Picture Book Review: Raise Your Hand

 

Alice answers a question in class but gets the answer wrong. She's embarrassed and when the teacher asks the next question, she knows the answer. But she doesn't raise her hand. Other girls don't raise their hands and decides to come up with an idea. How can they make girls feel more confident?

This is such an important topic - girls not raising their hands in school and girls losing their confidence. I love the message that no one is right all the time. Everyone is wrong sometimes, but that doesn't mean that you stop trying. It's such an encouraging story. This is a must have book for your school or public library.

Picture Book Wednesday: We are Lion Dancers

 

Lily and Noah are excited about the lion dancers who will be in the Lunar New Year parade. They learn more about the traditions and how the lion dancers move. 

This is a fun book that shares lots of information about lunar New Year and the dancing. The illustrations are bright and festive. There's a note after the story he legend of Nian and the dancing tradition. 

Middle Grade Review: Crushing It

 

Mel's the captain of her soccer team - and they are so close to going back to the championship game. Last year, they lost the game. It crushed Mel. She's not sure why the team made her Captain this year, but as the games get more intense, the team starts falling apart. It's up to Mel to get them back on track. But there's a lot going on with her team.

Tory's having a hard time at home. Her mother's remarried and barely has any time for her. Just when Tory thinks she's found an ally in her step-brother, he joins the Army. And she's crushing over a girl she met online. 

Tory's not one to share her feelings and it's clear something is very wrong with her. Her best friend Chloe is frustrated that Tory won't talk to her. 

Mel's having trouble with her best friend Rima. Rima's running for student-body President and she doesn't have time for Mel. She's so focused on the election that she doesn't see that Mel is struggling. Mel also doesn't like some comments Rima's been making about her lately. Is there a reason they are still friends?

Will all the drama off the field, can they come together on the field?

My Thoughts: This debut crushed it! There's so much in this sports book: all the DRAMA (friendship, family, romance, and school), a little romance, poetry, and public speaking. I didn't want this to end. Middle school friendships are hard, and this book captured all of it. I loved the sports parts and the question of what makes a good captain. I love how everything turned out. Looking forward to whatever Erin Becker writes next! 

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have sports book for your school and public library collection.

Review: Who Was Ernest Shackleton

 

Even as a boy, Ernest longed to be at sea. That never changed.

My Thoughts: I didn't know too much about Ernest Shackleton's life expect that he traveled to Antarctica. Now I know a little bit more. From the time he was young, he wished to be at sea. He didn't like school. He was a big competitor and wanted to make his mark on the world. He was brave, keeping his wits about him in the cold. 

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Another good addition to this must have series. 

Review: What is the Story of Anne of Green Gables

 

Are you an Anne fan? I read the books but watched the movies more. I did travel to PEI when I was in high school and I long to go back.

This was a fascinating read because I didn't know too much about L.M. Mongomery. This was a blend between a biography and details about Anne of Green Gables. 

While the book mentions her early writings, it doesn't cover other books - not even the Emily trilogy. And that surprised me. 

This isn't a book I expected from this series, but I'm so glad to have it! 

I've been on an Anne of Green Gables kick lately with this book a modern graphic novel. 

Reviews: Children's Biographies

 We have two biography series that are popular at my library - Who Was/Is and She Persisted. With a new book order, a bunch came in. Here are my thoughts:

This was good - I loved how detailed the younger years were and how Maya Lin got her first big break. However, I would have liked more details pictures of her creations after the Vietnam Memorial. That seemed a little glossed over to me. 

This was a great read - not enough time spent on the Celtics (but I'm just picky because I bleed green). I enjoyed how this covered more than just basketball for Shaq. 

I'm a huge fan of Michelangelo's work - he's one of my favorite artists. This is a great biography of his struggles, his art, and politics of the time. 

I really enjoyed getting to know more about Diana Taurasi and her awesome skills at basketball. I only wished I had seen her play in person...

I enjoyed learning more about Alex Trebeck - especially his time before Jeopardy! and the other games he hosted and of course his moment with Queen Elizabeth. 

I confess I didn't know anything about Wilma Mankiller, but know I do! She's an impressive woman who has helped the Cherokee Nation. 

A little look into the life of the first Black woman on the Supreme Court. I enjoyed reading about her moment with Obama. 

* These two series are must have books for your school and public library collections.

Review: Power of Flight

 

On a camp field trip, you tag along with your partner into an off-limits area. A bird scratches you and the next day you wake up with the power to fly.

You choose the path your take - will you be a hero or a villain or will you die?

My Thoughts: This reminded me of the Choose Your Own Adventure novels I read a lot as a kid. I liked the illustrations and how they added to the story. In the first time through the story, I came really close to a happy ending but I chose poorly on the last choice and died. But the choice was saving a dog, so...

This is a fun story to read together with a friend or sibling and see what choices you would make together. Because of the multiple storylines, you can read this book over and over until you choose the path that you like best. 

Cover Thoughts: I like the divide

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: This is a great one for your school or public library collection.

Book Review: Who is Jackie Chan

This series is super popular at my library, so I'm always on the lookout for new editions to the collection.

Of course, I had to read this one when it came it.

And I learned SO MUCH.

Did you know that Jackie Chan was a singer?

That his youth was spent studying to be a stunt man?

I did not, but now I do. This book was fascinating and I really enjoyed it.

Library Recommendation: A fantastic addition to your school and library book shelves!

Blog Tour: Princess Pulverizer

ABOUT THE BOOK 

Meet the princess who'd rather wear a suit of armor than a crown!

Princess Serena (or as she prefers, Princess Pulverizer) doesn't want to be a princess--she wants to be knight! But her father, King Alexander of Empiria, thinks she still has a lot to learn when it comes to exhibiting valiant behavior. So he presents a challenge: the princess must first go on a Quest of Kindness and perform good deeds to prove that she truly deserves to go to knight school. With help from a friendly dragon named Dribble and a perpetually terrified knight-in-training named Lucas, can she complete her quest and discover what it really takes to be a hero?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

 Nancy Krulik is the author of more than two hundred books for children and young adults, including three New York Times Best Sellers. She is best known as the author and creator of the Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo; George Br
own, Class Clown; How I Survived Middle School; and Magic Bone book series. Nancy lives in Manhattan with her husband, composer Daniel Burwasser. When she's not writing, Nancy can be found reading, going to concerts, traveling, or running around Central Park with her crazy beagle mix, Josie.

MY THOUGHTS:

I really enjoyed this book. From the very beginning it hooked me.  Princess Pulverizer knew what she wanted and she went after it; she wasn't going to let anyone tell her differently. I liked her determination. I really liked the idea if a Kindness Quest. I loved the dragon and the knight she met along the way. I love their team work. I wish I had a dragon who made me grilled cheese. Looking forward to their next adventure!

8 Ways for you to show kindness:

1. Leave an anonymous nice note on a school locker or in a library book

2. Donate gently used books to a school or public library
3. Volunteer somewhere - anywhere
4. Donate food to your local food shelter
5. Make some no sew blankets or ties for animals in shelters
6. Help our your neighbors with an errand, shoveling, raking leaves...
7. Send cards to military overseas
8. Bake something delicious and give to your local fire station, police station, post office, library....

How do you show kindness?