Yo'GRT #1

Hello all! This blog is for a class I am taking that highlights recently published books. For me I chose to focus a majority of my reading on baby board books, picture books, and graphic novels. I have some older books that I found as hidden gems in my library, but for the most part these books have all been published in the last few years. I had a hard time choosing my favorites so if anyone out their on the web has more suggestions feel free to comment!

The Little Ship: The Heroic Rescue at Dunkirk in World War II by Louise Borden and illustrated by Michael Foreman

Ages: 9-12

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

ISBN: 9780689853968

Publishing Date: February 1, 2003

Awards: CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book

Summary: Half true, half fiction this book shows kids about the heroic feat of the little ships that helped save soldiers from dying at Dunkirk. Borden uses a little girl disguised as a boy to depict the journey the fisherman and other small ship captains took across the English Channel to help rescue soldiers in May 1940. They knew there was a chance they could be killed by the enemy, but they all signed up to bring their boys home. This book is filled with illustrations on each page and does a great job of mixing what is real of this journey and what was made up in the eyes of a girl who just wants to see her soldier brother come home. Does this particular ship make it home? Will our brave little girl ever see her brother again? How did the little ships make the harsh journey among all the big ships and harsh waters? 

I heard shouts in English and in French,

And in Belgian and in Dutch.

"Get the men off the beaches.

Get the men off the Mole.

Get them onto ships,

Get them back home."

That was the job we had been sent to do.

That was the job, and we each had a part. (pg. 21)

My personal opinion: This book is a great way to slowly show the harsh realities of World War II to middle schoolers. It also can lead to more intrigue into the armada of little ships that actually helped many soldiers get home during the war. Showing it from a family perspective with a daughter disguised as a boy to help her fisherman father helps readers feel more of the emotions about what it was like for soldier’s families in a time where they were not sure if their loved ones were alive in Dunkirk or left somewhere on the battlefield. The whimsical illustrations help enhance the story from the young girl’s perspective. Though this is an older book it is still one that holds a great story that is timeless for military fiction lovers. 

Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly

Ages: 8-12

Publisher: Random House Children’s Books

ISBN: 9781524770266

Publishing Date: December 31, 2019

Awards: Schneider Family Book Award, Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production, Keystone to Reading Book Award

Summary: Iris is deaf. Blue 55 can talk but the other whales do not understand Blue’s language. Both feel lost among their peers and like they cannot communicate with those around them. Iris finds out about Blue 55 in her science class and starts on a quest to help Blue 55 not feel alone. She wants to get a song to Blue and will do anything to try and meet Blue in-person on the day of the song reveal. She goes through lots of challenges along the way. She even starts to see a new side to the many people she thought were trying to bring her down. Does she get her song to Blue 55 on time and does Iris find a community of her ow

Image from pages 77 and 78 of Libby version of Song for a Whale.

My personal opinion: This is the book I plan on recommending to any kid who feels lost and alone and needs to know they are not alone. I did not know how many emotions a book for elementary kids could bring out in me as an adult. Kelly has a way of drawing you in and making you want to keep reading. This is by far the most random book I decided to read and ended up loving. It is going to be hard to beat this book this semester, and if you have not read it I strongly recommend it. It helps show the deaf community in a way I never thought about while also showing how one random thing in life can bring out a passion for a young girl.

Drive the Fire Truck by Dave Mottram

Ages: Baby-3

Publisher: Chronicle Books

ISBN: 9781452178851

Publishing Date: March 2, 2021

No Awards

Summary: Get behind the wheel and help the firefighters save the day! Drive through downtown and as you keep turning direction see where the fire is to put out. Will you get to the fire fast enough to stop it from spreading? Learn about the ways of the firefighters and their truck and see how they save lives everyday with this interactive board book.

Image from page 6 of Drive the Fire Truck.

My personal opinion: This book is so much fun and a great way to get the little ones to interact while you read them the book. It can help teach them right from left and about different parts of town that firetrucks must navigate through to get to a burning building. The fact that the book is a steering wheel automatically makes it an interactive book that kids will love.

Pete the Kitty's First Day of Preschool by Kimberly and James Dean

Age: Baby-4

Publisher: HarperFestival

ISBN: 9780062435828

Publishing Date: June 18, 2019

No Awards

Summary: Pete the Kitty is getting ready to go to his first day of preschool. Does he need supplies? Will he make friends and learn a lot on his first day. Follow along while he finds his paint supplies, backpack, and new classroom. After reading this book you will be ready to go to school and have fun!

Today is a big day for Pete the Kitty. 

It's going to be so cool! 

It's his first day of preschool! (pg. 2)

My personal opinion: This book is a great way to help nervous kids feel like they can tackle their first day of preschool. Pete the Kitty helps them see what they need to get at the store and what to expect on their first day of school. He not only prepares them but gets them excited to have fun and meet new friends at school.

Guts by Raina Telgemeier

Age: 8-12

Publisher: Graphix

ISBN: 9780545852517

Publishing Date: September 17, 2019

Awards: Triple Eisner Award winner for Best Publication for Kids, Best Writer/Artist, and Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel

Summary: Raina is back with yet another tale about her adolescent years. Raina cannot shake the stomach ache she has been having all year long. She knows it is about time to hit puberty but she knows her stomach issues are way worse than this. Every time she hears the word vomit or thinks about puke she gets sick. Is she okay? Why does she feel so alone and like no one believes her. She keeps going to the doctor and being told she is fine. Then one day her parents decide to take her to therapy. Does this help her overcome her fears and live her school years to the fullest? Read this triple award winning book to find out!

My personal opinion: I had never read her books and picked it up because of how many kids love this series at my library. I sat down and could not stop reading it. Telgemeier does a great job of showing very serious moments with more fun illustrations. Tween and teen years are the most awkward time for youth and they all feel alone at some point. Raina helps readers find ways to cope while sharing her personal story of finding ways to overcome fears of everyday life. This book makes me want to go checkout all the others in the series and have a binge reading day!

Picture from page 11 of Guts.