Happy Birthday Book, From the Fields to the Fight by Angela Quezada Padron!

March had held quite a few book birthday shoutouts so far, and it isn't stopping yet. I love the energy and wish it would continue the entire way through...always a reason to party! Today's read falls into the picture book category and heads in the nonfiction direction. It takes a look at two women, who worked to help migrant workers here in the US. I'm, honestly, not sure what to expect and am going to learn something in these pages.

So, let's dive into this book and see what these women did.

FROM THE FIELDS TO THE FIGHT

by Angela Quezada Padron

Illustrated by Sol Salinas

Atheneum Books

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 4 to 8

A timely and inspiring picture book biography of Jessica Govea Thorbourne, 

a Latina labor activist who worked alongside Dolores Huerta to bring attention

to the plight of migrant farmworkers.

When Jessica Govea Thorbourne was four years old, she began picking crops in the 

California fields. One resilient girl, doing what was needed to help her family. As 

Jessica grew up, she saw her community struggling. Farm workers were being treated

unfairly. But she was just one child. What could she do?

Jessica stood up for justice and learned to organize for change, passing out flyers, speaking 

to crowds, and rallying other kids to petition for a neighborhood park. As an adult, she 

joined the United Farm Workers and played a pivotal role in the success of the California 

Grape Boycott. Though her journey started when she was very young, Jessica found her 

voice and empowered others to fight for their rights.

Jessica showed that making a difference can start with just one child.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Following a young migrant girl, Jessica Govea Thorbourne, these pages are written to inspire.

Jessica's parents worked as migrant field workers in California, and as soon as she was able, she joined them. She saw not only her own parents' struggles with low pay, hot days, and long hours but also how it affected the workers around her. Grabbing inspiration and ideas from individuals and her surroundings, she joined groups to raise awareness for people like her and her parents. 

This is a well-laid out, smoothly written journey surrounding Jessica Govea Thorbourne and the difference she made to help other workers like her. The beginning allows younger readers to sympathize with her as she works as a young girl in tiring circumstances. From there, she grows up, and the book follows the steps she makes on her life path, fighting for rights. The various problems and set-backs she faced are understandable and inspire. The illustrations bring across each moment nicely and make sure to express the desired emotions clearly.  At the end of the book, there is a short list and definition of several important words, tips on how readers can  organize their own protests, and a timeline of the United Farmworkers Labor Union. It forms a solid biography which can easily be used as a theme in a classroom or group setting.

The overall atmosphere shows fighting spirit and leans into Jessica's drive and not as heavy into detailed facts. The amount of text sits on the slightly heavier side for a picture book for the intended age group and fits better with the upper end. More reluctant readers/listeners might find this one more difficult to sink into, since the pages depict Jessica's life-long, steady determination. It works well in those situations, where the readers are meant to learn (and maybe discuss) either about the movement of the UFLU, migrant workers, or about Jessica Govea Thorbourne. 

And here they are...

Angela Quezada Padron is a Latina author-illustrator who spent her childhood days writing stories and doodling on the garage walls of her New Jersey home and her summers visiting family in the Dominican Republic. As the Seas Rise: Nicole Hernández Hammer and the 

Fight for Climate Justice is her author-illustrator debut. She’s also the author of From the Fields to the Fight: How Jessica Govea Thorbourne Organized for Justice. She won first place in the Portfolio Showcase at the 2023 Florida SCBWI Conference and was a semifinalist for the SCBWI Tomie dePaola Award in 2014. Visit her at AngelaPadron.com.

Sol Salinas is a non-binary artist from San Antonio, Texas. At a young age, they fell in love with history while watching old Hollywood movies with their grandmother. When they aren’t drawing, Sol can usually be found playing Dungeons & Dragons, collecting rose quartz, drinking warm cups of tea, and listening to their favorite music: Fleetwood Mac. Find more at SolSalinasIllustration.com or on Instagram @SolsticeIllo.

The Elephant in the Ivy by Alexander Greengaard

Today's read hit the shelves last October, but I just got my hands on a copy not to long ago. I found the title intriguing...doesn't really give any idea what it's about, does it? Unless I'm missing something. I'm pretty sure it waves from Britain and seems to have done fairly well. According to the blurb, it is a bit like a spy read but not really. I'm not sure what that means, but I'm expecting all sorts of surprises, some tension, maybe a little action, and definitely clever clues.

So, let's see where this one goes.

THE ELEPHANT IN THE IVY

by Alexander Greengaard

Prima Open Digital Press

YA / NA Fiction

191 pages

The Elephant in the Ivy is a whimsical and irreverent spy novel—of sorts—in the beautiful and mysterious New England college underground.

Alison Ashe is a junior at Bauer College. A scholarship kid, a theatre major, strapped for cash and even more strapped for time; she’s easily annoyed and something about her privileged peers really wigs her out. But unlike most of her peers, Alison has an outlet where starting on third base doesn’t do anyone any favors. Ancient and secret, Bauer is home to a spy game of sorts. A game where all that matters is that your wits are sharp and you’re willing to take big risks. And, of course, who you trust.

Written with support from Pima Open Digital Press, an open educational resource initiative at Pima Community College.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

College life is already difficult on so many levels but add a spy version of Capture the Flag to the possible scholarship mix, and the stress hits an entirely new level.

Alison is a junior at Bauer College and is able to get by financially thanks to scholarships, but everything is tight. Especially time. Plus, she isn't even sure what her end game on the major end should be. To, at least, make life a bit easier on the financial front, she's joined an odd game at the college, which packs tons of secrecy for all involved and might end with a scholarship if she wins. It's a spy game, where secrecy is key and missions can easily end with complete elimination from the game. There are more than a few teams in play, too. Wrap the game, finances, college life, and everything together, and Alison has more than a little to deal with.

I enjoy the unique twist of the spy game, since it definitely raises the stakes and tension...and that without leaving the more serious issues of getting through college, friends, trust, and the like. Alison's problems come across with familiarity even for those, who haven't hit college, since some issues slide into more universal problems such as knowing who to trust and learning to juggle life. There's friendship and heart. While some moments feel slower, the spy game adds a level of suspense without really entering the realm of mystery or danger. 

I picked this up as a YA read, which it isn't really, since Alison is already a junior in college. The pacing and characters, however, feel a bit younger...as if they were teens. And while set in a college environment, the themes are still very appropriate for the YA audience. So, I can recommend this to YA readers, who enjoy tales set on college campuses. It's also a quick read thanks to the lower page number and flows very smoothly. 

 

Amelia Sparkle and the Big Bad Wolf by Dana Ubba

Sometimes, a reader needs sparkle, fairies, and fun, and today's read should fit this category nicely.  It's for beginning readers, who are sure of their words but not ready for full-fledged middle grade novels, yet. I'm hoping for lots of smiles, cute situations, magical moments, and fantasy.

Let's sit down and see if these pages accomplish all of that.

AMELIA SPARKLE AND THE BIG BAD WOLF

by Dana Ubba

The Untamed Page

Beginning Readers / Children Fiction

83 pages

ages 6 to 9

COMING APRIL 14th!!!

Amelia Sparkle is a fairy godmother-in-training. Perfect in every way… except for one tiny problem. Her spells never quite work right! But when a big bad wolf starts prowling around, Amelia’s instincts kick in. She wasn’t trained to be a hero—but what if she was meant to be one?
With a sprinkle of magic and plenty of heart, join Amelia on her quest to stop the wolf and find the hero within!

Perfect for read-alouds and fans of early reader chapter books. Amelia Sparkle and the Big Bad Wolf is a family-friendly fairy tale with an unlikely hero. This first in series book features magical mishaps with a misunderstood wolf in a light-heartened adventure that will make you laugh out loud. A terrific fit for fairy-tale and hero lovers alike.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

A few mishaps, tons of determination, and a big heart make this a read to smile with and enjoy.

Amelia Sparkle is a fairy godmother-in-training, but her spells don't usually work out quite the way she hopes they will. While practicing a spell, she hears a wolf's growl outside and realizes that none of the town's heroes are currently available. That leaves only her to deal with the wolf before it gobbles up the entire town....but she's a fairy godmother-in-training, not a hero. So, she does her best to get a hero costume together and take on the wolf. But he's not very easy to track down, and the entire ordeal might not be what she expects, either.

This is an adorable beginning chapter book for readers, who are getting a good handle on their word skills. The font is very large as is the spacing, making sure there aren't an overwhelming amount of text on each page. Add pink swirls and many illustrations, and it keeps the small blocks of text from feeling overwhelming. Still, the vocabulary does a nice job at practicing the skills and introducing some new words. The illustrations are bright and fun, and help keep the tale bubbly and light. 

This tale doesn't have a heavy plot, but rather, takes Amelia on a little adventure where she meets many animals, has a few obstacles she needs to overcome, learns more about helping others, and discovers that sometimes life takes us on paths we didn't expect. So, there's goodness in the tale as well as quite a few smile-worthy moments.

It's an adorable and well-paced read.

And here she is...

Da

Dana Ubba is a proud mother of two little adventurers who inspire her every single 

day. In the quiet moments between school drop-offs, work, and bedtime

snuggles, she creates whimsical middle grade fantasy stories filled with wonder,
laughter, and just a touch of mischief. She is the creator and author of the beloved 

Amelia Sparkle Adventures series.
The idea for her books was born from a simple wish: to craft a bedtime story her 

daughter would be excited to hear—and one she would love reading just as much. 

What began as a small spark of imagination quickly grew into an early reader 

chapter series starring an unlikely hero who tiptoes, dashes, and occasionally tumbles 

headfirst into magical misadventures.

The Book of Candles by Laurel Snyder

Today's read is one which I meant to hit last year, but it slipped into the cracks of my pile and just recently hit daylight again. So, I'm going to take a look at it, anyway, and see is as inspiration since Hanukkah is sure to come again this year...probably faster than I notice.

THE BOOK OF CANDLES

Eight Poems for Hanukkah

by Laurel Snyder

Illustrated by Leanne Hatch

Clarion Books

Picture Book   /   Religious

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

From Sydney Taylor Award winner and National Jewish Book Award honoree Laurel Snyder comes a warm, reverential, surprising, and fresh story of one very special Hanukkah.

In a dark, dark room,

one thin candle

wakes, bursts to life

Thus begins the first night of Hanukkah in one child’s home. But what does the light from the candle mean? What are the words everyone is singing? What will each of these eight nights hold? Family and friends, takeout dinners and flat tires, traditions new and old—it’s all part of this year’s timeless, timely holiday celebration.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With a hint of calmness and an atmosphere of reflection, these pages take readers through each day of Hanukkah. 

This is a gentle but informative book, which guides young readers through each day of Hanukkah. Every night, a candle is lit, there's a small poem, and the atmosphere between family members comes to life. It's a warming way to bring young readers through the season and encourages the togetherness the holiday holds. Each night is a little different, and one night, the candle is even lit a bit late due to a busy day. So, there's a sense of reality to the entire thing as well.

The illustrations hold the violet/blue tones, which give the entire thing a nice, end-of-the-day touch. The scenes come across with familiarity, while letting readers connect with the family. The short poem on each day flows nicely. There's also a box of extra information surrounding each day for adult readers to incorporate, if they desire, or for slightly older readers to explore or their own. 

It's a nice book to greet the Hanukkah season and can accompany young readers through each day.

And here they are...

Laurel Snyder is the author of many picture books and novels for children, including National Book Award nominee Orphan Island, the Geisel Award winner Charlie & Mouse, the Sydney Taylor Award winner The Longest Night, and the National Jewish Book Award honoree The Witch of Woodland. A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, she lives in Atlanta with her family. She can be found online at laurelsnyder.com.

Leanne Hatch is the author and illustrator of The Brand-new, Never-used, Perfect Crayons; Rosie and the Pre-loved Dress; and Unraveled. She’s also the artist of My Thoughts Have Wings by Maggie Smith. With a background in both fine arts and fashion design, she divides her time between writing and illustrating for children, creating patterns for textiles, and designing accessories. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family. You can visit her online at leannehatch.com.

 

America Celebrates by Aubre Andrus

Today's read hits the shelves in about a week or so and celebrates the 250 year anniversary of the United States. This one claims to hold some of the most incredible and influential things of the last two and a half centuries, and I'm curious which ones will be mentioned.

So, let's open it up and see what goodness these pages hold.

AMERICA CELEBRATES

The Most Incredible and Influential People,

Places, and Events of the Last 250 Years

by Aubre Andrus

becker&mayer! kids

Middle Grade Nonfiction

178 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING MARCH 31st!!!

Celebrate 250 years of important people, places, and events in American history.

In honor of America’s 250th birthday, America Celebrates takes young readers on an exciting journey through a timeline of influential figures, notable landmarks, and special events dating back to 1776. Packed with colorful visuals and facts, this engaging and informative book covers one person, place, or event per year, introducing young readers to both famous and lesser-known, though still equally impactful, historical moments. America Celebrates offers children a fun and accessible way to learn about a diverse range of significant moments, locations, and individuals in American history, including:

• Teenage Sybil Ludington warns her community that the British are coming in 1777
• The Supreme Court rules the tomato a vegetable in 1893
• Eleanor Roosevelt hosts an all-female press conference in 1933
• Simone Biles makes history in the 2024 Olympics

With hundreds, even thousands, of possibilities, America Celebrates also discusses the challenge of only choosing one person, place, or event to represent per year. The book provides a list of questions discussed when selecting choices, encouraging young readers to reflect on the important contributions of each option. Further, the text encourages its young audience to engage with American history, inviting them to add their own people, places, and events to the list.

In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, young readers can take a deep dive into the fascinating facts of American history in America Celebrates.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

250 years of United States' history rolls through these pages, carrying a broad range of directions with all sorts of information surprises.

After a short introduction, a map of the United States, and a quick list of a few interesting people and facts to get the history curiosity going, this book dives into a chronological line-up of people, events, and unexpected facts to give a glimpse at the huge variety U.S. history has to offer. The chapters are divided by years and take a look at all sorts of facts from the time frame. The range of items hit upon is vast, including everything from the Boston Tea Party to Taylor Swift's Era's Tour. The moments are briefly introduced and explained, sticking to a light atmosphere which highlights important aspects while keeping things interesting. Many of the historical aspects are familiar, but more than a few are also lesser-known and sure to surprise. Each of these is explained in a short paragraph or two and the themes head in all sorts of directions, including music, politics, inventions, foods, and so much more. To add a little more fun, quick tidbits are scattered in little, yellow rectangles throughout the pages, and these give a strange fact in just a sentence. At the end of the book, there's a glossary to help define more difficult terms and an index for locating names, places, and events quickly.

Reading this book feels like visiting a huge, varied buffet of United State's historical facts. There's something for everyone and it's hard to guess what might be next. Especially in the first section, many events and people hit upon well-known things, but as the book continues, more lesser-known facts come into play. This keeps things interesting and broadens the horizons in so many ways. As the last, most modern years hit, the variety is very spread-out and includes things, which will especially interest the age group. The information is presented in a relaxed, enjoyable manner, making it an easy read. Of course, this isn't a book to be read in one sitting, but rather, works well to be visited again and again. There are colorful photos and illustrations packed in as well. 

Fans of facts and interesting tidbits as well as young history enjoyers are sure to enjoy this one.