Geo Librarian

THE FRIENDSHIP WAR by Andrew Clements Random House Books for Young Readers, 2019 ISBN: 9780399557590 Ages 9-12 Middle grade contemporary/realistic Source: ARC from publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK This is war. Okay--that's too dramatic. But no matter what this is called, so far I'm winning. And it feels wonderful. Grace and Ellie have been best friends since second grade. Ellie's always right in the center of everything--and Grace is usually happy to be Ellie's sidekick. But what happens when everything changes? This time it's Grace who suddenly has everyone's attention when she accidentally starts a new fad at school. It's a fad that has first her class, then her grade, and then the entire school collecting and trading and even fighting over . . . buttons ?! A fad that might also get her in major trouble and could even be the end of Grace and Ellie's friendship. Because Ellie'...

DUCK AND HIPPO: THE SECRET VALENTINE by Jonathan London, illustrated by Andrew Joyner two lions, 2018 ISBN: 978-1503900356 Source: publisher for review/Blue Slip Media Ages 4-8 Picture book All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK It’s Valentine’s Day, and something curious is going on. As the birds tweet their love songs, Hippo and his friends Elephant, Pig, and Turtle each receive mysterious, unsigned Valentine’s Day cards. Hippo wonders if his is from Duck; Elephant and Turtle think theirs are from Pig; and Pig dreams that hers is from Turtle. The cards tell the friends to come to the park at four o’clock to meet their valentines—so they’ll find out soon enough! As the clock ticks away, the friends wonder—and dream—about their valentines and make special preparations. But when they arrive…SURPRISE! This Valentine’s Day might not go exactly the way they expected, but one thing is certain: being friends with Duck and Hippo is always a spec...

KICK IT, MO! by David A. Adler, illustrated by Sam Ricks Penguin Young Readers, 2018 ISBN: 978-0-425-28981-5 Source: purchased Ages 6--8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK The soccer season is starting, and Mo has been working hard on his kicking skills so he can help his team, the Billy Goats, score a goal. But when he gets on the field on game day, it seems like all he gets to do is run back and forth. Will Mo ever get the chance to show his team what he can do? REVIEW David Adler's Mo is at it again, except this time, he's playing soccer.  As in previous volumes, he struggles to develop the skills needed to play well.  His kicks tend to send the ball flying through the air, instead of along the ground.  During his team's game, he gets the chance to score a goal.  Will he kick the ball correctly or will it be another miss?  Mo is such a lovable character, with his love for sports and his willingness to do his bes...

  Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2019 (1/25/19) is in its 6 th year and was founded by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into A Book and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom . Our mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents, and educators. MCBD 2019 is honored to have the following Medallion Sponsors on board Medallion Level Sponsors Honorary: Children’s Book Council , The Junior Library Guild , TheConsciousKid.org . Super Platinum: Make A Way Media GOLD: Bharat Babies , Candlewick Press , Chickasaw Press , Juan Guerra and The Little Doctor / El doctorcito , KidLitTV , Lerner Publishing Group , Plum Street Press , SILVER: Capstone Publishing , Carole P. Roman , Author Charlotte Riggle , Huda Essa , The Pack-n-Go Girls , BRONZE: Charlesbridge Publishing , Judy Dodge Cummings , Author Gwe...

SASQUATCH AND THE MUCKLESHOOT The Unicorn Rescue Society #3 by Adam Gidwitz & Joseph Bruchac, illustrated by Hatem Aly Dutton Children's Books, 2018 Source: purchased Ages 9-12 Middle grade speculative (fantasy) All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK All Elliot wants is a nice, normal day at school. All Uchenna wants is an adventure. Guess whose wish comes true? Professor Fauna whisks the kids--and Jersey, of course--off to the Muckleshoot territory in Washington, where film crews have suddenly descended en masse to expose Bigfoot to the world, and the Schmoke logging company is bringing in some awfully large machinery. Can the Unicorn Rescue Society escape the blades of the Schmokes' chain saws? Outsmart a cable news team? And are those big, hairy creatures running through the forest really Bigfoot? REVIEW This third book in the Unicorn Rescue Society series is hilarious.  At least I found it so.  I'm not sure if I found...

FREDDIE RAMOS HEARS IT ALL Zapato Power #7 by Jacqueline Jules, art by Miguel Benitez Albert Whitman and Company, 2018 ISBN: 978-0-8075-9500-8 Source: purchased Ages 7-10 Middle grade speculative/science fiction All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Freddie Ramos loves his new Zapato Power—super hearing! He can listen in on conversations and find hero jobs. But soon Freddie realizes the temptation to eavesdrop on everyone is too great. Can Freddie find a way to use his super hearing without snooping?   REVIEW   Jacqueline Jules has created a delightful series for early chapter book readers who have a love for superheroes.  Freddie Ramos has several devices that give him superpowers (his shoes, a watch, etc.).  He tries to use his superpowers for good, such as when he helps a lost little boy at the beginning of the story, but like most humans, he's tempted to use them at other less appropriate ti...

WE ARE NOT YET EQUAL Understanding Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson with Tonya Bolden Bloomsbury, 2018 ISBN: 978-1-5476-0076-2 Source: publisher for review for CYBILS Ages 14 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Carol Anderson's White Rage took the world by storm, landing on the New York Times bestseller list and best book of the year lists from New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, and Chicago Review of Books. It launched her as an in-demand commentator on contemporary race issues for national print and television media and garnered her an invitation to speak to the Democratic Congressional Caucus. This compelling young adult adaptation brings her ideas to a new audience. When America achieves milestones of progress toward full and equal black participation in democracy, the systemic response is a consistent racist backlash that rolls back those wins. We Are Not Yet Equal examines five of these moments: The end ...

JACK MONTGOMERY World War II: Gallantry at Anzio Medal of Honor series by Michael P. Spradlin Farrar, Straus, Giroux BYR, 2019 ISBN: 9781250157065 Ages 9-12 Source: eARC from Netgalley  All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK   Jack C. Montgomery was a Cherokee from Oklahoma, and a first lieutenant with the 45th Infantry Division Thunderbirds. On February 22, 1944, near Padiglione, Italy, Montgomery's rifle platoon was under fire by three echelons of enemy forces when he single-handedly attacked all three positions, neutralizing the German machine-gunners and taking numerous prisoners in the process. Montgomery's actions demoralized the enemy and saved the lives of many American soldiers. The Medal of Honor series profiles the courage and accomplishments of recipients of the highest and most prestigious personal military decoration, awarded to recognize U.S. military service members who have distinguished themselves through ext...

WEDGIE & GIZMO VS. THE TOOF by Suzanne Selfors with illustrations by Barbara Fisinger Katherine Tegen Books, 2018 ISBN: 978-0-06-244765-4 Source: purchased Ages 9-12 Middle grade animal fantasy All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Wedgie LOVES the new micro-pig next door. And she LOVES him! They both like to go for walks and roll in smelly things. They are going to be in the school pet parade together. They are best friends. But Gizmo knows the truth. The pig is Wedgie’s new sidekick. Super Wedgie and the Toof have teamed up to stop Gizmo from taking over the world. But they will not win! Gizmo is an evil genius. He is smarter than most comic book villains. And more powerful than even Darth Vader! He ordered a flying machine online and he will use it to set free all the guinea pigs at the pet parade. Then they will crush both dog and pig and make all humans feel their wrath. Muh-ha-ha!! REVIEW Gizmo, the cavy, called a guinea pig by...

DEAR SISTER by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Joe Bluhm Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2018 ISBN: 978-1-4814-5142-0 Source: publisher for review Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK What do you do when you have an incredibly annoying little sister? Write her letters telling her so, of course! Whininess, annoyingness, afraid of the darkness, refusal to eat lima beans, and pulling brother's hair. This is the criteria on which little sisters are graded. Inspired by the notes Alison McGhee's own kids would write each other, this heavily illustrated collection of letters and messages from an older brother to his little sister reveal the special love--or, at the very least, tolerance--siblings have for each other. REVIEW Anyone who has grown up with a sibling should be able to relate to this book.  This quick read is presented as a collection of notes written by an older brother to his little sister over an eight year period of ...