Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All

I got Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by Chanel Miller after seeing it won a Newbery Honor this year. The book description says, "Down at the bottom of the tall buildings of New York City, Magnolia Wu sits inside her parents’ laundromat. She has pinned every lost sock from the laundromat onto a bulletin board in hopes that customers will return to retrieve them. But no one seems to have noticed. In fact, barely anyone has noticed Magnolia at all. What she doesn’t know is that this is about to be her most exciting summer yet. When Iris, a new friend from California arrives, they set off across the city to solve the mystery of each missing sock, asking questions in subways and delis and plant stores and pizzerias, meeting people and uncovering the unimaginable. With each new encounter, Magnolia learns that when you’re bold enough to head into the unknown, things start falling into place."

This was a great read. It made me laugh (lots of funny little parts throughout), and I thought it had some good lessons layered into the book (friendship, racism, kindness). It's kind of a unique Newbery because it's a little bit of a younger middle grade book (shorter book and has pictures), which I loved. I thought it was an entertaining book with likable characters and an engaging plot (a little bit of mystery). The author definitely has a strong voice, and I think this will end up being an enjoyable series if the author writes more. I'll recommend this read to my kids.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

One Big Open Sky

I got One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome from the library after seeing it won both the Newbery honor and Coretta Scott King honor. The book description says, "1879, Mississippi. Young dreamer Lettie may have her head in the stars, but her body is on a covered wagon heading westward. Her father, Thomas, promises that Nebraska will be everything the family needs: an opportunity to claim the independence they’ve strived for over generations on their very own plot of land. But Thomas’ hopes—and mouth—are bigger than his ability to follow through. With few supplies and even less money, the only thing that feels certain is danger."

This was a great read. It was written in verse but was a slower read than the usual books I read in verse. I really loved Lettie as a character and especially loved when Philomena joined the story--really loved her. I also liked a character named Mr. Cole. I liked that this book covered a historical time period/situation I didn't really know much about--black pioneers moving west during the Reconstruction time period. The book had some heavy stuff without being too sad to enjoy/keep reading, and it included some good messages. I think it's a well-deserved Newbery honor.

* * (2/3 = Liked it)

The First State of Being

I got The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly from the library on Monday right after I heard it got announced as the new Newbery Medal winner. The book description says, "It's August 1999. For twelve-year-old Michael Rosario, life at Fox Run Apartments in Red Knot, Delaware, is as ordinary as ever—except for the looming Y2K crisis and his overwhelming crush on his sixteen-year-old babysitter, Gibby. But when a disoriented teenage boy named Ridge appears out of nowhere, Michael discovers there is more to life than stockpiling supplies and pining over Gibby. It turns out that Ridge is carefree, confident, and bold, things Michael wishes he could be. Unlike Michael, however, Ridge isn’t where he belongs. When Ridge reveals that he’s the world’s first time traveler, Michael and Gibby are stunned but curious. As Ridge immerses himself in 1999—fascinated by microwaves, basketballs, and malls—Michael discovers that his new friend has a book that outlines the events of the next twenty years, and his curiosity morphs into something else: focused determination. Michael wants—no, needs—to get his hands on that book. How else can he prepare for the future? But how far is he willing to go to get it?"

This was a fun read. I don't read lots of science fiction, so it's one of those books I maybe wouldn't have read if it didn't read the Newbery. I really liked the characters and felt like everyone was just really deep and well developed. I liked Michael as the worrier but also how he knew how to gently help Ridge during some tricky times. I thought the plot of the book was super fun, and I liked how it gave us perspectives from both time periods throughout. I also enjoyed the messages the book taught between the lines. (Some memorable ones are the Conklin Principle: "For every bad outcome you can anticipate, you should consider at least one positive outcome." And how you have to live in the first state of being, the now. You can't do what-if thinking because that's third-state thinking, and you'll never get anywhere with that.) Erin Entrada Kelly is a really talented author, and this is a well-deserved Newbery. I think my husband and daughter would enjoy this book.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Elf Dog & Owl Head

I got Elf Dog & Owl Head by M.T. Anderson from the library after seeing it won a Newbery honor this year. The book description says, "Clay has had his fill of home life. A global plague has brought the world to a screeching halt, and with little to look forward to but a summer of video-calling friends, vying with annoying sisters for the family computer, and tuning out his parents’ financial worries, he’s only too happy to retreat to the woods. From the moment the elegant little dog with the ornate collar appears like an apparition among the trees, Clay sees something uncanny in her. With this mysterious Elphinore as guide, he’ll glimpse ancient secrets folded all but invisibly into the forest. Each day the dog leads Clay down paths he never knew existed, deeper into the unknown. But they aren’t alone in their surreal adventures. There are traps and terrors in the woods, too, and if Clay isn’t careful, he might stray off the path and lose his way forever."

This book took me a little bit to get through at first, but once I got toward the end, I was definitely engaged and interested in finishing. I thought it was fun that the book took place during the pandemic (relatable for kids nowadays), and there was lots of unique fantasy and adventure. I also liked that the book had some illustrations throughout. In the end, I was happy with how the author tied things up, and I think the book had some good subtle messages about family and friendship. I think this would be a read aloud that my kids would really enjoy and be super into.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

The Eyes and the Impossible

I got The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers from the library after seeing it won the Newbery Medal this year. The book description reads, "Johannes, a free dog, lives in an urban park by the sea. His job is to be the Eyes—to see everything that happens within the park and report back to the park’s elders, three ancient Bison. His friends—a seagull, a raccoon, a squirrel, and a pelican—work with him as the Assistant Eyes, observing the humans and other animals who share the park and making sure the Equilibrium is in balance. But changes are afoot. More humans, including Trouble Travelers, arrive in the park. A new building, containing mysterious and hypnotic rectangles, goes up. And then there are the goats—an actual boatload of goats—who appear, along with a shocking revelation that changes Johannes’s view of the world."

I loved this book so much! The book engaged me pretty much right away and just had the best characters (all animals). I loved the story and found myself laughing out loud several times and tearing up at the end. It was just a beautiful story with characters you're rooting for the entire time, and it's a story that makes you want to keep reading. Highly recommend this one. I'm passing it onto my husband and daughter next.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Simon Sort Of Says

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow has been on my to-read list for several months now (and I even started it once but didn't get the chance to finish). But I found out last week that it won the Newbery Honor AND a Schneider Honor (for middle grade), so that was the push I needed to actually get it read! The book description says, "Simon O’Keeffe’s biggest claim to fame should be the time his dad accidentally gave a squirrel a holy sacrament. Or maybe the alpaca disaster that went viral on YouTube. But the story the whole world wants to tell about Simon is the one he’d do anything to forget: the one starring Simon as a famous survivor of gun violence at school. Two years after the infamous event, twelve-year-old Simon and his family move to the National Quiet Zone—the only place in America where the internet is banned. Instead of talking about Simon, the astronomers who flock to the area are busy listening for signs of life in space. And when Simon makes a friend who’s determined to give the scientists what they’re looking for, he’ll finally have the chance to spin a new story for the world to tell."

This was a great read. It kept me interested, and there were parts that made me laugh out loud (particularly the part where you first meet Agate's dog). I really liked the main characters (Simon, Agate, Simon's parents), and I thought it was a nice storyline with lots of fun extra things on the side to keep things interesting and entertaining (like the super incapable assistant of Simon's mom, who is an undertaker, and the peacock in their yard). I thought this was a great read and a good introduction for kids to PTSD and how it might affect someone. I found Agate to be a wonderful, supportive friend, and I loved watching that friendship help Simon find some healing. The book is technically middle grade (ages 8-12), but I would definitely consider it more of an upper middle grade read or young young adult due to both the school shooting content but also some little side things throughout.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Maizy Chen's Last Chance

I read Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee after seeing it won the Newbery Honor Award this year. The book description says, "Maizy has never been to Last Chance, Minnesota . . . until now. Her mom’s plan is just to stay for a couple weeks, until her grandfather gets better. But plans change, and as Maizy spends more time in Last Chance and at the Golden Palace—the restaurant that’s been in her family for generations—she makes some discoveries. For instance: *You can tell a LOT about someone by the way they order food. *People can surprise you. Sometimes in good ways, sometimes in disappointing ways. *And the Golden Palace has secrets... But the more Maizy discovers, the more questions she has. Like, why are her mom and her grandmother always fighting? Who are the people in the photographs on the office wall? And when she discovers that a beloved family treasure has gone missing—and someone has left a racist note—Maizy decides it’s time to find the answers."

This was a great read. I had a library copy on the Kindle when we went on vacation overseas, and Emmeline (my 12-year-old) read the book before I even got a chance to. She was super engaged from the start and finished the book in a few days--which is saying a lot because she hasn't been a super engaged reader lately. I then read it on the flight home and really enjoyed it. I did shed some tears at the end but was able to keep it together since I was surrounded by people on the airplane. :) The author did a great job creating an interesting story with lovable characters, and I liked how the book taught meaningful lessons about racism and prejudice and on knowing and learning from our family history. Great read.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Iveliz Explains It All

I put Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango on my to-read list after it won the 2023 Newbery Honor. Here's the description from the book jacket:
The end of elementary school?
Worst time of my life.
And the start of middle school?
I just wasn’t quite right.
But this year?
YO VOY A MI.
Seventh grade is going to be Iveliz’s year. She’s going to make a new friend, help her abuela Mimi get settled after moving from Puerto Rico, and she is not going to get into any more trouble at school....Except is that what happens? Of course not. Because no matter how hard Iveliz tries, sometimes people say things that just make her so mad. And worse, Mimi keeps saying Iveliz’s medicine is unnecessary—even though it helps Iveliz feel less sad. But how do you explain your feelings to others when you’re not even sure what’s going on yourself?

This book was a great read. I liked how the book uncovered more information about Iveliz and her background as the book went on, and you just couldn't help but feel for her. I felt like the author did a great job getting inside the mind of a teen struggling with her mental health, and I liked the lesson the book taught in the end about friendship and about speaking up and asking for help. This was an engaging read with wonderful characters. It got me teared up and left me inspired.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Freewater

I put Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson on my to-read list after it won the 2023 Newbery medal. The book description says, "Under the cover of night, twelve-year-old Homer flees Southerland Plantation with his little sister Ada, unwillingly leaving their beloved mother behind. Much as he adores her and fears for her life, Homer knows there’s no turning back, not with the overseer on their trail. Through tangled vines, secret doorways, and over a sky bridge, the two find a secret community called Freewater, deep in the swamp. In this society created by formerly enslaved people and some freeborn children, Homer finds new friends, almost forgetting where he came from. But when he learns of a threat that could destroy Freewater, he crafts a plan to find his mother and help his new home."

This was a great read. It took me a little bit to get through because I kinda hit a lull in the middle, but once I got back into it, I was able to finish it out quickly. I really loved the well-developed characters (mainly children!) and their bravery and courage, and I appreciated the glimpse into the terribly unfair and difficult lives enslaved people had to live. This book reminded me of another book I read (Unbound) that took place in a similar setting (enslaved people finding refuge in a swamp).

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Red, White, and Whole

I got Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca from the library after seeing it was one of the Newbery honor books for this year. The book description reads, "Reha feels torn between two worlds: school, where she’s the only Indian American student, and home, with her family’s traditions and holidays. But Reha’s parents don’t understand why she’s conflicted—they only notice when Reha doesn’t meet their strict expectations. Reha feels disconnected from her mother, or Amma, although their names are linked—Reha means 'star' and Punam means 'moon'—but they are a universe apart. Then Reha finds out that her Amma is sick. Really sick. Reha, who dreams of becoming a doctor even though she can’t stomach the sight of blood, is determined to make her Amma well again. She’ll be the perfect daughter, if it means saving her Amma’s life."

This book was so good! It was written in verse and was a quick, engaging read. At the beginning, I was just like, Oh, this is a nice read, but wasn't really sure if the book was super special or meaningful--but once I hit the climax of the book, I was hooked. The book was pretty heart-wrenching and had me full-on sobbing and repeating, "This is a terrible book" (even though it wasn't actually terrible). It was a beautiful read and definitely one I'd recommend to others. I loved the various characters and thought they were well-developed even for a short book, and I also thought the book taught some meaningful lessons.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Last Cuentista

I put The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera on hold at the library after seeing it won this year's Newbery Medal. The book takes place in 2061 when Earth is about to be destroyed by a comet. A few hundred scientists and their children--incuding 12-year-old Petra and her family--have been chosen to journey to a new planet to carry on the human race.

This book was so good! I had it in a pile of several other to-read books and kept putting it off and putting it off until it was the last one left--but once I got into it, I was super engaged and anxious to finish it to see how things would turn out. I hadn't read a futuristic/science fiction type book in FOREVER, so it was kinda creepy for me at first. It gave me vibes of House of the Scorpion and Hunger Games (but I think only because I don't read a lot of books that take place in a future time and those are ones I have read). I thought the story was super exciting with lovable characters and fun twists. There were some stressful and sad parts of the book, but I came away satisfied with how the author concluded things.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Genesis Begins Again

Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams was a Newbery Honor winner as well as a Coretta Scott King New Author award winner. It is the story of Genesis, a 13-year-old whose life involves repeatedly being evicted and starting over at new schools. She keeps a list of things she hates about herself and dreams of being accepted by her alcoholic father. When she starts at a new school, she starts to hope things could get better.

This was a beautiful book; I loved it so much. Genesis and her friends were meaningful, likable characters, and I just kept wanting to read the book all the time. The story was so heartbreaking that it was hard to read at times, but other times the book made me smile and laugh. The book had great lessons in working toward self-acceptance and in finding friends that value who you truly are.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Ginger Pye

Emmeline got assigned Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes for a Newbery book report at school, so I decided to read it too so I could better help with the assignment if needed. This book was the Newbery winner in 1952. It is about Jerry and his sister Rachel who get a pet dog they name Ginger. The book follows their adventures with their dog--until their dog disappears on Thanksgiving Day. Jerry and Rachel are determined to find their pup that they love so much.

This was a great read. I've read some children's books that were written a long time ago (like Half Magic), and I felt like they weren't quite as good as this one. This one was just written so well from a child's perspective and had some funny, clever parts that just made me chuckle (like how the parents met, and Benny saying his name was "Uncle Benny"). It was also fun to read knowing Emmeline was ahead of me in her own reading of it and was really enjoying it.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Night Diary

The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani is another Newbery Honor book for 2019. Summary from Kirkus Review: "Nisha and her twin brother, Amil, celebrate their 12th birthday in their beloved town of Mirpur Khas, India, a month before their country receives independence from the British and splits into India and Pakistan. Painfully shy, Nisha, who lost her mother in childbirth and feels distant from her stern father and her elderly grandmother, is only able to speak freely with the family cook, a Muslim man named Kazi. Although Nisha’s mother was Muslim, her family is Hindu, and the riots surrounding Partition soon make it impossible for them to live in their home safely despite their mixed faith. They are forced to leave their town—and Kazi. As Nisha and her family make their way across the brand-new border, Nisha learns about her family history, not to mention her own strength."

This was a great book. It was extremely engaging and heart-wrenching. Again, it's been awhile since I read this since I'm playing catch-up but it was a good read and a well-deserved Newbery. It was maybe somewhere in between liked and loved, but I'll just put it down as loved. 

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Book of Boy

The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock is a Newbery Honor winner for 2019, so I got it from the library. The book takes place in medieval France, following Boy, who has a hump on his back and an ability to talk to animals. He's often mocked by others, but when a pilgrim named Secondus comes to town, Boy becomes his servant as they begin a journey to find seven relics of Saint Peter.

This was an extremely odd book for me. I definitely think it was well written, but the story was just kind of weird. It took me awhile to get through it. I probably wouldn't have finished it, but I did since it was a Newbery.

Rating: * (1/3 = It was okay)

Merci Suarez Changes Gears

Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina is the Newbery Medal winner for 2019. I'm feeling lazy, so I'm grabbing a sentence summary from Kirkus Review: "Merci navigates the challenges of being a scholarship kid at a posh South Florida private school and the expectations of and responsibilities to her intergenerational family."

This was a really sweet book. I loved following the well-developed characters and seeing where the story would lead. I finished this a few weeks ago and am just deciding to try to do some catch up on the blog, so that's about all I can remember to chime in on this book. But I thought it was a well-deserved Newbery. I also liked that this book has a diverse main character, which is not common enough in children's books (but luckily becoming more common). Just reading the book offered a window into a different culture, and I really enjoyed it.  It was maybe somewhere in between liked and loved, but I'll just put it down as loved. 

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Hello, Universe

I saw Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly on the New York Times bestsellers list for children's books, and it caught my eye. It wasn't until after I read it that I realized it also won the Newbery Medal this year! (How did I miss the 2018 awards announcement a few months ago??) The book follows four kids in the same neighborhood--Virgil, Valencia, Kaori, and Chet. The inside of the dust jacket reads, "When Chet pulls an unthinkable prank on Virgil and Virgil's pet guinea pig, Gulliver, the lives of these four middle schoolers collide in surprising and unexpected ways. Just a coincidence? Or are some things meant to be?"

I really enjoyed this book. The book switched among three characters' points of view, which was I really liked. The characters were all so endearing, and I think the author did a great job developing each character and engaging me as a reader. I loved the conflicts and how things tied together in the end. I read the book mostly in one day since I kept wanting to pick it up, so that's always the sign of a great read. I think it's a well-deserved Newbery winner.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Rules

I saw Rules by Cynthia Lord on the shelf at Emmeline's school library when I was volunteering and realized that I'd never read it even though I've seen it around many times. This book is about 12-year-old Catherine who has a younger brother with autism. She spends lots of time teaching David "rules" to try to deal with some of his embarrassing behaviors. Over the summer, she meets Jason, a friend at her brother's therapy, and Kristi, the new next-door-neighbor-best-friend she's always dreamed of, and she begins to learn a lot about herself.

This was a good read. I really love books that have characters with special needs because I just think it's nice to see things from a different perspective. I liked the characters in this story but almost wish some of the book was a little deeper. I also felt like it concluded a little....inconclusively. But parts of the book were very endearing. It was a quick, engaging read.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)


Here is a list some favorite books I've read with characters with disabilities or special needs.

• Out of My Mind by Sharon M Draper
• Rain Reign by Ann M. Bartin
• Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
• Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin
• Al Capone Does My Shirts series by Gennifer Choldenko

Roller Girl

I've started working on reading the 2016 Newbery winners, and Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson was one of the honor winners. It is a graphic novel about 12-year-old Astrid who goes to a roller derby bout with her mom and a friend and realizes that she has found something she will love. Roller derby camp ends up not being as easy as she expected, and things begin changing with her friends. The inside of the dust jacket reads, "There are bumps and bruises as Astrid learns who she is...and what it takes to be a strong, tough roller girl."

I really loved this book. I think it made it even better that a year or two ago, I went to a roller derby bout because my friend/neighbor plays roller derby. The story was engaging, the characters--especially Astrid--were real and believable, the pictures were descriptive and expressive, etc. I just loved the progression of the story as well as the life lessons Astrid learned about friendship and endurance. Normally I don't love graphic novels because they aren't long enough to engage me or they feel choppy, but this one was awesome. I'm a fan.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Brown Girl Dreaming

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson is one of the 2015 Newbery Honor books. It is a memoir/autobiography--the true story of Jacqueline's childhood. It follows Jacqueline and her family in Ohio, then South Carolina, then New York during the 60s and 70s. The book shares her relationships with family members, what it was like to grow up during the Civil Rights era, and how she found she wanted to be a writer.

This book was written in verse and was beautifully written. (I debated calling this a "loved it," but I don't know if it quite made it there--but I really, really liked the book.) It was so interesting to follow Jacqueline's life, and having the story in verse made it even more vivid and compelling. I especially loved the chapter "The Selfish Giant" partway through where Jacqueline shares with her class a story she memorized. Her classmates are all amazed she could do that, and she doesn't know how to explain--"How can I explain to anyone that stories are like air to me,/ I breathe them in and let them out/ over and over again." Then her teacher compliments her as well, and Jacqueline says, "And I know now/...Words are my brilliance." Earlier in the book, Jacqueline compared herself to her siblings and wasn't as good as them in certain things--but here she found that she had her own gift. I just loved that since she grew up to be an incredible author who has won the Newbery honor with 4 different books.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)