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Title: Things You Can’t Say
Author: Jenn Bishop Publisher: Aladdin (2020) ISBN13: 978-1534440975 Genre: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade Topics/Themes: Friendship, Family History, Loss of a parent Diversity Tags: Suicide Recommended Age Level: 9-13 Personal Rating: 5 / 5 Summary: Ever since 12-year-old Drew’s father died of suicide a few years ago, his favorite place to be during the summers is performing with puppets for little kids at the local library kid’s room. His summer hours are spent either volunteer there while his librarian mom works upstairs, or he is hanging out with his neighbor and best friend Filipe. Drew’s perfect summer plans get thrown through a loop when Filipe begins hanging out with an older kid from school and a know-it-all new volunteer, Audrey, invades his private sanctuary of the children’s room. The cherry on top is that an “old friend from high school” unexpectedly comes to visit his mother, making Drew suspicious and wary about his parent’s past when Phil takes a genuine interest in getting to know him. With Filipe busy hanging out with his “new” friend, Drew has no one to talk to except for Audrey. Reluctantly, they begin to hit it off as they try to solve the mystery of who Phil really is, and why he is so interested in getting along with Drew and his family. Professional Reviews: “A sensitive exploration of suicide, forgiveness, and the difficulty of navigating friendships.” – Sharon Rawlins, Booklist 2020 “Bishop's emotional novel may provide a way for readers whose lives have been impacted by suicide to navigate a complex topic and will appeal to those who appreciate tales of trauma and healing.” – Shelley Sommer, School Library Journal 2020 “In a story about the aftermath of parental suicide, former children’s librarian Bishop tells a touching and believable story about the ways worries feed on each other, the difference that honesty makes to kids, and how much emotional growth a child Drew’s age can experience in just a few weeks.” – Publishers Weekly, 2020 “A thoughtful examination of the slow, uneven recovery that follows a devastating loss.“ – Kirkus Reviews, 2019 Personal Insights: This story covers a lot of heavy topics, ranging from typical middle school troubles, such as changing friendships and first crushes, to life altering experiences, such as the aftermath of parental suicide. While this may be triggering for some young readers who have lost parents, others may find it relatable and helpful to them in figuring out how to navigate those weird things that come up, like when your mom starts dating again. Poignantly weaving a story of anxiety and the non-linear grief journey, Bishop shows one way to walk the path to healing from a seemingly impossible sadness. Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) See You In the Cosmos by Jack Cheng (2017) - 11-year-old Alex Petroski loves space and rockets, his mom, his brother, and his dog Carl Sagan—named for his hero, the real-life astronomer. All he wants is to launch his golden iPod into space the way Carl Sagan (the man, not the dog) launched his Golden Record on the Voyager spacecraft in 1977. From Colorado to New Mexico, Las Vegas to L.A., Alex records a journey on his iPod to show other lifeforms what life on earth, his earth, is like. But his destination keeps changing. And the funny, lost, remarkable people he meets along the way can only partially prepare him for the secrets he'll uncover—from the truth about his long-dead dad to the fact that, for a kid with a troubled mom and a mostly not-around brother, he has way more family than he ever knew. The Doughnut Fix by Jessie Janowitz (2018) - Tristan isn't Gifted or Talented like his sister Jeanine, and he's always been okay with that because he can make a perfect chocolate chip cookie and he lives in the greatest city in the world. But his life takes a turn for the worse when his parents decide to move to middle-of-nowhere Petersville―a town with one street and no restaurants. It's like suddenly they're supposed to be this other family, one that can survive without bagels and movie theaters. His suspicions about his new town are confirmed when he's tricked into believing the local general store has life-changing chocolate cream doughnuts, when in fact the owner hasn't made them in years. And so begins the only thing that could make life in Petersville worth living: getting the recipe, making the doughnuts, and bringing them back to the town through his very own doughnut stand. But Tristan will soon discover that when starting a business, it helps to be both Gifted and Talented, and it's possible he's bitten off more than he can chew… The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller - How do you grow a miracle? For the record, this is not the question Mr. Neely is looking for when he says everyone in class must answer an important question using the scientific method. But Natalie's botanist mother is suffering from depression, so this is The Question that's important to Natalie. When Mr. Neely suggests that she enter an egg drop competition, Natalie has hope. Eggs are breakable. Hope is not. Natalie has a secret plan for the prize money. She's going to fly her mother to see the Cobalt Blue Orchids--flowers that survive against impossible odds. The magical flowers are sure to inspire her mother to love life again. Because when parents are breakable, it's up to kids to save them, right?
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2/14/2021 0 Comments The Wild Robot by Peter BrownTitle: The Wild Robot
Author: Peter Brown Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (2016) ISBN13: 978-0316381994 Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy, Middle Grade/Elementary Topics/Themes: Friendship, Finding your purpose Diversity Tags: Recommended Age Level: 7-12 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: A mysterious crate washes up onto the shore of remote island after a cargo ship is caught in a hurricane, and from within the crate, Roz the robot opens her eyes for the very first time. While her robot brain is programmed to learn and master tasks, she begins to realize that she is not meant to live in the wild, especially since all the local animals view her as a “monster” and are afraid of her because she is so different from them. But when an accident occurs and she rescues an orphaned gosling, she begins to win over the animals as they teach her how to survive and raise her “son”. When catastrophe befalls the island, Roz must use everything she has learned, as well as her own special skills as a robot to help her new friends and family. Professional Reviews: “Brown has written a lively tale that is sure to engage young readers.”―The New York Times “The novel carries a subtle but powerful message about harmony between technology and the natural world, brought to life with painterly prose and eloquent illustrations.”―Financial Times “Roz may not feel emotions, but young readers certainly will as this tender, captivating tale unfolds.”―The Washington Post “Brown’s picture books are consistent bestsellers and critically acclaimed. Expect readers to go wild for his robot-themed novel.”―Booklist, starred review “Thought-provoking and charming.”―Kirkus Reviews, starred review “This strong debut middle grade novel by the acclaimed picture book author/illustrator is a first purchase for most middle grade collections.”―School Library Journal, starred review “Simultaneously unsentimental and saturated with feeling.”―Publishers Weekly, starred review Personal Insights:This is a delightful little story that is simple and straightforward, but at the same time educational and entertaining. Finding the perfect reader for this book might be a bit of a challenge…. The bigger vocabulary is better suited for a more advanced reader, but the simple story is geared more towards younger readers. I think this book would make for a perfect read-aloud for grades 3-4 with its short chapters, likeable characters, and the dead-pan silliness. And who doesn’t love a talking robot and animals?? Not to mention the illustrations throughout the book are beautiful, striking, and a great addition to the story. Notable Quotes: “As the robot looked out at the island, it never even occurred to her that she might not belong there. As far as Roz knew, she was home.” “If you stand in a forest long enough, eventually something will fall on you. And Roz had been standing in the forest long enough.” “But I do not know how to act like a mother.” “Oh, it’s nothing, you just have to provide the gosling with food and water and shelter, make him feel loved but don’t pamper him too much, keep him away from danger, and make sure he learns to walk and talk and swim and fly and get along with others and look after himself. And that’s really all there is to motherhood!” Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) The Last Human by Lee Bacon (2019) - In the future, robots have eliminated humans, and 12-year-old robot XR_935 is just fine with that. Without humans around, there is no war, no pollution, no crime. Every member of society has a purpose. Everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Until the day XR discovers something impossible: a human girl named Emma. Now, Emma must embark on a dangerous voyage with XR and two other robots in search of a mysterious point on a map. But how will they survive in a place where rules are never broken and humans aren’t supposed to exist? And what will they find at the end of their journey? The Boy, The Boat, and the Beast by Samantha M. Clark (2018) - A boy washes up on a mysterious, seemingly uninhabited beach. Who is he? How did he get there? The boy can’t remember. When he sees a light shining over the foreboding wall of trees that surrounds the shore, he decides to follow it, in the hopes that it will lead him to answers. The boy’s journey is a struggle for survival and a search for the truth—a terrifying truth that once uncovered, will force him to face his greatest fear of all if he is to go home. Brambleheart: A Story About Finding Treasure and the Unexpected Magic of Friendship by Henry Cole (2016) - Twig has always wondered who he will become. In the Hill, everyone studies a craft and becomes a master’s Apprentice, but first you have to be good at something. Twig tries very hard in all his classes, but his imagination wanders to his favorite books or the delicious mayapples growing beyond the scavenge yard...and then he loses his focus. Unsure he’ll ever amount to anything, Twig sets out on a journey to discover himself. However, instead of finding answers, he stumbles upon a strangely colored globe that contains a curious secret. Protecting his secret is all Twig wants to do. But when he learns that his secret might hurt others, he’s forced to make a choice between his place in the world and the feelings in his heart. 2/14/2021 0 Comments Closer to Nowhere by Ellen HopkinsTitle: Closer to Nowhere
Author: Ellen Hopkins Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons (2020) ISBN13: 978-0593108611 Genre: Realistic Fiction, Novel in Verse, Middle Grade Topics/Themes: Dealing with mental illness, trouble at home, familial abuse Diversity Tags: Depression, anxiety, abuse Recommended Age Level: 10-15 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: Hannah likes to believe she has a perfect life. Well, she USED to have a perfect life, that is, until her cousin Cal came to live with her and her parents. Until then, Hannah was an only child, loved by both of her parents, a rising star on the gymnastics team, and popular at school. While she tries to be understanding of Cal since his mom died and his dad is now in jail, she can’t help but sometimes wish he never moved in, especially since Cal is constantly pranking her, getting into trouble, and taking the valuable attention of her parents away from her. To top it all off, since he came to live with them, her parents have been fighting more and more. Cal, on the other hand, is just trying to fit in and do his best to not let his past control his life. He misses his mom like crazy all the time, and his dad…. well, let’s just say he’s glad he doesn’t have to live with him anymore. Cal copes by inventing wild and creative stories, but no one else seems to appreciate them, or his unique sense of humor. He doesn’t always mean to piss off Hannah, but he can’t seem to do anything right around his adoptive family either. He can tell he is only making things worse, and while he desperately wants to belong and feel loved, he is afraid he is only going to mess up this family as well. Cal and Hannah have to come to terms with what it means to be family if they want to have any hope in saving the one they have. Professional Reviews: “Hopkins creates realistic portrayals of two kids trying to do their best even when it’s not easy.” —Publishers Weekly 2020 “Hopkins’ use of free verse provides a canvas for sure-handed, brush-stroke development of the backstory and plot and emotional investment and identification with the characters. . . Compassionate and compelling.” —Kirkus Reviews 2020 Personal Insights: This is the very first book I have read that is in verse. I even had to look up online how to read one. After skimming the first couple of pages, it felt very awkward to try and read the non-rhyming poetry in a traditional rhyming cadence with pauses and emphasis, and I was actually considering putting it down and moving on to a different book. Boy, am I glad I took a little extra time to research how to read them and appreciate them! This story was phenomenal… so incredibly moving and touching as it addressed some REALLY serious subjects such as abuse, parental death, and imprisonment. Hopkin’s earlier YA novel, Crank, both highly-awarded and one of the most banned books in recent years, is a gritty story based on Hopkin’s daughter’s vivid struggle with meth. Incredibly talented at taking hard real-life topics to the page, Closer to Nowhere tackles Hopkin’s experiences of adopting and raising that daughter’s son. I find myself appreciating these books much more for the adept way in which Hopkins translates her personal, adult hardships into books for younger audiences. Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff (2015) - Everyone says that middle school is awful, but Trent knows nothing could be worse than the year he had in fifth grade, when a freak accident on Cedar Lake left one kid dead, and Trent with a brain full of terrible thoughts he can't get rid of. Trent’s pretty positive the entire disaster was his fault, so for him middle school feels like a fresh start, a chance to prove to everyone that he's not the horrible screw-up they seem to think he is. If only Trent could make that fresh start happen. It isn’t until Trent gets caught up in the whirlwind that is Fallon Little—the girl with the mysterious scar across her face—that things begin to change. Because fresh starts aren’t always easy. Even in baseball, when a fly ball gets lost in the sun, you have to remember to shift your position to find it. All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor (2016) - Eleven-year-old Perry was born and raised by his mom at the Blue River Co-ed Correctional Facility in tiny Surprise, Nebraska. His mom is a resident on Cell Block C, and so far Warden Daugherty has made it possible for them to be together. That is, until a new district attorney discovers the truth—and Perry is removed from the facility and forced into a foster home. When Perry moves to the “outside” world, he feels trapped. Desperate to be reunited with his mom, Perry goes on a quest for answers about her past crime. As he gets closer to the truth, he will discover that love makes people resilient no matter where they come from . . . but can he find a way to tell everyone what home truly means? Speechless by Adam P. Schmitt (2018) - As if being stuffed into last year's dress pants at his cousin's wake weren't uncomfortable enough, thirteen-year-old Jimmy has just learned from his mother that he has to say a few words at the funeral the next day. Why him? What could he possibly say about his cousin, who ruined everything they did? He can't recall one birthday party, family gathering, or school event with Patrick that didn't result in injury or destruction. As Jimmy attempts to navigate the odd social norms of the wake, he draws on humor, heartfelt concern, and a good deal of angst while racking his brain and his memory for a decent and meaningful memory to share. But it's not until faced with a microphone that the realization finally hits him: it's not the words that are spoken that matter the most, but those that are truly heard. 2/14/2021 0 Comments Wink by Rob Harrell
Title: Wink
Author: Rob Harrell Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers (March 31, 2020) ISBN13: 978-1984815149 Genre: Realistic Fiction, Autobiographical Fiction, Middle Grade Topics/Themes: Dealing with illness, overcoming bullies/trolls, the power of friendship Diversity Tags: Cancer, Loss of Vision Recommended Age Level: 9-14 Personal Rating: 5 / 5 Summary: Seventh-grader Ross Maloy wants nothing more than to be able to go back to being a “normal” kid. Ever since he started some pretty intense treatments for his rare eye cancer, no one seems to be able to know how to interact with him: not his classmates and not his teachers. Even his best friends have started treating him differently. Granted, his mandatory brimmed hat and eye patch don’t exactly help him to blend in, but why can’t everyone see that he is still the same Ross he has always been? He must figure out a way to deal with his rising anger and grief, not only from the fact that he might very well go blind, but with anonymous internet trolls, changing friendships, and all the landmines that come from middle school. As Ross continues with his treatments, he learns some valuable lessons and tools from some unexpected sources to help him cope with all that life is throwing at him. Professional Reviews: “This title is delightfully good and different. Readers will be interested to know that Harrell draws from his personal experience. There are witty comic panels and other art interspersed throughout the text. Highly recommended.” – Lisa Gieskes, School Library Journal 2020 “Harrell, himself a cancer survivor, offers a frank account of cancer’s effects while keeping the subject matter accessible for middle grade readers. Ross never takes himself too seriously, and amusing black-and-white comics trace his unsavory experiences, capture the ironies of his predicament, and underline his creativity and sense of humor. Told in the first person, this lively novel showcases the author’s understanding of middle school angst amid the protagonist’s experience with a serious illness.” – Publishers Weekly, 2020 Personal Insights: For such a serious topic, this book has a delightful sense of humor that comes through the story to undercut and soothe the brutal reality of cancer. Interspersed with hand-drawn comics, Harrell has found a way to perfectly balance an important discussion about how being diagnosed with a serious illness affects your relationships and day to day life, and packages it in a story laced with humor and relatability so that kids in middle school can understand and see themselves reflected in the characters. Notable Quotes: "Different moves the needle. Different is where the good stuff happens. There's strength in different." Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) Halfway Normal by Barbara Dee (2017) - Norah Levy has just completed two years of treatment for leukemia and is ready to go back to the “real world” of middle school. The hospital social worker warns her the transition back may be tricky, but Norah isn’t worried. Compared with battling cancer, how tricky can seventh grade be? Very. Everyone is either treating Norah like she will break at any second, or acting weird about all the attention she’s getting. Her best friend, Harper, does her best to be there for Norah, but she doesn’t get it, really—and is hanging out with a new group of girls, leaving Norah feeling a little unsteady. Norah’s other good friend, Silas, is avoiding her. What’s that about, anyway? When Norah is placed with the eighth graders for math and science she meets Griffin, a cute boy who encourages her love of drawing and Greek mythology. And Norah decides not to tell him her secret—that she was “that girl” who had cancer. But when something happens to make secret-keeping impossible, Norah must figure out a way to share her cancer story. But how do you explain something to others that you can’t explain to yourself? And then, once you find the words, how do you move forward with a whole new ‘normal’? Squint by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown (2018) - Flint loves to draw. In fact, he’s furiously trying to finish his comic book so he can be the youngest winner of the “Find a Comic Star” contest. He’s also rushing to finish because he has keratoconus—an eye disease that could eventually make him blind. McKell is the new girl at school and immediately hangs with the popular kids. Except McKell’s not a fan of the way her friends treat this boy named Squint. He seems nice and really talented. He draws awesome pictures of superheroes. McKell wants to get to know him, but is it worth the risk? What if her friends catch her hanging with the kid who squints all the time? McKell has a hidden talent of her own but doesn’t share it for fear of being judged. Her terminally ill brother, Danny, challenges McKell to share her love of poetry and songwriting. Flint seems like someone she could trust. Someone who would never laugh at her. Someone who is as good and brave as the superhero in Flint’s comic book named Squint. When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin (2016) - Ben Coffin has never felt like he fits in. A former foster kid, he keeps his head down at school to avoid bullies and spends his afternoons reading sci-fi books at the library. But that all changes when he finds a scruffy abandoned dog named Flip and befriends the librarian’s daughter, Halley. For the first time, Ben starts to feel like he belongs in his own life. Then, everything changes, and suddenly, Ben is more alone than ever. But with a little help from Halley’s magician father, Ben discovers his place in the world and learns to see his own magic through others’ eyes. Book introduction from the author himself!
Title: Beyond the Bright Sea
Author: Lauren Wolk Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers (May 2, 2017) ISBN13: 978-1101994856 Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Middle Grade Topics/Themes: Personal Identity, The Power of Found-Family, Self-discovery Recommended Age Level: 10-14 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: 12-year-old Crow has only known one home: her tiny isolated island off the coast of Massachusetts. She has been raised by a man named Osh who rescued Crow from a small boat when she was only a few hours old, and Miss Maggie, the fierce but loving neighbor from the other side of the sandbar. While she loves her life with Osh, as Crow has grown older, she has become more curious about her mysterious past and has started to question the simple and isolated way of life that Osh and Miss Maggie are so content with. When Osh finally reveals to her the only clue he has from the night he rescued her, Crow is overwhelmed with a desire to find out who she is and where she came from. As she begins to pull at the strings of clues, Crow begins to unravel the mystery of her past and must come face to face with who her true family is. Professional Reviews: “This is a tear-jerking yet ultimately uplifting tale of establishing one's place in the world and realizing that sometimes your family is the one you make, not the one you are born into. VERDICT A stellar story full of heart, action, and emotion that will make readers feel like they are a part of Crow's family.” - Christopher Lassen, School Library Journal 2017 “A beautiful, evocative sophomore effort from Newbery honoree Wolk” – Kirkus Reviews 2017 Personal Insights: This was an incredibly powerful and moving story. The three main characters, Crow, Osh, and Miss Maggie, are so well developed that you can’t help but feel as if you are a part of their family. While this book is written for middle grade kids, I would be hard pressed to find any adult who would not fully appreciate this work of art. The writing and prose that Lauren Wolk uses is simultaneously beautiful and concise. She doesn’t waste words, but the ones she uses pack a vivid punch. The historical setting also plays a significant role. Set in 1920s New England, there are real historical events that weave through this story (that I won’t mention by name to avoid spoilers). The way in which Crow, a young, non-white girl, is treated by the rest of society also sets the undertones to this story and adds a deeper layer to the events that happen. I listened to this book in audiobook format. The narrator, Jorjeana Marie, wonderfully captured the characters in different voices, and rich in emotion. Notable Quotes: “Don't you understand, Crow?" he said, his voice so sad, so tender, that I couldn't breathe. "You're the one worth finding.” - Osh “I'm just looking at you. Exactly as you are right now. And not because you'll change, though you will of course. Treasure or not. But because if I could have built a human being, I would have built you. Just so.” - Osh “Wouldn't that be a good thing? Not to feel pain?" -Crow "There's more than one kind of pain...and if you don't feel it, you can get hurt" -Miss Maggie "But it hurts when you do feel it, too" -Crow "Yes, but feeling hurt and being hurt aren't always the same thing" -Miss Maggie” “Mrs. Pelham's face was old but she moved like someone younger, and when she smiled I could see that her teeth were still strong. I wondered what had mapped her face like that" -Crow Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder (2017) - On the island, everything is perfect. The sun rises in a sky filled with dancing shapes; the wind, water, and trees shelter and protect those who live there; when the nine children go to sleep in their cabins, it is with full stomachs and joy in their hearts. And only one thing ever changes: on that day, each year, when a boat appears from the mist upon the ocean carrying one young child to join them—and taking the eldest one away, never to be seen again. Today’s Changing is no different. The boat arrives, taking away Jinny’s best friend, Deen, replacing him with a new little girl named Ess, and leaving Jinny as the new Elder. Jinny knows her responsibility now—to teach Ess everything she needs to know about the island, to keep things as they’ve always been. But will she be ready for the inevitable day when the boat will come back—and take her away forever from the only home she’s known? The Same Stuff as Stars by Katherine Paterson (2004) - Her daddy is in jail, and her mother has abandoned Angel and her little brother, Bernie, at their great-grandmother's crumbling Vermont farmhouse. Grandma spends most of her time wrapped in a blanket by the wood stove. There is one bright spot in Angel's world: a mysterious stranger who teaches Angel all about the stars and planets and constellations. Carving out a new life proves harder than Angel ever imagined. But she feels a tiny spark of hope when she remembers what the stranger said that she is made of the same stuff as stars. Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo (2018) - When Louisiana Elefante’s granny wakes her up in the middle of the night to tell her that the day of reckoning has arrived and they have to leave home immediately, Louisiana isn’t overly worried. After all, Granny has many middle-of-the-night ideas. But this time, things are different. This time, Granny intends for them never to return. Separated from her best friends, Raymie and Beverly, Louisiana struggles to oppose the winds of fate (and Granny) and find a way home. But as Louisiana’s life becomes entwined with the lives of the people of a small Georgia town — including a surly motel owner, a walrus-like minister, and a mysterious boy with a crow on his shoulder — she starts to worry that she is destined only for good-byes. For more info, check out this book talk from the author! |