10 minute read
Let’s Read
Let’s Read Let’s Read Let’s Read
These book reviews were written by Christine Laffler’s 4th grade students at Manzano Day school.
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Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem
Author: Sojourner Kincaid Rolle Illustrator: Alex Bostic Publisher: Union Square Kids Ages: 4-8+ This book is about the freedom of the enslaved people. After 300 years of bondage, they were finally free… but in Texas they didn't know it yet. They didn’t find out for years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This book takes place on June 19, 1865. It’s about people finally becoming free. It’s about people singing, “Free at last, Hallelujah, I’m free!” This book has beautiful artwork that goes with the stanzas on each page. It helps teach about the important history of Juneteenth and everyone should read it.
By Lauren L., 10
Isla To Island
Albuquerque
Author and Illustrator: Alexis Castellanos Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers Ages: 10 and older This graphic novel is about a girl from Cuba who loves flowers. Her name is Marisol. Her parents send her away because there is a war where they live. She lives with a foster family in New York. She is sad and does not talk because she misses her parents. She loves reading though, especially books about flowers. One book at a time, Marisol starts feeling better and eventually starts talking again. This book is sad at times but is also amazing. It shows how books and letters can change a person’s life. The book is told mostly through pictures. There are not a lot of words since Marisol doesn’t talk much at first. Read this book to learn about how it might feel to be an immigrant, how to make arroz con pollo a la chorrera and to learn flower facts, too!
By Beckham L., 10
Just Joking Science
Publisher: National Geographic Kids Ages: 7-10 This hilarious and factual book is awesome for kids of all ages! Flip through the pages of this must-read
book and you will soon discover at least a million things you didn’t know! (Maybe not a million… but a lot!) You can find entertaining knock-knock jokes and funny tongue twisters. It also has real life science experiments you won’t believe are real! I suggest this book for all ages. Read, laugh and enjoy!
By Leo L., 10
For The Love of Laxmi
Author: Bijal Shah Illustrator: Alexa Carter Publishers: Mascot Kids Ages: 5-8 For Laxmi, it’s tough being an Indian American. She experiences a different life compared with other kids. She has to oil her hair every day because if she doesn’t, her mom says she’ll go bald! Her grandpa starts talking about boys and how Laxmi will have to cook for a boy. In Laxmi’s mind, she thinks, “Yep, I’m going to college to meet a boy and become his personal roti maker.” Laxmi has a brother named Rohit, a very annoying one for that matter. At first, Laxmi was so happy to get a sibling but now she realizes the downside. She has to fold her brother's underwear and he doesn’t have to fold hers. Laxmi’s mom tells Laxmi that she doesn’t need friends because she has to focus on her education. Her grandfather talks way too much about education as well. This book is great for every kid to see the life of Laxmi or to connect if you have a similar family. There are funny, awkward and uncomfortable moments in this book and Laxmi is happy to share these awesome moments with you!
By Sahana P., 10
Ultimate Food Atlas: Maps, Games, Recipes, and More for Hours of Delicious Fun
Authors: Nancy Castaldo and Christy Mihaly Publisher: National Geographic Kids Ages: 8-12 This book is a good book with many fun facts. It is the kind of book you browse through and learn a lot! I would rate this book a 4 out of 5. The words in this book are balanced out with vibrant pictures of food from all around the world. Learn about new foods, food festivals and how food is grown all over the world. You can also learn about geography from the colorful maps in this book and find new recipes, too.
By Alec M., 10
Book Suggestions for Hanukkah from Holiday House and Peachtree Publishers
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (Gift Edition) by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Tricia Schart Hyman (Holiday House, for ages 4–8)
For more than 30 years, this clever original tale of a Jewish folk hero outwitting dreadful goblins has been a staple of family Hanukkah celebrations. Packaged in an elegant slipcase, the Gift Edition includes a new quote from 2022 Caldecott Medalist Jason Chin (who was mentored by Trina Schart Hyman, the illustrator who brought this tale to life), and a poster featuring an iconic illustration from the book. For those interested in more tales featuring Hershel, Eric and Tricia also collaborated on “The Adventures of Hershel of Ostropol.”
The Ghost of Rose Hill by R. M. Romero (Peachtree Teen/Peachtree, for ages 14 and up, NEW)
Part achingly beautiful ghost story, and part poignant celebration of Jewish diaspora, The Ghosts of Rose Hill is a modern fairytale, in which aspiring violinist, Ilana, finds love and finds herself while helping free the spirit of the shy, sweet ghost boy she met in a Prague cemetery. This verse novel is all about embracing your power, facing your monsters, and loving deeply enough to transcend a century. R. M. Romero spends her summers helping to maintain Jewish cemeteries in Poland. The Ghosts of Rose Hill was inspired by these experiences.
The Eight Knights of Hanukkah by Leslie Kimmelman, illustrated by Galia Bernstein (Holiday House, for ages 4–8)
The last night of Hanukkah is here, and everyone is doing their part for the big celebration. But alas! A dastardly dragon named Dreadful keeps foiling the party preparations. Lady Sadie must call upon the Eight Knights of Hanukkah to perform feats of awesome kindness and stupendous bravery to catch Dreadful. Filled with Hanukkah humor and fun, this picture book emphasizes kindness to help the holiday lights shine a little brighter.
Hanukah Bear by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka (Holiday House, for ages 0–3 and 4–8)
Bubba Brayna’s makes the best latkes in the village, and on the first night of Hanukkah, the scent of her cooking weeks a hungry, adorable bear. Bubba Brayna — who does not see or hear very well — mistakes the bear for her rabbi and invites him in to play dreidel, light the menorah and enjoy some scrumptious latkes. After her well-fed guest leaves and her friends arrive for dinner — along with her actual rabbi — together, they discover who really ate them. Both board book and picture book editions are available!
The Story of Hanukkah by David A. Adler, illustrated by Jill Weber (Holiday House, for ages 0–3 and 4–8)
Celebrate Hanukkah with a beautiful board book that tells the story of a great miracle. This version of the popular and well-received picture book has been carefully pared down for preschoolers and toddlers, and will introduce children to the Maccabean Revolt, the Holy Temple of Jerusalem, and the oil that burned for eight nights. Both board book and picture book editions are available.
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Guitars for Kids
Freedom in Music Project
By BILL NEVINS
Linda Oliveira fondly recalls the day many years ago when Bob Dylan spoke to her backstage at a New Haven, Connecticut, concert. She was a 17-year-old fan. “He told me, ‘Don’t ever give up.’”
Linda and her husband Phil, both now in their 70s, attended Dylan’s Albuquerque concert this year, and say they have followed Bob’s advice in their musical projects, which include the High Desert Blues Band and the Freedom in Music Project. That project provides free musical instruments — mainly guitars and accompanying equipment — to kids in need.
Asked how the Oliveiras started helping kids through music, Linda said, “I actually started back when we lived in Massachusetts. Phil and I were doing performances for kids there, but I got to Linda and Phil Oliveira. Curtesy Photo thinking, ‘Maybe we could do more for them. We could maybe bring them instruments because you know it’s good for the brain.’
Now, the Oliveiras work with some Albuquerque and Rio Rancho public schools. “They do music education in the schools using our instruments and it gives the kids something to look forward to,” Linda said. “Omar Villanueva is an Albuquerque Public Schools music teacher who does a wonderful job with the students at several schools, and he is a classical guitar player himself.”
Linda added, “We have worked with several professional musicians, such as guitarist Chris Ravin, teacher/performer Keith Sanchez and his New Mexico Academy of Rock and Blues, and recording artist/guitarist Amos Cody Jasper in Amarillo, Texas. Rock-blues performer Joe Bonamassa’s Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation gave us some guitars for the students, too. Mark Padilla, president of the New Mexico Music Hall of Fame, also helped us. These artists are all inspirational to our youth and do so much good. It’s the whole idea of giving kids hope and providing them with release from their emotions in a positive, creative way.”
The pandemic years have been challenging for the Oliveiras and their project. “Covid slowed things down for us. We usually raise money through concerts, but Covid made that difficult to do. We did get a grant from the Albuquerque Community Foundation for 24 guitars, which we gave to schools here. They are Donner guitars and came in beautiful cases with all the picks and equipment they needed. They were gorgeous instruments.”
The Oliveiras intend to keep their program going. “We enjoy doing this work!” Linda said. For more information: keepingthebluesalive.org thefreedominmusicproject.com.
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