The Sound of Silence by Katrina Goldsaito – Multicultural Children’s Book Day #ReadYourWorld

Today is Multicultural Children’s Book Day – Jan. 26, 2021

Official hashtag: #ReadYourWorld

Learn more about this special day at the end of my review.

The Sound of Silence

Katrina Goldsaito, Author

Julia Kuo, Illustrator

Little, Brown, Fiction, 2016

Suitable for ages: 4-8

Themes: Sounds, Listening, Silence, City, Tokyo, Multicultural

Opening: “Little Yoshio wiggled with anticipation. Three…Two…One! He threw open the front door.”

Puslibsher’s Synopsis

“Do you have a favorite sound?” little Yoshio asks. The koto musician answers, “The most beautiful sound is the sound of ma, of silence.”

But Yoshio lives in Tokyo, Japan: a griant, noisy, busy city. He hears shoes squishing through puddles, trains whooshing, cars beeping, and families laughing. A koto plays notes that are twangy and twinkinling; they tickled Yoshio’s ears! Tokyo is like a symphony hall!

Where is silence?

Join Yoshio on his journey through the hustle and bustle of the city to find the most beautiful sound of all.

Why I like The Sound of Silence:

Katrina Goldsaito’s The Sound of Silence will transport readers to another place, where one needs sound in order to appreciate silence. The text is inspirational and very lyrical for both children and adults. The illustrations are rich and lively. This is a beautiful book for the family library.

I love the concept silence presented as “ma” by the koto player, with no further explanation. It can be heard in many different ways. When I attend the philharmonic, I love the moment of total silence that I hear as the last note is played just before the audience breaks into applause. For me that is a “ma” moment.

For Yoshio, he embarks upon a journey to listen more closely for sound. There is too much noise in his school classroom. When recess arrives, he visits a bamboo grove at the edge of the playground, but the wind is blowing and creates a beautiful sound, but it isn’t the silence he’s seeking. Silence seems so illusive, even at night when his family is asleep. There are noises. His journey contineus and he finds it in an unlikely place. No spoilers.

Resources: Make sure you read the author’s afterwaord about the Japanese concept of ma. There are some exercises that Goldsaito’s father taught her as a child to listen to individual sounds around her, that would be fun to use with children. And like Yoshio, children can also discuss list their favorite sounds and sounds that may feel disruptive, like a horn blasting. There are many ways to use this beautiful book.

Katrina Goldsaito’s favorite sound is the sound of bare feet on tatami mats. In Tokyo, she worked as an on-camera TV journalist and producer for NHK-World, and has written for National Geographic, The Christian Sicence Monitor, NPA, and The Japan Times. She lives near Golden Gate Pak with her husband and son, and spends her days eating avocados and working on her first YA novel. You can visit her at katrinagoldsaito.com.

*Reviewed gifted by the author in exchange for a review.

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2023 (1/26/22) is in its 10th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.

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Singing with Elephants by Margarita Engle

Check out Multicultural Children’s Book Day – Jan. 26, 2021

Official hashtag: #ReadYourWorld

Singing with Elephants

Margarita Engle, Author

Viking Books for Young Readers, Historical Fiction, May 31, 2022

Pages: 224

Suitable for ages: 8-12

Themes: Animals, Elephants, Nature preserve, Rescue, Gabriela Mistral, Poet, Intergenerational relationships, Cuban, Belonging, Friendship, Novel in verse, Multicultural

Publisher’s Synopsis:

A powerful novel in verse from Newbery and Pura Belpré Award-winning author Margarita Engle about the friendship between a young girl and the poet Gabriela Mistral that leads to healing and hope for both of them.

Cuban-born eleven-year-old Oriol lives in Santa Barbara, California, where she struggles to belong. But most of the time that’s okay, because she enjoys helping her parents care for the many injured animals at their veterinary clinic.

Then Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American winner of a Nobel Prize in Literature moves to town, and aspiring writer Oriol finds herself opening up. And when she discovers that someone is threatening the life of a baby elephant at her parents’ clinic, Oriol is determined to take action. As she begins to create a world of words for herself, Oriol learns it will take courage and strength to do what she thinks is right—even if it means keeping secrets from those she loves.

A beautifully written, lyrically told story about the power of friendship—between generations, between humans and animals—and the potential of poetry to inspire action, justice, and acceptance.

Why I like Singing with Elephants:

Margarita Engle’s compelling free-verse novel is about learning a new culture, loneliness, a love of animals and the power of friendships. Her narrative is spare in details, yet she paints big pictures with her words and evokes rich visual images. It is truly a novel written straight from the author’s heart.

Oriol is a memorable, likable, determined and courageous character with a strong voice. She lives in Santa Barbara with her parents, who are veteranarians, and an older sister. Oriol misses Cuba and her beloved Abuelita, who recently passes. English is hard to write, speak and understand. Therefore, she stands out and is bullied at school, when her greatest wish is to belong and be accepted among her peers. Oriol turns to her poetry and the animals who seem to understand her. Especially Chandra, a pregnant elephant that lives at a wildlife-zoo and is under the care of her parents. However there is a mystery Oriol must solve. A bond forms between Oriol and Chandra and they dance together in their own way. An Oriol poem:

OUT LOUD

Hand in trunk with the elephant / I recite poems, and together / we sway as if dancing, / not mourning.

Elephants seem to understand / the part of poetry that has no words / just music that echoes / like wind chimes/ or bells.

I love intergenerational relationships. This story hit a sweet spot for me when Oriol meets an older woman from Chile who begins teaching her how poetry can help her express and understand her emotions. Oriol finds her gentle guidance salve for her soul. She soon finds herslef writing her words in English, in Spanish, and sometimes in both languages at one time. Oriol is not immediately aware she is being tutored by Gabriela Mistral,who is a poet, writer, educator, peace diplomat, and. the only Latin American winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Engle’s fascinating Cuban-based novel is inspired by the late Gabriela Mistral, who is the only real character in the book, She did live in Santa Barbera around 1947. Make sure you check out the Author’s Note at the end and and exerpt from Gabriela’s Poetry for Children that inspires singing and dancing. This novel would also be a wonderful read for reluctant readers.

Margarita Engle is the Cuban American author of many books, including the verse novels Your Heart, My Sky; Rima’s Rebellion: Newbery Honor winner The Surrender Trees; and Forst World. Her verse memoirs includ Soaring Earth and Enchanted Air, the latter of which received the Pura Belpré Award and a Walter Dean Myers Honor, and was a finalist from YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction, among other honors. Her picture books include Drum Dream Girl, Hancing Hands, and The Flying Girls. Visit her at MargaritaEngle.com.

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 wonterful reviews by KitLit bloggers and authors.

*Reviewed from a library copy.

Mommy’s Hometown by Hope Lim

Mommy’s Hometown

Hope Lim, Author

Jaime Kim, Illustrator

Candlewick Press, Fiction, Apr. 12, 2022

Suitable for ages: 3-7

Themes: Parent and child, Family relationship, Memories, Hometown, Change, Multicultural

Opening: “At night, Mommy would tell me about where she grew up.”

Publisher’s Synopsis:

This gentle, contemplative picture book about family origins invites us to ponder the meaning of home. A young boy loves listening to his mother describe the magical place where she grew up. The stories are filled with friends who splash in the river surrounded ny tall mountains. Mommy’s stories have let the boy visit her homeland in his thoughts and dreams, and now he’s old enough to travel with her to see and experience it .

However, when mother and son arrive, the town is not at all like he has imagined. There are tall skyscrapers in front of the mountains and people everywhere. The boy feels like an outsider—until they visit the river where his mother used to play, When they dip their toes into the river, the little boy feels the same joy his mother did when she used to play there. Even though Mommy’s hometown has changed, the spirit has stayed the same and the happiness from memories new and old remain.

Sensitively pitched to a child’s-eye view, this vivid story honors the immigrant experience and the timeless bond between parent and child, past and present.

Why I like Mommy’s Hometown:

Hope Lin has written a endearing story about the bond between a boy and his mother, and their first visit to her South Korean hometown. His mother has shared so many fond memories that he has difficulty reconciling all the changes around him. It’s not what he imagined. Lin’s text is lyrical and gentle and is beautifully captured in Jamie Kim’s warm and inviting illustrations. Cozy and inviting cover.

What a perfect book to talk about the past and present and the effects of change. The boy’s mother’s lived in a village that now is a huge bustling city with a lot of concrete, steel and people. Where are the mountains and rivers? Where are the houses and the red sky at dusk? There are so many ways to use this book in a classroom.

Resources: Children love to hear their parents share their experiences of growing up,. Take your child to visit your old home or neighborhood. Show them the schools you attended, your favorite ice cream store, climbing tree and park. Show them your favorite quiet spots. Talk about how it used to be and compare it to how it is now. Talk about how everything changes and ask children about the things that have changed in their lives. For example, kids will remember their first three-wheeler and their graduation to a bigger bike they ride now. Change can be good. Help them make a list of all the changes they have seen in their lives.

Hope Lim is a children’s book author with a BA in English literature as well as an MA in conference interpretation. She is the author of I Am a Bird. Mommy’s Hometown was inspired by the changes she noticed to her own home town while visiting with her son and husband. Born and raised in South Korea, Hope Lim now lives with her family in San Francisco.

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.

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

My Bindi by Gita Varadarajan

My Bindi

Gita Varadarajan, Author

Archana Sreenivasan, Illustrator

Scholastic Books, Fiction, Aug. 16, 2022

Suitable for ages: 4-8

Themes: Culture, India, Belonging, Believing in yourself, Embracing your heritage, Multicultural

Opening: “My mother, my amma, places a big red dot on her forehead. She wears a bindi every day…even when she sleeps.”

Publisher’s Synopsis:

In this universal story about embracing who we are and where we come from, a young girl finds the magic, power, and history of wearing a bindi for the first time, in this moving and lyrical picture book debut from Gita Varadarajan.

There in the mirror, I see a shining star.

My mother’s joy, my father’s pride.

And then I see something else:

I see me.

The day has come for Divya to choose her bindi. But as she prepares for school, she begins to have doubts. What if she gets made fun of? What will it feel like? Will she be brave enough to face her classmates and their questions? But Amma assures her that her bindi will bring protection. After Divya looks inside Amma’s special box to find the perfect bindi to put on, she gazes in the mirror and discovers a new side of herself, and it gives her strength.

In this tender debut picture book, author Gita Varadarajan crafts a powerful story about belonging, embracing your heritage, and believing in yourself. Archana Sreenivasan’s vibrant and magical illustrations bring to life this journey of self-discovery. My Bindi is a universal message of the importance finding oneself and celebrating the unique beliefs and experiences that make us who we are.

What’s to like about My Bindi:

What a special story about courage, believing in yourself and trusting your friends to support you.

As Divya peers into her Amma’s beautiful bindi box, she sees “a galaxy of bindis — like a million stars in the sky.” There are so many dazzling bindis to choose from — raindrops, stars, moons — but she picks a blazing sun. When she sees the bindi glimmering between her brows, her feelings get all mixed up.

Her classmates’ response is delightful. Of course they are very curious, ask lots of questions and think it’s cool. I enjoyed how her teacher invites Divya to tell the class what she’s wearing and why. It is so important to share different customs.

Readers will learn about the Hindu cultural heritage and the meaning behind the wearing the bindi, a spiritual tradition handed down from mother to daughter. Make sure you check out the author’s note at the end of the book about wearing bindi.

Such beautiful, lively and expressive artwork by Archana Sreenivasan’s. The colorful illustrations just jump off the pages and children will adore pouring through the pages.

Resources: This book is a wonderful read aloud in any classroom and perfect for every school library. It opens the door for kids to share cultural traditions of their own in a welcoming setting. Have are sharing day, or have students write about a family tradition.

Gita Varadarajan was born and raised in India. She has worked with children all over the world and currently teachers at Riverside Elementary School in Princeton, New Jersey. My Bind is her new picture book debut, and she is also co-author of the middle-grade bestseller Save Me a Seat.

*Reviewed from a library copy.

Hope Is an Arrow by Cory McCarthy

Hope Is An Arrow: The Story of Lebanese American Poet Kahlil Gibran

Cory McCarthy, Author

Ekua Holmes, Illustrator

Candlewick Press, Biography, July 5, 2022

Suitable for ages: 6-9

Pages: 40

Themes: Kahlil Gibran, Biography, Artist, Poet, Biography, Conflict, Hope, Multicultural

Opening: “There once was a boy shot from a bow like an arrow. Strong and straight, he flew across the world, connecting many people with the power of his words. But not right away.”

Book Jacket Synopsis:

Before Kahlil Gibran became the world’s third-best-selling poet of all time, he was Gibran Khalil Gibran, an immigrant child from Lebanon with a secret hope to bring people together despite their many differences.

Kahlil’s life highlights the turn of the twentieth century, from the religious conflicts that tore apart his homeland and sent a hundred thousand Arab people to America, to settling in Boston, where the wealthy clashed headlong with the poor.

Throughout it all, Kahlil held on to his secret hope, even as his identity grew roots on both sides of the Atlantic. How could he be both Kahlil Gibran, Arab American, and Gibran Khalil Gibran, the Lebanese boy who longed for the mountains of his homeland?

Kahlil found the answer in art and poetry. He wrote The Prophet, an arrow of hope as strong as the great cedars of Lebanon and feathered by the spirit of American independence. More than a hundred years later, his words still fly around the world in many languages, bringing people together.

Why I like Hope Is an Arrow:

Cory McCarthy’s lyrical text, mingles with beautiful quotes from Gibran’s poetry, to create this inspiring biography of Kahlil Gibran for children. Ekua Holmes stunning collages and acrylic illustrations are rich in detail and capture Gibran’s remarkable journey from childhood to adulthood.

Children will see how adversity and loss inspired Gibran’s dreams of a better world. He was troubled by the deep religious divisions among the people in Lebanon. His father was imprisoned and his family lost their home, They immigrated to America, where he continued to see division between the wealthy and the poor in Boston’s South End. The young Gibran held a secret hope of peace within him, but he couldn’t find the words in English or Arabic to write them down. So he began to draw. Teachers and artists encouraged him. Later in life he began to write poetry to help people celebrate their many differences.

Gibran’s secret hope is a still timely book called The Prophet. It is published in 40 different languages and resides in libraries around the world where young and old alike revel in his hope.

Make sure you check out the four pages of of additional stories about Gibran’s life and work at the end of the book. Each entry is related to the inspiration behind the beautiful quotes shared throughout the story, including :

“Let there be spaces in your togetherness,

And let the winds of the heavens dance

between you.

Love one another, but make not a

bond of love:

Let it rather be a moving sea between

the shores of your souls.”

Resources: Ask children if they have a special hope or dream to help a family member, friend, or community, Encourage them to draw or write about their hopes/dreams. There are no right or wrong answers so let them be creative. For starters: planting more trees in their city, helping a disabled friend, and rescuing animals,

Cory McCarthy is an acclaimed, best-selling author of books for young readers. They studied poetry and screenwriting before earning and MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, where they now serve on the faculty. Like Kahlil Gibran, their family emigrated from Lebanon and settled in New England. Learn more about their books at this website.

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

She Persisted: Maria Tallchief

Indigenous People’s Day (Presidential Proclamation) Oct. 10, 2022

She Persisted: Maria Tallchief

Christine Day, Author

Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint, Illustrators

Philomel Books, Biography, Nov. 16, 2021

Suitable for ages: 6-9

Themes: Maria Tallchief, Native American, Ballerina, Biography, Making a difference

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who stood up, spoke up and rose up against the odds–including Maria Tallchief!

In this chapter book biography by award-winning author Christine Day, readers learn about the amazing life of Maria Tallchief–and how she persisted.

Maria Tallchief loved to dance, but was told that she might need to change her Osage name to one that sounded more Russian to make it as a professional ballerina. She refused, and worked hard at dancing her best, becoming America’s first prima ballerina. Many famous American ballets were created for Maria!

Why I like She Persisted: Maria Tallchief:

Today is Indigenous People’s Day and I will celebrate by sharing the remarkable life of Maria Tallchief, written by Christine Day (Upper Skagit), an Indigenous author. What a perfect pairing! Maria was the daughter of a full-blooded Osage Indian father and a mother of Scotch-Irish descent. She was born in Oklahoma in 1925 and grew up on the Osage Indian reservation, where girls weren’t permitted to dance. Because of her own indigenous heritage, Day is able to give readers insight into many tribal customs.

As a child the sound of the beating drums filled Maria’s spirit and she moved to their rhythms. Her parents recognized her talent and didn’t stop her. And dance she did, overcoming many challenges along her way. Even though, she refused to change her name, she became America’s first prima ballerina. Little girls will be delighted to know she danced the Nutcracker and the Firebird, as well as many other important ballets.

Day is particularly adept at showing how difficult it was for a Native American to achieve such success. Her story-like text moves along at a quick pace, relating important information that readers will find appealing. There are six chapters in the book. It is well-targeted for its intended audience. Make sure you check out the introduction from Chelsea Clinton. Gillian Flint’s expressive and simple pen and ink drawings compliment the story for readers and give them a peek into Maria’s early life.

At the end, Day includes a section for readers about “How You Can Persist” and follow in the footsteps of Maria Tallchief. Also check out the She Persisted Club page where readers can join and view a video with Christine Day. There is also a downloadable guide.

The She Persisted books are among my favorites to share, because they introduce emerging readers (6 to 9) to stories about girls who have big dreams and pursue them with passionate determination, no matter the challenges before them. In Tallchief’s case, her passion and dedication to her art carried her to the top and she ended up inspiring audiences — especially little girls — around the world. She was also a teacher and mentor to many.

There are 20 books about American women that have been released monthly from 2021 to 2022. They include Harriet Tubman, Claudette Colvin, Sally Ride, Virginia Apgar, Nelly Bly, Sonia Sotomayor, Florence Griffith Joiner, Ruby Bridges, Clara Lemlich, Margaret Chase Smith, Maria Tall Chief, Helen Keller, Oprah Winfrey and Coretta Scott King, Temple Grandin, Mala Yousafzai. Marian Anderson, and Maya Lin, Rosalind Franklin and Wangari Maathai will be released in coming months. They may be purchased individually in paperback, or in a chapter book collection. And, they can be found in libraries. This entire series belongs in every school library.

Christine Day (Upper Skagit) grew up in Seattle, nestled between the sea, the mountains, and the pages of her favorite books. Her debut novel, I Can Make This Promise, was a best book of the year from Kirkus, School Library Journal, NPR, and the Chicago Public Library, as well as a Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book, and an American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book. Her second novel, The Sea in Winter, was published in 2021. She also wrote the forthcoming She Persisted: Maria Tallchief, an early reader biography in a new series inspired by Chelsea Clinton’s bestselling picture book. Christine lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband. Visit Christine had 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 library copy.

Alone Like Me by Rebecca Evans

Alone Like Me

Rebecca Evans, Author and Illustrator

Annie Schwartz Books, May 3, 2022

Suitable for ages: 4-8

Themes: Rural immigrants, China, Moving, Educational system, Friendship, Multicultural

Opening: “I used to go to school in the mountains of China, where I was born, but since we moved, my desk there is empty. My parents can’t afford to pay for school here in the crowded city.”

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Liling and her family have moved from their rural farm in China to an overwhelming urban city. Because of Chinese law, Liling can’t go to school and spends her days with Mama or Baba at work. At the playground, the other children throw sand at her and tease her old red coat and dirty shoes. She is considered a second class citizen.

But after she shares a smile with a girl in a bright yellow jacket who lives in an apartment beneath hers, Liling has a big idea! She draws a picture and lowers it down to the girl–Qiqi–who returns it with a drawing of her own. When the new friends meet face to face, Liling takes Qiqi’s hand, and they walk bravely into the park–together.

With luscious watercolor illustrations and lovely poetic text, this achingly beautiful story is about our universal desire for connection, and the comfort we feel when we find a true friend.

Why I like Alone Like Me:

Alone Like Me is a beautiful and heartfelt story about the power of friendship. Liling moves from her home in the mountains to a bustling Chinese city. Because she is a rural immigrant, Liling and her family are considered second class citizens. She can’t go to school, she’s lonely and desperately wants a friend. And she spots that friend in a yellow coat at the market one day.

This story is unique. I can honestly say that I have never read a picture book like this one. It immediately draws reader’s into the story. I didn’t know about the hūkðu record that identifies a person as a rural or urban dweller and the limitations imposed on school attendance, jobs, food purchases and housing.

The stunning artwork really shows the story. The muted blue/gray watercolor illustrations emphasize the sadness Liling feels. The only color is Liling’s bright red coat and her friend Qiqi’s bright yellow slicker. The city, work and housing scenes give a real sense of Liling’s new life.

I love the glossary and pronunciation of Chinese words and expressions at the beginning of the story. It is a quick guide for readers to check out words and expressions throughout the story. Make sure you check out the author’s note at the end, as readers will learn about the inspiration behind the story and information about China.

Resources:

Rebecca Evans grew up near Buffalo, New York in a family full of musicians, artists, and crazy people with a love for life. She started drawing as soon as she could hold a crayon and just never stopped. She new from a very young age that she wanted to be an artist when she grew up. She has illustrated and authored more than twenty-two children’s books, teaching art at a local Art Center and publishing artwork with magazines and multiple publishing houses. She regularly speaks at elementary schools and share her love of literature and art with children. She’s also the Co-Regional Advisor for the MD/DE/WV SCBWI and has mentored with EB Lewis. She lives in Maryland and enjoys spending time with her husband four young children, while working as author/illustrator from her home studio.

*Reviewed from a library copy.

The Last Fallen Moon by Graci Kim

The Last Fallen Moon: A Gifted Clans Novel (#2)

Graci Kim, Author

Rick Riordan Presents/ Disney-Hyperion, Fiction, Jun.14, 2022

Pages: 384

Suitable for ages: 10-14

Themes: Spiritrealm, Quest, Fantasy, Korean Mythology, Magic, Korean Americans, Sisters, Family, Diversity, Multicultural

Publisher’s Synopsis:

For Riley Oh, life as the Godrealm’s last fallen star is not all it’s cracked up to be. Her new divine heritage doesn’t even come with cool magical powers; half of her friends and family (including her parents) can’t remember her; and to top it all off, the entire Gom clan is mad at her for killing the Cave Bear Goddess and stripping away their healing abilities.

But when their anger boils over and a group of witches curse Riley’s home, she knows it’s up to her to restore magic back to her clan – even if it means sneaking into the Spiritrealm.

Luckily, Riley has some backup. Along with her sister, Hattie, Riley meets Dahl, a heaven-born boy with shockingly white hair and a fondness for toilets, who might not be telling the whole truth about who he is. Together they’ll fight vicious monsters, discover dark underwater worlds, and race to save the land of the dead from a fate that no one could have foreseen.

And this time, Riley won’t let anything get in her way. Because she can’t shake the feeling that something terrible is coming their way – and the gifted community is going to need all the powers they can get.

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents the second book in Graci Kim’s New York Times best-selling Gifted Clans trilogy. “Graci Kim does such an amazing job of blending Korean mythology into the modern world, I am now wondering how I ever lived without knowing all this cool information.”―New York Times #1 best-selling author Rick Riordan.

Why I like this book:

Another compelling Korean mythological fantasy in the Gifted Clans series by Graci Kim. Her illustrious writing skills and fascinating world-building are perfect for this action-packed adventure that is magical, realistic, humorous, and dangerous.

After the death of the Cave Bear Goddess in The Last Fallen Star, Riley decides to travel to the Spiritrealm and find the patron, Saint Heo Jun, and restore the magic and healing powers to the Gom Clan. That means Riley must leave the real world behind (won’t tell you how) and journey into the afterlife, where souls pass through an interim period between life and death — seven stages of hell — before they can move into heaven. (View the realms inside the book cover.) Kim’s inclusion of the seven trials really makes this a rich reading experience as it expands the first book. It also introduces readers to this fantastical realm, new mythological creatures, danger and a lot of humor. (No more spoilers.)

What makes this story sing is Kim’s well-drawn characters that leap off the pages. Riley, an adopted protagonist, who can’t do magic or heal, makes a lot of mistakes in the first part of the story. But then her character growth takes off and she surpasses her sister by the end. Hattie is the best sister ever and takes risks of her own to be by Riley’s side in the Spiritrealm. Her presence reminds readers of the strong family relationships in the story. And there are new characters like Dahl, a delightful, witty, white-haired 13-year-old who claims to be a janitor and tour guide and helps Riley navigate the realm. There is so much more to his story (no spoilers) and he’s never incarnated. There are many more characters like the incompetent mayor and creatures who aren’t who you think they are — some loveable and and others are dark — but they will find their way into the hearts of readers in unexpected ways.

The plot is skillfully executed and readers will think they know where the story is headed, but will experience many different twists and turns. And they will be surprised and satisfied with the resounding ending,

Additional thoughts: If you enjoyed the first book, you will probably enjoy reading The Last Fallen Moon. I will admit that it took me a while to get into this story, but I am glad I hung in because it was worth the my time to really understand Korean mythology and the various rituals that still exist today in Korea. I do recommend you read the books in order, even though there is a short summary of the previous book to bring readers up to speed, I really loved The Last Fallen Star, so you don’t want to miss it! There will be a final book in the trilogy.

Gracie Kim is the national best-selling author of The Last Fallen Star, the first book in the Gifted Clans trilogy. a Korean Kiwi diplomat turned author who writes about the magic she wants to see in the world. In a previous life she used to be a cooking-show host, and once ran a business that turned children’s drawings into plushies. When she’s not lost in her imagination, you’ll find Graci drinking flat whites, eating ramyeon, and most likely hugging a dog. She lives in New Zealand with her husband and daughter. Follow her on Twitter @gracikim and Instagram @gracikimwrites.

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 library copy.

I’ll Go and Come Back by Rajani LaRocca- PPBF

I’ll Go and Come Back

Rajani La Rocca, Author

Sara Palacios, Illustrator

Candlewick Press, Fiction, Mar. 29, 2022

Suitable for ages: 3-7

Themes: Intergenerational relationships, India, Travel, Culture, Communications, Multicultural

Opening: “For the first time since I was a baby, I flew across the world to see aunties and uncles, cousin-brothers and cousin-sisters, and Sita Pati.”

Book Jacket Synopsis:

When Jyoti visits her grandmother halfway around the world, she is overwhelmed by the differences between India and home. At first she feels lonely and out of place, but soon, despite a language barrier, she and Sita Pati are able to understand each other. They form a bond as they look at books together, make designs with colored sand, shop at the market, play games, eat chapatis, and sip warm milk with saffron to bring sweet dreams. When it’s time to part, Jyoti doesn’t want to leave, but then she remembers that in Tamil, people don’t say goodbye, they say “I’ll go and come back.”

Sure enough, the two reunite the next summer when Pati visits Jyoti in America, and it’s Jyoti’s turn to make her grandmother feel welcome. Can they create some special memories that will last until the next time they see each other?

Why I like this book:

This book melts my heart on many levels. For starters, I love sweet grandchild/grandparent relationships. Despite the language barrier, readers will enjoy watching the loving bond between Jyoti and Sita Pati. Sometimes love speaks more loudly than words, as Rajani La Rocca demonstrates through her sweet and simple narrative. “I’ll go and come back,” is such a reassuring custom for all children who have grandparents living living miles away. And Sara Palacios vibrant and expressive illustrations highlight their special bond in a cheerful way.

I also am drawn to this story because our adopted Indian son speaks Tamil. The story also reminds me of my earliest conversations with him. He learned English much more rapidly than we learned Tamil words. But like Jyoti, we communicated as we introduced him to his new life and community. Sometimes words aren’t needed.

Resources: Do you have your own tradition with grandparents that live far away? Share how you stay connected. Create your own tradition.

Rajani La Rocca was born in Bangalore, India, and immigrated to the United States when she was a baby. She grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, graduated from Harvard with both a BA and and MD and has worked as a primary care physician since 2001. She is the author of several books for young readers. Rajani LaRocca lives in eastern Massachusetts with her family.

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

A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin

A Big Mooncake for Little Star

Grace Lin, Author and Illustrator

Little Brown Books for Young Readers, Fiction, Aug. 28, 2018

Caldecott Honor Book

Suitable for ages: 4-8

Themes: Moon phases, Stars, Chinese Moon Festival, Asian Holiday, Baking Mooncakes, Multicultural

Opening: Little Star’s mama laid the Big Mooncake onto the night sky to cool. “Now, Little Sar,” Mama said, “your Moon cake took us a long time to bake, so let’s see if you can make it last awhile.”

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Pat, pat, pat…

Little Star’s soft feet tiptoed to the Big Mooncake.

Little Star loves the delicious Mooncake that she bakes with her mama. But she’s not supposed to eat any yet! What happens when she can’t resist a nibble?

In this stunning picture book that shines as bright as the stars in the sky, Newbery Honor author Grace Lin creates a heartwarming original story that explains phases of the moon.

Why I like A Big Mooncake for Little Star:

Such a charming and gentle bedtime tale about a little girl who promises her mama she’ll wait until she’s given permission to eat the Mooncake she and her mama bake for the annual Chinese Moon Festival. But the temptation to take just a nibble is too great and Little Star sneaks a tiny nibble of the sweet treat. Readers will identify with Little Star and enjoy the anticipation of her journey. What will she do next?

I love that the story is a based on folklore and Chinese cultural tradition. But it also focuses on the phases of the moon in a delightful way that will illicit many chuckles from children. The ending is heartwarming. Grace Lin wrote the book for her daughter, because it’s one Lin’s favorite Asian holidays.

Grace Lin’s text is sparse, gentle and a bit mischievous. Her illustrations are stunning. The background on each page is shiny black, with Little Star wearing black PJs with bright yellow stars. Little Star’s expressions are warm and tender. The clever double-page spread in the center of book depicts the moon phases in a entertaining way.

Resources: Make sure you check out Grace Lin’s Note at the end of the story, as well as the endpapers. Bake a mooncake with your children. This book can be used throughout the year, but it especially meaningful during the Autumn Festival and perhaps during the new lunar year. Help children bake their own mooncake. Grace Lin has a recipe on her website.

Grace Lin is a Newberry author and National Book Award Finalist of books including Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same, and The Ugly Vegetables. Grace lives in Massachusetts. She invites you to visit her website.

*I won this book in a holiday picture book giveaway by Max on Completely Full Bookshelf, where readers can find enthusiastic reviews about books in all genres.