Not Nothing by Gayle Forman - ESSENTIAL

Not Nothing by Gayle Forman, 282 pages. Aladdin (Simon and Schuster), 2024. $18. 

Language: PG (5 swears, 0 F); Mature Content: PG (boobs mentioned twice, one sexual referrence); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Alex is twelve and he is in big trouble. A judge has sentenced him to spend his summer volunteering at the Shady Glen retirement home. Alex thinks the geriatric residents are like zombies, and he doesn't like the bossy other teen he works with. But his home life isn't any better. Alex is living with his aunt and uncle who don't want him because his mother has abandoned him.

Josey is a 107 year old resident of the home and hasn't spoken in years. He is a Holocaust survivor, thanks to his ability to sew and an intrepid woman named Olka. He is waiting to die until he meets Alex and the two form an unlikely bond. Alex keeps coming back to hear Josey's story because at times, they both feel like nothing. " This is a multi-generational story of hope, compassion, and forgiveness. The characters explore how they can rise to the occasion of their lives, which is a great concept to contemplate. The characters are believable and endearing, and the writing is beautifully crafted. There is a level of tension to find out what will happen to Alex and what really bad thing he did. I got emotional while reading because I was totally invested. This is a must read. Josey is Jewish, and Alex's race is not specified. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi - ESSENTIAL

Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi, 336 pages. Middle Grade Putnam (Penguin), 2024. $19 

Language: G (0 swears) Mature Content: G Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Kareem is a 7th grader who is stuck between friends, countries, football, family, and right and wrong. Told in free verse, Kareem's story is based off the Muslim ban in 2017, that kept Muslims from seven different countries from entering the United States. 

Kareem's story is deeply personal, while also reflecting the global scale. This story is a must read. The story is framed in a football metaphor. There are interesting football facts proceeding some of the poems and each poem is named for a football term. There is plenty for readers to relate to, from not fitting in, to being bullied, football, family, and even references to familiar novels. Once I started I could not put this down as it is high interest and an empathy builder, relatable and beautifully written. Kareem is Syrian American. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Hope Ablaze by Sarah Mughal Rana - MANY

Hope Ablaze by Sarah Mughal Rana, 384 pages. Wednesday Books (St. Martin’s Press), 2024. $20.

Language: PG13 (28 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

The summer before senior year, Nida was illegally frisked when she tried to pray in a park. To cope with her feelings about the experience, Nida turned to words. She wrote a letter poem to the parties involved and tried to move on. Until the letter got out, backlash came at her from every side, and Nida had to decide whether to do something or nothing.

Through Nida, Rana brings to life the injustices faced by those in our country every day. Nida’s experience of feeling violated brings out the indignation of readers on her behalf. Her words are twisted, she is manipulated, and even those who should be her support seem to be against her. Reading about Nida dredged up those feelings of times I have felt marginalized and misunderstood, and multiplied those feelings by ten. The injustices physically hurt as I read.

Nida and her family are Pakistani, Jawad is Somali, and Alexis is White. A significant portion of the characters are Muslim, from Nida’s community. The mature content rating is for tobacco use, a terrorist joke, illegal activity, and themes dealing with racism and Islamophobia. The violence rating is for mentions of guns and shootings.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again by Shigeru Kayama - ADVISABLE

Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again by Shigeru Kayama (translated by Jeffrey Angles), 256 pages. University of Minnesota Press, 2023. $20.

Language: PG13 (35 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

After the war, people are going about their lives again. Sailors are out working, and friends are going to concerts—until a monster from the sea ruins all those plans. Destruction and devastation has returned in the form of Godzilla, and no missile is a match for him.

In and of itself, Godzilla isn’t a very well written story. The story is choppy, and the characters—including Godzilla—and settings are inconsistent. What makes the story of Godzilla good is recognizing the monster as a metaphor for war. When the book is read through the lens of how people might respond to war, then it is interesting. Through that lens, an appearance of Godzilla is always a possibility.

All of the characters are Japanese. The mature content rating is for alcohol use. The violence rating is for blood and gore, gun use, persistent death, suicide, and fantasy violence.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Santiago! by Jay Hosler - ESSENTIAL

Santiago! Artist, Scientist, Troublemaker by Jay Hosler, 218 GRAPHIC NOVEL BIOGRAPHY Margaret Ferguson Books Holiday House. 2022 23 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G;  Violence: PG (child abuse) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Santiago Ramon y Cajal, wanted to grow up to be an artist, but his father said he had to be a doctor. Santiago was forbidden to paint and because of that, was often in conflict with his father. However, Santiago never gave up on his dream and began painting brain cells to unlock their secrets. Santiago won the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1906. 

Told as a graphic novel, this format makes Santiago's story accessible and relatable. His antics as a child almost got him killed, but readers will be impressed at how he never gives up on his dream. The source notes for each chapter at the back of the book are just as interesting as the chapters themselves. It's fascinating to learn what Santiago accomplished to advance brain surgery. Santiago Ramon y Cajal is Spanish

Michelle in the Middle 

A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice by Rebecca Connolly - ADVISABLE

A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice by Rebecca Connolly, 295 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2022. $27.

Language: PG (7 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Captain Rostron is captain of a fine ship – even if Carpathia isn’t the Titanic everyone is raving about. He and his crew are at the end of a regular day when they receive news that Titanic is sinking. Doing everything they can to go to the Titanic’s aid, Captain Rostron worries that everything won’t be enough.

Connolly writes about the Titanic and the only ship that goes to assist them, and, yet, the inevitable tragedy felt sudden and urgent. Sorrow is as tangible as the tears that will run down your face, and your knowledge of the Titanic wars with your hope that these characters – portraying real people – will live.

The characters are from a variety of European and American backgrounds, the majority being implied white. The mature content rating is for mention of alcohol use; the violence rating is for suggestion of suicide and descriptions of dead bodies.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

This Poem is a Nest by Irene Latham - OPTIONAL

This Poem is a Nest by Irene Latham, 99 pages. POETRY. Wordsong (Boyds Mills & Kane), 2020. $18.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Latham’s poem “Nest” has four parts. But within that poem, she "found" 161 other poems hiding and waiting to be found. “Nest” is about more than twigs -- it’s also about bedtime, the color indigo, being confused, Pluto losing its status as a planet, and more!

The found poems inside of Latham’s original poem are short and don’t always make a lot of sense, but I loved seeing how she played with the words. In the introduction and after the last poem is shared, Latham gives readers tips on making their own found poems. She has inspired me to try it myself.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

How to Build a Story by Frances O’Roark Dowell - ADVISABLE

How to Build a Story … Or, the Big What If by Frances O’Roark Dowell, 114 pages. NONFICTION. Caitlyn Dlougy Book (Simon & Schuster), 2020. $18.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Have you ever had a great idea for a story, started writing it, and then had to stop because you didn’t know what came next? Dowell breaks down how to build a story so that you don’t just start stories but finish them, too!

I appreciate that Dowell refers to the process as building rather than writing a story. I mean, it is all about writing and includes exercises to try after each chapter, but Dowell’s process builds on what young (or not-so-young) writers are doing and teaches them how to keep going. After following all the steps, writers have accomplished something substantial and are encouraged to start again.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Middle Passage White Ships/Black Cargo by Tom Feeling - ESSENTIAL

The Middle Passage White Ships/Black Cargo by Tom Feeling. PICTURE BOOK. Dial Books, 2018. $30. 9780525552444

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The Middle Passage provides an education through both information and illustration to bring a better understanding about the horrors of slavery. Attention is given in specific detail to the journey that brought slaves to the New World highlighting the grievous suffering of so many. 

The story begins with a dense few pages of information to educate the reader about the Middle Passage. This is then followed by 64 exquisite and excruciating illustrations about the journey. Teachers would benefit from devising how to include this book in their curriculum in order to help students have a more thorough understanding of this part of history. 

AEB

Six Word Story by Doug Weller - OPTIONAL

Six Word Story by Doug Weller, 88 pages. SHORT STORIES. Hebe Publications, 2021. $7.

Language: PG (2 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Weller tells several stories with only six words each, inviting every genre -- suspense, comedy, tragedy, and more. Not meant to be rushed through, Weller invites readers to think on the stories to peel back the layers to find the double meanings often hidden. Weller also includes submissions from the 2020 competition and invites readers to submit six word stories of their own for the next one!

The six word stories are intriguing as an idea, but I was disappointed by reading a whole book of them. I think I was disappointed because they didn’t feel as profound when they were side by side for comparison. Some of the stories were clever, but the majority of them were average. The mature content rating is for innuendo and mention of sex.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Quest for the Crystal Crown by Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White - ADVISABLE

Quest for the Crystal Crown by Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White, 267 pages. Random House, 2020. $14.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The only things 12yo Laura knows about the world outside her village is what she’s been taught -- and what she’s managed to glimpse from the cracks in the north wall. Laura and her people, Lysors, are supposed to be safe in the walls, but, when the walls start to fall, someone needs to leave to find the crystal crown to save them. Laura is willing to go.

On a quest to save her village, Laura’s quest is exciting to read about because of the bizarre problems and solutions it takes to be successful. I never knew what was coming next, and the ridiculousness of some situations was a delight to read. This book isn’t just about Laura, though; the ideas for this story came from an 11yo in New York, and the last third of the book is dedicated to tips, exercises, and encouragement for readers to write their own stories -- no matter your age or experience.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Matylda, Bright & Tender by Holly M. McGhee - ADVISABLE

McGhee, Holly M. Matylda, Bright & Tender, 210 pages. Candlewick Press, 2017. $17.
9780763689513.

Language: G (0 swears); Violence: G; Mature Content: PG (death, shoplifting)

BUYING ADVISORY: 
EL - ADVISABLE, MS - OPTIONAL.

KID APPEAL:  EL - MEDIUM, MS - LOW

Sussy and Guy are in the 4th grade and have been best friends for years. When Sussy's dad finally gives in to their pleadings, they go together to buy a leopard gecko and name her Matylda; she lives with Sussy but its Guy that holds Matylda's heart. When Guy is suddenly taken in a terrible accident, Sussy finds herself completely lost except for Matylda--a small piece of Guy that Sussy still has. As she desperately tries to make a real connection with Matylda--a connection like Guy had--Sussy also has to figure out how to deal with her grief and find a way to carry on. 

This is a fantastic little book with a story that really resonates on a variety of levels. The characters are believable and the story is simple yet profound. I found myself very moved by how a young girl might grieve over a devastating loss, and I think the story does a great job of tackling a difficult subject. That being said, this also strikes me as a book that adults might love more than kids. Its definitely still a great book for upper elementary, but I do not know if young readers will fully appreciate the great message of this story without some parent or teacher guidance.

Reviewer: TC 

Spectacular Spring by Bruce Goldstone – ADVISABLE

Goldstone, Bruce Spectacular Spring by Bruce Goldstone, 24 pages.  NONFICTION. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2018.  $18.

This book features large pages with tons of bright photographs of everything spring. It goes into light details about seeds, flowers blooming, weather, baby animals, and much more. It also features pages about what spring looks, feels, smells, and is shaped like.

This is the perfect book to share with K-2^nd graders. It could be used as a read-a-loud or a great jumping off point for unique and thought provoking activities- what does spring feel like? What is it shaped like? This series of season books is my favorite so far and would be my first to recommend to teachers. Its cover is appealing as well and might see circulation on its own with young readers.

EL(K-3) –ADVISABLE

Stephanie, Elementary School Librarian & Author

Michael Makes Friends At School by Martha Rustad -ADVISABLE

Rustad, Martha Michael Makes Friends At School, 24 pages.  NON-FICTION. Millbrook (Lerner), 2018.  $20.

Michael is nervous about his first day of school, how will he make friends? His teacher has a lesson about friendship and Michael already knows to approach other kids who look like they need a friend. He learns that sharing similarities and differences are important and a part of great friendships. He is excited to go back to school the next day. Large colorful illustrations.

My library is filled with picture books that teach lessons about friendship through stories, teaching by example. But learning how to meet other children, how to introduce oneself, how to start conversations, and how to be kind –those are skills that must be taught. This book is a great example of getting the ball rolling on those skills. I will be sharing this book with the Kindergarten and first grade teachers.

EL(K-3) –ADVISABLE.  Stephanie, Elementary School Librarian & Author

Words and Your Heart by Kate Jane Neal –ESSENTIAL

Neal, Kate Jane Words and Your Heart. PICTURE BOOK. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2017. $18. 9781250168726

This book is about your heart and how words can affect your heart. Words have the power to injure and words have the power to lift up –so use your words to bring joy to someone’s heart. It features simple black and white and red illustrations.

This is a powerful and simple message for young readers. We already had this book in my school library and it went out to multiple classrooms with a series of lessons about how to be kind. I think so often we tell students to be kind (honest, share, good friends, etc) but not teach them outright how to go about accomplishing that. This book is part of the answer. The illustrations are just perfect and it’s one of my favorite books this year.

EL(K-3) – ESSENTIAL.  Stephanie, Elementary School Librarian & Author

Not So Different: What your Really want to ask about having a disability by Shane Burcaw -ADVISABLE

Burcaw, Shane Not So Different: What your Really want to ask about having a disability, 25 pages.  PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION.  Roaring Book Press (Holtzbrinck), 2017.  $18. Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

This picture book is a semi autobiography of the author, though its main focus is a Q & A on his disability. Shane was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy and is in a wheelchair. In this book he answers questions about if he can climb stairs, how his chair works, what he eats, if people ever make fun of him, and much more. Large expressive photographs accompany each page.

This is a wonderful book! A teacher could share this book their students to help them understand others with disabilities. Student readers will find this book interesting, informative and love Shane’s sense of humor. Because of its size and bright photographs this book could be shared with a large group. Great for all elementary ages.

EL(K-3), EL – ADVISABLE.  Stephanie, Elementary School Librarian & Author

Voices from the Underground Railroad by Kay Winters -ADVISABLE

Winters, Kay Voices from the Underground Railroad, illustrated by Larry Day. PICTURE BOOK. Dial (Penguin), 2018. $19. 9780803740921

This book tells the fictional story of a young brother and sister escaping from slavery via the underground railroad. The narrative is told in a rotating perspective that includes the escaping pair, the slave holder, the operative, the slave catchers and more. The appendix includes many historical notes and terminology. Feature large dark illustrations.

The interesting perspectives in this book will help readers to understand the various roles that went into the underground railroad (and those against it). I found myself so involved with the story that I was startled to hear real life happening around me. I did not care for the illustrations, they were sloppy and give the book (especially the cover) a dated look that will make it unappealing to readers. I think this book would best be brought to life for a class by a 3rd-6^th grade teacher.

EL – ADVISABLE.  Stephanie, Elementary School Librarian & Author

Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson –ESSENTIAL

Clark-Robinson, Monica Let the Children March PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Houghton Mifflin, 2018.  $18.  978-0544704527

This is the story of the Children’s Marches for African American civil rights in Birmingham of 1963. It is told from the perspective of two children. Through their actions we find out why it was important for them to march (because their parents would lose their jobs), what the march was like (horrific), and the price they paid (being hurt and jailed). Features large easy to share illustrations.

This book is absolutely fantastic and could be shared will all elementary ages, the story being just the right size and simple to understand. It has a powerful message for children that we often miss and is so very much needed in all time periods –which is that children can and should make an impact for positive change in this world. The illustrations are completely top notch and engrossing, bringing the story to life. This is a must have for every school library.

EL (K-3), EL, MS -ESSENTIAL.  Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author

Trashing Our Planet by Stuart Kallen - ADVISABLE

Kallen, Stuart A. Trashing Our Planet: Examining our Global Garbage Glut, 91 pages.  NON-FICTION.  Twenty-First Century Books (Lerner), 2017.  $35.

Kallen packs a whole lot of really effective information into only 91 pages.  He looks at the United States and waste, of course, but also examines the world’s contribution and solutions.  This would be an excellent text for use in a class about modern problems or for a unit on man’s effect on nature.

MS, HS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher

NASA Mathematician: Katherine Johnson by Heather Schwartz -ESSENTIAL

Schwartz, Heather E. NASA Mathematician: Katherine Johnson, 32 pgs. Lerner, 2018.  $20. Language: G ; Mature Content: G ; Violence: G

This is the biography of Katherine Johnson. She was an incredible student with an amazing father who made sure she had the opportunities she needed, allowing her to graduate college at eighteen. She worked for NASA at a time of segregation, not to mention sexism -so as an African American woman she had some hurdles. She persevered and her amazing talents were essential to the space program, and it seems at least the astronauts appreciated her even if the administration didn’t. Includes a plethora of photographs. 

I adored this biography and found it so inspirational. It’s just the perfect length for an elementary teacher to use for a read-aloud and just enough information for a student biography report. There were personal facts and it was overall a highly interesting book to read. I am going to buy the entire STEM trailblazer series for the library. The photographs that are included really bring the narrative to life.

EL(K-3), EL -ESSENTIAL.  

Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author