(3) K-3 Illustrated by Anne Villeneuve. A boy spending the summer with his aunt while his mother recovers from surgery makes a new friend by inviting a neighborhood kid to join him in throwing some mysterious dirt balls into an empty lot. This easygoing story about how gardens can foster community is illustrated with ink and watercolor art that, like a flower, lends grace to the urban landscape.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sandy Nichols. Eli's zaida (Yiddish for grandfather) always brings him bagels on Sunday morning. When Zaida gets hurt and must stay home, Eli and Zaida's friends miss their weekly ritual, but Eli comes to the rescue, bringing everyone their favorites and earning the elders' praise. This sweet intergenerational story has illustrations reminiscent of a bygone era, but which convey a universal message about love, food, and tradition. Glos.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 Rising sixth grader Henry grapples with friendship troubles and responsibility during a summer at home with his stay-at-home dad and toddler brother. Henry's first-person narration and observations are engaging, although his personality is rather bland. Realistic dialogue and believable family relationships shine in a well-written story in which not very much happens.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jacqui Lee. A young hockey fan is tucked into bed before the end of a hockey game he's watching, but tunes in via the radio under his pillow; as the boy drifts off, he dreams himself into the game to score the winning goal. Lee's gouache art, dominated by icy aqua-blue and punctuated with pops of yellow, pairs nicely with this nostalgic yet still relatable childhood scenario.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Katty Maurey. Skirting the less-savory aspects of Carnegie's biography (corrupt business dealings, the Homestead Strike, etc.), Larsen writes a plainspoken picture-book narrative of a hard-working and intellectually curious immigrant who grew to be a major philanthropist and builder of public libraries. Maurey's gentle, flattened figurative depictions have a subdued stateliness. The handsome, well-made book (sewn signatures, a lovely rarity!) includes an afterword with photos. Bib.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Irene Luxbacher. Theo is intrigued by her globe-trotting grandfather's trunk filled with pictures, postcards, maps, and menus. For Poppa's birthday, she suggests she and Poppa make a plan, draw a map, and travel by streetcar to explore the seaside. Colorful, multi-patterned mixed-media illustrations chronicle this intergenerational adventure that emphasizes the gift of being in the moment with loved ones.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Mike Lowery. A boy wants to write a story like his older sister but laments, "I don't know many words." She says, "Write what you know," and helps him get started. This well-meaning story meanders somewhat on its path to empowerment. The dapper art, in unconventional, muted colors, shows the brown-skinned boy author being encouraged at home and at school.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Todd Stewart. On their annual vacation, a girl and her parents stay at the same beach in the same motel, following the same routine; this year, though, she makes a new friend. Simple, childlike observations about seagulls, life jackets, and burnt marshmallows proceed, day by day, until it's time to go home and await next year's return. Luminous drawings spread languidly across the wide pages.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2015

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jacqueline Hudon-Verrelli. Curious where so many of their city neighbors are going with shovels, Charlie and his dad join the crowd and learn about compost at the mayor's Dirt Day Giveaway. Charlie receives soil and a seed that he grows on his balcony, later adding his harvest to his neighbor's spaghetti sauce. The simple urban-gardening story is illustrated with chipper art featuring large-headed people. Composting information is appended.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Dušan Petričić. The narrator and his older brother enjoy their tree house until the summer when the elder brother switches loyalties to his friends. But one night there's a blackout in the neighborhood, precipitating a brotherly reunion. The story, inspired by true events, suffers from flat pacing, but the crisp narration and atmospheric illustrations of an electricity-free evening recommend the title.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jacqueline Hudon-Verrelli. This engaging story about a class of young students raising butterflies from caterpillars and releasing them from their school's roof is illustrated with fanciful art featuring brightly colored (though not realistic-looking) creatures. Appended is a double-page spread containing information on butterflies, which will be useful for adults sharing the book with children.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) 4-6 Canadian fourth-grader Jude Bhandari doesn't get why Terrence, the new kid from England, has to pick fights with everyone, including Jude's best friend Sanjay and even Jude himself. Jude's first-person narration reveals his frustration toward his own deadbeat dad, love for his mother and Nani, and a common link with Terrence. The straightforward story is accessible and entertaining.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Irene Luxbacher. Theo's Poppa no longer has a garden when he moves from his house to an apartment. Instead, grandfather and granddaughter paint one outside on a large canvas on his balcony. The lively pen, ink, and collage illustrations reflect the story's loving intergenerational relationship and show step-by-step how the two cultivate their imaginations.

Reviewer:

(4) PS Illustrated by Kate Endle. Bella's favorite part of playschool is the fluffy white bunny. She loves to nuzzle it and let it nestle into her sweater. One day, the rabbit and Bella's white sweater go missing, and the class works together to retrieve both. The somewhat plodding text is brought to life through detailed collage illustrations.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor