Review: Redwood and Ponytail

Redwood and Ponytail by K.A. Holt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What could a shoulder-punching volleyball player and a hair-flipping cheerleader have in common? In Redwood and Ponytail, it's that they have a crush on each other, and it seems to come as a surprise to both of them. Tam is tall like a Redwood, and Kate has perfect ponytail; these two girls run in different circles, but when they meet, it's electric. There's a spark there, and they both know it. Kate starts neglecting the rest of the cheerleading squad and spending all her time with Tam. They lose track of time when they are together, and their pinkies always seem to end up linked together, but what could that mean? Do pinkies "hugging" mean that Kate could be gay? When she confesses to her mother that she is 75% gay, her mom quickly tells her that she can't be. Kate is jealous of how comfortable Tam feels in her own skin, but what she doesn't know is that Tam feels like has never fit in anywhere. Kate is scared not to be perfect and do what everyone expects of her. Tam is just scared of losing Kate.

K.A. Holt's newest novel-in-verse is a much-needed addition for middle/high school libraries. Any girl who has questioned her sexuality will relate to Kate, but this book isn't just for girls who are attracted to other girls. Readers who have felt pressured to be someone other than who they want to be will also connect to Kate. Tam's character is sure to resonate with readers who feel like they just don't fit; maybe they don't like the same things most other girls like, or maybe they feel more comfortable around boys. No matter what the reader's background is, he or she is sure to find some way to connect to Tam and Kate.

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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: 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: Other Words for Home

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read several wonderful books over the past two years featuring Syrian refugees: Refugee, Nowhere Boy, and Illegal come to mind, but all of those books have focused on Syrians who are immigrating to countries in Europe. Those books all made me question why I had not paid more attention to the Syrians' plight, but Other Words for Home is the first book that gave me a deeper look into what being an Arab immigrant in America is like.

Many of Jude's thoughts about Americans made me feel self-conscious like someone was looking deep into my soul. I felt extremely convicted when Jude says "Americans love labels, they help them know what to expect. Sometimes though, I think labels stop them from thinking." How many times have I caught myself labeling someone based on their appearance, education, or dress. I even label my children: the smart one, the athletic one; the easy one, the difficult one. What am I missing about people when all I see is the label I gave them? I recently purchased a shirt in honor of Autism Awareness month that says "See the Able, not the label." What a great thing for me to remember whenever I meet someone new. Thank you, Jasmine Warga, for this beautiful book.



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Review: Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess

Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess by Shari Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Macy McMillan is accustomed to being a team of two: just her and her mom, but her team is growing by three people, and she isn't quite ready for that. Macy's mom is about to marry Alan who has twin daughters. The upcoming marriage means that Macy has to move into Alan's house, which means leaving her garden, her reading nook, and being in close proximity to her best friend.

In an effort to take Macy's mind off all these soon-to-be changes, Macy's mom encourages her to help their elderly neighbor, Iris, pack up her belongings before she moves into an assisted living facility. Even though Macy is very leery about helping out her neighbor, Iris ends up becoming a great friend who shares many life lessons with her.

Throughout this free verse novel, Macy learns the importance of discovering other people's stories. She realizes that there is always more to a person than what you see on the surface. Through Macy's experiences, readers will see the value in listening to the stories of their elders. As a child, I was always enthralled by my grandparents' life stories. I hate that none of their stories were ever written down for me to share with my children so they would be able to see how their story came to be.

Shari Green's verse is beautifully lyrical. This novel is perfect for readers who are going through life changes. It would be a great suggestion for kids who might be anxious about starting a new chapter in life, whether that be a new school or expanding family. Readers will find comfort in Macy's story by seeing that change can be good and "finding home is about following your story."

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Review: The Colors of the Rain

The Colors of the Rain by R.L. Toalson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! This novel-in-verse from R. L. Toalson is a must read. Paulie's father was killed on a rainy evening, and ever since that day, his mom hasn't been the same. She's started drinking and is rarely home. Since his mother can longer take care of them, Paulie and his older sister, Charlie, go to live with their Aunt Bee who happens to be the principal of Paulie's new elementary school. It's 1972 in Houston, and the community is boiling with protests over school desegregation. At his new school, Paulie meets Mr. Langley, the art teacher. Mr. Langley is different than any other teacher Paulie has had before because he is black, but Paulie quickly feels a connection to him. Paulie also meets a black student named Greg who has a special connection to Mr. Langley as well. Unfortunately for Greg, he becomes the target of Paulie's repressed anger over losing his dad and his mom. Eventually, Paulie realizes that he and Greg are more alike than he could have ever imagined.

Aunt Bee has the nicest house Paulie and Charlie have ever seen; she cooks for them and provides for them in ways their mother never could. Paulie and Charlie are loving their new life until their mom throws a wrench in it. She wants them back. The children are faced with the dilemma of disappointing their aunt if they leave and disappointing their mom if they stay. There is an amazing surprise in the plot that unfolds near the end of the book. This twist will leave readers in tears (both happy and sad), and they will be rethinking all of Aunt Bee's prior actions.

Novels-in-verse are quickly becoming one of my favorite genres. They are such quick reads and beautifully lyrical. This book is no exception. I snapped four or five pictures of lines that I didn't want to forget because they were too special to just keep reading. I love when an author writes such beautiful lines that I just want to savor them, and there were many lines worth savoring in The Colors of the Rain

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Review: Lifeboat 12

Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lifeboat 12 is a novel-in-verse about children being sent by ship to Canada during World War II to escape the German Blitzkrieg in England. Their ship is hit by German torpedoes, and they must quickly escape by lifeboats. The story is told through the point-of-view of Ken Sparks, an actual survivor of this sunken ship. The first-person narration allows the reader to feel like he is in the lifeboat with the other survivors experiencing these tragic events as they unfold.

Susan Hood's writing is poetic and powerful. The format will make this book more accessible to reluctant readers. I've noticed that many of my students who only want to read books with pictures also enjoy novels-in-verse. As Kwame Alexander says, verse is less intimidating because there is so much blank space on the page. This book moves quickly, and it would make for an excellent addition to 5th grade classrooms as it will tie in with their curriculum.

As someone who grew up with a history-obsessed father (he spent nine hours in the WWII museum in NOLA), I was excited to read this story because I had never heard of the Children's Overseas Reception Board (CORB) program. I just called my dad to quiz him on the topic, and he knew all about it (no surprise there). Having lived in France and visited many WWII museums and sites there, I know how horrific life in Europe was at that time. I cannot imagine how frightening it must have been for children to board a ship crossing the Atlantic. For parents to believe their children would be better off an ocean away from them really shows you how terrible and scary it must have been.

I will definitely recommend this book to students and teachers alike with the only caveat being that you won't learn much about the actual war, just about one tragic event caused by the war. It is certainly an event worth discovering.

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