Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test by Christina Soontornvat

Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test by Christina Soontornvat is a Rhode Island Children's Book Nominee. It is the start of a series of stories about Lotus Island, where magical children learn to access their powers. The story begins with Plum talking to the plants and animals in her grandparents vegetable garden. Even the worms seem to listen to her. When she is invited to Lotus Island to train as a Guardian, she reluctantly leaves her grandparents. Plum struggles to find her inner animal and wonders if she really is destined to be a protector of the wild animals of the world.

I enjoyed this book, but definitely wish it would have continued. It is a taste of this magical world, that you don't want to end. I guess I will have to buy the next book in the series!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro
 

Sejal Sinha Battles Superstorms by Maya Prasad

Sejal Sinha Battles Superstorms by Maya Prasad is a RICBA nominee. Sejal is getting ready to celebrate Diwali with her family and her cousin Mira. But this year everything seems to be ruined. First, her cousin makes fun of her for playing an imaginative game. Then, a super storm knocks out the power and ruins some of their Diwali traditions. Hopefully a trip into the eye of the storm will stop the hurricane and save Diwali. 

This fun adventure story will teach you about hurricanes through the science Sejal learns and shares with her family. I can remember playing games of imagination with the kids in my neighborhood when I was a child. Imagination fuels the books, movies and games we play, even when we are adults. Hold on to the delight of using your imagination.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

 

Shermy & Shake: The Not-So-Nice Neighbor by Kirby Larson

Shermy & Shake: The Not-So-Nice Neighbor by Kirby Larson is a RICBA nominee. It is about a boy named Shermy who has to deal with the grandson of his neighbor moving in for the summer. His name is Shake and he really bugs Shermy. Shake is always at his house, eating his food, and playing with his games. Thank goodness Shake will be leaving at the end of the summer. Right?!

This is a cute little book about friendship and how it can sometimes sneak up on you. It also helps kids reflect on their feelings about family differences. A quick read, check it out!

By Mrs. Castro
 

Finch House by Ciera Burch

 

Finch House by Ciera Burch is a spooky read that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is one of the 2025 RICBA nominees. Much of the action in the book takes place inside of Finch house, which was an abandoned run down house in the neighborhood. It has the reputation of children going inside and never coming out again. When new owners move in and fix up the house, Micah who lives nearby is curious about the house that her grandfather has warned her to stay away from. Then, Micah's grandfather goes missing. Micah must find him, but it is going to involve going inside Finch house!

Wow, this book is a page turner. Fast action and spooky details will definitely grab the reader. There is also an underlying theme that emerges as Micah deals with anxiety about her move to a new home, and her nervousness about leaving her grandfather behind. I believe 5th graders will love getting caught up in this ghost story.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Home Away From Home by Cynthia Lord

 

Home Away From Home by Cynthia Lord was a fantastic read! Cynthia Lord won a Newbery award for her book, Rules, and I predict this book will win its own awards. It is about a young girl named Mia who stays in Maine with her grandmother while her mother and new stepfather try to sell the family home. Mia is not comfortable with how much change is happening in her life, but she thinks a summer with her grandmother is just what she needs.

From the moment Mia arrives, she finds things have changed here too. There is a new neighbor boy hanging around with her grandmother, and when she goes to see the yearly eagle's nest on the point, there is a strange white bird bothering the eaglets. Nothing stays the same!

The characters in this book come alive to the reader. Mia has struggles with social media and limiting her phone time. She is jealous of Cayman the new boy who seems to be very good friends with her grandmother. She worries about having to leave her childhood home behind and about how she will fit into the new living arrangements that her mom is making without her. Pick up this Rhode Island Children's Book Nominee and enjoy reading along as Mia faces each new challenge.

By Mrs. Castro

Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango

Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango is a touching story about a 12 year old girl who has been separated from her parents by child services. It is also a Rhode Island Children's Book Nominee. As Laura tries to get used to living with her Aunt, we read along in simple verse structure about how lonely and sad she feels. 

Fortunately she makes a few friends that help her. She finds a puppy and brings him home with her. Will her aunt let her keep him? It's obvious that he needs love and Laura might be the perfect person to care for him. Sometimes caring for an animal helps us deal with our own overwhelming feelings.

By Mrs. Castro

The Eyes & the Impossible by Dave Eggers

The 2024 Newbery winner is The Eyes & the Impossible by Dave Eggers. I just finished reading it and it made me laugh out loud several times. If you like books about animals who converse like humans, you might enjoy reading this out loud to your class.

It's about an art loving dog and a bunch of his animal friends who live in a park. They have all kinds of adventures, but the main theme is that they need each other to work together and solve their problems. One scene has a group of raccoons trying to create a diversion as part of their plan. They attack one of the park ranger's vehicles and are jumping up and down on it to set the alarm off, and then urinating on it while standing on the roof. All while the humans are running around the car saying, "Oh my God!, Oh My God!, OH MY GOD! The raccoons have gone nuts!"

Also as a little perk, all "the illustrations are classical paintings by artists long departed".

By Mrs. Castro

The Adventure is Now by Jess Redmen

The Adventure is Now by Jess Redmen is a 2023 RICBA nominee. Milton is off for an adventure on Lone Island with his uncle, in order to give his parents some time to figure out their problems. But Lone Island has some surprises in store, magical creatures, fantastical flora, if only Milton and his new friends can find them. They have to, because the island is in danger if they don't.

I love fantasy stories! In the story a group of kids have to follow clues left behind in a field guide. I loved the way the characters had to work together as a team to solve the puzzles. It reminded me of the levels in a video game or coding! I think this book would make a great movie.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro
 

Unsettled by Reem Faruqi

Unsettled by Reem Faruqi is a 2023 RICBA nominee. Unsettled is about a young girl named Nurah. She moves to the United States from Pakistan and is a Muslim. It is hard for her to feel like she fits in in Georgia, where there are very few people who look like her. But in the water, on the swim team, she hopes to be the best. She admires her big brother, who is a star swimmer. Until... something happens that throws both Nurah and her brother into the deep end of trouble.

This story deals with some difficult issues, such as bullying, sibling rivalry and betrayal. Everyone can relate to feeling different, alone, and unsettled. The story is told through simple, heart breaking poems.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro
 

Willodeen by Katherine Applegate

 

Willodeen by Katherine Applegate is a 2023 RICBA nominee. Willodeen loves nature, all of nature. But she especially has a soft spot for screechers. Screechers are creatures that smell so bad, other people hate them. The people of Perchance, where Willodeen lives, instead love hummingbears. They are small flying bears that attract a lot of tourists that want to see the beautiful bubble nests they build in the trees. The town has a problem though, every year it is harder to find any hummingbears. What could be wrong? Will anyone listen to Willodeen's ideas in a town that shuns her because she is different?

I too love nature and know that it is a delicate balance. Every tiny bug is important. If you are a nature lover, and a lover of fantasy fiction, this may be the book for you! You may have read some of the other stories by Applegate.... like The One and Only Ivan, or The One and Only Bob.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro