Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor

 

While Mama is away, Mel decides to bravely wander out of the nest because she decides that it is time she learned to fly.  "Aren't you scared?" asks her sister, to which Mel replies "Yes, but I won't let that stop me!"  Mel jumps from the tree branch and begins to free fall. As she plunges down, many of the other inhabitants of the tree try to save her, to no avail.  Suddenly "SPLASH!" she plunges into the river below.

In the river, Mel discovers who she is and what she is meant to do. The colored pencil and acrylic illustrations bring the story to life, but are greatly enhanced from the unique way the book is bound, opening from bottom to top. A perfect read aloud, that kids will want to read over and over on their own. A 2021 Caldecott Honor book.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 1.4 • Interest Level: P-2 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: NA • Publisher: Harper Collins • Pages: 40 • Copyright: 2021 • ISBN: 978-0-06-287801-4

Flamer by Mike Curato

This graphic novel is long overdue. This is a brutally honest look at male puberty, focusing on fourteen year old Aiden as he tries to navigate his unsure sexuality, body image, ideals of masculinity, family, friendship, and religion. While not every male reader will see himself in Aiden, he will see himself in one of the many male-types represented at Aiden's one week at summer Boy Scout camp.

Aiden is at Boy Scout camp the summer between Catholic middle school, and  public high school. Aiden loves summer camp, because it takes him away from a painful family and school life. As Aiden navigates through summer camp he discovers that many of the issues the world has thrown at him because he is "different," he will face at summer camp. His body image, lack of athletic ability, effeminate mannerisms, and dreams focusing on a member of his troop, render Aiden powerless when facing the bullying and mocking from fellow Scouts. Fortunately, some of his friends and leaders are not assholes, and show Aiden support.

Much of the story is drawn from Mike Curato's personal experiences. He expressed that when he was a teen in the 90's there weren't any books that mirrored who he was. Feeling marginalized and unimportant, he created Flamer to fill that gap. There was much I related to in this book. This is not all depressing. There is much humor here that will make you smile and remind you of similar experiences.

The art work is rough, with line having the texture of chalk. The drawings are simple but the characterizations and emotion come shining through. The black and white drawings are enhanced by orange and red spot color representing literal and emotional heat. The wide variety of panel shapes and composition, give the book a cinematic feel.

I highly recommend this for all YA collections. The language is real and natural given the age group and setting, but might be considered inappropriate for younger YA. The liberal me, that feels that there are many, even in middle school, that will need this book, would put it in my middle school library. A quote on the cover from Jerrett Krosoczka reads, "This book will save lives." I couldn't agree more.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 5

Reading Level: 3.2 • Interest Level: 9-12 • AR Points: 1.0 • Lexile Level: NA • Publisher: Henry Holt • Pages: 366 • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-1-627-79641-5 

I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes & Illustrated by Gordon C. James

Black young men are feared and maligned. Black parents need to teach their sons and daughters how to behave when stopped by a police officer, how they have to behave in specific social situations, how they have to work twice as hard to get half as far, and, as is the message of this book, they are worthy, they are important, they are loved, they are good.

I Am Every Good Thing is a beautifully illustrated ode to the author's and illustrator's sons and dedicated to Black young men who's lives ended far too early. Told in the first person, the poem expresses everything a young Black man is. From son to father, artist to athlete, a difference maker, a leader, a son, a caregiver, "I am a brother, a son, a nephew, a favorite cousin, a grandson. I am a friend. I am real." Every illustration shows the same love, compassion and importance of the words. The beautiful oil paintings use brushwork that evoke the emotion. A necessary message for young Black men that should not have the imperative that it does today.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 2.0 • Interest Level: P-2 • AR Points: NA • Lexile Level: NA • Publisher: Penguin • Pages: 32 • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-0-525-51877-8 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

You Matter by Christian Robinson

 

The theme here is that everyone and everything matters. The message is communicated with simple phrases and metaphors that are boldly illustrated with a mix of acrylic paint and collage.

The text itself is sparse but meaningful: 

 

The stuff too small to see.

Those who swim with the tide

and those that don't.

The first to go and the last.

You matter.

When everyone thinks you're a pest.

When something is just out of reach.

When everyone is too busy to help.

You matter.

The illustrations are simple, bold, and reminiscent of a child's artwork, but expertly composed to bring the text meaning. The people are from a multitude of races and cultures. My favorite image is of a crowded , congested street. All the people are faceless except a young girl, wearing a hijab, and a boy in a wheelchair, both with arms up in the air, on one side of the street, and their escaped dog on the other side of the street. Sometimes you feel lost and alone. But you matter.

You'll need to look at the illustrations carefully to see all that is there and the meaning behind them. Carefully look for the connection between a series of images. Most of this will go over the heads of the intended audience, but with some explanation, the younger set will understand.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 2.0 • Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: NA • Lexile Level: AD310L • Publisher: Simon & Schuster • Pages: 40 • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-1-534-42169-1 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding