(2) K-3 Illustrated by Hayden Goodman. A young girl and her family celebrate the annual West African tradition of masquerade -- the first one since her grandfather's death. The dark-skinned protagonist hears the "Dum! Dum! Dum! Dum!" of drums and knows masquerade, which "honor[s] our ancestors," will soon begin. Her family, dressed in traditional garb, shares akaras, "Grandpa's favorite food," and carries items that belonged to him: Mama wears his bead bracelet; Papa wears his green velvet hat; and the girl's brother proudly carries his special walking stick. Despite the festivities, the little girl feels that "masquerade without [Grandpa] hurts too much." The drummers and musicians "stream by in splashes of color and fanfare," followed by the masquerades -- costumed performers whose masks (per an author's note) symbolize "the tribe's cultural roots" and represent deities, spirits, or ancestors. "The burst of energy in the air lifts my spirit and gives me courage. I know what I must do." When the dancers finally appear, the girl courageously participates in the celebration in her own way. Goodman's culturally rich gouache illustrations add energy to this heartfelt introduction to the uniqueness of this village-wide masquerade celebration. A joyful story of a ritual of remembrance.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(1) YA Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. In this unique and engaging graphic novel, Vietnamese American high schooler Valentina Tran has always loved giving handmade cards to her widower father and classmates on her namesake holiday. She is assisted by her "best imaginary friend," Saint V (for Valentine), initially shown in the illustrations as a classic winged baby surrounded by cartoon hearts. This year her spirits are crushed when her dad storms off, and a classmate, Jae, trashes her card. Worse, Grandma reveals that Valentina's father lied about her mother's supposed death and, later, that their entire family is romantically cursed. Valentina despairs until she meets two cute lion dancers at a Tt (Lunar New Year) celebration and dates one of them (who happens to be Jae's cousin). Is the relationship real? Or will Valentina give her heart to Saint Valentine to be safe from the pain of love? Yang (Dragon Hoops, rev. 5/20) and Pham (Friends Forever, rev. 9/21) do a wonderful job of weaving fractured families and romantic yearning with fantasy elements that show emotional states and growth as well as plenty of humor throughout. Pham's digital illustrations adeptly mix realistic scenes with celestial animals and ghosts. Her gorgeous, kinetic depictions of Chinese and Korean lion dancers are joyful, and the section in which Valentina first learns about Tt and meets her love interest is especially vibrant.

Reviewer: Michelle Lee | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(2) 4-6 Sixth grader Amelia MacGuffin is a worrier. As the eldest of five siblings, she worries about everything from changing the part in her hair to the MacGuffin family's tight finances. So when the mythically lucky wooden staff that is the centerpiece of the annual Dragonfly Day Festival goes missing from Urchin Beach's town square, Amelia decides to channel her worry into finding the thief. Her investigation is hampered by the unexpected arrival of a lost dog in her backyard, a flood that threatens both the festival and the delicate ecosystem that supports the native dragonflies, and the sheer number of possible suspects. With the help of a local mystery author, a trusted librarian, and her own common sense, Amelia surprises herself by solving the crime. But bringing the (beloved and well-known) criminal to justice will prove to be a much harder task. This charming small-town mystery romp will appeal to a wide range of junior detectives, especially those who are also invested in issues of climate change and environmental preservation. Amelia's close-knit beach community of family, friends, and neighbors forms a relatable cast of secondary characters who provide both support and comic relief. Fans of Yan Glaser's resourceful Vanderbeeker clan and Pennypacker's problem-solving protagonists will be delighted that the ending suggests this is just the first of Amelia's adventures.

Reviewer: Jennifer Hubert Swan | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2023

(2) 4-6 Hopson's (Inupiat) debut novel is the story of the origin of the Messenger Feast, an Inupiat festival of song and dance. Pia follows in the footsteps of his two older brothers, both of whom died confronting a golden eagle. When he encounters the eagle, instead of attacking or freezing in fear, Pia accepts its challenge to learn what the Eagles can teach him. Pia brings his new understandings of song, drumming, dance, architecture, and community back to his family, to the animals who share their environment, and to the people whose stories sustain their culture. This retelling of a traditional tale benefits from Hopson's personal connection to Alaska, where she was born and raised and where she and her family live. Set in the long-ago of oral tradition and accompanied by occasional colored-pencil and ink drawings, the tale evokes the tundra in all its seasons. Hopson deftly describes smells (the autumn earth, the "dusty rot" of the Eagle Mother), tastes (berries, roasted caribou meat, bitter Arctic hare fed on willow bark), and sounds (marmot whistles, bumblebees) that bring the land to life for the reader and ground this archetypal hero's journey in the real world.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(2) YA Theater kid Hughie Wolfe, one of the few Indigenous students at his high school, is disappointed when the fall play is cancelled. He sets his sights on a new project: a haunted house fundraiser at the rural crossroads, a location plagued by rumors of an Indigenous ghost. Hughie is excited to volunteer until he learns that the organizer wants to feature Indigenous stereotypes, including an "Indian Maiden" and an "Indian burial ground" as the main attractions. To make matters worse, there are reports of a creepy figure terrorizing brown girls at the crossroads, scaring them as they walk to their vehicles at night. As Hughie considers how to speak up about bigotry against Indigenous people, he and his friends investigate the stalker and discover that some rumors are based in truth. The story (set in the same universe as the realistic Rain Is Not My Indian Name and Hearts Unbroken, rev. 11/18) adeptly centers important conversations about the racism Indigenous youth face; the plight of missing Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people; and the lack of police, media, and governmental support in searching for them. This eerie cross-genre novel will entice readers in search of spooky and truthful storytelling.

Reviewer: S. R. Toliver | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2023

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Martina Peluso. A series of eye-pleasing, digitally rendered double-page spreads depicts twelve different holiday traditions around the world (e.g., Martes de Challa in Bolivia; Crop Over in Barbados) related to giving thanks. The text is rhyming couplets, with useful explanatory sidebars and pronunciations that make potentially unfamiliar vocabulary approachable. Thorough back matter further describes the cultures, histories, beliefs, and food. Also appended are a calendar of when these holidays are celebrated, questions to encourage contemplation of how food is sourced, and author and illustrator notes.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Garry, Sr. Meeches. "Many Americans call it a day of thanksgiving. Many of our people call it a day of mourning.”" A team of Native creators provides an illuminating look at what the Wampanoag called Keepunumuk, or "the time of harvest," highlighting that the Pilgrims' survival was largely due to the assistance offered by the ­Indigenous people who lived on the land. In the framing narrative, an elder speaks to children about their ancestors, and how Weeâchumun, the seed of corn and one of the Three Sisters (corn, beans, and squash), witnessed the struggles of the newcomers. Using an earth-tone palette, the impressionistic illustrations beautifully convey their settings. Front and back matter include a glossary, a recipe, and more information about Wampanoag traditions, storytelling, and ­contemporary life.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Micha Archer. On New Year's Eve, young Jenny drives Percheron horses Tim and Tom from their farm to the market for a bustling celebration ("There is laughter and talk" is a refrain) and then back home; a dog gets the cozy last word. MacLachlan's poetic text is hushed ("the sleigh makes a / whisper sound in the / snow--a comforting / swish, swish, swish") but allows excitement to build ("in every window / of every house / there are little lights. / The town sparkles"). Archer's illustrations, rendered in collage with homemade papers and inks, create luminous landscapes and invite poring over for details. A joyful, homey way to ring in the new year.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(3) PS In this bilingual book, handsome animal-shaped kites fly across the page, back and forth against a watercolor sky. English text and "simplified Chinese" characters describe the actions of each kite: "a crab moves sideways beneath the clouds"; "a tiger pounces across the sky." The final two pages list the fourteen animals and their significance in Chinese culture. The digital watercolor art is particularly effective; each pictured kite is "built" with layers of color that mimic the three-dimensional structure of an actual kite.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(2) 4-6 An enthralling graphic-novel tale, full of unusual surprises. On the night of the Autumn Equinox Festival, narrator Ben sets off to follow the hundreds of released floating paper lanterns to discover where they go; social-outcast Nathaniel tags along. Behind them looms a creature--never seen by the boys--with glowing saucers for eyes. Then a talking bear arrives, and magical adventures ensue, as the boys also meet a grouchy potion-brewer, a map-making crow, and other supernatural beings. Blue hues dominate outdoor scenes; jewel tones saturate interior settings.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Christiane Engel. In this companion to What's on Your Plate?, readers learn basic information about fourteen different holidays from around the world, including Carnaval (Brazil), Fastelavn (Denmark), and Dangpai Losar (Bhutan). Each spread includes a short list of holiday-specific traditions, historical or religious context, and a cooking or craft activity. Cheerful, color-filled illustrations and a magazine-style layout make this an approachable introduction to cultural understanding. Timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Kelly Murphy. Between settling ghosts at her haunted middle school and suspecting her own dead father might be haunting her, unofficial appeasement specialist Rosa (A Properly Unhaunted Place) has bigger worries than the bullying from other students. Meanwhile, her best friend Jasper investigates a haunting at the off-season Renaissance Festival grounds. A well-crafted plot reveals resonant themes and new depths of conflict in this worthy sequel.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Lesley Vamos. Lou Lou and Pea stop the villainous vice-mayor from sabotaging the city's Bicentennial Bonanza. A strong sense of a bicultural community is created through Latinx cultural markers and Spanish words and phrases. This standalone sequel to Lou Lou & Pea and the Mural Mystery has a lively yet simple illustrated plot perfect for graduates of chapter books such as Ivy + Bean. Glos.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 1-3 Wild Fairies series. Illustrated by Renée Kurilla. In these series-starters about a group of woodland fairies, Daisy plans a party and learns that things don't need to be perfect to be fun, and pond-dwelling Lily feels left out until her friends find a way to include her in their land-based adventures. Abundantly illustrated with whimsical cartoon art, each appealing if precious chapter book offers thoughtful lessons about friendship. Back matter includes character profiles and activities. Review covers these Wild Fairies titles: Daisy's Decorating Dilemma and Lily's Water Woes.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Pearl Law. Ah-ma (grandma) tells her granddaughters the story of Chang'e, the Spirit and Lady in the Moon, as the family gathers to give thanks and celebrate home and family. Digital illustrations utilize vibrant colors and precise line work to bring both the realistic and folktale settings to life. Back matter includes an author's note about the Mid-Autumn Festival and a mooncake recipe.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) YA Lunar Chronicles series. Illustrated by Stephen Gilpin. In this second engaging graphic novel (spun-off from the long-running sci-fi series), android Iko risks everything to protect her friend, Lunar Queen Cinder, from Lysander Steele's bioengineered wolf-soldiers. Meyer also compellingly weaves in discussion of nature versus nurture as Iko struggles with revelations concerning her humanity. Dialogue and action blend seamlessly across Gilpin's monochrome-blue panels, allowing fans to savor this reunion with all their favorite characters.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(3) PS Illustrated by Mike Dutton. A young family visits a food truck festival in this lively picture book. Declarative couplets detail the participants' bustling preparations: "Let's get moving, no time to rest," serves as an urgent refrain. Vibrant, textured illustrations are well composed and filled with details of modern urban life; rhythmic text makes for a pleasant read-aloud. Hip foodie parents and their preschoolers will gravitate toward this appetizing story.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(2) 4-6 Lou Bulosan-Nelson dreams of building houses. When her single mother announces plans to leave San Francisco for a better-paying job in Washington State, Lou tries to dissuade Mom by building a tiny house on the San Fran lot left by Lou's late father. Engaging narrator Lou is passionate about her interests and deeply committed to friends and family. Filipino American culture is a crucial part of Lou's world, and Respicio incorporates it seamlessly into the story.

Reviewer: Sarah Rettger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2018

(4) PS Illustrated by Vashti Harrison. This sweet, nicely repetitive story for the preschool set teaches colors ("Marigolds make orange") while describing how two children make petal-powders for tossing with neighbors in the streets for Holi. Joyful, color- and light-filled digital illustrations incorporate authentic North Indian details such as rangoli art, though other details seem more Americanized. An authors' note about Holi is appended. "Holi, hai!"

Reviewer: Amitha Knight

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Kelly Murphy. When an unnaturally animated bobcat with a skull for a head crashes the famously unhaunted town of Ingot's annual Renaissance Festival, it's up to new friends Rosa and Jasper to find out what the restive spirit wants. The town's backstory and the ghost are intimately related, and readers will follow along avidly as Alexander's exciting episodes and resonant images lay out the connections.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2017