Nonfiction

There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey

~ Janet Dawson ~ 3 Comments

Published by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Summary:  When Jason Reynolds saw a photo of two of his favorite poets, Maya Angelou and Amiri Baraka, dancing at a party in honor of his all-time favorite Langston Hughes, he was inspired to write this ode to the three of them and their poetry.  They laughed at those who tried to ban their books or break their words, and those words are woven into the illustrations of the party held at the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center in 1951.  Other stars of the Black literary world peek out from their books on the library shelves, arranged alphabetically from James Baldwin to Richard Wright.  Includes an author’s note with the photo of Maya Angelou dancing with Amiri Baraka.  56 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  One of the most anticipated books of the year, here’s the picture book debut of beloved author Jason Reynolds, illustrated by the inimitable Pumphrey brothers.  Sure to be a Caldecott contender.

Cons:  There were so many allusions in this book to people (like Amiri Baraka) and poems that I didn’t know about.  I wish that the author’s note had been at the front and that there had been a list somewhere of poems referenced in the book.

Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Bridget George, foreword by Autumn Peltier

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Published by Roaring Brook Press

Summary:  The narrator of this story is water, which tells how humans valued and respected it for a very long time.  As that started to change, some of the women who had traditionally cared for the water began to make their voices heard. One of those was Grandma Josephine, who walked miles around the Great Lakes to honor the water.  Her great-niece Autumn took up the work after Grandma Josephine passed on.  The last page invites readers to consider what they will do to protect Earth’s water.  Includes additional information about Josephine Henrietta Mandamin and Autumn Peltier, who began her activism at the age of 12; also, a list of resources and a glossary.  40 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  Poetic text and beautiful water-inspired illustrations combine to tell a story of indigenous activism that encourages kids to find ways to protect the environment.

Cons:  I found the book quite confusing before I got to the back matter.  Kids would need a pretty thorough introduction before reading this.

The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, A Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity by Nicholas Day, illustrated by Brett Helquist

~ Janet Dawson ~ 4 Comments

Published by Random House Studio

Summary:  When the Mona Lisa was stolen on August 21, 1911, the Louvre was a sleepy museum where guards sometimes left their posts to take naps or get a snack, and the Mona Lisa was just another Renaissance portrait.  The theft changed everything, becoming a detective story that captivated a global audience, and making the Mona Lisa the most famous painting in the world.  Alternating between the 20th-century whodunit and the 16th-century tale of Leonardo da Vinci and Lisa Gherardini, the story captures many details of both pre-World War I Europe and the Renaissance.  Includes 16 pages of sources and an index.  288 pages; grades 5 and up.

Pros:  Holy Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum!  I was engaged immediately by this impeccably researched and humorous tale that takes readers on a roller coaster ride of (botched) detective work and life with the original Renaissance man.  Complemented perfectly with art by–Lemony Snicket!–Brett Helquist, this is sure to be a serious contender for some awards.

Cons:  I struggled to keep straight the many characters with unfamiliar French and Italian names.


National Monuments of the U.S.A. by Cameron Walker, illustrated by Chris Turnham

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Published by Wide Eyed Editions

Summary:  It all began in 1906 when Theodore Roosevelt made Devil’s Tower in Wyoming a National Monument.  Now there are over 130 such places, given the designation of National Monument for their historical, cultural, or scientific significance.  This book looks at some of them, divided geographically, with a map at the beginning of each section showing where they are located.  Two-page spreads offer additional facts presented in ways that invite readers to explore, whether it’s with a visit or additional research.  Includes a list of National Monuments by state and a conclusion that invites readers to think about creating their own monuments.  112 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  A fun book to browse with inviting text and retro style illustrations that will have kids making lists of places to visit across the United States.

Cons:  The font on the spreads was a little too small.

Coretta’s Journey: The Life and Times of Coretta Scott King by Alice Faye Duncan, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

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Published by Calkins Creek

Summary:  With alternating pages of poetry and prose, Alice Faye Duncan tells the story of Coretta Scott King, starting with her childhood in Alabama.  Her parents were determined to give their children an education and worked hard as farmers and small business owners, starting over again when both their home and their lumber mill were burned by segregationists who didn’t want to see them succeed.  Coretta went on to study education at Antioch College, then to Boston to pursue her love of music.  It was there that she met Martin Luther King, Jr.  The two of them found much in common with their passion for justice, and even after they were married with four children, they supported each other’s work.  After Martin’s death, Coretta continued this work, focusing on the establishment of the King Center in Atlanta to teach nonviolence and the campaign to get Martin’s birthday made a national holiday.  Includes a timeline, author’s note, photos, and bibliography.  48 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  Duncan writes in the introduction that she chose to tell some of Coretta Scott King’s story in poetry because of Coretta’s love of music and lyrical voice.  It works well, interspersed with the lengthy prose pieces.  There were a lot of rich details about her early life which showed how she got her love of justice and her determination to work for it.

Cons:  Although this has the look of a picture book, the prose pages are so long that this would be difficult to do as a read-aloud.

Good Books for Bad Children: The Genius of Ursula Nordstrom by Beth Klephart, illustrated by Chloe Bristol

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Published by Anne Schwartz Books

Summary:  Legendary children’s book editor Ursula Nordstrom began life as an only child whose parents divorced when she was seven years old and sent her to boarding school shortly thereafter.  Unable to attend college, she began working as a clerk in the college textbook division of Harper & Brothers, eventually becoming assistant to Louise Raymond, editor in the Department of Books for Boys and Girls.  When Louise left, Ursula was promoted to head the department, and spent the rest of her career nurturing authors like E.B. White, Maurice Sendak, Margaret Wise Brown, and Laura Ingalls Wilder (who is surprisingly never mentioned in this book).  Drawing on her own lonely childhood, Ursula understood that kids have different needs, whether they feel sad, mad, or left out, and that having all sorts of books can be helpful.  Includes an author’s note with additional information about Ursula Nordstrom and a list of sources.  48 pages; grades 1-5.

Pros:  I’ve long been fascinated by Ursula Nordstrom and enjoyed this engaging introduction to her life. The endearing illustrations contain lots of references to the many of the classic books and authors that were part of Ursula’s long career.

Cons:  I’m not sure how many children will be interested in the topic.

Loud and Proud: The Life of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

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Published by Simon and Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

Summary:  Shirley Chisholm learned about the fight for justice by listening through her apartment walls to the union meetings her father was part of.  In college, she took the advice of a professor who told her she should go into politics and joined a variety of movements.  After graduating, marrying, and starting a teaching career, Shirley decided to run for the New York State Assembly in 1964.  A landslide victory led to four years in the Assembly before running for U.S. Representative.  She became the first Black Congresswoman and a force to be reckoned with, fighting for issues that impacted women, children, and the poor.  In 1972, she ran an impressive campaign for President, then returned to Congress for another decade before retiring in 1983.  Her tenure in politics paved the way for other women of color, many of whom are shown on the last page.  Includes an author’s note with additional information and a timeline.  48 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  This book is the latest in a recent group of biographies about Shirley Chisholm and provides a comprehensive look at her life, with illustrations that capture her energy and fighting spirit.  

Cons:  It’s long for a picture book and may work better for kids doing research than as a read-aloud.

Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods by Grace Lin

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary:  Grace Lin traces the history of many foods from a Chinese menu with facts, personal anecdotes, and folklore.  Beginning with a map of China and a timeline that shows where each food fits into Chinese history, the narrative then dives into the food, which is arranged the way it might be on a menu.  From chopsticks to tea to soup, main dishes, and desserts, each section begins with an introduction, followed by different foods within the category, with an illustrated story or two about each one.  Includes an author’s note about the difficult history of Chinese immigrants in the U.S. and how their cuisine has sustained them and been adapted to American tastes; a recipe for Lin’s mother’s scallion pancakes; endnotes with additional information about each food; and a bibliography.  288 pages; grades 3-7.

Pros:  A fascinating, meticulously researched, beautifully illustrated collection of folklore that’s connected to cuisine familiar to many readers.  If you ever wondered who General Tso was or how egg rolls came to be, you will find all the answers here.

Cons:  This feels like it will appeal more to adults than to kids.

What’s Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon? And Other Questions About Moths and Butterflies by Rachel Ignotofsky

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Crown Books for Young Readers

Summary:  From egg to caterpillar to pupa (called a cocoon for moths and a chrysalis for butterflies), butterflies and moths have similar life cycles.  Readers will learn the intriguing answer to the title question, as well as answers to many other questions about butterflies and moths.  Detailed illustrations portray a wide range of caterpillars, butterflies, and moths with labels to identify each one.  In addition to the life cycle, there is plenty of fascinating information about anatomy, food, defenses, and more.  Includes a page of sources and resources.  48 pages; grades K-3.

Pros:  I missed last year’s What’s Inside a Flower? and am delighted that I discovered this beautiful and informative science book.  The illustrations are unique and detailed, containing at least as much information as the text.  Just as I was wishing I knew the differences between butterflies and moths, I turned the page to discover a detailed comparison suitable for framing and hanging in the science corner.

Cons:  This book seemed a little long for the intended audience.  With so much information, you might want to break it up into several sections and read one at a time.

A Place Called America: A Story of the Land and People by Jennifer Thermes

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Published by Harry N. Abrams

Summary:  Beginning with a global view of the Earth when “the land was owned by no one,” Jennifer Thermes dives into American history and the drive to acquire its land, shown by illustrated maps.  She focuses on marginalized people–indigenous, enslaved, immigrants–and how they helped shape history.  The two-page spreads look at a specific year or an era, portraying people and/or maps that show important events and movements of that time.  Includes an afterword about maps and history, a list of sources, and a timeline on the endpapers.  64 pages; grades 3-6.

Pros:  I am always thrilled to learn of a new Jennifer Thermes book featuring her amazing maps. You could use this one to cover a whole school year of American history, beginning with the author’s note with the assertion that “the stories we tell ourselves about what is happening make us who we are.”  Readers will spend hours poring over her beautiful maps and other complex illustrations of the people who made up the various eras that she writes about so engagingly.

Cons:  Except for a spread about 9/11, the history pretty much ends in the middle of the 20th century.