Melissa McAvoy

Denise, Christopher. Knight Owl. Christopher Denise, Illus. Picture Book. Ottaviano, 03/2022. [42]pp. $17.99. 978-0-316-31062-8. OUTSTANDING. GRADES PRE-2. Since the day he hatched, Owl has dreamed of becoming a knight. Richly colored illustrations, lavishly filled with medieval [continue reading]

Castrovilla, Selene. Seeking Freedom: The Untold Story of Fortress Monroe and the Ending of Slavery in America. E. B. Lewis, Illus. Non-Fiction. Calkins Creek, 01/2022. [44]pp. $18.99. 978-1-63592-582-1. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 1-5. In forty pages, Castrovilla reshapes our [continue reading]

Reese, Jenn. Every Bird a Prince. James Firnhaber, Illus. Fiction. H. Holt, 05/2022. 304pp. $16.99. 978-1-250-78344-8. ADDITIONAL. GRADES 4-7. Ever since seventh grade started, Erin, who is white, has felt like she is on a [continue reading]

Harvey, Jeanne Walker. Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas. Loveis Wise, Illus. Biography. HarperCollins, 02/2022. 40pp. $18.99. 978-0-06-302189-1. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 1-3. Alma Thomas loved being outside, soaking up the sparkling colors [continue reading]

Balcárcel, Rebecca. Shine On, Luz Véliz!. Fiction. Chronicle, 05/2022. 332pp. $17.99. 978-1-7972-0967-8. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 4-6. Luz divides her life into before and after. She used to be a soccer star, tightly bonded to her [continue reading]

Yee, Lisa. Maizy Chen’s Last Chance. Fiction. Random, 02/2022. 288pp. $16.99. 978-1-9848-3025-8. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 4-7. Who knew that leaving fast-paced, diverse L.A. to spend the summer in sleepy Last Chance, Minnesota would result in the [continue reading]