Randall, Julian. Shook. Nathan Walker, Illus. Henry Holt., 08/2026. 256pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-2508-8205-9. GRADES 3–6. OUTSTANDING. Randall’s novel in verse is a lyrical first-person narrative told from the perspective of upcoming eighth-grader, Malik Page, [continue reading]
Fall Day, All Day Review
Percival, Kari. Fall Day, All Day. Kari Percival, Illus. Rise, 08/2026. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-593-88862-9. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL. A diverse group of young children play outside on an autumn day and describe [continue reading]
Writing a Letter Storytime
Writing Letters For older preschoolers and Kindergartners, a storytime about writing a letter can let them experiment with the format, even if they can’t write a full sentence. For a hands-on project, have the [continue reading]
Rialto Review
Milford, Kate. Rialto. Clarion, 04/2026. 480pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-3284-6691-4. GRADES 4–6. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Milford, the author of the Greenglass House series, returns with a new mystery aimed at older middle-grade readers. Sisters Ivy, age [continue reading]
Mina and the Monster Review
Andres, Silvia Romeral. Mina and the Monster. Silvia Romeral Andres, Illus. Charlesbridge, 10/2026. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-664-9. GRADES Kindergarten–1. ADDITIONAL. The storyteller’s tale of the monster in the forest does not scare Mina, [continue reading]
Social Justice Children’s Book Fair Set for Dec. 5, 2026
The 10th Anniversary Social Justice Children’s Book Fair will take place on Saturday, December 5, 2026 at Emerson Elementary Come join us at Emerson Elementary School – 4803 Lawton Ave, Oakland, CA 94609- in Oakland [continue reading]
House That Love Built Review
Meserve, Jessica. House That Love Built, The. Jessica Meserve, Illus. Tiger Tales, 08/2026. [28]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-66430-095-8. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL. This cumulative story begins with “This is the raindrop that fell to the ground. This is the storm that raced and chased the raindrop [continue reading]
We Could Be Anyone Review
McLemore, Anna-Marie. We Could Be Anyone. Macmillan/Feiwel & Friends, 05/2026. 288pp. Fiction. Trade $20.99. 978-1-2503-7058-7. GRADES 7–12. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Orphaned teen siblings Lola and Lisandro have made a career out of staging and subsequently exorcising ghost hauntings. Struggling through the 1920s trying desperately to save [continue reading]