(3) 4-6 Elodee's family moves to Eventown, hoping for a fresh start away from a tragedy they don't discuss. At first, everyone in Eventown seems happy. But when Elodee figures out that residents have "forgotten" their bad memories, she must confront her family's own repressed tragedy. Haydu writes about loss, depression, and the messiness of healing with sympathy and hope.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) 4-6 Edgar Degas's ballet-inspired sketches, paintings, and sculptures fill Rubin's handsome book about the artist's fascination with ballet. Brief but detailed text about Degas's life and artistry accompany each artwork, giving readers a closer look into his process. The book also contains compelling glimpses into the Paris Opéra, and what the ballet students thought of the artist who was often in their studio. Extensive back matter adds value. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Leeza Hernandez. Black third grader Mia has been accepted into superhero training school so she can become a superhero like her parents. In the first three volumes of the chapter book series, Mia gets her own "supersuit," learns the difficult art of flying, and deals with losing both a race and her own shadow. The fun-filled, humorous stories are further enlivened by the abundant action-packed, comic-book-style illustrations. Review covers these titles: Mia Mayhem Is a Superhero!, Mia Mayhem Learns to Fly!, and Mia Mayhem vs. the Super Bully.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(4) 4-6 Oregon Trail series. Readers play the role of pioneers attempting to travel the Oregon Trail in this choose-your-own-adventure narrative. The interactive format and throwback-style graphics evoking the classic Oregon Trail computer game should attract young readers. However, the series glosses over the negative impacts of westward expansion on American Indians; if used in the classroom, pair with more thorough resources on the topic. There are three other books in this series.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) 1-3 Life and Times of Birdie Mae Hayes series. In this series-opening chapter book, Birdie's comfortable life in small-town Alabama is disrupted when she begins to have visions about bad things happening...and the visions come true. But Birdie's grandmother, who has the same ability, teaches her how to use it for the greater good. Birdie's conflicted feelings about her "gift" are realistically portrayed. The black-and-white illustrations capture the warmth and energy of Birdie's community.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(4) 4-6 Brooklyn loves ballet and hates football. Unfortunately, everyone in her new Texas town, including her quarterback stepbrother, are football fanatics. When the middle-school football team is required to take classes at her ballet studio, Brooklyn learns that football and ballet have some similarities after all. Brooklyn's feelings of alienation in her new surroundings are well wrought in this predictable but buoyant middle-school novel.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) 4-6 Princess Aislin is half-fairy, half-pedrasi (mountain people who possess incredible strength), but she has the "sturdier" figure of the pedrasi side. When an enemy human king takes her hostage, Aislin must use all of her powers, magical and otherwise, to save her home. Aislin is a compelling heroine, proving her strength against fantastical beasts as well as the human girls who bully her.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) 4-6 North Carolina twelve-year-old Della tries everything to cure her mama's schizophrenia, even asking the Bee Lady for her magic honey that supposedly cures all kinds of problems. Della slowly realizes she can't change Mama's illness, but she can change how she feels about it. The subject matter of this story is heartbreaking, but Baldwin leavens the mood with an affectionately rendered setting, strong female characters, and plenty of hope.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Liana Hee. Princess Brianna Bright loves ballet and fencing, but she isn't very good at either--until thieves steal jewels from the castle, and Brianna combines ballet moves with fencing to save the day. Calvert cleverly points out similarities between ballet and fencing in this tale of girl power. Hee's digital illustrations are slick and twee but capture the strength and grace of Brianna's movements. Glos.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Derek Desierto. When Juno looks for her own missing shoes, she finds a magical realm where she can wear the shoes of influential women such as Serena Williams, Jane Goodall, Lady Gaga, and Misty Copeland. This lighthearted story provides exuberant glimpses into the style and accomplishments of some famous women. Desierto's bold mixed-media illustrations offer fun and fashion in equal measure. Includes a guide to the women (and their shoes).

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) 4-6 Ella wants her divorced dad to date so he won't feel uncomfortable around her new stepdad--then maybe everyone can watch her compete at the National Dog Show together. After a fake internet dating profile and some humorous mishaps, Ella must come clean. Smart, funny Ella is a winning heroine, whether she's creating chaos or learning poignant lessons about control, honesty, and letting people (and dogs) be.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) 4-6 In the sequel to A Nest for Celeste, the eponymous mouse falls asleep in a wagon near her New Orleans home and ends up on another adventure. Celeste rides a steamboat, climbs trees with squirrels, swims with beavers, and helps a young Abe Lincoln. The accessible animal fantasy's comforting theme--that home is wherever you find happiness--is complemented by Cole's cozy pencil illustrations.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) 4-6 Ruth spends the summer in Newfoundland, where she meets her cousin Ruby, whom she never knew about. The girls learn of a curse that has killed generations of twins in their family, including their mothers. Ruth and Ruby delve into their family history to break the curse. Sleepy but secret-laden Newfoundland is the perfect setting for this delightfully creepy, satisfying tale.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) 4-6 Esme discovers dinosaur bones buried on the hill where her grandpa died--a discovery that brings both excitement and trepidation. Meanwhile, Esme works to unearth multiple mysteries regarding her distant mother's past, her absentee father's whereabouts, and her grandma Bee's ability to find lost things (which Esme has inherited). Esme's warm, folksy voice and the small-town Texas setting stand out in this story about finding happiness after sorrows.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) PS Illustrated by Samantha Cotterill. A girl and her pet cat decide that glitter fixes every problem. Boring rooms, pictures, or walls? "Just add glitter!" But is there such a thing as too much glitter? The simple rhyming verse moves the story along at a quick, lively pace. The textured (and ultra-sparkly) mixed-media illustrations set in three-dimensional paper scenes dazzle on every page.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(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

(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) YA After being kicked out of ballet school for not meeting expectations, thirteen-year-old British girl Mouse reluctantly attends a ski trip in the French Alps. With a cute boy named Jack, new friends, a French pop star, and a trio of mean girls, the trip is more eventful than Mouse ever imagined. Mouse's and Jack's alternating perspectives capture the heady excitement of tween crushes, and the side characters are entertaining and authentic.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) 4-6 In 1925 Toronto, a gentle circus lion is thrown from a train and holes up in High Park. Clever, compassionate baker's daughter Sadie and her friend Theo Junior discover and care for the lion until they can find him a permanent home. Fagan's story is full of quiet humor, nostalgia, and a touch of wistfulness that lends realism to the fantastical premise.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Elizabet Vuković. In her third chapter book, Japanese American Jasmine Toguchi can't figure out a talent to display in her school's talent show until her mom introduces her to taiko (a Japanese drum). Jasmine remains a charismatic heroine as she diligently practices drumming and learns that having fun is more important than striving for perfection. Tidy spot illustrations capture Jasmine's dedication and exuberance.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk