Fiction Picture Books
Nerdy Birdy by Aaron Reynolds, ill. by Matt Davies
Nerdy Birdy can't seem to fit in with the cool birds no matter how hard he tries. But then he is found by a group he can relate to, other nerdy birdies! They have similar interests and hobbies. Nerdy Birdie loves no longer being alone, so when another lonely bird shows up, he befriends her, even though she doesn't share all of his interests or nerdiness.
Target Readers:
- Humor Fans: The writing and illustrations in this were extremely entertaining. Eagle's hunting illustrations and the nerdy birdies' t-shirts made me laugh out loud.
- Kids & Teens Dealing with Cliques or Friendship Issues: This is a funny book with an important message about cliques that is presented in such a way even little kids can understand but is humorous enough teens should be okay with reading it too. It also teaches some important aspects of how to go about developing a friendship, even with those who don't have all the same interests.
Nerdy Birdy Tweets by Aaron Reynolds, ill. by Matt Davies
Nerdy Birdy and Vulture get sucked into the new game Tweester. When Nerdy Birdy posts something about Vulture to get laughs but hurts Vulture's feelings, will the two be able to keep their friendship?
Target Readers:
- All Social Media Users: There are so many good things in this for kids (or teens…or adults) about using social media! There's the hint that Vulture is feeling neglected because Birdy is spending all his time playing the game and "talking" to online friends instead. Birdy gets all obsessed with getting online friends, but they don't prove to be great friends in the end, though Vulture does. There's the message about being careful about what you post and considering others' feelings over your own popularity. And it's all wrapped up in a very fun package. Fantastic book to use when opening up a discussion about the pitfalls of social media (and it encourages balance and boundaries, not just chucking social media all together).
- Humor Fans: Nerdy Birdy manages to make readers think and laugh at the same time. A winning combo.
Good Morning to Me! by Lita Judge
Beatrix the parrot has a hard time remembering to use her morning voice, and if not for the hard work of a good friend, it could be disastrous!
Target Readers:
- Animal Lovers: An entertaining story of a lovable though accident-prone and forgetful parrot and his other animal friends with attractive illustrations. Perfect for animal lovers.
- Kids Learning to Control Their Voices Based on the Social Context: Learning how to regulate your voice doesn’t come naturally, and this is a good reminder for kids who have trouble with using smaller voices at different times. It also provides a good opportunity to talk about when it is okay to use a big voice and when and where you should use a small voice.
- Kids Learning to Be Considerate: Thinking about me first comes naturally to us humans. (Just watch two toddlers with some toys!) Learning to be considerate of others can take decades upon decades. Beatrix provides a fun opening to talk about how to consider others' needs and not just our own.
Water Princess by Susan Verde, ill. by Peter H. Reynolds
A little girl in Africa longs for clean, clear water to come to her. But she must make the long walk to the well and back with her Maman just so they can have a drink and wash their things.
Target Readers:
- Those Who Want to Better Understand Water Issues and Get Involved in Helping: This book highlights a very real problem for millions of people in the world and puts it into terms that kids can understand. It says on the cover and in the back of the book that the story is based on the childhood experience of Georgie Badiel, a model originally from Burkina Faso. In the back of the book are pictures of real villages in Africa where clean drinking water has been an issue, and where Georgie Badiel together with Ryan's Well are working to change that. There are links to Georgie's organization and the Ryan's Well nonprofit in the back and both have further information on the issue of clean drinking water and what people can do to help, even kids. A great book to help make kids aware of a human rights issue, and one that is relatively easy to get kids involved in ways that make a very real and lasting impact.
- Fans of Books Set in Africa: This is set in Burkina Faso and portrays what modern daily life there can be like.
Louise and Andie: the Art of Friendship by Kelly Light
Louise is thrilled to discover that her brand new neighbor Andie loves art just as much as she does. However, when their artistic tastes clash, will their friendship be over before it barely begins?
Target Readers:
- Friendship Story Fans & Those Dealing with Friendship Issues: This is a cute story about how to mend misunderstandings. I love Louise’s little brother Art's role in this story. First off, I love that he is welcomed into the girls' play and isn't made a third wheel. Secondly, I love how he's the peacemaker. Way to go Art!
- Humor Fans/Animal Lovers: For comic relief there's Andie's dog and Louise and Art's cat's relationship going on on each page in the background too.
- Artists: Art and art style are an integral part of the story making this one young artists will identify with. Art teachers could also use this to talk about art appreciation even if you don't like or prefer a certain artistic style. (Oh, and, Andie's stylistic preferences and name give a nod to Andy Warhol.)
- Compare/Contrast Exercisers: Read this one and the next one, Worst of Friends, about a real life friendship that had difficulties.
Nonfiction Picture Book
Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and the True Story of an American Feud by Suzanne Jurmain, ill. by Larry Day
A biography of the relationship of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who started out best friends, were divided by silly political disagreements for years, and then realized at the end of their lives that reconciliation was still possible and restored their friendship.
Target Readers:
- Friendship Story Fans & Those Dealing with Friendship Issues: This is a great historical example of how we can let silly things ruin relationships, but thankfully, these two historic figures reconciled before it was too late. It is a cautionary tale with a happy ending. Great book to use when talking about peacemaking and fighting fair.
- Biography & US History Fans: You also learn a bit about Jefferson and Adams and the political climate of the early USA in the process.
Middle Grade Fiction
The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine
Long before there were two princess sisters in Bamarre, the Bamarre people were slaves and peasants because they opened their land to the Laktis in need and the Laktis thanked them for their kindness by taking over. The Laktis think the Bamarre are weak by nature and claim it's for their own good that they're in charge. But the Bamarre grow tired of their servile status and long for someone to lead them to freedom.
When she was a small child Peregrine was handed over to Lady Mother to pay her father's trespassing fine. Her older sister Annet is also taken by Lady Mother to serve as Perry's maid. Perry grows up thinking she is a Lakti taken in by Lady Mother and Lord Tove. But as she nears the age when Lakti go to battle, the fairy Halina appears to Perry to tell her the truth of her Bamarre heritage and shares her hopes in Perry to help bring things to rights. Perry is shocked. What can she do?
Target Readers:
- Fans of The Two Princesses of Bamarre: This is a prequel to The Two Princesses of Bamarre (which if you haven’t read, you really should…fantastic story of the love between sisters and a fun fantasy quest). Levine took her time in coming back to write this prequel, and the wait was worth it. The story is fantastic in many ways. And it's sophisticated enough you aren't quite sure how it will all tie in to the original Bamarre book until towards the end.
- Fans of Skilled Writing: I'd forgotten what a spectacular writer Gail Carson Levine is. She knows how to do foretelling without making it obvious what's going to happen. She knows the perfect balance of tension. She knows how to write characters so well. And she knows how to work in relevant themes for today's readers seamlessly.
- Fans of Tactful Tackling of Prejudice: The Laktis and the Bamarre have a lot to learn about prejudice. Readers get to experience this foremost through Perry who grows up thinking one thing, that the Lakti are naturally the best and that the Bamarre are just wimpy and deserve to be servants, but then she is confronted with a startling truth that challenges her to really evaluate her own worth and others' intrinsic value as people. Her journey really helps expose just how ugly and twisted prejudice is, and encourages readers to see people as for themselves and not the labels put on them.
- Fairy Tale Fans: The Two Princesses of Bamarre has no fairytale base, but this one does. There's several Rapunzel elements mixed in, but Levine makes it all her own story.
Children of Exile by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Rosi, her little brother Bobo and the other children of Fredtown have lived an idyllic childhood with their Fred-parents. Life is well-ordered and peaceful. And then the Freds start telling them they are going to be returned to their real parents. None of the children know anything about the land they came from or why they were taken a few days after birth to Fredtown. But one thing's for sure, they are in for a huge shock after their plane ride home. What is wrong with all their real parents? Why are so many missing limbs, and do people actually strike others and call each other names here? And why do they seem to hate the older kids raised by Freds? Rosi and her friend Edwy are determined to try and figure out what went on and why they were taken, especially when they overhear someone plotting sinister activities and Rosi's father points out a secret hiding place under the floor.
Target Readers:
- Thriller & Dystopia Fans: This is Haddix at her best kind of writing: combining deep topics with suspenseful situations in a way you can't put down. I had several students devour this and then eagerly snatch up book two when it arrived.
- Fans of Deep Issues Approached in Tactful Ways: Like Haddix’s Shadow Children series (another great one for human rights issues reading), she addresses some potentially hard and heavy topics like violence, war, prejudice, the meaning of family/home, etc. but does so in such a way it flows naturally with the story and doesn't feel overly heavy.
- Book Club Fans: This would be a great one for a book club because there's so many things to discuss in plot, characters and topics covered.
- Fans of Plot Twists: The plot in this is pretty tricky. I thought I had figured this one out, and I was partly right but not fully. There’s definitely a twist at the end.
Young Adult Fiction
The Bitter Side of Sweet by Tara Sullivan
Amadou and his little brother Seydou came to the cacao farm from their village in Mali believing that they'd be paid every week, sending money home to their families, and once they'd repaid their worth set free. But it has been two years and Amadou has never seen any of the boys paid, and the only way anyone has left is by dying. It's not a great life, but Amadou has learned how to avoid the worst punishments and keep his little brother safe so he'd rather not rock the boat. But then a girl shows up at the farm, a girl who seems to know nothing of work and never signed up to be here and seems to have a bevy of secrets around her. Her fiery spirit awakens a spark in Amadou he thought long dead and buried...a desire to be free. But trying to escape is foolishness...isn't it?
Note on content: Some harsh violence.
Target Readers:
- Those Concerned about Human Rights: Modern slavery is by no means a light topic. And I kept putting off reading this because I was afraid it would be too heavy. It is heavy. But I also found it an excellent read. Yes, some very harsh things happen to Amadou, Seydou, and the girl, but in the end this book is hopeful. It shocks but doesn't wallow in the filth. It is hard, but important. And the author managed to put together a story that conveys the horror and reality of modern slavery without taking readers to the very worst places that can go (no sex slavery involved). In other words, she created a believable story of modern slavery that will make modern teen readers aware and moved to do something, but not scarring those readers horribly in the process. The author also provides notes in the back about how readers can get involved in fighting child slavery.
- Thriller Fans: I was surprised by the depth of plot involved in the story once the kids get away from the farm (can't say too much about this without spoiling things). I can see this being made into an action/thriller movie produced by someone who wants to build awareness.
- Understanding the Importance of Fair Trade: Fair trade is a word that can get ignored as just another marketing scheme and not many teens (or adults) really understand what it’s all about. Reading the book and then the author’s note will help you really understand the importance of fair trade. This is a great read for teens who want to make a difference in this world and the author provides notes in the back of how people can get involved in encouraging fair trade chocolate.
- Chocolate Lovers: I think this is an important read for chocolate lovers. Don’t worry, I’m not saying you will be giving up chocolate, it’ll just make you a more savvy chocolate consumer.
- Contemporary African Setting Fans: Readers get to see both sides of modern Africa through the story, the bare bones bush living and the modern city living.
Young Adult Nonfiction
Girl Rising: Changing the World One Girl at a Time by Tanya Lee Stone
Inspired by the documentary Girl Rising this is the story of the challenges girls around the world have in getting education, why education is important for anyone but especially girls, and interviews with girls from around the globe who have overcome huge hurdles to get an education.
Notes on content: It is mentioned that some girls have been physically or sexually abused but no details are included.
Target Readers:
- Those Concerned about Human Rights: Words cannot express how important this book is and how amazing the stories of these girls are. The book focuses on stories of girls who have been rescued from modern-day slavery or child marriage, or who just didn't have access to education. It's an eye-opening look at very real problems for millions of girls in the world. And it explains how just access to education can give these girls a much higher chance of getting out of poverty and breaking unhealthy cultural cycles. If you have teens who are complaining about their first world problems (especially homework!) or teens looking for a cause to pour into, have them read this. It's great in that it informs but doesn't overwhelm. It presents very real and harsh difficulties, but just enough to motivate without permanently scarring. A very inspirational and important read.
- Inspiring Read Fans: Anyone who loves stories of people who have overcome really tough circumstances will devour this book.
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