Jerome By Heart by Thomas Scotto
I’m not sure what to think of this book. It is very modern with the content but has a soft classic tone to the language. Are you supposed to think the child will (spoiler alert) be gay? (Or I should say, he is gay, but later will come out?) Or are you supposed to believe he is just a pure child? He just cares for (therefore loves) his friend. Simple as that. There is no deeper meaning. The fact the parents are very realistic is refreshing. […]
Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson
Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robison is a poetic look at the Children’s March of 1963. The adults knew it was time to fight for their rights. But they were afraid of the repercussions. The children decided, it was their rights too, and decided to march. A poetic introduction that is accented by Frank Morrison’s illusions of a time of history that many might not know of. Told from a child’s view, what happened to the children and teens of the march is powerful. […]
Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beatty
In rhyming text, you see thee different second graders and how their curiosity changes the world around them. The reason you know they are in the same class is the hints of the teacher and other markers of the illustrator. The other fun part of each book is you can tell the era by the clothing the adults are wearing. And watch how things crossover in each of the three books. In Rosie, she is shy and does not want to speak out. Why? Because […]
This Is It by Daria Peoples-Riley
This is It is a poetic story of a young ballerina and how she explores herself through dance. The author-illustrator, Daria Peoples-Riley, also tells the child to be strong, that when you are you there is nothing you cannot do. The illustrations match the text with their soft colors, yet at the same time, they pop off the page. They are as bold as how the narrator wants the child to be. The publisher description says that this is a book about movement, individuality and […]
Monster Power: Exploring Renewable Energy Magic School Bus Rides Again by Judy Katschke
Science is made fun in Magic School Bus Rides Again: Monster Power: Exploring Renewable Energy (based on Joanna Cole’s original series). This time Judy Katschke takes this new series for higher chapter book readers through the types of renewable energy. Due to this being the second book, there are a few characters the reader from the original series or the original cartoon watcher might not recognize. However, that does not take away from the story plus it is a stand-alone title as well. What we […]
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
First, this book is not due until March of this year (this is a perk of working in an Independent Bookstore: getting to see some books before they are officially out). Second, this is told in prose poetry, so the format will not be for everyone. However, for me (as an alleged poet and a lover of good stories regardless of format) this is a great way for an author to tell their story by saying so much with few words. Finally, it is also […]
