The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien written and illustrated by John Hendrix, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: "The Mythmakers" is a graphic novel biography that explores the friendship and creative journey of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. This narrative, enriched with comic panels, follows their lives from childhood through their experiences in World War I, their meeting at Oxford, and the formation of their literary group, the Inklings. The story reveals how their friendship influenced their legendary works, such as "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "The Lord of the Rings," and how they redefined fantasy as a genre for adults. John Hendrix masterfully combines historical facts with fiction, providing insights into their personal and professional lives, while also touching on themes of mythology, faith, and creativity.

Straight Talk for Librarians: I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot about how the fantasy genre came to be!  It was interesting to have this view of how and why Tolkien and Lewis's friendship developed and how it influenced their writing.  Even after all these years, students are still checking books out by both authors. I think that literature teachers (and other readers) would love this book to explore the impact of Lewis and Tolkien on the fantasy genre. There is definitely an opportunity to explore the historical context of World War I and II and their influence on literature. This would complement a World Religions class and/or Philosophy. I think that within the library a book club could be conducted like the Inklings.  I think the color palette was muted to help convey the emotion of the story and it was fun to see the characters from both authors' stories within the pages.  I think a lot of sadness was conveyed during the wars and then as the friendship started to change.  The vocabulary is pretty high level and a good choice for high school students and even adult readers. I highly recommend this book for all kinds of libraries.

Finish the Fight: The Brave and Revolutionary Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote written by Veronica Chambers and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: In a two page spread there are images of women we may have learned about who had a hand in the women's suffrage movement including 8 women all appearing white in the sketches. The next spread is a two page spread with at least 40 others who are obviously white, black, Hispanic, and Native American with mostly unfamiliar names to me. I was hooked right then. This book in 13 chapters and a conclusion puts the focus on the ways that voting rights for women mixed often with rights for other groups: Black Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic Americans as well as the reality of the lack of rights for women in general, especially if they were not married to a man. The writing is easy to read and intermixed with photos and illustrations that highlight the time period of the suffrage movement well. Veronica Chambers and the staff of the New York Times have made a very heated and contested topic approachable for the very young. The backmatter is spectacular, which makes sense as it was written by folks with newsroom expertise. The illustrations by Ellen Duda are interesting and I had to return to the pages throughout the book when reading the Illustrator's note about the flowers along the page edges connecting to specific women in the suffrage movement. I also listened to this book using the Hoopla app through my public library and found it wonderful to hear. I believe my ability to read the names of some of these famous women was lacking and I need to do better in saying the names of these remarkable women just as I say the names of my students. Names matter. These women matter now more than ever and I am glad to have learned about them. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: I see this as a great book for middle school and high school libraries to support students who want to understand the epic struggle the suffrage movement was and to recognize the things it could not do yet. I was a student who often researched beyond the textbook and I know many of my current students do the same now. I want our libraries to offer them more than they learn in class when they seek it and to support the need to research and learn as much as can from the books they have access to at school. I am sharing this with a high school library in my district where it will supplement the collection well.

A Sporting Chance: How Ludwig Guttmann Created the Paralympic Games written by Lori Alexander, illustrated by Allan Drummond and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: This book is the story of a genius doctor with a passion for neurology. He was lucky enough to work under one of the best neurologists in Germany. Unfortunately, there are new laws coming from the Nazi Party that Jewish folks cannot work in government jobs. Dr. Guttmann finds a new job at an all Jewish hospital and leads their neurology department. Laws were made by the Nazi Party to single out those with physical disabilities as unworthy and send them to death camps. After Kristallnacht, Dr. Guttmann moves his family to England. At the hospital there when Ludwig begins treating soldiers, his awareness of how little improvement his soldier patients are having when not being active. He creates an archery tournament on the hospital grounds. He realizes that physical activity is not just good for the muscles it is good for the spirit. His tournament expands to other sports, some adapted for wheelchair users. It is now an international event and inspires many around the world. In his lifetime, Dr. Ludwig Guttmann changed the course of medical care for those with disabilities and changed the perspectives of many about accessibility to sporting facilities and the lack of adequate wheelchairs for sporting quadriplegics. This book has amazing back matter. Though there are photo illustrations (some that are very graphically focusing on the issues of being bedridden and immobile) most of the illustrations are drawn by Allan Drummond. Mr. Drummond is one of my favorite non-fiction author/illustrators for my elementary students. His picture books are in every library collection I have overseen. I admit to being stuck with the contrast in the drawings versus the photographic images from Dr. Guttmann's life. The Paralympic Games has given life and opportunities to so very many. I fear where we would be now had Dr. Guttmann not fought so hard for his dreams. 

This book is magnificent. It deserves readers of all ages. I hope I am wrong about the illustrations limiting those who will read it. I also listened to it using Hoopla through my public library and I could not stop driving around town as it was riveting to hear. Lori Alexander has put in so much research into a brilliant doctor and his dedication to his paralyzed patients despite so many hardships in the world in his lifetime. His reach continues even today. I look at my student's wheelchairs and cannot believe that not too long ago, the variations were not available nor even considered necessary. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Schools and public libraries need this book! Physical differences are in every community and recognizing how much has changed in a couple generations allows us to dream bigger for the future. Medical science is always changing and it has to have an impactful and committed advocate for that change to happen. Every one of us needs to know the history of medical science to accept and advocate for the current and future possibilities. This book is as much a book that is about science and commitment to improving the lives of folks with medical needs as it is a biography of an important doctor that I have never heard about, even in the field of education where I have students with physical medical challenges. Access is a universal need and this book captures that well. Ludwig's research is data based and that supports my STEAM activities that I do with students.

How to Make a Friend written by Stephen W. Martin, illustrated by Olivia Aserr and reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary: From start to finish learn to make a friend by following these instructions. Do you want a friend to play with you or a friend to help you do homework? Once you choose what you want, it is time to start building your new friend from blueprints. Remember to measure twice and cut once and don’t forget to hide your spare parts. You can play games with your friend, but remember that you have to share them with others. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This is written as a mechanics manual on how to build a friend using material & tools. After a lot of sweat, we learn of the ups and downs of relationships. Some friendships last and others were not meant to last because of our differences. We should reflect and recover and take away something in every relationship. This is a funny and entertaining book relatable to everyone. Highly Recommended.

Tough Chicks Go to Bed written by Cece Meng and illustrated by Melissa Suber , reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary: Mama Hen tries to get her 3 chicks to go to bed. As children do, they come up with excuses why they can’t sleep. They have the wiggles and giggles and are ready for adventure. They walk through the farm yard noticing how all the other young animals are sleeping. They go through the nighttime rituals of counting sheep, back rubbing and snuggling like pigs to fall asleep, but Molly still has the zoomies. As she zooms through the farm, she wakes everyone. After the zoomies, Molly settles down to sleep, but the others are all wide awake. The wind whispers a lullaby and everyone falls to sleep. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: The book not only incorporates current children' s thoughts and actions, it is an activity book. Asking them to count or perform actions. There are laughable moments that every mother can attribute to feeling.