Another fun book in the Sophie Washington middle-grade chapter book series.
In this one, sixth-grader, Sophie Washington, decides to sign up for her school’s Lemonade Day Challenge Event. Ten teams will compete.
Readers cannot help laughing and empathizing with Sophie. She manages to get in trouble for messing up her mother’s files, failing to supervise her younger brother, and getting mixed up with the family dog, Bertram, and his mischief.
Sophie learns about scheduling, organizing a team, coping with supplies, and facing unforeseen delays. She manages to solve problems with her spirit of determination and perseverance. Readers learn lessons about teamwork, respect, and working with family members.
Readers might be inspired to become young entrepreneurs and learn a few life lessons along the way. Highly recommended for eight to twelve-years olds and adults who love to reminisce about their tween years.
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Publisher’s Synopsis: A Star of David necklace or a rosary?
In 1939 Poland, a young girl is asked to give up one of these and accept the other without understanding why. However, what she must part with happens to be her most prized possession—a precious gift given to her by her father before he died.
The child’s mother then teaches the girl a “game” to prepare her for what is to come. As the Nazis invade the country, the mother is forced to make a heartbreaking sacrifice.
This beautifully illustrated picture book is loosely based on a true story. Although told through the eyes of a young girl, the book is written for readers of all ages. It also contains two study guides. One is for children, parents, and teachers. The other is for adults who may gather in places of worship, book clubs, and small groups. Discussion topics include themes of compassion, empathy, and diversity.
Pat Black-Gould, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and an author. Her short stories have appeared in several literary journals and anthologies.
Many years ago, Pat heard a powerful story that haunted her until she committed it to paper. The Crystal Beads was first published in Jewish Fiction. net in 2020. The short story then won first-place honors in two writing competitions conducted by the National League of American Pen Women, Washington, D.C.
The first was an award by the Pen Women Florida State Association. She then received the Flannery O’Connor Short Story Award as part of the National Biennial Letters in Competition. Pat felt it important to bring the story to a younger audience. At that point, she rewrote it as a children’s book. She hopes that The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey, will do justice to the story she once heard and carry its message to younger generations.
Pat’s writing explores topics such as compassion, tolerance, and diversity. She continues to examine these themes in her upcoming novel, Limbo of the Moon, written with her co-writer, Steve Hardiman.
The story opens in 1939 Poland. A little girl named Lalka treasures the Star of David necklace that her father gave her shortly before he died. Suddenly, Lalka’s mother asks her to remove it and instead gifts her a set of crystal beads called a rosary. They will be playing a game. Lalka must learn all about its secrets.
Shortly after, Lalka’s mother enrolls her in a convent school where she will live and go to Catholic school. She is confused and upset but follows the instructions her mother had given her. When two men come to interrogate her, Lalka faces a difficult decision.
Gould writes about the holocaust story in a way with which elementary and middle-school readers understand. Readers empathize and absorb its impact through Lalka’s experiences. The book is sensitive and well-written. Royz illustrates it with compassion and tenderness.
The discussion guides for both children and adults are carefully crafted. They provide the tools to assure a fruitful learning environment. Gould also explains how children may become involved as active participants in the Children’s Holocaust Project.
I highly recommend the book to parents and teachers of children ages five through twelve.
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Kids on Earth: A Children’s Documentary Series Exploring Global Cultures & the Natural World: Costa Rica
Written by Sensei Paul David
My title does not necessarily imply criticism. This book contains a wealth of information. Readers learn about the climate, customs, language, culture, topography, economy, and recreational pursuits available in Costa Rica. A brother and sister, Joaquin and Yocsary, narrate a soup-to-nuts tour of what a visitor might find while in this intriguing land.
Each page includes a colorful illustration and a box of more fun facts after the explanation. My only criticism is that the storyline could be tightened up to read more smoothly. It feels a bit choppy because the information switches topics rapidly. On the other hand, almost any type of question that a reader might have is answered.
I recommend the series to children who love learning about new cultures, travel, and adventure. Recommended for elementary and middle-school students
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This book is part of a series that may be read as a stand-alone novel.
Peter has just been released from prison in London. He meets Alex, a history professor and they form an unlikely alliance. They team up with an Egyptologist named Beth to solve an Egyptian mystery. All of this combined with Freemasonry makes for an interesting read.
This author has sometimes been criticized for injecting too much of his religious opinion within his stories but this did not particularly bother me because the characters were intriguing and the twists and turns of the plot held my interest and kept me reading. Recommended especially for those who enjoy mysteries and ancient Egypt. Appropriate for middle-grade, young-adult, and adult readers.
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Mishi and Mashi go to Germany: Mishi and Mashi Visit EuropeSeries
Written by Mary George
Illustrated by Lisa Sacchi
This book is part of a European travel series. Mishi and Mashi are two sisters who accompany their parents on travel adventures. The series is intended for elementary school readers.
The author manages to create a pretty comprehensive picture book. Cities visited include Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, and Frankfurt. They visit kid favorites like museums, zoos, castles, and food venues that feature German specialties. Of course, they experience an Octoberfest and Bavarian costumes. Illustrations are pastels done in soft colors.
My first book of the series, but I will definitely come back to read others.
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A very cute, rhyming picture book selection for preschool and kindergarten readers. A little girl is eating lunch in school when she loses her first tooth. She is dismayed because she swallowed it! How will she be able to put the tooth under her pillow for the tooth fairy?
The protagonist decides on deception. She places a look-alike under her pillow. The tooth fairy takes the bait but later becomes suspicious and calls her friends to check it out. They decide to teach the little girl a valuable lesson.
Young readers will both empathize with the girl and delight in its humorous lesson. A perfect gift choice for children about to lose their first tooth.
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This book lives up to its title. It is a learning guide that focuses on familiar tunes from cultures across the world. The introduction section is important to spend time learning the basics. There are clear visuals and simple text explanations. This section must be mastered to proceed to the next level.
The book can be used with very young children with parent or teacher guidance. The songs are familiar to school children and fun to play. As the student gains more confidence, she can move up to level two in the series or graduate to more difficult sheet music.
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The Magic Volcano: Molly’s Magical Adventures: BookOne
Written by V. K. May
Although this book is targeted at a middle-grade reading audience with short chapters, it contains all the elements that will please young adult and adult audiences.
Molly Marsh possesses an insatiable curiosity and strong determination to get to the bottom of things. As the book opens, she has departed Australia for Papua, New Guinea. Upon landing, a blue butterfly lands on her nose assuring her things will be okay. Let the adventures begin.
Molly teams up with Michael to explore the island. The characters are well-defined, and the action is continuous. Readers discover all types of useful information. I won’t spoil the plot but will say once you start reading, you will not be able to put the book down.
A delightful chapter book for readers eight through eighty.
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Publisher’s Synopsis: Freedom for lobsters! The second in the Eudora Space Kid series: a hilariously funny, early reader sci-fi chapter book perfect for elementary-aged kids. Can Eudora and her best friend, Arnold, rescue her favorite lobsters from becoming the next meal at the spaceship’s New Year’s buffet?
Eudora is a normal third-grader who just happens to live on a 36 deck AstroLiner. In SPACE! As a math and science whiz who’s been adopted by what you might call . . . aliens, she has normal ambitions—like being the chief engineer on an AstroLiner. But when her favorite lobsters on board appear on the menu at Chef Franklin’s dinner buffet, Eudora and her best friend, Arnold, hatch a plan to break them out. Will they save their crustacean friends? Or will they end up locked in the ship’s brig? Again . . .
Brilliant for engaging emergent and early chapter book readers.
David Horn lives in New Jersey with his wife, two daughters, and a funny dog named Trixie. He is a huge science fiction fan and loves reading science fiction books from both the old and new greats. His daughters inherited his love of science fiction and love watching sci-fi shows like Star Trek, Babylon 5, Stargate, and Star Wars. The Eudora Space Kid early reader chapter book series started as funny stories he told his daughters at dinner to get milk to come out of their noses. He hopes your children love Eudora’s silly antics in space too and milk comes out of their noses too!
Eudora Jenkins is a third-grader who lives on a spaceship in the future. She is a math, science, and engineering genius. Her home, The Athena, is a space vessel protecting the Planetary Republic. Its crew consists of humans and space aliens.
This book is the second in the series but can easily be a stand-alone story. Readers quickly learn that Athena and her best friend, Arnold have a penchant for getting into trouble for their pranks and landing in the brig. At the beginning of the tale, they inject dancing music while the crew is engaged in a battle drill on the bridge. More trouble looms when they decide to rescue the lobsters doomed to be on the menu for a special buffet dinner. Eudora never runs out of clever ideas that get her into trouble. Will Eudora succeed? How long will the adults tolerate her schemes?
This sci-fi series contains humor, imagination, pranks, and clever characters. Perfect choice for elementary grade students learning to read chapter books. The black and white illustrations assist with attention retention and are enticing for reluctant readers. A bonus word search activity at the end continues the fun.
Publisher’s Synopsis: Set in Kenya, Oi is a naughty kitten who lives with his Mummy and siblings in an outdoor shed. Despite Mummy’s warnings, Oi has a tendency of wandering off and exploring. But one day, after nearly being attacked by a dog, Oi ends up in an unfamiliar neighborhood. And this time, he’s not sure he’ll be able to find his way back home…
Oi’s adventure is sure to delight children and cat-lovers alike.
‘A brave and vivid adventure’ —Ijeoma Isichei
‘A sheer delight for all kids, a gem of a story’ —Okenna Nzelu
Lorna Likiza is a Kenyan writer, tutor of French, and Founder of the Heroe Book Fair. Oi Gets Lost is her first published book. She considers Literature as one of her passions and lives in Mombasa.
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:
LOST AND FOUND
Oi Gets Lost
Written by Lorna Likiza
Illustrated by YevheniaMelnyk
An adorable chapter book with beautiful color illustrations. Oi, an adorable kitten, who lives in an outdoor shed near a shopping center in Kenya, narrates this story.
Oi possesses an insatiable curiosity that befuddles his mother and fellow siblings. He particularly enjoys wandering off to the shopping center where he encounters wondrous sights and smells. One day he gets too ambitious and finds himself in a shop where he causes damage and gets into trouble. A patron decides to bring Oi home to kill outdoor rats. Oi wonders if he will ever find his way home.
After befriending his new owner’s housecat, they become friends and allies. But these two cats have lived in different worlds. Can either of them be happy in different circumstances?
Elementary and middle-grade readers will learn a bit about Kenyan culture and customs as well as animals in this beautifully illustrated and well-written multicultural tale. Recommended for beginning readers, reluctant readers, and cat lovers everywhere.
July 24, 2022
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