Schneider Family Book Award - Younger Children

A Little Like Magic by Sarah Kurpiel. Penguin/Rocky Pond. Oct. 2024. 40p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780593697658.
 

Schneider Honor Books - Younger Children 

Monster Hands by Karen Kane & Jonaz McMillan. illus. by Dion MBD. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen. May 2024. 32p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780593532294. 
PreS-Gr 2–Right before bedtime, a young boy named Milo makes the mistake of reading a scary story about a monster under the bed. Too frightened to sleep, Milo signals to his friend Mel, who lives next door, for help. Communicating through their windows and using American Sign Language (ASL), Mel suggests using the titular “monster hands,” to banish Milo’s monster. By stacking their hands and curling their fingers, the duo use their hands to create fearsome shadows that “Roar!,” “Chomp!,” and “Laugh!,” at the monster. The pair emerge victorious, and share a hug. Not only are readers treated to a relatable bedtime excursion, but they will also learn the signs for several terms, which are presented organically and naturally throughout the story. The illustrations are equally captivating, in a nighttime palette of blue and purple that depicts the monsters as somewhat eerie, but never anything terrifying. VERDICT A success on every level and a welcome addition to all collections.-Reviewed by Olivia Gorecke

 You’re SO Amazing! by James Catchpole & Lucy Catchpole. illus. by Karen George. Little, Brown. (What Happened to You?: Bk. 2). Apr. 2024. 40p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780316506571. 
PreS-Gr 3–Joe, the modest but imaginative child from What Happened to You?, a story of the irrelevance of his having “only” one leg, returns. Still blond, still in a striped shirt, Joe hates the titular phrase. He knows he is not amazing, he is just like everyone else, and he certainly wishes all of the other children and adults would understand that Joe is not defined by his limbs or lack of them. When he hears anyone say how “amazing” he is, it stops the game. It stops him from playing. He and Simone, who understands, try different games, including one where Joe decides to be invisible so Simone’s powerful jumps can be admired on their own. But no one notices her. They think about “poor Joe,” who can’t run and jump. Condescension and patronizing remarks run rampant in this picture book, which will have adults cringing in recognition. A note from the Catchpoles includes a photo of a baby, a small girl, an adult man with one leg, and a woman using a wheelchair. To children, this will read simply as “family.” Joe’s own actions are to surround himself with people who get it and don’t think of him as “The Joe Show,” at least until everyone else catches up. This book, with its Bob Graham–style cheerful cartoons and utterly common-sense approach, should be in every library. It pulls no punches and lets everyone play on a level field. VERDICT This book, about perfectly normal children having a great time, is absolutely amazing.-Reviewed by Kimberly Olson Fakih

Schneider Family Book Award - Middle Grade

 Popcorn by Rob Harrell. Penguin. Sept. 2024. 288p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780593697924.
Gr 4-7–Harrell’s illustrated novel shines with a humorous, authentic depiction of a middle school student with anxiety and OCD. Andrew, a seventh grade boy who lives in an apartment with his mom and grandmother, is trying to get through school picture day without the kernel of anxiety inside him popping into a panic attack. He is coping with a lot, including the separation of his parents, his grandmother’s Alzheimer’s, and his mom’s struggle with financial stability. Harrell skillfully depicts a young person’s experience with therapy and finding support for anxiety and panic attacks through friends, family, and trusted teachers. Small black-and-white illustrations are included throughout, as well as sketch-style comics called “The Anxiety Files.” The text and art provide relatable and creative descriptions of how anxiety feels in the body, as well as real coping skills. The illustrations build on the humorous tone of Andrew’s internal monologue and add balance to the challenging situations he faces. An author’s note shares Harrell’s own experiences with anxiety and back matter includes further resources about anxiety, OCD, and Alzheimer’s. VERDICT A must-purchase—this is sure to be popular with Harrell’s fans as well as with readers of middle school–themed illustrated novels and comics.-Reviewed by Taylor Skorski 

Schneider Honor Books - Middle Grade

 Louder Than Hunger by John Schu. Candlewick. Mar. 2024. 528p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781536229097.
Gr 5 Up–Eighth grader Jake is bullied at school. He has only two friends. One is his grandmother, who understands him in a way his parents do not and shares his love of musicals. The other is an angel statue he named Frieden. It is only with her who Jake can be honest about how desperately in need of help he is. Jake is wasting away, controlled by “the voice,” which dictates what and how much Jake can eat—and it is louder than his hunger. A former teacher at the nursing home where he volunteers calls Jake’s mother to share her concerns about his weight, ultimately resulting in placement at an inpatient treatment center called Whispering Pines. A regimented schedule including group therapy, art therapy, and work with a psychologist provide Jake with multiple ways to combat his anorexia. Jake is furious that all treatment is at odds with the voice and refuses to participate. It is heartrending and frustrating to watch Jake take steps forward, and then regress multiple times in his nearly yearlong stay, but this repetition sheds insight into the reality of treatment. It is not until Jake begins to genuinely participate that readers learn Jake’s backstory, and the relationship between bullying and his disordered eating. The novel’s mid-1990s cultural references may be unfamiliar to young readers, but the multitude of issues Jake is struggling with are evergreen. The novel is written in verse from Jake’s perspective, allowing poignant access to his thoughts and feelings. Schu draws on his own experience with anorexia, adding authenticity to the voice. The author clearly cares about his young readers, checking in with them at the end of the book and providing resources about eating disorders. Jake reads as white, as do others in his program. VERDICT Jake’s struggle with anorexia isn’t easy to read but his ultimate steps toward health provide hope, as does this much-needed and underrepresented male perspective on eating disorders.-Reviewed by Juliet Morefield

 Shark Teeth by Sherri Winston. Bloomsbury. Jan. 2024. 304p. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781547608508. 
Gr 5 Up–Twelve-year-old Sharkita has always been told by her mom that she’s her “ride or die.” To Kita, this means covering for her mom when she goes out drinking or disappears for days. As the primary caregiver for her younger siblings Lamar, who has fetal alcohol syndrome, and Lilli, Kita struggles to keep her family together. When they’re reunited after being separated in different foster homes, Sharkita’s mother promises that this time will be different. Hopeful with her mother’s precarious promises, Kita joins the baton twirling team. Despite her best efforts, grown-ups in Sharkita’s life take notice of her struggles; her new assistant principal and coach Dr. Sapperstein, and her school counselor encourage her to reach out for the help she so desperately needs. Tragedy strikes one night when Kita’s mom leaves Lamar and Lilli at home alone. Sharkita grapples with the decision of keeping her family together at all costs, or truly doing what’s best for them. Young readers will connect with this powerful story that paints a realistic and heartbreaking picture of family conflict. Kita is a brave protagonist many will root for as she wrestles with emotional turmoil, eventually transforming into a heroine for her siblings. Secondary characters are well developed, and the contrast between Sharkita’s mother and Dr. Sapperstein as dependable adults is beautifully illustrated. VERDICT A must-buy for every library, this belongs in the hands of young readers and those who care for them.-Reviewed by Amy McInerney

Schneider Family Book Award - Young Adult

 Chronically Dolores by Maya Van Wagenen. narrated by Maya Van Wagenen & Victoria Villarreal­. Listening Library. Mar. 2024. 846p. $25. ISBN 9780593793886.
Gr 7 Up–Prodigious Van Wagenen’s first novel opens with a droll dedication: “For my people—the young, wry, and chronically ill. At least we’re in excellent company.” Villarreal’s own excellence is immediate because, despite being a story with so much going wrong—reputations, communication, friendships, families—she audibly ensures much more will go absolutely right. Fourteen-year-old Dolores Mendoza has interstitial cystitis. She got labeled “piddler” after a middle-school bladder accident. Then she lost her BFF. When she meets Terpsichore Berkenbosch-Jones, the new girl’s directness causes more jolting embarrassment. Terpsichore has autism spectrum disorder, her overbearing mother’s excuse for constant surveillance. The new friends (but, are they?) hatch a mutually beneficial plan involving reunion and freedom. Villarreal gleefully, convincingly voices bathroom reviews, un-Catholic confessions, revisionist telenovela scenes, and more. Van Wagenen cameos to share her experiences living with interstitial cystitis and autism. VERDICT Expertly ciphered by Villarreal, Van Wagenen’s memorable crew proves indeed to be excellent company.-Reviewed by Terry Hong

Schneider Honor Books - Young Adult

Light Enough to Float by Lauren Seal. Penguin/Rocky Pond. Oct. 2024. 352p. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780593700143.
Gr 7 Up–Fourteen-year-old Evie feels like a toddler when her mom tries to coerce her to eat “just three more bites.” She is admitted to an in-patient facility specializing in disordered eating after her anorexia results in severe malnourishment. Evie struggles to find a sense of control in her new world of assigned calorie loading, therapy, and facing her own fears. Connecting with her in-patient peers is also a piece of her healing journey, which can look different for everybody. The novel-in-verse format is an excellent fit for Evie’s narrative, as the line breaks, brief chapters, metaphors, and intimate inner monologue provide insight to her plight and suit the character-driven plot. The storyline addresses the effect her mental health and eating disorder have not only on Evie herself but also on her whole family. This emphasizes the importance of an extensive support system for recovery, both clinically and at home. Authenticity shines through; this is inspired by the author’s own experiences and is not a glamorized media version of being “thin.” Specific daily calorie counts are listed, which can be unnerving for readers with a history of battling conditions that parallel Evie’s. Weight/specific numbers on the scale are not detailed. A content advisory encourages readers to step away if needed for ED-related triggers, and resources for help are provided. VERDICT Authentic and impactful.-Reviewed by Lisa Krok

 On the Bright Side by Anna Sortino. Putnam. Jul. 2024. 320p. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780593697863. 
Gr 8 Up–Sortino’s sophomore novel is a brilliantly honest romance with two teens learning how to handle surprising life changes. With budget cuts closing Ellie’s school for the Deaf, she is forced to enroll in her hometown’s public high school for senior year. Being the only Deaf student creates new struggles, the least of which is dealing with her school guide Jackson. Jackson is the all-around nice guy student athlete; however, he’s recently been thrown off-balance by unexplained health issues, and showing Ellie around school is an unanticipated addition to his daily schedule. Feeling a little lost and disconnected, Ellie and Jackson find understanding and community as connecting with each other leads to some very important discoveries. Sortino, who is Deaf and also lives with multiple sclerosis, positively translates Ellie and Jackson’s individual struggles and triumphs with each of their disabilities (Jackson is diagnosed with MS during the story). The candid internal struggles enrich the characters’ growth as readers see differing experiences within the vast disability community. The sweet romance between Ellie and Jackson is built on trust and healthy communication as their interactions open up a dialogue for readers who have been pushed aside or ignored in our often ableist society. Ellie and Jackson are cued white. VERDICT An earnest romance that strikes the perfect balance of hope and resilience while challenging readers to consider a world outside of their own. Purchase this title.-Reviewed by Emily Walker