Book Reviews

Stargirl 

Jerry Spinelli 

Porcupine neckties, birthday songs, and small violet plants can all be traced back to one person: Stargirl. When a quirky, previously homeschooled girl who calls herself “Stargirl'' starts attending Mica High, the normal high school atmosphere is thrown into a frenzy. Years later, Leo Borlock recounts how over the course of one school year Stargirl made a difference in everyone’s lives. Spinelli does a stellar job at creating a story that captures the nature of high school and still holds up over twenty years later. While there are very few characters that are described in great detail, the main two characters are given depth and unique quirks that make them both feel human. Stargirl especially is fleshed out and very distinct, giving readers a clear picture of who she is based on Leo’s descriptions and her own actions within the story. Both characters have clear story arcs that are relatable and can serve as a lesson to readers. Intertwined throughout the entire story are themes of being different from those around you. Through Leo the story touches on the struggle of wanting to blend in and be accepted by your peers while also standing out within a crowd. Through him, readers can realize that wanting to be accepted and to belong within a group of peers is a normal feeling. Meanwhile, Stargirl serves as a direct contrast to the rest of the students at Mica High, who for the most part blend into the background and have no distinguishable differences between one another. For the majority of the story Stargirl is unapologetically herself despite the constant ridicule and whispers amongst students at school. While her popularity fluctuates, the overall idea that it is okay to be different and pursue what makes you happy is demonstrated through Stargirl. She also is a good example of a character who is selfless and does things for the satisfaction of making others happy, rather than gaining recognition for herself. This can be important to readers and easily incorporated into a classroom setting as a lesson about kindness and serving one's community. This novel has a sequel, Love Stargirl, and two movies based off of these stories. Overall, Stargirl is a great coming of age novel that all readers will get something out of. 

BIBLIO: 2000, Scholastic Inc., Ages 10 up, $3.99. 

REVIEWER: Jessica Hummel 

FORMAT: Young Adult 

Whose Egg is That? 

Darrin Lunde 

Illustrated by Kelsey Oseid 

Review

It’s a beautiful blue color, but whose egg is that? Throughout this picture book, readers are given a picture of an egg, a bit of information about said egg, and then told to guess who the egg belongs to. Both Lunde and Oseid do an excellent job at educating about different types of eggs and the creatures that lay them in a simple, yet fun book. The illustrations were created by simply using gouache and paper, but are very realistic and eye-catching in style. One unique facet of the illustrations of the eggs is that they are representative of their actual size in real life. There is a lot of variety in terms of the creatures that are covered within this book. There various types of birds, turtles, platypuses, and even dinosaur egg fossils featured within the story. This range can be used to teach children that not just birds are able to lay eggs and that eggs themselves are very diverse and unique. The format of the book lends itself well to asking children questions, as the point of it is to guess who each egg belongs to. Parents and caretakers are also able to use this book as an opportunity to ask other questions having to do with the eggs and their physical characteristics such as size, shape, and color. Following the guessing portion of the book is a section providing miscellaneous egg facts. There is a specific fact in this section about natural history museums and how they preserve different types of eggs, which can lead to an additional educational opportunity. The author of this book is extremely qualified and credible within the field of animals. Lunde has worked as a mammalogist at the American Museum of Natural History for more than twenty years and is currently the mammal collection manager at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. This author and illustrator pair has also created two similar books, Whose Poop is That? and Whose Footprint is That?, both of which are recommended to read alongside this book. Overall, this book is an excellent educational tool for young children interested in learning about animals in the world around them. 

BIBLIO: 2023, Charlesbridge, Ages 3 to 7, $17.99. 

REVIEWER: Jessica Hummel 

FORMAT: Picture Book 

Standing in the Light: The Captive Diary of Catharine Carey Logan 

Mary Pope Osborne 

Catharine Carey Logan has spent her life living the simple ways of a Quaker in the Delaware Valley during the colonial period. Her life is turned upside down when she and her younger brother, Thomas, are captured and taken in by members of the Lenape tribe. Osborne does an excellent job at creating a story that truly captures the colonial period and the conflict between the Delaware Valley Quakers and the Lenape tribe. Through her diary entries, the reader is able to experience Caty’s life over the course of the year in an easily digestible and quick to read format. Caty seems to have reasonable character growth over the course of the story, initially being resistant to the ways of the Lenape and eventually embracing the lifestyle as she got to know the people she was living alongside. Caty’s story teaches the importance of walking in someone else’s shoes and learning to respect the culture and values of other people. While the lifestyle of the Lenape may not be the truth of her and the Quakers she grew up alongside, the Lenape and their truths are not much different than her own, and as such she needs to respect their way of life. While at points it seems as if Caty is able to change her ways overnight, due to the nature of the diary format it makes sense that the reader would be missing more subtle changes in her life as she chooses to only document the most important events of that day or week. While Caty is not a real person, her life and experiences are based on real events that took place between the Quakers and Lenape tribe from fall 1763 to fall 1764. Osborne clearly did her research, effectively capturing the culture of both the Quakers and Lenape throughout the course of the story. Traditions from both societies are equally treated with respect and are never truly looked down upon after Caty’s growth as a character. The end of the book also features various pictures and historical documents from the time period to further educate readers about colonial America and the real life events that serve as the historical background to this story. Overall, this book is an excellent story about the life of a Quaker girl living in the colonial period that middle grade readers are sure to enjoy.

BIBLIO: 1998, Scholastic Inc., Ages 9 to 13, $9.95. 

REVIEWER: Jessica Hummel 

FORMAT: Middle Reader 

Redwall 

Brain Jaques 

The community within the Redwall Abbey is a peaceful one, swearing off all violence with the sole purpose of providing aid and care for those who need it. But when warlord Cluney and his band of misfit critters declare war and threaten peace within Redwall, the citizens must prepare to fight. In order to help protect his people, young mouse Matthias sets off on a journey to reclaim a sword that once belonged to Redwall’s previous hero, Martin the Warrior. Redwall encompasses exactly what it means to be an excellent fantasy story. Jaques does an incredible job at world building and establishing the setting in which this story takes place. Every location, character, and event is described in vivid detail which allows for the reader to become completely immersed within the universe. From epic battle scenes to characters simply eating a meal with one another, the reader is able to visualize exactly what is taking place on each page. Suspension of disbelief is created from the first few paragraphs through the humanity of each and every one of the characters. Despite being various animals, all of the characters within the Redwall universe are extremely human. Every creature has their own motivations, quirks, and distinct ways of interacting with one another. The dialogue between characters is very natural, with some having their own specific dialects that are easy to read and hear within one’s head. There are also mentions of animalistic behaviors or habits, to remind readers that these characters are non-human and further develop each animal as a unique individual. Even the most minor of characters are well developed, receiving their moments in the spotlight even if only for that chapter. The majority of the book bounces in perspective between protagonist Matthias and antagonist Cluney, with the occasional chapter that is from a side character’s point of view. This method of storytelling is very effective, as the plot is driven forward and becomes more intense as these characters and their sides of the war continuously outsmart each other without personally being aware of it. This is the first book published in the Redwall series, and as such there is even more of the universe and unique characters to be explored within other installations of the series. Middle age readers ready to dive into an extensive universe with a diverse cast of characters are sure to become enchanted by this book. 

BIBLIO: 2002 (orig. 1986), Firebird Books/Penguin Young Readers, Ages 8 to 15, $9.99. 

REVIEWER: Jessica Hummel 

FORMAT: Middle Reader 

Geekerella: A Fangirl Fairy Tale 

Ashley Poston

Elle Wittimer has been a Starfielder her entire life. When a Starfield movie reboot with teenage heartthrob Darien Freeman is announced Elle is less than thrilled about it, but a cosplay contest with a cash prize has Elle entering in an attempt to get away from the stepfamily she was left with after her father’s passing. Meanwhile, Darien is dealing with the pressure of trying not to disappoint veteran Starfielders as he takes on the role of their beloved Federation Prince Carmindor. Poston does a stellar job at retelling Cinderella with a geeky twist. Elle plays the role of Cinderella, with an evil, controlling stepmother who forces her to do chores and stepsisters who do as their mother says. As such, Darien falls into the role of prince charming and serves as a love interest to Elle as the story progresses. While the characters and their roles fall into the familiar Cinderella story, there are many aspects of modern fandom culture intertwined in the narrative that make it original. Both main characters have deep connections to the fictional show, Starfield, and are able to bond with each other because of it. There are also small references to real life franchises such as Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, which are done tastefully and help emphasize the geekiness of the protagonists. This novel frequently touches on the concept of grief and learning to cope with the loss of a dead parent. Elle’s connection to Starfield is deeply rooted in her relationship with her late father, leading her to take the franchise and its integrity very seriously. Over the course of the story, she learns to share the series with new people in her life that she comes to care about and is able to carry on her father’s legacy through cosplay and her love of the franchise. There is also some LGBTQ representation within the story through a lesbian couple that ends up together by the end of the novel. While the fact these characters are queer does not affect the plot in any major way, it is a nice addition to the story and could allow for some readers to feel represented within these characters. Overall, Poston’s novel is a cute, modern retelling of Cinderella that especially the geekiest of teenage readers would enjoy. 

BIBLIO: 2017, Quirk Books, Ages 14 to 17, $18.99. 

REVIEWER: Jessica Hummel 

FORMAT: Young Adult 

This Story is Not About a Kitten

Randall de Séve

Illustrated by Carson Ellis

When a kitten is hungry and dirty, scared and alone what is one to do? It takes a village of people to come to the rescue of a kitten when it is discovered underneath a car in the neighborhood. From the dog who stopped when it heard the kitten, to the twins who brought the box, people from across town assist in helping out this particular feline. This story is not really about a kitten, but the community that interacts and bonds over the simple task of rescuing a cat in need. The sentences in the book are simple, with a very repetitive structure. The story starts with one sentence that is repeated throughout as more are layered on top of it. As the story goes on the original sentences are modified slightly to show progression, but still retain that familiar structure. The sentences are also very rhythmic, with most pages ending in a rhyme. Séve does an excellent job in depicting the interaction of the members of this community through little bits of dialogue toward the end of the story. The illustration enhances this as there is distinct text for each person, distinguishing neighbors from one another despite not visually showing them as they speak. Ellis’ illustrations are simple, yet expressive as they show emotion and depth in all of the characters. The kitten especially is drawn in a way that visually represents her emotions as the story progresses. Each of the characters is unique, with various intersecting demographics of people represented in the members of the community. There is a distinct color palette that also contributes to the overall visual appeal of the book. Inspired by the rescue of the author’s cat Amber, this story could be used to teach about the power of community. Every neighbor serves a part in helping out the kitten, no matter how big or small, which could show readers that even the smallest contributions to a task can make a difference. The story can also be used to encourage children to interact with their neighbors and form connections with them. Overall, Séve and Ellis are able to effectively highlight the power of community through a simple story about rescuing a kitten.

BIBLIO: 2022, Random House Studio/Random House Children’s Books, Ages 4 to 8, $18.99.

REVIEWER: Jessica Hummel

FORMAT: Picture Book

Thank You, Omu! 

Oge Mora 

As Omu begins to cook her thick red stew the scent of it can be smelled throughout the entire city. One by one, people begin lining up at her door to ask for a taste of this delicious stew. But will Omu give away too much of it before she is able to get a taste for herself? The story follows a semi-repetitive narrative structure that allows for readers to use context clues and the illustrations to guess who or what is coming next. The language is simple yet descriptive, allowing the reader to become fully immersed in the colorful world that Mora creates. Along with the words, the illustrations truly create the environment that story is set in. Mora uses mixed media elements such as acrylic paint, china makers, pastels, patterned paper, and old book clippings in order to create scenery and characters that are full of expression and life. The words “KNOCK! KNOCK!” are uniquely different from the rest of the text, allowing for the onomatopoeia to stand out and be louder among the rest of the descriptions. All of the characters are diverse both in physical appearance and occupation, allowing for a multitude of groups to be represented. From a little boy to a hot dog vendor, everyone is treated with the same respect despite their occupation and role within the world of the story. The main character, Omu, is an older black woman whose race or status is never mentioned as part of the plot. Rather, her actions are what defines her character. This story shows what it means to be compassionate and how to share something special with those around oneself. It also exemplifies the power of community and receiving both physical and emotional benefits from giving to others. There is also a learning opportunity to be found in the name “Omu.” The front of the book provides the pronunciation (Ah-moo) as well as the meaning (Igbo term for “queen.”) This can be used to teach readers to recognize the importance of names and to take the initiative to learn how to pronounce them correctly. Overall, Mora creates a vibrant world with a simple lesson for young readers to enjoy. 

BIBLIO: 2018, Little, Brown and Company/Hachette Book Group, Inc., Ages 3 to 6, $18.99.

REVIEWER: Jessica Hummel 

FORMAT: Picture Book 

The Poet X Elizabeth Acevedo

"Pero, tú no eres facíl" is a phrase Xiomara's mother uses to describe her. As Xiomara "X" Batista enters freshman year of high school she faces many of the struggles associated with coming of age, such as boys and a maturing body. An even bigger struggle is a newfound questioning of Christianity, the religion X has grown up with and is entangled all throughout her life. But just as her mother says, X is not easy. As a result the two frequently clash as a lifetime faith is questioned. Through the guidance of English teacher and poetry club advisor Ms. Galiano, Xiomara is able to use poetry as an outlet as she navigates her mother's temperament, first love, and everything in between .Through verse from Xiomara's point of view along with the occasional school assignment, readers watch as X navigates her first year of high school and grows more confident in herself and as a poet. Acevedo’s language and style in this novel is casual yet effective as readers will easily be able to connect and empathize with Xiomara. As the novel is set in a modern day setting, Acevedo incorporates many references to modern artists and technology in a way that is natural and helps to strengthen the characters and their situations. The layout of specific lines and structure of various poems add to the overall feeling and power of the messages conveyed throughout the novel. Readers from all backgrounds will likely be able to connect to the story in some way. While most of the narrative is focused on Xiomara’s blossoming first love with a boy from her class and her struggles with her mother, Acevedo incorporates various dynamics and relationships into the story. There is a strong emphasis put on the positive relationships that can form between students and teachers, as Ms. Galiano serves as a positive influence in X’s life by introducing her to the power of expression through poetry. Acevedo also slightly touches on LGBTQ relationships through Xiomara’s twin brother, Xavier, and his budding romance with a boy from school. While this story would be beneficial to all readers, it particularly would benefit those coming from an urban area and a background similar to that of Xiomara. Readers of this book could learn the power of writing and the positive effect it could have on one’s life.