(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jo Weaver. This slim, profusely illustrated book (first published in the UK) introduces a small group of Middle Eastern refugees adrift at sea in a small broken-down boat. Rami, a young man clutching a violin case, plays his instrument and shares a legend about its creation. Weaver's haunting art in a monochromatic palette of greenish-black perfectly complements the sad yet sometimes hopeful tale.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Susan Meyer. Twelve-year-old Scarlet (who's biracial) is powerfully bonded to her (white) autistic half-brother, Red, and constantly strives to keep their bipolar mother functional. When a fire in their London apartment separates the siblings into different foster homes, Scarlet determinedly searches for Red. Much is packed into this little novel, but the depth of emotion carries the day. Full-page framed illustrations appear intermittently.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) 1-3 Puppy Academy series. Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Pip wants to be a service dog, but his penchant for chasing balls might be his downfall. Aspiring surf-rescue dog Murphy is a star in water-rescue training but loses his confidence in the ocean. The amusing books set at the Sausage Dreams Puppy Academy feature large fonts, short sentences, plentiful black-and-white illustrations, and endearing canine characters. Facts about each kind of working dog are appended. Review covers these Puppy Academy titles: Murphy and the Great Surf Rescue and Pip and the Paw of Friendship.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Susan Meyer. "Spirit Child" for rebel fighters in the Congo, scarred Imara knows not to show weakness. When the rebels capture a baby gorilla for the exotic pet trade, it falls to Imara and fellow child Bobo--captured while searching for his missing park-ranger father--to keep it alive. An overwrought ending slightly mars this gripping look at the environmental and human costs of war.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 1-3 Puppy Academy series. Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Pip wants to be a service dog, but his penchant for chasing balls might be his downfall. Aspiring surf-rescue dog Murphy is a star in water-rescue training but loses his confidence in the ocean. The amusing books set at the Sausage Dreams Puppy Academy feature large fonts, short sentences, plentiful black-and-white illustrations, and endearing canine characters. Facts about each kind of working dog are appended. Review covers these Puppy Academy titles: Murphy and the Great Surf Rescue and Pip and the Paw of Friendship.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Puppy Academy series. Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Scout, a German shepherd puppy of police-dog parents, aspires to catch Frank Furter, notorious sausage stealer. Border collie Star dreams of being National Sheepdog Champion like her mother. Hopefully the Sausage Dreams Puppy Academy can help both. The amusing books will capture young readers with large fonts, short sentences, plentiful black-and-white illustrations, and entertaining canine characters. Police (Scout) and rescue (Star) dog facts included. Review covers the following Puppy Academy titles: Scout and the Sausage Thief and Star on Stormy Mountain.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 1-3 Puppy Academy series. Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Scout, a German shepherd puppy of police-dog parents, aspires to catch Frank Furter, notorious sausage stealer. Border collie Star dreams of being National Sheepdog Champion like her mother. Hopefully the Sausage Dreams Puppy Academy can help both. The amusing books will capture young readers with large fonts, short sentences, plentiful black-and-white illustrations, and entertaining canine characters. Police (Scout) and rescue (Star) dog facts included. Review covers the following Puppy Academy titles: Scout and the Sausage Thief and Star on Stormy Mountain.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Alessandro Gottardo. This complex narrative contrasts twelve-year-old Tam's austere village in the highlands of Laos with the bustling city life he ventures into to support his family. Bears are respected in his village, but Tam's boss in the city treats them cruelly and profits from them. Lewis's writing is flecked with natural imagery and nudges readers toward compassion. The black-and-white digital illustrations don't add much.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Raquel Aparicio. Kara finds an injured baby dolphin and nurses it back to health, believing that if the dolphin--and the over-dredged reef on which her fishing village relies--recovers, her missing marine biologist mother will return home. Kara's friend Felix helps her face reality, but she takes comfort in championing her mum's cause. Fully developed characters make for personal conflicts as compelling as the environmental one.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Yuta Onoda. Through weird-girl Iona, Callum learns about the osprey pair living on his family's Scotland farm. Soon he's deeply involved in tracking the creatures, to the exclusion of his other friends and interests. There are some over-the-top plot twists, but intriguing details about the ospreys compensate for them by keeping the story grounded in fact. Occasional black-and-white illustrations add atmosphere. Websites.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang