The Ghost Tree (Spooky Sleuths #1) by Natasha Deen, illustrated by Lissy Martin

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Random House Books for Young Readers

Summary:  Asim is new in the island town of Lion’s Gate, Washington, where both of his parents work at the island’s somewhat mysterious lab.  On his first day of school, Asim discovers a mysterious tree in the cemetery that grows unusually fast and seems to be destroying other life around it.  He witnesses a construction worker touch the tree and undergo a complete personality change.  Later, he befriends Rokshar, a girl in his class who aspires to be a scientist and takes a more skeptical view of events that Asim interprets as supernatural.  When their teacher, Mx Hudson, is also negatively affected by the tree, Asim, Rokshar, and some of their friends have to figure out a way to destroy the tree–even if it puts them in danger.  Includes an author’s note about the Guyanese folklore that inspired the story and a sneak peek at book #2.  95 pages; grades 2-4.

Pros:  This illustrated chapter book will appeal to the many kids who like scary stories, but who may not be ready for horror.  It’s a promising series starter with interesting characters and just the right amount of spookiness mixed with scientific skepticism.

Cons:  It’s unclear how Rokshar’s brothers go from being bullies to allies so quickly.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff retold by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Orchard Books

Summary:  Rumor has it that this is the first in a series of fairy tale retellings by the popular Barnett-Klassen duo.  The troll living under the bridge is nearly starving, living on earwax and belly button goop while waiting for the goats to cross over.  He’s a poetic sort of fellow, making up all sorts of rhymes to capture his excitement about the goats (“I love goat! Let me count the ways/A rump of goat in honey glaze.”)  The small and medium goats talk their way out of being eaten, and the big goat…well, readers are in for a surprise and will also enjoy seeing the fate of the troll.  48 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  One can never rule out a Caldecott for Jon Klassen, and I love how the illustrations grow from a small strip at the bottom of the first page to a full-page spread when the big goat does his thing.  Kids will love the story, too, with its funny troll and just enough disgusting details thrown in.

Cons:  Barnett and Klassen’s books never really grab me until I read them to actual children, which I haven’t had a chance to do with this one yet.  The kids’ delight makes me appreciate each book much more than when I read it on my own.

The Prisoner of Shiverstone by Linette Moore

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Published by Harry N. Abrams

Summary:  Helga Sharp, an 11-year-old inventor, accidentally makes contact with Erasmus Lope, who’s been trapped on an island where “mad scientists” are exiled away from the mainland.  When Helga is found unconscious on the island, she’s housed with a brother and sister who work as island guards, but who have a few secrets of their own.  With the help of the sister’s robot butler, Helga gets to work trying to free Erasmus.  The secrets of both Helga and the island characters are gradually revealed, as Helga carries out her mission and ultimately finds a new home on the island.  160 pages; grades 3-7.

Pros:  A fast-paced graphic novel with lots of fun characters and plenty of adventure.  The end is somewhat open-ended, and readers will no doubt hope for a sequel to learn about what’s next for the plucky Helga.

Cons:  There was a lot of world-building and plot to cram into 160 pages.

Aviva vs. the Dybbuk by Mari Lowe

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Published by Levine Querido

Summary:  Aviva is an introverted 11-year-old whose mother, Ema, struggles with depression, but her life hasn’t always been that way.  Before her father’s accidental death, both she and Ema were a lively part of their Orthodox Jewish community.  Now the two of them live in a tiny apartment above the mikvah, a women’s ritual bathing house that her mother takes care of.  The mikvah is also home to a dybbuk, a mischievous spirit that only Aviva can see.  While Aviva and Ema have been immersed in grief for the last five years, things begin to change when Aviva starts sixth grade, as a renewed friendship with Kayla and her mother opens up new possibilities.  A final, frightening showdown with the dybbuk helps Aviva to come to terms with her grief, allowing her and her mother to begin to move forward.  171 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  This debut novel is beautifully written, exploring the emotions of grief and trauma, as well as the antisemitism directed at the Orthodox Jewish community.  This strong community, especially the women, makes for an inspiring cast of characters with language, rituals, and traditions expertly woven into the story.  I’ve seen this book on a few Newbery prediction lists.

Cons:  This book reminded me of last year’s Newbery honor book Too Bright to See: in both cases, the first few chapters felt so depressing that I almost gave up.  I was ultimately glad I stuck with both books, but kids might need some extra encouragement to keep reading.

Me and Muhammad Ali by Jabari Asim, Illustrated by AG Ford

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Published by Nancy Paulsen Books

Summary:  Langston is excited when he learns that Muhammad Ali is coming to his town. Langston admires Ali as much for his poetry as for his fighting, and his mom likes that the boxer is fighting to make the world a better place.  On the day of the big event, Langston gets his Afro shaped to look just like his hero’s, listening to the men in the barbershop talk about their own athletic exploits as well as their stories of Muhammad Ali.  Finally, Langston and his mom arrive at the high school, only to be stopped by a security guard who tells them the event is only for students.  No matter how much they plead with the guard, he refuses to let them inside.  “What’s the problem here?” asks a man, and when Langston looks up, Muhammad Ali is standing right in front of them.  Ali personally escorts them inside, and Langston’s dream comes true.  Includes an author’s note about the 1975 event that inspired this story.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  It’s great to see so many Black history books for younger kids this year.  This one includes some of Muhammad Ali’s poetry, as well as poems that Langston makes up.  The illustrations do a great job of capturing the 1975 vibe.

Cons:  No list of additional resources on Ali.

Concrete: From the Ground Up by Larissa Theule, illustrated by Steve Light

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Published by Candlewick

Summary:  We may not think much about concrete (I know I don’t), but it’s an amazing material that has allowed engineers to design some pretty spectacular structures beginning with the Roman Colosseum and Pantheon.  The technology was lost for centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire, but an engineer named John Smeaton rediscovered it to construct a lighthouse in 1757.  Since then, engineers have learned how to reinforce concrete with steel that has allowed them to build bridges, dams, and skyscrapers.  The final page asks the question of what may come next for concrete as the needs of humans and the planet change in the future.  48 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  Answers the question “How could concrete possibly be interesting?” with engaging stories of different structures around the world and incredibly detailed drawings that feature various characters making funny comments about their circumstances and inventions.  Fans of David Macaulay books will enjoy poring over the details.  Amazon has this listed as part of a series called Material Marvels, so I am hoping there will be more books to come.

Cons:  Many readers may see the cover and think, “How could concrete possibly be interesting?”

The Perfect Tree by Corinne Demas, illustrated by Penelope Dullaghan

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Published by Harry N. Abrams

Summary:  Bunny goes out the day before Christmas looking for a tree that is just her size.  Along the way, she meets different animals who all have ideas about what makes the perfect tree: Squirrel says it should be bushy like his tail, Mole looks for a tree with a point like a mole’s nose, Cardinal thinks color is the most important ingredient, and Skunk says that it’s smell.  Each tree Bunny finds lacks one of those characteristics.  Finally, too cold to look any further, she heads for home.  To her surprise, she discovers the perfect tree not far from where she lives.  She runs to get her saw but can’t bring herself to cut the tree down.  The animals get together and decorate their outdoor tree, then gather around it to sing carols.  32 pages; ages 3-8.

Pros:  Kids will love this heartwarming Christmas story with its repeating text, adorable animals, and happy ending.

Cons:  The final tree doesn’t seem to fit Bunny’s criteria for being “just her size”.  

Scout Is Not a Band Kid by Jade Armstrong

~ Janet Dawson ~ 3 Comments

Published by Random House Graphic

Summary:  Scout’s greatest dream is to go to AlmonteFest and meet her favorite author.  When she finds out her school band is going, she decides to join, pretending that she can play trombone.  The only other trombone player is Merrin, a dedicated player who is trying to get into an exclusive arts high school.  Merrin has been wanting to have first and second trombone parts and is annoyed that Scout is faking her way through all the music.  A disastrous concert forces a reluctant Scout to take lessons from Merrin, and much to the surprise of both girls, they discover they actually have quite a bit in common.  By the time of the festival, they’ve become pretty good friends.  A falling out on the trip reveals to both how much they need each other, and that having dreams come true isn’t always as important as having a best friend to count on.  Includes several pages from the artist showing how they developed the characters and story.  272 pages; grades 4-8.

Pros:  As I revealed a couple of years ago, I too was a band kid, so I always enjoy reading about the fun if slightly cringey world of teen musicians.  This particular ensemble has a pretty stellar cast of unique characters, and I found it satisfying to watch Scout gradually realize that her true friends are in the band.  Raina Telgemeier fans will enjoy this when they’re ready to move onto something a little bit edgier.

Cons:  Occasionally some of the characters looked like they were sketched in instead of fully drawn.  I think there was probably a reason for this, but I couldn’t figure it out.

Killer Underwear Invasion! How to Spot Fake News, Disinformation & Conspiracy Theories by Elise Gravel

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Published by Chronicle Books

Summary:  In six chapters, Elise Gravel covers the bases of information literacy: fake news, disinformation, how social media spread such things, confirmation bias, and how to check for accuracy.  Her drawings and examples are funny, with cute monsters talking to each other about why doctors are bad, pollution is okay, and how drinking shampoo will make you healthy, but underwear might kill you.  The final chapter gives ten tips for telling real news from fake.  No back matter, alas.  104 pages; grades 2-6.

Pros:  This would make a great text to use for an information literacy class, using the humorous examples to springboard to real-life ones.  Kids will definitely be entertained, and there’s plenty of great information.

Cons:  Feels like librarians have been teaching this stuff for my whole twenty-plus-years-long career, yet the spread of disinformation is worse than ever.

Caves by Nell Cross Beckerman, illustrated by Kalen Chock

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Orchard Books

Summary:  Addressing the reader in the second person (“You want to go in…do you dare?”), the book introduces different features of caves, then shows unusual examples of each one in seven caves around the world.  There’s the Cueva de Los Cristales in Mexico, filled with 39-foot crystals that had to be pumped dry for people to explore. And the Bracken Cave in Texas, summer home to twenty million bats.  The realistic illustrations convey the magnitude of the caves, often showing how small the human explorers are in comparison.  Includes notes from the author and illustrator, lists of cave rules and spelunking equipment, and more fun facts about three of the caves.  40 pages; grades 1-4.

Pros:  The poetic text and gorgeous illustrations combine to make a nonfiction book that invites readers on an adventure, in the spirit of Candace Fleming’s Giant Squid or Jason Chin’s Grand Canyon.  I’d love to see this get some Siebert Award recognition.

Cons:  I wish that there were more fun facts about all of the caves mentioned in the book, not just three.