Human Town by Alan Durant, illustrated by Anna Doherty - OPTIONAL

Human Town by Alan Durant, illustrated by Anna Doherty. PICTURE BOOK. Tiny Owl Publishing, JUNE 2022. $17. 9781910328842

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

An Elephant family decides to go on a picnic and day-trip to Human Town. Human Town is not as fun as it used to be because there are not very many humans left to watch. The elephant family sees behaviors of humans in Human Town that are causing human extinction.

Durant was clever in reversing the roles and having animals go for an outing to watch humans the way humans go to a zoo to watch animals. I was disappointed when this book felt more like a lecture than an enjoyable story. The book teaches that humans will go extinct because of their behaviors. Children might be frightened by this statement, and only adults will catch the irony that it is the animals that are currently going extinct although humans definitely can work on their behaviors. I don’t feel that everything said in this book rings true, and It left me feeling depressed. 

Reviewer: PGPowers 

A Brave Cat by Marianna Coppo - HIGH

A Brave Cat by Marianna Coppo. PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2022. $18. 9781797204420

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Olivia is a very brave and adventurous cat in the safety of her home - doing funny things that normal cats do. Then one day, she falls out the window. Can Olivia become a brave and adventurous cat in the great outdoors? Will Olivia make it home safe?

So enjoyable from start to finish! Coppo cleverly uses hyperbole to tell the story so that simple cat behavior is made to sound brave and fantastic. She is also the illustrator and is able to make the pictures dance with more information than just the words. The illustrations are graphically and beautifully simple and easy to follow. Small children as well as adults will enjoy this book. 

Reviewer: PGPowers 

Zahra's Blessing :A Ramadan Story by Shirin Shamsi and Manal Mirza - ADVISABLE

Zahra's Blessing :A Ramadan Story by Shirin Shamsi, illustrated by Manal Mirza. PICTURE BOOK. Barefoot Books, 2022. $18 9781646864935 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Zahara’s Muslim family is celebrating the month of Ramadan. While Zahara and her mother are packing up clothing to give to a shelter, she loses her favorite teddy bear. During this wonderful month of blessings, she wishes a prayer to find her teddy bear and have a sister. Zahara enjoys going to the shelter full of displaced people. She becomes friends with a younger girl named Haleema who has lost her home and family. Zahara wishes that she had her lost teddy bear to give to Haleema. On Eid Al-Fitr, the last day of Ramadan, Zahara gets a wonderful surprise!

Shamsi and Mirza have created a wonderful way to teach children about Ramadan and also teach that other people may have a different belief than themselves, but we all have many of the same hopes and dreams. It also teaches children how important it is to serve others. This book is amplified by beautiful artwork and middle eastern motifs that work well with the endearing story.

Reviewer: PGPowers 

Kookaburra by Claire Saxby and Tannya Harricks - OPTIONAL

Kookaburra by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Tannya Harricks. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2020. $18. 9781536215199

 BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

A Laughing Kookaburra family works together to survive in Australia. The Father and Mother Kookaburra look for a new nesting site to start the mating season. While the female Kookaburra sits on the eggs, the whole family works to feed her and protect their territory.

The storyline of Kookaburra is mostly informational. There are separate tidbits of information about the Kookaburra on each page that are very interesting. We do learn a lot. While the illustrations are very artistic and create the feel of a wild Australia, they are quite messy, and the reader must concentrate to see what is taking place. The impressionistic style is too abstract for me to enjoy the book. 

 Reviewer: PGPowers 

Sort of Super by Eric Gapstur - HIGH

Sort of Super by Eric Gapstur, 234 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Aladdin (Simon), 2022. $21. 9781534480292 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG (mother leaving); Violence: PG (bullying, superhero fighting) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Middle school superhero Wyatt wants to help people, but his dad wants him to hide his superpowers. Younger sister, Adeline, who is super smart, has just moved up 2 grades to start in Wyatt’s class, which is lucky, because while Wyatt is a great executor, she is a great planner. Together, Wyatt and A+ (Adeline’s superhero name) solve a mystery of missing animals that their father, a police detective, has been trying to solve for weeks. 

 The colorful illustrations sold me on this book. I found the beginning a little confusing as to whether Wyatt was actually a superhero or just a kid with a great imagination, but to my 12 year old son, it was clear that Wyatt had superpowers. He loved the suspense, action, and overall the entire story. This debut graphic novel for this author had the feel of a Marvel superheroes graphic novel, but with younger teens. Overall, a book that I think many middle grade students would enjoy. 

Reviewer J. Rosskopf 

The Lost Language by Claudia Mills - AVERAGE

The Lost Language by Claudia Mills. 304 pages. Holiday House, 2021. $17

 Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG (alcoholism, attempted suicide); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - AVERAGE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

In Benson Colorado, 11yo Betsy (Elizabeth) and her very outspoken best friend Lizard (also Elizabeth) try to save the dying language Guernesiais (the native language of people from the British Isle of Guernsey) as a surprise for Betsy’s mom who is a linguist who studies dying languages. Through their journey of trying to learn the lost language and help other 7th graders learn the language, they discover the need to use their own language (English) to express their own feelings to save friendships and family relationships. 

The book was written in verse. It was a very effective way of presenting the story as it allowed for the main characters thoughts to be expressed in an organized and poignant fashion. So many aspects of their families, friendships, and their middle school experience were relatable. The reader cheers for Betsy when she says what she feels. There is excellent catharsis, especially at the end. The Lost Language would be great for a poetry unit or a psychology class. School councilors could also use this book. 

Reviewer: Julia N. 

Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend by Katie Zhao - HIGH

Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend by Katie Zhao, 288 pages. Random House Children’s Books, 2022. $17. 

Language: PG (3 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

11yo Winnie Zeng is facing her biggest challenge yet: middle school! But no amount of research into middle school survival tactics could have prepared her for a sixth grade year like this one. Entirely by accident, Winnie discovers that she has inherited special powers that she has to embrace and learn to use quickly, or there’s no telling what amount of havoc and chaos the legendary evil spirits might wreak! 

Winnie is an instantly likable, relatable pre-teen girl. She loves manga and anime, she wants to please her parents and teachers, she has an ongoing competition with her arch nemesis (who always seems to best her), she deals with an angsty older sister and has to tolerate a mean clique of girls, all while trying to figure out how to navigate middle school and hold on to her Chinese culture (but not stand out because of it). Her story is action-packed, humor-filled, and gives the reader a glimpse into Chinese legends, history and culture. Some of the timeline felt a little rushed and confusing, but overall it was a fun read that grabbed my attention right away and I suspect students who are fans of Percy Jackson and Rick Riordan Presents books will enjoy it, too. Supernatural elements, some battle scenes and slightly frightening situations, plus a bit of mild language give this book a PG rating. 

Reviewer: Angie Campbell, EL Librarian 

Fred & Marjorie: ...the Discovery of Insulin by Deborah Kerbel and Angela Poon - ADVISABLE

Fred & Marjorie: A Doctor, A Dog, and the Discovery of Insulin by Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Angela Poon. 54 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL, NON-FICTION. Owlkids Books, 2021. $19. ISBN 9781771474115 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG (animal testing, diabetes); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

It’s fall of 1920. Fred Banting, a young surgeon and animal lover, who recently finished up his residency at Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, comes up with a great idea for how to treat juvenile diabetes, which up to this point is a deadly disease. Fred and student assistant, Charles Best, are given a small lab at the University of Toronto to test their theory on stray dogs. Marjorie, one of the strays, plays an essential part, as she is the dog who lives the longest without a pancreas, leading to the belief that insulin is indeed a life saving treatment for diabetes. 

 This heartwarming story about how insulin was discovered as a treatment for diabetes was such a cute read. The illustrations are simple and realistic looking. There is not too much going on on each page, which I think makes a good graphic novel. The spine, which only shows Fred & Marjorie, is not going to sell this book on its own, but anyone with a connection to diabetes will surely love this story, as well as those interested in the sciences and discovery of cures. Animal lovers should be aware. The dogs are heroes, but they do die. At the end of the story is included an author’s note that gives both a history of diabetes, but also describes the ethical dilemma of animal testing. 

Reviewer: J. Rosskopf

You Are Here by Zach Manbeck - ADVISABLE

You Are Here by Zach Manbeck. PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2022. $18. 9781797210100.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Directed at the reader, this book encourages us to begin our journeys and have adventures and also honor exactly where we are right now. The illustrations are primarily yellows and green with a chalk-like texture. 

A mini-motivational picture book is right up my alley. I love a little pep talk when I read. This was really short, maybe too short, but probably just the right dose of encouragement for our youngest readers.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Pantemonium! by Peter Bently - OPTIONAL

Pantemonium! by Peter Bently, illustrated by Becka Moor. PICTURE BOOK. Andersen Press USA, 2022. $18. 9781728449739.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Walking out the door to go fishing, Fred’s fishing line hooks a pair of underpants from his clothesline and, since Fred is a giant, chaos ensues. His underpants scoop up everything on his path and he arrives at the shore with firemen and a bakery and even a train caught in his undies.  

If you are teaching synonyms, this might be the book for you. All the different ways to say underwear could possibly be just what your class needs to feel engaged. I just found all the holes in the plot a bit distracting and had to keep reminding myself Fred was a giant in a normal-sized village, a point that never really got set up. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

 

Bailey & Blanket by Emily House - OPTIONAL

Bailey & Blanket by Emily House. PICTURE BOOK. Blue Dot, 2022. $18. 9781737603221.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Bailey is devastated when her blanket, a blanket that has taken him on countless adventures, is shredded by a dog at the park. Through tears, Bailey falls asleep that night and his dad spends the night transforming the blanket into a new form able to continue providing adventure.  

I was interested to see what Bailey’s dad would produce and I appreciated the engagement of the parents in this book, but I also felt like such intense commitment to sewing all night might make most readers, who have likely lost a comfort item to the wears of time, feel less loved. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

 

Everything Will Be OK by Anna Dewdney - ADVISABLE

Everything Will Be OK by Anna Dewdney, illustrated by Judy Schachner. PICTURE BOOK. Viking (Penguin Random House), 2022. $19. 9780593206638.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

In the illustrations, a little rabbit faces the normal troubles of growing up, but the text of the book is directed at the reader. Every stumble and fear turns out alright in this sweetly illustrated book.  

This is a very soothing book to read aloud. The rhythm is sing-songy and the message is comforting. It does several times tell the reader to turn to their “mom and dad,” which feels a bit presumptive. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

The Journey by Francesca Sanna - OPTIONAL

The Journey by Francesca Sanna. PICTURE BOOK. Flying Eye Books, 2016. $18

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

When a crisis occurs and people are forced to flee their homes, the miles they travel and the unfamiliar circumstances they face are strange and frightening. As a mother and her children set out on their own journey, they will encounter unfamiliar and scary situations that will test their limits.

Gorgeous illustrations and an incredibly timely subject are undermined by a mediocre narrative. The book would have greatly benefitted from an author who could communicate the experience in a way to invoke stronger emotions and empathy from the reader.

Reviewer: AEB

Acorn was a Little Wild by Jen Arena - ESSENTIAL

Acorn was a Little Wild by Jen Arena, illustrated by Jessica Gibson. PICTURE BOOK. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2022. $18. 9781534483156.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Not inclined to stay stuck on a tree, Acorn was determined to explore. Once on the move, adventures, some full of risk, felt good to Acorn who always felt just a little bit wild. Even buried in a squirrel's hole, Acorn felt happy as worms moved around him and he started to grow.  

I am delighted by the use of the word “wild” in this book. It is clever and cute and the pun is accessible to young readers. The illustrations have a throwback feel to Little Golden publications.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

 

Negative Cat by Sophie Blackall - OPTIONAL

Negative Cat by Sophie Blackall. PICTURE BOOK. Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin Random House), 2021. $18. 9780399257193

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Told from the perspective of a young boy who desperately wants a cat, this book follows him through the convincing of his parents and the purchasing of a cat from a shelter. Only the story doesn’t end there, the cat turns out to be a grump and is almost kicked out until the young boy discovers the cat loves to read with him.

I was disappointed to find that I didn’t feel any real connection to the characters or the cat. I thought, based on the title, that this book would have some message about emotions, but that wasn’t the case at all. The very end of the book did reveal that a whole class of kids started going to the shelter to read to cats and thus practice their reading, making this book applicable if your school has an animal that visits to read with the students.   

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Elephant Island by Leo Timmers - OPTIONAL

 Elephant Island by Leo Timmers. PICTURE BOOK. Gecko Press, 2022. 9781776574346.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Arnold, a seafaring elephant, finds himself in trouble when his boat sinks. He navigates himself to a small island, just big enough to stand on, and when other seafaring animals pass by they try to help, only to end up stranded with him. They build onto the island with their wrecked boats and soon captains navigate to this island on purpose and for fun. 

The charm of this book is in the playful yet structured illustrations. They look a bit like someone fingerpainted them and they use empty space in an engaging way. The story itself was a bit flat, with micro-moments of humor, but not enough interest to keep it truly engaging.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher