(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. This picture book for older children packs a lot of sports and political history into forty pages. Set in 1990s South Africa, the story centers on two boys--one black, one white--who finally can play soccer together after the South African multiracial team wins the Africa Cup. The strong mixed-media illustrations reflect the text's emotion and energy. A historical note is appended. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Clubhouse Mysteries series. Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. The "Black Dinosaurs," a club of four African American boys, compete in a talent show and help a homeless girl (Stars) and rescue a fawn whose habitat has been destroyed (Backyard). Issues are laid on thick and stiff illustrations don't add much, but the installments are entertaining enough. Originally published as part of the Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs series. Review covers this Clubhouse Mysteries title: The Backyard Animal Show and Stars and Sparks on Stage.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Clubhouse Mysteries series. Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. Four African American friends--Ziggy, Jerome, Rico, and Rashawn--pursue their interest in science by attending Space Camp. Although occasionally over-earnest and preachy, the book successfully weaves factual information into the story. Occasional black-and-white drawings vacillate between unobtrusive and distracting. This reissue was originally published as part of the Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs series.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 4-6 Clubhouse Mysteries series. Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. The "Black Dinosaurs," a club of four African American boys, compete in a talent show and help a homeless girl (Stars) and rescue a fawn whose habitat has been destroyed (Backyard). Issues are laid on thick and stiff illustrations don't add much, but the installments are entertaining enough. Originally published as part of the Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs series. Review covers this Clubhouse Mysteries title: The Backyard Animal Show and Stars and Sparks on Stage.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Clubhouse Mysteries series. Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. Four fifth-graders become involved in local mysteries. In Bones, they uncover bones near their clubhouse; Tunnel finds the gang trapped in a tunnel that was part of the Underground Railroad; in Caesar's, a camping trip turns into a Shawnee manhood ceremony. The mysteries aren't all that suspenseful and the black history lessons aren't subtle, but the readable texts are diverting. Review covers these Clubhouse Mysteries titles: The Buried Bones Mystery, Lost in the Tunnel of Tim, and Shadows of Caesar's Creek.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Clubhouse Mysteries series. Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. Four fifth-graders become involved in local mysteries. In Bones, they uncover bones near their clubhouse; Tunnel finds the gang trapped in a tunnel that was part of the Underground Railroad; in Caesar's, a camping trip turns into a Shawnee manhood ceremony. The mysteries aren't all that suspenseful and the black history lessons aren't subtle, but the readable texts are diverting. Review covers these Clubhouse Mysteries titles: The Buried Bones Mystery, Lost in the Tunnel of Tim, and Shadows of Caesar's Creek.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. Based on the real-life community of black horsemen of North Philadelphia, this novel traces the experience of Cole, whose depressed mother drops him off with the father he barely knows. Cole's dad Harp is a leader of the Chester Avenue horsemen, stabling and training abandoned equines, and Cole learns (too easily) to ride and follow the "Cowboy Way." Formulaic, but boy-pleasing and swiftly moving.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. Through seventeen poems, Medina tells the story of the reggae icon, starting and ending with his Jamaican roots ("I am the boy / From Nine Miles..."). The lyric-like pieces are thoughtful and adept; appended notes explain the biographical events on which the poems are based. Watson's acrylics capture Marley's public magnetism as well as private, introspective moments.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs series. Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. In their sixth adventure, Ziggy and his friends enter the school talent show. After winning, they donate their two-hundred-dollar prize to a family displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Although some of the details are unlikely (for example, the displaced mother finds an apartment and job in about one day), the story is entertaining and well meaning. A study guide is appended.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. Eleven-year-old Marcus, dealing with anger issues after his sister's death and father's desertion, learns to use chess as a means to cope. Marcus's anger and violence are realistically heartbreaking, but the use of chess to solve his problems is not developed enough to be equally believable. Watson's expressive acrylics in black and white add to the stark view of inner-city life.

Reviewer:

(4) 4-6 Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs series. Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. The fourth and fifth books about the Black Dinosaurs follow four African American friends--Ziggy, Jerome, Rico, and Rashawn--as they pursue their interest in science, attending Space Camp and caring for an orphaned fawn. Although occasionally over-earnest and preachy, the books successfully weave factual information into the stories. Study guides, including discussion and writing questions, are included. Review covers these Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs titles: The Backyard Animal Show and The Space Mission Adventure.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 4-6 Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs series. Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. The fourth and fifth books about the Black Dinosaurs follow four African American friends--Ziggy, Jerome, Rico, and Rashawn--as they pursue their interest in science, attending Space Camp and caring for an orphaned fawn. Although occasionally over-earnest and preachy, the books successfully weave factual information into the stories. Study guides, including discussion and writing questions, are included. Review covers these Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs titles: The Backyard Animal Show and The Space Mission Adventure.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth