Book Trailer: "Exclamation Mark"

"Exclamation Mark" by Amy Krouse Rosenthal is a story of how being yourself is a whole lot more satisfying than just trying to fit it.  This book is recommended for students in first grade and older or children who are learning about punctuation.  It's great for fans of Spoon, Chopsticks or Little Hoot.  It's okay to stand out!

--Angie R., Headquarters

Staff Review: "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio

In "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio, August Pullman is nervous about starting fifth grade. Really, really nervous. Which makes sense, since he's only been homeschooled until now. Like all kids, Auggie is afraid that he won't make any friends, that he'll never fit in. And he may be right. Because Auggie is very different from every other kid. You see, August has multiple facial deformities that cause people to stare, make fun, and be frightened of him.

Needless to say, Auggie makes a big impression at his new school, and the going isn't easy. He has to deal with bullies, friends who make mistakes, and a game called "the plague." And while Auggie adjusts to school, his older sister, Via, navigates her first year of high school alone.

Through the eyes of several different characters in the book, R.J. Palacio sensitively documents the agony and growth of not just an ordinary-extraordinary boy, but of his whole family and school during one year. Recommended for all middle-grade to middle school readers.

--Andrea W., H.Q.

P.S. To reserve more books on kids struggling to fit in at school and dealing with family issues, click on the pictures below.

reaching for sun by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

Trouble by Gary D. Schmidt

out of my mind by Sharon M. Draper

Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze by Alan Silberberg

Staff Review: "Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match" by Monica Brown

There is, unfortunately, a time in every child's life when they feel ashamed of who they are for whatever reason. Thankfully, there are many wonderful books about embracing your identity, and Monica Brown has given us a delightful new installment to the catalog in "Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match".

Marisol McDonald doesn't match at all. She has brown skin and red hair, loves to wear all colors at the same time, and signs her name in both cursive and print. And she's totally okay with that until she starts getting teased for her un-matchiness. So the next day at school, Marisol wears all the same color, plays only one thing at a time, and has a plain old peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead of her usual peanut butter and jelly burrito. And Marisol is sad. But thanks to a kind note from her teacher and her loving parents, Marisol realizes that not matching is just great.

Not only is this one of the best picture books that I've read about being a bi-racial child (Marisol is Peruvian-Scottish-American), it is also the best bi-lingual picture book (the text is in English and Spanish) that I have ever read. The story is engaging, the pictures are vibrant and celebratory, and the message is not heavy-handed. Marisol is an adorable character that I would love to have at Story time every week. 

--Andrea W., H.Q.