(2) 4-6 Sophie's is the only African American family in an otherwise all-white neighborhood in 1965 Los Angeles. From learning about Emmett Till to witnessing an innocent man's arrest to the Watts rebellion, twelve-year-old Sophie is forced to face a reality different from that of those around her, resulting in a true coming-of-age story. The portrayal of an upper-middle-class African American family is an unusual and welcome one.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(3) 1-3 Carver Chronicles series. Illustrated by Laura Freeman. When third grader Gavin's brand-new bike goes missing, he's certain that new kid Khufu took it. Gavin and his friends come up with a scheme to get it back. Big lessons--on why we shouldn't jump to conclusions and on the importance of communication and understanding--abound in this relatable illustrated chapter book, the fifth about a diverse group of boys at Carver Elementary.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Carver Chronicles series. Illustrated by Laura Freeman. Calvin is convinced he'll win the science fair with his project hypothesizing that boys are faster than girls. But his new next-door neighbor, bully Harper, has a vested interest in the science fair himself. As Calvin's theories on family, friendship, and gender are challenged, he grows as a person and a scientist. Black-and-white illustrations accompany the warm fourth story about the diverse boys at Carver Elementary.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Carver Chronicles series. Illustrated by Laura Freeman. Carlos's cousin, Bernardo, is staying with them temporarily, and it's not going well: he doesn't understand how to feed Carlos's geckos, Carlos's papi is bonding with Bernardo over soccer, and Bernardo makes some questionable choices at school. Carlos eventually learns to empathize with his cousin in English's satisfying third book in the series, which focuses on diverse kids at Carver Elementary.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(2) 1-3 Carver Chronicles series. Illustrated by Laura Freeman. Skateboarder Richard spends so much time mastering a flat-ground Ollie that other things fall by the wayside. After blowing off his report on howler monkeys--again--Richard finds himself staying in for recess; readers will cheer when he finally tackles the report. Kids will recognize themselves in this series entry (including the occasional black-and-white illustrations) starring a realistic, likable boy of color.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2014

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Laura Freeman. Third graders Nikki and Deja are uneasy with the way their classmates misbehave for the substitute teacher. But when they get a new strict sub, classroom morale plummets as they wait for their adored teacher's return. The always-relatable duo's struggles ring true, and occasional full-page and spot black-and-white illustrations of classroom scenes break up the short, accessible chapters.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(2) 1-3 Carver Chronicles series. Illustrated by Laura Freeman. English kicks off a new series, set in the same classroom as her Nikki and Deja books, starring Gavin, a new kid at Carver Elementary. Readers will identify with this character who is full of good intentions. Freeman's occasional black-and-white illustrations give readers a picture of the neighborhood. Chapter book readers have few options for reading about urban boys of color; here's hoping for more about Gavin.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2014

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Laura Freeman. Wedding mania sweeps the class, but Nikki and Deja are chosen as the only two students to attend their teacher's nuptials. Meanwhile, when Deja's aunt loses her job, the girls have a falling out as Deja worries about money. In their fifth book, the girls' complicated friendship continues to ring true. Nicely shaded black-and-white illustrations help bring the story to life.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Laura Freeman. Deja decides to run for student body president with a reluctant Nikki as her campaign manager. The story arc is familiar--the best friends come to odds in all the expected ways before reconciling--but the book's ending is realistic (and somewhat surprising). Occasional black-and-white illustrations reflect the friends' personalities.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Laura Freeman. In their third story, pals Nikki and Deja write a newsletter to share the happenings on their street and at their school. When their made-up stories upset their neighbors and classmates, though, they have to apologize. English's text is entertaining and accessible. Freeman's digital black-and-white illustrations express the girls' inquisitive and creative natures.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Laura Freeman. Deja's birthday excitement turns to dismay when snooty classmate Antonia decides to throw a party (complete with trampoline and roller rink) on the same day. Happily, a well-timed downpour rescues the situation. English displays a true understanding of kids' emotions and behavior. The book is welcome for its contemporary urban setting and authentically portrayed African American characters, shown in digital black-and-white illustrations.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Laura Freeman. African American third-graders Nikki and Deja are best friends who do everything together until new-girl Antonia comes between them. The story's familiar theme is bolstered by some fresh details (e.g., Nikki stresses out over drill club try-outs because she realizes she "has no rhythm"). Digital black-and-white illustrations show the girls' personalities and emotions.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Javaka Steptoe. On a sweltering day when the "fat sun drifts in the blue sky," best friends Kishi and Renée are not speaking. Finally, the siren song of a double-dutch chant from down the street lures the pair back together. The high-energy collage illustrations layer paper onto roughly painted planks of wood. This is a satisfying summer story about community and friendship, and about the way hot weather can spark hot tempers.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2004

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Amy June Bates. Six inner-city third graders take turns describing aspects of their day; their thoughts are presented as narrative poems, many of which seem too sophisticated for a typical eight-year-old's mind. The kids ruminate on everything from jealousy to ethnic pride to (most memorably and movingly) what it feels like to be earmarked as a problem. The book contains serviceable art featuring an urban setting.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 When Imani's mother decides to leave her husband, she takes her two children to visit their great-aunt Dot in Los Angeles. On the way she tells them stories about the year she was ten, when her mother left and she lived with Aunt Dot. The parallel plot lines seem unnecessary and distracting, although the stories are interesting.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Enrique O. Sanchez. As Marisol hurries home to check on her pregnant cat, she's waylaid by a Spanish-speaking neighbor and several relatives, asking for translation help. Containing her impatience, she assists everyone. Luckily, she doesn't miss the kittens' arrival. Mamá thanks her warmly, using tentative English instead of relying on Spanish. The occasionally stiff illustrations offer a brightly colored view of Marisol's neighborhood.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jonathan Weiner. To be the flower girl at her cousin's wedding, a young Pakistani-American girl has her hands painted with traditional designs of mehndi (henna paste). The designs don't wash right off, and Nadia's a little concerned about how her classmates will react on Monday. Sometimes figures or hands are awkwardly rendered in the oil pastel drawings, but the story, though slight, has appeal.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) 4-6 As a young black girl, Francie suffers constant injustices in rural Alabama in the early 1950s, but at school, book-loving Francie shines, and she is called on to teach sixteen-year-old Jesse Pruit to read. Her help becomes far more vital--and dangerous--when Jesse is accused of the attempted murder of a white man. Readers will cheer Francie and her brave mother, from whom she inherits her rare and honest gutsiness.

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 1999

(4) K-3 Victoria watches as her mother and aunts try to get the recipe for Big Mama's oxtail stew just right in time for Big Mama's birthday celebration. Everyone argues about what they believe the secret ingredient must be, but only Victoria and her grandmother know what it really is. The oil paintings are inconsistent and do not always match the text, but they convey the humor of the family bickering.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.