The Note Who Faced the Music by Lindsay Bonilla and Mark Hoffmann - ESSENTIAL

The Note Who Faced the Music by Lindsay Bonilla, illustrated by Mark Hoffmann. PICTURE BOOK. Page Street Kids, 2023. $18. 9781645676317

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Half Note is fed up - he isn’t as fancy as quarter notes or eighth notes and he doesn’t have the majesty of the whole note.  So, he decides it is time to take off to find a place of his own. Then the composer is ready to write a new piece of music - and he needs Half Note.  Now every note is scurrying around, hunting for Half Note before he does something really drastic!

Elementary music teachers will love this! I loved it! Such a fun way to introduce the different notes used in music composition and how long each of them lasts. Also includes references to rests and other musical symbols.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Backcountry by Jenny Goebel - OPTIONAL

Backcountry by Jenny Goebel, 224 pages Middle Grade Scholastic, 2023. $9 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

13yo Emily is an outstanding athlete who has just been diagnosed with diabetes. As her world seems upended, she clings to the backcountry ski trip she and her father had planned. Despite her father's fear about the diabetes, they head out only to face a winter storm that separates them. Emily has to figure out how to survive on her own. 

I liked how Emily faces her diabetes diagnosis and the explanation of what she has to do to do deal with it. Diabetic readers will identify with Emily, and her experience can provide empathy for those unfamiliar with it. Emily's challenges in the backcountry just seemed never ending though. She has to deal with the loss of her insulin, a winter storm, her dad's broken leg, falling in a river, hypothermia, wolves, and a potential avalanche situation. It seemed a bit much, but the theme about overcoming challenges, especially diabetes, was nice. Race is never specified, but the art on the cover would indicate that Emily is white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

This is Not My Story by Ryan Uytdewilligen and David Huyck - ADVISABLE

This is Not My Story by Ryan Uytdewilligen and David Huyck. PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, 2023. 9781525303432

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The author has begun to write the story, but the main character is buying any of it. Genre after genre, the two try out different stories, but the character doesn’t feel right in any of them.  Just when they run out of ideas, the character, who is not named Carl, realizes what this particular story is all about.

Uytdewilligen has created a cute picture book about genres. It is fun to see a new one of these every few years. Check your current books of this type and see if you need a new one.

The main character is Black.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Not He or She, I'm Me by A.M. Wild and Kah Yangni - OPTIONAL

Not He or She, I'm Me by A.M. Wild, illustrated by Kah Yangni. PICTURE BOOK Henry Holt & Company (Macmillan), 2023 19 9781250818607 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A nonbinary child goes through their day, doing all the things children do, and reminding the reader that they aren't defined by a pronoun. They are them, or just me. 

There was a disconnect for me which made the book difficult to read. I thought it would rhyme, it's written in lines that look like meter. Sometimes it rhymes other times it doesn't. An actual story was non-existent; the non-binary kid has friends and a loving parent but it didn't really do anything for me. The illustrations were ok. The main character and their mom are illustrated with brown skin. 

Lisa Librarian 

Yetis are the Worst! By Alex Willan - ESSENTIAL

Yetis are the Worst! By Alex Willan. PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2022. $19. 9781665921770

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Gilbert Goblin is worried again - this time about Yetis! Mostly because yetis are even more secretive than goblins - and Gilbert is a little jealous.  Gilbert sets out to find a yeti so that he can prove that goblins are still the best.

Willan has four books in the Are the Worst series now and each of them is winner - fun to read aloud, fun for kids to find the background action that Gilbert misses every single time. Gather all four, if just for story time.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds, Jerome Pumphrey & Jarrett Pumphrey - ADVISABLE

There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey & Jarrett Pumphrey. PICTURE BOOK A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2023. $19. 9781534439443 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

In February 1991, there was a grand opening of the Langston Hughes Auditorium at the Schomburg Center. That's the party for Langston! Jason Reynolds pays tribute to Hughes words and how they inspired two other poets Maya Angelou and Amiri Baraka, who attended that party. 

The Pumphrey brothers' illustrations are fun. They incorporate words into their pictures allowing the readers to spend extra time on each page immersing themselves in the extra text. One illustration (recurring) I especially loved was other black poets leaning out of their books on the library shelves to watch the party. A great introduction or supplement for a class studying Hughes. The characters are African American.

Lisa Librarian 

All Right With the World by Jennifer Adams and Christopher Silas Neal - OPTIONAL

All Right With the World by Jennifer Adams and Christopher Silas Neal. PICTURE BOOK. Harper, 2023. $18. 9780062962485

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Based on the poem Pippa’s Song by Robert Browning. 

Adams and Neal have taken Browning’s poem and tried to update it for a modern child. More a book that a parent might buy to read as a bedtime story.  Browning’s sleepy, idyllic look at the world doesn’t translate well to a book that a child might choose to read and re-read on their own.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

 

Forever Cousins by Laurel Goodluck and Jonathan Nelson - ADVISABLE

Forever Cousins by Laurel Goodluck, illustrated by Jonathan Nelson. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge/Imagine, 2022. $18. 9781623542924 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Amanda and Kara are cousins and best friends. They do everything together. But Kara's family is moving to the Rez. It's hard to say goodbye. And, after the move, they miss each other very much.. Finally it's time for the big family reunion on the Rez. But each girl is worried if the other will be happy to see her. Will being apart change their relationship? 

It's always hard saying goodbye to someone you are close to, and I'm happy that this story is about a temporary goodbye. Jonathan Nelson's illustrations are accurate and it was fun to compare the city version with the reservation view. I loved the author and illustrator's notes giving more context to the Indian Relocation Act, and the ways Indigenous families keep connected, even when they live far apart. The characters are represented as intertribal Native Americans. 

Lisa Librarian 

Linus by Stuart Hausmann - ESSENTIAL

Linus by Stuart Hausmann. PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum (Simon), 2023. $19. 9781665900300

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Linus lives in Linneopolis, where everyone is straight-up, orderly --- and boring. Linus loves color, many shapes, and celebrating. In order to find himself, Linus decides to leave his home and venture into the untidy, colorful world.  Maybe he can convince his town that color and differences doesn’t mean something is bad.

Linus’s message of celebrating differences and allowing others into our lives is heartfelt and adorable. The contrast between black and whites lives in Linneopolis and Linus’s technicolor world are a perfect visual metaphor.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Remember by Joy Harjo and Michaela Goade - ADVISABLE

Remember by Joy Harjo and Michaela Goade, PICTURE BOOK Random House, 2023. $19. 9780593484845 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Based on a beautiful poem by poet laureate Joy Harjo, a child is encouraged to remember the moon, the stars and the sky, her parents, and all the things the earth provides. She is also connecting with her ancestors and looks toward the future. 

Sometimes the text and illustrations of a picture book are perfectly complementary, and this is a fine example. It was as though a wave of colors images and ideas were embracing me as I read. Oh, I wish I had more knowledge about Indigenous culture, I'm sure I missed a lot, as there were symbols memories, and allusions throughout. Certainly buying a copy for my library. The illustrations and setting are based on traditional art and stories of Indigenous People. 

Lisa Librarian 

Blood! Not Just a Vampire Drink by Stacy McAnulty and Shawna J.C. Tenney - ESSENTIAL

Blood! Not Just a Vampire Drink by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Shawna J.C. Tenney. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Godwin Books (Macmillan), 2022. $19. 9781250304056

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The Vampire walks into the smoothie shop for a little blood to end his day.  However, the server behind the counter tells him all about how important blood is for humans, instead. 

McAnulty has taken something as basic as blood and turned it into fun! I would have loved this as my text for any science class on any level! She has such a talent for turning information into something intriguing.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Middle School and Other Disasters: Worst Love Spell Ever! by Wanda Coven and Anna Abramskaya - HIGH

Middle School and Other Disasters: Worst Love Spell Ever! by Wanda Coven, illustrated by Anna Abramskaya, 322 pages. Middle Grade, Simon and Schuster, 2023 .$15 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Heidi is at Kettledrum Academy, a boarding school that caters to witches-in-training and nonmagical kids alike. Heidi is totally enamored with Hunter "McCutie" and wonders how she can cast a love spell to get him to notice her since she thinks of herself as boring and invisible. What could go wrong? 

True confession: I almost didn't get past the first few pages. There are so many words all in caps and an overabundance of exclamation points. However, if you can channel your inner middle school angst that most of us try to smother with a pillow, it's actually pretty relatable to the target audience. The book does bring up some real issues, like why being yourself is important and that perhaps all first crushes don't work out and that's ok. So while you can practically hear girl screams about boys in your head, it would actually be a fun read for tween girls. Culture or race is never specified. 

Michelle in the Middle 

City Spies: Mission Manhattan (City Spies #5) by James Ponti - ESSENTIAL

City Spies: Mission Manhattan (City Spies #5) by James Ponti, 423 pages. Aladdin Paperbacks, (Simon and Schuster), 2024. $19 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Book five in the City Spies series shines some love on 13yo Rio, who is a skilled street magician on top of being one of the City Spies. The group of spies travels to Venice, Italy to protect a teen environmentalist during a demonstration and her speech to the UN conference. When Rio spots a bomb, he is hailed as a hero, but finds that there are a lot of sinister powers in play. 

Another engaging spy novel that will suck you in. There are a lot of characters to root for, and the Venice and Washington, DC settings make it even cooler. Yes, the young spies seem almost superhumanly gifted, but who wouldn't want to be them? Plus Cairo's mom, who seems to be the City Spies' enemy, is lurking in the shadows and figures to play a bigger role in the future. I shall anxiously await further missions! City Spies represent a variety of ethnicities. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung and Hanna Cha - ESSENTIAL

The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung, illustrated by Hanna Cha, PICTURE BOOK Henry Holt & Company (Macmillan), 2023. $19. 9781250820587 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

A child's mother tells him a story that takes him on a journey to two different culture's dragons - because that child has the magic of both dragons in them. 

Hanna Cha's illustrations are absolutely gorgeous! I pictured myself along the paths of both forests, sat with the wise women and marveled at the dragons. The story is sweet, revealing other important pieces of the dragon stories: bogs, hobgoblins, treasure and nine-tailed foxes, a white rabbit, and the moon goddess. I want to read it again and again. The main character is mixed European and Asian.

Lisa Librarian

Fox Has a Problem by Corey R. Tabor - ADVISABLE

Fox Has a Problem by Corey R. Tabor. EARLY READER. HarperCollins, 2023. $18. 9780063277915 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When Fox uses a very large fan to get his kites out of the trees, he causes a problem for Bear, then Rabbit and soon all the animals are mad at him - and his kites are back in the trees. 

I'm so glad Tabor keeps bringing Fox back! These easy readers are a lot of fun, with silly situations and clever solutions, made so much more delightful through Tabor's illustrations. 

Lisa Librarian

Wild Animals (Bookscape) by Ingela Arrhenius - OPTIONAL

Wild Animals (Bookscape) by Ingela Arrhenius. BOARD BOOK. Chronicle, 2022. $9. 9781797215570

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Arrhenius has created such a cute concept with these shaped board books. This one looks at a few of our wild animal friends. I would look the entire Bookscape series and choose the ones that appeal to you most.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

 

Construction Site: Spring Delight by Sherri Duskey Rinker and A.G. Ford - ADVISABLE

Construction Site: Spring Delight by Sherri Duskey Rinker and A.G. Ford. LIFT-THE-FLAP BOARD BOOK. Chronicle, 2022. $13. 9781797204314

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

All of the construction trucks are working hard and as they do, they each see the signs of spring.

Construction equipment at work is always a big draw for little readers. Good for an Easter basket or other springtime fun.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Mixed Up by Gordon Korman - OPTIONAL

Mixed Up by Gordon Korman, 244 pages. Middle Grade Scholastic Press (Scholastic), 2023. $18 

Language: G (no swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Reef and Theo are completely different people, living in different towns. But lately, their memories seem to be playing tricks on them. Reef has flashes of memories that aren't his, and Theo recognizes a school he's never been to before. As they gain new memories that aren't theirs, their own are fading. Reef can't bear losing his memories of his mother. Finding each other and a solution becomes a race against time before their memories slip away forever. 

Reef and Theo are both experiencing their own difficulties. Theo has an overbearing father who wants Theo to be something he isn't, and Reef is grieving the death of his mother and living with a family who has taken him in and their son who bullies him, so it has some heavy themes mixed in with the memory loss. As long as you can suspend your disbelief at the premise, it makes for an interesting read and begs the question of how important memories are, even the bad ones, and what you'd do to get them back. Characters default white.

Michelle in the Middle 

Monsters Never Get Haircuts by Marie- Lelene Versini and Vincent Boudgourd - OPTIONAL

Monsters Never Get Haircuts by Marie- Lelene Versini and Vincent Boudgourd. PICTURE BOOK Boxer Books (Union Square), 2023. $19. 9781914912733 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Children do a lot of things, like get their hair cut wear shoes and go swimming. Monsters do none of these things. 

My initial response to Monsters Never Get Haircuts was, "wow, I bet this was translated". It just kinda doesn't work. It was originally published in France. Sometimes these titles published outside the US seem odd to an American audience. The text might make fun drawing prompts for an art class even though some of the actual illustrations were a stretch (translation issue or illustrator disconnect?). Not giving it a "no" but barely not. 

Lisa Librarian

Rock Your Mocs by Laurel Goodluck and Madelyn Goodnight - ADVISABLE

Rock Your Mocs by Laurel Goodluck, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight. PICTURE BOOK HarperCollins, 2023. $20. 9780063099890 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

It's Rock Your Mocs Day, and Indigenous Nations are celebrating by wearing their moccasins. Different nations use different words to express their styles, designs, or what they are made from, and children honor their cultures in various ways. 

I loved so many things about this wonderful picture book. The children wore modern clothing - sweats, shorts, hoodies and were participating in things like skateboarding, playing in the park, walk to school. And, there were nods to their cultural traditions as well. A perfect blend of today and connections to their past with the moccasins. The illustration and the text identify many different Native and First Nation cultures. Includes author notes with more information about Rock Your Mocs Day, Moccasins, and Indigenous Children.

Lisa Librarian

The Bad Little Book 3: Your Time Has Come by Magnus Mst - OPTIONAL

The Bad Little Book 3: Your Time Has Come by Magnus Mst, 171 pages. INTERACTIVE Delacorte (Random House), 2023. $11 

Language: G (0 swears);  Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The Little Bad Book is back again and needs a reader who is gutsy enough to travel through time with him and possibly face down the Time Wolf. 

 The art really is stunning; it's vibrant and well laid out. As an interactive book, it is nonlinear and jumps around a lot. There are puzzles to solve that lead the reader to different pages. It's not an in-depth read, but it can be fun to solve the puzzles with the story. 

Michelle in the Middle

Crack-Crack! Who is That? by Tristan Mory - OPTIONAL

Crack-Crack! Who is That? by Tristan Mory. LIFT-THE-FLAP BOARD BOOK. Twirl (Chronicle), 2022. $10. 9782408033583

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Five eggs are waiting to be opened.  Who will you find inside each one?

Lift-the-flaps are always fun - and this time the book comes with a built-in handle.  

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Meet Me on Mercer Street by Booki Vivat - ADVISABLE

Meet Me on Mercer Street by Booki Vivat, 192 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Scholastic Press (Scholastic), 2024. $13 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Kacie Sitthiwat is a soon to be 6th grader and an aspiring artist. Life seems as uneventful as ever in her boring neighborhood, but then things start to change. Her best friend, Nisha, and her family disappear and the adults in town seem on edge. Kacie decides to investigate with her sketchbooks and observational skills. 

Change affects all of us and can be overwhelming when it seems out of our control. Kacie is an engaging character and I found myself cheering for her and the residents of Mercer Street,. This is a delightful read with a great message, and the residents of Mercer Street represent a nice cross section of cultures. 

Michelle in the Middle

Pretty Ugly by David Sedaris and Ian Falconer - OPTIONAL

Pretty Ugly by David Sedaris and Ian Falconer. PICTURE BOOK. Toon (Astra/Boyds Mill), 2024. $19. 9781663665271 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Anna Van Ogre does all the things good little ogres do. She stomps on flowers, and talks with her mouth full, but her favorite thing to do is make scary faces (which for an ogre are cute faces like a bunny). Her mother hates these faces and warns her to be careful or she might get stuck that way. One day, she makes the scariest face of them all - that of a little human girl - and it gets stuck. Now she's pretty ugly. 

Pretty Ugly is a great concept. Anna lives in a community of ogres and everyone, even the doctor is horrified by her new ugly face. However, her solution is pretty gruesome. I found the final illustrations of Anna rather disturbing - I'm sure they were meant to be funny, but I don't want to share this book with my granddaughter. Take a look before you buy. 

Lisa Librarian

Give by Jen Arena, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell - ESSENTIAL

Give by Jen Arena, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell. PICTURE BOOK Alfred A. Knopf, 2023. $19. 9781524714994 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When a girl loses her hair ribbon, a boy gives her the ribbon from his gift box. The girl gives what she can to the next person who needs it, and on and on, creating a beautiful circle of giving kindness. 

The simple text and rich oil illustrations work together beautifully. For me, this was an impactful reminder to give, whether it's giving when someone has less or giving comfort. The children and adults were illustrated with diverse ethnicities. 

Rachel, Elementary Library Specialist 

Honeybee Rescue: a backyard drama by Loree Griffin Burns, photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz - ESSENTIAL

Honeybee Rescue: a backyard drama by Loree Griffin Burns, photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, $17. 9781623542399

BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3), EL - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

When Mr. Connery found that some of his bees had swarmed to a nearby rickety garage, he called Mr. Nelson, a local bee rescuer.  Together the two men worked over a long, hot day to transfer the honeycomb and the bees to new frames for a new hive box.

If I taught elementary school, I would snap this book up in a hot minute!  Bees are already intriguing and Burns’s book feels even more intimate.  My husband keeps bees and I am astounded that Mr. Nelson handles the bees as he does without a bee suit - this whole operation is so interesting.

The people in the photographs are white.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

What Happened to You? by James Catchpole and Karen George - ADVISABLE

What Happened to You? by James Catchpole and Karen George .PICTURE BOOK. Little, Brown and Company/Poppy, 2023. $17. 9780571358304 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A little boy is playing at the park when another child shouts "You've only got one leg" and asks "what happened to you?" Instead of telling, Joe asks what they think, and all the other kids start shouting ideas - all of which are wrong and Joe simply says "no." Eventually the other kids start playing with Joe and realize it doesn't matter what happened. 

Originally published in England, Catchpole, who has a similar disability, teaches a great lesson about manners, and empathy. I liked the cute illustrations with all sorts of multicultural kids. Joe's facial expressions are my favorite. Also includes a letter to the adults, about how to handle a curious child who may be asking personal questions, and helps them through an awkward situation. 

Lisa Librarian

Hustle Bustle Bugs by Catherine Bailey and Lauren Eldridge - ADVISABLE

Hustle Bustle Bugs by Catherine Bailey, illustrated by Lauren Eldridge. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Little Brown, 2022. 978075557406

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Bugs and insects are an important part of our Earth. Bailey quickly sketches some of the ways different bugs work in a rhyming text, then adds more detailed information in a sidebar. Eldridge’s multimedia illustrations are the real star of the book.  I love the detailed afterword she gives about her process - and glad that the publisher included it. I will probably buy this just for my art teachers to use with students.

The girls in the book are black.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Mayor Good Boy Turns Bad Dave Scheidt, illustrated by Miranda Harmon - OPTIONAL

Mayor Good Boy Turns Bad by Dave Scheidt, illustrated by Miranda Harmon, 202 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL RH Graphic Random House, 2023. $13 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

10yo Abby is becoming increasingly irritable with her family. Turns out she is not the only person experiencing frustration. Mayor Good Boy might have an evil brother wreaking havoc on the town. Perhaps Abby and her brother can put aside their differences to help. 

While the art is catchy and colorful, the story is pretty straightforward without any surprises. There was a lot of farting and pooping references that didn't add to the humor. This is a fast read and the message that it's okay to make mistakes is good. If you are a fan of the series, read on about a dog who always tries to do his best.

Michelle in the Middle

How to Go Hiking by Jean Reagan and Lee Wildish. - OPTIONAL

How to Go Hiking by Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish. EARLY READER Random House Children's Books, 2023. $6 9780593644775 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A boy and his uncle are going on a hike. They will need to pack snacks, binoculars, and a first-aid kit. As they hike up the hill, they see hungry baby birds, play tag together like squirrels, and cross a stream. When they get to the top, they realize Uncle has a blister. Good thing they have a first aid kit! 

I enjoyed the simplicity of this level 2 Step Into Reading book with its large, low-level text. I like that it shows a non-traditional family. (The boy, his mom, and uncle live together.) The illustrations are bright and engaging. I did think the close-up foot blister was a little gross and unnecessary. The main characters are illustrated with dark hair and olive skin. 

Rachel, Elementary Library Specialist 

It takes Guts by Jennifer Gardy and Belle Wuthrich - ESSENTIAL

It takes Guts by Jennifer Gardy and Belle Wuthrich, 137 pages. NON FICTION. Greystone Kids, 2021. $20

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (Just talks about what happens inside your body. There are no real pictures); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS, ADULT - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Gardy walks you through step by step what happens in your body when you eat. First, it gave an overview of all the different organs that are in your digestive system. Then talked about how food moves through your esophagus. Then it explained how your stomach turns food into chyme. After, it explained the process of throwing up during a retroperistaltic wave. Lastly, it talked about the small and large intestine. 

I really like how clear Gardy made things and broke down the information. It also had good illustrations and diagrams. Lastly, I liked the author’s writing style.

Student Reviewer: SR, 9th Grader Reviewer

All Are Welcome : Welcome Back! by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman - ADVISABLE

All Are Welcome : Welcome Back! by Alexandra Penfold Suzanne Kaufman. EARLY READER Random House Children's Books, 2023. $6. 9780593430040 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

All are welcome at school! After summer vacations, kids will come to school to try, have fun, and be kind. Penfold touches on first-day-of-school feelings, what to expect, and welcoming everyone. Kaufman's illustrations show kids of diverse abilities and ethnicities on their first day of school. 

This Step Into Reading level 2 reader has large, low-level text. I am excited to read and discuss it with my younger grades at the first of the school year. 

Rachel, Elementary Library Specialist

Shipwrecked! by Martin W. Sandler - ADVISABLE

Shipwrecked! by Martin W. Sandler, 144 pages. NON FICTION. Astra Young Readers, 2023. $25

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Sandler explains many major shipwrecks from history. First, the Antikythera shipwreck was found by sponge diving. Next, the Cape Gelidonya shipwreck was found on the coast of Turkey. The Shinan shipwreck had lots of porcelain in it. The Mary Rose shipwreck was a ship used by King Henry VIII. It also told the story of the Sao Jose Paquete De Africa which was a slave ship taking slaves to be traded. It went on to explain lots of other shipwrecks and the technology that has been developed.

I liked that Sandler talked about a variety of shipwrecks and showed how the technology improved. I also liked all the pictures and diagrams that were included. One thing I didn’t love is how each wreck had a chapter, but at the end, there were a bunch of short excerpts of other wrecks but no conclusion.

Student Reviewer: SR, 9th Grade Reviewer

I Am Happy by Michael Rosen and Robert Starling - ADVISABLE

I Am Happy by Michael Rosen illustrated by Robert Starling. PICTURE BOOK Candlewick Press, 2023. $15 9781536231281

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A cute puppy is very very happy. He is so happy that he swings on swings, skips through puddles, and many more fun happy things. Can this puppy be this happy all day? 

As I read I Am Happy!, I couldn't but help crack a smile with all the joyful antics of the cute little puppy. The reader may reflect on ways they could lighten their own mood. The illustrations dance with gleeful colors and emotions. 

PGPowers

Greeking Out by Kenny Curtis, Julian Hughes and J. Espila - ADVISABLE

Greeking Out: Epic retellings of Classic Greek Myths by Kenny Curtis and Julian Hughes, illustrated by J. Espila, 191 pages. National Geographic (Disney), 2023. $20

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Fighting against mythical creatures with some blood in pictures but not a lot)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Many of the myths of Greek Gods have been told however, this story is easy to read and exciting. We go from the beginning of the Titans and Olympians fighting and how they then become Gods. After we go into every story of the Gods and what made them special.

I have never been a mythology person, however, this book was so good at explaining the story and symbols in a fun way. The writing made sense and I didn't want to put the book down. I loved how it went in time and the order of the stories made it so I understood who everyone was and made it so I wasn't so lost.

All main characters had special amazing abilities.

Student Reviewer: Sarah- 9th Grade