BookEvalNJ

Recent Reviews

The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol

★★★★

Nate Gadol helps families stretch a little more of what they've got and Nate especially likes one immigrant family whom he helps several times as they struggle to make ends meet in the United States. He even meets up with Santa Claus one Christmas Eve and the two mythological characters are able to help each other out and make their believers have a special holiday. The author has created a kind-hearted helper who just wants everyone to get by a little bit easier. Illustrations are large and colorful and kids of any faith are sure to appreciate this kind figure.

Reviewed by Alison M.

Shoshi's Shabbat

★★★★★

Delightful Jewish tale of an ox that lived many years ago near Jerusalem with its owner. They would plow the field six days a week and rest on the seventh - the Shabbat. Things changed, however, when the Jewish farmer sold the ox to a farmer who was not a Jew and didn't understand why Shoshi ,the name of the ox, refused to plow on the sabbat Finally, the new owner came to understand and appreciate the concept of the sabbath and why Shoshi also rested on the shabbat. Illustrations also bring to life this warm story of Shoshi and the sabbath. Together, the story is ideal for young children to learn and understand about different cultures and at the same time appreciate and love both nature and the animals that live in it. I give it four stars.

Reviewed by Robert L.

Bros

★★★★

Simple, easy to read text that supports and illustrates ALL the various activities little boys do like laugh, create, cry, play and care. The illustrations show how young boys bond over doing things together and can achieve anything. Great book for every African American family and all classrooms.

Reviewed by Maria C.

Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy

★★★★★

I really enjoyed this book. It was a good coming of age story about a 7th grade "lizard boy" from beneath the earth who had to come up to the surface in order to survive with his family. He has to learn how to live on the surface while navigating middle school. Luckily, he makes two friends with other outcasts (2 new students who are just a little different from everyone else, and we all know how that can turn out in middle school). He goes through some hiccups, but it works out in the end, as he learns to not try to fit in so much and just be himself.

Reviewed by Leala A.

Trouble Finds Plum!

★★★★

"Trouble Finds Plum" is a fun-filled addition to the "Leave it to Plum" series, in which a kind and friendly peacock stands up to a mean gang of raccoons who have taken over the zoo where he and his friends live. After a few other plots are foiled, Plum shows compassion toward the leader of the raccoons and they are able to settle their differences amicably. Minimal parts of the story are told exclusively through black-and-white illustrations, but most of the illustrations are supplemental. This book is ideal for emerging readers who have just begun reading chapter books, as it introduces new vocabulary and information within the context of an engaging and fun story.

Reviewed by Justine F.

When You Were New

★★

A caregiver lists out the small, everyday things their child learned when they were very young that the child may have forgotten they haven't always known. This book is written for the caregiver, not for the child. As such, it is a beautiful commentary on how important and impactful our everyday experiences can be, but it is not the kind of book that will likely hold a child's attention past the first few pages.

Reviewed by Justine F.

Oh, Are You Awake?

★★★★

This is a silly, fun book with charming illustrations. However, I will admit that I got a little confused at times. I did not understand who was dreaming at the beginning nor where the noise was coming from (real or imagined?) It took me a few times to read it to catch on. I think that the comprehension level is a little higher than the text and illustrations seem to be. Still, the pictures alone are enough to make it enjoyable and perhaps a nice book for a child who has difficulty going to be or falling asleep.

Reviewed by Elizabeth H.

Cosmic Collisions: Asteroid vs. Comet

★★★★★

A great book for elementary school children on asteroids, comets and related space wonders. The author and illustrator introduce these cosmic marvels in a unusual, but interesting and exciting way. Beside explaining what comets and asteroids are, the author builds up the excitement by having a collision between each of them and makes us wonder which would likely survive the impact. As they travel toward each other, the author and illustrator explain in words and illustrations the physical features of each object and their past and present existence. The excitement and learning builds up from page to page until the climax occurs - the final collision! Though curiously and suspense the author knows how to stir up interest among children as they go from page to page right up to the climax. This unique approach to learning science is different and exciting for children - a great way for them to remember and learn. I give it five stars!

Reviewed by Robert L.

The Lodge That Beaver Built

★★★

interesting and informative without being teacher and preachie. Easy red and understanding for all . Never knewjust how buy a beavers life could be. Illustration are beautiful and beautiful and calming in soft watercolor colors.

Reviewed by Mary R.

A Life of Service: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth

★★★★★

An inspirational picture biography of Senator Tammy Duckworth. The story takes us through the life of a Thai American from a challenging childhood until serving as the first Thai American woman elected to Congress. Tammy Duckworth dreamed of serving her country. She became the commander of Company B of the 106 Aviation Unit of the Illinois Army National Guard. There were few combat positions for women in aviation. She learned to fly Black Hawk helicopters. November 12, 2004, her Black Hawk helicopter was shot down by a grenade blast in Iraq. Her life would never be the same. The blast had destroyed both of her legs and injured her right arm. She was the highest-ranking amputee in the hospital and soldiers came to her to help them. Tammy started making calls to elected officials to help the veterans receive the healthcare and treatment they deserved. A senator from her home state of Illinois urged her to run for the US House of Representatives. She lost in the first election but tried again and won in 2012. In 2016, she was elected to the US Senate becoming the first Thai American woman to serve in Congress, the first female amputee, and the first woman with a disability to serve in Congress. Christina Soontornvat is an acclaimed author. She is the 2021 Newbery Honor winner for A Wish in the Dark and 2021 Newbery Honor for All Thirteen. I highly recommend this highly inspirational biography of an Asian American woman who faced incredible odds throughout her life and dedicated her life to serving others. The book contains a timeline of major life events, a list of ongoing legacy of service, and other resources to learn more about Tammy Duckworth.

Reviewed by Meg F.

A Grand Idea: How William J. Wilgus Created Grand Central Terminal

★★★★★

This is a grand book which gives life to a man who never received full credit for his ideas to create an underground multilevel train station - Grand Central Station! this is another welcome example of the power of books and stories. The story is told in very simple language and with beautiful illustrations. Hoyt includes a very useful timeline, bibliography, fact sheet and more biographical information on Wilgus. It was a great story of the power of an idea and what great effect an idea can have. Wilgus gives credit to all who worked on making Grand Central. And also shows the reader how beauty was an important element of this creation, not just utility. Another positive was including the story about saving this structure when certain forces wanted to tear it down. At the same time, it was great that Hoyt did not cover up the negative part of the story which involved the power and influence of wealth and celebrity in life. Wilgus did not receive the full thanks in his life that he deserved because of this reality. Besides being a great general read, this wonderful book for children would serve as a source for a biography assignment and a good read for those who are involved in STEM activities.

Reviewed by Elizabeth H.

Bath Time Physics (Big Science for Tiny Tots)

★★★★

Fun board book to read aloud to your infant before bath time, then follow the green boxes for activities and absorb the physics with the definitions in the yellow boxes. The double page photos depict children and families of many races enjoying the water play. But don't take the book to the bath as it is a traditional hard paged board book.

Reviewed by Sally R.

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Recent Reviews

The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol

★★★★

Shoshi's Shabbat

★★★★★

Bros

★★★★

Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy

★★★★★

Trouble Finds Plum!

★★★★

When You Were New

★★

Oh, Are You Awake?

★★★★

Cosmic Collisions: Asteroid vs. Comet

★★★★★

The Lodge That Beaver Built

★★★

A Life of Service: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth

★★★★★

A Grand Idea: How William J. Wilgus Created Grand Central Terminal

★★★★★

Bath Time Physics (Big Science for Tiny Tots)

★★★★