Review: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tristan is a boy who is sent to spend time with his grandparents after a terrible accident. He is left with his friend's notebook and time on his hands. His grandmother is a story teller, and a little bit superstitious. Tristan discovers a "tree" that ends up taking him places and introduces him to characters he never could have imagined.

This story weaves African and African American folklore into an action packed adventure story. I loved how the characters were expanded and fleshed out with the Gum Baby being a particular favorite. This is the first in a new series with will be well worth seeking out.


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Review: The Book of Boy

The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Set in the middle ages, "Boy" is an orphan who is taken along on a quest through several villages with Rome as a destination. Along the way, clues abound as to the true identity of Boy and the pilgrim he is travelling with. I liked this book a lot, but it is not typical children's literature, and won't be for the mass audience, but I suspect those who like this book will LOVE this book.

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Review: The Great Treehouse War

The Great Treehouse War by Lisa Graff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Winnie's parents have divorced and are obsessed with sharing everything about Winnie EXACTLY. Since the week has 7 days in it, that leaves one day (Wednesday) for Winnie to live on her own in her tree house - which is quite awesome. As Winnie's parents efforts become more and more ridiculous, Winnie decides she needs to take matters into her own hands and decides to protest. Her friends all join in because what kid doesn't have some reason to protest about their parents? What results is the "Great Treehouse War."

The book is cleverly written as a manuscript for a teacher. Of of Winnie's friends have put "post-it" notes in the book for clarification purposes. They are witty and true to each of the characters. Adults are most caricatures, but there are a few adults who are sympathetic. It's a fun book to read and to daydream about having an amazing tree house to escape to.

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Review: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Vanderbeekers live in Harlem on 141st Street. They live in two floors of a converted brownstone. The family consists of a mother, father and 5 children. Their landlord, who lives on the top floor, has decided he will not renew their lease and they must find a new place to live.

This is my favorite children's book of 2020. The Vanderbeekers are a loving, yet quirky family. Each child is appreciated for their uniqueness. The neighborhood they live in is just like an large extended family. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

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Review: Notorious

Notorious by Gordon Korman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this middle grade mystery we have Keenan, a boy who is recovering from TB. He's lived all over the word with his mom and stepdad who teach in international schools. He's currently recuperating at his dad's house on an island in a river that divides the US and Canada. Keenan meets and island native named ZeeBee (Zarabeth) and they become friends In it's heyday the island was a summer location for gangsters, and it is thought that one of the gangsters buried gold on the island.

This is a wonderful middle grade mystery. The characters are believable - mostly, and they mystery is fun.

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Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two by John Tiffany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I liked this book as much upon the second reading as the first. Looking forward to seeing the play.

A welcome return to the world of Harry Potter! Harry, Ron and Hermione are now adults with children at Hogwarts. Harry's middle child, Albus and Draco's son Scorpius strike up a friendship on the Hogwart's Express. Both boys feel they don't fit and and have found it difficult to live in the shadow of their famous/infamous fathers. They come up with a solution, but it the process of carrying out their plan has unexpected consequences...

I liked the story very much. I loved going back to Harry's world. I found most of the characters very true to the characters in the books, with the exception of Ron. He seemed a bit too buffoonish to me. It's also important to remember that this is a play and lacks the full depth and richness of the books. I am looking forward to the day that I can see the play.

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Review: They Called Us Enemy

They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow, what a story. The story of the Japanese internment camps is one we need to be telling. I appreciated that he took the additional step and drew the connection between what happened then and what is happening now. Graphic novels are not my favorite thing to read. I feel his story lost some poignancy for because of the format in which it was told. #ReadHarder

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Review: Revolting Rhymes & Dirty Beasts

Revolting Rhymes & Dirty Beasts by Roald Dahl
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love Roald Dahl's attitude in his children's' books - the adults are horrible and the children are often innocent, and that attitude is alive in his poetry. This was actually two short books combine on this audiobook. Revolting Rhymes retells folk tales in rhyme. Suffice it to say they are not the Disney versions! Dirty Beasts is a collection of fun poems about a variety of animals. Listening to the poems being read by British readers was a treat. It brought a lot to the poems. #ReadHarder

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Review: Lions and Liars

Lions and Liars by Kate Beasley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A sweet middle grade book about friendship. I loved the characters and the story...right up until the very end. Regardless, I will be recommending it to my students.

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Review: Mac Undercover

Mac Undercover by Mac Barnett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fun tongue in cheek spy story for the middle grade reader.

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Review: Book Scavenger

Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A very clever book mystery that takes the reader through San Francisco on a scavenger hunt.

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Review: The Unteachables

The Unteachables by Gordon Korman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am a sucker for school stories, especially if they involve underdogs. This book hit all marks for me.

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Review: The Last Kids on Earth

The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A zombie apocalypse hits the Earth, and 4 brave kids are all that are left. This book is full of action, adventure, and gadgets.

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Review: The Real McCoys

The Real McCoys by Matthew Swanson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fun middle grade mystery set in a school.

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Review: Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A favorite Black-eyed Susan nominee of mine. I loved the Dickensian tone of the book and the nod to the golem of Jewish folklore.

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Review: Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks

Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jason Reynolds knocks it out of the park again. How clever to travel down a road and learn a different person's story in each block. I love the way they stories are stitched together. I was sad to see this book come to an end.

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