Burgess, Matthew. Fireworks. Cátia Chien, Illus. Clarion, 05/2025. [44]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-0-0632-1672-3. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING. A dazzling presentation of an idyllic summer day, from the joy of morning’s first light to a night of impressive fireworks. Beautifully paced poetic language comes vividly alive through [continue reading]
July 2025
Corruption of Hollis Brown Review
Ancrum, K. Corruption of Hollis Brown, The. Harper, 04/2025. 377 [3]pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-0632-8583-5. GRADES 9–12. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Hollis Brown lives in a town that is slowly dying, looks forward to a very limited future, and makes himself small and predictable because life is [continue reading]
Zero! The Number That Almost Wasn’t Review
Albee, Sarah. Zero! The Number That Almost Wasn’t. Chris Hsu, Illus. Charlesbridge, 03/2025. [38]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-432-4. GRADES 2–4. ADDITIONAL. Discover how the number zero (“0”) came to be used, after many centuries of not being needed. Albee traces the history of numbering systems and mathematics [continue reading]
On Again, Awkward Again Review
Kelly, Erin Entrada. On Again, Awkward Again. Addl. Creator Kwame Mbalia. Amulet, 04/2025. 261pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-4197-7563-5. GRADES 7–10. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Personal interactions of any type can be awkward at any age, but when [continue reading]
Book of Maps for You Review
Heuer, Lourdes. Book of Maps for You, A. Maxwell Eaton III, Illus. Holiday House/Neal Porter, 04/2025. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0823455706. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING. Moving to a new home is nerve-wracking, but what if [continue reading]
Let’s Be Bees Review
Harris, Shawn. Let’s Be Bees. Shawn Harris, Illus. Holiday House /Neal Porter/, 02/2025. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-8234-5709-0. GRADES Preschool–2. OUTSTANDING. A tan-skinned father and child play a lively game of make-believe while reading [continue reading]
Aloha Everything Review
George, Kaylin Melia. Aloha Everything. Mae Waite, Illus. Red Comet, 04/2024. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-1-6365-5112-8. GRADES Kindergarten–3. OUTSTANDING. Through the lifelong study of the sacred Hawaiian dance of hula, a young girl develops [continue reading]
Bea Mullins Takes a Shot Review
Deibert, Emily. Bea Mullins Takes a Shot. Random House, 02/2025. 323pp. Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-0-593-80889-4. GRADES 5–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Begrudgingly, Bea joins the new girls’ hockey team at her Toronto area middle school. While navigating [continue reading]