(3) K-3 Illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb. Jazz pillar Billie Holiday pushed racial boundaries throughout her career, most notably with her first soul-piercing performance in 1939 of the anti-lynching song "Strange Fruit." A dense but age-sensitive text ably handles the topics of racism and trauma, while whirlwind acrylic and tissue-collage illustrations deftly capture the emotional upheaval of Holiday's life. The song lyrics and additional background information are appended. Bib.

Reviewer: Anastasia M. Collins

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb. Rose doesn't like the pigeons "crazy Birdman" feeds in the park. Birdman gives Rose some seeds, and when she lays them out on her windowsill sans soil and water, birds as colorful as flowers come to eat them. The story's ending is somewhat confusing, but its vernacular dialogue and vibrant, broad brush-stroke illustrations add interest.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb. An African American girl moving about her neighborhood describes her excitement leading up to the evening's block party, which culminates in an outdoor dance party: "Hustle...bustle...salsa sway, / Wild day, around our way." The unpredictable rhymes keeps readers on their toes--and keep those toes tapping. The mural-like acrylics full of loose-limbed celebrants are a little rough around the edges.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb & Charlotte Riley-Webb. Energetic acrylic paintings enhance this story of an African-American family that saves their farm by selling sweet potato pies at the local Harvest Celebration. In a well-paced narrative, eight-year-old Sadie tells the story of each family member's contribution. A recipe for Mama's Sweet Potato Pie and Extra-Flaky Pie Crust is appended.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb. Facing eviction because his mother has lost her job, Sonny contemplates leaving school to pay the bills but meets Smilin' Jack, a street jazz trumpeter, who organizes a rent party in Sonny's apartment. Set in a 1930s New Orleans black neighborhood, this upbeat and moving story with historical roots is effectively complemented with bright color illustrations that expressively depict the action.

Reviewer: Jack Forman