Geo Librarian

SHADOW MAGIC by Joshua Khan Disney Hyperion, 2016 ISBN: 978-148473272-4 Middle grade fantasy/speculative Ages 9-12 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Thorn, an outlaw's son, wasn't supposed to be a slave. He's been sold to Tyburn, an executioner, and they're headed to Castle Gloom in Gehenna, the land of undead, where Thorn will probably be fed to a vampire. Lilith Shadow wasn't supposed to be ruler of Gehenna. But following the murder of her family, young Lily became the last surviving member of House Shadow, a long line of dark sorcerers. Her country is surrounded by enemies and the only way she can save it is by embracing her heritage and practicing the magic of the undead. But how can she when, as a girl, magic is forbidden to her? Just when it looks like Lily will have to leave her home forever, Thorn arrives at Castle Gloom. A sudden death brings them together, inspires them to break the rul...

THE YOUNGEST MARCHER The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a young Civil Rights Activist by Cynthia Levinson, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2017 ISBN: 978-1-4814-0070-1 Ages 4-8 Source: F&G from publisher All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Meet the youngest known child to be arrested for a civil rights protest in Birmingham, Alabama, 1963, in this moving picture book that proves you’re never too little to make a difference. Nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks intended to go places and do things like anybody else. So when she heard grown-ups talk about wiping out Birmingham’s segregation laws, she spoke up. As she listened to the preacher’s words, smooth as glass, she sat up tall. And when she heard the plan—picket those white stores! March to protest those unfair laws! Fill the jails!—she stepped right up and said, I’ll do it! She was going to j-a-a-il! Audrey Faye Hendricks was confident and bo...

THE TWO AND ONLY KELLY TWINS by Johanna Hurwitz, illustrated by Tuesday Mourning Candlewick Press, 2013 ISBN: 978-0-7636-5602-7 Early Chapter book Ages 6-9 Source: Blue Slip Media/Publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Second-graders Arlene and Ilene Kelly are twins — identical twins to be exact — and they love being a pair. They love to dress alike, they have identical pet ferrets, and they do everything together. But being a twin is not always easy. When a set of triplets comes to school, Arlene and Ilene wonder whether triplets are more special than twins. At Halloween, on different streets in identical witch costumes, some neighbors think that the girls are one person trying to get extra candy. And when Arlene gets sick and has to visit the hospital, the twins each find out what it’s like to be one instead of two. But whether they’re together or apart, Arlene and Ilene know they’re lucky to have each other. REVIEW Hurwi...

SEA OTTER RESCUE Wildlife Rescue #3 written and photographed by Suzi Eszterhas Owlkids Books, 2016 ISBN: 978-1-77147-175-6 Source: school library Middle grade nonfiction All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK - Sea Otter Rescue is the third in the four-book Wildlife Rescue series. Each book introduces a species of animal in danger somewhere in the world and profiles a rescue center that helps it. Stunning photos by award-winning wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas give readers a rare view of these endearing creatures and the high level of care they receive. Sea Otter Rescue invites readers inside the Alaska SeaLife Center on the shores of Resurrection Bay in the town of Seward, Alaska. It explores how sea otters become orphaned or hurt and the process of healing and rehabilitating them. It also highlights the people who work at the clinic and how they aid the animals. Other special features include a map showing the sea otter’s native ...

LIFT YOUR LIGHT A LITTLE HIGHER The Story of Stephen Bishop Slave-Explorer by Heather Henson, illustrated by Bryan Collier Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2016 ISBN: 9781481420969 Picture book fictionalized biography Ages 4-8 Source: publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Grab your lantern and follow the remarkable and world-famous Mammoth Cave explorer—and slave—Stephen Bishop as he guides you through the world’s largest cave system in this remarkable homage to the resilience of human nature. Welcome to Mammoth Cave. It’s 1840 and my name’s Stephen Bishop. I’ll be your guide, so come with me, by the light of my lantern, into the deepest biggest cave in all of the United States. Down here, beneath the earth, I’m not just a slave. I’m a pioneer. I know the cave’s twists and turns. It taught me to not be afraid of the dark. And watching all these people write their names on the ceiling? Well, it taught me how to read too. Imag...

HIDEOUT by Watt Key Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2017 ISBN: 978-0-374-30482-9 Source: purchased Ages 9-12 Middle grade contemporary/adventure All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Twelve-year-old Sam has been given a fishing boat by his father, but he hates fishing. Instead he uses the boat to disappear for hours at a time, exploring the forbidden swampy surroundings of his Gulf Shore home. Then he discovers a boy named Davey, mysteriously alone, repairing an abandoned cabin in the deep woods. Not fooled by the boy’s evasive explanation as to why he’s on his own, Sam becomes entangled in his own efforts to help Davey. But this leads him to telling small lies that only get bigger as the danger increases for both boys, and hidden truths become harder to reveal. REVIEW Sam struggles to come to terms with something awful that happened to him and his friend Grover at school.  He feels humiliated and confused about a lot of things, including w...

The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles written by Michelle Cuevas, illustrated by Erin E. Stead Dial Books for Young Readers, 2016 ISBN: 978-0-8037-3868-3 Ages 4-8 Source: school library All opinions expressed are solely my own. REVIEW A man living by the ocean spends his time gathering up the bottles that come floating by.  After retrieving the messages, he delivers them.  But he can't help wishing that one of these messages would be for him.   One day a message comes in that is not addressed to anyone inviting the recipient to a party on the beach.  After seeking the message's owner, the man decides to show up to the party to explain that he was unable to deliver the message.  But things take a surprising turn.  I've noticed that Erin Stead tends to illustrate books that are a bit unusual.  With its adult main character and rather quiet story, Stead's soft use of color and spare backgrounds work really well.  I could almost feel the lone...

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2017  is its fourth year and was founded by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into A Book and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom . Our mission is to raise awareness on the ongoing need to include kid’s books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents and educators. Despite census data that shows 37% of the US population consists of people of color, only 10% of children’s books published have diversity content. Using the Multicultural Children’s Book Day holiday, the MCBD Team are on a mission to change all of that. Current Sponsors:  MCBD 2017 is honored to have some amazing Sponsors on board. Platinum Sponsors include Scholastic , Barefoot Books , and Broccoli . Other Medallion Level Sponsors include heavy-hitters like Author Carole P. Roman , Audrey Press , Candlewick Press ,   Fathers Incorporated , KidLitTV , Capstone Young ...

THE BOOK OF HEROINES Tales of History's Gutsiest Gals by Stephanie Warren Drimmer National Geographic Kids, 2016 ISBN: 978-1-4263-2557-1 Middle grade nonfiction Ages 9-12 Source: Media Masters Publicity/publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Everybody needs a role model! Discover true stories of superstars, war heroes, world leaders, gusty gals, and everyday girls who changed the world. From Sacagawea to Mother Teresa, Annie Oakley to Malala Yousafzai, these famous females hiked up their pants and petticoats or charged full-speed ahead to prove that girls are just as tough as boys...maybe even tougher. Complete with amazing images and a fun design, this is the book that every kid with a goal, hope, or dream will want to own. REVIEW In this era of political discord and social upheaval, it's more important than ever to have mentors and heroes/heroines.  Of course, there isn't going to be agreement on whose a hero...

SECRET OF THE TIME TABLETS Cleopatra in Space #3 by Mike Maihack Graphix, 2016 ISBN: 978-0-545-83868-9 Ages 9-12 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Cleo and her friends journey from Yasiro Academy to the city of Hykosis, where some of the most notorious thieves and assassins live. They're in search of information about the time tablets that could determine Cleo's fate - whether she wants them to or not. But the group is separated when Xaius Octavian's fleet attacks their ship, and Cleo and Akila are on their own until they run into an old nemesis. Will Cleo find the information she needs and get out of Hykosis alive? REVIEW This third volume in the Cleopatra in Space series lives up the excitement introduced in the first two volumes.  Once again, Cleopatra is out to take space by storm, but first she has to survive an attack by Octavian's fleet of ships.  When she and her friends get separated, they set o...