Solid info combined with amazing destinations make this a good intro to hiking and backpacking.
Glimpses and descriptions of 20 national and state parks and mountain ranges, woven through with information on hiking and backpacking.
With the exceptions of Acadia National Park, Great Smoky Mountains NP, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, all the featured destinations are significantly west of the Mississippi River, including Olympic, Yellowstone, Denali, and Sequoia National Parks. Featured topics include the 10 Essentials and the Leave No Trace guidelines; how to relieve yourself in the wild; snow, fire, and bear safety (about bears in general; specifics aren’t provided about black versus grizzly); backpacking gear and food; hydration (the author uses the term wild water for natural water sources); wild berries; extreme conditions; navigation and what to do if you’re lost; and mindfulness and Hike Your Own Hike, a phrase used to remind people not to compare themselves to others and to respect others’ choices as well. The information is useful and will help outdoor adventurers stay safe, have fun, and ensure the preservation of each destination. Stanev’s illustrations highlight the scenery of each locale and often include common wildlife. The people enjoying the hikes are diverse, and there’s often diversity within each family or friend grouping. Spot art effectively highlights equipment, directions, and important tips. A map is noticeably missing.
Solid info combined with amazing destinations make this a good intro to hiking and backpacking. (further reading) (Nonfiction. 7-14)Pub Date: June 25, 2024
ISBN: 9781915569851
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Magic Cat
Review Posted Online: March 23, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2024
A solid base hit, with guidance on the great American pastime—and life itself.
Actor Renna, best known for his role in the 1993 film The Sandlot, offers baseball-themed anecdotes and affirmations.
Heartfelt reminders that life’s a marathon, not a sprint, may be familiar, but many young readers will find them revelatory. The author also stresses that failure is just as much a part of life as success, encourages children to embrace individuality and work hard despite being the underdog, and emphasizes that practice shows commitment and “prepares you for the big game or the test.” All these lessons will be relatable to young people, and many are supported by real-life stories: basketball superstar Michael Jordan’s short-lived stint in minor league baseball, an unexpected victory during Game One of the 2015 World Series, and Renna’s willingness to swallow his fear when, as a young teen, he was handed a new script just an hour before shooting a pivotal scene in The Sandlot. Each tidbit stands alone, but taken together, all 20 tenets provide a lively road map to life. The colorful spot art features images of diverse young baseball players, plus some visually appealing double-page spreads filled with movement and action. White space is used thoughtfully, allowing readers to reflect on how these words of wisdom might apply to them.
A solid base hit, with guidance on the great American pastime—and life itself. (Informational picture book. 7-11)Pub Date: Feb. 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780593754870
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: Nov. 9, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2024
A sincere, genuine, and uplifting book that affirms the importance of being true to yourself.
Middle school drama hits hard in this coming-of-age graphic memoir.
Natural competitor Misty has faced off against the boys for years, always coming out on top, but now they’re moving on without her into the land of full-contact football. Never one to back away from a challenge, Misty resolves to join the team and convinces her best friend, Bree, to join her. While Misty pours herself into practicing, obviously uninterested Bree—who was motivated more by getting to be around boys than doing sports—drifts toward popular queen bee Ava, creating an uneasy dynamic. Feeling estranged from Bree, Misty, who typically doesn’t think much about her appearance, tries to navigate seventh grade—even experimenting with a more traditionally feminine gender expression—while also mastering her newfound talent for tackling and facing hostility from some boys on the team. Readers with uncommon interests will relate to the theme of being the odd one out. Social exclusion and cutting remarks can be traumatic, so it’s therapeutic to see Misty begin to embrace her differences instead of trying to fit in with frenemies who don’t value her. The illustrations are alive with color and rich emotional details, pairing perfectly with the heartfelt storytelling. The husband-and-wife duo’s combined efforts will appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale. Main characters present as White; some background characters read as Black.
A sincere, genuine, and uplifting book that affirms the importance of being true to yourself. (Graphic memoir. 9-13)Pub Date: Sept. 27, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-06-306469-0
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: June 21, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2022
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