American as Paneer Pie, cultural, realistic fiction for ages 9-13

Prior to reading American as Paneer Pie I didn’t know what paneer was. Actually, after reading the book I still didn’t know what paneer is. That’s not the important part. Most people are able to surmise from the front cover that it’s a story about adapting to where you live and managing to hold onto what makes you, you. Like Arnold’s, Bruce Springsteen or a Ford truck, it’s as American as that, except the shrinking world impacts whose experience is more authentic-and does that even matter?  

Paneer, cheese and growing up for girls 9-13

The Great Pet Heist, a tail worth reading for ages 9-13

There are some books that elementary aged students like to read that demo up. For one reason or another, they’re accessible to older ages through their humor or heart. The Great Pet Heist is a book that mid-elementary through lower middle school readers will really enjoy. Will it demo up to those older readers?  

Far from ruff, this book is fun for ages 9 and up

Hop Little Bunnies, quality the lift-the-flap with cuteness aplomb

When is a board book not a board book? When the book is much bigger than those whom it might be compared to and its pages are just a bit thinner. That sounds like a riddle and by could fit almost any book by that definition. However, some books have the same vibe, similar footprint and will be magnetically attractive to those late crawlers through pre-K kids. Hop Little Bunnies is this kind of book and it’s based on the song that you’re probably humming right now. The content is aimed at ages 3-6, but those ages are too big for board books. Granted, they’d benefit by reading them, but their pre-k pride knows that the aforementioned books are for babies and they’re big kids. 

Hop on young reader, they’ll love this book

Peter & Ernesto Sloths in the Night, caps this all age series with a grin

A kid’s first graphic novel is a great thing. We include the all age graphic novels in our run down of the week’s new all age comic books. Early through upper elementary school-aged kids want to have a graphic novel that they can read and appreciate. This is something that is their jam. The older kids might like it too, but this the kind of graphic novel that they can enjoy without any assistance from mom, dad or their older sibling. Peter & Ernesto is one of two elementary school based graphic novels that pop up in my mind. The third and final entry in the series, Peter & Ernesto: Sloths in the Night is out and caps the series in a perfectly happy and friendly manner that will leave ages 6-10 grinning from ear to ear.  

If you’re looking for a great graphic novel series for elementary school ages this is the sign

Pets and Their Famous Humans, short, artsy tails for 8-10

I’m a glass half full kind of guy. So when I first took a look at Pets and Their Famous Humans I had to set it down. I love pets. I really like humans and I enjoy art. In theory there’s nothing I shouldn’t have not liked about the book. Sensing that I was missing something I showed the book to our 10-year old son. He also loves books, animals and people. “It’s classy”, he succinctly said before diving back into the middle grade book he’s reading.  

Pets, the muse behind some famous folks in this book for young readers

Center of Gravity, switches gears for the better

I really like books that I didn’t think I would like. Center of Gravity is a book like that. Personally, there’s nothing about the subject matter that appeals to me. Tessa’s mother passed away relatively recently and her dad has started dating again. Things have gotten very serious and the two of them are packing up things in Denver to move to a coastal California town. The new girlfriend is much younger than her dad and her family is apparently loaded. At first, Center of Gravity feels like a middle school companion to Karate Kid. However, as the book moves along it takes a much more serious turn. In doing author Shaunta Grimes delivers a character study that’s as much about teenage grief as it is insecurities, acceptance and moving on. 

An honest look at kids circa 1985 that’s not what you expect

Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier, astronaut education for 9 and up

Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier is Science Comics by another name. Science Comics is the line of educational and entertaining graphic novels on :01 First Second Books. This isn’t technically a Science Comics book, but it has all of the hallmarks that make those books so worthwhile. Astronauts focuses on the women in space, the resistance to them being in the program, which countries led the way and a small overview about space missions and training.  

If you’re a fan of Science Comics or educational graphic novels this is a go-to entry

A Field Guide To Getting Lost, more than middle school divorced kids

I once suggested to my not-future wife that she get lost. I didn’t mean it in an insulting manner, she was headed on a trip overseas and I suggested that she get lost. If you’ve ever found yourself by being in a completely different environment and doing things that are totally different than what you’re used to, then you understand. If that emotion is embodied by a time in your life then it’s quite probable that said time is your teen-age years. A Field Guide To Getting Lost is an upper elementary school through mid-grade book that targets those readers by treating them as young adults, who are still keen to have some adventure.  

It’s light, without being flippant and serious without being heavy
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