Books Dogs Books

What worked and/or what didn’t: The illustrations were very cute! There were so many unique dogs. Each dog looked different, and it was very clear that there were many different dogs throughout the book. The dogs were simply with not too much detail. The dogs were standard colors of blacks, browns, beiges, and white. They stood out against the bright plain background.

The characters were all dogs. None of them had a speaking role, but each dog was unique and identifiable. The brown dog from the cover appeared throughout and was on almost every page. This dog got its snoot booped many times!

The tone of the book was very lighthearted and fun! As the book was geared towards a younger audience, the choice to use silly words like “boop” and “snoot” really added to the cheerful atmosphere.

Why I read it: I chose this book because it looked really cute. I love dogs and reading about them is always something I enjoy. Bruno and Bear love seeing other dogs whether in books, movies, or real life. They also enjoy some good boops.I read a physical copy of this book. It was not one I could find digitally, so I made sure to use this as the physical one. Being able to show Bruno and Bear the many dogs in the book was a huge plus. They even booped the pages with their noses when it was time to turn the page. The only thing that made this book slightly annoying was that it was oddly shaped. When you opened the book to view the full page spread it was very long and definitely needed both hands which made turning the pages while keeping the book facing the audience a little difficult. Holding awkward or heavy books is the main reason I chose to enjoy most of my books digitally.

How I enjoyed it: I read a physical copy of this book. It was not one I could find digitally, so I made sure to use this as the physical one. Being able to show Bruno and Bear the many dogs in the book was a huge plus. They even booped the pages with their noses when it was time to turn the page. The only thing that made this book slightly annoying was that it was oddly shaped. When you opened the book to view the full page spread it was very long and definitely needed both hands which made turning the pages while keeping the book facing the audience a little difficult. Holding awkward or heavy books is the main reason I chose to enjoy most of my books digitally.

Category Chosen: 2X2 and Physical

What worked and/or what didn’t: The characters were diverse in personality and language. Even though not every character had a chapter dedicated to their point of view their personalities came out in their dialogue and in their descriptions from other characters. The residents of Bone Gap felt like people you could meet in a small midwestern town. 

Alternating point of view between characters was a great way to move the story along. It was especially helpful in seeing what happened to Roza after she was taken as the residents of Bone Gap wouldn't have known if it was only in their point of view. 

The pacing was a little slow in the beginning, but once it hit the main part of the action it really picked up. Once you get past the world building and meeting the characters it is a quick read and hard to put down. 

Why I read it: I was not vibing with my original choice for this category and as the deadline grew near I needed to choose a new book. I debated between a few different options, but this was one of the shortest that sounded interesting.

How I enjoyed it: I read this as an ebook that I borrowed through Libby. Digital format is my preferred way to read.

Category Chosen: Printz Award Winner

What worked and/or what didn’t: The characters felt very real and like actual middle schoolers. Everyone was designed different and had depth. The adults and children alike had motivations and personalities that set them apart. Even though the story was told from Jordan’s point of view, other characters made an impact and were memorable.

The pacing was a little rough. It’s definitely a slow start, but once the day to day school life was established it seemed to pick up the pace. The whole story takes place over a school year and just like in real life the breaks from school and holidays went by very quickly compared to the school year. 

The illustrations were very stylized. They weren’t overly detailed and it made them real nice to look at. Every character was drawn differently so it was easy to keep track of who was who especially when new characters were introduced. 

Why I read it: I choose this one because it was on the list of Coretta Scott King winners and I enjoy reading graphic novels. I also thought it would be good to have a book I could get through quickly if I needed a break from some of the longer ones I chose.

How I enjoyed it: I read this as an ebook that I borrowed through Libby. Digital format is my preferred way to read.

Category Chosen: Coretta Scott King

What worked and/or what didn’t: For how quickly we are introduced to Plum and his friends, each character feels different and unique. This is very apparent amongst the peacocks. There are only three named Peacocks, and they are all very different characters that are all memorable. Itch as an antagonist is very dynamic. His reasons are clear, and it makes it easy to see where he’s coming from and why he decides to act this way.

The illustrations are very cute and simple. They will be easy for kids to be able to copy them and draw their favorite character. They also make great use of the space and representing the words. They definitely enhance the storytelling and make the book fly by. 

Using a limited third person point of view was a great way to see both Plum’s day and following Itch’s plot. Each character’s motivations and feelings were clear as you read their chapter. This use of POV made it easy to keep up with the plot and characters. 

Why I read it: I needed to choose another Bluebonnet book and when I scrolled through the list this one looked cute. Something about the cover and the plot taking place in a zoo reminded me of The One and Only Ivan.

How I enjoyed it: I read this as an ebook that I borrowed through Libby. Digital format is my preferred way to read.

Category Chosen: Texas Bluebonnet Award

What worked and/or what didn’t: Anthologies are hard to pin down for pacing as they are essentially individual stories collected together. This one is slightly different in that there is an overarching story- the students telling eerie stories to the class- that connects all the individual stories of the students. With that being said, it was a quick read and the stories weren't disjointed and they felt like they flowed nicely. 

The characters both in the eerie stories the students are telling and the students themselves were very well rounded. The relationships and characterizations were enjoyable and easy to pick out. Each of the eerie stories had characters that were fleshed out and compelling. The students were also very fun and engaging. 

The illustrations were very fun. They looked like something that would be an outline for an animated movie. The characters were simple but easily distinguishable. The backgrounds added to the atmosphere but weren't distracting by being too detailed. 

Why I read it: I had to choose another book to complete my list and horror is one of my favorite genres so I started looking for a middle grade horror. It reminded me of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

How I enjoyed it: I read this as an ebook that I borrowed through Libby. Digital format is my preferred way to read.

Category Chosen: Horror

What worked and/or what didn’t: The illustrations were unique and complex. Given that the author is actually a comic artist it makes sense. All the characters were drawn differently and it was easy to keep track of who was who when new characters were introduced.

The story really feels like someone retelling the events of their childhood and early adulthood. The point of view is first person but with the pictures and the way the story is told you get drawn in and it feels very relatable. Graphic novels and comics lend their medium to first person point of view really well .

The tone of this memoir is very humorous and truthful. The author wasn't scared to use strong language or shy away from the troublesome feelings that some people struggle with.The tone made it easy to keep reading and following the journey of the author.

Why I read it: I was looking at the banned book list and many of them are LGBTQ+ themes and I'm always interested in reading banned books. I had seen this book before, but had never actually looked to see what it was about and felt now was as good of time as any. It was informative and had similar vibes to Fun Home which I really enjoyed.

How I enjoyed it: I read this as an ebook that I borrowed through Libby. Digital format is my preferred way to read.

Category Chosen: Banned Book

What worked and/or what didn’t: The illustrations were very detailed and made it easy to distinguish between all the characters. However, the main set of characters are supposed to be around 17 years old and they do look older in the illustrations. This could be intentional as seeing children and teens in peril is unpleasant. The animatronics are vibrant and have very unique designs. They look like 2D versions of the video game and movie designs.

The pacing was a little strange in some areas. This could be because it was originally a longer novel and was adapted as a graphic novel. With that being said, it was a quick read and when the actual "scary" parts were happening it kept up and didn't seem to drag or linger unnecessarily.

The characters were all very different. Besides being physically different and being distinguishable in the way they're drawn, the characters also have different motivations and goals. They are a group of childhood friends who have grown apart after the tragedy of the murders, yet they still act like a group of teenagers.

Why you should read it: A decent amount of horror geared toward middle and high schoolers. With the popularity of the game franchise and the movie that came out last year, now is a good time to get into the book series. There is both a graphic novel version and a novel and novella version. This is great as both reluctant readers and avid readers have options to enjoy this series. I was impressed by the movie when I saw it, so I decided to give the book series a try.

How I enjoyed it: I read this as an ebook that I borrowed through Libby. Digital format is my preferred way to read. I enjoy digital format as it is more convenient and as long as I have my phone I can pick up my reading anywhere. I like to read before bed and using my phone is much easier and comfortable as opposed to holding a book which sometimes is heavy or awkward. The only downside for me is when I'm reading a graphic novel or manga and I need to read it on my tablet so I can read the text bubbles. Even with that one downside, Digital is my preferred format to read my books. 

Category Chosen: Horror and Digital Format

What worked and/or what didn’t: The illustrations of Heartstopper are adorable. They are simple yet dynamic. There isn't a whole lot of background detail. but the characters are detailed in both what they wear and how they look. Every character is distinguishable from each other and any new character that is introduced is equally unique in design. The illustrations are also very stylized in a way that is recognizable as Alice Oseman.

Nick and Charlie are just two of the characters in Heartstopper. They are the main pair that the story follows. They are very relatable. The way they talk and interact with each other and their peers is how many teenagers behave.

The pacing of the Heartstopper series is very quick. From the first volume to volume five it has been slightly over a year. Volume 5 takes place over a few weeks with the majority of the plot happening within three days. The quickness of the pacing works very well for this series and the illustrations are a great way to show the passage of time.

Why I read it: I read the other volumes of Heartstopper after the TV show came out and I liked the characters and want to see how their story ends while I wait for the next seasons of the show.

How I enjoyed it: I read this as an ebook that I borrowed through Libby. Digital format is my preferred way to read.

Category Chosen: Graphic Novel

What worked and/or what didn’t: The illustrations were bold and eye-catching. There was a definitive style that was simple but detailed. The characters had a lot of detail with the way they looked and what they wore. The background wasn't as detailed, but it still fit in perfectly.

The characters are very realistic. Sammy is just a kid having a bad day and everything is making it worse. Benji, his little brother, has a special place he goes when he's having a bad day and Sammy wishes he had one too. Benji has autism and although he only says one line, Sammy's descriptions of him make him into an engaging character. These characters are relatable and highlight sibling bonds.

Sammy is the narrator of this story. Through his point of view the reader experiences the bad day with him. It's a good way for young readers to connect and relate to Sammy. It also helps with seeing that other people have bad days too and sometimes the little things make it better.

Why I read it: I used to work with children with autism so I'm very critical of the representation of autism in media. The art style also caught my eye. I think it was a good representation of autism through the eyes of someone who doesn't have autism but has a child or sibling with it.

How I enjoyed it: I read this as an ebook that I borrowed through Libby. Digital format is my preferred way to read.

Category Chosen: Disabilities/Differences

What worked and/or what didn’t: The illustrations were very cute and detailed. The colors were realistic, but eye-catching. The penguins had a little bit of individualism which made them easy to distinguish in a sea of other penguins. Lots of neutral colors, but there were plenty of background colors and detail colors that made the pages pop.

The characters are two penguins that want to have a family like all the other penguins. The writing and illustrations capture this. The penguins draw the reader in and they can't help rooting for them.

The pacing of the story is quick. It works very well and adds to the feeling of stopping in the zoo and not being there the whole time. Although quick, the story felt complete and there were no parts that dragged or felt out of place.

Why I read it:I love penguins! So any books with penguins or about penguins gets read. It was such a cute story and is a good exploration of LGBTQ+ themes for young readers.

How I enjoyed it: I read this as an ebook that I borrowed through Libby. Digital format is my preferred way to read.

Category Chosen: N/A

What worked and/or what didn’t: The illustrations were cute and showed very diverse families. They were bright and colorful. This book is targeted to a young audience and the pictures help keep their attention. The pictures are simple and easy to follow.

The tone of the book is happy and positive. There are many versions of love and the book delves into some of the different ones. Each page starts with "Love is..." and then something fun and relatable such as baking a cake, a goodnight kiss, or even finding a big puddle.

There are no named characters in this book however, each page has a new family showing what love is. Each family's makeup is different and diverse. All the characters are easily identifiable and not repeated. This makes it easy for young readers to see the difference of the characters in the story.

Why I read it: I liked the cover and the illustrations were eye-catching. I love seeing diverse representations of families. My own family is not a common makeup so it means a lot to see the diversity. I also thought Bruno would enjoy the popping colors and he did!

How I enjoyed it: I read this as an ebook that I borrowed through Libby. Digital format is my preferred way to read.

Category Chosen: LGBTQ+

What worked and/or what didn't: There is a dreamlike quality to the illustrations. There is a surrealness to them that feels like they are being shown through a haze of time and remembrance. The warped perspective on each page has buildings, landscapes, and people curved and bubbled in a way that cannot be real, but perhaps remembered from a dream.

The tone of this picture book is hopeful, dreamlike, and reminiscent. This is conveyed in both the prose and the pictures. It feels like walking from a dream and trying to tell it to someone as parts fade and others become more clear.

The pacing of this story works very well with the otherworldly quality this book emulates. Each page adds to the story and moves the narrative forward months or years at a time. The passage of time is clear with the small child growing from a baby to a toddler by the end. 

Why I read it: Looking at a list of Pura Belpré Award winners, the cover of this book really drew me in and I liked the use of colors. Once we started reading it, the colors and bubbled nature of the pictures kept Bruno's attention. I enjoyed the conciseness of the story and how even though it ended it left a hopeful feeling. 

How I enjoyed it: I read this as an ebook that I borrowed through Libby. Digital format is my preferred way to read.

Category Chosen: Pura Belpré Award

What worked and/or what didn't: The illustrations of the oceanic life is very detailed but not in a scary way. The sharks in particular were drawn in a way that reminded me of a children's information poster that might be seen in an aquarium or museum. The people all look different which is good for younger kids to be able to distinguish characters from each other. Eugenie Clark is drawn consistently that it is easy to recognize her at each point in her life from childhood to adulthood. The colors compliment each other so the main focus of the page (usually sharks) pop out.

There is a lot to dive into in a biography and we were able to dive into Eugenie's life in about 40 pages due to the pacing. It covered the basics, but expanded on things that needed it. For instance when Eugenie Clark discovered three new types of fish there was more detail than when she first swam in the ocean. This is a very good intro for kids looking for a biography, a gateway into marine biology or sharks, or specifically Eugenie Clark.

 The plot is laid out in easy to absorb pieces. It's like a stepping stone into Eugenie's life. Although a plot driven story, there are still instances of character growth and development but in a third person point of view. 

Why I read it: I love sharks! I wanted to be a marine biologist before I realized I don't actually like the ocean that much. But, I have a shark tattoo and an aquarium to make up for it. I'm not big into biographies as I don't feel like they give as much information as I want and then I need to do additional research if I want to know more. One of the reasons I prefer fiction. However, this biography covered a lot of the major things in Eugenie Clark's life and included a decently detailed timeline for young children. The bright colors and fun fish and sharks had Bruno entranced. Something about the story reminded us of Lilo & Stitch. 

How I enjoyed it: I read this as an ebook that I borrowed through Libby. Digital format is my preferred way to read.

Category Chosen: Biography

What worked and/or what didn't: The illustrations were unique. They are clearly people, but they are very stylized and it leads into an uncanny valley situation. The colors were a bit dull in a pastel way. However, Winnie was a very cute bear and very clearly could tell that is what she was supposed to be.

The point of view was a story within a story. Lindsay tells her son Cole a bedtime story while also answering his questions and expanding on things during it. There were a few parts where it got slightly confusing with the interrupting in the story where the italics were all back to back and it wasn't clear if it was part of the story or Cole asking questions.

The pacing felt a little weird in places. There wasn't a ton of information given for the time Winnie was with the troops or at the zoo besides what was needed. It helped make the story not feel too chunky for a children's book, however it led to pacing issues where some sections went really fast and others dragged on.

Why I read it: I love Winnie the Pooh and I love reading books about the bear that inspired the characters. Seeing this book on the Caldecott Medal list was such an easy pick! Bear loves any books that say his name and this book didn't disappoint. The photo album at the back of the book was a great way to connect the story Lindsay was weaving to her son Cole and what could be verified as true. 

How I enjoyed it: I read this as an ebook that I borrowed through Libby. Digital format is my preferred way to read.

Category Chosen: Caldecott Medal

What worked and/or what didn't: These colorful illustrations are unique and enhance the message being conveyed.There are no hard lines to the pictures and each page uses a mix of bright and practical dull colors to emphasize the journey of the child- to help the earth with recycling, cleaning up trash, and planting trees and other plants.

Although there isn't a main character in this story the illustrated characters are very diverse. This adds to the message that anyone can make a difference. They are also drawn and colored in a simple, but eye catching way. As you read the verses, your eye is drawn to the pictures and the story that is being painted through them. 

The setting is not explicitly stated but based on the illustrations it is set in a city. Without a set location it adds to the message that you can help anywhere at any time. 

Why I read it: I don't normally read books written in verse, but the cover drew me in and the title reminded me of a song. After reading the book, I would recommend this book based on the message of hope conveyed through a unique written style and illustrations. Not everyone likes poetry or books not written in prose and that's okay! Something, Someday does a great job of conveying a timeless message without being overly flowery or hard to follow. This would be a good book to have as an intro to books written in verse. 

How I enjoyed it: I read this as an ebook that I borrowed through Libby. Digital format is my preferred way to read.

Category Chosen: Poetry

What worked and/or what didn't: Alice Oseman has a writing style that is easy to read and flows organically as the story progresses. You can really feel the passage of time as it passes with each chapter and switch in point of view. She uses language that is relatable to the audience and propels the story without feeling clunky or fake.

The characters sound like actual teens and this makes the story feel like it could actually happen. Every character has their own motivations and thoughts. Even though there are only two points of view, all of the characters feel fleshed out and like they could stand alone as the sole pov if given the chance.

Jimmy and Angel are the two points of view that the story is told through, so only their thoughts on any situation are examined. However, it builds up to the eventual meet up with their thoughts and actions that are at times in contrast to each other. There is a sense of irony and tension that develops as it switches back and forth between the two and how each of their weeks go leading to their eventual meeting and everything after it.  

Why you should read it: With the success of the Netflix adaptation of Heartstopper, fans of the show have started reading the books that it's based on and the other books in the universe of Alice Oseman.The writing is fun, fresh, and witty. The story and characters are relatable and easy to digest. After listening to it I'm interested in reading other books from this author as well. 

How I enjoyed it: Audiobook which was only the 2nd audiobook I've ever listened to. I find it hard to just listen to the words as I get easily distracted by other things and sometimes lose track of the plot. I've started listening to podcasts, but with reading the transcripts as it goes. I think I will do that with audiobooks in the future. I think the voice acting for this audiobook was really well done and since it takes place in the UK they had accents, but it wasn't too hard to understand. Bear really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. I think the voices reminded him of The Magnus Archives, his favorite podcast. 

Category Chosen: LGBTQ+ and Audiobook