(2) 4-6 Julia on the Go! series. Illustrated by Julie Kim. Picking up right where Swimming into Trouble (rev. 3/24) left off, the story finds Julia Nam, having recovered from her ear infection, back in the water, preparing for a regional swim meet. When Coach Marissa takes a leave of absence because of a family health emergency, a new coach steps in. Julia is sure that Coach Nathan "was the angriest, shoutiest swimming coach that the Vancouver Vipers had ever had." His harsh and commanding coaching style, bitter tone of voice, and sour facial expressions cause several swimmers to leave the team, including Julia's best friend. She becomes closer to Olivia, who she previously thought was unfriendly but now realizes is a lot of fun. Julia suspects that she needs to look differently at things she doesn't like and ultimately realizes that she jumped to negative conclusions about Coach Nathan. Black-and-white illustrations help bring the swim team, coach drama, and friend dynamics to life. A lighthearted story that challenges readers to look deeper and see what's beneath the surface.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) 4-6 In this fast-paced historical novel, Danilo is a Black Panamanian living in a neighborhood destroyed by the United States' invasion of Panama in 1989. Since the first night of the attack, life has become more and more difficult for him and his family. Papá left them prior to the military action in search of better opportunities in the States, but lately he hasn't been calling or sending money home. As a former baseball player, Papá introduced Danilo to the game and nurtured his considerable talent, but in his absence, Danilo decides to stop playing. But then, ironically, Danilo's skill as a baseball player provides him with the chance to reconnect with his father by playing and training in California for a few months. Ultimately, he must decide if he wants to follow in his dad's footsteps to become a baseball player or pursue a different dream. Burgess has created a sympathetic character in Danilo, a kind, hardworking boy who has PTSD and copes with microaggressions and stereotyping in the U.S. The scenes involving baseball are particularly well written and feel authentic. This novel may hold special appeal for baseball fans, but one needn't be an aficionado to enjoy the story.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) 4-6 Color by Ronda Pattinson. This graphic novel celebrates the contributions of women throughout automotive history, along with providing a critique of the industry's persistent sexist practices. A prologue set in 1962 begins at an amateur car race with the skillful real-life driver Janet Guthrie. While respected by some of her peers, many others express a combination of anger, humiliation, and jealousy over her success. The story then shifts to 2019 New Hampshire, where (fictional) twelve-year-old Alexandra is similarly passionate about cars. Alex discovers a treasure trove of cars at her recently deceased grandfather's country home; however, her single father is unsupportive of her interest. Alex experiences highs and lows while working to restore a vintage Jaguar: the support of a local librarian; comments on her appearance and questioning of her knowledge. Throughout, Janet's life and career as a groundbreaking female racecar driver (somewhat coincidentally) intertwine with Alex's experiences, culminating in a multigenerational meet-up, complete with surprise appearance by Alex's favorite female YouTube mechanic. Copeland's streamlined art features a doodle-y thin black line and flat colors with minimal shading. Constantly shifting page layouts, from traditional panels to epistolary interludes to exciting (and coherent) race sequences, result in strong visual storytelling. An author's note separates fact from fiction and reminds readers that "girls can stand on the shoulders of those who came before them only if they know their stories."

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Gordon C. James. Few writers have commanded the English language like James Baldwin (1924-1987). As a child in Harlem, Jimmy was expected to care for his eight siblings while his mother did domestic work. He endured a domineering stepfather, bullying, racism, and police violence. All the while, he escaped through the world of words and books. He eventually moved to France, where he used his pen to reconcile his experiences as a Black man in the United States. The result was his first novel, Go Tell It on the Mountain, which sparked a successful literary career. Harris lyrically narrates Baldwin's childhood and his pathway to becoming a published author, highlighting how reading captivated him at a young age ("in the library, Jimmy could hear the books singing to him") and capturing the essence of a man whose literature still resonates today. James's oil on board illustrations are resplendent in rich jewel tones, with double-page spreads that are at times reminiscent of impressionist paintings. The delight of the library stacks, the fervor of Sunday service, the solitude on a hill in Central Park are all lavishly rendered. This is a beautiful tribute to Baldwin and the book that ignited his career. Back matter includes more information about Baldwin and a list of select sources, along with author and illustrator notes. Pair with Meadows and Law's Jimmy's Rhythm and Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin (rev. 3/24).

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) YA Eighth grader Ajay and his sister feel stifled by their immigrant Sri Lankan parents' strict rules. These include a sole focus on academics, no socializing, and minimal extracurricular activities. When Ajay moves to a new school, he attempts to appease the popular kids, only to face racism and bullying. Things get even worse when, on a dare, he steals a chocolate bar that turns out to come with a prize of a million dollars. Though this money would be life-changing for his family, Ajay knows he won it through deceit, and the lies stack up until he can no longer keep them from crashing down. This is a realistic portrayal of a Tamil family, with memorable characters in an underrepresented cultural setting; the hardships his parents face and the characters' believable motivations add depth and nuance. Ajay and his sister's closeness, his frustration with family, and his middle-school struggles mirror the lives of many immigrant children. The inclusion of Ajay's reflections through his schoolwork and journals helps make him easy to empathize with; references to his Christian faith as a moral compass add another layer of nuance. The plot never falters, and surprising twists make for a refreshing coming-of-age story.

Reviewer: Sadaf Siddique | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) 4-6 In this historical novel in verse, fifth grader Cooper Dale is growing up near Pittsburgh in 1963 and grappling with issues concerning her identity as a Black child attending a predominantly white school. While her family encourages her to embrace who she is, Cooper doesn't always feel that way: "Sometimes / I don't want to be black." Mama tells her that she has to "study harder" and "shine brighter" in school due to racism. Wade Carter, a racist classroom bully, makes things even harder, calling Cooper "Mud Face" and "Tar Baby." Things get worse when Cooper's mom takes a job as the Carters' maid. At first, this is just another thing for Wade to lord over her, but it ends up being the impetus for Cooper to see her tormentor in a new light and for him to change his behavior. Wade's mom is seriously ill, and once she learns this, Cooper slowly begins to feel compassion for him and fully embraces Mama's call to "be radiant" along with their church's beliefs about mercy. Nelson has created a likable character in Cooper, and this quiet, introspective novel (with some moments of levity; e.g., Cooper's embrace of Beatlemania) effectively examines what it means to forgive along with the importance of family.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Tonya Engel. President Barack Obama's path through life has been anything but linear. This picture-book biography in verse relates how "Barry" (as he was known in childhood), who was born to a white woman from Kansas and a Black Kenyan father, began to explore his racial identity at an early age. He increasingly felt like an outsider as he moved from Hawaii to Indonesia and back again. In early adulthood, he spent time in big cities on the U.S. mainland ("I came home in Chicago") and, realizing that his unique background was an asset to the community, began to organize, which led to the start of his political career. Chronicling his personal life, political rise, and presidency in a style both poetic and informative, Rappaport offers a narrative that emphasizes themes of community and perseverance. Engel's paintings effectively complement the text, with dynamic colors capturing the energy of Obama's journey. Select quotes about both his political and personal achievements, peppered throughout the text, add richness. With a detailed timeline and bibliography, this is a strong narrative that is equal parts biography and tribute to a man who discovered that his uniqueness was precisely what qualified him to serve others.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) YA This third book in the trilogy (Dear Martin, rev. 11/17; Dear Justyce, rev. 11/20) begins by bringing readers back to the moment Jared (who is white) receives the call that his best friend, Manny (who was Black), has been shot and killed. The novel then fast-forwards to when Jared, now a rising junior in college, decides to run for Junior Class Council president against John Preston LePlante IV. Like Jared, John is a legacy at their prestigious Connecticut university. Unlike Jared, John believes that the institution needs to reclaim its "founding standards and traditions"; he supports legacy admissions and the end of affirmative action. Jared knows that he must beat LePlante if change is going to happen. When another candidate, young Black woman Dylan M. Coleman, appears on the ballot, Jared starts to doubt his decision to run, for reasons including a secret from his past. Based on his friend Justyce's advice to keep a "journal of letters to someone who can't respond," Jared begins to write letters to Manny. Through third-person narration and Jared's letters, we learn about the challenges Jared faces as he attempts to reexamine his privilege and do what is right for all the students at their school. As in the previous installments, Stone again deals thoughtfully with issues that are relevant to teens today.

Reviewer: Nicholl Denice Montgomery | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Eleanor Davis. Ella Jenkins (1924–2024) longed to make music from the time she was a little girl growing up in the segregated Bronzeville community of Chicago. "Ella is a South Side girl, a Bronzeville bird, skipping in streets that smell of sweets and black-eyed peas." In this engaging picture-book biography, Todd writes lyrically about the girl who would become a celebrated musician and release more than sixty albums for children. Ella was surrounded by music and rhythm throughout her childhood, whether it was the choirs she heard at local churches, "recess rhymes," or her uncle Flood's "silver slip" (harmonica). She was also introduced to world music through record stores and saw artists such as Cab Calloway and Louis Armstrong perform. After high school, she moved to San Francisco, where she lived in an integrated community for the first time and was exposed to new forms of music. She went to college, became a teacher, and learned to play the conga drums. Upon returning to Chicago, she participated in civil rights protests and continued to teach before becoming a full-time musician. Davis's digital illustrations, with lots of rich, saturated colors, are detailed and energetic. Double-page spreads on black backgrounds with pops of yellow musical notes and stylized stars showcase musicians and dancers, capturing the excitement and joy of live performances. Gatefolds at the back of the book contain an author's note and additional information about Jenkins. Front and back endpapers feature a timeline of her life. A selected bibliography is appended.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2025

(2) 4-6 Geetha and her mother, who lives with depression, move from Chennai, India, to Rhode Island, leaving behind the rest of their family and settling in an apartment near Narragansett Bay. Geetha is lonely at school and is made fun of for her accent, food, and thrift-store clothes. She often fights to "hold back the dam of anger building," though regular trips to the library and composing music on her bamboo flute provide release. She befriends Miguel, a Mexican American boy, and the two find a harp seal that has been injured by a fishing line; after it's taken in by the Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Center, they visit it as it convalesces. Inspired to prevent further injury to animals from pollution, the two organize a community beach cleanup. Written in verse, this compact, emotional story brims with metaphors about the ocean and sea life that echo its themes of home and the scary process of learning to let go of people, things, and beliefs. Additionally, there is a strong marine conservationist message that may inspire readers to learn more and take action. An author's note contextualizes Geetha's story in Venkatraman's own experiences; resources about marine life, bullying, and mental health are also appended.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(1) YA In this verse novel with a basis in Caribbean folklore, fifteen-year-old Marisol and her mother, Lourdes, have recently emigrated from the Caribbean to Brooklyn. The two are soucouyant, shapeshifting "monsters" who shed their skin during the new moon to feed on the souls of their enemies. As a poor Black immigrant girl, Marisol finds that the world she inhabits sees her as monstrous in more ways than one. Seventeen-year-old Genevieve, by contrast, has lived in New York her whole life with her white father and stepmother (she has a Black biological mother). Although she enjoys privileges such as wealth, light skin, and U.S. citizenship, Genevieve feels trapped in her own body: enflamed rashes make her feel like her skin "will burn and melt / right off my fucking bones." The two girls' lives intersect when Lourdes is hired as a full-time nanny by Genevieve's stepmother for her newborn twins, and they come to realize that despite their very different upbringings, their worlds are more interconnected than they could have imagined. Expressive verse alternates between Marisol and Genevieve's perspectives, with judicious shifts in placement emphasizing connections between them. In a story that explores class, nationalism, colorism, colonialism, and ancestry, Zoboi skillfully captures the complexities of identity and belonging, offering a powerful narrative about two girls struggling to understand who they are and where they come from.

Reviewer: S. R. Toliver | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) 4-6 Focused on a community center in the fictional town of Maple Grove, New Jersey, this powerful collection of short stories celebrates the broad diversity of middle schoolers from the South Asian community, commonly referred to as desi. Over the course of the eleven interrelated stories, protagonists celebrate major life events, holidays, and the more mundane at the community center. The dilapidated building serves as the focal point for a heavily Asian American community but is also a target of xenophobic opportunists, who use coded (and sometimes overt) language to try to shut it down. "Together at the Center" by Khan, "Out in the Open" by Rajani LaRocca, and "The Map of Home" by Sayantani DasGupta showcase the importance of open dialogue, community, and speaking out against anti-Asian/South Asian and Islamophobic incidents. Mitali Perkins's "Smile Number Seven" and "Answered Prayers" by N. H. Senzai address in-group judgment, both real and perceived, ethnic and religious; resulting self-defense mechanisms are handled with nuance and care in relation to single-parent households, disability, and domestic violence. Back matter includes a note from Khan and contributing authors' bios.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(2) 4-6 This graphic-format biography of Japanese American artist Asawa (1926 2013) begins on December 7, 1941, as teenage Ruth and her farming family hear that Japan has attacked Pearl Harbor. Soon the FBI arrests her father ("They think he's dangerous? He can't even kill a chicken for dinner"), and the rest of the family are sent to Santa Anita Racetrack, where they must sleep in horse stables. But luckily for Ruth, interned Disney animators are teaching drawing classes. "Everything was gray until I met the cartoonists...Truly, art saved me." After the family is sent to the Rohwer Relocation Center in Arkansas, Ruth receives a college scholarship. She studies art education in Milwaukee -- then isn't allowed to graduate; the war has ended, but prejudice hasn't. At the experimental Black Mountain College in North Carolina, Ruth thrives and begins working on the wire sculptures for which she becomes so well known. A theme throughout is Ruth's sheer determination -- to not become a farmer; to study art; to marry the white man she loved despite their families' disapproval, to have children ("I want six") and still be an artist. Gratifyingly, the book closes with her doing just that. Nakahira's black-and-white illustrations, clear and direct, allow viewers to see both the helplessness and courage of those who were forcibly incarcerated. The art is also ideal for illuminating the lines, shapes, and empty spaces of Asawa's famous wire sculptures. Appended are further biographical information, a reading list, and photos of the artist and her work.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2024

(2) YA Door of No Return series. Continuing the story of a Black family's trials, from Ghana to the United States, Alexander (The Door of No Return, rev. 9/22) sets this installment in Jim Crow era Virginia. Charlene "Charley" Cuffey is an avid follower of baseball's Negro Leagues and aims to be the first female player in the sport. Her grandfather, the supportive Nana Kofi, listens to Charley's triumphs on the diamond and tells her about the skill he showed as a swimmer in Ghana. He also teaches her Twi, his native language, and shares his favorite sayings and stories -- some stories, anyway. Charley's parents have decided she's too young to hear about how Nana Kofi was captured and brought to America, or why "the wonderfuls" (as Nana Kofi ironically calls white people) seem so uneasy around them. When Charley and her best friend, "Cool" Willie Green, challenge the neighborhood bully to a baseball game, it only makes sense that they use the new field in town -- but this decision could cost Charley and Willie more than they ever thought possible. Alexander has created a world that fully immerses readers in the time period and keeps them riveted by this family's continuing story. Charley's first-person verse narrative (with Nana Kofi's recollections interspersed in prose poems) incorporates institutions and notable figures from the era, including Marcus Garvey and Mary McLeod Bethune. A memorable and moving second book in the trilogy.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2024

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez. In engaging, economical, and colloquial prose, Alonso chronicles the ascent and career highs of legendary right fielder Clemente (1934–1972), who endured racism as a Spanish-speaking Black man while shattering records during his illustrious baseball career. This energetic account begins with young Roberto playing béisbol in Carolina, Puerto Rico, using crinkled-up cans for baseballs and branches for bats. After a talent scout spots him in 1955, the nineteen-year-old travels to Montreal, where he spends more time on the bench than the field. Then he joins the Pittsburgh Pirates and impresses everyone with his ability to hit, slide, and leap for catches. Alonso (a journalist for MLB.com) writes with the immediacy of a play-by-play announcer, whisking readers from one achievement to the next. She directly addresses the extreme prejudice Clemente experienced: crowds heckle him for speaking español; dismissive reporters insist on calling him Bob instead of Roberto. Gutierrez's inventive mixed-media illustrations explode with dynamic colors and kinetic motion. Each double-page spread resembles an intricate mural, capturing jumps in time and changes in locale with swirls and attention-grabbing line work. While Gutierrez employs many abstract touches throughout, he gives Clemente an expressive photorealistic face that shows his determination and drive. Excellent back matter includes a timeline, a bibliography, photos, and an informative note from Alonso.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Andrea D'Aquino. This picture-book biography follows Bella Abzug (1920–1998), "the first woman elected to Congress on a women's rights platform," from her childhood defying gender roles at home, in the streets, and in her synagogue; through her career in law, activism, and politics. Aronson describes her personality, her accomplishments, and her brazenness. The layout of D'Aquino's child-friendly illustrations and occasional handwritten phrases brings the words to life and makes Abzug's impact tangible. The text is woven effectively into the illustrations, and the signature wide-brimmed red hats worn by "Battling Bella" make her figure jump out on every page. Issues such as sexism, war, prejudice, gay rights, and disability rights are discussed directly. Abzug's political losses are highlighted without showing those losses to be failures. The book ends with an inspirational call to action for readers in the twenty-first century to help fulfill Abzug's vision. An extensive author's note and a timeline provide further historical context; also appended with a selected bibliography.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Michael G. Long. This inspiring biography of Rudolph (1940–1994), the three-time Olympic gold medalist in track, centers on her work as a civil rights activist. After her Olympic success, she traveled throughout Europe and discovered life was different: "In America, they push me around because I'm a Negro. Here in Europe, they pushed me to the front." In Athens at the beaches, all races could swim together; in London any person could sit anywhere on a bus; in Berlin everyone ate together in restaurants. But back home, the community pool did not allow Black people to swim in it; restaurants would not serve Black people; and Black people could only ride in the back of city buses. When the leaders of Rudolph's hometown of Clarksville, Mississippi, planned a celebration honoring her, she refused to attend until Black people could participate in the activities. Facing objections, she persisted and, at least for that day, Clarksville desegregated to honor its hometown celebrity. Davis and Long's inviting text realistically portrays the subject's athletic prowess and her determined commitment to racial equality. Barlow's inventive collages of hand-painted cut paper and various mixed media are well matched to the narrative and wonderfully capture Rudolph's essence. Back matter includes an author's note that provides more information about Rudolph's advocacy and how her early life was shaped by segregation.

Reviewer: Pauletta Brown Bracy | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Alleanna Harris. August Wilson (1945–2005), the renowned African American playwright, was born with "a song inside him." He liked words and the way they had their own kind of music. Although learning was easy, attending school, where "nobody looked like him," was difficult. He was targeted by bullies, and when a teacher questioned whether an assigned paper was really his own work (because it was "so good"), he walked out, never to return. At the public library, he voraciously read history, science, poetry, novels, and Greek philosophy. "And he found shelves of books written by Black authors. He read them all." At the same time, he was learning from music and became captivated by blues singer Bessie Smith. "August had never heard the blues before, but it sounded like...well, it sounded like food he didn't know he was hungry for." When he began writing, he collected stories from enslavement and everyday situations in the lives of Black people and shaped them into plays. He "wrote those people alive," affirming the theme that "everybody carries a song inside them." Harris's emotionally resonant illustrations (sketches composed with digital ink pens and finished using digital gouache brushes) support Denmead's lyrical narrative and inspirational tone. An annotated bibliography of Wilson's Century Cycle of plays and an extensive author's note are appended.

Reviewer: Pauletta Brown Bracy | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(2) YA Dyson and Favreau (Unequal: A Story of America) explore the history of the right to vote in the United States, presenting the complexity of America's election system in an accessible manner. This approach can inspire readers to dig deeper, see their communities reflected in past struggles, and make connections that help inform current events, finding ways to participate in the electoral process. Organized into three sections -- Promises, Awakening, and Two Roads -- the book features tales of famous and lesser-known voting-rights advocates to explain how countless Americans have been denied the right to vote, in contradiction to the modern understanding of the country's founding vision. The personal stories provide examples of courageous leaders who helped disenfranchised voters have their rightful say in government while also exploring how social justice movements, such as women's suffrage in the late nineteenth century, often left underserved communities behind. The authors avoid a specific partisan lens for their commentary; however, they affirm that for this country to live up to its promise as a democracy "of the people, by the people, for the people," all Americans must protect the right to vote. Black-and-white photographs and archival images ably support the text. Back matter includes suggestions for "What You Can Do," a timeline, further reading, and an index (unseen).

Reviewer: Nicholas A. Brown | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(2) YA Sixteen-year-old Samira feels restricted by the watchful eyes of her tight-knit Sudanese American community, especially those of her protective mother. The community has labeled her a "bad girl" because of a false rumor that a boy started years ago. Now, while trying to sneak out to a party with friends, Samira is caught by her mom and grounded. Forbidden from leaving the house, she turns to an online poetry forum to stay connected. She begins chatting with an older poet, Horus, with whom she quickly finds herself falling in love. She begins to question him, though, when he pretends her poem is his. Through vivid free-verse poetry, text messages, and emails, Elhillo (Home Is Not a Country, rev. 7/21) creates a realistic picture of a teenage girl trying to push against unfair perceptions. She also highlights the fears of parents who are trying to raise children in a foreign country. In addition, the book offers a glimpse into the world of poetry and how young artists may be manipulated by older ones. Readers will appreciate the believable portrayal of a teen who is dealing with complex issues of family, friendship, and romantic love.

Reviewer: Nicholl Denice Montgomery | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024