Book Reviews
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Crenshaw
In her first novel since The One and Only Ivan, winner of the Newbery Medal, Katherine Applegate delivers an unforgettable and magical story about family, friendship, and resilience.
Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There’s no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again.Crenshaw is a cat. He’s large, he’s outspoken, and he’s imaginary. He has come back into Jackson’s life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?
For Readers 8-12.
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Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy
From New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Misty Copeland comes an illustrated nonfiction collection celebrating dancers of color who have influenced her on and off the stage.
As a young girl living in a motel with her mother and her five siblings, Misty Copeland didn’t have a lot of exposure to ballet or prominent dancers. She was sixteen when she saw a black ballerina on a magazine cover for the first time. The experience emboldened Misty and told her that she wasn’t alone—and her dream wasn’t impossible.
In the years since, Misty has only learned more about the trailblazing women who made her own success possible by pushing back against repression and racism with their talent and tenacity. Misty brings these women’s stories to a new generation of readers and gives them the recognition they deserve.
With an introduction from Misty about the legacy these women have had on dance and on her career itself, this book delves into the lives and careers of women of color who fundamentally changed the landscape of American ballet from the early 20th century to today.
For Readers 8+.
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The Boring Days and Awesome Nights of Roy Winklesteen
Most people waste the night sleeping. As for the rest, they know better.
According to nightlifer Roy Winklesteen, daylifers have no idea what they’re missing.
So, when a 2 a.m. glance out his bedroom window reveals a neighbor is hiding a secret of mythic proportions, Roy’s summer break looks a lot more exciting. Seeking a cure for being the most ignored kid in all of fifth grade, Roy knows an awesome adventure will surely get him noticed in middle school.
He watches and waits for the perfect time to move in for a closer look at the mysterious man who lives one street over. Roy’s spy mission doesn’t go as planned. Still, he manages to gain access into his neighbor’s world–where mind-blowing inventions are more common than furniture and fighting crime involves transforming criminals into bumbling fools smothered in questionable goo.
Every night with the neighbor brings Roy one step closer to the most daring adventure of his life. But even if he survives, he can never tell anyone about it.
From author Sally Dill for Readers 8-12.
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Sir Princess Petra’s Talent: Book 2
Sir Princess Petra has already proven she is a kind and noble knight. This, however, does not please the king and queen—they want her to behave like a princess and forget this silly knight nonsense of hers!
But when the king writes a new rule in the royal rule book that requires her to attend Talent School and acquire a princess talent certificate or suffer the spell of the royal magician, Petra and her funny dragon steed, Snarls, reluctantly, agree to go. But who could have guessed what Sir Princess Petra’s Talent would be?
By author Diane Mae Robinson for Readers 7-11.
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IDIOT GENIUS Willa Snap and the Clockwerk Boy
Nancy Drew meets Steampunk!
Join Willa Snap and her cat, Grayson, on their first big adventure in Grandeur, a city filled with scientists whose ideas are too dangerous to remain Outside.
The mystery begins when a Clockwerk Boy from one of Grandeur’s strange neighborhoods warns Willa she’s in danger—but winds down before he can explain. Grandeur’s as full of secrets as it is inventions: tour the city from the air in a glass-bottomed MiniDirigy, ply its streets from the comfort of a steam-powered rhinoceros cab, or grab a quick bite at the Jolly Rajah Man-o’-War o’ Pancakes—where the french toast is always delicious, and the sea battles are epic. Quick’s the word and sharp’s the action . . . there’s not a moment to lose.
Perfect for fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society, Percy Jackson, Neil Gaiman, and the Artemis Fowl series, this action-packed adventure will take you to places you’ve never imagined, but always wanted to visit.
From author Richard Due for Readers 8-12.
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What’s My Superpower: Discovering Your Unique Talents
He wants to save humanity but hasn’t found his powers. Can one young boy unlock his hidden gifts and help his household of heroes?
Deshaun Prime longs to join in his daring family’s superhero feats. But while Dad is really strong, Mom is lightning-fast, and Sister can fly, he has no idea what his own abilities could be. And though he’s tried to copy their amazing skills… nothing seems to work!
Scared he doesn’t have a special gift; Deshaun takes his parents’ advice to simply do whatever comes naturally. And when he remembers his love for math and construction, his fingers start to fly as he builds a mighty robot!
Will Deshaun’s clever brain be the secret to helping his superpowered relatives save the world?
From authors Delanada Coleman, Terrence Coleman and illustrated by Bowen Jiang for Readers 8-12.
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Target Practice: (Cleopatra in Space #1) A Graphic Novel
A funny, action-packed graphic novel featuring a young Cleopatra who’s transported to the future and learns it’s up to her to save the galaxy.
When Cleo finds a mysterious tablet that zaps her to the far, really far future, she learns of an ancient prophecy that says she is destined to save the galaxy from the tyrannical rule of the evil Xaius Octavian. She enrolls in Yasiro Academy, a high-tech school with classes like algebra, biology, and alien languages (which Cleo could do without), and combat training (which is more Cleo’s style).
With help from her teacher Khensu, Cleo learns what it takes to be a great leader, while trying to figure out how she’s going to get her homework done, make friends, and avoid detention!
From author Mike Maihack for Readers 8-12.
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Sophie Washington: Code One
GIRL POWER!
Xavier Academy is having a computer coding competition with a huge cash prize!
Sixth grader Sophie Washington and her friend Chloe can’t wait to enter with their other classmates, Nathan and Toby. The only problem is that the boys don’t think the girls are smart enough for their team and have already asked two other kids to work with them.
Determined to beat the boys, Sophie and Chloe join forces with classmates Mariama, Valentina, and “brainiac,” Rani Patel, to form their own all-girl team called “Code One.” Computer coding isn’t easy, and the young ladies get more than they bargain for when hilarious mishaps stand in their way.
It’s girls versus boys in the computer coding competition as Sophie and her friends work day and night to prove that anything boys can do girls can do better!
From author Tonya Duncan Ellis for Readers 8-12.
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Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Real-Life Tales of Black Girl Magic (Volume 4)
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Real-Life Tales of Black Girl Magic, edited by award-winning journalist Lilly Workneh with a foreword by #BlackGirlMagic originator CaShawn Thompson, is dedicated to amplifying and celebrating the stories of Black women and girls from around the world; features the work of over 60 Black female and non-binary authors, illustrators, and editors; is designed to acknowledge, applaud, and amplify the incredible stories of Black women and girls from the past and present; and celebrates Black Girl Magic around the world.
Amongst the women featured from over 30 countries are tennis player Naomi Osaka, astronaut Jeanette Epps, author Toni Morrison, filmmaker Ava DuVernay; aviator Bessie Coleman, Empress Taytu Betul, journalist Ida B. Wells, and many other inspiring leaders, champions, innovators, and creators.
For Readers 6 and up.
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Super Puzzletastic Mysteries: Short Stories for Young Sleuths from Mystery Writers of America
Bestselling author Chris Grabenstein and the Mystery Writers of America bring together twenty peerless puzzles—from bestselling authors such as Peter Lerangis, Stuart Gibbs, Lauren Magaziner, Kate Milford, and, of course, Grabenstein himself—in an anthology of mystery short stories that invite readers to try to unravel the riddles themselves.
From tales of hapless superheroes and stolen squirrel monkeys to murderous triplets and haunted basements, these thrilling, puzzling, and hilarious cases have one thing in common—YOU get a chance to be the detective before the author reveals the solution.
With twenty never-before-published mystery stories, this collection will leave young detectives sleuthing for more!
For readers 8-12.
