Congratulations are in order because last Monday, at the ALA awards, this book won the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. I imagine many readers want to tell all about a book that they loved, like me for this new, winning, graphic story. Yet, then again, I don't wish to give very much of it away! It's wonderful, filled to the brim with anger, tears and smiles. That's no surprise given that it's a coming-of-age story of almost 15-year-old Almudena, who's about to spend her summer with Xavier, the father she's never met. Her mother has the chance to star (and tour) in an international dance show, so Almudena is definitely stuck in an awkward, bound-to-fail situation. What's even worse. She knows very little Spanish, and her dad, only a bit of English. There are many grumpy looks from Almudena and other young ones she meets. There's a jealous girlfriend of Xavier and other young people who manage to name Almudena 'off-brand' because of her mixed heritage. Does she belong anywhere? Yet, as the story slides to the end, people begin to thaw on both sides and form a group we readers would also be happy to become a part of. When readers see how these characters navigate with who and what they don't understand, they may also learn and grow. Mar Julia's way of showing the ups and downs of emotions in her illustrations captures Samuel Teer's story with so much heart. I enjoyed reading his acknowledgments, too.
If you love complexity and learning about past historical events, this book by Henning Mankell is the one to find. Published in the early 90's, as Nelson Mandela was rising in popularity, predicted to become the 1st black president of South Africa. You may wonder how Mankell spectacular Detective Kurt Wallander fits into this. That's the intrigue! Wallander is struggling with depression and just returned to his apartment to find all his stereo equipment, and special albums are gone to some dirty thief. He goes to work to be confronted by a sobbing husband whose wife has gone missing. It seems like an ordinary case, but the connection to his wife, who is found dead eventually, broadens the case to a heinous plot to assassinate someone in South Africa, thought to be de Klerk, the current President. There are more, then even more, people to know (including Wallander's family), to love, and to hate. It's mind-blowing to see what happens to Wallander and his colleagues, the regular ones and new ones he must depend on to help. I raced through this one, and I'm now sad it's over. However, I will read more from this writer, sadly gone years ago.
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| Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy! |
In a poem of love, Emma Dodd shows that love in beautiful illustrations , too, as a wee dolphin and its mother swim all kinds of ocean waves. She shows her young one that each day is a new beginning, ready to be brave. "When you follow your heart,/you cannot go wrong." The book will be a wonderful gift for a young child on special occasions.
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| Thanks to Candlewick Press for my copy! |
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| Thanks to Candlewick Press for my copy! |
For everyone, for Valentine's Day, for teachers who want a fantastic time of writing with students, Joseph Coelho and 21 artist friends create 21 double-page incredible pages, each with a tiny tale full of love and each artist's dream interpretation. There are suggestions for educators at the end for using the tiny tales for inspiration. It is a gorgeous book, and it would also be fun to read aloud with just one or two.
Now reading: The Booklover's Library – Madeline Martin