Book Blitz

     Daisy Jones and the Six By Taylor Jenkins Reid Audiobook performed by:   Jennifer Beals, Benjamin Bratt, Judy Greer, Pablo Schreiber Daisy Jones and the Six is an amazing audiobook that transports you back to the 1970s rock scene. This book, written by Taylor Jenkins Reid, has been brought to life through the narration of a full cast of talented voice actors. The audiobook format is perfect for this story, which is told through a series of interviews with the members of the band, their friends, and their family. Each character is given their own voice, allowing the listener to easily distinguish between them and get a deeper understanding of their personalities and motivations. The story itself is captivating, with an immersive plot that follows the rise and fall of a fictional rock band. The characters are complex and complicated, and the audiobook's format allows them to be explored in depth. One of the strengths of the audiobook is the way the music is woven into the story

    El Deafo By Cece Bell El D eafo , written and illustrated by Cece Bell, is a graphic novel that tells the story of a young girl named Cece who lost her hearing as a result of an illness at 4 years old.  The book is a loose autobiographical account of Bell's childhood and life with her deafness.  The novel follows her experiences navigating school and friendships while using a bulky hearing aid that she calls the "Phonic Ear." What makes El Deafo  a great book is the way it portrays Cece's hearing loss and her use of the Phonic Ear as a superhero origin story. The device allows her to hear her teacher's voice from anywhere in the school, giving her an advantage that she leverages to become "El Deafo," a superhero who can hear and solve any problem. The way that Cece visualizes her hearing loss and the use of the Phonic Ear as a tool for her superhero persona makes for a unique and entertaining story. Throughout the book, Cece encounters many of t

   Long Way Down By Jason Reynolds Click here to listen to a community read of the book.  Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds is a powerful novel written in free-verse that tackles the issue of gun violence in America. The story follows fifteen-year-old Will as he reacts to the shooting death of his brother Shawn just two days earlier. The story takes place in a mere one minute and seven seconds as Will travels in an elevator to the ground floor of his building; he is on a mission to avenge his brother’s death by killing the person he believes is responsible. As Will is in the elevator, he is visited by a series of ghosts, including his brother, who challenge his decision and force him to confront the cycle of violence that has plagued his community. I loved that this novel was written in free-verse. I have never read a novel that was structured this way and the writing had a rhythm that moves the story along. Additionally, the rhythm of the novel mimics the urgency and tension that W

      Full of Beans By Jennifer L. Holm Full of Beans  is a historical fiction book by Jennifer L. Holm. The story takes place during the Great Depression in Key West, Florida. The book centers around a young boy named Beans who is always looking for ways to make money. His search for money leads Beans to get involved in questionable activities. Through the eyes of Beans, we see the struggles and hardships faced by families during the Great Depression. Beans also illuminates the resilience and resourcefulness that were required to survive during this period.  I think Full of Beans  is a great historical fiction book to get children interested and engaged in the Great Depression. Jennifer L. Holm fills the book with likable and relatable characters that help to engage readers. The thing that impressed me the most about the book is how the author managed to address serious issues of the time, such as poverty and discrimination, in a way that is accessible and relatable to young readers.

     Fuzzy Mud By Louis Sachar Fuzzy Mud  is a young adult novel by Louis Sachar. The story follows the lives of two middle school students, Tamaya and Marshall. One day on their way home from school, they take a shortcut through the woods and discover a strange, fuzzy mud. Tamaya touches the mud and develops a rash, prompting the school to go on lockdown to prevent a potential virus outbreak. The fuzzy mud is revealed to be a genetically modified organism created by a scientist. Tamaya and Marshall work together to expose the truth about the fuzzy mud and prevent future accidents from happening.  Fuzzy Mud  is a realistic science fiction book in which Sachar does an excellent job of keeping the reader on edge as the mystery of the fuzzy mud unfolds. This is a great science fiction book for young adults because it masterfully mixes science fiction with things that normal kids deal with, such as fitting in and bullying. Additionally, this book engages children in science by keeping the

    The Turtle of Oman By Naomi Shihab Nye The Turtle of Oman  is a novel about a young boy named Aref Al-Amri that is moving from Muscat, Oman to Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The book is  about the challenges of leaving one's home and adapting to a new environment. Aref struggles to come to terms with the fact that he is leaving everything he knows and loves behind, including his beloved turtles. Through the support of his family and his own resilience, Aref slowly learns to appreciate his new surroundings and find joy in unexpected places. The Turtle of Oman is a beautifully written novel that explores themes of family, friendship, and cultural identity. I think this book is great for children to read because it is realistic fiction and deals with situations that children face in their own lives. For children who are in the same position as Aref, having to move to a new place and leave friends/family behind, reading this book will provide them with a character they can relate to. I thi