One Jar of Magic by Corey Ann Haydu

February 17, 2021January 12, 2021 | Tasha

One Jar of Magic by Corey Ann Haydu (9780062689856)

The author of Eventown returns with another book showing how children can see beyond the social façade to what is actually happening. Rose is the daughter of the most famous and successful magic capturer in her town, which is the most magical in the world. She has grown up as “Little Luck” knowing that she is the one who will be the one to carry on her father’s legacy, unlike her older brother. She spends her days going barefoot despite the cold, practicing by catching fireflies, and wearing her father’s sweaters and scarves. But all is not quite right in her family, and deep down Rose knows it. The entire family tiptoes around her father’s expectations, making sure they are perfect and happy all of the time. So when New Year’s Day finally comes, Rose just knows she will be the best at finding the magic, but she isn’t. In fact, she just gets one little jar of magic. Now Rose’s father won’t speak to her, her previous friends mock her and ignore her, and everything has changed. Rose has a strange new freedom, accompanied by a new friend who doesn’t use magic, where she can start to see what is really going on not just with magic and her town, but in her family as well.

Haydu moves smoothly into full fantasy with this latest novel for middle grades. She laces magic throughout a world that looks much like our own, adding glitter, rainbows and wonder. She manages to take readers through the same process that Rose goes through, dazzled at first by the magic around them, then questioning it, and finally seeing beyond it to the marvels of the real world beneath.

Haydu’s depiction of Rose’s father is particularly haunting: a man who himself is all glitter with real issues not quite hidden by the magic that surrounds him. His anger, insistence and control are all revealed steadily through the book, alarm bells that grow louder and steadier as it progresses. Rose is a great protagonist, raised to believe herself the most special of all, fallen from that pedestal and able to lift herself to a new place based on reality and her own resilience.

A great fantasy read that asks deep questions about magic, control and freedom. Appropriate for ages 9-12.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Katherine Tegen Books.

Runaway: The Daring Escape of Ona Judge by Ray Anthony Shepard

February 16, 2021January 4, 2021 | Tasha

Runaway: The Daring Escape of Ona Judge by Ray Anthony Shepard, illustrated by Keith Mallett (9780374307042)

Ona Judge was a slave in the household of George and Martha Washington. While Washington worked to free the fledgling union from the British, he depending upon slaves in his household. Ona began working in slavery for Martha Washington at age 10, often playing with their grandchildren and sometimes being mistaken for one of them. The book explores the posh lifestyle that Ona lived amongst and yet was not truly part of. She was treated well, but still enslaved. When she was given to one of the granddaughters, Ona decided to escape. She chose the difficult life of a fugitive slave over than of the slavery.

Shepard uses a particularly successful structure in this picture book. He frames Ona’s story by asking repeatedly why she ran? He points out the opulence she lived in and the remarkable moments in history she saw. Shepard thoroughly explains exactly why Ona escaped, showing her being taken from her mother at a young age, being treated as more of a pet than a person, and being given to the haughty granddaughter. The structure leads to the clear answers of why she needed to escape.

Mallett’s illustrations beautifully evoke the historical period. They are filled with carriages, women’s clothing, fire places and some images of famous historical figures. It is Ona though who glows on the page, her face always lit from within and filled with the potential of freedom.

A picture book that brings the shamefulness of slavery forward, showing that everyone needs to be free. Appropriate for ages 6-8.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Farrar, Straus & Giroux.

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford

February 16, 2021February 1, 2021 | Tasha

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Floyd Cooper (9781541581203)

This nonfiction picture book offers a gripping look at one of the worst racial violence incidents in American history. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, a community called Greenwood was formed by Black people descended from Black Indians, former slaves, and those fleeing the racism of the segregated South. Along a one-mile stretch of Greenwood Avenue, over 200 Black business started, becoming known as Black Wall Street. But there were people in Tulsa who were not alright with the growth of Black wealth. In 1921, those tensions turned into action when a white teen accused a Black young man of assault. A standoff at the jail resulted in the deaths of two Black men and ten white men. The white mob stormed Greenwood, burning it to the ground. 300 Black people were killed, hundreds more injured and more than 8,000 were left homeless. The survivors were moved into camps and eventually rebuilt, but never spoke of the massacre. Today, the truth is being spoken of and addressed through reconciliation efforts.

Weatherford does an incredible job telling this terrible truth, showing the beauty and potential of the Black community in Tulsa and then sharing its eventual destruction at the hands of a mob. Weatherford has family ties to other race massacres in the United States, which led to her this, the worst incident. Her author’s note shares some photographs and more of the history. Weatherford’s initial focus on the community built in Tulsa, makes the the burning of the area all the more impactful for the reader. The tragedy’s magnitude is carefully shown in numbers and continued impact.

Cooper’s illustrations are incredible. Cooper’s grandfather grew up in Greenwood, a history that he rarely spoke about. Cooper captures the promise of Greenwood with its libraries, churches, doctor’s offices and more. He shows the hotel, the bustling streets, the children playing safely in the neighborhood. He gives history faces that look right at the reader, demanding that they see what happened.

Tragic, powerful and insistent that change happen. Appropriate for ages 7-10.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Carolrhoda Books.

2020 Cybils Winners

February 15, 2021February 14, 2021 | Tasha

The winners of the 2020 Cybils Awards have been announced. I applaud the hard work of the volunteers who run and participate in selecting this award. Doing this in a pandemic year made an already heroic effort all the more difficult and impressive. Cheers for all of the diverse books recognized in the winner list too! Here are the winning titles:

EASY READERS

See the Cat: Three Stories about a Dog by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka

EARLY CHAPTER BOOKS

Our Friend Hedgehog by Lauren Castillo

FICTION PICTURE BOOKS

I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James

ELEMENTARY NON-FICTION

The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America’s Presidents by Kate Messner and Adam Rex

ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE GRADE SPECULATIVE FICTION

Rival Magic by Deva Fagan

MIDDLE GRADE GRAPHIC NOVELS

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

MIDDLE GRADE FICTION

From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

MIDDLE GRADE NON-FICTION

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat

HIGH SCHOOL NON-FICTION

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

YOUNG ADULT GRAPHIC NOVELS

Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang, illustrated by Gurihiru

YOUNG ADULT FICTION

Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez

YOUNG ADULT SPECULATIVE FICTION

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Take Back the Block by Chrystal D. Giles

February 15, 2021January 12, 2021 | Tasha

Take Back the Block by Chrystal D. Giles (9780593175170)

Wes is always being taken to protests by his parents. But Wes wants to focus on his shoe collection, video games and hanging out with his friends, who all live or used to live in the Oaks with him. The Oaks is a special neighborhood that is mostly Black and full of events and neighborliness. But when a real estate developer moves in and tries to buy the properties from the owners, everything about the Oaks changes. Suddenly neighbors aren’t talking any more and are arguing and even screaming at one another as some of them take the money and others decide to stay. It even impacts Wes’ friend group, since some of their families need the money while others have already left. Still, Wes knows there is something he can do to help if he just keeps on trying, even if it means disobeying his parents telling him to let them handle it.

With its strong focus on gentrification and justice, this middle-grade novel shows young readers that they can have a positive impact on their communities by using long-standing social justice techniques but also new technologies. The erasure of Black history is central to this story as well, as Wes steadily uncovers how his beloved neighborhood came to be and turns it into a way to fight for it to continue to exist.

Wes is an engaging character with his history of protesting and his strong connection to his community. His group of friends are a fascinating mix, including one who has left the neighborhood and another who was forced out of where he had been living. They all show aspects of the impact of gentrification on historically Black neighborhoods but also the fracturing of long-term friendships as they find themselves on different sides of the conversation.

A book that shows the power of young voices in social justice. Appropriate for ages 9-12.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Random House Books for Young Readers.

2021 Mathical Book Prize

February 12, 2021February 11, 2021 | Tasha

The winners of the 2021 Mathical Book Prize have been announced by the Mathematical Science Research Institute. The prize recognizes outstanding mathematical fiction and nonfiction for ages 2-18 and is selected by teachers, librarians, mathematicians and others. Here are the winners:

PRE-KINDERGARTEN WINNER

Lia & Luis: Who Has More? by Ana Crespo

GRADES K-2 WINNER

The Animals Would Not Sleep by Sara Levine

GRADES 3-5 WINNER

Seven Golden Rings: A Tale of Music and Math by Rajani LaRocca

GRADES 6-8 WINNER

How We Got to the Moon by John Rocco

GRADES 9-12 WINNER

Grasping Mysteries: Girls Who Love Math by Jeannine Atkins

Ritu Weds Chandni by Ameya Narvankar

February 12, 2021January 29, 2021 | Tasha

Ritu Weds Chandni by Ameya Narvankar (9781949528947)

Ayesha has been looking forward to the day of her favorite cousin’s wedding. Now it is finally here and her family is getting all dressed up to dance in the baraat. Tradition was that the groom brings the baraat to the wedding, so Ayesha’s parents are worried about what the response will be to Ritu leading her baraat herself. Once at the house, Ayesha discovers that many of her family aren’t going to attend the wedding, since it’s a marriage between two women. Soon the wedding procession began with Ritu on horseback, but they are met with anger and harsh words by the people along the route. People wanted to stop the procession, which was now silent and stifled. Even Chandni joining them could not lift their spirits when someone sprayed them both with water, ruining their outfits and hair. Ayesha could not stay silent, stepping forward to say that she wanted to dance all the way despite the angry people!

It is wonderful to see a book take a wedding tradition and show how a same-sex couple can make it work. This book doesn’t shy away from the fact that people’s attitudes have not changed about gay marriage, instead making it an opportunity to show exactly what being an ally looks like, especially if you are a child.

The art in this book has is a mixture of the flatness of folk art and a modern edginess that incorporates watercolor washes and vibrant colors. The deep reds of the wedding couple’s clothes, the golds of the bangles and backgrounds, the wash of teal water and leaves all combine into a vibrant world of love and standing up for acceptance.

Get ready to dance yourself with this LGBT picture book. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Yali Books.

News to Wake Your Brain Cells – Feb. 12

February 12, 2021February 10, 2021 | Tasha

Title: classics reissued with lower standards.

Image: five books -

The Adequate Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith

George’s Passable Medicine by Roald Dahl

Reasonable Expectations by Charles Dickens

The Mediocre Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum

The OK Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Condemning without cancelling: a response to Roald Dahl Family’s apology for his anti-Semitic comments – Intellectual Freedom Blog

Little House on the Prairie was built on Native American land – Smithsonian Magazine

Olivia Colman, Matt Smith to lead cast of BBC animated special ‘Superworm’ – Deadline

LIBRARIES

33 children’s and YA graphic novels for winter 2021 – Comics Beat

Police in libraries: what the cop-free library movement wants – Teen Vogue

Seattle Public Library’s chief librarian leaving for new job in North Carolina – Seattle Times

YA LIT

11 anticipated books by trans/non-binary authors – Teen Vogue

12 riveting YA books hitting shelves in February 2021 – PopSugar

An interview with Printz Award Winner Daniel Nayeri – The Hub

The movie adaptation of Noelle Stevenson’s Nimona will not be completed – Tor

On “success” – Malinda Lo

Ten great young-adult fiction debuts for the next two months – Book & Film Globe

2021 Rainbow Book List

February 11, 2021February 10, 2021 | Tasha

Miss Meteor

The 2021 Rainbow Book List celebrates quality LGBTQIA+ books for readers from birth to age 18. The project is done by the Rainbow Round Table of the American Library Association. There were 600 eligible titles this year and 129 have been selected. Beautifully, the Rainbow Book List has two Top Ten lists this year, one for young readers and one for teens. Here are both Top Ten Lists:

TOP 10 TITLES FOR YOUNG READERS