Book Review: The Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear and Chris Turnham

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The Wish Tree cover imageOne day a boy named Charles sets off with his sled named Boggan to find a wish tree. His sister and brother say there’s no such thing, but he’s certain it exists.

As Charles sets off on his adventure he sings a little song and Boggan sings his own song while swishing through the snow. Together they search up on the top of a hill, through the forest, over a pond, and all through a meadow before they find what they are looking for. Along the way they meet and help out lots of animals that live in the wilds, and the animals return the favor by helping Charles.

The Wish Tree with words by Kyo Maclear and illustrations by Chris Turnham is a sweet tale about a boy who follows his heart and ends up getting so much more than he set out to. As Charles searches far and wide, his good nature leads him to notice the creatures he encounters and use his trusty toboggan to help them out.

Illustrations are muted, reflecting the warm and cool colors of winter. Bare tree branches and fields of snow are punctuated with pops of red, representing Boggan, squirrels, berries and a fox. The atmosphere seems to have a warm glow of cozy winter times. It’s perfect for cuddling up to read with your three to six year old.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Book Review: Bunny Slopes by Claudia Rueda

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Bunny Slopes cover imageBunny Slopes by Claudia Rueda is a playful picture book about a white bunny with a red scarf skiing downhill. Before he can get started though, he needs the reader to shake the book to make snow. Another time he asks readers to tilt the book to provide a downhill slope, but then he goes off a cliff and falls into a tree because the tilt was too steep.

At the end bunny enjoys a cup of hot chocolate and warms up next to his mom, an act that young readers can copy with their parents. All the interaction of shaking, tilting, and even flipping upside down is sure to be great fun for your 3 to 5-year-old child.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Abrakapow by Isaiah Campbell

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Abrakapow cover imageWhat happens when you take a true story of German prisoners held at a camp in Texas in 1944 and add in an 11-year-old girl magician? The result is Abrakapow, a wholly entertaining novel for young readers by Isaiah Campbell.

The story centers around The Amazing Max, a girl who moves with her mom from New York City to Abilene, Texas, to be near Max’s dad, who is in charge of the prisoner of war camp. With World War II being fought against Hitler and the Nazis, anti-German sentiment is high. Still, Max develops a friendship with one of the prisoners when she finds out he knows magic and he can help her with an upcoming performance.

While Abrakapow takes place more than 70 years ago, the issues Max deals with are sure to resonate with young readers of today. These include making friends in a new place, being able to see people for who they are instead of who you expect them to be, being honest with family and friends, taking risks for what you believe is right, confronting racism, and more.

As historical fiction, Abrakapow presents Jewish characters and those of Japanese heritage in the negative ways they were sometimes viewed at the time. This lets young readers consider their own views and recognize the differences between those days and now. It also shows differences in the way parents and teachers acted toward children. All the issues are likely to create great discussions in mother-daughter book clubs with girls aged 9 to 12.

In addition, the book is just plain fun. Max is a sympathetic character with a pet ferret and a desire for the spotlight. Instructions for completing some of her magic tricks end several chapters in the book. All in all, Abrakapow blends historical fact with relatable characters while creating a story that is sure to entertain and provoke thought. It’s hard to ask for more.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Book Review: 300 Things I Hope by Iain S. Thomas

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300 Things I Hope cover image“I hope you are touched by the smallest gesture of friendship.”

“I hope it feels like your muscles are singing when you exercise.”

“I hope you learn the difference between the easy thing, the hard thing, the smart thing and the right thing.”

These are just a few of the things Iain S. Thomas includes in his book, 300 Things I Hope. Many are thoughtful, like the ones above. Some are whimsical and fun, like, “I hope you cover something in stickers.” Some are kind of silly, like, “I hope you get to meet aliens or your favorite band.”

But all of the things that Thomas hopes are thought provoking. Some are sure to bring a smile to your face, others may prompt you to look at life and the people you encounter differently. Carla Kreuser’s black and white line drawings are sometimes spare, sometimes bold, depending on the hope illustrated.

This little gem of a book can be read one page at a time in sequential order or opened at random to provide food for thought. It would make a great gift on a special occasion.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Book Review: The Day of the Pelican by Katherine Paterson

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The Day of the Pelican cover imageMeli and her family are Albanians living in Kosovo in the 1990s when tensions are high between Kosovars and Serbs. The tensions eventually erupt into violence, with families displaced, people disappearing, and houses ruined. Meli and her family must flee, eventually ending up in a refugee camp on the border. Eventually they make their way to the U.S., where they find peace. That is, until two planes fly into the World Trade Center Towers in New York.

The Day of the Pelican by Katherine Paterson unveils a region in struggle and the human desire to live in safety among family and friends. The history of Kosovo is complicated, and for the most part people of all ethnicities live peacefully next to each other. Yet some would like to cleanse the area of Albanians, either by killing them or forcing them to leave.

When Meli and her family relocate to they U.S., they are just starting to feel safe when the events of 9/11 catch them in a wave of anti-Muslim sentiment. Their determination to face their own fears and peacefully confront the fears of others leads them through the tough times.

The heartfelt story emphasizes that when judgments are made against all people of a race or religion based on the actions of a few, they are flawed. It is only when people are seen as individuals that we can move past stereotypes of all kinds and connect on a human level.

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Book Review: Wilf the Mighty Worrier Battles a Pirate by Georgia Pritchett

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Wilf the Mighty Warrior Battles a PirateWilf, everybody’s favorite worrier, is back after having saved the world from destruction by his evil neighbor Alan. This time Alan has another evil plan to destroy the world, and Wilf has to stop him. But first he must overcome all the things he worries about, like garden gnomes and giant squids and dark caves that could have bears and bats and scorpions.

Wilf the Mighty Worrier Battles a Pirate by Georgia Pritchett sees Wilf on Alan’s pirate ship, sailing into unknown lands as he tries to stop Alan and get his sister’s sand bucket and shovel back. Techniques used throughout the book, like narration that speaks directly to the reader, words in bold, large type, and quirky illustrations are sure to appeal to readers aged 8 to 11. Once again, Wilf shines as a champion of worriers everywhere.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: I Dissent by Debbie Levy

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I Dissent cover imageJustice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has become such an icon on the Supreme Court that she is now the subject of a picture book for young readers. I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark was written by Debbie Levy, and it looks at some of the early events that helped form young Ruth’s sense of justice.

That sense was formed in part by her trips outside of her Brooklyn neighborhood into small towns, where she saw signs on businesses saying Jews, Mexicans and colored people weren’t allowed. She also grew up at a time when girls were expect to grow up, get married, have kids, and take care of their homes. But her mom told her that girls could do more, and she took her to the library where she could read about women who went beyond the expected.

Over the years, Ruth dissented against the norm to get into college, go to law school, and get hired as a lawyer. She became a judge, then was appointed the first female Jewish member of the Supreme Court, where she has ruled on the side of equality for women and minorities.

Looking at the things Justice Ginsburg has objected to throughout her life is an interesting way to get across what she stands for. The illustrations show her growing from a determined young girl to a steely eyed member of our country’s highest court.

Those wanting more information will be happy there are two pages in the back of the book giving more information about milestones in her life as well as notes on Supreme Court cases and a selected bibliography. Ginsburg’s story is an inspiration to girls. Parents may also want to check out her own words about raising trail-blazing daughters in this story for Inc.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

 

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Book Review: Metaltown by Kristen Simmons

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Metaltown cover imageColin and Ty work in the small parts factory of Metaltown, a dark, cold place where even children who work are only one step away from starvation and homelessness. Lena’s father owns the factory and his word rules Metaltown. The three meet by chance, and their fight for what’s right will either pull them together or bring their worlds down around them.

Metaltown by Kristen Simmons portrays a society where the neediest are also the most vulnerable, a world with perpetual war and the only dream is surviving. But Colin holds a spark of hope that by banding together they can all bring change. It’s a powerful message that even the weak can find ways to triumph over the strong.

Simmons keeps the plot moving with several twists that should keep readers engrossed in the dystopian future she envisions. It’s a fast-paced read that will keep you on the edge of your seat cheering for Colin, Ty and Lena as they fight for what they believe they deserve. I recommend Metaltown for mother-daughter book clubs with girls aged 11 and up.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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