The Couch Potato by Jory John

From Goodreads, 

"The Couch Potato has everything he needs within reach of his sunken couch cushion. But when the electricity goes out, Couch Potato is forced to peel himself away from the comforts of his living room and venture outside. And when he does, he realizes fresh air and sunshine could be just the things he needs..."

Goodreads - The Couch Potato

I'm still reading and reviewing the books that Scholastic sent me.  I actually read this book to a class of 6th graders when I received my book box.  I laughed my entire way through the book and kept making mental notes of all the amazing ways I could use this in my classroom. 

The Couch Potato is the story of a couch potato who doesn't want to ever leave his couch.  He has all the coolest gadgets to ensure he doesn't have to get up to get anything or do anything.  But one day the electricity goes out and the couch potato must get up and DO something.  Will he be a couch potato forever? 

The figurative language in this book is insane.  While I was reading it aloud I was cracking up with all the puns that were in the story and even in the illustrations.  This book is packed with puns, alliteration, and personification.  The puns were all potato-related and every single one was absolutely hilarious.  This would be a fun book to kick off a figurative language unit or to use to teach puns in particular.  This book also packs a pretty positive message for kids today.  We all need to get away from electronics and get outside.  Kids are so glued to their phones or computers or the television that they don't know how to play outside and have fun like a normal kid.  Being a "couch potato" can have a negative impact on relationships with others, our health, and our mental state.  At the end of the book, it even comments that it's okay to be a couch potato but to not do it every day.  

The only negative thing I have to say about this book is that there are pages and illustrations that you need to see to really understand the joke or that it is talking about different items.  On one page the couch potato is referencing the different electronic devices that he has, but he never says the name.  He says things like, "See? I have this. And this. And this. And one of those...." This continues as there are pictures on the page that go along with the story.  It's just one of those things that you need to see so it makes sense as it is being read.  

I really enjoyed this book and plan to use it next year during my figurative language unit.  I hope my students enjoy the puns as much as I did!  I give this 5 stars. 

Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd

From Goodreads, 

"A coming-of-age middle-grade graphic novel featuring a girl with severe allergies who just wants to find the perfect pet!

At home, Maggie is the odd one out. Her parents are preoccupied with getting ready for a new baby, and her younger brothers are twins and always in their own world. Maggie loves animals and thinks a new puppy to call her own is the answer, but when she goes to select one on her birthday, she breaks out in hives and rashes. She's severely allergic to anything with fur!

Can Maggie outsmart her allergies and find the perfect pet? With illustrations by Michelle Mee Nutter, Megan Wagner Lloyd uses inspiration from her own experiences with allergies to tell a heartfelt story of family, friendship, and finding a place to belong."

Goodreads - Allergic

As a teacher, my biggest goal is to get kids to pick up books and read them.  Many of my kids want to read graphic novels.  This is great because they are reading, but there are definite downfalls.  Graphic novels lack the details and depth that's present in a novel.  The entire book is made up of pictures in a comic book style which makes the book "longer", but there's less actual reading.  That being said, I'm here to review this book which was sent to me from Scholastic!

Allergic tells the story of a girl named Maggie and her desire to own a dog.  But once she picks out a dog and they are ready to start the adoption, she suffers from a severe allergic reaction.  Maggie soon finds out that she is allergic to feather and fur dander which means she can't own a pet with feathers or fur.  Maggie soon sets out on a quest to find the perfect pet, while also navigating a new school and the upcoming arrival of a new baby in the family. 

This book was cute enough for a graphic novel.  As I mentioned before I have a real love-hate relationship with graphic novels.  The illustrations were the high point of this book.  There were some small details in them that really pulled the book together.  Unfortunately, I felt like the storyline had a little to be desired.  I feel like a lot of kids won't connect with the allergy storyline.  But there was also the storyline of getting a new sibling, starting at a new school, and the unspoken anxiety present in Maggie.  It felt like a lot crammed into one book, but never really being hit on real hard.  I would have loved to have read more on the anxiety take and how Maggie learned to manage it.  I think more kids suffer from anxiety than allergy problems, and I think having the management and coping techniques would have been wonderful for kids to read about.  But many kids can connect with the desire to get a pet, and I think that was probably the only winning point of this book. 

This book was good, but it just wasn't up my alley.  I think I will have many fifth graders who will enjoy it once I'm able to open my library up again next school year.  I would really enjoy a book that follows Maggie and focuses on her anxiety.  I give this 2 stars.  There wasn't anything necessarily wrong with this book.  I just don't like graphic novels and this one lacked the reading aspect present in a book. 

You Are Enough: A Book About Inclusion by Margaret O'Hair

From Goodreads, 

"A beautiful and inclusive picture book all about celebrating being yourself from Down syndrome advocate and viral sensation Sofia Sanchez!
It can be hard to be different-whether because of how you look, where you live, or what you can or can't do. But wouldn't it be boring if we were all the same? Being different is great! Being different is what makes you YOU.

This inclusive and empowering picture book from Sofia Sanchez-an 11-year-old model and actress with Down syndrome-reminds readers how important it is to embrace your differences, be confident, and be proud of who you are. Imagine all of the wonderful things you can do if you don't let anyone stop you! You are enough just how you are.

Sofia is unique, but her message is universal: We all belong. So each spread features beautiful, full-color illustrations of a full cast of kid characters with all kinds of backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.

This book also includes back matter with a brief bio of Sofia and her journey so far, as well as additional information about Down syndrome and how we can all be more accepting, more inclusive, and more kind."

Goodreads - You Are Enough

Welcome back to another week of reviewing books from Scholastic.  This week is a fun and motivational read about being enough, but also about inclusion.  

You Are Enough is a book about a young girl who has Down Syndrome.  She wants everyone to be included, and to know that no matter what difficulty they are facing, they are enough. 

This book has cute illustrations, but it lacks a true storyline.  The book was very repetitive with the message and it felt like the message dragged on longer than it should have.  This is more of a feel-good book than a story.  I think it would be an excellent book to use to teach inclusion.  It would also be great to use when teaching kids that some kids need different supports than others.  But I loved the information about Sofia Sanchez more than the book itself.  The beginning and end of the book has an informational piece about the girl this book is based on.  I wanted to read more of her story and her life than about her "inspirational message".  

The book had illustrations that included people and kids of all races and disabilities.  It pushes an important message of inclusion and being enough as you are.  This would best be used in a lower elementary classroom.  I give this 3 stars.  

Ten Little Birds by 123 Andres

From Goodreads, 

"Count to 10 and back again with Latin Grammy Award-winning children's musical duo 123 Andrés in this bilingual board book!

The popular song from 123 Andrés' Latin Grammy Award-winning album is cleverly and beautifully brought to life in this bright, bouncy board book! Each of the 10 birds is given a fun and silly personality, and children will love to follow along as each flies away -- and escapes a lurking kitty!

123 Andrés are gifted lyricists and storytellers, and this bilingual board book perfectly captures their energy and charm. Pura Belpré Illustration Honor recipient Sara Palacios's gorgeous illustrations elevate the text and make this book a must-have for any home or school library!"

Goodreads - Ten Little Birds

At the beginning of the school year, I applied to be a Scholastic Insider.  I was lucky enough to be picked a few years back and didn't expect to be selected this year.  But I found out around Christmas that I was selected.  But a few months passed with no word or news on when we would be getting our first book.  We finally got an email letting us know they were sending us a BOX of books to read and review.  I was beyond excited.  So over the next few weeks, I will be reading and reviewing the books I received.  Some are picture books, some are novels, and this book happens to be a board book!

Ten Little Birds is a counting book that is told in both English and Spanish.  One side of the page spread has strictly English, while the other side has strictly Spanish.  The book counts the birds as they fly away and then counts again when the birds return. 

This book is very much a Pre-K/Kindergarten level book.  I really like that it had the English and Spanish versions of the story.  This would be fantastic for students who are bilingual and are learning English as a second language.  It would really allow them to work on translating words.  This book is also great for counting.  It focuses on counting down by 2s as the birds fly away.  Then it counts up to how many original birds there were.  The illustrations are beautifully done and the birds stand out against the backgrounds and sky.  I also loved that the birds on the cover have a glossy finish while everything else had a matte finish.  It adds a nice little textile piece to the book.  This book is also based on a song and it could also easily be incorporated into a classroom.  

This book was very cute and would be perfect for toddlers or kindergarten students.  The book is short and it does lack a lot of "storyline", but it is perfect for what it is supposed to do: counting.  My first reaction was to give this book 2 stars because it's a children's book.  But I figured that I can't judge a book just because it isn't a young adult book.  On that note, I will give this 4 stars.  It was an adorable book and would be perfect for young children.  

Ground Zero by Alan Gratz

From Goodreads, 

"In time for the 20th anniversary of 9/11, bestselling author Alan Gratz delivers a breathtaking, multifaceted, and resonant look at this singular event in US history -- and how it still impacts us today.
It's September 11, 2001. Brandon, a 9-year-old boy, goes to work for the day with his dad . . . at the World Trade Center in New York City. When two planes hit the towers, Brandon and his father are trapped inside a fiery nightmare as terror and confusion swirl around them. Can they escape -- and what will the world be like when they do?
In present-day Afghanistan, Reshmina is an 11-year-old girl who is used to growing up in the shadow of war, but she has dreams of peace and unity. When she ends up harboring a wounded young American soldier, she and her entire family are put in mortal danger. But Reshmina also learns something surprising about the roots of this endless war.
With his trademark skill and insight, Alan Gratz delivers an action-packed and powerful story of two kids whose lives connect in unexpected ways, and reminds us how the past and present are always more linked than we think."

Goodreads - Ground Zero

I have become a huge fan of Alan Gratz and his books.  I read Allies a year ago and devoured the book in one sitting.  Gratz has a way of telling a story that keeps you turning the page and wanting more.  He weaves voices together to paint a full picture of the story he is telling.  When I heard that he was releasing a book about 9/11 I was beyond excited.  9/11 was a major historical event.  To this day I do an empathy unit in my classroom as we discuss what happened that day and I tell my students where I was that day and the impact that it had on my life.  This story is the perfect example of an event happening and the aftermath that it caused on everyone. 

Ground Zero is told in two alternating time periods by alternating people.  One story is told by a boy named Brandon who was in the North Tower on September 11th.  Brandon had gotten in trouble at school and had to go to work with his dad that day.  Brandon's dad worked as a chef in the restaurant on the top floor of the North Tower.  Brandon decided to sneak away to buy a new pair of Wolverine gloves after Brandon accidentally broke a friend's pair.  While on the elevator to buy the gloves, the elevator shakes and shudders.  Brandon is soon fighting for his life.  The other story is told by a young girl named Reshmina who lives in present-day Afghanistan.  Reshmina has experienced loss in her life and her family tries to stay safe and protected from the Taliban.  Reshmina worries that her brother will run away to join the Taliban like so many other boys from her village have done.  But one day there are soldiers in the village searching for weapons, and one of the soldiers is an American.  An attack takes place and the American soldier is soon unable to see and asking for help.  Reshmina decides to help the soldier which then puts her entire family in danger.  The entire book is a game of who will survive and who won't make it to see the next day. 

I was initially super irritated at Reshmina's storyline.  The entire time I felt like it had nothing to do with the 9/11 storyline.  I felt like Reshmina's story was dull and boring.  Of course there were exciting things happening, but her storyline just felt out of place in the book.  There were numerous times that I just wanted to skip her chapters and read only Brandon's.  Brandon's story kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.  I wanted to know if Brandon was going to safely get out of the North Tower before the collapse.  And if he did make it out I wanted to know if the people he was escaping with were going to make it too.  I felt like I was living through the actual events that happened that day.  But the entire time I was tired of Reshmina's story until I got to the end of the book.  I realized this was a wrap-around story.  I was blown away by how Gratz connected the two stories in such a flawless fashion.  I loved that surprise twist, but I think I would have also enjoyed just Brandon's story too.  My biggest problem with Gratz's writing style is that I always fall in love with a specific story and just want one piece instead of multiple pieces and viewpoints. 

I don't have any major complaints about this book.  But I will say that I was a little shocked by some of the graphicness of events.  I read Allies and wasn't bothered with people being shot, killed, burned to death, etc.  But there was something about this story that unsettled me.  I think it was because I was alive when this happened and because there are so many videos posted from that day.  One of the big things that really caught me off guard was when Brandon made it to the main lobby and they were being redirected to a different area.  Gratz really hit on the point that people were jumping and that there were bodies all outside of the towers.  It felt like a really graphic moment for a young adult book.  

I really enjoyed this book.  As I mentioned earlier, I would have loved to have had just Brandon's story.  Once the book was over I was okay with Reshmina's story and how they all connected, but I think having just Brandon's story would have been really good.  I also think it would have been really intriguing to have it told from multiple viewpoints much like Allies was told.  I think we could have had viewpoints, thoughts, and discussions from people who were above the impact zone or were making the decision to jump or to stay.  It would have made it a much more intense novel.  I think that anyone who was alive for 9/11 is going to enjoy this book.  I easily give it 5 stars. 

Identical by Ellen Hopkins

From Goodreads, 

"Do twins begin in the womb?
Or in a better place?

Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical down to the dimple. As daughters of a district-court judge father and a politician mother, they are an all-American family—on the surface. Behind the facade each sister has her own dark secret, and that's where their differences begin.

For Kaeleigh, she's the misplaced focus of Daddy's love, intended for a mother whose presence on the campaign trail means absence at home. All that Raeanne sees is Daddy playing a game of favorites—and she is losing. If she has to lose, she will do it on her own terms, so she chooses drugs, alcohol, and sex.

Secrets like the ones the twins are harboring are not meant to be kept—from each other or anyone else. Pretty soon it's obvious that neither sister can handle it alone, and one sister must step up to save the other, but the question is—who?"

Goodreads - Identical

This post is bittersweet since it is the final Friday of April which means poetry month is officially over.  Throughout the year I stay on the lookout for poetry-based books.  I am finding it harder and harder to find poetry/prose books and keep finding myself drawn to Hopkins's books because I know they fit the mold.  This being said, I really want to branch out and find some different authors who focus on poetry.  

Identical is the story of two identical twins, Raeanne and Kaeleigh.  The story rotates between their respective perspectives.  Raeanne is fearless and daring.  She wants all the guys, especially if they are older.  She wants pot and drugs.  She wants love from her father.  Kaeleigh is the opposite.  She is perfectly collected and makes good grades in school.  She doesn't get into trouble.  She wants more of her mother's love and a lot less of her father's.  The two stories are told parallel to each other with very minimal interaction between the two girls until the shocking end of the book. 

Spoiler alerts ahead!!!

I never truly felt connected with Kaeleigh or Raeanne in this book.  The topic of Kaeleigh being sexually abused by her father was rough, no matter which angle you looked at it from.  I felt like I favored Raeanne more than Kaeleigh.  She seemed more confident and sure of herself than Kaeleigh did, for good reason of course.  But I was also frustrated that Raeanne wasn't helping Kaeleigh to stop the abuse.  I was frustrated with all the family members and adults in this book for not stepping in and stopping what was happening.  But as the book continued I realized that one of the two girls would end up attempting or committing suicide.  I did NOT expect Raeanne to have been killed in the car accident years prior.  And I did NOT expect Kaeleigh to be suffering from a disassociative identity disorder.  After Raeanne was killed in the car wreck, Kaeleigh soon started being abused by their father.  Over time Kaeleigh developed another personality, more specifically her dead sister.  I feel that it was almost a coping mechanism, which is mentioned in the book that this usually happens due to childhood trauma or abuse.  I expected a twist, but I didn't expect the entire book to have been told by one person with two personalities.

While I was shocked with the ending, I was displeased with this book.  All of Ellen Hopkins's books are running together and seem to be exactly the same.  To put it simply, I am getting very bored with Ellen Hopkins's writing style.  I feel like she had the big hit with the Crank series and thought she had really found something.  But the books following the hit series lacked depth and details.  I never feel truly connected with any of the characters in the book and there is a complete lack of details.  I feel like she is pushing the bigger message so hard that we miss the details that truly make a story.  And I feel like she has continued to write in the poetry/prose style so avoid having to include details.  I feel like we could save a ton of paper if we stopped breaking sentences up and putting them into funky shapes and patterns.  The copy I read was 565 pages and I feel that it could have easily been condensed to 200 pages if we got rid of the sentence breaks and writing style.  

I think people who really enjoy the writing style of the Crank series will enjoy this as well.  It does have triggers that people need to be aware of before reading.  I am getting exhausted with Hopkins's writing style.  Every book feels exactly the same and sounds exactly the same and has the same underlying themes.  The lack of details makes it difficult for me to separate one book from another.  I give this 2 stars.

Voices from the March on Washington by J. Patrick Lewis & George Ella Lyon

 From Goodreads, 

"This novel-in-verse plunges readers into the heart of the experience of the March on Washington, capturing the emotions of the day from multiple points of view. Throughout this moving, beautifully crafted collection of poems, six “soloists” tell their personal tales of how the March changed them. These voices are interwoven with those of more than 35 others, combining to share one incredible story of that important day. From a woman singing through a terrifying bus ride to DC to a young child riding above the crowd on her father’s shoulders, each voice brings something different and fresh to the story, making the March completely accessible to young readers. Based on extensive research, Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis and highly-lauded poet George Ella Lyon have crafted a unique and beautiful account of this important moment in our history."

Goodreads - Voices from the March on Washington

You may wonder how I'm able to read a book each week.  And my secret is that I don't.  I actually read books, write the reviews, and schedule them for when I want them to post.  For example, this one is a poetry book, and as I write this it is currently the middle of September.  That being said, I think this book is still just as relevant and important as ever. 

Voices from the March on Washington is a series of poems that tell the story of multiple people from August 28, 1963.  They go together to form the outline of a story and the feelings and emotions that were present on that day. 

In the first few poems of this book, I was confused about the "storyline" and why there were so many poems by so many people.  As it progressed I realized that it was simply telling the story of the March on Washington and didn't have a true storyline.  It was more of the emotions and feelings of the day.  The poems display the hunger and excitement for equality for all.  But I think the entire feeling of this book is so important today more than ever.  Just months ago (remember I'm writing this in September), people were rioting in the streets.  They were burning towns and destroying their city for equality and justice for African Americans who had been killed by police.  I'm not taking sides, but I am saying that peace is an option.  Peaceful protest is an oxymoron, but it is an option.  Thousands of African Americans gathered in Washington to peacefully march and stand up for their right as Americans.  They didn't burn buildings.  They didn't loot.  They didn't fight people.  I think that many people need to read this book and see how patience and maturity will push an issue far faster than burning your own city down.  

On the flip side, I think that I would have loved to have had a bit of an actual storyline sprinkled into the book.  The excitement and emotion of the day were great but having more of a storyline would have taken this book to the next level.

This was a good book, but the lack of a storyline was a missed point with me.  I wish that the book would have followed a couple people and would have included chapters for their story so we could really see how the stories weaved together and crossed paths on this day.  I give this 3 stars.  It is highly advised that people read this book to maybe learn that chaos is not always the answer.