Geo Librarian

THE CURSE OF THE MUMMY Uncovering Tutankhamun's Tomb by Candace Fleming Scholastic Focus, 2021 ISBN: 978-1-338-59661-8 Source: purchased Ages 10-14 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK The true story of the search for Tutankhamun's tomb, the Western public's belief that the dig was cursed, and the battle for ownership of the treasures within. During the reign of the New Kingdom of Egypt, the boy pharaoh Tutankhamun ruled and died tragically young. In order to send him on his way into the afterlife, his tomb was filled with every treasure he would need after death. And then, it was lost to time, buried in the sands of the Valley of the Kings. His tomb was also said to be cursed. Centuries later, as Egypt-mania gripped Europe, two Brits -- a rich earl with a habit for gambling and a disreputable, determined archeologist -- worked for years to rediscover and open Tutankhamun's tomb. But once it was uncovered, would ancient powers take their revenge for ...

MORE SURPRISNG STORIES BEHIND EVERYDAY STUFF by Stephanie Warren Drimmer National Geographic Kids, 2020 ISBN: 978-1-4263-3865-6 Source: Media Masters Publicity Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Ever wonder how haunted houses got their spooky rep; where cheese originally came from; and when and where people decided hitting a tiny ball with a long stick (ahem, golf?) was their idea of fun? Prepare to be amazed by the surprising backstories behind the things you use or do every day! From familiar foods and common clothing items to bizarre beauty regimens and quirky products, this book covers all your burning questions: Who thought of that? Where did that come from? Why is that a thing? This riveting little treasure is jam-packed with awesome facts, fun stories, and colorful visuals. Once you know all this cool stuff about the origins of everyday stuff, you can "wow" your friends and family. REVIEW Each of the chapters in More Surprising Stories B...

HELP MOM WORK FROM HOME! written by Diana Murray, illustrated by Cori Coerrfeld Little, Brown and Company, 2021 ISBN: 978-0-316-27365-7 Source: publisher for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK For fans of Boss Baby and How to Babysit a Grandma comes an entertaining read aloud for parents working from home with their little ones.  Mom works at home all week long, and her little one is right by her side. After all, she's a natural boss at organizing, leading meetings, and making calls—or so it seems. But when Mom starts looking frazzled, her little helper knows just how to make it all better.  Diana Murray's rollicking rhyme paired with Cori Doerrfeld's energetic and adorable illustrations will bring parent and child together after a long work day. ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR Diana Murray grew up in New York City and still lives close with her husband, two daughters, and bearded dragon. Some of Diana’s previous works include: City ...

A CHRISTMAS TOO BIG by Colleen Madden two lions, 2021 ISBN: 978-1542028004 Source: Blue Slip Media for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Kerry’s family goes completely berserk with Christmas every year. Starting the day after Thanksgiving, her home becomes a whirlwind of lights, music, and elves, elves, elves! Sometimes it gets a little overwhelming. This year, Kerry is desperate for some peace and quiet. Heading outdoors, she realizes a lot of her neighbors are having a Christmas too big. But not Mrs. Flores. She’s having a much quieter Christmas, complete with decorations and music from the country where she used to live. It sparks an idea: maybe there’s a way for Kerry to create her own Christmas traditions. But will anyone in her crazy Christmas house understand? Join Kerry as she finds her voice in this delightful holiday tale. “An intergenerational friendship and a busy holiday made meaningful set this title apart.” —Kirkus Reviews “Madden’s...

THREADS OF PEACE How Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Changed the World by Uma Krishnaswami Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2021 ISBN: 978-1-4814-1678-8 Source: publisher for review Ages 12 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Mohandas Gandhi and Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. both shook and changed the world in their quest for peace among all people, but what threads connected these great activists together in their shared goal of social revolution? A lawyer and activist, tiny of stature with giant ideas, in British-ruled India at the beginning of the 20th century. A minister from Georgia with a thunderous voice and hopes for peace at the height of the civil rights movement in America. Born more than a half-century apart, with seemingly little in common except one shared wish, both would go on to be icons of peaceful resistance and human decency. Both preached love for all human beings, regardless of race or religion. Both believed that freedom ...

SOMETHING GOOD words by Marcy Campbell, pictures by Corinna Luyken Little, Brown and Company, 2021 ISBN: 978-0-7595-5742-0 Source: purchased Ages 6 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own. REVIEW This book places the title page and copyright page at the end of the book, something I've never seen done before.  This allows the book to begin on the back of the flyleaf.  Interestingly, the child telling the story is never identified among all the children in the book.  The story has both a personal and community feel to it.  The individual narrator tells of the 'bad-something' that an unknown person put on the girl's bathroom wall.  Despite efforts by the principal to discover the source of the 'bad-something', the culprit is never identified.  But the consequences of the act run deep.  The children in the narrator's class feel worried, confused, sad, or angry.  The mix of emotions leads to more unkindness.  The principal calls the school...

A SARI FOR AMMI story by Mamta Nainy, pictures by Sandhya Prabhat Amazon Kids Crossing, 2021 ISBN: 978-1542035071 Source: publisher through Blue Slip Media Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Ammi weaves the most beautiful saris but never gets to wear any of them. Her two little daughters decide to do something about it—break their piggy bank! But when there isn’t enough money to buy Ammi a sari, the two girls must work together to find a solution. Will they be able to buy Ammi the gift she so deserves? With a text full of heart, and bright, cheerful artwork, this story brings readers into the home of a weaver’s family in Kaithoon, India, where the creation of saris is an art form. The book includes a glossary of Indian terms and a note about the saris made in this region. ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR Mamta Nainy is a children's writer, editor, and translator based in New Delhi, India. She is the author of many children's books, including A B...

A HOME AGAIN by Colleen Rowan Kosinski, illustrated by Valeria Docampo two lions, 2021 ISBN: 978-1-5420-0720-7 Source: publisher for review/Blue Slip Media Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK After the last brick is laid, a family moves into a brand-new house. As the family grows, the house delights in the sound of laughter echoing in its halls and the pitter-patter of little feet traversing its floors and realizes it is no longer just a house. It has become a home—their home. One day, the family packs up, and with tears in their eyes, they say goodbye. The house doesn’t know if it can ever be happy again until two men appear. It begins to feel a sliver of hope about this new family…perhaps it can become a home once more. Told from the perspective of a house, this story’s heartfelt text and beautiful illustrations convey a warmth of feeling as two families change and grow at different times within the same four walls.  PROFESSIONAL COMMENTS “The expert...

CODE BREAKER, SPY HUNTER How Elizabeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars words by Laurie Wallmark, art by Brooke Smart Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2021 ISBN: 978-1-4197-3963-7 Source: purchased Ages 6-10 All opinions expressed are solely my own. REVIEW This stunning book about Elizabeth Friedman and her incredible code-cracking skills presents a fascinating look into a woman who used her skills to benefit her country, during not one, but two world wars.  The codes scattered throughout the book offer young readers a chance to learn some code-breaking skills themselves.  Interestingly, an encounter with a librarian set her on the path that lead to Elizabeth becoming one of the world's most accomplished code breakers.  Along the way she met her husband and helped form the United States first code-breaking unit.  Not only did she and her husband help break codes but they helped establish techniques and strategies that would be used for years to come. She ...