Dreamers: A Review by Veronica Jorge
May 22, 2026 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as book review, Dreamers, SOÑADORES, Veronica Jorge, Yuyi Morales
DREAMERS
YUYI MORALES
Neal Porter Books
2018
ISBN 978-0823440559
SOÑADORES
(Spanish Edition)
Neal Porter Books
2021
ISBN 978-0823446735
Hopes and wishes: the stuff that dreams are made of. Remember hoping for the dream boat prom date? Remember hoping for your dream job? How many times have you wished upon a star with all of your heart for something that you truly desired to come true? Or wished that you could slide down the rainbow tasting all of the colors along the ride, and then discover the wonderful world waiting for you at the end?
In Dreamers, Yuyi Morales invites us to join her on the magical journey of a mother; a migrant traveling to a new land in order to find all of the hopes, wishes and dreams that she desires for herself and her son.
They pack up the life that they know in search for a better one while leaving their hearts behind. A new language to learn. Mistakes made. And incredible and surprising things and places to see. Like a library! They experience the thrill of learning to speak a new language, to read it and write it; to make their voices heard. With each passing day, they inch closer to becoming something new and good that they cannot yet even imagine.
Beautifully written and illustrated, Yuyi Morales shares part of her life when immigrating to the United States, learning English and realizing her own dreams. She has written many distinctive books for children, five of which have won the prestigious Pura Belpré Award with one title also receiving a Caldecott Honor.
Dreamers; the ones who prove that hopes and wishes do come true!
See you next time on June 22nd! Until then, pleasant dreams and keep on wishing and hoping!
Veronica Jorge
Books Reviewed by Veronica
ALL AROUND US: A Review by Veronica Jorge
April 22, 2026 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as Adriana M. Garcia, All Around Us, book review, Veronica Jorge, Xelena Gonzalez
ALL AROUND US
by XELENA GONZÁLEZ
ILLUS. by ADRIANA M. GARCIA
Cinco Puntos Press,
2017
ISBN 9781941026762
In my March 22nd post, As Young As Spring, I mentioned several nature themed books. Today, I’d like to offer a review of one of those titles. Since a picture paints a thousand words, I’ve chosen, All Around Us, a picture book by Xelena González, illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia. Available in many libraries and bookstores, I hope reading it will be the start of a flourishing Spring season for you, an inspiration to spend time outdoors, (my heart goes out to my fellow allergy sufferers), and an opportunity to share with others about the wonders of nature and our wonderful Earth.
Grandpa’s daily chores and routines seem mundane and dreary yet through them his granddaughter learns about the wonders of nature that encompass everything about them, including her.
When she sees a rainbow arc in the sky, Grandpa explains that the other half of the circle, the part we cannot see, is hidden in the earth. Patting the garden soil where Grandpa planted seeds, he reminds his grandchild that the seeds, though now unseen, will become the visible fruits and vegetables that will feed them.
Throughout the day, Grandpa introduces her to many other unseen secrets and she begins to see and to understand her own place in the circle of life.
All Around US by Xelena González is a reflective celebration of life; a warm and tender story of the relationship between a grandfather and his granddaughter and the lessons he teaches her about our connection to the earth and the world around us. The illustrations by Adriana M. Garcia support the theme of circles all around with deep rich earth tones, and bright greens and vibrant yellows that swirl around each page. Intermingling with the text, they enfold the reader into the story to help them feel the warmth of the earth and the love between adult and child.
All Around Us is a 2018 Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor Book, an ALSC Notable Children’s Book and a 2018 American Indian Youth Literature Award: Picture Book Honor recipient.
See you next time on May 22nd. Until then, happy reading with whatever new book friends you make.
Veronica Jorge
Books Reviewed by Veronica
A SKY FULL OF SONG by SUSAN LYNN MEYER—A REVIEW BY VERONICA JORGE
November 22, 2024 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as A Sky Full of Song, book review, Chanukah, Susan Lynn Meyer
Union Square Kids, 2023
ISBN 978-1-4549-4784-4
Sydney Taylor Honor Award-Winning Author.
Will Rogers Gold Medallion Award for Western Fiction: Young Readers.
When you think of Chanukah, the Jewish eight-day festival of lights, which begins on December 25th this year, you probably don’t associate it with starting a new life on the American prairie. It may be that you have no connection with either experience. But we can all relate to something they both share in common: a desire to establish your place in the world, and to preserve your identity. Even when faced with apparently insurmountable obstacles.
Susan Lynn Meyer’s, A Sky Full of Song, unfolds in the early 1900s. The protagonist, eleven-year-old Shoshona and her family, have fled Jewish persecution in the Russian empire and hope to find safety in North Dakota, and start a new life.
The wide open country offers Shoshona many opportunities for discoveries, and a world of exploration. It also presents challenges, like learning English, and understanding different customs. Her traditions are so unlike those of all of her classmates. Especially the upcoming Christmas holiday, which her family doesn’t celebrate, but where she is expected to sing a song. Should she refuse?
Eager to make friends and fit in, she struggles with her Jewish identity. How much can she share about her ways without them rejecting her? Some already bully her. Or is it best to hide who she really is?
When a blizzard hits and darkness engulfs the prairie, the menorah in Shoshona’s window illuminates the night, providing a guiding light for someone in need, and an opportunity for Shoshona to share the story of Chanukah and the meaning of the light.
At the Christmas concert that takes place after the storm has passed, Shoshona makes a decision to sing, not a Christmas carol, but a song from her country in her own language about new beginnings.
Susan Lynn Meyer’s story is beautifully written and filled with poetic lines, evocative imagery, and memorable phrases that will sing in your heart. A story of belonging, acceptance, identity, and of remaining true to yourself, A Sky Full of Song reminds us of the importance of singing your own special song, and of shining your own unique light.
Veronica Jorge
See you next time on December 22nd!
I AM FLAWSOME by SHEILA COLON BAGLEY—A REVIEW BY VERONICA JORGE
September 22, 2024 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as book review, Children's Book, Coloring book, new release
I AM FLAWSOME by SHEILA COLON BAGLEY—A REVIEW BY VERONICA JORGE
Independently published
2024
ISBN 979-8328775885
September. Summer comes to a close and a new school year begins; with all of the excitement, wonder and angst of growing up, fitting in, and trying to figure out who you are and your place in the world.
Which is why I found Bagley’s, I Am Flawsome, a treasure of a book, and a welcome and much needed September read for girls going back to school.
I Am Flawsome, which means that while one may have flaws, (and who doesn’t), one can still be awesome in spite of them, is geared to girls between the ages of eight and thirteen. A variety of coloring pages, activities, and thoughtful prompts, and spaces for daily journaling, encourages girls to accept themselves as they are, and promotes a healthy and positive self-image.
You won’t find the author’s name anywhere in the book, which I thought was a printing error, but Sheila explained, “I want the book to stand on its own to better accomplish the intent for which it was written: a daily practice for girls to learn how to be their own best friend.”
So, the book is not about her, but about you, the reader.
As the pages in the book affirm:
I am,
F ollowing my heart
L earning new things
A dapting as I go
W elcoming differences
S etting goals
O pening my mind
M aking mistakes
E nough
I Am Flawsome, is a wonderful book that validates the individual, and helps them to discover and see how very special and unique they are.
The perfect gift for girls of all ages, young and old alike!
Veronica Jorge
See you next time on October 22nd!
Other books reviewed by Veronica.
When Plans Go Awry: A Review by Veronica Jorge
July 22, 2024 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as book review, Denise M. Colby, new release, Veronica Jorge, When Plans Go Awry
WHEN PLANS GO AWRY by DENISE M. COLBY—A REVIEW BY VERONICA JORGE
WHEN PLANS GO AWRY
Best-Laid Plans Book One
DENISE M. COLBY
Scrivenings Press
2024
ISBN: 978-1-64917-391-1
A Review by Veronica Jorge
Olivia Carmichael couldn’t have wished for a better life. A beautiful home on her family’s estate. High society friends. And at age 19, the perfect fiancé. God is in His heaven smiling down at her and all is well.
Until tragedy strikes like a lightning bolt.
The sudden loss of Olivia’s parents is difficult enough to bear, but she can probably get through that with the help of her faith. But when her father’s fraudulent business dealings are discovered she loses the house, her status, her so-called-friends, and her fiancé. Where is God now she wonders.
Homeless and penniless, smeared with the shame of her father’s actions, and finding it impossible to continue living in her Cincinnati town that will never again accept her, Olivia answers an advertisement to move to California to become a teacher. She steels her heart to live an independent and loveless life because people cannot be trusted. And determines to make her own way in life without depending upon anyone…not even God.
Olivia prepares to fight to survive when she reaches Washton, California, but she is not prepared for the warm welcome she receives from the townspeople. Their kindness disarms her and she grows to care for the children she teaches. Add to the mix a certain young man who makes her heart leap with possibility and hope, emotions she promised herself never to feel again.
But can Olivia who vowed to stand alone learn to trust God with her life? And can she open her heart to love again?
When Plans Go Awry is a lovely debut novel about strength and resilience, the power of love, and the importance of faith in God.
And if you love an old fashioned love story, this is the book for you.
To learn more about Denise M. Colby and her writing connect with her at, www.denisemcolby.com.
Veronica Jorge
See you next time on August 22nd!
Other Books Reviewed by Veronica Jorge
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