Reynolds, Jason. Ain’t Burned All the Bright. Jason Griffin, Illus. Fiction. Atheneum, 01/2022. 384pp. $19.99. 978-1-5344-3946-7. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 6–Adult.

This masterwork of sparse text and multilayered art quickly picked up nine starred reviews when it was released in January, 2022. The book is classified as fiction by the publisher, but it could also be called a graphic novel, a picture book, or a book of verse and art. In three hundred words Reynolds captures the essence of 2020-2021: COVID lockdowns, Black Lives Matter protests, fear, helplessness, and the feeling that one is unable tobreathe. The story is told via a Black boy protagonist observing  his family grapple with COVID, news reports of police killings, BLM protests, and isolation. Griffin’s collage art (printed on high quality paper)adds depth to each of Reynolds’ words. The book’s three acts explore fear, family, racism, and the pandemic, but finally offer a sense of connection and hope.

Rachael Reiley, Hillcrest Elementary, Oakland Unified School District

Salaman, Bill (from a story idea by the late John Burningham). Air Miles. Helen Oxenbury, Illus. Picture Book. Candlewick, 06/2022. [32]pp. $18.99. 978-1-5362-2334-7. ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-1. 

Miles, a brown dog, doesn’t have the energy he used to, though he is able to fly a small airplane a neighbor has. He spends every day flying until he flies off higher and farther than ever. Based on an idea and art by John Burningham, his wife Helen Oxenbury finished the artwork, and longtime friend Bill Salaman completed the text. While not a happy, upbeat title, the plot and illustrations demonstrate how the end of life can be approached with dignity and grace.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Jenkins, Steve. Animal Facts: By the Numbers : A Book of Infographics. Steve Jenkins, Illus By the Numbers Series. Clarion,06/2022. 40pp. Non-Fiction. GRADES 3 – 8. ADDITIONAL. Trade $14.99. 978-0-358-47012-0. Paper $ 5.99. 978-0-358-47013-7.

SERIES REVIEW: Explore the world (or beyond it) through depictions of interesting factoids presented via infographics representing a variety of subjects and numbers. These series titles utilize cut and torn paper collage illustrations to simplify complex numbers and a universe of things into easy-to-understand concepts. Readers will discover hundreds of facts, flowing from one topic or idea to another as the title topics are explored. This reviewer read two of the six titles, which are very similar in ease of browseability and simple presentation of complex topics. One Day shows off how a day can be measured— in heart beats, deaths, animals eaten, changes to the planet, water consumed, or distances 158 traveled. Animal Facts depicts animal sizes, speeds, life spans, and other interesting facts about animals (such as noisiest and deadliest) that readers are unlikely to know. Fun to browse and to get quick facts from, but not something to just read straight through.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Preston-Gannon, Frann. Bad Day, The. Frann Preston-Gannon, Illus. Templar/Candlewick, 06/2022. [32]pp. Picture Book. GRADES Preschool – 1. ADDITIONAL. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-2378-1.

What is a bad day? And how can one change it into a good day? For this group of animals, it means that they were each stuck in a bad spot, but due to the help of friends, their day improved. Ink, pencil, and paint illustrations show a squirrel, a woodpecker, a snake, a turtle, a fox, and a mouse each facing a difficult predicament, which become solvable when they begin to work with each other. An effectively simple way to show that working with others is better than sticking to oneself.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Gianferrari, Maria. Being a Dog : A Tail of Mindfulness. Pete Oswald, Illustrator. Harper, 04/2022. [40]pp. Picture Book. GRADES Preschool – 1. ADDITIONAL. Trade $18.99. 978-0-06-306791-2.

How do dogs think and act? This tale of mindfulness explains how dog behavior has a lot in common with being mindful, because dogs always seem to be positive, have fun, and “live in the Now” without needing to worry. Cutout paper and watercolor texture illustrations depict a fun-loving dog throughout the day and seasons, enjoying life and existing for the moment. Includes two spreads comparing human mindfulness techniques with things dogs do in each season. This easy-to-read picture book offers readers several methods to practice more mindfulness just like our dog friends.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Barton, Jen. Bernice Sandler and the Fight for Title IX Sarah Green, Illus. Magination, 05/2022. 160pp. Biography. GRADES 6 – 10. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $16.99. 978-1-4338-3946-7.

Title IX revolutionized American education and the academic and economic prospects for girls and women. But for an accidental activist named Bunny, with exemplary research skills and the tendency to read every footnote, chances are Title IX would not exist. And that would mean female applicants to academic institutions could legally be put on the bottom of the pile, women’s sports could go unfunded, women’s scholarships denied, you could be expelled or fired for being pregnant, and there would be little legal basis to prevent sexual harassment in the classroom or academic workplace. Not only does this biography trace the landmark fight for educational equality, it explicitly lays out a roadmap on how to become an activist—encouraging students to investigate, interview, write their representatives, conduct an informal experiment and, if they are in public school, find their legally mandated Title IX coordinator. Black and white photographs, advertisements, political ephemera and illustrations provide context and break up the text. Backmatter includes special sections devoted to disability and LGBTQ+ rights under Title IX, photo credits, and a bibliography. An excellent resource for research, class discussion, and an essential display for Women’s History Month.

Melissa McAvoy, Retired

Cole, Henry. Building. Henry Cole, Illustrator. Harper, 06/2022. [32]pp. Picture Book . GRADES Preschool – 1. ADDITIONAL. Trade $17.99. 978-0-06-313655-7.

This classically illustrated tale follows a beaver family through their year as they build a dam and lodge, with the resulting pond attracting various animals. Detailed line art and simple colors make for a straightforward, older-feeling story. Useful for learning about animal lives and what beavers are like.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Chima, Cinda Williams. Children of Ragnarok The Runestone Saga Series. Balzer + Bray, 11/2022. 560pp. Fiction. GRADES 8 – 12. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $18.99. 978-0-06-301868-6.

In a world rooted in Norse mythology, magic is feared, fate is viewed as fixed, and three teens seek to change their fortunes. Sixteen-year-old Eiric’s family used to be viewed as lucky—famous for the success of their raiding expeditions and their farm’s prosperity. Eiric thinks the luckiest thing they ever brought home is his mysterious, older half-sister Liv. Fierce, scarred, and full of magic, she and Eiric are inseparable, especially after their mother’s remarriage to the brutal and avaricious Sten. When tragedy and violence result in death and disappearance, Eiric is framed for murder and is on the brink of losing both his family’s farm and his life. Reginn, also sixteen, can’t remember a time when she wasn’t exploited and enslaved by others for her gifts of prophesy. Each teen takes their only chance for a different future, embarking on a journey to a fabled land where magic-gifted children are sheltered and trained. But something far darker is at work. Hand this action-packed, fantasy adventure to fans of Bardugo’s Six of Crows (Henry Holt, 2015) or teens ready to move on from any of Rick Riordan’s mythic series. While all three Norse main characters are white, both racial and LGBTQ diversity is evident. Review based on an ARC.

Melissa McAvoy, Retired

Engle, Margarita. Destiny Finds Her Way: How a Rescued Baby Sloth Learned to Be Wild. Sam Trull, photography. Baby Animal Tales Series. National Geographic Kids, 02/2023. 32pp. Non-Fiction. GRADES 1 – 4. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $16.99. 978-1-4263-7234-6.

Destiny is a three-fingered sloth with an injured eye who was rescued in the rainforest in Costa Rica, rehabilitated, and returned to the rainforest. The text describes her treatment and healing process, and how she was prepared by the scientists to live in the wild again. There are colorful borders, maps, and lists of facts that will attract readers, and it will also be useful for reports. Filled with color photos of Destiny and other rainforest animals (by photographer Sam Trull), this will engage younger readers with its brief text and onomatopoeia of animal sounds.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University iSchool

Lukoff, Kyle. Different Kinds of Fruit. Fiction. Penguin Random House, 04/2022. 320pp. $17.99. 978-0-593-11118-5. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 4–8. 

Annabelle, a sixth grader in a small town outside of Seattle, learns about herself and her family when Bailey, the nonbinary new kid, moves to town. Unfortunately, Annabelle’s parents seem to disapprove of her and Bailey’s friendship, and Annabelle
begins to examine what it means to be a boy, a girl, straight, gay, or something in-between. The story drops some interesting twists and examines some of the tensions between older transgender folx and today’s nonbinary youth.

Rachael Reiley, Hillcrest Elementary, Oakland Unified School District

Ottaviani, Jim. Einstein. Jerel Dye, Illus. First Second, 11/2022. 304pp. Biography. GRADES 10 – Adult. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $32.99. 978-1-62672-876-9.

Instantly recognizable and world famous, most of what we know about Einstein is on the level of caricature. So it is fitting that cartoons are used to flesh out the man, his place in history, and the astonishing complexity of his theories. Ottaviani has made a specialty in profiling revolutionary scientists whose controversial discoveries transformed our understanding. Using speech bubbles, asides, flashbacks, and foreshadowing, he tells the complicated history of who, how, and why. Those who know a little about Einstein will find the familiar stories fleshed out: his late acquisition of language, difficulty finding a teaching position, and the letter to President Roosevelt that launched the Manhattan Project. Here too are extensive insights into his personal relationships, family, marriages, affairs, politics, and his all-important conversations with the most important physicists, astronomers, and mathematicians of the twentieth century. Engaging cartoon-style drawings, varied panel design and size, and sophisticated colors, complement the conversational text. Those who understand the import of Einstein’s theories and thought experiments will be fascinated to see them visually represented and placed in context. Those with less of a grasp on the science are given a chance to glimpse what all the fuss is about, and to acquire a glimmer of understanding of conceptual physics. While not for the casual graphic non-fiction book reader, Einstein will be welcomed by those interested in the great man and the theory of relativity, as well as by high school physics teachers hoping to open up a world of revolutionary thought to a new generation. Review based on an ARC.

Melissa McAvoy, Retired

Gates, Margo. First Day of School. The Read for a Better World : Read About School SeriesLerner, 08/2022. 24pp. Non-Fiction. GRADES Preschool – 1. ADDITIONAL. PLB $29.32 978-1-7284-5927-1.
Paper $ 8.99 978-1-7284-6421-3.

SERIES REVIEW : Those preparing to start going to school will find these
titles interesting, informative, and hopeful as they show off various parts of school life. These series
titles look at various aspects of what the first day of school may be like, including making friends,
enjoying recess, visiting the school library, taking the school bus, and celebrating the ever-important
100th day milestone. While all pages of each title may not apply to all schools, the author and photo
editors endeavored to include diverse people and settings in the many large-size color photographs
featuring various genders and ethnicities of both kids and adults. Readers in the Bay Area may see
settings and topics portrayed that are very different from their schools, since many Bay Area schools
have no school buses, limited school libraries, and prepackaged school lunches instead of the freshly
cooked lunches that are pictured. Spaced throughout are questions to the reader that help them think
about the topic and increase interaction between adult and child. Great for those preparing to start school, either kindergarten or first grade.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Lendroth, Susan. Hey-Ho, to Mars We’ll Go!: A Space-Age Version of “The Farmer in the Dell.” Bob Kolar, Illus. Charlesbridge, 01/2023. [28]pp. Picture Book. Preschool – 3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $ 8.99. 978-1-62354-376-1.

Ideal for storytime, this bouncy adaptation of “The Farmer in the Dell” features a rocket going to Mars: “We launch with a roar, We launch with a roar, Hey-ho, to Mars we’ll go —We launch with a ROOOOOAR!” The lyrics are in a large font, while factual information is in a smaller font describing gravity, the time it takes to travel to Mars, and other scientific concepts. In the section where the crew is in the ship experiencing weightlessness the user will need to turn the book over to read some parts of the text. The full-color graphic style artwork depicts an ethnically diverse crew at work and adds charm. Originally published in 2018, this board book edition is best suited to older preschoolers and primary graders.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University iSchool

Durant, Alan. Human Town. Anna Doherty, Illustrator. Tiny Owl, 06/2022. [32]pp. Picture Book. GRADES Kindergarten – 1. ADDITIONAL. Trade $16.99. 978-1-910328-84-2.

“Human Town,” is a zoological preserve featuring humans in their urbanized setting which elephant families can visit, just like any museum or zoo. Watercolor-like illustrations show an elephant family exploring what human life is like, and they see various aspects, including stores, schools, roads, crime, pollution, and various negative interpersonal interactions. An interestingly different way to show how humans could take better care of themselves and the environment. The text and illustrations easily make the reader feel the disapproving view the elephants have of human society and how humans could do better.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Driscoll, Laura.  I Want to Be a Firefighter. Catalina Echeverri, Illus. I Can Read Series, Level 1: My Community. Harper, 08/2022. 32pp. Reader. GRADES Kindergarten – 2. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $16.99. 978-0-06-298961-1.

Twins Mia and Max are excited about a visit from local firefighters to their school for Fire Safety Day. There are several types of firefighters depicted, including an engineer, marshall, captain, investigator, and hazmat team. Aimed at children just learning to read, the text has quite a bit of repetition, and is set down in a few lines per page with an emphasis on dialogue. There is considerable white space, and the full-color cartoon artwork will help readers figure out some of the wording. The firefighters include both men and women of various ethnicities, and the students depicted are also diverse, but Mia and Max are white. A nice reader about a popular career, with information on the many types of firefighters.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University iSchool

Preus, Margi. Lily Leads the Way. Matt Myers, Illustrator. Harper, 05/2022. [32]pp. Picture Book. GRADES Preschool – 1. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5362-1403-1.

Lily, a small sailboat, wants to see a fleet of tall ships (three-masted sailing ships) as they sail past her harbor. However, the lift bridge doesn’t hear her small horn saying “Meeee? Meeee?” only the loud, low blasts of the big ships as they push her out of the way. The oil on illustration board artwork shows the effort Lily puts into her adventure, the difficulties 162 tiny Lily faces, and how she manages to succeed in the face of adversity. Young readers may connect with this tale of smallness being overwhelmed by those who are much larger. This reviewer rarely sees ships as the protagonist, so this title stands out with its subject matter and presentation of continuing to try until one succeeds.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Leitner, Inbal. Longest, Strongest Thread, The. Inbal Leitner, Illus. Charlesbridge, 09/2022. [32]pp. Picture Book. GRADES Preschool – 3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $16.99. 978-1-62354-359-4.

Originally published in Great Britain in 2020, a granddaughter is moving away so grandma explains that they are still connected, even though they will be far apart. Their favorite place is grandma’s sewing studio, demonstrating the metaphor that they are connected by an invisible thread of love. The unusual illustrations use soft colors and collage elements on stark white backgrounds, reinforcing the symbol of fabric and thread for their connection, and depicting the two family members as white. A quiet story that will resonate with many children who live far from their grandparents.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University iSchool

Mandin, Christy. Lucky. Christy Mandin, Illus. Picture Book. Harper, 05/2022. [38]pp. $17.99. 978-0-06-304734-1. ADDITIONAL. Preschool-1. 

Lucky feels like the luckiest pearl in the sea because of the interesting things she finds, such as bottle caps. When her home is destroyed after trash (tires, bottles, and more) falls on it, she sets out to find a new home, encounters lots more trash, and makes anew friend (a talkative jellyfish). Mandin’s digital illustrations show the negative effects trash has on sea life, and how having friends can help improve one’s situation. Includes back matter about ocean pollution and ways to help the seas by reducing plastic use.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Gates, Margo. Making Friends at School. Read for a Better World : Read About School Series.
Lerner, 08/2022. 24pp. Non-Fiction. GRADES Preschool – 1. ADDITIONAL. PLB $29.32. 978-1-7284-
5931-8. Paper $ 8.99. 978-1-7284-6422-0.

Please see series review for The First Day of School by Margo Gates.

Watson, Renée. Maya’s Song.  Bryan Collier, Illustrator. HarperCollins, 09/2022. [42][+4] pp. Poetry.
GRADES 2 – 6. OUTSTANDING. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-287158-9.

Author and poet Renée Watson presents
the life of the incomparable poet, storyteller, and activist Maya Angelou through a series of free-verse
poems accompanied by Brian Collier’s layered collage and watercolor illustrations. The poems
chronologically cover many of the major events in Angelou’s life, including the sexual abuse perpetrated
on her as a child, causing her five-year silence. Watson skillfully presents these violent events in
language accessible to young readers. Using imagery from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Collier
illustrates the poem “Caged In” by placing deep red bars over Maya’s face and hands—hands which are
holding an almost imperceptible bird. The illustrator’s note explains how he used a gradually brightening
color palette as Maya regains her voice and creates a life of writing, song, dance, travel, and civil rights
activism. Oddly, one illustration doesn’t match the text: Maya and her beloved older brother, Bailey,
were sent by their divorcing parents to Arkansas by train when they were three and four to live with
their grandmother. The illustration portrays tall children (chest high to the porter) and thus dilutes the
shocking act of sending children barely out of babyhood alone on a multi-day journey. The final poem,
“Good Morning,” portrays Angelou reciting her inaugural poem at Bill Clinton’s 1993 inauguration—the
first woman, and the first Black person ever given that honor. A timeline includes the 2022
announcement that Angelou will become the first Black woman to appear on a U.S. quarter. This book is
a beautiful tribute to an unforgettable woman whose writings, resilience, and courage will forever
continue to inspire. This book contains California specific content.

Cindy Gullikson, Joaquin Miller School, Oakland Unified School District

Jenkins, Steve. One Day: By the Numbers : A Book of Infographics. Steve Jenkins, Illus. By the Numbers Series. Clarion, 06/2022. 40pp. Non-Fiction. GRADES 3 – 8. ADDITIONAL. Trade $14.99. 978-0-358-47011-3. Paper $ 5.99. 978-0-358-47014-4.

Please see series review for Animal Facts: By the Numbers by Steve Jenkins.

Bently, Peter. Pantemonium! Becka Moor, Illustrator. Andersen, 04/2022. [24]pp. Picture Book. GRADES Preschool – 1. ADDITIONAL. Trade $17.99. 978-1-72844-973-9.

Fred the Giant heads out to go fishing, traipsing through town on his way to the ocean. Unbeknownst to him, a pair of his pantaloon underwear becomes hooked to his rod and starts capturing things all along his route. The pantaloons somehow manage to swallow up people, zoo animals, a firetruck, and even a train without the giant realizing what’s wrong – only that his rod’s gotten heavier. Everything mysteriously escapes just as Fred reaches the ocean, where it all begins again, this time with a whale. Moor’s pencil-lined digital illustrations show the surprised looks on the capturees, but lack any apparent negative reaction by the swallowed people
or animals. Good for those looking for a simple laugh, though difficult to explain much of why or how it all happened.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Otheguy, Emma. Reina Ramos Works it Out! Andres Landazabal, Illus. I Can Read, Level 2 Series. Harper, 09/2022. [32]pp. Reader. GRADES Kindergarten – 2. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $16.99. 978-0-06-322311-0. Paper $4.99. 978-0-06-322310-3.

Reina is excited about a class project where each student will dress like a famous person. She hopes to be the artist Frida Kahlo, but her friend Nora also wants to be Kahlo. The girls resolve the dispute in a story that celebrates other Latinx heroes, including Celia Cruz, Ellen Ochoa, and Roberto Clemente. The book design will facilitate reading, with about four lines of text per page, full-color cartoon-style artwork, and a large, well-spaced text. The students, parents, and teachers are depicted in the illustrations as various ethnicities, making this a great example of inclusion. There is also a Spanish language edition: Reina Ramos encuentra la solucion, 978-0-06-323000-2.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University iSchool

Gates, Margo. School Bus, The Read for a Better World : Read About School Series. Lerner,
08/2022. 24pp. Non-Fiction. Preschool – 1. ADDITIONAL. PLB $29.32. 978-1-7284-5930-1. Paper $ 8.99 978-
1-7284-6423-7.

Please see series review for The First Day of School by Margo Gates.

Gates, Margo. School Library. The Read for a Better World : Read About School Series. Lerner,
08/2022. 24pp. Non-Fiction. Preschool – 1 ADDITIONAL. PLB $29.32. 978-1-7284-5929-5. Paper $8.99. 978-
1-7284-6424-4.

Please see series review for The First Day of School by Margo Gates.

Hirsch, Rebecca E. Sensational Senses : Amazing Ways Animals Perceive the World. Lerner/ Millbrook, 04/2022. 48pp. Non-Fiction. GRADES 4 – 8. ADDITIONAL. PLB $31.99. 978-1-7284-1922-0.

Sensational animal senses, are, when compared to human senses, quite interesting. Hirsch explores various animals that have supercharged senses or senses beyond anything humans can perceive. Each animal’s sensory ability is explained and explored with in-depth descriptions and explanations about the processes scientists are able to use to determine how the sense works. Detailed color photographs show the animals and some scientists, along with a variety of color graphics that help explain the sense and how it works. Useful for readers wanting in-depth details about a variety of interesting animals, or those exploring different senses.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Tabor, Corey R. Sir Ladybug and the Queen Bee. Corey R. Tabor, Illus. Sir Ladybug Series; bk. 2. Balzer+Bray, 06/2022. 64pp. Reader. GRADES 1 – 3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $12.99. 978-0-06-306909-1.

In the second book in this series, Sir Ladybug is called to serve the Queen Bee, who is a bossy bully. He is accompanied to the hive by friends snail and roly-poly bug where they are arrested, but they have a plan to get free. Designed like a graphic novel, this clever reader is organized into five chapters, and formatted with comic panels and dialogue balloons. The watercolor-and-ink cartoon artwork with white backgrounds is not as dark as many comics, making this a great book design for those practicing their reading skills. The humor is silly but never mean, and the graphic novel format allows older struggling readers to feel like they are reading something for a wide age range.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University iSchool

Biedrzycki, David. SumoPuppy. David Biedryzcki, Illus. Charlesbridge, 10/2022. [52]pp.
Picture Book. GRADES Preschool – 3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $18.99. 978-1-62354-301-3.

SumoPuppy is a small half-pug, half-bulldog taken in by a sumo champion and trainer, tasking the dog with catching mice. The story is narrated by SumoKitty, already an accomplished mouse-catcher, who is assigned to train the puppy. The story has subtle humor and a fun ending about heroism and rising above expectations, and Japanese terms are defined. The full-color pencil-and-watercolor illustrations have a cinematic quality with shadows and dramatic close-ups, depicting the setting of modern Japan. This sequel to SumoKitty (2019) stands on its own.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University iSchool

McGinty, Alice Blumenthal. Synagogue Just Like Home, A. Laurel Molk, Illus. Candlewick, 08/2022. [40]pp. Picture Book. GRADES Preschool – 3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-1086-6.

Everyone loves the local synagogue including Rabbi Ruben, but he knows repairs are needed and he tries to fix the drafty windows, squeaky floor, and leaky sink. He fails but the congregation pitches in to make the repairs, emphasizing that helping, sharing, and caring are part of being a family. The story has humor so the message goes down easily, making this engaging for a wide audience. The soft colors of the artwork, using thin pencil outlines, depict the ethnically diverse members of the synagogue. The final page has a
glossary of Jewish terms.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University iSchool

Shang, Wendy Wan-Long. The Secret Battle of Evan Pao. Fiction. Scholastic, 06/2022. 272pp. $17.99. 978-1-338-67885-7. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 4 – 7.

Family circumstances force Evan Pao and his mom and sister to relocate from California to Haddington, Virgina, a town where ancestral connections to the Confederacy remain a source of pride for many residents. As the only Asian American student in his new school, Evan contends with acts of overt racism and micro-aggression, including comments by his sixth grade teacher about his ability to fully participate in the community’s annual Civil War reenactment celebration. A well-drawn and engaging character, Evan challenges the status quo when he uncovers information about Chinese immigrants who fought in the Civil War. Secondary characters, including a white classmate who bullies Evan, are presented in a multi-dimensional way, imperfect but capable of positive change. With an optimistic tone, this warm-hearted book will appeal to fans of realistic fiction, particularly those who like some history added into the mix.

Jenny Andrus, Independent

Jackson, Tiffany D. Weight of Blood, The. HarperCollins/ Katherine Tegen, 09/2022. 416pp. Fiction. GRADES 8 – 12. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $18.99. 978-0-06-302914-9.

Jackson brilliantly pays homage to Stephen King and his early thriller Carrie. In this story racism and anti-Blackness are the underpinnings that lead to an explosive supernatural prom night. Jackson’s pacing and plot twists are spot on and even those readers who don’t generally read horror are likely to be thrilled by this book.

Rachael Reiley, Oakland Unified School District, Librarian Hillcrest Elementary

Senior, Suzy. Who Will Kiss the Crocodile? Claire Powell, Illus. Tiger Tales, 09/2022. [28]pp. Picture Book. GRADES Preschool – 3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $17.99. 978-1-68010-284-0.

Originally published in Great Britain earlier this year, this spoof of the fairy tale “Sleeping Beauty” features a princess who has been turned into a crocodile. After falling asleep at age sixteen, the crocodile is awakened by a kiss blown by the female fix-it crew, breaking gender stereotypes. The rhyming verse that tells the story is bouncy and will make a great readaloud. The quirky, full-color cartoon illustrations with white backgrounds feature an ethnically diverse cast of characters and add charm to the story.

Penny Peck, San Jose State University iSchool