Eureka, written by Victoria Chang. Farrar Straus Giroux, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2006. $25.99 ages 10 and up

 

"I used to stand on top 
of Telegraph Hill and look 
down on the wharf
at the great ships
that went back and forth, 
but I never thought 
I would be on one, 
sailing in the wrong direction
away from home,
away from San Francisco, 
away from Ma Ma and Ba Ba."

Mei Mei lives with her parents and loves her life in San Francisco. The year is 1884. As an immigrant, Mei Mei cannot attend a public school; rather, she goes to Chinese school in a church basement. As well as school, Mei Mei helps her father run the family store. She loves playing with her best friend Hua Hua, while also spending a great deal of time with Ma Ma who is housebound because of her "little lotus feet", which have been tightly bound since Ma Ma was a child. 

As San Francisco becomes more dangerous for the Chinese; brokers who provided passage for Mei Mei's family from China threaten to take Mei Mei as further payment. Her parents are frightened and decide to send Mei Mei to her aunt in Eureka, which is far away from the danger. They want her to be safe and to go to a public school there, as has been promised. What happens cannot be further from the truth. Upon arrival, her aunt puts her to work in the Bobbit family home, and takes most of her pay. 

Mei works with Mrs. Yu in the kitchen; the two become friends. Sara Bobbit is the kind daughter, in an unkind and wealthy family, who offers to teach Mei Mei and another servant named Tom how to speak and read English. When racial unrest rears its ugly head in Eureka, Mrs. Yu, Mei Mei and Tom are forced to leave and find their way back to San Francisco. Their journey is not without complications; but it is a success.  

This verse novel is narrated by Mei Mei, and wrought with many emotions: joy, fear, disappointment, sadness, love, longing, and hope. It is authentic and brave, and readers will find people to champion as they read. 

Back matter offers an author's note that illustrates the plight of many Chinese immigrants as they tried to build a new and better life for themselves, and a list of interesting facts about Chinese life in America. 

Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl, and the White Rose Resistance. Written by Anita Fitch Pazner and illustrated by Sophie Casson. Groundwood Books, 2025. $21.99 ages 9 and up

"They were not alone. 
They came together with others
like the petals of a rose joined at the heart.
A name for the group blossomed - 
the White Rose Resistance. 

Words, you see, unite us."

Readers know that words matter. In her tribute to Hans and Sophie Scholl, Anita Fitch Pazner tells her middle grade audience why. During WWII, the brother and sister were members of Hitler Youth and the League of German girls. At the time, it was not yet mandatory. Their family life had taught them to care about others and to think for themselves. When they realized exactly what was happening in Germany under the leadership of Hitler, they could no longer say nothing. 

Knowing that Hitler was gaining his power through lies and striking fear in the hearts of the German people, they felt the need to resist. They did it through the White Rose Resistance, a group of German students who used their words in leaflets they distributed to expose the truth. They took great risks, as explained in empathetic text that shows their bravery in overwhelming times. 

The book is a history lesson in what can be done when conscience and morality lead the way. In today's world, where many face similar threats to freedom through injustice, it shows readers there are ways to protest with truth, and peacefully. It offers middle grade readers an opportunity for thought and discussion concerning quiet heroes who want to make change in their world. How can they think clearly and with kindness to do the same?  

Their execution, with their friend Christoph Probst, concludes the book with respect for their lives, their work and their heroism; they inspired others to speak truth and work for change. This book is an excellent introduction to the White Rose Resistance for the target audience. It is the story of nonviolent resistance and is strikingly illustrated as a very powerful addition to the book. The images are emotionally relevant to the story as they balance both the darkness and the light that brought hope to many. 

Back matter is important. It includes historical notes about the Scholl family, their motivations, and the political environment of the time. Also included are an author's short note about her connection to Germany, lists of selected resources and further reading, and on the last page names of members of the White Rose who were arrested and their persecuted family members.  

"It is vital for us all to remember what happens in a society when ordinary people do not speak up."

A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez, written by Maria Dolores Aguila. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $24.99 ages 9 and up

 

"DAVID'S LITTLE BROTHERS'
small sobs, 
the way they try to 
swallow their 
sadness quietly, 
twist my insides. 

When I walk through the 
rickety stick fence
and meet Mama's sad eyes, 
I almost shatter into a million pieces. 

She knew it would happen, 
but maybe, just maybe, 
it would not. 

Because who could imagine
they would turn us away
for the color of our skin
and the language we speak?"

This verse novel eloquently recounts the story of Roberto Alvarez and the 1931 Lemon Grove Incident. I had never heard of it, and I am guessing that I am not the only one. These are the stories that are rarely shared in history classes. It is very unsettling; then, ultimately hopeful even though it didn't stop such incidents in years that followed. 

While students are on Christmas break, Roberto meets his friend Socorro's cousins. They have just moved to San Diego after being driven out of their Oklahoma home in the face of deportation raids on Mexican families. As break ends and the students eagerly return to their studies, the Mexican American students are told they can no longer attend Lemon Grove Grammar School. Now, they will have to attend the Olive Street School. 

Their classes will be held in a renovated barn. It is not right, and residents of the barrio know that to be true. Roberto also knows it. As el Comite de Vecinos de Lemon Grove is organized to fight the transfer of their children, Roberto is made the young spokesperson for their legal action. The court case occasions change; it is the first successful desegregation case in the US. It does not go smoothly. Families are threatened; the community remains strong. Charges against the children for not attending their new school, deportation of some families, and a need for money to fight their case result. 

When all is said and done, the people win their case. In spite of their many losses, they stand together to do what is best for their children. The text is beautifully written. Roberto, a 12-year-old boy is a compelling and courageous voice for all the tensions and fears between the two sides. There is reason to fear what will happen; there is also determination and perseverance to stand in solidarity. 

An author's note provides readers with the history that led to the Lemon Grove Incident.

"THERE IS SO MUCH
I do not know about the world, 
but I hope that people 
learn about what happened
in the sea of lemon trees.

I make a wish that 
children of every color
can go to school together
and never feel 
like they do not 
belong."

When Sally O'Malley Discovered the Sea, written by Karen Cushman. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.50 ages 8 and up

 

"Don't get me wrong. I didn't want to be adopted. 
Why, some of those folks who came for an orphan 
seemed awful suspectable, talking hogwash and 
flapdoodle, smiling, holding hands, and patting 
heads. I pitied the kids who had to go with those 
smooth-tongued phonies, even with new clothes, 
hope and promises. What if their friendliness 
and niceness was all fakery? What if those folks 
were even meaner that Madame Cruddly? No, 
thank you. I wouldn't be bamboozled. I'd rather
stay an orphan with old clothes and little hope. 
And that's as true as water is wet."

Sally O'Malley is an orphaned 13-year-old determined to make her way in the world after deciding to head west on her own in search of a better life. After leaving her workplace because of abominable working conditions, she is faced with countless difficulties (food, a place to sleep, the dangers of being on the road alone in 1894 Oregon) until she meets Major, an older woman whose work is to get supplies from one place to another using a wagon pulled by Mabel, her donkey. They are accompanied by Major's canine companion, Sarge. 

Major treats Sally with kindness and respect, and does her best to let Sally know she has a friend after never having any. Sally is reluctant to get too close to the old woman. Adding to her consternation is the fact that Major agrees to transport whiny 7-year-old Lafayette to cousins along the trail they are taking. Still, Sally remains as Major provides her only way to get to the western sea that holds promise. 

Sally's first-person narration is riddled with personal thoughts, a colorful vocabulary and a penchant to collect unfamiliar but intriguing new words along their way. Each character is worthy of attention and admiration; they will tug at heartstrings as they travel together - animals and humans. Though thwarted by some of the restrictions on women at the time, the two plod forward from one danger to the next with confidence and bravery. 

Despite a serious setback, Sally moves forward to complete the journey. Her search for belonging is fulfilled and her heart is healed through the connections she makes. No dull moments here; some are scary, sad, educational, downright dangerous, even humorous. It is a worthy readaloud in a middle years classroom that is both historical in nature and meaningful in terms of learning to trust and love others. 

The House on the Canal: The Story of the House That Hid Anne Frank, written by Thomas Harding and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. Candlewick Studio, Penguin Random House. 2025. $25.99 ages 8 and up

 

"Not long after, a tall man in a fine suit rented 
the house on the canal for his business. Downstairs,
they mixed and packed herbs and spices. The air 
was filled with the scent of faraway lands. 

Some days, the tall man was visited by a young 
girl with a sweet smile. She had a sparkle in her
eye and a pen and notebook in her pocket. 

She was his daughter."

This book is a life story ... of a house. An archival picture following the title page lets readers know that the house sits in the middle of Amsterdam, next to a canal. It is nearly four hundred years old today, and has evolved from one to many different things over the course of its life. It is an 'extraordinary' building, we are told.

It began as marshland, supporting cows, herons, field mice and even a flock of seagulls. After many years, it was chosen for building a sturdy canal, and humans worked the land on either side. Soon, a stonemason felt it to be the perfect place to build his family home ... strong and sturdy as could be. Other houses quickly surrounded it, then a church. It was lived in by a large family before it began to deteriorate. Purchased by a wealthy merchant, it was soon returned to its former glory and provided a warm and inviting place for entertaining. 

After thirty years, the owners moved and once again, the house suffered from neglect. It began a new life as a barn for horses, spiders, mice and bats. Following that, other families lived in the house on the canal; one planted a chestnut tree in the garden. After a devastating fire, a new family made its presence known with songs and laughter. The threat of war and the arrival of trucks and tanks sent people running in fear. The house returned to emptiness. 

When the man on the cover rented the house, he could not have known how it would impact the life of his family and friends. With the arrival of the Nazis, Amsterdam became unsafe for all Jewish people. His family and four others hid in top floors of the annex, in hopes they would evade the police ... endless days of terror helped by friends who brought food and other necessities. The young girl's diary reflected all that happened while they were in hiding. 

The family was eventually found by the soldiers and taken away. Two women took the diary they found there, and kept it safe. The arrival of new soldiers brought cries of welcome and a chance for the father to return to the house ... "tired and alone". The diary was returned to him. 

' ... he read with a 
crack in his heart and tears in his eyes. 
And shared with his family. 

Then his friends. 

And then with the world."

The house again fell into disrepair. Finally, led by the father, the community worked to bring it back to a place that today stands for people to learn about the young girl, her diary, and the hope it held while it protected those she loved. 

Choosing not to name the young girl with the sweet smile until it unfolds following the text, Thomas Harding uses eloquent words to amplify the emotional impact of the house and its story. Britta Teckentrup uses mixed media to bring full impact to the house and its changes over the course of many years, all the while ensuring that readers are fully aware of the evolution of the house, where is sits on the canal, and its place in history. Back matter more fully describes the canal, the builder, the woman and twelve children who made it a happy home, the wealthy merchant, various businesses, the ironmonger, Anne Frank, and The Anne Frank House that stands today. 
                                                                                  

The Gift of the Great Buffalo, written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Aly McKnight. Bloomsbury Children's Books, Raincoast. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"She rode across the rolling prairie for what 
seemed like miles. 
No sign of buffalo. 
Not a track. 

The sun was sinking lower in the sky. 
Rose grew worried about getting back 
to camp before dark. 

She couldn't turn back yet. 
She was so close. 
She could sense it."

As Rose lies in bed, alongside her younger sister and warmed by the buffalo robes that surround them, she finds sleep elusive. She is very excited at the thought of tomorrow's buffalo hunt. Her family is gathered with many other Metis families to take part in the biannual hunt that will ensure their survival through the coming season. Finding buffalo has become more difficult since 'the arrival of the settlers and their iron horses'. Once plentiful, the herds are now harder to find and fewer in number. 

For the first time, Rose's father is a captain for the hunters. Rose offers a prayer of thanks to the buffalo for their gifts to her people, and wishes her father good luck. After several days of tracking, there is no sign of a herd. Rose wants to accompany her father; he says she must stay with her mother. When Rose hears her parents talking one evening, and understands how upset her father is at their failure to find any buffalo, she decides to go out on her own. How will she find them? Surprised to see a wolf behind her saddle, she soon realizes it is her father's spare wolf skin, useful for hunting. 

"Rose knew that a person on horseback would scare buffalo 
more than a single wolf. 
She took a deep breath and slipped the skin over her head."

Her scouting begins again, and she nears the herd. Rushing back to camp, she is able to share the news with her father. After the hunt, although her help is much appreciated, her father is not pleased that she did not do as she was told. She is given a task to keep her busy. While her father watches her work, she is able to voice her wish to hunt with her father the next time. He does not disagree.  

Carole Lindstrom (a proud member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe and Métis from the Red River area in Manitoba, Canada) and Aly McKnight (a member of the Shoshone-Bannock tribes) have collaborated to bring an adventure story that depicts life on the prairies in the 1880s when the buffalo hunt was extremely important if tribes were to survive from one season to the next. Rose's story is compelling. The watercolor and graphite artwork represents life at camp, and includes many images that present cultural and spiritual connections. These Metis traditions are backdropped by the beauty of the prairie landscape. Back matter includes an author's note, a history of the buffalo hunt and its importance to the Metis way of life, as well as a bibliography.   

It is a story not often told. Ms. Lindstrom tells readers why she wanted to share it: 

"Rose’s story is my version of the Little House series. So readers will know that before there was a little house on the prairie, there was a little tipi on the prairie…on the same land where the Little House stories were set."
                                                                               

Kindred Spirits/Shilombish Ittibachvffa, written by Leslie Stall Widener and illustrated by Johnson Yazzie. Charlesbridge. Penguin Random House. 2024. $21.99 ages 5 and up

 

"They hear about a place called Ireland, 
where families are torn apart, 
removed from their homes, 
and left to starve. 

Wrapped in the warmth of family, 
each Choctaw man, woman, and child listens. 
they feel the pain of the Irish people."

Kindness? These days anything we can do to encourage others and ourselves to spread kindness should be a goal. It takes such a little bit of effort and has a lasting impact. Reading books like this to our kids is sure to show them that we can all do our part, in big and small ways, to make the world a better place and to make them feel so much better about themselves. 

It's 1845, and we meet a young Irish girl as she makes her way through a potato field. Where yesterday everything was green and lush, today all that has changed. The potatoes beneath the plants smell rotten ... and they are. How did that happen? Following this introduction in prose, the facing page offers a historical note about the Irish Potato Famine, explaining how heat, rain and a fungus led to the death of more than a million people and forced two million others to emigrate from their beloved homeland. 

Two years later, people of the Choctaw Nation hear about the plight of the Irish and know the pain they had suffered. 15 years earlier, the Choctaw had their land stolen from them, and understood the reality of losing their own homes. Their Trail of Tears also claimed many lives. 

"Choctaw people reach into their pockets. 
They give one hundred and seventy dollars
to people in Ireland in honor of the injustice
suffered by both nations.

Shilombish ittibacchvffa. 
Those who feel the same. 
Kindred spirits." 

The story moves back and forth to tell the poignant tale of kindness in the midst of great loss. The Irish people never forget. In 2017, they honor that friendship with a Kindred Spirits sculpture. Then, in 2020, they collect money to help the Choctaw, Navajo and Hopi Nations as they raise money for food and bottled water so badly needed during the pandemic. 

Ms. Widener's narrative storytelling is enhanced with sidebars that provide further enlightenment concerning both sides of her story. Mr. Yazzie's acrylic on canvas illustrations are both emotional and vivid. Notes from both author and illustrator, further facts about the Trail of Tears and the Irish Potato Famine, and an accounting for the relationship maintained even today, a timeline, glossary and list of resources are included in backmatter. 

"United by empathy learned from hardship. 
They pass generosity and compassion on 
as kindred spirits."

noodles on a bicycle, written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Gracey Zhang. Random House Studio, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"A few of us run alongside until we're out of breath,
waving goodbye as they zip onto the main road
and sail beyond the park.
Legs circling in faded blue pants. 
Bicycles shining in the sun. 
Wind lifting their hair. 

Beep, beep, honk, honk."

I knew none of this ... and that is what I love about reading books for children. I learn so much! 

A family of children sit outside and watch those men who deliver food as they set off to do their job for the day. The men begin at the Old Sobaya noodle shop near where the children live, and they are tasked with making deliveries of the noodles so carefully crafted by the very experienced sobaya chef. 

The noodles are not delivered in the insulated bags we have become accustomed to when ordering through Dash or Skip the Dishes; rather, 'the ceramic soup bowls and wooden soba boxes' are stacked one on top of the other into a tower that is much higher than the bikes the demae pilot to their destinations. One hand holds the tower, while the other guides their bike through congested streets. 

Customers wait; bystanders keep a close watch; the riders ride from place to place making sure their noodles are delivered safely and on time. The children who follow them do their best to emulate the skills they possess, encouraged by any passing deliveryman. The demae work all day, growing more and more tired from the heat, the pace, the constant work. 

"Even when our city slows down, 
the deliverymen still go. 
Hungry customers still wait."  

As the day winds down and the deliveries slow, Ms. Maclear has a lovely surprise for her readers. Can you guess who brings home noodles for Mama and their six children? After most delicious bowls of soba are eaten, the children are ready for bed. Papa is happy with a long soak in a warm tub, before tucking his children in and getting the sleep he needs before the sun rises once more, and another long day begins. 

An author's note explains that Ms. Maclear spent childhood summers in Tokyo. Noting that this method of soba delivery lasted from the 1930s into the 1970s, the bikes were being replaced by motorbikes when she was there; still, she saw the men as acrobats and gazed in wonder at the towers they carried so skillfully. Gracey Zhang used ink and gouache paints to create a nostalgic look and setting for the story. Her fine details will have readers and listeners poring over each and every page. Two archival photos, from 1937 and 1959, were part of the inspiration for her exemplary artwork.
                                                                                      

The Pharaoh vs, The Felines, written by J. F. Fox and illustrated by Anna Kwan. Kids Can Press, 2024. $21.99 ages 5 and up

"Yes, Egyptians were feline fanatics. But why?

Ancient Egyptians were a farming people. They lived 
closely with nature. 

Poisonous snakes were a deadly danger. 

Rats and mice carried diseases and germs and ate up 
crops, such as wheat, that the Egyptians needed for food. 

Cats hunted these pests and became cherished pets, 
protecting the health and homes of Egyptian families." 

This is the third book in the Head-To-Head History series from Kids Can Press. It is a 525 BCE story from two Fertile Crescent countries - Persia and Egypt. When Emperor Cambyses II of Persia proposed marriage to Egyptian Pharaoh Amasis II's daughter, it created a huge problem in her country. 

" ... Amasis did not want to send his daughter
off to a different country. 
Egyptians believed anyone who died outside of
Egypt could be lost in the afterlife." 

Refusing the proposal might cause a war between the two. To that end, Amasis sent a young woman, posing as his daughter, to Persia. She immediately fessed up to not being the princess. Cambyses' plans for invasion were based on what his advisors could learn about Egypt before moving forward. The one standout discovery concerned their long-held worship of cats. The attack was planned, using cats as a ploy to distract soldiers and ensure success in the Battle of Pelusium. It worked. The army would not risk harming the cats; Cambyses became the new ruler of Egypt! 

Conversational in tone, and rife with feline puns, readers will easily absorb the storytelling. The setup that leads to the battle is easily understood; the battle itself ends almost before it begins. Digital art provides the context needed for the intended audience to understand this event in history. Notes in back matter explain how historians decide what really happened, showing what is fact and what is fiction. That is followed by a glossary and a list of sources, both print and digital. 

What Do We Eat? How Humans Find, Grow and Share Food. Written by Megan Clendenan and illustrated by Meegan Lim. Orca Book Publishers. 2024. $29.95 ages 10 and up

 

"In 1900 all the mayors of France gathered for a
feast - 22,695 people attended! They were seated 
at long tables that stretched more than four miles 
(seven kilometers). Researchers believe that 
sharing meals as a group has helped people bond
with people throughout history, and that communal 
meals act as "social glue." Research from the 
University of Oxford found that the more often 
people eat with others, the more likely they are to 
feel happy and included within their family networks." 

This newest book in the Orca Timeline series offers a continuing style for the book's design. It begins with an introduction that explains our daily need for food. Where we have it will be varied, as will what we eat. What happened in the past, or is happening in war zones today, or on a spaceship?  Although it may be very difficult at times, there are ways to work together to put food in many hands. Scientists and others are working tirelessly to try to help find innovative solutions and create new resources for the future. 

The table of contents shows five chapters: Food on the Go, Under Attack, Grow It, Raise It, Find It, Catch It, Let's Eat Together, and Enough for Everyone. A glossary, list of resources, acknowledgments, and an index are provided in back matter. 

The opening illustration for Food on the Go has a timeline that begins with Polynesian explorers (1477-977 BCE), and moves on to Chinese sailing ships in the 14002, Amelia Earhart in 1932, early astronauts eating in space in the 1960s, food deliveries to the International Space Station in 2023 and a wonder about a future Journey to Mars. The chapter is filled with information concerning each of the different scenarios presented in that timeline. Questions are asked and answered, text boxes offer specific facts concerning foods eaten, challenges, menus, and captioned illustrations, photographs (present day and archival) provide answers to questions that might arise. 

Each succeeding chapter offers a similar style and content. The questions asked provide 'food for thought' for middle grade readers and offer some of the solutions that have been developed. A Cautionary Tale is presented in each chapter and range from skiing hungry to the South Pole, a lack of needed nutrition during the Crimean War, the problems created when only one variety of banana is grown,  sharing food after a disaster, and finally, dumping food when so many are hungry.  

The author leaves her readers to consider wasting less, being more efficient with what we already have and seriously seeking different food sources that have been little explored. Food inequity is being felt worldwide, and the effects of climate change are with us on a daily basis. A concentrated effort to learn more and do more can start by reading books like this one. 

My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story, written by George Takei and illustrated by Michelle Lee. Crown Books for Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2024. $26.99 ages 8 and up

 

"One afternoon Henry and I saw a shaggy black dog 
behind a pile of vegetable crates. He looked so hungry
we convinced our cook Mr. Kikutani to give him a 
piece of wiener teriyaki. 
The dog gobbled it up so quickly we knew he was 
still hungry. We took him to our unit and begged 
Mama for cookies."

I am constantly amazed at what I learn from books designed for children! There seems no end to the topics, the points of view, or the importance of what has been written to spark interest and to augment learning. Children learn about key issues in books that help them understand their world. They become more empathetic. When parents, teachers, and caregivers create a sense of community by choosing and reading meaningful stories, they inspire their listeners to think beyond themselves and to put themselves in someone else's shoes. 

In the foreword to his book, George Takei describes how being different resulted in great pain and a devastating loss for his family when they were taken, although American, from their home following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Being of Japanese descent was all that was needed to declare his family enemies of the American people, and to allow them to be 'imprisoned behind barbed wire fences'.  

Geroge was 4 in 1941 when the bombs dropped on Pearl Harbor. In February 1942 all Japanese Americans were forced into prison camps. With courage and determination, his parents were able to keep their three children safe. They were first assigned to a germ-infested horse barn. Their next move was to Arkansas; conditions were not a lot better there. Working tirelessly and with help from neighbors, they made a home for themselves.  

Mr. Takei's forthright portrayal of life in the camps, from a child's point-of-view, informs his readers of what it was like to live under guard of armed soldiers. He also wants them to know that they were moments to be enjoyed. They had movie nights and baseball games, a snowball fight and Santa Claus, singalongs and dances. 

Their parents did their best at all times to make the conditions as good as they could be. They worked hard creating community for all, and comfort for their children. After their parents refused to sign papers that would have them drafted to fight for America in the war, they were called disloyal and sent to Tule Lake in northern California. 

"Tule Lake was the largest of the ten prison camps and held 
the most inmates - more than 18,000 people. Half were 
children like Henry, Reiko, and me." 

Once more, they made a home there, and found a dog they named Blackie. Life was better with him near. When the atomic bombs fell in Japan and the war was finally over, the inmates were released with $25 each to make a new life. It took time; George's father finally found work in Los Angeles and the family rushed to join him there.  

Mixed-media artwork captures attention, and gives life to the many Japanese Americans who inhabited the camps. Fine details add to the visual appeal of the illustrations and provide context for the events described. An author’s note speaks to the fact that the time following their release did not end their struggles; only perseverance and hard work helped them find their way back to a good life and much success. Archival photographs are included. 

Evidence: How Dr. John Snow Solved the Mystery of Cholera. Written by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrated by Nik Henderson. Alfred A. Knopf, penguin Random House. 2024. $26.99 ages 7 and up

 

"John has seen that cholera causes horrible 
stomach problems - vomiting and diarrhea. 
That's led him to believe something people 
swallow is making them sick. But what? 

John has also noticed that cholera doesn't 
affect whole cities at once. It breaks out in 
clusters, bubbling up like blisters. John 
wants to know: What links these cases 
together?" 

It's a hot autumn day in London in the year 1854. Broad Street looks like many other streets in the city: yellow smoke, horse dung on the roads, and sewage and human waste 'in yards and cellars'. The people are thirsty and must wait in line to fill a pail of water for their families. They all use the Broad Street pump. Annie Lewis is but one of the people lined up. Her family lives in a single room in a rooming house that offers no access to water. 

In that week, one of the roomers gets sick and dies. The news of his death and the sickness that caused it spreads quickly. The dreaded diagnosis is cholera. There is no cure, and no stopping it. Doctors are convinced that the smell is what is causing the disease to spread. Not so for Dr. John Snow. His visit to Broad Street is not about the patients. John Snow is looking for clues to what is causing the spread of this frightening disease. 

He is an investigator. He has been tracking cholera's spread for years, always searching fpr an answer to its origins. He knows its symptoms and is convinced it is something people ingest that is making them sick. He wants to know what that is. It is distressing that so many people on Broad Street are sick. It can't be that they all ate the same food. Can it be the water? 

He is determined to get the evidence he needs to explain how it spreads. It takes long hours, many interviews, and much fact gathering. With careful research and hard work, John is finally able to find the proof needed to convince the neighborhood council that he now knows the root cause. It is the only hope the people of Broad Street have for saving lives. They agree to take the handle from their pump - all thanks to the evidence John collected. 

Back matter includes The Case Against the Broad Street Pump, further information about John Snow, a list of major infectious diseases and what caused them, and resources for further learning. 

Lights along the River, written by Pat Lamondin Skene and illustrated by Sabrina Gendron. Orca Book Publishers, 2024. $21.95 ages 6 and up

"A man with a megaphone tells people to clear
the road. A police car, siren screaming, rolls into 
town. Behind it, a large green truck grinds to a 
halt in front of the crowd. Men in overalls climb 
the tall wooden poles. Everyone cheers." 

The calendar on the kitchen wall says it's January 1952. The children are excited as they eat Mama's warm fried apples for breakfast. It's going to be an eventful day in their hometown; Britt, Ontario is finally going to have electricity. Men have been working for months, and now they are ready to light up the town. 

Their Metis family has lived happily without electricity. They get together on Sundays with relatives to listen to homegrown music and dance jigs. After supper they listen to a battery-operated radio in a living room lit by the glow of oil lamps, The children sleep in one bedroom where the only light at night comes from the moon. They play outside in all seasons. What changes might having electricityt bring? Will those changes make life better? 

Finally, it's time to go into town and watch as the electricity is hooked up for all. 

The author explains in a note at the end of the book that her story is based on her own experiences growing up on the Magnetavan River. Electricity brought immense change to everyone in their town: electric stoves, no oil lamps, running water, no outhouses, a record player, and a black-and-white televsion. She also mentions that stories now often came from watching the television rather than their own storytelling traditions. Digital artwork offers a realistic setting that is sure to spark conversations about life in rural areas in the 1950s. 

Dogs and Us: A Fifteen-Thousand-Year Friendship, written and illustrated by Marta Pantaleo. Translated by Debbie Bibo and Yvette Ghione. Groundwood, 2024. $21.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Their alert ears sensed distant dangers 
when ours couldn't hear them. 

And their sharp teeth frightened wild beasts
when we were incapable of combating them. 

They made us feel safe."

Who doesn't love a good dog book, I ask? Sure to interest kids and adults who share their homes with the dogs who become family, this tribute to the connections between humans and dogs is both historical and informative. 

The author explains that the relationships felt today developed over a very long period of time. From the time of the woolly mammoth, people and canines have been hunters. At that time, the two often pursued the same prey. As the dogs learned to closely follow their human counterparts, both became more accepting of each other's space. 

The more time spent together, the more aware people became of the dogs' value to their lives. Their strong sense of smell helped guide travelers forward, warned of danger, and offered protection if attacked. A dog's place in the lives of many was accepted and appreciated at every turn. It took time, and a willingness to adapt and learn, before humans and dogs became inseparable. 

"And in the deepest part of our being, 
we each took something from the other. 
Together forever, 
dogs and us! 

The author follows up with images of 36 dogs, sorted into breeds, with quick descriptions of each. If your family is wondering about adopting a dog, you might find the information you need here. There is sure to be a dog out there for you!                                                                                     

Shizue's Path, written by Mark Sakamoto and illustrated by Rachel Wada. Harper, 2023. $24.99 ages 5 and up

"I wish I could skip this chapter of the story, darling. 
just as you may want to skip parts of your own life 
story in time. But you see, you mustn't do that. 
You need to know your darkness to know your light. 

And I can see so much light in you. 

So I'll keep going through the dark. 

But I'd love for you to hold my hand."

Shizue is an old woman when she tells her story to a young visitor over a cup of tea. Because of her age, she must start as her life comes closer to the end. It is a story of pain and injustice; it also speaks to the courage and resilience of people who were wronged by many. There are things from her life that are not clear memories for Shizue. Others are very real and clear.

As a young child she loved school, but she did not look the same as the other children in her class. She worried about her father, a fisherman, and his safety. She worried even more when her parents' homeland, Japan, attacked Pearl Harbor and brought World War II across the ocean. She would rather not share this dark time in her life, but is part of her story. 

The anti-Asian backlash was puzzling to Shizue. No more school, forced from their homes, and sent on a train to a faraway place. The conditions were terrible; too cold, too hot, and there was no choice but to carry on. It was two years before Shizue could attend school again. Then, one day, the war ended and the people rejoiced. They did not know what was next for the Japanese people. 

"The government was planning to send me - and 
every person of Japanese ancestry - to Japan. They 
wanted all of us, gone."

What terror for a young girl! Then, good news. Shizue was invited to study at the University of Toronto. There was so much to learn and see, including hearing Rabbi Feinberg speak at a rally demanding compassion for those people who had no part in the war. It led to Shizue's life work helping people (including her family) find a place to heal. She exuded kindness wherever she went. 

It is a story that draws inspiration from Mark Sakamoto's great-aunt's life experiences and offers readers a sensitive look at how one person can send out ripples of kindness throughout that life.  

Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold, written by Jessica Outram. Second Story Press, 2023. $12.95 ages 9 and up

"Our lighthouse stands on an island. All the 
colors of the sky reflect on the white shingles
and red roof. Built to help ships on Georgian 
Bay find the Byng Inlet channel, it shines a big 
light from the tower across the water day and 
night. The light warns boats that they need to be 
careful because of the rocky shoreline and shoals. 

Sunset is a special time to imagine stories in my 
head. West of the island is water as far as I can 
see. Other small islands rest nearby, mounds of 
rock that look like the backs of giant sleeping 
turtles. Can you imagine if one day the islands 
start to move like turtles waking up from a nap? 
I love to picture bay turtles walking through the 
channels, so big their feet touch bottom in the 
deep water. They may even munch on a whole 
pine tree for a snack."

It is 1914, and Bernice Lamondin and her family operate the lighthouse on Gereaux Island, Byng Inlet, Georgian Bay on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. In her imagined account of Bernice's family and their history, Jessica Outram begins with Bernice exploring the waters of Georgian Bay in her rowboat. She loves the water, its shores, and the beauty she finds there. 

Upon her return home to the lighthouse, readers are introduced to her family: her brothers Ernest, William and Alcide, her sister Florence, her mom and dad, and her memer, the family storyteller. When she wakes in the morning, it is to discover a man asleep in the living room. She eventually learns his name is Tom, His presence is a mystery that consumes Bernice; his story will become part of her quest to help her family by finding a treasure. The inclusion of Tom Thomson as a visitor describing 'gold' on a nearby island has Bernice setting herself a mission to find what her beloved family needs to make things better for all. 

Readers will be intrigued by Bernice and her family. They are fine people and bring an energetic feeling to the story, while also allowing for more serious matters concerning their Metis heritage. There are family discussions concerning the two cultures, French and Ojibway, and the fact they are neither. Throughout her story, the author introduces Michif French which the family speaks. 

In an author's note, Ms. Outram explains that Bernice and her family were not allowed to speak their language at school, resulting in a loss of that language to future generations. Other changes in family circumstances were made to protect the family. Discrimination of the Metis people is highlighted and encourages the reader to learn more about Louis Riel and the Red River Rebellion, an important segment of Canadian history. 

Characters are admirable and honest. Their relationships ring true as they work together, search for adventure, and learn about the world. The importance of family is evident throughout; Mamer plays a very important role as Elder and teacher. This is a worthwhile read for a middle grade classroom. 

The Librarian of Auschwitz (The Graphic Novel), adapted by Salva Rubio and translated by Lilit ZekulinThwaites. Illustrated by Loreto Aroca. Henry Holt and Company, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2023. $19.99 ages 12 and up

 

"Dita, our library now also contains 
"Living Books". Let me introduce 
Mrs. Magda, also known as The 
Wonderful Adventures of Nils Holgersson.

The "Living Books" became another 
secret of the Library of Auschwitz.
Soon, people could borrow both the 
paper books, and the living books, 
and many wanted to listen to them. 

Soon, they had a living book about 
the history of the Jews ... 
and a collection of stories about the 
American Wild West ...
and Mrs. Marketa became The Count
of Monte Cristo."

This graphic novel has been adapted from Antonio Iturbe's acclaimed novel, published by Henry Holt and Company in 2017. It is based on Edita Kraus' story of working in a forbidden school within the Auschwitz concentration camp. Before the arrival of the Nazis, Dita lived a happy life in Czechoslovakia. She loved books and school. That soon changed when schools were closed, and the family was deported to Auschwitz in 1942. Dita was 14. At first, they were lucky enough to be placed in the family camp established there. There, they were part of what was shown to be the humane treatment of prisoners to the outside world. 

Dita worked in secret to gather eight smuggled books, and ensure they got tino the hands that needed them so badly - teachers and students. It was a daunting task, fraught with worry at being discovered. Dita knew that books could make a difference. She was willing to risk her life so that others would know the magic of story. They could give hope in a hopeless time, as they had given her hope growing up.  

The story is carefully translated and shown in remarkable visuals that carry the emotional impact of the lives of fear and terror prisoners endured, worrying every day about what was to come. Using dialogue bubbles and text boxes to establish all that happened from the family's arrival, the telling is effective and horrific. 

Changes in tones from sepia to shadows cast in blue-gray assure understanding for the emotional toll taken at the camp. Bold red denotes the panic and terror that comes with the arrival of Nazi soldiers. Following images include a mass grave, prisoners being led to the gas chambers, further atrocities inflicted, and finally freedom for survivors. An illustrated epilogue provides further information about Adolf Hitler's plan and describes a few of the people who played a role in the events described.

Unforgettable and heartbreaking indeed. As it should be. 

The Door of No Return, by Kwame Alexander. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2022. $22.99 ages 11 and up

I read this book weeks ago. Then, I read it again. Yesterday, I read it once more. I am one of those readers who is constantly mesmerized by the stories Kwame Alexander tells. This is a book that leaves an imprint on your heart, and many scenes from it in your memory. It will not be forgotten; I promise you that. My daughter would confirm that I am not a person who rereads book. Erin often rereads those she calls her favorites. Despite reading it three times, once so recently, I do not find it easy to find the right words to tell you about it.  

It is a historical novel, written in verse and prose. It is both mesmerizing and exceptional. It is the story told of Asante villager Kofi Offin, an 11-year-old living with his family in their home village in Ghana. His days are spent with friends doing what young people do: going to school, working hard to learn English while he speaks Twi at home with his family, values, and history. He is with Ebo and Ama constantly, and is just beginning to feel an attraction to Ama. He recognizes that his friend Ebo feels much the same way. 

After being bullied, he challenges his cousin to a river race. That river holds a special place in Kofi's life. Named after it and spending many happy hours there, Kofi doesn't pay much attention to village stories that tell of beasts that can be found thereat night. It isn't until he sees the snares placed near the shore meant to capture humans. Caught in one of the snares and sold into slavery, Kofi starts down the terrifying path that leads him to the door of no return. 

Because Mr. Alexander's clear and moody writing gives voice to Kofi and all of the emotions as his story moves forward, readers have a real stake in what is happening and empathy for his plight. The story moves forward quickly because of the verse format, and the writer's ability to tell a story in words that speak volumes. Although lengthy (398 pages), I had little choice but to keep going. My lack of knowledge concerning Asante culture was greatly improved while living alongside Kofi, his family, and friends. I learned about entertainment, storytelling, language, food, and village and family life. 

And I met Nana Mosi, Kofi's grandfather who is the village storyteller. He has a real and present role to play for all villagers. 

"Though he is nearly eighty now
and seldom speaks, 
when he does, 
I hang on to all his words, 
the lulls in between, 
and I remember 
the stories
like a pigeon remembers
its way home."

Thoughtful and ample backmatter includes acknowledgements, a Twi glossary, a legend for Adinkra symbols, and a list of real locations used in the telling of this remarkable, memorable story. In those acknowledgements, Kwami Alexander explains his reason for writing: 

"because people need to know that the middle was not our beginning. I wanted to speak the truth about the history of African Americans, because while most of us are aware of the American part, it’s time for us to know more about the African part, right?" 

Here's the best news for fans and new readers of Mr. Alexander's work. This is the first book in a trilogy! My eyes are peeled. 

Hoops, written and illustrated by Matt Tavares. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2023. $17.99 ages 8 and up

"And, Judi, you're 
my point guard. 

Now, if I didn't just call 
your name, don't think for 
one second you are not an 
important part of this team. 
If we're going to win with 
just eight players, I'm going
to need 100 percent from every
single one of you. Got it?"

Judi loves to play basketball on the driveway with her brother and his friends. She dreams of being on a basketball team someday, not cheerleading for one. Wilkins Regional High School has a boys' team, and their Friday night games draw huge crowds and a great deal of support. There is no girls' team. It is, after all, the 1970s. 

When Title IX legislation is passed, the school announces that they will field a team for girls. Judi is thrilled, and keen to get going. How will she tell her best friend Stacey that she is choosing to play rather than co-captain the cheerleaders? It does not go well. When she gets to the first practice, there are only 8 girls interested, they have no coach, and they are having to practice in an elementary school gym because the boys are using the high school gym. They have no funding for buses, travel, or uniforms. It is not an easy endeavor. 

Frustration with the system that honors the boys' team and does little to support the girls is a constant source of concern. Judi works tirelessly to keep team spirit up and make it worthwhile for all. There are many disparities. The basketball scenes are filled with action, the trips are eventful, and the success they achieve is worthy of admiration for their perseverance. 

This is a terrific middle grade novel about sports equality with a historic bent. In an author's note, Matt Tavares shares what led him to tell the story of the 1976 Warsaw High School Tigers girls' basketball team. As well, he explains why he chose to tell it in graphic form, envisioning an older audience than the one he most often writes for. He was lucky enough to meet with three of the starting players from that team and hear their stories.  The result of those conversations and his extensive research brings this novel to full life, perfect for those who love sports stories and for those who cheer for the underdog. 

The Baker by the Sea, written and illustrated by Paula White. Templar books, Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2022. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"My father is not a fisherman. 

He is the baker. Every day before the sun rises
and the boats come in, he is safe and warm inside, 
busily baking. The comforting aroma of fresh bread
welcomes a new day."

In this story of community, a young boy describes the place he loves and the people who live there. It is his home, and he is proud to be part of it. The people who live there work hard; the sea provides a living for many; and everyone works hard to provide for all.

"The sea is the beating heart of all we do." 

Tired when their day is done, the workers go home to rest and get ready for their next day of work. The fishermen are fishing. Despite the hard work and harsh weather, the boy dreams of being a fisherman like so many others. He tells readers that his father does not fish. He spends his time inside where he is warm, and busy with his baking. He feeds many in the seaside village. 

The son wants to know if his father has ever been to sea. Yes, but it wasn't for him he tells him. Instead, he found his calling in baking. What would happen without the bread, buns, and biscuits he makes to sustain the workers and other folks in their village? That is surely food for thought, and perhaps a new view for the importance of his father's work. 

Using pencil and ink, Paula White creates cozy scenes of people working hard in their village to provide what is needed to sustain it. Grays, blues, and yellows offer a clear look at a way of life from the past, while also sharing the pride of all villagers.  An author's note adds context and one of her grandfather's recipes ends the book.