You Should See Me in a Crown, written by Leah Johnson, reviewed by Bethany Bratney

Summary: Liz Lighty feels most comfortable playing or listening to music and blending in with her surroundings. Things might have been a little different before her mom passed away, or before her best friend Jordan blew her off hard in ninth grade, but now she’s just focused on her own goals and future - get a music performance scholarship to go to her dream school, Pennington, so she can become a doctor and save lives. When her scholarship falls through, Liz feels defeated, her college dreams dashed. But then, her brother reminds her of a very important, overlooked opportunity. Their high school, in small town Campbell, Indiana, is prom-obsessed and has a pageant-like process to nominate candidates for prom king and queen, titles that come with hefty prize money. Liz already has the best grades in school, so she’ll just have to add in some community service and popular pre-prom activities to be in the running. But being involved in prom will mean that Liz has to spend significant time with arch-enemy Rachel, former best friend, Jordan, and intriguing new girl, Mack. Liz isn’t sure she can make it through the competition without having a panic attack, or without getting closer to Mack, a move that would send her conservative community spinning. But if she wants to go to Pennington, Prom Queen money is her only option. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: You Should See Me in a Crown boasts the wonderful balance of a book that addresses serious life and societal issues (poverty, racism, anxiety, microaggressions, genetic disease, homophobia), but manages to do so in a manner that does not feel so heavy to the reader. Liz’s family and friends are (mostly) positive forces in her life and provide her with lots of love and support. She has a wonderful sense of humor, which she shares with the reader, and many of the prom events and antics add levity to the storyline. The result is this gem of a novel that reads like a feel good story even though it tackles Liz’s realistic problems. This book provides a lot of representation for readers in Liz’s African-American family and friends, Liz’s struggle with anxiety and panic attacks, Liz’s identification as a cis lesbian, and the sickel cell anemia that has caused disruption and tragedy in Liz’s family. Liz lives in a small town in which most of the other people do not identify similarly to Liz, so she provides a strong voice for any reader who often finds themself “othered” in their community. As is true with many underdog stories, in the end, both Liz and the reader discover that Liz is not the loner that she thinks she is, and that the majority of her classmates support her because of her uniqueness. This poignant, but still often light-hearted story is a must purchase item for any high school library.

The Loop, written by Ben Oliver, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary: After a world war, a world government was installed and put in charge of the rebuilding phase. It included a computerized system called HAPPY that advised the human government, solved international problems, cured disease and administered flawless and swift justice. It was effective, too effective. By curing the top 5 causes of death, this caused population explosion and food shortages. Sixteen year old Luka is in prison for admitting to an accidental death saving his sister from a life sentence. In the LOOP (prison) you can delay your execution by allowing unnatural experimentation on your body. Days run in a scheduled loop. Everything is scheduled and repetitive (meals, exercise, rain, etc) The LOOP can harvest your energy like a battery so Luka exercises hard so they don’t get much of his energy. A rebellion outside the LOOP against the government has started. Electricity is turned off and Luka escapes with other prisoners. Mass executions are happening all over the city by normal people who are dazed with silly smiles. Luka, the other escapees, and the army of resistors battle the government soldiers in a fight for their freedom and the freedom of the world. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: The storyline was unique and well written. Great book for high school students. EBB is a new drug taken in this society. Addicting like LSD, it brings on hallucinations, but these hallucinations are happy and peaceful. I can’t wait for the sequel. It leaves off on a cliff hanger and I am not one who waits well. The 2nd book is due out May 2021. I prefer to read a whole trilogy at one time.

Suitcase, written by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros, reviewed by Judy Hauser

Summary: This is a sweet, sweet story about kindness, trust and friendship. The story begins with a strange looking animal pulling a large suitcase. He is asked by other animals about the contents of such a large suitcase. The suitcase holds a teacup, a table, a chair, a kitchen and a cabin. The other animals are skeptical about the contents and, in fact, do not believe that the suitcase holds all of these items. Because of their skepticism and distrust the animals break into the suitcase and find a broken tea cup and a photo of the other items. A photo of a home. They feel so bad about breaking into the suitcase that they surprise the strange looking animal with a real home complete with a table, chair and tea cup. The ending of the story is very sweet with the strange looking animal stating that they are going to need more tea cups. This story is perfect for discussions on trust, caring, kindness and friendship. The deeds and reactions of all of the characters, regarding the large suitcase, the contents and each other, is thought-provoking and perfect for a read-aloud. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: A great book for discussions on trust, friendship, caring and tolerance. This is a story told with sparse text but very moving text.

There's Something About Sam, written by Hannah Barnaby, reviewed by Judy Hauser

Summary: Max was planning his sleepover birthday party. He invited all of the boys except two. When his mother asked why they were not invited Max described one boy as being gross and the other, Sam, as being different. His mother encouraged Max to invite both boys. It is interesting that Max gathered some intel on Sam from the other boys and those he asked thought Sam was cool and had some skills. Max was determined to find out what made Sam different than the other boys. He observed him at the birthday party and found Sam interesting. Sam ate his hamburger rare, wore pjs with a bat design and bit another boy during a game. But then Max saw Sam's hairy hands and fangs. Instead of being scared, like the other boys, Max found this fascinating. Sam and Max played all night and the other boys joined in. This is a story about accepting others even if they are different. It may be scary at first but it could turn out to be great. Acceptance and friendship are the themes of this story and they are illustrated in a fun way by Anne Wilsdorf. The way in which the story develops is fun and seems real-to-life (even though the different boy in question is possibly a wolfboy). Checking someone out with other friends is pretty normal. The feedback Max receives is interesting and goes against his thoughts so he sets out to gather his own intel. The way Max accepts the differences in Sam the more they become friends. The story, by the way, features boys only but, of course, could work for both genders. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This is a good book for discussion on acceptance, being "different," friendship and kindness. The mother in the book is great in how she speaks to her son.

Shell, Beak, Tusk: Shared Traits and the Wonders of Adaptation, written by Bridget Heos, reviewed by Bethany Bratney

Summary: This delightful book is a collection of adaptive traits that have developed and evolved in animals over the years. The book begins with a page explaining what an adaptation is and pointing out that similar traits can evolve in very different animals who share a purpose. Each two-page spread goes on to feature a specific adaptation, like tall ears or bills, and identifies the purpose of the adaptation. Then the book goes on to feature two animals that have developed the highlighted adaptation, and how each animal uses it. Each spread closes by pointing out the differences between the two animals, despite their one shared trait. For example, a duck and a platypus both have bills, but one is a bird and the other is a mammal. The book features a brief conclusion, reemphasizing the need for similar adaptations in different creatures, and then offers nice back matter in the form of a bibliography, photo credits and an index. The illustrations are full color photographs, often shot at close range to provide wonderful, detailed images of the adaptations that are being featured. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Young animal and nature enthusiasts will love this book! The large, bright photographs on each page will draw them in immediately. There are some fan favorite animals included, like bunnies, whales, penguins and elephants, but there are also some more unusual animals that we don’t see as often, like snails, platypus, aardvarks and bilbies. The text length and details included are probably better suited for slightly older children who have a small amount of scientific knowledge to build on, but younger children could certainly enjoy the pictures https://libresbooksmi.blogspot.com and facts as well, especially if they are particularly curious about animals. This book, especially in its straightforward comparisons of two different animals with the same adaptation, fills a niche in the animal book market, which is likely to create excitement for young zoologists eager to learn something new. Because this book offers many brief examples of the concept of adaptation, it won’t lend itself well to research or report purposes, but a new lens through which to look at the animal world is sure to be appreciated.

Robins! How They Grow Up, written by Eileen Christelow, reviewed by Bethany Bratney

Summary: Robins: How They Grow Up is a layered and detailed account of the life of a young robin. The lesson begins with the father bird flying north and the mother bird joining him a bit later. Mating is implied and assumed, but never discussed in detail. The reader then follows as the mother bird builds a nest and lays eggs in it. The book continues as the baby birds hatch, grow feathers, leave the nest, learn to fly, feed and defend themselves, and finally migrate south to begin the cycle again. Though the images are digital illustrations rather than photographs, the information is completely factual, showing each step of a bird’s life from egg to adulthood at five months old. Accompanying the fact-based illustrations of the prominent stages of robin life, most pages also include an aside in which the two baby robins break the fourth wall, talking to each other and adding extra details for the reader. Excellent back matter includes an author’s note, glossary, frequently asked questions about robins, and source material. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This is an fantastic resource for young students doing research and a fascinating read for early nature enthusiasts. Christelow spares no details, including strong explanations of commonly known facts, (feathers come in slowly and enable robins to fly) as well as lesser known details (baby robins defecate in small white sacs that must be removed from the nest by their parents). Many of the pages are quite text-heavy for a picture book, making this a better choice for middle or upper elementary school students, rather than early readers. Additional support for that point is the loss of multiple siblings from the next (one is eaten as an egg by a squirrel and the other is taken by a hawk), which might bother younger or more sensitive children. The utilization of the two robin brothers speaking to each other to provide extra details is brilliant, and often incorporates humor that will further enhance the enjoyment of this book. Most children, even science savvy youngsters, are likely to learn something new from this book and enjoy it, despite its very specific topic. A strong choice for an elementary school animal collection, especially in places like Michigan, where robins are plentiful throughout most of the year.

Once Upon a Unicorn's Horn, written by Beatrice Blue, reviewed by Judy Hauser

Summary: This is a book about imagination. When a girl named June explores the "magic" forest around her home for wands, etc., she comes across magic horses, who look suspiciously like rabbits, learning to fly. One little horse would not fly and looked very sad. June tried to get the little horse to fly and they had a lot of fun trying. June is a very resourceful and imaginative child. She used her most powerful magic wand to help the horse fly to no avail. June's parents could sense something was wrong so they talked to her and helped her with suggestions. The family in the story is a close-knit family and the parents are very loving and caring. June decides to give the sad horse an ice cream cone but trips and the cone lands on the sad horse's head. The horse loved the new horn. This book is not only about imagination but also about family and how magic horses became unicorns! 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This is an excellent book for a discussion on imagination. June and her loving parents work together to solve the sad horse problem. June is a great character who is resourceful, caring and a problem solver.

Fix That Clock, written by Kurt Cyrus, reviewed by Judy Hauser

Summary: The rhyming text and onomatopoeia will create a great read-aloud experience for children. The central point of the book is that a huge clock in a tower must be repaired. It is falling apart so three workers head up the ramp to fix the clock. Even before the workers begin to repair the broken steps leading up to the clock we learn that rats, bats and pigeons have used the broken clock parts as nesting and resting places. Even more critters appear as the clock is being repaired, "Creak-crack-crash! Ripping out the trash. Mice are hiding in the siding..." Children will learn some basics about birds and mammals, tools and what it takes to repair a large object. The illustrations, also by the author, are colorful and bright and are great for moving the story along. This will be a popular book for reading aloud to young children. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This is a good book for discussions with young children on building, sounds, working together and how something can impact something else.

Also, check out the Mohr librarian reading Fix That Clock. 

The Farm That Mac Built, written by Tammi Sauer, reviewed by Judy Hauser

Summary: This fun book combines Old MacDonald Had a Farm with The House that Jack Built. And the result is a wild journey through an "off Broadway play" with a scarecrow as the guide. We meet pigs and cows along with the oinks and moos but then monkeys appear in the story. And then kangaroos appear. As the story moves from farm animals and sounds it then takes another curve to elephants and then to chickens and sheep. The zany antics of the animals and the fast-paced movement between farmyard happenings to non-farmyard happenings is fun. Children will want to repeat the baas, moos, clucks and oinks. This is a big, colorful, fun book with great illustrations by Jackie Urbanovic. It would make a great read-aloud book. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This is a fun twist on some fairytales. Children will enjoy the animal sounds and that makes it a good book for audience participation.

Wherever After: Sugar and Spice, written by Sarah Mlynowski, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary: Twisted fairytale Hansel and Gretel leads us to a healthy eating witch whose only meat is children. Her house is built from candy to attract children. In this tale, Jonah and Abby run into a brother and sister who look exactly like them. Hansel & Gretel have heard a lot about Abby & Jonah’s land from them and decide to take the portal to their home unbeknownst to Abby & Jonah. In Abby & Jonah’s world they have food to eat, nice parents, and friends at school. Abby & Jonah have to fend off a witch, who is trying to eat them, and find a way to get back to their time. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Younger students, who are into fairytales, will love this fractured tale. In this story, Abby and Jonah pull together more so and set aside their sibling rivalry perhaps due to the fact that they have to survive and return home. Working together to achieve their goals and learning to give to others are the predominant messages in the story. They live in Hansel and Gretel’s world where there is little to no food and people do whatever it takes to survive. Gretel points out that she does not own a pillow or a blanket and sleeps on a haystack covered with an old dress. Abby and Jonah come to realize that they are spoiled brats and send Hansel and Gretel off with a basket of items for their home.

Goodnight, Veggies, written by Diana Murray and Zachariah OHora, reviewed by Judy Hauser

Summary: This fun book will be enjoyed by young listeners for the fun, vibrant illustrations of vegetables and the clever text. As the sun sets the veggies get ready to rest, "Turnips tucked in tightly. Potatoes closing eyes. Tuckered-out tomatoes humming lullabies." Young children will have questions about some of the veggies and they will learn about a variety of items and some of their characteristics. They will be able to follow a worm (complete with hat, socks and shoes) through the vegetable patch and observe the various goings-on. This is a very cute story with very cute illustrations. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Some explanations regarding various vegetables can be discussed. Young children may not be aware of all of the veggies in the story

Tiny Little Rocket, written by Richard Collingridge, reviewed by Judy Hauser

Summary: This book is a blast of color and imagery that will draw young children into the story. The text sparkles with descriptions of the tiny little rocket as it soars through space. Lines such as "And there you'll find the golden sun, our ever burning candle" will provoke discussions about planets and how some planets are essential to those of us earthlings. And the descriptions of the inner workings of the tiny little rocket are crisp and fun - "You see a purple lever that blares out PULL ME NOW! The booster rockets all go WHOOSH! You quietly whisper, WOW! The little rocket zooms again." One can imagine young children repeating the exclamations out loud to participate in the magic of the rocket. This book, complete with inviting text and beautiful illustrations, will be a favorite among young children. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: It's all good. The text and illustrations are great. The descriptions and sounds will be inviting to the young children listening as this book is read out loud.