Atinuke. 100 Goats and Granny! Lauren Hinds, Illus. Candlewick, 05/2026. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-3876-1. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.     

In this exuberant story that uses rhythm and rhyme, Granny has one hundred goats until one goes missing. Although this isn’t a traditional counting book, it will encourage readers to count by tens and look closely at the illustrations to verify how many goats are shown. Like most of Atinuke’s stories, such as the Anna Hibiscus series, this is set in contemporary Africa in a small town where it is not uncommon to see cars, farm animals, and people on the same street. The full-color folk-art style gouache illustrations depict a large Black family and Black community with charm and humor.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Fajardo, Sara Andrea. Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa: Join the Quest with Peru’s Famed Scientist and Potato Expert. Juana Martinez-Neal, Illus. Roaring Brook, 03/2025. [40]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-2508-3861-2. GRADES Preschool–2. OUTSTANDING.     

Potatoes, if you didn’t know, originated high in the Andes Mountains. Today, potatoes are a staple food for over a billion people worldwide, and with climate change and a population that will reach nine billion by 2050, scientists like Alberto Salas are needed more than ever. Specializing in the potato plants of his native Peru, Alberto Salas searches for the ever-elusive Papa de Zorro—potato crop wild relatives—in order to study and figure out how to make potatoes heartier in every way possible. The plants are tiny, and Alberto has made a game of finding them, playing “hide and seek,” or “paka paka” in Spanish and Quechua. Author Fajardo uses lyrical, descriptive language, the Quechua words Alberto learned growing up in the Andes sprinkled throughout the story. The playful, flowing, and beautifully artistic illustrations by Martinez-Neal accentuate the color variety found in potatoes. The back matter and author notes are exceptional, fleshing out the scope and importance of this particular story to the world at large. An excellent biography about a man on a quest for sustainable potatoes. Winner of the Sibert Informational Book Award.

Pauline Harris—San Francisco Public Library

Pinkney, Andrea Davis. And She Was Loved: Toni Morrison’s Life in Stories. Daniel Minter, Illus. Hachette /Little Brown, 01/2025. 48pp. Biography. Trade $18.99. 978-0-3161-8236-2. GRADES Kindergarten–Adult. OUTSTANDING.    

This extraordinary poetic tribute to Morrison is perhaps destined to be more beloved by librarians than students but still offers a good amount of biographical detail in a picture book that reads like a love poem, as in this description of Morrison the editor: “You, Toni Morrison, first-of-the-first brown-skinned bosses, bringing color to an all-white literary landscape. Always reaching for the Black brass ring. Mining ebony gold.” Minter’s illustrations are acrylic paints over a watercolor wash that were then digitally edited and composed. Many feature elements that move throughout the book, such as white lines and flowers or specific hues that the artist feels represent Morrison and her work. The extensive back material includes notes by the author and illustrator, a timeline of Morrison’s life, selected works, and sources including articles, books, film, interviews. and websites. Review based on an ARC.

Rachael Reiley—Independent

Jones, Keenan. Angie Thomas: Hip-Hop Author and Voice of Change. Gateway Biographies. Lerner, 01/2025. 48pp. Biography. Trade $33.32. 979-8-7656-4914-5. Paper $11.99. 979-8-7656-6177-2. GRADES 4–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL.      

SERIES REVIEW: These biographies provide up-to-date details on authors, artists, and other newsmakers who are currently of interest to students. They provide background on the artist, in this case Angie Thomas and Taylor Swift, and additional information about how they began their careers as well as their business dealings and connections to larger movements and the impact they have on current culture. Full-color photos appear throughout. Text boxes highlight selected topics in greater detail, and the chapter headings and index help to find specific information. A timeline of important dates, source notes, and a bibliography are included. The Taylor Swift book may include information easily found elsewhere, but the book on Angie Thomas appears to be the only biography available.

Rachael Reiley—Independent

Fang, X. Broken. X. Fang, Illus. Tundra, 10/2025. 48pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-774-88200-9. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.

Every patch and every repair tells a story, and every page of heartfelt illustrations perfectly portrays this tender, laugh-out-loud story of the path to honesty and understanding. With satisfying theatrical drama and kid-centered humor, Mei-Mei struggles to face staggering guilt after breaking Ama’s treasured cup; terrified of Ama’s possible reactions, Mei-Mei lets Mimi the cat take the blame. The cinematic perspectives of approaching Ama, the disapproving cat, and the retreat to the closet all provide a comedic outlet for a commonly shared childhood experience. Fang’s digitally mastered pencil artwork provides warmth and comfort through earthy colors, shaded strokes, and rounded images. Despite the anxiety-filled events, Mei Mei’s experience is ultimately a reassuring tale of how life’s little and big repairs are always eased with love.

Alexandre Petrakis—San Francisco Public Library

McClaren, Meredith. Crumble. Andrea Bell, Illus. Little, Brown/Algonquin, 02/2025. 187 [+21]pp. Graphic. Trade $24.99. 978-1-5235-3068-7. Paper $12.99. 978-1-64375-316-4. GRADES 3–7. ADDITIONAL.

At Om Nom, a family-owned bakery, Emily magically bakes feelings of support into desserts for her friends. When her mentor and guardian, Aunt Gina, dies suddenly, Emily is bereft and learns the hard way that emotional healing takes time. This true-to-life portrait of dealing with loss fills a niche for young readers wondering how to navigate their own grief. Illustrations are bold and expressive, though the consistent, cheerful color palette does not align with the plot twists or the delicate storyline, and several illustrations are extraneous. The multiracial cast of characters and the diverse family structures reflect modern families. Baking recipes throughout, including the author and illustrator’s favorites in the endnotes, are a nice touch. 

Stacey Miller—South San Francisco Public Library

Alary, Laura. Curious Life of Cecilia Payne: Discovering the Stuff of Stars, The. Yas Imamura, Illus. Incredible Lives for Young Readers. Eerdmans, 01/2026. [56]pp. Biography. Trade $19.99. 978-0-8028-5515-2. GRADES 3–5. OUTSTANDING.         

Born in England in 1900, Cecilia Payne made her first scientific discovery at the age of eight. Her passionate curiosity helped her see beyond the expected. That talent, combined with her bold decision to move from a male-dominated Cambridge to Harvard’s more female-friendly astronomy program, enabled her to capitalize on other women’s research and answer a seemingly impossible question: What are stars made of? Richly colored and patterned gouache and watercolor illustrations complement the detail-filled, yet straightforward, account of Cecilia’s life and research. An inspiring readaloud to introduce any scientific study, or to encourage perseverance, accuracy, and self-confidence. Deeply informative back matter includes an encouraging author’s note, biographical and scientific timelines, historical context, Cecelia’s honors and awards, further reading, and a selected bibliography. Cecilia is white. Review based on an ARC.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Marianayagam, Maria. Curry Means More. Geeta Ladi, Illus. Astra Books for Young Readers, 10/2025. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-6626-2029-4. GRADES Kindergarten–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Shirin loves curry but has a hard time explaining to her friend Charlotte what curry is, launching a delightful afternoon when Shirin, Charlotte, and Shirin’s mother (or Amma) explore all the different ingredients and methods of making curry. Simple ingredients like fenugreek, mustard seeds, garlic, ginger, and onion are all given lush metaphors. Shirin is a curious and thoughtful protagonist and by framing the story through the explanation of curry to her friend, young readers will be naturally drawn into the meditative descriptions. In addition to Shirin and Amma, there are numerous depictions of brown-skinned characters that emphasize the importance of curry not only to Shirin but also her friends, family, and community. The author’s descriptions of each food item are both poetic and mouth-watering, as are the artist’s vibrant illustrations with colored pencil. The back matter includes spice information and a curry recipe. While some of the descriptions can be almost too figurative for young readers, the final pages emphasize Shirin’s own interpretation of her mother’s curry recipe and the wonderful ways traditions can be both cherished and reinvented.

Cherie Buenaflor Cheung—Pleasanton Public Library

Ho, Joanna. Day the Books Disappeared, The. Dan Santat, Illus. Addl. Creator Caroline Kusin Pritchard. Disney-Hyperion, 07/2025. 40pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-368-11065-5. GRADES Kindergarten–3. OUTSTANDING.

A lighthearted yet timely tale conveys how the freedom to choose what we read enriches all of our lives. As Arnold’s passion for books about flight shifts into wishes for his friends’ less interesting books to disappear, they do! It is only when he relates to their unique passions and their ability to read about them, that the books reappear. Arnold’s journey helps young readers build their own concepts of compassion by emphasizing connection, even for ideas that may feel uncomfortable at first (Tomatoes? “Yuck!” Ostriches? “Fly away!”). Vibrant, spirited ink illustrations by Dan Santat connect us to a diverse classroom of students in their full range of emotions–-joy, horror, relief and finally belonging. A simple letter from the creators asks us to share the books that “help us really see and know one another,” and successfully present a subject seemingly complex as readily understandable by all.

Alexandre Petrakis—San Francisco Public Library

La Sala, Ryan. Dead of Summer, The. Scholastic/Push, 09/2025. 400pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-15461-2587-7. GRADES 7–Adult. OUTSTANDING.

Even folks who don’t like horror can enjoy this roller coaster of a speculative disaster novel with a strong queer focus. The audio version is especially enjoyable, as it is a full cast recording with lots of background noises and sound effects, coming across more like a radio play than a traditional audiobook. Ollie and his mom return to their home on an island not unlike Provincetown (think drag queen brunches and bachelorette parties) only to be confronted by a fast-moving infection that destroys everyone it touches. La Sala is a great storyteller with masterful timing, believable dialogue, lots of humor, a clearly queer sensibility, and writing with all sorts of plot twists. Review based on an ARC.

Rachael Reiley—Independent

Blackburne, Livia. Dreams to Ashes: The 1871 Los Angeles Chinatown Massacre. Nicole Xu, Illus. Lerner/Carolrhoda, 03/2025. [40]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 979-8-7656-2722-8. GRADES 3–6. HIGH ADDITIONAL.         

This informational picture book explores the Los Angeles Chinatown massacre that took place in October of 1871, explaining how Chinese nationals travelled to California during the gold rush of the 1840s only to face dehumanizing prejudice and physical violence culminating in passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882. In Los Angeles, violence between community rivals led to a gunfight during which a police officer was shot and a rancher who intervened was killed. A mob then surrounded the buildings where the gunfight took place and attacked the residents, ultimately killing eighteen Chinese men (ten percent of L.A.’s Chinese population at the time) and destroying homes and shops. This horrible attack then faded from history. In 2021 as anti-Asian post-Covid hate crimes were increasing, the city of L.A. began planning a memorial to commemorate the attack. This beautifully illustrated book closes by reminding us that remembering our difficult shared history helps insure that we can keep it from repeating. Includes a historical note and bibliography. Includes California-specific content.

Rachael Reiley—Independent

Moss, Marissa. Ellis Island Passover. Marissa Moss, Illus. Creston, 01/2025. 32pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-1-9543-5432-6. GRADES Kindergarten–3. ADDITIONAL.         

In this pen-and-ink picture book, Marissa Moss gives us a Passover tale in which the central story is not the usual one of the Jewish exodus from bondage in Egypt but instead is the solo migration of a nine-year-old boy from Russia to America. When Ezra arrives at Ellis Island, his older brother cannot be found to retrieve him. During a week on Ellis Island, Ezra serves meals to the other immigrants to pass the time. On his final night, he helps to create a seder for the first night of Passover for the twenty-nine Jews still on the island. This is a solid addition to any children’s library with its themes of migration, community, and family while also illuminating aspects of the Passover holiday. Characters appear to be white with light skin and straight hair. A two-page author’s note about the basis of the story in her own great uncle’s life is included.

Rachael Reiley—Independent

Masumoto, David Mas. Every Peach Is a Story. Lauren Tamaki, Illus. Addl. Creator Nikiko Masumoto. Abrams, 03/2025. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-9494-8029-0. GRADES Preschool–4. OUTSTANDING.

Tamaki’s bright, simple brushstroke illustrations are the perfect backdrop for the quiet, deep text, which brings the reader into young Midori’s world exploring her family’s peach orchards. Accompanied by her beloved Jiichan and other family, Midori learns that every peach, like every person, is a story which needs time to ripen. As seasons pass, Midori explores the way the peach changes to a variety of senses—”It glows…like summer!…It smells so sweet, and it smells like the rich soil, too.” The Masumotos weave Midori’s family history into the seasons, showing scenes of immigration, of the Japanese American Incarceration, and of establishing the family farm and putting down strong roots in the community. The book’s beauty rests not only in the vivid illustrations of Midori’s exploration of a peach ripening, but also in its expression of the passage of time, loss, and growth across the seasons. Recipient of an Asian/Pacific American Picture Book Honor.

Lesley Mandros Bell—Independent

Weatherford, Carole Boston. Family Feast! Frank Morrison, Illus. Crown, 09/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-5938-9829-1. GRADES Preschool–2. OUTSTANDING.   

With jubilant oil paintings, past Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner Morrison depicts an extended Black family preparing for a meal together during an unspecified holiday. Text follows the family from the predawn preparation hours through the arc of the day, concluding at the departure of guests into the night. The catchy refrain reinforces the message of family bonds and enjoying time together, while the joyful day celebrates delight in gathering and multigenerational activities. Vivid illustrations and brief text lend themselves to storytime usage.

Beth Gousman—Montclair Elementary School / Oakland Unified School District

Clayton, Annette M. Fireless Dragon, The. Paula Zamudio, Illus. Lerner Stories: Magical Protection Agency. Lerner, 01/2026. 69pp. Fiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8-7656-6279-3. Paper $11.99. 979-8-7656-6284-7. GRADES 2–3. ADDITIONAL.

Luisa and Leo are happy to suddenly receive a mission for the Magical Protection Agency. Upon being summoned, they use a magical door to travel to Moonstone (a magical land), where they set out to solve the mystery of dragons having lost their fire. A fast-paced journey takes them through several challenges, before they solve the problem and save the day. This early chapter book features b&w illustrations that accompany the brief, quick-paced story with characters of Puerto Rican descent. Reads as simpler than Magic Tree House titles, and similar to Rainbow Magic books, with limited descriptions and a feel-good adventure.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Hardinge, Frances. Forest of a Thousand Eyes, The. Emily Gravett, Illus. Abrams/Amulet, 08/2025. 120pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-4197-7778-3. GRADES 4–6. HIGH ADDITIONAL.       

Set in a dystopian world where the plant kingdom has evolved to become almost predatory, a young girl named Feather risks venturing through the Forest to find the mysterious Stranger who has stolen her people’s most prized possession. With a strong, likeable heroine and a fast-paced sequence of events, Hardinge delivers a rather straightforward adventure tale that fantasy readers should especially enjoy. Gravett’s understated pencil-and-watercolor illustrations, all in tones of green and grey, provide much-needed visualizations of this unique world and greatly enhance the mood of the story–-her decision to weave a never-ending vine around the margins of every page is especially impactful. Paired together, Hardinge’s text and Gravett’s illustration subtly invite the reader to think more deeply about community, nature, and man’s place in the world. Although there is no mention of race, most characters are depicted as light-skinned. Note: this book was originally published in the UK in 2024.

Jennifer Taylor—Palo Alto City Library

Levy, Debbie. Friendship Train, The: A True Story of Helping and Healing after World War II. Boris Kulikov, Illus. Bloomsbury, 06/2025. [48]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $20.99. 978-1-5476-0802-7. GRADES 1–4. ADDITIONAL.

During eleven days in autumn 1947, Americans gathered 500 boxcars worth of food for struggling Europeans, with France returning the favor eighteen months later. The Friendship Train is an inspiring story of child empowerment towards a common goal with a message about cooperation and generosity. Kulikov’s pencil, black tea, and gouache illustrations feel dated and depict racially diverse groups of people. In challenging times, it can be useful to hear about helpers. This nonfiction picture book could be used as part of a lesson on gratitude. 

Beth Gousman—Montclair Elementary School / Oakland Unified School District

Harris, Quartez. Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer. Gordon C. James, Illus. Hachette/Little, Brown, 01/2025. [40]pp. Biography. Trade $18.99. 978-0-3164-8393-3. GRADES Kindergarten–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.   

This biography of James Baldwin features outstanding artwork by Gordon C. James, who also illustrated Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (Derrick Barnes, Bolden, 2017). The writing is lyrical and the facts seem solid, but the book suffers from being unsure how sophisticated the intended audience is. The book focuses on Baldwin’s conflict as a reader and writer of secular literature and his stepfather’s push to read only the Bible and other religious works. The complexities of Baldwin’s struggle get lost inside some of the lyrical prose of the book. Younger readers may have trouble interpreting facts that are alluded to rather than spelled out, such as Baldwin’s sexuality, which is made clear in the notes but within the text we only see “his boundless love toward his new friends would be met with shame”—a sentence that will go over the heads of grade school children. Most characters are Black. Back matter includes sources, additional information on Baldwin, and notes from the author and illustrator. Recipient of a Sibert Informational Book Honor. Review based on an ARC.

Rachael Reiley—Independent

Lamb-Cason, Wunneanatsu. Grandmother Moon. Trisha B. Waters, Illus. Beaming, 8/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-1-5064-8703-8. GRADES Kindergarten–3. ADDITIONAL.

Nohhum (Grandmother) tells stories from her childhood as she and her granddaughter drive to the reservation for the weekend. The child hears tales of her long-ago relatives, including about Grandmother Moon, who is always there, guiding everyone. Written by a storyteller of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, Wunneanatsu’s back matter explains that this Indigenous people’s tale is based on her grandmother’s story and the Algonquian of northwestern Connecticut.  Acrylic-like illustrations show off various aspects of the moon, including a moon with a large face, while portraying the somber, yet joyful tale being passed down to the main character–-and all readers. A gentle tale that informs readers of one Indigenous people’s thoughts on the moon.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Preble, Joy. Happy Passover, Edie Rose. Valeria Cis, Illus. Kar-Ben, 01/2025. 32pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 979-8-7656-2994-9. GRADES Kindergarten–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.         

Every year, Edie Rose in Apt 701 prepares a Passover for everyone in the building. When people ask what to bring, Edie says “just you.” Her young neighbor Mia loves the four questions and calling out the plagues, searching for Afikomen, and learning the story of leaving Egypt for freedom. “If anyone can find her way through the desert to freedom, it is Edie Rose, who walks her dog… for miles by the lake” and has travelled on every continent “even Antarctica.” Edie encourages Mia to seek adventures as well. When Edie has a fall right before Passover, Mia realizes that she can rally the building to make the seder happen. The book includes bright, full- page illustrations by Argentinian artist Valeria Cis. The artwork is notable for showing the age lines on Edie’s face. Edie and Mia are light-skinned; other neighbors in the building are drawn with a variety of skin tones.

Rachael Reiley—Independent

Smith, Nikkolas. History of We, The. Nikkolas Smith, Illus. Penguin Random House /Kokila, 05/2025. [40]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $18.99. 978-0-5936-1968-1. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.

With stunning acrylic paintings, author/illustrator Nikkolas Smith’s nonfiction picture book A History of We takes us on a sweeping journey through our shared beginnings and key developments of civilization from throughout ancient Africa. Along the journey, he celebrates the birth of language, art, music, and dance, as well as science, architecture, medicine, and astronomy. His work is fleshed out in the back matter, with an author’s note, timeline, and research notes about each spread. Cultures beyond Africa are included in the final pages where Smith writes: “one group became many. Became extended cousins…Became the first global population…Became We.” Recipient of a Sibert Informational Book Honor.

Rachael Reiley—Independent

Capetta, A.R. Hocus and Pocus and the Dragon Next Door. Charlene Chua, Illus. Hocus and Pocus. Candlewick, 03/2025. 96pp. Fiction. Trade $16.99. 978-1-5362-2493-1. Paper $5.99. 978-1-5362-4269-0. GRADES 1–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.  

This second book in a lighthearted early reader series features two magical rescue dogs and the witch who adopts them. Along with intentional use of varied pronouns for the human characters, this book portrays a wide range of skin tones and colors as well as hair types. Themes explored include anxiety, fears around meeting new friends, and ways to support friends. The Hocus and Pocus series is a fun addition for emerging readers/stepping up early chapter book collections.

Rachael Reiley—Independent

Kuo, Julia. Home Is a Wish. Julia Kuo, Illus. Roaring Brook, 02/2025. 32pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-2508-8132-8. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.     

A young Asian child navigates moving to a new place with their family and learning to accept it as their home. This book has a breathtaking color palette that shifts from pastel oranges, yellows, and pinks to moody blues. These color changes reflect the young child’s emotional journey as they find comfort in their new neighborhood. The illustrations are dreamlike but are grounded in the concept of embracing life’s transitions. The repetition of words and phrases shows that each home has the same elements that gradually become familiar to the child. This book features an Asian family composed of a young child, their mother (mama), and their grandmother (amah). Mama and Amah affectionately call the young child Bao Bei, a Chinese nickname. The digital graphic-style artwork uses flat imagery with shadows and textures. The young child finds new friends, tries new snacks, and meets new people in the neighborhood. This story highlights how accepting change can be positive and worthwhile, even amid initial apprehension.

Kazuko Rance—Contra Costa County Public Library

Marino, Max. Hoop Dreams. Roman Diaz, Illus. Addl. Creator Elliott Smith. Lerner Sports Stories. Lerner, 01/2026. 70pp. Fiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8-7656-6056-0. Paper $11.99. 979-8-7656-6060-7. GRADES 2–3. ADDITIONAL.      

SERIES REVIEW: These two Lerner Sports Stories titles introduce readers to girls who play a sport that they have been told is only for boys. Iced Out focuses on Xio, who moves to a new school, encounters a group of boys who make fun of her for saying that she plays hockey, encourages a few other girls to try out for the junior hockey team, and shows the boys that girls can be good at hockey. Hoop Dreams follows Beatriz as she decides to try basketball instead of soccer, which her older brother says she can’t be any good at, and she manages to impress her brother with her effort and determination as her team does well. Each of these short, transitional chapter books includes some b&w illustrations, fast-paced storylines, BIPOC characters, strong female protagonists, and encouraging classmates and teammates. All read as being in primary grades, but without a clear grade, age, or specific ethnicity.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Miyares, Daniel. How to Say Goodbye in Cuban. Daniel Miyares, Illus. Peguin Random House/Schwartz, 09/2025. 233pp. Graphic. Trade $21.99. 978-0-5935-6829-3. Paper $13.99. 978-0-593-56830-9. GRADES 4–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Carlos is twelve years old as the Cuban Revolution is beginning, but he has other worries, like his family’s move from the Cuban countryside to the city and his father’s emotional distance. As the Revolution increases in intensity, Carlos has big questions about what the adults around him are doing. The ink and watercolor illustrations, punctuated with black and white pages about the Revolution, suit the seriousness of the narrative. Carlos and his family are drawn with tan skin, and other characters have various skin tones. An author’s note explains that the story is based on Miyares’ father’s life and provides personalized context for the book, along with photos of the real-life Carlos and his family. This is a timely graphic novel about navigating traumatic events that both children and adults can learn from.

Lillian Whithaus—Oakland Public Library

Marino, Max. Iced Out. Roman Diaz, Illus. Addl. Creator Mari Bolte. Lerner Sports Stories. Lerner, 01/2026. 70pp. Fiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8-7656-6057-7. Paper $11.99. 979-8-7656-6061-4. GRADES 2–3. ADDITIONAL.        

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Hoop Dreams by Max Marino for series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Barnes, Derrick. Incredibly Human Henson Blayze, The. Viking, 09/2025. 254 [+7]pp. Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-9848-3675-5. GRADES 7–10. HIGH ADDITIONAL.           

Thirteen-year-old Henson Blayze is a football star in a small Mississippi town that has never had a football star like him before. The implications of what the townspeople expect from a Black star athlete extend far beyond the football field as stories from the town’s past are woven into Henson’s narrative. Barnes occasionally comes close to didacticism, but the lessons that both Henson and the reader are reminded about matter. The author’s note at the beginning of the story sets the tone for the book. Characters in the story are white, Black, and Choctaw. Barnes’s combination of folktale and realistic fiction create a novel that will keep readers thinking after the book is finished. Recipient of a Coretta Scott King Author Honor.

Alli Angell—Benicia Public Library

Clayton, Annette M. JoJo and the Bake Sale. Carolina Vazquez, Illus. Lerner Stories: JoJo. Lerner, 08/2025. 39pp. Fiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8-7656-2835-5. Paper $9.99. 979-8-7656-2839-3. GRADES 2–3. ADDITIONAL.        

SERIES REVIEW: Four early chapter books depict JoJo and her trio of friends discovering what being good, helpful, and kind friends should be like. Each story is similarly structured, with something interesting and fun happening, things beginning to go wrong, and then JoJo realizing and doing something that sets things right. Examples include: she tries to make better cupcakes on her own, but having fun baking with her friends would have had better results; learning responsibility with a puppy in a room not cleaned up (with paint and glitter out); letting a friend who practiced for the talent show take the lead after JoJo was distracted by making props with glitter; or the best lesson seemed to be noticing that a friend was feeling excluded, figuring out why, and helping her out. Color digital illustrations spread throughout the titles provide welcome details to the quick-paced, short stories. The four girls are each drawn differently, with various skin tones, hair, and facial features, making for a diverse group of girls and classmates. The author is listed as being like JoJo, Puerto Rican and with hearing differences, though the text does not talk about ethnic backgrounds, but does focus on the hearing aid in Fashion Show.  Enjoyable stories for readers looking for a touch of trouble mixed with great friends and good endings.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Clayton, Annette M. JoJo and the Fashion Show. Carolina Vazquez, Illus. Lerner Stories: JoJo. Lerner, 08/2025. 39pp. Fiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8-7656-2833-1. Paper $11.99. 979-8-7656-2837-9. GRADES 2–3. ADDITIONAL.        

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: JoJo and the Bake Sale by Annette M. Clayton for series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Clayton, Annette M. JoJo and the Glitter Girls. Carolina Vazquez, Illus. Lerner Stories: JoJo. Lerner, 08/2025. 39pp. Fiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8-7656-2836-2. Paper $9.99. 979-8-7656-2840-9. GRADES 2–3. ADDITIONAL.        

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: JoJo and the Bake Sale by Annette M. Clayton for series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Clayton, Annette M. JoJo and the Puppy. Carolina Vazquez, Illus. Lerner Stories: JoJo. Lerner, 08/2025. 39pp. Fiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8-7656-2834-8. Paper $9.99. 979-8-7656-2838-6. GRADES 2–3. ADDITIONAL.        

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: JoJo and the Bake Sale by Annette M. Clayton for series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Smith, Cynthia Leitich, ed. Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories. Addl. Creators Kate Hart, Eric Gansworth, et al. HarperCollins/Heartdrum, 08/2025. 336pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-0633-1426-9. GRADES 9–12. OUTSTANDING.

In this collaborative work of magical realism, seventeen Native American authors each contribute a story about a young person experiencing a visit to Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In, a mystical place created by Elders for Native Americans seeking guidance or connection. Each story is unique and each author remains true to his or her own voice, so each piece can be read individually and stand on its own merits. When read together, however, the stories create a cohesive and satisfying whole. The authors work well in establishing a firm sense of place and purpose, and editor Cynthia Leitich Smith (who also contributed to the collection) creates an engaging sense of world-building in her arrangement of their stories. Back matter includes a note from the editor, a glossary, and authors’ notes and acknowledgements. Winner of the American Indian Youth Literature Award for Best Young Adult Book.

Jennifer Taylor—Palo Alto City Library

Smith, Cynthia Leitich, ed. Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories. HarperCollins/Heartdrum, 08/2025. 310 [+26]pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-331426-9. GRADES 8–Adult. OUTSTANDING.           

Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In is a space suspended in time, fluid in location, only consistent in providing resource, refuge, or revelry to Indigenous teens who need or want to find it. Leitich Smith has curated a series of independent yet beautifully interwoven short stories and poems about an imaginary hangout providing NDN food and advice from community elders, (“legendary grandparent name tags abound”) where Indigenous communities intersect, and visitors can find anything from comfort over the loss of a departed family member to the courage to perform in public. The stories and poems in the book are not only well-written and compelling, but reflect a careful symbiosis between authors who introduce their own characters while also including those found in other stories and reflecting simultaneously on the range of Indigenous experience and the very individual ways it impacts each person. Read the book and you will wish everyone had access to the kind of humor and community that Sandy June’s creates. Winner of the American Indian Youth Literature Award for Best Young Adult Book.

Lesley Mandros Bell—Independent

Ramsey, Calvin Alexander. Library in the Woods, The. R. Gregory Christie, Illus. Lerner /Carolrhoda, 08/2025. [32]pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-5415-9912-3. GRADES 2–5. OUTSTANDING.    

When a poor Black farmer gives up his rural farm in 1959 and moves into the town of Roxbury, North Carolina, his young son Junior is overjoyed to discover a small library that is not segregated. Junior’s love of the library opens new worlds for him and leads him in turn to share those worlds with his father, who is illiterate. Inspired by the real library where he spent much of his childhood, Calvin Alexander Ramsey delivers a powerful story about the importance of libraries as places of belonging, inclusion, and, above all, potential. Told through Junior’s recollections, the quiet simplicity of his words is deeply impactful without being heavy-handed or overly sentimental. With their bold pops of color, R. Gregory Christie’s acrylic illustrations likewise serve to portray the sparse reality of Junior’s world as a place that is, to him, still full of beauty and potential. Readers with a sharp eye may appreciate that the grainy wooden planks of Christie’s library building are depicted in far greater detail than are any of the other buildings in his artwork, denoting the importance of this special place. An author’s note details Ramsey’s inspiration for the story and shares information about the real library, including a photograph. Winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award and recipient of a Coretta Scott King Author Honor.

Jennifer Taylor—Palo Alto City Library

Colfer, Eoin. Little Big Sister. Celia Ivery, Illus. Little Island, 06/2025. 62pp. Fiction. Trade $14.99. 978-1-9150-7178-1. GRADES 1–2. ADDITIONAL.         

Starr and Babes (Barbara) are sisters who loved to play together when they were young (and small), but Barbara grows bigger while Starr’s dwarfism keeps her small, which upsets Starr. This early reader uses a mix of digital illustrations and quick-paced text to propel the story of Starr as she learns to accept and work with her dwarfism in various situations, with her sister, kids at school, and sports events. The main character appears to be light-skinned with red hair, while classmates appear to be of various ethnicities, and the illustrator is listed as living with dwarfism. Unfortunately, the story is not broken up into chapters, which creates uneven pacing, reducing the appeal of an otherwise useful title about a topic with light subject coverage.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Joseph, Danielle. Mitzvah Fairy, The. Christine Battuz, Illus. Kar-Ben, 02/2025. [24]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 979-8-7656-2699-3. GRADES Preschool–2. ADDITIONAL.      

This cute story follows a day in the life of a young boy, the Mitzvah Fairy who “wakes up early to spread joy.” He puts on his fairy wings, grabs his crown and wand, and heads out with his father to do things like bringing soup to his Bubbe who has a cold, watering a neighbor’s garden, picking up trash in the park, and saving a ladybug. All characters appear to be white. Back matter includes more examples of types of mitzvot and the Hebrew words for them with a little game of matching the picture to the description. The highlight for me is the choice to portray a little boy as the happy young fairy.

Rachael Reiley—Independent

Wieder, Joy Nelkin. Mouse Who Loved Latkes, The. Joy Nelkin Wieder, Illus. Kar-Ben, 10/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 979-8-7656-4424-9. GRADES Preschool–Kindergarten. ADDITIONAL.           

C.J., a small brown mouse, lives in the walls of apartment 18, when the Katz family moves in. Naturally this cat family scares him, but he sniffs wonderful smells, so he ventures out and ends up befriending them. The latkes and other foods that the Katz family has prepared, as part of celebrating Hanukkah entice C.J. to overcome his fears, participate in the celebration by helping light the menorah, and enjoy the Jewish foods. Back matter includes a latke recipe, instructions for playing dreidel, as well as a glossary which explains some of the Jewish words used in the story. Watercolor illustrations show C.J.’s fear, the Katz family’s celebration, and some of the Jewish items that are part of a Hanukkah celebration.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Yan Glaser, Karina. Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli, The. Karina Yan Glaser, Illus. HarperCollins/Allida, 9/2025. 420 [+12]pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-0632-8443-2. GRADES 3–6. OUTSTANDING.    

The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli is a delightful combination of historical fiction, mystery, and adventure with just a touch of magical realism that will captivate young readers. The chapters, which alternate between the Tang Dynasty of China in 731 and New York’s Chinatown of 1931, are filled with fascinating details and cliff-hanger moments that propel the story and create a sense of wanting to read on. Both storylines follow an eleven-year-old protagonist as they are thrust by circumstances into adult situations in the world beyond their homes. Han Yu’s family is struck by an epidemic, which forces him to take on his father’s trade commitment. Luli is trying to save her family home and restaurant from foreclosure in the early days of the Great Depression. Both stories tie together with pieces of Chinese art, culture, and food. Descriptions of dim sum are especially delightful as is the history of dumplings along the ancient trade routes. Both stories are also tied together by themes of resilience, friendship, and community. Despite its length (over 400 pages), the plot moves quickly, pages are filled with accompanying artwork, and the characters, setting, and plot are all fascinating. The author’s research is evident, and she includes maps, a multi-page note on the locations and times, as well as a bibliography. Primary characters are Chinese or Chinese American. Recipient of a Newbery Honor.

Rachael Reiley—Independent

Ross, Fiona. No More Mr. Mice Guy. Fiona Ross, Illus. Tiger Tales, 7/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-16643-0074-3. GRADES Kindergarten–2. ADDITIONAL.         

Squeak, a small mouse with a bow tie, wins a slimy prize from a contest, which Grandma finds quite disgusting. Naturally the mouse nibbles on the slime, and then turns into a monstrous creature who eats all the food in the apartment (and the surrounding area) before turning back into Squeak. After another transformation, and even more destruction, Grandma stops the monster, saving Squeak and the town. Ross’s darkly colored, digital illustrations include fluorescent green coloring for the slime, while showing off the scary transformations that nearly take Squeak away from Grandma. Great for young readers wanting a scary story.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Kang, Angie. Our Lake. Angie Kang, Illus. Kolika, 03/2026. [36]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-0-593-69823-5. GRADES Preschool–2. OUTSTANDING. 

A younger brother describes how his older brother takes him to a swimming hole to dive like their father used to in a story with meaningful emotions and a spare but rhythmic text. Many children will guess that their father may have died, but it isn’t a sad story; the brothers are empowered by what their father taught them. The deeply colored gouache impressionistic illustrations focus on the two boys, who present as Asian although that isn’t mentioned, and the setting gives the story a feeling of the calm outdoors. The combination of the artwork and text, as well as the smooth page turns and other book design elements, make this a successful look at a common summer event that many children will experience. This book received a 2026 Caldecott Honor for the author/illustrator’s debut work.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Kim, Hye-Eun. Pencil. Hye-Eun Kim, Illus. Astra/TOON, 03/2025. [48]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-662-66553-0. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.  

This stunning wordless story follows colored pencil shavings that become leaves, a forest, and finally a resplendent world of wonder; then the forest is cut down, taken to the factory, and made into colored pencils. A young East Asian-presenting child (modeled after Kim’s own daughter) gathers the pencils at an art store, and as she draws … a new cycle begins. The delicate colored pencil and marker artwork is both beautiful and engaging in its fine detail. On the final page, Kim offers thoughts on “How to read a silent book,” gently and skillfully guiding caregivers and children to let each experience fully bloom. This wordless story is a true tribute to the flow of our imagination and the cycles of nature, sure to inspire readers toward their own art-making and reflective thought.

Alexandre Petrakis—San Francisco Public Library

Durham, David Anthony. Rage of Lions, A. The Shadow Prince. Lee & Low/Tu, 10/2025. 387pp. Fiction. Trade $23.95. 978-1-64379-743-4. GRADES 4–8. ADDITIONAL.        

Ash, the Shadow Prince, leads quite the adventurous life in this mythological adventure set in ancient Egypt. This third book in the series finds Ash and his royal friends racing to protect Egypt from an invasion by Lord Apedemak, a lion-based Kushite god of war, after mischievous Lord Set (Egyptian god of mischief) uses trickery to set it all in motion. Taking place in Egypt and Kush, the time period is indeterminable due to the use of magic and solar technology from Lord Ra, but most of the settings seem to be a few thousand years ago, in the time of the pharaohs. These children manage to see what adults do not, do things they are not supposed to, while managing to save the day and keeping the rulers of both lands happy. Readers interested in fantasy and mythology will be drawn to Ash and his friends.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Xiao, Forest. Seven Babies. Forest Xiao, Illus. Candlewick, 08/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-4509-7. GRADES Baby/Toddler–Preschool. ADDITIONAL.        

Seven babies, in an open box, show up in front of a door.  A couple takes them in, entertains them, plays with them, feeds and bathes them, all while the babies cause quite the ruckus as they crawl all over the place. Brief text combines with the gouache, pencil, and digital illustrations such that readers focus on the babies and the adults instead of the setting. The babies have various skin colors, though all are dressed in similar, yellow onesie outfits. Young readers will enjoy the baby antics, including that the babies seem to take their box and continue off to somewhere else at the end.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Kooser, Ted. Seven Skies All at Once. Matt Myers, Illus. Candlewick, 07/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-2900-4. GRADES Preschool–3. ADDITIONAL.      

In Seven Skies All at Once, two brown-skinned children express their perspectives on the various skies they observe while helping their parents do laundry on their apartment building’s rooftop. The book’s colorful illustrations are exceptionally vivid and carefully crafted, with each page featuring dynamic oil paintings that capture both the shifting clouds and the lively actions of the children. These visuals breathe life into the story, drawing young readers into a magical journey where they encounter everything from soft clouds to dark, mysterious skies. Although the poetic language adds beauty to the tale, it doesn’t quite match the brilliance of the artwork.

Eboni Weston—San José State University iSchool Student

Ultman, Suzy. Shabbat Shalom: Let’s Rest and Reset. Suzy Ultman, Illus. Penguin Random House/Rise X Penguin, 02/2025. [22]pp. Picture Book. Trade $9.99. 978-0-5937-5193-0. GRADES Baby/Toddler–Kindergarten. HIGH ADDITIONAL.      

Simple digital illustrations showcase a light brown-skinned child with curly hair experiencing the joys of Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. The child has a Shabbat meal with animal friends and then the book explains how Shabbat is a chance to relax from the busyness of the week. While the book is a useful tool for discussing what Shabbat means with young Jewish children, the generic illustration style and lack of diversity detract from the overall message of enjoying shabbat. A solid addition to the limited Shabbat books for this age group, but not a required purchase for secular library collections. Winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Gold Medal for Picture Book.

Lillian Whithaus—Oakland Public Library

Doeden, Matt. Slam Dunk: The Shot That Changed the Game. Spectacular Sports. Lerner/Millbrook, 03/2025. 64pp. Nonfiction. Trade $34.65. 979-8-7656-2680-1. GRADES 5–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL.         

In this surprisingly well-done history of the slam dunk shot in both college and professional basketball, the text is exciting and many players, both male and female, are profiled. Full-color photos of racially diverse athletes add to the text. A chapter on the science of the shot along with what athletic ability is required to achieve it is especially interesting. Back matter includes a listing of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest winners, glossary, source notes, an index, and books and websites for further reading.

Rachael Reiley—Independent

Fries-Gaither, Jessica. So Rude! Animals Behaving Badly. Millbrook, 10/2025. [32]pp. Nonfiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8-7656-7104-7. GRADES 2–4. ADDITIONAL.        

This stand-alone nonfiction title shows off twenty animals who misbehave and do rude things, at least when viewed by human standards. Large-scale, color photographs show off the animals and their behaviors, to the delight of early elementary readers who often love to be grossed out by snakes, flies, vultures, hippos, and many other animals. Short paragraphs explain the what and why of each behavior, helping readers in their exploration of the natural world.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

McDonald, Megan. Sophie and the Runaway Unicorn. Erwin Madrid, Illus. Judy Moody and Friends; bk. 16. Candlewick, 07/2025. 60pp. Reader. Trade $14.99. 978-1-5362-3056-7. GRADES 2–3. ADDITIONAL.        

Stink helps his second-grade classmate Sophie prepare for her birthday party–more than anything, she would like for a unicorn to be able to attend! When one is spotted in the neighborhood, does that mean she is going to get her wish? With a text set down in paragraphs, considerable white space, a large typeface, and full-color digital artwork, this book with three chapters is aimed at those almost ready to move up from beginning readers to transitional books. The artwork is colorful but resembles animated television, and several of the characters are dark- skinned. A serviceable series for those who like DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson books.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Lee, Laura G. Soy Sauce! Laura G. Lee, Illus. Little, Brown, 01/2025. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. ‎978-1-5235-2838-7. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.

How is soy sauce made? What is its history? Who makes soy sauce? These questions are answered in this fun and oversized picture book celebrating soy sauce. Follow along with Luan, who makes Chinese soy sauce, Haru, who makes Japanese soy sauce, and Yoo-mi, who makes Korean soy sauce. China, Japan, and Korea all brew their soy sauce differently based on family traditions and taste preferences. With lively watercolor illustrations that incorporate actual soy sauce, this large book celebrates soy sauce in all its universal greatness! The last section highlights differences in ingredients among Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, and Indonesian soy sauces, which contribute to their distinctive flavors. Soy sauce is an authentic “slow food.” As stated, “There’s a tradition in Korea of brewing soy sauce for a newborn to give as a gift at their future wedding. Some of the oldest soy sauces on earth have been brewing for over 350 years!” 

Alva Fong—Independent

Beckmeyer, Drew. Stalactite and Stalagmite: A Big Tale from a Little Cave. Drew Beckmeyer, Illus. Simon & Schuster/Atheneum, 03/2025. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-1-6659-2663-8. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.  

A little nub on the roof of a cave slowly drips on the little nub below, and the two unlikely characters first strike up a conversation in the early days of Earth, with lots of volcanic activity in the background. They have a running dialogue with each other and sometimes the creatures that visit their cave, illustrated by collage, paint that evokes rock textures, and dramatically changing colorful views outside the cave opening. Stalactite and Stalagmite’s acquaintance turns into a friendship for the ages, as they gently tease each other and philosophize and wonder why some visitors never come back. The words “DRIP DRIP DRIP” painted large in the mixed-media artwork and the noticeable growth of our protagonists signal the passage of much time every few pages, while a subtle visual timeline along the bottom of each spread marks the current point. There is a more complete line-drawn timeline and further information on the final spread and a playful curling timeline on the final end sheets, but no numerical time periods, a choice that makes sense for a young audience. With brilliant comic timing in every page turn, illustration, and bit of dialogue, including upside down comments from the bat hanging by its feet from Stalactite, this delightfully humorous, sweet, and awe-inspiring book explores the passage of geologic time, life, death, extinction, change, and friendship. Recipient of a Caldecott Honor.

Jennifer Vetter—Montclair Elementary School / Oakland Unified School District

Fenske, Jonathan. Stop That Mop! Ready to Read. Jonathan Fenske, Illus. Simon & Schuster/Simon Spotlight, 01/2025. [32]pp. Reader. Trade $18.99. 978-1-6659-3272-1. GRADES Preschool–1. OUTSTANDING.    

The mop has had it with the slop and glop that drops, so it runs away. In the ensuing chaos, the rebellious mop is chased by a pig, a bunny, a pony, and a fishy, none of whom can catch the mop. Even the stop sign fails to stop the determined mop! There is a dramatic, literal cliff-hanger that hilariously resolves what could have been a dire ending for the mop. This book is filled with goofy characters, nonstop action, and a charismatic mop who not only takes us on a wild romp, but engages early readers using the short “o” -op word family in successfully constructed rhymes. The animal sounds—“hop” and “clop” and “flop”—are incorporated into the lively and bright pastel colored illustrations. Characters are active and emotive. The use of panels and full two-page spreads inform the tension of the story: panels introduce new characters while two-page spreads heighten the excitement of the chase to a satisfying conclusion and the introduction of a final character. Decoding has never been so fun! Inevitably, this energetic and silly reader will delight both children and adults. Winner of the Geisel Award.

Pauline Harris—San Francisco Public Library

Peña, Zeke. Sundust. Zeke Peña, Illus. Kokila, 08/05/2025. 48pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. ‎978-0-5937-0011-2. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.    

Two curious siblings with tawny skin explore the desert beyond their backyard wall, discovering the beauty of their environment. In lyrical prose, Peña showcases the life of the desert and connects how sundust touches everything, including people. Peña’s use of neon pink brings an upbeat feel to the exploration. The illustrations are made with graphite pencil, colored pencil, gouache on watercolor paper, with coloring layer effects in digital formats. Peña’s debut author/illustrator book is an outstanding affirmation of the interconnections between the sun, the desert, and its inhabitants. Recipient of a Caldecott Honor.

Yesica Hurd—Berkeley Public Library

Miller, Marie-Therese. Taylor Swift: Unstoppable Icon. Gateway Biographies. Lerner, 01/2025. 48pp. Biography. PLB $33.32. 979-8-7656-4915-2. Paper $11.99. 979-8-7656-6181-9. GRADES 4–8. ADDITIONAL.        

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Angie Thomas: Hip-Hop Author and Voice of Change by Keenan Jones for series review

Rachael Reiley—Independent

Tamaki, Mariko. This Place Kills Me. Nicole Goux, Illus. Abrams/Fanfare, 08/2025. 272pp. Graphic. Trade $26.99. 978-1-4197-6846-0. GRADES 9–Adult. HIGH ADDITIONAL. 

Abby, the new girl at an all-girls boarding school, tries to overcome her outsider status by going to a cast party where she has a conversation with Elizabeth, an actor who is found dead in the woods the next morning. The story quickly rolls along, as Abby is determined to find out what happened to Elizabeth. Abby’s relentless quest for the truth awakens her roommate’s inquisitiveness and brings the two together in friendship. This whodunnit twists and turns through letters and posters and hidden notes. Figuring out the mystery is satisfying, yet the conclusion is a bit abrupt and unsurprising, as there isn’t enough character development to warrant the ending. The artwork, though, is the compelling force of this graphic novel, energetic and driving the devices used by the author. Panels zoom in and out cinematically, delivering scenes in varied points of view that elevate the noir feel of this book. The gray and pink color scheme allows for stunning illustrations. The story is set in the 1980s with plenty of references through music and dialogue, while vague allusions to drugs and alcohol use, sexual situations, and nascent recognition of queer people help complete the scene. Most characters present as white, while Abby presents as Japanese American.

Pauline Harris—San Francisco Public Library

Horacek, Petr. Tiny Owl’s Scary Day. Petr Horacek, Illus. Candlewick, 08/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5362-3587-6. GRADES Preschool–Kindergarten. HIGH ADDITIONAL.         

Tiny Owl asks Mama Owl to stay awake, in order to experience the daytime that they always sleep through. Mama says no, but Tiny Owl stays up and sneaks out anyway. Naturally the daytime world is scary to Tiny Owl, with various things nearly catching her. Becoming thoroughly frightened, she finally makes it home. The mixed-media illustrations are similar to Horacek’s previous work, and provide a bit of foreshadowing before Tiny is attacked as well as how she avoids her attackers each time. Observant readers may figure out what is happening before the end, while others will want to go back to figure it out, reading it again and again.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Golusky, Jackie. Top Ten Minecraft Biomes: An Unofficial List. Addl. Creator Ty Chapman. Searchlight Books – Minecraft Top Tens. Lerner, 01/2025. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8-7656-4751-6. Paper $10.99. 979-8-7656-6228-1. GRADES 2–5. LOW ADDITIONAL.        

SERIES REVIEW: This series of Minecraft books misses the mark for its intended audience.  The books might be read in a single sitting by some students, but they are overly complex for a second-grade reader who is just discovering the game, and they do not offer enough detail for a fourth or fifth grader who is already becoming well versed in game play. My Minecraft-obsessed teen felt that the book on the Mobs was accurate and might be of interest to a younger player but that Biomes is way too complex for an introduction, and Potions did not offer step-by-step instructions, which is what most young players would want. We both felt that the text is too hard for the younger gamer and would be dissatisfying, and that the older Minecraft fan is looking for more substance. The books are illustrated with color photos, but many of them are too dark and obscure details. Although the books are accurate, they are unlikely to be heavily used by elementary readers, which makes it hard to justify the high cost.

Rachael Reiley—Independent

Golusky, Jackie. Top 10 Minecraft Dangerous Mobs: An Unofficial List. Searchlight Books – Minecraft Top Tens. Lerner, 01/2025. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8-7656-4752-3. Paper $10.99. 979-8-7656-6229-8. GRADES 2–5. LOW ADDITIONAL.         

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Top Ten Minecraft Biomes: An Unofficial List by Jackie Golusky for series review.

Rachael Reiley—Independent

Chapman, Ty. Top 10 Minecraft Mods: An Unofficial List. Searchlight Books – Minecraft Top Tens. Lerner, 01/2025. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8-7656-4755-4. Paper $10.99. 979-8-7656-6233-5. GRADES 2–5. LOW ADDITIONAL.       

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Top Ten Minecraft Biomes: An Unofficial List by Jackie Golusky for series review.

Rachael Reiley—Independent

Messner, Kate. Trouble with Heroes, The. Bloomsbury, 04/2025. 356pp. Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5476-1639-8. GRADES 5–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Twelve-year-old Finn’s dad was a hero in the country’s eyes: a 9/11 first responder before an untimely death during the pandemic. To Finn he was absent and inscrutable, and two years later, Finn’s anger has reached a breaking point. For kicking over the gravestone of a prominent Adirondack hiker and almost failing both PE and Language Arts, his mom and the gravestone-bearer’s daughter have devised a plan: he must hike all 46 Adirondack High Peaks with volunteer “46ers” while completing a 20-poem creative writing project coincidentally on the subject of heroes. Via Finn’s first-person verse in various poetic forms, as well as text messages, documents, and even cookie recipes, the reader is taken on his mental and physical journey and through memories and revelations about his dad, the ways grieving was stifled by pandemic protocols, and deep questions surrounding his dad’s feelings for Finn at the time of his death. Finn’s engaging voice is most successful when his wry tween humor shines through, such as when offering “Choose Your Own Disaster” scenarios in the thick of tricky hikes and expressing angsty frustrations. It’s less believable, perhaps, in the beautifully crafted epiphanies, as when contemplating grief: “Lost looks safer tucked / between long and friend, / each with an arm around its shoulder. / On its own / it just floats there / Lost.” This work is a standout in its unique setting and structure, and tackling of a child’s grief in the context of adult sacrifice. The facts of 9/11 will be unfamiliar to many readers and are not explained, and references to the social distancing of the pandemic may be hard for younger readers to understand. The neatly tied happy ending is a satisfying, if utopian resolution, and the mad-but-not-dangerous and grumbling-but-acquiescent protagonist makes for a gentle and palatable introduction to grief and anger for young readers. Characters present as white. Sure to be popular with English teachers for years to come, give this to children who appreciate poetry, hiking, and epistolary novels.

Riva Pollard—Sausalito Public Library

Singh, Simran Jeet. Vaisakhi to Remember, A. Japneet Kaur, Illus. Penguin Random House/Kokila, 03/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-5938-5908-7. GRADES Preschool–2. OUTSTANDING.    

A Sikh child moves to a city far from their bustling village in Punjab filled with people, pattern, and color. The first-person narrator misses their Nani, her stories, and Vaisakhi, the spring harvest festival, where baskets of bountiful harvest, musicians, and people swirl into a patterned tapestry that fills the page. The child now lives in a city filled with buildings instead of people. Unsure of what Vaisakhi will be like this year, the child’s family drives to a gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship and community space, where the child hears familiar music and tastes familiar foods while playing new games with new friends. Now it is the children who are swirling across the page as they play and find new traditions that connect them to the old. Richly detailed, watercolor illustrations float and move on the page where a new detail emerges with each read, making this an excellent lap read but still versatile for a readaloud. Back matter includes an author’s note about the significance of Vaisakhi, translation of Punjabi words, and a recipe. A beautiful story of finding joy, community, and belonging in the diaspora. Recipient of an Asian/Pacific American Picture Book Honor.

Catherine Pyun—Berkeley Public Library

Butterfield, Moira. Welcome to Our Playground: A Celebration of Games Children Can Play Everywhere. Harriet Lynas, Illus. Welcome to Our. Nosy Crow, 09/2025. 64pp. Nonfiction. Trade $22.99. 979-8-88777-157-1. GRADES Kindergarten–5. ADDITIONAL.          

Toys, games, and children’s activities from around the world are celebrated in this book that validates the importance of play in a child’s life. In some cases, the book describes how to play a game by spelling out the rules; in other cases, it only introduces the game or activity by describing it using a brief paragraph. Other books with fuller descriptions of game and sports rules will be needed to actually play most of the games. Puppets, singing and clapping games, counting and throwing, imaginative play, and many other activities are included. There are several spreads that offer vocabulary, like a list of the word for “goal” in fifteen languages. The full-color cartoonish artwork depicts the ethnically diverse children in the style of the characters from Disneyland’s “It’s a Small World” dressed in traditional costumes or contemporary clothing.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Mole, Simon. Wiggle and Buzz: My First Book of Bugs. Adam Ming, Illus. Candlewick, 08/2025. 76pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-5362-3887-7. GRADES 2–4. ADDITIONAL.        

A wide variety of bugs are introduced to beginning readers via short poems and mixed-media illustrations. Twenty-eight critters, including millipedes, beetles, snails, spiders, ants, and bees, are featured on full-page spreads, with engaging illustrations and narrative, fact-filled poems that provide the basics about each bug. End pages provide additional details about what insects are, what types of creatures the other featured bugs are, additional ways bugs are amazing, and how you can be a bug lover and helper. A fun way to look at the critters without focusing on facts, instead seeing them for what they are.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Klassen, Jon. Your Truck. Jon Klassen, Illus. Your Things. Candlewick, 01/2026. [30]pp. Picture Book. Paper $8.99. 978-1-53624-822-7. GRADES Baby/Toddler–Preschool. HIGH ADDITIONAL.          

First in the Your Things series of board books, this focuses on a truck. The brief text has the second-person narrator speaking directly to the reader about the uses of the truck. The simple but charming illustrations resemble block prints on white backgrounds, showing the truck with two eyes, transporting a dog. Some children may challenge the phrase “It is a red truck” when some may see it as burnt orange. Still, this is sure to be popular and will stand up to repeated readings.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool