(2) YA In this novel in verse set in 1989, sixteen-year-old Helena lives in Leipzig, East Germany, during a period of oppression when citizens inform on their neighbors. But times are changing, and peaceful protests against the government are gaining momentum. Helena finds solace in music and begins to fall in love with a fellow piano student, but she's pressured to spy on him and reluctantly reveals his plans to escape. As weekly peace prayers at the Saint Nicholas Church turn into a massive march, Helena chooses to confront her betrayal and her fears, and act: "There comes a time / when every voice / must cry out, a time // when every person must lean / into their fear, spread their wings / and rise up. // That time / is now." Green conveys Helena's anxieties and hopes in equal measure in lyrical free-verse passages that flow together like a musical composition. She balances discussion of the political upheaval of the time just prior to the fall of the Berlin Wall with a sensitive exploration of Helena's personal struggles and emotional growth. An author's note with historical background, a glossary, and selected sources are appended.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2024

(3) 1-3 Color by Cat Caro. When Marmalade, an ambitious kitten architect, is rejected from designing the new mayor's manor because she's "too adorable," she and other fed-up, capable kitties form their own feline-run construction company in order to be taken seriously in a human-run world. Green's latest graphic novel for young readers contains simple, full-color panels; is tightly plotted; and offers an essential message, especially for little girls.

Reviewer: Jessica Costello

(3) YA Sex educator Green expands on her popular YouTube videos with this hefty guide to modern sexuality and relationships. With a slangy but knowledgeable tone, Green expounds on the expected subjects (anatomy, birth control) as well as relevant issues such as gender identity, communication, and consent. Her deft, gentle treatment of delicate topics and commitment to sex-positivity makes this informational book stand out among similar titles for older teens. Websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(3) YA Smoke Thieves series. A princess facing an arranged marriage, a bastard son discovering his identity, a servant dispossessed by war, a loyal guardsman torn by love, and a child demon hunter take turns narrating this novel. As their story lines converge, a detailed picture emerges of rival kingdoms on the verge of war. Green provides complex characters and persuasive political conflicts but not much resolution in the opener to a projected trilogy.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 When talented seventh-grade football player Danny Owens--son of a deceased Superbowl champion and an alcoholic mother--gets caught cheating, his teacher discovers he can't read. To make matters worse, the pressure of learning creates anger-management problems. Counseling, tutoring, and stalwart friends help Danny define success on his own terms. Green's latest is pretty message-y, but his fans will appreciate the authentic football details.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Baseball Genius series. Twelve-year-old Jalen DeLuca (Baseball Genius) is desperate to play travel baseball, but his single dad can't afford the fees. When Jalen is caught stealing baseballs signed by Yankee James Yager, he uses his uncanny ability to predict pitches to help save Yager's flagging career. Themes of bullying and perseverance are woven through this second implausible baseball story. Short chapters keep things moving until the abrupt ending.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Hatem Aly. In the "United State of Earth," everyone is normal (read: exactly the same). When seventh grader Norbert thoughtlessly mocks their leader, he's sent to a sort of prison-camp on planet Zarquat 3 for creative non-conformists. Narrator Norbert's dexterity with words and the sketchlike cartoon illustrations add humor, and his (outlandish) journey toward self-discovery manages to balance pathos with heart and a positive message about being true to oneself.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(3) 4-6 Explorers series. Illustrated by Mark Bergin. Appealing color illustrations and informative diagrams complement this historical overview of the U.S. space program. There's an emphasis on the seventeen Apollo missions, in particular the Apollo 11 moon landing. The book also clearly explains the technology of spacecraft, describes the astronauts' daily routine in space, and summarizes "what happened next" in U.S. space flight. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(2) YA Sixteen-year-old Aza Holmes suffers from obsessive compulsions, anxiety, and "invasive" thought-spirals. She's also investigating the whereabouts of missing local billionaire Russell Pickett, which leads her to Pickett's son Davis, Aza's childhood friend. The mystery and tentative romance give the story momentum and shape, but its epicenter is a clear-eyed exploration of mental illness and of the deep existential revelations that suffering can engender.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2018

(2) K-3 Though the text, which recalls a pet-owner's manual, serves as a how-to for any would-be ghost-owner, the gouache and colored-pencil illustrations follow one girl-and-ghost pair throughout the girl's life. The forever friend is right by her side until the end and "even after." With rosy cheeks and wide eyes, this ghost is not just not-scary but utterly endearing. A tongue-in-cheek but strangely sweet picture book about enduring friendship.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(2) 4-6 Macy is facing a new school with a new sign-language interpreter, her mother is getting re-married, and their house is up for sale. Elderly neighbor Iris's words of wisdom--and communication through cookies--brings Macy solace and understanding. Green's free verse makes this a quick, accessible read; Macy's deafness is a feature but not the focus of this sympathetic rendering of a twelve-year-old's realistic angst.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2017

(4) 4-6 Sixth grader Cory, a promising running back from a rough Irish neighborhood, receives his injured best friend's football scholarship to a private school. When he is a suspect in a break-in, Cory is determined to be more than a kid from the wrong side of the tracks. Despite the predictable plot, the brisk pace and lively descriptions of game play will drawn in readers.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by David Lyttleton. "Science is: Curiosity...Disagreement...Discovery...A Long Journey." Green provides a rapid-fire overview of key developments--and ideological battles--in numerous scientific disciplines, including astronomy, atomic theory, microbiology, and more. Each discovery is cast as a several-sentence stopover on a forward-moving road. Angled text and bright digital caricatures of scientists contribute to a frenetic feel. "Shortcuts" point readers to related topics in the book, encouraging browsing. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) K-3 DK Readers series. Six substantive chapters describe natural wonders from around the world, ranging from Mount Everest and the Sahara Desert to less-well-known formations such as Australia's Twelve Apostles. Accompanied by excellent photos, the text, leveled for "reading alone," offers nuanced explanations of the landscapes' features. Labeled diagrams and mock news articles expose readers to additional nonfiction formats. Quiz and map appended. Timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) 1-3 Color by Cat Caro. In this delightful graphic novel for emergent readers, a hippo joins his friend, a red panda, to seek a better life outside their failing zoo. They sample various professions, literally trying on many hats, before finding their true calling. Clear, direct text and clean, digitally colored graphite illustrations simply and effectively tell this clever story of friendship, professional development, and home improvement.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 1-3 Adventures of Sophie Mouse series. Illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell. In her seventh chapter book, mouse Sophie finds a four-leaf clover while painting. When, instead of good luck, she starts having very bad luck, Sophie wonders what's happening. Could her classmate's rumor about the Clover Curse be real? The tame, gentle story of friendship and school includes sweet black-and-white illustrations on nearly every page.

Reviewer: Grace Worcester Greene

(4) YA Finding a Career series. This series offers a thorough look at various jobs connected by skills and interests, though the pairings are sometimes odd (e.g., landscape designer in Arts; lawyer in Writing), and stats about each career will quickly become outdated. Basic facts, necessary preparation, opportunities, potential problems, organizations to contact, quotes from the field, and an interview with a real-life practitioner are included; dull stock photos illustrate the texts. Ind. Review covers these Finding a Career titles: Careers If You Like Writing, Careers If You Like the Arts, Careers If You Like History, Careers If You Like Math, Careers If You Like Science, and Careers If You Like Government and Politics.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) YA Nathan (Half Bad; Half Wild), now in love with Gabriel, seeks vengeance on former love Annalise, who killed his father; meanwhile, Nathan uses his Gifts to help the Alliance defeat the despotic Council of White Witches. Fans may be crushed by tragic events in this finale, but the first-person-present narrative keeps the tension dialed high as the series' nuanced exploration of good and evil continues.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(4) 4-6 Deaf seventh grader Landon has always faced bullying, but as the biggest kid in his new school, he has high hopes for playing football. Despite difficulties, Landon's strong will and the friendship of a star player help him earn his peers' respect. The writing is overtly messagey, but readers will cheer as likable Landon fights to fit in--and succeeds.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 1-3 Silver Pony Ranch series. Illustrated by Emily Wallis. Horse-crazy Tori and her sister Miranda are thrilled to be at their grandmother's pony ranch for the summer. The sisters squabble, they break safety rules, a puppy goes missing, and Tori is eventually allowed to ride the new wild pony Gran has acquired. Despite the opening book's thin plot, this new series has appeal; stiff black-and-white illustrations assist new readers in decoding.

Reviewer: Grace Worcester Greene