York, Beth Ann. Growing Up Beth. Ana Latese, Illus. Charlesbridge, 10/2025. 85pp. Fiction. Trade $22.99. 978-1-62354-472-0. GRADES 2–3. ADDITIONAL. Beth and her five older brothers are quite the cast of characters. Their mother is strict, [continue reading]
Recess Review
Smith, Lane. Recess. Lane Smith, Illus. Abrams, 07/2025. [36]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-1-4197-7689-2. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING. Sometimes children need a break from school, even when it is not time for recess, and this book [continue reading]
Oh Dear, Look What I Got! Review
Rosen, Michael. Oh Dear, Look What I Got! Helen Oxenbury, Illus. Candlewick, 09/2025. [36]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5362-3568-5. GRADES Preschool–2. OUTSTANDING. A boy goes to various shopkeepers and asks for items like a coat [continue reading]
Burning Season Review
Rose, Caroline Starr. Burning Season, The. Nancy Paulsen, 05/2025. 237pp. Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-0-593-61793-9. GRADES 4–7. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Twelve-year-old Opal lives with her mother and grandmother in a fire observation tower in a forest in [continue reading]
Interrupted Lives Review
Friedeman, Amanda. Interrupted Lives: Nine Stories of Child Survivors of the Holocaust. Kar-Ben, 03/2025. 72pp. Nonfiction. Paper $10.99. 979-8765607763. GRADES 4–8. ADDITIONAL. Nine Jewish people from different countries and areas of Europe who survived the [continue reading]
Jim! Six True Stories About One Great Artist Review
Connors, Jerrold. Jim! Six True Stories About One Great Artist: James Marshall. Jerrold Connors, Illus. Dial, 05/2025. 72pp. Biography. Trade $20.99. 978-0-593-85934-6. GRADES Kindergarten–3. OUTSTANDING. This picture book biography of children’s author and illustrator James [continue reading]
ACL Institute Announced for Friday, March 13, 2026 on Resilience, Resistance, Rest, and Recovery
SAVE THE DATE! ACL’s 2026 Institute Committee is excited to announce plans for the 2026 Annual Institute! The 2026 Institute will take place on Friday, March 13th at the SFPL Main Library – Koret Auditorium. This year, [continue reading]





