Shelf Awareness--Underground: Subway Systems Around the World

PB Review: Underground: Subway Systems Around the World

Underground: Subway Systems Around the World by Uijung Kim (Cicada Books, 44p., ages 4-8, 9781908714831)

Through this brightly colored, information-packed picture book, readers can explore 10 of the world's busiest subway systems.

Uijing Kim devotes two double-page spreads to each country's distinct system. The first spread shows a train's exterior and presents six or seven facts, such as the number of stations or the cumulative length of the tracks in the country. There's also a list with pictures of cultural symbols (such as the London Eye or a kangaroo) for readers to find (on the next page). The page turn reveals the inside of the subway car, packed with riders and the symbols hidden throughout. The blocky, highly stylized art is especially appealing, and a glossary at the end briefly explains the seek-and-find objects. Underground provides an entertaining, highly visual experience that delivers a global context to subway ridership. --Lynn Becker, blogger and host of Book Talk, a monthly online discussion of children's books for SCBWI.

November Recommendations

Novel:

BENBEE AND THE TEACHER GRIEFER, by K. A. Holt, is written from the POV of four different characters who have been sent to summer school because they failed the “FART"—Florida Rigorous Academic Assessment Test. These kids are divergent thinkers and avid fans of the Sandbox computer game. When their teacher insists they read a passage from a book aloud during every class, the kids get her to agree to try Sandbox in return. Written in verse, prose, doodles, memos, and a group computer chat, this is an accessible and engaging story. (MG)

Graphic Novel:

In TWINS, by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright, when best friends and identical twins Maureen and Francine start middle school, Maureen realizes that Francine is pulling away from her. The girls have different classes now and Francine—who wants to be called Fran now--isn’t confiding in Maureen like she used to. When Maureen’s Cadet Corps teacher says she’ll give Maureen much-needed extra credit if she runs for student council, Maureen decides to run for class president. The only problem is that Francine is running, too. This story, chock full of believable family and middle school drama, is completely appealing, and the comics-style art keeps the momentum going. Kids will gobble it up. (MG)

Picture Books:

SOMETIMES A WALL, by Dianne White, illustrated by Barroux, examines some of the different kinds of walls kids may encounter, as well as ones they may build themselves. When innocent play turns to exclusion, how do these playmates tear down the barriers to their friendship and begin again? Spare, rhyming text and colorful illustrations make this a welcome—and timely--conversation starter.

In I DREAM OF A JOURNEY, by Akiko Miyakoshi, by day the gentle, rodent-like innkeeper listens to tales told by his guests about their travels. By night he dreams of packing his own suitcase and “roaming freely.” He'll visit old friends and collect “special moments” to treasure. When morning comes, the innkeeper heads back to his hotel, but one day… who knows? This wistful story is greatly elevated by the atmospheric art. Waking hours are portrayed in shadowy black and white, while the innkeeper’s dreamy travels shimmer with color. It’s sophisticated and also entirely age-appropriate—a wonderful read-together book for parents and kids four to eight--and older.

WILLIAM STILL AND HIS FREEDOM STORIES: THE FATHER OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, by Don Tate, tells the story of William, the youngest child of two former slaves. His father bought his own freedom, but his mother had to escape while leaving two older sons behind. Many years later, in Philadelphia, William helps other freedom-seeking people by welcoming them to his home, now a stop on the Underground Railroad. By listening to the story of one of the passengers, he makes a surprising connection, thereafter making it his mission to “reunite other families torn apart by slavery.” Captivating writing and Tate’s always clear and expressive illustrations make this biography a standout.

ENDANGERED ANIMALS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP, by Sam Hutchinson and Sarah Dennis, is chock-full of facts about animals from seven distinct habitats around the world, including some species which are already extinct. The pages are intricately illustrated with what appear to be paper cuts. Informative text for kids six to ten is neatly packaged as a search-and-find activity and includes suggestions for how kids can get involved.

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--Storm the Earth

YA Review: Storm the Earth

Storm the Earth by Rebecca Kim Wells (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 368p., ages 13-up, 9781534454507)

In this irresistible sequel to Rebecca Kim Wells's captivating romantic fantasy Shatter the Sky, Maren has toppled the emperor's stronghold and freed the great dragon Naava. She has also rescued her lover Kaia, who was stolen "a lifetime ago" by the Aurati seers, prophetic servants of the emperor. Meanwhile, Marin's traveling partner Sev--the long lost "shadow prince of Ruzi," a legendary figure destined by Aurati prophecy to overthrow the emperor--was dragged to prison. Desperate to escape, Sev is instead forced to swear public allegiance to the emperor. Maren, aided by a dragon hatchling, sets about freeing dragons controlled by the emperor's forces. As Maren's abilities grow, so does her fame and the tension between her and Kaia. Further, Maren and Sev have developed a strong bond and can communicate via "dragon dreams," where they plot to overturn the hateful emperor.

Storm the Earth has political intrigue and action galore, but the author leaves plenty of time for romantic entanglement. Originally, Maren wanted only to share a house by the lake with Kaia; now, she has evolved into a leader who's saving her world. Amidst all the danger, Maren hopes her relationship with Kaia can also evolve because, if not, it's possible the new Maren might be ready for a different heartmate. This second book is narrated dually by Maren and Sev, allowing readers more insight into developments both romantic and political. The tension throughout is heightened by cliffhangers at the end of each chapter--readers will likely barrel along at top speed to the finish. --Lynn Becker, blogger and host of Book Talk, a monthly online discussion of children's books for SCBWI.

Discover: In this exciting conclusion to the Shatter the Sky duology, Maren must free an army of captive dragons and rescue her ally Sev, while trying to hold on to heartmate Kaia.

November's Book of the Month--Chirp

November’s Book of the Month is the middle grade novel CHIRP, by Kate Messner:

Mia is glad to be moving back to Burlington, Vermont, after two years in Boston. She’s given up gymnastics, following a broken arm and six months spent recuperating on the couch. Because it’s summer, her mom wants her to sign up for two themed day-camps: “one active, and one educational.” Mia really doesn’t want to do the gymnastics camp in her mom’s brochure, but the Launch Camp for Young Entrepreneurs looks interesting. Maybe Mia can "learn stuff to help Gram with her cricket farm.” And she reluctantly signs up for Warrior Camp, even though it’s in the same building as gymnastics.

The family has ostensibly come back to Burlington to help Gram transition into retirement after suffering a mild stroke, but it turns out that Gram is all fired up to expand her cricket farm, instead. The trouble is that accidents keep putting the business (and the crickets) in danger, and it's beginning to feel like someone is trying to sabotage the place. Mia and her new friends dig into the mystery and launch the Chirp Challenge, a campaign designed to save Gram's farm. Along the way, Mia learns some important truths about how to deal with a problem of her own, one she’s kept hidden for a long time.

This is strong, multi-layered middle grade, in which Mia's inner, emotional through line compliments the more active, mystery-based plot concerning Gram and her cricket farm. Mia’s growth is satisfying and readers will root for her as she learns to take a stand for what she believes in.

Really, don’t miss this one!

--Lynn