Monthly Book Recommendations

As the month of April starts, pranks and spring also start. Here are some must-read stories and novels this month. Some of these books are related to April Fool’s Day, while others are related to the start of spring. Other books are known to be an interesting read according to many readers around the world.

Elementary - Fiction

April Foolishness by Teresa Bateman and illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott

Here’s a short description from Goodreads…

“It's a spring morning on the farm. Grandpa is fixing breakfast for his visiting grandkids. Suddenly his grandson reports that the cows have got loose! He thinks Big Brown Bessie just stepped on a goose!”

The book follows a group of kids visiting their grandfather on the farm, where they pull an April’s Fool prank on their grandfather, by pretending all the farm animals have gone loose and into chaos. Little did they know, their grandfather was in on the prank the whole time. The book introduces the April Fool’s tradition to young kids, but also provides them with a valuable lesson about pulling pranks, which can get out of hand at times. The humorous dialogues and illustrations help spark the imagination and sense of humor of young kids, which can help them enhance their creative side. With the rhyming, song-like words, the text becomes amusing and engaging for young audiences.

Elementary - Nonfiction

Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner and illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal

Here’s a short description from Goodreads…

“Up in the garden, the world is full of green—leaves and sprouts, growing vegetables, ripening fruit. But down in the dirt exists a busy world—earthworms dig, snakes hunt, skunks burrow—populated by all the creatures that make a garden their home. These secrets and many others are waiting to be discovered up in the garden and down in the dirt in this sweet children’s book from Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal, the latest in their beloved series that offers kids a peek into hidden ecosystems.”

This book explores both above-ground, and below-ground aspects of a garden and the creatures that thrive and support the changing season. April is often associated with the arrival of spring, and therefore, this book represents the description of growth and renewal that comes with the season. The book uses illustrations to focus on the transformation of a garden from the cold, winter air, to a bright, and colorful spring time. Not only is this book educational, but it also promotes curiosity and exploration in young children. The book is educational as it teaches young children about ecosystems, growth, and the life cycle of plants and animals in an engaging way. Curiosity is promoted as it helps young children go outside and look at the garden and observe the things they read.

Middle School - Fiction

Addison the April’s Fool’s Day Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Here’s a short description from Goodreads…

“Rachel and Kirsty can't wait for April Fool's Day. It's the perfect time to act silly and have fun. They love telling jokes and making their friends laugh. But Jack Frost has pulled an early prank on Addison by stealing her magical items. Now, no one is smiling. Find the magic objects in all three stories inside this Rainbow Magic Special Edition and help make April Fool's Day magical again!”

Addison, a fun-loving family, is tasked with spreading joy and laughter on April Fool’s day, however, a villain pulls a prank on her by stealing her magical items, so now she has to spend her favourite day of the year trying to find those objects in the hopes of saving the world’s April Fool’s Day. The playful tone of the book helps introduce young readers to the world of jokes and pranks in a non-threatening way, which helps promote laughter and helps them enjoy the spirit of April Fool’s day. The fantastical, and magical elements captivates the imaginative side of youngsters, while keeping them entertained. Also, it slowly starts building the understanding of the tradition of pranks on April Fool’s Day in a light-hearted manner, where children can determine who their favourite characters and scenes are.

Middle School - Nonfiction

When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

Here’s a short description from Goodreads…

“Heartbreak, hope, and gentle humor exist together in this graphic novel about a childhood spent waiting, and a young man who is able to create a sense of family and home in the most difficult of settings. It's an intimate, important, unforgettable look at the day-to-day life of a refugee, as told to New York Times Bestselling author/artist Victoria Jamieson by Omar Mohamed, the Somali man who lived the story.”

This is a graphic novel of the true childhood story of Omar Mohamed, when he lived in a refugee camp. The book follows Omar, and his younger brother, Hassan, as they navigate the challenges of living in a refugee camp after fleeing the war-torn Somalia. Throughout the story, they face hardships, but find hope and resilience in the face of adversity. This book teaches empathy and compassion to young children by looking at the struggles of refugees, introducing children to kindness and support. The combination of vivid illustrations and text makes it easier for younger generations to understand, especially those just starting out with complex themes.

High School - Fiction

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Here’s a short description from Goodreads…

“At the dawn of the next world war, a plane crashes on an uncharted island, stranding a group of schoolboys. At first, with no adult supervision, their freedom is something to celebrate; this far from civilization the boys can do anything they want. Anything. They attempt to forge their own society, failing, however, in the face of terror, sin and evil. And as order collapses, as strange howls echo in the night, as terror begins its reign, the hope of adventure seems as far from reality as the hope of being rescued.”

This book is about a group of boys stranded on an island who descended into savagery, while commentating on the nature of human behaviour. The book explores themes of civilization, power, and morality. For mature readers, it provides lessons on leadership and society by examining the formation and breakdown of rules and leadership, helping readers think about teamwork, order, and responsibility. Also, this book raises questions about whether people are naturally good or if society is what keeps order. The adventure and survival themes present in this novel may capture the interest of readers interested in action plots.

High School - Nonfiction

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance

Here’s a short description from Goodreads…

“Hillbilly Elegy is a passionate and personal analysis of a culture in crisis—that of white working-class Americans. The disintegration of this group, a process that has been slowly occurring now for more than forty years, has been reported with growing frequency and alarm, but has never before been written about as searingly from the inside. J. D. Vance tells the true story of what a social, regional, and class decline feels like when you were born with it hung around your neck. A deeply moving memoir, with its share of humor and vividly colorful figures, Hillbilly Elegy is the story of how upward mobility really feels. And it is an urgent and troubling meditation on the loss of the American dream for a large segment of this country.”

The memoir follows J.D. Vance’s journey from a troubled Appalachian upbringing to success, symbolizing personal growth and transformation. For readers, it provides a firsthand look at the challenges faced by working-class families in rural America, helping readers develop empathy and awareness of social issues. J.D. Vance’s story shows how perseverance and education can help overcome difficult circumstances.The memoir explores complex family dynamics and the impact of one’s upbringing on personal identity. It sparks discussions on systemic issues like economic hardship, education, and social mobility.

Written By: Krisha L