Geo Librarian

HOUNDSLEY AND CATINA AT THE LIBRARY by James Howe, illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay Candlewick Press, 2020 ISBN: 978-0-7636-9662-7 Source: purchased Ages 5-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK It's Saturday, and Houndsley, Catina, and their friend Bert are looking forward to their weekly visit to the library. But when the trio arrives, they find that Trixie, the librarian, seems different. She doesn't tell a joke or recommend a book like she always does. That's when the friends find out the news -- the library is closing! With Trixie retiring and enrolled in circus school, there's no one to take her place as head librarian . . . or is there? James Howe and Marie-Louise Gay have created another engaging tale about what it means to be a supportive friend and how it's never too late to learn something new. REVIEW In this delightful early reader about friendship and libraries, Houndsley, Catina, and Bert set off for the...

BREAKING THROUGH How Female Athletes Shattered Stereotypes in the Roaring Twenties by Sue Macy National Geographic Kids, 2020 ISBN: 9781426336768 Source: Media Masters Publicity Ages 10-14 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Macy offers a rare and fascinating glimpse into the journey of women's rights through the lens of women in sports during the pivotal decade of the 1920s. With elegant prose, poignant wit, and fascinating primary sources, Macy explores the many hurdles presented to female athletes as they stormed the field, stepped up to bat, and won the right to compete in sports. Featuring bold and talented heroines, this book documents how the social issues and morals of the decade--from politics to segregation to the media--helped shape the changing narratives around women and alter the course of history entirely. It is a fascinating window into a rich and seldom explored history, and also a topical reminder of the many disc...

FOX & RABBIT by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Gergely Dudas Amulet Books, 2020 ISBN: 9781419740770 Source: purchased Ages 6-9 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK A graphic-novel series for emerging readers about the simple magic of true friendship Easy-going Fox and anxious Rabbit seem like total opposites. But, somehow, they make the perfect pair! Whether searching for hidden treasure or planting a garden in their own backyard, Fox and Rabbit find everyday magic at every turn. On this first adventure, the pair will discover some new favorite things like sunsets, dandelions, and cotton candy. And they’ll face new fears like heights, swimming, and (poisonous!) frogs. Thankfully, there’s nothing Fox and Rabbit can’t do together! REVIEW Fox and Rabbit enjoy doing many things together, such as looking at cloud shapes.  When one of those shapes turns out to be a chunk of cotton candy, it leads them to the local fair.  This begins ...

WILLA AND THE WHALE by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown Shadow Mountain, 2020 ISBN: 9781629727318 Source: ARC from publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK After losing her mom, Willa is grieving and having a hard time living with her dad and his new family on an island off the coast of Washington State. Her dad tries to cheer her up by taking her whale watching, something Willa's mom used to do. While all the passengers are on one side of the boat, Willa encounters a humpback whale on the opposite side. Willa feels so lonely that she starts to talk to the whale—and the whale talks back! The whale, named Meg, quickly becomes a trusted friend and confidante Willa can speak to whenever she's by the ocean. Meg offers sound advice Willa needs about dealing with a nemesis at school and trying to figure out why her friend Marc is keeping secrets about his family life. Before the story ends, it will take all o...