(2) K-3 Illustrated by Robert Neubecker. Goldberg (1883–1970) dreamed of becoming a newspaper cartoonist but initially studied engineering. Eventually Goldberg was hired as a cartoonist at the New York Evening Mail, where he concocted the "screwball contraptions" we now call Rube Goldberg machines. Aronson notes that Goldberg "drew comics to make us look closer"; fittingly, this thoughtful, playful picture-book biography does just that, with whimsical pencil, ink, and digital illustrations capturing the intricacies of the imagined machines. Bib.

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

(2) YA Belles series. Camille, Rémy, and Edel (The Belles) work with an underground resistance movement to return the rightful heir to the throne, while Camille attains even greater supernatural abilities. Clayton further develops the world-building of Orléans with a wider landscape, more steampunk-meets-magic technology, and new details of Orléansian spiritual beliefs. Fans will eagerly revisit this lavishly imagined, immersive fantasy realm, which Clayton effectively uses to critique several ugly aspects of our own society.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2019

(4) 4-6 Denver tween Kazu Jones uses her daily paper route to hone her detective skills. A dognapper is on the loose, and Kazu (with the help of her sometimes-reluctant friends) starts building a case against a creepy-seeming neighbor. Then her own beloved pup is snatched, and Kazu's motivation--and the danger--increases. Many exploits strain credulity, but themes of kid-power and animal friendship come through.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Don Tate. Hopkinson's inspiring story explains how young Carter G. Woodson (1875–1950) read the newspaper to his father and fellow coal miners. Their desire to be informed citizens, plus a challenge from his Harvard professor, led Woodson to later establish Negro History Week, predecessor to Black History Month. Tate's engaging mixed-media illustrations and endpaper drawings include portraits of Black leaders throughout history. Timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Monique Harris

(2) 4-6 In a Little Women-inspired novel, thirteen-year-old Jameela lives with her Muslim family in Atlanta. This Eid holiday their beloved father is away; a (good-looking) nephew of a family friend visits; and Jameela butts heads with her school newspaper's editor, who never approves her hard-hitting pitches. Then her sister is diagnosed with cancer, and Jameela must reevaluate her priorities. This modern-day Pakistani American family-story retains the charm, familial warmth, and appeal of Alcott's classic.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2019

(4) YA The complicated topic receives earnest if superficial treatment in this slim, densely-printed volume. Miller traces a continuum, from medieval blood libels to "Pizzagate," and attempts to differentiate between real fake news and those who decry unfavorable press using the epithet. In his attempts to be timely, Miller refers to the Mueller Report, but the text is, of course, already dated. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) YA A newly discovered ability to channel the perspective of an unknown serial killer raises a serious dilemma for sixteen-year-old morgue reporter Nathalie Baudin: reveal her supernatural powers and aid the police, or reject them for a life of normalcy? Set in nineteenth-century Paris, a time when the city's fascination with death warranted daily newspaper morgue reports, this eerie historical mystery will appeal to fans of Gothic thrillers.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(3) 4-6 Magnificent Mya Tibbs series. Illustrated by Eda Kaban. An adorable new baby sister leaves African American Mya feeling overlooked. A school project might just be the perfect opportunity for the now-middle child to distinguish herself. Meanwhile, Mya is also in the middle when her besties, twins Skye and Starr, become close with Mya's estranged friend, Naomi. The quirky, relatable Texas girl's third story probes the evolution of family and friendship with compassion and heart.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Masha D'yans. "Pictures were his words, fashion his language." Blumenthal's quote-filled tribute to New York Times street-fashion photographer Bill Cunningham focuses on his approach. D'yans's vibrant watercolors catwalk across each page, emphasizing the patterns, palettes, and shapes of the clothing that so enamored Cunningham; the man himself is fittingly pictured where he most liked to be: behind the camera. An author's note provides more straightforward biographical information. Bib.

Reviewer: Erica Wetter

(3) K-3 Illustrated by S. D. Schindler. In a rollicking, lively storyteller's voice, Bowman relates a little-known insult gone wrong, the ensuing almost-duel between Abraham Lincoln and fellow Illinois state congressman James Shields, and the lessons both men learned. Watercolor and ink illustrations convey the story's mood and the 1842 setting. An afterword gives additional facts about the incident, its players, and the politics and economy of the time. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) YA Scholarship student Sam Barker, fifteen, is determined to succeed at prestigious Edwards Academy and go on to Harvard. Challenging academics and peer hazing make for a rough start, but at least she's friendly with her roommate. When the polo-team captain rapes Sam, the boarding school (per its "Honor Code") seems determined only to "keep this community sacred." A powerful, timely story about sexual assault, privilege, and justice.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(3) YA A collection of reporting by the journalism students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on the 2018 shooting at their school. "Extraordinary Acts" pieces highlight heroic survivors; others cover the day of the attack, the March for Our Lives movement, and life in the media spotlight. Edited by MSD teachers Falkowski and Garner, the teens' writings are insightful and moving. Includes an insert of color photos.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) 4-6 News Literacy series. In these brief, textbook-like overviews of media literacy, coverage is largely anodyne. Still, the topics have become increasingly important, and this series offers a good jumping-off point for upper-elementary students to think critically about what they read and see in the news, advertisements, and on social media. Each text includes well-considered assignments for further research, thought, and discussion. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these News Literacy titles: Advertising Overload, The Fake News Phenomenon, How Journalists Work, Uncovering Bias in the News, Why News Matters, and Your Personalized Internet.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 News Literacy series. In these brief, textbook-like overviews of media literacy, coverage is largely anodyne. Still, the topics have become increasingly important, and this series offers a good jumping-off point for upper-elementary students to think critically about what they read and see in the news, advertisements, and on social media. Each text includes well-considered assignments for further research, thought, and discussion. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these News Literacy titles: Advertising Overload, The Fake News Phenomenon, How Journalists Work, Uncovering Bias in the News, Why News Matters, and Your Personalized Internet.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 News Literacy series. In these brief, textbook-like overviews of media literacy, coverage is largely anodyne. Still, the topics have become increasingly important, and this series offers a good jumping-off point for upper-elementary students to think critically about what they read and see in the news, advertisements, and on social media. Each text includes well-considered assignments for further research, thought, and discussion. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these News Literacy titles: Advertising Overload, The Fake News Phenomenon, How Journalists Work, Uncovering Bias in the News, Why News Matters, and Your Personalized Internet.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 News Literacy series. In these brief, textbook-like overviews of media literacy, coverage is largely anodyne. Still, the topics have become increasingly important, and this series offers a good jumping-off point for upper-elementary students to think critically about what they read and see in the news, advertisements, and on social media. Each text includes well-considered assignments for further research, thought, and discussion. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these News Literacy titles: Advertising Overload, The Fake News Phenomenon, How Journalists Work, Uncovering Bias in the News, Why News Matters, and Your Personalized Internet.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 First Facts: All About Media series. These volumes provide very basic (sometimes confusing or incomplete) information about various print- and digital media and research methods. Source gives examples (e.g., books, internet, primary sources) while the meatier Opinions helps readers become critical consumers ("Ask questions to figure out the media maker's purpose"). Helpful sidebars appear throughout, and stock photos show kids working in the library and elsewhere. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these First Facts: All About Media titles: Fact, Fiction, and Opinions and What's Your Source?

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) YA At sixteen, Chicago girl Penny long ago moved beyond her unreliable tabloid-writer dad's passion for fake-hunting the supernatural. When the aspiring journalist returns to her Michigan hometown to write about economics for her college application, Penny learns her dad's missing; there's also a town-wide amnesia, charred corpses, and mysterious lights in the woods. With a hint of summer romance, this X-Files-like story is worthy of paranormal-mystery shelves.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(3) YA Rose, Hawks High Gazette reporter extraordinaire, and Grant, her editor-in-chief, share a passion for journalism and a complicated romantic history. After Rose quits the paper without explanation, Grant is determined to work with her again; a mysterious lockdown at prom provides the perfect opportunity. Lively and fast-paced, this modern-day homage to the 1940 film His Girl Friday shifts in time and perspectives, keeping readers on their toes.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) 1-3 Hilde Cracks the Case series. Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. Nine-year-old "serious reporter" Hilde continues "hunting down the news" in her neighborhood. In these capers, Hilde reports on strange damage from a tornado and investigates a supposed UFO landing. Aspiring reporters will enjoy learning journalistic nuts and bolts from this affable kid-newshound. Pen-and-ink illustrations closely follow the texts, increasing accessibility. "Questions and Activities" are appended. Review covers these Hilde Cracks the Case titles: Tornado Hits and UFO Spotted.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen