Nerds: M is for Mama Boy - Micheal Buckley

Nerds: M is for Mama Boy by Micheal Buckley

This is the second book in Buckley's National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society series (or simply Nerds).

Five fifth graders who are bullied and teased are secret agents for the goverment. In the first book new recruit Jackson Jones was front and center. This time its Duncan Dewey. In this mission the team is up against a former agent.

The team is too dependent on gadgets. The former agent exploits this weakness. The team must relearn how to be effective agents without technology. This is especially hard for Duncan.

"He wasn't telling you that you should carry off every device they have in HQ. He was telling you that you didn't need them to do your job. In fact, he was telling you that you are perfectly fine to do this mission and that you should stop blubbering about your upgrades." It's OK, Jackson said. "Everyone gets the man up speech once or twice in their lives. I've just never met anyone who didn't understand it was a man up speech." "Duncan looked at his teammates. They were all nodding in agreement."

This was a wonderful follow up. I enjoyed it as much as the first one, and I loved the first one. Buckley simply has a way with characters and dialogue. As the story progressed it was nice to see Duncan, learn how to trust in his abilities again. Towards the end when there's a car chase its a whole new Duncan. He delivers a great line to one of the bad guys.

Early on, I missed the Hyena, the young hit girl for hire in book one. Though knowing she would be back in future books and after seeing some of the new characters more then made up for it. Once again Nerds is action filled, very funny and entertaining. A must read for fans of book one. This series should be read in order. Book one is out in paperback. ages 8 up

My Havana: Memories of a Cuban Boyhood

My Havana : Memories of a Cuban Boyhood by Rosemary Wells and Secundino Fernandez illus. by Peter Ferguson

Wells, a bestselling children's author was moved to tell Secundino Fernandez's story after hearing a 2001 radio interview with the architect. When Fernandez was a boy he and his parents had to leave his home in Havana, Cuba.

In 1954, Secundino (Dino) is six years old. He loves Havana and is constantly sketching the city buildings. Oct. 1954, is the first time the Fernandez family leaves Havana. The family moved to Spain for 3 years. Dino's father must look after his brother's family, while he recovers from a rooftop fall. Dino still carries a sketchbook but many times the pages stay empty. Dino misses home. At school Dino is teased for his Cuban accent. It's in Spain, where Dino first hears the word dictator and what it means to be ruled by one.

Abuela buys eggs and butter in secret from a man who hides them under his cloak and comes to the back door at night. Almost nothing from the outside, goods or medicine, ever makes its way into Francisco Franco's Spain. "Franco makes himself and his friends rich," says Abuela Maria "while the rest of us live on bread and water." She says this very softly as if someone might be hiding and listening.

In 1956, the Fernandez family move back to Havana. Dino's parents go back to work at the restaurant they own. In 1959 when Fidel Castro comes into power, its time for the Fernandez family to say good bye to Havana.

The book is filled with many facts and is very readable. I can almost see Fernandez sharing his childhood memories with Wells. I don't know where Ferguson, the illustrator was, but he couldn't have been very far. The gorgeous illustrations perfectly match the text. Also think they make My Havana that much more appealing to young readers.

There aren't many books for the 8 and older set that mention 1. Spain's dictator, 2. Castro and the ruler he overthrew, 3. Latino people come in many different hues and 4 . a look at Che Guevara, not as a good guy.

I feel like I really got to know Dino, the boy who loved to draw the buildings of his home country. My Havana is a wonderful memoir. I highly recommnand it.

Another blogger review @ Where The Books Are

read the first chapter

On Sale Now : New Releases

I could only find two new releases this week. The second book in the Nerds series by Buckley and Amigas #2, Lights, Camera, Quince by Chambers. The other titles were released earlier in the year.

Carmen Learns English by Judy Cox illus. by Angela Dominquez


Let Me Help/Quiero Ayduar by Alma Flor Alda illus. by Angela Dominquez


Drum City by Thea Guidone illus. by Vanessa Newton


Oprah: The Little Speaker by Carole Boston Weatherford illus. by London Ladd


Frederick Douglass by David A. Adler - I have Edi to thank for this one.


Miss You, Mina (Candy Apple) by Denene Millner


Confetti Girl by Diana Lopez - The paperback release. My review


Nerds: M is for Mama's Boy by Michael Buckley

Amigas #2 Lights Camera, Qunice by Veronica Chambers


Please feel free to let me know of any new or upcoming releases that feature kids of color in the comment box.

Beyond Myers : Recognizing More Black Male YA Authors

The first book I read by Walter Dean Myers was Crystal. I had just started working in the children's and YA section of the bookstore. I was still in the process of getting acquainted with the authors and their books.

When I picked up Crystal, I didn't know Myers was known for his male protagonist or that he was the first YA author to be awarded the Printz for Monster. At the time I was simply in search of a good story. I was attracted to the Black girl on the cover of Crystal and I got exactly what I wanted. A few months later I read Monster and wow. It's an amazing book. After Monster, Walter Dean Myers became a go to author for me. I would highly recommend him to customers and I always looked forward to his next book.

For a long time Myers has been an answer to two YA questions. "Where are all the books for boys?" and "Where are all the books featuring Black boys?"

Its inevitable that someone will say "Walter Dean Myers", and that's how it should be. Myers has written some great books with Black male protagonist. As good as Myers books have been in the past, it was never right for him to be the only Black male author recognized for writing Black male protagonist.

I never questioned this when I liked what Myers wrote though I should have. Now, since the last few Myers novels haven't been good, its all I can think about. The last one I really liked was Dope Sick.

I will always love Monster, Fallen Angels, Sunrise Over Fallujah, Crystal and many other titles by Myers. I like to give authors I love the benefit of the doubt and second chances. "That so -so book was a bad fluke. The next one will be better." Its been difficult but I had to accept what was in front of me for what it was, Myers novels have lost the magic.

I loved Charles R Smith's YA novel Chameleon . Its one of the best coming of age stories I've read in awhile.. I got very lucky and stumbled upon it. There was no buzz around it, which is a shame My review, Edi's , Jodie's and Ari's

Author Derrick Barnes has a YA novel coming out in November called We Could Be Brothers I am a fan of Barnes work. I am looking forward to reading We Could Be Brothers. I have my fingers crossed that it doesn't have a quiet release like Chameleon.

Its time other Black male YA authors who write Black male protagonist are recognized and praised for the work they do. One author should not be expected to pen the voices of many.

Fairy School Dropout Undercover Meredith Badger

Fairy School Dropout Undercover by Meredith Badger

This is the second book in the Fairy School Dropout series. I loved the first one Fairy School Dropout, my review. This is a wonderful follow up. Elly is finally getting her wish. She will be going to human school not fairy school. While Elly's parents are out of town, she will be staying with her next door neighbor and best friend Kara.

It takes Elly a few days to adjust to human school and her mistakes are very funny. Like wanting to stand on the desk to greet the teacher. After an incident in gym class, Elly realizes she is not the only fairy at the school.

Elly and Kara are going to try to figure out who the other fairy is. I loved that this book as a little bit of a mystery it. The two girls decide to go undercover at a fairy party. Before, this Kara's always avoided the girls who love pink and fairies. Kara loves science and has no interest in that stuff.

When the Elly and Kara get to the party, they realize its has nothing to do with fairies. The girls are into science and inventing as much as Kara. This part of the story was unexpected and really appreciated. There are so many early reader books that have to do with girls love of fairies. Its nice to see a little change of pace. Bonus points for the interest in science and electronics.

Readers will have to wait until the next book to find out if there's another fairy at the human school. There is no resolution at the end of the book. Since the first book wrapped up nicely the semi cliffhanger was unexpected. I do wish the ending wasn't left so open. Though overall Fairy School Dropout Undercover was very good. Elly and Kara have great friendship chemistry. There were a lot of laugh out loud moments ( those Aussie children's authors know how to work it in any age group) ages 7up

Read an excerpt Book one is available in paperback