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Stacey’s Remarkable Books

Stacey’s favorite day of the week is Thursday because on Thursday the whole class goes to the library and she gets to lose herself in her beloved books.  

But on one of these special days, Stacey discovers a new student named Julie has trouble reading in English. So Stacey and Julie begin sharing books and stories to practice reading. Soon, more students start to join them. The group goes on magical adventures through their books, exploring other worlds and cultures—but best of all, the books bring them together as friends. 

Stacey’s Remarkable Books is beautifully written and shows the power of books. At first, Stacey spends her recess reading books alone. But once Stacey meets Julie, everything changes. Julie has a difficult time reading because she recently moved from Vietnam, so Stacey helps Julie practice reading in English. Stacey and Julie connect through stories. Both girls believe that “Maybe if we read together, we can make our dreams come true.” The girls’ experiences reinforce the idea that friendship can be built by sharing a common interest, such as reading. 

Another student, Haddy, moves from Gambia, and Stacey and Julie quickly bring her into their group. Soon, the book club grows to include several children of different cultures. While the girls connect over books, they also share their unique perspectives: “Each brought their own words and different histories.”  

Stacey’s Remarkable Books highlights the importance of inclusion and respecting each other’s differences. But the lessons don’t end there! Even though Stacey loves to read during recess, her friendship with Julie gives her the ability to try something new. Stacy realizes, “If she tried, she could be out on the playground too. Spinning in circles and running like a cheetah. Laughing and having fun. Like her favorite characters in her favorite books.”  

Stacey’s Remarkable Books is an engaging story that uses full-page illustrations to show Stacey’s love of books. Some of the illustrations also include fun details that bring books to life. For example, when Stacey and Julie are reading a book about an octopus, the octopus is shown playing a violin. Many illustrations show Stacy’s friends, who are a diverse group. Each page has three to seven sentences and many of the sentences are complex.  

Anyone who wants to introduce young readers to the magical world of books should read Stacey’s Remarkable Books to their child. The story is beautifully written and teaches the importance of inclusion and practicing a skill. The back of the book includes a two-page author’s note and a “List of Stacey’s Remarkable Books,” such as Hair Twins by Raakhee Mirchandani, I Am Enough by Grace Byers, and Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’O. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None

Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer’s Life

Lucy Maud Montgomery believed that one day she would be taken seriously as a writer. Despite facing many obstacles, Montgomery not only earned a good living as a writer but also became famous after creating Anne of Green Gables—one of the most popular books ever written that has been translated into over 20 languages and earned Montgomery worldwide recognition and appeal.  

As a girl growing up in the 1800s, Montgomery’s dream of becoming a writer was unthinkable—at this time, only men were authors. However, when Montgomery was 16, she published her first poem. When she was in her 30s, Montgomery was writing “silly stories. Potboilers she called them, because they earned money to keep the pots boiling on the stove with enough food for her and her grandmother.” However, many people believed “she was odd because she earned her living as a writer, so they snubbed her.” 

Getting rejections from publishers was disheartening for Montgomery. However, she was determined to write a book. The first book that Montgomery published was Anne of Green Gables, which launched Montgomery into the limelight. Despite Montgomery’s success as a writer, she still lived with her grandmother, who “wouldn’t let her make any changes to their house to make it more uncomfortable.” In addition, her grandmother still gave her a bedtime and only allowed Montgomery to take a bath once a week.  

Lucy Maud Montgomery is only 32 pages, but it’s packed full of information about Montgomery’s life. Each two-page spread weaves the real events of her life into the fabric of her fiction using photographs, excerpts from newspapers, and actual journal pages. This biography explores Montgomery’s struggle and determination to realize her dreams. Despite difficulties in her private life, Montgomery continued to find success as a writer and became famous in Canada and Europe. 

Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer’s Life is part of the Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History Series and includes a concise timeline and a listing of pertinent websites. Anyone who has ever dreamed of being a writer or who has read Anne of Green Gables will be fascinated by Montgomery’s life. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

Kneel

Football is everything to Russell Boudreaux. It’s his talent, his community, and his ticket to a Division I scholarship, where he’ll earn enough money to be set for life. Entering his senior year and final football season, Rus knows his future depends on a successful season. As the captain of the Jackson Jackals, his primary goal is to defeat his school’s rival, Westmond, and lead his team to a championship. However, everything quickly goes wrong. 

When the Jackals’ quarterback, Marion LaSalle, gets arrested for a crime he didn’t do, Rus suddenly becomes entangled in a battle against racism and discrimination. With the help of his teammates and childhood friend, Gabby Dupre, Rus embarks on a mission to give voice to the Black community and promote justice for the town of Monroe. Yet, with every newsworthy action, Rus risks placing himself—and his football future—in jeopardy. Will Rus achieve justice for the Jackson Jackals and Monroe? Or will his political activism cost him his season and his future? 

Rus is the story’s exciting main protagonist, and he strives to stand up for what is right. As a young black man, he sees the tension between the white and black communities of his town, and he desires justice for the racist attacks on the past and present black population. Despite being told to focus solely on football and ignore the blatant acts of inequality, Rus chooses to risk his life to shed light on his town’s issues. His courage and dedication to raising his voice are admirable, and his fearlessness in exposing the town’s discrimination through the newspaper should set an example and encourage readers to stand up and fight for what’s right in their own lives. 

The story’s enjoyable nature stems from Rus and his supporting characters. From the start, these characters help readers become invested in the plot by portraying actions and emotions that feel authentic and genuine. Whether it’s Gabby’s ambition to promote justice, Ms. Jabbar’s passion to discover truth, or Marion’s fortitude to succeed on the football field, readers can connect with these characters through shared human experience. Although some readers may not experience this type of overt discrimination, they can relate to the presence of difficult and frustrating circumstances in life. 

The story’s main conflict arises from Rus’s inability to balance football and political activism. Through these struggles, Rus’s resolution to “stand up for his people . . . despite people wanting to see [him] fail” highlights the book’s message about assertiveness: the ability to express one’s opinions and stand firm in one’s values. While this lesson can inspire readers to stand up against inequality in their own lives, the conclusion to the story’s problems can come across as idealistically hopeful or something achieved only in a perfect world. In addition, because the story centers around the theme of justice and equality, there are fewer action-packed football scenes in it compared to other sports stories. 

In conclusion, Kneel explores the themes of inequality, injustice, and self-expression through the journey of a promising black football star in Louisiana. Of course, the story does feature some heavy topics, like the impacts of modern-day racism, and its prolific use of offensive language and references to alcohol can be unwelcoming. However, the story’s strength comes from its applicable message that will stay with readers long after they put the book down. While football doesn’t play a major role in the story, Kneel will inspire readers to stand up for their beliefs despite their challenges. 

Sexual Content 

  • Rus’s friend, Marion, refers to sex by saying “smashed” and “the birds and the bees.” 
  • During lunch, Gabby and Rus’s “arms occasionally [brush] against each other.” Rus believes the “closeness felt natural, even though Gabby shied away every time it happened.” 
  • When Rus and Gabby sit next to each other, Rus notices that Gabby “scooted her hand next to mine. Her pinky finger grazed my skin.” 
  • Marion believes that Rus “blowing off steam” means he’s “off banging Gabby.” 
  • At one point, Gabby grabs Rus’s hand, and Rus says, “I like the hand-holding. I’d like to do other things too, but I was willing to move at Gabby’s pace.” 
  • On the porch of his house, Rus kisses Gabby. “His lips pressed into hers. A blend of emotions collided as we kissed—the months of longing, the layers of protest, and anger and frustration. The recent nights of separation, when I didn’t know if she was okay. All of it went into that rush of release.” 
  • In the car, Gabby leans “across the center console for another kiss,” and Rus “gladly [meets] her halfway.” 

Violence 

  • During a football game against Deerlake, Rus gets “pinned to the ground” by a big Deerlake linebacker. 
  • Before a major football game, Marion and Bradley Simmons, the quarterback for Westmond High, “[tousle] on the ground.” Soon afterward, Marion’s face is bruised and bloody, the officials suspend the game, and the two boys are taken to the police station. 
  • Terrance, one of Rus’s teammates, believes that Shreveport’s crowd wants “to lynch us for real.” 
  • Rus and Darrell, one of Rus’s teammates, “lunge across the aisle” and fight after a disappointing football game loss. No one is injured during this scene. 

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • Rus mentions that his teammates drink beer at a Friday night party. 
  • Rus’s father, Pops, takes a “measured sip from his beer” during a conversation between Rus, his mom, and Marion. 
  • Beer makes multiple appearances at Terrence’s party, such as in the “liquor cabinet” and a “cooler of beers.” 
  • Gary Tounior, Darrell’s cousin, has a “Swisher blunt hanging from the lips” during a party. 
  • Rus’s teammates smoke and “conceal their blunts” during a party. 
  • Darrell pops “the top off a can of beer” and hands it to Rus during a Friday night party. 
  • Marion drinks and runs off with a “bottle of Olde English” after a rough conversation with Rus. 
  • When Marion is kicked off the football team, Rus fears that he is “still looking for answers in bottles of malt liquor.” 
  • During homecoming preparation, Coach Fontenot, Rus’s football coach, spits “a wad of chewing tobacco into [a crumpled water bottle] before tucking it out of sight.” 
  • During a political rally, activist Charlotte Martin talks about a man who was arrested for selling “loose cigarettes outside of a convenience store.” 
  • Dave, Gabby’s close friend, asks Rus if he wants some “beer” during a college party. 
  • At Terrance’s house, Rus remembers “sneaking booze out of his mama’s liquor cabinet and staying up too late.” 

Language 

  • Marion gives Rus “the finger” after Rus jokes about his lack of a car. 
  • Profanity is used excessively. Profanity includes shit, damn, ass, hell, horseshit, piss, and fuck. 
  • “God,” “Jesus,” “Lord, help us,” “Lord knows he deserves worse,” and other similar phrases are used rarely as an exclamation. 
  • Marion threatens to call Bradley a piece of “trash.” 
  • The term “negro” is used several times. 
  • Gary insults Rus by calling him a “Mr. Big Man Baller.” 
  • One of Westmond’s football players, Lawrence, calls Rus a “nigga.” 
  • During a fight, Gabby calls the people on the football field a “dick.” 
  • Rus describes the town’s reaction to his decision to kneel during the national anthem as “bullshit.” He and Gabby use it again later on in the book during a similar conversation. 
  • Coach Fontenot calls his football team “a bunch of gosh darn amateurs” after a bad play. 
  • Rus describes football practice without Marion as a “shitstorm.” 
  • Rus feels like an “asshole” when he prematurely brings up his scholarship opportunity with Clemson to Marion. 
  • Bradley calls Lawrence a “fucking asshole” when he apologizes to Marion. 

Supernatural 

  • None

Spiritual Content 

  • Rus’s teammate, Karim, has a tattoo of his mother posed “as Mother Mary—complete with a bowed head and hands folded in prayer.” 
  • Rus’s mother believes that “prayer and perseverance” will fix her family’s problems. 
  • Rus repeats a “prayer” that the rungs of his tree house ladder won’t break under his weight. 
  • After throwing a good football pass to Rus, Marion kisses “his fist then point[s] to the sky, as if sending God a little prayer.” 
  • When Rus runs to his car after a football game, he prays “to God” that “[the car] would start tonight.” 
  • When Rus and his friends are being chased by the police, Rus “hope[s] to God” that Terrance grabbed his house keys. 

by Caleb Kleinmann

Strike Zone

Twelve-year-old star Little League pitcher Nick Garcia has a dream. Several in fact. He dreams he’ll win this season’s MVP and earn the chance to throw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium. He dreams he’ll meet his hero, Yankee pitcher Michael Arroyo. He dreams they’ll find a cure for Lupus so his sister won’t have to suffer. But mostly, he dreams that one day his family can stop living in fear of the government.  

For one kid, it’s almost too much to bear. Luckily, Nick has his two best friends, Ben and Diego, to keep him balanced. But when Nick notices a mysterious man lurking on his street corner, his worst fears are realized. But just when it seems there’s no one they can trust, an unexpected hero emerges and changes everything. 

Baseball-loving fans will instantly connect with Nick Garcia and his baseball ambitions. Nick is a kind protagonist who has a caring support system that includes friends, families, and neighbors. Despite his support system, Nick constantly worries that others will discover his family’s secret—both of his parents are illegal immigrants. This conflict weaves its way into almost every aspect of Nick’s life. At times, the story’s explanations of complex immigration problems including immigration raids, detention centers, and the legal system overshadow the baseball story thread. However through Nick’s experiences, readers will empathize with Nick and his family and learn about the harmful aspects of the immigration system. 

Nick and his two best friends, Ben and Diego, support each other and show readers the positive aspects of being part of a team. During their team’s games, most of the action focuses on Nick’s pitching ability. While this gives the reader an inside view of Nick’s emotions, the book lacks a broader sense of the team working together. There is play-by-play baseball action, but these scenes focus mainly on Nick and the other players are seldom mentioned. The narrow focus on Nick removes some of the joy from the game scenes.  

Strike Zone weaves the different aspects of Nick’s life together, showing how community surrounds Nick and his family in times of trouble. Nick has many trustworthy people in his life; however, he is surprised when his favorite Yankee, Michael Arroyo, steps in to help as well. Readers who have read the book Heat will understand how Michael’s and Nick’s stories connect, but the books don’t need to be read in order to enjoy Strike Zone. Both Michael’s and Nick’s stories show that achieving one’s dream is possible. However, it takes dedication, perseverance, and community.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • Nick and his father take his sister Amelia to a free clinic. As they are leaving, a drunk man pushes her. “Amelia lost her balance and almost went down, but Nick caught her by the hip.” 
  • Afterward, the drunk man “swung at Nick’s father. It was a wild swing, one the man had telegraphed, and Nick’s dad easily avoided it. But missing the punch just seemed to make the big man angrier. He clumsily lowered his shoulder and drove into Victor, bringing them both violently to the ground. With Victor Garcia pinned beneath him, the man grunted, throwing punch after punch. . .” Both men are arrested. 
  • When Nick is sliding into home plate, “Eric slapped a hard tag on Nick. Right across the face. Nick’s head snapped to the side, and he immediately cupped his jaw in pain.” Nick has a bruise but is otherwise fine.  

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • Heck is used once.  

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • Nick’s coach tells him, “I honestly believe the good Lord has blessed you with a right arm like Michael Arroyo’s left.”  
  • Nick’s dad tells him, “God gives the heaviest burdens to the strongest backs.” 
  • Nick tells his neighbor about his hardships. She says, “When I was a little girl in Mexico, my mother used to read me a poem. It was about doing the right things to get into heaven so that one day God could answer all our questions about why things in our life happened the way they did.”  
  • Nick’s father talks about being an illegal immigrant. He says, “We have to put our trust in God until my beautiful daughter turns twenty-one.”  

My Pet Goldfish

In My Pet Goldfish, prolific children’s author Catherine Rayner recounts her first experience owning a goldfish. Rayner was only four years old when she got her goldfish named Richard. Although Richard was no bigger than her hand, Rayner quickly realized that caring for a goldfish is not as simple as it may seem. Rayner had to learn about the proper tank size and food type for goldfish to provide her pet with a suitable environment. Regardless of these challenges, Rayner grew attached to Richard. With the help of her friend, Sandy, Rayner learned how to properly take care of a pet fish. 

My Pet Goldfish is a straightforward story that provides new owners with instructions on how to care for a goldfish. Along with Sandy’s advice, the book features small captions with additional information in the corners of each page. For example, one caption reads: “Goldfish need plenty of space to grow properly, so you need a BIG tank to keep them in.” Along with these tips, each page features a piece of trivia about goldfish, such as, “scientists believe goldfish can remember things for up to five months.” 

Along with Rayner’s story, the book includes a list of tips for caring for a goldfish. These tips include how to change the water in a tank and the proper tank size for goldfish. Rayner also provides a list of additional resources for curious readers, including a website all about goldfish and a recommendation to read How to Look After Your Goldfish, an instructional novel by David Alderton about tending to pet goldfish. Although this is an informative book, Rayner’s passionate narration invites the reader to look at this straightforward story with the same curiosity and wonder she felt as a child. For example, Reyner writes: “[Richard] would swim over when he saw me, wiggling his tail. If I gently touched the glass, he would follow my finger.”  

By telling the story through a child’s point of view, Rayner turns the common experience of owning a pet goldfish into an exciting adventure. Rayner’s beautiful watercolor illustrations also create a sense of wonder. Rayner’s fish tank is painted in soft blues and greens. Fish of many species swim about with their own unique color scheme. The book is a relatively easy read, with one to five short sentences per page. My Pet Goldfish is a short, informative book written with a clear passion for its subject and is perfect for readers considering getting their first goldfish. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

Joseph Stalin

In 1917, Russian workers shocked the world by overthrowing their emperor and ending centuries of tyranny. The leaders of the Russian Revolution proclaimed a new nation—the Soviet Union—and promised to build a just society run by and for the common people.  

Instead, they gave the world Joseph Stalin. 

Stalin turned the Soviet Union into a world power—at an almost unimaginable cost. He uprooted millions of peasants and starved millions more to death. He executed his enemies, real or imagined, and filled a notorious system of prison camps with Soviet citizens. He was more ruthless than any of the previous Russian emperors.  

Joseph Stalin takes readers through Stalin’s life, from his troubled childhood until his death. The book adeptly includes enough detail to provide context and color to each chapter without overwhelming the reader with facts. From Stalin’s childhood to his time as a revolutionary and finally to his span as leader of the Soviet Union, Stalin’s life is fraught with violence. 

Reading about Stalin is not for the faint of heart. From bombs to gulags, mass executions to deliberate starvation, the information in this book—while not described in graphic detail—is disturbing in the extreme. Each chapter contains one to two black-and-white historical photographs. In addition, there is a seven-page photo collection in the middle of the book. While the illustrations are often grainy enough to obscure any gory details, the images of corpses, skeletons, and violence may be disturbing.  

Joseph Stalin is written at a high reading level, with some challenging vocabulary. Each chapter is only four to six pages long, making this a short read for those interested in learning about this dark chapter in history. The story is engaging and quick-paced, perfect for readers who do not want to get bogged down in endless details. Readers don’t need to know much about Stalin in order to understand this non-fiction book, but enough facts are included that those familiar with Stalin’s life will still learn something new. The book ends with a timeline of Stalin’s life and a glossary that includes definitions of both Russian terminology and some of the more difficult vocabulary.  

While the short chapters and illustrations will help readers engage with this disturbing tale, the difficult vocabulary and extremely violent content make this book a good fit for more mature readers. Teaching our youth about dark chapters in history is essential in educating and empowering the next generation; however, this book may give sensitive readers nightmares. Readers who would like to learn more about Stalin’s time period without disturbing details should instead read Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Yelchin. 

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • A flood near Kolpashevo unearths a mass grave. “As the current eroded the riverbanks . . . human skeletons began to tumble from the ground. Half-frozen, mummified bodies surfaced in the layer below the skeletons. Many of the remains slid into the river.” 
  • The secret police “forced local residents to tie weights to the bodies and sink them in the river.” The KGB said the bodies were “military deserters executed after World War II . . . but the people of Kolpashevo knew the truth . . . In the late 1930s, friends, relatives, and neighbors . . . were shot in the back of the head and shoveled into a mass grave” by the local secret police. A black-and-white photograph of a mass grave accompanies this chapter.  
  • When Stalin was a young boy, he “once threw a knife at his father in order to protect his mother from a beating.”  
  • When Stalin was twenty years old, he joined the Russian Social-Democratic Workers’ Party, where “he organized protests, strikes, and riots. At one point, he was suspected of setting a fire in an oil refinery.”  
  • In 1905, during protests across Russia, “peasants lashed out at their landlords, burning their estates to the ground and torching police stations . . . [Stalin] and other revolutionaries created battle squads to harass and kill tsarist troops.” Afterwards, the “tsar allowed vigilante death squads called the Black Hundreds to roam the countryside and crush all signs of public protest.”  
  • When Stalin started working for Lenin and the Bolsheviks, he “took up life as a gangster . . . [he] robbed banks, trains, and mail ships. In one murderous assault, [his] gang blew up two horse-drawn carriages.” Forty people were killed. 
  • The Bolsheviks “sent squads of assassins armed with rifles, pistols, and homemade bombs into Russian cities. Between 1906 and 1909, the Bolsheviks and other revolutionary groups killed more than 2,600 police and government officials.”  
  • There are many references to people being “shot” and “executed,” often “with a bullet to the back of the head.” For example, the NKVD in Stalinabad “ended up shooting more than 13,000 [people].” Not all instances of executions are listed here.  
  • A Red Army newspaper said, “Without mercy, without sparing, [The Red Army] will kill our enemies in scores of hundreds. Let them drown themselves in their own blood.”  
  • Lenin (the leader of the Communist Revolution in Russia) said, “How can you make a revolution without firing squads? If we can’t shoot [enemy] saboteurs, what kind of revolution is this?” 
  • Stalin had many slave-labor camps called gulags. “Prisoners . . . lived on starvation rations and received little medical care. They were purposely worked to exhaustion. They died by the thousands. . . At least one million would die in the gulags,” the book says, though many think the number is much higher.  
  • Gulag survivor Alexander Solzhenitsyn wrote about how prisoners were “singled out for bad behavior” and thrown into a “bedbug infested box.” When the bedbugs swarmed the victim, “he waged war with them strenuously, crushing them on his body and on the walls, suffocated by their stink. But after several hours, he weakened and let them drink his blood without a murmur.”  
  • Stalin created a massive famine where “peasants were dropping dead of starvation.” Millions starve, and “once-lively villages [became] ghost towns with skeleton-thin corpses lining the street.” 
  • The famine gets so bad that “reports of cannibalism leaked out from the worst affected regions. In the city of Poltava, children started mysteriously disappearing from the streets. Before long, fresh supplies of meat appeared in the normally barren city markets. Upon inspection, the meat was found to be human flesh.”  
  • Sergei Kirov, a rival of Stalin, is “shot dead in Leningrad by an assassin.” Many suspect “that Stalin had ordered Kirov’s murder to get rid of a dangerous rival.” Trotsky, another rival, was later assassinated by “a blow to the head with an ice pick.”  
  • Two rivals of Stalin are “dragged from their cells and shot. Afterward, the bullets were removed from their brains and kept by NKVD chief Genrich Yagoda as souvenirs.”  
  • Many times during Stalin’s reign, “mass graves were dug.” Several photos of dead bodies and skeletons are included in the book.  
  • During World War II, Red Army officers received orders to “execute deserters and troops who fled from battle. More than 150,000 soldiers were shot in 1941 and 1942 alone.”  
  • The chapter on World War II includes a photograph of two Soviets being hung by Nazis. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • Stalin’s father “was an angry man who drank heavily and beat his wife and son.”  
  • It is said that “Georgians had a reputation for drinking hard, singing loud, and settling feuds with punches if not daggers,” and Stalin “fit right in.”  

Language   

  • A politician praises Stalin’s Five-Year Plan, saying, “Damn it all . . . you just want to live and live—really, just look what’s going on.”

Supernatural  

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • Stalin’s mother was “determined to see [Stalin] wear the long black robes of a Russian Orthodox priest.” Stalin enrolls in Tiflis Spiritual Seminary but is kicked out.  

Ballerina Dreams: From Orphan to Dancer

At the age of three, Michaela DePrince found a photo of a ballerina that changed her life. She was living in an orphanage in Sierra Leone at the time, but soon she was adopted by a family and brought to America. Michaela never forgot the photo of the dancer she once saw, and she quickly decided to make her dream of becoming a ballerina come true. She has been dancing ever since and is now a principal dancer in New York City. She has also been featured in the ballet documentary First Position, as well as Dancing with the Stars, Good Morning America, and Oprah magazine. 

Ballerina Dreams is told from Michaela’s point of view. The story uses a friendly tone that makes the reader feel as if they know Michaela personally. While in the orphanage, Michaela’s teacher said, “You can become a ballerina, too, if you take lessons for many years, if you work hard, and if you practice every day.” While Michaela’s story has a happy ending, she acknowledges her fears and explains how she overcame them. Her motivational story shows the importance of hard work and perseverance.  

As part of the Ready To Read Level 4 Series, Ballerina Dreams is intended for children who can read independently. The story is told using short chapters. The paragraphs are short and use simple sentences. Most pages have full-color illustrations or photographs of Michaela to break up the text. However, some pages do not have pictures.  

Ballerina Dreams is an inspiring story that encourages readers to aspire to great heights. The informative book explains how Michaela was able to make her dreams come true. Michaela encourages readers by saying, “It doesn’t matter if you dream of being a doctor, a teacher, a writer, or a ballerina. Every dream begins with one step. After that, you must work hard and practice every day. If you never give up, your dream will come true.” For another inspirational biography, pair Ballerina Dreams with A Girl Named Misty by Kelly Starling Lyons. Readers who love ballet should also read the picture books Tallulah’s Tutu by Marilyn Singer and Parker Shines On by Parker Curry & Jessica Curry. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • Michaela was born in Sierra Leone and her parents “died there in the ongoing war.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

One Tiny Turtle

Unlike their notoriously slow counterparts on land, sea turtles travel thousands of miles each year. This makes them very difficult to research, and much is still unknown about their mysterious lives. In One Tiny Turtle, zoologist and author Nicola Davies describes the known life cycle of the loggerhead turtle, one of seven species of sea turtles. Readers will follow the turtle from her time as an infant living beneath a patch of seaweed to her adulthood when she lays her own eggs on a beach before disappearing back into her mysterious life beneath the sea. 

One Tiny Turtle is an informative book that grabs readers’ attention through Davies’ beautiful prose and illustrator Jane Chapman’s vibrant, realistic art. Like all books in the Read and Wonder series, One Tiny Turtle includes a fun fact about its subject on every page. For example, in a page describing the loggerheads’ swimming process, a small caption informs readers that sea turtles can spend hours underwater while asleep and only come up for air every four or five minutes while awake.   

One Tiny Turtle is an accessible book for younger readers, with one to eight short sentences per page. A prolific children’s author, Davies captures young readers’ imagination through her rich and descriptive writing. For example, she describes a baby turtle as “not much bigger than a bottle top, she hides in the green shadows.”  The colorful and detailed illustrations help readers understand the turtle’s life and habitat. Chapman’s photorealistic sea creatures blend beautifully with the greens and blues of the sea.  

Although it is a nonfiction book, One Tiny Turtle is sure to engage readers’ curiosity and leave them wondering about a species whose mysteries are still being uncovered. As part of the Read and Wonder Series, One Tiny Turtle is meant for younger readers. It is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than for the child to read it for the first time independently. The book is fascinating and educational and will help readers understand the mysteries of turtles.  

Introduce your young readers to more lovable sea creatures by reading Otters Love to Play by Jonathan London. Sea-loving readers can also learn life lessons by reading the Pout-Pout Fish Adventure picture book series by Deborah Diesen.  

Sexual Content 

  • None 

Violence 

  • None  

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • None 

Language 

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content 

  • None 

Dinosaurs: The Fastest, The Fiercest, The Most Amazing

Which dinosaur could run as fast as a modern-day racehorse? Which dinosaur used its razor-sharp claws to rip apart its prey? Which dinosaur laid eggs as big as watermelons?  

You’ll find the answers to these questions—and more!—inside Dinosaurs: The Fastest, The Fiercest, The Most Amazing. Readers will meet 21 of the most amazing dinosaurs ever to roam the earth. Spectacular illustrations bring all of the excitement and drama of the prehistoric era to life. Plus, there’s a combination timeline and comparative size chart that will help readers imagine how they would feel standing next to a Seismosaurus (which was half as long as a football field) or a Compsognathus (which was as small as a pigeon). 

Dinosaurs is similar to a picture book because each page has a full-page illustration with a short paragraph about the dinosaur that appears on the page. The realistic dinosaur illustrations make readers feel as if they have stepped into the dinosaurs’ world. The illustrations also allow readers to see each dinosaur’s habitat. Several pages include fighting dinosaurs, but only one illustration shows blood.  

Any readers who are interested in learning more about the dinosaurs who roamed the earth millions of years ago should read Dinosaurs. The book includes interesting facts about each dinosaur. Many of the passages explain details in easy-to-understand language. For example, the Gallimimus could race “as fast as any racehorse” and the Pterosaur was “as big as a small airplane.” The book is organized in a way that helps readers make comparisons. For instance, the fastest dinosaur and slowest dinosaur appear on the same two-page spread. Because the book’s format focuses on the illustrations, the book is a quick read that doesn’t go into extensive detail about each dinosaur; this makes the book perfect for young readers as well as reluctant readers.  

Dinosaurs will take readers on a walk from the Triassic Era to the Quaternary Era. The wonderful illustrations will give readers a sense of being in the scene, and the facts are interesting and educational. Each dinosaur is only given a paragraph of facts, but readers can learn more by reading 

Finding the First T. Rex by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld and Ancient Animals: Plesiosaur by Sarah L. Thomson. However, if you want some fabulous dinosaur fiction instead, take a bite out of Don’t Disturb the Dinosaurs by Ada Hopper or The Dino Files Series by Stacy McAnulty.  

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  • Dinosaurs’ eating habits are discussed. For example, “Tyrannosaurus attacked other dinosaurs by running into them with its jaws wide open. Then it used its tiny but strong front arms to hold on to its dinner.” The illustration shows the Tyrannosaurus stepping on a dead dinosaur.  
  • The Deinonychus “held on its dinner with its strong fingers and used the big claw on each of its back feet to rip apart its prey.”  
  • The Triceratops had “the biggest skull of a land animal ever found. Some skulls have been found with holes in them, which tells scientist that Triceratops also used their horns when fighting each other.” 

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Gilbert, the Surfer Dude

Gilbert is excited for a perfect day at the beach, but Lola is scared of the water and Gilbert forgets his bathing suit! Even after buying a cool new suit that says “Surfer Dude” on it, will Gilbert end up in deep water? 

Gilbert, the Surfer Dude shows Gilbert and his family spending time at the beach. When Gilbert tries to surf, a big wave knocks him down, water gets in his eyes, sand gets in his suit, and his boogie board goes surging without him. Gilbert thinks of quitting, but with the help of his dad, Gilbert rides the waves!  

Readers will enjoy the large, full-color illustrations that bring the story to life. Gilbert’s family is shown in a positive light. Gilbert and his family treat each other kindly and enjoy spending time together. Readers will relate to Gilbert’s frustration when he has trouble surfing and they will also be able to empathize with Lola, who is afraid of the water. Even though Gilbert’s sister Lola is afraid to go into the water, no one makes fun of her. Instead, they encourage her to have fun playing in the sand. Finally, everyone finds a perfect way to have fun at the beach.  

With its relatable conflict and high-interest topic, Gilbert, the Surfer Dude will captivate young readers and make them want to read the book again and again. Almost every page has a large, brightly colored illustration to help younger readers visualize the story’s actions. Each page has two to four longer sentences and has some challenging words that readers may need help with. The book has a super fun conclusion that will leave readers smiling. Gilbert, the Surfer Dude is a highly entertaining book that uses humor to teach the value of trying new things.  

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Attack of the Underwear Dragon

Cole’s wish comes true when he becomes assistant knight to Sir Percival, his favorite Knight of King Arthur’s Round Table. Cole learns how to ride a horse, swing a sword, cheer for Sir Percival when he goes to battle, and bandage his boo-boos when the battle is over. Cole loves practicing every skill a Knight-in-Training must master, and he is determined to be granted knighthood.

Sir Percival is a great knight in every way, except for one thing: He is terrified that an Underwear Dragon will come and destroy the kingdom. But when the unthinkable happens and Cole is the only knight left standing (and just an assistant knight at that!), Cole must use his newly acquired skills to battle the fearsome dragon and avoid catastrophe. Luckily, an unfortunate underwear mishap changes everything, and Cole triumphs. 

Readers of all ages will love the hilarious story, which shows that even knights “cry at sad plays and bad plays, when they step on something sharp or run into a hard wall.” When Cole goes to work as an assistant knight, he has a lot to learn including, “How to ride a horse, and swing a sword. How to paint Sir Percival doing awesome knight poses.” When Cole finally faces the dragon, “he was scared,” but that doesn’t stop him from fighting the Underwear Dragon. In the end, Cole earns his place at Arthur’s Round Table, which will leave readers cheering. 

Attack of the Underwear Dragon has a fun storyline with many interesting events. The story is perfect to read out loud because many of the words rhyme. For example, “Underwear Dragons can’t read letters . . . jesters’ sweaters. . . billboards. . . signs for Gil’s Swords. . . party invitations. . . poems about crustaceans. . . royal decrees. . . bath oil recipes. . .” Each page has one to four sentences, making the story a quick read. Not only is the text laugh-worthy, but the pictures give the story an extra dose of silliness. For example, when Cole learns to ride a horse, he slides to the horse’s underside and is clearly confused about how to get back in the saddle.  

Readers will fall in love with Cole’s bravery. Despite the difficulties he faces, Cole never complains and keeps getting up even when he’s “knocked down by a knight, knocked over by a princess, and knocked out by a catapult.” Even though the Underwear Dragon is the villain, readers will feel slightly sorry for him and will be eager to see what new trouble the dragon gets into in the next installment of the adventure: Return of the Underwear Dragon. Introduce readers to the joy of reading by pairing the Attack of the Underwear Dragon with Clovis Keeps His Cool by Katelyn Aronson.  

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Violence  

  • While training, Cole gets “knocked down by a knight, knocked over by a princess, and knocked out by a catapult.” He is not injured.  
  • When Sir Percival jousts with another knight, he is injured. The illustration shows the knight in a full body cast with a band-aid on his head. 
  • The Underwear Dragon “destroyed the kingdom.” The dragon sits on top of the castle and the kingdom is shown with broken towers and smoke coming out of them.  
  • Cole fights the dragon, who breathes fire at him. During the battle, Cole jousts, wrestles, and catapults the dragon. The battle is illustrated over five pages. No one is injured. 

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Scene of the Crime: Tracking Down Criminals with Forensic Science

From the critically acclaimed author of The Book of Chocolate, The Human Body, and From Here to There, comes an all new nonfiction deep dive into forensic science. What is evidence and how do investigators gather it? How do you determine how long a body has been dead? Do fingerprints differ from person to person? How did some of the world’s great fictional detectives, like Sherlock Holmes, further the study of forensics? Packed with lively photos, classroom activities, and engaging prose, budding private eyes and scientists will be eager to find the answers to these and other questions in HP Newquist’s latest, and to learn about everything from the world’s first autopsy in Ancient Rome to the role that DNA plays in solving crimes along the way. 

Scene of the Crime is a fascinating book that takes a deep dive into the science of forensics. From the beginning of time, crime has been a part of the world. This is where Scene of the Crime begins. However, the information is presented in short chapters, making it easy to understand. In addition, the use of illustrations, photography, and other graphic elements break up the oversized text. In order to make the book easier to understand, whole pages are devoted to crime scene vocabulary, and other information such as different eras of society. To engage readers, the book encourages readers to act like a detective by completing activities such as identifying a footprint. The visual elements include illustrations, vocabulary, and activities that will appeal to a large number of readers. 

While much of the book discusses murder investigations, it also includes interesting information about the first detective story written by Edgar Allen Poe as well as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional character Sherlock Holmes. Readers will be fascinated by how Sherlock Holmes helped shape forensic science. For example, because of Sherlock Holmes, police “attempted to reconstruct the crime based on all evidence.”  

Using real crime, Scene of the Crime explains that some crime investigators found ways to process evidence by accident, and other’s used ways to determine guilt and innocence in unconventional ways. For example, Cesare Lombroso was a doctor who believed that “physical features—such as an unusual forehead or large hands—could tell if people were going to be criminals or not.” Readers will recognize many of the scientist mentioned in the book and be surprised at how the scientist helped shape today’s investigations.   

When it comes to forensic science, new methods are still being discovered which causes ethical debates. For example, DNA from genealogy websites was used to catch the Golden State Killer. Even though DNA can be used to identify murders, there is debate about the ethical use of DNA. “If we leave our DNA everywhere—including on door handles and tissues—does that mean the police are free to collect it no matter what? Even if we’re not suspected of committing a crime?” Scene of the Crime also leaves the reader with this question: How will artificial intelligence affect how crimes scenes are investigated?  

Although Scene of the Crime is fascinating, it is not for the faint of heart. While the deaths are not described in gory detail, victims’ wounds are discussed. This includes a segment on how the body decomposes, which is gruesome and disturbing even though it’s described scientifically. There are also several pictures that show decomposing bodies that are being researched at a body farm—facilities that use corpses to study decomposition of the body. Despite this, anyone who is interested in the law enforcement field should read Scene of the Crime. 

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  • Because the book is about solving murders and gives examples of real crime scenes, including the condition of the bodies, not all examples from the book are included below.  
  • In the 1500s, torture was used to “get suspects to admit to crimes. . . Speaking out against God, not going to church, or practicing witchcraft were considered among the worst crimes one could commit.” This caused the Spanish Inquisition which used “trial by ordeal” to determine guilt or innocence. “For example, one version of the trial by ordeal was known as the ‘drowning of witches.’ The way to find out if a woman was a witch was to tie her up and throw her in the river. . . If she floated, she was guilty.” Several other examples are given. 
  • When Ceasar died, people wanted to know the cause of death. “Ceasar’s physician examined the ruler’s corpse. . . He made a report. It stated, very succinctly, that ‘Ceasar had been brutally stabbed twenty-three times, but only one of these proved fatal, and that was to his heart.”  
  • In 1784, a man named Edward Culshaw was murdered. “Someone shot him in the head. . . The doctor who examined Culshaw’s corpse removed the bullet from his head. Along with the bullet, the doctor found something strange. Pressed against the bullet—inside Culshaw’s skull—was a small piece of wadded-up newspaper.” The newspaper helped convict the killer and the killer was “taken away to be hanged.”  
  • In 1892, two children “had been stabbed in their beds. [Their mother] accused her neighbor Ramon Velasquez. . . The police—using a technique many police departments did at the time—beat Velasquez in the hopes he would confess. He would not.” They locked him in a jail cell with the bloody corpses of the two children overnight.” He still didn’t confess. 
  • Later, police discovered that the children’s mother, Francisca, killed them. “Francisca had done it because she wanted to be free of the boys in order to marry her new boyfriend, who did not like children.” 
  • A chapter is dedicated to Jack the Ripper, who killed five women. “The five women had their necks cut by a large knife. The killer then opened one of his victims up, as if preparing them for surgery, and removed their internal organs. These were placed around the victim’s body.”  
  • One chapter discusses how Al Capone’s gang violence advanced ballistics testing. Capone’s gang and George “Bugs” Moran’s gang were causing havoc in the streets. Then on Valentine’s Day 1929, “seven of Moran’s men were rounded up and taken to a garage. They were lined up against a wall and shot to death by four gunmen who sprayed them with machine-gun bullets.”  
  • In 1983, “the body of fifteen-year-old Lynda Mann was found raped and strangled in the woods in the rural country. . . There were bodily fluids on her corpse, but no fingerprints.” Three years later another fifteen-year-old was discovered “murdered in a similar fashion.”  
  • The book explains the crimes of the Golden State Killer who “killed at least thirteen people, sexually assaulted more than fifty women, and committed over a hundred burglaries. He killed men and women, broke into their homes, stole their jewelry, and sometimes paused to eat the food in their kitchen.” DNA was used to find the Golden State Killer and he was sentenced to prison.  

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • Mathieu Orfila “was fascinated by chemistry, especially the chemical mysteries that lurked in poison.” Mathieu wrote several books on poison and how to tell if a dead person was killed by poison. In 1840, Marie Lafarge’s husband died after he became sick. “The Lafarges’ maid told police that she had seen Marie mixing arsenic in Charles’ food. . . It came to light that Marie had bought so much arsenic that the local pharmacist stopped selling it to her.” During the trial, Mathieu Orfila used a test and discovered arsenic was “in the body. Charles had been poisoned to death.” 

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Supernatural 

  • In the 1500s, spectral evidence was used. “Witnesses claimed they saw visions of dead people—ghosts. The ghosts helped witnesses identify the criminal.”  

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Mission Manhattan

Thirteen-year-old Rio—known by his cover name, Rafael Rocha—is a skilled street magician who loves all things food and has the ability to charm almost everyone who crosses his path. Such is the case when the City Spies travel to Venice to protect a young environmental activist named Beatriz. Thrilled to meet a fellow Brazilian, Beatriz invites Rafael to her appearance at a nearby United Nations conference. When Rafael spots a bomb on their boat, his quick thinking helps get everyone evacuated safely. Rafael is hailed as a hero and thrust into the spotlight—which is the last thing any spy would ever want. 

With the activist still in danger, the City Spies follow her first to Washington, DC, and then to New York City as she continues to speak out for her cause. Thanks to Rio’s heroic efforts, they have to work extra hard to maintain their cover. And when unforeseen circumstances take both adults, Mother and Monty, out of commission, the spies’ skills are put to the ultimate test. Can they succeed in one of their most complex missions to date, without the adults’ help?   

The fifth installment of the City Spies Series is another fast-paced mystery that will keep readers entertained until the very end. Mission Manhattan and the other books in the series must be read to understand the City Spies’ background and dynamics. In Mission Manhattan, the kids break into two groups. One group must keep Beatriz safe until she speaks to the delegates of the United Nations. The second group must find Mother, who was kidnapped. During the City Spies’ complex mission, they rely on a host of people to assist them. The large cast of characters and the complicated plot add interest, but may be difficult for some readers to follow.  

The City Spies’ job is to keep Beatriz, a young environmental activist, safe. Despite this, Beatriz and her cause are not the main focus. Instead, the City Spies spend much of their time trying to discover who wants to stop Beatriz from speaking to the United Nations. Nevertheless, Beatriz’s message is clear: to protect the environment, young people must speak up. Beatriz says, “The temperature is rising. The oceans are rising. But the young people of the world are rising too. We are rising to our feet to demand action from our leaders.” While the story doesn’t give examples of how readers can help the environment, readers will be inspired by Beatriz, who is determined to make an impact on the world.  

Mission Manhattan highlights the importance of teamwork and the importance of trusting yourself. The book’s conclusion shows the City Spies becoming an even closer family who now fully trust their newest member, Cairo. But be warned! The book ends on a cliffhanger that will leave readers wondering if Cairo’s mother will be the next big threat to the City Spies.  

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  • Rio and other climate change activists are on a boat, heading to speak to world leaders. Rio finds a bomb and everyone jumps out. “BOOM! Rio was frantically swimming away from the boat, so he didn’t see the explosion. . . a plume of smoke coming from the stern indicated that there was now a fire where they’d been standing moments before.” No one is injured. 
  • After being poisoned, Mother wakes up with “something pinching his wrists and ankles and realized that he was tied to a chair.” His captors had used zip ties, duct tape, and rope. Later, “Mother couldn’t feel his fingertips, and that was troubling. Not only had he been poisoned by Ferreira, but the others had also injected him on two separate occasions with some sort of drugs that knocked him unconscious for a couple of hours.”  
  • Cairo finds Mother and starts to cut him loose. A bad guy, nicknamed Jelly, “raced into the room and tackled Cairo. Cairo and Jelly wrestled on the floor for a moment, yelling and screaming while they did. And then, suddenly Jelly went limp.” Mother had injected Jelly with the poison. 
  • After Jelly is drugged, the City Spies bind and gag him. Then, they take Jelly to the Italian embassy, where he is arrested. 
  • To warn Beatriz of danger, the City Spies must talk to Beatriz alone. To do so, the City Spies purchase tickets to a gala that Beatriz is speaking at. Then, Brooklyn “accidentally” spills tea on Beatriz and they go to the restroom to clean up the mess. When Rio steps out of a bathroom stall, Beatriz “looked like she was about to shriek, but Sydney put a hand over her mouth. . . She went to yell anyway, so Sydney clamped harder, and Beatriz tried to break free.” After a few minutes of struggling, Beatriz decides to trust the City Spies and leaves the gala. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • One of the bad guys, Ferreira, poisons Mother’s tea. Mother’s “speech began to slur, and his vision turned blurry. One of the last things he saw was the empty vial in Ferreira’s hand as the poison took effect.” When Mother wakes up, “there was a throbbing pain in his head and a bitter taste on his tongue. He felt like he was in a fog.” Later, Mother is taken to the hospital to make sure the poison doesn’t have long-lasting effects. 

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Ants in Your Pants, Worms in Your Plants!

Gilbert has trouble coming up with ideas. He couldn’t think of a springtime poem, and now he needs an idea for an Earth Day project! Everyone else in Mrs. Byrd’s class is busy working on posters about recycling, saving water, and electricity—but Gilbert wants to do something original. When a distressing class picnic becomes a source of inspiration, Gilbert finally comes up with an Earth Day project that even Mrs. Byrd thinks is the best idea yet!  

Gilbert is a loveable and relatable protagonist who has difficulty concentrating in class. Gilbert “wiggled, and jiggled and squirmed in his seat.” Throughout the day, he tries to come up with an Earth Day project, but he doesn’t have any good ideas. But then, Gilbert sits down and gives himself time to think, and he finds the perfect solution. Readers will be eager to see Gilbert’s Earth Day project, but it’s not revealed until the end of the story. This keeps readers in suspense as they learn about the other students’ projects. 

Readers will learn how simple actions can make a big impact in caring for the earth. From recycling to riding bikes, and turning off lights. All of the ideas presented are easy enough to be implemented by young readers. Gilbert’s project—planting a tree—shows that while the tree is small, “someday it will be big enough to shade this hill and make it a perfect place for a picnic.” Even though Ants in Your Pants, Worms in Your Plants! teaches the importance of caring for the planet, the lesson is never preachy. Instead, each character gives an example of how they can make the world better. 

Ants in Your Pants, Worms in Your Plants! is intended for readers five and older. Beginning readers will need help because of the book’s complex sentences and unfamiliar words. While the book is engaging, it will not make a good bedtime story due to the text-heavy pages, which have up to five long sentences. Each page has a full-page illustration that uses bright colors. The illustrations will help readers understand the plot as well as visualize the many animal characters.  

Learn about Earth Day and conservation by reading Ants in Your Pants, Worms in Your Plants! Much of the story’s action takes place at Gilbert’s school, but his two-parent family is also portrayed positively. When Gilbert is unable to come up with an Earth Day project, his family gives him suggestions, but Gilbert doesn’t use any of them. Instead, he uses quiet time to come up with his own idea. Ants in Your Pants, Worms in Your Plants! is an excellent book to read with a child. If you’d like to encourage readers to care for the earth, add Rocket Says Clean Up by Nathan Bryon to your reading list. If you’d like to introduce readers to more educational subjects, Mr. Tiffin’s Classroom Series by Margaret McNamara would be a good series to check out. 

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Gigi and Ojiji

Gigi can’t wait for her Ojiji—Japanese grandpa—to move in. Gigi plans lots of things to do with him, like playing tag, reading books, and teaching Roscoe, the family dog, new tricks. 

But Gigi plans don’t work out quite the way she’d hoped. And her grandpa doesn’t seem to even like Roscoe. Will Gigi find a way to connect with her Ojiji? 

Readers will relate to Gigi, who struggles to connect with her grandfather because of their cultural differences. Gigi is a biracial six-year-old girl who learns about her Japanese culture from her grandfather. Several times, Gigi cries because she doesn’t think Ojiji likes her. However, Gigi’s mother calmly explains how Ojiji’s culture is different. For example, when Gigi gives her grandfather a gift, he doesn’t open it and Gigi thinks he doesn’t like the present. However, her mother says, “Most people his age think it’s rude to open a present in front of the person who gave it to them.” Gigi’s mother doesn’t scold Gigi for her tears, instead, she helps Gigi understand Ojiji’s behavior. Gigi’s mother’s patient explanations help Gigi see that although Ojiji can’t play tag or read with her, they can still have fun together. 

As part of the I Can Read Level 3 Series, Gigi and Ojiji is intended for independent readers who are ready for more complex plots and challenging vocabulary. Each page has three to six sentences and large illustrations. The illustrations capture Gigi’s emotions and have cute details, such as showing Gigi’s artwork hanging on Ojiji’s wall. The back of the book also includes a Japanese vocabulary wordlist. 

Gigi and Ojiji is an adorable story that shows readers how cultural differences do not have to keep people apart. Gigi’s family is portrayed positively, and they demonstrate the importance of communication. Adults who want to help readers learn social-emotional skills should read Gigi and Ojiji with them. Young readers will easily connect with Gigi and gladly read about her adventures.  

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Her Right Foot

If you had to name a statue, any statue, odds are good you’d mention the Statue of Liberty.  

 Have you seen her? She’s in New York. She’s holding a torch. And she’s in mid-stride, moving forward. But why?

In this fascinating and fun take on nonfiction for kids, Dave Eggers and Shawn Harris investigate a seemingly small trait of America’s most emblematic statue. What they find is more than history, more than art. What they find in the Statue of Liberty’s right foot, is a powerful message of acceptance that is essential to an entire country’s creation. 

Her Right Foot is filled with facts about the Statue of Liberty, beginning with why she was made, who made her, what supplies were used, and how she was constructed. As the building process is explained, illustrations show the statue’s scope and scale by including humans in the pictures. For example, one picture shows two exhausted workers sleeping on the statue’s crown. The story educates readers about everything—how many rivets were used, why the statue is green, what every part of the statue represents, etc.  

Although Her Right Foot is written in picture book format, the concepts and vocabulary are suited to older readers who have some type of understanding of the Statue of Liberty. Each page has zero to four complex sentences with advanced vocabulary. The illustrations use bold primary colors and blocky illustrations. The book includes illustrations of diverse people, which reinforces the idea that Americans come from all over the world. While most of the book focuses on the statue, one illustration shows a refugee camp where people are suffering from “oppression.”  

While all of the facts are interesting, the focus on the statue’s right foot gives the story heart. Eggers points out that the Statue of Liberty is “going somewhere! She is on the move.” Her foot is mid-stride because “Liberty and freedom from oppression are not things you get or grant by standing around like some kind of statue. No! These are things that require action. Courage. An unwillingness to rest.”  

When it comes to immigrants, the statue reminds readers about the importance of being like her. “This statue has welcomed millions of visitors and immigrants to the USA. After all, the Statue of Liberty is an immigrant, too. And this is why she’s moving. This is why she’s striding. In welcoming the poor, the tired, the struggling to breathe free. She is not content to wait.” Her Right Foot leaves no doubt about American’s duty to welcome immigrants from all over the world. 

Her Right Foot will appeal to older readers interested in learning more about the Statue of Liberty. However, if you’re looking for a picture book that will appeal more to young children as well as teach about the importance of inclusion, All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold would be a better choice. Readers looking to reinforce concepts found in Her Right Foot, including the difficulties that immigrants face, should also add A Thousand White Butterflies by Jessica Betancourt-Perez & Karen Lynn Williams and Mango Moon by Diane De Anda & Sue Cornelison to their reading list.  

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Sports Illustrated Kids Pro Files: Baseball

Sports Illustrated Kids Pro Files: Baseball is a must-have book for every young baseball fan and player. The book profiles seven of the big leagues’ hottest stars and features SI Kids’ signature content: great writing, fun trivia, amazing statistics, and dynamic photography. But Pro Files: Baseball also delves deeper, providing insider tips from major league coaches on how to hit, pitch, and field just like the stars in the book. Experts help break down each baseball skill so that young players can learn to play like the pros.   

Each player—Albert Pujols, Evan Longoria, Roy Halladay, Joe Mauer, Josh Hamilton, Justin Verlander, and Joey Votto—has six pages dedicated to them. The first two-page spread includes an illustration of the player in action and basic facts such as height, weight, hometown, etc. The second two-page spread includes information about their early careers. There are also career stats and random insider information such as the player’s favorite cereal and the athlete they admired as a kid. In addition, readers will learn more about the players’ skills and why they love the game.  

Pro Files: Baseball uses a reader-friendly format similar to a picture book, which will appeal to even the most reluctant readers. Each page uses bright colors, infographics, and photographs of the players in action. While the book includes a lot of information about the players, each section is broken into small parts with a headline. In addition, most of the sports statistics are put in infographics which make them easy to understand. Best of all, Pro Files: Baseball shows the unique skills that players use for their specific positions, such as what skills make Joey Votto an amazing first baseman.  

Readers who love baseball will want to read Pro Files: Baseball because it’s packed full of interesting facts. Another positive aspect of the book is that it shows the hard work and dedication involved in making it to the major leagues. Plus, Pro Files: Baseball shows obstacles that the players had to overcome on their way to the pros.  

Any reader who wants to learn more about the game of baseball should put Pro Files: Baseball at the top of their reading list. Baseball fans can also learn about one of the most legendary baseball players of all time by reading Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse by David A. Kelly. However, if you’d like to add some more historical fiction to your baseball reading list, The Brooklyn Nine by Alan Gratz is a must-read. 

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Ground Zero

September 11, 2001, New York City: Brandon is visiting his dad at work, on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. Out of nowhere, an airplane slams into the tower, creating a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion. And Brandon is in the middle of it all. Can he survive — and escape? 

September 11, 2019, Afghanistan: Reshmina has grown up in the shadow of war, but she dreams of peace and progress. When a battle erupts in her village, Reshmina stumbles upon a wounded American soldier named Taz. Should she help Taz — and put herself and her family in mortal danger? 

Two kids. One devastating day. Nothing will ever be the same. 

Ground Zero focuses on Brandon and Reshmina’s perspectives. Although the protagonists’ time periods are different, the chapters switch perspectives every other chapter. This makes both characters’ conflicts feel immediate and allows readers to see the parallels between Brandon and Reshmina’s stories. Even though both protagonists are young, they are forced into life-and-death situations that show the evils of terrorism. In addition, both Brandon and Reshmina lose an innocent family member who is killed due to no fault of their own.  

Brandon’s and Reshmina’s stories explore the complicated relations between Afghanistan and America. Neither of the protagonists understands why the violence is happening to them. All they know is that violence has caused death and destruction for those around them. One issue that is briefly discussed is how “big countries made money selling weapons to little countries [Afghanistan]. Who they killed with those weapons wasn’t any of the big countries’ concerns.” In the end, Ground Zero leaves the reader wondering if the United States has become a “bully” to Afghanistan. 

Readers will feel compassion for Reshmina and come away with a new understanding of how the Taliban treats girls. Even though Reshmina lives in a village where girls have few rights, she still dreams of becoming an interpreter. This dream propels her to study hard and gives her hope for the future. When Reshmina sees a wounded American soldier, she is reluctant to help. But when the soldier asks for assistance, Reshmina takes him home, and her family agrees to give him refuge. This causes a myriad of problems for Reshmina’s family and village. Afterward, Reshmina wonders if helping the soldier is the right thing to do. This experience helps her realize that “Moving forward was scary. Sometimes you make mistakes. Sometimes you take the wrong path. And sometimes, even when you take the right path, things could go wrong. But Reshmina realized that she wanted—needed—to keep moving forward, no matter what.”  

Ground Zero helps readers understand the events of 9/11 and the lasting impact 9/11 had on Afghanistan. While both Brandon’s and Reshmina’s stories are compelling, Reshmina’s side of the story makes readers question the nature of war. Both protagonists describe violence, and some of the descriptions are graphic and disturbing. After reading Ground Zero, readers will be able to visualize what happened in the Twin Towers after the planes crashed into them as well as the destruction of Reshmina’s village. Since Ground Zero explores how 9/11 changed America and Afghanistan, younger readers may have difficulty processing the difficult topic.  

Mature readers will find Ground Zero compelling and thought-provoking. However, readers who are interested in learning more about 9/11 without the graphic images may want to read Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes, Molly and the Twin Towers: A 9/11 Survival Story by Jessika Fleck or I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 by Lauren Tarshis. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • Because the story focuses on the terror attacks and a war, not all of the book’s violence is described below. 
  • A boy at school brought “these Wolverine gloves to school, like from the X-Men movie. And Stuart Pendleton stole them and wouldn’t give them back!” Brandon hits Stuart Pendleton in the nose. Brandon said, “Once I saw his nose was bleeding, I helped him up and took him to the nurse’s office.” 

World Trade Center, 2001 

  • A group of people are stuck on an elevator that keeps sliding down the shaft. A woman decides to run through a fire to get out of the elevator. “The woman burst into flames. She screamed and beat at her burning hair as she collapsed to the floor. . .” The woman rolled, and a man “beat the last of the flames with the wet shirt he carried.” The woman’s “hair was gone, and her hands and arms were burned. Badly. . . The burned woman wept. Blisters were forming all over her body.” The scene is described over two pages.  
  • After the woman gets out of the elevator, it falls. “The four people in it were surely dead.” 
  • Brandon watches as an airplane flies into the South Tower. “Suddenly a bright orange fireball erupted from the side of the South Tower facing them.” This is when people began to realize that it wasn’t an accident, that instead the planes had purposely flown into the towers. 
  • Several times, Brandon mentions people falling to their death. As Brandon is leaving the tower, “Out on the plaza between the North Tower and the South Tower were bodies. And parts of bodies. Broken, bloody things too awful to think about. . . A piece of metal crashed into the plaza—SHANG!—and Brandon flinched. The big beam was immediately followed by something white and blue and brown plummeting down from above, and it hit the ground with a sickening THUMP!” 
  • In the lobby of the tower, Brandon saw “dozens, hundreds of bodies were lined up in rows across the floor. Some of them were missing limbs. Others had open wounds. Paramedics moved the burned, broken, and dying people, doing what they could.”  
  • When the tower falls, “with a roar like a garbage truck, a blast of smoke and dust lifted Brandon off his feet and hurled him into darkness.” 
  • When Brandon gets out of the tower, he sees people falling from the North Tower. “People were still jumping from the tower, falling ninety floors to their deaths. They dropped out of the thick black smoke that engulfed the top of the building with alarming speed, arms and legs flailing. Brandon saw one man reaching, grabbing as he fell, too far from anything to stop himself, his tie sticking straight up in the air above him.”  

Afghanistan, 2019  

  • When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, “the Taliban beat men for not growing beards, massacred families, burned down schools, and put on public executions in the soccer stadium in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul. . . [they] beat women who left their houses without a male family member, and sold girls into slavery.”  
  • Reshmina’s sister, who was only 16, is killed on her wedding day by an American drone. Reshmina watched as “something small and black detached from the drone and streaked out toward the front of the parade. Toward her sister in her beautiful wedding dress, surrounded by all her friends. Reshmina remembered the whoosh of the missile, the gray trail of smoke behind it and then—” 
  • The Taliban lures the American army into Reshmina’s village. When the army attacks, Reshmina runs home. “THOOM. The ground rocked from a nearby explosion, and dirt rained down from the ceiling. . . Gunfire erupted close enough nearby to rattle the dishes, and Reshmina and Marizia huddled together against the wall. . . The shooting and explosions didn’t seem to bother the baby. He was already used to it.”  
  • Reshmina gets into an argument with her mother. Afterward, Reshmina’s grandmother explains: “When your mother was six, her father was killed by a missile while he was praying in his backyard. When she was your age, her older brother was killed by the Taliban for no reason that has ever been explained to her. Her husband—your father and my son—had his leg mangled by an old Soviet mine right after they were married. . . . Hila was killed by an American bomb.”  
  • After a battle between the Taliban and the Americans, Reshmina finds an injured American soldier. “His face was charred like a scorched pot, and there were dark, wet spots on his uniform. Blood, Reshmina realized. . .”  
  • When Reshmina’s brother decides to join the Taliban, she follows him in order to stop him. While they are arguing, a helicopter appears. “A rocket streaked from one of the Apache’s wings straight toward the ridge where the Taliban had been standing moments before, and F-THOOM!—the hillside exploded. Boulders broke loose from the mountain and tumbled down toward Reshmina.”  
  • The Taliban shoots at the helicopter. “The helicopter descended, getting closer and closer, and the sound of bullets hitting the hillside got louder and louder. . .” The attack is described over seven pages. It is unclear if anyone died.   
  • Reshmina tries to physically stop her brother, Pasoon, from leaving to join the Taliban. “Pasoon hit her hard on the side of her face with his open palm. The blow was so sudden, so brutal, it sent Reshmina to her hands and knees. Rocks cut into her palm. . . Reshmina tasted blood where she’d bitten her own tongue, and her face burned. . .” Pasoon leaves. 
  • The Taliban and Americans battle in Reshmina’s village. “An assault rifle barked, and another fired back. The villagers screamed. . . Taliban bullets struck the guard, and he fell to the ground, dead. . . Huge blasts rocked the village above them, and three more houses exploded in clouds of rock and splinter.” The villagers hide in a cave while their homes are completely destroyed. The battle is described over six pages.  
  • The Taliban dropped a bomb on the cave and “the whole ceiling fell in . . . Reshmina explored the rockfall, looking for a way through. She stopped when she saw the legs of some poor soul sticking out from under a boulder, the rest of the woman’s body crushed in the cave-in.” Later, Reshmina learns that “a few died,” but most of the village survived the cave-in.   

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • Reshmina discovers a field of Poppies. “People didn’t grow poppies for their pretty pink colors. Poopy seeds had a gummy substance that was the raw material for heroin. . . For many Afghans hurt by decades of war, it was the only kind of medicine they could find to erase the suffering—and their awful memories.” 

Language  

  • When the elevator swings back and forth, a man says, “What the hell—.” 
  • When Brandon is trying to find his father, his path is blocked by debris. Brandon repeats “crap” six times. Later, a man says, “Holy crap.” 
  • Oh my God and Good God are used as exclamations several times. 
  • Jesus, damn, and dang are all used once. 
  • Reshmina calls her brother a snake, an idiot, a cowardly worm, stupid, and son of a donkey. 
  • An American soldier has a tattoo that says, “Damn the Valley.” He explains, “This valley [where Reshmina lives]—it kills our friends and ruins our lives.” 
  • An American soldier says, “Dadgum.”  

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • While leaving the Twin Towers, a woman says, “God bless you,” to a firefighter. 
  • When the Taliban and Americans fight near Reshmina’s village, Reshmina prays, “Dear God, please keep Baba and Pasoon safe out there.”   
  • When Reshmina finds an injured American soldier, she thinks about leaving him to die. But when the soldier “specifically asked her for help,” Reshmina is conflicted. “Just as Pashtunwali gave her the right for revenge, it also said that when a person asked for help or protection, no Pashtun could refuse—no matter who was asking, friend or foe.” Pashtunwali is the tribal code of the Pushtan people from Afghanistan, which Reshmina follows. Reshmina allows the soldier to follow her home.  
  • A textbook from Reshmina’s school said: “J is for Jihad. Jihad is the kind of war that Muslims fight in the name of God to free Muslims and Muslim lands from the enemies of Islam.” 
  • While hiding from a battle, Reshmina and her brother hide with a group of Nomads called the Kochi. When the Kochi pray, “Reshmina and her brother felt obligated to join them. . . God was forgiving and merciful and would still accept their prayers if He willed it. Better to pray than to not pray, their father always told them.” 
  • As Reshmina prays, she asks, “Please help turn my brother’s heart from revenge. Please show him another path.” 
  • Reshmina asks God for a du’a. “A special request in a time of need. . . God promised to answer a du’a in one of three ways. The first. . . was when God gave you what you asked for. . .The second was to give you what you prayed for, but at some later date. The third was to not give you what you asked for at all, but instead to prevent some other hardship or injury from happening to you.”  
  • After several villagers die, Reshmina’s father says, “To God we belong, and to God we return.”  

Pets to the Rescue: Dolores and the Big Fire

Dolores is a very timid cat. Her owner, Kyle, keeps a light on all night so she won’t be scared. One night Dolores pokes at Kyle’s face while he is sleeping. The house is on fire! Can Dolores wake Kyle up in time? 

Readers will be in suspense as Dolores leads Kyle through the smoke of the burning house. When Kyle gets to the door, the doorknob comes off and he falls to the floor. But again, “Dolores scratched Kyle. And again, Kyle slowly woke up.” Thanks to Dolores, Kyle makes it safely out of the house.  

Unfortunately, Dolores isn’t so lucky. “She had been burned, but she was still alive.” Kyle takes care of Dolores and after she heals, “Dolores was not so fearful. She even liked to sit on Kyle’s lap and let him pet her.” After the fire, Kyle is glad that he didn’t “lose the most important things—my own life and the life of my cat, Dolores.”  

As part of the Ready-To-Read Level 2 Series, Dolores and the Big Fire is intended for children who can read independently. The story is told using short chapters. Each page has two to four sentences of various lengths; however, most sentences are short. The story has a simple plot that follows Dolores and Kyle’s relationship. Each page has a full-colored illustration that will help readers visualize the story’s events. While Dolores is shown after the fire, her wounds are not illustrated. However, her fur is matted, and she is curled up. 

Animal-loving readers will enjoy the true story of how Dolores saves Kyle’s life. The happy ending shows Dolores getting an award for saving Kyle’s life. However, the most heartwarming part of the conclusion is that Dolores no longer fears Kyle. For another story about a heroic animal, read Pigeon Hero by Shirley Raye Redmond, which tells the story of how a pigeon saved a town during World War II. Readers who are ready for more advanced books can read more true stories about heroic animals by reading Dog Heroes by Mary Pope Osborne & Natalie Pope Boyce. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

What If It’s Us

When Arthur found out he was going to spend the summer in New York doing an internship at a branch of his mom’s law firm, he was thrilled. As a theatre fanatic, he was excited at the prospect of living right at the heart of where everything happens. But when he gets there, he realizes that life in New York is no Broadway show. He misses his friends back home, Jessie and Ethan, and there are no other high schoolers at the firm to hang out with. The two people closest in age to him, Juliet and Namrata, are in college and treat him like a little brother, not a friend. And on top of it all, his parents have been bickering nonstop since they landed, and their New York apartment is too small for Arthur to get away from it. 

Ben’s summer isn’t going much better. During the school year, he spent so much time with his then-boyfriend, Hudson, that his grades suffered. Now, to graduate on time, Ben has to spend his break in summer school. To add insult to injury, he and Hudson broke up shortly before the end of the school year after Hudson cheated on him, causing a rift in their friend group as their mutual friends took different sides. Ben still has his best friend, Dylan, but his other friend Harriet only hangs out with Hudson now. Summer school is bad enough, but his broken friendships are really starting to take a toll on him. 

When Ben and Arthur first meet in the post office, they hit it off right away, but forget to exchange names or contact information. When they find each other again, they call it New York City magic, a sign from the universe that they should be together. After a few rocky starts, they begin to date. But Arthur has never been in a relationship before, and Ben has way too much on his plate. And, of course, there’s the fact that at the end of the summer, Arthur will have to leave New York. Can they make their relationship work despite all of these challenges, or are they simply not meant to be together? 

What If It’s Us is a humorous, cute, and cozy teen rom-com that’s easy and fun to read. It is full of references, particularly to contemporary Broadway musicals and Harry Potter, for fans to enjoy; however, knowledge of these references isn’t necessary to enjoy the book as a whole. All of the characters, particularly Arthur and Ben, are well-developed and fleshed-out, making them easy to relate to and sympathize with. The chapters alternate between both Ben’s and Arthur’s perspectives, giving readers a glimpse into both characters’ thoughts. Although they both make mistakes and have problems, they work through them together, making them an easy couple for readers to root for. 

Fans of Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera will love their collaboration on this book. The novel flows well, without major style shifts, something that is difficult to achieve in a collaborative project. Each of their distinctive styles shines through while still working with the other, not overpowering it. Overall, What If It’s Us is an adorable teen rom-com, perfect for readers who want a simple story about the power of love. Its main lesson is to live in the moment; even if love and friendship may not last forever, they can still be beautiful and are worth pursuing. Fans of What If It’s Us should also read They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera and Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli. 

Sexual Content  

  • When Ben goes to his best friend Dylan’s house, Ben knocks on Dylan’s bedroom door before going in because a few months ago “[Ben] walked in and he was really going at it with himself. ‘Hand out of your pants?’ [Ben] ask[s]. ‘Unfortunately,’ Dylan responds from the other side.” 
  • On Ben and Arthur’s first date, Ben mentions, “My best friend, Dylan, once sent me a link to some Harry Potter porn. You can never read those books the same after you’ve seen Hermione, Harry, and Ron in a potions lab shouting Erectus Penis.” 
  • Ben and Arthur have their first kiss. Arthur’s “eyes are closed, and [Ben’s] lips move against mine, and WOW, I don’t know what the rules are around the appropriateness of getting a boner in this sort of moment, but– oh. I should kiss him back.” 
  • When Arthur brings Ben to his apartment to meet his parents, Arthur worries about how he should introduce Ben. “If he’s not my boyfriend, what do I call him? My friend? My gentleman caller? The guy with whom I think about having sex with 99 percent of my waking hours? And yes, I mean that both ways. I spend 99 percent of my waking hours thinking about how I’d like to spend 99 percent of my waking hours having sex with Ben.” 
  • During a dinner with Ben’s parents, Ben and Arthur go to Ben’s bedroom. They sit on top of Ben’s bed together (the door is open) and Ben thinks about sex. “I sit beside him and think about sex because that’s what happens when your beautiful boyfriend is in bed with you. If we make a move to have sex while he’s still in New York, it’s going to be his first time. That’s wild pressure. I want to prove myself to him so that no matter what happens between us, he won’t ever look back at me and regret our choice.” 
  • When Ben and Arthur are home alone, they mess around in Ben’s room. “And for a moment, we just stay like that– chest to chest, cheek to cheek. And then, slowly, [Ben’s] fingers trail closer to my boxers, slipping under their waistband. ‘This still okay?’ Holy shit. I laugh breathlessly. ‘Yup.’ So this is actually happening. It’s happening. It’s happening, and my whole body knows it. His hand slides down another inch. I don’t think I’ll ever not be hard again. His eyes never leave mine. He looks nervous. And he holds me like I’m breakable.” They do not end up having sex. 
  • Ben and Arthur kiss in Arthur’s apartment when they are home alone. “I just love this. Every part of it. The hitch in [Ben’s] breath and his slightly swollen lips and knowing I’m the one who made both of those things happen. I love the way the spaces between our bodies vanish, like we can’t be close enough. I love the feeling of my hands in his hair. I love the softness of the nape of his neck. And most of all, I love it when our lips are touching and our mouths slide open and my heart’s a mile a minute, and breath becomes something we share.” 
  • Ben and Arthur have sex for the first time in Arthur’s room. Ben describes, “We get going and we go slow . . . I kiss him and I call him beautiful and I tell him I love him and we go on past that finish line. We laugh and we catch our breaths.” 
  • When Arthur helps Ben study for his chemistry exam on Arthur’s last night in New York, Ben says, “I can’t believe we’re spending your last night studying for my fucking exam.” Then, Adam details the following exchange: “‘I love studying with you for your fucking exam.’ ‘I’d rather forget the exam part and go straight to–’ I clap my hand over his mouth. ‘Don’t say ‘fucking.’ Don’t you dare.’” 
  • Arthur comes up with the following mnemonic device for remembering the first nine elements on the periodic table: “Happy Hudson loves boners but can never overcome flaccidity.” 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • Ben, Arthur, and their friends go to a karaoke night, and someone asks one of their friends to “go use your beard to get us some alcohol.” This doesn’t work, and the four drink Coke instead. 

Language  

  • “Fuck” is used often as an intensifier, and once as a synonym for “have sex with.” 
  • “Shit” is sometimes used as an exclamation. 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • Ben and his parents say grace before dinner. “This evening Ma is thanking God for the food on the table, for my abuelita who fell getting out of the car and my aunt who’s taking care of her, for Pa’s modest pay raise kicking in at Duane Reade, and for everyone’s well-being.” 

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe

When Sal Vidón meets Gabi Reál for the first time, it isn’t under the best of circumstances. Sal is in the principal’s office for the third time in three days, and it’s still the first week of school. Gabi, student council president and editor of the school paper, is there to support her friend Yasmany, who just picked a fight with Sal. She is determined to prove that somehow Sal planted a raw chicken in Yasmany’s locker, even though nobody saw him do it and the bloody poultry has since mysteriously disappeared. 

On his very first day at his new school, Sal meets Gabi Reál, “student council president and obviously one of the smartest kids in school,” and Gabi is absolutely set on understanding how Sal performs some of his most difficult magic tricks.  

Sal feels a bit singled out because of his diabetes, and there are a few instances when Sal struggles to manage his blood sugar. But Sal also has a secret, he can reach into other universes. Sal explains, “We are not alone in the universe my friends . . .There are countless other universes above and beneath our own like pages in a book.” Sal has the unique ability “to see these other worlds” and access them.  

After reaching into another universe, Sal realizes, “All the holes I’d made so far usually didn’t last long . . . [This] hole wasn’t gone yet. That was bad. Until a hole was closed, there was a risk that stuff I didn’t intend to bring over from the other universe would come through on its own.” Sal and his new friend, Gabi, discover that she can also see the holes in the universe, and Sal explains, “I’d never met anyone else who could see [the holes].” Sal and Gabi team up, on a mission to learn more about how to close the holes into other universes.  

Though Hernandez’s novel centers around Sal and Gabi learning more about other universes, as well as how it impacts their universe, Sal’s diabetes is an important theme as well. Sal had to go explain his condition to the principal on the first day of school. Sal’s principal admits, “We’ve never had a student with diabetes before,” but that she will instruct her teachers to learn “how to meet [Sal’s] needs.” Readers will likely learn a great deal about diabetes and readers with diabetes will appreciate being represented by Sal.  

Readers will relate to Sal as he starts at a new school and tries to make new friends. Sal is an empathetic character who puts time and effort into his passions, one of which is magic tricks. Sal consistently makes Gabi and other characters in the book laugh when they are feeling down. Sal explains, “I started studying magic when my mami died. It was a way for me to cope with the pain and to try to take back control of my life . . . That’s why I love performing tricks now. I love to see people’s eyes fill with wonder.” Sal always does his best to make other characters feel happy, saying, “Sometimes, when [life’s] too hard, when it hurts too much, only silliness can save us. And I’m all about doing whatever it takes to help people make it to tomorrow.” 

A major theme of the story is coping with the pain of losing a loved one. Sal often reflects on how much he misses his mom. When Sal is struggling with grief, Sal’s dad reveals, “[Mami’s] death was the worst thing that’s ever happened to either of us . . . I thought my life was over when she died . . . I thought it would kill me, you know. Literally stop my heart.” And when Sal asks his dad what helped him keep going while he was grieving, Sal’s dad says, “You, mijo.” Sal and his father’s bond is a positive force throughout the novel, and they are able to support each other after the loss of Sal’s mother. Readers will learn from this novel to “trust in the people that love you,” and this will help you during the hardest times in life.  

Readers who enjoy fantasy, reading about alternate realities, or magic tricks will adore this book. Hernandez showcases a heartwarming and strong friendship between Sal and Gabi. Sal explains that he and Gabi bonded over embracing the nuances of each other’s families: “Months later, [Gabi] told me the way I had met her interesting, complicated family, pleasantly and without judgment. . . made her think I was the most mature seventh grader she had ever met.” This book discusses more sensitive topics such as grief and struggling to manage type one diabetes, but throughout the novel Sal and Gabi showcase strong friendship, humor, and kindness toward others, and in this way the book maintains an uplifting tone.  

The ending perfectly sets up the second book in the series, Sal and Gabi Save the Universe, as Gabi and Sal have used Sal’s ability to reach between universes to save Gabi’s sick, newborn brother—but they do not know what the consequences of this interference will be. Readers will be on the edge of their seats to see what happens in Sal and Gabi’s next adventure. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

 Violence  

  • Sal encounters a bully on his first day at school. The bully, Yasmany, “slapped [Sal’s] diabetes bag out of my hands. It hit the ground with a glassy crunch. My stomach crunched right along with it.” Yasmany does eventually apologize to Sal.  
  • Sal and Gabi discover that Yasmany has run away from home because he feels unsafe. After Sal and Gabi help him and take him to eat and stay with Gabi’s family, Sal asks Gabi, “Is Yasmany’s papi a bad guy?” Gabi reveals, “The bad guy is his mom.”  

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • Sal explains a Cuban insult to Gabi, saying, “‘Sapingo’ is a classic Cuban insult. It’s basically how you tell the person whom you are insulting that they’re about as smart as a day-old skid mark.” 
  • At his previous school, the majority of students are white while Sal is Cuban. Sal says, “kids were telling me to ‘go back to brown town’ all the time.”  
  • Sal explains, “‘Cacaseca’ is the word Miami talk-show hosts use instead of BS. It literally means ‘dry poop,’ but it really means ‘Dude, your poop is so played out. Don’t try to play me with your played-out poop.’” 
  • While walking home from school, Sal is nearly hit by a car. Sal explains, “I never even flinched. Not because I am very badass or anything. I was paralyzed. Classic deer-in-headlights syndrome.”  

Supernatural 

  • When doing a magic trick, Sal reaches into another universe and creates a hole. He “made a pretty big rip in the universe inside that locker.” Because of this rip, Sal and Gabi are briefly able to see into another universe, where there is a chicken factory. But the hole does eventually close, and they go back to their own universe.  
  • Because of his ability to reach into other universes, Sal has been able to bring other versions of his Mami into his world. For instance, Sal says, “I had [brought] Mami Muerta back from the dead five times since [her death]. Six including this one.” However, Sal recognizes how each of these versions of Mami is very different from the Mami he knew as a child.  
  • After Sal uses his abilities to reach between universes to save Gabi’s sick, newborn baby brother, Gabi reveals that she thinks her brother has become “a wormhole to another universe.” This sets up the plot for the second book in the series, Sal and Gabi Save the Universe.  

Spiritual Content  

  • Sal’s classmate, Gladis, wears a necklace with an “ojo turco.” Sal explains, “An ojo turco is a piece of blue glass with a blue eyeball painted on it. People wear them on necklaces and bracelets to protect them against the evil eye.”  
  • Sal explains that Mami would “tell me stories about how a brujo [witch] could make you sick, make your cows give blood instead of milk, turn your hair white, age you in five seconds, all sorts of stuff.” 
  • When Sal takes Gabi into another universe for the first time, the people living in the other universe think Sal and Gabi are “evil spirits, or devils, or something. She says she is going to kick us in the butt three times and send us back to hell.” Sal and Gabi convince the lady from the other universe that they are “good spirits.” 
  • Even though Gabi’s newborn brother is in the NICU and does not have a positive prognosis, Gabi’s mom says, “I lost my faith for a while, too. Do you know how I got it back. . . God is just another word for ‘goodness.’ Every time we do a good thing, God grows. Inside us.” 

Breaking Stalin’s Nose

Ten-year-old Sasha Zaichik wants nothing more than to join the Soviet Young Pioneers. After all, he has had their laws memorized since he was six years old: 

  • A Young Pioneer is devoted to Comrade Stalin, the Communist Party, and Communism.  
  • A Young Pioneer is a reliable comrade and always acts according to conscience.  
  • A Young Pioneer has a right to criticize shortcomings.  

But the night before Sasha is to join the Young Pioneers, his father is arrested. Sasha knows this is a mistake. His father, after all, is a devoted communist. But as bad turns to worse and events spin out of control, Sasha begins to realize that not everyone’s life is full of faith in Comrade Stalin.  

As Sasha begins to see how the Soviet Union treats those who are not in favor—those with family who have been arrested, those who refuse to be a snitch and give the Secret Police names or those who simply do not obey fast enough or fervently enough—Sasha begins to doubt that he wants to join the Young Pioneers after all.  

Eugene Yelchin’s first-hand experience living in the Soviet Union shines through in this intimate and heart-breaking story about Sasha. The details of daily life in the Soviet Union will fascinate readers: from living in a communal apartment to admiring pictures of Stalin and singing Communist songs. But the heart of the story comes from Sasha’s relationship with his father and his emotional journey once his father is arrested.  

Readers will relate to the deep love and trust Sasha has with his father. When he is arrested, Sasha does not doubt his father for a moment. Sasha knows the arrest was a mistake, and trusts Stalin will soon realize this and release his father. It’s only as events continue to unfold—and new facts come to light—that Sasha begins to lose the rose-colored glasses with which he has been taught to view the world.  

Breaking Stalin’s Nose is a wonderful story that will help readers understand life in the Soviet Union. It provides a glimpse into how fear, propaganda, and glorification of Stalin led so many people to obey the Communist reign. Sasha’s authentic voice and deep love for his father make him a relatable narrator. While Sasha fully believes in Stalin at the beginning of the book, his emotional journey to deciding for himself if it’s right to join the Young Pioneers emphasizes the importance of thinking for oneself and not blindly accepting people in authority.  

In the end, Sasha chooses to follow the path that he feels is right. While the future seems bleak, Sasha is at peace with his decision and has hope that one day there will come a better future for the Russian people. For anyone interested in the Soviet Union, this story is a must-read. Its plot takes place over two days yet is packed with cultural and emotional punch that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • State Security comes to arrest Sasha’s father in the middle of the night. “When I get to the room, Dad is sitting on the floor, holding his ear. The officer’s leather belt creaks as he turns to look at me . . . this close, I see [my father’s] ear is bleeding.”  
  • Sasha tries to get into the Kremlin to ask Stalin to release his father. When the guards see him, one “swears, steam bursts out of his mouth, and he plunges his enormous mitten into my face. I duck under and run. The guard blows a whistle and the other whistles join in. Suddenly, guards are everywhere. One slips and falls, and his pistol goes off like a whip crack.” Sasha is unharmed.  
  • At school, the students gang up on a kid they call “Four-Eyes” during a snowball fight. “Vovka is lifting a snowball, but he doesn’t throw it at me. He throws it at Four-Eyes. Several kids join Vovka and line up into a firing squad. They hurl snowballs at Four-Eyes and he covers his face to protect his glasses.”  
  • Sasha doesn’t feel like throwing snowballs at Four-Eyes, but other kids cry, “Traitor! Enemy of the people!” Vovka declares that “Who’s not with us is against us.” Sasha gives into the pressure and “before I know what I’m doing, I grab the snowball from Vovka’s hand and throw it at Four-Eyes. There’s a loud pop as it hits him in the face. The eyeglasses snap, glass splinters and one shard cuts his cheek.”  
  • Vovka takes a banner from Sasha and “jabs me in the stomach.”  
  • To quiet a crowd, a man “pulls out his pistol, and points it at the ceiling.” He does not fire the weapon.  
  • When the students are walking in a line, Sasha stops and “someone punches me in the back” so that Sasha will “fall in with everybody again.”  
  • After being repeatedly taunted by his teacher—Nina Patrovna—Vovka “flies at Nina Patrovna, grips her by the throat, and begins strangling her. Nina Petrovna’s face turns red and her eyes bulge. She makes gurgling noises and starts kicking up her legs. Nina Petrovna and Vovka knock things to the floor and bump into desks.” Vovka is dragged off to the principal’s office.  
  • While at the principal’s office, Vovka “bumps into Nina Petrovna, who is walking out; she shrieks and leaps back. Vovka gives her a nasty grin and goes in.”  
  • Sasha climbs on a desk with a banner and sings “A Bright Future Is Open to Us.” The teacher chases him, trying to get him to stop. The teacher “tries to grab my foot, but I’m faster. I hop from desk to desk, shouting the song and waving the banner. Nina Petrovna chases after me. Everyone’s laughing. Then I miss a desktop and go down, and right away she’s on top of me, screeching and wrestling the banner out of my hands.”  
  • When the teacher is accused of breaking Stalin’s statue, State Security guards “twist Nina Petrovna’s arms and drag her to the door. She screams and kicks and tries to hold on to nearby kids. They duck under her arms, laughing.”  
  • When Sasha goes to visit his father in prison, a guard yells “Step back!” The guard “aims the rifle at me. He looks like he’d shoot a kid, so I stop.” The guard directs Sasha to get in a line. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • The nose is accidentally broken off of a Stalin statue; Sasha imagines the nose is talking to him. “By the window hangs a cloud of tobacco smoke so thick, I can’t see who is talking . . . the smoke drifts away, and now I see who’s sitting in that chair—Comrade Stalin’s plaster nose, and it’s smoking a pipe!”  
  • When speaking to a State Security Senior Lieutenant, Sasha thinks “this close, I can smell him. Tobacco, sweat, and something else. Gunpowder, I decide.”  

Language  

  • When Sasha’s father is awarded the order of the Red Banner, Comrade Stalin calls him “an iron broom purging the vermin from our midst.”  
  • Sasha is called an “Amerikanetz” because his mother was American. The term is considered an insult.  
  • A Jewish kid is mocked and called Four-Eyes. “Four-Eyes is Borka Finkelstein, the only Jewish kid in our class . . .we call him Four-Eyes because he wears eyeglasses. Anybody who’s not a worker or a peasant and reads a lot, we call Four-Eyes.”  

Supernatural  

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

Wild, Wild Wolves

Learn about one of nature’s most enduring and misunderstood creatures—the wolf. The book begins by explaining the difference between dogs and wolves and then delves into wolves’ habits, including how they must hunt to stay alive. Readers will learn about wolf packs and how wolves communicate with each other. The book also explains how pups are raised.  

While most of the book focuses on wolves’ lives, readers will also learn how wolves are portrayed in fairy tales and horror movies. The book ends with a story about a Sioux Indian who was saved by wolves. Since wolves are wild animals, people should not try to tame them like dogs. Instead, the book encourages readers to “live in tune with nature, as wolves do. [People] want to save some of the wild places left on earth. If that happens, there will be wild, wild wolves howling in the forest for years to come.” 

Wild, Wild Wolves is part of the Step into Reading Level Three Series, which targets readers in first grade through third grade. With three short chapters, Step Three books are both longer and slightly more difficult than Step Two books. Each page has three to seven sentences and a large illustration. This level includes some more challenging vocabulary and concepts, though the meaning is made clear through context and illustrations.  

Readers who are curious about nature will enjoy learning interesting facts about wolves. Wolf-pack behavior, body language, and the meaning of howls are all demystified in this natural history book.  There are several pages dedicated to wolves’ need to hunt other animals, which might upset sensitive readers. However, the overall message of the book is that wolves are not to be feared, but respected.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • The eating habits of wolves are described. “The wolves chase many moose. Most of them run away. But one big moose stands and fights. It kicks out with its powerful hooves. An angry moose can kill a wolf. Soon the pack leaves it alone.” 
  • The wolves surround an “old, sick moose. It is too weak to run or fight. . . One wolf charges. It bites the moose’s nose and hangs on tight. In minutes the fight is over. The hungry wolves can eat.” The illustration shows the wolf biting the moose’s nose; there is no blood.  
  • People used to think wolves “were their enemies. For a long time hunters shot every wolf they could find. They even shot wolves from airplanes.” The illustration shows a man holding a gun out of an airplane’s window. A wolf is lying in the snow under the plane. 
  • Because wolves “learn that a lamb or a calf makes a good dinner. . . Some [ranchers] kill wolves with poison, traps, or guns.” A wolf is shown near a trap. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

The Batboy

Brian is living every baseball kid’s dream: he is a batboy for his hometown Major League team. Brian believes this job is the perfect thing to bring him and his big-leaguer dad closer together. And if that wasn’t enough, this is also the season that Hank Bishop, Brian’s baseball hero, returns to the Tigers for the comeback of a lifetime. The summer couldn’t get much better! But then Hank Bishop starts to show his true colors, and Brian learns sometimes life throws you a curveball. 

While The Batboy revolves around the game of baseball, it also hits on the topic of having an absent father. Brian misses his father, who is in Japan coaching pitchers. Even though both Brian and his father love baseball, their love of the game isn’t enough to create a close relationship. Brian longs for his father’s love and attention; however, Brian eventually realizes that his father isn’t capable of being a present father. This painful realization allows the reader to understand why Brian is so determined to cheer for his hero, Hank, despite Hank’s bad temper and poor performance.  

Brian is a unique protagonist because, unlike many baseball players, he doesn’t dream of making it to the big leagues. Brian is realistic about his baseball talent. Even though Brian knows he’s not big-league material, this doesn’t stop him from doing his best on and off the field. Brian’s enthusiasm for baseball shines through in every baseball scene and makes him a compelling narrator. Yet it is Brian’s hard work, determination, and unwavering support of Hank that make him truly likable.  

The Batboy jumps back and forth between the Tiger’s baseball games and Brian’s little league games, giving the book many play-by-play baseball scenes. In addition, Brian’s job as a batboy gives him and the reader an inside look at what goes on behind the scenes in professional baseball. Occasionally Brian’s home life makes an appearance, but baseball dominates the book, which makes it a perfect read for baseball fans. While Brian is a well-developed character readers will connect to, The Batboy is first and foremost a baseball book that will appeal to readers who already have a basic understanding of the game. Readers who love baseball will find The Batboy an entertaining book that leaves them cheering for Brian both on and off the field. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • The use of steroids among baseball players and the “steroid era” is occasionally mentioned.  
  • Brian’s hero, Hank Bishop, was suspended from sports for using steroids. “In the minds of baseball fans, Hank Bishop had committed the two worst possible sins: Not only did he use steroids, he’d gotten caught using them.” 
  • One of Brian’s jobs is to make really “high-test coffee” before the game. “Brian knew enough about major league baseball to know the deal, had read up on how players dealt with the long season. Many of them used to use amphetamines before amphetamines became a banned substance in baseball. . . Brian knew high-test coffee was a kind of substitute now. . .” 
  • Willie, a professional baseball player, says he never tried steroids. Willie says, “I had a big brother got his life all messed up on other kinds of drugs, the worst kind, when I was little. Ended up in jail, even though where they should have sent him was to one of those rehab hospitals. Lordy, when I was growing up, my momma made me more afraid of drugs than the devil.”  
  • When Hank is invited to dinner at Brian’s house, he shows up with a bottle of wine. 

Language  

  • Hank calls Brian an idiot several times. 
  • After Brian made a mistake, he “felt like a jerk.” 
  • Brian calls his friend a freak.  
  • Heck is used once.

Supernatural 

  • None

Spiritual Content  

  • None 
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