Stories that Shape Us
A place where CL/R SIG reviewers share annotations and insights on books that matter.
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Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.) Day is April 12th in honor of Beverly Cleary’s birthday. This tribute to a beloved children’s book author is perfect for celebrating the love of reading by relaxing with a book. Partake in the fun this year by reading one of the books reviewed below or an old favorite on April 12th and throughout the year.  Because of a Shoe. Julie Fogliano. Illus. by Marla Frazee. (2026). Knopf Books for Young Readers. Because of a Shoe is a realistic story of how “even when…/ because of a shoe/ (a too-tight shoe/ a too-loose shoe)” leads to a child’s tantrum, mother and child are still their sweet and funny selves who love each other. Fogliano uses words to paint a picture of the increasing absurdity of a child’s ongoing tantrum and the growing frustration of the parent coaxing that child to pull it together so they can leave. Marla Frazee uses colored pencil and vinyl paint to create dark illustrations representing the fury of the tantrum and anger followed by more colorful illustrations as they come out on the other side of the tantrum. Together, Fogliano and Frazee tell a humorous and relatable tale of the impact of dealing with big emotions. Children and parents alike will love this one. (PreK-Gr 2)\  Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment. Anna James. Illus. by David Wyatt. (2025). Flamingo Books. In the first book of Anna James’s new fantasy series, readers are introduced to the island of Whetherwhy in which all people have magic inside them related to one of the four seasons. The few that can command the magic of all four seasons are known as Enchanters. Children officially learn their inclination at the age of 13 through an enchantment inspection. Juniper learns that she is an Enchanter, while her twin, Rafferty, establishes that he is a spring. As an Enchanter, Juniper is expected to leave her family and begin her studies at Thistledown Academy in the capital city of Stormgrove. Adventure and new friends await Juniper as she makes her way to Thistledown. Rafferty misses his twin so he moves to Stormgrove to be nearby and works as an apprentice to a bookbinder. Soon, he is caught up in his own adventure. James writes a captivating fantasy in words that are supported by David Wyatt’s detailed sketches of key places and events in the story. The second book in the series, The Season of Flames, is set to release at the end of April. (Gr 3-7)  Each and Every Spark. Claire Swinarski. (2026). Quill Tree Books. Swinarski conveys the stories of two girls in Paris – one during the present day and the other during the Nazi occupation in the 1940s. In the present day, Penny Marks has recently moved from Wisconsin to Paris so her mom can work her dream job, and she deeply misses her old life. Although Penny is with her parents and brothers in Paris, she feels alone because the rest of her family seems to have adjusted easily to their new life. Then a mysterious painting is discovered and she comes up with a plan to get her old life back. Decades earlier, thirteen-year-old Marie Bonnet only had her sister, Heloise, with her in their Paris apartment during the 1940s. Like Penny, Marie missed her old life before the Nazis invaded and made day-to-day life so uncertain. With all the injustice surrounding her, Marie feels the need to fight back. Once she learns that Heloise is helping the French Resistance, she joins the cause. This captivating story highlights an often-overlooked aspect of history in which women and children played a significant role in the French Resistance during the 1940s. (Gr 3-7)  Forty the Fortune Teller. Drew Daywalt. Illus. by Kevin Cornell. (2026). Philomel Books. Forty is a paper fortune teller who was left on the playground at the end of recess in this hilarious picture book written in the style of a graphic novel. Soon, Forty meets Chip, an actual potato chip with a bite taken out of its head, and together they begin a quest to repair the slide after finding its missing bolt in the grass. Through a series of comical encounters with a squirrel, basketball, dark gray rain cloud, and gum wad gang, Forty and Chip make their best effort to fix the slide before the next recess. Between Daywalt’s witty dialogue and storyline, as well as Cornell’s expressive illustrations, readers are sure to laugh out loud repeatedly. (PreK-Gr 3)  I'm So Happy You're Here: A Celebration of Library Joy. Mychal Threets. Illus. by Lorraine Nam. (2026). Random House Books for Young Readers. In his first picture book, Mychal Threets uses simple language to declare that everyone belongs at the library and deserves to enjoy all it has to offer. He highlights the opportunities available, like playing games, reading stories, meeting new friends, and getting to know the librarian. Lorraine Nam’s vibrant illustrations complement the wording showing the experiences of characters of varying ages, races, and abilities spending time in the library. In the end papers, Threets notes his love for the library started when he was a child and continues to this day. He encourages readers to visit the library, engage with the librarian, and come back soon. This book highlights the value and delight that libraries bring to the community. (PreK-Gr 2)  Just Like Rabbit. Katy Hudson. (2026). Capstone Editions. In this charming and entertaining picture book, Katy Hudson demonstrates the significance of friendship and self-acceptance. Spring has sprung and Frog announces that he wants to be like Rabbit. His woodland friends are surprised by his declaration and point out his unique qualities, like swimming underwater and his “perfect shade of spring green.” Still, he requests their help to become like Rabbit, and they oblige. They set out to help him make the necessary adjustments to his appearance, lifestyle, and hopping so he can deliver eggs like Rabbit. When calamity hits, what will Frog determine is most important? Hudson’s rich illustrations enhance the story by exhibiting the amusing efforts of Frog’s friends to help him achieve his goal and the beauty of realizing one’s worth. (PreK-Gr 3)  The Lions’ Run. Sarah Pennycracker. Illus. by Jon Klassen. (2026). Balzer + Bray. In this historical fiction novel set in France during WWII, Lucas DuBois is a timid orphan who has grown tired of the Nazis occupying his village and the surrounding areas. He longs to have the courage to stand up for what he knows is right and seizes the opportunity to do so by saving a litter of kittens that two boys from his orphanage are trying to drown. He sneaks the kittens to what he believes is an abandoned barn until he encounters a teenager named Alice, who is hiding her beloved horse there until she can get it safely out of the country. Soon Lucas finds out others in the village, like his employers at the local grocery and the head housekeeper at the Nazi maternity home, are hiding secrets of their own. The more he discovers, the more he feels compelled to rebel. Pennycracker shares a gripping story of uncertainty, bravery, and growth. Klassen’s illustrations include a map of significant locations in the text, along with a lion at the start of each chapter, to complement the story. (Gr 3-7)  Once for Yes. Allie Millington. (2025). Feiwel & Friends. Millington’s ability to weave a story told from multiple perspectives, including that of an inanimate object—an old building in this tale— is impressive. The Odenburgh is an old apartment building personified by Millington that acts as the narrator of alternating chapters. In those chapters, the building recalls what it has seen and grapples with the reality that it will soon be demolished and replaced by a more modern building. Prue, a resident in the Odenburgh, has no desire to leave the building since it was the last place she was with her sister, Lina, before she died. What follows is Prue’s attempt to stop the demolition of an old building in hopes of holding on to what she has left of her sister. In her struggle, she finds a new friend, Lewis, and learns more about her own family and the residents in the building. This is a rich story about grief, family, moving on, and honoring the past. (Gr 3-7)  The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan. Jasmine Warga. Illus. by Vivienne To. (2026). Balzer + Bray. This “unlikely tale” is about an anxious cheetah cub named Chase and a heartbroken dog named Finnegan. Chase's mom dies soon after she is born, around the same time that Finnegan is rescued by Ryan from the woods Ryan’s girlfriend, Basma, is Chase’s trainer at the zoo, and she recognizes Finnegan’s potential to befriend Chase and provide her with the support she needs to grow. In time, they are introduced to one another. Given the sorrow Chase and Finnegan have experienced in their short lives, trust does not come easily to either one of them. Can they help each other overcome their fears and learn to trust? Warga’s poignant tale will enthrall readers from the start and have them rooting for Chase and Finnegan until the very end. Vivienne To’s black and white illustrations of Chase and Finnegan give readers a visual to endear them even more to the beloved characters. (Gr 3-7)  Wiggling Words. Kate Rolfe. (2025). Candlewick. Children with dyslexia or any child who struggles learning to read will empathize with the child in this book, who really wants to read the story, but the words keep “wiggling/ jiggling/ jumping.” Rolfe uses minimal text to tell the story of a child frustrated by the continuous movement and complexity of the letters and words on the page. Paired with cyanotype and hand-printed letters in red, Rolfe provides the audience with a visual of the child’s experiences, from seeing the seemingly insurmountable mountain of letters to using them as building blocks to decode the words letter by letter, slowly making sense of the words on the page. This story is a heartwarming ode to the struggles some children face in learning to read and the power of persistence. (PreK-Gr 1)  Worm and Butterfly Are Friends Always. Kaz Windness. (2026). Simon Spotlight. In this Level 1 Ready-to Read-Graphics sequel to Worm and Caterpillar are Friends, Worm and Butterfly are still best friends. Worm says they should stick together, but winter is coming. Butterfly must fly somewhere warm while Worm needs to burrow in the ground. How can they be best friends when they are separated by distance? What about the possibility of making new friends? Windness’s animated cartoon illustrations accompany the simple dialogue between characters to bring the story to life. Following the story, readers will find true information on butterfly migration and worm estivation, as well as bird diet and migration. (PreK-Gr 1) Nicole Maxwell is a professor specializing in literacy instruction in the Elementary and Special Education Program at the University of North Georgia
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Jackie Arnold, Tracey S. Hodges, Julia López-Robertson, Leslie Morris, Sharon Pratt, Bethany L. Scullin In the second of two columns, members of the 2026 Notable Books for a Global Society committee proudly present reviews of 12 outstanding books for readers in PreK to 12th grades from this year's list. These books explore themes of home and advocacy, bringing readers into stories where displacement, identity, and justice intersect as each one reflects the depth and diversity of global literature.  And They Walk On. Kevin Maillard. Illus. by Rafael López. (2025). Roaring Book Press/Macmillan. A young boy wonders where his grandmother has gone after she "walks on." He moves through her home, where her jacket still hangs by the door, her shoes remain on the floor, and her starlight mints sit by the bed, as though she has simply stepped out. Room by room, memory by memory, he begins to understand that those who walk on stay present through the moments and experiences shared with the people they loved. The text is written in lyrical stanzas and introduces readers to an Indigenous expression for death that feels both tender and expansive. The detailed illustrations complement the text and offer an honest and moving portrayal of grief and loss. (PreK–Gr 3) -BLS  Brave. Weshoyot Alvitre. (2025). Kokila/Penguin Random House. A young Indigenous boy dreams of wearing his hair long like the men he sees dancing at powwows and like his father, who carefully brushes his hair each day. At school, however, he is teased and shamed for his appearance. Through conversations with his father, he learns that his father was forced to cut his hair and that his grandfather was forbidden from practicing their traditions and was called a “Brave.” Inspired by their resilience, the boy decides to reclaim his identity by growing his hair and honoring his culture. Paired with Alvitre’s powerful illustrations, this story reminds readers that identity is something to celebrate. It delivers a meaningful message: we are strong, we are brave, we are loved, and we should never be ashamed of who we are. (Gr K-4) -LM  Displaced. Patrick Ochieng. (2025). Carolrhoda Books/Penguin Random House. Kimathi loses his father, his best friend, and his home in an instant when post-election violence tears through his Kenyan city. Forced to flee with his mother and sister to a nearby refugee camp, he must navigate the harsh realities of displacement and his own grief. The conditions in the camp are stark, with overcrowded tents, scarce food and water, and little sense of what comes next. Told in a graphic novel format, the story captures Kimathi's inner world with care, including the nightmares and dizzy spells that follow him from the violence he witnessed. The storytelling is honest and restrained, letting the human moments speak for themselves. A grounded and affecting look at political conflict, forced migration, and survival. (Gr 4–8 ) -BLS  The Freedom Seeker. Ruchira Gupta. (2025). Scholastic Press/Scholastic. Twelve-year-old Simi is vying for captain of her hockey team in India when her life changes drastically. Her father has to leave suddenly to establish a home for them in the United States, as they seek to escape threats from the community related to her parents’ interfaith marriage. Although his goal was to later bring Simi and her mother over to join him, asylum restrictions delayed the process. Instead, Simi and her mother seek passage into the US through dangerous and uncertain immigration routes from Mexico. They both experience heat and dehydration, as well as separation from each other. Simi also barely misses being caught in a child trafficking ring before she is sent to different shelters within the United States. After she endures the conditions in the shelters, Simi must hold on to hope that her family will find their way back to each other. (Gr 3–7) -SP  King of the Neuro Verse. Idris Goodwin. (2025). Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster King of the Neuro Verse by Idris Goodwin is a rhythmic novel in verse that centers a Black teen with ADHD who is tired of being defined by what school says he cannot do. Pernell is back in summer school again, and the stakes feel real. If he cannot pass, graduation slips further away. In the classroom, his mind is treated like a problem to manage, but during lunchtime cyphers, his quick thinking and restless energy become assets. As he works to earn respect and chase the title of Cypher King, he is also navigating family pressure, friendships, and the vulnerability of first love. This book invites readers to see neurodivergence through a strengths-based lens while still acknowledging the barriers kids face in systems not built for them. (Gr 6–9) -TSH  My Home Is in My Backpack. Eugenia Perrella. Trans. by Sally Polson. Illus. by Angela Salerno. Floris Books/Spotlight Publishing . Clara and her family have left their home in Venezuela behind, carrying what matters most in backpacks as they journey on foot toward safety. Along the way, her mother offers a quiet but lasting reassurance, explaining that home is not a place, but the people you love and the memories you carry with you. The story draws directly on the real experiences of Venezuelan refugees, giving it an authenticity that feels present throughout. The illustrations show both the enormous distances traveled and the quieter moments in between, including singing, storytelling, and pausing to notice the natural world. Joy and hardship exist side by side, and the family's love for one another remains steady even in the most uncertain moments. Back matter offers additional context on the story behind the book. (Gr K–3) -BLS  A Place for Us. James E. Ransome. (2025). Nancy Paulsen Books/ Penguin Random House. Ransome’s wordless picture book follows a mother and son through what first appears to be an ordinary day. After school, they share a meal at a fast-food restaurant, then head to the library to complete homework, staying until closing. While these moments feel familiar, the story takes a quiet turn when they go not to a home, but to a park. There, the mother stays awake through the night, watching over her son as he sleeps on a bench. In the morning, he washes in a fountain, combs his hair, and prepares for school. Through vivid, emotional illustrations, the story reveals a powerful truth that many families experiencing homelessness live unseen within our communities, reminding readers to look with greater empathy and awareness. (Gr K–3) -LM  Rez Kid. Andrea Landry. Illus. by Isabella Fassler. (2025). Kids Can Press. Rez Kid explores the hurt of prejudice and the healing power of heritage. The story follows an Indigenous girl who faces daily teasing on her school bus. Seeking comfort, she turns to her family during traditional activities like beading and harvesting medicinal plants. Her relatives each offer their own wisdom, encouraging her to respond with kindness, teach others, or walk away with pride. Ultimately, the protagonist chooses a courageous path of radical hospitality, inviting her classmates to the reservation to experience her culture firsthand. This shift transforms painful prejudicial stereotypes into a bridge for empathy and connection. Enhanced by Isabella Frassler’s emotive illustrations, the book celebrates family strength and the profound impact of sharing one’s identity to overcome misunderstanding. (Gr K–3) -JA  Rosa, By Any Other Name. Hailey Alcaraz. (2025). Viking Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House. Set in 1955 in Arizona during the civil rights era, this Romeo and Juliet-inspired retelling follows Rosa Capistrano, a light-skinned Mexican American girl secretly passing as white at her predominantly white high school. Hoping to pursue her dream of becoming a journalist, Rosa carefully keeps her two worlds apart-until her childhood best friend Ramón and her school friend Julianne, the sheriff’s daughter, fall in love. When the couple is tragically murdered before they make their relationship public, Rosa is left as the sole witness, thrust into the center of a town-wide scandal. Drawn to Ramón’s brother, Marco, through shared grief and a powerful drive for justice, Rosa must ultimately decide whether to protect her carefully constructed future or risk everything to find the courage to speak the truth. (Gr 10 Up) -JLR  A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvare. María Dolores Águila. (2025). Roaring Book Press/Macmillan Against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the Mexican Revolution era, this novel in verse brings to life the remarkable true story of Roberto Alvarez, a twelve-year-old born in the United States as the first American-born child in his family. Structured in the tradition of a corrido, the narrative beautifully honors the strength and solidarity of the Latino community in the face of deep injustice. Fueled by anti-Mexican prejudice, the Lemon Grove School District sought to push Mexican students out of mainstream education into a makeshift ‘Americanization’ school in a converted barn. Refusing to be silenced, even under threat of deportation, the affected families banded together as the Comité de Vecinos and took the district to court. Their bravery yielded a landmark outcome as the first successful school desegregation ruling in U.S. history, won nearly two decades before Brown v. Board of Education. It is a profound, yet long-overlooked, triumph in the ongoing struggle for civil rights. (Gr 3–8) -JLR  The Story of My Anger. Jasminne Mendez. (2025). Dial Books/Penguin Random House. The Story of My Anger by Jasminne Mendez is a novel in verse about identity, resistance, and the powerful work of finding one’s voice. The book follows Yulieta “Yuli” Lopez, a Dominican American teen in Texas who dreams of being cast in a lead role in her high school drama club but is repeatedly overlooked because of her race. When her favorite teacher’s curriculum comes under attack by the school board, and books that reflect her experience are banned, Yuli’s simmering anger ignites into action. Inspired by the activism of her family and friends, she and her peers form a guerrilla theatre troupe to challenge discrimination and censorship in their community. By braiding poetic text with scenes written as plays, Mendez’s narrative captures Yuli’s journey from silence to self-assertion, inviting discussions about racism, art, and social justice. (Gr 7 Up) -TSH  The Teacher of Nomad Land. Daniel Nayeri. (2025). Levine Querido/Chronicle Books.
Set in Iran in 1941, this novel follows thirteen-year-old Babak and his younger sister Sana after their father is accidentally killed by British soldiers. Determined to stay together and carry on his work, Babak straps his father's chalkboard to his back and sets out to teach the nomads crossing the mountains. The journey is difficult from the start as British and Soviet forces occupy the country, food and water are scarce, and trust is hard to come by. When the siblings encounter a Jewish boy being tracked by a Nazi soldier, the situation becomes considerably more dangerous. Communication across languages is rarely straightforward, and yet small acts of decency surface in unexpected places. The war is ever-present but never overshadows the story's core, which remains fixed on two children determined to keep moving forward and stay together. (Gr 3–7) -BLS Jackie Arnold, Tracey S. Hodges, Julia López-Robertson, Leslie Morris, Sharon Pratt, Bethany L. Scullin In the first of two columns, members of the 2026 Notable Books for a Global Society committee proudly present reviews of 13 outstanding books for readers in PreK to 12th grades from this year's list. United by themes of environmentalism and language representation, these winning books honor the diversity of global literature, inviting readers into stories where identity, land, and language are celebrated, protected, and reclaimed.  Alberto Salas Plays: Paka Paka Con la Papa. Sara Andrea Fajardo. Illus. by Juana Martinez-Neal. (2025). Roaring Book Press/Macmillan. What makes the humble potato so extraordinary and why is it under threat? Discover the answers through a game of paka paka con la papa (the Quechua way to say ‘hide and seek’) and hunt for potatoes alongside Peruvian agricultural scientist Alberto Salas. Dr. Salas’ boundless curiosity and deep love for both his homeland and this remarkable crop are infectious. This lyrical biography sweeps readers through the breathtaking Andes Mountains of Peru, weaving together the rich history and surprising wonder of the potato along the way. Stunning illustrations by Juana Martínez-Neal bring every page to life, drawing readers into urgent conversations about environmental challenges while keeping them thoroughly enchanted by the spirited game of paka paka con la papa. Pick up this gorgeous, captivating book and see for yourself who comes out victorious! (PreK–3) -JLR  he Black Mambas: The World’s First All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit. Kelly Crull. (2025). Millbrook Press/Lerner Publishing. The Black Mambas: The World’s First All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit by Kelly Crull introduces readers to the courageous women of South Africa’s Black Mambas, a groundbreaking group of unarmed rangers who protect wildlife in the Greater Kruger National Park. Through engaging narrative and striking photographs, Crull follows these women as they patrol vast landscapes, spot signs of poachers, and safeguard endangered animals such as rhinos and pangolins. The book highlights how the Black Mambas combine traditional tracking skills with community awareness to deter poaching without weapons, reshaping expectations about who can be a conservation leader. Quotations from the rangers and dynamic images invite readers to appreciate both the challenges and triumphs of their work. Informational sidebars and accessible text make this title a compelling choice for elementary. (Gr 2–5) -TSH  Call Me Gray. Andrew Larsen & Bells Larsen. Illus. by Tallulah Fontaine. (2025). Kids Can Press. Call Me Gray by Andrew Larsen is a tender, affirming story about identity, self-advocacy, and the courage it takes to name yourself. Told through the perspective of a child who feels unseen, the story follows Gray as they navigate a world that keeps calling them by a name and identity that do not fit. At school, at home, and among peers, Gray wrestles with the discomfort of being mislabeled and the weight of others deciding who they are. When Gray finally says, “Call me Gray,” the moment becomes an act of clarity and self-trust. As adults and classmates begin to listen, the story models what affirmation and respect can look like in community. Thoughtful and accessible, this book invites conversations about dignity, belonging, and creating classrooms where every child is seen and valued. (Gr K–4) - TSH  The History of We. Nikkolas Smith. (2025). Kokila/Penguin Random House In The History of We, Nikkolas Smith employs a combination of lyrical verse and vivid acrylic paintings to map out a global lineage rooted in Africa. The narrative serves as a historical reclamation, using double-spread illustrations highlighting Africa’s foundational contributions to essential human advancements like medicine, agriculture, and artistic expression. Each page captures how these early innovations eventually traveled across the globe, shaping the modern world. The journey concludes with a powerful visual of a diverse, united community, reinforcing the idea of a shared human identity. Supplemented by detailed backmatter and an author’s note, the book directly challenges the historical erasure of African origins in traditional education, asserting instead that the entire human family tree finds its primary strength and beginnings on the African continent. (Gr K–8) -JA  Hopeful Heroes: More Poems About Amazing Latinos. Margarita Engle. Illus. by Juliet Menéndez. (2025). Godwin Books/ Macmillan.. Hopeful Heroes is a vibrant collection of poems paired with bold, colorful illustrations celebrating 20 influential Latino men and women. Spanning from 1474 to the present and representing cultures across Latin America, these individuals demonstrate remarkable strength, resilience, and determination. Through poetry, readers meet heroes who defended their lands, championed education, studied the stars, earned Olympic medals, protected the environment, created powerful works of art, and received Nobel Prizes. Each poem offers a glimpse into the courage and accomplishments of these inspiring figures while highlighting the richness and diversity of Latino history and culture. The book also includes helpful backmatter with short nonfiction biographies of each Hopeful Hero, giving readers the opportunity to learn more about the real people whose stories continue to shape and inspire the world today. (Gr K–4) -LM  The Interpreter. Olivia Abtahi. Illus. by Monica Arnaldo. (2025). Kokila/Penguin Random House. Reflecting a situation that many children of immigrants know all too well, Cecilia moves fluidly between identities, shifting from carefree kid to capable interpreter whenever duty calls. She is a modern-day superhero whose remarkable superpower is bilingualism! As a language broker for her family, Cecilia bridges two worlds, translating between English and Spanish during parent-teacher conferences, doctor’s appointments, and countless other everyday moments that adults rely on her to navigate. The lively, expressive illustrations vividly capture the growing strain that this weighty responsibility places on Cecilia’s young shoulders. The emotional burden becomes impossible to ignore until her family finally recognizes the toll it is taking on her childhood. Together, they find a healthy balance, one that still allows Cecilia to use her gift, just not all the time. (Gr K–3) - JLR  Kahoʻolawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People. Kamalani Hurley. Illus. by Harinani Orme. (2025). Millbrook Press/Lerner Publishing. The story of Hawaii’s smallest island is told through rich illustrations and descriptions that are appropriate for a range of readers from elementary through high school. How the island was formed by volcanic eruptions and settled by Polynesian voyagers demonstrates the history of the island predates any U.S. involvement. Across many decades, the island’s environment and ecosystem have been devastated by invasive goats, WWII bombings, and occupation by the U.S. military for target practice from 1941 to 1993. Beginning in the 1970s, activists led nonviolent protests seeking transfer of the island’s land back into Hawaiian control. Successful activist efforts are narrated in detail, revealing their determined resilience and passion for the conservation, restoration, and preservation of Kaho-Olawe. These efforts may inspire readers to advocate for preservation of their own local lands that are rich in cultural and geographic history. (Gr 2–5) -SP  My Heart Speaks Kriolu. Stephanie Foster Brown. Illus. by Keisha Morris. (2025). Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. My Heart Speaks Kriolu by Stefanie Foster Brown is a reflective story about family, language, and what it means to belong. Each Saturday a young girl walks with her grandfather through their Massachusetts neighborhood, listening as he speaks of returning someday to their ancestral home in Cabo Verde. Papa encourages her to speak Kriolu, the Portuguese creole of their heritage, but she stumbles over the words and worries that not speaking it perfectly might keep her from truly knowing where she comes from. As she spends this time with him, she begins to feel the language in the sounds, smells, and rhythms around her, and she discovers that home lives in the heart as much as in any place. (Gr PreK–3) - TSH  rigin. Nat Cardozo. (2025). Red Comet Press/Spotlight Publishing. This quietly powerful nonfiction picturebook introduces readers to 22 Indigenous communities across five continents. Each two-page spread pairs a first-person narrative with a breathtaking portrait of a child's face, woven together with the landscapes, animals, and plants of their homeland. Brief notes on territory, population, and language add helpful context without turning the book into a fact list. The recurring themes of community, reciprocity, and environmental stewardship tie the entries together, and the writing is consistently honest about the real challenges these communities face in protecting their land, language, and ways of life. Originally published in Spanish, the translation reads smoothly and keeps the prose clear and direct throughout. Backmatter includes a world map locating the featured communities and a section for further reading with additional context on several of the groups. (Gr 3–7) -BLS  Please Pay Attention. Jamie Sumner. (2025). Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster. Loosely based on the Covenant School shooting in Nashville, author Jamie Sumner’s hometown, Please Pay Attention is a powerful novel in verse about grief, resilience, and healing after tragedy. Sixth-grader Bea loves being a “buddy” to her “little” Josie, a shy kindergartner Bea hopes will learn to make friends. At home, Bea finds comfort with her older sister and close neighbors. But everything changes when an active shooter enters her school. Thrown from her wheelchair but unable to hide, Bea survives, but must face the loss of classmates, teachers, and a sense of safety. In the aftermath, she struggles with depression and PTSD, unsure if she can ever return to school. Over time, with support and by working with a therapy horse, Bea slowly begins to heal and realizes that both she and Josie still have a future worth fighting for. (Gr 4–6) -LM  Radiant. Vaunda Micheaux Nelson. (2025). Dutton Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House. Radiant inspires readers to consider how finding one’s unique way to shine should involve both individual assertiveness and empathy for others. This middle-grade novel in verse depicts everyday life for Black people in the 1960s through the perspective of a fifth grader. Cooper lives in a predominantly white suburban neighborhood in Pennsylvania, and she perceives both color blindness and racial discrimination are impacting her relationships in school and the community. Cooper poignantly narrates how she comes to better understand a difficult life situation of a classmate she believes is bullying her because of her mother’s job as a cleaner in their home. We also see, through Cooper’s experiences, the impact historical events of the 1960s had on children and their families, including Kennedy’s assassination, the Birmingham church bombings, and Beatle fandom. (Gr 5–9) -SP  Song of a Blackbird. Maria van Lieshout. (2025). First Second/Macmillan. In this gripping graphic novel, Dutch author and illustrator Joris van Lieshout crafts a transformative story that bridges two eras of time. When Annick discovers her grandmother requires a bone marrow transplant, the subsequent search for a donor uncovers a shocking family secret: Oma is not biologically related to her siblings. Driven by a desperate need to save her grandmother’s life, Annick begins to investigate the fragments of Oma’s past, a collection of architectural prints depicting Amsterdam. Assisted by her friend Koenji, whose mother is from Japan, Annick works to decode these visual clues, a journey that ultimately transports the reader back to the harrowing events of the mid-1940s. Unfolding through the unique perspective of a blackbird, the author uses striking illustrations and authentic primary source materials to present an immaculately researched history. This deep dive into the past reveals the wartime experiences that shaped the lives of Oma, Annick, and many others, offering a poignant reflection on how historical legacies continue to impact the modern world. (Gr 7–12) -JA  Together, A Forest: Drawing Connections Between Nature’s Diversity and Our Own. Roz MacLean. (2025). Henry Holt/Macmillan.
Joy is anxious during a class trip to the forest when her teacher asks each student to choose just one thing to study. While her classmates quickly find their footing, drawn to towering trees, insects, and streams, Joy struggles to find her own connection. The story moves quietly but purposefully from that simple assignment toward something larger: an exploration of how difference strengthens a community. The forest itself carries much of that message, illustrated in rich and layered detail. Roots intertwine, fungi communicate underground, and no two leaves are identical, reinforcing the idea that variety is both natural and necessary. The parallel between the forest's ecosystem and human diversity never feels forced or heavy-handed. Backmatter includes an author's note and a kid-friendly explanation of "All Kinds of Minds," offering helpful context for classroom and home conversations. (Gr K–3) -BLS |
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