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READING STYLE GUIDE

Ebony and Ivory

10/30/2018

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Blended by Sharon M. Draper

Is normal never being sure of what normal really is?
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Eleven-year=old Isabella feels that she is constantly being pulled in different directions. Her life ping-pongs back and forth, as her parents share custody. She lives part-time with her black father, his girlfriend and her son. Alternate weeks are at the home of her white mother and future stepfather.  Two different homes. Two different families. Every. Other. Week.
At dad's house, she is Isabella and practices her music on a grand piano. To mom she is Izzy and prepares for her upcoming recital on an electronic keyboard.
Then there are the Exchange Days, the dreaded moments when her two sets of parents meet at the mall and Izzy/Isabella must switch backpacks, lifestyles, and identities.
It's confusing.
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.

Listen Up

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? 
Bumble Boogie, a 1946 version by Jack Fina of Flight of the Bumble Bee 
Sonatina in C Major by Muzio Clementi  1752-1832

Additional Sharon M. Draper Books

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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher
​Pub date: October 30, 2018 Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books  ISBN:  978-1442495005
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ABC

10/26/2018

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The ABCs of What I Can Be
by Caitlin McDonagh

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Caitlin McDonagh explores possible life choices in this charming picture book. The alphabet serves as a template for exploring career options. Most pages are divided into quandrants showcasing a quartet of possibilities. For example, the letter L page illustrates a landscaper, lawyer, librarian, and lifeguard.  Amazingly, there are four careers for the letter X: xerophytic gardener, xylophone player, x-ray technician, and exobiologist. Less familiar careers can pique curiosity and send youngsters researching, which can promote some interesting discussions. 
Personal note: As a Kindergartner, my son learned the word "paleontologist" and declared that was what he wanted to be when he "grew up."  For him, cool word equaled cool careers.
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."

Meet Caitlin

Caitlin McDonagh is a 24 year old, Queens, New York native. She attended The Fashion Institute of Technology where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Illustration and minors in English and Art History. ​
Visit her online.
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Copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: December 24, 2018 Publisher: Holiday House  ISBN:  978-0823437825
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Darius The Great

10/23/2018

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Darius the Great is Not Okay
​by Adib Khorram read by Michael Levi Harris

We have a saying in Farsi. It translates ‘your place was empty.’ We say it when we miss somebody.
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Meet Darius Kellner, "Fractional Persian," slightly overweight sophomore, and tea aficionado. His commentary is liberally sprinkled with references to Star Trek and Lord of the Rings. He adores his Persian mother, dotes on his younger sister Laleh, and navigates a complicated father/son relationship. He's nerdy and possess a biting wit referring to classmates as the "Soulless Minions of Orthodoxy," and frequently doubts himself "That's normal. Right?"
He is also a young man suffering with clinical depression.
Life takes an unexpected turn when the family travels to Iran to visit his Zoroastrian grandfather who is diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Darius confronts the reality of his identity as a young man of Persian heritage who has been raised in a decidedly western culture. Is he American or Iranian? Is it possible to be a part of each? ​He discovers that he has a talent for playing soccer/non-American football, a love for his maternal family, and the ability to forgive and be forgiven by a friend.
Darius returns to America with increased acceptance of himself, greater appreciation for his family, and a clearer understanding his depression.
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.

Bonus: Listen up

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!

Random Musings

  • 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
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Book It

10/20/2018

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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.
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Snow Day

10/18/2018

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King Alice by Matthew Cordell

"Idea!" said Alice
A girl dressed in red. A family. Snow.  King Alice and The Wolf in the Snow delight with charm and wit.   
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How does one follow up after an award-winning wordless book? Matthew Cordell ventures in a completely different direction, introducing readers to King Alice, a precocious girl who is filled with opinions, stories of her own creation, and ideas. Lots and lots of ideas. She does not want for words.
It's a snow day, which means that everyone in the household is homebound. For one regal young lady, its a day filled with possibilities: make-over for dad, tea party, writing a story, watching the TV show "Unicorn Buddies," creating a unicorn stampede.  ​
Inevitably, Dad reaches his breaking point. The antics are too much. Alice is sent to time out. ​The King apologizes.
​Dinner. Bath. Bedtime stories. Peace restored. ​​
​Dad and King Alice are the main attractions in this day's escapades, but a mother, infant, and cat have cameo roles.
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.
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More Matthew Cordell 

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Copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: September 25, 2018 Publisher: Feiwel & Friends  ISBN:  978-1250047496
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Work To Do

10/16/2018

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So Tall Within: 
Sojourner Truth's Long Walk Toward Freedom
by Gary D. Schmidt ill Daniel Minter

"I had a work to do"
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Isabella Baumfree was born into slavery. Her childhood and early adult existence consisted of back-breaking soul-crushing servitude. When it became apparent that the promise of freedom made to her would not be forthcoming, she took her baby and fled, determined to be free.
A sympathetic couple protected her and helped her start a life as a free woman. Changing her name to Sojourner Truth, she commenced on a life-long mission to speak truth. Traversing the United States, she became a popular speaker at camp meetings and other gatherings, denouncing the evils of slavery wherever she went. Before, during, and after the Civil War she courageously walked across the country, advocating for the rights of women and African Americans.
With poetic eloquence, Schmidt pens a moving tribute to the life and influence of Sojourner Truth. The introductory phrase for the first eight sections of Schmidt’s narrative begins with the words “In Slavery Time,” and describes the life of the enslaved where “Respect fell as often as snow in July.”
​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.
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More Picture Books

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The life and legacy of Sojourner Truth is represented with a variety of artistic expressions in these picture books.
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​Copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: September 25, 2018 Publisher: Roaring Brook Press  ISBN:  978-1626728721
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Think Pink

10/12/2018

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Sanity and Tallulah by Molly Brooks

"don't break any ethical research tenets or laws of nature until I get back"
Molly Brooks has done it.  Pink is now the signature color for action and adventure. This brilliant comic stars eighth-graders who are smart and resourceful, devious and daring and __ girls!
Sanity Jones, along with her friend Tallulah Vega live onboard space station Wilnick. Tallulah’s mother, Science and Engineering Director, discovers the girls are deep into a clandestine scientific project. Sanity has created a three-headed kitten, affectionately named Princess Sparkle, Destroyer of Worlds.
​"Let me make sure I'm following your thought process here. You're feeding your carnivorous bioengineering experiment experimental bioengineered meat that you cloned yourself-"
To everyone's horror, the kitten escapes and havoc reigns on Wilnick. A pet gerbil is murdered, something is chewing up major electrical system wires, and coolant leaks are wide-spread. Naturally everyone suspects the triple-headed feline.  
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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.

Sneak Peek: More Sanity & Tallulah

Looking for more of the duo's adventures?
​View some sample pages.
Head over to Comixology to order these webcomics.
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 16, 2018 Publisher: Disney-Hyperion  ISBN:  978-1368008440
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Makers Wanted

10/9/2018

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Made by Maxine by Ruth Spiro ill Holly Hatam

"If I can dream it, I can make it."
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Maxine, a thinker and tinkerer, joins the ranks of iconic young inventors.  Her specialty is repurposing items to create something new and better. Our spunky little heroine is determined to create a habitat for her goldfish Milton. He is worthy of more than an ordinary round fishbowl.  Maxine sets to work.
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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.
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She had already discovered a million ways that would not work. Which meant she was getting closer to finding a way that would work.
Her hard work and determination eventually pay off. Maxine includes Milton in the Pet Parade with an invention Made by Maxine.
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.

Companion Resources

Meet this trio of young problem-solvers. 
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 9, 2018  Publisher: Dial Books  ISBN: 978-0399186295
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Places to Go

10/8/2018

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Everything and Everywhere:
A Fact-Filled Adventure for Curious Globe-Trotters
by Marc Martin

Martin has taken the appeal of infographics and combined it with detailed illustrations to create this fascinating volume overflowing with informational visual delights. It's a luscious "candy store" of world geography and culture. Trivia at its best.
Beginning with Antarctica and circling the globe in a counterclockwise direction, readers explore fifteen locations. Stops include well-known metropolitan cities such as Hong Kong, Moscow, Cairo, New York City, and Rio de Janeiro.  Less famous, but equally fascinating are Alice Springs, Ulaahbaatar, Reykjavík, Galápagos Islands, and the Amazon Rainforest.
The generous trim size (10.2 x 13.8 inches) invites students to spread out the volume on a floor space or table top where young readers can gather around and together discover the wonders of the world. 
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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. 
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Companion Resources

Our world is filled with marvels great and small. Discover more fantastic places, amazing facts.
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Copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: October 9, 2018 Publisher: Chronicle Books  ISBN:  978-1452165141
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In Our Hands

10/8/2018

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We’ve Got the Whole world in Our Hands by Rafael López

It begins with a multi-hued ball of string.
 How far can it travel?
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Follow this string as it sails across seas and continents, through day and night, meets creatures large and small, and into the hands of children throughout the world.
Rafael López interprets this traditional song with his distinctive artistic flair. Using a mixed media approach that incorporates a collage of found objects and cut paper with traditional watercolor and ink techniques as well as digital skills, he creates vibrant illustrations that capture the heart and soul of a world worth singing about.
The spherical motif echoes throughout the pages: sun, moon, snail shell, ball of string, hot air balloon, and ultimately, the planet earth. A celebration of the connections that we all share.
Glorious! ​
We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands  features stunning art on every page. 

String Along

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.

Sing Along

López includes a printed copy of the lyrics and music for this well-known spiritual. View these children singing their interpretations of the classic song. Then expand the experience by helping youngsters create their own unique verses and movements. This activity can be adapted for children everywhere.

Bonus

A bilingual English/Spanish edition is also available.
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I've got a signed copy in my hands. Gracias Rafael López
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 9, 2018 Publisher: Scholastic Press  ISBN:  978-1338177367
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    Barbara Moon

    I like talking about books and  interesting ideas. I like thinking about how books affect my life. Not particularly interested in giving out stars or in rating books. 

    Audio Publishers Association
    2013, - present  Audies judge 
    American Library Association Book Awards and Lists 
    ​2017 YALSA Award Nominating Committee
    2016 Excellence in Nonfiction 
    2014 Margaret Edwards Award
    2012 Odyssey Awards.  
    2009, 2010, 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

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