Geo Librarian

  HANDS ON SCIENCE: MATTER written by Lola M. Schaefer, illustrated by Druscilla Santiago Charlesbridge, 2023 ISBN: 978-1-62354-243-6 Source: publisher for review Ages 4-8 Picture book nonfiction All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover provided by publisher through Goodreads.com. REVIEW This clever interactive picture book takes readers through a basic introduction to solids, liquids, and gases by having readers 'tap, shake, tilt, twirl, and push' as they read the book. 'Smashing' clay, 'squeezing' cherries, and 'blowing' bubbles involve young readers in 'changing' the matter while learning about matter. The concrete examples make the content easy to understand and the book very entertaining as well as informative. As the author & illustrator walk readers through the changing forms of matter, they also introduce the scientific method and the importance of asking questions. The back matter includes information about how the human ...

EVEN SUPERHEROES GET SCARED written by Shelly Becker, illustrated by Eda Laban Union Square Kids, 2022 ISBN: 978-1-4549-4342-6 Source: publisher for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover provided by publisher through Goodreads.com. REVIEW In this rhyming companion to Even Superheroes Have Bad Days  and Even Superheroes Make Mistakes , a group of superheroes wrestle with their fears. The theme of overcoming one's fears by facing them down bravely and moving forward despite them is a worthy one for sharing with children. As long as children also understand that deep-seated phobias and anxieties, as well as other mental health concerns, require more than just willpower to overcome. The story provides a fun way to open the door to discussions about fear vs. anxiety, what real courage and bravery is, and that it helps to have others around to provide support. Laban's illustrations are charming and perfect for young readers who are really into superhero...

ONLY A TRENZA AWAY: A Tale of Trust and Strength written by Nadine Fonseca, illustrated by Camila Carrosone Shadow Mountain, 2023 ISBN: 9781639930982 Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary are provided by the publisher through Deseretbook.com. ABOUT THE BOOK A little girl feels her father's love as he takes time to braid her hair each night and share imaginative bedtime stories. Every night, Xiomara's (zee-oh-MA-da) papa delicately braids her hair before bed. As he gently tugs and twists and tightens her hair, father and daughter embark on imaginative and fun adventures as he makes up stories about Xia and her trenzas, or "braids" in Spanish. In one story, her trenza becomes a sturdy twisted vine that she uses to bravely swing through the jungle. In another, her trenzas are jump ropes as she catches the beat to play double Dutch with the best players in the neighborhood. But Xia worries what she would do if Papa was not there to he...

  THE SEA OF TERROR Once Upon a Time #3 written by Stuart Gibbs, illustrated by Stacy Curtis Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2023 ISBN: 978-1-6659-1744-5 Source: publisher for review Ages 7-10 Early Middle Grade Fantasy (Speculative)/Humor All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover provided by publisher through Goodreads.com. REVIEW With his trademark humor, Gibbs sends readers on another adventure with young knights-in-training, Tim and Belinda (in disguise). With a style reminiscent of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events , Tim narrates his misadventures while introducing readers to appropriate vocabulary words and amusing commentary. Despite the nonsensical nature of the tale, there are still important themes included such as friendship, loyalty, and courage. Tim struggles to do what he feels is right because he's afraid of being made fun of for being weak.  The knights he and Belinda travel with are rude and unwise and end up betraying Tim ...

  AMY WU AND THE RIBBON DANCE written by Kat Zhang, illustrated by Charlene Chia Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2023 ISBN: 9781665916721 Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover provided by publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kat Zhang loves traveling to places both real and fictional—the former have better souvenirs, but the latter allow for dragons, so it’s a tough choice. A writer of books for teens and children, she spends her free time scribbling poetry, taking photographs, and climbing atop things she shouldn’t. You can learn more about her at KatZhang.com.  ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR Charlene Chua draws many things, from baos to dragons, and everything in-between. When they are not drawing, they enjoy cooking, reading, and playing with their cats. Charlene grew up in Singapore, and now lives in Canada. Her favorite baos are  still  char siu baos, and her favorite...

GALLOWGATE written by K.R. Alexander Scholastic Press, 2023 ISBN:9781338806489 Source: eARC from publisher through NetGalley Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com. REVIEW Sebastian Wight sees ghosts.  He's seen ghosts since he saw his parents died at 5-years-old. His peculiar talent makes him the target of taunting at the hands of his classmates. It's also meant a lack of friends. Only his aunt makes life bearable for Sebastian. Starting at a new school cracks open the door to making friends, but when a particularly nasty ghost starts haunting Sebastian, all hope for friends and a regular life flies out the window. After a devastating attack that Sebastian and his aunt barely manage to fight off, Sebastian is sent to the one place his aunt thinks he might be safe. Gallowgate turns out to be a supernatural school where students learn to use their magical skills to fight nasty ghosts. While Sebasti...

THE TRYOUT by Christina Soontornvat and Joanna Cacao Scholastic, 2022 ISBN: 978-1-338-74130-8 Source: purchased Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK STAND TALL. BE LOUD. GAME FACE ON. When cheerleading tryouts are announced, Christina and her best friend, Megan, literally jump at the chance to join the squad. As two of the only kids of color in the school, they have always yearned to fit in-and the middle school cheerleaders are popular and accepted by everyone. But will the girls survive the terrifying tryouts, with their whole grade watching? And will their friendship withstand the pressures of competition? REVIEW This graphic novel based on the author's middle school experiences presents readers with an enjoyable relatable read. The book works well as both a mirror and a window book. Some middle school experiences  are easy for almost any young reader to connect to, things such as...

NO WORLD TOO BIG Young People Fighting Global Climate Change edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley illustrated by Jeanette Bradley Charlesbridge, 2023 ISBN: 978-1-62354-313-6 Source: publisher for review (THANKS!) All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover provided by publisher through Goodreads.com. REVIEW No World Too Big  highlights the efforts of young people to fight for climate change and encourage others to take better care of the earth. The young people come from a variety of cultures and countries.  Some of those highlighted include: Zanagee Artis who started a sustainability club before helping stage the first youth climate march in Washington DC, Greta Thunberg, whose protests spread across the globe, and Xiuhtezgatl Martinez, who uses music to inspire others as well as running the global organization Earth Guardians. Each individual or group is highlighted in a poem followed by a brief explanatory paragraph. Each two page spr...

YOU ARE HERE: CONNECTING FLIGHTS edited by Ellen Oh Authors: Traci Chee, Mike Chen, Meredith Ireland, Mike June, Erin Entrada Kelly, Minh Le, Grace Lin, Ellen Oh, Linda Sue Park, Randy Ribay, Christina Soontornvat, Susan Tan Allida, 2023 ISBN:   9780063239081 Source: purchased eBook All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK An incident at a TSA security check point sows chaos and rumors, creating a chain of events that impacts twelve young Asian Americans in a crowded and restless airport. As their disrupted journeys crisscross and collide, they encounter fellow travelers--some helpful, some hostile--as they discover the challenges of friendship, the power of courage, the importance of the right word at the right time, and the unexpected significance of a blue Stratocaster electric guitar. Twelve powerhouse Asian American authors explore themes of identity and belonging in the entwined experien...