A Day For Rememberin': The First Memorial Day by Leah Henderson & Floyd Cooper (Children's Nonfiction Picture Book Review)

A Day For Rememberin':
The First Memorial Day
by Leah Henderson
Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Published by Harry N. Abrams
on May 11, 2021
Genre: Children's, Nonfiction, Picture Books
Length: 40 pages
Ages: 6 - 9 years

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Synopsis:
A moving tribute to the little-known history behind the first Memorial Day, illustrated by Coretta Scott King Award winner Floyd Cooper.  

Inspired by true events told through the eyes of a young boy, this is a deeply moving story about what is regarded as the first Memorial Day on May 1, 1865. Eli dresses up in his best clothes, Mama gathers the mayflowers, Papa straightens his hate, and together they join the crowds filling the streets of Charleston, South Carolina, with bouquets, crosses, and wreaths. Abolitionists, missionaries, teachers, military officers, and a sea of faces Black, Brown, and White, they march as one and sing for all those who gave their lives fighting for freedom during the Civil War. 


My Thoughts:

Experience a fictional account of what may have been the very first Memorial Day, through the eyes of a young Black boy who no longer has to worry daily about his parents being sold and sent away and can go to school freely, all thanks to the Union soldiers who fought in the Civil War. His family prepares and off they go to join in on the procession headed to the Washington Race Course where one of the worst Confederate prisons was turned into a peaceful resting place for the Union prisoners who died there. 

Both beautiful and heartbreaking, this important picture book shares a little-known side to the history of Memorial Day, starting with the very first Decoration Day. On this day grateful families and individuals honored those lives lost in the Civil War by decorating their graves with flags and flowers.

Includes archival photos in the back of the book, as well as extra information on the roots of Decoration Day, a timeline of events, and more. 

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Fright Watch: The Stitchers by Lorien Lawrence (Middle Grade Horror Book Review)

 

The Stitchers
(Fright Watch #1)
by Lorien Lawrence
Published by Harry N. Abrams
on August 18, 2020
Genre: Middle Grade, Horror, Mystery
Length: 272 pages
Ages: 10 - 14 years

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Synopsis:
The start of a spine-chilling new horror series about the eerie happenings in a small town. 

Something strange is happening on Goodie Lane...

Thirteen-year-old Quinn Parker knows that there's something off about her neighbors. She calls them "the Oldies" because they've lived on Goodie Lane for as anyone can remember, but they never seem to age. 
Are they vampires? Or aliens? Or getting secret experimental surgeries? Or is Quinn's imagination just running wild again?

If her dad were still around, he'd believe her. When he was alive, they'd come up with all sorts of theories about the Oldies. Now, Quinn's determined to keep the investigation going with the help of Mike, her neighbor and maybe-crush. They'll have to search for clues and follow the mystery wherever it leads--even if it's to the eerie pond at the end of the street that's said to have its own sinister secrets. But the Oldies are on to them. And the closer Quinn and Mike get to uncovering the answers, the more they realize just how terrifying the truth may be. 


My Thoughts:

Quinn Parker and Mike Warren are positive that there's something odd (like really, really odd) about the group of ancient neighbors that inhabit their street. Perfectly smooth skin and clockwork-like habits are just the tip of the iceberg. Quinn and Mike keep an eye on the "Oldies" regularly and notice every little oddity, so when the funeral home director, Mr. Brown, starts joining them on their morning runs (and beating them!) they kick up their investigation and land themselves in the middle of a mystery that may prove to be more deadly than they imagined! 

Something's up with the neighbors. Everyone knows but no one will really talk about it. The "Oldies" are all productive and respected members of society that donate a lot of money and time to the community, after all. But Quinn and Mike are determined to figure out exactly what the mystery is, landing themselves in some frightening situations.  

This was a fun read with lots of mystery and a spooky twist ending that is perfect for this time of year! 

I enjoyed all the misleading theories that the characters shared. It really helped keep the ending a mystery that ended up being a little more horrific than I was expecting.
 I didn't love the focus on 'young romance' in the story, which isn't too heavy considering this is middle-grade. It may be perfect for the age group considering this is the age of 'crushes' but the MC, Quinn, seemed to have no personality thanks to it.

Readers of RL Stine, Christopher Pike, and Katherine Arden's "Small Spaces" series will enjoy this frightening new series!

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The Incredible Nellie Bly by Luciana Cimino & Sergio Algozzino (Nonfiction Graphic Novel Review)

 I won a physical copy of this book in a giveaway from the publisher via Goodreads. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

The Incredible Nellie Bly:
Journalist, Investigator, Feminist, and Philanthropist
Written by Luciana Cimino
Illustrated by Sergio Algozzino
Introduction by David Randall
Translated by Laura Garofalo
Published by Harry N. Abrams
on March 2, 2021
Genre: Graphic Novel, Biography
Length: 144 pages

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Synopsis:
A visual biography of the groundbreaking investigative journalist.
Born in 1864, Nellie Bly was a woman who did not allow herself to be defined by the time she lived in. She rewrote the narrative and made her own way. 
Luciana Cimino"s meticulously researched graphic novel biography tells Bly's story through Miriam, a fictionalized female student at the Columbia School of Journalism in 1921.
As Miriam learns more of Bly's story, she realizes that the most important stories are not necessarily the ones with the most dramatic headlines, but the ones that, in Nellie's words, "come from a deep feeling."
This beautifully executed graphic novel paints a portrait of a woman who defied societal expectations--not only with her investigative journalism, but with her keen mind for industry, and her original inventions. 


My Thoughts:

The Incredible Nellie Bly is a fantastic graphic biography of the infamous investigative journalist that made waves by infiltrating a women's insane asylum and traveled around the world in less than 80 days, alone!

This fashionably designed graphic novel highlights Bly's groundbreaking investigations and how she opened the door for future female journalists (some of which share a cameo spread at the end of the book) as well as how she persevered despite the limitations set on women in that time period.

I found this to be quite fascinating with fantastic illustrations with era-appropriate clothing that take us right into the past, including Bly's 'around the world' travel outfit!


Many thanks to Abrams and Goodreads for the chance to read and review this! 


Want more nonfiction graphic novels about incredible women?
Try 'Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier' by Jim Ottaviani!

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You Are My Friend: The Story of Mister Rogers and His Neighborhood by Aimee Reid (Children's Nonfiction Book Review)

You Are My Friend:
The Story of Mister Rogers and His Neighborhood
Written by Aimee Reid
Illustrated by Matt Phelan
Published by Harry N. Abrams
on August 6, 2019
Genre: Children's, Nonfiction, Biography
Length: 40 pages
Ages: 5 - 8 years

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Synopsis:
A heartwarming picture book that celebrates the work of Mister Rogers and carries on his legacy of kindness.

Mister Rogers is one of the most beloved television personalities, but before he was the man who brought us Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, he was just little Freddie Rogers. Though he was often sick and had trouble making friends as a child, his mom and grandfather encouraged him to ask for help and explore the world. With their support, he learned how to better say what he was feeling and see the beauty around him. As he grew up, he realized he could spread the message of compassion, equality, and kindness through television. You Are My Friend is a gentle homage to Fred Rogers and shows how his simple message still resonates with us today:  "There's no person in the world like you and I like you just the way you are." 

Our Thoughts:

Fans of Fred Rogers will enjoy this picture book biography of the boy who would grow up and create the beloved children's television show, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.  

Starting in his younger years of playing with puppets and learning the piano, this picture book gives us glimpses into Fred Rogers' life and how he came to be the incredible man he was.

Having been bullied as a child, Fred found a positive way to express himself and his feelings; through music. He also had people in his life that accepted him and urged him to look for the good in the world. 

 

His childhood takes up a good portion of the story and focuses on how Freddie learned and grew to be the amazingly kind and accepting man that we knew him to be from his tv show. 

The watercolor illustrations are warm and friendly and do a wonderful job of reflecting the joy, wonder, and kindness that Mister Rogers has spread to the world.

This picture book includes a brief biography of Fred Rogers in the back along with a select bibliography of other works about Fred Rogers.

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