It's Monday! Books to Discover!

     Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and 

  

Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow! Happy Reading! 

          

       

               When you meet this Robber Girl, you wonder how she ended up with that other 'robber', Gentleman Jack, but her angry thoughts sharing her amazing tale soon tell us much, so much that we readers know we're in for quite an extraordinary place and time created by Franny Billingsley. When Gentleman Jack is arrested, the judge takes the girl to his home, much to the dismay of his wife who continues to grieve for their dead children, lost to smallpox. The girl has an "affliction" that keeps her from talking unless asked a question although, in her mind, she talks, or is yelled at, by her dagger. The judge sends her to school, a terrible experience, which the dagger says is a "taming thing" and this girl is wild, in speech, in general knowledge, but not in her ways of taking care of herself. A dollhouse built by the judge plays a fantastic role in making change, along with the judge's caring treatment. The town itself seems old, is built around a celestial goddess, Blue Roses, and plays a part in the girl's change from wild to one who discovers her truth. I am imagining that the continual thoughts of the girl that tell the story are reminiscent of childhood thoughts themselves. Although fantastical in this story, children do keep secrets in their thoughts, often not quite real as well. 

         In India, this time the city of Chennai, young boy Kabir is released into the world because the powers say he's been in prison with his mom too long. If they cannot find a family member, he'll go to an orphanage. Before this happens, no matter the terrible prison circumstances, readers meet Kabir's dear mother who is in prison accused of theft and given no chance to defend herself and the rest of the cellmates, Kabir's family who cares for him, including the most wonderful jail teacher. Then, thrust out into the world, taken by a fraud who claims he's an uncle, Kabir takes his first chance to escape. Whew, a huge chance, but it turns out he is rescued by Rani, another kid on the street, a Roma girl a little older and with her friend, Jay, the parrot. Kabir stumbles a lot but Rani teaches him well. they become a sweet twosome, seems like a brother and sister always helping each other. The rest of their adventure together is for you readers to discover. It's not always easy, but Kabir tells the truth of the way things are and their lives do change in amazing ways. I read this all in one day, could not stop hanging on to Kabir's life with the hope he had never given up. Padma Venkatraman shares a poignant story every middle-grade child needs to know in order to understand they can be strong, too!

 

             I had never read the name Daphne Caruanna Galizia until I read this great story about her by her friend, Gattaldo who both wrote and illustrated it. She was born and grew up in Malta, inspired by a great-great-great-great grandfather who fought and kept Napoleon from occupying the country. She loved to read, and ask questions to find the truth. As an adult she began to write and share her findings, even early on was arrested for protesting. She eventually began to write for a national newspaper, uncovering wrongdoing. She married and had a family, but did not stop her passion for the truth. The joy and the sorrow shown in the illustrations empower the story. Galizia was "hassled in the streets, they called her a witch" and more. She did not stop until a bomb exploded under her car. She has left a legacy that inspired people all over the world to speak out, to "make our world a better place". A brief bio and an author's note adds to her story at the back. Here is one more story of a newsmaker who is an inspiration to know.

        Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy, published in 2021! It was first published by Otter-Barry Bks - UK - 2020

         Markus Motum begins this story with a view of plastics themselves, why so much? It's useful for toys, medicine, tech, and food storage. He immediately returns to 1992 when thousands of plastic ducks were loaded into a container, then a ship, on its way to the US. Disaster strikes, this specific container sweeps overboard, thus one of those little ducks tells what happened next. The duck explains tides and waves, with small print extra facts also 'waving' along in the journey. Scientists tracked these ducks for years and they have been found all over the world. Within the story, there is a map showing the way currents work through and around the continents, plastic bag use and dangers shown, along with the sad statistics of the 'great garbage patch'. With few words and extraordinary information added by the illustrations, the book can be a support for those studying the environmental concerns and impact of plastic in our oceans. It's informative and an important addition for young readers.

Not-so-fun fact: "More plastic has been produced since 2004 than during the whole of the twentieth century."
              Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy!

          Although she doesn't have ALL the tools yet, my younger granddaughter uses any cast-off bit she can find in order to build things! She will love this book about a long-ago girl who loved tools more than candy, never stopped building and fixing and honoring her passion, although, as Mara Rockliff's story of Beatrice Shilling tells, she often "wasn't quite like other students" or motorcycle racers, or graduates. She was a woman, NOT a man. Rockliff shares the continual accomplishments of Shilling all the way through her World War II creation that created a "fix" for the Spitfires and Hurricanes in their fights over London. In their hasty moves, the engines often stopped. It was something that would take time and money to re-do those engines, but Beatrice created the answer that worked and was only a small attachment to be done. Daniel Duncan's illustrations with their fine lines and a myriad of characters and background details enliven this already exciting story. There is more fascinating information in the author's note. Sadly, even with her continuing accomplishments, she was never given a top-post! 

          Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy. 

           The adult monkey (perhaps the mom?) leaves for an adventure, telling these three on the cover to NOT go down to the mango tree because there are tigers down there. But 'maybe...' if they only reach for the close mango? And anyway, they see no tigers. It is so funny with a little tension, of course, from tigers! Chris Haughton's very brief words and illustrations that are also brief but tell all you need to know will create a terrific read-aloud! It is great fun! Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy!

           

SOMETHING NEW! I have the pleasure of seeing and reading so many "older" books at the used bookstore where I work. I thought it would be nice to highlight one or two every week, to see if you readers know them or if it would be great to discover them? This week, here are a few books that celebrate Autumn, arriving tomorrow! Remember the Full Harvest Moon tonight, too!

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves - Julia Rawlinson & Tiphanie Beeke

Fall Leaves - Loretta Holland & Elly MacKay

(for a bit later) - In November - Cynthia Rylant & Jill Kastner

 

         Share your own favorites! And soon, Halloween favorites!

What's Next? I'm nearly finished with Kate DiCamillo's new adventure, The Beatryce Prophecy. It's quite an intriguing story so far! And, it's time to choose one more #MustReadIn21 book!