Pennypacker, Sara. Lions’ Run, The. Jon Klassen, Illus. Balzer + Bray, 02/2026. 288pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-2503-9281-7. GRADES 3–6. OUTSTANDING. Pennypacker delivers action, suspense, and emotional tension in her historical fiction, set in Nazi-occupied France [continue reading]
Cindy Gullikson
Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo Review
Onajin, Alaba. Case of the Missing Kolo, The. Alaba Onajin, Illus. Korobá; bk.1. Holiday House, 02/2026. 142pp. Graphic. Paper $14.99. 978-0-8234-6251-3. GRADES 3–6. OUTSTANDING. Solving the mystery of a missing “kolo”—a special piggy bank for [continue reading]
Goldfinches Review
Oliver, Mary. Goldfinches. Melissa Sweet, Illus. Viking, 03/2026. 40pp. Poetry. Trade $18.99. 978-05-9369-241-7. GRADES Kindergarten–5. OUTSTANDING. A visually stunning accompaniment to a poem by renowned poet Mary Oliver is filled with the ephemeral magic of [continue reading]
Chernobyl, Life, and Other Disasters Review
Nayberg, Yevgenia. Chernobyl, Life, and Other Disasters: A Graphic Memoir. Yevgenia Nayberg, Illus. Holiday House/Porter, 04/2026. 144pp. Graphic. Trade $24.99. 978-0-8234-6058-8. Paper $15.99. 978-0-8234-6278-0. GRADES 5–7. OUTSTANDING. This distinctive graphic memoir recaptures the atmosphere and [continue reading]
Barbed Wire Between Us Review
Wenjen, Mia. Barbed Wire Between Us. Violeta Encarnación, Illus. Red Comet, 03/2026. [48]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-1-6365-5192-0. GRADES 1–4. ADDITIONAL. Using the form of an illustrated reverso poem, Wenjen and Encarnación demonstrate parallels between [continue reading]
The Sweater Review
Theule, Larissa. Sweater, The: A Story of Community. Teagan White, Illus. Viking, 2/2026. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-5935-2894-5. GRADES Preschool–2. OUTSTANDING. Raccoon Holly has just started a fall morning hike when she encounters a [continue reading]
Dinosaur Danger Review
Scott, Cavan. Dinosaur Danger. Abby Ryder, Illus. Lerner Stories: Adventure Park. Lerner, 01/2026. 32pp. Fiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8-7656-4876-6. Paper $9.99. 979-8-7656-4882-7. GRADES 1–2. ADDITIONAL. SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Candy Crisis by Cavan Scott for series [continue reading]
Cosmic Chaos Review
Scott, Cavan. Cosmic Chaos. Abby Ryder, Illus. Lerner Stories: Adventure Park. Lerner, 01/2026. 32pp. Fiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8-7656-4875-9. Paper $9.99. 979-8-7656-4881-0. GRADES 1–2. ADDITIONAL. SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Candy Crisis by Cavan Scott for series [continue reading]