(1) YA Kiki, who is Black and Cree, has been gone for five months when the book begins, and the police have stopped looking for her. Her friend and fellow First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Student Association member Berlin, a high achiever living with depression, and Cam, Berlin's longtime childhood rival, feel Kiki's loss profoundly. When Berlin thinks she sees Kiki outside Pink Mountain Pizza, where she and Cam work--and where much of the story is set--the two put aside their dfferences to search for her. They're assisted by new coworker Jessie, whose abusive father, a developer, is trying to buy Pink Mountain Pizza out from under Joe, one of the few Black business owners in town. Their social media campaign to raise awareness and save the store garners much support but also provides a platform for people to attack Joe, bringing to light issues of capitalism and anti-Black racism. Kiki's page-turning story and her mother's earlier disappearance provide multiple angles on the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People. Through a well-characterized ensemble cast, Ferguson (The Summer of Bitter and Sweet, rev. 5/22), who is Michif/Métis and white, addresses the myriad difficult topics facing her characters with sensitivity and care.

Reviewer: Nicholl Denice Montgomery | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(1) YA Lou is preparing to spend the summer scooping ice cream at her uncles' seasonal shop, Michif Creamery, to save money for university in the fall. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned. She and her boyfriend break up (he's "all hormones-on-fire"; she realizes eventually that she's "ace or demi or something"), and they still have to work together. King, a former friend, returns from Toronto, and as their relationship deepens Lou is forced to face the fact that she had denied being Métis for most of the time they'd known each other. Additionally upsetting, she injures her shoulder in an altercation, a particular difficulty because she hopes to play water polo at school. The creamery is also under threats both mundane (a broken freezer) and more disturbing (intimidation from Lou's white biological father, a rapist recently released from prison). Lou must figure out how to save her university dreams and her uncles' business, as well as who she is as a Métis young woman. Although the book (a debut for Ferguson, who is also Michif/Métis and white) deals with major issues such as racism, rape, teen dating violence, and sexual harassment, it does not feel too heavy or overdramatized. Young adult readers can relate to the struggles Lou is facing as she navigates her transition from high school to college, and also use them as a conversation starter about race, identity, sexuality, dating, and friendship.

Reviewer: Nicholl Denice Montgomery | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2022

(3) 4-6 Magnificent Book Of series. Illustrated by Simon Mendez & Val Walerczuk. After a brief introduction, double-page spreads portray thirty-six breeds of horses from the well-known (Thoroughbred) to the relatively obscure (Konik). Along with a large, realistic color portrait of each breed, the spreads contain chatty bullet points detailing the breed's history and a few other facts, usually emphasizing how tough and well-adapted to their environment the horses are; a "Fact file" gives further information on the breed's height, color, character, origin, and use (e.g., driving, riding, hauling, etc.). This browsable volume includes a world map pictorially indicating where each breed originated.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Explore My World series. Excellent close-up photographs enhance an exclamation-point-heavy and fanciful text describing a wood duck's habitat, diet, and life cycle: a mother cares for her eggs and raises the newly hatched ducklings, then the young birds grow up and start their own families. Appended pages elaborate on other egg-laying animals and the physical adaptations of wood ducks; a "Let's Be Ducklings" activity is also included.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 Explore My World series. Vibrant color photographs of exotic flora and fauna accompany this beginner's survey of the rainforest. A sometimes overly fanciful text ("mossy-furred sloths hang still as statues") introduces plants and animals unique to this habitat, with additional facts scattered throughout. Back matter includes an exploration of rainforest layers, a world map, and "Hide-and-Seek" and "Name That Food" activities.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 First Facts: Fact Files series. These books are cursory introductions to the topics of civics and economics. Government outlines the basic functions of American government and how its three branches operate. Money describes the role currency plays in American culture, briefly touching on supply and demand, interest, and savings. Informative sidebars and charts, stock photographs, and appended critical thinking questions provide additional context. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these First Facts: Fact Files titles: U.S. Government and Money.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 First Facts: Fact Files series. This book offers a cursory introduction to national symbols in American culture, discussing their importance and connotative value. Among the symbols included are the American flag, bald eagle, Liberty Bell, Statue of Liberty, and the White House. The large font and colorful stock photographs add visual appeal and clarity to a limited text. Informative sidebars and appended critical thinking questions provide additional context. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) K-3 Explore My World series. The life cycle of an oak tree unfolds in simple yet attention-grabbing text and a nice variety of excellent photographs: close-ups of squirrels eating acorns, a sprouting acorn, green and red leaves, nesting birds, flowers on a mature tree, and more. Final pages explain tree growth, the many animals sheltering in oaks, other tree seeds, and instructions for making a leaf rubbing.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Snap Books: Famous Female Authors series. These biographies of popular YA authors spend much of their focus on the writing and publication processes. Brightly colored page layouts include photos, vocabulary words, quotes from interviews, and other callouts. The texts are clear and easy to follow, though readers advanced enough to have read these authors' best-known works may find some of the information obvious. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Snap Books: Famous Female Authors titles: Suzanne Collins and Veronica Roth.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) K-3 Explore My World series. Simple sentences highlight facts about clouds, weather, and animals' need for water. Readers are encouraged to use their imaginations when looking at clouds. While easy to read, the vocabulary is also interesting and relatable, though Delano tries too hard for lyricism ("...playing hide-and-seek with the moon and stars"). The bold, bright, dramatic photographs fill the pages. Contrasting headings, fonts, and captions bolster readability. Cloud-watching tips are appended.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) K-3 Explore My World series. Overly fanciful language ("the butterfly is ready to take off, to fly, to flash like a jewel in the sunlit sky") somewhat hampers an otherwise straightforward nature book. There's a focus on life cycle, though many additional topics are addressed, including diet, camouflage, and predators. Bold, bright photographs, many lively action shots, fill the pages. Contrasting headings, fonts, and captions bolster readability. Activities are included.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) K-3 Explore My World series. Overly fanciful language ("wiggly, wriggly baby frogs, also known as pollywogs") and exclamations somewhat hamper an otherwise straightforward nature book. There's a focus on life cycle, though many additional topics are addressed, including diet, camouflage, and predators. Bold, bright photographs, many lively action shots, fill the pages. Contrasting headings, fonts, and captions bolster readability. "Sing Like a Frog!" instructions are included.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 4-6 Photographs by Lori Epstein. In engaging anecdotal prose, Delano introduces Washington's Mount Vernon plantation, focusing on conditions and lives of his slaves. Each chapter contains period art, staged photographs of historical reenactors, and a detailed profile of a specific slave. Most fascinating here is the presentation of Washington's evolving, revolutionary opinion on slavery, culminating in a provision for their freedom in his will. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Diane Goode. Rosie always loved to dance at home with Bear, but her love falters when she struggles in her new ballet class. A gift of special ballet slippers from her encouraging teacher gives Rosie the confidence to dance her best. The message isn't subtle; but the spare, delicately colored brush, pen-and-ink, and pastel illustrations, set on plentiful white space, allow the movement of dancing to dominate.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(3) YA Confronting Global Warming series. These books consider the current and potential future consequences of global warming on the human, animal, and plant populations and the resources we need to survive. Individual provides detailed recommendations for changes that readers and their families can make now to reduce their carbon footprints and potentially mitigate future problems. Color photographs and diagrams adequately illustrate the concepts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Confronting Global Warming titles: The Role of the Individual, Nature and Wildlife, Population, Resources, and Conflict, Farming and the Food Supply, and The Role of Industry.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Christian Slade. PJ Picklelime, who can talk with birds, lives in a sunny village filled with cheery international neighbors. As the tale continues, though, readers see that all is not as sweet as it appears. The drama feels a little piled on, but readers will enjoy PJ's sometimes bittersweet and slightly magical personal journey. Youngish-looking black-and-white illustrations accompany the story.

Reviewer: Betsy Murray

(4) YA Point-Counterpoint series. This revised and updated book covers different sides of three major immigration issues: legal immigration, illegal immigration, and calls for English to be made the official language of the United States. Attempts to balance the issues limits the degree of depth, which is disappointing. Sidebars about relevant court decisions and questions to the reader help break up the text. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(2) 4-6 Delano's well-written narrative starts with examples of changes seen by scientists (shrinking glaciers, changing animal migration) then moves to thorough explanations of the underlying science. Subsequent chapters consider ecological consequences of climate change and steps humans can take to reduce the impact of excessive energy consumption. Informative captions accompany photographs illustrating the results of global warming around the planet. Reading list. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2009

(4) YA In her fourth story, coroner's assistant Cameryn once again faces serial killer Kyle O'Neil. The fast-paced mystery plays out like a televised crime drama, with teenage Cameryn always on the brink of danger and her new love interest, a young sheriff's deputy, anxious to keep her safe. Though the text tends toward overexplanation, smart forensic clues will keep readers guessing.

Reviewer: Marika Jeffrey

(3) 4-6 This book covers Sullivan's life, from her horrific childhood to her education at the Perkins Institution for the Blind to her first job as Helen Keller's teacher and beyond. Delano skips lightly over some complexities (including Sullivan's troubled marriage) but shapes the basic facts into a concise and readable narrative. The many photos help make an accessible work even more inviting. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano