Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: Lu by Jason Reynolds

Lu by Jason Reynolds. Unabridged  e-audiobook. Read by Guy Lockard. Simon & Schuster Audio, 2018. 9781508246176. Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library. Own hard cover copy.)

Reynolds' Track series comes to a close with Lu, the last of the newbies of Coach's elite track team. Lu is co-captain of the Defenders but seems to be losing a bit of his swagger and gold chains and diamond earrings aren't helping. He's struggling with his event, hurdling, irked that the team co-captain doesn't respect him, and wonders about Ghost's involvement with a boy who bullied Lu relentlessly. On top of that, his parents share the news that a new baby is coming. It's hard to stay focused on leading the Defenders to victory in the championships with all that going on. Reynolds packs a lot of heart into each of these short, readable books. While I didn't want the series to end, the conclusion was satisfying.

Guy Lockard cemented his place as a fave narrator of mine with his performance of Ghost. Patina was performed beautifully by Heather Alicia Simms. I was mildly surprised to find that Lockard was the narrator of Sunny, as each book is written in the first person. The rhythm of Sunny was different and it worked. Besides, it's worth it to hear Lockard's voice for coach. While it still worked here in Lu, I can't help thinking that three different narrators might have been a better choice. Lockard's voices for each narrator didn't seem all that distinct. It's a small quibble, really. The series is enormously popular at my school. Read with your eyes. Read with your ears. Don't miss this quartet of heart. 

Picture Book Review: Pig the Pug/ Fibber by Aaron Blabey

Pig the Pug Fibber by Aaron Blabey. unpgd. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., August, 2018. 9781338291766. (Review from finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Pig and Trevor are back and Pig is as obnoxious as ever. Perhaps more so since he is now a liar. The last time I visited with Pig, he was a cheater. It's a hop, skip and a jump to liar. And, poor Trevor continues to take the fall. 

The art is the star here. Pig is so expressive and Trevor is so clueless it hurts. The rhyme scheme mostly works. Practice it before reading aloud. Your young readers will be tickled. 

A long, long time ago, Mo Willems keynoted at Bookfest at the New York Public Library. During the Q & A after his hilarious talk about Pigeon, Mo referred to Pigeon as a dickhead. Of course, the crowd went wild. But that statement stuck and, from time to time, I revisit it. 

Who are the "dickheads" of children's literature? Bad Kitty comes to mind, as does Rotten Ralph. Pig fills the bill. While there's a certain predictability about most of the story arcs, they never get old. Why? Because we get to act out our inner dickheadedness through them. Pigeon does his best to wheedle, demand, and cajole until he loses his shit and tantrums. Pigeon books were such satisfying read alouds for me - to be able to channel my inner Pigeon, and for my students - to know what's coming and delight in it. Were I still a K - 8 librarian, Pig would be my new favorite. 

Censors might complain that books with characters such as these encourage misbehavior. I disagree. I love them all with all my heart and look forward to more of Pig's antics. 

Fact Friday: Stretch to the Sun: from a tiny sprout to the tallest tree on Earth

Stretch to the Sun: from a tiny sprout to the tallest tree on Earth by Carrie A. Pearson. Illustrated by Susan Swan. 32 p. Charlesbridge, October, 2018. 9782580897716. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.) 

Most of you know that my motto is, "Never too old for picture books!" I continue to read fiction picture books; but I love, love, love non-fiction picture books. Fact Friday features Stretch to the Sun: from a tiny sprout to the tallest tree on Earth by Carrie A. Pearson. Pearson imagines a coastal redwood forest 1200 years ago, when a winter storm fells a mighty redwood. Come spring, after months of rain, a seedling sprouts. Six hundred years later, it is quite tall and still reaching for the sun. Plants and animals make their homes in the branches. It survives fires but is defenseless against humans who want to harvest the wood. Thanks to President Jimmy Carter, this tree was protected when he expanded the 1968 law protecting the redwoods. The tree featured in this book is thought to be the tallest living tree but its location is a secret to protect it. 

The photographic collage art in this fascinating book is just gorgeous! It's perfect for reading aloud with its spare, atmospheric text. The need to turn the book vertically and, eventually, open gatefolds add to the drama. Backmatter includes an author's note, more facts about redwood forests, a selected bibliography, places to visit, suggestions for how we can help and websites. 

A fine non-fiction picture book gives you a bite-sized taste of the subject. Just enough to pique your interest and make you want to learn more. In Montessori teacher training, one learns about impressionistic lessons. I was reminded of that while reading this lovely story. An impressionistic lesson conveys the big picture and is meant to inspire. Stretch to the Sun accomplishes this. 

Friday Memes: The Raven's Tale by Cat Winters

Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader and Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice.

The Raven's Tale by Cat Winters. 368 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams, April 16, 2019. 9781419733628.

Publisher synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Edgar Poe counts down the days until he can escape his foster family—the wealthy Allans of Richmond, Virginia. He hungers for his upcoming life as a student at the prestigious new university, almost as much as he longs to marry his beloved Elmira Royster. However, on the brink of his departure, all his plans go awry when a macabre Muse named Lenore appears to him. Muses are frightful creatures that lead Artists down a path of ruin and disgrace, and no respectable person could possibly understand or accept them. But Lenore steps out of the shadows with one request: “Let them see me!”

First Line(s): Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! I imaging myself saying from the pulpit in the pink sanctuary of our church. My name is Edgar Poe, and today, for reasons I don't fully comprehend, I'm obsessed with the seventy-two bodies buried beneath us.

Page 56: Before he settles into a chair, Pa claps a hand on my left shoulder, pulls his pipe from his mouth wit a fleshy sound, and leans close to my ear, his breath sour and wretched.
      "I need to speak to you after the guests leave," he says, and his words settle into my bones, where they chill and writhe."

I've had a casual fascination with Poe ever since viewing a clip of James Mason performing The Tell-Tale Heart as a college student. I went on to read a collection of his work. Years later, I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Elliot Engel speak about Poe. Hearing the biographical details that informed his work really creeped me out but still fascinated. 

I received this a few months ago at the Abrams preview and immediately fell for the cover. Isn't it beautiful? Other commitments pressed and delayed gratification. Now, it's winter break and my plate is empty.

#tbt: Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell

Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell. 416 p. Scholastic Inc., May, 2007. 9780439918480. (Own.)

If you are a fan of Arthurian legend or of verse novels, check out Song of the Sparrow. Inspired by the Tennyson poem about this minor character, Sandell depicts Elaine, the Lady of Shalott as a tomboy who is entirely at home and happy growing up in an army camp. She has many 'brothers,' freedom and is a healer though she can do without the constant mending and laundry. Her hopes that her love for Lancelot might be reciprocated are dashed when he fetches Gwynivere for Arthur and returns to camp with her, smitten. 

I adore the cover, the writing is lovely and the setting is vivid.

Picture Book Review: A Moon for Moe and Mo by Jane Breslin Zalben

A Moon for Moe and Mo by Jane Breslin Zalben. Illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini. unpgd. Charlesbridge, August, 2018. 9781580897273. (Review of finished book courtesy of publisher.)

Two boys from opposite ends of Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn go to a Middle Eastern Market with their mothers. One boy is Jewish, the other is Muslim - Moses Feldman and Mohammed Hassan. Both boys are called Moe/ Mo. They discover this when they are both being scolded for touching things on the shelves. Even the store owner thinks they might be twins. Even though they live on the same block, they don't see each other for weeks until their moms take a break from holiday cooking to take their little Moe/ Mo to the playground.

This is a lovely story of interfaith friendship with beautiful mixed media illustrations that make Flatbush Ave. come to vibrant life. Two recipes for cookies and information about each holiday follow the narrative along with an author and an illustrator note. A Moon for Moe and Mo is a terrific addition to any diverse holiday collection.

Waiting on Wednesday: Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation

I had every intention of taking a break from "The Daily Booktalk" over this holiday week in order to rest, recharge and attempt to catch up on some reading. I was cleaning up my computer's desktop this morning and found the image of Stuart Gibbs' newest series starter. It doesn't pub until the fall but I am super-excited about this.

Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation by Stuart Gibbs. Charlie Thorne series. 352 p. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, September 17, 2019. 9781534424760.

Publisher synopsis: Charlie Thorne is a genius.
Charlie Thorne is a thief.
Charlie Thorne isn’t old enough to drive.

And now it’s up to her to save the world...

Decades ago, Albert Einstein devised an equation that could benefit all life on earth—or destroy it. Fearing what would happen if the equation fell into the wrong hands, he hid it.

But now, a diabolical group known as the Furies are closing in on its location. In desperation, a team of CIA agents drags Charlie into the hunt, needing her brilliance to find it first—even though this means placing her life in grave danger.

In a breakneck adventure that spans the globe, Charlie must crack a complex code created by Einstein himself, struggle to survive in a world where no one can be trusted, and fight to keep the last equation safe once and for all.

I've been a fan of Gibbs every since reviewing Belly Up for SLJ. He has such a fan base at my school that I no longer need to read his books to sell them to my students. I need to read them for me!