New books are blooming! Check out this new bumper crop!
Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros is a terrific new book told from two points of view-Marco and Isaac. They've been best friends since kindergarten, but are really different kinds of people. They each live with their mothers, Marco's dad has been out of the picture for awhile. He has a new family and often posts pictures on social media of the new family but is highly critical of Marco. Isaac's dad has only recently left the family home and is struggling with a drinking problem. Issac is an excellent athlete and Marco is more studious. Marco is also very short, which makes him a target for bullies. As they start middle school, they are each wondering if they will remain friends. On the first day, they each people they identify with strongly-Isaac finds the basketball team and Marco finds a group of coders but they also find allies in the other's group-Marco is rescued from the school bully by some of Isaac's new basketball buddies and the coders help Isaac out of a problem he's having. Ultimately, they support each other to help each move forward in their relationships with their dads as well as their own friendship. This is a wonderful story about friendship and bullying and having each other's backs. I think the kids are going to love this one.
The second one is historical fiction. It's called Yonder by Ali Standish. Ali has written a number of books including The Mending Summer and the Ethan I was Before but this is the first one of her's I've read and it was terrific! It's set in Foggy Gap, NC in the 1940s. Foggy Gap is a small mountain community that is struggling with some big issues. Danny is the storyteller of this lovely tale. He lives with his very pregnant mother. His dad is off fighting in World War 2 and he worries about Dad a lot. His mom is due to give birth to the second child in their family shortly and Danny worries about not being an only child any more. He is often bullied by other boys in town and is rescued almost as often by a bigger boy named Jack. In a flashback, Danny tells about a day when Jack comes to the newspaper office where Danny's dad is the editor. Jack has been badly beaten and was looking for the doctor. They find the doctor and Jack explains that his dad was the one who had done the beating. For Jack's safety, they agree that Jack should come and stay with Danny's family until he heals. Danny LOVES having a big brother and he and Jack become close friends. But Jack's dad comes looking for him, and Jack goes back home. There are big gigantic themes in this one of racism, patriotism, and bravery that will give readers lots of opportunities for discussion and conversation. Ultimately, it's a really great story and I was sorry when it was over! I think kids and teachers are going to love this one.
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