The Other Side of Tomorrow by Tina Cho illustrated by Deb JJ Lee*

 Two children in North Korea share their separate stories of pain, fear, and torment. Their lives are joined when Myungee saves Yunho from doing something that could place his life in peril. Even though they go separate ways that day, they encounter each other in China, from which they eventually escape to the United States. 

This graphic novel reveals the horrors of communism, especially in North Korea and also what refugees must endure. 

Although God and His love are given as a source of hope, the book focuses mostly on their lives in North Korea, their escape, and integration into the U.S. Some of the people who help them escape are Christians. It appears from a quick online search that the author is a Christian.

The artwork is powerful and expressive.

*Highly recommend for junior high and older. See warnings. 

Warnings/discuss: communism, government torture, cruelty, oppression  The artist describes herself as  trans nonbinary in her biography on the book jacket. None of her lifestyle choices is promoted or displayed in her artwork for this novel.

-Borrowed from the library.

Tales from Maple Ridge #6 The New Kid by Grace Gilmore illustrated by Petra Brown

 Oswald Robbins, who wants to be called Wally, is a new kid in the Maple Ridge one room schoolhouse, making the total number of students an odd 21. Judging him from his looks and mannerisms, the students label him as odd and suspicious. When a coveted book goes missing from the brand new school library, Wally is the number one suspect. Fortunately, Logan wants to investigate and makes a new a friend.

I liked this story the best out of the five I have read in this series.

Discuss: judging others, welcoming new & different people to a group, jumping to conclusions

-Borrowed from the library.

When Paul Revere Rode by Sarah L. Thomson illustrated by Nik Henderson*

Voices from the First Night of the American Revolution

Ms. Thomson unveils various other people, several unnamed, who assist Paul Revere and his ride to warn the colonist that The Regulars (NOT the British, the colonist considered themselves British , so Paul Revere would not have used that word to describe them. The colonists called them The Regulars) were planning to attack. Before each poem, she introduces the person and their connection to the evening. She also indicates the  approximate time and date when this person's role occurred. Quotes from the person are included. After the main poetical text, she reveals even more information about each narrator.

I liked how Ms. Henderson illustrated in mostly in hues of blue and in a smudgy style to create a mood of night and not being able to see precisely.

A great book to read when studying this event in history.

A teacher could have their students take a point of time in history, research the individuals involved, and then create poems from their points of view to retell the event. It would be a hefty endeavor (& maybe not realistic?).

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

This Is Orange by Rachel Poliquin illustrated Julie Morstad

 A Field Trip Through Color

When was the word "orange" first mentioned? What is the word's origin? These questions and more will be addressed in this oversized picture book.

I thought its organization was lacking. Initially, the author presents orange's etmology. Then she discusses how to mix red/yellow to make orange. Then art featuring the color orange, fruit that has orange pigmentation, birds with orange markings, International Orange suits, structures that include orange. . . and other random facts. I perceive some subtle transitions but overall, I feel the organization is a bit disjointed/random. Maybe more artistic personalities will appreciate this format. My Type-A personality struggles with it. I, however, still enjoyed the book and the unique facts it presents!

-Borrowed from the library.

Tales from Maple Ridge #5 Lost in the Blizzard by Grace Gilmore illustrated by Petra Brown

 Even though it is still fall, the Pryce family begins to "winterize", preparing for winter. Tess observes how frantically the squirrels have been gathering and storing nuts lately and predicts winter is coming soon. The oldest brother Drew scoffs at her conclusion. A blizzard does blast into their town while Drew is in the forest finding firewood. Logan utilizes his newfound knowledge of a homemade compass to find him.

I like how in each book Logan is working on something in his Fix-It Shop. This hobby reinforces the importance of being innovative and being creative and also being a problem-solver. 

Consideration/discuss: When Logan's mom asks where Drew is, Logan lies because he doesn't want to ruin Drew's surprise of bringing in a lot of fireword. Drew's job is to find trees, chop them for firewood, and haul the wood back to the house. He had found a huge tree and was excited to surprise the parents with a huge load of firewood. He had told Logan not to tell because he wanted to surprise the family. So once again, lying seems to be almost justified. Good topic to discuss with children-is this wrong? What could Logan had done differently? Logan does not get into trouble for lying in the previous book nor in this book.

-Borrowed from the library.

Seven Ways to Trick a Troll by Lise Lunge-Larsen illustrated by Kari Vick

 Ms. Larsen explains that according to the ancient Norse story,  our world was created from the enormous frost giant, Ymir, the father of all trolls. Even though trolls are extinct, she claims that you can find parts of them in creation. The bulk of the book is dedicated in sharing how one can trick a troll through old Nordic tales retellings. 

Kids will love hearing these short, clever stories. My oldest son would have loved this book as a preschooler/early elementary student!

Considerations/discussions: How was the world truly created, Did trolls ever exist?

-Borrowed from the library.

The Singing Ringing Tree retold by Selina Hastings illustrated by Louise Brierley

 A Princess, spoiled by her doting father, thinks only of herself and demands that her every desire be fulfilled. Men look at her and fall immediately in love with her. She views no one worthy of herself, of course! One day a Prince proposes to her and lays a casket of pearls at her feet. She overturns the casket, causing pearls to spill all over the floor. The only way she will marry this Prince is if he brings her the Singing Ringing Tree. He travels many miles and discovers the tree. An ugly Dwarf guards the tree. He allows the Prince to take the tree. But if the Princess refuses to marry him, they must return to him under his power and in whatever form he selects. The Princess refuses. . . .

I did not enjoy the style of  the illustrations. 

This legend has its roots in Germany & Slavic folk and fairy tales.

-Borrowed via ILL.