(3) K-3 Illustrated by Shelly Swann. According to an end note, “All Souls’ Day...is commemorated around the world...each year on November 2.” In this moving picture book, young Mara accompanies her grandmother (Nene) on their annual tradition of serenading their neighbors, for the first time since her beloved grandfather Popi’s recent death. Deep in grief, Mara at first minimizes others’ losses (deaths of pets; a death five years earlier) compared to her and Nene’s. Nene tells Mara that grief can’t be measured or ranked, but she becomes sadder with every house. Mara takes Nene home and heads back out to finish the task. Heartwarmingly, when she returns, the neighbors have gathered outside and are now serenading them. The illustrations, with echoes of Eastern European folk art, use a palette of grays and purples to reinforce the wintry setting and somber tone.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Alejandra Barajas. "Charly rummaged through the mishmash in the old costumes box for something that showed they were both a girl and a boy." (An appended note identifies Charly as bigender.) The Red Riding Hood costume they find feels too feminine; the Dracula one, too masculine--neither expresses wholly who they are. Then Charly has an idea: to create "one [costume] from two." And on Halloween night, out trick-or-treating with friends, they feel "one hundred percent Charly." Cartoony illustrations capture Charly's determination to find the right costume, and the way wearing it ultimately makes them feel "joyfully jazzed" and "harmoniously hopeful."

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(4) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Hannah, the daughter of the present-day caretaker of The Elms museum, swaps lives with Maggie, a wealthy teen who summered at the Newport mansion in 1905. The girls alternate narration as they describe their new circumstances and stop a historic art theft. Stilted dialogue, excessive pop-culture references, and a heavy-handed girl-power message weigh down the otherwise compelling mystery in this Freaky Friday/time-travel mash-up.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bistra Masseva. Based on a true story of elephant friendship, two wild elephants are taken into captivity and endure hardships at circuses and zoos. Precious and Baba are eventually reunited at an elephant sanctuary. The moving story, told in spare, poetic text and emotive, colorful illustrations, will surely tug animal lovers' heartstrings. Includes a note on elephant conservation and circus mistreatment. Websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Kristine Caldwell

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bistra Masseva. Every spring, Dario and his mother move to Cape Cod so his mother can work. And every spring, a right whale and her calf migrate north. Dario's loneliness is assuaged by the calf, which seems to respond to the Brazilian boy's actions. Infused with blues and greens, the illustrations nicely capture Dario's feelings and the seaside setting. A note about right whales is appended.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Seventh grader Sadie and her fellow party-planning friends (You're Invited) are back, and this time they're planning a wedding for a high-maintenance woman who fired Sadie's mom as her planner. Besides running their business, they must contend with mean girls, crushes, family issues, school pressures, and an unexpected weather event. A smart yet breezy series about friendship, loyalty, and the stresses of tweendom.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(3) 4-6 After a failed attempt to turn co-ed, St. Edith's Academy is reverting back to all girls, leaving seventh grader Jeremy Miner as the lone boy. He pins his hopes of getting out on expulsion for pranks around school, which escalate until things ultimately go too far. An intentionally unrealistic premise instead puts our focus on the memorable characters and deep friendships in this lighthearted romp.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Sadie, whose mother is a wedding planner, and her three best friends start a birthday-party-planning business as a way to do something fun together in their seaside resort town as well as earn some money. The parties all have minor mishaps, but the different talents the girls bring to the business get them through unscathed in this overlong but enjoyable series-beginner.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Greg Call. Ruthie and Jack learn more about the time-travel magic of the Art Institute of Chicago's miniature Thorne Rooms, including the dangers involved. Though some trips in this series-ender give new insights, including the whereabouts--or whenabouts--of a long-missing museum visitor, other trips' apparent purpose is to include as many rooms as possible. The black-and-white illustrations preserve the series' cheery innocence.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. While the other students prepare for the Thanksgiving feast, bear Sam worries he's the only one who isn't sure what he's thankful for. With the help of best friend Mary Ann, Sam realizes he knew what to be thankful for all along. Both story and detailed illustrations embody the holiday's homey, jovial spirit. Information about the first Thanksgiving and additional facts are included.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Greg Call. Sixth graders Jack and Ruthie, able to shrink and use the Art Institute of Chicago's miniature Thorne Rooms as time portals, clear a friend's family name with evidence from her slave ancestor and almost negate Jack's existence through an encounter with his pirate ancestor. Full of coincidences and sweet resolutions, this series continues to provide adventure for readers unready for more intense scenarios.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Greg Call. In this sequel, Ruthie and Jack use the Thorne Rooms to time-travel for commendable purposes, like convincing a Jewish family to leave Europe before the Holocaust. But the sixth graders must stop an art thief with selfish designs on the rooms. Innocent in tone, this return to a magical Art Institute of Chicago combines a kid-empowering mystery with glimpses into history.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. With help from his squirrel friend, Mary Ann, bear Sam makes a "really great Valentine" for the class it-girl, Tiffany. But Tiffany receives lots of valentines and barely notices Sam's. When Sam receives Mary Ann's valentine, he's reminded who his true friend is. The expressive illustrations bring this friendship story to life. A note about the history of Valentine's Day is included.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Greg Call. During a field trip, Jack and Ruthie find a key at the Art Institute of Chicago that lets them shrink and enter the worlds of the miniature Thorne Rooms. Accessible prose and shadowy illustrations depict the best friends sneaking in and out of history, affecting lives both past and present. Thin plot or not, this original adventure is alluring, filled with magic and mystery.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. When his sister gets too bossy, raccoon Hunter likes to annoy her by repeating everything she says. One day she gets so exasperated with him that she angrily stomps away, then falls and hurts herself. The incident so startles the siblings that they rethink their relationship. The characters' animated facial expressions help bring to life this story about patience and compromise.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) 4-6 An author's note introduces Beaufort's maritime wind-force scale before sending readers on a fictional 1805 transatlantic voyage with twelve-year-old midshipman William. Verso pages, peppered with spot illustrations, present an engaging, if somewhat disjointed, collection of information: wind measurements (from 0 [calm] to 12 [hurricane]), excerpts from William's letters, and different nautical facts. Malone's soft-focus paintings, on recto pages, are gorgeously detailed. Glos.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 It's 1968, and ten-year-old Alice only vaguely understands the civil rights battles tearing apart the country. When her mother begins dating a bigoted politician, Alice relies on Doc, the family's curmudgeonly gardener, to teach her some life lessons. The novel is purposeful, and Alice often seems either older or younger than she is, but the story is still engaging.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Hunter the raccoon faces a dilemma when his best friend, Stripe, starts misbehaving in school. Should he imitate Stripe, even though it makes him uncomfortable? Guided by his mother, Hunter sets a good example instead and succeeds in getting Stripe to be "his very best self." With the help of Munsinger's funny, energetic illustrations, Elliott delivers her message of being true to oneself with a light touch.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) 4-6 Digging for the Past series. The books in this series are co-authored by working archaeologists. The body of the accessible text covers the history of archaelogical activities at the site and includes information about modern-era excavations. Well-captioned though somewhat small, photos archival material, and illustrations enhance the useful volumes. Maps, reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Digging for the Past titles: Stonehenge and Valley of the Kings.]

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) K-3 Discovering Cultures series. These series books, which focus on the geography, culture, daily life, and celebrations in the featured country, offer basic introductions for students. Sections on school, the country flag and currency, further resources, and three famous people from each country seem designed for school reports. Colorful photos and a simple layout contribute to the volumes. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Discovering Cultures titles: France and Italy.]

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister