(1) K-3 Illustrated by Molly Mendoza. Daunting, exhausting, sweaty, filthy, and dangerous are all words that can describe the work of the teams of firefighters who join together to contain and control wildfires. Paley and Mendoza's informative picture book gives readers a full view of the effort that goes into protecting homes, people, and habitats when these all-too-common out-of-control fires endanger lives. Technical vocabulary abounds and is well explained in Paley's clear text, which follows a team of firefighters from the first indication of a blaze until the last embers are extinguished. Reminiscent of WPA National Park posters, Mendoza's graphically striking art is energetic and engrossing. The yellows, reds, and oranges that fill the pages provide a visceral sense of a wildfire's heat, while cool blues and purples provide readers a chance to recover. The abundance of captions in and around the art informs curious readers about each piece of firefighting minutia, while sidebars provide detailed explanations where necessary. Extensive back matter includes a history of wildfire management, explaining how past policies have contributed to the now-common occurrences of massive wildfires and the increased dangers they present. Specific mentions of Indigenous "hotshot crews" and the important role Indigenous leaders have in crafting more sustainable fire management practices are very welcome.

Reviewer: Eric Carpenter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(1) 4-6 Sage Durham, a basketball-obsessed Black twelve-year-old, is looking forward to a summer of pick-up games with the boys (she's always the only girl on the court) in her close-knit 1970s Brooklyn neighborhood. Instead, it proves to be a season of screaming sirens and burned-out buildings. The newspapers dub Bushwick "The Matchbox," and a number of the Durhams' neighbors become victims of fire. Sage's mom, the widow of a firefighter, is saving every possible penny to put toward a brick house and a safer future for herself and her daughter. But the idea of leaving the home where her dad grew up and all the people she has ever known is hard for Sage. A recent cruel comment ("What kind of girl are you?") has her questioning where she fits in. This lyrical first-person upper-middle-grade novel taps into a wide array of emotional truths and preteen sensibilities. Passages on loss and memory feature palpable sadness, but there is also a tender exploration of the enduring power of friendship and love, the discovery of inner strength and resilience, and the need to balance an appreciation for what "once was" and what may be. Woodson again delivers an appealing protagonist whose voice will resonate with readers in a nuanced coming-of-age story worth remembering.

Reviewer: Luann Toth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(2) PS Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino. Geometric digital art using bright, flat colors and patterns paired with the fast rhythm of the text catapult viewers through an emergency call to the fire station and a nighttime run. "Hey, yo! / Firefighter Flo! / You're a hero! / You're a pro!" burst the opening lines of the text as a crescent moon shines down on the fire station, with one lit window upstairs. Inside, Firefighter Flo and the firehouse Dalmatian are up and rousing the crew (a diverse mix of genders and skin colors), who are off and running for the fire truck on the next page. "STOMP! STOMP! STOMP! STOMP!" Loud onomatopoeia (CLANG, SCREECH, RUFF, WHOOOSSHH!) appears on every page, extending the visual momentum. At the site of the blaze, a two-story house, the firefighters battle the flames from the outside, and Firefighter Flo charges inside to rescue the family's dog. Once all is well, Firefighter Flo and the other firefighters head back to the station and to bed. The story closes with the same jaunty cheer for Firefighter Flo that opened the book, as she sleeps peacefully on her bottom bunk, with another firefighter snoozing above her and the Dalmatian curled up on the floor. This high-energy, heart-pounding tribute to firefighters, with its bold visuals and enthusiastic text, would make an especially lively pick for a group setting like storytime, even for the youngest listeners--invite a local firefighter to share in the fun.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2023

(3) K-3 Illustrated by David Hohn. Hallie Morse Daggett dreamed of joining the US Forest Service to fight fires in California's Siskiyou Mountains--an unheard-of goal for a woman at the turn of the previous century. But Hallie persisted and was finally hired as a fire lookout in 1913. She spent fifteen fire seasons in a primitive mountain cabin reporting on smoke and flames, contending with fierce electrical storms, and fending off wild animals. Bissonette's engaging portrayal of a self-assured and determined figure is enhanced by Hohn's imaginative illustrations. An author's note provides more detail and includes three black-and-white archival photos.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Nicole Wong. A pear tree that survived the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City has become a symbol of hope in adversity. Magee's respectful, lyrical text follows the tree's story through the seasons from its discovery as "something green among the ashes," to its regrowth off-site, to its replanting at Ground Zero ten years later. Wong's softly textured illustrations incorporate a wordless fictional story, told via inset panels, featuring a mixed-race girl and her family (including an FDNY firefighting relative); their lives parallel the tree's resilience. Both text and art present events soberly but with a young audience in mind; the girl's reassuring story helps temper more scary aspects. "More About the Survivor Tree's Journey," an author's note, and selected bibliography are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Meg Hunt. In 1977, New York City's fire department opened its entrance exam to women, but none of the women who applied passed the physical test. One of them, Brenda Berkman, sued the FDNY for discriminatory entrance testing. After winning in court, Berkman became a firefighter--but endured cruel on-the-job discrimination for years. Hunt's expressive mixed-media illustrations and Rinker's well-shaped story effectively convey Berkman's persistence and resilience, which paved the way for future female firefighters. An author's note discusses "Modern Trailblazers," and an endnote adds biographical details. A bibliography and list of websites are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 Wolff tells a story of both animal survival during a wildfire and the work of forest firefighters. Readers and listeners will appreciate the clear, direct text--"Buck hears the rumble. Squirrel sees the flash." Once the lightning strike starts a blaze, humans and animals react. The animals warn one another and take cover or run: turtles burrow, porcupines hide, and bears wade into water. Aircraft head for Spruce Mountain, where firefighters parachute in and trucks arrive loaded with people and equipment. At the culmination of the firefighting efforts, crew members create a firebreak with bulldozers and shovels; and finally a rainstorm helps to douse the flames. With the blaze extinguished, animals come out of hiding and "life continues on Spruce Mountain." The wide, dramatic vistas of forest scenes will feel familiar to fans of Wolff's work (Stella and Roy Go Camping, rev. 5/99; Where, Oh Where, Is Baby Bear?, rev. 11/17). The paintings in vivid reds, oranges, and golds along with the descriptive yet brief text provide sensory details of forest life and wildfire. It is a hopeful story of a fire put out quickly thanks to the efforts of humans and a good deal of luck. Helpful back matter includes a glossary of specialized vocabulary, a list of firefighting tools, and websites for further exploration. A timely, informative, and approachable book.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(1) K-3 Friendly, direct-address text covers detailed information about firefighters' equipment, training, daily tasks, and helpful skills to have or cultivate. The writing is clear and specific; the expansive, colorful acrylic illustrations, including labeled diagrams, are themselves quite informative. Firefighters' camaraderie comes through clearly; while the disaster-scenario scenes aren't frantic, neither are they unrealistically downplayed. Back matter includes an interview with a retired fire chief, including questions both from McCarthy and from children. Websites.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(4) K-3 Spot Mighty Machines series. Each slim early reader opens with a photo glossary highlighting four truck-related vocabulary words, accompanied by instructions: "Look for these words and pictures as you read." The following spreads are organized by these keywords, with bright stock photos and a smattering of basic facts. The volumes lack substance but effectively reinforce the meaning of a small number of relevant terms. Also available in Spanish. Review covers these Spot Mighty Machines titles: Big Rigs, Fire Trucks, Garbage Trucks, Pickup Trucks, Tanker Trucks, and Tow Trucks.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) YA Over one summer day, sixteen-year-old Audrey reflects on her complicated romantic relationship with Brooks, a volunteer firefighter with a troubled past, as a wildfire threatens to burn Audrey's Southern California home. Dual timelines in the present and past work in conjunction to build suspense and create tension, effectively mirroring the encroaching fire and culminating in a somewhat predictable yet satisfying ending.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 4-6 Jones's hair-raising account of a 1958 fire in a Chicago school that killed almost one hundred people will surely encourage young readers to think about fire prevention and safety (and probably check for the fire exits in public buildings they visit). The importance of fire safety laws and the dire consequences of overcrowded classrooms is vividly portrayed. The narrative is illustrated with photos and enlivened by interviews with survivors of the tragedy. Reading list. Ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) K-3 Wild Jobs series. Large, visually appealing color photos accompany short, accessible texts introducing young readers to exciting outdoor careers. Each book describes job details including training, special equipment, and clothing needed; provides a historical highlight; and gives examples of on-the-job scenarios, job rewards, and dangers. A short summary quiz is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Wild Jobs titles: Animal Wrangler, Camping Guide, Cave Explorer, Deep-Sea Fisher, Scuba Diver, and Wildland Firefighter.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Bumba Books: Places We Go series. With cheerful graphics, bright photos featuring kids of different ethnicities, bare-bones text, and sturdy construction, this series brings early elementary students on typical field trips. Depicting experiences as universal, the volume risks overgeneralizing, but question bubbles ("What might fall in a burning building?") help young readers think more about the topic. The book includes a table of contents and picture glossary. Reading list. Ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) PS Illustrated by Bob Kolar. "I'm a little fire truck, / my driver's name is Jill. / We zip all over town, / my siren's loud and shrill." A fire truck delivers toddler-grade excitement with catchy rhyming descriptions of its firefighting gang in action. As in The Little School Bus and The Little Dump Truck, Kolar's geometric digital art is on sturdy card-stock for recent board-book graduates.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) PS Fresh out of the bathtub, three firefighting duckies careen from one wacky rescue mission to the next. "They are the Firefighter Duckies! They are brave. They are strong. They rescue... Whales in trees!" Dormer's outrageous plot relies on his comical digitally rendered illustrations to fill in what the well-paced text leaves out. The cartoon drawings feature relatively uncomplicated compositions on clean backgrounds, helping to contain the chaos.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(4) K-3 Bumba Books: Hooray for Community Helpers! series. This serviceable series covers a variety of community-helping careers. Each book has brightly colored pages; large type; and cheery stock photos featuring men, women, and kids of different ethnicities. Some volumes are simplistic, but question bubbles ("How might gloves keep a worker's hands safe?") will help young readers think more about the topics. A photographic "tools" guide is appended. Also available in Spanish. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Bumba Books: Hooray for Community Helpers! titles: Hooray for Dentists!, Hooray for Doctors!, Hooray for Firefighters!, Hooray for Garbage Collectors!, Hooray for Librarians!, and Hooray for Mail Carriers!

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jessica Olien. Diminutive Hugo the hamster is a talented cook, dancer, runner, and more--but he's always wanted to be a firefighter. Even though he's small, Hugo's can-do spirit eventually allows him to serve as fire truck navigator, safety instructor, and ladder climber. Bold digital illustrations with thick black outlines are visually suited for storytime, and the themes of self-esteem and perseverance will resonate with similarly little readers.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) PS StoryPlay series. Dog Edward and his cousin Judy participate in a drill, learn all about fighting fires, and eventually help in a real emergency. Humorous oil-paint illustrations show some of Edward's less successful attempts at helping out before being deemed a hero. New to this edition (published in a series promoting early literacy) are intrusive discussion prompts and appended "creative activities" to help parents "engage with your little one."

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Dangerous Jobs in Action series. Simultaneously exciting and sobering, these fast-paced, true-life profiles of people in dangerous careers each begin by summarizing the job, indicating the risks, and presenting basic stats. Chapters then relate the nail-biting stories of people caught in life-threatening situations while performing these jobs; some survive, some do not. Well-chosen color photos and closing discussion questions accompany each entry. There are four other spring 2017 books in this series. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Dangerous Jobs in Action titles: Stunt Performers in Action, Deep-Sea Fishermen in Action, Ice Road Truckers in Action, and Smoke Jumpers in Action.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Firestormers series. This new series centers on the skill, tenacity, and bravery of elite firestormers, who use technology to battle destructive forest fires; this volume is set in Klamath National Forest (a profile of the setting and a map precede the text). The narrative feels formulaic, but lots of action will hook reluctant readers. Refreshingly, strong female characters play key roles.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg