WEIRDO, by Tony Weaver Jr., Jes Wibowo and Cin Wibowo, ‎First Second, Sept. 17, 2024, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 10 and up)

An awkward teen struggles with mental health issues and self-doubt in Weirdo, a middle-grade graphic novel memoir by Tony Weaver Jr.

Eleven-year-old Tony Weaver, Jr. loves comic books, anime, and video games, and idolizes the heroic, larger-than-life characters he finds there. But his new classmates all think he’s a weirdo. Bullied by his peers, Tony struggles with the hurt of not being accepted and tries to conform to other people’s expectations. After a traumatic event shakes him to his core, he embarks on a journey of self-love that will require him to become the hero of his own story. —Synopsis provided by First Second

Tony Weaver Jr. explores the painful experience of bullying and ostracism in Weirdo. This heartfelt and heartbreaking graphic novel celebrates differences and confirms that there’s a place for all of us.

Weirdo honors all the little quirks that make us who we are, and the joy that comes when we find “our people.”

Weaver’s story is deeply personal, and some parts — attempted self-harm — are difficult to read about. That’s not to say Weaver goes into great detail. In fact, this section of his book is incredibly emotional due, in part, to all the elements he leaves out. It is not graphic, but given the suggested reading age, parents should be aware and ready to have conversations.

On its face, Weirdo sounds like an unhappy story. And part of it is. But the bigger part is one of survival and self-acceptance. It will especially appeal to readers who find themselves on the “fringes” of the social hierarchy.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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NOT NOTHING, by Gayle Forman, Aladdin, Aug. 27, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)

A boy is forced to volunteer at a retirement home and learns to confront his own past in Not Nothing, by Gayle Forman.

Alex is twelve, and he did something very, very bad. A judge sentences him to spend his summer volunteering at a retirement home where he’s bossed around by an annoying and self-important do-gooder named Maya-Jade. He hasn’t seen his mom in a year, his aunt and uncle don’t want him, and Shady Glen’s geriatric residents seem like zombies to him.

Josey is 107 and ready for his life to be over. He has evaded death many times, having survived ghettos, dragnets, and a concentration camp—all thanks to the heroism of a woman named Olka and his own ability to sew. But now he spends his days in room 206 at Shady Glen, refusing to speak and waiting (and waiting and waiting) to die. Until Alex knocks on Josey’s door…and Josey begins to tell Alex his story.

As Alex comes back again and again to hear more, an unlikely bond grows between them. Soon a new possibility opens up for Alex: Can he rise to the occasion of his life, even if it means confronting the worst thing that he’s ever done? —Synopsis provided by Aladdin

I love multigenerational books because they provide perspective in a natural way. And Gayle Forman is an expert at making this happen.

At the center of Not Nothing is Alex, a kid that fits squarely into the “fell through the cracks” category. His life has been anything but simple, and not that it excuses his actions, but it’s no surprise that his temper finally got the better of him. Alex is a complicated character whose layers are explored as Forman teases both his and Josey’s stories forth.

In fact, with the exception of those on the periphery, all of Forman’s characters feel as if weighted in reality.

Of course, Josey and Alex’s stories are the ones that keep the pages turning. Forman makes you want to learn more. You become invested, and feel edified after finishing Not Nothing.

Not Nothing is a moving story of the human experience. With themes forgiveness, acceptance, friendship, fortitude, and love, it’s well worth reading.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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BUFFALO DREAMER, by Violet Duncan, Nancy Paulsen Books, Aug. 27, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)

A girl learns of her family’s past during a visit to her grandparent’s home in Canada in Buffalo Dreamer, by Violet Duncan.

Summer and her family always spend relaxed summers in Alberta, Canada, on the reservation where her mom’s family lives. But this year is turning out to be an eye-opening one. First, Summer has begun to have vivid dreams in which she’s running away from one of the many real-life residential schools that tore Native children from their families and tried to erase their Native identities. Not long after that, she learns that unmarked children’s graves have been discovered at the school her grandpa attended as a child. Now more folks are speaking up about their harrowing experiences at these places, including her grandfather.  

Summer cherishes her heritage and is heartbroken about all her grandfather was forced to give up and miss out on. When the town holds a rally, she’s proud to take part to acknowledge the painful past and speak of her hopes for the future, and anxious to find someone who can fill her in on the source of her unsettling dreams. —Synopsis provided by Nancy Paulsen Books

Buffalo Dreamer is a beautiful story of family, culture and owning your history.

The story is much more than a “story” for author Violet Duncan who was inspired by her own family history. In her author’s note, Duncan expresses the hope that her book will “be a tribute to the past, galvanize healing and reconciliation, and celebrate the perseverance of those who have overcome.”

Buffalo Dreamer is a work of historical fiction, but Duncan says, “truth is etched on every page.” And you feel that authenticity when you read it. It’s a deeply personal narrative that resonates long after completion.

Buffalo Dreamer is a little book that packs a big punch. At 128 pages, it’s slim enough for even the most reluctant of readers. Short chapters provide natural breaking spots. And Duncan’s writing is not only accessible but pushes readers to want to know more.

From its eye-catching cover to thoughtful prose, Buffalo Reader is excellent from beginning to end. It would make a great addition to any school or home library.  

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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BORDERLANDS AND THE MEXICAN AMERICAN STORY (Race to the Truth), by David Dorado Romo, Crown Books for Young Readers, Aug. 20, 2024, Paperback, $8.99 (ages 10 and up)

Learn the story of our country from the Mexican American perspective in Borderlands and the Mexican American Story, by David Dorado Romo.

The Mexican American story is usually carefully presented as a story of immigrants: migrants crossing borders, drawn to the promise of a better life. In reality, Mexicans were on this land long before any borders existed. Their culture and practices shaped the Southwestern part of this country, in spite of relentless attempts by white colonizers and settlers to erase them.

From missions and the Alamo to muralists, revolutionaries, and teen activists, this is the true story of the Mexican American experience. —Synopsis provided by Crown Books for Young Readers

More often than not, American history is told through a “white” lens. The problem is, America is not just a white country. It’s a blend of peoples and cultures of diverse skin tones, and by ignoring the past, it’s hard to understand the struggles of today.

Borderlands and the Mexican Story is part of Crown Books for Young Readers’ excellent Race to the Truth series. The series “Tells the true history of America from the perspective of different communities. Each book tells the story of our country from its very beginning to present. These books correct common falsehoods and achievements. They encourage readers to ask questions and approach new information thoughtfully.” Other books in the series include Exclusion and the Chinese American Story;  Colonization and the Wampanoag Story; and Slavery and the African American Story.

Author David Dorado Romo grew up and lived on the border between the US and Mexico. This provided him with a first-hand perspective when writing Borderlands and the Mexican Story. The book begins with native migrations before there were borders and moves through Spanish colonization in the Southwest and the Mexican American War. Romo focuses on the Mexican Revolution and the ethnic cleansing of brown America. Following WWII came the rise of the Chicano movement and the Hispanic decade before more recent issues surrounding the border.

Borderlands and the Mexican Story is expertly researched. Romo’s writing is clear and accessible. And black-and white images as well as information boxes help break up the text. This book would make an excellent supplement for public or homeschool classes.

About the author:

David Dorado Romo is a writer, translator, musician, and historian from the American southwest. He is a “fronterizo,” a person who grew up and lived on the border between the United States and Mexico. Steeped in the fronterizo spirit that strongly defines the attitudes of the U.S.-Mexico border region, Romo conducted a four-year search to document the important history of the area. The book that resulted from his work, Ringside Seat to a Revolution: An Underground Cultural History of ElPaso and Juarez, 1893-1923, “is a vital historical work for the Southwest,” commented Sergio Troncoso in the El Paso Times.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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PEARL: A Graphic Novel, by Sherri L. Smith and Christine Norrie, Graphix, Aug. 20, 2024, Paperback $11.99 (ages 10 and up)

A Japanese-American girl must survive years of uncertainty and questions of loyalty in Hiroshima during World War II in Pearl, a graphic novel by Sherri L. Smith and Christine Norrie.

Amy is a 13-year-old Japanese-American girl who lives in Hawaii. When her great-grandmother falls ill, Amy travels to visit family in Hiroshima for the first time. But this is 1941.

When the Japanese navy attacks Pearl Harbor, it becomes impossible for Amy to return to Hawaii. Conscripted into translating English radio transmissions for the Japanese army, Amy struggles with questions of loyalty and fears about her family amidst rumors of internment camps in America — even as she makes a new best friend and, over the years, Japan starts to feel something like home.

 Torn between two countries at war, Amy must figure out where her loyalties lie and, in the face of unthinkable tragedy, find hope in the rubble of a changed world. —Synopsis provided by Graphix

I received an advanced copy of Pearl earlier this summer, and my daughter took it with her on a weeklong camping trip. She had five books with her, but she read and reread Pearl at least 16 times (that’s what she says!).

Why did she read it so many times?

“Because it had a good story,” my daughter told me. “I like how the character improves over each year in Japan. And… I like that she almost explodes.”

She has two favorite parts. The end where it says “Life is a treasure… thrive.”  She also liked how Amy is known as many things — a monitor for the Japanese Imperial Army; an atomic bomb survivor; a daughter; a sister; a cousin; a friend.

Pearl “shows the struggles of real people and war conflict,” she explained. “The illustrations are really good. The artist is really creative. I like how she put many different pictures into one panel.”

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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THE 66TH REBIRTH OF FRANKIE CARIDI, by Johnny Marciano and Ashley Mackenzie, Penguin Workshop, July 9, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)

A “normal” girl finds herself at a boarding school for kids who have unusal talents in The 66^th Rebirth of Frankie Cardi, by Johnny Marciano and Ashley Mackenzie.

Frankie is used to living in her younger brother’s shadow. Lucie is outgoing, smart, kind, and has horns. Yes, horns. Frankie’s life has always revolved around Lucie, so when she’s told she must attend a new boarding school because Lucie has been given a full scholarship, she knows she has no other choice. But something about The Pythagorean Institute is off. The building looks like a prison, half of the students have horns like her brother, and the headmaster acts more like a cult leader than a principal. Even weirder, however, are the dreams Frankie has been having since she moved into her dorm. Dreams that sometimes seem more like… memories.

Trapped in this new school with no way home, Frankie must get to the bottom of why the place unsettles her so much. But in learning about the Institute, Frankie learns more about herself — and her past — than she could ever have expected. What she discovers brings her out of her brother’s shadow and gives her powers beyond belief, but the spotlight comes with its own set of troubles. —Synopsis provided by Penguin Workshop

The 66^th Rebirth of Frankie Cardi has the potential to be really good, but it’s missing that special something that puts books over the top.

Part of the problem is that the boarding school trope has been done a lot. And it’s been done well. The Pythagorean Institute feels familiar. Almost too familiar. Yes, there are things that set it apart, but I couldn’t help but think of the Wednesday Addams movie mixed with a couple of other book series when reading it.

The other major problem is that the plot never really seems to get to the point. Yes, this is part of a planned series, but it’s like the story cuts off mid-way through. Everyone loves a cliffhanger, but this leaves readers so unsatisfied, I’m not sure 10-year-olds will want to stick with it when the next book comes out.

On the plus side, The 66^th Rebirth of Frankie Cardi does move fairly fast, and it features some good imagery. I would probably wait until the next book comes out, and read the first two together, so that there’s some reward as far as the plot goes.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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YOUNG HAG AND THE WITCHES’ QUEST, by Isabel Greenberg, Harry N. Abrams, May 14, 2024, Paperback, $17.99 (ages 12 and up)

Travel back in time through Arthurian legends in Young Hag and the Witches’ Quest, a graphic novel by Isabel Greenberg.

Once there was magic in Britain. There were dragons and wizards and green knights and round tables and kings that pulled swords out of stones. But now, the doors to the Otherworld have closed, and the magic is gone.

All that is left are the stories of those bygone days. Young Hag, her mother and her grandmother, Ancient Crone, are the last of the witches in Britain. At least, that’s what Ancient Crone says.

Young Hag has grown up hearing those tales and believing in her the power of her Grandmother. But when tragedy strikes, and their world is shaken, Young Hag turns her back on magic. She is sick of the tales of family curses, faerie doors, lost magic, and ancient swords. If they are witches, where is their magic when they really need it?

And then one day they find a changeling baby in the woods. Confronted with real magic at last, Young Hag has no choice but to believe. She sets off on the greatest quest of her life; to bring the magic back to Britain.

But when faced with magic and myth, can Young Hag put aside her doubts and fears? Or will she simply become a forgotten footnote in the tale of famous kings and wizards? —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams

I’ll be honest, I passed Young Hag and the Witches’ Quest to my 10-year-old without blinking. She saw a graphic novel in my office, and basically adopted it as her own. “I don’t think it’s for 12 and older because I read it and I enjoyed it and I’m 10,” she told me when I asked her how she like the book.

My daughter was initially drawn to Young Hag and the Witches’ Quest because of the author. She knows Isabel Greenberg from her illustrations in Athena: Goddess of Wisdom and War and Gaia: Goddess of Earth and immediately wanted to see more. “I love the illustrations,” she said.

The book — in my daughter’s words — is “about the granddaughter of Morgan le Fey, and they’re on a quest to fix Excalibur because it’s broken. I think the most interesting part is King Arthur was only born because King Uther married Arthur’s mom through trickery.”

My kid says that it’s a really interesting book and that she would recommend it to other kids. Given that she’s read it at least three times, I think it’s fair to say, the book is a hit in our household.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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NOT IF YOU BREAK UP WITH ME FIRST, by G.F. Miller, Aladdin, June 4, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 10 and up)

Two friends who end up accidentally dating try to get each other to call things off in Not If You Break Up with Me First, by G.F. Miller.

Childhood friends Eve and Andrew are destined to be together—everyone says so, especially their friends and classmates who are all suddenly crush-obsessed. So, when Eve and Andrew’s first eighth-grade school dance rolls around and Eve, feeling the pressure, awkwardly asks Andrew to go with her, everyone assumes they are Officially Dating and Practically in Love. Overwhelmed, Eve and Andrew just…go with it.

And it’s weird. Neither of them wants this dating thing to mess up their friendship, and they don’t really see each other that way. But they also don’t want to be the one to call things off, the one to make things super awkward. So, they both—separately—pledge to be the worst boyfriend or girlfriend ever, leaving it to the other person to break up with them. It would be genius…if the other person weren’t doing the exact same thing. —Synopsis provided by Aladdin

Not If You Break Up with Me First captures the changing landscape of friendships in middle school. No longer can a boy and girl just be friends. There has to be more to it. At least that’s the going theory. And when you consider the added peer pressure, it can be overwhelming.

Author G.F. Miller captures the awkward time when dating and “liking” someone collide with childish pranks and lots of emotions.

The story is told from the alternating points of view of Eve and Andrew, which provides readers with a lot of context and builds more appeal across gender lines. Both are dealing with a lot of feelings, and their confusion will be familiar to readers.

Not If You Break Up with Me First is a good sort of intro to romantic comedies without going too hard. While the suggested age range is 10 and up, this book feels less age specific and more interest specific. It’s got short, easy chapters, but would hold absolutely no appeal for my 10-year-old, who thinks even holding hands is gross. But I can see it appealing to other kids in her grade who, this year, were looking for their very own “Valentines.” It sits well in the upper MG and lower YA categories.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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THE TENTH MISTAKE OF HANK HOOPERMAN, by Gennifer Choldenko, Knopf Books for Young Readers, June 11, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)

A boy tries to keep his family together after his mom fails to come home in The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman, by Gennifer Choldenko.

When eleven-year-old Hank’s mom doesn’t come home, he takes care of his toddler sister, Boo, like he always does. But it’s been a week now. They are out of food and mom has never stayed away this long… Hank knows he needs help, so he and Boo seek out the stranger listed as their emergency contact.

But asking for help has consequences. It means social workers, and a new school, and having to answer questions about his mom that he’s been trying to keep secret. And if they can’t find his mom soon, Hank and Boo may end up in different foster homes–he could lose everything.

Gennifer Choldenko has written a heart-wrenching, healing, and ultimately hopeful story about how complicated family can be. About how you can love someone, even when you can’t rely on them. And about the transformative power of second chances. —Synopsis provided by Knopf Books for Young Readers

I challenge you to not fall in love with Hank Hooperman. Author Gennifer Choldenko so perfectly captures his essence — flaws and all — that you can’t help rooting for him. Hank’s love for his sister is so pure. He understands how limited their options are, but won’t give up. He’s been handed responsibilities no child should ever have, and yet, he takes them on with determination and grit.

Choldenko gets Hank’s voice from the start: “My name is Hank Hooperman, but my little sister calls me Pooperman. We are Hooperman and Pooperman according to Boo. I’d like to be Hooperman and Superman, but try telling that to Boo.” This brightness fills the book, even in darker times, lacing even the hard things with hope.

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman is written for middle readers, and Hank and his determination will resonate with them. But as a parent, it made me wish for better outcomes and it made me want to read it with my 10-year-old so that we could have important follow-up conversations about the challenges her peers could very well be facing. It’s an excellent read.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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MOUNTAIN OF FIRE: THE ERUPTION AND SURVIVORS OF MOUNT ST. HELENS, by Rebecca E. F. Barone, Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), May 14, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 10 and up)

Learn about the events leading up to and following the eruption of Mount St. Helens in Mountain of Fire, by Rebecca E. F. Barone.

Mountain of Fire is the narrative nonfiction account of the violent volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, the story of the people who died, those who survived, and the heroes who fought to raise an alarm.

For weeks, the ground around Mount St. Helens shuddered like a dynamite keg ready to explode. There were legends of previous eruptions: violent fire, treacherous floods, and heat that had scoured the area. But the shaking and swelling was unlike any volcanic activity ever seen before. Day and night, scientists tried to piece together the mountain’s clues―yet nothing could prepare them for the destruction to come.

The long-dormant volcano seethed away, boiling rock far below the surface. Washington’s governor, Dixie Lee Ray, understood the despair that would follow from people being forced from their homes. How and when should she give orders to evacuate the area? And would that be enough to save the people from the eruption of Mount St. Helens?

Includes a QR code for a website featuring eye-catching photos of the eruption. —Synopsis provided by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

Books like Mountain of Fire are the way to get young readers excited about nonfiction. From start to finish, it’s an engaging read that makes you want to know more.

Author Rebecca E. F. Barone has meticulously researched the topic, including first-person interviews with some of the scientists and survivors.

Barone’s writing is accessible and full of energy. Her pacing is spot on, building up anticipation with every turn of the page.

As an adult, I was glued to Mountain of Fire, and after describing it to my 10-year-old, it’s on her to-read list. I plan on purchasing a copy — my review is based on a digital advance review copy — and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it for older middle readers, young adults or adults. It’s excellent.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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