Center for Children's Literature Blog

I really enjoyed Codebreaker because it made history and science feel exciting and easy to understand, especially through the story of the protagonist, whose intelligence and determination stood out in every chapter.

I liked that no matter what life threw at Jella Lepman she always found a way to get what she wanted. I found this book special because it showed me no matter how many people doubt you, there is always a way to reach your goal.

What I loved about A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation was how deeply it resonated with me. The road trip setting wasn’t just a backdrop—it felt like a mirror to my own life. Every year, my family takes a long road trip, and those hours in the car are some of my favorite moments. No distractions, just laughter, stories, and quiet togetherness. So when Gonzalo and his grandfather Alberto hit the road, I was instantly hooked.

I liked the part of the sandcastle. I liked how he splashed the baby. It’s special because he really wanted to do something. It had all our favorite things in it like the baby, swimming, summer, floaties. The pictures were funny and cool.

In  “Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School,” the author Tiffany Jewel discusses heavy topics such as separation of students through prejudice disguised as ‘educational differences’. She touches on how people outside of the school system would never be able to recognize how racially separated schools are.

Katherine Rundell has crafted a breathtaking story, one which interweaves a unique magical world with carefully rounded characters, and a beautifully paced storyline equally moving and light-hearted at the right moments. What sets this children’s fantasy apart from others is perhaps the concepts and creatures in the stories, the messages delivered, and the ending, which is sure to break your heart.

“Everything We Never Had” by Randy Ribay was a touching novel about the Filipino-American experience. It tracked four generations of a Filipino family and their experiences living as Filipinos in the US.

Renée Watson has achieved something unique through this collection of semi-autobiographical poetry. With strong characterization, Watson has written a powerful ‘herstory.’ Reflecting on the journey of a young person on the margins at the crossroads of gender, class, and race, Watson delivers a powerful piece of American literature.

For those born outside societal norms, the consequences can be severe. I love how synaesthesia is explained, likening it to seeing breathing in winters as steam or while swimming as bubbles. People with synaesthesia, like Rosie, can see sound in the form of color.

There are many things I liked about this book. One was the addition of antihero (Alex) as the co-protagonist, or an atypical hero who insults people and lashes out but eventually learns to be kind as the story goes on. Another was the compare-and-contrast between Alex and Josey. Both of them have had hard lives.

I liked how this book portrays the story in a poem-like format. I loved how friendship and peace were the important themes in this book. This book is special because it reminds us how war continues to break apart lives. It shows how peace can mend family and relationships.

The book was told entirely by illustrations, which I enjoyed because of the thought the artist/author put into each picture. The characters’ expressions, the wonderful colors, and the details in the background (and foreground!) of each illustration were intriguing.