(3) K-3 Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk. This riveting account of the 2018 rescue mission is told from the perspective of Titan, an eleven-year-old survivor, lending immediacy and accessibility to the events. Titan's and his coach's letters, written while trapped in the flooded cave; substantial back matter, including an interview with two divers who helped evacuate the Thai soccer team; and detailed illustrations complement this true story of courage, perseverance, and teamwork. Timeline, websites.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) PS Illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt. Spare and lilting rhymes remind readers that as kids hit various markers (first laugh, first friend, etc.), they will experience failure: "Each recipe we undertake / can rise or fall, / can burn or bake." In her ink and watercolor art showing children hitting and missing their marks, Reinhardt pays particular attention to faces registering the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 1-3 Questioneers series. Inspired by Beaty and Roberts's picture-book collaborations (Rosie Revere, Engineer and others), this series-opening chapter book ticks many boxes: STEAM engagement, growth mindset, strong girls, diversity, and intergenerational learning. Zany as ever in the stylized illustrations, Rosie and friends must invent a painting aid for one of elderly Aunt Rose's spitfire friends. Sturdily made and stylishly designed, the book is a solid addition to collections.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Floyd Cooper. More of an inspirational piece than a straightforward biography, this picture book relates the difficult early years through the Williams sisters' rise to tennis fame and their ensuing setbacks. Themes of hard work, perseverance, and family loyalty are emphasized throughout Bryant's text, which includes occasional (unsourced) quotations. Cooper's trademark subtractive illustrations are full of life, emotion, and character.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Winner of two Caldecott Medals and numerous other awards, the renowned illustrator publishes her first solo book. As Zoe dreams of growing up to be an archeologist, scientist, firefighter, and other pursuits, she works to quiet a negative inner voice that continually questions her aspirations ("That's silly, said the voice"). Soft, earth-toned, neatly framed illustrations depict both child and adult Zoe following her passions in the well-meaning story.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Orbie. Pig Rosie loves only playing, sleeping, and eating until she sees a "small animal" (a child) on a bicycle and decides she wants to learn how to ride. Rosie does learn, eventually, and pedals off the farm (possibly to the moon). This cutely illustrated and simply paced picture book combines a folkloric feel with a story of determination, making it entertaining as well as useful for aspiring bicyclists.

Reviewer: Jessica Costello

(4) 4-6 Baseball Genius series. Twelve-year-old Jalen DeLuca (Baseball Genius) is desperate to play travel baseball, but his single dad can't afford the fees. When Jalen is caught stealing baseballs signed by Yankee James Yager, he uses his uncanny ability to predict pitches to help save Yager's flagging career. Themes of bullying and perseverance are woven through this second implausible baseball story. Short chapters keep things moving until the abrupt ending.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) YA During WWII, Haruko (who's Japanese American) and Margot (German American) meet in the Crystal City internment camp in Texas. They form a secret friendship that must withstand suspicion, xenophobia, and the degradation of their families. Told in the girls' alternating voices, this is a touching and enlightening story of friendship and perseverance during a shameful chapter in U.S. history. Includes notes on historical accuracy.

Reviewer: Jessica Bushore

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Ryan Andrews. After the shooting death of his best friend, eleven-year-old aspiring cartooonist Lowen Grover ("his" comics are interspersed) convinces his family to move to Milltown. Hoping for revitalization, the down-on-its-luck town is giving away homes for one dollar, which proves too good to be true. Facing myriad financial and social challenges, the Grovers persevere in this emotionally resonant family drama featuring a diverse cast of likable characters.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie. In this British import, Izzy Gizmo loves to invent but does not handle malfunctions well--until her cheerleading grandfather and an injured crow teach her perseverance. Jones's rhyming text is competent, and Ogilvie's brightly colored, hilariously detailed illustrations (which depict Izzy with brown skin and curly hair) are absolutely charming. With their varied angles and overall skillfulness, they amplify the story's depth, humor, and drama.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) 1-3 Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream series. Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport. In these chapter books, pint-sized fourth grader Zayd Saleem chases his dream of playing basketball: making the team (Forward), winning a game (Point), and coping after an injury (Back). In upbeat, humorous, and engaging first-person narration, Zayd confronts challenges on the court and with his friends and Pakistani American family. Well-developed secondary characters, rich cultural content, and occasional black-and-white drawings round out the series. Review covers these Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream titles: Bounce Back, On Point, and Power Forward.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Aburtov. Black-and-white full-page illustrations accompany these hi-lo stories involving talented athletes in tennis (Doubles), football (Punter's), bull-riding (Rodeo), and golf (Secondhand). The message-laden texts highlight the importance of focus and fair play to achieve team victory and accomplish personal goals. The engaging, action-packed stories should appeal to sports enthusiasts. Each book is supplemented by background on the sport, discussion questions, and writing prompts. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Sports Stories titles: Double Trouble, Punter's Pride, Rodeo Challenge, and Secondhand Slice.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Sonia Sánchez. Ruby wants to build a fort. In true "Little Red Hen" fashion, her brothers won't help, so she learns how to do it herself. She enjoys solitary playtime in the completed fort until the boys finally get a clue. Maier's girl-power-meets-classic-folktale story line is engaging and entertaining. Sánchez's colorfully patterned and textured illustrations give dimension to a determined and endearing pigtailed heroine and her realistic multigenerational, multi-skin-toned family.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2018

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Catherine Lazar Odell. Little Beaver endures multiple scoldings when playing distracts him from assisting in the completion of the family dam. Luckily Bird, Otter, and Fish happily help him "Nibble nibble snap / scoop scoop pat" until he can (honestly, this time) declare "I'm done!" Odell's careful drawings with watercolor washes add drama and perspective to an otherwise repetitive and slight tale about pitching in when there's work to do.

Reviewer: Erica Wetter

(2) PS Illustrated by Jim McMullan. This entry in the McMullans' peppy vehicle-centric series (most recently I'm Smart!) stars a plucky red pickup truck hauling lumber, gravel, and hay bales around the countryside, all while commenting on truck parts, terminology, and capabilities. There's a passing lesson in stick-to-itiveness, but mostly it's just vehicle-loving fun, with sound effects and interjections, bold-hued illustrations, and a bright-eyed truck with an outsize smile on its front bumper.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by M. S. Corley. Reynolds presents stories of thirty-five people--some well-known (Nelson Mandela, Hillary Rodham Clinton); some less recognizable (Maryam Mirzakhani, Erik Weihenmeyer)--who experienced failure before attaining their goals. Additional "Flop Files" and sidebars briefly introduce others who were initially unsuccessful. Direct questions and an informal tone should engage readers. One hundred additional questions about success and failure are appended. A thoughtful challenge to kids who think perfection is required.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) PS When rain wipes out spider Stanley's elaborate web and his collection of "precious things" woven into it, he's left with just a heart-shaped leaf...which is enough to inspire a new masterpiece. This story quietly champions stick-to-itiveness and finding beauty in the quotidian: in Shi's fastidious art, the web's found objects (a button, a pop-tab, etc.) are no less lovely than its natural elements.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. On an ice-skating outing with new friend Kacie, Tallulah is convinced her ballet training will make her an instant "Super Skater"; to her chagrin, that's far from the case. But, happily, Tallulah decides to take it slow, practice hard, and (most importantly) have fun with her friend. A light-handed, sweetly illustrated lesson about letting go of unrealistic expectations and enjoying yourself even when you're not "super" at something.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) YA Frankie has gotten into trouble one too many times, and now her life has become a cliché: she's being sent to military school. The classes are challenging, the physical training is preposterous, and there's almost no time for her true passion of fashion blogging. Unsurprisingly, Frankie marches on and finds her inner strength (as well as a gorgeous guy) in this predictable yet entertaining chick-lit novel.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) 4-6 Epic Fails series. Illustrated by Tim Foley. Failure has been the hallmark of humans' attempts at flight, starting with the mythological figure Icarus. The Wright Brothers were no exception, but Slader shows how their perseverance ultimately led to success, including their contributions to aviation after their successful Kitty Hawk flight. A light, humorous tone and plenty of black-and-white illustrations and photos make this an engaging read. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson