Author: Karina Glaser

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

With the start of autumn, I have been looking forward to turning on the oven again as the weather cools down. If you haven’t been able to tell from these newsletters, I LOVE cooking and baking (and eating!). And I am very happy to share that there are some wonderful new middle grade books that have food themes!

Supriya Kelkar’s As American As Paneer Pie centers around Lekha Divekar, the only Indian American kid in her small town. She feels like she has two versions of herself: Home Lekha, who loves watching Bollywood movies and eating Indian food, and School Lekha, who pins her hair over her bindi birthmark and avoids confrontation at all costs, especially when someone teases her for being Indian. But when a new neighbor named Aventika moves in and faces the same bullying at school, Lekha is surprised to find that Aventika proudly displays her culture rather than hiding it. Can Lekha do the same?

A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan is filled with food themes. Written in alternating points of view, the story follows two sixth graders, Sara and Elizabeth, that attend the same school. Sara is new and adjusting to a place that is completely unlike the small Islamic school she used to attend. Elizabeth has her own problems: her British mum has been struggling with depression. The girls meet in an after-school South Asian cooking class, which Elizabeth takes because her mom has stopped cooking, and which Sara, who hates to cook, is forced to attend because her mother is the teacher. Gradually they become cooking buddies . . . but can they learn to trust each other enough to become true friends?

From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks is one of my favorite middle grade books from 2020. In this book, Zoe Washington learns that her father, a man she’s never met, is in prison for a terrible crime he never committed. While Zoe tries to uncover the truth, she is also juggling her bakery internship and proving to her parents that she’s worthy of auditioning for Food Network’s Kids Bake Challenge. There are many, many delicious cupcake recipe ideas in this book!

 

When Cady Bennett is sent to live with the aunt she didn’t even know in Summer of a Thousand Pies by Margaret Dilloway, she isn’t sure what to expect. Cady isn’t used to stability, after growing up homeless in San Diego with her dad. Now she’s staying in her mother’s old room, exploring the countryside filled with apple orchards and pie shops, making friends, and working in Aunt Shell’s own pie shop—and soon, Cady starts to feel like she belongs until she finds out that Aunt Shell’s shop is failing.

Lucy Knisley’s middle grade debut graphic novel Stepping Stones is all about change… and food. When Jen and her mom move to a farm with her mom’s new boyfriend, Walter, Jen isn’t happy. She misses the city and she misses her dad. Furthermore, Jen gets two new sisters. In addition to learning new chores and adjusting to farm life, Jen has to deal with know-it-all Andy. And even though cleaning the chicken coop, harvesting vegetables, and setting up a booth each week at the local farmers’ market keeps her busy, it can’t keep Jen from thinking about the life she left behind.

Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai is a funny and poignant illustrated middle grade book. When Jingwen moves to a new country, he feels like he’s landed on Mars. School is torture, making friends is impossible since he doesn’t speak English, and he’s often stuck looking after his (extremely irritating) little brother, Yanghao. To distract himself from the loneliness, Jingwen daydreams about making all the cakes on the menu of Pie in the Sky, the bakery his father had planned to open before he unexpectedly passed away. The only problem is his mother has laid down one major rule: the brothers are not to use the oven while she’s at work. As Jingwen and Yanghao bake elaborate cakes, they’ll have to cook up elaborate excuses to keep the cake making a secret from Mama.

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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Hi Kid Lit Friends,

September 15th marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, a thirty day celebration of the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. According to the National Hispanic American Heritage Month website, “The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.”

There are hundreds of beautiful books by Hispanic authors. The American Library Association awards the Belpré Award every year, which is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. For a complete list, check out this website.

I, of course, have some books I would like to share with you in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month! Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Edel Rodriguez, is a picture book biography about one of America’s Supreme Court Justices. Justice Sotomayor grew up in the Bronx and didn’t have a lot growing up, but she had what she needed — her mother’s love, a will to learn, and her own determination. This book has both English and Spanish translations.

 

Another wonderful picture book biography is Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illustrated by Paola Escobar. When Pura came to America in 1921, she carried the folk stories of her Puerto Rican homeland. She found a job at the New York Public Library as a bilingual assistant and shared stories of her country during story time. Her life was filled with adventure and new challenges, and all along the way she promoted the magic of books.

 

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal is one of my favorite picture books. Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela has way too many names: six! Alma turns to Daddy for an answer about all of these names and learns of Sofia, the grandmother who loved books and flowers; Esperanza, the great-grandmother who longed to travel; José, the grandfather who was an artist; and other namesakes, too. The illustrations in this book are charming and filled with joy!

 

For early readers, check out Juana and Lucas by Juana Medina. Juana loves many things: drawing, living in Bogotá, Colombia, and especially her dog, Lucas, the best amigo ever. She does not love wearing her itchy school uniform, solving math problems, or learning the English. Why is it so important to learn a language that makes so little sense? This book, written in English, is sprinkled with Spanish words and phrases, perfect for newly independent readers who are beginning to decode.

 

A chapter book series that is great for newly independent readers is the Stella Díaz series by Angela Dominguez. In the first book, Stella Díaz Has Something to Say, Stella finds herself in a new school year without her best friend Jenny. When a new boy arrives in Stella’s class, she really wants to be his friend, but sometimes Stella accidentally speaks Spanish instead of English and pronounces words wrong. Can Stella gain the confidence she needs to make a new friend?

 

For middle grade readers, check out Celia C. Pérez’s fantastic debut, The First Rule of Punk. Twelve-year-old Malú begins her first day at a new school by inadvertently upsetting Posada Middle School’s queen bee, violates the school’s dress code with her punk rock look, and disappoints her college-professor mom in the process. Her dad, who now lives a thousand miles away, says things will get better as long as she remembers the first rule of punk: be yourself. The real Malú loves rock music, skateboarding, zines, and Soyrizo (hold the cilantro, please). Can she stand up to the school administration to fight for her right to express herself?

 

Fantasy readers will love Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez. When Gabi Real meets Sal Vidon, Gabi learns that he’s not just a regular middle school magician, he’s capable of conjuring things much bigger than a rabbit out of a hat–including his dead mother. When Gabi takes it all in stride, Sal knows that she is someone he can work with. There’s only one slight problem: their manipulation of time and space could put the entire universe at risk.

 

One more middle grade book to close out this list. Newbery Award winning book Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina is a must read. Merci Suárez has never been completely like the other kids at her private school in Florida, because she and her older brother, Roli, are scholarship students. They don’t have a big house or a fancy boat, and they have to do extra community service to make up for their free tuition. Check out my interview with Meg about her fantastic book here.

 

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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Hi Kid Lit Friends,

I have been reading a lot lately, and there are some middle grade books released or releasing this year that I’ve really, really loved. And because I must share every book that I love with you, here they are!

You all know that I adore Jacqueline Woodson, and her newest middle grade book is gorgeous. Before the Ever After is about ZJ, a boy who loves his dad, a professional football player. But when his dad begins to behave erratically, experiencing mood swings and moments of memory loss, ZJ tries to hold on to hope that doctors can find a cure for all the football-induced injuries that are affecting his brain. In characteristic Woodson fashion, the story is beautifully told in verse.

An upcoming nonfiction book I’m SO excited about it All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat (Candlewick, 10/13). This book tells the true story of the boys’ soccer team that went exploring in one of Thailand’s famous caves only to be trapped by rising floodwaters. Complete with maps, photos, and diagrams, Soontornvat captures the complex rescue operation that captivated the world.

On the Horizon by Lois Lowry and illustrated by Kenard Pak, is a beautiful book that tells the story of people whose lives were lost or forever altered by the twin tragedies of Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima. Lowry was born in Hawaii and lived part of her childhood in Japan, and her numerous connections to both of these tragedies come across in this collection of poems. The book begins with the story of Lowry playing on a Hawaii beach as a young child, the moment captured on a photograph. Decades later, Lowry found the photo and a friend pointed out that a ship in the background was the USS Arizona, the ship that was later destroyed in Pearl Harbor, killing over a thousand service people. I got chills reading this book.

For graphic novel enthusiasts, check out Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang. This unique graphic novel tells the true story of the men’s high school varsity basketball team, the Dragons. Yang himself is a teacher at the high school, and he takes it upon himself to document the team as they fight to win the California State Championships. A fascinating story with many layers, Dragon Hoops is a fantastic book about sports, teamwork, and friendship.

I have one last book for you. Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park is a beautiful middle grade book set in 1880 about Hanna, a half Asian, half white girl growing up in America’s heartland. Faced with the town’s prejudice against Asians, Hanna nevertheless seeks to help her father in his store and pursue her dream of being a dressmaker. This is a great historical fiction novel for those looking for more books set during the late 1800s.

 

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

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The KidsAre All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

During the pandemic, a lot of us are spending more time at home with our pets. A lot of my friends have adopted animals in the past few months. As you probably remember, I have three cats and they have been doing a great job keeping us company as we continue to spend most of our days in our apartment.

It is no surprise to anyone that I love books that feature animals. I’ve been reading a lot of them lately, and here are some of my favorite cat books.

They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel is a brilliant picture book about perception and seeing. The cat walked through the world, with its whiskers, ears, and paws . . . In this glorious celebration of observation, curiosity, and imagination, Brendan Wenzel shows us the many lives of one cat, and how perspective shapes what we see. When you see a cat, what do you see?

Cats Are A Liquid by Rebecca Donnelly, illustrated by Misa Saburi is a hilarious picture book inspired by an Ig Nobel Prize–winning investigation of how cats behave like liquids. This book introduces some of the physical properties of liquids―they adapt to fit a container, they flow like fluids―and is just pure fun. Back matter includes a brief introduction to the different physical states: solid, liquid, gas.

 

Bad Kitty Gets a Bath by Nick Bruel is a perfect book for newly independent readers. Bad Kitty really needs a bath, and she is forced to take one in this hysterical new illustrated how-to. The following are some items you will need for Kitty’s bath: one bathtub, plenty of water, dry towels, a suit of armor, a letter to your loved ones, clean underwear (because stressful situations can cause “accidents”), an ambulance in your driveway with the engine running, and, oh, yeah, you’ll also need Kitty . . . but good luck with that! Kitty is at her worst in this riotous how-to guide filled with bad smells, cautionary tales of horror, and hopefully by the end . . . some soap.

The School for Cats by Esther Averill is a wonderful classic children’s book about Jenny Linsky, everyone’s favorite shy New York City cat. In this book, Captain Tinker (Jenny’s owner) sends her to a boarding school in the country to learn the special knowledge of cats—manners and cooperation—she is a little afraid, among strangers, and so far from home. As soon as she’s settled in, another student named Pickles chases Jenny and she runs away from school terrified.

 

The Complete Chi’s Sweet Home by Konami Kanata is a must have for graphic novel enthusiasts. Chi is a mischievous newborn kitten who, while on a leisurely stroll with her family, finds herself lost. Separated from the warmth and protection of her mother, feels distraught. Overcome with loneliness she breaks into tears in a large urban park meadow, when she is suddenly rescued by a young boy named Yohei and his mother. The kitty is then quickly and quietly whisked away into the warm and inviting Yamada family apartment…where pets are strictly not permitted. Try to keep from reading these quickly – I recommend reading one chapter a day.

Lost Cat by Caroline Paul, illustrated by Wendy MacNaughton, is a wonderfully illustrated book. Author Caroline Paul was recovering from a bad accident and thought things couldn’t get worse, but then her beloved cat Tibia disappeared. She and her partner, illustrator Wendy MacNaughton, mourned his loss. Yet weeks later, Tibia waltzed back into their lives only to disappear again for days at a time. They began to investigate where Tibia was going, and what ensues is a hilarious investigation into Tibia’s whereabouts.

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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Hi Kid Lit Friends,

School doesn’t look the same this fall with students across the world either doing online learning or going to school with social distancing and wearing masks. It’s a strange time, and while plans are still not clear for what my own kids will be doing when school begins in September, we know that there will be adjustments and change. All of these wonderful books address change in the context of beginning school.

School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex, illustrated by Christian Robinson, is one of my favorite picture books about starting school. Rather than having the perspective of a student, we hear from a new school’s perspective. It’s a lovely book about new experiences, feeling worried, and how to overcome challenges. I just love Christian’s beautiful artwork, which brings the school to life in a charming way.

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan Higgins is a super funny book about Penelope, a dinosaur who is starting school. Everything is new to her, including those pesky rules that include not eating her human classmates. This book is sure to get young students giggling over Penelope’s mistakes as well as experiencing empathy for her.

I think every school year should begin with a read aloud of The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael Lopez. This bestselling picture book talks about being different, whether it’s how you look or talk, where you’re from, what you eat, or something just as random. This is a lovely book that reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi is another one of my favorite picture books. Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious that American kids will like her. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she tells the class that she will choose a name by the following week. Her new classmates are fascinated by this no-name girl and decide to help out by filling a glass jar with names for her to pick from. But while Unhei practices being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, one of her classmates comes to her neighborhood and discovers her real name and its special meaning. On the day of her name choosing, the name jar has mysteriously disappeared. What name will Unhei choose?

King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, is a fun, joyful story about starting kindergarten! The hero of the story is ready to make his mark. He’s dressed himself, eaten a pile of pancakes, and can’t wait to be part of a whole new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam-packed, but he’s up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm! And afterward, he can’t wait to tell his proud parents all about his achievements–and then wake up to start another day. The illustrations are vibrant and filled with happiness, and I just love each page spread.

For older readers, New Kid by Jerry Craft is a wonderful graphic novel about seventh grade Jordan Banks. When his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics instead of the art school that Jordan dreams of attending, he finds himself one of the few kids of color in his entire grade. As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds—and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?

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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Hi Kid Lit Friends,

Dance performances might be suspended indefinitely due to social distancing, but thankfully we can still watch some performances online and we can read about famous dancers. Here are some of my favorite books about dancers and dancing.

Trailblazer: The Story of Ballerina Raven Wilkinson by Leda Schubert, illustrated by Theodore Taylor III is the remarkable story of Ravin Wilkinson, the first African-American woman to dance for a major classical ballet company. Born on February 2, 1935, in New York City, Raven had always wanted to dance. When she started touring with her troupe in the United States in 1955, Raven encountered much racism in the South, but the applause, alongside the opportunity to dance, made all the hardship worth it. Several years later she would dance for royalty with the Dutch National Ballet and regularly performed with the New York City Opera until she was fifty.

Firebird by Misty Copeland, illustrated by Christopher Myers is the lovely story of a young girl who questions her ability and lacks the confidence to be great at what she loves to do. Throughout the book, Misty encourages the girl and shows her how she too can be a Firebird. This book is gorgeously illustrated by Christopher Myers. (For middle grade readers, check out Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland.)

Alvin Ailey by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney, is about one of my favorite dancers of all time. Every year in December, I buy a ticket to see his company perform at the City Center in New York City, and every time the performance takes my breath away. This wonderful picture book shares Alvin Ailey’s life story and introduces readers to his lovely dance style and the incredible impact he’s had on American dance.

Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen, illustrated by Kadir Nelson is the story of Sassy, a young girl who wants to be a ballerina. But when a famous director comes to visit her class and she tries to get his attention with big dance moves and bright clothing, Sassy worries that she has ruined everything. Can her persistence win him over?

 

How Do You Dance? by Thyra Heder is about how dance is for everyone. The illustrations are so full of movement and life, and I can’t help but dance when I read this book with my kids. This book celebrates dance as a way of expressing yourself and fostering creativity and humor.

 

Lola Levine and the Ballet Scheme by Monica Brown is a fun chapter book about finding common interests. When new classmate Bella, a ballet dancer, walks into Lola’s class at Northland Elementary, all Lola can see is pink everywhere–pink ribbons, a pink sweatshirt, and pink tennis shoes. Lola is disgusted – soccer is much better than ballet. Furthermore, Lola and Bella can’t seem to stop squabbling. But when they land in the principal’s office after a mishap, Lola’s mom comes up with a way they can see that their interests aren’t as different as they think.

The Magic in Changing Your Stars by Leah Henderson is a new middle grade book about eleven-year-old Ailey Benjamin Lane. He loves to dance, but he botches his audition due to a case of nerves. He’s ready to quit but his grampa shares how he dreamed of becoming a tap dancer as a young boy. He was so good that the Hollywood star and unofficial Mayor of Harlem, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, even gave him a special pair of tap shoes. Curious, Ailey tries on the shoes . . . and instantly finds himself transported to 1930s Harlem. There he meets a young street tapper and realizes that it’s his own grandfather! Can Ailey help the 12-year-old version of Grampa face his fears?

My Seventh Grade Life in Tights by Brooks Benjamin is a fun middle grade book that follows Dillon, a middle schooler who loves to dance. He wants to win a summer scholarship at a local dance studio, but his dad wants him to play football and his freestyle dance friends think studying at a studio would ruin his creativity. Can Dillon win the scholarship, keep his friends, please his father, and keep his signature dance style?

 

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

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

I am a huge fan of the postal service. I love writing and receiving letters, and I love being able to receive review copies of children’s books! Which is why I was devastated to hear that the United States Postal Service might go bankrupt this year. One thing we can all do is reach out to our elected representatives and let them know how important the postal service is to our country. And here are some lovely picture books about the beauty of mail!

Mr. Postmouse’s Rounds by Marianne Dubac is one of my favorite picture books. The illustrations are so charming with much to explore and delight on each page. The story begins with Mr. Postmouse loading up his wagon to do the day’s mail deliveries to all the animals on his route. Each home is designed for the occupant and is incredibly fun to explore.

 

The Love Letter by Anika Aldumay Denise, illustrated by Lucy Cummings is a sweet picture book about a love letter and mistaken identity. Hedgehog, Bunny, and Squirrel are best friends, and one day they find a letter. But it’s not just any letter – it’s a love letter! Who could have sent it? The answer is more complicated than you might think…

It Came in the Mail by Ben Clanton (of the Narwal and Jelly series) is a hilarious picture book about a young boy named Liam who writes a letter to his mailbox asking for something in return. The mailbox responds in kind by sending him a… dragon? The mail piles up, and Liam comes to realize that mail is best shared with friends.

 

I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives by Martin Ganda and Caitlin Alifirenka with Liz Welch is a middle grade book about a pen pal assignment. Everyone in Caitlin’s class in America wrote to an unknown student somewhere in a distant place. In Zimbabwe, Martin felt lucky to even get a letter, and their correspondence spanned six years and changed their lives.

 

Same Sun Here by Silas House and Neela Vaswani is another middle grade book about pen pals. Meena is an Indian immigrant girl living in New York City’s Chinatown, while River is a Kentucky coal miner’s son. But while they live very different lives, they also share a lot in common. Their fathers are forced to work far from home to earn money, they both have grandmothers that play a big role in their lives, and they both love dogs. Although miles separate them, their friendship helps them endure the trials they face.

Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen by Sarah Kapit is a middle grade book about a young girl who is determined to pitch for a real baseball team. When her social studies teacher makes her write a letter to someone, she selects her favorite Major League pitcher. And he writes back! And then Vivy is invited to join the baseball team, when an accident threatens to derail everything, Vivy has to fight to stay on the team.

 

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

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hi Kid Lit Friends!

Happy August! The weeks are churning along, and our lonely summer is full of both good and bad days. Thankfully, there are quite a few picture books that deal with bad days which has helped us all cope with unexpected situations and disappointments.

Soaked! by Abi Cushman is about a Bear who is looking forward to a fun day with his friends. But it is a wet, dreary day and Bear cannot possibly have fun with Badger, Rabbit, and Moose when he is soaked and miserable. But his friends have some ideas about how to turn the day around. Will Bear join them?

Rita and Ralph’s Rotten Day by Carmen Agra Deedy and Pete Oswald is a story of two friends who always get together to play under the apple tree. They play games and have fun, until one day a new game goes awry. Just when it seems nothing will ever be right again, a surprising thing happens. The old friends try something new, that isn’t new at all. Something they’ve done a hundred times…

Saturday by Oge Mora is a sweet picture book about a mom and her daughter who look forward to their day together on Saturday. They have plans to go to story time and the salon and have a picnic and go to a puppet show. But Saturday doesn’t go as planned. Story time is cancelled. Rain ruins their post-salon hair styles as well as their picnic. Can they save their Saturday, or is it ruined forever?

The Rough Patch by Brian Lies is a Caldecott award winning picture book about Evan and his dog. They spend their day together tending the garden and eating ice cream. But when Evan’s dog dies, Evan is heartbroken and destroys his garden. Weeds take over, and the end of a tangled vine reveals a pumpkin. Evan ends up bringing the pumpkin to the county fair, where unexpected surprises await him.

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

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

It’s the height of summer, and my little NYC container garden is exploding with color. Gardening is something my 10-year-old daughter has taken great interest in this summer, and everyday she runs out into our building courtyard and examines all the little changes among our plants. The Mexican sour gherkin has attached itself to a nearby bush! The sunflowers are blooming! The lettuce is getting flowers!

There are many lovely picture books about gardens. The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver by Gene Barretta, illustrated by Frank Morrison, follows the life person who was born into slavery and later became a celebrated botanist, scientist, and inventor. When he was a young child, George Washington Carver had a secret: a garden of his own where he studied his plants, trimmed flowers, and studied life cycles. His passion and determination are the seeds to this lasting story about triumph over hardship—a tale that begins in a secret garden.

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal, is a terrific picture book that follows a young girl and her grandmother as they journey through a year of planning, planting, and harvesting their garden. Up in the garden, the world is full of green—leaves and sprouts, growing vegetables, ripening fruit. But down in the dirt exists a busy world—earthworms dig, snakes hunt, skunks burrow—populated by all the animals that make a garden their home.

In My Garden is a new book by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Philip Stead. Like Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, the story follows a young girl and her older companion. Together they watch birds, fly a kite, plant flowers, and play in the snow, watching flowers bloom and leaves fall as the year passes. Philip Stead’s beautiful illustrations are lovingly paired with Charlotte Zolotow’s luminous story, and I am a big fan of this remixed classic!

The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin is a funny and tender story about a Chinese-American girl who wishes for a garden of bright flowers instead of one full of bumpy, ugly, vegetables. Nevertheless, her mother assures her that “these are better than flowers.” And when it’s time to harvest, her mother creates a delicious soup to share with all the neighbors and the young gardener learns that regardless of appearances, everything has its own beauty and purpose.

Flowers are Calling by Rita Gray, illustrated by Kenard Pak is a beautifully illustrated picture book that tells about the pollinators who feast on the flowers’ nectar. In rhyming poetic form and with luminous artwork, this book shows us the marvel of natural cooperation between plants, animals, and insects as they each play their part in the forest’s cycle of life.

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

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

The Supreme Court is an essential arm of the United States government, but I realized that my two kids knew very little about how it worked. How do cases get to the Supreme Court? Why are there so many justices? How do you get on the Supreme Court? Who are our current justices, and how to they make their decisions?

For those of us looking for a good overview, check out The Supreme Court by Christine Taylor-Butler. Written for upper elementary readers, this book discusses how a case reaches the Supreme Court, its origins and history, particularly the time of John Marshall, which established the court’s right to declare a law unconstitutional, and other noted cases, and describes how it works today.

There are two excellent picture books about Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic and Latina judge to serve on the Supreme Court. Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Edel Rodriguez is a lovely introduction to this fantastic woman, written in both English and Spanish. Before Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor took her seat in our nation’s highest court, she was just a little girl in the South Bronx. With her mother’s love, a will to learn, and her own determination, Justice Sotomayor worked hard every day to accomplish her goals despite setbacks.

Turning Pages by Sonia Sotomayor, illustrated by Lulu Delacre is Justice Sotomayor’s own picture book autobiography. For young Sonia, books were her mirrors, her maps, her friends, and her teachers. They helped her to connect with her family in New York and in Puerto Rico, to deal with her diabetes diagnosis, to cope with her father’s death, to uncover the secrets of the world, and to dream of a future for herself in which anything was possible. In Turning Pages, Justice Sotomayor shares that love of books with a new generation of readers, and inspires them to read and puzzle and dream for themselves. (For older, middle grade readers, check out The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor.)

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsberg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley, is a fantastic picture book about Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. From a young age, Justice Ginsberg spent a lifetime disagreeing: disagreeing with inequality, arguing against unfair treatment, and standing up for what’s right for people everywhere. This biographical picture book tells the justice’s story through the lens of her many famous dissents, or disagreements, encouraging young readers to speak up for what they believe in.

For middle grade readers, Loving vs. Virginia: A Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case by Patricia Hruby Powell, illustrated by Shadra Strickland is a fascinating book about how a case traveled all the way to the Supreme Court. In 1955, in Caroline County, Virginia, amidst segregation and prejudice, injustice and cruelty, two teenagers fell in love. Their life together broke the law, but their determination would change it. Richard and Mildred Loving were at the heart of a Supreme Court case that legalized marriage between races, and a story of the devoted couple who faced discrimination, fought it, and won.

 

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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