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One Day a Dot: The Story of You, the Universe, and Everything by Ian Lendler , illustrated by Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb . PICTURE BOOK. First Second (Roaring Book Press), 2018. $18. 9781626722446. BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE Starting with the appearance of a simple dot, that then got so excited it burst into lots of other dots, that then joined together and made light, and eventually...the world as we know it came to be and we all exist. This is a simplified--and fantastic!--explanation of evolution, taking the readers from the very beginnings all the way to their own life on earth today. The author leaves us with the one thing no one can agree on or explain today--where that first dot actually came from. I liked this the first time I read it, and loved it the next time I gave it a go. The illustrations are colorful, artsy, and perfect for the material. The way a somewhat complex topic like evolution is simplified down here is great an

Her Right Foot By Dave Eggers , Art by Shawn Harris, 104 pages. PICTURE BOOK, NON FICTION Chronicle Books 2017 $19.99 1452162816  BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL  AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  The Statue of Liberty has been welcoming people in the harbor for over 125 years. But there's more to her than we think. Eggers describes the construction in Paris, the transportation and reassembly in New York, even why she is green. but then, he goes on to tell about the symbolism of her right foot - have you noticed, she's in stride! Where is she going?  Eggers writing style makes the reader feel smart! Full of "you probably know" and "you may have noticed" the text practically begs the reader to share the information they just learned (or already know but had forgotten). Harris's illustrations are the perfect companion to this amazing quick read about acceptance. I'll never see the statue of liberty the same way again. Includes a bibliography for further

Lu : Sometimes You Gotta Jump Anyway  by Jason Reynolds ,  218 pages. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2018 $16.99. Language: G (0 swears, 0 'f') Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Lots of mean bully speak)  BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL  AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  Lu is learning to run hurdles - he's fast, but the hurdles throw him - or rather trip him - or stop him from jumping at all. He's Lightning Lu! Born to parents who thought they couldn't have children, plus, he's an albino - lightning struck twice in the same place. He knows he's special, but, like the others on his track team, Lu is dealing with issues. His dad is a former drug dealer, mom is expecting another "miracle" baby, and Lu can't see past the bullies or the hurdles.  Jason Reynolds crossed the finish line on this series with style and finesse. Lu is a great voice, the message isn't heavy handed and all the problems aren't neatly solved, nor is the story completely w

Lulu the Broadway Mouse  by Jenna Gavigan ,  248 pages. Running Press Kids (Hachette), 2018. $16.99. Language: G (0 swears, 0 'f's); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.  BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL  AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH   Lulu has a dream - she wants to perform on Broadway - she has everything: talent, desire - she even lives at the Shubert Theatre!  But she is a mouse, and no directors are casting mice (yet?), so instead she helps out the human cast and is part of the show's community. Lulu's closest relationship is with Maya, who is understudy to the child role. But Amanda is so terrible to work with, Maya has given her notice and now Lulu is worried about the new girl. Will she be sweet like Maya or horrible like Amanda?  Jenna Gavigan knows her stuff! I'm absolutely gushing about this book. Theater geeks will love and identify with the dressing room chatter, pre-show routines, kid wrangling, theater jobs, and superstitions. The novice will appreciate the th

Dear Sister  by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Joe Bluhm . GRAPHIC NOVEL. Antheneum, 2018. $14 Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G. BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL  AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE This book is a collection of ripped notebook papers and scrap paper, each with a note and drawing from a big brother to his little sister. For a while the notes describe a baby who cries a lot, but the notes gradually get more tender as their relationships ages and grows. Most of the drawings are humorous or clever illustrations of their life.  I got teary-eyed in this book. It is not easy to have younger siblings, and I know a lot of young readers will identify with the narrator, but the best part is that they will also find inspiration to do a better job at being a sibling. This book highlights how much the younger sibling craves a relationship with the older sibling and I predict this will be eye-opening to many old sibling readers.   Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe by Jo Hackl , 240 pages. Random House, 2018. $17.  Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G. BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ESSENTIAL AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH Cricket’s grandmother died. Then her depressed mother left town. Then her father died. Now her aunt has conveniently forgotten her at Thelma’s Cash n’ Carry. There’s only one thing to do. Find her mother. She takes a few things from the store and hikes out to the treehouse her dad built near an old, abandoned town. She puts her survival skills to use and searches for clues that will lead her to a mysterious room of paintings her mother stumbled on many years ago. This book covers many topics that will appeal to middle grade kids. It has adventure and survival on one hand, but a sentimental mother/daughter relationship on the other. Cricket’s mother is mentally ill, but Cricket still finds many things about her to admire. Despite all the tragedy in her life, Cricket is a strong, independent girl, a gre

Pass Go and collect $200 : The real story of how Monopoly was invented by Tanya Lee Stone , illustrated by Steven Salerno PICTURE BOOK, NON FICTION, Henry Holt (MacMillan), 2018. $19. 162779168X  BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL  AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  Who really invented the game "Monopoly?" Some say Elizabeth Magie did when she patented her game in 1904, others say Charles Darrow as he designed the current board and convinced the Parker Brothers to distribute it. Why is the board about places in Atlantic City? How has the game changed over the years? Everyone has played it, or at least heard of it, but do you know the history?  Tanya Lee Stone has told a succinct and interesting history of the world's most famous game. A lot of text for a picture book, it still reads quickly. The illustrations are great and look like something out of the 1930s. Includes a list of trivia (do you know the name of Mr. Monopoly?) some Monopoly math questions, authors note, and so

Brooklyn House Magician's Guide (Kane Chronicles) by Rick Riordan , 185 pgs, Disney Hyperion, $9.99  Language: G(0 swears, 0 “F”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G;  BUYING ADVISORY:  EL, MS - ESSENTIAL AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH Enter the fantastical realm of Egyptian mythology with Carter Kane and the magicians at Brooklyn House. Quizzes, stories and more about the Egyptian deities will prepare you for what is to come in the dangerous times ahead. I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun way to look at things considering I have read the Kane Chronicles series itself.  Student Reviewer: Julia M.(10th grade)

Lights! Camera! Alice! : The Thrilling True Adventures of the First Woman Filmmaker by Mara Rockliff , Illustrated by Simona Ciraolo, PICTURE BOOK, BIOGRAPHY, Chronicle Books. 2018. $18. 1452141347 BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE EL, MS - ESSENTIAL  AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH   Alice Guy Blaché is one of the world's first movie makers. She worked for a camera company and was allowed to make movies after hours which she used to demonstrate the new motion picture camera. Soon her films became a huge success in France. One of the first pioneers of motion pictures, she is little known - mostly because she was a woman. She made hundreds of films in America and even more in France.  Formatted like a silent movie, in frames and short ideas - sprinkled with French and title cards this was a delight to read. I want to know more about Alice! Good thing the author has included a short author's note, bibliography, articles and movies. A fun read for a theater or film study class, or a les

Holes in the Sky by Patricia Polacco  PICTURE BOOK, G. P. Putman's Sons ( Penguin Random House, 2018. $18.99. 978-1-5247-3948-5 BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ESSENTIAL AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  After Patricia's beloved grandmother passes away, her mother moves the family to San Francisco. Patricia misses Babushka terribly, and is always looking for the promised sign that she is watching over her from heaven. San Francisco is in the middle of a draught, so when a boy her age (Steven) shows up on her porch with fresh flowers, she's excited to help him make may baskets and meet all the neighbors selling them with him, but still no sign from heaven, Steven's  grandmother, Miss Eula, gets the neighborhood involved in a community project - maybe Patricia will find her Babushka's sign as she helps revitalize an old garden.  Patricia Polacco has the best stories! Remember Miss Eula from "Chicken Sunday?" Grieving is a sensitive subject, and Holes in the Sky has

The People Awards by Lily Muray, illustrated by Ana Albero , 76 pages. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Lincoln Children’s Books, 2018. $20. 9781786030641 BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ESSENTIAL AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH This book is a collection of more than thirty mini biographies of men and women who have had a positive impact on the world. The people range from athletes to inventors to teachers and most are well known figures from history as well as contemporary conversations. Each person is represented on a two page spread and has a short biography, four or five illustrations of important moments from their life, what award they are being given, and why they are being given that award.  This book is effective because it is highly engaging aesthetically. The illustrations are cartoons, but realistic and done in muted colors. The part I predict will hook the most readers is the description of the award they are given and why. I was a little frustrated that the table on contents has page

Spy School Goes South (Spy School #6) by Stuart Gibbs , 335 pages.  Simon, 2018.  $18. Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (lots of action, light description) BUYING ADVISORY:  EL, MS - ESSENTIAL AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH Welcome back to spy school. The evil traitor Murray Hill is ready to spill the beans about SPYDER, but he will only tell his secrets to Ben Ripley.  Now Ben and Erica are headed somewhere with Murray in tow, and two stowaways – Mike and Zoe.  They are only supposed to observe, but why observe when you might be able to take down the whole organization? With his signature flair, Gibbs takes us back to spy school in another dangerous, yet hilarious caper. So much danger mixed with valiant deeds. Sit back and enjoy the ride! Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

You Are Mighty: A Guide to Changing the World by Caroline Paul , illustrated by Lauren Tamaki , 113 pages. NON-FICTION. Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2018. $18. Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL.  AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE This book seamlessly combines information on activism, examples of activism, and advice for activism in one place with black and red illustrations throughout. This book is organized around 19 steps for getting involved that include steps like, “Change Your Habits,” “Write a Letter,” and “Invent Something.”    My favorite thing about this book is the examples of real kids making a real difference. Even as an adult, I feel like there is very little I can do to affect societal change, but I genuinely felt like individuals can indeed make a difference after reading this book. I value books for their ability to take an overwhelming concept and humanize it and make it accessible, and this book does just that.   J

The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle by Christina Uss , 307 pages. FICTION. Margaret Ferguson Books (Holiday House), 2018. $17 Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS — ESSENTIAL  AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH A young girl shows up on the doorstep of “The Mostly Silent Monastery” with a shirt that reads “bicycle”. Bicycle quickly becomes a part of the monastery and is raised primarily by Sister Wanda who is very concerned about Bicycle making friends. Sister Wanda plans to send Bicycle to a camp for making friends, but Bicycle has other ideas. Bicycle leaves camp to go ride her bike across the country to meet her favorite famous cyclist in person in California. Along the way she crosses paths with all sort of quirky and charming characters, including a Civil War ghost and a Kentucky Derby horse, and most of these characters become her friend and cheerleader. This might be my favorite book of the year. A true adventure story that left me ant

Backyard Bears by Amy Cherrix (Scientists in the Field), 63 pages.  Houghton Mifflin, 2018.  $19. BUYING ADVISORY:  EL, MS - ESSENTIAL AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERGE Cherrix takes a look at an animal-human interaction going on in her own backyard – Asheville, North Carolina.  It’s illegal to hunt black bears within the city limits and the bear population has grown from 1500 in 1970 to 19,000 in 2014.  This has led to some interesting interactions between the humans and animals of Ashville.  The Black Bear Study has been working hard to educate the human part of the education and most residents have jumped into the project enthusiastically. Another nice addition to the Scientists in the Field series.  The book also looks at other urban spaces where a wild animal has a prominent place.  I like the twist that this is going on in Cherrix’ own city. Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Spring After Spring : How Rachel Carson Inspired the Environmental Movement by Stephanie Roth Sisson  PICTURE BOOK, NON FICTION Roaring Brook Press, 2018, $18. 9781626728196 BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) -,  EL -,  MS - ESSENTIAL  AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  Rachel Carson was always interested in animals. As a child she would rush outside in the spring to hear all the sounds of the birds, animals and insects - sounds that grew louder as spring turned into summer. Year after year she wrote, and wanted to be a writer - but college changed her focus to Biology. Her writing and her observations came together with the publication of Silent Spring which eventually lead to the Environmental Protection Agency and a change in how we feel about the environment and things like pesticides.  Sisson has illustrated her picture book like a graphic novel, with panels and word bubbles (for the sounds of nature.) Easily accessible to a 3rd grader and up, this important lesson on how appreciating the environment