ACL plans to include Book Club Ideas as a new section of our blog, since so many school and public libraries have book discussion clubs a part of their ongoing programming. To begin, we have [continue reading]
September 2022
Marshmallow Clouds: Two Poets at Play Among Figures of Speech Review
Kooser, Ted and Connie Wanek. Marshmallow Clouds: Two Poets at Play Among Figures of Speech. Richard Jones, Illus. Poetry. Candlewick, 03/2022. 72pp. $25.99 978-1-5362-0303-5. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 3-8. Two noted poets, Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek, [continue reading]
Don’t Worry Murray Review
Stein, David Ezra. Don’t Worry, Murray. David Ezra Stein, Illus. Picture Book. Balzer & Bray, 06/2022. [32]pp. $17.99 978-0-06-284524-5. HIGH ADDITIONAL GRADES. PRE-1. Murray, a little brown dog, is scared of many things—going out in [continue reading]
This Place Is Still Beautiful Review
Tian, XiXi. This Place Is Still Beautiful. Fiction. Balzer & Bray, 06/2022. 360pp. $18.99. 978-0-06-308602-9. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 8-12. Flanagan sisters Annalie and Margaret, like many siblings, are not best friends and do not look [continue reading]
My Own Lightning Review
Wolk, Lauren. My Own Lightning. Fiction. Dutton, 05/2022. 307pp. $17.99 978-0-525-55559-9. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 5-8. In this sequel to Wolf Hollow (2016), Annabelle begins summer vacation by being hit by lightning, which heightens her senses—she [continue reading]
Animals Move Review
Whittingham, Jane. Animals Move. Picture Book. Big, Little Concepts Series. Pajama, 03/2022. [32]pp. $17.95. 978-1-77278-238-7. ADDITIONAL. GRADES TOD-K. On each spread there is a color photo of an animal in motion, paired with a color [continue reading]
Blue Skies and Golden Fields: Celebrating Ukraine Review
Lushchevska, Oksana. Blue Skies and Golden Fields: Celebrating Ukraine. Non-fiction. Capstone, 08/2022. 32pp. PLB $29.32. 978-1-66903-303-5, PB $8.99. 978-1-66903-304-X. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 3-6. Children may be aware of the war in Ukraine due to news [continue reading]
Operation Do-Over Review
Korman, Gordon. Operation Do-Over. Fiction. Balzer & Bray, 01/2022. 294pp. $17.99. 978-0-06-303274-3. ADDITIONAL. GRADES 5-8. Mason and his best friend Ty both have crushes on new girl Ava as they begin seventh grade—will this break [continue reading]