I did not really have a theme for this month's books. I still read a ton of graphic novels but I also branched out to read some books that caught my eye on the shelves or while I was checking in book drop.
History Comics: The Great Chicago Fire: Rising From the Ashes by Kate Hannigan and Alex Graudins
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Image from page 10 of History Comics: The Great Chicago Fire: Rising From the Ashes
Summary: Do you ever wonder how the people of Chicago came back from the Great Chicago Fire? History Comics takes you back in history with a brother, sister, and puppy to show you what went on throughout the city for the two days, who was blamed for the fire, and how the city bounced back and proved they can persevere through any tragedy.
Personal Opinion: This book does a great job of mixing fiction with the story of the children and puppy with facts about the fire that took out a good portion of the city. I like that it ended showing how the city learned from the fire and showed the world how they do not give up. The graphics were really well done and fit with the story. They enhanced the story. I will say I read another book in this series and was not a fan. I decided since they are written by different people that I would give this one a go. I am glad I did.
Ages: 9-13
Publisher: First Second
ISBN: 9781250174260
Publishing Date: June 30, 2020
No Awards
Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It) by Carrie Finison
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Image from page 6 of the Libby version of Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It).
Summary: Do you like hugs? Do you know people who are uncomfortable with hugs? Meet Doug. He is not a hugger but he knows plenty of people who love them, including his mom. Follow Doug as he teaches you about respecting people's wishes and their personal space. Read the book to find out what Doug does love instead of hugs.
Personal Opinion: This book is so well written with eye catching graphics. I found it while checking in book drop and the cover caught my eye. I took it home and read it a few times and probably annoyed my husband because I kept showing him different pages. He, like Doug, is not the biggest fans of hugs. Finison did a phenomenal job of showing how there are different kinds of people who have different preferences when it comes to greeting them affectionately. I would recommend this book to any teacher or parent who wants to have a quick lesson with their kids without having to expand beyond the pages of this book. It does all the heavy lifting when teaching kids how to respect each other's wishes.
Ages: 2-7
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9781984813022
Publishing Date: January 26, 2021
Awards: Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year, ALA Notable Children's Book
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
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Quote image from page 85 of the Libby version of Prairie Lotus.
Summary: Have you ever wondered what Little House on the Prairie would be like if it followed a Chinese family? Park did and she wrote her own version of the book to depict what it would be like for a young girl that is half Chinese and half White to move to the Midwest and endure the harsh realities of being the only Chinese person in the area. Hanna dreams of owning a dress shop where she runs everything and can be independent. She also wants to fulfill her mother's wish of Hanna graduating from school. There are laws that could stop her from pursuing her education and there are also many people who discriminate against Hanna because of her Chinese background. Can she make friends and find a way for her and her pa to get customers at the store of their dreams? Can she help her father overcome his own fears of what people will think if Hanna works in the shop as a seamstress?
Personal Opinion: I loved this book! I am a die hard Little House on the Prairie fan and dreamed of being Laura like Park's did as a child. I still am obsessed with putting my hair in braids and will never be ashamed of pigtails. Hanna's character had so many great qualities and the way Park integrated her pa's own feelings made the story feel extremely real and at times heartbreaking. You can tell that Park did her homework on the area, people, and time period before writing this work. The way she described the hardships, the Native Americans, and how Hanna kept the memory of her mama with her at all times made the book feel like a piece of newly discovered family history. If I could I would give it a higher rating and would recommend it to any historical fiction lover. I actually got my mother-in-law to start reading it and she has not read a book in quite some time (she also loves Wilder's books and the show). Park is definitely one of my favorite authors right now, and I want to see what else she has written. I see this book being a classic down the road for historical fiction and being used as a lesson in English or History to show prejudice and racism to smaller children.
Ages: 10-12
Publisher: Clarion Books
ISBN: 9781328781505
Publishing Date: March 2, 2020
Awards: Notable Children's Books, Best Children's Book of 2020 for: Chicago Public Library, Parents Magazine, Shelf Awareness, & Washington Post
The Breadwinner: A Graphic Novel by Deborah Ellis
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Image from page 33 of the Libby version of The Breadwinner.
Summary: This is an adaptation of the animated film The Breadwinner. Parvana lives in Kabul, Afghanistan in the late 1990s. She has grown up with the Taliban as the ruling party in her nation. This means she is property of men and that she, and all girls and women, cannot go to school, leave their homes without a male escort, and often become brides when they are still children. Parvana's father is kind and loves all the women in his life. He takes Parvana to the market to help sell goods. One day her father is taken away and imprisoned. There are no other males in the household so Parvana, her mother, and her older sister must be resourceful in order to survive. They decide that Parvana will disguise herself as a boy so she can make money and buy food for the family. Will her family survive this and will her father be released from prison?
Personal Opinion: I have never watched the movie so I went into this book with a very open mind. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It gave a new take on something my generation has grown up learning about in history class. It made me sad when I saw what her family had to go through just to survive and at times I was shocked and horrified because I know these fictional events have happened countless times in Afghanistan. This book is not for the faint at heart and should be read by audiences who are mature enough to handle hard topics. I would recommend this book to any reader who enjoys reading about about events that could still happen today in some parts of the world.
Ages: 10-14
Publisher: Groundwood Books
ISBN: 9781773061184
Publishing Date: January 2, 2018
No Awards
An Anne Chapter Book Series by Kallie George
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Image from pages 50 and 51 of Anne Arrives. This sums up how sweet and loving their relationship is throughout the series.
Summary: This adapted series is for young readers who still want visuals to go along with their reading. George takes you along as she adapts the most beloved parts of this classic series with pictures on each page to go along with her writing. This series has not been finished yet but you can see how Anne has come to Green Gables and is adapting to life in the first book. Then with the second one you can see if she finds her best friend and then finally you can see how Anne does with her first experience at going to school. Anne's personality shines in this series and readers will fall in love with Abigail Halpin's pictures. This series does a great job of capturing the spirit and spunk of Anne and shows young readers what it would be like to be in Anne's shoes as she goes from orphan to the beloved girl of Green Gables.
Personal Opinion: I loved this book so much that I requested the fourth book for the Youth Services Department to order. The images are what helped draw me in. They feel like they are the whimsical and happy spirit of Anne as you read each page. I also loved that each book was focused on the most classic memories that readers would have from reading the original series. This series could be the start of a reading adventure for years to come for kids. They can grow into the older tales if they end up enjoying these. I think George made me fall in love with a classic all over again.
Ages: 6-9
Publisher: Tundra Books
Publishing Dates: 2019-2021
Awards: One of CCBC's Best Books of 2019
