Coffin, Amanda. Message in the Dirt. Nikki Sumipo, Illus. Camp Whispering Woods. Lerner, 1/2025. 64pp. Fiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8765648421. Paper $12.99. 979-8765649787. GRADES 4–6. ADDITIONAL. SERIES REVIEW: Please see Haunted Deliveries by Amanda Coffin for [continue reading]
Kimberly Lauer
Haunted Deliveries Review
Coffin, Amanda. Haunted Deliveries. Vanessa Gutiérrez, Illus. Camp Whispering Woods. Lerner, 1/2025. 64pp. Fiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8765648438. Paper $12.99. 979-8765649794. GRADES 4–6. ADDITIONAL. SERIES REVIEW: This mystery story series for reluctant readers has short chapters [continue reading]
Crown of Stories Review
Weatherford, Carole Boston. Crown of Stories, A: The Life and Language of Beloved Writer Toni Morrison. Khalif Tahir Thompson, Illus. HarperCollins/Quill Tree, 04/2024. [48]pp. Biography. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-291103-2. GRADES 1–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Weatherford uses the [continue reading]
Ash’s Cabin Review
Wang, Jen. Ash’s Cabin. Jen Wang, Illus. First Second, 08/2024. 320pp. Graphic. Trade $25.99. 978-1-250-75405-9. GRADES 7–12. OUTSTANDING. Sixteen-year-old Ash is determined to find their grandfather’s fabled Northern California “cabin in the woods” and live [continue reading]
Big Jim and the White Boy Review
Walker, David F. Big Jim and the White Boy: An American Classic Reimagined. Marcus Kwame Anderson, Illus. Addl. Creator Isabell Struble, Colorist. Ten Speed Graphic, 10/2024. 282pp. Graphic. Trade $25.99. 978-1-9848-5772-9. GRADES 6–Adult. OUTSTANDING. Through [continue reading]
Map for Falasteen Review
Odeh, Maysa. Map for Falasteen, A: A Palestinian Child’s Search for Home. Aliaa Betawi, Illus. Henry Holt, 10/2024. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-1-250-89670-4. GRADES Kindergarten–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. When her teacher shows the class a [continue reading]
Ferris Review
DiCamillo, Kate. Ferris. Candlewick, 03/2024. 226pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-3105-2. GRADES 3–5. OUTSTANDING. Rising fifth grader Ferris is navigating a lot of changes in her family and home. Her aging grandma is beginning to suffer [continue reading]
Sami’s Special Gift Review
Yuksel, M. O. Sami’s Special Gift: An Eid al-Adha Story. Hüseyin Sönmezay, Illus. Charlesbridge, 04/2024. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-6235-4296-2. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Every year, Sami celebrates Eid al-Adha with his Dede (the [continue reading]