Picture Book Pick: Mermaid and Pirate

 

Mermaid and Pirate

by Tracy Baptiste

Illustrated by Leisl Adams 

Algonquin Young Readers 

2023

32 pages

ISBN: 9781643750774

Colorful illustrations by Liesl Adams come to life in this big-hearted gem of a picture book. 

A huge storm comes up at sea, and the pirate loses his ship's mast. The mermaid sees the mast break and swims to save it. The pirate casts his net to save the mast, and is shocked when he pulls in not only the broken mast but a mermaid. They both say hello in their different languages. 

A huge shark approaches, but the mermaid turns it away, saving the pirate's life. They retrieve the mast but it can't be repaired. Another ship approaches, and its captain spots what he thinks is a mermaid. The pirate assures him that it's only his broken mast, saving the mermaid from being captured. The pirate says goodbye to the mermaid and they part as special friends. 

The pirate's boat is towed to shore. Days later, the ship is seaworthy again, and the pirate sails to the horizon, searching. The mermaid sits on a rock singing, searching the horizon until she spots a familiar ship. She swims to meet her friend again. They swim together to the setting sun. 

What a lovely, precious book about inclusiveness, friendship, belonging and kindness. Even though we all may speak a different language doesn't mean we can't understand and help each other. A must have for every child. 

Highly recommended ages 2 and up. 

MG Pick: Finch House

 

Finch House

by Ciera Burch

Margaret K. McElderry Books

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

2023

208 pages 

ISBN: 9781665930543

Available September 5, 2023

Finch House is atmospheric, moody, and ghostly. A true treasure for any tween reader who loves a great ghost story with a creaky, scary mansion. 

Eleven-year old Micah is sad to be leaving Poppop's house and moving an hour away. Her favorite thing in the world is "thrifting" with her grandfather. They drive around and search for great stuff left on the curb before the waste trucks pick it up. 

Poppop assures Micah change happens and change is a chance to grow. Not assured, Micah goes on a long bike ride to assuage her problem. She bikes down to Finch House, a decrepit Victorian mansion that Poppop told her to stay away from. This day, Finch House is different. It's all fixed up and back to its grand glory. Someone has moved in and fixed the entire mansion. Micah is spooked when a boy pops up from a snowpile. His name is Theo and he's the new resident. Micah sees a box for VHS tapes and asks if she can take it away. Theo agress, and Micah phones Poppop to come pick her  and the box up. 

Poppop looks terrified when he pulls up to Finch House. He makes sure Micah did not go inside and orders her into the truck. She waves goodbye to Theo, sensing Poppop knows more about the house than he is letting on. 

She's not wrong. There's something about Finch House. Something terrifying--a family secret that's about to be uncovered. When her grandfather vanishes, Micah must explore the house to find her Poppop. But, to save herself and her grandfather, she must understand what gives the house life. 

For fans of "Monster House" and Coraline. Ages 7 and up. Excellent choice for MG reluctant readers. 

Marvel Pick: Miles Morales: Suspended (A Spider-Man Novel)

 

Miles Morales: Suspended

(A Spider-man novel)

by  Jason Reynolds

Illustrated by Zeke Pena

Caitlyn Dhoulhy book

Atheneum Books for Young Readers

2023

320 pages

ISBN: 9781665918466

Readers and fans of Spider-man will love this book by prolific YA writer and poet Jason Reynolds. Miles Morales is a typical teen who just so happens to save the world. Using prose and poetry written by Miles, the reader gets to know Miles and his world. 

Although he attends a fancy boarding school, Miles feels out of place, buttoned up, stranded, unaccepted and misunderstood. Some of the teachers are racist which not only angers Miles but causes him to stand up to them. He belongs on his block in Brooklyn where he knows all the neighborhood. It's not pretty but it's got its own charms and rhythm. 

Miles says, he's, "Boricua and Black and Brooklyn as hell," but not like is uncles and father. He's his own kind and has spider superpowers to prove it. 

He takes on the powerful minions of the Warden who want to imprison and erase black and brown people. Because Miles stands up, he's a target, but he's okay with that. It's who he is: "...Boricua and Black and Brooklyn as hell." 

Illustrations by Zeke Pena are inspiring.  Miles' poetry shines especially "The Pledge of Annoyance." Reynolds captures Miles' personality through thoughtful and masterful storytelling and profound poetry.

Simply magnificent and highly recommended. Fans of Marvel will love it. 

grades 8-up.