Saleh, Haya. Wild Poppies. Levine Querido, 06/2023. 176pp. Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-64614-201-9. GRADES 7–12. ADDITIONAL. Omar and Sufyan’s lives are forever changed as war destroys their Syrian town, tearing apart their family and nation. After [continue reading]
Joy Shioshita
Story of Gumluck the Wizard Review
Rex, Adam. Story of Gumluck the Wizard, The. Adam Rex, Illus. Chronicle, 08/2023. 133pp. Fiction. Trade $14.99. 978-1-7972-1323-1. GRADES 3–4. OUTSTANDING. A naïve but earnestly helpful little wizard named Gumluck is introduced in this first [continue reading]
Secret Summer Promise Review
Brown, Keah. Secret Summer Promise, The. Levine Querido, 06/2023. 304pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-64614-173-9. GRADES 9–12. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Andrea and her high school friends have planned out The Best Summer Ever. Of course, friend issues [continue reading]
Making of Yolanda La Bruja Review
Avila, Lorraine. Making of Yolanda La Bruja, The. Levine Querido, 04/2023. 384pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-64614-243-9. GRADES 9–12. ADDITIONAL. Yolanda, a Black girl with Dominican Republic heritage, feels at home at her high school in [continue reading]
Frank and the Masked Cat Review
Brockenbrough, Martha. Frank and the Masked Cat. Jon Lau, Illus. Levine Querido, 4/2023. 50pp. Fiction. Trade $14.99. 978-1-64614-242-2. GRADES 1–3. ADDITIONAL. Frank, a house cat, swoons over a “masked cat” he spied outside while waiting [continue reading]
Check & Mate Review
Hazelwood, Ali. Check & Mate. G. P. Putnam, 11/2023. 368pp. Fiction. PLB $22.99. 978-0-593-69844-0. Paper $14.00. 978-0-593-61991-9. GRADES 10–12. OUTSTANDING. STEMinist romcom author Hazelwood successfully shifts into YA territory with this appealing romance set in [continue reading]
Spotlight on China Review
Kerry, Isaac. Spotlight on China. Countries on the World Stage. Lerner, 08/2023. 32pp. Non-Fiction. PLB $30.65. 978-1-7284-9196-7. Paper $10.99. 979-8765602522. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL. SERIES REVIEW: Please see Spotlight on Brazil by Isaac Kerry for the [continue reading]
Spotlight on Brazil Review
Kerry, Isaac. Spotlight on Brazil. Countries on the World Stage. Lerner, 08/2023. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 978-1-7284-9195-0. Paper $10.99. 979-8765602515. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL. SERIES REVIEW: These series titles provide a good overview of the named [continue reading]