Brainstorm 291: Stories from Every Continent

Today is International Day at our school, so I thought I would bring you a book set in each continent today. Click on the titles to see my full reviews of each book including any content notes/trigger warnings. Enjoy your world tour!

Africa

The Elephants Come Home: a True Story of Seven Elephants, Two People, and One Extraordinary Friendship by Kim Tomsic, ill. by Hadley Hooper

A picture book history of Lawrence Anthony, Françoise Malby-Anthony, their nature reserve called Thula Thula in Zululand, South Africa, and how a group of troubled elephants came to live there and the relationship they have with Lawrence and Françoise.

Adults can check out a longer version of this story in Lawrence Anthony’s The Elephant Whisperer of which there is also an adaptation for younger readers.

Target Readers:

Picture Book Biography Fans, Elephant Lovers, African Setting Fans, Animal Rescue & Conservation Story Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Picture Book Readers

Antarctica

Ember and the Ice Dragons by Heather Fawcett

Ember is the last of the fire dragons. Or so she thinks. Her adopted Stormancer father found her as a baby and though fire dragons have a fierce personality, he couldn't bear to kill her. Instead he put a spell on her so she appears as a normal human child (with invisible wings that didn't fully cooperate with the spell). Though she can easily fool most people that she's a normal human, she doesn't like to get too close just in case. Also, she has a tendency to burst into flame, especially during the summer. And this summer, she is having a horrible time controlling her flames. Worried that she's going to burn her father to a crisp by accident, Ember gets her scientist Aunt Myra in Antarctica to invite her to stay for the summer. Ember arrives in Antarctica along with a whole crowd of dragon hunters eager to join Prince Gideon's hunt for ice dragons. Ember can't stand the idea of dragons being killed, so she and two other kids from the research station come up with a plan to join the hunt and sabotage it in as many little ways they can think of that won't get them caught. But can three kids really stop greedy adults from their prey and save the dragons?

This is one of the few fictional books I’ve ever read set in Antarctica. It’s a lot of fun thanks to Ember and friends, the penguins who get ahold of a magical artifact and can shoot lightning, and Ember’s grumpy cat who sneaks along on the adventure.

Target Readers:

Fantasy Fans, Adventure Fans, Humor Fans, Antarctica Setting Fans, Dragon Lovers, Penguin Lovers, Cat Lovers, Middle Grade Readers

 

Asia

Tamamo the Fox Maiden and Other Asian Stories: a Cautionary Fables & Fairytales Book edited by C. Spike Trotman, Kate Ashwin, Kel McDonald

A collection of adapted folktales and fairytales from all over Asia. The stories range from humorous to light horror, and fantastical to realistic. All are just a few pages long and illustrated in black and white. 

Target Readers:

Folktale & Fairytale Fans, Asian Setting Fans, Graphic Novel Fans, Short Story Collection Fans, Young Adult & Adult Readers

Australia

Wombat by Christopher Cheng, ill. by Liz Duthie

Take a walk with a wombat and learn what daily life is like for these Australian marsupials.

Stunning illustrations! There are extra text boxes for the readers who can’t get enough wombat facts, so this can be read quickly or you can take a little longer and read all the information.

Target Readers:

Animal Lovers, Australian Setting Fans, Curious Readers, Nonfiction Fans, Picture Book Readers

Europe

The Paris Betrayal by James R. Hannibal

Ben Calix is sure he did nothing wrong in his latest assignments, even if the mission did go south, he was possibly exposed to the plague, and his contact turned out to know his real name... But it wasn't anything bad enough for the Company to sever ties with him. Right? But that is clearly what is going on as Ben goes from one contact to the next and finds out there's a price on his head. People he considered to be on his side are now trying to kill him, he's been framed for murder, and he is on the run trying to get answers with a neighbor who is too friendly for her own good and got caught up in his mess. Can Ben prove to the Company that he is still on the good guys' side and clear his name by figuring out what the Leviathan corporation has planned?

This read like a Bourne movie minus any swearing. It was only after reading the author’s note that I realized the parallels to the biblical story of Job. The parallels are so artfully done they don’t jump out unless you know to look for them. The action takes Ben all over Europe, so that’s why I picked this one for this continent.

Target Readers:

Spy Story Fans, Action & Thriller Fans, Europe Setting Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Adult Readers (though approachable to YA) 

North America

The American Bison: the Buffalo’s Survival Tale (History Comics) by Andy Hirsch

A graphic novel history of the American bison in North America, the golden centuries when the Native Americans and bison lived in a well-balanced ecosystem, and how and why the population became threatened to the point of near extinction 100 years ago, and efforts to help bring the wild population in North America back up since then.

A very readable history of not only an animal but also the people and land around it. Hirsch writes and illustrates his graphic novels in such a way that you forget you’re learning things.

Target Readers:

Animal Lovers, Animal Conservation Story Fans, History Fans, Graphic Novel Fans, Reluctant Nonfiction Readers, Nonfiction Fans, North American History Studiers, Middle Grade & Young Adult Readers

South America

New Shoes by Sara Varon

Francis the shoemaker is known for the best shoes. He takes great pride in the high quality and fair trade materials he uses. When he gets an order from a famous singer, Francis is eager to get to work but his friend Nigel is late with his delivery of tiger grass. With his friend Rhoda’s help, Francis sets out into the South American jungle to find tiger grass himself and hopefully Nigel too.

The plot allows readers to meet many different South American animals and plants, and it also brings up fair trade in a way that kids will easily grasp.

Target Readers:

Graphic Novel Fans, Animal Lovers, South American Setting Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Smart Consumers, Sara Varon Fans, Lower Middle Grade Readers

Brainstorm 290: Inspirational Kindness Stories Part 2

With Valentine’s Day next week, I thought it would be a good time to share some more inspirational kindness stories (the first one was Brainstorm 195). Not all love has to be mushy. There’s good ol’ neighborly and brotherly love to be shared and celebrated too, and that’s what these books are all about. Those little thank yous, those unexpected acts of kindness and compassion from the person who is supposed to be an “enemy,” sharing with someone in a time of need, and those simple smiles that brighten someone’s day. So here’s some stories about acts of kindness that make a difference, touching both the recipient and the giver. Click on the title to see my full review including any content notes/trigger warnings.

Across a Star-Swept Sea (For Darkness Shows the Stars, #2) by Diana Peterfreund

After Earth was all but destroyed in a war, the survivors built the islands of New Pacifica, Albion and Galatea. In Galatea two generations ago, Persistence Helo developed a cure for the Reduced, so that now no one on the islands suffers from the debilitating brain disorder. Well, at least until the Revolution. On Galatea, the regs are tired of the overlording aristos and royalty, so under the leadership of Citizen Aldred they are fighting back and waging a bio-weapons war by giving captured aristos a drug that renders them Reduced. Albion so far has not joined in on the social strife. But not everyone on Albion is comfortable sitting back and watching while their island neighbors suffer. One Albian in particular has become a legendary hope for the Galateans under threat of the new reduction, the Wild Poppy, an Albian man with cunning and amazing skills for rescuing aristos right out from under the noses of the Galatean revolutionary leaders. No one knows who the Wild Poppy is, and Lady Persis Blake is doing everything she can to make sure that remains true. Who would guess that the cunning spy masquerades by day as the flippant and fluffy headed friend of the Albion Princess Regent Isla? But will her secret stay secret, and can she keep up the Wild Poppy’s rescues when the stakes go up?

If you didn’t figure it out already, this is a futuristic scifi reimagining of Baroness Orczy’s The Scarlet Pimpernel. I’m including it here because Lady Persis didn’t have to rescue anyone, but she risks her life repeatedly to save people whose lives are on the line. It's pretty radical kindness. This is technically book 2 in a series (the first book is a reimagining of Jane Austen’s Persuasion), and the ending has more depth if you’ve read the first book but it isn’t strictly necessary to read both.

Target Readers:

Sacrificial Rescue Operation Story Fans, Reimagined Classics Fans, Scarlet Pimpernel Fans, Spy Story Fans, Scifi Fans, Thriller Fans, Young Adult & Adult Readers

 

The Big Storm (Beak & Ally, #3) by Norm Feuti

Ally is enjoying a quiet swim in the rain when Beak informs her it's going to get much worse. Ally isn't too concerned, but she does help Beak with her nest fortifications. When the storm hits and Ally notices others in trouble, she's quick to help out. But when the storm clears it appears these others have no words of thanks for her. Why are they ignoring her?

This is a sweet story of neighbors showing kindness and helping each other out in a time of crisis.

Target Readers:

Community Kindness Story Fans, Storm Recovery Story Fans, Animal Lovers, Graphic Novel Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Lower Grade Readers

 

Give It! (A Moneybunny Book) by Cinders McLeod

Chummy was given 10 carrots by his Gran. Chummy knows just what he's going to spend it on. A superhero outfit so he can save the world from dragons! But then Gran challenges Chummy to maybe give some of it away, and tells him how the bees in their area are hungry. What will Chummy decide to do?

This is part of a whole series about money handling tips for kids done in very cute and engaging ways. This book in the series beautifully inspires kindness and generosity.

Target Readers:

Little Money Handlers, Rabbit Lovers, Generosity Learners, Picture Book Readers

 

Lines of Courage by Jennifer A. Nielsen

As WWI crashes across the lands of Europe, 5 kids who grow into teens over the years of the war find their lives crossing. There's Felix from Austria-Hungary who witnessed the event that started the war and whose Jewish family is in increasing danger as the war grows. There's Elsa, the daughter of a German military leader and a friend of Felix's family who raises homing pigeons. There's Kara, a British girl whose father died early in the war and who has joined her mother on a Red Cross train in France working to help the wounded. There's Juliette, who has been searching for her family since they became separated during the evacuation of Verdun. And there's Dimitri, who was dragged from his family farm in Russia to fight for the Czar even though he's still only 14. Each one must discover what courage really means, and fight to remain kind and loving in a war that leaves so many bitter and angry at the world.

Nielsen has expertly woven a tale that reminds readers that war is messy and awful, and that kindness and the courage to do what is right breaks barriers of language and labels of "enemy" to restore humanity and hope. This is one of my favorite reads of the year so far!

Target Readers:

WWI Story Fans, Line-Crossing Kindness Story Fans, Survival Story Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Feel Good Story Fans, Historical Fiction Fans, Middle Grade Readers on up

 

A New Day by Brad Meltzer, ill. by Dan Santat

Sunday was tired. So Sunday quits. This puts the other days of the week in a bit of a bind. They need something to fill that gap every week, so they put up notices and start applications for a new day of the week. It starts off ok, but the tryouts get wilder and wilder as they go on. Until a little girl has a new idea.

This is a story about how we can so easily take others for granted, and the power a simple word of kindness, like a sincere thank you, can have. It’s also wildly entertaining and full of all sorts of interesting single day celebrations.

Target Readers:

Humor Fans, Fantasy Fans, Obscure Holiday/Celebration Fans, Picture Book Readers

 

The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill

Once upon a time Stone-in-the-Glen was a wonderful place to live. But then the dragon came and the library burned down, and then the school, and then a sink hole claimed the park, and with each loss the town grew a bit more sullen and sad, and the people became more selfish and less trusting. The orphanage didn't use to have to worry about their next meal, but now Matron and Myron are barely able to provide for the 15 growing children from teen Anthea to baby Orpheus. There's an Ogress who lives on the outskirts of town, and given that she's mostly active at night, nobody thinks of her much. That is until she becomes a handy misdirection for the evil festering in the middle of Stone-in-the-Glen. Only the Ogress, some animals, and the 15 orphans know the true danger residing in Stone-in-the-Glen. But can they expose and drive out the evil before the town of Stone-in-the-Glen tears itself apart with hate?

This is an artfully written story about the power of kindness and what it means to be a neighbor in the midst of a bleak and selfish landscape.

Target Readers:

Fantasy Fans, Orphan Story Fans, Mythical Creature Fans, Inspirational Kindness Story Fans, Good Triumphing Over Evil Story Fans, Middle Grade Readers on up

 

The Pirates Next Door (The Jolley-Rogers) by Jonny Duddle

When pirates move into Dull-on-Sea all the residents are concerned except Matilda who is thrilled. Matilda has waited for years for a friend to move next door, and she thinks the boy in the family is fun to be with. And as more and more neighbors complain, the Jolley-Rogers prepare to leave. But are these pirates really as bad as everyone says?

The ending to this is fabulous. I love how the Jolley-Rogers turn the other cheek and repay the unkindness of the town with extraordinary kindness.

Target Readers:

Pirate Character Fans, Humor Fans, Community Story Fans, Picture Book Readers

 

A Quilt for Christmas by Melody Carlson

Widower Vera Swanson just moved to Eastern Oregon, and her kids can't come for Christmas, so Vera finds herself alone for the holidays for the first time. But a neighbor's emergency appendicitis while her husband is out of town means Vera finds herself caring for 2 elementary age children in addition to 4 year old little Fiona. While spending time with Vera, Fiona sees the beautiful quilts Vera has made and commandeers Vera’s help to make a patchwork quilt for her mama for Christmas. There are only a few weeks until Christmas and Vera doesn’t know anyone in town who could help her quilt. Vera isn’t hopeful, but she also can see Fiona’s family is having a hard time. Pushed by a determined 4 year old, and with some obvious divine providence, Vera manages to find 3 other women in the area interested in learning how to quilt and helping make Fiona’s wish for her mama come true. There’s Tasha, an artsy young woman who helps her aunt out at the florist shop in town and is interested in quilting as an artform, there’s Beverly a bubbly middle age woman whose grandmother was a quilter but passed on before she could teach her, and there’s Eleanor a prickly, retired therapist who needs something quiet to help fill her days since retirement. The group is off to a rough start thanks to Eleanor’s icy personality and the fact that they agreed to meet at her house before they realized what an ordeal that would be. Vera isn’t sure they will meet the Christmas deadline, or if this quilting project will be a blessing or disaster for those involved.

I know we’ve just passed the Christmas season, but this is such a great story about how acts of kindness help not only the helped but the helpers that I couldn’t help but include it. It’s also got nods to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol if you look for them.

Target Readers:

Feel Good Christmas Story Fans, Kindness Story Fans, Christmas Carol Rewrite Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Quick Read Fans, Adult Readers (though approachable to YA and Middle Grade readers)

 

Shine by J.J. & Chris Grabenstein

Piper comes from very musical and accomplished parents, but she can't carry a tune in a bucket. She wishes she had some kind of talent, but she feels very ordinary. This becomes an even bigger issue when her father gets a job at the exclusive Chumley Prep and she is transferred there too. Her mother was a shining star at Chumley for her music skills, and Piper feels like she has big shoes to fill but nothing to fill them with. Not only that, but the week she arrives the school announces a new Excelsior Award with undisclosed qualifications. The students are just informed that there are secret judges and the winner will be announced mid-March. Suddenly students at Chumley are going crazy to win all the awards and acclamations they can get. Piper too gets swept up in the craze, but when the competition starts to come between her and some of her new friends, Piper starts to realize that awards aren't worth some sacrifices.

I’m trying not to give any spoilers, but I will say that the emphasis of this book is on kindness and things that really matter in the long run. And it is a fabulous feel good story.

Target Readers:

Contemporary Fiction Fans, School Story Fans, Relatable Character Fans, Kindness Story Fans, Feel Good Story Fans, Middle Grade Readers

 

Wombat Underground by Sarah L. Thomson, ill. by Charles Santoso

Echidna, wallaby, skink, and wombat are going about their normal activities in the Australian bush. But as things dry out and a lightning storm rolls in, a forest fire starts. Echidna, wallaby, and skink need a safe place to flee from the fire. Is wombat willing to share its underground den?

Lyrical writing, stunning illustrations, and a tenderhearted story about sharing in times of disasters. There’s also nonfiction information in the back of the book about Australian wildfires and how they impact the wildlife. 

Target Readers:

Animal Lovers, Australian Setting Fans, Wildfire Studiers, Art Lovers, Kindness Story Fans, Those Considering How to Help Victims of Disasters, Picture Book Readers

Brainstorm 289: Adorable Owls

This week Christopher Denise’s adorable picture book Knight Owl was awarded a much-deserved Caldecott Honor (the illustrations are stunning). So I thought it’d be the perfect opportunity to introduce you all to that book if you haven’t heard of it yet, and some other owl books that are feasts for the eyes. Click on the titles to see my full review of each book including any content notes/trigger warnings.

Knight Owl by Christopher Denise

Owl doesn't seem like the best candidate for knighthood, but he's dreamt of it all his life and he's wiling to work hard. When danger arrives on Knight Owl's night watch, can he protect the kingdom from a big, dangerous foe?

Owl is a cute little underdog hero, who finds a nonviolent, kind solution to the dangers facing the kingdom.

Target Readers:

Owl Fans, Knight Story Fans, Underdog Hero Fans, Peacemaking Story Fans, Dragon Fans, Art Lovers, Award Winner Readers, Picture Book Readers

 

Get Well, Eva (Owl Diaries, #16) by Rebecca Elliott

Eva injures her wing and has to go to the hospital and get a wingsling put on. This is going to put a serious damper on the plans she had for participating in the school carnival that week. Will her injury ruin everything?

This Owl Diaries story has some great messages woven in as Eva's injury makes her more aware of kids stuck at the hospital for longer stays and spurs her to find a way to bring some joy to them.

Target Readers:

Broken/Sprained Limb Story Hunters, Hospital Visit Story Hunters, Compassion & Empathy Story Fans, Kindness Story Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Graphic Novel Fans, Diary Fiction Fans, Cute Art Lovers, Lower Grade Readers

 

Good Night Owl by Greg Pizzoli

Owl is getting ready for bed and hears a noise. He is determined to find the cause of the noise so he can go to sleep.

Owl is VERY determined to find the source of the noise, while readers are fully aware of what is really going on, making this a humorous bedtime tale.

Target Readers:

Humorous Story Fans, Animal Lovers, Atypical Bedtime Story Fans, Award Winner Readers, Picture Book Readers

 

Hoot, Owl! (National Geographic Kids Readers) by Shelby Alinsky

An easy reader about snowy owls, where they live and what they do.

Target Readers:

Curious Readers, Nonfiction Fans, Snowy Owl Studiers/Lovers, Winter Story Fans, Predator Studiers, Photography Fans, Picture Book Readers

 

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, ill. by Patrick Benson

Three little owls wake up in the night and discover their mother is gone. They start to get worried and watch carefully for her return.

Target Readers:

Family Story Fans, Animal Baby Lovers, Art Lovers, Picture Book Readers

 

Owls: Our Most Enchanting Bird by Matt Sewell

An illustrated survey of owls of the world, accompanied by little quips about each owl.

Target Readers:

Owl Lovers, Art Lovers, Curious Readers, Random Fact Collectors, Nonfiction Fans, Coffee Table Book Fans, Middle Grade to Adult Readers

 

Owly: The Way Home & The Bittersweet Summer (Owly, #1) by Andy Runton

Owly is a bird with a big heart. In the first story of this graphic novel, Owly saves a little worm and then helps him find his family. In the second tale, Owly and Wormy use their garden to make new friends, two hummingbirds.

These graphic novel tales are almost wordless, giving them a wide age range appeal. I read the original black and white version (cover on the left), but they’ve been re-releasing this series in color (cover on the right).

Target Readers:

Graphic Novel Fans, Heartwarming Story Fans, Reluctant Readers, Animal Lovers, Cute Art Fans, Middle Grade Readers (though approachable to younger readers)

Brainstorm 288: Time for some Treasure Hunting!

Since this Sunday is national Puzzle Day I thought it would be a good time to share some books that are full of codes and puzzles as the characters go on treasure hunts. There are a lot of great treasure hunt books and series out there, just too many to include here. So I’m only sharing ones I haven’t ever mentioned in the Brainstorm before (except for the picture book). But I can’t help but mention that I also highly recommend Graeme Base’s Eleventh Hour, Grabenstein’s Mr. Lemoncello series, Hicks’ Shakespeare Mysteries series, the Book Scavenger series by Bertman, the Samantha Spinner series by Ginn, the Blackthorn Key series by Sands, and the York series by Ruby for those puzzle-loving, code-cracking, treasure hunt fans. Click on the titles of each of these books to see my full review including any content notes/trigger warnings.

The Ambrose Deception by Emily Ecton

Bondi, Melissa, and Wilf are all kids who fail to stand out at their schools. It is quite a shock to each of them (and their school offices) when they receive notices that they've been selected to compete in a scholarship competition for $10,000. The kids go to the scholarship meeting and are given envelopes with three clues and a whole list of rules, plus a cell phone, a driver, and a credit card to help them in their individual quests. One of the kids is desperate for the scholarship money but thinks the whole thing must be a con. One of the kids is eager to prove himself. And one of the kids wants to make the most of the driver and the credit card before the competition leaders figure out they've most certainly gotten the wrong kid. As they go around Chicago solving the clues, can the kids figure out who has set up this competition and why?

Target Readers:

Treasure Hunt Fans, Puzzle Lovers, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Mystery Fans, Chicago Setting Fans, Stand Alone Mystery Fans, Middle Grade Readers

The Crown Heist (Lost Art Mysteries, #3) by Deron Hicks

Camille is on her most nerve-wracking mission yet. She's off to London to meet her Dad in person. Art is coming along for moral support, with Camille's mom chaperoning and doing some business meetings while the kids spend time with Camille's dad. But when they arrive, Camille's dad is a no show. Is he just doing what he did when Camille was an unborn baby, ditching her and her mom, or is there something else going on? When Camille and Art visit her dad's house, they discover something shady and a clue to a treasure hunt. But what is the treasure at the end of this hunt, and is Camille's dad a willing or unwilling participant?

The name of this series has a double meaning. Usually they are looking for lost or stolen artwork in each book, but in the first one Art was found with no memory in a museum and was the one lost. So this series is great for those interesting in classic art or architecture and/or art crimes.

Target Readers:

Contemporary Fiction Fans, Mystery Fans, Ancient Scavenger Hunt Fans, Suspense Fans, Friendship Story Fans, London History Buffs/Studiers, London Setting Fans, Middle Grade Readers

 

The Hidden Code by P.J. Hoover

Hannah Hawkins' geneticist parents disappeared 11 years ago. When Hannah attends one of her uncle's linguistics lectures at Harvard, she observes her uncle receiving a strange envelope in the middle of the lecture. It turns out to be a letter from her mother. But it is dated 11 years ago. Hannah starts asking questions about just what her parents were doing on that trip when they disappeared, and she eventually learns that her parents were tracking down something called the Code of Enoch. Her parents, another couple called the Olivers, her uncle, and one other man all were convinced that artifacts called Deluge Segments if all combined will lead to the Code of Enoch. Ethan Oliver was also attending her Uncle's lecture and catches Hannah in the act of looking at one of the Deluge Segments. He wants to find the Code of Enoch for his own reasons. Hannah has spent too many years without her parents. She is determined to track them down and know for sure if they are alive or not. Her uncle will never let her go along, and Ethan is going to blackmail his way into going if he has to. But what will they find at the end of their search?

Target Readers:

Adventure Fans, Mystery Fans, Fantasy/Scifi Fans, Suspense Fans, Ancient Scavenger Hunt Fans, Myth/Legend Fans, World Travel Fans, Stand Alone Book Fans, Young Adult Readers

 

I Do Not Trust You by Laura J. Burns & Melinda Metz

M thought her father was dead until a young man shows up saying her father is alive but is being held by the cult of Set until he can translate a map of hieroglyphics they think will lead them to a disassembled statue of their god that will bring him back to Earth when put together. The young man, Ash, is from the cult of Horus, pledged to make sure that the cult of Set doesn't bring back their god and destroy the Earth. He wants the original map from M. M isn't sure about these gods and cults, but she knows how to read the map. She's also not letting it out of her sight. She thinks that if she and Ash find the parts of the statue they can use them as leverage to release her father. So they are off on a huge round-the-world treasure hunt following a cryptic ancient map, and neither one knows if they can completely trust the other.

Readers at my school will be excited to know the grand finale of this story happens in Thailand.

Target Readers:

Adventure Fans, World Travel Fans, Mystery Fans, Suspense Fans, Fantasy Fans, Egyptian Mythology Fans, Italy Setting Fans, Thailand Setting Fans, Treasure Hunt Fans, Stand Alone Book Fans, Young Adult Readers

 

Mr. Summerling’s Secret Code (The Treasure Troop, #1) by Dori Hillestad Butler, ill. by Tim Budgen

When Marly's next door neighbor disappears, she and three other kids her age that knew Mr. Summerling are summoned to the reading of his will. It turns out he has left them something, but instead of the will telling them what, the lawyer hands them a clue in the form of a puzzle. Marly is really missing her best friend who just moved, but she likes getting to know Isla and Sai as they puzzle out the clues Mr. Summerling left them. But where will the clues lead?

Readers will want to read all 4 books in the Treasure Troop series, and keep building their code breaking skills with Marly, Isla, and Sai. This is right on the border between lower grade and middle grade interest levels.

Target Readers:

Multicultural Cast Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Mystery Fans, Codes and Codebreaking Fans, Puzzle Lovers, Visual Issues Representation Fans (Marly has lazy eye and has to wear a patch for most of the series), Lower Grade/Middle Grade Readers

 

Salty Dogs by Matty Long

The Salty Dogs are fearsome pirates but they are having a little trouble finding treasure with all the other pirates in the area. They have one last hope. A treasure they left on Crossbone Island. But can they get there before the other pirates?

Like Long's other picture books there can be quite a lot going on in in the illustrations on just one spread, and often those large spreads have a subtle prompt in something someone says for a hide and seek challenge (i.e. if someone says they lost something, you can find it somewhere on the page).

Target Readers:

Pirate Story Fans, Humor Fans, Dog Lovers, Hide-n-Seek Fans, Picture Book Readers

Brainstorm 287: Rabbit & Cat Books for Lunary New Year

Welcome back to the Brainstorm! As Lunar New Year quickly approaches I have 3 books for you this week that include Asian folklore about rabbits, as well as one Asian New Year’s Eve cat story (since in some cultures this is the Year of the Cat instead of the Year of the Rabbit). And as a bonus I’m throwing in 3 books in which cats and rabbits are both main characters. Click on the titles to see my full review for each book including any content notes/trigger warnings.

Rabbit Folklore

The Dreamweavers by G.Z. Schmidt

When the emperor's son arrives to sample Grandfather's legendary mooncakes at the village's Autumn Moon Festival, Mei and Yun find themselves in the middle of a disaster. Grandfather's mooncakes taste awful and he is carted off to the Imperial City to be tried for attempted poisoning. Mei and Yun know something is in the air, literally. They can see the multi-colored clouds that are dreams of people. And the ones hovering over their city now are nightmares and are making everyone grumpy and mean. They must set off on a quest to free their Grandfather, because he has no one else. With the help of a friendly rabbit, the twins find themselves trying to break a curse with roots decades in the past.

Target Readers:

Sibling Story Fans, Mythical Historical China Setting Fans, Quest Adventure Fans, Fantasy Fans, Grandparent/Grandchild Story Fans, Fantasy Fans, Folklore/Mythology-Inspired Story Fans, Mystery Fans, Middle Grade Readers

 

Moon Pops by Heena Baek

On a simmering summer night, everyone in the apartment complex is doing everything they can to cool down. It is in fact SO hot, that the moon starts melting and no one notices but Granny. She collects the melting moon in a pot and when the power goes out decides to make it in to moon pops to cool herself and the rest of the apartment complex cool. Pretty soon two rabbits appear at Granny's door looking for their home, the moon. Can Granny help them?

The artwork in this is done in a very unique colored diorama + black and white characters illustration style.

Target Readers:

Summer Story Fans, Imaginative Readers, Fantasy Fans, Community Story Fans, Folklore/Mythology-Inspired Story Fans, Korean Folklore Fans, Unique Art Style Fans, Picture Book Readers

 

Rabbit Moon by Jean Kim

Based on Korean folklore about the Rabbit on the Moon who collects wishes, this story explores what the Rabbit would wish for.

Make sure you read the author's note in the front of the book before reading the story to fully get what is going on!

Target Readers:

Korean Folklore Fans, Folklore/Mythology-Inspired Story Fans, Bedtime Story Fans, Feel Good Story Fans, Rabbit Lovers, Art Lovers, Picture Book Readers

Cat New Year's Story

Angel in Beijing by Belle Yang

New Year's Eve firecrackers scare a kitty into the family's courtyard. The little girl and Kitty soon are fast friends and zooming around the city to enjoy the New Year's festivities. But when Kitty snags the tail of a kite and goes sailing away, the little girl searches Beijing far and wide trying to find her new friend. Will she be able to find Kitty?

Target Readers:

New Year’s Story Fans, Beijing Setting Fans, Cat Lovers, Armchair Travel Fans, Bittersweet Story Fans, Picture Book Readers

Cat & Rabbit Tales

Bunnicula: the graphic novel based on the novel by Deborah & James Howe, adapted by James Howe & Andrew Donkin, ill. by Stephen Gilpin

A graphic novel adaptation of the modern classic about a new pet rabbit who is found at a showing of Dracula by the family. When the family's other pets see the rabbit's suspicious-looking teeth, witness its ability to get out of its cage at night, and see the disturbing vegetables drained of color, they start to suspect that Bunnicula is a vampire. Harold, the family dog, thinks Bunnicula is probably harmless, but Chester, the family cat who devours a fair amount of horror literature, is sure that the Monroe family is all in danger with a vampire bunny masquerading as a cute family pet.

Howe, Donkin, and Gilpin updated this just a touch from the 1970s original (mostly just tech used by the family and media/books mentioned), but the spirit of the book is still the same.

Target Readers:

Animal Fiction Fans, Readers Who Think They Want a Horror Story (But Maybe Aren’t Ready for a True Horror Story), Humor Fans, Mystery Fans, Pet Story Fans, Graphic Novel Fans, Middle Grade Readers

Cat’s Café (Cat’s Café, #1) by Matt Tarpley

A collection of comics about Cat who runs a café, provides for the caffeine needs of others, but more importantly provides a safe place where everyone can be real, get emotional support, and connect with others.

Rabbit is another character who regularly appears, and provides readers dealing with anxiety a character they can easily relate to and gain hope from.

Target Readers:

Mental Health Book Fans, Cute Comic Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Humor Fans, Graphic Novel Fans

 

Marshmallow by Clare Turlay Newberry

A delightful story about a bunny who joins a home that already has a cat. For a while the owner thinks things won't work out, but the animals surprise her.

This is a delightful old classic about unexpected friends. Make sure you get a revised edition as the vocabulary was updated in 2008 to be more easily understood by modern readers (the original used some 1940s vocabulary that now has different meanings in modern English and was confusing for today’s kids).

Target Readers:

Animal Fiction, Pet Story Fans, Cute Story Fans, Rabbit Lovers, Cat Lovers, Art Lovers, Award Winner Readers, Picture Book Readers