We Could Be Heroes by Margaret Finnegan - OPTIONAL

We Could Be Heroes by Margaret Finnegan, 240 pages. Atheneum (Simon), 2020. $18

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Because he deals with autism, Hank, 9yo, knows that most people don’t understand him.  It doesn’t help when he steals and sets on fire the novel about the Holocaust  that his teacher is currently reading to his class. But Maisie, a girl in his class is suddenly interested in Hank and seems to be his friend.  Maisie wants Hank’s help to care for a dog owned by her elderly neighbor – a dog Maisie believes is being abused. Hank is not so sure, but goes along with Maisie – even lying to his parents for the first time. But is Maisie really Hank’s friend.  That’s an important question for Hank to decide.

I was really angry at Maisie and how much she manipulates Hank. And a bit angry at some of the parents around for insisting that the dog belonged to the neighbor and that he could do what he wants. The cahracters are very yound and I’m just not sure that students that age will be drawn to this.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Don’t Worry, Bee Happy by Ross Burach - ESSENTIAL

Don’t Worry, Bee Happy (Bumble and Bee) by Ross Burach. PICTURE BOOK/GRAPHIC NOVEL. Acorn (Scholastic), 2019. $24. 9781338504941

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Three friends, a frog and two bees, are depicted in this graphic novel in three seperate vignettes. Each story has a funny element to it and the frog is usually part of the punchline because of his grumpy attitude. In the first story the bees are trying to take a picture with the frog and end up flying upside down so it looks like the frogs frown in a smile. 

This is an excellent book for brand new readers. It has simple words, but the graphic novel is very engaging with the potential to sustain a young reader’s attention. The humor is accessible without being overly reductive.    

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Catch the Munchies by David Fremont - OPTIONAL

Catch the Munchies (Carlton Crumple Creature Catcher #1) by David Fremont, 128 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Pixel and Ink Books, 2020. $13

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Carlton is a young kid who believes everything and falls prey to his brother who torments him by dressing as monsters. Instead of running, like he usually does, Carlton decides to train to be able to fight these monsters. This training comes in handy when the munchies are woken up from the bottom of the ocean after someone throws food into the water. 

This story is silly at best. It is hard to identify with the characters - they are all goofy and flat. The pacing of the story is abrupt with some minor parts lasting several pages and other major plot points taking a single page.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Ani’s Light by Tanu Shree Singh - ADVISABLE

Ani’s Light by Tanu Shree Singh, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat. PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press (American Psychological Association), 2019. $15. 9781433832772

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

While the world is bright and cheery, a dark cloud hangs over Ani. He moves around sad and unconsolable until his mom returns. When she returns she doesn’t have any hair but Ani is simply glad to have his mom home.

The illustrations in this book are bright and energetic. I imagine this would be such a good experience for a child who is experiencing sickness in their own house - to see a world that keeps moving about when everything feels like it should be stopped in mourning. I did struggle with the name of the main character, not knowing quite how to pronounce it. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Tinker Active: English 2nd Grade - OPTIONAL

Tinker Active: English 2nd Grade. WORKBOOK. Odd Dot (Macmillan), $13. 9781250318671

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

I’m not sure what need there is for workbooks in the school library situation, but this one has a lot of good variety. It covers a wide range of language arts skills, from the smallest structure to the biggest. It starts with word formation and ends with essay writing. 

There are a lot of great colors and stickers in the book. The part that lost me was that after every section there is a tinker activity that requires a lot of supplies and preparation. I didn’t have anything on hand to complete any of the activities, making the simplicity of a workbook, that is so appealing, moot.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

It’s a Great Big Colorful World by Tom Schamp - OPTIONAL

It’s a Great Big Colorful World by Tom Schamp. PICTURE BOOK. Prestel (Random House), 2020. $20. 9783791374246

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The large format book was originally published in Dutch and takes the reader on a tour of colors, starting with gray. There are four pages dedicated to each color and there are some clues that suggest the two spreads move from one part of the world to another. 

I love the color energy of this book but I had a hard time reading it. Some of the labels are a larger size from the others, making it confusing as to whether those continue a storyline. I also had a hard time seeing the continent divides in the pages even though many of the labels suggest that movement is happening.    

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots by Michael Rex - ADVISABLE

Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots by Michael Rex. PICTURE BOOK. Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin Random House), 2020. $18. 9781984816269

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

With a lot of very explicit teaching and questions directed at the reader, the narrator explains the difference between fact and opinion. Using robots for examples, the narrator shows examples of facts and opinions and then asks the reader to try to figure it out. 

If a reader doesn’t already know this information, this would be a great introduction to the subject, otherwise it is a little boring. I didn’t love that the answers to the questions the narrator poses are on the same page, so you can’t really test the young reader’s comprehension.   

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

In a Jar by Deborah Marcero - ESSENTIAL

In a Jar by Deborah Marcero. PICTURE BOOK. G.P Putnam’s Sons (Penguin Random House), 2020. $18. 9780525514596

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Collecting jars of treasures from his time in nature was Llewellyn’s favorite activity and when he bumps into Evelyn on a pier during his collecting, they gather the golden sunset reflected in the water into jars together. When Evelyn moves away they send jars to each other full of sounds and sights from their corner of the world. 

This is a beautiful book with a gentle charm. The illustrated rabbits are cute, but the charm is in the things they collect: the wonders of winter and the newness of spring. Amidst the beauty is also the message about the possibility of connection even when we are far from the people we love. A timely message, given the times. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Dot Unplugged by Randi Zuckerberg - ADVISABLE

Dot Unplugged by Randi Zuckerberg. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Entertainment, 2020. $17. 9781536209839

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Scratch, the family dog, wants to play with someone but everyone is busy with their electronics. When the power goes out, the family bans together and plays an old family game that involves charades and other clue giving elements. 

I really liked the mid century modern style of the book and it has an appropriate message about fun existing out of electronics that can sometimes disconnect us. I thought the very specific game it took to have fun was a little narrow and even cheesy.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

A Picture Book of Alexander Hamilton by David A. Adler - OPTIONAL

A Picture Book of Alexander Hamilton by David A. Adler, illustrated by Matt Collins. PICTURE BOOK/NONFICTION. Holiday House, 2019. $18. 9780823439614

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A lot happened in Alexander Hamilton’s relatively short life and this book covers most of the important moments, spending the most time on his early life. Each spread has a detailed illustration that illuminates some of the details of his life discussed in the reading.

With the Broadway musical, a lot of students are interested in the history of Hamilton and this provides some details that will help them understand the play. The storytelling is a little dry with a formal tone that is very matter of fact. This may appeal to some, but will leave others bored.   

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Malo and the Merry-Go-Round by Maria Dek - ADVISABLE

Malo and the Merry-Go-Round by Maria Dek. PICTURE BOOK. Princeton Architectural Press, 2020. $18. 9781616898755

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Two animal best friends are supposed to make pickles together but one of them, Malo, decides to play instead of helping and heads off into the forest to find a merry-go-round. Along the way he refuses to help several animals who need him and when he does reach the playground, he realizes he isn’t very happy. 

The aesthetic of the book is very scandinavian and the matte style is gorgeous. The message about helping others and keeping commitments in order to feel a sense of happiness and satisfaction is a great lesson. I do think the story fell flat in many ways and was hard to fully engage with.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Who Wants to Be a Pirate? What It Was Really Like In the Golden Age of Piracy by Bridget Heos - ADVISABLE

Who Wants to Be a Pirate? What It Was Really Like In the Golden Age of Piracy by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Daniel Duncan. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt and Company (Macmillan), 2019. $18. 9780805097702

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The narrator is a pirate who speaks directly to the reader, suggesting that there is a big difference between storybook pirates and pirates in his day. He starts with comparing the scariness of a storybook pirate ship to the true state of a pirate ship, which is usually smelly from the animals that are on the ship. 

This could open up a great discussion beyond just pirates, talking about the discrepancies between how the media portrays things and how things truly are. But for those who do love pirates, this book will be a hit.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Everyone Counts by Judy Sierra - ESSENTIAL

Everyone Counts by Judy Sierra, illustrated by Marc Brown. PICTURE BOOK. Alfred A. Knopf (Penguin Random House), 2019. $18. 9780525646204

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

With rhyming text, this is a number book about animals determined to build a zoo where there was an empty lot before. Two rhinos make it hard for the bugs to join in too and when the rhinos block other animals from enjoying the final product, those same bugs step in and irritate the rhinos until they allow everyone to join. 

This book is a lot of fun to read aloud and flows perfectly with rhythm and rhyme. The illustrations are pastel and lean toward the younger set. The book also includes a great (punny) message about including everyone.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

The Bear in My Family by Maya Tatsukawa - ADVISABLE

The Bear in My Family by Maya Tatsukawa. PICTURE BOOK. Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House), 2020. $18. 9780525555827

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A boy explains that he lives with a bear. He shows us the door behind which the bear lives, so the reader begins to suspect that the bear is going to be a person. We learn that the bear is grouchy but can also be protective and helpful sometimes. In the end, we learn it is the narrator's big sister. 

The illustrations in this sibling story are minimalistic and cute. A lot of siblings will love the comparison of an older sibling to a bear and also see themselves in the bear role. This book is not showy but it lands very well.   

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

The Power of One: Every Act of Kindness Counts by Trudy Ludwig - OPTIONAL

The Power of One: Every Act of Kindness Counts by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Mike Curato. PICTURE BOOK. Alfred A. Knopf (Penguin Random House), 2020. $18. 9781524771584

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

When someone is down, small acts of kindness turn into a neighborhood feast. It starts with a kind word and a planted seed and turns from that into a harvest that is cooked and served, joining others at a table in the shape of one.  

I really want to love a book whose entire message is that one person can make a difference, but nothing about this book came together for me. I didn’t feel engaged or moved while reading it and it was always unclear how planting a seed was an act of kindness originally to the girl who was sad.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

All Aboard The Moonlight Train by Kristyn Crow - OPTIONAL

All Aboard The Moonlight Train by Kristyn Crow, illustrated by Annie Won. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House), 2020. $18. 9780525645436

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

When you are having a hard time falling asleep you can join those on The Moonlight Train.  There are friendly wild animals aboard and exotic destinations and when you finally fall asleep the train will drop you back off at your door. 

Dreamlike in their vividness, the illustrations are very captivating. I found the experience of reading it aloud a little bit clunky given that on each page the lines all rhyme with each other except the last line, which is the same line throughout the book, about climbing aboard the train. This could read like poetry, but I thought it stalled the flow.    

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher