Wynter, Anne. Nell Plants a Tree. Daniel Miyares, Illus. Harper Collins/Brazer & Bray, 01/2023. 40pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-0-06-286577-9. GRADES Kindergarten–3. OUTSTANDING. Long ago, Nell planted a seed and now a pecan tree has grown, providing a special place for her large and loving family [continue reading]
Jenny Andrus
Aniana Del Mar Jumps In Review
Mendez, Jasminne. Aniana Del Mar Jumps In. Penguin / Dial, 03/2023. 384pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-0-593-53181-5. GRADES 5–9. OUTSTANDING. This engaging novel in verse gives voice to Aniana Del Mar, a strong and believable twelve-year-old adapting to life with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. An array of [continue reading]
Story of the Saxophone, The Review
Cline-Ransome, Lesa. Story of the Saxophone, The. James E. Ransome, Illus. Holiday House, 02/2023. 40pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-8234-3702-3. GRADES 1–4. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Before there were saxophone greats like Dexter Gordon and Charlie Parker, there was a young Belgian named Joseph-Antoine Adolphe Sax who created a [continue reading]
Fergus and Zeke for President Review
Messner, Kate. Fergus and Zeke for President. Heather Ross, Illus. Fergus and Zeke Series; bk. 4.Candlewick, 05/2023. 56pp. Reader. Trade $15.99. 978-1-5362-1831-2. GRADES 1 – 3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. This is the fourth book in the Fergus and Zeke series. These early chapter books follow two mice [continue reading]
Mr. Lincoln Sits for His Portrait Review
Marcus, Leonard. Mr. Lincoln Sits for His Portrait: The Story of a Photograph That Became an American Icon. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 01/2023. 128pp. Biography. Trade $19.99. 978-0-374-30348-8. GRADES 6 – 8. HIGH ADDITIONAL. This well-documented account focuses on the depiction of Abraham Lincoln through paintings [continue reading]
Animal Heroes: Supermoms! Review
Lang, Heather. Animal Heroes: Supermoms! Jamie Harper, Illus. Candlewick, 03/2023. [32]pp. Non-Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5362-1797-1. GRADES Kindergarten – 2. ADDITIONAL. Supermoms can be found all over the animal world. This informational title uses fast-moving, flowing narrative text to show many different animal moms taking care of [continue reading]
Green Piano Review
Flack, Roberta. Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music, The. Hayden Goodman, Illus. Addl. Creators Tonya Bolden; Anne Schwartz, 01/2023. [36]pp. Biography. Trade $18.99 978-0-593-47987-2. GRADES Kindergarten – 2. OUTSTANDING. As a beautiful tribute to finding a love of music in childhood, Roberta Flack shares memories of [continue reading]
Simon Sort of Says Review
Bow, Erin. Simon Sort of Says. Disney / Hyperion, 01/2023. 305pp. Fiction. Trade $16.99. 978-1-368-08285-3. GRADES 6 – 8. ADDITIONAL. Simon and his family (seemingly white) move to the National Quiet Zone (for radio telescopes) where his mom runs the funeral home and his dad [continue reading]