Can Reading Prevent Violence? YES!!!

Did you know that 85% of youth in trouble with the law have reading difficulties?  This statistic is from The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment.  The Literacy Alliance believes strongly in providing literacy programs and books to all children, including those in distress.  Our programs at Boys Town, the Homeless Shelter, and the Juvenile Detention Center are examples of our dedication to getting books into the hands of children and engaging them in positive literacy activities.  

I recently became aware of The Melissa Institute that promotes literacy as a tool to prevent violence.  

The following is from their website:

The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of violence and the promotion of safer communities through education and the application of research-based knowledge.  

Evidence shows that students who do not learn to read on level by 3rd grade are much more likely to develop low self-esteem, drop out of school, and engage in antisocial, and aggressive behavior. To help prevent this spiral of failure The Melissa Institute has introduced The Balanced Literacy Diet website to support educators in developing effective and engaging literacy programs across the elementary grades.

This website was developed by university-based literacy experts and school-based practitioners – literacy specialists, classroom teachers as well as district and school administrators. The Balanced Literacy Diet framework is designed to provide a comprehensive multifaceted internet resource to support the development of research-informed reading and writing instruction in schools. 

The Balanced Literacy Diet website is free for educators and parents everywhere!

Review: Grains of Sand

Grains of Sand by Sibylle Delacroix
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Imagine coming home from a beach vacation as a young child, filled with longing for sun-packed days and endless sandcastles. Away from the water, our wistful protagonists—an adorable brother and sister—are clearly disappointed that the trip has ended and are craving more of their sandy playtime. With minds still reeling with gold and blue beach hues, our little duo decides to plant their leftover sand. Watering these unique sand seeds with their imagination, the children watch and skip along as umbrellas, pinwheels, and ice cream grow. Eventually calm and sated, they head to bed.

Although ideas like waves of laughter painted with ocean surf might be more abstract to younger children, Grains of Sand is a beautifully written and illustrated book that evokes nostalgia in all ages—including myself. The sweet, simple concept of bringing home the beach and overcoming forlornness is perfect for pre-k to second graders. The color-penciled illustrations, using a base of three colors, tightly wraps the picturebook in the serenity of memories meant to console our protagonists and spark new inspiration. I can relate when I come from home the beach. Like these children, I should take my ocean-induced inner peace and despondency and create.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Owlkids Books for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. Grains of Sand will be published on April 15, 2018.
Review by Christine F./The Uncorked Librarian


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Review: Every Shiny Thing

Every Shiny Thing by Cordelia Jensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Sierra’s mom is once again struggling with her addiction to drugs, alcohol, and poorly chosen men while her father is serving jail time for similar vices. Placed in the foster care system, Sierra moves in with a kind, mysteriously heartbroken interracial couple next door to Lauren, a tween fraught with compassion and her rapidly changing family dynamics. Lauren’s autistic brother has just moved to NC in hopes that a specialized school will better meet his needs. No longer a shadow or crutch, Lauren must determine who she is as well as how to function in an unfair world full of homelessness and privilege. As these two characters navigate their friendship through typical school drama, Lauren begins to lose control and fall into emotional instability, seeking solace in shoplifting and stealing her wealthier friends’ and families’ extravagances. Even with somewhat innately good intentions—hoping to sell these items to donate money for autistic children who cannot afford better therapy—Lauren frustratingly self-destructs in her own desire to escape the pain of her brother growing up without her.

Written by two impressive authors, Every Shiny Thing is a middle grade novel carefully constructed with alternating viewpoints. Sierra’s story is told in verse, emphasizing her kaleidoscope-like, emotional world while Lauren’s chaotic emotions and thought stream are portrayed in longer sentenced prose. A modern narrative with nontraditional families, coming of age questions, and how to find a place in a less than fair society, Jensen and Morrison create a strong realistic fiction story that tweens can relate with and look to for inspiration in a less than perfect world.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Amulet Books/ABRAMS kids for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. Every Shiny Thing will hit bookshelves April 17, 2018.

Review by Christine F. (theuncorkedlibrarian.com)

Every Shiny Thing by Cordelia Jensen and Laurie Morrison [Amulet Books 2018]


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Review: Turtles All the Way Down

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sixteen-year-old Aza has suffered the sudden loss of her father and is battling inner demons of mental illness—unkind thoughts and words that threaten to consume and possibly kill her. Trapped in the darkness of her own mind, Aza must navigate the unforgiving halls of high school with her fan fiction writing best friend, Daisy. When the town billionaire disappears days before being arrested for corruption, Aza and Daisy decide to investigate. The case is important to Aza as she has a crush on and connection with the fugitive’s son, Davis Pickett—a link of souls dating back from a summer camp fling. Gaining momentum on the details of Mr. Pickett’s disappearance, Aza begins to see fault lines within her mental health. Overly concerned with her micro-biome, even kissing becomes a death-defying hazard, causing Aza to dig her nail deeper into her never-ending fingerprint callous. From a car accident and a breakdown to a best friend who carries multiple burdens as well as a potential boyfriend whose dirty wealth is destroying a family and town, Aza must pull herself forward or drown in her head and a pool of hand sanitizer. It’s turtles all the way down anyway; who is to say what we are, what narrative we are living, and how we control the story of our lives.

Once again, Green mindfully taps into the inner workings of the teenage psyche just as Lamb had successfully done in She’s Come Undone. Designed for YA with a faithful adult following, Turtles All The Way Down is reminiscent of Rowell’s Fangirl with characters and friends who struggle with love and emotions, the world’s almost no-win nonchalance, and of course, a fan fictional element. The narrative possesses a melancholy trance of everyday life that lures readers in through a connection to sincere and darkly real characters. The conclusion for Turtles All The Way Down invokes tears over Aza’s acceptance of her inner confinement and willingness to move backward and forward for the rest of her life.  It is a vicious cycle.  Rest assured Aza will be OK but OK in an Aza-kind-of-way. Genuine and heart wrenching, the title explores family relationships, excessive wealth, and mental illness with the backdrop of questioning how humans exist, sometimes by choice and sometimes at the pen of another.

 Turtles All The Way Down by John Green [Dutton Penguin 2017]

Review by Christine F.

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Review - No Good Deed

Book Review: No GookDeed

Author: Goldy Moldavsky

Reviewer: Caterina Recine, 12th grade, Oviedo, FL

No Good Deed is a book filled with satire, interesting plot twists, and eccentric characters. Goldy Moldavsky creates a great story that highlights how today's youth will unwaveringly fight for any cause they deem important, no matter how ridiculous it is. An example from the novel is one character's "Eat Dirt" campaign because dirt is "nutritious." I found humor in the fact that she found a way to dramatize how some people will do anything in order to prove that they are right. I liked the relationship between the characters, the main characters Gregor and Ashley being sweet and awkward, like any teen relationship. This wasn't my most favorite book to read, but I feel that it would be better suited for a different age group than young adults. 

The Knowing Book Review

 

Book Review: The Knowing

Student Reviewer: Beeta 11^th  grade student

Oviedo, FL

Author:  Sharon Cameron

Publisher:  Scholastic Press               

The Knowing are a select group who do not forget. From the first time they open their eyes they will always remember and never forget and that’s exactly what Samara lives with. All is well until Samara finds out something so terrible that she can't live with it.   She runs away in search of an ancient city where her ancestors lived. She tries to go to the ancient city to be both healed  and to forget the terrible memory. Then along comes Beckett who is also looking for the ancient city of Canaan. They find each other looking for the ancient city but they uncover more than they want to. Can Samara and Beckett find the ancient city? Can Samara forget? Can Beckett overcome his obstacles?

A Tradition of Giving Books!

 

Read Like Iceland!!  

The article, Iceland Celebrates Christmas Unlike Any Other Country in the World by Glen Leibowitz, is about Iceland's tradition of giving books at Christmas.  I want to wrap all Icelanders in a huge hug.  Their tradition, that began as the result of import shortages during WWII, is still practiced today.  In fact, Iceland resident, Christopher Norris, wants to spread their tradition to the world, "We believe that reading books is a life-enhancing activity, made even more special by the memories associated with receiving gifts of books from loved ones. We further believe that well-read communities are closer-knit groups, so the buying and reading of books helps to improve social cohesion and celebrate cultural diversity through the sharing of stories and information...Essentially, we want to inspire people to discover--and rediscover--a love of reading for pleasure."

I love it!  As someone who also believes and practices the giving of books, I applaud their efforts and traditions!  And, although the article is about Christmas, I suggest this book giving idea can be a year round gift giving idea.  


Check out the entire article here:

Iceland Celebrates Christmas Unlike Any Other Country

Review: Yak and Dove

Yak and Dove by Kyo Maclear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A picture book with three different stories, Maclear’s Yak and Dove represents his traditional simplistic and moralistic style of storytelling paired with sweet water-colored and colored-penciled illustrations. Similarly to Shireen’s Neti and the Bird, Yak and Dove are unlikely friends and the theme of embracing indifferences stays consistent throughout the plot. Hilariously, Yak and Dove begin their story by contemplating what it would be like if they were twins, concluding in an obvious fight that is soon resolved in the second story. Yak wants a new friend who above all values fine music and furriness but learns to appreciate the friend he already has. The plot changes directions, ending with a contemplative, quiet garden chapter--another modern and relevant theme of turning off technology and all of life’s static. Maclear always intuitively incorporates subtle commentary on humanity, and in another pre-school to 3rd grade read, maintains his authenticity and heart-felt interconnectivity.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada/Tundra Books for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Yak and Dove by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Esme Shapiro (Penguin Random House Canada/Tundra Books, 2017)

Review by Christine F.


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Review: Pashmina

Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Priyanka or “Pri” lives in a world where she does not fully understand who she is or where she came from. Her mom mysteriously left India and hasn’t spoken to their family in over a decade. Whenever Pri inquires about her Indian father, her mother changes the subject. Both mother and daughter fail to understand each other’s motivations, creating an angsty relationship. While struggling with her identity, the sphere of Pri’s family also starts to see cracks. Her Uncle Jatin, a father-like figure that picks her up from school and takes her on special Indian foodie adventures, and his wife are having their first baby. With her world falling apart, Pri prays to the goddess Shakti, a silent wish that changes her outlook on life and current and almost self-destructive course. With such serious tones, add in a magical pashmina made from Indian golden thread, and Pri finds herself on a more whimsical journey of self-discovery. Pri visits the fantastical, idealist, and tourist version of India as well as the realistic homeland, ultimately returning to America with a new sense of culture and self.

A tale of South Asian diaspora and non-traditional families, Pashmina is a perceptive graphic novel for middle grade students and mature elementary school aged readers. With First Second Books, reviewers and readers can count on a well-written and researched as well as sensitive and intuitive story. The black and white comic strip graphics juxtaposed with the Bollywood colors beautifully portray this “otherness” and sense of a globalizing falsehood about imagined tourist India, similar to Kincaid’s experiences in Antigua in A Small Place. As Pri’s classmates call her “Thrift Store,” readers witness racism and classism. Chanani has created a unique multicultural story that works for reluctant readers and those struggling with heritage and family. Most notably, Priyanka is a fearless female protagonist who has faults of jealousy and immaturity but also thrives artistically and in her convictions. The pairing of fantasy and realistic fiction via graphic novel format brings this story home, literally and figuratively.

I would like to thank NetGalley and First Second Books for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. Pashmina is set to publish October 3, 2017.

Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani (First Second Books, 2017)

Review by Christine F.


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Review: Lumberjanes: Unicorn Power!

Lumberjanes: Unicorn Power! by Mariko Tamaki
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Based on the popular graphic novel series, Lumberjanes has decided to take these hardcore ladies into novel format for another round of friendship to the max. The Roanoke Cabin is working on their plant badges. Having stumbled across a magical field of unicorns and a mysterious mountain, the girls are determined to climb and explore this new territory since April has decided that like Rosie, the fearless camp director, she wants to earn the Extraordinary Explorer medal. Of course, if you know these talented and intelligent ladies at all, you understand that they will find themselves trapped in one crazy and heartfelt adventure with cloud people, smelly unicorns, clingy vine, and disappearing mountains. With the dangers that come with being bold and their friendships and interests tested to the max, these ultra-femme scouts must figure out who they want to be while also escaping a cloudy future.

The Lumberjanes series usually resides in YA shelving but this title is more for the middle grades, especially with the sporadic illustrations. Like the artwork, Tamaki successfully maintains the cute, quirky plot of the graphic novels, and I would have sworn Ellis and Stevenson wrote this book—the voice is on point. The feminist appeal with Rosie the Riveter and famous women shouted out in expressions is inspiring. These girls represent a mix of fortes and weaknesses without the stereotypes. Their friendship is supportive and realistic. As with the graphic novels, there is appropriate diversity representing the LGBTQA+ community, with a gender binary character and scouts with two fathers. Lumberjanes: Unicorn Power is a fun and spunky fantastical read for any feminist-minded tween.

I would like to thank NetGalley and ABRAMS Kids/Amulet Books for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Lumberjanes: Unicorn Power is set to publish October 10, 2017

Lumberjanes: Unicorn Power (Lumberjanes #1) by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Brooke Allen (ABRAMS Kids, 2017)

Review by Christine F.


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Review: The List

The List by Patricia Forde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Ark, where only 500 words exist, Letta is an apprentice to the wordsmith. All other words are illegal and forgotten, and the residents speak in garbled sentences. The police strictly monitor this bubbled, alleged Utopia, and all aspects of life, including meals, are regulated. Letta loves her words and buys into this society until she meets Marlo, a resister who lives self-sufficiently in the outskirts of town—a place where music, art, and language still exist. As Letta’s master suspiciously goes missing, Letta begins to realize that this world is not as safe and happy as it seems, and she is the only member who has the ability to save the words from an evil dictator with misguided politics, John Noa. Noa is relentless in his convictions and actions, and the future of the world relies on the thwarted flick of a canister and a heartfelt revolution.

A middle grade dystopian scifi thriller, The List, has unexpected twists and turns and speaks to today’s modern issues of global warming, the power of language, and possibly brilliant and powerful but destructive authoritarian leaders. Well written with a unique take on tween dystopian literature, The List will appeal to strong readers through its themes of love, language, family, history, and power. Letta is strong, feminist character with equally dynamic male and female antagonists. My only qualm is that the middle of the story loses its momentum; there is an excess of drawn-out, unnecessary details. With tighter, more succinct writing, I look forward to seeing what else Forde has to offer as an author.

I would like to thank NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Jabberwocky for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Review by Christine F.

The List by Patricia Forde (SOURCEBOOKS Jabberwocky, 2017)


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Review: Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story for Kids

Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story for Kids by Kristen Fischer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Geared toward pre-k to third grade, join Lyla as she embarks on a yoga journey with the help of the zoo animals. Each pose is paired with brightly colored mixed media illustrations and numbers as the story also reinforces counting. The animals gently encourage Lyla and give her practical tips to make the most of each pose. Small details, such as Lyla’s hair falling loose, warm this instructional story and make Lyla relatable to any young reader. The story ends with a page of smaller text explaining to parents how the poses work, which is a great aid just in case the illustrations are not enough. The rhyming adds to the cadence and flow of story, making this a relaxing and informative read. If only my yoga instructor was a dolphin.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Sounds True Publishing for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story for Kids by Kristen Fischer and illustrated by Susi Schaefer (Sounds True Publishing, 2017)

By Christine F.

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Review: The Big Bad Fox

The Big Bad Fox by Benjamin Renner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The fox is terrible at being an intimidating and terrifying carnivore, which is unfortunate because his appetite is insatiable. His frequent trips to the farm annoy the mother hen and prove the guard dog’s nonchalant laziness. The wolf suggests that fox stealthy steal some eggs and hatch them into plump and tasty meals. A first seemingly brilliant idea, the chicks hatch and assume fox is their momma. Reminiscent of Mother Bruce, fox raises the chicks, engaging in fantastical play such turnip tea parties and role-playing about the big bad fox. Predictably when dinnertime arrives, fox realizes that he loves his little chicks, and he must seek sanctuary at the farm since the wolf has his own plans for chicken dinner.

Comical and sweet, The Big Bad Fox is a juvenile graphic novel for second to fifth graders. Renner reinvigorates a classic tale and relies on muted watercolors, white backgrounds, and shaded illustrations that are as simple and funny as this tale. Perfect for reluctant readers, school-aged children can welcome wolf into their imaginations and families.

I would like to thank NetGalley and First Second Books for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Big Bad Fox by Benjamin Renner (First Second Books, 2017)

Review by Christine F.

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Review: Saints and Misfits

Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

During a heated political time, Ali has created a story for all cultures meant to explain the values and customs of what it means for one Muslim community and Muslim woman in America. Growing up with a more traditional Muslim family, Janna has to reconcile crushing on a non-Muslim boy, high school bullies, unsupportive friends, and conflicting emotions about being sexually assaulted by a monster—a covert monster who receives high praise in the Muslim community. Those who seem pious are anything but, and while Janna battles contradictions in her faith, she must also struggle with everyday life of being a teenage girl, including a nosy mother and annoying older brother. An honorable multicultural high school read, I have to admit that this story lost its momentum. I found myself skimming through dialogue. This slow pace fails with the quickened and perfect ending—unrealistic in its perfection. Blink and all of the angst and struggle disappears. The saints, misfits, and monster analogy/chapter labeling makes the novel more juvenile in this teen world. Amina’s Voice and It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel possess more poignancy tied in with historical value. I did enjoy Mr. Ram’s secret handshakes and Janna’s duty to correct her uncle’s overly formal responses to Muslim-American questions; the relationships Ali builds are solid, endearing, and relatable. Saints and Misfits is a commendable debut novel but one that I hesitate to recommend, even though I have seen great praise thus far.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Salaam Reads/Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali (Salaam Reads/Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, 2017)

Review by Christine F.

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It's Memorial Day!  

I am continually grateful for the sacrifice, honor, and love for country of our soldiers.  

Memorial Day is a lovely reminder to say it out loud! 

I am grateful for the many freedoms we enjoy and our soldiers protect.   Here at The Literacy Alliance, we are particularly thankful for our right to read, to write, and to learn!  As we visited daycares and schools this season with our Book Buster program, we shared our love of learning through books, puppets, science, and song!  As I watched our audiences, filled with smiling, laughing, and motivated children, my heart swelled.  

Thank you to all who protect our right to provide these programs! 

Review: Lemons

Lemons by Melissa Savage
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lemonade’s mother dies, and she finds herself in Willow Creek, a small Bigfoot-obsessed town, with her grandfather, Charlie. Her new friend, Tobin, owns a Bigfoot detective agency and “hires” Lem to help him sort through and document Bigfoot sightings. Like Lem, Tobin has also lost a parent; his dad went MIA during the war and although brought back alive, has mysteriously disappeared in transit. The two friends struggle together through their losses and grief as they begin to uncover a few surprises. Lem must also reconcile the meaning of home as she decides whether or not to stay with her grandfather or return to her old home via a well-intentioned adoption. A book that questions the boundaries of family, friendship, and heartbreak, Lemons is a beautiful middle grade read for third to seventh graders. Well-written, Savage does not begin the plot heavy with backstory. Instead, she jumps headfirst into Lem trying to honor her mom’s character by embracing the world around her—with a few hesitations. From lonely old ladies, who bake the best cookies, to single parents and grandparents trying their hardest to raise children, fall in love with these small town characters with one Twinkie-loving, hairy obsession. Savage knows how to build strong characters and make them feel like your best friends. Such a feel-good read with one of my favorite beasts.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Crown Books for Young Readers for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. Lemons is set to publish May 2, 2017.

Review by Christine Frascarelli


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Review: Spork

Spork by Kyo Maclear
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Spork is the hybrid of a mother spoon and a father fork. This marriage is rare in the utensil world, as cutlery remains segregated. With his points and roundness in conflict with each other, Spork does not fit in with the other spoons or forks. He attempts to artificially change his appearance but fails. Useless and lonely, Spork contemplates his existence on the dinner table. One day, a messy creature struggles to use the other utensils, and Spork seizes the opportunity to shine. Unafraid, he rushes in to save the meal. This “messy thing” turns out to be a baby, and Spork is just what this infant needs—a little bit of everything—to eat.

Maclear notes that she too is a “Spork,” coming from a biracial household with a British father and Japanese mother. A story about interracial relations and fitting in, Spork is a unique way to explain acceptance, differences, and loving oneself. For preschool to second grade, the text is simple and powerful. Arsenault’s metallic-colored illustrations complement the silverware theme but are also a bit disturbing. Whether meant to be humorous or just some spaghetti sauce, the red liquid bursts look like a bloody massacre. Some of the utensils’ faces are slightly creepy as well as the headshot of the infant, with a bib covered in red splotches. I would have loved this book so much more with cuter faces for the utensils and different coloring for the food.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Review by Christine Frascarelli


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Review: North of Happy

North of Happy by Adi Alsaid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Late one night, Carlos and his older brother, Felix, decide to taste test their way through the food stands of Mexico City in search of the perfect taco. In a tragic accident, stray bullets kill the free-spirited, nomadic Felix, leaving Carlos with his brother’s ghost and the desire to recover his own happiness. During Carlos’ high school graduation party—faced with a well intentioned but uninspiring predetermined future with the family business—Carlos runs away from his privileged life to a small island off of Washington state. With no plans except to visit Provecho, a bucket list restaurant in his brother’s diary, Carlos must find a place to sleep and a way to earn a living. In a matter of luck or fate, Carlos begins working as a dishwasher at Provecho and is taken under the wing of the master chef with the threatening promise of termination if he does not stop dating her daughter, Emma. Carlos must learn to fit in and earn his keep while navigating mental exhaustion and new love.

A story about romance, trust, maturity, and ambition, North of Happy makes readers feel like they are experiencing life for the first time. As stars and lakes ignite in the moonlight, Alsaid envelops readers in his enchanting backdrops and heartfelt, raw emotions. A beautifully written title for young adults looking ahead to the future, North of Happy inspires and awakens questions about the meaning of our existence. Although a somewhat clichéd plot, Alsaid adds poignant commentaries on grief and love that add an entirely fiery yet visceral quality to the story. Recipes introduce chapters to exemplify the all-pervasive passion for food and need for a fulfilling career. Days later, I find myself wondering about a conclusion and writing my own ending for Carlos, Emma, and the entire restaurant family as they touched my heart and stayed in my mind.

North of Happy is set to publish on April 25th, 2017. I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Teen for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. Review by Christine Frascarelli


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Review: Who Was Anne Frank?

Who Was Anne Frank? by Ann Abramson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An illustrated, easy read with difficult content, Who Was Anne Frank is a juvenile biography about the short life of Holocaust victim, Anne Frank. Beginning with her death at age 15, Abramson places Anne’s tragic end at the forefront of the book, exemplifying this honest and non-sugar coated account. Once the reader is prepared for Anne’s death, Abramson moves chronologically from Anne’s birth and happy childhood to the rise of a powerful and terrible leader. As Hitler takes power, Anne’s previously patriotic and loyal family moves to Amsterdam where they later make the fatal decision not to relocate as Hitler and his troops begin invading the rest of Europe. The family hides in the annex of her father’s factory, Anne begins her diary, and the story ends with the family, with the exception of Otto, dying in concentration camps. Like a history textbook, the chapters have boxes with helpful and relevant historical information inside that affect the Frank family but are not always directly related to them; readers learn briefly about World War I and the Warsaw Ghetto resistance. Some of these boxes contain more personal details of Anne’s love for movie stars and Miep’s and Jan’s special annex sleepover. Although Abramson has a lot to cover in a short amount of pages, she manages to add personal touches such as how Anne names her Ping-Pong club “Little Bear Minus 2” because she has 5 members and thinks the constellation consists of five stars instead of seven. Such vivid details humanize Anne, making her real and relatable for her third to sixth grade audience. The black pencil illustrations do not enhance the text nor are they necessary, but the sketches may appeal to the younger readers who have a lot to take in and comprehend. The incorporation of how Anne Frank’s story becomes a commercialized entity—in a positive way—is also an informative addition that is not always discussed. Review by Christine Frascarelli

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Review: The Girl Who Drank the Moon

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Every year, the Protectorate holds the Day of Sacrifice where one baby is given to the evil witch in the woods in return for leaving the villagers in peace. This day causes great sorrow in the town as children are ripped from parents’ arms and a constant fog looms over the isolated and dreary residents. The Elders who rule the Protectorate do not believe that a witch exists and uses the story and sacrifice as a way to manipulate and rule over the townspeople. Xan, an ancient but kind witch, does in fact live in the forest and rescues these abandoned babies, giving them new homes in the Free Cities. One baby, who Xan names Luna, accidentally becomes “enmagicked” when Xan feeds her from the moon instead of the stars. Xan decides to raise Luna with the help of a gentle and naïve dragon and large but softy swamp monster. Luna must learn how to use her magic as well as figure out who she really is just as the townspeople must discover the real witch and open their eyes to sunnier skies. With the threat from an active volcano, a tiger-hearted woman, a woman gone completely mad, attacking paper birds, and a father with a knife ready to kill in order to protect his baby, The Girl Who Drank the Moon is a suspenseful, fantasy read for fourth to sixth graders. A 2017 Newbery Award winner along with a large list of honorable mentions, this title will not disappoint with its unique plot, well-developed and lovable characters, vivid and sometimes complex language, and building climax with everyone’s stories coming together. Have your tissues ready and expect your heart to radiate love—a constant theme in this story. My only complaint is that this title seems a bit lengthy for juvenile fiction at 400 pages. Not that page length should matter all that much, but I can see more reluctant and even busy readers struggling to pick up or get through some of these longer Newbery titles, including the equally as engaging Honor book, Echo. Review by Christine Frascarelli

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