Review

Kantorovitz, Sylvie. Sylvie.  Sylvie Kantorovitz, Illus. Graphic. Walker, 01/2021. 341pp. $24.99, 978-1-5362-0762-0, PB $16.99, 978-1-5362-0763-7. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 6-12. Many readers will identify with young Sylvie, who is not sure what profession she might want to [continue reading]

Schlitz, Laura Amy. Amber & Clay. Julia Iredale, Illus. Fiction. Candlewick, 03/2021. 544pp. $29.99. 978-1-5362-0122-2. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 6-9. Red-haired Rhaskos, a “slave boy” and artist (“as common as clay”), and brown-skinned Melisto, a high born [continue reading]

Lundin, Britta. Like Other Girls. Fiction. Disney-Hyperion/Freeform, 08/2021. 384pp. $17.99. 978-1-368-03992-5. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 9-12. It’s not easy being a closeted butch lesbian in a small conservative town in rural Oregon, but high school junior Mara [continue reading]

Frost, Maddie. Wakey Birds. Maddie Frost, Illus. Picture Bookk. Templar, 01/2021. [36]pp. $16.99. 978-1-5362-1546-5. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-2. The animals try to go to sleep in the jungle but are kept awake by the small [continue reading]

Li, Christina. Clues to the Universe. Fiction. HarperCollins/Quill Tree, 01/2021. 304pp. $17.99. 978-0-06-300-888-5. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 3-7. In this #OwnVoices middle grade debut, Christina Li creates two very likable seventh grade protagonists. Ro is a biracial [continue reading]

LaRochelle, David. How to Apologize . Mike Wohnoutka, Illus. Picture Book. Candlewick, 05/2021. [32]pp. $16.99. 978-1-5362-0944-0. OUTSTANDING. GRADES PRE-2. Everyone makes mistakes, but it is what happens next that is most important. Colorful cartoon illustrations [continue reading]