Month: September 2024

Posted in Fiction, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Tween Reads

Invisible Isabel wants to be seen

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Invisible Isabel, by Sally J. Pla/Illustrated by Tania de Regil, (July 2024, Quill Tree Books), $19.99, ISBN: 9780063268852

Ages 8-12

Isabel Beane is an introverted girl lost in the chaos of her home: her two younger siblings are “toddler tornadoes”; her teenaged older sisters chase her away, and her middle schooler older brother just wants to play video games and have his stinky friends over. It isn’t much better at school: her militaristic teacher doesn’t understand the “worry-moths” that cause Isabel to freeze up during class, and new girl Monica has managed to get all Isabel’s former friends to ignore her. Isabel’s parents don’t really hear or see her, either; waving away her fears as normal kid blues. Abandoned by her friends, ignored by her family, Isabel yearns to find her voice, but her fears threaten to overpower her. A sensitive story in verse with soft black and white illustrations, Isabel’s story unfolds as a journey of discovery. The reader gets clues to Isabel’s neurodiversity with mentions comforting routines like rocking, or her sensitivity to sound and scent. Mean girl Monica, Isabel’s antagonist, has reasons for her behavior and has a father who tries to steer his daughter in a better direction. Readers will spend a good part of this book frustrated with everyone around Isabel as they continue ignoring or disregarding her; Pla creates a feeling of responsibility in the reader – we want to protect her! Pla and de Regil create a story of kindness and discovery for all. An excellent choice for realistic fiction and books in verse collections.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Big Bear and Little Fish return!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Bear’s Big Idea, by Sandra Nickel/Illustrated by Il Sung Na, (Sept. 2024, Carolrhoda Books), $18.99, ISBN: 9798765610176

Ages 4-7

Big Bear and Little Fish have become such great friends in the two years since their first book. In their new adventure, it’s Bear’s turn to come up with a fun new idea, which gives her a bit of anxiety. Usually, it’s Fish that has the great ideas, but now it’s Bear’s turn, and everywhere she turns, she sees remnants of activities left over from the week with Fish. With a little creativity and an open mind, a great new idea is just waiting for Bear – she just has to let herself open up to the possibilities. Nickel’s storytelling sweetly pairs with Na’s digital illustrations, bringing a touch of humor to a story about the pressure of choosing the “just right” activity for a friend. Nickel captures the stress of coming up with a blockbuster activity with phrases like, “What if she couldn’t find an idea? What if that meant she wasn’t a good friend?” Readers familiar with Big Bear and Little Fish will appreciate Bear’s caution with Fish as they climb trees and splosh in puddles. Endpapers show Bear and Fish in a variety of poses. A sweet companion to the original story and a good addition to storytime collections. Download a curriculum guide for Bear’s Big Idea from Sandra Nickel’s author page.

 

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Clouds in Space: Meet Nebula!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis
Clouds in Space: Nebulae, Stardust, and Us, by Teresa Robeson/Illustrated by Diāna Renžina, (Aug. 2024, MIT Kids Press), $17.99, ISBN: 9781536225372
Ages 7-9

The secret is out: there are things we can’t see beyond the clouds. But Nebula, our narrator, is here to tell us everything! Nebula means “cloud” in Latin, and she guides us – and a young astronomer featured in the story – through an outer space trip to marvel at the beautiful nebulae scattered across the universe. Stunning digital illustrations incorporate actual photos of nebulae to paint vibrant pictures across the black sky. Renžina adds shapes to Butterfly and Elephant nebulae and allows a kaleidoscope of color to shimmer forth from our guide Nebula’s entire being; Robeson creates non-fiction poetry to describe the incredible beauty of the universe with phrases like “You are grown from scattered stardust, / sprouted in a stellar nursery. / I AM THE STARDUST / AND THE NURSERY”. Back matter includes details about nebulae, with photos of the nebulae featured in the book, and resources for further exploration. A stunning book that works as a storytime selection as easily as it does a non-fiction resource.

Clouds in Space: Nebulae, Stardust, and Us has a starred review from School Library Journal.

Posted in Fiction, Middle Grade, Middle School, Tween Reads

Hannah Edwards and the Secrets of Riverway!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Hannah Edwards: Secrets of Riverway, by Ashley Hards (Sept. 2024, Fabled Films Press), $16.99, ISBN: 9781944020910

Ages 9-12

Hannah Edwards has a LOT on her mind: first and foremost, her dad, the Canola King, who has been missing for months. She’s also got her creepy Uncle Fergus hanging around more and more, with his awful food and his constant “lessons”. Thank goodness she has her best friend, Sam, and her Journal to turn to with her thoughts. When Sam tells her he thinks he saw Hannah’s dad’s ghost at the Old Mill, she decides it’s up to her to find her dad and prove that he is NOT a ghost – because being a ghost would mean that he’s no longer alive. And she can’t think that way.

A moving story about self-discovery, Hannah brings us on her grief journey while discovering that she is neurodivergent. Hards gives Hannah a strong, upbeat voice that refuses to give up or give in. A smart reimagining of Hamlet – with a much lower body count – this is a great mystery for  middle graders and middle schoolers.