Gloom Town, written by Ronald L. Smith, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary:  Rory and his mom Hilda live in a poor and deary part of Gloom Town.  Hilda works two jobs in order to be able to put food on the table and pay rent.  Their landlord is a terrible person and his threats force Rory to go out and look for a job as a 12 year old boy.  Rory’s friend, Izzy, works as a fortune teller at the local pub.  Rory lands a job as a gentleman’s valet and Foxglove Manor, which has a lot of rumors about it floating around town.  It’s a big step for Rory because he has to move into the Manor House and be at Lord Foxglove’s beck and call.  He is not allowed to talk about salary or pay, but he does get a generous advance, which should be enough to pay rent for the rest of the year.  After working there for a while, Rory begins to realize and feel that something is amiss.  People are not what they seem and Foxglove Manor is a scary place to be.  He tells Izzy about some of his worries and she promises to help him.  Eventually, Izzy and Rory realize that everyone has lost their shadows (which are connected to souls) and that a terrible creature is getting stronger because of the shadow harvesting.  Rory is worried that he will not be able to survive his job and die like his predecessor did.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Having read and enjoyed some of Ronald L Smith’s previous books, you can tell this is his setting and style of storytelling.  Diving into the book, it seems like it will be realistic fiction.  The story IS set in what seems like a fictional English seaside town.  But right away you get the feeling something is wrong and that evil might be lurking beneath the surface - then the story has elements of magical realism.  There is a little bit of dabbling with the occult in this story.  I’m not sure that the creature is connected to a mythological creature or if it is made up by the author.  Either way, it is a bit scary (in a fun way).  I enjoyed the friendship between Rory and Izzy.  The mystery part of the story began to be solved when Rory started telling adults about his problems and allowing his friends to help him.  The cover art on this book is gorgeous and speaks to the diverse characters without trying too hard.  The author always includes diversity in his books in a natural way.  Lots of bad creatures die, which resolves the storyline. The author throws in some twists and turns at the end, which makes the end even better and pulls together some treads from the beginning.  This is a great pick for a middle school library.  I’d recommend it to students looking for stories about witches, mages, scary creatures, mystery, high paced adventure and a fun cast of characters.
 

Far from Fair, written by Elana K. Arnold, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary:  Far from Fair is a perfect title for this book as we follow the events of Odette’s life.  Her father is laid off from his job.  They are selling their house and most of their things in California and preparing to live in a camper as they make their way up to Oregon.  They are going to Oregon because Odette’s grandma has cancer and is very sick.  Odette’s brother is autistic and she feels that it’s unfair that her parents have different standards for both of them.  Finally, Odette has to leave her friends behind and start over.  Oh, and to top it all off, mom and dad are having marriage problems. She is not happy and lets it be known throughout the story.  When they get to the island that Grandma Sissy lives on, Odette meets a boy, she gets to help run the bakery and the pace of life is a bit slower.  The underlying message of this story is that life is not fair, but you have to make the best with what you have to work with.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  I thought the cover of this book was beautiful and really went with the camper life theme.  I think most readers would sympathize with Odette.  She is having a lot of hardships in life and a lot of changes are coming too quick.  This story explored friendships, family dynamics and grief.  This book is targeted to ages 9-13 (grades 3-7) and I certainly believe that grief has a place in fiction and it needs to be explored.  However, I think the author went too far with diving into Oregon’s Death with Dignity law and sort of compared euthanasia to putting down a pet.  It got even more political when Odette’s brother had an exotic animal as a pet (ferret) which is illegal in California, but legal in Oregon.  It’s these political state laws, which are complex, that really hinted at ideologies that might not yet be appropriate for the age group targeted.  Depending on religious leanings, parents might be completely opposed to the POV presented in this book.  I think the intended age group is too young for the level of detail of grandma taking the drug cocktail to die.  There is also the possibility that younger readers are not well-schooled in individual state rights and might not fully understand what is going on between California and Oregon.  Only one of the professional reviews mentions this and others are ambiguous about the details.
 

Molly and the Machine, written by Erik Jon Slangerup, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary:  Summer is starting and Molly McQuirter and her brother Wally are at home with an absent father.  Their mom abandoned them and dad spends his days watching tv and letting the house and kids be neglected.  Molly runs into a few classmates at the beginning of the story, but they are not the friends she would prefer to have.  She kind of starts to accept that it will be a lonely summer until her brother mysteriously disappears.  Molly is determined to find her brother and sets off after some clues on her bike, Pink Lightning. Molly begins to suspect that the giant robot roaming the Ohio woods might have something to do with Wally’s disappearance and some other disappearances.  Molly and her pets risk their lives chasing the robot.  Molly is a problem solver and she is determined to solve the mystery and make things right in her town.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This book was so fun to read!  It’s hard to know how to classify it.  It is realistic fiction, but it can also be considered historical fiction as it is set in the 1980s.  It’s also got a bit of a science fiction twist, along with some action and mystery.  Molly is the main female character who defies stereotypes as she likes to tinker and fix things.  Most of the rest of the characters are boys, so I do think it will appeal to a wide range of readers.  This book could be integrated into a STEM program because of all the inventing and tinkering.  Those readers who grew up in the 80’s (!) will find lots of nostalgia and remember a time when we were not all connected to our phones at all hours of the day.  The setting is southern-ish Ohio, so that local connection is fun.  I think the giant robot that acquires a mind of its own is relevant to our AI conversations in society and the implications it might have.  If you happen to be in an IB school - the Learner Profile attributes of being a risk-taker and a thinker stand out about Molly.  It might also be a good recommendation to math and science teachers so they can push some science-related fiction.  It’s a great pick for any middle grade school library and book 2 is already out. If you happen to be a school librarian in Michigan and are going to be at the MASL conference - READ THIS BOOK! So you can be prepared for our Author Breakfast event ;)
 

A Day So Gray, written by Marie Lamba and Alea Marley, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary:  This adorable picture book is perfect to pull out on a bleak gray day.  The story starts with two friends.  One is a pessimist and one is super positive in finding the best in a day.  The first friend says that the day is so gray.  The friend insists that “it’s deep soft brown, and shining blue, and silver splashes on bright yellow.” They are outside in the cold and it is snowing and cold.  They go for a walk and the second friend keeps pointing out all the beauty of a gray winter day. They find a cat and end up curled up in front of a fireplace.  In their cozy spot, both friends can now agree that there is beauty to be found, no matter what the weather.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  A sweet cozy read for those cold winter days.  If a young reader is sad about the winter, this story will point out all the fun and beautiful things that can be found outside in the winter. Followed by a warm, cozy drink with a fire and a blanket.  One of the girls is peach skinned and the other is brown skinned. The shift in viewpoint is fun to watch.  The descriptive text will appeal to young readers.  When the positive character talks, the font is in blue.  The illustrator really captured the beauty of a winter day.  Both characters are cute and lovable.  It’s just a sweet book that would make for a good read-aloud.  It would be perfect for a preK - 2nd grade library collection.  For any PYP IB libraries - you can find the attributes of being a thinker and a risk-taker.  I definitely recommend this book.
 

The Crown Heist (The Lost Art Mysteries), written by Deron R. Hicks, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary:  This is book #3 in the Lost Art Mystery series.  Readers will be transported to London after spending the previous two book in Washington DC - mostly at the Smithsonian.  Art and Camille are still best friends solving mysteries and keeping up on the mundane task of school and homework.  Camille has a change to meet her estranged father, but she has to travel to London in order to do that.  Art has to support Camille, so he goes to London as well.  When they get there, Camille’s father seems to be missing.  He had been researching a British artifact and as he was getting closer to finding out some information, he went missing.  Solving mysteries seem to follow Art and Camille.  They start looking for clues at the Tower of London, the National Portrait Gallery and several other historical spots in hopes of finding Camille’s history professor father before it’s too late.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  I read the previous two books and I loved them!  I loved the change of location in this one.  The mystery revolves around art history (and history).  Art and Camille are chased by the bad guys - lots of action.  They figure out the clues and find their way around London.  I love the independence that these characters portray.  This book has all the QR codes, like the previous books, so that you can scan them and see the works of art.  That is my favorite part of this series!  It’s such a great tie-in to art history and museums.  It’s such a great fit for school libraries to put on their shelves.  I think it will grab all sorts of middle-grade readers.  Every reader will learn something new from it.  I book talked this book at a recent workshop because I think it’s one of those missed pandemic-era published books that didn’t get the marketing and exposure they should have gotten.  Buy the whole series and let your visual art and history teachers know about it. I think with a display or a bulletin board to draw attention to this series, they will have lots of checkouts.  Adults who read middle-grade books will also love this series.
 

City of Thieves (Battle Dragons #1), written by Alex London, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary:  Battle Dragons: City of Thieves is the first book of a trilogy.  As the title suggests, this is a futuristic/dystopic world with dragons.  There are underground dragon battles and they have been integrated into society.  Some dragons pull the school bus!  The premise is that dragons almost made themselves extinct, but the government domesticated them.  There are different breeds of dragons, some better suited to certain jobs.  Some dragons are well suited to battle, making it a highly sought-after position to be a dragon rider.  There is a school for this that Abel aspires to. Abel unfortunately did not have a good rider’s exam. He’s said that his brother has left home and turns out his sister is stealing dragons with a gang.  However, the government of Drakopolis and its law enforcement, may not have its citizens' best interests in mind.  Will Abel trust his sister?  Does Abel want to keep riding dragons and fighting?  What is worth fighting for?

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This book is pretty fast-paced with lots of adventure at night and the dragon battles.  It’s fun to imagine the dragons wooshing around in the night sky.  This book is targeted to readers who are between 9-13ish years old.  I think it might raise some eyebrows that the author used a non-binary character with they/them pronouns. It seemed a little forced as there is no sexuality within the plot line and the intended audience is a bit young.  It has some exciting action adventure, family dynamics, some mystery to work out and school relationships in an urban fantasy dystopian setting.  There are not a lot of professional reviews for school librarians to make a purchasing decision with this series.  It averages about three stars on various review sites. That is about where I would put it. The cover will grab readers - who doesn’t love dragons?  It’s a quick read and might introduce new readers to the urban fantasy genre.
 

Pulse (Pulse, 1), written by Patrick Carman, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary:  This book is the first book in a 2013 series called Pulse (also the title of the first book).  I am not sure why it was hidden for so long and why it did not get reviewed before today.  But I read it and it is definitely worth putting on a reader's radar, especially if they are into dystopian books.  This story takes place in the year 2051 and our main characters are Faith Daniels and Dylan Gilmore.  Faith is realizing she has really strong telekinesis power and she has to learn how to use it better.  There is a war coming and she might be the key to winning.  I think more of these details will come in the following two books.  There is a nefarious organization simmering within the story line and those people knew the power that was within some of the characters.  There is some violence, lots of action and a bit of romance.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Even though this book was written in 2013, there is somehow an even more relevant connection to teens being glued to their “tablets” in the story, like they are today.  The government monitors what people watch, who they communicate with and they definitely have the ability to track your location.  With this being a dystopian story, there are a lot of sad elements like the main characters having lost their parents and the violence of living on the outskirts of society.  But I like how there is a focus on friendships and creating a family from the people you surround yourself with.  I’m partial to the part of the story where trees are flying through the air because of telekinesis (I mean, who wouldn’t want that power?)  I’ll put this on my shelf in the high school library and purchase the other 2 books in the trilogy to recommend to students who are into dystopian books.  The author has also written a lot of other books, so it would be a good introduction to his work.
 

Call and Response: The Story of Black Lives Matter, written by Veronica Chambers, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  "Call and Response: The Story of Black Lives Matter" is a poignant and powerful narrative that delves into the origins, evolution, and impact of the Black Lives Matter movement. Author Wes Lowery, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, skillfully weaves together personal stories, historical context, and investigative journalism to create a compelling account of one of the most significant social justice movements of our time.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Lowery begins by tracing the roots of Black Lives Matter to the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Eric Garner, which sparked outrage and galvanized a new generation of activists. He then takes readers on a journey through the movement's growth, from its grassroots beginnings to its global reach, highlighting key moments, leaders, and tactics along the way.

One of the book's strengths is its nuanced exploration of the complexities and controversies surrounding the movement. Lowery does not shy away from addressing internal divisions, critiques from both within and outside the movement, and the challenges of sustaining momentum over time. Through interviews with activists, organizers, and scholars, he offers a multifaceted view of Black Lives Matter, acknowledging its successes, while also, interrogating its limitations and contradictions.

"Call and Response" is not just a historical account; it is a call to action. Lowery challenges readers to confront their own biases, engage in difficult conversations, and take meaningful steps toward racial justice. In a time of heightened awareness of racial inequality, this book serves as a timely and necessary reminder of the ongoing struggle for Black liberation. Great for book discussions, book clubs, and individual readers.
 

What Do You Do If You Work at the Zoo? written by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:   A zookeeper's day is never done.  They have many jobs and several are introduced here with sidebar paragraphs.  Most of the illustrations are of  the jobs that are not popularly known. Each animal has his own page and a few two pages devoted to them.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Not recommended. The day starts with taking care of orphaned animals, a joey & a vulture.  It is a situation that most young students fear.  If you want a book that will bring about discussions, this is the book for you.  It allows students to speculate why they are orphaned.  The teacher will be inundated with questions throughout the pages on each animals’ situation.  The questions can be about Joey's mom?  Why is he left alone in a zoo?  Who will be his mother?  Next turn a few pages to Pandas and their excessive poop, a happy hyena with a bloodsicle, and a bottle fed giraffe whose mother is sick and a manatee whose mother is lost.  This all adds up to a disturbing view of the job for the younger reader.  I passed the book along to different people in different stages of life and children.  The reviews were the same, not recommended.
 

The Copernicus Legacy: The Golden Vendetta, written by Tony Abbott, MacLeod Andrews, et al., reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary:  This third novel of a trilogy has the Kaplan family on the hunt for a relic that seems to have been designed by the great Leonardo da Vinci. Of course, their nemesis, Galina Krause and her lackeys are in hot pursuit. In this edition there is talk of the goal to stop Galina's endgame which is sure to be devastating to all as her willingness to kill and control those around her and likely to destroy the artifacts the Guardians, like da Vinci himself, have spent generations trying to protect will require the Kaplans and other guardians to risk their lives, solve puzzles, and travel the globe under aliases to try not to attract Galina's compatriots. Will they succeed?

Straight Talk for Librarians:  I was hooked on this book immediately despite having never read the other 2 in this series. Though I am not sure my students will know about Copernicus or Da Vinci and the connections to art and history, I do believe a good adventure with researchable connections will engage those up for this kind of reading challenge. The plot is complex and the moving parts are engaging and thought provoking. This brought me back to my book fair in about 2003 when I sold out of Dan Brown's DaVinci code multiple times in my Scholastic Book Fair as it was THE book everyone was talking about. From the art history to the dangerous adventures and the historical secrets, this book will engage strong readers or families who like to share longer books out loud. This book will certainly satisfy my voracious readers of Erin Hunter, Rick Riordan, and J.K. Rowling. I will add the series to my library and recommend it to all the elementary and middle school librarians in my district!
 

Power Up (A Power Up Graphic Novel), written by by Sam Nisson and Darnell Johnson, reviewed by Todd Erickson

Summary:  Miles and Rhys go to the same school, but they are not friends IRL. But they unknowingly game together as Gryphon and Backslash. Online, they make quite a team, but in school Rhys is known as the new kid who's kind of strange.Rhys is bullied, and they stop gaming together.  Mile's parents think he spends too much time gaming and require him to find some new hobbies - such as dirt biking. When a Battle Con Gaming Tournament comes to town, Mile's parents let him participate, and Rhy's identity is revealed.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This a great story with almost two simultaneous stories going on. One IRL and one online in the gaming world. Simon does a good job of keeping the story moving in both reality and virtual gaming world. There are a lot of issues that are brought up, without being preachy or heavy handed. Bullying, screentime, and school-life balance are all addressed. Miles and his diverse group of friends are pretty typical. This book will certainly find an audience as it is entertaining and does a great job of balancing real life with virtual gaming world. There are lessons to be learned from each.
 

Timo the Adventurer, by Jonathan Garnier and Yohan Sacré, reviewed by Todd Erickson

Summary:  Timo is tired of his small room in his small house in his small village and embarks on an adventure to discover what all he's missing. His fantastical adventure is interspersed with his meandering travel journal entries, where he comments on the animals, plants and insights he  encounters along the way. Timo is not so brave, but with each new encounter, he finds courage and friendship and confronts his self doubts. In the end, he must perform a final act of courage for the benefit of his family and newfound  community.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This story is an engaging adventure that is sure to entertain middle grade readers. The artwork is fantastical, and engaging enough to maintain visual interest. Timo and his world alternates between dark and affirming. There is a good message, it's not all about the journey, but what matters most is the friends you make along the way. Timo conquers his fears and grapples with betrayal and his physical limitations. By the end, it appears he is a grown up adventurer and everything has worked out for the best.
 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/16544502.Jonathan_Garnier

The Fabled Life of Aesop: The extraordinary journey and collected tales of the world's greatest storyteller, written by Ian Lendler and Pamela Zagarenski, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Aesop is a slave boy.  He creates stories about the value of hard work and being honest, humble and kind. He also taught the slaves how to survive in a world that was sometimes unjust and cruel. This is his story and it includes several of the fables he told. His stories have lived on for over 2500 years. Many of the stories were retold over those years and have become legends.  Aesop’s fables became one of the most popular books in history. Two of his most famous fables are the Tortoise and the Hare and the boy who cried wolf.

Straight Talk for Librarians: All the fables are still useful lessons in today’s current life and classroom situations. Students will be transfixed by the lessons they are taught by the talking animals. Teachers could build lessons around each fable and students can have great classroom discussions on each of the fables. Highly recommended.

 

Stick and Stone: Best Friends Forever! written by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Stick and Stone set out on a quest to find Stick’s family tree.  Could he be a maple or birch?  They venture far away over rivers and mountains.  It is lots of fun being on a quest in the bright sunshine and sometimes it’s not so fun when darkness falls.  Together forever they stick together and find out best friends and family come in all different shapes and sizes.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Rhyming was never so much fun.  I adore this book and I think your little ones will too.  There is just enough searching, just enough fright, and just enough rhyming.  It makes a perfect classroom book for early readers.  It teaches them friendship and family come in all different shapes and sizes.  The illustrations were spot on.  On the inside covers, there are different sticks with leaves indicating the many different tree types.  Highly recommended.
 

Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin, written by Nadia Shammas and Nabi H. Ali, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Kamala Khan (A.K.A. Ms. Marvel) has powers that allow her to stretch her body.  She is a highschool student with many obligations to family, friends and now training to be a superhero for the avengers.  She is struggling to keep it together.  A mysterious robot is sent to her as a toy.  The robot, when plugged into her computer, infiltrates her computer files and is a threat to the avengers and their training location. It’s up to Ms. Marvel to get herself together, ask for help, and fix the mess she’s made.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Highly recommended.  Ms. Marvel is an American muslim girl from a traditional Middle Eastern family.  It’s not easy to be a teenager and a superhero.  Kamala learns that asking for help is not a sign of weakness.  It only makes her and the team stronger and unbeatable.  It is a good lesson to be taught.  This would make a good classroom read or a stand alone book.
 

Una Larga Travesía Hasta El Agua: Basada en una historia real (A Long Walk to Water Spanish edition), written by Linda Sue Park, reviewed by Amanda Davies

Summary:  This is a Spanish translation of the true story of Salva Dut, a young Sudanese boy, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. Salva is separated from his family and must walk for weeks in the search for water and food. The book also tells the fictional story of a young Sudanese girl, Nya. The combination of the true and fictional stories flesh out this difficult time in Sudanese history.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This translation would be great for Spanish or MLL classroom libraries, as well as in middle or high school libraries. Students who speak Spanish as their first language as well as more sophisticated Spanish language learners could both benefit from this book being on the shelves. Because the English version is so easily accessible, it would also work in earlier Spanish language classes where students compare the two versions side by side.

 

El Dador/The Giver, written by Lois Lowry, reviewed by Amanda Davies

Summary:  In this Spanish translation of the dystponian classic, the main character, Jonah, discovers that not everything in his community is what it seems.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This translation would be great for Spanish or MLL classroom libraries, as well as in school libraries. Students who speak Spanish as their first language as well as more sophisticated Spanish language learners could both benefit from this book being on the shelves. Because the English version is so easily accessible, it would also work in earlier Spanish language classes where students compare the two versions side by side.
 

Leprechaun's Rainbow, written by Christy Tortland, illustrated by Carlo Beranek, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Spot the colors with Leprechaun while taking a stroll. Leprechaun loves the colors of the rainbow.  Help Leprechaun find the many colors of the rainbow and the matching items on the pages. “We’ve found the color red on the tractor, apples and a shed.”

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Each board book page has a different color and a rhyme to go with it.  Children help find the items of each colored page.  The rhymes and words felt a little forced, not easily flowing off your tongue.  There is a nice little cut out of a rainbow on the top of the book.  It’s perfect for little hands to take a hold of it and carry it around.  The very appealing illustrations and the design and colors of the book will have kids gravitating to it.
 

Little Bat in Night School, written by Brian Lies, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Little bat is eager to go to school.  He has gathered everything he needs.  When he finally gets there, he meets other young nocturnal creatures.  Some are friendly, some are not and some keep to themselves.  Little bat learns that not everyone like him, a bat, will be eager to make a new friend. While others are shy and need a friend. He makes a friend in Ophelia, a young possum, while they were hiding in a cubby together.  Little bat learns of numbers, makes art with clay, builds race cars, and the teacher reads aloud a dinosaur book. Little bat has lots of fun.  He and his new friend, Ophelia, agree to meet back here again tonight.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Wonderful book for introducing a nocturnal creatures unit and how they differ from other animals. Little bat handles bad situations well and that should be commended and talked about in class.  The characters come alive because the Illustrations are close to being realistic without being frightening.  Highly recommended. Check out Brian Lies blog here.
 

Smiley's Dream Book, written by by Jeff Smith, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Smiley counts 12 birds singing until many more appear.  They sing together and soar through the sky making flips and turns.  When suddenly a mean bird appears.  The bird snaps his jaws and flaps his large wings at the little birds.  When he dives after a little bird, Smiley steps in and stares him down and he flies away.  All the birds cheer.  Smiley is the hero.  Smiley wakes up and finds out it was all a dream.  A beautiful dream with beautiful birds and he could fly.  He decides to fall back asleep and tries to dream again.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Smiley’s dream book is a counting book.  It is a stand up for the little guy book.  It is about dreaming.  There are so many lessons a teacher could create from this book. It is a must have in a classroom library.  Highly recommended.
 

How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read? written by by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Little dinosaurs love to read.  Some people assume that they don’t know how to read and badly treat their books by throwing or eating them.  Little dinosaurs show how they really read their books.  They read in their beds, on a toilet, and on the floor.  They never mistreat their book by using it as a shovel, bat, or boat. They get upset when mom and dad want to turn off the light when it is time for bed.  Little dinosaurs can’t wait to wake up tomorrow and start reading again.  Alone or with a buddy, dinosaurs and little people can learn to enjoy reading in different ways.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  There are many places to learn to read and how to treat a book.  Dinosaurs show us wrong ways and then the right ways. This is a good lesson for early readers on how to treat a book and learning ways to enjoy reading in different surroundings.  Teachers should encourage students in finding different locations like on a bean bag, in their bed, on the floor.  Each student should have their own perfect reading spot and share it with the class.  It is another great way to reward reading by setting aside time to go outside on a blanket, or to find soft seating in school. This oversized book with colorful illustrations is great for a classroom read aloud.
 

How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodbye? written by by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Little dinosaurs don’t like to say goodbye.  Some cry and throw tantrums.  Some write on the wall 'Don't Go!’.  Some hold on to their parents or run to the neighbors home.  Eventually, most learn to face their worst fears.  They talk to the grownups about how they are feeling and that helps a lot. They give hugs and kisses and make drawings to say how they feel.

Straight Talk for Librarians:   There are many ways to learn to say goodbye.  Dinosaurs show us the wrong way and then the right ways to show it. This is a good lesson for early readers on how to say goodbye and separating from parents and grandparents.  Teachers should use this book as a read aloud to encourage discussion on good ways to handle goodbyes.  Possibly follow up with an art project to tell someone how much you love them.
 

The Chasing Paper Caper (Carmen Sandiego Graphic Novels), written by Clarion Books, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Carmen Sandiego and her online companion, Player, take off to Mumbai, India in search of the famous Magna Carta.  VILE has plans to steal it from the government.  Carmen arrives just in time to confront and scuffle with Paperstar, a student she met at VILE her 2nd year, in the building.  Paperstar gets away with the Magna Carta and Carmen is off on a chase to recover the document.  Following close behind and catching up with the pair are Inspector Devineaux and agent Argent.  Lots of twists and turns with the Magna Carta falling into several hands.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Definitely a fun way to learn about different cities and cultures around the world.  Carmen is in Mumbai, India this time.  Interesting facts about the Magna Carta and Mumbai are included in the story and at the end of the book.  Paperstars’ talent is making origami.  She makes them so accurate and tight that her stars can cut through stone.  Great way to introduce origami and japanese art into a classroom.  Adventure seekers will love following along. Highly recommended.
 

El Ratoncito, La Fresa Roja Y Madura Y El Gran Oso Hambriento: Spanish/English The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear, written by Audrey Wood and Don Wood, reviewed by Amanda Davies

Summary:  This board book is about a mouse who has picked a beautiful strawberry and is now trying to hide it from a bear. The narrator keeps emphasizing how the bear is going to steal the strawberry from the mouse and convinces the mouse to share half of the strawberry with them.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This is a lovely board book for two important reasons. It could easily be used in an early Spanish classroom so students can use the English translation to help them comprehend the Spanish. It could also be used in a higher level Spanish classroom where students could evaluate the accuracy of the English translation. In addition to its use in a Spanish classroom, it's a great example of a tricky first-person narrator who is unseen in the story but plays and important role in the plot. English and ELA classes could use it as a mentor text for surprising and creative ways to play with the point of view of a children's story.
 

What Do You Say Little Blue Truck? written by Alice Schertle, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:   Little Blue Truck takes a ride and greets all of his friends as he passes by with a friendly beep.  Learn how each friend replies back in real live sound.  “Does Pig say “Beep” like Little Blue?  No! Pig says “Oink!” as all pigs do.  There are seven different animal sounds and Little Blue's horn sound.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Learn in rhyming prose how Blue and his friends communicate in visual and audio.  This well crafted and written picture board book is battery operated and has many useful purposes in preschool for group read aloud or art projects.  The battery has a shut off which will help lengthen the battery life and prevent unwanted interruptions in class.

Jill McImurry the illustrator has her website here.
 

The Need for Speed Caper (Carmen Sandiego Graphic Novels), written by Clarion Books, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Carmen Sandiego and her crew, Player, Ivy and Zack, are trying to steal the world's fastest car before VILE’s does.  They are in Dubai where the car is being unveiled.  The car is wanted for its stealth and speed. It is a perfect getaway car for criminals.  Unfortunately a perfect caper turns bad when Zack loses his temper, gets caught and he and Ivy are thrown into jail.  These are high stakes and high speeds filled with street car races, skills of driver vs driver, and vehicle hauling blimps.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Truly a fun way to learn about different cities and cultures around the world.  Carmen is in Dubai this time.  Her fight is with another woman driver. VILE’s mechanic is also a woman.  So if you are looking to broaden the horizons of young females, this might be the way to illuminate the way to different career choices.  In the back of the book, there are 2 pages devoted to the United Arab Emirates with fun facts and did you know.  This is another great way to learn geography and customs while in school.  The graphic novel style and storyline keeps readers turning the page. Highly recommended for adventure seeking students and low level readers.
 

¿Quien Es Carmen Sandiego? [Who Is Carmen Sandiego?], written by Rebecca Tinker, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Written in Spanish. 

Everyone likes Carmen Sandiego.  She’s a hero that thwarts villains, but who is she really?  Where does she come from?  This is her story. 
Beginning as a baby,  she was found on the street in a basket and brought to the VILE island raised by the villains and thieves of V.I.L.E., Villains International League of Evil. Her name was Black Sheep. She lived there for years wanting to attend the island school like all the others brought to the island.  The school trains them to become the best thieves in the world.  At last, she was given the chance to attend, but she failed due to teacher trickery.  They would not let her go on missions until she passed all her trials.  During her time there, she pocketed a dropped cell phone and connected with her first friend, a boy named Player, in the outside world.  He and his friends belong to a group called the White Hats.  They each swore to use their hacking skills for good not evil. We all know the path she takes, but was it an easy choice?

Straight Talk for Librarians:  I picked up this book for our MLL learners along with a copy of the English version.  The MLL students picked up and translated phrases in Spanish to English.  Highly recommended for all libraries especially those with Spanish students learning English.

Who in the World is Carmen Sandiego? written by Rebecca Tinker, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Everyone likes Carmen Sandiego.  She’s a hero that thwarts villains, but who is she really?  Where does she come from?  This is her story. 
Beginning as a baby,  she was found on the street in a basket and brought to the VILE island raised by the villains and thieves of V.I.L.E., Villains International League of Evil. Her name was Black Sheep. She lived there for years wanting to attend the island school like all the others brought to the island.  The school trains them to become the best thieves in the world.  At last, she was given the chance to attend, but she failed due to teacher trickery.  They would not let her go on missions until she passed all her trials.  During her time there, she pocketed a dropped cell phone and connected with her first friend, a boy named Player, in the outside world.  He and his friends belong to a group called the White Hats.  They each swore to use their hacking skills for good not evil. We all know the path she takes, but was it an easy choice?

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Surprisingly good for a background story.  It is as entertaining as one of Carmen’s adventure stories.  Everyone is looking for some background on Carmen and Tinker covered her story very well.  Carmen's decision to work for good and not evil was a tough one. She had to leave all she knew behind.  The book would make a great book club read with questions on morality.  Highly recommended for all libraries.
 

The One Thing You'd Save, written by Linda Sue Park, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Knowing that your family and pets are safe, what would you save if you could save one thing in an emergency?  What is the one thing you deem irreplaceable?  Someone’s special item might not be in the top three of another’s list. Ms. Chang leads her class through an all important discussion on picking the one item (size and weight don’t matter) that you would save in an emergency.  Each student has selected their item and has to explain and express their feelings about why they chose that particular item.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This book makes you evaluate what is important in your life.  It would make a great classroom or book club discussion.  Loads of pictures and drawings of items on every page make the book approachable for insecure readers.  Wonderful teaching tool for students of any age.  Written for younger students, but highly recommended for all.

 

Freight Train, written by Donald Crews, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Freight Train is a seven car and one engine train.  He has different colored cars.  Freight Train moves through tunnels, across trestles, and passes by cities.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Freight Train is a sturdy picture book.  It's great for learning colors and types of railcars. Pictures tell the story with not many words.  It's an easy read that any teacher can come up with off the cuff questions on color and what do you see.  Highly recommended.
 

The Lines We Cross, written by Randa Abdel-Fattah, reviewed by Bethany Bratney

Summary:  Mina has just moved from Sydney, Australia to a smaller community where her recently immigrated Afghani family will open a halal restaurant. Michael attends Mina’s new school, and is immediately interested in her intelligence and humor. But Michael’s father is the head of an anti-immigration group called Aussie Values, which speaks openly against immigrants in the community and spurs racism and occasional violence in some members. When Mina finds out about Michael’s family, she is not sure she can trust him, especially after seeing some old video footage of him preaching the Aussie Values message. But as Michael gets to know Mina and learns the story of why she and her family fled Afghanistan, he starts to question the Aussie Values stance, which brings him closer to Mina but creates tension within his family.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  The Lines We Cross is an incredibly poignant novel for teens living in today’s world filled with political conflict. Both sides of the anti-immigration issue are presented in alternating chapters by both Michael and Mina. Mina shares her firsthand perspective of why it was essential for her family to leave Afghanistan in a clear and direct manner that instantly garnered my sympathy. The counterpoint is represented most heavily by Michael’s father and the Aussie Values group, and is presented reasonably and with explanation. There is room for students on either side of this issue to recognize their perspective, though ultimately both main characters come to align their thinking in support of immigration. While this book specifically takes place in Australia, the issues discussed are extremely relevant in the United States as well, making it easy to transfer ideas presented to a more local context. The Lines We Cross will be an engaging choice novel for many, but has curricular potential in a civics or government class due to its connection to current events and legal issues. An excellent addition to collections looking to bolster fiction on social issues or where Abdel-Fattah’s other books are popular.