62. Rescuing Titanic

Rescuing Titanic: A True Story of Quiet Bravery in the North Atlantic. Flora Delargy. 2021. 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The year was 1912 and it was the golden age of steam travel. In one of the world's busiest ports, great liners like floating hotels were docked, each hoping to outpace the other across the Atlantic. Before steamships, ocean travel had been fraught with danger and journeys were long and tiresome.

Premise/plot: I'd describe this one as an oversized illustrated nonfiction book for readers of all ages. It is a GREAT fit for elementary age readers. Yet, I could see adult enthusiasts enjoying this one as well. 

This one is the story of two ships, two voyages. Carpathia and Titanic. The focus is on the Carpathia--no doubt about it. She was THE SHIP that came to responded to Titanic's distress calls. She was THE SHIP that changed course, risked its own danger from the icebergs, and came to rescue Titanic's survivors. They expected to find a Titanic in distress. What they found, I'm sure was haunting. They rescued those that they could. It is the story of that night/morning.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, loved, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the illustrations. They are so absolutely fantastic. I loved the story as well. It breaks down the chronology of that night. It provides perspectives from both ships. Each spread features a CLOCK. I found this effective. 

This book is SO WONDERFUL at what it does. Tell the story in a way that readers of all ages--but especially elementary grade readers--can grasp. It's a compelling read. Super happy to recommend this one.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

61. Just A Girl

Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II. Lia Levi. Illustrated by Jess Mason. Translated by Sylvia Notini. 2022. 144 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: My name is Lia (if you look at the cover of this book, you'll find my name on it!) and I want to tell you the story of when I was a little girl. Mama, Papa, my two younger sisters, Gabriella and Vera, and I lived in a city in Italy called Turin.

Premise/plot: Just A Girl is a memoir for young readers. The memoir chronicles her time as a Jewish girl growing up in Italy during the Second World War. It spans the second world war. Childhood is full of plenty of changes, but, during this time in history especially so. Some of the changes happen subtly, some abruptly. 

Throughout the book, Lia sees herself as a "Jewish girl." It is her Jewishness that marks her. Her life is turned upside down and inside out because she is Jewish. Every single change--all of them damaging and devastating--is because she (and her family) were/are Jewish. But by the end of the book, by the end of the war, she can be JUST A GIRL. She no longer has to be labeled and defined. She can just be herself. 

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. I do think books about the second world war, and specifically books about Jewish experiences during the second world war, should be written for ALL age audiences. There are plenty that are appropriate (you could even argue necessary and important) for middle school audiences on up. There are fewer books written for elementary audiences, in particular for third to fourth graders. 

I thought the book had a good, strong narrative. I felt it was gentle at times. But it was definitely straightforward as well. It didn't paint it as a lovely-lovely glorious time. It didn't shy away from the harshness of the times.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

133. Trailblazers: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin-Manuel Miranda: Raising Theater to New Heights. Kurtis Scaletta. 2021. [January] 192 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: On May 12, 2009, Lin-Manuel Miranda decided not to do what the president had asked.

Premise/plot: This is middle grade nonfiction--a biography of Lin-Manuel Miranda. The book focuses on his life--birth to present--and his career--from early days to present. The book provides background and context to musical theater and Broadway. It includes mini-biographical sketches on those that have worked and collaborated with Miranda.

My thoughts: I found this a quick, informative read. I liked learning a few new-to-me details. I hadn't heard that he was reading at 3 years old! (Just one example). I would definitely recommend for fans of Hamilton or In the Heights.

It is always refreshing to see new and contemporary biographical offerings for students to choose from.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

126. History Smashers: The American Revolution

History Smashers: The American Revolution. (History Smashers #5) Kate Messner. 224 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: When Americans celebrate with cookouts and fireworks on the Fourth of July, the story of Independence Day often begins and ends with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the document that declared the colonies would be free of British rule. But...

Premise/plot: In the newest History Smashers book, Messner is smashing the myths and lies surrounding the American Revolution. Her book provides context for understanding the conflicts and tensions that lasted decades between the colonies and Great Britain. One way she 'smashes' history is by deconstructing famous pieces of artwork that have celebrated the American Revolution. She often asks, what is wrong with this picture??? And she means it literally. Her approach is unapologetic. There are no exceptions to the rule--if the truth has been covered up--dressed up--becoming legendary and larger than life, then she's going to smash it and reevaluate it.

My thoughts: I definitely liked this one more than the one on the Mayflower. My favorites remain the ones on Pearl Harbor and Titanic.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

88. Before They Were Artists: Famous Illustrators As Kids

Before They Were Artists: Famous Illustrators As Kids. Elizabeth Haidle. 2021. [April] 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: What sparks an artist's beginning? Did young artists realize they were destined for art? Were they summer art campers, comics clubgoers, or members at all the museums? Did their pets sit still for portraits, waiting to be sketched? Did their parents hang Picassos and read art history books aloud? A lucky few were born into artistic households. Art making was expected, a family tradition. Yet many didn't realize they could publish their creations until after they grew up. Still, the experiences they gathered in childhood made them expert storytellers later.

Premise/plot: Before They Were Artists is a celebration of six illustrators. It is a nonfiction graphic novel. Each artist--Wanda Gag, Maurice Sendak, Tove Jansson, Jerry Pinkney, Yuyi Morales, and Hayo Miyazaki--has a biographical sketch and as the title implies focuses on how they came to become artists. 

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one! I loved that they started with Wanda Gag! I love, love, love, love Millions of Cats. It was fascinating to read more about her and to see her creative process. The other stories were also interesting and informative. It is only natural that each reader will have a favorite of his or her own. But really all the stories offer value and insight. 

As I mentioned before the book is packed with information and details. Readers may know some details--but there is plenty to learn.

One of my favorite I didn't-know-that-facts I discovered was that Wanda's brother was paid to hand-letter the story Millions of Cats because Wanda did not like mechanical looking print!

I would like to see this turned into a series. So many illustrators. So many authors. I'd love to see more behind-the-scenes work showing the process of book making.

ETA: There is already a book for authors....and I reviewed it in 2019. In my defense, 2019 feels like YEARS ago. BEFORE THEY WERE AUTHORS.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

83. History Smashers Titanic

History Smashers Titanic (History Smashers #4) Kate Messner. Illustrated by Dylan Meconis. 2021. [April] 224 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mention The Titanic, and most people think of the disaster at sea. But the truth is, the first victims of the Titanic died while the ship was still being built.

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get. This is a nonfiction book written for young readers (elementary aged) about the Titanic. The first two chapters tell the story of the building and early sails. (The Titanic picked up passengers from several different ports--and also let folks off.) The third chapter tells of the many warnings (four if I counted correctly) that came from other ships sailing in the area of numerous icebergs. Chapters four through seven focus on the disaster itself--hitting the iceberg, the distress calls, the loading of the lifeboats, the sinking, the rescue. Chapters eight through ten focus on the aftermath: the investigations, the changes in policy, the hunt to find the wreck, the current state of Titanic, etc. The book also includes a timeline, an author's note, and bibliography.

My thoughts: The past few generations have been fortunate to have access to great nonfiction. This one has photographs, illustrations, sidebars in comic style, charts and more. I also appreciated ALL the quotes from primary source materials. The narrative style is written in a compelling way.

Depending on if this was your first or your fiftieth book to read about the Titanic, you may or may not encounter information that was new-to-you. But I thought it was packed with information. Some of it familiar. Some of it new-to-me. Granted, I am closer to having just read a handful of books than having read them all. And I've not read any over and over and over again. 

One thing that I personally was not aware of was the ship The Californian. This ship was closest to the Titanic but didn't respond to the distress calls.

The book did challenge my perspectives a bit. Which I think is what it was intended to do. I would definitely recommend this one.

Quotes:

Historians wonder if more lifeboats would have made a big difference. Some argue it wouldn't have, because there simply wouldn't have been time to launch them all. Even with twenty lifeboats, the crew ran out of time to load passengers before the ship went down.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

71. Everything You Need To Know When You Are 10

Everything You Need To Know When You Are 10. Kirsten Miller. 2021. 160 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: I bet you've been looking forward to this moment for ages.

Kirsten Miller has written a guide book for ten year olds. (This is a follow up to her books Everything You Need To Know When You Are 8 and Everything You Need To Know When You Are 9. I haven't read either of those. She does refer back to these a little bit reminding her (loyal) readers that they learned how to do something in such and such book). It's a mix of the super-practical, practical, and impractical. In this guide, readers will learn some life coping skills (like how to deal with anger, disappointment, fear, etc.), some technical skills (like what to do when your toilet is overflowing), some people skills (advice on friendship, small talk, crushes, etc.).

Like any general guide book, the author makes some presumptions/assumptions about her audience. Like how being ten means you're allowed to use the stove, allowed to babysit, allowed to walk places on your own, allowed to stay at home by yourself without a babysitter, etc.

The arrangement is a bit haphazard, a bit all over the place. There isn't a table of contents.

I would say for sure there's ten to twenty pages of solid, valuable information that truly is something a ten year would need to know. The rest is more fluff or filler. Like how to make fake vomit, how to make your arm pits fart, dares for eating bugs, gross sandwiches, and backyard salads made of edible plants/weeds. There's a list of fake curse words. The crafts and pranks I could have done without completely. But then again, it might be an actual ten year old's favorite part????

I am not the target audience--obviously.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

1. This Is Your Time

This Is Your Time. Ruby Bridges. 2020. [November] 64 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Sixty years ago, in 1960, my life changed forever.

Premise/plot: This Is Your Time by Ruby Bridges is a short inspirational book written for children. On the right side of each spread there is a photograph. On the left side accompanying text. Together they tell the story of the past and spread a message of hope for the future. 

Ruby Bridges, for those who don't know, was the first black child to go to an all-white school in New Orleans. She was six. It wasn't easy being the first. But first steps are never easy. 

My thoughts: I've known the Ruby Bridges story for twenty-five plus years. I didn't want to give too much away in my summary because it is so refreshing and powerful to hear it in her own words. Her story, her words, accompanied by photographs. It's something special. You don't have to be well read in the Civil Rights movement to appreciate this one. It would be a great introduction for younger readers. It may lead to some honest, natural questions--never a bad thing. 

I would recommend this one for all ages. 

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

121. True Rescue A Storm Too Soon

True Rescue: A Storm Too Soon. Michael J. Tougias. 2021. [July] 128 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Sixty-two-year-old Rudy Snel from Canada is standing in the warm Florida sunshine. He is outside an airport waiting to meet Jean Pierre de Lutz, the owner of a sailboat named the Sean Seamour II. The 44-foot sailboat will carry Rudy, Jean Pierre, and a third sailor from Florida to France.

Premise/plot: True Rescue: A Storm Too Soon also appears to be an early chapter book adaptation of another book--possibly an adaptation of an adaptation. Either way it's packed with intensity and action. It's set in May 2007--in the Atlantic Ocean. A small sail boat with three sailors are in a fight for their lives against Mother Nature. 

The book alternates between these three sailors and their would-be Rescuers. 

My thoughts: I definitely found this book--and the other True Rescue book I read--to be exciting and action-packed. Would recommend to those looking for an exciting nonfiction read. 

 

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

120. True Rescue: The Finest Hours

True Rescue: The Finest Hours: The True Story of a Heroic Sea Rescue. Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman. 2020. [December] 96 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: February 18, 1952 Captain John Fitzgerald could barely stay on his feet aboard his rocking ship, the 503-foot-long oil tanker named Pendleton. Fitzgerald had been in bad weather before, but nothing like the winter storm that was now raging off Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

 Premise/plot: The Finest Hours is an early chapter book adaptation of a young readers adaptation of an adult nonfiction title. It is part of a series of true survivor stories. The intensity of the action is HIGH. And the books highlight the courage, determination, grit shown, and to some degree miraculous nature of events. 

In this one, an oil tanker splits in two, the bow and stern separate--of course--and it's unclear to those on board if help will ever come....

By chance another oil tanker splits in two and is able to send out a message....but it is the Pendleton that is found...

The narrative shifts between those on board the tanker AND those of the Coast Guard sent to save them...

My thoughts: Very intense. Action-packed. Quick read. I liked it.  

 

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers