Middle Grade Review: Same Page

Bess is super excited to become class President. Plus, her good friend June is Vice-President. Together, they help their librarian pick books for the school's new book vending machine. But the next day, several of the books are missing. 

Bess is ready to fight against censorship and banned books. When she finds out June's mom is behind the missing books, she's not sure what to feel. Does June think the same why? Why isn't she speaking up?  Is Bess wrong about their friendship?

My Thoughts: This was a really good book about a really hard subject. I really loved Bess. I was impressed at how spoke up and how she was determined to do the right thing even though it was hard. I felt badly for her and June with their friendship struggles. It's hard to read about banned books and censorship right now, but this was a book I couldn't put down.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library

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

* Animal: There is a missing animal, but it works out

Picture Book Wednesday: Making the World a Better Place (2)

Just a few more books about making the world a better place, speaking up, and spreading kindness.

Everyone has a voice and your voice can do many things! This book shares all the things a voice can do and inspires readers to use their voice.

The message in this book is great. Your Voice is Important so Use It! I love how it shares all the things a voice can do - from singing to writing a post card to speaking up about an injustice. 

Kanzi loves library time. But one day she walks into the library and all the books about people who look like her are missing. The books have been banned. She is devastated. Her classmates come up with an idea to host a bale sale to purchase more books.

In theory, this book is lovely. It explains banned books and the unfairness of it all. The children speak up at the school board meeting and everyone wins. It's charming and delightful and inaccurate. 

* What the book does not explain is that it's not a matter of repurchasing the books. The books would still be banned from the school library. It's so close to being a great book. The book doesn't say what the money raised was used for - I'm assuming more diverse books. 

It's a gloomy cloudy day and Mya isn't happy. But her grandfather asks if she could make the day brighter. Her idea (along with her brother and friend) is to create a kindness booth. Together, the three of them help out their neighbors. 

This is a sweet story about helping others, spreading job, and the power of being kind. I love the ending. There is a list at the back of the book for ways to be kind. 

Asking children what they wish for and sharing some potential ideas. Hope can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. 

This is a sweet story about hopes and dreams. The illustrations are super cute. This book will make a great conversation starter - what do you hope for?