Picture Book Review: All that Glimmers

Things in the world can be hard, but there are little things that make us smile and feel joy: glimmers.

I love the message of this book. It's important to see the little happy moments in life. It's important to celebrate success and happiness. I love that the characters are present in the moment and helping each other. The illustrations are soft and delightful. I love how they showcase the glimmers.

* A must have book for your library's collection

Review: Might Macy

 

Macy got a book for her birthday and can't wait to read the next book. But when she arrives at school, she's stunned to learn that the library is closed. The library will only be open two days a week to save money. Macy knows that she needs to spread the word. She doesn't love speaking in public, but there is a school board hearing coming up. Macy doesn't know what she's going to say. She wishes her writer father could help, but he's away at the moment. Can she help save the library?

My Thoughts: This was such a fantastic book about real issues facing libraries today. Might Macy is a novel in verse making this a fast read, but there's a lot packed into the novel. I love how she came up with the speech for the school board and how everything turned out. Macy's working towards a violin recital. She's having trouble with it but keeps practicing. Macy has a lot on she shoulders, but she does find a way to make it all work. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have books for public and school libraries

Mood Board: Bitten

 This is the third paranormal book that I've read recently. I used to read many more of them, but they haven't been in YA for a bit. Could they be making a comeback? I think it's highly possible.

Bitten is the start of a new series and it was pretty good. I'm interested to see where it will go next.

It's about a girl whose best friend died and she was turned against her will into a werewolf. She vows to figure out who killed her best friend and get revenge. But of course, it's not as easy as it seems.

There are a lot of rules to follow.

And some plot twists kept me on my toes.

Here are some versions I had while reading:

Picture Book Review: I am Strong

Todd Parr has a new book out - and it's fantastic. With the signature bold colors, these books really stand out. The message is lovely - it's all about feeling your feelings and being brave enough to move forward. As always, there was a note from Todd. 

* Todd Parr is an author in our favorites bin at the library. 

** A must have book for your school and public library collections.

Middle Grade Review: The Beautiful Game

 

Valeria has an unusual life. She lives with her grandparents. She's in contact with her father, who rarely comes to visit. She's a soccer star; she plays on the boys' team. They've had a great season and they're heading to the play-offs. Her grandfather coaches the team. Some of the boys on the team are her best friends. 

But everything changes during a game when she gets her period. She misses much of the game as the blood seeps through her underwear and shorts. Her grandmother is out of the country visiting family. Her aunt is very sick. One of the parents helps her out, telling her want to do with the pad. The team loses the game.

Valeria is angry and sad. But she never would have believed they would kick her off the team. She's their best player. Also she's devastated that neither her grandfather nor her friends spoke up in her defense. She's heartbroken.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book.  I wanted to wrap Valeria up in a hug. She seemed so lost most of the time, but she's also prickly too. There were so many layers: family drama, period drama, friendship drama, sports drama, and becoming comfortable in your own skin. I really loved reading how Valeria (Magic) struggled her way through finding her place in the world with friendships, with her family, and with her soccer team. There's lots of soccer in this book, but it's mixed with plenty of drama to keep middle grade readers happy. 

Cover Thoughts: powerful

Source: My Library

Why I read it: I love girl sports books

Library Recommendation: A fantastic book with so many layers. This is a must have book for school and public libraries.

Hand this to: Readers who love sports and readers who love drama

Picture Book Review: The Day We Got Lost

A mom, two kids, a grandfather, and a dog go for a walk in the woods. But they don't always stick to the path.

I really loved this book. I love how it celebrates nature. I love that it shows the frantic part of being a parent. I love how everything turns out. The illustrations are charming. 

BookTok: How to Find a Missing Girl

 

This one had me guessing all the way through the book.

@yabooknerdlibrarian Great YA thriller about missing girls, a podcast, amateur detectives, and friendships! #yabooks #yabooktok #podcast #booktok #thriller ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

P.S. If you like books about podcasting, try these too!  

Picture Book Wednesday: How Dinosaurs Went Extinct

November is 

And we just started celebrating the month last year.

This picture book is a great book to share:

In a museum, a child asks how dinosaurs went extinct. The answers are hilarious. But not all the parents agree. The ending is priceless.

* a must have picture book for your library's collection 

Picture Book Review: Big

One little girl grew up happy- until something changed. She was shamed for her body. It finally became too much for her. She took back her confidence and found herself again outside of the opinions of others. 

WOW! This is an impressive and important book. I love the message of looking at yourself and finding self-worth through your own eyes. The illustrations are amazing (Vashti Harrison is one of my favorite illustrators. 

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school or public library's collection. 

Book and Craft (1)

During Black History Month, we featured crafts based on Black inventors. Inside our Take & Make craft bags, we included a mini biography of the inventor and a little info about the invention.

Now, there's a book that would perfectly match one of the four we chose:

This picture book biography features Garrett Morgan, who improved the stop light significantly. He had talents that did not lend themselves to working in the field like many of his family members. He wanted to help people. This biography talks about the cause that made Garrett Morgan create a safer way of traveling and it explains the reasoning behind the red, yellow, and green lights. 

Garrett Morgan - Inventor of the Traffic Light & Gas Mask (biography.com)

Craft:

It's great to now have a book that matches the craft and the invention!

 

Book Tok: Just Jerry

I could have read so much more to learn about Jerry Pinkey's life.

This book was fascinating! 

 

@yabooknerdlibrarian Talking about Jerry Pinkney - the legendary illustrator. His new memoir is wonderful. It talks about how art inspired his life and how he started thinking about art professionally. #illustration #justjerry #caldecott #art #kids #kidbooks #kidbooktok ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Picture Book Review: Witch Hazel

The seasons past as a girl and her grandmother tell stories and make memories.

I loved this - the granddaughter and her grandmother share stories. While the grandmother dies, it's dealt in an easy manner. The illustrations are delightful - ghosts of the stories come alive. The tagline is amazing - "The stories passed down from our loved ones become a part of us." I just love that. It's a great message that shines through this story and the illustrations. It makes me long for my grandparents again. 

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your library's collection

Five Things (4): The Final Gambit

 

I loved this series! And I'm glad there's one more book coming. I also can't wait to see what Jennifer Lynn Barnes writes next.  I don't want to talk too much about this one because...spoilers. 

So here are five things I loved about it (not to mention that ending!)

Picture Book Wednesday: Farmhouse

The story of a farmhouse that housed a family of twelve children and their adventures.

I loved this book - for the stories of the children. While the story is charming, this is a book you pour over, looking at all the details. And there are many details - from the charming wallpaper to the measuring marks to the attic bedrooms. I did enjoy the author's note at the back. 

Library Recommendation: A must have picture book for your library's collection. 

Cover Thoughts: I love the raised windows on the cover. 

Graphic Novel Review: Anne of West Philly

 

Anne of Green Gables

Graphic Novel

Modern Day

West Philly

Robotics Club

The art was fantastic!

While it's very different than the books, it captures the same feelings for me. I would love the story to continue in a further addition.

* I would also love seeing Emily of New Moon adapted into a graphic novel. I love that story just as much. 

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library collection.

Picture Book Review: When I'm With You

 

Best friends forever - a great story about friendship, love, fun, and support. I love the illustrations of this book. 

Review: Anna on the Edge

 

Ana is the reigning US Juvenile Figure Skating Champion. She's interested in moving to the next phase, which requires a chorographer. Her mother's able to afford a big deal in the skating world. But Ana isn't pleased. The costume isn't right and the music isn't her.

When Ana meets a transgender boy who mistakes her for being a boy - she starts thinking. Could she be something other than a girl?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this story -  I picked it up for the figure skating but was also curious about the gender identity moments. This was a great read - lots of friendship, financial worries, honest conversations, and of course figure skating. I loved how everything came together. Ana worried through most of the book and made some not great choices, but then found a way to fix them. A great middle grade read - both for the sports and the LGBTQ+ content. 

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for school and public libraries

Review: Inheritance Games

Avery Crumbs has a normal average life - she just wants to leave town and never look back. But in the blink of an eye, everything changes. She's requested to travel to Texas with her guardian and witness a will reading. For a billionaire. Tobias Hawthorne.

Instead of leaving everything to his family, he leaves the bulk of his fortune to Avery. Avery's stunned. His family can't believe it.

In order to inherit the fortune, Avery must stay in the mansion for a year. It's enough to make anyone want to kill her. And someone does.

Three out of his four grandsons think there's more to the story - that there's a hidden puzzle with more details. So they start searching. Because what doesn't kill you will make you stronger...

My Thoughts: I loved this book (just like I knew I would). If you're a long time reader of this blog, than you know I'm a huge fan of Jennifer Lynn Barnes. I loved the plot twists, the banter, the amazing house with all those secret passageways and libraries, the action, the danger, and of course not knowing who to trust. And the book ended on a very interesting note making me need the next book ASAP.

If you liked the movie Knives Out - this book is for you!

Cover Thoughts: Intriguing

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended thriller for your school and public libraries. 

Review: Nikki on the Line

Nikki's excited to play basketball for an elite club team. It's the team that will make or break her basketball career. She's not afraid to work for it. This team will help her make the basketball team in high school and hopefully beyond.

She's thrilled to discover that she's made the team, but as time goes on everything changes. She's no longer a point guard but she's never been a shooting guard. Most of the girls are taller and faster than her. When she overhear some nasty comments made about her by a parent, she begins to doubt herself.

That doubt grows and multiples with each mistake that she makes (and she makes a bunch). Nikki's struggling at everything - her basketball, finding her place on the team, friendships, school work, and taking care of her little brother. Can she dig deep and rediscover her confidence?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book - mostly for the basketball but there is a lot of other good moments. I loved Nikki's work ethic and how she wanted so hard to do her best. I loved the basketball moments - even though they were intense. I felt bad for Nikki and how money became an issue for her and her family. But I admired her solution. And I really did love the moments between Nikki and her brother. The bits about her mother and her reading habits amused me. I loved her moments with Booker. I found it interesting that they bonded over hardships in the family life - things they didn't want all the students to know about. A great book about basketball - but also about friendship drama, new friendships, family, and dreams.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Another great middle grade sports book for school and public libraries - highly recommended. 

Book Pairings (1)

Welcome to a new posting. In the library world, we talk about Book Pairings all the time. There are libraries that bundle fiction and nonfiction books on the same subject together for check-out.

In this case, these are two recent nonfiction books that I read:

I read Give Us the Vote first, which really helped me when I read Stamped a few days later.

I knew what Jason Reynolds was referring to in terms of voter suppression and more because I had just finished this book. I was happy I had the extra knowledge that was fleshed out a little bit more. 

These two books both deal with race and anti-racism. They are both excellent reads.

Hopefully, I'll be sharing more Book Pairings in the near future...