To Change a Planet by Christina Soontornvat

To Change a Planet

Christina Soontornvat, Author

Rahele Jomepour Bell, Illustrator

Scholastic Press, Nonfiction, Aug. 2, 2022

Suitable for Ages: 4-8

Themes: Earth science, Climate change, Activism, Making a difference

Opening: “Our planet. Big, tough, dependable. Our planet has spun through eons of time. Mere moments ago, we arrived.”

Publisher’s Synopsis:

A clarion call to protect our planet, our only home.

One person. Small, quiet,

insignificant.

But when one person,

and one person,

and one person

become many,

they can change

a planet.

Spare, poetic text and breathtaking pictures invite readers on a stirring journey that gently illuminates the causes of climate change as well as how our individual and collective actions can make the world better.

Meticulously researched and brimming with hope and hands-on solutions that will edify and empower even the youngest readers. To Change a Planet is a loving ode to our only home and vital for every child, classroom, and family.

Why I love To Change a Planet:

To Change a Planet is an extraordinary introductory picture book about climate change and caring for our planet. Christina Soontorvat’s text is short and lyrical, but its powerful message will speak to the hearts of children in a hopeful and meaningful manner. There is so much beauty in this book. Rahele Jomepour Bell’s eye-popping gouache illustrations are rich in detail and draw readers into the story. Beautiful collaborative work between the author and illustrator.

I’m impressed with Soontorvat’s research for her informative book. As a result, children of all ages will enjoy this gem. She includes a little bit of earth history and science in her text, as well as a call to action. My favorite books to share are those that encourage children to make a difference in their world. Older children will want to read “More About Climate Change” in the double-spread at the end of the book. This is book is a beautiful addition to your home or school library, as it can be used in so many ways.

Resources: The best place to start talking about climate change is at home. Use the information in the book to look at how you and your family can conserve energy and become more environmentally-friendly. At school there are many suggestions about getting involved from writing letters to your city council or legislators to talking with with neighbors and participating in marches..

Christina Soontornvat began this book during a time when she was searching for hope. “As I wrote, I realized that the mechanism behind climate change — many small things coming together to make a big impact — also gives us a framework, for how we can work together to help our planet. Hope is the first step in problem-solving, and I am hopeful we can change our future for the better.” Christina is a two-time Newbery Award honoree of A Wish in the Dark and All Thirteen, which also won the Kirkus Prize and Sibert Award. A former science educator, she holds a BS in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in science and education. Christina lives in Austin, Texas, with her family. Learn more at her website: http://www.soontornvat.com.

Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.

*Reviewed from a library copy.

Lucy and the Ghost Take the stage! by Dave Dellecese – Perfect Picture Book Friday

Lucy and the Ghost Take the Stage!

Dave Dellecese, Author

Karen Crystina, Illustrator

Dandy Press, Fiction, Mar. 7, 2023

Suitable for ages: 5-9

Themes: Theater, Performing Arts, Acting, Ghost, Kids making a difference

Opening: “In a quiet little town, / not as big as once before, / sat a cozy little theater / built in 1864.”

Synopsis:

Lucy loves the theatre, rushing home after school each day to be part of the magic under the spotlight.

But in a world where screens have replaced the stage, can her beloved small town playhouse survive? Or will Lucy need help from an unexpected source to bring audiences back?

What I like about this book:

Dave Dellecese has written a charming story about a group of kids who want to save their historic theater. My favorite theme — a group of kids trying to make a difference in their community! Great to see kids taking action. Readers will have fun with the rhyming text, which includes a lot of action verbs and a strong rhythm. “Bursting through the theater doors, / greetings to the cast, / surrounded by the posters / of the theater’s storied past.”

Lucy is a fun-loving and memorable character eager to hurry to the therater after school and rehearse. It is a place where she loves pretending, unlike many of her friends who are attached to their phones. Her enthusiasm will appeal to readers. The ghost is a fun addition to the story as it has an important role to play at the end.

Karen Crystina’s eye-popping illustrations will engage readers from the start. They are bold, expressive and colorful. Nice touch to the story. And just look at that cover. Perfect summer read!

Resources: With the end of the school year approaching, many children will be heading to summer programs, many of which include theater productions. And there is also community summer theater programs. It’s a great way to introduce your children to live theater. And, during the fall and winter, many downtown theater’s have special programs for kids that introduce them to many forms of theater, like musicals, puppetry and so on.

Dave Dellecese is an author and writer of children’s books, graphic novels, comics, and sometimes even stories for grown-ups. He discovered the fun and joy of performing in theatre as a teen and hasn’t wanted to leave the pretend of the stage ever since. It’s onstage that he met his wife, Megan, when the two were cast in a show together. They currently live in Central New York State with their kids and cats.

*Review copy provided by the author in exchange for a review.

A Life of Service: The Story of SenatorTammy Duckworth – Perfect Picture Book Friday

A Life of Service: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth

Christina Soontornvat, Author

Dow Phumiruk, Illustrator

Candlewick Press, Biography, Sep. 27, 2022

Suitable for ages: 5-9

Themes: Differently Abled, Senator, Pilot, Iraq, Service

Opening:”Even before she ever touched American soil, Ladda Tammy Duckworth knew that she would someday serve her country.”

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Senator Tammy Duckworth has logged a long list of “firsts” during her tenure as the first Thai American woman elected to Congress, including being the first woman with a disability to serve in the House and Senate. But while she dreamed of serving her country from a young age, Tammy’s path was not without its challenges.

In this dramatic account, award-winning creators Christina Soontornvat and Dow Phumiruk chronicle Tammy’s journey. From her childhood fight to keep her family from homelessness, to her service in the US Army, to her recovery from grievous injuries sustained in the line of duty, Tammy never lost her determination to keep going against staggering odds.

Evoking Tammy Duckworth’s spirited nature with sensitivity and joy, this uplifting account of a groundbreaking military veteran and rising political star will inspire readers to dream and achieve. Includes a time line and suggestions for further reading.

Why I like A Life of Service:

Christina Soontornvat has written a powerful story for young readers about the extraordinary life of Senator Tammy Duckworth, someone determined to serve no matter the challenges she faced. Readers will be inspired by her her resiliency, determination, recovery and a will to serve others. It is a beautiful biography about a very strong woman — a book to add to your home or school library.

There are so many ways this book will resonate with readers. Some may be recovering from injuries, an amputation or dealing with life-changing illnesses. Others will relate to her love of service and strong desire to help others, which she demonstrated as a child.. This is definitely a book that will have a lasting impact on readers. It’s perfect for classroom discussions. And I’m sure Duckworth will be doing more in years to come..

Dow Phumiruk’s bold and colorful illustrations carry the reader through Duckworth’s journey in life from her childhood in Thailand to her current seat in the U.S. Senate. Nice pairing of Soontornvat’s carefully worded text with the lively artwork. And there is so much more for Duckworth will do. Make sure you check out the Time Line of Major Life Events and Tammy Duckworth’s Ongoing Legacy of Service at the end of the book.

Resources: Encourage readers make a list of their favorite strong women and write a sentence why. It may be a parent, a neighbor, a teacher or someone in the public.

Christina Soontornvat is the acclaimed author of picture books, chapter books, nonfiction, and middle-grade fiction, including the 2021 Newbery Honor-winning fantasy A Wish in the Dark. Her narrative nonfiction title All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team, also won a 2021 Newbery Honor, in addition to a Robert F. Silbert Honor and other honors and awards. She lives in Austin, Texas.

*Review copy provided by Candlewick in exchange for a review.

Grandma’s Farm by Michael Garland – Perfect Picture Book Friday

Grandma’s Farm

Michael Garland, Author and Illustrator

Astra Young Readers, Fiction, Oct. 11, 2022

Suitable for ages: 4-8

Themes: Farm life, Intergenerational relationships, Memories

Opening: “Grandma and Timmy were taking a trip to the old farm. Timmy had visited before with Grandpa Joe, but this time would be different.”

Book Jacket Synopsis:

When Grandma Ginny lived on the farm, every day brought a new adventure, from planting and picking crops to collecting fresh eggs from the chickens coop. Some days even saw chaos, like when the unruly pigs escaped from their pen and had to be chased down by the entire family.

Now the animals are gone, the farm building rickety and abandoned, and the fields overgrown with weeds. But as Timmy listens to his grandma’s fond recollections, he sees the quiet land transformed into colorful scenes of bountiful harvest, hustle and bustle, and everyday joy and purpose.

In this companion to the beloved Grandpa’s Tractor, a grandparent and grandchild celebrate the beauty of sweeping farmland and shared family history.

Why I like Grandma’s Farm:

Michael Garland has written and illustrated a charming story about a relationship between a boy and his grandmother. There is so much heart in Grandma’s Farm as Grandma Ginny visits her old farm with Timmy. She carries with her a diary that is full of special memories she wants to share with him about his family, farm life and their many traditions.

Even though the farm house and building have fallen into disrepair, Grandma Ginny’s vivid memories of raising her family and the daily work in the lush green fields, breathe life into this beautiful story. Timmy and his grandmother travel back in time when the entire family pitches in to help. There are fruit and vegetable crops to plant and pick, cows to milk, pigs and chickens to feed, eggs to gather, and sheep to shear.

Garland’s book will speak to children. Timmy imagines how his family worked together, including his own mother and her siblings, to help with chores, cook meals together, set the table and wash dishes. They laugh, play and spend quality time together. It doesn’t get any better than that. Children will delight in Grandma Ginny’s story, and adults will reminisce about a time long ago. I know I did as I thought about my childhood visits to my uncle’s working farm.

Each Garland illustration could stand alone. They are warm and tender and recreate a life that few children will ever experience. That is why this book is so important for young readers who haven never seen a working farm. This is a stunningly illustrated celebration of family traditions and being together with loved ones.

Grandma’s Farm is a sequel to Garland’s picture book, Grandpa’s Tractor, which I have on my book shelf and gifted to an earlier generation of grandchildren. My great grandchildren will be receiving copies of this treasure. Make sure to read Garland’s comments about Grandpa’s Tractor, as it will give more information about the condition of the farm today.

Resources: Visit a working farm this spring or summer. If you don’t have a vegetable garden, plant one in your backyard. If your space is limited, plant herbs or tomatoes plants in a pot on your patio. There is nothing like getting your hands dirty.

Michael Garland, an author and illustrator of children’s picture books, including the perennially popular Grandpa’s Tractor, has won numerous awards for his work. Miss Smith and the Haunted Library made the New York Times best seller list. He is the illustrator of the Golden Kite Honor Award-winning Leah’s Pony. He recently released We’re Not Weird: Structure and Function of the Animal Kingdom. He has authored Ferry Boat, Tug Boat, Daddy Plays the Blues, Snowy Day, Christmas City, and Oh What a Christmas. He lives with his family in Patterson New York.

*Reviewed from a purchased copy.

What Do You See When You Look at a Tree? by Emma Carlisle – Perfect Picture Book Friday

What Do You See When You Look at a Tree?

Emma Carlisle, Author and Illustrator

Templar Books, Fiction, Nov. 1, 2022

Suitable for ages: 3 – 7

Themes: Trees, Nature, Discovery, Explore

Earth Day, Atpril 22, 2023

Opening: What do you see when you look at a tree? / Leaves and twigs and branches? / Or do you see a living thing that moves and breathes and dances?

Book Jacket Synopsis:

Have you ever climbed a tree, or sat in its shade on a hot, sunny day? Have you ever wondered who has gazed up at its branches before you? In this gentle picture book, author-illustrator Emma Carlisle encourages children to explore their connections with nature. What types of trees are found all around the world? How is each tree different? What might a tree have witnessed over its centuries of life, and what other children may have played under its branches?

Full of finely drawn tress of al all shapes and sizes, this sweet story depicts the natural environment through the eyes of a child, urging young readers to connect with the world around them and fostering a lifelong love of nature.

Why I like this book:

What a perfect time to be thinking about trees with Earth Day on Saturday and spring in full bloom. Emma Carlisle has created a gem of a book for readers. And I believe it is a book that will stir many memories in adults. The beautiful rhyming text is peaceful and will draw readers into the story. Carlisle’s artwork is warm, friendly and inviting.

This is a quiet and contemplative book the encourages children to pause and take a moment to examine the trees in their back yard, school yard, park and on their morning walks through the woods. It encourages children to identify the trees around them. Are there pine trees that keep their needles all year long? Do other trees have blossoms that have beautiful pink or white blooms in the spring or have golden colors in the autumn? What birds and animals live in and under the trees?

I was drawn to this book because of my memories of spending hours around trees as a child. We had beautiful fruit trees and my favorite was a cherry tree where I would climb up into the center and sing for hours. I loved picking cherries for pies. I also enjoyed shooing the birds away. It was my hiding tree. The big willows in the back were my climbing trees and I would climb to the top to see downtown Columbus in the distance. And then there were buckeye trees to climb. I gathered twigs of buckeyes and dipped them in melted gold or silver crayons to create decorations..

I particularly love the suggestions and questions the author poses at the end of the book like Listening in Trees, How to Be More Like a Tree, Rest, Spread Your Roots and many more. Make sure you check out the author’s note at the end where she shares her own journey with trees.

Resources: There are so many suggestions for readers about how to use this book. I’ve already shared some. Most important, take a walk around your own backyard and identify the trees. Is there a tree that you would like to plant? Enjoy being outdoors enjoying nature.

Emma Carlisle is an artist who teaches illustration at the University of Plymouth. Her first book, Lion Practice, was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal. She lives in Plymouth, England.

*Review copy provided by Templar/Candlewick in exchange for a review.

Water: How We Can Protect Our Freshwater by Catherine Barr – Perfect Picture Book Friday

Water: How We Can Protect Our Freshwater

Catherine Barr, Author

Christiiane Engel, Illustrator

Candlewick Press, Nonfiction, Mar. 21, 2023

Suitable for ages: 5-9

Pages: 32

Themes: Water, Conservation, Protection, Activism, Earth Day

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Water is life. Freshwater bubbles, flows with the most wonderful life on earth, and all of us rely on it to stay alive. It fuels all life on earth. But worldwide pollution and climate change make it increasingly difficult for people and animals to find the clean water they need to survive. It is time to act!

A focused call for action, this lively book narrates the history of our watery earth, succinctly explains the water cycle and the different types of freshwater, and introduces the vast array of living beings that depend on clean water for survival—as well as the devastating impact of water shortages on the lives of children around the world. Packed with facts and specific tips, bright and expansive illustrations, and end matter for further reading, this hopeful challenge inspires young readers to take action, use water wisely, and work together to defend a precious shared resource.

Why I like this book:

This is a beautiful resource book for classroom. It is perfect for upcoming Earth Day, April 22., the 53rd anniversary of this specially observed day. This years theme is “Invest in our Planet,” and I can’t think of anything more important than protecting our freshwater resources. World Water Day was March 22.

Each double-page spread is considered a chapter .Each spread begins with a discussion and ends with a section called “Face the facts.” Catherine Barr leads readers through a discussion about the first water on Earth,, how rare water is, water cycles, and the colors of water. Water is life and it carries power and it’s important to share. However, it is under threat because of pollution. Our water is precious and is it important to use it wisely. I especially like a section on “Girl Power” showing the importance of wells in rural villages around the world freeing girls to attend school. Barr shows readers the many ways they can begin to take action at home, school and in their community.

Christiane Engel’s illustrations are stunning and are a perfect match for the material. Her artwork is lively and busy — so much for children to study. And it energizes readers want to get involved. Make sure you check out the endpapers!

Resources:The entire book is a resource for home and school. Encourage kids to brainstorm together about what they can do at home and school: catch rainwater for watering gardens and only running the dishwasher when it is full. Make a big list and pledge to do some of the things on the list. Journal and write about your observations. Most important, get involved in a climate action group.

Catherine Barr campaigned to protest endangered species with Greenpeace for many years before becoming a children’s book author. She lives with her family in England, where whe writes a wide variety of informative books to spark curiiosity and inspire action to protect the natureal world.

*Review copy provided by Candlewick in exchange for a review.

Pick a Perfect Egg by Patricia Toht – Perfect Picture Book Friday

Pick a Perfect Egg

Patricia Toht, Author

Jarvis, Illustrator

Candlewick Press, Fiction, Feb. 14, 2023

Suitable for ages: 3-5

Themes: Holiday, Eggs, Coloring, Easter Egg Hunt, Diversity

Opening: “Pick a perfect egg with care — choose a white one nestled there.”

Book Jacket Synopsis:

When spring arrives, it’s time to visit the farm to pick out some eggs, perfect for decorating. Bring your eggs home — take care not to crack them — and find a pot big enough to fit them all. While the eggs are cooling and drying, get ready for some dyeing!

Then on Easter morning, fling open your door and search for eggs of a different kind, filled with foil-wrapped chocolate, spinning tops, and jelly beans. And those perfect eggs you dyed the day before? They are no longer just eggs, of course: they’re Easter eggs!

Why I like this book:

Pick a Perfect Egg is a joyful celebration of a much loved Easter tradition. Just take a long look at the colorful and appealing pastel cover!

Patricia Toht’s beautifully rhythmic text will be an entertaining read for children. Jarvis’s colorful and lively illustrations will capture children’s imaginations as they prepare for the upcoming holiday. There are pages of wide-eyed children full of wonder and excitement as they anticpate coloring their own eggs and attending the egg hunt that follows.

Toht’s story will also touch the hearts of parents and stir their favorite memories of coloring eggs and going to egg hunts. I loved coloring eggs as a kid and attending the big Easter egg hunt in my community. When our daughter was young, we had a large yard with a lot of fun hiding places. So I held the annual egg hunts for the neighborhood children. The kids looked forward to it every year — and so did the squirrels that figured out how to open the plastic eggs. (Hint: Guard the eggs outside before the hunt.)

This will become a popular seasonal holiday book for families. Make sure you check out the front end papers filled with rabbits and the back end papers filled with brightly colored eggs waiting to be discovered.

Resources: The book will give parents and children lots of egg coloring ideas. And make sure you take your kids to an egg hunt or create your own hunt at home.

Patricia Toht is the author of Pick a Pine Tree and Pick a Pumpkin, both illustrated by Jarvis.. She once owned a children’s bookshop called Never Never Land befor turning her love of books into a love of writing. She lives in California.

*Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for a review.

The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo – Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Magician’s Elephant

Kate DiCamillo, Author

Yoko Tanaka, Illustrator

Candlewick, Fiction, 2009

Suitable for ages: 8-12

Themes: Fable, Orphan, Elephant, Magician, Fantasy

Kate DiCamillo’s The Magician’s Elephant has been made into a movie. It aired on Netlfix on March 17. Since I am a fan of the author’s work, I couldn’t resist reviewing an advanced reading copy from Candlewick and sharing the new cover for her 2009 fable — especially since I hadn’t read this special story.

When oprhan Peter Augustus Duchene goes to the market to buy a fish and some bread, he sees a fortune teller’s tent set up in the middle of Baltese. Peter has one pressing question he wants to ask the fortuneteller — is his sister still alive and how can he find her? The fortune teller answers in a mysterious way. “You must follow the elephant,” said the fortune teller. “And she will lead you there.” What elephant? There are no elephants in Baltese. Her response sets off a chain of events so remarkable that you will hardly dare to believe it’s true.

The Magician’s Elephant is a charming story of hope, love, unwavering persistence and belonging. Peter is such a lovable character. The storytelling is beautiful and lyrical. Readers will float through the pages with her vivid imagery that is often times both gloomy and silly. Readers will love the well-developed and distinctive characters, each with a story to tell — and all of their stories come together at the end. Yoko Tanaka’s illustrations truly set the mood for the story, eliciting emotions at the perfect moments.

I recommend you read the book first, because you will enjoy seeing how screenplay writers adapt an author’s story into a movie. If the book is truly loved, it is a risk for the writers. That being said, I believe the movie is enchanting and less somber than the book. The plot remains in tact, but the tale has been significantly augmented for the movie. There is a lot more silly action to the story, and the film is bright and magical, giving it a more hopeful feel. Readers will have fun comparing the original book to the movie. There are so many ways to use this book in the classroom. Kate DiCamillo has a “Questions to Consider” at the end of the book — perfect for lively discussions. Visit her at https://www.katedicamillostoriesconnectus.com/

Kate DiCamillo’s writing journey has been a truly remarkable one. She grew up in Florida and moved to Minnesota in her twenties, when homesickness and a bitter winter led her to write Because of Winn-Dixie — her first published novel, which became a runaway bestseller and snapped up a Newbery Honor. The Tiger Rising, her second novel, was also set in Florida and went on to become a National Book Award finalist. She is the best-selling author of The Beatryce Prophecy,” Flora & Ulyssis, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, The Tale of Despereaux,the Raymie Nightingale series, and the Mercy Watson and Tales from Deckwoo Drive series, while continuing to enjoy great success, winning two Newbery Medals and being named National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. She now has over 40 million books in print worldwide.

Greg Pattridge hosts Marvelous Middle Grade Monday posts on his wonderful Always in the Middle website. Check out the link to see all of the wonderful reviews by KidLit bloggers and authors.

*Review copy provided by the Candlewick Entertainment in exchange for a review.

A Door Made for Me by Tyler Merritt – Perfect Picture Book Friday

A Door Made for Me

Tyler Merritt, Author

Lonnie Ollivierre, Illustrator

WorthyKids, Fiction, Sep. 13, 2022

Suitable for ages: 5-8

Themes: African-Americans, Racism, Racial injustice, Intergenerational relationships, Self-esteem, Hope

Opening:“I watched our house with its bright blue door get smaller and smaller as we drove away. I didn’t want to spend the summer at my grandparents’ house. I didn’t know anyone there. What would I do? Who would I play with?“

Book Jacket Synopsis

The door shut tight…followed by the loudest lock I had ever heard.

In this poignant story based on a childhood experience, Tyler Merritt uses the metaphor of doors to explore the pain that come from blind prejudice.

When a doors slams shut and he is left standing alone on a front porch, young Tyler becomes deeply aware for the first time that some people will judge him based only on the color of his skin. Struggling with this new understanding, has asks his grandfather: “How can someone hate me when they don’t know me?”

His grandfather’s response not only affirms the young boy’s worth, but also encourages him to think about others around him who many need an ally.

This powerful story — told with heart, hope, and empathy — can serve as a starting point for conversations about race and equality for all families.

Why I like this book:

Tyler Merritt’s frist encounter with racism as a boy will capture the hearts of all readers. His prose is exquisite. I love his candor and how he uses a door as an important metaphor in his story — in both negative and positive ways. Readers will experience Tyler’s confusion, the betrayal of a friend and feel his pain. Lonnie Ollivierre’s warm and beautiful illustrations are lively, expressive and emotive, as he captures this powerful story.

His story is so beautiful and yet heartbreaking in other ways. Tyler visits his grandparents for the summer and makes friends with a boy, Jack. They spend every moment they can outside catching worms at night and fishing during the day. Joy abounds when the boys catch three buckets full of fish one day. They are proud and Jack wants to stop and show his friends. But three doors are slammed in their faces. Reality hits Tyler.

I enjoyed the loving relationship between Tyler and his grandfather, who answers all of Tyler’s questions and helps him work through his feelings. Grandparents are so important to children as they posess wisdom and are uplifting.

Tyler Merritt, please keep telling your stories as children of all ages will benefit from your honesty and hope. This is a perfect family and classroom discussion book. And from some of the reviews I read, teachers are having some very important discussions with their students. There is also a video of Tyler Merritt that can be used.

Resources: Make sure you check out “Note from the Author.” Merritt lists some good questions for all kids to consider and they can be conversation starting points. For instance, “If you were Jack, how would you have responded in that situation.” And “How would you support your friend.” Readers will also learn what happened to Merritt’s relationship with Jack.

Tyler Merritt is an actor, musician, comedian, and activist behind The Tyler Merritt Project. Raised in Las Vegas, he has always had a passion for bringing laughter, grace, and love into any community that he is a part of. For over twenty years, he has spoken to audiences ranging from elementary and Sunday school students to nursing home seniors. His television credits include ABC’s Kevin Probably Saves The World, Netflix’s Messiah and Outer Banks, Disney/Marvel’s Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Apple TV’s upcoming series Swagger. Tyler’s viral videos “Before You Call the Cops” and “Walking While Black” have been viewed by 60 million people worldwide with “Before You Call the Cops” being voted the most powerful video of 2020 by NowThis Politics. He is a cancer survivor and lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

*Reviewed from a library copy.

Legends of Lotus Island by Christina Soontornvat

Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test

Christina Soontornvat, Author

Kevin Hong, Illustrator

Scholastic Press, Fiction, Mar. 7. 2023

Suitable for ages: 8-12

Themes: Adventure, Fantasy, Myths, Legends, Nature, Magical Creatures

Book Jacket Synopsis:

On an island like no other, an incredible adventure begins.

Young Plum is shocked to discover that she’s been accepted to the Guardian Academy on Lotus Island, an elite school where kids learn how to transform into Guardians, magical creatures who are sworn to protect the natural world. The Guardian masters teach Plum and her friends how to communicate with animals and how to use meditation to strengthen their minds and bodies. All the kids also learn to fight, so they can protect the defenseless if needed.

To her dismay, Plum struggles at school. While her classmates begin to transform into amazing creatures, Plum can’t even seem to magic up a single feather! If she can’t embrace her inner animal form soon, she’ll have to leave school ― and lose the first group of real friends she’s ever known.

Why I like this book:

Christina Soontornvat has written a captivating new middle grade fantasy series for readers who love animals, nature and want to protect our planet. It is packed with kid-appeal.

The story is set in the Santipap Islands. (Check out the map in the front of the book) Plum, has lived her entire life with her grandparents on Little Island, where she helps with the gardening. She loves the feel of digging her hands into the moist soil. She scoops up the plump worms and asks them the best place to plant her favorite vegetables and chai-melons. Even her goat understands her. She has a way with plants and animals. When she receives news that she’s been selected to train at the Guardian Academy, she reluctantly goes. At first, she feels like a farm girl compared to some the other students. She endures their teasing. But as her training progresses, she realizes that she has gifts and talents that come naturally, as do some very unlikely friendships.

The plot is enchanting, full of wonder and mystery. And there is tension as Plum and her new friends train hard to embrace their own special inner powers and connect with their Guardian forms. This is their first test and they must transform into a magical creature, or return home.

This series is perfect for readers who are just moving from chapter books into middle grade books, which can be quite daunting when they are 300+ pages. Legends os Lotus Island is 160 pages, and peppered with lovely pen and ink illustrations by Kevin Hong, which help readers visualize the action. Soontornvat manages to write shorter chapters, without compromising the depth of her well-developed and fast-moving story.

Prediction: This new series will be a winner among readers. And they will be teased with the inclusion of an excerpt from Legends of Lotus Island: Into the Shadow Mist, which will be released July 18.

Christina Soontornvat is the bestselling author of two Newbery Honor books, A Wish in the Dark, and All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team. She is also the author of The Last Mapmaker, and Scholastic’s beloved fantasy series Diary of an Ice Princess, as well as the picture books, The Ramble Shamble Children, and To Change a Planet. As a child, Christina spent most of her time at her parents’ Thai restaurant with her nose stuck in a book. These days, she loves nothing better than spending a day hiking and swimming in the creeks and swimming holes around Austin, Texas, with her husband and two daughters. You can learn more about her work at her website.

Greg Pattridge hosts Marvelous Middle Grade Monday posts on his wonderful Always in the Middle website. Check out the link to see all of the wonderful reviews by KidLit bloggers and authors.

*Reviewed from a purchased copy.

Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd – Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Hummingbird

Natalie Lloyd, Author

Scholastic, Fiction, Aug. 2, 2022

A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book

Suitable for ages: 8-12

Themes: Osteogenesis imperfecta, Differently abled, Birding, Magic, Friendship

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Twelve-year-old homeschooled Olive is tired of being seen as “fragile” just because she has osteogenesis imperfecta (otherwise known as brittle bone disease), so she’s thrilled when she finally convinces her over protective parents to let her attend Macklemore Middle School, a traditional school …until a disastrous first day dashers her hopes of ever fitting in or making the friends she’s always longed for.

Then Olive hears whispers about a magical, wish-granting hummingbird that supposedly lives near her town, Wildwood, Tennessee. It will be the solution to all her problems! If she can find the bird, the creature will make her most desperate, secret wish come true.

When it becomes clear that she can’t solve the mystery on her own, Olive teams up with some unlikely allies who help her learn the truth about the bird and solve its many riddles. And on the way, she just might learn that our fragile places lead us to the most wonderful magic of all.

From the bestselling author of A Snicker of Magic comes a heartfelt story about a girl who — armed with her trusty, snazzy wheelchair — refuses to let her brittle bone disease stand in the way of adventure.

What I love about Hummingbird:

Simply breathtaking! Natalie Lloyd’s Hummingbird is her most important novel to date. Her enchanting storytelling and poetic literary style sets her a part from from other authors. Olive’s first-person narration is infused with her deepest thoughts and feelings, which are exquisitely written in free verse throughout the story. Hummingbird will touch your heart and soul.

I wish for

bones of steel.

Bones that don’t break

when they dance,

or fall

or slide in the snow.

Maybe it’s selfish,

to hope for that.

Hummingbird is a labor of love for Lloyd, as she draws upon her own experience with osteogenesis imperfecta to create her main character, Olive. In doing so, Lloyd shows her own source of courage as she pours her heart into brave, adventurous and kind-hearted Olive, who wants to attend school to prove that there is more to her than being “fragile.” She also wants to make best friends, perform in a play and attend a sleepover.

I loved Olive’s eccentric extended family who are goodhearted and unforgettable. Olive’s parents are divorced. She has a very close relationship with her overprotective mother, who has remarried the middle school coach. He has a son, Hatch, who’s Olive’s age. They live in a cottage in Piney Woods on the outskirts of Wildwood. Her father, Jupiter, lives forty-five feet from the back door in a yurt. He loves yoga and does his own thing. Grandpa Goad, the family birder, and Uncle Dash live in a little house next door. And there is Felix, a pelican who lives outside Olive’s window, who snacks on frozen fish sticks. Olive’s family dance, sing and cook together. But most important, they love and support Olive as she begins to spread her wings. There are many other memorable characters to love, especially her new best friends Grace, Ransom and Dylan. And there is the “mountain ballerina,” Nester Tuberose.

The magical realism is well-developed and enhances the plot, which is filled with wonder, mystery and hope. When magical feathers begin to fall on the town for the first time in years and a blue moon is due to rise on May Day, it is a signal of the return of the magical hummingbird. According to the legend, the hummingbird will grant a wish that is pure and brave and leave a gold speck on the person’s nose. Olive knows her wish and is determined to find the bird. So does the entire town and her stepbrother, Hatch. The ending is absolutely magnificent. Olive comes to some very important insights about herself.

Natalie Lloyd writes this story with a wealth of personal knowledge on the subject. Make sure you read her Author’s Note at the end as it is so inspiring for readers with brittle bones or any chronic condition. This is my favorite Lloyd book and I highly recommend it to readers.

Natalie Lloyd is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels including A Snicker of Magic, The Key to Extraordinary Over the Moon, and The Problim Children series. Lloyd lives in Tennessee with her husband, Justin and their dogs. Visit Lloyd at her website.

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*Reviewed from a purchased copy.