(2) 4-6 Tessa, thirteen, is spending the summer in a small town in Wyoming, staying with her aunt, uncle, and cousins and going to art camp. Right from the get-go she is thrown into an eerie situation in which elements from a campfire ghost story she once invented to amuse her friend Colette seem to be playing out in the real world. The mystery and tragedy of Colette's recent death in an accident; Tessa's struggles with anxiety; middle-grade staples such as the mean girl and the sullen, more sophisticated cousin; and the sheer shivery fun of an urban legend commingle in a highly readable, convincing, and gripping narrative. This is a companion volume to Tornado Brain (rev. 9/20), a novel told from the point of view of Tessa's twin sister, Frankie (who reappears here). Together the tales create a rich stereo effect as we combine Frankie's take on the world--that of a young woman on the autism spectrum--with Tessa's somewhat more typical but still particular and detailed perspective. However, the story also works effectively as a standalone ­narrative, as author Patrick is adept at neatly filling in backstory. Crisp dialogue, subtle characterization, a sprinkling of romance, liberal handfuls of humor, and clever mystery plotting add up to a very satisfying read.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(3) K-3 National Park Explorers series. These books describe basic features of U.S. national parks for younger elementary-aged readers. Engaging photographs of landscapes and animals appear throughout; short sentences and large-size type convey information about each park's indigenous plants and wildlife, along with details about the climate and land formations. A simple activity is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these National Park Explorers titles: Badlands, Big Bend, Grand Teton, and Rocky Mountain.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 First Facts: U.S. National Parks Field Guides series. These image-heavy volumes introduce young readers to major features of each national park, functioning as accessible travel guides. Engaging photographs accompany brief information about landmarks including geysers, canyons, and suspension bridges, along with brief overviews of wildlife and weather. Maps included. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these First Facts: U.S. National Parks Field Guides titles: Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(1) YA Former U.S. Congressman Norman Mineta, who shares his childhood experiences at Heart Mountain Internment Camp, is the heart of this book about Japanese American internment during WWII. Warren smoothly moves from her subject's personal experiences to incorporate the larger picture of the 120,000 people interned across the U.S. Warren leaves much to ponder about our nation's past and present, about "this beautiful tapestry that is America." Reading list, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(3) 4-6 Survivor Diaries series. When twelve-year-old twins Ashley and Ryan are caught in an avalanche on a skiing trip in Wyoming's Grand Teton Mountains, Ashley's quick-thinking and instinctual decision-making help them survive. On a sixth-grade geocaching field trip in New Mexico, former best friends Jen and Martin must rely on each other when they're separated from their class during a dust storm. These well-paced and easy-to-read wilderness stories integrate real survival techniques; region-specific tips are also appended. Review covers these Survivor Diaries titles: Avalanche! and Dust Storm!.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(2) YA Rivers's unsettling second-person-perspective novel immerses readers in the experience of sixteen-year-old protagonist Elyse, flying home from a school trip in Paris when the plane terrifyingly crashes into a mountain. The rest of the story has an increasingly disorienting, dreamlike feel as Elyse and the only other survivor, her longtime crush Josh, recover in Wyoming. As Elyse less-than-lucidly wrestling with grief and her sanity, readers will ruminate on loss, fate, and death.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(3) 4-6 Margarita's family moves from New Mexico to Wyoming so Papá can find railroad work during the Great Depression. Margarita misses home, but her curiosity and resourcefulness allow her to help her family financially, form new (and complex) friendships, and fight against bigotry both subtle and overt. Strong, intelligent Margarita is easy to root for in this quiet, satisfying historical story. An author's note adds context. Glos.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(4) K-3 National Park Explorers series. Two-page chapters highlight the most basic facts about national parks in this simplistic, succinctly written series for beginning readers. Many high-quality photographs enhance the superficial content ("Sunset at the Grand Canyon is a special time. Watch the sun sink below the beautiful rocks!"). While adequate as introductions, young nature lovers will want more information. An activity is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following National Park Explorers titles: Death Valley, Everglades, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, and Yosemite.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: The Dino Files series. Illustrated by Mike Boldt. Aspiring paleontologist Frank visits his grandma at the Dinosaur Education Center of Wyoming, where a fossilized egg hatches adorable dinosaur Peanut. Frank and bratty cousin Samantha must keep Peanut a secret--first from a greedy neighbor and then from a film crew. Dinosaur enthusiasts will dig the Jurassic Park–lite premise, but trite dialogue and weak characters may bore others. Cartoonish illustrations add appeal. Review covers the following Stepping Stone titles: A Mysterious Egg and Too Big to Hide.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: The Dino Files series. Illustrated by Mike Boldt. Aspiring paleontologist Frank visits his grandma at the Dinosaur Education Center of Wyoming, where a fossilized egg hatches adorable dinosaur Peanut. Frank and bratty cousin Samantha must keep Peanut a secret--first from a greedy neighbor and then from a film crew. Dinosaur enthusiasts will dig the Jurassic Park–lite premise, but trite dialogue and weak characters may bore others. Cartoonish illustrations add appeal. Review covers the following Stepping Stone titles: A Mysterious Egg and Too Big to Hide.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: The Dino Files series. Illustrated by Mike Boldt. To avoid the press after photos of their dinosaur, Peanut, surface online, future paleontologist Frank, his fame-hungry cousin Sam, and Frank's dad take Peanut camping and discover a Nothosaurus, a prehistoric water reptile. Despite some illogical character motivations, this third book is an action-packed romp full of prehistoric creature facts; exaggerated cartoon illustrations add visual variety for new chapter-book readers. Glos.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 4-6 Preserving America series. This series provides an in-depth look at the history, development, and biological and geological formation of America's national parks. The information is well organized and presented in erudite text. Maps and large, gorgeous photographs of landscapes and wildlife appear prominently in otherwise understated layouts. An appendix in each volume provides further information on animals and planning a visit. Websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Preserving America titles: Badlands National Park, Big Bend National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) YA A follow-up to End Times, this Rapture-themed apocalyptic novel focuses on the romantic relationship between Daphne, whose visions have gained her a reputation as a prophet, and Owen, whose fellow Children of the Earth threaten Daphne's community. Some plot weaknesses aside, the novel does a credible job of building dramatic and romantic suspense leading up to the end of days.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 When Jake and Taylor's depressed mother ends up in the hospital after being beaten by her abusive boyfriend, the boys run away. By train and truck, they travel from Pittsburgh suburbs to Wyoming and track down their outdoorsman father, but not without a good deal of convenient adult intervention. Wallace's knowledge of wilderness survival (tips appended) outweigh his writing skills, but the adventure has heart.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(2) YA When thirteen-year-old Tyson's grandfather invites him to go hunting in Wyoming's Bridger-Teton National Forest, he sees it as his chance to prove himself a man. But the combination of an inexperienced boy, a sickly seventy-seven-year-old man, and a killer grizzly bear reported in the park is a dangerous one. Gebhart crafts a satisfyingly complicated realistic drama that will hold readers in its grip.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2014

(2) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Jade's parents have shipped her off to Wyoming to visit her aunt. The first friend Jade makes there, Roy (who worships Butch Cassidy), insists she help him rob a bank so his parents can reopen their hardware store. Hilmo's small-town setting is affectionately portrayed, as are her characters--all of whom turn out to have hearts of gold.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2014

(4) YA Daphne and Owen both find themselves in Carbon County, Wyoming, just as ominous events seem to suggest an impending biblical apocalypse. Why and how destiny brought these two together at this pivotal moment in history is a main theme of this grippingly paced series-launch. Unfortunately, clunky and clichéd writing mars what could be a promising premise.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) YA Unearthly series. Clara (Unearthly; Hallowed) and her angel-blood friends, now freshmen in college, seek out their divine missions. Angela becomes pregnant and worries she's now failed in her purpose; Clara's loyalty to BFF Angela supports several dramatic twists. The well-developed love triangle among Clara, fellow angel-blood Christian, and human Tucker comes to a head in this final installment.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) YA Unearthly series. In Unearthly, part-angel Clara misinterpreted visions about her divine purpose, to unforeseen consequences. Overwhelmed by new revelations--such as her father's identity and her mother's impending death--Clara is still unsure about her true purpose (and whether she will accept it). Clara's romantic dilemma between human Tucker and fellow angel-blood Christian has depth, and her determination to make her own destiny is engaging.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(2) YA Gay student Matthew Shepard's murder stunned the University of Wyoming community in October 1998; Gay Awareness Week was about to begin, with Newman the keynote speaker. Sixty-eight poems in varied forms present a range of voices--the fence, the doctor, stars--in this "historical novel in verse." Newman's language serves the voices well, the poems always simple, accessible, and moving. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2012