Sky Blue Water

October 1, 2016

Gr 5 Up-A diverse range of authors with Minnesota ties present 20 stories and poems for tweens and teens. A few marvelously weave the supernatural into the everyday: a girl discovers a troublesome sprite in the schoolyard foliage; a boy gets caught in an ancient war between a lake and a road. Even the selections that are more grounded in reality often include a surprising twist, such as an unexpected and unearthly message from a grandfather or the fierce love of a boy for the doll his mother cherished. Those entries that do stick to realism are some of the most emotionally resonant: a young boy relishes the brief visits and fishing trips he has with his Mexican half brother; an Ojibwe teen stuck in the foster system connects to her father and her heritage for the first time. Featuring Joyce Sidman's evocative, accessible poetry, this is a well-curated volume that expertly showcases the art and power of short form writing. The Minnesota theme is only lightly applied-readers in other regions will have no trouble relating to these common adolescent emotions and experiences. However, this may prove to be a difficult collection for libraries to classify. The first few pieces are clearly aimed at upper elementary readers, but those in the second half of the book transition quickly to more mature teen concerns. Extensive back matter contains author reflections on the writing process, writing prompts, and classroom activities paired with many of the stories. VERDICT A high-quality anthology full of classroom potential, sure to inspire budding writers and hook casual readers, too.-Chelsea Couillard-Smith, Hennepin County Library, MN

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2016
A book of short stories from Minnesota aims to deliver good, old-fashioned storytelling.In a time when literature for kids and teens is flooded with vampires, wizards, superheroes, and barbaric dystopian worlds (that are sometimes violently liberated by teens), it is refreshing to find a book of short stories that take young readers back to the ordinary, day-to-day life of a young person, days that contain drama, humor, and sometimes a little magic. This mother lode of short stories by talented Minnesota writers offers vivid glimpses into the cultural life of the state through the eyes of its youth. From the cities to the Boundary Waters, the stories, and a handful of short poems, celebrate the diversity of its landscape and inhabitants. In each story, friendships and family moments possess an authenticity that transcends race, culture, and state borders, making it accessible to readers across the country. Contributors include Swati Avasthi, Joyce Sidman, Shannon Gibney, Pete Hautman, Kristin Cronn-Mills, and Anika Fajardo, among others. The authors get into the heads of their young characters through their spot-on use of dialogue and genuine senses of innocence and wonder. This is a particularly valuable tool for educators, as the book includes author interviews as well as classroom prompts and creative-writing activities. Young readers may be surprised to see that everyday life can be entirely engaging.

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