Bunce, Elizabeth C. Myrtle, Means, and Opportunity: A Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery. Myrtle Hardcastle Mysteries. Algonquin, 10/2023. 368pp. Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-64375-314-0. Paper $8.99. 978-1-5235-2428-0. GRADES 5–8. ADDITIONAL. When her beloved governess inherits a Scottish castle, Myrtle acquires two problems to solve: investigate the possible murder of Miss Judson’s [continue reading]
Melissa McAvoy
Run and Hide Review
Brown, Don. Run and Hide: How Jewish Youth Escaped the Holocaust. Don Brown, Illus. Clarion, 10/2023. 192pp. Graphic. Trade $22.99. 978-0-3585-3816-5. GRADES 7–12. HIGH ADDITIONAL. The heartbreak, violence, and destruction caused by Nazi Germany is immeasurable, but Brown’s focus on the Jewish children swept up in the [continue reading]
Blood Years Review
Arnold, Elana K. Blood Years, The. Balzer + Bray, 10/2023. 400pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-0629-9085-3. GRADES 8–12. OUTSTANDING. Even those uninterested in history will be gripped as the child Frederieke grows to womanhood in the shadow of an idolized, egotistical sister, all while facing [continue reading]
What’s a Germ, Joseph Lister? Review
Alexander, Lori. What’s a Germ, Joseph Lister?: The Medical Mystery That Forever Changed the Way We Heal. Daniel Duncan, Illus. Clarion, 10/2023. 144pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-3585-3817-2. GRADES 5–7. OUTSTANDING. Bloody and butchering was how Joseph Lister described his job as a surgeon, and in the [continue reading]
How to Spacewalk Review
Sullivan, Kathryn D. How to Spacewalk: Step-by-Step with Shuttle Astronauts. Michael J. Rosen, Illus. Addl. Creators Michael J. Rosen. Mit Kids, 4/2023. 45pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-5362-2621-8. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL. Readers hear from astronaut Kathryn [continue reading]
Geology Review
Schaefer, Lola M. Geology. Druscilla Santiago, Illus. Hands-On Science. Charlesbridge, 10/2023. [38]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $16.99. 978-1-62354-244-3. GRADES Kindergarten–2. OUTSTANDING. How often are authors able to make a science book, especially one about geology, exciting and [continue reading]
Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn, The Review
Pla, Sally J. Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn, The. Quill Tree, 07/2023. 336pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-326879-1. GRADES 6–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Rising eighth-grader Maudie loves spending summers with her dad, Pedro, in Northern California. At home, her belittling mom, angry stepfather, and rigid behavioral [continue reading]
Ploof Review
Clanton, Ben. Ploof. Ben Clanton, Illus. Addl. Creator Andy Chou Musser. Tundra, 09/2023. 56pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-77488-192-7. GRADES Baby/Toddler–Preschool. ADDITIONAL. Ploof is a friendly cloud full of feelings who needs the reader’s help. Big-eyed and puffy, Ploof mostly floats on a blue watercolor background. Questions [continue reading]