(2) K-3 Illustrated by Stevie Lewis. Robbins (1935–2017) and Harding (1924–2002) started out as rock-climbing buddies but quickly became rivals. Messner’s conversational text introduces them and their interest in climbing; she then follows them from the few climbs they attempted together to the many they tried separately and competitively. Yosemite National Park had plenty of rockfaces that no one had summited yet, and a race for first ascents ensued. The text, at times placed on the page to im-ply pauses (“Finally, Royal felt that rocky ledge under his hand / and held on / for dear life”), evokes the drama of ­scaling a rockface. Occasional direct address draws readers and listeners in (“You know how ­Warren felt about giving up”). The text also makes clear the differences in the men’s philosophies of climbing, which informed key moments in their rivalry: Robbins tried to leave as few traces behind as possible, while Harding “just wanted to climb!” without worrying about how many bolts he hammered into the rock. The illustrations’ c­ompositions are engagingly varied, though their representations of people can be cartoonish. Back matter includes more information about rock climbing and the “rock stars” who climbed alongside ­Robbins and Harding, further reading, and selected sources.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(3) 4-6 National Parks series. This series takes readers on pleasant tours through individual national parks. Each book's second-person text has a guidebook-like tone, offering tips and tricks for getting the most out of a visit. The volumes are filled with fascinating facts, vivid photographs of natural wonders and animals visitors might encounter, and keyed maps. Additional fast facts are appended. There are six other spring 2018 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these National Parks titles: Welcome to Redwood National and State Parks, Welcome to Yosemite National Park, Welcome to Denali National Park and Preserve, Welcome to Glacier National Park, Welcome to Grand Teton National Park, and Welcome to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) YA Leaving behind a volatile life in West Virginia, Rilla arrives in Yosemite to stay with her park-ranger half-sister. Rilla's out of her element but is eventually drawn to a group of rock climbers, including competitive Petra, confident Adeena, and intense Walker. Rilla determines to prove herself capable--of climbing El Capitan and of controlling her own story--in this appealing coming-of-age drama. Reading list. Glos.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) K-3 National Parks series. Each series volume provides basic facts on weather, natural landmarks, animals, and ecosystems along with some superficial history of the focal park. On each spread, a few simple, large-type sentences aimed at beginning readers appear beside an impressive, gutter-spanning nature photograph. Information is minimal but age-appropriate. A list of four "fun activities" to do in each locale is appended. Glos., ind. Review covers these National Parks titles: Everglades National Park, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Yosemite National Park.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) YA When three teenage boy classmates and one new girl go camping together in Yosemite National Park, the threats--both external (fire and storms) and internal (more than one hiker has an ax to grind...perhaps literally)--quickly pile up. Although the narrative voices are not always sufficiently distinct, the alternating viewpoints and shifting chronologies result in a slow-burning psychological thriller with consistently mounting tension.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Alice Ratterree. In this mystery-adventure, twelve-year-old zookeeper's daughter Lizzie discovers that a boy, Tyler, is living in the zoo. Despite Tyler's gruff demeanor, they become friends. When the zoo's wolves begin to mysteriously get sick right after Tyler notices odd comings and goings at night, they work together to solve the mystery. Lizzie's wry humor and the page-turning adventure give the novel solid middle-grade appeal.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(4) K-3 National Park Explorers series. Two-page chapters highlight the most basic facts about national parks in this simplistic, succinctly written series for beginning readers. Many high-quality photographs enhance the superficial content ("Sunset at the Grand Canyon is a special time. Watch the sun sink below the beautiful rocks!"). While adequate as introductions, young nature lovers will want more information. An activity is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following National Park Explorers titles: Death Valley, Everglades, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, and Yosemite.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Christy Hale. This peppy picture-book biography describes how a trip to Yosemite Valley and the gift of a camera set "antsy" young Ansel Adams toward becoming the "photographic visionary" who documented America's remarkable landscapes. Hale's collages in an earthy palette make excellent use of textures in depicting the natural world. An author's note further discusses Adams's life and legacy. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Rich Lo. This biography focuses on the ingenuity of Tie Sing, a Chinese American trail cook who in 1915 accompanied millionaire Stephen Mather and a group of influential people on a California camping trip designed to encourage the creation of a national park service--which it did. Lo's pencil drawings and colorful watercolor washes enrich the serviceable story. Photographs and further information are appended. Bib.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 National Parks series. Each volume in this series provides an in-depth look at the cultural, geological, and biological history of a national park. In refreshingly thoughtful detail, this series avoids the usual series cookie-cutting by examining the topics relevant to each place, including wildlife, Native American populations, and conservation plans. Participatory sidebars and thought-provoking questions are included throughout. Park map appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these National Parks titles: Yellowstone National Park, Everglades National Park, Glacier National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein. In 1903, Roosevelt asked Muir to take him camping in the Yosemite wilderness. By the time the two reached Yosemite, Roosevelt had been persuaded to create "national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and national forests." Rosenstock (as she explains in an author's note) has invented the dialogue here, but the ideas expressed are authentic. Gerstein brings his usual verve to the expedition. Bib.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2012

(4) YA America's National Parks series. Readers interested in touring national parks will find these books useful. Information about the history of each park is provided plus ways to get there, sights to see, etc. Report writers may consider the publisher's enhanced website a welcome shortcut to doing their own Internet research. Contemporary and archival photographs and web screen shots accompany the texts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these America's National Parks titles: Denali National Park and Preserve, Yosemite National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Karen Dugan. Wadsworth ably chronicles Theodore Roosevelt's 1903 camping trip with John Muir in Yosemite National Park. Incorporating a number of documented quotations from primary sources, in addition to less convincing invented conversations and interior monologues, she conveys Roosevelt's enthusiasm for Muir's work and the president's love of nature.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Symbols of Freedom series. These simple, easy-to-read texts begin with an introduction to national parks, then ably present the history of each park, highlighting the plants and animals that live there and showcasing some of the most notable sights. Well-captioned photographs illustrate each volume; maps also add detail to the text. The thoughtful, eye-pleasing design makes navigation easy. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Symbols of Freedom titles: Mesa Verde National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Denali National Park and Preserve, Everglades National Park, Yosemite National Park, Death Valley National Park, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) 4-6 National Parks series. In this informative series, each book is set up a little differently to highlight what is most significant about a particular park, but all contain excellent photos and a section on future challenges to the preservation of each park. Written for upper-elementary students, these books will be useful for reports. Glos., ind. Review covers these National Parks titles: Everglades National Park, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Yosemite National Park.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire