Review

Cooper, Ilene. This Boy: The Early Lives of John Lennon & Paul McCartney. Viking, 08/2023. 182pp. Biography. Trade $17.99. 978-0-451-47585-5. GRADES 5–9. OUTSTANDING.        This dual biography of the Beatles’ founding members and songwriting team Lennon [continue reading]

Boss, Shira. City Tree, The. Lorena Alvarez, Illus. Clarion, 04/2023. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-0-35-842341-6. GRADES Kindergarten–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.           Dani notices a large hole in the sidewalk in front of her apartment building, and [continue reading]

Taylor, Thomas. Festergrimm. Tom Booth, Illus. Legends of Eerie-On-Sea Series; bk. 4. Candlewick/Walker, 04/2023. 324pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-5362-2742-0. Paper $10.99. 978-1-5362-3245-5. GRADES 4 – 8. ADDITIONAL. Herbie and Violet return in their fourth adventure [continue reading]

Sterling, Zachary. Mabuhay!: A Graphic Novel. Zachary Sterling, Illus. Scholastic/Graphix, 10/2023. 228 [+12]pp. Graphic. Trade $24.99. 978-1-3387-3864-3. Paper $12.99. 978-1-338-73860-5. GRADES 3 – 7. OUTSTANDING.  Filipino American kids JJ and Althea are frustrated with people [continue reading]

Thomas, J. E. Control Freaks. Levine Querido, 06/2023. 320pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99 978-1-64614-305-4. GRADES 5 – 8. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Frederick Douglass Zezzmer (a Black middle schooler) arrives at his Colorado college prep school ready for [continue reading]

Perron, Lisa Varchol. Patterns Everywhere. Lerner/Millbrook, 04/2023. [30]pp. Non-Fiction. PLB $29.32 978-1-7284-6042-0. GRADES Kindergarten – 3. ADDITIONAL. Patterns can be seen everywhere you look, which Perron aptly demonstrates via colorful photographs, limited rhyming text, and [continue reading]

LaRocca, Rajani. Lucas’s Tricky Day: Looking on the Bright Side. India Valle, Illus. Chicken Soup for the Soul KIDS Series. Charlesbridge, 10/2022. [30]pp. Picture Book. Trade $12.99 978-1-62354-283-2. GRADES Kindergarten – 2. ADDITIONAL. What happens [continue reading]

Hokkanen, Mirka. Opposites Attract. Mirka Hokkanen, Illus. Kitty & Cat Series; bk. 1. Candlewick, 04/2023. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99 978-1-5362-2367-5. GRADES Baby/Toddler – Kindergarten. OUTSTANDING. An old, grumpy, black-haired cat is forced to interact [continue reading]