Books | Page 59 of 82

Gridiron is a middle-grade book that transcends football and kidlit

One’s appreciation of a subject matter isn’t relevant to their ability to discern the quality in it. For example, you don’t have to personally enjoy a genre of music to be aware that there is some talent that goes into making it. I am that way with sports. My knowledge of football specifically is limited to what could be written on the back of a postage stamp. Gridiron, Stories From 100 Years of the National Football League is an oversized book that is perfectly aimed at me, plus any middle-school student who happens to enjoy football or the drama of sports.

Gridiron is for book fans, as well as, football fans

The Derby Daredevils, Shelly Struggles to Shine levels up

I love it when the second book in a series surpasses the first one. It doesn’t even have to go all “Empire Strikes Back” and be leagues better than its predecessor. For us, just the fact that it’s better means that the series has lots of gas left in the tank. The Derby Daredevils: Kenzie Kickstarts a Team set up the story about a group of girls teaming up to create a roller derby team. That was a middle-grade book that mainly girls will enjoy that had a variety of positive, diverse themes. The Derby Daredevils: Shelly Struggles to Shine takes that storyline and delivers a J-block to the other teams lead jammer.

Middle-grade comfort food with a side of roller derby for girls 9 and up

100 Kyoto Sights, travelogue & motivator to visit this great Japanese city

100 Kyoto Sights goes by the subtitle of ‘Discover the “Real” Japan’ and that’s a lot to measure up to. After all, ‘real’ is a fluid definition, but in this context let’s think in terms of old-school Japan. I lived in Japan for two years and it is one of the most fabulous places you’ll ever visit. It’s as clean as a theme park with a society that’s just as kind as any the best customer service you’ve witnessed. Even against that backdrop, there’s an area in Japan that offers more for those tourists who want a massive overview of all that Japan’s history has to offer.

Kyoto is a world away and so well worth visiting

Big Nate The Gerbil Ate My Homework is pitch-perfect

I should be working right now. Instead, I got sucked into the black hole that sometimes whirls around me which is Big Nate. In this case, it’s the 23^rd installment of Lincoln Peirce’s instantly funny comic strip series. Big Nate The Gerbil Ate My Homework collects strips that were originally published in newspapers from February 16, 2016, through September 6, 2016. I should be working, but like only eating one potato chip or only watching one cat video I’m failing miserably at only reading a couple of Big Nate comic strips.

bIG nATE IS STILL GREAT AT COLLECTION #23

ABC for Me: ABC What Can I Be?, big, smart alphabet 411

ABC for Me: ABC What Can I Be? is the sort of book that kids and adults reading to three to six-year-old small people will cherish for a period of time. This is when kids are learning about jobs, where mom or dad go when they earn money, and what it is exactly that people call them there. It’s also an oversized-ABC book that’s printed on thicker than average cardboard paper. This isn’t board book thickness, but ABC What Can I Be? isn’t aimed at those crawlers. Instead, it’s a bright, happy, intelligent book that’s geared towards emerging readers who know some of the alphabet, but also want to have fun learning more.

ABC for Me: ABC What Can I Be? is a smart board book that digs deeper into what people can be with bright illustrations and simple sentences for 3-6.

This is a smart ABC book that’ll make ages 3-6 think about the future with a grin

Investigators Take The Plunge, seriously (p)funny stuff for 8 and up

Have you ever been to an incredible restaurant, but then hesitated to go back? You think that it surely can’t be as good as the first time; they probably changed chefs or the servers have all become surly jerks who doing something on Tik Tok with your food. You want to try something new from the place, but have reservations because things let you down. I was like that with Investigators, which was the first book in the graphic novel series by John Patrick Green. The second book in the series, Investigators Take the Plunge does not disappoint. It doesn’t go all Empire Strikes Back on audiences, but it introduces some new characters and produces almost the same amount of laughs.

Take The Plunge, an all age graphic novel that channels the muppets and Lethal Weapon

Just Beyond the Very, Very Far North, character-centric story for 9 and up

There is something very familiar about Just Beyond the Very, Very Far North. It’s a calm, soothing vibe that readers might not have felt since the last time they saw Duane. He’s a polar bear who lives in the very, very far north where the days can be short if they exist at all, and the nights can be endless. But during the warmer couple of weeks, it’ll be just the opposite. Duane has a lot in common with another easy-going bear in that he’s got some friends that hang out with him too. Aside from his friends, it’s the tone of Just Beyond the Very, Very Far North that will softly hook in readers who are eight and older.

A new anthology series with a classic, homey vibe

When Pencil Met The Markers runs with energy and fun for ages 4 and up

Celebrate the weird, embrace the relentlessly happy and color outside of the lines. That sounds like an alternate catchphrase from The Magic School Bus. In reality, it’s a phrase that perfectly embodies When Pencil Met The Markers. When Pencil Met The Markers manages to hit all of these hallmarks in an illustrated book that could’ve been as effective as a peach marker trying to write on a polyurethaned table. Instead, the book delivers a joyous story that any kid will enjoy.

When Pencil Met The Markers is a familiar tale that’s offered in a superior way. This is a simple illustrated story that can demo older and is a great good-night book

A great, good-night book is a thing to celebrate, this is one of them.