(2) 4-6 In this bright, engaging tale set in medieval England, Coats lightly interweaves medieval craft and culture with deeper questions about work, value, and getting around the status quo. Tick has long helped her father make the tallow candles and beeswax charms that are their livelihood. Now that Papa’s losing his eyesight, her work is essential. She loves her sense of expertise and responsibility; especially, she loves working companionably with Papa. Then comes Henry, a boy apprentice, and Papa shuts Tick out. You will soon be changing, she's told, and chandler work isn't suitable for women. But Tick is named for St. Scholastica, patron saint of "just because something is so, doesn't make it right." She concocts her own plan to make and market beeswax charms at the annual Stourbridge Fair. Coats is a lively, capable storyteller and intelligently dovetails historical detail with issues--and a self-aware expressiveness in this first-person, present-tense narrative--that resonate today. Her plot twists, turns, and hinges on a pleasing, convincing mix of medieval practices and unusual but realistic circumstances that provide for a hopeful ending.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Maithili Joshi. Dahl's introduction to a little-known pioneer in aviation history tells the story of a determined, diminutive young woman in the male-dominated world of early-twentieth-century trick flying. After seeing an aeronaut perform at the North Carolina State Fair in 1907, Broadwick (1893-1978) is determined to take to the sky. At the next year's fair, she makes her debut as "The Doll Girl" and begins a career that would include more than eleven hundred jumps from balloons and airplanes and many firsts as a female aeronaut. Notably, a jump gone wrong leads Broadwick to create the ripcord that is still used today. Dahl's fast-paced narrative is interspersed with quotes from her subject ("It burned me up having to dress like a baby doll and having that name tacked on me!") and contemporaries, adding color and immediacy. (While the text does not shy away from some of the difficult aspects of Tiny's life, including her past as a child laborer, it solidly avoids other such biographical details as being a child bride and an abandoned preteen mother.) Joshi's movement-filled illustrations often show Broadwick from the back gazing into the distance, clearly a woman looking toward new horizons. An author's note offers additional history, along with a selected bibliography.

Reviewer: Laura Koenig | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Hüseyin Sönmezay. In the first double-page spread of this Turkish import, readers see a boy and girl, each in their respective homes "somewhere in the world." The boy looks out the window with delight as fireworks flash; the girl sleeps while what is revealed on the next spread to be a bomb falls near her window. The rest of the book, spread by spread and with nearly identical dialogue, juxtaposes the two different journeys of the boy and his mother and the girl and her father. One is safe and comfortable while the other is steeped in danger. In one striking spread, the boy leans over a bridge to point at a swan. "Don't get too close to the edge," says his mother. On the recto, the father says the same to the girl, now a war refugee, as they navigate a small raft in the water, leaving the country they knew as home. A tangerine-colored fish follows the girl; it grows progressively in size, representing her longing for the home she has left. Both parent-child pairs end up at the same fair on a Ferris wheel, a symbol of global interconnection. "Who knows whose turn it will be to pack a bag," the author writes in a closing note. This sensitive story should prompt readers to consider that idea along with the importance of empathy when encountering strangers.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(2) 4-6 Savit (The Way Back, rev. 9/20) skillfully blends historical fiction, fantasy, and murder mystery in his novel about Eva Root, billed by her traveling con-artist guardian as a medium. In the opening scene, Eva is interrupted mid-seance by a voice imploring her to "come see the fair." Sharp-witted Eva realizes she needs to take her chance and run away, and she randomly gets on a train to Chicago--not knowing that it is where the magnificent Chicago World's Fair is currently being held. On the train she meets Henry, who also feels he is being "called," through his drawings. The two visit the fair, where Eva begins to have strange experiences and where she meets the mysterious Mr. Magister, who calls himself the "Baron of American Magic." Savit conveys the wonders of the fair and the grittiness of post–Great Fire Chicago as he gradually adds more threatening elements to the story; occasional sketchlike ­black-and-white illustrations by Mildred Hankinson add atmosphere. Savit layers the fantasy ­elements onto ­real-world historical details, so that Eva moves between Mr. ­Magister's ­fantastical world and the fair without leaving the pavilion; in a thrilling chase sequence the author conveys speed, action, and surprise through stacatto phrasing and a ­stream-of-consciousness style. Eva is a strong heroine, and the villain (with several child murders in his past) is genuinely menacing.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(2) 4-6 Because of a (fictional) traditional rhyme that claims--or threatens--six motherless sisters' destinies according to birth order, their violent, often-drunk Dadder trades the beautiful eldest, Grace, as wife in exchange for a horse. When Grace escapes to avoid her fate and disappears with the seasonal fair, Willa, the second sister, sets off to fetch her back. Pursued by Dadder and his nasty fiancé, Willa and the horse traverse marsh and mire to retrieve Grace and, somehow, persuade Dadder to undo her betrothal. But Willa can't find Grace with the fair: could it be she has become prey to the fabled Marsh King? Strange (The Ghost of Midnight Lake, rev. 3/22) draws on the horror of folktales of Britain's Romney Marsh in this quasi-medieval gothic fantasy. Girls are at the mercy of their fathers; reading is suspect; clever, articulate elders are punished with the ducking stool or murdered as witches. The story has a strong "and then" quality, as Willa rides off now here, now there; there's a certain ebullience (vigorously enhanced by the irrepressible youngest sisters), a handful of mysteries, and plenty of mire-y, marsh-lit atmosphere to keep readers immersed.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(2) YA Teenage magicians' assistants Wilhelm and Jack find themselves at odds during the 1909 World's Fair in Seattle when their bosses, Teddy and the Enchantress, become bitter rivals. Earnest bookworm Wilhelm is the victim of terrible abuse at the hands of ambitious and conniving Teddy, who exploits Wilhelm's ability to travel short distances by magic, first involving him in a life of bank-robbing and then using him to gain fame. Orphaned Jack's relationship with the Enchantress takes a different form of mistreatment: she'd rescued him when he was younger and manipulates his emotions to make him feel obligated to her forever, preventing him from living a life of his own. When Jack and Wilhelm fall in love, they must decide what they are willing to risk for a future together. Palpable chemistry between the two main characters drives the plot, and a diverse cast of secondary characters adds humor and zest. Most impressive are the contrasting layers of villainy depicted in Teddy and the Enchantress: one an obvious brute, and the other more nuanced in her cruelty. Fans of historical fiction, fantasy, and slow-burn romance will find Jack and Wilhelm's story truly...magical.

Reviewer: Sarah Berman | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio. Forest creatures emerge from the shadows to have their own nighttime fun at the county fairgrounds in this wordless and wondrous picture book. Once the humans head home for the evening, foxes, raccoons, bears, deer, and other woodland creatures break through a fence, switch on the electricity, and enjoy the fair in all its summer glory. The animals have the place cleaned up before the groundskeeper returns for another day of work, but it is a close call. A paneled layout builds suspense by showcasing simultaneous locations and events, such as the human worker arriving at dawn at the same moment the creatures are tossing trash into bins and scurrying away. Cinematic visuals include moments of humor as ­creatures are shown stuffing their faces with snacks, playing games, and covering their eyes on rides. The glowing watercolor, gouache, and ­colored-pencil illustrations are ­atmospheric and brilliantly rendered through lush washes of color and intriguing contrasts of dark and light, illuminating the ­setting and depicting an engaging tension between the wildness of the animals and the humanness of their behaviors and activities as fair-goers. In the morning, pieces of the currency the animals used (pebbles, leaves, etc.) are left on the ticket booth for the groundskeeper to discover; in the wild, a goldfish won at a carnival game is freed from its bag and set loose in a pond. This intriguing ending affords viewers the opportunity to reflect on the dreamlike narrative and ponder what happens next.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2021

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Diana Toledano. In her second adventure, word-loving aspiring writer Polly Diamond uses her extraordinary book to magically transform the school fair. Polly creates book-themed rides and face paint that converts people into their favorite literary characters (booklist appended). The wish-fulfillment story is abundantly illustrated with whimsical, textured grayscale art; the unconventional vocabulary makes this series best for strong young readers.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) K-3 Rodale Kids Curious Readers: Dealing with Feelings series. Illustrated by Hilli Kushnir. A girl is thrilled to ride a roller coaster, visit the petting zoo, etc., on her field trip to the fair. Everything is happy-making until the charity bake sale, where her peanut allergy prevents her from partaking. No matter: she can still enjoy the satisfaction of giving. The easy-reader story, with its "Dealing with Feelings" message and somewhat static digitally-colored pencil illustrations, is reassuring if a little bland.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ana Aranda. "Get your family--one, two, three! / Are you ready? ¡Claro! ¡Si!" A small-town summer celebration is the thread that weaves fourteen brightly illustrated spreads together. The rhymes on each page, which include Spanish words in bold text, flow well and will inspire young readers to carefully inspect the detailed watercolor and ink scenes. Rain or shine, la celebración continues! Glos.

Reviewer: Katie Darrin

(3) 4-6 Fact Finders: Awesome Engineering series. Illustrated by Mark Ruffle. This series packs lots of information about engineering structures or vehicles into slim volumes. Each spread includes a "Building Brief" explaining the challenge, engineer, and location of the featured invention; information on the history and physical science involved; and illustrative diagrams and small photos. The tone respects readers' intelligence, as do the straightforward scientific explanations. A page of facts concludes each volume. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Awesome Engineering titles: Bridges, Fairground Rides, and Trains, Planes, and Ships.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) 4-6 Miranda's family's ranchera band, Miranda y los Reyes, might move to the carnival main stage; meanwhile, Flor's family runs the carnival petting zoo, which might be cut to accommodate Miranda's band's main-stage salary. A fast-paced narrative, sprinkled with a bit of Spanish and alternating between the two protagonists, is set over the course of one eventful carnival day. An appealing story with great cultural specificity.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) K-3 Dog Migloo's (Migloo's Day) busy weekend culminates in his rescue of a movie star at the Sunnytown Fair. Search-and-find fans will rejoice at (or be overwhelmed by) the challenge of finding the innumerable details and visual stories packed into Bee's full-spread illustrations. One can participate on different levels, however, from simply enjoying Migloo's cheery story to painstakingly combing the book for the listed items.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) PS Illustrated by Lori Joy Smith. Well-rhymed, singsong couplets take us through the day of a chickens' county fair: "Chicken farmer shows his plant. / Chicken racers puff and pant. / Chicken chefs and pastry cooks, / chickens watch with hungry looks." Counting questions about each scene are appended, followed by an answer key. The pencil illustrations, digitally colored in mostly pastel tones, further make for a pleasant package.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(2) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Rose's cello teacher advises easing up on practicing, so the overachiever reluctantly helps neighbor Mr. Pickering with a pumpkin-cultivation project. When an accident with Mr. Pickering's saw puts an end to Rose's cello-playing for the summer, she must deal with her grief. In an emotionally resonant story, Rose's earnest struggles with her precociousness and oddball tendencies keep her character from descending into twee quirkiness.

Reviewer: Sarah Rettger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Migy Blanco. The 1904 St. Louis World's Fair introduced many wonders, but fictional attendees Lillie and Aunt Mae are focused on an electric candy machine that spins sugar into fluffy threads of "fairy floss" (what we now call cotton candy). Candy-colored illustrations are a bit garish and the telling somewhat over-sweet, but this picture book introduces an appealing little bit of history. Reading list.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(2) 4-6 Roller Girl meets the Ren Faire in this read-alike graphic novel. Homeschooled Imogene Vega--squire-in-training at the Renaissance Faire where her family works--starts middle school, and embarrassingly hilarious/tragic moments ensue. Nobody seems to get how hard Imogene has it (until they do). Roller-coaster moments stem from relatable sixth-grade experiences, always with a sense of high stakes. Energetic, expressive illustrations let plot and characterization shine.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(3) 1-3 In the second person, an omniscient narrator addresses an exuberant brown-haired girl with a blond younger brother. She's determined to adopt a pig, so this step-by-step guide helps them acquire one with "potential"--and convince their mom to let them keep it. Colored-pencil, watercolor, and ink illustrations amp up the mayhem in this goofy, tongue-in-cheek manual, laid out over six chapters ideal for newly independent readers.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) K-3 Mouse Math series. Illustrated by Deborah Melmon. Mouse siblings Wanda and Albert have various adventures with their friends. Each purposeful story serves to illustrate a math concept--patterns (Bravo), adding doubles (Doubles the Fun), counting money (Helps Out), and counting and skip counting (Where's Albert?); some allow more variety of examples than others. The cheerful mice are illustrated in softly colored, well-delineated art. Two pages of "fun activities" are appended. Review covers these Mouse Math titles: Bravo, Albert!, Albert Doubles the Fun, Albert Helps Out, and Where's Albert?.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 1-3 Calico Kid: Farmyard Friends series. Illustrated by Paula Franco. New readers can enjoy Storm Cliff Stables (from Mullarkey's Pony Girls and Storm Cliff Stables series)--this time, from the barn animals' perspectives. The facile transitional-reader stories include tame conflict (e.g., Gaston the goat battles his fear of thunderstorms) and silly wordplay (pig Freckles channels artist "Pablo Pigasso" to spiff up the dark barn). The characters are energetically rendered in the slick color illustrations. Review covers these Calico Kid: Farmyard Friends titles: Daisy the Cow, Freckles the Pig, Gaston the Goat, and Golden Girl the Chicken.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum