Shelf Awareness--My Bison

PB Review: My Bison

My Bison by Gaya Wisniewski (Princeton Architectural Press, 36p., ages 4-7, 9781616898861)

Gaya Wisniewski's first book in English, My Bison, is a gentle story of love, loss and healing told through unadorned text and extraordinary illustration.

One spring, a young girl's mother holds her up to see a bison. "Look!" the mom says. "He's back!" The girl visits the meadow every day, getting closer and closer to the large animal until they're friends. The girl pets him and brings him food. But one morning, her bison must leave "to join up with the other bison." She wishes he could stay, but she's sure he'll return "when snow cover[s] the ground again." The girl is lonely until it's winter again, and her bison does return. He listens "with tenderness" as she relates stories about the forest she loves and all the things she's done while he was gone. The years go by and her bison leaves many times, always returning to the girl. Until one winter when he does not.

As the narrator imparts her story of unlikely friendship, Wisniewski's breathtaking art portrays the bison doing increasingly fantastical things, such as eating with a spoon, sipping tea at a table and lying tucked into a cozy bed. Likewise, as the story progresses and readers fall more deeply under its spell, the charcoal and ink illustrations become enhanced by strategically placed deep blue and mauve. The spare text, surrounded by plenty of white space, adds to the hushed tone of the piece, and leaves plenty of room for reflection. Deeply contemplative, never frightening, this fanciful tale of friendship amid the passing years is not to be missed. --Lynn Becker, blogger and host of Book Talk, a monthly online discussion of children's books for SCBWI.

Discover: A girl narrates the magical story of her years-long friendship with a bison.

March Recommendations

Novels:

I don’t want to give away any spoilers by describing THE TOLL, by Neal Shusterman, which is the final book in his Arc of a Scythe Trilogy. For those who have read the previous two books, SCYTHE, and THUNDERHEAD, this final installment twines all threads together, ups the ante, and finishes the series with a flourish. It does not disappoint. (YA)

THE KINGDOM OF BACK, by Marie Lu, is a fantasy-infused account of the close relationship between musical genius Amadeus Wolfgang Mozart and his lesser-known sister, Maria Anna (Nannerl). Nannerl Mozart, a musical “miracle” herself, desperately wants to be a composer, but she lives in a time when women are defined by marriage and childbearing. She's drawn into an alternate world, a fairy story taking place in a land called the Kingdom of Back, where a wild-looking boy promises to help her achieve her heart’s desire. Fantasy and reality blur, and Nannerl must decide for herself what her legacy will be. (MG)

Graphic Novels:

BUG BOYS, by Laura Knetzger, is an odd and adorable friendship story between two bugs, the impulsive Rhino-B, and the quieter, more bookish Stag-B. It features a series of adventures, including treasure-hunting and bug-napping, delivering books to the strangely friendly Dome Spider at the Insect’s Library, a trip to a Bee Hive AND a Termite Hive, and so much more. Just like the storyline, the art is delicate and whimsical. (MG)

Picture Books:

THE LOVE LETTER, written by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins, is the story of three friends—Hedgehog, Bunny, and Squirrel—and how one shared letter sends a message of love that impacts them all. Denise's text is compact without seeming terse, and the illustrations are the usual top-notch stuff we are used to from Cummins.

IN A JAR, by Deborah Marcero, features two bunnies, Llewelyn and Evelyn, who bond over their love of collecting--and sharing--glass jars filled with everything from the mundane to the extraordinary. Then Evelyn moves away, and the two friends must figure out how to share from afar. Marcero’s text is spare and evocative, and her stylized art gives this story a unique look that serves it well.

In UP ON BOB, by Mary Sullivan, Bob is a dog who "has work to do." He must get his person’s bed perfectly arranged so he can have his nap. It’s hard work, but he likes hard work, and it pays off. But when the bed is finally ready, Bob gets a visit from a surprise Someone. Good thing the Someone likes hard work, too. The antics—and personalities—of Bob and Someone are perfectly portrayed in this picture book/easy reader hybrid.

--Lynn

March's Book of the Month--Dear Sweet Pea

March’s Book of the Month is the funny and heartwarming middle grade novel, DEAR SWEET PEA, by Julie Murphy.

When Sweet Pea’s parents get a divorce—or a “mindful division,” as her mom calls it--they set up “two completely separate houses on the same street that look just about as identical as two different houses could.” Right in between them lies the home of Miss Flora Mae, whose advice column, Miss Flora Mae I?, is read by practically everyone in town.

Miss Flora Mae goes on vacation, and she asks Sweet Pea to handle her mail. Sweet Pea needs to send along new questions for the column, and submit to the newspaper the ones that Miss Flora Mae has already answered. What could possibly go wrong?

Well, it all starts when Sweet Pea recognizes the handwriting on one of the letters that comes in. Before long, she has plenty of problems of her own, involving current best friend Oscar, previous best friend Kiera, divorce and more divorce. There’s also that small matter of barfing on Greg, the cute new seventh grader, at a Trampoline Zone party, and the fact that being a “juniors’ size eighteen” doesn’t mean she wants her graduation dress to resemble “dumpy floral” wallpaper.

For me, this book is all about the main character. In Sweet Pea, the author has written a funny, relatable, flawed-yet-earnest protagonist, one who springs to life on the very first page. The book may tackle a whole slew of issues, but for me it’s all about Sweet Pea.

Have you read DEAR SWEET PEA? What do you think?

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--Nonsense!

PB Review: Nonsense!: The Curious Story of Edward Gorey

Nonsense!: The Curious Story of Edward Gorey by Lori Mortensen, illus. by Chloe Bristol (Versify/HMH, 40p., ages 4-8, 9780358033684, March 24, 2020)

Echoing a style used by the subject himself, Lori Mortensen (Away with Words) and Chloe Bristol use "words and pictures. And pictures and words" to capture the essence of that well-known, eccentric creator Edward Gorey (1925-2000).

Gorey was born in Chicago, a brilliant, self-taught child who "gobbled up adventures and mysteries. Comics and poetry." When he happened to enjoy "the whimsical Alice in Wonderland and the frighteningly gruesome Dracula, one after the other," that strange combination captured his imagination "like a penguin sipping tea on a runaway train." Young Edward skipped grades in school and moved many times with his family, but the boy "scribbled and sketched, sketched and scribbled, wherever he went." When he turned 18, he was drafted and served as company clerk in "an army full of rules." After his service, Gorey arrived at Harvard, "skinny, furry-coated, ring-fingered, sneaker-footed" and ready to live by his own rules. He wrote poetry, prose and plays, but had yet to find his calling.

In 1953, he took a job in the art department of a New York publishing company. One day, Gorey began jotting down "stories that mingled sweetness and innocence, danger and darkness, all mixed up with his own brand of silliness," which he then illustrated. Publishers weren't interested in his work so Gorey published it himself. The "strange stories with curious titles" which featured "odd and unfortunate endings" made some parents angry. But Gorey refused to explain himself, insisting his books should not be taken seriously. They were just "Edward being Edward, with a hatful of nonsense thrown in."

Throughout Nonsense!, Mortensen's stylishly poetic prose calls attention to the element of fun in Gorey's work. Illustrator Bristol's (the Winterhouse Mysteries series) pencil and digital art evokes the sketchy black lines used by Gorey himself. Text and illustration together paint a satisfying picture of an eccentric who developed an endearing (and unusual) way of expressing himself--and garnered an enduring following in the process. As Mortensen's end notes point out, Gorey published more than 100 of his own books and illustrated more than 60 works by others, including Lewis Carroll, one of the authors who so influenced his life. She further states that Gorey's work and influence lives on in other creators: Lemony Snicket, Tim Burton and Neil Gaiman "must all tip their hats to Edward Gorey." As should anyone else lucky enough to happen upon this biography about Gorey's darkly "curious" work! --Lynn Becker, blogger and host of Book Talk, a monthly online discussion of children's books for SCBWI.

Shelf Talker: Throughout his life, Edward Gorey "scribbled and sketched" his way toward creating the brand of sweet-yet-dark books which have become synonymous with his name and beloved by generations.

February Recommendations

Novels:

A HEART SO FIERCE AND BROKEN, by Brigid Kemmerer, is the long-awaited sequel to her fabulous Beauty and the Beast retelling, A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY. In this new installment, even though the curse has been broken, troubles still abound for Prince Rhen and Princess Harper. There are rumors that Rhen is not, in fact, the rightful heir to Emberfall. Queen Karis Luran may attack at any time. And Rhen's longest-tenured and most trusted Royal Guardsman, Grey, has been gone for months without word. Rhen swears he will kill any rival heir who appears bearing magical powers, so the only thing that could make all this worse is if Grey is the heir! Seamless storytelling--from three points of view—make this second volume a pleasure from cover to cover. (YA)

Graphic Novels:

In PUMPKINHEADS, Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks take readers to the pumpkin patch where best friends Deja and Josiah have worked every autumn for the last three years. Now that they’re seniors and college is on the horizon, this is the last Halloween they’ll be spending here for a while. Deja has decided that Josie should leave with no regrets: tonight he has to actually talk to The Fudge Shoppe Girl, aka Marcy, who he’s he’s been crushing on for as long as they’ve all worked together. Hijinks ensue, and the two friends enjoy a night full of misadventures and revelations—and not nearly enough snacks. (YA)

BECOMING RBG: RUTH BADER GINSBURG’S JOURNEY TO JUSTiCE, written by Debbie Levy, illustrated by Whitney Gardner, is a solid introduction to this Supreme Court Justice and “modern feminist icon.” Beginning with her childhood as a feisty girl growing up in Brooklyn, where reading introduced her “to capable and clever girls doing satisfying, useful work out in the world,” thorough her education at Cornell, where she fell in love with the law and “effective writing,” on through her time as one of only nine women out of five hundred in Harvard Law School, to her placement as professor, judge and beyond, Ruth excelled, even as she fought bigotry and championed equal rights for all. The graphic novel format makes this inspirational biography both appealing and accessible. (YA)

Picture Books:

BEAR IS AWAKE! AN ALPHABET STORY, by Hannah E. Harrison, tells a complete story, from Aa to Zz. Awakening on the first spread is a big bear who makes his way to a cozy cabin, where he rings the doorbell and enters excitedly and on and on, in this funny adventure of a hungry bear and his newly-found human friend. Gouache illustrations cleverly illustrate the spare text.

ONE FOX: A COUNTING BOOK THRILLER, by Kate Read, is a counting book that also has a narrative arc. One famished fox, with his two sly eyes, spots three plump hens, and away we go! Mixed media illustrations—done with collage and painting—are strong, colorful, and expressive.

LITTLE DOCTOR AND THE FEARLESS BEAST, by Sophie Gilmore, is a real charmer. All the crocodiles come to see the child they call Little Doctor, who treats each one of them with care. She fixes broken tails, and tweezes out splinters, and, in return, the crocs tell her tales of fearless legendary beasts. Until, one day, one of those very beasts, Big Mean, arrives at her cottage with her jaws clamped shut. The illustrations, which look to be watercolors, are delightful.

--Lynn

February's Book of the Month--The Fountains of Silence

January’s Book of the Month is THE FOUNTAINS OF SILENCE, by the always amazing Ruta Sepetys.

Ana works at the Castellana Hilton Madrid, formerly a palace, and now an opulent hotel for Americans in Generalísimo Franco’s Spain. The fascist dictator is encouraging “American diplomats, actors, and musicians” to visit the country again, to “socialize and mingle into the pale hours of morning.” Ana meets Daniel Matheson, the earnest son of an oil tycoon who prefers photography and journalism to the family business. Ana and Daniel feel an undeniable attraction. But, for most Spaniards, the present under Franco is a desperate struggle. As the connection between Ana and Daniel grows, so does Daniel’s awareness of the atrocities teeming below the surface of the Madrid which he as a tourist is allowed to see, atrocities which include the fate of Ana’s parents and the plight of her desperately poor family.

I’ve tried to understand how I was so quickly drawn into a novel whose subject I know nothing about, and I’ve decided it’s mainly two things which sound—deceptively--simple: the author immediately grounds readers in a specific place and she gives us characters we care about. Right away she sets a powerful scene, vividly describing the line outside the butcher shop, and the boy who works there doling out blood. On the next pages, we learn how he witnessed the death of his father, and, by the time we get to one of the main characters, Ana, we are hooked. Ana and the glowing splendor of the hotel are described in stark relief to the previous pages, and they, too, draw readers in. There’s also plenty of tension provided by the menacing soldiers and stifling restrictions citizens endure—and Daniel stumbles onto—which have been set in place by the dictator Franco.

Sepetys intersperses her saga with historical documents and photographs, tying the very human face of her narrative to the actual struggles of Spain and its people after the Spanish Civil War. It’s masterfully done!

Or so I think. Have you read THE FOUNTAINS OF SILENCE? What do you think?

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--Jinxed

MG Review: Jinxed

Jinxed by Amy McCulloch (Sourcebooks Young Readers, 336p., ages 8-12, 9781492683742)

Set in a world where smartphones have evolved into "cute and interactive" cyber companions called bakus, Jinxed is a thrilling, techno-savvy series opener starring an appealing, self-motivated "total nerd" who finds her life's focus called into question.

Twelve-year-old Lacey Chu badly wants to be accepted into her dream school, Profectus Academy of Science and Technology. Once there, she knows she'll get a "level three spaniel" baku and be fast-tracked to work for Moncha Corp., "the largest tech firm in North America." Lacey wants to be a companioneer so she can "design new animals" and work on old ones, just like her idol, Moncha founder Monica Chan. But Lacey's dreams are dashed when Profectus rejects her. While searching in a ravine for her friend's lost baku, Lacey comes across "a crumpled pile of black metal"--a very expensive, but nearly destroyed cat baku. Soon after Lacey "leashes" Jinx, a message arrives welcoming her to Profectus. Lacey secretly restores the baku in time for school, where she wins a coveted spot on the competitive baku battle team. But Jinx isn't like the other bakus, and Lacey's attempts to keep a low profile while she figures out what's happening keep going awry.

Amy McCulloch (The Potion Diaries) ratchets up the tension, with bitter rivalries forming among the baku-battling students, along with ever-growing questions surrounding Jinx's creator and Lacey's acceptance into Profectus. Twists, turns and a touch of espionage, along with shades of Philip Pullman's daemons and Hogwarts' quidditch matches, make Jinxed a real winner. --Lynn Becker, blogger and host of Book Talk, a monthly online discussion of children's books for SCBWI.

Discover: Twelve-year-old Lacey Chu dreams of working for the high-tech Moncha Corp., but complications abound as she begins attending its training school, Profectus Academy.