(2) YA Wilhelmina's beloved aunt Frankie died in 2018. Now it's 2020, and Wilhelmina's family and two closest friends still seem cut off from her in her grief; the isolating precautions of the pandemic and the chaotic state of the nation only make things worse. But on October 30, 2020, something changes, and Wilhelmina begins to see sights that can only be magical: an "owl lady," a cryptic golden message, a glow surrounding certain people. Against her will, Wilhelmina must confront the impossible -- but what if accepting the impossible also means accepting her aunt's death? Set during a tense nine-day period surrounding the previous U.S. presidential election and flashing back to summer visits with Wilhelmina's aunts (a loving, eccentric "throuple"), Cashore's novel is rich with a quality of observation and multifarious detail that suits adolescent angst, loss, and the limited stimulation of pandemic "bubbles." Tarot cards; smiles (teasing, ironic, or secretive); bathrobes; doughnuts (lots of good ones); hair; clothing; thoracic outlet syndrome (the afterword offers some startling news about that); birds; two warm, supportive constellations of trios (the aunts; Wilhelmina and her friends); and much more make their way into Wilhelmina's thoughts and feelings as she finally emerges "into her own." Although set in the recent past, this is a work of historical and magical realism with unsettling contemporary resonances.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(1) K-3 Illustrated by James E. Ransome. The prolific author-illustrator couple (most recently The Story of the Saxophone, rev. 1/23) teams up again to offer this inspiring picture-book biography of the late human rights and civil rights icon. Cline-Ransome's reverent narrative gracefully captures Lewis's (1940–2020) humility and perseverance. Growing up in a farming family in Alabama, young John learned about love from the Bible at an early age. He felt its presence everywhere he went -- except when he encountered the discriminatory realities of Jim Crow laws. "Election day meant Whites Only could pick the laws, mayors, and presidents. John hated that colored folks had to stick to picking cotton." Inspired by a radio sermon delivered by Martin Luther King Jr., Lewis left home at seventeen to attend the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville. As he learned about practices of nonviolent resistance, his commitment to end segregation through nonviolent protest was unwavering. Beaten and arrested, yet undeterred, he led prolonged sit-ins; rode buses as a Freedom Rider; spoke at the March on Washington calling for jobs and freedom; and led the march at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, that ended in state police violence. Ransome's distinctive illustrations, created with a combination of found, printed, and purchased paper with pencil drawings, perfectly match Cline-Ransome's telling and dramatically radiate the magnitude of Lewis's influence. An author's note, a timeline, sources for quotations, and a selected bibliography are appended.

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

(2) YA Moving to a new town can prove stressful for anyone -- but for Calvin Greene and his family in 1955, it's also dangerous. African Americans passing for white, the Greene family has moved to Levittown, Pennsylvania, a known "sundown town" -- a suburb populated by white people that warns people of color to leave the area by sunset. Determined to grab a piece of the "American dream," Calvin's army-veteran father has advised him and his mother to forget their former lives in Chicago and assimilate as well as possible. Calvin's only solace is visiting his older brother, who is unable to pass as white and who runs a boarding school in an area where a developer is attempting to build an integrated community. At the school, Calvin meets Lily, a beautiful girl with "dark brown skin" who decides to take advantage of the new Brown v. Board of Education ruling by attending Calvin's all-white school. With his two worlds dangerously close to each other, tragedies involving people from his hometown prompt Calvin to act in the best interests of all those close to him -- even if it could cost him his life. Tension is evident from the beginning to the frenetic end of this page-turning novel, which weaves historical events into the narrative. Back matter includes an author's note and resources on topics including passing, the history of Levittown, and redlining.

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

(2) YA Elizebeth Smith Friedman (1892–1980) and her husband, William Friedman, "are now recognized together as the two most influential code-breakers in American history." Elizebeth, however, remains largely underappreciated, so Moss shares a fine-spun account of her career and its many impressive contributions (some of which are still classified by the U.S. government). Moss follows the trajectory of this fascinating, singular woman's life (with details about William's work as it parallels Elizebeth's, but without shifting the focus from her) as she solves supposedly unbreakable codes containing enemy plans during both world wars. In between wars, Elizebeth's job at the Treasury Department requires her to risk her safety testifying at high-profile organized-crime trials, gaining unwelcome notoriety in the press. She faces sexism throughout her career, often not receiving proper pay or credit. But Moss emphasizes that Elizebeth -- who proudly leads her own code-breaking team -- doesn't let any of these challenges deter her from doing the work she loves. As in Moss's The Woman Who Split the Atom (rev. 7/22), chapters begin with brief comics by the author that provide visual context for the historical scenes. Hand this to fans of Fleming's recent The Enigma Girls (rev. 5/24). Archival photographs, a helpful "What Are Codes? What Are Ciphers?" section, a glossary, a timeline, notes, a bibliography, and an (unseen) index are appended.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Kaylani Juanita. Born in 1924 Brooklyn to immigrant parents (from Guyana and Barbados) who worked in low-wage jobs, Chisholm was attuned from a young age to the social and economic inequities around her. After a discussion of Chisholm's early years (she excelled academically), Cline-Ransome focuses her picture-book biography on Chisholm's illustrious and groundbreaking career, which included winning a seat in the New York State Assembly and election to Congress, where she served seven terms. Following her historic though unsuccessful presidential bid, she continued to pursue her fight for affordable childcare, access to education, and a living wage. Describing Chisholm as "small, but she talked big, walked tall, and told just about everybody what to do," Cline-Ransome highlights her subject's "loud and proud" and determined personality, often incorporating Chisholm's own words into the narrative. Juanita's digitally rendered illustrations are energetic and strikingly portray person and purpose, especially in the wordless double-page spread of Chisholm standing poised to begin her first term in Congress against a vivid backdrop of fireworks and the U.S. Capitol building. Pair with Bolden's Speak Up, Speak Out! (rev. 3/22), Williams's Shirley Chisholm Dared (rev. 9/21), and Russell-Brown's She Was the First (rev. 11/20).

Reviewer: Pauletta Brown Bracy | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(2) YA When Catalina's pa dies after drinking cider made from a poisoned apple, "wind burst through the cabin like a ferocious intruder...a man, but his skin rose and fell in patchy, lopsided ridges. Bark? Green leaves with serrated edges sprouted from his hair. Birds circled his head." It's Johnny Appleseed--he goes by "John, actually"--and this Faustian take on the folk hero posits that he was compelled to plant poisoned apple seeds across North America after selling his soul to the devil. John has come for Catalina's younger brother, Jose Luis, and she sets off to save him by tracking one of John's birds. Soon she finds a companion in a young lumberjack, Paul, who is also hunting John. They gradually open up to each other and acknowledge their growing mutual attraction as they face more harrowing forest obstacles. Interspersed with third-person narration are first-person accounts from John detailing his desperate dealings with the maleficent "banker." Krause's North American frontier is diverse and filled with historically rooted fantastical elements (e.g., "tree weepers": sobbing canopy-dwellers dressed in worn period gowns). Her lyrical prose shines in descriptions of nature: "Late summer rains had fattened the wilderness, making it full and dense, as though it wore a coat it had made for itself." Catalina's emotional growth, including reflections on her maternal Mexican heritage (her mother died years earlier) and identity as a poet, and several surprising plot twists carry this riveting tale to a satisfying conclusion.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(2) 4-6 Color by Luke Healy. In this endearing and relatable graphic novel, Charlie has moved all around the world with her family. Now that her dad is retired from the Air Force, they are finally settling down in her parents' hometown. While starting from scratch--again--Charlie is determined to reinvent herself to ensure she makes friends. From new clothes to contact lenses to a new hairdo, she is ready to make an impression. Though her first day of middle school takes an unfortunate turn, ruining her perfect hair and outfit, a classmate comes to her rescue, and Charlie is able to salvage the day, even making some new "Curlfriends." As she navigates her new home and school life, she also struggles to reconnect with her father, who has often been away due to military­ duties. Miller's vibrant art is warm and inviting, with engaging details that pop on every page. Charlie's tween angst will feel familiar as she attempts to bury her individuality in order to fit in with her peers, ultimately learning that real friends will accept her for her uniqueness. Charlie's journey to belonging also includes learning how to deal with conflict when her new friends discover things she's been hiding. A welcome graphic novel with Black girl representation for middle-graders and middle-schoolers.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Alex Bostic. This highly readable and engaging book tells the story of three six-year-old girls who were the first Black children to integrate a public school in New Orleans following the mandate of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision. Nelson (Bad News for Outlaws, rev. 11/09; No Crystal Stair, rev. 3/12, and many others) builds an informative and affecting narrative from extensive interviews with the McDonogh Three: Leona Tate, Tessie Prevost (Williams), and Gail Etienne. The text clearly details their experiences as young girls and, importantly, displays their innocence with details about giggling, hair ribbons, and playing hopscotch despite the violent racism targeted at them. Similarly, Bostic's evocative illustrations add tenderness to a narrative of real terror. The soft-edged, at times sepia-toned images have the feel of a family photo album. One of the more touching illustrations depicts the girls' shoes with those of their teacher, Miss Meyers, representing the warmth between this educator and the young students she helped protect. An important addition to civil rights movement literature with which readers can connect on a human level. Back matter (more information about school desegregation and the McDonogh Three, a glossary, a selected bibliography, and photos) provides a wealth of historical context.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(2) 4-6 Because her father is in the Air Force, eleven-year-old Delphinia Baker moves to a new state every year, making it difficult to form lasting friendships. Del is grateful for the one constant in her life: her grandmother. However, when Gramma falls ill while Del's father is deployed, Del is sent to stay with her great-grandmother, Nana Rose, who runs a school on an island off the coast of South Carolina. Del didn't know she had a great-grandmother--nor did she know that she comes from a long line of conjurers, spell workers whose magic is tied to the land and the community. At first, Del wants nothing to do with the strange school, but she soon learns that magic is more than incantations and enchantments. Magic is family, community, and life. Still, the mystery remains: why did her grandmother hide the existence of the school, the island, and her family? This heartfelt fantastical novel discusses resonant topics such as belonging, friendship, and grief. Royce's (Root Magic, rev. 3/21) narrative is filled with magic, but the heart of the story lies in its connection to Southern conjure and Gullah Geechee culture. Share with readers who enjoyed Dumas's Wildseed Witch and Clayton's The Marvellers (rev. 5/22).

Reviewer: S. R. Toliver | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(1) K-3 Books for a Better Earth series. Illustrated by Gordy Wright. In 1976, after approximately twenty-five years of service, the massive aircraft carrier USS Oriskany was decommissioned. Rather than being sold or relegated to retirement, "chained to a pier. Rusted, empty, and without purpose," the "Mighty O" had a different future. Conservation scientists and Navy engineers converted it into an artificial reef, sinking it about twenty miles off the coast of Pensacola, Florida. The great strength of this account is that Stremer creates a dual focus. She first details the destruction of natural reefs and the benefits they provide for marine life. A full-bleed gouache and acrylic double-page spread shows the ocean floor teeming with life around a natural reef, contrasting with a subsequent reef-less scene devoid of fish and plants. Second, Stremer outlines the scientific planning involved in converting the massive ship into an artificial reef--including stripping the ship of copper (and selling that to help pay for the reconstruction) and removing paint toxic to the ocean environment until the ship is "nothing more than a shell of its former self." Wright's striking art outlines the entire process of the Mighty O's makeover, as well as detailing a careful plan for sinking the ship in such a way that storms and tides would not alter its position. This clear, logical, and fascinating combination of natural and industrial science concludes with information about reefs and the Mighty O, a bibliography, and an index.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(2) 4-6 Wait, Paul Bunyan wasn't born in Maine and cradled in the Bay of Fundy before making his way to Minnesota's north woods with Babe, his blue ox? It turns out his legend was promulgated in a Red River Lumber Company marketing campaign as a way to promote both the timber industry and, according to an introduction by Lee Francis IV (Pueblo of Laguna), "the common colonial theme of settling various lands and regions that once belonged to Indigenous peoples to make way for 'American civilization.'" This caution paves the way for the graphic-format tale, which imagines a train making its way through Minnesota's winter in 1914, stopped in its tracks by an accident up ahead. The passengers while away the time with stories. Red River's advertising manager delights many with his tales of Paul Bunyan (who looks, in the scratchy ink-and-watercolor panels, a lot like the storyteller in buffalo plaid). The yarns have some detractors, who make note of the clear-cut forests and the displacement of Native peoples--and Van Sciver gives them the last word, effectively complicating the folk-her narrative for both characters and readers. The book concludes with essays by Indigenous contributors Deondre Smiles (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) and the book's coauthor and illustrator Myles (Spirit Lake Dakota), and a map of the region from a Native perspective. It's a busy, thoughtful presentation that will leave readers with much to ponder about the making of this strand of the American mythos.

Reviewer: Vicky Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(2) 4-6 The list of New York Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm's accomplishments during a time when race and gender were overt factors in exclusion from politics makes her an iconic figure in American history. Chisholm's political rise was groundbreaking on the local, state, and national stages. After this extensively researched biography opens with a map of Brooklyn and a foreword by Stacey Abrams, Bolden traces the arc of Chisholm's life and the many challenges she faced on her way to becoming the first Black woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, helping found the Congressional Black Caucus, and in 1972 becoming the first Black person to run for a major party's presidential nomination. The daughter of immigrant parents, Chisholm spent her early years living in Barbados with her grandmother, eventually returning to the U.S. to continue her education. Her journey into history was not without twists, turns, and disappointments, and Bolden's plainspoken narrative paints a picture of a woman who was as hardworking as she was determined. Short, accessible chapters give readers a sense of the times as well as the woman. A photo insert appears partway through; back matter includes an author's note, sources, and an index. See also recent picture books She Was the First! (rev. 11/20) by Russell-Brown, Shirley Chisholm Dared (rev. 3/21) by Williams, and Shirley Chisholm Is a Verb! by Chambers.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Toshiki Nakamura. In this accessible and engaging picture-book biography, Bryant (Feed Your Mind, rev. 1/20; Above the Rim, rev. 11/20) focuses on the ways groundbreaking Japanese American legislator from Hawaii Patsy Takemoto Mink (1927–2002) overcame setbacks in her life and career. Early on, Bryant invokes the Japanese saying "Fall down seven times, stand up eight," explaining that it means "never give up!" She repeats this refrain throughout the book, applying it to the many hurdles Mink faced--as a college student fighting segregation, an aspiring doctor denied entrance to medical schools, the only woman in her law school class, and the first woman of color in the U.S. Congress. The climax of the narrative comes as Mink fights to ensure that her signature legislation, Title IX, will protect the rights of female athletes. Bryant's clear prose draws a distinct line from Mink's childhood precociousness and fortitude to her adult accomplishments. In doing so, she renders a somewhat abstruse concept (education legislation) engaging to her target audience. Nakamura's digital illustrations complement the text, with finely drawn facial expressions underlining the emotional impact of the historical events. The art also expands on the text; one illustration contrasts a boys' well-funded basketball team with a girls' team playing in a makeshift space. Back matter includes a timeline of Mink's life, a selected biography, and sources for direct quotes.

Reviewer: K Rachael Stein | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Keith Mallett. Paul R. Williams was born in Los Angeles in 1894; his parents died when he was five, and his brother was sent to a different foster home. Despite this early tragedy, Paul flourished creatively, demonstrating a talent for drawing that blossomed into a career as an architect. By 1921, facing discrimination and prejudice at every turn, he had become the first Black certified architect west of the Mississippi River. Southern California was becoming a cultural mecca, and Williams took advantage of that to put his iconic stamp on many prominent buildings. He didn't stop there, though. He also got into the banking industry to help African Americans overcome the predatory, discriminatory practice of redlining. In 1948, the Supreme Court struck down laws upholding restrictive housing covenants, and Paul was finally free to build his dream house in his desired neighborhood. If "curve and flow" represents elements of Williams's design style, the motto also signifies how he dealt with the obstacles and opportunities he faced in life. Alongside the generally optimistic text, the illustrations reinforce this theme of overcoming adversity. They convey grace, warmth, and dignity with a color palette dominated by purple, gold, blue, brown, and burgundy, and expressive figures who fairly shine and glow. An author's note, sources, photos, and a timeline are appended.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(2) YA On April 14, 1865, just days after the conclusion of the Civil War, John Wilkes Booth shot (and killed) President ­Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theater. Booth would die more than two weeks later during the attempt to apprehend him, and attention shifted onto his accomplices and co-conspirators. Caught up in the plot was the widow Mary Surratt, who ran a Washington, DC, boardinghouse that Booth and other conspirators (including Surratt's son) frequented. ­Surratt's guilt by association and the hearsay surrounding her role in the plot were enough to condemn her to the ­gallows after one of the most unusual trials in American history. Miller (The Borden Murders, rev. 1/16) finds the unlikeliest of protagonists in Surratt. Using court transcripts and contemporaneous secondary sources, Miller pieces together information surrounding Surratt, her family, and her boardinghouse guests during and after the assassination of the sixteenth president. Extensively researched, the narrative is carefully organized to give readers the bearings necessary to follow specifics of the many witnesses and their multiple versions of events. The story lays bare the shocking disregard for judicial normalcy as Surratt and her co-defendants were tried in a peacetime military court while simultaneously tried by the newspapers of the day. True-crime fans will be enthralled by this compelling nineteenth-century case and the woman at its emotional center. Appended with an author's note, list of sources, and an index (unseen).

Reviewer: Eric Carpenter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Laura Freeman. Elijah Cummings's parents, who worked as sharecroppers in South Carolina, moved north to Baltimore to raise their children. "Although the Cummingses struggled to feed their family," the seven siblings were taught to value education, hard work, faith, and service. At eleven years old, the future congressman embarked upon his lifelong quest for justice when he helped to desegregate a city swimming pool. Each spread features a quotation from Cummings ("The librarians and books...helped me define myself as a human being"); the key point is expanded in a paragraph or two of text. Accompanied by strikingly vivid illustrations, this biography of the iconic social justice activist and political leader is sure to inspire readers of all ages. Statements by Nancy Pelosi and the Congressional Black Caucus are included. A timeline and bibliography are appended.

Reviewer: Monique Harris

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Laura Freeman. This picture-book biography follows current House Speaker Pelosi's life and career, from her childhood in Baltimore through her rise to become one of the highest-ranking women in American politics. As daughter of Baltimore's first Italian American mayor, Pelosi was inspired by her parents' vision to lift up people in need. As a United States Congresswoman, her message to Americans, particularly to girls, is to be yourself and serve the greater good. The text's overall tone is both serious and inspiring, and the vivid, earnest illustrations capture that mood. A historical note, a brief interview with Pelosi, and a selected bibliography are appended.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Kuo. Firm resolve in the face of discrimination is the theme of this informative picture-book biography by Brockenbrough (Unpresidented, rev. 3/19) and Lin (most recently the Storytelling Math series of board books, rev. 11/20). Wong Kim Ark was a young Chinese American cook whose 1898 U.S. Supreme Court case set the legal precedent that birthright citizenship applies to everyone, regardless of their race or ethnic background. The authors cover this overlooked part of American history and early anti-Chinese discrimination by telling the story of Wong's childhood and teenage years in San Francisco's Chinatown and the four-month imprisonment he experienced after he was denied reentry into California when returning from a family trip to China. Kuo's (I Dream of Popo, rev. 5/21) art emphasizes the othering and segregation of Chinese Americans. For example, the book's front and back endpapers depict a map of 1885 Chinatown showing the clear delineations between where white and Chinese people lived. Throughout the book, white people are shown wearing brown or black outfits while Chinese people wear red, dark blue, and gray clothing. Only the final double-page spread breaks from the theme of separation, showing a modern scene of children from diverse backgrounds (and wearing a variety of colors) playing together near the Golden Gate Bridge. Back matter includes more details about Wong's court case, the Fourteenth Amendment, and the continued discrimination he and his family faced, along with a timeline.

Reviewer: Michelle Lee | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mirelle Ortega. Brown begins this biography of the Mexican American twins--one a member of President Obama's cabinet and presidential candidate, the other a U.S. congressman--with their grandmother's emigration from Mexico to Texas as an orphan in 1922. The twins were raised by their grandmother, who had only a third-grade education, and their single mother, "the first Chicana to run for San Antonio City Council, in 1971." The women's positive influence is clear as the well-shaped narrative emphasizes the brothers' commitment to education, hard work, and community betterment. The welcoming digital illustrations reflect the laudatory text's enthusiasm. An author's note, brief glossary of Spanish words and terms, and bibliography are appended. Concurrently published in Spanish as Pequeña habitación, grandes sueños: El viaje de Julián y Joaquín Castro.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler. Coauthor Leffler (the adult daughter of Cocca-Leffler), who was born with cerebral palsy, describes how she loved attending public school. Sadly, "it hadn't always been that way" for kids with disabilities. In 1971, seven kids (each named in a tidily illustrated vignette portrait) were denied schooling until their families' outcries led to Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia, which secured the right to public education for children with disabilities. The text describes events and facts gently while making a strong case for the ruling; the illustrations showcase people with disabilities on every spread. A wealth of appended contextual material, including a timeline and selected sources, enriches the historical account.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen