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READING STYLE GUIDE

Uncharted Waters

5/4/2021

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Wishes by Mượn Thị Văn art by Victo Ngai

The tale begins in the dead of night as a young girl rouses from sleep and with her immediate family prepares to leave behind all that she has ever known and travel across the sea in search of the promise of safety and security.
Wishes tells the immigration story from an unusual point of view. This perilous journey is described through the wishes of inanimate objects.
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​A bag wished it was deeper.
The boat wised to be bigger.
​The heart wished it was stronger.
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As the boatload of passengers reach their destination, the narrative shifts to the perspective of the young migrant and her first wish as she views her new home.
Victo Ngai's illustrations are breathtaking. A tiny boat, crammed with passengers, sets sail across a vast ocean and beneath a starlit sky. There is a magical, almost otherworld quality to the image that graces the cover. This is the hope. The dream.
​Interior images of the family collecting their belongings, bidding tearful goodbyes, and navigating the initial stages of the voyage are dark muted shades of gray. The color scheme adroitly changes to fiery reds and oranges as blistering rays of the sun torment the migrants with unrelenting heat. As the destination comes into view the reds soften to pinks and violet. Hope is in sight.
Artwork spans each two-page spread, completely filling the pages. There is no white space. The poignant narrative demands every inch of each page.
Hopeful. Haunting. Heart-wrenching. Wishes is an unforgettable journey.
Mượn Thị Văn based the narrative on her family's experience as immigrants and refugees. Her sparse yet thoughtfully selected text tells a powerful story.

Immigrants All

​Beautiful picture books tell of crossing uncharted waters to begin life in a new country. Come onboard and witness the immigrant experience.
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Immigrating to an unfamiliar land where everything is strange.
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What if all you could carry on your journey was a teacup of soil from your homeland?
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"A young man... left his home in Japan and went to see the world."
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: May 4, 2021  Publisher: Orchard Books  ISBN: 978-1338305890
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Defining Moment

4/19/2021

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From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry:
The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial that Galvanized the Asian American Movement
​by Paula Yoo

June 2012. Jarod Lew came face to face with his past, a past that he never knew existed. Eventually he would uncover a thirty-year-old family secret.
June 1982. Vincent Chin was sitting in front of a McDonalds when he was bludgeoned with a baseball bat. Days later, he died of massive brain injuries.
Yoo's narrative introduces several seemingly unconnected individuals and brilliantly interweaves their life stories. Jarod Lew wanted to understand his past. Vikki Wong fought for justice after the violent death of her son. Detroit auto workers Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz worried about job security when Toyota, Datsun, and Honda began to dominate the car market.
Vincent Chin's life and death is the common factor that connects these people. It is a real life drama: a heinous hate crime and the resulting mobilization of the Asian American community.
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​Born in China, Chin was adopted and raised by Asian American parents. To celebrate his upcoming marriage to Vikki Wong, Chin went with friends to a strip club. At the club’s bar he traded insults with Ebens and Nitz. When words escalated to a fight and a smashed chair, all were evicted by the bouncer. Vincent wandered Detroit’s streets and eventually sat down in front of a local McDonalds. Ebens and Nitz were driving around the area when they spied Vincent. Eben stopped, took a baseball bat from his car, and brutally beat Chin until his face was battered beyond recognition. Chin was taken to the hospital where he died days later.
A lengthy legal battle ensued. Initially Ebens and Nitz were charged with manslaughter but the sentence was reduced to probation with no jail time. The Asian American community was shaken by this verdict. They determined to no longer remain silent when faced with inequity and racism. Asians and Pacific Islanders united to protest, seek legal redress, increase media exposure, and join with other civil rights advocacy groups to combat overt and subtle forms of discrimination.
With excellent pacing and stunning detail, Yoo uses newspaper reports, court documents, and in depth interviews to recount events leading up to this tragedy and its long-term affects.
The work is well supported with extensive back matter: a detailed timeline, 311 source citations, numerous photos, and a bibliography. The author’s Afterward personalizes this defining moment in history and brings current events, especially the world wide pandemic into the equation. She suggests that reports of the virus have helped foster and exacerbate targeting Asians.
From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial that Galvanized the Asian American Movement chronicles a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for civil rights. It’s the story of a hate crime, the creation of the first pan-ethnic Asian American civil rights organization, and the genesis of the Asian Lives Matter movement. ​Compelling nonfiction.
Electronic copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: April 20, 2021 Publisher: Norton Young Readers ISBN: 978-1324002871
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Clay and Creation

4/1/2021

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Shaped By Her Hands: Potter Maria Martinez
by Anna Harber Freeman and Barbara Gonzales art by Aphelandra

“The Great Spirit gave me (hands) that work...but not for myself, but for all my Tewa people.”
Maria Povika Martinez created distinctive pottery that is highly prized by collectors. Her great granddaughter Barbara Gonzales and art educator Anna Harbor Freeman collaborated to tell her story with a picture book for young readers.
Maria lived in San Idlefonso Pueblo near Santa Fe, New Mexico where clay was an abundant resource. As a girl, she was fascinated with the process of creating pottery. When her early efforts were not successful, she turned to ko-kōo Nicolasa to teach her. Her aunt used Tewa traditional methods: combining clay with water and volcanic ash, rolling the mixture into coils, then building the pot’s walls and firing the vessels for hours in a pottery fire. Each step was accompanied by special prayers.
While still a young woman, Maria married and became a mother but never gave up her work as a potter. 
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Her earthenware came to the attention of an archaeologist who presented her with a fragment of black pottery. Maria was intrigued. She and her husband Julian experimented and discovered a process for making shiny black pots. Blackware fashioned by Maria and her family became a valuable collector's item.
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In addition to describing pottery making, the narrative emphasizes culture, traditions, and religious practices of the Tewa. The authors use several Native terms which can be understood by using the illustrations and context clues for support. Aphelandra’s color palette of deep reds blending into rich golds and rising to a turquoise sky serves as a backdrop for Blackware. It is interesting to note that over time Maria's simple style of dress remains constant.
Shaped By Her Hands is a moving tribute to a great grandmother and her Native traditions. Excellent introduction to the technique of creating ceramics.
Back matter includes additional information on Maria Povika Martinez, Tewa People, San Idlefonso Pueblo, Authors Notes, and Selected Resources.
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Blackware began as a joint enterprise for Maria and Julian. He is credited with painting many of the pot’s intricate designs.  Currently, six generations of Maria and Julian’s descendants continue her legacy.

​​Maria's Blackware is considered fine art. Her signed pieces are worth thousands. She was awarded several honorary degrees and  invited to the White House. She and her husband demonstrated pottery making in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Her work can be viewed online.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SkUGm87DE0k
​http://indianartsandculture.org/exhibits/maria/index.html
https://kinggalleries.com/brand/martinez-maria/
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: April 1, 2021  Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company  ISBN:  978-0807575994
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Heroic Women

3/23/2021

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Standing on Her Shoulders
​by Monica Clark-Robinson art by Laura Freeman

Mother and grandmother share with a young daughter/granddaughter her awe-inspiring legacy. For generations the women in her family have been trailblazers, creating a noble foundation for their progenitors. Due to their efforts, their descendants face the possibility of a bright future. As the narrative progresses, a vision of the reach of influential women expands beyond family to encompass a broad range of American women who have made significant contributions to arts, sciences, athletics, and activism. Individuals such as Shirley Chisholm, Serena Williams, Chloe Kim, Frida Kahlo, Mary Church Terrell, Ynes Mexia, and Megan Rapinoe are singled out.
​Clark-Robinson's succinct text consists primarily of rhythmic rhyming couplets. Alliteration packs a powerful punch. Excellent read aloud.
For we are standing on the shoulders
of the strong, smart, sage, and soulful
​ones who have gone before us.
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The artist uses two distinctive styles. Classic portraits depict each woman from history who made her mark on the world. A modern stylized view of a dewy-eyed youngster contrasts with the more formal rendering of each historical figure.
​Freeman captures the warmth of a multigenerational family. Hope is poignantly expressed by the glimmer in the girl’s eyes as she views portraits of heroic women. As she remembers these extraordinary individuals, they become her role models. She will want to build a better world for her posterity. Her actions come full circle when she reaches out to support her younger sister.
Back matter includes beautiful portraits and brief biographies of twenty-six women representing a variety of races, cultures, achievements, and time periods.
Text and images combine to create a stellar picture book. Outstanding resource for African American History and Women’s History studies. This book would make a wonderful gift to celebrate any achievement in a young child’s life.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: February 2, 2021  Publisher: Orchard Books  ISBN: 978-1338358001
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Absolutely Right

3/16/2021

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What's Silly Hair Day with No Hair?
​by Norene Paulson ill by Camila Carrosine

Young Bea has one characteristic which differentiates her from her classmates. She is bald. Within the circle of her family members and close friends, this is generally not a problem. ​However, no hair becomes an issue during the school-wide Spirit Week. Thursday is designated as Silly Hair day. How can someone without hair participate? Bea and her best friend consider several solutions including wearing a wig, crafting fake hair, even staying home from school. Sadly, nothing feels right. At the last possible moment, the two girls brainstorm and come up with a solution that is “absolutely right.”
Readers will cheer for Bea, a girl who has many interests, a wonderful best friend, and a desire to be fully engaged in the world around her. She is not a child to be pitied.
Carrosine's sweet illustrations show Bea with a slightly enlarged head which gives her baldness emphasis. Facial expressions eloquently convey Bea's wide range of emotions.
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Paulson’s back matter contains background information on types hair loss in children. Cancer and alopecia (pronounced "al-low-pee-she-ah”) are discussed. There is also a charming directive on temporary tattoos.
While the story addresses one specific physical condition, there are many ways that children may observe others who exhibit differences in physical appearance or other observable characteristics. Youngsters are encouraged to appreciate and accept all class members. They might plan creative ways to include all students in class activities.
What's Silly Hair Day with No Hair? can be the starting point for a rich discussion.

Personal Connection

​One of my joys is maintaining a collection of engaging books for young residents at our local Ronald McDonald House. Several of these children are receiving treatments which result in numerous side effects. In addition to hair loss, they may have suppressed immune systems, fatigue, nausea, and several other unpleasant conditions. Days and nights can be difficult.
Their indomitable spirits and ability to find happiness inspire me. My gratitude extends to the parents, medical personnel, and staff at the residence.
Photos are from the local Ronald McDonald House public Facebook page. Love these kids!

Viva la difference

Books for younger readers that increase understanding and encourage inclusion.
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: March 23, 2021  Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company  ISBN:  978-0807506080
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Love, Loss, and Violins

2/22/2021

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When We Were Infinite by Kelly Loy Gilbert

A closely knit quintet of Asian American teens have remained together throughout their high school years. Stellar students and high achievers, each hopes to attend a prestigious university. All apply to several schools throughout the U.S. Beth Claire harbors the dream that all five will remain together, attending the University of California at Berkeley.
Musically inclined, they are members of the local youth orchestra. Beth is second chair violin to the technically precise Jason Tsou, first chair.
Beth lives with her Asian mother and has limited contact with her white father who remains aloof. Her maternal grandparents live nearby but she rarely sees them.
Her four friends are her anchor, her source of security and validation. Senior year exposes underlying stresses and fissures in their bond. They witness a father’s brutal physical abuse of his son. One tries to bring her romantic interest into the friendship circle. Another attempts suicide. When college acceptance notifications begin arriving, it is evident that the five will soon be geographically separated. Things are not the same. They will never be the same.
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Beth tries to understand and manipulate events, hoping to make everything “better.” A quiet observer who clings to her idealization of the group, she goes to extraordinary measures to get along and go along, even when it doesn’t feel right.
Gilbert's characters, as seen through the lens of Beth’s perception, often reveal their personalities through dialogue. A hallmark of her writing is an exploration into the essence of each individual while simultaneously illuminating the group’s dynamic. Tiny intimate details give the story its emotional depth. One of the most heart wrenching scenes occurs when Beth stands outside her father’s house, but never steps up to his door.
After a series of missteps and misunderstandings, Beth finally acknowledges that music gives direction and purpose to her life. As she plays her violin, she becomes one with the music. Following her passion requires courage and a belief that embracing music does not mean the end of treasured relationships.
Love the gorgeous book jacket. Note the sumptuous colors that wash over Beth as she turns away to face a future different from what she expected. An apt metaphor.
I wept as I read the final pages. When We Were Infinite is exquisitely written, simply elegant, yet intriguingly complex.
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​Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: March 9, 2021  Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers  ISBN:  978-1534468214
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One Fateful Night

2/10/2021

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Your Corner Dark by Desmond Hall

There was no good choice to make. Everything was a dark corner.
Franklyn is not aimlessly wandering through life. Frankie has a plan to escape his dead-end existence in Jamaica. With hard work and determination, Frankie has earned a scholarship to study engineering at a university in the United States. He will be the first in his family to attend college. His deceased mother would be proud. His dream is about to become a reality.
Then one fateful night everything changes. His father is struck by a stray bullet and critically wounded during an altercation between warring political factions. An expensive treatment may save his father, but where will Frankie come up with an exorbitant amount of cash? He tries every possible stratagem to pay for needed treatment. Ultimately he reaches this heartbreaking conclusion:
The scholarship dream had to die
​so that his father could live.
The only way for Frankie to get enough money for his father’s care is to join his uncle’s posse, the local syndicate which completely dominates life in the community and controls everything from garbage collection to local politicians.
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Frankie is plunged into a sordid life of drugs, violence, and corruption. He is required to carry a loaded gun, serve as protection and lookout on posse raids, package and transport shipments of marijuana. Membership in his uncle's posse lasts a lifetime. He may never op out. ​Things are further complicated when he is attracted a beautiful and talented student, an artist whose work serves as pointed social commentary. To make matters worse, her father is a police sargeant.
Frankie’s father dies. His mother and best friend are dead. The dream of studying in the United States has evaporated. His uncle’s syndicate requires him to kill and commit other horrendous acts. This is his current existence.
Frankie considers his future as a posse member and knows that can't go on living like this. The stress has become unbearable. He wonders: Is there a way out?
Hall keeps readers on tenterhooks. Will Frankie find a way to extricate himself from the posse? Can he salvage his dream of attending college in the United States? What will become of the relationship with his girlfriend? And ultimately, can he save his own soul? Is there hope?
Your Corner Dark depicts a world of poverty, desperation, and organized crime with an intensity and immediacy that doesn’t let up until the last paragraph on the final page. I couldn't put it down.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: January 19, 2021  Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books  ISBN:  978-1534460713
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Immigrants Welcome

1/26/2021

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Three Keys by Kelly Yang

Good news for those who love Yang's Front Desk. There are more stories and further adventures at the Calivista Motel. 
​Mia Tang is growing up, dealing with complex issues as well as daily frustrations. Sixth grade is not what she expected. She and best friend Lupe are in a classroom located in a temporary building. This year her teacher seems more critical of Mia and her writing style.
Set in the 1970's during the reelection campaign of Pete Wilson, Mia is devastated by her teacher’s support for a ballot measure that will deny educational opportunities to children of undocumented workers.
Yang delves into the plight of immigrants from a variety of viewpoints: Classmate Jason appears to have achieved the American dream of financial success. Lupe, Mia's best friend and the daughter of a Calivista employee, confides that she and her family are undocumented and risk deportation.
The Tang family hopes Proposition 187 will be defeated. Their motel's marque proudly displays the notice "Immigrants welcome."
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"We're Chinese, that's what we do."
Mia experiences the push and pull of two different cultures: retaining her Chinese identity while assimilating into the American lifestyle of chocolate chip cookies.  She resists a "bowl" haircut, dislikes red bean shaved ice, and worries about her slightly Asian accent. She wants to become an author but lacks basic English grammar skills.  Her parents who were respected professionals in China now devote their days to menial labor, struggling to keep their fledging business solvent. 
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"You're stronger than you think"
Three Keys is populated with an assortment of well-developed multigenerational characters with a variety of cultures and ethnicities. They are complex individuals with fascinating backstories, experiencing life's joys, heartbreaks and disappointments. Circumstances help them understand themselves and others in new ways.
There is no magic wand that solves all problems at the Calivista. While the story's conclusion is hopeful, there remain thorny political and societal issues to be addressed.  Lucky for us, a continuation of Mia's story will be published this fall. 

Front Desk Stories

Don't miss the continuing adventures of Mia Tang
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First book in the Front Desk series. Meet Mia Tang, her family, and friends.
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Third book in the Front Desk series. Room to Dream follows Tang Family's visit to Beijing.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: September 15, 2020  Publisher: Scholastic Press  ISBN:  978-1338591385
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It Begins with Matter

11/27/2020

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All Because You Matter by Tami Charles ill by Bryan Collier

The young man featured on the cover emerges from the past and solemnly contemplates his future. All Because You Matter unfolds his developing of a sense of self-worth.
It all begins with matter. Charles explores multiple meanings for this concept. Matter is the basic substance from which all elements of our universe are made. Matter is also something of particular importance.
​A mother teaches her child that he matters. He is composed of the same innate substance that forms the universe. He is also of significance. He carries within a profound heritage. Essential. Important. He is matter. He matters.
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From conception to birth, from early development to childhood, a mother and son navigate the complexities and wonder of life. With soaring poetic language, this young man is taught about his noble birthright.
Page design combines with Collier's art to create a visual stunner. Initial images depict the vastness and wonder of the cosmos. This contrasts with a subdued blossoming pattern. The concept of matter is simultaneously expansive and intimate. Realistic portraits stand out from a stylized background. The Illustrator's Note explains the significance of the flower motif repeated throughout the pages.
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An extraordinary psalm dedicated to the majesty of "sun-kissed skin and dreamy brown eyes," to young lives filled with promise. The author and illustrator clearly convey the message that life is meant to be nurtured, encouraged, and celebrated.
A book for parents, caregivers, and those who hope for a better future for children. Inspiring.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 6, 2020  Publisher: Orchard Books  ISBN:  978-1338574852
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Freedom Stories

11/2/2020

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William Still and His Freedom Stories:
​The Father of the Underground Railroad
by Don Tate

Free was not always fair
​ Fascinating story of American hero William Still.
Born in New Jersey in1821, Still was the youngest child of his formerly enslaved parents. A pivotal moment for young William came when he helped a freedom-seeking neighbor escape a brutal assault. At age twenty-three he left home and moved to Philadelphia. Still found work with the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. His skills were recognized by his employer and he eventually became the society’s manager.
​During this time, William’s Philapelphia home became an Underground Railroad “station, ” where he assisted numerous individuals seeking freedom. He was astonished to learn that one of those he helped was his older brother.
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Still began keeping a detailed record of each freedom-seeking person he encountered. His meticulous records helped unite families that had been torn apart. When it became apparent that his journals could jeopardize the lives of those migrating north, he hid his records in a cemetery’s vault. After fourteen years with the Anti-Slavery Society, William left the organization and started a coal business. He became a successful businessman and in 1870 was deemed one of the richest Black men. In 1872, he published The Underground Rail Road, a collection of  life stories of those who escaped slavery.
A word about the art: Close-up faces place the audience directly and personally into the story. Textual phrases are incorporated into the illustrations and become part of the visual experience. Tate's use of color is intriguing. Purple, often associated with royalty, is featured predominantly throughout the pages as well as on the cover. A sepia-toned background reinforces the historical nature of the subject.
Back matter includes a Timeline, Author’s Note (which includes fascinating person background), Bibliography, and Quotation Sources. End papers are stunning: a page taken from Still’s meticulous documentation of individuals who passed through his home on the way to freedom.
William Still and His Freedom Stories is a significant addition to the cannon of picture books about Underground Railroad heroes. It speaks to the value of education, fighting injustice, and keeping an accurate record of significant events. Inspiring.
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Underground Railroad Heroes

Meet individuals who made important contributions to early struggles for freedom.
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: November 1, 2020  Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company, Illustrated Edition  ISBN: 978-1561459353
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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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