(3) YA In these short stories, thirteen teens are connected by their experiences on Hungry Heart Row: an atmospheric fictional neighborhood renowned for its variety of eclectic, magical cuisines. Some stories are realistic and others supernatural; all are grounded by sensitive portrayals of the teens' cultural and economic backgrounds and themes of love, food, and community. A strong, consistent, and satisfying compilation.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman. Young narrator Ava and her mother spend a winter day observing and recording the bird species they see as part of the annual Christmas Bird Count (an author's note explains that the event is run by the National Audubon ­Society). The text is full of information for fledgling scientists, with species names in bold and more information about each in the back matter. Ava's tally appears on the side of each spread during the count, allowing readers to watch the list grow as she spots new species.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2020

(3) 4-6 American Museum of Natural History series. These volumes highlight the science and technology of the International Space Station (Life in Space) and rover explorations of Mars (Mission to Mars). Clear texts explain why these missions have been undertaken and how findings contribute to our knowledge of planets and human endurance in space. Striking images show the surface of Mars, a variety of spacecraft, and astronauts at work. Ind. Review covers these titles: Mission to Mars and Life in Space.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Larger-than-life close-up photographs on bright pages encourage readers to observe minute characteristics of sixteen different types of insects. The goal is to alleviate potential fear of these commonly misunderstood creatures (including spiders, mosquitoes, and wasps), but the animals adopt an odd, friendly first-person narration to describe themselves. Additional facts about ants and bees are included on slightly longer spreads. Glos.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 A little boy named Pax daily feeds a pigeon, Blue. Pax feels terrible when his mom rushes him past Blue one day, but the bird follows him onto the subway and they are happily reunited. The cartoon-style mixed-media illustrations help punch up the funny responses of the people (who unaccountably all appear to be white) on the subway. Good for talking about feelings and explaining empathy.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke

(3) K-3 Good Question! series. Answering questions about topics such as why garbage stinks, why recycling is good, and whether we can recycle food, this book is an informative introduction to the purpose of waste management and recycling. Standard color photos and illustrations, such as a cross-section (with labeled layers) of a landfill, helpfully illustrate the text. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) YA After her brother is killed by Nazis, sixteen-year-old Lucie, seeking a secretarial job with the Women's Army Corps, is recruited for Covert Ops, a secret offshoot working to take down Hitler. In France, assassin Lucie is eventually reassigned to investigate top-secret Nazi project Operation Zerfall. Underdeveloped characterizations and rushed storytelling tip the thrilling premise toward a tedious execution. An author's note discusses real female spies in WWII.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(3) K-3 Good Question! series. A question-and-answer format provides information relevant to each book's American government topic. Informative responses are given to such questions as "What is women's suffrage?"; "Why was Susan B. Anthony arrested in 1872?"; "Who was the Father of the Constitution?"; "Who attended the Constitutional Convention?"; and "What is the Bill of Rights?". Illustrations and archival photographs enhance the readable texts. Timeline. Review covers the following Good Question! titles: Why Couldn't Susan B. Anthony Vote? and What Are the Three Branches of Government?.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) K-3 Good Question! series. Basic information about water on earth, particularly in the oceans, is presented in a question-and-answer format. Everything from the water cycle, tides, the ocean zones and life within each layer, and human impact on water quality is covered by questions that also convey information. Illustrations and clear photographs are found on every other page. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA After transferring to boarding school Oakhurst Hall, Jack, a skilled pianist, joins the football team and finds himself facing an unknown world of hazing and performance-enhancing drugs. Jack treads the line between letting down his team and being honest with himself in a way that feels honest and tense without a false note of hope tacked on.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) PS A little boy and girl introduce readers to the ups and downs of potty training and what it means to be a big kid. In both books, simple and to-the-point text (identical except for gender) provides a kid-friendly approach to training, bathroom etiquette, and positive reinforcement. The illustrations are childlike and unremarkable, but these titles are suitable introductions to the topic. Review covers these titles: Big Boys Go Potty and Big Girls Go Potty.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski

(4) PS A little boy and girl introduce readers to the ups and downs of potty training and what it means to be a big kid. In both books, simple and to-the-point text (identical except for gender) provides a kid-friendly approach to training, bathroom etiquette, and positive reinforcement. The illustrations are childlike and unremarkable, but these titles are suitable introductions to the topic. Review covers these titles: Big Boys Go Potty and Big Girls Go Potty.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski

(4) K-3 "Ralphie Mix, at age six, didn't want to go to bed." So begins Ralphie's bedtime routine with his mom, complete with goldfish kisses, gorilla hugs, caterpillar tickles, and other gestures of affection. The double-page illustrations alternate mother and child scenes with pictures of the various animals, which accounts for some awkward transitions between spreads. The rhyming text doesn't always scan smoothly.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) 4-6 Introducing Painters series. Picasso provides basic biographical information, but its main focus is Picasso's development as artist and innovator. Photos and reproductions of his work illustrate thirteen sections. Michelangelo is less focused, veering from Michelangelo's work into modern fresco restoration techniques. Reproductions are included, but details of some are lost in the gutter. A timeline is appended. Ind. [Review covers these Introducing Painters titles: Introducing Picasso and Introducing Michelangelo.]

Reviewer: Gail Hedges