Blog Archives

Classic Remix: Little Women

10/30/2021

More to the Story by Hena Khan

Louisa May Alcott's 1868 classic tale of sisters gets updated with these retellings that feature four siblings with unique personalities and interests, a hardworking mother, and a modest home filled with love. Khan and Morrow give this framework fresh settings and perspective, resulting in new stories to tell.

More to the Story introduces a Pakistani-American family of girls ages 10 through 16 who negotiate the challenges of a contemporary family life in Atlanta.

Seventh grader Jameela and her sisters Maryam, Bisma, and Aleeza miss their father who must temporarily work overseas. The narrative’s dynamic shifts slightly when teenage Ali, the son of a family friend, moves into town. When Jam decides to feature Ali in an article for the school newspaper, she faces a question of journalistic ethics.

A major plot point centers around Bisma's cancer diagnosis and treatment. The effects of a serious illness are accurately described without excessive technical details and medical jargon.

Khan seamlessly blends Muslim life, including religious observance, food, and customs into the narrative. A heartwarming story.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 3, 2019 Publisher: Salaam Reads ISBN: 978-1481492096

So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix
by Bethany C. Morrow read by Adenrele Ojo

So Many Beginnings is a stunning reimagining of Little Women that starts with Alcott's early 1860's time period and then fashions an entirely new tale, deftly weaving in often-overlooked aspects of American history. The March family resides in the Freedpeople's Colony of Roanoke Island, working to build a free society for formerly enslaved individuals.

Morrow's characters are intelligent women with lofty goals. Meg is a teacher who hopes to marry. Joanna dreams of becoming an author but by day works alongside construction crews, building homes in the colony. Bethlehem is a skilled seamstress and designer who wants to develop an African-based clothing enterprise. Talented dancer Amethyst earns accolades as a performer. The sisters encounter both overt and subtle forms of racism and gender inequality as they pursue personal and professional ambitions.

Listen to a sample

Audio copy accessed via Net Galley

Release date: September 7, 2021 Publisher: Macmillan Audio

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Together We Build

10/24/2021

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Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds

Violet foundly remembered the table.

Violet, a girl with purple-hued hair, notices something bizarre is happening in her home. The family dinner table is shrinking. Eventually the table becomes so small that it vanishes.

So... she goes in search of answers. When she sneaks a peek at dad, he's watching big screen entertainment. Mom is fixated on her phone and brother is playing games on a tablet. She wonders: is there a way to get back the table? This resourceful youngster has a plan.

Drawing upon the unique talents and interests of each family member, Violet enlists their help. Together, they design and construct a new table that will unite them.

Color is a key component of the narrative. When technology dominates individual lives, Reynolds monochromatic palette is based on shades of purple. When the family is seated around the table, illustrations are in full color.

This picture book is filled with charming touches: Violet sports a massive tool belt. The dog helps hold a measuring tape, and sneaks treats beneath mom's chair. The cat on the cover smiles knowingly at the audience.

A timely and timeless reminder of the importance of disengaging technology and engaging with family and friends. Reynolds offers a gentle tale of building and maintaining personal relationships.

Our Family Table

Our Table invites young readers and families to consider the important connections that happen when they choose to create screen-free events. Gather around "our" table for memorable moments

When is a family tradition nontraditional?
When birthdays are honored with a child's hand painted plate, and we eat ice cream cones instead of cake.

What can a gathering without a table look like?
Groups toasting marshmallows around an outdoor fireplace.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: November 2, 2021 Publisher: Orchard Books ISBN: 978-1338572322

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Moonstruck!

10/18/2021

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The Children’s Moon by Carmen Agra Deedy art by Jim LaMarche

It’s not often that you will find a picture book that is a literary gem brimming with sparkling personality, folktale-like mythology, poetic language, luminous art, and a STEM component. Deedy's enchanting storytelling and LaMarche's exquisite illustrations combine to tell a wondrous origin tale.

Text consists of a dialog between the moon and the sun.
As the moon rises, she hears a noise "like the daintiest of silver bells" and wonders what makes that sweet music. The sun informs her that the sound is made by children. Moon laments that she is unable to see the children and they cannot see her. Is there a way for her to see the children? Sun adamantly retorts that this is not possible.

The day is mine.
The night is yours.

With inventive thinking, the two devise a plan that will allow the sun to view the stars gleaming in the night sky. Then the sun will shine on his friend in such a manner that the moon can see and be seen by the children.

It a beautiful mythology that explains an astronomical phenomenom.

Back matter includes detailed information on how to view a "children's moon" in the night sky, an infographic explaining phases of the moon, a collection of interesting scientific factoids about the moon. For example, the moon not only reflects light, it also radiates light. Interestingly, the moon is not a sphere, but egg-shaped. Links to online resources are provided.

The Children’s Moon is the perfect bedtime story and is also an excellent companion to an astronomy lesson.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 19, 2021 Publisher: Scholastic Press ISBN: 978-1338216394

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Her Immigrant Story

10/15/2021

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Where I Belong by Marcia Argueta Mickelson

High school senior Milagros Vargas' life has not been easy. But she has learned to cope, caring for her three younger siblings while her immigrant mother works long hours as a housekeeper, cook, and nanny for the Wheelers, prominent members of the Corpus Christi social elite.

In addition to family responsibilities, Millie has maintained a stellar academic record, earning a full scholarship to Stanford.

She has learned to keep a low profile. Her anonymity evaporates when Mr. Wheeler, in a bid for a congressional seat, reveals during a campaign speech that his housekeeper's daughter fled Guatemala with her parents, sought asylum, attained U.S. citizenship and is now an immigrant success story.

Milagros becomes the subject of news reports and internet trolls. Quiet, never-make-waves Millie is thrust into the spotlight, a position she never wanted. Media coverage as well as threats directed at her and her family intensify.

Eventually, she must decide if she will remain silent or speak out.

A strength of Mickelson's storytelling can be found in the details of Millie's personal interactions with her widowed mother whom she adores and does not want to disappoint, a younger sister who has to go to the bathroom at an inconvenient time, and the handsome Charlie Wheeler who suddenly seems interested in her.

Where I Belong is a richly layered narrative that explores headline-grabbing issues and the dynamics of personal relationships.

Audio copy accessed via Hoopla.

Pub date: September 7, 2021 Publisher: Carolrhoda Lab ISBN: 978-1541597976

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Japanese Classic

10/13/2021

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How Do You Live? by Genzaburō Yoshino
translated by Bruno Navasky forward by Neil Gaiman

Genzaburō Yoshino's literary classic is now available in English. Published in 1937, this exploration of science and history, cowardice and bravery, morality and friendship has enthralled generations of readers.

Jun’ichi Honda is known to his friends as Copper. His uncle started referring to him as Copernicus when his perseptions began to shift from "the world revolves around me" mindset to a Copernican model of oneself and the universe. Eventually Copernicus was shortened to Copper.

Copper is a charming young man. Small in stature, he often seems younger than his years. After the death of his father, he spends time with his uncle, sharing his observations and questions. This uncle expands on these interactions in his journal. The narrative alternates between a narrator who speaks directly to readers and the uncle’s journal entries written as advice to his nephew.

It is easy to empathize with this slight young man who lives alone with his mother following the death of his father. He sees wonder in the world. He also puzzles over conflicting and confusing ideas.

Copper is all-too -human. His friendships brush aside class distinctions. However, at one critical point in the story he knows that he should stand up for a friend but is paralyzed with fear and does not defend his classmate. The shame he feels for his failure to act is crushing. Working through his guilt, acknowledging his mistake, and attempting to rectify his error constitute a pivotal plot point.

The political sections, particularly the passages where the uncle expounds on the leadership of Napoleon, are rather lengthy. Younger readers may be unfamiliar with this historical figure.

As Neil Gaiman states in his forward to How Do You Live? this is a strange book, and such a wise book.
It transcends conventional definitions of a specific genre or audience. This story examines the universal question of what it means to be human. A book that expands the mind and the heart.

Gather your courage, Copper, and do what you must.

Internationally acclaimed Japanese animator, director, and manga artist Hayao Miyzki has announced that his next and possibly last film will be an animated retelling of How Do You Live.

While this film will attract manga and anime fans, the universal themes and captivating storytelling of this Japanese classic will appeal to a wide audience.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 26, 2021 Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers ISBN: 978-1616209773

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A New View

10/11/2021

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Inside Cat by Brendan Wenzel

Cat lovers and fans of the Caldecott Award-winning They All Saw a Cat can rejoice. Author and illustrator Brendan Wenzel is back with a fresh look at a domestic cat’s life with Inside Cat.

Remaining within the confines of a building, bound by walls and doors, ceilings and floors, this feline encounters myriad interesting phenomena.

There are shapes to identify, senses to experience, sweeping vistas to view, tiny vignettes to examine.

Wenzel maintains a soft blue background with simple suggestions of architecture and furnishings within the home. In contrast, the outdoors are rendered in full color with multiple charming details.

The energetic cat sports a coat of fur drawn with a loose, free hand. The immense wide-eyes are the dominant facial feature.

Rhythmic, rhyming text begs to be read aloud. Repetitive words "wanders" "wonders" take on multiple meanings in a variety of situations.

The final page turn reveals a dazzling surprise and a satifying conclusion. End papers featuring interior and exterior cat views are not to be missed.

This book can serve as a springboard for individual observations. Hand this engaging picture book to youngsters and invite them to discover amazing worlds waiting to be discovered.

More Wenzel, Please

Enjoy these delightful pictures books from the inventive mind and creative talent of Brendan Wenzel.

Copy provided by publisher.

Pub date:October 12, 2021 Publisher: Chronicle Books ISBN: 978-1452173191

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Power of Story

10/8/2021

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The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

A world without story is lost.

A stunning and richly symbolic cover sets the stage for a Latinx sci-fi saga written for middle-grade. It's a daunting task, but Higuera pulls it off, sending readers on a heroic journey of mythic proportions.

When earth is destined for destruction, Petra and her younger brother Javier are selected to join an elite group that will travel through space, bound for the planet Sagan. Organizers hope to establish a thriving intergalactic colony. It will take 380 years to reach Sagan, so travelers are placed in individual hibernation pods for the journey.

On waking, Petra discovers that a group known as the Collective has assumed control of the spaceship. Adults have been eliminated and the minds of younger passengers are being reprogrammed. This carefully cultivated society will have no knowledge of the past.

Petra is determined to resist mind control. She clings to the stories told by her grandmother and shares tales of heritage and culture to a few of the ship’s young travelers, hoping to reawaken their knowledge of the past.

Outwitting the Collective becomes increasingly dangerous. Petra’s plan to escape, taking a few individuals with her to a nearby planet, is a high stakes gamble. She must keep her objective a secret until her group is safely beyond the reach of those who seek to destroy her and her knowledge of the past. Several shocking plot twists and tension-filled scenes will keep readers rapidly turning pages.

Those familiar with children’s literature will be pleased to note the homage to several contemporary classics: Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin. Authors Douglas Adams and R. L. Stine are also mentioned.

Books became our language. Books became our home. Books became our lives.

The Last Cuentista is a tribute to the enduring power of stories. The saga combines Latinx folklore and culture with travel through time and space. Higuera has created an intriguing genre for young readers: Latinx Space Opera.

Never be ashamed of where you come from, or the stories your ancesters bring to you. Make them your own.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 12, 2021 Publisher: Levine Querido ISBN: 978-1646140893

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Classic Remix: Little Women

More to the Story by Hena Khan

So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix
by Bethany C. Morrow read by Adenrele Ojo

Together We Build

Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds

Our Family Table

Moonstruck!

The Children’s Moon by Carmen Agra Deedy art by Jim LaMarche

Her Immigrant Story

Where I Belong by Marcia Argueta Mickelson

Japanese Classic

How Do You Live? by Genzaburō Yoshino
translated by Bruno Navasky forward by Neil Gaiman

A New View

Inside Cat by Brendan Wenzel

More Wenzel, Please

Power of Story

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

Classic Remix: Little Women

More to the Story by Hena Khan

So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix ​by Bethany C. Morrow read by Adenrele Ojo

Together We Build

Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds

Our Family Table

Moonstruck!

The Children’s Moon by Carmen Agra Deedy art by Jim LaMarche

Her Immigrant Story

Where I Belong by Marcia Argueta Mickelson

Japanese Classic

How Do You Live? by Genzaburō Yoshinotranslated by Bruno Navasky forward by Neil Gaiman

A New View

Inside Cat by Brendan Wenzel

More Wenzel, Please

Power of Story

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix
by Bethany C. Morrow read by Adenrele Ojo

How Do You Live? by Genzaburō Yoshino
translated by Bruno Navasky forward by Neil Gaiman