#SierraBlog1

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First 15 blogs/Genres/Categories of Books (preK-6th grade level)

1. 1 easy reader picture book : Pete the cat and his four groovy buttons by Eric Litwin

Literary Awards:

2. 1 bluebonnet : The Oldest Student How Mary Walker Learned To Read by Rita L. Hubbard

3. 1 Texas 2x2 : First Day Critter Jitters by Jory John

4. 1 Tejas Star : ¿De dónde eres? (Where Are You From?) by Yamile Saied Méndes

5. 1 Coretta Scott King winner : I, Too, Am America by Langston Hughes

6. 1 Pura Belpre winner : Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle

7. 1 Caldecott Medal or honor book : We Are Water Protectors by Michaela Goade and Carole Lindstrom

8. 1 Newbery Medal or honor book : Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin

9. 1 graphic novel : The witch boy by Molly Knox Ostertag

10. 1 informational : All in a Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World by Lori Alexander

11. 1 historical fiction : Sorry day by Coral Vass and Dub Leffler

12. 1 fantasy or science fiction : The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill

13. 1 Who Was? book : Who Was J.R.R Tolkien? by Pam Pollack and Meg Belviso

14. 1 Horror : The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste

15. 1 free choice : Waiting Is Not Easy! (An Elephant and Piggie Book) by Mo Willems

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#9 graphic novel The witch boy by Molly Knox Ostertag

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Justification

The Witch Boy by Molly Know Ostertag is a children’s graphic novel in the fantasy genre. I decided to pick this book because it deals with gender roles and gender non-conformity. Additionally, the premise of a family of witches and shapeshifters was very unique. Reading this was a wonderful experience and the lore of the novel was executed well. Children who like fantasy and supernatural stories will be instantly attracted to this book with its exciting cover and interesting title.

Evaluation of book

The Witch Boy is a fast-paced graphic novel is about a young boy named Aster who is trying to find his place in his family of female witches and male shapeshifters. Aster struggles with his desire to learn witchery like the girls in his family while his parents constantly wait for him to become able to shapeshift. He secretly learns witchery whenever he gets the chance and attempts to use it despite his family’s warnings. The plot of this story is unique and has an underlying theme of accepting diversity that breaks the accepted norms. The book also includes interesting reveals of unpredictable surprises that make the story much more interesting. It is a great story of the underdog rising to the top and getting recognized for their abilities. The plotline of this story also has a lot of parallels, both subtle and overt, to the trans experience of gender and the implications it has on life in a strictly binary world.

The cast of characters is diverse and represents many different ethnicities, races, and other identities. Most of the characters are shown as originally steadfast in their opinions, particularly that boys must be shapeshifters and girls must be witches. However, by the end of the book, the entire family comes to realize that there is danger in not accepting your loved ones for who they are. Aster begins as a shy but observant boy who does not have a real place among his family. Aster goes through a lot of development where he gains confidence in himself and even stands up to the villain who threatened his family. The author cleverly subverts tropes by having the oldest character, the grandmother in the story, be the most accepting and understanding of human difference instead of being adverse to it. The characters are mostly likable, especially Charlie, the non-magical human girl who befriends Aster and encourages him to embrace who he really is.

The illustrations are detailed and establish the setting effectively. The author creatively utilizes the empty spaces where there are no panels on the page by coloring it white or black depending on the mood of the scenes. Black is used to express suspenseful and stressful situations; on the other hand, white is used during more peaceful events such as when Aster hangs out with Charlie. The illustrations are done in a digital medium which results in bold and impactful drawings. The depictions of the monster and main villain of the story are startling and memorable. Particularly, the illustrations of the monster shifting into many forms and then returning to its horrific form with its big eyes that feign innocence. Also, the illustrator uses a different font of text when the monster speaks which makes it easier to imagine the lilting voice dripping with false promises. The pictures also use body language and a variety of different angles to portray the character’s emotions. One great instance of this is when Aster overhears his parents talking about how disappointing it is that he is interested in witchery and the panels show him looking betrayed and then clutching his notebook with his notes about witchery.

Conclusion

The Witch Boy is an intense story that will have readers wanting more. It teaches a powerful lesson about gender and gender roles. I would recommend this book to all children, especially those in late elementary school and middle school. Additionally, this book may interest children who have expressed feeling left out or very different from their peers.

Citation

Ostertag, M. (2017). The witch boy. Graphix.

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#15 free choice Waiting is Not Easy! by Mo Willems

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Justification

Waiting is Not Easy! is a picture book by Mo Willems that won the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor in 2015. I chose this book because the cover's illustration was adorable and looked interesting. I also picked this book because I know how popular his Pigeon book series is with children and wanted to see how this author writes. The title amused me and I think the title would also attract readers who become curious about the book based off of its title. Lastly, the concept of waiting is universal and I was interested in reading about how it was presented.

Evaluation of book

The plot is fun and focuses on an impatient elephant who has to wait to receive a surprise from a pig. He constantly complains of being unable to wait and groans loudly about wasting his time. He repeats several times that the surprise is not going to be worth the wait that took the entire day. However, at the end of the book, he discovers just how great the surprise was and learns the value of waiting. The ending is definitely worth the wait and is a fun twist that is unexpected. The lesson that is taught is important and could easily be applied in many situations with children. The plotline is not predictable and the pacing is well-done. The use of patterns in the plot, such as him groaning and knocking over the pig, makes the story more enjoyable.

The characters are extremely likable. Although only so much can be known and assumed about them from this short picture book, they are funny and entertaining. The elephant is impatient and rude as he gets irritated on many occasions. This character provides comic relief and would amuse young readers with his repeated protests against waiting. He is a foil of the pig, who is perfectly content waiting all day for the surprise. The pig enjoys waiting and encourages the elephant to continue waiting. The elephant character is dynamic and undergoes a big change in mindset by the end of the book. At the conclusion, he realizes that waiting is worth it sometimes and he plans to wait again soon. Also, the author cleverly includes a cameo of the protagonist from his very popular pigeon series which would delight readers who enjoy that series.

The illustrations are simplistic and adorable. The illustrations portray action such as when the pig does a summersault and lines around the character demonstrate the motion. The illustrator used very large speech bubbles when the elephant is complaining about waiting that are so big they push the pig down. This comedic artistic choice adds humor and portrays just how loud his complaints are. The illustrator also ingeniously uses the white background of the story to demonstrate the passing of time, having it turn darker shades of gray to show that almost an entire day has passed while waiting. The humor in the exaggerated expressions is appealing and would make readers laugh easily.

Conclusion

I would recommend this book to any younger reader or fan of Mo Willems other picture books such as Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!. The natural use of language reflects realistic examples of sentence formation and word choice. It is full of humor and teaches the important lesson of waiting. The illustrations also make the story more engaging and a fun read.

Citation

Willems, M. (2014). Waiting is not easy! Hyperion Books for Children.

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#14 Horror The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste

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Justification

The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste is a children’s chapter book in the horror genre. I chose this book for the horror genre because I had never heard Caribbean folklore and horror stories before. I also was interested in the cover and the various details that are shown in the illustration. The suspense that was employed by having the reader know more than the protagonist was very effective and made me like the book. This is a thrilling book and it could be enjoyed by most children who read horror.

Evaluation of book

The Jumbies is a fast-paced horror novel targeted at a middle schooler audience. It follows a young girl named Corinne who has to confront an evil jumbie, an evil spirit, in order to save her island and family. The plot ensnares the reader from the beginning with her running in a forest unbothered by the scary legends of jumbie creatures her fellow island-dwellers believe in. However, she spots two yellow eyes staring right at her and is pursued by an unidentifiable monster. It is then that Corinne starts to question whether the legends might be true. The story of this novel is engaging and the use of multiple perspectives enhances the plot by building suspense. Additionally, this allows for the reader to know more than the protagonist and become more fearful for the main character after learning the motivations of the villain. The author uses chapter length to increase anxiety in the reader and demonstrate the fast-paced sequence of events towards the end of the book. Foreshadowing is used frequently throughout the book to encourage the reader to make predictions and discover which elements of the story are important. The plot is truly one-of-a-kind and informs readers of basic knowledge about Caribbean folklore.

The style and language of The Jumbies is powerful and evocative. That author’s use of descriptive language adds to the story. The imagery is effective and is often utilized to evoke shock from the reader. One memorable instance is when Corinne sees hundreds of insects crawling inside of a jumbie’s body. The author writes: “They dashed in and out of the fine fur and bored their way through her chest, so that Corinne could see straight through it like an old rotten tree.” The vivid image painted by the author’s words appall the reader and make the connection between nature and the jumbies. The Jumbies also includes a clear instance of drawing a line in the sand; the main character believes that the legends about jumbies are made-up, however, based on the title of the book, the reader already knows that these legends are true.

The cast of characters is fun and the characters have realistic personalities. The main character, Corinne, is strong and helps to manage her household after her mother passed away. She is also independent; she goes to the market by herself to sell the oranges she personally grew and explores the island’s forest without fear. Corinne has to save her own dad in a reversal of the typical roles of a vulnerable child and protective parent. Corinne is also a character with flaws, both ones she is aware of and ones she does not know. Corinne is flawed in that she is unwilling to change her beliefs until she faces the danger head-on. The supporting characters, two brothers named Bouki and Malik, provide humor and also demonstrate extreme resilience. When the brothers are first introduced in Corinne’s perspective, the reader is prone to believe they are cruel mischief-makers who have no concern for others. However, as the story develops, the reader finds out they are homeless orphans who have to steal to be able to eat. This type of plot development encourages the reader to question their own initial assumptions about people and to not make judgments until they know someone better. The author also tactfully alludes to the fact that most of the island residents are descended from slaves that were freed from a ship they were being carried on. This suggestion subtly pays patronage to the history of enslavement that some Caribean peoples were subjected to and is used to demonstrate a significant surprising message about the nature of jumbies.

Conclusion

The Jumbies is a suspenseful horror story for children that is well-written and exciting. The tension of the story will draw readers in and have them hooked on the interesting plot and fun characters. There are also strong messages incorporated into the plot that encourage readers to question their own beliefs about first impressions and what is truly evil in the world. This book is a wonderful read and would appeal to most young readers of scary stories.

Citation

Baptiste, T. (2015). The jumbies. Algonquin Young Readers.

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#13 Who Was? book Who Was J.R.R Tolkien? By Pam Pollack and Meg Belviso

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Who Was J.R.R Tolkien? by Pam Pollack and Meg Belviso is a fun biography on the life of J.R.R Tolkien. It has not won any awards, however, the subject is interesting and would appeal to young fans of fantasy. I chose this book since I am a fan of his works and I was curious about how fun this biography could be. It is an enjoyable biography and makes dull biographic information entertaining. Despite being an adult reader of this book, I found it funny and informative.

Evaluation of book

The plot of the book follows the life of J.R.R Tolkien from his birth to his death. The plot is written in a very engaging way that makes even the less interesting parts of his life fun to read about. In addition to the general biographical information about his life, the book includes several informational boxes that provide more information about mentioned events and things that were significant in Tolkien’s life. The book begins with one of the moments that would greatly change Tolkien’s life, his first spark of creativity that would lead to him writing The Hobbit. The book also features an emphasis on his passion for linguistics and languages and mentions that although he is known for his books, he still loved languages. The book introduces his love of linguistics by describing how he wanted to create his own languages and returns to his everlasting love of linguistics by writing that Oxford’s awarding of him an honorary doctorate degree for his work in studying historical languages “perhaps meant the most to him, because it was the only one he received that wasn’t for the Lord of the Rings.” This statement clearly shows that although Tolkien appreciated the attention he got for his fantasy novels, he also wanted recognition for his work in other areas of interest. These small details included in the book reveal a great deal about Tolkien’s personality and his life beyond the fact that he wrote the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. Also, the book conveniently includes a brief, comprehensive timeline of Tolkien’s life and major world events that were significant.

The characters in the book are all real-life individuals who interacted with J.R.R Tolkien during his life. The protagonist is J.R.R Tolkien and from his first appearance in the book, he is presented as a humble and imaginative man. He is very educated and knowledgeable in many subjects, however, he has to take on extra work to support his family before beginning his books. Additionally, his wife is written to clearly portray her kind and considerate nature. Instead of telling the reader that she made compromises so Robert could be happy living at Oxford, the author only writes that she did not enjoy living in Oxford, however, she lived there for decades while he was a professor at the college. Throughout the book, the author makes it obvious that Edith deeply loves Robert by describing her actions. One memorable example is when she leaves her fiance to be with Robert after she had given up on waiting for him. Additionally, the book provides a brief but very comprehensive description of each individual when they first appear.

The illustrations in the book are done in a unique style of black and white sketches. These sketches suit the comfortable mood of the book and add a vintage feel that matches the time period Tolkien lived in. The illustrations provide emotion to the story and allow the reader to visualize some of the important events that occurred during his life. For instance, the text mentions how Ronald moved back to England from war to spend time with his wife in time for Christmas. The words themself do not convey as much meaning that is illustrated in the picture of Ronald sitting on the couch with his wife leaning against him as snow falls outside their window. The illustrations also extend the plot by including small drawings alongside informational text boxes that provide information on the context of a certain event or item. Additionally, several illustrations throughout the book are of maps and drawings of the fictional places of the Lord of the Rings series. These enhance the reading experience and pay homage to Tolkien’s most famous work.

Conclusion

I would recommend this book to older elementary students and middle school students who are already fond of Tolkien’s books or the movie adaptions. Also, this book is so entertaining despite it being a biography that even children who are not familiar with Tolkien may enjoy the book as well. The book is written well and accurately provides the facts of Tolkien's life. The illustrations perfectly fit with the text and make the emotions of the characters clear.

Citation

Pollack, P. & Belviso, M. (2015). Who Was J. R. R. Tolkien? Turtleback Books.

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#12 fantasy or science fiction The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’Neill

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Justification

The Tea Dragon Society is a delightful children’s graphic novel in the fantasy genre. I personally chose this book because the style of the illustrations caught my eye. Additionally, I was interested in the book because it includes several queer couples and representation of people with disabilities which is not shown often in children’s books. I loved the book and the cozy artwork and dialogue made me feel very happy while reading it. It has won two Eisner Awards and is upheld as one of the best children’s graphic novels with LGBT+ representation by the queer community. This book would be loved by children and adults both because of the adorable illustrations and sweet plot. Also, this book is valuable because children who identify as LGBT+ or any of the other marginalized identities portrayed in this book can read about people that are like them without having to process also the heavy plotlines regarding discrimination that are present in most books about vulnerable groups.

Evaluation of book

The Tea Dragon Society is a beautiful graphic novel is about a young girl named Greta who is learning blacksmithing from her mother but discovers the amazing world of Tea Dragons, small dragons who grow leaves on their horns that can be used in brewing a magical tea. She decides to learn more about the dying art of caring for Tea Dragons but struggles with her continued passion for blacksmithing. The plot is light-hearted but includes topics such as LGBT+ romance, disability, and taking a path different than what parents want for their children. The plot does not involve many major dramatic incidents that could be stress-inducing for young readers, however, the few that do occur happen in the past and are used to show how the characters have dealt with those occurrences and grown from them. The pacing is done well and the contents of the book are split into four chapters, each representing a season.

The characters are unique and extremely likable. Greta is a cheerful girl who is receiving training to become a blacksmith for the family business. She has a contagious positive energy and is always eager to learn from other characters. Greta is a dynamic character, and at the conclusion, she realizes that her interests are not at odds with each other and that she can be involved in both interests. The supporting characters are Minette, a girl who lost her memories in her training to become a prophetess, Hesekiel, an old man who cares for the Tea Dragons, and Erik, Hesekiel’s partner and fellow Tea Dragon enthusiast. All of the characters are diverse and accepted by each other without hesitation. The author refuses to incorporate heteronormality in this book and does not make the LGBT+ characters walking stereotypes or two-dimensional. Ultimately, these four characters grow close to each other and form a “found family.” The romance between the two couples is natural and adorable; the author focuses on showing the character’s emotions for each other through their actions and words in the illustrations. The dialogue also conveys the personality of each of the characters extremely well. For instance, Hesekiel is very intelligent and his speeches tend to include more advanced vocabulary and deliberate pauses.

The illustrations are very aesthetic and the pictures are demonstrative of a style that is considered “cottagecore.” The illustrations add a completely new layer to the narrative. For example, when Greta and Minette first meet, the panel demonstrating this shows vines of flowers blooming behind their handshake despite there being no flowers in the place where they are. The same situation occurs when Hesekiel and Erik form an alliance and both of these scenes mark the beginning of the couples’ romances. The color palette of the book changes to suit each season that particular chapter is set in. The overall mood is also established using illustrations. These pictures show a generally cheerful and uplifting mood with dainty flowers and pretty pastels. Even the book design is ingenious and combines Greta’s interest in both blacksmithing and raising Tea Dragons as shown by the illustrations inside the cover of cups of tea and the teapot she made herself.

Conclusion

The Tea Dragon Society is a heart-warming story that will engage most children with its peaceful story and lovely illustrations. The experience of reading the book can be best described as coming home to your loved ones after being away for a long time. This book would of particular interest to LGBT+ readers or children with disabilities since it includes representation that is authentic and unproblematic. I would also recommend this book to any reader that is generally interested in fantasy since the book has extensive lore about the Tea Dragons and features a cast of non-human characters.

Citation

O'Neill, K. (2017). The Tea Dragon Society. Oni Press.

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#11 historical fiction Sorry day by Coral Vass and Dub Leffler

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Justification

Sorry Day by Coral Vass and Dub Leffler is a beautifully illustrated children’s historical fiction picture book. The detailed cover instantly interested me in the book. I chose this book because I was not aware that it was commonplace for Aboriginal children to be ripped from their loved ones and never reunited with their families. I enjoy books that focus on multiple perspectives and novels that draw parallels between seemingly unrelated people so I decided to read this book. I also read this book because it does not sugarcoat history and presents the horrors that were conducted against Aboriginal people in Australia.

Evaluation of book

The plot is disturbing and deals with a horrible practice that is not well-known. The story switches between the past when Aboriginal children were stolen from their families by the Australian government and the important day in 2008 where a young girl watches the Australian prime minister publicly apologize to the Aboriginal peoples. The past perspective shows young children playing in nature before white men climb out of trucks and force them onto the trucks. The girl in contemporary times is seen waiting for the prime minister of Australia to give a speech and playing around her mother before it begins. This plot is unique and masterfully deals with a topic that is very emotional. The tension in the story is palpable, especially in the story set in the past. The existing tension present in the story of the past is greatly enhanced by the happenings in the more present story. One such instance is when Maggie slips and begins crying at the same time the children are being found in the past story.

The style and language of Sorry Day are exquisite. The language used in this picture book is fairly advanced and the author used many different types of sentence structures. There is almost a musical quality to the text when read aloud. The author had excellent word choice which conveyed the severity of the situations depicted. A memorable instance is when the children are being put on the truck and she writes “the land wailed as the children were herded on by one onto the back of the truck.” The words “wailed” and “herded” clearly demonstrate the immense loss the Aboriginal people suffered and the authoritarian nature of these removals. The urgency of the situation is also expressed through word choice. One impactful moment was when the men are spotted by the children’s family and a cry rings out saying “Hush children. They’re coming! Hide. HIDE!” The choice of a more calm method of telling the children to hide first shows the increasing urgency that results in the person screaming “hide!”

Sorry Day’s illustrations are powerful and capture the essence of the message the author was trying to convey. Each two-page spread focuses on the past with stunning pictures where the text is overlaid on the illustration. These illustrations use a palette of brown shades and stretch across the full two pages. On the other hand, the pages that portray contemporary times feature one-page illustrations with the text residing on a blank white page adjacent to the illustration. Illustrations of the contemporary times feature color and are bright. The pictures also portray the emotions of the characters through incredibly striking drawings of their eyes. The story is greatly enhanced by the illustrations because they draw parallels between the life of the girl in contemporary times and the taking of the Aboriginal children. For instance, the young girl falls and loses track of her mother; however, she finds her again and breaks into a big smile when she is back in her mother’s embrace. On the next page, the reader discovers a much different scene occurring in the past: a father of one of the Aboriginal children being stolen away runs after the truck where he has been contained. These impactful images further the message the author is trying to convey: there is a shameful past in Australia’s history that should not be erased and everyone should be aware of the terrible practice that ripped so many Aboriginal families apart.

Conclusion

This book is a powerful reminder of the terrible acts committed by the Australian government against Aboriginal people through two very different perspectives of children. The language used in this picture book is profound and spares no detail in presenting events that are difficult to process. The illustrations leave a memorable impact and make the story nearly impossible to forget. Additionally, this book provides a two-page spread on the historical context and facts of National Sorry Day and the removals of Aboriginal children.

Citation

Vass, C., & Leffler, D. (2018). Sorry Day. NLA Publishing

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#10 informational All in a Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World by Lori Alexander

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Justification

All in a Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World by Lori Alexander is a nonfiction picture book that explores how microscopic things were discovered via microscopes. It won the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal in 2020. I chose this book because I was interested in how an ordinary man helped to contribute to scientific advancements. I also picked this book because the illustration's style was appealing. The book includes an impressive amount of factual information on van Leeuwenhoek's life and historical context that immerses the reader in the story.

Evaluation of book

The plot follows Antony van Leeuwenhoek as he develops a passion for exploring things and eventually becomes knowledgeable enough to make massive breakthroughs in human understanding of the world. The plot follows him from his childhood until his death and provides a great deal of context for understanding the world at that point in history. The book is intended to be informational on both van Leeuwenhoek’s life and his major discovery, however, it includes just the right amount of factual information and humor to make the book entertaining. One hilarious instance is when he does an experiment to find out how lice are created and he makes the discovery that they hatch from eggs; however, he constantly gets bit by the lice and has to get rid of them. Additionally, the book includes fun facts that will amuse readers, such as the fact that children in the Netherlands historically drank beer instead of water since the rivers were polluted. The book also includes informational text boxes which provide historical context to aid young readers in understanding history and the life of van Leeuwenhoek. The plot’s pacing is wonderful and is easy for readers to follow and understand. A helpful timeline is included at the end of the book that includes van Leeuwenhoek’s life events and relevant world events. A glossary is also provided that defines many of the scientific terms used in the book.

The main character in this book is Antony van Leeuwenhoek who is introduced as a young boy who is curious about nature. The book cleverly introduces him as a humble boy who is seemingly destined for an ordinary life as a tradesperson. However, the author hints at his future success by mentioning his aptness for business and his natural curiosity about the world. The author writes that “He will not weave baskets. He will not brew beer. Antony has mastered the trade of draper.” These sentences convey his departure from the path of his parents who live simple and ordinary lives. The book shows rather than tells the reader about the determined and intellectual personality of van Leeuwenhoek. The author does this by stating that while in Amsterdam “he visits the bookstores, apothecaries, boot shops, bakeries, and stores filled with maps and nautical gadgets.” This statement reveals that van Leeuwenhoek loves exploring and gaining knowledge in many different areas. It is clear that despite van Leeuwenhoek’s basic education and apprenticeship, that he desires to learn more about the world. Anthony van Leeuwenhoek painstakingly creates a handmade microscope over the span of a few weeks that is actually better than the one professionally made. His dedication while creating this tedious device demonstrates his commitment to discovery and learning. The other characters are often portrayed as unbelieving, especially the educated scientists who look down on him. These characters help the reader understand the prejudice van Leeuwenhoek faced and how education does not necessarily equal an open mind to unknown discoveries.

The illustrations in this book are done in a unique style with watercolors. Overall, the illustrations make the book more appealing and add a vintage feel to the book. The illustrations create a quaint and appealing atmosphere through illustrations of Antony’s neighborhood. One of the most striking illustrations is a page that shows all of the objects he looked at under his handmade microscope and what he saw. This page includes a collage of what he saw illustrated as well as an image of the fungus spores he first saw. The inclusion of an actual picture enhances the realism of the book and makes it easier to understand van Leeuwenhoek’s wonder at the details. Several other pages include actual pictures to show an example of what van he would have seen in his microscope. These make the book more interesting and are scientifically accurate.

Conclusion

This book is a delightful book about how an ordinary man makes amazing discoveries in a time much less advanced than the modern-day. The writing in this book is done masterfully and the characters’ personalities and the setting are clearly established by the detailed descriptions provided. The illustrations are beautiful and greatly enhance the story. This book would both inform and entertain young readers who enjoy science.

Citation

Lori, A. (2021). All in a Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World. HMH Books for Young Readers.

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#8 Newbery Medal book Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin

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Justification

Breaking Stalin’s Nose is a shocking children’s historical fiction book that received the Newbery Medal award. I personally chose this book because the title of this book immediately caught my attention out of the list of Newbery Medal Recipients. This book appealed to me because I assumed it would contain some humor and a realistic portrayal of what it was like to live in the USSR during Stalin’s dictatorship. However, this book was much different than what I had assumed. I was disturbed many times while I read this book, especially by the main character’s naive devotion to Communism and the distorted illustrations of the characters. I liked this book because it provides a perspective to understand how society can completely shape impressionable children and shows the ability for people to change their beliefs.

Evaluation of book

Breaking Stalin’s Nose is a historical fiction chapter book inspired by the lived experiences of the author Eugene Yelchin. Masterfully, Yechin shapes the novel to show how indoctrination in a dictatorship is especially successful with children and that closely held opinions can be changed no matter how ingrained they are. The plot follows a young boy named Sasha who lives in the USSR. He is a dedicated Communist and very loyal to Stalin. However, after his father is arrested, he has to reconsider his beliefs and opinions about the country he lives in. The novel’s plot is very unique and the story is unapologetically realistic. The plot is also engaging because there is a sense of suspense created by the story. As the story unfolds, the reader gets to unravel some of the secrets and discover the actuality of Sasha and his family. The pacing is effective and typically fast-paced to show just how quickly things can change in the span of one day.

The characters in this book are unique and have complicated motivations. The main character is a young boy named Sasha who hopes to be a great Communist who can get personally recognized by Stalin like his father. Yelchin does a great job of demonstrating how devoted Sasha is to the USSR through his thoughts and actions during the book. However, Sasha is a dynamic character and his deepest held beliefs about his nation are forced to change over the one-day span in which this novel takes place. The supporting characters, particularly the devoted Communist individuals like the principal Sergei Ivanych, the State Security senior lieutenant, and Nina Petrovna demonstrate how their manipulation works by utilizing blackmail and thinly-veiled threats against any character that could be considered an “enemy.” One memorable instance of the characters and their actions is when all the students throw snowballs at Four-Eyes, the only Jewish boy in their class. This action shows the mob mentality and the with-us or against-us attitude which the children's way of surviving in a dangerous dictatorship where you cannot be associated with the enemies.

Breaking Stalin’s Nose features several dozen illustrations dispersed throughout the chapters. The illustrations are primarily responsible for defining and developing the characters. One illustration that greatly affected me was Stukachov’s evil, contorted smirk as he locks Sasha out of the room that used to be his. The book is written so that Sasha is shown as never fully understanding the reality of how others treat him. Instead, Sasha’s failure to perceive the real intentions of other characters is shown to the reader through the illustrations. The illustrations also establish the mood despite Sasha being mostly optimistic throughout the book. The pictures are done in black and white and have a distorted look which highlights the uneasy feeling of the story. The scene of the endless line of people waiting to see their loved ones in the prison was greatly impactful. The illustration stretched across eight pages and clearly portrayed the reality of how many people were imprisoned and the hopeless situation of the people who longed to see them. It reinforces the line where the woman who has been waiting in line says to Sasha that it will take three days to get to the front of the queue.

Conclusion

This stunning novel describes a day in the life of a young boy living in the USSR whose plans change dramatically after his father is arrested. His idealistic view of the USSR and Stalin is shattered and he has to make some major choices about his future. This book is great for anyone who wants to learn more about the USSR and how Communism was intertwined with every aspect of daily life in Soviet Russia. It is also a book that could be used in a history or social studies class to enrich the teaching of the Soviet Union.

Citation

Yelchin, E. (2011). Breaking Stalin's nose. Henry Hol and Cot.

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#6 Pura Belpre winner Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle

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Justification

Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle was awarded the 2016 Pura Belpré Award for Illustration. It is critically acclaimed for its beautiful illustrations and profound message. I chose this book because the illustrations are wondrous and I enjoy stories that are meant to empower women. I also like stories where the underdog in a situation is able to “win” and be themselves proudly. Children may pick up this book because of the attractive array of colors shown on the cover.

Evaluation of book

Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle is a historical fiction picture book about the love of music and inspired by the real-life story of a young girl who lived in Cuba in the 20th century. The plot follows a young girl who dreams of playing the drums even though her society only permits boys to play them. Despite objections from others, the dream girl continues dreaming and gains approval from her father after excelling in her learning. By continuing to dream, she is eventually able to change society’s attitude about female drummers. This cause-and-effect action is easy to understand for readers and helps to show how important it is to not give up on your dreams. The novel’s plot is interesting and the descriptions in the text are vivid. The plot also addresses gender norms and the roles that are arbitrarily assigned to individuals of a certain gender.

The characters are interesting and enjoyable. The main character is a young girl who is only referred to as the drum dream girl. She desires to play the drums and eventually is able to turn her dream into reality. She is a highly motivated young woman and refuses to give up on her dream despite others telling her it is wrong. The drum dream girl also is determined and when she gets the opportunity to learn the drums from a teacher, she works intensely. This conveys by the lines that repeat “and she practiced” three times in a row. Additionally, society in itself acts as one character, with her father being a representation of their values and expectations. Although society is adverse to her dream of drumming, it later accepts her talent and permits other girls to pursue their dreams. This dynamic change in first her father and then society as a whole is a great way of illustrating the potential for minor changes to spark more major alternations in the world. The drum dream girl also loves drumming so much to the point she hears drumbeats in all the sounds around her. Her true passion for drumming is clearly evident in all her actions and perceptions shown in the book.

The illustrations in this book are both stunning and surreal. The illustrator uses a rich palette of color on each page, resulting in absolutely amazing illustrations. The illustrations in this book represent both the sad reality of girls being prohibited from drumming and also the girl’s dreams that prevail despite society’s objections. The illustrations that show her dreams often incorporate the night sky, the moon, stars, and deep, dark colors. This is used to show the distant and unreachable nature of her dream. However, even though it is pictured as being hard to obtain, one illustration shows the girl climbing up a tower of drums to hit her drumsticks on the Moon. Additionally, the Moon makes an appearance later on in the book when she is preparing to play at a cafe at night for the first time. As she prepares, the Moon is drawn realistically as it would appear in a picture. However, on the page when she begins to play, the Moon is shown personified with a face, smiling down on the girl as she drums. These small details add layers to the story and would delight readers who discover them. Sound is portrayed as almost a magical essence that flows freely from the drums. Symbolism is demonstrated in the illustrations as well; the most striking instance of this was when drums are shown locked in a cage when she dreams about it to show how her passion for drumming is forbidden.

Conclusion

This stunning picture book addresses gender roles and has a powerful message of encouraging children to do what they love. It is also a book that empowers women and shows a strong girl choosing to forge her own path. Both the text and illustration combine for a powerful reading experience. This book would be great for any child to learn about gender roles and the importance of continuing to dream.

Citation

Engle, M. (2011). Drum dream girl: How one girl’s courage changed music. HMH Books for Young Readers.

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#5 Coretta Scott King winner I, Too, Am America by Bryan Collier

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Justification

I, Too, Am America is an inspiring picture book that is a three-time Caldecott Honor Recipient. It has also won various other awards including the illustrious ALA Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration and is critically acclaimed for its profound illustrations. I chose this book because I believe children of all ages should be educated on the dark and disturbing past America has had regarding the unfair treatment of people of color. This raw and honest type of children’s book is especially important during these times of racial unrest and movements such as Black Lives Matter. This book also appealed to me because it combines verse instead of prose with the pictures shown, which I felt was an interesting choice.

Evaluation of book

A distant past of enslavement, a recent past of continued discrimination after being freed from slavery, and a present where all people are respected and valued as Americans are the three time periods of the United State’s treatment of African-American explored by Bryan Collier in his picture book I, Too, Am America by Bryan Collier. The main plot focuses on the Pullman porters who worked laboriously in a job with horrid conditions. The underlying message of the plot is that the future will be brighter for African-Americans and that African-Americans will no longer be subjected to insulting claims that they are inferior. The plot in this book is not linear and involves several departures from the typical linear storyline in picture books. However, these time shifts enhance the message and allow for a bigger picture to be seen. The plot of the flash of the present is simple: an African-American boy is riding on a train with his mother, looking out over the city view. However, this time skip demonstrates that the hope for the future has been achieved and that people of all colors can ride the train without any segregation, unlike the porter shown in the past.

The characters are clear even though they have no dialogue or written description of them. The main character is an African-American man who works as a Pullman porter who does intense labor. However, this man does not allow society to push him down and he holds hope for the future where African-Americans will be viewed as equal Americans to white Americans. It is obvious through the verses that this individual already knows that he is a real American no matter what others say and that he values himself. The additional characters represent the distant past and current situation of African-Americans in their struggle to be recognized as valuable and equal Americans. Through their expressions on the pages, they delight and rejoice because they know that their future will continue to improve. There is a strong sense of empowerment that can be felt when viewing the characters and their triumphant actions in this story.

The illustrations in this book are stunning and craft a story that authentically reflects the poem’s meaning. The illustrations establish the setting in I, Too, Am America because the original poem is a reflection of thoughts, instead of descriptions. This is seen throughout the book, as several time periods are portrayed including the 1800s, mid-1900s, and present America. Action is also demonstrated in the illustrations, most memorably on the significant two-page illustration of the Pullman porter distributing the left-over pieces of information such as newspapers and magazines that were left behind passengers to those who could not afford them. Bryan Colliver additionally uses texture in his pictures to portray details such as the illustration of a kitchen on the train where the folds of the clothes of the chefs, the steam from the food, and the realistic images of the food are all unique and eye-catching. Colliver’s incorporation of actual pictures of newspapers and magazines helps to create a collage of the complete composition on the pages. The image of the United States of America flag provides a constant reminder throughout the book that African-Americans are Americans too and will refuse to be invisible. This motif subtly appears in all pages of the book; one striking instance being the field of cotton that resembles the stripes of the American flag where the enslaved girl discovers the pages thrown by the porter.

Conclusion

This stunning picture book combines powerful verse with rich and detailed pictures that enhance the message of the original work. Reading this book was a strong experience that was deeply memorable because of the beautiful illustrations. This book has subtle meanings within the story which could make it confusing for younger readers, however, older children will be able to discern the messages within the text and illustrations. I, Too, Am America is a great read for beginning or continuing a conversation on race in America with children.

Citation

Hughes, L. & Collier, B. (2012). I, too, am America. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.

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#4 Tejas Star ¿De dónde eres? (Where Are You From?) by Yamile Saied Méndez

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Justification

Where are you from? is a moving picture book by Yamile Saied Mendez that addresses the upsetting question people of color frequently get asked in the United States. The book won the Tejas Star award and is acclaimed for its honest portrayal of what people of color experience. It is also praised for its rich exploration of Hispanic culture and history. This book would attract readers with its beautiful cover and interesting title. Also, this book has great potential to be used in classrooms and with families to teach young children the importance of cultural heritage.

Evaluation of book

The plot of this book creatively deals with the insensitive question that gets asked so many Americans each day: “where are you from?” The plot begins with several children asking the main character where she is from and then insisting she says where she is really from after she says she’s from the same place as them. She asks her abuelo to answer the question and he takes her on a wondrous journey to explore her identity and heritage through his words. The plot is unique and deals with racial insensitivity that young and old people alike deal with every day. Additionally, the story briefly alludes to Puerto Rican heritage by mentioning her people used to be enslaved and in chains. This minor allusion is impactful and necessary to introduce conversations of racism that have oppressed groups severely in the past.

The two characters in the story are the little girl and her abuelo. The little girl wants to be able to give a good answer to her peer’s prodding about “where she really is from.” She is curious and bold, unable to be satisfied with vague responses. This girl is relatable to most children because she wants an easy answer, one that will dispel any curiosity. The little girl’s desire to answer simply is logical to most children; however, this book will teach young readers that there is a bigger, more encompassing answer that exists. By the end of the story, she realizes that it is her family where she is from, not a place. The little girl’s realization is beautiful and she is able to share this information with her peers. The abuelo is a very likable character; he is old and wise. His words are eloquent and allow the young girl to embrace her background proudly.

The illustrations are stunning and provide a detailed setting for the book. The drawings of each of the settings described are beautiful and greatly enhances the detailed descriptions given by her abuelo. The book equally tells and shows the reader the places where the little girl could trace her heritage to. The use of two-page spreads throughout the book creates the filling of the epic, sweeping landscapes that are described. One great example is the drawing of the guacho with its lush greenery on the mountaintops and the brown river that snakes through the valley. These illustrations show that heritage cannot be easily traced to one exact location.

Conclusion

This book is great and I would recommend this to readers to help them discover the importance of identity and culture. The text is somewhat complicated so its meaning may be less appreciated by younger children. The illustrations are very engaging and add a lot of impact to the reading experience. I would recommend this in diverse classrooms and less diverse classrooms since the message can be understood and applied in real life for any child.

Citation

Méndez, Y. S., & Kim, J. (2019). Where are you from? New York, NY: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers.

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#3 Texas 2x2 First Day Critter Jitters by Jory John

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Justification

First Day Critter Jitters by Jory John is a picture book that was on the 2021 List for Texas 2x2. I chose this book because attending school was a fear I dealt with a lot as a child. The message is relatable for most children and is presented in a way that avoids being didactic. I also picked this book because the cast of animal characters is drawn in an adorable style. This book seemed like one that would make children laugh while reading it and also allow them to see that everyone has things they fear, no matter how old they are.

Evaluation of book

The plot is extremely relatable for any student and follows several animals as they attend their first day of school. From the beginning, the reader is addressed by the characters and the character lets the reader in on a joke “After all, have you seen how slow sloths walk?” All of the characters have unique anxieties about how their first day will go and are afraid to go to school because of their fear. Each of these anxieties is related to their nature or physiological characteristics as an animal, such as the sloth is afraid he will not make it to school on time because he moves so slowly. However, once they arrive at school they learn that their teacher is afraid too and they each realize their own unique strengths. The plot will strike a chord with most children since school is a very universally intimidating institution. The message of the story is very valuable and can be easily applied in children’s lives. The humorous writing and plot twists are funny and make the story more engaging.

The characters are very fun and most young readers will be able to identify with one of them. For instance, the little bear cub is afraid about falling asleep at school and did not even want to get out of bed to go. Not wanting to go to school to stay asleep is a common sentiment among young children who may like the bear cub because of this shared similarity. However, some of the characters have fears that would be unrealistic for children to have; one instance is when the snake worries about his school supplies and lunch since he cannot wear a backpack to transport them in. This situation injects more humor into the story and encourages the reader to laugh at the absurdity of that situation which could not happen to them. Additionally, the characters are very cute and their fears add a vulnerability to their personalities. All of the characters are dynamic and learn a lesson by the end of their first school day. Despite the overwhelming fears of each animal before the first day of school, they realize that school is not as scary as they had originally thought.

The illustrations in this book are cute and simplistic. The illustrations help to enhance the plot by demonstrating the worst scenarios that the students imagine before heading to school. The two-page spreads towards the beginning of the book show the student talking to the reader about their anxieties on the first page and on the adjacent page, it shows an illustration of the situation imagined by the animal. This shows how the characters are catastrophizing the potential events that might happen at school. The setting is also established by the illustrations since the dialogue and text only focus on events that may or may not occur. Action is demonstrated in many of the illustrations throughout the book, especially whenever the hyper rabbit character appears.

Conclusion

This book is amazing and all children should be encouraged to read this book. Due to the reliable content of fearing the first day of school, this book could be used to alleviate student’s fears before going to school for the first time. The illustrations are eye-catching and adorable. The book is extremely funny and makes for a great read.

Citation

John, J. (2020). First Day Critter Jitters. Dial Books for Children.

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#2 bluebonnet The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned To Read by Rita L. Hubbard

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Justification

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read is a wonderful picture book that won a Bluebonnet nomination in 2021. The book is beautifully illustrated and the story poignant. I chose to read this book because I love inspiring stories that demonstrate the resilience of humans. Another reason I was interested in this book was that it addresses how white supremacy prevented Mary Walker from being able to learn how to read earlier in her life. The book is engaging and examines the amazing life of a woman who is much more than ordinary.

Evaluation of book

The plot of The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read revolves around a woman named Mary Walker who finally learns to read after living over a century while wanting to learn how. The book begins when she is a small girl working on a plantation and follows her through emancipation, the loss of her family, and her eventual realization of her life-long goal. The historical context provided allows even the youngest of readers to understand why she was unable to have enough time to read until she was very old. Overall, the book is very moving and does not shy away from covering more tragic incidents in Mary’s life. It is empowering to readers to learn that a girl who was once in slavery and prevented from learning to read was eventually personally given birthday wishes by the President of the United States. The pattern of the plot is also done in a way that would appeal to children. The predictable pattern of Mary wanting to learn how to read, a major life event happening, and the result is that she does not have time to learn how. However, the protagonist is able to break this cycle in an unexpected way that is hinted at in the title of the book.

The main character, Mary Walker, is an African-American woman who experiences many hardships throughout her life that prevents her from having the time to learn to read. Mary Walker is a likable character that young children would enjoy learning about. She is introduced as a young girl with a lot of dreams that she has to put on hold due to her life circumstances. Her creative mind and determination will probably be relatable to most young children. Her strength is evident throughout the book as she endures through slavery, grueling work, and the loss of her family members. Regardless of these hardships, Mary never gave up and continued to hold onto her desire to learn. Additionally, she did not let other people’s opinions influence her determination to learn.

The illustrations are beautiful and done in a collage format. These collages incorporate paint and actual book clippings. The background in most illustrations has obvious brush strokes that add a sense of it being a real piece of art. The realism that is a part of several of the illustrations reminds the reader that even though it is drawn as a picture book, it is based on a real story that actually occurred. All text that is shown in the book before Mary begins learning to read is shown as scribbles to convey how the written word looks to her at those moments. The creativity in the illustrations produces a lot of interesting things to look at such as the background which includes cuttings from books and other written media, which will help to keep the younger readers’ attention. The illustrations also demonstrate parallels, such as when Mary flies in a yellow airplane for the first time that reminds her of the flock of yellow birds that were shown at the beginning of the book.

Conclusion

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read is a beautiful book with an inspiring message. This book would be especially good for students who may be behind their peers or young readers who enjoy history. It is also an empowering story for both women and African-Americans who can take pride in the accomplishments of this determined woman. Also, this is a great book to use in conjunction with conversations or lessons on how white supremacy has impacted the lives of people of color in the United States.

Citation

Hubbard, R., & Mora, O. (2020) The oldest student how: Mary Walker learned to read. Schwartz & Wade Books.

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#1 Easy reader picture book

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin

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Justification

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons By Eric Litwin won the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award in 2013. I chose this book because I know the “Pete the Cat” books are extremely popular with young children. The “Pete the Cat” series attract the attention of young readers regardless of adult’s critical acclaim for the books. Also, I was interested in the sing-along element of the book. I enjoyed this book because it involves counting and the main character is genuinely funny.

Evaluation of book

The plot of Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin is funny and follows a simple predictable pattern that will amuse young readers. The protagonist, Pete the Cat, adores his four groovy buttons but continues to lose them as time passes. However, he does not cry and continues to sing about his remaining buttons. The message of the story is to see the positives in negative situations and appreciate the little things. The plot is not extraordinary, however, the story is fun and engaging. The book includes basic subtraction and can be used for counting. The counting elements in the book are interactive and include prompt questions like “How many buttons are left?” to encourage readers to participate. Additionally, most of the dialogue written in the book can be sung which is engaging and makes the reading experience more entertaining.

The main and only character in this story is Pete the Cat. He is a cool, blue-black cat who is laid-back and unbothered by most things. He is irresistibly optimistic and refuses to let small inconveniences like losing his buttons upset him. Pete also is humorous and sings a fun song about his groovy buttons multiple times in the book. His speech bubbles with his dialogue show his positivity despite losing his buttons one by one. One instance of these bubbles is when he says “it’s all good!” after losing all of his buttons; this relaxed statement clearly shows his unfazed mentality even when he no longer has any of the shirt’s buttons. His carefree attitude can be interpreted as funny by young readers who may not understand how he can be so unperturbed with continuing to lose his buttons.

The illustrations are cute and almost childish-looking. The unfinished and sketch-like quality of the illustrations makes the book unique. For instance, the pencil border of one of the pages has yellow paint outside of the lines and all of the lines on the page look hastily drawn. Despite these illustrations not being complex, they match the unstressed and chill mood of Pete the Cat and the whole book overall. The amount of color used makes the pictures pleasing to the eye and the use of large text such as “POP” conveys the loudness of the sound being expressed. Additionally, action is shown through the illustrations of the buttons popping off. This is done by illustrating Pete the Cat sitting down and then the button popping forward on the page towards the reader with its coiled thread following behind it. Also, Pete the Cat’s expression never changes throughout the book to convey his nonchalant attitude.

Conclusion

I would recommend this book to any younger reader, especially to introduce counting and basic subtraction. The natural use of language reflects realistic examples of sentence formation and word choice. It is also a book that could be used for interactive reading to engage young children. The predictable pattern and lovable protagonist will delight readers.

Citation

Dean, J. (2012). Pete the cat and his four groovy buttons. HarperCollins Children’s Books.