(2) 4-6 After eleven-year-old Amra's brother's death from complications of Marfan syndrome, her mother's remedy for Amra's grief is to arrange for her cousin Zana to spend summers with Amra in Bihac, Bosnia. This vividly told and moving memoir takes place over three consecutive summers in the years leading up to the Bosnian Genocide (preceding the events of The Cat I Never Named, rev. 1/21). The first summer of romantic crushes and days spent lazing on the banks of the River Una helps Amra to heal. "I am ancient in the ways of trauma...but [Zana] shows me another way of being." A sense of impending violence, however, undergirds the book's carefree summer setting as simmering political and sectarian tensions slowly heat up. Tata (her father) is detained, interrogated, and loses his job, while anti-Muslim sentiments become more freely voiced. An author's note provides a timeline for the Bosnian Genocide along with a "where they are now" update. The book smartly contrasts more lighthearted preteen drama with looming ethnic and religious tensions, resulting in an engaging reflection on disability and ethnic difference.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(2) YA Freya June Sun, a seventh grader grappling with grief eight months after her father's death, clings to Chinese superstitions for connection. The superstitions, passed down by her father, frequently disrupt her reality, making a pair of red birds or upright chopsticks in rice bowls harbingers of luck or misfortune. Desperate to continue meeting her father's expectations, Freya forces herself to keep playing the viola although she secretly hates it. Quiet, introspective Freya is overlooked in her household and kept at a distance from her older sister, climate activist May, who is constantly at odds with their mother. Unable to find much comfort with her childhood best friends, Freya befriends her former nemesis, Korean American Gus Choi. As they navigate a school assignment together, Gus's culinary skills and unwavering support spark a passion for baking in Freya. (Two recipes for baked goods that evoke pleasant memories of her father are appended.) In an author's note, Shen shares her personal story of experiencing loss at a young age, offering a message to anyone who has had a similar experience: "I'm proud of you for pushing on. Like Freya's red birds, I hope you continue to soar." Touching and tender, Shen's novel delightfully captures the vibrant personality of a thirteen-year-old coping with grief by learning new ways of honoring a loved one.

Reviewer: Kristine Techavanich | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(2) PS Illustrated by Erin Kraan. Tracy and Kraan provide humorous (faux) insight into the thoughts of one of nature's more formidable creatures: the brown bear. Our protagonist begins the story's narration with reassurances that, rather than being ferocious, "I am friendly. I've been thoughtful my whole life." But despite good intentions, the bear's repeated attempts to assist other forest creatures just cause chaos, often because the other animals are terrified at the bear's intimidating presence. Disorder also results from the bear's strength; for instance, vigorously scratching one's back on a signpost can rearrange the signs and prevent future travelers from reaching their destinations. Even more amusingly, the protagonist is completely oblivious to all the tumult (or, in the case of the signpost, "fixes" it in a way that doesn't help). Cartoonish illustrations enhance the plot and humor using varied compositions, from full-bleed spreads to sequential vignettes and panels. At the book's end, the bear, tuckered out from a long day of helping others, addresses readers directly with a "bear hug" -- which looks scary, but readers and listeners can draw their own conclusions.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Federico Fabiani. A cat is happy after being adopted by a little girl until it learns this new home comes with rules such as “NO eating the bread” and “NO chasing the baby.” Violating the latter leads to admonishment, “BAD KITTY!” The cat decides to quit the family, but outside is cold, wet, and scary. “I guess I’d made a few mistakes.” A happy reunion ensues, and the cat learns to (somewhat) follow the rules. Tracy’s humorous text pairs well with Fabiani’s digital illustrations filled with visual humor.

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(4) K-3 Illustrated by Dia Valle. A young child and their two parents prepare for a DC Black Pride parade in this picture book that examines an often-overlooked part of Pride history. Brightly colored, but mostly static, digital illustrations show the family as they join others in their multicultural community who are heading to the event. The titular refrain is repeated as the narrator encourages the child to “wave your rainbow flag high.” Back matter provides information about the Black gay pride movement and ways to support LGBTQIA+ kids.

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(2) YA Brown, an artist and storyteller, grew up in Selma, Alabama, in the 1950s and 1960s. In her memoir in stories, she focuses on remembrances of 1965 when she was twelve and living through pivotal events of the civil rights movement. Vivid sensory language is the book's great strength. The titular story is a beautiful evocation of time and place: "My Selma was a place that emitted the rich, clean odor of black dirt and sour clay, that smelled of sage and pork sausages, ham, and biscuits...blowing through dew-covered Johnson grass and across foggy highways at five a.m. on any morning." Other stories read more like family tales told around a supper table, contributing to an overall warm narrative about the great beauty and joy that coexisted with the ugliness and pain of racism. Brown's twelve stories confront the prejudice her family faced when moving into a mostly white neighborhood, being called the n-word (spelled out in the book) for the first time, and the terror when white men tried to break into her house. Through it all came a rising protest, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and hundreds of frustrated and angry residents converged at the Brown Chapel Church and the iconic march from Selma to Montgomery began. In her afterword, Brown says that "hope is in the telling," and her stories offer a strong voice still needed in the ongoing struggle for justice. An excellent match with Elizabeth Partridge's Marching for Freedom (rev. 11/09).

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2023

(2) K-3 Green Power series. Drummond (Solar Story, rev. 5/20; Pedal Power, rev. 1/17) continues to spotlight communities that adopt environmentally sustainable projects. This time, he takes readers to Kamikatsu, Japan, a small mountain town with big ambitions. The narrative centers on two children visiting their spunky, dedicated, proverb-sharing grandmother, a lifelong resident of Kamikatsu who explains the town's environmental history. Years earlier there had been no waste collection service, so residents dumped and burned their refuse, creating not only eyesores and noxious smells but also poisonous dioxins in the air, soil, and water. In 2003, citizens of Kamikatsu declared that by 2020 they would produce zero waste. Impossible? Almost, but today, through "Chiritsumo!" (as Grandma says, or "Perseverance is power!"), more than eighty percent of the town's waste is recycled. While ­Drummond depicts some citizens grousing about the ­proclamation, more often his breezy, humorous ­watercolors show them eagerly ­engaging in "­Mottainai!" ("Waste not, want not," or reduce, reuse, recycle.) Residents not only compost but also painstakingly divide their waste into dozens of different containers. The rewards are great: new, younger inhabitants; a tourist-attracting hotel constructed entirely of recycled materials; and the creation of a Zero Waste Academy where individuals come from all over the world to study the project. Best of all, the book shares the local sense of "Kachou fuugetsu!" ("Experience the beauty of nature. Learn about yourself!") This inspiring account concludes with an author's note and suggestions for further reading.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(2) YA In this novel in verse, Lockington's (In the Key of Us, rev. 5/22) first book for young adults, sixteen-year-old Sadie has anxiety that means "when I panic, I stop being a girl / I become a thread unraveling / from some dark and blanketed expanse of time." When she witnesses a Black girl near her age being forcefully arrested by the police, the experience leaves her feeling unsafe and afraid to leave her house. With the help of her therapist, Sadie begins to find ways to cope with her anxiety and agoraphobia and shares her thoughts and poetry live on social media to create a sense of connection, and ultimately overcomes her fear. Lockington effectively mixes verse narration with social media posts to create an authentic teenage narrator. She thoughtfully explores mental health, sexuality (Sadie is bisexual), family, anti-Blackness, Black girl joy, and activism. Back matter includes an author's note, mental health resources focusing on Black and LGBTQIA+ communities, and a list of Sadie's favorite reads. Recommended for readers who appreciate books about Black teens' mental health, such as Parker's Who Put This Song On? (rev. 1/20) and Stone's Chaos Theory (rev. 1/23).

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

(2) PS Illustrated by MacKenzie Haley. An offstage narrator warns readers (à la Grover in The Monster at the End of This Book) about the "ferocious monster" that haunts the pages ahead. "It's not too late for you to choose a different book about something more pleasant." A page-turn reveals the speaker/monster: a terrifying(ly cute) white kitten doing its darnedest to be threatening. "Hey, quit laughing." Enlisting the help of two sweet puppies, a fluffy duckling, and other animal friends, the kitten's subsequent jump-scare attempts yield similar results. And then...from the doorway...a foreboding shadow looms..."Bath time!" The well-paced text, vibrant pencil and digitally painted illustrations, and effective use of page-turns heighten the drama--and the silliness.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(1) YA The former orchard across from Pandita Paul's home, dilapidated though it may be, holds a special place in the thirteen-year-old's heart. It's where she and her late mother used to spend time: "Ashar Jaiga, as Ma and I called it. Ma's name, Asha, which means 'hope,' Ma's place, Ashar Jaiga. Place of Hope." Now the property is up for sale. Pandita, encouraged by the historical society's call to preserve it, becomes the group's youngest member. Meanwhile, one of her twin older sisters, an activist, helps spearhead the fight for demolition of the orchard and subsequent construction of affordable rental units. The story is set in the summer of 1980 in Silicon Valley, California, before the tech boom. It is a place on the cusp, much like the story's protagonist, who finds herself compelled by memories of her past; the complex and fascinating history she uncovers; and possibilities for the future of her town, her family, and herself. Pandita, a budding poet, reluctantly attends summer drama camp, meets a talented new boy, reconciles with her former best friend, and struggles with family changes. An engaging subplot involves a new love interest for her father; the woman (a.k.a. "the Intruder") is brash and outspoken, and her unsolicited opinion on the development issue is enlightening for the characters, and for readers, about both sides having a point and no one being demonized.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(1) YA "Most people didn't live in hollowed-out trees behind their middle school," but twelve-year-old Raymond does. A seventh grader at River Mill Middle School in North Carolina, he had lived in a rented trailer with his feckless parents three miles from school. But one day he comes home to discover that they have abandoned him, and now here he is living in the woods with his dog and doing his best to fly under the radar. He saves food from cafeteria lunches, does nighttime dumpster dives, and sometimes has luck fishing. He does have a new friend in Harlin, who in an act of kindness chooses as a bingo prize a sleeping bag for Raymond instead of the NASCAR tickets he'd wanted. Gradually, Raymond finds a circle of caring people (and a coyote) in his orbit: Lexi, his first girlfriend; Stigs, a former army surgeon who lives in a cabin nearby; and various teachers who don't let Raymond remain invisible. The third-person narrative allows for fully realized secondary characters who play important roles in Raymond's life and, ultimately, in his rescue. Rudd's straightforward, meticulous prose perfectly captures the daily routines and occasional drama of life in the woods. A worthy match for My Side of the Mountain and Hatchet the book Raymond checks out of the library toward the end of the novel.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(2) YA Williams and Long provide readers with a complex narrative of the 1963 March on Washington that goes beyond Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech. They begin with the 1962 meeting between Bayard Rustin and A. Philip Randolph, where the two decided the time had come for the march that Randolph had conceived more than twenty years earlier. By starting at this point, Williams and Long are able to highlight the many challenges (governmental resistance; disagreements among the organizers) and triumphs that took place before, during, and (briefly) after the march itself. Photos, newspaper clippings, and other primary-source images bring the history to life for young readers. Throughout the text, sidebars add important historical information and questions to consider. Back matter includes additional interesting facts ("Extra Steps"), discussion questions, extensive source notes, and an index (unseen); an opening note addresses word choice and the use of quotes containing racist language (including the n-word). Pair with Lewis and Aydin's March series (March: Book One, rev. 1/14; and sequels).

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

(1) YA Through alternating first-person accounts, and with varied poetic styles, Elliott (A Place Inside of Me, rev. 11/20) and Miller-Lachmann (Rogue, rev. 9/13) present a thoughtfully structured and sensitively rendered verse novel set in early-1980s Brooklyn featuring two memorable protagonists. Seventh grader Pierre "Pie" Velez is an Afro-Latino with a brilliant mind and an artistic talent, both of which shine in the art room and in his graffiti tags (his narration ranges from concrete poetry to tricubes). Most of Pie's time is devoted to taking care of his younger sister and their mother, who experiences "nervous attacks." New classmate Joseph John "JJ" Pankowski (who narrates in more straightforward free verse) and his family have arrived in Brooklyn under the cover of night, after his father is blacklisted for union activity. Having been labeled with multiple learning disabilities, JJ is surprised to find himself in honors class at his new public school, until he realizes how disproportionately white students like him are chosen as honor students. Pie and JJ make a halting attempt at friendship, and Pie's explanations of lessons help JJ follow along in school. Outside racial tensions soon overshadow the relationship, and Pie and JJ are left to wonder whether it can survive. Both authors are adept at evocatively re-creating the setting, with references ranging from Ronald Reagan's anti-union stance to Jean-Michel Basquiat, Michael Jackson, and the Clash. Authors' notes give background on various aspects of the novel, including autism as a likely diagnosis for JJ, using today's terms.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2022

(2) YA Hoose chronicles the unique relationship between humans and the northern mockingbird in this medley of natural history, political history, mythology, and folklore. He demonstrates humanity's early links with the mockingbird by recounting stories from Pueblo, Mayan, and Hopi cultures. From there, he discusses how the bird was misidentified by Columbus, appreciated by Jefferson, painted by Audubon, studied by Darwin, and more. The book does not shy away from the uglier aspects of history, from Jefferson's reliance on enslaved people to the cruelty of the captive bird trade, with a thread of environmental concern running throughout. Hoose also highlights popular culture, including American songs featuring mockingbirds; and modern science, with new discoveries about their intelligence and capabilities. Back matter includes detailed source notes and suggestions for how readers can help preserve the northern mockingbird and other songbirds. While this book lacks some of the immediacy and firsthand observation of Hoose's other titles (Moonbird, rev. 7/12, among others)--a note acknowledges pandemic-related research obstaclea--it compensates with breadth of scope and liveliness of prose and will likely leave readers with new appreciation for this common backyard bird.

Reviewer: K Rachael Stein | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Kitty Moss. Kilgore introduces readers to a popular Icelandic tradition, where people give one another books on Christmas Eve and then read all night long. Her free-verse text sets the mood, a mix of awe and excitement as it describes the build-up to December 24 ("Could it be? That one there? Tucked just out of sight? / Yes, that magical book to bring loved ones joy"). The art complements the text, following one little girl's search for the perfect books. Moss's gorgeous full-bleed collage illustrations appropriately feature printed paper, and their rich hues perfectly capture the beauty of the northern lights. An author's note explains more about the Christmas Book Flood tradition.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(2) 4-6 Six years ago, Alice's mother, a cultural anthropologist, disappeared in a boating accident near Aviles Island off the coast of Florida. Now twelve, Alice pores over her mom's books and notes, looking for clues and hope, while her father and younger sister contend with grief in their own ways. Alice desperately wants to learn more about the island's tradition of "tidings," or communications with the dead, that her mother was studying when she disappeared, and she pushes for a trip to Aviles Island. Her father plans to interview the Mercury family, the island's lighthouse keepers, for his radio show; Alice sets her sights on finding out more about the tidings. The story alternates between the first-person narratives of Alice and the Mercury family's oldest son, Leo, who's protective of the island's traditions in memory of his beloved grandfather. Alice and Leo have an antagonistic relationship at first, but an unusual tidings message causes them to join forces. Over the course of a weekend on the island, the tidings come and go, the Jones family members finally begin to process their grief, and a risky boat trip nearly finds history repeating itself. A few of the story's fantastical elements (as well as some of its realistic ones) may rankle some skeptical readers, but the narrative's heart and energy, as well as its portrayal of the many ways one can be isolated and paralyzed by grief, feel true and meaningful.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(2) YA Thirteen-year-old Andi Byrd is a talented trumpeter, constantly encouraged by her supportive mother. After her mother dies and she is sent to live with relatives, Andi finds it hard to get back into her artistic groove. Her talent lands her a spot at a prestigious music camp, but the inspiration still isn't there--until Andi meets Zora. A regular attendee of the camp, Zora has a reputation for excellence--a reputation she's upheld at the risk of her well-being. As the only two Black girls at the predominantly white camp, Zora and Andi are initially reluctant to be lumped together but soon discover they are just what the other needs. Zora's strict practice regimen reminds Andi to focus on all aspects of the music; in turn, Andi teaches Zora that improv is welcome every now and then. As they grow closer, the girls begin to apply these lessons to other areas of their lives: Zora acknowledging her desire to be a dancer rather than a flutist, and Andi coming to terms with all the memories of her mother, not just the good ones. The novel is told in alternating first-person accounts (separated by free verse written from the viewpoint of the camp itself), and the voices of Andi and Zora are distinct and consistent, providing a comprehensive view of this coming-of-age romance. Themes of self-harm and anxiety are geared toward a middle-school audience; a list of resources appears in the author's note.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2022

(2) YA Sixteen-year-old María Kamińska has returned home after two and a half years in Rüsselsheim, Germany, as an Ostarbeiter, a "slave worker" at the Opel automobile factory. Both the Nazis and the Soviets invaded Poland in 1939, and now, in August 1944, the Soviets are taking over, while Polish resistance--with the support of the Silent Unseen (elite Polish special-operations agents trained in Britain)--and Ukrainian nationalists continue with their own years-long conflict. María's narrative becomes entwined with that of Kostya, a courier for the military arm of the Ukrainian nationalist movement. Their relationship mirrors the larger complicated machinations of warring parties in a land already devastated by war; at times, the characters seem more like pawns in a complicated chess game than fully realized people. It's a complex narrative bolstered by a useful historical note, a list of military and paramilitary forces, and a two-page list of characters to help readers keep track of everything going on. McCrina (Traitor, rev. 11/20), like Ruta Sepetys (I Must Betray You, rev. 2/22), is adept at finding important stories in places not well known to American readers, and this novel may well find an audience with young World War II history buffs.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider

(1) K-3 Summer on the blacktop courts of ­Milwaukee gets infinitely more exciting when a new kid joins the Eagles. From the first time they see him handle a basketball, the team members know that with Gravity on their squad they have a chance to be the best in the city. Palmer's (Mama Africa!, rev. 11/17; A Plan for the People, rev. 7/21) entertaining modern-day tall tale, told in direct-address by teammate Butta, is heavy on both hyperbole and basketball action: "Gravity once jumped so high that we were able to go out for ice cream before he came down." On-point gameplay descriptions bring readers into the action as the awe-inspiring heroics of a mythically great ballplayer take center court. The story's climax is at the city finals where the Eagles realize they can't rely only on Gravity's immense skills and abilities to overcome their opponents. Vivid colors and heavy brushstrokes bring the city, its courts, and the characters to life, with the fluid basketball movements and positioning of the players being exceptionally well rendered. Palmer's author note dedicates the story to "unsung basketball greats who never made it to the NBA but left a lasting impression on those who witnessed their incredible feats and heard their amazing stories." Hand off to fans of Peoples-Riley's I Got Next (rev. 11/19) and Myers's H.O.R.S.E. (rev. 1/13).

Reviewer: Eric Carpenter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2022

(2) PS If Animals Kissed Good Night series. Illustrated by David Walker. On Halloween, Owlet finds that every animal celebrates the scariest time of the year differently. From Hatchling and Papa Crocodile's segmented croc-o'-lantern with the "sneee-eeery smile" to Raccoon's "garbage-fudge squares," each animal's traditions feel unique to its species. Refreshingly, Halloween regulars (such as bats) mingle with animals not often featured (such as an armadillo). As in previous entries in the series, lines of text sometimes curve (like a smiling jack-o'-lantern) or sway (like an eerie breeze), which is appropriate and effective for this particular book's design given the subject matter. Walker's brightly colored critters contrast nicely with the dark and starry night.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022