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Minni, a middle-schooler in Mumbai, is the light of her family's life, working so hard to pass her final exams so she can "stay" in school. Sadly, the bottom drops out when a fun ride in a fancy car brings disaster as her brother and friend spy on a water thief, and just barely escape capture. They need to leave the city quickly because they were recognized. Now Minni misses her brother, then her mother becomes ill and also has to leave to be cared for by her sister. Can life get any more complicated? Minni has to do her mother's house-cleaning job in a rich people's home after school. She has to gather water at the pumps, then boils it for cleanliness early in the morning, and all the time trying to study, too.
For young readers seeing a child's life in another culture will bring them new knowledge of hardship in our world, and then Minni also shows them her courage, and how important the help and support from a best friend can be. I've taught this age and love that Varsha Bajaj has shown how capable under the worst of circumstances they can be. It's a wonderful story of a courageous young woman.
Once Haven landed on Ma Millie's doorstep as a raggedy kitten, her life was filled with at-home goodness: the smell of baking bread, tasty food in a blue bowl, and the warmth of Ma Millie's lap. But when Ma Millie became sick, then sicker, Haven knew that something had to be done and there was no one to do it but her. Building up the courage she knew was needed, she took the first step into the unknown, frightening forest to find help. She figured she could do it, yet wasn't sure how. Megan Wagner Lloyd has created quite a small hero who did big things in this story with the help of a forest creature who could have eaten Haven but instead helped her and became a friend. Some frightening moments keep the tension high and the slow buildup of friendship, then even loyalty makes the story to enjoy and remember.
Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy!
Published twenty-five-plus years ago, this wonderful book has a new and updated edition, answering what appears to be all the questions preteens and teens may want and need to know. According to the jacket flap: "This refreshingly open and thorough presentation of the facts of sex includes information about puberty; reproduction; birth control; STDs, including HIV/AIDS; pregnancy; gender; and safe Internet and social media practices." and "Throughout, two cartoon characters, a curious bird and a squeamish bee, reflect the diverse feelings today's kids often have about sex." Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley's update brings readers into their current lives being lived. The cartoons help lighten the mood while giving the straight scoop in these serious topics, including chapters that include "Changes and Messages" within the section on Puberty and "Who We Are" in the first section, "What is Sex?". Within "Staying Healthy", they've included "Talk About It", concerning sexual abuse. Also, there is a thorough section about abortion, including historical explanations of the law but unfortunately, it is now out of date. If used with a child or a group of students, further research and knowledge will need to be added. Nevertheless, it really is a fine book. Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy!
After hearing special stories from his Mommy about where she grew up, a young boy is excited to actually visit and see those magical places for himself. Yet, all is not the same. After years away, he and his Mommy find that things are very different. The small town has grown up, too. It's now a city with tall buildings and paved streets, lots of vehicles, and people. They visit grandma, a nice thing, and as they explore all those favorite story memories, find that some good things remain, like playing and splashing in the river and finding treasures underneath the stones. No matter the changes, some things do stay! Hope Kim was inspired to write this story from her own experiences returning to her hometown in Korea. Jaime Kim's illustrations show happiness all through the book from imagining the places then finally, finally being seen. This may connect to so many kids whose parents don't often return to their 'faraway' first homes but tell loving stories about them.
Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy!
