Review: Each Tiny Spark

Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emilia has a hard time focusing on topics that don't interest her, but when she is interested in something, she becomes laser-focused on it. This neuro-diversity makes school challenging; her mom tries to help her compensate by planning out her school week for her and staying on top of her assignments. How is Emilia supposed to cope when her mom goes out of town for business at the exact same time her father is returning from deployment. To make matters worse, her grandmother is becoming super annoying; all she wants to talk about is how Emilia is going to be a young lady soon. Gross! Abuela wants to buy Emilia dresses and start prepping for her quinceanera, which is only three years away. Emilia would rather spend her time fixing up old cars with her dad or making horror movies with her best friend Gus.

When her favorite teacher asks her class to come up with a tourism guide for their hometown, Emilia discovers disturbing information about the treatment of immigrants in her state and community. This information along with a highly contested district rezoning makes her see her community and old friends in a new light. Is Emilia willing to stand by and let things happen to those she loves, or will she take a stand for what is right?

Pablo Cartaya's latest novel is very timely. His main character learns that immigrants were asked to come to Atlanta to help build the Olympic park and stadium; however, once their work was done, people expected them to leave. With immigration reform at the forefront of the next presidential election, this book may help middle-grade students develop their own opinions about the topic. I think it would be really interesting for teachers to use this book as a catalyst to inspire students to research their own communities and the contributions immigrants have made to them.

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Review: The Miraculous

The Miraculous by Jess Redman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When we meet Wunder, we learn that he no longer believes in miracles, even though he has been a "miracologist" most of his life. He collected miracles and documented them in a notebook, but something heartbreaking has happened to his family, and they are all in a place dark enough to make him think that miracles no longer exist. In the midst of his grief, he befriends a unique girl named Faye. Faye believes that all things are possible because she knows enough to know that she doesn't know everything. She and Wunder encounter an old woman who might be a witch and begin delivering letters for her. They aren't really sure what this strange lady has planned, but they know she wants to make a miracle happen for their town. Faye and "the witch" are the only things tethering Wunder to the world around him, and if they have anything to say about it, they are going to prove that miracles do exist.

I don't have the words to do this book justice, so I will simply say it is one of the best novels I've ever read, and I've read a lot! Jess Redman's debut is a beautiful reminder that we are all connected by grief and miracles. Every single person has experienced some type of personal tragedy, whether that be the physical death of a loved one or the death of a life imagined. At the very same time, all humans have experienced some type of miracle, be they big or small. While it is easy for people to connect with each other over miraculous events, we often suffer alone in grief. We don't know how to reach out to someone who is in the deepest dark; why bother saying anything when you know your words cannot bring back their loved one? Even if it is uncomfortable, we need to reach out to those around us who are grieving to remind them they are not alone and that their love will never end. No matter how long you have loved someone, your grief over their loss is valid. As Faye tells Wunder, "what does time have to do with love?" This book is a must-read for children and adults alike. I cannot wait to share this novel with teachers and students at my new school. I will sing its praises near and far. It publishes July 30th, so go ahead and pre-order it now. It will be the best the book you read this summer.

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Review: The Woods

The Woods by R.L. Toalson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After suffering an unimaginable loss, Lenora is forced to move in with her uncle Richard, a man she has never even met. Lenora's father never told her about his brother or their childhood home, which happens to be a mansion, so imagine her shock when she sees her new home for the first time. All uncle Richard asks of Lenora is that she not enter the east wing of his home where he does his work, and she must never go into the woods. The woods behind his home are a dangerous place, but he won't explain why. Lenora only knows that her uncle's son disappeared in those woods many years ago.

When Lenora hears a familiar voice calling her name, she is lured into the woods by the hope of reuniting with her family. Once there, she meets a magical creature named Bela. Bela promises her that the woods will do her no harm if she has no ill intent, but the deeper she ventures into the woods, the more uncertain Lenora is about Bela's promise. Lenora desperately wants to reunite her uncle with his son, and she thinks that she can find him and bring him home with Bela's help. In trying to save her cousin, Lenora is putting her own life at risk. Can she save her cousin without dooming herself? Is her cousin even still alive? This novel will have you begging for answers to these questions and so many more.

I was a big fan of R.L.Toalson's debut novel, The Colors of the Rain. For some reason, I was fully expecting her second novel to be written in verse as well. I was shocked to see that it was 465 pages of prose. The size of this novel may be daunting for reluctant readers, but I think after reading the first two chapters, anyone would be hooked on this book. I would be sure to tell readers intimidated by the length of the novel that the chapters are very short and high-interest. I read 100 pages in no time. The publisher recommends this book for ages 12 and up, and I agree with that age range. Younger readers may be disturbed by what happens to Lenora's family, and while I wouldn't necessarily call this book scary, it could certainly freak out elementary students. I would definitely add this book to my library if I were in a middle school.


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Review: Give and Take

Give and Take by Elly Swartz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maggie keeps things that are sentimental to her and stores them in boxes in her room. She doesn't want to forget anyone or any experience like her grandmother forgot her. Everybody keeps mementos, but Maggie keeps items that most people throw away: gum wrappers, sticks, and empty milk cartons to name a few. If anyone in her family dares to get close to her boxes and find out her secret, she gets enraged. Maggie wants to hold onto everything and everyone she loves, so she is having an especially hard time with the fact that her baby foster sister, Izzie, is about to leave her home to live with her forever family. How can she let go of someone that she already loves so much?

Elly Swartz has tackled a topic that I've never seen in children's literature before: childhood hoarding. This book hit close to home for me because someone I love very much could be considered a hoarder. This person cannot throw anything away, and I've never understood why. It infuriates her if someone suggests that she throw her "junk" away. After reading this novel, I feel like I understand her a little better now. Maggie's hoarding stems from her anxiety about loss, and sometimes her anxiety causes big anger to bubble up and explode. I have seen my own child struggle with anxiety, and I'm sure it is way more common in children than we realize. Children who personally struggle with anxiety or live with someone who does will feel seen and heard after reading this book. Give and Take is a must-add to your MG collection.

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Review: All of Me

All of Me by Chris Baron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ari is overweight, and it seems like that is the only thing most people notice about him. He is extremely conscious of his body and how it fits and looks in clothes. His dad is mostly absent, and while his mom is around, she's not exactly present with him. He has dealt with some major bullying, and he just needs a break from his everyday life. He finds an escape with his friends, Lisa and Pick, at the beach. During their summer break, Ari and Lisa become extremely close, and he begins to notice that he feels like he is on fire around her, which just complicates his life a little more. It's hard "being in love" with your best friend when you think there is no possible way she could ever like you back because or your size. Ari goes on a weight loss journey with the support of his friends, and as he loses weight, he finds himself. Finally, he realizes that he likes who he is, but he has been the same person all along.

This verse novel deals with some heavy topics: self-harm, alcoholism, bullying, and crumbling marriages. While all these topics are handled well by the author, I would recommend it for middle school and up, rather than the younger audience suggested by the publisher (grades 3 - 7). At one point Ari's mom talks to him about his father's "lovemaking." Ari and Lisa down a bottle of champagne and Ari hurts himself. As a school librarian, I think it is much more appropriate for the upper MG sect. That being said, this novel should be added to all middle school libraries as it tackles a topic not often discussed in children's literature: male body image.

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Review: Because of the Rabbit

Because of the Rabbit by Cynthia Lord
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a fellow autism mom, I'm a big fan of Cynthia Lord's books, and her latest book lived up to all my expectations. It is a sweet tale of discovering oneself and what it means to be a friend.

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Review: Frankly in Love

Frankly in Love by David Yoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am frankly in love with Frankly in Love, and that is no lie. This book is the perfect YA romance; it has first love, first heart break, dysfunctional family dynamics, all while helping the reader understand the Korean culture. I know very little about the Korean culture, so I loved getting a glimpse into the family life and cultural perspectives. I feel certain that this book will end up nominated for plenty of young adult awards; I wouldn't be surprised if it gets optioned as a movie. I know I would pay to go see it!

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Review: Birdie

Birdie by Eileen Spinelli
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For someone who struggles with change, I completely understood Birdie's emotions in this novel. Seeing your best friend start dating your other friend is difficult no matter what your age. Even if you want both those people to be happy, it's hard to see them being happy without you. Imagine that emotion times three. Not only does Birdie feel left behind by her best friend, but her mom and grandmother start dating people as well. All of a sudden, it feels like Birdie is the only one who is still mourning the death of her father. This novel-in-verse will tug at your heartstrings.

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Review: Far Away

Far Away by Lisa Graff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A psychic medium communicates with a parent who has passed away. Sounds fun & sad all at the same time, right? It is both those things, but it is also heart-felt, a little twisted, and full of mystery. CJ Ames can only communicate with her deceased mother through her aunt who makes her living as a medium, but according to her aunt, her mom's spirit has gone to the Far Away, which means she can no longer reach her. CJ is determined to pull her mom’s spirit back from Far Away no matter what it takes, even if it means destroying her relationship with her aunt, the only mother she has ever known.

This story takes a deeper look at what it means to be a family. It shows that sometimes doing something "wrong," might be the best thing you can do to help someone. Recommended for 4th -8th grade.

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Review: Hair Love

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a wonderful picture book showing how far fathers will go outside their comfort zone to make their daughters feel beautiful.

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Review: My Papi Has a Motorcycle

My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this lyrical picture book, a father shows his love for his daughter by taking her on motorcycle rides around their hometown. The words and illustrations are beautiful. Feels like an award winner to me.

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