tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458245912587096032024-03-05T17:59:15.568-05:00PidginPea's Book NookMiddle Grade & Young Adult news &reviewsJillian @ PidginPea's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02451934470378903675noreply@blogger.comBlogger512125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645824591258709603.post-7912337475729751712022-01-18T17:58:00.005-05:002022-01-18T17:58:52.352-05:00New year, new blog! <p>I've been blogging here since 2011 and I've really enjoyed it, but since I've had my second baby I'm finding my free time has been cut way down. (Who would have thought that double the kids means double the work, huh?) I've been thinking of how to keep on reading and blogging with the time I do have, and I came up with this idea...</p><p>For the foreseeable future, this blog will be on hiatus. Instead, I'll be blogging about <b>all things historical in kidlit & YA</b> over at my new wordpress blog, <a href="https://peapodhistoricalbookery.wordpress.com"><b>the Peapod Historical Bookery</b></a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://peapodhistoricalbookery.wordpress.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="1920" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGZgQlOwUoztAbEdgPwv3iotxfBFbXfIML9RaYEjjAwtuJyFyJzCt9FVHhOv626_U3P02CoZL9gEpQIrwBObHWbsatbt98sYq9RGtemp9UfT441MZUEQJDM3f9jWge29-0mzlbbVqcudL3XAOx2q87uEnlTdkHo5DzT71vGcB5t6QfZh5wGoODlMSJ=w640-h160" width="640" /></a></div>So if you're into historical fiction, historical fantasy, nonfiction history, and anything and everything between, please follow me over to my new blog! I'd love to connect with you there!<br /><p><br /></p>Jillian @ PidginPea's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02451934470378903675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645824591258709603.post-47996570874960932442021-11-17T07:00:00.001-05:002021-11-17T07:00:00.176-05:00One year later...<p>Hello there, fellow readers! It's been A YEAR since I updated my blog. Ouch. I'm sad that it's been so long, but it's been quite a year, so I'm trying to forgive myself, because... <br /></p><p>I had a baby! :D </p><p>Yep, now I'm a momma of TWO tiny peas! Being pregnant with another small pea running around was tough, and the newest pea spent some time in the NICU, and then it's been crazy getting used to being a family of four and all finding our new normal together. Pea #2 is finally starting to sleep better, so I'm hoping I'll have some time in the evenings to get back into blogging. </p><p>Hope things have been going well for you all! Looking forward to chatting books again soon! :)<br /></p>Jillian @ PidginPea's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02451934470378903675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645824591258709603.post-79995200099181763522020-11-17T07:00:00.004-05:002020-11-17T07:00:04.056-05:00Review: The Nutcracker by words&pictures<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580402087l/43133635._SX318_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://cloud.firebrandtech.com/api/v2/img/111/9780711260566/L" /></a><p><i><b> </b></i><a href="https://www.quartoknows.com/books/9780711260566/The-Nutcracker.html" target="_blank"><i><b>The Nutcracker</b></i></a><br />
by words&pictures; illustrated by Cynthia Alonso <br />
<br />
<b>Series:</b> <a href="https://www.quartoknows.com/series/1400/Step-into/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Step Into... </a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Quarto Publishing Group – words & pictures <br />
<b>Publication date:</b> November 17, 2020<br />
<b>Available as:</b> board book<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 12<br />
<b>Suggested tags:</b> <i>baby & toddler, Christmas, classics</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>From the publisher: </b><br />
</p><blockquote>
"<i>Step inside the classic story of </i>The Nutcracker<i>. With gentle, engaging text, beautiful illustrations, die cut and layered pages, all of which encourage the reader to interact with the book and turn each page to delight in the increasingly expansive spreads.</i>"</blockquote><p>
<br />
I love reading <i>Nutcracker </i>retellings. It's just such a classic, dreamy story and I love seeing how different authors and illustrators choose to interpret it. This version is kind of a simplified, modernized <i>Nutcracker</i>, and it's super cute! </p><p>This board book is formed from die-cut pages, giving you just a peek of each page visible from the front of the book. As you turn each page, a bit more of the story is revealed. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sjMQv4oeFzCeNfHTQwEZFldkyXd0shBhqQLbgjdosPQXEg6v7QhC8my9er3RyyIW-TAcFEcf7HC4818kEe-6Tv9BM1ROc0dzK3AVBA3990PPHeoXmBqakRTZ1dp7Ffatg9IoHo0CxoA/s1226/Nutracker+-+Screenshot+%2528135%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="1226" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sjMQv4oeFzCeNfHTQwEZFldkyXd0shBhqQLbgjdosPQXEg6v7QhC8my9er3RyyIW-TAcFEcf7HC4818kEe-6Tv9BM1ROc0dzK3AVBA3990PPHeoXmBqakRTZ1dp7Ffatg9IoHo0CxoA/w400-h280/Nutracker+-+Screenshot+%2528135%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>This version also feels very fresh and contemporary. The illustrations are simple yet beautiful with vibrant colors. Marie (aka: Clara) wears two-piece rainbow-print PJs instead of a frilly dress, something that many little readers themselves might be wearing while they read this. The Sugar Plum Fairy and her dancers add some diversity to the story.
<br />
The story is condensed and there is only a sentence or two on each page,
which I think is perfect for a board book audience. It's a quick
introduction to <i>The Nutcracker</i> to get little ones familiar
with and interested in the story. I think the mix of the artwork, the simple text, and the die-cut pages will definitely make this a hit with tiny readers!
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Final verdict</u>: I loved it!</b> I thought this book was great! I might buy it for myself and I would definitely recommend it to others. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>{</b> Thank you to <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> and <a href="https://www.quartoknows.com/words-pictures" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the publisher</a> for providing me with a review copy.<br />
<b>My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what <i>you</i> think. :)</b> <b>}</b></div>
<p></p>Jillian @ PidginPea's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02451934470378903675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645824591258709603.post-23904574443317361962020-10-25T14:52:00.001-04:002020-10-25T14:54:05.955-04:00Weekly Wrap-Up: October 18-24, 2020<p>It has been A WHILE since I've posted one of these. I found my first "best of 2020" booklist this week and I got really excited, so I figured what better time to jump back in to sharing the news & such I've found lately. </p><p>Here's my weekly collection of news, announcements, and booklists I've found while browsing around the internet. Hope you enjoy! :) <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Awards</u></b> <br />
</p><ul>
<li><b>2020 <a href="https://littlerebels.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Little Rebels Award</a></b> winner announced - the award "recognizes children’s fiction (for readers aged 0-12) which promotes <b>social justice
or social equality, challenges stereotypes or is informed by
anti-discriminatory concerns</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://littlerebels.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b>Booklists</b></u> <br />
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.booklistreader.com/" target="_blank">The Booklist Reader</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://www.booklistreader.com/2020/10/19/books-and-authors/the-latest-booklist-spotlight-on-the-arts-7/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spotlight on the Arts</a></b>., featuring the <a href="https://www.booklistonline.com/Top-10-Arts-Books-for-Youth-2020/pid=9740579?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Top 10 Arts Books for Youth: 2020</b></a>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://bookriot.com/" target="_blank">Book Riot</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://bookriot.com/best-fall-books-for-toddlers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">16 Gorgeous and Fun Fall Books for Toddlers</a></b>, <b><a href="https://bookriot.com/eerie-middle-grade-books/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">9 Great Eerie Reads for Middle Graders</a></b>, and <b><a href="https://bookriot.com/christmas-ya-books/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">12 Christmas YA Books That Give Hallmark Movie Vibes</a></b> (time for holiday booklists already??)<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/" target="_blank">Publishers Weekly</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://best-books.publishersweekly.com/children/2020/#book/book-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Best Books 2020</a></b>, featuring lists for <b><a href="https://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2020/picture-books" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Picture Books</a></b>, <b><a href="https://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2020/middle-grade" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Middle Grade</a></b>, and <b><a href="https://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2020/young-adult" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Young Adult</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association)</a></b>'s<b> <a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/teenstopten" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2020 Teens' Top Ten</a></b>.</li></ul>
<br />
<u><b>Articles</b></u> <br />
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://bookriot.com/" target="_blank">Book Riot</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://bookriot.com/how-the-baby-sitters-club-graphic-novels-were-adapted/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Baby-Sitters Club, From Novels to Graphic Novels</a></b> and <b><a href="https://bookriot.com/tiffany-d-jackson-and-the-stress-of-it-all/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tiffany D. Jackson and the "Stress" of It All</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.amightygirl.com/" target="_blank">A Mighty Girl</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=31634" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">152 Years of "Little Women" in Books, Films, and More</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://diversebooks.org/" target="_blank">We Need Diverse Books</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://diversebooks.org/the-rise-of-gender-inclusive-pronouns-and-language-in-literature/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Rise of Gender-Inclusive Pronouns and Language in Literature</a></b>.<br />
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b>New & Upcoming Books</b></u> <br />
<ul>
<li><b><a href="http://100scopenotes.com/" target="_blank">100 Scope Notes</a></b>'s <b><a href="http://100scopenotes.com/2020/10/19/the-2020-poop-report/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The 2020 Poop Report</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.readbrightly.com/" target="_blank">Brightly</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://www.readbrightly.com/new-teen-romance-books/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">10 New Swoon-Worthy Teen Romance Books</a></b>.</li><li><b><a href="http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/" target="_blank">Good Comics for Kids</a></b>'s<b> <a href="http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2020/10/20/this-weeks-comics-welcome-to-history/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This Week’s Comics: Welcome to History</a></b> and <b><a href="http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2020/10/23/the-sprite-and-the-gardener-news-and-preview/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>The Sprite and the Gardener</i> - News and Preview</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/home/index.html" target="_blank">Publishers Weekly</a></b>'s<b> <a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/84683-new-kids-and-ya-books-week-of-october-26-2020.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New Kids' and YA Books: Week of October 26, 2020</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/84686-noteworthy-novel-and-picture-book-sequels-october-2020.html" target="_blank">Noteworthy Novel and Picture Book Sequels: October 2020</a></b>, plus <b><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/84682-red-school-brings-two-ya-novel-worlds-together.html" target="_blank">'<i>Red School</i>' Brings Two YA Novel Worlds Together</a></b>.</li>
<li><b><a href="https://diversebooks.org/" target="_blank">We Need Diverse Books</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://diversebooks.org/cover-reveal-for-hani-and-ishus-guide-to-fake-dating-by-adiba-jaigirdar/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cover Reveal and Excerpt of <i>Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating</i> by Adiba Jaigirdar</a></b>.<br />
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm sharing my <b>Weekly Wrap-Up</b> posts on </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/the-sunday-post-meme" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Sunday Post</a></b>, hosted by the <a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Caffeinated Reviewer</a>!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/the-sunday-post-meme" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/the-sunday-post-meme" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/326/2015/08/0abf9b9e-b7ac-4d59-b451-7eb7c64ea1b9_zps47hi5hue.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Jillian @ PidginPea's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02451934470378903675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645824591258709603.post-54034042656981113212020-07-16T15:38:00.002-04:002020-07-16T15:38:06.599-04:00Review: Gargantis by Thomas Taylor<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580402087l/43133635._SX318_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580402087l/43133635._SX318_.jpg" width="144" /></a><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/634437/gargantis-by-thomas-taylor/" target="_blank"><i><b>Gargantis</b></i></a><br />
by Thomas Taylor; illustrated by Tom Booth <br />
<br />
<b>Available as:</b> hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition, ebook, audiobook<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 352<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Walker Books US <br />
<b>Publication date:</b> May 26, 2020<br />
<b>Suggested tags:</b> <i>middle grade, fantasy</i><br />
<b>Series:</b> The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea (#2)<br />
(You can read my review of Book #1, <i>Malamander</i>, <a href="https://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/10/review-malamander-by-thomas-taylor.html">here</a>!)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>From the publisher: </b><br />
<blockquote>
"In the second fantasy set in Eerie-on-Sea, Herbert and Violet team up to solve the mystery of Gargantis — an ancient creature of the deep with the power to create life-threatening storms.<br />
<br />
<i>There’s a storm brewing over Eerie-on-Sea, and the fisherfolk say a monster is the cause. Someone has woken the ancient Gargantis, who sleeps in the watery caves beneath this spooky seaside town where legends have a habit of coming to life. It seems the Gargantis is looking for something: a treasure stolen from her underwater lair. And it just might be in the Lost-and-Foundery at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, in the care of one Herbert Lemon, Lost-and-Founder. With the help of the daring Violet Parma, ever-reliable Herbie will do his best to figure out what the Gargantis wants and who stole her treasure in the first place. In a town full of suspicious, secretive characters, it could be anyone!</i>"</blockquote>
<br />
It was SO GOOD to return to Eerie-on-Sea! I loved the first book in the series, <a href="https://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/10/review-malamander-by-thomas-taylor.html"><i>Malamander</i></a>, because it was adventurous and exciting and creepy and the setting was so wonderfully depicted. And I'm delighted to report that all my favorite elements of #1 reappear just as strongly in #2, <i>Gargantis</i>!<br />
<br />
This installment of Herbert and Violet's story involves a huge storm, local fisherfolk lore, a sea monster, a clockwork crab, another terrifyingly not-quite-human bad guy, and some more hints revealed about the possible fates of Herbert and Violet's parents! All of my favorite characters from the first book appeared again - including Seegol and his seaside diner, which never fails to make me really crave a good batch of fish and chips.<br />
<br />
I really cannot rave about this series enough. If you like your middle grade fiction chock full of adventure and mystery, featuring smart and capable characters, with just enough scary stuff to give you goosebumps without keeping you up all night, all set in the most fantastically developed and deliciously eerie seaside town, THIS IS FOR YOU. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Final verdict</u>: I'm obsessed with it!</b> I thought this book was amazing! It's now officially one of my favorite books! I shall be shouting about it from the rooftops for days and I am currently recommending it to everyone I come in contact with! <br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>{</b> Thank you to <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> and <a href="https://walkerbooksus.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the publisher</a> for providing me with a review copy.<br />
<b>My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what <i>you</i> think. :)</b> <b>}</b></div>
Jillian @ PidginPea's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02451934470378903675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645824591258709603.post-6799890653728365492020-07-13T07:00:00.000-04:002020-07-13T15:14:02.867-04:00Review: Mammoth by Jill Baguchinsky<a href="https://www.turnerpublishing.com/books/detail/mammoth/" rel="nofollow" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" https://www.turnerpublishing.com/books/detail/mammoth/" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="256" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1521179022l/39080775.jpg" width="128" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvULTMmhezD0nzX-VvMjeNmUoUh5IfHxCMpPrFTyvWDKr7o0WI6j6u8eiQelZIiABHC2O9AhOamY3LrIeFOENG2cMOctwppIZNqvVNRucTh2mwsD6ed2AKW99iAKRm64oZKG63x1umX6c/s1600/The+Scandalous+Sisterhood+of+Prickwillow+Place+-+Julie+Berry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><i><b>Mammoth </b></i><br />
by Jill Baguchinsky <br />
<br />
<b>Available as:</b> hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition, ebook, audiobook<br />
<b>Pages: </b>333<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Turner Publishing<br />
<b>Publication date:</b> November 6th 2018<br />
<b>Suggested tags:</b> <i>young adult, realistic fiction, paleontology</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>From the publisher: </b><br />
<blockquote>"<i>The summer before her junior year, paleontology geek Natalie Page lands a coveted internship at an Ice Age dig site near Austin. Natalie, who’s also a plus-size fashion blogger, depends on the retro style she developed to shield herself from her former bullies, but vintage dresses and perfect lipstick aren’t compatible with prospecting for fossils in the Texas heat.</i> </blockquote><blockquote><i>But nothing is going to dampen Natalie’s spirit — she’s exactly where she wants to be, and she gets to work with her hero, a rock-star paleontologist who hosts the most popular paleo podcast in the world. And then there’s Chase the intern, who’s seriously cute, and Cody, a local boy who’d be even cuter if he were less of a grouch.<br />
<br />
It’s a summer that promises to be about more than just mammoths.<br />
<br />
Until it isn’t.<br />
<br />
When Natalie’s hero turns out to be anything but, and steals the credit for one of her accomplishments, Nat has to unearth the confidence she needs to stand out in a field dominated by dudes. To do this, she’ll have to let her true self shine, even if that means defying all the rules for the sake of a major discovery.</i>"</blockquote><br />
Ok, a plus-size fashion blogger who is also a paleontology geek, who uses her smarts and talents to land an awesome internship? I am SOLD. I want to read more books about girls who have off-beat interests and are not afraid to follow their passions and do awesome things!!<br />
<br />
I loved reading about Natalie and her friends at this paleontology internship. My undergrad degree was in Anthopology/Archaeology and I went to field school, so some of the paleontology parts of the book gave me some familiar vibes, and I really enjoyed reliving those memories! And I was crushed when she discovers her hero is not who he thought he was. Argh, what a devastating reality strike. I hurt alongside her - those sorts of life lessons are the <i>worst.</i><br />
<br />
The only thing that bothered me a bit was that some of Natalie's decisions made me want to pull my hair out. She landed this amazing internship, which she's really wanted and worked hard for, and then she's going to put it in jeopardy by *repeatedly* making some really poor choices that she knows she shouldn't, doing things that she knows would get her kicked out if she was discovered. I would allow *one* time, caving to peer pressure or just generally being an impulsive teen whose brain has not yet fully formed the decision-making parts. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(No offense intended to any teens! Science says your brains are not done growing!)</span> But multiple times? Girl! No!! Use your smarts and do what you know is right! You're sending my anxiety through the roof, you've come so far and I don't want you to fail!!<br />
<br />
*deep breaths*<br />
<br />
Ok... I'm good now. To sum it up, I did like this book and its amazingly talented main character, although I didn't like all the choices she made, and I am so serious about wanting to read more books about girls who have obscure interests and who follow those interests fiercely and bravely! <br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Final verdict</u>: I liked it!</b> I thought this book was good! I enjoyed reading it and I would probably recommend it to others. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>{</b> Thank you to <a href="https://www.edelweiss.plus/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Edelweiss+</a> and <a href="https://www.turnerpublishing.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the publisher</a> for providing me with a review copy.<br />
<b>My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what <i>you</i> think. :)</b> <b>}</b></div>
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<br />
Where I am... we're not there yet. I'm still hunkering down at home, only going out for groceries. It's gonna be a long summer for us. But I'm trying to stay positive and look towards the light at the end of the tunnel.<br />
<br />
I keep thinking, I could be doing <i>so much reading. </i>And reviewing, and blogging... But for some reason, I'm having a reeeeally hard time focusing on books. I'm doing better with fantasy books, books that are in no way realistic and are just total escapism reads. So I'm reading some books I've had on my TBR for forever, and some stuff I might not have picked up otherwise, and I'm enjoying it. I do want to make better use of my time and catch up on books that are waiting to be reviewed, and get back into a blogging routine, but I need my brain to get in the game and *focus*.<br />
<br />
How about you? How are your reading habits this summer? Are you tearing through books at light speed? Or are you struggling a bit like I am? Trying some new books/genres or going back to old favorites?Jillian @ PidginPea's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02451934470378903675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645824591258709603.post-78512628515438121482020-05-05T07:00:00.000-04:002020-05-05T07:00:05.980-04:00Review: Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror by Natasha Farrant<a href="https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324015567" rel="nofollow" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324015567" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="285" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1576029706l/53122481._SX318_SY475_.jpg" width="143" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvULTMmhezD0nzX-VvMjeNmUoUh5IfHxCMpPrFTyvWDKr7o0WI6j6u8eiQelZIiABHC2O9AhOamY3LrIeFOENG2cMOctwppIZNqvVNRucTh2mwsD6ed2AKW99iAKRm64oZKG63x1umX6c/s1600/The+Scandalous+Sisterhood+of+Prickwillow+Place+-+Julie+Berry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><i><b>Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror</b></i><br />
by Natasha Farrant; illustrated by Lydia Corry <br />
<br />
<b>Available as:</b> hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook, audiobook<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 224<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Norton Young Readers <br />
<b>Publication date:</b> May 5, 2020<br />
<b>Suggested tags:</b> <i>young adult, middle grade, fantasy, short stories, strong girls</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>From the publisher: </b><br />
<blockquote>
"Here are princesses for the Rebel Girls generation: bold, empowered, and determined to be true to themselves.<br />
<br />
<i>“Mirror, mirror on the wall . . . what makes a princess excellent?” When an enchantress flings her magic mirror into our universe, its reflection reveals princesses who refuse to be just pretty, polite, and obedient. These are girls determined to do the rescuing themselves. Princess Leila of the desert protects her people from the king with the black-and-gold banner; Princess Tica takes a crocodile for a pet; Princess Ellen explores the high seas; Princess Abayome puts empathy and kindness above being royal; and in a tower block, Princess saves her community’s beloved garden from the hands of urban developers.<br />
<br />
Connecting these stories is the magic mirror, which reveals itself when each girl needs it most, illuminating how a princess’s power comes not from her title or beauty, but from her own inner strength. These beautifully imagined stories, complemented by vibrant and inviting artwork, offer the pleasure and familiarity of traditional tales with refreshingly modern themes.</i>"</blockquote>
<br />
This was absolutely beautiful in every possible way! What a lovely little collection of stories about strong princesses from around the world, connected loosely by a magic mirror that finds its way to each one of them. The synopsis kind of generalizes what each girl does, but these princesses do much more in each of their stories than you could explain in one sentence - they are brave, bright girls with many varied talents, interests, and attributes. <br />
<br />
Each story was very different - some more based in fantasy, like the princess who switches places with a fairy, and some are more realistic, like the princess who saves the community garden outside her apartment. Some princesses are focused on family, some want to go adventuring, some stand up bravely against wrongdoings. Honestly, I'm not sure I can pick a favorite - I loved each story and each princess for different reasons. <br />
<br />
The time periods and areas these girls come from are rarely specifically identified, but I tried to piece it together based on clues like character names and descriptions of places. There was a medieval princess, a Middle Eastern princess, an African princess, a Latin American princess, and perhaps Russian princesses (definitely reminded me of the Romanovs) who fled to France, but I guessed on the others: Ireland, Scotland, and a big city like New York, maybe? <br />
<br />
I can easily see this book being read aloud for bedtime or otherwise, and asked for repeatedly. I've read a lot of collections of stories in the "strong girls/princesses" category, so my expectations for this were not super high, but I was absolutely blown away. I would highly recommend this for any bright, brave, adventurous princess's bookshelf. (And I'll be reading this to my little prince too, when he's old enough.) <br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Final verdict</u>: I'm obsessed with it!</b> I thought this book was amazing! It's now officially one of my favorite books! I shall be shouting about it from the rooftops for days and I am currently recommending it to everyone I come in contact with!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>{</b> Thank you to <a href="https://www.edelweiss.plus/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Edelweiss+</a> and <a href="https://wwnorton.com/nrtyng" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the publisher</a> for providing me with a review copy.<br />
<b>My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what <i>you</i> think. :)</b> <b>}</b></div>
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<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/625659/mermaid-moon-by-susann-cokal/" target="_blank"><i><b>Mermaid Moon</b></i></a><br />
by Susann Cokal<br />
<br />
<b>Available as:</b> hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook, audiobook<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 336<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Candlewick Press <br />
<b>Publication date:</b> March 3, 2020<br />
<b>Suggested tags:</b> <i>young adult, fantasy, mermaids</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>From the publisher: </b><br />
<blockquote>
"An award-winning author tells of a mermaid who leaves the sea in search of her landish mother in a captivating tale spun with beautiful prose, lush descriptions, empathy, and keen wit.<br />
<br />
<i>Blood calls to blood; charm calls to charm.<br />
It is the way of the world.<br />
Come close and tell us your dreams.<br />
<br />
Sanna is a mermaid — but she is only half seavish. The night of her birth, a sea-witch cast a spell that made Sanna’s people, including her landish mother, forget how and where she was born. Now Sanna is sixteen and an outsider in the seavish matriarchy, and she is determined to find her mother and learn who she is. She apprentices herself to the witch to learn the magic of making and unmaking, and with a new pair of legs and a quest to complete for her teacher, she follows a clue that leads her ashore on the Thirty-Seven Dark Islands. There, as her fellow mermaids wait in the sea, Sanna stumbles into a wall of white roses thirsty for blood, a hardscrabble people hungry for miracles, and a baroness who will do anything to live forever.<br />
<br />
From the author of the Michael L. Printz Honor Book </i>The Kingdom of Little Wounds<i> comes a gorgeously told tale of belonging, sacrifice, fear, hope, and mortality.</i>"</blockquote>
<br />
Well, I've just discovered a new author whose words speak to my very soul. This story was so magical, a bit of a grown-up mermaid tale that edges just enough onto the dark side, and it was told in such an evocative way. I loved these seavish folk and their world, both on the shore and under the waves. And those mermaid songs... I wish I had a whole book of mermaid poetry to devour.<br />
<br />
To be honest, I was expecting kind of a frilly mermaid story, but instead I got this intense, intricate, beautifully told masterpiece - and I'm so glad I did. If the synopsis sounds the least bit interesting to you, I would say definitely give this one a read - you might fall completely under its spell, like I did. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Final verdict</u>: I'm obsessed with it!</b> I thought this book was amazing! It's now officially one of my favorite books! I shall be shouting about it from the rooftops for days and I am currently recommending it to everyone I come in contact with!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>{</b> Thank you to <a href="https://www.librarything.com/er/list" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LibraryThing Early Reviewers</a> and <a href="https://www.candlewick.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the publisher</a> <br />
for providing me with a review copy.<br />
<b>My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what <i>you</i> think. :)</b> <b>}</b></div>
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by Marthe Jocelyn; illustrated by Isabelle Follath <br />
<br />
<b>Available as:</b> hardcover, Kindle edition<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 336<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Tundra Books <br />
<b>Publication date:</b> February 2, 2020<br />
<b>Suggested tags:</b> <i>middle grade, historical fiction, mystery</i><br />
<b>Series:</b> Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen (#1)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>From the publisher: </b><br />
<blockquote>
"A smart and charming middle-grade mystery series starring young detective Aggie Morton and her friend Hector, inspired by the imagined life of Agatha Christie as a child and her most popular creation, Hercule Poirot. For fans of Lemony Snicket and <i>The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency.<br />
<br />
Aggie Morton lives in a small town on the coast of England in 1902. Adventurous and imaginative but deeply shy, Aggie hasn’t got much to do since the death of her beloved father . . . until the fateful day when she crosses paths with twelve-year-old Belgian immigrant Hector Perot and discovers a dead body on the floor of the Mermaid Dance Room! As the number of suspects grows and the murder threatens to tear the town apart, Aggie and her new friend will need every tool at their disposal — including their insatiable curiosity, deductive skills and not a little help from their friends — to solve the case before Aggie’s beloved dance instructor is charged with a crime Aggie is sure she didn’t commit.<br />
<br />
Filled with mystery, adventure, an unforgettable heroine and several helpings of tea and sweets, </i>The Body Under the Piano <i>is the clever debut of a new series for middle-grade readers and Christie and Poirot fans everywhere, from a Governor General’s Award–nominated author of historical fiction for children.</i>"</blockquote>
<br />
A middle grade mystery series inspired by young Agatha Christie?? Yes yes YES. I was so excited to read this one! <br />
<br />
I think the historical setting and the characterizations were my favorite parts. I loved going around Aggie's turn-of-the-century town with her as she gathered clues. And Aggie and Hector are such cute little mystery-solving pals. It's fun to follow along as they try to do some important work in an age where all the adults were trying to get them to leave things alone. I loved young Hector/Hercule and his proper finicky ways even more than I loved young Aggie/Agatha, I think.<br />
<br />
The mystery was well done, and I was definitely deceived at first! I did manage to piece it together before the reveal, but it was satisfying to see how it all came together. Some of the book I felt moved a little slowly, but I was definitely into the parts where it picked up. <br />
<br />
There is quite a lot of detail put into some rather gruesome elements (the effects of a poisoning, dead bodies both human and animal, brains leaking out, etc) - Aggie is based on a mystery writer in the making, after all, and she does a lot of thinking about these shocking things she sees, describing them in her head with a mystery writer's touch. Some readers may be turned off by this, but I think most readers who are interested in a historical mystery are going to be just fine with it. My middle-grade-age self would have been ALL about this - I loved the morbid and macabre and all that good stuff (aaand maybe I still do).<br />
<br />
Overall, I thought this was a brilliant idea for a book and I'm looking forward to joining Aggie and Hector for another mystery in the next book in the series, <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/599231/aggie-morton-mystery-queen-peril-at-owl-park-by-marthe-jocelyn-illustrated-by-isabelle-follath/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Peril at Owl Park</i></a>, due out in September 2020! <br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Final verdict</u>: I liked it!</b> I thought this book was good! I enjoyed reading it and I would probably recommend it to others. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>{</b> Thank you to <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/imprints/TU/tundra-books" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the publisher</a> for providing me with a review copy.<br />
<b>My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what <i>you</i> think. :)</b> <b>}</b></div>
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<br />
NPS has a checklist of <b><a href="https://www.nps.gov/articles/national-park-week-inspired-20-virtual-ideas.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">20 ways to celebrate National Park Week</a> virtually</b>, including:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/games-and-challenges.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">games and challenges</a></li>
<li>a <a href="https://findyourpark.com/find-your-park-quiz?_ga=2.61994668.1295411153.1587040848-1695141896.1571170206" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Find Your Park" quiz</a></li>
<li>virtual tours with <a href="https://americasnationalparks.org/virtual-passport-cancellations/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">virtual passport stamps</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nps.gov/media/multimedia-search.htm#fq%5B%5D=Type%3A%22Webcam%22" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">park webcams</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nps.gov/kids/junior-ranger-online.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Junior Ranger Online programs </a></li>
<li>a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/find-your-virtual-park.htm#Virtual_Events_Calendar" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">calendar of virtual events</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
They also have a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/national-park-week.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>theme</b> for each day of National Park Week</a>:<br />
<ul>
<li>Saturday, April 18: <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/national-junior-ranger-day.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Junior Ranger Day</a></li>
<li>Sunday, April 19: <a href="https://www.nps.gov/getinvolved/volunteer.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">VIP (Volunteers In Parks) Day</a></li>
<li>Monday, April 20: <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/military/index.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Military Monday</a></li>
<li>Tuesday, April 21: <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/transportation/index.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Transportation Tuesday</a></li>
<li>Wednesday, April 22: <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/earth-day.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Earth Day</a></li>
<li>Thursday, April 23: <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/throwback-thursday.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a></li>
<li>Friday, April 24: <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/partnerships/index.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Friendship Friday</a></li>
<li>Saturday, April 25: <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/healthandsafety/park-rx.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Park Rx Day</a></li>
<li>Sunday, April 26: <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/pets/bark-rangers.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BARK Ranger Day</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
I'm so excited to celebrate National Park Week! I'll be checking out all their virtual offerings, and I'm planning to read whatever National Park ebooks I can get my hands on through my library. I'll be sharing some books on my own TBR each day. To start with, here are some of the <b>picture books </b>on my list I'm most excited to read. Let me know what you'll be reading to celebrate!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53077036-bringing-back-the-wolves" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53077036-bringing-back-the-wolves" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="311" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1569283814l/53077036._SX318_SY475_.jpg" width="155" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28649410-do-princesses-and-super-heroes-hit-the-trails" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28649410-do-princesses-and-super-heroes-hit-the-trails" border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="318" height="171" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1460312131l/28649410._SX318_.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29102876-grand-canyon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29102876-grand-canyon" border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1520711438l/29102876._SX318_.jpg" width="161" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41219465-if-i-were-a-park-ranger" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41219465-if-i-were-a-park-ranger" border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545515753l/41219465._SX318_.jpg" width="160" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28160822-journey-around-our-national-parks" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28160822-journey-around-our-national-parks" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="308" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1460315928l/28160822.jpg" width="153" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27774529-mountain-chef" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27774529-mountain-chef" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="312" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1453062152l/27774529.jpg" width="155" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38510042-national-parks-of-the-u-s-a" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38510042-national-parks-of-the-u-s-a" border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1530561732l/38510042._SX318_.jpg" width="165" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27413035-our-great-big-backyard" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27413035-our-great-big-backyard" border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1457293118l/27413035._SX318_.jpg" width="160" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37881903-volcano-dreams" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37881903-volcano-dreams" border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="318" height="168" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1517603095l/37881903._SX318_.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22462198-we-re-going-to-the-mountains" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22462198-we-re-going-to-the-mountains" border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1402613305l/22462198.jpg" width="159" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42202034-you-are-home" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42202034-you-are-home" border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1557784409l/42202034._SX318_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Jillian @ PidginPea's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02451934470378903675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645824591258709603.post-21251067600737454722020-03-30T11:03:00.002-04:002020-03-30T11:03:31.695-04:00Social distancing updateHello fellow readers :)<br />
<br />
Wow, crazy how much things can change in just a few weeks, isn't it? We are under a "stay at home" order where I live in the US - we can leave for essentials like groceries, but otherwise we're supposed to stay home. So that's what we've been doing.<br />
<br />
My husband is a teacher so he's doing live lectures from home now. This leaves me to try to entertain our toddler outside for a few hours at a time so we don't bother him and his students. So far we're all doing fine - our little guy is kind of frustrated that he can't go out to all his favorite places having adventures like we usually do, but we're all still happy and healthy - which I am grateful for every day.<br />
<br />
I haven't had much down time to pick up a book, let alone write reviews and do all the posts I want to be doing. We were just taking things day by day, trying to come up with new activities to keep us all entertained... but now that my husband is teaching live online, we're all having to figure out how this is going to work and come up with a new routine. I probably won't be posting much until we get everybody settled in that... but I'll be back as soon as I can!<br />
<br />
Wishing you and your families health and happiness during these strange times. <3Jillian @ PidginPea's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02451934470378903675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645824591258709603.post-84679838435298255802020-02-20T07:00:00.000-05:002020-02-20T07:00:31.930-05:00Review: 50 Fearless Women Who Made American History by Jenifer Bazzit<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvULTMmhezD0nzX-VvMjeNmUoUh5IfHxCMpPrFTyvWDKr7o0WI6j6u8eiQelZIiABHC2O9AhOamY3LrIeFOENG2cMOctwppIZNqvVNRucTh2mwsD6ed2AKW99iAKRm64oZKG63x1umX6c/s1600/The+Scandalous+Sisterhood+of+Prickwillow+Place+-+Julie+Berry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="352" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/514UaQaMxHL._SX350_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="141" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fearless-Women-Made-American-History/dp/1646111036" target="_blank"><i><b>50 Fearless Women Who Made American History: An American History Book for Kids</b></i></a><br />
by Jenifer Bazzit <br />
<br />
<b>Available as:</b> paperback, Kindle edition<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 172<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Rockridge Press <br />
<b>Publication date:</b> January 7, 2020<br />
<b>Suggested tags:</b> <i>middle grade, nonfiction, biography, history</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>From Amazon (since the publisher's website directs you to Amazon for their products): </b><br />
<blockquote>"50 women who shaped American history―how will they inspire you?<br />
<br />
<i>Women have always been at the forefront of American history―and now it’s time to hear their stories! This look into American history for kids is bursting with engaging biographies that explore the lives of these inspiring women from different backgrounds and a wide array of fields.<br />
<br />
From Revolutionary War soldier Deborah Sampson and abolitionist Harriet Tubman to Hawaiian Queen Lili‘uokalani and Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, this guide to American history for kids takes you on a fun and fascinating journey, one fearless woman at a time. Each of these chronologically ordered biographies offers an exciting look into the life and accomplishments of these heroic figures and how they made history.<br />
<br />
Unearth American history for kids with:</i><br />
<ul><li>Incredible stories, incredible women<i>―With multi-page biographies that focus on the accomplishments of heroic women, this is what a book on American history for kids should be.</i></li>
<li>Historical timeline<i>―Better understand how each of these women fit into history thanks to timelines that show what else was happening during their lifetimes.</i></li>
<li>Dive deeper<i>―Entries also feature a helpful sidebar that further explores a specific part of the biography, launching you into more learning about American history for kids.</i></li>
</ul><i> Discover the amazing women who helped shape America with this enjoyable journey into American history for kids.</i>"</blockquote><br />
I'll be honest: I don't usually read biographies because usually I find them... um... <span style="font-size: xx-small;">boring</span>. I'm sorry! I know!! That's terrible! But I just do not naturally find myself drawn to the Biography section. Maybe because the biographies I've read in the past have been a bit too dry and wordy for my tastes.<br />
<br />
Not so with <i>50 Fearless Women Who Made American History</i>! These bios are short - mostly 3 pages or less - which means the history and events that are included are just the most essential and exciting parts of these amazing women's stories. An illustration of each woman (in the style of the book's cover image) starts off each bio, along with their name, the years they were born and died, and a few words about the work they did, such as "first lady and activist," or "abolitionist and author." A variety of women from different cultures and backgrounds are included. Most of the women included are ones that I have heard of before, but there were some new names and faces that I was not yet familiar with. There is a timeline running throughout the bottom third of the book, so you can see what other historical events are taking place during the times when these women were doing incredible things.<br />
<br />
I was really pleasantly surprised by this book, and it actually makes me want to seek out more biographies in a similar style - shorter snippets about each person, focusing just on the most important things they did and achieved. I can see this book working well in schools or libraries as a starting point to find a woman that students would like to learn more about as the subject for projects or reports. I can also see it as a sort of "5-minute stories" type book, for bedtime or anytime, for kids to learn about some incredible women and be inspired to live their own lives to the fullest and to make the world a better place. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Final verdict</u>: I loved it!</b> I thought this book was great! I might buy it for myself and I would definitely recommend it to others. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>{</b> Thank you to <a href="https://www.getrockridgebooks.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the publisher</a> for providing me with a review copy.<br />
<b>My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what <i>you</i> think. :)</b> <b>}</b></div>
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<br />
I'm reading one book every week that is an <b>award winner (or honor book) or has been included on a list of great books</b>. You can find my reviews from previous weeks <a href="https://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/p/welcome-to-my-new-weekly-feature-52.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Just as an FYI... the start of this year was unexpectedly busy so I'm a little behind - I'll be posting a few of these in a row to get caught up on my weeks. :/ But then the plan is that it will be a once-a-week feature, posting on Tuesdays.)</span><br />
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvULTMmhezD0nzX-VvMjeNmUoUh5IfHxCMpPrFTyvWDKr7o0WI6j6u8eiQelZIiABHC2O9AhOamY3LrIeFOENG2cMOctwppIZNqvVNRucTh2mwsD6ed2AKW99iAKRm64oZKG63x1umX6c/s1600/The+Scandalous+Sisterhood+of+Prickwillow+Place+-+Julie+Berry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="298" height="200" src="https://images1.penguinrandomhouse.com/cover/9781524738112" width="132" /></a><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/551690/the-bridge-home-by-padma-venkatraman/" target="_blank"><i><b>The Bridge Home</b></i></a><br />
by Padma Venkatraman<br />
<br />
<b>Available as:</b> hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook, audiobook<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 208<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Nancy Paulsen Books <br />
<b>Publication date:</b> February 5, 2019 <br />
<b>Suggested tags:</b> <i>middle grade, realistic fiction, India, homelessness</i><br />
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<br />
<br />
<b>From the publisher: </b><br />
<blockquote>"<i>Four determined homeless children make a life for themselves in Padma Venkatraman’s stirring middle-grade debut.<br />
<br />
Life is harsh in Chennai’s teeming streets, so when runaway sisters Viji and Rukku arrive, their prospects look grim. Very quickly, eleven-year-old Viji discovers how vulnerable they are in this uncaring, dangerous world. Fortunately, the girls find shelter–and friendship–on an abandoned bridge. With two homeless boys, Muthi and Arul, the group forms a family of sorts. And while making a living scavenging the city’s trash heaps is the pits, the kids find plenty to laugh about and take pride in too. After all, they are now the bosses of themselves and no longer dependent on untrustworthy adults. But when illness strikes, Viji must decide whether to risk seeking help from strangers or to keep holding on to their fragile, hard-fought freedom.</i>"</blockquote><br />
<b>Awards/Booklists </b>(as of the time of my review - if you know of more please let me know!):<b> </b><br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2020 Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Notable Children's Books</a> for Middle Readers</li>
<li><a href="https://www.booklistreader.com/2020/01/10/books-and-authors/the-latest-booklist-editors-choice-2019/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2019 Booklist Editors' Choice</a> for Books for Youth (Fiction - Middle Readers) and Youth Audio</li>
<li><a href="https://www.csmcl.org/best-books-2019" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books of 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/200049033_chipublib_kids/1527947949_best_fiction_for_older_readers_of_2019" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chicago Public Library Best Fiction for Older Readers of 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.clrsig.org/nbgs-lists.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2020 Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) Notable Books for a Global Society</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-childrens-books-2019" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2019 Goodreads Choice Award</a> Nominee for Best Middle Grade & Children's</li>
<li><a href="https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/best-books/kids" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=top-10-audiobooks-2019" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">School Library Journal Top 10 Audiobooks 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="http://scbwi.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-2020-scbwi-golden-kite-award-and.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2020 Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Golden Kite Award</a> for Young Reader and Middle Grade Fiction</li>
<li><a href="https://diversebooks.org/our-programs/walter-award/2020-walter-awards/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2020 Walter Award</a> for Younger Readers</li>
<li><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/2019/11/20/46168862-01b2-11ea-8501-2a7123a38c58_story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Washington Post's Best Children’s Books of 2019</a> for Fiction</li>
</ul><br />
<br />
This is a beautiful, heartbreaking book. Viji tells her and her sister Rukku's story, which is not an easy one, with honesty and strength. From their time at home with an abusive father and a struggling mother, to their time on the streets with their new "family," struggling to survive in every sense of the word... It's far more than girls their age should have to face, and while this story is fiction, it is painful to read because I know many children in the world are living this reality every day. Viji shares a range of emotions with readers: anger at her father and their situation, happiness with her new friends and their freedom, the uncertainty and stress of making decisions for herself and her sister (who seems to have a developmental disability)... <br />
<br />
This is an amazing story, and I think an important story, but it is not easy to read. Ultimately, it ends on a note of hope for Viji, who is now able to envision and better future for herself, but the road that got her there is full of pain and struggle. The relationship between Viji and Rukku and their new "brothers" is a beautiful example of how friends can become more like family, which adds a warm, uplifting feeling to the story. For older middle grade readers or those who can handle difficult subject matter, I think this is a great book to read and discuss, to give readers around Viji's age an idea of what life might be like for other kids around the world that we don't often hear about. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Final verdict</u>:</b> <b>I loved it!</b> I thought this book was great! I might buy it for myself and I would definitely recommend it to others. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>{ My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what <i>you</i> think. :) <b>}</b></div>
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<a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374310622" target="_blank"><i><b>Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters</b></i></a><br />
by Emily Roberson<br />
<br />
<b>Available as:</b> hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook, audiobook<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 352<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) <br />
<b>Publication date:</b> October 22, 2019<br />
<b>Suggested tags:</b> <i>young adult, fantasy, mythology</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>From the publisher: </b><br />
<blockquote>"Greek mythology meets the Kardashians in Emily Roberson's <i>Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters</i>, a fresh, fast-paced debut young adult novel about celebrity culture, family dynamics, and finding love amidst it all.<br />
<br />
<i>Sixteen-year-old Ariadne’s whole life is curated and shared with the world. Her royal family’s entertainment empire is beloved by the tabloids, all over social media, and the hottest thing on television. The biggest moneymaker? </i>The Labyrinth Contest<i>, a TV extravaganza in which Ariadne leads fourteen teens into a maze to kill a monster. To win means endless glory; to lose means death. In ten seasons, no one has ever won.<br />
<br />
When the gorgeous, mysterious Theseus arrives at the competition and asks Ariadne to help him to victory, she doesn’t expect to fall for him. He might be acting interested in her just to boost ratings. Their chemistry is undeniable, though, and she </i>can<i> help him survive. If he wins, the contest would end for good. But if she helps him, she doesn’t just endanger her family’s empire—the monster would have to die. And for Ariadne, his life might be the only one worth saving.<br />
<br />
Ariadne’s every move is watched by the public and predestined by the gods, so how can she find a way to forge her own destiny and save the people she loves?</i>"</blockquote><br />
This was a nice escape from reality for a bit! I wanted to read it because it had a lot of elements I like: retellings, mythology, reality TV, competitions... and it delivered on all of that for me! The synopsis is accurate: it does feel like the Kardashians (or what little I know about them, since I don't watch their show or anything), with Ariadne's two sisters famous for their, um, anatomy and the things they may or may not be willing to do on camera, and their mother pretty much running their lives and focused only on making them all famous... They all live in a huge palace with cameras following their every move, and everything revolves around <i>The Labyrinth Contest</i> and its ratings.<br />
<br />
The romance between Ariadne and Theseus was a bit... eh, for me. It didn't really do anything for me. I know it's part of the story and it explains why Ariadne would be willing to help him, but I just didn't really feel it while I was reading. It's said a few times that it's Eros (god of love) who's making people fall in love, and that's kind of how it felt: someone else was telling them they should be in love, so they were.<br />
<br />
But honestly, I didn't need the romance, because I thought the best part of the book was Ariadne's interactions with the monster. Her motivations for wanting to care for and protect him were really well explained and I loved reading the parts where she went down to the maze to be with him.<br />
<br />
The ending wraps up a bit neatly, but it felt right for this kind of book - an escape from reality. When I'm reading a book to escape, I want everything to work out and end on a positive note, and I got that here. It definitely left me with good vibes. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Final verdict</u>:</b> <b>I liked it!</b> I thought this book was good! I enjoyed reading it and I would probably recommend it to others. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>{</b> Thank you to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads Giveaways</a> for providing me with a review copy.<br />
<b>My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what <i>you</i> think. :) <b>}</b></div>
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** (I missed a few recap posts, so here's 3 weeks worth of goodies! I'm sure I've missed a bunch - if you know of anything, please leave me a comment and I'll add it in!) ** <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Here @ PPBN</b></u><br />
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/2020/01/readyourworld-multicultural-childrens.html">#ReadYourWorld: Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020!</a></b> - My post for <a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MCBD 2020</a>!<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/2020/02/mcbd-2020-book-review-spirit-of-indian.html">MCBD 2020 Book Review: Spirit of the Indian Warrior</a></b> - My book review for <a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MCBD 2020</a>!</li>
<li><b><a href="https://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/2020/02/nonfiction-picture-book-challenge-2020.html">Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2020</a></b> - My join-up post for this year's <a href="http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/kid-lit-frenzy/2020/1/7/nonfiction-picture-book-challenge-the-start-of-the-9th-year" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge</a>, hosted by Alyson Beecher at <a href="http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kid Lit Frenzy</a>! </li>
<li><b><a href="https://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/2020/02/review-bat-book-by-charlotte-milner.html">Review: The Bat Book by Charlotte Milner </a></b> - My first review for the <a href="http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/kid-lit-frenzy/2020/1/7/nonfiction-picture-book-challenge-the-start-of-the-9th-year" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2020</a>! </li>
</ul>
<br />
<b><u>Awards</u></b> <br />
<ul>
<li><b>2020 <a href="http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2020/01/american-library-association-announces-2020-youth-media-award-winners" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American Library Association (ALA) Youth Media Awards</a></b> winners announced - the awards announced include (in the order provided in the press release) the <b><a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Newbery Medal</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Caldecott Medal</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.ala.org/rt/emiert/cskbookawards" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coretta Scott King Book Awards</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/printz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/schneider-family-book-award" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Schneider Family Book Award</a></b>, <a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/alex-awards" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Alex Awards</b></a>, <b><a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/batchelderaward" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mildred L. Batchelder Award</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/odysseyaward" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Odyssey Award</a></b>, <a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/belpremedal" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Pura Belpré Award</b></a>, <b><a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/sibertmedal" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award</a></b>, <a href="http://www.ala.org/rt/rrt/award/stonewall" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Stonewall Book Awards</b></a> (including the Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children's and Young Adult Literature Award), <a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/geiselaward" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Theodor Seuss Geisel Award</b></a>, <a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/morris" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>William C. Morris YA Debut Award</b></a>, <a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/nonfiction" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults</b></a>, <a href="http://www.apalaweb.org/awards/literature-awards/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature</b></a>, <a href="https://jewishlibraries.org/Sydney_Taylor_Book_Award" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Sydney Taylor Book Award</b></a>, and <a href="https://ailanet.org/activities/american-indian-youth-literature-award/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>American Indian Youth Literature Award</b></a>.<br />
</li>
<li><b>2020 <a href="https://www.audiopub.org/winners/2020-audies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Audie Awards</a></b> finalists announced - the awards "honors the <b>best titles in audio publishing</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.audiopub.org/winners" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span> and include categories for <b>Middle Grade</b>, <b>Young Adult</b>, and <b>Young Listeners (Up to Age 8)</b>.</li>
<li><b>2020 <a href="https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/reading-and-stories/bookbug-picture-book-prize/bpbp-winner" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bookbug Picture Book Prize</a></b> winner announced - the award recognizes the "<b>best new Scottish childrens' books</b>, and <b>children across Scotland can vote for their favourite</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/reading-and-stories/bookbug-picture-book-prize" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>. </li>
<li><b>2020 <a href="https://www.bankstreet.edu/ccl/announcing-the-2020-cook-prize-finalists/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cook Prize</a></b> finalists announced - the award recognizes the "<b>best Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) picture book</b> for 8–10 year olds" and is the "<b>only national children’s choice award honoring a STEM title</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.bankstreet.edu/ccl/announcing-the-2020-cook-prize-finalists/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>. </li>
<li><b>2019 <a href="http://www.cybils.com/2020/02/the-2019-cybils-winners.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cybils Awards</a></b> winners announced - the awards recognize "<b>children’s and young adult authors and illustrators </b>whose books combine the <b>highest literary merit and popular appeal</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="http://www.cybils.com/about-the-cybils-awards" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span> and are <b>judged by bloggers</b> who focus on children's or young adult lit.</li>
<li><b>2020 <a href="https://ccb.ischool.illinois.edu/gryphon-award/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gryphon Award</a></b> winners announced - the award recognizes an "<b>English language work of fiction or non-fiction</b> for which the primary audience is children in <b>Kindergarten through Grade 4</b>" which "best exemplifies those qualities that <b>successfully bridge the gap in difficulty between books for reading aloud to children and books for practiced readers</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://ccb.ischool.illinois.edu/gryphon-award/#about" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>.</li>
<li><b>2020 <a href="https://inthemarginssite.blog/2020/02/09/1872/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">In the Margins Book Award</a></b> winners and Top Ten list announced - the awards are intended to "seek out and highlight <b>fiction and non-fiction titles of high-interest appeal</b> for male or female readers, <b>ages 9-21</b>" featuring "<b>BIPOC youth, youth from a street culture, youth in restrictive custody, youth who are reluctant readers</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://inthemarginssite.blog/about-3/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>.</li>
<li><b>2020 <a href="https://inspys.com/?p=4554" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">INSPY Awards</a></b> longlist announced - the awards are intended to "discover and highlight the very best in <b>literature that grapples with expressions of the Christian faith</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://inspys.com/?page_id=107" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>. The award is "<b>judged by book bloggers</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://inspys.com/?page_id=107" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span> and includes a <b>Literature for Young Adults</b> category.</li>
<li><b>2020 <a href="https://www.bankstreet.edu/ccl/announcing-the-2020-irma-s-black-contenders/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Irma S. and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature</a></b> finalists announced - the award recognizes an "<b>outstanding book for young children</b> — a book in which <b>text and illustrations are inseparable</b>, each enhancing and enlarging on the other to produce a singular whole" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.bankstreet.edu/library/center-for-childrens-literature/irma-black-award/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>. For this award, "<b>children are the final judges of the winning book</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.bankstreet.edu/library/center-for-childrens-literature/irma-black-award/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>.</li>
<li><b>2020-2021 <a href="https://www.triplecrownawards.org/books/filtered/search&book_award_year=2020-2021&category=&book_award=None/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Triple Crown Awards</a></b> nominees announced - the awards are intended for "encouraging <b>elementary and junior high students</b> to read <b>wholesome and uplifting books</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.triplecrownawards.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span><b></b>.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b>Booklists</b></u> <br />
<ul>
<li><b><a href="http://www.ala.org/rt/rrt" target="_blank">American Library Association (ALA)</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/1331" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2020 Rainbow Book List</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/" target="_blank">Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)</a></b>'s <b><a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2020 Notable Children's Books</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.cbcbooks.org/" target="_blank">Children's Book Council (CBC)</a>/<a href="https://www.socialstudies.org/" target="_blank">National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://www.cbcbooks.org/readers/reading-lists/best-of-lists/notable-social-studies/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2020 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Children's Book Review</a></b>'s<b> <a href="https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2020/01/the-best-kids-chapter-books-and-novels-of-2019.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Best Kids Chapter Books and Novels of 2019</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2020/01/the-best-young-adult-books-of-2019.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Best Young Adult Books of 2019</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.clrsig.org/" target="_blank">Children's Literature & Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG)</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://www.clrsig.org/nbgs-lists.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2020 Notable Books for a Global Society</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://ameliabloomer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Rise: A Feminist Book Project</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://ameliabloomer.wordpress.com/2020/01/30/2020-rise-a-feminist-book-project-list/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2020 Book List</a></b> and <b><a href="https://ameliabloomer.wordpress.com/2020/01/27/2020-rise-a-feminist-book-project-top-ten/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2020 Top Ten List</a></b> (formerly known as the <a href="https://ameliabloomer.wordpress.com/2020/01/27/rise-a-feminist-book-project-for-ages-0-18/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amelia Bloomer Project</a>).<br />
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b>Articles</b></u> <br />
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.slj.com/" target="_blank">School Library Journal</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=schools-libraries-celebrate-world-read-aloud-day-2020-libraries" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Schools, Libraries Celebrate World Read Aloud Day 2020</a></b>.<br />
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b>New & Upcoming Books</b></u> <br />
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://www.booklistonline.com/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Booklist</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://www.booklistonline.com/Spring-Youth-Preview-2020/pid=9731052?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spring Youth Preview 2020</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.booklistonline.com/Spring-Audiobook-Preview-Biz-Hyzy/pid=9731293" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spring Audiobook Preview 2020</a></b>, featuring <b>Youth Fiction and Nonfiction</b> selections.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.readbrightly.com/" target="_blank">Brightly</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://www.readbrightly.com/best-childrens-ya-books-february-2020/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Best Children’s and YA Books of February 2020</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/1761-the-best-young-adult-books-of-february" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Best Young Adult Books of February</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/" target="_blank">Good Comics for Kids</a></b>'s<b> <a href="http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2020/01/27/this-weeks-comics-snapping-suns/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This Week’s Comics: Snapping Suns</a></b>, <b><a href="http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2020/02/10/this-weeks-comics-i-survived-fatcat/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This Week’s Comics: I Survived Fatcat</a></b>, and <b><a href="http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2020/02/03/this-weeks-comics-noisemaking-leaders/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This Week’s Comics: Noisemaking Leaders</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/home/index.html" target="_blank">Publishers Weekly</a></b>'s<b> New Kids' and YA Books: <a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/82301-new-kids-and-ya-books-week-of-february-3-2020.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Week of February 3, 2020</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/82357-new-kids-and-ya-books-week-of-february-3-2020.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Week of February 10, 2020</a></b>, and <b><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/82421-new-kids-and-ya-books-week-of-february-10-2020.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Week of February 17, 2020</a></b>. Also, <b><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/82272-noteworthy-picture-book-sequels-february-2020.html" target="_blank">Noteworthy Picture Book Sequels: February 2020</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/82327-noteworthy-novel-sequels-february-2020.html" target="_blank">Noteworthy Novel Sequels: February 2020</a></b>, plus <b><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/82286-the-most-anticipated-children-s-and-ya-books-of-spring-2020.html" target="_blank">The Most Anticipated Children's and YA Books of Spring 2020</a></b>.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm sharing my <b>Weekly Wrap-Up</b> posts on </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/the-sunday-post-meme" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Sunday Post</a></b>, hosted by the <a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Caffeinated Reviewer</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/the-sunday-post-meme" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/the-sunday-post-meme" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/326/2015/08/0abf9b9e-b7ac-4d59-b451-7eb7c64ea1b9_zps47hi5hue.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Jillian @ PidginPea's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02451934470378903675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645824591258709603.post-80478798853220911252020-02-12T07:00:00.000-05:002020-02-12T08:06:54.812-05:00Review: The Bat Book by Charlotte Milner<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvULTMmhezD0nzX-VvMjeNmUoUh5IfHxCMpPrFTyvWDKr7o0WI6j6u8eiQelZIiABHC2O9AhOamY3LrIeFOENG2cMOctwppIZNqvVNRucTh2mwsD6ed2AKW99iAKRm64oZKG63x1umX6c/s1600/The+Scandalous+Sisterhood+of+Prickwillow+Place+-+Julie+Berry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="800" height="154" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dk-hub/image/upload/c_limit,f_auto,w_1160,h_1300/DK/3b5fe63c0a3844d7a0b5c988be257cb3/410ce192b67b4420b8dffa67c79e5c7d.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.dk.com/us/book/9780241410691-the-bat-book/" target="_blank"><i><b>The Bat Book</b></i></a><br />
by Charlotte Milner; illustrated by Charlotte Milner <br />
<br />
<b>Available as:</b> hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 48<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> DK Children <br />
<b>Publication date:</b> February 4, 2020<br />
<b>Suggested tags:</b> <i>picture book, nonfiction, animals, conservation</i><br />
<br />
<b>From the publisher: </b><br />
<blockquote>
"Take an amazing journey through the upside-down world of bats.<br />
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<i>Bright, bold, and beautiful illustrations accompany fascinating facts about these furry flying mammals and their importance to the world we live in.<br />
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From the way they fly, to how they communicate with one another, how they hunt, and why they sleep upside-down, each of the world's 1,300 types of bat is unique and utterly fascinating. Bats are also incredibly important to the environment. As well as gobbling up pests, and spreading seeds through the forests, they also pollinate more than 500 different species of plants throughout the world, including some of our favorite fruits such as mangoes and bananas.<br />
<br />
Following on from </i>The Bee Book<i> and </i>The Sea Book<i>, Charlotte Milner continues to highlight important ecological issues faced by our planet to children, this time focusing on the world's only flying mammals. </i>The Bat Book<i> is perfect to teach little animal-lovers all about these clever creatures who do so much for our planet. Discover how much they matter, why they are declining, and what we can do to help. This charming celebration of bats shows children just how extraordinary these animals are, and is a reminder that it is up to us to care for our planet and its creatures.</i>"</blockquote>
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I've been meaning to read <a href="https://www.dk.com/us/book/9781465443830-the-bee-book/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>The Bee Book</i></a> and <a href="https://www.dk.com/us/book/9780241355374-the-sea-book/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>The Sea Book</i></a> by this same author, but I never got around to it... Now I can't wait to get my hands on them!! I loved this colorful, wonderful introduction to bats and the ways we can help protect them. There is plenty of information provided, but it's spread out nicely across each spread of pages so it never feels overwhelming. The illustrations are detailed, but they are soft and pleasant. I think bats are pretty cute IRL, but these bats are adorable!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWV2vv9C6fxB6702Rkoqi-OOZbDLHE7sP1cjvPECOGSLBOpHRK2CdWcIXHM9Qcm_w6ePbiO-PdAP0uIXGS9-nRgrzyOrssFqnbHedFy3kbX6wFVwmt7dNswsPaxnYRkUbJ8WB5KgOfPg/s1600/Annotation+2020-02-08+110458.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="939" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWV2vv9C6fxB6702Rkoqi-OOZbDLHE7sP1cjvPECOGSLBOpHRK2CdWcIXHM9Qcm_w6ePbiO-PdAP0uIXGS9-nRgrzyOrssFqnbHedFy3kbX6wFVwmt7dNswsPaxnYRkUbJ8WB5KgOfPg/s400/Annotation+2020-02-08+110458.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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The first part of the book gives information about bats - how they look, how they fly, where they live, what they do, etc. It gives a lot of great info about how bats help the world, including us humans - by pollinating, spreading seeds, and helping with reforestation. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfk28hbyXZRjuUHz7uemWr9L4Z2yxgEsJRaIYZCQtA0pDCLm2XWzpZ-SOwaDF8Pe31iSasmiXufnjb7p8b0TWGVN_8BbO-jL7QhsoSv0rsBQ97D96nnfxMpxmuFnvn818eZl5jViYKNt4/s1600/Annotation+2020-02-08+110822.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="934" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfk28hbyXZRjuUHz7uemWr9L4Z2yxgEsJRaIYZCQtA0pDCLm2XWzpZ-SOwaDF8Pe31iSasmiXufnjb7p8b0TWGVN_8BbO-jL7QhsoSv0rsBQ97D96nnfxMpxmuFnvn818eZl5jViYKNt4/s400/Annotation+2020-02-08+110822.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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The last part of the book explains some of the challenges bats are facing and how we can help protect them, such as by making seed balls (instructions included!), planting bat-friendly gardens, or hanging bat houses. <br />
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This was a really well-illustrated and nicely balanced informational book about bats. I think older picture book readers would really love all the neat facts and the detailed pictures. As a librarian, I always think about how I could use a book at library programs - there is perhaps a bit too much info to read word-for-word at a storytime, but I would not hesitate to use portions of this book to read aloud during a conservation-themed program. I think an age range of somewhere around 5-10 years old would love being shown some of the pages about how bats spread seeds and help conserve ecosystems, followed by a snack of some fruits that bats help to grow, and wrap it up by following the directions in the book to make their own seed balls to take home. I could see this working for younger kids at home with a parent/caregiver also, or a homeschool or scout group looking into some environmental conservation topics. Overall, I think it's a great book and I'll definitely be keeping my eyes out for more titles in this line! <br />
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<b><u>Final verdict</u>: I loved it!</b> I thought this book was great! I might buy it for myself and I would definitely recommend it to others. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>{</b> Thank you to <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> and <a href="https://www.dk.com/us/category/childrens/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the publisher</a> for providing me with a review copy.<br />
<b>My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what <i>you</i> think. :)</b> <b>}</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
This review is for the </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/kid-lit-frenzy/2020/1/7/nonfiction-picture-book-challenge-the-start-of-the-9th-year" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2020</a></b></span>, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
hosted by <a href="http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/kid-lit-frenzy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kid Lit Frenzy</a>! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/kid-lit-frenzy/2020/1/7/nonfiction-picture-book-challenge-the-start-of-the-9th-year" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/kid-lit-frenzy/2020/1/7/nonfiction-picture-book-challenge-the-start-of-the-9th-year" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/538c02b0e4b02af139f8d973/1578457829329-7JMSHSF2Q5G0MMM9U1QY/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kJK4Mm1kch8SFO9ZNkN1NT97gQa3H78H3Y0txjaiv_0fDoOvxcdMmMKkDsyUqMSsMWxHk725yiiHCCLfrh8O1z5QHyNOqBUUEtDDsRWrJLTmN9YSRtfoTLg6dUq-6F17A0FFZK5fArcnK1IqGweyunyWChwIwkIJ_P7MaZif-uMs/Nonfiction+Picture+Book+Challenge+2020.png?format=1000w" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can find more info about the challenge in <a href="https://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/2020/02/nonfiction-picture-book-challenge-2020.html">my post here</a>, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or on the <a href="http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/kid-lit-frenzy/2020/1/7/nonfiction-picture-book-challenge-the-start-of-the-9th-year" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2020 page</a>!</div>
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<br />
I'm so excited to be joining the <b><a href="http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/kid-lit-frenzy/2020/1/7/nonfiction-picture-book-challenge-the-start-of-the-9th-year" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2020</a></b>, hosted by Alyson Beecher at <a href="http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kid Lit Frenzy</a>! It's a great way to celebrate nonfiction picture books (or nonfiction middle grade or YA books too!) and check out what others are reading and reviewing. You can find more info about it and the linkup to join in <a href="http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/kid-lit-frenzy/2020/1/7/nonfiction-picture-book-challenge-the-start-of-the-9th-year" target="_blank">here</a>!<br />
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My goal for this year is to read <b>20 nonfiction picture books</b>! My *unofficial* goal is to participate every week in the #NFPB2020 Challenge, but I'm a stay-at-home mom of a busy little dude and I just don't have a lot of free time, so I'm trying to be kind to myself and start setting lower blogging goals. I know realistically I won't be able to post every week, but a goal of 20 for the year feels doable! <br />
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I can't wait to get started! Look for my first nonfiction picture book review coming this week! #NFPB2020Jillian @ PidginPea's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02451934470378903675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645824591258709603.post-31659566046431979452020-02-05T08:56:00.002-05:002020-02-05T08:56:27.645-05:00MCBD 2020 Book Review: Spirit of the Indian Warrior<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="www.multiculturalchildrensbookday.com" border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="997" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNt8-2Z3pnV5Wu7onnuVS1dRGX8P3Eyj8V-Y1KHJ0K9Ps8219HodfMCqyKWXj1rlIhCBwJXsK8hrWApNEHsQuo6-iLzy3OQ8kWpbw0XVlTppOL760h3inDjb5OD_eC0wkKmxt172joezY/s400/new+logo.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/">Multicultural Children’s Book Day</a> 2020 was on January 31, 2020... and I missed it! :( I wasn't feeling well this past week and the days completely got away from me. I really apologize!!</span><br />
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MCBD is in its 7<sup>th</sup> year and was founded by Valarie Budayr from <a href="http://jumpintoabook.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Jump Into A Book</a> and Mia Wenjen from <a href="http://www.pragmaticmom.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">PragmaticMom</a><i>.</i> Their mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents, and educators. You can visit the <a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/" target="_blank">MCBD website</a> or see <a href="https://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/2020/01/readyourworld-multicultural-childrens.html">my blog post</a> for more information about this year's event as well as a list of sponsors and co-hosts.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.wisdomtalespress.com/index.shtml" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wisdom Tales Press</a> </b>very kindly sent me this book to review for MCBD 2020:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvULTMmhezD0nzX-VvMjeNmUoUh5IfHxCMpPrFTyvWDKr7o0WI6j6u8eiQelZIiABHC2O9AhOamY3LrIeFOENG2cMOctwppIZNqvVNRucTh2mwsD6ed2AKW99iAKRm64oZKG63x1umX6c/s1600/The+Scandalous+Sisterhood+of+Prickwillow+Place+-+Julie+Berry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1576781538l/42255204._SX318_.jpg" width="166" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisdomtalespress.com/books/teen_books/978-1-936597-62-8_Spirit_of_the_Indian_Warrior.shtml" target="_blank"><i><b>Spirit of the Indian Warrior</b></i></a><br />
edited by Michael Oren Fitzgerald & Joseph A. Fitzgerald<br />
<br />
Available as: paperback, Kindle edition, ebook<br />
Pages: 120<br />
Publisher: Wisdom Tales Press<br />
Publication date: June 7, 2019<br />
Suggested tags: <i>young adult, nonfiction, cultural</i><br />
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From the publisher: <br />
<blockquote>
"<i>Richly illustrated with historical photographs and paintings, </i>Spirit of the Indian Warrior<i> presents the thoughts of some of history’s greatest warriors and tribal leaders. It offers an intimate window into the cultural values of courage, loyalty, and generosity.<br />
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When the first Europeans landed in North America, its native peoples faced a challenge unlike any before. Many warriors and chiefs vowed, like Tecumseh, “to resist as long as I live and breathe.” Some eventually accepted treaties of peace, but they soon found, like Chief Joseph, that these were worth little: “What treaty that the whites have kept has the red man broken? Not one. What treaty that the whites ever made with us red men have they kept? Not one.”<br />
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Hope for the future, however, remains strong among their proud descendants. And the words of the Indian warrior live on and inspire the people of America’s First Nations, as well as people across the world. </i>"</blockquote>
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* I want to first disclose that I am not a member of any American Indian or Alaska Native tribe or culture, and while it is a culture that I greatly respect and am very interested in, my personal knowledge and understanding of American Indian culture is limited. I have used the phrase "American Indian" to refer to the culture in my review because it seems to be the phrase that the members of this culture wish to be used: the editors have used this phrase throughout the book, and the speakers of the quotes within the book also seem to predominantly refer to themselves as "Indian" or "American Indian." I hope this was the correct choice. I have done my best to ensure that the words and phrases I have used in my review are respectful, but if anything I have said is incorrect or offensive, please let me know so that I can correct my mistakes and learn from them. Thank you! *<br />
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I really enjoyed this collection of quotations from American Indian warriors and tribal leaders. I am very interested in American Indian culture and history, but I don't know very much about either, unfortunately. In my studies toward becoming a librarian, I took some classes in multicultural literature, and I learned that it's important to look for multicultural books that are both <b>accurate</b> (the book contains correct information about the culture and its history, values, etc.) and <b>authentic</b> (the author of the book is a member of that culture, or the author can explain how they have learned about that culture in order to be able to portray it authentically and respectfully). Lately, I have been trying to find more accurate and authentic books that can help me learn more about American Indian culture - particularly books that are written by members of the culture. <br />
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While the editors of this book do not seem to be members of any American Indian tribe or cultural group (from what I can find on the publisher's website <a href="http://wisdomtalespress.com/authors_artists-teens/Michael_Fitzgerald.shtml" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://wisdomtalespress.com/authors_artists-teens/Joseph_Fitzgerald.shtml" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>), they do seem to have a great interest in and respect for American Indian culture and have extensive educational backgrounds and personal experiences. It does say both editors were "adopted" into the Crow tribe - from what limited information I can find online about this, it seems to require a lot of interaction with members of the tribe and a serious study of their culture, and the adoption is a very important event attended by many members of the tribe. However, again, the information I could find on this was very limited, and I am not clear on whether this means they are able to now refer to themselves as American Indians, or if it is more of an honorary adoption. (If anyone can point me towards more information about adoptions into tribes, I would love to learn more!) ... All this is to say that in my humble opinion I do think this would be considered an <b>accurate and authentic book</b>, as it is a collection of quotes from members of the culture, and the editors seem to have a great respect for and knowledge of the culture.<br />
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I think the editors did a great job choosing quotations for this book. They seem to have included <b>quotes and songs from members of many different tribes</b>. The quotes speak about related themes, like warriors, bravery, integrity, etc., but they all have a unique opinion to offer. Quotes by or about women are also included, to show their important roles in the tribes during times of war. The book is full of <b>photos and artwork </b>of members of tribes, artifacts, and important moments in American Indian history. I liked that photos of modern warriors were included as well - members of the U.S. Armed Forces from the 1940s to the present. A list of speakers and tribes quoted in the book, as well as artists and photographers, sources, and biographical notes is included at the back of the book.<br />
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The only thing I wish the editors did differently was to separate the quotes into related groups, maybe by including some chapters or headings - for example, one about preparing for war, or one about women's perspectives, etc. The book is one long collection of quotes, which works well as is, but I think grouping them together into related themes might have helped readers understand and locate quotes easier.<br />
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Overall, <b>I really enjoyed reading this book</b>, and I'd like to read other collections by these editors, as I think they did a great job of including lots of related quotes expressing a variety of opinions from members of many different American Indian tribes. I have been taught American history from the same perspective since I was young, and this book really helped me see things from another viewpoint. Much of it was difficult to read, but <b>it made me want to learn more</b> of American history and American Indian history from this perspective to get a better understanding of the whole picture, rather than just from the one side that I have been taught.<br />
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<b><u>Final verdict</u>:</b> <b>I loved it!</b> I thought this book was great! I might buy it for myself and I would definitely recommend it to others. <br />
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<b>{ My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; </b></div>
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your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what <i>you</i> think. :) <b>}</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Happy Multicultural Children's Book Day! See you again next year!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>#ReadYourWorld </b></span></div>
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I am so excited and honored to be participating in <b>Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020</b>! I participated last year and it was a great event. I'm looking forward to<b> Friday, January 31</b> as a day to celebrate diversity and raise young readers' awareness of and appreciation for cultures that are different from their own by reading and reviewing some great books!<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b><a href="http://www.wisdomtalespress.com/index.shtml" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wisdom Tales Press</a> </b>ha</span>s very kindly sent me this book to review for MCBD 2020:<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.wisdomtalespress.com/books/teen_books/978-1-936597-62-8_Spirit_of_the_Indian_Warrior.shtml" target="_blank">Spirit of the Indian Warrior</a> </b><br />
edited by Michael Oren Fitzgerald & Joseph A. Fitzgerald</div>
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Look for my review here on my blog soon! Join in with the hashtag <b>#ReadYourWorld</b>! And there's a Twitter Party at 9pm on January 31 that I am SO excited for because I had a blast participating last year! More information about the event can be found below or on the <a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MCBD website</a>. <br />
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<b>Here's the official information about the event... </b><br />
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<a href="http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Multicultural Children’s Book Day</a> 2020 (1/31/20) is in its 7<sup>th</sup> year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators.<br />
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Seven years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues.<br />
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<u>MCBD 2020 is honored to have the following Medallion Sponsors on board</u></h3>
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<b>Super Platinum</b><br />
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<a href="https://www.makeawaymedia.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Make A Way Media/ Deirdre “DeeDee” Cummings,</a><br />
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<b>Platinum</b><br />
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<a href="https://www.languagelizard.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Language Lizard</a>, <a href="http://www.packngogirls.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pack-N-Go Girls</a>,<br />
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<b>Gold</b><br />
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<a href="https://audreypress.com/">Audrey Press</a>, <a href="https://lernerbooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lerner Publishing Group</a>, <a href="https://kidlit.tv/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">KidLit TV</a>, <a href="https://abdobooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ABDO BOOKS: A Family of Educational Publishers</a>, <a href="https://www.pragmaticmom.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">PragmaticMom & Sumo Jo</a>, <a href="http://www.candlewick.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Candlewick Press</a>,<br />
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<b>Silver</b><br />
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<a href="https://charlotteriggle.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Author Charlotte Riggle</a>, <a href="https://www.capstonepub.com/library/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Capstone Publishing</a>, <a href="http://gubapublishing.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guba Publishing</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/melissamunroboydauthor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Melissa Munro Boyd & B is for Breathe</a>,<br />
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<b>Bronze</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.caroleproman.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Author Carole P. Roman</a>, <a href="https://www.snowflakestories.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Snowflake Stories/Jill Barletti</a>, <a href="https://viviankirkfield.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vivian Kirkfield & Making Their Voices Heard</a>. <a href="https://barnesbrothersbooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Barnes Brothers Books</a>, <a href="https://timtimtom.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TimTimTom</a>, <a href="http://www.wisdomtalespress.com/index.shtml" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wisdom Tales Press</a>, <a href="https://www.leeandlow.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lee & Low Books, </a><a href="http://www.charlesbridge.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Charlesbridge Publishing</a>, <a href="https://www.barefootbooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Barefoot Books</a> <a href="https://www.talegaritales.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Talegari Tales</a><br />
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<b>Author Sponsor Link Cloudhttps://www.barefootbooks.com/l</b><br />
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<a href="https://jerrycraft.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jerry Craft</a>, <a href="http://www.arbey.info/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A.R. Bey and Adventures in Boogieland</a>, <a href="http://eugeniachu.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eugina Chu & Brandon goes to Beijing</a>, <a href="http://www.kennethbraswell.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kenneth Braswell</a> & <a href="http://www.fathersincorporated.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fathers Incorporated</a>, <a href="http://www.luzdelmes.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Maritza M. Mejia & Luz del mes_Mejia</a>, <a href="https://kathleenburkinshaw.wordpress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kathleen Burkinshaw & The Last Cherry Blossom</a>, <a href="https://audreypress.com/portfolio/sissy-goes-tiny-by-rebecca-flansburg-and-ba-norrgard/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SISSY GOES TINY by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard</a>, <a href="http://www.joshfunkbooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Josh Funk and HOW TO CODE A ROLLERCOASTER</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B077XZJ1JR" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Maya/Neel Adventures with Culture Groove</a>, <a href="https://www.laurenranalli.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lauren Ranalli</a>, <a href="http://www.littlegreenmonster.org/">The Little Green Monster: Cancer Magic! By Dr. Sharon Chappell</a>, <a href="https://meonthepage.com/materials/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Phe Lang and Me On The Page</a>, <a href="http://www.afsanehmoradian.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Afsaneh Moradian and Jamie is Jamie</a>, <a href="http://www.cocoakidscollectionbooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing</a>, <a href="https://www.danidixonbooks.com/tumblecreekpress" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TUMBLE CREEK PRESS</a>, <a href="https://www.nancytupperling.com/books-for-children/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nancy Tupper Ling</a>, <a href="http://www.gwenjacksonstories.com/about-the-book.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Author Gwen Jackson</a>, <a href="https://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/BookDetails/784597-the-secrets-hidden-beneath-the-palm-tree" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Angeliki Pedersen & The Secrets Hidden Beneath the Palm Tree</a>, <a href="http://pinkpearlwriting.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle</a>, <a href="https://audreypress.com/portfolio/best-ownvoices-childrens-books-my-favorite-diversity-books-for-kids-ages-1-12-by-mia-wenjen/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 by Mia Wenjen</a>, <a href="http://www.sunkissesmoonhugs.com/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Susan Schaefer Bernardo & Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher (Founders of Inner Flower Child Books)</a>, <a href="http://www.authorannmorris.com/books.php" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ann Morris & Do It Again!/¡Otra Vez</a>!, <a href="https://janetballetta.com/book-store.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Janet Balletta and Mermaids on a Mission to Save the Ocean</a>, <a href="https://estbooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Evelyn Sanchez-Toledo & Bruna Bailando por el Mundo\ Dancing Around the World</a>, <a href="http://www.shoumisen.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shoumi Sen & From The Toddler Diaries</a>, <a href="http://sarahjamilastevenson.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sarah Jamila Stevenson</a>, <a href="http://www.tonyaduncanellis.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tonya Duncan and the Sophie Washington Book Series</a>, <a href="http://teresarobeson.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Teresa Robeson & The Queen of Physics</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nadishka-Aloysius/e/B01M1KIY0R" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">, Nadishka Aloysius and Roo The Little Red TukTuk</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gbcbaltimore/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Girlfriends Book Club Baltimore & Stories by the Girlfriends Book Club</a>, <a href="https://www.findingmywaybooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Finding My Way Books</a><a href="http://www.dianahuang.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">, Diana Huang & Intrepids</a>, <a href="https://www.fiveenchantedmermaids.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Five Enchanted Mermaids</a>, <a href="https://www.ribbonstravelingcastle.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Elizabeth Godley and Ribbon’s Traveling Castle</a>, <a href="https://www.olswanger.com/greenhorn.php" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Anna Olswanger and Greenhorn</a>, <a href="http://www.mybbtroy.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Danielle Wallace & My Big Brother Troy</a><a href="http://www.littleyellowjeepney.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">, Jocelyn Francisco and Little Yellow Jeepney</a>, <a href="http://www.marianallanos.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mariana Llanos & Kutu, the Tiny Inca Princess/La Ñusta Diminuta</a>, <a href="http://www.saraarnoldbooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sara Arnold & The Big Buna Bash</a>, <a href="https://roddie.webs.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Roddie Simmons & Race 2 Rio</a>, <a href="https://www.litnoirepublishing.co/product-page/alice-s-musical-debut" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DuEwa Frazier & Alice’s Musical Debut</a>, <a href="http://applevillebooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Veronica Appleton & the Journey to Appleville book series</a> <a href="https://greenkidsclub.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Green Kids Club, Inc</a>.<br />
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We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts <a href="http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/about/co-hosts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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<b>Co-Hosts and Global Co-Hosts</b><br />
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<a href="http://acraftyarab.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A Crafty Arab</a><b>, </b><a href="http://www.afsanehmoradian.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Afsaneh Moradian</a>, <a href="https://agatharodi.wordpress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Agatha Rodi Books</b></a>, <a href="http://alldonemonkey.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">All Done Monkey</a>, <a href="http://www.thebarefootmommy.com/2017/09/diverse-childrens-books/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Barefoot Mommy</a>, Bethany Edward & <a href="http://www.biracialbookworms.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Biracial Bookworms</a>, <a href="https://booksmykidsread.wordpress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Michelle Goetzl & Books My Kids Read</a>, <a href="https://www.craftymomsshare.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Crafty Moms Share</a>, <a href="http://coloursofus.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Colours of Us</a>, <a href="http://discoveringtheworldthroughmysonseyes.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Discovering the World Through My Son’s Eyes</a>, <a href="http://www.theeducatorsspinonit.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Educators Spin on it</a>, <a href="https://www.enannylink.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shauna Hibbitts-creator of eNannylink</a>, <a href="http://growingbookbybook.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Growing Book by Book</a>, <a href="http://hereweeread.com/abou" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Here Wee Read</a>, <a href="https://descendantofposeidonreads.wordpress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Joel Leonidas & Descendant of Poseidon Reads {Philippines}</a>, <a href="http://imaginationsoup.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Imagination Soup</a>, <a href="http://kidworldcitizen.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kid World Citizen</a>, <a href="http://kristisbooknook.blogspot.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kristi’s Book Nook</a>, <a href="http://www.thelogonauts.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Logonauts</a>, <a href="http://mamasmiles.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mama Smiles</a>, <a href="http://www.misspandachinese.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Miss Panda Chinese</a>, <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Multicultural Kid Blogs</a>, <a href="http://sergesmagarinsky.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Serge Smagarinsky {Australia}</a>, <a href="http://www.shoumisen.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shoumi Sen</a>, <a href="http://www.spanishplayground.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jennifer Brunk & Spanish Playground</a>, <a href="https://youthlitreviews.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Katie Meadows and Youth Lit Reviews</a><br />
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<b>FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/our-programs/freebooksforteachers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Free Multicultural Books for Teachers</a><b> </b></li>
<li>Our New FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit <a href="http://ow.ly/kcbZ30p3QWz" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/kcbZ30p3QWz</a></li>
<li><a href="http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/teacher-classroom-empathy-kit/">Free Empathy Classroom Kit</a> for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians, and Educators</li>
<li><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/free-teacher-classroom-physical-and-developmental-challenges-kit/">Free Understanding Developmental & Physical Challenges</a> Classroom Kit</li>
</ul>
<b>TWITTER PARTY! <a href="https://forms.gle/86yW3Z6sX2T1cpuHA"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Register here</span></a>!</b><br />
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<b><u>Hashtag:</u></b> Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag <b>#ReadYourWorld</b>.<br />
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Jillian @ PidginPea's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02451934470378903675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645824591258709603.post-29594871391460985402020-01-26T07:00:00.000-05:002020-01-27T12:59:35.387-05:00Weekly Wrap-Up: January 19-25, 2020Here's a recap of my posts from this week, along with my weekly collection of news, announcements, and booklists I've found while browsing around the internet. Hope you enjoy! :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Here @ PPBN</b></u><br />
<ul>
<li>nothing this week :( It's been an unexpectedly busy start to the year for me!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Awards</u></b><br />
<ul>
<li><b>2020 <a href="https://www.sbfprize.org/blog/2020/1/22/2020-aaassubaru-childrens-science-book-prize-winners-announced-w4wk4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books</a></b> winners announced - the awards recognize "<b>outstanding science writing and illustration</b> for children and young adults" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.aaas.org/awards/aaas-subaru-sbf-prize-excellence-science-books/about" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span> and is intended to "<b>encourage the writing and publishing of high-quality science books</b> for all age groups" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.aaas.org/awards/aaas-subaru-sbf-prize-excellence-science-books/about" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>. The award includes <b>Children's Science Picture Book</b>, <b>Middle Grades Science Book</b>, <b>Young Adult Science Book</b>, and <b>Hands-On Science Book</b> categories.</li>
<li><b>2020 <a href="https://www.bankstreet.edu/library/center-for-childrens-literature/best-spanish-language-picture-book-award/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bank Street Center for Children’s Literature Best Spanish Language Picture Book Award</a></b> winners announced - the award is intended to "help parents, teachers and librarians <b>choose books that children will find captivating and transforming</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.bankstreet.edu/library/center-for-childrens-literature/best-spanish-language-picture-book-award/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span> and to "<b>encourage more publishers to create high quality materials in Spanish for children</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.bankstreet.edu/library/center-for-childrens-literature/best-spanish-language-picture-book-award/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>.</li>
<li><b>2020 <a href="http://ccblogc.blogspot.com/2020/01/johnnys-pheasant-is-winner-of-2020.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charlotte Zolotow Award</a></b> winner announced - the award recognizes the "<b>best picture book text published in the United States in the preceding year</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/books/zolotow.asp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>. </li>
<li><b>2020 <a href="https://www.dollygrayaward.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award</a></b> winner announced - the award recognizes "<b>high quality fictional and biographical children, intermediate, and young adult books</b> that <b>authentically portray individuals with developmental disabilities</b>, such as autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and Down syndrome" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.dollygrayaward.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>. </li>
<li><b>2020 <a href="http://www.theedgars.com/nominees.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Edgar Awards</a></b> nominees announced - the awards recognize books in the "<b>mystery, crime, suspense, and intrigue</b> fields" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://mysterywriters.org/edgars/edgar-award-category-information/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>. The award includes <b>Best Juvenile Mystery </b>and <b>Best Young Adult Mystery</b> categories.</li>
<li><b>2020 <a href="https://www.scbwi.org/announcing-the-golden-kite-and-sid-fleischman-winners/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Golden Kite Award and Sid Fleischman Award</a></b> winners announced - the Golden Kite Award recognizes "<b>excellence in children’s literatures</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.scbwi.org/awards/golden-kite-award/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span> and the Sid Fleischman Award recognizes "<b>excellence of writing in the genre of humor</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.scbwi.org/awards/sid-fleischman-award/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>.</li>
<li>I missed this one last week but the <b>2019 <a href="https://www.leeandlow.com/writers-illustrators/new-voices-award/2019-new-voices-award-winner" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lee & Low New Voices Award</a></b> winner was announced - the award recognizes "<b>a children’s picture book manuscript by a writer of color or Native/Indigenous writer</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.leeandlow.com/writers-illustrators/new-voices-award" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>.</li>
<li><b>2020 <a href="https://diversebooks.org/our-programs/walter-award/2020-walter-awards/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature</a></b> winners announced - the awards are intended to "<b>honor and celebrate diverse books written by diverse authors</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://diversebooks.org/our-programs/walter-award/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span> and recognize books which "feature <b>diverse main characters</b> and <b>address diversity in a meaningful way</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://diversebooks.org/our-programs/walter-award/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>. The award includes a <b>Teen Category</b> and a <b>Younger Readers Category</b>.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Booklists</b></u><br />
<ul>
<li><b><a href="http://100scopenotes.com/" target="_blank">100 Scope Notes</a></b>'s <b><a href="http://100scopenotes.com/2020/01/20/thats-so-meta-recent-metafictional-books/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">That’s So Meta! Recent Metafictional Books</a></b>.</li>
<li><b><a href="https://bookriot.com/" target="_blank">Book Riot</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://bookriot.com/2020/01/24/lunar-new-year-childrens-books/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lunar New Year Children’s Books for Every Family</a></b> and <b><a href="https://bookriot.com/2020/01/20/ya-climate-fiction-books/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">5 YA Sci-Fi and Fantasy Novels That Tackle Climate Change</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.readbrightly.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brightly</a></b>'s<b> <a href="https://www.readbrightly.com/picture-books-celebrate-lunar-new-year/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">9 Picture Books to Celebrate Lunar New Year</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Children's Book Review</a></b>'s<b> <a href="https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2020/01/the-best-picture-books-of-2019.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Best Picture Books of 2019</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2020/01/the-best-board-books-of-2019.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Best Board Books of 2019</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.epicreads.com/" target="_blank">Epic Read</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://www.epicreads.com/blog/completed-book-series-binge/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">29 Completed Book Series to Binge Guaranteed to Keep You Reading</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.amightygirl.com/" target="_blank">A Mighty Girl</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=10983" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Making an Impact: 35 Mighty Girl Books About Charity and Community Service</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=28250" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">She Can Build It! Books, Building Toys, and Tool Sets to Encourage DIY-Loving Mighty Girls</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://diversebooks.org/" target="_blank">We Need Diverse Books</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://diversebooks.org/5-ya-titles-featuring-characters-with-physical-disabilities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">5 YA Titles Featuring Characters With Physical Disabilities</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/" target="_blank">YALSA</a></b>'s <b><a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/2020-best-fiction-young-adults" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2020 Best Fiction for Young Adults</a></b>.<br />
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<u><b>New & Upcoming Books</b></u><br />
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://bookpage.com/" target="_blank">BookPage</a></b>'s <b>2020 Previews: <a href="https://bookpage.com/features/24807-2020-preview-most-anticipated-ya" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Most anticipated YA</a></b>, <b><a href="https://bookpage.com/features/24808-2020-preview-most-anticipated-ya-debuts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Most anticipated YA debuts</a></b>, <b><a href="https://bookpage.com/features/24809-2020-preview-most-anticipated-ya-sequels-series-titles" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Most anticipated YA sequels and series titles</a></b>, and <b><a href="https://bookpage.com/features/24812-2020-preview-most-anticipated-childrens-books#.XiC-ORdKjXQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Most anticipated children’s books</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://ew.com/" target="_blank">Entertainment Weekly</a></b>'s <b>excerpts of <a href="https://ew.com/books/2020/01/17/nancy-drew-prequel-novel-preview/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Nancy Drew The Curse</i> by Micol Ostow</a></b> and <b><a href="https://ew.com/books/2020/01/21/hunger-games-prequel-exclusive-excerpt/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes</i> by Suzanne Collins</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.epicreads.com/" target="_blank">Epic Read</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://www.epicreads.com/blog/most-anticipated-february-2020-books/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The 21 Most Anticipated YA Books to Read in February</a></b> and <b>excerpt</b><b> from <a href="https://www.epicreads.com/blog/deathless-divide-sneak-peek/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Deathless Divide</i> by Justina Ireland</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production//" target="_blank">A Fuse #8 Production</a></b>'s <b>cover reveal and </b><b><b>excerpt</b> for <a href="http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/01/21/cover-reveal-and-excerpt-everything-sad-is-untrue-a-true-story-by-daniel-nayeri/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Everything Sad Is Untrue (a true story)</i> by Daniel Nayeri</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/" target="_blank">Good Comics for Kids</a></b>'s<b> <a href="http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2020/01/20/this-weeks-comics-girls-on-the-run/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This Week’s Comics: Girls on the Run</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b>'s <b>excerpt from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/1770-exclusive-excerpt-from-the-upcoming-ya-novel-this-is-my-america?content_type=all" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>This Is My America</i> by Kim Johnson</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.pastemagazine.com/" target="_blank">Paste Magazine</a></b>'s<b> cover reveals and excerpts for <a href="https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2020/01/maggie-tokuda-hall-mermaid-witch-and-sea-excerpt.html" target="_blank"><i>The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea</i> by Maggie Tokuda-Hall</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2020/01/roshani-chokshi-the-silvered-serpents-excerpt.html" target="_blank"><i>The Silvered Serpents</i> by Roshani Chokshi</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/home/index.html" target="_blank">Publishers Weekly</a></b>'s<b> <a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/82233-new-kids-and-ya-books-week-of-january-27-2020.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New Kids' and YA Books: Week of January 27, 2020</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/" target="_blank">Teen Librarian Toolbox</a></b>'s<b> <a href="http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2020/01/new-books-alert-11/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New Books Alert: A Mars mission, art school, a portal fantasy, and more!</a></b>.<br />
</li>
</ul>
Jillian @ PidginPea's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02451934470378903675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645824591258709603.post-28466706535322743062020-01-20T22:22:00.001-05:002020-01-20T22:22:20.203-05:00Weekly Wrap-Up: January 12-18, 2020Here's a recap of my posts from this week, along with my weekly collection of news, announcements, and booklists I've found while browsing around the internet. Hope you enjoy! :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Here @ PPBN</b></u><br />
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/2020/01/52wrr-review-of-what-is-given-from.html">{ 52WRR }: Review of What Is Given from the Heart by Patricia C. McKissack</a></b> - A review for my weekly feature, <a href="https://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/p/welcome-to-my-new-weekly-feature-52.html"><b>{ 52 Weeks of Recommended Reading }</b></a>, where I'm reading one book every week that is an award winner/honor book or has been included on a list of great books.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Awards</u></b><br />
<ul>
<li>ok clearly I've been under a rock because somehow last week I missed the <b>2020 <a href="https://naacpimageawards.net/the-nominees" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NAACP Image Awards</a></b> nominees announcement - the award is "recognized as the <b>nation’s preeminent multicultural awards show from an African American point of view</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://naacpimageawards.net/the-show/#show_information" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span> and "celebrates the <b>outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://naacpimageawards.net/the-show/#show_information" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>. The award includes <b>Outstanding Literary Work</b> categories for <b>Children </b>and for <b>Youth/Teens</b>. </li>
<li><b>2019 <a href="http://nctasia.org/freeman-book-awards/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA) Freeman Book Awards</a></b> winners announced - the award recognizes "<b>quality books</b> for <b>children and young adults</b> that <b>contribute meaningfully to an understanding of East and Southeast Asia</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="http://nctasia.org/freeman-book-awards/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>. </li>
<li><b>2019 <a href="https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/awards/national-jewish-book-awards" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Jewish Book Awards</a></b> winners announced - the awards are "intended to recognize authors, and encourage reading, of <b>outstanding English-language books of Jewish interest</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/awards/national-jewish-book-awards" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>. The award includes <b>Children's Literature</b> and <b>Young Adult Literature</b> categories.</li>
<li><b>2020 <a href="https://scottodell.com/the-scott-odell-award" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction</a></b> winner announced - the award recognizes a "meritorious book published in the previous year for <b>children or young adults</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://scottodell.com/the-scott-odell-award" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span> and is intended to "increase the interest of young readers in the <b>historical background that has helped to shape their country and their world</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://scottodell.com/the-scott-odell-award" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Booklists</b></u><br />
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://bookriot.com/" target="_blank">Book Riot</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://bookriot.com/2020/01/16/picture-books-about-historical-figures/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">16 of the Best Picture Books About Historical Figures</a></b> and <b><a href="https://bookriot.com/2020/01/14/top-middle-grade-books/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">33 of the Top Middle Grade Books on Goodreads</a></b>.</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.readbrightly.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brightly</a></b>'s<b> <a href="https://www.readbrightly.com/picture-books-martin-luther-king-jr/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">18 Picture Books That Help Keep Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream Alive</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/" target="_blank">The Hub</a></b>'s <b><a href="http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2020/01/15/ya-nonfiction-for-new-years-resolutions/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YA Nonfiction for New Year’s Resolutions!</a></b><br />
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<u><b>New & Upcoming Books</b></u><br />
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://bookriot.com/" target="_blank">Book Riot</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://bookriot.com/2020/01/15/2020-ya-retellings/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YA Retellings to TBR in 2020</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/welcome" target="_blank">BookBub</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/blog/young-adult-2020" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Young Adult Books We Can’t Wait to Read in 2020</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.epicreads.com/" target="_blank">Epic Read</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://www.epicreads.com/blog/not-so-pure-and-simple-sneak-peek/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">preview of <i>Not So Pure and Simple</i> by Lamar Giles</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/" target="_blank">Good Comics for Kids</a></b>'s<b> <a href="http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2020/01/14/this-weeks-comics-deep-adventures/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This Week’s Comics: Deep Adventures</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.pastemagazine.com/" target="_blank">Paste Magazine</a></b>'s<b> cover reveals and previews </b>for<b> <a href="https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2020/01/kingdom-of-the-wicked-kerri-maniscalco-fantasy.html" target="_blank"><i>Kingdom of the Wicked</i> by Kerri Maniscalco</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2020/01/eric-gansworth-apple-skin-to-the-core-memoir-cover.html" target="_blank"><i>Apple: Skin to the Core</i> by Eric Gansworth</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2020/01/julian-winters-the-summer-of-everything-excerpt-ya.html" target="_blank"><i>The Summer of Everything</i> by Julian Winters</a></b>, and <b><a href="https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2020/01/kelly-loy-gilbert-when-we-were-infinite-excerpt.html" target="_blank"><i>When We Were Infinite</i> by Kelly Loy Gilbert</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/home/index.html" target="_blank">Publishers Weekly</a></b>'s<b> <a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/82184-new-kids-and-ya-books-week-of-january-20-2020.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New Kids' and YA Books: Week of January 20, 2020</a></b>, plus <b><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/82163-noteworthy-novel-sequels-january-2020.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Noteworthy Novel Sequels: January 2020</a></b>.<br />
</li>
</ul>
Jillian @ PidginPea's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02451934470378903675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645824591258709603.post-7458555703543930522020-01-18T10:02:00.003-05:002020-01-18T10:02:32.684-05:00{ 52WRR }: Review of What Is Given from the Heart by Patricia C. McKissackWelcome to Week 2 of <a href="https://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/p/welcome-to-my-new-weekly-feature-52.html"><b>{ 52 Weeks of Recommended Reading }</b></a>! <br />
<br />
I'm reading one book every week that is an <b>award winner (or honor book) or has been included on a list of great books</b>. You can find my reviews from previous weeks <a href="https://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/p/welcome-to-my-new-weekly-feature-52.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Just as an FYI... the start of this year was unexpectedly busy so I'm a little behind - I'll be posting a few of these in a row to get caught up on my weeks. :/ But then the plan is that it will be a once-a-week feature, posting on Tuesdays.)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvULTMmhezD0nzX-VvMjeNmUoUh5IfHxCMpPrFTyvWDKr7o0WI6j6u8eiQelZIiABHC2O9AhOamY3LrIeFOENG2cMOctwppIZNqvVNRucTh2mwsD6ed2AKW99iAKRm64oZKG63x1umX6c/s1600/The+Scandalous+Sisterhood+of+Prickwillow+Place+-+Julie+Berry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1530010580l/40640773._SX318_.jpg" width="159" /></a><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/112100/what-is-given-from-the-heart-by-patricia-c-mckissack-illustrated-by-april-harrison/" target="_blank"><i><b>What Is Given from the Heart</b></i></a><br />
by Patricia C. McKissack<br />
illustrated by April Harrison<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Available as:</b> hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 40<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Schwartz & Wade Books <br />
<b>Publication date:</b> January 8, 2019 <br />
<b>Suggested tags:</b> <i>picture book, generosity</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>From the publisher: </b><br />
<blockquote>
"This final, magnificent picture book from three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and Newbery Honor author Patricia McKissack is a poignant and uplifting celebration of the joy of giving.<br />
<br />
<i>“Misery loves company,” Mama says to James Otis. It’s been a rough couple of months for them, but Mama says as long as they have their health and strength, they’re blessed. One Sunday before Valentine’s Day, Reverend Dennis makes an announcement during the service– the Temples have lost everything in a fire, and the church is collecting anything that might be useful to them. James thinks hard about what he can add to the Temple’s “love box,” but what does he have worth giving? With her extraordinary gift for storytelling, McKissack–with stunning illustrations by Harrison–delivers a touching, powerful tale of compassion and reminds us all that what is given from the heart, reaches the heart.</i>"</blockquote>
<br />
<b>Awards/Booklists </b>(as of the time of my review - if you know of more please let me know!):<b> </b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.csmcl.org/best-books-2019" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books of 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.chipublib.org/kids-best-of-the-best/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chicago Public Library Best Picture Books of 2019</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
I had tears in my eyes by the time I was done with this one. Such a sweet, touching story about helping others with a spirit of kindness and generosity, even when you have little to give. James Otis and his Mama are going through some very hard times, and you can feel Mama's despair and James Otis's uncertainty at the beginning of the book through both the words and the artwork (which is a really gorgeous type of mixed media work that fit the story perfectly). James Otis puts a lot of thought and effort into his gift for another family, once he sees that Mama is happily working hard at turning one of her most prized possessions into a gift, and he comes up with something that is equally hand-crafted and heartfelt. By the end of the story, James Otis and Mama both seem a little happier and settled, and they find that their kindness and generosity has come around and been returned to them. It's a wonderful story, beautifully told and illustrated, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for an uplifting story about helping those who are less fortunate and finding value in what you have to offer, even when you are facing difficulties yourself.<br />
<br />
Also, I love the idea of "love boxes" - this book inspired me to start a Valentine's Day tradition in our house where we make a love box to donate to an organization, like supplies for an animal shelter or notes and necessities for soldiers overseas. I could see this book being the center of a library program too, where kids can donate or create items for a love box to be distributed where it's needed within their community. <br />
<br />
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<b><u>Final verdict</u>:</b> <b>I loved it!</b> I thought this book was great! I might buy it for myself and I would definitely recommend it to others. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>{ My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what <i>you</i> think. :) <b>}</b></div>
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<br />
<br />
<u><b>Here @ PPBN</b></u><br />
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/2020/01/52wrr-review-of-ojiichans-gift-by.html">{ 52WRR }: Review of Ojiichan's Gift by Chieri Uegaki </a></b> - My first review for my new weekly feature, <a href="https://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/p/welcome-to-my-new-weekly-feature-52.html"><b>{ 52 Weeks of Recommended Reading }</b></a>, where I'm reading one book every week that has won an award (or is an honor book) or has been included on a list of great books.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Awards</u></b><br />
<ul>
<li><b>2019 <a href="https://www.costa.co.uk/behind-the-beans/costa-book-awards/book-awards" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Costa Book Awards</a></b> winners announced - the award includes a Children's category and is "one of the <b>UK's most prestigious and popular book prizes</b> and celebrates the <b>most enjoyable books of the year </b>by writers resident in the <b>UK and Ireland</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.costa.co.uk/behind-the-beans/costa-book-awards/book-awards" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span>. </li>
<li><b>2019 <a href="https://www.epicreads.com/bookshimmyawards/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Epic Reads Book Shimmy Awards</a></b> winners announced - the awards recognize the "<b>best and most feels-inducing YA books the year</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.epicreads.com/blog/2019-book-shimmy-awards-nominations/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>)</span> and include 20 categories such as <b>Cover Lust</b>, <b>We Need Diverse Books</b>, and <b>Squad Goals</b>.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Booklists</b></u><br />
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://bookriot.com/" target="_blank">Book Riot</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://bookriot.com/2020/01/07/graphic-memoirs-for-young-readers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">10 Powerful Graphic Memoirs for Young Readers</a></b>.</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Children's Book Review</a></b>'s<b> <a href="https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2020/01/5-yoga-and-mindfulness-books-for-starting-the-year-with-a-clear-mind.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">5 Yoga and Mindfulness Books for Starting the Year With a Clear Mind</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.epicreads.com/" target="_blank">Epic Read</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://www.epicreads.com/blog/novels-written-in-verse/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">25 Breathtaking Books That Prove Poetry is For Everyone</a></b>, and <b><a href="https://www.epicreads.com/blog/ugly-cry-book-recs/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">14 YA Books Guaranteed to Make You Ugly Cry</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://ncte.org/" target="_blank">National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)</a></b>'s<b> 2020 <a href="https://ncte.org/awards/excellence-in-poetry-for-children-living-american-poet/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels</a></b> list announced.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.slj.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">School Library Journal</a></b>'s<b> <a href="https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=read-the-signs-deaf-experience" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read the Signs: Middle Grade Fiction Centering the Deaf Experience</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YALSA</a></b>'s<b> 2020 <a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/2020-amazing-audiobooks-young-adults" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults</a></b> and <b><a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/2020-quick-picks-reluctant-young-adult-readers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers</a></b> lists announced.<br />
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b>New & Upcoming Books</b></u><br />
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://babylibrarians.com/" target="_blank">Baby Librarians</a></b>'s<b> <a href="https://babylibrarians.com/2020-childrens-board-books-from-the-first-half-of-the-year/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2020 Children’s Board Books From The First Half Of The Year</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://bookriot.com/" target="_blank">Book Riot</a></b>'s<b> Winter 2020 YA previews: <a href="https://bookriot.com/2020/01/06/winter-2020-ya-books/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">175+ January–March New Releases To TBR</a></b> and <b><a href="https://bookriot.com/2020/01/09/ya-comics-releasing-winter-2020/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YA Graphic Novels, Memoirs, and Comics</a></b>. Plus, <b><a href="https://bookriot.com/2020/01/07/queer-girls-in-ya-2020/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">50+ YA Books Starring Queer Girls Hitting Shelves in 2020</a></b><br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://ew.com/" target="_blank">Entertainment Weekly</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://ew.com/books/2020/01/10/kass-morgan-danielle-paige-the-ravens/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">preview of <i>The Ravens</i> by Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.epicreads.com/" target="_blank">Epic Read</a></b>'s <b><a href="https://www.epicreads.com/blog/loveboat-taipei-trailer/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">book trailer for <i>Loveboat, Taipei</i> by Abigail Hing Wen</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/" target="_blank">Good Comics for Kids</a></b>'s<b> <a href="http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2020/01/06/this-weeks-comics-using-your-noodle/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This Week’s Comics: Using Your Noodle</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.pastemagazine.com/" target="_blank">Paste Magazine</a></b>'s<b> <a href="https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2020/01/best-young-adult-books-january-2020-list-novels.html" target="_blank">The Best Young Adult Novels of January 2020</a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/home/index.html" target="_blank">Publishers Weekly</a></b>'s<b> <a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/82131-new-kids-and-ya-books-week-of-january-13-2020.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New Kids' and YA Books: Week of January 13, 2020</a></b>, plus <b><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/82127-noteworthy-picture-book-sequels-january-2020.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Noteworthy Picture Book Sequels: January 2020 </a></b>.<br />
</li>
<li><b><a href="https://shereads.com/" target="_blank">She Reads</a></b>'s<b> <a href="https://shereads.com/must-read-ya-books-2020/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">18 Must-read YA books of 2020</a></b>.<br />
</li>
</ul>
Jillian @ PidginPea's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02451934470378903675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645824591258709603.post-54108563595626666762020-01-11T10:11:00.001-05:002020-01-18T10:06:40.355-05:00{ 52WRR }: Review of Ojiichan's Gift by Chieri UegakiWelcome to my new weekly feature, <b>{ 52 Weeks of Recommended Reading }</b>! <br />
<br />
One of my goals for 2020 was to do better about reading books that have won awards or been included on "best of" booklists. I feel like my tastes tend to run a little more off-beat and don't naturally take me to the books that everyone is buzzing about, so by not actively keeping up with these awards and lists, I'm missing out on a lot of great books. So for this year, I decided to <b>read one book every week that has won an award (or is an honor book) or has been included on a list of great books</b>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Just as an FYI... the start of this year was unexpectedly busy so I'm a little behind - I'll be posting a few of these in a row to get back on track for week 3. :/ But then the plan is that it will be a once-a-week feature, posting on Tuesdays.)</span><br />
<br />
So here's my first review for my <b>{ 52 Weeks of Recommended Reading }</b>!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvULTMmhezD0nzX-VvMjeNmUoUh5IfHxCMpPrFTyvWDKr7o0WI6j6u8eiQelZIiABHC2O9AhOamY3LrIeFOENG2cMOctwppIZNqvVNRucTh2mwsD6ed2AKW99iAKRm64oZKG63x1umX6c/s1600/The+Scandalous+Sisterhood+of+Prickwillow+Place+-+Julie+Berry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1536867547l/41214332._SX318_.jpg" width="198" /></a><a href="https://www.kidscanpress.com/products/ojiichans-gift" target="_blank"><i><b>Ojiichan's Gift</b></i></a><br />
by Chieri Uegaki<br />
illustrated by Genevieve Simms<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Available as:</b> hardcover, ebook<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 32<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Kids Can Press <br />
<b>Publication date:</b> April 2, 2019<br />
<b>Suggested tags:</b> <i>picture book, gardens, nature, Japan</i><br />
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<br />
<b>From the publisher: </b><br />
<blockquote>"<i>When Mayumi was born, her grandfather created a garden for her. It was unlike any other garden she knew. It had no flowers or vegetables. Instead, Ojiichan made it out of stones: “big ones, little ones and ones in-between.” Every summer, Mayumi visits her grandfather in Japan, and they tend the garden together. Raking the gravel is her favorite part. Afterward, the two of them sit on a bench and enjoy the results of their efforts in happy silence. But then one summer, everything changes. Ojiichan has grown too old to care for his home and the garden. He has to move. Will Mayumi find a way to keep the memory of the garden alive for both of them?<br />
<br />
This gentle picture book story will warm children's hearts as it explores a deep intergenerational bond and the passing of knowledge from grandparent to grandchild over time. The lyrical text by Chieri Uegaki and luminous watercolor illustrations by Genevieve Simms beautifully capture the emotional arc of the story, from Mayumi's contentment through her anger and disappointment to, finally, her acceptance. The story focuses on an important connection to nature, particularly as a place for quiet reflection. It contains character education lessons on caring, responsibility, perseverance and initiative. It's also a wonderful way to introduce social studies conversations about family, aging and multiculturalism. Mayumi lives in North America with her Japanese mother and Dutch father, and visits her grandfather in Japan. Some Japanese words are included.</i>"</blockquote><br />
<b>Awards/Booklists: </b><br />
<ul><li><a href="https://www.csmcl.org/best-books-2019" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books of 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/issue/best-of-2019/section/picture-books/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Books of 2019</a></li>
</ul><br />
<br />
A sweet story about a girl and her grandfather, and the rock garden that they care for together. Mayumi visits her grandfather in Japan every summer, and they spend time together taking care of a rock garden. As she grows older, she is able to do more and more to help tend the garden. But as her grandfather grows older, he is able to do less... And although Mayumi is angry and frustrated at first, she finds a way to keep the rock garden going for them both.<br />
<br />
I've always found rock gardens to be very peaceful places that invite me to pause and reflect on nature for a while, and the book does an amazing job of conveying this tranquil feeling through its illustrations. The words provide wonderful details of the plants and structures around the garden, and the story itself reads very calm and peaceful. Mayumi's sense of despair when she sees their garden neglected is palpable, but the story ultimately moves back into a feeling of tranquility and ends on a happy note, even though things have changed. <br />
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<br />
<b><u>Final verdict</u>:</b> <b>I loved it!</b> I thought this book was great! I might buy it for myself and I would definitely recommend it to others. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>{ My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what <i>you</i> think. :) <b>}</b></div>
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