Posted on August 31st, 2018 by pajamapress
“Originally published in Australia, this adventure novel is a strong series opener with a unique and timely concept. The fast-paced story will keep readers engaged, and solid world building will draw readers into this fascinating cli-fi (climate fiction) tale. VERDICT A timely addition to most middle grade collections.”
—Marissa Lieberman, East Orange Public Library, NJ
Read the full review in the September 2018 issue of School Library Journal
Posted in The Flooded Earth | Tagged cli-fi, empowered-children, Mardi McConnochie, mg-lit, middle-grade-books, middle-grade-fiction
Posted on August 30th, 2018 by pajamapress
“If you love bats or the kids who are protecting them, then you will love Bat Citizens. While telling you a lot about bats, this book focuses on what kids are doing to help them. On almost every alternate page, you meet a new kid who is doing something to help the world better understand bats and their habitat.
I liked reading each kid’s story and was impressed with the things they are doing….
There are lots of photographs, and the book seems well researched, as it includes a lot of facts and many different kids. It would be great for a research project, but most kids won’t sit down and read it cover to cover….
Overall, I think this book would be best for a school library or for kids who absolutely love bats.”
—Neela, Age 9
Click here to read the full review
Posted in Bat Citizens | Tagged animal-activism, bat-sqaud, bats, book-review, environmental-activism, juvenile-non-fiction, non-fiction-picture-books, picture-book, Rob Laidlaw
Posted on August 29th, 2018 by pajamapress
“Of special note is the Spotlight features on ‘Bat Citizens’ make this an empowering book for children ages 8 to 12 seeking their own expressions of global citizenship. With informational sidebars, color photographs, a glossary and index, and a center-gatefold bat illustration, Bat Citizens is an outstandingly informative and thoroughly ‘kid friendly’ book that will prove to be a welcome and enduringly appreciated addition to both elementary school and community library collections.”
Click here to read the full review
Posted in Bat Citizens | Tagged animal-activism, bat-squad, bats, book-review, environmental-activism, juvenile-non-fiction, non-fiction-picture-books, nonfiction, picture-book, Rob Laidlaw
Posted on August 23rd, 2018 by pajamapress
Posted in Swallow's Dance, Too Young to Escape | Tagged book-list, diverse-books, marsha-forchuk-skrypuch, mg-lit, middle-grade-books, middle-grade-fiction, middle-grade-nonfiction, recommending-reading, Van Ho, Wendy Orr
Posted on August 22nd, 2018 by pajamapress
“Michelle Kadarusman uses her own personal experience to weave a beautiful story about change, friendship, acceptance, and finding your place in the world. The characters develop naturally throughout the story and the emotions are described in a way that helps the reader relate to the book and stay engaged and absorbed in the story. The Theory of Hummingbirds would be great for any student in upper elementary, middle school and high school. The book doesn’t contain any language or sensitive material, making it a great book for anyone young or old. The way that Alba deals with her differences and life struggles is inspiring and will change the life of anyone who reads her story.”
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Posted in The Theory of Hummingbirds | Tagged book-review, diverse-books, early-readers, mg-books, mg-fiction, mg-lit, Michelle Kadarusman, talipes-equinovarus
Posted on August 21st, 2018 by pajamapress
“This is obviously the first in a series of books following the children, and I am dying to find out the next adventures for them. The author is well-known for both children’s and adult fiction in Australia, and I am pleased to discover her.”
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Posted in The Flooded Earth | Tagged adventure-books, book-review, cli-fi, climate-fiction, Mardi McConnochie, mg-books, mg-fiction, mg-lit, sea-voyage
Posted on August 19th, 2018 by pajamapress
“BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH …
This early chapter book is a great read about planning ahead, taking notes, and being nice to your friends. The illustrations are so beautiful, this is a nice series.”
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Posted in Timo Goes Camping | Tagged book-review, canlit, Dean Griffiths, early-chapter-books, early-readers, friendship, illustrated-chapter-books, kidlit, middle-grade-fiction, Victoria Allenby
Posted on August 16th, 2018 by pajamapress
“Illustrations in colored pencil, watercolor, and digital media feature soft lines and colors and emphasize the relationships between the boys and their pets…Endpapers list in crayon-styled hand printing things to have before bringing a kitten home and what to give your kitten each day….[will] stoke a child’s excitement about the idea of getting a pet and useful for facilitating a conversation about pet care. (Picture book. 3-6)”
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Posted in Our New Kittens | Tagged Alice Carter, book-review, canlit, cats, empowered-children, kidlit, kittens, new-pets, picture-books, theo-heras
Posted on August 15th, 2018 by pajamapress
“A high-seas adventure stars 12-year-old twins Will and Annalie, who seek their missing father in a flooded, post-ecological-collapse world….As is typical of the cli-fi genre, McConnochie explores current-world issues within her adventure. Climate refugees and strict immigration laws have created a permanent underclass and a human trafficking problem, which privileged Essie begins to understand when the adventurers are joined by a starving former slave boy….Despite the post-disaster setting, an exciting and old-fashioned sailboat quest with pirates, secret codes, storms, and cannibals. (Science fiction. 10-12)”
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Posted in The Flooded Earth | Tagged book-review, cli-fi, climate-fiction, Mardi McConnochie, mg-lit, middle-grade-books, middle-grade-fiction
Posted on August 14th, 2018 by pajamapress
“The zany odd couple is back again in an exciting new adventure….Bender’s sharp wit, onomatopoeic language, and cartoon-style illustrations capture Giraffe’s exasperation, determination, and terror and, above all, the joy of his reunion with his best friend—right before they get themselves into more trouble! Bender includes a map of the locations Giraffe visits in his odyssey; inset pictures of the new animals in this book, a bush baby and an ibex, along with their Latin, scientific names offer bonus STEM material.
May this series continue with more humorous adventures that teach, ever so gently, that best friends have to let each other roam—because the reunion is that much sweeter. A sequel that delivers; may Bird soon have his own starring role in an upcoming story. (Picture book. 3-6)”
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Posted in Giraffe and Bird Together Again | Tagged book-review, canlit, kidlit, picture-books, Rebecca Bender