Poetree

Poetree
by Shauna LaVoy Reynolds
illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani

Can a tree write poems?  After poetry-loving Sylvia attaches one of her poems to a tree, she is delightfully surprised to find, when she returns the next day, that a different poem has been put in its place.  Did the tree write back?   Unable to stop thinking about this special tree, Sylvia continues to share her poems.  A surprising, yet sweet, twist brings the story to a heartwarming conclusion.

This is a wonderful book that combines a sweet story with beautiful poetry!

Author's website: https://shaunalavoyreynolds.com/

Can I Be Your Dog?

Can I Be Your Dog?
by Troy Cummings

Desperate for a home, Arfy, who lives in a cardboard box, sends letters to residents of Butternut Street, hoping that someone will take him in.   His hopeful requests for a home are, sadly, met with rejections from each person he reaches out to.   Will Arfy ever find a home?

What a sweet story!  Told in letter format and accompanied by bright, engaging illustrations, Can I Be Your Dog is a wonderful story that will spark conversations about what we can do to help homeless animals like Arfy. 

Author's website: http://www.troycummings.net/

Girl Running
by Annette Bay Pimentel
illustrated by Micha Archer

Bobbi Gibb loved to run.  After watching the Boston Marathon, she decided to train for it, practicing in all types of weather.  Through warm days and cold, snow and ice, Bobbi ran, preparing herself to run the marathon.  On the day of the race Bobbi is told that, because she is a girl, she cannot compete.  Did Bobbi find a way to compete despite being told she couldn't? 

This is a fantastic picture book biography of the first woman to run in the Boston Marathon.  An author's note at the end shares more about Bobbi and her efforts to officially compete in the Boston Marathon.   A wonderful story about an inspiring woman!


Author's website: http://www.annettebaypimentel.com/
Illustrator's website: https://www.michaarcher.com/

The Very Impatient Caterpillar 
by Ross Burach

It's time for the caterpillars to metamorphosize! Unfortunately,  one confused and anxious caterpillar continues to pester his companions with questions as he struggles to understand what is happening to them.    As time passes, he gets more impatient, wanting to leap out of his chrysalis before he's ready.  Will the impatient caterpillar be patient long enough to turn into a butterfly?

What a fun book!   The humorous tale, with hilarious illustrations, will bring out laughs in many readers.  This entertaining story will be a great book to share with younger readers learning about the butterfly life cycle! 

Author's website: http://www.rossburach.com/

Book Trailer:

The Night Diary

The Night Diary
by Veera Hiranandani

For her 12th birthday, Nisha receives the special gift of a diary.   She uses the diary each night, writing to her mother who passed away when Nisha was born.   Nisha's diary tells the heartbreaking tale of the upheaval of her life as her nation is becoming more and more divided.   Soon she learns that she must leave the only home she has ever known and, with her family, is forced to make a dangerous, exhausting journey. 

The Night Diary is the recipient of a 2019 Newbery Honor and has recently been selected for the 2019 - 2020 Maine Student Book Award reading list.  It is a beautiful historical fiction that will allow readers to learn more about the history of India and Pakistan. 

Author's website: https://www.veerahiranandani.com/

Mae Among the Stars

Mae Among the Stars
by Roda Ahmed
illustrated by Stasia Burrington

From a young age, Mae wanted to view Earth from outer space.   Encouraged by her parents, she learned everything she could about space and astronauts.   Her desire to be an astronaut was not supported by all, however, as it was met with laughter from classmates and a suggestion for another career by a teacher.  Despite this, Mae continued on with her desire to wave to her parents from outer space!

This sweet tale, inspired by the life of Mae Jemison,  is a wonderful story of ambition and determination.  An author's note at the end details the many accomplishments of Mae Jemison.  Readers who enjoy this story may be interested in learning more about this amazing astronaut!


Author's website: https://www.rodaworld.com/

The Epic Adventures of Huggie & Stick

The Epic Adventures of Huggie & Stick
by Drew Daywalt
illustrated by David Spencer

An epic adventure begins when Huggie and Stick go tumbling out of Reese's backpack!   Their journey includes meeting pirates, hungry pandas, jungle animals, and many other creatures.   Told in diary format, Huggie and Stick each provide his own version of the events of their worldwide adventure, with Stick's excited retelling quite different than that of the grumpy Huggie, who would rather be far away from the happy-go-lucky Stick. 

What a funny story!  I love the diary format, which shows the very different personalities and perspectives of Huggie and Stick.   This hysterical story, with bright,  entertaining illustrations, had me laughing and will likely have many readers laughing as well!

Book trailer:

Lost in the Library

Lost in the Library
by Josh Funk
illustrated by Stevie Lewis

Dawn is approaching in New York City, and library lion Fortitude awakens to find his friend Patience missing!  Anxious to find the other lion before the sun rises, Fortitude ventures into the New York Public Library in search of his friend.   As he explores the massive building,  Fortitude seeks help from statues and portraits within the library, while reminiscing about his friendship with Patience.  Will he be able to locate his friend before sunrise? 

I was so excited to read this wonderful book about one of my favorite places!  Having visited NYC many times, I've been inside the beautiful NYPL as well as seen the massive lion statues of Patience and Fortitude.  Illustrator Stevie Lewis brings the stunning library to life with her beautiful pictures, detailing the amazing building as lion Fortitude explores it in search of his friend.

Author's website:https://www.joshfunkbooks.com/
Illustrator's website: http://www.chocosweete.com/

The Unteachables

The Unteachables
by Gordon Korman

Imagine walking into your new classroom on the first day of school and finding your classmates roasting marshmallows over the trash can.   Meet the Unteachables,  a group of students that everyone, including their new teacher, has given up on.    The students in room 117 come with a variety of challenges and stories, yet share one thing in common: no one wants to teach them, including Mr. Kermit, who just wants to make it until the end of the year so he can retire.   Is there any hope for this group of unteachable students?

This is a very entertaining book!  As with many of his other books, Gordon Korman alternates narrators with each chapter, giving the reader insight into the different characters, including the teacher, Mr. Kermit.   With many humorous moments, this is a story that fans of Gordon Korman will want to check out! 

Author's website: http://gordonkorman.com/

Amal Unbound

Amal Unbound 
by Aisha Saeed

Growing up in a small Pakistani village, Amal loves school and dreams of becoming a teacher.  Unfortunately, the twelve-year-old's life takes a drastic, unexpected turn after a hostile interaction with a person who she later learns is a member of her village's ruling family.   Because of her actions, she is forced to leave her home and work as a servant for the ruling family in order to pay her family's debts.  As Amal struggles in her new situation, she faces the uncertainty of her future as she worries that she may be a servant for the Khan family forever. 

This is such a powerful, emotional story!  Amal is an amazing character facing a challenging situation.  While the story itself is fictional, the author's note at the end explains that character of Amal represents many girls who face similar situations.   I highly recommend this wonderful book!

Author's website: http://aishasaeed.com/