(3) 4-6 Bewitching Holiday Crafts series. This series entry provides instructions to make twelve Halloween-appropriate accessories using mostly recycled materials. Besides the first project ("Monster Feet"), which requires some items that may be difficult to source (old clogs and “window and door insulating foam spray”), the crafts creatively use common household materials. Simple, straightforward instructions are accompanied by photographs of various steps and occasional “Hair-Raising Tips” with craft variations and costume ideas.

Reviewer: Monica de los Reyes

(3) K-3 Cerullo opens her exploration of the science of volcanoes with a compelling description of the 2018 eruption of Kilauea in Hawaii. Subsequent chapters explore the role volcanoes played in the formation of Earth, how volcanoes erupt, and the science of predicting volcanic activity. With clear text, fascinating details, and dramatic photographs, the volume succeeds in providing solid information for a wide range of readers. A select bibliography, glossary, and index (unseen) are appended.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 4-6 This collective biography includes brief profiles of influential LBGTQ figures from the arts (e.g., Andy Warhol), entertainment (George Takei), science (Neena Schwartz), politics (Sharice Davids), activism (Bayard Rustin), sports (Billie Jean King), and business (Tim Cook). Each two-page entry comprises a paragraph or two sketching out highlights of an individual's life, accomplishments, and legacy on the verso and a photograph on the recto. Clemesha shares his personal story in an introductory note. An annotated list of fourteen additional LGBTQ notables, timeline, glossary, source notes, and related websites are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Turine Tran. Pando, a massive aspen grove in Utah, is "one of the biggest / living things in the world." The forty-seven thousand trees on 106 acres are linked through their root system, which surfaces and produces "clone" trees. The spare free-verse text introduces readers to this natural wonder, estimated to be twelve thousand years old. Fox effectively provides context for the massive numbers (e.g. Pando's size and age) to aid in comprehension. Particular attention is paid to how human behavior has changed Pando's environment and is threatening the organism's survival. Matching the text's reverence, Tran's delicately rendered illustrations glow with rich browns, golds, and greens. A glossary, "How You Can Help," and a bibliography are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Riley Samels. A narrator asks a young Black farmer about his plans for the seed in his hand. Eat it? "Oh no! I'll let it grow." At each stage of the pumpkin's growth, the child refuses to harvest the plant; finally, it's grown big enough to enter in a contest at the fair. Is that the end? Oh no! The giant pumpkin is hollowed out for use in a pumpkin regatta. The predictable growth narrative benefits from the uncommon ending (pies and jack-o'-lanterns are both rejected end-uses) and from the uncluttered, collage-style illustrations with strong, repeated textural elements. Back matter includes a history of giant pumpkins, a color photo of an Oregon pumpkin regatta, and "plentiful pumpkin facts."

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(2) PS Readers meet high-energy Sasha Patience Prudence, who races through her days accomplishing as many activities as possible and leaving a trail of books, musical instruments, and toys in her wake. "She loved to do lots of things, all at once. She had one speed—fast." Then Mr. Sloth tumbles from a tree branch into her life. Though Sasha means to have slow Mr. Sloth as her new best friend, their different approaches present challenges. Undaunted, Sasha keeps pushing Mr. Sloth into activities, including the neighborhood race. Cartoony illustrations capture the comedy as the pair rushes along, Sasha's expression of heightened concentration juxtaposed with Mr. Sloth's solemn features and reactive eyes. During the race, Mr. Sloth (who rides up front in the bicycle basket) insists, repeatedly, that Sasha stop--to hear the birds, to smell the flowers, to be still--and with every stop they lag farther behind, until she loses interest in the race altogether. Thus these two really do become friends and find a balance between them, approaching their days with a varied pace but always slowing down each night for snuggles and stories. And in case anyone hurries through the story too quickly to absorb what Sasha learns from Mr. Sloth, the book concludes with a more pointed list of mindfulness tips.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Linus Curci. In an emotionally honest first-person text, an older brother reflects on how his younger sibling's gender transition has affected him. The unnamed narrator addresses his sibling, who, for the pair's first few years together, he knew as his brother: "We were brothers and best friends." When the younger child informs her family that she's a girl, the brother needs to process what's changed--and what hasn't. The kids' parents take the news in stride, asking about a new name ("My name is Daisy, like the flower") and making sure to find an affirming community of similar families. The narrator, however, struggles with an understandable sense of loss and confusion. "I was afraid to call you by a new name and afraid to not have a brother anymore. I was afraid it meant losing you. But...I tried it." Curci's painterly illustrations, recalling Ken Wilson-Max's style (Astro Girl, rev. 11/19) with a more muted palette and less-heavy black line, skillfully convey relationships in this mixed-race family. In a particularly effective spread, the right-hand page shows Mom, Dad, and Daisy gathered around a kitchen island, the parents listening attentively to their daughter. On the verso, the narrator sits apart from the rest of his family, listening but not engaged in the conversation--a great depiction of how children can feel left out and resentful of the attention a transitioning sibling often receives. Karlsson's text is purposeful but authentic to a child's voice, and the story (inspired by her own family's experience, we learn in an author's note) should support and guide kids in similar circumstances. With time and parental guidance, the older brother realizes "that you were still the same person, and we could play all the same games." And that's what matters most.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(2) PS Illustrated by MacKenzie Haley. Patrick loves his purple polka-dot tights. They provide extra warmth under snow pants, add flair to dress-up outfits, and make great teddy-bear lifesaving equipment. The only problem: technically, the tights belong to his sister, even though "Penelope didn’t care about the tights...most of the time." The cartoonlike illustrations, featuring an energetic boy with curly orange hair, amplify emotions in the child-centered text. "It wasn't fair," the narrator comments when Penelope takes back the tights to wear during her piano recital. The accompanying illustration shows a visibly displeased Patrick sitting amidst smiling, oblivious audience members, including his parents. "Disaster" strikes during a post-recital ice-cream outing (Penelope spills hot fudge on the tights), and Patrick's body language clearly conveys his dejected feelings. When his dad presents him with new tights--a three pack!--a double-page spread celebrates along with Patrick. Featuring realistic sibling dynamics and parents who model nonchalant support without editorializing, this book affirms kids' creative expression and imaginative play.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2021

(4) K-3 Illustrated by George Doutsiopoulos. Mamie Johnson was "the first female pitcher in professional baseball" in 1953. She faced discrimination because of gender (male players "grumbled about sharing the field with her"), size ("you're not as big as a peanut"), and race ("the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League wasn't ready to give black women the opportunity to try"). Though the illustrations can be stiff and cartoony, Johnson's determination and confidence shine. Bib.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Hands-On Science Fun series. With descriptive directions and large, clear photographs, each appealing volume takes readers step-by-step through a simple experiment then explains the science behind it. A few materials may be hard to find, and the target audience will need adult help, but the concrete examples lend themselves well to the concepts of force (Pom-Pom) and measurement (Wind). Additional content available through the Capstone 4D app. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Hands-On Science Fun titles: How to Make a Pom-Pom Flyer and How to Make a Wind Speed Meter.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Hands-On Science Fun series. With descriptive directions and large, clear photographs, each appealing volume takes readers step-by-step through a simple experiment then explains the science behind it. A few materials may be hard to find, and the target audience will need adult help, but the concrete examples lend themselves well to the concepts of force (Pom-Pom) and measurement (Wind). Additional content available through the Capstone 4D app. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Hands-On Science Fun titles: How to Make a Pom-Pom Flyer and How to Make a Wind Speed Meter.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) 4-6 Tangled History series. From 1692 to 1694, hysteria took over Salem, Massachusetts; wild accusations of witchcraft led to imprisonment and hangings. This chronological account presents a variety of perspectives, including those of accusers, accused, and others involved in the events. Captioned archival images and full-color photographs enhance the accessible text. A foreword and epilogue provide more context to the religious and political influences. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) 4-6 U.S. Government: Behind the Scenes series. Slim but thorough, these titles discuss why each featured governmental agency was created, introduce some key players, and examine how areas of concern and focus change with politics. The clear narratives are logically organized to make the details of complicated bureaucracies accessible to middle-school report writers. Informative sidebars, captioned photos, charts, and diagrams help elucidate the texts. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these U.S. Government: Behind the Scenes titles: The Department of Energy and The Department of Homeland Security

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Fact Finders: People You Should Know series. These biographies focus on individuals who've had a significant impact on American culture and history. Ginsburg highlights important decisions the Justice has been outspoken about and describes her place in pop culture. Bridges takes a broader look at the integration of Ruby's school and the reactions of her community. Sidebars, "Did You Know?" text boxes, well-chosen photographs, and word definitions accompany the readable texts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: People You Should Know titles: Ruby Bridges and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 Dabble Lab: Take Making to the Next Level 4D series. Readers will need batteries, LEDs, resistors, a breadboard, and wires to conduct the experiments in this collection. Once equipped, they can explore series and parallel circuits and switches. Step-by-step directions on how to assemble the set-ups are further detailed in helpful photographs. Facts and explanations scattered throughout provide minimal scientific content; the "4D" feature is an online video portal. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Poppy Kang. In 1862, enslaved crewman Robert Smalls planned and executed an audacious, dangerous nighttime hijack of a Confederate warship, piloting ten miles into Union-controlled waters--and thereby rescuing himself and fifteen others from slavery. The text clearly relates the story while also maintaining intense suspense and drama. Illustrations are rather bland and static but help establish setting and atmosphere. Reading list. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) 4-6 U.S. Government: Behind the Scenes series. Slim but thorough, these titles discuss why each featured governmental agency was created, introduce some key players, and examine how areas of concern and focus change with politics. The clear narratives are logically organized to make the details of complicated bureaucracies accessible to middle-school report writers. Informative sidebars, captioned photos, charts, and diagrams help elucidate the texts. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these U.S. Government: Behind the Scenes titles: The Department of Energy and The Department of Homeland Security

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Shy Guides series. Joining a group, befriending new people, speaking to an audience (large or small): all can cause anxiety, self-doubt, even a panic attack. Using an informal approach, Kenney presents strategies for dealing with and mastering these feelings and provides assurances that they are normal and controllable. Boxed "Life Tips," personal stories of famous people (Barack Obama, actor Robert Pattinson), and color photos add specifics. Reading list. Ind. Review covers these Shy Guides titles: Getting Out and Getting Along and Quiet Confidence.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Shy Guides series. Joining a group, befriending new people, speaking to an audience (large or small): all can cause anxiety, self-doubt, even a panic attack. Using an informal approach, Kenney presents strategies for dealing with and mastering these feelings and provides assurances that they are normal and controllable. Boxed "Life Tips," personal stories of famous people (Barack Obama, actor Robert Pattinson), and color photos add specifics. Reading list. Ind. Review covers these Shy Guides titles: Getting Out and Getting Along and Quiet Confidence.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Fact Finders: Amazing Animal Colonies series. The animals profiled in this series live in close contact with one another, in varying degrees of interdependence. After basics about species variations, anatomy, reproduction, and feeding, details about their housing structures (reefs, hives) and social interactions (bees) are discussed, along with threats to their existence and protection efforts. Engaging photographs and diagrams are provided. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Amazing Animal Colonies titles: Bees and Wasps and Corals

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford