Wednesday 6 March 2019

You've Got to Read This - 2!!! (Yo'GRT 2!)

Published by Candlewick Press, 2018
ISBN 978-0-7636-9872-0
For Children Ages 3-7

      
This is a simple story that follows two siblings as they search through a construction site for their father. Along the way, readers get an inside view of everything that is being built up and broken down and how each person plays an important part in the grand scheme of things.

~*~ 

Though there is often only a few words on each page, sometimes even only one, it is a richly told story, the full spread illustrations in pen, ink, and gauche are bright, diverse, and complex (Light 1). There is so much to see on each page - so much story in between the sparse lines of text. I find as a reader I love detail and this book outdoes itself. The style is at once messy, cartoony, and "outside the lines" while also hyper-realistic. The illustrations also cleverly lend to the story, telling secrets the words don't lend to. The reader can pour over these pages and find so much to look and talk about. I love the overall tone for STEM learning and it's very important place in our world. Whats more, it emphasizes that those who do manual labor are important and as worthy of respect as those who make the blue prints for the job. In addition to the story and illustrations, Light provides a brief authors note that goes into more detail about the symbiotic relationship between the builders and breakers of real life. 

Another subtle part of the story that I respected were the people (the builders and breakers) themselves, that were shown in the story. Male, female, and people of color are shown throughout the pages. It is also very clear that the main character children are of a bi-racial family. This diversity works as an important mirror for children, showing them that they do have a place in the world of STEM as women, people of color, or otherwise, and that they play an important role. I prefer books that are OwnVoices narratives, but I think that Steve Light portrays diversity thoughtfully and well. Check out the links below for more information on this delightful picture book. 


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Published by Roaring Brook Press, 2015
ISBN 978-1-59643-984-9
For Children Ages 6-10



"Drip./ Sip./ Pour me a cup./ Water/ is/ water/ unless.../ it heats up./ Whirl./ Swirl./ Watch it curl by./ Steam is steam unless..." (Paul P. 1).  With poetic grace this beautiful picture book walks the reader through the stages of the water cycle, not only touching on the many physical forms of water, but also the accompanying seasons. 

~*~

This is a book that I must confess I have loved for some time and use frequently in my programming. Though this book is marketed towards school age and up, and the subject can be complex for a young child only just beginning to learn about it, Paul's onomatopoeia and richly descriptive verse works in combination with illustrative mirrors provided by Chin, painting a picture that is easy to understand for even preschool children as young as four. Each page leads artfully into the next, following a sister and brother pair as they explore their world of home, nature, and school. There is a peaceful feeling of home and goodness as you follow the story - watching children play outside, interact with each other and nature, and otherwise act in harmony with the world around them. I love this story not only for its literary and STEM merit, but also because of the story that Chin tells with his  detailed and realistic illustrations. Again we have a book showing a bi-racial family of mixed African American and Caucasian. The many other children who appear in the story are equally diverse. Though this is a story that is primarily about the water cycle, I think that it also tells an important story of inclusivity and racial harmony. Check out the links below for more information about this lovely picture book.


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I Like, I Don't Like by Anna Baccelliere, Illustrated by Ale + Ale
Published by Eerdman's Books For Young Readers, 2017
ISBN 978-0-8028-5480-3
For Children Ages 4-9 



"Every child in the world has the right: to have a family, to play, to receive an education, to be protected in times of war, to be taken care of, to be comforted, to not be mistreated in any way, to be loved, to have a name and a nationality, to express their opinions, to meet others and make friends, to have a life of dignity. And yet...," (Baccelliere P. 1). With the tone set by the above quote, this book dives readers into some uncomfortable and heartbreaking truths. Each full color page shows opposites. On ones side is a child liking something - just for the joy of it, and then on the opposite side another child (often ethnic or a person of color) not liking the same thing because that object or idea is the root of the child's oppression. This book is a very frank look at child slavery, forced labor, and the otherwise theft of youth from so many children world wide. 

~*~

I first saw this book referenced in a trends lecture on Advanced Theme Picture books and added it to my TBR list consequently. This is one of those books that is a very hard read, but so important because of the truths it forces into the light - things many do not want to see or hear about. But ignoring something like this is not going to make issues like this go away and in fact enables it further. As an adult it makes me cry and fills me with rage, and I think that that is what it is supposed to do. When I first thought about the age group this book is aimed at, I wondered if 4 was a little young for such a deep and hard subject. True, the sentences are simple enough for even the newest reader to handle, and the rich collage pictures illustrate the truth far beyond what the words provide. Really you don't even have to read the words to begin to understand. But is this a book for someone as young as a four year-old preschooler? After some thought, I do believe the marketed age is on point. It is not an easy subject, but books like this breed empathy, understanding, and often a drive to make change. Of all the people in this world, sometimes I think children can get things done better than any adult, simply because they have been told they can do anything and they believe it. To conclude, this is a very relevant and important narrative and can be used with a large age range of children.


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Published by Annick Press, 2017
ISBN 978-1-55451-958-3
For Teens Ages 12+



Told in a combination of verse and art, this is a mixed media and non-linear storytelling collage of the Native American female experiences and identity in today's world. Forcefully burying stereotypes and pulling the idea of Native American's out of the past, each page is a contribution from indigenous community. There are many harsh realities, and always a reminder of what was done, and is still being done daily, to the indigenous people of North America by colonizers. 

~*~

I learned of this book when it was brought up in a class discussion about diversity. I put it on my TBR list immediately as it fit perfectly with the OwnVoices movement that I have been studying. This is a really important read not only for the voice and stories of Native American people, but also for those of us who are part of the history of colonization. We can't go back in time and stop what happened, but we can be better by checking our own privilege and working to respect and uphold the rights of indigenous people all over the continent. This book is a beautiful collection of culture, faith, and identity. It may make some uncomfortable, but I think that that is a good thing. What has been done to Native Americans should make people uncomfortable - especially considering that racism and oppression of Native peoples is alive and well. As I read this book I was reminded of so many racist portrayals of Native Americans that have been normalized and it forced me to think about what that does to Native Americans as a people. I also appreciated the feminist approach of this book. I believe that even the set up of the text has a feminist lens, as it divorces itself from the western idea of what a book should be and look like. This is a book that should be included in classroom discussions and I think it is perfect that it is aimed at teens and up. Our history should not be forgotten. This only continues to perpetuate the horror and oppression. 


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Published by Alfred A. Knopf, 2018
ISBN 978-1-5247-1779-7
For Teens Ages 15+



Written as a memoir this novel is both a coming of age story as well as a timely comment on the immigration processes of the USA. Saedi details the comings and goings of her adolescent life, covering the normal teenage topics of zits and crushing on boys juxtaposition with her experiences as an illegal immigrant and the constant threat of deportation hanging over her and her family. 

~*~

This novel is one I immediately put on my TBR list as soon as I saw it recommended on a classmates Yo'GRT 1 (Thank you Emily S. W.!). The story resonated with me deeply. Saedi is laugh out loud funny and very relatable. I was immediately sucked into her family drama, teenage crisis, and the rich descriptions of her Iranian culture. The thing that really connected me to her story however is the fact that my husband and I are in the middle of his own green card process. Long, expensive, and frustrating doesn't even begin to cover it when thinking about our experience of waiting and worrying about whether the government will renew my husband's green card allow him to stay. Reading Saedi's memoir was both an experience of kinship, as well as one that checked my privilege. Her story shows how you can try to do the right thing, the right way, and still end up waiting years and years on borrowed hope as you pray that you will be allowed to stay in the country you have made your home. And on top of everything she was going through, there was the added weight of racism against the Iranian culture in the wake of so much political unrest between the US and Iran. It was a very eye opening book and I would recommend it being read widely. There is a decent amount of explicit parts in the book, as there often are in a coming of age story, but I think older teens could handle reading it in class. This is one of those books that can work well as both a window and a glass door. People going through similar struggles will know that they aren't alone. And those who have never experienced anything like this will be educated about the realities of the situation and hopefully come to understand immigrant people and what they are going through better. Additionally, this is an Own Voices book because this is literally the story of Saedi's young adult and early adult life. I find myself very drawn to this type of authentic storytelling. Check out some more about this amazing book below:


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Published by Scholastic Press, 2017
ISBN 978-1-3381-9699-3
For Teens 14+



Leora's life has always been like the rules of Saintstone, her home. Predictable, safe, part of a picture bigger than any one person, and above all, honest to a fault. In Leora's world every person has every moment of their lives, every bit of themselves, dictated in inked tattoos. From birth children are marked, building a legacy that lives on after them. Everything has always made sense to Leora, and she has always wanted nothing more to be part of this world. But with her father's death a devastating secret comes to light and Leora's whole world is rocked on its axis. Secrets are suddenly everywhere and Leora must choose between what she has always thought was right, and what she is now finding to be true. 

~*~

This novel was one that I took in for simple pleasure reading and I can describe it honestly as both engrossing as well as unsettling. I would give it a solid green thumbs up if I were basing my feelings solely on how sucked in I was to the story, as well as what I felt was really great quality storytelling. In fact the solid storytelling element, the world building as well as religion building of the society in this story, was maybe the one thing that saved what might otherwise be content so widely outside the normal comfort zones of most readers that the novel might not be something a reader could get through. I don't want to spoil anything about the heart of the story, so I am limiting my descriptions of what exactly was unsettling. There wasn't anything really graphic in the pages. Much of the story was tame in comparison to some YA novels I have read. However there is some imagery and descriptions of what is done to people after they die in their community that I found creepy and, as I mentioned at the beginning, unsettling. And yet I couldn't stop reading. And I plan to read the second novel in the series, which came out in 2018. I almost feel like the novel would earn a green thumbs up just for the daring quality of the story. However, it is the squeamish part of me that holds back that ultimate recommend, as well as the fact that I was confused by the ultimate message at the end of the book. I understood everything right up until the climactic moment and then was left questioning on the final page. I would love to hear other people's thoughts on this book. Is there any conflict you feel in liking it, like I felt when reviewing it? Did anyone start it and not keep reading or did you have to finish it and read quickly, devouring the book in just a few days. Let me know! In the meantime check out some links about this unique book. 

* Publishers Weekly Review * Kirkus Review * Guardian Interview of Alice Broadway * 

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Work Cited



Light, S. (2018). Builders and Breakers. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
  • Builders and Breakers. (2018, Oct. 9). Retrieved from:
  • Kirkus Review. (2018). [Review of the book Builders and Breakers by S. Light]. Kirkus
  • Builders & Breakers. (2018). [Review of the book Builders and Breakers by S. Light].
Publishers Weekly. Retrieved from: https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-7636-9872-0
  • [Candlewick Press]. 2018, Jul. 23. Builders and Breakers by Steve Light Book Trailer.
[Youtube.com]. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DclqxTvoRAc

Paul, M., Chin, J (Illus.). (2015). Water is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press.
  • Water is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle. (2015, May 26). Retrieved from:
  • Kirkus Review. (2015). [Review of the book Water is Water: A Book About the Water
Cycle by M. Paul, Illus. by J. Chin]. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/miranda-paul/water-is-water/
  • Water is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle. (2015). [Review of the book Water is
Water: A Book About the Water Cycle by M. Paul, Illust. By J Chin]. Publishers
  • Danielson, J. (2015). [Review of the book Water is Water: A Book About the Water
    Cycle by M. Paul, Illus. by J. Chin]. BookPage. Retrieved from:
  • Verbeten, S. (2016, Jun 15). “A Book Is More Than A Book”: A Chat With Author
  • Frederick, A. (2015). [Review of the book Water is Water: A Book About the Water
Cycle by M. Paul, Illust. By J Chin]. The Horn Book. Retrieved from:
  • School Library Journal. (2015). [Review of the book Water is Water: A Book About the
Water Cycle by M. Paul, Illust. By J Chin]. School Library Journal. Retrieved
from:

Baccelliere, A., Ale + Ale (Illust). (2017). I Like, I Don’t Like. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdman’s
Books For Young
Readers.
  • I Like, I Don’t Like. (2017, Mar. 6). Retrieved from:
  • Featured Author: Anna Baccelliere. (2017, Jun 19). Retrieved from:
  • Kirkus Review. (2017). [Review of the book I Like, I Don’t Like by A. Baccelliere, Illus.
by Ale + Ale]. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/anna-baccelliere/i-i-dont/
  • Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2018. (2018, May/Jun). Retrieved

Charleyboy, L. & Leatherdale, M. B. (Eds). (2017). #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native
American Women. Toronto, Canada: Annick Press.
  • #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women. (2017, Sept 12). Retrieved from:
  • Reese, D. (2017) [Review of the book #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American
Women Edited by L. Charleyboy, M. B. Leatherdale]. Social Justice Books. Retrieved from: https://socialjusticebooks.org/notyourprincess-voices-native-american-women/
  • #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women. (2017). [Review of the book
#NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women Edited by L. Charleyboy, M. B. Leatherdale]. Publishers Weekly. Retrieved from: https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-55451-957-6
  • Reese, D. (2017). [Review of the book #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American
Women Edited by L. Charleyboy, M. B. Leatherdale]. American Indians in Children’s Literature. Retrieved from: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2017/10/highly-recommended-notyourprincess.html
  • Kirkus Review. (2017). [Review of the book #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native
American Women Edited by L. Charleyboy, M. B. Leatherdale]. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/lisa-charleyboy/notyourprincess/

Saedi, S. (2018). Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

Broadway, A. (2017). Ink. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.
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