Great Graphic Novel for Girls

Really strong graphic novels are always something that brings a smile to my face.  I am a huge fan of the genre and when they are executed well they can rival some of the best novels out there.  The quality continue to get better and better and today I have a lovely debut graphic novel author who has nailed it on her first offering out of the gate.

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Title: Roller Girl

Author: Victoria Jamieson

Target: Grade 5-7

Series: No

What this book is about: 
Twelve year old Astrid and her friend Nicole are trying to decide what to do over the summer before they start middle school.  Nicole loves ballet, but Astrid is dreaming of becoming a roller derby champion.  When Nicole choses ballet camp with Astrid’s arch enemy over roller derby camp, their friendship is seriously threatened.  Perhaps it is time for these two friends to move on and follow their own passions.

Why I love this book: 
I am always looking for strong graphic novels to recommend after kids have read Smile and Sisters.  This book perfectly fits the bill.  The graphics are clean and realistic, reminiscent of Raina Telgemeier.  The story is an honest look at friendship, hurt feelings and following the path that is right for you.

I enjoyed Astrid.  I liked that Roller Derby camp was hard and that she wanted to quit - welcome to the real world.  I liked that she didn’t always get the positions she wanted, despite working hard and that she had to deal with jealousy when her friend got a spot she was coveting.  These show kids that even in stories, characters can have happy endings by adjusting their expectations instead of expecting everything to go their way.  A lovely message that rings true.

Who this book is for: 
Great book for kids who enjoyed Smile and Sisters.

Final thoughts: 
I love that Astrid is a fierce strong girl to be reckoned with.

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: Roller Girl  A portion of each purchase will go to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Best New Easter Book

Well Easter is right around the corner, and what kind of blogger would I be if I didn't share my favorite holiday book with you.  Usually I revert back to an old classic, because let's face it, they have been around forever for a reason.  Who doesn't have a soft spot for The Golden Egg Book or Home for a Bunny, two Golden Book classics?

But their is a new guy in town - Easter Cat.  He gets the most serious of kids to giggle and even parents will appreciate his despair at finding out just how much work it takes to deliver eggs to kids on Easter morning.  Make room on your shelves for a new Easter classic!

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Title: Here Comes the Easter Cat

Author: Deborah Underwood

Target: Preschool - Grade 2

What this book is about: 
Cat is feeling a little put out.  I mean, what holiday has a cat for a mascot?  So cat decides he will be the Easter Cat and bring sweet treats to kids (after the narrator kindly suggests that hairballs might not be that well received.)  However, when he discovers that delivering all those treats is hard work, and that he can’t take seven naps a day, he decides that being a helper to the Easter Bunny, might be a better route to take.  But that hasn’t dissuaded him for coveting another famous job.  No I won’t tell … you have to read the book to find out.

Why I love this book: 
It is rare to find clever holiday books that aren’t sentimental, cutesy or sappy.  Thankfully this book is none of those and just plain intelligent fun.  The play between the narrator and the illustrations (because cats can’t talk after all) is brilliantly done.  Cat’s wordless expressions and visuals are spot on as the narrator interprets cat’s intent with just the right amount of hilarity and surprise.

Of course I love books with humor and this one doesn’t disappoint.  Cat is eager to please and is easily put out, which makes for fun turns as the job becomes quite different than he expected.  

Who this book is for: 
Why kids who like to laugh of course.

Final thoughts:
Too much feline fun!  A must have for the Easter book basket.

To purchase this book:
Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: Here Comes the Easter Cat  A portion of each purchase will go back to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Potential Award Winner

Today I am going to tease you a little bit.  The book I am profiling is not available until August, but I got an early copy from NetGalley and boy is it good.

The author, Rebecca Stead, is already a Newbery winner for When You Reach Me, and I wouldn't be surprised if this book is a contender for a shiny sticker next year.  I enjoyed it far more than her previous books.  Something about this one just spoke to me and the weaving of friendships and love interests was masterful.  We are filled with loving relationships of all types in our lives and examining their connections is incredibly powerful.

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Title: Goodbye Stranger

Author: Rebecca Stead

Target: Grades 6 and up

Series: No

What this book is about: 

Told from alternating perspectives, this book follows the 7th grade friendship of Bridge, Tab and Emily.  They are managing their friendship as boys enter the picture and their own interest levels are are distinctly different.  Can they like a boy and not be ready to “like” a boy.  Can they manage social media when everything they do can come back to haunt them. We also follow their friend Sherm as he figures out his relationship with his grandfather who just left his grandmother after a lifetime together and we follow an unnamed narrator as she tries to understand how her childhood friendships are unravelling.  She is struggling to create loving relationships when she doesn’t always do the right thing.  Somehow these three stories come together to create a book with love at the center.

Why I love this book: 

I have always enjoyed Rebecca Stead, but this book was my favorite so far.  As I was trying to summarize the book, I was amazed at how much she developed her themes and characters while the story felt effortless.  It really is an example of quiet simplicity with richly developed ideas about friendship and love.  

One of the issues the book deals with is texting questionable photos.  As Emily tries to figure out her relationship with a boy Patrick in a seventh grade world, it felt all too real.  Meanwhile, Bridge can’t imagine not spending time with Sherm, but doesn’t really feel ready to have a boyfriend, and Tab is completely under the spell of her new teacher who preaches to the girls that they are not objects.  I could see so much of girls this age in these characters.  

I could also relate to the unnamed character as she clings to friendships of the past that lead her to make unkind choices in the present.  These teens just want to be liked and how they manage that within their own levels of confidence was a timely reminder to me.

Who this book is for: 

I would put this book squarely in middle school, even if you have an advanced reader.  The issues are appropriate for sixth grade and up and are deftly handled, but for younger kids, they just aren’t emotionally there yet.  The book will also lean more towards girls.  We do get Sherm’s perspective, but I don’t think that is enough to bring the story home for most boys.

Final thoughts: 

In Rebecca Stead’s last three books, it feels as thought the story leads to a surprise reveal at the end.  Because of this structure, I found myself at times trying to guess the end instead of just enjoying the beauty of the book.  Most kids will not notice this, but for me, I would have liked to see a little bit different structure to the story.

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: Goodbye Stranger  A portion of each purchase will go back to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Cooking Up a Great Book for Kids

I picked this book up for my daughter's birthday.  She has always enjoyed cooking and it seemed like a promising start to a new series.  To my delight, she started the book the next day and finished it in record time. Turns out it is a lovely story about cooking, culture and friendship and we are both looking forward to the next installment!

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Title: The Saturday Cooking Club: Kitchen Chaos

Authors: Deborah Levine & JillEllyn Riley

Target: Grades 4-7

Series: This is the first book in a planned series

What this book is about: 
Best friends Liza and Frankie have to do a project for school on immigration.  They decide to look at how different foods came to America.  When a new girl is invited into their group, she throws off the flow of these two friends.  As they wrestle with this change, and the cooking class they are taking with their mothers, all sorts of family dynamics emerge! 

Why I love this book: 
First off I really enjoyed the plethora of cultures in this story.  Frankie comes from a large Italian family, Liza from African American heritage and Lillian’s parents are from China.  They all find that food ties their cultures together.

This is also a wonderful book if you have a foodie in your midst.  The girls enjoy cooking and are exposed to a variety of different dishes and their origins. It is also a lovely look at mothers and daughters and the strains and benefits of these relationships.  It isn’t always smooth sailing, but it is nice to have your mom in your corner! 

I appreciated how the authors tackled the issue of a third friend because I think this is something that girls grapple with and it was nice to see that it isn’t always easy, but it can be done!

Who this book is for: 
Girls who like to cook will enjoy this story as well as girls who enjoyed the Mother-Daughter Book Club Series.

Final thoughts: 
I am looking forward to next book these authors are cooking up!

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: Kitchen Chaos (The Saturday Cooking Club)  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Picture Book for Dog Lovers

Ok, I cannot tell a lie.  While the picture book I am profiling today is quite good, I might ... just might have been influenced by the fact that there is an adorable dog at the center of this story.  Now I usually do not succumb to the cuteness of our canine friends, but I just got a new puppy, so my doggy hormones are all in a tizzy and I see cute pups everywhere.

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You can scroll down to the bottom to see a photo of my latest family member.  We are besot!

Title:Extraordinary Jane

Author:Hannah E. Harrison

Target: Preschool - Grade 2

What this book is about: 
Jane is lovely little dog who comes from an extraordinary circus family.  Her mother is graceful on the back of a horse, her father can lift an elephant in the ring and her daring brothers relish being fired out of cannons.  Jane tries to find a talent, with sometimes disastrous results.  However, she is really good at being herself and being a loyal and devoted pet turns out to be the best thing of all. 

Why I love this book: 
First off the illustrations are fabulous!  You can feel Jane’s trepidation as she stands at the height of the trapeze.  You can sense the other animals displeasure when she rolls a balancing ball through their rehearsal and you can delight as the ringmaster realizes what a gem of a pet he has in Jane.  No words needed, the expressions on these darling animals say it all!

However there are words in this book and the message is lovely.  Being yourself is the greatest pleasure.  In an environment where we all want our kids to be the best, fastest and smartest it is nice to share this lesson. Of course the fact that Jane is the cutest dog you have ever seen helps things along!

Who this book is for: 
Any pet lover will thoroughly enjoy this story and illustrations.

Final thoughts: 
This book is just adorable.  Dare you not to smile while reading … double dog dare you!

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: Extraordinary Jane  A portion of each purchase will go back to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

A Kid's Book With Plenty of Action

I love a book with a good competition ... the race is on ... who will come out of top?  If your tween is a  fan of the Amazing Race, then this book will be right up their alley.  A little conniving, some crazy challenges and a contest that takes place around the globe are all the hallmarks of this new story.

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Title:Inherit Midnight

Author:Kate Myers

Target:Grades 5 and up

Series:No

What this book is about: 
Avery has always been the black sheep of the family.  Her mother is dead, her father is absent and so her domineering grandmother steps in to raise her.  But she is a VanDemere, and being from such a prominent family means high expectations are placed on her.  When her grandmother falls ill, the older woman devises a competition where her offspring will compete to win control of the company and the family assets.  Avery has never fit in, but suddenly she realizes that winning could mean a freedom she has never known.  The game is on, the competition is fierce, but she is ready to compete.

Why I love this book: 
This was a fun premise.  I am a big fan of books with games or competitions, it really adds to an action packed narrative, and this one didn’t disappoint.   While the outcome was fairly predictable, the puzzles were unique and I was caught up in seeing how everyone would approach the latest riddle. Think Amazing Race family style.

I liked Avery because she is of course scarred and emotionally fragile but she has guts and resilience.  I could have done with out the cheesy romance, but it is very innocent and for kids who like a cute boy and a fun crush, this story line will fit the bill.

Who this book is for: 
Fans of Aly Carter’s Heist Society books will enjoy this one, as well as girls who like Kiera Cass’ The Selection.

Final thoughts: 
I can’t say this book is award winning fiction, but I can say that is well written and it is an exciting ride.  I was completely caught up in the competition and yes I do watch Amazing Race.

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: Inherit Midnight  A portion of each purchase will go back to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid - What's Next?

Parents are always on the hunt for books that resemble Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  There are quite a few good contenders in this genre and today I am introducing you to Otis Dooda.  I liked him, but of course any kid that will take on the local Lego genius has got to be a contender in my book.

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Title: Otis Dooda:Downright Dangerous

Author: Ellen Potter

Target: Grades 2-5

Series:Yes

What this book is about: 
In this second book in the series, Otis is about to start at a new school.  He continues to get to know the residents of his apartment building, Tidwell Towers, manage his brother Gunther and put up with the dogs his mother insists on “training.”  In this story he will be involved with alien baby eggs, he will battle the greatest Lego genius that ever lived and  he will manage a rice pudding explosion - not very successfully. 

Why I love this book: 
I like Otis, which helps this book along considerably.  He has an absolutely silly group of friends, and by silly I mean quirky character who happily inhabit the extreme.  Potty humor is abundant, but it was done well so I have no complaints.

There is not a lot of story here, but simply following the antics of Otis and his group proves to be quite entertaining.

Who this book is for: 
With plenty of illustrations and large type, this will appeal to kids who like the Wimpy Kid Series.  It is also ideal for reluctant readers, although I imagine even voracious readers will enjoy the antics of Otis.  I have not read the first book, and that was not a problem so the books are not dependent on one another.

Final thoughts: 
It isn’t often I read a series that also has a soundtrack.  You can hear for yourself here!

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: Otis Dooda: Downright Dangerous (Otis Dooda Series)  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Serving Up a Delightful Picture Book

I love picture books that turn kid's expectations upsidown.  There is something so fun about shattering what kids think of as the logical next step and showing them that thinking outside the box can provide a myriad of different solutions.  Isn't that what helps fuel their creativity?

This week I have an engaging book by LeUyen Phan whose illustrations seem to be popping up everywhere.  Her work is whimsical and vibrant so I am so excited to see her branching out into writing her own stories.

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Title:A Piece of Cake

Author:LeUyen Phan

Target:Preschool - Kindergarten

What this book is about: 
Mouse is very excited that it is Little Bird’s birthday so he bakes him a cake.  Along the way to Little Bird’s house he runs into a plethora of farm animals who would like a piece of that cake and they are willing to trade their prized possessions to get some.  Chicken who is sitting on all her eggs trades mouse for a cork?  Squirrel, who is gather nuts, trades a wire and Cow, who is surrounded by milk, pulls out a flyswatter!  When Mouse arrives at Bird’s he has traded away all the cake and has no ingredients for another, but Bird has a plan!

Why I love this book: 
I just love books that turn the obvious around for kids.  With every interaction we expect one thing, but are surprised by another that ends up making perfect sense in the end.  Kids will love seeing how Bear, who is surrounded by bees who need swatting, gets more use out the cork.  Or how Squirrel who is gathering nuts seems the perfect candidate for the net … but no, the flyswatter is perfect.  Kids will delight in the unexpected turn of events.

The illustrations are bold and bright.  Kids who have enjoyed The Princess in Black series or Alvin Ho will quickly recognize her style.  I foresee lots more of Phan as her style is engaging and illustrations are both vivid and whimsical.

Who this book is for: 
Fun book for most kids who like to be surprised by the unexpected,

Final thoughts: 
Clever stuff.  Could Phan be our next Dan Santat?

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: A Piece of Cake  A portion of each purchase will go back to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Early Chapter Book for Kids

Nothing is better than the wisdom of the ancient masters to create a compelling early chapter book, wouldn't you say?  Well, probably not, but it's a good thing that John Himmelman doesn't listen to me and instead went out on a creative limb to create this funny, strong willed character, who can also kick some tushy!  Hello Bunjitsu Bunny!

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Title: Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny

Author: John Himmelman

Target:Grades 1-3

Series: No

What this book is about: 
Told in a series of short stories, this book follows a bunny, Isabel, who is a bunjitsu artist.  She can kick higher, hit harder and throw farther than anyone, but her goal is to find ways not to kick, hit or throw.  Her deft charm allows her to conquer obstacles as mundane as locked doors and as exciting as a boat full of pirates.  She uses her intelligence far more often than her brawn.

Why I love this book:
Well it is absolutely charming.  I think it was nice that Himmelman made our bunny a strong female character, because her gender is not relevant to the lessons in the stories, so why not have a kick butt girl!  The fun is of course trying to figure out how she will get out of difficult situations without resorting to muscles.

The lessons for kids about being a good friend, working hard and what winning means are well delivered in these appealing vignettes

Who this book is for:
Great for kids who are interested in martial arts, but also just an endearing book for kids who like clever, funny stories.  Pictures and limited text on every page make this book good for kids just starting chapter books.

Final thoughts: 
Isabel’s wisdom is not lost on parents as well.  Yes, even I am a work in progress!

To purchase this book:
Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny  A portion of each purchase will go to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

A Magical Book For Kids

For some reason I kept putting this book off.  There was nothing I didn't like about it, there was just nothing that drew me in.  So I used my daughter as a guinee pig, handed her the book and told her to tell me how it was.  She graciously accepted my challenge and then didn't put it down.  That is when I knew I had a winner!  She is really picky!

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Title: A Snicker of Magic

Author:Natalie Lloyd

Target:Grades 4-7

Series:No

What this book is about: 
Felicity Pickle has a wandering mother.  Felicity, her mother and sister are constantly moving from town to town in their van, the Pickled Jalapeño.  When they arrive at her mom’s home town, Midnight Gulch, Felicity knows there is something different about this place.  It used to have magic and in fact, Felicity has a snigger of magic in her.  She can collect words.  These words surround people and objects telling her a little bit about their mood and history.  Turns out the town has a history, a lot of folklore and more than a few people with a snigger of magic left in them.  The town also has a curse, and just maybe when they are all working together, they can break that curse and call this magical town home.

Why I love this book: 
This book is absolutely delightful.  Whether it is exploring the quirky characters and their little dollops of magic, or it’s inhabitants are eating the splendiferous ice cream in many less than conventional flavors, the book manages to deal with topics of loneliness, fitting in and carrying burdens with an unconventional sense of charm and whimsy.

Felicity is full of hope and her words help us understand everyone around her.  Her sidekick Jonah is a kid who just knows what people need and together they make a wonderful pair.  In fact I think I may need a Jonah of my own!

Who this book is for: 
This book is full of old fashion southern charm so if your child liked Three Times Lucky this is a good fit.  It also carries that lovely magical element so kids who enjoyed Savvy should also feel comfortable with this narrative.

Final thoughts: 
I had been putting this one off for no good reason until my picky daughter read it and declared it a winner.  No better recommendation I can give it.

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: A Snicker of Magic  A portion of each purchase will go back to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Stunning Picture Book

I often struggle with some picture books which seem better suited for adults than kids.  The artwork is sophisticated, the subject matter often appeals to grown ups and the text is not quite as simple as it needs to be to entice children.  I love these books on a personal level, but never recommend them because they won't get your kids to clamor for more books - which is always my goal.

This week I have a book that jumped out at me immediately, and not for it's kid friendly, universal appeal.  The artwork is graceful and I worried that it wouldn't have enough to delight kids.  I was wrong.  The humor at times is a little enlightened, but that only means the book can grow with your kids.  The connections were delightful and created a great interactive experience that you can share with your children.

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Title: Before After

Authors: Anne-Margot Ramstein & Matthias Aregul

Target: Preschool - Grade 3

What this book is about: 
In this wordless book parents and kids are treated to a beautiful look at the before and after of life.  We see that an acorn becomes a tree but we also see a cacao bean become a chocolate bar!  We see a bird whose feather becomes a quill and then turn the page and the quill becomes a typewriter.  In an ode to fairytales, a pumpkin becomes a coach and a light switch which is on becomes a dark page when it gets switched off.  This book is filled with clever connections and stunning illustrations.

What I love about this book:  
The illustrations alone make this book a winner for me, but add to that the absolutely ingenious cause and effect connections and you have a brilliant book.

A friend of mine said she thought at first glance that the book would intrigue adults more than kids.  But if my kids are any indication, and they are far from refined, then this book will be a hit with kids too.  My daughter loved getting the subtler connections - there is a fun tip of the hat moment to the three pigs, which delighted both of us.  

Who this book is for: 
This book will grow with kids as they begin to see more and more connections in the illustrations. 

Final thoughts: 
Sadly it does not answer but only expands on the age old question: which came first, the chicken or the egg?

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: Before After  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Really Good Historical Fiction

If you read my blog, you know I am a fan of historical fiction.  It is a wonderful opportunity to hear a compelling story and learn something about the events that shaped our present lives.  My kids are so exhilarated when they are in school and have a point of reference for what they are learning based on a story they read.  It enriches the school experience.  That is probably one of the best selling points for me to encourage children to read historical fiction.  Well that and the stories are just plain good.

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Title:The Great Trouble

Author:Deborah Hopkinson

Target:Grade 4-8

Series: No

What this book is about: 
A terrible cholera epidemic begins around the Broad Street well in London in 1854.  As a young orphan, Eel, sees his friends dying and he desperately wants to do something to help.  But what can a boy living off odd jobs and trolling the Thames do to help these people?  It turns out one of his employers, Dr. Snow has a theory that the well, and not the “infected air” are the cause of the problem.  But how do you convince a population who have heard the old wives tales of the dirty air be convinced that the source is a well that they depend on daily?  Well with scientific inquiry of course, and Eel is the only one with enough knowledge and trust of these residents to get the job done.

Why I love this book: 
First off this book is a wonderful blend of actual historical events and fictional characters that bring the story of this cholera epidemic to life.  Kids will be amazed that much of the medical knowledge we take for granted today was unheard of 150 years ago.

I think that Hopkins does a wonderful job of introducing kids to scientific research and how you isolate the causes of disease.  The book teaches this process while kids are caught up in an exciting mystery, and they never even realize what they are learning.

The story itself reminded me of a Dicken's tale as Eel himself is running from the bad guys, helping the doctor and dealing with the injustices of his station in life.  Of course the mystery and adventure in the book takes the lead, so kids will never feel they are being preached to, which I love.

Who this book is for: 
Great for kids who like historical fiction, who are interested in science and who like a good mystery.

Final thoughts: 
Love that the author includes photos and bios of the individuals in the book who are the basis for some of the characters.  Nice to keep the learning going.

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, the Blue Death, and a Boy Called Eel  A portion of each purchase will go back to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Funny Early Chapter Book

I love a really good early chapter book.  These books are able to engage newly emergent readers and get then excited about books.  This helps them on the road to becoming book lovers - a goal I have for all your kids.

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Title: The Chicken Squad

Author:Doreen Cronin

Target:Grades 1-3

Series: Yes

What this book is about: 
Dirt, Sugar, Poppy and Sweetie, four chickens living in the yard, get into trouble, lots of trouble.  Of course J. J. Tully the retired rescue dog, who also lives in the yard, gets them out of trouble … often.  In this first adventure the chicken squad is helping a squirrel who is absolutely TERRIFIED of an ENORMOUS object in the yard.  No job is too big or small for these chickens as they work to defeat this giant circular object which might be a UFO and it just might be after their mother … maybe?

Why I love this book: 
The deadpan humor is in full abundance in this series, to my utter delight.  Sometimes this type of humor can be lost on younger kids, but Cronin does a wonderful job of highlighting the obvious and ridiculous to the delight of even the youngest reader.  They will not fail to miss the absurd situations and reactions of this group of chickens.

Kevin Cornell, the illustrator, has been working with some of my favorite authors including Judith Viorst and Mac Barnett and there is a reason.  He perfectly captures the absurd and the sublime of these characters which simply adds to the fun of the text.

If I have one complaint it is simply that the text changes from third person to J. J. Tully which I think is a bit confusing in the middle of the story.  But it is a paltry complaint in the context of a laugh out loud, silly story.

Who this book is for: 
Good for kids who are starting chapter books.  Pictures are on almost every page with challenge words in context with pictures.

Final thoughts: 
Cronin’s first foray into early chapter books with the J. J. Tully Mysteries left me a little cold, but this new emphasis on the Chicken Squad works so well that the old series is now forgotten!

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure  A portion of each purchase goes back to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.