Sheinkin, Steve. Diamond Fever!: A True Crime Story in the Wild West. Jon Chad, Illus. Roaring Brook, 05/2026. 256pp. Nonfiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-250-26574-6. GRADES 4–8. OUTSTANDING. Sheinkin has done it again, delivering a beautifully-written, fast-paced, [continue reading]
Melissa McAvoy
Could We Bring Dinosaurs Back to Life? Review
O’Brien, Cynthia. Could We Bring Dinosaurs Back to Life? Searchlight Books: What-If Science. Lerner, 01/2026. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8-7656-8898-4. Paper $10.99. 979-8-3480-2918-0. GRADES 4–6. ADDITIONAL. SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Could AI Develop Emotions? by [continue reading]
Could Humans Live Forever? Review
O’Brien, Cynthia. Could Humans Live Forever? Searchlight Books: What-If Science. Lerner, 01/2026. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8-7656-8897-7. Paper $10.99. 979-8-3480-2917-3. GRADES 4–6. ADDITIONAL. SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Could AI Develop Emotions? by Cynthia O’Brien for [continue reading]
Could AI Develop Emotions? Review
O’Brien, Cynthia. Could AI Develop Emotions? Searchlight Books: What-If Science. Lerner, 01/2026. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8-7656-8899-1. Paper $10.99. 979-8-3480-2919-7. GRADES 4–6. ADDITIONAL. SERIES REVIEW: What-If Science titles explore some of the science fiction-like questions [continue reading]
Tomorrow I’m In Charge! Review
Mühle, Jörg. Tomorrow I’m In Charge! Jörg Mühle, Illus. Gecko, 02/2026. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 979-8-7656-7053-8. GRADES Preschool–Kindergarten. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Badger visits Weasel and Bear, both of whom proceed to argue over who gets [continue reading]
Inbetweens Review
Hicks, Faith Erin. Inbetweens. Faith Erin Hicks, Illus. First Second, 03/2026. 240pp. Graphic. Trade $22.99. 978-1-2508-3875-9. Paper $14.99. 978-1-250-83874-2. GRADES 5–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL. When a pair of self-acknowledged “crazy art twins” earn the chance to [continue reading]
Dear Acorn, (Love Oak) Review
Sidman, Joyce. Dear Acorn, (Love Oak): Letter Poems to Friends. Melissa Sweet, Illus. Clarion, 09/2025. 40pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-0-3583-3476-7. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING. A moving collection of epistolary (letter) poems of interrelated everyday objects [continue reading]
Sundust Review
Peña, Zeke. Sundust. Zeke Peña, Illus. Kokila, 08/05/2025. 48pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-0-5937-0011-2. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING. Two curious siblings with tawny skin explore the desert beyond their backyard wall, discovering the beauty of their [continue reading]