Review

Floca, Brian. Island Storm. Sydney Smith, Illus. Candlewick/Neal Porter, 07/2025. [48]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-8234-5647-5. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING. Powerful, painterly watercolor and gouache illustrations capture the energy, atmosphere, and shifting light of a monumental island storm. Rhythmic poetic text speaks in an older sibling’s voice, “Now [continue reading]

Baron, Chris. Spark. Feiwel & Friends, 07/2025. 320pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-250-86474-1.  GRADES 5–7. HIGH ADDITIONAL.             At the start of eighth grade Finn knows where he’s from and what’s important. Redwood Hollows, at the entrance to a national forest, is a tight-knit community and with [continue reading]

Stewart-Sharpe, Leisa. Treasure Hunt, The: True Stories of Treasures Lost, Stolen and Found. Gordy Wright, Illus. Charlesbridge, 06/2025. 64pp. Nonfiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-62354-629-8. GRADES 3–5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.     Stolen and lost treasures wait to be discovered [continue reading]

Miller, Sarah. Hick: The Trailblazing Journalist Who Captured Eleanor Roosevelt’s Heart. Random House, 05/2025. 384pp. Biography. Trade $20.99. 978-0-593-64909-1. PLB $23.99. 978-0-593-64910-7. GRADES 9–Adult. OUTSTANDING.       Lorena Hickok was notable in her own right. Born in [continue reading]

Brown, Lisa. Moving Book, The. Lisa Brown, Illus. Holiday House / Neal Porter, 07/2025. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-8234-5718-2. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.  A brother walks his concerned little sister through a history of family [continue reading]

Remenar, Kristen. Owl’s Fall Feast Fiasco. Matt Faulkner, Illus. Charlesbridge, 09/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-371-6. GRADES Preschool–2. ADDITIONAL. Owl is so excited that Platypus, an Australian didgeridoo player, has agreed to attend the [continue reading]

McQuinn, Anna. Lola’s Moving Day. Rosalind Beardshaw, Illus. Charlesbridge, 08/2025. [26]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-337-2. GRADES Preschool–Kindergarten. ADDITIONAL. Lola’s family is getting bigger, so readers follow her as the family prepares to say goodbye [continue reading]

Maly, Radek. Atlas of Prehistoric Animals. Petr Modlitha, Illus. Translated from the Czech by Andrew Oakland. Albatros, 03/2025. 85pp. Nonfiction. Trade $24.99. 978-80-00-07292-0. GRADES 4–8. LOW ADDITIONAL. Prehistoric animals always fascinate young readers, so there [continue reading]