The Angel Tree, written by Daphne Benedis-Grab, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: Every year, in the center of town, in the middle of the night, when noone is around, it appears: the Angel Tree. The next day the town begins wishing. Each wish is written on a white slip of paper and tied to the tree. Wishes come and go, taken by town-members who can make those wishes come true. One by one each wish is pulled, and each wish is granted. But who is really behind the angel tree? This year, Cami, Lucy, Max, and Joe are on a mission to discover who is behind the Angel Tree. Their town has been so blessed, they want to return the blessings to the silent gifter. They will spend the month before Christmas using their best detective skills to discover who is behind the Angel Tree and, in the meantime, form a friendship that they never had imagined. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: I can't say enough about how good this book is! Within the first 4 chapters, I was completely touched by each of the main characters. Joe, Max, Cami, and Lucy are so realistic and relatable. They are each struggling with something in their life and are desperate for a solution when they seek the help of the Angel Tree. Though they weren't friends when they started seeking answers about who was behind the magic of the Tree, by the end of the book, they have formed such a deep friendship. Individually, they each struggled with changes in their lives, but each one felt the joy of success. Together, they learned to appreciate and help each other as friends, and celebrated together when they finally discovered the source of their Angel Tree. 

Even though the book is written for children, I had no idea who was behind the tree until the very end. The Angel Tree was very well written, revealing clues and twists at just the correct moments to keep the reader hooked. As a librarian, I found is is often hard to find age-appropriate mysteries for my middle school readers, but I would highly suggest The Angel Tree. 

Also, my middle schoolers often wanted Christmas-themed books around this time of year, and The Angel Tree would be a wonderful and heartwarming book to distribute. Though it was a mystery, it was heartwarming, inspiring, and exactly what Christmas-readers are usually seeking at this time of year. 

Finally, I believe it is worth noting, this was a very easy read. I think this would be a great book for the middle-schooler who struggles with reading. It's got enough excitement and action to keep a quick pace. The sentences and paragraphs are often short, so they move quickly. And chapters are labeled like a Christmas countdown, so it naturally paces time for the reader. 

I would highly suggest this for ANY library, though I believe it will appeal best from upper elementary to middle school. Also, if your school holds a Giving or Angel Tree, this would make a great addition to your library. I think it would be a great introduction to a community event, or a great group Christmas read. Finally, if you're looking for a great Christmas novel to read with your family, this would be perfect. You could even read the chapter each day that corresponds with the day leading up to Christmas. Excellently written, I highly suggest The Angel Tree as a wonderful mystery or Christmas novel.

Dig Too Deep, written by Amy Allgeyer, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: When Liberty's mother gets put in jail, Liberty finds herself ripped from her very comfortable life in Washington DC, and sent back to live with her grandma on a rural homestead in Kentucky. It can't be as bad as she imagines it will be, right? Upon her arrival, she discovers a startling new reality. Liberty and her grandma struggle to survive on a fixed income and, when her grandma takes a turn for the worst, Liberty has to learn to balance school and being a caretaker for her grandma. But is something more sinister behind this "cold" her grandma has been nursing; something that could be killing a number of people throughout Ebbottsville? Liberty has got to get to the bottom of this in order to save the town from further destruction. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Amy Allgeyer did a beautiful job depicting real life in a small town in Kentucky where the job that puts food on the table is also the company that is slowly killing the people of the town. Dig Too Deep is a touching story about a daughter who has grown up too quickly, a mother who doesn't understand her child, and a grandmother filled with endless, healing love. It is truthful, heartbreaking, endearing, and inspirational all at the same time. I fell in love with each of the main characters in this book right away, cheering them on, laughing at their mishaps, cringing over embarrassing moments, crying for their heartbreak, and praying for their successes. Allgeyer has created characters and stories that are so real and relatable they have touched a place deep inside my heart. Dig Too Deep has packed in so many facts about mountain-top removal (MTR) mining and the dangers associated with the process. I found myself often googling statistics for additional information, or searching what actions are being taken to prevent or regulate MTR mining. As the reader, I thought through a number of questions; how do you shut these mines down while still providing jobs for those who live in the cities? Can there be a more ethical solution? What are the long term environmental effects of this type of mining? Are there any other alternatives? And what can be done to help those who are already suffering? Though Allgeyer never directly poses these questions, Liberty's journey inspires the reader to seek answers, both ethical and emotional. While Liberty's story is filled with sadness, anger, anxiety, and fear, it is matched with family love, friendship, hard work, and success. I was left touched by their stories, moved by their successes, and overjoyed by the possibility of new relationships for Liberty, our main character. I will note that Dig Too Deep was written for older teens, briefly touching on under-age drinking, drug use, physical abuse in a relationship, animal abuse, and attempt at murder. Yet, I believe many students will connect with similar experiences shared with Liberty, such as family budgeting or aging family members. And, for those students who find it interesting, I believe Dig Too Deep could be the inspiration for research on the dangers of MTR. If more of the future generation became aware of the harmful effects of MTR, perhaps they could seek a better solution that is less harmful on the environment while still providing much-needed jobs throughout the states that are affected by mining. This would be a fantastic book to inspire non-fiction research from students or to serve as a debate topic for ethics or environmental studies.

Nugget and Fang Go to School, written by Tammi Sauer and Michael Slack, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: Nugget (a minnow) loves his best friend Fang (a shark). They adore each other so much that Nugget wants to take Fang to minnow school with him. But Fang finds that he may not be so great at school subjects. He's not good at math, he's not good at science. Next thing you know, Fang is feeling very anxious about being at school. Can friendship save the day? 

Straight Talk for Librarians: I really loved this book, and I can see it being used in so many different ways. It would be a great back-to-school book, or a great welcome to school book. Fang has some anxiety about going to school and joining the group; a feeling many students feel on the first day, and I would imagine a fear many students have when joining mid-year. His initial fear is overcome when he realizes he's surrounded by friends. It would also be a great book about fitting in and finding your place. Fang finds out that, while he's not great at math or science, he IS a GREAT friend, and during story-time, he can talk about his friendship with minnow. It would be a good book to talk about anxiety. When Fang gets anxious, the text starts to swirl and changes color to an alarming yellow, representing how Fang is probably feeling about the situation. I think this was a great representation of what anxiety could feel like, and might be a great opener into a conversation about a student's personal experiences with anxiety. Ultimately, Nugget and Fang books are a great testament to friendship. Nugget and Fang may incur trials to their friendship, but they find a way to work together to overcome it. 

Old Turtle: Questions of the Heart, written by Douglas Wood, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: A tale has been passed down through generations of a large turtle who has survived through the years and gained infinite wisdom, but the turtle's location has been lost through time. The curious villagers reach out to an elderly woman who's grandma, it is told, once found the turtle. Together the village people set off on a journey to find the turtle, who will answer their questions about life. What is play, what is love, what is death? Then, at the end of the book, the turtle challenges the future generation: "Who are you," and answers the question by saying "we give our answer each and every day... in all that we do, and in all the choices we make. Our answer is there in the ways that we treat one another, in the courage we must find to face a challenge." 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This book reminded me of stories of the Oracle of Delphi, a figure known for having all the answers to any question imaginable. While I think the answers given by the turtle were very deep, honest, and thought-provoking, I think this book would be more appealing to older students, as I think little ones would not be able to follow along. I can imagine using this book as a writing assignment, giving students a challenging question, and asking them how the turtle would answer. Or you could turn it into an interview: who is your turtle? Who is someone in your life who gives fantastic advice? Think of a challenging question, and ask them what their advice might be. The pictures were beautiful. There is a note on the cover that "the illustrations were drawn with graphite pencils on Strathmore 400 series drawing paper and then combined with layers of scanned watercolor to create the final digital paintings." I think this could be a very interesting art lesson, combining watercolor painting, sketching, technology, and a little planning of colors and shadow. Overall, I think it was an interesting book. I think, in a library setting,

students would pick it up because the illustrations are beautiful, and that would spark their interest. 

The Forest Queen, written by Betsy Cornwell, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: The Forest Queen is a twisted fairy tale, changing the story of Robin Hood and Little John to a story about Sylvie, Little Jane, and Bird. When Sylvie's brother, John, is granted the position of sheriff, simultaneously promising her hand in marriage to a friend, Sylvie realizes her escape might be the last chance she has at regaining control of her own life. With the help of her friend Bird, a skilled outdoorsman, and the comorodary of a budding friendship with a girl named Little Jane, Sylvie escapes the palace and runs into the forest to build a new life for herself. Soon, it is revealed, John will be as horrific of a sheriff as he was a brother. Though she just wanted to escape herself, Sylvie quickly learns, not only can her forest home provide shelter for the residents of the local city, terrorized daily by her brother, but she might be the key to ending his reign of terror and bring peace to her land once more. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: The Forest Queen has earned a new position next to Stand on the Sky on the shelf of my favorite books. I am so captivated by this book. Cornwell has woven love into each page, through fear, anxiety, heartbreak, and betrayal. Filled with so many lessons for young ladies, the compassion and grace in Cornwell's writing will touch the hearts of women everywhere, of any age.
The Forest Queen is, at its root, about love, friendship, and family. Sylvie is torn between a love and a loyalty to her family, but also choosing what is right for herself. Her father is ill, and does not understand her anymore. Her brother is cruel. But those years of loving each other give her hope that things could change. When she decides to pursue a life on her own away from her family home, she encounters another type of family, one she loves just as dearly. Her new family is one made up of necessity, one of people who will struggle together, rely on each other, learn to trust each other, and from that trust, gain each other's loyalty. Can her new family help her save her blood-family? I believe, for me, the most influential relationships in the book were those shared by Sylvie, Little Jane, and Bird. Tested and tried, pulled in every direction, but the friendship they share is so rooted in love and forgiveness that they are stronger together, combining their strengths and shared experiences.
By changing the character of Robin Hood to a young lady, Cornwell laid a path for the perfect back story to explain the relationship between the sheriff and the bandit. It gave motive for the wealth stolen from the rich and given to the poor, as well as context as to how it could be possible. It also provided a fantastic avenue to reach out to young girls and discuss tough topics - and oh was this book jam packed with tough topics. From opioid use in animals and animal abuse, suicide, bullying, and violence, to sexual consent, birth control, rape, unplanned pregnancy, and a woman's right to choose, even briefly touching on racism, LGBTQ equality, incest, and hunting violence. Though that list sounds like a lot to pack into one book, every topic was addressed within the casual everyday conversation of characters. I felt discussion was, for the most part, unbiased, giving facts rather than trying to influence a decision, and above all, these conversations were rooted in love. Topics are heavy, but told with such kindness and truth, that the love behind these truths was what I walked away remembering, not embarrassment or frustration over a simple discussion. This unbiased, caring style of writing is consistent throughout the book, continuing when describing the consideration, effort, and team work it took to build the tree houses that would provide safety for her forest family, when illustrating the despair felt when enduring starvation, the gratitude at a first kill, and eating meat for the first time in weeks, or when giving image to a dream, terrifying in depiction, but so similar to nightmares we have all endured. Cornwell's depictions of dark and horrific situations are balanced by joy-filled scenes, such as when one of the characters gives birth at the forest camp or succeeding at helping a local farming family.
I can't praise this book enough. I already have a list of female friends I will be sharing this book with, as I think they can identify with pieces of the story and find joy. From suffering and recovering from rape, to learning to survive on your own, to enduring your first heartbreak, I can see the faces of so many of my female friends and students in the life of Sylvie. Sylvie and her friends will provide inspiration for so many young ladies who have suffered similar situations.

Bull, written by David Elliott, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: Have you heard the Greek take of Asterion the Minotaur, ruler of the stars? Minos seems help from the God, Poseidon. In return, Poseidon asks for the sacrifice of a white bull. Once king, Minos decides he doesn’t need to hold up to his end of the deal, and keeps the bull for his own. Poseidon, as revenge, makes Minos’ wife, Pasiphae, fall in love with the white bull. From this love, she conceives Asterion, half man, half bull. Though he grows up in the castle, loved by his mother, Minos wants to be rid Asterion and is seeking the right opportunity. He enlists a local engineer, Daedalus, to build a maze so challenging that, once Asterion is placed in it, he will never find his way out. When Minos beloved son dies tragically, Minos blames Athens, and tells them they will sacrifice 7 sons and 7 daughters to the crazed minotaur once per year. But when one of those sons volunteers, what will become of Asterion?

Straight Talk for Librarians: I was captivated by this book, from the minute I saw the cover to the very end of the authors notes. I am so blown away at the skill and craft hidden between the pages. For each character in the book, Elliot uses a different type of poem that he felt best fit that character’s personality. His use of alliteration, coupled with words or phrases our students use every day was both fascinating and edgy. The book read at a quick pace, and was gripping from start to finish. Elliot combined just enough crude language and imagery, plus a dose of sexual jokes and innuendos, to give the reader a taboo feeling, like maybe they were too close to these characters, maybe it bordered on too much information. And yet, his writing, style, and language make the story very real, very down to earth and approachable. I think, for any high school teacher who works with Greek literature in their classroom, this would be a great tool! It would be a great opening story to start discussing Greek lit, and would succeed at getting students attention and making them interested to read more. Further, the whole time I was reading this, I wanted to be back in my AP lit class with Mrs. P. She would have made us act this out, and it would have been great. Though Elliot adds passion and emotion to the characters, I often found myself wondering what tone I should be saying sections in. Should I sound angry, jealous, or sympathetic. This would be a great way to begin this conversation with young theatre students. How would they interpret the characters words? How would they add action to the story? Done on a simple stage like a theatre in the round, I think passionate actors could make such an impact using the spirit Elliot has embodied in his characters. Finally, to talk about poetry. Elliot uses less common poetry structures, like ottava rima, and Italian form of poetry, or cywdd, a Welsh form, to lend personality to his characters. This would be a great introduction to discussing forms of poetry, and using structure in student writing to further emphasize the purpose of the work. I will warn teachers, this book is not for the faint of heart. It has many sexual innuendos, and many straight forward details, which even trounce the number of swear words also woven into the text. Though I did think the sexual content might have slightly overpowered the story, I found that it read with the same wit that I find from Shakespeare, just more modernized and much more raw. I often found myself laughing at the situation as if it were comical. There were a number of swear words, but I was so focused on the text, I found they faded away, mixed in with words like “word,” “whatevs,” “pie hole” and “lol.” Then, in true teacher style, Elliot mixes the common slang with words like “odious,” “consonance,” and “asphyxiating,” giving enough detail to understand the meaning of the word, while also giving the book the high-quality, classic feel of a work of art. I would recommend this book to Mrs. P, my high school English teacher, who was fearless in her pursuit of making us love literature. She often gave us scandalous or emotionally-changed works to read, knowing her audience, knowing what caught our attention. This book will captivate your students and could be read completely in one to two class periods. It is slightly uncomfortable and unnerving to read, but I feel there is intention behind that. I’d say, if you’re comfortable with the topics included, go for it.

Check out David Elliott's Pinterest companion page for this book. Click here.

Stand on the Sky, written by Erin Bow, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: In Erin Bow's Stand on the Sky, Aisulu's brother is injured, opening up her awareness of an ongoing problem. Serik is sick. When she makes the decision to tell her parents against his wishes, he is whisked away to the closest town, their parents leaving with him, and Aisulu is left behind to live with her aunt and uncle. She is unsure of her place in her nomadic family, unsure of how she fits in, what role she should play, and what direction her life will go in now that her family left her, with no word of when they might return. When her uncle takes in a small, frail baby eagle, Aisulu's role in her tribe starts to become clear. But will her tribe accept a girl as an eagle hunter? That is not customary. When Toktar, the eagle, chooses Aisulu over her uncle, it is apparent that Aisulu will become an eagle hunter, whether it is accepted or not. She begins the difficult process of training, with the goal of competing in the eagle hunter festival at the end of the summer. Throughout her journey, she builds relationships with her aunt, a woman from the city shrouded in mystery, Nursultan, the oldest eagle hunter, as well as many other characters in her family, her tribe, and other nomadic tribes. She has to find enough courage within herself to overcome gender and age stereotypes and show the world how talented and strong she really is.

Straight Talk for Librarians: I can not praise Stand on the Sky enough. Complete with themes such as female empowerment, family, courage, self-empowerment, and defying stereotypes, Erin Bow created a story that will touch the hearts of generations now, and for years to come. Bow creates trial after trial for Aisulu, a young girl in a nomadic tribe where girls are not allowed to be eagle hunters. Though women have the very important job of milking the herd, and that milk is relied upon for the tribe's survival, Aisulu wants more and works so hard to reach her goals. Bow challenges her character constantly, using Aisulu to illustrate that, no matter how challenging life becomes, you should never give up on your goals. When training to be an eagle hunter is physically demanding, Aisulu wants to give up, but she realizes she needs to continue because of her eagle, Toktar needs her. When her family supports her, other tribes shun their tribe, making trading and migration difficult, but they continue to work together. When her family leaves her suddenly, she has to build new relationships with her aunt and uncle who she doesn't know well. When her family is reunified, Aisulu has to overcome fear and hurt to rebuild those relationships. Though Bow often puts Aisulu in situations where it seems there is no good solution, she inspires Aisulu to think about what is right and follow her heart, helping her solve each problem with grace and kindness.

I can't stop talking about how wonderful this book is, and it has shot to the top 5 books I have ever read in my life. I will be handing this out to each one of my students that asks for a recommendation, boys or girls. While I think the text might be challenging for some 4th-5th graders, I think it could be given to advanced elementary readers. Stand on the Sky will find it's comfortable home in a middle, or even a high school. This would be a great book to read with a class if you were discussing Eastern Asia and trying to assist your students to understand how they live their lives. It would be great as a lit circle book, or a female-empowerment book club book. At the end of the day, this book is going to be loved most as a choice-read. The cover is beautiful (that's why I picked it up). It will attract the attention of students, and the story of Aisulu will hook their hearts. Action and adventure scenes will capture those interested in sports or survival. Family life and emotion will entice those who love realistic fiction. My only wish for this book was that it included some pictures from Erin Bow's trip to Mongolia. I often googled words early on, such as ger (a Kazakh home), aul (or a group of gers), or shapan (a coat worn by an eagle hunter). I have since printed pictures and attached them to the inside cover for students to reference when imaging scenes throughout the book. I think it would be beneficial to readers to be able to see real images from the writer's journey so that they had something to connect to. Stand on the Sky is a book with minimal flaws or challenges. It is beautifully written and would be a wonderful addition to any library, classroom, school, or home bookshelf.

The last thing I want to say about this book is, from chapter one, I felt like I was there beside Aisulu. I knew before ever reading the Note to the Reader section that Erin Bow must live in Mongolia, yet her author biography in the back of the book says she lives in Canada. I completed the book before reading the Note to the Reader, in which she discusses her lengthy visit to Mongolia, where she and two friends lived the lives these nomadic people live each day; a life built on milk, family, and survival. I didn't cry while reading Stand on the Sky, but when Erin Bow discussed her relationship with a young girl named Kumsai, who lived in the tribe Bow was visiting and who served as Bow's main inspiration for the character Aisulu, I cried. I hoped that Kumsai would have the strength and determination that Aisulu had to pursue her dreams. I prayed that she would find support within her own family, and they would help her overcome her challenges. And then I thought of my own students. Girls who are brilliant (my opinion of them), who will go on to live successful, wonderful lives. I pray that they find someone like the Fox Wife, who will defy the odds to support them, who will encourage them in the right direction, and who will give them endless, unwavering love. This book is so beautiful. Each page is woven with magic, caring, and kindness. It is the hope we wish for our daughters, success, love, family, and friendship. It will forever hold a place in my heart, and I know it will touch the hearts of young readers for years to come.

Thanks for Visiting us at the MAME 46 Conference!

Hi all! 

We wanted to thank everyone who stopped to see our display at last week's MAME 46 conference. Thank you to the team from MAME for letting us set up our poster and information. We hope everyone had a fantastic time, filled with learning and excitement. I know we did!

Congratulations to Kristin Lavoie for winning the LIBRES give away basket. Our basket included some great books for all ages, including the Misunderstood Shark, Green Lizards vs. Red Rectangles, Lyric McKerrigan, Secret Librarian, and Isabella for Real! All of the reviews for the books can be found on our blog. 

For those who signed up to receive LIBRES information, we would be more than happy to welcome you to a meeting! Our next meeting is on November 7th from 4-6PM at Oakland Schools. We will be sending out an email with more information soon, and we look forward to seeing you.

We're looking forward to another great school year and a great conference next year! Thank you, MAME, for making such a great conference possible!

Just Like Us! Crocs, written by Bridget Heos, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: Just Like Us! Crocs is filled with really amazing facts about crocodiles. Combining real-life pictures with cartoon drawings of crocodiles, each page fills your imagination with what it might be like to live the life of a crocodile. Then, just as you were filled with amazement, the text spins, bringing it back to the comparison between humans and crocodiles, showing the reader both the similarities and differences in our everyday lives. The facts are very cool, the pictures and jokes are hilarious, and I love any combination of learning and fun, especially in a book.

Straight Talk for Librarians: I highly recommend this book for any elementary or middle school library. I think the text is challenging enough that a middle school student would be challenged by bigger words, but the facts and jokes would keep them engaged. I believe older

elementary school students would be captivated by the pictures, encouraging them to read through the text. I believe this book could inspire an interest which might bloom into checking out more books on the topic. The illustrations do a fantastic job of showing the reader why these facts might be important, or making the reader understand how the crocodile might feel in their situation. Top top everything off, the wonderful and comical illustrations and amazing facts are coupled with hilarious jokes all throughout the text. Bridget Heos has nailed exactly how to get my students involved in a book, turning from page to page. I'm so excited to show these to my students.
Also, check out Klaudia Janek's review of Just Like Us: Fish, also by Bridget Heos. https://libresbooksmi.blogspot.com/2019/10/just-like-us-fish-written-by-bridget.html

The Hidden Witch, written by Molly Knox Ostertag, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: The Hidden Witch is the second book in a series, but could be read as a stand alone. It is about a young boy, Aster, who has recently discovered he would like to be a witch (a title usually reserved for girls). Though he is standing up for his passions, he is still looked down upon by many in his community. By book 2, Aster has a very close knit group of friends with Charlie and Sedge. A new girl, Ariel, moves into town, but she's having problems making friends. Charlie reaches out to her and invites her into their friend circle. But Ariel has secrets no one understands, maybe not even Ariel herself. If she can't learn to control her power, it might turn on her and kill her too. Can Aster's wisdom, Sedge's talent, and Charlie's never-wavering friendship help save their new friend Ariel?

Straight Talk for Librarians: I feel like this book would be a great conversation starter when talking about friendship and accepting people for who they are. I had not previously read book 1, but I can assume that Aster was bullied for being different, and that's how his strong friendships with Charlie and Sedge developed. The three friends are very accepting and encouraging of each other in all that they do. They do not pass judgement, and they do not belittle each other. When Ariel comes along, it might be tempting for Charlie to give up on her, or to treat her negatively because of Ariel's actions, but she decided friendship is worth the risk, and fights for their friendship. It was inspiring to watch four middle school aged kids deal with problems that seem far beyond their age, yet handle them so well.
I feel like this book would also be very good for helping a student cope with being accepted as an LGBTQ member. That topic is never specifically mentioned at all throughout the book. It was almost as if Aster's magic was in place of Aster's identification. He was bullied and not accepted by many because he chose the schooling of a girl. Even his aunt treated him differently than all the other students in the class. But his friends and his mom had accepted him for who he was, and that was all he needed. Aster says "the feelings I get from being a witch... those are usually stronger than the bad feelings I get from what other people think about me." He is strong in his beliefs, and proud of his accomplishments. I feel like my students have such a hard time understanding how to accept people as they are, no matter what orientation they identify with. It's a hard topic to talk about with kids, but I think this book would be a great lead in. It hints at the possibility just enough, but students will sympathize with Aster immediately because, on the surface, they are talking about magic, not sexual orientation.
I think this book would be good for a middle school library. I don't think it would appeal to everyone, but I think it would be a great took to use with the kids that need it.

Dug Out: When Zombie Steals Home, written by Scott Morse, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: Stacy and Gina are twins, but they don't look the same. They both love baseball, but they're on different teams. Gina's team is known for winning. Stacy's team believes they are cursed. When Gina tries to help her sister, things go very wrong, and suddenly it seems as if Stacy's team really is cursed - by a zombie baseball player! How do they get rid of the zombie? Are there consequences for Gina's actions?

Straight Talk for Librarians: I really enjoyed this book. The beginning was dry, and I didn't think I was going to like it at first. It is very baseball centered, and uses authentic baseball language, which I know absolutely nothing of. But once the story got going, it was quite the page turner. It is FILLED with jokes my middle schoolers are going to love, like drawing faces on your tummy and naming it, or jokes about boogers. I think, between the baseball and the comic joking, any student could get hooked.
I loved that Stacy an Gina aren't drawn as the "pretty girls." They are very authentic young girls who truly love baseball. They hold their own and are treated like equals with the boys on the team. Stacy's character often takes a leadership role in her team, but also is not afraid to delegate or let someone else take the lead. I think this book would be a great "mighty girl' book, as both Stacy and Gina are very empowered.
Finally, I think this is a great sisterhood book. Like every group of teenage sisters, Stacy and Gina fight, a lot. And when they try to help each other, they end up making things worse. The book doesn't grace over sibling rivalry. it is honest and filled with love. Though sisters may disagree, at the end of the day, they love and believe in each other the most. I think this was a great book and would highly recommend it.

Misunderstood Shark: Friends Don't Eat Friends, written by Amy Dyckman, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: Shark ate his friend Bob, the Jellyfish, but Bob didn't taste so good, so Shark threw him up. Bob is (understandably) offended that his friend Shark ate him. He demands an apology from Shark, but Shark doesn't understand. Yeah, he ate him, but he didn't chew, and he threw him up after. It was more like sending Bob on a tour of his stomach than actually eating him, so why does it matter? As Bob continues to ask for an apology, Shark becomes offended. Bob is harsh. Could this end their friendship? Maybe they both have things they need to apologize for? Do you really have to apologize just for hurting someone's feelings? Filled with fun facts about sharks, this book was adorable and so memorable; a great book to share with your students or family.

Straight Talk for Librarians: Okay, I loved every second of this book. Truth be told, I actually didn't know how it was going to end. I figured in the beginning, that shark would just apologize and the book would be over, but NO! Shark gets offended too! I remember these moments from working in an elementary school so well. When one youngster is angry, its so easy to make the other one feel bad, and then both people owe an apology to the other. I often found that students may not understand why. By making the characters sea creatures and not humans, the child may be able to identify himself as one character or another to better help him understand why he might owe his friend an apology. As if that wasn't enough, the book is packed with these tiny little facts. Did you know, when a shark throws up, it is able to turn it's stomach inside out to do so? Yuck! Or that sharks don't have bones? Their skeletons are made of

cartilage - like the soft stuff in a humans nose - but not the boogers!
I just don't think this book could have made me smile anymore than it did. It definitely has the awwww effect at the ending as well. I think this would be a great book to read in any elementary classroom when you're taking about being respectful of others or how and why you apologize. It would also be great to read at home when siblings or friends aren't getting along so well. At the end of the day, this book was a fun read, and would be great as an anytime read.

Goodbye Brings Hello, written by Dianne White, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: Many small children are experiencing their last summers and heading back to school in "Goodbye Brings Hello." Highlighting this time in a child's life as a time of change, this book celebrates milestones of growing up, such as a child's first haircut, outgrowing their favorite shirt and having to buy new clothes, or taking their first plane flight to see grandparents. It all ends with the child's first bus ride to his first day of school.

Straight Talk for Librarians: From a readers view, I think this book was a lot of fun to read. The words have a great rhythm to them, and every 2 page spread seems to flow together quite well. The pictures are simple and clearly illustrate what is going on in the text. Also, I really appreciated that the children on each page are very diverse; boys and girls of all different skin colors, family builds, shapes and sizes. I think this will make it easy for children to identify with and help them to realize that they too have accomplishments they can celebrate.
I do think this would be a good book to read to a kindergarten class in the first week of school. I think it could lead to discussions about things they have accomplished and are proud of, such as learning to tie their shoes. A class book could even be created where, like in this book, they draw themselves doing that thing they have accomplished. That would be a great early assignment that makes students feel like they are all included and part of a community. I also think the book could lead into a discussion about things they want to learn in kindergarten, and goal setting for the year.
My only frustration with this book is that I had no idea it was leading up to going back to school until the last 3 pages. Right in the middle of summer, there's a scene where a child is building a snowman. Then, a few pages later, another child is riding their bike or swimming in a pool. I believe that this story was meant to be about how attending your first day of school is an exciting accomplishment, but I wish it had focused on the things you accomplish in the summer and leading up to that day, rather than things you might do at any given point beforehand.

Lyric McKerrigan, Secret Librarian, written by Jacob Sager Weinstein, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: When Doctor Glockenspiel, the sweater wearing, moth-controlling evil villain escapes from prison, the first thing he wants to do is eliminate all the worlds books. The only person who can save them is the one girl who loves the books so much she would risk her life for them. Slowly and in costume, she infiltrates Doctor Glockenspiel's secret lair, giving each person she meets their just-right book, teaching them to love to read again. Will they turn on their leader and save the books? Or will the Secret Librarian fail at her task, allowing the books of the world to be consumed by the dreaded moths? The world may never know, unless you read Lyric McKerrigan, Secret Librarian!

Straight Talk for Librarians: This book was hilarious! I highly suggest, if you read this to your students, that you begin by playing the mission impossible theme and you read in your best comic book action hero voice. This is going to be one of those fun books that librarians love to read to their kiddos. This would be a great way to encourage your students who say they don't like to read to keep trying until they find something they're interested in. I often tell students who say they don't like reading, "it's because you haven't found the right book yet." Lyric McKerrigan teaches the characters to love reading by providing them books at their level on topics that mater most to them. It was no surprise that the illustrator has a history of writing graphic fiction, as the book was illustrated in a comic book style, with text boxes throughout the image. It would be a good way to introduce graphic fiction to your students.

Hurricane Child, written by Kheryn Callender, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: Caroline Murphy was born during a hurricane, which left an imprint on her personality. She is rough, tough, and often finds herself in trouble. But it doesn't take long to realize that Caroline is being bullied every day at school, not only by the other girls, but also by her teacher. To add insult to injury, her mom left her and her dad to fend for themselves, and Caroline is desperate to find her and correct her life. She is miserable and alone, until a new girl starts at school. Kalinda is amazing and somehow manages to tame even the worst of the school bullies. Caroline can't seem to understand why, but Kalinda wants to be her friend. Soon Caroline recognizes that the feelings she feels for Kalinda are more than just friendship, but maybe even love. Caroline's life is suddenly filled with choices. Should she tell Kalinda, or keep her feelings a secret? Should she search for her mom, or accept her fate? And how will her decisions impact the rest of her life? This is a touching story told through the raw emotion-filled eyes of a 12 year old grappling with growing up.

Straight Talk for Librarians: This story touched my heart in two very personal ways. First, Caroline's family has been torn apart, not by divorce, but when her mom leaves overnight without saying goodbye. At first she sends post cards from foreign countries, but when they stop coming, Caroline finds out her dad threw them away after she read them. She starts to question, how could her mother have left her? Doesn't she love her? How can she surviv
e without her mom? There's so much pain behind these questions, and that sadness is beautifully written throughout the story. I think any child who has dealt with losing a parent from their home or their life will really identify with that part of Hurricane Child. Caroline is desperate to seek the answer to these questions, yet fearful that perhaps the answer won't be the one she hopes. Secondly, Caroline is coming to terms with her first crush. Though their relationship begins as a simple friendship, she quickly recognizes her feelings are more powerful than that of friends. She is physically attracted to Kalinda, wanting to hold her hand everywhere they go. Her mind is consumed with thoughts of her friend, and all she wants is to spend time with Kalinda. Kalinda has openly expressed her disapproval of same-sex relationships, but Caroline holds out hope that there may be some chance for a relationship with her friend. Somehow Callender explores this first love with both hesitation and passion, making the reader wonder if Caroline is brave enough to defy society and stand up for the relationship that brings her such joy. Throughout the book I continuously found myself searching for a historical time frame. The book opens with the school teacher using physical discipline on her students as frequent punishment. Also, it is established early on that the school teacher has light skin, the majority of the kids in Caroline's class have light brown skin, and Caroline has the darkest skin in her class. Because of the color of her skin, Missus Wilhelmina likes Caroline the least and purposely targets her for punishment. These two facts quickly set the seen for a historical setting. Later in the book it is expressed that lesbian couples are not acceptable in society, which further adds to the historical context. Yet a year is never stated, and I found myself desperately searching for any clues to the year. Caroline's mother often sings a song, identified at the end of the book as Blackbird by Nina Simone, which was released in 1966. Her mother states that this song expresses how she felt when Caroline was young. I'm assuming that this book is set in the early 1970s, but I am completely guessing this, and I found that frustrating through the entire book. Aside from the way Caroline is treated in school, this could be a realistic fiction novel, and I found myself picturing the characters in a school similar to the one I work in. Yet, the way Caroline was treated at school always kept me wondering what year it was really set in. The cover of the book is beautiful, it would attract attention on any display, but would be great to feature on a LGBTQ display. I hesitate to recommend it as historical fiction because the time frame was not set. I do believe this would be a great book to suggest to students grappling with seperation within their home or their sexuality. It approaches both topics from a safe and love-filled perspective. Never was there an inappropriate situation that might cause a student to feel embarrassed or awkward. Both topics were handled delicately and with kindness. I am excited to recommend this book to many of my students and add it to our school library. I think this will be a book the social workers, councilors, teachers, and I can all recommend for so many students who are trying to find their place in their family and their own relationships.

Survivor Diaries: Dust Storm!, writen by Terry Lynn Johnson, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: Survivor Diaries: Avalanche! is the final book in a four part series. Once again, we find the reporter interviewing Jen, a middle school aged student who, on a group geo-caching trip, found herself and former best friend lost in the New Mexico desert in a dust storm. After the storm subsided, Jen and Martin struggle to survive the desert heat by day, cold and coyotes by night. They fight to find water, make shelter, and not get eaten. Guided by a burrow, weather real, spirit, or hallucination, they rely on each other and skills they learned from school, reading, and camping to find their way to safety. Accompanied by real survival facts in the back of the book, this story will thrill any reader who is interested in adventure, survival, or the outdoors. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: The final book in the series, it held up to the others, but I was slightly disappointed in the level of action and character development. Jen and Martin are lost in the desert. Though they have a small encounter with coyotes, most of the storyline centers around the search for water and shade. This makes the book move a little slower than the rest. Also, I found Martin’s character to be very whiney, but in contrast, that made Jen’s character look smart and in control. I did like the discussion and resolution of their friendship. In the beginning of the book it seems as if the two despise each other. As the story develops, you realize neither wanted to lose their friendship, and both would like to repair it. For me, this book centered more around relying on their friendship to survive rather than specific survival skills. 
Once again, the book is 109 pages, filled with large text and a number of pictures. It’s got the reference glossary at the back of the book, and has the online game to accompany it. 

After reading all four books in the series, I HIGHLY recommend them for upper-el or middle school readers. I think they have the ability to grab and hook any low reader, especially those with an interest in adventure, survival, or the outdoors. Each story was a fantastic page-turner, keeping my attention locked from page one to the very end. Each book in the series features two main characters, one boy, one girl. In every book they have a different relationship, whether they are friends, siblings, or classmates. I think exploring these different stages and types of friendship is a really cool side-element of these stories. Every book features the large text and pictures, and is accompanied by the online game to test the reader’s survival skills. These books have a great appeal for readers who struggle to stay focused. Because the action moves so rapidly from one event to the next, there is hardly time to take a breath in between pages, and certainly no time to become bored while reading. My only hope is that Johnson continues to write more books in this series, as I think they will be so appealing to my lower readers, and they may be that book that inspires them to build a love for reading. 

Survivor Diaries: Lost!, written by Terry Lynn Johnson, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: Survivor Diaries: Lost! is the third in a four part series. The story begins with a reporter interviewing Carter after his escape. The reporter asks Carter to tell how he survived being lost in the rainforest from start to finish. Carter is different than most of the kids in his class, he has severe anxiety and often has attacks. He and his mom have a very close relationship and share a deep love of birds. They came on this trip in order to add new bird sightings to their “life list.” Together with his mom, Carter has learned if he focuses a little more on life, and plans for any contingency, he feels more prepared for anything that could go wrong and can handle unexpected situations a little easier. Anna is the exact opposite. She is the tallest in their class, incredibly strong and athletic. Her dad taught her to take life as it comes and rely on her instincts, so Carter’s planning is a little much for her to handle. When they are suddenly overrun by howler monkeys, they take off running and end up lost in the rainforest. Carter has to rely on Anna for her strength and determination, while Anna relies on Carter for his knowledge of the rainforest and survival. . Will they make it out of the rainforest alive? Accompanied by real survival facts in the back of the book, this book will thrill any reader who is interested in adventure, survival, or the outdoors. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: I love that the books do not have to be read in any sort of order. A reader could pick up one that he or she was interested in without ever reading the one before. 
I think this may have been my favorite book in the series so far… maybe. I love how relatable the characters of Carter and Anna are. Carter’s anxiety is so raw and emotional that, as the reader, you not only sympathized with him, but you start to feel stress and relief on his behalf. The challenges they face are so Indiana Jones-like, and yet two middle school kiddos are able to rely on what they know to find their way out. I will note, many of the situations in this book felt a little lucky, but I think a young reader would think this was extremely exciting. Just like the books before it, this book is a little longer, at 93 pages. It has large print and many pictures, as well as easy-to-understand definitions of science and survival terms. It has the survival facts glossary in the back. It is also accompanied with the online game, which will be such a hook for kiddos. I think this series is such a great choice for low readers in middle school. I can’t wait to read the last book. 

Survivor Diaries: Avalanche!, written by Terry Lynn Johnson, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: Survivor Diaries: Avalanche! is the second in a four part series. Set as if a reporter is interviewing her after the event, Ashley tells the story of how she survived an avalanche and also carried her brother to safety. Away with their family on a ski-vacation, Ashley and Ryan veer off from the trail, curious to see a wolverine, when an avalanche comes sliding down the mountain, capturing them in its wake. With only the supplies in their backpacks, they rely on the survival skills they learned in ski club to take care of each other. Yet, with Ryan’s extensive injuries, Ashley is challenged. Ryan has always been more successful in school and athletics. Can she, now, be the one to help save him? Accompanied by real survival facts in the back of the book, this book will thrill any reader who is interested in adventure, survival, or the outdoors. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: After I had finished the first book, I was so excited to pick up the second one. It was just as good as I had hoped. Every time you think Ashley has succeeded at a challenge, something else comes up and she has to think and struggle to find another solution. Just as exciting as the first book, filled with the easy text and large pictures, I will suggest these books to my middle school kiddos in a heartbeat! My favorite part about this book was that Ashley (a girl) is taking care of her brother, who is known for being faster, stronger, and smarter than her. Because of his injuries, she has to save both of them. She has to learn to believe in herself and never give up, no matter what the odds are. She is a wolverine, the animal her brother so wanted to see. She is strong, fierce, and brave. I am so excited to put an action book with a girl who is the head survivor on my shelf. Further, this book also is packed with facts and situations that could happen in real life. It teachers readers, through Ashley’s actions, the meaning of terms, as well as tips and tricks for how to survive in the cold. 
Finally, to further entice the reader, this book is the first in the series to be advertised with the online game. The game uses the skills you learned from the book to put you through a quick test where you choose what you would do in the given situation. If you guess all of the answers correctly, you survive. If you answer incorrectly, it will tell you why you have died. It’s kind of neat to see what would happen if you were in the same situation as the kids in the books. I have two more books in this series, and I can’t wait to finish them! 

Survivor Diaries: Overboard! writen by Terry Lynn Johnson, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: Survivor Diaries: Overboard! is the first in a four part series. Set as if a reporter is interviewing him after the event, Travis tells the story of how he survived his boat capsizing off the shore of Washington state. In frigid cold water, he rescues Marina, and the two of them fight and test their survival knowledge to stay alive until they are rescued. They make their way to land, which brings a whole new set of challenges with it. Accompanied by real survival facts in the back of the book, this book will thrill any reader who is interested in adventure, survival, or the outdoors. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: My first impression of this book was that it would be simple, easy to read, and great for low readers in my middle school library. I’m always searching for books that are exciting while still being at their reading level. It met every requirement I had. The text is quite large, and the books are an easy 88 pages. Many chapters have large picture in them, and chapters are short and sweet, sometimes only being 3-4 pages long. It is packed full of action, keeping even a low reader excited to read the next page. In her every-day life, Johnson lives in Northern Canada, and teaches survival classes. Those lessons come through in her text. She uses words like condensation and solar still casually, giving quick and easy definitions for the words or accompanying them with pictures. She frequently uses the main characters to teach brief survival skills such as staying warm after you’ve been in cold water, then using them to show how they do this, and finally backing up her situations with real facts in the back of the books. Because the stories are short, there is only one main story arc, and it would be easy for low readers to follow along with. I really enjoyed these books and will not hesitate to recommend them to my middle school low readers as I believe it will challenge and captivate them. 

Grand Canyon, written by Jason Chin, reviewed by Caroline Rabideau

Summary: Grand Canyon is a non-fiction picture book for older or more advanced readers. In picture book format, it discusses the animal life currently residing in the Canyon, as well as the animals that used to live here. It talks about how the canyon was formed, with layers of rock building upon each other, as well as rivers carved out from the rock, and how these formations provide a suitable home for hundreds of animals. It talks about the climate in different areas of the canyon, and different vegetation that grows in each area as a result. Throughout the whole book, it follows a young hiker and her father. They are hiking through the canyon and making these observations. But they also use the young girl to show what it would have been like thousands of years ago, by setting her in the prehistoric scene.

Straight Talk for Librarians: This is one of my favorite books I’ve picked up this year. The illustrations are beautiful, and I have spent quite a great deal of time staring at each page, amazed by the detail. Every inch of the page is used to illustrate what the text is trying to explain. Often borders are used to list examples, or cut outs in the page are used to show what once created a fossil. The text is packed full of facts, giving understandable explanations for words like erosion. I believe this book would be great in a science classroom to introduce how rock formations and rivers come to be, or to
begin a unit on fossils. I believe the beautiful pictures will interest many students into picking it

up as an independent reading selection. It could also be used in a research project about locations or landmarks. Grand Canyon would be beautiful on a United States landmark display in a library. I will note, the text is dense, so while the pictures may appeal to younger students, I would not recommend for lower than 3rd grade, unless they have a lot of assistance in reading it. Overall, I highly recommend this book. I have purchased a few copies for family birthdays, etc. I am just blown away by how beautiful a non-fiction
book can be, while still including so much information. I am hopeful that the publisher will continue to make similar books about other US Landmarks.