(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Xingye Jin. April, beginning sixth grade and dealing with her own friendship issues, takes an interest in a younger student with puzzling behaviors and a surprising artistic skill. April's former best friend has joined the cool-girl group, so to avoid cafeteria humiliation, she volunteers to staff the school's Buddy Bench at recess. Fourth grader Joey Byrd spends recess lying on the ground with his eyes shut or walking in circles around the playground. April and fellow Buddy Bench volunteer Veena slowly form a connection with Joey and--with the help of a trip to the roof, courtesy of the custodian--realize that Joey's walks actually create large-scale drawings in the playground's dirt. Joey, in chapters written in his voice, gradually warms up to the girls, but when they bring his art to the attention of the whole school, the scrutiny puts him in situations outside his comfort zone. Joey is clearly neuroatypical, though never diagnosed in the book ("Does it matter?" the guidance counselor asks when April wonders whether he's on the autism spectrum). April's social struggles are authentic, and the intergrade dynamics of elementary school ring true. Pearsall writes about compassion without preachiness, bringing the story's threads together in a satisfying ending that's feel-good but far from sappy. Black-and-white art is interspersed.

Reviewer: Sarah Rettger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2020

(3) 4-6 After hurling a brick at the "Junk Man," thirteen-year-old Arthur is sentenced to community service helping the local trash-picker rummage for items for his artistic masterpiece. The punishment not only helps the dying artist, but also helps Arthur cope with his father's death. Set in 1963, Pearsall's semi-biographical story of little-known folk artist James Hampton delicately addresses redemption through art, friendship, and understanding.

Reviewer: Andrea Curtis

(3) YA When Aunt Odella sends Levi to live with his father at an army post in North Carolina, Levi, thirteen, is both hopeful and wary. World War II is winding down, but as Levi discovers, his father, leader of a segregated paratrooper division, has a secret mission that takes them both to--of all places--Oregon. This homefront story is deliberately but steadily paced, and the Jim Crow era is well evoked.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(3) 4-6 While staying with his father in Chicago, thirteen-year-old Josh is mortified to discover that Dad has reinvented himself as an Elvis impersonator. Things go from bad to worse when he receives an invitation to perform at Josh's new school. Pearsall believably and humorously explores the nuances of this father-son relationship with a twist.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Javaka Steptoe. In a gritty Cleveland neighborhood, a disillusioned middle-school math teacher enlists four students in a giant tetrahedron project to get themselves into the Guinness Book of World Records. The participants take it in turn to tell the story, revealing their own lives and reasons for joining the project. The characters are sharply observed and distinctly voiced; there's a good balance of comedy, drama, and middle-school life.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2006

(3) 4-6 When old Harrison essentially shames him into joining him in running away from the Kentucky farm where they are both enslaved, eleven-year-old Samuel fears the perils of escape as much as he does the master. Set in 1859, this story of Harrison and Samuel's bid for Canada is perilous and suspenseful, with both help and danger coming from unexpected places.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton