(3) K-3 She Persisted series. Illustrated by Gillian Flint. "Life would lead her down a path of hard work, luck and privilege that would eventually make her the first American woman in space." From her childhood in California where she excelled in tennis (and considered playing professionally) to earning a PhD in physics, to being selected into NASA's space program, to her pivotal role in the Challenger-disaster investigation, this entry in the chapter-book biography series (conceived by Chelsea Clinton) offers a well-rounded portrait not only of its subject but also of the obstacles faced by women in science and in astronautics. The short chapters are broken up by friendly black-and-white illustrations, making the presentation welcoming to younger elementary-age students. Back matter includes suggestions to learn more about Ride and space as well as a list of books and websites.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) YA When a bomb destroys Tareq's home in Syria, killing most of his family, he flees to Turkey, and then across the Aegean Sea in a dingy to Greece. The harrowing, emotionally moving story is chock-full of sensory details, Arabic phrases, and realistic dialogue. Often-clever omniscient narration by "Destiny" itself presents readers with the perspectives of Syrian refugees and aid workers, as well as with the larger historical context of displacement.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam

(4) YA Budding romance leads to violence in this love story set in rural Afghanistan. When Fatima and Sami are caught in a chaste but clandestine meeting, Sami's cousin, Rashid, summons his extremist friends to punish the pair for adultery. All three teens face spiraling consequences of their actions in alternating chapters. Thin characterization detracts somewhat from an otherwise unique and affecting story.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald