Are you ready for an adventure? I could make this a longer intro, but why not just dive in and see what I mean?
Picture Books
“Find the Sun” written and illustrated by Andy Harkness
Eddie hates Mondays. And this Monday sweeps in with a raging thunderstorm, which is enough to drive Eddie back to bed. Clutching his yellow bunny stuffie, and with his eyes closed tight, Eddie wishes the day could just pass him by. When he opens his eyes, his bedroom has fallen away, and he’s alone in a stormy landscape. Well, almost alone. Rabbit has come too, and invites him on an adventure to “find the sun.” Together the two sail on clouds, race down a river and through a cave, finding and appreciating light along the way. Rabbit is a comforting guide as Eddie faces his fears, offering wisdom and reassurance until Eddie is ready to face the day. The story and message are wonderful, but the illustrations are what truly make this one stand out. Digitally sculpted in a Claymation style, the pictures are unique and immersive, using deep blues and buttery yellows to great effect. The perfect choice for any anxious littles needing some encouragement.
“Bear For a Day” written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor
“If I were a bear for a day, my name would be Bear.” The book begins with a bear starting his day and greeting the sun, and the illustrations show everything from the bear’s perspective. We quickly realize that this bear is surprisingly human-like, as the narrator confidently describes getting dressed and eating breakfast before hopping on a motorcycle. As the book progresses, it becomes apparent that the narrator is giving a report to the class about bears, and his classmates are regularly interrupting with objections or suggestions. The story the child narrator chooses to tell includes everything from lunch at the mall to a daring hot air balloon rescue. This report is not at all what the teacher expected, and all the more glorious for it.
Chapter Books
“Berserkers” by M.A. Larson
A modern-day Goonies, oozing with Minnesotan Midwest charm. Sixth-grade Danny and his friends—who call themselves the “Hotdish Gang”—venture into the caves beneath their town. They’re searching for their beloved history teacher, who was possibly abducted, but also for a fabled trove of ancient Viking treasure. They’ll contend with everything from a herd of cave pigs and a blue moose to a villainous descendant of a conquistador as they grapple with friendship, loyalty and bravery. With frequent breaks in the fourth wall for jokes and metacommentary, this is a rollicking good time.
“Diamond Fever! A True Crime Story in the Wild West” written by Steve Sheinkin and illustrated by Jon Chad
This author is known for his well-researched and highly engaging nonfiction. Here, he tells the story of the Great Diamond Hoax of 1872, when two cousins sold their claim to a diamond mine to multiple wealthy investors. Unfortunately for the investors, the fabulous diamonds and gemstones they saw at the mine were all planted by the conman cousins. The first half of the book sets up the elaborate hoax, and the second half reveals exactly how they pulled it off. There are illustrations throughout, and each chapter begins with a mini graphic novel illustration of a key scene. Not only is this a compelling adventure story, it also encourages the reader to think critically about scams and why people fall for them. I looked up this incident on Wikipedia, and let me tell you, the book goes so much further into all the fascinating details. The author has really done his research (as evidenced by the extensive source notes and bibliography!) and expertly conveys it to the reader.
