Sunhead by Alex Assan

Sunhead by Alex Assan. HarperAlley, 2024. 9780063113572

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4

Format: Paperback graphic novel

Genre: Realistic fiction

What did you like about the book? High schooler Rotem acknowledges that she’s a “sunhead,” a super fan of the series Sunrise. The book is about a boy vampire that falls in love with a mortal girl, and it’s really romantic. She carries the book around with her everywhere, including school, and eagerly awaits the next book in the series. When she meets Ayala, she shares the book and finds a kindred fan, and their friendship grows. Meanwhile, her old group of friends seems less appealing – is it because they are all trying to pair up? When Rotem impulsively kisses Ayala, she gets confused about everything. It’s not the romantic moment she has always imagined, like with Edmund, the character in Sunrise.

This sweet coming-of-age story is set in Tel Aviv but the school and family dynamics feel universal. It’s clearly modelled on the fandom of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series. I loved the graphic art, in a warm brown/pink/red palette, the dreamy Sunrise sequences that are always in Rotem’s mind, and the depiction of her typical family, with Mom trying to get Rotem to open up. Dialogue is pithy and secondary to the visual storytelling. Readers get a sense of the attraction that Ayala holds for Rotem long before she does, and we hope that she manages to get out of her funk about the kiss before too long. The long period of confusion after the kiss is nearly wordless, and the reader senses Rotem is on the cusp of a big change about her identity.

Anything you didn’t like about it? No

To whom would you recommend this book? For teens who enjoyed Jen Wang’s The Prince and the Dressmaker and other coming of age graphic novels.

Who should buy this book? Middle and high school and public libraries

Where would you shelve it? Graphic fiction

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Near the top

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA

Date of review: May 16, 2024

How To Be a Vet and Other Animal Jobs by Jess French, illustrated by Sol Linero

How To Be a Vet and Other Animal Jobs by Jess French,  illustrated by Sol Linero. Nosy Crow, c2021, 2024. 9798887770666

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4

Format: Oversized hardcover

What did you like about the book?  Many young readers dream of becoming a vet and will enjoy this introduction to the profession by British TV personality and veterinarian, Jess French. On its oversized and chatty, colorful pages, elementary and middle school kids will learn about how these professionals help their patients, but also a bit about veterinary history, professional training requirements, and various niches within the field. Each page opens with a bold heading (“What do large animal vets do?”) atop a two-page visual spread answering the question. Various pieces of clothing, equipment, and settings specific to the question appear in neatly labeled illustrations while small blocks of text provide background information. Occasionally the figures chime in with talk bubbles to offer up fun facts (“Did you know cats have been kept as pets for around 12,000 years!”) All the children and adults display a range of skin tones, hair color, genders, and ages; the book also shows a vet in a wheelchair reading x-rays and a blind person being led by a guide dog. Closing pages offer some questions for thinking about whether a job with animals could be the right choice, branching out to wildlife rehabilitators, dog walkers, animal researchers, and shepherds. The slick, digital illustrations are very precise and attractive, highly stylized and clear; it’s always easy to follow the concepts through the busy pages.

Anything you didn’t like about it? At times, I found it overly simplistic, even for younger readers. For example, this statement “Some vets work in laboratories researching diseases and developing medicines that may save many animals’ lives” could be elaborated to explain that vets watch over laboratory animals being used to research human diseases. French does acknowledge that vets sometimes have to do very upsetting jobs, such as work in slaughterhouses, but does not mention that they sometimes also have to euthanize pets. 

To whom would you recommend this book? Elementary school students drawn to the profession will find this book comprehensive and interesting. Although the information could be useful for middle schoolers, the look is younger.

Who should buy this book? Elementary school and public libraries

Where would you shelve it? 636.089

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No

Reviewer: Susan Harari, Keefe Library, Boston Latin School, Boston, MA

Date of review: May 11, 2024

Horse & Buggy On Wheels! by Ethan Long

Horse & Buggy On Wheels! by Ethan Long. Holiday House, 2024. 9780823454839

Rating:  1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3

Format: Hardcover picture book

What did you like about the book?  Horse & Buggy are back for another zany adventure in motion.  When Horse hops on a skateboard, his fly friend Buggy is rightfully concerned about his safety, insisting he wear a helmet.  For every trick Horse tries, Buggy needs to administer first aid or add another piece of protective equipment until Horse is completely covered in bandages and padding. When he lands on his nose – the only remaining unprotected body part – Buggy suggests he try some easier tricks to start; he worries when Horse says he’s headed to the pool, but it’s not for skateboarding, it’s for soaking his sore body!  

Consisting only of simple dialog (short phrases of mostly one-syllable sight words) in speech bubbles, this is a quick and fun read for emergent readers.  Horse does ollies and kickflips while Buggy hovers nervously nearby, wheeling across an uncluttered background of oranges and yellows, allowing readers to focus on the characters’ actions and physical comedy, particularly Horse’s contortions.  Motion is indicated by swirling white lines and onomatopoeia, while the characters’ facial expressions clearly convey their range of emotions.  Readers will relate to Horse’s stubbornness and appreciate Buggy’s attempts to help, but mostly will laugh themselves silly at the slapstick comedy of a horse on a skateboard.

Anything you did not like about the book? No

To whom would you recommend this book? Primary grade readers who enjoy other books by Ethan Long, or author-illustrators like Mo Willems or Jonathan Fenske, will appreciate this silly buddy tale!    

Who should buy this book? Preschools, public and elementary school libraries

Where would you shelve it?  Picture books

Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles?  No

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City:  Leigh Russell King, Lincoln Street School, Northborough, Massachusetts.

Date of review: May 13, 2024

My Book and Me by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Chris Raschka

My Book and Me by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Chris Raschka. Red Comet Press, 2024. 9781636550947

Rating:  1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4

Format: Hardcover picture book

What did you like about the book? Two award-winning icons of children’s literature celebrate the joy of reading in this delightful book.  “This is my book.  My favorite book.  I carry it with me wherever I go.”  A youthful narrator goes on to describe the many ways they love their book, despite jam smears and crayon marks: shared with grownups or animals or read all alone, in the bathroom, on the subway, or in bed, and known by heart.  Readers will be heartened by the concept that books are to be cherished – not just kept pristinely and only looked at in academic settings, but read and loved wherever the spirit moves them.

Most page spreads feature four poetic lines accompanied by a charming and diverse cast of characters in a variety of settings, each with their own beloved book, in Raschka’s trademark bright watercolors.  Despite the impressionistic nature of the illustrations, details abound for attentive readers: a brown-skinned girl in rain gear conscientiously avoids a puddle as she carries her duck book; a child in a wheelchair is dressed as a pirate as the text exclaims about the love of book characters; a girl snuggles with a tiger cat while reading Braille, “too far away in the world of my book.” Bibliophiles of all ages will certainly appreciate Linda Sue Park’s loving lyrical tribute to books and children’s love of reading.

Anything you did not like about the book?  I am just not sure of a target audience.

To whom would you recommend this book? It would make a thoughtful gift for a favorite reading teacher or librarian.

Who should buy this book? Public and elementary school libraries

Where would you shelve it?  Picture books

Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles?  No

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City:  Leigh Russell King, Lincoln Street School, Northborough, Massachusetts

Date of review: May 13, 2024

Winston Chu vs. the Wingmeisters by Stacey Lee

Winston Chu vs. the Wingmeisters by Stacey Lee. Disney Hyperion, 2023. 9781368075398

Rating:  1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Fantasy

What did you like about the book? At the end of the first book of this duology, 12-year-old Winston Chu and his friends had solved a magical mystery involving magpies, Chinese folklore, and a novelty shop filled with enchanted “whimsies.”  Book 2 picks up right where that left off, as Winston sets out to uncover the truth about his mother’s charismatic friend Mr. Gu, a San Francisco mayoral candidate who is actually a magpie and brother to Mr. Pang, the villain of the first book.  Winston, Bijal, Cassa and Mav (along with older siblings Philippa and Monroe) soon realize that Mr. Gu’s campaign to provide free internet via strategically placed kiosks is actually a ploy to swap the brains of unsuspecting citizens with those of birds, in order to amass an army of “Birdbrain” humans to do his bidding.  The kids have to connect with their former nemesis Mr. Pang to learn how to stop Mr. Gu and send him back to heaven, while avoiding becoming Birdbrains themselves. 

As in the first book, there are some seemingly unrelated threads and subplots that do play a role in the larger story arc; most importantly, Winston’s crush on his classmate Dani is complicated by her attraction to a new kid at school, but also by the revelation of Dani’s family tree.  While the fast-paced fantasy moves along, readers likely will still be more interested in the relationship aspects of the book.  The Chu family is still reeling from the recent loss of Winston’s dad, and there are changing dynamics among the friend group as well.    

Anything you did not like about the book? The story jumps around a lot and it can be hard to keep track of the many magical creatures (e.g., fact-munching bookworms), items (spell-reversing beans and projectile pies) and locations (Mr. Gu’s secret lair is on Treasure Island, the site of the 1939 World’s Fair) that appear.  There were a number of non sequiturs and elements that were not well-explained, as well as several typographical errors.

To whom would you recommend this book?  The enjoyable first book Winston Chu vs. the Whimsies is definitely required reading to conquer this one, and readers who liked that book  will probably appreciate the follow-up.

Who should buy this book? Public and elementary school libraries

Where would you shelve it?  Fiction

Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles?  No

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City:  Leigh Russell King, Lincoln Street School, Northborough, Massachusetts.

Date of review: May 13, 2024

Jugo Fresco/Fresh Juice by Robert Liu-Trujillo

Jugo Fresco/Fresh Juice by Robert Liu-Trujillo. Lee & Low Books, 2023. 9781643791135 (English version) or 9781643796697 (Spanish version)

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3.5

Format: Hardcover picture book

What did you like about the book? When Art’s dad wakes up sick on a Saturday, Art and his dad decide to make a “sick-fighting” juice to help him feel better. After realizing they are missing a key ingredient (ginger), they visit the farmer’s market, food co-op, and West African store. At each place, they connect with community members and pick up a new ingredient to add to their “sick-fighting juice.” The illustrations (also by the author) are done in soft watercolors and depict a diverse, inclusive community. Each character’s features are detailed and drawn with care. Anyone who likes a picture book built around a recipe may enjoy this book. 

Anything you didn’t like about it? Nothing 

To whom would you recommend this book? Elementary librarians, teachers, and families 

Who should buy this book? Elementary schools, public libraries  

Where would you shelve it? Picture books 

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Marí Valiente, The Park School, Brookline, MA 

Date of review: May 12, 2024 

Doris by Lo Cole

Doris by Lo Cole. Boxer Books, 2024, c2023. 9781915801289

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5

Format: Hardcover picture book

Genre: Interactive

What did you like about the book? Doris is a shy little elephant who is very red and the only thing on the page when we first meet her. “Stop looking at me,” she says to the reader, and stomps off to the next page, where she hides herself amongst a flock for birds. Since the birds are bright colors of the same tone as her, she is initially hard to find. The narrator invites readers to look for her. There, Doris wonders if she’s an “ele-finch.” She goes on to hide in a field of flowers (is she an “ele-plant“?), then in a pool of fish, where she wonders if she’s an “ele-fish.” Finally Doris finds herself on a page that is completely red, just like she is and she has an identity crisis. Doris realizes that she wants to be seen.

This droll picture book has striking, bold print-like illustrations in wonderful bright reds, blues, pinks and yellows, making Doris really stand out. And she finds out by the end that she doesn’t mind that so much! Youngsters will love predicting when she’ll tell the reader, “Stop looking at me,” and looking for her as she hides. The ending will provoke giggles, as Doris, newly confident, meets someone who’s big and blue, and definitely wants her to stop looking at him!

Anything you didn’t like about it? No

To whom would you recommend this book? A delightful story time choice for ages 3-6.

Who should buy this book? All collections that serve young children.

Where would you shelve it? Picture books

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA

Date of review: May 14, 2024

Where the Wolves Don’t Die by Anton Treuer

Where the Wolves Don’t Die by Anton Treuer. Levine Querido, 2024. 9781646143818

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3.5

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Realistic/magic realism

What did you like about the book? Fifteen year old Ezra Cloud is tired of Matt Schroeder’s bullying. Matt is constantly making fun of Ezra’s and his friend Nora’s Ojibwe ancestry. Ezra snaps, and punches a locker, damaging the locker and his hand. At least he didn’t punch Matt, which is what he wanted to do. That night, Matt’s house burns down, killing Matt’s father and uncle. Can Ezra prove that he didn’t do it? Ezra’s father decides to send him up north to set traplines with Grandpa Liam. Ezra is relieved to be out of dirty Minneapolis, and to be away from his father. Ever since his mother died, Ezra has been angry at his father. Maybe this respite in the wilderness is just what he needs.

This novel is a great immersion into contemporary indigenous family life, especially the winter hunting and trapping practices of folks on the Minnesota/Canada border. While Ezra is with Grandpa Liam, he learns so much about his family, along with many folktales that form the beliefs of the Ojibwe. He also spends some time on introspection, thinking about his feelings about Nora and his father. I like that the author juxtaposes the belief system of Ezra and his family with their everyday life, showing them as well-read, thoughtful people who value education and community. Ezra also learns some painful history of his family concerning the mandate to send children to cruel boarding schools that stripped them of their identities. There is a bit of magic realism concerning the wolves of the region.

Anything you didn’t like about it? Ezra’s voice as a teen felt more like an adult impersonating a teen to me. Also, there are frequent awkward sentences about what people are wearing, including clothing brands, that don’t advance characterization.

To whom would you recommend this book? I’d hand this to teens who enjoy books about contemporary indigenous people, or who enjoy books that are centered around outdoor activities such as hunting.

Who should buy this book? High school and public libraries

Where would you shelve it? Teen fiction

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA

Date of review: May 14, 2024

Speculation by Nisi Shawl

Speculation by Nisi Shawl. Tu Books, Lee & Low, 2023. 9781620149591

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Historical fiction, magical realism

What did you like about the book?  Ten-year-old Winna and her baby sister Tupelo find themselves parked with their grandparents when their single mom lands in the hospital. Although the girls live in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Gramma and Grandpa Carl live in Paw Paw, a small rural town about an hour away. Right off the bat, Winna breaks her glasses and until a replacement can be procured, Grandpa offers up a magical pair that used to belong to Gramma’s sister Estelle (who died as a child). Through these spectacles, Winna can talk with ghosts and also see into the past, shades of Edward Eager, “who wrote about magic happening to regular, ordinary kids, just like her. Or almost just like her – they were white.” Through her conversations with Estelle’s spirit, Winna learns that a curse has been placed on her family by one of its matriarchs and that the burden can only be lifted if she can find that woman’s missing child, a baby named Key who would now be about 100. Together with her cousin Benny, Winna fixes her sights on locating Key and getting him to an upcoming family reunion, which she hopes will restore her mother’s health. Shawl has created a memorable narrator and family (a detailed genealogy at the back of the book takes up 5 pages) and her kid dialogue and relationships were authentic, sharp, and funny. I appreciated the effort Shawl put into developing Grandpa Carl and Miss Ross (a White social worker who helps with the investigation) as three-dimensional characters, giving Winna a realistic mooring among caring adults. Grandpa Carl especially comes alive as a conjure man and family historian, who occasionally gets several pages of stories in italics as he shares family history with Winna. Winna and her immediate family identify as Black while Miss Ross and several members of Winna’s extended family (initially) identify as White.

Anything you didn’t like about it? As you may have surmised from that last sentence, part of the family’s burden comes from the ghost matriarch’s decision to adopt out Key, who can pass as White, to a White family. This was a really interesting element that explored a realistic situation, but I wonder if elementary-aged readers will be able to figure out the whole backstory; sometimes the text was a bit cryptic or even awkward on the subject. Also confusing and never fully explained: Mom’s illness. I was initially unsure about when the book was set. For the first few chapters, I thought it was the present day, then maybe during the Vietnam war, and then finally learned the date (1962) from one of Willa’s letters.

To whom would you recommend this book?  Upper elementary readers interested in Black history or drawn to stories with magical realism elements. The very attractive cover art will make this book eye-catching on display. A good read alike for those who enjoyed When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

Who should buy this book? Elementary and middle school libraries, public libraries

Where would you shelve it? Fiction

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No

Reviewer: Susan Harari, Keefe Library, Boston Latin School, Boston, MA

Date of review: May 12, 2024

Where Was Goodbye? by Janice Lynn Mather

Where Was Goodbye? by Janice Lynn Mather. Simon & Schuster, 2024. 9781665903950 

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3.75

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Realistic fiction

What did you like about the book? Karmen’s brother died by suicide six weeks ago in the summer.  The grief she and her parents are experiencing makes them nearly incapable of carrying on daily lives.  Her mother stays in bed all day. On Karmen’s second day of her senior year in high school, she bottoms out.  She cannot control her anger and her grief.  She is given a three week leave to work from home.  Karmen thought she and her brother, Julian, were really close so why did he not talk to her, why does she not know why he did it?  She begins at his college, interviewing students and teachers who knew him but she can’t seem to get anywhere. She begins using his skateboard and dressing in his clothes, trying to understand him. She alienates her best friend.  She seems unable to get anywhere unless she understands her brother’s motives.

This exploration of suicide and the ensuing grief felt by those left behind is tangible, along with the mystery of not knowing why, blaming one’s self.  The story takes place in the Bahamas; all characters present as Black.

Anything you did not like about the book? Not really.

To whom would you recommend this book? Francisco X. Stork’s The Memory of Light and Kim Turrisi’s Just a Normal Tuesday offer more insight into teen suicide.

Who should buy this book? Public and high school libraries

Where would you shelve it? YA fiction

Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No.

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Katrina Yurenka, Retired Librarian, Contributor, Youth Services Book Review

Date of Review:  May 12, 2024