(4) YA Friddell tells the story of Virginia Hall, a Baltimore native who faced incredible danger as a British spy for the French resistance in World War II. Although the free-verse narrative style can be distracting, it paints a compelling portrait of a woman who refused to let her gender, nationality, or disability (an amputated leg) stop her from fighting for freedom in Europe. Black-and-white photos, from the war and from Virginia’s life, are interspersed.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jessica Cruickshank. Twenty-three short profiles, accompanied by black-and-white illustrations, tell the stories of celebrities—including Simone Biles, Billie Eilish, Daniel Radcliffe, and Dav Pilkey—who have neurodivergent conditions such as autism, ADHD, Tourette’s, dyslexia, and OCD. The accessible if repetitive text describes how each person’s differences shaped their life, and how they overcame challenges to succeed and inspire others. As a whole, the book highlights the variety among neurodiverse people and helps to demystify and normalize their experiences.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Rebecca Santo. "It might seem unfair to reward a person for having so much pleasure over the years." Geneticist Barbara McClintock's (1902–1992) statement upon receiving the Nobel Prize in the category of Physiology or Medicine in 1983 sets the tone for Alexander's accomplished biography of an extraordinary life in science. The account begins with McClintock's childhood, when she showed early interest in and capacity for science at a time when few women were encouraged to do so. Throughout her career, despite sexism and others' misperceptions, McClintock persisted and thrived, most contentedly at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island, where as a research scientist she studied the genetics of maize and discovered "jumping genes," the relocation of DNA segments across the genome. Alexander's descriptions of laboratory and field work are detailed and effective at illustrating scientific experimentation. Most impressive is her equal attention to the conceptual practices of science, such as developing questions and models, scientific argumentation, and the importance of communicating ideas for scrutiny within the scientific community. Santo's digital illustrations use pastel shades to portray McClintock outdoors for work and for nature walks, in the laboratory, and presenting her research at conferences. Text boxes throughout provide background biology concepts and introduce important historical contributors such as Gregor Mendel and Rosalind Franklin. An illustrated timeline of McClintock's major life events, a glossary, and source notes are appended.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Julie Downing. Chess and a chessboard become defining features of a young Viennese Jewish girl’s life at the turn of the twentieth century. Elsa, age six, loves to watch her three brothers play the game, begging them to teach her. After one of them does, “Elsa thought about chess all the time.” For her tenth birthday, her brothers give her a portable chess set. She plays and grows, one day falling in love with a chess-playing librarian, who later flees with her and their daughter -- and her chessboard -- to the United States when Nazism threatens. Chess becomes a way for German-speaking Elsa to make friends with her polyglot coworkers in San Francisco. Basing her story on her grandmother’s experiences (with some coming “from my imagination”), Andrus pens an economical, heartfelt narrative. Downing likewise invests her watercolors with thoughtful details. Particularly effective are occasional four-panel grids that offer tiny montages, such as one depicting a white-haired Elsa with her granddaughters, playing “the games the girls loved”: cards, checkers, Twister, and, at Hanukkah, dreidel. She’s lost her chessboard during a move, a sorrow brought home by a double-page spread of Elsa in her darkened bedroom, tracing her late husband’s face in a framed photo. Readers will be as happy as Elsa when the chessboard is rediscovered, its longevity documented in one of the family snapshots that accompany an author’s note and recommended resources about chess.

Reviewer: Vicky Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley. A little-known fact is that the ­Declaration of Independence, or the “Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America,” signed by fifty-six men and distributed to the thirteen states in 1777, also carried a woman’s name. It was Baltimore printer, publisher, and postmaster Mary Katharine Goddard (1738–1816) who printed the broadside, risking treason charges for her belief in an independent United States. Goddard routinely published news supporting the revolution and put her initials and last name on each paper: “Published by M. K. GODDARD.” It took great courage, and on one occasion a British loyalist “burst into her office to hurl insults, ugly language, and threats,” but ­Goddard stood her ground. When, in 1777, the Continental Congress voted to send a copy of the Declaration to each of the thirteen states, ­Goddard was asked to print it as a one-page broadside. “She carefully converted the scrawled names into clear type,” and this time she proudly added her full name. Baddeley’s mixed-media illustrations bring home Goddard’s determination and resolve. The backgrounds in some illustrations incorporate expressive language -- “Pound! Pound! Pound!” “Crank, Whoosh!” -- to remind us of the sheer strength required to operate a printing press. Detailed back matter provides more information about Goddard (including that she was an enslaver), the Declaration of Independence, and printing and publishing in Colonial times; also appended with a brief bibliography.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(3) YA Adapted by Yohuru Williams. Also adapted by Michael G. Long. This biography of Martin Luther King Jr., adapted from the book of the same name for adult readers, focuses almost exclusively on his leadership of the fight for civil rights. It provides a thorough and sobering view into the political and social unrest that drove the movement as well as a complex portrait of a man who was considered controversial in his time. Black-and-white photos are included; appended resources include “Extra Facts,” discussion questions, a timeline, and an index.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) YA Based on her adult autobiography, Friedman recounts her childhood during the Holocaust, detailing her experiences in the Tomaszów Mazowiecki ghetto, the Starachowice labor camp, and the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. The book shares her heartbreaking experiences of loss, starvation, and cruelty, while highlighting her strength and resilience. The narrative’s historical importance and depth make this an indispensable tool for understanding this dark chapter in history. Suitable for upper middle-grade and older readers.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cheryl Thuesday. This biography tells the story of Edie Windsor, the activist who, at age eighty, sued the U.S. government to bring down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Windsor’s story is admirably simplified for a picture-book audience, highlighting the love she shared with Thea Spyer and explaining that Windsor stood up against an unfair law after Spyer’s death. Appropriately rainbow-hued illustrations showcase Windsor’s determination and her ultimate triumph. Back matter includes a timeline and explanations of DOMA and the Supreme Court.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(2) 4-6 Translated by Aerin Park. Told in spare, quiet prose sprinkled with humor, Go’s illustrated autobiographical story unfolds around a close-knit Korean family. Jung-soon’s grandparents are both Korean War orphans who meet and build a life together, filled with happiness. The oldest of their three children is the protagonist’s father. While their shared war-based upbringing leads to thriftiness (“two squares for pee, three for poop”), Grandpa nevertheless brings fun into their lives, such as singing silly words to TV shows and dispensing the titular candy as part of Jesa day to honor the ancestors. Jung-soon happily spends school breaks in this idyllic home, escaping her parents’ turbulent relationship. When illness takes first the grandfather and then the grandmother, the girl learns how to accept grief and sadness, finding peace in everyday aspects of life: flower blossoms, pairs of birds, power wires that cross the sky. Go’s illustrations feature luminous palettes of yellows, greens, and pinks with more solemn black-and-white compositions, populating the spreads with whimsical, childlike shapes and creatures as well as straightforward portraits of day-to-day experiences. Love and family life permeate each page of this heart-warming story.

Reviewer: J. Elizabeth Mills | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Paola Escobar. This tribute to The Velveteen Rabbit and the life of its author, Margery Williams (1881–1944), celebrates the benefits of dramatic play while exploring the intriguing connection between reality and imagination. Beginning with Williams's childhood, which was full of art, story, and creativity, the book shows how her imagination provided comfort during times of painful loss and disruptive change, including the premature death of her father and the upheaval of World War I. The soft-hued digital art is full of charming details, with ethereal linework and elements of collage that characterize Williams's playful spirit while showcasing her paper toy creations. Quotes from The Velveteen Rabbit punctuate poignant moments and form connections between Williams's life and her famous story. Emphasizing how she channeled her imagination to bring her work to life, the book posits the central question from The Velveteen Rabbit of what it means to be "real." Back matter includes an author's note with more details about Williams, a bibliography, and a thorough list of "Social Emotional Activities to Share with Your Toy." A warm and gentle look at a creator's life that provides an engaging extension for fans of The Velveteen Rabbit or for those preparing to experience it for the first time.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Gordon C. James. Few writers have commanded the English language like James Baldwin (1924-1987). As a child in Harlem, Jimmy was expected to care for his eight siblings while his mother did domestic work. He endured a domineering stepfather, bullying, racism, and police violence. All the while, he escaped through the world of words and books. He eventually moved to France, where he used his pen to reconcile his experiences as a Black man in the United States. The result was his first novel, Go Tell It on the Mountain, which sparked a successful literary career. Harris lyrically narrates Baldwin's childhood and his pathway to becoming a published author, highlighting how reading captivated him at a young age ("in the library, Jimmy could hear the books singing to him") and capturing the essence of a man whose literature still resonates today. James's oil on board illustrations are resplendent in rich jewel tones, with double-page spreads that are at times reminiscent of impressionist paintings. The delight of the library stacks, the fervor of Sunday service, the solitude on a hill in Central Park are all lavishly rendered. This is a beautiful tribute to Baldwin and the book that ignited his career. Back matter includes more information about Baldwin and a list of select sources, along with author and illustrator notes. Pair with Meadows and Law's Jimmy's Rhythm and Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin (rev. 3/24).

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) Illustrated by Diana Ejaita. James introduces young readers to the life and work of Myra Viola Wilds (1875-1935), a Black woman who became a renowned dress designer and dressmaker, and then an acclaimed poet. Wilds's life unfolds via James's loose quatrains, often using off-rhymes, that sketch her story in broad strokes -- her beginnings in rural Kentucky, her success as a dressmaker and the subsequent loss of her sight, and her creativity then taking the form of writing poetry. The language of James's poems echoes Wilds's own, with a focus on the thoughts and dreams that empowered her. Bold and color-drenched illustrations propel the story forward, through expansive images echoing the vivid collage work of Matisse, with the added texture of chalk or fabric or paint. A central figure -- a woman in profile cut from black or brown paper -- is the focus, but details of birds, flowers, and geometric swirls add dimension. An endnote provides further biographical information; an archival photograph of Wilds and her poem "Dewdrops" conclude the book.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(3) YA Born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925, Malcolm grew up hearing about Black nationalism and Black self-reliance. His early years were trauma-filled; while in prison in his twenties, Malcolm was introduced to books and to the Nation of Islam, and he credits both with saving his life. Kendi intertwines Malcolm’s story with historical background and contemporary issues to help young readers see the connections between past and present. Accompanying photos, letters, and other archival reproductions are used to create a fuller picture of Malcolm X for middle-grade and middle-school readers.

Reviewer: Nicholl Denice Montgomery

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Melissa Iwai. Take a compelling story of an indomitable chef, add heaps of immersive sensory details, stir in a warm palette, then devour this tasty introduction to Cecilia Chiang (1920-2020). Born in an old Beijing palace, young Cecilia loved the kitchen best, with its enticing aromas and iconic clamor of cleavers and sizzling wok oil. Her family enjoyed these delicious meals and savored each unique bite. When the arrival of Japanese troops in China in 1937 caused the family to scatter for safety, Cecilia and her sister fled to the countryside, where Cecilia discovered new cuisines. This education would inform her future, as she moved to Tokyo in 1949 to escape the Chinese civil war and later opened a Chinese restaurant to share flavors of home. After moving to San Francisco, she became determined to change Americans' perception of Chinese food as "cheap and greasy." Her second restaurant, the Mandarin, featured a fine-dining, two-hundred-item menu that would "showcase the best flavors from China's many regions." Excellent reviews and celebrity clientele brought fame, but what mattered most were sharing the tastes of her childhood and bringing customers joy. Leung's straightforward and thoughtful prose never glosses over Chiang's difficult life but lingers instead on the poetry of cooking, which is expertly paired with Iwai's watercolors that offer heartwarming and mouthwatering details on every spread. An author's note provides photos of Chiang and additional information in this story steeped in foodways and family.

Reviewer: J. Elizabeth Mills | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) YA In Button Pusher (rev. 5/22), Tyler gained weight as a side effect of taking Ritalin for his ADHD. In this companion graphic memoir, Page explores the intersection of body image, bullying, and masculinity during his middle school years. Tyler wins an extra-large T-shirt at a racetrack and, while it fits initially, he starts to notice that his pants no longer do. Then his father decides to lose weight and insists the entire family “start eating a little better” and exercise more regularly. Dad’s more-extreme no-sugar diet raises questions for Tyler (“my dad had reached his goal weight...But did losing thirty pounds make him healthier?”). Meanwhile, middle school remains an emotional minefield. Tyler is increasingly insecure about his body; and as his friends mercilessly ridicule other students with pranks and name-calling, it’s only a matter of time before they turn on him. Fortunately, this coincides with a change in bus routes, allowing him to befriend a few other students who allow him to be himself. These positive friendships coincide with the cumulative effects of his healthier habits, providing a good measure of self-acceptance, not to mention closure to the narrative. The visual appeal of the art is strong with bright colors, effective panel layouts, and the occasional use of white space. In his author’s note, Page says he slightly rearranged and reshaped the events and characters in this story; nevertheless, the emotional truth resonates.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Daniel Minter. Toni Morrison (1931-2019), a gifted student, was the only Black girl in her Lorain, Ohio, first-grade class. She grew up to be a trailblazing book editor and a Pulitzer- and Nobel Prize-winning author who stands as a giant in the pantheon of literary greats, all while navigating the world as a Black woman. Pinkney honors her legacy with a sophisticated narrative ode in verse. Weaving biographical moments together with exaltation and admiration ("Oh, Toni Morrison, / you liberate all of us. / You -- let us breathe"), Pinkney conveys not only a life dedicated to the artistry of the written word but also the woman behind the pen. Minter, who uses mixed media that includes hand-painting, acrylic, and digital techniques, says in an appended note that he framed the work as a "praise poem." The art is awash in saturated tones and bold, almost oversized renderings of Morrison that become transcendent with the intricate white lines that are meticulously included on every page. Each spread is full of beauty, depth, and movement honoring one whose life's work amounts to a love letter to Black people. Back matter includes statements from the author and artist, biographical timelines, and a list of Morrison's selected works. Pair with Weatherford and Thompson's A Crown of Stories: The Life and Language of Beloved Writer Toni Morrison (rev. 5/24).

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Tonya Engel. President Barack Obama's path through life has been anything but linear. This picture-book biography in verse relates how "Barry" (as he was known in childhood), who was born to a white woman from Kansas and a Black Kenyan father, began to explore his racial identity at an early age. He increasingly felt like an outsider as he moved from Hawaii to Indonesia and back again. In early adulthood, he spent time in big cities on the U.S. mainland ("I came home in Chicago") and, realizing that his unique background was an asset to the community, began to organize, which led to the start of his political career. Chronicling his personal life, political rise, and presidency in a style both poetic and informative, Rappaport offers a narrative that emphasizes themes of community and perseverance. Engel's paintings effectively complement the text, with dynamic colors capturing the energy of Obama's journey. Select quotes about both his political and personal achievements, peppered throughout the text, add richness. With a detailed timeline and bibliography, this is a strong narrative that is equal parts biography and tribute to a man who discovered that his uniqueness was precisely what qualified him to serve others.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) YA The year is 1848. The Fox family -- father; mother; and two daughters, Maggie, fourteen, and Kate, eleven -- have moved to upstate New York. A strange rapping sound disturbs them every night. When they ask a neighbor to help investigate, the woman not only hears the sounds but also observes the girls seemingly communicating with whoever is making them. More neighbors come to listen, finally concluding that the girls are communicating with a peddler who had been killed on the premises, proving they can talk to the dead. Word spreads: believers flock to the Fox house; the Modern Spiritualist movement is born. The girls become celebrities, and the once-destitute family thrives. Are they honest or fraudulent? Prophets or witches? ­Rosenstock evenhandedly explores the flawed methods used to ascertain the truth as well as offering pertinent discussions of confirmation bias, media influence, and the limited options available to mid-nineteenth-century women. Readers see two unsophisticated teens coping with fame and exploitation while struggling with growing up. Archival photographs and art of the period complement the engaging text. Meticulously researched, the book concludes with a portion of a newspaper article in which Maggie tells her story (i.e., confesses it was all a sham); an author’s note (which still leaves some room for doubt); thorough documentation; an extensive bibliography; and an index.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(3) 4-6 In this middle-grade adaptation of her memoir In the Form of a Question, [c2]Jeopardy champion and transgender woman Amy Schneider describes her childhood, television experience, and life as a “Famous Celebrity Trans Person.” Each chapter centers on a theme such as “What Is Your Name?” and “What Did You Win on Jeopardy?” Amy’s funny anecdotes; friendly, self-effacing style; and prominent message of self-acceptance make this an approachable and enjoyable book even for readers who are unfamiliar with the reasons for her fame.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Linh Dao. In this somber, emotional, semiautobiographical picture book, Thai tells a story based on memories of her family’s escape from postwar Vietnam. Using spare, straightforward language, the young narrator shares her experiences over the course of a year as her parents sell their possessions to fund their escape from a difficult life in which everyone was “hungry” and “afraid” and relatives went “missing” as punishment “for being on the losing side of the war.” Dao’s evocative digital illustrations, done mostly in brown, green, and gray, heighten the dangers as the family escapes into the jungle at night, then boards an over-crowded wooden boat. The titular sea threatens all passengers as they run out of food and water; when the pump gives out, the boat starts to sink. The family is rescued at the last moment and eventually resettles in the UK, but the protagonist remains haunted by their brush with death. An author’s note pays tribute to the hundreds of thousands of others who did not survive the journey. This moving, visually compelling story about one refugee family’s experiences is a powerful testament to fostering compassion and understanding.

Reviewer: Michelle Lee | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025