Draper has fashioned a compelling portrait of a biracial girl living with conflict.  In addition to the tension between her parents, Isabella faces racial hostilities: her best friend Imani discovers a noose in her locker. Who would do something like that? And why? On a shopping trip Imani and Izzy discover an exclusive dress shop. They are tailed by security and eventually asked to leave the store.  Is it because of the color of their skins? Their young age? When her soon-to-be brother is accused of theft, things take a frightening turn. These encounters leave her shaken.

Blended combines questions of identity, racism, friendship, and family.  Like a Sonatina and an old-time swing tune, Draper's novel for young readers hits all the right notes. Melody and harmony blend in one dazzling performance.

Izzy/Isabella prepares for the Pianopalooza by learning music composed in the eighteenth century. She also discovers a treasure trove of old boogie-woogie and blues numbers. Want to hear these two very different musical numbers? 

Illustrations features young children, rather than adults in each of the occupations. Rather large heads imposed on bodies dressed in attire appropriate for the activity enhance a child's visual and emotional engagement. McDonagh uses a glorious array of skin tones, featuring multiple shades of browns and blacks.  

​Playfulness is amply evident. The environmentalists studying a tree appear to have arms around the tree (hugging). One nanny nestles two soundly sleeping infants while the other nanny holds a squalling baby.  A cat meme appears throughout the pages.  My favorite is the judge's bench with the scales of justice weighing a mouse and a piece of cheese.  The cat hungrily waits below the scales. That cat steals the show! Finding all the cats is a delightful bonus. 

The ABCs of What I Can Be is an excellent springboard for further exploration activities. These can include such things as: providing a box of costumes and props for dress-up and role playing, creating a personally illustrated "What I Can Be" booklet, or inviting community individuals to share careers and avocations. An author's note references the The United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook. She invites​ young readers to "try new things."

We have a saying in Farsi. It translates ‘your place was empty.’ We say it when we miss somebody.

Michael Levi Harris' delivers a nuanced performance. He expertly moves the narrative through the voice of vulnerable young Darius with palpable anxiety and fragility. Supporting characters receive stellar treatment with unique character accents in English, broken English, and Farsi. Harris nails the personality of each: Laleh's exhausted whining, Trent Bolger's taunts, and grandfather Babou's proud yet often blustering confusion. However, it's the emotional interactions of Darius between friend Sohrab, grandmother Mamou, and father Stephen Kellner that bring the story into sharp focus.
Harris' narration invites listeners into the world of Darius the Great is Not Okay. It's an experience as rich and satisfying as an elaborate Persian meal. The memories will linger long after the final literary morsel is consumed.

I experienced both the print and audio versions of Darius the Great is Not Okay. I enjoyed each for different reasons. Reading names of Iranian attractions is helpful in locating and picturing specific places: Dowlatabad, Atashkadeh, Jameh Mosque. (They are stunning sites. Take a look.) Thanks Dial Books and Adib Khorram for an outstanding young adult novel! Hearing Farsi phrases is a bonus. I appreciate the decision to have all Persian-speaking characters place a vowel sound between initial consonants. Thanks Michael and Listening Library!

• How many times has Khorram watched Star Trek? Does he keep some kind of record of his favorite episodes?
• Precisely how particular is Khorramabout about his tea?
• Where did he come up with all of the detailed descriptions of the food? Did he grow up with Persian food? How much eating was involved in the development of the book?
• Is the version of Rook that I learned to play as a child similar to the game played in Iran?

Release date: August 28, 2018, 2018 Publisher: Listening Library

​Audiobook accessed via Overdrive

It's that time of year. Time to think about a costume. You can drag out that tired old black cape and plastic vampire fangs... again. Or you can try for something different. Looking for fresh costume ideas? Books for youth can be a source of inspiration. Check out these creative costumes and the books that inspired them.

There are many clever homemade ideas here.  Don't miss the pink Darth Vader. Pair it with the new picture book Are You Scared Darth Vader for a eye-popping ensemble. Dog Man and Frida Kahlo costumes are easy to put together.  The plain blue dress with stars and a planet headpiece for Miss Frizzle is perfect for the DYI designer who wants a more detailed outfit. 

With a little bit of imagination, costumes can also celebrate the joy of reading.

A girl dressed in red. A family. Snow.  King Alice and The Wolf in the Snow delight with charm and wit.   

The final page hints of further exploits for this King and her subjects. One hopes that she will make a return appearance.

Cordell's line drawings with watercolor wash capture the vibrancy of family life. Body language and facial expressions of this slightly stressed duo are counter-balanced by the calming influence of Mom.  Two styles of illustrations, the narrator's line drawings and Alice's pencil and crayon renderings offer differing points of view. Page design is an essential story element. Build-up to the climactic afternoon is depicted in full page spreads: a family lunch (calm before the storm), the unicorn stampede, and the resulting time out. 

Note: This book was shared at a recent multi-generational family gathering. From the youngest independent reader, to a sophisticated teen, parents, and even grandparents were captivated by King Alice. It is recommended that you share this book with a wide range of ages. It's a sure-fire can't-miss-hit, even on a day without snow.

​The final three segments herald the effects of her unwearied efforts. Each begins with the phrase “In Freedom Time” and echoes a hope for change. “Respect wanted to show its face and Broken Promises tried to mend.”

Minter's illustrations forcefully emphasize Sojourner's regal stature, proportionally lengthening her legs. Gorgeous art is rich with symbolism: trees with roots and branches, faces blurred or washed out, moon and stars shining in the night sky, heavy iron collars and bloody stripes on a back. ​Book design gives added emphasis to the shape and form of the text.

Back matter includes a wealth of information and includes a biographical note, bibliography, and artist’s note. ​So Tall Within is a stellar achievement. This resplendent volume honoring an American hero belongs in every classroom and library serving young people.

The girls must locate Princess Sparkle, Destroyer of Worlds and possibly save her life (or is it lives?) They hope to discover the cause of the station's devastation and exonerate themselves. Under cover of night, creeping through air ducts, the girls are on the case. They discover the shocking truth and realize that the entire space station could be destroyed. It is up to the kids, with a huge assist from their parents, to save Wilnick.

Brooks doesn’t even try to get too scientific or technical, peppering the girl’s dialogue with terms such as taffimatter, dual-core turbinate, and gravity grenade. Readers will be captivated by the campy wild adventure without becoming overly concerned with how these things actually work.

The dialogue is snappy and spot on, capturing the spunky young explorers, their stressed-out parents, and the inner politics of a closed-community in outer space. Panels are drawn with a sure hand, featuring plenty of action and highly expressive faces. Use of numerous viewpoints brings added dimension.  Of special note, the view from inside the air duct openings, looking out on the scene below is fantastic. And the pink. Did I mention all that vivid pink?

Sanity and Tallulah is the real deal. A dynamic duo who are willing to go where no one else dares to go. They are astute and more than a little bit reckless. The girls are constantly tinkering and experimenting, much to the chagrin  of their parents, who view them with equal parts pride and exasperation. I hope Ms. Brooks is taking good care of her inking hand because demand for more Sanity and Tallalah is inevitable.

The result is astonishing. Not content to rest on her laurels, she enhances her invention with a pedal-powered fish feeder and a Makey Makey sound system.  Cowabunga!  Her problem-solving skills are put to the test when her teacher announces that the class will have a Pet Parade. How can she include her goldfish in this event? This dilemma proves to be her most daunting challenge to date. Multiple attempts to solve the problem result in multiple failures.

While messages of recycling and inclusion are woven into the narrative, it is Maxine's persistence in the face of setbacks that shines through. Spiro has created one determined little girl. Hatam's illustrations are brimming with clever and inventive touches. (Love the "wheelie delicious" fish-feeder that Maxine operates while reading Fish Tales.)

Let's hope that some little inventor shows up for Halloween dressed in sparkle shoes, a flouncy skirt and a knitted thinking cap with attached antenna.

Meet this trio of young problem-solvers. 

As is true for many factoid-filled books, Everything and Everywhere is destined to be a popular selection for browsing, sharing,  and discussing. This compendium has potential for appeal to a wide range of readers. They will endlessly pore over these pages. It's in a librarian's best interest to order multiple copies. 

Our world is filled with marvels great and small. Discover more fantastic places, amazing facts.

We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands  features stunning art on every page. 

What can you do with a ball of string? Try your hand at replicating the string game pictured in the book. These instructional videos can help you. Create a Cat’s Cradle with a friend. Jacob’s Ladder requires only one set of hands. However, it’s great fun to gather a couple of friends and create these fascinating string patterns.