Review

Clayton, Annette M. Fireless Dragon, The. Paula Zamudio, Illus. Lerner Stories: Magical Protection Agency. Lerner, 01/2026. 69pp. Fiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8-7656-6279-3. Paper $11.99. 979-8-7656-6284-7. GRADES 2–3. ADDITIONAL. Luisa and Leo are happy to suddenly receive a mission for the Magical Protection Agency. Upon being summoned, they use a magical [continue reading]

Capetta, A.R. Hocus and Pocus and the Dragon Next Door. Charlene Chua, Illus. Hocus and Pocus. Candlewick, 03/2025. 96pp. Fiction. Trade $16.99. 978-1-5362-2493-1. Paper $5.99. 978-1-5362-4269-0. GRADES 1–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.   This second book in a lighthearted early reader series features two magical rescue dogs and the witch who adopts them. [continue reading]

Blackburne, Livia. Dreams to Ashes: The 1871 Los Angeles Chinatown Massacre. Nicole Xu, Illus. Lerner/Carolrhoda, 03/2025. [40]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 979-8-7656-2722-8. GRADES 3–6. HIGH ADDITIONAL.          This informational picture book explores the Los Angeles Chinatown massacre that took place in October of 1871, explaining how Chinese nationals [continue reading]

Beckmeyer, Drew. Stalactite and Stalagmite: A Big Tale from a Little Cave. Drew Beckmeyer, Illus. Simon & Schuster/Atheneum, 03/2025. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-1-6659-2663-8. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.   A little nub on the roof of a cave slowly drips on the little nub below, and the two [continue reading]

Barnes, Derrick. Incredibly Human Henson Blayze, The. Viking, 09/2025. 254 [+7]pp. Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-9848-3675-5. GRADES 7–10. HIGH ADDITIONAL.            Thirteen-year-old Henson Blayze is a football star in a small Mississippi town that has never had a football star like him before. The implications of what [continue reading]

Smith, Cynthia Leitich, ed. Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories. HarperCollins/Heartdrum, 08/2025. 310 [+26]pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-331426-9. GRADES 8–Adult. OUTSTANDING.            Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In is a space suspended in time, fluid in location, only [continue reading]

Smith, Cynthia Leitich, ed. Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories. Addl. Creators Kate Hart, Eric Gansworth, et al. HarperCollins/Heartdrum, 08/2025. 336pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-0633-1426-9. GRADES 9–12. OUTSTANDING. In this collaborative work of magical realism, seventeen [continue reading]

Miller, Marie-Therese. Taylor Swift: Unstoppable Icon. Gateway Biographies. Lerner, 01/2025. 48pp. Biography. PLB $33.32. 979-8-7656-4915-2. Paper $11.99. 979-8-7656-6181-9. GRADES 4–8. ADDITIONAL.         SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Angie Thomas: Hip-Hop Author and Voice of Change by Keenan [continue reading]