Salazar, Aida. Seed in the Sun, A. Dial, 10/2022. 255 [+12]pp. Fiction. GRADES 4 – 7. Trade $17.99 978-0-593-40660-1. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Twelve-year-old Lula and her family are migrant workers harvesting grapes in California’s Imperial Valley in 1965. Migrant farmworkers have begun organizing, and after hearing Dolores Huerta speak at a local rally, Lula realizes that change may actually be possible. Lula’s family really needs change; her Mama is extremely sick, and her Papa has a volatile temper and strongly held traditional beliefs. Salazar paints an all-too-real picture of the hardships faced by the poverty-stricken grape pickers in 1965. Lula is an extremely likable character, and her story, told in verse, moves quickly and believably. An excellent choice for middle graders interested in the history of migrant workers in California. This book has California-specific content.

Nora Hale—Independent

Gombac, Ziga X. Adam and His Tuba.  Maja Kastelic, Illus. Translated from the German by Olivia Hellewell. NorthSouth, 02/2023. [32]pp. Picture Book. GRADES Kindergarten – 3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $18.95. 978-0-7358-4497-1.

Young Adam is part of a family that owns a small circus in what appears to be mid-1900s Europe. Everyone in the family has a talent or skill that suits the circus, such as tightrope walking or breathing fire, but Adam spends his time playing the tuba. When the family hears him play, they realize his talent is a great asset. The message that all types of talent can contribute is refreshing. The burnished sepia illustrations help to set the time period and depict the family as white. First published in Switzerland in 2022 and translated from the German by Olivia Hellewell. Review based on an ARC.

Penny Peck—San Jose State University iSchool

Hood, Susan, with Greg Dawson. Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis. HarperCollins, 03/2022. 352pp. Non-Fiction. GRADES 6 – 9. $16.99. 978-0-06-308389-9. OUTSTANDING.

When an eighth grade girl writes her grandmother as part of a school project, asking about her home life and world events when she was thirteen, she uncovers a gripping tale of two young Ukranian sisters, musical prodigies, caught up in the nightmare of the Holocaust. In short, poetic chapters, the irrepressable personality of her grandmother, the older sister Zhanna (alias Anna), comes through clearly. There is inherent drama in Anna’s situation. A world-class musician at age thirteen, she is responsible for the survival of herself and her ten-year-old sister, hunted by Nazis in a world torn apart by war. The sisters’ talent both helps them survive and endangers their anonymity. Yet it is the wit, charm, and resilience of Anna’s personality that make this book a pleasure to read. The two authors each bring remarkable strengths. Dawson is the eighth grader’s father and Anna’s son. His close relationship and intimate knowledge of the Holocaust ensures readers learn the answers to their every question. Hood’s superb pacing and her choice to write each chapter in varied poetic forms connects to Zhanna’s love of music and meter. While there is no shortage of Holocaust memoirs, the drama and dynamism of this story, and the fact that it is set in a country currently experiencing war crimes, make it a gripping and topical read. Extensive back matter includes author’s notes, copious photographs, musical specifics, context, field trips, poetry notes, sources, websites, and a bibliography.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

McGinty, Alice B. Bathe the Cat. David Roberts, Illus. Chronicle, 02/2022. 48pp. Picture Book. GRADES Preschool – 2. $17.99. 978-1-4521-4270-8. OUTSTANDING. 

Grandma’s coming to visit and she’s almost here! In a two-dad household a brown-skinned father uses colorful refrigerator magnets to spell out the list of chores for his multiracial family. But in an effort to avoid a bath the cat makes creative adjustments to the tasks and the family is soon busy rocking the rug, vacuuming the lawn, and sweeping the dishes. Bouncy rhyme and colorful, energetic illustrations reveal the glorious madness until Daddy restores order. A hilarious and joyful readaloud with witty details that kids will adore.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Collard III, Sneed B. Border Crossings. Howard Gray, Illus. Charlesbridge, 01/2023. [32]pp. Non-Fiction. GRADES 1 – 4. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-238-2.

A male ocelot at the U.S. southern border is in search of a female mate but is stopped by the recently built border wall. The narrative feels similar to a story, but is factual, describing other animals whose habitats are bisected by the wall. The text is clear on the negative ecological impact the wall has on the animal population and plants that have been cleared to build it. This will be a great classroom readaloud as well as a starting point for a discussion of how the border wall has impacted the environment. The full-color, digitally-rendered illustrations resemble gouache artwork, realistically depicting the animals and landscape. An author’s note, list of further reading, and glossary conclude the book. Review based on an ARC.

Penny Peck—San Jose State University iSchool

Joy, Angela. Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement. Janelle Washington, Illus. Picture Book. Roaring Brook, 09/2022. 64pp. $19.99. 978-1-250-22095-0. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 4-8.

Mamie Till-Mobley’s brave decision to hold an open-casket funeral for her murdered son, Emmett Till, sparked the Civil Rights Movement, inspiring generations of activists including Rosa Parks. Written in accessible, free-verse style, this carefully researched, well-structured biography covers Till-Mobley’s life—from growing up as a child of the Great Migration to her adult years as a teacher, advocate, and director of the Emmett Till Players. Vibrant illustrations provide a fitting counterpoint to the powerful text, with images that look like woodcuts but are actually cut black paper with tissue layered underneath to add color and depth. A single thread connecting Mamie to Emmett appears in several of the illustrations, providing the perfect throughline for the story. End notes, including a playlist, a glossary, a timeline, and a source list, provide context and offer avenues for further exploration. Highly recommended for all collections.

Jenny Andrus, Independent

Alexander, Kwame. Door of No Return, The. Little, Brown, 09/2022. 398 [+20]pp. Fiction. GRADES 5 – 8. OUTSTANDING. Trade $17.99. 978-0-316-44186-5.

In his familiar verse style, Alexander invites us into twelve-year-old Kofi Offin’s life in an 1860 Ashante village (now part of the Republic of Ghana). Kofi’s life is rich in family, friends, and traditions, and he is drawn to the Offin river, the origin of his second name. Repeatedly warned to leave the river before nightfall, Kofi finds himself there at that forbidden time and his life changes in unimaginable and horrifying ways. Kofi’s story is engaging, enlightening, heartbreaking, and necessary.

Nora Hale, Independent

Guojing. Flamingo, The. Guojing, Illus. Random, 09/2022. 142pp. Graphic. GRADES 1 – 5. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $18.99. 978-0-593-12731-5.

A little girl visits her Lao Lao (Mandarin for grandmother) and finds a flamingo feather on grandma’s mantel. With just a few sentences spread throughout, Lao Lao tells how she found an egg and a flamingo hatched from it. It may take several rereads to figure out if grandma’s story is true or imaginary. The watercolor-and-pencil illustrations are essential since they make up the majority of the book, conveying the message that even though loved ones are apart they are still in one’s heart. Dominated by gray, blue, red, and pink, the girl and grandma are the only human characters and appear to be Asian. Teachers may use this thoughtful book to spark a creative writing assignment.

Penny Peck—San Jose State University iSchool

Luqman-Dawson, Amina. Freewater. Little, Brown. 02/2022. 398 [+8]pp. Fiction. GRADES 4 – 7. ADDITIONAL. Trade $16.99. 978-0-316-05661-8.

Employing nine different voices in her first novel, Luqman-Dawson weaves the story of runaway slave twelve-year-old Homer and his young sister Ada. The children find freedom with other runaways and their freeborn children in Freewater, a community hidden deep in the Great Dismal Swamp. While the author shines a bright light on a little known piece of slavery’s history, the length of the text, combined with the multiple voices, which often change from chapter to chapter, may be challenging for all but the most determined reader.

Nora Hale — Independent

Cousins, Lucy. Good Place, A. Lucy Cousins, Illus. Candlewick, 04/2022. [32]pp. Picture Book. GRADES Preschool – 1. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5362-2425-2.

Cousins’ simple story follows four insects looking for a good place to live. Their urban setting offers many possibilities, but none are very good for the insects. After trying places like a sidewalk weed, a street puddle, a pile of garbage, and a plant sprayed with chemicals, they discover a garden with lots of places for insects and animals of all types. Cousins’ playful gouache illustrations and hand lettering provide a quick-paced, engaging look at how nature struggles to thrive in a human world. Useful for storytimes, including topical programs like Earth Day.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Johnson, Dinah. H is for Harlem. April Harrison, Illustrator. Little, Brown. 07/2022. [40]pp. Non-Fiction. GRADES Kindergarten – 4. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $18.99. 978-0-316-32237-9.

In this alphabet, Dinah Johnson creates a guide to the important places and people of Harlem, featuring
both historical and modern examples, such as Zora Neale Hurston, and the Harlem Globetrotters. The collage illustrations celebrate the diversity of people in Harlem while also showing characteristic New York City architecture. April Harrison’s use of texture brings the illustrations to life, and is especially prevalent in her portraits of famous Harlem residents. As with many themed alphabet books, some letters are stronger than others. In particular, letters K (for “kinfolk”) and V (for “voices”) stand out as being less Harlem-specific and are not as strongly rooted in historical context. Letters A (for “Apollo Theater”) and I (for “Impact Farm”) teach the reader about Harlem through their specificity. While an introductory author’s note is included, this book lacks additional back matter, such as a timeline or further reading, which would make it stand out. H is for Harlem provides a simple introduction to Harlem through its factual text and lively illustrations.

Lillian Whithaus — Berkeley Public Library

Sanchez Vegara, Maria Isabel. Hedy Lamarr. Maggie Cole, Illus. Little People, Big Dreams Series. Frances Lincoln, 01/2023. [32]pp. Biography. Trade $15.99. 978-0-7112-4669-0. GRADES K-3. ADDITIONAL.

In this picture book biography, 1930-1950s actress Hedy Lamarr is celebrated because she was also an inventor. She and a partner invented a communication system called signal hopping which was intended to aid in World War II, and is the basis of cell phone and wifi technology. She was never paid for the invention since the patent was donated to the U.S. government to help in the war effort. Unfortunately, there is no mention that Lamarr’s parents were Jewish. Full-page illustrations appear to be rendered in gouache and have a cartoonish style, and the final two pages have more facts and four b&w photos of Lamarr. Wallmark’s Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life (Sterling, 2019) is preferrable. Review based on an ARC.

Penny Peck—San Jose University iSchool

Curry, Stephen. I Have a Superpower. Geneva Bowers, Illus. Penguin Workshop, 09/2022. [32]pp. Picture Book. GRADES Kindergarten – 3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $18.99. 978-0-593-38604-0.

Although he isn’t the tallest, fastest, or best jumper on the court, Hughes shares his superpower that helps him excel at basketball and invites readers to develop their own superpower. The story is cleverly written as an ongoing dialog between Hughes and a TV sportscaster, who narrates Hughes’ day as he walks to the court and joins a pick-up game of basketball. Their contrasting voices extend to the book design, with a traditional serif font used for the sportscaster’s narrative text, while Hughes and the other players speak with speech bubbles and a comic-like font. The vibrant, digital illustrations are lightly formatted as a comic, especially on spreads where Hughes envisions various superhero alter egos. Hughes has light brown skin, the sportscaster has dark skin, and the kids playing basketball display a range of skin tones and gender expressions. The author, NBA legend Stephen Curry, makes an appearance at the end of the book and presents a list of hidden items to locate in the illustrations on a reread. An uplifting message with a lot of heart.

Caroline Davis, Alameda County Library

Lockington, Mariama J. In the Key of Us. Farrar, Straus & Giroux. 04/2022. 368pp. Fiction. GRADES 5 – 8. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $16.99. 978-0-3743-1410-1.

Andi and Zora are thirteen-year-old Black girls attending a prestigious music camp, but they each bring their own mental health struggles to the summer. Andi is trying to heal following the sudden and tragic death of her mother. Zora has issues with anxiety and trying to please her parents, while also pursuing an interest in dance. Ultimately, Andi and Zora learn to lean on each other and to be true to themselves. The writing is lyrical and truthful, with distinct voices for the two main characters. It handles diversity well, especially showcasing the specific racism that Andi and Zora face in the white-dominated classical music world. The narrative also integrates issues of class and sexual orientation seamlessly. Fans of realistic middle grade fiction, subtle romances, and deep emotions will enjoy this book.

Lillian Whithaus — Berkeley Public Library

Leed, Percy. Jellyfish: A First Look Read for a Better World Series: Read About Ocean Animals
Lerner, 08/2022. 24pp. Non-Fiction. GRADES Preschool – 1. PLB $29.32. 978-1-7284-5912-7. Paper $ 8.99. 978-1-7284-6416-9. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW : Great pictures and short sentences introduce six popular ocean animals. Each
of the six series titles provides only a quick description of the ocean animal, while using clear, detailed
photographs that nearly any reader will return to time and again. Several interactive questions are
included to engage the reader and help them think about the topic. The short size, barebones text, and
limited page count makes these titles easy to share with small groups.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Palmer, Charly. Legend of Gravity, The: A Tall Basketball Tale. Charly Palmer, Illus. Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, 01/2022. 40pp. Picture Book. GRADES 1 – 3. $18.99. 978-0-374-31328-9. OUTSTANDING.

A new kid with exceptional skills joins a pickup basketball game and helps take a team of friends to the championship. But can one player – even one who can defy gravity – carry a team to victory? Rich, saturated, painterly illustrations are full of personality and portray the fun, excitement, and gravitas of the all Black cast of characters. The vernacular prose has the heft of a tall tale and makes a great readaloud.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Soontornvat, Christina. Life of Service, A: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth.  Dow Phumiruk, Illus. Candlewick, 09/2022. [48]pp. Biography. GRADES 2 – 5. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-2205-0.

This picture book biography celebrates Tammy Duckworth, the first Thai American in the U.S. Congress who is also a disabled veteran. The text is too long for a classroom readaloud but works well for Women’s History Month, Veteran’s Day, and Asian American Month book displays, as well as brief reports. The text describes her life chronologically, from her childhood in Asia with her American father and Thai mother, their move to Hawaii, her military service, and her run for Congress and the Senate. The serviceable pencil-and-digital collage illustrations are a little stiff but support the text. The book ends with a timeline and list of Duckworth’s legislative priorities: supporting disabled veterans, families with young children, refugees, and the environment.

Penny Peck—San Jose State University iSchool

Pincus, Meeg. Make Way for Animals! A World of Wildlife Crossings. Bao Luu, Illustrator. Millbrook,
04/2022. [32]pp. Non-Fiction. GRADES Kindergarten – 2 $19.99. 978-1-5415-8938-4. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

What are wildlife crossings and why are they important? This title uses digital illustrations
combined with short narrative text blocks to show the what and why behind a variety of wildlife
crossings humans have created to assist animals with safely passing over (or under) human roads. This simple, informative coverage of a lesser-known topic (especially in the Bay Area) can help with
understanding the importance of a proven animal need: space to move and migrate without dangerous
roadway impediments. Great for introducing the topic in classroom settings.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

LaCour, Nina. Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle. Juanita Kaylani, Illustrator. Candlewick. 03/2022. [32]pp. Picture Book. GRADES Preschool – 3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5362-1151-1.

A brown-skinned little girl fits “perfectly in the middle” between her light-skinned Mama and her brown-skinned Mommy, but then Mommy must go away for six days. Counting the days one by one, the little girl adjusts to her Mommy’s absence, finding comfort in daily rituals with her Mama, who smooths the way as best she can. Juanita’s mixed media illustrations are warm and engaging, perfectly reflecting both the deep family love and the “missing.” LaCour genuinely portrays a child’s sense of unease at a major disruption in life’s routines. Warm, loving, inclusive and diverse, this sweet picture book about a multiracial family should be welcome in all collections.

Nora Hale — Independent

Christou, Bethany. Nervous Nigel. Bethany Christou, Illus. Picture Book. Candlewick/Templar, 07/2022. [32]pp. $18.99. 978-1-5362-2386-6. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES Preschool-1.

Nigel is the youngest in a crocodile family of champion swimmers and divers. The pressure to be the next champion is so nerve-wracking that Nigel just can’t get the words out to express that he does not want to compete. When his family finally realizes what Nigel does want, they react much better than he feared. Gouache, colored-pencil, and digital painting illustrations show plenty of humorous details as the anthropomorphic crocodiles train, compete, and accept what Nigel really wants to do.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Freitas, Bethany V. Not Yet, Yeti. Maddie Frost, Illustrator. Clarion. 06/2022. [32]pp. Picture Book. GRADES Preschool – 1. ADDITIONAL. Trade $17.99. 978-0-358-45025-2.

Yeti begins his first day at school ready to meet new friends, play with new toys, and try new things.
However, he soon struggles with a fear of failure and being afraid of trying anything new. The simple
Photoshop and digital brush illustrations contain limited details, keeping the focus on Yeti, his task he is
attempting, and his fears. Yeti’s class of multicultural kids and teacher turn out to be very supportive
and encouraging, making for a successful first day of school.

Joshua Rees — Daly City Public Library

Henkes, Kevin. Oh, Sal. Kevin Henkes, Illus. HarperCollins/Greenwillow, 09/2022. 123pp. Fiction. GRADES 2 – 5. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $16.99. 978-0-06-324492-4.

The third book in the Billy Miller series of easy chapter books focuses on younger sister Sal, who is four years old. It takes place the week after Christmas, when Sal is dealing with her feelings about a new baby sister, a lost gift, and other matters readers will relate to. The text is set down in paragraphs with abundant white space, and spot artwork every few pages, making this an excellent choice for those moving up from easy readers (it also makes a great family readaloud). There is no mention of race but the jacket art indicates the family is white. Sal may remind some readers of Beverly Cleary’s Ramona Quimby character, because Sal is a little grumpy but not a total brat. The writing has depth and emotion but the plot is not altogether unique. Still, it is a great family story.

Penny Peck—San Jose State University iSchool

Alexander, Heather. Only in California: Weird and Wonderful Facts About the Golden State. Jen Taylor, Illus. The 50 States Series; bk. 1. Wide Eyed Editions, 06/2022. 60pp. Non-Fiction. GRADES 2 – 5. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $21.99. 978-0-7112-7404-4.

In this highly entertaining look at the “Golden State,” each spread focuses on a geographic area or topic: San Diego; sports; Central Valley; Big Sur; San Francisco; wine country; Yosemite; and much more. The spreads contain small bits of information; for example, for Lake Tahoe, there is a sentence or two about the Donner Party, trees, wildlife, and the Washoe native people. The text is inclusive of non-white cultures and people. The full-color digital illustrations are done in a graphic style, featuring day and night scenes, and people of various races. There probably is not enough detail for a report, but this is a fun browsing book for California residents or visitors, highlighting a wide variety of topics from food to inventions to festivals. A recommended purchase for California libraries, this is the first book in a proposed series on the states. This book has California-specific content.

Penny Peck—San Jose State University iSchool

Thomson, Sarah L., A Pandemic Is World Wide. Taia Morley, Illus. Let’s Read and Find Out Science Series, Level 2. Non-Fiction. Harper, 02/2022. 38pp. $17.99 978-0-06-308626-5. ADDITIONAL. GRADES 1-3.  

What is a pandemic? This title explains what a pandemic is by giving the definition and then briefly covering the history of various pandemics over the years, ranging from Black Death in the 1340s to COVID. Watercolor-and-digital illustrations accompany the explanatory, narrative text as the concepts are simply explored and defined. The barebones explanations may work well for early elementary readers who just need help understanding what has been happening around them and in the world. The text also covers how vaccines began to be developed, when quarantines were first declared (1340s). It includes a glossary, a two-thousand-year timeline, and a page on handwashing.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Stone, Tanya Lee. Peace is a Chain Reaction: How World War II Japanese Balloon Bombs Brought People of Two Nations Together. Candlewick, 09/2022. 165pp. Non-Fiction. GRADES 5 – 10. OUTSTANDING. Trade $24.99. 978-0-7636-7686-5.

With a riveting text and many b&w photos and diagrams, Stone tells an unknown story from World War II. She begins by describing the incarceration of Japanese Americans on the West Coast in camps, then goes into the balloon bomb from Japan that went off in Bly, Oregon, killing five children and their pastor’s wife. The final segment describes how adults who had been teens in Japan and helped build the bombs, and those who were youth in the internment camps, came together for a restorative reconciliation and commitment to peace. As there are many quotations from the participants, this is a great example of a primary source. A main focus is Yuzuru Takeshita, who was a teen in the camps and helped with the reconciliation as an adult, giving a young person’s point of view of the injustices that took place. Engaging text and book design combine to make an excellent resource on one aspect of the war. Back matter includes extensive source notes, bibliography, and an index. This book has California-specific content.

Penny Peck—San Jose State University iSchool

Aronson, Katelyn. Poo-Dunit? A Forest Floor Mystery. Stephanie Laberis, Illus. Candlewick, 04/2022. [32]pp. Picture Book. GRADES Preschool – 1. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5362-1637-0.

Mouse, disgusted by a stinky pile of poo that appeared outside its home, sets out to find out whose poo it is. Many animals declare that it is not theirs because it is too big, too stinky, not shaped right, or even too dark. Even once the culprit is found, mouse has to live with the poo where it is, at least until nature takes its course. The digital illustrations show the perfect amount of poo details, as well as a brief bit of poo facts at the end, with various types of poo shown and explained. Great fun for young readers to laugh over while learning something about animals.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Sorell, Traci. Powwow Day. Madelyn Goodnight, Illus. Charlesbridge, 02/2022. [32]pp. Picture
Book. GRADES Kindergarten – 3. $16.99. 978-1-58089-948-2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Unable to participate in the jingle dress competition due to an unnamed illness, a young
Indigenous girl attending a tribal powwow with her family processes her complex feelings and becomes hopeful about her future. With a deft and natural voice, River’s narration guides readers through the sequence of events at a powwow and her own emotional journey. Well-sourced back matter provides more context about the history of powwows and the development of the jingle dress dance, believed to bring healing. The colorful digital illustrations complement the story and create the scope of the powwow, from intricate details on the dancers’ regalia and tufts of grass highlighted in the foreground, to blurred spectators (and even portable toilets) in the distance. The powwow attendees have a range of skin tones and expressive faces. The author and illustrator are members of the Cherokee Nation and Chickasaw Nation, respectively. In an author’s note, Sorell explains that powwows are not a Cherokee tradition and expresses her appreciation for the fostering of community among Native and non-Native people alike at the events. An inspirational story with nuance, and an invitation to learn more about a cultural tradition.

Caroline Davis—Alameda County Library

Acosta, Alicia. Pumpkin and Me. Merce Gali, Illus. Translated from the Spanish by Laura Victoria Fielden. NubeOcho, 04/2022. [32]pp. Picture Book. GRADES: Preschool – 1. ADDITIONAL. Trade $15.99. 978-84-17673-92-5.

One day Pumpkin, a really old, very tired dog, passes away. While everyone is sad, the girl with a red dress (sketched outline, white face, and black hair) is really grief-stricken. She has a black cloud over her, she can’t stop crying (it feels like there’s soap in her eyes), and her chest hurts (like there’s an octopus wrapped tightly around her). The simple watercolor-and-pencil illustrations are sparse on details, which keeps the focus on the protagonist’s feelings and the advice her family gives. This helps her to gradually accept the death of Pumpkin by remembering the good times they’d shared. A useful story to offer to kids who are experiencing the loss of a pet or loved one.

Joshua Rees, Daly City Public Library

Leed, Percy. Rays: A First Look Read for a Better World Series: Read About Ocean Animals.
Lerner, 08/2022. 24pp. Non-Fiction. GRADES Preschool – 1. PLB $27.99. 978-1-7284-5913-4. Paper $ 8.99. 978-1-7284-6417-6. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Please see Jellyfish: A First Look by Percy Leed for series review.

Leed, Percy. Sharks: A First Look Read for a Better World Series: Read About Ocean Animals. Lerner,
08/2022. 24pp. Non-Fiction. GRADES Preschool – 1. PLB $29.32 .978-1-7284-5914-1. Paper $ 8.99. 978-1-7284-6418-3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
Please see Jellyfish: A First Look by Percy Leed for series review.

Rusu, Meredith. Sox on a Mission. Francesca Risoldi, Illus. Disney, 04/2022. [32]pp. Picture Book.
GRADES Kindergarten – 2. $16.99. 978-1-368-07730-9. ADDITIONAL.

Based on the recent movie Lightyear, Sox the robotic cat tells readers about his mission to help
Buzz Lightyear relax. Via Sox’s viewpoint, the digital illustrations and text follow the basic movie
interactions of Buzz and Sox, as Sox tries to help Buzz. Design elements include narrative text with
varying font sizes and colors which highlight important concepts and terms, as well as a few speech bubbles. Readers interested in the movie, and especially in Sox, will find this engaging and easy to return to again and again.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Leed, Percy. Starfish: A First Look Read for a Better World Series: Read About Ocean Animals. Lerner, 08/2022. 24pp. Non-Fiction. GRADES Preschool – 1. PLB $29.32. 978-1-7284-5915-8. Paper $ 8.99. 978-1-7284-6419-0. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Please see Jellyfish: A First Look by Percy Leed for series review

Soontornvat, Christina. Last Mapmaker, The. Candlewick, 04/2022. 355pp. Fiction. GRADES 4 – 6. $17.99. 978-1-5362-0495-7. OUTSTANDING.

This book transports readers to another world and is a complex story that shows us what impact
a power-hungry country can have on other people’s lives, including the effects of war and greed. Sai, the strong female main character, comes from the lowest class in her society but has managed to disguise herself as a well-bred young lady who is able to be an assistant to Mangkon’s most celebrated
mapmaker, Paiyoon Wongyai. Sai is a genius at disguise and observant to all that is going on around her. It is easy for Sai to choose to leave her father and the life she knows in order to go on an expedition to chart the southern seas. Much of the story transports the reader to life on the high seas and is reminiscent of Avi’s The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (Hearst, 1990). Secrets, mutiny, revenge, and survival are all at play. A must read story of high adventure, fantasy, trust, loyalty, and friendship.

Jennie Waskey—San Anselmo Public Library

Woodson, Jacqueline. The World Belonged to Us. Leo Espinosa, Illus. Picture Book. PRH/Nancy Paulsen, 05/2022. 32pp. Picture Book. $18.99. 78-0-3995-4549-8. OUTSTANDING. GRADES K-5. 

This uplifting picture book opens with a diverse group of schoolchildren running out of their Brooklyn classroom at the beginning of summer vacation. Bell bottoms, mutton chops, and bright-colored clothing let adult readers know that the story is set in the mid to-late 1970s. “In Brooklyn/in the summer/not so long ago” are the words that transport the reader to the joy of summer freedom, playing in the streets of New York where “our block was the whole wide world and the world belonged to us.” The comic-style art by Leo Espinosa is vibrant and bright, adding to the pure joy shown on each page. One scene stands out, where a crying child is comforted by an older Black boy: “And if someone said boy don’t cry, some big boy always said Oh yeah? and had a story about the time he cried and cried until our eyes grew wide. Our hurt knees forgotten.”

Rachael Reiley, Oakland Unified School District, Hillcrest Elementary Librarian

Kelly, Erin Entrada. Those Kids from Fawn Creek. Greenwillow, 03/2022. 336pp. Fiction. GRADES 6 – 7. $17.99. 978-0-0629-7035-0. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

The twelve, all white, seventh graders at Louisiana’s Fawn Creek Middle School have been stuck together all their lives, and that long history is beginning to feel like a life sentence. Then Orchid Mason arrives–born in New York, lived in Paris, wearing a flower behind her ear–and suddenly change seems possible. While the plot is a classic (an outsider shakes up an insular community’s status quo), Kelly includes a twist. There are lots of resonant specifics about the minute hierarchies of adolescence. The characters’ snarky, bashful, world-weary, and earnest voices are pitch-perfect and often amusing. Students stuck in the midst of the most self-conscious time of life will relish this comingof-age story that explores the tantalizing possibility of self-definition. Among the characters there is diversity of economics, social capital, sexual orientation, and level of religiosity. Entrada explains the town is based on homogeneous farm towns near where she grew up.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Hardinge, Frances. Unraveller. Amulet, 01/2023. 432pp. Fiction. GRADES 7 – 12. $19.99. 978-1-4197-5931-4. OUTSTANDING. 

In a country with an uneasy truce between the magical and non-magical, there is one sinister crossover: the powerless, filled with rage, are given the ability to curse others. Scruffy fifteen-year-old Kellen is the only one with the ability to pull apart those life destroying spells and restore the victims to some form of humanity. But when he and his friend Nettle are drawn into a dangerous plan to uncover a hidden league of cursers, their adventures become truly perilous. Hardinge’s prose is elegant, economical, precise, and richly imagined. Both the primary and secondary characters have astonishing depth and complexity. The world-building is on a level with Tolkien or J.K. Rowling, allowing readers to suspend disbelief and immerse themselves completely. And yet, the author leaves room for the reader’s imagination to shape the story. It is never made explicit whether Kellen or Nettle have any defined sexual orientation, making this a great choice for readers who welcome fantasy without romance. The skin color of characters is not specified. Review based on an ARC.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Smith, Tommie, and Derrick Barnes. Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice. ‡ Dawud Anyabwile, Illus. Norton, 09/2022. 200pp. Biography .GRADES 7 – 12. OUTSTANDING. Trade $22.95. 978-1-324-00390-8.

Olympic gold medalist Tommie Smith tells his story of life as a poor sharecropper’s son who became a legend at San Jose State University for protesting racism by raising his fist from the medal stand at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. He describes his youth in the rural South, the family’s move to California’s Central Valley to work in agriculture, and his athletic success at San Jose State. He also describes his influences, including sports sociologist Harry Edwards and teammate John Carlos, who also held up his fist in silent protest. There is one illustration of a lynching and a few uses of the nword as slurs directed at Smith. The distinctive first-person voice is matched by the black ink on white background cartoons of the paneled graphic novel artwork. Sure to appeal to a wide age range, including teens who probably never heard of Smith, this does a great job of reminding people of his legacy. This book has California-specific content.

Penny Peck—San Jose State University iSchool