Fergus and Zeke for President (Fergus and Zeke #5)
May 23, 2023 by Candlewick Press
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
When the classroom that the two mice live in start on a unit about the presidents of the United States, Fergus and Zeke are very excited. The two friends have a little bit of trouble deciding which president to pick, especially since they want to find one that had a pet mouse! Fergus discovers that Lyndon Johnson fed the mice in the White House, but that isn't good enough for Zeke, who is busy "supervising", and lounging around in his George Washington cotton ball wig. Fergus is working very hard, but Zeke is not, and the two friends are at odds. Zeke gets very pushy, but the two friends finally learn to work together and are able to present their project with the rest of the class.
Ah, group projects. Learning how to work together is important, but so, so painful for many students. I'm not sure how people like Zeke feel, but I know exactly how frustrated Fergus must be when Zeke won't get work done! It's good for young readers to see these behaviors modeled in constructive ways.
Messner, who has written other children's books with a political bent, like The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America’s Presidents and History Smashers: Women's Right to Vote quickly unpacks the racist and sexist history of US presidents, and the children in the class look forward to the day when there is a woman president.
This is a little longer than an I Can Read Book, but not so long that it couldn't be read aloud to a class for a President's Day or election day celebration along with other books about elections like Shamir's What's The Big Deal About Elections, Fleming's Rock That Vote, or Cronin's Duck for President.
Kessler, Liz and Stone, Joanie (illus.).
The Truth About Aaron (The World of Emily Windsnap #3)
April 11, 2023 by Candlewick Press
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
In this third book in The World of Emily Windsnap series, an emerging reader prequel to the middle grade one, we catch up with Shona and Emily as they travel to Aaron's island to visit him. Their friend's mother is having a party, and the trio swim around the large ship that is on its way to the island. They overhear men on deck talking about searching for something, and when they meet the men, who look a lot like pirates, they are alarmed. At dinner, one of them admires Aaron's necklace at asks to see it, and it isn't until later that Aaron realizes he hasn't given it back. Suspecting the worst, the three set out to solve the mystery. When Aaron goes on board the ship and is apprehended by the men, Shona and Emily go to his mother for help. What is the big secret?
Well, I wouldn't want to spoil it, but it's nowhere near as serious as our intrepid merfriends think it is! This is a fun story that sheds light on the origins of Aaron, and has just enough suspense for young readers. This is similar in length to Butler's King and Kayla series, Thorpe and Kristy's Disney Fairies, or Malcolm's classic The Ruby Princess. Young readers who want some fantasy that isn't too difficult to read will love the adventure and camraderie in this beautifully illustrated title.
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