the relationship between father and son, humans and ecology, and science and politics. I enjoyed the writing and the characters, especially how the father is such a fervent supporter of his son, but I hated the ending so 3 instead of 4 stars. ...more
I enjoyed this historical fantasy told in the alternating perspectives of Duck and the "ugly" gargoyle. Duck is a lovable character, throughout the stI enjoyed this historical fantasy told in the alternating perspectives of Duck and the "ugly" gargoyle. Duck is a lovable character, throughout the story she is trying to find her voice and make the right decisions. For me, I wish that she had been older. I sometimes found it unlikely that she was only eight and I worry that middle grade readers won't read about an 8 year old protagonist. Griselde Baker is a perfect hero for this story and I love all the ways that she loves Duck, how she supports her and teaches her. I could smell her bread baking throughout the story. Gnat was tiresome. The gargoyle voice is odd at times and I wonder, without that voice, would this have been a fantasy book at all. At 448 pages, this is a bit too long. It's a slower more thoughtful book about belonging, found family, loyalty, and finding yourself. The abandoned cathedral gave me Hunchback of Notre Dame vibes and the ragtag orphan group reminded me of Oliver Twist. This medieval adventure will pull at your heartstrings.
My first manga! So glad it was by the wonderful Hayao Miyazaki, who will forever be tied in my mind to my daughter, Cidney, and her love of him. I wisMy first manga! So glad it was by the wonderful Hayao Miyazaki, who will forever be tied in my mind to my daughter, Cidney, and her love of him. I wish I had loved fantasy when she was watching all of his movies. I imagine she would have loved this manga when she was growing up and I hope other middle grade readers will discover Miyazaki through this newly translated manga.
The story is based on Tibetan folklore and Shuna is on a quest to find golden seeds. There were some ecology elements, and the theme of small human kindnesses overpowering human greed is beautiful. Also there was a great female hero. The narration sits along the edges of Miyazaki's beautiful artwork, allowing the visuals maximum space. End matter includes a note from the author and the translator....more
This debut collection by Smith is a lyrical coming-of-age narrative that confronts racism and prejudiced perceptions of young black men. I loved it, iThis debut collection by Smith is a lyrical coming-of-age narrative that confronts racism and prejudiced perceptions of young black men. I loved it, it was my favorite poetry collection I read this year....more
The first 50 pages of this are amazing. It's a lush setting, a magical story, with a wonderful Mexican heroine. I love the element of the monarch buttThe first 50 pages of this are amazing. It's a lush setting, a magical story, with a wonderful Mexican heroine. I love the element of the monarch butterflies and how they give Solimar's rebozo (shawl) magical powers, even though that magic comes with a price (paired it with this book). I liked the family dynamic and the characters were great. For me it took a turn when Solimar had to go on the river quest to save her kingdom when the neighboring king invades while her father and brother and many others are away. I do think that think it's a good fantasy for younger students....more
This atmospheric book is filled with ghouls and demons, mysterious houses, and family secrets. What I loved most was the writing and the descriptions This atmospheric book is filled with ghouls and demons, mysterious houses, and family secrets. What I loved most was the writing and the descriptions of the near sentient house. This book is like if The Secret Garden met Stranger Things. It wasn't too scary and I really enjoyed it....more
Very cool mashup of science and history! Sixth grade studies the solar system and I think this will be a cool companion for social studies teachers toVery cool mashup of science and history! Sixth grade studies the solar system and I think this will be a cool companion for social studies teachers to use to get a brief history of the world. Told with Oliver Jeffers's wit and artistry, this is a fun addition to the shelves (where to put it though!?). I will read anything that Oliver Jeffers writes. This was extra fun because I was able to visit Jeffers installation, our Place in Space, in Ireland this summer. ...more
I really loved this book and learned so much about the hand from a range of expected and unexpected aspects. The illustrations and large format were gI really loved this book and learned so much about the hand from a range of expected and unexpected aspects. The illustrations and large format were great....more
This was a slow start for me, as you are learning about Fitz and just following through his chores and lessons as he ages. Around page 200 things realThis was a slow start for me, as you are learning about Fitz and just following through his chores and lessons as he ages. Around page 200 things really started to pick up and then I couldn't put it down. Fitz as a main character is easy to love and you will absolutely be rooting for him. This is a very contained fantasy, most of the action happens in the Keep, and I felt immersed in the setting. The Red-ship raiders are good villains and being Forged sounds terrible. The side characters are well fleshed out and I loved all the names. Everything just really worked for me. Can't wait to see what happens in the following installations. I hope there is more from Lady Patience....more
This is an excellent novel-in-verse that explores family and the Delano grape strike of 1965. You are introduced to Lula and her family, grape farmworThis is an excellent novel-in-verse that explores family and the Delano grape strike of 1965. You are introduced to Lula and her family, grape farmworkers living and working in unsafe conditions. They join the 1965 protest for migrant workers' rights. Readers are introduced to key players like Dolores Huerta, Cesar Chavez, Larry Itliong, and even Bobby Kennedy. I hadn't heard of el Teatro Campesino (the official theater company of the United Farm Workers) before and yet it played a key role in the strike.
In addition to the story of the strike, Lula's family is dealing with the sickness of her mama and her own lost voice, both as a result of pesticide poisoning, as well as Papa's anger, alcoholism, and abuse. The author uses his character to explore gender roles and traditional views of what girls and boys should do. Lula is a seed that can't be stopped and she sprouts, grows, and ultimately finds her voice.
There is an amazing author's note and resource section at the end. Salazar explains how she wanted to honor farmworkers, her own family history, and the beginning of one of the greatest labor justice movements undertaken in the United States history. She illuminates the misconception that this strike began with Huerta and Chavez and gives credit to the Filipino workers lead by Itliong and Veracruz, illustrating that this was a multi-ethnic and multi-racial movement (and continues to be so today). Salazar also mentions that women and children's voices are largely missing from this history so she wanted to give them a voice. I think she has succeeded and I hope Lula's story helps students see the importance of farmworkers and worker's rights. ...more
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