Today I get to share a series of books about World War II. It is historical fiction and the series is really interesting and fun. It is written by Adam Gidwitz. The series is called Operation Kinderspion. The series is for middle grades or ages 8 to 12. The first book is Max in the House of Spies.
When you hear disability what do you think of? Many of us have been programmed to go to someone in a wheelchair and with mental issues. While this is a true disabled person there are many of other types of disabilities and some cannot be seen. July is Disability Awareness Month or officially National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Some places even call it Disability Pride Month and have parades. This year we are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, so it is extra special! Today I am two books that share what life is like with different disabilities and a bit about loving someone with a disability. One book is a middle grade graphic novel, and the other is a young adult nonfiction book sharing real stories from couples of different abilities. We will start with the graphic novel. It is Mixed-Up by Kami Garcia with art by Brittney Williams and lettering by Tyler Smith. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
The start of school is fast approaching and that means time to think about back-to-school. For some kids this is very stressful. School can be very tough for the kids who are different. They may be quiet and shy or outspoken and dress uniquely. At some point someone may bully them, and the truth is there is only so much the adults in kids' lives can do to help end bullying. Schools have rules and states have laws but the enforcing of either can be difficult. It is important for kids to be able to be themselves at school and be comfortable. If they are not comfortable, they are not going to really learn at school. Today we are sharing a fun picture book about a young boy finding the courage to be comfortable with himself and have the bullying end. The book is Randy Rainbow and the Marvelously Magical Pink Glasses by Randy Rainbow and illustrated by Jaimie MacGibbon. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.
Have you ever thought about how important your name is? Which part is most important to you? I remember changing my name when I got married (which I do sometimes regret) and trying to figure out what I wanted my full name to be. I decided to drop my maiden name and keep my middle name. One of my sisters often uses my first and middle names when talking to me so it felt right. Of course, with the ideas of requiring IDs to vote and in some states the requirement of having a birth certificate with the same name, makes me question anyone changing their name ever. But I won't get political today. Today I get to share a beautiful new picture book about the importance of a name. It is My Name is Ai Lin by Maria Wen Adcock, blogger over at Bicultural Mama, and illustrated by Yu Ting Cheng. It is recommended for ages 5 to 8. And it is being released this week!!
New York City is a special place for Hazel and me. At a young age, she wanted to see the Statue of Liberty. I have been lucky enough to take her on several trips to New York. And we are going again this summer for my birthday!! I promised to take her to see a Broadway show. After all her dream is perform on Broadway some day and she has never actually been. As we are planning our weekend away, these two new books arrived and only added to my excitement for our trip! The first is a beautiful book called Unknown New York: An Artist Uncovers the City's Hidden Treasures by Jesse Richards. This is not a children's book but is also a book that could be read with a child to learn more about the city.
Do you have an explorer on your hands? You know the child who wants to be outside exploring everything. The kid who wants to check out nature, hike, fish, and more? Getting outdoors and trying some of these activities is an amazing summer theme, and I have an amazing book to share with you to help them try some of these activities with an adult or on his/her own. The book is Catch a Crayfish, Count the Stars by Steven Rinella. This book is recommended for ages 8 to 12. At the end of the post I will share even more resources for this summer theme!
Lately I feel women's rights are under attack. They overturned Roe vs. Wade which started it all spiraling. The stories I have read from states where abortions are now against the law are shameful. I think the worst is the one from Georgia about a woman declared brain dead who had to be kept alive because she was pregnant and the doctors could not harm the baby. Think about the poor family and the poor baby! Then they have been cutting research for women's health. Women in general were not included in healthcare research until 1993. (Source) Now the government is taking away funding for it. It is scary. It is obvious there is a portion of men in this country who still want to control women. It is on this premise that I feel it is more important than ever to focus on women and women's history. It is important for us to remember how hard the women before us fought for our rights and how it is now our turn to step up. With that on my mind, I am excited to share a book with you today. It is The ABCs of Women's History by Rio Cortez and illustrated by Lauren Semmer. It is recommended for ages 5 and up.
This week has been about roundup of new books for summer reading!! With schools getting out it is time to find books for your kids to enjoy this summer! If you have 4- to 8-year-olds check out this list and 8- to 12-year-olds this list. Today we are sharing books for ages 10+ and young adult! Four of the books are new and I have not yet reviewed and will not be reviewing today. I still need to read them. The other three I will share links to my reviews. They are all new books this year! There is something for everyone here! I am starting with the books I have not read or reviewed yet. I didn't want you to miss the chance to check these books out because of my lack of reading time and speed. The first book is Meet Me at Wonderland by Julia DeVillers. It is recommended for ages 10 and up.
Schools are ending and summer vacations are beginning. But that means summer reading is beginning as well!! Earlier this week we shared a roundup of new picture books for 4- to 8-year-olds. Today we are sharing the middle grade roundup including three new books--two of which will be reviewed today. (The third will be reviewed later this summer!) There is a variety of books here and there is something for everyone in the age range of 8- to 12-year-olds. The first book is the only graphic novel on the list. It is Space Chasers by Leland Melvin and Joe Caramagna and illustrated by Alison Acton.
It is hard to believe that school is almost out, and summer is almost upon us. We had the high school graduation on Friday. I have some classroom cleanup to do and then conferences next week, but otherwise I am done! Summer means so many things. Of course, there is often a summer reading assignment as well as summer reading programs at libraries and Barnes and Noble. Grades 1 through 6 can read eight books this summer and get a free book at Barnes and Noble. When Hazel was younger, I liked to come up with different themes for us to explore in the summer. This summer I plan to share some themes and resources with you. We will start today with a roundup of new picture books that are perfect for 4 to 8-year-olds. With each book there are ideas of activities or more books to check out with it. Happy reading!
It is hard to believe it is almost the end of May and thus almost the end of the school year! When are your kids out of school? I only have a week and half left of work with kids in my room. Today I am going to share three new books that have different school themes to them. The first book is Together, a Forest: Drawing Connections Between Nature's Diversity and Our Own by Roz MacLean. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.
What makes a place a home? What happens when you move? What about when your family left your home country before you were born? What if your home country is no longer on the map? Today I am sharing some picture books that help to answer some of these questions. One book is about moving and the other is about trying to find Palestine on a map and perhaps help the discussion that is needed with it. The first book is Home Is a Wish by Julia Kuo. It is recommended for ages 3 to 6.
I'm a bit behind in reading my chapter books, but I have finished this one so I have to share it with you. It came out at the end of March. It is a middle grade fantasy novel with Greek mythology references. It takes place in the Underworld. The book is the first in what is called The Underwild Series. The book is River of Spirits by Shana Targosz. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
Does your child have lots of fears? Fears can be crippling especially to our young ones. It can be hard to help little ones overcome their fears or at least face them. Often we find work arounds like nightlights for kids who are afraid of the dark. Today we get to share a picture book about a young boy who has many fears and how he learns to face them. The book is Mikey and the Dragons by Jocko Willink and illustrated by Jon Bozak. It is recommended for ages 3 to 6.
Family is important. Each family is unique. Each family has its own traditions. And each has its own problems. Family can be blood relatives or ones we pick. Families can be human families or animal families. Today we are sharing a roundup of new picture books about families. These books are for the range of 4- to 8-year-olds. Each has powerful messages and each is very different. We will begin with Fierce Aunties! by Laurel Goodluck and illustrated by Steph Littlebird.
Spring has sprung however you wouldn't know it here. I saw snow mixed in with our April showers today. I however love spring. I love seeing the world come back to life after the long winter. I love seeing the blooms and thinking about things like gardening, getting outdoors and for my family, Easter. What do you think about when spring comes? Today I am sharing four books with you that are perfect for celebrating spring and Easter. We will start with the books for just spring. The first is Alfred Blooms by Carrie Kruck and illustrated by Carmen Mok. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.
Do you ever struggle with words? Perhaps you struggle to find the right ones? Do you remember struggling with words as a child? It was always so hard to find the right ones at the right time. I also went to speech therapy so there were words I just struggled to pronounce. Today I am sharing a book about words and how we use them. The book is Words by Kathrine Davis-Gibbon and illustrated by Anne Berry. There is a giveaway at the end of the post!
Something that is important for kids and really everyone to learn is how to be themselves. It is important not to be afraid to show your true colors. Each of us needs to be able to live as ourselves. Today I am sharing an adorable book with this message. The book is Hedgehogs Don't Wear Underwear by Marissa Valdez. It is recommended for ages 3 to 6. At the end of the post there is a hedgehog craft roundup to go with the book!
I cannot let March pass without sharing some books that teach women's history. In this time where our current administration is trying to erase all history besides white man's history these types of books are even more important as are the various history/heritage months. March is Women's History Month, but I truly feel women's history should be taught all year round. It is part of the history of the world and let's face it there cannot be humans without women. Today's books are going to introduce you to two American women who I honestly never heard of prior to reading these books. There are so many women who did things for the world but that we never hear about because of how our history is taught. The first book is A Line Can Go Anywhere: The Brilliant, Resilient Life of Artist Ruth Asawa by Caroline McAlister and illustrated by Jamie Green. It is recommended for ages 5 to 8.
Have you heard of the Keeper of the Lost Cities Series by Shannon Messenger? It is a young adult fantasy series. I hadn't read any of them although Hazel did a long time ago. Today however I get to share with you the newest book in the series. Shannon Messenger calls it book 9.5 because it gives some back story to the overall story. The book is called Unraveled. The suggested ages by customers is 11 and up.
