Natascha Review It! (LIS 721)

Stead, Rebecca. When You Reach Me. Wendy Lamb Books, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-385-73742-5   Rebecca Stead's masterful plot in When You Reach Me  skillfully blends reality with imagination. Set in 1979 New York City, the story follows twelve-year-old Miranda as she navigates the mysteries of adolescence alongside a series of enigmatic events triggered by cryptic notes. These notes predict future events, steering the narrative towards a speculative twist without ever breaking the story's credibility. The interrelation of events is skillfully managed, with each piece of the puzzle fitting together cohesively by the end, making the journey as intriguing as it is believable. When You Reach Me explores universal truths such as friendship, trust, and the complexities of growing up. These themes, intricately woven into the narrative, mirror the reader's own experiences, prompting personal introspection. The concept of time travel, a metaphor for the transitions and changes of adolescen

  Marshall III, Joseph. In The Footsteps of Crazy Horse. Amulet Books, 2015. ISBN: 978-1419707858   In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall III, one encounters a narrative that seamlessly intertwines historical and contemporary perspectives. Through the journey of Jimmy McClean, a young Lakota boy, the story connects past issues to present realities, making historical events relevant to today’s readers. Marshall III examines the 'why' of these events, particularly the life and legacy of Crazy Horse, offering rich opportunities for adult discussions about cultural heritage, identity, and resilience. The plot reflects the pace of life in both historical and contemporary periods, with historical episodes portrayed with an authentic sense of urgency and significance. Jimmy’s contemporary journey mirrors the challenges faced by Native Americans during Crazy Horse's era, making the narrative both engaging and relevant. The settings in In the Footsteps of Crazy Hor

  Bell, Cece. Smell My Foot! Candlewick Press, 2019. ISBN: 978-0-7636-7936-1  Cece Bell’s Smell My Foot combines text and illustrations to create an engaging and humorous story for young readers. The illustrations complement the dialogue and action, providing context and emotion that the text might not fully capture. Bright colors and clear, exaggerated facial expressions vividly convey the emotions and actions of the characters. The funny, exaggerated scenes will likely make children laugh, adding to their enjoyment of the book. The dialogue is simple and direct, making it accessible to young readers. The plot revolves around humorous interactions and is engaging and comprehensible for the target age group. This book is the first of two books in a series featuring the characters Chick and Brain and offers opportunities for continued reading and character engagement.  Siegel, Siena Cherson. To Dance: A Ballerina’s Graphic Novel . Illustrated by Mark Siegel. Antheneum Books for Youn

Willems, Mo. We Are Growing! Hyperion Books for Children, 2016. ISBN: 978-1484726358  Mo Willems's book We Are Growing! is classified as level one. The text is large and clear, making it easy for early readers to follow. It is also simple and often consists of short, manageable phrases. The sentences are generally short, aiding in comprehension for beginning readers, while the language is simple and accessible. The text is broken up into color-coded dialogue bubbles to show the conversation between the blades of grass, making it easier for the reader to follow along. This book uses a lot of repetition and humor, which helps engage young readers and reinforces learning.  Pizzoli, Greg. The Book Hog. Disney-Hyperion, 2019. ISBN: 978-1-368-03689-4  Greg Pizzoli’s The Book Hog is categorized as level two. The text features a wider range of vocabulary while remaining accessible. Some words are multisyllabic, introducing readers to more complex language. The text is presented in

Thimmesh, Catherine. Camp Panda: Helping Cubs Return to the Wild . Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018. ISBN: 978-0-544-81891-0   Catherine Thimmesh is an established author known for her engaging non-fiction books for children and young adults, particularly those focusing on science and nature topics. She has won the prestigious Sibert Medal for informational books. Though not a scientist herself, Thimmesh is recognized for her ability to translate complex scientific topics into accessible and captivating narratives for young readers. In Camp Panda: Returning Cubs to the Wild , Thimmesh presents the subject of giant panda conservation through a blend of meticulous research and storytelling. Her approach makes scientific topics both interesting and understandable.   The book is particularly well-suited for upper-middle school readers, focusing on the process and challenges of reintroducing captive-born pandas into the wild, ensuring that the information engages without overwhelming reader