Review of Iveliz Explains It All, by Andrea Beatriz Arango

Award Winners, Children's Fiction Review, Contemporary, Starred Review 0

Iveliz Explains It All

by Andrea Beatriz Arango

Random House, 2022. 268 pages.
Review written February 15, 2023, from a library book
Starred Review
2023 Newbery Honor Book

Iveliz is a seventh-grader who was hoping that everything would be better now that she’s in seventh grade. But that didn’t happen. We get to listen in on her thoughts and her struggles as we read her journal, written in poetry.

We learn pretty early that Iveliz had something awful happen a couple years ago, but we don’t learn right away what it is. Now, her grandma from Puerto Rico is moving into their home because she’s getting worse with Alzheimer’s.

And even though Mimi loves her, she doesn’t think Iveliz should take pills or go to therapy. One more person who thinks she’s not enough. At school, she gets so mad at the bullies and fights back — which disappoints her Mami. Why is Iveliz never good enough for her? And surely Iveliz can make some rules that will set things right again.

I read this book because it’s a Newbery Honor book, and I appreciate the Newbery committee bringing it to my attention. It’s a compassionate look at a kid for whom life is just getting too overwhelming, spotlighting mental health and finding people who care.

andreabeatrizarango.com
rhcbooks.com

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Review of Holy Terrors, by Margaret Owen, read by Saskia Maarleveld

Fantasy, Starred Review, Teen Fiction Review 0

Holy Terrors

by Margaret Owen
read by Saskia Maarleveld

Macmillan Audio, 2025. 16 hours, 15 minutes.
Review written April 11, 2025, from a library eaudiobook.
Starred Review

I’ve said how much I like the recent trend of duologies – but this trilogy conclusion to the story begun in Little Thieves reminds me just how grand and wonderful a trilogy can be. Yes, you definitely need to read these books in order. If you haven’t started yet, do it! You are in for a treat! I want to reread them to freshly appreciate all the nuances built into the story, and if I read the print version (I’ve purchased my own copies.), I know I’ll hear Saskia Maarleveld’s voice in my head – she’s become the voice of these characters I love.

This book opens more than a year after what I thought was a terrible choice Vanya made at the end of the last book. But something fun about this book is that each section begins with a story of what would have happened if Vanya had made a different choice – and the first story told is about that one. Things don’t exactly turn out better.

But in her actual life, Vanya has been living as the Pfennigeist – robbing the rich to help the poor, or at least helping people get justice who are otherwise overlooked and oppressed. She’s dated some men, but is single right now.

And then someone starts murdering powerful people – and leaving Vanya’s calling card behind – a red penny. So of course the prefects come after her. And wouldn’t you know it, Emeric Conrad is the prefect in charge of the investigation – and he’s engaged to be married, to someone Vanya can’t help but like, much to her chagrin.

That’s the beginning. When more deaths happen, it’s obvious Vanya didn’t do them, but she’s starting to gain powers because of what the people believe about the Pfennigeist. And when the actual assassin begins stopping time to carry out their murders, it doesn’t work on Vanya because of her time as a child with her godmothers, Fortune and Death. So Vanya becomes an important part of the investigation as Electors gather to choose a new Emperor – but more and more keep dying.

The book continues to explore past choices Vanya has made – so you really do need to have read the earlier books (You’ll be glad you did!). And those books also laid the groundwork for how low gods gain power from what people believe about them.

The final crisis is a bit confusing, because besides magic, gods, and time manipulation, alternate universes are involved (and the different lives Vanya would have had with different choices). I’ll be honest – Normally that would have been a dealbreaker for me, but I’m too crazy about this series to let that stop me here – I just want to read it again. And it turns out, that all helped to explore questions about identity and how that’s affected by our choices, and what it takes to make a great relationship, too.

I was also delighted with characters coming back that I loved, and not as delighted about several coming back whom I’d hated – but that history added all the more power to the story.

And it all reminds me how truly great a trilogy can be.

margaret-owen.com

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Review of Polar Bear, by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann

Children's Nonfiction Review, Science, Starred Review 0

Polar Bear

by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann

Neal Porter Books (Holiday House), 2022. 40 pages.
Review written February 13, 2023, from a library book.
A 2022 Capitol Choices Selection
Starred Review

Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann do amazing work together. As in the Sibert Medal-winning Honeybee, large and beautiful paintings accompany accessible text and help us understand better the lives of wild creatures.

Polar Bear follows a mother and two cubs in their day-to-day lives. (And oh, the cuteness of the cubs!) We understand better why melting sea ice is a problem when we read about a particular bear needing to fatten up enough to live on land, where she can’t get seal blubber to eat. We learn about the challenges of caring for cubs and how she takes care of them while hunting enough food to survive.

By the start of June, the bear family has moved far out onto the ice.
The cubs are growing fast — very fast.
And Mother has gorged herself. She has regained much of her weight. But it is not enough.
Soon, the bay’s ice will melt into open water.
Mother must fatten up now if she and the cubs are to survive summer’s lean months.

Learn about the everyday life of a polar bear family up close in a way you’ve never seen them before.

candacefleming.com
ericrohmann.com
HolidayHouse.com

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Review of The Mistakes That Made Us, selected by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Mercè López

Children's Nonfiction Review, Poetry, Starred Review 0

The Mistakes That Made Us

Confessions from Twenty Poets

selected by Irene Latham and Charles Waters
illustrated by Mercè López

Carolrhoda Books, 2024. 40 pages.
Review written April 10, 2025, from a library book.
Starred Review

Here’s a kids’ poetry collection with fun poems, stellar authors, and a fantastic message: Everybody makes mistakes!

Twenty different children’s authors wrote a poem about a mistake they made in childhood. A prose paragraph highlighted next to each one gives some additional reflection. For example, after we read Allan Wolf’s poem about scoring a soccer goal for the opposing team, we learn that he was ten years old and in the fourth grade, and it hit hard – but he eventually recovered with a funny story to tell.

That one’s from the first section – about making a public mistake and the resultant embarrassment. Linda Sue Park writes about being proud about her superior reading skills – and then pronouncing “materials” as “Matter-I-Alls” in front of the whole class. David Elliott writes about copying his friend’s science journal so carefully that he even wrote her name across the top of the pages.

The next section, “Stuff Happens,” is about mistakes that hurt ourselves more than anyone else. “Times when we ignore that little voice saying, ‘Are you sure this is a good idea?'” Margarita Engle writes about cutting off her long braids because a girl told her she looked old-fashioned and foreign. Vikram Madan kept secret for months that his eyesight was blurry – until he ran into something he didn’t see and injured himself. And Kim Rogers silently celebrated Land Run Day with her classmates in Oklahoma, even though it was celebrating stealing her ancestors’ land.

The poems for “Blessings in Disguise” cover times when there was an unexpected silver lining. Jorge Argueta doesn’t sound repentant at all talking about the day he skipped school and played by the river in the guava trees. Charles Waters tells a touching story of giving a coach an encouraging word about a tough loss and being earnestly thanked – only to learn later that the man’s wife had died.

The final section, “What Have I Done?” is about the mistakes with the deepest regrets, because they hurt other people. These range from not being properly thankful for a birthday gift to spilling a friend’s secret to glueing an uncle’s bottom to the toilet seat. Yikes! Here’s the start of that one by Darren Sardelli:

My mother used to tell me,
“Think before you do.”
I wish I would have stopped and thought
before I used the glue.

Perhaps hearing about and, yes, laughing at the mistakes of others will help kids to think a moment when it’s their turn. And when that inevitable Oops! happens, at least they’ll know they’re not alone.

lernerbooks.com

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Review of Sweet Justice, by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Award Winners, Biography, Children's Nonfiction Review, Starred Review 0

Sweet Justice

Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott

words by Mara Rockliff
pictures by R. Gregory Christie

Random House Studio, 2022. 36 pages.
Review written February 1, 2023, from a library book
Starred Review
2023 Sibert Medal Honor Book

Sweet Justice is a Sibert Honor-winning picture book telling a behind-the-scenes story from the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Georgia Gilmore was a cook in a restaurant who fed plenty of white people in Montgomery, Alabama, even though they only allowed white people to be waitresses. She hadn’t ridden a Montgomery bus since a driver made her get out and then drove off before she could go in the back door, even though she’d paid her fare. When the Montgomery Bus Boycott started up, she now had people walking with her.

But the movement needed money for various things, such as gas for cars driving people to work. So Georgia sold her cooking and baked goods at meetings.

When Martin Luther King, Jr. went on trial for organizing the boycott, Georgia spoke in his defense, telling about how she’d been kicked off a bus. After her picture appeared in the paper, she lost her job. Dr. King encouraged her to start a business selling food out of her home. He ended up bringing many leaders to her home for food during secret meetings.

The story is so interestingly told — about an ordinary woman doing ordinary things to help change the country. The paintings by R. Gregory Christie show a woman who seems like a real person you’d like to meet.

Here’s another story of a quiet, ordinary, and strong way to stand for justice.

mararockliff.com
gas-art.com
rhcbooks.com

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Review of Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales, by Heather Fawcett

Audiobooks, Fantasy, Fiction Review, Starred Review 0

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales

by Heather Fawcett
read by Ell Potter and Michael Dodds

Books on Tape, 2025. 11 hours 44 minutes.
Review written April 2, 2025, from a library eaudiobook.
Starred Review

Oh, I love the Emily Wilde books more with each volume! You’re going to want to read these in order, especially to watch Emily’s relationship with Wendell develop, but it was okay not to remember every detail of the previous books. I love these books so much, I decided to purchase my own copy and preordered it, but listening has been such a delightful experience, I still put the audiobook on hold.

The charm of the book is found especially in the character of Emily Wilde, the foremost dryadologist in the world – at least in this alternate world where faeries are real and studying them is a serious academic discipline. Her encyclopedic knowledge of faery lore means she has what it takes to now survive becoming a queen of faerie – or so we hope. For his stepmother is dead, and Wendell is ready to take his throne in the Faerie Kingdom of Where the Trees Have Eyes.

Except – it turns out that Wendell’s stepmother isn’t actually dead yet, and she’s found a way to poison the realm so that it is dying as she dies. Now it’s up to Emily to find the tale that applies so she can defeat the old queen’s plans. Though she does get plenty of help from characters we’ve met in the earlier books.

Something I love about these books is what a serious academic Emily is – even compelled to cite sources and include footnotes. The reader Ell Potter does an excellent Footnote Voice, so I wasn’t surprised to see that’s what’s found in the text. Wendell, on the other hand, tries to get her to lighten up and enjoy his beautiful kingdom. And it’s all completely delightful.

Even though Wendell and Emily are now king and queen of a faerie realm, they’re still traveling together, and Emily is still doing research, so I hope there will be more books to come. I’m sure Emily Wilde’s adventures – and publications – are not over.

heatherfawcettbooks.com
randomhousebooks.com

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Review of The Door of No Return, by Kwame Alexander

Children's Fiction Review, Historical, Poetry, Starred Review 0

The Door of No Return

by Kwame Alexander

Little, Brown and Company, 2022. 397 pages.
Review written January 31, 2023, based on an advance reader copy I got at ALA Annual Conference
Starred Review

Poet and Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander tackles a historical novel-in-verse with this book. He takes us into the life of Offin, a kid from the 1860 Asante Kingdom, in the part of West Africa now known as Ghana.

We get pulled into Offin’s life and family. We hear stories from his grandfather, Nana Mosi. We learn about the girl who makes him smile and his rivalry with his cousin and desire to prove himself.

But then at a wrestling match with Lower Kwanta, Offin’s brother fatally injures the wrong person. Now they have enemies.

And yes, Offin’s story takes him to the Door of No Return — a door that leads to a slave ship. He doesn’t understand until he’s on the ship.

But what’s wonderful about this book is the way it features Offin’s life in Africa, a rich and full life among his family and friends. Of course, that makes the abduction hit all the harder.

Because it’s in verse, this novel is a quick read. It doesn’t take us all the way to America, and I am wondering what happens next, so I was happy to hear that sequels are planned.

This book won a Mock Newbery vote I was part of, though not any of the official awards. But pick up this book to read a master poet at work, shedding light on a time and place you may not have “visited” before.

kwamealexander.com
lbyr.com

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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Review of Every Monday Mabel, by Jashar Awan

Contemporary, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

Every Monday Mabel

by Jashar Awan

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025. 44 pages.
Review written March 17, 2025, from a library book.
Starred Review

I have discovered a new-to-me picture book author whose work I love! After reading Geisel Honor-winning Towed by Toad, I discovered the author has a new book published in 2025, and placed a hold. This one, too, is great fun – with simple language (though not quite as beginning-reader friendly as Towed by Toad), simple lines, and bright colors.

The first half of the book is anticipation.

It’s Monday, and Mabel wakes up early and drags her chair out of her room down the hallway. She grabs a bowl of dry cereal and sets up outside in front of the garage. Her sister thinks the thing she does every morning is the most boring thing in the world, her mother thinks it’s the cutest, and her father thinks it’s the funniest. One thing the reader is sure of is her absolute determination.

And then…

The Garbage Truck comes!

The best thing in the world is finally here!

From there, the backgrounds change from plain white to a bright, happy yellow. The pages are full of onomatopoeia, echoing the noises of the truck. We see Mabel joyfully jumping and dancing with each wondrous movement of the giant truck.

And the book pulls off a satisfying ending by showing us that, despite Mabel’s indifferent family, there are other garbage-truck watchers throughout the town.

I know a Storytime hit when I see one! The anticipation plus all the sound effects make this a winner for sure. And small garbage-truck lovers throughout the country will find a kindred spirit in Mabel.

JasharAwan.com

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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Review of Library Girl, by Karen Henry Clark, illustrated by Sheryl Murray

Biography, Children's Nonfiction Review, Starred Review 0

Library Girl

How Nancy Pearl Became America’s Most Celebrated Librarian

by Karen Henry Clark
illustrated by Sheryl Murray

Little Bigfoot (Sasquatch Books), 2022. 32 pages.
Review written January 25, 2023, from a library book.
Starred Review

I’m a librarian — it’s no surprise I love this picture book biography of Nancy Pearl, the most famous librarian in America (with an action figure!).

This colorful picture book doesn’t give a traditional biography, but does tell a story about Nancy’s life — how she wished she could go to the school library on the weekend, and was told about the public library.

Nancy loved books and loved horses. She’d ride to the library on her bicycle, which she pretended was a horse. The librarians there loaded her up with horse books. But because kids at school teased her about liking books so much, she’d read under a table and try to hide her passion.

But then the librarians asked her to talk with other kids about her favorite horse books. This book tells us how scary that was for her — but ultimately was her first book talk, and the one that turned her into a librarian.

I love this book in every way — with the one tiny exception that the list of her awards at the back does not mention the 2001 Allie Beth Martin Award from the Public Library Association for excellence in sharing her knowledge of books with others. It’s the same award I won in 2019, so I feel a special kinship with Nancy Pearl after I found out we both won the same award.

KarenHenryClark.com
sasquatchbooks.com

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Review of The Legendary Scarlett & Browne, by Jonathan Stroud

Audiobooks, Children's Fiction Review, Science Fiction, Starred Review 0

The Legendary Scarlett & Browne

by Jonathan Stroud
read by Sophie Aldred

Listening Library, 2025. 13 hours, 13 minutes.
Review written April 8, 2025, from a library eaudiobook.
Starred Review

The Legendary Scarlett & Browne is the conclusion to the trilogy about the teen outlaws Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne, living in post-apocalyptic Britain.

We’ve got the books in the juvenile section of the library, probably because there’s no sexual innuendo whatsoever, but fair warning is that it’s more for the 10-to-14-age crowd, and there’s lots of violence, death, and enslavement.

But oh my goodness, I love these books so much! And Sophie Aldred makes the characters come alive.

I won’t give a lot of details, because of it being the conclusion of a trilogy, but Scarlett and Albert are outlaws, because they defy the evil powers that run the surviving towns after the cataclysm. I do hate that the most evil forces are the Faith Houses – they have a menu of religious options to suit everyone. But I’m afraid that feels realistic, because religion always attracts those who want to control others. Those powers support slavery and leaving “deviant” children to die – anyone with any “defect” or special powers developed after the cataclysm, like Albert’s telekinesis.

In this book, there’s a new threat, with the Faith Houses discovering powerful ancient weapons and using slaves to recover them. They will then raise up an army to find and defeat outlaws like Scarlett and Albert and the friends they’ve gathered around them in the first two books.

Both Scarlett and Albert have a further quest. Albert’s is to find out more about where he came from before he got to Stonemoor. And Scarlett’s is always to find her little brother Thomas, who was left out to be eaten by creatures, but may have been sold into slavery instead. As the end of the trilogy, both quests get some resolution.

And it’s hard to explain how good these books are. There are narrow escapes throughout the books, highlighting Scarlett’s cleverness and physical prowess, and Albert’s special powers. It’s also gratifying how they fight the forces of evil and stand up for enslaved children, outsmarting evil people along the way. But most of all, the characters’ personalities and interactions make you love spending time with them.

jonathanstroud.com

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