Literacy Now

One of the joys of reading series books is the familiarity with the characters, setting, and even plotline. Readers have the chance to spend an extended amount of time with individuals for whom they've grown to care while watching them evolve. In some cases, it feels as though the protagonist of a series is growing up alongside readers, affording them a chance to problem-solve, stretch, take risks, and find themselves after a rebellious stage or a stumble or two. The worlds inhabited by some characters in a series are often so elaborately described that readers can pick up right where they left off in the previous title. Series books often are wildly popular and gain quite a following, even spanning generations as in the case of J. K. Rowling's phenomenally successful Harry Potter series (1997-2006). In the case of nonfiction series, they allow readers to explore a topic in depth or from unique perspectives, perhaps a particular ecosystem or math concept. This week's reviews focus on series books sure to fly off the book shelves.

 

Ages 4 to 8

Pennypacker Sara. (2015). Completely Clementine. New York NY: Disney-Hyperion.

Parents and teachers interested in nurturing readers might want to take a look at the delightful Clementine series written by Sara Pennypacker and illustrated by Marla Frazee. The inaugural title, Clementine (2006), follows the adventures of a creative free spirit who names her younger brother after various fruits and vegetables and her cat after beauty protects. There simply is no one quite like Clementine, and there is plenty of evidence throughout the seven books in the series with the eagerly anticipated seventh title, Completely Clementine, due out next month. Also highly recommended in addition to perennial favorites Barbara Park's Junie B. Jones series (Random House) and Megan McDonald's Judy Moody series (Candlewick) are Wong Herbert Yee's Mouse and Mole series (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) and the Lulu books (Albert Whitman), especially Lulu and the Hedgehog in the Rain (Albert Whitman, 2014) by Hilary McKay.

Ages 9-11

Gantos, Jack. (2014). The Key That Swallowed Joey Pigza. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. New York, NY: Macmillan.

This roller coaster of a series of five books focusing on Joey Pigza made its debut in 1998, and opened readers' eyes to how it might feel to have ADD and to live in a family more dysfunctional than yourself. In the final title, Joey tries to settle into a school routine after his mother's attempt at homeschooling him, but it's a toss-up as to whether things are worst at home or at school. As if Joey doesn't have enough to contend with as he tries to get himself on an even keel, his mother checks herself into the hospital and leaves Joey in charge of his baby brother. Somehow, with the help of some friends, Joey pulls things together, even managing to clean up the house. Filled with humor and pathos, this book leaves readers hopeful for the Pigzas. Fans of this author will want to reread all them to trace Joey's journey and experience again all the joys and pains of life as a child in the Pigza family.

Gray, Susan H. (2015). Exploring Our Rainforests: Harpy Eagle. North Mankato, MN: Cherry Lake Publishing.

This photo-filled informational text highlights the Harpy Eagle, one of the fascinating denizens of the rainforest. It's doubtful that readers have ever seen a picture of one before, which will make the book's photos fascinating. Seeing its enormous talons and its wingspread makes it obvious why this bird is such a successful hunter. Readers will learn a great deal about the bird's hunting habits, where it lives, and what it eats as well as the looming danger to its future due to habitat loss. This series with a rainforest focus also includes titles that provide information on spider monkeys, red-eyed tree frogs, chimpanzees, poison dart frogs, anacondas, and reticulated pythons. The text is easy to digest, and each series contains maps so readers can locate the range of the species being highlighted.

Lu, Marie. (2015). Spirit Animals: The Evertree. New York, NY: Scholastic.

With a different author for each book in this series, readers have the chance to explore the world of Erdas in seven different books. Once just like every other youngster, Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan, have their worlds turned upside down when they realize that they have special bonds with spirit animals who help them in their battles. Each of them has a connection with a different animal with unique abilities. In each of the titles in the series, they have faced challenges, followed a quest to earn certain talismans, and grown stronger and wiser. Although they have faltered at certain points and even suspected one another, they have eventually learned to trust themselves and their spirit animals. But can they defeat an enemy that seems relentless and older than time. The seventh title will reveal their fate.

Ages 12-14

Kinney, Jeff. (2014). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul. New York, NY: Amulet Books/Abrams.

It's hard to believe the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series publishing craze began back in 2007 and it shows no signs of slowing down. Teachers or parents looking for a sure-fire way to ignite reading excitement in youngsters need only purchase one of the nine titles in the series and leave it lying about somewhere. The author takes his protagonist, the true-to-life but often annoying Greg Heffley through the usual events in a middle grader's life—dealing with sibling rivalry, figuring out how to one-up a friend, and coming up with creative ways to get rich quick or build muscles without much effort. In the latest installment of the series, the family heads off on a road trip for some much-needed family bonding time. If something can go wrong, it does, as often happens on vacations like these. Part of the series' appeal surely must be its universality since just about everyone will relate to how messed up things get on this road trip. Perhaps it isn't true that the family that plays together stays together, but readers will laugh at every misstep along the way while keeping their fingers crossed that none of this ever happens to them.

Ages 15+

Gier, Kerstin. (2013). Emerald Green. Trans. by Anthea Bell. New York, NY: Henry Holt.

The marvelous Ruby Red Trilogy, begun in 2011 with Ruby Red, ends on a high note in this action-filled final installment. Having fallen madly in love with Gideon, her fellow time traveler, Gwen is nursing a broken heart since she feels that he has only been pretending to love her back. While the two engage in witty repartee and avoid talking about matters of the heart, they also keep shuttling back and forth in time. As they do so, they realize not all members of the time-traveling society to which they belong are to be trusted, and Gwen has been earmarked for death. Even those who dislike time travel books will delight in this series since it has so much going for it—mistaken identity, romance, humor, and even witty comments on high school and high society. Readers will need a scorecard to keep up with all the different characters and alliances, but they won't need one to appreciate the description of the various time periods through which the characters move, complete with authentic dress and demeanor. Gwen's jealousy over the attentions of an older woman intent on charming Gideon heightens the book while revealing how young and inexperienced she is. While Gideon is polished and worldly, Gwen is not, and wears her heart on her sleeve, which makes her even more endearing to readers. Things get pretty complicated as some of the characters meet each other coming and going throughout time, but teen readers will relish all the sexual tension and heart-pounding scenes set in the dark.

Howard, A. G. (2015). Splintered Series: Ensnared. New York, NY: Abrams/Amulet.

Continuing where Splintered (2013) and Unhinged (2014) left off, the author takes Alyssa to AnyElsewhere where she hopes to find her beloved Jeb and her mother. Readers will love how she manages to escape from the asylum where she's been kept after the disastrous prom that resulted in disappearances for which she is blamed. Fans of the series will find its conclusion just as delightful and filled with wonder as its predecessors as Alyssa comes into her own and does battle with the Red Queen to save Wonderland from the evil that is destroying it and wreaking havoc on its magic. There are incredibly sad characters such as a princess who keeps forgetting everything she knows and must relearn it all anew each day, places of extraordinary beauty, and secrets revealed about Alyssa's own father. Although the author has clearly drawn inspiration from Lewis Carroll and his own Alice books, she has clearly staked this territory out in her own fashion, complete with wonderfully bizarre creatures, whispering plants and insects, more than a hint of evil, and a love triangle in which it just might be possible for Alyssa to have everything she has ever wanted.

Barbara A. Ward teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in literacy at Washington State University, Pullman. She spent 25 years teaching in the public schools of New Orleans where she worked with students at every grade level, from kindergarten through high school as well as several ability levels. She is certified in elementary education, English education, and gifted education. She holds a bachelor's in communications and a master's in English Education from the Univeristy of Tennessee and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of New Orleans.
These reviews are submitted by members of the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG)and are published weekly on Literacy Daily.

There are defining moments in history—wars, economic pitfalls, struggles for a just society. There are few times in U.S. history that stand out more than the Civil Rights Movement. Through (largely) non-violent demonstrations, the side of the just was able to overcome a (largely) violent opposition. Everyday heroes stood up to be counted and after they won, most simply returned to their homes without much fanfare.

In these reviews, we visit both fictional and non-fictional recollections of the Civil Rights Movement and discover that 50 years later, there are still things to learn about this pivotal time.

Ages 4-8

Altman, Linda Jacobs.  (2015, paperback). Singing With Momma Lou. Illus. by Larry Johnson. New York: Lee and Low Books.

Originally published in 2002 and arriving in paperback in the spring, this story begins as 9-year-old Tamika Jones dreads visiting her grandmother in a nursing home. Her aged grandmother, Momma Lou, suffers from Alzheimer’s and most times does not even know who Tamika is. Her father shares the scrapbooks Momma Lou kept as a young girl during the Civil Rights Movement. Tamika decides to use the scrapbooks to have something to share when she visits her grandmother. Momma Lou recognizes a newspaper clipping from demonstration and begins singing a song she remembers celebrating human rights and those days of protest.  The author’s mother was a victim of Alzheimer’s so she has written this story from her own experiences.

Bass, Hester. (2015) Seeds of Freedom: The Peaceful Integration of Huntsville, Alabama.
Illus. by E.B. Lewis. New York: Candlewick.

The author, a former resident of Huntsville, relates the story of the peaceful integration of the city and schools in Huntsville, Alabama, when many Southern cities were facing violence and destruction. Written in present tense, the events unfold from July of 1962 to September of 1963. Sit-ins, boycotts, and other forceful protests are described as residents work together to integrate their community. E.B. Lewis’s watercolor illustrations depict the town, streets, and people with revealing heartfelt emotions but also representing civic pride in their community. This informative picture book shows a community creatively coming together without resorting to violence.

Meyer, Susan Lynn. (2015). New Shoes. Illus. by Eric Velasquez. New York: Holiday House. 

Young Ella Mae is off to the shoe store to buy her first pair of shoes, no longer having to wear the hand-me-downs of her older brother. However, when she and her mother arrive at Mr. Johnson’s shoe store, Ella Mae experiences her first run-in with discrimination as the white customers get waited on while Ella Mae and her mother look on, ignored. Furious, Ella Mae and her cousin Charlotte, in the true spirit of entrepreneurship and protest, decide to create their own neighborhood shoe store. Doing odd jobs for money and collecting old shoes, they shine, polish, and refurbish shoes the neighborhood shop they open in Ella Mae’s backyard. The author’s note at the end of the book further explains the practices of Jim Crow and goes on to give some history of civil rights and the Voting Rights Act. The publisher has provided an Educator Guide aligned with Common Core Standards.

Ages 9-11

Draper, Sharon M. (2015). Stella by Starlight. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Inspired by her grandmother’s journals, author Sharon M. Draper writes the story of 10-year-old Stella Mills in 1932 Bumblebee, NC. Times are tough as the Depression weighs heavily on the community. Stella finds solace writing in journals, often at the end of the day under the stars. One night she and her brother, Jojo, are outside later than normal and see a Ku Klux Klan rally. There has not been any Klan activity in their area for a long time so Stella is fearful as to what this might mean as her African American community readies to register to vote. Draper has included many exciting and suspenseful events, including snakebites and beatings, but also reveals a community bound together by their shared histories. Folk stories, hymns, diaries, and journals are part of the literature within the story that brings this piece of civil rights history to readers.

Schwartz, Heather. (2015). The Freedom Riders: A Primary Source Exploration of the Struggle for Racial Justice. (We Shall Overcome series). Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.

Through archival photographs, newspaper accounts, quotes from white and African American civil rights workers, politicians, or eyewitnesses, these primary sources make this period of American history become real. The old adage “a picture is worth a 1,000 words” is certainly true as readers examine the statement the selected photographs make. Teachers might like to use the “Question, Observe, Reflect” activity on looking at historic photographs from the Smithsonian or the Photo Analysis worksheet from the National Archives. Examining the quotes and newspaper articles from the Freedom Rides or the protest marches are also important components of this book.

Smith, Charles. (2015). 28 Days: Moments in Black History That Changed the World.  Illus by Shane Evans. New York: Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan Imprint.

The author’s admission he “always had a love-hate relationship with Black History Month” sets the tone to celebrate Black History throughout the year, not just in February. This is a great resource to use at any time. Created in chronological order, and using a variety of literary forms, Smith presents 28 memorable people from African-American history. For example, eulogies of Harriet Tubman and Madam C J Walker; lively free-verse poetry for Wilma Rudolph, Hank Aaron and Arthur Ashe; a concrete poem for Althea Gibson; wordplay incorporating a song for Marian Anderson; an acrostic poem for Malcom X. The digital collage-and-oil illustrations by Shane Evans are exquisite complements to the text. One international figure, Nelson Mandela, is honored with a chant.  A final day, Feb. 29, is left open with a challenge to young readers to create a bit of history of their own making. Primary source material is included to make this excellent book even better. At the publisher’s website, teachers will find a video of Charles Smith reading a portion of the book. This provides an excellent introduction.

Watkins, Angela Farris. (2015). Love Will See You Through: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Six Guiding Beliefs (as Told by His Niece). Illus. Sally Wern Comport. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Certainly no greater person than Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. represented the Civil Rights Movement better as he lived and demonstrated a non-violent approach to bringing his dream for all African Americans to fruition. Through the mixed media collage and digital art renderings of Comport, these guiding principles are told through the eyes of Dr. King’s niece, Angela Farris Watkins, as she lovingly refers to him as Uncle Martin. Briefly, the six principles include: Have Courage; Love Your Enemies; Fight the Problem, Not the Person Who Caused It; When Innocent People are Hurt, Others Are Inspired to Help; Resist Violence of Any Kind; The Universe Honors Love.

Ages 12-14

Schwartz, Heather E. (2015). The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A Primary Source Exploration of the Landmark Legislation. Mankato, MN: Capstone Publishers.

This volume is another in the series described above, We Shall Overcome. Other titles in the series include: The Little Rock Nine, The March on Washington, and The Freedom Riders.  
This book presents the actual legal explanations and the meaning and history behind the creation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. It especially deals with the people involved including both those on both sides of the legislation. The use of quotes and statements from politicians, lawmakers, and eyewitnesses during this period and their reactions to the stand, for and against, make this a critical piece of literature for young readers on their journey to understand the historical significance of this landmark piece of legislation.

Mortensen, Lori. (2015). Voices of the Civil Rights Movement: A Primary Source Exploration of the Struggle for Equality.  Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.

This is a book about people; people who voiced their support or opposition to ending segregation or continuing the unfair practice. Young readers will read and hear the voices of a wide range of people who expressed their views and opinions, some more demonstratively and aggressively than others. Young students will observe through quotes and archival photographs about the Civil Rights Movement and the stories behind the people who made it happen as opposed to those who did all in their power to prevent any kind of integration or equal rights.

Zullo, Allan. (2015). Young Civil Rights Heroes (10 True Tales). New York: Scholastic.

As the subtitle indicates, these are the true stories of 10 featured young people from the 1960s who tell their stories about being faced with discrimination, angry mobs, fire hoses, and more. Written in a narrative style, many of the teens were shocked by the violence they meet. Unprepared and unarmed, they locked arms to stand together to defend themselves often against a much stronger, armed resistance. Used as short stories or personal narratives these chapters are approachable for young readers to get an inside view from the point of view of youngsters as they face difficult issues and work for civil rights.

Ages 15+

Lewis, John and Andrew Aydin. (2015). March, Book Two. Illus. by Nate Powell. Atlanta, GA: Top Shelf Productions. (Graphic Novel format)

Congressman John Lewis and writing companion Andrew Aydin have released the second of the graphic novel set based on the Civil Rights Movement and the personal involvement of John Lewis. Together with artist Nate Powell, they were inspired to illustrate Lewis’s story in this graphic novel style based on a comic book from the 1950s about Civil Rights. In March, Book Two Lewis recounts the Freedom Rides and the experiences he had, many fraught with danger, personal harm and injury, and jail time. He describes the movement from within and relates some of the internal conflict as civil rights leaders sometimes disagreed as to how to proceed or exact words to use in speeches to be inspiring yet maintain a nonviolent approach. As his group persevered, he became one of the “Big Six” leaders within the Freedom Riders organization and one of the instrumental players in the 1963 landmark, March on Washington. Lewis attended the inauguration of President Obama and within the story he flashes back to the history of African Americans and the Civil Rights Movement and then back to the present as he watches the first black man take the presidential oath of office.

Lowery, Lynda Blackmon. (2015). Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom; My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March.  Illus. by P.J.  Loughran. New York: Dial Books/Penguin Imprint.

With the timeliness of the release of the recent movie Selma, this new book by Selma marcher and now author Lynda Blackmon Lowery will give teen readers an inside view of what is like to be part of the momentous trek for voting rights. Written as her memoir of the times and as a native of Selma, Alabama, she recalls being arrested 11 times before her 15th birthday.  After hearing a moving speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. about voting rights, she became involved in nonviolent protests that were met with violence, tear gas, and brutality. She was beaten on “Bloody Sunday,” March 7, 1965, received 35 stitches in her head and yet went on to walk in the marches from Selma to Montgomery as a stand of solidarity for the right to vote. Loughran’s mixed style of graphic design make this an illustrated memoir that includes a mixture of archival photographs and a somewhat comic style of art giving the book a bit of a graphic novel feel. Notes at the end include more information about voting rights as well as a few short biographies to memorialize those who died during this time period. Listen to the author discuss her book on NPR.

Karen Hildebrand is a retired library media specialist at Dempsey Middle School in Ohio and a reading consultant.

These reviews are submitted by members of the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG)and are published weekly on Reading Today Online. 

Beckoning with all sorts of possibilities, 2015 stretches ahead of us. Many who celebrate a new year with fireworks, special foods or even by writing resolutions to make changes in their lives, while others read books so hot-off-the-presses, they almost sizzle. Some of the books aren’t even available in hardcover yet, but they have been released to reviewers in a paper version called an Advanced Reader Copy. This week’s reviews are some recent favorites. Here’s hoping the next 300 days or so will be filled with much joyous reading and plenty of new books.

Ages 4-8

Ain, Beth. (2014). Starring Jules: Third Grade Debut. Illus. by Anne Keenan Higgins. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Although she has much potential as an actress, third-grader Jules finds the school year provides some unexpected challenges. Not only does she struggle with the harsh discipline policies of a new teacher and the usual time-consuming assignments, she also isn’t sure how to handle her role in the sitcom she is filming after school. Plus, her sometimes friend, sometimes enemy Charlotte now has glasses, and Jules wants glasses more than almost anything else. She even tries to strain her eyes so she can have a pair of her own. Young readers will learn a lot from watching how Jules juggles her different roles at school, at home, and on the set, and how her self-confidence vacillates from situation to situation.  It’s impressive that the author doesn’t portray her relationship with her teacher and classmates as perfect, and she comes to realize that teachers are just as different from each other as their students are. The fourth title in this series set in New York continues to have strong reader appeal.

Bass, Jennifer Vogel. (2014). Edible Colors. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press.

The mouth-watering photographs in this short informative text will surely make readers beg their caregivers for a trip to the grocery store in order to select yummy, healthy produce. The photos make the food described here look more appealing than the sweetest candy bar. Additionally, the text and the images are particularly effective in expanding readers' concepts about the colors of certain foods. For instance, the photographs and text show that while carrots are often orange, sometimes they are purple or even white. By starting with a familiar veggie or fruit and its typical color, and then showing it in a different color, followed by a couple of pages featuring foods of that color, the author forces readers to rethink what they know about what they eat. Readers may be torn about which pages they like best, but Japanese Cream Fleshed Watermelon looks particularly enticing. While many of these may not be available this time of the year, the book serves as a reference for what to plant in a spring or summer garden.

Landstrom, Lena. (2015). Where is Pim? Wellington, NZ: Gecko Press.

Many young readers have stuffed animal best friends and can relate to this latest installment of the daily adventures of best friends Pim and Pom. The two do everything together, but Pim’s wish to fly in the air attracts the attention of a dog who snatches him out of the air on his way down after Pom has tossed him upwards. Pom and another dog look everywhere for the stuffed toy, but all they find are socks, a can, and a bag. Readers will readily relate to the eager anticipation and subsequent disappointment when the object turns out not to be Pim. When Pim finally returns, both friends agree he needs to be grounded for a while. This is another excellent addition to a series exploring life's smallest moments. Complimented perfectly with expressive illustrations that show Pom’s feelings, the storyline will resonate with young readers and their parents.

Nilsson, Ulf. (2015). Detective Gordon: The First Case. Wellington, NZ: Gecko Press.

This story of criminal squirrels responsible for the theft of several missing nuts is compelling not so much for the story but for its characters. Most notably, it's the interaction between the aging Detective Gordon, a frog, and his would-be assistant, Buffy, that causes this book to sparkle. While staking out the tree from which so many nuts were stolen, the detective almost freezes to the ground. After spotting Buffy with one nut, he is ready to arrest her but is unable to move. The kind-hearted mouse takes pity on the elderly sleuth and frees him from his icy encasement. The book gently depicts their budding friendship while also hinting the detective may be past his prime when it comes to solving cases. Maybe, just maybe, he should leave the sleuthing to someone young and vigorous like Buffy and spend his days making rules, stamping papers, and eating cakes. Then again, maybe they could both enjoy those same activities. The book's message, its characters, and the simple but colorful illustrations, including maps of the area, heighten its appeal and will prompt readers to anticipate more cases for this crime-solving team.

Ages 9-11

Tougas, Shelley. (2014). The Graham Cracker Plot. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press.

Twelve-year-old Daisy Bauer is sure the Chemist, as she likes to call her father, has been framed, and she and her friend Graham Hassler hatch a wild plan to free him from Club Fed. The book begins after their plans have gone wrong, and Daisy is required to write a letter explaining her culpability to Judge Henry. Quite reluctantly and filled with anger, she does so. The entire book consists of her heartfelt letters, detailing the plot, and Daisy’s evolution. The book features zany characters and subtle nuances—for instance, Graham's cousin Ashley who experiences wild mood swings as the result of a brain injury, and Daisy's failure to stand up for Graham when the school bullies tease him. Although Daisy makes mistakes and poor choices, readers realize her intentions are good, just as are the intentions of her and Graham’s mothers. Readers may be particularly touched by Daisy’s insistence she still loves her father even after she learns the truth about what he's done, and Judge Henry's observation that youngsters such as Graham and Daisy should be called "children in need of hope" instead of “at-risk children.” While those particular labels may be a matter of semantics, they also remind readers just how grim life is without hopes and dreams. This book takes an important place among that very limited list of books dealing with families coping with the absence of an incarcerated member.

Ages 12-14

Gemeinhart, Dan. (2015). The Honest Truth. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Mark’s life has been spent battling death as the result of the cancer that keeps returning. Because it has returned after yet another remission, Mark simply cannot face the next round of treatments and hospitalizations he knows will follow. His chance at normal life seems to be fading, and he decides to achieve the one goal that matters to him—climbing Mount Rainier. Readers will be riveted by the journey of Mark and his loyal dog Beau and the many kind-hearted individuals he meets along the way. The author does a marvelous job of creating a sense of place and revealing Mark's thought processes as he heads up the mountain slope in the middle of a fierce storm. Because the book alternates from the point of view of Mark to Jessie, his best friend, readers are able to see the effect Mark’s decision has on his family and friends. While Jessie struggles over her loyalty to Mark, Mark has left clues sending searchers in the wrong directions. Readers will applaud the bond between boy and dog as Beau loyally stays by, and as they ultimately save each other's lives. This riveting debut title from a promising author poses several important questions about the quality of life and goal-setting. Be sure to begin reading this one when you have time to speed through it since you won’t want to put it down once beginning it. Just as Mount Rainier beckons Mark, this book will speak to readers on many levels. The honest truth is sometimes life really is hard.

Ryan, Pam Munoz. (2015). Echo. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

The author proves once again just how skillful she is at storytelling as she has several stories nestled within a story related to yet another. One brief story involves a witch and a curse while another focuses on a boy named Otto. But the rest of the book takes readers on a sprawling, but thoroughly engaging, trip through history by means of three very different but related stories. All of the stories feature a harmonica as an important element. In the first one, Friedrich Schmidt, his father, and uncle come to the attention of the Gestapo in 1933 and must flee for their lives. The second story, set in Pennsylvania in 1935, follows the rags to riches story of Mike Flannery, a talented pianist, who, along with his younger brother, Frankie, is taken from an orphanage and brought to live with a woman whose heart has been broken by her own losses. The third story, set in Southern California in 1942, focuses on Ivy and her family's attempts to own a home of their own. After moving to Orange County, they realize the schools there are segregated, and the family whose farm they are caretaking is in a Japanese internment camp.  While each story stands alone perfectly, each one gains impact and power when blended with the other narrative strands. Readers are sure to worry about the characters in one story when the action moves to another story. The pieces of history that are carefully woven through these stories of family, friendship, and music are important ones that should be seared into our national consciousness. Ignore the size of the book—the font is large, the prose flows beautifully, and the characters’ lives unfold as delicately as a rosebud. Readers' hearts will be touched by the connections described here and how they echo in their own lives.

Scattergood, Augusta. (2015). The Way to Stay in Destiny. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

After his grandparents give up their farm due to his grandmother's poor health, 12-year-old Theo M. Thomas becomes the responsibility of his uncle. Although Uncle Raymond tries to do the right thing, he resents having to give up his independent life in Alaska. He takes Theo to Destiny, FL, where there's a job, but things are far from permanent. Even as Theo starts making friends and embracing the musical talent he has inherited from his deceased parents, his uncle is making plans for moving on.  For reasons revealed in the story, Uncle Raymond cannot abide music and forbids Theo to play the piano. Although an uneasy truce is eventually worked out and Theo's uncle starts to soften his stance on music, readers will realize that past experiences affect the future. Setting the story in 1974 allows Theo's uncle to struggle with PTSD from his time in Vietnam, which explains some of his behavior. While Theo and his baseball-loving friend, Anabel, might seem to have separate journeys, they are linked by their need to find their own destiny rather than doing what others want. As they both come to realize, sometimes our destiny simply finds us, even in a remote town in the South called Destiny.

Ages 15+

Cooner, Donna. (2014). Can’t Look Away. New York, NY: Scholastic/Point.

Fifteen-year-old Torrey Grey has developed quite a following on the Internet through her video logs offering advice on beauty and fashion. But after the death of her younger sister Miranda, she hasn't been able to put anything online. As the Greys settle into their new home in Texas, Torrey finds herself gravitating to her previous behaviors, looking for an entree into the popular crowd, and hiding her emerging feelings for Luis Rivera whose family runs the local funeral home. But somewhere along the way, amid some serious soul-searching and learning about the customs associated with the Day of the Dead, Torrey begins to change and rearrange her priorities. While looking attractive and dressing in fashionable clothing might still matter in some respects, maybe they aren’t the only thing that should matter. As Torrey finally moves away from her own self-absorption, she reconnects with herself while remembering what she loved most about her little sibling. There are lessons here about what matters in life and observations about society's fascination with the pain and suffering of others, as well as the impact of those with an online presence that make the book well worth discussing. Despite all her possessions, Torrey still feels lost during much of the book. The old adage you can’t buy happiness proves true once again.

Frank, E. R. (2015). Dime. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster/Atheneum.

A foster child, 13-year-old Dime has watched a series of children come and go in the foster home she shares with Janelle. When life at home becomes too problematic and Janelle expects her to miss school to help out, the young girl ends up on the street. Circumstances lead to her ending up with Daddy, a would-be kingpin with a stable of girls, eventually including L.A., Brandy, Dime, and Lollipop. Daddy is a piece of work with his gleaming "D" on one tooth, and his smooth-talking ways. Having known little love or security, Dime falls for everything he says, and before she realizes it, she's turning tricks to help him pay the rent. After all, she needs a place to stay and he loves her, doesn't he? Little by little, Dime loses herself until there are only a few parts she recognizes. Still, she’s an avid reader, familiar with To Kill a Mockingbird, Number the Stars, and The Book Thief, a familiarity prompts her to use the voices of Sex and Money to tell her own story. It's hard to think of any other narrators that could relate her woeful saga more effectively. Providing just enough details for verisimilitude, the author puts readers right into Dime's shoes. It's easy to see why she follows Daddy's commands, eventually growing numb to what might sicken, horrify, or repulse readers. Set primarily in New Jersey, this is an important book, which will surely prompt much discussion. It’s clear that human trafficking occurs closer to home than readers might like to think.

Niven, Jennifer. (2015). All the Bright Places. New York, NY: Knopf.

The two main characters in this book meet when one keeps the other one from falling—or jumping—from the school bell tower. This is no sweet, happily-ever-after romance. Readers realize from the book’s opening pages both Theodore Finch and Violet Markey are in trouble. Finch spends his days drawn to death and considering possible ways to die while also searching for reasons to live. Guilt-ridden after her older sister’s death, Violet can't wait to leave Indiana far behind. After Finch helps Violet come away from the tower, they end up being paired for a school project and head off on road trips to examine the state's wonders. Impossibly but inexorably, they become friends and then fall in love. Violet slowly starts enjoying life once again while Finch falls into deeper and lengthier depressions. The scenes between the ill-fated couple make readers feel as though they are eavesdropping on two very real teens looking for reasons to stay. Readers will certainly argue about the responsibilities families and teachers have for mentally ill youngsters since they can’t help wondering how Finch might have been saved.  By the time the book concludes, readers will be emotionally wrung out, missing Finch and his bright life force he was, and angry for many reasons, mostly because it seems as though nothing could help him after a certain point. If nothing else, the book makes it clear that the world is filled with remarkable places, moments, and possibilities, and it's hard to figure out why that wasn't enough to offset the bleak parts of life for Finch. This one will trouble readers even as they embrace their own bright places.

Reynolds, Jason. (2015). The Boy in the Black Suit. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster/Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Like so many other boys his age, 17-year-old Matt Miller is dealing with death. In his case, the unexpected death of his mother. As the story unfolds, it's clear she was the glue that held the family together as Matt's father begins drinking to cope with his loss, and Matt is floundering. Basically a good kid, Matt keeps up with his homework, avoids the gangs in his Brooklyn neighborhood, and even takes a job at the local funeral home. While struggling with the emptiness left by his mother's death and missing her terribly, he finds solace in attending the funerals for which he sets up repasts. Only when he sees others breaking down emotionally does he feel as though he is around others who can understand his own experience. But it’s only when he meets Lovey, a girl who has lost both her mother and her grandmother and yet still finds the bright spots in life, that he finally starts to heal. Like Matt, Lovey has a soft, caring inside belying the tough exterior she often shows. While some of the connections and coincidences in the story may seem unlikely, the book’s characters are well drawn and complex, and Matt’s voice is distinct and authentic. Readers will easily relate to Matt's pain and sorrow as they move past the disappointments in their lives and do the best with their lots in life. It's hard not to contrast Matt’s boss, the elderly Mr. Ray and Candy Man, a former basketball star—those roads not traveled. Considering the ripple effects of an action might make a reader think twice before acting. Teen readers will be drawn to this book and eagerly anticipate more from this bright new writing talent who tells appealing stories almost effortlessly.

Wagner, Laura Rose. (2015). Hold Tight, Don’t Let Go. New York, NY: Abrams/Amulet Books.

As the fifth anniversary of the earthquake that destroyed parts of Haiti approaches, this book by a debut author describes how quickly someone's life can be changed. Not only does 15-year-old Magdalie lose her aunt and home during the earthquake, but her country changes in many ways. Nadine, the cousin who is like a sister to her, is able to obtain a visa and leave the country, while Magdalie desperately concocts plans to make money, even selling clean water to tourists worried about unclean water. Plunging her readers into the moments right before and after the disaster, the author painstakingly describes life in the camps as families come together to help one another after the devastation. While Magdalie makes bad decisions and is rather naïve, she also never gives up, making it clear that she is a survivor, and that possibly, her homeland could have a bright future if it relies on others like her. The author makes it quite clear how important individual acts of kindness can be in the aftermath of a disaster such as this one. While it is possible to prepare for some disasters, how society and individuals react during those challenges speaks volumes. The authorial voice here is distinct, filled with hope, determination, and the steadfast belief in holding on to one’s dreams, and many readers will be pleased to find this historical event covered in a novel for teens, especially since there is little focus on aid from outside Haiti. Much of the story covers how the Haitians are managing to help themselves.

Barbara A. Ward teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in literacy at Washington State University, Pullman. She spent 25 years teaching in the public schools of New Orleans where she worked with students at every grade level, from kindergarten through high school as well as several ability levels. She is certified in elementary education, English education, and gifted education. She holds a bachelor’s in communications and a master’s in English Education from the Univeristy of Tennessee and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of New Orleans.

These reviews are submitted by members of the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG)and are published weekly on Reading Today Online. 

The end of another year affords many of us the chance to reflect on the experiences and lessons that have passed. We can revisit favorite books and weigh those early favorites against more recent tantalizing reads to see how they stack up. This week is just the first half of our favorite chapter books or nonfiction titles for middle grade and teen readers.  If you’ve missed some of these or want to take a second look at them, you’d better hurry. The 2015 titles are just around the corner.

Look for part two of our favorites Dec. 29.

Middle Grades

Acampora, Paul. (2014). I Kill the Mockingbird.  New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press.

Harper Lee's classic To Kill a Mockingbird (J. B. Lippincott, 1960) is a mainstay of many middle grade classrooms since it is often on the dreaded required summer reading list or assigned during the regular academic year. Three best friends, Lucy, Elena, and Michael, hatch a plot to make the book popular with readers. They know from experience the kiss of a death for a book is be assigned, especially during the summer. Drawing inspiration from a former teacher who died unexpectedly—Fat Bob—the three print up flyers, concoct a website, and make it almost impossible to find copies of the book. Their small campaign takes off, eventually involving celebrities and readers across the nation. Ultimately, I Kill the Mockingbird is a paean to getting lost in a good book. Several references to other great books are sprinkled throughout, and this bookish trio has fond regards for bookstores and libraries. Naturally, things get out of their control, and the author deftly weaves in family interactions as well as a budding romance and a reminder that enjoying life to the fullest means taking some risks. In today's world, it seems important that teens and adults consider what risks are worth taking and which ones are not. This humorous and yet thoughtful book will surely prompt readers to take a second look at the book that inspired all this activism.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Angus, Sam. (2014). A Horse Called Hero.  New York, NY: Feiwel & Friends.

As WWII comes closer to their London home, Wolfie and Dodo, the children of a decorated war hero, evacuate to the countryside. When the woman with whom they are placed doesn't trust them partly because of Wolfgang's German-sounding name, she turns them out. A local school teacher and her father, the town's vicar, take in the children and the foal Wolfie has raised. The mistrust of the townspeople and their classmates is described eloquently as their father is charged with treason, and the newspaper pages are filled with the scandal. The bond between Wolfie and Hero, his horse, is strong, strengthened by his careful attention to his father's written advice about how to care for a horse. Readers' hearts will break when Hero disappears, but Wolfie never gives up on somehow finding him. Many readers will be ignorant of some of the events described in this well-written book, including the evacuation of children from the cities to rural areas, the use of the Exmoor ponies or the massacre at Wormhout. Illustrating vividly the loyalty and the bond between humans and animals as well as the cruelty of some humans, the book depicts honestly how desperation leads to desperate actions.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Hill, Kirkpatrick. (2014). Bo at Iditarod Creek. Illus. by LeUyen Pham. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

Following up on her delightful Bo at Ballard Creek (Henry Holt and Company, 2013), which won the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, the author follows the adventures of a blended Alaskan Family. The previous book left off as Jack and Arvid, two strapping miners with hearts of gold, leave Ballard Creek after the mine plays out. They take Bo and Graf, their adopted children, with them, of course. The trip takes quite a long time, and they contend with mosquitoes and boredom as well as seeing what must have been the largest ghost town in Alaska. Once the family reaches Iditarod Creek, Bo finds very few children with whom to play, and the sounds of the dredge whose noise fills the air disturb their senses and make the family long for the tundra and quietness. Because gold lies beneath some of the houses, residents have grown accustomed to having their houses relocated. As in the first book, the author describes the quick friendships that spring up among the townsfolk as well as delicious meals and community celebrations. She also addresses some of the racism and prejudices of the times, but throughout the book, it's clear that Bo and Graf have landed with the right family. One of the most entertaining parts of the story involves the children's education through a mail order program that specifies exactly what the teacher should say and do, and includes the Dick and Jane readers from which so many learned to read. Needless to say, Bo is not impressed. This installment of the family’s daily adventures was every bit as satisfying as its predecessor, and as the family heads off to a new home in Mammoth Creek with another family member, readers will want to know what happens next.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Keplinger, Kody. (2014). The Swift Boys & Me. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

The cover and title might lead readers to think its character will be caught up in a love triangle with her neighbor boys, but that isn’t the case at all. Eleven-year-old Nola Sutton usually spends her summers and free time with the Swift brothers who live next door. Her very best friend, Canaan, often intercedes when others tried to give her a hard time. But things change one summer after the boys' father leaves them without even saying goodbye. The family starts to fall apart as their mother becomes severely depressed and neglectful. Suddenly, all three boys change. Canaan especially seems impossible to recognize since he hangs out with the local bullies and ignores Nola. She concocts a plan to let Mr. Swift know how much the boys miss him, but even though her plan doesn't work out, she gets to know her own maternal grandmother a lot better. She also finds different friends in Teddy Ryan and Felicia. While things improve for Nola and her family as they prepare to move to a new home, the fate of the friendship between Canaan and Nola is uncertain. Readers may come to realize that some wounds are too painful to be forgiven or forgotten.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Young Adult, Grades 9-12

Dellaira, Ava. (2014). Love Letters to the Dead. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

In mourning for her older sister, May, Laurel starts the academic year in a new school where no one knows about what happened to May. Her English teacher assigns the class to write a letter to a dead person, and Laurel writes a letter to Kurt Cobain, one of her sister's favorite musicians. As she searches for her own identity, she continues to write throughout the year to Kurt and other musicians, poets, actors, even Amelia Earhart. Initially, the letters are filled with the same starry-eyed admiration for these celebrities she felt for her older sister. But as Laurel finds two good friends, falls in love, and comes to terms with her sister's imperfections and her own past, she sees their deaths differently, and the tone of the letters changes. It's impossible to resist Laurel's charms while also worrying about whether she will be able to survive as she tries desperately to emulate her sister in every way. This coming of age tale is filled with tender moments and secrets, revealed slowly and honestly, and it’s likely to be a beacon for other teens struggling to figure out who they are and where they fit in.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Han, Jenny. (2014). To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.  New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Once her older sister Margot’s departure for college in Scotland, junior Lara Jean Song works hard to keep the family together while dealing with various romantic complications. Things get quite messy after the letters she wrote to the five boys on whom she's had crushes over the years are removed from their storage place in a hatbox and mailed to them. Because Lara Jean is particularly worried about the reaction of Josh, her sister's longtime boyfriend, she enlists the help of classmate Peter Kavinsky, also a recipient of one of the letters. Since he and his on-again/off-again girlfriend Genevieve are on the outs, he agrees to pose as Lara's boyfriend to make her jealous. While readers will surely enjoy the romance, they will also appreciate how much the novel's protagonist grows over the course of the book. As the cautious teen starts taking some risks and trying new things, she still remains true to herself. At some points readers have more insight into Lara Jean and her two sisters than she does. The book tackles several important issues including how quickly gossip moves through the halls of high school and the double standard when it comes to sexually active males and females. Readers will wonder what complications are waiting for Lara Jean in the forthcoming sequel.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Hattemer, Kate. (2014). The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy. New York, NY: Knopf Books for Young Readers.

Junior Ethan Andrezejczak isn't sure why the popular Luke Weston chose to hang around with him and his friends Elizabeth and Jackson, but together, the crew relishes observing high school society and making snarky remarks about the arts-based reality show being staged at Selwyn Academy. They plot to publish a lengthy poem describing all that is wrong with the show. But their tight bond is severed once Luke joins the dark side and becomes a participant on the show. While Ethan spends time with Jackson's gerbil Baconnaise and his other friends and has a few brief encounters with the object of his affections, dancer Maura Heldsman, the friends discover some unpleasant truths behind the reality show and their English teacher and principal. Readers may enjoy considering the distinction between art and an artist's beliefs and background against the dishonest depiction of life in the so-called reality show. In the show, for instance, Maura is portrayed as a slut, falling in love and hooking up with all the guys on the show when nothing could be further from the truth. Although Ethan lacks self-awareness through most of the book, he somehow finds the strength to do what he thinks is right in the end.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Howell, Simmone. (2014). Girl Defective. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

In this import from Australia, 15-year-old Skylark Martin is the daughter of a musical performance artist given to expressing herself in bizarre fashion—for instance, she dances around with 1,000 tampons hanging off her clothing—and a vinyl record shop owner. Sky's mother moved out several years ago, partly because she couldn't cope with her son Gully and his special needs. Gully's disability is never specified, but he clearly has trouble dealing with others and spends much of his time as a spy. As the Martins' world starts to come apart, Sky finds herself attracted to Luke, the brother of a girl who drowned in the nearby canal. She also tries to follow in the sophisticated footsteps of Nancy, a beautiful older friend who takes many of the risks Sky would like to take. And yet, there can be no risks without some danger, as Sky realizes. Could it be that Nancy is in far more danger than she realizes? It's up to Gully, Luke, and Sky to figure that out. Ultimately, the book reminds readers of the dangers of putting someone we admire on a pedestal, and the beauty of loving someone, imperfections and all.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Magoon, Kekla. (2014). How It Went Down.  New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

Sixteen-year-old Tariq Johnson’s death on the streets of his Underhill neighborhood resembles some of the recent high-profile deaths of black youths. As in life, so it is in fiction, and the truth about how things actually went down is not easy to determine. Using multiple voices, including family members, friends, bystanders, gang members, a minister in search of publicity, and the owner of the neighborhood store from which Tariq emerged, the author presents conflicting perspectives of the story, which seems to get more complicated with every turn of the page. Even whether he was carrying a gun or not or was a member of the neighborhood gang are disputed matters. It's not even clear why Jack Franklin, the white man who shot him, behaved as he did. As the neighborhood rallies in support of Tariq and in furor at Franklin's being freed without facing any criminal charges, readers will be given glimpses into how hard it is to avoid the gang life and stick to the straight and narrow when even a casual walk through one's neighborhood means traveling through mean streets. Additionally, they will surely wonder at the difficulty in deriving the truth about what actually happened and how perspectives shape what we think we see. The book will surely rattle readers' certainty about what they know about race relations and how they assign guilt for certain actions. The author handles many characters and complicated matters and feelings deftly while keeping her readers guessing about how things will turn out.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

These reviews are submitted by members of the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) and are published weekly on Reading Today Online. 

Each year bookstore bookshelves are filled with the latest and greatest picture books, and throughout the year many readers try to determine their favorites. Many of the titles contain eye-catching illustrations and deep messages, most that will attract readers of all ages. Some are the creation of perennial favorites, while others provide tantalizing evidence that a new artistic talent has burst on the children’s literature scene. This week’s book reviews of favorite picture books from 2014 from the Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group include ones you may have seen reviewed earlier this year, but these are keepers.

Barnett, Mac. (2014). Sam and Dave Dig a Hole. Illus. by Jon Klassen. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

The creators of the marvelous Extra Yarn (Balzer + Bray, 2012) collaborate again to feature two nondescript characters, Sam and Dave, who may remind readers of themselves at play. The two determinedly dig a hole in search of something spectacular. Although Sam and Dave can’t see anything worth finding as they tunnel through the earth, readers can see a large diamond right beneath their shovels. Eventually, they continue their digging path in a meandering fashion that leads them far from the treasure. Exhausted, they fall asleep only to be awakened as they fall through a hole made by the faithful dog that has accompanied them. The ending leaves readers uncertain about what has happened since there are changes to the house to which they return. The digital and colored pencil illustrations will surely have readers guessing about what happened while also having the chance to see what Sam and Dave cannot see throughout the story. The text and illustrations mirror many youthful attempts to dig a hole that reaches all the way to the other side of the world.                                                                                             

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Barnett, Mac. (2014). Telephone. Illus. by Jen Corace. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.

Most children will be familiar with the game of “Gossip” or “Telephone” and how messages are often distorted intentionally or unintentionally. Whether because they are misheard or deliberately misinterpreted, the original message often bears little resemblance to the one the hearer finally hears in a game of "Telephone." In this case, one mother bird’s message to her offspring telling him to fly home for supper passes from one bird to another, getting mangled along the way, until an owl somehow manages to correctly interpret a nonverbal message and put things back on track. Filled with watercolor, ink, gouache, and pencil illustrations drenched in primary colors, this is a terrific picture book to introduce the topics of gossip and character assassination. Maybe the moral here is to deliver your messages yourself if you want to make sure they go through correctly.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Bingham, Kelly. (2014). Circle, Square, Moose.  Illus. by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York, NY: HarperCollins/Greenwillow Books.

After galloping through the alphabet in all the most inappropriate places, the star of Z Is for Moose (HarperCollins, 2012) goes off on a tear through various shapes, including a square, a triangle, and a circle. As Moose tries desperately to find a place where he fits, inserting himself in this concept book just as he did in its alphabetical predecessor, Zebra comes to his rescue, only to need rescuing himself. The text is amusing, and the bright illustrations play with the interruptions caused by Moose that occur within a most orderly book about shapes. Fans of meta-fictive techniques will enjoy this one just as much as the first one while hoping the author and illustrator decide to do this all again.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Brown, Peter. (2014). My Teacher is a Monster! (No, I am Not.) New York, NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Despite what many students believe, teachers are not really monsters, intent on ruining their charges’ lives. They have lives outside of their classrooms, and when you get them by themselves, they can actually be rather fun as this picture book shows. Robert’s teacher, Ms. Kirby, is depicted as rather monstrous with her green skin, fangs, and knotted hair. But a chance encounter in the park allows him to see her differently. The two bond over duck quacking and throwing paper airplanes. Fashioned with India ink, watercolor, gouache, and pencil on paper, the illustrations show how Ms. Kirby has gone from monster to human being in Robert’s eyes. Just as students have their less appealing sides as well as their angelic sides, teachers do as well. Students will enjoy watching Ms. Kirby’s transition and wondering if their own teachers might have a less monstrous side as well. This title is perfect for reading and sharing.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Bryant, Jen. (2014). The Right Word: Roget and his Thesaurus. Illus. by Melissa Sweet. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdman’s.

A must-have title for word lovers, this lively text relates the story of Peter Mark Roget, who created and published a thesaurus that has remained continuously in print since 1852. Writers struggling to find the right word to express their sentiments often turn to a thesaurus for help. Not only has every word in this picture book biography been chosen carefully, but the watercolor, collage, and mixed media illustrations and intricately designed end papers are splendid. Readers will savor this biography of a man relatively unknown in modern times but one who clearly loved words, ideas, and thinking. It’s easy to imagine the young Roget in search of the right word as he wandered the city streets and the countryside with his notes in his pocket.
Essential for classroom libraries, this book is a treasure trove of delight for any budding sesquipedalian.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Cole, Tom Clohosy. (2014). Wall. Somerville, MA: Candlewick/Templar.

The pages of this book are filled with dark, emotion-laden digital illustrations that capture perfectly life after Berlin was divided into half. This division often separated families as in the case of the narrator who dreams of his own father coming to rescue his family, stuck in East Berlin. When his father doesn’t arrive, he secretly digs a tunnel beneath the land that divides the two sides, and relies on the unexpected kindness of a soldier who allows the narrator, his mother, and his sister to pass unscathed. Despite the fact that the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, the author makes the fear and paranoia of those times after WWII palpable here, making it useful for a social studies class and a discussion of the aftermath of the war. Once again, a picture book makes it clear just how much of an impact political decisions have on the humans who have little control over them.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Davies, Benji. (2014). The Storm Whale. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Even six cats aren’t enough to fill the void when Noi’s father leaves him alone while he goes off fishing. Desperate to share his thoughts, he rescues a small whale washed ashore by a fierce storm and shares his stories with the marine mammal. Although he briefly hides the whale from his father, eventually the two of them work together to return it the sea where it belongs. This poignant story reminds readers of the importance of spending time with loved ones and listening to their adventures. Filled with muted colors, the illustrations evoke a sense of the briny sea air and sandy beach where the book is set. The story plucks away at readers’ heart strings long after they've finished reading it.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Gravett, Emily. (2014). Matilda’s Cat. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

There is no doubt that Matilda loves her feline companion, but she has no idea what the cat enjoys. None of the activities that thrill Matilda—playing with wool, fighting with foes or even climbing trees—appeals to her cat. The one thing that this cat loves is Matilda, a bond that makes her cat tolerate her efforts to entertain it.  The author's simple text and illustrations, created with oil-based pencil, watercolor, and colored pencils, show the poor cat's ever-heightening anxiety as Matilda's games become increasingly wilder. Even the bedtime story she reads to her cat is frightening since it features Dogs (Simon & Schuster, 2010), an earlier picture book by this same author/illustrator. The book features so many delightful touches: the back cover with the cat scratching the wall, the endpapers, and the look of bliss as the two friends snuggle in bed, content to have found something they have in common.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Haughton, Chris. (2014). Sh! We Have a Plan. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

Four individuals of different sizes move through the woods at night in search of prey. It quickly becomes clear that they are not out for a stroll but are carrying nets—and have a plan—to capture a bird. Over and over, they fail in capturing their prey, while the smallest member of the party attracts a flock of birds without a net but through his friendliness, kindness, and offer of food. Of course, the others never learn from his example and keep hushing him and insisting that they have a plan. Many young readers will enjoy the story on a surface level while others will see its life lessons about the effectiveness of force or gentleness. The repetitive, cautionary "Shh"s and the moody digital illustrations make readers feel as though they are moving through the night stealthily with a plan or two of their own.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Hofmeyr, Dianne. (2014). Zeraffa Giraffa. Illus. by Jane Ray.  London, United Kingdom: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.

In an attempt to impress the King of France, Muhammad Ali, an Egyptian ruler, sends him an impressive gift, a giraffe. A mere baby when her journey to Paris begins, the giraffe, named Zeraffa, travels first tied to a camel, then on a small ship, next to a large sailing ship, and finally on foot. She and her keeper, a boy named Atir, arrive at their destination in 1827, two and a half years after they set out. The watercolor illustrations show the giraffe's gentle nature and extraordinary colors and eyes and the amazement of the French citizens who were fascinated by Zeraffa’s arrival. Readers will be intrigued by the wonderful protective devices that were devised for Zeraffa, including a fur-trimmed cloak to keep her warm during the winter. It would be hard not to fall in love with this extraordinary creature or the story about her.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Jeffers, Oliver. (2014). Once Upon an Alphabet. New York, NY: Philomel.

It has been said that every picture tells a story, but in this book, the author/illustrator finds a story in every letter of the alphabet. As he brilliantly crafts short—very short—stories for all 26 letters of the alphabet, he even links some of the characters from one story to the next or from one letter (e for enigma and elephant) to another (n for nearly nine thousand) in stylish fashion. Deftly playing with words and concepts, he introduces readers to a problem-solving owl and octopus team while also slipping in some characters familiar to fans of his earlier books. Filled with humor and possibilities, this picture book encourages readers to consider each letter and wonder what might happen next or what happened before the story started. Since this unique ABC book begins and ends with an unlikely astronaut named Edmund who is trying to conquer his fear of heights, readers will feel as though they have been drawn into a story arc that veers into multiple directions. The illustrations consist of drawings created with ink with digitally added spot colors on the letters. Although the book jacket suggests reading the entire book in one gulp or dipping into a letter or story or two at one time, word lovers may want to read it a couple of times in a row and then sharing it with a reading buddy. Because there is so much going on here, it's not intended for beginning readers unless they are intellectually sophisticated.                               

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

McCarney, Rosemary. (2014). Dear Malala, We Stand With You. New York, NY: Random House/Crown Books for Young Readers.

This appealing photo essay is essentially a letter of support for social activist Malala Yousafzai from girls from around the globe. Because she chose to attend school, 15-year-old Malala was gunned down in 2012 by the Taliban in Pakistan. The book provides a brief overview of what happened to Malala, and then allows various girls to greet her and express their support and sympathy. It is also a call to action since many of these girls have been inspired to fight for their own education through her example. Shockingly, the book is dedicated to the 65 million girls who are not in either primary or secondary school, a statistic that will make readers think hard about the value of an education. Anyone that takes for granted this nation’s freedoms and those who complain about having to study or complete homework should read this book as a reminder of the life-changing power of an education.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Macintosh, David. (2014). Lucky. New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams.

Delighted that their mother has a surprise waiting for them at the end of the day, Leo and his brother try hard to guess what it might be. The narrator's imagination runs wild with all the possibilities, and he blows everything out of proportion, setting up expectations that will be hard to meet. Once the brothers arrive home, there is, indeed, a surprise, but it doesn’t come close to what the boys had imagined. Many young readers will relate to the narrator's disappointment while also being glad for Leo's ability to put a positive spin on everything. Maybe, in the end, there are lots of different ways to be lucky. The illustrations are filled with bright colors and large font sizes that show the boys' rising excitement throughout the story and the narrator's ultimate disappointment.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Millard, Glenda. Once a Shepherd. Illus. by Phil Lesnie. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

Although he loves his idyllic life tending sheep and doesn’t want to leave the peaceful meadows where they graze, Tom Shepherd does his duty and heads off to war. When he doesn't return, his wife and the child he never got to see must somehow find a way to carry on. While nothing can help Cherry, Tom's wife, feel better, her pain is eased when a visitor arrives to provide details of how he died and in imagining a world without conflict, made possible, in part, through Tom’s sacrifice. This picture book provides a way to introduce war's painful losses while also providing some hope for a peaceful future because of those losses. Readers will notice the poetic lines and the repetition of the word "once" in an almost fairy tale fashion, and how the text and the lovely watercolor illustrations contrast scenes of war and peace.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Morris, Jackie. (2014). Something About a Bear. London, United Kingdom: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.

Lovely watercolor illustrations effectively show the differences among various kinds of bears, from the brown bear to the sun bear. Each bear gets its due with information provided about its eating habits, habitat, and characteristics. The animals are the stars here, and the author/illustrator has clearly spent a great deal of time observing them. Back matter includes thumbnail sketches of the bears readers encountered earlier in the book. Even the opening pages are inviting and have a storytelling quality about them: "Let me tell you something--something about a bear" (unpaged). This is an excellent introductory title to include in a science classroom. Readers will surely want to know more about this incredible species depicted through simple text and highly–detailed illustrations.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

O’Connor, George. (2014). If I Had a Raptor. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Delighted by how fluffy a baby is, a charming little girl dreams of what it might be like to bring home a baby raptor. Things start off just fine with the raptor playing hide and seek and warming up on the windowsill. But as it gets larger and older, the raptor grows larger and is sure to revert to its natural nature. After all, it is a raptor. Readers will simultaneously smile and shudder at this one, and they certainly will be glad for the presence of that bell hanging around the raptor's neck. Rendered in pencil and watercolor with some additional digital touches, the illustrations delightfully push readers' imaginations. One of the best parts of the book is how much the raptor resembles the more familiar family house cat in its antics.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Offill, Jenny. (2014). Sparky! Illus. by Chris Appelhans. New York: Random House/Schwartz & Wade.

As happens with many youngsters desperate for a pet of their own, the narrator mounts a campaign to persuade her mother to let her have one. After doing research about pets that meet her mother's requirements, her choices are limited, and she ends up with a sloth. The two spend time together, but the sloth's slowness makes it hard for them to share very much. Not surprisingly, even training the sloth to do tricks takes a long, long, long time. There's something appealing about the sloth, though, and even though others may not see the appeal in her pet sloth, the narrator does. The text is wonderfully understated, and the watercolor and pencil illustrations depict the growing bond between a girl and her sloth perfectly. Despite her best intentions, the sloth remains essentially a sloth. Readers will do a second take after reading lines such as this one: "We played Statue and Sparky was very, very good" (unpaged), which is not surprising. This book will brought a smile to reader’s lips as they contemplate this unlikely friendship. There’s just something appealing about Sparky that makes readers root for the two friends.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Rudge, Leila. (2014). A Perfect Place for Ted. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Day after day, Ted watches as the animals in the pet shop where he lives leave with their new human companions. Despite his best efforts, no one ever notices him, and he decides to take matters in his own hands, leaving the pet shop behind and looking for a way to gain the attention of others. As he looks for ways to stand out, he finally catches the attention of Dot who is looking for a furry friend and adopts Ted. The book’s conclusion is simply "puuuurrrrrfect" (unpaged), and the illustrations, created in pencil, ink, and collage, show Ted's feelings perfectly. Those last few pages with the surprised faces of Ted’s new housemates are terrific, capturing how cats behave when something new enters their domain. Ted’s perfect place may not be what he had in mind, but clearly, he is surrounded by much love and furry bodies.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Saltzberg, Barney. (2014). Tea with Grandpa. New York, NY: Macmillan/Roaring Brook Press.

Distance can make it hard to maintain strong relationships with others. But this picture book written in rhyming text shows how one granddaughter and her grandfather keep those family ties strong through the use of technology and a daily ritual that they share across the miles that separate them. While young readers will probably realize from the very first page how the two are managing to share a cup of tea, older readers may not. This is a sweet reminder of how innovations can make it easier to communicate and keep the distance from growing. The illustrations are just as appealing as the sweet story that shows how much love there is between these two family members.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Van Hout, Mies. (2014). Surprise. Holland: Lemniscaat.

It's pretty amazing how a bird can express so many human emotions so vividly as this lovely picture book shows on every page. The author/illustrator takes an adult bird through all the stages of life, beginning with “yearning” for an offspring all the way through the “letting go” part when the little bird is sent off on its own. Parents and children will enjoy sharing this picture book and discussing how it mimics life. Especially appealing are the illustrations of the mother bird as she listens to her offspring. Many readers will be able to relate to this bird's experiences and the surprises, cloaked in vibrant colors against a dark background that greet readers on every page.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

These reviews are submitted by members of the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) and are published weekly on Reading Today Online.