Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx - 4.2 stars

An inspiring picture book that tells how Sonia grew up very poor in the Bronx, but her mother worked multiple jobs to ensure Sonia and her brother got a good education.  This work ethic rubbed off on Sonia who became valedictorian of her high school class before going to Princeton, becoming a judge and eventually a Supreme Court justice.  Highly recommend!

Suggested ages: 5 and up

Sabine: 5 out of 5 stars.  "I give it a 5 because it tells how Sonia got older.  And they don't just leave out the parts they didn't know -  I think they looked it up!  People don't know why Sonia wanted to be a judge.  And I like how Sonia tried and never gave up and she got to go past college and high school."

Lourdes:  4.5 out of 5 stars.  "I give it a 4.5 because it is cool how Sonia got to meet President Obama in the White House.  That is cool!  Also I like how she reads a lot of books and is really clever."

Finnegan:  3 out of 5 stars.  "I give it a 3 because I think it talks about some important stuff back when she was younger.  And how hard it was for a Latina girl to be a judge.  And how she used so much of her time that she could have been goofing off and running around playing with other kids, to study to be a judge and get a lot of awards for being the smartest person.  I think this book is for people 8 and up.  My mom just checked the book and it says it is for 4 and up.  I think that is insanity because it talks about racism and civil rights.  Do you think a 4 year old would know about that even if his mom tried to explain?  I don't get it.  If your 4 year old asks you questions about this book when you read it to them, don't blame me, and try your best to explain it."

Amazon link

Echo - 5 stars

Even though Finn can speed read through chapter books now, I still read him a chapter or two of a book every night.  It is one of my favorite moments of the day, when all stress and business is put aside and we just enjoy a book together.  I try to choose books with topics I think we should discuss together.  Our latest book was Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan.  It is a beautifully written book that tells the story of three separate children living in different parts of the world during World War 2.  The first child, Fredrich, is a boy dealing with the implications of a disfiguring birthmark in Nazi Germany.  The second child, Mike, is trying to protect his brother at an orphanage in Pennsylvania.  Ivy, the third child, is dealing with prejudice in California while also worrying about the safety of her brother fighting in the war.  The stories of all three children are linked by a magical harmonica that brings them comfort during hard times.  I loved the children's' stories and the opportunities they provided for Finn and I to discuss hard topics like how the Nazis treated people they considered to be disabled or imperfect and the Japanese internment camps.

Suggested age range: 9 and up

 Finn - 5 out of 5 stars.  "I really liked Echo because I liked that all the stories connect to each other.  I also like at the end they combine all the stories and, though the characters don't know it, they are with the people that basically changed their lives.  My favorite story of the three was Ivy's story because her story talked a lot about how her brother almost died in the war.  It scared me when the same telegram deliverer that had delivered the telegram to her friend Susan's family that one of their two sons had died, came to Ivy's house.  In the end story, it tells you that Ivy's brother actually lived....and I don't want to spoil the rest.  Also, I really liked Kenny Yamamoto, a Japanese soldier fighting in the war, how he nearly died...but I don't want to spoil that either."

Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer - 5 stars

Finn read this one on his own so this review is all his.

"Now you've got only Finn, your favorite reviewer.  And I'm here to save your sanity by telling you about this really awesome book Magnus Chase.  You'll like it because it is written by Rick Riordan and naturally everything Rick Riordan writes is awesome.  Magnus is a 16 year old homeless kid.  Then he faces Surt, a fire giant, who kills him and sends him to Valhalla (the after life).  Magnus escapes Valhalla and goes on a quest to delay Ragnorak (a prophesied battle where many gods die).

I really like this book because it is really funny.  Like when Jack, the sword of summer and Magnus' companion,  throws insults at Frey, the god who gave him up for a goddess.  Also I think kids would like this book because it is a good way of telling kids about Norse mythology.  Next in the series is Hammer of Thor.  If you want more books by Rick Riordan, the Red Pyramid (about Egyptian mythology) or Percy Jackson (about Greek mythology) are also good options."

Amazon link if you want to check it out

Penguin Problems - 4.3 stars!

Penguin Problems by Jory John & Lane Smith.  This book was featured at the Shedd Aquarium gift shop so I picked it up to read to the kids while they were deciding what stuffed animals to purchase.  We were laughing so loudly in the store I bought it right away.  Story is about a curmudgeonly, disgruntled penguin who finds life as a penguin to be one big burden.  He briefly realizes the beauty of his surroundings and the love of his friends and family (after prompted by a wise walrus), but then quickly goes back to his complaining ways.  Highly recommend.  If you invite my kids to a birthday party in the near future - your kid is probably getting this book.

Recommended age - 4 and up

Lourdes - "I give it a 4 out of 5 stars because it is so hiliriouso.  Funniest part is when the walrus goes away (after giving the wise words) and the penguin is 'Who is that Guy?'  'Why do strangers always talk to me.'"

Sabine - "I give it 5 out of 5 stars because I like when the penguin wakes up and says to the other penguins 'What's all the squawking you guys?'  Another funny part is when he goes in the lake and he's like 'I don't like being hunted.  My flippers ache.'"

Finnegan - "I give Penguin Problemos 4 out 5.  I like when the penguin goes hunting and says 'the water smells too salty today.'  Then he says 'where are all the fish???  FISH GET OUT HERE.'"

Amazon link if you'd like to check it out.

There's a Million Things I Haven't Done, but Just You Wait - 3.6 stars

Who Was Alexander Hamilton by Pam Pollack.  The newest book in the Who Was series.  Clearly capitalizing on the popularity of the musical, it summarizes the life, death and major accomplishments of Hamilton.  It included a few things left out of the musical such as the fact that Alexander had tried to use his influence in the government to protect the rights of Native Americans.  Also, it described Aaron Burr's shady Manhattan Company dealings that gives context to Hamilton's dislike of Burr.  I love this series.  Teaching kids about history in an interesting format.

Best suited for 7-11 year olds.  

Sabine - 4 out of 5 stars.  "I think kids would like this book because it talks about the real things that happened to Alexander Hamilton.  In the musical, it didn't tell everybody everything that actually happened."

Lourdes - 3 out of 5 stars.  "Why I give it a 3 is because it is pretty sad.  I mean why do they have to tell about when he died?  One interesting fact is that Hamilton did a lot of stuff for Washington when Washington was sick.  But I liked in general Hamilton was a good person and he did good stuff for the town of New York.  Lin Manuel did a really good job of Hamilton so I think you would get that Hamilton was a good person if you saw the play."

Finnegan - 4 of of 5 stars.  "I recommend this book to other kids because I feel like after hearing the soundtrack of Hamilton or watching the play they might want to know some other stuff about Hamilton.  Like how technically his father wasn't really married to his mother which was kind of personal for the rest of Hamilton's life.  Also, in the play it didn't tell that Burr was more of a jerk than it appears.  Also, the book is just pretty interesting in general"

Amazon link if you're interested

Kid Approved Audio Books for Long Drives

As we head into the long Labor Day weekend, the kids have some suggestions to help make long drives go by faster.

Finnegan:

The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson read by Jesse Bernstein.  "I think kids will like this book because it's about Greek mythology and it is really funny.  Like Percy always critiques the monsters he's fighting in his head."

The Hobbit (Dramatized).  "Kids would like the adventure.  There are some slightly scary parts, but they get better.  I think it is for kids 8 and above (there is death in it).  My favorite part is when all of the dwarves crowd into Bilbo's house at the beginning."

Lourdes:

The Boxcar Kids read by Phyllis Newman.  "I really liked that the Boxcar kids are really nice to each other.  I also liked that they helped each other and can build anything."

The Cricket in Times Square read by Tony Shalhoub.  "I really liked that the boy's mother calls the cricket the CRICKETER.  I like that the cricket helps the family sell newspapers to get money."

Sabine:

Frozen: The Junior Novelization read Andy Arnt.  "I like Frozen because I liked when Ana finds Elsa at her castle.  And I liked at the end they go ice skating and they fix the castle and the frozen things outside.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever read by CJ  Critt.  "I liked that the Herdmans were so funny.  One time they set the shoemakers workshop on fire and then they stole the donuts from the fireman."

I'm going to add that Joe and I are big fans of How to Train Your Dragon and How to Be a Pirate read by David Tennant.  The stories are great, but the narrator really puts it over the top with the accents.  Joe usually falls asleep during audio book time, but he stayed awake for both of these books on more than one occasion.  Also, you can't go wrong with the Harry Potter series read by Jim Dale.        

A Few of our Favorite Picture Books

Thought I'd post links to some of my kids all-time favorite picture books for those looking too add some variety to their little one's library

Ladybug Girl - one of Lourdes' all time favorites because the little girl's name is Lulu.  I like it because she is strong and spunky.

 

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore - My kids love this book and it is basically a love story about reading.  It makes me tear up every time.



The Boy Who Loved Math - A story about a famous mathematician who was a little odd but absolutely loved prime numbers.  You wouldn't think this would be a big hit with the kids, but Sabine read this in school again yesterday and was raving about it at dinner.  How many kids can tell you what an Erdos number is????  Kids that have read this book can!



I am Helen Keller - This whole series talks about how ordinary people can change the word (Lucille Ball, Jim Henson, Jackie Robinson, Abraham Lincoln etc).  It is inspiring, but done in a way that appeals to kids.  We've probably read the Helen Keller story 50 times if not more.



Marshall the Courthouse Mouse - using mice to explain the Supreme Court.  How cool!



The book with no Pictures - This book is just hilarious.  I literally cried laughing the first time I read it to the kids - as did the kids.



Ada Twist, Scientist - Encouraging kids to question how things work.  Encouraging parents to be patient and allow kids to explore/experiment - even if it makes a mess.  I need this reminder.