Fact Friday: The Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach Rebuilt Her Town in Stories and Photographs by Chana Stiefel

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Fact Friday features The Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach Rebuilt Her Town in Stories and Photographs by Chana Stiefel and illustrated by Susan Gal. This powerful picture book tells the story of Yaffa Eliach, who grew up in a shtetl in Poland called Eishyshok. The small Jewish community was tight-knit and committed to keeping their religion and culture alive. Yaffa loved to help one grandmother sell candles at the marketplace and the other grandmother in her photography studio. The villagers visited the photography studio to pose for portraits marking weddings, births and bar mitzvahs, then they sent the photos to family members who moved away each Jewish New Year.

Yaffa was six when Germany invaded Poland and nearly all the villagers were rounded up and killed. Yaffa's father helped the family escape with just the clothing they wore, but Yaffa was able to tuck a few family photos into her shoes. The family survived by living in underground shelters, pig sties and potato sheds. Her mother taught her to read and her father told stories of the town's holidays. She took comfort in looking at the photos.

When the war finally ended, the family could not return to Eishyshok. It was not safe. Instead, they wandered across Europe to Jerusalem. Eventually, Yaffa moved to the U.S. Thirty five years after the war, President Carter asked her for help planning the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Yaffa had an idea that would celebrate life instead of reflecting solely on "death and darkness." Over the next 17 years, she traveled the world to meet with survivors from the village to collect family photos. The result is the permanent exhibit at the museum in Washington D.C. called the "Tower of Life."

The ink, watercolor and digital artwork is stunning, ranging from joyful to dark. Two photographs of Yaffa as a six-year-old are reproduced and the depiction of the "Tower of Life" requires turning the book vertically for its full effect. The Tower of Life belongs in every kind of library. Highly recommended. Never forget.

#tbt: Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

Image of pub: Penguin Random House

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. 292 p. Alfred A. Knopf/ Random House Children's, September, 2002. 9780375821813. (Own.)

Happy Thursday! #tbt features Carl Hiaasen's MG debut, Hoot. Roy Eberhart isn't happy to move from Montana to Coconut Cove, Florida. He's even less happy when he catches the eye and ire of a bully on the bus en route to his new school. It was while Roy's face was mashed against the window that he spied a barefoot boy running away from the school. He makes a couple of friends and finds himself trying to save burrowing owls from habitat destruction.

Mr. Hiaasen was an established author for adults. Hoot was named a Newbery Honor, a YALSA Best Book, an ALA Notable Book and many state awards. It was adapted for film and released in 2006.

Waiting on Wednesday: Wrecker by Carl Hiaasen

Image: Penguin Random House

Wrecker by Carl Hiaasen. 336 p. Knopf Books for Young Readers/ Random House Children's Books, September 26, 2023. 9780593376287.

Waiting on Wednesday features Wrecker by Carl Hiaasen. Mr. Hiaasen's environmentally themed books are popular at TMS and this is his seventh book for young readers since publishing his debut MG novel, Hoot in 2002. Wrecker is due out on September 26. 

Here's the publisher synopsis: Wrecker needs to deal with smugglers, grave robbers, and pooping iguanas—just as soon as he finishes Zoom school. Welcome to another wild adventure in Carl Hiaasen's Florida!

Valdez Jones VIII calls himself Wrecker because his great-great-great-great-great-grandfather salvaged shipwrecks for a living.

So is it destiny, irony, or just bad luck when Wrecker comes across a speedboat that has run hard aground on a sand flat? The men in the boat don't want Wrecker to call for help—in fact, they'll pay him to forget he ever saw them.

Wrecker would be happy to forget, but he keeps seeing these men all over Key West—at the marina, even in the cemetery. And now they want more than his silence—they want a lookout.

He'll have to dive deep into their shady dealings to figure out a way to escape this tangled net. . .

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Cursed by Marissa Meyer

Image: Macmillan

Cursed by Marissa Meyer. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~16 hours. Read by Rebecca Soler. Macmillan Young Listeners/ Macmillan Audio, November, 2022. (Review of e-audio borrowed from public library.)

Teen Tuesday features Cursed by Marissa Meyer. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow! This conclusion to the duology that began with Gilded hits the ground running and doesn't let up! Serilda can't escape the clutches of the Erlking without putting those she loves in danger. She's trapped in the castle awaiting a marriage she doesn't want. She's cursed and once she learns of the Erlking's plans, so is everyone in the world.

The writing is lush. The world building is astounding. The plot is intricate and layered with plenty of twists, turns and betrayal. And that cover! So gorgeous! Teen readers who love fairy tale retellings absolutely must read Ms. Meyer's work and must read Gilded before Cursed.

Rebecca Soler's voiced Serilda perfectly, adding to the suspense. 

Middle Grade Monday: Diper Överlöde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #17) by Jeff Kinney

Image: Abrams Books

Diper Överlöde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #17) by Jeff Kinney. 224 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams Books, October, 2022. 9781419762949. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Happy Monday! Middle Grade Monday features Diper Överlöde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #17) by Jeff Kinney. Roderick wants to make his band, Diper Överlöde big and he thinks that by winning the upcoming Battle of the Bands will do it as it also launched the career of his favorite band. Greg isn't all that interested in being Roderick's roadie, but on the off-chance he does become famous, Greg wants in. Fans of the series will not be disappointed. There's a wait list for it. 

#tbt: Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs

Image: Simon & Schuster

Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs. 304 p. FunJungle Book 1. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, May, 2010. 97814169087314. (Own.)

Happy Thursday! #tbt features Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs. This is book one of the author's FunJungle series and was his debut novel. It was published in 2010, two years before the Spy School series launched. Mr. Gibbs seems to work on many novels simultaneously as he has published thirty books in the last twenty-two years!

Teddy Fitzroy has recently moved from Africa to Texas with his primatologist mother and photographer father so that his parents can work for FunJungle, a theme park that includes a zoo. The zoo's mascot is an ornery hippo named Henry, who has a habit of projectile pooping on unsuspecting visitors. Teddy is the narrator and a bit of an imp who enjoys baiting Large Marge, one of the park's security officers. It is because he's getting in trouble with her that he learns that Henry Hippo is dead. He sneaks into the room where the zoo's vet is performing an autopsy and learns that the hippo had been murdered. Soon, Teddy is on the case with the help of the billionaire theme park owner's daughter, Summer.

The humor in this fast-paced book is low-brow and the action is high and often hilarious.

Waiting on Wednesday: Mixed Up by Gordon Korman

Mixed Up by Gordon Korman. 256 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc. July 18, 2023. 9781338826722.

Happy Wednesday TMS Readers! Oops! I nearly forgot to post today! Waiting on Wednesday features yet another book by Gordon Korman. I think this is his 102nd book. His first book was published in 1978! Mixed Up is releasing on July 18! Here is the publisher synopsis: From the author of Restart, the story of two boys who are losing their memories... to each other.

Reef and Theo don't know what's happening to them. They'll be going about their days and then suddenly they'll have these strange flashes of memory -- but the memories don't belong to them. And at the same time, their own memories are starting to... vanish.

For Reef, this is a big problem, because memories are all he has left of his mom.

For Theo, it's strange because the new memories give him a freedom he doesn't have with his domineering dad.

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: As Good as Dead by Holly Jackson

Image: Penguin Random House

As Good as Dead by Holly Jackson. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~15 hours, eleven minutes. Read by Bailey Carr and others. Books on Tape/ Penguin Random House, September, 2021. 9780593416761. (Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library.)

Happy Tuesday! I hope you had a thoughtful MLK Day. My students were off, but we teachers had PD. Teen Tuesday features As Good as Dead by Holly Jackson. This is the third and final book of a trilogy that many seventh and eighth graders have been recommending to each other and me. 

Pippa is getting ready to go to college, but she's in a dark place since her last investigation. She's definitely suffering from PTSD and having trouble with flashbacks and is unable to sleep. In fact, she has turned for former suspect and drug dealer, Luke Hastings for a regular supply of Xanax when her doctor cuts her off. While she's used to death threats, thanks to her true crime podcast, she has been receiving regular messages asking, "Who will look for you when you're the one who disappears?" She is definitely feeling like she's being watched. This intensifies when she's asked by the mother of a man convicted of being the area's serial killer from a few years earlier. Pip believes the wrong man is behind bars and of course, Detective Hawkins doesn't believe her. So it's up to Pip. Will this investigation be her last because she's off to college or because she's dead?

I must say that this series took a very dark turn in this final installment. The first two books are borderline middle school YA, but the last is definitely DARK and twisty. While the credits list multiple narrators, this is mostly Bailey Carr's show. I really couldn't distinguish between the other narrators. Carr's delivery turned a bit annoying, sort of whiney while stretching out intonations. Not that subtle. The twist and the ensuing events just strained credulity for me. 

Middle Grade Monday: Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas. 240 p. HarperAlley/ HarperCollins Publishers, May, 2022. 9780063056763.

Happy Monday! Our students have off for the MLK weekend, but we teachers have PD. Middle Grade Monday features Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas.  Middle schooler Bree isn't too upset to move from Brooklyn to Florida with her single-parent dad. He has been offered a better job. She's even looking forward to starting a new school, hoping to get into an interesting math elective. When all the electives she wants are full and the only one that's available is Swim 101, she freaks. Bree has never learned to swim and she's afraid of the water. So she finds ways to cut the class until her father is notified. After a near-drowning incident at her apartment complex, an older neighbor, Etta, agrees to coach Bree. Bree is filled with anxiety and self-doubt and these thoughts appear in blobby gray thought bubbles that crowd the otherwise vibrant and sunny panel art. This graphic novel educates as well as entertains. Readers will root for Bree.

Swim Team is the author/ illustrator's middle grade debut. It was long listed for the National Book Award, was a Kirkus Best Book and also won a Harvey Award. It won't sit long on the shelf. Highly recommended!

Fact Friday: Play Like a Girl: a Graphic Memoir by Misty Wilson and illustrated by David Wilson

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Play Like a Girl: a Graphic Memoir by Misty Wilson and illustrated by David Wilson. 272 p. Balzer + Bray/ HarperCollins Publishers, September, 2022. 9780063064690. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Happy Friday! It is the end of a lo-ong week! Fact Friday features a graphic memoir called Play Line a Girl: a Graphic Memoir by Misty Wilson and illustrated by David Wilson. 

It's the early aughts and seventh grader Misty is athletic and competitive. She has always enjoyed competing against the boys, especially in football. Now, they are playing tackle for the school team and shutting her out. She convinces her best friend, Bree to try out for the team, but doesn't anticipate the grueling practices, the team's hostility and the disinterest by Bree. Her parents and coach are supportive and she does find some support from a team member, who helps her adjust.

This is the story of her football season and in addition to school and friendship drama, there is plenty of great football action. The vibrant, appealing art is reminiscent of fan favorite Raina Telgemeier and Misty is totally relatable. 

Play Like a Girl is this husband/ wife team's debut and is a terrific addition to any school or classroom library.

#tbt: Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Image: Penguin Random House

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz. 204 p. Philomel Books/ Penguin Young Readers, May, 2001. 9780399236201. (Own)

Happy Thursday! #tbt features one of my go-to series starters for students who want a lot of action. Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz is just the ticket. If a student enjoys it, they often go on to read more in the series and there are thirteen!

Alex Rider is an orphan who lives with his uncle and American nanny, Jack in England. He thinks his uncle is a banker and he's shocked to learn that he was killed in a car accident. But things aren't adding up for Alex, so he seeks out the damaged car and finds it is riddled with bullets. Someone killed his uncle.

It turns out that his uncle was an MI6 agent and was killed during an investigation; one that the MI6 bosses want fourteen-year-old Alex to complete. He receives some training and is sent undercover to investigate a multimillionaire who is planning to plant a dirty bomb in thousands of computers that will be distributed to the children of the UK. 

If you're a reader who likes gadgets, suspense and plenty of action. Stormbreaker and the rest of the series are the books for you. Happy reading!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown

Image: LBYR

The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown. Wild Robot #3. 288 p. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, September 26, 2023. 9780316669412.

Happy Wednesday! I saw a tweet by Peter Brown about this a week or so back and I am so excited by this news. I adore Roz. The Wild Robot Protects is due out September 26th!

Here's the publisher synopsis: The action-packed third installment in Peter Brown's internationally bestselling The Wild Robot series takes Roz on an under-the-ocean journey to save her beloved island!

Life for Roz and the animals on their island is perfect: wild, natural, harmonious. Her son Brightbill has even found a mate! But then, one day an injured seal washes ashore and warns of dangerous, cloudy waters that are flowing toward the island—and soon the animals are forced inland to fight over dwindling resources.

Roz calms and organizes the animals, but the poison tide takes a terrible toll on the island. And when the robot discovers that her new body is waterproof, she marches into the waves and sets out across the ocean, determined to stop the poison tide.

During her undersea journey, Roz encounters amazing geological formations and incredible creatures, and she sees the devastation caused by the toxic waters. Creatures she meets along the way direct her to a mysterious character known as the Ancient Shark, who explains that the poison tide is caused by a huge station that floats on the waves; a station operated by humans and by robots. To stop them, the Ancient Shark is prepared to attack with an army of sea creatures. However, Roz hopes to find a peaceful solution, instead. Can the wild robot save the ocean and her island and everything she loves?

This thrilling third installment of the Wild Robot series takes readers on a new adventure under the ocean and to the frigid northern waters where Roz may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: The Epic Story of Every Living Thing by Deb Caletti

Image: Penguin Random House

The Epic Story of Every Living Thing by Deb Caletti. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~13 hours. Read by Brittany Pressley. Books on Tape/ Listening Library, September, 2022. 9780593611654. (Review of e-audiobook downloaded from public library.)

Teen Tuesday features The Epic Story of Every Living Thing by Deb Caletti. Seventeen-year-old Harper Proulx is an anxiety-ridden perfectionist. She is the only child of a single mom who is a college professor and has high expectations of Harper academically and socially. Living through the pandamic quarantined with her mom has only worsened her anxiety. She finds validation with the likes by her many followers on Instagram, where she carefully curates her life. When a follower comments that she looks just like a friend, Harper has to agree, because they both have striking green eyes and auburn hair. The two meet and Harper learns that they share the same sperm donor and that Dario has discovered more half-siblings. Dozens more, in fact. They connect with two more half-siblings, Simone and Wyatt. They do some sleuthing and track their donor dad to Hawai'i, where he runs a surf school and Wyatt's parents own a condo. Though terrified to defy her mother, Harper does so and flies to Hawai'i to discover herself.

Journal entries from the 1800s begin each chapter and readers may wonder about the relevance, but they are beautifully tied together in what is an epic journey of self-discovery on two levels. I also appreciated how the author depicted Harper's anxious obsession with presenting a perfect hash tagged life. Her lack of being present led to her losing her boyfriend, Ezra, whom she treated as little more than a cameraman. The narrator also did a wonderful job of bringing that to life with her almost staccato delivery. Harper starts out a bit self-centered and unlikable, but her growth is believable. A recommended coming-of-age story!

(My one quibble has to do with the prevailing traits shared by most of the offspring - green eyes and auburn hair. These are recessive genes and I found it a bit of a stretch. Teens may pick up on it. I know I knew about recessive and dominant genes from about seventh grade on.)

Middle Grade Monday: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky: the Graphic Novel

Image: DisneyBooks

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky: the Graphic Novel. Kwame Mbalia's novel adapted by Robert Venditti. Illustrated by Olivia Stephens. 128 p. Disney, April, 2022. 9781368075008. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Happy Monday! Middle Grade Monday features Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky: the Graphic Novel. Robert Venditti adapted Kwame Mbwila's debut novel and Olivia Stephens illustrated. Seventh grader Tristan Strong is still grieving the loss of his best friend in a bus accident. He also feels guilty for being unable to save him. All he has left is Eddie's journal and that has been stolen by, a doll? He chases the sticky little thing and the two end up in a tug-of-war under the bottle tree. Tristan punches the tree and rips a hole where the two fall into MidPass, where its inhabitants, heroes from African American folklore and West African mythology are battling monsters. Tristan must help John Henry and Brer Rabbit find the trickster Anansi to help seal the hole.

The art in this graphic novel adaptation is absolutely glorious.

Fact Friday: Victory, Stand: Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith and Derick Barnes. Illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile

Image: Norton Young Readers

Victory, Stand: Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith and Derick Barnes. Illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile. 208 p. Norton Young Readers, September, 2022. 9781324052159. (Review of finished, purchased copy.)

Happy Friday! Fact Friday features Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith and Derick Barnes and illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile. This graphic novel memoir opens dramatically, depicting Mr. Smith preparing to run the 200 meter race in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico. Then, flashes back to the author's youth. He was the seventh of twelve children and his parents were sharecroppers in Acworth, Texas. The family were poor, but hard-working and all the children worked the farm from an early age. His parents valued education as well and young Tommie was a good student. He was also a natural athlete, excelling in multiple sports.

He won an athletic scholarship to college to play football, basketball and to run track. But obtaining an education was the goal. Though he encountered racism his entire life, he was one of the few Black students on campus and student athletes who were Black encountered racism from spectators as well as opposing teams. Additionally, the civil rights movement was gaining momentum and some Black student athletes thought they should also be making a stand.

This dynamic memoir with its gorgeous black and white illustrations and effect paneling, will keep readers riveted. The author provides insight into his own motivations as well as important historical context. Both he and his teammate, John Carlos were stripped of their Olympic medals when they protested during the playing of the National Anthem.

Victory. Stand! was a National Book Award Finalist, a finalist for the 2023 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award, and a Horn Book Fanfare. It made many year-end Best Books lists as well. Highly recommended for your graphic novel fans as well as sports history buffs and budding activists. 

#tbt: King of the Mild Frontier: an Ill-Advised Autobiography by Chris Crutcher

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

King of the Mild Frontier: an Ill-Advised Autobiography by Chris Crutcher. 272 p. Greenwillow Books/ HarperCollins, 2003. 9780060502515. (Own)

Happy Thursday! #tbt features an autobiography written by one of my favorite YA authors, Chris Crutcher. He grew up in a small, rural community called Cascade in Idaho. He had an older brother who was a great student, but young Chris was not. He didn't even like to read, so he stole his brother's book reports and turned them in as his own. He got away with this until a book his brother hadn't been assigned was the class read. This book, To Kill a Mockingbird, turned him into a reader. His high school was so small that nearly every boy was recruited for the football team, whether or not they could or wanted to play.

The essays are often laugh-out-loud funny and fans of the author's books might recognize seeds of some of his characters.  

Waiting on Wednesday: Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea by Day Pilkey

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea by Day Pilkey. Dog Man #11. 224 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc. March 28, 2023. 9781338801910.

Happy Wednesday! I was thrilled to learn that there will be an eleventh Dog Man book! My students will be as well as there are many fans at my school. It's due out on March 23 and here's the publisher synopsis: 

Piggy is back, and his newest plot is his most diabolical yet. Dog Man and the rest of your favorite characters must join together in this heroic and hilarious, ALL NEW adventure. WHAT new villains are on the horizon? WHERE are they all coming from? And WHO will step forward to save the city when scoundrels sabotage our Supa Buddies? Find out in DOG MAN #11 -- there's so much more than ever before -- it's EPIC!

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Debating Darcy by Sayantani Dasgupta

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Debating Darcy by Sayantani Dasgupta. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~8 hours. Read by Deepa Samuel. Scholastic Audio, April, 2022.  9781338813746. (Review of e-audio borrowed from public library. Own hc.)

Happy Tuesday! It's a dreary, gray, rainy but mild day here in northern NJ. Teen Tuesday features Debating Darcy by Sayantani Dasgupta. This updated and fun retelling of Pride and Prejudice centers around Leela Bose, a star on her public school speech and debate team and Firoze Darcy, a member of the exclusive Netherfield Academy debate team. This hating to dating romance wonderfully captures Jane Austen's themes of classism and sexism and adds issues of racism and homophobia.

The cast of characters is diverse, with Leela being a Bengali American and biracial Darcy being half Pakastani and half white. Leela's teammates are multiethnic and very smart. Dr. Dasgupta brings the world of high stakes high school speech and debate culture to life and cleverly hides easter eggs for fans of the original. Fans of Pride and Prejudice will get a kick out of this clever retelling, but readers unfamiliar with the classic will be able to enjoy it as well. Recommended. 

Middle Grade Monday: Nothing is Little by Carmella VanVleet

Image: Holiday House

Nothing is Little by Carmella VanVleet. 304 p. Holiday House, July, 2022. 97810823450114. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Middle Grade Monday features Nothing is Little by Carmella VanVleet. Sixth grader Felix may be short in stature, but he's long in heart and humor. He often sports tee shirts with funny messages about being short. He doesn't even mind his nickname, Shortlock. He'd love to know more about his bio-dad, but his mom avoids those questions. He appreciates his stepfather, Paul, who is trying to make Felix feel included, but with a baby sister on the way, he can't help but feel like an outsider.

He joins the forensics club at school with his best friend and discovers he and his teammates are very good at solving mysteries and have a good chance of representing their school at a regional competition. Felix thinks this might be a good way to find his bio-dad. What is he willing to do in order to get there?

Felix is an appealing character. The plot is fast-paced, switching between school and forensics club to home scenes. Readers looking for a fresh and funny read will find much to like here.

Happy New Year?

Happy Monday! Happy New Year! Today we welcome students back from break, and have five new students starting! I hope you had a wonderful holiday. Mine was pretty awful. I was fighting a cold the days leading up to break and finally ran a fever on Thursday night, so I had to call in sick on Friday and cancel my family get together on Christmas Eve. Multiple Covid tests were negative, so I either had a bad cold or mild flu. The fever broke on Christmas, but I could do nothing but get up to walk the dogs around the house and lie back down again in the days following. My dogs slept on the couch with me, one warming my feet and one at my head. 

It was probably because we were all lying low that I missed my dog Ares' decline. He had stopped eating much the week before the break and I made a mental note to take him to the vet. Of course, the vet was away till Tuesday, but he called me on Tuesday afternoon with an appointment for Wednesday afternoon. I had noticed that his abdomen was distended and sure enough, the vet said it was ascites, which is never a good sign. He referred me to an animal hospital that could run blood tests and do ultrasound. Long story short, the fluid in his abdomen was bright red blood and his hemoglobin was only 2.5 and his liver function tests were all abnormal, indicating a liver ailment, probably masses. He needed an emergency laparotomy, which is expensive, and the vet wasn't sure he would make it through the surgery due to the low hemoglobin and his age. He let me stay in a room with Ares while I made the heartbreaking decision to let him go. I spent time giving him treats and letting him lie in my lap and telling him that he was the best dog. The vet was gentle and unhurried and said I did the right thing. I know I did. It's so hard. I'm heartbroken.