Geo Librarian

THE JOURNEY OF LITTLE CHARLIE by Christopher Paul Curtis Scholastic Press, 2018 ISBN: 978-0-545-15666-0 Ages 9-12 Middle grade historical fiction Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Newbery Medalist Christopher Paul Curtis brings his trademark humor and heart to the story of a boy struggling to do right in the face of history's cruelest evils. Twelve-year-old Charlie is down on his luck: His dad just died, the share crops are dry, and the most fearsome man in Possum Moan, Cap’n Buck, says Charlie’s dad owed him a lot of money. Fearing for his life, Charlie strikes a deal to repay his father’s debt by accompanying Cap’n Buck to Detroit in pursuit of some folks who have stolen from him. It’s not too bad of a bargain for Charlie . . . until he comes face-to-face with the fugitives and discovers that they escaped slavery years ago and have been living free. Torn between his guilty conscience and his survival instinct...

THE BOOK OF BOY by Catherine Gilbert Murdock Greenwillow Books, 2018 ISBN: 9780062686206 Ages 9-12 Source: public library Overdrive All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Boy has always been relegated to the outskirts of his small village. With a large hump on his back, a mysterious past, and a tendency to talk to animals, he is often mocked and abused by the other kids in his town. Until the arrival of a shadowy pilgrim named Secondus. Impressed with Boy’s climbing and jumping abilities, Secondus engages Boy as his servant, pulling him into an expedition across Europe to gather the seven precious relics of Saint Peter. Boy quickly realizes this journey is not an innocent one. They are stealing the relics, and gaining dangerous enemies in the process. But Boy is determined to see this pilgrimage through until the end—for what if St. Peter can make Boy’s hump go away? This compelling, action-packed tale is full of bravery and daring, stars ...

GHOST Track #1 by Jason Reynolds Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2016 ISBN: 978-1-4814-5015-7 Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 9-12 Middle grade contemporary All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK A National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature. Ghost wants to be the fastest sprinter on his elite middle school track team, but his past is slowing him down in this first electrifying novel of a brand-new series from Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award–winning author Jason Reynolds. Ghost. Lu. Patina. Sunny. Four kids from wildly different backgrounds with personalities that are explosive when they clash. But they are also four kids chosen for an elite middle school track team—a team that could qualify them for the Junior Olympics if they can get their acts together. They all have a lot to lose, but they also have a lot to prove, not only to each other, but to themselves. Ghost has a crazy natural talent, but no f...

WHEN GREEN BECOMES TOMATOES Poems for All Seasons by Julie Fogliano, pictures by Julie Morstad Roaring Brook Press, 2016 ISBN: 978-1-59643-852-1 Ages 6 and up Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK december 29 and i woke to a morning that was quiet and white the first snow (just like magic) came on tip toes overnight Flowers blooming in sheets of snow make way for happy frogs dancing in the rain. Summer swims move over for autumn sweaters until the snow comes back again. In Julie Fogliano's skilled hand and illustrated by Julie Morstad's charming pictures, the seasons come to life in this gorgeous and comprehensive book of poetry. REVIEW I decided to read this book after hearing it praised on Heavy Medal , the School Library Journal blog that discusses the Newbery Medal and its contenders.  I wanted to see if I felt the same as the others who had praised the book.  I am very happy to say that I do feel the same wa...

PAPER WISHES by Lois Sepahban Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2016 ISBN: 978-0-374-30216-0 Middle Grade historical fiction Ages 9-12 Source: school library All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK A moving debut novel about a girl whose family is relocated to a Japanese internment camp during World War II--and the dog she has to leave behind. Ten-year-old Manami did not realize how peaceful her family's life on Bainbridge Island was until the day it all changed. It's 1942, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and Manami and her family are Japanese American, which means that the government says they must leave their home by the sea and join other Japanese Americans at a prison camp in the desert. Manami is sad to go, but even worse is that they are going to have to give her dog, Yujiin, to a neighbor to take care of. Manami decides to sneak Yujiin under her coat, but she is caught and forced to abandon him. She is devastated but clings to the hope t...

RAYMIE NIGHTINGALE by Kate DiCamillo Candlewick Press, 2016 ISBN: 978-0-7636-8117-3 Source: purchased Middle Grade Historical fiction Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Raymie Clarke has come to realize that everything, absolutely everything, depends on her. And she has a plan. If Raymie can win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition, then her father, who left town two days ago with a dental hygienist, will see Raymie's picture in the paper and (maybe) come home. To win, not only does Raymie have to do good deeds and learn how to twirl a baton; she also has to contend with the wispy, frequently fainting Louisiana Elefante, who has a show-business background, and the fiery, stubborn Beverly Tapinski, who’s determined to sabotage the contest. But as the competition approaches, loneliness, loss, and unanswerable questions draw the three girls into an unlikely friendship — and challenge each of them to come to the rescue in u...