Fly me to the moon

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Explore the Far Side of the Moon by Jenny Jacoby with consultant Dr. Sheila Kanani, illustrated by Lea Woo (Thames and Hudson, 64 pages, grades 2-6). Readers are invited on a mission to the far side of the moon to explore the area in and around the Shackleton Crater at the lunar South Pole. Each spread covers a different aspect of the mission from Meet Your Crew to Liftoff to Stepping Onto the Moon to The Splashdown. Illustrations include diagrams and pictures that show readers many aspects of space travel that can be highly technical, like a cutaway of the moon lander, or more mundane, like directions for making a beef taco or how to go to the bathroom in space. The last few pages show moon maps and the phases of the moon, and there’s also a glossary and an index.

This is a fun look at many different aspects of space travel, with plenty of information presented in ways to make it easily accessible for elementary kids. It’s perfectly timed to show kids what the real-life NASA Artemis missions are like.

I Built a Rocket Ship by Anna Lazowski, illustrated by Jennica Lounsbury (Kids Can Press, 32 pages, ages 4-8). A grieving child tells her late mother that she’s building a rocket ship. As she creates, she shares some of her memories, like the time they went camping, and her mom showed her the constellations when she was scared of the dark. Dad is quiet when she tells him what she’s doing, but later he takes a lasagna Mom made out of the freezer and promises they’ll use the recipe to make another one together. The two of them paint the spacecraft Mom’s favorite color “so you’ll be sure to see me coming.” The last page shows the purple rocket ship flying through space next to a swan constellation.

This book will break your heart, with memories, and grief woven into the spare text. I loved the rocket as a coping mechanism, following Mom’s advice to build it, filling it with her favorite things, and using it as a springboard for memories. The dad is clearly going through his own grieving process but is there for his daughter throughout.

Life on the Moon by Matthew Swanson, illustrated by Robbi Behr (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 320 pages, grades 3-7). When Leo was given the choice between staying on Earth with his mom and living on the moon with his dad and Dad’s girlfriend, he chose the moon. Which may say something about what his life on Earth has been like recently. But no sooner has he arrived on the moon, than his dad and girlfriend go off on a top-secret mission and disappear. Leo breaks the rules and goes out in a lunar rover to try to find them. Almost immediately, he realizes that two rules he’s been told about moon life–there’s no life on the moon and there are no technical difficulties–are completely untrue. Not only are there life forms, but they are all intricately connected, so that disturbing one will potentially destroy them all. As Leo slowly learns this, he comes to realize that his own life is a web of interconnections, and that he has a purpose that he is only beginning to understand. When catastrophe threatens the lunar colony, it’s up to Leo to come up with an unconventional solution that will give the reader plenty to think about after reading the last page.

Personally, I’m not a big fan of picaresque novels, and the blurb on the cover–“A modern-day Phantom Tollbooth”–was a bit of a red flag, as I don’t particularly care for that book. However, if I’m going to read a book in which the protagonist travels from one adventure to the next meeting all kinds of unusual creatures, each with its own lesson to teach, let it be one by beloved husband-and-wife team Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr. I believe that many readers will fall in love with this book (as the have The Phantom Tollbooth, to be fair). Behr’s illustrations are imaginative and funny, and Swanson’s story is ultimately complex and affecting, raising interesting questions, some of which are nicely articulated in the afterword. This would make a very interesting read-aloud or book club choice that could lead to some good discussions.

Geordie and Rubie

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

The Hidden Dominion of Geordie James by Mike Dawson (Union Square Kids, 256 pages, grades 3-7). 12-year-old Geordie is dealing with a lot of anxiety, especially when he has to interact with kids at school. Being assigned a group project to help him pull up his failing science grade is a complete nightmare for him. One of the boys, Samesh, seems like he could be a friend, and he and Geordie gradually start bonding over Dominion, a world-building game Geordie loves to play. When his dad decides Geordie’s getting too much screen time, he pushes Geordie to go outdoors. Geordie eventually discovers a secret hideaway in the woods, a place where he can mysteriously excel at Dominion (he sneaks his tablet out of the house). He eventually shares his secret with Samesh, and the two spend many happy hours in the woods building their worlds together. When people from town decide to turn the woods into a nature preserve, Geordie’s happy world is destroyed. He attempts to go back to his fort one night, but gets caught in a storm, and a series of flashbacks reveals the reason for his anxieties. In the end, his dad realizes both he and Geordie need some professional help, and Geordie realizes that his project group has become a source of support for him as well.

There’s an amazing amount packed into this graphic novel; my summary didn’t even touch on Geordie’s love of animals, the mysterious runaway pig, and the devastating effect Covid had on this family. Readers will relate to many of Geordie’s struggles at school and at home and will root for him as he slowly comes to terms with all that’s going on in his life and learns to reach out to those around him.

Really Rubie by Maddie Frost (Aladdin, 240 pages, grades 3-7). Rubie’s excited for a month at summer camp with her best friend Riley. The two girls have come up with a TUCE (The Ultimate Camp Experience) Truce: a list of classic camp activities, like eating s’mores, making friendship bracelets, and having a first kiss, that they will do together. When Riley breaks her ankle and has to stay home, she makes Rubie promise she won’t do anything on the TUCE list. Rubie’s sure she’s going to have a miserable time, but she’s forced to participate in all things camp, some of which (art) are easy, and others (horseback riding) that force her way out of her comfort zone. As the weeks go by, Rubie finds herself increasingly torn between her loyalty to Riley and her desire to have the full camp experience with her new friend Eliza. No matter what, Rubie puts her own wacky spin on everything she tries, and by the end of the month she’s grown in ways she never expected and has (more or less) learned how to navigate friendships, both new and old.

Fans of Dork Diaries and Terri Libenson’s books will enjoy Rubie’s camp diary, liberally illustrated with her cartoon-style doodles. She definitely has a style all her own, and her blunders with friends and an unexpected crush will resonate with middle grade and middle school readers. Happily, this is billed as book 1, making it a perfect summer read that can segue into sequels in the upcoming school year.

14 animal poems

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

At the Edge: Curious Creatures of Planet Earth by David Elliott, illustrated by Robin Clover (Candlewick, 40 pages, grade K-3). Fourteen unique animals from around the world are celebrated, each with a poem and a cut paper illustration of the animal in its habitat. There are insects, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and birds. The black rain frog’s poem is just two words (“Bumpy. Grumpy.”), and most of the other poems are under a dozen lines. The final two pages have notes about the animals, with a short paragraph of information about each one.

This would be a great introduction to poetry for young readers, with interesting, colorful illustrations of a host of unique creatures along with short, easy-to-read information. I do kind of wish the information appeared on each page instead of at the end to make it easier to learn more about these fascinating animals. This is part of a poetry series by Elliott called Paws, Fins, Feathers, Claws that looks like it would be an excellent addition to an elementary poetry collection.

Fourteen Ways of Looking at Jellyfish by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline (Candlewick, 32 pages, grades 1-5). How to consider jellyfish? They can be seen in the water by a child on a dock, listed by their unusual common names like fried-egg or flower hat, or looked at from the perspective of the hundreds of millions of years they have lived on earth, predating dinosaurs by millions of years. Each way of looking is described with a different type of poem and shown with a variety of illustration styles, like a page from a scientist’s notebook, or a cartoon showing the emergency of a box jellyfish’s sting, or a dreamy underwater landscape. The back matter includes a bibliography and a list of websites to dive deeper into jellyfish research.

This gorgeous poetic meditation on jellyfish is sure to be considered for awards, whether it’s Sibert for the information or Caldecott for the illustrations. It seems to have been inspired by Wallace Stevens’s “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird,” but I couldn’t find that cited anywhere in the book.

Science Friday

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Honeybird Blue by Taunya English, illustrated by Raissa Figueroa (HarperCollins, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Honeybird and Pop get up before the sun to head into the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia for a day of birding. Honeybird has a list of birds by color that she hopes to see, and she’s sure today will be the day that she finally sees Blue: the great blue heron, who has skinny legs and a topknot just like her. Off they go, and as the day progresses, they see Yellow (yellowthroats), Green (mallards), Grey (woodpeckers), Black (blackbirds), Brown (geese)…but no Blue. Pop reminds Honeybird that “birding is seeing what you see,” but she’s still disappointed as they head back to the car. Right before they go, they gather in a circle with other birders, each one naming a favorite bird (“Honeybird,” says Pop). Just as they pose for a photo…there’s Blue! Flying in the sky, then landing nearby so that Honeybird gets a good look and makes the last tick on her list. Includes a birding glossary as well as pictures and additional information about all the birds in the book, including the honeybird.

This lovely book with illustrations by Coretta Scott King Honoree Figueroa is an excellent introduction to birding with an enthusiastic and knowledgeable main character. It would also make a nice Father’s Day gift and might inspire a father-child outing into nature.

Hooray for My Brain! by Paul Meisel (Holiday House, 32 pages, grades K-4). “Look at us!” two kids call from the first page. “We can run! We can read and play the drums! We can jump and draw and throw and talk!” And it’s all thanks to their brains. They then get into the details, introducing readers to the way the brain connects to the spinal cord and nerves to allow our bodies to do so many amazing things. Information on the structure of the brain shows which lobes are responsible for which bodily functions. Glands located in the brain–the pituitary and the hypothalamus–are described. “Hooray for my brain!” the narrators say in unison as they ride their bikes off the last page. Includes a glossary.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honoree has created a science book that’s accessible for younger readers but doesn’t shy away from challenging vocabulary and complex concepts. The illustrations play a big role in providing clarity, and showing the two kids on many of the pages helps readers understand how different parts of the brain make different activities possible. Kids may want to do additional research on some of the concepts introduced, and a list of resources would have made a nice addition.

Figuring out middle school

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Friend Group by Lisa Greenwald (HarperCollins, 352 pages, grades 4-8). Sadie and her best friend Olive are nervous about starting middle school, which in their district begins with seventh grade. Olive is shyer and reaches out to Sadie for reassurance that they’ll stay friends, while Sadie is more outgoing and interested in finding a friend group. So when she finds herself accidentally added to the most popular girls’ group chat, she knows she should get off, but she also can’t stop reading this insider’s look at what popularity looks like. She finally reveals to Olive how she’s getting her information but will only let her friend see a few of the texts. As Sadie learns how the group works, she finds herself becoming friends with some of the members, driving even more of a wedge between her and Olive. Adding to the drama is Sadie’s crush on Eli, who just so happens to be the crush of one of the popular girls. Told in chapters that alternate between Sadie’s narration and various texts, the story ends with some loose ends tied up, but also with many of the issues realistically unresolved.

I’m not going to lie, books like this are just pure brain candy for me. Lisa Greenwald does an amazing job of realistically portraying seventh graders, which meant that I didn’t always love Sadie, who could be a bit of a mean girl herself. I kept wanting Olive to stand up for herself or make some new friends, and ultimately, she did a little of both, but she also acted like a shy, uncertain seventh grader right up until the last page. This would be a great choice for reluctant middle school readers, and I’m sure they’ll be looking forward to the sequel which will focus on the boys’ group chat.

Opting Out by Maia Kobabe and Swati “Lucky” Srikumar (Graphix, 256 pages, grades 5-9). As Saachi moves through middle school, she finds herself struggling more and more with puberty and the social changes surrounding her. Getting her period is extremely upsetting, as is her need for a bra, and she hates the way kids start dating, especially when one of them is her best friend. She learns about a cousin who’s come out as transgender, but that label doesn’t feel quite right either. As she explores her identity through conversations with her parents, younger sister, and a new friend, and especially through her writing, she starts to realize that she doesn’t identify with either gender. Reading an interview with a nonbinary author inspires Saachi to write more honestly about both her struggles and her Indian heritage, and the resulting poem ends up getting accepted for publication in a magazine for teen writing, creating an opportunity to fully come out to her family.

This honest and engaging graphic novel is an important contribution to LGBTQ+ literature, but will also be embraced by all sorts of adolescent readers struggling with identity and fitting in. Saachi’s family, especially her dad, are models of accepting and openly communicative parents. The story and the art also pay homage to the family’s Indian heritage and Hindi religion. Maia Kobabe is the author-illustrator of Gender Queer, one of the most banned books in America, so be prepared for some challenges to this one

Imagining animals

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

A Fish Like Me by Jamie Sumner, illustrated by Devin Holzwarth (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, ages 4-8). A boy celebrates the joys of swimming, comparing his movements through the water to a starfish, a catfish, a seahorse, and a snail. He then shows readers how he moves on land, rolling in his wheelchair like “a rocket ready to launch into space.” He introduces his swim therapy coach who helps him when he gets lost underwater and reminds him how to use his arms and legs in the water. “Wherever I might be,” he concludes, “There is something magical about a fish like me.”

This celebration of swimming is an empowering look at a boy with a disability who fully embraces life and movement of every kind. Even though he’s in a pool, the illustrations show an abundance of marine life, reflecting his vivid imagination as he powers through the water. I wish there had been a little back matter to offer additional information about swimming and disabilities, but this is a great book to show kids the joy of being in the water.

Bear for a Day by Corey R. Tabor (Greenwillow Books, 40 pages, ages 4-8). “If I were a bear for a day, my name would be Bear.” So begins this tale, shown from Bear’s perspective, as he gets ready for his day, realizes his best friend Mouse is missing, and heads into town on his motorcycle to begin his search. Text highlighted in different colors interrupts the story to ask questions and make comments about the story. When a commenter suggests a hot-air balloon, one suddenly appears in the sky, and Mouse is shown to be hanging off of one of the ropes. After a rescue by Bear, the source of the story is revealed: a boy is reading it in front of the class, and the other kids are the ones who have been adding to the story. The teacher suggests that the report needs more information, so the boy launches into the rest of the story, which sees Bear and Mouse going home, eating dinner, and getting ready for bed. That concludes the narrative, and the boy takes a bow.

I’m always thrilled to see a new book by Corey Tabor, and I love how this one celebrates the power of imagination. The illustrations never show the bear except when he’s looking in a mirror or having his picture taken, truly making it from his point of view. I love how the teacher refers to the boy telling the story as both “Corey” and “Mr. Tabor.” It would be fun to assign different kids the roles of Corey’s classmates in the book and have them read the highlighted lines in their colors.

Surprisingly substantial early chapter books

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

The Case of the Pilfered Pearls (The Shrew Detective, book 1) by Margi Preus, illustrated by Junyi Wu (Harry N. Abrams, 128 pages, grades 2-5). Shrew detective Minerva loves her woodland home and can’t understand why any self-respecting animal would live indoors. But when her cousin Tenacity tells her there’s about to be a murder, Minerva feels obligated to follow Tenacity to the house where she lives to investigate. The new owners of the formerly abandoned house are (correctly) certain that their home is overrun with animals and are about to wage an all-out extermination campaign. At the center of the brouhaha is a pilfered pearl necklace. Tenacity is sure if Minerva can recover the necklace, the animals will be saved. Using her considerable detective skills, escaping one close call after another, and fulfilling her lifelong wish to befriend a human, Minerva is able to recover the necklace and, with the help of her new animal friends, surreptitiously return it to the owner in the very nick of time. Includes additional information about pygmy shrews, chipmunks, and flying squirrels.

I often find that mysteries for younger kids have a pretty low-stakes mystery with a less-than-amazing resolution. Not so with this book, which features engaging characters, a life-threatening case to crack in a short amount of time, one narrow squeak after another, and a very cool resolution to the mystery that will have kids going back through the story to find the clues they missed. The cute black-and-white illustrations add to the fun; I particularly liked the one of all the small animals carrying the recovered pearl necklace over their heads.

The Healer and the Phoenix (Legendary Allies, book 1) by Linda Trinh, illustrated by Quynh Anh Nguyen (Annick Press, 172 pages, grades 2-5). Mai is excited on her tenth birthday to be getting an ally animal that will live with her and help her to stay on the path of doing good in the world. When her animal turns out to be the phoenix, she becomes part of the Legendary Allies team that goes on quests all over the land of Van Lang. She’s joined by two other kids and their animals, with the fourth member of the team yet to be chosen. Mai questions whether or not she belongs on the team and wonders if she can fulfill her role as Healer. When a mysterious illness starts spreading in one of the provinces, the team is sent on a quest there, with Mai quickly becoming the key member of the team. As she learns to quiet her mind and trust her team, her phoenix, and herself, she surprises herself by coming up with a healing solution that helps not only those in the province but her own mother who is also suffering from the illness. Includes a preview of book 2, which features Cam and their turtle Emerald.

This short chapter book with lots of illustrations could be a good choice for kids ready to move on from Dragon Masters or some of the other Branches chapter book series. The colorful manga style illustrations, mythological animals, and kids being the heroes of the quests are all elements that are sure to appeal to young readers. I did feel at times like the author was leaning a little too heavily into a message, especially with the illness, which was caused by people forgetting their cultures, but overall, this is a fun and imaginative series starter.

Fun American history books for the Fourth of July

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

America’s Founding Myths…And What Really Happened! by Christy Mihaly, illustrated by Marta Sevilla (Barefoot Books, 40 pages, grades 2 and up). Each two-page spread covers a different event in American history, beginning with the idea of America as the “New World” and Christopher Columbus and continuing through colonial days and the American Revolution. The myth is printed on a flap on the left-hand page; lift the flap to find out where that myth came from and what the true story is. The rest of the information is arranged in question-and-answer format, with photos, illustrations, cartoon bubbles, and brief facts. Questions are posed to give kids a chance to think critically about the event. The last few pages give some pointers for ascertaining if history is true and encourage kids to record their own history. There’s also a glossary; information about the author and illustrator, including their experiences creating the book; and a lit of additional resources.

Celebrations such as the American 250th celebration this year can often be a reason to trot out old myths about the past. This book is a great antidote, with a fun format and brief but interesting information about each event that may inspire readers to dig deeper into what really happened. I liked the emphasis on being an active consumer of history, asking questions and evaluating sources.

Hot Dog: The History of America’s Favorite Sausage by Christine Van Zandt, illustrated by Steven Salerno (Odd Dot, 48 pages, grades 1-5). Official hot dog historian Frank de Wienerdog takes readers on a journey through the world of hot dogs, a food item consumed by Americans at the rate of 20 billion a year. Starting with the history of hot dogs–aka, frankfurters or wieners–readers will learn how the ordinary sausage became a hot dog, and how it came to be eaten in a bun. Their cheap price and easy transportability made them popular at amusement parks and ballparks, as well as a staple during the Great Depression. Nowadays, the average American eats around 70 hot dogs per year…and a couple people eat that many in a matter of minutes at the famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest held annually in Brooklyn. The last few pages celebrate ways to eat hot dogs, including a U.S. map that shows local specialties around the nation. Includes a timeline of hot dog history, a recipe for Curly Snake Dogs, and additional information and resources on hot dogs.

This colorful introduction to hot dogs with a friendly dachshund narrator is full of interesting facts about hot dogs that are fun and easy to digest (which may or may not be the case for the food they describe). The eye-catching cover and interesting topic will make this an easy nonfiction book to sell to kids.

Graphic novels from beloved authors

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

The Brainstormerz: Money Talks by Kwame Alexander and Cassidy Dyce, illustrated by Rashad Doucet (Little, Brown Ink, 248 pages, grades 3-6). Electric (Lex) is excited about his upcoming tenth birthday and his parents’ promise to buy him a phone. Unfortunately, they refuse to buy the expensive model he wants, so he and his two best friends decide to start a business to make up the difference. Dog walking turns out to be a disaster, and a magic show results in a failed Houdini-style stunt that leaves Lex locked in a locker. The kids finally get it right by designing greeting cards using Lex’s love of words and his friend DJ’s artistic talents. But when Lex discovers that his parents are on the verge of losing the bookstore that’s also the family home, Lex decides he’d rather use his money elsewhere. His parents reassure him that they’ve got the situation in hand, and after a happy birthday celebration, the action moves forward a few months when things appear to have been resolved.

This series starter graphic novel is sure to win a lot of fans with a winning team of three friends who each have a very distinct personality and set of talents, but who work together and always have each others’ backs. The story has both humor and heart, as Lex struggles with wanting both a fancy phone and to help his close-knit family.

A Fishboy Named Sashimi by Dan Santat (Roaring Brook Press, 160 pages, grades 2-6). “You know those stories that no one believes? Stories so wild you think they couldn’t be real? Stories that some kid heard from another kid? And THAT kid heard it from their cousin?” This is one of those stories, and that introduction plays over panels showing a small creature emerging from the sea during a thunderstorm and sneaking into a school. By the time the real story begins, this creature has gotten some clothes and is being introduced as Sashimi, the new kid in sixth grade. While others are put off by his sweaty appearance, bulging eyes, and fishy smell, new kid Joey is desperate enough for a friend to give Sashimi a chance. As events unfold, readers learn that Sashimi is fish on the top and human on the bottom (the opposite of the mermaids who raised him), a unique combination that makes him feel alone in the world. He’s heard rumors about the Beast of Barnacle Bay, who may be a relative, but his search for the Beast runs into some snags when he meets Joey’s grandpa, who claims to have once met the Beast and has sworn to hunt him down. Sashimi runs into enough difficulties to consider returning to his watery home, but Joey’s friendship keeps him on track to stick around. Book 2 is advertised at the end.

Who doesn’t enjoy a good fish-out-of water story? Kids will appreciate the humor of Dan Santat’s story and the illustrations about a couple of lovable outcast and will be eagerly awaiting book 2. This would make a good intro to graphic novel chapter books for readers ready to step up a notch from Narwhal and Jelly or Pizza and Taco.

Science, art, and nature

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Reaching Across the Sky: A Celebration of Bridges by Christy Hale (Christy Ottaviano Books, 48 pages, grades 2-6). The author’s note introduces readers to bridges, not only as structures that help people travel across gaps, but also as both real and symbolic ways to connect people and communities. She then looks at more than 100 bridges around the world, dividing them by categories on two-page spreads: “Bridges span obstacles,” “Bridges join places,” “Bridges take people where they need to go,” etc. Each spread shows one, two, three, or more bridges that illustrate this concept, along with a sentence or two of additional information about each one. She also looks at how human bridge builders have been inspired by nature, whether it’s a fallen tree, a stone arch, or a spider web. There are fourteen pages of back matter, giving extensive additional information about bridges with more real-life illustrations, as well as a glossary, and resources for learning more.

This book really has something for everyone, from kindergarteners to older students studying engineering or physics. The gorgeous collage illustrations made me want to visit many of the bridges shown. I confess I didn’t wade through all the back matter, but it would be a great starting place for kids engaged in bridge building projects.

Kaleidoscope of Hope: How Butterfly Life Cycles Reflect Our World by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Hari and Deepti (Greenwillow Books, 40 pages, grades K-4). The collective noun for butterflies is kaleidoscope–as I learned on the first page of this book–and kaleidoscopes are used not only to show the brilliant patterns of butterflies’ wings, but to explain the various stages of the butterfly life cycle. Eggs are a kaleidoscope of hope, caterpillars are a kaleidoscope of growth, and metamorphosis is a kaleidoscope of change. Each stage is introduced with a two-page spread that includes a few sentences and illustrations. Turn the page for more detailed information about that stage, along with gorgeous kaleidoscopes of eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises, etc. The final two sections (A Kaleidoscope of Nothing? and A Kaleidoscope of Action) discuss threats to butterfly populations, as well as actions kids can take to welcome butterflies to their yards. Includes a note from the author about the hundreds of butterflies she and her family have raised, instructions for making a butterfly puddle, a note from the artists about how they created the illustrations, and a list of sources.

The more I examined this book, the more impressed I was with every aspect of it. Not only does it introduce the butterfly life cycle in ways that will be understandable to younger kids, but it gives additional information for those wanting to take a deeper dive. The paper sculpture illustrations by husband-and-wife team Hari and Deepti are unique and gorgeous, particularly the kaleidoscope ones, and I’m glad they got to show how they created them in the illustrators’ note.