January's Sparrow by Patricia Polacco. Philomel Books, 2009, 95 pages.

Patricia Polacco doing what she does best--a fabulous new picture book for older readers--the narrative drawn from real life--in this case, the memoirs of the Michigan based Crosswhite family. A master storyteller, Polacco tells the story of the Crosswhite family's escape from slavery in Kentucky to Michigan on the underground railroad--narrated by January, it is told from young Sadie's point of view. I'm a huge Polacco fan--(can you tell?) and January's Sparrow is Polacco at her best; a warm, personal story of individuals and families dealing with issues of universal importance, full of humor and symbolism, truth and hope. The illustrations are classic Polacco-warm pencil sketches with an emphasis on people, she uses color to great effect. Even the unusual square shape of the book itself enhances the story. the publisher offers a curriculum guide as well. I have already promised it to a 5th grade teacher who cannot wait to get it for her class. Another winner from Polacco--5 of 5--no question.

American Born Chinese by Gene Yang.2006, First Second/Roaring Book. 233 pages

I love graphic memoirs, and American Born Chinese reads like a graphic memoir, even thought it is considered fiction. I don't doubt that Yang put a lot of himself into it. Yang weaves together three seemingly separate and unrelated tales--a contemporary chinese american high schooler, an ugly asian stereotype and a famouse chinese legend, The Monkey King together with universal YA issues of identity and teen angst and comes up with one great graphic novel. Award winner and quick, quirky read-- i loved it and recommend it to all.

Bound by Donna Jo Napoli. Atheneum Books, 2004. 186 pages

Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons. Vintage Books/Random House. 1987, 126 pages.

11 year old Ellen tells her own story of abuse and neglect in mid-20th century North Carolina. Her mother commits suicide to escape her abusive father, and young Ellen learns to take care of herself-- literally putting food on her table and paying bills so she doesn't lose the house and hiding from her Daddy and his drunken friends. Strong implication of sexual abuse--no detailed abuse scenes (this is not A CHILD CALLED IT). Ellen bounces back and forth-past to present-- which is comforting because she is in a new foster home-- a good home-- at the end of the story-- the abuse is significant. Ellen grows through out the story-- sub plot of her only friend, a poor black girl names Starletta- lots of growth there too. A quiet, compelling book, sometimes funny--you really like Ellen-- a strong survivor. Has one of the best opening lines i ever read: "When I was little I would think of ways to kill my daddy."
Good book. Quick Read.

Highway Cats by Janet Taylor Lisle. Philomel Books, 2008, 118 pages.

Feral cats, embittered by their hard life living around a trash strewn highway, learn to work together to stop a cynical politician from building a shopping center over this last piece of open space that they call home. A quick read, great mix of plot and character development dealing with the subject of overdevelopment, trash, abandoned animals and dirty politics while remaining light, and age appropriate. I loved it and am recommending it to good readers, upper elementary, early middle school who are looking for more but not a 500 page epic.

Opuestos: Mexican Folk Art Opposites in English and Spanish by Cynthia Weill. Cinco Puntos, 2009. 34 pages.

Bilingual spanish/english concept book-- beautifully done. Whimsical Oaxacan folk art animal figurines --striking in both color and simplicity-- convey the concept of opposites-- big/tall, large/small, together/apart, etc. Weill has a great eye, not just for art, but for color, and her vibrant color wash backgrounds for the concept figures add punch without adding clutter. Beautifully detailed endpages and borders continue the Mexican folk art motif. Opuestos can also be used for colors, animals, and auditory awareness--an added plus I always look for in concept books. Another winner from Cinco Puntos-- I loved this book. 5 out of 5.

Little Bunny Kung Fu by Regan Johnson. Blooming Tree Press, 2005. 32 pages

Little Bunny Kung Fu has all the elements of a good fractured fairy tale---Where little bunny foo foo was picking up the field mice and bopping them on the head, Little Bunny Kung Fu uses all his martial arts moves and props to destroy the bamboo forest-- no matter how many animals come out to explain how the destruction of the environment hurts them. It isn't until the Dragon comes down to explain in great detail --and with a clear threat to Little Bunny Kung Fu himself-- that our martial arts rabbit learns-- reluctantly-- to respect mother nature. The clean and straightforward charcoal drawings enhance the text and support the asian setting. The deceptively simple verse mirrors the nursery rhyme of old but tells a powerful tale that has even young children roaring with laughter-- Every one loves to watch a bad bunny get his in the end.

**This one was a sleeper that i had overlooked in the picture book section--Thanks to Margaret for recommending it. I love it too!!!