Today’s featured blogger review takes a closer look at Elementary/Middle Grade Graphic Novels finalist When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed, and Iman Geddy: This book just gobsmacked me. It’s a powerful tale of two brothers in a refugee camp. Born in Somalia at the onset of a civil war, Omar, the eldest, watched his father get killed. …
REVIEW: I Am Every Good Thing
In our featured blog review for today, read more about Fiction Picture Books finalist I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James: A love letter to African American boys about everything good they are and all of the great things they will become. It did not specifically name a race, but all of the gorgeous …
REVIEW: Rival Magic
Welcome to our first review of 2021! Happy New Year! Today’s blogger review looks at Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalist Rival Magic by Deva Fagan: This is a fine example of the sort of middle grade fantasy that one reads in just about a single-sitting, with interesting, likeable main characters, lots of delightfully magical twists and turns, and twists in …
REVIEW: Curse of the Night Witch (Emblem Island)
In our featured review for the day, you’ll find out more about Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction nominee Curse of the Night Witch (Emblem Island) by Alex Aster: This adventure has some amazing world building and is the primer to Colombian mythology that I didn’t know I needed. Emblem Island is a fantastical place where kids wake up marked with the emblem …
REVIEW: Our Friend Hedgehog
Today’s featured review looks at Early Chapter Books nominee Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us by Lauren Castillo: The animal characters are lovable, and each has his or her own distinct personality. We loved Owl and his penchant for defining vocabulary words. This story has the feel of a classic, with its cozy illustrations and animal friends teaching values. …
REVIEW: Fighting Words
Today’s featured review looks at a nominee from the Middle Grade Fiction category–Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley: Wow. Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is better than any writer I know at instilling in my heart a fierce, compassionate love for girls who have come through abuse. That may sound like it’s a sordid, gritty story – but she manages to write …
REVIEW: The Paper Kingdom
Fiction Picture Books nominee The Paper Kingdom, written by Helena Ku Rhee and illustrated by Pascal Campion, is the subject of today’s featured review: I loved how the parents created a fantasy world for their young son. I love how they advised him to be considerate, kind, and nice when he becomes king. Click here to read the full review …
REVIEW: See the Cat
Easy Readers nominee See the Cat, by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutak, is the subject of today’s featured review: These entertaining stories give beginning readers a chance to practice their reading skills while having fun at the same time as they admire the expressive illustrations. The simple repetitive text helps readers practice sight words and word recognition in …
REVIEW: Elatsoe
Our featured review for this autumn Wednesday looks at Young Adult Speculative Fiction nominee Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger: Ellie (short for Elatsoe) and her ghost-dog Kirby seek answers to a cousin’s mysterious death in a car accident on a lonely rural road. Using her Lipan Apache tribal wisdom and lore, with assists from her deceased ancestors and living family …
REVIEW: All Thirteen
Today’s review looks at Middle Grade Nonfiction nominee All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat: I loved all the great details presented in this book. I knew of this rescue mission, but I really didn’t know much about the people involved, the work involved, or the massive amounts of volunteers that spent …