What's New? Stacking the Shelves

 Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Hop on over there to ogle what other bloggers got this week.

For Review: A big Scholastic box came in the mail this week! I picked some out to highlight that I hope to get to soon. (I have to say though, my ability to concentrate on reading after virtual teaching all day is drastically lower.)

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Twins by Varian Johnson. 256 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., October, 2020. 9781338236132.

Publisher synopsis: Maureen and Francine Carter are twins and best friends. They participate in the same clubs, enjoy the same foods, and are partners on all their school projects. But just before the girls start sixth grade, Francine becomes Fran — a girl who wants to join the chorus, run for class president, and dress in fashionable outfits that set her apart from Maureen. A girl who seems happy to share only two classes with her sister!

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Dog Man: Grime and Punishment by Day Pilkey. Dog Man series #9. 236 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., September, 2020. 9781338535625.

Publisher synopsis: The mayor has had enough of Dog Man's shenanigans in the ninth book from worldwide bestselling author and artist Dav Pilkey.

Dog Man's really done it this time! He hands over his badge and clears out his desk, but while he may be out of a job, he's not yet out of hope. With his friends at his side, can Dog Man dig himself out of this hole and paw his way back onto the force?

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Shuri by Nic Stone. 272 p. Scholastic Inc., May, 2020 9781338585476.

Publisher synopsis: An original, upper-middle-grade series starring the break-out character from the Black Panther comics and films: T'Challa's younger sister, Shuri! Crafted by New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone. Shuri is a skilled martial artist, a genius, and a master of science and technology. But, she's also a teenager. And a princess. This story follows Shuri as she sets out on a quest to save her homeland of Wakanda.
For centuries, the Chieftain of Wakanda (the Black Panther) has gained his powers through the juices of the Heart-Shaped Herb. Much like Vibranium, the Heart-Shaped Herb is essential to the survival and prosperity of Wakanda. But something is wrong. The plants are dying. No matter what the people of Wakanda do, they can't save them. And their supply is running short. It's up to Shuri to travel from Wakanda in order to discover what is killing the Herb, and how she can save it, in the first volume of this all-new, original adventure.

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Can You See Me? by Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott. 268 p. Scholastic Inc., March, 2020. 978338608915.

Publisher synopsis: Things Tally is dreading about sixth grade:
-- Being in classes without her best friends
-- New (scratchy) uniforms
-- Hiding her autism

Tally isn't ashamed of being autistic -- even if it complicates life sometimes, it's part of who she is. But this is her first year at Kingswood Academy, and her best friend, Layla, is the only one who knows. And while a lot of other people are uncomfortable around Tally, Layla has never been one of them . . . until now.

Something is different about sixth grade, and Tally now feels like she has to act "normal." But as Tally hides her true self, she starts to wonder what "normal" means after all and whether fitting in is really what matters most.

Inspired by young coauthor Libby Scott's own experiences with autism, this is an honest and moving middle-school story of friends, family, and finding one's place.

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte. 288 p. Scholastic Inc. March, 2020. 9781338255812.

Publisher synopsis: Mary Lambert has always felt safe and protected on her beloved island of Martha's Vineyard. Her great-great-grandfather was an early English settler and the first deaf islander. Now, over a hundred years later, many people there -- including Mary -- are deaf, and nearly everyone can communicate in sign language. Mary has never felt isolated. She is proud of her lineage.
But recent events have delivered winds of change. Mary's brother died, leaving her family shattered. Tensions over land disputes are mounting between English settlers and the Wampanoag people. And a cunning young scientist has arrived, hoping to discover the origin of the island's prevalent deafness. His maniacal drive to find answers soon renders Mary a "live specimen" in a cruel experiment. Her struggle to save herself is at the core of this penetrating and poignant novel that probes our perceptions of ability and disability. It will make you forever question your own ideas about what is normal.

Purchased: Nothing!

If you leave a comment, leave the link to your stack. I will pop by and to check out your stack! 

Fact Friday: Finish the Fight: the brave and revolutionary women who fought for the right to vote by Veronica Chambers and the staff of the New York Times

Image: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Finish the Fight: the brave and revolutionary women who fought for the right to vote by Veronica Chambers and the staff of the New York Times. 144 p. Versify/ Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, August, 2020. 9780358408307. (Review of finished copy borrowed from public library.)

It may be cold, wet and dreary out there, but it's Friday! Happy Friday TMS Readers! Fact Friday features Finish the Fight: the brave and revolutionary women who fought for the right to vote by Veronica Chambers and the staff of the New York Times. Where would Edmund Hilary be without Tenzing Norgay? Certainly not at the summit of Mt. Everest without the skill and guidance and this humble sherpa. Where would Robert Peary be without Matthew Henson? Probably lost in the snow of the arctic without Matthew Henson's navigational skills and endurance and not the first to claim the North Pole. These two white men received all the credit while the people of color who were responsible for getting them there faded into the background. 

This year is the centennial celebration of women in the U.S. attaining the right to vote. Two white women receive most of the attention in history books but it was a long, sustained haul to this historic event. Women of color were part of the movement and had to deal with the racism of their fellow suffragists. Over the course of this year, Daily Book Talk readers may have noted several Fact Friday entries were devoted to books about women's suffrage, including one dedicated to highlighting Black women suffragists. Ms. Chambers and the staff of the New York Times compiled this colorfully illustrated collective biography focusing on the efforts of a diverse group of suffragists that include Native American, Asian American, Black and Latinx American women whom history forgot. It's fascinating reading that should inspire teen readers to prepare to become part of an informed electorate. Finish the Fight belongs in every school and public library.

#tbt: The Skin I'm In by Sharon G. Flake

Image: Author's Website

#tbt features The Skin I'm In by Sharon G. Flake. The Skin I'm In turned 20 this past January and was Ms. Flake's debut novel. Maleeka is a seventh grader who lives with her mom, who struggles to make ends meet, but is supportive of Maleeka. Maleeka is bullied at school for her shabby clothes and her very dark skin. Her worst antagonist is Charlese, who loans her clothes in exchange for Maleeka doing her homework. Char's demands escalate though and soon Maleeka finds herself doing increasing risky things to appease Char. This emotionally intense, own-voices novel vividly depicts the pain of being bullied and the issue of colorism.

The Skin I'm In won a Coretta Scott King Award for New Talent and was named to both YALSA and Publisher's Weekly Best Books List. As mentioned yesterday in "Waiting on Wednesday," Ms. Flake has written an companion novel about Char which will release in January.

Picture Book Review: Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall

Image: Candlewick Press

Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall. unpgd. Candlewick Press, September, 2020. 9781536207163. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Hooray! Jabari is back! This time, he has decided to invent a flying machine! He insists that he needs no help as he gathers his parts and sets up ramps and other doohickeys to launch his machine. When the launch fails, Jabari is undaunted. He even does a little book research before trying again. And again. And again. Each time, his little sister, Nike offers to help. Jabari becomes increasing frustrated as his increasingly elaborate plans go awry. 

Jabari has a loving and supportive family and though he has lost his patience, he trusts his father to point him in the right direction. This relatable and lovely windows/ mirror story belongs in every library collection. Fans of Jabari Jumps will relish seeing him again. New fans may seek out the first. I hope to see more of Jabari and his joyous family. 

Waiting on Wednesday: The Life I'm In by Sharon G. Flake

Image: Sharon Flake's Website

The Life I'm In by Sharon G. Flake. 336 p. Scholastic Inc., January 5, 2021. 9781338573176.

Waiting on Wednesday features The Life I'm In by Sharon G. Flake. This entry previews tomorrow's #tbt in that it's a companion novel. The Life I'm In focuses on an alpha girl named Char, who bullied Maleeka mercilessly. Bullies rarely appear out of nowhere. They are formed by the events and people around them. Maleeka had the support of a loving mother and fierce teacher, Char's wobbly support disappears and when she's left on her own, she's lured into a dangerous underworld. This book for mature teen readers explores human trafficking and is due to release in January of 2021.

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu

Image: Penguin Random House

The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu. Unabridged e-audiobook. ~632 m. Read by Lauren Ezzo. Listening Library, March, 2020. 9780593155103. (Review of downloadable e-audiobook borrowed from public library.)

Teen Tuesday features The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu. TMS's many fans of Ms. Lu's science fiction/ dystopian may do a double-take when they learn that this fantasy has its roots in history and veers more toward fairy tale and magic than science. It is the story of Nannerl Mozart, music prodigy and older sister to Wolferl. Their father hopes to gain the patronage of wealthy families and so, travels with his two children all over Europe. When Wolferl's talents begin to surpass his older sister's, Nannerl sees her father's attention wane and soon realizes that she will be expected to abandon music to marry and have children. She is, in fact, the more talented having turned to composing.

A pretend game the two play about an imaginary kingdom called Back comes to life and beckons both children. Here everything mirrors their own life and yet it different, slightly more sinister. A boy named Hyacinth sees into Nannerl's soul and promises her she will never be forgotten if... She must perform three tasks for him. Doing so may put Wolferl at peril. 

After a bit of a slow start, the world of 18th century Europe and the life of musical artists is brought to vivid life and infused with magic when melded with the mirror world. The complicated sibling relationship was well drawn. At times, I felt a bit of tell and not show poking through, but that might have been the narrator's fault. Otherwise, the narrator's quietly musical delivery was pleasing to hear and there was real tension and suspense. 

I'm very interested to see if the author's die-hard fans give this a go. I can't wait to share the title with my serious music students as well as fans of historical fantasy. Intriguing.

Middle Grade Monday: Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

Image: Penguin Random House

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson. 268 p. Nancy Paulsen Books/ Penguin Random House, September, 2020. 9780399545436. (Review of purchased copy.)

Happy Monday TMS readers! I hope you had a fantastic weekend. Running a bit late with posts again. I'm sorry. Middle Grade Monday features Before the Ever After written by Jacqueline Woodson. This is Ms. Woodson's latest novel for middle grade and it's a verse novel, meaning the story is told in a series of mostly blank verse poems by our main character ZJ. 

Twelve-year-old Zacharaiah was named after his dad, who is a football star. ZJ gets attention wherever he goes mostly because of his dad, but he has a tight crew of friends who like him for himself. The story takes place in the early 1980s before the effects of multiple concussions was widely known. ZJ's dad has had many concussions and now he's changed. Sometimes his memory is off and it hurts ZJ when his own dad doesn't know who he is. Sometimes it's scary, like the times his dad goes into violent rages and the police need to be called. The scariest part is that the doctors don't know what's happening with his dad or whether he will be fixed. 

Woodson's poems evoke the myriad of emotions ZJ experiences in this brief, heartfelt novel in verse. If you're a fan of verse novels, then read this book. If you're a fan of football, you must read this book.

Fact Friday: Marjory Saves the Everglades by Sandra Neil Wallace

Image: Simon & Schuster

Marjory Saves the Everglades: the story of Marjory Stoneman Douglas by Sandra Neil Wallace. Illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon. 56 p. Paula Wiseman Books/ Simon & Schuster, September, 2020. 9781534431546. (Review of finished copy courtesy of Blue Slip Media.)

Fact Friday is late today! In "never too old for picture book news, Marjory Saves the Everglades: the story of Marjory Stoneman Douglas is our Fact Friday feature. This brilliantly illustrated slightly longer picture book for older readers highlights the long and illustrious life of Marjory Stoneman Douglas.

Marjory's love for Florida, more specifically Florida's everglades was born over a hundred years ago, when she was a child visiting her father, the founder of the Miami Herald. She grew up in the north, went to Wellesley College, married briefly and returned to Florida and began work as a reporter for her father's newspaper. When World War I broke out, she joined the Red Cross. Upon returning home from the war, she found that developers were planning on draining the Everglades in order to develop the land. She researched; she wrote; she enlisted supporters. Eventually, she and her supporters changed minds; but it had to be done again and again over the years as developers tried to drain the Everglades. She even had to battle the US Army Corps of Engineers when they straightened a river and that led to damage to the fragile ecosystem. Her life of environmental activism is an inspiration and a reminder that the environment continues to need our protection.

Plentiful back matter includes a timeline and tons of extra information and resources to learn more. This is a welcome addition to my picture book biography unit.

#tbt: King Arthur Continued: The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland

Image: Scholastic Inc.

The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland. 342 p. Arthur A. Levine Books/ Scholastic, 2001. 9780439263263. (Own.)

We'll conclude our #tbt theme about King Arthur this week with The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland. This is a complicated reworking of the legend. It is told from the first-person viewpoint of Arthur de Caldicot, a wealthy teen who is eager to become a knight. He is given a piece of obsidian by his father's friend, Merlin. Arthur sees another world and another Arthur in the stone. Who is this Arthur whose life closely mirrors his own? Is this Arthur's future? The past? Or are there other universes? 

The Seeing Stone was published in the UK in 2000, where it won The Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. It was published in the US in 2001 and is the first book of a trilogy.

This collection of #tbts is just a few of my favorite King Arthur retellings. There are many more I've read as well as a heap of retellings I haven't yet gotten to.

Picture Book Review: Ronan the Librarian by Tara Luebbe & Becky Cattie

Image: Macmillan

Ronan the Librarian by Tara Luebbe & Becky Cattie. Illustrated by  Victoria Maderna. unpgd. Roaring Brook Press/ Macmillan, April, 2020. 9789781250189219. (Review of finished copy courtesy of authors.)

The way to a librarian's heart is through a picture book that depicts the importance of libraries. Think Library Lion by Michelle Knudson or Bats in the Library by Brian Lies to name two of my faves. Ronan the Librarian just begs to be read aloud with your ham on. The rhythm is jaunty as we learn that Ronan was a barbarian's barbarian. "He invaded. He raided. And back home, he traded."

But one pillage didn't go as expected. He came home with a pile of books. "Barbarians didn't read books." After considering using them for kindling, origami and, gasp, toilet paper, Ronan settles down with a book...and gets sucked in. A reader is born! He has trouble convincing his fellow barbarians about how wonderful reading is. "Barbarians do not read books." 

Like any good librarian, he used food as bait and soon his horde was gobbling books as well.

The humor in the energetic text is complemented by colorful illustrations that contain quite a few visual gags for sharp-eyed readers/ listeners. I just loved this one and can't recommend it enough. It makes me wish I was back at my K - 8 school to share it with younger students!

Waiting on Wednesday: Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli. 400 p. HarperCollins Publishers, April 20, 2021. 9780062643834.

Heads up fans of Becky Albertalli! Waiting on Wednesday features Kate in Waiting! The blurb on this fun-looking book says, "Break a leg, not your heart." The publisher synopsis is a bit long to copy here but best friends + theater + shared crush = disaster? (Click on the publisher name under the image to read full synopsis.) I happen to love theater books as well as everything Ms. Albertalli has written and personally cannot wait to read this come April, 2021.

Teen Tuesday: I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn

Image: Scholastic Inc.

I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn. 314 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., 2019. 9781338302882. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Teen Tuesday features I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn. Seventeen-year-old Kimi Nakamura's future seems set. Poised to be accepted into a prestigious art institute, she just needs to finish her portfolio and she's stuck. Her mom's been nagging and for the first time in her life, she has no inspiration because secretly, she doesn't want to go to art school. Fashion is her passion. She deconstructs old clothes and remakes them adding textiles and textures into Kimi Originals. When a letter arrives from her estranged grandparents in Japan offering airfare for a visit, Kimi jumps at the opportunity to get away from her problems and meet her grandparents for the first time and explore Japanese culture. 

Upon her arrival, she's greeted warmly by her grandfather, but rather coldly by her grandmother, who reminds Kimi of her own disapproving mother. She soon loses herself in the beauty of Kyoto and meets a cute boy who dances as a mochi mascot for his uncle's mochi shop. He offers to show her around and romance blossoms. 

This adorable romance goes down sweetly but has some subtle depth as Kimi muses about racism, micro-aggressions and cultural belonging. I Love You So Mochi is a must-read for romance fans.

Picture Book Review: Sometimes a Wall by Dianne White

Image: Author's Website

Sometimes a Wall by Dianne White. Illustrated by Baroux. unpgd. Owlkids Books, October, 2020. 9781771473736. (Review of finished copy courtesy of Blue Slip Media.)

Sometimes teachers need to help younger students think beyond themselves. Sometimes this is hard to do. Teachers looking for a book to aide in SEL, Social-Emotional Learning need look no further than this lovely picture book.

Attractively designed with plenty of white space, splashes of color and sturdy pages, young readers are introduced to some types of physical walls in gentle, simple language accompanied by colorful appealing illustrations. The shift to the metaphorical is totally relatable and should elicit sounds of sympathy and spontaneous sharing as well as room for plenty of valuable discussion. Should you need assistance, the publisher's website has a valuable guide. Sometimes a Wall is a valuable addition to any school, public or classroom library.

For more information about the author and illustrator: A conversation with a friend got author Dianne White thinking about different kinds of walls, both physical and metaphorical. Sometimes a Wall . . . is an exploration of these, and with it, an invitation to take down barriers and find common ground. Dianne's other books include Green on Green and Who Eats Orange? A long-time elementary school teacher, she lives with her family in Gilbert, Arizona. To learn more, and to download discussion guides and more, visit Dianne's website at diannewrites.com.

Twitter: @diannewrites
Facebook: Dianne White


Barroux lives in Paris, France, and has studied photography, art, sculpture, and architecture. His work has been published in The New York Times and The Washington Post. He believes that the world needs fewer walls and more trees.
Instagram: @barrouxillustrations

Middle Grade Monday and Arc Review: The Last Mirror on the Left by Lamar Giles

Image: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

The Last Mirror on the Left by Lamar Giles. Illustrated by Dapo Adeola. 168 p. A Legendary Alston Boys Adventure #2. Versify/ Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, October 20, 2020. 9780358129419. (Review of e-arc courtesy of publicist.)

Middle Grade Monday wishes a happy book birthday to author, Lamar Giles and The Last Mirror on the Left. The second installment of A Legendary Alston Boys Adventure releases tomorrow and fans of the first adventure, The Last Last Day of Summer, will not want to miss it!

Cousins Otto and Sheed are back in school a short while after their epic adventure fixing the time freeze. Unfortunately, no one in Fry remembers what happened. Or so they thought. Mrs. Nedraw, owner of the Rorrim Mirror Emporium knows that the boys used one of her precious mirrors without her permission to fix the mess and now, she's threatening them with the law unless the boys help her. The mirrors are actually prison cells and the boys accidentally cracked the mirror they "borrowed," allowing a most notorious criminal to escape. He, in turn, freed a gang, then escaped through the last mirror on the left into an alternate universe town of Fry, where people and places are a bit...off.

The action is non-stop and totally mind-bending! While the humor is high, the boys contemplate criminal justice as they confront the ways in which the truth can be bent to serve those in power. The boys' devotion to each other is also tested as Sheed becomes annoyed by Otto's weirdness. (No spoilers here!) The spot art by Dapo Adeola adds to the humor and enjoyment.

Don't miss these two books! I hope to see more of Otto and Sheed, their antics, their brotherhood and their joy, in the future.

What's New? Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Hop on over there to ogle what other bloggers got this week.

I usually post this early on Saturday mornings, but I went shopping today and spent the last of my gift cards from students. I was set to schedule for next week, but then, a box arrived in the mail filled with picture books from Candlewick. So here we are!

For Review:

Image: Candlewick Press

A Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnett. Illustrated by Shawn Harris. unpgd. Candlewick Press, October 13, 2020. 9781536203967

Publisher synopsis: Follow a magnificent polar bear through a fantastic world of snow and shockingly blue sea. Over the ice, through the water, past Arctic animals and even a human . . . where is he going? What does he want? Acclaimed author Mac Barnett’s narration deftly balances suspense and emotion, as well as poignant, subtle themes, compelling us to follow the bear with each page turn. Artist Shawn Harris’s striking torn-paper illustrations layer white-on-white hues, with bolts of blue and an interplay of shadow and light, for a gorgeous view of a stark yet beautiful landscape. Simple and thought-provoking, illuminating and intriguing, this engaging picture book will have readers pondering the answer to its final question long after the polar bear has continued on his way.
A majestic polar bear heads out on a mysterious walk in a dazzling, playful collaboration from an exciting pair of picture-book creators.

I heard the author read this in a webinar a while ago and was utterly entranced. Seeing the book and holding it in my hands is transforming!

Image: Candlewick Press

Julián at the Wedding by Jessica Love. Unpgd. Candlewick Press, October 6, 2020. 9781536212389.

Publisher synopsis: Julián and his abuela are going to a wedding. Better yet, Julián is in the wedding. Weddings have flowers and kissing and dancing and cake. And this wedding also has a new friend named Marisol. It’s not long before Julián and Marisol set off for some magic and mischief of their own, and when things take an unexpected turn, the pair learns that everything is easier with a good friend by your side. Jessica Love returns with a joyful story of friendship and individuality in this radiant follow-up to Julián Is a Mermaid.
The star of Julián Is a Mermaid makes a joyful return—and finds a new friend—at a wedding to be remembered.

I received Julian is a Mermaid to review and absolutely fell in love. I am so happy to receive this.

Image: Candlewick Press

The Boy and the Gorilla by Jackie Azúa Kramer. Illustrated by Cindy Derby. unpgd. Candlewick Press, October, 2020. 9780763698324.

Publisher synopsis: On the day of his mother’s funeral, a young boy conjures the very visitor he needs to see: a gorilla. Wise and gentle, the gorilla stays on to answer the heart-heavy questions the boy hesitates to ask his father: Where did his mother go? Will she come back home? Will we all die? Yet with the gorilla’s friendship, the boy slowly begins to discover moments of comfort in tending flowers, playing catch, and climbing trees. Most of all, the gorilla knows that it helps to simply talk about the loss—especially with those who share your grief and who may feel alone, too. Author Jackie Azúa Kramer’s quietly thoughtful text and illustrator Cindy Derby’s beautiful impressionistic artwork depict how this tender relationship leads the boy to open up to his father and find a path forward. Told entirely in dialogue, this direct and deeply affecting picture book will inspire conversations about grief, empathy, and healing beyond the final hope-filled scene.

This profoundly moving tale about a grieving boy and an imaginary gorilla makes real the power of talking about loss.

mage: Candlewick Press

Mary Seattle  bound for the battlefield by Susan Goldman Rubin. Illustrated by Richie Pope. Candlewick Press, October, 2020. 9780763679941.

Publisher synopsis: Mary Seacole spent much of her life on the front lines of the Crimean War, ministering to the wounded, caring for soldiers, and making her mark on the world of medicine. This fascinating biography honors Mary Seacole’s life, from her childhood in Kingston, Jamaica, and her encounters with racist Americans to her treatment of cholera patients in Panama and her bitter run-in with Florence Nightingale, who declined to work with her in Crimea because she wasn’t white. But Mary Seacole knew that the sick and wounded needed her compassion and care, and despite all obstacles, she answered the call to help them. Author Susan Goldman Rubin gives voice to this fearless nurse and healer through captivating details drawn from Mary Seacole’s own writings, while debut illustrator Richie Pope vividly captures her service at the bedside and on the battlefield. Inspiring and engaging, this biography introduces a compelling heroine who rose above barriers to earn a place in history.

The life of pioneering Jamaican nurse Mary Seacole gets its dramatic due in a sweeping and stunning biography.

This one looks like a terrific addition to my picture book biography unit whenever we return to business as usual at school.

Purchased:

Image: Jimmy Patterson

Becoming Muhammad Ali by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander. Illustrate by Dawud Anyabwile 312 p. Jimmy Patterson Books/ Little, Brown and Company and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, October, 2020. 9780316498166.

Publisher synopsis: Before he was a household name, Cassius Clay was a kid with struggles like any other. Kwame Alexander and James Patterson join forces to vividly depict his life up to age seventeen in both prose and verse, including his childhood friends, struggles in school, the racism he faced, and his discovery of boxing. Readers will learn about Cassius' family and neighbors in Louisville, Kentucky, and how, after a thief stole his bike, Cassius began training as an amateur boxer at age twelve. Before long, he won his first Golden Gloves bout and began his transformation into the unrivaled Muhammad Ali.

Fully authorized by and written in cooperation with the Muhammad Ali estate, and vividly brought to life by Dawud Anyabwile's dynamic artwork,Becoming Muhammad Ali captures the budding charisma and youthful personality of one of the greatest sports heroes of all time.

Image: Disney Book

The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan. Trials of Apollo, Book 5. 448 p. Disney Books, October, 2020. 9781484746455.

Publisher synopsis: At last, the breathtaking, action-packed finale of the #1 bestselling Trials of Apollo series is here! Will the Greek god Apollo, cast down to earth in the pathetic moral form of a teenager named Lester Papadopoulos, finally regain his place on Mount Olympus?
Lester’s demigod friends at Camp Jupiter just helped him survive attacks from bloodthirsty ghouls, an evil Roman king and his army of the undead, and the lethal emperors Caligula and Commodus. Now the former god and his demigod master Meg must follow a prophecy uncovered by Ella the harpy. Lester’s final challenge will be at the Tower of Nero, back in New York. Will Meg have a last showdown with her father? Will this helpless form of Apollo have to face his arch nemesis, Python? Who will be on hand at Camp Half-Blood to assist? These questions and more will be answered in this book that all demigods are eagerly awaiting.

Image: Penguin Random House

Dear Justyce by Nic Stone. 288 p. Crown Books for Young Readers/ Penguin Random House, September, 2020. 9781984829665.

Publisher synopsis: The stunning sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller Dear Martin. Incarcerated teen Quan writes letters to Justyce about his experiences in the American juvenile justice system. Perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds and Angie Thomas.
In the highly anticipated sequel to her New York Times bestseller, Nic Stone delivers an unflinching look into the flawed practices and silenced voices in the American juvenile justice system.

Vernell LaQuan Banks and Justyce McAllister grew up a block apart in the Southwest Atlanta neighborhood of Wynwood Heights. Years later, though, Justyce walks the illustrious halls of Yale University . . . and Quan sits behind bars at the Fulton Regional Youth Detention Center.

Through a series of flashbacks, vignettes, and letters to Justyce–the protagonist of Dear Martin–Quan’s story takes form. Troubles at home and misunderstandings at school give rise to police encounters and tough decisions. But then there’s a dead cop and a weapon with Quan’s prints on it. What leads a bright kid down a road to a murder charge? Not even Quan is sure.

Image: HarperCollins Publisher

Class Act by Jerry Craft. 256 p. HarperCollins Publishers, October, 2020. 9780062885510.

Publisher synopsis: Eighth grader Drew Ellis is no stranger to the saying “You have to work twice as hard to be just as good.” His grandmother has reminded him his entire life. But what if he works ten times as hard and still isn’t afforded the same opportunities that his privileged classmates at the Riverdale Academy Day School take for granted?

To make matters worse, Drew begins to feel as if his good friend Liam might be one of those privileged kids. He wants to pretend like everything is fine, but it's hard not to withdraw, and even their mutual friend Jordan doesn't know how to keep the group together.

As the pressures mount, will Drew find a way to bridge the divide so he and his friends can truly accept each other? And most important, will he finally be able to accept himself?

Image: Simon & Schuster

Long Way Down: a graphic novel by Jason Reynolds. Illustrated by Danica Novgorodoff. 208 p. Simon & Schuster, October, 2020. 9781534444959.

Publisher synopsis: Will’s older brother, Shawn, has been shot.
Dead.
Will feels a sadness so great, he can’t explain it. But in his neighborhood, there are THE RULES:

No. 1: Crying.
Don’t.
No matter what.

No. 2: Snitching
Don’t.
No matter what.

No. 3: Revenge
Do.
No matter what.

But bullets miss. You can get the wrong guy. And there’s always someone else who knows to follow the rules…

If you leave a comment, leave the link to your stack. I will pop by and to check out your stack! 

Fact Friday and Arc Review: Sylvie by Sylvie Kantrovitz

Image: Candlewick Press

Sylvie by Sylvie Kantrovitz. 352 p. Candlewick Press, February 9, 2021. 9781536207620. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

Happy Friday! We made it through another week of hybrid learning/ teaching! Our Graphic Novel Week concludes with Fact Friday, which features Sylvie by Sylvie Kantrovitz. Sylvie moves with her family from Morocco to France as a young child so that her father can become principal of a school. She and her family have an apartment at the school and she and her brother delight in exploring all the nooks and crannies when they aren't fighting with each other. 

As she grows older and relationships become more complicated, she realizes some things - her parents fight a lot, and maybe it isn't the coolest thing to be the daughter of the principal. She loves her gentle father very much and becomes aware that she disappoints her mother. Sylvie loves art and her mom insists that she pursue math and science. 

This graphic novel memoir explores Sylvie's complicated relationships using simple language and uncomplicated cartoonish art. Universal themes such as identity, friendship and parental love make Sylvie relatable. Look for it February 9, 2021. 

#tbt: Ivain: the knight of the lion by M.T. Anderson

Image: Candlewick Press

Ivain: the knight of the lion by M.T. Anderson. Illustrated by Andrea Offerman. 144 p. Candlewick Press, March, 2017. 9780763659394. (Own)

Graphic Novels continue to be highlighted this week, but I ran into a bit of problem for #tbt. Ordinarily, books featured on #tbt are over ten years old, with rare exceptions. But. I needed to find a King Arthur GN that I had read and the only one I can recall is Ivain: the knight of the lion by M.T. Anderson and illustrated by Andrea Offerman. This slim volume was published in March of 2017 and is the award-winning author's first graphic novel

Ivain is a knight at King Arthur's court. Eager to prove himself in battle, he leaps at the opportunity to confront defeat a local lord in battle without thinking of the consequences to the man's widow and the people he swore to protect. Ivain marries the widow, but desires a life of battle and questing. This graphic novel is based on an epic poem by Chretien de Troye. Mr. Anderson not only brings the ferocity of battle during the middle ages to life but also the tenuous lot of women at that time.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Bad Guys in the One?! by Aaron Blabey

The Bad Guys in the One?! by Aaron Blabey. Bad Guys series #12. 192 p. Scholastic Inc., November 10, 2020. 9781338329506.

Happy Wednesday! My weather app predicts a beautiful fall day out there, so make sure to get outside and stretch and breathe! When I went searching for an upcoming graphic novel to feature on this "Waiting on Wednesday" post, I was shocked and delighted to find a new Bad Guys book releasing on November 10. What shocked me was that it's book number twelve in the series! I had lost track of the series around number 5 or 6. What delighted me was that it's another Bad Guys book and I have some catching up to do with these lovable lunks. 

This crew has a rep for being bad to the bone, and they'd like to think they are as well, but they always end up saving the day. The publisher blurb for Aaron Blabey's newest installment, The Bad Guys in the One? says, "Bad Guys #12 will melt your brain!" Sign me up!

Teen Tuesday: Monster: a graphic novel by Walter Dean Myers and adapted by Guy A. Sims

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Monster: a graphic novel by Walter Dean Myers. Adapted by Guy A. Sims. Illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile. 160. p. October, 2015. 9780062275004. 

Happy Tuesday TMS Readers! Another dreary, rainy day but don't let it get you down! It's a perfect day to curl up with a hot cocoa and read when your school day is done.

Teen Tuesday features Monster: a graphic novel by Walter Dean Myers. Mr. Myers was a giant in the YA and children's literature world. This graphic novel adaptation of his ground-breaking, Printz Award-winning novel, Monster, adds a visual dimension to this complex exploration of perception and race. Budding high school film maker, Steve Harmon is in jail and awaiting trial in the murder of a shopkeeper in a robbery gone bad. He didn't pull the trigger. He wasn't even in the store. He drove the car. But that's not stopping the prosecutor from portraying him as a monster.

The dynamic black and white art draws the eye and effective use of shadow pulls the reader in and creates tension. Whether you're a fan of the book or of graphic novels, you won't be disappointed in this adaptation. I'm sorry the book got buried in my tbr pile. 

Middle Grade Monday: Act by Kayla Miller

Image: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Act by Kayla Miller. 224 p. Click series #3. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, July, 2020. 9780358242185. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

It's Graphic Novel Week in the Daily Book Talks! If you're a fan of the format, you might find something this week to check out. If you haven't yet tried graphic novels, why not start with one of these?

Middle Grade Monday features Act by Kayla Miller. Fans of Click and Camp will be thrilled to learn that Olive is back. She's excited to start sixth grade with all of its changes and possibilities. She's especially excited about the class trips. Then she learns that some students have to stay behind because their parents can't afford the fees. She thinks that really unfair and so, she acts! Olive learns about activism and protest as she works to find a solution to this issue.

The palette leans toward pastel and the art is clean and pleasing. The cast of characters are diverse and the middle school dynamics are authentic. The book features what civil discourse and debate really should be and is a model for young readers in these politically divisive times. This series continues to please. I am looking forward to Olive's next adventure.

Fact Friday: Flying Paintings: the Zhou Brothers: a story of revolution and art by Amy Alzauer

Image: Candlewick Press

Flying Paintings: the Zhou Brothers: a story of revolution and art by Amy Alzauer. Illustrated by Shan Zuo Zhou & DaHuang Zhou. 48 p. Candlewick Press, September, 2020. 9781536204285. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Fact Friday features Flying Paintings: the Zhou Brothers: a story of revolution and art by Amy Alzauer. Illustrated by Shan Zuo Zhou & DaHuang Zhou. Two boys were born several year apart "in the back of a bookstory on the highest hill in Wuming, China." Shaoli arrived first, followed several years later by Shaoning. They were raised by their grandmother, Po Po after their parents were imprisoned. Eventually, the book store was closed because "the new People's Republic of China did not appreciate the high spirits of people who ran their own stores or made their own art."

This gorgeously illustrated picture book biography, illustrated by the subjects themselves is immersive. The text is poetic, spare and impressionistic, prompting curiosity in the reader to learn more. The creamy pages have heft. Back matter consists of a helpful author's note and photo of the brothers. A photo of the brothers at work on one of their pieces gives the reader a sense of scale. There were no suggestions for further reading. 

This lovely book lends itself to many uses in the classroom from social studies, to art to language arts.  

#tbt: King Arthur Retellings Continued: Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell

Image: Scholastic

Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell. 398 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., 2007. 9780439918480. (Own)

#tbt features Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell to continue the King Arthur theme. This verse novel, inspired by Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem, was published in 2007. Elaine, the sixteen-year-old Lady of Ascolat or Shalott grew up in Arthur's encampment after her home was destroyed. She has a crush on Lancelot and has hope he might return her feelings until he returns to camp with Gwynivere. She is betrothed to Arthur, but she and Lancelot are in love. Ms. Sandell's verse depicts the rigor and danger of camp life and war. The legend of Arthur told from Elaine's perspective intrigues. An Author's note follows.

Waiting on Wednesday: Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer

Image: Macmillan

Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer. 400 p. Fewer & Friends/ MacMillan, November 3, 2020. 9781250618818.

Happy Wednesday TMS Readers! What would you do if you found you had the ability to fling instant karma, good or bad, on those around you? Waiting on Wednesday features Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer. Ms. Meyer, queen of the genre-blending sci/fi/ fairytale romance series, Cinder, brings us a contemporary rom-com with a magic twist. 

Here's the publisher synopsis: "Chronic overachiever Prudence Daniels is always quick to cast judgment on the lazy, rude, and arrogant residents of her coastal town. Her dreams of karmic justice are fulfilled when, after a night out with her friends, she wakes up with the sudden ability to cast instant karma on those around her.

Pru giddily makes use of the power, punishing everyone from public vandals to mean gossips, but there is one person on whom her powers consistently backfire: Quint Erickson, her slacker of a lab partner."

This one sounds like fun, and, we don't have long to wait. Instant Karma releases on November 3, just in time to pick up and read over Teacher Convention Weekend!

Teen Tuesday and Arc Review: Cracking the Bell by Geoff Herbach

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Cracking the Bell by Geoff Herbach. 256 p. HarperCollins Publishers, September, 2019. 9780062453149. (Review of arc)

I try to have a system to manage my arcs and book purchases. Sometimes books get buried in my tbr pile. I was rearranging piles late this summer and uncovered this one. I immediately felt guilty because I adore this author's books and here it had been out nearly a year! My apologies.

Teen Tuesday features Cracking the Bell by Geoff Herbach. Isaiah lives for football. Getting into football literally saved his life. He loves everything about it - the feeling of being part of a team, the strategy, the adrenaline, the action and, the hitting, especially. But after getting his bell rung in a crucial game, Isaiah can barely stand without feeling dizzy and can't hide the severity of his injury from his mother. His doctor tells her that he should stop playing for his own safety. Isaiah can't do that.

This complicated story is compelling from the very first page. Isaiah has a difficult back-story that readers slowly learn over the course of the book. Isaiah is a sympathetic character with understandable anger issues, making poor life choices before finding himself in football. There are no easy answers here and readers will root for him as he tries to find his way. Highly recommended. 

Middle Grade Monday: Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone

Image: Penguin Random House

Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone. 320 p. G. P. Putnam's Sons/ Penguin Random House, July, 2020.

Happy Monday TMS Readers! I hope you all enjoyed the beautiful autumn weekend we just had!

Middle Grade Monday features Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone. School Dress Codes, while well-intentioned can be tricky - open to interpretation, inconsistently enforced or worse, certain students can become targets. When eighth grader Molly and her friend were wearing the exact same outfit and the vice-principal cited only her friend, Molly knew the dress code was unfair. When another friend, Olivia was cited for wearing a tank top, the vice-prinicipal did not want to hear that she removed her sweatshirt to cover a period stain. She cancelled the eighth grade trip, as she had threatened to do. Now the entire eighth grade hates Olivia. Molly knows she has to do something. But what? She starts a podcast and interviews girls who have been unfairly singled out. At first, girls were reluctant to speak, but then some former students even returned from high school to talk about how sexist and unfair the dress code was. But what next? Molly's desire for social justice is awakened and she's going to find a way to change the Dress Code.

Firestone portrays middle school dynamics perfectly in this sharp, slyly hilarious first-person narrative. Molly is so-o relatable and persistent. She just might inspire some readers to act toward social justice in ways large and small.

What's New? Stacking the Shelves

 Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Hop on over there to ogle what other bloggers got this week.

For Review:

Image: Simon & Schuster

Marjory Saves the Everglades: the story of Marjory Stoneman Douglas by Sandra Neil Wallace. Illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon. unpaged. A Paula Wiseman Book/ Simon & Schuster, September, 2020.

Publisher synopsis: Marjory Stoneman Douglas didn’t intend to write about the Everglades but when she returned to Florida from World War I, she hardly recognized the place that was her home. The Florida that Marjory knew was rapidly disappearing—the rare orchids, magnificent birds, and massive trees disappearing with it.

Marjory couldn’t sit back and watch her home be destroyed—she had to do something. Thanks to Marjory, a part of the Everglades became a national park and the first park not created for sightseeing, but for the benefit of animals and plants. Without Marjory, the part of her home that she loved so much would have been destroyed instead of the protected wildlife reserve it has become today.

Image: Candlewick Press

The Black Friend: on being a better white person by Frederick Joseph. 266 p. Candlewick Press, December 1, 2020. 9781536217018.

Publisher synopsis: “We don’t see color.” “I didn’t know Black people liked Star Wars!” “What hood are you from?” For Frederick Joseph, life as a transfer student in a largely white high school was full of wince-worthy moments that he often simply let go. As he grew older, however, he saw these as missed opportunities not only to stand up for himself, but to spread awareness to those white people who didn’t see the negative impact they were having.

Speaking directly to the reader, The Black Friend calls up race-related anecdotes from the author’s past, weaving in his thoughts on why they were hurtful and how he might handle things differently now. Each chapter features the voice of at least one artist or activist, including Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give;April Reign, creator of #OscarsSoWhite; Jemele Hill, sports journalist and podcast host; and eleven others. Touching on everything from cultural appropriation to power dynamics, “reverse racism” to white privilege, microaggressions to the tragic results of overt racism, this book serves as conversation starter, tool kit, and invaluable window into the life of a former “token Black kid” who now presents himself as the friend many readers need. Backmatter includes an encyclopedia of racism, providing details on relevant historical events, terminology, and more.

Writing from the perspective of a friend, Frederick Joseph offers candid reflections on his own experiences with racism and conversations with prominent artists and activists about theirs—creating an essential read for white people who are committed anti-racists and those newly come to the cause of racial justice.

Purchased:

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