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READING STYLE GUIDE

Air in Motion

2/27/2021

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Hear the Wind Blow by Doe Boyle ill by Emily Paik

Lyrical text, expressive illustration, and the science of weather are beautifully blended in Hear the Wind Blow, a picture book describing the wind.
Beginning at dawn, when all is calm, with just a "kiss of air," the text progresses throughout the day as later a breeze sends leaves "scuttling in the gutter." Evidence of the approaching storm can also be observed when ocean waves begin cresting.
The narrative climaxes when hurricane force winds batter a community and a family must take shelter. The denouement describes the storm’s devastating effects. Individuals move outdoors and neighbors work together to clean up and repair damage.
Wires droop, and tree roots shudder-
​the world's atilt, without a rudder.
Boyle's reassuring text makes clear that the storm will pass. But a warning embedded in the verses emphasizes the importance of responding to signs which signal potentially extreme weather.
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You must listen! Heed each sound,
as the Earth turns round and round.
Paik captures the stages of the approaching storm using stark changes in the color pallet. The sky progresses from pastel blues to intense shades punctuated with diagonal slashes of rain. The story concludes by reverting to soft azure skies. ​​Most pages feature outdoor scenes. When the storm reaches its apex, the tempest is viewed through windows, while the family remains safe within their home.
Rhyming text and evocative illustrations are a key story element. But there is more. Back matter moves this picture book above and beyond a charming children's book. Wind is defined as air in motion. Bonus material includes a copy of the Beaufort Wind Force Scale with an accompany introduction to the scale and its history, a glossary, and a list of suggested supplemental books. An excellent addition to school and library STEM collections for young readers.
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Weather Spotting

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The National Weather Service invites interested individuals to become weather spotters. Students may be interested in creating a school-wide initiative to identify and catalogue local weather patterns.  Charting and reporting on weather conditions could be an interesting activity.
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: March 1, 2021  Publisher: Albert Whitman and Company  ISBN:  978-0807545614
1 Comment

Young Citizens

8/29/2020

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"You're never too young for democracy"
 The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert
Several books for young people published in 2020 are excellent resources for raising awareness of and starting conversations about the voting process. Titles run the gamut from picture books and graphic novels to books for young adults. Each are opportunities for encouraging kids and teens to become involved in the political process.

A Vote is a Powerful Thing
by Catherine Stier ill by Courtney Dawson

The Vote is a Powerful Thing introduces youngsters to the voting process.
Callie’s class is learning about elections. Their teacher explains that participation in the selection of leaders and governing laws is important. Knowing this, the students decide to vote on an issue of current school-related interest. The class will plan a field trip. Where should they go?
Lynn suggests a trip to the local cookie factory. Callie knows about her grandmother’s interest in the Wilderness Park and recommends visiting this nature preserve. She sets to work, hoping to convince classmates to select her proposed destination. She searches for information about the park, its creation, purpose, and preservation. She makes promotional materials and prepares a speech. Lynn is following a similar pattern, advocating for the cookie factory.
The ballots are cast and counted. After a moment of uncertainty, Wilderness Park wins the election by one vote.
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Stier uses an election scenario that is easy to understand and could be recreated in a classroom or home school setting. Dawson’s charming illustrations represent a diverse array of young faces.
Back matter consists of basic voter information Additional information on wilderness parks is a nice touch.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: September 1, 2020  Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company  ISBN: 978-0807584989

The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America's Presidents  
​by Kate Messner ill by Adam Rex

The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America's Presidents is set in a museum that closely resembles the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Visitors explore the halls, looking back at history and then imagining what might happen in the future. Kids are reminded one or more of them could be a future president.
Rex uses a mixed media approach. Black line drawings mix with realistic portraits as well as stylized color wash renderings. The variety of styles reinforce a sense of traveling through time. A limited color palette consisting of various shades of red and blue gives a unifying visual effect. ​
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Word bubbles and short descriptive passages offer fascinating factoids. ​Clever numbering system creates its own game to engage readers: find each numeral and arrange the list of presidents in sequential order. ​
​Back matter is a treasure trove of supplemental information including a United States Map that charts presidential birthplaces. Additional resources consist of the requirements to be president of the United States, a note on the changing face of the American Presidency, suggested books for young readers, and an extensive bibliography for older readers. Messner offers an excellent pictorial review of American political history.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: March 24, 2020  Publisher: Chronicle Books  ISBN: 978-1452174884

Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Graphic Novel
by Cynthia Levinson & Sanford Levison  art by Ally Shwed

The Levinsons' seminal study of the U. S. Constitution, particularly an examination of the document’s potential flaws was published in 2010.
Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Graphic Novel presents the same information in comic book format, primarily with panels that are interspersed interspersed with maps and infographics. The result is a concise, highly readable US Constitution primer.
Text alternates between historical background and contemporary applications of decisions that were made by the founding fathers.
Format generally follows a configuration of horizontally organizing each page into thirds. Square and rectangular panels fit neatly within this structure. Chapter headings and an occasional concept use the full page. ​This structure offers concise chunks of information that are easy to digest and understand.
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The color palette is primarily shades of red and blue against a white background. Informational text is presented in deep yellow boxes. Characters offer supporting information and details within speech balloons.
Shwed's illustrations are clever and engaging. For example, a sports analogy is used to show the process of amending the constitution. It looks like playbook complete with diagrams that are surrounded by referees and cheerleaders in colonial attire.
The Levinsons’ concluding consideration of the constitution is presented in text format. The authors agree on some issues and disagree on others. It is helpful to find a dialogue with opposing viewpoints presented in a respectful manner. A bibliography rounds out the backmatter.
​Electronic copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: September 22, 2020  Publisher: First Second  ISBN: 978-1250211613

The Voting Booth
​by Brandy Colbert

Boy meets girl. She's a serious student and advocate for voting rights. He's not sure where to vote. Fortunately for him, this activist comes to his rescue. The story takes place in one day with visits to multiple polling places and working through a mammoth amount of regulations. However, before the day is over he votes.
When your hero is Fannie Lou Hamer, voting is not optional. It's vital. Marva Sheridan has devoted her efforts to understanding the voting process and helping people register to vote. She is disappointed when her white boyfriend Alec decides that he will not be voting.
Duke Crenshaw comes from a family of civic-minded citizens. He knows that voting is the right thing to do. If only it weren't so complicated. Marva is precisely the guide to help him through the election rules and red tape.
During the day this unlikely pair discover that their interest is in more than the ballot box. There is definitely a mutual attraction that extends beyond a lesson in civics.
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Race and socioeconomic status are a part of the subtext running throughout the narrative. ​Duke is the son of a black father and white mother. Marva attends an exclusive private school and is the daughter of an affluent Black family.
Colbert provides information on U.S. elections including how to register to vote and what to do when there is a problem on election day. The message is clear: even if there are obstacles in the election process, don't give up the right to cast your ballot and make your voice heard.
The Voting Booth is a sweet romance. Bonus: meet an adorable kitten named Eartha Kitty who has a huge Instagram following.
Audiobook accessed via Hoopla.
Pub date: July 7, 2020  Publisher:  Disney-Hyperion  ISBN: 978-1368053297
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New Friends

7/7/2020

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Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim

Danbi means "sweet rain" in Korean
Danbi’s off for her first day of Kindergarten. A momentous occasion. For this little charmer, the day is even more significant. It's her first day of school in America.
New day. New school. New country.
Boom. Boom. Boom. She approaches this venture into the unknown with her heart wildly thumping.
For a girl from Korea, everything is strange and puzzling. A blonde teacher with very pale skin, and a cluster of children, many who do not look like her, stare in wonder at the newcomer. Things are off to a difficult start.
Everything is foreign. New language. Baffling writing system. Dancing is strange. Games don't follow any rules that she knows.  Saddest of all, she is without a friend.
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When it's time for lunch, the dynamics shift. There's something about food that breaks down barriers. Her classmates are fascinated with her chopsticks. She is intrigued by juice boxes with accompanying straws. Tapping out a rhythm with various eating implements, the lunch table becomes a rhythmical fest. The children take their music out of the room and throughout the school. Making music. Making friends. Danbi Leads the School Parade. Now the booming is no longer the sound of anxiety. It becomes part of a jubilant celebration.
She makes a friend. Danbi shares a treat with a girl sporting blonde pigtails and teaches her how to use chop sticks. In return, her new friend teaches Danbi how to write her name with the mysterious rounded letters.
The opening end papers and title page set the stage as Danbi bids farewell to her beloved grandmother and little dog, then takes flight across the ocean to a home in the United States. Closing end papers bring the story full circle, as she plays with a new friend and puppy dog in her new neighborhood.
Kim's soft pastel art bursts across each page with joy and tenderness. Expressive faces with proportionately large heads capture apprehension, sadness, and eventually exuberance as Danbi progresses through her first day of school. 
Author’s Note recounts her first day of school in America. " I remember standing in front of the whole class, everyone staring at me, not understanding a word from the teacher."  She pays tribute to one special classmate who was kind and gentle, with an unforgettable smile. Her hope is that children who read this book will want someone like Danbi for a friend.

Welcome to Kindergarten

Looking for additional stories to reassure youngsters beginning school or any new experience? Try these excellent picture books.
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: July 7, 2020  Publisher:  Viking Books for Young Readers  ISBN: 978-0451478894
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Long and Short of It

4/6/2020

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Long Story Short: 100 Classic Books in Three Panels
​
by Lisa Brown

Literature is long. Comics are short.
Long ago, somewhere between the age when dinosaurs roamed the earth and the advent of Walkman cassettes, I discovered Richard Armour’s The Classics Reclassified. Armour's tongue-in-cheek synopsis of literary standards such as The Iliad, Julius Caesar, and Ivanhoe are awash with witty observations, puns, and a plentiful side of silliness. An example is this title and subtitle "The Scarlet Letter: An A for effort."
​I enjoyed that slim volume and would carry it around, quoting it to anyone who would listen.
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​Long Story Short
has gone one better. Actually, it's one hundred better with pithy summaries of classic  literature ranging from Dante's The Inferno and Beowulf to contemporary classics such as Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Hinton's The Outsiders, a groundbreaking YA novel for young adults. Lisa Brown also skewers beloved children's books: Harriet the Spy, Charlotte's Web, and *gasp* Harry Potter. 
Here's what stands out: Brown condenses the larger works into a comic format, with about three jaw-dropping panels for each title.  Think newspaper comic strip/Cliffs Notes mash-ups. It's amazing.
The abridged comics are organized into thematic sections: "Big Thoughts," "Epic," "Female Trouble," "War is Hell," "(Un)Happy Families," "The Horror," "Jeepers! Creepers!" "Friends and Frenemies," "Love,"  "Sex," and "Death." 
​Back matter includes a one-page guide on How to Write Your Own Three-Panel Book, index listing by title, and index listings by subject.
This is a book for those with a literary bent. Readers familiar with these titles will appreciate Brown's wit and her remarkable ability to distill a magnum opus into a few cleverly drawn panels. Well drawn. Well done.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: April 7, 2020  Publisher: Algonquin Books  ISBN: 978-1616205034
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Friendship & Other Discoveries

10/9/2019

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Nina Soni, Former Best Friend
​by Kashmira Sheth ill by Jenn Kocsmiersky

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Nina Soni’s life just got more complicated. She accidentally destroys her best friend's art project. Nina fears that Jay will no longer be her friend. She is stymied when her teacher assigns a Personal Narrative Project. She has nothing to write. Her life is as boring as plain rice.
​Then she discovers an interesting phenomenon that will be the basis for her person narrative. To her dismay, she learns that her idea is the same experiment used by  Jay at last year's science fair. She is discouraged.
When her sister's birthday party plans fall through, Jay and Nina come together and develop a clever solution to the birthday dilemma. Upon reflection, Nina realizes that retelling events of the past twenty-four hours will make an interesting writing project. 
​Crisis averted. Friendship restored. Assignment completed. Things are working out!
Nina has a way with words.  She images that one day she will make a brilliant scientific discovery. She will name it Ninacillian, similar to Alexander Fleming's penicillin. 
The narrative is liberally sprinkled with her unique definitions. Some are spot on. All feature her quirky perspective.
For=get-ful-ness means your mind becomes so full of new thoughts and ideas that it pushes out the old ones.
Former means once-upon-a-time.
Sheth includes numerous references to Nina’s Indian-American heritage, including traditional foods such as roti and kachumber.  ​Her notebook Sakhi means friend in Hindi. The family watches Mahabharat, a long-running series based on the Hindu ancient Sanskrit epic Mahabharat.
Nina Soni, Former Best Friend is the first title in this series for young readers. Easy-to-read font, lots of lists, and handy trim size make this a good choice for early chapter book readers.  Kocsmiersky’s black and white line drawings capture nine-year-old Nina's irrepressible nature.

Scientific Discoveries

If Nina can try this experiment, so can young readers. Caution: It takes a very large and extra-sharp knife as well as some muscle power to bisect and chop a dense head of cabbage. That part of the experiment is best left to an adult.
  • Cut a cabbage in half and chop into thin shreds.
  • Place the cabbage in a large glass or other stain-resistant bowl.
  • Submerge the cabbage in warm water. Let it rest for about 24 hours until the cabbage water is pink
  • Strain the liquid and discard the cabbage shreds.
  • Pour a small amount into individual containers.
  • Add one additional liquid to each container of cabbage juice. Label the contents of each container.
  • Record your observations.
Below are the results of my pH experiment. 
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Dish soap
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Lemon juice
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Baking soda
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Vinegar
Copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 1, 2019  Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company  ISBN: 978-1682630570
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Women’s Business

9/24/2019

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Charlotte Brontë Before Jane Eyre
by Glynnis Fawkes introduction by Alison Bechdel

Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! -
​I have as much soul as you, - and full as much heart!
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​Charlotte Brontë Before Jane Eyre is an insightful and well-researched portrait of young Charlotte Brontë.
Prologue features Brontë receiving a letter from England's Poet laureate Robert Southey. A series of panels focus on Charlotte and the emotions that play across her face as she reads his critique of her poetry. 
Literature cannot be the business of a woman's life.
This opening sets the stage for an illustrated chronology of the sixteen-year struggle for Brontë and her sisters Emily and Anne to establish themselves as authors. The 1800’s were not a period favorable for educated women who aspired to move beyond the traditional vocations of teacher or governess.
Following the death of her mother, Charlotte is sent, along with her three sisters, to an austere boarding school. Both of her of older sisters die from "consumption" and the two younger girls are withdrawn from the school.
The four surviving Brontë children remain at home, where their imaginations take flight as they create an elaborate world based on a set of toy soldiers. They call their fantasy world Glass Town. It becomes the basis for their early ventures into writing.
We will be the subject of tales and verse for years to come! Hooray for Great Glass Town!
Eventually Charlotte and Emily return to school and prepare to become teachers. Both girls find the life of a teacher and governess to be distasteful. They want to write. Assuming constant care of young charges leaves no time for these accomplished siblings to pursue their passion for writing. They receive this advice: women cannot support themselves as authors.
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Finally the sisters determine that they will find a way to see their work in published form. All three women submit novels for consideration. Anne's Agnes Grey and Emily's Wuthering Heights are accepted. Charlotte's The Professor is rejected. Fortunately Charlotte receives this encouraging response: perhaps she might write another novel for consideration. She gets to work on a story set on the moors. The main character is neither wealthy nor glamorous. She has endured a painful childhood. Despite difficulties the heroine is determined to succeed. Her name is Jane Eyre.
Brontë writes, pouring her life and her heart into the work. When she is ready to submit her final clean copy of Jane Eyre she learns that if the publisher rejects the novel she must pay both sending and returning shipping fees. She risks a double payment if the novel is rejected. She decides to send the manuscript.
I've been writing incessantly for a year- what will come of it?
Her book is accepted.
Fawkes concludes Brontë’s story with a full-page tribute to Jane Eyre. First published in 1847, it has never been out of print, has been adapted numerous times for a variety of media, and translated into approximately sixty languages.
Emily Bechdel’s Forward serves as a a personal and fitting introduction.​ Back matter is a treasure trove of valuable resources. Author’s Postscript offers a rationale for focusing on the life of Charlotte, the influence of the Glass Town Saga, and the necessity of editing Brontë’s writing to fit within the constraints of sequential art. Panel Discussions meticulously document specific details with supporting sources of information. Selected Bibliography, Credits, and a Thank You conclude the work.
It is not necessary to read or to even be familiar with the novels of Brontë to appreciate her ongoing efforts to establish herself as a credible author. Her story is a moving tribute to the desire to follow one’s passion regardless of societal mores. Above all, it is a poignant glimpse into the struggle to advance the stature of literary women.
This beautiful and thought-provoking graphic novel is part of The Center for Cartoon Studies reality-based cartoon series. A rich resource and worthy addition to libraries and the school curriculum.
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Fawkes line drawings and ink wash are an excellent medium for the pastoral British Isles ​setting.
Meet Glynnis Fawkes as she discusses two of her recent projects.

Brontë Times Three

Can't get enough of Brontë? Try this imaginative introduction to Glass Town, the fantasy world created by the Brontë siblings, a graphic novel version of Jane Eyre, and a young adult novel inspired by Jane Eyre.
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher
Pub date: September 24, 2019  Publisher: Disney-Hyperion ISBN: 978-1368045827​
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Kindergarten Kingdom

6/25/2019

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The King of Kindergarten
by Derrick Barnes ill by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Hold your head high and greet everyone with a brilliant, beaming, majestic smile.
For you are the King of Kindergarten
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Leaving the security of home and family to attend school can be a daunting event in the life of a five-year-old. ​That's not the case for this kid.
The King of Kindergarten features a youngster who is capable and confident. He awakes early for his first day of school, washing up and dressing himself.  Well, almost. Shirt, overalls, socks. No problem. However tying shoelaces has yet to be mastered. Anyone who has worked with five-somethings will appreciate this visual detail.
With preparation and encouragement from his parents, this guy is ready for the day's challenge!  He's got a bright smile, has practiced saying his name, is ready to give a friendly wave, and even brought a chocolate pudding cup to share.
Barnes gives immediacy to the narrative, writing in second person future tense. Parents describe to their son not only what will happen when he goes to school, but offer suggestions on how he can respond in each new situation. 
Brantley-Newton's illustrations are bursting with exuberance. Each page is a joyous celebration of color.  Sunshine motifs sparkle across the pages. The morning rays are trumpets, heralding the beginning of a new adventure.
Obviously, a crown is the central image.  Crowns appear on bathroom linens and home furnishings. This regal symbol is subtly reinforced with a "king of beasts" toy lion and matching slippers. As he approaches the entrance to the school, only the boy sees in his reflection a royal coronet. His crown is again visible on the final page. The art invites close observation and further discussion.
While The King of Kindergarten's target audience is young children, the picture book also serves as an excellent tutorial for parents and care-givers. Want to help your child successfully transition into the world of preschool or school? Follow the lead of these parents.  Talk through the day in advance and prepare youngsters for a positive school experience.
A child must learn early to believe that he (she) is somebody worthwhile and that he (she) can do many praiseworthy things. The child must have the love of family and the protection they give in order to LIVE and FLOURISH.
                                                                                                                                 Bejamin Mays
Note: The pronouns "she" and "her" are not a part of the original quotation, but were added by this reviewer.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: July 2, 2019  Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books  ISBN: 978-1524740740
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Lunar New Year

11/29/2018

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D is for Dragon Dance by Ying Chang Compestine ill YongSheng Xuan

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Originally published in 2006, Compestine’s celebration of Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is a vibrant compendium of Chinese culture. Presented in an alphabetical format, readers observe youngsters as they prepare for and participate in this annual fifteen-day  traditional festival.
Children anticipate New Year by crafting messages on red paper and getting haircuts. Enjoy mouth-watering traditional foods: noodles, oranges, roast duck, and dumplings. Join in the celebrating with kites, lanterns, incense, and firecrackers.
Xuan’s illustrations are replete with gorgeous jewel colors.  Soft yellow backgrounds play up the vibrant reds.
He seamlessly blends images across the gutter, skillfully joining two distinct concepts into one image. Objects such as the imposing dragon figure span an entire two-page spread. This creature is magnificent!
The artist includes an interesting note describing the four different calligraphic styles used to denote a dragon. Characters from the Song Dynasty, the Wei dynasty, the Grass style, and the Han dynasty appear in the background.  Close study of the illustrations is needed to discover each of the four unique dragon representations.
This updated edition is bilingual. Text accompanying each illustration is presented three ways: English, Mandarin Chinese written using the Latin alphabet, and ideographically with Chinese characters. Trim size has been expanded to a generous 8.5 x 11 inches. This neatly accommodates the expanded dual language format. Readers not familiar with Chinese calligraphy may notice some of the repetitive characters and language patterns visible throughout the text. 
This update significantly  enhances the original version. In the spirit of the new year, libraries will want to start the New Lunar Year by replacing the well-used and beloved older edition of D is for Dragon Dance with this sparkling masterpiece.  
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Background 

The Chinese New Year 2019 or Lunar New Year will begin on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. This is the Year of the Pig, an animal that represents diligence, kindness, and generosity.
The holiday is observed in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, Mauritius, and in countries with a large Chinese community.
​A Chinese calendar is not like the Gregorian calendar. It is based on the phases of the moon.  The first day of Chinese New Year starts with the new moon.  The last day, known as Lantern Festival is celebrated with night lantern displays.

Celebrate the New Year

Additional resources to enrich your Chinese New Year celebration.
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Newbery Award-winning author illustrator Grace Lin celebrates the New Year.
Learn to read and write basic Chinese characters with Chineasy created by ShaoLan.
Make delicious dumplings with author and cook Ying Chang Compestine.
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Liu Na's graphic novel of her childhood in China.
Copy provided by publisher
Pub date: October 23, 2018 Publisher: Holiday House  ISBN: 978-0823440290
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On the Border

11/13/2018

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“Poetry is the clearest lens for viewing the world.”

They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid's Poems by David Bowles 

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This slim poetry collection becomes more relevant with each passing day. They Call Me Güero chronicles the life of twelve-year-old Güero, a Mexican American boy living on the swath of land near the Rio Grande. Although he lives on the American side of the river, his heritage and identity are deeply rooted in Mexico. 
He frequently traverses the bridge connecting the two countries. In Mexico he and his father eat breakfast and purchase fresh groceries. Güero's imagination inhabits his grandmother's world filled with chilling tales of mythical monsters.
He possesses distinctive physical characteristics which distinguish him from other members in his community: a light complexion with freckles and a head of bright red hair. 
He's a 7th grade student who enjoys sharing books, comics, movies, and gaming with his nerdy friends. He fluidly moves between two countries, navigating crowded middle school hallways and the bustling pulga. He is equally comfortable communicating in Spanish, English, Spanglish, and colloquial Texan. ​English teacher Mrs. Wong expands his multicultural view of the world, incorporating Aztec, Mayan, Chinese and Korean mythology into the curriculum. ​
This first person memoir takes shape through multiple poetic forms such as haiku, rhyming couplets, and free verse.  "Mis Otros Abuelos" is a concrete poem which narrows as the family crosses the bridge connecting the two countries and expands as the family travels further into the interior of each country. 
Bowles handles sensitive topics with a light touch. Racism, stereotypes, immigration are part of Güero's life and are subtly revealed throughout the narrative. This is a boy discovering a world closely connected to his heritage, family, and friends.   
Spanish is clearly an important feature in the text. Bowles liberally peppers these verses with Spanish phrases and references to Mexican and Mexican-American culture. A glossary for most of the phrases with pronunciation and the English equivalent enriches the reading experience. This is especially helpful when reading aloud.
The poems can be read as a collective narrative.  They also work well as standalone vignettes.  Read. Enjoy. Discuss. Share. Repeat.
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¡Gracias!
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​THE REFUGE
ON THE RANCH
It's quiet here except for the hushed flow of the river
and the hum of the bugs answered by the sharp trill of birds
Somewhere, an ocelot growls.

​
"I know poetry when I hear it.”
​Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: September 4, 2018 Publisher: Cinco Puntos Press ISBN:  978-1947627062
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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 will celebrate the joy of reading.
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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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