Salma the Syrian Chef Written by Danny Ramadan • Art by Anna Bron

A sweet story of Salma, recently immigrating to Canada from Syria with her mother. Facing the difficulties of a new culture both Salma and her mother miss her father, who is still in Syria, waiting to join them. Salma sees her mother's face, which was once full of joy now seems sad. Salma wants to do something for Mama. She tries drawing her a picture, but it just doesn't do. Salma decides that her mother misses Syrian food. She asks Jad, a Jordanian translator to help her find a recipe for foul shami. Seeking the aid of the adults around her, she gets the ingredients, and with many spills, broken bottles, and mistakes, she makes her mother's favorite dish. When her Mama comes home, the foul shami is waiting for her. With a knock on the door, all the adults that helped Salma have come to join in...with her mother smiling with joy.

The beauty of the story is the diversity of adults and students who come to Salma's aid. Classmates from Egypt, India, and Venezuela; her Canadian teacher, the Jordanian interpreter, her Somalian caretaker, a Lebanese gay couple, and a Persian grandmother...all there to help. A story of international cooperation. The only thing missing is a recipe for foul shami! 

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3

Reading Level: 2.0 • Interest Level: P-2 • AR Points: NA • Lexile Level: 570L • Publisher: Annick Press • Pages: 40 • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-1-7732-1375-0 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Twins by Varian Johnson, Illustrated by Shannon Wright

 

Maureen and Francine are identical twins and getting ready to start the new school year in middle school. Maureen is the picture perfect, straight A student, but a bit withdrawn. Francine is more assertive and more in tune with what's cool. Throughout elementary school, the two girls were tied at the hip, doing everything together. Now that they are starting middle school, Francine wants to be herself, independent of Maureen. The first day of school, Maureen dresses in a hat and now has pierced ears. Maureen is upset because she was placed in Cadet Corps, has a different lunch period, and has only two classes with her sister. Francine continues to assert her independence by running for class president.

Maureen talks to her Cadet Corp teacher to get extra credit which she needs to get an A to make up for her lack in marching skills. Her teacher suggests running for office for extra credit. Her teacher also reveals that her parents had requested the schedule she has and wanted her in Cadet Corps to help her with her self-confidence. Even worse, she finds out that her parents did it at the request of Francine. Furious with her family, Maureen decides to run for class president against her sister. 

A fun, light book about sisters, family, middle school life, and learning to be independent. The fact that Maureen and Francine are African American is inconsequential to the story, which is the beauty of it.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3

Reading Level:2.9 • Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: 1 • Lexile Level: GN360L • Publisher: Scholastic • Pages: 247 • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-1-338-23613-2 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Loretta Little Looks Back; Three Voices Go Tell It by Andrea Davis Pinkney, Illustrated by Brian Pinkney

Three monologues from three generations, spanning from 1927 to 1968, tell the story of living as a sharecropper under Jim Crow laws in the heart of Mississippi. The pain, the struggle and the cruelty perpetrated upon Black Americans is richly told with vivid, historically accurate detail, but sensitivity for middle school readers. Though aimed to a middle school audience, this story will resonate with ALL readers.

The first monologue is that of Loretta Little the youngest of three girls born into a loving sharecropping family, whose mother passed while still an infant. Raised by her father and two older sisters, her story is one of determination and will, despite the roadblocks placed by a culture that is determined to marginalize and maintain their superiority and control. Loretta, while working in the fields, hears the cry of a baby. Left in the fields, called a Night Deep baby, the child will become a part of the Little family, raised by Loretta and her sisters who name him Roland, in memory of their mother's maiden name.

The second monologue is that of Roland, called Roly for short. He is raised with love, but also the hardships of a sharecropper's life. He is tasked with cultivating the land that Loretta and her sisters scrimped and saved to buy. He meets, falls in love, and marries Tess, who brings Roly a daughter named Aggie. But the farm life isn't for Tess and she leaves for a better life up North. Aggie will be raised by her father and aunts. Roly is a gifted cultivator who's talents make the land and livestock prosperous, only to have those that do not want to see Blacks prosper, poison the land and livestock. Roly is a man of conviction but short on words. He doesn't want to disturb the rules set by whites as he has seen the consequences of doing so.

The third monologue is that of Aggie. Aggie is headstrong, and holds nothing back. She will not be controlled. She works her share on the farm, but she has higher aspirations. She seeks equality. She seeks to have America live up to its promises. At a local meeting to assist Blacks in exercising their right to vote, she immediately volunteers, bringing her Aunt Loretta with her. Roly is against their call to action but he cannot stop the headstrong women in his life. Loretta, Aggie and others are beaten and humiliated for trying to exercise this basic American right. Every roadblock possible is put in their way, but Aggie and Loretta will not be deterred.

The story is detailed and does not hold back on the atrocities suffered by Black Americans for exercising their civil rights. The reader should come away with a better understanding of the past and the reasons for the present. Important background information is provided as well as additional resources. The book will provide excellent background and understanding of an aspect of American history that is rarely taught. Another important work, and a necessity for all school libraries. 

Mark's Book Picks Score: 5

Reading Level: 5.2 • Interest Level: 4-7 (really for all) • AR Points: 6 • Lexile Level: NA • Publisher: Little, Brown & Co • Pages: 269 • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-0-316-53377-6 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

This Book is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell

 

Rarely do I find and read a book that teaches and explains complex issues as clearly and concisely as Tiffany Jewell does on the topic of racism. While written for middle and high school students, it is one that everyone needs to read. In fact, I feel this book is so important, it should form the basis of a required course on racism for all middle/high school students.

The topic is discussed in four sections: Waking Up: Understanding and Growing into my Identities, Opening the Window: Making Sense of the World, Choosing My Path: Taking Action and Responding to Racism, and Holding the Door Open: Working in Solidarity Against Racism. Interspersed throughout are activities that help the student process and learn about themselves, how they can grow, and how they can fit in and be active in the anti-racist movement.

What you will take away from the book depends on your own personal history and experience, but everyone will be more enlightened, more aware, and have a better understanding of racism, it's history, it's effects, and the world we are currently living in. This is not just about racism in America, but racism as it exists in many parts of the world. This book has made me more knowledgeable, thoughtful, understanding, and realize that one of my roles in the movement against racism is promoting books that enlighten, teach and open the eyes of our youth so they become a more tolerant and fair generation, a generation that moves towards ending racism.

Mark's Book Picks Score: No rating for non-fiction, but this book is very important.

Reading Level: 6.8 • Interest Level: 5-9 • AR Points: 3• Lexile Level: NA • Dewey: 303.385 Publisher: Francis Lincoln Quarto Books • Pages: 160 • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-0-7112-4521-1 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

 

As Brave as You by Jason Reynolds

Eleven year old Genie is a curious boy, maintaining a notebook to record all his questions and seeking answers from the all-knowing Google. His older brother Ernie is Mr. Cool, more concerned about his muscles and girls. Both boys are headed from home in Brooklyn to Grandma's and Grandpop's in rural Virginia, giving their parents a chance to work out marital issues while vacationing in Jamaica.

What unfolds is a heartwarming story of the boy's adjustment to rural life, making new friends, building a strong relationship with their grandparents and learning about family secrets. Especially touching is Genie's relationship with his blind Grandpop. Genie is amazed and full of questions as to how his Grandpop navigates a blind life, learns about his secret room, and is shocked by the gun he sometimes carries. Their relationship grows stronger as they become dependent upon each other. The quiet rural life unravels when Genie accidentally kills a bird, and Ernie has to face a situation that literally blows up in his face. While the characters are African American, the story is universal, about family, brothers, and courage.

Jason Reynolds has become one of my favorite authors. His words are perfect and warm as he builds characters that you feel close to. Some have felt that the book is slow, but the character building is what this book is all about. I grew to love Genie, Ernie, Grandma and Grandpop and at the end, yearned for their story to continue. 

Mark's Book Picks Score: 5

Reading Level: 4.8 • Interest Level: 5-9 • AR Points: 11 • Lexile Level: 750 • Publisher: Atheneum • Pages: 410 • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-1-481-41591-0 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Again Again by e. lockhart

 

Adelade Buchwald had a very close relationship with her younger brother Toby, until their family is ripped apart by Toby's drug addiction. Her mother must stay in a separate city to support Toby in rehab, while Adelade and her father move in to the boarding school where her father teaches English. Despite the sadness over her brother's addiction and family separation, she develops a deep love for Mikey LL, trying to hide from him these feelings. The story starts with her emotional wreckage after Mikey breaks up with her when he leaves for Puerto Rico for the summer. She takes on a summer job walking dogs belonging to several of her school's teachers. On one of her walks she meets Jack, whom she adulates over and develops a new love. The love is made difficult by the hurt from Mikey's breakup and the sadness from her family.

Adelade Buchwald loves to be in love, but love for Adelade is elusive. In Again Again, we see how her relationships play out in different ways. Perhaps each version reveals how a situation exists in multiple universes, or  perhaps, we see how multiple situations play out for Adelade in her mind, before she actually takes action. It sounds complicated, but actually the font changes between what is thought to happen, and what actually happens. The real surprise comes in part IV.

Adelade is a very bright girl, attending a snooty, upper-crust eastern boarding school.  Her issues are very first world, but painful for her none-the-less. The writing is rich, but sometimes breaks into free verse. Its not clear why Lockhart does this...for emphasis? The alternative situations are interesting, especially when you see how the situation eventually plays out. Definitely a high school read, but you could offer it to a mature 8th grader.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 5.0  •  Interest Level: 7-12 • AR Points: NA  •  Lexile Level: HL680L •  Publisher: Random House • Pages: 288 • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-0-385-74480-5 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding 6/15/21

Out the Door by Christy Hale

Out the Door is simple and direct. A young girl goes out the door, headed to school with her father. What follows is a sequential series of phrases, describing their journey, with text that highlights the prepositions. "Out the door...down the stoop...past the neighbors along the block...up to the light...across the street"...all the way to school. When school ends, the sequence is reversed, illustrated with smaller blocks on a double page spread.

The illustrations are what stand out here. The bold, cut paper collages with inked detail make the words meaningful. Some pages incorporate several images with white space between, but the ones that stand out are double page spreads and a full edge bleed, with a bold perspective from the child's point of view. My favorite is "below the ground" illustrating a scene in a subway station. The diversity extends from the main character who is a person of color, as well as the diversity illustrated in her community and classroom.

For primary students and read aloud focusing on sequencing, community, and prepositions.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3

Reading Level: 1 • Interest Level: P-2 • AR Points: NA • Lexile Level: NA  • Publisher: Penguin • Pages: 40  • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-0-8234-4644-5 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

One Little Bag: An Amazing Journey by Henry Cole

This unique wordless picture book celebrates the life-cycle of a paper bag integrated with the life-cycle of a family. While the story conveyed is poignant and important, the illustrations that convey the story are what stand out. The pen and ink drawings are richly composed, textured and detailed, conveying the environmental message, along with the warmth and emotion of family. The use of brown spot color focuses on the paper bag, while a red heart focuses on the growth of the family.

The book immediately opens with a tree in a forest, which the following pages recount its harvest, manufacturing into a brown paper bag, and then utilized to contain the purchase of a flashlight by a little boy and his father. The title page is next, and so starts the story. The paper bag is used by the boy's father to pack his lunch, on which he places a red heart. The boy has a nightmare, so the father uses the bag to shade the flashlight to light his room so he can sleep. We see the boy grow, as the bag is used in his many life experiences. The father sends his son off to college, with bag in hand. The young man brings the bag and uses it to hold his sheets of guitar music, and sometimes to hold a snack. He meets a girl, with whom he falls in love with. A second red heart is added to the bag, as he uses the bag to hold an engagement ring. As he marries, the bag is used for petals of flowers, showered by a flower girl. As life continues, a third heart is added to the bag as a baby boy enters their life. When grandpa comes to live with them, the bag is utilized to hold snacks, valentines, and follows them on their adventures. A strong bond grows between grandson and grandpa, and the grandson adds a fourth heart to the bag. Suddenly, grandpa's chair is empty.  The bag is used to hold pictures and mementoes of grandpa. In the final scene, the grandson is planting a new tree, with its' roots protected by the paper bag as it is placed in the ground.

The message is clear. Excellent to use as an introduction to Earth Day, or a unit on the environment and recycling. Could also be used as a warm look at family, and how a family deals with the loss of a loved one. The diversity label comes from the multi-racial family in the story.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 5

Reading Level: 1• Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: NA • Lexile Level: NA • Publisher: Scholastic • Pages: 48 • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-1-338-35997-8 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

 

Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade, Illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera

 

In the opening spread, through a window, you see a young Gwendolyn Brooks sitting on the floor next to a case filled with books... 

Gwendolyn grew up in the big city of Chicago with little money to spare. Yet her family owned a great treasure - a bookcase filled with precious poems.

A powerful opening message of a story of inspiration. A story of how a parent's simple act of keeping books, inspires a girl to read, inspires a young woman to write, and inspires a mother to create verse that teaches, informs and reveals our humanity.

Gwendolyn's life was not easy, growing up during the depression and in a culture that would not accept her Black skin. But through the hardship, and never feeling that she fit in, Gwendolyn wrote. She was 11 years old when her first piece was published. She went to college studying great poets. Married with a family, money was tight, so Gwendolyn cleaned houses, but she still wrote. Gwendolyn went on to write 14 books, and the first Black person to win a Pulitzer Prize.

Cozbi A. Cabrera's acrylic paintings, boldly composed and beautifully textured brush strokes, communicate the emotion and action of the text. An "exquisite" book that can inspire any reader, regardless of age. Could be used as an introduction to a unit on poetry or study of Gwendolyn Brook's work.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 4.8 • Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 870L • Publisher: Harry N. Abrams • Pages: 48 • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-1-419-73411-3 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya

 

Arturo Zamora is looking forward to a simple summer of ice cream, friends, family, and working at his family's Cuban restaurant La Cocina de la Isla. Things become more complicated when Carmen, his mother's goddaughter, comes to visit, when his Abuela, who founded the family restaurant and is the community matriarch, becomes ill, and the family restaurant is imperiled when a developer comes to town and wants to takeover their property. Arturo needs to muster the courage to face his first love, and to stand up to a narcissistic developer whose self-interest is veiled by a concern for the community. Arturo finds the courage through his love of his Abuela, a box of letters left to him by his Abuelo, and the poetry of José Martí.

Pablo Cartaya has written a simple story, well suited to middle school, with complex overtones; gentrification, first love, courage, as well as devotion to family and community. The plot is linear and mostly dialogue, told in Arturo's voice. My favorite part of the book is when Arturo's Abuela gives him a box of letters and artifacts from his now deceased Abuelo. The letters are loving, wise and heartwarming; words that Arturo needs to face his conflicts. The prose is interspersed with Spanish, which adds to the color and character of the story. The Spanish is deftly interwoven with the text so the non-Spanish reader will understand the words. Intentional or not, the character of the developer seems vaguely similar to our current president!

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 5 • Interest Level: 5-8 • AR Points: 7 • Lexile Level: 750 • Publisher: Penguin • Pages: 236 • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-1-10-199725-3 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Spin by Lamar Giles

 

Reaching celebrity at an early age is enticing, but there is much one can lose; loss of family and friends, loss of anonymity, loss of control over your life, and in the case of 16 year old Paris Secord, known as DJ ParSec, loss of her life.

Up and coming DJ, Paris Secord, is found dead, hunched over her turntable by two friends that are also bitter enemies of each other. Kya is a former childhood friend of Paris, who helped her at the beginning of her music career with recording and technology. A falling out has separated them. Fuse, a more recent friend, was in charge of Paris' social media, until she was booted by an agent that Paris hired. Both girls are questioned as suspects, but released. Both girls are torn by their hatred of each other and their mutual grief for Paris.

The two girls are forced together when they are kidnapped by Paris' loyal fandom, called the Dark Nation. The Dark Nation is not happy with the police investigation and wants Kya and Fuse to work together to find the murderer. Bitter enemies are forced to deal with their anger, grief and hatred to delve into Paris' business, relationships, and history to find the murder.

Spin's plot plods along slowly at first, and little is revealed in the first half of the book as it  focuses on the relationships between Kya, Fuse, and Paris. Things pick up in the second half, and then all comes down quickly at the end. The writing is okay, rather perfunctory to me, but gets the job done. I like that these are African American teens, but race has little to do with the story.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 5.0  •  Interest Level: 7-12 • AR Points: 13  •  Lexile Level: 680 •  Publisher: Scholastic • Pages: 387 • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-1-338-58218-5 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

 

Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay

 

Jay Reguero is soon to be graduating from high school and heading off to the University of Michigan. Spring break of his senior year is approaching, and all he wants to do is play video games with his friend Seth. Jay's life is comfortable with his Philippine born father a nurse, and his American born mother a doctor. Jay's plans change when his father tells him that his cousin Jun was murdered in the Philippines. Tremendous guilt sets in, as Jay hasn't communicated with Jun in four years. Jun sent him letters but he never responded. When he presses his father for more information, he gets nothing. He only knows he was murdered, and that Jun's family didn't have a funeral for him. Jay is angered by his father's indifference and unwillingness to communicate. Jay wants to know more.

Jay learns through his friend Seth that the elected President Duarte has declared war on drugs and has endorsed the vicious murder of anyone associated with drug trafficking. Jun's father, Tito (uncle) Maning is the Manila chief of police, and has disowned his son. Jay out of guilt and anger, persuades his parents to let him go to the Philippines during his spring break. He goes under the guise to re-connect with his Philippine family, but what he really wants is answers. Why was Jun murdered? Why did his family disown him? Why was there no funeral? Could Tito Maning have murdered his own son?

Fast paced and well written, the plot takes some unexpected turns and is not predictable. True to the current situation in the Philippines, the author draws upon his own personal experience, to make this a vivid and realistic portrayal of the politics and life in the island country. Character development is somewhat lacking, but this plot driven novel more than compensates.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 5.3  •  Interest Level: 9-12 • AR Points: 12  •  Lexile Level: 840 •  Publisher: Penguin • Pages: 331 • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-0-525-55492-9 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds

 

Ten short stories all taking place on the same day, on different streets, as students walk home from Latimer Middle School. 

Stories range from a boy who needs to plot his way home to avoid a dog he's afraid of, to a boy willing to stand up to homophobic bullying being waged against a classmate. While each story is independent, there is some character crossover. Stories are differentiated by the name of the street the students walk on the way home. One story, the one that occurs on Placer St., was particularly touching to me, bringing me to literal tears. 

The stories are sometimes sweet, sometimes humorous, sometimes heartwarming and sometimes heart wrenching. The stories reflect middle school life with all its pathos, and extreme emotions, yet are powerful, each in their own way. Jason Reynold's storytelling and lyrical prose are top notch. Some authors just have a way with words: words that make the ordinary beautiful, words that make you take notice, words that paint a picture. Jason Reynolds is that kind of gifted author.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 4.8  •  Interest Level: 5-9 • AR Points: 5  •  Lexile Level: 750 •  Publisher: Atheneum • Pages: 240 • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-1-481-43829-2 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

This Was Our Pact by Ryan Andrews

 

The Autumn Equinox Festival marks a time that the town sends hundreds of lighted floating lanterns down the river. Legend says that the lanterns will rise to the sky and become stars. Ben and his buddies want to see if the legend is true. They make a pact that on the night the lanterns are released, they will follow the lanterns on their bikes and not stop until they learn the truth. No one goes home, no one looks back.

As they embark on their trek, Ben realizes that Nathaniel is following the group. Ben, having a past history with Nathaniel, wants him to go away. He is not part of the pact, he's nerdy, he doesn't fit in. As they travel further, members of the pact drop out, one by one, until only Ben and Nathaniel are left. As they cross the river at a point that their parent's have warned is forbidden, Ben's and Nathaniel's real adventure begins. The adventure will test their ability to persevere, and to understand what real friendship is.

I knew nothing of this book when I started, so judging by the cover, I had expectations on where the story would go. I couldn't have been more wrong. The realistic beginning becomes an Alice in Wonderland type adventure/fantasy. While fractured, unusual fantasies are not my cup of tea, the theme stays rooted in friendship, and that is what kept me going. The artwork is beautiful, sometimes cinematic, with changing color palettes that set the mood. While I gave This Was Our Pact a middle rating, many of you will find it quite enjoyable!

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 3.0 • Interest Level: 5-9 • AR Points: 3 • Lexile Level: GN350 • Publisher: Roaring Brook Press • Pages: 329 • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-1-626-72053-4 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

 The world is filled with cruelty.  The victims of that cruelty sometimes find a path that leads them to people and situations that help them rise above.

Ada was born with a club foot in pre-WWII London. Her mother, Mam, is hardened from poverty and her husband's abandonment. To Mam, Ada is a worthless shame. She is kept hidden at home, too much of a shame to reveal to the outside world. Ada is slapped around, expected to slave at home as her mother works, and her little brother Jamie goes to school.

As WWII approaches, London, under the threat of bombing, is considered too dangerous for children. Children are being shipped out to the countryside for safety. Her mother intends to send her brother Jamie, but keep Ada at home. Ada sees this as her path, her escape from the cruelty at home, so she sneaks out with her brother. Ada and her brother are placed with Susan Smith. Susan lives comfortably alone, very set in her ways, with a past that she holds tightly. Taking on two children is an obligation that she needs to adjust to. Ada and Jamie discover a world that is very foreign to them, and one that they don't trust.

The War that Saved My Life is a sweet story of how disparate individuals find each other and help each other grow and evolve; that there are people who are caring, and willing to go beyond themselves to help others. Recommend to fans of historical fiction, horse lovers (Ada discovers her affection to horses), and to those that enjoy a simple, heartwarming story.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 4.1  •  Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: 9  •  Lexile Level: 580 •  Publisher: Penguin • Pages: 316 • Copyright: 2015 • ISBN: 978-0-14-751048-8 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Stargazing by Jen Wang

 

Opposites attract, right? Christine is your type A student. A perfectionist, but shy and withdrawn. When Moon moves in next-door, Christine discovers a talented, confident, impulsive, person. An unlikely friendship soon blooms, with Moon introducing Christine to music, dancing, even nail polish! They decide to enter the school talent show together and they are inseparable, until a more popular girl comes around, and Christine is drawn to her. Christine suddenly drops Moon. When Moon needs Christine the most, Christine is not there for her because she feels tremendous guilt for dumping her and doesn't know how to break through her guilt to approach Moon. Christine and Moon are Chinese American and their navigation between cultures is deftly woven into the story.

This is a heartfelt, warm friendship story. Hand this to any reader, as the situations are universal and relatable. We have all been there before. The graphic novel is full color and well drawn, but the characters and their story are what will really draw you in.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 2.5  •  Interest Level: 2-6 • AR Points: 1  •  Lexile Level: GN510L •  Publisher: Roaring Brook Press • Pages: 208 • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-1-250-18388-0 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

15 year old Will is heading down the elevator from his eighth floor apartment. With a gun stuck in his pants, Will is intending to revenge the murder of his brother Shawn. He has to play by the rules: 

     • No. 1: Crying - Don't. No matter what. 
     • No. 2: Snitching - Don't. Now matter what.
     • No. 3: Revenge - If someone you love gets killed, find the  

       person who killed them and kill them.

As he goes down, the elevator stops at each floor, with a person from Will's past stepping in. The first person on is Buck, a best friend of his brother who also had been murdered. His message to Will was  You don't got it in you. Each new person enters the elevator with a different message.

Told in free verse, the words are powerful and direct, communicating Will's anger, grief and pain in a way that a regular narrative could not. The entire novel spans 60 seconds, 60 seconds that will impact Will forever.

Jason Reynolds has created a powerful commentary on the endless cycle of murder and revenge, gun violence, and its effects on inner city youth and families. He has dedicated the book to All the young brothers and sisters in detention centers around the country, the ones I've seen, and the ones I haven't. You are loved.

An unforgettable read. Perfect for all, but especially reluctant readers. 

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4.5

Reading Level: 4.3 • Interest Level: 7-12 • AR Points: 2 • Lexile Level: 720 • Publisher: Simon & Schuster • Pages: 306 • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-1-481-43826-1 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Young Adult

All We Have Left by Wendy Mills

The date is September 11, 2001. High school junior Alia is torn between the professional expectations of her family and the graphic artist she longs to be. While she tries to maintain traditional Muslim customs she is at constant odds with her parents. After a particularly bitter blowup, she is grounded and won't be allowed to attend a special art program at NYU. Rather than talking to her mother, she decides to talk to her father to convince him to let her go. That morning, she skips school and heads over to the World Trade Center where her father works...

Fast forward to 2016. Jesse is a bright high school junior. Her dysfunctional family hasn't come to terms with her older brother Travis's death in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Her father is angry and bitter for something Travis did, and has deep hatred for all Muslims. Her mother tries to move on, but will not talk about the details. Her older brother can't deal with his parents, and leaves the country. Jesse feels like she doesn't exist. Becoming attracted to classmate Nick, she gets caught up with the wrong crowd, a racist group of taggers. Tagging the wall of the Muslim Peace Center, she gets caught and arrested. She now has to perform community service at the Peace Center. To make amends, she needs to face her past, motivating her to search for the truth about her brother's death.

Alternating the voices of Alia and Jesse, the story peels away Alia's experience, her connection to Travis, and the truth that tore Jesse's family apart. The start was a slow one. The character building takes us through the teenage angst of Alia, and the misguided romance for Jesse. Once the real story of the two girls gets started, you will not put the book down. There is much to learn here in terms of tolerance, understanding, and the human spirit.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4.5

Reading Level: 5.6 • Interest Level: 7-12 • AR Points: 12 • Lexile Level: NA • Publisher: Bloomsbury • Pages: 362 • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-1-681-19432-5 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Young Adult

Bitter Side of Sweet by Tara Sullivan

 

Chocolate; sweet, delicious and satisfying. Yet, we have no idea at what cost this delicacy comes to us.

The Bitter Side of Sweet tells us the harrowing story of two brothers, Amadou and Seydou, who are abducted into forced child labor harvesting cocoa at a plantation in the Ivory Coast. Amadou is Seydou's older brother and does all he can to protect his brother and keep him safe, until a young girl, Khadija, is brought into the work camp. Khadija is wild, fierce and uncooperative, doing anything she can to escape the forced labor. To give any more away, would spoil this heart wrenching and violent story of survival.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 5.1 • Interest Level: 7-12 • AR Points: 12 • Lexile Level: 810 • Publisher: Penguin • Pages: 299 • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 0-14-751509-2 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Young Adult

Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart

Honestly, not what I expected. I expected a sweet story with a lot of heart following two close friends. Yes, it is sweet, yes, it has a lot of heart. But, instead of a tight knit relationship between two friends, we get a story about two diverse individuals whose paths cross, but each are dealing with their issues independently.

Lily McGrother, a 12 year old transgender, is concerned about puberty, getting hormone blockers to limit the effects of testosterone, a father that is not accepting, and dealing with bullying at school. She has the support of her mother, sister and a good friend. Her father on the other hand, is worried about the way she will be treated by an ignorant unforgiving world, and to be safe, would prefer Lily to be her former self, Timothy.

Norbert Dorfman just moved to Florida from New Jersey because his father has been institutionalized. He and his mother have moved in with his fitness/health nut grandmother. He loves Dunkin Donuts, and happily takes on the nickname Dunkin, hating the name Norbert. Going to a new school, Dunkin just wants to fit in. He is very tall and lanky for his age, and when the basketball team approaches him to become their secret weapon, he can't refuse. The issue is, he is an uncoordinated mess and has never played basketball.  He is on medication to stabilize him emotionally, but the meds bring down his energy, getting in the way of basketball.

Lily is bullied by Vasquez, a basketball star at school. Dunkin has been recruited by Vasquez, and doesn't want to disappoint him, as Vasquez provides Dunkin an opportunity to fit in. Lily and Dunkin cross paths occasionally. Lily would like to have Dunkin as a friend, while Dunkin would like to be friends, but is conflicted because of pressure from Vasquez.

There is much conflict for Lily and Dunkin, both internally and externally. The story is told in alternating voices of Lily and Dunkin. There are a few unexpected twists, some humor, and some tears. The characters are endearing, but it is the warmth and love with which the story is told that will instantly connect you to Lily and Dunkin.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 5

Reading Level: 4.3 • Interest Level: 5-9 • AR Points: 11 • Lexile Level: 680 • Publisher: Random House• Pages: 338 • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-0-533-53677-5 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Middle School

Hope in the Holler by Lisa Lewis Tyre

Eleven-year-old Wavie Conley just lost her mother to cancer. Never knowing her father, Wavie is now an orphan. A caseworker for the state, Mrs. Chapman, informs Wavie that her mother's sister, Samantha Rose, is now claiming Wavie. Not ever being told that she even has an aunt, and whether she likes it or not, Wavie is uprooted and will have to be under the care of  Samantha Rose, who lives in a small town called Conley Holler in the Kentucky Appalachian back country. The memory of her mother is what keeps her going. Her mother left Wavie a list of instructions before she died, including  "Be brave, Wavie B! You got as much right to a good life as anybody, so find it!"

Samantha Rose, her son, Hoyt, and disabled uncle Philson, live in a ramshackle, unkempt  house. Wavie's typically organized world is turned upside down when she moves in. Samantha Rose is nothing like her giving mother; self-centered and motivated by what works for her. Wavie is soon ordered to cleaning the filthy house, both inside and out. She soon meets Gilbert, who fills her in on the way the Holler works, and Camille who is the smartest girl in school and whose family fills the void left by Samantha Rose. Wavie needs to find a way out of the Holler before Samantha Rose is granted permanent guardianship by the courts.  Along with her new friends, she uncovers mysteries of the Holler and eventually reveals a dark Conley family secret that could save her from the wrath of Samantha Rose.

A very sweet. simple story. Probably will be of more interest to 4-6th grades. Good discussion points are life as an orphan, living in intolerable circumstances, and living in poverty. 

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 4.3 • Interest Level: 5-7 • AR Points: 7 • Lexile Level: 660 • Publisher: Penguin • Pages: 212 • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-0-399-54632-7 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Middle School 

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and her Monster by Jonathan Auxier

Victorian London's skyline was that of chimneys. Homes and buildings large or small had one to several of these smoke stacks. Fireplaces burning dirty coal or wood, their chimneys had to be cleaned. Small to fit inside, orphaned children were indentured to a meager life of cleaning the sooty, filthy chimney stacks.
Nan was cared for lovingly by the Sweep. Together they lived a meager, but warm life. The Sweep taught her all there was to know about cleaning chimneys, telling her stories, giving her the shirt off his back. Nan's life changes when the Sweep disappears, leaving Nan his hat, and a warm piece of charcoal. 

Nan, now an orphan, is indentured to the stern Wilkie Crudd, who's team of young children are forced to clean chimneys in exchange for a meager sustenance. Nan is his best sweep, jealously teased by deceptive Roger, rated second best sweep. When Nan is cleaning a private school's chimney, she gets stuck. When the school calls for help, Roger comes to her rescue, deciding this is his opportunity. Rather than rescue, he performs "The Devil's Nudge." Setting a fire in the fireplace below, guaranteeing Nan's death.

Everyone believes Nan is dead, but Nan doesn't die. She discovers herself in the school's attic, breaking through the chimney's stone. The small piece of charcoal the Sweep gave Nan saved her life. The piece of charcoal grows. It grows arms and legs. It has personality, it talks, and desires a name. Nan names him Charlie, an appropriate name for a monster made of charcoal. Nan learns that this "monster" is her Golem, her protector. They stow away in an abandoned house and life gets better, until they are discovered.

This fantasy is warm and full of heart. The text is lyrical. The story is told with love and compassion. Imagine sitting by a warm fire, with blanket and hot chocolate, and then totally entranced by the voice of the storyteller. I loved this one.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 5

Reading Level: 4.5 • Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: 10 • Lexile Level: 630 • Publisher: Harry N. Abrams • Pages: 344 • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-1-419-73410-2 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Middle School 

Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan

Ravi and Joe are as different as night and day. Ravi is starting school recently immigrating from Bangalore, India. He lived a very privileged life in India, going to a private school, was an outstanding student, great athlete, and very popular. Joe on the other hand, a New Jersey native, is a is a large lanky kid with a huge heart,  learning disabilities, and few friends. It is unlikely that these two would ever be friends, except for a common enemy, class bully Dylan Samreen.

Told in Ravi's and Joe's alternating voices, by the two authors, we feel the frustration and pain of being an immigrant starting a new school in a new country as well as the intolerance and insensitivity (as well as frustration and pain) of a student with learning disabilities. Both boys come from loving families who try to support what they are experiencing, but ultimately get in the way. A touching, but light, sometimes funny, story. Excellent for discussion of the immigrant experience, the experience of learning disabilities, and tolerance.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 4.8 • Interest Level: 3-6 • AR Points: 5 • Lexile Level: 780 • Publisher: Scholastic • Pages: 216 • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-0-545-84661-5 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Intermediate

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

A sentimental, sweet story revolving around a family that is being forced to leave their beloved home, a brownstone on 141st street in Harlem. The building's owner, reclusive Mr. Beiderman who lives upstairs but has never been seen, has decided not to renew their lease. The five Vanderbeeker children feel that it is their fault because of the noise and chaos they create. They brainstorm to come up with ways to make him like them and change his mind. Their methods are heartfelt, but often turnout to be hilarious disasters. There is a mystery behind Mr. Beiderman, and his story starts to unfold as they recruit their neighbors' help in convincing Mr. Beiderman to let them stay.

Kids' tastes in literature has changed, with much of children's contemporary realistic literature focusing on issues, problems and are often sad or depressing. This is a throwback, where the adults are role models and the kids have an innocence, that makes for an uncomplicated, pleasurable read. I would recommend to grades 4-6, but you might just get that kid that wants a stressless read.
Mark's Picks Rating: 4

Reading Level: 5.3 • Interest Level: 3-6  • Lexile: 810L• AR Points: 7
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-0-544-87639-2 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Intermediate

Restart by Gordon Korman

Chase Ambrose is an eighth grade stud, a star football player, and very popular. He's also a feared prankster and school bully....only Chase doesn't know his past history. Falling from his roof, he gets a severe concussion and has amnesia blanking out all of his notorious past. He has a lot to sort out, wondering why a girl dumped frozen yogurt on his head, why kids at school move out of his way looking at him in fear, and least of all, bullying a kid at school so severely that the boy's parents have sent him to boarding school. 

Slowly, Chase is able to show people that he is not the same. He can't play football, he joins the video club, and volunteers at an assisted living facility. He eventually makes amends with many he has bullied...until everything falls apart.

Told in the voice of Chase, one of his friends, and those he has bullied, the story moves quickly with a few twists and surprises. There's plenty of humor, but the affects of bullying on its victims play the center role here. My only issue is that the story would have seemed better placed in a high school. The role of football, and the behaviors of Chase and his buddies just didn't ring middle school to me, having taught in a middle school for 40 years.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 5.1 • Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: 9 • Lexile Level: 730 • Publisher: Scholastic • Pages: 243 • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-1-338-05380-7 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Intermediate

Sergeant Reckless: The True Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero by Patricia McCormick and Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno

The incredible true story of a brave horse, who during the Korean War, contributed to battle and saved many lives. Promoted to sergeant, Reckless is the only animal to hold official military rank, receiving two Purple Hearts as well as retiring with full military honors. 

During the Korean War, U.S. Marines needed to haul ammunition up a steep hill. An officer felt a mule would help, but none was available. There was a small mare from a nearby farm and the officer, having worked with horses, started to train the horse. They named her Private Reckless, Reckless being the type of gun she would be carrying ammunition for. During her training the men discovered that Reckless had an insatiable appetite. Her favorite foods  being Coca-Cola and scrambled eggs. Once Reckless was on the battlefield they also discovered her determination and bravery.

An incredible story of the bond between humans and animals and how the bond is sometimes so strong each become selfless in the protection of the other.

Mark's Book Picks Score: Non-Fiction

Dewey: 951.904 • Reading Level: 4.6 • Interest Level: P-2 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 780 • Publisher: Harper Collins • Pages: 40 • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-0-06-229259-9 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Picture Books for Older Readers

Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World About Kindness by Donna Janell Bowman, Illustrated by Daniel Minter

William Key was born into slavery. He had a gift for woking with animals, able to tame and train them by befriending them and treating them with kindness. Learning everything he could about treating illness for both people and animals, he became known as Doc. After the war and gaining his freedom, he began selling his treatments. Visiting a rundown circus, he bought a sickly horse, Lauretta. Doc nursed her back to health and eventually she had a colt, which he named Jim Key.

Through his knowledge, kindness and patience, Doc eventually recognized how smart Jim Key was. The remainder of the book is absolutely incredible. Jim was taught to read, write and calculate numbers. The two eventually became a famous pair, traveling through out the country, performing in front of sold out crowds, displaying how intelligent Jim Key was. While Doc had his doubters, Doc proved what can be done with patience and kindness. Horse lovers will gravitate to this one, but also an interesting biography and topic for reports.

Mark's Book Picks Score: Non-Fiction

Dewey: 921 • Reading Level: 5.3 • Interest Level: 2-5 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 910 • Publisher: Lee & Low • Pages: 48 • Copyright: 2016 • ISBN: 978-1-620-14148-9 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Picture Books for Older Readers 

Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille

The story behind the young Louis Braille, the inventor of the raised dot alphabet enabling the blind to read.

An inspirational story, drawing from the strong will and determination of Louis Braille.  Young Louis was blinded when attempting to use his father's leather working tools. An awl went into one eye and the wound got infected. The infection eventually spread to both eyes, blinding young Louis. His family and town were extremely supportive, but the one thing the couldn't provide him were books. Louis's desire to read books was strong but none were available. A noble lady wrote in a request for Louis to attend the Royal School for the Blind. At the age of ten, Louis was accepted. Louis's family loved him and resisted him leaving for a boarding school, but Louis's will was strong and his family let him go. Louis discovered that the books at the school used raised letters. The books were large, cumbersome, and extremely abbreviated. One sentence took most of a page! Louis felt he needed something more efficient and faster to read. Introduced to a code system of raised dots invented for the military, Louis soon learned the system, but it too was cumbersome. Spending a full year experimenting, with hundreds of attempts, Louis finally developed a simple raised dot system that only used a combination of six dots!

An accessible story for the younger students, but one that all will appreciate. A true example of how 'need is the mother of invention" and how failure, time and determination can lead to success. 

Mark's Book Picks Score: Non-Fiction

Dewey: 921 • Reading Level: 3.3 • Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 590 • Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf • Pages: 40 • Copyright: 2016 • ISBN: 978-0-449-81337-9 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding
CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Picture Books for Older Readers 

After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again, Written and Illustrated by Dan Santat

We all know Humpty and his great fall, but what we aren't aware of, is the trauma he suffered afterward. Humpty gets put back together again, but now he is afraid of heights. limiting what he can do. He no longer can sleep in the top bunk, can't reach his favorite items at the store, and worst of all, can't climb back on that wall to watch the birds he loves so much. Time, determination, and creativity are what Humpty uses to push past his fears, and eventually, climb that wall again... only to discover why he's an egg in the first place!

The illustrations, warm colors, composition, as well as Humpty's expressions help us feel Humpty's fear, determination and triumph. Excellent for discussion about trauma, fear, determination, and how life will go on.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 5

Reading Level: 2.6 • Interest Level: P-2 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 550 • Publisher: Roaring Brook Press• Pages: 40 • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-1-626-72682-6 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Primary

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrated by Rafael Lopez

Everyone has experienced the feeling of being different. The Day You Begin looks at those differences and teaches us that although everyone, at one time or another, has those feelings, we should not let those feelings hold us back. 

The text evokes memories for us all; walking into a new classroom and feeling that you look different, speaking with an accent and others laughing, when the lunch you bring to school is strange to others, last to be picked for a team because you're not good at sports, feeling like you're on the outside and wanting to join others on the inside. 

While those memories may have made us feel bad, the story, along with the colorful illustrations, help us to understand that our differences are what makes us unique, and while we are different, we are also very much the same. Our differences are something to celebrate!

Jacqueline Woodson writes with warmth and sincerity. Rafael Lopez's illustrations illuminate her words,  celebrating differences through the color, texture and form of the assorted media he uses.  A great read for the first day of school, or to evoke conversation when the need arises.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 4.0 • Interest Level: 1-4 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 980 • Publisher: Penguin • Pages: 32 • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-0-399-24653-1 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Primary