Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Yesterday, I posted some books for younger kids who are in foster care. The thing is, it isn’t just younger kids who are in the foster system. Here are some middle-grade books that have kids who deal with all the hard things about foster care. Hopefully if readers read some of these books, they can see that they aren’t the only ones who have to live through all these hard things. Sometimes life is hard. And sometimes seeing yourself in a book—or at least seeing kids in similar situations in a book—can make all the difference.  Anne of West Philly By Ivy Noelle Weir  Illustrated by Myisha Haynes  Little, Brown and Company, 2022. Graphic Novel. 244 pgs. In this retelling of Anne of Green Gables, Anne comes from foster care to stay with Marilla and Matthew in West Philly. With a nod to all of the original Anne books, Weir and Haynes have put their own spin on some of the events (Minnie May falls off the climbing bars and hurts her ankle or Anne and Diana are in the robotics ...

 Here’s the thing, life can be hard. And sometimes it can be even harder for kids who have to go into foster care. And maybe there are some kids who have friends who are in foster care. Sometimes kids in foster care may feel like they are all alone. These are some books that may help. The books don’t make everything all sunshine and rainbows…but they do show that even though things are hard, there is still some hope that life will be okay and they can get through this hard time. And hope is a gift that can make a difference.  Home for a While  By Lauren Kerstein  Illustrated by Natalia Moore  Magination Press, an imprint of the American Psychological Association, 2021. Picture Book. Calvin is a foster child and has lived in many places. Right now, he lives with Maggie, who offers hugs and emotional support when Calvin has a hard time and doesn’t always do what he should. This book shows children that even if children have a hard time, their foster parents will s...

  Lightfall: The Girl and the Galdurian By Tim Probert New York, NY: HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2020. Graphic Novel. 246 pages. In The Girl and the Galdurian ,   we're first introduced to a pig wizard and his adopted granddaughter Bea who run a tonic and tinctures shop deep in the forest. This stunningly creative adventure begins to take shape as Bea is rescued by Cad, an axolotl-type Galdurian, who is on his way to speak with Bea's grandfather. Upon reaching the shop, the two new friends discover the forgetful pig wizard has wondered off on a mysterious yet dangerous errand. They team up, determined to find him. Their quest leads them across the world of Irpa, through one beautifully imagined landscape after the next. Along the way, a complex back story is hinted at as they are pursued by shadowy bird creatures who seem to be after the endless flame lantern Bea was gifted from her grandfather. Bea and Cad are a engaging duo who will have you cheering ...

  The Lost Ryu By Emi Watanabe Cohen Levine Querido, 2022. Fiction. 208 p. Kohei is a young Japanese boy who somehow has memories of the large Japanese Ryu dragons who disappeared before he was born.  Kohei believes that if he can find a big Ryu then his troubled grandfather, dealing with memories from the war would be happy again.  Armed with his own small and chatty dragon along with a new friend, Isolde, he begins his search for a legendary dragon. This search takes them to the coast and then to a dragon sanctuary where they plan to hatch a dragon egg. During their journey Kohei and Isolde learn a few things about each other and Kohei uncovers some family secrets that were buried long ago.. This fantasy book will appeal to readers who love dragon stories with a historical setting. I really enjoyed the storytelling and how the author used a world tragedy like World War II and added a fantasy element to it. A well paced story with some tough moments but some touching one...

Have you reread Percy Jackson a hundred times? Do you love stories of mythical creatures and teens with secret powers? I definitely do! I love when authors combine history, culture, and myths all into one adventure filled book. If you’re anything like me, you are going to LOVE these books bursting with mythology and magic! Here are a few chapter books that enter into new worlds of mythology. Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom By Sangu Mandanna New York : Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2021. Fiction. 334 pages. This book features a female hero set in the world of Indian mythology. Kiki is an 11-year-old girl who constantly has anxious and worrisome thoughts, but she finds comfort in drawing characters and scenes from Indian myths and legends. One day, her drawings come to life, including the evil deity who wants to destroy the world. Read this book to discover if Kiki can overcome her anxiety and fear as she seeks to save the world. Paola Santiago and the River of Tears By ...

  Space Explorers By: Libby Jackson Beyond Words, 2021. Informational. The universe has always fascinated humans, but only a few have been daring enough to travel beyond the surface of the Earth. From the first man and woman in space to the moon landings to building the International Space Station in orbit, the history of space exploration is filled with peril, bravery, and strokes of genius. Mysteries of the Universe By: Lela Nargi Capstone Press, 2021. Informational. Has the universe always existed? Scientists have looked further into space and discovered the galaxies moving. Were they once closer together? If scientists look far enough, can they discover where our universe started? Budding astronomers will learn all about the universe in the in-depth look at space science. The Little Spacecraft That Could: New Horizons' Amazing Journey to Pluto and Arrokoth By: Joyce Lapin Sterling Children's Books, 2021. Informational. Ride along with the New Horizons spacecraft as she rock...

Read in Toddler Time Behold! A Baby By Stephanie Watson Illustrated by Joy Ang New York : Bloomsbury, 2015. Picture Book. A loving father reveals a baby's fantastic feats (smiling, eating a banana, babbling) that cause adults to go insane with joy and wonder. The only audience member who remains unimpressed? His big brother.--Publisher Read in Preschool Time I Don't Like Birthday Parties Written by Maureen Gaspari  Illustrated by Siski Kalla London : Welbeck Children's Books, 2021. Picture Book. More than anything, Lucas wants to enjoy birthday parties like his friends... but he is overwhelmed by all of the sights, sounds and sensations that come with celebrations. When he gets invited to a birthday party for his friend, he makes a brave plan to join in, thinking that he should act like everyone else. But when his plan fails, a new friend teaches him that there is more than one way to enjoy a birthday party... and that's perfectly fine.--Publisher Read in Preschool Time...

  The Inflatables in Bad Air Day By Beth Garrod & Jess Hitchman Illustrated by Chris Danger Scholastic Inc., 2022. Intermediate. 120 pages.  If you love a good pun, you need to read this book because it is full of so many good ones. This story follows a flock of inflatables at Have a Great Spray Water Park. The Flamingo inflatable is destined to be a star because they have S.T.A.R. written in sharpie on them (which is totally not their old owner's initials). When they learn that a new wave pool is opening up at the water park, they devise a plan to get flamingo in front of the cameras and press that will be at the grand opening. They come up with a plan that involves deflating, an ice cream truck, and avoiding cats with sharp claws perfect for popping inflatables. This books is absolutely hilarious. I love books that actually make me laugh out loud and this book did many times. This would be a great read for fans of The Bad Guys series.

Each year in the United States, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 - October 15. To help you celebrate this year, here are five of my favorite books from Hispanic authors that are held in both our English and Spanish collections. So whichever language you would like to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in, check out one of these great titles! Tía Fortuna's New Home El Nuevo Hogar de Tía Fortuna Written by Ruth Behar Illustrated by Devon Horzwarth Alfred A. Knophf, 2022. Picture Book. In this picture book, Estrella helps her aunt move out of her little pink casita in Miami. Tía Fortuna has to move her things into the "La Casa de los Viejitos" before her beloved home is torn down. As Estrella is helping her aunt pack her things, she learns more about Tía Fortuna's journey from Cuba, and in turn learns more about her own history and heritage. This is a great pick for a discussion about immigrating to a new country and how culture and family history ca...

Berry Song By Michaela Goade New York: Little, Brown and Co., 2022. Picture book. On the edge of the wild sea in Alaska, a young Tlingit girl and her grandmother forage for wild berries on their island. The pair wanders into the forest discovering all kinds of berries -- salmonberries, cloudberries, blueberries, nagoonberries, and more. As they do, they are careful to say thank you -- Gunalchéesh!-- to the land for taking care of them. When the weather gets colder, we see the family at home making syrups and marmalades and pies and crisps out of the berries they have harvested. Caldecott winning illustrator Michaela Goade, who is a member of the Tlingit nation, creates a lush and lustrous picture book with poetic text that speaks to the connection between people and the land. The book bears also the reminder to protect our land for the future. The message of connectedness between people and nature is enriched by truly gorgeous illustrations on each page -- brightly colored, rich, a...

As man's best friend, dogs are living the high life.  In poll after poll asking which is better, cats or dogs,  dogs come out on top.  So it's not a surprise that there's no shortage of fun books portraying and praising our canine pals.   If you've had a ruff day, these     paw-some picks are sure to lift your spirits! Two Dogs By Ian Falconer Harper Collins Publisher, 2022. Picture Book. Two dachshunds get into heaps of trouble when their owners leave and they manage to escape to the backyard.  Dogs Love Cars Written by Leda Schubert Illustrated by Paul Meisel Candlewick Press, 2021. Picture Book. Two Dogs on a Trike Written by Gabi Snyder Illustrated by Robin Rosenthal Abrams Appleseed, 2020. Picture Book. Dogs at Work Written by Margaret Cardillo Illustrated by Zachariah OHora Harper Collins Publisher, 2021. Picture Book. You may have wondered what your dog does while your gone at school or work all day.  Did you ever think they might...

Splash!: Ethelda Bleibtrey Makes Waves of Change Written by Elisa Boxer Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley Ann Arbor, MI : Sleeping Bear Press, 2022. Biography.  When Ethelda was a young girl she got polio, which made it really difficult for her to walk and move. Her doctor suggested that she try swimming and she loved the feeling of freedom the water gave to her. Ethelda went on to have a huge impact on changing laws that had to do with women and swimming and also helped children with other diseases like her, to be able to find solace in swimming. She won multiple gold medals in the Olympics and overcame many obstacles. This picture book biography is perfect for sports fans and readers who like books about overcoming hardships to accomplish greatness. The illustrations are beautiful and show the emotions of each individual so well. This empowering book has messages of using your influence for good to change the world. 

Lost Treasures By Cynthia O'Brien New York: Crabtree Publishing Company, 2015. Informational. 32 pgs. Stories of lost treasures have been told since ancient times, passed along by storytelling or on maps and scribbled notes. This exciting book describes some of the dangerous journeys--and sometimes remarkable finds--made by treasure hunters throughout history. Find out about lost pirate gold, treasure protected by an Egyptian pharaoh's curse, a fortune in ancient Roman coins found by a farmer's son with a metal detector, and more! Treasure Hunters By David Stephens New York: PowerKids Press, 2013. Informational. 32 pgs. The search for treasure has been going on for centuries. Readers will dive into the world of treasure hunting, discovering facts about sacred tombs, the gold rush, and shipwrecks. Easy-to-understand text and colorful photographs explore treasures as simple as a gold coin and as intricate as an Egyptian burial mask. Gold and Silver, Silver and Gold By Alvin S...

Read in Toddler Time It's an Orange Aardvark! By Michael Hall New York, NY : Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2014. Picture Book. Five carpenter ants at home in their tree stump hear a noise. What is it? One ant thinks it is a hungry aardvark lurking outside the stump, just waiting to eat them. One ant makes a hole in the stump to see. Orange light floods the stump--it's not an aardvark, proclaims the ant chorus. It's orange! So what is lurking outside the stump? This very funny picture book features die-cut holes on almost every page, suspenseful page turns, a wonderful surprise ending, and an introduction to a rainbow of colors.--Publisher Read in Preschool Time Astronaut Training  Written by Aneta Cruz Illustrated by Olivia Aserr New York : Boyds Mills Press, 2021. Picture Book.  Astrid is training to go to space! But as she builds her shuttle, cooks astronaut food, and practices floating in zero gravity, Dad tells Astrid that the ship's cons...