(2) YA Luna, Heavenly Water, menses, period, monthly moon--menstruation by any name is a fact of life for the BIPOC main characters in these short stories that focus on cultural celebrations, social stigma, gender identity, and the myriad physical and emotional changes taking place during puberty. Christina Soontornvat's "Rules of the Lake" is a humorous and touching tale of a Thai American girl who is surprised by her first period during a school field trip. "Turning Point" by Leah Henderson is about a Black soccer player and her ballet instructor mother who find common ground in celebrating her first period. Mason J.'s "The Gender Creamsicle," written in verse, offers a much-needed perspective on the experience of a gender-nonconforming protagonist: "I am a gender Creamsicle: orange and white. / Not a Popsicle or ice cream. I am in between." The stories have broad appeal and are unified by a common thread of growing up. Issues related to race and gender, immigration status, and language diversity are set alongside culturally rich narratives about a singular and pivotal life event, giving young people an opportunity to feel seen, and less alone.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(2) YA Santat, Caldecott winner for The Adventures of Beekle, shares his own adventures in this graphic memoir that focuses on a trip to Europe the summer before high school. He dispenses with his fraught middle-school years in two emotionally charged opening scenes: a humiliating speech and a disastrous party. The heart of the story is the life-changing three-week school trip, which his parents see as an opportunity: "We never got to do this when we were kids. You should feel lucky!" But for thirteen-year-old Dan, being invisible is his best coping strategy, and the trip forces him reluctantly out of his comfort zone. The visual narrative sticks to Dan's perspective, and his growth is treated with empathy and humor. This is Santat at his best: his signature palette emphasizing muted greens, browns, and nighttime shades; a variety of vertical and horizontal panels (many with no words or only sound effects and speech bubbles); and the spare text supporting the lively visuals. That summer may have been his first chance to see the cultural treasures of Europe, but for Dan it was other firsts that made indelible impressions--first Fanta (and first beer); first girlfriend; and, thus, first broken heart. Readers see Europe's landmarks, but they're background to the book's human dramas. Back matter includes an author's note and a "Recreating Old Memories" section.

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

(3) YA Photographs by Wendy Ewald. This unique photo-essay uses the alphabet to present a snapshot of the immigrant experience. Photographer/editor Ewald collaborated with real teenage immigrants from a Philadelphia high school to choose a word for each letter; each entry includes a definition, translation in the teen's native language, a related personal anecdote, and a photographic portrait representing the word. The result is powerful and extremely relevant to young Americans' lives.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Savvy: Girlology series. A series of infographics related to girls' growing bodies address health, hygiene, puberty, nutrition, media representation, and more; overall the text demonstrates the broad range of what's normal and points out the often-harmful messages in mainstream media. The tables, graphs, timelines, trivia bits, and photographs of a diverse set of tween girls create a visually engaging, magazine-style volume.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Miriam Klein Stahl. The team behind Rad American Women A–Z and others offers another collective biography introducing females who've made a difference, here before age twenty. From the singer Lorde to Malala Yousafzai, this volume covers a refreshing and inclusive mix of girls' achievement stories, written in engaging, tween-appropriate prose and illustrated with Stahl's hip cut-paper portraits. Tips for becoming a "rad girl" and resources are appended. Ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Savvy: Stress-Busting Survival Guides series. Illustrated by Veronica Collignon. With Karen Bluth. Emphasizing mindfulness and directed at tweens and adolescents, these upbeat self-help books include meditations, physical exercises, crafts (e.g., an anti-stress ball), recipes (a single-serve "Treat Yourself" cupcake), suggested music, organizational tips, and more, all illustrated with photos and pastel-colored art. Appropriately, each volume ends with lists of symptoms requiring professional help, referral organizations, and suggestions for supportive adults. Reading list. Review covers these Savvy: Stress-Busting Survival Guides titles: Happiness Hacks, Me Time, and Stress Less.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Savvy: Stress-Busting Survival Guides series. Illustrated by Veronica Collignon. With Karen Bluth. Emphasizing mindfulness and directed at tweens and adolescents, these upbeat self-help books include meditations, physical exercises, crafts (e.g., an anti-stress ball), recipes (a single-serve "Treat Yourself" cupcake), suggested music, organizational tips, and more, all illustrated with photos and pastel-colored art. Appropriately, each volume ends with lists of symptoms requiring professional help, referral organizations, and suggestions for supportive adults. Reading list. Review covers these Savvy: Stress-Busting Survival Guides titles: Happiness Hacks, Me Time, and Stress Less.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Savvy: Stress-Busting Survival Guides series. Illustrated by Veronica Collignon. With Karen Bluth. Emphasizing mindfulness and directed at tweens and adolescents, these upbeat self-help books include meditations, physical exercises, crafts (e.g., an anti-stress ball), recipes (a single-serve "Treat Yourself" cupcake), suggested music, organizational tips, and more, all illustrated with photos and pastel-colored art. Appropriately, each volume ends with lists of symptoms requiring professional help, referral organizations, and suggestions for supportive adults. Reading list. Review covers these Savvy: Stress-Busting Survival Guides titles: Happiness Hacks, Me Time, and Stress Less.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 The day after twelve-year-old Addie wishes she were sixteen, she wakes up to find her wish has come true. But being sixteen isn't what Addie expected: she's a shallow jerk who's no longer speaking to her best friend. While the premise is familiar (think 13 Going on 30), it's well executed; Addie's naiveté about being a teenager will make readers laugh out loud.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) YA Drawing on casual, "feet up, shoes off" (#SockTalk) interviews with successful women and on advice she gives at leadership clinics, Olympic gold-medalist soccer player Foudy encourages young women to develop leadership skills in broad social spheres. Some of the advice and related exercises are generic, but Foudy and her interviewees address readers with sincerity and don't take themselves too seriously.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Meg Hunt. Nine fictional sixteen-year-old girls (all good friends) at camp share personal questions, experiences, health tips, and insecurities as their bodies, relationships, and emotions change. They gather their discoveries in "The Book," intended to be passed along to next summer's twelve-year-old campers. Anecdotes, notes, diagrams, doodles, and other marginalia accompany the informal text, which emphasizes self-acceptance and kindness.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) YA "Where do you go, where do you hide, when the world hurts too much?" ABC News correspondent Pitts shares six inspirational stories of youth who overcame difficult starts. The social issues–focused narratives have a Chicken Soup for the Soul feel. Still, Pitts handles his subjects' profound struggles--with foster care, mental illness, bullying, refugee status, and more--with consistent respect and understanding. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) YA What works on YouTube and other social media for the "internet personality" author unfortunately doesn't work as well in print. Aimed at newly independent young adults, Arden's advice, which touches on healthy lifestyles, mature relationships, sexuality, and--largely--living on one's own, will barely be useful to the younger teens at whom the prose, if not the information, seems pitched. Still, Rose's following may appreciate the approachable tone.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA Drawing on interviews with "super-amazing," successful young adults, Wooster gives teens relevant but commonplace advice on "connecting...to the things that make you want to jump out of bed in the morning." Interviewees offer a range of approaches, and "self-discovery quizzes" and "exploratory exercises" may prove useful. Unfortunately, a didactic adult voice predominates the narrative. A discussion guide and extensive resources list are included.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) YA Nineteen teenage poets--members of Get Lit, an L.A.-based organization that empowers teens to become passionate about literature, self-expression, and social consciousness--share their personal stories, a classic poem each finds meaningful, and an honest, often raw response poem he or she has written based on that classic. Writing prompts are included in each chapter. Teachers will appreciate the alignment with Common Core Standards.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) YA "Almost all youth do stupid, impulsive things. Yet only some of them turn into criminal acts." Jones deftly covers multiple aspects of juvenile justice in America, including its history, current reforms, and the root causes of delinquency. The text is detailed enough for research but engaging enough for general interest reading; glossy pages include sidebars, pull-quotes, and color photos. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) YA Cliff is a normal senior suffering from the angst of: 1) love-at-first-sight; 2) having no idea what to do with his life after graduation; and 3) probably getting thrown out of the house by his callous, unemployed dad when he turns eighteen. Lubar's sympathetic protagonist, entertaining metafictive devices, and pitch-perfect teenage-male voice deliver an honest, amusing take on a difficult time in life.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) YA Also edited by Kristen Mohn, Nate LeBoutillier, Lindsy O'Brien. This collection of forty-three autobiographical short stories runs the gamut of high-school topics: family, friends, class, crushes, parties, awkwardness, bullying, sex, and more. Featuring such YA authors as Carrie Mesrobian, Steve Brezenoff, Pete Hautman, and Joseph Bruchac, the stories are painful, humorous, embarrassing, nostalgic, and insightful. But, as with many collections, some tales are stronger than others. Ind.

Reviewer: Randy Ribay

(4) YA Illustrated by Jordyn Bonds. Directed at young women, Bondy's book addresses "Speaking Up" in myriad circumstances (with adults, bullies, friends, crushes) and explores associated issues such as eating disorders, self-esteem, and sexism. Lots of lists and author anecdotes help readers digest main points, but the narrative can occasionally feel patronizing. Photo collages flavor the pages but add little to the message. Helpful resources are included.

Reviewer: Andrea Curtis

(3) YA Reber offers practical and inspirational advice for teens on how to reduce stress (Chill covers time management, organization, getting help, journaling, exercise, nutrition, and more) and how to set and achieve goals (Doable includes information on defining your goal, recognizing obstacles, and dealing with setbacks). Reber's tone is just right for her audience, and her tips are helpful and clearly explained. Review covers these titles: Chill and Doable.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander