(3) K-3 Illustrated by Claire Almon. It's 1895, and Mary Fields wants the stagecoach driver job she sees advertised around Cascade, Montana. Unfortunately, she has two strikes against her: she's black and female. (Driving a stagecoach, which can mean run-ins with thieves, is considered man's work.) Charles tells Fields's triumphant story with aplomb, and illustrator Almon captures the Wild West's earth tones and Fearless Mary's arms-akimbo determination.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Claire Almon. A girl shows off her princess-y bedroom to her unimpressed playdate guest. When the visitor sees her host's Princess Penelope doll, however, she smiles: she's brought her secret-agent Penelope doll. In a surprising twist, the two dolls (resembling their owners) come to life; the girls disappear from the illustrations. Adventures ensue, courage and cooperation save the day. Showing you can be frilly and fierce, this dialogue-only story is clever and amusing.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019