Review - Once Upon an Eid

Summary (from Goodreads):

Eid! The short, single syllable word conjures up a variety of feelings and memories for Muslims. Maybe it’s waking up to the sound of frying samosas or the comfort of bean pie, maybe it’s the pleasure of putting on a new outfit for Eid prayers, or maybe it’s the gift giving and the holiday parties, or carnival rides to come that day. Whatever it may be, for those who cherish this day of celebration, the emotional responses may be summed up in another short and sweet word: joy.
Contributors include G. Willow Wilson, Hena Khan, N. H. Senzai, Hanna Alkaf, Rukhsana Khan, Randa Abdel-Fattah, Ashley Franklin, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Candice Montgomery, Huda Al-Marashi, Ayesha Mattu, Asmaa Hussein, and Sara Alfageeh.


My Review:

I absolutely adored this book! Hearing the voices of Muslim kids from all over the world (Australia, the US, etc.) was so enlightening, and I learned so much about Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr. Looking up all of the names of traditions and foods was really amazing; I want to find lots of recipes on Pinterest for all of the yummy-looking foods! Some of the stories made me happy-cry, like when Kareem helped his neighbor with a problem, and others made my heart hurt, like reading about Bassem's first Eid in a camp for Syrian refugees. I feel like I have a much better understanding of how important Ramadan and Eid are for Muslims, especially my students, and I really can't wait to learn more!

Read: January 22

Review - The Word Eater

 

The Word Eater

Summary (from Goodreads):

Life is miserable for sixth grader Lerner Chanse at her new shool, where the MPOOE (Most Powerful Ones On Earth) Club ruthlessly rules over the SLUGs (Sorry Losers Under Ground). It looks as if Lerner is destined to be a SLUG, until she finds a magical worm that eats printed words instead of dirt. If Fip eats a word, that item simply disappears from the world -- forever.


My Review:

I loved this book! The author does an excellent job setting the scene and capturing the quirks of 6th grade life. The characters are believable, especially the antagonist - you really hate her towards the end! The results and consequences of Fip the Worm eating words run the gamut from amusing to extremely serious, and Lerner, the protagonist, really needs to think hard about what words she allows Fip to read. The book is an easy read, but it's not simplistic or pandering.

Read: January 2022

Review - Have You Seen Hyacinth Macaw?

 

Have You Seen Hyacinth Macaw? (Abby Jones, Junior Detective #1)

Summary (from Goodreads):

This first book in the series finds Abby Jones and her pal, Potsie, squeezing into windows, sneaking onto subways and slithering into empty apartments, as they try to solve the mystery of the missing Hyacinth Macaw."Lightweight and funny...propelled by fast action, spritely dialogue, and pleasantly scary scenes."-- "Booklist." 

My Review:

I bought a copy of this for nostalgia's sake, having been the first chapter book I ever read. I was probably seven when I read this, and I remember the librarian doubting whether or not I could get through it, but I did. This book is a good introduction to the mystery genre, although it is dated and modern readers will not understand some references (pay-phones, wooden clog shoes, a lack of internet), and this may affect readability and comprehension. Otherwise, the pacing and dialogue are well-executed, providing a decent sense of suspense, even for this jaded reader. 

Read: January 2022

Review - Darth Paper Strikes Back (Origami Yoda #2)

 

Darth Paper Strikes Back (Origami Yoda #2)

Summary (from Goodreads):

Something amazing happened. A weird kid named Dwight made an origami finger puppet of Yoda. (That wasn't the amazing thing--just typical Dwight weirdness.) the amazing thing was that Origami Yoda gave great advice. He could predict the date of a pop quiz, tell a guy if a girl likes him or not, and keep kids from embarrassing themselves in a dozen different ways. Most of the sixth graders were convinced he was using the Force.

But now, a year later, it's a dark time at McQuarrie Middle School. Dwight has been suspended and may be expelled, which means no more Origami Yoda. Even worse, Darth Paper, a puppet created by Dwight's nemesis, Harvey, has taken Yoda's place. He spews insults and evil and just may be responsible for getting Dwight kicked out in the first place. Now the kids of McQuarrie are trying to build a case to save Dwight. This is their case file. 

My Review:

I felt that this was a worthy sequel to the original Origami Yoda book. The plot was more intense this time, with a clearer antagonist and conflict. Read: January 2022

Review - The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

 

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

Summary (from Goodreads):

Meet Dwight, a sixth-grade oddball. Dwight does a lot of weird things, like wearing the same T-shirt for a month or telling people to call him "Captain Dwight." This is embarrassing, particularly for Tommy, who sits with him at lunch every day.

But Dwight does one cool thing. He makes origami. One day he makes an origami finger puppet of Yoda. And that's when things get mysterious. Origami Yoda can predict the future and suggest the best way to deal with a tricky situation. His advice actually works, and soon most of the sixth grade is lining up with questions.

Tommy wants to know how Origami Yoda can be so smart when Dwight himself is so clueless. Is Yoda tapping into the Force? It's crucial that Tommy figure out the mystery before he takes Yoda's advice about something VERY IMPORTANT that has to do with a girl.

This is Tommy's case file of his investigation into "The Strange Case of Origami Yoda."

My Review: 

Better than I expected! I liked the case file format, which turns the book into manageable chunks for readers who need smaller amounts to read at once (and for whom chapters become overwhelming). The characters sounded like sixth graders for the most part, and the narrator's change of heart (I won't spoil it for you!) is very nice to see. I'd read it to my students as an example of tolerance and understanding. 

Read: January 2022

New York Public Library - 2022 Winners: Newbery, Caldecott, King, Belpre & More Awards from the American Library Association

 Check these out: https://www.nypl.org/blog/2022/01/24/ala-youth-media-award-winners

Welcome to my online library!

 Welcome!  Come join me as I explore lots of different books for middle schoolers!