Schwartz, Ella. Violin of Hope. Juliana Oakley, Illus. Kar-Ben, 11/2024. 32pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 979-8765604199. GRADES 1–5. ADDITIONAL. Based on true stories of violins that have been rescued and refurbished after being stolen from Jews during the Holocaust, this book opens with digital artwork showing a [continue reading]
House Before Falling Into the Sea Review
Wang, Ann Suk. House Before Falling Into the Sea, The. Hanna Cha, Illus. Dial Books, 03/2024. 40pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-593-53015-3. GRADES 2–4. OUTSTANDING. Kyung struggles to accept her parents’ decision to welcome desperate refugees fleeing North Korea into their coastal home, a location known as [continue reading]
Power to the Parasites Review
Wood, Chelsea L. Power to the Parasites. Dave Mottram, Illus. Henry Holt/Godwin, 11/2024. 80pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-250-83398-3. GRADES 4–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Discover a fascinating secret world, unknown to most, but mined by Hollywood horror writers. Hidden just below the surface, in your home, your food, your [continue reading]
Take It from the Top Review
Swinarski, Claire. Take It from the Top. Quill Tree, 11/2024. 288pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-0-0633-2173-1. GRADES 6–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL. What went wrong? It was supposed to be the perfect summer, back at her beloved theater camp with her best friend, co-starring in their dream [continue reading]
Yellow Bus Review
Long, Loren. Yellow Bus, The. Loren Long, Illus. Roaring Brook, 06/2024. 48pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-1-250-90313-6. GRADES Preschool–2. OUTSTANDING. A town and environs, minutely rendered in soft gray graphite and pencil, are the backdrop for the profound and charming life journey of a bright yellow school [continue reading]
Enigma Girls Review
Fleming, Candace. Enigma Girls, The: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II. Scholastic Focus, 03/2024. 371pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-3387-4957-1. GRADES 6–12. OUTSTANDING. Until recently, they were forgotten: young women, mostly teenagers, all of whom were plucked from ordinary [continue reading]
Other Side of Tomorrow Review
Cho, Tina. Other Side of Tomorrow, The. Deb J.J. Lee, Illus. Harper Alley, 11/2024. 224pp. Graphic. Trade $15.99. 978-0-0630-1107-6. GRADES 6–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL. This moving and dramatic account of two very different twelve-year-olds is told in parallel diary entries and shown in lovely, crisp, various-sized panels, filled [continue reading]
Uprooted Review
Chan, Ruth. Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back. Ruth Chan, Illus. Roaring Brook, 09/2024. 288pp. Graphic. Trade $14.99. 978-1-2508-5534-3. GRADES 5–7. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Thirteen-year-old Chinese Canadian Ruth loves her home in Toronto; she has a great, diverse friend group, a glorious room, [continue reading]