Joy Shioshita

Cuevas, Mayra. My Abuela Is a Bruja. Lorena Alvarez Gómez, Illus. Knopf, 08/2025. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-5934-8063-2. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.     In Puerto Rico, a granddaughter creates lifelong memories with her abuela (grandmother). The [continue reading]

Crull, Kelly. Black Mambas, The: The World’s First All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit. Kelly Crull, Illus. Millbrook, 04/2025. [40]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. ‎ 979-8765627259. GRADES 1–5. OUTSTANDING.     Crull highlights the work of the Black Mambas, an all-woman [continue reading]

Jreije, George. Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile. Harper, 05/2025. 275pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-338224-4. GRADES 4–8. ADDITIONAL.          Just as his summer in his native Lebanon is ending, Bashir finds a mysterious ring, [continue reading]

Sardà, Júlia. Witch in the Tower, The. Júlia Sardà, Illus. Candlewick Studio, 09/2025. 64pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. ‎ 978-1-5362-4301-7. GRADES 4–7. OUTSTANDING.     Carmela feels left out and sad that her new friends and older [continue reading]

Peyton Smith, Sasha. Rose Bargain, The. HarperCollins, 02/2025. 385pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-337252-8. GRADES 8–12. HIGH ADDITIONAL.       To save her sister from a mysterious rose bargain with the cruel fairy queen, Ivy Benton joins a [continue reading]

Medina, Meg. Graciela in the Abyss. Balbusso, Anna and Elena, Illus. Candlewick, 07/2025. 256pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-1945-6. GRADES 4–7. HIGH ADDITIONAL.       Newbery-award-winning author Medina enters the fray of fantasy in her latest middle-grade novel. [continue reading]

Larsen, Andrew. Call Me Gray. Tallulah Fontaine, Illus. Addl. Creator Bells Larsen. Kids Can, 10/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $21.99. 978-1-5253-1135-2. GRADES Kindergarten–4. HIGH ADDITIONAL.         Every winter Gray and their dad create an ice rink, [continue reading]

Keller, Shana. CeeCee: Underground Railroad Cinderella. Laura Freeman, Illus. Charlesbridge, 08/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-62354-389-1. GRADES 1–4. UNSATISFACTORY.            Keller presents a tale that is neither a Cinderella story nor an effective depiction of [continue reading]