Nest of Tongues: Filipino Vampire Folkore

Randy Ribay's young adult novel, Nest of Tongues, is a suspenseful, unique story of teenage Filipino siblings in the Bay area who happen to be vampires.  Full of Filipino folklore, Ribay weaves an intricate tale that takes place throughout the course of only one week.  At the start of the week the main characters,  Lily and Caleb, are flying at night to feed on an animal when they discover the body of another vampire that had been brutally murdered. Once they tell their grandmother, Lola, she jumps to discuss the threat with the local elder supernatural creatures.  It is revealed that a figure called a Bayani is the culprit and it is coming for Caleb next.  The rest of the story is a race against the clock as everyone tries, in their own ways, to protect Caleb.  In their attempts to solve the mystery, family secrets about their mother are spilled and they can never be the same again.

The best part of this story is the family relationship between Lily and Caleb.  Siblings typically have a complicated bond and the siblings in this story are no different.  They are written with such care and compassion for each of their insecurities and hopes for one another.  Ribay was able to do this well because each chapter changed the POV of the storyteller between the siblings and at times, from the Bayani, too.

I enjoyed learning about the Filipino cultural beliefs and how Tagalog is spoken by young people today. Ribay did not shy away from the horror aspect of this genre so I would suggest it to readers 14+ who can handle graphic descriptions of gore.  The ending surprised me and there was enough story unresolved which, I'm hoping, means that there will be a follow-up story some day.  Even if Ribay does not continue the story, the setting, plot and question of what makes some thing good vs. evil lingers in my mind for a long time. 

Watch author Randy Ribay discuss his perspective on writing this story in the interview conducted by The Booklist Online:

Ghost in the Night: a spooky story for preteens

 

Ghost in the Night by award-winning author, Tiffany D. Jackson, is a middle grade chapter book that is perfect for readers who want an intriguing mystery along with some creepy supernatural events. I usually devour any book that Jackson writes, especially her young adult novels, so I was surprised that I missed Jackson's other middle grade thriller that was written before Ghost in the Night, Blood in the Water.

Although I hadn't read Blood in the Water yet, I read Ghost in the Night anyway and it could truly be read on its own.  

Ghost in the Night is from the perspective of Harmony, a 12 year old Harlem resident, who is taken to Savannah, Georgia with her father, who is a musician.  Once Harmony arrives into town she is immediately curious about the ghost tours.  Since she has been on multiple ghost tours in other cities, her father allows her to go.  During the tour she snaps a photo of a house that is thought to be haunted and when she develops the photos she believes that she did indeed capture someone--or something, through the window!  

Along with several new friends that Harmony makes in Savannah, they make a plan to find out what is in that house.  The mystery is amped up when a local historian is murdered and his young nephew, Jabari, goes missing.  Harmony and her friends want to help find Jabari and find out if his slain uncle has anything to do with the house that is said to be haunted. 

The best part of this story is how deeply Jackson delves into each of the characters' motivations and their past experiences. For Harmony, it's the loss of her grandmother who was her best friend.  The background of her new friends connects her to the Gullah people's culture that shapes how some interact with the supernatural in the Low Country.  Harmony struggles with getting too comfortable in Savannah, knowing that she will be returning to Harlem, however, several twists in the story change this plan and Harmony has to face some difficult conversations with her father about their future.  For a 12 year old, Harmony is an extremely thoughtful person who is flawed, but faces up to her mistakes with empathy.  Young readers will be able to relate to her situation and adults who read this may have more understanding of pre-teen developmental needs.

I would recommend this book to readers ages 10 and up noting that there are many talks about ghosts, haints, demons, etc.  The mystery is one that readers could possibly solve before the ending is revealed so that makes it a more entertaining read.  Jackson carefully plants clues throughout the story that make the ending quite satisfying.  Now I need to read her middle grade thriller, Blood in the Water!

Building 903: a future of control without creativity

An intriguing opening that immediately invites questions of what happened to society? 

Electronics have taken over, nobody writes with their hands anymore. No stories exist, no playgrounds, no pets, no music or singing unless it's the anthem,  a continually surveilled society where people can be "taken away" and centenarians abound. Baby names were assigned a theme annually, only one world currency is used. There's quick corrective surgery from knee replacements to skin tightening. The leader who has been in power for decades runs unopposed and the voting age is raised to 27. Compulsory retirement at 100, except for the leader. Campaigning is illegal and punishments are tattooed to bodies. Everyone is rated by their cognitive abilities.  These are just glimpses into the world that Lois Lowry creates in her new book, Building 903. 

Set in the year 2099, this story focuses on the mysterious disappearance of one twin sibling, Theo, and the repercussions his absence has left his family, particularly for the remaining twin, Tessa. Tessa's 135-year-old neighbor may have some answers about where Theo went and when she leaves some clues with Tessa, the truth begins to be revealed.  Tessa must finally talk to her parents about the grief they all feel and try to find Theo before it's too late.

The main themes of the book are its greatest strengths:  censorship, activism, love and hope.  Each character presents another important facet to the story and without the cooperation of all of the characters, the satisfying conclusion would not be able to exist.  This story lends itself well to a book club or literature circle because each twist of the story needs to be discussed with other readers. From the very first page of the book the scene is set for a big reveal and Lowry does not disappoint!  

Much like her award-winning book, The Giver, and the rest of the series, this story will resonate with multiple generations of middle grade readers, teens and adults as they dive into the eerie, yet plausible world painted by Lowry. 

Who protects nature? Legends of Lotus Island, a new middle grade series

"I'd never known my parents. I was just a baby when a storm capsized their boat on the open sea." - Plum

The new middle grade fantasy series, Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test, by award-winning author, Christina Soontornvat, is the ideal story to share with children.  She writes of an orphaned farm girl, Plum, who is raised by her grandparents since she was a baby. She knows nothing of the rest of the country and is shocked when she is invited to join the elite school so that she may become a Guardian, a protector of the natural world.  

It is difficult for Plum to leave the security of her grandparents' home where she is comfortable taking care of the crops and livestock.  As she learns about the other cities in her country and meets children from those places, her eyes are open to how important Guardians are in this society. Readers can connect to this as they, too, are learning about the vast world and their place in it.  As Fred Rogers famously said, "Look for the helpers." This is perfectly applied to this story.  The natural resources are being depleted and it is up to the Guardians to save what is left for everyone's well-being, even if they are vilified for it.

Readers who enjoy magical school stories, like Harry Potter and Amari and the Night Brothers may also like this series. It is significantly shorter than both of those series at under 150 pages, so it is not as intimidating to pick it up.  The teachers and cast of students are all unique and bring a sense of humor and danger to the story. After a month of lessons, students are given a Guardian test in which they must transform into their creature form that will allow them to protect the natural world.  Plum has had difficulty with this and is on the verge of quitting.  Will she find what is inside of her to allow her to transform?

Another aspect of this story that readers will find interesting is the role of meditation in it. One of the lessons that the students learn each day is to sit and focus and on their breathing.  In this era of constant noise and entertainment, this is an important practice that will bring much-needed calmness to many young people.  As an educator I have witnessed the effects of my students being unable to control their emotions.  Daily practice of focusing on their breath helps to center them when they feel their emotions start to get out of hand. Soontornvat also wrote about this meditation practice in her nonfiction account of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team rescue in the caves in her award-winning book, All Thirteen.   The boys said that their coach taught them to meditate and that is one reason that they were able to stay calm and get through the many days of being trapped in the caves before they were able to be rescued. 

The last part of the story that drew me in the most is the mystery surrounding Plum and her mother. In the opening chapters the readers learn, along with Plum, that her mother was from the big island to which she didn't want to return.  When Plum sees this place up close and meets people from there she wonders how her mother would've been there. As the series continues, I hope that Plum uncovers her mother's past and why Plum has a set of powers that nobody else exhibits. Soontornvat's books are all ones that I recommend and this one is no different. It belongs on all bookshelves and in readers' hands. 

(Thank you to the book's publisher, Scholastic,  for sending an ARC to my book review group, #BookExcursion!)

 

The Ogress and the Orphans-trust, power & love

 

The Ogress and the Orphans, a middle grade chapter book by Kelly Barnhill, reads like a fairy tale: a town dominated by an evil, glowing, greedy man, an orphanage full of sweet children who only hope of a better life ahead, and an outsider, the Ogress, who lurks nearby and leaves the community members gifts in order to alleviate their suffering.  It is no surprise that this book was a National Book Award Finalist.

From the first page the reader knows that all of the characters will come to a head at one point and the journey to that climax is well worth the wait.  I loved how skillfully Barnhill describes the relationships of the children towards one another and their caregivers.  The mystery of the community's fire lingers over the whole story as they are told to hate the Ogress by their greedy, orange leader.  The Ogress is my favorite character of the entire story. She has a gentleness that many can envision in a friend and the way she is treated is just heart-breaking. Children who read this will root for her and there will be discussions of the choices the characters make that drive the story forward.  

This book is similar to Barnhill's other fantasy novel, The Girl Who Drank the Moon, a Newbery Medal winner.  They both feature a misunderstood magical creature who is portrayed as the villain by power-hungry forces.  Readers will delight in both of these stories as the action-packed scenes, humor, and heart over-ride any reminder that they are indeed, fantasy stories. Both of these lend themselves well to read-aloud books for teachers, parents, and caregivers. Every reader will want to discuss these rich stories that are sure to be classics. 

The Year I Flew Away: Haitian voices of magical realism

 The Year I Flew Away is a middle grade historical fiction novel by Marie Arnold.  In it the reader meets 10 year old Gabrielle who lives in Haiti with her family but she is sent to Brooklyn to start a new life with her uncle's family until hers can join them in the U.S.  Life is hard for Gabrielle in New York.  She faces bullying for not speaking English.When a witch offers her a deal to make her fit in, Gabrielle's desperation wins.  The witch's agreement has a cost and before she takes everything from Gabrielle, a team of people and even a rat, need to put that witch in her place!  A story of identity, racism, family, friendship and new beginnings.   

I enjoyed this story because it is unique to the Haitian culture and experience immigrating to the U.S.  The folklore of the witch and the talking animals, like the rat, are reminiscent of authentic stories from the author's upbringing.  It is also a relatable story to so many readers because they have either been the new kid or have had new kids in their classes at school.  This can help readers empathize with how those students may be feeling and be better equipped with ways to welcome them into school and the community. Teachers and families who want to use this book with their middle grade readers can use the vast amount of resources offered on the  Teaching Books website. 

70 Favorite Middle Grade Fantasy Books

Click HERE for a Google Slides presentation from Spring 2021 that included books from our school library.  I have added many more since then and will update the slideshow with our newer books from this Fall. 

In August of 2021 I recommended these reads for our 5th graders. These include Realistic Fiction, Fantasy, Scary, Historical Fiction, and soon I will add Biography and Nonfiction.  

Do you have more that you recommend? Add the title or series name in the comments below!

Once Upon a Camel: middle grade fantasy, adventure

 

Once Upon a Camel, a middle grade chapter book written by award-winning author Kathi Appelt with pictures by Eric Rohmann is a heart-warming, educational story that is perfect for animal & history lovers.  The twist is that this story is told from the point of view of Zada, an old camel who is thrust into protecting the baby chicks of two kestrel friends as a wind storm rushes their way.  Zada takes the journey seriously as they make their way across the wilderness towards safety and hopefully the chicks can reunite with their parents who were carried away by the storm.  To help the time pass, Zada recalls how she came to live in Texas from Turkey. Through a series of flashbacks the touching tale leaps off the page and ends in the most uplifting, surprising way imaginable.  

I highly recommend this for elementary, middle school and home libraries, especially those with readers who enjoyed The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. If readers like this book, then I suggest offering them  Exiled: Memoirs of a Camel by Kathleen Karr about the perspective of an Egyptian camel who ends up in the U.S.  There are similarities between the camels' experiences and those interested in the real-life history of camels being brought to the U.S. in the 1850s to be part of the camel corps for the U.S. Army. The illustrations also help the story move forward and softens the high stakes situations in which Zada finds herself. 

Appelt shares more about her book and reads an excerpt in the video below:

 Here's an entertaining book trailer to share with readers:

Black Boy Joy: a middle grades anthology

 

Black Boy Joy is a middle grades short story collection edited by Kwambe Mbalia and is full of stories written by contemporary Black male and nonbinary authors who know their audience and subject matter. The stories range from realistic fiction tales about fashion, friendship, crushes, deciding how to continue one's journey on finding their identity, music, customs and more.  Surprisingly, there are also science fiction and fantasy stories about gaming in other dimensions, mysterious realms of happiness, and challenges that require zero gravity and quick-witted problem solving.  My favorite parts of these stories are the strong community and family units that support the boys in all of the settings.  They are self-assured, confident people who are going through life's challenges either in real life or in a fantasy world, but overall, the themes they embody are universal.  

I am going to get this book for my school library and will share it with students, families, teachers, and community members. Readers will enjoy the variety of stories and formats.  There is even a story told through comics by the award winning author and illustrator, Jerry Craft.  This is a recommended title along the same vein of Ancestor Approved and Flying Lessons.  I hope that readers will appreciate short story collections and add them to their reading lives!

Wilderlore: The Accidental Apprentice, a magical adventure

 

Wilderlore: The Accidental Apprentice, a middle grades fantasy chapter book by Amanda Foody is perfect for fans of Harry Potter and The Girl Who Drank the Moon.  

Barclay is an orphan who wants to belong so badly that he's willing to be the apprentice of a mushroom farmer in order to have a decent shot at a respectable future in his sad, paranoid town of Dullshire.  The townsfolk have strict rules and are protecting themselves against the magical and dangerous beasts that lurk in the woods. (The same ones that killed Barclay's parents.)

When he accidentally bonds with a mysterious and wild beast, Barclay will stop at nothing to try to get back to his old life.  His journey will take him deep into the woods to an unbelievable world of power, lore and untrustworthy types who take advantage of Barclay's naiveté and eagerness to remove his bond.

Viola, a lore keeper who seeks out dangerous beasts, offers to help Barclay.  He is unsure whether to trust her and her little dragon beast, Mitzi, or not.  With a magical competition starting that could be Barclay's ticket to return to Dullshire, he must risk everything.  Will he finally find a place in the world where he belongs in the magical wild or will he go back to a lonely, ordinary, yet, safe life in Dullshire?

A humorous mystery full of action, imagination and memorable characters. This is a must-have for middle grade readers who enjoyed fast-paced, fantasy adventure with loads of funny banter and a hint of mystery.

Families, librarians and teachers can use this book in many ways to engage readers.  To get readers hooked, the  first chapter of the book is perfect for a read aloud. It is going to make them want to read on to find out the fate of poor Barclay! Hear the author read from chapter one below:

Foody also goes into much detail about mushrooms so it would be excellent for readers to do a mushroom inquiry that they can share with others what they were curious about and what they discovered.  Another interesting part of this story are the rules in Dullshire.  They are arbitrary and silly so readers can research odd laws where they live and discuss why they think these laws were even made in the first place.  Finally, the reader can design and make a beast warding charm like Barclay's, made out of rope, herbs and twigs or they can make their own based on what they find out in nature.

The best news to share is that Foody has the second book in the series coming out in March 2022!

Photograph (c) Diane Brophy Photography.

When You Trap a Tiger: Korean folklore come to life

 

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller is the 2021 Newbery Medal Winner for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature.  I can see why it was awarded this most prestigious award in the children's book world.  It is a story that transports the reader to another dimension while being firm-footed on the ground in this world.  It spans across generations, yet only takes place during a short time.  As this book teaches, Korean stories start with, "Long, long ago, when tiger walked man..."

Lily has always felt different. Maybe because her big sister wants nothing to do with her or the fact that Lily cannot remember her Dad.  The only time she makes sense is when she is around her Korean grandmother, Halmuni.  When Halmuni falls ill, Lily digs into her magical side and makes a deal with a tiger heal her Halmuni.  But as her Halmuni warned her, NEVER trust a tiger. With time running out, will Lily be able to save her Halmoni or even herself?

Bit About Books Winter Reading Challenge 2021

 

Ever since I was young, books offered an escape.  I could travel somewhere else, become a different person and join the characters on their journey for the duration of the book reading, but also, afterwards.  When I'd hear something and could connect it to a character, event or storyline from a story, I knew that books were magical because they could become a part of me.  It is not surprising that as a teacher and librarian I am constantly on the lookout for the best books to read and share with my students, teachers, and community members.  

One way that helps me stay on track with reading is by participating in reading challenges.  It's easy to do when the categories for what to read are intriguing, yet broad enough to find books that fit within them.  Another way that makes it more enjoyable is to share what I am reading for the challenge with others.  I love learning what others are reading and if they like it.  With the high numbers of books being published, word of mouth, seems like the best way to catch the best of the best ones.

This is my first year participating in the Bit About Books Winter Reading Challenge. There are points for each category and you can share what you've read on social media with the hashtag, #bitaboutbooks .  I thoroughly enjoyed this challenge and will participate in future challenges because it pushed me out of my comfort zone to read books I wouldn't usually read on my own: 

FREE CHOICE: When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller 

100-200 Pages: Be Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnis 

1-Word Title: Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

Author Debut: Every Body Looking by Candice Iloh

Animal Main Character: Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Christian McKay Heidicker

A Direction in the Main Title: Nowhere Boy by Katherine Marsh

A 2021 Publish: Flight of the Puffin by Ann Braden

A Book Set in Country I Don't Live: All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat

An Award-Winner: When Stars are Scattered by Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson

A Person's Name in the Title: The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh by Candace Fleming

2 Books by the Same Author:  Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky and Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky & Destroys the World: a journey into West African folklore

"Everybody wears life's scars a little differently." 

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia is an adventure-filled story based on West African mythology and folklore.  7th grader, Tristan, is reeling over the loss of his first boxing match and also grieving over his best friend, Eddie. The only item that Tristan has left of Eddie is their shared journal where they'd recorded old stories recounted by Tristan's Nana.  When the journal goes missing during the night, Tristan chases the thief into a thicket of bottle trees on his grandparents' farm in Georgia. Although his grandparents warn him never to venture there, he feels like he doesn't have a choice. A struggle ensues and Tristan's strength actually tears into the thicket and he ends up falling through a passageway into another world, Alke.  In this world, mythical characters actually live and they need Tristan to restore order since he tore a rip in their sky allowing haints to enter.  The question is, will Tristan be the one to save the day when there are real heroes around, like, John Henry?  What is so special about their journal?

"May the stories you hear sound just as good the second time around."

In the second book, Tristan Strong Destroys the World, Kwame Mbalia continues Tristan's story.  He has returned safely to his grandparents' home.  During a boxing match in the barn he hears ghostly voices and sees people asking for help.  With help from the trickster, Anansi, Tristan learns that John Henry has been attacked and his hammer was stolen.  The sinister figure comes after Tristan and kidnaps his Nana.  Tristan has no choice but to return to Alke to save her and understand why she was taken in the first place. Upon returning to the other world, Tristan encounters new characters from West African mythology and folklore who will either help or hurt him.  This is a fast-paced, adventurous story that discusses how to deal with trauma in order to grow.  

"And you know, stories are easy to carry.  Don't weigh nothing. Don't cost nothing."

Both of these books' themes resonate with readers. Storytelling is an important part of these books because it's what groups of people rely on to continue their culture.  Mbalia has done that for a new generation of readers and even adults who may not have heard of many of the folklore characters in the stories.  Mbalia also creates a world of supportive people who drive one another forward despite fears of failure.  This sense of community is brought up when in the end of the second book when everyone is asked,

 "Who stepped up for you, when no one else would?"  

As a teacher and librarian, I would ask my students to share these important stories and consider who has their best interests at heart.  Another way that these books could be used with readers is to go back and read the original stories of the characters.  Some are more well-known but the others may require a bit more digging.  In those stories, how are the characters portrayed? Are they the same or different as Mbalia writes them?  

In 2020, Mbalia won the Coretta Scott King honor award for Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky. The Coretta Scott King Award is given "to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. "