Book Review: Swim Team

Book Review: Swim Team

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Christmas, J. (2022). Swim team: A Graphic Novel. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0063056763

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Bree is an adolescent girl who is forced to move during a very transformative time in her life. She is moving from Brooklyn to Florida, two totally different places and experiences. You follow the main character as she navigates the changes of moving to a new place during middle school. This book tackles aspects of change, bravery, trying new things and conquering fears. This triumphant graphic novel follows Bree as she learns to swim and ultimately becomes a successful swimmer making her the darling of the swim team. The relationships Bree forms are so important to her success.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book is very relatable to the reader. It highlights several scary situations that kids could be put in: being forced to do something you don’t want to do and accepting change. Anxiety is an experience that many young people suffer from and in this book, you learn how the character faces anxiety but also works through it. The illustrations in this graphic novel convey so much detail and even emotion from the character.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

“Problem solving through perseverance and friendship is the real win in this deeply smart and inspiring story.” – Kirkus Reviews

National Book Award Longlist

Coretta Scott King Honor Book

5. CONNECTIONS

Bree’s neighbor explains to her why it is that some black children do not know how to swim and will not learn how to swim. You could research this with your class asking: How has racism of the past contributed to anxiety around swimming in the black community? What other spaces have black people been potentially shut out of?

Book Review by Barbara Jean Thompson

 

Book Review: Echo

 Book Review: Echo

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ryan, P. M. (2015). Echo. Scholastic Inc. ISBN 978-0439874021

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This multi age book by Pam Munoz Ryan is a beautiful story about how people can be connected and how important that is to our existence and happiness. You fall in love with the characters as they navigate the connections that are made by the harmonica. Through these connections you experience the imagined but very realistic stories of these characters endearing you to them.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book is intriguing to the reader because it includes magical aspects but through the lens of the very realistic stories of the characters. There are aspects of music that flow through the entire story pulling the characters and connections together. This author is not afraid to present the experiences of the characters that include adversity, war, prejudice, and the human struggle. This book could even be broken down into smaller parts for struggling readers. Presenting this text as a read aloud would be a great way to inspire thoughtful discussion in the classroom.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
New York Times Bestselling Book

Newbery Honor Book

Children’s Literature Legacy Award Winner

“A multilayered novel set in turbulent times explores music’s healing power.” – Kirkus Reviews

“An impassioned, uplifting, and virtuosic tour de force from a treasured storyteller!” – Goodreads

5. CONNECTIONS
This is an excellent book to compare to nonfiction. There are so many topics it could be read alongside of. Example – musical instruments, music history, historical events that take place in the book like the Holocaust and the Great Depression.

Book Review by Barbara Jean Thompson

Book Review: Twins

 Book Review: Twins

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Johnson, V. (2020). Twins: A Graphic Novel (Twins #1). Scholastic Inc. ISBN 133823613X

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This is a story about twins. I think many people have preconceived conceptions about twins, so the interest level is high in this book. This is a fabulous graphic novel that captures the struggle of growing up, but not just growing up as a kid, growing up as a twin. The connections between these two characters are strong, but you can understand and sympathize with each twin when they enter middle school. This can be a struggle for many kids and for Maureen and Francine it becomes even more difficult as they are entering new territory emotionally, socially and as individuals.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book is an exceptional transition book from children’s literature to graphic novels. The illustrations are so captivating and telling of the story that the text flows freely. This book would be excellent for an avid or reticent reader due to the plot. It is a captivating read as we can relate to the family dynamics but also to the sentiment of becoming your own person and staying true to yourself. The character development and conflict keep you turning the page!

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
National Indie Bestseller

BCALA Youth Literacy Award Winner for Best Graphic Novel

Eisner Award Nominee

NPR Best Book of 2020

Junior Guild Selection

School Library Journal Best Book of 2020

Washington Post Best Children’s Book of 2020

Horn Book Fanfare Selection of 2020

Booklist Editor’s Choice of 2020

Kirkus Reviews Book of 2020

 Barnes and Noble Best Book of 2020

Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2020

Denver Public Library Best Book of 2020

Texas Library Association Litter Maverick Reading List Selection

5. CONNECTIONS
Compare this Graphic Novel to other Graphic Novels by authors:

Raina Telgemeier

Pam Munoz Ryan

Johnnie Christmas

This book could be incorporated into Social Emotional Learning about the transition from elementary school to middle school. You could use this book as a model of how these character experienced issues like making new friends or adapting to change.  

Book Review by Barbara Jean Thompson

Book Review: Smile

 Book Review: Smile

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Telgemeier, R. (2014). Smile: A graphic novel. Scholastic Inc. ISBN 978-1338740264

2. PLOT SUMMARY

This is another great coming of age book by Raina Telgemeier. This book is perfectly aimed at the target audience regarding the topic of orthodontic care and getting through the teenage years while managing the dynamics of family, friends and growing up. This book is so relatable and creates many good conversations to laugh about.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This is an exceptional graphic novel that interests readers in different ways. Whether it be the relatable story, the strong character development or the intriguing illustrations, this book is a must read for late elementary students or pre-teens. This graphic novel is a beautiful example of contemporary realistic fiction as it is based off of the author’s journey through this difficult, but enlightening event in her life. Often, with this genre, you want to see the progression of the character and Telgemeier gives us the pleasure to do so. This book is a gem for any reader, but especially for a struggling reader. Each page is so dynamic and interesting that you want to keep reading. The text is broken down into chunks making the reading experience very seamless.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Eisner Award Winner

New York Times #1 Bestseller

“Telgemeier has created an utterly charming graphic memoir of tooth trauma, first crushes and fickle friends, sweetly reminiscent of Judy Blume’s work.” – Kirkus Reviews

“A story to comfort readers traversing the years between childhood and adulthood: it presents a kind of worst-case scenario with a happy ending.” – New York Times

5. CONNECTIONS

Read other graphic novels by Raina Telgemeier: Drama, Ghosts, Sisters and Guts

This book could be used as an author study to showcase Telgemeier but also contemporary realistic fiction and graphic novels. The author wrote about an event and time in her life. What could students write about?

Book Review by Barbara Jean Thompson 

Book Review: Paperboy

Book Review: Historical Fiction

Paperboy by Vince Vawter (240 pages)

1. Bibliography:

Vawter, V. (2014). Paperboy. Paw Prints.

2. Plot Summary: This historical fiction book encompasses the experiences of a young person living with a severe stutter. This story takes place in the southern United States during the 1950's and 1960's. That comes with its fair share of trials and tribulations. This is a coming of age book. The main character is an 11 years old boy who has picked up a paper route thus forcing him into a position to have to speak with people, which is a great challenge. Through the relationships he forms with paper route customers, you are able to connect and relate to them and their struggles, as well. Like all young people, Victor is trying to change and adapt to fit into a world that is oftentimes unforgiving and unkind. Although we may not experience exactly what Victor has, his strides, successes and failures are all so relatable and endear you to his experience. One thing that stuck with me from this book is that when you have a disability sometimes there is no overcoming and that is the reality no matter what effort, motivation or resources you have. This book is essentially a memoir, as the experiences of Victor were those of the author, Vince Vawter.

3. Critical Review: This books flows and is an easy read. It is told from the perspective of the main character, which endears you to him. The historical aspects that make this a piece of historical fiction come from the time period of living the the 1950's and 1960's. There are themes of segregation that run through this book. This is the perspective of a white adolescent in this time, it would be a totally different account if it was of a black adolescent.

4. Review Excerpt/s:

Newbery Medal Nominee

The Magnolia Award Nominee (6-8)

"An engaging and heartfelt presentation that never whitewashes the difficult time and situation as Little Man comes of age." - Kirkus Reviews

5. Connections:

This book takes place in the 50's and 60's during a time of segregation in the US. Compare the experiences of white and black people during this time.

This book highlights a disability that affects the character greatly in his life. This could extend to reading other books with characters that have disabilities. This is a great way to make sure students are "seen."

Book review by Barbara Jean Thompson.

Book Review: Turtle in Paradise

 Book Review: Historical Fiction

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm (224 pages)

1. Bibliography:

Holm, J. L. (2016). Turtle in paradise. Yearling Newbery.

2. Plot Summary: The character Turtle must leave her home to go live with family in Key West, FL. This is due to the fact that they are struggling financially during the Great Depression in 1935. Turtle is tough and brave. She is sent away without her mother and learns to adapt, no matter how strange this place is to her. The escapades that she goes through with her cousins are exciting and hilarious. This is a book that makes you feel how in a way that when struggle is common, it becomes a part of your life, something you have to deal with, with little choice in the matter.

3. Critical Review: This book of historical fiction is so because of the time period during the Great Depression in the United States. It is a common story as this time period made necessary. Families and communities were often broken apart as people went and did what they had to to survive. Although the topic could be depressing, the story is not. It is so entertaining. The author makes the setting a large part of the story lending to the wild nature of the events and circumstances.

4. Review Excerpt/s:

"A lively adaptation certain to entertain readers old and new." - Kirkus Reviews

Newbery Medal Honor Book

Golden Kite Award

5. Connections:

This book could be compared to other books that define the human experience of the Great Depression.

Explore the Great Depression on Britannica Kids: Great Depression - In Depth

Extend the topic by reading another book by Jennifer Holm, Full of Beans.

Book review by Barbara Jean Thompson.

Book Review: The Earth Dragon Awakens

 Book Review: Historical Fiction

The Earth Dragon Awakens by Laurence Yep (117 pages)

1. Bibliography

Yep, L. (2006). The earth dragon awakes : the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Harper Collins Publishers.

2. Plot Summary:

In this book you follow the stories of Henry and Chin. Henry is from a wealthy American family and Chin is not. He is a Chinese immigrant and his father being employed by Henry's family. The earthquake and fire of 1906 destroyed both of their homes as it covered a 2,000 acre area. This book is entertaining and to the point. You will leave reading this book knowing more about how the earthquake and fire of 1906 devastated this whole area and reflecting on how Chinese immigrants were treated poorly.

3. Critical Review:

This book is an amazing and interesting way to teach students about the earthquake and subsequent fire in San Francisco in 1906. This book is written and presented in a very digestible way. With the chapter title of time and place, the reader is able to follow along chronologically. There are facts interspersed along with a fictional story making it feel almost as if it is of a nonfiction account. The way the author portrays the perspectives from different people of different socioeconomic levels, you see that this event was an unexpected and unimaginable tragedy to all. Saying this is a piece of historical fiction in undeniable.

4. Review Excerpt/s:

Newbery Medal Honor Book

Texas Bluebonnet Award

"It is notable especially for the attention paid to the experience of San Francisco’s Chinese immigrants, and a good choice for reluctant readers." (Historical fiction. 8-12) - Kirkus Reviews

5. Connections:

A related website to explore when reading this book: Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco - 1906 Earthquake and Fire

http://www.sfmuseum.org/1906/06.html

Read alongside the book: You Are There: San Francisco 1906 by Kenneth C.H. Walsh

Book Review by Barbara Jean Thompson.

Book Review: Dash

 Book Review: Historical Fiction

1. Bibliography:

Dash by Kirby Larson (256 pages)

Larson, Kirby. (2016). Dash. Scholastic, Inc.

2. Plot Summary:

This story describes the separation of a family and a dog. The historical aspect of this book is that it happens to a Japanese-American citizen who is sent to an internment camp during World War II. That story on it's own is astonishing, but the author is able to connect this story more to readers with the inclusion of the relationship with the family pet. Dash the family dog is just that, a companion. But, in the face of such racism and oppression, the comfort and warmth of that pet is needed. The loss to this family is great. They have been taken away from their life and their home. You follow the main character, Mitsi Kashino through this harrowing experience. She longs for the return of her dog but it is also the return of her life before the ugly head of racism showed its face to these Japanese-American citizen.

3. Critical Analysis: The author has a smart way of presenting the problem, but includes a thread of hope to keep the reader engaged. This is the neighbor that agrees to take care of Dash and continues to write Mitsi. This also lends to a theme that not all Americans agree with what is happening to the Japanese-Americans. This event is presented to the reader as a chaotic, confusing time. This thoughtful book will open up conversations on reflection of why this happened and how it can never happen again in the future. This book is a fabulous way to introduce this historical event to students in a way they can relate to.

4. Review Excerpt/s:

“Larson’s latest is historical fiction at its best.” —Sharon Lawler, Texas Bluebonnet Award Committee

"This emotionally satisfying and thought-provoking book will have readers pulling for Mitsi and Dash." - KIrkus Reviews

Scott O’Dell Historical Fiction Award

Capitol Choices Nomination

Horned Toad Tales Award

Nebraska Golden Sowers Award

NAPPA Gold Award

South Carolina Young Reader’s Choice Award

CBC Hot off the Press Featured Book

BEA Galleys to Grab

5. Connections:

Make connections to other dogs during war like the book Duke by Kirby Larson.

You can supplement WWII history lessons with this book describing the experience of a Japanese American girl and her dog during WWII.

Themes to teach alongside this book: Incarceration camps, internment camps. racism, WWII, the Japanese American experience during this time

Book Review by Barbara Jean Thompson.