Blog Checks and categories

 1st Blog Check:

Children's Titles                                    Categories            

    Big                                                         Texas 2x2

    Elf Dog and Owl Head                          Newberry Medal Honor Book

    Yuck, You Suck!                                    Poetry

    Six Dots                                                 Disability

Young Adult Titles                                Categories

    The Curie Society                                    Graphic Novel

2nd Blog Check

     Children's Titles                                Categories

        Glitter Everywhere                                Informational

        Legend of Gravity                                 Texas Bluebonnet Award 

     Young Adult Titles                            Categories

        Fire Keeper's Daughter                            Printz Winner

        Furia                                                         Romance

        A Deadly Education                                 Fantasy

        

3rd Blog Check

     Children's Titles                                Categories

         Mexikid                                               Pura Belpré Award Winner

         New Kid                                              Coretta Scott King

        Something Happened in Our Town      Banned or Challenged

        Artemis Fowl : the Graphic Novel        Graphic Novel

     Young Adult Titles                            Categories

        The Hate U Give                                 Banned or Challenged book                           

Artemis Fowl: the Graphic Novel

 

Title: Artemis Fowl: the Graphic Novel by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin and illustrated by Giovanne Rigand and color by Paulo Laminna

Genre: Fiction - Graphic Novel

Targeted Age: Ages 10-12

Plot Summary: This title has transformed the original Artemis Fowl book into a graphic novel. Artemis is a 12 year old genius who has followed in his Fowl family legacy to be a criminal mastermind. He has been using all of his resources to track down real fairies and manages to kidnap one. He and his bodyguard Butler find themselves battling multiple magical creatures in their quest to obtain fairy gold. 

Justification for book choice: This book was a favorite of my children and we enjoyed listening to the audio versions. I had not read graphic novel version previously, and after the disappointing movie version I was not looking forward to a different written version. But I was pleasantly surprised. While of course the dialogue and details were reduced, using the graphic novel version was able to capture all of the important details.

Evaluation:

Illustrations: The illustrations in this graphic novel version really brought a gangster feel to the book. Fowl manor is a darkened setting, not a cheerful place. So many details were included in the drawings that additional narration was not needed. For instance, the images of Artemis' office show lots of technology but also piles of books, papers, notes, images, etc that all indicate that he has been studying a lot of resources. Aside from a understated mention of some hard copies of images on the wall, the images speak for themselves. The use of including secret files and documents about characters was a creative way to add details about the characters in a single page.

Pacing: The graphic novel format kept the story moving at a quick pace. A few pages included information that needed some extra reading, however, it was a fast way to explain character traits, such as why Butler was so skilled as a body guard. I liked that the dialogue was often brief because it added to the pace. Narration boxes were also kept at a minimum. This is an action filled story and it was able to include all of the important events from the original book.

Characters: This book is the first in a series. It is where the main characters that will be seen throughout the following books are introduced. Having read the original versions first, I feel that the basic elements of each of the main characters was covered. Artemis' genius is well described and observed. While being introduced as a criminal, there is also a softer side when it comes to his mother. Butler and his sister Juliet are given backgrounds that leave you wanting more, but that is also the allure to their family history of being body guards. The magical creatures are briefly introduced and we understand Holly more than any of them. They are pretty well rounded out as much as the original title provided. 

Something Happened in our Town - Banned or Challenged

 

Title: Something Happened in our Town by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Anne Hazzard. Illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin

Genre: Children's picture book

Targeted Age: Ages 4-8+

Plot Summary: This title follows two different families, one Black and one White, and how they react to a Black man being shot by police. As the children in each family ask questions, they are given different answers. Both give good examples of listening to their children and answering them at their level. Both families discuss racial injustice from their perspectives but also honestly and with examples their children will understand.

Justification for book choice: Following the 2020 shooting of George Floyd this book was especially challenged even though it was published in 2018. Protestors claim it give an anti-police message, however, the book claims it is a pattern and that not all police are part of that pattern. 

Evaluation:

Illustrations: Jennifer Zivoin created beautiful illustrations. Your eyes are always drawn to the faces and people on each page. The colors are calming. They are colorful without feeling flashing or angry. The people and the dialogue are what can be focused on. The illustrations add details not included in the text, such as the setting that both families live next door to each other based on an image that shows the children in upstairs windows in buildings next to each other.

Theme: The theme is something that I wish was not relevant. But it continues to be - unfair and fatal violence against blacks. This topic continues to be in the news and it can be difficult to explain to younger children. We can't prevent them from hearing about it because just like in this book - they will hear about it from older kids, family, media, etc. Beyond the issue of the violence, I think that the other theme is how to talk to your kids about tough topics. 

Accuracy: This picture book is designed with families in mind. While the circumstance was based on real events, this is a fictional book. However, there is a lot of supplementary material provided in the back of the book. These resources include information for families about how to discuss, definition of terms, and sample questions and answers. This book is designed with families in mind to be able to discuss accuracy of news reports, the accuracy of judging others, and the accuracy needed when discussing scary events.

New Kid- Coretta Scott King

 

Title:  New Kid by Jerry Craft

Genre: Fiction -Graphic Novel

Targeted Age: Ages 8 - 12

Plot Summary: Jordan Banks, begins attending a private school and is one of only a few African Americans students. He longs to attend art school and uses his drawings to chronicle the experiences he is having. The new school is a world of prejudice and racism for the minority students and teacher. This book points out that individuals matter, knowing who they are means more than just the color of their skin or the language spoken at home. Jordan learns how to vocalize his feelings at school and have confidence in himself that he can help make a difference. 

Justification for book choice: This award winning book has a lot of lessons about dealing with conflicts. It earned a Coretta Scott King award among others. It is well-written and deals with difficult topics sometimes in a light hearted way to make it appropriate and approachable for younger audiences.

Evaluation:

Illustrations: Graphic novels allow for the images to tell more of the story than just the words. There was some variation in the illustrations as well as the main story used color but the images that Jordan drew in his notebook were in black and white. This allowed for different types of illustrations telling the story. 

Characters: The story line is centered on Jordan and those he interacts with at school and at home. Jordan maintains an outside perspective on his new school. We see the difficulties the students of color have at the school through him. We also follow his feelings as he finds his way through the various lifestyles of his friends and how he deals with the social economic differences. Jordan is a catalyst for change at his school. The changes may not affect the entire school, but they do influence the lives of those around him. His behavior is unusual but isn't too exaggerated to be unbelievable. He is a realistic hero for the readers about how to treat others.

Tone: The tone of this book could easily have been dark and depressing because of the difficult topics of bullying, prejudice and racial and economic inequity. Instead, staying true to the intended audience, some humor was injected without ignoring the tough topics. Examples of the humor include Drew and Jordan intentionally calling each other the wrong names, the illustrations of Jordan's reactions with angels, and the jokes with Liam about judging. Balancing the hard topics, Jordan and friends found ways to laugh.

Mexikid: Pura Belpré award

Title: Mexikid by Pedro Martín

Genre: Children's Graphic Novel

Targeted Age: Ages 9-11

Plot Summary:  A family roadtrip from California to Mexico and back is filled with new experiences for Pedro. For Pedro, this trip is a road of discovery as he learns more about his grandparents and the lives they have lived and the traditions they hold. Written as a graphic novel, the illustrations are inviting and keep the story moving at a good pace. This book provides perspectives of how life experiences are different from generation to generation and even between siblings. But they are the stories worth sharing over and over again at family gatherings. 

Justification for book choice: This was highly recommended by the librarians at my local library. It has won several awards including the Pura Belpré and a Newbery Honor. I also enjoy books that bring understanding between family generations.

Evaluation: 

Theme: The story is based on Pedro Martín's family, and it feels like a memory being retold. Family stories are a repeating theme throughout the story. As each story is told, understanding, empathy and connections are created within the family members. 

Point of View: Pedro's illustrations mesh with the narrative so well that it feels you are looking through a family album with snap shots of memories and experiences. Wonderful read to show how important family connections can be and how the sacrifices in the past have impacted future generations. 

Style and Language: What is great about this title is that it is available in both Spanish and English. Just as the family speaks in both languages, the story itself should also be in both languages. In the English version, some phrases are written in Spanish and translations are provided. I think that is important - use the family's natural expressions but then provide translations to educate others. 

The Hate U Give - YA banned or challenged book

 

Title:  The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Targeted Age: High School

Plot Summary: When you live in two worlds, knowing who you are can be difficult. Such is the case for Starr who lives in "the projects" but attends school at an affluent, mostly white high school. Starr has kept these two areas of her life separate, trying to keep a foot in each side. When she is a witness to a close friend shot by an officer, her worlds begin to collide and she can no longer separate her two personas. This timely novel focuses beyond one incident and gives a full picture of prejudice and racism, some intended and others culturally engrained. Should be a must read.

Justification for book choice: This book has been challenged for language, drinking and drugs. Thankfully in one challenge the book won and remained on the shelves. This timely novel is a must read.

Evaluation: 

Perspective: Seeing the world of too many shooting headlines through Starr's eyes, shows the other side of the story. Beyond the headlines there are stories, lives, relationships, history, culture that can so easily be erased with a few short words from the media. This is a story that was hard to read and not see thoughts and feelings of myself or others I know in a different light. 

Character: I found the character Starr as a very believable teenager. She was not perfect in how she handled situations, but that is what makes her real. She hid things about        herself and her life from both worlds because she was still trying to figure out who she was and how she wanted to live her life. As she came to terms with her role as a witness and how she wanted to handle that responsibility, she grew in confidence as was able to combine her lives into one. She was able to find her voice.

        Setting: The setting of inner city poor communities vs the media and prejudice feels very         current and something that could happen tomorrow. This title was published in 2017, and         Angie Thomas was inspired to write the novel based on an event that happened in 2009            of a shooting death of Oscar Grant by police. Unfortunately, events have continued to                happen that are similar. That is the power of the messages in this book - too many of the            circumstances remain that leave shooting deaths a possibility. The setting of fear for                blacks when getting pulled over is not a new feeling, it has been around too long. 

Legend of Gravity - Texas Bluebonnet

 

Title: Legend of Gravity by Charly Palmer

Genre: Children's picture book

Targeted Age: Grades 2-3

Plot Summary: A tall tale set in modern times. When a new kid joins their playground basketball team, they agree that his skills seem to defy gravity. And a new playground nickname was born, Gravity. His skills were instantly legendary, he dominated the court, leading his team to the championship. Beautiful illustrations accompany the tale showcasing the movements and plays of basketball. But even legendary players need a team, and that was a lesson that Gravity teaches readers.

Justification for book choice: Legend of Gravity is a 2024 Texas Blue Bonnet nominee. It a modern take on tall tales. This would be great to include in a theme of tall tales that could include older ones such as Paul Bunyan, Calamity Jane and John Henry. 

Evaluation:

Illustrations: Charly Palmer pairs his narration and illustration gracefully. His large brushstrokes allow the colorful pictures to be recognizable and almost realistic but exaggerated, just as a good tall tale should be. 

Theme: A tall tale is generally retold by a narrator as if it was true. A folk tale told by someone claiming to have possibly encountered the subject or who appears to believe it. In the Legend of Gravity the story is told by the only female player, later nicknamed Butta. The details are exaggerated such as when Gravity's jump was so high and long that they had time to get ice cream before he landed. This story is grounded in a realistic setting - neighborhood basketball teams, but the hero Gravity has skills that are exaggerated beyond what is humanly possibly.

Setting: Palmer based the setting on the street ball that is played in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and other places. In his note at the back he wanted to highlight the great players that never went professional but gained notoriety locally for their skills. Based in a realistic setting, the Legend of Gravity used the tradition of nicknames and small local teams to spin a tale of a street ball star.

Citation:

Palmer, C. (2022). Legend of Gravity. Farrar Straus Giroux Books.

        

A Deadly Education - YA- Fantasy

Title: A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Targeted Age: 9th - 12th grade

Plot Summary: This book approaches magical boarding schools very differently. It is appropriately named the Deadly Education as death is possible starting in the approach to the front door. The motivation to learn is directly linked to survival. There are no teachers, just a magical school that provides the course schedules but without any teachers or set curriculum. Unity is only found in alliances heading into "graduation" aka the final battle of survival. Into this setting enters Galadriel "El" who has a dangerous amount of power but still has need for alliances and control of her skills. 

Justification for book choice: I was intrigued by the title as it was advertised for my neighborhood book club. This is the first in a series of books and was appropriately described as dark academia. Young Adults often seem drawn to horror and thrillers and a school full of monsters trying to kill you at every opportunity fits the bill.

Evaluation:

Characters: There are few characters that are fleshed out in the beginning of this book. I wondered if this was to prepare the readers for the frequent deaths. The initial deaths are characters that are peripheral and little detail is known about them. It is even difficult to understand the main characters El and Orion. They are polar opposites in their magical powers. While opposites often attract, their eventual relationship makes more sense in later books in the series. El is a dark sorceress that has kept her distance from any friendships until alliances become necessary. Her ability to align herself quickly seems a fast transition. 

Setting: Death is often accompanied by black or dark colors. That is what the setting for A Deadly Education felt like. The Scholomance magical school is far removed from a colorful place. Shadows are good places for the monsters to hide and traveling alone is never a good idea. The premise for the purpose of the school is depressing - survival of the fittest in a place full of threats from not only monsters but your competition - other students. Classrooms, not safe. Library, not safe. Cafeteria, not safe. Stairwells, not safe. When even private bedrooms need protection - the setting may not be a physical place as much as an atmosphere of death and danger.

Taste: This is probably not a title for young Harry Potter fans. This takes a more adult spin on youth magic themes. It other titles, death is a rarity. A Deadly Education will catch readers unawares if they don't read reviews and the cover intro carefully. But for those that have felt out of place, that are drawn to thrillers and horror themes, this book will find a strong following. In some ways this first book in the trilogy sets up what will happen in the next two books. While I am not usually a horror reader, I did eventually feel drawn to this story and the dilemma they face. I would be cautious in how I recommend this to others.

Citation:

Novik, N. (2023). A Deadly Education. Del Rey.

Glitter Everywhere! - Informational - PreK-6th grade

 

Title: Glitter Everywhere! Where it Came From, Where It's Found & Where It's Going. By Chris Barton and Illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat.

Genre: Children's Non-fiction

Targeted Age: PreK-2nd Grade

Plot Summary: This is a book all about glitter. Facts about its' origins when it was named flitter are included as well as facts of how it has changed, as well as the positive and negatives surrounding glitter today. Prabhat's colorful illustrations will keep the attention of non-readers long enough to hear the longer text segments.

Justification for book choice: This is a non-fiction book that is beautifully illustrated. Glitter is something that is familiar and yet not a common item to learn facts about. It has also won several awards including the 2024 Texas Topaz Award.

Evaluation:

Illustration Composition: The illustrations of this book make the reader forget that this is a non-fiction book. While some non-fiction books have traditionally included photographs, the beautifully painted illustration are cheerful, detailed and as colorful as the subject matter. The images flow around the text with engaging images that have children interacting with glitter.

Design and Layout: One element that I appreciate when reading non-fiction to children, is the option to choose the depth of information to share based on the audience. Each page has several segments of text full of facts. The illustrations also allow for flexible opportunities to share the content. Additional information and resources shared in the back pages allow for a more extensive educational depth if desired.

Accuracy: I did not have any doubt about the facts presented in this book. References were provided at the end of the book, but were not included or distracting within the text. The amount of details kept the book interesting but kept the descriptions short and appropriate for the intended audience. 

Citation:

Barton, C. (2023). Glitter Everywhere! Where it Came From, Where It's Found & Where It's Going (illus. Chaaya Prabhat). Charlesbridge.

Furia - Romance, Audiobook

Title: Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez

Genre: YA Fiction, Romance

Targeted Age: 9-12th grade

Plot Summary: Camila lives in a culture that elevates men and their achievements at the cost of the women in their lives. She is not content with living in the shadows. In secret, she has become a talented Argentinian youth fútbol player with the nickname La Furia. Camila's life has been full of fútbol with a brother in the professional league, a boyfriend in an international league, and her secret participation in a competitive girl's club. She dreams of continuing her athletic pursuits in the US and obtaining a scholarship to a US university. Is her traditional path with the man of her dreams possible? This is a story centered in traditions both familial and cultural and the desire to choose your own path.

Justification for book choice: I chose this book because it was outside my normal preference. I like mysteries, but there were no mysteries in this book. I was looking for additional viewpoints and voices. I liked that the setting was international, it included romance as an element, and it was an audiobook that allowed me to listen while doing other things.

Evaluation:

M  

      Mood: I have seen Argentinians cheering on their national soccer team. They are passionate, loud, and loyal. That is the same mood that is exemplified in this book when it comes to soccer. As a character in the show Ted Lasso would say "Futbol is life!" When I encountered the fans in a restaurant in Florida, it was mostly men that were gathered together. In this book, the passion that the young ladies have for playing is just as strong and the other professionals in the book. 

T   Theme: Furia is a twist on the rebellious teenager or especially rebellious daughter theme running away from home. It has been used many times from Dorothy in Wizard of Oz to Ariel in the Little Mermaid. In this story Camila is a rebellious teenage daughter, but she wasn't leaving a happy home nor did she actually leave home. But she did rebel from the life her parents laid out for her. She did lie and keep secrets from them. In the end there was a positive resolution, but it was a complicated one.

D  Drawing a line in the sand: Early in the book, it is clear that Camila is lying to her parents about playing fútbol and yet, the title of the book is Furia which refers to Camila's nickname on the field La Furia. The reader will understand that if the nickname is that important the exclusion from playing fútbol is probably going to be overturned in some way. 

Citation:

Méndez, Y.S. (2020) Furia. Algonquin Books.

Fire Keeper's Daughter - Printz Winner - Audiobook

Title: Fire Keeper's Daughter

Genre: YA Thriller

Targeted Age: 7th-12th grade

Plot Summary: In Fire Keeper's Daughter, we experience life in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan through the eyes of Daunis Fontaine as she tries to balance her Anishinaabe Fire Keeper and wealthy white heritage. Daunis loves and respects her Ojibwe community even though she is considered an outsider. When a threat in the form of a new type of meth emerges, deaths follow and Daunis finds herself involved in the mystery. Lives affected by rape, drug abuse, murder, and secrets are set in the Anishinaabe traditions that affect the what, why and how in this enjoyable thriller.

Justification for book choice: This title was a 2022 Printz winner. It focuses on the Ojibwe traditions which was a new topic for me. I enjoyed listening to the book as I was able to hear the pronunciations of names and words correctly.

Evaluation:

Accuracy: Author Angela Boulley was raised in an Ojibwe community. She based the fictional tribe on her own. I appreciated that this was a story of modern Native American rather than a historical one. She stated in the WBUR interview. (Clayson & Beiner, 2021) that violence agains Native women has also been under reported and she wanted to include that as part of her narrative as well. Live in a tribe is not all dark and gloom and Boulley also treasured the time she spent with the tribe elders, hearing their stories. (Clayson & Beiner, 2021)

Character: Daunis Fontaine is a believable character. It was easy to accept her as a protagonist and be drawn into the emotional struggles she encountered in this story. She was portrayed with so many complexities in her life. Daunis balanced two different family cultures that were completely separate except in her own life. She was torn between her dreams and the necessities of life. Her participation and care for those in her tribe was in opposition with her exclusion of full inclusion in it. These contrasts felt authentic and reflective of modern life as nothing is simple.

Tension: Tension seems to be a theme in Daunis' life. Nothing is simple and she is constantly being pulled in different directions. As the story unfolds, additional questions and facts bring additional problems to be solved and leave the readers questioning and interested how things will be resolved.

Citation:

Boulley, A. (2021). Fire Keeper's Daughter. Henry Holt.

Clayson J. and Beiner C. (2021). Author Angeline Boulley mines Native American roots in bestselling YA novel 'Firekeeper's Daughter'. WBUR. https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2021/07/06/firekeepers-daughter-angeline-boulley