Woods, Michael. Agriculture Through the Ages: From Silk to Supermarkets. Addl. Creators Mary B. Woods. Technology Through the Ages. Twenty-First Century, 01/2024. 80pp. Nonfiction. PLB $37.32. 979-8765610060. Paper $14.99. 979-8765625231. GRADES 6–12. ADDITIONAL.

In this four-part series, the development of agriculture, computing, machines, and medicine is described by focusing on how the ancient cultures of the Middle East, Egypt, China, the Americas, Greece, and Rome (but not Africa) established principles of the subject. For example, around 3000 BCE, the Egyptians invented a way to measure flooding using a nilometer, and in 2700 BCE silkworms began to be cultivated to make silk. The writing is serviceable but formulaic, and only occasionally mentions newer aspects that grew out of the ancient inventions, so the “through the ages” subheading is a misnomer. The series is helped by the abundance of color photos, art reproductions, sidebars, and page decorations, but a map would have been helpful. Each volume ends with a glossary, timeline, bibliography, a few source notes, and a limited index. Libraries may want to acquire if the subject is in demand by students writing reports.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Fenmore, Taylor. Anacondas: Nature’s Biggest Snake. Lightning Bolt Books: Nature’s Most
Massive Animals. Lerner, 01/2024. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.32. 979-8765608388. Paper
$9.99. 979-8765624272. GRADES 2–4. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Capybaras: Nature’s Biggest Rodent by Walt Brody for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Van Oosbree, Ruthie. Any Shelter Cats Left? Felicity Sheldon, Illus. Pull Ahead Readers: Math All Around – Fiction. Lerner, 01/2024. 16pp. Reader. PLB $27.99. 979-8765608647. Paper $8.99. 979-8765624432. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Fun with Shapes by Katie Peters for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Willems, Mo. Are You Big? Mo Willems, Illus. Union Square Kids, 02/2024. [28]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-4549-4818-6. GRADES Kindergarten–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

In this unusual concept book, size comparisons are demonstrated, beginning with a child’s size compared to a hot air balloon, then the balloon to a cloud, then the cloud to a storm, and so on until the comparisons reach out to the galaxies. The boldly colored paper collage artwork conveys the concept clearly for young children, using examples they will recognize, such as the moon being smaller than planet Earth. The simple one-sentence-per-spread text is offered in large, bold typeface, and contains repetition, making this accessible for emergent readers. Libraries should be aware that the story begins and ends on the inside covers, so processing staff should be mindful not to cover up the text, since the back inside cover lists the size comparisons.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Van Oosbree, Ruthie. Ben’s Birthday Shapes. Felicity Sheldon, Illus. Pull Ahead Readers: Math All Around – Fiction. Lerner, 01/2024. 16pp. Reader. PLB $27.99. 979-8765608616. Paper $8.99. 979-8765624449. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Fun with Shapes by Katie Peters for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Fenmore, Taylor. Blue Whales: Nature’s Biggest Mammal. Lightning Bolt Books: Nature’s
Most Massive Animals. Lerner, 01/2024. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.32. 979-8765608395.
Paper $9.99. 979-8765624289. GRADES 2–4. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Capybaras: Nature’s Biggest Rodent by Walt Brody for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Brody, Walt. Capybaras: Nature’s Biggest Rodent. Lightning Bolt Books: Nature’s Most
Massive Animals. Lerner, 01/2024. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.32. 979-8765608401. Paper
$9.99. 979-8765624296. GRADES 2–4. ADDITIONAL.

Who doesn’t want to learn about large animals? This reviewer read four of the eight books in this series featuring large, amazing, and rather unusual animals. Each animal is presented via many large color photographs, which are accompanied by a couple sentences providing a few details. Useful to introduce and begin learning about an animal that might be unfamiliar to readers.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Brody, Walt. Chinese Giant Salamanders: Nature’s Biggest Amphibian. Lightning Bolt Books: Nature’s Most Massive Animals. Lerner, 01/2024. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.32. 979-8765608418. Paper $9.99. 979-8765624302. GRADES 2–4. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Capybaras: Nature’s Biggest Rodent by Walt Brody for the series
review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Woods, Michael. Computing Through the Ages: From Bones to Binary. Addl. Creators Mary B. Woods. Technology Through the Ages. Twenty-First Century, 01/2024. 80pp. Nonfiction. PLB $37.32. 979-8765610046. Paper $14.99. 979-8765625217. GRADES 6–12. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Agriculture Through the Ages by Michael Woods for the series review.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Van Oosbree, Ruthie. Counting Candy. Mette Engell, Illus. Pull Ahead Readers: Math All Around – Fiction. Lerner, 01/2024. 16pp. Reader. PLB $27.99. 979-8765608623. Paper $8.99. 979-8765624456. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Fun with Shapes by Katie Peters for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Dåsnes, Nora. Cross My Heart and Never Lie. Nora Dåsnes, Illustrator. Translated from the Norwegian by Matt Bagguley. Hippo Park, 09/2023. 252pp. Graphic. Trade $17.99. 978-1-6626-4057-5. GRADES 5–8. OUTSTANDING.

Tuva is twelve years old and starting to grapple with what it will mean to be a teenager. Will she have to give up her best friends? Stop playing in the woods? Wear makeup? Start dating??? Tuva’s story is told through her diary entries, interspersed with traditional graphic novel panels. The art has a sketchy quality that helps the story feel gentle, even as Tuva is experiencing major changes, like getting her first bra and figuring out she likes girls. Color is used skillfully throughout to emphasize Tuva’s changing moods. Tuva is drawn with pale skin and dark curly hair, but her classmates are shown with a diversity of skin tones and hair styles. This book was first published in Norwegian and an author’s note points out some unique elements of Tuva’s life, like how seventh grade is the last year of primary school in Norway. Despite differences between life in Norway and the United States, this addition to the coming-of-age genre is deeply relatable and beautifully describes struggling during times of transition.

Lillian Whithaus—Oakland Public Library

Cartaya, Pablo. Curveball. Miguel Diaz Rivas, Illus. Disney-Hyperion, 05/2024. 192pp. Graphic. Trade $24.99. 978-1-36809-009-4. Paper $14.99. 978-1-3680-8926-5. GRADES 3–6. ADDITIONAL.

Middle schooler Elena Rueda is the only girl on her baseball team, and she feels pressured by her mother to be the best. After an injury, she joins her brother’s cosplay group and realizes she can have fun without competition. Overall, the messaging is somewhat heavy-handed, but Elena is a sympathetic and relatable character. The family’s mother and grandfather are Latinx and Elena’s father is white, but the family uses some Spanish in the dialogue and celebrates their Latinx heritage. The full-color paneled cartoon artwork uses dialogue balloons for all the text, but some readers may be confused because the mother looks just a little older than Elena, as if she were her sister. Review based on an ARC.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Fang, X. Dim Sum Palace. X. Fang, Illus. Penguin /Tundra, 09/2023. [42]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-7748-8198-9. GRADES Preschool–2. OUTSTANDING.

Too excited to sleep, a young girl named Liddy follows the delicious smells of a dazzling array of foods to the magical Dim Sum Palace, where the food is so irresistible that she finds herself wrapped in a dumpling and served to the Empress herself! Equal parts homage to food from Fang’s Taiwanese heritage and In the Night Kitchen (Sendak, Harper and Row, 1970), unadorned prose allows Fang’s digitally colored graphite illustrations to illuminate every page with soft textures and bright colors that evoke a dreamlike quality. The text refers to Liddy using she/her pronouns and she and the major characters are depicted as round-cheeked, plump, and light-skinned with thin eyes and straight black hair. Filled with depictions of a wide variety of mouthwatering dumplings, buns, pastries, and other dishes, Dim Sum Palace is a delightful picture book to read aloud to young gourmands.

Keith Chong—Oakland Public Library

Lyon, Lea. Double V Campaign, The: African Americans Fighting for Freedom at Home and Abroad. Rowman & Littlefield, 02/2024. 176pp. Nonfiction. Trade $28.00. 978-1-5381-8465-3. GRADES 7–12. OUTSTANDING.

With World War II on the horizon, many civil rights activists were facing a dilemma: should African Americans fight for the U.S. against fascism while facing discrimination and inequality at home? The Black press came up with the solution of the Double V Campaign, seeking victory at home and abroad by demonstrating the patriotism, loyalty, and fighting might of African Americans. With clear, lively text, the narrative describes the many facets of the campaign, from newspapers like the Pittsburg Courier, to home front activities, to the Pullman Porters union efforts, and other elements that integrated defense industries and led to the 1950s’ civil rights efforts. The writing is compelling and concise and will please those interested in history as well as those who read this for homework projects. There are one or two b&w photos per chapter, a timeline, list of important people, extensive source notes, bibliography, and index that will assist those writing research papers.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Blackburn, Sarah-SoonLing. Exclusion and the Chinese American Story. Race to the Truth. Random House/Crown, 03/2024. 288pp. Nonfiction. Trade $12.99. 978-0-593-56764-7. Paper $8.99. 978-0-593-56763-0. GRADES 5–8. LOW ADDITIONAL.

What is the story of Chinese American history told from a Chinese American perspective? In an effort to expand the narrative beyond exclusion, railroad work, and the model minority myth, the author brings in lesser-known stories and writes the book she wishes she had when growing up. Central to the mission is a focus on solidarity among historically marginalized people. While the colloquial tone and multiplicity of examples advance the agenda, some poor scholarship, a lack of focus, and what comes across as a need to control the reader’s takeaway detract from the laudable ambition. An opening assertion that “[t]oday, some scholars believe” a Chinese monk came to western North America and lived among Indigenous Americans one thousand years before Columbus is shortly followed with “[n]ow, most scholars say this probably never happened.” Thus, authorial integrity is undercut, readers are confused, and the stage is set for text that covers vast swaths of fascinating, but poorly attributed history, focusing on assertion and emotion rather than evidence. Readers are repeatedly exhorted to “imagine” themselves in deeply terrible circumstances without providing historical context that would allow them to understand whether those circumstances were exceptional or par for the course. (Chinese Exclusion was exceptional; sharing a bathroom in a boardinghouse in 1921 was normal.) A final chapter titled “The Truth, Today” explicitly tells the “dear reader” what they remember, and insists that having read the book they are part of organizing towards justice. An important topic, rich history, and good intentions can’t make up for over-broad focus, insufficient attribution, and a desire to direct the reader to a specific conclusion. Back matter includes resources, bibliography, and photo credits. Includes California-specific content.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Reed, Charlotte. Explore Desert Habitats with Rosita. Sesame Street: Sesame Street Habitats. Lerner, 01/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8765604212. Paper $9.99. 979-8765624838. GRADES Kindergarten–3. ADDITIONAL.

Lerner continues their collaboration with Sesame Street, this time with eight habitat titles. Engaging color photographs are paired with a few short sentences and Sesame Street character dialogue (directed to the reader) that informs early elementary readers about each of the named habitats. Each title includes a two-question quiz (composed of photographs which fit the given habitat), along with a simple glossary, index, and other suggested titles. One note: the character named in the title is not the dominant one in the book. There are eleven Sesame Street characters spread throughout each title, one per double-page spread. While each title includes various classic Muppets (resembling animals or monsters), these titles also feature ethnically diverse puppets including Mexican American Rosita, Black cousins Gabrielle and Tamir, and Korean American Ji-Young. Useful titles that can assist homeschoolers or teachers investigating the natural world.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Reed, Charlotte. Explore Forest Habitats with Grover. Sesame Street: Sesame Street Habitats. Lerner, 01/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8765604281. Paper $9.99. 979-8765624845. GRADES Kindergarten–2. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Explore Desert Habitats with Rosita by Charlotte Reed for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Reed, Charlotte. Explore Freshwater Habitats with Gabrielle. Sesame Street: Sesame Street Habitats. Lerner, 01/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8765604274. Paper $9.99. 979-8765624852. GRADES Kindergarten–2. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Explore Desert Habitats with Rosita by Charlotte Reed for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Reed, Charlotte. Explore Grassland Habitats with Ji-Young. Sesame Street: Sesame Street Habitats. Lerner, 01/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8765604250. Paper $9.99. 979-8765624869. GRADES Preschool–2. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Explore Desert Habitats with Rosita by Charlotte Reed for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Pham, Thien. Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam. Thien Pham, Illus. First Second, 06/2023. 240pp. Graphic. Trade $25.99. 978-1-2508-0971-1. Paper $17.99. 978-1-2508-0972-8. GRADES 7–Adult. OUTSTANDING.

Family Style, the award-winning graphic memoir by East Bay artist and author Thien Pham, recounts his family’s journey fleeing Vietnam by boat then spending months in a Thai refugee camp before relocating to San Jose, California. Pham anchors the story in memories of foods from each time period from his childhood journey, including the Banh Cuon that his mom cooked in the refugee camp, the steak they were fed on their first day in San Jose, and his first tastes of strawberries, potato chips, and school lunches. The memoir itself is a masterful example of graphics being used in storytelling. Pham’s pacing and use of page turns and layout enhance the drama of the stories he tells. Even the b&w question and answer addendum at the end is amazing. Multifaceted and layered with meaning, the book begs to be read and reread, offering more detail each time. Pham’s work can be used to teach students about memoir writing, empathy for the immigrant experience, as well as graphic novel structure and style. Includes California-specific content.

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

Peters, Katie. Fun with Shapes. Pull Ahead Readers: Math All Around – Nonfiction. Lerner, 01/2024. 16pp. Reader. PLB $27.99. 979-8765608678. Paper $8.99. 979-8765624517. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.

The Pull Ahead Reader series consists of sets with similar text and subjects. Half of the titles are designated as “Fiction” with color digital illustrations, while the others are “Non-Fiction” with color photographs. Designed as pairings on the same topic, each title is straightforward with very limited text, content, and a short length, which works well as early readers. This twelve-book subseries focuses on math you can see around you, by demonstrating math concepts that kids can observe (such as shapes, counting items, and subtraction). The illustrations or photographs depict a diverse cast of children, with various skin tones, genders, and physical abilities included. These simple readers can be read on their own, in pairs, or as a complete set.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Peters, Katie. Fun with Skip Counting. Pull Ahead Readers: Math All Around – Nonfiction. Lerner, 01/2024. 16pp. Reader. PLB $27.99. 979-8765608685. Paper $8.99. 979-8765624524. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Fun with Shapes by Katie Peters for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Peters, Katie. Fun with Subtraction. Pull Ahead Readers: Math All Around – Nonfiction. Lerner, 01/2024. 16pp. Reader. PLB $27.99. 979-8765608708. Paper $8.99. 979-8765624548. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Fun with Shapes by Katie Peters for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Tavares, Matt. Hoops. Matt Tavares, Illus. Candlewick, 03/2023. 224pp. Graphic. Trade $22.99. 978-1-5362-0136-9. Paper $12.99. 978-1-5362-3195-3. GRADES 3–7. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Inspired by a true story, this graphic novel follows the girls who play on the 1976 Wilkins, Indiana, girls’ basketball team which is formed right as Title IX creates more opportunity for girls in sports. The girls overcome the lack of funding, supplies, and even a space to practice to eventually take the team to the state championship. This is a quick and fun read with some interesting information included in the author’s note and back matter. Most characters appear white, but the girls’ coach and a few players are drawn with darker skin tones and hair.

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

Ho, Richard. If Lin Can: How Jeremy Lin Inspired Asian Americans to Shoot for the Stars. Huynh Kim Lien, Illus. Add Creator Phùng Nguyên Quang. Charlesbridge, 04/2024. [38]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-62354-372-3. GRADES Kindergarten-1. ADDITIONAL.

Motivational and inspiring, this informational picture book shows how Jeremy Lin’s professional NBA career helped encourage kids around the country to follow their dreams. Soft, rhyming text and digital illustrations show how Asian American kids are stereotyped and pigeon-holed. But they also show the elation and pride seeing Lin playing for the New York Knicks basketball team. Includes two pages about Jeremy Lin’s history and career, as well as other readings. Especially useful for Asian American or diverse book collections.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Lombardo, Constance. Itty Bitty Betty Blob. Micah Player, Illus. Hippo Park, 06/2024. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-66264-014-8. GRADES Kindergarten–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

It is picture day at monster school, but Betty doesn’t feel like growling like everyone else because her nature is to be smiling and positive. She practices a monster face but wonders if she will be able to pull it off. The digitally created cartoonish illustrations are dominated by black and gray, except for Betty who is pink and colorfully dressed. The text includes both sentences and dialog balloons, and there is some repetition that will assist emergent readers. Many children will relate to Betty’s conflict with her inner personality and the need to fit in with others at school, and the resolution shows she doesn’t need to compromise her spirit. Review based on an ARC.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Lee, Stacey. Kill Her Twice. G.P. Putnam, 04/2024. 400pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-593-53204-1. GRADES 7–12. ADDITIONAL.

In 1932 teenaged Gemma Chow, like many Angelenos, burns with a spirit of reinvention, but with her dad ill and her mother expecting, practical matters rule until Gemma, and her beautiful sister May, discover the discarded body of their childhood friend and rising film star, Lulu Wong. The sisters are determined to secure justice for Lulu and embark on a murder investigation full of old-time Hollywood glamour, anti-Chinese racism, and a little romance. Lee excels at creating lively, winning main characters and the sisters’ alternating chapters showcase irrepressible Gemma and practical May. A strong historical setting almost balances the far-fetched escapades. While colorful phrases and extended metaphors often land, wordiness occasionally overwhelms the story. Based on the real 1933 demolition of LA’s Chinatown and the career of Anna May Wong, this updated historical mystery will please fans of Lee’s previous work. Main characters are Chinese American. Most white characters read as two-dimensional. Includes California-specific content. Review based on an ARC.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Leed, Percy. Look Inside a Big Rig: How It Works. Lightning Bolt Books: Under the Hood. Lerner, 01/2024. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.32. 979-8765608463. Paper $9.99. 979-8765624357. GRADES Kindergarten–2. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Look Inside a Bulldozer: How It Works by Brianna Kaiser for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Kaiser, Brianna. Look Inside a Bulldozer: How It Works. Lightning Bolt Books: Under the Hood. Lerner, 01/2024. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.32. 979-8765608340. Paper $9.99. 979-8765624364. GRADES Kindergarten–2. ADDITIONAL.

Young readers often like to learn about vehicles, and these series titles provide a good opportunity to do so. Large photographs, large fonts, and limited text (two to three sentences per page) work together to appeal to children who want to explore various vehicle types. One note: the title suggests that there will be explanations of the inner workings of the vehicles, but only a few parts are mentioned or named on the vehicle’s parts page. Each title includes a brief glossary, a few resource links, and a few index terms.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Kaiser, Brianna. Look Inside a Dirt Bike: How It Works. Lightning Bolt Books: Under the Hood. Lerner, 01/2024. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.32. 979-8765608357. Paper $9.99. 979-8765624371. GRADES Kindergarten–2. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Look Inside a Bulldozer: How It Works by Brianna Kaiser for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Kaiser, Brianna. Look Inside a Drone: How It Works. Lightning Bolt Books: Under the Hood. Lerner, 01/2024. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.32. 979-8765608364. Paper $9.99. 979-8765624388. GRADES Kindergarten–2. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Look Inside a Bulldozer: How It Works by Brianna Kaiser for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Woods, Michael. Machines Through the Ages: From Furnaces to Factories. Addl. Creators Mary B. Woods. Technology Through the Ages. Twenty-First Century, 01/2024. 80pp. Nonfiction. PLB $37.32. 979-8765610053. Paper $14.99. 979-8765625224. GRADES 6–12. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Agriculture Through the Ages by Michael Woods for the series review.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Woods, Michael. Medicine Through the Ages: From Acupuncture to Antibiotics. Addl. Creators Mary B. Woods. Technology Through the Ages. Twenty-First Century, 01/2024. 80pp. Nonfiction. PLB $37.32. 979-8765610039. Paper $14.99. 979-8765625200. GRADES 6–12. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Agriculture Through the Ages by Michael Woods for the series review.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Stabler, David. Meet Connor McDavid. Lerner Sports: Sports VIPs. Lerner, 01/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8765624098. Paper $9.99. 979-8765624111. GRADES 4–6. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Meet Jalen Hurts by Matt Doeden for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Doeden, Matt. Meet Jalen Hurts. Lerner Sports: Sports VIPs. Lerner, 01/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8765610466. Paper $9.99. 979-8765623640. GRADES 4–6. ADDITIONAL.

Players from various professional sports teams are introduced to readers in these enthusiastic biographies. While there are a number of details about their recent rise to fame and their upbringing, the overall brief format is likely to leave readers wanting more. Each title zooms through their childhood, what got them interested in their sport, how they excelled as a kid, about their rise into a big, professional team, and why they have become a fan favorite. Some disappointments and personal problems are included, so readers will get at least a glimpse of the real person behind the name. Frequent color photographs break up the quick-paced information. Useful for middle-grade readers wanting to learn about current athletes. This reviewer read four new entries in the series, featuring two Black football players, a white Serbian basketball player, and a white Canadian hockey player, all male.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Doeden, Matt. Meet Micah Parsons. Lerner Sports: Sports VIPs. Lerner, 01/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8765610497. Paper $9.99. 979-8765623671. GRADES 4–6. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Meet Jalen Hurts by Matt Doeden for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Stabler, David. Meet Nikola Jokić. Lerner Sports: Sports VIPs. Lerner, 01/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8765624104. Paper $9.99. 979-8765624166. GRADES 4–6. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see Meet Jalen Hurts by Matt Doeden for the series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Arnaldo, Monica. Mr. S. Monica Arnaldo, Illus. Harpercollins/Katherine Tegen, 06/2023. 40pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-0-0630-0395-8. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.

It’s the first day of school and the kids in room 2B appear to have “an impressive-looking sandwich” for a teacher. Immediately half the class cheers: “No teacher means no rules” and the other half of the class objects. Realizing that Mr. S is watching them, the class starts their day and moves through lessons that include learning the alphabet (B is for Bagel), art, music, and storytime (hard when you have no hands to turn the page). While the students debate whether a sandwich is actually their teacher, a second visual story is happening outside the classroom window. There are tons of puns and humor along with large, bright illustrations which make this a great read for storytimes as well as for more intimate lapsit reads where kids and their adults can search for the hidden visual treats in this book. Created with watercolor, colored pencils, and ink, the illustrations depict the students with varying skin tones, and one child uses a wheelchair.

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

Scott, Jordan. My Baba’s Garden. Sydney Smith, Illus. Neal Porter, 03/2023. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-8234-5083-1. GRADES Kindergarten–4. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Soft watercolor and gouache illustrations accompany lyrical prose about a child’s relationship with their grandmother. The characters are depicted as white, with an author’s note explaining that the grandmother (Baba) is from Poland and that the story takes place in Canada. The author’s note, placed on the first page of the book, gives important context about the language barriers between the child and grandmother which are only hinted at in the text. The child’s voice is realistic, noting details of their life with childlike wonder and making connections in the manner of a curious kid. A love letter to the grandparent-grandchild relationship, this book will be especially meaningful to readers with immigrant grandparents.

Lillian Whithaus—Oakland Public Library

Rotner, Shelley. Nature Spy Guide. Millbrook, 03/2024. [32]pp. Nonfiction. PLB $35.99. 979-8765610152. Paper $10.99. 979-8765610190. GRADES Preschool–2. ADDITIONAL.

Crisp color photos and brief, repetitive text encourage young children to observe nature by using their five senses: “Look all around! Breathe in. . .Smell the flowers blooming, Ahhh. . .” Although this is very brief, it will be useful to introduce the concept of observing nature, which can be followed up with more factual information. The photos feature children from a variety of racial groups. The final few pages identify plants and animals that are pictured in the main text, suggestions for hands-on activities, and a list of books and websites for further study.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Polak, Monique. Remember This: The Fascinating World of Memory. Valéry Goulet, Illus. Orca, 03/2024. 96pp. Nonfiction. Trade $26.95. 978-1-4598-3412-5. GRADES 5–7. UNSATISFACTORY.

Thirteen chapters packed with intriguing information and diverting examples attempt to explain how memories work, what happens in the brain, why some things are remembered and others forgotten, and what tricks aid memory. Photographs and colorful, graphic illustrations that represent a wide diversity of age and race break up the text, and an informal conversational tone strives to engage interest. But disconcerting choices undermine the effort, raising questions without advancing understanding. Examples seem selected for shock value—a car crash, multiple accounts of violent death, a horse with a prosthetic leg. The text and illustrations fail to integrate and support these sensational elements, leaving readers distracted and unsettled. Visual elements, central to the text, are not pictured, leaving readers struggling to imagine what Chilean arpilleras look like or how the two-dollar bill of a 911 victim formed a heart shape. Some definitions don’t clarify—knowing “neural circuits are groups of neurons connected by synapses that carry out specific functions” doesn’t explain much. A chapter on false memory concludes with the wildly inaccurate statement that false memories only happen in a lab or in movies. Even in the strongest chapter, Tricks to Boost Your Working Memory, major flaws distract. Conclusions are advanced without addressing why or how—why does physical writing aid memory? Why do subjects falsely remember disturbing images but not pleasant or neutral ones? Is “chunking items on a bucket list” the ideal mnemonic example for middle schoolers, or is “surfing the Internet” the typical skill an Alzheimer’s patient forgets how to do? Back matter includes a glossary, print and online resources, and index. Review based on an ARC.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Laskin, Kodi. Serving Patrons with Disabilities: Perspectives and Insights from People with Disabilities. Addl. Creators Leah Keevan, Jackie Kruzie, Katherine Schneider, Cecilia James, and Alex Kerr. ALA Editions, 02/2023. 79pp. Professional. Paper $39.99. 978-0-8389-3731-0. GRADES Adult–Adult. OUTSTANDING.

Serving Patrons with Disabilities looks at six types of disabilities, with each chapter written by a library staffer from their personal experience. Topics include service animals, mobility aids, speech assistive technology, blindness and low vision, deaf and hard of hearing, and learning differences. Each chapter begins with a narrative describing the author’s experiences and challenges in various public settings, including libraries, followed by steps that library staff can take to be more accommodating. Actions can be simple things that any staff member can do, such as giving full attention to the patron, or being patient while a communication device is used. Other responses would require more time and money, like having appropriate adaptive technology available, or are more facility-based issues like accessibly wide aisles and reachable shelves. The text doesn’t mention the authors’ racial identities. A useful and informative title which is easy to read through, understand, digest, and to refer to as needed.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Abendanon, Lucille. Songbird and the Rambutan Tree, The. North Star, 01/24. 307pp. Fiction. Trade $14.99. 978-1-63163-820-6. GRADES 5–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Emmy, a white European twelve-year-old, leads a life of privilege in the Dutch West Indies, but that changes during WWII when the Japanese invade and she is sent to Tjideng, a prisoner-of-war camp for women and children. Based on the experiences of the author’s grandmother, the dramatic story approaches a difficult piece of history in a way that respects the age and sensitivity of likely readers. While there are some leaps in credibility, the narrative balances the dire situation in the camp with the bravery and camaraderie of the inmates. Emmy’s stubborn nature, lapses in judgment, and evolving relationships make her a relatable preteen; of particular note is her volatile friendship with a Jakartan boy named Bakti, who views the Japanese invasion as a necessary step towards Indonesian self-rule and independence. Helpful information about the political situation and outcomes of the war in Indonesia are included in the endnotes.

Jenny Andrus—Independent

Remenar, Kristen. Squirrel Needs a Break. Matt Faulkner, Illus. Charlesbridge, 05/2024. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-370-9. GRADES Kindergarten–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

After a long winter, single parent Squirrel could use a break from his rambunctious kits, so neighboring animals pitch in to help. Hare teaches them to make pancakes, Sparrow gives the kits a bath, and Owl leads them in meditation, all with hilarious results. The text includes one paragraph per spread and dialogue balloons, and the digitally created full-color cartoonish artwork features forest animals with human facial expressions that add humor. This would be a great selection for a Father’s Day storytime, although the story is a bit long for toddlers.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Benediktsson, Ævar Þór. Stranded!: A Mostly True Story from Iceland. Anne Willson, Illus. Barefoot, 08/2023. 32pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-6468-6991-6. Paper $9.99. 978-1-6468-6992-3. GRADES 1–4. OUTSTANDING.

This “mostly true” picture book recounts the story of the author’s grandfather being stranded on Surtsey, a small active volcanic island off the coast of Iceland. This is a fun and engaging story that will fascinate young readers, but the true star of the book is the vibrant and colorful artwork by Anne Wilson. As I was reading this book in a café, the barista came over and asked to take a photograph of the cover, saying that it looked so beautiful, they wanted to get a copy for their nephew. In addition to recounting the tale of how two men were stranded on an active volcano for over forty-eight hours, the book also offers young readers factual information about Iceland, volcanoes, Norse mythology, and even tomatoes. Prepared with inks, monoprints, and drawings, the illustrations portray the men with pale, peach-toned skin. This is a delightful story that can be read aloud to a class or enjoyed by a student alone who wants to immerse themselves in the stunning artwork showing lava flows, ocean gods, skyscapes, and sunsets.

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

Sendak, Maurice. Ten Little Rabbits. Maurice Sendak, Illus. Harper, 02/2024. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-264467-1. GRADES Baby/Toddler–Kindergarten. OUTSTANDING.

A young magician uses his magic wand to make rabbits appear out of a hat one at a time, until they overwhelm him. He then makes them disappear one at a time. The text is mainly just the numeral for the number of rabbits—first one to ten, then ten to one, then none. This simple but humorous counting book has very little text, so the illustrations convey the story. Sendak’s signature ink cartoon drawings on stark white backgrounds feature just bits of yellow and blue, and the magician resembles Max from Where the Wild Things Are (Harper & Row, 1963). One could quibble that the word for each number would be helpful, but this is still a joyous counting book. Originally written for a museum fundraiser in 1970, this is the book’s first formal publication.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Fryer Brown, Tameka. That Flag. Nikkolas Smith, Illus. HarperCollins, 01/2023. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-0630-9344-7. GRADES 1-5. OUTSTANDING.

Best friends Bianca and Keira are alike in all the ways that matter, like how they wear their hair and how they dominate in four square. But the Confederate flag that Bianca’s white family displays means that Keira’s Black parents won’t allow her to spend time at Bianca’s house. At a school trip to the Southern Legacy Museum, Keira learns more about the Confederate flag and is upset that Bianca doesn’t understand how the flag and its history make her feel. The digital artwork by Nikkolas Smith ingeniously highlights some parts of a scene while suggesting others in a way that young kids can look at the book and have one understanding while their adults or older children will recognize iconic images from civil rights struggles that make up the background. The book’s creators “hope the words and images in this story foster transformative conversations that lead to change,” and That Flag indeed provides an entry point to have clear and honest discussions about structural racism in America.

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

Reynolds, Jason. There Was a Party for Langston. Jerome Pumphrey, Jarrett Pumphrey, Illus. Atheneum, 10/2023. [56]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5344-3944-3. GRADES Kindergarten–3. OUTSTANDING.

In his author’s note, Reynolds explains how seeing a photo of Maya Angelou dancing with Amiri Baraka at the Schomburg Center’s 1991 party in honor of Langston Hughes sparked the idea to write this book. There Was a Party for Langston draws a line of word making from Hughes in the Harlem Renaissance to author activists like Angelou and Baraka in the ’70s and ’80s and on to Reynolds today. The celebration of Hughes’ words is brought to life in the amazing stamp illustrations by the Pumphrey brothers. Clever pictures are literally made up of words—drums are drawn with the words “thump,” the dancing Maya Angelou and Amiri Baraka are drawn with the letters of their names, and poems are illustrated with letters creating the images. The joy and vibrancy of the art will engage young listeners even if they don’t know the works and artists being described. This is a great book to use for programming celebrating African American heritage or National Poetry Month.

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

Marrin, Albert. When Forests Burn: The Story of Wildfire in America. Knopf, 03/2024. 256pp. Nonfiction. Trade $24.99. 978-0-5931-2173-3. GRADES 8–12. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

You might think a book about wildfire would start with flames, and it does, but before the story gets going our conversational narrator gifts readers vast swaths of background knowledge essential to understanding how, despite superior tools and more resources, today wildfires are destroying more American acres, endangering more lives, and costing ever-increasing billions. Well-researched chapters establish the use of fire as a land management tool by Native Americans, the despoiling of the natural environment that led to the conservation movement and thus the disastrous modern suppression of fire and enshrinement of nature as something untouched by humans. A chapter specific to the Golden State sharpens the focus on human responsibility for a triple threat of climate change, unnatural forests full of a hundred years of tinder, and human encroachment into fire-prone forests, all of which have led to our recent disastrous fires. Dramatic chapters filled with horrific accounts of massive fires and heroic efforts to save lives enliven the narrative. A failure to mention Herbert L. Stoddard, the father of science-based American fire ecology, feels like an oversight and the swapping of turpentine in place of kerosene as the fuel that saved the whales is not borne out by the source cited. Budding environmentalists, report writers, and concerned smoke-breathers will find a wealth of valuable information. Back matter includes extensive source notes, bibliography, picture credits, and index. Includes California-specific content.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired