Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes

This short story was written to explain to children who were not alive on 9/11 the significance of that day.  Deja is in 5th grade and is now living in a homeless shelter because her father, who she later learns was in one of the towers on 9/11 is suffering from a persistent cough and chronic depression and cannot keep a job.  Her school looks out on the area where the towers were and on 9/11 the students who had been at school there had watched the towers fall.  Now, on the year of the 15th anniversary of the towers falling, the school is covering a curriculum to explain what happened then so that the students will understand.  The story is well told and interesting and I think that teachers will want to use it in their classes.  I received this book free to review from Netgalley.

A Vegan Ethic: Embracing a Life of Compassion Toward All by Mark Hawthorne

This is a short, concise book about veganism and the reasons and ethics behind it.  From animal rights and how animals are cruelly mistreated to human rights and how the ways we treat animals and the ways we treat one another are related to the environment and more, this book covers the topic well.  I think that people who are vegans will enjoy this book and find it useful in helping them to be able to more fully explain to others why they are vegan.  I think that for those of us who are not vegan, it helps us to see why veganism is a very good and possibly necessary choice.  The book includes questions and answers, and helpful lists.  I received this book free to review from Netgalley.

A Most Magical Girl by Karen Foxlee

Set in Victorian England, young Annabel Grey is sent by her mother to live with aunts she did not know existed.  The aunts are witches and they tell Annabel that she is a most magical girl and because an evil man named Mr. Angel is building a magical machine to spread darkness and evil, it is up to Annabel to find a hidden magic wand to stop him.  Another magical girl named Kitty is sent with Annabel on their quest underneath London through tunnels and trolls and past a dragon in order to save the good magic from the bad.  I received this book free to review from Netgalley.

The Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock

Interesting story and beautiful illustrations!  This book is great for art teachers to use to explain to young children about abstract art. It also implies that the artist, Kadinsky, may have had synesthesia in the author's note at the end of the book.

Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart

This book combines and tackles and interesting combination of issues.  Dunkin is bipolar, like one of the author's sons, and his story also includes another issue.  Lily, born as Tim, is transgender and wishes to start hormone therapy, but her dad is not on board with that.  The book follows the two of them along with Lily's best friend, Dare and her new friend, Amy.  This book addresses a lot of timely issues in the story.

Smashing the Stereotypes: What Does It Mean to Be Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender? by Jaime A. Seba

I think this book is an excellent guide for middle school and high school students about the various stereotypes that surround the LGBT community.  It is a short book and could also be shared with elementary school aged children who are interested in the topic.  I do think that elementary and middle school aged children will need a bit of guidance and explanations from an adult because many of the stereotypes refer to people and TV shows etc... that are way before their time.  For example, most children won't know who Cher is or be familiar with the TV show "Will and Grace".  This is, however, a nice, simple book to share with kids of all ages.

The Two-Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman

I listened to the audio version of this book because I could not find the print copy at any of my local libraries.  The woman who read the book did an excellent job with all of the voices and definitely added character and depth to the book.  The story is set in New York City beginning in the late 1940s where the family lives in a two-family house - one family on the top floor and the other family on the bottom floor.  Abe and Mort are brothers and their wives, Helen and Rose both give birth on the same snowy evening with the help of a midwife who had been nearby when a blizzard did not allow them to go to the hospital.  The story is told alternately by the women, their husbands, and some of the children and is well-written, compelling, and fascinating.