(2) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Alice enjoys helping her father prepare bodies for viewings at the Tranquility Funeral Home, and she intends to take over the business when she's grown, even if the kids at school call her "Alice in Zombieland." Alice makes a new friend, Violet, whose allergy to sunlight prompts the kids to call her "Violet the Vampire"; when Violet's uncle George dies of the same allergy, Alice's ability to read "resonances" from the belongings of the dead tells her that George's death wasn't an accident. Alice begins to investigate, and her polite but dogged sleuthing begins to uncover answers. Does the death have to do with the older teens partying under the dock where George died -- among them Cal, whose willingness to stand up for Alice and Violet against the bullies makes him a kind of ally? Alice's neuroatypical presentation (her blunted affect, sensitivity to overstimulation, and precise thought processes will find a sympathetic audience from readers on the autism spectrum) at one point causes a rift in her nascent friendship with Violet, leading to a reassessment and reconciliation that will ring true with many readers. The characters and community of Damocles Cove are brightly painted in this solid middle-grade mystery with lightly handled supernatural aspects, a potential headliner to a welcome new series.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2024

(4) K-3 Rodale Kids Curious Readers: Dealing with Feelings series. Illustrated by Hilli Kushnir. A girl is thrilled to ride a roller coaster, visit the petting zoo, etc., on her field trip to the fair. Everything is happy-making until the charity bake sale, where her peanut allergy prevents her from partaking. No matter: she can still enjoy the satisfaction of giving. The easy-reader story, with its "Dealing with Feelings" message and somewhat static digitally-colored pencil illustrations, is reassuring if a little bland.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Angela Dominguez. Lola has waited forever for a cat, and on the big day, she picks Jelly. But when Lola's brother Ben turns out to be allergic, Lola has to find a new home for her special friend. Lola's spunk and heart shine in this fourth book, which thoughtfully handles the delicate issue of pet loss. Black-and-white illustrations, diary entries, and letters are sprinkled throughout.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) K-3 Inside Your Body series. In a calm and reassuring tone, simple texts cover the basics of these common maladies and injuries: causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention, etc. Medical terms are included; glossary words are in bold, while other words are defined matter-of-factly within the text (e.g., anaphylaxis is described as "a very serious allergic reaction"). Plentiful bright photographs and a few cartoon graphics round out the straightforward presentations. Glos. Review covers these Inside Your Body titles: All About Allergies, All About Broken Bones, All About Colds, All About Cuts and Bruises, All About Ear Infections, and All About Sore Throats.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Shearry Malone. African American second-grader Alfie (little sis to Warner's EllRay Jakes) always has a plan, but things seldom go the way she imagines in these amiable realistic stories about family, school, and friendship. Malone's comical loose line drawings deviate from the EllRay books' aesthetic, establishing a fresh look for this new spinoff series. Review covers these titles: Absolutely Alfie and the First Week Friends and Absolutely Alfie and the Furry Purry Secret.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Healthy Eating series. In each volume, four or five short chapters give a casual introduction to very basic nutritional concepts. Each brightly colored page contains two or three beginning-reader-pitched sentences, color photographs with boxed captions, and generous open space. Appended to each volume is a suggested activity (such as keeping a food log and preparing an unfamiliar food) and a few random "Fun Facts." Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Lightning Bolt Books: Healthy Eating titles: Caution in the Kitchen!, Taste Something New!, What's on My Plate?, and Why Doesn't Everyone Eat Meat?.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Fact Finders: Focus on Health series. Four short chapters define each health concern as well as identify causes, treatment, and lifestyle issues. Written in an upbeat and nonjudgmental tone, basic diagnostic procedures, simple physiological information, and a few personal stories are included; each chapter is heavily illustrated with full-color photos and clear diagrams and charts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Fact Finders: Focus on Health titles: What You Need to Know About Allergies and What You Need to Know About Obesity.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Dessert Diaries series. Illustrated by Lilly Lazuli. The owner of the new (magical) neighborhood bakery, Daisy's Desserts, has unusual empathy for her customers--especially sixth graders Emme, a peacemaker to feuding friends and to her clashing parents; and shy and insecure Gabi, whom Daisy helps bring out of her shell. It's all rather precious, but each girl's story--and Daisy's wise influence--will reassure tweens. Blog entries, recipes, discussion questions included. Review covers the following Dessert Diaries titles: For Emme, Baked with Love and Gabi and the Great Big Bakeover.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: Allergy Aware Cookbooks series. Following an introduction describing food allergies and kitchen safety, recipes include close-up color photos, lists of ingredients and tools, step-by-step instructions, "Chef's Tips" suggesting substitute ingredients, and "Allergen Alerts" about checking labels. Some inconsistencies detract slightly from the presentations (e.g., Soy includes recipes requiring coconut products, but only some include a warning about coconut as a possible trigger for tree-nut allergies). Reading list. Glos. Review covers the following titles: Enjoy without Soy and No Peanuts, No Problems.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: Allergy Aware Cookbooks series. Following an introduction describing food allergies and kitchen safety, recipes include close-up color photos, lists of ingredients and tools, step-by-step instructions, "Chef's Tips" suggesting substitute ingredients, and "Allergen Alerts" about checking labels. Some inconsistencies detract slightly from the presentations (e.g., Soy includes recipes requiring coconut products, but only some include a warning about coconut as a possible trigger for tree-nut allergies). Reading list. Glos. Review covers the following titles: Enjoy without Soy and No Peanuts, No Problems.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ken Min. From Antelope to Zebra, a boy tests an alphabet of animals to find a pet that won't trigger his sister's allergies. A featherless, furless, hairless lizard fits the bill. Expressive animals and explosive sneezes of escalating intensity entertain but also distract readers from the book's alphabet concept, making this best suited for slightly older audiences. The singsongy text and dynamic illustrations deliver a diverse menagerie.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) PS In their fourth book, sisters Maple and Willow pick out their first real Christmas tree. Once the tree is inside, though, Maple cannot stop sneezing, so the tree is moved outside. Willow blames Maple for the loss of the tree, but her anger and Maple's hurt feelings are short lived; the resolution is creatively festive. Digitally colored pencil-on-mylar drawings highlight the spirited siblings' emotions.

Reviewer: Courtney Burke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(3) 4-6 A wacky, pun-riddled story of amusement park–dwelling Augie changes tone rather abruptly when a tragedy befalls Augie's best friend and Augie believes it's his fault. But everything becomes both light and bizarre again when paranormal happenings help Augie handle his bullies. In the picture-book creator's debut novel, Smith's signature illustrations alternate with more rudimentary drawings attributed to Augie.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(2) YA Illustrated by David Yoon. Maddy, who suffers from Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, is resigned to her sequestered existence until Olly moves in next door. Their secret friendship blossoms into romance, then escalates into euphoria and then disaster when the couple runs away to Hawaii. With its assured twists and sensitive depiction of loneliness in many forms, this novel offers a thoughtful exploration of how we define living.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2015

(4) YA Worldwalker Trilogy series. Lily's allergies are killing her. After an especially terrible reaction, she wishes that she were anywhere else and is transported to an alternate universe where magic exists and she is Lillian, a powerful witch. Setting the stage for a new trilogy, Angelini's focus is on character development and world-building at the expense of plot and the story's romance.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) YA Got Issues? series. These updated books provide overviews of behaviors that can cause significant teen health problems. Basic research and real-life examples are clearly presented in short chapters; these titles will be more useful for classroom reports and term papers than as self-help manuals, although both append a list of resources. The stiffly staged stock photos contribute to textbooklike designs. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Got Issues? titles: Are You Fat? and Are You at Risk for Food Allergies?.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 Living With series. Engaging full-page color photos accompany short chapters defining each health condition and explaining causes, variations, and treatments. A final chapter outlines day-to-day challenges and emphasizes acceptance and commonalities such as a desire for friends and fun. Simple vocabulary, declarative sentences, and a question-and-answer feature make the information accessible to young readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Living With titles:Allergies, Asthma, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Diabetes, and Down Syndrome.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jess Golden. Ally longs for a dog, but they make her sneeze. Instead, she creates "dogs" for each season: a dog made out of snow in winter; flower, sand, and leaf dogs in the ensuing seasons. Rather blurry cartoon-style vignettes picture Ally happily building and playing with her imaginative pets all through the year. Craft instructions for making a cardboard dog are included.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jennifer E. Morris. At cake time, all the young birthday-party guests dash over, except one--a boy who sits sadly alone because gluten gives him a "tummy ache." The birthday girl comes to his rescue, telling him "I'm the same way!...my cake's sweet and gluten-free!" Happy art matches the tone of this purposeful inclusion story in rhyme; parents may appreciate the appended recipes and tips. Websites.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) 1-3 Pet Friends Forever series. Illustrated by Adriana Isabel Juárez Puglisi. Kyle and Mia find a lost dog at the park and search for its owner (Dog), then help their friend Emma find a pet that won't bother her mom's allergies (No-Sneeze). Readers passionate about animals will enjoy these slim, lighthearted stories. Friendly color illustrations pepper the digestible chapters. Helpful pet care tips, discussion questions, and writing prompts are included. Glos. Review covers these Pet Friends Forever titles: The Doggone Dog and A No-Sneeze Pet.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner