Brainstorm 340: Your Portal World Adventures Are Over...Now What?

Today’s Brainstorm focuses on books that address the question, What happens to characters who had amazing adventures in portal worlds and then come back to everyday life? How are they changed by their experiences, and how do they adjust to going from major hero to just an average kid/teen? C.S. Lewis briefly touched on this in some of his Narnia books, but I’m highlighting 3 books in which this is a main topic of the book. Which begs a further question, why do authors highlight this kind of experience? How can readers take these book experiences and apply the lessons to real life? As an expat I have a lot of ideas, but I don’t think it is limited to cross-cultural experiences, and I’ll leave you to ponder other applications as you go through your day. Click on the titles to see my full reviews of each book plus any content notes/trigger warnings.

Cheshire Crossing by Andy Weir, ill. by Sarah Andersen

In a nutshell: Alice (of Wonderland wanderings), Dorothy (of Oz whirlwind tours), and Wendy (of Neverland flights of fancy) are all sent to a boarding school for girls with their peculiar backgrounds.

More info: What do you do with a little girl who says she's been to this strange and magical land during the days she was missing from home? Get her psychological help. And if they persist in those stories? Then you jump at the opportunity when a man with a boarding school specifically for young people with these issues comes knocking. That's how Alice Liddell, Dorothy Gale, and Wendy Darling all find themselves at a boarding school run by Mr. Ernest Rutherford with the help of a Ms Poole. Dorothy and Wendy are ok with being at the school, but Alice is determined to escape at the first opportunity. And Dorothy's magical shoes just might be the ticket. Oz can't be worse than Wonderland, right? Wendy tries to stop Alice, and soon both of them find themselves targets of a certain Wicked Witch. Meanwhile, Dorothy is trying to rescue them with the help of Ms Poole. In adventure that bridges from Oz to Wonderland to Neverneverland, the girls must outwit the new plans of the Wicked Witch, save each other, and get back to a safe place.

Extra thoughts: I enjoyed the concept of Alice, Dorothy, and Wendy meeting quite a lot. It was also rather creative of Weir to ask what their lives would have been like after they returned and then to have their worlds blend together. Understandably, the girls have responded to their life-altering adventures differently.

Target readers: Graphic Novel Fans, Fantasy Fans, Adventure Fans, Fanfic of Classics Fans, Young Adult Readers

Once a Queen (Carrick Hall, #1) by Sarah Arthur

In a nutshell: During a summer visit to her grandmother’s estate in England, Eva uncovers long-buried secrets about fantastical journeys and how it impacted her grandmother and others.

More info: Eva and her mother are visiting Carrick Hall, home of her maternal grandmother, for the first time in Eva's life. Eva is enchanted by the grand mansion, the stories of fantastical worlds, and the midnight romps she goes on with her grandmother (during which her grandmother thinks Eva is her long, lost sister). Some people tell Eva the place is magical and children have gone to other worlds from the Hall, and Eva thinks the former owner wrote about the adventures of these girls from her grandmother's generation in her fantasy books. Her grandmother firmly denies it, however, her mother hates being there for some reason, the household staff are sworn to not tell Eva anything her mother or grandmother don't tell her, and Eva is very frustrated with all the secrets she's both asked to keep and that are being held from her. What happened during her grandmother's youth that left secrets galore and a pall over Carrick Hall?

Extra thoughts: An atmospheric read that has a magical realism feel and keeps you guessing until the very end as to all the secrets being kept. This story tackles the generational impact of portal adventures, and the story sees slow healing for old wounds in multiple characters, and promises hope for the future. 

Target readers: Magical Realism Fans, English Manor Setting Fans, Multi-generational Family Story Fans, Slow Burn Family Mystery Fans, Young Adult Readers (complex enough for Adult Readers and approachable for high reading Middle Grade Readers)

The Quest for The Guardians (The DreamKeeper Saga, #4) by Kathryn Butler

In a nutshell: A seasoned adventurer and heroine in the Realm must contend with returning to Earth, being a normal girl, protecting people from a new danger invading Earth but also honoring her father who has a bit of PTSD from his own experiences in the Realm.

More info: Lily has returned from the Realm excited to see her family but also missing the Realm a bit. She has dreams of her whole family visiting the Realm in the future, but those dreams come crashing down when she sees how her long absence and her father's experiences in the Realm have jaded him. He wants to have nothing to do with it and demands that Lily have nothing to do with it either. He even demands that she turn over her sooth stone to him, and he hides it away from her. Lily brought Mattie back and now they need to find her father, but her father is trying to travel back in time and stop Mattie from going into the Realm. While they are trying to find him, shrouds start showing up all over the world. Lily can't understand how they are getting here. What happened to the barrier? Can Pax even help in this world like in the Realm? One thing's for sure, Lily, Mattie, and her family can't stop the shroud invasion without help. They must travel the world to find other Guardians to help before the shrouds take over.

Extra thoughts: (Obviously, this is the 4th book in a series so if you feel a little lost reading the More Info, that's understandable. Here are my summaries of the first 3 boos to help: Book 1, Book 2, Book 3.) Lily’s father has some tough lessons to learn about trusting Pax with not only the Realm, but also his daughter and her safety. It is a hard lesson for him, which makes this sometimes a frustrating read but gets across a very important allegorical point. 

Target readers: Fantasy Fans, Quest Story Fans, Christian Fiction Fans, Allegorical Story Fans, Adventure Fans, Middle Grade Readers

Brainstorm 339: Swimming Fun Reads

This week, as promised, we have some fun swimming stories to help you cool down vicariously on those hot days. Click on the titles of each book to see my full review and any content notes/trigger warnings.

Jasper & Ollie (Jasper & Ollie, #1) by Alex Willan

In a nutshell: A fox and a sloth head to the pool but at very different paces.

More info: Friends Jasper (a fox) and Ollie (a sloth) decide to go to the pool. Jasper gets there miles ahead of Ollie and then wonders where Ollie could be. He goes to great lengths to find his friend. Meanwhile, Ollie is having a leisurely stroll to the pool, getting the mail, and helping neighbors on the way.

Extra thoughts: The illustrations of this story about opposites are fantastically fun and definitely tell a huge chunk of the story. Ollie is very kind in his ramblings, and Jasper learns to slow down a tiny bit by the end of the story.

Target readers: Humor Fans, Animal Story Fans, Art Lovers, Opposites Story Fans, Compare/Contrast Story Fans, Picture Book Readers

Pool by JiHyeon Lee

In a nutshell: Two children meet at a crowded pool and have a fantastic time in the world they imagine under the water.

More info: The nutshell says it all.

Extra thoughts: This wordless picture book will enthrall readers who love to imagine as they play. Art students could have fun analyzing why the normal world is in black and white, and why the imaginary world has color.

Target readers: Wordless Book Fans, Imaginative Readers, Art Lovers, Friendship Story Fans, Picture Book Readers

Pool Party! (Farmer Brown’s Backyard Tales) by Doreen Cronin, ill. by Betsy Lewin

In a nutshell: All of Farmer Brown’s animals try to fit in one small pool to cool down on a hot day.

More info: Farmer Brown and the animals are HOT. Farmer Brown's brother Bob has a pool and invites them to come over to swim. But they have a lot of animals, and once everyone else is in the cows aren't so sure about getting in with all the splashing and noise. Will everyone be able to enjoy the cool waters, or will someone be left out?

Extra thoughts: There's a 1-5 counting element to this (and you could also do adding activities to figure out how many total are in the pool at any one time). So this is a nice math picture book on top of being a lightly humorous summer tale.

Target readers: Animal Story Fans, Humor Fans, Counting Story Fans, Math Story Fans, Leveled Reader Fans, Picture Book Readers

Really Truly (Pumpkin Falls, #3) by Heather Vogel Frederick

In a nutshell: Truly’s summer is spent at family reunions, investigating a missing trophy, going to mermaid camp, and hunting for possible lost treasure in her home town.

More info: Truly is ready for the best summer ever. After her mom's family reunion she's going to work at the bookstore and go to the movie festival with Calhoun, and have some alone time with her parents because all her siblings will be at camp. But then during the family reunion Mackenzie sees a brochure for Mermaid camp and even though that sounds like torture instead of fun to Truly (and there's a missing trophy the Pumpkin Falls Private Eyes have been tasked to find), she finds herself signed up along with Mackenzie, Cha Cha, and Jasmine. While there, Truly stumbles across a clue in a book about a local pirate ship wreck she thinks points to her ancestor? Could the patron saint of Pumpkin Falls Nathaniel Daniel Lovejoy have secretly been the former pirate Dandy Dan? If so, is his treasure still around? And will Truly ever have a chance to investigate after a disaster at the end of Mermaid Academy gets her grounded for life and sentenced to stage hand duty for the community production of The Pirates of Penzance?

Extra thoughts: This is the 3rd book in a series of realistic mysteries featuring Truly, a girl from a military family that’s moved a lot finally settling down in a small New England town. She’s on the swim team during the school year, and with mermaid camp, there’s a lot of swimming involved in the story. Truly grows a lot through the summer and learns important things for any middle grade reader to learn. And I love that the book introduces readers to Esther Williams movies and Gilbert & Sullivan musicals.

Target readers: Contemporary Fiction Fans, Mystery Fans, Summer Story Fans, Family Story Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Treasure Hunt Fans, Camp Story Fans, Middle Grade Readers/Young Adult Readers

Swim, Mo, Swim (Mo Jackson) by David A. Adler, ill. by Sam Ricks

In a nutshell: Mo gets a little help from some of the lake residents to swim fast on field day.

More info: It's field day and Mo and his friends really want to win the ice cream prize for the best team. They do ok in most events, but only have 1 medal so far. They need one more to win, and Mo is their last competitor in the swimming race. Mo's pace doesn't seem like it is enough to win, but then he meets some residents of the lake that give him a boost.

Extra thoughts: This is the funniest Mo book so far. The little nibbling fish and Mo's reactions are quite funny (mostly because it seems oh so believable). I also liked how Mo and his teammates cheered each other on.

Target readers: Sports Story Fans, Field Day Story Fans, Teamwork Story Fans, Humor Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Leveled Reader Fans, Picture Book Readers

Trudy’s Big Swim: How Gertrude Ederle Swam the English Channel and Took the World by Storm by Sue Macy, ill. by Matt Collins

In a nutshell: A picture book biography of the first woman to swim the English Channel.

More info: A picture book biography of Gertrude Ederle that focuses on her successful swim across the English Channel in 1926. She was the first woman to swim across the Channel, and when she completed the feat she beat all the previous male swimmer's times.

Extra thoughts: An amazing sports history moment, and women's history moment, that is gorgeously illustrated and told at an exciting pace.

Target readers: History Fans, Sports Story Fans, Crazy True Story Fans, Picture Book Biography Fans, Art Lovers, Lower Grade Readers

Brainstorm 338: Conquering Swimming Fears

The temperature is rocketing up towards surface-of-the-sun levels here in Bangkok, so people are flocking to the nearest pool or beach. The sweltering has encouraged me to pull out some swimming stories. I’m going to start with learning to swim/overcoming fears of the water stories this week (I have enough fear of high dive stories for a whole other Brainstorm so I’ll leave them out for now), and then next week we’ll dive into some more general swimming and pool fun stories.

Drake Makes a Splash (Galaxy Zack, #8) by Ray O’Ryan, ill. by Colin Jack

In a nutshell: Zack and his family take Drake with them on a vacation to a water planet and have to help Drake overcome his fear of the water.

More info: It's super hot on Nebulon and Zack dreams of nothing other than playing in water. But Drake is afraid of the water. Can Zack and his family help Drake get over his fear and learn to swim so they can visit the water planet, Araxie for vacation?

Extra thoughts: The imaginative setting for this story is quite fun. Zack learns a really important lesson on the power of kindness to motivate over taunting/teasing/shaming. I loved how not just Zack, but his whole family helped Drake get over his fear of the water gently and help him learn how to swim.

Target readers: Science Fiction Fans, Vacation Story Fans, Friendship Story Fans, TCK Character Fans, Lower Grade Readers

Let’s Go Swimming! (Hello, Hedgehog!, #4) by Norm Feuti

In a nutshell: Harry and Hedgehog have fun in the pool where Harry has to face his fear of putting his face in the water.

More info: Harry and Hedgehog look for a way to cool down on a very hot day, and decide to go swimming. They have fun in the water, but Harry is worried about one of the games Hedgehog wants to play. Can he do it?

Extra thoughts: This brings up some fun hot weather activities, while also looking at a way to confront the fear of putting your face in the water. I like what good friends Harry and Hedgehog are to each other.

Target readers: Graphic Novel Fans, Animal Story Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Kids Wary of Putting Their Faces in the Water, Leveled Reader Fans, Picture Book Readers

Mindy Kim Makes a Splash (Mindy Kim, #8) by Lyla Lee, ill. by Dung Ho

In a nutshell: Mindy has to work hard to catch up in her swimming skills (which were non-existent) to pass a swimming class at her new school in Florida.

More info: Mindy's class is doing a swimming unit, but Mindy doesn't know how to swim. Her friend Sally encourages her to try swimming lessons on the side, and with Brandon taunting her, Mindy is extra motivated to learn as fast as possible. But can she learn how to swim fast enough to keep up with her friends and silence Brandon?

Extra thoughts: A great little book about the importance of learning to swim. I love how the adults in Mindy's life emphasize taking her time and being safe over trying to beat someone else, and I extra love that Mindy takes those lessons to heart. The conflict with Brandon has a redeeming finish, and Mindy sees what can happen when you respond to someone with kindness instead of similar meanness.

Target readers: Contemporary Fiction Fans, Korean American Character Fans, Learning to Swim Story Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Becoming a Person of Character Story Fans, Lower Grade Readers

Shark Nate-O by Tara Luebbe & Becky Cattie, ill. by Daniel Duncan

In a nutshell: Shark-loving Nate must conquer his fears of the water to become more like his favorite animal.

More info: Nate is obsessed with sharks. There's just one thing holding him back from practically being a shark. He can't swim. But when his first day of swim lessons is a colossal flop, will Nate's shark days be over or will he stick it out to become the one and only Shark Nate-O?

Extra thoughts: A good story about perseverance and overcoming a bad experience in the water. Nate is quite the colorful character who will stick with readers long after the close the pages.

Target readers: Contemporary Fiction Fans, Shark Lovers, Perseverance Story Fans, Learning to Swim Story Fans, Picture Book Readers 

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas 

In a nutshell: The survival of a school in Florida depends on the success of its swim team, which includes Bree, who just overcame her fear of swimming with the help of an older neighbor.

More info: Bree and her father just moved from New Jersey to Florida. Bree thankfully finds some quick friends, but her class schedule at her new school is stressing her out. The electives she wanted were all full and she's stuck with Swim 101. But Bree can't swim, and she is very reluctant to admit that in front of other who have been swimming all their lives in sunny Florida. An accident with her apartment complex pool has Bree even more afraid of water, but it also helps her find someone she can trust enough to get in the water. Ms Etta, her older neighbor who looks after her when her father is out. Under Ms Etta's instruction Bree is swimming in no time, and even gets recruited by her Swim 101 instructor to try out for the school swim team. For the first time in ages their swim team has a chance of going to State, and it may mean the difference between the school pool getting paved over for a slushie shop or ongoing swimming opportunities. But team dynamics seem to be holding the team back. Can they learn how to be good teammates in time for the State finals?

Extra thoughts: This story covers very relatable topics in an older child being ashamed about not knowing how to swim and the challenges of team dynamics. It also weaves in how important it is to reconcile with friends, fathers/daughters learning how to communicate, and even a short history lesson on why people of color are stereotypically not swimmers. I really loved how Ms Etta and others of her generation poured into Bree and her teammates. Intergenerational relationships are so important and this story shows how valuable they can be.

Target readers: Graphic Novel Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Sports Story Fans, Cheering for the Underdog Story Fans, Learning to Swim When Older Story Fans, Award Winner Readers, Intergenerational Friendship Story Fans, Middle Grade Readers

Tiny Barbarian Conquers the Kraken (Tiny Barbarian, #2) by Ame Dyckman, ill. by Ashley Spires

In a nutshell: Tiny Barbarian’s newest challenge is to conquer swim lessons.

More info: When Tiny sees the new Bob the Barbarian movie poster for Bob the Barbarian Conquers the Kraken, he starts dreaming about seafaring adventures. There's just one problem. Tiny doesn't know how to swim. Can the Tiny Barbarian conquer swim lessons?

Extra thoughts: An inspiring and humorous read to help little readers prepare to face the challenges of swim lessons. Tiny has a pretty good attitude about it, and his imagination helps provide further inspiration to overcome challenges that arise. Ashley Spires' illustrations are perfect and add to the comedy.

Target readers: Humor Fans, Learning to Swim Story Fans, Imaginative Readers, Picture Book Readers

Brainstorm 337: Books for Kindness & Inclusion Day

Last week was International Down Syndrome Day and our school had a Kindness & Inclusion Day. In honor of that day, I have books that celebrate kindness and inclusion of people who were born with conditions that meant life would throw extra challenges their way. Click on the titles to see the full review of each book including any content notes/trigger warnings. See these other Brainstorms for more Kindness & Inclusion reads: Brainstorm 105: Dyslexia & Stuttering in Kids Lit, Brainstorm 141: Characters Who Rise Above Physical Challenges, Brainstorm 200: Synesthesia in Literature, Brainstorm 238: Meet Some Deaf People/Characters 

The Absent Alpacas (Ron Roy’s A to Z Animal Mysteries) by Kayla Whaley, ill. by Chloe Burgett

In a nutshell: When alpacas go missing from the fair, Abbi, Lydia, and Daniel track them down.

Inclusive character: Abbi has spinal muscular atrophy and is in a wheelchair. 

More info: Abbi and her best friends, twins Lydia and Daniel, are headed to the Maine State Fair to see the alpaca costume competition. But when they get there, all but one of the alpacas are missing. Did the alpacas sneak out? Did someone steal them? And why? 

Extra thoughts: This is a new series inspired by Ron Roy’s A to Z mysteries featuring 3 new little sleuths. Each book in the series has a mystery related to an animal for the trio to solve. I like that it features full color illustrations throughout.

Target readers: Contemporary Fiction Fans, Mystery Fans, Animal Lovers, Spinal Muscular Atrophy Character Fans, Twin Story Fans, Wheelchair-Using Character Fans, Multicultural Character Fans, Lower Grade Readers

Bo and the Merbaby (Unicorn Diaries, #5) by Rebecca Elliott 

In a nutshell: The unicorns look for ways to help a merbaby born with only one tail fin so she can’t swim.

Inclusive character: The merbaby born with 1 instead of 2 tail fins, hindering her mobility.

More info: When the unicorns hear that a new merbaby has been born, they can't wait to meet her. They are sad to find out the merbaby was born with only one tail fin so she can't swim. Her mom says she is perfect and doesn't need fixing. But the unicorns still wonder if anyone can help the merbaby, so they set off in search of the legendary Golden Fish.

Extra thoughts: There's a nice message in this about people born with disabilities still being of worth and not necessarily needing "fixing." There's a good resolution about what is helpful for parents of kids with disabilities that could definitely be applicable in real life. I did wonder why they didn't introduce how prosthetics are helpful for people with mobility issues. I think that would have been appropriate and not hurt the message, but that wasn’t what the author chose to do.

Target readers: Fantasy Fans, Graphic Novel Fans, Fans of Characters with Mobility Issues, Lower Grade Readers

House of Robots (House of Robots, #1) by James Patterson & Chris Grabenstein, ill. by Juliana Neufeld

In a nutshell: Sammy gets stuck taking one of his mom’s robots to school with him (training it for his sister with SCID), but when it goes missing he has a mystery to solve.

Inclusive character: Sammy’s sister who has SCID (severe combined immune-deficiency)

More info: Sammy's household is a little unusual. Yes, he has a mom, dad, and a sister like many other people. But he also lives with several robots who do all the household chores from cooking to cleaning and even being the house pet. His mom is a professor of robotics, thus the numerous robots. His dad is an artist who writes a graphic novel series. And his little sister and best friend, Maddie, has SCID, so she has to pretty much live in her room so she won't get sick. Sammy isn't exactly the most popular kid at school but he has his 2nd best friend Tripp, and does ok. But when his mom and dad decide to send one of mom's new robots to school with Sammy, Sammy knows his life is over. E is an excessively annoying robot. And his first day at school is even more disastrous than Sammy predicted. But after mom makes some modifications, E seems to do better and even starts to help Sammy deal with the school bully and gain some popularity. So when E goes missing, Sammy actually finds himself sad and determined to find the missing bot.

Extra thoughts: The robot is going to school with Sammy so that Maddie can eventually use it to interact with others. The three books in this series are the only ones I’ve read featuring a character with SCID, and Maddie is such a fabulous character with a great attitude. It’s easy to cheer for her. The series is entertaining, has extra-large font, and lots of illustrators. It’s great for reluctant readers. I also love that she and Sammy are best friends. When’s the last time you read a book in which elementary brother/sister siblings were best friends? 

Target readers: Robot Fans, Reluctant Readers, Scifi Fans, Mystery Fans, Brother/Sister Friendship Story Fans, SCID Character Fans, Middle Grade Readers

How to Make Friends with the Sea by Tanya Guerrero

In a nutshell: Pablo is secretly struggling with compulsive behaviors related to abandonment by his dad and multiple international moves, but his mom is so concerned with helping a little girl with a cleft lip, he doesn’t feel like he can talk to her about it.

Inclusive character: Chiqui, a girl born with a cleft lip.

More info: Pablo's mom works with animal rescue centers, and ever since his dad left them they've been hopping from country to country so fast he's got whiplash. Currently, they are in the Philippines and Pablo has come to realize he has issues he needs to tell his mom about. He counts things to calm himself down, he's constantly freaked out by germs and dirt, and just the sight of the ocean is enough to make him throw up. He knows this is related to their constant moving and his last interaction with his dad at an aquarium, but he just can't bring himself to talk to his mom. And now he certainly doesn't have a moment to because she's rescued a human child rather than an animal this time. Chiqui has a cleft lip, has never been to school, and they don't even know if she can talk. Can both Chiqui and Pablo find wholeness?

Extra thoughts: It is easy to forget in developed countries and cities, that cleft palates and cleft lips are still very real issues for many people around the world who don’t have easy access to medical care. Even though Pablo’s mom is busy, Pablo is seen by his mom’s boss and the neighbor girl Happy. They both find ways to help him, and encourage him to finally talk to his mom. The book ends on a hopeful note for both Chiqui and Pablo.

Target readers: Contemporary Fiction Fans, Cleft Lip Character Fans, Mental Health Story Fans, TCK Character Fans, Philippines Setting Fans, Middle Grade Readers 

Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd 

In a nutshell: Olive, a girl with brittle bone disease, longs to make friends, be on stage, and find the mythical Hummingbird so she can make a wish.

Inclusive character: Olive, the main character, who has brittle bone disease

More info: Olive has osteogenesis imperfecta (aka brittle bone disease) but she doesn't want to be defined by her condition or the wheel chair she often uses to get around. She also doesn't want it to slow her down. And it is most definitely hampering her social life and aspirations of being on the stage. Her loving parents are concerned that school is too dangerous. She just wants to go to school, find her BFF who is just waiting out there for her, and get a role in the theater production about Emily Dickinson. Oh, and with the strange feathers falling like snow signaling an imminent reappearance of the local legend, she also wants to find the Hummingbird and make a wish.

Extra thoughts: Natalie Lloyd has done it again. She's crafted an incredibly moving story in words that flow in beautiful rhythms, added just a touch of magic, and builds empathy. 

Target readers: Magical Realism Fans, School Story Fans, Theater Story Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Self-Acceptance/Actualization Story Fans, Wheelchair-Using Character Fans, Brittle Bone Disease Character Fans, Middle Grade Readers

Once upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan

In a nutshell: In search of answers for her dying younger brother, an Oxford university student seeks out C.S. Lewis to find out where Narnia came from and if it is real.

Inclusive character:  8 year old George who has a congenital heart condition

More info: Megs is not the normal Oxford university student in the 1950s. For one, she is studying math and physics, still not a typical choice for women. For another, she doesn't spend her weekends hanging out at the pub with her classmates, but rather ventures home by train each and every weekend to spend precious moments with her little brother. George is 8 and not likely to make it to 9. He was born with a heart condition with no cure, and the whole family knows his time is limited. So when George falls in love with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and asks Megs to hunt down Mr. Lewis at Oxford and ask him where Narnia came from, Megs takes the request very seriously. But Jack Lewis doesn't give her a straight answer. Instead, over a series of weeks he shares stories from his life with Megs, from boyhood to the present, that she then relates to George. And on the journey both she and George will learn a thing or two about the power of stories, where they come from, and just what Narnia can mean to them.

Extra thoughts: This is mostly biographical fiction relating a lot of true facts about Lewis' life, but also interweaving a tenderhearted tale of a brother and a sister wrestling with deep questions. There's also a little love story for Megs worked in naturally along the way with a fellow Oxford student who she can talk to about the deeper things these stories from Mr. Lewis are bringing up. 

Target readers: Historical Fiction Fans, Biographical Fiction Fans, Sibling Story Fans, Oxford Setting Fans, Congenital Heart Defect Character Fans, C.S. Lewis Fans, Bittersweet Story Fans, Light Romance Fans, Adult Readers (though approachable to YA)

Out of My Mind (Out of My Mind, #1) by Sharon M. Draper 

In a nutshell: A nonverbal girl with cerebral palsy’s world is changed when she gets access to technology that can give her a voice.

Inclusive character: Melody, a genius nonverbal, wheelchair-bound girl with cerebral palsy

More info: Melody was born with cerebral palsy. She has a fully functioning mind, and even a photographic memory, but because she can't talk she has no way to let others know. Her mobility and autonomy are severely limited as well, which is frustrating to a girl with a very smart brain. Her parents and Mrs. V (a neighbor who helps look after her when she's not at school and her parents are still at work) and a couple of her good teachers have some inclination. They've caught on to some of her reactions and the way she laughs at jokes, but to the rest of the world, Melody feels invisible. Until the day she catches on to news of technology that just might give her a voice.

Extra thoughts: This story is such a good reminder that kids with little to no vocalization can still have a LOT going on in their heads. This is a great book to grow your empathy and remember to really see people, and not just their surface appearance.

Target readers: Contemporary Fiction Fans, Cerebral Palsy Character Fans, Spunky Character Fans, Middle Grade Readers

The Unstoppable Jamie by Jane Givens, ill. by Courtney Dawson

In a nutshell: Jamie and his parents are headed to New York City for the Buddy Walk and his picture is going to be on the big screen.

Inclusive character: Jamie has Down syndrome  

More info: Jamie likes to pretend he is a superhero with superhero tools like a cape to make him unstoppable. These tools help him when the world feels a little overwhelming. He'll need them as he and his family head to the Buddy Walk in New York City where his photo will be in the slideshow.

Extra thoughts: Check out the back of the book for more information on Down syndrome and the Buddy Walk.

Target readers: Contemporary Fiction Fans, Down Syndrome Character Fans, Picture Book Readers

Brainstorm 336: Even More Thai Books

Today is Thai day at our international school in Bangkok. A day for our school community to celebrate the culture of the country we reside in. In honor of Thai day, I have 4 newer books that feature Thai characters, are created by Thai authors/illustrators, and/or are set in Thailand. To see some other recommended Thai-related books, check out Brainstorm 263 and Brainstorm 294 as well. Click on the titles to see my full review of each book including any. Content notes/trigger warnings.

Building a Dream: How the Boys of Koh Panyee Became Champions by Darshana Khiani, ill. by Dow Phumiruk

In a nutshell: A group of soccer-loving boys on a Thai island get creative to find a place to play.

More info: A slightly fictionalized retelling of how the boys of Koh Panyee's love for soccer and absence of playable land drove them to create their own floating field and eventually become regional champs.

Extra thoughts: This is an interesting mostly-true story (with I’m guessing imagined dialogue and some events condensed that move it into fiction) with some fascinating notes from the author and illustrator. I love that the illustrator for this is Thai and how that shows in the illustrations.

Target readers: Highly Factual Fiction Fans, Soccer Lovers, Problem Solving Story Fans, Thailand Setting Fans, Picture Book Readers

Continental Drifter by Kathy Macleod

In a nutshell: A graphic novel memoir of a Thai American girl who felt split between her Thai and American worlds.

More info: Kathy shares about growing up not sure where she belonged. Her mom was Thai, her dad was American. They lived in Bangkok, Thailand, and she went to an international school. She didn't feel totally at home in Bangkok, so she was counting down the days to their summer trip to Maine and her first summer camp experience. She was sure that camp was where she would fit in. But reality was a bit different.

Extra thoughts: This is a totally typical, highly-relatable, third culture kid/biracial kid experience summed up in words and pictures excellently.

Target readers: Graphic Novel Fans, Memoir Fans, TCK Story Fans, Biracial Kid Story Fans, Search for Belonging Story Fans, Middle Grade Readers (of interest to YA too)

Gabby Gets It Together (PAWS, #1) written, colored, and lettered by Nathan Fairbairn, ill. by Michele Assarasakorn

In a nutshell: A group of pet-less animal lovers start a dog walking business, which tests their friendship.

More info: Gabby, Priya, and Mindy all love animals but none of them can have pets for one reason or another. They decide to start a dog walking business to satisfy their pet cravings and also earn some money. But will their friendship last trying to run a business together?

Extra thoughts: Like any group project, the PAWS pet-sitting business requires a lot of communication and the girls learn that the hard way. I like that they do end up in a much healthier place and each one learns something about herself as well as her friends. I also liked the Vancouver setting which realistically lends itself to a multicultural group of friends: Gabby appears to be Black/Thai Canadian (the illustrator is also of Thai heritage), Priya is Indian Canadian, and Mindy is Korean Canadian.

Target readers: Animal Lovers, Friendship Story Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Graphic Novel Fans, Character Growth Story Fans, Middle Grade Readers

Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice: a Thai Comic Cookbook by Christina De Witte and Mallika Kauppinen

In a nutshell: A graphic novel cookbook introducing Thai foods and cooking methods from a Thai author and illustrator.

More info: The nutshell says it all.

Extra thoughts: This is an easy to follow graphic novel cookbook that covers a good range of Thai dishes. I’ve lived in Thailand almost 20 years and I still learned some things from this about the dishes I see regularly. I like that the authors introduce themselves and share brief bios of themselves too.

Target readers: Foodies, Graphic Novel Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Cookbook Fans, Thai Food Lovers, YA & Adult Readers (though approachable to Middle Grade too)