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READING STYLE GUIDE

Naturally Supernatural

10/29/2020

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Two delightful new comics invite young readers into the world of the occult, confirming that there is a more to supernatural powers than tales of grisly terror. Explore the warm and welcoming side of the supernatural.

Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse

Oh, you’d be surprised how many things there are in this neighborhood!
Eleven-year-old Effie, recently orphaned, has been sent to live with her sharp-tongued step-aunt Selimene and mild-mannered partner Carlotta. These new living conditions come as a huge surprise and major adjustment for everyone.
Feeling unwanted, but with no other choice but to stay, Effie and Selimene come to a tentative truce. As she adjusts to her new home, Effie discovers a few oddities. The attached greenhouse is filled with a vast selection of medicinal plants which have healing properties. There is also an adjoining acupuncture office.
Most astonishing of all, in addition to their work as herbalists and acupuncturists, the two are witches. They are committed using their powers to help others.
Their supernatural abilities have awakened a latent power inside Effie. She discovers that she too is a witch. The two seasoned witches and their young protege are presented with a perplexing problem. A massively popular singer has developed a ghastly change in her facial coloring, making it impossible to publicly perform.
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With the help of ancient book of magic, some extraordinary meteorological powers, and an assist from three of Effie’s new friends, the singer’s disfiguring skin condition is cured and she can resume her concert schedule.
Escabasse captures the quirky personalities of her witches with a deft hand. Petite fashion-conscious Selimene wears oversized statement jewelry and stylish footwear. Carlotta is a large woman with an extra-large heart who must smooth over difficulties often exacerbated by Selimene’s short fuse. Characters are loveable because of their idiosyncrasies.
Readers will want to return to this world of unconventional witches. More Witches of Brooklyn stories please.
​Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: September 1, 2020  Publisher: Random House Graphic; Illustrated Edition  ISBN: 978-0593119273

Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee

Time doesn't care...sooner or later - Everyone grows up. They change. They move on.
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Twelve-year-old Lora is lonely. Her friends no longer share her interest in imaginative play.
Lora decides to her own Séance Tea Party, surrounded by her stuffed animals and a Ouija board. A surprise guest joins the festivities. Her name is Alexa and she’s the ghost of a young girl who died years ago. Lora is delighted. She discovers that Alexa was her imaginary childhood friend.
The two become fast friends, accommodating Alexa’s spirit into the corporeal world. Alexa gently nudges Lora to move out of her comfort zone. She accepts a spur-of-the-moment invitation to attend a Halloween party. Her new friend is draped in a sheet. The perfect disguise for a ghost.
Lora gradually expands her circle to include an older woman. She begins to experiment with make-up, opting for a deep shade of lipstick and definative eyeliner.
The human is not the only one moving on. Alexa comes to realize that it is time for her to leave her earth-bound connection. A bittersweet scene touchingly shows the dear friends, acknowledging their affection for one another while recognizing the desire to step away from their present lives. ​A sweet story of growing up, letting go, moving on.
Yee captures Lora's innocence and Alexa’s wistful longing. There is an expressive quality to the art. The images begin with a juvenile sensibility that gradually morphs into a more mature perspective.
Bonus pages include a sneak peek into the artists craft, illustrated with numerous sketches.
​Séance Tea Party will be appreciated by a variety of audiences. It's a story of Halloween, ghosts, death, maturing, enduring friendship, multi- generational relationships, and the inevitability of becoming older.
​Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​​Pub date: September 15, 2020  Publisher: Random House Graphic; Illustrated Edition  ISBN: 978-1984894151
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He's My Dad

10/27/2020

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Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

stories do not always end with happily ever after
Twelve- year-old Z J is the son of Super Bowl champion Zachary Johnson. To fans, this football legend is a 223-pound powerhouse, the player who gives the game everything he’s got. Game after game. ​Football is an important part of ZJ's family life. For him it is huddling under a blanket with mom, sitting close to the action.
The superstar is more than an athlete on the field. He’s the man who carried his son on his shoulders, shared family picnics in Central Park, played friendly games of touch with the neighborhood kids.
he's my dad, which means
​he’s my every single thing.
Then things change. ​For reasons Z J doesn’t understand, dad is no longer going to practice. He sits at home, sometimes starring out the window and seeing nothing. His head constantly hurts. He is often angry. He forgets his son's name.
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Numerous consultations with medical professionals eventually confirm that his father suffers with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain disease for which there is no cure. This will be ZJ's life going forward. It is not the happily ever after he pictured. While painfully realistic, the story is hopeful. As this young man struggles with a new normal, the support of his family (particularly his mother), his friends, and his music become his anchor. ​
A composer and guitarist, music becomes increasingly important, allowing him to express himself. His friends, known as the Fantastic Four are inseparable. The boys show up for the important events and the everyday moments, always loyal and supportive.
Like many of Woodson's books,​ Before the Ever After is a novel in verse. The authors has the extraordinary ability to tell a story through precisely chiseled vignettes that speak of larger issues while simultaneously pinpointing a moment in time. These little literary gems paint a vivid portrait of a boy whose dreams are permanently shattered. The life he knew is gone, but the love he has for his father remains.
A note from the author provides information on the work of Dr. Bennet Omalu to identify the connection between brain damage and football provides important context to the story.

Related Reading

Want to learn more about football-related brain injuries? Try these books written for young readers. 
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Copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: September 1, 2020  Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books  ISBN: 978-0399545436
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Digital Woodcutting 

10/16/2020

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A B C Animals by Christopher Evans

Just when you thought that every possible approach for animal alphabet books has been published, along comes ABC Animals. Christopher Evans’ oversized concept book sets a new standard for elegant graphic design in children's picture books.
A two-page spread is devoted to each of the twenty-six featured animals. The left-hand page displays the animal name, inital alphabet letter using three different fonts (one with textures), and a soft beige silhouette.
However, the showstopper is the facing page: an enlarged close-up of the featured animal rendered as a digital woodcut. These are not photographs produced using special effects.
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Using a technique similar to engraving, Evans creates exquisitely textured body coverings. From the prickly hedgehog to the gelatinous nautilus, the iguana scales to vulture’s multiple types of feathers, the variety and beauty of the animal kingdom is awe-inspiring. 
Back flap copy describes the artist’s process. Images are hand drawn with illustration software to create digital woodcuts, also referred to as modern-day engravings. “They are somewhere between an impressionist painting and a mechanical drawing.”
Readers of all ages will pore over the images, making new discoveries with each observation. Every page is a work of art worthy of framing. What a glorious tribute to the wonders of the animal kingdom and innovative artistic expression. Stunning!
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 15, 2020 Publisher: Peter Pauper Press ISBN: 978-1-4413-3463-3
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Twisted Tale

10/16/2020

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Straight on Till Morning, A Twisted Tale
​by Liz Braswell read by Lorna Bennett

Childhood dreams are never simple
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Listen to a sample.
Braswell takes Peter Pan in a new direction. Straight On Till Morning centers around two females: a sixteen-year-old girl and a tiny, determined fairy. ​Wendy, on the cusp of adulthood, faces the prospect of the dreary predictable life that society expects of her: caring for her younger brothers and ultimately becoming a governess. This girl who delights in spinning stories wants more.
Under cover of darkness she escapes England for her land of make-believe. Bargaining with Captain Hook, she offers Peter Pan’s shadow in exchange for passage to Neverland.
The result of her plan is not exactly what she envisioned. The pirates want her to be their “mother.” She will do the cooking, mending, and laundry. Wendy wonders: Where is the adventure she longed for? And where is Peter Pan?
She discovers that there’s a lot more happening in this fantasy world. Hook’s objective is to destroy Neverland and Wendy has unwittingly become an accomplice in his sinister plan. She realizes that she has played into his schemes and determines that she must outwit Hook. This involves obtaining Peter's shadow and returning it to its rightful owner, recruiting the Lost Boys to help her defeat Hook and save Neverland.
The narrative is fantasy from Wendy's perspective, exploring the relationship between reality and the land of stories. Wendy discovers that the Neverland she and others dreamed of has become her reality. She wonders if imagined stories can truly come to life.
An interesting subplot is the relationship between Tinkerbell and Wendy. Initially Wendy is thrilled with the prospect of meeting a fairy, a tiny little being who sparkles and can fly. She hopes that they can become friends. This enthusiasm is squashed by the fairy’s excessive jealousy. Wendy examines her feelings for Peter and knows that while she is intrigued by this boy who never grew up, that’s just it. He will never grow up. She wants more from a relationship than this youngster can offer her. It takes time and patience but eventually the girl and fairy reach a truce and take tentative steps toward friendship.
After successfully dealing with pirates, fairies, Captain Hook, and The Lost Boys, Wendy comes to terms with who she is and what her life will be. She wants to return to England but no longer in the role of surrogate mother. She wants to be her own woman and pursue her own dreams. Writing stories will certainly be a part of that dream.
Bennett's narration captures the distinctive personality of each character. Her lovely British accent gives the tale an enchanting storytelling quality.

More Twisted Tales

If you like your "happily ever after" with a contemporary spin, try Twisted Tales, a Disney series reimagining classic fairytales.
Currently there are nine titles in the Twisted Tale collection. For those who like to read a series in order, here is the current list, beginning with A Whole New World (2016) to So This is Love (2020). The series is written by fantasy authors Jen Calonita, Elizabeth Lim, and Liz Braswell.
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​Audiobook accessed via Axis 360.
Release date: February 4, 2020  Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks
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Play Like a Girl

10/14/2020

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Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez read by Sol Madariaga

Always proud to play like a girl
Fútbol is in Camila Hassan’s blood. As a young girl, she took the head off a doll and used it as a ball to practice her kicking technique. It’s more than a sport, it’s her passion. Her goal is to compete professionally. Camila knows that the best opportunity to play with a world-renowned team will require her to leave her native Argentina. The first member of her family to graduate from high school and to receive an English fluency certification, Camila wants to improve her chances of earning a spot on a professional team. She dreams of escaping the restrictive existence that she seems to be her destiny and creating a new life for herself. She will not be deterred, both on and off the pitch. Her teammates honor the fútbol-fueled fire that burns within her, naming her La Furia.
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So, what’s holding her back? Her family. Her macho domineering father considers fútbol a man’s game and would never consent to permitting his daughter to compete in the sport. Her mother, cowed into silence by her controlling husband, submissively works as a seamstress, fashioning elegant gowns. She wants a better life for Camila and plans for her daughter to attend medical school.
Camila constructs an elaborate charade to conceal from her family her passion for fútbol and her identity as La Furia. She tells her mother that she is with a friend when she participates in games and team practice. So that she can’t be contacted, she allows her phone to run out of minutes. She waits until no one is home to wash her uniform and pretends to study for an upcoming medical school entrance exam.
Her life is further complicated when a childhood friend, now an international fútbol star, returns to Argentina for a brief visit. It is apparent to both that this is more than friendship. The attraction is mutual. Camila faces a heart wrenching dilemma. Does she abandon her dream of becoming a world class athlete and follow the guy who makes her heart sing? Or does she remain focused on her life-long ambition and reject his offer of a life together?

This story is about choices. Hard choices. Camila agonizes over her decisions, recognizing that with each choice, she may be closing a door. Will she choose to follow her passion for fútbol or succumb to her desire to be with the boy she loves? Can she stand up to her abusive father? Will she remain silent? Can she confide in her mother?

Narration moves fluidly between Spanish and English. Madariaga flawlessly differentiates the varying degrees of English fluency among her Spanish-speaking characters. Singing flows beautifully as a natural extension of the narration. The longing, indecision, frustration, and passion of an older teen is clearly evident in this performance.

The author obviously knows and loves the sport. The play by play descriptions bring readers onto the pitch, delivering immediacy and fierce intensity to the narrative. Méndez storytelling is a polished gem. Her characters are multifaceted. The narrative reveals their sparkling qualities as well as inherent flaws. Their lives are messy. There are no simple solutions. Things are not perfect. However, there is hope.
Furia is intense, filled with desires and dreams, heartache and disappointment, pain and passion. Camila is a girl of my heart.
Audiobook accessed via Hoopla.
Release date: September 15, 2020  Publisher: Workman Publishing
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They’re Back!

10/9/2020

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The Popper Penguin Rescue by Eliot Schrefer

The penguins are back! Countless generations have loved Florence and Richard Atwater's Mr. Popper's Penguins. Awarded a Newbery Honor in 1939, this classic is a staple in home, school, classroom, and public libraries.
Like many readers, I hoped that the story would go on and speculated about what would become of Captain Cook, Greta, and their droll offspring. My wish has been granted. Award-winning author Eliot Schrefer continues the penguin saga with contemporary sensibilities while retaining the charm of the original.
Years after Mr. Popper and Admiral Drake established a penguin colony in the Arctic, a Popper descendant and her children move into the old Penguin Pavilion located in a neighboring Stillwater community. The kids, Nina and Joel, explore the basement and discover two eggs. The decision to take the eggs to school does not turn out well. Nina's egg cracks during a spelling quiz and a playground bully steals Joel's egg. Despite the difficulties and with a touch of Atwater-like magic, the long-forgotten penguin eggs hatch.
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These siblings are now caretakers for two chicks christened Ernest and Mae. ​They wonder: what to do? The local Penguin Foundation offers to sponsor an Arctic expedition to resettle these chicks with the colony established by Mr. Popper and Admiral Drake. There are a few perilous moments. Ernest inadvertently sabotages the boat's central navigation system, causing the boat to run aground. Their expedition braves a blinding arctic storm and below-freezing conditions.
A solution to the Antarctic animals' relocation dilemma is more complicated than the Poppers had originally considered. The conclusion satisfies environmental concerns while preserving the Popper Performing Penguins' legacy.
Schrefer handles the narrative with a light touch. Even the fantastic seems believable. He balances the wildly hilarious with serious threats to the penguins' existence. Ernest and Mae play their own version of chess while snacking on dried squid. There is even a penguin body surfing scene where the birds transport arrivals across the colony. Admiral Drake’s grandson makes a cameo appearance. Schrefer pays homage to the classic tale, neatly tying in elements from the original. Bonus: these penguins canoodle!
Jim Madsen's black and white illustrations are fresh, contemporary, and contribute to the story's appeal.
Oork! Oork! Confetti and ribbons, penguins, and Poppers! The Popper Penguin Rescue will delight fans of the original classic and introduce new generations to the magic of flightless birds in tuxedoes.
Electronic copy accessed via Edelweiss.
​Pub date: October 13, 2020  Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers  ISBN:  978-0316495424
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Digging for Diamonds

10/5/2020

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Gnu and Shrew by Danny Schnitzlein ill by Anca Sandu

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Meet a most unlikely pair. Gnu and Shrew sit together on the banks of a crocodile infested river. Gnu shares a secret with his friend: a cave filled with diamonds is on the other side of this very wide and deep river. Gnu dreams of someday obtaining the diamonds. With wealth from these gems he could get his own Ferris wheel or perhaps a golden bicycle.
As he imagines the possibilities, the bespectacled Shrew sets to work, figuring out how to cross the river. Gnu’s musings spark Shrew's thought processes. For example a revolving wheel has a possible practical application for a paddleboat design.
It will come as no surprise that Shrew's skill and hard work pay off.  He obtains the diamonds and sets off to travel around the world. Success is his.
But what will become of Gnu? Schmitzlein gives this tale of perseverance and friendship a happy ending. The final page offers a hint to the happily-ever-after for this twosome. Hurrah for Gnu and Shrew. ​
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A word about the illustrations. Sandu restricts the main color palette to deep yellow and complementary turquoise This color scheme accents the contrasting natures of the two protagonists. The cover features Gnu dreamily gazing at a butterfly while Shrew, tongue sticking out, is concentrating on the workings of a lightbulb. However, the animals are not drawn to scale. Similar sizes suggest that each character is equally important.
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Discussion Guide: Points to Consider

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This book can be introduced by inviting readers to view the cover and then consider: What is a gnu? What is a shrew? Which character on the cover do you suspect is the gnu and which is the shrew? Why do you think you may be correct?

Facts about two uncommon animals.
Meet the gnu. This member of the antelope family is native to Africa. The horned animals with shaggy manes and tails are very strong and can run up to 50 miles per hour. Their main predators include lions, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, and crocodiles. Often gnus that attempt to cross a river are attacked and eaten by crocodiles. The gnu is also known as a wildebeest.
Note: The "g" is not voiced. It might be interesting to discover other words that begin with "gn." Hint: gnat, gnome and gnaw are three common words.
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Shrews are tiny mole-like animals with long noses and very sharp, spiky teeth. They have small eyes and cannot see well but have excellent senses of hearing and smell. They are very active and need to eat constantly. A shrew can consume from one half to two times its body weight each day! Shrews are venomous. The venom is stored within grooves in the shrew's teeth.
There are 385 different species of shrews. They can be found throughout the world.
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​Why do you think that the author selected these animals for the story?

The Power of Bold Ideas

There are dreamers like Gnu who imagine great things. There are makers like Shrew who experiment and develop solutions to problems. Together, the two make a great pair. Bold ideas combined with effort can produce remarkable results. In September 1962, President John F. Kennedy suggested that man could go to the moon. At the time it seemed unlikely. The dream was achieved in July 1969 after seven years of planning, testing, and experimenting by a team of technicians, scientists, engineers, and astronauts.
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What new dreams might be imagined? What dedicated individuals will make those dreams a reality?

Copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: October 1, 2020  Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company  ISBN: 978-1682631461
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Imagine This

10/1/2020

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Albert Whitman & Company has launched Imagine This, a stunning nonfiction picture book series. The generous trim size, about 10 inches square, is perfect for sharing with a large group. It also works when laid open on a table (or any flat surface) for a small group to enjoy. Eye-catching illustrations, fascinating factoids, and engaging text make this series a stellar addition to a school or classroom collection. Currently, there are four titles in the series. Informational picture books that are sure to spark questions, promote discussion, and inspire further research.

Blink! (Imagine This!) by Doe Boyle ill by Adèle Leyris

Blink! invites readers to take an up-close examination of a variety of animals’ eyes. Consider these facts: The bay scallop has over sixty eyes. A dragonfly eye is composed of thousands of lenses. Yellow-glowing "eyeshine" behind the bullfrog's eyes helps it see at night. A whirligig beetle eye splits into two different parts for separately seeing above and below water.
Boyle's lyrical verse introduces the eyes of specific animals. Leyris’ larger-than-life illustrations reveal anatomical details. Additional information appears within surrounding animal silhouettes.
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Bold graphic design features the animal shapes against a solid contrasting color background. Leyris' richly hued images span the gutter, filling the entire two-page spread.
Back matter contains a diagram of the human eye and description of "How Your Eyes Work," an Author's Note, a list of Resources, and a Glossary.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: September 1, 2020  Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company  ISBN: 978-0807506677

Dragonfly by Aimèe M. Bissonette ill by Catherine Pearson

The evolution, developmental stages, appearance, and behavior of this species are presented in detail. Did you know that a Dragonfly will molt up to seventeen times before reaching adulthood or that dragonflies can fly up or down, backward, forward, and even upside down? Fascinating! This first person narrative is delivered via the species’ collective voice. The text shifts to third person for the informational bits scattered across each two-page spread.
Bissonette introduces readers to precise terminology.
Illustrations, descriptions, and some context clues assist readers with understanding these terms: naiads, nymphs, predators, molting, aviators, external, iridescent.
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Pearson's jewel tone full-page illustrations are primarily in complementary shades of purple, blue and gold. Bold shapes, particularly the wings and eyes have a prismatic quality.
Back matter includes an Author's Note which provides additional information, including the insect's environmental impact. Resources page lists books for children and adults as well as sources for activities.
​Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: September 1, 2020  Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company  ISBN: 978-0807558218
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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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