characterization

Astro-Nuts Mission Three: The Perfect Planet Author: Jon Scieszka Illustrator: Steven Weinberg Published: September 21st, 2021 by Chronicle Books Summary: This series is The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the...

The Beatryce Prophecy Author: Kate DiCamillo Illustrator: Sophie Blackall Publishing September 28th, 2021 by Candlewick Press Summary: From two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo and two-time Caldecott Medalist...

Bow to Win a Slime War Author: Mae Respicio Published September 14th, 2021 by Wendy Lamb Books Summary: Two kids face off in an epic battle to see who can sell the most slime, while navigating sticky situations with...

It Fell From the Sky By the Fan Brothers Published: September 28, 2021 by Simon & Schuster Summary: From the creators of the critically acclaimed The Night Gardener and Ocean Meets Sky comes a whimsical and...

Once Upon a Camel Author: Kathi Appelt Illustrator: Eric Rohmann Published September 7th, 2021 by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books Summary: An old camel is out to save two baby kestrel chicks during a massive storm in the...

Magic Candies Author: Heena Baek Translator: Sophie Bowman Published: September 1, 2021 by Amazon Crossing Kids Summary: A quirky story about finding your voice, from internationally acclaimed author Heena Baek. Tong...

Stowaway Author: John David Anderson Published August 3rd, 2021 by Walden Pond Press Summary: The beloved author of Posted and Ms. Bixby’s Last Day returns with the first book in a coming-of-age sci-fi duology...

Hudson and Tallulah Take Sides Author: Anna Kang; Illustrator: Christopher Weyant Published: May 1, 2021 by Two Lions Goodreads Summary: A tale about a cat and a dog who discover that even though they don’t look at...

Sofia is an 9-year-old brilliant reader who aspires to be a book reviewer. On select Saturdays, Sofia shares her favorite books with kids! She is one of the most well-read elementary schoolers that we know, so she is...

Pippa Park Raises Her Game Author: Erin Yun Published February 4th, 2020 by Fabled Film Press Summary: Life is full of great expectations for Korean American Pippa Park. It seems like everyone, from her family to the...

Furia Author: Yamile Saied Méndez Published: September 15, 2020 by Algonquin Summary: An #ownvoices contemporary YA set in Argentina, about a rising soccer star who must put everything on the line—even her blooming...

Aven Green, Sleuthing Machine Author: Dusti Bowling Illustrator: Gina Perry Published April 13th, 2021 by Sterling Children’s Books Summary: Third-grader Aven Green has been solving mysteries for a whole...

The House That Wasn’t There Author: Elana K. Arnold Published March 30th, 2021 by Walden Pond Books Summary: Alder has always lived in his cozy little house in Southern California. And for as long as he can...

This post was written by guest authors Michelle Hopf and Ryan Schey.    As a middle-grade English teacher (Michelle) and a university teacher educator (Ryan), we know that it is vital to feature LGBTQ+ identities,...

Let Liberty Rise!: How America’s Schoolchildren Helped Save the Statue of LibertyAuthor: Chana StiefelIllustrator: Chuck GroeninkAnticipated Publication: March 2, 2021 by Scholastic Goodreads Summary: How did 121,000...

Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizebeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars Author: Laurie WallmarkIllustrator: Brooke SmartAnticipated Publication: March 2, 2021 by Harry N. Abrams Goodreads Summary: Decode...

I have said before that plotting was Andre Norton’s strength, and characterization one of her notable weaknesses. Yurth Burden reads like an object lesson in what happens when the plot completely dominates the...

Sloth Wasn’t Sleepy Author: Kate Messner Illustrator: Valentina Toro Published: January 12, 2021 by Sounds True Goodreads Summary: For any child having trouble getting to sleep, the most lovable animal in the rain...

A Girl, a Racoon, and the Midnight Moon Author: Karen Romano Young Illustrator: Jessixa Bagley Published: January 7th, 2020 by Chronicle Books Summary: In a slightly fantastical New York City, one very special library...