(3) K-3 Illustrated by Anoosha Syed. Pakistani American boy Bilal and friends help his father make daal, a thick lentil stew common in South Asia. They cook then play for hours, because "daal takes time." As they prepare, patiently wait, and enjoy the dish, Bilal's friends demonstrate open-mindedness to cultural differences. Colorful digital illustrations accentuate humorous antics in the kitchen and at play. Author's note and recipe included.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Anoosha Syed. Amanda, a.k.a. Bug Girl, tackles her new superhero role and seventh grade, with mixed results. Her increasing powers are stymied by mean-girl drama and a growing rift between herself and crime-fighting partner Emily. These super-girls must learn to work together to save their classmates from a mysterious monster. Black-and-white, blue-accented illustrations and entomological profiles are interspersed throughout the lively superhero romp.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(4) 4-6 Daring Dreamers Club series. Illustrated by Anoosha Syed. Five fifth-grade girls idolize Disney princesses and have big dreams. Milla, who identifies with Belle and wants to be a travel writer, convinces her two overprotective moms to let her go to Adventure Camp, where she and her friends thrive. The girls' dialogue is often overly formal, but their diverse backgrounds and aspirations (which are also reflected in Syed's lively illustrations) signal the start of a worthwhile high-interest series.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Anoosha Syed. Stabler spotlights sixteen notable names in the fields of space, nature, physics, and inventions. Focusing on his or her youth, each entry chronicles early education, interesting escapades, and challenges (such as racism, sexism, ableism, and school troubles), then briefly summarizes the person's major adult accomplishments. Syed's cartoonlike illustrations provide regular breaks and add comedy to the narratives. Entertaining as well as encouraging to passionate, outside-the-box young thinkers. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Anoosha Syed. Amanda's fascination with insects manifests as bug-like superpowers when evil creatures invade her hometown and kidnap her mother. This origin story reveals Amanda's mother's own crime-fighting history and sheds light on the dissolution of Amanda's friendship with Emily, who is also an emerging superhero. Occasional bug facts and lighthearted black-and-white illustrations with fluorescent green accents accompany this emotionally deep, girl-power adventure tale.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(4) 1-3 Calico Kid: Hank the Pet Sitter series. Illustrated by Anoosha Syed. When Hank's bicycle breaks, it's up to him to earn the money to get a new one. This series of responsibility-touting transitional readers follows Hank as he pet-sits for some wacky critters, each job getting him closer to his goal. Large full-color illustrations will help new readers decode the slight yet approachable texts. Review covers these Calico Kid: Hank the Pet Sitter titles: Elmer the Very Sneaky Sheep, Otis the Very Large Dog, Pickles the Very Hungry Pig, and Yum-Yum the Very Spoiled Fish.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 1-3 Calico Kid: Hank the Pet Sitter series. Illustrated by Anoosha Syed. When Hank's bicycle breaks, it's up to him to earn the money to get a new one. This series of responsibility-touting transitional readers follows Hank as he pet-sits for some wacky critters, each job getting him closer to his goal. Large full-color illustrations will help new readers decode the slight yet approachable texts. Review covers these Calico Kid: Hank the Pet Sitter titles: Elmer the Very Sneaky Sheep, Otis the Very Large Dog, Pickles the Very Hungry Pig, and Yum-Yum the Very Spoiled Fish.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 1-3 Calico Kid: Hank the Pet Sitter series. Illustrated by Anoosha Syed. When Hank's bicycle breaks, it's up to him to earn the money to get a new one. This series of responsibility-touting transitional readers follows Hank as he pet-sits for some wacky critters, each job getting him closer to his goal. Large full-color illustrations will help new readers decode the slight yet approachable texts. Review covers these Calico Kid: Hank the Pet Sitter titles: Elmer the Very Sneaky Sheep, Otis the Very Large Dog, Pickles the Very Hungry Pig, and Yum-Yum the Very Spoiled Fish.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 1-3 Calico Kid: Hank the Pet Sitter series. Illustrated by Anoosha Syed. When Hank's bicycle breaks, it's up to him to earn the money to get a new one. This series of responsibility-touting transitional readers follows Hank as he pet-sits for some wacky critters, each job getting him closer to his goal. Large full-color illustrations will help new readers decode the slight yet approachable texts. Review covers these Calico Kid: Hank the Pet Sitter titles: Elmer the Very Sneaky Sheep, Otis the Very Large Dog, Pickles the Very Hungry Pig, and Yum-Yum the Very Spoiled Fish.

Reviewer: Kari Allen