Mason-Black, Jennifer. Sometimes the Girl. Lerner/Carolhoda Lab, 05/2025. 294pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-7284-9329-9. GRADES 10–12. ADDITIONAL. Holiday’s life-altering problems include her brother’s recent suicide attempt, a breakup with her longtime friend/girlfriend, a new friend (or [continue reading]
Five Little Friends Review
Taylor, Sean. Five Little Friends: A Collection of Finger Rhymes. Fiona Woodcock, Illus. Candlewick, 08/2025. 61pp. Poetry. Trade $19.99. 978-1-5362-4291-1. GRADES Baby/Toddler–2. OUTSTANDING. Thirty-five original poems that can be used as fingerplays make this a [continue reading]
Giant Parsnip Soup Review
Sosa, Daniela. Giant Parsnip Soup. Daniela Sosa, Illus. S&S/Paula Wiseman, 05/2025. [36]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-1-6659-6196-7. GRADES Preschool–2. OUTSTANDING. After finding a giant parsnip, an ethnically diverse group of children gather other vegetables to [continue reading]
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, Say Good Night Review
Rescek, Sanja. Dinosaur, Dinosaur, Say Good Night: and Other Bedtime Rhymes. Sanja Rescek, Illus. Tiger Tales, 05/2025. [28]pp. Poetry. Trade $18.99. 978-1-6643-0057-6. GRADES Baby/Toddler–Kindergarten. ADDITIONAL. Originally published in the UK in 2019 in board book [continue reading]
Beasts from the Deep Review
Ralphs, Matt. Beasts from the Deep. Kaley McKean, Illus. Nosy Crow, 05/2025. 93pp. Nonfiction. Trade $22.99. 979-8-88777-171-7. GRADES 4–8. ADDITIONAL. First published in the UK in 2024 in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, this [continue reading]
Outside Review
Holm, Jennifer L. Outside. Scholastic, 10/2025. 240pp. Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5461-3814-3. GRADES 4–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Twelve-year-old Razzi describes what it is like for kids like her to live at the Refuge after an apocalyptic war [continue reading]
Little Seed Review
Dexet, Hector. Little Seed. Hector Dexet, Illus. Post Wave, 03/2025. [24]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 979-8-89509-003-9. GRADES Preschool–2. ADDITIONAL. Originally published in French in 2022, a sunflower seed describes its journey to become a flower: [continue reading]
Rise and Fall: Great Empires That Shaped the World Review
Allen, Peter. Rise and Fall: Great Empires That Shaped the World. Peter Allen, Illus. Addl. Creator Ziggy Hanaor. Cicada, 04/2024. 79pp. Nonfiction. Trade $22.99. 978-1-80066-048-9. GRADES 5–8. ADDITIONAL. Nine early civilizations, arranged chronologically from the [continue reading]