Brown, Don. 83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary. Don Brown, Illus. Clarion, 05/2023. 128pp. Graphic. Trade $22.99. 978-0-06-331156-5. GRADES 9 – 12. OUTSTANDING.

As in his other nonfiction graphic novels, Brown masterfully mixes direct quotes from participants with blow-by-blow descriptions of eighty-three days in a Ukrainian war zone. His narrative of the siege on Mariupol by Russian forces in February of 2022 brings home to readers what it feels like when ordinary people find themselves in unbelievably horrible circumstances. A map and a two-page prologue summarize one thousand years of history and set the stage for understanding. Brown’s signature sketchy ink wash and line drawings convey enough specificity to allow readers to connect, but the smooth faces and often empty eyes allow readers some distance from the suffering. Brown doesn’t shy away from noting atrocities. Back matter includes an afterword outlining the present, bleak situation, source notes, and a bibliography.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Bowles, David. Ancient Night. David Álvarez, Illus. Levine Querido, 03/2023. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-64614-251-4. GRADES Preschool – Kindergarten. OUTSTANDING.

At the start, when the world was young, Rabbit would fill the moon with godly nectar so it would glow. This creative piece combines both the narratives and traditions of the Nahua and Maya people, celebrating the richness of Mesoamerican culture through the combination of two pourquoi stories of the moon and sun, as well as poor Opossum’s burned tail. The book’s tone and third person perspective (“Rabbit made her way down the Great Ceiba’s Trunk”) alludes to the venerated oral tradition, while Álvarez’s combination of inky black sky and subdued acrylic coloration lends a dreamlike air. Throughout the book, Bowles enhances authenticity with allusions toward other Mesoamerican creation myths. The provided glossary respectfully carves out a place for the many stories attached to the sacred plants and animals within. The transition between dark and light colors lends the book to a morning storytime with sleepy toddlers.

Tyler Livy—San Francisco Public Library

Bowles, David. Ancient Night. David Álvarez, Illus. Levine Quierdo, 03/2023. [32]pp. Folklore. Trade $18.99. 978-1-64614-251-4. GRADES Preschool – 2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Luminous illustrations in rust, teal, and olive set against a warm, inky night sky, tell a calm and mythical tale of how two rivals, Rabbit and Opossum, care for, threaten, and then repair the moon and the sun. Bowles’ poetic text is inspired by Álvarez’s powerful and charming illustrations which draw from Maya and Nahua creation stories. Opossum’s regret will speak to all who have given into selfishness. The convivial and hopeful resolution offers a satisfying conclusion to a powerful and soothing tale. Creators’ notes include the Maya and Nahua origins of many of the story’s elements. The only flaw, in an otherwise excellent retelling, is that we are told towards the end of the story that Opossum loses the fur from the tip of his tail, however its tail is conspicuously bald throughout the whole story.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Weinersmith, Zach. Bea Wolf. Boulet, Illus. First Second, 03/2023. 208pp. Graphic Trade $19.99 978-1-250-77629-7. GRADES 4 – 8. OUTSTANDING.

Brave-hearted, epic, and funny as heck, this graphic riff on “Beowulf” opens with a call to arms as fabled kid stalwarts are introduced. Black and white, heavily crosshatched cartoons co-mingle big-eyed cuteness with a moody gravitas, as tots glare out from cinematic shadows, ready to battle Grindle: a grim-faced, joy-gobbler. The brilliance of the adaptation lies in how perfectly the glorious, anachronistic spirit of Beowulf is translated into thoroughly modern irreverence. These kids delight in junk food, swill soda, brandish plastic weapons, and despise co-operative games. The rhythmic, alliterative prose and the larger-than-average comic panels make this an excellent choice for a family readaloud. With plenty of witty wordplay and a vast cast of racially diverse characters, the nine action-packed chapters beg to be read again and again. An extensive, irreverent, and well-researched author’s note provides historical context and a primer on how to craft your own Old English-inspired kenning—a poetic riddle with words certain to banish boredom and bedevil the dull.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Sheinkin, Steve. Bomb: Graphic Novel : the Race to Build–and Steal–the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon. Nick Bertozzi, Illus. Roaring Brook, 01/2023. 254pp. Graphic. Trade $24.99 978-1-250-20673-2. Paper $17.99 978-1-250-20674-9. GRADES 5 – 8. OUTSTANDING.

In a highly successful graphic adaptation of the complex, award-winning Bomb (Roaring Brook, 2012), Sheinkin uses the FBI’s interrogation of traitor Harry Gold as a throughline to connect the disparate, dramatic elements of the race to build, and steal, the world’s most dangerous weapon. Through the majority of the book Sheinkin’s prose and pithy dialog carry the weight of the story. Direct quotes allow the distinct voices of the historic persona to cross time. Cinematic pacing keeps the pages turning. The comic illustrations help convey the period, with Golden-Era comic style anchoring the action in time. However, with a few notable exceptions, the panels’s small size, and the tendency of the text to dominate the top third of each cell, rob the images of some of their storytelling power. Back matter includes an author’s note describing the adaptation and an epilogue that clues readers into what happened next, ending with the potently ominous “How does the story end? We don’t know – because it’s still going on. And, like it or not, you’re in it.”

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Sattin, Samuel. Buzzing: Rise Above the Noise. Rye Hickman, Illus. Little Brown, 07/2023. 224pp. Graphic. Trade $24.99 978-0-316-62843-3. Paper $12.99. 978-0-316-62841-9. GRADES 6 – 8. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Every day, all day, Isaac battles with intrusive thoughts as he struggles to function in middle school and at home. The realistic illustrations highlight his mental state: all grey except for the yellow cartoon bees buzzing poisonous thoughts. But when a classmate, Micah, reaches out, intrigued by Isaac’s dragon doodle, and invites him to join a role-playing game with a posse of peers, color floods his fantasy world. At home the grey scale persists where a disgruntled older sister and over-protective mom seem as stuck as Isaac. But slowly, small victories and some helping hands change the narrative. Nonbinary orientation is centered and diversity is represented, but the majority of characters are racially indeterminate or read as white. Reviewed from an ARC.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Gehl, Laura. Climate Warriors: Fourteen Scientists and Fourteen Ways We Can Save Our Planet.
Millbrook, 04/2023. 72pp. Non-Fiction. Trade $33.32. 978-1-7284-6040-6. GRADES 4 – 8. OUTSTANDING.

This contemporary portrait of who can grow up to become a scientist challenges preconceived notions. A neuroscientist herself, the author profiles fourteen diverse scientists who all work in the broad field of climate science. Each scientist is allotted ample room to showcase unique areas of expertise, featuring (among other things) ecology, engineering, predictive computer modeling, and even food science! Colorful, engaging infographics and real-life photographs amplify the empowering message that everyone can make a difference. Extensive back matter gives pragmatic tips on how to get started. A helpful glossary, informational source notes, bibliography/further reading section, and an index also guide the way. In answer to the timely question, “Who can be a climate warrior?” this eye-opening exposé gives young people a realistic and relatable jumping-off point.

Jennifer Agarwal—MLIS Student, San Jose State University

Baker, Jeannie. Desert Jungle. Jeannie Baker, Illus. Candlewick, 05/2023. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-2577-8. GRADES Kindergarten – 3. ADDITIONAL.

A boy describes his visit to his grandfather’s home in a small village in Baja, California, where the snakes, coyotes, and other elements of the desert frighten the boy. Soon the grandfather shows the boy how to appreciate the desert. The quiet story may take more than one reading to appreciate what the author is saying about honoring the environment. Baker’s signature collage artwork shows a realistic desert during both the day and night, and shows the boy and grandfather as Latinx. The book ends with a map and more details about the desert plants and animals of the Sonoran desert.

Penny Peck—San Jose State University iSchool

Taylor, Thomas. Festergrimm. Tom Booth, Illus. Legends of Eerie-On-Sea Series; bk. 4. Candlewick/Walker, 04/2023. 324pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-5362-2742-0. Paper $10.99. 978-1-5362-3245-5. GRADES 4 – 8. ADDITIONAL.

Herbie and Violet return in their fourth adventure in Eerie-on-Sea (a small, out of the way town in a nondescript time period), as they continue thwarting the villainous Sebastian Eels and exposing more ancient legends about their town. This time they hope that the adults will finally see his villainy while they also discover more of the town’s history. Sebastian Eels’ intentions regarding a wax museum, a clockwork robot, and a long missing girl slowly become evident (to the kids, not the adults). These two kids work well together as layers of the town’s history are peeled away, with more intriguing details coming to light. Readers will be left wanting future stories, as this ending sets the stage for an explanation of Herbie’s mysterious history.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Fisher, Lalena. Friends Beyond Measure: A Story Told With Infographics. Lalena Fisher, Illus. HarperCollins, 02/2023. 40pp. Fiction. Trade $34.99. 978-0-06-321052-3. GRADES 2 – 5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Ana is sad when she learns that Harwin, her bestie, is moving away. Offering a fresh take on a familiar theme, the simply worded tale unfolds through descriptive infographics that include charts, graphs, maps, and other schematics. “We had adventures!” says Ana, and the accompanying two-page spread offers a richly illustrated Halloween timeline full of fun details. The artwork incorporates the two characters (light-skinned Harwin and dark-skinned Ana) directly into the busy schematics. Young readers will enjoy this visually appealing book, but a full understanding of the concepts, specifically how to read the charts, may require adult support. Strongly recommended as a mentor text for elementary school teachers planning lessons on the subject. A helpful afterword identifies and explains twelve infographic variations.

Jenny Andrus—Independent

Uzarowski, Anthony. Friends of Dorothy: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Icons. Alejandro Morgollo Díez, Illus. Imagine, 10/2023. 173pp. Non-Fiction. Trade $24.99. 978-1-62354-351-8. GRADES 6 – 12. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

In this collective biography, forty artists and entertainers who have inspired the LBGTQ+ community are celebrated in short profiles averaging three pages each. Profiles begin with a fullpage color portrait (often showing the person smoking), done in a graphic style, and concludes with a quotation that exemplifies their outlook on queer culture. Icons featured include Mae West, Frida Kahlo, James Dean, Liza Minelli, Cher, Marsha P. Johnson, RuPaul, and Little Nas X. The entries discuss their careers and their relationship to the gay community. For example, Garland’s song “Over the Rainbow” is considered an inspiration for the rainbow flag. Readers will find this uplifting, and a way to seek out icons they may want to learn more about. The book ends with a list of a dozen other allies, each with a one-paragraph annotation. Review based on an Advance Reader Copy.

Penny Peck–San Jose State University iSchool

French, Vivian. From Here to There: A First Book of Maps. Ya-Ling Huang, Illus. Candlewick, 05/2023. [28]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5362-2511-2. GRADES Kindergarten – 3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Anna receives an invitation to Zane’s house, with a map to show her how to get there. She and her father explore the concept of maps and make some other examples in a story that primary grades can use to explore the concept. Anna learns about symbols used in maps, perspective, size, and other factors. The full-color illustrations resemble watercolor paintings, and the maps look as if a child drew them with crayons. Anna and her father present as white and Zane as Black, but this is never mentioned in the text. The text is somewhat long for storytime but may work as a classroom readaloud.

Penny Peck—San Jose State University iSchool

Vickers, Elaine. Half Moon Summer. Peachtree, 06/2023. 288pp. Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-68263-539-1. GRADES 5 – 7. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

The summer before they turn thirteen, both Mia and Drew wish they could turn back time to when things were simpler and their families felt whole, before best friends were far away, and before responsibilities loomed. But Drew’s dad is determined that this will be the best summer ever and when he ropes the visiting Mia into training for the Half Moon Bay half marathon, he puts the two on a path neither expect. Told in two voices and short chapters, Drew writes in prose and Mia in verse. Their increasingly complicated lives are conveyed economically and affectingly as they discover a surprising connection and are pulled from their past worlds into a future neither can control. Characters read as white. Reviewed from an ARC.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Frazee, Marla. In Every Life. Marla Frazee, Illus. Simon & Schuster /Beach Lane, 02/2023. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-6659-1248-8. GRADES Preschool – 1. OUTSTANDING.

Marla Frazee is back with another gorgeously illustrated picture book that takes us on a tour of the blessings that are life. Using poetry inspired by a Jewish baby-naming blessing as her text, Frazee brings her mastery of pencil and gouache artistry to life, presenting us with multiple, easily recognizable vignettes of life events, alternating with double-page spreads of one image that encapsulates the main idea of each vignette. “In every hope/blessed is the doing” demonstrates people hoping to achieve various activities, then we see a spread of a trail going up a mountain with people at different parts of the walk. Just like life. Frazee’s color palette is rich and glowing with warm, soft hues of pink, blue, yellow, and grey, evoking a sense of continuity and peace. People are presented in various skin tones and relationships. A glorious, positive achievement that does not minimize any aspect of life, no matter how big or small.

Pauline Harris—San Francisco Public Library

Lightman, Alan. Isabel and the Invisible World. Ramona Kaulitzki , Illus. Candlewick / MIT Kids, 04/2023. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-2333-0. GRADES Preschool – 1. ADDITIONAL.

Six-year-old Isabel is enamored with invisible things, always wanting to see something that she can’t, such as an invisible pet or friend. Her scientist mom has an idea for Isabel’s birthday. At her birthday party, the present delights Isabel, her friend, and her brother as they are able to see light waves that are usually invisible. Most of the characters have tanned skin and brown hair, with a darker-skinned friend and blonde mom. An interestingly different way to introduce the science of light waves, in a way that may intrigue young readers and encourage them to seek out the mysterious object for their own use.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Harastova, Helena. Language of Plants, The: Understanding How Plants Communicate. Darya Beklemashiva, Illus. Translated from the Czech by Mark Worthington. Albatros, 04/2023. 32pp. Non-Fiction. Trade $15.95. 978-80-00-06797-1. GRADES 3 – 6. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Originally published in the Czech Republic in 2022, this engaging book describes how plants communicate using their root systems, giving off scents and seeking out sunshine and water. Each spread focuses on a specific aspect of the subject, such as photosynthesis, using a few paragraphs of text, full-color illustrations, sidebars, and diagrams. People shown in the illustrations represent a variety of ethnicities, ages, and genders. Even though the artwork has child appeal, the vocabulary and concepts are relatively complex so this seems most appropriate for tweens rather than younger children.

Penny Peck—San Jose State University iSchool

Giang, Kristen Mai. Last Flight. Dow Phumiruk, Illus. Levine Querido, 04/2023. [46]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-64614-086-2. GRADES Kindergarten – 2. ADDITIONAL.

The author portrays a vivid, emotional telling of what her family’s journey out of Vietnam was like for an eight-year-old as Saigon fell in 1975. Pencil˗and˗digital˗watercolor˗illustrations show the worry and fear, the difficulties, and the hope of the last Pan Am flight out, crowded with hundreds of Vietnamese, to America. Simple, child-friendly text and illustrations show the family’s worry about what will happen if they cannot leave and the hardships experienced while waiting. An author’s note provides additional details and facts, and an included bibliography shows the research put into ensuring the pictures and text align with what happened.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Owen, Margaret. Painted Devils. Little Thieves Series; bk. 2. Henry Holt, 05/2023. 512pp. Fiction. Trade $20.99. 978-1-250-83116-3. GRADES 8 – Adult. OUTSTANDING.

Vanja and Emeric are back to delight readers and confuse their kingdom in the follow-up to Little Thieves. Though Vanja is the goddaughter of Death and Fortune, she takes a detour into drunkenness due to her self-doubt and past trauma, and ends up inventing and then accidentally invoking a destructive mythical figure in the form of The Scarlet Maiden. Owen’s writing is a delightful mix of humor, action, and insight, and she is especially powerful examining the way people need to heal from their pasts before they move forward and make good choices. Politics and power are central themes of the book, as well as self-advocacy, but perhaps the most remarkable achievement in this story is the honest and open examination of how awakening desire and physical intimacy impact young people and their communities.

Lesley Mandros Bell—Unaffiliated

Sterling, Zachary. Mabuhay!: A Graphic Novel. Zachary Sterling, Illus. Scholastic/Graphix, 10/2023. 228 [+12]pp. Graphic. Trade $24.99. 978-1-3387-3864-3. Paper $12.99. 978-1-338-73860-5. GRADES 3 – 7. OUTSTANDING.

 Filipino American kids JJ and Althea are frustrated with people at school and with their parents, who make them help out with the family food truck business every evening. But their embarrassment gradually turns into pride as they discover secret magical powers within their family and use them to fight monsters and save the world. With a winning combination of precolonial Filipino folklore, tween angst and interests, plus physical and verbal humor, Sterling creates an original and fast-paced graphic novel with fresh takes on the importance of family and being true to oneself. Frequent asterisks in the speech bubbles lead to notes at the bottom of the page with pronunciation help, definitions, and background information about Filipino food and folklore. Back matter includes a recipe for chicken adobo, an author’s note, and a glossary of Tagalog terms.

Jennifer Vetter—Montclair Elementary School / Oakland Unified School District

Tlaib, Rashida and Adam, with Miranda Paul . Mama in Congress: Rashida Tlaib’s Journey to Washington. Olivia Aserr, Illus. Clarion, 09/2022. [40]pp. Biography. Trade $18.99. 978-0-35-868343-8. GRADES Kindergarten – 5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Told from the perspective of her older son Adam, this picture book autobiography of Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib is engaging and upbeat. Tlaib comes from a large Palestinian immigrant family and represents a district in Michigan. She is one of the first Muslim women to be elected to the U.S. Congress and focuses on women’s rights and immigration reform. The text is set down in one or two paragraphs per page onto full-color, cartoon-like artwork. Having her son narrate the story makes this inviting and accessible. The book ends with a glossary and a chart showing the three branches of government.

Penny Peck—San Jose State University iSchool

Krossing, Karen. Monster vs. Boy. Charlesbridge, 07/2023. 240pp. Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-356-3. GRADES 4 – 8. ADDITIONAL.

Dawz (a nondescript, seemingly white boy) loves to create new recipes, while Mim (a small monster with claws, scales, and horns) loves to explore “her” closet. Only after Mim decides to creep out does Dawz see her and pandemonium ensues. Mim runs, Dawz’s dad summons the police, and everyone searches for a monster that apparently only Dawz can see. Krossing’s storyline features a connection that draws them together, no matter how far Mim tries to run or how much Dawz is protected from the monster. While the tale neatly wraps up with a feel good ending, readers may not understand the explanations about their connection or where Mim came from. A different type of monster origin story that takes until nearly the end to grasp the relationship between the boy and the monster.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Bentley, Tadgh. One Chicken Nugget. Tadgh Bentley, Illus. Balzer & Bray, 03/2023. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-06-268982-5. GRADES Preschool – 1. ADDITIONAL.

Frank, a large, horned, hairy, purple monster loves to eat chicken nuggets, so much so that Celeste (a dark-skinned girl) and her food truck cannot cope with the never-ending nugget craving. Celeste comes up with a plan that involves a contest to double the number of nuggets eaten each day, which just might end Frank’s chicken nugget obsession. An author’s note explains the ancient origins of doubling things every day and how quickly that becomes a very large number. Those interested in eating, mathematical ideas, or large numbers may enjoy the overall concept of this enjoyable story.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Estrela, Joana. Pardalita. Joana Estrela, Illus. Translated from the Portuguese by Lyn-Miller Lachmann. Levine Querido, 04/2023. [216]pp. Graphic. Trade $21.99. 978-1-64614-255-2. GRADES 8 – 12. OUTSTANDING.

Set in a small town in Portugal, the story’s central character Raquel develops feelings for Pardalita, an artistic, enigmatic girl who attends the same high school. Both girls present as white. The illustrated novel contains striking b&w comic panels and single images interspersed with short vignettes written by Raquel. Using simple but descriptive language and phrasing, the sixteen-year-old chronicles cutting her hair short, being suspended from school, breaking up with her boyfriend, and hanging out with best friends in a town she describes as so familiar that “I could cross (it) with my eyes closed.” The story slowly and gently builds as Raquel joins a local theater group and grows closer to Pardalita. Translated from the Portuguese, Raquel’s experiences provide an interesting window into teen life in another country. Although some things are different, her struggles around identity and belonging will resonate with young adult readers everywhere.

Jenny Andrus—Independent

Gualinga, Patricia and Laura Resau. Stand as Tall as the Trees: How an Amazonian Community Protected the Rain Forest. Vanessa Jaramillo, Illus. Charlesbridge, 07/2023. [32]pp. Non-Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-236-8. GRADES 2 – 5. ADDITIONAL.

In this picture book for older readers, a young woman describes how the Kichwa people of Ecuador fought the government after an oil company took over their rain forest. They won back the forest after an appeal to the Court of Human Rights. The Indigenous people believe the rain forest has spirits called the Amazanga that help to keep the plants, animals, and water healthy and that the oil company’s work was killing both nature and these spirits. Some readers may need more information to follow what occurred. Watercolor illustrations depict the people and landscape, adding some details to the concise text. Back matter includes more information on the efforts to preserve the rainforest, how other Indigenous people on other continents fought for their land, a glossary, and sources. Review based on an Advance Reader Copy.

Penny Peck—San Jose State University iSchool

Visaggio, Magdalene. Ojja-Wojja, The : a Horror-mystery, or Whatever. Jenn St-Onge, Illus. Balzer &
Bray, 03/2023. 192pp. Graphic Trade $22.99. 978-0-06-285239-7. GRADES 6 – 10. OUTSTANDING.

Teenage anxieties of belonging and exclusion, multi-generational town secrets, imagination, and horror
all combine in a beautiful and sometimes confusing story bolstered by creepy, colorful, and insightful
illustrations. Friends since middle school, Val (who is white and autistic) and Lonnie (who is Vietnamese
American and queer) share a love of the unusual. When they decide to do a school project investigating
supernatural phenomena in their small town of Bolingbroke, they accidentally summon the demonic
Ojja-Wojja. Secrets of the town’s past tragedies, and their friends’ fears, all culminate in a spectacular
town-wide battle where that which is hidden is revealed and healed. Especially noteworthy are the
illustrated representations of Val’s tendency to “ïnfo dump” seen as television shows. An emphasis on
inclusivity, empathy, and friendship are a wonderful counterpoint to the chaos of the supernatural
elements of the story.

Lesley Mandros Bell–Unaffiliated

Dalton, Angela. To Boldly Go: How Nichelle Nichols and Star Trek Helped Advance Civil Rights. Lauren Semmer, Illus. Harper, 01/2023. [40]pp. Biography. Trade $18.99. 978-0-06-307321-0. GRADES Kindergarten – 5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

In this picture book biography of the notable “Star Trek” actress, Nichols is shown as overcoming racial discrimination as a child and later as one of the first Black actresses to play a leadership role in a TV series. Written by Oakland author Angela Dalton, the text is in first person from a young girl’s point of view, seeing someone who looked like her for the first time on television. The story’s highlight is Nichols’ encounter with Martin Luther King, Jr. who encouraged her to stay on the show because she was such a significant role model, even though her role had been reduced. The book ends with a description of her work as an ambassador for NASA, to encourage more diversity in their applicants. The full-color digital graphic illustrations are eye-catching and a great match for the text. This will be useful for both Black History Month and Women’s History Month.

Penny Peck—San Jose School University iSchool

Cox, Lynne. Yoshi, Sea Turtle Genius: A True Story About an Amazing Swimmer. Richard Jones, Illus. Random House / Schwartz & Wade, 01/2023. [40]pp. Non-Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-0-59-342568-8. GRADES Kindergarten – 3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. 

After an injured loggerhead sea turtle hatchling spends two decades within a South African aquarium, her release results in a surprising 22,998 mile swim to the Australian beach where she once hatched, the longest recorded distance traveled by any animal. Full-bleed, double-spreads of captivating oceanic watercolor scenes are paired with engaging language, both lyrical and accessible for young readers. We follow the hatchling “just the size of a smile” through her injury, rescue, rehabilitation, and determined journey to lay her own eggs. The back matter shares that the author was the first person to swim a challenging part of Yoshi’s journey around the Cape of Good Hope; yet the additional material also cites an inactive link and incorrectly states that Yoshi, whose transmitter ceased working in 2020, is still being tracked. The story, masterfully woven with engrossing illustrations, provides a fully immersive experience of the wonders of our natural world and the power of kindness, patience, and perseverance when finding your way home.

Alexandre Petrakis—San Francisco Public Library