(3) K-3 Illustrated by Karen Ritz. On Sadie's family's vacation in Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, she projects her own fears onto her carefree younger brother Benjamin. As Sadie gains confidence, a thunderstorm provides her an opportunity to comfort Benjamin when he truly becomes scared. Warm watercolor illustrations capture regional wildlife and flora, as well as the family enjoying simple outdoorsy pastimes together.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Karen Ritz. With soft illustrations on almost every page, the first-ever first lady is presented as a gracious hostess and a selfless helpmate to George. Beyond that, little about her own life and personality is included--the emphasis is on the historic events of the emerging United States. A period portrait of young Martha Custis (Washington), an afterword, and a timeline are included.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Karen Ritz. Ben, who stutters, is reluctant to talk, but he courageously speaks up--stutter and all--to save a friendly but ineffective guard dog from the pound. Lears tells Ben's story with a light touch, and the illustrations are expressive, if occasionally awkward. The book lists helpful organizations and includes a note explaining "myths about stuttering."

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) 4-6 Creative Minds Biography series. Illustrated by Karen Ritz. This biography tells the story of the nineteenth-century Native American leader Ely Parker, who grew up on a Seneca Indian reservation but later moved into the white world to practice law, defend the rights of his people, and serve as a U.S. Army general. His story is told in a readable though somewhat dry text, which is accompanied by dark, static illustrations. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Karen Ritz. Stephen, always being told in school to "sit still" and "pay attention," notices a Canada goose near his home with a steel trap around its leg, the chain dragging behind it. Stephen helps free Mr. Goose in this simple story of patience and perseverance illustrated with occasionally ill-proportioned but realistic watercolors. An author's note discusses attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, though no mention of it is made in the text.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Creative Minds Biography series. Illustrated by Karen Ritz. Despite an unattractive cover, this biography of Sarah and Angelina Grimké is an engaging read. Born into white Southern privilege in 1792 and 1805, respectively, the sisters became social activists for abolition and women's rights. Both women braved danger and scorn by speaking out publicly and traveling throughout the country with their message. Adequate black-and-white drawings accompany the well-written text. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(2) K-3 Without ever saying what autism is (beyond "Ian's brain doesn't work like other people's"), Ian's older sister Julie details his peculiar interactions with his surroundings as they walk to the park. Low-key watercolors casually offset Ian's idiosyncrasies with Julie's frustration and impatience. The unsensational tone is maintained to the end when Julie realizes that she appreciates Ian simply for who he is.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.