The Crossover, by Kwame Alexander | Book Review

Elizabeth Varadan | The Children’s Book Review | April 26, 2015

By Kwame Alexander

Age Range: 10 and up

Hardcover: 240 pages

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers (March, 2014)

ISBN-13: 978-0544107717

What to Expect: Sibling rivalry, humorous angst, great play-by-play action, well-turned phrases that capture the moment, day-by-day drama in a thoroughly likeable family with sass.

There is so much to enjoy about this book:

First, the characters: Josh and Jordan Bell are twelve-year-old twins who live and breathe basketball. They are a formidable pair on the basketball court, thanks to their father, Chuck “Da Man” Bell, a former superstar with the European league who was once invited to try out for the Los Angeles Lakers. Their mother is the school principal. Both parents are loving and fair – and strict when they need to be.

The twins are inseparable buddies until a new girl with pink Reeboks appears at school. Suddenly Jordan has eyes for only her, and Josh, always half of a duet before, is now a solo. While Josh is dealing with separation angst, his mother is nagging his father to go to a doctor because of symptoms she’s noticed. But Josh’s father is afraid of hospitals and won’t even consider it. These two issues run through the book like counterpoint in a musical score.

Which brings us to the music of the author’s writing. The Crossover is told in verse – but what verse! Chapters are individual poems, sometimes rhyming, sometimes blank; sometimes sounding like hip-hop, sometimes just wonderful visuals, as when descending capital letters show a missed shot on the court, or get bigger as a player tries for a fast break. Always the poetry pushes the story along at a fast pace, and you are squarely in Josh’s head while events run their courses. Within that framework, every other character’s voice is clear as well.

“Basketball Rule #1: In the game of life/ your family is the court/ and the ball is your heart./ No matter how good you are,/ no matter how down you get,/ always leave/ your heart/ on the court.”

This is a book young people will probably want to read more than once, both for the themes in the story and for the author’s storytelling. It will appeal to middle grade readers who like sports – especially basketball – and coming of age stories.

Available Here: 

Kwame Alexander is a poet, children’s book author, playwright, producer, public speaker and performer. He conducts creative writing workshops in middle and high schools, often reaching more than 500 students monthly. He lives with his wife and two daughters in the Washington, D.C. area. Visit him at www.bookinaday.org and  www.facebook.com/KwameAlexanderBooks.

The Crossover, by Kwame Alexander, was reviewed by Elizabeth Varadan. Discover more books like The Crossover by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Award Winning Authors, Books Written in Verse, Family Books, John Newbery Medal Winner, Sibling Rivalry, and Sports.

Tags: Award Winners, Award Winning Authors, Basketball Books, Books Written in Verse, Family Books, John Newbery Medal Winner, Kwame Alexander, Newbery Award Winners, Sibling Rivalry, Siblings, Sports

Category: Ages 9-12, Award Winners, Best Kids Stories, Books for Boys, Chapter Books, Poetry & Rhyme, Social Graces, Sports, Teens: Young Adults

Elizabeth Varadan writes for children and adults. Her middle-grade mystery, Imogene and the Case of the Missing Pearls (published June 15, 2015), is set in Victorian London and she is currently working on Book Two. Varadan loves to read and write about the Victorian Era and blogs about the many things she uncovers in her research. Visit: elizabethvaradansfourthwish.blogspot.com and victorianscribbles.blogspot.com

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Juicy Jack Adventures: Meet the Wild Pack, by Leigh Carrasco | Dedicated Review

The Children’s Book Review | April 12, 2015

By Leigh Carrasco, Illustrated by Angela Mia De La Vega

Age Range: 7-10 

Paperback: 128 pages

Publisher: Womeldorf Press (2014)

ISBN: 978-0990402305

What to Expect: Guinea Pigs, Summer Vacation, Peru, Adventure, Spanish Words

It’s summer vacation time for BT and his mom. They are going to visit BT’s grandmother, Abuela in Spanish, at her farm in Peru and this time Jack, BT’s guinea pig, gets to go with them.

Jack is excited to explore the farm and intrigued when he discovers that there is a pack of wild guinea pigs roaming around. Ready to make some new friends, Jack sets out on an adventure that, thanks to a cook that likes to serve up fried guinea pig, turns into a dangerous escapade of survival tactics and daring rescues. Throughout the adventure and precarious escapades, the author sets the scene with her easy and entertaining descriptions of Abuela’s farm set in the Andes mountains—several illustrations are scattered among the pages to enhance the visual imagery that the text provides. The pages are also doused with just enough kid-centric humor—think, boogers—that will appeal to a reluctant child reader and soften the harshness of the crazed cook desperate to capture “Juicy Jack.”

Spanish words are interspersed well and explained within the telling of the story—the Spanish to English words glossary in the end of the book is very helpful for kids seeking further definition and explanation. The text is a larger size and well-spaced for new chapter book readers.

Some lovely underlying themes are touched on—such as acceptance and tolerance of others, and single parent families—that add extra warmth and some depth to what is really a fun and fast read for any child that has ever wondered what their pet guinea pig gets up to on those occasions when the cage door is left open.

For more information, visit: www.juicyjackadventures.com

Available Here: 

Leigh began writing the Juicy Jack Adventures Series because she wanted to bring the wonders of Peru and the experiences of living in another culture to children through this fun and exciting new series. Each new adventure will take place in a different cultural site in Peru.

Angela attended both The University of Madrid, Spain, and Clarion University of Pennsylvania where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. In 2012 she was named a Living Master of Arts by the prestigious International Art Renewal Center. Her bronze sculptures are represented by some of the finest art galleries in the country. Angela’s three children and the constant love and encouragement from her parents are her work’s greatest inspiration.

Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. The author of “Physical Literacy 12 Steps Pledge Ambassadorship: I Dance for Physical Literacy” sponsored this non-biased review. Learn more about getting a book review …

Tags: Adventure, Angela Mia De La Vega, Dedicated Review, Guinea Pig, Juicy Jack Adventures Series, Leigh Carrasco, Peru, Pets, South America, Spanish, Summer

Category: Ages 4-8, Ages 9-12, Animal Books, Author Showcase, Bilingual Books, Books for Boys, Chapter Books, Cultural Wisdom, Travel

The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is powered by Bianca Schulze. Bianca is a freelance writer, bookseller, aspiring author, and mother to two daughters. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, her goal is to grow readers by showcasing useful and inspiring books!

Buy Books Online

Juicy Jack Adventures: Meet the Wild Pack, by Leigh Carrasco | Dedicated Review

The Children’s Book Review | April 12, 2015

By Leigh Carrasco, Illustrated by Angela Mia De La Vega

Age Range: 7-10 

Paperback: 128 pages

Publisher: Womeldorf Press (2014)

ISBN: 978-0990402305

What to Expect: Guinea Pigs, Summer Vacation, Peru, Adventure, Spanish Words

It’s summer vacation time for BT and his mom. They are going to visit BT’s grandmother, Abuela in Spanish, at her farm in Peru and this time Jack, BT’s guinea pig, gets to go with them.

Jack is excited to explore the farm and intrigued when he discovers that there is a pack of wild guinea pigs roaming around. Ready to make some new friends, Jack sets out on an adventure that, thanks to a cook that likes to serve up fried guinea pig, turns into a dangerous escapade of survival tactics and daring rescues. Throughout the adventure and precarious escapades, the author sets the scene with her easy and entertaining descriptions of Abuela’s farm set in the Andes mountains—several illustrations are scattered among the pages to enhance the visual imagery that the text provides. The pages are also doused with just enough kid-centric humor—think, boogers—that will appeal to a reluctant child reader and soften the harshness of the crazed cook desperate to capture “Juicy Jack.”

Spanish words are interspersed well and explained within the telling of the story—the Spanish to English words glossary in the end of the book is very helpful for kids seeking further definition and explanation. The text is a larger size and well-spaced for new chapter book readers.

Some lovely underlying themes are touched on—such as acceptance and tolerance of others, and single parent families—that add extra warmth and some depth to what is really a fun and fast read for any child that has ever wondered what their pet guinea pig gets up to on those occasions when the cage door is left open.

For more information, visit: www.juicyjackadventures.com

Available Here: 

Leigh began writing the Juicy Jack Adventures Series because she wanted to bring the wonders of Peru and the experiences of living in another culture to children through this fun and exciting new series. Each new adventure will take place in a different cultural site in Peru.

Angela attended both The University of Madrid, Spain, and Clarion University of Pennsylvania where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. In 2012 she was named a Living Master of Arts by the prestigious International Art Renewal Center. Her bronze sculptures are represented by some of the finest art galleries in the country. Angela’s three children and the constant love and encouragement from her parents are her work’s greatest inspiration.

Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. The author of “Physical Literacy 12 Steps Pledge Ambassadorship: I Dance for Physical Literacy” sponsored this non-biased review. Learn more about getting a book review …

Tags: Adventure, Angela Mia De La Vega, Dedicated Review, Guinea Pig, Juicy Jack Adventures Series, Leigh Carrasco, Peru, Pets, South America, Spanish, Summer

Category: Ages 4-8, Ages 9-12, Animal Books, Author Showcase, Bilingual Books, Books for Boys, Chapter Books, Cultural Wisdom, Travel

The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is powered by Bianca Schulze. Bianca is a freelance writer, bookseller, aspiring author, and mother to two daughters. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, her goal is to grow readers by showcasing useful and inspiring books!

Buy Books Online

Where Do Our Baby Teeth Go? By Vilasinee Bunnag | Book Review

Gi Hallmark | The Children’s Book Review | January 25, 2014

By Vilasinee Bunnag, Illustrated by Yasmin Doctor

Ages: 3 and Up

Hardcover: 27 pages

Publisher: Mighty Twenty LLC (March 2015)

ISBN: 978-0-615-91927-0

What to Expect: Tooth Stories, Interactive Format, Geography, Cultural Traditions, Dental Health and Science, Colorful Illustrations

Losing baby teeth can be a complex experience that often includes excitement, nervousness, curiosity and confusion. Author Vilasinee Bunnag, along with illustrator Yasmin Doctor, have created a wonderfully interactive picture book, Where Do Our Baby Teeth Go?, to help little ones understand, celebrate, and document this rite of passage.

Bunnag starts with facts about teeth and naturally progresses into stories about traditions around the world. In addition to the United States, readers will learn about how children in almost a dozen countries, including, Mexico, South Korea, India and Sweden, celebrate losing a tooth. The turn of each page reveals a stunningly vibrant illustration of a child sharing their story about losing baby teeth in their respective countries. At the end of the book, Bunnag invites readers to write their own tooth story in the book and also offers a diagram where readers will enjoy tracking which teeth they have lost and where in the world they were when the milestone occurred.

Illustration copyright © 2015 by Yasmin Doctor, Where Do Our Baby Teeth Go?

Where Do Our Baby Teeth Go? is brilliant for the relevancy of the topic, the dual functionality as a book and scrapbook, the global and cultural perspective, and for the bright, beautiful illustrations that perfectly accompany the story. Yasmin Doctor’s talents are best showcased on the cultural traditions pages where each country is authentically represented with colorful, thoughtful, and engaging details that will transport readers around the world. Understanding that every child experiences this rite of passage is comforting to young readers and learning about the different ways cultures celebrate this milestone is interesting and a valuable lesson on geography and diversity.  Where Do Our Baby Teeth Go? is a terrific book, great as a gift for any young child as they learn about and celebrate losing their baby teeth.

Add this book to your collection: Where Do Our Baby Teeth Go?, by Vilasinee Bunnag

Vilasinee Bunnag is the founder of Mighty Twenty. Based in Brooklyn, she makes milestone gift for kids losing their baby teeth. Bunnag started making modern tooth fairy pillows and journals in 2003 for the young ones in anticipation of their universal milestone of losing baby teeth (remember wiggling your baby teeth back in the days?). Every child she gave a pillow to loved them and held on to them throughout the 6 year process of losing their baby teeth. In 2014, she launched MightyTwenty.com.

Yasmin Doctor is a graduate from the University of the Santo Tomas and a member of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang-Ink) and was awarded the 2011 PBBY-Alcala Prize.

Where Do Our Baby Teeth Go, by Vilasinee Bunnag and Yasmin Doctor, was reviewed by Gi Hallmark. Follow along with our articles and reviews tagged with Dental Health, Diversity, Multicultural, and Cultural Wisdom to discover more great books just like this one.

Tags: Baby Teeth, cultural diversity, Cultural Wisdom, Cultures, Dental Health, Diversity, featured, Geography, Losing Baby Teeth, Mighty Twenty, Multicultural, Picture Book, Teeth, Vilasinee Bunnag, Yasmin Doctor

Category: Ages 4-8, Cultural Wisdom, Picture Books

Gi Hallmark, founder of The Children's Blog, is a freelance writer and mother of two lovely girls. She currently resides in Charlotte, NC, where she enjoys reading and reporting about a variety of children’s topics. For more information, visit: http://www.thechildrensblog.com/ or follow @thechildrnsblog on Twitter.

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A Flag for the Flying Dragon: A Captain No Beard Story, by Carole P. Roman | Dedicated Review

Gi Hallmark | The Children’s Book Review | April 7, 2014

By: Carole P. Roman, Illustrated by Bonnie Lemaire

Age Range: 3-7

Paperback: 23 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (2015)

ISBN: 978-1507826928

What to Expect: Conflict Resolution, Inclusion, Teamwork, Friendships, Pirates, Ships, Animals, Sibling Relationships, Imagination

The loveable crew of the Flying Dragon is back! In A Flag for the Flying Dragon: A Captain No Beard Story, Captain No Beard and his friends work together to resolve conflicts as they look for the perfect job for their youngest crewmember, Zachary.

Captain No Beard and his younger sister Cayla have a new crewmember on board, baby Zachary. As Captain No Beard proudly surveys all the good work happening aboard his ship, he hears a ruckus and discovers Mongo and Zachary arguing on the crow’s nest. It’s Mongo’s job to be the lookout and he’s upset that young Zachary, who is too young to talk, is interfering. The crew agrees that a lookout needs to be able to warn the crew and furthermore, Zachary could fall off the tall lookout point and get hurt. In response, Captain No Beard gives Zachary a turn at other jobs on the ship, all with disastrous results. Frustration overtakes the crew and Captain No Beard realizes he must take the helm and come up with a creative solution to appease and unify the crew.

The crew’s experience with mixed age play is relevant and relatable for the targeted age range, when capabilities and skills can vary widely. The tale also addresses the oft-recurring resistance to including younger siblings. Carole P. Roman effortlessly depicts the importance of inclusion and unity and takes the realistic approach that it may take many attempts before a solution is found. There’s also a beneficial lesson regarding the quest for perfection and finding blessings in disguise—Captain No Beard is intent on finding a perfect flag for his ship and because of this the Flying Dragon has been sailing flagless. Serendipitously, Cayla has outgrown her burp cloths, Zachary needs a job, and the ship needs a flag. Though a torn up burp cloth is not exactly what Captain No Beard had in mind for a flag, after much compromise and creative problem solving, he comes to the realization that it is indeed the perfect solution.

Carol P. Roman tells the reader about the importance of teamwork and inclusion through an imaginative story with characters that are interesting and authentic. Bonnie Lemaire’s illustrations seamlessly accompany the story. Her use of bright colors spark imaginations and her cheerful, doe-eyed characters perfectly capture the innocence and wonder of childhood.

The author’s message, “when you’re a team, every job is important,” is a valuable lesson for young children as they learn to navigate relationships at school, at home, and with friends. A Flag for the Flying Dragon: A Captain No Beard Story will make a wonderful, entertaining addition to any library.

Add this book to your collection: A Flag for the Flying Dragon: A Captain No Beard Story

Available Here: 

Carole P. Roman

Named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best of 2012 for her first book, award winning author Carole P. Roman started writing as a dare from one of her sons. Using an imaginary game she played with her grandson as a base, Captain No Beard was born. She lives on Long Island with her husband and very near her children and grandchildren- the inspiration for her books.

CarolePRoman.com | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. The author of “A Flag for the Flying Dragon: A Captain No Beard Story” paid for this non-biased review. Learn more about getting a book review …

Tags: Captain No Beard, Carole P. Roman, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, Inclusion, Pirates, Problem Solving, Ships, Sibiling Relationships, Teamwork

Category: Ages 0-3, Ages 4-8, Author Showcase, Picture Books, Social Graces

Gi Hallmark, founder of The Children's Blog, is a freelance writer and mother of two lovely girls. She currently resides in Charlotte, NC, where she enjoys reading and reporting about a variety of children’s topics. For more information, visit: http://www.thechildrensblog.com/ or follow @thechildrnsblog on Twitter.

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The Crossover, by Kwame Alexander | Book Review

Elizabeth Varadan | The Children’s Book Review | April 26, 2015

By Kwame Alexander

Age Range: 10 and up

Hardcover: 240 pages

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers (March, 2014)

ISBN-13: 978-0544107717

What to Expect: Sibling rivalry, humorous angst, great play-by-play action, well-turned phrases that capture the moment, day-by-day drama in a thoroughly likeable family with sass.

There is so much to enjoy about this book:

First, the characters: Josh and Jordan Bell are twelve-year-old twins who live and breathe basketball. They are a formidable pair on the basketball court, thanks to their father, Chuck “Da Man” Bell, a former superstar with the European league who was once invited to try out for the Los Angeles Lakers. Their mother is the school principal. Both parents are loving and fair – and strict when they need to be.

The twins are inseparable buddies until a new girl with pink Reeboks appears at school. Suddenly Jordan has eyes for only her, and Josh, always half of a duet before, is now a solo. While Josh is dealing with separation angst, his mother is nagging his father to go to a doctor because of symptoms she’s noticed. But Josh’s father is afraid of hospitals and won’t even consider it. These two issues run through the book like counterpoint in a musical score.

Which brings us to the music of the author’s writing. The Crossover is told in verse – but what verse! Chapters are individual poems, sometimes rhyming, sometimes blank; sometimes sounding like hip-hop, sometimes just wonderful visuals, as when descending capital letters show a missed shot on the court, or get bigger as a player tries for a fast break. Always the poetry pushes the story along at a fast pace, and you are squarely in Josh’s head while events run their courses. Within that framework, every other character’s voice is clear as well.

“Basketball Rule #1: In the game of life/ your family is the court/ and the ball is your heart./ No matter how good you are,/ no matter how down you get,/ always leave/ your heart/ on the court.”

This is a book young people will probably want to read more than once, both for the themes in the story and for the author’s storytelling. It will appeal to middle grade readers who like sports – especially basketball – and coming of age stories.

Available Here: 

 

Kwame Alexander is a poet, children’s book author, playwright, producer, public speaker and performer. He conducts creative writing workshops in middle and high schools, often reaching more than 500 students monthly. He lives with his wife and two daughters in the Washington, D.C. area. Visit him at www.bookinaday.org and  www.facebook.com/KwameAlexanderBooks.

The Crossover, by Kwame Alexander, was reviewed by Elizabeth Varadan. Discover more books like The Crossover by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Award Winning Authors, Books Written in Verse, Family Books, John Newbery Medal Winner, Sibling Rivalry, and Sports.

Tags: Award Winners, Award Winning Authors, Basketball Books, Books Written in Verse, Family Books, John Newbery Medal Winner, Kwame Alexander, Newbery Award Winners, Sibling Rivalry, Siblings, Sports

Category: Ages 9-12, Award Winners, Best Kids Stories, Books for Boys, Chapter Books, Poetry & Rhyme, Social Graces, Sports, Teens: Young Adults

Elizabeth Varadan writes for children and adults. Her middle-grade mystery, Imogene and the Case of the Missing Pearls (published June 15, 2015), is set in Victorian London and she is currently working on Book Two. Varadan loves to read and write about the Victorian Era and blogs about the many things she uncovers in her research. Visit: elizabethvaradansfourthwish.blogspot.com and victorianscribbles.blogspot.com

Buy Books Online