Fact Friday: Infinite Hope: A Black Artist's Journey from World War II to Peace by Ashley Bryan

Image: Simon & Schuster

Infinite Hope: A Black Artist's Journey from World War II to Peace by Ashley Bryan. Illustrated by Ashley Bryan. 112 p. Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books/ Simon & Schuster, October 15, 2019. 9781534404908.

Fact Friday features Infinite Hope: A Black Artist's Journey from World War II to Peace by Ashley Bryan. Beloved award-winning author/ illustrator Ashley Bryan was an art student attending Cooper Union when the United States joined the fighting in World War II. He faced discrimination while applying to art school but came face-to-face with segregation as soon as he hit boot camp. White recruits and black recruits trained and lived separately. Black recruits were also shunted into service positions and dangerous assignments. Bryan coped by drawing on whatever he could get his hands on. When the packet of drawings got too large, he would mail them home. This handsomely designed memoir uses his letters and his drawings as primary source illustrations to accompany Bryan's eloquent narrative. 

Infinite Hope belongs in every library collection and I hope it gets some nice shiny medals on Monday. It's powerful, gorgeous and important. 

Middle Grade Monday: The Crossover: Graphic Novel by Kwame Alexander

Image: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

The Crossover: Graphic Novel by Kwame Alexander. Illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile. 224 p. September, 2019. 9781328960013. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

I've been of fan of Alexander's ever since the publication of The Crossover and was thrilled when it garnered the Newbery Medal. His books are usually checked out and on hold lists for most of the school year with good reason. They are great! They also appeal to a variety of readers. I'm so glad that The Crossover was adapted into the graphic novel format. 

My opinion in two words: Outstanding adaptation. 

I always thought the poetry popped in the verse novel; but the art makes the poetry poppier! The energetic art also pops with a black and white and basketball orange palette. The dynamic between the two appealing and athletic twin brothers is conveyed as well as the mounting tension between the two. I also just loved how the utter coolness of the boys' parents was translated into the art.

You will need multiple copies on your shelf to keep up with demand. An absolute first-purchase.

Fact Friday: A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the speech that inspired a nation by Barry Wittenstein

Image: Holiday House

A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the speech that inspired a nation by Barry Wittenstein. Illustrated by Jerry Pinckney. 48 p. Neal Porter Books/ Holiday House, August, 2019. 970823443314. 

As we head into MLK weekend, it is apropos for Fact Friday to feature A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the speech that inspired a nation by Barry Wittenstein. This is simply a most beautiful book. Author Wittenstein takes the reader to the lobby of the Willard Hotel the night before the 1963 March on Washington. Dr. King is conferring with his most trusted advisors about what to say. They are working in the lobby because his hotel room is probably bugged. 

In spare but vivid blank verse, Wittenstein depicts the collaboration between Dr. King and his advisors. There was some disagreement about what the text of the speech should contain. Ultimately, Dr. King retired to his room to write the speech he would deliver.

Jerry Pinkney's illustrations stun. Each spread is meant to be studied, not rushed through. The portraiture of each of Dr. King's advisors are helpfully labeled. Mini-biographies in the back matter elaborate and serve as an introduction to each. Other back matter consists of an author note; an illustrator note; the roster of speakers at the protest and source notes.

I had the privilege of attending a keynote speech given by illustrator, Jerry Pinkney last May at SLJ Day of Dialog. He shared many,  if not all of the collages from the book and spoke about his creative process and what he hoped to achieve with the art. Attendees received a sampler that I got signed by both the author and illustrator. 

There is no such thing as too many books about the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Make room for A Place to Land.  I hope it wins lots of medals next week in Philadelphia for it is truly distinguished.

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson

Image: HarperCollins

Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~10 hours. Read by Imani Parks. HarperAudio, May, 2018. q. (Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library.)

Teen Tuesday features Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson. This unnerving mystery portrays the lengths to which a best friend will go to get a straight answer. When Claudia returns home from her annual summer visit with her grandmother to start eighth grade, she's anxious to reconnect with Monday, who hasn't been answering her phone. The two besties are like sisters who insulate themselves to protect them from bullies at school and Monday's scary mother. But Monday doesn't answer her phone. Nor does she show up at school and Monday never misses school. When Claudia investigates, she receives conflicting stories. Her parents suggest that perhaps the friendship is over, but Claudia knows something is terribly wrong. The first-person account zig-zags, leaving the reader disoriented as Claudia discovers why Monday's not coming.

Taut writing and a fascinating community of characters keep the reader engaged and reluctant to do anything but rush to the end. The inner city social and economic dynamics are vividly portrayed as are the social skirmishes and pecking order of high school. Imani Parks delivers a performance equal to the writing. 

Monday's Not Coming is a resonant, powerful book that will stick with the reader for a long time. Highly recommended!

Fact Friday: Seeing Gender by Iris Gottlieb

Image: Chronicle Books

Seeing Gender: an illustrated guide to identity and expression by Iris Gottlieb. 208 p. Chronicle Books, October, 2019. 9781452176611. (Review of finished copy borrowed from public library. But definitely buying.)

Even though I consider myself an ally, I must admit that I consistently mess up gender pronouns. This cogent, informative, necessary text helps. A lot. 

Fact Friday features Seeing Gender: an illustrated guide to identity and expression by Iris Gottlieb. It is so easy to make assumptions about gender and to get it all wrong. This colorfully illustrated guide explains simply historical context as well as the science and sociology behind gender and gender identity.

The volume is slightly oversized. There's plenty of white space. A straightforward and simple narrative increases understanding and the exuberantly colorful illustrations are pleasing and fun.

Questioning youth will find a safe and sympathetic space to explore identity and would-be allies will learn to understand, respect and support diverse expressions of gender. Seeing Gender is an important read and belongs in all school and public libraries.

Teen Tuesday and Arc Review: Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder

Image: Penguin Random House

Dancing at the Pity Party: a dead mom graphic memoir by Tyler Feder. 208 p. Dial Books for Young Readers/ Penguin Random House, April 14, 2020. 9780525553021. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

Teen Tuesday features Dancing at the Pity Party: a dead mom memoir by Tyler Feder. Graphic artist Tyler Feder remembers her mother in this achingly beautiful memoir about love and loss. Feder and her mom were close. She was a sophomore in college when her mom was diagnosed with cancer. Using a subdued pastel palette, Feder chronicles the myriad of feelings she and her family experienced over the year that followed - shock, terror, guilt, hope - through the process of grief when her mother succumbed.

I grabbed this on my way to the airport in November and read it while I waited for my flight. I wept copiously. But I also laughed. So much about this lovely, important graphic novel resonates. It truly belongs in every possible library collection. I wouldn't necessarily hand it to someone newly grieving the loss of a loved one, but certainly to anyone who wants to help.

Look for Dancing at the Pity Party in April.

Middle Grade Monday and Arc Review: Wink by Rob Harrell

Image: Penguin Random House

Wink by Rob Harrell. 316 p. Dial Books for Young Readers/ Penguin Random House, March 31, 2020. 9781984815149. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

Middle Grade Monday features Wink by Rob Harrell. All Ross Maloy wants is to get through seventh grade with his best friends, Abby and Isaac. But Isaac's been MIA ever since Ross got diagnosed with a rare eye cancer. Now he's that kid at school everyone's whispering about or pitying -the cancer kid. On top of that, the side effects of his treatments cause embarrassing situations inspiring someone to create and spread cruel memes about him. 

People who know me, know that I'm awfully hard on cancer novels. This first-person novel is not like any book about cancer you've read. It's authentic, honest and hilarious, heartbreaking and heartwarming. I even broke my "no star ratings" vow on Goodreads to give it five. I forced myself not to swallow it whole in one sitting. The spot illustrations and occasional comic strips featuring Bat Pig will appeal to fans of illustrated novels and add to the humor. You know your kids who eat up sad books will be all over this. Guess what? So will your kids who hate sad books! It's that good.

Wink releases on March 31. You'd better order multiple copies cuz this won't sit.

Picture Book Review: All of a Sudden and Forever: help and healing after the Oklahoma City bombing by Chris Barton

Image: Lerner Publishing

All of a Sudden and Forever: help and healing after the Oklahoma City bombing by Chris Barton. Illustrated by Nicole Xu. unpgd. Carolrhoda Books/ Lerner Publishing, February 4, 2020. 9781541526693. (Review of finished book courtesy of publisher @ SLJ Leadership Summit.)

I am at a bit of a loss about how to review this profound, beautiful and necessary book. April 19, 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, well past the age of the target audience of this book. Unfortunately, in those twenty-five years, there have been many mass shootings and thus, the need to explain these tragedies to young people. Barton channels Mr. Rogers, explaining the events of that fateful day and its aftermath simply and sparely. The dark and somber illustrations add gravity without overwhelming. 

There are no gory details; just a focus on recovery, healing and hope. The tree that survived the blast is a powerful symbol of resiliency. The practice of gathering seedlings to nurture, plant and pass on to those who have experienced trauma is just beautiful. 

Author and illustrator notes follow the text and include photos of the tree immediately after the bombing and after recovery. Mini-biographies of twelve people affected directly or indirectly follows and a list of recommended reading and three websites end the back matter. 

All of a Sudden and Forever ought to be in every library - on hand for the right time to share with young readers who need help confronting tragedy. 

Fact Friday: Saving the Tasmanian Devil: How science is helping the world's largest marsupial carnivore survive by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent

Image: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Saving the Tasmanian Devil: How science is helping the world's largest marsupial carnivore survive by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent.

Fact Friday features Saving the Tasmanian Devil: how science is helping the world's largest marsupial survive by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent. It is often the fault of humans that species become threatened with extinction by way of poaching and/ or habitat loss. In 1995, scientists noted a severe drop in the numbers of Tasmanian Devils. They also observed horrifying facial tumors that seemed to be highly contagious and killed every infected devil so quickly that they feared the devil population would be wiped out within years. 

This edition of The Scientist in the Field series explains the work of four teams of scientists in their efforts to identify and cure the disease before these creatures are gone forever. As usual with this excellent series, the narrative is engaging and accompanied by plentiful full-color photos of the adorable, yet fierce marsupials as well as scientists at work. Back matter includes a glossary; one book and four websites for further reading; source notes and an index. My only criticism is the long and unwieldy title;-)

This series continues to be an auto-purchase for me. I highly recommend adding Saving the Tasmanian Devil! 

Picture Book Review: Odd Dog Out by Rob Biddulph

Image: HarperCollins

Odd Dog Out by Rob Biddulph. unpgd. Harper/ HarperCollins Publishers, December 3, 2019. 9780062367266. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publicist.)

Can one have too many books on the shelf about being oneself? Not if the book is Odd Dog Out, which is a story in rhyme that actually works in that it trips off the tongue quite easily. It's also jaunty and fun to read aloud. But the illustrations are the stars. Striking, exuberant, humorous and eye-catching all spring to mind. There's an energy that is just contagious in each spread. I'm getting ahead of myself. What's it about?

Odd Dog is, well odd. She stands out in a sea of dachshunds who all look the same. No matter what she tries to do, she just doesn't fit in, so she goes on a road trip to find her people. Of course, her people reside in Hollywood, only now everyone looks just like her. Is this a good thing?

Celebrating and encouraging differences should happen all year long; but now, during this reflective time of resolutions to be better, might be a nice time to share Odd Dog Out. As mentioned above, this book is great for reading aloud. Visit the link to the book's page on the HarperCollins website for a printable activity! 

If you have readers who love doxies (as my dachshund-loving friend calls them) they need to know about it. Display it prominently and it won't sit. I promise.  

Picture Book Review: Freedom Soup by Tami Charles

image: Candlewick Press

Freedom Soup by Tami Charles. Illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara. unpgd. Candlewick Press, December10, 2019. 9780763689773. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

It was a happy accident that this review of Freedom Soup ended up being published today - on New Year's Day. It was one of the last books read during my push to complete my GR goal yesterday.

It is a snowy New Year's Day in Ti Gran's house and she has decided that her granddaughter, Belle, has a "heart made for cooking." Belle is going to help Ti Gran make Freedom Soup, a Haitian traditional soup that is made each New Year, which also happens to be Haitian Independence Day. Ti Gran is a storyteller and history-keeper. Even though Belle has heard the story before, she relishes hearing it again. Ti Gran's words paint painful pictures on the way to triumph. Illustrations pop off the pages as Belle and Ti Gran bounce to the rhythm of Haitian music as they chop and stir. Little details draw the eye and invite lingering. The text has its own subtle rhythm. 

The best picture books transport readers so much so that they inhabit the book. They can feel the warmth and love and can smell the aromas. Freedom Soup is a feast for the eyes and soul. Don't read this book hungry! Even if you're not, you will get hungry reading about how this delectable dish is created. I am so making Freedom Soup this year. A recipe follows at the end along with an author's note. There is just so much to love and celebrate about Freedom Soup - a grandparent's love, cooking and storytelling as tradition and memory, history, and community. Highly recommended!

2019 Reading

January (24)
1. Swing by Kwame Alexander and Mary Hess (1/1)
2. We are Grateful by Traci Sorell (1/1)
3. The Orca Scientists by Kim Perez Valice (1/6)
4. New Kid by Jerry Craft (1/6)*
5. Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor (1/6)
6. The Sun is Kind of a Big Deal by Nick Seluk (1/7)
7. My First Mandarin Words with Gordon & Li Li by Michele Wong McSween (1/8)
8. The Eleventh Trade by Alyssa Hollingsworth (1/13)
9. Endling: the last by Katherine Applegate (1/13)*
10. Death Eaters: meet nature's scavengers by Kelly Milner Halls (1/16)
11. Weird Animals by Mary Kay Carson (1/19)
12. Peace and Me by Ali Winter (1/20)*
13. The Great Rhino Rescue: Saving the Southern White Rhinos by Sandra Markle (1/20)*
14. The Raven's Tale by Cat Winters (1/20)*
15. Ph(r)ases of the Moon: lunar poems by J. Patrick Lewis (1/21)
16. A Place to Start a Family: poems about creatures that build by David L. Harrison (1/21)
17. Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce (1/22)
18. The Never-ending Story by Michael Ende (1/23)
19. light filters in: poems by Caroline Kaufman @poetic poison (1/23)
20. The Golden Tower by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare (1/26)
21. Miles Morales by Jason Reynolds (1/30)
22. Picturing America: Thomas Cole and the birth of American art by Hudson Talbott (1/31)
23. Counting on Katherine: how Katherine Johnson saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker (1/31)
24. Through the Window: views of Marc Chagall's life and art by Barb Rosenstock (1/31)

February (30)
25. Barbara Jordan: politician and Civil Rights leader by Duchess Harris (2/1)
26. A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi (2/2)*
27. Dumplin' by Julie Murphy (2/7)*
28. Proud: my fight for an unlikely American dream by Ibtihaj Muhammed with Lori Tharps. (2/
29. When Angels Sing: the story of rock legend Carlos Santana by Michael Mahin (2/15)
30. Carlos Santana: sound of the heart, song of the world by Gary Golio (2/15)
31. Hammering for Freedom by Rita Lorraine Hubbard (2/15)
32. Pies from Nowhere: how Georgia Gilmore sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Dee Romito (2/15)
33. Shortcuts by Amy Bearce (2/17)(SLJ)

34. Fat Angie Rebel Girl Revolution by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo (2/18)*
35. Try a Little Kindness by Henry Cole (2/19)
36. Unstinky by Andy Rash (2/19)
37. Tigers & Tea with Toppy by Barbara Kerley with Rhoda Knight Kalt (2/19)
38. Penguinaut! by Marcie Colleen (2/19)
39. We've Got the Whole World in our Hands by Rafael López (2/19)
40. We've Got the Whole World in our Hands/ Tenemos el Mundo entero en las manos by Rafael López (2/19)
41. The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol (2/19)*
42. Fence: volume one by C.S. Pacat (2/20)*
43. How to be a Good Creature by Sy Montgomery (2/20)
44. The Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor (2/21)*
45. Fence Volume Two by C.S. Pacat (2/21)*
46. Not If I Can Help It by Carolyn Mackler (2/23)
47. Best Friends in the Universe by Hector and Louie, also by Stephanie Watson (2/24)*
48. Now You Know How It Works by Valorie Fisher (2/24)
49. Good Night, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony (2/24)
50. Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Grandson and her secret school by Janet Halfmann (2/26)
51. The Vast Wonder of the World: biologist Ernest Everett Just by Mélina Mangal (2/27)
52. The Girl with a Mind for Math: the story of Raye Montague by Julia Finley Mosca (2/27)
53.  Summer: the butterflies of Maria Merian by Margarita Engle (2/27)
54. Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein by Linda Bailey (2/27)

March (35)
55. Wild Orca: the oldest, wisest whale in the world by Brenda Peterson (3/1)
56. You are Light by Aaron Becker (3/2)
57. The Wicked King by Holly Black (3/3)*
58. Dumplin' by Julie Murphy (3/5)
59. Yogi: the life, love and language of baseball legend Yogi Berra by Barb Rosenstock (3/6)*
60. Granted by John David Anderson (3/7)
61. On the Come Up by Angie Thomas (3/14)
62. Dear Sister by Alison McGhee (3/14)
63. Itch! Everything you didn't want to know about what makes you scratch by Anita Sanchez (3/14)
64. The Unwanted: stories of the Syrian refugees by Don Brown (3/15)*
65. The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis (3/17)*
66. Circle by Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen (3/17)*
67. Smile: how young Charlie Chaplin taught the world to laugh and cry by Gary Golio (3/17)*
68. Blended by Sharon Draper (3/17)
69. The Game of Stars by Sayantani DasGupta (3/24)
70. Sugar by Jewell Parker Rhodes (3/24)
71. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (3/24)*
72. Little Monsters of the Ocean: metamorphosis under the waves by Heather Montgomery (3/25)
73. The Brilliant Deep: rebuilding the world's coral reefs by Kate Messner (3/26)
74. Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt (3/26)
75. Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertali (3/27)
76. The Last Last Day of Summer by Lamar Giles (3/28)
77. The Secret Kingdom: Nek Chand, a changing India, and a hidden world of art by Barb Rosenstock (3/28)
78. Sewing the Rainbow: the story of Gilbert Baker and the Rainbow Flag by Gayle E. Pitman (3/30)
79. The Bridge Home by Padma Ventkatraman (3/30)*
80. Angel Thieves by Kathi Appelt (3/30)

81. Camp Tiger by Susan Choi (3/31)
82. My Papi has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero (3/31)*
83. The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes (3/31)
84. A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars by Seth Fishman (3/31)
85. Hello, I'm Here by Helen Frost (3/31)*
86. A Piglet Named Mercy by Kate DiCamillo (3/31)
87. Power Up: your incredible, spectacular, supercharged body by Seth Fishman (3/31)
88. Vacation for Dexter by Lindsay Ward (3/31)

April (27)
89. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (4/6)
90. ¡Vamos! Let's  Go to Market! by Raul the Third (4/6)*
91. The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander (4/6)*
92. Max & the Midknights by Lincoln Pierce (4/8)*
93. TBH, Too Much Drama: a novel in text by Lisa Greenwald (4/9)
94. I Lost My Tooth by Mo Willems (4/10)
95. Dogs at War: military canine heroes by Connie Goldsmith (4/10)*
96. Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez 4/11)
97. Fatal Throne by M.T. Anderson, et. al. (4/14)*
98. The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli (4/14)
99. Rosa's Animals: the story of Rosa Bonheur and her painting menagerie by Maryann Macdonald (4/16)
100. Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's journal by Jeff Kinney (4/16)
101. We're Not from Here by Geoff Rodkey (4/17)*
102. Love & War by Melissa de la Cruz (4/17)
103. Magnificent Birds by Narissa Togo (4/19)*
104. Maya Papaya and her Amigos Play Dress-Up by Susan Middleton Elya (4/20)
105. Bugs Don't Hug: six-legged parents and their kids by Heather L. Montgomery (4/20)
106. Bruce's Big Move by Ryan T. Higgins (4/20)*
107. Jabberwalking by Juan Felipe Herrera (4/20)
108. Someone New by Anne Sibley O'Brien (4/20)
109. We Are (Not) Friends by Anna Kang (4/20)*
110. The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (4/21)
111. Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker (4/22)*
112. Civic Virtue: honesty, mutual respect, and cooperation by Gerard Van Ark (4/25)
113. Using Computer Science in High-Tech Health and Wellness Careers by Aaron Benedict and David Gallaher (4/25)
114. The Next Great Paulie Fink by Ali Benjamin (4/26)
115. SHOUT by Laurie Halse Anderson (4/28)*
116. Slam by Nick Hornby (4/28)

May (22)
117. Fearless and Fantastic: female super heroes save the world by Sam Maggs, Emma Grange and Ruth Amos (5/1)
118. Let Your Voice be Heard: the life and times of Pete Seeger by Anita Silvey (5/2)
119. Unpresidented by Martha Brockenbrough (5/3)*
120. Onward: A photo biography of African-American Polar Explorer Matthew Henson by Dolores Johnson (5/7)
121. All for One by Melissa de la Cruz (5/7)
122. Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya (5/10)*
123. Beautifully Said: Quotes by Remarkable Women and Girls Designed to Make You Think (5/12)
124. A Crack in the Sea by H.M. Bouwman (5/12)*
125. The Giver: Graphic Novel by Lois Lowry (5/12)*
126. The Good Son: a story from the first World War told in miniature by Pierre-Jacques Over (5/13)*
127. The Boy with the Butterfly Mind by Victoria Williamson (5/16)(SLJ)
128. Seashells: more than just a home by Melissa Stewart (5/16)
129. Sonny's Bridge: jazz legend Sonny Rollins finds his groove by Barry Wittenstein (5/16)
130. Daring Dozen: the twelve who walked on the moon by Suzanne Slade (5/16)
131. Seashell Summer by Michelle Hosts (5/17)
132. Lovely War by Julie Berry (5/18)*
133. Girls with Guts by Debbie Gonzales (5/21)
134. Begone the Raggedy Witches by Celine Kiernan (5/21)
135. The First by Katherine Applegate (Endling #2) (5/25)*
136. Rocket to the Moon by Don Brown (5/26)
137. Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor (5/26)*
138. Pennies for Hitler by Jackie French (5/27)*
139. Poetry for Kids: Walt Whitman by Karen Karbiener (5/31)

June (35)
140. The Great Santa Stakeout by Betsy Bird (6/2)
141. River by Elisha Cooper (6/2)
142. SumoKitty by David Biedrzycki (6/2)
143. Just Because by Mac Barnett (6/2)*
144. Internment by Samira Ahmed (6/2)
145. Slacker by Gordon Korman (6/2)
146. Beverly, Right Here by Kate DiCamillo (6/3)
147. Max Attacks by Kathi Appelt (6/3)
148. Operatic by Kyo Maclear (6/4)*
149. Her Fearless Run: Katherine Switzer's Historic Boston Marathon by Kim Chaffee (6/7)
150. Wilma's Way Home: the life of Wilma Mankiller by Doreen Rappaport (6/7)
151. Two Brothers, Four Hands by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan (6/7)
152. Where the Heart Is by Jo Knowles (6/8)
153. Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe (6/9)*
154. City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab (6/11)*
155. The Eternal Soldier: the true story of How a dog became a Civil War hero by Allison Crotzer Kimmel (6/13)
156. Smiley's Dream Book by Jeff Smith (6/13)

157. Knock Knock by Tammi Sauer (6/13)

158. The Three Little Superpigs by Claire Evans (6/13)
159. The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend (Nevermoor #1) (6/16)*
160. Sweeping Up the Heart by Kevin Henkes (6/16)
161. Library on Wheels: Mary Lemist Titcomb and America's first bookmobile by Sharlee Glenn (6/20)
162. Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary D. Schmidt (6/20)

Summer reading ()
163. Bloom Boom by April Pulley Sayre (6/23)(1)
164. Karen's Witch by Ann M. Martin (6/24)(2)
165. Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend (6/25)*(3)
166. Butterflies in Room 6 by Caroline Arnold (6/26)(4)
167. How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read by Jane Yolen (6/26)(5)
168. Which One Doesn't Belong? Playing with shapes by Christopher Danielson (6/26)*(6)
169. The Piñata That the Farm Maiden Hung by Samantha R. Vamos (6/27)(7)
170. Snowman - Cold = Puddle by Laura Purdie Salas (6/26)(8)
171. Dogs on Duty: soldiers;  best friends on the battlefield and beyond by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent (6/26)(9)
172. Trace by Pat Cummings (6/28)(10)
173. Ordinary Hazards by Nikki Grimes (6/29)*(11)
174. Aru Shah and the Song of Death by Roshani Chokshi (6/29)(12)

July (38)

175. The Lost Heir (graphic novel) by Tui Sutherland (7/1)(13)
176. Nixie Ness Cooking Star by Claudia Mills (7/1)(14)
177. Cicada by Shaun Tan (7/1)*(15)
178. Catwad by Jim Benton (7/2)(16)
179. Grace Goes to Washington by Kelly DiPucchio (7/2)(17)
180. The Eye That Never Sleeps: how Detective Pinkerton saved President Lincoln by Marissa Moss (7/2)(18)
181. Stanislaw Lem's The Seventh Voyage illustrated by Jon J. Muth (7/2)*(19)
182. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart (7/5)(20)
183. The World Ends in April by Stacy McAnulty (7/7)(21)
184. Guts by Raina Telgemeier (7/7)*(22)
185. Titanosaur: discovering the world's largest dinosaur by Dr. José Luis Carballido & Dr. Diego Pol (7/8)(23)
186. Instagraphics; a visual guide to your universe by Dan Green (7/8)(24)
187. Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera (7/9)*(25)
188. The Important Thing about Margaret Wise Brown by Mac Barnett (7/10)*(26)
189. There's Something about Sweetie by Sandhya Menon (7/10)(27)
190. A Ray of Light by Walter Wick (7/11)(28)
191. Say Something by Peter H. Reynolds (7/11)(29)
192. Becoming by Michelle Obama (7/13)(30)*
193. Thirty Minutes over Oregon: a Japanese pilot's World War II story by Marc Tyler Nobelman (7/13)(31)
194. The Three Little Superpigs Once Upon a Time by Claire Evans (7/17)(32)
195. Cheerful Chick by Martha Brockenbrough (7/17)(33)
196. Felipe and Claudette by Mark Telast vague (7/17)(34)
197. Maybe Tomorrow? by Charlotte Agell (7/17)*(35)
198. Bark in the Park! Poems for Dog Lovers by Avery Corman (7/17)(36)
199. Squirrel's Family Tree by Beth Ferry (7/17)(37)
200. What Is Inside This Box? by Drew Daywalt (7/18)(38)
201. This is My Fort by Drew Daywalt (7/18)(39)
202. Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly (7/18)*(40)
203. Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama (7/20)(41)
204. Damsel by Elana K. Arnold (7/20)*(42)
205. With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo (7/22)(43)
206. Frankly in Love by David Yoon (7/22)(44)
207. Wildheart: the daring adventures of John Muir by Julie Bertagna (7/24)(45)
208. The Root of Magic by Kathleen Benner Duble (7/25)(46)
209. The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner (7/26)(47)
210. Everything Awesome about Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Beasts! by Mike Lowery (7/26)(48)
211. Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert (7/28)(49)
212. The Grief Keeper by Alexandra Villasante (7/29)(50)

August (40)
213. Bouncing Back by Scott Ostler (8/1)(SLJ)(51)
214. Fever Year: the killer flu of 1918 by Don Brown (8/1)(52)
215. Dragons Eat Noodles on Tuesday by Jon Stahl (8/2) (53)
216. The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan (8/3)(54)
217. Twice Magic by Cressida Cowell (8/3)*(55)
218. Ask the Passengers by A.S. King (8/6)*(56)
219. Weirdo by Ahn Do (8/7)(57)
220. Weirdo 2 by Ahn Do (8/7)(58)
221. How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell (8/7)(59)
222. Technically, You Started It by Lana Wood Johnson (8/8)(60)
223. Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen McManus (8/10)(61)
224. Mr. Wolf's Class: Mystery Club by Aron Nels Steinke (8/11)(62)
225. Yay for Vacay by Flora Ahn (8/11)(63)
226. Even More Lesser Spotted Animals by Martin Brown (8/13)(64)
227. How It Feels to Float by Helena Fox (8/14)*(65)
228. Making Friends: back to the drawing board by Kristen Gudsnuk (8/15)(66)
229. Zen Happiness by Jon J. Muth (8/15)(66)
230. Will Giraffe Laugh? by Hilary Leung (8/15)(67)
231. I Need a Hug by Aaron Blabey (8/15)(68)
232. Misunderstood Shark: Friends Don't Eat Friends by Ame Dyckman (8/15)(69)
233. The Monster Hypothesis by Romily Bernard (8/16)(SLJ)(70)
234. Camp by Kayla Miller (8/16)(71)
235. The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen (8/17)(72)
236. Glitch by Sarah Graley (8/18)(73) 
237. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanthi (8/19)(74)
238. Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy (8/21)*(75)
239. Horses: the definitive catalog of horse and pony breeds by Scholastic (8/23)*(76)
240. Field Notes on Love by Jennifer E. Smith (8/24)(77)
241. Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds (8/24)(78)
242. Weird Little Robots by Carolyn Crimi (8/25)(79)

243. Queen of the Sea by Dylan Meconis (8/26)*(80)
244. The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried by Shaun David Hutchinson (8/26)*(81)
245. Picture This: how pictures work by Molly Bang (8/27)(82)
246. Roll with It by Jamie Sumner (8/27)*(83)
247. Allies by Alan Gratz (8/28)(84)
248. The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Rauf (8/29)(85)
249. Free Lunch by Rex Ogle (8/30)*(86)
250. Dear Sweet Pea by Julie Murphy (MG debut)(8/30)*(87)
251. Superman by Matt de la Peña (8/31)(88)
252. Wolfie Monster and the Big Bad Pizza Battle by Joey Ellis (8/31)(89)

September (14)
253. Ziggy, Stardust and Me by James Brandon (9/1)*(90)
254. We are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson (9/2)(91)

Summer reading total (91)

255. The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe by Ally Condie (9/7)
256. Mother Goose of Pudding Lane: a small tall tale by Chris Raschka (9/10)
257. Seven and a Half Tons of Steel by Janet Nolan (9/10)
258. The Unteachables by Gordon Korman (9/11)
259. This Bridge Will Not be Gray by Dave Eggers (9/17)
260. Wonder Woman: Warbringer (DC Icons #1) (9/20)
261. Nessie Quest by Melissa Savage (9/22)*(SLJ)
262. Diary of a Pug: Pug blasts off by Sonia Sander (9/22)
263. To Night Owl from Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer (9/23)
264. This Day in June by Gayle E. Pittman (9/26)
265. White Rose by Kip Wilson (9/27)
266. Dear Evan Hansen by Val Emmich (9/28)
267. Wannabe Farms by Brian McCann (9/29)(SLJ)

October
268. Catwoman: soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas (10/2)
269. The One and Only Ivan (Full-color Collector's Edition) by Katherine Applegate (10/3)*
270. Hedy and Her Amazing Invention by Jan Wahl (10/3)
271. The Roots of Rap: 16 bars on the 4 pillars of Hip-Hop by Carole Boston Weatherford (10/4)*
272. The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris (10/5)
273. Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott (10/8)
274. I Am a Tiger by Karl Newson (10/9)
275. I Love All of Me by Lori Ann Grover (10/9)
276. Go Away, Unicorn! by Emily Mullock (10/9)
277. The Girl Who Named Pluto the story of Venetia Burney by Alice B. McGinty (10/10)
278. Enough! 20 Protesters Who Changed America by Emily Easton (10/11)
279. Stonewall: a building. An uprising. A revolution. by Rob Sanders (10/11)
280. Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (10/11)
281. More Than a Game: race, gender, and politics in sports by Matt Doeden (10/13)
282. Batman: nightwalker (DC Icons) by Marie Lu (10/16)
283. Playlist: the rebels and revolutionaries of sound by James Rhodes (10/17)*
284. I Have a Right To by Chessy Prout (10/21)
285. Dog and Rabbit by Barney Saltzberg (10/22)
286. How Many? A different kind of counting book by Christopher Danielson (10/22)
287. Hey, Dog by Tony Johnston (10/23)*
288. Back to School by Maya Ajmera (10/23)
289. Stand Up, Yumi Chung by Jessica Kim (10/24)(SLJ)
290. Fence: volume three by C.S. Pacat (10/25)
291. Pet by Akwaeke Emezi (10/25)*
292. Dog Breath: the horrible trouble with Hally Tosis by Dav Pilkey (10/29)
293. Not My Idea: a book about whiteness by Anastasia Higginbotham (10/30)
294. How High the Moon by Karyn Parsons (10/30)
295. Mario and the Hole in the Sky by Elizabeth Rusch (10/31)

November (33)
296. Backyard Bears: conservation, habitat changes, and the rise of urban wildlife by Amy Cherrix (11/1)
297. Stargazing by Jen Wang (11/1)*
298. Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys (11/2)
299. Spy School by Stuart Gibbs (11/2)
300. Ocean Meets Sky by the Fan Brothers (11/3)
301. Good Morning, Snowplow! by Deborah Bruss (11/3)
302. Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga (11/3)
303. The Greatest Adventure by Tony Piedra (11/4)
304. Piranhas Don't Eat Bananas by Aaron Blabey (11/4)
305. Sorry by Joanna Cotler (11/5)
306. Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots by Michael Rex (11/5)
307. Love and the Rocking Chair by Leo & Diane Dillon (11/6)*
308. Cat Man of Aleppo by Irene Latham (11/8)* 
309. Listen to Your Heart by Kasie West (11/9)
310. Crush by Svetlana Chmakova (11/10)*
311. Wrecking Ball by Jeff Kinney(11/10)
312. I'm Not Dying with You Tonight by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal (11/10)
313. Camp Panda: helping cubs return to the wild by Catherine Thimmesh (11/11)
314. dancing at the PITY PARTY: a dead mom graphic memoir [sic] by Tyler Feder (11/13)*
315. Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention by Pip Jones (11/16)
316. All of a Sudden and Forever: help and healing after the Oklahoma City bombing by Chris Barton (11/16)
317. Taylor Before and After by Jennie Englund (SLJ) (11/17)
318. Furthermore by Tahareh Mafi (11/17)
319. This Book is Gray by Lindsay Ward (11/18)
320. Santa's Story by Will Hillenbrand (11/19)
321. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (11/22)
322. Growing Up Gorilla by Clare Hodgson Meeker (11/23)*
323. Seeing Gender: an illustrated guide to identity and expression by Iris Gottlieb (11/24)
324. Planting Stories: the life of librarian and storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamay Denise (11/26)
325. Buzzing with Questions: the inquisitive mind of Charles Henry Turner by Janice N. Harrington (11/26)*
326. Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou by Bethany Hegedus (11/27)*
327. Educated by Tara Westover (11/27)*

328. Anthem by Deborah Wiles (11/30)*

December (36)
329. Gordon Parks: how the photographer captured black and white America by Carole Boston Weatherford (12/2)
330. The Crayon Man: the true story of the invention of the Crayola Crayons by Natasha Biebow (12/2)
331. The Great Shark Rescue: saving the whale sharks by Sandra Markle (12/2)
332. The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman (12/10)*
333. We Could Be Heroes by Margaret Finnegan (12/10)
334. Samuel Morse, That's Who! The story of the telegraph and Morse Code by Tracy Nelson Maurer (12/11)
335. Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever by Matt Tavares (12/11)*
336. The NBA Playoffs: in pursuit of glory by Matt Doeden (12/12)
337. A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the speech that inspired a nation by Barry Wittenstein (12/14)*
338. Nature's Ninja: animals with spectacular skills by Rebecca L. Johnson (12/14)
339. Tiny Little Rocket by Richard Collingridge (12/ 14)
340. The Ugly Five by Julia Donaldson (12/14)
341. The Moose of Ewenki by Gerelchimeg Blackcrane (12/15)*
342. Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds (12/16)
343. Wink by Rob Harrell (12/20)*
344. Clean Getaway by Nic Stone (12/22)
345. White Bird by R.J. Palacio (12/26)
346. 1919: the year that changed America by Martin W. Sandler (12/27)
347. Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe (12/27)
348. The Crossover: graphic novel by Kwame Alexander/ Dawud Anyabwile (12/27)
349. Don't Call Me Bear! by Aaron Blabey (12/27)
350. Misunderstood Shark by Ame Dyckman (12/27)
351. A Werewolf Named Oliver James by Nicholas John Frith (12/27)
352. Sleepy Bird by Jeremy Tankard (12/27)
353. I Spy Spooky Night by Walter Wick and Jean Marzollo (12/27)*
354. Odd Dog Out by Rob Biddulph (12/27)
355. The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes (12/27)
356. The Brain is Kind of a Big Deal by Nick Seluk (12/27)*
357. The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon by Dean Robbins (12/27)
358. Spur: a wolf's story by Eliza Robertson (12/27)
359. Infinite Hope: a Black artist's journey from World War II to peace by Ashley Bryan (12/30)*
360. Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson (12/30)
361. Can You Hear the Trees Talking? Discovering the hidden life of the forests by Petr Wohlleben (12/31)
362. Hello, Crow! by Candace Savage (12/31)
363. Birdsong by Julie Flett (12/31)*
364. Freedom Soup by Tami Charles (12/31)
365. Saving the Tasmanian Devil: how science is helping the world's largest marsupial carnivore survive by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent (12/31)*