(2) YA Along the medieval Silk Road, a boy is cast out from the temple and nearly stoned to death by monks. He is purchased as a servant by a fast-talking merchant named Samir, for the price of six bolts of silk, and dubbed Monkey. Monkey watches Samir spin tales and make enemies everywhere he goes. In fact, the man is being hunted by six different "killing lines," from a Viking berserker to a Mongol gunner--though at the end of the first chapter it's Monkey who tantalizingly confesses: "That is why I killed him." The book is warmly funny, with folkloric commitment to larger-than-life characters, exaggerated perils, and plenty of jokes, punctuated by Miyares's lively and colorful illustrations. The formula of the six killing lines encourages readers to anticipate the unspooling of the tale; the twist regarding Samir's eventual death is more a reward than a shock. ­Celebration of the cultural riches of the Silk Road, along with the geographic, ­religious, and material diversity of the setting, make for engaging historical fiction--and a rollicking good yarn.

Reviewer: Anne St. John | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(3) 4-6 Fact Finders: Immigration Today series. These volumes cover basic information about why people choose to or are forced to leave their home countries. Profiles of individual immigrants' journeys to the United States are featured throughout and effectively humanize the concept of immigration. Lots of photographs, charts, sidebars, and "Did you Know" text boxes add context and enhance the presentations. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Immigration Today titles: Immigrants from Afghanistan and the Middle East and Immigrants from India and Southeast Asia

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ed Young. An artist is commissioned by a rich man to paint a picture of his favorite horse. After several years, the artist finally produces a very quickly done drawing. The rich man is angry, but he realizes the painting's vitality after seeing the numerous sketches that have evolved into the simple masterpiece he holds. Young's collages reflect the story's artistry.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 World of Music series. Each book in this series presents accessible information, supported by vibrant photographs, about music from different regions of the world. Topics include the history and cultural influences of music as well as important musical instruments and performers. Double-page spreads sometimes move too quickly from topic to topic in order to cover numerous countries and cultures in a limited amount of space. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these World of Music titles: Europe, Eastern Asia, Western Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Australia, Hawaii, and the Pacific.

Reviewer: Marika Jeffrey

(4) 4-6 World of Music series. Each book in this series presents accessible information, supported by vibrant photographs, about music from different regions of the world. Topics include the history and cultural influences of music as well as important musical instruments and performers. Double-page spreads sometimes move too quickly from topic to topic in order to cover numerous countries and cultures in a limited amount of space. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these World of Music titles: Europe, Eastern Asia, Western Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Australia, Hawaii, and the Pacific.

Reviewer: Marika Jeffrey

(3) YA This accessible study highlights Japan, China, Taiwan, both Koreas, Southeast Asia (including Vietnam and Cambodia), Indonesia, and Malaysia. Pascoe approaches the economies of these countries from an American perspective, discussing both their rich potential for contributing to the world economy and the obstacles they face in developing their own. Color photos are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman