Review of My Antarctica, by G. Neri, illustrated by Corban Wilkin

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

My Antarctica

True Adventures in the Land of Mummified Seals, Space Robots, and So Much More

by G. Neri
illustrated by Corban Wilkin

Candlewick Press, 2024. 94 pages.
Review written February 21, 2025, from a library book.
Starred Review
2024 Cybils Award Winner, Elementary Nonfiction

What would it be like to travel to Antarctica? This children’s author got a grant from the National Science Foundation to do just that, and this book shows you his journey.

The highlight is the photographs. The large format highlights them and the otherworldly landscape. The illustrator has added a cartoon character of the author on most pages.

Of course, along the way, he tells the reader about the amazing science work being done in Antarctica. And he answers curious questions such as “What is a mummy seal?” “Is Antarctica really a desert?” and “Did that pickax really belong to Shackleton?”

So we do pick up lots of amazing facts, but mostly it’s the story of what it’s like to go to Antarctica – and I have a feeling it’s going to inspire many kids to follow in his footsteps some day.

gneri.com
corbanwilkin.com
candlewick.com

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Review of The Blue Sword, by Robin McKinley

Audiobooks, Award Winners, Fantasy, Old Favorites, Sonderbooks25, Stand-outs, Teen Fiction Review 0

The Blue Sword

by Robin McKinley
read by Diane Warren

Recorded Books, 1992. 12 hours, 16 minutes.
Review written May 13, 2025, from a library eaudiobook.
Earlier review written July 2002
Starred Review
2002 Sonderbooks Stand-out: #1 Young Adult and Children’s Fantasy Rereads
2010 Sonderbooks Stand-out: Wonderful Rereads
1983 Newbery Honor Book

(I’m writing new reviews for the books that had reviews in the old not-phone-friendly format, and that don’t have a blog post. After 2005 in my #Sonderbooks25 celebrations, I may just add to or repost the original reviews.)

I’m cheating just a little bit in my #Sonderbooks25 plan, celebrating 25 years of writing Sonderbooks. My plan was to choose *one* book from each year’s Sonderbooks Stand-outs and reread them. Having reread this book in 2010, for my 2001 choice, I picked Gillian Bradshaw’s The Sand-Reckoner to reread – but then my eaudiobook holds queue was filled up, and I found an available copy of this book – and I simply had to try it in audiobook form.

And yes, I still absolutely love the story. Horses! Magic! Slow-burn Romance! (And, okay, I’m afraid it’s apparent I like books where the heroine gets abducted by a king – an honorable king with good reasons for it.)

I’m afraid I didn’t like the narrator. (But I love the book so much, I listened anyway.) She reads it with a motherly voice as one talking about children, rather than as the young adult teenage girl our main character Harry Crewe is. I also wish they’d used a narrator with a British accent, since the “Homeland” of the story mimics British imperialism, in a fantasy world setting. What would the British have done if the “natives” had magic? You find out in this book.

Speaking of that, the use of the word “native” and the attitude toward them stung my ears a little, reading in 2025 – but it is reflective of the time it was imitating – and Harry definitely learns there’s a deep and rich culture – and magic – among the Hillfolk.

Listening to it now from a writer’s perspective, I hadn’t noticed before how often Robin McKinley flits into other people’s thoughts. It works in this case, as she shows King Corlath’s worries that he has done a cruel thing by kidnapping Harry and perplexity as to why his magic had him do that. She shows us both of their thoughts hovering around the other – both slow to realize they’re falling in love. But it’s a testament to how much I love the story that this perspective-jumping (other characters, too) doesn’t bring it down.

For decades now, I’ve said that The Blue Sword and The Blue Castle are my two favorite books, and that still may be true, though if pressed, I know by now I’d come up with a dozen more titles on any given day. But I do know this: revisiting the story was an absolute delight. And yes, this will always be a book I will highly recommend.

robinmckinley.com
robinmckinleysblog.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 The Brilliant Calculator, by Jan Lower, illustrated by Susan Reagan

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

The Brilliant Calculator

How Mathematician Edith Clarke Helped Electrify America

by Jan Lower
illustrated by Susan Reagan

Calkins Creek, 2023. 40 pages.
Review written November 14, 2023, from a library book.
Starred Review
2024 Mathical Book Prize Honor Book, Ages 8-10.

There’s no way I won’t love it: A picture book biography that has “Mathematician” in the title!

This picture book tells the story of Edith Clarke, America’s first female electrical engineer, whose long and varied career helped produce the technology that keeps power lines from losing power over distance.

That’s the most easily understandable of her achievements. This author does a good job of explaining that she was brilliant, that she used mathematics, that she proved herself when men didn’t want to hire her, and that she created inventions that made calculations easier and ultimately make our lives better today.

I like that even though her accomplishments were technical, the author and illustrator presented them in a way kids can understand. I also liked the quotes from Edith sprinkled throughout the book, with this one at the end of the main text, before the six pages of back matter:

There is a future for women in engineering, and some day the only limitation will be their own lack of ability, as we are fast approaching an age in which men and women will be measured by their worth as individuals.

May it be so.

janlower.com
susanreaganart.com

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Review of Himawari House, by Harmony Becker

Award Winners, Contemporary, Cross Cultural, Graphic Novel, Teen Fiction Review 0

Himawari House

by Harmony Becker

First Second, 2021. 380 pages.
Review written February 26, 2023, from a library book
2023 Asian/Pacific American Youth Literature Award Winner

This graphic novel was creator by the illustrator of George Takei’s graphic memoir, They Called Us Enemy. It’s about three Asian girls in Japan from other countries, staying in a home called Himawari House.

As the book opens, we follow Nao, who was born in Japan, but grew up in the United States. She doesn’t remember much about Japan, especially not the language, but it’s the background for her dreams, and she decided to spend a year in Japan after high school, before going to college.

She learns that her housemates are from Korea and Singapore. As the book goes on, we learn what things in their past made them decide to come to Japan. At the start, Nao is simply overjoyed that they both speak English. And there are also two boys living in Himawari House. One of them seems rude, but maybe he’s just shy because he doesn’t speak English very well?

This story has a lot of depth to it. I liked the way the author put in Japanese characters along with English in the speech bubbles when they were speaking in Japanese — or didn’t put the English where Nao didn’t understand the Japanese.

Taken all together, the book gives the feeling of the challenges of living where you don’t speak the language, as well as bonds that form and deep moments of connection. I thought the graphic novel format with speech bubbles in different languages was extra effective for this story.

harmonybecker.com
firstsecondbooks.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 Frizzy, written by Claribel A. Ortega, art by Rose Bousamra

Award Winners, Children's Fiction Review, Contemporary, Graphic Novel 0

Frizzy

written by Claribel A. Ortega
art by Rose Bousamra

First Second, 2022. 218 pages.
Review written February 26, 2023, from a library book
Starred Review
2023 Pura Belpré Winner – Children’s Author
2023 Capitol Choices Selection

This graphic novel is about the weight of expectations a middle school girl’s Dominican family puts on her about her hair.

At the start, Marlene is grumpily suffering through a visit to the salon beyond the weekly one her mother makes her endure. They’re headed to her cousin’s quince. Her hair looks beautiful at the start of the party, but what with dancing and joking around with another cousin and getting hot and sweaty, her hair gets frizzy and poofs out in time for the pictures. All her family commiserates with her mother about Marlene’s “bad hair.”

Later, she tries some things on her own, which backfire. Kids at school put tape in her bushy hair, and she doesn’t notice. When she lashes out at the bullies, she’s the one who gets in trouble.

But yes, there’s a moment of truth with a young aunt. She shows Marlene that beautiful hair doesn’t have to be straight and shows her how to care for her curls. And backs her up when her mother finds out.

This book is lovely at pointing out the hypocrisy of adults who try to tell kids to be themselves — but then make them go through agony to change their appearance to be more acceptable. The message is lovely and affirming, and the story is fun, with wonderful visuals giving it all the more punch.

claribelortega.com
firstsecondbooks.com

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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 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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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 Why We Need Vaccines, by Rowena Rae, illustrated by Paige Stampatori

Award Winners, Children's Nonfiction Review, Cybils, History, Science, Starred Review 0

Why We Need Vaccines

How Humans Beat Infectious Diseases

by Rowena Rae
illustrated by Paige Stampatori

Orca Book Publishers, 2024. 90 pages.
Review written February 28, 2025, from a library book.
Starred Review
2024 Cybils Award Winner, Middle Grade Nonfiction

I’ve read other books about vaccines and their importance, but this one feels more complete, more accessible to kids, and more timely. On the big, bright pages, we’ve got the history of vaccines and how they work. But there are also chapters about how vaccines are tested, about the risks of vaccines, about vaccine hesitancy, about community immunity, about questions of equity and access, and the questions as to whether governments should require vaccines or not. It all wraps up with a chapter on responsibility, and how getting yourself protected will also protect the people around you.

I think my favorite thing about this book was the frequent spotlights on scientists who work in related fields, complete with their photographs. Some examples (besides several medical doctors) are a university history professor who specializes in infectious disease outbreaks, a pharmacist, a research technician, a nurse, and even a high school student who got involved in an organization that encourages teens to educate other teens about the importance of vaccines.

I like the subtitle of this book: How Humans Beat Infectious Diseases. Yes, the story of vaccines is a continuing story of human ingenuity. Given the folks now working in the federal government, I’m all the happier to have this information out there.

rowenarae.com
paigestampatori.com
orcabook.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 Joyful Song, by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Susan Gal

Award Winners, Contemporary, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

Joyful Song

A Naming Story

by Lesléa Newman
illustrated by Susan Gal

Levine Querido, 2024. 40 pages.
Review written February 4, 2025, from a library book.
Starred Review
2025 Sidney Taylor Silver Medal, Picture Books

I checked out this picture book after it was honored with a Sidney Taylor Silver Medal by the Association of Jewish Libraries – and what a beautiful book it is!

The story is told from the perspective of a kid named Zachary. His family is walking through their vibrant, colorful neighborhood to the synagogue for his baby sister’s first Shabbat, when they will announce her name to the world. Zachary gets to push her baby carriage.

Along the way, their neighbors Miss Fukumi, Mr. Baraka, and Mrs. Santiago greet them and ask the baby’s name. Before Zachary can speak, first Mama gives a nickname, then Mommy gives a nickname, and the third time, Zachary knows to tell Mrs. Santiago they call her Snuggle Bunny. All three neighbors are invited to come with them to the naming ceremony.

In the synagogue, the family comes up front, and they announce the name and why they chose it. It’s all followed by a meal, and walking home, with the three neighbors saying good-by, each in their own way, and talking about the lovely baby with a lovely name.

For Jewish families, it must be a delight to see your traditions reflected in this gorgeous picture book. (I can’t stress enough how wonderful the art is!) For non-Jewish families, you’ve got a lovely cross-cultural window. And every family who reads this book will find the perfect lead-in to talking about how you chose the names for your children.

galgirlstudio.com
levinequerido.com

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Review of The Wrong Way Home, by Kate O’Shaughnessy

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

The Wrong Way Home

by Kate O’Shaughnessy
read by Caitlin Kinnunen

Listening Library, 2024. 9 hours.
Review written March 27, 2025, from a library eaudiobook.
Starred Review
2025 Newbery Honor Book

My hold on the audio version of this Newbery Honor book finally came in, and Wow! This one packs an emotional punch as well as letting you spend time with delightful people.

For six years, twelve-year-old Fern, once known as Frankie, has lived at the Ranch, an off-the-grid sustainable community in upstate New York, led by kind and wise Dr. Ben. Before they came to the Ranch, Fern had her mother had several different homes, but now they have stability and purpose, away from the harmful influences outside the community. When Dr. Ben tells Fern she’s ready to go on her Rite – a challenging scenario that will mark her as an adult and a true member of the community – she’s full of pride and scornful that her mother would want to hold her back.

But soon after that, Fern’s mother tricks her into going outside the community, saying it’s a trip for Dr. Ben, when really they’re moving across the country to a coastal town in California. Her mother has landed a job housekeeping in a small hotel while they live in a hotel room. It turns out that her Mom has a history there – and a godmother who wants nothing more than to look out for them. Fern only wants to go back home.

Things are rough for Fern in school – she knows about sustainable practices and the harms of man-made chemicals, but she doesn’t even know who George Washington is. But she makes a friend when a girl named Eddy needs a partner for her science project. Eddy wants to prove that the local legend, the Spirit of the Sea, is a hoax. Fern is happy to help and makes more ties in the community – all while trying to earn money to hire a private investigator to find Dr. Ben’s address and ask him to talk her Mom into taking them back home.

The author skillfully shows us how Fern little by little gains a new perspective on Dr. Ben and all the control he held over their community, all while she finds more and more to appreciate in California. But can she remember that when Dr. Ben shows up to take her back?

I like that the reader doesn’t hear the word “cult” until Fern does. We’ve only been hearing Fern’s rosy perspective on things “back home,” and kids may gradually realize, along with Fern, that something’s off.

The Newbery committee did a fine job choosing this book! I only wish I’d gotten it read sooner so I could have recommended it at my February awards round-up to other librarians. It’s a book I’ll remember for a long time to come.

kloshaugnessy.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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