Peterson, Christy. Trip to the Farm with Sesame Street, A. Non-fiction. Sesame Street® Field Trips
Series. Lerner, 01/2022. 24pp. PLB $27.99 978-1-7284- 3914-3. PB. $8.99. 978-1-7284-4932-6.
ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-2.

SERIES REVIEW: Come visit various community places including a farm, fire station, library, post office, science museum, and zoo, with characters from Sesame Street. Although this reviewer only read three of the six series titles, each presented an informative overview of the titled subject. Farm shows a variety of types of farms and food being grown, Library shows a wide variety of kids doing different things at a library, and Science Museum shows some of the hands-on exhibits and displays that might be seen at a museum. Color photographs in each title depict a variety of ethnicities, genders, and ages at each place, along with Sesame Street characters and short sentences on each page. Useful for preschools and others doing lessons on community places.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Peterson, Christy. Trip to the Library with Sesame Street, A. Non-fiction. Sesame Street® Field Trips
Series. Lerner, 01/2022. 24pp. PLB. $27.99 978-1-7284- 3916-7, PB. $8.99. 978-1-7284-4934-0.
ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-2.

Please see series review for Trip to the Farm with Sesame Street, A by Christy Peterson.

Peterson, Christy. Trip to the Science Museum with Sesame Street, A. Non-fiction. Sesame Street®
Field Trips Series. Lerner, 01/2022. 24pp. PLB. $27.99. 978-1-7284-3914-3. PB. $8.99. 978-1-7284-4936-4. ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-2. 

Please see series review for Trip to the Farm with Sesame Street, A, by Christy Peterson.

McCarthy, Meghan. Action! How Movies Began. Meghan McCarthy, Illus. Non-fiction. Simon & Schuster/P. Wiseman, 08/2022. [48]pp. $18.99. 978-1-5344-5230-5. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 1-4.

This concise and clear look at how movies were invented traces the development of celluloid film and cameras through the silent era to modern day movies. The author includes creators from both the United States (Edison) and France (Melies and the Lumiere brothers). Often the book compares a common element like stunts in both silent films and contemporary films by showing two scenes side-byside. Cartoonish, full-color illustrations are used, but it may have been more effective to use actual stills from the films to demonstrate these concepts. Back matter includes an extensive author’s note with some unusual trivia, a bibliography, and a few small b&w photos.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool

Alexander, Elaine M. Anglerfish: The Seadevil of the Deep. Fiona Fogg, Illus. Non-fiction. Candlewick, 04/2022. [32]pp. $17.99. 978-1-5362-1396-6. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-2.

An anglerfish’s cycle of life is portrayed in this informational book featuring a female anglerfish whose life starts near the ocean’s surface, and follows her deeper and deeper into the depths, where she attracts a male anglerfish and releases thousands of eggs to continue the cycle. Realistic digital illustrations combine with the flowing narrative of her life to help readers experience how lonely, dark, and difficult life is in the depths. Includes a multiple-page back matter section with more facts and information about each stage of life, a glossary, an index, and further readings. Even though no photographs are used, this title is useful for any reader learning about deep sea creatures.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Levithan, David.  Answers in the Pages. Fiction. Knopf, 05/2022. 176pp. $17.99. 978-0-593-48468-5. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 5-8.

When Donovan’s mother reads the final sentence in a book assigned to his fifth grade class, she demands it be banned because it appears to depict a romantic relationship between two boys. Embarrassed and angry, Donovan soon finds himself at the center of the battle, on the opposing side from his mother. Chapters from the “offending” book, a light-hearted romp entitled The Adventurers, are interspersed throughout the narrative, providing a delightful story-within-astory experience that builds context. A third subplot, set a few decades earlier, features two boys whose relationship deepens as they work together on assignments for another class read: Harriet the Spy (1964). Masterfully woven together, the three threads create a nuanced and timely look at intolerance and the power of love. One of the primary characters is Latinx, others are assumed to be white. In a moving author’s note, Levithan explains that he added specific details, including character names, to honor the work of ground-breaking LGBTQ children’s writers. Recommend this thought-provoking title to book groups as well as to individual readers, and consider setting up a display of the often banned books referenced in its pages.

Jenny Andrus, Independent

Lambert, Megan Dowd. April & Mae and the Book Club Cake: The Monday Book. Briana Dengoue, Illus. Easy Reader. Every Day with April & Mae Series; bk. 2. Charlesbridge, 10/2022. 48pp. $12.99. 978-1- 58089-887-4. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-2.

Please see series review for April & Mae and the Tea Party, by Megan Dowd Lambert.

Lambert, Megan Dowd. April & Mae and the Soccer Match: The Tuesday Book. Briana Dengoue, Illus. Easy Reader. Every Day with April & Mae Series; bk. 3. Charlesbridge, 10/2022. 48pp. $12.99. 978-1-58089-888-1. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-2.

Please see series review for April & Mae and the Tea Party by Megan Dowd Lambert.

Lambert, Megan Dowd. April & Mae and the Talent Show: The Wednesday Book. Briana Dengoue, Illus. Easy Reader. Every Day with April & Mae Series; bk. 4. Charlesbridge, 10/2022. 48pp. $12.99. 978-1-62354-261-0. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-2.

Please see series review for April & Mae and the Tea Party by Megan Dowd Lambert.

Lambert, Megan Dowd. April & Mae and the Tea Party: The Sunday Book. Briana Dengoue, Illus. Easy Reader. Every Day with April & Mae Series; bk. 1. Charlesbridge, 10/2022. 48pp. $12.99. 978-1-58089-886-7. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-2.

SERIES REVIEW: Best friends April, who is outgoing, and shy Mae are featured in this series of easy readers, each focusing on a day of the week. The first concerns their Sunday tea party, where Mae bakes and April juggles, but an accident breaks Mae’s teacup. Readers will find the girls relatable; April is Black, and Mae has brown hair, but her ethnicity is not clear. The book design features a brief paragraph per page as well as full-color cartoon artwork. The vocabulary is simple, with some repetition, making this a great choice for emergent readers. Other books in the series see the girls at their book club, playing soccer, and helping with the school talent show, all with the familiar formula of friends who are opposites but who overcome small misfortunes.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool

Elliott, David. At the Pond. Amy Schimler-Safford, Illus. Picture Book. Candlewick, 05/2022. [32]pp.
$18.99. 978-1- 5362-0598-5. ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-1.

What could life at a pond be like if there was no human influence? Mixed-media and digital illustrations combine with blank verse poetry to showcase the bounty of life around this idyllic pond, filled with ducks, tadpoles, frogs, deer, beavers, and many other creatures living in and around it. For those wanting to know more, the brief back matter includes a paragraph about each of the various animals. A solid choice for storytimes or units about nature, ponds, and especially ecosystems.
Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

King, Amy Sarig. Attack of the Black Rectangles. Fiction. Scholastic, 09/2022. 258 [+4]pp. $18.99. 978-1-338-68052-2. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 4-8.

Every town needs rules, and everyone should follow them, at least that is what sixth grader Mac Delaney’s organized and opinionated teacher believes and shares in the classroom and in the local newspaper. Mac’s estranged and struggling father thinks some people don’t need to follow any rules. But, as Mac finds, who chooses the rules and how they follow them is a very tricky thing. When Mac finds his classroom reading circle is being handed censored copies of The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen, he embarks on a campaign to make his own choices, finding allies in family, townspeople, and members of his class who have their own visions of fairness and freedom. Seemingly didactic and simple at first, this story is a beautiful love letter to the communities of literature and tolerance, an exploration of how simple it is to blindly follow rules and how important it is not to do so.

Lesley Mandros Bell, Oakland Library Advocates

Higgins, Ryan T. Ballet Bruce. Ryan T. Higgins, Illustrator. Easy Read. World of Reading Series: Level 1. Disney/Hyperion, 07/2022. 32pp. $14.99. 978-1- 368-05960-2. PB. $4.99 978-1-368-08098-9. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-1.

Bruce the Bear has been depicted in a variety of picture books and easy readers over the past few years. Each title uses similar illustration styles showing Bruce helping out his friends. This time Bruce helps a group of geese who want to be ballet dancers but lack the needed items. Bruce repeatedly motorcycles into town for various requested items, each trip being more difficult than the last because a new road is being built. A great addition to Higgins’s previous works, the humorous storyline makes this fun to read aloud for small groups.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Barker, Fiona. Big Christmas Bake, The. Pippa Curnick, Illus. Picture Book. Happy Yak, 10/2022. [30]pp. $4.99. 978-0-7112- 6814-2. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-3.

In this takeoff of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” children bake a cake for the Twelfth Night Celebration which takes place eleven days after Christmas (Christmas being the first night). With simple, fourline poems on each page, the text clearly explains what Twelfth Night is and goes over the steps in making a cake from gathering ingredients to icing it. The colorful cartoon artwork (likely watercolors with ink outlines) depicts a Black boy and white girl as they create the cake, assisted by various animals. The book ends with the cake recipe and lyrics to the traditional song. This holiday book would be great for storytime and combines originality, information, and traditions in a clever way. Review based on an ARC.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool

Van Dusen, Chris. Big Truck, Little Island. Chris Van Dusen, Illus. Picture Book. Candlewick, 05/2022. [32]pp. $17.99. 978-1-5362-0393-6. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-3.

Rhyming couplets consisting of four lines per page offer this humorous story of a large truck getting stuck on the only road through a small island community and how the residents adapted by sharing their cars on either end of the truck until it could be removed. Based on an actual incident in Maine, the full-color gouache artwork exhibits Van Dusen’s signature airbrush-style cartoonish work seen in DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson series. The dramatic illustrations have one overhead scene of the island, showing that singular road and depicting the residents of various ethnicities, including white, Black, and Asian American children. The final page has a color photo of the truck and an author’s note about the incident. This fun story has energy, and the large size of the book and the dynamic artwork will appeal to a wide age range.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool

Maloney, Brenna. Buzzkill: A Wild Wander Through the Weird and Threatened World of Bugs. Dave Mottram, Illus. Non-fiction. H. Holt, 10/2022. 384pp. $19.99. 978-1-2508-0103-6. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 4-8.

Some books demand to be shared—the stories are just too good, the facts just too amazing. Buzzkill is one of those wild rides, full of mind-blowing information: a person has 650 muscles, a caterpillar has 4,000; there is an insect that hitchhikes on the face of a butterfly; the cheetah has nothing on the tiger beetle, which can run so fast it temporarily goes blind. The chapter on the hows and whys of metamorphosis will never leave you, ditto the one on all the murders solved by insect involvement. But despite her enthusiastic and irreverent tone, Maloney doesn’t just list wacky facts—she makes a compelling case for the crucial importance of bugs in our ecosystem and includes a whole chapter that encourages readers to do their part and get involved in learning about, appreciating, and protecting the insects upon which our life on earth depends. Back matter includes multiple organizations and citizen-scientist links, a suggested reading list, and selected sources. Review based on an ARC.

Melissa McAvoy, Retired

Winston, Sherri. Catastrophe. Gladys Jose, Illus. Fiction. Wednesday and Woof Series; bk. 1. HarperCollins, 04/2022. 96pp. $15.99. 978-0-06-297601-7. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 2-4.

SERIES REVIEW: Wednesday, a young Black girl with juvenile arthritis, and her service dog, Woof, solve crimes in her neighborhood with the help of her diverse friends. The plots are fairly simple; they try to find a lost cat or a missing drone, using deduction, observation, and investigation. The book design makes this great for those moving into chapter books, with color artwork on nearly every page and chapters using considerable white space, lists, diagrams, and notes including running totals of the number of words read. Wednesday is a charming character that readers will relate to, and the information on her condition (and her friend Mariposa who has juvenile diabetes) is thoughtfully woven into the narrative. Somewhat similar to previous mystery series, but with a modern touch.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool

Timmers, Leo. Elephant Island. Leo Timmers, Illus. Picture Book. Translated from the Dutch by James Brown. Lerner/Gecko, 03/2022. [32]pp. $18.99. 978-1- 77657-434-6. ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-1.

Arnold the elephant’s boat sinks, thus stranding him on a very small rock island in the middle of the ocean. As various animals come by in their boats, each capsizes when the oversized elephant tries to board them, so each wreck is salvaged and knotted together, becoming an increasingly complex and large structure which grows to fit all who are now stranded on it. Colorful digital illustrations depict the power of the sea, the hopelessness of being stranded, and the increasingly complex structure with a wide variety of animals coming together. While a bit of an odd storyline, the overall idea of being resourceful, working with what you have, and having fun with all your new friends is admirable and something that many readers may enjoy seeing.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Ruzzier, Sergio. Fish and Wave. Sergio Ruzzier, Illus. Easy Read. I Can Read! Comics Series: Level
1. HarperAlley, 05/2022. 32pp. PLB $16.99. 978-0-06-307667-9. Picture Book $4.99 978-0-06-307666-2
ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-1. 

Fish meets wave, wave tosses fish, wave returns, fish plays in and on wave.
This is the basic synopsis of this early reader which is also billed as an early graphic novel. Written with
only a few words per page, the comic-like text is within speech bubbles instead of under the illustrations
as in a typical easy reader. This Comics series begins with two introductory pages to parents about how
to help beginning readers read the comic format (which would be more useful for books with multiple
panels per page versus the single panels in this title). Like most books in the I Can Read series, this Level
1 is a great title for those beginning to read.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Russo, Brian. Friend for Yoga Bunny, A. Brian Russo, Illustrator. Picture Book. HarperCollins, 02/2022. [32]pp.
$17.99. 978-0- 06-301784-9. ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-K .

Brown Bear is very anxious about his birthday because it means parties with surprises and crowds, but Bunny gently helps him by introducing him to yoga. Digital  illustrations show Bunny and Bear practicing a variety of yoga poses and calm, meditative exercises. Bunny’s efforts help Bear feel calmer and able to handle the birthday crowd with grace. A nice introduction to yoga, friends helping friends, and ways to address fear.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Mantle, Ben. Frog vs. Toad. Ben Mantle, Illus. Picture Book. Candlewick, 07/2022. [32]pp. $17.99. 978-1- 5362-2369-9. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-1.

Which are better, frogs or toads? This often discussed subject boils over in this story after Frog and Toad catch the same fly, who calls them both a frog. Taking offense at both being called a frog, they argue with each other over which is better and why. Vibrant pastel and digital illustrations show the argument escalating into a big, mud-flinging battle between many frogs and toads who stop only when an alligator appears and scares them into stopping. A fun way to see some of the differences between similar animals.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Ahmed, Samira. Hollow Fires. Fiction. Little Brown, 05/2022. 395 [+8]pp. $18.99. 978-0-316-28264-2. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 9-12.

This breathtakingly paced exploration of the personal and societal impacts of Islamaphobia in today’s America challenges the reader to understand the underlying forces driving an intolerable act of violence. As editor of her school paper, seventeenyear-old Safiya Mirza begins to confront the conservatism of the elite prep school she attends, balancing her desire for journalistic independence with an increasing knowledge that impartiality is not an option for dealing with the embedded biases she uncovers. But when fourteen-year-old Jawad Ali is labelled a terrorist for building a homemade Halloween costume, then disappears and is subsequently found murdered, Safiya begins to hear his voice both literally and figuratively and must choose how much of her own to sacrifice in the search for truth. Samira Ahmed writes beautifully and has also included succinct but important notes on historical context and content at the end of the book.

Lesley Mandros Bell, Oakland Library Advocates

Turner, Pamela S. How to Build a Human: In Seven Evolutionary Steps .‡ John Gurche, Illus. Non-fiction. Charlesbridge, 04/2022. 166pp. $21.99. 978-1- 62354-250-4. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 6-10.

Human evolution is the focus of this fascinating look at prehistoric man, noting the major steps needed to evolve which include walking upright, using tools, using fire, and speaking. There is abundant illustrative matter, including sepia-toned drawings of Hominins, photos of museum exhibits, maps, and sidebars. Even race is examined as a “cultural construct, not a biological reality,” and most of the illustrations and text emphasize the African locations of these prehistoric human ancestors. Humorous footnotes will engage readers as well. A wealth of back matter includes a glossary, index, extensive source notes, and a bibliography, which make this an excellent choice for report-writers and readers.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool

Peters, Katie. I Care for My Friend. Non-fiction. Pull Ahead Readers, People Smarts Series: I Care; Non-fiction. Lerner, 08/2022. 16pp. PLB $23.99. 978-1-7284- 5762-8. PB $7.99. 978-1-7284-6304-9. ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-K.

Please see series review for Cara Takes Time by Megan Borgert-Spaniol.

Peters, Katie. I Care for My Pet. Non-fiction. Pull Ahead Readers, People Smarts Series: I Care; Non-fiction. Lerner, 08/2022. 16pp. PLB $23.99. 978-1-7284-5760-4. PB $7.99. 978-1-7284-6305-6. ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-K.

Please see series review for Cara Takes Time by Megan Borgert-Spaniol.

Peters, Katie. I Care for Myself. Non-fiction. Pull Ahead Readers, People Smarts Series: I Care; Non-fiction. Lerner, 08/2022. 16pp. PLB $23.99. 978-1-7284-5768-0. PB $7.99. 978-1-7284-6307-0. ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-K.

Please see series review for Cara Takes Time by Megan Borgert-Spaniol.

Peters, Katie. I Care for Nature. Non-fiction. Pull Ahead Readers, People Smarts Series: I Care; Non-fiction. Lerner, 08/2022. 16pp. PLB $23.99. 978-1-7284-5764-2. PB $7.99. 978-1-7284-6308-7. ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-K.

Please see series review for Cara Takes Time by Megan Borgert-Spaniol.

Latta, Sara. I Could Not Do Otherwise: The Remarkable Life of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker. Biography. Zest, 10/2022. 208pp. PLB $39.99 978-1-7284-1391-4, PB $16.99. 140 978-1-7284-1392-1. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 8-12.

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was an outspoken free thinker and 19th century celebrity who demanded respect and power during her own lifetime and paved the way for future generations. One of the first women from the United States to receive a medical degree, she was the only one to practice as a surgeon during the Civil War and serve as a spy. She is still the only woman to have received the Medal of Honor. A founding member of the women’s rights movement, she was ostracized by that group for her practice of wearing pants. In this comprehensive biography, Latta lays out in detail the myriad groundbreaking events of a uniquely determined individual and social reformer who every day acted in accordance with her principles, regardless of the personal consequences. This long overdue biography feels particularly timely given the current interest in gender expansiveness and in uncovering historic figures who lived outside conventional norms. That said, the level of detail and very small print mean many readers may be inclined to skim for the highlights of Dr. Walker’s life. Period photographs and illustrations and sidebars provide context and add interest. An index, extensive source notes, and a selected biography make this well suited to research. Review based on an ARC.

Melissa McAvoy, Retired

Vavagiakis, Eve M. I’m a Neutrino: Tiny Particles in a Big Universe. Ilze Lemesis, Illus. Non-fiction. MIT Kids, 03/2022. [32]pp. $18.99. 978-1-5362-2207-4. ADDITIONAL. GRADES 2-5.

How to explain what neutrinos are? One way is this informational picture book consisting of digital illustrations and comic-like characters representing neutrinos to show where they come from and what they are like. Each page contains a single line of lyrical text and colorful backgrounds that depict various scientific ideas and research on neutrinos. The illustrations are explained in the “Know your Neutrinos” back matter which features small-scale reproductions of the pages accompanied with a paragraph explaining what is being depicted in that illustration. An interesting and informative presentation for learning about neutrinos, though the presentation may seem too young to the intended audience.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Schaefer, Lola M. Lift, Mix, Fling! Machines Can Do Anything. James Yang, Illus. Non-fiction. Greenwillow, 03/2022. [36]pp. $17.99. 978-0-06-245710-3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-2.

Although at first glance this looks like a picture book, it is actually a non-fiction introduction to physics and how “machines use force to make work easier.” The simple rhyming text describes an inclined plane, wedge, wheels, axles, levers, and complex machines such as tools and vehicles. The full-color, digitally created graphic illustrations show humans of various ethnicities demonstrating the concepts in cities, on farms, and at sea. The last page provides a brief glossary to reinforce what was just presented in the narrative. This is ideal for primary grades learning about the concept of machines, tools, and forces as part of the first grade curriculum.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool

Auerbach, Annie and Hannah Cook. Mickey Mouse Funhouse: The Summer Snow Day. Loter, Inc. Easy Reader. World of Reading Series: Level 1, Pre-1. Disney, 04/2022. 32pp. PB $4.99. 978-1-368-07876-4. ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-1.

Mickey Mouse and the gang are all set for a fun day in the sun, but it is too hot. So Donald and Goofy get the idea to have their magical house Funny help them out by opening a door to a snowy, wintry place so the cold air can cool them down. Naturally, the little bit of cold turns into a lot of cold, which is a problem when dressed for a hot sunny day. Humorous digital illustrations based on the TV show provide much of the storyline with short, simple sentences providing the right amount of text for beginning readers. Plenty of fun for all.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Leed, Percy. Minecraft Maps: An Unofficial Kids’ Guide. Non-fiction. Lightning Bolt Books. Series: Minecraft 101. Lerner, 08/2022. 24pp. PLB $27.99. 978-1-7284-5776-5. PB $8.99. 978-1-7284-6355-1. ADDITIONAL. GRADES 2-3.

Please see series review for Minecraft Creative Mode by Percy Leed.

Leed, Percy. Minecraft Mods: An Unofficial Kids’ Guide. Non-fiction. Lightning Bolt Books. Series: Minecraft 101. Lerner, 08/2022. 24pp. PLB $27.99. 978-1-7284- 5775-8. PB $8.99. 978-1-7284-6354-4. ADDITIONAL. GRADES 2-3.

Please see series review for Minecraft Creative Mode by Percy Leed.

Leed, Percy. Minecraft Survival Mode: An Unofficial Kids’ Guide. Non-fiction. Lightning Bolt Books. Series: Minecraft 101. Lerner, 08/2022. 24pp. PLB $27.99. 978-1-7284-5773-4. PB $8.99. 978-1-7284-6354-4. ADDITIONAL. GRADES 2-3.

Please see series review for Minecraft Creative Mode by Percy Leed.

MacLachlan, Patricia. My Life Begins! ‡ Daniel Miyares, Illus. Fiction. HarperCollins/K. Tegen, 08/2022. 119pp. $16.99. 978-0-06-311601-6. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 2-5.

Using an authentic first-person voice, nine-year-old Jacob describes his experience as the brother to three newborn triplet sisters. His class has a year-long science project of journaling about any subject they choose, and he writes about how the triplets change and grow, which he discovers is a new beginning for him as well. The writing is concise but thoughtful in the style of the author’s Newbery winner Sarah, Plain and Tall (1985), and the book design uses abundant white space and ink drawings every few pages to break up the text. There is no mention of racial identity, but the artwork indicates the family is probably white, and one of Jacob’s friends is Black. This will appeal to a wide age range due to the depth of the writing combined with a brief, clear narrative.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool

Winston, Sherri. New Pup on the Block. Gladys Jose, Illus. Fic. Wednesday and Woof Series; bk. 2. HarperCollins, 04/2022. 96pp. $15.99. 978-0-06-297607-9. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 2-4.

Please see series review for Catastrophe by Sherri Winston.

Walker, Sally M. Out of This World: Star-Studded Haiku. Matthew Trueman, Illus. Non-fiction. Candlewick, 04/2022. [32]pp. $18.99. 978-1-5362-0356-1. ADDITIONAL. GRADES 2-5.

The solar system and universe are presented via simple, three-line haiku poems and beautifully detailed mixed-media illustrations. Aspects of the universe’s creation, the solar system, and planets, plus human exploration are presented via easy-to-read haiku which lead readers from one quickly presented topic to the next. Better placed with the astronomy books than poetry books, especially with the six pages of explanatory back matter that steps through each page and topic.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Borgert-Spaniol, Megan. Cara Takes Time. Lisa Hunt, Illus. Easy Reader. Pull Ahead Readers Series; People Smarts: I Care; Fiction. Lerner, 01/2022. 16pp. PLB. $23.99. 978-1-7284- 5769-7. PB $7.99 978-1-7284-6297-4. ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-1

SERIES REVIEW: The Pull Ahead Readers series consists of sets of twelve titles with similar text and subjects; half are fiction with digital illustrations and the rest non-fiction with photographs. Designed as fiction and non-fiction pairings on specific topics, each is straightforward with very limited text, content, and length, which works well for early readers. This group focuses on caring for oneself and others in a variety of basic ways and settings—in the community or with a friend, a pet, a sibling, nature, or alone. The illustrations or photographs depict a wide range of kids with various facial and skin types, genders, and physical abilities included. These simple easy readers can be read on their own, in pairs, or in groupings. Joshua Rees, Daly City PL

Borgert-Spaniol, Megan. Kaleo Helps. Lisa Hunt, Illus. Easy Reader. Pull Ahead Readers Series; People Smarts: I Care. Fiction. Lerner, 08/2022. 16pp. PLB $23.99. 978-1-7284-5763-5. PB $7.99. 978-1-7284-6298- 1. ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-1. 

SERIES REVIEW: The Pull Ahead Readers series consists of sets of twelve titles with similar text and subjects; half are fiction with digital illustrations and the rest non-fiction with photographs. Designed as fiction and non-fiction pairings on specific topics, each is straightforward with very limited text, content, and length, which works well for early readers. This group focuses on caring for oneself and others in a variety of basic ways and settings—in the community or with a friend, a pet, a sibling, nature, or alone. The illustrations or photographs depict a wide range of kids with various facial and skin types, genders, and physical abilities included. These simple easy readers can be read on their own, in pairs, or in groupings.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Borgert-Spaniol, Megan. My Pet. Lisa Hunt, Illus. Easy Reader. Pull Ahead Readers Series; People Smarts: I Care; Fiction. Lerner, 08/2022. 16pp. PLB $23.99. 978-1-7284- 5761-1. PB $7.99 978-1-7284-6299-8. ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-1.

SERIES REVIEW: The Pull Ahead Readers series consists of sets of twelve titles with similar text and subjects; half are fiction with digital illustrations and the rest non-fiction with photographs. Designed as fiction and non-fiction pairings on specific topics, each is straightforward with very limited text, content, and length, which works well for early readers. This group focuses on caring for oneself and others in a variety of basic ways and settings—in the community or with a friend, a pet, a sibling, nature, or alone. The illustrations or photographs depict a wide range of kids with various facial and skin types, genders, and physical abilities included. These simple easy readers can be read on their own, in pairs, or in groupings.

Joshua Rees, Daly City PL

Borgert-Spaniol, Megan. Nature Walk. Lisa Hunt, Illus. Easy Reader. Pull Ahead Readers Series; People Smarts: I Care; Fiction. Lerner, 08/2022. 16pp. PLB $23.99. 978-1-7284- 5765-9. PB $7.99. 978-1-7284-6300-1. ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-1

SERIES REVIEW: The Pull Ahead Readers series consists of sets of twelve titles with similar text and subjects; half are fiction with digital illustrations and the rest non-fiction with photographs. Designed as fiction and non-fiction pairings on specific topics, each is straightforward with very limited text, content, and length, which works well for early readers. This group focuses on caring for oneself and others in a variety of basic ways and settings—in the community or with a friend, a pet, a sibling, nature, or alone. The illustrations or photographs depict a wide range of kids with various facial and skin types, genders, and physical abilities included. These simple easy readers can be read on their own, in pairs, or in groupings.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Cooper, Helen. Saving the Butterfly. Gill Smith, Illus. Picture Book. Candlewick, 06/2022. [28]pp. $17.99. 978-1- 5362-2055-1. ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-3.

Two refugee children are rescued from a boat and while the older sister is traumatized, the younger brother seems to be adjusting even though they don’t appear to have parents. He brings a butterfly into their house which helps the sister slowly adjust to going outside and finding hope. The story is allegorical, so it may be confusing to younger children, but with guidance from an adult reading the book, they could learn about empathy and resilience. The full-color, mixed-media illustrations resemble pastel chalk drawings, depicting the siblings with black hair and light brown skin, but no country of origin for the two is mentioned. A special picture book on a serious topic.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool

Partridge, Elizabeth. Seen and Unseen: What Toyo Miyataki, Dorothea Lange, and Ansel Adams Reveal About the Japanese American Incarceration. Lauren Tamaki, Illus. Graphic. Chronicle, 10/2022. 132pp. $21.99. 978-1-4521- 6510-3. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 5-12.

What happened during the Japanese American incarceration? How did it feel as it unfolded? What was seen and unseen when three different talented photographers framed the events? Tamaki’s pen-and ink-wash illustrations incorporate period photographs and primary source documents, bringing dramatic vitality, variety, and emotional power to Partridge’s clear and concise text. Their joint exploration of how, and why, three talented photographers—Lange, Miyataki and Adams—diverged in what they captured, reveals the complex, shameful, and heroic history of Japanese American internment in a way that is both elegant and profound. Engaging text places readers in the moment from the bombing of Pearl Harbor to repatriation as the camps closed. Eighteen pages of back matter go deeper, exploring various ramifications from civil liberties to anti-Asian prejudice, while providing source notes, photo credits, additional facts, and personal perspectives. A tour de force, perfect for personal consumption or class discussion. This book has California-specific content. Reviewed from an ARC

Melissa McAvoy, Retired

Ho, Joanna. Silence that Binds Us, The. Fiction. Harper Teen, 06/14/2022. 448 [+4]pp. $17.99. 978-0-06-305934-4. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 9-12.

Maybelline Chen’s brother Danny is handsome, popular, accepted at Princeton and, horribly, unaccountably, dead by suicide, one out of a number of his peers to have jumped in front of a local train. Mourning Danny, fearing for her parents in their deep grief, May can barely begin to imagine starting life again when a schoolmate’s parent publicly blames her family’s Asian culture for her brother’s death. May fights back with poetry on social media, supported by her peers and her best friend, a daughter of Haitian immigrants. The ensuing story explores anti-Asian hate, tension between Black and Asian communities, personal grief, and the politics of blame in a Silicon Valley town. May’s growth as a character, her desire to regain her brother’s memory as a positive part of her family, and her efforts to make her community a more inclusive place are believable and affecting.

Lesley Mandros Bell, Oakland Library Advocates

Collins, Christina. The Town with No Mirrors.  Fiction. Sourcebooks, 02/2023. 305pp. $16.99. 978-1- 4926-5535-0. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 4-7.

To avoid body shaming, the town of Gladder Hill forbids the use of mirrors, cameras, and other items that allow people to see their own faces. When twelveyear-old Zailey begins to surreptitiously sketch people, she risks not only public censure but banishment from everything she knows and loves. The story puts an interesting spin on society’s obsession with appearance, exploring what happens when cracks form in an authoritarian utopian society. Zailey’s curiosity and drive will resonate with kids, but a few unbelievable plot twists and a sugar-coated ending diminish the impact of an otherwise compelling story. Recommend to readers who enjoyed The Giver series by Lois Lowry.

Jenny Andrus, Independent

Barone, Rebecca E. F. Unbreakable: The Spies Who Cracked the Nazi’s Secret Code. Non-fiction. H. Holt, 10/2022. 272pp. $19.99. 978-1-250- 81420-3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 6-12.

Spies, codebreakers, and the heroic struggle to defeat the Nazis, animate this well-researched account of the decades-long struggle to break the German Enigma code. There are fascinating details of dozens of individuals who devoted themselves to subverting and 137 decoding German military communication during WW II. Dramatic tales of brave sailors who risked, and lost, their lives retrieving documents from scuttled Nazi ships, the little-known role of Polish cryptographers who were the first to make major breakthroughs, details about Alan Turing and the men and women of Bletchley Park, and the hidden histories of the intelligence officers and traitors working inside France and Germany keep the pages turning and create a deep appreciation for the complexity of the story. The level of detail makes Unbreakable best for those with intrinsic interest in espionage, WWII, or codebreaking. Unfortunately, the cover reads young and may discourage older readers. An excellent epilogue summarizes the impact of breaking Enigma, lets readers know what happened to the Polish, British, French, and Germans central to the story, and points out the central role of ciphers in our current online existence. A substantial bibliography and extensive endnotes confirm Barone’s exemplary research. Review based on an ARC.

Melissa McAvoy, Retired

Frost, Helen. Wait–And See. Rick Lieder, Illustrator. Non-fiction. Candlewick, 05/2022. 24pp. $17.99. 978-1-5362- 1631-8. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-3.

If you can be very still, patient, and just wait, what will you see? Short, simple, lyrical text combines with crystal clear photographs to showcase the life cycle of
a praying mantis. The photographs are the highlight of this book, with the easy flowing text that really just simply ties together close-up color photographs bursting with unique praying mantis details. Includes one page of detailed back matter with more information about the insect. Great for all
collections where insect books are in demand.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Takeuchi, Chihiro. Whose Bones Are Those? Takeuchi Chihiro, Illus. Picture Book. Candlewick, 06/2022. [32]pp. $17.99. 978-1-5362-2145-9. ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-1.

There’s nothing better than using clues to predict what animal is being revealed as the page turns; however, these clues are a bit difficult and purposely jumbled. Cut paper illustrations on somewhat small pages start with animal bones scattered all over the page. Turn the page and the skeleton is shown intact with the complete animal on the opposing page. The first few animals work out okay in this presentation, but readers may struggle with the final six animals, who come all together in one jumble of bones and then separated skeletons and pictures on one page instead of separate pages. Fun for those who like animal details, bones, or a challenge.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library