Jenny Andrus

Ancrum, K. Icarus. HarperCollins/HarperTeen, 03/2024. 400pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06328-578-1.  GRADES 9–Adult. OUTSTANDING.      In this Greek myth remix, Icarus is the son of a brilliant art forger who forces him into a life of crime. Fearing exposure, the seventeen-year-old, with black hair and brown eyes, [continue reading]

O’Shaughnessy, Kate. Wrong Way Home, The. Knopf, 04/24. 336pp. Fiction. Trade $24.50. 978-0-593-65073-8. GRADES 5–8. OUTSTANDING.      Fern is happy living on an isolated, environmentally sustainable ranch run by Dr. Ben, a cult leader who demands strict adherence to his worldview: “As long as you [continue reading]

McPherson, Stephanie Sammartino. Breakthrough: Katalin Kariko and the mRNA Vaccine. Lerner / Twenty-First Century, 11/2023. 136pp. Nonfiction. PLB $38.65. 979-8765607947. GRADES 7–12. HIGH ADDITIONAL.       Many years of research and scientific dedication led up to COVID vaccines being developed in record time. This title explains what [continue reading]

Swanson, Jennifer. Lost Forest: An Unexpected Discovery Beneath the Waves. Lerner / Millbrook, 04/2024. 56pp. Nonfiction. Trade $33.32. 978-1-7284-9301-5. GRADES 5–9. ADDITIONAL.           Detailed text and photographs explain a research team’s investigation of an ancient forest (60,000 years old) found off the coast of Alabama, under [continue reading]

Rosen, Michael. Ready for Spaghetti: Funny Poems for Funny Kids. Polly Dunbar, Illus. Candlewick, 10/2022. 51[+3]pp. Poetry. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-2497-9. GRADES Preschool–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.        Thirty-two short poems designed to engage young children celebrate the joy of language and wordplay. Watercolor-and-ink illustrations convey exhuberance and show children [continue reading]

Gidwitz, Adam. Max in the House of Spies: A Tale of World War II. Operation Kinderspion; bk. 1. Penguin/Dutton, 02/2024. 336pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-0-593-11208-3. GRADES 4–7. HIGH ADDITIONAL.         Max knows that his parents just want to keep him safe, but the eleven-year-old Jewish boy yearns [continue reading]

Rose, Elle Gonzalez. Caught in a Bad Fauxmance. Random House/Joy, 12/23. 320pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-0-593-64579-6. GRADES 8–12. ADDITIONAL.             Two feuding families gear up for high-stakes competition during winter break at their lakeside homes in Florida. Trouble ensues when their teen sons enter into [continue reading]

Torrubiano, Susana. A Different Kind of Fairy. Giulia Orecchia, Illus. Translated from the Spanish by Cecilia Ross. NubeOcho, 05/2024. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-84-19607-90-4. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.       Rose, the Pink Fairy, has grown tired of granting children’s wishes after thousands of years. Now she delights in scaring children, [continue reading]