Cline-Ransome, Lesa. Being Clem. Fiction. Finding Langston Series; bk. 3. Holiday, 08/2021. 256pp. $17.99. 978-0-8234-4604-9. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 5-7.

African American Clem used to be the boy who made his family laugh. But after his father’s death in the Port Chicago disaster in California, Clem is struggling. His world is dominated by his older sisters, a mother he feels responsible for cheering up, and a schoolyard bully he has become an accomplice to. But Clem is smart and sweet and determined to find a way to honor his hero father’s name. Fully realized characters and a detailed setting in 1940s Chicago weave together in a resonant story about a boy who has been slammed by fate yet navigates his way through school and fraught friendships to find unexpected ways to live up to the legacy of a father he barely remembers. While this is the third and final book in Cline-Ransome’s trilogy, it stands alone. Both Langston (Finding Langston, 2018) and Lymon (Leaving Lymon, 2020) appear as important characters, but no knowledge of the two previous books is necessary. This book contains California-specific content.

Iloh, Candice. Break This House. Fiction. Dutton, 05/2022. 210pp. $17.99. 978-0-525-55623-7. ADDITIONAL. GRADES 9-12.

Yaminah, sixteen, returns to her hometown of Obsidian, Michigan after finding out that her mother has died. Although estranged and living with her dad in Brooklyn, her attachment to her family in Michigan is evident through this heavy-hitting glimpse of life in a decaying and gentrifying Black neighborhood. Iloh’s writing brings Yaminah to life by adeptly portraying her difficult family life and the strong connections they have, while providing some closure to her relationship with her mother and family.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Tuma, Refe. Frances and the Monster Fiction. HarperCollins, 08/2022. 352pp. $17.99. 978-0-06-308576-3. ADDITIONAL. GRADES 5-7.

It’s 1939 Switzerland and eleven-year-old Frances never gets to go anywhere and rarely sees anyone. Since the car accident that took her right ear, she’s stayed on her family’s estate with her genuis scientist parents, tormenting the tutors, who rarely last long, while working on her own inventions. But when her parents journey to a scientific symposium and leave Frances in the charge of an artificially intelligent automoton, her acts of rebellion take a dramatic turn and Frances unintentionally looses a monster on the unsuspecting city of Bern. Can an anxious, sheltered, and priviledged girl, who dresses as a boy, save a conservative city aided only by her automoton’s head, a sentient chimpanzee, and a sensitive local boy? This updated, steampunk riff on a gender-expansive Frankenstein suffers from too many pages and two-dimensional villains, but the nonstop action, STEM themes, and very endearing sidekicks help keep readers engaged. An epilogue indicates a sequel is in the works.

Melissa McAvoy, Retired

Lilley, Matt. Good Eating: The Short Life of Krill. Dan Tavis, Illus. Non-fiction. Tilbury, 01/2022. [36]pp. $18.95. 978-0-8844-8867-5. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 1-3.

The opening line: “Hey egg. What are you doing?” grabs readers and takes them on an amazing journey, following the lifecycle and adventures of an Antarctic krill. Graphically strong watercolor, ink, gouache, and digital paintings are striking and imbue the krill with personality and panache, as the egg sinks two miles deep and then fights its way to the surface. What Candace Fleming did for bees in Honeybee (Neal Porter, 2020), Lilley does for krill—revealing the amazing complex life story of a tiny creature that is critically important to our ecosystem. The book’s generous size, humorous tone, and strong design make it excellent as a non-fiction read-aloud and perfect for introducing the scientific concepts of keystone species and metamorphosis. Back matter includes additional facts as well as print, online, and gaming resources for learning more.

Melissa McAvoy, Retired

Wallace, Kali. Hunters of the Lost City. Fiction. Quirk, 04/2022. 297pp. $16.99. 978-1-68369-289-8. ADDITIONAL. GRADES 5-9.

Twelve-year-old Octavia grew up believing that her walled town of Vittoria is the only one left after a devastating magical war and plague. One day while outside the town walls and fighting off magical stone creatures, she discovers they are not alone. Octavia yearns to discover more about the world and encounters many obstacles doing so, especially from those in charge of Vittoria and the townsfolk who feel safe as things are. Wallace’s characters (ethnically indeterminate) are believable, and the medieval setting easily combines with the magic and intrigue of the past to make readers wonder about what may happen even after the story ends.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Lord, Cynthia. Marco Polo Brave Explorer. Stephanie Graegin, Illus. Fiction. Book Buddies Series; bk. 2. Candlewick, 03/2022. 68pp. $12.99. 978-1-5362-1355-3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 2-4.

In this transitional chapter book, Marco is a mouse-shaped Christmas ornament that becomes a toy that can be checked out of the library. The character was first introduced in Ivy, Lost and Found (2021). In this installment, Marco is checked out by Seth (who is white) to go on a sleepover at Ben’s (who is Black), where Marco is grabbed by the cat. The digitally-created grayscale illustrations appear on every other page, making this a great choice for those stepping up from beginning readers to chapter books because the artwork helps readers guess at some of the vocabulary.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool

Kann, Victoria. Message in a Bottle. Victoria Kann, Illus. Easy Reader. I Can Read: Level 2
Pinkalicious Series; bk. 1. HarperCollins, 02/2022. 32pp. $16.99. 978-0-06-300382-8. ADDITIONAL. GRADES 1-2.

Pinkalicious describes the time she and her friend Molly (who is Black) found a bottle with a riddle
inside it on the beach, and tried to solve the riddle asking where a little rose is hidden. The text is for
children with some reading skill because it is set down in five to eight lines per page. Based on the PBS
animated series, the full-color artwork has a stiff, computer-generated feel, depicting a seaside town full
of flowers and pink houses. Fans of the TV show or Pinkalicious character are the likely audience for this
story, although it is not particularly original or innovative.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool

Wilson, Lakita. My Cool Jewelry Non-fiction.  Searchlight Bks.: My Style Series. Lerner, 01/2022.
32pp. PLB $30.65. 978-1-72840-423-3. PB $9.99. 978-1-72842-370-8. ADDITIONAL. GRADES 3-6. SERIES REVIEW.

This upper-elementary series looks at different parts of a person’s style through the use of
makeup, jewelry, hair and nails, or fashion. Each of the four titles provides a quick synopsis of the topic’s
history, modern trends, how to create your own look, and DIY ideas such as creating your own makeup,
skin care, or jewelry. Useful as an introduction to how each topic affects a person’s look and style, but
not as a how-to guide. The books cover a lot of ground in a few pages, and there’s not much instruction
provided. The text seems mismatched to some of the photos, since teens are mostly pictured in the
“create your own” chapters, but the abbreviated text is geared for a slightly younger audience. There
are many images applicable to the topics, including some historical b&w photos and some with currently
famous people.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Eady, Antway. Nigel and the Moon. Gracey Zhang, Illus. Picture Book. K. Tegen/HarperCollins, 02/2022. [40]pp. $17.99. 978-0-06-305628-2. OUTSTANDING. GRADES K-3.

Nigel is hesitant to share his goals during Career Week at school because his parents do not have “fancy jobs.” Who would believe he aspires to be an astronaut, dancer, or superhero, which are the wishes he makes to the moon? His parents come to school to describe their jobs and impress the whole class, especially when they say being Nigel’s parents is their favorite job of all. Although it is not mentioned in the text, Nigel appears to be the only Black student in his class, as shown in the boldly colorful ink, gouache, and watercolor illustrations. A positive look at how dreaming big and having a loving family is more important than material wealth.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool

Nainy, Mamta. Rainbow Hands. Jo Loring-Fisher, Illus. Picture Book. Lantana, 04/2022. [28]pp. $17.99. 978-1-913747-74-9. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-2.

A little boy paints his fingernails with his mother’s nail polish to reflect his moods. For example, when he feels angry, “I paint my nails the color of fire ants. A FLAMING RED.” Although his Papa frowns, his Dadaji (grandpa) supports painting his nails. This story will help children who don’t always conform to expected gender roles and reflects an Indian family (the author lives in New Delhi). The softly colored, digital mixed-media illustrations show the family as Indian with the depiction of their clothing, but the background settings and cityscapes could be anywhere. The short sentences describing the individual colors are printed in that color while the rest of the text is in black.

Penny Peck, San Jose State Univ, iSchool

Hill, Christina. Real Science of Invisibility, The. Non-fiction. Alternator Books: The Real Science of Superpowers Series. Lerner, 01/2022. 32pp. PLB $29.32. 978-1-72844-121-4, PB $9.99 978-1-72844-957-9. ADDITIONAL. GRADES 4-6.

Please see series review for The Real Science of Mind Control by Corey Anderson.

Anderson, Corey. Real Science of Mind Control, The. Non-fiction. Lerner, 01/2022. 32pp. PLB $29.32. 978-1-72844-125-2, PB $9.99 978-1-72844-958-6. Alternator Books: The Real Science of Superpowers Series. ADDITIONAL. GRADES 4-6.

SERIES REVIEW: These six series titles delve into the scientific reality of the various superpowers often portrayed in movies and books. Each title looks at how the specific imagined power could be helpful, the scientific reasons that the superpower is not possible, and examples from across the animal kingdom of some limited real versions of the power in use. Relatable photos and graphics help tie the facts and ideas together. Each title covers its specific topic well on its own: mind control, superspeed or strength, invisibility, human flight, laser vision, and time travel, though a single title may have worked just as well. A useful overview of how superpowers aren’t real and why.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Hill, Christina. Real Science of Superspeed and Superstrength, The. Non-fiction. Alternator Books: The Real Science of Superpowers Series. Lerner, 01/2022. 32pp. PLB $29.32. 978-1-72844-123-8, PB $9.99 978-1-72844-959-3. ADDITIONAL. GRADES 4-6.

Please see series review for The Real Science of Mind Control by Corey Anderson.

Tabor, Corey R. Sir Ladybug. Corey R. Tabor, Illustrated Easy Reader. Sir Ladybug Series; bk. 1. Balzer & Bray, 03/2022. 68pp. $12.99. 978-0-06-306906-0. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-3.

A sword-carrying ladybug protects other insects, including a caterpillar that a bird would like to eat, although ladybug’s favorite activity is playing video games. This humorous reader includes solid information on insects and nature while still being an engaging story. The book design is similar to a graphic novel with paneled artwork and dialogue balloons, and the digitally rendered illustrations look like cartoon drawings with watercolors on white backgrounds. The comic book style makes this engaging for a wide age range.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool

Perdomo, Juliana. Sometimes, All I Need Is Me. Juliana Perdomo, Illus. Picture Book. Candlewick, 04/2022. [32]pp. $17.99. 978-1-5362-1804-6. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-2.

A little girl describes how she uses her thoughts to calm herself and deal with stress: “But when I’m alone, I can be my own company and make my own magic.” Useful for social and emotional learning, this simple story can help young children with issues of security, fear, or uncertainty. The brief, straightforward text is supportive but does not pander. The boldly-colored digital artwork uses white backgrounds and has a cartoonish graphic feel that is inviting. Race is not mentioned, but the girl and her mother have brown skin and straight black hair (the author/illustrator is Colombian), and other characters represent a range of skin colors.

Penny Peck, San Jose State Univ, iSchool

Henry, Leilani Raashida. Call of Antarctica, The: Exploring and Protecting Earth’s Coldest Continent. Non-fiction. 21st Century, 10/2021. 128pp. PLB $37.32. 978-1-5415-6095-6. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 6-12.

This overview on the exploration of Antarctica and its current condition is told from an unusual perspective. The author uses her father’s diary (George W. Gibbs, Jr.) to describe his experience on visits to the continent beginning in 1940. He was the first Black person to go there as part of the crew with Admiral Byrd. These brief personal passages about his experience enliven the narrative, which describes Antarctica’s geography, science, and history; later parts of the book go into the current ecological challenges of the area. The use of primary sources makes this an excellent model of research on an engaging subject. There are b&w and color photos on every other page, along with maps and sidebars that break up the text. Back matter includes an index, source notes, glossary, and bibliography.

Penny Peck, San Jose State Univ, iSchool

Schu, John. This Is a School. Veronica Miller Jamison, Illus. Picture Book. Candlewick, 03/2022. [36]pp. $17.99. 978-1-5362-0458-2. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-2.

A brightly colored school and the classrooms, garden, playground, library, and auditorium celebrate the school as a welcoming place for all. Students play, paint, do science projects, sing, plant, and perform, just some of the many activities that are
available to children. The clipped, brief text is rhythmic and contains some repetition, making this a
great choice for storytime: “We ask. We learn. We share. We help.” The digital artwork was done using
watercolors and gouache to create collages that depict an ethnically diverse group of students and
teachers. Although this isn’t unique as an introduction to schools, it is upbeat and authentic, written by
a school librarian.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool

Moua, Doua. Today Is Different. Kim Holt, Illus. Picture Book. Carolrhoda, 04/2022. [32]pp. PLB $17.99. 978-1-7284-3029-4. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-3.

Best friends Kiara, who is Black, and Mai, who is Hmong American, protest police violence in this story that makes a sensitive subject accessible to elementary school students who likely have seen protest marches on television. The narrative is told in Mai’s first-person voice, making this a great addition to Hmong books for children. The text, using a few paragraphs per spread, clearly explains what is happening so even younger students will understand, but the length makes this best suited to older picture book readers. The full-color digital paint artwork resembles colored-pencil-and-ink, showing a diverse group of community members holding picket signs with phrases like “Hmong for Black Lives” and “No Justice, No Peace.” The book ends with an author’s note, a glossary, and a list titled “Ways to Be an Ally.”

Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool

Lasky, Kathryn. Yossel’s Journey. Johnson Yazzie, Illus. Picture Book. Charlesbridge, 09/2022. [44]pp. $18.99. 978-1-62354-176-7. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 1-5

A young boy, Yossel, and his family flee late 1800s Russia due to the pogroms, journeying to their new home in New Mexico near a Navajo reservation. They run the local trading post they inherited from Uncle Izzy, where Yossel meets and befriends Thomas, a Navajo boy who teaches him some of his Dine language. The text is best suited to
elementary school students because of its length and subject matter. The boldly colored acrylic on
canvas illustrations by Yazzie (Navajo) have a slight similarity to graffiti art, making the time period open
to interpretation. Readers will understand this celebration of cross-cultural friendship and the
importance of welcoming immigrant families to our communities. The book ends with an author’s note
and list of further reading describing Lasky’s research.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool