(2) YA When Noah returns from summer camp to learn that her two best friends have each had their first kiss with a boy, she worries about being left behind in this new phase of development. Luckily, Jessa, her best friend from camp and a recent transplant to her town, fits right in with Noah's tight-knit friend trio, but even Jessa doesn't seem as lost as Noah when the conversation fixes on endless boy analysis. Noah develops a scientific plan to step up her boy game: choosing a target, telling her friends, spending time with said boy, flirting, "group hangs," and finally kissing. The selection of the target isn't difficult: Archie volunteers with Noah at the animal shelter; his family adopted her favorite pit bull rescue; and he seems nice, although nothing special. But is Jessa onto Noah's scheming? And is she...hurt by it? This enjoyable first-love tale features a charming small Canadian town under assault from a tasteless designer, the star of reality TV's Rural Refresh (who turns out to be Jessa's mom). Noah's big sister, Brighton, whose model relationship with her boyfriend shows Noah what a real partnership should feel like, offers her discretion "if there was ever anything you wanted to tell me." Readers, too, will be more clued in than the protagonist, who figures out her feelings for Jessa later than just about everyone else, but the ending is extra sweet for all that, allowing middle schoolers gay, straight, and questioning to enjoy this age-appropriate story without any of the heavy baggage that coming-out narratives can sometimes entail.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Wallace West. Three-legged Chance is at the top of the pack at Dogtown--an animal shelter where she has a glowing reputation among dogs and humans alike. She's known for quickly settling the new "boo-hoo" pups as they adjust to life without their beloved owners, and she charms the managers into letting her cozy up under the staff poker table: "She makes everyone feel like her favorite," says a shelter volunteer. Then, Chance finds herself on an unexpected adventure back in the outside world, alongside Metal Head (a quirky dog that is actually a robot) and her friend Mouse (an actual rodent). While the threesome searches for Metal Head's human family, Chance's protective poise begins to waver--just like every abandoned boo-hoo in Dogtown, Chance still harbors the painful hope that she might find a missing-dog sign with her own picture on it. Accompanied by friendly, cartoonlike halftone drawings, this canine slice-of-life adventure features a confident, affable narrator with a proclivity for doggy jargon (the cutest dogs at Dogtown get "First Cage" where they can flaunt their "Adopt-me Routine"). Short chapters and Chance's snappy narration keep the pace rolling, but Applegate and Choldenko adeptly make space for gently poignant moments along the way. An accessible, appealing romp that provides a dog's-eye view of the nature of hope, belonging, and found family.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(2) YA Twelve-year-old Lawrence is in a losing season of his young life. Due to his father's incarceration, Lawrence, his mom, and his little sister relocate from their home in Charlotte to rural North Carolina to live with his strict, no-nonsense grandmother. Then he's expelled from his predominantly white school for fighting. Feeling bullied and betrayed, Lawrence starts volunteering at the Carver Recreation Center in order to keep busy and get out of the house. There he meets Deuce, a possible nemesis, and Twyla, a crush who gets him interested in learning chess. When the opportunity to return to Charlotte as part of a chess team comes up, it could be just the thing to turn around his current losing streak. Giles (Take Back the Block, rev. 7/21) gives readers another memorable character in Lawrence, a relatable middle schooler who feels misunderstood and alone but finds support in his community. Chess becomes a metaphor for life as he learns to navigate his current challenges. A sensitive yet joyful narrative about redemption, the story also nods to issues such as inequitable disciplinary practices in schools; the negative impact of incarceration on families; racism; and classism. The importance of caring adults and of working through conflict are highlighted in this well-written story about a boy who deserves a win.

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

(1) YA This follow-up graphic memoir to Hey, Kiddo (rev. 9/18) is aesthetically similar to its predecessor but altogether different in subject and scope. Krosoczka chronicles his time at age sixteen volunteering at Camp Sunshine, a camp for pediatric cancer patients and their families. Jarrett's assignments are one-on-one time with thirteen-year-old Diego and intermittent check-ins with the Orfao family, who are there with Eric, a lively young camper with leukemia. Diego's health is in decline, resulting in his use of a wheelchair and his reluctance to attend camp, but through a shared love of superheroes (drawn on command by Jarrett), a connection is made. Similarly, Jarrett grows close to Eric Orfao and his siblings and mother. Joyful camp moments (campfires, fishing, arts and crafts) alternate with earnest conversations regarding mortality, faith, and personal struggles--and the tragic reality that not every camper will reach adulthood. Krosoczka's illustrations--using a lively holding line colored with orange, yellow, and gray washes, and panel layouts--actively contribute to the heartfelt storytelling, effectively expressing changes in perspective, mood, and significance. Chapter dividers provide artifacts such as letters, photographs, and drawings, etc.; appended with an epilogue and an author's note.

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2023

(1) K-3 Our narrator explains, with great enthusiasm and gusto, how "every Wednesday, we come together in this little kitchen" to prepare a communal meal for all who are hungry. Meal prep begins with "what we've got": veggies (some quite imperfect) from the urban garden; whatever's in the fridge ("OH!--Dunno what this is, but it's GOTTA GO!"); day-old bread; "beans from the food bank? Third week in a row! But it's what we've got, we'll use 'em somehow." A sense of effervescent improvisation pervades the tale, through its cookery details and the text's rhythm and design. We see frequent shifts between main text and dialogue, with speech bubbles barely containing the conversational chatter and even intersecting during "cooperative overlap" (a.k.a. interrupting). Yummy sound effects abound--the rewarding, drawn-out "Slurp" near the end contains six Ss, six Ls, four Us, five Rs, and four Ps, all uppercase and of varying sizes. The illustrations themselves, "done with a nib and ink" and colored digitally, feature sure-handed black outlines, comics-style, around characters of all ages, shapes, races, religions, abilities, and genders, each of whom exudes vibrancy, warmth, individuality, and purpose. It's no surprise that, per the appended note, the story is based on Tamaki's experiences volunteering at a community kitchen in a gentrifying neighborhood--with the joyful safe space of the dining room as succor for the longtime denizens: "See you next week!" The endpapers include recipes for vegetable soup (front) and apple crumble (back--because dessert!).

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(3) 4-6 Orca Footprints series. An unusual book about urban innovations, full of engaging color photos from different countries, including many from the author's Canadian hometown of Victoria, British Columbia. Young people will get ideas for projects they could recreate in their own neighborhood--murals, street libraries, community gardens, knitted decorative tree coverings, and more--and may even be inspired to get involved in local politics. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) YA Boston boy Robin (born in Kolkata and adopted by wealthy white parents) joins a service trip to India to help survivors of human trafficking; biracial Kat, temporarily living in Boston following a sexual assault, goes too. Alternating chapters explore Robin's journey to learn more about his birth parents and Kat's healing through helping other victims. Well-rounded secondary characters deliver moments of levity and emotional support for the protagonists.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(4) 4-6 After getting into trouble at school, thirteen-year-old Jamie finds her community service assignment less punishment than pleasure when she connects with staff, patrons, and the mission of her local library. Every quirky character's history is touched upon, but none are given much depth. The plot moves slowly toward a sweet but expected conclusion in this unabashed paean to public libraries.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Flor reluctantly agrees to participate in her hometown's Honey Festival pageant, competing alongside her former-friend-turned-enemy, Candice. Despite some family drama, it isn't the terrible summer Flor imagined; an elderly townsperson teaches her how to "bee beard" for her pageant talent, and she and Candice find common ground. This sweet and gentle story's quirky bee theme allows for the inclusion of some fascinating bee facts.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) 4-6 This sequel to The Perfect Score picks up the next fall as the five kids who cheated on a standardized test are made to volunteer at the senior center. The co-narrators have new goals, including reuniting an estranged pair of mother-daughter teachers. Fans may be pleased to be reacquainted with this likable group, but a slow pace and superficial exploration of myriad issues probably won't win new ones.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) 4-6 Hoops series. The WNBA-player author's new series features seventh grader Elle, who's six feet tall. She's destined to play basketball--which she does and loves--but Elle is also a normal kid, juggling basketball with other obligations and fretting about her height and its impact on her life. Elle is a likable character: a little clumsy, a little goofy, but a good role model for girls. Review covers these Hoops titles: Elle of the Ball, Full-Court Press, and Out of Bounds..

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Swirl series. This season-themed series serves up relatable middle-school dramas involving a crush kept secret from a friend (Pumpkin), a crush on a friend (Peppermint), and having to cooperate with a frenemy (Cinnamon). But there are also richer community-focused subplots, such as saving an animal shelter from closing in Cinnamon. These quick novels invoke warm-and-fuzzy feelings, just like their namesake treats. Review covers these titles: Cinnamon Bun Besties, Pumpkin Spice Secrets, and Peppermint Cocoa Crushes.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(2) YA In small-town Montana, recently returned young veteran Gabriel is the subject of (pacifist) Twyla's senior-year community service assignment. She begins assisting him with a secret project: using ammunition to build a massive mosaic symbolizing the destruction and loss of war. When Twyla enters the mosaic in a contest, it becomes a lightning rod for war-related hatred. Berkhout's YA debut is a timely, heartfelt coming-of-age story.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Bianca Diaz. Spending time with an older neighbor, a boy named Wilson daydreams of "one day" fixing up her house, which has fallen into disrepair. The determined Wilson shares his ideas with his whole community. The payoff comes when "one day" arrives, and readers discover that Wilson was not just daydreaming but thoughtfully putting a plan into action. Diaz's sunny mixed-media art mirrors the collaborative spirit of the story.

Reviewer: Minh Lê | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(3) 4-6 Mallory series. Illustrated by Jennifer Kalis. Mallory decides to make Thanksgiving extra special by running a food drive for needy families at her school. The project, while well-intentioned, causes unexpected conflict within Mallory's friend group and the whole school. Creative problem-solving and teamwork prevail, and the students' hard work leads to a successful project. An as-usual amiable installment, twenty-eighth in the series; includes black-and-white spot art and tips for community service.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(4) YA Nearly a year after the death of his younger sister Evie, who had Down syndrome, Vancouver teen Munro is still hearing the voice of "the Coyote" in his head--a manifestation of his crushing guilt. Munro's parents agree to his spending six months in Australia on a student exchange program to help clear his head. Authentic, intense emotion (occasionally veering toward melodrama) drives the story.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Tammie Lyon. After learning about the concept of tikkun olam (doing good deeds to repair the world), Rosie sets out to accomplish a list of "Save-the-World" tasks. But while aiding others, she ignores numerous help requests from her family. Rosie eventually learns that good deeds start at home. Rosie's enthusiasm comes across in cheerful, colorful illustrations that enhance a slightly drawn-out story.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 1-3 Animal Planet Adventures series. Illustrated by Bryan Langdo. Word puzzles (Zoo) and a riddle (Puppy) are featured in two mild mysteries, both involving missing animals. Scattered throughout the stories are single- and double-page spreads of photographs and facts about habitat, animal care, veterinarians, zoo employees' duties, and more. Full-color cartoon illustrations accompany the fictional stories. Review covers these Animal Planet Adventures titles: Zoo Camp Puzzle and Puppy Rescue Riddle.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA Julie, who's suffering from an unknown trauma, is volunteering in New Orleans with her "suffocating" Christian youth group. After she bolts into Mid-Summer Mardi Gras and takes up with a handsome local banjo player and his crew, wandering leads to healing and whirlwind romance as a tropical storm draws closer. A wild, sensitive, and vibrant love song to New Orleans, Shakespeare, and adolescence.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Brooke Boynton Hughes. The Bumpus family gathers for Cat and Mr. Henry's Christmas Day nuptials. Cousins Willow and Delia are excited about baking for the wedding and helping at the food pantry's pancake breakfast. When a blizzard strikes and desserts go missing, Delia and Willow try to avert dual disasters. Corresponding recipes and sweet black-and-white illustrations garnish this third treat in the series.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges