Fiction
Shot Clock, by Caron Butler & Justin A. Reynolds, Katherine Tegen, 2022
When his best friend is killed by the police African-American, 13 year-old Tone is determined to honor D’s legacy by making the team that D carried to two basketball championships. Packed with on court action, activism, community and heart, the plot both defies expectations and surpasses them. (Grade 7-9)
Louisa June and the Nazis in the Waves, by L.M. Elliott, Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins, 2022.
Thirteen-year-old Louisa June describes the outbreak of World War II and how it impacts her family and neighbors in Tidewater, Virginia, where her father owns a tugboat. The Nazis are sending U-boats into the area and are blowing up cargo ships. (Grade 4-8)
Worser, by Jennifer Ziegler, Fergusen/Holiday House, 2022
Worser, a seventh grade brainiac, acts to save his one refugee and of course makes it worser. His disastrous run-ins with the painful changes of adolescence allow readers to groan, laugh and marvel at his mistakes and learn right along with him how to build a path from the present into the future. (Grade 5-7)
Graphic Novel
Little Monarchs, by Jonathan Case, Ferguson/Holiday House, 2022
Black tween Evie and her white caretaker Flora overcome disasters and treachery on an post-apocalyptic Pacific Coast trip, trying to synthesize vaccines to counteract a sun shift that’s made surface living fatal. Great art, believable science, laughs and strong characters equal an awesome adventure. (Grade 4-7)
Non-Fiction
Murder Among Friends: How Leopold and Loeb Tried to Commit the Perfect Crime, by Candace Fleming, Anne Schwartz Books, 2022
The shocking kidnap and murder of a 14-year-old boy by two rich 19-year-olds (Leopold and Loeb) in Chicago in 1924 is recounted in this fascinating true crime book that uses abundant primary sources. Contains two sections of b&w photos, detailed source notes, a bibliography, and index. (Grade 7-12)
Sharks: A Mighty Bite-y History, by Miriam Forster, illustrated by Gordy Wright, Abrams, 2022
Sharks are among the oldest animals. How did they survive three extinction events and why do they fascinate us? The large format, well designed, handsomely illustrated book profiles 14 fascinating shark species and conveys loads of relevant context in short, easily digested paragraphs and sidebars. (Grade 2-6)
Poetry
Marshmallow Clouds: Two Poets at Play Among Figures of Speech, by Ted Kooser & Connie Wanek, illustrated by Richard Jones, Candlewick, 2022
Two noted poets unleash their imaginations on everyday objects, including a worm in a puddle, a cow pie, and a fly-swatter. Recommended for all collections, this book of engaging, free-verse will be appreciated by a variety of ages as well as by teachers launching poetry units. (Grade 3-8)
Leave a Reply