Jacqueline Jules

It's not just about Pluto (even if Pluto thinks it is). It's about science.

Pluto is pretty upset. He's gotten kicked out of the big league of planets, and now he's just a dwarf planet, out in the Kuiper belt. Even his moon, Charon, can't comfort him. Pluto wants answers! Fortunately, they're at a museum and with a little research they're going to get those answers. Or are they?

Roman's colorful cartoons, presented in comic panels, take readers through multiple scientific changes, from the show more earth being demoted from center of the universe to the controversy over apatosaurus vs. brontosaurus. As Pluto and Charon travel through the museum's exhibits, they learn about how scientists learn new things over the ages, update their findings, and discover new things about the universe, including space. When Pluto discovers he has a sister dwarf planet - Eris - he decides that maybe scientists - and the world - think he's special after all, even if he isn't a big planet.

Extensive back matter explains in depth about the history of scientific research into the solar system, dinosaurs, germs, why scientists study rocks, and more. There is also a glossary, further reading, and websites. Bonus points for the depiction of scientists of different races and genders! Check out the author's website for a reader's theater activity for the book, a great choice for homeschool or small classroom use!

Verdict: This is so much more than just a graphic picture book about Pluto - it's a simple but fun introduction to how scientists learn new things and the importance of asking questions. Hand to teachers introducing astronomy, museums, or research, to kids who are interested in planets, and to young readers looking for simple graphic novels.

ISBN: 9781633224612; Published June 2018 by Seagrass Press/Quarto Group; Review copy provided by the author; Donated to the library show less

Tuyet is excited to celebrate Thanksgiving at home, but dismayed that her Vietnamese-American family's feast will involve duck, rather than the more traditional turkey. She tries to convince her mother and grandmother that this is Turkey Day, just like she learned at school, but is informed in return that her family prefers duck. Tuyet too enjoys duck, and has a good time with her cousins on Thanksgiving Day itself. But what will she tell her teacher and classmates, when they discuss their show more holiday celebrations...?

With its story of a young Asian-American girl struggling to reconcile her expectations regarding the American celebration of a particular holiday with her immigrant family's own traditions, Duck for Turkey Day reminded me a bit of the middle-grade novel, Peiling and the Chicken-Fried Christmas, about a Chinese-American girl and her longing for a "real" American Christmas. The story here is sweet, and the conclusion heartwarming, leading young reader/listeners to the idea that there is no one true way to celebrate Thanksgiving (or any other holiday), and that the day isn't really about the food you eat, but the feelings you have, and the people with whom you celebrate. The artwork from illustrator Kathryn Mitter is colorful and cute - well-matched to the story. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories that feature diverse ways of celebrating Thanksgiving. show less

A friend put me on to this series and I absolutely loved it! I've always been sad that I couldn't get any kids to get into Jules' Zapato Power series. I'm not sure why - the covers are a little bland maybe. But Sofia Martinez, oh I can booktalk this one!

Sofia is the youngest of the three Martinez sisters. Everyone says she and her sisters, Luisa and Elena look alike. But Sofia wants to look different! A family get-together gives her an idea and in her next school picture Sofia will show more definitely stand out of the crowd!

The pictures are colorful and attractive. Sofia is an enthusiastic, bouncy little girl whose personality shines through both the words and pictures. The art picks up the changing emotions of the simple story and gives the reader glimpses into Sofia's warm and busy family.

The text is intermediate, what I'd call a level 2 or 3 in my library, perfect for kindergarten up through 2nd grade. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout the text in bright pink. The meaning is easy to pick out from the context, but there's also a helpful glossary in the back. Several discussion questions are also included.

I've been looking for more realistic easy readers and Sofia's Latina identity is just the icing on top of the cupcake. Kids will empathize with her dilemma and giggle over her solution. The text is smoothly written and the Spanish integrated so that it won't disrupt the reading experience, whether or not kids know what the words mean. Sassy pictures and a depiction of a caring, happy family round out a very nice start to a new easy reader series.

Verdict: Picture Window only offers paperback or library binding, but the $15 price tag is quite reasonable and definitely worth it to add a little diversity and a fun new series to your easy reader section. Highly recommended.

ISBN: 9781479857738; Published 2015 by Picture Window/Capstone; Borrowed from another library in my consortium show less

The Ziz, a fabled bird from Jewish folklore said to be so large his wings could block out the sun, accidentally destroys a children's vegetable garden when he isn't looking where he is going one day. Although sometimes clumsy, he is never malicious, and is immediately worried by the fact that he has ruined the garden - a mistake he can't put right. Seeking advice from God, the Ziz is instructed to search the world for the hardest word, but although he flies back and forth, and returns with show more many difficult words, he can't seem to find the right one. Admitting defeat, he says "sorry," thereby discovering the hardest word, and a tool he can use to make restitution for the harm he has caused...

Based upon the Hasidic legend The Tear of Repentance, The Hardest Word: A Yom Kippur Story offers an entertaining and ultimately heartwarming examination of the central theme of Yom Kippur: repentance and restitution for one's wrongdoing. Author Jacqueline Jules' story is engaging, and is presented in a way that will be relatable for children (and perhaps also adults), many of whom do indeed find saying "sorry" to be difficult. The accompanying artwork from illustrator Katherine Janus Kahn, who is also responsible for the illustrations in the Sammy Spider series about the Jewish holidays, is bright and appealing. I liked the use of color here, and the incorporation of words into the visuals, in the later scenes in the book. Apparently this title was selected by the PJ Library, a non-profit organization that sends free Jewish-themed children's books to Jewish families in the US, Canada and more than a dozen other countries, as part of their collection. This program, inspired by Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which has sent over 100 million free books to needy children since its inception.

Both sound like worthy projects indeed! The Hardest Word: A Yom Kippur Story is one I would Recommend to picture-book readers looking for Yom Kippur stories. It could also be used as a Sukkot story, as the vegetables in the garden are intended for the children's sukkahs. show less