FLYING OVER WATER
By S. Hitchcock & N. H. Senzai

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This page-turning dual point-of-view middle-grade novel tells the stories of Noura, a Syrian refugee, and Jordyn, the student ambassador who welcomes Noura and her twin brother to their new school in Tampa, Florida. 

As the girls become better acquainted, they realize they are both battling demons and set about helping each other. But bigger issues are going on around them. There is unrest in the community. The mosque Noura and her family attend is burnt by arsonists and the U.S President has announced a Muslim ban. Other minority groups are suffering, too. 

This is a wonderful, much-needed novel for introducing middle-graders to the important concepts of immigration, what it means to be a refugee, prejudice/racism, and discrimination. It also provides readers with a deeper understanding of the Syrian refugee experience. Read and share widely—with increased tolerance and understanding the world will move closer to becoming a better place for all.

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Shark Nate-O By Becky Cattie & Tara Luebbe (Illustrated by Daniel Duncan)
 
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 
Nate loves sharks and knows a whole lot about them. He especially loves chomp, chomp, chomping around the house. But he has a problem. As skilled as Nate is at being shark-like, he can’t swim.
 
Nate heads to swim lessons armed with a bunch of shark facts swirling in his mind and plenty of determination. He practices his tail off learning to blow bubbles, kick, float, and paddle. But will all his hard work in the pool be enough to land him a spot on the Amity Sharks Swim Team and prove to his brother that he really is Jawsome?
 
This cute story includes many interesting shark facts and will be an instant winner with shark enthusiasts and anyone who knows how tough swimming lessons can be. Although the ending seemed a little unrealistic, the sentiment —the importance of hard work and practice in goal acquisition — was spot on.
 
Three cheers for Shark Nate-O!