Brown, Don. 83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary. Don Brown, Illus. Clarion, 05/2023. 128pp. Graphic. Trade $22.99. 978-0-06-331156-5. GRADES 9 – 12. OUTSTANDING. As in his other nonfiction graphic novels, Brown masterfully mixes direct [continue reading]
Melissa McAvoy
Ancient Night Review
Bowles, David. Ancient Night. David Álvarez, Illus. Levine Quierdo, 03/2023. [32]pp. Folklore. Trade $18.99. 978-1-64614-251-4. GRADES Preschool – 2. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Luminous illustrations in rust, teal, and olive set against a warm, inky night sky, [continue reading]
Men of the 65th Review
Nuñez, Talia Aikens. Men of the 65th: The Borinqueneers of the Korean War. Lerner / Zest, 05/2023. 136pp. Non-Fiction. PLB $37.32. 978-1-7284-4962-3. Paper $17.99. 978-1-7284-7914-9. GRADES 6 – 12. HIGH ADDITIONAL. The Borinqueneers were the U.S. Army’s first (and last) segregated Latino regiment. Formed in 1898 they defended the homeland, [continue reading]
When Clouds Touch Us Review
Lai, Thanhhà. When Clouds Touch Us. Inside Out & Back Again Series; bk. 2. HarperCollins, 05/2023. 256pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-0-06-304700-6. GRADES 5 – 7. ADDITIONAL. In a poetic sequel to Inside Out & Back Again (HarperCollins, 2011) that picks up as sixth grade Vietnamese American Ha must leave her [continue reading]
Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories Review
Jarvis. Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories. Jarvis, Illus. Candlewick, 05/2023. 62pp. Reader. Trade $15.99. 978-1-5362-2832-8. GRADES Kindergarten – 2. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Bird and Bear are best friends, but like all friends they make mistakes, unintentionally hurt each other’s feelings, and suffer bad [continue reading]
Absolutely, Positively Natty Review
Greenwald, Lisa. Absolutely, Positively Natty. HarperCollins / Katherine Tegen, 05/2023. 272pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-0-06-306272-6. GRADES 6 – 7. HIGH ADDITIONAL. There is a lot wrong with Natty’s life: her depressed mom has moved out and her unemployed dad barely gets off the couch. Natty’s [continue reading]
Too Small Tola Gets Tough Review
Atinuke. Too Small Tola Gets Tough. Onyinye Iwu, Illus. Too Small Tola Series. Candlewick, 03/2023. 96pp. Reader. Trade $15.99. 978-1-5362-2946-2. GRADES 1 – 3. OUTSTANDING. Beginner chapter books are usually distinguished by simple characters and [continue reading]
Labors of Hercules Beal, The Review
Schmidt, Gary D. Labors of Hercules Beal, The. Clarion, 05/2023. 352pp. Fiction. GRADES 5 – 7. $19.99 978-0-358-65963-1. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Seventh grader Hercules has a lot that sets him apart. He lives next to the [continue reading]