A beautiful poem written in the form of a letter to anyone who has a dream. Reynolds writes the letter in a way that simultaneously encourages you to A beautiful poem written in the form of a letter to anyone who has a dream. Reynolds writes the letter in a way that simultaneously encourages you to pursue your dreams while not feeling pressured to accomplish them - there's beauty in the pursuit....more
While I thought parts of this book were impactful and important, I found some of the stereotypes mentioned throughout the book troublesome.
(view spoilWhile I thought parts of this book were impactful and important, I found some of the stereotypes mentioned throughout the book troublesome.
(view spoiler)[Our young main character alludes throughout the book to a secret he's afraid to tell his best friend and his family. We get bits and pieces of what this secret might be throughout - that he likes picking flowers instead of sports, that he doesn't like playing in gym class with the boys and would rather be with the girls. I quickly realized what our character's secret likely is, and by the end he comes out to his family as gay. I think boxing our character into this stereotype might make it difficult for young people who question themselves to see themselves in the character. I also am just not a fan of stereotyping young, gay boys into the "I'm gay and girly" box, as it's been lobbed as a harmful stereotype for so long. The character also describes himself as weak and small and I don't think that's a healthy depiction of what queer boys are like either. While I thought the book was good, I struggled to see past these. (hide spoiler)]...more
A stunning collection of poems detailing the life of Maya Angelou. I learned a lot about her and thoroughly enjoyed the details this book brought to lA stunning collection of poems detailing the life of Maya Angelou. I learned a lot about her and thoroughly enjoyed the details this book brought to life in such a graceful prose. ...more
If you're not familiar with the tragic story of Emmett Till, this is a must read. While it describes in detail what happened to him, the real highlighIf you're not familiar with the tragic story of Emmett Till, this is a must read. While it describes in detail what happened to him, the real highlight of the story is the strength and perseverance of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. The book is beautifully written and stunningly illustrated, and there's a lot of great information in the back, including a timeline that leads up to present day, highlighting the impact Emmett Till made on history, even up until 2022....more
This book was recommended on a list of books about bees, but it's really more about the relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter, and This book was recommended on a list of books about bees, but it's really more about the relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter, and the special connection they build over a shared love and respect for bees. I didn't realize the book was written in haiku until it's revealed at the end, so it was fun to go back through and read the book a second time with that understanding!...more
I think if you're a big fan of math, you might enjoy this book, but as someone who loathes math and everything about it, I just didn't really get intoI think if you're a big fan of math, you might enjoy this book, but as someone who loathes math and everything about it, I just didn't really get into this. I didn't feel like it really taught math concepts either, mostly just said mathy things, which if you're a kid unfamiliar with the math terms, would probably be pretty boring....more
A fun collection of poems for kids. Lots of good rhyming and word play, and a good author's note at the beginning about early literacy, language develA fun collection of poems for kids. Lots of good rhyming and word play, and a good author's note at the beginning about early literacy, language development, and how it ties in to the poems!...more
I really loved this poem/picture book that challenges readers to look deeper than skin to understand who a person is. Beautifully written and uniquelyI really loved this poem/picture book that challenges readers to look deeper than skin to understand who a person is. Beautifully written and uniquely illustrated!...more
A stunning poetic history of African people - who would become African Americans - and the challenges they've been forced to face throughout time. TheA stunning poetic history of African people - who would become African Americans - and the challenges they've been forced to face throughout time. The emphasis of the story, however, is not the struggle but how time and again, those same people have persevered and developed their culture and identity throughout time. The illustrations are gorgeous and the words equally so....more
If you like Halsey's music, you should 100% read her book of poetry. Some of my favorites were Guts, Everything, Fun Girl, and A Story Like Mine. HighIf you like Halsey's music, you should 100% read her book of poetry. Some of my favorites were Guts, Everything, Fun Girl, and A Story Like Mine. Highly recommend....more
A beautiful piece of picture book poetry that highlights all the feelings behind the Black Lives Matter movement. I thought it really captures the impA beautiful piece of picture book poetry that highlights all the feelings behind the Black Lives Matter movement. I thought it really captures the importance of the movement and it centered entirely on the black experience with the movement, not a white centric or “look how everyone experiences this” sort of view. ...more
I can’t believe I read this book in one day and I almost regret it - purely because I want to bask in the girl power of this longer.
An absolutely incI can’t believe I read this book in one day and I almost regret it - purely because I want to bask in the girl power of this longer.
An absolutely incredible book about judgment, shame, and reclaiming your story. Friendships, relationships, betrayal. So much delivered in such a beautiful package. I couldn’t put it down and I see myself picking it up again. I couldn’t recommend this enough. ...more
I think this is my new favorite Amanda Lovelace book of poetry...maybe it's because I have sisters or maybe it was just the best she's written but thiI think this is my new favorite Amanda Lovelace book of poetry...maybe it's because I have sisters or maybe it was just the best she's written but this one really got me....more
I loved the attitude of this latest Amanda Lovelace book of poetry! The notion of being your own fairy godmother and supporting yourself is rich in alI loved the attitude of this latest Amanda Lovelace book of poetry! The notion of being your own fairy godmother and supporting yourself is rich in all of Lovelace's work. I felt like this one leaned a little more heavily on the "before" portion of self-discovery but it was still a great book!...more
I really enjoyed these witty poems about anxiety. So many of them were recognizable to me. They're really a loving comfort to people with anxiety, a wI really enjoyed these witty poems about anxiety. So many of them were recognizable to me. They're really a loving comfort to people with anxiety, a way to say "you're not the only person who does this" and I appreciated that....more
I absolutely loved this poetic picture book about intersectionality. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and the message is wonderful. We're inI absolutely loved this poetic picture book about intersectionality. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and the message is wonderful. We're introduced character by character to people from all walks of life. The book compels readers to defend these friends despite our differences to create a better world for everyone. There are really helpful resources in both the back and front of the book to help define and explain intersectionality and talk with younger ones about the importance of making sure that our care for others is a care for all....more
This was a really beautiful book of poetry, mostly centered around overcoming adversity and remaining hopeful in the face of hardship. I think this isThis was a really beautiful book of poetry, mostly centered around overcoming adversity and remaining hopeful in the face of hardship. I think this is a really important story to share with young readers, especially to illustrate the abject poverty and hardships many people in our world have to struggle with. ...more
A really sweet, middle grade book of poetry about understanding each other's differences and appreciating similarities. Charles and Irene are black anA really sweet, middle grade book of poetry about understanding each other's differences and appreciating similarities. Charles and Irene are black and white, but working together on a class project helps them see that while some things are different for them, others are the same. I thought this was a great book to talk to kids about coming together and supporting one another!...more
Loading...
