(2) K-3 Translated by Helen Mixter. Illustrated by Jiu Er. The motif of an orphaned wild creature taken and raised by humans is a classic trope, here embodied in a realistic story about a baby moose adopted by the hunter who had inadvertently killed the calf's mother. The setting is, matter-of-factly rather than exotically, contemporary Inner Mongolia, and the hunter, a kind old man who names the moose Xiao Han, Little Moose. Xiao Han's growing size (and hunger!) provides plenty of gentle slapstick humor as he becomes increasingly too much for the hunter and his reindeer herd; the hunter's encroaching mortality offers an additional emotional layer. Watercolor and charcoal pictures--some sepia-toned, some delicately colorful--are plentiful and detailed, with a good variety of picture sizes, from small homey vignettes, several to a page, to double-page spreads showing the magnificence of the (sometimes comical) beast and the breadth of the forest landscape.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2020

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Mónica Armiño. Based on a true story, this imaginative fictionalization follows a Pacific Northwest wolf telling his own story from birth, along a one-thousand-mile journey with hazards and setbacks aplenty, to the eventual establishment of his own pack. The novel is generously illustrated with precise black-and-white wildlife drawings and includes a map and substantial back matter (on the real wolf OR-7, wolf behavior, and other animals). Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis

(2) 4-6 Billy discovers that his long-absent dad has a job that's both dangerous and noble: tracking down poachers who are killing threatened wildlife. His father sets his sights on a rich hunter who wants to kill both a Montana grizzly and a Florida black panther. This pulse-pounding environmentalist adventure story features nuanced characters and enduring themes about family, the environment, and the ends justifying the means.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(3) 4-6 Witches of Benevento series. Illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Ten-year-old Rosa resists being restricted to nineteenth-century domestic duties and secretly trains to compete with the boys in Benevento's annual wild boar hunt. Conversely, her twin brother Emilio refuses to participate in this display of bravery and secretly learns to read. This new volume, tidily illustrated by Blackall, continues the gentle adventures and community spirit of an ancient Italian village shaped in equal parts by magic and tradition. Historical notes are appended.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) YA Illustrated by Rovina Cai. Bathsheba lives in a futuristic whale society that has adopted many customs of seafaring humans; they explore, hunt, and use ship-building technology. Led by Captain Alexandra, the pod "hunt[s] for a legend, a myth, a devil": Toby Wick, a human whale-killer. Their fantastical, violent quest is infused with Ness's powerfully made allusions to Moby-Dick and richly illustrated with Cai's swirly, atmospheric art.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Jessell. An unnamed hunter sips coffee in the chill of the pre-dawn morning. As the sun rises, he goes out into the forest. But when he finds his prey, he is mesmerized by its beauty and chooses not to shoot. The spare text is complemented by large, realistic illustrations tinged with blue or black (night scenes) or orange hues (daytime), which create a tone of reverence.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 1-3 Read & Bloom series. Illustrated by Eric Wight. In these two new early chapter books, a prehistoric boy deals with everyday emotions and social challenges. In Adventures, a frustrated Caveboy breaks his club playing "baseskull" but makes a new friend. In Bored, Caveboy hunts mammoths with his younger sister. The stakes are never high, but well-placed digital illustrations capture emotions and add some humor to the easy texts. Review covers these titles: The Adventures of Caveboy and Caveboy Is Bored!.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. A lyrical tale of a medieval child's day hunting with her falconer father and their hawk is illuminated by lavishly detailed acrylic-gouache illustrations. The simple text (with a rhyming "This is the..." construction) is supplemented with extensive sidebars explaining the sport of falconry and raptor behavior and an appended historical note. An underrepresented subject executed with skill and care. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Jessica Bushore

(3) 4-6 Kai dreams of being a hunter but is shunned by his prehistoric village for his clubfoot and friendship with the wolves who nursed him. He decides to raise an orphaned pup, but a string of misfortunes forces Kai and Uff to leave the village and fend for themselves. A warm, genuine boy-and-wolf bond develops naturally as both mature through their ongoing partnership.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) YA Fourteen-year-old Mercer dreams of training raptors like his falconer father, but he's never really given much thought to other animals--including the dogs his mother performs medical research on. When Mercer meets Lucy, a beautiful girl whose parents are devoted animal-rights activists, he begins to examine his own complicated beliefs. The ancient tradition of falconry gives this authentic coming-of-age story a unique angle.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) K-3 Great Outdoors series. These simply written primers on outdoor recreation succeed in introducing young readers to each experience, including the equipment and clothing required for the sport, general instructions, safety and emergency procedures, and the best venues or locales for it. Color photos with descriptive captions and question-and-answer sidebars complement the brief but informative texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Great Outdoors titles: Canoeing, Duck Hunting, Rock Climbing, Camping, Freshwater Fishing, and Hiking.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(2) K-3 While hunting, Mr. Bobbin can't stop himself from warning the animals. The result is more A Sick Day for Amos McGee than Bambi. The gently worded text is so benign that the illustrations' peaceful soft blues, greens, and tans feel appropriate--guns may be a startling sight in a picture book, but the full package is the opposite of scary.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: February, 1962; November, 2016

(1) 4-6 Birchbark House series. In this fifth entry, Ojibwe boy Makoons, his twin Chickadee, and their warm multigenerational family make a new life on the Great Plains. Throughout, there are poignant moments, including a sense of foreboding as buffalo begin to disappear. Soft black-and-white drawings accompany this finely crafted corrective to the Eurocentric narrative of America's past. A note on the Ojibwe language and pronunciation guide appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Monica Edinger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2016

(4) K-3 Photographs by Brent Stapelkamp. Photographs by Cecil the lion's former "keeper" elevate this text, which refreshingly focuses on Cecil's life and not his tragic death. Particular attention is paid to his unusual alliance with a rival to share their territory. While sometimes heavy-handed, the book may spark discussion about conservation and hunting. Back matter includes facts about lions, the Hwange National Park, and the aftermath of Cecil's death.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) YA Eurona Duology series. Hunters from the five lands of Eurona compete to slay the monstrous beast terrorizing Lochlanach, which some believe is punishment for oppressing the magical Lashed Ones. The winner will marry the eldest princess, redheaded Aerity, who's drawn to angry, secretive hunter Paxton Seabolt. Romantic yearning brews beneath scenes of hunting and athleticism in this duology-starter inspired by the Grimms' "The Singing Bone."

Reviewer: Amy Bennett-Zendzian

(2) YA Sensory details transport readers to 1970s Birch Park, Alaska. Escaping abuse and neglect, Dora finds a haven in Dumpling's family's fish camp. A few stolen nights with Ray Stevens lands Ruth scared, alone, and pregnant on a bus to Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow. Four distinct first-person narrative voices breathe life into the adolescent protagonists, whose engaging individual stories are enriched by their intersections.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2016

(3) 4-6 This fifty-fifth anniversary edition features a new tribute by Newbery Medalist Clare Vanderpool, a reproduction of Rawls's "Special Message for Those Who Want to Be Writers," a one-page biographical essay from 1985, and a reproduction of the original jacket art.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Phil McAndrew. In this goofy graphic novel, Caveboy Dave and his cohort have reached their coming-of-age as hunters, but Dave has more ideas for inventions than he has muscles. Scatological humor and STEM concepts abound, and the kids achieve success--their way. The characters are familiar (the wimp, the overachieving girl, the golden boy), but entertaining dialogue and skillful illustrations keep the book feeling fresh.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Brian Floca. Aging wolf Nashoba struggles to find fresh game for his pack; thirteen-year-old Casey, who plays a video game incessantly, receives a bow and arrow set. These two stories come in direct contact. Avi switches perspective between Nashoba and Casey, building the tension and raising a multitude of questions in this thought-provoking allegory. Naturalistic pencil illustrations enhance the classic-feeling tale.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(3) 4-6 SportsZone: Hunting series. These books delve into hunting for sport and food, reviewing the types of weapons and techniques most effective with different animals; Bowhunting focuses on techniques, purpose, and safety procedures. Hunting aficionados will find these books informative and exciting ("Thwack! The arrow finds its mark"). Photographs and sidebars enhance the texts. There are three other spring 2015 books in this series. Reading list. Glos, ind. Review covers these SportsZone: Hunting titles: Bear Hunting, Bowhunting, and Duck Hunting.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg