Geo Librarian

THE WRIGHT BROTHERS: Nose-Diving into History Epic Fails #1 by Erik Slader and Ben Thompson Roaring Brook Press, 2018 Source: purchased Ages 9-12 Middle grade nonfiction (history) All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Although Orville and Wilbur Wright are celebrated today as heroes for their revolutionary contributions to science and engineering—they are acknowledged as the first men to successfully achieve powered, piloted flight—their success was hard-earned. (Spoiler alert: there were a lot of nosedives involved.) In fact, it took the self-taught engineers years of work and dozens of crashes before they managed a single twelve-second flight! In this first installment of the brand new Epic Fails series, Ben Thompson and Erik Slader take readers through the Wright brothers' many mishaps and misadventures as they paved the way for modern aviation. The Epic Fails series takes a humorous and unexpected view of history, exploring the surpr...

THE FAITHFUL SPY A True Story! Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix Amulet Books, 2018 ISBN: 978-1-4197-2838-9 Source: purchased Ages 12 and up YA Graphic Nonfiction All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK   Interweaving handwritten text and art, John Hendrix tells the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his fight against the oppression of the German people during World War II. Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian who was shocked to watch the German church embrace Hitler's agenda of hatred. He spoke out against the Nazi party and led a breakaway church that rebelled against racist and nationalist beliefs of the Third Reich. Struggling with how his faith interacted with his ethics, Bonhoeffer eventually became convinced that Hitler and the Nazi Party needed to be stopped--and he was willing to sacrifice anything and everything to do so. REVIEW Wow! Hendrix has really out done himself with ...

THE LAW OF FINDERS KEEPERS Mo & Dale Mystery #4 by Sheila Turnage Kathy Dawson Books, 2018 ISBN: 978-0-8037-3962-8 Source: purchased Ages 9-12 Middle grade mystery/contemporary All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Pirates, family, and the truth about Mo's Upstream Mother collide in the conclusion to the Newbery Honor and New York Times bestselling Three Times Lucky. When the Colonel and Miss Lana share the clues about Mo's watery origins that they've been saving, it seems the time is finally right for the Desperado Detectives (aka Mo, Dale, and Harm) to tackle the mystery of Mo's Upstream Mother. It's the scariest case Mo's had by far. But before they can get started, Mayor Little's mean mother hires them to hunt in her attic for clues to Blackbeard's treasure, which could be buried right in Tupelo Landing. Turns out, the Desperados aren't the only ones looking. A prof...

A Dastardly Plot A Perilous Journey of Danger & Mayhem #1 by Christopher Healy Walden Pond Press, 2018 ISBN: 978-0-06-234197-6 Source: purchased Ages 9-12 Middle grade speculative (alternative history) All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK It's 1883—the Age of Invention! A time when great men like Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Nicola Tesla, and George Eastman work to turn the country into a land of limitless opportunity. And it all happens at the world famous Inventor’s Guild headquarters in New York City—a place where a great idea, a lot of hard work, and a little bit of luck can find you rubbing elbows with these gods of industry who will usher humanity into the future. Unless, of course, you’re a woman. Molly Pepper, daughter of brilliant but unknown inventor Cassandra Pepper, lives with her mother in New York. By day, they make ends meet running a pickle shop; but by night, they toil and dream of Cassandra taking her pl...

DIET FOR A CHANGING CLIMATE Food for Thought by Christy Mihaly & Sue Heavenrich Twenty-First Century Books, 2018 ISBN: 9781512481211 Source: eBook from public library Ages 14 and up YA Nonfiction All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK The United Nations supports a compelling solution to world hunger: eat insects! Explore the vast world of unexpected foods that may help solve the global hunger crisis. Weeds, wild plants, invasive and feral species, and bugs are all food for thought. Learn about the nutritional value of various plant and animal species; visit a cricket farm; try a recipe for dandelion pancakes, kudzu salsa, or pickled purslane; and discover more about climate change, sustainability, green agriculture, indigenous foods, farm-to-table restaurants, and how to be an eco-friendly producer, consumer, and chef. Meet average folks and experts in the field who will help you stretch your culinary imagination! REVIEW This book was...

MRS. CLAUS TAKES THE REINS by Sue Fliess, illustrated by Mark Chambers two lions, 2018 ISBN: 978-1503936980 Source: publisher for review (Blue Slip Media) Ages 4-8 Picture book All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK It’s Christmas Eve morning, and Santa Claus is still in bed! He’s feeling stuffy and sneezy and slow as a yeti. Will Christmas have to be canceled? Not this year! Because Mrs. Claus is ready to take the reins in Santa’s place. With a plan in mind, Mrs. Claus assembles the crew, maps out the route, and preps the sleigh. Then, with a snap of the reins, she shoots off into the night. Delivering gifts all over the world without Santa’s magic won’t be easy, but Mrs. Claus proves she has some holiday sparkle of her own… With lively rhyming text and adorable artwork, this delightful Christmas adventure will get kids into the holiday spirit. ABOUT THE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR Sue Fliess is the author of more than twenty children’s books...

MARY SHELLEY The Strange True Tale of Frankenstein's Creator by Catherine Reef Clarion Books, 2018 ISBN: 9781328740052 Source: eBook through public library Ages 14 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK   On the 200th anniversary of the publication of Frankenstein, comes a riveting biography of its author, Mary Shelley, whose life reads like a dark gothic novel, filled with scandal, death, drama, and one of the strangest love stories in literary history.  The story of Frankenstein ’s creator is a strange, romantic, and tragic one, as deeply compelling as the novel itself. Mary ran away to Lake Geneva with the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley when she was just sixteen. It was there, during a cold and wet summer, that she first imagined her story about a mad scientist who brought a corpse back to life. Success soon followed for Mary, but also great tragedy and misfortune.      Catherine Reef brings this passion...

THE PRINCESS IN BLACK AND THE SCIENCE FAIR SCARE by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham Candlewick Press, 2018 ISBN: 978-0-7636-8827-1 Source: purchased Ages 6-8 Early chapter book All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK It’s mayhem at the science fair! A squishy goo monster is a challenge for the Princess in Black — but luckily some science-loving princesses are on hand to help. Princess Magnolia is excited. Excited and nervous. She’s going to the Interkingdom Science Fair today to present her poster about seeds and plants, and when she arrives, she sees that her friends are there too! Princess Honeysuckle made a mole habitat, Princess Sneezewort has built a blanket fort, and Tommy Wigtower has a talking volcano that’s saying “EAAAAT!” Wait, what? A surprise goo monster makes this a job for the Princess in Black, and the Princess in Blankets is on the scene to lend a hand. But will two masked heroes be enough to save the scie...

UNSINKABLE From Russian Orphan to Paralympic Swimming World Champion by Jessica Long with Hannah Long HMH Books for Young Readers, 2018 ISBN: 9781328707253 Source: purchased Ages 10 and up Middle grade memoir/autobiography All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Born in Siberia with fibular hemimelia, Jessica Long was adopted from a Russian orphanage at thirteen months old and has since become the second most decorated U.S. Paralympic athlete of all time. Now, Jessica shares all the moments in her life—big and small, heartbreaking and uplifting—that led to her domination in the Paralympic swimming world. This photographic memoir, filled with photographs, sidebars, quotes, and more, will thrill her fans and inspire those who are hearing her story for the first time. REVIEW I really enjoyed this memoir by Jessica Long, Paralympic Swimming Champion.  The numerous photographs, beautiful book design, and casual text make it a great fit for...

LOUISIANA'S WAY HOME by Kate DiCamillo Candlewick Press, 2018 ISBN: 978-0-7636-9463-0 Source: purchased/ARC from publisher for review Middle grade historical fiction Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK From two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo comes a story of discovering who you are — and deciding who you want to be. When Louisiana Elefante’s granny wakes her up in the middle of the night to tell her that the day of reckoning has arrived and they have to leave home immediately, Louisiana isn’t overly worried. After all, Granny has many middle-of-the-night ideas. But this time, things are different. This time, Granny intends for them never to return. Separated from her best friends, Raymie and Beverly, Louisiana struggles to oppose the winds of fate (and Granny) and find a way home. But as Louisiana’s life becomes entwined with the lives of the people of a small Georgia town — including a surly motel owner, a walrus-like mini...

DUCK AND HIPPO GIVE THANKS by Jonathan London, illustrated by Andrew Joyner two lions, 2018 ISBN: 978-1503900806 Picture book Source: Blue Slip Media for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Duck and Hippo are thankful for good friends! It’s the day before Thanksgiving, and Hippo has his heart set on having a good old-fashioned feast with Duck and their friends. Together, Duck and Hippo go shopping for food and invite Turtle, Elephant, and Pig to share the special day with them. Then they get everything ready. But while Hippo goes to bed dreaming of his good old-fashioned Thanksgiving, Duck is busy making her own plans. There’s going to be a BIG surprise—one that will remind Hippo of all he has to be thankful for. Join Duck and Hippo for a memorable celebration! ABOUT THE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR Jonathan London is the author of more than one hundred children’s books, including the Froggy series, illustrated by Frank Remkiewi...

HOW I RESIST Activism and Hope for a New Generation Edited by Maureen Johnson Wednesday Books, 2018 ISBN: 978-1-250-16836-8 Source: public library Ages 14 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK An all-star collection of essays about activism and hope, edited by bestselling YA author Maureen Johnson. Now, more than ever, young people are motivated to make a difference in a world they're bound to inherit. They're ready to stand up and be heard - but with much to shout about, where they do they begin? What can I do? How can I help? How I Resist is the response, and a way to start the conversation. To show readers that they are not helpless, and that anyone can be the change. A collection of essays, songs, illustrations, and interviews about activism and hope, How I Resist features an all-star group of contributors, including, John Paul Brammer, Libba Bray, Lauren Duca, Modern Family's Jesse Tyler Ferguson and his husband...

SQUINT by Chad Morris & Shelly Brown Shadow Mountain, 2018 ISBN: 978-1-62972-485-0 Source: ARC from publisher for review Ages 9-12 Middle grade contemporary All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Flint loves to draw. In fact, he’s furiously trying to finish his comic book so he can be the youngest winner of the “Find a Comic Star” contest. He’s also rushing to finish because he has keratoconus—an eye disease that could eventually make him blind. McKell is the new girl at school and immediately hangs with the popular kids. Except McKell’s not a fan of the way her friends treat this boy named  Squint . He seems nice and really talented. He draws awesome pictures of superheroes. McKell wants to get to know him, but is it worth the risk? What if her friends catch her hanging with the kid who squints all the time? McKell has a hidden talent of her own but doesn’t share it for fear of being judged. Her terminally ill brother, Danny, ...