(3) 4-6 In 1950s Texas, U.S. soldier-parachuters enact a takeover of a small town as a military exercise (based on real historical events). In the hubbub, a space alien kid also lands in town. Chapters alternate between perspectives from Pineda -- a half–Cuban American human boy in sixth grade -- and “Luisa” -- the space alien girl so-named by Pineda -- as the two and their friends try to reunite Luisa and her parents. Some details might not pass muster with sci-fi aficionados, but Cuevas’s overall messages of acceptance of those who are different and resistance against injustice are nonetheless welcome.

Reviewer: Monica de los Reyes

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley. Already a college graduate and an instructor at a switchboard operators' school, Grace Banker (1892–1960) "was used to marching in a man's world" when she answered a newspaper ad to join U.S. troops in France as a telephone operator in the army's Signal Corps during World War I. Banker was named chief operator of the first-ever unit of women soldiers; the thirty-three women risked their lives on the dangerous voyage overseas in 1918 and on the front, where they tirelessly relayed orders until the final ceasefire was uttered from Banker's phone. Soon after, she received the Distinguished Service Medal--the army's "highest honor for someone not in combat"--the first and only woman operator to ever do so. Friddell's narrow focus on Banker's twenty months of service highlights an inspiring, little-known story of everyday "girls" (as the text calls them) stepping up to heroically serve their country--despite gender injustices--and making history. The text incorporates, via blue type and speech bubbles, Banker's own words from diaries and interviews, providing readers with a fascinating firsthand account of the experience. Baddeley's attention to historical detail in her ink, acrylic, and digital-media illustrations helps accurately depict potentially unfamiliar, antiquated concepts such as switchboards, dazzle ships, and trench warfare. Black-and-white photographs of Banker and her unit accompany a timeline in the back matter, which also explains their postwar fight to be recognized as veterans by the U.S. government, ­additional facts about operating a switchboard, statistics about these brave women, and a bibliography.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2021

(3) YA Janeczko (Double Cross) revisits the topic of deception as a war tactic in this fascinating, detailed look at the so-called "Ghost Army" during World War II. The unit consisted of sound engineers, actors, camouflage experts, and set designers, who helped create the illusion of fake troop movements using sets, sound effects, and showmanship. A lesser-known WWII story that should enthrall history buffs.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 Adapted from an adult edition, this volume chronicles a rescue by American soldiers of prized horses taken by the Nazis. Letts's immense affection for horses is clear: Lippizaners, Arabians, and their breeders, trainers, and riders are celebrated; war's inhumanity to horses is lamented. Attributions of human thoughts and sentiments to the horses may jar some readers' understanding of equine abilities, but horse-lovers will go along for the ride. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) K-3 Serving our Country series. These high-interest titles provide overviews of the duties of different branches of the U.S. armed forces. Dynamic photographs of sleek equipment should appeal to the young audience. Comprehension is aided by clear texts and controlled vocabulary. Diverse service members depicted in peaceful pursuits are a humanizing counterpoint after descriptions of violent, dangerous activities. Introduces nonfiction conventions, including table of contents and sidebars. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Serving Our Country titles: U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy and U.S. Special Forces

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) 4-6 Medal of Honor series. Montgomery, a Cherokee first lieutenant fighting in Italy during World War II, and Pitts, an enlisted sergeant fighting in Afghanistan are two of approximately 3,500 American soldiers who have been awarded the Medal of Honor. These biographies, accompanied by context-setting sidebars and captioned black-and-white photographs, compellingly relate each soldier's heroic battlefield feats despite injuries, and recount their lives before and after. Bib., glos. Review covers these Medal of Honor titles: Jack Montgomery and Ryan Pitts.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Medal of Honor series. Montgomery, a Cherokee first lieutenant fighting in Italy during World War II, and Pitts, an enlisted sergeant fighting in Afghanistan are two of approximately 3,500 American soldiers who have been awarded the Medal of Honor. These biographies, accompanied by context-setting sidebars and captioned black-and-white photographs, compellingly relate each soldier's heroic battlefield feats despite injuries, and recount their lives before and after. Bib., glos. Review covers these Medal of Honor titles: Jack Montgomery and Ryan Pitts.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(2) K-3 Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. This well-told biography relates how Jackie Robinson stood up for what was right even before he was a baseball star, including a central incident when he refused to move to the back of an army post bus in 1944. It concludes as Robinson breaks baseball's "color line" in 1947. Dramatic, expressionistic gouache illustrations offer a visual narrative that extends the text of this American story. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2018

(3) K-3 Encounter series. Illustrated by Nick Hardcastle. At age sixteen, American Indian Jim Thorpe was sent to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. In spite of adversity, he thrived there as a multi-sport athlete, particularly as the 1912 football team's linchpin in beating--against all odds--West Point's Army team. Straightforward, conversational text and meticulous ink and watercolor art reveal the prowess and importance of this extraordinary athlete. Reading list. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) YA Special Forces series. After stealing a motorcycle, pugnacious high-schooler Daniel is given the option of enlisting in the army as a Special Forces agent fighting a secret mission in Laos during the Vietnam War. Lynch squeezes too many conveniences (e.g., Daniel's supportive high-school wrestling coach is his commanding officer) into this otherwise moving story about family dynamics, war heroics, and maturation under fire.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: US Armed Forces series. Designed for new readers, this series offers rudimentary introductions to branches of the U.S. military. With a boilerplate format, each book describes the specific branch, training, and equipment, and concludes with projections for the future. The large font and colorful photographs create interest and make for easy reading. A basic gear diagram and a few historical facts are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lightning Bolt Books: US Armed Forces titles: Inside the US Army, Inside the US Air Force, Inside the US Marine Corps, and Inside the US Navy.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Fact Finders: First-Person Histories series. These slim volumes feature primary source accounts of the Civil War. Tillie Pierce helped nurse soldiers during the Battle of Gettsyburg, while Susie King Taylor, born a slave, worked with a troop of African American soldiers. The women's recollections are enhanced by an engaging, informative layout containing archival photos and illustrations plus relevant sidebars. Common Core–aligned questions are appended. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Fact Finders: First-Person Histories titles: Memoir of Susie King Taylor and Memoir of Tillie Pierce.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: U.S. Military Branches series. These books for beginning readers provide extremely basic information about two branches of the American military. The texts briefly discuss the various jobs, weapons, and vehicles associated with each service. Every simplistically laid-out spread consists of two to five short, easy-to-read sentences on the left page and a full-page stock photograph on the right. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: U.S. Military Branches titles: The U.S. Army and The U.S. Marine Corps.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Fact Finders: Military Heroes series. Aimed at third and fourth graders, this brief account of African American soldiers' roles during the First World War touches on recruitment of a volunteer regiment in 1916, prejudice and hostility during training, and the regiment's eventual combat in France. Archival photographs and sidebars provide additional insight. "Did You Know?" comments and Common Core–linked questions extend the informative text. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: What You Didn't Know About U.S. Military Life series. Russo presents cursory overviews of branches of military service with insider-y details about what it's like to be in each. Enlistment, physical requirements, special training, housing, weapons and equipment, and special assignments are briefly described in accessible texts aimed at third and fourth graders. Photographs add interest, but odd cropping and busy layouts detract from the presentations. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Edge Books: What You Didn't Know About U.S. Military Life titles: Surprising Facts About Being an Air Force Airman and Surprising Facts About Being an Army Soldier.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Oliver Dominguez. When Dominican American boy Luis's beloved brother, Nico, joins the army "to see the world," Luis begins to paint in the neighborhood alley, creating a mural that mimics his brother's travels. As he worries that his brother will not return, his art brings the neighborhood together in a touching finale. Dominguez's sweeping full-spread illustrations skillfully evoke the tight-knit Latino community and the family's bond. Glos.

Reviewer: Siena Leslie

(4) 4-6 Military Special Forces in Action series. This series briefly profiles special forces units designed to perform difficult and dangerous missions. Each volume provides a history of the unit's origin and its mission, as well as the grueling and strenuous training involved. Brief vignettes relate successful reconnaissance and rescue operations. Military buffs will appreciate the glimpse inside these elite forces. Action photos will draw readers in to the choppy texts. Reading list. Bib., glos, ind. Review covers these Military Special Forces in Action titles: Missions of the Delta Force, Missions of the U.S. Navy SEALs, Missions of the U.S. Air Force Combat Controllers, Missions of the U.S. Army Rangers, Missions of the U.S. Green Berets, and Missions of the U.S. Marine Force Recon.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(2) YA In 1942, Yuki and his siblings, all American citizens, are deported with their mother to the Topaz internment camp. Yet Yuki joins the army because he believes it's the only way he'll "ever be respected in this country." Events, characters, and dialogue create an indelible sense of time and place. Yuki emerges as a true hero during a dark period of American history.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(4) 4-6 Military Special Forces in Action series. This series briefly profiles special forces units designed to perform difficult and dangerous missions. Each volume provides a history of the unit's origin and its mission, as well as the grueling and strenuous training involved. Brief vignettes relate successful reconnaissance and rescue operations. Military buffs will appreciate the glimpse inside these elite forces. Action photos will draw readers in to the choppy texts. Reading list. Bib., glos, ind. Review covers these Military Special Forces in Action titles: Missions of the Delta Force, Missions of the U.S. Navy SEALs, Missions of the U.S. Air Force Combat Controllers, Missions of the U.S. Army Rangers, Missions of the U.S. Green Berets, and Missions of the U.S. Marine Force Recon.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Connect: U.S. Special Ops series. In this short, suspenseful novel, a journalist goes to Afghanistan and finds herself on the run from terrorists. A U.S. Special Forces team is assigned to rescue her. The action-packed hi-lo story (a fictional tie-in to nonfiction titles) is told in brief chapters that skip back and forth in time, sometimes confusingly. "Making Connections" questions are included. Glos.

Reviewer: Jack Forman