Happy New Year!

 

Happy New Year to all my readers! I hope everyone has an AMAZING year filled with lots of great books to read and new adventures to be found. Be well & carry on! 

Note: The free clip art is courtesy of  Clipart World. Thank you!

Book Review: 'Bah! Humbug' by Lorna & Lecia Balian

✰✰✰✰✰ Little Margie really and truly believes in Santa Claus, but her older brother, Arthur, does not. Arthur has a plan to prove that Santa is nothing but a humbug, and Margie has to help him prove it. On Christmas Eve, Arthur sets his trap and waits. When Arthur falls asleep, Margie is in for a Christmas surprise that she shares with Arthur when he wakes up.

The Bottom Line: This picture book from 1977 was reissued with full color added by Lorna Balian's daughter, Lecia. As timely now as it was back then, this charming holiday tale will warm your heart. Highly recommended seasonal bedtime reading with your little one. 

Details: Bah! Humbug by Lorna & Lecia Balian. Hardcover picture book published by Star Bright Books in 2006. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1595720368 

Book Review: 'Hanukkah Moon' by Deborah da Costa

✰✰✰✰½ Isobel is excited to be invited to Aunt Luisa's for Hanukkah, but she's not sure what to expect. Aunt Luisa just moved to America from Mexico; will she know how to celebrate Hanukkah the right way? Isobel's father adds to the mystery by telling her that Aunt Luisa celebrates the Hanukkah Moon. Isobel wonders what that is, and when exactly to they celebrate it?

At Aunt Luisa's, Isobel learns about the birds and animal friends that visit. She also receives a camera to document the holiday. As the celebration continues, they light the hanukkiah and when the time is just right, Isobel learns how to celebrate the new moon that happens during Hanukkah. 

The Bottom Line: With themes of family and tradition, this picture book blends the traditions of Judaism and Mexico. Richly illustrated in watercolor and colored pencil, this is Mosz's first picture book for American readers. Highly recommended for seasonal story time for children ages 7 - 10. Includes a glossary and information about Hanukkah and Rosh Hodesh (the celebration of the new moon), which is popular among Sephardic Jews who settled in Latin America.

Details: Hanukkah Moon written by Deborah da Costa & illustrated by Gosia Mosz. Picture book published by Kar-Ben Publishing in 2007. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1580132442 

Book Review: 'The Great Thanksgiving Escape' by Mark Fearing

✰✰✰✰ It's that time of year when all the relatives gather at Grandma's for Thanksgiving dinner. Gavin is less than thrilled to find himself stuck in the room for babies and toddlers, so when his cousin Rhonda suggests they make their own fun, Gavin is in. Unfortunately, trying to sneak out to the backyard is not as easy as the duo thinks. There's many obstacles like guard dogs, aunts, and teenage zombies. And just when they've almost reached their goal, the weather turns against them. Will they be able to make their great escape or will they be returned to the baby room? Check out this holiday treat to find out.

The Bottom Line: This humorous picture book is packed with bold colors. Illustrated from a child's perspective, it's a super fun read. Suggested holiday reading for kids ages PreK - Grade 1.

Details: The Great Thanksgiving Escape written & illustrated by Mark Fearing. Picture book published by Candlewick Press in 2014. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0763663063 

Book Review: 'The Freedom Writers Diary' by the Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell

✰✰✰✰½ When a rookie English teacher, Erin Gruwell, is faced with 150 Freshmen remedial students, it's time to sink or swim. Looking around her classroom on the first day, she is struck by the way they segregate themselves into groups based on race: Black, Asian, and Latino, with a lone Caucasian student lost in the crowd.

Gruwell, comes up with an idea to get the kids to write by having each keep a journal. They can write anything they want with no repercussions, and write, they do. Gruwell soon realizes that for many of these kids, just surviving the streets is an accomplishment. By listening carefully and creating interactive activities, Gruwell encourages the students to see how similar they are to one another rather than focusing on differences. And for the first time, many of these kids find an adult who is actually taking an interest in them.

As the students move through grades 9, 10, 11, and 12, something wonderful happens. They begin to believe there's more out there than just gang fights and the streets. They learn about respect and begin to have dreams. Together, they compiled this book, which covers a wide range of social issues. Together, they garnered world-wide attention and demonstrated tolerance. Together, they did what most adults thought they couldn't: graduate and go to college.

For a dose of inspiration, pick up this book and read what can happen with a little nurturing and respect. Since this is the 20th anniversary edition, it also includes both tenth-anniversary and twentieth-anniversary entries.

The Bottom Line: This is a story about transformation and coming of age during a time when riots in L.A. were common. Highly recommended reading for high school and college programs. Also, recommended reading for parents and educators. Even though this was written over twenty years ago, many of the topics are still relevant today, maybe even more so.

Book Club Notes: This was one of the titles we did not have the opportunity to discuss last year as we were learning how to Zoom. Now we are finally catching up. After a year of students learning remotely, it was interesting to read about the experiences these students had back in the 1990s. We discussed how different it is to learn in-person vs. remotely. We also discussed how the topics from more than twenty years ago are still hot button topics now.

About half of our group also watched the film. We were impressed that many of the key roles were played by teens with no formal training in acting. The combination of well-known celebrities with unknown actors and real Holocaust survivors made the film more authentic. Overall, this was an enjoyable transformation film. 

On a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest, we rated the book an average of 4.8, and the movie received 4.6. We appreciated the honesty of everyone as they told their compelling stories. Highly recommended for teens, teachers, aspiring teachers, and parents. [NOTE: This book contains some incidents which may be troubling for sensitive readers.] 

To help guide your book discussion, you can check out The Freedom Writers: Express Yourself Discussion Guide here. Also, check out how the movie differs from the book here.

Details: The Freedom Writers Diary (20th anniversary edition): How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them by The Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell. Paperback published by Broadway Books in 2019. 448 p. ISBN: 978-0385494229 

Book Review: 'Return of ZomBert' by Kara LaReau

✰✰✰✰ ZomBert is back along with Mellie and Danny in the spooky second installment of this series. Bert is settling into a cozy life with Mellie and her family. He knows he needs to rest and recuperate, and with Mellie's care, Bert is growing smarter and healthier every day. He's even beginning to understand words. However, he hasn't forgotten about the ones he left behind in the lab when he escaped. As he tries to figure out a way to return to the lab and keep his promise to the other animals, Mellie decides to enter him in the YummCo Best Pet Contest. 

While going to school and working odd jobs to pay for Bert's care, Mellie befriends an elderly neighbor who's husband used to work at YummCo. Mrs. Witt confides in Mellie that some things at YummCo aren't what they seem. As Mellie works with Bert to learn tricks for the upcoming contest, Danny continues his filming project. When Bert's big day comes, Mellie hopes he has what it takes to win the contest, but the competition is steep. In the blink of an eye, Bert is whisked away and finds himself exactly where he wants to be...in the lab. It's just not how he planned it. Now Bert must figure out how to save himself as well as the others, while Mellie and Danny are left to wonder what happened to Bert.

The Bottom Line: This quick read leads the reader through several twists and turns and ends in a nail-biting cliffhanger. The story is told via multiple points of view, including the cat's, which makes for really interesting reading. The characters face challenges together and grow in friendship. Middle grade fans of mystery and horror will enjoy this next tale of The ZomBert Chronicles.

Details: Return of ZomBert written by Kara LaReau & illustrated by Ryan Andrews. Hardcover published by Candlewick Press in 2021. 161 p. ISBN: 978-1536201079 [NOTE: I received a complimentary review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.] 

Book Review: 'The Great Pumpkin Contest' by Angie Rozelaar

✰✰✰✰ This is a tale of two little cats who have the same goal: to win the Great Pumpkin Contest. Even though they live right next door to each other, Mimi and Clara have very different approaches to growing their pumpkins. When the time comes, they separately take their entries to the contest. Mimi with one very large pumpkin, and Clara with her beautiful little ones. Along the way, one of them meets with disaster. Will the little cat ever be able to make friends now? A heartfelt gesture by a neighbor, makes the cats realize what is really the most important. 

The Bottom Line: Rozelaar serves up a charming picture book featuring the importance of friendship. Children will gravitate to the beautiful and bright illustrations created with water-soluble crayons, gouache, and collage. This seasonal book is perfect for little ones in Pre-K through K. 

Details: The Great Pumpkin Contest written & illustrated by Angie Rozelaar. Picture book published by Katherine Tegen Books in 2019. 40 p. ISBN: 978-0062741370