(2) 4-6 In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, middle schooler Lalo Lespérance is doing his best to adapt to virtual school and make social connections in his Florida apartment complex. Lalo struggles with severe short- and long-term memory loss, triggered by childhood trauma. He is also frustrated by others' inability to accept him as both Mexican and Haitian American. Diederich's descriptive writing stimulates all five senses as Lalo learns about Mexican culture from his neighbor Vivi's abuela and finds ways to manifest some of his key missing memories with a little help from a seemingly magical vintage radio and belief in traditional Mexican spiritualism. Lalo's character offers an important portrayal of Afro-Latin identity for contemporary readers. His story provides an example of how discrimination can come from outside and within the Hispanic/Latin community and how traumatizing that can be for a young person trying to form a sense of self. By framing Lalo's memory issues positively as a reason for "accommodations" in school, Diederich elevates and supports the character's unique life journey. He is a young man who can help others see the best in themselves.

Reviewer: Nicholas A. Brown | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(2) 4-6 Arnold presents an accessible and relatable immigration story, engagingly interwoven with magic. Holding the hope of her family on her shoulders, ten-year-old Gabrielle is determined to be on her best behavior when she leaves her home in Haiti for the "heaven" of America, moving in with her uncle and his family in Brooklyn. However, she realizes that life in the U.S. is not as magical as she had anticipated: her English is limited, her hair doesn't flow like it does for the girls on TV, and her clothing stands out. All she wants is to be a regular American girl. Seeing her desire to fit in, an evil witch, Lady Lydia, offers Gabrielle a deal. The witch will grant her three wishes, but, with each wish, ­Gabrielle will lose some "small, insignificant" thing--a strand of hair, a sock. Although that seems like a harmless exchange, Gabrielle soon realizes that her desire to be "­American" will cost her much more than she'd bargained for, and she must decide how much she is willing to lose in order to belong. Although the pacing is somewhat uneven at the end, the book presents an engrossing story of self-acceptance and ­self-discovery and will appeal to readers who enjoyed Callender's Hurricane Child (rev. 5/18).

Reviewer: S. R. Toliver | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021

(2) 4-6 In this zany romp, underachiever Javier, his younger sister Brady, and his best friend Wiki aren't expecting historical figures to actually appear when they take on their school's "Which three people would you invite to dinner?" assignment. But Javi and Brady's new dining-room table turns out to have magical powers, allowing it to summon both real and fictional people to the meal. Mozart and the Earl of Sandwich are easily sent back to where they came from, but the third guest is the notorious pirate Blackbeard, who has no intention of returning to the past and schemes to take control of the table so he can call the rest of his crew to join him in suburban Maryland. As Javi, Brady, and Wiki race to save their town from pirates, they find out more about the table's magical powers as well as about their somewhat odd teachers, who were themselves brought to the school through earlier dinner parties. Piñeiro incorporates the characters' ethnic backgrounds--Javi and Brady are Puerto Rican; Wiki has Haitian ancestry--creatively and authentically into the story. The historical and literary figures who appear around the table and in the classroom include both classics (Captain Ahab, Dracula, Frida Kahlo) and less-well-known individuals (Hattori Hanzō, Anzar), and readers will appreciate the back matter with information about each.

Reviewer: Sarah Rettger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021

(2) YA Henri "Halti" Haltiwanger walks dogs for his well-to-do neighbors to earn money to help out at home, operating as an individual but pretending to work for a fictitious company to make himself look more legitimate. When his headstrong, studious (but socially awkward) neighbor Corinne discovers his deception, she blackmails him into helping her with her social skills. The arrangement results in a rom-com story line that complicates Halti's college aspirations. Halti's Haitian immigrant parents want him to attend Columbia University, which he's worked hard to make a reality; he knows he is at a disadvantage compared to his wealthy classmates. A poor decision puts Halti's dreams on the line as he tries to navigate his final year in high school, college admissions, young love, and friendship. In his second novel, Morris Award winner Philippe (The Field Guide to the North American Teenager) creates a witty, humorous, realistic snapshot of the pressures young people face as they make their way into adulthood. Through memorable, multifaceted characters, Philippe explores themes of how race, class, and socioeconomic status can open doors for some, while closing them for others. Refreshing, romantic, and at times laugh-out-loud funny, the book is satisfying and, yes, charming.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(2) YA To avoid being expelled after a school presentation accidentally lands a classmate in the hospital, Alaine Beauparlant is sent to Haiti, her parents' birthplace. There she learns about Haitian history and her family's role in the country's beginnings. She also gets the chance to end a family curse, with the help of the cute intern at her aunt's charitable-support-app company. The story is told entertainingly through diary entries, letters, newspaper articles, emails, and text messages; and the protagonist's snark, as she calls it, comes through clearly.

Reviewer: Nicholl Denice Montgomery | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ken Daley. A girl explores her Haitian heritage when she visits Auntie Luce, a painter. The aunt describes Haiti's history and their shared family stories. As she paints a portrait of the child, Auntie Luce helps the girl to better understand herself as a daughter of two cultures. Daley's acrylic paintings are lush and vibrant. An appended note provides more about the author's inspiration and Haitian history. Glos.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) YA When the wealthy African American Darcys move in across the street, proud Haitian-Dominican teen Zuri must deal with standoffish younger brother Darius and the reality that the family's move means Bushwick is being gentrified. This lively, innovative Pride and Prejudice retelling starring a fully rounded Afro-Latinx character hits the familiar notes of Austen's Bennet sisters while inventively modernizing the original's commentary about social class.

Reviewer: Christina L. Dobbs | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2018

(2) YA After landing in New York from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Fabiola's mother is detained. Fabiola continues alone to her aunt and cousins in Detroit, where she receives a crash course in cultural differences and learns her family is involved in the drug trade. Throughout the story, Fabiola turns to her Vodou faith to reunite with her mother. Zoboi's YA debut is equal parts gritty and transcendent.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2017

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Aaron Boyd. Traveling from Haiti to America in a small rowboat, Henri loses his parents; saved by another immigrant boat, Henri is eventually brought to New York by his uncle. Through a friendship with neighbor Karrine, who lost her father during Hurricane Katrina, and by playing his water bucket as a drum, Henri slowly regains his voice and joy. Expressive watercolors evoke the emotions of displacement.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(1) K-3 The art world first took note of Jean-Michel Basquiat's graffiti in the late 1970s. He earned a large following and several art shows but was often discouraged by racism. Steptoe's style, similar to Basquiat's with its vivid palette and use of found objects, provides a close impression of the painter's work. Appended notes provide additional information about Basquiat's life and art. Bib.

Reviewer: Lolly Robinson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Leslie Staub. In this gentle story, Haitian American Saya's mother is incarcerated because she has no papers. Danticat's direct, resonant prose doesn't shy away from the realities--telling of the loneliness of missing your mother and the trauma of saying goodbye at the detention facility. Staub's naive-style oil paintings keep the focus on the child; the larger issue of the plight of refugees and immigrants makes the story universal.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(3) YA The Boyers get in a horrific car accident, resulting in numerous severe injuries to the family members. While her mother and father are conscious, Giselle remains in a coma-like state, thinking about life with her beloved twin, Isabelle. Gentle and contemplative, this book focuses more on the internal than the physical, and the experience of pain rather than the surpassing of it.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(4) 4-6 "It is as if we live in two different countries: not America and Haiti, but white Flatbush and black Flatbush. They are just as different, and just as far apart," Bijou says of Alex, a fellow Episcopalian school student in Brooklyn. Despite some uneven pacing, Farrar sensitively depicts two mature seventh graders' sweet relationship and their struggles with race- and culture-based bullying.

Reviewer: Allison Cole

(2) YA Haitian American middle-schooler Karina takes refuge from her violent home by volunteering at a community center. When a same-sex friendship becomes more than platonic, Karina begins to question the lies she told to keep her abusive stepfather out of jail. Karina's biting voice narrates this stomach-churning account of domestic violence. Remarkably nuanced characters give humanity to this emotionally challenging read.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2007

(3) YA This is a fast-paced tale pairing the mounting tension of racial conflict in coastal Mississippi during the summer of 1969 with the approach of Hurricane Camille. Newly arrived from Haiti, sixteen-year-old Ruba is mystified by the religious and racial restrictions she finds; her training in the powerful magic of the African Dahomey women bewilders her new community, too. Historical notes are appended. Reading list.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) YA Changing Face of North America: Immigration since 1965 series. These volumes explore how specific aspects of immigration affect both the United States and Canada. The books provide historical background, include plenty of supporting statistics, and address the impact of terrorism on immigration in the post-9/11 world. The informative but dryly written texts are illustrated with stock photos. There are four other spring 2004 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Changing Face of North America: Immigration since 1965 titles: Refugees, Haitian Immigration, Asylees, and Deported Aliens.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Checkerboard: One Nation series. Each book follows the same formula: brief historical background, reasons for immigrating to America, encounters with discrimination, assimilation into the mainstream, and the contributions of individuals. Family-style photographs augment the simplistic text. A pronunciation guide and a "Path to Citizenship" feature appear in all the volumes. There are four other fall 2003 titles in this series. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Checkerboard: One Nation titles: German Americans, Haitian Americans, Hmong Americans, Jewish Americans, Mexican Americans, and Somali Americans.]

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(2) YA First Person Fiction series. The two books in this new series give narrative life to the American immigrant experience. In both novels, a thirteen-year-old protagonist records in her diary her feelings about, in Flight, leaving Cuba for Miami in 1967 or, in Mountains, leaving Haiti for New York in 2000. The excellence of the writing and the resilient outlook of both first-person fictions set a high standard for this series. [Review covers these First Person Fiction titles: Behind the Mountains and Flight to Freedom.]

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2003

(2) YA Fourteen-year-old Mardi is haunted by nightmares of her final days in Haiti. Life in Brooklyn is not much better: she hides from her family and is harassed at school. Mardi's world is thrown into turmoil when her uncle Perrin joins them in America. Placide shares hints of the remembered horror that Mardi believes Perrin should have prevented. The vivid first-person narrative traces Mardi's credible reclamation of her own self-worth.

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2002