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My Homework Ate My Dog!
Derek Taylor Kent
2020 Finalist
184 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed By Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite
My Homework Ate My Dog! by Derek Taylor Kent is a young adult fantasy book that would appeal most to a mixed audience of pre-teen and teens who enjoy magical fantasy fiction. Eleven-year-old Rudy Berkman and his dog, Beast, barely survived a fire that burned everything the Berkman family owned to the ground and resulted in Rudy being enrolled in Danville Reformatory School. It is in Danville that Rudy’s life is forever changed when his homework comes to life and eats his dog. Are you ready to follow Rudy, Brett, and crazy Grandpa Stu as they set out to rescue Beast?
My Homework Ate My Dog! by Derek Taylor Kent is a well-written book with a cover image that immediately pulled me in with a desire to find out what was going on with the vicious-looking homework. This book reminded me a bit of Harry Potter and Goosebumps, yet I found myself liking it more than those series as it was not as predictable as they were. I have to say that even as an adult I found this book to be an amusing read. If I had read it as a middle schooler it probably would have been one of my favorite books as it was filled with mystery, fantasy, and a bit of horror. My favorite part of the book was when Grandpa Stu let Rudy in on the truth of the War of the Ankaras after Rudy and Brett rescued him with the help of the ice cream man. Overall, I found this book to be a great read that held my attention so tightly that I finished it in one go.
My Homework Ate My Dog! by Derek Taylor Kent is a young adult fantasy book that would appeal most to a mixed audience of pre-teen and teens who enjoy magical fantasy fiction. Eleven-year-old Rudy Berkman and his dog, Beast, barely survived a fire that burned everything the Berkman family owned to the ground and resulted in Rudy being enrolled in Danville Reformatory School. It is in Danville that Rudy’s life is forever changed when his homework comes to life and eats his dog. Are you ready to follow Rudy, Brett, and crazy Grandpa Stu as they set out to rescue Beast?
My Homework Ate My Dog! by Derek Taylor Kent is a well-written book with a cover image that immediately pulled me in with a desire to find out what was going on with the vicious-looking homework. This book reminded me a bit of Harry Potter and Goosebumps, yet I found myself liking it more than those series as it was not as predictable as they were. I have to say that even as an adult I found this book to be an amusing read. If I had read it as a middle schooler it probably would have been one of my favorite books as it was filled with mystery, fantasy, and a bit of horror. My favorite part of the book was when Grandpa Stu let Rudy in on the truth of the War of the Ankaras after Rudy and Brett rescued him with the help of the ice cream man. Overall, I found this book to be a great read that held my attention so tightly that I finished it in one go.
Recommend this book:
 into a wheelchair, and sends her mother spiraling into depression. As one person in their life ...){kind=link}
Drawing with Whitman
Sourland Mountain Series Book 1
Kristin McGlothlin
2020 Honorable Mention
146 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed By Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
Drawing with Whitman by Kristin McGlothlin is a coming of age children's story, and book one in the Sourland Mountain Series. Catalynd “Cat” Jewett Hamilton has her world turned upside down when a car accident forces her (and two broken, casted legs) into a wheelchair, and sends her mother spiraling into depression. As one person in their life leaves the property, another moves onto it—artist Benton Whitman, a descendant of literary great Walt Whitman. Using art as therapy, Cat works hard to pull together the demands of school and home and weave the frayed threads of the family back together once more.
Drawing with Whitman is a beautifully written, engrossing, and completely relevant novel that just hits the nail on the head in so many different ways. As a parent to a child who struggles with mental health issues, I found Kristin McGlothin's character Cat and the circumstances she's put into resonated a bit too closely. Like many children today, Cat has the weight of the world on her shoulders as well as the casts that burden her legs, and she becomes the ties that bind at an age when she really should not have to. The character of Benton is exceptional, as is the portrayal of Cat's fragile mother. For all the simplicity of the writing that a book aimed at middle-graders must have, the prose is excellent and all of the characters well developed. As a coming of age story, I believe this is a book that will leave a long-lasting impression. I look forward to reading about Cat's growth as the series progresses.
Drawing with Whitman by Kristin McGlothlin is a coming of age children's story, and book one in the Sourland Mountain Series. Catalynd “Cat” Jewett Hamilton has her world turned upside down when a car accident forces her (and two broken, casted legs) into a wheelchair, and sends her mother spiraling into depression. As one person in their life leaves the property, another moves onto it—artist Benton Whitman, a descendant of literary great Walt Whitman. Using art as therapy, Cat works hard to pull together the demands of school and home and weave the frayed threads of the family back together once more.
Drawing with Whitman is a beautifully written, engrossing, and completely relevant novel that just hits the nail on the head in so many different ways. As a parent to a child who struggles with mental health issues, I found Kristin McGlothin's character Cat and the circumstances she's put into resonated a bit too closely. Like many children today, Cat has the weight of the world on her shoulders as well as the casts that burden her legs, and she becomes the ties that bind at an age when she really should not have to. The character of Benton is exceptional, as is the portrayal of Cat's fragile mother. For all the simplicity of the writing that a book aimed at middle-graders must have, the prose is excellent and all of the characters well developed. As a coming of age story, I believe this is a book that will leave a long-lasting impression. I look forward to reading about Cat's growth as the series progresses.
Recommend this book:
The Pumpkin Room
Mark Milbrath
2020 Bronze Medal
182 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed By Lisa McCombs for Readers' Favorite
In this collection of thirteen short stories, even the un-spookable reader will experience goosebumps. The Pumpkin Pastry Princess is my favorite. A story of fitting revenge that refuses to leave the reader’s mind, well into the dark hours of the night. Mary loves Halloween and the town loves Mary’s incredible pumpkin confections that she bakes every single day in October. Living in a quaint stone cottage that the neighborhood children refer to as a gingerbread house, Mary’s home is the favorite stop of all the yearly trick-or-treaters. Normally Mary has no problems with the crowd that comes to her door ... until a late-night visitor shows up at the stroke of midnight. Hudson is a brooding young man filled with anger and greed. When he makes his last appearance years into the future, Mary has a permanent reply to his standard “see ya next year.”
The Pumpkin Room by Mark Milbrath is the perfect Halloween collection of spooky tales right from the dark corners of the author’s mind. All the stories revolve around the Halloween tradition of the Jack-o-Lantern and pumpkin accessories of the holiday. Based on Halloween pranks and ghostly events, The Pumpkin Room is geared toward middle school readers but will thrill any age. Mark Milbrath’s use of imagery is spot on. You will find yourself reliving favorite childhood memories of trick or treating while nodding your head at the realistic pictures the author conjures up. The addition of a plot summary at the beginning of each tale is a unique storytelling technique.
In this collection of thirteen short stories, even the un-spookable reader will experience goosebumps. The Pumpkin Pastry Princess is my favorite. A story of fitting revenge that refuses to leave the reader’s mind, well into the dark hours of the night. Mary loves Halloween and the town loves Mary’s incredible pumpkin confections that she bakes every single day in October. Living in a quaint stone cottage that the neighborhood children refer to as a gingerbread house, Mary’s home is the favorite stop of all the yearly trick-or-treaters. Normally Mary has no problems with the crowd that comes to her door ... until a late-night visitor shows up at the stroke of midnight. Hudson is a brooding young man filled with anger and greed. When he makes his last appearance years into the future, Mary has a permanent reply to his standard “see ya next year.”
The Pumpkin Room by Mark Milbrath is the perfect Halloween collection of spooky tales right from the dark corners of the author’s mind. All the stories revolve around the Halloween tradition of the Jack-o-Lantern and pumpkin accessories of the holiday. Based on Halloween pranks and ghostly events, The Pumpkin Room is geared toward middle school readers but will thrill any age. Mark Milbrath’s use of imagery is spot on. You will find yourself reliving favorite childhood memories of trick or treating while nodding your head at the realistic pictures the author conjures up. The addition of a plot summary at the beginning of each tale is a unique storytelling technique.
Recommend this book:
Umijoo
The Wondrous Tale of a Curious Girl and Her Journey Under the Sea
Casson Trenor and Caia Koopman
2020 Silver Medal
64 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed By A. L. Peevey for Readers' Favorite
Umijoo: The Wondrous Tale of a Curious Girl and Her Journey Under the Sea by Casson Trenor tells the story of a young girl. Umijoo lives with her father by the sea, which makes her feel so small. Much of their food comes from the sea, and Umijoo’s father lovingly prepares their meals. But, he is concerned that Umijoo does not appreciate their food as she should. She tends to eat it thoughtlessly and too quickly. So to teach her a valuable lesson, one he himself learned when he was younger, her father gives a magical stone that will keep her safe and alive beneath the waves. As she journeys there, Umijoo meets some of the marvelous animals dwelling there. Will Umijoo learn the lessons taught by these friendly sea creatures and take their messages to heart?
What a beautiful book with an important message! I loved reading it. Umijoo: The Wondrous Tale of a Curious Girl and Her Journey Under the Sea by Casson Trenor is written in lyrical prose. In fact, readers might call it poetry. Its illustrations, by world-famous artist Caia Koopman, are wonderfully fanciful and simply gorgeous. With these two components, Trenor, an ocean conservationist, has created an attractive book for young and old readers alike. While it can be enjoyed as a magical adventure, some of this picture book’s characters actually do live in our oceans, and they have a message for Umijoo and all readers. The world’s oceans and seas are in trouble as is the natural environment as a whole, with much of the world on the brink of disaster. The purpose of the story is a plea to all of us for the conservation of Earth’s land, its natural waters, and the creatures living there. The author offers a list of things readers can do and also a website to learn more about conservation.
Umijoo: The Wondrous Tale of a Curious Girl and Her Journey Under the Sea by Casson Trenor tells the story of a young girl. Umijoo lives with her father by the sea, which makes her feel so small. Much of their food comes from the sea, and Umijoo’s father lovingly prepares their meals. But, he is concerned that Umijoo does not appreciate their food as she should. She tends to eat it thoughtlessly and too quickly. So to teach her a valuable lesson, one he himself learned when he was younger, her father gives a magical stone that will keep her safe and alive beneath the waves. As she journeys there, Umijoo meets some of the marvelous animals dwelling there. Will Umijoo learn the lessons taught by these friendly sea creatures and take their messages to heart?
What a beautiful book with an important message! I loved reading it. Umijoo: The Wondrous Tale of a Curious Girl and Her Journey Under the Sea by Casson Trenor is written in lyrical prose. In fact, readers might call it poetry. Its illustrations, by world-famous artist Caia Koopman, are wonderfully fanciful and simply gorgeous. With these two components, Trenor, an ocean conservationist, has created an attractive book for young and old readers alike. While it can be enjoyed as a magical adventure, some of this picture book’s characters actually do live in our oceans, and they have a message for Umijoo and all readers. The world’s oceans and seas are in trouble as is the natural environment as a whole, with much of the world on the brink of disaster. The purpose of the story is a plea to all of us for the conservation of Earth’s land, its natural waters, and the creatures living there. The author offers a list of things readers can do and also a website to learn more about conservation.
Recommend this book:
Sophie Washington: My BFF
Tonya Duncan Ellis
2020 Gold Medal
129 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed By Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite
In Sophie Washington: My BFF by Tonya Duncan Ellis, Sophie and Chloe have been best friends since they started school and Sophie always imagined that would never change. Although they are very different and have different interests, Sophie is happy just to be friends with Chloe. But an innocent picture taken in front of the Killer Whale ride would question everything Sophie believed about her best friend. Sophie doesn't understand why she is no longer included in the fun and wants nothing more than to have her friend back. When Chloe asks Sophie to take the blame for cheating in a poetry assignment, Sophie agrees. Now Sophie has to deal with the consequences of her lies. Will she and Chloe ever become friends again, or will Sophie learn an important life lesson about friendship?
Sophie Washington: My BFF by Tonya Duncan Ellis is a very well written book with many powerful messages subtly threaded throughout. I loved Sophie's character; she seemed to be a very intelligent child who always tried to give her friends the benefit of the doubt. The characters are varied and authentic to the age group, each with strengths and weaknesses which helped support the main message of the book. The dialogue between the young siblings and school children is very authentic, realistic and really comical at times. The story covers some important moral subjects such as honesty, kindness, and self-confidence. I thought the story also tackled the subject of isolating others and the hugely important topic of social media bullying very well. There are so many areas of conversation that parents and teachers can have with children as they read this book together which would inspire children to be proud of their strengths. I think any child reading this book would gain the confidence to be themselves and not feel pressured to follow the crowd.
In Sophie Washington: My BFF by Tonya Duncan Ellis, Sophie and Chloe have been best friends since they started school and Sophie always imagined that would never change. Although they are very different and have different interests, Sophie is happy just to be friends with Chloe. But an innocent picture taken in front of the Killer Whale ride would question everything Sophie believed about her best friend. Sophie doesn't understand why she is no longer included in the fun and wants nothing more than to have her friend back. When Chloe asks Sophie to take the blame for cheating in a poetry assignment, Sophie agrees. Now Sophie has to deal with the consequences of her lies. Will she and Chloe ever become friends again, or will Sophie learn an important life lesson about friendship?
Sophie Washington: My BFF by Tonya Duncan Ellis is a very well written book with many powerful messages subtly threaded throughout. I loved Sophie's character; she seemed to be a very intelligent child who always tried to give her friends the benefit of the doubt. The characters are varied and authentic to the age group, each with strengths and weaknesses which helped support the main message of the book. The dialogue between the young siblings and school children is very authentic, realistic and really comical at times. The story covers some important moral subjects such as honesty, kindness, and self-confidence. I thought the story also tackled the subject of isolating others and the hugely important topic of social media bullying very well. There are so many areas of conversation that parents and teachers can have with children as they read this book together which would inspire children to be proud of their strengths. I think any child reading this book would gain the confidence to be themselves and not feel pressured to follow the crowd.
Recommend this book:
What to Do When You're Feeling Blue
Andi Cann
2019 Finalist
35 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed By Amy Raines for Readers' Favorite
What to Do When You're Feeling Blue by Andi Cann is a short children’s story about a girl named Kappy. She is feeling sad and has no idea why so she asks her parents if they might know. Both of Kappy’s parents give wonderful answers for her sadness and even some bright ideas for Kappy to help herself feel better. Even though both parents have very different answers, they both let Kappy know that it is okay for her to feel the way she feels.
What to Do When You're Feeling Blue by Andi Cann is a wonderful children’s story with a plot that invites children to understand why they feel sad for no reason and how to cope. The characters are fun, bright and thoughtful as Kappy tries to understand her mood change. The illustrations easily relate to what the story is saying in bold and bright pictures. I love this story and can only imagine how wonderful Cann’s other stories are.
I recommend this story to anyone with children that love a soothing and understanding bedtime story as well as anyone who has a child coping with an emotional disorder that affects their moods. I love how Cann deliberately points out that having any emotion is perfectly natural in a way that children can understand and learn from. I truly hope to read many more stories like this one, designed to help kids understand basic issues in a fun and interesting manner.
What to Do When You're Feeling Blue by Andi Cann is a short children’s story about a girl named Kappy. She is feeling sad and has no idea why so she asks her parents if they might know. Both of Kappy’s parents give wonderful answers for her sadness and even some bright ideas for Kappy to help herself feel better. Even though both parents have very different answers, they both let Kappy know that it is okay for her to feel the way she feels.
What to Do When You're Feeling Blue by Andi Cann is a wonderful children’s story with a plot that invites children to understand why they feel sad for no reason and how to cope. The characters are fun, bright and thoughtful as Kappy tries to understand her mood change. The illustrations easily relate to what the story is saying in bold and bright pictures. I love this story and can only imagine how wonderful Cann’s other stories are.
I recommend this story to anyone with children that love a soothing and understanding bedtime story as well as anyone who has a child coping with an emotional disorder that affects their moods. I love how Cann deliberately points out that having any emotion is perfectly natural in a way that children can understand and learn from. I truly hope to read many more stories like this one, designed to help kids understand basic issues in a fun and interesting manner.
Recommend this book:
If You Were Me and Lived in...Colonial America
An Introduction to Civilizations Throughout Time (Volume 9)
Carole P. Roman
2019 Honorable Mention
64 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed By Lucinda E Clarke for Readers' Favorite
If You Were Me and Lived in...Colonial America is a children’s book telling in simple terms the background to the religious persecution in England following King Henry VIII’s failure to obtain a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, and his break away from the Roman Catholic Church under the Pope. The author explains how many people followed the new Protestant faith, but then fled England to settle in the Dutch Netherlands to worship in freedom. They had adopted an even simpler form of expressing their faith and were labeled Puritans. Since life was hard in the Netherlands, especially learning a foreign language, they then embarked on two ships to settle in the New World – America. The remainder of the book tells the young reader what life was like in the early colonial days, how they built their houses, what food they ate, how they dressed, and made friends with the native peoples who already lived in the area.
I thought this was a really delightful book. In writing If You Were Me and Lived in...Colonial America, Carole P Roman has used simple language that even very young children can understand. The more unusual words are followed by phonetics to aid correct pronunciation. There is a comprehensive glossary suitable for early readers at the end of the book. At no point was there too much information and no questions were left unanswered. The drawings on alternate pages are a joy, simple yet detailed enough to give young readers an excellent understanding of what day to day life was like in those times and under those conditions.
Despite being a history major, there were several things I learned from the book. The subject of divergence within the religious beliefs was handled clearly and beautifully, and I loved the questions posed as to the clues in the names and challenges facing new settlers which involve readers. I have noticed several books in this series before, but this is the first one I have read and I would recommend they are included on the school lists for primary school libraries. An added bonus are the teaching materials associated with the book. A delightful read, thoroughly enjoyable and well worth 5 stars.
If You Were Me and Lived in...Colonial America is a children’s book telling in simple terms the background to the religious persecution in England following King Henry VIII’s failure to obtain a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, and his break away from the Roman Catholic Church under the Pope. The author explains how many people followed the new Protestant faith, but then fled England to settle in the Dutch Netherlands to worship in freedom. They had adopted an even simpler form of expressing their faith and were labeled Puritans. Since life was hard in the Netherlands, especially learning a foreign language, they then embarked on two ships to settle in the New World – America. The remainder of the book tells the young reader what life was like in the early colonial days, how they built their houses, what food they ate, how they dressed, and made friends with the native peoples who already lived in the area.
I thought this was a really delightful book. In writing If You Were Me and Lived in...Colonial America, Carole P Roman has used simple language that even very young children can understand. The more unusual words are followed by phonetics to aid correct pronunciation. There is a comprehensive glossary suitable for early readers at the end of the book. At no point was there too much information and no questions were left unanswered. The drawings on alternate pages are a joy, simple yet detailed enough to give young readers an excellent understanding of what day to day life was like in those times and under those conditions.
Despite being a history major, there were several things I learned from the book. The subject of divergence within the religious beliefs was handled clearly and beautifully, and I loved the questions posed as to the clues in the names and challenges facing new settlers which involve readers. I have noticed several books in this series before, but this is the first one I have read and I would recommend they are included on the school lists for primary school libraries. An added bonus are the teaching materials associated with the book. A delightful read, thoroughly enjoyable and well worth 5 stars.
Recommend this book:
Thomas Wildus and The Book of Sorrows
J.M. Bergen
2019 Bronze Medal
364 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed By Kristen Van Kampen (Teen Reviewer) for Readers' Favorite
Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows by J.M Bergen is a stunning fantasy novel about a twelve-year-old boy named Thomas. When Thomas was really young, his father told him that magic was real right before he left him. Thomas lived his life as an ordinary boy, until one day he asked about magic at a bookstore and was given the Book of Sorrows. Thomas soon learns that he has magical powers and is flown half way around the world to learn how to use them. He also learns that much is at stake, and that he has to protect a magical crystal from a man named Arius. Will Thomas rise to the challenge?
I really enjoyed reading Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows by J.M Bergen. The book was very descriptive and incredibly well written. The plot was intriguing and well thought through. I liked that the author had a new take on magic. There were funny parts throughout the story that made me giggle. The book has many plot twists that will leave the reader wondering which characters they can trust. The book will hook readers from the first page, and will keep them wondering what happens next throughout the story. The story had many extremely exciting scenes that will captivate the audience. The characters were very likeable and realistic. They were also very inspiring because they make the right choices. This book will entertain readers of all ages. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.
Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows by J.M Bergen is a stunning fantasy novel about a twelve-year-old boy named Thomas. When Thomas was really young, his father told him that magic was real right before he left him. Thomas lived his life as an ordinary boy, until one day he asked about magic at a bookstore and was given the Book of Sorrows. Thomas soon learns that he has magical powers and is flown half way around the world to learn how to use them. He also learns that much is at stake, and that he has to protect a magical crystal from a man named Arius. Will Thomas rise to the challenge?
I really enjoyed reading Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows by J.M Bergen. The book was very descriptive and incredibly well written. The plot was intriguing and well thought through. I liked that the author had a new take on magic. There were funny parts throughout the story that made me giggle. The book has many plot twists that will leave the reader wondering which characters they can trust. The book will hook readers from the first page, and will keep them wondering what happens next throughout the story. The story had many extremely exciting scenes that will captivate the audience. The characters were very likeable and realistic. They were also very inspiring because they make the right choices. This book will entertain readers of all ages. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.
Recommend this book:
Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China
Sherry Ellis
2019 Silver Medal
96 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed By Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite
Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China by Sherry Ellis is the work of a great imagination; a pulsating adventure with a great appeal to young readers, cinematic and littered with humor. What started as an argument between Squirt and her brother, Bubba, mysteriously plunges them into an adventure they never imagined possible. Just because of a magic shovel and Squirt’s doubts that Bubba can dig a hole to China. But then the hole swallows the kids up and flushes them out in Xi'an, China, where they find themselves surrounded by Terracotta Warriors. But when the ghost of the first emperor of China appears and tells them that they can’t go back home until they find his missing pi, the kids know they are in real trouble. An encounter with a young girl and a grandmother who offer to help them gives them hope, but how can they find the missing pendant if they are being followed?
This children's book is engrossing. It is delightful, and from the very beginning the reader is absorbed by the exciting, first person narrative voice. The opening itself is humorous as the two protagonists argue to determine how to begin their story. I enjoyed the way the author allows the worldview of the kids to come out through the narrative. “I’m Bubba. And guess what? I dug a big hole to China. For real! And Squirt didn’t think I could.” Every page is filled with humorous dialogues and exciting scenes, starting with the discussion about the shovel right through to the exciting and adventure in China. The writing is impeccable, the characters well developed and likable, and the pacing fast. Young readers will love the characters and adult readers will also have a lot of fun following these characters. Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China is a rollicking ride to read and pass on.
Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China by Sherry Ellis is the work of a great imagination; a pulsating adventure with a great appeal to young readers, cinematic and littered with humor. What started as an argument between Squirt and her brother, Bubba, mysteriously plunges them into an adventure they never imagined possible. Just because of a magic shovel and Squirt’s doubts that Bubba can dig a hole to China. But then the hole swallows the kids up and flushes them out in Xi'an, China, where they find themselves surrounded by Terracotta Warriors. But when the ghost of the first emperor of China appears and tells them that they can’t go back home until they find his missing pi, the kids know they are in real trouble. An encounter with a young girl and a grandmother who offer to help them gives them hope, but how can they find the missing pendant if they are being followed?
This children's book is engrossing. It is delightful, and from the very beginning the reader is absorbed by the exciting, first person narrative voice. The opening itself is humorous as the two protagonists argue to determine how to begin their story. I enjoyed the way the author allows the worldview of the kids to come out through the narrative. “I’m Bubba. And guess what? I dug a big hole to China. For real! And Squirt didn’t think I could.” Every page is filled with humorous dialogues and exciting scenes, starting with the discussion about the shovel right through to the exciting and adventure in China. The writing is impeccable, the characters well developed and likable, and the pacing fast. Young readers will love the characters and adult readers will also have a lot of fun following these characters. Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China is a rollicking ride to read and pass on.
Recommend this book:
The Worst First Day
Bullied While Desegregating Central High
Elizabeth Eckford, Eurydice Stanley and Grace Stanley
2019 Gold Medal
152 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed By Gisela Dixon for Readers' Favorite
The Worst First Day: Bullied While Desegregating Central High by Elizabeth Eckford, Eurydice Stanley, and Grace Stanley is a non-fiction memoir of what happened in the early days of desegregation and, specifically, when a young girl became the first black student to enter an all-white school for the first time at the Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. In this book, we hear a firsthand account of this experience from Elizabeth Eckford, the young black girl who was part of the now-historic Little Rock Nine. She recounts the fear, the intimidation, the bullying, and threats of violence that she and the other students underwent throughout that period. The book also showcases a lot of photographs and illustrations of those times which show that the hate and violence against African Americans was and is so real and virulent. The book also includes short anecdotes, information, and other relevant resources related to the topic of racism and what it means in today’s world.
The Worst First Day is one of the finest books I have read and is a must-read for young adults and adults alike. It is even more important and relevant in today’s era where the younger generation may not have a complete sense of what it was like in the days of legal segregation and pre-Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s. Some of the experiences that are recounted in this book are eye-opening and sorely needed at a time when racism is still alive and truly well in America as in many other parts of the world. The writing and flow of this book are very well organized and the pictures truly bring the story and the era to life. Books like this not only teach a part of history but also provide a better path for the future through awareness. I highly recommend this book for every young student and for readers everywhere!
The Worst First Day: Bullied While Desegregating Central High by Elizabeth Eckford, Eurydice Stanley, and Grace Stanley is a non-fiction memoir of what happened in the early days of desegregation and, specifically, when a young girl became the first black student to enter an all-white school for the first time at the Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. In this book, we hear a firsthand account of this experience from Elizabeth Eckford, the young black girl who was part of the now-historic Little Rock Nine. She recounts the fear, the intimidation, the bullying, and threats of violence that she and the other students underwent throughout that period. The book also showcases a lot of photographs and illustrations of those times which show that the hate and violence against African Americans was and is so real and virulent. The book also includes short anecdotes, information, and other relevant resources related to the topic of racism and what it means in today’s world.
The Worst First Day is one of the finest books I have read and is a must-read for young adults and adults alike. It is even more important and relevant in today’s era where the younger generation may not have a complete sense of what it was like in the days of legal segregation and pre-Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s. Some of the experiences that are recounted in this book are eye-opening and sorely needed at a time when racism is still alive and truly well in America as in many other parts of the world. The writing and flow of this book are very well organized and the pictures truly bring the story and the era to life. Books like this not only teach a part of history but also provide a better path for the future through awareness. I highly recommend this book for every young student and for readers everywhere!
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