(2) K-3 Illustrated by Alex Boersma. Levy and Boersma's gentle and accessible introduction to climate change centers on carbon and its ubiquitous presence in Earth's living and nonliving systems. Brief definitions of key chemistry terms and concepts precede the title page, and statements in the first few pages lay out the crisis we face with global warming: "After hundreds of years and billions of people burning fuels, there's too much carbon in the air!" The remainder of the book is hopeful, showing how kelp forests, mangroves, and even dirt can "soak up" the excess carbon. Boersma's illustrations represent carbon as delicate white dots swirling in the air over sunny city scenes and landscapes or crowded into the clouds of darker emissions from power plants. The book ends with a call to action: "For the Earth to keep helping us, we must help the Earth." The meaningful solutions presented include alternative energies, public transportation, and scientific innovation. Additional information about global warming and things readers can do to help are included in the back matter.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(2) 4-6 In 1956 Clinton, Tennessee, twelve African American students integrated the all-white high school. Boyce, one of the "Clinton 12," relates (with coauthor Levy) her first-person account in free-verse passages that often include rhyme and employ various poetic forms. Newspaper headlines and clips, excerpts from the Constitution, and more appear throughout this fine addition to books about the integration of public schools during the civil rights era. Reading list, timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Jonda C. McNair | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Gilbert Ford. In December 1862, Union and Confederate forces made camp near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Excerpts of letters home, alternating between Confederate and Union soldiers, reveal parallel hopes and fears. And the beloved song "Home Sweet Home," sung by soldiers on both sides, epitomizes that connection. Mixed-media collages layered on each page visually reinforce the theme: there can be overlapping commonalities even among enemies in war. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2017

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley. Levy keeps a strong thematic focus on principled disagreement in this admiring picture-book biography of Justice Ginsburg. From her grade-school insistence on writing left-handed to her dissents on a right-leaning Supreme Court, Ginsburg displays here a lifelong tenacity. Mixed-media illustrations aptly change with the times of Ginsburg's life and give their subject lots of personality--but how could they not?

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(4) K-3 Illustrated by David Opie. With Rosana Panza. When hundreds of runners pass his home, Dozer, a goldendoodle, decides to find out what they're all chasing. On and on he runs until at last he, like the other half-marathon runners, reaches the finish line. The entertaining but somewhat long story, told from Dozer's point of view, is accompanied by static, muted illustrations. An author's note about the real Dozer is included.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(2) YA Babysitter Danielle's five-year-old charge, Humphrey, is killed in a hit-and-run accident on her watch. The driver is an undocumented immigrant, and Danielle gets dragged into a fierce debate about illegal immigration. This story of love and loss is deepened by the protagonist's inspiring development from someone afraid of conflict into someone who stands up for what she believes is right.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2013

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. A simple story explains how this rallying song for freedom became the watchword for the civil rights movement in the United States, and from there to countries around the world struggling with human rights issues. Lively digital and mixed-media illustrations convey a joyous mood. Although "No single day marks the birth of the song...", a timeline of highlights is included. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Buscema. "This fourth glass of water is just what I need.... / I'm sleepy... good night now... / OH, NO, MOM, I PEED!" Twenty poems with punchy endings speak of bedtime delays, bunk bed injustices, and nighttime snacks. Bold, broadly drawn illustrations match the humor and imagination of the verse. No yawning here: bedtime shirkers will beg to read these again and again.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) 4-6 This sequence of poems describes the last months one twelve-year-old Jewish girl spends in Germany before her family escapes the Holocaust. Based in part on the author's mother's poesiealbum--collected poems, drawings, and expressions of good wishes" popular with young girls at the time--this story enriches readers' understanding of and appreciation for the culture of childhood during the time of the Nazis. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(3) YA Pivotal Moments in History series. Each volume details an important turning point in ancient history. Sure to satisfy history buffs, the books not only relate facts about the specific topics but also delve into the events leading up to those points as well as exploring their effects throughout history. Numerous sidebars, illustrations, maps, and art reproductions provide additional information. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Pivotal Moments in History titles: The Conquests of Alexander the Great, Marco Polo's Journey to China, The Signing of the Magna Carta, and The Fall of the Roman Empire.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Whether playing his computer game DeepSea Danger Hunt or swimming laps, Gabe finds life easier underwater than trying to interact with other kids. Is he a "difficult child" like his mom's book says, or just different? Though much of the action is confined to descriptions of the computer game, readers may relate to Gabe's attempts at fitting in.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) YA Literary Greats series. The first black author in the United States to write a bestseller, Wright published the history-making Native Son in 1940. Still, he faced racial prejudice and discrimination. This thoughtful biography places Wright's life and literary success in historical context, delineating how his books reflected his own experiences and those of black America. Uncluttered design and black-and-white photos contribute to the book's accessibility. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Presidential Leaders series. Six presidents--from Warren Harding, whom historians rate one of the worst, to Theodore Roosevelt, whose popularity resulted in a stuffed animal being named for him--are profiled in these laudatory biographies. Report writers will find the basic facts here but will need to look elsewhere for more comprehensive coverage. Black-and-white period photos and reproductions break up the dull texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Presidential Leaders titles: William H. Taft, Andrew Johnson, Warren G. Harding, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Theodore Roosevelt.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Presidential Leaders series. Six presidents--from Warren Harding, whom historians rate one of the worst, to Theodore Roosevelt, whose popularity resulted in a stuffed animal being named for him--are profiled in these laudatory biographies. Report writers will find the basic facts here but will need to look elsewhere for more comprehensive coverage. Black-and-white period photos and reproductions break up the dull texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Presidential Leaders titles: William H. Taft, Andrew Johnson, Warren G. Harding, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Theodore Roosevelt.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) YA Presidential Leaders series. The books in this series briefly chronicle the lives and achievements of five former presidents. Each volume attempts to portray the subject and the events surrounding his presidency honestly and openly, but the broad overview allows for little depth. Well-captioned photos enhance a bland design. Reading list, source notes, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. [Review covers these Presidential Leaders titles: Woodrow Wilson, Harry S. Truman, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.]

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Chronicle of America's Wars series. These books do an adequate job of detailing the activities that led to the Korean, Vietnam, and Cold wars as well as the conflicts themselves. Nicely designed pages full of quotes, reproduced art, and maps help to break up the sometimes dense text. Occasional double-page spreads focus on such topics as weapons and soldiers' uniforms. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Chronicle of America's Wars titles: The Korean War, The Vietnam War, and The Cold War.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(3) YA Lucent Overview series. These volumes provide thorough looks at three hot topics. The authors recognize the gray area surrounding each issue (e.g., they consider the frequently trying socioeconomic circumstances of many gang members) and look to history for insights. Black-and-white photos and editorial cartoons reinforce the authors' points. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram