evreadseverything

[evreadseverything]

Book Review for Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 1

Genre: Manga, Fantasy, Horror

Audience: 9th-12th Grade

Medium: Physical Book

Summary: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 1 introduces Yuji Itadori, a high school student who becomes ensnared in the world of Jujutsu sorcerers after eating a cursed object to save his friends. Now attending Tokyo Jujutsu High, Yuji has to figure out how to harness his new powers, fight dangerous curses, and containing the evil spirit Sukuna that now inhabits his body.

Justification: I recently started watching the anime of this manga and it has quickly become one of my favorite shows. I had never read a manga, especially one that has been adapted into an anime so I was eager to read this one. It should also be noted that Jujutsu Kaisen is a very popular and respected manga and anime series throughout the respective communities.

Evaluation of Illustrations: A manga is Japan's response to western culture's graphic novels or comic books. Therefore, the illustrations throughout Jujutsu Kaisen are integral to the story. Gege Akutami's illustrations are vivid and make the reader feel as if they themselves are fighting curses with the jujutsu sorcerers. The horror element of this manga really shines through in the depictions of the curses as they are horrifyingly detailed. While it is also an element of all mangas, the illustrations have a way of showing the readers what mood a character is in through the expressive emotes they do.

Evaluation of Format: As this is the first manga I have read, I wanted to evaluate the format. A major aspect of what makes a manga unique from western graphic novels is how they are read. Manga's are read back to front and each page is read from right to left. It is an adjustment to read something this way when one has been doing the complete opposite for years. This reading style is not for everyone as one has to actively work to ensure they are reading the right part of the manga. Also, after looking through other manga series, I noticed that at the beginning of the story there is a section that has an index of characters, common terms, and the story so far.

Evaluation of Appeal to Teens: Jujutsu Kaisen and other popular manga series may be a good way to engage teens with reading who are not interested in reading novels. This may be especially true for teens that already watch anime. The writing is simple and accessible but still tells a complex and intriguing story. Also, after reading the manga and seeing the anime it is clear that the anime is a faithful adaptation. Quotes and scenes in the manga are expressed exactly the same in the anime. In a way, the anime can serve as an audiobook. Librarians that want to capitalize on the rising popularity of Jujutsu Kaisen and anime or manga in general should strive to have the series in their collection.

APA Citation: Akutami, G. (2019). Jujutsu Kaisen (Vol. 1) [Manga]. VIZ Media.

[evreadseverything]

Book Review for Not Like Other Girls

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Audience: 9th-12th Grade

Medium: Audiobook

Summary: Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo follows Jo-Lynn Kirby- a social pariah after being a victim of revenge porn. Things don't go any easier for her when she now must find her ex best friend who has gone missing.

Justification: I chose this book because I had already read it and really enjoyed it as it is so much more than a mystery/thriller novel. I now wanted to see how it would hold up as an audiobook and its narrator as oftentimes this format can change one's perception of the book. Lastly, I typically prefer ebooks or physical books so an audiobook is something that I wanted to try out.

Evaluation of Format: Not Like Other Girls translated well from text to audio. This is largely due to the audiobook's narrator making the listener feel as if Jo herself is there to tell her story. This format really highlights the serious nature that some of the topics in the book explores as the narrators voice reflected the trauma that Jo has experienced. Also, the narrator would use accents to help the listener distinguish between the different characters which proved to be useful.

Evaluation of Writing: Meredith Adamo writing style is raw and vulnerable. Adamo has a way of writing about trauma that shows rather than tells as it is displayed through how a character reacts to it rather than describing the events itself. It's not overly graphic and allows the reader to think about the person instead of the action. Also, this book is told in first person, which can appeal to teens as it may feel like their peer is telling them the story instead of some higher authority.

Evaluation of Characters: The main characters in the book are all complex and truly speak to how complicated it is to be a young adult. Throughout the book, Jo grapples with being confident in her sexuality and all the unwanted attention and judgement it garners. Jo's character makes the reader really think about how slut shaming can affect a young girl who is becoming an adult. Also, the way men are portrayed is interesting as the reader never really knew which men were decent or not.

APA Citation: Adamo, M. (2024). Not Like Other Girls (G. Sadler, Narr.) [Audiobook}. Audible. https://www.audible.com/pd/Not-Like-Other-Girls-Audiobook/B0CV1RC3FS

[evreadseverything]

Book Review for Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party's Promise to the People

Genre: Black History, Non-Fiction, Printz Honor Book

Audience: 7th-12th Graders

Medium: Physical Book

Summary: Revolution in Our Time is a deep dive on how the Black Panther Party helped their community and shaped history.

Justification: I chose this book as I felt that the Black Panther Party is rarely spoken about in depth when being discussed in schools. The book also looked to be very engaging as there many pictures that immerse the reader in the history.

Evaluation of Writing: Kekla Magoon does a great job at writing a history-centered book that can still engage teen readers. By avoiding excessive jargon, Magoon makes the complex history of the Black Panther Party accessible to young adult audiences. The author is great at introducing potentially unfamiliar concepts with clear, concise explanations, ensuring that readers can follow the history without feeling overwhelmed. Also, Magoon's writing style is beyond a typical textbook, often reading like a work of fiction instead. She inserts personal stories and vivid descriptions into the historical account, bringing the time period and its key figures out of the pages. This approach helps teens connect with the material, which makes the learning experience more engaging and memorable.

Evaluation of Visual Content: As mentioned previously, a huge appeal to this book is the visual content that it contains. When reading about historical events or persons, it is beneficial to be able to pair it with a visual element as the reader can come to an understanding that it all actually happened. This is especially helpful to young readers of this kind of topic as it can help convey the gravity of the events better. The visual content throughout this book also serves as "proof" that the Black Panther Party actively helped their community.

Evaluation of Educational Value: Revolution in Our Time is a invaluable resource for teachers and librarians that want to engage teens with important historical and social topics. The sections throughout the book make it easier for educators to focus on a particular theme or topic for a lesson or program. Alternatively, the resources located at the back of the book such as, "Key People", "Time Line", and "Further Reading". "Key People" can be used as a project where teens have to pick a person off the list and do a presentation or paper on them. "Further Reading" includes non-fiction and fiction books that can be used for a teen book club in a library. Lastly, this book does contain information about current events such as the Black Lives Matter movement. Therefore, this book can be used as a way to bridge the past and present.

APA Citation: Magoon, K. (2021). Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s promise to the people. Candlewick Press.

[evreadseverything]

Book Review for Together We Burn

Genre: Fantasy

Audience: 9th-12th Grade

Medium: Physical Book

Summary: In a city surrounded by dragons, a young flamenco dancer, Zarela, must become a dragonador to save her family's arena from ruin. Forced to seek help from a reluctant dragon hunter named Arturo, she finds herself in a struggle to protect her heritage and survive another day.

Justification: This book appealed to me as it was a fantasy novel with a strong cultural aspect. I also liked how this is a standalone book as I often find that most fantasy books end up being a series. The cover was also very striking and appealed to me as I assumed correctly that it would be a fast paced and engaging read.

Evaluation of Cover: They say one shouldn't judge a book by a cover, but that is difficult thing to do, especially for young adult readers. Covers are a way to set the tone for a book and that is definitely done through Together We Burn's cover. The flamenco fans on the cover convey how Latin culture is an important part of the story. Also, the use of the color red and fire symbolizes passion and intensity which underscores the looming threat that our heroine faces. The heart also being front and center on the cover conveys that romance will be an important aspect of the book.

Evaluation of Characters: An influential element of a good read are the characters and the development that they grow through. Our female main character, Zarela, is a strong character as it is continuously shown rather than told throughout the book of her resilience. Her wants and needs are clearly defined and supported by her actions. Zarela's character development makes for an interesting read as readers will wonder how far will she gave to save her family's business and reputation. On the other hand, the male main character, Arturo, starts as a flat and passive character but as the story progress his true passion starts to shine. In a way, Arturo is opening up to the reader as Zarela and his relationship grows.

Evaluation of Writing: The writing in this book is perfect for young readers who want to get in to the fantasy genre as there isn't complex world-building. Through her writing, Isabel Ibanez, makes it seem like the fictional town of Hispalia and its inhabitants are real. Readers will feel like they're in the arena themselves as one can almost hear the cheers of the crowd and feel the heat of a dragons fire through the authors colorful words. For fans of romance, Isabel Ibanez is great at creating witty banter between the leads that really shows their chemistry.

APA Citation: Ibanez, I. (2022). Together We Burn. Wednesday Books.

[evreadseverything]

Book Review for Long Way Down

Genre: Poetry

Audience: 9th-12th Grade

Medium: Physical Book

Summary: Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds follows a teenage boy named Will as he struggles with the death of his older brother due to gun violence.

Justification: Long Way Down drew me in due the impressive accolades it received and are on full display on the cover. After flipping through it, I knew I wanted to read it as the writing style is reminiscent of Ellen Hopkins' Crank series. I also thought that the plot sounded interesting as it seemed like it could be an episode of the Twilight Zone.

Evaluation of Writing: Reynolds has a talent for telling a complete and well-rounded story using few words. Long Way Down is told in verse, and does not use traditional chapters. Instead, Reynolds uses shape story to bring fullness to each page. Sometimes the text is centered on the page, sometimes it's on the top or bottom, or even to the right or left. This use of shape poetry allows the reader to feel the weight and tone of what is being written. Overall, the writing is very impactful to the reader as it fully conveys Will's grief and desire for retribution.

Evaluation of Plot: The plot of this book was easy to follow. Will's brother, whom he idolized, is a victim of gun violence. This death sets Will off on a path of revenge as he wants his brother's murderer dead. On his way to do this, he gets into his apartment's elevator and finds that it will not be a normal elevator ride. At each floor, people in Will's life that have passed away enter to talk to him about his need for vengeance. This format allows for readers to be familiar with what will happen while still wanting to read more to see if Will follows through on his plan. This story truly makes the reader think about the cyclical nature of gun violence and violence in general.

Evaluation of Setting: Reynolds decision to make most of the story take place in an elevator was impactful. Elevators are closed-off and can feel claustrophobic, this lends itself to the tense vibe that the story and Will's mental state have. Also, Will's elevator ride is down which mirrors how his morals and values are lowering. Lastly, while there are no illustrations in this book, each page is printed with etching that look like the metal of elevator panels. This further helps readers immerse themselves in the story.

APA Citation: Reynolds, J. (2017). Long way down. Simon and Schuster.

[evreadseverything]

Book Review for Jukebox

Genre: Graphic Novel

Audience: 5th-8th Grade

Medium: Physical Book

Summary: Jukebox by Nidhi Chanani is about Shaheen and her cousin Tannaz as they look for Shaheen's dad. Their only lead is a jukebox and its surrounding records. They soon find out that it's not an ordinary jukebox, but in fact a time-travelling jukebox that will take its listeners to the time period in which the music is from!

Justification: I chose this book as graphic novels and comic books are traditionally targeted towards boys rather than girls. While Jukebox is fit for any gender, it appeals to girls more which made me want to read it. I also liked how the characters were diverse but them being a person of color didn't wholly encompasses their identity. Lastly, I liked how music was a large part of the story as music is something that brings all different types of people together.

Evaluation of Illustrations: Nidhi Chanani's illustrations are bright and feature warm and inviting color palettes. Each character is unique in how they were drawn. This helps the reader be able to differentiate between characters. That said, all characters have a clearly defined style that shows they are part of the same universe. Readers will enjoy how Chanani illustrates how music is played throughout the novel as it is clear through the illustrations how the music floats through the area.

Evaluation of Plot: Chanani did a great job blending historical fiction with magical realism in this story. The plot is easy to follow as it is procedural. With the goal of finding Shaheen's dad, they hop from one time period to another until he is found. While simple, it is easy for young readers to follow along.

Evaluation of Representation: The inclusion of diverse characters such as Shaheen and Tannaz with being South Asian and Tannaz identifying as bisexual, adds representation to the story. The subtle addition of these identities throughout the novel is a positive as it normalizes diversity without making it the sole focus of the characters' experiences. It is important for young readers to see people of color having diverse experiences instead of just hardships.

APA Citation: Chanani, N. (2021). Jukebox. First Second.

[evreadseverything]

Book Review for My Maddy

Genre: LGBTQ+ (Non-Binary)

Audience: PreK-4th Grade

Medium: Physical Book

Summary: My Maddy is about a young girl that has a parent that identifies as non-binary. Throughout the parent, "Maddy" shows the young girl examples on things that are inbetween.

Justification: I chose this book as I wanted to read about someone that is non-binary as it is an identity that I haven't really read about. I also am appreciative of books that feature non-traditional parents as it helps to normalize it and create empathy.

Evaluation of Illustrations: The illustrator, Violet Tobacco, illustrations are very vivid and life-like. Tobacco's addition of doodle-like drawings on each illustration are reminiscent of a child's imagination. Tobacco's attention to detail is shown through ensuring that every page is filled with visual information for the reader to soak up. For example, there is an illustration that shows a packed lunch for the young girl and Tobacco made the wise decision to include a nice message on the paper bag from the Maddy. This helps the reader see the type of relationship the young girl and her parent has.

Evaluation of Plot: My Maddy does not have a traditional plot. Instead this a book with a goal to help young readers understand what non-binary is in a way that they understand. This was goal was executed as throughout the book, many examples are given of things that are not one or the other, but a complete separate thing. Ideally this book should help readers be open-minded.

Evaluation of Representation: This book is great for LGBTQ+ representation as one of the main characters is non-binary. The different gender identities one may have is a complex issue and is even difficult for adults to understand. Books like My Maddy can help achieve that understanding at an earlier age. Also, this book is great representation for kids that have a non-traditional parent. These kids may feel excluded due to the overwhelming amount of mommy or daddy books and would likely benefit from a book like this.

APA Citation: Pitman, Gayle, E. (2020). My Maddy (V. Tobacco, Illus.). Magination Press.

[evreadseverything]

Book Review of A Sky-Blue Bench

Genre: Disability awareness, War

Audience: PreK-2nd Grade

Medium: Physical Book

Summary: A Sky-Blue Bench is about a little girl named Aria who struggles returning to school after receiving a prosthetic leg due to an accident. Aria must figure out how she can adapt and how those around her can accommodate her new disability.

Evaluation of Illustrations: Peggy Collins illustrations are very bright and eye-catching. That said, most characters in the book look very similar to one another. The only variation is through their skin tone or hair color. Other than that, most characters share the same facial structure. This detail, coupled with the fact that all female characters wear a hijab make it difficult to connect with the characters.

Evaluation of Plot: As the title suggests, the plot is centered around Aria trying to build a bench so that she can sit comfortably at school. While that does happen a couple of different plot points stuck out to me that could have been handled better. The first is that there is mention of a war in the beginning of the book. Older readers may be able to deduce that it is the Afghanistan War, but young readers will not. Therefore, it will be up to the adults in the child's life to explain if the child asks. The other plot point was when the other girls made fun of Aria and her friend for planning to build a bench. While those girls did end up loving Aria's bench and asked to learn how to build one, I felt that the resolution was poor. In the end, reading the Author's Note provided valuable insight as to what the the author, Bahram Rahman was trying to accomplish.

Evaluation of Representation: This book touches on what it's like to live with a disability, how it is to live in an area where there is war. Young readers can use this book to learn about how those that have a "helper-leg" may experience things a bit differently. Children will also be shown the realities of living in an area where war effects their daily lives. This can help teach empathy. Lastly, this book features many characters wearing hijabs without calling attention to it and instead showing it as the norm. This can be good exposure for young readers.

APA Citation: Rahman, B. (2021). A Sky-Blue Bench (P. Collins, Illus.). Pajama Press.

[evreadseverything]

Book Review of Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration

Genre: Poetry, Family, African-American Life

Audience: 1st-5th Grade

Medium: Physical Book

Summary: Magnificent Homespun Brown is an ode to the color brown told through descriptive prose through the eyes of a young girl.

Justification: I chose this book as I was drawn to it due to the warm colors on the cover. I was also reminded of when I used to play in fallen leaves as a child. Lastly, the title seemed like it would be an interesting read as brown isn't talked about as much in regard to being a loved color.

Evaluation of Illustrations: Kaylani Juanita did a wonderful job illustrating all the different shades of brown that are featured in the book. Juanita had a way of ensuring that the browns were always warm-toned and vivid. The illustrations of each character in the book reminded me of drawings that I used to see growing up in children's shows and books. There was also attention to detail in how each character had a hairstyle that was drawn a bit differently. This allowed for each character to be their own person.

Evaluation of Verse: Samara Cole Doyon has a talent for writing poetry that allows the reader to clearly visualize what is being read. A noteworthy part of the book is when Doyon is describing the area that the young narrator and her dad are in as they take a hike. I could clearly picture the shadows that the trees created and how every now and then the sun would make its way through. Doyon's verses flowed smoothly which allows for this to be a good book to read aloud to children.

Evaluation of Representation: Magnificent Homespun Brown is a great book for representation. Unfortunately, the color brown is often seen as a "boring" color and some may think it has a negative connotation. This book easily disproves any negativity on the color brown and instead challenges readers to see the beauty of it in their daily life. Those that have a brown skin tone will feel confident in themselves as this book continuously conveys the wonders of brown. As the title suggests, it is truly a "celebration"!

APA Citation: Doyon, S. C. (2020). Magnificent Homespun Brown: A celebration (K. Juanita, Illus.). Tilbury House Publishers.

[evreadseverything]

Book Review of Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles

Genre: Biography, Sports (Gymnastics), African-American History

Audience: PreK-5th Grade

Medium: Physical Book

Summary: Flying High tells the story of Simone Biles, a highly decorated Olympian for gymnastics. Readers will be inspired by her humble beginnings as a foster child to being known as the world's greatest gymnast.

Justification: My local library included this book on a diverse non-fiction booklist that they had recently put out. I found that it was a timely book to read as the Olympics are this year, and Simone Biles will be competing once again. Lastly, when I was growing up there was a lack of picture books that featured Black girls, so now I try to read and support whatever I can find now.

Evaluation of Illustrations: Ebony Glenn's illustrations are bright and draw the reader's eyes. There are a limited amount of illustrations that take use of the full page. Instead, Glenn's style is to show little vignettes. This decision made certain aspects of the story lack. That said, the two pages Glenn uses to show Simone doing her signature move was a great addition.

Evaluation of Writing: Michelle Meadows chose to do rhyming verses to tell Simone's story. This decision makes the story flow smoothly. It also makes it an easy book to be read aloud. It was refreshing to read how Meadows didn't only focus on Simone's successes and instead mentioned when she failed and how she persevered. This choice makes it so that not only is this book a biography, it is also a story on resilience.

Evaluation of Programming Potential: Flying High would be a great addition to any read aloud program done this summer. Since the Olympics are this year, it would be a good idea to teach young readers about some of the athletes. Also, as Simone is Black, this book conveys that anyone regardless of race can follow their dreams. An activity tie in can be to teach attendees how to do rhythmic ribbon dancing, a category of gymnastics. Another activity may be to have the young readers discuss a time they failed and how they overcame it.

APA Citation: `Meadows, M. (2020). Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles (E. Glenn, Illus.). Henry Holt.

[evreadseverything]

Book Review of Hot Dog

Genre: Animals, Adventure, Beach

Audience: PreK-3rd Grade

Medium: Physical Book

Summary: It's summertime and this "hot dog" has had enough of the bustling, sweltering city. To escape, the dog retreats to the beach to find serenity. Hot Dog is a winner of the 2023 Caldecott Medal.

Justification: I'm a dog person so anytime I see a book about a dog I'm drawn in. I also found the cover relatable as I work in Galveston, an island in Texas. Also, I found it appealing that the book's blurb mentioned how the main character finds their peace and learns how to live in the moment. Mindfulness is something that I've started to practice in my daily life, and I think it's great that this book may help young readers with it. Lastly, as this is a Caldecott Medal winner, I knew that this would be a book of high quality.

Evaluation of Illustrations: Doug Salati's illustrations make the reading feel as they were physically in New York City on a hot summer day. Salati does this in a couple of ways. First, he illustrates the people in the city close to each other and adds in all the city sound effects. This makes the reader see and feel the closeness of the city by sparing no space on every city set page. Next, he chose a red color palette to illustrate the city scene to convey the heat the main character was experiencing. This is contrasted by the cool blue tones Salati uses for the beach scenes.

Evaluation of Writing: it should be noted that Doug Salati is both the author and illustrator of Hot Dog. This is evident to the reader throughout the book as there are a few pages where he chose not to include text and instead had the illustrations tell the story. The writing that does appear in the book is descriptive which allows the reader to further immerse themselves in the setting. Also, the cadence in which Salati writes lends itself to being a good book to be read aloud.

Evaluation of Coda: The concluding section of the book is about the dog and their owner as they make their way back home. Through Salati's writing and illustrations the readers are shown that the city has calmed down. Also, the main characters aren't as stressed as they were at the beginning of the story and are instead happy to return home. This decision conveys to readers that sometimes one may have to temporarily remove themselves from a stressful situation so that they may find some peace. That said, before reading this book, I thought that Salati would write more about mindfulness and living in the moment. Instead he chose a more subtle direction that allows the reader to take what they will from it.

APA Citation: Salati, D. (2022). Hot Dog. Knopf Books for Young Readers.

[evreadseverything]

Book Review for My Papi Has a Motorcycle

Genre: Family (Fathers and daughters), Latin Culture

Audience: PreK-3rd Grade

Medium: Physical Book

Summary: My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and illustrated by Zeke Pena features Daisy Ramona and her dad as they ride around their neighborhood on his motorcycle. During their journey, Daisy observes the happenings of her rich neighborhood.

Justification: I chose this book as Father's Day is approaching and I found it an appropriate read. It is also a Pura Belpre Illustration Honor Award winner, so I knew the illustrations would be beautiful. Another thing that drove me to choose this book was that it captured the relationship between a father and his daughter. During my childhood, I often only found books that highlighted mother-daughter or father-son relationships. I'm glad other familial relationships are now having their moment.

Evaluation of Illustrations: Illustrator Zeke Pena does an excellent job bringing Isabel Quintero's characters to life. Pena's art style is like a comic book in the way that he uses text bubbles and visualizes sound throughout the book. A standout illustration is the scene where Daisy describes the sun as she rides on the motorcycle. Pena's use of bright colors and page space perfectly captures the imagination of a child. Lastly, Pena's comic-style illustrations allow for young readers to easily follow along with the story without having to read the text.

Evaluation of Writing: Quintero is a very descriptive writer. At the beginning of the book, readers are treated with a description of Daisy's father that brings him off the page. Readers can smell the sweat and sawdust wafting from him, and feel his rough hands catching on their shirt. Quintero use of descriptive words allow for each scene to leap off the page as if it were happening right in front of the reader. A positive for this descriptive language is that it allows for readers with visual disabilities to follow the story.

Evaluation of Plot: This is a lighthearted story where the goal is to show a father-daughter relationship and the appreciation they have for their community. The plot "progresses" through Daisy's ride through the neighborhood. As she rides around, conflict is shown by a favorite local business closing down. This and other hints throughout the story indicate that the neighborhood may be going through gentrification. Instead of focusing on this conflict though, Quintero decides to have Daisy focus on and appreciate what and who is still in her neighborhood. This conveys a more positive message to young readers about change.

APA Citation: Quintero, I. (2019). My papi has a motorcycle (Z. Pena, Illus.). Kokila.

[evreadseverything]

Book Review for The Talk

Genre: Social Issues, African-American/Black Experience

Audience: PreK-3rd Grade

Medium: eBook via Libby

Summary: Jay is a young Black boy who is enjoys hanging out with his friends and being a carefree kid. As he grows older, his family begins to prepare him for the unjust reality he may face in the world.

Justification: Growing up my grandma would often buy me Coretta Scott King award winners as she felt it was important for me read books that were about the Black experience. She wanted to do this as I was a young Black and Puerto Rican girl who lived in a predominately White area. Therefore, picking this book was a way for me to pay homage to that time. Also, it brings me great pleasure to see more children's book that present difficult conversations about race to young readers in a more understandable way.

Evaluation of Illustrations: Briana Mukodiri Uchendu's illustration style is reminiscent of Black art in the 90's and 2000's. This style choice brings about a sense of familiarity and nostalgia to those who grew up surrounded with art like that. Uchendu takes care in ensuring that each Black character is an individual through the various skin shades, hair texture, and hairstyles shown. The choice to illustrate the pages where Jay's parents have The Talk with him in darker colors instead of the warmer colors shown throughout the book convey to the reader the importance of the message.

Evaluation of Format: I've never read a picture book as an eBook before, so this was a new experience for me. It was a simple process to checkout the eBook via Libby and download it to my Kindle cloud. I typically read eBooks on my iPhone or tablet, but when I opened The Talk on those devices I found that the illustrations and text were too small. If I tried to zoom in on the text, I couldn't see the illustrations and vice versa. I instead had to pull up the eBook on my desktop so that I may read it as if it were a physical book. Overall, I appreciated how the eBook format allowed me to zoom in on the illustrations so that I may notice all the details.

Evaluation on Story Goal: Upon reading the book blurb, it can be assumed that the book's goal is to help adults explain the racism and discrimination Black youth may face as they grow older. The books author, Alicia D Williams, tastefully executes this goal by remaining subtle throughout the book. Instead of outright telling the reader that as jay and his friends get older, they are looked at and treated differently, it is shown via illustrations of people in society staring at them. Also, the choice to not tell the reader what Jay's parents said to him during The Talk was great because it allows for the readers parents to do so.

APA Citation: Williams, A. D. (2022). The talk (B. N. Uchendu, Illus.). Simon and Schuster.

[evreadseverything]

Book Review Master List!

Prek-6th Grade Books:

Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better by Glenda Armand and Kim Freeman, illustrated by Keith Mallett.

Cicada Symphony by Sue Fliess and illustrated by Gareth Lucas.

The Talk by Alicia D. Williams and illustrated by Briana Mukodiri.

My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and illustrated by Zeke Pena

Hot Dog by Doug Salati

Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles by Michelle Meadows and illustrated by Ebony Glenn

Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration by Samara Cole Doyon and illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

The Sky-Blue Bench by Bahram Rahman and illustrated by Peggy Collins

My Maddy by Gayle E. Pitman and illustrated by Violet Tobacco

Middle Grade/7th-12th Grade:

Jukebox by Nidhi Chanani

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Together We Burn by Isabel Ibanez

Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the People by Kekla Magoon

Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 1 by Gege Akutami

[evreadseverything]

Book Review for Cicada Symphony

Genre: Natural Science, Insects

Audience: PreK-3rd Grade

Medium: Physical Book

Summary: Cicada Symphony by Sue Fliess and Illustrated by Gareth Lucas explores the life cycle and behaviors of cicadas. Fliess uses rhyming verse with facts to teach readers about the thousands of cicada species that emerge from the ground. Cicada Symphony is a 2024 Texas 2x2 Reading List winner.

Justification: I chose this book because this is a recent Texas 2x2 Reading List winner and therefore be of good quality. Also, this year is a year where multiple cicada broods are emerging so I thought this book would be relevant. Lastly, I have never lived anywhere where cicadas are prevalent, so I thought this would be a great opportunity for me to learn more about them.

Evaluations of Illustrations: Gareth Lucas illustrations of the cicadas lean more towards cartoonish rather realistic. This was a thoughtful choice as some children and even their parents may be uncomfortable looking at multiple pages of real cicadas. Lucas' illustrations of the cicadas wings were eye-catching as he captured the iridescent nature of insect wings. Lastly, the attention to detail in the various life stages of the cicada made it easy differentiate.

Evaluation of Plot: Since this is a factual book on cicadas, there isn't a conventional progression of plot. That said, Fliess starting off the book with the beginning of the cicada's life cycle and then concluding the book with the end of their life and how it links to the beginning, perfectly conveyed the cyclical nature of cicadas. Also, since there is no traditional plot, there is no real "conflict". Nevertheless, Fliess includes a scene that discusses the predators that cicadas have. This was a great substitution.

Evaluation of Writing Style: As mentioned in the summary, Fliess uses rhyming verses to ensure that the cicada facts are memorable to young readers. The rhymes, also make this a good book for a Storytime program, especially for those that live in an area with cicada broods. Fliess was thoughtful to put the rhyming verses in large bolded text, while putting the more detailed facts in smaller text. This makes it easier for younger audiences to understand and follow along better. Lastly, Fliess does a wonderful job briefly explaining the meaning of a word that a young reader may not understand.

APA Citation: Fliess, S. (2023). Cicada Symphony (G. Lucas, Illus.). Albert Whitman & Company.

[evreadseverything]

Book Review for Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better

Genre: Biography, African-American History

Audience: K-3rd Grade

Medium: Physical Book

Summary: Ice Cream Man by Glen Armand and Kim Freeman focuses on telling the story of Augustus Jackson and how his passion for cooking changed his life and history. Keith Mallett's warm illustrations show Augustus' journey from white house cook to ice cream pioneer during a time where African-Americans had limited opportunities.

Justification: I chose this book for a few reasons. To begin, I was unfamiliar with Augustus Jackson, and his impact on the production of ice cream. Also, I believe that it's important to learn about figures in African-American history year-round, not just during designated heritage months. Additionally, the book's summer-themed subject of ice cream makes it a relevant read as temperatures rise. Lastly, the this book is a Texas Bluebonnet Award winner indicates it is a high-quality, engaging work that can provide youth with an educational and entertaining read on an important historical figure and the origins of a classic dessert.

Evaluation of Illustrations: Keith Mallett's illustrations bring Augustus Jackson's story to life. The realistic and warm and inviting style of illustration captures the time period and various settings throughout the book. Also, the level of detail in depicting the time period by greatly illustrating the clothing, kitchens, and tools, creates an immersive reading experience. Mallett's ability to create the human characters and make them have lifelike expressions allows the characters, especially Augustus himself, to leap off the page. Lastly, the warm color palette create a sense of nostalgia and coziness that perfectly conveys the inspiring tale.

Evaluation of Plot: The plot moves at a fast and engaging pace- well-suited for its K-3rd grade target audience. Also, the linear narrative follows Augustus Jackson's journey from his humble beginnings to realizing his dream of becoming a professional cook and pioneer of commercial ice cream production. That said the story doesn't dive deeply into major conflicts or obstacles Augustus faced. It instead focuses on an upbeat and celebratory tone that is focused on his creativity and achievements. The lack of conflict may limit its depth, but the surface-level backstory still provides an inspiring account that young readers can easily understand. Overall, the book's easy to follow plot and celebratory tone make it an accessible, feel-good biography that should resonate well with its intended demographic.

Evaluation of Text Formatting: Since this books tarted age group are those in K-3rd grade, it is important for them to try to follow along or read the story themselves. The sentences and paragraphs throughout the story are brief without leaving anything out. This allows for the book to be easily read aloud to youth. Also, the added element of creating a specially illustrated background with music notes whenever a song is sung is a great storytelling element.

APA Citation: Armand, G., & Freeman, K. (2023). Ice cream man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better (K. Mallett, Illus.). Crown Books for Young Readers.