(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jessica Love . A redheaded child looks a little skeptical when Dad announces over breakfast that the two of them are going camping in the desert "to shake hands with the universe." After saying goodbye to Mom and the baby, they pack up Darlin', their pickup truck, and set off. The child narrator notices the change in smells as they drive up into the mountains, which have "charred black trees and also a lot of flowers." Love pairs this imagery with a page of labeled mountain flowers. After stopping by a junkyard to pick up spare parts and chat with the owner, parent and child set up camp by the sand dunes. At night they lie under a cozy blanket on Darlin's bed and name stars after the things they have seen that day. The narrator is comforted by the idea that "we're all made of the same stuff, in different bodies." Love's watercolor, gouache, and ink illustrations include both factual information (the steps to build a fire) and warm, loving scenes of father and child together. By the time they return home, the child's body language is relaxed and content, and they greet Mom and baby happily. The desire for one-on-one attention from a parent is one many children will relate to, and the final picture shows the child as a constellation, "at home in the universe."

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(1) PS Love's follow-up to Julián Is a Mermaid (rev. 5/18) features characters both familiar and new. At the start of the story, Julián and Abuela are strolling down the sidewalk, arm-in-arm and dressed to the nines, on their way to a wedding. They join up with a friend of Julián's, Marisol, wearing a yellow dress and backward ball cap that is soon to be replaced with a crown of flowers. Through spare text and lavish watercolor, gouache, and ink illustrations, Love paints a picture of a joyous occasion. "A wedding is a party for love," the author writes, opposite which we see Julián and Marisol posing with the brides as they share a kiss. Our two main characters steal away from the party, Julián now wearing Marisol's flower crown, and we watch their play take flight beneath a fluorescent-hued willow tree. When Marisol's dress is ruined in all the fun, Marisol puts on Julián's dress-shirt, adorned with the tree's bright cyan leaves. The scene is magical--a magic befitting children who are uninhibited by societal gender norms and restraints. When the friends are discovered, they are not admonished but whisked away to join the brides on the dance floor. Brown craft paper is used as the book's background, adding depth to the colors throughout and emphasizing the different shades of each character's brown skin. Once again Love has brought us young characters who are free to live, play, and express themselves however they wish without conflict. An abundance of joy and love.

Reviewer: Hill Saxton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2020

(1) K-3 After seeing three magnificent-looking people dressed as mermaids, Julián creates a makeshift mermaid outfit. Abuela discovers her grandson's attire; how will she react? She helps Julián complete the outfit, then proudly takes him to a festive sea-creature-attire parade. Small but important details add depth to Julián's emotional journey. Vibrant watercolors with gouache and ink create lively scenes that splash and swirl on the page.

Reviewer: Minh Lê | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2018

(4) YA "Good Korean Girl" Hannah convinces her free-spirited older sister, Grace, and best friend Lo to drive to Las Vegas to surprise Hannah's longtime BFF, Nick--whom she's never met in person (they have an intense internet and phone relationship) and for whom her feelings have moved beyond friendship. Hannah's dithering over whether to tell Nick grows tiresome, but the story is escapist fun.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) YA During senior year, Kara, a talented dancer, is hit by a drunk driver, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. Everyone around her talks about how inspirational and strong she is, but Kara rejects those ideas; she's just doing what she has to do now. Based on Hill's real experiences, this quick read is a nuanced portrayal of a life altered.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor