Alphabet Rockers Win Grammy: The Alphabet Rockers won the 2023 Grammy Award for “The Movement,” in the category of Best Children’s Music Album. Many Bay Area schools and libraries have hosted them for events. Congratulations! [continue reading]
Outstanding! February 2023
Outstanding Books of the Month – February 2023 Each month we post an annotated bibliography of books that were rated ‘Outstanding’ at our previous meeting and nominated for our year-end Distinguished List. You can see [continue reading]
Babel or the Necessity of Violence Review
Kuang, R.F. Babel or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution. Harper Voyager, 08/2022. 560pp. Fiction. $27.99. 978-0-06-302142-6. GRADES 8 – Adult. OUTSTANDING. In an 1829 where Britain’s empire spreads using [continue reading]
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow Review
Kahtouh, Zoulfa. As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow. Fiction. Little, Brown, 09/2022. 416pp. $18.99. 978-0-316-35137-9. GRADES 9 – 12. OUTSTANDING. Her native city of Homs is crumbling under bombings during the Syrian revolution, and [continue reading]
Everything in Its Place Review
David-Sax, Pauline. Everything in Its Place: A Story of Books and Belonging. Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, Illus. Doubleday/PRH, 07/2022. 40pp. Picture Book. GRADES Preschool – 4. $17.99. 978-0-593-37882-3. OUTSTANDING. In this picture book, Nicky, a shy girl with red glasses and [continue reading]
Lou Review
Carzoo, Breanna. Lou. Breanna Carzoo, Illus. Harper, 07/2022. [32]pp. Picture Book. Grades Pre-K. $17.99. 978-0-06-305405-9. High Additional. Lou, a red fire hydrant, has only ever been used as a dog toilet, until the day Lou realizes that he is [continue reading]
Eternity Code Review
Colfer, Eoin, adapted by Michael Moreci. Eternity Code, The. Stephen Gilpin, Illus. Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel Series. Disney/Hyperion, 06/2022. [124]pp. $19.99. 978-1-368-06508-5. Grades 4-9. Additional. Artemis Fowl, the teenage criminal genius, returns in this redo with new [continue reading]
Drawing Outside the Lines Review
Austin, Susan J. Drawing Outside the Lines: A Julia Morgan Novel. Spark, 10/2022. 204 [+14]pp. Fiction. GRADES 4-10. $12.95. 978-1-68463-159-9. OUTSTANDING. Imagining the life of ground-breaking architect Julia Morgan from her childhood in Oakland through [continue reading]