Synergy: Kent State Shootings

On May 4, 1970, four unarmed college students were killed and nine injured during a peaceful rally. National Guard soldiers fired on participants at the anti-Vietnam War gathering. The massacre trigger public outrage causing the largest student strike in history with millions of students participating. Although a Commission report concluded that the shootings were unjustified, no one was convicted in the shootings.

Read the recently published young adult books, then learn more at the website:

KENT STATE by Deborah Wiles is a work of historical fiction telling the story of the May 4, 1970 incident through multiple voices and vantage points.

KENT STATE: FOUR DEAD IN OHIO by Derf Backderf is a graphic history exploring the lives of the four young people who died and the events leading up to the May 4th tragedy.

KENT STATE SHOOTINGS is a digital collection from Kent State University’s Special Collections and Archives. The May 4 Collection includes an array of primary sources related to the tragedy and its aftermath including an oral history project, digital archive, and information packet.

To visit the digital collection, go to https://bit.ly/3ngaHO7.

ARC courtesy of Scholastic and Abrams.

Book Review: Bronze and Sunflower

BRONZE AND SUNFLOWER by Cao Wenxuan is tells a timeless story of tragedy and friendship during China’s Cultural Revolution.

Beautifully translated from Chinese, this story of rural Chinese life follows two children who overcome hardship to form a deep friendship. When Sunflower becomes an orphan, she’s taken in by the poorest family in the village. Her new brother Bronze has been traumatized and doesn’t speak. Despite their shared tragedies, a deep friendship blooms reflecting the power of family. The book concludes with an historical note and author’s note.

Librarians will find this quiet, middle grade book appealing to children who enjoy historical fiction, Asian literature, and stories of friendship set in rural settings.

Published by Candlewick on March 14, 2017. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Mawah

MAWAH: WHEN EBOLA CAME TO OUR VILLAGE is an amazing, interactive storytelling experience.

This true story is told in ten engaging chapters. The experience begins in the summer of 2014 with a prologue explaining the beginnings of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Then, readers work their way through ten, interactive chapters featuring a narrative along with background information, videos, photographs, infographics, and links to additional information.

The subdued watercolor illustrations weave the narrative together in this ground-breaking approach to nonfiction storytelling.

Librarians will find this online experience to be an excellent way to introduce high school students to both the science and social issues associated with Ebola. The mixture of the compelling narrative with the informational segments will attract many students to this important and timely topic.

To visit the website, go to http://www.mawahtale.com.

Book Review: Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story

NINE, TEN: A SEPTEMBER 11 STORY by Nora Baskin tells the thought-provoking story of the widespread impact of the 9/11 tragedy.

Told through the eyes of four children living in different part of the United States, this fascinating middle grade novel examines the day leading up to September 11, 2001 and the aftermath. Reflecting different backgrounds, races, religions, and personal challenges, each child experiences the 9/11 tragedy in a distinct way. As the chapters alternate among characters, the author skillfully weaves the lives of these four youth into a larger story that reflect the nation’s reactions to this tragedy.

While other novels may explore characters who were directly impacted by 9/11, Baskin chose to focus on the larger impact of the event on ordinary, young citizens making the novel relevant to a children across North America.

Librarians will find this work of realistic fiction an excellent way to immerse middle grade readers in the events surrounding 9/11/2001. Pair it with the many works of nonfiction available on this historical event.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.norabaskin.com/.

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon and Schuster on June 28, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Raymie Nightingale

RAYMIE NIGHTINGALE by Kate DiCamillo is a charming middle-grade story of friendship, adventure, and hope.

Raymie Clarke hasn’t heard from her father since he took off with a dental hygienist. By doing a few good deeds and learning to twirl a baton, Raymie hopes to win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition, get her photo in the paper, and receive a congratulatory call from her dad. Along the way she develops unusual friendships and learns to deal with her loss in an unexpected way.

Librarians will find a huge audience for this quiet story that combines tragedy and sadness with adventure and compassion. This is sure to be a popular read-aloud choice. Look for this title on the “best of 2016” lists.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.katedicamillo.com/.

Published by Candlewick Press on April 12, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Underwater

UNDERWATER by MARISA REICHARDT is a powerful story of tragedy, recovery, and reconnection with the world.

After a traumatic experience, Morgan is unable to leave her apartment. With the help of a new neighbor, a therapist, and her family, she begins to takes slow steps into the outside world. Along the way, she learns to forgive others and herself.

The author effectively peels away the layers of Morgan’s life-altering experience to reveal the tragic story behind her agoraphobia.

Librarians will find that readers enjoy the realistic, contemporary story with a hint of romance. This character-driven young adult novel draws attention to a variety of issues from PTSD to school shootings making it a timely choice for today’s teen audience.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.marisareichardt.com/.

Published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan on January 12, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents... series

THE STRATFORD ZOO MIDNIGHT REVUE PRESENTS graphic novel series by Ian Lendler and Zack Giallongo is an engaging way to introduce youth to the works of Shakespeare.

Designed for the middle grades, Macbeth is the first book in this graphic novel series. A group of animals puts on plays for an animal audience at their zoo. Their first production is MacBeth. This child-friendly retelling includes the basic structure of the play along with hilarious comments from the audience during the performance. Although the most famous lines are evident, the play is shortened to focus on just the key elements.

Romeo and Juliet is the second book in this growing graphic novel series. In this fantasy adaptation of the famous play, animals are both the actors and the audience members. The brightly colored illustrations will draw young readers into the story and provide an engaging introduction Shakespeare for middle grade youth.

Librarians will find this series to be a wonderful way to introduce Shakespeare’s greatest works. Consider building literature circles that focus on each of Shakespeare’s key works.

To learn more about Ian Lendler, go to http://ianlendler.com/.
To learn more about Zack Giallongo, go to http://zackgiallongo.com/.

Published by FirstSecond, an imprint of Macmillan.

Book Review: I Crawl Through It

I CRAWL THROUGH IT by A. S. King an unusual, absorbing work of surrealistic fiction for young adults.

This ground-breaking YA novel follows four teens as they near their breaking points. Suffering from varied psychological pressures, they each battle with how to cope with reality. Readers will become immersed in their worlds and their struggles with personal trauma and tragedy.

Librarians will find a narrow audience for this thought-provoking work of young adult contemporary fiction. Some fans of realistic fiction may find it bizarre, while others will be attracted to the underlying themes of anxiety, survival, and grief. Reader of fantasy may enjoy the surreal aspects of the novel, while others may just find it strange. Fans of A.S. King and those who enjoy imagery and thought-provoking prose are likely to enjoy it. Suggest this novel to young adults who are ready to dive into the human psyche and explore the nature of reality.

Learn more about the author at http://www.as-king.com/.

Published by Little, Brown, an imprint of Hachette on September 22, 2015. ARC e-galley.

App Review: Explore 9/11

The EXPLORE 9/11 app from the National September 11 Memorial and Museum is a guide to understanding the history of the World Trade Center and the 9/11 tragedy.

The app contains three features including a map mode, story mode, and tribute mode. Rotate your device to switch between the map and story modes.

The Map Mode allows users to explore the map of the Memorial plaza and museum. Tapping on hotspots provide access to videos, photographs, and other images. Audio recordings from first responders and survivors are also included.

The Story Mode lets users explore chapters with background information about the history of 9/11 and the artifacts housed in the museum.

The Tribute Mode provides a place were users can leave a message.

Librarians will find this to be a powerful virtual field trip for students and their teachers. Consider designing pre- and post- app experiences that encourage youth to ask questions, explore content, then debrief the experience.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/explore-9-11/id387986451.

Book Review: We Were Liars

WE WERE LIARS by E. Lockhart is an absorbing, edge-of-your-seat suspense with love, secrets, pain, and tragedy. It’s on lots of 2014 YA lists, so it’s worth another look.

The engaging story revolves around a wealthy family that reunites each summer on their private island. Readers follow Cady Sinclair’s frustrations in trying to put together the pieces of her life after a personal tragedy she doesn’t remember. Throughout the book, Lockhart weaves in short, dark fairy-tales that parallel the tragic storyline. The twists and turns along with the shocking conclusion make this perfect for a teen who enjoys escaping into the world of privilege, vacation homes, and summer romance. While many young adults will enjoy the distinct writing style, others may find it disjointed.

This thin novel contains short chapters and a quick-moving plot that will be popular with a wide range of readers. Early buzz about a movie adaptation will increase its popularity even more. Put this on your “read on the beach” summer book list.

An interesting website accompanies the book. It contains background information about the fictional family, story, and author. It also contains opportunities to extend the experience. Go to http://wewereliarsbook.tumblr.com/.