Review

Ho, Richard. Two New Years. Lynn Scurfield, Illus. Chronicle, 08/2023. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-7972-1281-4. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.   One family’s joyful celebrations guide us through two New Year traditions: Rosh Hashanah in the fall [continue reading]

Harjo, Joy. Remember. Michaela Goade, Illus. Random House Studio/Random, 03/2023. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-5934-8484-5. PLB $21.99. 978-0-5934-8483-8. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.     Illustrator Michaela Goade takes poet Joy Harjo’s piece “Remember” to new heights with [continue reading]

Nazemian, Abdi. Only This Beautiful Moment. Balzer + Bray, 05/2023. 400pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-0630-3937-7. GRADES 9–Adult. OUTSTANDING. A deftly plotted, multigenerational story of identity and family secrets, Only This Beautiful Moment takes the reader [continue reading]

Miller-Lachmann, Lyn. Ways to Play. Gabriel Alborozo, Illus. Levine Querido, 8/2023. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-64614-259-0. GRADES Preschool–Kindergarten. ADDITIONAL. Bossy cousin Emma criticizes the way Riley plays, saying he’s too quiet, too focused, too [continue reading]

Martín, Pedro. Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir. Pedro Martín, Illus. Dial, 08/2023. 309 [7]pp. Graphic. Trade $24.99. 978-0-5934-6228-7. Paper $14.99. 978-0-593-46229-4. GRADES 4–10. OUTSTANDING. Martín’s Mexikid is a graphic memoir that captures both a deeply personal [continue reading]

Simmons, Steven J. Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night? Ruthe E. Harper, Illus. Addl. Creator Clifford R. Simmons. Charlesbridge, 04/2024. [28]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-297-9. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.     Young children often ask many questions about animals, including the one this title helps to answer. Colorful watercolor illustrations [continue reading]

Pallotta, Jerry. US Air Force Alphabet Book. Vickie Fraser, Illus. Addl. Creators Sammie Garnett. Charlesbridge, 09/2023. [32]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5709-1952-7. GRADES 2–5. LOW ADDITIONAL.         It’s not clear who the intended audience is for this book. It is set up as an alphabet book, but the facts [continue reading]

Moriarty, Jackie. Secret of Lillian Velvet, The. Levine Querido, 10/2023. 443pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-64614-261-3. GRADES 6–9. ADDITIONAL.          Lillian’s life has been very lonely; she has been living with her grandmother and is not allowed to go anywhere, not even school (academics are done at [continue reading]