Book List

Student Voices: Recommendations from Connor A., Sami B., Bruna D., Julianna F., and Sarah C.

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Recommendations

“New Manga Recommendations for Manga Readers” by Connor A., 8th grade

Are you a manga reader that is tired of always getting the same manga recommendations? Do you always get recommendations like One Piece, My Hero Academia, and Dragon Ball Z? In this blog post, I will be giving recommendations for new manga that are underrated and not commonly spoken of or recommended. I will venture into many different types of manga with original storylines and power systems.

  • Gachiakuta by Kei Urana: For manga readers looking for something original, that also rounds back to the impact people can have on our world, I would definitely recommend Gachiakuta. This unique story is about a boy named Rudo, who’s dad is a criminal. Rudo has always loved trash and wondered why people throw things away, while living in a socially outcast neighborhood of a floating city. After being accused of murder, Rudo is thrown into the “pit” and looks to uncover the secrets of vital instruments (Jinki), the cleaners, and the pit itself, while seeking revenge on those who cast him there.

  • DanDaDan by Yukinobu Tatsu: For manga readers looking for a new genre of manga, I would recommend DanDaDan. This series is really interesting, as it mixes sci-fi, japanese spirits, and a twisted romance. This cool story starts when a nerdy and unpopular boy who believes in aliens, meets a popular girl who believes in spirits. Both are sent to a location to prove that the thing that they believe in exists. Things take a wrong turn and both gain powers, and are sent on a mission.

  • Blue Lock by Muneyuki Kaneshiro: For manga readers who are not into sports manga, but still looking for something new, I would recommend Blue Lock. This manga series is absolutely amazing. I could not see myself reading sports manga until I read this. The story takes place when a high school striker named Yoichi Isagi loses his high school match to the champions bracket because he did not have the guts to shoot, and passed instead. The next day, Isagi gets an invitation to a facility named “Blue Lock” aiming to create the world’s best striker to represent Japan in the national league. The catch is: anyone who loses at blue lock will never be able to have a soccer career in Japan.

  • Fire Force by Atsushi Ohkubo: For manga readers looking for something cool and fun to read, I would recommend Fire Force. This manga was created by the same author as Soul Eater, and his former assistant was Kei Urana who created Gachiakuta. This manga takes place in a world where the most probable cause of death is spontaneous human combustion. Shinra Kusakabe, has always dreamed to be a hero but is dubbed a devil by his peers. Shinra joins Special Fire Force Company 8, looking to fight fire monsters called infernals, and to become a hero.

  • My Hero Academia Vigilantes by Hideyuki Furuhashi: This spin-off series to My Hero Academia is actually really good! Manga readers that are looking for a cool series would love this. Our story starts with a young man named Koichi, who has a weak quirk. He learns about vigilantes, heroes that fight without licenses, and decides that even with his quirk he wants to become a hero. He meets a man named “knuckleduster” who doesn’t even have a quirk, but is acting as a vigilante, and begins to fight crime.

“Recommended Series” by Sami B., 7th grade

Throughout the school year, I saw many kids check out books. But one common thing I found was many kids preferred series books rather than ones on their own. Whenever they asked where to find books they mostly asked about books in a series. These were the most recommended from many students.


Shadow Children series

At the beginning of the story, the government created a law saying that “parents can only have two children.” When Luke Garner was born, they forced him to leave his home. He was so mad at the law, he decided to help others like him to change the law. According to “Among the Betrayed” a girl named Nina Idi who’s also an illegal child shows how she has to go through the same thing. 


Dork Diaries series

Across the series Nikki Maxwell uses her diary to explain her life in middle school. Each diary explains how Nikki goes through different problems, relationships, pains and mainly her adventures within her school year.


Raina Telgemeier memoir series

Each and all books show how Raina goes through her toughest parts of life:

Smile: After an accident with her teeth, Raina has to try to survive middle school, not so good friends and now headgear and braces. 

Sisters: Raina’s family have to go through a trip across the country but there are many fights between Raina and her sister. 

Guts: During fifth grade, Raina does not feel good. Also she tends to get nauseous when she sees or hears something that can gross her out. 

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Dog Man/ Cat Kid Comic Club series

Dog Man: Follow Dog Man, a man-dog hybrid, across many adventures that contains adventure, laffs, love and jokes that will keep you entertained and will make you keep reading others like this. Cat Kid Comic Club: Join Lil’ Petety, Molly, Flippy and his family of toads as they explore literacy in comics and their solutions to their problems.


Spy x Family series

During an important mission, Twilight has to be undercover as a family man. He has to adopt a child with telepathic powers and marry a woman who is a secret assassin. Can they live together as a fake family without getting their secrets loose

“7 Books I Read and Loved This Year” by Bruna D., 7th grade

The book Four Eyes is about Rex’s first year of middle school and he found out he has to use glasses and he was scared of people making fun of him but his mom couldn’t afford an expensive glasses so his mom had to buy this very cheap and ugly glasses and then people at school called him four eyes but in the end he found out its okay to be different.

The book Pizza Face is about Rex’s first day of 7th grade and he had a BIG pimple in the center of his forehead because of puberty and then it started growing more and more and then people started calling him pizza face until he went to the dermatologist but he didn’t only deal with acne he deals with friendships.

The book Allergic is about this girl that she dreamed of getting a puppy and then in her birthday she finally got what she wished for but little did she know she was allergic to fur pet, she got so sad and she tried  everything possible to get a dog without fur but still its didn’t work but then she had an idea what if she get a animal without fur but her mom did not let her so she had to get with her knowing.

The book Squished is about this girl who lives in a large family and she feels squished but her 6 siblings and she saves money to make her own room in the basement because she doesn’t want to share a room with her siblings.

The book I Heart You, You Haunt Me is about this girl’s boyfriend who dies but his spirit is always with her and they kiss and do everything even though he is a ghost.

The book Two Tribes is about this girl who wants to learn more about her culture and her religion so she wants to live with her dad who is very religious but did not tell her mom. 

The book Ghosts is about this girl who moves and has a hard time to get used to her new town and that town people say there are ghosts but she doesn’t believe them until she sees one.

“My Favorite Books for Middle School” by Julianna F., 7th grade

Middle school is fun, and reading awesome makes it even better!

One of my favorite books is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. It’s about a boy named Harry who finds out that he’s a wizard! He goes to Hogwarts School, where he makes friends, learns magic, and fights against bad guys. I really like how the story is all about friendship, courage and a little mystery!

Second one that I love is The Giver by Lois Lowry. It’s about a boy named Jonas who lives in a world where everything is the same, and there are no colors or feelings. When he becomes Receiver of Memory. He learns about real things like love and sadness, which makes him think a lot about his life. This book is different from others, but that makes it really cool!

Third, I have to share Wonder by RJ. Palacio. It’s about a boy named Auggie who looks different and is going to school for the first time. The story is told from different people’s perspectives, and it shows how some people can be really nice, while others might not be. I love this book because it tells us to appreciate our differences and be kind to everyone, no matter what. 

Fourth, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is an awesome adventure about a twelve-year-old boy named Jackson. He finds out that he is actually a demigod, which means his dad is Poseidon, the god of the sea! When Percy is accused of stealing Zeus’s lightning bolt, he has to go on a super cool quest across the country to find the ral thief and stop a big fight between the gods. This book is full of action, funny moments, and it teaches us about friendship and being brave. I think it’s a must-read for everyone who loves adventures!

Lastly, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is a really important story about a girl named Starr Carter. She sees her best friend, Khalil, get shot by a police officer, and it changes her life forever. Starr has to deal with tough stuff, like being in a neighborhood where things are dangerous and going to a fancy school where she feels different. This book talks about important issues like race and standing up for what is right. It makes you think and helps you understand how to be brave and find your voice. I think everyone should read it!

These are just a few of my favorite books, and I think every middle schooler should read them!

“Books I Love So Much, I’d Love to Live in Them” by Sarah C., 8th grade

Harry Potter is one of my favourite books the magical world of magic could you imagine living among witches and wizards and going to a Hogwarts studying everything about potions and magic AND I WOULD DO ANYTHING TO FLY ON A HIPPOGRIFF and get my house selected by the sorting hat. One thing I would definitely do is go to Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and buy as much candy as I could!

I don’t think there is anything really special about Washington, but in folks you have the chance to live among vampires and werewolves going to the same school and the CULLENS and maybe even become a vampire or a werewolves and talk to Jacob every single day… I would definitely prefer being a vampire. Can you imagine being young forever? AMAZING!

Can you imagine going into a to a whole new country AND moving with your father that you have never met before while in the process of change falling in love,  that offers an enchanting escape into a world of romance and adventure, where everything is about to become and new experience and you life will get turned upside down.

If for one day I could live the life of lara jean that would be PERFECT. Can you imagine fake-dating PETER KAVINSKY? There is a lot of thing I would do to get a Peter Kavinsky in my life. Their love story is just the cutest thing ever. I would love falling cutely in love like Lara Jean. Plus, come on, who doesn’t wish sometimes they also had sent love letters.

Thank you so much to my student voices today and their recommendations of books they loved reading!

Student Voices: What Kellee’s Middle Schoolers are Reading, Loving, and Promoting

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My Student Literacy Leaders (students who help out in the library as their elective) recently were asked them to pick books they’ve loved that they feel should be checked out more than they are.

For these titles, they completed reading promotion projects which included Book Snaps (a snapshot of a book that is supposed to help get kids interested in the book), Title Talkers (a summary and extra info about the book to help share books with students), and Book Trailers (like a movie trailer but for a book).

Here are the titles they decided to promote (alphabetical by title) with some examples of their projects:

  • 12 to 22 by Jen Calonita
  • All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson
  • A-Okay by Jarad Greene

  • Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
  • Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

  • Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova
  • Baby-Sitters Little Sister: Karen’s Witch by Katy Farina, Created by Ann M. Martin
  • Bedhead Ted by Scott SanGiacomo

  • Big Apple Diaries by Alyssa Bermudez
  • Blended by Sharon Draper
  • Class Act by Jerry Craft

  • Concealed by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
  • Coraline by Neil Gaiman

  • Cross Game: Vol. 1 by Mitsuru Adachi
  • Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
  • Daybreak on Raven Island by Fleur Bradley

  • Delirium by Lauren Oliver
  • The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

  • The Dirt Diary by Anna Staniszewski
  • Divergent by Veronica Roth
  • The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander

  • Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone
  • The Dumbest Idea Ever by Jimmy Gownley
  • Escape by K.R. Alexander
  • Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

  • Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
  • Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander
  • Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra

  • From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
  • Frost Blood by Elly Blake
  • Fruits Basket: Omnibus 1 by Natsuki Takaya

  • The Genius Files: Mission Unstoppable by Dan Gutman
  • Goddess Girls: Athena the Brain by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
  • Go with the Flow by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann
  • Grace Needs Space by Benjamin A. Wilgus and Rii Abrego

  • Ground Zero by Alan Gratz
  • Holes by Louis Sachar
  • Hooky: Vol. 1 by Míriam Bonastre Tur

  • House Arrest by K.A. Holt
  • How I Became a Spy by Deborah Hopkinson

  • How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
  • Huda F Cares? by Huda Fahmy
  • Insignia by S.J. Kincaid

  • I Survived: The Destruction of Pompeii, 79 A.D. by Lauren Tarshis
  • I Survived: The Eruption of Mt. St. Helens, 1980 by Lauren Tarshis
  • I Survived: The Nazi Invasion, 1944 (Graphic Novel) by Lauren Tarshis and Álvaro Sarraseca
  • Join the Club, Maggie Diaz by Nina Moreno

  • Just Roll with It by Veronica Agarwal and Lee Durfey-Lavoie
  • Katie the Catsitter by Colleen A.F. Venable and Stephanie Yue
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  • Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
  • Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
  • Legend by Marie Lu

  • The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time by Akira Himekawa

  • The Lizzie Borden Ax Murders by Carla Mooney
  • Looking Up by Stephan Pastis
  • The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

  • Making Friends by Kristen Gudsnuk
  • Matched by Ally Condie
  • Measuring Up by Lily Lamotte and Ann Xu

  • Midnight at the Barclay by Fleur Bradley
  • Miss Quinces by Kat Fajardo

  • Moo by Sharon Creech
  • The Murders of Tupac and Biggie Smalls by Sue Bradford Edwards
  • No Place by Todd Strasser

  • One Punch Man by ONE
  • Orange: The Complete Collection, Volume 1 by Ichigo Takano

  • Orbiting Jupiter by Gary Schmidt
  • Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder
  • Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

  • P.S. I Like You by Kasie West
  • Querido Evan Hansen by Val Emmich, Steven Levenson, Ben J. Pasek, and Justin Paul
  • Puzzled by Pan Cooke
  • Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham

  • Refugee by Alan Gratz
  • Renegades by Marissa Meyers
  • Restart by Gordon Korman
  • School Trip by Jerry Craft

  • Scout is Not a Band Kid by Jade Armstrong
  • The Selection by Kiera Cass

  • Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
  • Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
  • Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz

  • Sink or Swim by Veronica Agarwal
  • Sisters by Raina Telgemeier
  • Slacker by Gordon Korman
  • Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
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  • Spy School by Stuart Gibbs

  • Trapped by Michael Northrop
  • The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat and Joanna Cacao

  • Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm and Savanna Ganucheau
  • Twins by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright

  • Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
  • Unplugged by Gordon Korman
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  • Unwind by Neal Shusterman
  • War Cross by Marie Lu
  • When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

  • White Cat by Holly Black
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  • The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
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  • Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland
  • Wonder by R.J. Palacios
  • The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Thank you to my students for sharing their favorite books and creating these great reading promotion projects!

Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He Was 10

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I read 169 books while I was 10. Here are 15 of my favorites (in no particular order):


Animorphs series by K.A. Applegate & Michael Grant, Adapted by Chris Grine

This series was amazing because once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. It is a beautiful graphic novel series that is adventurous and unique; I’m so glad there is a graphic novel version. The books make me feel so much. For example, in the first one it was sad Tobias is changed into a hawk forever but it is also helpful because they can have a watch person.

Aquanaut: A Graphic Novel by Dan Santat

Ooooo, I like Aquanaut! It is one of the best graphic novels! It is beautiful, sad, fun, and happy all at the same time. And the art was aesthetically pleasing. That one scene when Aquanaut swam down to the giant squid is one of my favorite spreads; it was so ominous. And it is amazing how Sophia is able to help all the animals, including Aquanaut.

Big Jim Begins by Dav Pilkey

I’ve always loved Dog Man, and I loved this one, too, even though this one is different from the other Dog Man books because it is about Big Jim and him making a life as a super hero. It was funny how Jim dragged Petey along with him, making Petey even grumpier than normal.

The Big Sting by Rachelle Delaney

I love The Big Sting because grandpa is funny and Leo and Lizzie are adventurous. I also love it because I like mystery books. I couldn’t stop listening to it when my teacher read it to us.

Bone series by Jeff Smith

I read this entire series, and I just couldn’t stop. At first, I thought it was just going to be a funny comic, which it was, but it was so much more, too: adventurous and a beautiful story. My favorite Bone character was Happy because he made me laugh.

Curveball by Pablo Cartaya, Illustrated by Miguel Díaz Rivas

I liked Curveball because it’s quirky, and it taught me a lesson about not judging a person on first impressions. One night, I read it, and I couldn’t stop reading.

Drama by Raina Telgemeier

It is very stupid that this book gets banned. I don’t think that a book should ever be banned just because there are people who may be gay in it. The book is about that but also much more, like loving something and working together to make it happen.

Emmie and Friends series by Terri Libenson

I’ve read 3 from this series, Becoming Brianna, Truly Tyler, and Always Anthony, and I am determined to read them all because the ones I’ve read are so relatable since it talks about friendship and school. I can’t wait to read more of them.

Huda F Cares by Huda Fahmy

Huda tells her story in such a funny way. It is hilarious how her sisters bug her all the way from Michigan to Florida. The book was extra entertaining for me because I love Disney world. I do hate that Huda gets judged just because she’s Muslim and prays. Oh, and I was lucky to meet Huda Fahmy this year, too!

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu

I think this is books is one of the best books because it is sad but then it get hopeful because Jake works on overcoming his eating disorder. Since John Schu experienced what Jake experienced, the book was a carousel of feelings. Also, John Schu is one of the nicest, most amazing people I’ve ever met.

Marcus Makes a Movie by Kevin Hart with Geoff Rodkey, Illustrated by David Cooper

This book is all about creativeness and talks about teamwork making the dream work. The audiobook for it was amazing because Kevin Hart does a great job. The book, and the audio, are hilarious.

One Wrong Step by Jennifer A. Nielsen

This book is worth the read! It is full of adventure, and it was so cool to learn the history of Mt. Everest and the time period. I liked reading about how they survived back then while climbing. I liked the main characters, Atlas and Maddie, because they were problem solvers and always found a way. After seeing Jennifer Nielsen speak about the book, I was instantly tempted to read it, and I am glad I did.

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Like Louder Than Hunger, I felt this story was better because she experienced it. Smile was a lot: it causes a lot of feelings. It was sad sometimes, happy sometimes, funny sometimes. All of it added up to a great book. Also, I was so lucky to meet Raina and tell her how much I love her books.

Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

I like that this book takes place in Florida, where I live. And grandpa is so funny. The message is also so important—taking drugs affects your life and those around you. But I do think it is good that Sunny went to go see her grandpa because it gave her time away and she made friends.

Wild Robot series by Peter Brown

I’m sure most of you reading this have seen the movie for The Wild Robot, which was good, but I can tell you the books are definitely better and has extended story. It almost made me cry when Roz had to say bye to Brightbill. In my opinion, the first one was my favorite because it is the start of a new story and you get to see Brightbill grow and learn how to fly.

Past “Trent’s Favorite Books” Posts

Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He Was 9

Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He was 8

Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He was 7

Trent’s Favorite Reads as a 6 Year Old

Trent’s Favorite Reads as of His 6th Birthday

Trent’s Favorite Reads as of His 5th Birthday

Ten(ish) of Trent’s Favorite Books as of His 4th Birthday

Ten of Trent’s Favorite Books as of His 3rd Birthday

Trent’s Favorite Books: 1 to 2 Years Old

Trent and Kellee’s Favorite Books: 9 to 12 Months

Trent and Kellee’s Favorite Picture Books: 6 to 9 Months

Kellee and Trent’s Favorite Picture Books: First 3 Months

A First Year Full of Books: Trent’s Journey Through Books
**Check this one out if you haven’t–it is one of my favorite posts ever!**

Kellee’s 2024 Reading Recap & Stats

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And just for fun: here is Trent’s 2024 Year in Books!

Here are my five star reads from 2024 (in order of date read)!

Picture Books

Middle Grade

Young Adult

Happy reading in 2025, friends!!!
To see all the books I’m reading, visit my READ Goodreads shelf and feel free to follow 📖💙

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Author Guest Post: “Encouraging Kids’ Curiosity” by Sarah Albee, Author of Bounce! A Scientific History of Rubber

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“Encouraging Kids’ Curiosity”

I’ve always been curious about the origins of everyday things. I love to ask people if they know who invented the [insert everyday thing here], or where [insert everyday thing here] originated. It’s one of my favorite cocktail party games. (I am so much fun at parties!)

So it probably tracks that I also love books for kids that trace the origins of stuff most of us take for granted; books that show us where something came from in entertaining and fascinating ways. Books like these spark a kid’s curiosity. If this topic has such a cool origin story, a kid reader might think, then maybe this other thing, or that one, or that one might, too! I love these books so much I try to write them as often as possible. (Or as I might phrase it at a cocktail party, “these topics comprise a large part of my oeuvre”.)

So I’m excited to tell you about my latest book, Bounce! A Scientific History of Rubber. It was inspired by my fascination with bouncing balls. I’ve played basketball all my life, and whether a hooper is aware of it or not, anyone who becomes somewhat proficient at dribbling and shooting a basketball learns quite a bit about the laws of motion, and angles, and friction, and air pressure. But I wanted to know more, much more, about rubber itself. And I quickly realized that the modern world couldn’t function without this miraculous substance. It’s a very STEAMy book, with sidebars about polymers and elasticity and other physical properties.

Here are some excellent recent books that also trace the origins of everyday things. These are all books I wish I’d written. And they’re books that would make excellent additions to your classroom.

Concrete: From the Ground Up by Larissa Theule, illustrated by Steve Light

Confession: before I read this book I thought concrete and cement were the same thing. (They’re not.) The history of concrete—a combination of stone, sand, water, and cement (limestone and clay)—goes way, way back. With its clear and whimsical illustrations, the book explores the earliest use of concrete by the ancients as a way to hold stone and brick together, and then, later, its use by the Romans as a structural material. The Romans used it to build aqueducts and amphitheaters (such as the Colosseum) and even the dome of the Pantheon. But their recipe was lost. Many centuries later, concrete was reinvented, and civil engineers added steel rods running through it to create an even stronger material: reinforced concrete.

Perkins Perfect Purple by Tami Lewis Brown and Debbie Loren Dunn. Illustrated by Francesca Sanna

A chemist by trade, Englishman William Perkin attempted to create a synthetic version of quinine, a medication used to treat malaria. Although his effort was a failure, he discovered something else when cleaning his equipment. The leftover mucky stuff was a lovely shade of purple. This once-costly color could suddenly be made from inexpensive coal sludge. And suddenly Victorian England was awash in the color purple. It’s a great example of the unexpected consequences of scientific experimentation that can lead to new discoveries.

The Story of the Saxophone by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James Ransome

As a kid I was semi-obsessed with the beautiful, almost voice-like sound of the saxophone. So I was beyond excited to see the history of this instrument told by my favorite author-illustrator team, Lesa Cline-Ransome and James Ransome. And it’s a fascinating history, especially as told by Lesa, a brilliant storyteller. The illustrations are equally captivating—James embeds saxophones on each spread that are collages of actual images. (Listen to their interview on NPR here.)

This is the history of an object, yes, but the larger theme is the power of curiosity.

Glitter Everywhere! Where it came from, where it’s found & where it’s going

By Chris Barton, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat

I loathe glitter, but I love Chris Barton’s writing, and this is a perfect kid-friendly topic. It’s the history of sparkly stuff from ancient times (beetles, mica) to the present. Importantly, it includes a frank discussion about the environmental damage glitter has wrought on the environment. (Also check out his books about Day-Glo colors and SuperSoakers.)

Here are some classroom activities you might consider for your students:

  • Ask students to write “Today I Learned,” in their writer’s notebooks, and then choose a nonfiction book. They can record an interesting fact or facts about something they’ve learned from the book.
  • Have students write down the sentence “I wonder where _____ comes from.” Ask them to brainstorm a list of five everyday objects they’d like to learn more about, and then choose one object to research.
  • After reading a book about the history of an object, ask students to create an infographic, art project, or other display of their choice that traces the origins of that object (such as rubber, concrete, the saxophone, or a topic of their choosing) from its invention to the present day.
  • Ask students to film a short video in which they ask people (teachers, students, family members) if they can tell you about the origins of an object. Sometimes the answers can be hilarious!

Bounce! A Scientific History of Rubber
Author: Sarah Albee
Illustrator: Eileen Ryan Ewen
Published October 22nd, 2024 by Charlesbridge

About the Book: Ever wondered what makes rubber bounce? Or why it’s stretchy? And WHY is rubber so . . . rubbery?! Learn the fascinating science and history behind this ubiquitous material!

With sidebars, graphics, fun facts, and more, the history of rubber reveals plenty of fascinating secrets and surprises. Elementary school readers will discover that early balls didn’t bounce; that people in the rainforest made waterproof gear from rubber thousands of years before Europeans got into the act; and that sneakers, bicycles, and cars created demand for more and more rubber!

Back matter includes a time line and a bit about the complicated implications of harvesting rubber.

About the Author: Sarah Albee is the New York Times bestselling author of many nonfiction books for kids. Her most recent titles are both picture books: Bounce!: A Scientific History of Rubber and The Painter and the President: Gilbert Stuart’s Brush with George Washington. Other popular titles include Troublemakers in Trousers: Women and What They Wore to Get Things Done; Fairy Tale Science; Accidental Archaeologists: True Stories of Unexpected Discoveries; and Poop Happened: A History of the World from the Bottom Up.  She and her husband, a high school administrator, live in New York City and have three grown children. Visit her at www.sarahalbeebooks.com

Thank you, Sarah, for sparking our curiosity and inspiring us to spark our students’!

Author Guest Post: “Integrating Storytelling with Science Education” by Serene Chia, Author of Mommy, Mommy, Where is the Moon?

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“Integrating Storytelling with Science Education”

How do we use children’s picture books to spark our kid’s interest in science? As a children’s author and a fan of kids’ books, I’ve discovered that storytelling can be a magical tool to engage young minds. Combining stories with science is a great way to keep little ones excited about learning.

Here are 3 ways to start their scientific journey through the power of stories and child-led inquiry.

  • Making Science Simple. Science doesn’t have to be complicated. Stories can make tricky ideas easy for kids to understand. In Charlotte the Scientist Finds a Cure, Charlotte’s journey to find out what is making the animals sick captures children’s interest and teaches them about the scientific method to ask questions and form a hypothesis. Charlotte’s determination and problem-solving skills are depicted in a way that children can easily grasp.
  • Encouraging Curiosity. One of the best ways to teach science is through student-led inquiry. Encourage your students to ask questions and explore answers. In Ada Twist, Scientist, Ada’s relentless curiosity to find out what is causing a smelly smell drives the story, prompting kids to ask their own questions and seek answers. This book is fantastic for teaching children the value of persistence and inquiry in science.

    Similarly, in If I Built a School, Jack’s imaginative ideas about what a school could look like encourage students to think creatively and ask “what if” questions. Jack’s wild ideas, like a library where books come alive, can inspire kids to dream big and explore how their own creative solutions could be realized. These books collectively show that curiosity is the starting point for scientific exploration.

  • Mixing Different Subjects. Stories can seamlessly blend different subjects like science and reading. In Over and Under the Pond, the narrative combines scientific facts with beautiful storytelling, helping kids improve their reading while learning about nature. This multidisciplinary approach makes learning more interesting and helps kids see the connections between different subjects. It encourages them to think critically and creatively, integrating knowledge from various fields.

Recommended Books for Starting Children on Their Scientific Journey

Charlotte the Scientist Finds a Cure by Camille Andros

The story emphasizes the importance of family support in scientific endeavors, with Grandpa Bunny telling Charlotte, “Charlotte, you are going to make a real difference in the world.” My 3-year-old son loved the bunny family and the grandpa who wasn’t well, while my 6-year-old daughter was fascinated by finding out what was making all the animals sick. She learned new words like quarantine and experiment.

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty

This book encourages kids to start asking questions when they encounter problems. Ada’s journey to discover what was causing a stink in her house shows how persistent inquiry can lead to scientific discovery. The story highlights the importance of family support in encouraging curiosity and problem-solving.

Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner

The book paints a beautiful picture of an afternoon spent exploring the ecosystem of a pond. Living in Singapore, we learned about animals we don’t have here, like the mink, moose, and American goldfinch. The illustrations, such as a view from above the trees looking down at the mother and son rowing their boat, add an immersive visual element that helps kids learn about different species and their habitats.

If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen

This imaginative book follows a boy named Jack with the wildest imagination as he describes to his teacher, Miss Jane, how he would design a school. His ideas include puppies, a zoo, a robot that makes lunches, and hover desks that glide around. My kids especially loved the part where the library had books that came alive, like Jack and the Beanstalk, with a beanstalk that grew when you opened the book. This story sparks interesting discussions and encourages kids to think creatively about their learning environment.

Conclusion. Storytelling is a powerful tool for teaching science. It makes learning easy, fun, and engaging. You don’t need complicated setups to spark curiosity in your students. Use storytelling to create a rich, engaging learning environment. Books like Charlotte the Scientist Finds a Cure, Ada Twist, Scientist, Over and Under the Pond, and If I Built a School are excellent starting points. By incorporating these stories into your lessons, you can inspire the next generation of scientists and explorers!

Mommy, Mommy, Where is the Moon?
Author: Serene Chia
Illustrator: Sinem Kilic Rabito
Published June 3rd, 2022

About the Book: Few things in life are as precious as the bond shared between a mother and her daughter.

Kaitlyn loves spending her nights lying beside her mother as they search the sky for the Moon. Sometimes they find it. Sometimes they don’t! That doesn’t stop them from laughing and talking about cool moon facts like why it changes shape and hides sometimes. Like Neil Armstrong, Kaitlyn believes she can also fly to the Moon!

Beautifully illustrated and filled with inspiration, Mommy, Mommy, Where is the Moon is a must-read for every child.

Parents and educators, this book is great for:

IMPROVING PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP – Engage your child and improve the parent-child relationship.

INTRODUCING SCIENCE AND STEM CONCEPTS – Introduce your child to science and STEM concepts in a fun and easy-to-understand way.

ENCOURAGING IMAGINATION – Encourages your child to dream big and use their imagination.

For a free lesson plan and activity sheets for preschoolers, visit serenechia.com/moon

About the Author: As a children’s author, Serene Chia has always been passionate about creating stories that educate and inspire young minds. Her book, Mommy, Mommy, Where is the Moon?, was inspired by her daughter’s fascination with the moon. One of their favorite things to do was to spend time looking for the moon every night. Sometimes they found it, other times they didn’t. Along the way, they pick up cool moon facts like why the moon changes shape and sometimes hides.

This book combines the warmth of a mother-daughter bond with bits of science sprinkled within. It also comes with a lesson plan for 6-year-olds, a read-aloud video, and coloring sheets that make it easy to incorporate into your home or classroom lessons. Visit serenechia.com/moon.

Website: serenechia.com
Instagram: instagram.com/serenechiaauthor

Thank you, Serene, for these science-focused activities and books!

Author Guest Post: “Living a Multicultural Life: A Book List” by Kara H.L. Chen, Author of Asking for a Friend

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“Living a Multicultural Life”

First and second generation Americans face the unique challenge of having to navigate between the culture of their (or their parents’) county of origin and those of America. For children and teens, especially, the tension that can come from the clash of these worldviews can be confusing and difficult.

Middle grade and young adult books that explore these differences in perspectives, and which discuss how characters deal with these conflicts, may provide some comfort for those in the same situation. In my book, ASKING FOR A FRIEND, the main character, Juliana Zhao, has spent her life trying to follow her Taiwanese mother’s guidance for “success” but soon comes to realize that it may not lead to what she truly wants.

Here are some other books that explore what it means to grow up with more than one culture (book descriptions provided by the publishers):

LILY XIAO SPEAKS OUT – Nicole Chen

Lily Xiao can’t wait to go to Camp Rock Out this summer, where she’ll finally be able to shed her “class robot” good girl reputation and start her journey to becoming the next Eddie Vedder! And she can’t wait to do it with her best friend and cousin, Vivian, who’s just moved from Taiwan to Lily’s California hometown.

But as the two cousins work their way through seventh grade, Vivian struggles more and more with her schoolwork, which is all taught in English. If Vivian can’t get her grades up, her parents won’t let her go to rock camp.

Determined to help, Lily embarks on a mission to push their school to provide more support for English-as-a-Second-Language learners like Vivian. But her first-generation immigrant family is nervous about Lily challenging the status quo. We should be grateful to be here, they always say.

With Camp Rock Out on the line, Lily will need to decide how far she’ll push against her family’s wishes in order to stand up and speak out.

IN THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY – Jane Kuo

Anna can’t wait to move to the beautiful country—the Chinese name for America. Although she’s only ever known life in Taiwan, she can’t help but brag about the move to her family and friends.

But the beautiful country isn’t anything like Anna pictured. Her family can only afford a cramped apartment, she’s bullied at school, and she struggles to understand a new language. On top of that, the restaurant that her parents poured their savings into is barely staying afloat. The version of America that Anna is experiencing is nothing like she imagined. How will she be able to make the beautiful country her home?

This lyrical and heartfelt story, inspired by the author’s own experiences, is about resilience, courage, and the struggle to make a place for yourself in the world.

RUBI RAMOS’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS – Jessica Parra

Graduation is only a few months away, and Rubi Ramos’s “recipe for success” to get into prestigious Alma University is already off track.

When Alma waitlists Rubi’s application, Rubi will need to be distraction-free to make the grade and keep her parents―who have wanted this for her for years―from finding out. Which means falling for her cute surfer-slash-math tutor, Ryan, definitely won’t work. And neither will breaking her mother’s ban on baking―her parents didn’t leave Cuba so she could bake just like them.

But some recipes are begging to be tampered with.

When the First Annual Bake Off comes to town, Rubi’s passion for baking goes from subtle simmer to full boil. Add to the mix her crush on Ryan may be turning into a full-fledged relationship and Rubi’s life is suddenly so different from what it was. She’s not sure if she has what it takes to win the Bake Off, or where the relationship with Ryan is going, but there’s only one way to find out―even if it means going against her parents’ priorities.

Now Rubi must differentiate between the responsibility of unfulfilled dreams she holds and finding the path she’s meant for.

A joyful novel of first romance, new possibilities, and the chance to define yourself, Rubi Ramos’s Recipe for Success will find its way into your heart.

THE LOVE MATCH – Priyanka Taslim

Zahra Khan is basically Bangladeshi royalty, but being a princess doesn’t pay the bills in Paterson, New Jersey. While Zahra’s plans for financial security this summer involve working long hours at Chai Ho and saving up for college writing courses, Amma is convinced that all Zahra needs is a “good match,” Jane Austen style.

Enter Harun Emon, who’s wealthy, devastatingly handsome, and…aloof. As soon as Zahra meets him, she knows it’s a bad match. It’s nothing like the connection she has with Nayim Aktar, the new dishwasher at the tea shop, who just gets Zahra in a way no one has before. So, when Zahra finds out that Harun is just as uninterested in this match as she is, they decide to slowly sabotage their parents’ plans. And for once in Zahra’s life, she can have her rossomalai and eat it too: “dating” Harun and keeping Amma happy while catching real feelings for Nayim.

But life—and boys—can be more complicated than Zahra realizes. With her feelings all mixed up, Zahra discovers that sometimes being a good Bengali kid can be a royal pain.

LOVEBOAT, TAIPEI – Abigail Hing Wen

“Our cousins have done this program,” Sophie whispers. “Best kept secret. Zero supervision.”

And just like that, Ever Wong’s summer takes an unexpected turn. Gone is Chien Tan, the strict educational program in Taiwan that Ever was expecting. In its place, she finds Loveboat: a summer-long free-for-all where hookups abound, adults turn a blind eye, snake-blood sake flows abundantly, and the nightlife runs nonstop.

But not every student is quite what they seem:

Ever is working toward becoming a doctor but nurses a secret passion for dance.

Rick Woo is the Yale-bound child prodigy bane of Ever’s existence whose perfection hides a secret.

Boy-crazy, fashion-obsessed Sophie Ha turns out to have more to her than meets the eye.

And under sexy Xavier Yeh’s shell is buried a shameful truth he’ll never admit.

When these students’ lives collide, it’s guaranteed to be a summer Ever will never forget.

And my newest book, publishing July 23rd:
ASKING FOR A FRIEND – Kara H.L. Chen

Juliana Zhao is absolutely certain of a few things:

  1. She is the world’s foremost expert on love.
  1. She is going to win the nationally renowned Asian Americans in Business Competition.

When Juliana is unceremoniously dropped by her partner and she’s forced to pair with her nonconformist and annoying frenemy, Garrett Tsai, everything seems less clear. Their joint dating advice column must be good enough to win and secure bragging rights within her small Taiwanese American community, where her family’s reputation has been in the pits since her older sister was disowned a few years prior.

Juliana always thought prestige mattered above all else. But as she argues with Garrett over how to best solve everyone else’s love problems and faces failure for the first time, she starts to see fractures in this privileged, sheltered worldview.

With the competition heating up, Juliana must reckon with the sacrifices she’s made to be a perfect daughter—and whether winning is something she even wants anymore.

“A swoonworthy, heart-wrenching view into the trials of growing up second generation in an immigrant community.” – Kirkus Reviews

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About the Author: Kara H.L. Chen is a Taiwanese American writer who received her MFA in fiction from Brooklyn College. She is the author of LOVE & RESISTANCE (Quill Tree/HarperCollins, 2023) and ASKING FOR A FRIEND (Quill Tree/HarperCollins, 7/23/24). Her website is at karahlchen.com or you can find her on Instagram and Twitter/X @hl_kara or @karahlchen on Substack.

Thank you, Kara, for this list of must reads!