Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary:  In the author’s note, we learn that during slavery, enslaved people sometimes escaped into the swamps and lived there for years.  This story imagines such a community called Freewater, populated by those who escaped slavery and their children who have only known freedom.  Homer and Ada accidentally stumble upon Freewater while trying to escape north.  They’re taken in and soon get to know the different people there and the ways they’ve developed to survive and avoid capture.  But Homer is harboring a secret: he feels like it’s his fault that his mama was caught and sent back to the plantation the night of their escape.  Through his first-person narration and the third-person stories of many other characters from both the plantation and Freewater, the reader slowly learns of a plan to return and free Mama.  Each person has a part to play in the fiery and satisfying climax of the story, and the last page suggests a happy ending for all of them.  Includes an author’s note.  416 pages; grades 5-8.

Pros:  I’m always wowed when an author hits a home run with a debut novel. Amina Luqman-Dawson had done that here with a complex historical fiction story that will stay with readers long after the last page.  A definite contender for either Newbery or Coretta Scott King awards.

Cons:  Some reviewers recommend this for as young as third grade.  With the many characters, the shift between first-person and third-person narration, the unfamiliar setting, and the 400-page length, it requires a pretty sophisticated reader.

To Change a Planet by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Scholastic Press

Summary:  One person, one carbon molecule, one degree of warmth can all seem insignificant, but when they are multiplied, they can wreak havoc on a planet.  Likewise, one person can also feel insignificant when it comes to making positive changes to help our planet, but combined with the efforts of others, they can make a real difference.  Includes back matter with additional information about climate change and what people can do to make a difference.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A perfect introduction to climate change and the need for environmental activism.  The text is spare, just a sentence or two per page, but it really shows the impact, both positive and negative, of small changes.  The colorful illustrations help show this as well.

Cons:  I find every book about climate change anxiety-inducing.

A Synagogue Just Like Home by Alice Blumenthal McGinty, illustrated by Laurel Molk

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Candlewick

Summary:  Rabbi Ruben loves his synagogue and its congregants, but it’s clear that the old building needs some work.  He sets out to fix the drafty windows, the creaky library floor, and the leaky kitchen sink, ignoring offers of help from his friends.  Friday night Shabbat services go off without a hitch, but afterward, some playful kids pull down the tablecloths he used around the windows, a floorboard pops up in the library, and worst of all, the kitchen sink causes a flood.  The whole community convinces Rabbi Ruben to accept their help and expertise, leading to lasting renovations for all of them to enjoy.  Includes a glossary.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  An excellent portrayal of community with a Jewish setting that’s not represented as often enough in children’s books.  There’s plenty of humor in the story and the illustrations for readers to enjoy.

Cons:  It’s not clear how all those repairs are financed.

Lola Out Loud: Inspired by the Childhood of Activist Dolores Huerta by Jennifer Torres, illustrated by Sara Palacios

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary:  Lola loves helping out at the hotel where she lives with her mother and grandfather.  Her mother is always ready to help guests; if they don’t have money to pay, she’ll accept food or even just a handshake and a promise.  Lola is an enthusiastic worker, but she sometimes gets in trouble for talking too much.  “Lolita Siete Lenguas (seven tongues)” her grandfather calls her teasingly, reminding her that sometimes it’s good to be quiet but other times “one strong voice is just what we need.”  Lola remembers this lesson when she’s the only one who sees a woman and girl thrown off the streetcar in front of her house because they can’t pay the fare.  She stays quiet about the two at first, but, remembering Grandpa’s words, she rallies her family and the other hotel guests to help them, using words that she would later become famous for, “¡SÍ se puede!”  Includes additional information about the labor leader Lola grew up to be: Dolores Huerta.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Keep this book in mind for the upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month, especially if you’re looking for something for younger readers.  They’ll enjoy the story of young Lola, learn a little about Dolores Huerta, and take away an empowering message about using your voice to speak up about injustice. The illustrations add just the right touch of fun and energy.

Cons:  It would have been nice to have a list of additional resources for older kids to dive into.


A Spoonful of Frogs by Casey Lyall, illustrated by Vera Brosgol

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Greenwillow Books

Summary:  A witch hosting a cooking show is teaching her viewers how to make frog soup.  “It’s easy to make and healthy, too.”  She puts the ingredients in a cauldron: carrots, potatoes, 22 cloves of garlic, a cup of fly extract.  Then it’s time for the frogs, guaranteed to add “a kick of flavor and a pop of color.”  Carefully, she lowers her wooden spoon into a tank full of frogs, and then…for the next 20 pages, she chases after the frogs who escape from the tank, hop through the kitchen, jump out a window, and travel across a city street to a pond.  The witch is in hot pursuit, trying everything she knows to catch just one frog, but in the end, she has to substitute a spoonful of pickles.  “Enjoy with friends,” she tells viewers on the last page, sipping her soup surrounded by frogs perched on the edge of the bowl.  40 pages; ages 3-8.

Pros:  A fun book to read at Halloween or any time of year.  It’s Halloween-ish without specifically mentioning the holiday. Kids will laugh out loud at the slapstick illustrations.

Cons:  No recipe?

Nana, Nenek, & Nina by Liza Ferneyhough

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Dial Books

Summary:  Nina’s grandmothers live a world away: Nana is in England and Nenek is in Malaysia.  Nina and her family are in San Francisco, so they fly toward the rising sun to get to Nana and toward the setting sun for visits to Nenek.  Nina compares the two homes: there are different toys, languages, clothes, climates, and food.  When Nina’s at home, she misses her grandmothers; when she’s visiting one, she misses home.  But no matter what, Nana and Nenek love her visits and both are good at tucking her into bed each night.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A loving and kid-friendly description of what it’s like to grow up with families from two different cultures.  Both the text and the illustrations do a great job of comparing and contrasting.

Cons:  A map to show the three different locations would have been helpful.

Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun’s Thanksgiving Story by Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, and Alexis Bunten illustrated by Garry Meeches Sr. 

~ Janet Dawson ~ 3 Comments

Published by Charlesbridge

Summary:  Maple and Quill love visiting N8hkumuhs (pronounced NOO-kuh-mus), their grandmother, and hearing her stories.  One story she tells is of Weeâchumun (corn), and how she and her sisters Beans and Squash helped new people who came to their land.  They sent dreams to the First People to alert them of the newcomers’ plight, and the people sent Ousamequin and Tisquantum to greet them and show them how to plant corn, beans, and squash.  When there was a successful harvest, the First People and the new people celebrated together with a three-day feast.  “Many Americans call it a day of thanksgiving,” concludes N8hkumuhs.  “Many of our people call it a day of mourning.” Includes a glossary and introduction at the beginning and additional information about the Wampanoag tribes, storytelling tradition, harvest feasts, and tradition of giving thanks at the end, as well as a recipe and a photo of the real Maple and Quill.  32 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  An excellent addition to Thanksgiving collections that gives the Wampanoag perspective and includes some good information in the back matter.  The illustrations beautifully portray various animals and the spirits of the Three Sisters.

Cons:  Kids might need some help with the transition between the opening scene with N8hkumuhs, Maple, and Quill and the main story. I was confused until I realized that the weeâchumun (corn) that N8hkumuhs mentioned was the same as Weeâchumun, the spirit of corn and the protagonist of N8hkumuhs’ story.

Flipping Forward Twisting Backward by Alma Fullerton

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Peachtree

Summary:  Claire can master any gymnastic skill she puts her mind to, but school is another matter.  Reading and writing are just about impossible for her, no matter how hard she tries, and she often acts out due to her frustration.  During one of her frequent trips to the vice-principal’s office, she makes a chance remark that leads him to believe that she may have a learning disability.  Her mother refuses to believe that anything’s wrong, fearing that a label will limit Claire’s chances for success in school, and it takes a near-crisis to convince her to let Claire get tested.  The last few pages see Claire flying through her gymnastics routine with a newfound optimism that things will improve in her academic life as well.  135 pages; grades 3-6.

Pros:  This novel in verse is a quick read that sympathetically portrays a character with dyslexia.  It’s written in a font designed for children learning to read.  The short length and relatable characters and storyline would make it a great choice for an elementary book club. I’ve added it to my newly-updated list of book club suggestions for grades 2-4.

Cons:  The ending felt a bit rushed.

Everything In Its Place: A Story of Books and Belonging by Pauline David-Sax, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers

Summary:  Nicky prefers helping out in the library to joining the other kids at recess.  When Ms. Gilliam tells her she’s going to a week-long conference, Nicky starts to feel anxious about having to go outside for recess.  After school, she hangs out at her mom’s cafe, where one of her favorite customers is Maggie, a woman who is fearless about being herself and riding a motorcycle.  The weekend before the library conference, Maggie comes in with a group of women she calls her “motorcycle sisters”.  They don’t look like sisters, but they eat and laugh together in a way that Nicky admires.  On Monday, Nicky sits against the wall at recess reading a book of poetry that Maggie gave her.  A girl walks over to her and tells her that she loves poetry.  Nicky remembers something Maggie told her about taking a risk, and she replies, “Me too.”  40 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  An understated story about taking risks and finding your people.  I love the illustrations which include elements of collage including library stuff.

Cons:  I wish the poem Nicky reads (“Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver) had been included.  Also, Nicky’s question “Who needs recess when you can reshelve books?” hit a little too close to home.

I Want to Be a Vase by Julio Torres, illustrated by Julian Glander

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Summary:  A cityscape of skyscrapers is shown, each with many square windows.  The illustrations zoom in on the one round window, eventually entering the apartment where “I have something to say.”  It’s the toilet plunger.  “I want to be a vase.”  The bathtub, toilet, and sink argue back that it’s impossible, but the plunger is determined.  It heads down the hall to the kitchen, where it rubber bands a bunch of flowers around its handle, and voila, it’s a vase!  The vacuum is horrified, but the pot is inspired to become a trash can.  The trash can, it turns out, wants to be a couch cushion.  Before long, everyone’s switching up identities.  When the hair dryer announces it wants to be a vacuum, the vacuum is horrified but comes around when it sees how much faster it can get its work done.  Even the book itself gets in on the act, asking readers on the last page if it can be a hat.  48 pages; ages 4-10.

Pros: This book is definitely original, both in the story and the art, created by a former Saturday Night Live writer and a Disney/Nickelodeon/Cartoon Network animator.  Kids will love the humor and the illustrations, and it’s impossible to miss the “be who you are” message.

Cons:  I have enough trouble with kids balancing library books on their heads without the books themselves inviting readers to wear them like hats.