(3) K-3 Illustrated by Susan Gal. A white teacher shares a childhood memory with his students about the time his Black friend was turned away from a birthday party because of racism. A quiet act of allyship becomes a lifelong promise to make everyone feel welcome. Loose pencil, ink, and watercolor illustrations lend the story a sketchlike intimacy that mirrors its emotional depth. The author’s note adds moving context, showing how small moments can spark lasting change.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jo Weaver. This slim, profusely illustrated book (first published in the UK) introduces a small group of Middle Eastern refugees adrift at sea in a small broken-down boat. Rami, a young man clutching a violin case, plays his instrument and shares a legend about its creation. Weaver's haunting art in a monochromatic palette of greenish-black perfectly complements the sad yet sometimes hopeful tale.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Susan Meyer. Twelve-year-old Scarlet (who's biracial) is powerfully bonded to her (white) autistic half-brother, Red, and constantly strives to keep their bipolar mother functional. When a fire in their London apartment separates the siblings into different foster homes, Scarlet determinedly searches for Red. Much is packed into this little novel, but the depth of emotion carries the day. Full-page framed illustrations appear intermittently.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) 1-3 Puppy Academy series. Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Pip wants to be a service dog, but his penchant for chasing balls might be his downfall. Aspiring surf-rescue dog Murphy is a star in water-rescue training but loses his confidence in the ocean. The amusing books set at the Sausage Dreams Puppy Academy feature large fonts, short sentences, plentiful black-and-white illustrations, and endearing canine characters. Facts about each kind of working dog are appended. Review covers these Puppy Academy titles: Murphy and the Great Surf Rescue and Pip and the Paw of Friendship.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Susan Meyer. "Spirit Child" for rebel fighters in the Congo, scarred Imara knows not to show weakness. When the rebels capture a baby gorilla for the exotic pet trade, it falls to Imara and fellow child Bobo--captured while searching for his missing park-ranger father--to keep it alive. An overwrought ending slightly mars this gripping look at the environmental and human costs of war.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 1-3 Puppy Academy series. Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Pip wants to be a service dog, but his penchant for chasing balls might be his downfall. Aspiring surf-rescue dog Murphy is a star in water-rescue training but loses his confidence in the ocean. The amusing books set at the Sausage Dreams Puppy Academy feature large fonts, short sentences, plentiful black-and-white illustrations, and endearing canine characters. Facts about each kind of working dog are appended. Review covers these Puppy Academy titles: Murphy and the Great Surf Rescue and Pip and the Paw of Friendship.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Marc Scheff. This illustrated memoir follows seventeen-year-old Shelley Gill's travels with her beloved dog, Gabe, whom she adopted while volunteering at the 1972 Rainbow Gathering. Scheff's lush, romantic illustrations (in pencil and Photoshop) fill each page, capturing the turbulence of the times as well as Gabe's intensity. Gill's story is unique, but her subject and tone seem well beyond the intended audience. A brief historical note is appended.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Neil Numberman. Inspired by TV superheroes, sand shark twins Flip and Fin decide to heroically return a beach ball to the shore--where they don't get quite the reception they expect. Eventually they decide it's the ball people are afraid of, not them. A general goodhearted goofiness pervades both the story and the action-packed cartoon illustrations in Flip and Fin's second book. Sand shark facts are appended.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) 1-3 Puppy Academy series. Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Scout, a German shepherd puppy of police-dog parents, aspires to catch Frank Furter, notorious sausage stealer. Border collie Star dreams of being National Sheepdog Champion like her mother. Hopefully the Sausage Dreams Puppy Academy can help both. The amusing books will capture young readers with large fonts, short sentences, plentiful black-and-white illustrations, and entertaining canine characters. Police (Scout) and rescue (Star) dog facts included. Review covers the following Puppy Academy titles: Scout and the Sausage Thief and Star on Stormy Mountain.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 1-3 Puppy Academy series. Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Scout, a German shepherd puppy of police-dog parents, aspires to catch Frank Furter, notorious sausage stealer. Border collie Star dreams of being National Sheepdog Champion like her mother. Hopefully the Sausage Dreams Puppy Academy can help both. The amusing books will capture young readers with large fonts, short sentences, plentiful black-and-white illustrations, and entertaining canine characters. Police (Scout) and rescue (Star) dog facts included. Review covers the following Puppy Academy titles: Scout and the Sausage Thief and Star on Stormy Mountain.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Alessandro Gottardo. This complex narrative contrasts twelve-year-old Tam's austere village in the highlands of Laos with the bustling city life he ventures into to support his family. Bears are respected in his village, but Tam's boss in the city treats them cruelly and profits from them. Lewis's writing is flecked with natural imagery and nudges readers toward compassion. The black-and-white digital illustrations don't add much.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) PS Puppy Fergus begins a question-and-answer dialogue with his mom. "What should I be when I grow up?" he asks. So begins his repeated query to canine friends, each of whom offer advice to the pup: be playful, helpful, charming, quick, among other characteristics. Doggie-filled color illustrations picture an idealized cast of characters. "Next Steps" offer activities to extend the predictable narrative.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(2) PS A little boy puts on his winter gear and heads outside to play on a snowy day. His imagination soon takes over: making a snow angel leads to building a snow companion that plays with him and helps him build a snow castle. The boy's snow creations--shown in blue-and-white-hued oil illustrations--are otherworldly, yet seem entirely within the scope of his imaginative play.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2014

(3) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Ferrell learns of a dark family secret (a cannibalistic ancestor) after a new kid in town blackmails him. Ferrell and his best friend (and crush), Mary, slowly learn to accept their intersecting family histories with grace and humor. Two competitive sled races add suspense and excitement. Kids will probably be amused by the pun-filled first-person narration.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Judy Love. Prickly hates that her sister towers over her (literally: Sitka is ten feet tall). Prickly wreaks havoc trying to keep up with Sitka's adventures across Alaska, although that havoc produces several of the state's now-iconic sights. Somewhat rocky rhymes tell the story, which doubles as a tour of Alaska's major attractions. The antic illustrations have an old-timey Norman Rockwell look.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Robin James. Gill relates fourteen stories of real-life Alaskan dogs noted for their courage, strength, endurance, intelligence, and loyalty. The single-page vignettes include heroes such as world-famous Balto; Stickeen, naturalist explorer John Muir's companion in 1880; and Tekla, owned by Susan Butcher, four-time Iditarod winner. The accompanying full-page pup portraits are often static. Teacher suggestions for group and individual activities are included.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Neil Numberman. Sand shark Flip wants to take the stage at school Joke Day, but he just needs a little practice. On the big night, Flip is struck with stage fright, but his twin Fin is there to help. This book is filled with so many fishy puns and visual quips that more than one read is sure to be demanded. Brief marine animal facts are appended.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) YA With fast pacing, plentiful action, and wisecracks galore, Gill continues the Mars-set saga in style. Caught by his evil father at the end of Invisible Sun, Durango escapes and, aided by Mimi, his artificial intelligence, he searches for his beautiful sidekick Vienne who's hidden away in a monastery. Genre fans will revel in another enticing sci-fi adventure that's also romantic and humorous.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt

(3) YA Durango and Vienne (Black Hole Sun) return in another funny, action-packed sci-fi adventure set on Mars. Gill continues to develop his characters, adding depth and insight into their personalities, but he never fails to deliver the more attention-grabbing plot elements. This novel will have great appeal to genre fans and reluctant readers.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Raquel Aparicio. Kara finds an injured baby dolphin and nurses it back to health, believing that if the dolphin--and the over-dredged reef on which her fishing village relies--recovers, her missing marine biologist mother will return home. Kara's friend Felix helps her face reality, but she takes comfort in championing her mum's cause. Fully developed characters make for personal conflicts as compelling as the environmental one.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher