Applegate, Katherine. Pocket Bear. Charles Santoso, Illus. Feiwel, 09/2025. 263pp. Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-250-90436-2. GRADES 4–6. OUTSTANDING. Refugees from Ukraine, Dasha and her mother start the Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured, a [continue reading]
Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile Review
Jreije, George. Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile. Harper, 05/2025. 275pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-338224-4. GRADES 4–8. ADDITIONAL. Just as his summer in his native Lebanon is ending, Bashir finds a mysterious ring, [continue reading]
Woody’s Words Review
Rogers, Lisa. Woody’s Words: Woodrow Wilson Rawls and Where the Red Fern Grows. Susan Reagan, Illus. Calkins Creek, 09/2025. [32]pp. Biography. Trade $18.99. 978-1-6626-8029-8. GRADES 2–5. OUTSTANDING. Although Wilson Rawls did not publish many books, [continue reading]
Puzzling Fate of Millicent Graves Review
Mitchell, Dora M. Puzzling Fate of Millicent Graves, The. Dora M. Mitchell, Illus. Little, Brown, 05/2025. 217pp. Graphic. Trade $24.99. 978-1-5235-2736-6. Paper $12.99. 978-1-643-75277-8. GRADES 3–7. HIGH ADDITIONAL. After moving from a house to an [continue reading]
ACL Meeting Friday, December 12, 2025
ACL Meeting Friday, December 12, 2025: Just a quick reminder for our Bay Area members! Please join us for our ACL Meeting on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 9:00am-Noon, at the Oakland Public Library, 125 [continue reading]
Golden Poppy Award Nominees
Golden Poppy Award Nominees: The California Independent Booksellers Alliance announced their nominees for best books by Californians for 2025. Their goal is to “elevate California voices and recognize the unique and diverse talents within our [continue reading]
Pocket Bear Read-Alikes
Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate Applegate, Katherine. Willodeen. Argaman, Iris. Bear and Fred: a World War II Story. Cassedy, Sylvia. Behind the Attic Wall. DiCamillo, Kate. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. DiCamillo, Kate. [continue reading]
3 Weeks in the Rainforest Review
Swanson, Jennifer. 3 Weeks in the Rainforest: A Rapid Inventory in the Amazon. Charlesbridge, 10/2025. 80pp. Nonfiction. Trade $21.99. 978-1-62354-316-7. GRADES 4–8. ADDITIONAL. What is a “Rapid Inventory”? Find out by following this group of scientists into [continue reading]