Melissa McAvoy

Arnold, Elana K. Blood Years, The. Balzer + Bray, 10/2023. 400pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-0629-9085-3. GRADES 8–12. OUTSTANDING.      Even those uninterested in history will be gripped as the child Frederieke grows to womanhood in the shadow of an idolized, egotistical sister, all while facing [continue reading]

Alexander, Lori. What’s a Germ, Joseph Lister?: The Medical Mystery That Forever Changed the Way We Heal. Daniel Duncan, Illus. Clarion, 10/2023. 144pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-3585-3817-2. GRADES 5–7. OUTSTANDING.     Bloody and butchering was how Joseph Lister described his job as a surgeon, and in the [continue reading]

Sullivan, Kathryn D. How to Spacewalk: Step-by-Step with Shuttle Astronauts. Michael J. Rosen, Illus. Addl. Creators Michael J. Rosen. Mit Kids, 4/2023. 45pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-5362-2621-8. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL. Readers hear from astronaut Kathryn [continue reading]

Schaefer, Lola M. Geology. Druscilla Santiago, Illus. Hands-On Science. Charlesbridge, 10/2023. [38]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $16.99. 978-1-62354-244-3. GRADES Kindergarten–2. OUTSTANDING. How often are authors able to make a science book, especially one about geology, exciting and [continue reading]

Pla, Sally J. Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn, The. Quill Tree, 07/2023. 336pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-326879-1.  GRADES 6–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL.      Rising eighth-grader Maudie loves spending summers with her dad, Pedro, in Northern California. At home, her belittling mom, angry stepfather, and rigid behavioral [continue reading]

Clanton, Ben. Ploof. Ben Clanton, Illus. Addl. Creator Andy Chou Musser. Tundra, 09/2023. 56pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-77488-192-7. GRADES Baby/Toddler–Preschool. ADDITIONAL.        Ploof is a friendly cloud full of feelings who needs the reader’s help. Big-eyed and puffy, Ploof mostly floats on a blue watercolor background. Questions [continue reading]

Bruchac, Joseph. Of All Tribes: American Indians and Alcatraz. Abrams, 09/2023. 256pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-4197-5719-8. GRADES 7–12. ADDITIONAL.     The well-researched, involved, and diverse history of Alcatraz and American Indians is comprehensively presented. Bruchac summarizes centuries of problematic history, from the precolonial period though centuries [continue reading]

Albus, Kate. Nothing Else but Miracles. Holiday House / Ferguson, 09/2023. 288pp. Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-0-8234-5163-0. GRADES 4–7. OUTSTANDING. Things have been rocky since Dory’s Pop headed off to war. True, the neighborhood looks out for the three kids: dinner at Caputo’s on Thursday, baked [continue reading]