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