Everything Awesome About Dinosaurs

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Thanks to the Kid Lit Exchange network and Orchard Books for the review copy of this book by Mike Lowery. All opinions are my own. This book will be released on October 15, 2019.

My favorite thing about this nonfiction text is that it looks and reads like a graphic novel. The facts are paired with jokes and cartoon-like drawings that will keep kids interested. There is even a section at the end that explains how to draw various dinosaurs. I also love that this book gives a brief history of life on Earth leading up to the dinosaurs. Then the dinosaurs themselves are presented in an award show style format with “awards” for the fastest dinosaur, largest dinosaur, etc. This text even explores a few extinction theories and discusses other prehistoric creatures. There are a lot of facts and information packed into this book, but it is presented in a way that does not feel overwhelming or boring.

This would be a great book for children that are reluctant to read nonfiction books. The graphic novel feel will help to hold their attention, and they’ll learn some pretty amazing facts! This book would be ideal for grades 2 – 5. Affiliate link below.

Superhero Playbook

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Thanks to the Kid Lit Exchange network and Duo Press for the review copy of this book by Randall Lotowycz. All opinions are my own. This book will be released on October 1, 2019.

This book takes a fresh new look at superheroes. Instead of focusing on their superpowers, this book focuses on the virtues that make superheroes great. Then it explains that kids can be like superheroes by following these virtues. Virtues/topics addressed include: responsibility, leadership, perseverance, confidence, standing up to bullies, and many more. Each topic is dealt with in a kid-friendly way and gives practical suggestions for ways that kids can show these virtues now. I also loved that the book acknowledged when superheroes made some not so good choices and explained what they learned from those choices.

This would be a great book for parents or teachers to use to start discussions with their kids around virtues and how to show them in everyday life. It would work great for a virtue of the month or week activity since each superhero’s story could be read separately. This book would be ideal for grades 2 – 5. Affiliate link below.

The Light in the Lake

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Thanks to the Kid Lit Exchange network and Little Brown for the review copy of this book by Sarah R. Baughman. All opinions are my own. This book will be released on September 3, 2019.

Twelve-year-old Addie loves science and her teacher wants her to apply for a Young Scientist position for the summer. If she is accepted, she will spend all summer on Maple Lake helping scientists collect and analyze data. This sounds like a dream come true for Addie, but she hasn’t been to Maple Lake since her twin brother, Amos, drowned in it a few months ago. She is ready to go back, but how will she be able to convince her parents to let her return?
Then Addie finds a journal her brother was keeping that contains clues and evidence of a mysterious creature living in Maple Lake. Addie didn’t believe Amos when he told her about his theory of the creature’s existence shortly before he died. His clues hardly seemed scientific or factual to Addie, but now she is determined to prove him right.

This is an amazing debut novel that beautifully weaves together both science and magic with a focus on the scientific method and environmentalism. Addie is a well-developed character that struggles with grief and learning who she is without her twin brother. This book would be ideal for grades 4 – 6. Affiliate link below.

Not Quite Snow White

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

I L-O-V-E this book! It is an absolute must-have for all elementary classrooms! Tameika loves to sing, act, and dance, and she is excited to try out for the lead in the school play. However, she becomes discouraged when she overhears a few girls saying that she is not quite right for the part because her skin is too dark. How will their harsh words affect her? This is an inspiring story about self-confidence, and how the actions of others can shake that self-confidence.
This book would be great for starting conversations at any grade level! Students can explore how their words affect others, or how racism and microaggressions occur every day. Pair this book with a couple news articles about Disney choosing Halle Bailey to play Ariel to broaden the discussion and show how the text connects to the real world. The possibilities are endless!
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