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andee_zomerman's reviews
758 reviews
Guts by Raina Telgemeier
4.0
Raina Telgemeier is making all of our non-readers into readers. Kids clamor for her graphic novels and the arrival of "Guts" was long awaited.
Telgemeier's memoir-ish stories lend a complete, "Hey! Me too!" to every middle grade reader. This time, she shares about her fear of throwing up, and pooping, and other people's illnesses. My own kids suffer from anxiety and the stomach pain is no joke. Guts is a look into how anxiety can start and how therapy can help the problem.
Recommended for ages of kids who know how to read-100.
Telgemeier's memoir-ish stories lend a complete, "Hey! Me too!" to every middle grade reader. This time, she shares about her fear of throwing up, and pooping, and other people's illnesses. My own kids suffer from anxiety and the stomach pain is no joke. Guts is a look into how anxiety can start and how therapy can help the problem.
Recommended for ages of kids who know how to read-100.
Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes
3.0
I love the idea of a fictionalized tale from the Ninth Ward, and maybe it's a bit tame on the social justice aspect because it's a middle grade novel. I read it more as an adventure tale than the historical fiction account I was looking for.
Ghosts play a role in the story, the main character has the "sight" to see them. I believe this is unnecessary to the story - but like I said, the author may have been going for a completely different vibe than I wanted to read.
Now I'm on the search for a middle grade book with a bit more realism from the Ninth Ward.
Ghosts play a role in the story, the main character has the "sight" to see them. I believe this is unnecessary to the story - but like I said, the author may have been going for a completely different vibe than I wanted to read.
Now I'm on the search for a middle grade book with a bit more realism from the Ninth Ward.
White Bird by R.J. Palacio
5.0
Giving this 5 stars because reading this felt like I just watched a movie and had my heart removed from my chest. THIS is why graphic novels are REAL BOOKS.
Sara is Jewish and lives in the free region of France during Nazi occupation, but soon she is not free at all. She is hidden in the barn of a school-mate, a school-mate whom she'd never given the time of day until she needed help.
This grandmother retelling her growing up story to her grandson (Julian of Wonder) is powerful and poignant. After her reminiscing, she picks up the newspaper to read Trump just took children from their parents. It hits you in the heart.
"Those who don't remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
Sara is Jewish and lives in the free region of France during Nazi occupation, but soon she is not free at all. She is hidden in the barn of a school-mate, a school-mate whom she'd never given the time of day until she needed help.
This grandmother retelling her growing up story to her grandson (Julian of Wonder) is powerful and poignant. After her reminiscing, she picks up the newspaper to read Trump just took children from their parents. It hits you in the heart.
"Those who don't remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
The Best at It by Maulik Pancholy
4.0
Often middle grade novels try to cover too many topics and it puts me off. This story touches sexuality, Indian-American culture, racism, bullying, and OCD...and Pancholy nails it.
Rahul is an endearing character and his BFF, Chelsea, is every example of strong and loyal. I so appreciate the family relationship - not just blood, but the culture of Aunties and Uncles. Rahul is exploring his identity and like most middle schoolers, tries to be everyone except who he truly is. His grandfather serves as role model (reminds me of the grandfather/grandson relationship in TV's The Goldbergs).
Recommended for any age - super sweet, heartwarming story.
Rahul is an endearing character and his BFF, Chelsea, is every example of strong and loyal. I so appreciate the family relationship - not just blood, but the culture of Aunties and Uncles. Rahul is exploring his identity and like most middle schoolers, tries to be everyone except who he truly is. His grandfather serves as role model (reminds me of the grandfather/grandson relationship in TV's The Goldbergs).
Recommended for any age - super sweet, heartwarming story.
Somewhere Among by Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu
3.0
There were so many great themes in this book, but I often found myself re-reading to make sure I understood what was happening. Not a huge deal for me, but I wonder how this would play out with my reluctant readers, whom I often suggest read novels-in-verse.
Ema's mom is having a baby, so she and her mother move in with Ema's father's parents on the opposite side of Tokyo. There were a few questions I have, and looked back through the pages to see if I could find the answers: Ema and her parents lived in a one bedroom apartment by the beach, but where? Her papa worked 2 hours away from his parent's house, but what did he do where he wasn't able to get much time off of work? (Maybe if readers know the answers, they will comment?)
Ema's grandfather is kind, but her grandmother is brusk and lacking in warm-fuzzies. Many changes are happening in Ema's life - all at the same time.
There are some aspects of the book I loved and find them worth reading this story. Ema's mom is from America and her dad is Japanese. Ema is bilingual and definitely is aware of her "half/half" culture. Because I remember 9/11 so vividly, it was eye opening for me to read what was happening on the other side of the Pacific while my every thought was on America. I learned a lot about Japanese culture and appreciated the attention to traditions and superstitions.
I recommend for grades 5 and up. I think a youthful eye won't mind the things that bothered me and may even find more to relate to than I did.
Ema's mom is having a baby, so she and her mother move in with Ema's father's parents on the opposite side of Tokyo. There were a few questions I have, and looked back through the pages to see if I could find the answers: Ema and her parents lived in a one bedroom apartment by the beach, but where? Her papa worked 2 hours away from his parent's house, but what did he do where he wasn't able to get much time off of work? (Maybe if readers know the answers, they will comment?)
Ema's grandfather is kind, but her grandmother is brusk and lacking in warm-fuzzies. Many changes are happening in Ema's life - all at the same time.
There are some aspects of the book I loved and find them worth reading this story. Ema's mom is from America and her dad is Japanese. Ema is bilingual and definitely is aware of her "half/half" culture. Because I remember 9/11 so vividly, it was eye opening for me to read what was happening on the other side of the Pacific while my every thought was on America. I learned a lot about Japanese culture and appreciated the attention to traditions and superstitions.
I recommend for grades 5 and up. I think a youthful eye won't mind the things that bothered me and may even find more to relate to than I did.
The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya
4.0
I'm a sucker for Hispanic culture and big families. Arturo is loyal to his friends, his family, and his family business. When the family restaurant is threatened by a real-estate developer, the fight is on to save what he's known forever.
Though the attempt to save the place his Abuelo and Abuela made into their own, Arturo finds more than friendship with a girl, follows in legacy culinary footsteps, and grows into his own person.
My middle school students would love this. Recommend for grades 5-8.
Though the attempt to save the place his Abuelo and Abuela made into their own, Arturo finds more than friendship with a girl, follows in legacy culinary footsteps, and grows into his own person.
My middle school students would love this. Recommend for grades 5-8.
Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams
5.0
The beauty of this book will stick with me for a long time.
Genesis is sick of being evicted from place to place. Her alcoholic father will not pay the rent and every time she starts again, he promises he'll change. They finally move to a house in the Detroit suburbs - but is it too good to last?
Genesis makes real friends at her new school. She's never had friends before. Certainly not ones to take cheesey photos with. With the help of her choral teacher, she finds her voice and channels the spirits of Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Etta James. Has she finally found a place she can be herself? If she wasn't struggling with her whole appearance, she might be happy.
This book covers alcoholic parents, mean girls, racism within the Black community, and nagging grandmothers. But it also dives into friendships and having each others' back.
Recommended for grades 5 and up.
Genesis is sick of being evicted from place to place. Her alcoholic father will not pay the rent and every time she starts again, he promises he'll change. They finally move to a house in the Detroit suburbs - but is it too good to last?
Genesis makes real friends at her new school. She's never had friends before. Certainly not ones to take cheesey photos with. With the help of her choral teacher, she finds her voice and channels the spirits of Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Etta James. Has she finally found a place she can be herself? If she wasn't struggling with her whole appearance, she might be happy.
This book covers alcoholic parents, mean girls, racism within the Black community, and nagging grandmothers. But it also dives into friendships and having each others' back.
Recommended for grades 5 and up.
A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramée
4.0
Exactly the book needed for our time. There are many YA/middle grade books where a character is unjustly affected by police brutality. But what if you are just enraged by what you see happening on the news? Police brutality happening to others?
Shayla is a 7th grader whose 2 best friends have always been by her side. As they mature, other interests pull them away. Will they still remain friends? What happens when Shayla realizes her skin color is a true part of her identity - one that is worth fighting and breaking rules for?
Her parents understand. Dad explains, "Sometimes you have to do something that's wrong in some people's eyes but is morally right." That's a quote to take with me in this bizarre year we call 2020.
Recommended for grades 4 to adult. Everyone needs to read this if only for a simplistic overview of what Black Lives Matter is.
Shayla is a 7th grader whose 2 best friends have always been by her side. As they mature, other interests pull them away. Will they still remain friends? What happens when Shayla realizes her skin color is a true part of her identity - one that is worth fighting and breaking rules for?
Her parents understand. Dad explains, "Sometimes you have to do something that's wrong in some people's eyes but is morally right." That's a quote to take with me in this bizarre year we call 2020.
Recommended for grades 4 to adult. Everyone needs to read this if only for a simplistic overview of what Black Lives Matter is.
Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson
4.0
I am absolutely in love with Tiffany Jackson's writing. If you can take a 50 year old, suburban, white, librarian and make her feel like she's actually living as a Black teen in Brooklyn in the late 90s - you have some serious talent.
Tupac and Biggie were prime at the generation behind me. My music kind of stopped at grunge and I haven't grown since. My music lives in the 80s. But Jackson piqued my interest in a music genre I believed had nothing to do with me. Had I known what it could have taught me, surely I would have been a fan.
Let Me Hear a Rhyme features 3 teens, Jarell, Quidar, and Jasmine, following the death of brother and best friend, Steph. What seems to be a story of what friends can do for each other turns into a tale of who these kids are inside - not just outward appearances. The mystery of Steph's death weighs on Jasmine heavily, while Rell and Quady and fine to not pursue in fear of their own lives.
I loved watching the characters grow in this short amount of time. We get to know Steph posthumously and mourn him with his friends and family. Jackson has risen to one of my top fave authors right now, pulling me into each story as if I belong there.
Recommended for high school and up. Teens of the 90s will especially love this book.
Tupac and Biggie were prime at the generation behind me. My music kind of stopped at grunge and I haven't grown since. My music lives in the 80s. But Jackson piqued my interest in a music genre I believed had nothing to do with me. Had I known what it could have taught me, surely I would have been a fan.
Let Me Hear a Rhyme features 3 teens, Jarell, Quidar, and Jasmine, following the death of brother and best friend, Steph. What seems to be a story of what friends can do for each other turns into a tale of who these kids are inside - not just outward appearances. The mystery of Steph's death weighs on Jasmine heavily, while Rell and Quady and fine to not pursue in fear of their own lives.
I loved watching the characters grow in this short amount of time. We get to know Steph posthumously and mourn him with his friends and family. Jackson has risen to one of my top fave authors right now, pulling me into each story as if I belong there.
Recommended for high school and up. Teens of the 90s will especially love this book.
A Kids Book About Feminism: Kids Are Ready. by Emma Mcilroy
5.0
All the "A Kids Book About..." will get high ratings from me simply because of the nature of the books. No frills, easy to understand explanations, authors who've lived what they write about and though written so a 5 year old can understand, I still believe it's needed for a significantly older age population.
Emma is CEO of Portland based Wildfang. So happy this entire company based in Portland is doing so well.
Emma is CEO of Portland based Wildfang. So happy this entire company based in Portland is doing so well.