The Very Impatient Caterpillar, Written andI llustrated by Ross Buach

Ever have a feeling of being left out? Being behind the curve? Being impatient? Being the one that everyone else is impatient with? Well, THATS the impatient caterpillar!

When impatient caterpillar sees his buddies leaving, he wants to know where they are going. "We're going to metamorphize." Having no idea what they are talking about, he has to catch up quickly. The story takes us through the metamorphosis process, with impatient caterpillar clueless and impatient each step of the way. The pencil and acrylic illustrations are bold, colorful, and clearly evoke the bewilderment and anxiety of the impatient caterpillar. The text is just as bold and expressive. This is a fun read aloud, that if done with the same expressiveness as the text and pictures, will have the audience roaring with laughter. Perfect as an introduction to a science unit, but a good read at any time.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 5

Reading Level: 1.7 • Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 260 • Publisher: Scholastic • Pages: 32 • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-1-338-28941-1 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

The Undefeated is Kwame Alexander's (author of The Crossover) poem written as a tribute to his new born daughter and the election of Barack Obama, the first African American president. It honors the rich history of African Americans as well as recognizes their hardship and struggle for freedom and equity that continues to this day. It beautifully rejoices achievements in the arts, sports, civil rights and culture as well as pays somber tribute to events and sacrifices made in slave trade, the Civil War, and the lives of African Americans taken by prejudice and hate.

 

Kadir Nelson's oil on panels are rich and powerful. The pages of black text on blank white pages help communicate the message and its importance. This is appropriate for all age groups and can spark a multitude of conversations regarding all aspects of race, slavery, heroism, as well as personal and communal achievement. 

Mark's Book Picks Score: Non-Fiction

Dewey: 811 • Reading Level: 2.6 • Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: NA • Publisher: Houghton Mifflin • Pages: 40• Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-1-328-78096-6 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Americanized; Rebel Without a Green Card by Sara Saedi

Sara Saedi's funny and sometimes poignant memoir takes us through her life growing up in the bay area of California. Emigrating from Iran to America with her family when she was just two years old, Sara recounts her struggles and follies balancing her life as a teenage girl, who has whole heartedly adapted to American culture, with her traditional Persian extended and immediate family. She doesn't hold back, letting us in on her puberty, crushes, drug use, devotion to family and the fear of deportation, growing up as an undocumented immigrant.  She provides plenty of background information without judgement to provide context to her life and what is happening to her.  The introduction that provides historical background on the fall of the shah in Iran is one of the best I've read. 

Excellent to use in classrooms to open discussion on immigration, "illegal" aliens, Dreamers, and what their American experience is. 

Mark's Book Picks Score: Non-Fiction

Dewey: 921 • Reading Level: 7.5 • Interest Level: 9-12 • AR Points: 11 • Lexile Level: 1030 • Publisher: Random House • Pages: 291 • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-1-524-71782-7 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers, Art by Shawn Harris

A fun, engaging and informative lesson on the history behind the Statue of Liberty, focusing on a rarely discussed aspect of the statue, the statue's right foot.

Dave Egger's text speaks to the reader with sarcasm and wit, which draws your attention, and makes this an especially fine read aloud. Some younger children will not get some of the NY centric references, but they will surely sense the humor behind it. Shawn Harris's illustrations are simple and bold, created in construction paper and India ink. You will instantly recognize the colors from old-school construction paper.

Most importantly, the book speaks to the idealism of the statue and what it represents. While our country is currently battling the immigration question, the book addresses the ideals the country was founded on, how the statue symbolizes those ideals, and how we must continue to move towards those ideals. A fantastic non-fiction picture book for all ages.

Mark's Book Picks Score: Non-Fiction

Dewey: 973 • Reading Level: 4.5 • Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: NC800L • Publisher: Chronicle • Pages: 104 • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-1-452-16281-2 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

New Kid by Jerry Craft

Jordan Banks is a gifted artist and now that he's entering 7th grade, wants to go to a school of the arts. His mother and father have a different idea. Jordan is smart, very smart and they want him to attend one of the best, and most expensive prep schools in NYC. A far cry from his Washington Heights neighborhood. Jordan relents, but now must learn how to fit in to a foreign environment. Jordan is only one of two people of color at rich and white Riverdale Prep. He now must learn to navigate the rich, elitist culture at his school, while balancing it with his friends from his working class neighborhood.  How does he fit in with both worlds and stay true to himself? Jordan deals with the hidden racism and social pitfalls in a sweet poignant way. He navigates insensitive bullies, problematic girls, and a foreign school culture. His parents are supportive and loving, but oft times embarrassing, as most parents are for middle schoolers. Readers will laugh, but be endeared to Jordan, and cheer for him throughout.

Jerry Craft's artwork is graphic and creative. I also liked how each chapter title is a parody of a movie title. I highly recommend this to all readers, but in particular to those teachers how find graphic novels unacceptable literature. Graphic novels are an excellent bridge for reluctant readers, and contain all aspects of literature, allowing them to be easily adapted into a literature curriculum.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 2.9 • Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: 2 • Lexile Level: 320 • Publisher: HarperCollins • Pages: 249 • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-0-06-269119-4 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater

A true account of a crime that occurred in a bus on the 57 line in Oakland CA in November of 2013. Sasha, a non-binary white teen from middle-class Oakland, regularly rides the 57 bus to get to their private school. Richard, a black teen from a poverty and crime ridden area, rides the 57 bus to get to his large public school. As Sasha is sleeping on the bus, Richard acts on a dare from his friends to use his lighter to set Sasha's clothes on fire. The singular, impulsive act, will change Sasha's and Richard's life forever. Sasha suffering from disfiguring burns, and Richard charged as an adult with two hate crimes facing a life time in prison.

Dashka Slater unfolds the event in a narrative style, but is very even handed in her treatment of Richard and Sasha. Detailed background information gives a very complete picture of the two youths; of where they come from and who they are. Richard is not presented as an evil demon, nor is Sasha portrayed as the perfect upper-middle class white teen. Both their stories are told with empathy and compassion, but does not take a position that points a finger as to guilt or innocence. 

A truly compelling story that requires thoughtful reading. The wish of Sasha to be referred to with non-binary pronouns in the text make the reading a little more difficult. While there is nothing inappropriate for the middle schooler (except the singular act of violence), because of the content, I would keep this in the high school. Will spark many conversations along a multitude of topics. 

Mark's Book Picks Score: Non-Fiction

Dewey: 920 • Reading Level: 6.5 • Interest Level: 7-12 • AR Points: 8 • Lexile Level: 930 • Publisher: Farrar, Straus, Giroux • Pages: 305 • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-0-374-30323-5 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Castle Cranshaw, who calls himself Ghost, knows his game. He's always running from trouble and prefers to be on the basketball court over school. On his way home from school, Ghost is intrigued when he sees a group being coached to run. As he watches, he gets cocky and challenges one of the best runners to a race. The coach, fed up with Ghost allows it. The race was close, and the coach is impressed. So impressed that he offers Ghost a position on the team.

Ghost is reluctant, and knows his mother will not allow it, but the coach is insistent and his mother relents. The relationship between Coach Brody and Ghost is now cemented and it will have a profound effect on Ghost. What the coach doesn't know is why Ghost runs, and what he is running from...

The relationship between Ghost and his coach will frustrate you and warm you. A beautiful coming of age story. Jason Reynolds is a gifted writer. The verse flows and the word choice makes the text melodic. My first Jason Reynolds novel, but not my last. 

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 4.6 • Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: 6 • Lexile Level: 730 • Publisher: Atheneum • Pages: 181 • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-1-481-45016-8 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary Schmidt

Carter Jones, a sixth grade student at Longfellow Middle School, has a messy life. With his father in the military and stationed overseas, it leaves his mother to keep Carter and his sisters—Emily (a second-grader), Charlie (fourth-grader), and Annie (fifth-grader)—on schedule and in order. A new school year is starting and chaos ensues getting ready for the first day. The doorbell rings and an unexpected person enters their lives. Mr. August Paul Bowles-Fitzpatrick is going to bring order to their house and profoundly change their lives.

Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick has been employed by Carter's recently passed paternal grandfather, who bequeathed the services of  his butler to the family. Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick quickly assumes control, easing stress on Carter's mother by directing the kids to do their part around the house. He is firm but fair, and the kids reluctantly acquiesce to his demands. Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick drives the kids to school every day in his British Bentley, a bold, purple car that Carter dubs "the Eggplant". The Butler never fails to send each young Jones off to school with the same advice: "Make good decisions and remember who you are." 

Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick recruits Carter and his best friend, Billy Colt, to learn the British sport of cricket, having to share limited field time with the cross-country team. Coach Krosoczka and the cross-country running team are intrigued, and soon the Butler teaches the eighth-grade runners to play and excel at cricket, a game he perceives as superior to baseball.

Carter's life seems to be settling, but he harbors a past that haunts him and he is unwilling to share. When he learns that his father is not returning anytime soon, his disappointment turns to anger. It becomes apparent that Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick was sent for more important reasons; to help Carter rise above adversity and unlock his potential.

While a good read, it's not among Gary Schmidt's best. See my reviews for Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, The Wednesday Wars, Okay for Now, or Orbiting Jupiter for  better reads.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.8

Reading Level: 5.3 • Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: 7 • Lexile Level: 840 • Publisher: Houghton Mifflin • Pages: 217 • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-0-544-79085-8 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

In a scene that has happened all too often, this book has become even more relevant since I first read this book.

Jerome is a 12 year old African American boy who is shot and killed by a police officer while playing with his toy gun. As his spirit rises, as a ghost, he is able to observe the heartbreak wrought upon his family, as well as the devastation and acrimony brought upon his community.

We get to know Jerome from chapters alternating between when he was alive and his current state as a ghost. We learn that Jerome was a very average, unassuming young man with potential. As a ghost, he is confused as to why he was killed, and needs answers. He meets the ghost of Emmitt Till, the African American boy lynched in the 50's, who helps Jerome understand and process what has happened to him. As he visits the home of the police officer who shot him, he discovers that there is one living person that can see and communicate with him...the young daughter of the police officer.

What this situation sets up allows the story to explain and explore the systemic racism our country faces, the devastation wrought upon the families and communities in which it occurs, and allows us to explore both sides; the side of the victim of the racism, and the perpetrator. 

Well written, Jewell Parker Rhodes as created a perfect vehicle, at a perfect time, to learn, discuss and explore our options/solutions to the systemic racism/#BlackLivesMatter facing our country to young people. 

Mark's Book Pick Score: 4

Reading Level: 3 • Interest Level: 5-9 • AR Points: 3AR • Lexile:360L • Publisher: Little, Brown • 217 Pages • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-0-316-26226-2 • Available in Perma-Bound binding

The Toll by Neal Shusterman

The final installment to the Arc of a Scythe trilogy is an intense and explosive ending to what I believe is Neal Shusterman's finest dystopian series (my favorite singular novel is Bruiser).

If you're reading this review, you've probably already read the first two installments; Scythe and Thunderhead.  I can't reveal too much without spoilers. I will tell you that there is resolution. Thundering, earth shattering resolution.  I can also tell you that there is much political commentary here, with so many parallels to the current political climate.

Marks Book Pick's Score: 5

Reading Level: 6.6 • Interest Level: 7-12 • AR Points: 24 • Lexile:850L
Publisher: Simon & Shusterman • 625 Pages • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-1-481-49706-0 • Available in Perma-Bound binding

When Angels Sing; The Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana by Michael Mahin, art by Jose Ramirez

This picture book is as colorful and beautiful as the music of the subject of this book, Carlos Santana. Jose Ramirez's illustrations in acrylic and enamel markers pop from the page with their color, graphic simplicity and latin flavor. Michael Martin's text brings Santana's story to life in an unconventional way. The story of Carlos Santana is told in the second person to Carlos Santana himself. It's as if "the angels" are telling Carlos the story of his life.

Carlos was born into a supportive family in Mexico. His father was a traveling violinist. He felt his father's music made angels real, made them sing for people. Carlos wanted that too, so he started playing the clarinet, trumpet and violin, but none satisfied him. He heard the blues and the guitar and that was what he wanted. His father sent him an old battered guitar, which he learned to play himself, from his heart. His family was poor, but eventually immigrated to San Francisco. Life was hard but eventually Carlos found that a combination of blues, jazz and rock was unique and drew a following for his Santana Blues Band. It was not until he performed in front of 400,000 people at the Woodstock Music Festival did Carlos discover that he was looking for the angels in the wrong place, the angels were inside himself all the time. Carlos became and is a world famous musician that makes people feel and enjoy music in a way that they never had before.

The book speaks to the struggle success comes with, and that failure is what pushes us forward. A picture book for older readers. A fine read-aloud, but would be best accompanied by Santana's music.

Mark's Book Picks Score: Non-Fiction

Dewey: 921 • Reading Level: 4.0 • Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 610 • Publisher: Atheneum • Pages: 48 • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-1-534-40413-7 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Max & the Midknights by Lincoln Peirce

After reading such heavy, depressing books, I needed something light. Sent to me a few months ago as an advance reader copy, Max & the Midnights sat with a pile of other books. In my depression, I looked at the cover, saw that the author is the writer of the Big Nate series, and decided that this just might be the right medicine...

Max travels from town to town with his troubadour uncle, Budrick. This is the middle ages, and travel like this can be dangerous. Max is frustrated with Uncle Budrick, as he is a poor business man, and consistently loses focus on what he's doing. Max is bored, and wants nothing to do with this troubadour business. Max wants to be a knight! They approach a town called Byjovia, which Max finds out is Uncle Budrick's hometown, and was once in knight school there.  This amazes Max, as Uncle Budrick is such a wuss...the reason he is now a troubadour.  Lo and behold, as they travel to Byjovia they are threatened by a robber. While Uncle Budrick freaks out, Max hits him in the head with a rock. It's lights out for the robber, and Max takes his knife. As they approach Byjovia, Uncle Budrick talks of Byjovia's kind king, King Conrad. When they get to the city gates, they notice that people are cold and mean. They find out King Conrad has died, and has been replaced with his scalawag brother, Gastley. King Gastley's cruelty has rubbed off on his subjects, making Byjovia an unwelcoming place. Max can't put up with this, and speaks up to the King. King Gastley takes Max, but Uncle Budrick pleads mercy and offers himself. King Gastley takes Uncle Budrick captive as his personal troubadour. And so the adventure starts, how will Max save Uncle Budrick?

Max & the Midknights is half graphic, and half text...well, maybe a little more graphic than text. It is a fun romp with puns and jokes galore. It's a simple story, and while somewhat predictable, who cares? It's what we look for in a story like this! While fun, there is a  strong agenda here in gender equity, family, and friendship. Ideal for upper elementary and middle school.
Marks Book Pics Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 3.0 • Interest Level: 3-6 • AR Points: NA • Lexile: NA 
Publisher: Crown Publishers • 279 Pages • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-1-10-193108-0 • Available in Perma-Bound binding.

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

Matthew Dunbar is pecking away on an old Remington typewriter to tell the story of his brother Clay. The story comes out as jumbled memories, with no time continuity, that ultimately goes beyond his brother Clay and becomes a sweeping saga of the Dunbar Family. There are five Dunbar boys, Matthew, the narrator, Rory, Henry, Clay, and Tommy. The boys live by themselves in a house on Archer Street. Their father, who abandoned them, is thought of as The Murderer, because the boys feel he took their lives when he left.  He suddenly reappears, and is greeted with hurt and anger. Their father lives several hours away in the country, and has come back to ask his boys to help him construct a bridge. All his sons refuse, except one, the one that said "Hi, Dad." That one is Clay. Clay leaves his brothers, with much resentment on their part, to help his father build a bridge. A bridge that ultimately becomes a metaphor for the bridge that brings the Dunbar family back together. The story beautifully unfolds revealing the back stories of their father, Michael, their mother Penny, and of Clay. This is a story of warmth, love, family and extreme grief.

I will not lie, this is a difficult book. The story jumps time and place; there is no continuity. Parts drag on with horse racing details that add little to the story's progression. Yet it's a story that is so poetic, told with such love, that I couldn't help but embrace it and read with tears often streaming. I well up just writing about it. This book will be with me for a very long time.

Bridge of Clay  is really an adult book. While marketed as YA in the U.S., it is considered adult elsewhere. For mature high school readers and beyond. The story's value is in the way these five brothers hold together, overcome their hardships and grief, and how the strength of family provides a bond that can't be broken.
Mark's Book Picks Score: 5

Reading Level: 5.3 • Interest Level: 9-12 • AR Points: 19 • Lexile: HL650L 
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf • 537 Pages • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-1-9848301-5-9 • Available in Perma-Bound binding.

Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman

Living in Southern California my entire life, I get earthquakes, fire and drought. I made it through the Northridge earthquake, I was recently evacuated because of the Woolsey fire, and my grass is a parched brown in the summer. I conserve water, as a good citizen should, but have never given a second thought to the thought of the tap running dry. Until Now.

Dry, while somewhat dystopian, explores what would happen if the tap went dry, called the Tap-Out. Taking place in a quiet suburban Orange County neighborhood, Dry is told through the voice of alternating characters, but primarily Alyssa. Alyssa, lives with her parents and 10 year-old brother Garrett. The government, warning that water supplies are extremely low, has turned off all water. Her parents seem unconcerned, feeling the crisis will end soon. Slow to react, by the time they go to Costco to get water, all supplies are gone, and the atmosphere has become every-man-for-himself. With supplies running low, her parents go to get water from a desalinization facility set up on the beach. They never come back. Left to their own resources, Alyssa and her brother turn to their survivalist neighbors, the McCrackens. Kelton McCracken is your Boy Scout geek that always has an answer. Kelton's one weakness is Alyssa, having had a long crush on her. Kelton warns Alyssa that society will break down very soon. Against his better judgement, Alyssa convinces Kelton to go with her to look for her parents. As society quickly disintegrates, and not finding her parents, Alyssa and Kelton return to find their neighborhood a war zone. Now it is all about survival.

As Alyssa, Kelton and Garrett struggle to survive, they meet some nefarious characters along the way; Jacqui, a fiercely independent squatter, living in unoccupied vacation homes, and Henry, a slimy conniving self-serving huckster. The story unfolds through their four voices (Garrett only gets one little chapter). Occasionally the story is interspersed with informational "snapshots"  that add to the understanding of the situation and what is going on.

Dry hits very close to home. In fact, I was reading it as the hills behind my house were burning and we were evacuated. Seeing the way first responders mobilized, and the way the community responded, made the premise more difficult for me to accept. Shusterman, and his son, Jarrod, do an excellent job of setting the ground work, building the characters, and creating an exciting story arc. While not my favorite Shusterman stand-alone novel (that would be Bruiser), it is very good.
Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 7.0 • Interest Level: 7-12 • AR Points: NA • Lexile: NA  
Publisher: Simon & Shuster • 390 Pages • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-1-481-48196-0 • Available in Perma-Bound binding.

Love by Matt De La Peña, Illustrated by Loren Long

How do you explain the concept of love to a young child? How do you make it universal in its appeal so it speaks to all people of all ages? How do you create images that convey the deeper meaning of the words but are easily relatable to all that view them? Love by Matt De La Peña and illustrated by Loren Long is one of those rare picture books.

Starting with a first experience of love, that of a baby looking up at adoring parents in their crib, the book presents us with vignettes of the way life presents us with love. A couple dancing on the roof of their trailer, frolicking in the water from a fire hydrant, watching the stars at night, the embrace a loved one after a nightmare, a family game of horseshoes ...these snippets of life show us that love really is all around us. More importantly, situations where love can be lost, and the emptiness created are beautifully integrated into the vignettes. The illustrations created with acrylic and colored pencil perfectly integrate with the text. The images' colorful, rich hues help to reinforce the vibrancy of the message: love is all around us, love is what binds us.

This is a book I'd read over and over to my children. In the classroom, read it every time a little love is called for.  Ask, "How did love touch you today?"
Mark's Book Picks Score: 5

Reading Level: 3.7 • Interest Level: P-2 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile: NA  
Publisher: Penguin • 40 Pages • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-1-524-74091-7 • Available in Perma-Bound binding.

In Your Shoes by Donna Gephart

Miles Spagoski loves to bowl. How could he not? His family owned the only bowling alley in Buckington, a small Pennsylvania town. While shy and a bit socially awkward, in the bowling alley, Miles is as proud and confident as a lion.

Amy Silverman has been torn away from Chicago, her school, and her friends, when the death of her mother forced Amy and her father to join her undertaker uncle in podunk Buckington. She is bitter and angry about the move.

Before school, Miles and his fashionista friend Randall, bowl an early morning game. As Miles' father takes the boys to school, he notices that Miles forgot to change out of his bowling shoes. While his father and Randall feel that wearing the shoes to school will label him as a pure dork, Miles decides that he is making a fashion statement and decides not to change into his tennis shoes. As they walk into school, Miles and Randall get into a heated argument over the shoes. A fight ensues, one of the bowling shoes come off, Randall throws it, and knocks over a girl as it hits her in the head.

Amy, feeling uncomfortable on her first day of school, is worried about her outfit and is self-conscious of the special shoe she wears to accommodate one leg shorter than the other. As she is walking into school, she suddenly finds herself on the ground, knocked down by a flying object. Why would anyone do this to her?

And so meet Miles and Amy, an awkward pair to say the least. From this chance meeting builds a friendship that has its many ups and downs, but becomes one that helps Miles and Amy work through the difficulties and challenges that life has thrown at them. A sweet story, that while not challenging or thought provoking, is the right kind of warm escapism that we need ever-so-often.  The story is interrupted intermittently with a message to the reader to inform or fill in the gaps. While informative, I felt they were unnecessary. Most readers will figure things out on their own.
Mark's Book Picks Score: 3

Reading Level: 4.0 • Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: NA • Lexile: NA  
Publisher: Random House • 323 Pages • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-1-524-71373-7 • Available in Perma-Bound binding.

Mike by Andrew Norriss

Floyd, a teenage British tennis prodigy is unbeatable. He is absolutely dedicated to his game, supported by loving parents. Floyd has everything going for him. During a competitive match he sees Mike walking in the stands. He has seen Mike quite often, usually observing him during practice, never during a match. Mike walks down the stands, opens the gate and walks on to the court. Floyd tells the umpire to ask Mike to leave. The umpire is confused. Floyd's father (also, his coach) comes on to the court to find out what's wrong. Floyd explains, that Mike must leave. His father is confused as well. When Floyd tells Mike that he must go, his father, equally frustrated, says, "but I can't see anyone..."

The pressure and the stress of the constant practice and competition are starting to affect Floyd. As Floyd enters therapy, his therapist, Dr. Pinner, works to peal away the facade and get to the root cause of what Floyd is experiencing. What Floyd discovers has a ripple effect on those that love and care about him, as Floyd begins to question who he is, and what he wants out of life.

Andrew Norris's text is clear, a bit sparse, but pulls you right into the story. While character development is not detailed, which for me in this instance, was fine, you do see Floyd change and grow. While the plot was predictable, it was a pleasure to see it unfold. The ending is neat and tidy, which for many young readers is the way they like it. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Note: This review is from an advanced readers copy. The book is not available until February 26, 2019.
Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level:  • Interest Level: 7-12 • AR Points:  • Lexile:   
Publisher: David Fickling Books, Scholastic • 240 Pages • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-1-338-28536-9 • Publication details will be added when available.

Refugee by Alan Gratz

Three children escaping tyranny and war is sadly, not a new story. The immigrant story is one of our times, and also of our past. Refugee looks at three fictional characters leaving their homelands for a journey seeking a better life. While each character is from a different time period in different parts of their world, their similarities are what reminds us that little has changed.

Josef's story starts in 1938 Berlin, Germany. Asleep at home, it is the evening of Kristallnacht and his home is ransacked by Nazis, who take his father, a lawyer, from his home. His father is eventually returned, but after being tortured and mentally beaten down, he is not the man he used to be. His family gets passage on the St. Louis, a cruise ship filled with Jewish refugees escaping the tyranny of Nazi Germany, bound for freedom in Cuba. Initially, his family believes that all is well...

Isabel's story starts in 1994 Havana, Cuba. She is a talented trumpet player, living under the communism of Fidel Castro. A riot has broken out in the streets, and Isabel enters the pandemonium looking for her father. She finds him being beaten by policemen and jumps in to stop it. Her father is now a marked man, and her family must leave Cuba. Isabel knows that her friend, Ivan's, father is building a boat. When Castro announces that he will not stop people from fleeing Cuba, Isabel convinces Ivan's family to allow Isabel's family to share their homemade boat to leave Cuba and head for Miami, where the freedom of the United States awaits.

Mahmoud's story starts in 2015 Aleppo, Syria. Mahmoud is a quiet boy with few friends. The Syrian civl war has taken its toll on Mahmoud. The sound of fighter jets, bombs, and gunfire has made him nervous. Everyday he must lead himself and his younger brother home from school, taking a different path to avoid fighters in the streets as well as bullies from school. Sitting at home, doing his homework, Mahmoud hears the whine of an incoming missile. He dives under the kitchen table and after the deafening sound of a bomb, discovers the whole side of his apartment is gone. His mother, baby sister and brother are okay. They find Mahmoud's father and the decision is made. They must leave. They grab what money they have, what belongings they can carry, and head for Germany, one of the few countries in Europe accepting Syrian refugees.

The difficult part of this book is knowing that what these three young people and their families go through is based on what people were/are experiencing. Each character goes through a series of unfortunate events, one more tragic than the next. The human will to survive and search for a better life is exemplified in these stories. While sometimes the stories get bogged down a bit, my curiosity kept me going.
Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 5.3 • Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: 10 • Lexile: 800L  
Publisher: Scholastic • 338 Pages • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-0-545-88083-1 • Available in Perma-Bound binding.

The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros; Illustrated by Dana Wulfeotte

James has a lot of balloons, and each one of his balloons keeps one of his memories. Mom and Dad have even more balloons, but Grandpa has the most balloons and loves to share his memories with James. Lately, Grandpa has been having trouble with his balloons. Sometimes they get caught in trees, and he tells the same stories over and over. Other times he loses a balloon and doesn't know its lost. Soon Grandpa has lost all his balloons. James can't understand what is happening to Grandpa, but discovers he has many more balloons, each containing his grandpa's memories. Now, James is the storyteller, who reminds Grandpa of all his memories.

This is one of the most touching books I've ever read.  A beautifully told story that makes understanding dementia and Alzheimer's accessible to young people. Beautifully illustrated with pencil drawings on stark white backgrounds, with only the balloons in color. This is a picture book for all ages. An excellent opening for discussion on aging, memory loss and Alzheimer's.
Mark's Book Picks Score: 5

Reading Level: 2.0 • Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: NA • Lexile: NA  
Publisher: Simon & Schuster • 48 Pages • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-1-481-48915-7 

Warcross by Marie Lu

Emika Chen is gifted with unsurpassed skills in technology. She has lost her father, is alone in New York, and has no money. Scanning police transmissions, she tries to round-up criminals for bounty, but luck never works in her favor. Even though she is about to be evicted, Emika plays her favorite game, Warcross, on a hacked account.  The first tournament of the Warcross world championships are about to begin, and the entire world is watching. Emika decides to do the impossible; hack into the game and affect its outcome.

When she wakes up in the morning, she finds out that her hack is making news all over the world. Now the founder and owner of Warcross, Hideo Tanaka wants her. Emika has always admired him and his fame, but is now fearful of what he will do to her. She is confused by his actions. He has deposited a large sum of money in her bank account. He has paid all of her bills. He has sent an agent to fly her on his private jet to Warcross corporate headquarters in Japan. Why? What are his plans?

Warcross is a near-future dystopian novel that at times is a page turner, and other times drags, especially during some of the longer game-playing sequences. Marie Lu offers a little bit of everything here, and her fans will enjoy this one. The cliff hanger at the end, will make you groan for the next installment.
Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 5.6 • Interest Level: 7-12 • AR Points: 16 • Lexile: 810L  
Publisher: Penguin • 416 Pages • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-0-399-54797-3 • Available in Perma-Bound binding.