Project Hail Mary

 

Need a new Andy Weir fix? Have you worn out your copy of The Martian as well as your DVD of the movie adaptation? Already have Artemis memorized, too? Then you will be happy to hear that a new adventure is on the way, but not until May 2021. Just think of it as your next vacation read and congratulate yourself on planning ahead.

If you have read those other two books, then you are familiar with Weir's style. And you know that his characters have some science skills in common, but they are definitely not carbon copies of each other. One is an astronaut/botanist/space-pirate (technically). The other is a lunar dweller/black market dealer/criminal. And now we have a new protagonist to meet. Except...this character doesn't even know who he is or how he came to be in a spaceship alone. So how are we supposed to know him or understand him? Bit by bit, of course, just as he comes to remember or relearn things about himself.

The science is still there. A spaceship full of equipment. A mission (we all assume) that depends on his success. But will his memories return in time to help him complete the mission, whatever it might be? As the clues slowly resurface in his memory, or are pulled from the ship's computers, the situation does not look good -  for our hapless hero or the rest of humanity.

I can't really go into details without letting loose spoilers, and no one wants that to happen. I can tell you that I enjoyed this character and his storyline. If I had to rate them, he would fall in between Mark Watney and Jasmine Bashara on my personal list of favorite characters. And the situations he confronts and problem-solves his way through are the sort of thing that sci-fi fans generally enjoy.

Go ahead and pre-order the book - you know you want to, and you won't regret it.

Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance

 

The preface explains that the accomplishments of women have often been forgotten (or erased) from history, so readers should not be surprised if they have never heard of the writers included in this collection. There is also a brief introduction to the Harlem Renaissance for those who are not familiar with the period and its incredible artistic outflow. Grimes also explains the form she has chosen to use in her response to each poem, the Golden Shovel. I must honestly say that it seems particularly difficult, but she says she enjoys the challenge of it. That  must be true, because she does an amazing job of putting it to use.  Back matter includes biographies of all the poets and all the artists featured in the book.

Now, on to the main body of the book. The poems she has chosen from these historical writers show a range of emotions and cover various topics. They are grouped into sections of Heritage, Earth Mother, and Taking Notice. Each poem has her response using a featured line in the Golden Shovel method. And each is also accompanied by an illustration from a talented female African-American illustrator. While the poets may not be well-known, the illustrators are a who's who of children's literature.

I would have read this book just because Nikki Grimes wrote it, or just because of the illustrators included in the project, or just because I love literature from the Harlem Renaissance. Finding all three in one book is a perfect blend of celebrating the past while showing how it inspires the present, and we may hope that it will continue to do so into the future.

Highly recommended for poetry lovers, fans of the Harlem Renaissance, or teachers putting together a unit on either.

Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles

 

PreS-Gr 3–This picture book biography of elite gymnast Simone Biles follows a pattern of setbacks and triumphs. Readers see the uncertainty of Biles’s first childhood home, then watch as Biles and her three siblings are placed in a foster home, get separated, and are eventually adopted by their biological grandparents. A canceled field trip resulted in her first visit to a gymnastics facility; the disappointment of missing the cutoff for the national team fueled the efforts that led to her Olympic fame. The story does not dwell on the negatives but emphasizes how each obstacle was overcome through family support and hard work. Gymnastics terms, such as vault, bars, and beam, are introduced and the rhythm of the rhyming text reflects Biles’s energy and movement. Glenn’s illustrations portray the athlete at various ages; she tumbles through the house and later perfects her competitive moves. The artwork captures the power and poise of gymnastics as well as the emotions of each scene. One dynamic spread depicts “the Biles” signature floor move as she flips through the air. Back matter includes photos, sources, facts (height, birthday), and important milestones in the Olympics and International Gymnastics Federation.VERDICT A good addition to the biography section and an excellent book to hand to readers always asking for gymnastics titles.

(My review first appeared in School Library Journal, Oct. 2020 issue, p. 94.)

A Garden in Your Belly

 

Gr 2-5-The bacteria inside the human gut may not be the first thing that comes to mind as a topic for a children's book, but D'yans has made the subject very approachable. The metaphors of a river and a garden are used to describe the intestines and stomach, allowing readers to visualize the microorganisms involved. The text explains how each person's unique mix of microbiota works to fight germs, harvest energy, and even "influence your thoughts and feelings." Children are advised to eat healthy foods rather than feed the weeds (the bad microbes). Watercolor illustrations depicting the helpful inhabitants of the "garden in your belly" show them floating like lotus flowers, leaping like frogs, paddling boats, and talking on telephones. The weeds are rendered in dark colors with jagged teeth. In some scenes, they belch out smoke that chokes the helpers. Back matter balances the whimsical illustrations by offering more detailed explanations of the concepts. There is also a glossary of terms and a page of "amazing gut facts." This would be an excellent book to share with a class studying health and nutrition. It could also be suitable for a child who is experiencing gastrointestinal issues and wants to understand what is happening in their own "garden." VERDICT A good addition to collections looking to update their biology section.

(My review first appeared in School Library Journal, Sept. 2020 issue, p.100)

The Day Saida Arrived

 

If you are looking for a story about how friendship and kindness can overcome obstacles such as a language barrier, then you need this book. The young narrator explains that she tries to find Saida's words, but her parents explain that the words aren't lost. When she learns that Saida comes from Morocco and knows different words for things, the girls begin to share their words. As they teach each other the English and Arabic names for things, the words are shown in the illustrations in both languages. 

The lyrical description of how Saida "drew them with those letters that sometimes looked like flowers and other times like insects" captures the allure of learning a new way to write words. The narrator repeats the words Saida shares "slowly so that the sounds would become rooted in my memory and on my lips." And for those who wish that all new acquaintances could be so welcoming to each other, there is the plan to someday visit Saida's "land of spices and camels" and, when that day comes, to "happily throw overboard unwelcome words like border."

For those trying to build a more diverse and welcoming collection, this story of immigration and friendship is a good addition to your shelves.

The Truth About Dragons

Maybe those old maps that show monsters in the margins along with the warning, "Here there be dragons," are right. They can be anywhere, everywhere. With the way they seem to take up all the room, it might be hard to navigate around them. They may have "terribly sharp teeth," but look closely and you will see that "their socks don't always match." 

I know what you are thinking. "Dragons wear socks?" These do. They also carry lunchboxes, "rattle and rumble" around the library, and need their rest. As you and your favorite young reader make your way through the story, you will slowly realize that these dragons are really just other children at school. They may roar and defend their territory, but they can also be great at follow-the-leader or make wonderful drawings.

As the protagonist overcomes her nerves and relaxes, she finds that the dragons transform into friends and playmates. They kick off their shoes at naptime, find treasures on a nature walk, and share the playground's clubhouse. And if another dragon comes along, they may just give her enough courage to venture out and learn that someone meeting her for the first time may see her as a fierce dragon, too.

These colorful beasts make the average first day of school seem tame in comparison. Perhaps a reader who is nervous about their own first day may feel a bit braver after embracing their inner dragon. The library scene with the titles of dragon stories cleverly included is especially appealing to book wyrms.

All Except Axle

 

Know someone who has nearly worn out their DVD of "Cars" from endless watching? Perhaps someone in your life idolizes racecar drivers and can name the make and model of every car you pass on the road? Or maybe you know a certain child who is nervous about trying out something new? For all those kiddos, hand them a copy of All Except Axle.

Axle does not have Lightning McQueen's overconfidence. In fact, he doesn't really want to leave the factory. Even after he makes it to the dealership's showroom he wants to roll right back to where he started. Can some practice and a little support from his friend Earlene help him find his courage?

Illustrations feature automobiles with expressive faces and bright colors. The other vehicles come in a variety of shades, but despite Axle's jaunty red paint job, he doesn't seem to have the daring personality to match. That doesn't stop Earlene, the car hauler, from encouraging him to try out his wheels. And when she finds herself in need of help, Axle may just be brave enough to return the favor.

A fun read and perfect for car crazy youngsters or those timid about new experiences. Even the endpapers are fun with their black background covered in white tire tracks.