(3) PS Illustrated by Jonathan Nelson. In Diné (Navajo) culture, the First Laugh Ceremony "expresses the parents' hope that their child will always be friendly, kind, and caring." This story about a baby growing up in the city but with grandparents on the Navajo Nation offers a not-often-seen glimpse of contemporary Native American life. Pencil, ballpoint-pen, and Photoshop illustrations contrast urban and rural living. Appended notes include other traditional baby celebrations.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Shonto Begay. Biracial thirteen-year-old Tess feels like an outsider on her Navajo reservation and at her white school. She also struggles to reconcile her anger at and fear for her older sister, who has enlisted in the army and left her intimidating horse, Blue, in Tess's care. A thoughtful, if slow, coming-of-age story and horse-bonding tale with a heartbreaking ending for animal lovers.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Photographs by Jan Sonnenmair. This book invites readers to experience a Navajo Nation rodeo. While focusing on adult competitions (bronco riding, steer wrestling, etc.), Flood doesn't ignore the roles children play. Double-page spreads feature some combination of free-verse poems, narrative accounts of events, and snippets of the announcer's dialogue: "Ladies and gents, give a big warm welcome to our youngest competitors." Well-chosen photographs accompany the readable text. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA Set in rural America in the 1930s, this novel weaves two strands of family history--the birth of a premature baby and the revelation of an out-of-wedlock pregnancy--around the character of thirteen-year-old Sophie. Solidly grounded in the details of farming life and, in particular, the care of newborns, it limns the themes of guilt and secrets.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis

(4) YA Joseph, a Saipan native, and his half-Japanese cousin, Kento, struggle to save their families from the crossfire on their war-torn island. Set on Saipan amidst a World War II battle, the book sheds light on a lesser-known piece of the war's history. The details are useful and informative, but Joseph's narration can be lugubrious. Reading list.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) YA Illustrated by Connie J. Adams. Telling the origins of a singular Yapese custom, "The Stone Money of Yap" is but one legend in this collection of Micronesian stories. Presenting legends from several islands along with substantial background information about each culture, this is an unusual resource about an area of the Pacific little known to most North Americans. Strong black-and-white woodcuts complement the tales. Bib.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Connie J. Adams. Over forty tales--including creation myths, ghost stories, and animal tales--are presented in an overlong volume. Each section contains a lengthy introduction providing the historical background of a region, identifying specific islands, and touching on traditions of the various peoples. The margins are littered with definitions and pronunciation guides, making the book appear more educational than entertaining. Bib.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta