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The Midnight Glass
D. T. Vaughn
2021 Finalist
265 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite
The Midnight Glass is a children’s fantasy by D.T. Vaughn. Eleven-year-old Wyatt Dumont, his irritating sister Roxanne, and their widowed mother move to the eerily dark town of Davenport. No one is allowed to leave Davenport and its gates are kept locked. They feel out of place among the odd-looking residents who also think the Dumonts are strange too. Some aren’t human but are elves and wulfyns. When Wyatt finds a particular piece of glass with an unfamiliar inscription and has to sit at a haunted desk at school, his curiosity overcomes his fear. Why is the desk haunted? Why did dragons cause mayhem at the festival? Why are others looking for the glass and why are scary giant spiders in his room? As Wyatt learns more about Davenport’s history, unknown danger looms.
The Midnight Glass is a mesmerizing fantasy for 4th to 6th graders who are fond of similar magical stories like Harry Potter. The prologue is an extremely suspenseful, impressive beginning. I loved the rest of this exciting story with its unique characters and themes. Wyatt and his friends, a wulfyn and an elf, are adorable too. Magic, bullying, and scary creatures are not in short supply in this novel. D.T. Vaughn is imaginative in his writing. His character development and drama in The Midnight Glass made me think that this would make a nice movie. It’s entertaining and sentimental in parts with realistic family issues. I highly recommend this children’s book and hope to read more from this author.
The Midnight Glass is a children’s fantasy by D.T. Vaughn. Eleven-year-old Wyatt Dumont, his irritating sister Roxanne, and their widowed mother move to the eerily dark town of Davenport. No one is allowed to leave Davenport and its gates are kept locked. They feel out of place among the odd-looking residents who also think the Dumonts are strange too. Some aren’t human but are elves and wulfyns. When Wyatt finds a particular piece of glass with an unfamiliar inscription and has to sit at a haunted desk at school, his curiosity overcomes his fear. Why is the desk haunted? Why did dragons cause mayhem at the festival? Why are others looking for the glass and why are scary giant spiders in his room? As Wyatt learns more about Davenport’s history, unknown danger looms.
The Midnight Glass is a mesmerizing fantasy for 4th to 6th graders who are fond of similar magical stories like Harry Potter. The prologue is an extremely suspenseful, impressive beginning. I loved the rest of this exciting story with its unique characters and themes. Wyatt and his friends, a wulfyn and an elf, are adorable too. Magic, bullying, and scary creatures are not in short supply in this novel. D.T. Vaughn is imaginative in his writing. His character development and drama in The Midnight Glass made me think that this would make a nice movie. It’s entertaining and sentimental in parts with realistic family issues. I highly recommend this children’s book and hope to read more from this author.
Recommend this book:
Secret of the Starflower
Rainbow of Spectra
Jessica Kopecky
2021 Honorable Mention
118 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed by Tiffany Ferrell for Readers' Favorite
Secret of the Starflower: Rainbow of Spectra is a work of children's fiction by author Jessica Kopecky. Sandy wasn’t like the rest of the seahorsicorns that she knew growing up in Spectra. While everyone at school had pretty colors and could vanish as a way to protect themselves against chomperfish, Sandy had a strange rainbow mane and couldn’t vanish at all. Instead of disappearing, a beautiful starflower would appear, much to her dismay. Because of her bright colors, Sandy had to remain hidden when she looked for food, and oftentimes she’d go hungry. When her hunger got the better of her, she’d join the other seahorsicorns to eat, but was often bullied and pushed away because of her colors and how she attracted chomperfish. When the mayor of Spectra came to her and told her it would be best if she left since she attracted too many chomperfish, she found herself in a lonely life, until she got a knock on her door and a letter from a seahorsicorn who loved adventure. The two continued to write to one another and a friendship was built. Would this newfound friend help Sandy come out of hiding, or will she remain in the cave where it was safe but lonely?
I thought Secret Of The Starflower was an emotive and enlightening read. Sandy's experience of being teased for being different is a subject that I can see kids understanding. It also teaches a very good lesson that being different isn’t a bad thing, and what makes us unlike others can be seen as a strength and not a weakness. The main character Sandy is very well written and a muse that the young reader will relate to. The illustrations are also beautifully done and fit perfectly with the storyline. They are bright and colorful which will also grasp and keep a child’s attention. I think Jessica Kopecky has done a wonderful job and I can’t wait to read Sandy the seahorsicorn’s next adventure.
Secret of the Starflower: Rainbow of Spectra is a work of children's fiction by author Jessica Kopecky. Sandy wasn’t like the rest of the seahorsicorns that she knew growing up in Spectra. While everyone at school had pretty colors and could vanish as a way to protect themselves against chomperfish, Sandy had a strange rainbow mane and couldn’t vanish at all. Instead of disappearing, a beautiful starflower would appear, much to her dismay. Because of her bright colors, Sandy had to remain hidden when she looked for food, and oftentimes she’d go hungry. When her hunger got the better of her, she’d join the other seahorsicorns to eat, but was often bullied and pushed away because of her colors and how she attracted chomperfish. When the mayor of Spectra came to her and told her it would be best if she left since she attracted too many chomperfish, she found herself in a lonely life, until she got a knock on her door and a letter from a seahorsicorn who loved adventure. The two continued to write to one another and a friendship was built. Would this newfound friend help Sandy come out of hiding, or will she remain in the cave where it was safe but lonely?
I thought Secret Of The Starflower was an emotive and enlightening read. Sandy's experience of being teased for being different is a subject that I can see kids understanding. It also teaches a very good lesson that being different isn’t a bad thing, and what makes us unlike others can be seen as a strength and not a weakness. The main character Sandy is very well written and a muse that the young reader will relate to. The illustrations are also beautifully done and fit perfectly with the storyline. They are bright and colorful which will also grasp and keep a child’s attention. I think Jessica Kopecky has done a wonderful job and I can’t wait to read Sandy the seahorsicorn’s next adventure.
Recommend this book:
Bag Boy and Sweet Slob
Dave Shelton
2021 Bronze Medal
40 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed by Soumya Sreehari for Readers' Favorite
What would you do if you had someone to call whenever you needed a bag for anything? Do you know someone who always keeps her room messy? Your sister, daughter, cousin, friend? What if the one with the bags and the one with the messy room met and became friends? That is exactly what happens in Dave Shelton’s story – Bag Boy and Sweet Slob. Randy Rassman collects all kinds of bags and keeps them handy because he believes they will be useful someday. Tandy Taylor is oblivious to the mess in her room and finds excuses every time her mother asks her to clean the room. She is a kind-hearted girl who just does not want to clean up her room’s mess. When Randy and Tandy meet in school and find that they can help each other, a friendship is born.
We all tend to have that one quality that is noticeable more than any other. A quirk, so to say. Randy is the bag collector; Tandy is the kind girl who never cleans her room. That is how they get their names – Bag Boy and Sweet Slob. Dave Shelton has weaved a beautiful story around these two characters about friendship, kindness, helping others, and caring for the environment. There are lessons to learn, both for children and for grown-ups. The illustrations by Richard Peter David are brilliant. They bring the story alive on the pages. I adored the two sweet characters and enjoyed their story. The story of their meeting, helping each other, and generating a business idea is endearing, to say the least. I highly recommend this book wholeheartedly for a heart-warming read.
What would you do if you had someone to call whenever you needed a bag for anything? Do you know someone who always keeps her room messy? Your sister, daughter, cousin, friend? What if the one with the bags and the one with the messy room met and became friends? That is exactly what happens in Dave Shelton’s story – Bag Boy and Sweet Slob. Randy Rassman collects all kinds of bags and keeps them handy because he believes they will be useful someday. Tandy Taylor is oblivious to the mess in her room and finds excuses every time her mother asks her to clean the room. She is a kind-hearted girl who just does not want to clean up her room’s mess. When Randy and Tandy meet in school and find that they can help each other, a friendship is born.
We all tend to have that one quality that is noticeable more than any other. A quirk, so to say. Randy is the bag collector; Tandy is the kind girl who never cleans her room. That is how they get their names – Bag Boy and Sweet Slob. Dave Shelton has weaved a beautiful story around these two characters about friendship, kindness, helping others, and caring for the environment. There are lessons to learn, both for children and for grown-ups. The illustrations by Richard Peter David are brilliant. They bring the story alive on the pages. I adored the two sweet characters and enjoyed their story. The story of their meeting, helping each other, and generating a business idea is endearing, to say the least. I highly recommend this book wholeheartedly for a heart-warming read.
Recommend this book:
Corky Tails Tales of a Tailless Dog Named Sagebrush
Sagebrush Meets the Shuns
Joni Franks
2021 Silver Medal
36 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
Sagebrush lived with her parents Maverick and Ginger and they were house dogs of the young Miss, who was kind. The young Miss owned the ranch which had cows, horses, and ranch dogs. It was a beautiful ranch. Sagebrush was up that morning and she decided to take a stroll before breakfast. She decided to explore the woods and she strayed farther and farther away from home. Since she was smelling the earth and walking, she did not really pay attention to where she was going. On that same day, Shuns were going about their business as keepers of the forest and they saw a tailless creature smelling flowers and making her way into the forest. Sagebrush became friends with Sprout and Shroom and they showed her how their homes were getting lost due to humans clearing the forests. Would the Shuns be left homeless? How does Sagebrush, together with the young Miss, help them?
Corky Tales of a Tailless Dog Named Sagebrush: Sagebrush Meets the Shuns by Joni Franks is an adorable story that helps young readers understand the importance of protecting Mother Earth so that everyone has a place which they can call home. Raquel Rodriguez adds to the color and magic of the story with her wonderful illustrations that breathe life into the characters and the scenes. It is a story about kindness, love, being helpful, and giving a hopeless situation a happy ending. It is a perfect book for storytelling sessions in classrooms as it conveys a lot of important messages to readers. It is also about living in harmony where every creature and everything on earth should be honored and preserved.
Sagebrush lived with her parents Maverick and Ginger and they were house dogs of the young Miss, who was kind. The young Miss owned the ranch which had cows, horses, and ranch dogs. It was a beautiful ranch. Sagebrush was up that morning and she decided to take a stroll before breakfast. She decided to explore the woods and she strayed farther and farther away from home. Since she was smelling the earth and walking, she did not really pay attention to where she was going. On that same day, Shuns were going about their business as keepers of the forest and they saw a tailless creature smelling flowers and making her way into the forest. Sagebrush became friends with Sprout and Shroom and they showed her how their homes were getting lost due to humans clearing the forests. Would the Shuns be left homeless? How does Sagebrush, together with the young Miss, help them?
Corky Tales of a Tailless Dog Named Sagebrush: Sagebrush Meets the Shuns by Joni Franks is an adorable story that helps young readers understand the importance of protecting Mother Earth so that everyone has a place which they can call home. Raquel Rodriguez adds to the color and magic of the story with her wonderful illustrations that breathe life into the characters and the scenes. It is a story about kindness, love, being helpful, and giving a hopeless situation a happy ending. It is a perfect book for storytelling sessions in classrooms as it conveys a lot of important messages to readers. It is also about living in harmony where every creature and everything on earth should be honored and preserved.
Recommend this book:
Sol Invictus
The Eye of Ra Book 2
Ben Gartner
2021 Gold Medal
300 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
Sol Invictus by Ben Gartner is the second book in the Eye of Ra series. Siblings Sarah and John made a shocking discovery when their curiosity led them on an adventure back in time to ancient Egypt. They made new friends and fought against a dangerous time traveler to find their way back home. The siblings thought their time travel days were behind them now that they were safe and sound at home. They never thought they'd venture into the past again until a trip to the museum sends them back in time to ancient Rome. Now the siblings have an all-new quest they'll have to complete if they're going to get back home again. To do so, they need to unite Constantius and Crocus while staying a step ahead of an enemy with the help of new allies.
Similar to the first book, Ben Gartner kicks off the story by setting up a deep connection to history before they venture into the past. The catalyst for their next journey starts with a trip to the museum and just as the siblings are goofing off with history, they suddenly get a trip back in time. The story is structured as an individual adventure within a larger plotline that is about the siblings' destiny and the journey they face. Ben Gartner has a gift for capturing details of the past and weaving a story that brings the adventure out of history. This series creates a love of history and learning with the wonder and excitement that the siblings find when they travel back in time. Sol Invictus focuses on the story of Crocus and delves into the heart of Roman history with Sarah and John surrounded by the culture and the attitudes of the time period. The title of Sol Invictus has an important meaning within the story. Sol Invictus blends adventure, history, and discovery through the adventure of two siblings as they get an up-close lesson in ancient Rome.
Sol Invictus by Ben Gartner is the second book in the Eye of Ra series. Siblings Sarah and John made a shocking discovery when their curiosity led them on an adventure back in time to ancient Egypt. They made new friends and fought against a dangerous time traveler to find their way back home. The siblings thought their time travel days were behind them now that they were safe and sound at home. They never thought they'd venture into the past again until a trip to the museum sends them back in time to ancient Rome. Now the siblings have an all-new quest they'll have to complete if they're going to get back home again. To do so, they need to unite Constantius and Crocus while staying a step ahead of an enemy with the help of new allies.
Similar to the first book, Ben Gartner kicks off the story by setting up a deep connection to history before they venture into the past. The catalyst for their next journey starts with a trip to the museum and just as the siblings are goofing off with history, they suddenly get a trip back in time. The story is structured as an individual adventure within a larger plotline that is about the siblings' destiny and the journey they face. Ben Gartner has a gift for capturing details of the past and weaving a story that brings the adventure out of history. This series creates a love of history and learning with the wonder and excitement that the siblings find when they travel back in time. Sol Invictus focuses on the story of Crocus and delves into the heart of Roman history with Sarah and John surrounded by the culture and the attitudes of the time period. The title of Sol Invictus has an important meaning within the story. Sol Invictus blends adventure, history, and discovery through the adventure of two siblings as they get an up-close lesson in ancient Rome.
Recommend this book:
My Homework Ate My Dog!
Derek Taylor Kent
2020 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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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
Kindle Edition
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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
118 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.
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