Summer camp: when things go wrong

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Anna-Jane and the Endless Summer by Paige Classey (Random House Books for Young Readers, 400 pages, grades 5-8). Anna-Jane is excited to be returning to summer camp, reuniting with old friends, learning archery and improving her creative writing skills, and maybe even having her first crush. But when the 13-year-old cabin goes into town for a Friday night out, they’re spooked by the lack of people they see. On their way home, they realize their phones aren’t working. Before long, it becomes apparent that there’s a pandemic making both humans and animals ill. Many of the campers get picked up immediately, but some, including Anna-Jane, hear nothing from their parents and are stuck at camp. As the summer goes on, the campers have to increasingly rely on their own wits as they deal with a dwindling food supply, cooler weather, and a counselor who seems on the verge of leading a Lord of the Flies style revolt. The ending brings a glimmer of hope but leaves much still unresolved and uncertain.

This novel in verse pulls the reader in immediately and becomes increasingly hard to put down as the mysterious events unfold. It’s a perfect blend of 13-year-old experiences with friendships and crushes and compelling survival story. The kids really rise to the occasion, especially science fan Morgan, who starts the story as a bit of an outcast and winds up being one of the biggest heroes. This would make a great book club choice for middle school, with plenty to discuss and speculate about after the last page.

Sockflea: A Stuffie in the Wild by Laura Dockrill, illustrated by Eva Byrne (Candlewick, 40 pages, ages 3-7). The young elephant narrator insists that they don’t need to bring a stuffie on a camping trip. When their grown-up reminds the them that they may want a friend at bedtime, they reply, “I’m FIVE!” Off they go, and camping turns out to be awesome! There’s a tent, a fire, hot dogs, and even new friends. But when it gets dark, the little elephant is nervous. “I squeeze my eyes shut to sleep, but…They. Won’t. Stick. The quick-thinking–and no doubt, desperate–grown-up comes up with an idea. Two fuzzy socks tied together become Sockflea, a creature sent by the stuffies at home to keep the young elephant company. A little imagination goes a long way, and not only does Sockflea make bedtime easier, it becomes the hit of the whole camping trip. Back home, Sockflea disappears, adding to the sense that it was all magic…until the little elephant notices the fuzzy socks on their grown-up’s feet.

Thankfully, the issues on this camping trip are a lot easier to deal with than the one above, but nevertheless, there’s some real angst around bedtime and the lack of stuffies. The portrayal of the young elephant is spot-on with the daytime bravado giving way to nighttime jitters, and the grown-up’s solution is brilliant. Kids will both relate to and get a lot of laughs from both the story and illustrations.

Ocean animals

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The Octopus by Guojing (Two Lions, 48 pages, ages 4-8). A little girl and her mother are walking on the beach when they find a tiny octopus caught in some plastic rings. The girl carefully frees the octopus, then lets it go in the ocean. To repay her kindness, the creature uses a shell pendant around her neck to create magic that shrinks her down to its own size. Together they go on a magical journey through the sea, swimming with all kinds of marine animals and hiding together in scallop shells. When a sea turtle swims head first into a plastic bag, the girl frees it, then takes the bag back with her when she returns home. Back on the beach with her mom, she discards the bag and other trash she’s found into the proper receptacles, then shares her amazing story with her mother while they watch a beautiful beach sunset together. Includes an author’s note with additional information about keeping beaches clean and treating animals with respect, as well as some fun facts about octopuses.

The luminous illustrations tell the story in this wordless picture book that also imparts a lesson about taking care of the environment. Kids will be enraptured by the adorable octopus and the magical underwater scenes.

The Secrets of the Jellies: Amazing Jellyfish and Their Surprising Talents by Karen Jameson, illustrated by Marie Hermansson (Chronicle Books, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Inspired by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s jellyfish exhibit and live Jelly Cam, this book introduces kids to jellyfish with rhyming text and colorful illustrations portraying a variety of species that sometimes seems to glow in their marine habitat. A sentence or two on each page gives a fact about jellyfish, all of which are elaborated on in a page-by-page guide at the end. There are also thumbnail illustrations and additional information about 22 different jellyfish.

Readers will want to hop on a plane to California to see what must be a truly spectacular exhibit at the Monterey Aquarium. The book is written and illustrated in a way that will appeal to very young readers, but the additional information in the back makes it a good choice for older kids too. The only thing missing was a list of resources for further research.

The Whale’s Tale and the Otter’s Side of the Story: a book to read from front to back and back to front by Kate Messner, illustrated by Brian Biggs (Clarion Books, 40 pages, ages 4-9). A whale and an otter stand at a microphone, each one prepared to make the case about why its species is the best. Starting on the first page, the whale explains the superior ways that whales hunt, communicate, swim, and help the environment, with disparaging remarks about otters sprinkled throughout. The last page tells readers to start on the last page and read the book backwards. In this version, the exact same words are used by the otter to make the case that otters are better than whales. The author’s note explains how words can be used to create misinformation and encourages readers to consider a speaker or writer’s point of view learning something new. There’s also additional information about whales and otters, with a list of books for further reading.

This very clever book is written like Marilyn Singer’s reveso poetry, making it fun to read but also a good exercise in thinking about how the same words can be used to present points of view that are completely opposite. The illustrations are cute, with lots of humor, although I personally prefer a greater variety of colors than the mostly turquoise and black.

The beautiful game

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Lionel Messi’s World Cup Triumph (History’s Greatest Games, book 1) by Chris Barish, illustrated by Nate Sweitzer (Harry N. Abrams, 136 pages, grades 4-8). This graphic nonfiction account of how Lionel Messi led Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022 is narrated by a sports commentator who takes readers through a brief history of soccer, then tells them about another Argentinian great, Diego Maradono, who was key to the 1986 World Cup win. From there, we go to Messi’s childhood, when his greatness in the sport was apparent from an early age. A growth hormone deficiency threatened his chances of becoming an athletic superstar, but he was recruited by Barcelona, who paid for the medical treatment his parents couldn’t afford. Lionel won every championship imaginable, except for the ultimate World Cup one, which eluded him for four tournaments. The 2022 final against France went into extra time and was finally decided by a penalty shoot-out. In a final chapter, two fans debate whether Maradono or Messi is the Argentinian G.O.A.T., with readers left to decide for themselves. Includes a list of sources.

There are probably few people on the planet who know less about soccer than I do, yet I found this book riveting right up until the end (and I wound up on Team Messi in the final debate). The quick pace and exciting play-by-play narration will keep fans turning the pages. I hope more entries in this series are on their way soon, as it’s sure to be a popular choice for upper elementary and middle school readers.

Soccerology: Unbelievable Facts and Stories About the Beautiful Game by Kevin Sylvester (Annick Press, 92 pages, grades 4-7). The author delivers on his promise in the introduction to look at all aspects of soccer: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Starting with the earliest forms of the game that go all the way back to 1600 BCE, he moves to the current era of soccer when a consistent set of rules was codified in the nineteenth century, and then the evolution of that game to the present day. The bad and the ugly parts involve the uphill battle women and people of color have faced (and continue to face) to get equal playing time, publicity, and pay, as well as various scandals and the way money has come to dominate the game. The book ends with a chapter of fun facts about soccer, including games that feature underdogs, all-time records, and quirky trivia. Includes selected references with websites for further reading and an index.

Again, I can’t emphasize enough how little I know about soccer, and there I was again, getting drawn into this book that’s chock full of fascinating information. Soccer devotees will want to read it cover to cover while more casual fans will enjoy browsing through the different sections. The selected references list includes plenty of places to look for further information.

Finding your family

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Brady Mason’s Perfect Fit by Nicole Melleby (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 336 pages, grades 4-7). Being a foster kid all her life has given Brady a tough exterior, but inside she still feels uncertain, especially about the crush she has on her best friend. When another girl at her New Jersey group home notices Brady’s resemblance to fashion superstar Elena Lavigne, she creates a Tik Tok that goes viral. In no time at all, Brady has been discovered as Elena’s long-lost daughter and whisked away to a ritzy townhouse in Manhattan. Brady finds herself navigating a world of high fashion, a snobby preppy school, media attention, and, of course, getting to know the mother who gave her up for adoption to pursue a high-powered career. Brady tries to fit in, but she can only be herself, and she and her mom navigate a bumpy road to greater acceptance of each other. By the end of the story, the two have come to accept each other and are on their way to being a unique but loving family.

Fans of The Devil Wears Prada will enjoy this slightly unrealistic but always fun Cinderella tale. Elena gives Miranda Priestly vibes at first, but eventually reveals herself to be a kinder, gentler version who still feels uncertain about her own unconventional path to success. Brady is a spunky protagonist who must deal with an enormous change just as she is entering adolescence and coming to terms with the fact that she’s gay. She and Elena provide some good role models for learning how to be part of an unconventional family.

Midsummer Sisters by Niki Smith (Graphix, 272 pages, grades 4-8). Stepsisters Kenzie and Quinn can’t remember a time that they weren’t part of the same family after their parents married when they were very young. Now their parents’ marriage seems to be falling apart, which is even more stressful due to the threat of losing each other as sisters. Their grandmother steps in to take them for the summer to her home in the Outer Banks, where she works as a veterinarian at the Wild Horse Foundation. While the girls still worry about their family falling apart, they’re able to enjoy the beach, the kayaks, the horses, and the peace of Gramma’s small house. Kenzie gets excited about adding the fossilized shark teeth she finds at the beach to her extensive rock collection, while Quinn spends her spare time on her phone with the girl she has a crush on. When the end of the summer arrives, the girls find out the fate of their family, but they know that no matter what, they will always be sisters.

This emotionally wrenching graphic novel will speak to readers going through difficult times. Each girl has a distinctive look and personality–Kenzie is quieter, more scientifically minded, with long brown hair and a port wine stain on her forehead, while Quinn is redheaded, prone to sunburn, and more easily moved by her emotions. This would make a great beach read, with its compelling story line and striking depictions of the Outer Banks.

School’s out!

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Thank You, School by Louise Borden, illustrated by Paige Keiser (Holiday House, 32 pages, ages 4-9). As they go through their day, kids thank all the adults in their lives who help make school a positive experience for them. Dylan and Madeleine say thank you to a teacher rushing out her door at 7:15 a.m. Other kids take it from there, offering appreciation and gratitude for bus drivers, crossing guards, custodians, cafeteria workers, nurses, and all kinds of teachers. Last of all are the parents (and others) who pick their children up at the end of the day, admire work, and listen to stories about school.

Perfect for the end of the school, this book could inspire children to think about the adults in their lives who make school feel safe, fun, and interesting, and to figure out ways to express their gratitude.

Last Day Pool Party by Emma Steinkellner (Labyrinth Road, 176 pages, grades 3-7). Readers are introduced to members of the graduating eighth grade class as they walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. There’s Maya, the queen bee, and her cousin Paul, who only hangs out with his gaming friends online. Best friends Juhi and Liv have their celebration cut short when Juhi tells Liv her family is moving to London in three weeks. Rose feels invisible, as usual, when the principal skips over her name during the ceremony, and Dustin is nervous about his pool party after a humiliating incident went viral on social media. The book is divided by hour, and as the party progresses, there are surprising secrets revealed and new connections made. By the time the sun sets and the kids get ready to go home, it’s clear they’re ready to start a new chapter in their lives as they move on to high school.

This fun and lighthearted graphic novel with its summer setting is perfect for beach reading, showing kids that the end of each school year not only closes one chapter but opens a new one full of possibilities.

When history repeats itself

~ Janet Dawson ~ 5 Comments

Unbreakable: A Japanese American Family in an American Incarceration Camp by Minoru Tonai and Jolene Gutiérrez, illustrated by Chris Sasaki (Harry N. Abrams, 40 pages, grades 2 and up). Minoru Tonai tells the story of his family’s imprisonment during World War II. His father was questioned as early as October of 1941 about being a spy, despite his work as a farmer and his near deafness, and was taken away shortly after Pearl Harbor. Just six months later, the rest of the family was forced to leave their farm and their dog to move to a “detention center.” For the next three years, they endured desert heat and cold, barracks living, and a constant wind that blew sand everywhere. After two years, Papa was finally allowed to join the rest of the family, and in the fall of 1945, after more than three years of imprisonment, the family was allowed to go back home to California. Includes extensive back matter with notes from the illustrator and author (Gutiérrez only, as Minoru Tonai passed away in 2023 at the age of 94), a timeline and other additional information, and a bibliography.

The spare text and stark, brown-toned illustrations capture this dark chapter in American history as seen through the eyes of a young boy. Min’s father collected rocks, and these are symbolic in the story of the strength and resilience the family needed to get through these difficult years. Min doesn’t shy away from the injustice of their situation and the pain of their many losses. His story is an extremely valuable resource for teaching kids about the experience of thousands of Japanese Americans, and the back matter gives plenty of additional information as well as opening up topics for discussion.

Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación (Red Cornet Press, 48 pages, grades 2 and up). “In this land of promise, we hoped to find a place to belong.” So begins–and ends–this reverso poem that shows a Japanese-American family in World War II and a contemporary immigrant family detained at the southern border. In both cases, families are separated, and children are imprisoned behind barbed wire. They suffer from “meager food” and dust everywhere but are also heartened by the kindnesses of strangers and other immigrants, while they try to find beauty where they can. The girl on the last page looks out at the reader as she stands next to barbed wire, with a hope–but no promise–of finding a place to belong. Includes information about Fort Sill, Oklahoma, the site of both imprisonments, as well as that of members of the Chiricahua Apache tribe in the late 19th century; reverso poems; and the author’s family’s experience as Japanese Americans during World War II.

Wow, this book is so powerful, and the reverso poem is absolutely masterful. With spare text and haunting illustrations, Mia Wenjen shows how shameful history continues to repeat itself in America. Mia, I know you are a subscriber to this blog, so congratulations to you on this beautiful book, and I hope it gets some awards recognition.

Summer fun with a dose of social and emotional learning

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Serafina Makes Waves by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Robin Rosenthal (Dial Books, 40 pages, ages 3-8). On rainy days, you can find Serafina inside with her stuffed bunny Noodles. Because Serafina hates, loathes, DESPISES water. Whether it’s the bathtub or the ocean, Serafina gives water a definitive thumbs-down. So when the “powers-that-be” (Mom and Dad) say she has to take swimming lessons, Serafina tries every trick to get out of them. But nothing works, and she finds herself one Saturday morning standing dangerously close to the pool with her friend Lennie. When Lennie gets overly excited by a ball, he accidentally knocks Noodles out of Serafina’s arms. Instinct kicks in, and the next thing she knows, Serafina is in the water rescuing her stuffed bunny. Much to her surprise (and her parents’ shock), she kind of likes it! And, Reader, nowadays you can find Serafina stomping through puddles, soaking in the tub, and snorkeling through the ocean.

Serafina’s got a lot of cat-titude, and kids will get a big kick out of her one-kitty rebellion against all forms of water. Amidst the spot-on storytelling and the hilarious illustrations, there’s a good lesson about trying new things. This would make a great end-of-the school-year story time with Judgy Bunny (below), Jabari Jumps, or a summer kickoff one paired with Matthew Burgess’s Caldecott Award-winning Fireworks.

Judgy Bunny and the Terrible Beach by Scott Rothman, illustrated by Linzie Hunter (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 40 pages, ages 30-8). What’s wrong with the beach? Everything, according to Judgy Bunny. It’s too hot, the water is yucky, and the sandcastles and kites other kids are playing with are nothing special. When JB gets bonked by a beach ball, he declares it too round until another bunny comes up to him with an apology and an invitation to join the rest of the bunnies. The judgement continues until Judgy gets hit by another beach ball and breaks it with a giant POP. That doesn’t feel great, but the other bunnies assure him they have plenty of beach balls and continue to make friendly overtures. Finally, not-quite-as-Judgy Bunny admits that he likes ice cream, sandcastles, kites, and most surprisingly, boogie boards, but he’s still not crazy about beach balls.

We’ve all been with some version of Judgy Bunny (or maybe been a version ourselves), and perceptive readers will discern that Judgy Bunny might be critical because he feels left out. As with Serafina, the story and cartoon illustrations are funny enough to be enjoyed on their own merits, but they could also start a good conversation about including others–even grumpy, judgy others.

A graphic novel grab bag

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Mixed Feelings by Shadi Amini, illustrated by Shadia Amin (Graphix, 240 pages, grades 3-7). Based on the author’s life, this story follows sixth-grader Sara through her first year of middle school. There are the usual ups and downs: losing a best friend, discovering the joys of drama club, and dealing with physical changes, especially, in Sara’s case, new hair on her arms and legs that her mom won’t let her shave. One issue not shared by many of her peers is Sara’s mixed cultural identity. Her mom is Colombian and speaks Spanish, while her dad is Iranian and insists that she attend Farsi school, where the other students bully her for not being Persian enough. As the year goes on, Sara learns to embrace her dual heritage and stand up for who she is, which also allows her to see others around her with more empathy and eventually reconnect with her former best friend. Readers can look forward to the sequel, Mixed Signals, which will be available in October.

Seems hard to believe that there’s space on the shelves for another graphic novel about starting middle school, not fitting in, and ultimately learning to embrace who you really are, yet they keep coming, and, to be fair, readers keep loving them. This one is charming and does a nice job of addressing issues kids with mixed heritages may encounter. I liked how the book used different color fonts to show different languages (Spanish and Farsi), and there was a fun amount of 1990’s nostalgia woven into the story and illustrations.

Shy Cat and the Stuff-the-Bus Challenge by Dian Day and Amanda White (Second Story Press, 208 pages, grades 3-7). Mila and Kit are best friends, sharing a love of drawing, cats, and filmmaking, When Kit has a meltdown at school over a rusty, expired can of vegetables someone has brought in for the food drive, Mila starts noticing that Kit spends a lot of time thinking and talking about food. Her mom gently explains that she suspects that Kit and his mother are food insecure, and that Kit’s behavior stems from anxiety over whether they will have enough to eat. Mom tries to provide as many snacks and meals as she can for Kit and his mother without being too obvious about what she’s doing, and Mila’s mama, who lives in another part of town, gives her some advice about advocating for those who are food insecure. Kit is thrilled when he and his mom secure a community garden plot, but both he and Mila notice the unfairness that there aren’t enough plots for everyone who wants one. By the end of the story, Mila has learned enough about Kit’s situation to grant him some slack if he sometimes seems more interested in the snacks at her house than the fun they have together. Includes information about the Hungry Stories Team, a group that uses various creative outlets to share information about food insecurity.

This graphic novel provides important information about food insecurity for elementary readers with a story that’s both sobering and fun (the kids’ cat comics are sprinkled throughout, and there’s a subplot about a cranky neighbor who is eventually won over by a stray cat). At times, the message overwhelmed the story a bit, but it’s sure to open up kids’ eyes to what may be going on with some of their classmates and neighbors.

The Inbetweens by Faith Erin Hicks (First Second, 240 pages, grades 5-8). Twins Ash and Sloan are heading off to a summer animation course at the local art school, determined to pursue a dream they’ve shared since experiencing Disney’s World of Animation as kids. They’re excited to meet the celebrity teachers and other teens who love art and animation as much as they do. But as the weeks go by, things start to go wrong. Douglas Frye, a Disney animator and one of the teachers, turns out to favor the boys over the girls and almost shuts down Ash’s dreams completely. Meanwhile, Sloan is starting to question if animation is really the right path for her, not wanting to risk losing her love of art by turning it into a career. They decide to team up with two of their new friends for the final project, and it helps all four kids reconnect with the spark that brought them there originally and to create a film that they are all proud of.

While kids as young as third or fourth grade may enjoy this graphic novel, it really hits the sweet spot for middle schoolers. The teen characters have plenty of angst, but also plenty of heart, and ultimately each one uses the summer experience to discover his or her true passions. There’s plenty about animation and drawing woven into the story that young artists will enjoy and perhaps learn from as well.

Back to nature

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Just One Oak: What a Single Tree Can Be by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Diane Sudyka (Beach Lane Books, 48 pages, ages 4-9). What can one oak be? A home for all kinds of animals in all seasons, from its roots to its leaves. A provider of nutritious food, with the millions of acorns it produces over its life time. A climate regulator, slowing winds in the winter and giving shade in the summer. A single oak tree “is beautiful and bountiful to all.” Includes additional information and resources, ways to help oak trees, and an illustration of the oak’s life cycle.

The main narrative of this beautifully illustrated book tells the many amazing things an oak tree provides, while the smaller blocks of text give additional details. The information is fascinating, and this would make a great book for Earth Day as well as for any environmental educational program wanting to highlight the impact of a single tree on many areas of the ecosystem.

When the Sun Goes Down by Greg Pizzoli (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, ages 2-5). “Where do you go when the sun goes down?” This question is posed to creatures who live outside (a butterfly, an ant, and a bird), to a couple of indoor pets (fish and cat), and finally, to a child getting ready for bed. Does she go under a leaf like a butterfly? In the dirt like an ant? Curled up in a chair like a cat? No! She goes to bed, to sleep safe and sound. Good night.

Greg Pizzoli keeps cranking out fun and entertaining books for the youngest readers that they’ll be able to read along with sooner rather than later–a deceptively simple art form! This time he’s created a lovely bedtime story that slowly moves from the outside world to the inside, and finally into bed. You can pair it up with another Greg Pizzoli bedtime story, Good Night Owl. Both have nice touches of humor to make an easy transition to sleep.

American musicians

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Blues Boy: The B.B. King Story by Alice Faye Duncan, illustrated by Carl Joe Williams (Greenwillow Books, 40 pages, grades 2-5). Young Riley King’s life in Mississippi during the Great Depression gave him plenty of material for singing the blues. His mother died when he was 9; he lived with his grandmother until she passed away when he was 15. He was bullied for his stutter and had to go to work in the cotton fields at a young age. But hearing blues records as a young teen inspired him to learn guitar and eventually choose a music career over the steady paycheck of a farm worker. Making his way to Memphis, he acquired a new name of Blues Boy, eventually shortened to B.B., and had his first hit in 1951 with “Three O’Clock Blues.” Following his mother’s advice to “do good and treat folks right,” B.B. soared to success, playing his blues music across the country 300 days a year. Includes a timeline, additional information, places to visit, and lists of books and music.

This biography of B.B. King shows the influences of his early life on his music, not only his tough personal life as a kid, but the effects of growing up in the Jim Crow South. Readers will be inspired to seek out “Three O’Clock Blues” as well as the other songs suggested in the playlist.

Copland: A Story About America by Veronica Mang (Viking Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, grades 2-5). The youngest of five children born to Russian immigrants in Brooklyn, Aaron Copland grew up with the music of New York City, jazz records, the klezmer sounds of the synagogue, and his sister’s piano. He particularly loved the piano and started his studies in Manhattan, moving to Paris at the age of 21, where he learned new ways of making music and looking at the world. Returning to New York, Aaron focused on making music that sounded like America. He was inspired by jazz and folk music, as well as by the protests and social movements of the 1930’s. He believed that his compositions for movies were just as important as those performed in Carnegie Hall. Aaron’s music still invites listeners to think about their dreams for America and a better future. Includes additional information and photos, an author’s note, suggested listening for kids, and a bibliography.

This biography does a nice job of celebrating Aaron Copland’s life and his vision for creating a uniquely American music. The illustrations capture scenes from Copland’s personal life as well as the America he lived in. Both books would make great introductions before sharing King’s or Copland’s music with kids.