Dispatches from Parts Unknown written by Bryan Bliss, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: 18-year-old Julie navigates the complexities of grief and healing following her father's sudden death three years ago. With the imaginary voice of her dad's favorite wrestler, the Masked Man, offering a lively commentary on her life, Julie finds herself reluctantly joining the prom committee. As she interacts with new friends like Briar and Leg, and leans on her best friend Max, Julie begins to heal. Her journey is filled with humorous and poignant moments, exploring themes of loss, friendship, and self-discovery. The novel handles grief with empathy and humor, making it an engaging read for teens. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This book was such a surprise! With its unique blend of wrestling culture and teen life, the novel provides an engaging narrative that resonates with readers. I'm glad there was a wrestling glossary included with the book. The depiction of a platonic male-female friendship offers a refreshing perspective in YA literature. Julie's interactions with the Masked Man add a layer of humor that balances the emotional depth of the story. Librarians and school counselors can use this book to explore themes of loss and resilience with students. Its relatable characters and authentic voice make it suitable for discussions around coping mechanisms and friendship dynamics. It's such a unique book that it's hard to compare it to others.  The author is a priest and a theologian.  The book is not overtly religious, but connecting grief to a spiritual journey makes sense.  If you have ever visited the Mall of America, you'll find some familiar settings.  I'm glad this book was recommended to me and it will make a great addition to our school library.

The First State of Being written by Erin Entrada Kelly, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: Twelve-year-old Michael Rosario experiences a life-altering encounter when he meets Ridge, a mysterious boy from the future. Set in August 1999, Michael navigates the anxieties of impending Y2K and his infatuation with his babysitter, Gibby. His ordinary life takes a thrilling turn when Ridge, who claims to be the world’s first time traveler, appears. Ridge's carefree and bold demeanor contrasts sharply with Michael's insecurities, and he quickly becomes fascinated by Ridge’s knowledge of the future. As Ridge explores the wonders of 1999—microwaves, basketballs, and malls—Michael's curiosity intensifies when he learns that Ridge possesses a book detailing the future. This revelation ignites a fierce desire in Michael to obtain the book, believing it will prepare him for the future. Throughout this journey, Michael learns valuable lessons about living in the moment, the importance of relationships, and the weight of his fears, the love of his family and friendships. The story eloquently captures the essence of childhood wonder and the complexities of growing up, reminding readers to embrace the present. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Librarians can utilize "The First State of Being" in various educational contexts. First, it provides an excellent opportunity to engage students in discussions about the themes of time travel, the importance of living in the present, and the impact of technology on society. Librarians can organize book clubs or reading sessions where students can share their thoughts on Michael's character development and Ridge's influence on his perspective. Additionally, this book serves as a springboard for interdisciplinary activities. Librarians can collaborate with teachers to create lessons that explore the historical context of the late 1990s, including discussions about Y2K and its societal implications. Students could research the cultural phenomena of that era, such as music, fashion, and technology, allowing them to connect literature with real-world events. Overall, this book can enrich library programs by fostering critical thinking, creativity, and a love for reading in young learners.  I really enjoyed the book.  While the target audience will not remember 1999.  Any adults reading it will remember and anxiety surrounding Y2K.  A great addition to a middle grade school or classroom library.

Amelia Bedelia Sets Sail (Amelia Bedelia Chapter Book #7), written by Herman Parish and Lynne Avril, reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary:  Amelia Bedelia and her parents are heading for a vacation with her Aunt Mary and cousin Jason. They are looking forward to new adventures on beaches and in the water. The week will culminate with a Beach Bash that includes a clam bake and a parade. Jason and Amelia are excited to hang out together while Jason shows Amelia around his town. The week includes sand castles, fishing, sailing, surfing, and a bit of a mystery, as well. This is a friendship story with some language play included. The author includes a recipe and explanations of some of the idioms use in this early chapter book.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  I do enjoy language play and will use the title to discuss idioms before a project, but I would recommend the book for libraries short on simple tame chapter books. My students do not have the background of knowing the original Amelia Bedelia books and this series seems to appeal more to the parents as they have that connection. I do have a handful of students in each school that read this series each year.
 

A Parade of Elephants, written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  What do elephants do all day?  They parade.  They gather and march.  Up and down, in and out, over and under until it's time to go to sleep.  Even sleeptime has its ritual of yawning and stretching, lifting your trunk and trumpet, and then falling asleep.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  A great first book for any preschooler-Kindergarten.  A fun way to learn to count to five.  Use it as an action book.  March like an elephant.  Participate in the elephant parade.  Be creative as they pass by up and down, over and under, and in and out. After marching all day, they yawn and stretch and take their nap,  Great addition for a kindergarten classroom.

Frank and Lucky Get Schooled, written by Lynne Rae Perkins, reviewed by Bethany Bratney

Summary: Frank and Lucky Get Schooled is a sweet book that combines the love between a boy and his dog with elementary explanations of a number of cross-discipline ideas that Frank and Lucky learn together out in the world. They learn about Botany and Entomology when Lucky runs through woods and brush and his fur becomes entangled with various natural objects. They learn about Fractions and Percentages throughout the night as they determine which part of the bed is Frank’s and which part is Lucky’s. (It changes throughout the night.) They practice Reading together because Lucky is the best listener, and can even listen when Frank isn’t reading aloud. They learn about Geography and World Languages when they are out exploring and meeting new people. Lucky excels at Making Introductions and Hospitality. But the most important thing that Frank and Lucky learn is that they like learning best when they can do it together. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Frank and Lucky is an adorable book about the special relationship that can form between a child and a pet. It’s lovely in its message of love and acceptance, and also in the fun and natural way that it introduces basic school concepts as components of Frank and Lucky’s play time together. They are paired as partners finding understanding by exploring the world around them, which is a beautiful way to promote a love of learning in children. The bright watercolor and ink illustrations are vibrant and capture the full-color spirit of Frank and Lucky’s exploratory studies. Frequent thought and dialogue bubbles are included throughout the book to capture the character’s thoughts and attitudes about their activities, giving readers an even more detailed understanding of the multi-layered and powerful nature of Frank and Lucky’s relationship. These small asides also provide a great deal of humor, which only adds further enjoyment to the story. Animal books are always popular with young children, as are stories that incorporate the fun of learning. Frank and Lucky Ge