The Story Spectator

Sunday, May 7, 2023

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!)

Monday, April 17, 2023

Understanding the misunderstood worm

Spring is in full force and as people tend to their gardens, one animal that inevitably pops up is the worm. Love them or hate them, they are here to help the earth in many ways. As a teacher, parent and librarian, I seek out picture books to help young people understand the why behind creatures in nature so Marie Boyd's debut story, Just a Worm, does exactly that! Other than the sweet story of a worm, Boyd also has illustrated the book with an artistic paper cut technique called, quilling. You can learn more about her craft on her website where she has a tutorial on how to make a snail! I am excited to share this with my students and daughter.

I had some questions for Marie Boyd regarding her book, its topic, her inspiration and other topics. Here are her responses:

1.    Why did you decide to write about a worm of all creatures?

Hi Fallon, Thanks so much for having me on The Story Spectator! I’m excited to be here. I decided to write about a worm because when my son was younger, I often told him “It’s just a worm” when he saw worms on the sidewalk. One day I started thinking about how a worm might respond if it could understand my words. That question led to my debut picture book Just a Worm.

2.    What do you hope readers will gain after reading your book?

In Just a Worm, after being called “just a worm” by two children, Worm embarks on a journey through the garden to prove them wrong. Along the way, Worm encounters several insects and other creatures, each of which has important qualities. But what can Worm do? I wrote Just a Worm for everyone who has ever compared themselves to others and felt that they have fallen short. I hope that Just a Worm will encourage readers to consider the special ways that they contribute to their families and communities.

3.    How did you get into quilling?

I learned about quilling by chance. I was at a craft store buying fabric when I came across some quilling supplies. I didn’t know what quilling was, so I looked it up on my phone. I was intrigued by what I saw and bought the supplies. I started quilling cards for my family and friends and quickly fell in love with quilling. I had a lot of paper that I had collected over the years for various craft projects so eventually I began cutting my own quilling strips. That opened so many new creative possibilities, and eventually led to me using quilled paper to illustrate Just a Worm.

4.    What came first, the words or the illustrations?

The story started with the phrase, “it’s just a worm,” but when I thought about what Worm’s garden would look like I imagined it quilled.

5.    Do you have a special experience or memory with gardens?

I have so many special memories with gardens and the illustrations in Just a Worm draw on some of those memories. As a child, I often helped my parents in the yard and many of the plants in Just a Worm are inspired by plants from their garden. I love gardens so much that I got married in a garden.

6. What advice do you have for people who think worms are gross?

Worms play an important role as decomposers and it is possible to appreciate worms and what they do from a distance.

Thanks again for hosting me and allowing me to share a bit about Just a Worm. If your readers are interested in learning more about how I illustrated Just a Worm, I share quilled crafts and more on my website at www.marieboyd.com. Happy reading!

The book, Just a Worm, is released by Greenwillow, an imprint of HarperCollins, on March 14, 2023, so you can get it now! A big thanks to author Marie Boyd for taking the time to speak with me about her first picture book. I hope to see many more of her works in the future.

Monday, February 20, 2023

Flamer: "I want this book to be a lifeline."

Flamer, a semi-autobiographical graphic novel by Mike Curato, is an emotional story of Aiden, a Filipino American boy who is spending his last week of summer break at his favorite place, his scout camp. The year is 1995 so the times reflect an era of homophobia, bullying, and lack of resources that could help a teenager who is questioning his identity.

I was surprised to learn that Flamer has been challenged and even banned in school libraries across the country, despite winning a book award. The audience for the book are young adults who are the same age as the main character. Readers will be able to empathize with Aiden's apprehension for starting high school, his insecurities about his body image, and his surprising attraction to his friend. Although the book climaxes with a suicide scene, Aiden does not go through with it and it ends on a hopeful note. The author's note states that these were actual instances that he experienced so I believe it will help others, either as a friend or family member of a person exhibiting Aiden's characteristics or for people thinking similar thoughts as Aiden.

What I liked about this book was the honesty with which Aiden's voice permeates the entire story. I have yet to read a book that explores a boy's insecurities about his body with as much care as Curato write's Aiden's feelings. Many readers will be able to relate to Aiden and his reluctance to draw attention to his body as he constantly compares it to others in his camp.

Another aspect of the book that stood out to me was the setting. Aiden finds so much peace in being outside in nature that it becomes his happy place. I think that other readers may also find solace in going outdoors when they are feeling stressed or need room to think. It also may encourage others to seek out ways to spend time outdoors with friends to increase endorphins and relieve them of social anxiety. The camp also lends itself to a sense of community that readers may look to join in order to feel as a part of a group.

As a junior high teacher and librarian, I can attest that the moments of bullying and teasing are 100% authentic. In Flamer, the reader experiences what Aiden does as he tries to navigate his place in an ever-increasing environment that tells him he needs to be an "alpha-male" while he doesn't have those inclinations. He also has racist remarks thrown at him for being Asian. At one point, a well-intentioned friend, tries to tell Aiden to draw less attention to himself and Aiden questions how he can do that. This is a very real dilemma that teens go through and Curato writes this delicate scene with such care, it's incredible. Readers can discuss what their experiences have been with racism towards Asian people and what they can do to stand up against that hate.

Finally, the part that I really enjoyed was Aiden's relationship with his only friend who allows him to be his true self. His pen pal, Violet, is a trusted ally whom Aiden confides his thoughts. This is a beautiful model of how even having one person who is on one's side makes a big difference in a person's life. Allyship is a topic that young people can discuss throughout this story and into their own lives. Aiden has some people who seem to be on his side but then change their mind once they realize that others call him out about being gay.

Aiden's coming-of-age realization about his sexuality is something that others may be able to relate. His religion has taught him that homosexuality was wrong so Aiden denied being gay when his classmates bullied him about it. Only after his dreams started showing his true feelings was when he started to come around to possibly accepting this aspect about himself. Some of his trusted scout leaders tried to help him through being himself but they ended up being outed and ultimately fired from the scout camp. This is another reflection of the times and even some discrimination against the LGBTQ community in today's world. Readers can discuss the factors that are at play and what they can do when they see this happening in their communities.

Overall, Flamer is a book that embodies a number of adolescent emotions and should be available to young adult readers who want to read it. It would also benefit educators, counselors, social workers, families and care givers to read it in order to broaden their understanding of a young person's needs during this critical time of their development. It may very well save a life.

Sunday, February 12, 2023

Snoozefest: The Surprising Science of Sleep

Snoozefest: The Surprising Science of Sleep by Tanya Lloyd Kyi and Valéry Goulet is a nonfiction, middle grade book that explores the topic of sleep through multiple lenses. Readers will be intrigued by how sleep science has changed over time. The topics are posed as questions, like, can a human survive on little to no sleep?

Every chapter's readability is what stands out the most for me. Getting middle grade readers to read nonfiction can be a struggle, but I don't see that happening with this book. With extra information in the sidebars and beautiful illustrations, this book reads like a dream! Pun intended.

Another part that I think will be of importance to young readers is the section dedicated towards age and sleep. Teenagers' sleep patterns and needs are different in that stage of their life so the impacts upon having school start times be moved to a later time, for example, are discussed. The authors also discuss the physiological reasons behind these needs leading to readers better understanding their bodily development.

Athletes' need for sleep and rest is also addressed. Many readers may be surprised to learn about the world-famous athletes who dedicate so much of their training towards rest. Coaches, health teachers and physical education instructors can use this part of the book to supplement their lessons they use with students and athletes.

Animal lovers will be happy to see their favorite creatures featured. How do different animals' sleeping habits and needs differ? What are the reasons behind those differences? Readers will be able to learn a great deal from the information in these sections.

I have a lot of students who are interested in the science behind dreams. This book looks at the origins of dream science and describes it in an understandable way. What do our dreams mean?

Overall, I would recommend this book to any middle grade reader, teen and adult for that matter. The topics Snoozefest are well-suited for book clubs, discussions and inquiry projects. Do you have other titles that address the science behind sleep? If so, please share them in the comments and a big thank you to publisher, Kids Can Press, for sharing a copy with my book review group, #BookExcursion.

Sunday, January 22, 2023

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.

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Black History Month: celebrating excellence

Black History should be recognized year round, however, since 1915, what started out as a single week to honor the contributions and trials and tribulations of Black people has turned into a month in February to do so. There is a yearly theme on which to focus and this year's theme is on "Black Resistance." There are a number of books that feature Black heroes who pushed against society's repression. We have also have stories of the joy and pride in Black people's lives that should be celebrated and shared with young people.

I hope that these ideas below spark an idea that works with these stories or the books in your class, home or library collection:

Music: Sing a Song (Lift Every Voice and Sing--the Black National Anthem written in honor of President Lincoln's birthday in 1900)

The Roots of Rap

How the Beat was Born

Harlem's Little Blackbird

Writing: Maya Angelou (Little People, Big World)

Dance: Firebird

Artists: Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery

Radiant Child

Ablaze with Color

Scientists: Blast Off into Space Like Mae Jemison

How We Got to the Moon

Little Leaders Bold Women in Black History

Black Joy: I Am Every Good Thing

Princess Hair

Princess Truly

Hair Love

Crown: Ode to the Fresh Cut

Black Joy: Sulwe

Honeysmoke

Magnificent Homespun Brown

Magic Like That

Parker Looks Up

Black Joy: Not Quite Snow White

Posey Monster Slayer

Dream Big, Little One

New Kid

Twins

Black Joy: SnapDragon

All Because You Matter

Ambitious Girl

Black is a Rainbow Color

Community: Thank You, Omu

Kamala and Maya's Big Idea

Loretta Little Looks Back

Step Right Up

Child of the Dream

Shaking Things Up

Community: Before She Was Harriet

A Good Kind of Trouble

No Small Potatoes

Genesis Begins Again

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Community: When Stars are Scattered

Evelyn Del Ray is Moving Away

Nana Akua Goes to School

Emily's Fortune

Enough!

Athletes: Before the Ever After

Becoming Muhammad Ali

Mo'Ne Davis: Remember My Name

Black Heroes of the Wild West

Fearless Mary: Mary Fields, American Stagecoach Driver

Athletes: Let'Er Buck!

The Champ: The Story of Muhammad Ali

A Nation's Hope

Flying High

Game Changers

Folktales: Tristan Strong series

The Jumbies Trilogy

The Year I Flew Away

Black Author/Illustrator studies: Jason Reynolds, Derrick C. Barnes, Kwame Alexander, Vashti Harrison, Carole Boston Weatherford

Book Awards: Coretta Scott King Award

Teaching ideas: Choose a Black person from history, research them to find out how they are a CHANGE maker and design a slide, collage, video, song, acrostic poem or artifact that represents them and their accomplishments.

Pick a Black person from history whom you admire. What qualities did they have and how did that help them and the world?

For more ideas and resources, I like to use the American Association of School Librarian's Resource Guide to Black History Month.

What do you like to use to share the importance of Black History Month? Share in the comments!

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

New Year, New Plans

As the first month of the new year begins, I am reminded of how quickly time passes. Planning ahead is one of my major efforts to better capture special observances and opportunities for community partnerships for the last half of the school year. Here are the events and dates on my radar as I plan for library units, lessons, speakers, etc.

What are you looking forward to celebrating and what do you do? Comment below!

January

MLK, Jr. Day - January 16