(3) K-3 Illustrated by Shadra Strickland. Jordan (mother of NBA star Michael) compiles an appealing collection of songs, prayers, and blessings (mostly Judeo Christian, with one ancient Tibetan Buddhist blessing, one Islamic prayer, and one Navajo song) for young children. Familiar American spirituals include "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" and "Kumbaya." Strickland's rich linoleum-cut illustrations of children in nature and at peace make this collection shine.

Reviewer: Alia Jones

(3) PS Illustrated by Claire Keane. A curious duckling, separated from its family, finds a new home with a little girl until it's time to move on. The rhyming text sketches out a tender story of found, lost, and rekindled love, but the details are in the loose, classic-feeling digital illustrations; Keane successfully creates expressive and lovable characters.

Reviewer: Alia Jones

(3) YA The lesser-known March Against Fear, James Meredith's 1966 quest to empower blacks in Mississippi, grew into a larger movement when major civil rights organizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference joined in; the term "black power" emerged during it as a rallying cry. Clear writing and excellent use of powerful quotes and photographs make this an engrossing--and important--read. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Alia Jones

(3) 4-6 An uplifting collection chronicling sixteen African American dreamers and achievers, including filmmaker Oscar Micheaux and NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson. Each concise snapshot features clear and engaging writing and an attractive design incorporating historical documents and photographs, "In His/Her Time" sidebars, and a timeline. This is an excellent middle-school introduction to lesser-known black historical figures. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Alia Jones

(3) YA When she was a child, Mary, who is black, was convicted of killing a white baby. Now almost sixteen, she's placed in a group home, which is just as physically and emotionally taxing as juvie. Things change drastically when Mary discovers she is pregnant. This dark novel explores justice, truth, trust, and abuse; a gritty and emotional read.

Reviewer: Alia Jones

(3) K-3 Cat Yoomi hates the taste and smell of spicy kimchi, and her big brothers tease her for being a baby. Then Grandma comes up with a delicious way to serve the dish to her granddaughter. The simply worded story features beautifully detailed illustrations of Korean dishes, including kimchi. A recipe for making kimchi pancakes is appended.

Reviewer: Alia Jones

(3) K-3 CitizenKid series. Illustrated by Shane W. Evans. Young Deo flees his village in Burundi and ends up at a refugee camp, malnourished, without his family, and up against bullies and gangs. Through the power of play and banana-leaf soccer balls, Deo finds friendship and a sense of community. Striking mixed-media illustrations enhance this powerful story (inspired by real events) of survival and resurgence. An author's note is included. Websites.

Reviewer: Alia Jones

(4) YA Gregor Maravilla is determined to excel at Camp Save the World. Through his campaign to fight childhood hunger, he hopes to leave the camp a better activist. Unfortunately, the camp doesn't live up to its altruistic promise, and all bets are off when "The Prize" is announced. Though Gregor's moral dilemma is interesting, the humor and satire can feel forced.

Reviewer: Alia Jones

(2) 4-6 After many years of war, Oglala Lakota chief Red Cloud (Makhpiya-luta) signed the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty. Writing from Red Cloud's point of view, Nelson recounts historical events and includes powerful quotes, documents, and photographs. The book's vibrant art is inspired by historical Plains ledger art; the sketches, colored-pencil and bright watercolor washes, stand out against the ledger lines. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Alia Jones | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(2) K-3 Translated by Adriana Domínguez. Illustrated by Beatriz Vidal. José Martí was a poet and freedom fighter born during the Spanish colonization of Cuba in the nineteenth century; he would dedicate his life to abolishing slavery in Cuba and gaining Cuba's independence. Otheguy's verse is seamlessly combined with excerpts from Martí's own Versos sencillos. Vidal's folk art–style gouache illustrations are soft yet evocative. A gorgeous bilingual tribute to the life of Cuba's hero-poet. Bib.

Reviewer: Alia Jones | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(4) PS Illustrated by Linda Davick. Two round-faced brown-skinned children take care of their dog Rosie. Each vignette ("Rosie Good and Bad," "Rosie Here and There," etc.) features chunky, colorful illustrations on white backgrounds. Through use of repetition and simple sentences, this book explores opposites and builds early literacy skills, but neither the stories nor the illustrations are particularly memorable.

Reviewer: Alia Jones

(1) YA Sara Zapata, a reporter in Juárez, Mexico, is determined to find her kidnapped best friend. Her younger brother Emiliano is an entrepreneur on the cusp of success but isn't sure whom to trust. Chapters in this emotional thriller alternate between their perspectives as Stork beautifully explores ties to one's home, Juárez's corruption, the lure of power, and the strength necessary to make change in dangerous circumstances.

Reviewer: Alia Jones | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2017

(4) K-3 Illustrated by David Catrow. A lively and caring little girl helps others and brings beauty to her world. Rhyming text that can be a mouthful ("'Cause God loves you creating, your true self displaying / when light on the inside through art is portraying") celebrates the wonder of being a unique, dreaming child of God. Catrow's quirky and vibrant illustrations fill the pages with contagious energy.

Reviewer: Alia Jones

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon. Despite a difficult childhood and the entertainment industry's racism, the actress, singer, and performer Lena Horne rose to Hollywood stardom and became a vocal civil rights advocate. Weatherford straightforwardly but persistently emphasizes the injustices Horne faced, celebrating her triumphs in the face of them. Zunon's evocative illustrations, in cut-paper collage and oil paint, take readers back in time to Horne's era. Reading list, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Alia Jones

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Gillian Newland. The author shares a story based on her grandmother Irene's experience in an Indian residential school in Ontario, Canada. Taken away from her family, Irene suffers emotional trauma and abuse at the hands of Christian missionaries. Featuring powerful watercolor and ink illustrations, a straightforwardly told first-person narrative of resistance and strength. Author's note included.

Reviewer: Alia Jones

(3) K-3 In this tongue-in-cheek how-to, a determined brown-skinned girl wants to snap a photo of a fox, and tricky fox just wants to play. As she gives directions, readers follow the girl on her hapless search for the critter, who's following her the whole time. With great humor and clever pacing, animator and comics artist Magruder's skills shine in the well-composed digital illustrations.

Reviewer: Alia Jones

(4) K-3 Originally a board book, this new version's larger spreads showcase the colorful digital art. The passionate social justice angle and fairly sophisticated politics make this not-your-average alphabet book. It's a bit overblown--and the alphabet constraint is overstretched--but with lines like "Y is for You. And Youth. Your planet. Your rights," children are encouraged to effect change.

Reviewer: Alia Jones

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Julie Flett. This quiet story is about love and resistance during the decades-long era of oppressive residential schools for First Nations children in Canada. A contemporary girl asks her grandmother several questions; Nókom answers by discussing the residential school she attended. Through descriptive language and repetition, Robertson describes the seasons of Nókom's resistance. Flett's collage illustrations, with their simplicity and earthy colors, are soulful and gentle.

Reviewer: Alia Jones | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2017