(2) YA Seventeen-year-old Ariel Burns is struggling with constant, anxious "what-if" thoughts and dark, violent "crocodile in my mind" fantasies that have escalated to an obsessive degree. She resorts to extreme, repetitive actions such as walking in circles sixty-four times to keep those awful thoughts at bay. With her beloved older sister away at college, her parents emotionally distant, and her best friend gone for the summer, Ariel is having difficulty separating fantasy from reality and worries that she is a danger to others. The support of new friends and texts from her sister help her to begin to confront those concerns. Cole explores the parallel stories of Ariel's inner and outer realities through compelling free verse and illuminating juxtaposition of inner monologue and external events. Questions of gender identity are interwoven as Ariel wonders what it means to be a "girl" when you're 5'11" and wear a size twelve shoe. "I am too many things, all of them / too. / Too big / Too quiet / Too broad / Too off." This powerful novel in verse provides an intimate look at the patterns of obsessive-compulsive disorder and offers an opportunity to explore the ways our inner voices affect our behavior and self-concept. Mental health resources are appended.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Júlia Sardà. Ed's bad mood escalates from a tiny whirlwind into something sentient that "swept over him in a raging storm and stuck." The digital art, showing Ed sweeping leaves into piles that grow exponentially and dominate his town, are particularly evocative of a mind overwhelmed. Eventually, a new wind from another direction changes the situation--and Ed's mood. Useful for exploring with readers who struggle to manage intense emotions.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2019

(3) PS Illustrated by Zachariah OHora. In this successful board-book adaptation, one member of a dinosaur classroom has a self-control issue: "Apatosaurus colors. Pteranodon inspects. Velociraptor glitters. Tyrannosaurus...WRECKS!" Naively drawn dinosaurs with bold outlines and flat, digitally added colors pop from the pages. A spare text (primarily simple subjects and verbs) builds tension until the students band together to reform the disruptive dino. A satisfyingly high-energy read-aloud.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2014

(3) PS This simple, straightforward story perfectly captures a toddler's struggle with emotional regulation when life feels unfair. After expressing his anger, Bear takes deep breaths, slows down, and naps, and then he can go back to playing. The pattern of his tantrum will be familiar--and reassuring--to children and parents. Gee's understated, colorful illustrations show the world from Bear's perspective.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler. When kindhearted second-grader Ellie May tries to distinguish herself, her less-than-optimal impulse control frequently causes her to misstep. In these first two entries, her quest for the funniest April Fool's joke misfires, as do her attempts to act presidential. Numerous grayscale illustrations highlight the diverse cast of characters, while subtle life lessons and Ellie May's antics should appeal to Clementine fans. Review covers these titles: Ellie May on April Fools' Day and Ellie May on Presidents' Day.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler. When kindhearted second-grader Ellie May tries to distinguish herself, her less-than-optimal impulse control frequently causes her to misstep. In these first two entries, her quest for the funniest April Fool's joke misfires, as do her attempts to act presidential. Numerous grayscale illustrations highlight the diverse cast of characters, while subtle life lessons and Ellie May's antics should appeal to Clementine fans. Review covers these titles: Ellie May on April Fools' Day and Ellie May on Presidents' Day.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(3) 1-3 How to Be an Earthling series. Illustrated by Jessica Warrick. Lovable third-grade alien Spork is back in the continuation of this character-education series. Here Spork and classmates Trixie, Adam, Piper, and Jack learn about citizenship (May the Votes), kindness (No Place), perseverance (Alien), and self-control (Money). This funny series delivers character-building lessons without being trite or too didactic. Back matter contains a personal characteristic quiz and a space-related word problem or activity. Review covers these How to Be an Earthling titles: May the Votes Be with You, No Place like Space, Alien in the Outfield, and Money Doesn't Grow on Mars.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 Making Good Choices series. Illustrated by Victoria Assanelli. In each Choose Your Own Adventure–style lesson book, readers determine a focal character's behavior in a challenging situation: Does Kendra come inside when her father asks, or does she whine and cry (Angry)? The opportunity to make choices seems empowering, but the parental lectures that characters receive ruin the fun. The culturally diverse cast of protagonists often look frozen in place. Reflection questions are appended. Review covers these Making Good Choices titles: You Can Control Your Voice, You Can Handle Conflict, You Can Listen to Directions, You Can Stay in Control, You're Angry, and You're in Trouble.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) K-3 Making Good Choices series. Illustrated by Victoria Assanelli. In each Choose Your Own Adventure–style lesson book, readers determine a focal character's behavior in a challenging situation: Does Kendra come inside when her father asks, or does she whine and cry (Angry)? The opportunity to make choices seems empowering, but the parental lectures that characters receive ruin the fun. The culturally diverse cast of protagonists often look frozen in place. Reflection questions are appended. Review covers these Making Good Choices titles: You Can Control Your Voice, You Can Handle Conflict, You Can Listen to Directions, You Can Stay in Control, You're Angry, and You're in Trouble.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(2) PS Illustrated by Zachariah OHora. All is harmony in the dinosaur classroom, except for one member with a self-control issue: "Apatosaurus colors. Pteranodon inspects. Velociraptor glitters. Tyrannosaurus...WRECKS!" Naively drawn dinosaurs with bold outlines and flat, digitally added colors pop from white pages. A text consisting primarily of simple subjects and verbs builds tension until the students band together to reform the disruptive dino. A satisfyingly high-energy, primal read-aloud.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2014

(4) 4-6 Fred Bowen Sports Story series. Isaac is focused on pitching a perfect game--so much so that he loses focus on everything else. Then he's encouraged to help with the Special Olympics. Previously using words like "retarded" and "weird," he has a lot to learn, but soon gets a new perspective on what perfect means. The character development is predictable, but the book's lesson is laudable.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) K-3 "Will you be good, George?" Harry asks his dog as he leaves. George says yes, but when tantalized by cake and a cat and some dirt... The cliffhanger ending feels like a cop-out, but George realizing that he's his own worst enemy is both funny and improbably heart-tugging. Emotive, rough-edged pencil and digital illustrations mirror the misbehavior--and the eventual obedience.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) YA After stealing a car to run away, troubled Taylor is stuck in "therapeutic boarding school" Sunny Meadows. Despite forging friendships with her glamorous peer mentor, Margo, and enigmatic male patient A.J., Taylor is desperate to get out. Readers will fear how low Taylor might plummet before facing her demons in this candid story of hope, redemption, and opening one's heart.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(2) 4-6 Delly, eleven, is constantly in trouble for her impulsive and pugnacious behavior. Mysterious new classmate Ferris Boyd--skittish and mute--helps Delly learn to restrain herself as they slowly build a friendship. Hannigan's strengths are in a richly conveyed setting, with much of the novel taking place outdoors, and in her ability to depict with tremendous compassion a potentially unappealing main character.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2011

(4) YA In this story very loosely based on the Aristophanes play Lysistrata, intense rivalry between Hamilton High's football and soccer teams is the catalyst for the players' girlfriends staging a sex strike until the teams make peace. Some honest conversations and confessions about relationships ensue, but lack of character development and some weak plotting hinder this otherwise provocative battle-of-the-sexes story.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) YA After discovering her Greek goddess heritage in Oh. My. Gods., Phoebe finally has a grasp on her new life--stepfamily, running, boyfriend. Her powers, however, are a different story, and to harness them, Phoebe must learn to trust others. Though the plot is a bit busy, likable characters and an engaging premise make for an enjoyable read.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Steve Björkman. Fran gets her way by using her loud voice. After upsetting a kindergartner, she realizes she's a bully. The lure of playing the princess in the school play plus watching her dog in puppy kindergarten give her the keys to better behavior. Fran, whose outsize personality comes through in the black-and-white line art, learns her lesson in a believable way.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) PS Illustrated by Molly Bang. When Leo shouts, "I hate you!" mother and son are both upset. Mom explains that words can be hurtful, then reassures Leo that she still loves him. With the help of a little humor, peace is restored. Harris offers a sensitive, realistic portrayal of family life. Bang's digital cut-paper and collage illustrations, complete with dramatic lettering, skillfully reflect the emotions involved.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley. Simon, the largest kid in his class, has trouble being unobtrusive. When he joins his parents on an African safari, he's bigger and noisier than almost all the animals. But when he discovers elephants enjoying their big noisiness and later becoming breathtakingly silent, Simon finds new role models. Amusing if sometimes garish pictures illustrate this far-fetched story.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Character Education series. Each book comprises nine two-page "chapters" featuring a concise main paragraph and a full-page color photograph of kids exhibiting the virtue being discussed, plus a "Hands On" activity that reinforces that quality. The strengths of the series are its spare prose, civic-mindedness, and vivid, immediate images; its weakness is its sanctimonious tone, which might repel kids who learn lessons better from stories than from lectures. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram