Wolf in The Snow

This picture book illustrated by Matthew Cordell won the 2018 Caldecott Award.  It is virtually a wordless book, with the exception of some animal whines and howls.   It is a sweet story of a girl and a wolf pup, both lost in a snow storm.   When she returns the pup to its pack, she is exhausted and can't get home.  The pack then reciprocates and helps her.  (PIC COR)

The Bad Guys

This is the first in a hilarious new early-reader series about a group of well-known bad guys - the wolf, a shark, a piranha, and a snake - who want to redefine themselves and start doing good deeds.  It is an easy, quick read that it heavily illustrated and packed with sarcasm and bathroom humor.  It will be a very popular series with my students.  (E BLA)

Dear, Girl

This BEAUTIFUL picture book about empowering young girls took my breath away!  Written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, it is a gospel for girls to be whoever they want to be.  Cut your hair or don't cut your hair.  Say no.  Find people like you and not like you.  It should be a required gift for every pink baby shower.
(PIC ROS)

Hello, Universe

This is the 2018 Newbery Medal winner by Erin Entrada Kelly.  It revolves around three children, each very different from the other.  Alex is a shy boy.  Kaori is a unique girl who thinks she can predict the future.  Valencia is strong, independent, and deaf.  A bully's action causes their paths to cross and changes their lives from that point on.
Listen and speak to the universe.  Never give up.  Accept others for their differences.  Stand up for yourself.  All these messages come through in this realistic fiction novel.  (FIC KEL)

See You In The Cosmos

I ADORED THIS BOOK!  Alex is an 11-yr-old boy who loves science and rockets.  He sets out on his own to go to a rocket-launch event with his model rocket.  (His mom is having one of her "quiet" periods, so she won't mind if he goes.  He stocked the fridge for her.)  He wants to send a recording with it into space so aliens will know what we are like.  The book is told through his rambling recordings.  His quest does not go as planned, as you can imagine, but along the way, he discovers the kindness of strangers and even family.  He realizes what family, bravery and love truly are.  I loved the characters, the format and especially the quirky protagonist, Alex.  It was a bit mature in spots - comments about puberty and mental illness. (FIC CHE) 

Roxie and the Hooligans

This is not a new book, but it was new to me.  Written by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, author of Shiloh, it is a very quick read about a girl with big ears who is bullied by a band of kids at her school.  When they all get stranded on an island with some thieves, though, Roxie is the one who keeps her wits about her and saves the day.  (FIC NAY)

Just Like Jackie

This is a beautiful story by first time author, Lindsey Stoddard.  A spunky, bi-racial girl named Robbie is being raised by her grandfather. She is smart and tough. She stands up for herself and her friend against the school bully.  However, she struggles keeping her anger in check.  She wants her questions about her past answered, but her Grandfather keeps forgetting things. She is scared about what that may mean for them. At its core, it is a realistic fiction story about family and finding the good within people.  I loved Robbie's automotive references, and although there were some harsh words in the book (crap, stupid, effing) they were appropriate for 5th grade.  (FIC STO)