Starstruck: The Cosmic Journey of Neil DeGrasse Tyson by Kathleen Krull

This picture book biography of Neil deGrasse Tyson perfectly conveys his fascination with space and determination to study it. Authors Krull and Brewer trace his journey full circle from his first trip to the Hayden Planetarium to his current role as the planetarium’s director. Morrison’s illustrations show Neil’s “starstruck” wonder, as well as his energy and enthusiasm. Spreads that feature Neil and the night sky showcase him in the perfect setting.The text is upbeat but honest about the challenges he overcame to reach his goal. Key events, such as viewing a solar eclipse aboard a floating laboratory, meeting Carl Sagan, and the uproar of reclassifying Pluto are included. The author’s note gives more details about Neil’s background, education, and family; there is also a list of sources. This title would work well in a unit on space or contemporary biographies. VERDICT: A stellar biography for young readers that have their eyes on the stars. Highly recommended.

My review was first published in the March 2019 issue of School Library Journal, p. 128.

Away with Words: The Daring Story of Isabella Bird by Lori Mortensen

This picture book biography of Isabella Bird describes her as “a wild vine stuck in a too-small pot.” Author Lori Mortensen could not have come up with a better description of a curious young woman during the Victorian era. The text shares Isabella’s health problems as a small child and how curiosity about the world she saw from the back of her father’s horse helped her to “forget about her aches and pains.” Her eventual journeys around the world led to fame for her travel books and even membership as the first woman in London’s Royal Geographic Society. Digital illustrations show details of the era's fashions, as well as scenes from Isabella’s adventures - like climbing up Kilauea. A photo of Isabella accompanies the author’s note. There is also a timeline, bibliography, and a source list for all the quotations from Isabella’s writing that are incorporated into the book. This title would be a good addition to a unit on pioneering women, or for a discussion of societal expectations then and now. VERDICT: An engaging biography for intermediate grades about following your joy and finding your own place in the world.

My review was first published in the February 2019 issue of School Library Journal, pp. 81-82.

Earth!: My First 4.54 Billion Years by Stacy McAnulty

Ink and watercolor illustrations combine with a first-person narrative in this autobiography of Earth, who says, “You can call me Planet Awesome.” Facts about Earth's favorite activities, such as spinning, circling the sun, and hanging out with the moon are mentioned. The process of the planet forming and cooling is shown as photos in a scrapbook. A time line chronicles the development of air, plants, and animals with a comment for each milestone (“My first dinosaur!”). The end of the dinosaurs is shown in a spread with Earth fearfully watching an angry asteroid hurtling closer. Younger readers learn basic facts such as the names of the planets in the solar system or that it takes 29 days for the moon to orbit the earth. Older students will enjoy the personification of the planet and the humor of the narrative. For instance, Earth remarks that “animals are nice. But they mostly eat and poop and never wonder about my amazing life.” There are also details in the illustrations (like an image of the Beatles) that will amuse observant readers and adults. Back matter includes information on the continents, Earth’s location in space, extinction events, and a list of sources. There is also a brief author’s note addressed to "alien visitors," aka readers. VERDICT: A humorous approach to planetary facts for the elementary grades.

My review first appeared in the November 2017 issue of School Library Journal, p. 102

Gum by Nancy Willard

Two friends on a quest for a silver racer have nine quarters to reach their goal. Danny and James feed their coins into the gumball machine hoping each time that the small toy car will emerge. But even the Canadian quarter James brought may not be lucky enough. The descriptions of what the gumball machine delivers after each quarter show the author’s clever word usage. Suspense builds as “something tumbles out,” “something clatters out,” “something small and still slides” out, and finally “something round and raucous runs” out of the spout. Each time readers will wait with anticipation to see if the silver racer has finally been won. The inked illustrations are reminiscent of the style used in the CBS Storybreak shows from the 1980s. Some fill a page, like the picture of the boys’ faces seen through the glass of the gumball machine. Others offer small vignettes scattered across the page showing the reactions of Danny and James. Large spreads are used sparingly, like the opening scene with James standing by his parents’ bed and asking for his allowance while the soft blue background perfectly captures the “six in the morning” stillness. VERDICT: Perfect for a humorous read-aloud; the retro feel and the hilarious results of the boys’ determination will keep readers and listeners riveted and rooting for their success.

My review was first published in the November 2017 issue of School Library Journal, p. 68.

Spring Reading 2019 Changeling (The Oddmire #1 )

After the wonderful introduction to the world of Jackaby (which was perfect for YA and adult readers), now William Ritter has begun a new middle grade series within that world of magic and monsters. After a goblin changeling is placed in a crib next to a human baby, no one can tell the two youngsters apart. For twelve years their mother raises them as human twins, but everyone in their small town knows that one of them is actually not her biological son. The boys are watched and whispered about, and they both wonder which of them is the changeling. When they receive a message to travel into the Wild Wood to save everyone they know, they set out to find the truth.

This story has wonderful fantasy elements with goblins, witches, shapeshifters, and even hinkypunks. There is also the dark Thing at the center of the Wild Wood, wrapped in shadows and plotting evil. But what makes the book such a wonderful read is the relationship between the boys and their mother and the discussions the boys have about what makes a monster. The tension of waiting to find out who is the changeling and what will happen to the family will keep readers turning the pages long past bedtime.

I had the pleasure of meeting the author at ALA Midwinter this year and picked up an ARC of the book. I can't wait for the second book of the series.

Spring Reading 2019 Girls with Brush and Canvas: Georgia O'Keeffe, American Artist

Carolyn Meyer did a wonderful job of describing the life of photographer Margaret Bourke-White in Girl with a Camera. Now she has done it again with the life of artist Georgia O'Keeffe. Taking inspiration from biographies, books of O'Keeffe's artwork, and visiting key locations, she brings Georgia onto the page in an engaging story of a woman determined to be an artist. Although this is a fictionalized account of her life, the details of social expectations and opportunities available to women of her generation are correct.

Descriptions range from the various techniques she experimented with as she developed her own style, to details about the different schools she attended and jobs she took. Clothing, foods, and pastimes of the era make the setting a large part of the reading experience, just as it would have been a large influence on O'Keeffe herself.

One of the thoughts the author imagines her protagonist having captures the essence of an individual trying to find her own way, a way that did not always match the expectations of others. "I was not rebellious, exactly, but the rules felt like a dog-collar attached to a leash, and I looked for ways to wiggle out of it." It is the touches like that which make the story so captivating and believable.

I received a copy from the publisher for review purposes.

Spring Reading 2019 I Was an Outer-Space Chicken

When friends Lamar and Lexie accuse each other of being chicken, they have no idea that they will be overheard by an alien who is collecting animals for her planet's zoo. Once on board the alien ship, the kids have to use their math skills to prove to their captor, Fooz, that they are not chickens. Solving the problem of how much to feed the other specimens Fooz has collected may prove their intelligence level, but they will still need to help refuel the ship to make it back to Earth. There are encounters with creatures that resemble Bigfoot, a lake of fludge that can disintegrate what it touches, and even talking green rabbits! But with each encounter, their math skills help them survive and continue their trip home.

For math teachers looking for ways to incorporate fun challenges into their classes, this series offers stories with a dash of excitement, danger, and plenty of chances to flex math muscles. I read an ARC provided by the publisher for review purposes. The book will be released in July 2019.