Akim Aliu: Dreamer written by Akim Aliu and Greg Anderson Elysée illustrated by Karen De La Vega, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary:"Dreamer" is a poignant graphic memoir by Akim Aliu that offers an honest portrayal of systemic racism within the world of hockey. Raised in Ukraine by a white mother and a Nigerian father, Akim experiences the challenges of cultural identity and racial discrimination from an early age. When he moved to Nigeria, he also faced discrimination along with his mother. His first language is Russian. Akim's parents decide that the best opportunity for their two children will be in Canada. There Akim discovers his passion for hockey, but his journey is marred by hazing, racism, and bullying throughout his career. Despite these obstacles, Akim's talent leads him to be drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks, and he eventually co-founds the Hockey Diversity Alliance in 2020. This graphic novel is not only a personal narrative but also a call to action, urging readers to acknowledge and combat racism in sports and society. The book effectively exposes the harsh realities of the hockey world and the difficulty of racially mixed marriages both in the Ukraine and in Nigeria.  The artwork is expressive, sporty and the narrative voice shifts a few times. So, it has some literary and artistic elements to analyze. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This book is an essential read for ages 13 and up, providing valuable insights into the experiences of Black athletes and the ongoing need for diversity and inclusion in sports. The graphic novel's engaging visual storytelling can attract reluctant readers, making it an excellent addition to book clubs or reading circles. A guided reading session could analyze themes of racism, resilience, and the importance of representation, encouraging students to share their thoughts and experiences related to these issues. Additionally, the book can be paired with social studies lessons on immigration, cultural identity, and the history of sports in Canada. Activities could include research projects on the Hockey Diversity Alliance and its impact on the sport, as well as creative writing assignments where students reflect on their own dreams and challenges. After I finished reading the book, I had to look up the news stories about the people mentioned to see a more detailed account of how things went down.  The moments of joy are found in the friends and families that took Akim in while he was playing travel hockey and lifted him up.  The love of Aliu's parents and brother really stand out. The brutality that Steve Downie and Coach Bill Peters unleashed on Akim really calls them out for what they did to a fellow human being.  There is partial justice in getting this story out into the world.  But also sadness for a hockey career cut short because of the abuse of power by a few people at the top of an organization.  This book is also particularly timely because of the conflict in Ukraine.  This story will show a bit of history as to what it was like to live there in the 1980s.  This book will keep you thinking long after you finish reading it.  Powerful and highly recommended for any middle/high school library.

Link to news article

Impossible Creatures #1: Impossible Creatures written by Katherine Rundell, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: In "Impossible Creatures," Christopher rescues a drowning baby griffin, an act that leads him to the Archipelago, a hidden realm filled with magical beings. There, he meets Mal, a scrappy orphan in desperate need of help. Together, they embark on a thrilling adventure across various islands, uncovering the mystery of the fading magic and the dying creatures. Their quest involves consulting sphinxes, battling kraken, and negotiating with dragons, leading them to realize that saving the Archipelago is their  responsibility. The narrative weaves together themes of sacrifice, loss, and resilience, as Christopher and Mal confront the harsh realities of their world. With engaging characters, the story highlights the power of friendship and courage in the face of adversity. Katherine Rundell's lyrical writing style transports readers to a fantastical world reminiscent of the classics, while also addressing complex themes that resonate with young readers. "Impossible Creatures" is a tale of adventure, heart, and the importance of standing up for what is right. 

Straight Talk for Librarians:  I loved how this story promoted themes of friendship, bravery, and environmental stewardship. Librarians can host thematic reading groups where students discuss the moral dilemmas faced by the characters, fostering critical thinking and empathy. The book can also be paired with lessons on mythology, allowing students to explore the various magical creatures within the story. Or recommended to mythology buffs. This book has won numerous awards that are well deserved.  Some negative reviews seem to forget that this is a fantasy book with world building that is intended for middle grade readers.  It might be the first fantasy or magical realism book for many readers. While the story does not center on religious narratives, it does encourage reflections on courage, ethics, and the interconnectedness of all living beings, which are concepts that can align with various spiritual beliefs.  I also love how the theme of love and joy was woven throughout the story.  The love the characters had between themselves and the love of the world the various creatures had.  The quest, the adventure and the relationships stand out in this story.  I would recommend reading the physical book as I read the ebook and feel like I missed out on the maps and the illustrations throughout the pages.  I think this is a great addition to your school library.  Highly recommended!

The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science written by Kate McKinnon, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: This funny and whimsical adventure follows three sisters—Gertrude, Eugenia, and Dee-Dee Porch—who feel out of place in their snooty town of Antiquarium, where strict etiquette rules reign. After being expelled from multiple etiquette schools, the sisters receive an unexpected invitation to study under the notorious mad scientist Millicent Quibb. At 231 Mysterium Way, the girls encounter a world filled with bizarre delights, such as pizza that can be fatal and a bus powered by gerbils. As they learn the ropes of mad science, they discover their unique talents and the importance of embracing their differences. When a sinister group of mad scientists threatens their town, the Porch sisters must band together and use their newfound skills to save the day. This story is filled with humor, eccentric characters, the love of sisters, and a message of belonging, making it an engaging read for young audiences. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: As an adult, I loved this book!  It was laugh out loud funny.  There are a lot of words that will increase the vocabulary of anyone who reads it. One of my favorite parts what that Kate McKinnon was writting the book as Edwina Candlestank!  The thrid sentence in the book was "Man, do I hate the viola."  As a viola player, I took offence and laughed at the same time.  A lot of the names integrated funny takes on the German, French and Dutch languages.  There are elements of magical realism and adventure in this book. The dialogue is just funny and you can see a lot of the authors humor coming out.  This book can be paired with lessons on individuality, acceptance, and the importance of science in everyday life. Librarians can host book clubs where students explore themes of belonging and courage, encouraging them to share personal experiences related to feeling different or misunderstood. Additionally, hands-on science experiments inspired by the mad science elements in the book can be introduced to make learning interactive and fun. The illustrations and humor in the book also lend themselves well to art projects, where students can create their own quirky characters or scenes from the story. By creating a multi-faceted approach, librarians can enhance students' reading experiences while fostering a love for literature and science.  It is definitely geared towards middle school students, but I can see a lot of other readers enjoying it.  I also LOVED that the book was set up like an old Victorian era book: they typography, the hardcover and the deckled edges.  Super fun and highly recommended for a school library.

Animals by the Numbers: A Book of Infographics written by Steve Jenkins, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: "Animals by the Numbers: A Book on Animal Infographics" by Steve Jenkins is an engaging illustrated nonfiction book that combines captivating visuals with fascinating zoological facts. The book explores numerous questions about animals, such as their species diversity, collective weight, and travel distances. Using his distinctive cut-paper illustrations and computer graphics, Jenkins presents an array of statistical data in an accessible format, making complex information easy to understand for older children. The book covers various aspects of animal life, including weight comparisons, speed, extinction rates, and migration distances, illustrating the significance of numbers in understanding biology and zoology. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This is a great non-fiction book. This exposure encourages independent reading and enhances students' comfort with diverse texts. Additionally, librarians can collaborate with teachers to use the book as a reference for animal research projects. Students can select an animal to study and present their findings using data and infographics similar to those in Jenkins' book. This approach not only enriches their research skills but also incorporates math and science concepts through graphical representation. By providing students with engaging resources like this book, librarians can foster a deeper interest in animals and data interpretation while supporting interdisciplinary learning.

Crimebiters! #2: It's a Doggy Dog World written by Tommy Greenwald illustrated by Adam Stower, reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: Jimmy loves his dog, Abby, despite the damage she does to his Mom's shoes and his family's yard. His Mom and Dad tell him he must take her to obedience school. Jimmy agrees only to save her from being returned to the shelter where they got her. The lead of the class is from the dog shelter and he has goals of tricks and commands for this course. Abby takes a liking to a St. Bernard in the class as they are both rambunctious and silly. Jimmy is frustrated by the changes he sees in Abby after a short time and worries her crime solving skills will be lost as she appears more docile and calm. The obedience class is not the only thing distracting Jimmy. His friend in his group (who was not a friend in the last book) plays lacrosse and convinces Jimmy to join the team. Surprisingly Jimmy is a good goalie and begins to have conflicts with his group over time spent at practice and games. When Jimmy approaches the club members about the weird accidents at his lacrosse practices and games, the group bands together to solve yet another mystery. This story is definitely relationship driven and the characters are believable throughout the book. I found myself laughing and connected to the characters and loved the way Greenwald closes with an Epilogue for the characters. I believe my students will appreciate that as well. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: If your school does mystery studies, this is a nice addition. My district has many schools with school dogs and they have requested more books with dogs as characters. This is as much a book about getting along with others in life as about the mysteries Abby and her owner, Jimmy Bishop, have solved with his friends in the group they named Crime Biters! I will add this series to the elementary schools in my district.

Spirit Animals: Fall of the Beasts #4: The Burning Tide written by Jonathan Auxier, reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: The wyrm that has been dormant under Erdas is awakening and the kids, Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan, our heroes from different places, are trying to find a way to stop it. Alliances must be made to save the world as they know it and stop the Wyrm that has control over so many as it awakens. The Wyrm has separated some from their Spirit Animals and it is hard to determine how to trust. From separate parts of this world the heroes must work to solve a puzzle that may allow them to save the world and all that are controlled by this Wyrm. This adventure is as intriguing as the danger is ominous. These characters will hang in your head for a long time! Recommended to those who like complex adventurous fantasy plot lines. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This 4th book in the series is easy to hop into even if the series is read out of order. (I have not read all of the series, but did read book 1 a few years ago.) This book is fine in an elementary school, but also great for middle schools. I remember when these came out at our Scholastic Book Fairs. The game was as popular as the books. I see Erin Hunter's Warriors fans loving this series as well.

Slacker #2: Level 13 written by Gordon Korman reviewed by Amanda Davies

Summary: Cameron Boxer has decided to take his love of video games into the streaming world. When Cameron discovers that the local beaver loves watching him play, his stream takes off. Cam's obsession with streaming causes complications with his friends and classmates, though. Will Cameron be able to maintain his friendships, the Positive Action Group he founded, and the video game stream? 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Gordan Korman's books are super appealing, especially for middle school boys looking for humor and somewhat ridiculous situations. Librarians looking to expand their humor sections should buy most of what Gordan Korman writes, and the Slacker books (this one and the first one, Slacker) are no exception. While it's the second book in the Slacker series, it can also stand alone without prior context.

Coyote Sunrise #2 Coyote Lost and Found written by Dan Gemeinhart reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: This book is a standalone companion to the beloved "The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise." This heartfelt story follows Coyote and her father, Rodeo, as they embark on a cross-country road trip to fulfill an important promise. After nearly a year of settling into a small Oregon town and coping with the loss of Coyote's mother and sisters, Coyote discovers a box containing her mother's ashes, which spurs her to find her mother’s chosen resting place. The challenge? The location is hidden in a book that Coyote accidentally sold. With her father unaware of the book's loss, Coyote sets out on an adventure filled with nostalgia, friendships, and self-discovery. Along the way, they reconnect with familiar faces and meet new friends, all while navigating the complexities of grief and healing. "Coyote Lost and Found" is a story about love, loss, and the importance of family connections, leaving readers with a sense of hope and joy. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: I have to say that I really enjoyed this book.  The characters are lovably weird, but they make it a point to live radiating kindness.  Every reader who remembers schools shutting down before break for COVID, might twitch a little at the memory. The excitement of getting an extra two weeks of break, to an unrecognizable, shut down world that lasted a lot longer than it should have. There are themes of grief, family, and friendship. There was a lot of love shared between Coyote and her dad and then also between friends. The book can serve as a springboard for discussions about loss, coping mechanisms, and the significance of cherished memories. Librarians can create reading circles where students share their thoughts and feelings about the characters' journeys, fostering empathy and understanding. Additionally, activities such as art projects inspired by the narrative or reflective writing assignments can help students express their interpretations of the story. Hosting book clubs or author study sessions can further deepen students' engagement. By connecting the book's themes to relevant subjects like social-emotional learning and literature, librarians can enhance students' understanding and appreciation of the narrative while promoting a supportive school environment.

The Candle and the Flame written by Nafiza Azad, reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: Noor is a city on the Silk Road still recovering from the Shayateen djinn killing everyone except for Fatima, her sister, and one other survivor. Now ruled by a new maharaja and protected by the Ifrit djinn, Noor is again under threat due to rebels seeking to undermine the maharaja, the Shayateen, and monstrous Ghuls. When a powerful Ifrit dies, Fatima is left changed and becomes further involved in the intrigues of the city. Working with the Ifrit commander Zulfikar and trying to navigate a complicated relationship with her sister, Fatima must learn who she is and harness her power to save the city. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: A lush world filled with many sensory details, high level vocabulary and many terms related to life in a middle eastern culture given without definitions may prove a challenge for readers unfamiliar with the setting. This could prove an opportunity to learn new vocabulary and research The Silk Road. Many review sources list the book for grades 7 and up but writing style and vocabulary indicate an older intended audience. Themes of grief and trauma are sensitively handled. Issues of gender roles in society are also touched on.

Tower of Winds #1: Isle of Blood and Stone written by Makiia Lucier, reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: 18 years ago, two princes of the island kingdom of St. John del Mar were kidnapped and murdered. Elias’ father died trying to protect the princes and Ulises inherited the throne meant for his brothers. Mercedes grew up in a kingdom that blames half her heritage for the murder. When two mysterious maps surface with a riddle hinting that the princes may still be alive, Elias, Ulises, and Mercedes must uncover the truth of what happened on that fateful day. But not everyone wants the truth to come out. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This story is an engaging tale for slightly older fans of The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen. The swashbuckling adventure style and the mystery of the princes’ fates make this a book with wide appeal, especially to readers who aren’t interested in magic in their stories. The world building includes some unique medieval world details not often depicted, most notably a strong emphasis on cartography. Discussions in the book related to remapping coastlines after earthquakes and discussions of cartographic tools could create connections between Social Studies, Science, and Math.

Every Moment After written by Joseph Moldover, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: Every Moment After follows best friends Matt and Cole as they navigate their lives in the aftermath of a tragic school shooting that took place eleven years earlier in East Ridge, New Jersey. The shooting left eighteen first graders dead, including their best friend, which has left deep scars on the survivors. Matt, who was home sick on that fateful day, struggles with guilt and self-destructive tendencies, while Cole, a survivor, grapples with PTSD, the recent loss of his father, and the desire for normalcy, including asking a girl out. The story addresses themes of grief, friendship, and the complexities of growing up while facing the shadows of a traumatic past. Told from both boys' perspectives, the novel explores their changing relationships and the challenges they face as they attempt to move forward without forgetting the pain they carry. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This story centers around trauma, mental health, and the importance of friendship. The book can be included in literature circles or book clubs, encouraging students to share their thoughts and feelings about the characters’ experiences. Librarians can create guided discussion questions that focus on themes such as coping with grief, the impact of violence in schools, and the process of healing. Additionally, incorporating cross-curricular lessons that link the book’s themes to social studies or health education can foster a deeper understanding of the societal issues surrounding school violence. Providing resources for mental health support and facilitating safe spaces for students to express their feelings can also be beneficial. By using this book as a springboard for conversation, librarians can help students process their emotions and engage with important contemporary issues.

Same But Different: Teen Life on the Autism Express written by Holly Robinson Peete, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: "Same But Different," written by Holly Robinson Peete and her twins RJ and Ryan Elizabeth Peete, shares the unique experiences of twins Charlie and Callie. Charlie has autism, while Callie does not, providing a heartfelt narrative that explores the challenges and triumphs of growing up with a sibling on the autism spectrum. The book alternates between Charlie's and Callie's perspectives, highlighting the difficulties of adolescent life, including dating, friendships, and social interactions. Callie often feels frustrated and overwhelmed by her brother's condition, while Charlie struggles to communicate his feelings and experiences. Throughout the narrative, the siblings navigate their relationship, showcasing both the struggles and the love that exists between them. Although the book addresses serious topics, it also aims to foster understanding and acceptance of autism, making it a poignant read for teens and families. 

 

Straight Talk for Librarians: School librarians can effectively integrate "Same But Different" into the curriculum by creating programs that foster empathy and understanding around autism. The book can be used during discussions in health or social-emotional learning classes, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and the unique challenges faced by individuals with autism and their families. Librarians can organize book clubs where students discuss the themes presented in the book, encouraging them to share their thoughts and experiences related to siblings or friends with disabilities. Additionally, librarians can invite guest speakers, such as local advocates or families affected by autism, to facilitate discussions and provide real-life context. By highlighting the intersectionality of disability and identity, this book can serve as a valuable resource in promoting diversity, understanding, and empathy among students.

Baby Monkey, Private Eye written by Brian Selznick and David Serlin, reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: This chapter book for all ages has bold black text and a hilarious main character working as a private detective. (Baby Monkey, Private Eye will be as endearing for adults who may notice the nods to films of years past in the illustrations.) Baby Monkey will search for clues, eat a snack, take notes, and solve the case. (Take careful note of the paintings and newspapers in the illustrations for more connections.) So, in short this is a picture book read aloud in the form of an early chapter book. (Don't miss the back matter, if you book talk this one.) Selznick and David Serlin have created a masterpiece in this sweet and funny book. Teachers who need to teach mystery books really need to consider this one. Librarians who teach back matter in their books will have much to discuss with the index and bibliography after the story. Even art teachers will find joy in the paintings on the wall and how they connect to each story. This book is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for all libraries! (I read this one before I received this book to review and have hoped for a sequel from this pair ever since.) 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This may be the single hardest book to place in a school collection. I put it in chapter books with a label that alerts my readers that it has more white space and picture support. I could see some choosing picture book locations, especially if they want parents to see this charming and unique book. It is possible we will continue to have this confusion with Brian Selznick as he continues to push the definition of picture book and chapter book to extremes. (To my great joy!)