Leed, Percy. Ambulances: A First Look. Read for a Better World: Read about Vehicles. Lerner, 08/2023. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.28. 978-1-7284-9138-7. Paper $9.99. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.

Very simple introductions to eight different vehicles that young readers are often excited to see pictures of and to learn more about. Each of the four reviewed titles feature full-page photographs paired with single short sentences and diverse people using each vehicle, plus questions to engage the reader and an additional resources page. Useful titles for new readers or even younger who will enjoy the action pictures unfolding from page to page.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Mendez, Jasminne. Aniana Del Mar Jumps In. Penguin / Dial, 03/2023. 384pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-0-593-53181-5. GRADES 5–9. OUTSTANDING.     

This engaging novel in verse gives voice to Aniana Del Mar, a strong and believable twelve-year-old adapting to life with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. An array of symptoms and a controlling mother prevent Aniana from doing what she loves most: swimming. Beautifully rendered descriptions contrast the weight of Aniana’s condition with the weightlessness she feels in the water. Secondary characters are multi-dimensional and well developed, including Aniana’s feuding parents and her best friend, who has recently come out as gay. The story is set in Galveston, Texas; Ani’s family is from the Dominican Republic, and Spanish and English are woven together throughout the text. Mami and Papi are described as having brown skin and curls. The book offers a hopeful perspective without sugar-coating the challenges, making this a book that will appeal to a wide-range of readers, including those with chronic conditions.

Jenny Andrus—Independent

Williams, Karen Lynn. Bear Helps the Forest (Maybe You Help, Too). Andrẻs Landazảbal, Illus. Charlesbridge, 08/2023. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $16.99. 978-1-62354-161-3. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.    

A bear cub loves to play in the autumn leaves, until it is time for hibernation. When he wakes, he can’t find the fallen leaves. His mother indicates the leaves are gone for a while, using the repeated phrase “the forest did its work.” In this circular tale with onomatopoeia, the story ends with the cub playing in newly fallen leaves. With deeply-colored watercolors, the bears have cartoon-like facial expressions but the other animals and forest setting look fairly realistic. This story about the four seasons ends with an author’s note on a tree’s life cycle and what humans can do to help the forests.

Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool

Leed, Percy. Big Rigs: A First Look. Read for a Better World: Read about Vehicles. Lerner,
08/2023. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.28. 978-1-7284-9139-4. Paper $9.99. 979-8765603581.
GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW: Please see Ambulances: A First Look by Percy Leed for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Boss, Shira. City Tree, The. Lorena Alvarez, Illus. Clarion, 04/2023. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-0-35-842341-6. GRADES Kindergarten–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.          

Dani notices a large hole in the sidewalk in front of her apartment building, and soon workers plant a tree there. She observes the tree over the four seasons, helping to keep the area clean: “In summer, the leaves shaded the stoop and sidewalk from the hot sun. The tree was an oasis.” The need for more trees to be planted in urban areas is made clear but is not heavy-handed, and the four pages of back matter add more factual information on what trees do to help urban environments. The full-color, digital, mixed media artwork shows Dani as a young brown-skinned girl with straight black hair, and features her ethnically diverse neighbors. This will be particularly useful for teachers, as well as Earth Day and Arbor Day storytimes.

Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool

Leed, Percy. Dirt Bikes: A First Look. Read for a Better World: Read about Vehicles. Lerner,
08/2023. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.32. 978-1-7284-9140-0. Paper $9.99. 979-8765603598.
GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW: Please see Ambulances: A First Look by Percy Leed for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Leed, Percy. Electric Cars: A First Look. Read for a Better World: Read about Vehicles.
Lerner, 08/2023. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.32. 978-1-7284-9141-7. Paper $9.99. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW: Please see Ambulances: A First Look by Percy Leed for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Chari, Sheela. Extradimensional Reappearance of Mars Patel, The. Mars Patel; bk. 3. Candlewick / Walker, 10/2022. 336pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-0958-7. GRADES 6–9. ADDITIONAL.           

Mars Patel returns in his third adventure, having previously traveled to the planet Mars and run into problems on Mars; he is now returning to Earth, where events quickly evolve in unexpected directions. Readers who are new to the series will need a little time to understand the backstory, which will generally make sense by the end of the book. This fast-paced story features a diverse group of teenagers (different ethnicities, physical abilities, and gender identities), along with the main cast of teens who can outsmart any tricky situation. These unexpected situations might seem weird to the reader, but reveal a fascinating science fiction story.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Pla, Sally J. Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn, The. Quill Tree, 07/2023. 336pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-326879-1.  GRADES 6–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL.     

Rising eighth-grader Maudie loves spending summers with her dad, Pedro, in Northern California. At home, her belittling mom, angry stepfather, and rigid behavioral therapist make her life a misery, and her anxiety and autism define her. When a wildfire forces father and daughter to find refuge in Pedro’s Southern California hometown, Maudie discovers surfing and the transformative effects of independence within a diverse, supportive community. But, as summer ends, can Maudie escape being forced back into a life she has outgrown? Full of big issues, common concerns, and lots of small joys, Maudie’s story about anxieties, adventures, and the secret she carries will resonate with tweens. An implausible element in the climactic scene detracts from a satisfying ending, but is unlikely to trouble child readers. Race is not discussed for most characters; Pedro’s mother is Venezuelan.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Truhelkova, Lucie Hasova. Grandad’s Pink Trousers. Andrea Tachezy, Illus. Albatros, 10/2022. [56]pp. Picture Book. Trade $16.95. 978-80-00-06592-2. GRADES Kindergarten–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.           

A cantankerous old man is known for making his wife sad because he never buys her flowers, he gets upset if she throws out yogurt just beyond its due date, he saves bath water to flush the toilet, and he reuses old plastic bags even if they are stinky. Worst of all, everyone in town laughs at him because he wears her old pair of pink pants. When his first grandchild is born, he becomes funny and sweet with his grandson, but still grumpy with everyone else, and the boy finally asks him why. The grandfather tells him about the environmental consequences of growing flowers just for bouquets, of wasting water, of the damage caused by plastic bags, about food insecurity, and about child labor used to make cheaper clothing. A muted gray-and-brown watercolor palette highlights the playful color of the pink trousers. This Czech picture book is utterly delightful in its brusque delivery and both the tone and art is very different from most American fare. Primary characters are light skinned and read as white.

Rachael Reiley—Hillcrest Elementary K–8 / Oakland Unified School District

Albertalli, Becky. Imogen, Obviously. Balzer & Bray, 05/2023. 432pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-304587-3. GRADES 9–12. OUTSTANDING.     

This emotionally charged novel follows high school senior Imogen, die-hard LGBTQ ally, as she grapples with her own gender identity. Spending a weekend on campus with her best friend’s circle of hip, gay friends, Imogen begins to question who she is on many levels, and even who she may have been her whole life. The author effortlessly weaves angsty conversations and relatable text exchanges into a richly-layered plotline that highlights authentic teen relationships. Respect for queer space, pre-college anxiety, and family acceptance all feature prominently in the story arc. Gender diversity takes center stage, but ethnic/cultural diversity also plays a role, as Imogen, coded as white, has close relationships with Lili, who is Brazilian and Tessa, who is Jewish. Ultimately, this novel shines a powerful spotlight on the young adult characters’ dynamic struggle to fit in, find themselves, and evolve in a multi-dimensional world far beyond what they envisioned while growing up.

Jennifer Agarwal—MLIS Student at SJSU

Oshiro, Mark. Into the Light. Macmillan/Tor Teen, 03/2023. 448pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-2508-1225-4. GRADES 7–12. OUTSTANDING.         

Manny, a queer Latinx former foster kid/adoptee, is traveling the highways of the southwest living by his wits and handouts from other travelers. Eli is struggling to remember his past while navigating his current life at a rural religious compound that preaches “reconciliation” for kids of color adopted by white families. Told in multiple timelines and voices, this book pieces together the story of queer kids of color damaged by white religious saviorism. What begins as a mystery/thriller veers into horror while staying rooted in a contemporary society that is all too real for some, including the author, who offers a trigger warning and an author’s note with resources around transracial adoption and evangelical religious extremism.

Rachael Reiley—Hillcrest Elementary K-8 / Oakland Unified School District

Goldstein, Margaret J. Investigating Mars. Alternator Books: Destination Mars. Lerner,
08/2023. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 978-1-7284-9066-3. PBK $10.99. 979-8765602768.
GRADES 3–6. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW: Investigating Mars is one of six books in this series and functions as an
overview, with each of the additional volumes focusing on one topic each: Mars Rovers, Landing
on Mars, Travel to Mars, Living on Mars, and Water on Mars. (Note: this reviewer saw only the
first three of the six volumes listed.) The chapters are short, and each page provides a large photo
with a caption accompanied by a paragraph or two of text. The layout is clean, not busy. Readers
who enjoyed Mary Roach’s wonderfully gross Packing for Mars for Kids (Norton Young
Readers, 2022) or Jasmine Warga’s scifi fantasy A Rover’s Story (Balzer + Bray, 2022) could
turn to this series to go deeper into all aspects of Mars exploration, including the possibility of
sending humans to Mars. Each volume includes a short glossary, an index, and a list of age-
appropriate websites for further research (though some are other books in this series and older
books from the same publisher). A strong addition for an area of library collections that needs
constant updating.

Cindy Gullikson—Joaquin Miller School, Oakland Unified School District

Goldstein, Margaret J. Landing on Mars. Alternator Books: Destination Mars. Lerner,
08/2023. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 978-1-7284-9064-9. Paper $10.99. 979-8765602775.
GRADES 3–6. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW: Please see Investigating Mars by Margaret J. Goldstein for the series review.

Cindy Gullikson—Joaquin Miller School, Oakland Unified School District

Pennypacker, Sara. Leeva at Last. Matthew Cordell, Illus. Balzer + Bray, 03/2023. 305pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-311442-5. GRADES 4–8. OUTSTANDING.   

Leeva has the worst parents in children’s literature since those in Roald Dahl’s Matilda (Viking, 1988), because they practically keep her imprisoned doing housework. Leeva decides to sneak out while they are at work, and visits the library next door, run by Mrs. Flowers and her nephew, where she discovers knowledge, kindness, and friendship. Filled with Dahl-like exaggeration and humor, this is partly a satiric look at corrupt politicians, since Leeva’s mother is the mayor and her father the town’s treasurer. The ink sketches appear once per chapter, showing the Flowers family as Black and most other characters (including Leeva) as white. A funny, silly look at bad parenting that will appeal to many readers who enjoy the books of Dahl, Lemony Snicket, and other humor writers.

Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool

Chapman, Ty. Mars Rovers. Alternator Books: Destination Mars. Lerner, 08/2023. 32pp.
Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 978-1-7284-9067-0. PBK $10.99. 979-8765602799. GRADES 3–6.
HIGH ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW: Please see Investigating Mars by Margaret J. Goldstein for the series review.

Cindy Gullikson—Joaquin Miller School, Oakland Unified School District

Schwartz, Heather E. Meet a Baby Bald Eagle. Lightning Bolt Books: Baby North American Animals. Lerner, 08/2023. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.32. 978-1-7284-9108-0. Paper $9.99. 979-8765603208. GRADES Kindergarten–2. ADDITIONAL.       

SERIES REVIEW: The basic life cycle of each featured animal in this nonfiction series is explored via short sentences in large fonts, consisting of interesting details, and paired with engaging color photographs. While focused on the childhood time, around birth to leaving their mother, each title also explores the animal’s overall life cycle. Some titles include a problem facing the species, but not every animal or most problems. Each title includes a short glossary, a few additional facts, and a simple index.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Murray, Tamika M. Meet a Baby Gray Wolf. Lightning Bolt Books: Baby North American Animals. Lerner, 08/2023. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.32. 978-1-7284-9111-0. Paper $9.99. 979-8765603222. GRADES Kindergarten–2. ADDITIONAL.       

SERIES REVIEW: Please see Meet a Baby Bald Eagle by Heather E. Schwartz for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Murray, Tamika M. Meet a Baby Manatee. Lightning Bolt Books: Baby North American Animals. Lerner, 08/2023. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.32. 978-1-7284-9109-7. Paper $9.99. 979-8765603239. GRADES Kindergarten–2. ADDITIONAL.       

SERIES REVIEW: Please see Meet a Baby Bald Eagle by Heather E. Schwartz for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Murray, Tamika M. Meet a Baby Moose. Lightning Bolt Books: Baby North American Animals. Lerner, 08/2023. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.32. 978-1-7284-9113-4. Paper $9.99. 979-8765603246. GRADES Kindergarten–2. ADDITIONAL.        

SERIES REVIEW: Please see Meet a Baby Bald Eagle by Heather E. Schwartz for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Rayner, Catherine. Molly, Olive, and Dexter Play Hide-and-Seek. Catherine Rayner, Illus. Candlewick, 07/2023. [28]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5362-2841-0. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.        

Molly the rabbit teaches her friends Oliver the owl and Dexter the fox how to play hide-and-seek. After a few failed attempts, Oliver and Dexter catch on, and Molly can’t find them. Listeners may accurately predict where the two are hiding, and the story may encourage children to play hide-and-seek at home. Kate Greenaway medalist Rayner adeptly illustrates her text with mixed media artwork that resembles watercolors with block printing, focusing on the three main characters and their meadow home. A fun, brief story that will encourage play and friendship.

Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool

Franck, Ed. Moon is a Ball, The: Stories of Panda & Squirrel. Thé Tjong-Khing, Illus. Translated from the Dutch by David Colmer. Gecko, 04/2023. 77pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-7765-7493-3. GRADES Kindergarten–4. HIGH ADDITIONAL. 

Nine short chapters about friends Panda and Squirrel make up this easy fiction book, translated from the Dutch. These simple friendship stories are reminiscent of classics such as Winnie the Pooh and Frog and Toad. The interwoven tales show friendships that are sometimes strained and feelings that are nuanced and complex. The stories are accompanied by absolutely gorgeous and deceptively simple ink-and-watercolor illustrations by Thé Tjong-Khing.

Rachael Reiley—Hillcrest Elementary K–8 / Oakland Unified School District

Lerner, Jarrett. Nat the Cat Takes a Bath. Jarrett Lerner, Illus. Ready-to-Read, Pre-level 1. Simon, 05/2023. [32]pp. Reader. Trade $17.99. 978-1-6659-1894-7. Paper $4.99. 978-1-6659-1893-0. GRADES Preschool–1. HIGH ADDITIONAL.        

In this easy reader intended for those just beginning to read on their own, a cat is afraid to take a bath, and asks for bubbles, toys, and a towel. Nat’s friend Pat the rat loves baths and encourages Nat to jump in the tub. Although this doesn’t have a controlled vocabulary, the use of words with short vowels and just a brief sentence or two per spread will give emergent readers confidence to read without much adult assistance. The close-up cartoon illustrations on white backgrounds focus on Nat and Pat and not much else, in a format similar to the “Elephant and Piggie” books by Mo Willems, even including some dialogue balloons. A must-have for all libraries that serve four- and five-year-olds just learning to read.

Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool

Albus, Kate. Nothing Else but Miracles. Holiday House / Ferguson, 09/2023. 288pp. Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-0-8234-5163-0. GRADES 4–7. OUTSTANDING.

Things have been rocky since Dory’s Pop headed off to war. True, the neighborhood looks out for the three kids: dinner at Caputo’s on Thursday, baked goods and unsolicited advice from Mrs. Schmidt, and all the herring rolls and kindly interest they can stand from Mrs. Kopek. But even her responsible seventeen-year-old brother, Fish, is at his wits’ end when the nasty new landlord is determined to report them to the city. Luckily, twelve-year-old Dory has a genius plan, and so begins a summer of adventure set in World War II-era Lower East Side New York. Combining the best of children’s classics, this page-turning adventure is perfect for family readalouds as the three fully-realized kids find their way in a neighborhood so alive it feels like a full-fledged character. All characters in the ethnically diverse, working-class neighborhood read as white. Reviewed from an ARC.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Bruchac, Joseph. Of All Tribes: American Indians and Alcatraz. Abrams, 09/2023. 256pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-4197-5719-8. GRADES 7–12. ADDITIONAL.    

The well-researched, involved, and diverse history of Alcatraz and American Indians is comprehensively presented. Bruchac summarizes centuries of problematic history, from the precolonial period though centuries of colonizers’ persecution and broken treaties, to the rise of Pan-Indian activism and the lasting legacy of the All Tribes’ 1969 occupation of “The Rock.” The narrative has many memorable aspects: The Choctaw Kid’s involvement in Alcatraz’s most famous jailbreak, the surprise of the Nixon administration’s enlightened Indian policies, and most significantly, the takeover’s lasting impact. Unfortunately, the account of the eighteen-month occupation feels unfocused. There are not enough examples of individual voices to get a sense of the central characters’ distinct personalities. Sensational unexplained events like deaths, fires, and miraculous healing steal the focus. A misleading sentence that references a contemporary Canadian scandal is sure to incite controversy, while stilted prose and conditional language keep readers at a distance. Despite textual distractions, the quality of the historic record, the local and national importance of the event, the comprehensive timeline, and the dozens of archival photos make this an important resource for Bay Area libraries. Reviewed from an ARC.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Clanton, Ben. Ploof. Ben Clanton, Illus. Addl. Creator Andy Chou Musser. Tundra, 09/2023. 56pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-77488-192-7. GRADES Baby/Toddler–Preschool. ADDITIONAL.       

Ploof is a friendly cloud full of feelings who needs the reader’s help. Big-eyed and puffy, Ploof mostly floats on a blue watercolor background. Questions invite interaction from the very young and page-turns reveal Ploof’s emotive responses. While some actions (blowing, guessing, clapping) seem possible for a group, others (shaking, hugging, high-fiving) would only work one-on-one. This sweet, though not particularly inspired, series of vignettes may be just the ticket for engaging young readers in social-emotional pantomime.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Melling, David. Ruffles and the New Green Thing. David Melling, Illus. Ruffles; bk. 3.
Candlewick Press, 06/2023. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-53-622982-0. GRADES
Baby/Toddler–Kindergarten. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

In the third installment of the Ruffles series, Ruffles, a white puppy with a gray circular patch around one
eye, is very wary of the mysterious green lump in his dish (recognizable to readers as broccoli). Ralph, an older Dalmatian friend, comes to play. After they chase and fetch and tug and scratch, Ralph takes a big bite of the green thing, which is just the push Ruffles needs to give it a try. Children who are picky eaters might be encouraged by Ruffles to try a new food. Melling’s illustrations, done in pencil and digitally colored, are very cute and spare, and wonderfully portray the dogs’ busy playtime, expressive eyes, and sweet affection for each other. (The book might benefit from a warning that broccoli is only safe for dogs in small amounts.)

Cindy Gullikson—Joaquin Miller School, Oakland Unified School District

LaRochelle, David. See the Ghost: Three Stories About Things You Cannot See. Mike Wohnoutka, Illus. Candlewick, 7/2023. [64]pp. Reader. Trade $9.99. 978-1-5362-1982-1. GRADES Kindergarten–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.        

Three simple stories interweave in an overarching storyline involving a ghost, a cat, a dog, the wind, and a fairy. First, the ghost scares the dog, then the cat, and then itself via a mirror. Next, the wind blows the leaves, then the dog, then the cat, and finally the words blow right off the page. Lastly, a fairy waves a magic wand and magically changes each character, which upsets the ghost and is unsuccessful against the wind, so the fairy becomes helpful and all have fun together. Easy, short sentences and simple gouache illustrations help the beginning reader be successful with the words and simple storyline. Lots of white space and an overall fun and easy storyline make for an enjoyable read.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Sandler, Martin W. Shipwrecked!: Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor. Astra, 10/2023. 144pp. Nonfiction. Trade $24.99. 978-1-66260-204-7.  GRADES 6–12. HIGH ADDITIONAL.     

The topic of marine archaeology, where investigation of shipwrecks focuses on the history of the ship’s owner instead of just plundering lost treasure, is told using a compelling narrative nonfiction writing style. Beginning with the 1900 discovery of an ancient Greek ship, then looking at an African slave ship, and finally the wreckage of explorers in the Arctic, the chronological organization helps readers understand how this study of history developed. The elegant book design includes color photos, sidebars, drawings, and other material that facilitate the understanding of the topic, although there are no maps, which would have greatly assisted the reader. Helpful back matter includes source notes, index, bibliography, and brief sections on other notable shipwrecks. Review based on an ARC.

Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool

Kerry, Isaac. Spotlight on Brazil. Countries on the World Stage. Lerner, 08/2023. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 978-1-7284-9195-0. Paper $10.99. 979-8765602515. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.     

SERIES REVIEW: These series titles provide a good overview of the named country, for mid-elementary readers. While somewhat short, each provides broad informational coverage on the country, though limited in depth. History, geography, culture, and government are covered with just enough information to write a short report on the country, without getting into many details that would be needed for an in-depth understanding. Historical breadth is good, moving quickly from initial settlements thousands of years ago on up to some of the more important modern events. Even with the limited depth, this reviewer did learn a few new things about most of the countries. Good for third- to fifth-grade readers looking to learn the country’s basics.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Kerry, Isaac. Spotlight on China. Countries on the World Stage. Lerner, 08/2023. 32pp. Non-Fiction. PLB $30.65. 978-1-7284-9196-7. Paper $10.99. 979-8765602522. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.     

SERIES REVIEW: Please see Spotlight on Brazil by Isaac Kerry for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Nnachi, Ngeri. Spotlight on France. Countries on the World Stage. Lerner, 08/2023. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 978-1-7284-9197-4. Paper $10.99. 9798765602539. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.     

SERIES REVIEW: Please see Spotlight on Brazil by Isaac Kerry for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Walker, Tracy Sue. Spotlight on Germany. Countries on the World Stage. Lerner, 08/2023. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 978-1-7284-9198-1. Paper $10.99. 979-8765602546. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.           

SERIES REVIEW: Please see Spotlight on Brazil by Isaac Kerry for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Kerry, Isaac. Spotlight on India. Countries on the World Stage. Lerner, 08/2023. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 978-1-7284-9199-8. Paper $10.99. 979-8765602553. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.   

SERIES REVIEW: Please see Spotlight on Brazil by Isaac Kerry for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Cline-Ransome, Lesa. Story of the Saxophone, The. James E. Ransome, Illus. Holiday House, 02/2023. 40pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-8234-3702-3. GRADES 1–4. HIGH ADDITIONAL.         

Before there were saxophone greats like Dexter Gordon and Charlie Parker, there was a young Belgian named Joseph-Antoine Adolphe Sax who created a new instrument  “. . . not as loud as a trumpet. Not as soft as a clarinet. Somewhere right in the middle.” The lyrical narrative traces the history of the saxophone, with soft watercolor-and-ink sketches depicting a range of time periods and locations as the instrument, initially scorned, caught on with military bands across Europe and eventually made its way to North America. Lovely portraits of musicians and decoupaged gold saxophones add a jazzy note to an interesting, well-told story that would fit well in the music section of most school libraries. The book does not contain source notes or additional resources.

Jenny Andrus—Independent

Cooper, Ilene. This Boy: The Early Lives of John Lennon & Paul McCartney. Viking, 08/2023. 182pp. Biography. Trade $17.99. 978-0-451-47585-5. GRADES 5–9. OUTSTANDING.       

This dual biography of the Beatles’ founding members and songwriting team Lennon and McCartney is filled with quotations from family members and classmates, making it lively and authentic. The text focuses on their contrasting upbringing in Liverpool, with Lennon’s unusual family structure compared with McCartney’s traditional happy family. Scattered with b&w photos of them as lads, the compelling narrative fills in related history about World War II, the beginnings of rock and roll, and other popular culture influences on the Beatles. A solid companion to Elizabeth Partridge’s John Lennon: All I Want is the Truth (Viking, 2005), this contains source notes, a bibliography, and an index.

Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool

Vukovic, Diane. Water, Fire, Food. Scholastic/Children’s Press, 03/2023. 48pp. Nonfiction. PLB $31.00. 978-1-338-85362-9. Paper $7.99. 978-1-338-85363-6. GRADES 3–5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Good design, photos, diagrams, and instructions make this slim volume a useful and accessible introduction to the basics of surviving in the wild. A photograph of a Black family on a hike, drinking from reusable water bottles, begins the “Water in the Wilderness” chapter, which continues with information about how to collect reasonably safe drinking water if you are stuck and have run out. The next two chapters are “Making Fire” and “Finding Food,” with a helpful side-by-side photographic comparison of wild blueberries and carrots with their poisonous lookalikes. Photographs of people in the wilderness show a range of ages, genders, and skin colors. The back matter includes a true story about lost sisters who survived forty-four hours in the woods, a quiz to “show what you know,” statistics, a bibliography, a glossary, and an index.

Jennifer Vetter—Montclair Elementary School / Oakland Unified School District

Oh, Ellen [editor]. You Are Here: Connecting Flights. Addl. Creators Linda Sue Park, Erin Entrada Kelly, Grace Lin, Traci Chee, Mike Chen, Meredith Ireland, Mike Jung, Minh Lê, Ellen Oh, Randy Ribay, Christina Soontornvat, and Susan Tan. HarperCollins / Allida, 03/2023. 272pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-0-06-323908-1. GRADES 3–6. OUTSTANDING. 

This collection of short stories deftly interweaves the experiences of a dozen young Asian American travelers as they are moving through Chicago’s O’Hare airport on the same day. Beginning with a crisis at the TSA checkpoint, the stories ripple through the airport as the characters observe and often interact with one another. The powerhouse collection of authors reads like a who’s who in current children’s lit, and the editing by Ellen Oh makes sure that each story stands on its own while also working in the collection. This one is a must-have for schools and libraries.

Rachael Reiley—Hillcrest Elementary K-8 / Oakland Unified School District