Life is so precious because it doesn't last forever. To be human is to live and to die. We often don't wish to acknowledge that because it may cause sLife is so precious because it doesn't last forever. To be human is to live and to die. We often don't wish to acknowledge that because it may cause suffering, but the premise of this book is that greater suffering often occurs when we don't acknowledge mortality and deeper meanings in life until it is too late. Not a book everyone will race out to buy, but for anyone looking to explore deeper appreciation for life and our loved ones this will provide some inspirational insights and help us remember what really matters in life and love and see memories of lost loved ones as a blessing. While there is no "right way" to work through loss and grief (and its inevitability) this was a good stop on that journey....more
This is not a book I would have sought out typically. I don't play chess and didn't think I could appreciate the plot without more knowledge of the gaThis is not a book I would have sought out typically. I don't play chess and didn't think I could appreciate the plot without more knowledge of the game. Thank goodness Netflix hype piqued my interest (and no I haven't watched the series-yet). This is the story of an 8 year old living in an orphanage (that doles out tranquilizers daily to the children) who learns to play chess from the janitor in the basement and turns out to be prodigy. Adopted by a loveless couple, Beth immerses herself in her love of chess. As her talent blossoms, so do her addictions and her life becomes a race to see which will win out. ...more
Diane Setterfield is an incredible storyteller. Once upon a time on the River Thames a bloodied man stumbles into an inn with a dead child in his armsDiane Setterfield is an incredible storyteller. Once upon a time on the River Thames a bloodied man stumbles into an inn with a dead child in his arms. Hours later she returns to life and the mystery begins. A couple whose child was kidnapped two years before believe it is their lost daughter. A man whose wife committed suicide the day before believes it to be his daughter she had tossed from a bridge. A woman believes it to be the sister she had lost in the river many, many years ago. The girl does not speak and her rescuer remembers little of the night's events that will change the lives of nearly everyone in the village. I was truly spellbound by this bewitching tale and the lyrical writing. ...more
I love everything Lynda Barry creates. You cannot help but feel more creative when you step into her books. In this graphic, how-to, semi-memoir book I love everything Lynda Barry creates. You cannot help but feel more creative when you step into her books. In this graphic, how-to, semi-memoir book she asks, "What is making a picture all about? Is it for everyone? What makes kids draw? What makes adults scared to draw? Yes, it IS real fear, but of what? Why aren't kids scared of it? And what is it that one day comes to make them afraid?" Her mixture of simplistic drawing and collage are incredible, and yet so doable for everyone. There is not one image in this book that readers could not recreate and she walks us through how to doodle, 'one line at a time' and encourages us to ignore those voices that say "You can't draw," because you've narrowed your definition of drawing to an unattainable standard. But on another level, she's really trying to encourage us to examine our fears and not let them hold us back. Life is short. Draw more. Live more....more
As Frederick Joseph says, "While this book is meant ot be a guide for white people to understand and be better, it is important that white people alsoAs Frederick Joseph says, "While this book is meant ot be a guide for white people to understand and be better, it is important that white people also understand that it isn't the duty of Black people, or people of color to explain things. I'm doing so because I hope it can ultimately make a change for my community." And he does explain things, so passionately. He explains why saying, "I don't see color."ignores the struggle and racism right in front of you. How appropriating the culture of other people further marginalizes and tokenizes them. How just because you don't see or experience racism doesn't mean it isn't systematic and prevalent in our world. How affirmative action actually supports white women and poor whites more than any other group. How many common behaviors are actually microaggressions that take a toll on the mental health of others. He shares stories from his life, talks to artists/activists for their perspective, and offers advice that can help us white persons become better friends to people of color, and better human beings. A powerful book targeted for young adults. ...more
On the surface this is a beautifully illustrated book of brilliant nature essays, but a few pages into it you will discover a poetic memoir that reminOn the surface this is a beautifully illustrated book of brilliant nature essays, but a few pages into it you will discover a poetic memoir that reminds readers how interconnected all life really is. Aimee spotlights curiously interesting creatures she has connected with in some ways throughout her life and intertwines her own stories of childhood, motherhood, and adulthood. She reflects on being the child of a Filipina mother and a South Indian father growing up a "brown girl" in a white America and juxtaposes her experiences with the adaptations animals have developed to thrive in their environments. She calls these "love songs to the planet for you (her sons), to you, with you in mind". If nature feeds your soul, you will want to devour this book. Such delicious writing and important messages to help us see and understand the wonders that surround us....more
I can see why this book won the Newbery Award- a beautiful tale about the power of love and of stories. Lily and her mother and sister move in with thI can see why this book won the Newbery Award- a beautiful tale about the power of love and of stories. Lily and her mother and sister move in with their sick Halmoni (Korean for grandmother). Lily is startled when she is visited by a tiger who claims her halmoni stole something from the tigers and tries to make a deal with Lily to get it back. However, Halmoni has always cautioned to never trust the tigers. This realistic fantasy will have you questioning who/what to believe when you want so desperately for reality to be different. Loved it. ...more
Wow, so we need this book for our students (and society)! A fun way to discuss and learn about the difference between facts and opinions and why that Wow, so we need this book for our students (and society)! A fun way to discuss and learn about the difference between facts and opinions and why that matters!...more
Heard this song sung so many times the last few days. Loved hearing the story behind it. Picture books are such a great resource for information like Heard this song sung so many times the last few days. Loved hearing the story behind it. Picture books are such a great resource for information like that!...more
This graphic novel version of the award winning novel by Jason Reynolds does not disappoint. The illustrations by Danica Novgordodoff are powerful andThis graphic novel version of the award winning novel by Jason Reynolds does not disappoint. The illustrations by Danica Novgordodoff are powerful and intense and the the way Reynolds pairs text with images creates an incredible stand alone text. After Will's brother is shot, he knows he has to follow "The Rules": Don’t cry. Don’t snitch. Get revenge. Will finds his brothers gun and takes the elevator down 7 floors to enact that revenge, but he is scared and unsure of himself. As the elevator descends there is a stop at each floor, and a visit from dead friends and family who were victims of gun violence. Do these visits influence his actions? Does Will follow the rules? It's a long way down and a lot to decide. Definitely YA with mature theme and language....more
Growing up can be tough. It can be hard to determine what is normal and what is not. It can be hard to set boundaries when the people we are supposed Growing up can be tough. It can be hard to determine what is normal and what is not. It can be hard to set boundaries when the people we are supposed to trust give mixed messages. It is hard to be a girl growing into a woman in a complex world. Lydia doesn't like the way some boys talk to her, or treat her at school but the nuns tell her to pray and God will help her ignore and cope with it. She doesn't like the extra long hugs her mom's boyfriend gives her, or how he asks her to keep secrets about candy he sneaks her. She's confused about whether it's harmless or not, but when her cousin who lives with them discusses the same troubling doubts, she realizes it's not ok. A difficult read, but one that could make a huge difference in the lives of girls trying to navigate these situations. As Lydia learns, "You matter. Your thoughts matter. Your feelings matter. Your body matters. You matter just as much as anyone else. To yourself, you can matter the most." Middle school and up....more
A beautifully written meditation on 'wintering' in life; both literally during the darkest and coldest months of the year, and metaphorically during tA beautifully written meditation on 'wintering' in life; both literally during the darkest and coldest months of the year, and metaphorically during the darkest and hardest challenges in life. Katherine May writes part memoir, part exploration of the natural world's (from wolves, to birds, to bees...) response to the darkest cycle of our seasons. She does not offer platitudes of toxic positivity, but encourages us to embrace the gifts that wintering (pulling inward, hunkering down, replenishing ) might offer but also remembering that winter is normal and impermanent. As much as I appreciated this perspective on weathering life's dark times (especially during a pandemic) I was also struck by the privilege that she enjoyed (ability to quit work, travel to Iceland, live in a seaside home) so it is not so much a self-help book for many readers who cannot follow in her choices. My big take away is to embrace and experience the seasons of life (in this instance, winter) whether literally or metaphorically and recognize that life isn't just linear, it is cyclical. Making it through one winter reminds us we have what it takes to make it through those yet to come. ...more
This book takes incredibly complex concepts such as bias, stereotype, prejudice, discrimination and breaks them down into understandable experiences. This book takes incredibly complex concepts such as bias, stereotype, prejudice, discrimination and breaks them down into understandable experiences. The authors share historical perspectives that shed light onto modern day global understandings of these theories and experiences. The focus is on understanding how our brains our wired. I learned SO much about human behavior and my own implicit biases. Have you ever heard of “affective contagion”,“stereotype threat”, "blind auditions". "ambient belonging", "nerd factor", "self-categorizing" or "contact hypothesis"? Well, I hadn't either, but I'm now much more aware. Your students will be, too, if you share this incredible book with them. Not preachy or judgy...a very brain researched-based look at how we have been wired to sort and label the world as a survival mechanism, but how it can have unintended consequences for our relationships and for our social policies. A Must-Read for kids from 8 to 80!...more
Wow, did I need this book right now. From A-Z you will find wonderful poems (using multiple forms with descriptions of their structure), quotes that wWow, did I need this book right now. From A-Z you will find wonderful poems (using multiple forms with descriptions of their structure), quotes that will inspire you from famous people, and anecdotes from the authors' lives that connect to the theme of the page. Lastly their is an invitation at the bottom of the page to try something that will help make your world and/or the greater world a better place. It would be fantastic if every middle grade and up classroom had at least one copy of this. Better yet, it would be powerful if a page a day were shared with students this year as we work to create a better world! ...more
Zetta Elliot has created and compiled powerful poems that celebrate and champion the lives of Black women who have been marginalized, criminalized, anZetta Elliot has created and compiled powerful poems that celebrate and champion the lives of Black women who have been marginalized, criminalized, and traumatized by racial injustice. She includes poems by Nikki Giovanni, Lucille Clifton, and Audre Lorde as well. While I would share some of these poems with younger readers (middle grade/school), the collection is more YA with the intensity of the traumatic experiences that are shared. ...more
What a beautiful middle grade novel that reminds us no one is ever truly gone if they continue to live on in our hearts. The story is told in alternatWhat a beautiful middle grade novel that reminds us no one is ever truly gone if they continue to live on in our hearts. The story is told in alternating chapter between two characters: Joy in present day on her 13th birthday, and Lukas exactly one year ago, on the last day of his life. Lukas had set up a birthday scavenger hunt on that fateful day, and until now Joy couldn't bring herself to follow the seven clues. As she does, she discovers (rediscovers) the gift of friendship that keeps on giving. Not as sad as you might imagine; I found a tear or two in my eye, but warmth in my heart. So well-written by two authors I truly admire. I am always amazed by that creative process and synergy....more
I'm getting older. My family is getting older. My friends are getting older. We are mortal, and yet I have given so little thought to what that means.I'm getting older. My family is getting older. My friends are getting older. We are mortal, and yet I have given so little thought to what that means. This book opened my eyes, my mind, and my heart in some unexpected ways. It's not a book about dying, but about living. Not an easy read, but I think it is an essential read to help us recognize that not everything we face is a medical problem, sometimes it is simply a human condition...not everything can be 'fixed', but anything can be 'faced' if we are honest and upfront about what is important to us....more
5 year old Rosalie's father is away during the Great War (WWI) and her mother has to work at the ammunition plant all day, so Rosalie is dropped off a5 year old Rosalie's father is away during the Great War (WWI) and her mother has to work at the ammunition plant all day, so Rosalie is dropped off at school where she sits in the back of the class drawing and planning her secret mission. Her mother reads letters her father sends from the front, but eventually the truth of those letters is revealed as Rosalie discovers one day that those squiggles she sees on the chalkboard at school hold meaning and she becomes a reader. A poignant tale that I think older readers will take different meaning from than younger readers. Beautifully illustrated and a short read with deep meanings. ...more
Donte and Trey are bi-racial brothers. Trey is light skinned and popular, Donte is dark skinned and targeted by bullies at Middlefield Prep. When DontDonte and Trey are bi-racial brothers. Trey is light skinned and popular, Donte is dark skinned and targeted by bullies at Middlefield Prep. When Donte is wrongly accused of a classroom incident the headmaster calls the police instead of his parents. He is arrested and suspended with no evidence. His accuser, Alan, is the star fencer of the school and Donte decides he wants to learn the art of fencing to show Alan what it feels like to be beaten. With the help of a former Olympic fencer who now works at the local Boys and Girls Club, Donte masters more than fencing. A powerful examination of the school-to-prison-pipeline that is a crisis for students of color (once arrested-even for a minor infraction- a students' odds of being entrapped in the criminal justice system, and not graduating, doubles!) Jewell Parker Rhodes own experience with bi-racial children gives her insights, her craft as an author gives us a fantastic and important novel I hope everyone will read....more
WOW! JUST WOW! This book is for anyone who has ever thought, "I can't possibly make a difference in this crazy world." Ann Braden The Benefits of BeingWOW! JUST WOW! This book is for anyone who has ever thought, "I can't possibly make a difference in this crazy world." Ann Braden The Benefits of Being an Octopus introduces us to four kids who desperately need some hope and support. They are separated by a continent, social norms, trauma, and stigma, but are brought together by one simple gesture of kindness that has a profound ripple effect. The way Wonder (Wonder inspired a generation to "Choose Kind", Flight of the Puffin will show readers a powerful and creative way to "Be Kind". Ann Braden does not shy away from tough issues in the lives of children and families, but with compassion and insight reveals how we can stand up for ourselves and use the strengths we all have to face challenges with courage and grace. I love the way she weaves parallel strengths of nature (octopuses and puffins) into her stories and characters to remind us that we are all connected-every creature. Getting this ARC was the best early Christmas present and a wonderful way to finish up this incredibly challenging year (2020). Look for this book May 4th - you do NOT want to miss this MUST READ, MUST OWN, MUST SHARE book in 2021....more
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