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READING STYLE GUIDE

Will You Ever Fly Again?

12/11/2020

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The Land of the Cranes by Aida Salazar

Not every story has a happily-ever-after. Some stories are drawn from the well of sorrows and painted with tears of anguish. Aida Salazar gives young audiences a searing portrait of the life of girl trapped in the nightmare of an immigrant from Mexico seeking asylum in the United States.
Betita lives in East Los Angeles with her parents who are undocumented workers, hoping to find a permanent home in the United States. Her father works as a construction laborer and dishwasher. Her pregnant mother earns money as a nanny.  Though life is challenging, these parents dream of building a new life for their family in the United States.
One day the unthinkable happens. Papi is apprehended by ICE agents for failure to appear in court and is taken into custody. Betita is left with an aching heart and a small square of fabric from her father's pillow.

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Hoping to connect with Papi at a park in San Diego, mother and daughter travel south with relatives. Tragically, they are stopped by border patrol and sent to a detention center. Conditions in the facility are despicable. Detainees live inside a chain link fence cage and sleep on a concrete floor with only a foil blanket. Unsanitary conditions and poor food threaten the life of Mami and the child developing within her womb. They endure daily acts of senseless hostility and cruelty.
Betita recalls her father's stories of their proud heritage. They are travelers from the land of the cranes. Now Betita is longer able to soar. Confined to a wire cage, hope seems lost. This resourceful girl discovers a way to cope. Her fourth-grade teacher showed her how to create picture poems, recording her life with words and images. She keeps a daily journal using her poetry and art to express her feelings.
There are no simple solutions. With little hope for asylum, there seems to be no influential individual that can rescue this suffering family. Mami eventually decides to sacrifice her dream of freedom and security to save herself and her two children. The plight of these individuals is painful to witness.
The Land of Lost Cranes, a fictionalization depiction of undocumented individuals, is gut wrenching. ​This novel in verse, exquisitely expressing a young girl’s longing, will find a place in the hearts of readers everywhere.

Border Stories 

These picture books introduce youngster to tales of immigrants coming to American from Mexico and the Caribbean.
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​Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: September 15, 2020  Publisher: Scholastic Press  ISBN:  978-1338343809
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Fair Trade

11/20/2020

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A Long Road on a Short Day
by Gary D. Schmidt & Elizabeth Stickney ill by Eugene Yelchin

On a winter day when snowfall is imminent and daylight is scarce, Samuel and his father set out on a journey. The two are in search of a milk cow.
They hope with a series of trades to parlay Father's Barlow knife (a high-quality pocket knife) into a source of milk for the family’s baby girl. Using his insight into the circumstances and interests of his neighbors, Samuel’s father puts his plan into action. Both father and son are determined to make each trade a satisfactory arrangement for all parties. From a desired timepiece to the fleecy softness of Merino wool for the weaver's loom, neighbors benefit from these exchanges.
In addition to learning the value that an item may have for a specific individual; Samuel learns to approach each person with respect and kindness.
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As sunset approaches a neighbor has light glowing in his barn, a lonely window has a volume to poetry to keep her company, and a little girl has a pony cart to take her to school. The family has a milk cow and Samuel receives the secret wish of his heart. All because of a wish, a pocketknife, and an astute father who knows the value of friendship and fairness.
Schmidt is a master storyteller, delivering a tale with succinct narration. Each phrase contains a rhythmic quality and sensory imagery that precisely capture the relationship between father and son, young boy and animals, and a members of a closely-knit community.
Yelchin's illustrations are sublime. Like peering into a snow globe, each image is a magical moment encapsulated amid the swirling flakes. ​ 
 A Long Road on a Short Day is a short book that is long on wishes and the wonders of a winter's day. A perfect read aloud that will warm hearts. 
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Electronic copy accessed via NetGalley.
Pub date: November 10, 2020  Publisher: Clarion Books  ISBN:  978-0544888364
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The Cat is the Clue

11/12/2020

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Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Myrtle Hardcastle. I am ever-so-fond of this highly opinionated girl. The twelve-year-old daughter of a British barrister is an observant young woman with a keen interest in solving mysteries. Some may call her nosy. She considers herself a serious sleuth. Myrtle maintains a collection of crime-detecting tools and has authored her own guidebook for investigators.
Written in first person, all evidence is presented from her point of view. Myrtle directly addresses her audience as Dear Reader, breaking the fourth wall.
Set in the Victorian Era, when Young Ladies of Quality spent their days hosting tea parties and posing in floral tableaus, our heroine most emphatically does not fit in.
Under the care of her doting yet slightly distracted father and her governess Miss Ada Judson of French Guiana, a woman of intelligence and decorum, Myrtle relentlessly pursues her interest in mysteries. Miss Judson is sometimes a co-conspirator with her young charge.
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There is a not-too-subtle undercurrent of mutual attraction between the two adults.  Myrtle hopes to bring these two together and desperately fends off attention toward her father from any other woman. 
But enough of that. On to the mystery. From the moment the tale commences, Myrtle suspects that something nefarious is going on at the home of her neighbor Miss Wodehouse. She is missing. So is Myrtle's cat Peony. Could the two disappearances be connected? Myrtle is determined to find out. Soon she is convinced that Miss Wodehouse was murdered and sets out to discover the method and motive for this woman's demise.
There are enough clues to hint at the mystery's outcome. Warning: Read carefully. Following a red herring may result in arriving at a false conclusion. The trail of clues places Myrtle in some unusual situations: finding evidence in a locked police surgeon's lab, searching the neighbor's bathroom, and causing a greenhouse explosion.
Bunce skillfully contrasts rigid Victorian mores with a girl and her governess who refuse to be confined to society's strictures. The governess is adroit at retaining the appearance of propriety while circumventing prevailing conventions. Initially the plot progresses slowly, clue by clue.  Soon the pace picks up with increasing intensity and builds to a tension-filled climax. 
Adventure awaits! Put on your deerstalker cap, grab a notebook, and some laboratory testing equipment. Premeditated Myrtle is a delightful middle grade murder mystery worth tracking down at your local bookstore or library .  
Joyful news! Myrtle's detective work continues. Look for How to Get Away with Myrtle.
​Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 6, 2020  Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers  ISBN: 978-1561459353
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Mayan Mythology

11/9/2020

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Rise of the Halfling King (Tales of the Feathered Serpent)
by David Bowles ill by Charlene Bowles

What a terrific concept: A series of graphic novels featuring Mayan mythology. Bowles brings his extensive Mesoamerican expertise to younger audiences. Stories from an often-overlooked culture are brought to life with colorful panels, intriguing plot and characters who jump off the pages and into the reader's imagination.
Rise of the Halfling King is the first title in Tales of the Feathered Serpent series. ​ Readers are introduced to Sayam, a boy hatched from an egg. Almah, a witch and a healer, has cared for this strong-willed halfling since he emerged from the egg. As he grows older, the inevitable is apparent. It is time for Sayam to fulfill prophecy and dethrone the king.
It won't be easy. The malevolent despot employs the Guardian of the Underworld, a gigantic snake, to assist him with his diabolical schemes. Illustrator Charlene Bowles gives the serpent a frightful menacing quality that dominates each panel into which it slithers, fangs ready to strike.
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A generous trim size of 7 by 10.5 inches, oversized panels, and an easy to follow narrative make this an excellent choice for young readers. 
Background information is placed at the beginning of the book. The map of Mexico clearly identifies cities and surrounding regions. The cast of characters features a small portrait with accompanying short bio.  This facilitates reading from the story's onset, helping readers to place unusual locations and individuals in context.  ​
It's a rich mythology, replete with magical powers, witches, and sorcery. The struggle between good and evil, featuring a diminutive hero fighting against powerful forces will captivate readers. Make room on your shelves for this graphic novel series.

Dig Deeper

Interested in an in-depth exploration of Mexican mythology? Bowles has you covered. 
Feathered Serpent: Dark Heart of Sky is compilation short mythological tales from Mexico. The introduction offers valuable background information.  A Guide to Pronunciation and Glossary are particularly helpful. 
An excellent resource for those interested in exploring epic tales, world mythologies, history and culture of Mexico. Highly recommended for students, teachers, historians, and storytellers,
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​​Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: November 3, 2020 Publisher: Cinco Punto Press  ISBN: 978-1947627376
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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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Compatibility Testing

9/14/2020

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Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake ill by Jon Klassen

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My first impulse while reading Skunk and Badger: I really want to invite Amy Timberlake to tea. I imagine a delightful afternoon, chatting with someone who conjures up a tale of a peculiar little Badger, living in Aunt Lula’s brownstone and devoting his days to Important Rock Work. This fastidious fellow is in for the shock of his life when Aunt Lula also invites Skunk to live in the brownstone. Skunk’s lifestyle is decidedly different from Badger's. He loves to cook, concocting scrumptious meals, but leaves washing the dishes to Badger. A gregarious fellow, he wants to chat while Badger is accustomed to hours of quiet devotion to his rocks. The ultimate test of the roommates’ compatibility is chickens. Skunk invites an astonishing number to their home. The brownstone is filled with incessant bocking and feathers scattered everywhere. Inevitably there is skunk spray. That the conflict will be resolved is never in doubt. It’s how the pair will iron out their differences that will keep readers engaged. ​
The narrative is seasoned with charming asides, inner dialog, and clever word play. Reading aloud is an extra treat. Book recommendations appear in the The New Yak Times Book Review. Badger muses that chickens are here today, gone to leghorn. There is mention of special markings in the sand known as Chicken Scratch, the most ancient of chicken languages.
Timberlake lovingly pokes fun at her characters' idiosyncrasies which makes them all-the-more endearing. In the spirit of Christopher Robin saying “silly old bear” to Pooh, readers will be enamored with the fussy Badger who wears pickaxe-and-dynamite pajamas and strums E Huli Mākou on the ukulele. Skunk’s special chicken whistle to gather the chickens for story-reading sessions, will bring knowing smiles to teachers and librarians.

​The trailer offers a sneak peek at Klassen's signature style black and white illustrations. He captures the character of these two often maligned mammals with wit and charm. Look at that grin on Skunk's face! Another reason to love this tale.
Come on over.  I'll put the kettle on, and we'll have great fun getting acquainted with Skunk and Badger.
A tale of a mismatched pair who work through the inevitable difficulties of sharing a home. It's The Wind in the Willows meets Frog and Toad and it's destined to be a classic. Want more good news? This is Book 1. There will be more Badger and Skunk. ​Hurrah! Hurrah!
Electronic copy accessed via Edelweiss.
​​Pub date: September 15, 2020  Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers  ISBN:  978-1643750057
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Runaway Art

7/28/2020

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Doodleville by Chad Sell

Drew loves to draw. Pencil in hand, she has created her own collection of doodles, an assortment of charming and often mischievous characters who dwell in her imaginary world.
Drew shares her passion for drawing with other students in the school’s Art Club. Their advisor plans a field trip to the local art museum. This expedition will serve as inspiration for an upcoming project: create a superhero world.
There is one complication. Drew has discovered that her doodles can escape the pages of her sketchbook and travel into the “real world.” At the museum, her creations Jump off the paper and wildly explore the art displays, absconding with a hat featured in one of the paintings.
Although Drew manages to collect all her runaway doodles plus an additional purloined hat, it is apparent that her creations are out of control. They begin to inhabit the drawings of her fellow students, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
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Her solution to is to create a large doodle. A much larger doodle. She names this gigantic serpentine monster Levi, an abbreviated version of Leviathan. The monster lives up to its name, causing havoc and destroying the work of her friends. It is unstoppable. Drew is wracked with guilt.” It’s all my fault.” she sobs. ​Her friends rally to her defense and devise a plan to link the powers of all their superheroes together to defeat Levi.
Drew’s father helps her understand that her creations are a part of her and that the Leviathan is an extension of the darkness that she sometimes feels. Once she acknowledges the duality of emotions she possesses, Drew is empowered to formulate a plan of action that benefits her fellow artists, the doodles, and even Levi. This leads to an inventive and satisfying conclusion.
Sell’s art cleverly delineates the black and white one-dimensional world of Doodleville and Drew’s fully realized colorful world. The blending of the two worlds is masterful.
The final panels set the stage for further adventures in the Doodleverse, a series destined to fly off the shelves faster than Leviathan, Captain Cockatoo, or the Magical Butterfly Boyfriends can travel.
This fantastical comic envisions a world where art comes to life and imagines the positive as well as negative implications of such a world. It features a tightly knit, yet diverse group of young students who unite to solve a problem, forgive one another’s mistakes, and celebrate their collective successes. And did I mention the donuts? Yes. There are donuts.

Bonus

Download Doodleville coloring pages and create a Doodleville World of your own. Find more information here.
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: June 9, 2020 Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers ISBN: 978-1984894717
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King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender

7/21/2020

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King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender

It begins with dragonflies. Dragonflies flitting everywhere in a sultry Louisiana town.
Kingston James, known as King, has become fixated with dragonflies. There’s a reason for his obsession. After his older brother Khalid suddenly and tragically dies, King is convinced that his brother has morphed into a dragonfly. Whenever he sees one of these large-eyed iridescent insects he feels that Khalid is nearby.
Callender tells a compelling story of grief and the oppressive burden that death places on a family. The loss of his brother has cast a pall over King’s home. Familiar family routines have been set aside. There is now an empty place at the table. The family dynamic is fractured.
One of the few constants for King is Sandy Sanders. Sandy is the friend he can confide in, can talk with about things that really matter. The two friends share a love for anime and manga, spending spend hours sketching characters and discussing their favorite stories.
To please his brother, King has severed this treasured friendship because Sandy is gay. Khalid convinced King that he should not associate with gays.
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King knows that Sandy’s home situation is painful. He is physically and emotionally abused by his father, the town sheriff. Sandy's life becomes unbearable when his father discovers that his son is gay. Sandy runs away to escape his father’s vicious attacks.
King is the friend who comes to Sandy's rescue, finding him sanctuary in an abandoned shack. Together in this secluded place, the two learn to forgive, to accept one another, and make plans to move on with their lives. Sandy is ready to leave his abusive home for good. King is not sure if he should join Sandy. Is he ready to leave his grieving parents? Will his father accept his gay son?
King felt bound to honor his brother in a way that required him to deny his identity and hurt a friend. He now wonders: Can he still honor his brother if he chooses his own life path?
The choice of the dragonfly is an apt metaphor This insect with large, often many-colored wings symbolizes change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization. King experiences a change in his view of himself and his world. Like the dragonfly he is emerging, ready to embrace his identity, his family, and friends.
King and the Dragonflies is a thoughtful exploration of grief, coming out, abuse, friendship, and healing.
​Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: February 4, 2020  Publisher:  Scholastic Press  ISBN:  978-1338129335
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Immigrant From Krypton

6/27/2020

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Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang art by Gurihiru

"We are bound together by the future. We all share the same tomorrow"
A comic book set in 1946 with 2020 sensibilities features the traditional super hero trope: Man of Steel versus archenemy. ​The cast includes The Daily Planet’s mild-mannered Clark Kent, investigative reporter Lois Lane, spirited photographer Jimmy Olsen and bombastic editor Perry White. Metropolis is plagued with a sinister influence. It’s up to the caped crusader with an assist from a couple of kids to defeat this evil and protect the city’s citizens.
​But it’s more. Inspired by the 1940s Superman radio series “Clan of the Fiery Cross,” Gene Luen Yang chronicles a lesser-known aspect of bigotry and racism in American history: Chinese Americans targeted by white supremacists.

​​​The narrative has two plot threads. Alternating stories chronicle a Chinese American family's move from Chinatown to a new neighborhood. This is juxtaposed with the tale of a superhero arriving to earth from another planet. ​Both threads explore the plight of individuals who are perceived as different. ​Both are stories of immigrants. Stories of aliens.
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Dr Lee, his children Tommy and Roberta, and mandarin-speaking wife move from Chinatown to a suburban Metropolis home. Tommy is excited. He is quickly invited to play with the local youth baseball team. Roberta is apprehensive. She wonders if she will fit it and make new friends.
Sadly some people do not welcome the Lee family. They are subjected to subtle and overt racism. One night Tommy and Roberta watch in horror when hooded Klansmen chant “One Race! One Color! One Religion!" and burn a cross in their neighborhood.
Baseball teammate Chuck takes part in this cross burning. His uncle is the Klan’s Grand Scorpion. Chuck is uneasy about the Klan’s activities, yet wants to please his uncle.
​Superman is having his own interior conflict. Readers follow a flashback when young Clark decides that his incredible powers are a stigma, making him different from others. He resolves to conceal his capabilities, hoping for acceptance among his peers. Years later Superman's parents from Krypton appear to their adult son and encourage him to accept and use all his remarkable strengths.
Things end well. After a frightening abduction, an injury, and a harrowing escape, the leaders of the Klan are exposed and their plans for destruction are foiled. Tommy invites Chuck to join in an upcoming ball game. Roberta will pitch! ​
The script is laced with clever dialog as well as tongue-in-cheek humor. While characters remain true-to-form, Yang fleshes out the Superman with a compelling backstory.  Dialog includes subtle hints at the attraction between Lois and Clark. Lois Lane becomes Roberta’s mentor. Smooth segues between the two story lines create a seamless narrative. 
Gurihiru's art has a distinctive 1940's vibe. Panel size and placement moves the story forward at a fast pace. Large two-page illustration spreads are background for panel inserts which advance the action. A dazzling two-page spread exposes the horror of cross burning. Color clearly differentiates between day and night scenes. Angled panels accentuate action sequences.
Readers will be pleased to know that there will be further adventures for Tommy, Roberta and Superman. Fans will relish the continuing saga of the hero who now proudly flies as he continues the fight for justice and a better future for all.
​The author’s note, "Superman and Me" provides context to Superman Smashes the Klan. Gene Luen Yang interweaves the development of the Superman mythos, a brief history of targeting Chinese Americans and other marginalized people, the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, and challenges faced by immigrants. The account is broad in its scope while also a deeply personal reflection on superheroes, bigotry, and the immigrant experience.
Copy purchased from an independent bookstore.
Pub date: May 12, 2020  Publisher: DC Comics  ISBN: 978-1779504210
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Real Life

6/9/2020

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In the Role of Brie Hutchens by Nicole Melleby

Every weekday morning for the past eight years Gabrielle Hutchins has buttoned up a white shirt, slipped on her plaid skirt and headed off to parochial school. ​Now things are changing. Gabrielle, known as Brie, has begun to seriously examine who she is and what she believes. She realizes that she may not be the person her mother expects her to be.
Her life is complicated. There’s a financial aspect. Her father lost his job and is now her school’s custodian, which is embarrassing. School tuition is a expensive. There’s the matter of religion. Mom is devoted to her faith. Brie doesn’t want to disappoint her mother but she questions the teachings of the church. Cozy afternoons Brie and her mother spent watching soap operas seem to be a thing of the past. Brie desperately seeks her mother’s attention and approval, so she resorts to lies. One lie results in a major family spectacle. School is a problem. Brie is not motivated by academic excellence and wants to leave private school and attend a school for the performing arts.
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​Then there’s the realization that she likes girls and one girl in particular is unsettling. She wonders how coming out will affect her family relationships, her school standing, and the reaction of the girl she is attracted to.
Brie struggles to accommodate the expectations of those in her immediate circle. Her interactions with friends, teachers, and family are often prickly. Sometimes those close to Brie let her down. At times she makes mistakes that seem impossible to rectify. Brie wonders: What does she believe? Can her parents love their gay daughter? Can she repair a damaged relationship?
The mother is sensitively portrayed as a woman dealing with the complexities of her life: faith, finances, and family relationships. Mom’s not perfect. But then Brie isn’t either. A major source of tension is the struggle for this mother and daughter to salvage the good parts from their past and construct an honest and supportive relationship built on mutual love and understanding.
The author uses an interesting device throughout the narrative thread. Brief synopses of actual soap operas are featured at the beginning of each chapter. They mirror the drama in Brie’s life. Now she is a performer rather than an audience member. This is life, real life.
In an interesting instance of life imitating art, I was parked off the road, waiting for a curbside delivery. The traffic whizzed by as I read the book’s final chapters. The intensity of Brie’s situation hit me with full force. Here I was insulated inside the bubble of the automobile while cars passed. I was emotionally wrecked. Tears streamed down my face as I began to understand Brie’s anguish. I hope that I never forget that feeling.
Melleby has created a glimpse into the soul of young gay. Meet a young girl with a developing acknowledgement and acceptance of her identity. Meet a daughter who wants to be valued and loved, to be "seen." In the Role of Brie Hutchens is a middle grade novel that will linger in readers' hearts long after the final page.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: June 30, 2020  Publisher:  Algonquin Young Readers   ISBN: 978-1616209070
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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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