(2) 4-6 Yang's (Front Desk, rev. 7/18; Three Keys, rev. 11/20) pandemic-set tale, based partly on her own experiences, focuses on a biracial Chinese American expat family in January 2020. Impulsive middle-child Knox Wei-Evans, ten, is filled with dread when he, his siblings, and their high-powered banker mother relocate to the Bay Area while his best friend--his father--stays in Hong Kong. Drama ensues as the kids struggle to fit in at school, Knox is diagnosed with ADHD, and the family's finances become precarious when Mom loses her job. The Wei-Evanses also experience several instances of racism, such as bullying in the form of "coronavirus tag" and accusations of being "virus carriers." Yang presents these incidents in a realistic way and defuses them by emphasizing the importance of educating others and speaking up. Despite the serious subject matter, Yang includes plenty of humor, with wry observations about Zoom schooling and the kids' efforts to "help out" with a garage sale and LinkedIn job hunt. Knox's experience with ADHD is portrayed with nuance and empathy. Some quibbles aside (the plot can feel a bit forced, and Yang largely skirts the mainland China–Hong Kong political conflict), this is a strong and timely novel about a family weathering adversity. An author's note is appended.

Reviewer: Michelle Lee | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2022

(3) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Olivia pounces when given the opportunity to audition for Kids' Week on Jeopardy! Not only could she win money for her newly unemployed mom, but the finals are in California, where her dad (whom she hasn't seen in two years) now lives. This poignant story will resonate with kids coping with divorce. Characters are well developed; secondary characters are particularly memorable.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Stef Choi. In her third book, Ruby is eager to take pup Elvis to obedience school. Unfortunately, when her dad loses his job, dog school is out of the question. Leavening the seriousness of her family's money worries is Ruby's talent for getting into trouble. New illustrator Choi's art is more cartoony than previous volumes, but still, Ruby and company are as comfortably familiar--and entertaining--as ever.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2011

(2) YA Before Mahalia was born, seventeen-year-old Matt and his girlfriend Emmy defended their decision to keep the baby, telling Emmy's parents, "We'll just love it, okay?" Five and a half months later, Matt is struggling to care for Mahalia alone after Emmy gives up and leaves town. Horniman poignantly conveys Matt's love for his baby, his longing for Emmy's companionship, and his frustration with being an unemployed single father.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2003

(4) K-3 Duncan's fisherman father, jobless because of the depletion of the cod stock, spends his days watching TV and baking. Not wanting to leave their Newfoundland home, Duncan suggests converting their fishing boat to a floating bakery. The text is somewhat awkward and figures in the paintings sometimes seem wooden, but this quiet story deals with a family crisis realistically and respectfully.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. In this upbeat yet touching story set in the Depression, a boy and his father develop a bond of understanding when they learn each other's secrets--the father has lost his job, and the boy has become a "newsie" (who gets to see a real Yankee game one day with Babe Ruth's help). Widener's illustrations evoke the ambiance of the period in this book that is carefully paced and remarkable for its unified focus.

Reviewer: Mary M. Burns | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 1999