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Wrapping up 2019

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

You might think I’d welcome a few weeks off from this blog.  I did, but, in a strange way, I missed it, too.  It’s become such a daily part of my life to read and review books that it felt a little empty to not be posting each day.

But before you start feeling too sorry for me, let me add that I found a few more books from 2019 to read, and am sharing them below.  And we’ll return to our regularly scheduled reviews of the first books of 2020 tomorrow.

 

Dog Driven by Terry Lynn Johnson

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Full disclosure: I only read the first chapter of this book, but I believe Terry Lynn Johnson should be better known.  I loved her Ice Dogs and the Survivor Diaries series.  This one is about a girl with a degenerative vision disorder who goes on a sled dog race for her sister who has a more advanced case of the same disorder.  Looks like lots of adventure!  (240 pages; grades 4-7)

 

More to the Story by Hena Khan

Published by Salaam Reads/Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

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With Little Women in the news once again, this modern-day interpretation should be relatively easy to book talk.  Maryam, Jameela, Bisma, and Aleeza are four Pakistani-American girls who must deal with their father’s job overseas, a new boy in their lives, and Bisma’s life-threatening illness. (272 pages; grades 4-7)

 

M Is for Movement: A.K.A. Humans Can’t Eat Golf Balls by Innosanto Nagara

Published by Triangle Square

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This unique book is called a “fictionalized memoir”, but much of it seems true to Nagara’s life.  The narrator tells of his childhood growing up in Indonesia, where he witnessed small protests being carried out by friends and family against an unjust government.  As an adult, he was part of the movement that eventually ousted that government.  With the 2020 election just around the corner, this may inspire you to strap on your activist shoes and get to work. (96 pages; grades 3-7)

 

Diary of an Ice Princess: Snow Place Like Home by Christina Soontornvat

Published by Scholastic (but then, you probably guessed that already)

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Yes, folks, this is what I read on my time off.  The diary format, the hot pink illustrations, a cool princess with a hidden superpower…Scholastic certainly does have its finger firmly on the pulse of today’s Disney-saturated youth.  Yet despite my cynicism, I found the story well-done, and honestly, kind of a page-turner. (128 pages; grades 1-4)

Amazon Affiliate

~ Janet Dawson ~ 3 Comments

I was talking to a blog user recently who wasn’t aware of the Amazon Affiliate program I participate in, so I thought I’d post a reminder for others who enjoy this blog.

At the bottom of each of my reviews I post a link: “If you’d like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.”  If you click on that and buy the book–or anything else on Amazon–I get a (very small) percentage of that sale.

This blog is a labor of love, and I would never try to make money from it any other way.  You’ll never see ads here.  But I do spend many hours working on it, so it’s nice to get that little kickback from Amazon if you’re going there anyway.  Seems like it’s a win-win.  Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about this.

Kitty and the Moonlight Rescue by Paula Harrison, illustrated by Jenny Løvlie

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Greenwillow Books

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Summary:  Kitty’s mom is a superhero, and Kitty knows she has special powers.  She doesn’t feel ready to go out at night the way her mother does, though.  But when a cat named Figaro comes to her bedroom window one night and tells her he needs help, she decides to be brave and go exploring with him.  First she rescues a cat from a tree. But the real issue is a loud wailing coming from a clock tower. They discover a kitten stuck at the top. Kitty has to figure out a way to climb up before the clock strikes midnight and scares the kitten into falling.  Assisted by her three cat helpers, she makes a successful rescue. The next morning, the cats all gather around Kitty and her family, ready to go off on another adventure.

Pros:  An exciting early chapter book adventure with cute black and orange illustrations, sure to be popular with Princess In Black and Owl Diary fans.

Cons:  It’s a sweet story, but lacks the slight edge that makes the Princess In Black books so much fun.

If you would like to buy this on Amazon, click here.

I’m Trying to Love Math by Bethany Barton

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Viking Books for Children

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Summary:  When an unnamed narrator declares their dislike of math, a purple three-eyed alien tries to show how interesting and useful it is.  “I know I’m not alone here. 4 in 10 Americans hate math,” claims the narrator. Alien: “Did you just use math to explain how much you don’t like it?”  It then goes on to show how math is used for things the narrator finds enjoyable, like baking cookies or making music. Math is a universal language and gives us a set of rules for measuring, traveling, and using money.  When the kid realizes they already love math, the alien’s job is done, and he returns home…to Planet Homework. 40 pages; grades 1-3

Pros:  A fun way to introduce the different ways math is used in everyday life.  It could serve as a springboard to get kids thinking about other areas where they use math.

Cons:  Those who truly struggle with math are not likely to be convinced by the arguments put forth here.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

 

Recipe for Disaster (Didi Dodo Future Spy, book 1) by Tom Angleberger, illustrated by Jared Chapman

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Harry N. Abrams

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Summary:  Cookie baker Koko Dodo (a character from Angleberger’s Inspector Flytrap series) has been robbed! His Super Secret Fudge Sauce has been stolen just hours before the big cookie contest that he always wins.  Enter Didi Dodo, a high-energy dodo on roller skates who calls herself a future spy.  She’s sure she can solve the case, and whisks Koko off on a whirlwind adventure, trying one scheme after another to track down the culprit, and leaving a path of destruction as they go.  The robber is tracked down, the cookies are baked, and Koko gets another trophy.  On the last page, Didi whips out a card reading “Dodo and Dodo, Future Spies,” ensuring at least one more book, which is scheduled for release in September. 112 pages; grades 1-4.

Pros:  Kids will love the manic humor and energy of this new series by the much-loved Tom Angleberger.

Cons:  I liked the illustrations, but why didn’t Tom’s wife Cece Bell do them like she did for Inspector Flytrap?  Maybe she’s working on a sequel to El Deafo…we can hope.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

A Piglet Named Mercy by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Candlewick

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Summary:  Mercy Watson gets a backstory, as readers discover how she came to live with Mr. and Mrs. Watson when she was just a piglet.  Turns out she fell off a truck that was rumbling down Deckawoo Drive, landing not far from the Watsons’ house. It was love at first sight when the Watsons found her on their front porch.  Of course, Eugenia Lincoln gets in her two cents’ worth, while her younger sister Baby brings the piglet a bottle of milk. Mercy downs the bottle, but her fondness for buttered toast soon emerges, earning her the title of “porcine wonder” from Mr. Watson.  The last page shows Mercy in her high chair at the Watsons’ kitchen table, with everyone well on their way to happily-ever-after. 32 pages; ages 3-7.

Pros:  Mercy Watson readers will enjoy learning Mercy’s early story, while their younger siblings will get to meet all the characters that they’ll see again in the chapter books.

Cons:  I wish Kate DiCamillo would write more of the Mercy Watson early chapter books.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

 

Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

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Summary:  Turns out, there are ten rules for making a wish on your birthday.  First of all, it has to be your birthday.  Or at least close to your birthday.  (Unless you’re an animal with a lifespan of a month or less, and then you should celebrate immediately).  There should be a party, food, lights, and a song. (Exceptions are made on all these rules for certain kinds of animals). You should take a deep breath, make a wish, and blow out the candles.  But keep your wish a secret…you can dream about it that night after the party is over and you’re in your bed. 48 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  From the team that brought you Stick and Stone comes this fun and funny book that celebrates the joy of being the birthday boy or girl.  This would be good to pair with last year’s When’s My Birthday?

Cons:  I missed rule #11: eat a large slice of birthday cake.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

End of the year lists

~ Janet Dawson ~ 8 Comments

As I’ve done in previous years, I’ll be posting my favorites in different categories for the next several days, then taking a vacation for the first few weeks of January.  It’s hard for me to believe I’m wrapping up the fourth year of doing this blog.  Thank you to everyone who reads the reviews, whether you’re a daily subscriber someone who checks in every once in a while.  I always love to hear feedback at this time of year, so please post a comment if you have something to say about A Kids Book A Day this year!