October 2024

Behar, Ruth. Across So Many Seas. Penguin/Paulsen, 02/2024. 258pp. Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-0-5933-2340-3. GRADES 5–7. ADDITIONAL.          This four-part novel, told in first-person voices, depicts the stories of related twelve-year-old Sephardic Jewish girls. It begins in 1492, when Benvenida and her family are expelled from [continue reading]

Becker, Aaron. Last Zookeeper, The. Aaron Becker, Illus. Candlewick, 03/2024. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-2768-0. GRADES Kindergarten–3. OUTSTANDING.       A surprisingly emotional wordless picture book about climate change, storms, and rising oceans. Becker, known for his previous titles—Journey (Candlewick, 2013), Quest (Candlewick, 2014), and Return (Candlewick, 2016)—shows how a robot named Noa [continue reading]

Weber, Frank. More Dung: A Beetle Tale. Frank Weber, Illus. Disney Hyperion, 05/2024. [44]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-368-10008-3. GRADES Preschool–2. ADDITIONAL.      A dung beetle collects and rolls elephant dung into balls. When a leopard [continue reading]

Sonneborn, Liz. Barbie: From Doll to Cultural Icon. Gateway Biographies. Lerner, 08/2024. 48pp. Nonfiction. PLB $33.32. 979-8765626641. GRADES 3–6. HIGH ADDITIONAL.      The history of the Barbie doll is recounted in simple sentences that will appeal [continue reading]

Pang, Hannah. Habitats: A Journey in Nature. Isobel Lundie, Illus. 360 Degrees, 02/2024. [32]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-944530-41-9. GRADES 2–5. ADDITIONAL. Six habitats are introduced, including a rainforest, desert, ocean, forest, mountain, and natural spring. [continue reading]

Murray, Lily. Five Little Ghosts. Holly Surplice, Illus. Candlewick, 07/2024. [24]pp. Picture Book. Trade $16.99. 978-1-5362-3500-5. GRADES Baby/Toddler–Kindergarten. ADDITIONAL.  In this variation on the nursery song and fingerplay “Five Little Ducks Went Out One Day,” [continue reading]

Warga, Jasmine. Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall, A. Balzer + Bray, 09/2024. 224pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-0629-5670-5. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.         Since his best friends unfriended him, eleven-year-old Rami hangs out at the museum his mom cleans, and spends a lot of energy trying not [continue reading]

Sepetys, Ruta. Bletchley Riddle, The. Addl. Creator Steve Sheinkin. Viking, 10/2024. 400pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-0-59352-754-2. GRADES 5–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL.         Two very different orphaned teen siblings are drawn into history’s crucible as World War II accelerates and Britain prepares for invasion. Fourteen-year-old Lizzie is straightforward, fiendishly [continue reading]