Category: Book Reviews

How Do You Spell Unfair? MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee

How Do You Spell Unfair? MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling BeeHow Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee by Carole Boston Weatherford, Frank Morrison
Published by Candlewick Press on April 11, 2023
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

It is 1936 and MacNolia Cox is a finalist in the National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC where she, and another girl from New Jersey, are the first African American students to compete in the contest. MacNolia Cox is a compelling character students will identify with. Concise, declarative sentences describe Cox’s experience coming from a strong and African American community in Akron, Ohio, where her accomplishments were celebrated. In segregated Maryland and Washington, DC,  Weatherford lets the facts speak for themselves, and the history feels present. Morrison’s illustrations show us a young woman that holds her head high in the face of systematic racism designed to weaken her resolve; his use of historic details remind us of the “when”. 

The front matter and back matter contain a select bibliography and epilogue that provide context and enrich the reader’s understanding. Weatherford doesn’t editorialize but the author’s voice comes through the words spelled out in the prose, and will lend an interactive element to a class read-aloud for younger students and as an opportunity to offer powerful context to  older students, around spelling bee time (January/February). If used as a read-aloud with older students, do include Weatherford’s electrifying foreword.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS Young School Librarian, Saco

five-stars

Fish and Worm

Fish and WormFish and Worm (I Can Read Comics Level 1) by Sergio Ruzzier
Published by HarperAlley on May 23, 2023
ISBN: 0063290359
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Early Reader, Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This I Can Read! Comics leveled reader brings new meaning to “playing with your food”.  In the usual mealtime struggle, Fish is told by his mother to eat his dinner, which Fish is disinclined to do. (He’d rather have cake.) After Mom leaves, a discussion with his dinner leads to fun and frivolity. Children will love the resolution. 

The simple vocabulary, hilarious plot and appealing art in Fish and Worm will delight new readers. This title is a great way to introduce younger readers to the concept of graphic novels. The language of comics (panels, word balloons, etc.) is introduced clearly and well in the front matter, in “Cartooning Basics”, which also includes a “How to Read Comics Guide”. Highly recommended for all libraries.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS Young School Library, Saco

five-stars

Soon, Your Hands

Soon, Your HandsSoon, Your Hands by Elizabeth Lilly, Jonathan Stutzman
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on 2023
ISBN: 0593427076
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Soon, Your Hands is a message from a wise caregiver (told in first person) who enumerates the many ways the child’s hands will discover new experiences and skills.  It is told in the present, with an eye to the future. The reader watches three young children, as each explores the world around them in this picture book by Jonathan Stutzman. 

As the story progresses, we learn much about each child’s family and interests through Lilly’s watercolor and ink illustrations, which contextualize the abstract concepts of the text: “Soon your hands will discover the world”, as Reyna waves to her father’s plane as it takes off. We do not learn the names of the children until nearly the end of the book, when they are depicted as adults in occupations, seen now as a progression from their childhood interests. 

A two-page American Sign Language Glossary in the back of the book illustrates and explains how to sign some of the ASL words Reyna uses with her family, which could prompt a rereading of the book. Children may evaluate the characters’ actions (baking a cake, using ALS, caring for a kitten, etc.) and say, “I could do that!” The gentle and rhythmic pace of the prose makes it a very good bedtime story nominee. Recommended for public library collections.

four-stars

Spark, Shine, Glow! What a Light Show!

Spark, Shine, Glow! What a Light Show!Spark, Shine, Glow!: What a Light Show by James Yang, Lola M. Schaefer
Published by Greenwillow Books on May 23, 2023
ISBN: 006245711X
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This informational picture book does an impressive job of explaining what light is, and how different aspects of light and its function are a part of our everyday lives. Schaefer uses broad strokes to explain light, and impressively, does it all in rhyme. The endpages show simple line drawings of different kinds of light, natural and artificial. A glossary in the back explains some of the concepts used in the book more fully. The well-paced text and dynamic illustrations offer the just-right level of explanation to science for younger audiences. Readers a little older may find the book leaves many questions about light unanswered. 

This could be an excellent introductory text for a unit on light for K-2 classrooms. Recommended for school libraries and public libraries looking for STEM books for young scientists.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS Young School Librarian, Saco

five-stars

Gloria’s Promise: A Ballet Dancer’s First Step

Gloria’s Promise: A Ballet Dancer’s First StepGloria's Promise: A Ballet Dancer's First Step by Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman, Robin Preiss Glasser
on March 21, 2023
ISBN: 059318100X
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Young ballet dancers looking for a story that reinforces their dreams of breathing in the rarefied air of the American Ballet Theatre will enjoy this book. The reader follows Gloria who is auditioning for the summer program of the ABT school. The “promise” of the title is defined as talent by one of the ballet teachers, who states that all the auditioners have talent. Gloria hopes that she possesses enough of the other qualities necessary to gain a spot in the program: persistence, practice, and determination. 

The illustrations are charming and pretty, showing Gloria and the other dancers in lively, dynamic action. Gloria appears to be white with a diverse cast of fellow dancers. Readers will appreciate Gloria’s determination and immersion in the world of ballet, and root for the (promised) happy ending. A solid story and a solid marketing tool for the American Ballet Theatre.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS Young School Library, Saco ME

four-stars

Little Daymond Learns to Earn

Little Daymond Learns to EarnLittle Daymond Learns to Earn by Daymond John, Nicole Miles
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on 2023
ISBN: 0593567277
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Daymond John of Shark Tank fame has written a children’s picture book about entrepreneurship and financial literacy.The protagonist of the story, Little Daymond, doesn’t have enough pocket money to purchase a desired poster of a pop star at a street fair. With advice from his mother about earning more money (“Think about what you’re good at and how you can use that to solve a problem!”) and with help from his friends, Little Daymond comes up with a solution that enables him to earn the money for the poster. 

The illustrations are engaging, showing Little Daymond and his diverse group of friends having fun as they work together to solve the money problem. Most numerical sentences are illustrated in a way that makes the math accessible to younger readers. (If Little Daymond only has four dollars, he is shown with four one-dollar bills in his hand.) 

The back matter includes “Little Daymond’s Guide to Money” with a simplified five-step checklist for starting one’s own business  and “What is Money”, showing readers how they can use their money. In addition, there is a URL for education games and activities around financial literacy.

You are never too young to learn about how money works. Children can always use helpful books asking questions about earning money and what that money can buy, in (mostly) realistic situations.Sometimes the writing feels clumsy but the language and vocabulary is age appropriate to teach readers ages 4-8 about aspects of financial literacy. Recommended for collections where financial literacy picture books are desirable.

four-stars

My Name is Henry Bibb: A Story of Slavery and Freedom

My Name is Henry Bibb: A Story of Slavery and FreedomMy Name Is Henry Bibb: A Story of Slavery and Freedom (-) by Afua Cooper
Published by Kids Can Press on September 1, 2009
ISBN: 1525310852
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

My Name is Henry Bibb: A Story of Slavery and Freedom is a fictional first-person account of historic figure, Henry Bibb, born into slavery in 1814. Henry grows up to become a famous autobiographer and orator, escaping to freedom in Canada, and founding its first Black newspaper. Cooper tells the story of Henry’s life as an enslaved child. 

In a time when some states’ curriculum standards state that Blacks “benefited” from slavery, we are reminded of all that Henry endures and suffers as an enslaved person. The writing is compelling and Henry is a powerful character. This book would have benefitted from a timeline, as well as an author’s note explaining where she gathered her facts for this book.

Recommended for library collections looking for middle-grade appropriate historical fiction to discuss the reality of enslavement in American history.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS Young School, Saco

four-stars

My Name is Phillis Wheatley: A Story of Slavery and Freedom

My Name is Phillis Wheatley: A Story of Slavery and FreedomMy Name Is Phillis Wheatley: A Story of Slavery and Freedom (-) by Afua Cooper
Published by Kids Can Press on September 1, 2009
ISBN: 1525310860
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

My Name is Phillis Wheatley: A Story of Slavery and Freedom is a fictional first-person account of historic figure, Penda Wame, renamed by her enslavers. Wame, a Senegalese child learning to become a griot (poet and storyteller in oral tradition), is stolen from her village and placed on a slave ship where most of her fellow villagers die on the harrowing journey. When the ship lands in Boston, she is enslaved by a merchant family that educates her (though not any of the other enslaved peoples). She is exceptionally bright, and absorbs lessons in English, Ancient Greek, rhetoric, etc. They discover her talent as a poet and publish her work. She gains renown and fame even as some discredit her, in the belief that an enslaved person could not create the poetry she writes. This obstacle does not prevent her from writing poetry that brings her international recognition and an audience with the queen of England.

In a time when some states’ curriculum standards state that Blacks “benefited” from slavery, we are reminded of all that Phillis (Penda) lost and what was taken from her as a person and as an artist. The writing is compelling and Phillis is a powerful character. This book would have benefitted from a timeline, as well as an author’s note explaining where she gathered her facts for this book.

Recommended for library collections looking for middle-grade appropriate historical fiction to discuss the reality of enslavement in American history.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS
Young School Library, Saco ME

four-stars

When Clouds Touch Us

When Clouds Touch UsWhen Clouds Touch Us by Thanhha Lai
Published by Harper on May 9, 2023
ISBN: 0063047004
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This sequel to Newbery Honor Inside Out & Back Again continues the story of Hà and her family as they struggle with life as refugees from Vietnam.  Hà is just getting comfortable in Alabama when her mom moves their family to Texas for better opportunities, hoping to be able to save enough money for a down payment on a home.  Once again, Hà struggles to make friends and fit in at her new school.  She also misses her mom who works a lot and her father who was captured years before during the Vietnam War. This middle grade novel is written in verse.  The sparse yet rhythmic language captures the strong thoughts and emotions of the characters. This story of hope, resilience, and family is a pretty quick read, but it does leave the reader with a lot to think about.  Readers who enjoyed the first book will no doubt enjoy this well written sequel.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Cinderella and a Mouse Called Fred

Cinderella and a Mouse Called FredCinderella and a Mouse Called Fred by Deborah Hopkinson, Paul O. Zelinsky
Published by Anne Schwartz Books on 08/15/2023
ISBN: 0593480031
Pages: 1
Genres: Fairy Tale
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This fun new version of Cinderella is told by Fred, a mouse Ella befriended one day when she was gardening. This story loosely follows the original fairytale until the ball where Ella absolutely does not fall in love with the prince. Her glass slippers hurt her feet so badly she throws them at a lamppost and the prince does not discover her when he visits the home of her stepsisters. The ending takes another surprising twist when Ella does fall in love- with a fellow female gardener who she beat in a pumpkin growing contest. It is a fairytale ending and the backmatter even includes information about the fairytale pumpkin. Children will enjoy the humor found in the text and in the illustrations, especially in the facial expressions of the characters. This would be a great addition to the fairytale section of any library.

four-stars