Doeden, Matt. 34 Amazing Facts About Basketball. Unbelievable!: UpDog Books. Lerner, 01/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. Trade $30.65. 979-8765608982. Paper $10.99. 979-8765625118. GRADES 2–5. ADDITIONAL.        

This eight-book series presents high-interest nonfiction topics using very sparse and accessible text. Readers will learn about both men’s and women’s college and professional basketball with photos on each page. In all the books reviewed (Basketball, Football, Minecraft, and Natural Wonders), full-page photos are accompanied by only one or two lines of text, making them a good choice for English language learners and reluctant readers. Other high-interest topics in the series include weather, space, sharks, and wrestling. Back matter includes a glossary, index, and resources for further exploration.

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

Doeden, Matt. 34 Amazing Facts About Football. Unbelievable!: UpDog Books. Lerner, 01/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. Trade $30.65. 979-8765608999. Paper $10.99. 979-8765625125. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.        

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: 34 Amazing Facts About Basketball by Matt Doeden for series review.

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

Miller, Marie-Therese. 34 Amazing Facts About Minecraft. Unbelievable!: UpDog Books. Lerner, 01/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. Trade $30.65. 979-8765609002. Paper $10.99. 979-8-7656-2513-2. GRADES 2–5. ADDITIONAL.        

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: 34 Amazing Facts About Basketball by Matt Doeden for series review.

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

Doeden, Matt. 34 Amazing Facts About Natural Wonders. Unbelievable!: UpDog Books. Lerner, 01/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. Trade $30.65. 979-8765609019. Paper $10.99. 979-8765625149. GRADES 2–5. ADDITIONAL.        

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: 34 Amazing Facts About Basketball by Matt Doeden for series review.

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

Jackson, Tom. Baobab and More of the World’s Most Amazing Plants. Ultimate Adventure Guides. Lerner, 01/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8765609224. Paper $10.99. 979-8765625095. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.       

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Giant’s Causeway and Other Incredible Natural Wonders by Tim Cooke for series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Donnelly, Jennifer. Beastly Beauty. Scholastic, 05/2024. 336pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-3388-0944-2. GRADES 9–12. HIGH ADDITIONAL.         

A young thief, trapped inside a cursed castle, is the unwilling guest of a beautiful, yet distant noblewoman, her creepy ladies-in-waiting, and her loyal servants. Confident in his good looks and braggadocious ways, Beau is certain he can escape and make off with loot to rescue his brother, until he encounters both the fearsome beast that roams the night, and the luminous little girl locked in the cellar. A reimagined, baroque Beauty and the Beast gets a comprehensive update that will resonate with modern readers. Allegories tend to the didactic, and some clunky anagrams and anachronistically modern attitudes may irk fairy tale purists, but the romance, drama, and on-point introspection will engage readers looking for a thought-provoking love story. Set in a fantasy medieval Spain. All characters read as white. LGBTQ diversity included. Review based on an ARC.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Scheffer, Janie. Best Gymnastics Teams. All-Access Gymnastics: Lerner Sports. Lerner, 01/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. Trade $31.99. 979-8765608548. Paper $9.99. 979-8765623398. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.           

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Epic Gymnastics Moments by Margaret J. Goldstein for series review.

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

Rose, Elle Gonzalez. Caught in a Bad Fauxmance. Random House/Joy, 12/23. 320pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-0-593-64579-6. GRADES 8–12. ADDITIONAL.            

Two feuding families gear up for high-stakes competition during winter break at their lakeside homes in Florida. Trouble ensues when their teen sons enter into a faux relationship (“fauxmance”) that turns serious. Julian, whose mother is Korean and father Cuban American, and Devin, who is Latino, are well-developed characters whose fraught, sometimes humorous, relationship forms the book’s emotional core. Less convincing are some of the secondary characters, including both dads, whose actions seem unnecessarily cruel and capricious given the overall tone of the story. Devin’s dad, for example, acquires pig blood to fill water balloons for a Christmas Day prank, and he uses the family’s beloved vacation home as collateral for a trivial bet with his rival. The story veers from rom-com to something darker, with the misdeeds of the fathers never fully addressed.

Jenny Andrus—Independent

del Mazo, Margarita. Charlie’s Eye Glasses. Guridi, Illus. Translated from the Spanish by Cecilia Ross. nubeOcho, 05/2024. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $14.99. 978-84-19253-91-0. GRADES Kindergarten–2. ADDITIONAL.        

Charlie does everything he can think of to be seen by a girl named Iris, who is much bigger than he is. She gets glasses, which ups his hopes of being seen, but he remains invisible to her. So he tries a wide variety of glasses to change his visibility. As a last resort, he tries prescription eyeglasses, and discovers something unexpected that will surprise readers. Using lots of white background, the sketched illustrations focus on kids with white skin wearing clothes in muted colors. First published in Spain, the US editions (Spanish and English) were simultaneously published with the same illustrations and matching storylines. The Spanish text has some words used more often in Spain, but should not be a problem for most Spanish speakers.  

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

del Mazo, Margarita. Charlie’s Great Big Backpack. Guridi, Illus. Translated from the Spanish by Cecilia Ross. nubeOcho, 06/2024. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $14.99. 978-84-19607-50-8. GRADES Kindergarten–2. ADDITIONAL.   

Little tiny Charlie is paired with Big Louis during a class camping trip. Charlie loves to be prepared, which comes in handy as Louis becomes the inadvertent target of Charlie’s inept helpfulness. Plenty goes wrong, each event prompting Charlie to pull out ever more unusual things from his pack, each of which is somehow helpful to the problem he caused. Using lots of white background, the sketched, outline-like illustrations focus on kids with white skin wearing clothes with muted colors. First published in Spain, the US editions (Spanish and English) were simultaneously published with the same illustrations and matching storylines. The Spanish text has some words used more often in Spain, but should not be a problem for most Spanish speakers.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Scheffer, Janie. College Gymnastics. All-Access Gymnastics: Lerner Sports. Lerner, 01/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. Trade $31.99. 979-8765608579. Paper $9.99. 9798765623428. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.           

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Epic Gymnastics Moments by Margaret J. Goldstein for series review.

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

Torrubiano, Susana. A Different Kind of Fairy. Giulia Orecchia, Illus. Translated from the Spanish by Cecilia Ross. NubeOcho, 05/2024. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-84-19607-90-4. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.      

Rose, the Pink Fairy, has grown tired of granting children’s wishes after thousands of years. Now she delights in scaring children, so much so that she wishes to become an ogre, which the other fairies work together to grant, after which she is even better at scaring the children. Colorful, collage-like digital illustrations depict the children and fairies with a variety of skin tones and colorful clothes. First published in Spain, the US editions (Spanish and English) were simultaneously published with the same illustrations and matching storylines. 

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Torrubiano, Susana. El Hada Rosa. Giula Orecchia, Illus. nubeOcho, 05/2024. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-84-19607-87-4. GRADES Kindergarten–2. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see the review for the English edition: A Different Kind of Fairy by Susana Torrubiano for the full review of this Spanish title, originally published in Spain in 2023.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Goldstein, Margaret J. Epic Gymnastics Moments. All-Access Gymnastics: Lerner Sports. Lerner, 01/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. Trade $31.99. 979-8765608562. Paper $9.99. 979-8765623411. GRADES 2–5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.        

This five-book series is a great introduction to all levels of competitive gymnastics. Each book contains full-color pages that feature photos of athletes, details about the historic development of gymnastics, and fast facts about specific teams and athletes. The volumes also include a glossary, index, and resources for finding more information. The titles feature a diverse collection of athletes from many time periods and nations.

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

Cline-Ransome, Lesa. Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John Lewis. James E. Ransome, Illus. Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman, 01/2024. [48]pp. Biography. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5344-9662-0. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.   

Guided by John Lewis’ own words to “hold only love, only peace in your heart,” this poignant biography conveys the essence of John Lewis’ life by beginning and ending with love, from a childhood surrounded by the love of a large family in segregated Troy, Alabama to prayer surrounded by the love of a movement before the march on Selma. The composition of both the story and illustrations powerfully demonstrate that from a lifetime of witnessing and absorbing injustices, John Lewis found his own path to give only love in return. Inspired dynamic compositions incorporate color, pattern, drawing, and collage leading their own lyrical story. Afterword includes extensive timeline, cited quotations, and an author’s note detailing personal connection to John Lewis. This biography is a notable achievement even for this highly acclaimed husband-and-wife team, and the most distinguished about John Lewis to date. Sure to engage and inspire young readers as they find their own paths through challenging times.

Alexandre Petrakis—San Francisco Public Library

Cooke, Tim. Giant’s Causeway and Other Incredible Natural Wonders. Ultimate Adventure Guides. Lerner, 01/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8765609200. Paper $10.99. 979-8765625071. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.       

This series takes a look at some of the most interesting and unusual natural wonders in the world. This reviewer read two titles: Giant’s Causeway looks at physical phenomena in rocks, coral, deserts, and rainforests; and Baobab examines weird and unusual plant life around the world. Using a combination of color photographs and explanatory text, these titles highlight natural marvels around the world that readers may not have heard of before. Middle-grade readers will find plenty to read, without being encumbered by details.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Cook, Jennifer. Grow Your Colors: Planting and Eating Healthy Foods with Sesame Street. Sesame Street. Lerner, 02/2024. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8765604298. Paper $9.99. 979-8765624555. GRADES Preschool–2. ADDITIONAL.

This Sesame Street-themed title introduces readers to various fruits and vegetables that may be grown in a garden. Readers learn about the basic planting and growing process, while various colored healthy foods are briefly discussed. Color photographs show the gardening process and a diverse cast of kids doing the work, some with adults included. Juxtaposed on opposing pages are many popular Sesame Street characters naming their favorites foods, or discussing some part of the gardening process. An engaging introduction to various healthy foods for young readers.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Compestine, Ying Chang. Growing Up Under a Red Flag: A Memoir of Surviving the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Xinmei Liu, Illus. Rocky Pond, 05/2024. 40pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-0593533987. GRADES 1–4. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

A young girl’s account of how the Cultural Revolution transformed her life. Striking, full-page, Chinese Socialist Realism-style illustrations are packed with detail. Simple language focuses on the specifics that for ten years made up young Ying’s days: battling lice, competing for rations, trading a favorite dress for a Mao uniform, watching her father be dragged away. Ying learns both what to hide and how to fight. The promise of San Francisco runs through the story; a postcard of the Golden Gate Bridge is the one forbidden item the family manages to hide. A readaloud is sure to prompt discussion. Focusing on the family, no mention is made of school, friends, or other children. Back matter includes an author’s note and two photographs. All characters are Chinese. Includes California-specific content. Review based on an ARC.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Saade, Ernesto. Just Another Story: A Graphic Migration Account. Ernesto Saade, Illus. Graphic Universe, 04/2024. 216pp. Graphic. PLB $31.06. 978-1-7284-7413-7. Paper $17.99. 979-87-6562-336-7. GRADES 7–12. OUTSTANDING. 

Nineteen-year-old Carlos and his mother leave El Salvador and go on a frightening journey to the United States. They are led by some helpful “coyotes,” and kidnapped by those seeking ransom, but eventually overcome the odds to find safety in California. Told in flashbacks from Carlos’s perspective to his cousin who is the author of this debut graphic memoir, the story is gripping and realistic, but not sensationalized. Using paneled cartoon artwork with dialogue balloons and short sentences, this will appeal to teens who are English learners or struggling readers, as well as those interested in this subject. The artwork uses full color to depict Carlos’s journey in the past, but just browns and black when Carlos is telling his story to his cousin.

Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool

del Mazo, Margarita. La Gran Mochila de Carlitos. Guridi, Illus. nubeOcho, 05/2024. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $14.99. 978-84-19607-49-2. GRADES Kindergarten–2. ADDITIONAL. 

SERIES REVIEW. Please see the review for the English edition: Charlie’s Great Big Backpack by Margarita del Mazo for the full content review of this Spanish title, originally published in Spain in 2023.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

del Mazo, Margarita. Las Gafas de Carlitos. Guridi, Illus. nubeOcho, 05/2024. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $14.99. 978-84-19253-90-3. GRADES Kindergarten–2. ADDITIONAL.

SERIES REVIEW. Please see the review for the English edition: Charlie’s Eye Glasses by Margarita del Mazo for the full review of this Spanish title, originally published in Spain in 2023.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Le, Vanessa. Last Bloodcarver, The. Roaring Brook, 03/2024. 384pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-2508-8152-6. Paper $12.99. 978-1-2503-6269-8. GRADES 8–12. LOW ADDITIONAL.      

Nhika lives on society’s margins, isolated by prejudice and personal loss. Captured and sold to a wealthy family, she finds herself at the center of a murderous conspiracy. There is much to admire in the author’s imaginative Vietnamese fantasy world and Nhika’s character, while evincing some tired tropes, crackles with intensity. But the overwritten prose bogs down the plot. Virtually every action is explained, giving readers no opportunity for inference or deduction. Words are frequently misused, for example, “vehemency” (a noun) in place of “vehemence” (an adjective). A morally bankrupt plan meant to achieve justice goes tragically wrong, setting up the duology for a dark and dramatic ending. Characters read as varied Asian ethnicities with a range of skin colors.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Yang, Gene Luen. Lunar New Year Love Story. LeUyen Pham, Illus. First Second, 01/2024. 343 [+9]pp. Graphic. Trade $25.99. 978-1-626-72810-3. Paper $17.99. 978-1-250-90826-1. GRADES 8–12. OUTSTANDING.    

Valentina (Val) loves to love Valentine’s Day. But once Val starts high school, St. Valentine becomes a grim reminder of what Val has lost: friends, family, a love life. Ultimately, Val makes a deal with St. Valentine that will take all Val’s pain away. The cost? Love itself. This young adult graphic novel effortlessly utilizes the Lunar New Year holiday preparations and traditions as a portal into the lives of these Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese American characters. Pham’s artistry is evident in the consistency of her color palette that explores different shades of oranges, violets, reds, and pinks, those traditional colors of Valentine’s Day, that are used year-round. The characters present mostly as Asian Americans with some Black and white characters. Set in Oakland, this is a must for California library collections and fans of romance and graphic novels. Includes California-specific content.

Pauline Harris—San Francisco Public Library

Baker, Laura. Monsters at School. Nina Dzyvulska, Illus. Happy Yak, 06/2024. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-7112-8661-0. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.      

In this rhyming story, a variety of monsters enjoy the first day of school: “Fluffy monsters, scruffy monsters, monsters on their way, rucksack monsters, turn-back monsters, off to school today!” The bright, saturated colors of the cartoon artwork are the dominant feature of the book, and appear to be achieved using gouache with black outlines. The monsters wear human clothing and appear in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. The school environment features the usual activities including art, music, lunch, restroom, lessons, and riding the bus. Good for a class visit readaloud, readers are encouraged to look for the orange Dog Monster in every spread. Review based on an ARC.

Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool

Welsh, Clare Helen. Moon Bear. Carolina T. Godina, Illus. Frances Lincoln, 06/2024. [28]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-7112-9101-0. GRADES Preschool–2. ADDITIONAL.       

Containing just two lines of text, this largely wordless picture book shows Ettie at bedtime. At first, they are afraid of the dark, but soon sparkling lights from the moon form a bear that comes through the window to play with Ettie. The gouache and colored pencil paneled artwork depict Ettie as white, with an indeterminate gender. Is the bear real or from Ettie’s imagination? Because of the smaller panels, this will work best one-on-one but not for storytime. Not to be confused with the classic picture book Moonbear (Asch, S&S, 1978). Review based on an ARC.

Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool

Takei, George. My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story. Michelle Lee, Illus. Random House/Crown, 04/2024. [48]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-0-5935-6635-0. GRADES 1–4. HIGH ADDITIONAL.        

Star Trek actor, activist, and author George Takei (They Called Us Enemy, Top Shelf Productions, 2019) shares his experience during the Japanese incarceration period beginning when he was five. His perspective from a child’s eyes makes this history approachable for young readers who will connect with George as he laughs at the armed guards who shout “roar” upon arrival at Camp Rowher, splashes with new friends in a drainage ditch, and is dismayed by the “fake Japanese Santa.” The mixed media illustrations add to the children’s innocence, depicting them with sweet, individually expressive faces. These gentler details balance the harsh realities of camp life, including armed guards and military tanks. One weakness in the storytelling occurs when the author’s parents answer “No” to two government loyalty questions, resulting in the family’s removal to a harsher camp. The text of these questions is distorted and not fully readable due to the illustration and center fold. The extensive back matter does not include the questions, leaving the reader to wonder what they had answered “no” to. Includes California-specific content.

Cindy Gullikson—Joaquin Miller School / Oakland Unified School District

Anganuzzi, Clara. Ocean Gardener, The. Clara Anganuzzi, Illus. Tiger Tales, 02/2024.
[32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-6643-0027-9. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH
ADDITIONAL.

Amidst the vibrant reefs of the Seychelle Islands, Ayla and her mother develop both a sense of place and a sense of urgency when that place is threatened. Alarmed at the sudden bleaching of their familiar thriving coral reef, together they take action to bring it back to life. Full-bleed sweeping watercolor illustrations portray the thriving ocean ecosystem followed by its swift deterioration due to rising ocean temperatures. The dedicated mother and daughter, both brown-skinned, learn to create coral nurseries to help restore the reefs, based on the work of marine biologist Chloé Pozas detailed in the afterword. ​Ayla shows young readers how creativity and commitment can create hope and change.

Alexandre Petrakis—San Francisco Public Library

Safina, Carl. Owls in Our Yard: The Story of Alfie. Norton, 06/2024. 48pp. Nonfiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-3240-5319-4. GRADES Kindergarten–5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.    

A half-dead owlet is adopted by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, who is also an award-winning nature writer. Dozens of outstanding photographs and daily proximity give readers an astonishingly intimate glimpse into the growth, rewilding, courtship, and parenting of an eastern screech owl. Alfie’s massive aqua eyes and whisper-soft tawny plumage captivate, as Safina shares fascinating details, backed up by explanatory drawings. Readers will be on the edge of their seats as Alfie’s chicks fledge and face a brutal big world. Some philosophical musings on how the human slowdown during COVID allowed us to become more aware of the natural world seem out of place. Back matter includes an author’s note encouraging readers to know the number of their local wildlife rehabilitator. No other resources are appended. Safina is white. Review based on an ARC.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Sobel, Syl. Presidential Elections and Other Cool Facts: Understanding How Our Country Picks Its President: Updated Edition. Sourcebooks Explore, 06/2024. 48pp. Nonfiction. Trade $16.99. 978-1-4642-2329-7. Paper $9.99. 978-1-7282-9444-5. GRADES 4–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL.          

This useful updated edition of the 2016 version will help tween readers as the 2024 presidential election approaches, by offering clarity on the election process, including facts on the Electoral College, campaigning, and the history of the US presidency. Updates include information on Biden and Trump. The text is clear and straightforward, making this useful for a wide age range and for struggling readers. Uncredited blue ink sketches illustrate almost every page of the book, and include a map, sidebars, and other page decorations that break up the text. The book ends with an index, glossary, and updated list of related books and websites. Review based on an ARC.

Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool

Sanchez Vegara, Maria Isabel. Rafa Nadal. Rocio Ledesma, Illus. Little People, Big Dreams. Frances Lincoln, 06/2024. [32]pp. Biography. Trade $15.99. 978-0-7112-9861-3. GRADES 1–3. ADDITIONAL.           

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Taylor Swift by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara for series review.

Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool

Min, Cat. Shadow & the Ghost, The. Cat Min, Illustrator. Levine Querido, 04/2024. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-64614-368-9. GRADES Kindergarten–1. ADDITIONAL.

Shinbi, a lonely ghost, spends her nights gazing at the stars and talking with the constellations, while wishing for a friend. Greem, a shadow, spends his days feeling alone, while also hoping for a friend. An unlikely friendship starts when they realize someone else is nearby, though not visible. As they find a way to communicate with each other (between daytime and nighttime), their friendship blossoms. They manage to play games and then find a way to actually meet. Sketches, watercolors, and colored pencil illustrations show readers how different day and night are, and then how shooting stars can make night seem like daytime. This gentle title presents an unusual way to develop good friendships.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Sanchez Vegara, Maria Isabel. Simone Biles. Nadia Fisher, Illus. Little People, Big Dreams. Frances Lincoln, 06/2024. [32]pp. Biography. Trade $15.99. 978-0-7112-8579-8. GRADES 1–3. ADDITIONAL.           

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Taylor Swift by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara for series review.

Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool

Remenar, Kristen. Squirrel Needs a Break. Matt Faulkner, Illustrator. Charlesbridge, 02/2024. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-6235-4370-9. GRADES Preschool–1. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Squirrel stomps past Groundhog and the rest of their forest animal pals, telling them that six extra weeks in the nest “drove us all nuts.” His friends Bear, Hare, Owl, and Groundhog band together to offer single dad Squirrel a day off. Each of them takes his kits for a while, while another does something relaxing with Squirrel (breakfast out, a spa outing, yoga, and a baseball game). Of course the kits are a handful, wearing out each of the animals in turn, until they are all together as a family of friends. The digital illustrations portray the difficulties of being a single parent, and the importance of friends stepping in to offer help and support. Young readers will find the mix of animal and human attributes engaging and funny.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Sanchez Vegara, Maria Isabel. Stan Lee. Ana Albero, Illus. Little People, Big Dreams. Frances Lincoln, 07/2024. [32]pp. Biography. Trade $15.99. 978-0-7112-9210-9. GRADES 1–3. ADDITIONAL.         

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Taylor Swift by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara for series review.

Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool

Sonnenblick, Jordan. Stepping Off. Scholastic, 06/2024. 336pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-339-02317-5. GRADES 7–10. OUTSTANDING.     

As sixteen-year-old Jesse’s reality becomes increasingly fraught, the escapist draw of his favorite place—the lake community in Pennsylvania—becomes ever more powerful. There he can avoid magnet-school pressures and his parents’ failing marriage, but also hang out with his female best friends, who double as crushes. When COVID exacerbates isolation, it becomes clear escapism isn’t working. It seems like everything is falling apart and Jesse must confront and communicate. A realistically flawed, appealing, and humorous exemplar of awkward heartbreak, Jesse negotiates both serious and ordinary adolescent concerns. Music, summer jobs, and a rich cast of multigenerational characters add interest. Main characters are white and Jewish. Review based on an ARC.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

McDonald, Megan. Stink and Webster Go to Mars. Erwin Madrid, Illus. Judy Moody and Friends; bk. 15. Candlewick, 03/2024. 60pp. Reader. Trade $14.99. 978-1-5362-2869-4. Paper $6.99. 978-1-53622-913-4. GRADES 1–3. ADDITIONAL.       

Stink and his best friend Webster have their first sleepover at Stink’s house, where they pretend to fly a rocket to Mars and explore the planet. Told in three chapters, the text uses full pages of text set down in paragraphs, paired with full-color illustrations that look like airbrushed television animation cells. The book design is similar to Kate DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson series (Candlewick, 2005), which is popular with children moving up from beginning readers but who are not quite ready yet for transitional chapter books. The story gracefully weaves in facts about Mars, has humor, and includes Judy Moody, Stink’s older sister who is featured in her own book series. Although Stink and his family are white, his best friend Webster Gomez is Latinx, with brown skin and black hair. A solid entry in a series that doesn’t break new ground but is entertaining.

Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool

Sanchez Vegara, Maria Isabel. Taylor Swift. Borghild Fallberg, Illus. Little People, Big Dreams. Frances Lincoln, 06/2024. [32]pp. Biography. Trade $15.99. 978-0-7112-9509-4. GRADES 1–3. ADDITIONAL.        

In this series of picture book biographies, the format is similar to that of a fictional picture book. The story is told using paragraphs set onto each full-spread illustration (which resembles watercolor). The text is also similar to that of a picture book story: “On a farm in Pennsylvania, surrounded by Christmas trees, lived a girl named Taylor.” Half of the text focuses on the subjects’ youth, the other half on their achievements as adults, which makes sense since most of them are fairly young. Containing just one short paragraph per page, this will be enjoyed both as a readaloud and as a book younger school-age children can read on their own. Each book ends with b&w photos of the subject and a timeline pointing out significant achievements. Although this series isn’t groundbreaking, it will fill a need for books on popular culture and includes ethnically diverse people as subjects and in the illustrations. Review based on an ARC.

Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool

Huang, Ya-Ling. This Is the Way in Dog Town. Ya-Ling Huang, Illus. Frances Lincoln, 06/2024. [28]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-7112-9533-9. GRADES Baby/Toddler–Kindergarten. HIGH ADDITIONAL.        

Originally published in the UK in 1988, this engaging picture book is a variation of the song “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush.” The setting is a town filled with various breeds of dogs, living in houses, and going through their day getting ready for school and work, performing daily activities, and finally getting ready for bed. The detailed cartoon artwork uses watercolor, gouache, pencil, and collage to depict dogs wearing human clothing as they go about town. Although the rhyming chant can be a little awkward at times, the repetition and chanted actions, such as “brush, brush, brush,” make this a great choice for storytime. Review based on an ARC.

Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool

Sanchez Vegara, Maria Isabel. Usain Bolt. Karen Crosbie, Illus. Little People, Big Dreams. Frances Lincoln, 06/24. [32]pp. Biography. Trade $15.99. 978-0-7112-9198-0. GRADES 1–3. ADDITIONAL.           

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Taylor Swift by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara for series review.

Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool

Anderson, Ferin Davis. Wildfire: The Culture, Science, and Future of Fire. Addl. Creator Stephanie Sammartino McPherson. Twenty-First Century, 04/2024. 144pp. Nonfiction. PLB $38.65. 978-1-7284-2400-2. GRADES 7–12. HIGH ADDITIONAL.          

Catastrophic fires grab the headlines, but the villainization of fire ignores indigenous and scientific knowledge of its ecologic importance. Eight chapters of background information and current best practices help students understand how citizens and governments can address increasingly destructive wildfires. Text is broken up by photographs, maps, boldfaced headers, highlighted snippets, and full-page asides on various topics, including biographies and cultural beliefs. While many of the anecdotes feature California, there is information on other parts of the world including Australia, Africa, and South America. Climate change is a recurring theme, and in-depth coverage of historic and current Native peoples’ practice is centered. Particularly welcome is the refreshing acknowledgement of scientific disagreements. Back matter includes timeline, glossary, source notes, an extensive selected bibliography, multimedia online resources, index, and photo acknowledgement. Includes California-specific content.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired