Sponsored by Oni Press.
From Katie O’Neill, creator of The Tea Dragon Society, comes Dewdrop, the delightful children’s tale of an easygoing axolotl who enjoys naps, worm pie, and cheerleading. When the yearly sports fair nears, he and his friends get ready to showcase their skills to the whole pond! However, as the day of the fair gets closer, Dewdrop’s friends can’t help putting pressure on themselves to be the best. It’s up to Dewdrop to remind them how to be mindful, go at their own pace, and find joy in their own achievements.
Hi Kid Lit Friends,
How is everyone doing this week? I hope this email finds you healthy and safe.
I’ve been asking readers what they’ve been doing while at home. Here are some more responses!
Elisa from Quarantine Storytime says, “I listen to plenty of audiobooks and I’ve been reading to my 3 kids more than I usually get a chance to, which is nice. I also work with children at our public library, so right now I’ve been doing my best to keep giving them content and literacy practice from a distance. So I’ve started a YouTube channel and every day I pick one of our regular kiddos to make a video for that is specifically targeted to their level. I have reading practice with text they can read-along with on the screen, picture book read-alouds and Libby book recommendations for my more fluent readers. I only wish I had a way to get these videos to all of them!”
Beth Schmelzer writes, “So many conferences have closed, but I am impressed with the generosity of authors, illustrators and publishers who are sharing read alouds and resources. Kate Messner was the first I shared with friends who have school age children. There are so many I appreciate.”
As Beth said, Kate Messner has a great website with videos from authors and illustrators. Check it out here!
Lisa Christensen, a reader who lives in Logan, Utah, a high mountain town, said that her library mails book requests. She received four books in one package last week. I wish my public library did that for us!
Okay, on to today’s book theme. A reader kindly told me that I mistakenly declared April as Asian Pacific Heritage Month (instead of May, the actual month). I think my mind is scrambled with the disruption in schedules! I’m so sorry about that, but maybe it’s good to share books ahead of Asian Pacific Heritage Month so I’m keeping today’s topic. Today I have five great middle grade books for you.
One of my favorite spring releases is A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat. This story is set in Chattana, where light is created by one man — the Governor, who appeared after the Great Fire to bring peace and order to the city. For Pong, who was born in Namwon Prison, the magical lights represent freedom, and he dreams of the day he will be able to walk among them. But when Pong escapes from prison, he realizes that the world outside is no fairer than the one behind bars.
Another fantastic new spring release is Prairie Lotus by the legendary Linda Sue Park. Set in American in the 1880s, the story centers around a half-Asian girl, Hanna. When her mother dies, Hanna and her father move to American’s heartland and open a business. Hanna struggles with her new surroundings, which primarily means negotiating the townspeople’s almost unanimous prejudice against Asians.
If you’re looking for realistic fiction, check out Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim. This hilarious book is about Yumi and her love for stand up comedians. While Yumi is enrolled in test-prep tutoring to qualify for a private school scholarship, what she really wants to do is watch her favorite comedians on YouTube. One day after class, Yumi stumbles on an opportunity that will change her life: a comedy camp for kids taught by one of her favorite YouTube stars. The only problem is that the instructor and all the students think she’s a girl named Kay Nakamura–and Yumi doesn’t correct them.
For readers who love fantasy, look for The Dragon Egg Princess by Ellen Oh. This book is set in a kingdom filled with magic, but Jiho has no magic in him. He comes from a long line of forest rangers who protect the Kidahara—an ancient and mysterious wood that is home to powerful supernatural creatures. But since his father walked into the Kidahara and disappeared five years ago, Jiho wants nothing to do with the dangerous forest. Now the forest is in danger from foreign forces that want to destroy it; can Jiho save it before it’s too late?
Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices, edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed (Amulet Books, 5/5/20) is a lovely collection of short stories that showcase the most joyful holiday of the year: Eid! The short, single-syllable word conjures up a variety of feelings and memories for Muslims.Whatever it may be, for those who cherish this day of celebration, the emotional responses may be summed up in another short and sweet word: joy. Read stories by G. Willow Wilson, Hena Khan, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Rukhsana Khan, and many others.
If you love graphic novels, Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang is a must read. In this story, Yang turns the focus on his own life and his job at a high school. The men’s varsity team, the Dragons, is having a phenomenal season that’s been decades in the making. Each victory brings them closer to their ultimate goal: the California State Championships. Once Gene gets to know these young all-stars, he knows he has to follow this epic to its end. What he doesn’t know yet is that this season is not only going to change the Dragons’s lives, but his own life as well.
What are you reading these days? Let me know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.
Until next time!
Karina
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