The Year We Fell From Space by Amy Sarig King

Liberty’s whole life changes when her parents announce they’re getting a divorce. Liberty turns to the stars for guidance, like she always has, but she’s not able to map out new constellations like she used to. She reads these constellations like a horoscope, so she’s lost without them. Her connection with the stars feels severed, which is how she feels about her dad, who moved out and hasn’t called or visited in months. But still, Liberty asks the skies for answers, and when they reply by sending a meteorite, she’s determined to crack the universe’s code.

This book deftly handles changing family dynamics, friendships, bullying, and depression in a way that reads like fiction but feels like therapy.

Code 7: Cracking the Code for an Epic Life

Code 7: Cracking the Code for an Epic Life by Bryan R. Johnson

I initially thought this was a book of short stories for middle graders... and it kind of is. The chapters can be read as stand alone stories, but the characters all go to the same school, and work together in the last story. It reminds me a lot of Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar - each chapter can be read as a complete short story, but all the characters go to the same school and interact with each other. Like Sachar's book, there is humor is the Code 7 stories, though it is more subtle and tongue-in-cheek than Wayside. 

These stories have a positive spin, with the students taking action for an idea they're passionate about. This shows the kids reading that they have the power to change the world around them, just like the characters they're meeting in Code 7.

Code 7 is a great book for parents and teachers to read aloud to, or read along with, their middle grade kids. These engaging, quick stories are sure to inspire the readers to take action.

Disclaimer: I was sent this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unlock Their Imagination - October #kidlitpicks

During the month of October, KidLitPicks explored picture books that unlock imagination. Magic happens when tiny fingers turn the pages of a beloved book. Stories provide avenues of amusement, entryways to intrigue, and doors through which discovery abounds. The simplest of sentences can launch us to the stars and back again, helping us land safely in our haven of blankets and pillows after completing an expedition to save the earth. Stories can help us learn to fly, travel the globe in mere moments, and go on enchanting adventures with talking animals and magic carpets.

Through story, we can help our children navigate oceans of emotions and experiences. We can provide them a safe place to grapple with difficult topics and challenging feelings. We can give them laughter and comfort, and we can teach empathy and inclusiveness and kindness. Most importantly, we can use books to unlock their collective imaginations.

As Kwame Alexander recently said in a New York Times article, "The mind of an adult begins in the imagination of a child." Lets give our children a safe space to run free and roam the universe by offering them books that encourage wild, fanciful and meaningful experiences. These imaginative stories may plant the seeds for their big ideas -- big ideas that will one day change our world for the better.

A special thank you to Lauren from Happily Ever Elephants for the theme!​

The Forgetful Knight, by Michelle Robinson and Fred Blunt (shared by @readingisourthing) “Story writing involves chops and changes. Not only does The Forgetful Knight accentuate this, but also the idea of endless possibility.”

What Can I Be? by Ann Rand and Ingrid Fiksdahl King (shared by @spiky_penelope) “It explores the power of imagination and the room for potential.”

The Storyteller by Evan Turk (shared by @afriendlyaffair) "The book, which is reminiscent of an ancient parable, reminds us of the power of a great story to quench the thirst for history, imagination, and togetherness."

Cook In A Book: Pancakes!: An Interactive Recipe Book, by Lotta Nieminen (shared by @the.book.report) “The illustrations are simple and clean, which fit this book PERFECTLY!”

Journey, by Aaron Becker (shared by @homegrownreader) “With an amazing cameo by a boy with a purple crayon at the end of the book, the pages of this story leaks creativity onto your hands.”

Beyond the Pond, by Joseph Kuefler (shared by @book.nerd.mommy) “This book is a beautiful reminder that imagination is an incredible power that can transform the world from a place of rigid boundaries to a realm of possibilities”

Hey A.J. It's Saturday, by Martellus Bennett (shared by @hereweeread) “Let your kids unlock their imaginations with this imaginative and entertaining book.”

Topsy Turvy Ocean by Wes Magee and Tracey Tucker (shared by @astoryaday) “This book provides a springboard for children to explore their imaginations.”

Shadow, by Suzy Lee (shared by @chickadee.lit) “This wordless picture book shows the power of solitary play, and—with just two colors—creates a magical immersive experience..”

Ursa's Light, by Deborah Marcero (shared by @happily.ever.elephants) “[It] is delightful, imparting to our little ones that even the most seemingly impossible dreams can be realized with hard work, dedication, and the ability to ignore the naysayers.”

The Wonder, by Faye Hanson (shared by @bookbairn) “ I can't think of a better way to unlock doors to different worlds than through books and reading.”

Also an Octopus, by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Benji Davies (shared by @bookbloom) “A riot of whimsy and color, this over-the-top book sparks imagination by exploring the components of good storytelling.”

Big Friends, by Linda Sarah and Benji Davies (shared by @howifeelaboutbooks) “So many books came to mind with this theme because picture books are one of the best ways to explore imagination!” (See my full post HERE!)

What Do You Do With an Idea?, by Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom (shared by @smallysbookshelf) "The words and illustrations in this book are nothing short of magic."

This Is Sadie, by Sara O'Leary and Julie Morstad (shared by @fee_loves_) “A beautiful, beautiful book that encourages our children to unlock their imagination.”

Anno's Magical ABC, by Masaichiro Anno and Mitsumasa Anno (shared by @ohcreativeday) “Such a fun way to introduce emerging readers to the amazing world of letters”

You Choose, by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt (shared by @alittlebookhabit) “This unique book basically offers children all the many options they need to create their own stories by asking a few clever questions and then providing more options than you knew were possible.”

Panda Pants, by Jacqueline Davies and Sydney Hanson (shared by @childrensbooksgalore) “A little panda really wants to wear pants!”

Picture Books About Change - September #kidlitpicks

Another month of excellent #kidlitpicks/@kidlitpicks of books about change (theme chosen by @chickadee.lit). After you read the quotes below, check out #booksaboutchange to see photos of all the recommendations.

A lot changes in September. I mean, as the ancient Greeks will tell you, change is the only constant…but there’s something about September that sparks a bit of reflection—on the tilt of the Earth, the passing of the year, the meanderings of the path of life.

In September, the cadence of family time shifts as a new school year settles in around us. The dinnertime light is altered as we approach the autumnal equinox, and we trade swimsuits for sweaters or vice versa. We might even find that the foods we crave adapt to the harvest. Pumpkin latte, anyone? September calls our attention to traditions and homecomings and gives us reason to both revisit the past and plan for the seasons ahead.

There are no better guides for us in this transitional month than books, of course. After all, change is at the heart of every compelling story. 

Little Tree, by Loren Long (shared by @readingisourthing) “Change is a good thing. New beginnings are exciting. Letting go is the only way we can move forward.”

Yellow Time, by Lauren Stringer (shared by @spiky_penelope) “As the season begins to change from summer to fall, it's finally yellow time, a time when yellow leaves in the trees mean large imaginations and lots of fun.”

You and Me and Home Sweet Home, by George Ella Lyon and Stephanie Anderson (shared by @ilovebooksandicannotlie) “They are able to move into their very own home and start their brand new life together.”

Amelia Earhart (Little People, Big Dreams), by Ma Isabel Sanchez Vegaraand Mariadiamantes (shared by @afriendlyaffair) "These ladies are awesome [and] deserve celebration."

Wherever You Go, by Pat Zietlow Miller and Eliza Wheeler (shared by @the.book.report) “Just when you think you are settled and have a plan or an idea of what you think your future might look like, life has a way of stirring that up and changing those plans. ”

Bear Hug, by Katharine McEwen (shared by @homegrownreader) “It truly is a visual expression that is wonderfully shocking with its simplicity and strength.”

The Cow Who Climbed a Tree, by Gemma Merino and Panda’s Pants by Jacqueline Davies and Sydney Hanson (shared by @book.nerd.mommy) “They help kiddo's realize that sometimes trying something new can be wonderful!”

The Water Princess, by Susan Verde and Peter Reynolds (shared by @hereweeread) “Try to imagine having to walk on average four miles each day (which is the equivalent of about 70 football fields) just to collect water.”

Bella’s Fall Coat, by Lynn Plourde and Susan Gal (shared by @astoryaday) “Every season there is a change and there is a purpose for everything that occurs in our lives.”

The Journey, by Francesca Sanna (shared by @chickadee.lit) “The world refugee crisis is larger than ever, but we can all contribute to changing that by offering up as we are individually able.”

Maybe Something Beautiful, by F Isabel Campoy, Theresa Howell, and Rafael López (shared by @happily.ever.elephants) “There is so much power behind the idea that art can lift up a community.”

Where’s the Starfish, by Barroux (shared by @bookbairn) “Such a fabulous book to encourage us all to make small changes for a big difference.”

The Fox and the Star, by Coralie Bickford-Smith (shared by @bookbloom) “A gentle reminder that change can sometimes result in something better and more beautiful than previously imagined.”

Perfect Square, by Michael Hall (shared by @howifeelaboutbooks) “Explains a difficult concept to kids in a way they can easily understand.”

The Leaving Morning, by Angela Johnson and David Soman (shared by @smallysbookshelf) "For young children, change can be a mixture of longing and excitement - longing for the familiar and excitement for the new adventures ahead."

Grandad's Island, by Benji Davies (shared by @fee_loves_) “This poignant story deals with loss and bereavement, one of the greatest changes we face in life is the death of a loved one.”

My Dad Used to Be So Cool, by Keith Negley (shared by @ohcreativeday) “How has parenting changed you?”

Tree, by Britta Teckentrup (shared by @alittlebookhabit) “Whether you are moving from summer to autumn or winter to spring this book is my favourite for talking about the seasons.”

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, by Peter Brown (shared by @childrensbooksgalore) “Mr. Tiger embraces his wild side! Roar!”