(2) K-3 Illustrated by E. B. Goodale. In April 2019, people held their breath as the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral burned. Among the priceless items to survive the flames were beehives housed on the cathedral's roof. Browne's lyrical picture book tells the story of the bees who call Notre-Dame home and the fire that threatened their hives. Drawing parallels between the cooperative worker bees and the cooperation displayed by rescue workers during and after the catastrophic fire, the story takes on greater symbolism: "Come! Rebuild. Work with each other. You are stronger together." Goodale's mixed-media illustrations combine printing, colored pencils, and a variety of paints and collage materials to create a vibrant spring in Paris before the explosion of smoke and flame encroaches on the idyllic scene. Yellows, pinks, and greens are replaced by violent reds and oranges, while clouds of gray smoke that engulf the images fill the once-open spreads. Images of the burning cathedral and the valiant efforts of rescue workers effectively build tension. The welcome news of the bee colony's survival closes the story, while details in the concluding note let readers know that the difficult task of rebuilding Notre-Dame is underway.

Reviewer: Eric Carpenter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(2) K-3 Framing the book as an autobiographical recollection, Raschka provides a guide to "Saint Spotting," a sort of game he and his mother would play while visiting a (saints-having) Christian church and looking for the images of saints throughout. For each of the thirty-plus saints shown in small, icon-like watercolor vignettes, Raschka provides a thumbnail, child-friendly description of how the saint is generally portrayed ("Saint Nicholas's symbol is three bags of gold, which he gave to the poor") and why he or she is remembered ("Our story of Santa Claus comes from him"). While the tone is always gentle and devout, Raschka is honest about the gruesome appeal of some of the hagiographical detail, such as Saint Lucy's eyes on a ­platter and Saint Sebastian's piercings ("Saint Sebastian was always my favorite, because he's easy to spot"). When the narrator and his mother get to the front of the church and the images of Jesus and Mary, Raschka explains the Crucifixion well enough but, oddly, omits any mention or image of the Resurrection. But the book is respectful, agreeably idiosyncratic, and conveys much of the mystery of a space deemed sacred. The tall and narrow orientation of the volume suggests both a church spire and a tourist's guidebook and definitely invites opening.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2021

(2) YA Del's forever crush on schoolmate Kiera comes to a head when she finally becomes single in their junior year of high school. Del is poised to do whatever it takes to win her over, even if it means (inadvertently) joining their church's Purity Pledge group. There is hope, however, from Kiera's friend Jameer, who strikes a deal with Del: Jameer will put in a good word with Kiera in exchange for Del providing him with information from the sex ed class Jameer isn't allowed to take. Del accepts the challenge, but soon begins to realize that his journey into Kiera's heart is not going to be as easy as he thought. With realism and humor, Giles paints the complicated, messy reality that many teens face in navigating sexuality, relationships, and the conflicting messages they receive from society. Toxic masculinity is explored, juxtaposed with the sexual double standards that are applied to young women. The church abstinence-group setting, too, effectively highlights the ways religious suppression can exacerbate the very issues it seeks to resolve. Del's learning experiences lead him into enlightening realizations. Though these do not come without many mishaps and misunderstandings, they eventually guide him to unpack his one-way, self-centered focus on Kiera and to consider that his feelings may not be reciprocated.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2020

(2) K-3 Illustrated by April Harrison. In this story of giving, James Otis marvels that Mama is contributing to the church's "love box" for a family in need when they have so little themselves. But hearing "what is given from the heart reaches the heart" helps James Otis start thinking differently about what he does have. Detailed, highly textured, strikingly patterned collage illustrations invite readers to linger over the pages and add depth to the characters.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Keum Jin Song. In 2016, South Korean church members, originally refugees from North Korea, sent rice bags attached to helium balloons to North Korea to feed starving people. In this fictionalized story, a girl tries to convince other children who feel North Koreans are "the enemy" to join the effort. Slick digital illustrations contrast the lush South Korean countryside with barren North Korea. Includes extensive background material. Reading list.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) 4-6 Thirteen-year-old Nate's preacher father hates music, but it captivates Nate, who becomes friends with the musical Carter family and other musicians in town. When Nate leaves home, he discovers his father's music aversion is related to the death of Nate's two-year-old sister years ago. Set in 1927 Tennessee, this novel satisfyingly incorporates real history, capturing a boy's poignant coming-of-age as well as a fruitful time in country music.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Laure Fournier. Few readers won't feel joyful as breezy rhymes describe a typical Sunday at a "church for all" that welcomes "weak and healthy / Neat and messy / Poor and wealthy / Plain and dressy," etc. An author's note explains that the book was inspired by churches that welcome LGBT and other marginalized people, who are represented in the stiff-looking illustrations.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Escape: Treasure Hunters series. Three teens follow a labyrinth of clues leading to sunken treasure aboard an ancient shipwreck. Cousins Chris and Carrie stumble on the first clue after the suspicious death of their archivist aunt and are joined in their quest by another archivist's daughter, Maddison. Some questionable plot twists are offset by likable characters and an intriguing mystery in this six-part hi-lo narrative. Review covers these Escape: Treasure Hunters titles: Deep Waters, Keyword Cypher, Secrets of the Old Church, The Treasure, Treasure in the Woods, and The Truth.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) YA This third volume is a prequel to The Merciless, exploring how the villainous Brooklyn embarked on her journey toward depravity. Hoping to save an anonymous caller to her teen helpline, Brooklyn infiltrates a cultish church youth group and the situation turns deadly. Characterized by graphic violence like its predecessors, this entry could serve as character-building background or as a compelling introduction to the series.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) 4-6 Ten-year-old Cadence Jolly, an introverted African American girl, lives with her loving but stifling father in small-town Pennsylvania while her mom is off pursuing singing fame. Cadence works to overcome her anxiety about using her own gifted singing voice and begins to embrace and develop her talent once the church takes notice. A strong family and community story about finding support in friendship and faith.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) YA Order of Darkness series. Luca (Changeling) investigates Johann, leader of the Children's Crusade, who claims to be a prophet but may be inadvertently doing Satan's work. The question of whether miracles actually exist is thought-provoking, and the medieval setting is intriguingly drawn. Attempts to create tension and drama never quite succeed, but readers who like their historical fiction with a supernatural twist will still enjoy this installment.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) YA Order of Darkness series. Luca has been recruited by a shadowy figure to serve the Catholic Church as an inquisitor and root out evil in Christendom. His first duty is to investigate a nunnery where claims of stigmata and visions point to witchcraft. While some of the solutions are obvious, the richly drawn medieval world and strong secondary characters add clever layers to the mystery.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. After the narrator and her mother move into a filthy, ramshackle house, the girl appeals to fellow church members for support. This is fertile storytelling ground, but help arrives (whether because mother and daughter looked "through eyes of faith" or because people are generally kind) implausibly quickly. Gonzalez has a talent for capturing human expressions and proportions.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by William Low. John's mother works as a stonecutter at New York's Saint John the Divine cathedral. He comes to understand the significance of contributing a small part to an enormous effort. This is a quiet story with a strong message. Low uses angles and light to convey the grandeur of the cathedral and, by extension, the value of honest work. An author's note adds context.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 4-6 Lookalikes--artwork imitations, canine doppelgangers, and girls with similar appearances--are the connecting thread in this third Red Blazer Girls installment. The feisty foursome from Manhattan's St. Veronica's School discover multiple copies of a painting, hang out with a Hollywood hottie (and his dog), and mend fences with an archrival. Beil has penned yet another engaging, well-plotted mystery that tween readers will devour.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) YA Because her mom is a minister, Natalie Shelton holds herself to high standards. Called to a pulpit in L.A., the Sheltons make compromises, even moral ones. When Natalie befriends a celebutante, she learns the true definitions of faith and goodness. While it's refreshing to see a well-rounded Christian protagonist, the otherwise flat characterizations--and excessive brand-name-dropping--take some shine off the story.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(4) YA Lacey is eager to participate in her church's "Hell House" and to make her father--the children's pastor--proud. However, some unexpected developments (including a cute new boy) conspire to undermine Lacey's faith. Walker handles her characters' religious convictions with respect, depicting Hell House without condescension or judgment. However, Lacey's naiveté may make it difficult for readers to connect with her.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(3) 4-6 In this earnest middle-grade novel, Garnet, fourteen, finds faith, love, and family when her mother sends her to live with estranged relatives in rural Virginia. Garnet's evocative first-person narrative voice draws readers in as she seeks stability, rewardingly found in the unlikely home of her church-hopping aunt. Be prepared: a surprising eleventh-hour death tempers the sweetness of salvation everyone has found.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(3) 4-6 After introducing the four girls killed in the 1963 Birmingham church bombing, Brimner backtracks to provide historical context on segregation and desegregation in the U.S. The well-researched details--particularly regarding the efforts to bring the bombers to justice--and the numerous black-and-white photographs make this volume a worthwhile addition to civil rights movement collections. Reading list.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(2) YA Miraculously surviving a disaster as a baby, Andi's little brother, Daniel, attracts miracle-seekers. Consequently, Andi is constantly at odds with her mother and other church members who exploit Daniel. As religious fervor builds, Andi must come to terms with the nature of belief. Andi's internal journey from faith to cynicism and back again (sort of) is handled with exceptional skill.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2010