(2) K-3 CitizenKid series. Illustrated by Simone Shin. North American youth Leo donates his bicycle to an organization that provides bikes to Africans. First, young Alisetta uses it to improve her family's life. Eventually, Big Red is repurposed as a bicycle ambulance. Straightforward, specific prose and upbeat illustrations give readers a sense of how bicycles can be life-changing in other parts of the world; back matter offers a detailed list of ways to help.

Reviewer: Monica Edinger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2015

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Kathy Boake. Language evolution, language acquisition, and endangered languages are just a few of the topics explored in this thorough introduction to linguistics. The casual tone and humorous examples make the impressively informative text feel approachable, as does the bright, appealing layout. Though slick and even creepy-looking, the caricatures in Boake's Photoshop art are diverse, comical, and unique. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Siena Leslie

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Rose Cowles. The authors (editors of the bimonthly kids' publication YES Mag) here liken scientists to detectives, recasting topics such as the discovery of DNA's structure as successfully solved scientific mysteries. Additional research "cases," biographies of scientists, and hands-on projects help break up the pages. The mixed-media illustrations capture the light tone of the text, while photographs help add verisimilitude.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford