Early Elementary – Page 4 – Sneak Peek Books

The Story of the Wright Brothers

The Wright brothers were one of the most famous inventors in history, and their hard work, intelligence, and perseverance helped them create one of the greatest inventions of all time: the airplane. These brothers forever transformed the world of transportation and turned the skies into a valuable method of travel. Today, their legacy is seen in the millions of airplanes flying across the globe, and their desire to conquer the sky led to the growing reliance and importance of air travel in our society. However, the Wright brothers’ journey wasn’t easy, and the construction of the airplane didn’t come without failure.

Wilbur and Orville Wright were intelligent and curious children born shortly after the American Civil War. They were avid readers and inventors, especially intrigued by the prospect of flight. With technology progressing rapidly during these years, the brothers decided to do the impossible: build a flying machine! However, after many failed attempts and broken prototypes, the future looked bleak for the aspiring innovators. Could they overcome the challenges and successfully build an airplane?

The Story of the Wright Brothers tells the biographical story of Wilbur and Orville’s journey as the inventors of the airplane. Told from the perspective of an outside narrator, the book follows the brothers’ lives, beginning with their childhood curiosity for gadgets and ending with their lasting impact on the world of air travel. While other characters, such as friends and family, briefly appear in the story to encourage the brothers, the chapters primarily focus on the Wright brothers’ work on the airplane. Thus, they are portrayed as inspirational figures whose perseverance through numerous failed attempts can serve as an exemplary and influential model for readers. The difficulties and challenges that arose from the airplane’s creation also lend the story an authentic and genuine feel.

The biography presents a positive outlook on the themes of hard work and perseverance. Although the Wright brothers endured numerous failures with their prototype airplanes, their passion for inventing a functional aircraft highlights the book’s message about never giving up. The Wright brothers’ story inspires readers to pursue their dreams and overcome adversity. The brothers “didn’t give up, even when flight looked impossible. These smart men persevered when things got tough—and they succeeded!”

As part of the A Biography for New Readers Series, The Story of the Wright Brothers is educationally oriented and includes additional supplementary materials, such as fun facts, discussion questions, a reading quiz, and a glossary. Colorful, hand-drawn illustrations are sprinkled every one to three pages, and the end of the book contains real-life photographs that highlight key moments of the Wright brothers’ lives. While some text features advanced vocabulary that may be challenging for younger readers, The Story of the Wright Brothers delivers an exciting tale about two of history’s most famous inventors. The biography is an engaging story that will inspire readers to create the next big invention. Curious readers who want to learn more about the flight should also read The Wright Brothers: Nose-Diving into History by Erik Slader & Ben Thompson, Wood, Wire, Wings: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane by Kirsten W. Larson, and Ada Twist Scientist Exploring Flight by Andrea Beaty & Dr. Theanne Griffith.

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When the Stars Came Home

When Ojiig moves to the city with his family, he misses everything they left behind. Most of all, he misses the sparkling night sky. Without the stars watching over him, he feels lost.

His parents try to help, but nothing seems to work. Not glow-in-the-dark sticker stars, not a star-shaped nightlight. But then they have a new idea for how to make Ojiig feel better — a special quilt stitched through with family stories that will wrap Ojiig in the warmth of knowing who he is and where he came from. Join this irresistible family as they discover the power of story and tradition to make a new place feel like home.

Despite his parents’ attempts to help Ojiig adjust to city life, Ojiig’s depression worsens, and soon “Ojiig didn’t know how to wish anymore.” Then Ojiig’s mother, who is Anishinaabe, begins to sew a quilt. As she sews, she narrates stories about her ancestors and their challenges, such as hiding from the government agents who wanted to take the children to Boarding School. When his mother presents the quilt to Ojiig, he “thought about all the stories his mama had stitched into the quilt. He thought about how all his ancestors’ stories lived inside him. And he wondered what kinds of stories future generations might tell about him.”

The last page shows Ojiig wrapped in the quilt, surrounded by family, and he realizes, “Home is where you learn who came before you. Home is where you discover who you are. Home is where you imagine who you might become.” The back of the book gives more information about the Indigenous Boarding Schools and the Anishinaabe quilting tradition.

When the Stars Came Home is beautifully illustrated using deep purples and blues to imitate the night sky and includes illustrations of Ojiig’s ancestors. The natural tones in the pictures of Ojiig’s ancestors emphasize Indigenous peoples’ connection with nature. Each page features one to five complex sentences, making it essential for an adult to read the book to their child instead of having a child read it independently.

While When the Stars Came Home focuses on the Indigenous experience, any reader who has moved to a new place will understand Ojiig’s emotions. The illustrations and story are a beautiful reminder that home is where the heart is. To reinforce the importance of storytelling, pair When the Stars Came Home with Octopus Stew by Eric Velasquez. However, if you’d like to read more stories that show the Indigenous experience, read Remember by Joy Harjo, Dragonfly’s Tale by Kristina Rodanas, and Berry Song by Michaela Goade.

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Supernatural

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Jingle Dancer

Jenna loves the tradition of jingle dancing that has been shared over generations in her family and intertribal community. She hopes to dance at the next powwow. But with the day quickly approaching, she has a problem—how will her dress sing if it has no jingles?

Jenna turns to her Indigenous community to help her prepare for the powwow. First, she watches a videotape of her Grandma Wolfe to learn the bounce step of the jingle dance. To get her dress ready, Great-Aunt Sis gives Jenna a row of her jingles and tells her a story. Then, Jenna asks three other women to borrow a row of jingles, making sure that she didn’t take so many that the others “dresses would lose their voice.” With her Grandma Wolfe’s help, Jenna helps sew the jingles onto her dress and practices her bounce-steps.

Jingle Dancer focuses on Jenna’s community and traditions. When Jenna dances, she doesn’t just represent herself; she dances for the women who helped her get enough jingles to make her dress sing. The story illustrates how Indigenous women support one another and the significance of preserving and passing down traditions.

The watercolor illustrations show Jenna in a typical suburban community. Many illustrations focus on the traditional jingle dancer, and the conclusion shows Jenna dancing at the powwow. Jingle Dancer helps readers understand traditional Native American customs and highlights the importance of storytelling in these cultures. The author’s note includes information about the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the traditions behind jingle dresses. It also includes a glossary that explains the following terms: fry bread, Indian taco, powwow, and regalia.

Jingle Dancer is a beautifully written story about Native American traditions. While the story is heartwarming and encouraging, wiggly readers may struggle to follow along with a reading of the book due to the text-heavy pages. However, the story focuses on community and storytelling, and it will appeal to many children and adults. Jingle Dancer encourages readers to learn about their culture and traditions, reminding them of the importance of remembering their ancestors.

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The Broken Bees’ Nest

The Broken Bees’ Nest is part of the Makers Make it Work Series. Tying into the popular Makers Movement, Makers Make it Work is a series of fun, easy-to-read stories that focus on problem-solving and hands-on action. It features bright, eye-catching art and explanatory sidebars with additional information on the topic.

Arun and Keya find the perfect tree for a tree house. Too bad it comes with a battered bees’ nest! These bees need a new home—right away! But Keya is afraid and unsure if she wants to help the bees. The kids’ neighbor, Dr. Chen, helps them dress in a beekeeper’s suit to keep them safe. Then, Dr. Chen shows them how to use smoke to calm the bees. Once the bees have a new home, Dr. Chen and the kids prepare the honey to be eaten. In the end, Keya is no longer afraid of bees and is excited to help take care of the new hive.

The Broken Bees’ Nest is a fun, easy-to-read story that teaches readers about bees. Each page has five to seven simple sentences and a large picture. Readers will relate to Keya, who is afraid of bees. With the help of her brother and an adult, Keya learns that bees are fascinating. Each two-page spread features a sidebar that provides additional information about bees, beekeepers, and safety precautions when working around bees. Bee facts are integrated into an engaging story, so The Broken Bees’ Nest never feels like a textbook.

As part of the Makers Make it Work Series, The Broken Bees’ Nest “focuses on problem-solving and hands-on action.” The brightly colored illustrations show a traditional family and a caring adult neighbor, who teach the children how to help the bees. The story features diverse characters, as Arun and Keya are of Indian descent, and Dr. Chen is Asian. According to the publisher, Kane Press, “these books show kids how to use their hands, their heads, their creativity, and their problem-solving skills to overcome every challenge facing them.”

The Broken Bees’ Nest uses simple sentences, likable characters, and relatable conflict. The brother and sister are kind to each other, and the adults are shown in a positive light. In addition, after reading the book, readers will have a new understanding of bees and how to keep safe around them. Additionally, the book guides how to be a friend to bees by creating a bee-friendly garden. These elements make it the perfect book for young readers interested in the natural world. To learn more about insects, fly to the nearest library and check out Invasion of the Insects by Ada Hopper and On Beyond Bugs! by Trish Rabe.

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The Urban Owls

Lifelong birder Christian Cooper introduces us to the majestic owls that have made New York City their home, beginning with Flaco, the Eurasian Eagle-Owl that escaped from the Central Park Zoo. When Flaco escaped, “some people worried that he might not survive. But Flaco surprised everyone—he could do just fine on his own.”

Another owl that makes its home in Central Park is Barry the Barred Owl, who likes to roost in the same spot along a path in the park. Barry captivated “curious people” who liked to go see her. Geraldine, the Great Horned Owl, also made Central Park her own, “even though she hurt her foot and it never healed right. Geraldine doesn’t let that stop her.”

But not all owls want to make Central Park their home. Rockey the Saw-whet Owl lived in the quiet woods until she fell asleep and woke up in the big city. Her tree ended up in Rockefeller Center, “where it would soon be decorated with lights for everyone to see.” Luckily, “kind people helped Rocky get far away from the city and back to the woods.”

The Urban Owls introduces readers to New York City’s owls while including many interesting facts about each type. The beautiful digital spreads focus on the owls by using light from the moon, neon signs, and the glow of windows. While all readers will find the owls beautiful, older readers may want to try to identify the owls’ differences, which are explained in the back matter. The backmatter also includes information about how to spot an owl and how to be a good owl neighbor.

Throughout the book, Cooper draws parallels between the owls and people. For example, Flaco “worked the night shift, like most owls do (and like some people do too).” The illustrations also feature other animals, including a lightning bug, mice, a squirrel, and a dog in the window of an apartment. Plus, readers can learn about perseverance through Geraldine, who survives despite an injury: “A body that’s different doesn’t mean you’re not able to do great things.”

Younger readers will enjoy examining the illustrations in The Urban Owls; however, the text-heavy pages and the inclusion of numerous facts make the book more suitable for older readers. Although The Urban Owls is a picture book, the story must be read aloud to young children, rather than read independently by the child. Readers may need help with some of the more advanced vocabulary, such as roost, perch, and fiercer. The Urban Owls is worth reading because it educates readers about owls and helps them become interested in protecting wildlife. Readers who want to learn more about animals should also read Polar Oceans by Bobbie Kalman and One Tiny Turtle by Nicola Davies. The Rocket Series by Nathan Bryon will also encourage a child to care for our world.

Pinkalicious

Pinkalicious begins on a rainy day, when Pinkalicious’ mother suggests that the family bake cupcakes. Pinkalicious adamantly requests that they make the treats pink, and when they are finished, she finds them delicious. After waking up from her nap, Pinkalicious continues to ask for more treats, and she eats more cupcakes after dinner. This prompts a sugar high that prevents her from sleeping for some time. The next morning, Pinkalicious awakens to find that her skin and hair have turned pink, the color of the cupcakes.

Pinkalicious is delighted at her new look, calling herself “Pinkerbelle.” After discovering that their daughter’s pink hue cannot be removed, her parents take her to the doctor. He diagnoses her with “Pinkitis” and prescribes a new diet of only green food. Pinkalicious, her little brother Peter, and her mother stop by the park on their way home from the doctor, and Pinkalicious’ skin causes her to attract a terrifying swarm of insects and birds. Despite this, when they get home, Pinkalicious asks for another pink cupcake. Her parents instead give her a dinner of green vegetables, but after they go to sleep, Pinkalicious sneaks one more cupcake. To her shock, she wakes up bright red the next day. Understanding the necessity of the doctor’s orders, she eats piles of green food to reverse the effects of the cupcakes. The trick works, and Pinkalicious returns to her normal color. The story ends with her little brother Peter appearing with pink skin and a partially eaten treat in his hand, signifying that he has eaten the rest of the cupcakes.

Pinkalicious teaches the importance of restraint and appreciating good things in moderation. The main character’s refusal to limit her cupcake consumption is initially of no concern to her, but she eventually faces the startling consequences. She learns that, although the cupcakes are delicious, she should not eat too many. She also learns to listen to the adults in her life, including her parents and her doctor, when they advise her on what to do. It is only by doing so that she cures herself.

The story’s plot conveys the central message through the logical progression of Pinkalicious’ actions; the lesson she learns is directly tied to her decisions and character arc. However, despite the story’s insistence that pink sugary foods are best in moderation, Pinkalicious does little to convince readers that green, healthy foods are good. They are the catalyst for the main character’s recovery, yet she describes them as icky and gag-worthy.

Pinkalicious features full-size illustrations on every page that mimic collages, with characters and objects that appear almost glued onto the background, rather than being drawn. The text is in a large font that is easy for children to read themselves, and each page may contain anywhere from zero words (in which case, the adjacent page may have a few paragraphs) to several lines.

Pinkalicious is a must-read story suitable for all ages, thanks to its simple yet timeless message. Young and old readers can understand the moral about self-restraint, and its unique aesthetic makes for an engaging experience that readers will not soon forget.

Sexual Content

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Violence

The main character, Pinkalicious, is “surrounded by bees, butterflies, and birds” at the park due to her pink skin, and the illustration shows her fearful expression as she is circled by a whirlwind of creatures.

Drugs and Alcohol

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Language

In response to her doctor’s recommendation that she eat healthy and green food, Pinkalicious narrates “BOO!” and “YUCK!”

Supernatural

The story revolves around a young girl who contracts “Pinkititis” after eating too many pink cupcakes.
Pinkalicious later turns red after eating one more cupcake: “I was a deeper pink than I had ever seen. In fact, I was no longer pink. I was red!”

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by Gabrielle Barke

Three Bees: The Sound of Ee

Three Bees teaches readers simple facts about bees and how to detect word patterns using the vowel blend “ee”. For example, the book reads, “The three bees fly to the flowers, sip nectar, and return home.” The simple text is easy to understand, allowing readers to build reading confidence.

Each two-page spread has a full-page picture that focuses on bees or flowers. Each sentence contains five to seven simple words, with repetition of the vowel blend ‘ee’, which helps readers learn how to produce this sound. The words are printed in large font, making them easier to read.

Beginning readers will practice and apply knowledge of the “ee” sound when reading Three Bees. The photographs and colorful pages will help engage students. The book ends with a word list for review. Three Bees will help children learn to read by focusing on spelling patterns used in a simple story.

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My Friend Maggie

Paula and Maggie have been friends forever. Paula thinks Maggie is the best—until mean girl Veronica says otherwise. Suddenly, Paula starts to notice that Maggie is big and clumsy, and her clothes are sort of snuggish. Rather than sticking up for Maggie, Paula ignores her old friend and plays with Veronica instead. Luckily, when Veronica turns on Paula, Maggie’s true colors shine through.

Paula, a groundhog, enjoys spending time with Maggie, an elephant. The two are completely different, but they still have fun together. Maggie helps Paula “reach the reddest apples,” and “lifts me up when I can’t see.” But that all changes when Veronica starts whispering in Paula’s ear. Suddenly, Paula is embarrassed to be seen with Maggie because she’s “too big,” “clumsy,” and her clothes are “a little snuggish.” Soon, Paula spends all her time with Veronica and purposely ignores Maggie.

When Veronica starts teasing Paula, saying her “teeth stick out too far,” Maggie steps in and defends Paula. Even though Paula’s behavior had hurt Maggie, she forgives her friend, proving that “she’s the best.” The heart-warming story will resonate with young readers who have felt left out. Just like Paula, readers will learn the value of friendship as well as the dangers of trying to fit in.

My Friend Maggie uses brightly colored illustrations to bring the story to life. The illustrations magnify the difference between Paula and Maggie, showing that you can be friends with people who are different from you. The other characters include a polar bear, a pig, a panda, and more adorable animals. The animal characters add interest and humor to the story. For example, readers might giggle when the animals are having a pool party because the pig is wearing a snorkel, and the rabbit has floaties on its arms. On another page, Maggie “hides” behind a small tree, and is clearly visible.

Each page features large illustrations, and most pages contain only a single sentence, making My Friend Maggie the perfect book to read to a child when time is short. However, the book also gives adults an opportunity to discuss bullying, fitting in, and friendship with young readers. Preschool and kindergarten students learning how to navigate friendships will also benefit from reading the following books: Clovis Keeps His Cool by Katelyn Aronson, Shawn Loves Sharks by Curtis Manley, and Angus All Aglow by Heather Smith.

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Whales! The Gentle Giants

Whales are beautiful creatures known for their massive size. Seeing a whale in the wild is a memorable nature experience. These amazing animals live in the oceans of the Antarctic to the west coast of California and eastern coast of Australia, and they migrate over many thousands of miles each year. Find out what scientists are discovering about whales, what whales tell us about our planet, and the efforts being made to protect these magnificent animals.

Whales! The Gentle Giants introduces readers to the different types of whales and explains why some whales are critically endangered. Each two-page spread has one page of text and one page with pictures, maps, and infographics. The text is broken into small, manageable sections that won’t overwhelm readers with too much information. In addition, some pages have QR codes that will take readers to a video about whales.

Readers interested in learning more about whales and their lives will find all the facts in Whales! The Gentle Giants fascinating. The book also shows how humans can help whales in realistic ways, such as doing simple things like talking about whales to friends and posting online comments. It is a great introduction to the different types of whales and is a good starting point for readers who want to learn more about the magnificent ocean creatures. Readers interested in learning more about helping ocean animals in need should also read Odder by Katherine Applegate. You can also learn about scientists who study the ocean by reading Shark Lady by Jess Keating, Life in the Ocean by Claire A. Nivola and Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne.

Sexual Content 

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Violence 

One page discusses how some people hunt whales and shows men preparing to harpoon a whale.

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Pup and Hound Hatch an Egg

Pup wants to play with the spring babies born on the farm, but the mothers say no. Then, in the woods, Pup finds an egg — just there, right by his leg! Where is its mother? Who would know? Pup and Hound search high and low. Will they find the egg a home?

Readers will fall in love with the helpful dogs as they look for the mother who lost the egg. The farm where the dogs live is full of animals—cats, sheep, chickens, and mice. The endearing ending shows a surprise—a turtle hatches from the egg, and Pup and Hound “watched him and worried as good parents do. Now where Pup and Hound go, Turtle goes, too!”

As a Level 1 Reader, Pup and Hound Hatch an Egg uses easy vocabulary, simple sentences, and lots of repetition and rhyme. The playful illustrations provide visual clues to unfamiliar words. Each page has two to four simple sentences, making the book perfect for beginning readers learning sentences and word recognition. Plus, the use of rhyme and onomatopoeia makes Pup and Hound Hatch an Egg fun to read out loud.

Pup and Hound Hatch an Egg is a super cute book with fun illustrations of animals. The basic plot will have readers wondering who the egg belongs to, and the surprise ending is endearing. For another adventure, read Bobby: Catch Me If You Can by David Gall and Cameron Scott, and Hello Goodbye Dog by Maria Gianferrari.

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Animal Superstars: And More True Stories of Amazing Animal Talents

“Opee: The Motocross Biker Pup”: Mike was surprised when his dog Opee jumped on his motorcycle. At first, Mike tied Opee to him so he wouldn’t fall off the motorcycle, but Opee did everything right. He crouched closer to the bike and when the road curved Opee leaned into the turns. After a lot of practice, Mike and Opee signed up for the Baja 500 race that takes place in the desert. Would Mike and Opee be able to finish the race or would the noise and teeth-rattling ride be too much for the adventurous dog?

“Sidewinder: Groundhog Weather Wonder”: When Bob got home, he found a wicker basket on his doorstep. Inside was an injured groundhog that had been shot in the head. Determined to help the animal, Mike cleaned the animal’s wounds and fed him every three hours. Because of the injury, Sidewinder had difficulties standing up. When she finally learned how to walk, she could only walk in a circle. Someone asked Mike if Sidewinder could participate in Groundhog Day. Mike said yes, but he wondered, would Sidewinder be able to pop out of a hole and predict the weather?

“Tuna: Kitty Rock Star”: Tuna, a white kitten, was born to purr-form. She wasn’t afraid of bright lights, noise or people. Tuna’s person, Samatha, knew Tuna could be a big star in the movies, so she began training Tuna and other animals to do tricks. It wasn’t easy and sometimes the animals didn’t perform well, but Samantha learned how to use humor to keep the audience engaged. Soon, Tuna, a chicken, and other animals had their own rock band. But will Tuna ever star in a big movie?

“Sidewinder: Groundhog Weather Wonder” is an interesting story that shows the power of determination. In addition, Sidewinder went to Boby’s classroom. “In Bob’s class, all of the kids had special needs. It set them apart. Sometimes they felt left out.” Sidewinder helped the students feel important. “In one way, she and they were alike. She also had disabilities that made it hard for her to learn. Bob explained how Sidewinder kept trying. She never gave up. Her story gave the kids hope.”

Based on the hit feature in National Geographic Kids magazine, National Geographic Chapter Series features three true stories about amazing rescues. Each story is broken into three short chapters. The book is packed with full-color photography, lists, and infographics. Some pages also include orange boxes that contain additional facts about the animals. For example, “Did You Know? When scared, groundhogs give a high whistle. That’s why they’re also called ‘whistle pigs.’”

While reading each story, readers will learn more about animals. One page is about helping your dog when it’s hurt, another page gives a list of amazing things groundhogs can do. The interesting facts, and short sentences make the stories easy to read. Despite this, emerging readers may need help pronouncing difficult words, such as custodian, Candlemas, disappointment. And while the stories are easy to understand, adults will need to read the book to beginning readers.

Animal Superstars isn’t just about the amazing things animals can do, it highlights the power of practice and determination. Each story shows how the animals—Opee, Sidewinder, and Tuna—practiced new skills and surprised everyone. Each story will amaze readers and encourage them to use determination to learn new skills of their own. Readers who want to learn more animal facts should race to the library and check out the nonfiction book What If You Had Animal Hair!? by Sandra Markle.

Sexual Content 

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Violence 

While racing, Mike went into the sand, and “the back end of the bike spun out. It crashed to the ground. Both Mike and Opee flew through the air. Mike landed on his face in the dirt with his arms straight out in front of him. . .” Mike checked out Opee and found “a scrape on his nose another on his paw. . . Only then did he notice the blood. It was running into his boot from a cut on his calf.”
When Bob was ten, he found an injured groundhog. “Someone had shot it. . . Bob taped bandages over the groundhog’s wound.” The groundhog recovered and was released into the wild.
When he was older, someone left an injured groundhog on Bob’s doorstep. It had been shot in the head. A vet said, “The damage she had suffered had jumbled the signals in her brain. The plucky little groundhog could only walk in circles.”
While in a public place, a big dog came close to Tuna, and “before Samantha could stop her, the cat leaped onto the dog’s back. EEEYOW! She dug in her claws. . . Fur flew as Samantha stood then in shock. Then, as suddenly as everything started, it stopped.”
When someone becomes homeless, they may not be able to care for their cats. When the cats go to the animal shelter, “many cats are put to death.”

Drugs and Alcohol 

Mike helped many different animals by giving them medicine.

Language 

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Supernatural

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Spiritual Content 

While training Tuna, “Samantha prayed that their big break would come soon.”

Dogku

Wandering through the neighborhood in the early-morning hours, a stray pooch follows his nose to a back-porch door. After a bath and some table scraps from Mom, the dog meets three lovable kids. It’s all wags and wiggles until Dad has to decide if this stray pup can become the new family pet. Has Mooch finally found a home? Told entirely in haiku by master storyteller Andrew Clements, this delightful book is a clever fusion of poetry and puppy dog.

Dogku is a tale full of joy and laughter that focuses on a stray dog, Mooch, who finds a new home. Like any puppy, Mooch loves playing with kids, but when he gets lonely, he causes mischief by rolling around in the laundry basket and trash and finally taking a nap. Clements tells Mooch’s story using haikus, which adds to the book’s joyful tone.

Young readers will fall in love with Mooch and his family—a traditional family with three kids. The illustrations use primary colors that focus on the adorable dog and the family’s facial expressions. Each page has a large illustration that will pull at your heartstrings. While some two-page spreads have two haikus, most of them only have one, which makes the book a quick read.

Dogku is the perfect book for anyone who loves dogs. The story highlights the fun of having a pet. But be warned—if you do not currently have a pet, your children will be clambering for one after reading Dogku.

Sexual Content 

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Supernatural

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A Manatee Calf Grows Up

Learn all about manatees by tracing the life of a manatee calf from infancy to adulthood. The book starts with a word hunt that uses pictures to introduce key words in the text. Then readers will learn interesting facts about manatees.

Using an engaging format, A Manatee Calf Grows Up reinforces core language skills for first and second graders. Whenever a keyword is introduced, an arrow points to a picture that helps readers understand the word. Each two-page spread has one page with three to five short sentences with keywords in bold font. The other page has a full-page colored illustration with one to two sentences of facts about the manatee. For example, “A calf begins drinking its mother’s milk a few hours after it is born.”

Many of the book’s concepts are repeated throughout, and the end includes an infographic summarizing a manatee’s growth cycle, a glossary of keywords, and pictures of other mammals that readers will want to learn about. This Scholastic News Nonfiction Reader helps readers build background knowledge, expand their vocabulary, and develop critical reading skills.

A Manatee Calf Grows Up will engage students as they learn about manatees. The illustrations and repetitive text help readers remember the facts. To learn more about ocean animals, readers should also read Disney Moana: Moana’s New Friend by Jennifer Liberts and Otters Love to Play by Jonathan London.

Sexual Content 

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Violence 

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Drugs and Alcohol 

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Supernatural

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Thankful

At the first snowfall of winter, a young girl and her family begin a yearly tradition: they jot down everything they are thankful for on strips of paper. These strips are then assembled into “thankful chains,” which decorate the family’s house giving comfort during the cold months. While the chains are easy to make, the girl finds herself stumped as she faces the blank pieces of paper. It’s difficult to list all the things she has been thankful for during an entire year. The girl decides to start with the things in her room, like her bed and her books. By finding the value and comfort in these small things, she is able to find more things to be thankful for than she believed.

Thankful is a moving and inspiring book by award-winning author Elaine Vickers. The girl’s exercise allows her to fully appreciate the value of the little things in her life, which have wider effects on her than she realized. Looking about her room, she realizes she is thankful for her dog, who comforted her before her first day of school. This small act helped the girl understand that her nerves were perfectly natural. The girl finds that she is thankful for pen and paper, which let her create stories and express her creativity. By the end of her exercise, the girl’s chain is longer than she had expected.

The book is accessible to younger readers, with simple vocabulary and only one to six short sentences per page. Vickers’ lullaby-like prose is perfectly matched by Samatha Cotterill’s stunning illustrations. Characters are drawn on cutout pieces of paper, then placed in studio-lit, hand-made dioramas, mixing traditional illustration with photography. Cotterill’s style is a perfect match for Vicker’s story: familiar and comforting elements portrayed in a way you have never seen before.

Thankful is a warm story that invites readers to find value and beauty in their everyday lives. Thankful is an excellent pick if you are looking for a comforting nighttime read with a strong message.

Sexual Content

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Drugs and Alcohol

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Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

Wildfire Rescue

The Disaster Squad is ready to save the day in this action-packed early chapter book series, perfect for fans of the Magic Tree House Series, or for kids who aren’t quite ready to read the I Survived! Series.

Meet the Disaster Squad! Leela, Jaden, and the rest of the Jackson family travel the country, responding to natural disasters and helping people in need while rescuing animals along the way. In this first adventure, the Jacksons are called to Northern California, where wildfires rage through the forests. Smoke-filled skies, trapped animals, and evacuation mandates are putting people and animals in danger! Will the Disaster Squad be able to keep their cool and lend a helping hand?

Even though Leela and Jaden are kids, they still find ways to help in each emergency. For example, during a dust storm, the kids lead baby goats into a barn. Both kids have an emergency pack and night vision goggles to help them stay safe. Several times, the kids are left alone when their parents are helping others. While alone, the kids see a bear cub stuck in a tree. Wanting to help, Leela and Jaden enter the forest, and a falling tree branch injures Jaden. Later, Jaden’s father bandages the wound and says, “You don’t try to touch animals trapped in a wildfire. The baby animals will eventually find their family.” This will help readers understand that they need an adult’s help before trying to help an injured animal.

Wildfire Rescue helps readers understand all aspects of a wildfire, including how they start, how to make a face mask to protect against breathing smoke, how firefighters put out fires, evacuations, and more. Due to the extensive scope of the wildfires, an adult may want to read the book with a child so they can pause and discuss various aspects of the story. For instance, readers may need help distinguishing when it is safe to jump in and help during a natural disaster.

In the first two chapters, readers are introduced to the Jackson family, who are helping a farmer during a Kansas dust storm. Then, the story quickly pivots to wildfires in California. A partial map of the United States and a map of California give readers an understanding of California’s geography. While discussing the complicated nature of wildfires, the text includes age-appropriate explanations. For example, the kids’ dad explains, “In the summers, Northern California can reach over one hundred degrees! The state is also in a drought. That means there is not enough rain, and the air and forest are dry. So wildfires are more likely to start and grow large very quickly.” Additionally, the book features an infographic detailing the contents of an emergency kit and a campfire checklist.

Wildfire Rescue focuses on the Jackson family—a biracial family with two professional parents. The book also features a woman fire chief, who appears in the text and is depicted in two illustrations. This series is part of Scholastic‘s early chapter book line, Branches, and is aimed at newly independent readers. The easy-to-read text and illustrations on every page will appeal to readers ready for chapter books. However, Wildfire Rescue contains so much information about wildfires that readers will benefit from reading the book several times and discussing the events with an adult. The increasing number of natural disasters worldwide makes Wildfire Rescue a timely and relevant book that will help readers understand the complexities of wildfires. Readers can learn more about fires by reading the true story of a cat who becomes a hero in Dolores and the Big Fire by Andrew Clements.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

To help a bear cub, Leela and Jaden go into the burning forest. “Leela screamed as a branch hit Jaden’s arm. With a thud, he fell to the ground. . . Leela ran toward her brother. Jaden lay on the ground next to several broken branches.” Jaden is not seriously injured.

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

She Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens Fleming: Astronomer

Williamina Fleming changed the course of astronomy by devising the world’s first classification system of the universe. Alongside paving the pathway for future discoveries, Fleming also showcased the importance of women’s role in science and astronomy by becoming the first woman to become the curator of astronomical photographs. However, Fleming’s place in history didn’t come easy, as her success required hard work and patience.

Williamina Fleming, affectionately known as “Mina,” was born in Dundee, Scotland on May 15, 1857. As a child, Mina showed interest in her father’s photography work and constantly asked questions about the nature of photographs, such as, “Why do the chemicals work?” or “How does the light get onto the plate?” After Mina’s father died, she became the maid for Professor Pickering, the renowned director of the Harvard College Observatory. For a while, Mina did the typical jobs of dusting, sweeping, and scrubbing, but when Professor Pickering became frustrated at his assistants with their astronomical calculations, Pickering turned to Mina for the job. Could Mina seize this opportunity to showcase her intelligence and change astronomy forever?

The book gives a third-person narration about Mina’s life, demonstrating how her persistent determination, calm composure, and astute decisions impacted her growth from a curious child to an influential lady. The story depicts Mina as a strong, intelligent, and inquisitive person, and her ability to ask questions and learn from others makes her an aspiring and influential figure. Many readers will relate to Mina’s desire to know the secrets of the cosmos, and her slow climb to the position of curator of astronomical photographs feels realistic and genuine.

She Caught the Light is a rousing illustrated story that exemplifies the power of hard work and patience. After all, Mina’s chance to showcase her intelligence and impact on the astronomical world took time. When her opportunity finally arose, Mina built a long-lasting career that served as a testament to seizing the opportunity. The book also encourages readers not to grow disappointed when things take time to develop. For Mina, although she started as a maid, her past gave her the foundation to eventually create “a portrait of the universe that astronomers would use for over a century.”

She Caught the Light features simple, watercolor illustrations that aid the story’s plot with helpful character depictions and scenery. The story also contains supplementary material at the end of the book, such as a timeline, glossary, biography, and author’s note, which complements and fortifies Mina’s legacy as “a hero of the stars.” However, for an illustrated children’s book, She Caught the Light uses complex concepts, such as the inner workings of a spectroscope, and large, tricky paragraphs that may frustrate younger readers. As a result, She Caught the Light is a tale for more experienced readers. Mina’s story will leave readers more informed, inspired, and curious about the celestial objects in our skies.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Told in the third person, The Very Hungry Caterpillar follows a small caterpillar on a weeklong journey of eating, growing, and finally transforming into a beautiful butterfly. Despite not being a human character, the caterpillar is curious and determined, making him relatable to young children who are beginning to explore the world. His constant hunger, mistakes, and eventual transformation mirror the stages of growth young readers will experience themselves, making him an admirable figure.

While there are no side characters, the caterpillar does interact with a variety of foods that are introduced in a rhythmic and engaging way. A pear, an apple, cake, and sausage are some foods this caterpillar indulges in, making it humorous and teaching early learners’ skills such as counting, identifying colors, and understanding the days of the week. The foods guide the caterpillar through his transformation and drives the plot. The sun, moon, and cocoon can also be viewed as additional side elements that represent the passing of time.

The book combines vibrant collage illustrations with simple text to encourage reader participation. Carle’s use of repetition makes it a strong read-aloud book that encourages language development and memory retention. There is also an interactive factor, as the book features holes in the paper where the caterpillar eats, making it a great choice for tactile learners by keeping them engaged. Plus, the plot and pacing are the perfect fit for young readers.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a childhood classic for a reason. It’s a joyful story about change, patience, and self-discovery. Even with its simplicity, it’s heartfelt and blends early education with imagination and wonder. The themes of change, curiosity, and growth are truly powerful. Overall, The Very Hungry Caterpillar carries a meaningful message that even the smallest beginnings can lead to something beautiful.

by Rayna Burlison

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

Rascally Rabbits: And More True Stories of Animals Behaving Badly

“Sniffles and Babbity: Rascally Rabbits”: Babbity lived alone in a cage and looked sad and lonely, so Finley asked the neighbors if she could have the rabbit. When they said yes, Finley was super excited and created a home for Babbity in a rabbit hutch. But when Finley saw how much Babbity loved being outside, she made a hole so the bunny could come and go. But when the rabbit left its cage, he fought with the goats. Will this fuzzy bunny find a new home where she can roam?

“Yellow-Yellow: Bandit Bear”: Many people called Ben, a wildlife biologist, to complain about Yellow-Yellow, who kept stealing human food. To find out more about Yellow-Yellow, Ben began studying her travels. Ben wanted to teach Yellow-Yellow and campers how to stay safe. When campers began using bear boxes to store their food, Yellow-Yellow learned how to open them. Would Ben be able to teach the bear to stay away from humans?

“Moose: Problem Pup”: Aline and Neil found a puppy alone in the woods. They took the puppy home, but when they couldn’t find its owner, they kept him and named him Moose. Aline and Neil would put Moose in the backyard and connect his leash to a cable. But Moose kept getting loose. One time, Moose even followed Aline and Neil into the grocery store. Aline and Neil had a huge problem—how could they give Moose freedom without him causing problems?

Based on the hit feature in National Geographic Kids magazine, National Geographic Chapter Series features three true stories about animals causing mischief. Each story is divided into three short chapters. The book is packed with full-color photography, lists, and infographics. Some pages also include orange boxes that contain additional facts about the animals. For example, “Black bears love sweets and sometimes get cavities.”

While reading each story, readers will learn more about the mischief animals get into and teach how to care for animals properly. For example, one page explains how to hold a rabbit properly. “Yellow-Yellow” also educates readers on staying safe from bears in the forest. The interesting facts, dialogue, and short sentences make the stories easy to read. Despite this, emerging readers may need help pronouncing difficult words like scruff, sensitive, and platform. And while the stories are easy to understand, adults will need to read the book to beginning readers.

Rascally Rabbits: And More True Stories of Animals Behaving Badly will have readers at the edge of their seats, waiting to find out what the adventurous animals will do next. Each animal will capture readers’ hearts, making learning about animal safety fun. The full-colored pictures add more fun to the book and will help keep readers engaged. Anyone who loves animals will enjoy the National Geographic Chapters Series, which educates as well as entertains. Read more true stories about amazing animals by reading Pets to the Rescue Series by Andrew Clements.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

When Babbity the rabbit got into the goats’ pen, “the angry goat charged. She flung her head. Bam! The battered bunny flew through the air. Thump! He crash-landed in the dirt.” Babbity wasn’t injured.
Callie was cleaning the goat pen when “she saw Buddy the rooster—with its claws raised. Callie staggered backward. . . Callie had to kick Buddy to drive him away. And the minute she did, Flopsy [the goat] came running. Bam! She head-butted Callie’s other leg.”
After tranquilizing Yellow-Yellow and putting a GPS tag on her, Ben waited until she could run again, and “he shot her in the behind with rubber pellets. Ouch! It didn’t harm her, but Ben hoped that little ‘spanking’ would make her want to avoid people.”
Once Yellow-Yellow “surprised some hunters. . . They threw things [at the bear]. She didn’t leave. At last, they swatted him with their hiking sticks. That finally drove him away.”
Red-Green, a bear who roamed the area, kept getting into people’s food, so “the rangers had to put Red-Green down so he couldn’t be a danger to humans.”

Drugs and Alcohol 

A wildlife biologist wanted to keep track of Yellow-Yellow, a bear, so he trapped her and put a GPS collar on the bear. To do this, he “shot a drug-filled dart into her. The drug made her unable to move for a while, but she could hear and see. Ben blindfolded her to keep her calm.”
When Yellow-Yellow lost her collar, Ben “fitted a drug-filled syringe into the end of a long pole. Then he poked the pole through the trap window and stuck the doughnut thief in the rump. Yellow-Yellow slumped over, unable to move.”

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

Fox Has a Problem

Fox has a problem: His kite is stuck in a tree! But every clever plan creates even more problems for him, and for all his friends. Can they work together to fix things before it’s too late?

Fox doesn’t mean to cause his friends problems, but when he tries to get his kite down, his plan inadvertently causes issues. For example, Fox uses a big fan to try to blow his kite out of the tree. The only problem is the fan blows all of the tree’s leaves into Bear’s den instead of getting his kite down. Readers will eagerly look forward to turning each page and seeing what Fox does next. In the end, it is only with the help of Fox’s friends that he solves his kite problem.

Fox’s story uses simple, colorful illustrations that add to its humor. Each page has one simple sentence that includes word repetition. As a My First I Can Read Book, Fox Has a Problem is perfect for new readers because it uses basic language, word repetition, and large illustrations on each page.

Fox Has a Problem will entertain young readers through its humorous story and fun illustrations. Because it’s so short, it’s the perfect bedtime story. Readers can follow Fox’s adventures by reading Fox at Night, Fox versus Winter, Fox the Tiger, Fox is Late, Fox and the Jumping Contest, and Fox and the Bike Ride.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

Salat in Secret

In this beautiful story of community, family, and acceptance, a boy named Muhammad receives a special salat rug on his seventh birthday. Seven is the age when Muslim children are encouraged to pray, and Muhammad is determined to do all five daily prayers on time. But one salat occurs during the school day—and he’s worried about being seen praying at school. His father parks his truck to worship in public places, and people stare at and mock him. Will the same thing happen to Muhammad?

In the end, with help from his teacher, he finds the perfect place to pray. Salat in Secret, created by two highly acclaimed Muslim creators, is a poignant and empowering look at an important facet of Islam that many observant children cherish but might be scared to share.

Muhammad’s story illustrates how participating in salat is difficult in the United States. Muhammad watches his father pray on a public street. “Once, some teenagers laughed. Daddy kept moving up and down, slow and brave. I watched from the truck, hands shaking.” Because of this experience, Muhammad is afraid to talk to his teacher about his desire to pray during class. In the end, Muhamad bravely talks to his teacher, and she helps him find a place where he can pray.

Muhammad’s emotions are explained in ways that children will understand. For example, “I open my mouth. I try to push my questions out, but in my head, I see people starting at Daddy. I hear rough laughs. Would Mrs. Baker think salat is funny?” The story also includes illustrations that show other people’s negative reactions when Muhammad’s father prays. One illustration shows two police officers looking confused, and another illustration shows an angry woman scowling at Muhammad and his father.

Salat in Secret uses simple language and bright illustrations to help children understand the importance of salat. Each page has one to seven sentences with basic vocabulary and a glossary defining the Arabic words. The story focuses on Muhammad’s fear of praying in public and his need for bravery in order to share his desire to pray. While Muhammad has witnessed others’ negative reactions to his father’s prayer, Muhammad also knows that prayer makes him feel “sunniness inside.”

Anyone who wants to foster acceptance and understanding of other people’s cultures will find Salat in Secret an engaging book that positively portrays the Muslim tradition of salat. In addition, the relationship Muhammad has with his father is endearing. In the end, readers will celebrate when Muhammad finds the courage to advocate for his need to pray. Readers will also learn the importance of speaking up when they need help. While Salat in Secret will resonate with Muslim children the most, the book can also teach non-Muslim children the importance of respecting other’s beliefs.

To help young readers understand the importance of accepting people of different cultures, read the picture books Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors by Hena Khan, All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold, and Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

The book explains the Muslim tradition of prayer, including wudu and salat.

Hunt for the Devil’s Dragon

If you’re brave, follow cousins Beth and Patrick to Libya in the 13th century. The town of Silene is being terrorized by a vicious animal that is eating livestock. The townspeople believe it’s a dragon sent by the devil. In order to appease the beast, the people believe they must offer a human sacrifice—a young girl named Sabra. When Beth tries to help Sabra escape, she too is tied up as an offering for the dragon. Meanwhile, Patrick and a new friend named Hazi join Georgius, a Roman knight who is serving in Africa to keep peace. Georgius decides to find the dragon and kill it. Georgius’s plans go awry when Beth and Sabra beg him not to kill the dragon. The girls know the true secret of Silene—the dragon isn’t its worst enemy.

Hunt for the Devil’s Dragon begins with Beth being afraid to stand up for a friend wrongly accused of cheating on a test. Beth says, “I should have done something to stick up for Rachel. But I didn’t. I was . . . afraid.” This conflict shapes the rest of the book. Unlike Beth, the Roman Knight Georgius does what is right even when it is difficult. Georgius relies on God to help him in dangerous times. When Beth goes back in time, Georgius’ example gives Beth the strength to stand up for her new friend, Sabra, even though it means facing a dragon. Beth’s experiences with the dragon are tied back into her daily life. Beth had “trusted God and tried to defend Sabra. That decision almost cost her life. But God had taken care of her. He even used a dragon to save her!”

Beth’s and Patrick’s adventures are full of suspense and high-action scenes. The story has a surprising twist because, in the end, the dragon isn’t a bloodthirsty beast but a mother defending her children. Some readers will find the scenes with the dragon frightening, but they will cheer when the dragon is safe. However, readers may be terrified at the idea of adults being willing to sacrifice children to appease the beast. In the end, several people are injured, but no one dies, which allows the book to reinforce the idea of trusting God.

In Hunt for the Devil’s Dragon, Georgius bravely faces danger because he trusts God. Georgius does what is right because he believes God will protect him. He is even willing to fight a dragon and a saber-tooth cat! Intermixed with the action are lessons about trusting God, even when it is difficult. The conclusion reinforces the message when Beth discusses standing up to bullies. She says, “We don’t have to stand alone. Georgius helped me remember that God is my help when I face trouble.”

The Imagination Station Series books can be read as individual stories because each book focuses on a new adventure. Hunt for the Devil’s Dragon has many characters and a complicated plot that may confuse younger readers. However, black-and-white illustrations are scattered throughout the book to help readers visualize the events.

Hunt for the Devil’s Dragon is an exciting book that will engage readers and teach biblical principles that can be applied to children’s daily lives. The story focuses on Beth, a likable protagonist and a good friend. Whit, the man who sends the children on their time-traveling adventure, helps Beth connect her experiences in the past with her daily life. This helps reinforce the message and allows Beth to discuss how she will treat the bullies when she returns to school. For more exciting time-traveling adventures that teach biblical truth, check out The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls Series by M.J. Thomas. Readers longing for adventure should also read the Dragon Slayers’ Academy Series by Kate McMullan and the Time Jumpers Series by Wendy Mass.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

A young shepherd disappears, and the villagers believe a dragon has killed him. To appease the dragon, “The village people are upset. They are demanding more sacrifices.” The village had been sacrificing sheep, but now they want to sacrifice human children.
The villagers decide to sacrifice Tarek’s daughter, Sabra. “Tarek leaped in front of his daughter. But his efforts failed. Three strong men held him off.” Sabra is captured and Tarek is thrown in a jail cell.
Beth jumps in and tries to help Sabra. “Sabra screamed and kicked at the men. Beth hurled herself toward Sabra. But her foot caught a tone. And she tripped. She tumbled headfirst into the stomach of one of the men. He gasped, and he fell down.” Sabra and Beth are tied together and left for the dragon to eat.
When Beth and Sabra are tied to a post, a saber-toothed cat “roars in [Beth’s] face. The beast opened its mouth wide. Its fangs were as long as her forearm.” A dragon appears and fights the cat.
When the dragon appears, the saber-toothed cat “sprang at the dragon’s neck. The dragon swung its head like a hammer. The blow knocked the saber-tooth cat into the air. It hit the ground with a hard thud. . . The dragon opened its mouth wide and let out a loud cough. Once, twice. . . and then a burst of flames shot forward.” The cat runs away, leaving the dragon with three bold streaks across its snout.
Beth and Sabra break their bonds and hide in the dragon’s cave. Georgius arrives and believes the girls are in mortal danger. “Georgius stood in battle position. His sword and spear were ready. The dragon charged forward. It swiped at Georgius. The soldier knocked away its sharp claws with his spear. . . Georgius raised his sword and faked to one side. Then he jabbed at the dragon’s neck.”
During the fight, Georgius’s blade slices sales off the dragon. “The dragon spun violently. Its mighty tail whipped around. It slammed into Georgius. The soldier was thrown like a rag doll.” The battle is described over five pages and ends when Beth and Sabra intervene on the dragon’s behalf.
Lucius, a soldier, tricks others into believing Georgius left his post without permission. Lucius, along with other soldiers, travels to the village to kill Georgius. “One moment, Prefect Lucius was about to charge at Georgius again. The next moment his saddle was empty . . .” The saber-tooth cat had knocked Lucius off his horse, and “the beast raked its claws across Lucius’s shoulder. It tore his armor free.”
When it becomes clear that Lucius will lose the fight against the saber-tooth cat, Georgius “threw himself forward. He trusts his sword in front of him. He reached down and grabbed Lucius’ sword . . . Georgius thrust the swords at the animal. . . he lost his balance. The saber-tooth slashed its claws across Georgius’s upper arm. . .” Georgius eventually kills the cat. The fight is described over three pages.

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

A soldier calls Beth and Patrick “castoffs, throwaways, dogs.”
A man calls his horses cowards because they ran away from the saber-toothed cat.
A soldier calls his horse a stupid animal.

Supernatural

With Whit’s help, Beth and Patrick use the imagination station to travel back in time. “The red button on the dashboard began to blink. Beth pushed it. The machine began to shake. There was a loud hum. Then everything went black.”

Spiritual Content 

Since the book is Christian fiction, not all references to God are listed below.
There is a contrast between two soldiers—one who is a Christian and one who is not.
Georgius, a Christian soldier, says, “Christos [Jesus] showed me mercy. He paid my debt of sin. So I show mercy by paying the debts of others. . . You have the means to pay your debts. These children don’t. Just as we can’t pay our debt to God. Only Christos can—”
Georgius tells Beth and Patrick that he does not fear others because “Christos told us not to fear those who can kill our bodies. Instead, we’re to fear those who can destroy our souls.”
The villagers believe a dragon has been killing people. One man says, “The dragon is from the devil.”
When Beth’s friend Sabra is taken captive, Beth prays, “God, please help me and Sabra.” Later, when Beth and Sabra are tied up as a sacrifice, Beth whispers, “My help comes from the Lord.”
When Georgius finds out that Tarek is in danger, he goes to help without anyone else. Georgius says, “I’m not alone. Christos goes with me.”
When Beth thinks she is about to die, she reminds herself Jesus “promised Christians life after death.”
A soldier Lucius prepares to fight Georgius, but Georgius refuses to draw his sword, saying, “My God will be my protector.”

Hispanic Star: Selena Gomez

Meet Selena Gomez – once just a girl from Grand Prairie, Texas, who loved to perform for her family. Her courage, drive, and empathy have been guiding posts in her lifelong career since her beginnings on Barney & Friends. Selena’s skyrocket to fame took her from the Disney Channel to becoming one of Time magazine’s most influential people in the world in 2020. An emblem for her generation, Selena shows that you can be exactly who you are and follow your passions wherever they may lead you.

Hispanic Star proudly celebrates Hispanic and Latinx heroes who have made remarkable contributions to American culture and have been undeniable forces in shaping its future. If you can see it, you can be it.

Millions around the world admire Selena Gomez for her talented artistic career. However, few know about the challenges she faced as a child to become the famous star she is today. For example, in 2016, Selena had to cancel part of her concert tour because she was dealing with mental health issues and fighting Lupus. Selena said, “I need to face this head-on to ensure I am doing everything possible to be my best.” She wanted to show fans “how important it was to get help when you are struggling.” Selena’s story showcases the importance of taking care of your physical and mental health.

Hispanic Star: Selena Gomez shines a light on social media’s harmful effects and how Selena struggled with her self-image because of it. At one point, Selena realized she needed to step back from posting on social media so she could retrain her mind “to not go to these negative places when you say something wrong, do something wrong when you wear a certain thing or represent a certain culture.” Selena acknowledges that social media made her feel as if she was not good enough. Hopefully, teens will read Selena’s story and learn to limit their interaction with social media.

Short passages explain key vocabulary and historical information relevant to the book to help readers fully understand Selena’s life and accomplishments. For example, one section explains the kinds of roles in film and television, including background talent, recurring, guest star, etc. Other sections explain the battle of the immune system, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, etc. To make it easy to recognize, the supplementary text appears in a gray box. The book also includes black-and-white illustrations every three to six pages.

Hispanic Star: Selena Gomez takes a deep look at Selena and discusses how Selena’s hardships have shaped her into a better person. She values self-reflection, thoughtfulness, fearlessness, and empathy and uses her platform to help make the world a better place. Selena wants young people “to take care of themselves and one another; to stay true to who they are and what they believe.” Hispanic Star: Selena Gomez makes it clear that Selena is much more than a singer—she is an advocate for others and wants people to believe in themselves.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

Alex Morgan

Learn all about one of the top stars of the U.S. Women’s National Team in this action-packed book. Unlike most professional soccer players, Alex Morgan did not start playing club soccer until she was fourteen. But her talent was so obvious that only three years later, she was called up to the U.S. women’s under–20 team. That was just the beginning of a history-making career that led her, most recently, to a second World Cup title as co-captain of the U.S. women’s team. This new edition of Alex Morgan—revised and updated from cover to cover—follows every step of her journey, not only as a soccer player but also as a best-selling author, an actor, and so much more!

Alex Morgan uses a fun format that pulls readers into the book with full-colored illustrations, fact boxes, and short bursts of text. The pages feature a full-page illustration, large, attention-grabbing titles, and oversized text. Instead of using the traditional paragraph format, some pages only have two sentences plus facts. For example, one two-page spread has a large illustration with six all-star soccer players, giving each player height. This helps readers understand how height plays a role in sports.

While the book focuses on soccer, several pages break down events that affected Alex Morgan. These include the student protest in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, films of the year, Alex Morgan’s zodiac sign, and more. In addition, the book includes play-by-play action on some of Alex Morgan’s accomplishments on the field, complete with pictures of soccer action. Several pages also give information on other all-star soccer players.

Alex Morgan is jam-packed with information about Alex Morgan. Readers will learn about her accomplishments on and off the field. The book shows several pictures of Alex’s Nike advertisements, her book series, and her fiancé. Since the book contains so much information, none of the sections are well-developed, leaving readers with many questions about Alex Morgan. Despite this, any reader who loves soccer will find this fast-paced book fascinating and fun. Soccer-loving readers can score with these fiction books: Breakaway by Andrea Montalbano, The Academy by T.Z. Layton and The Floating Field: How a Group of Thai Boys Built Their Own Soccer Field by Scott Riley.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

Comet Chaser

Caroline Herschel changed the course of history by becoming the world’s first female professional astronomer. During a time when women’s career paths were limited to wives and housemaids, Herschel desired to break this standard and pursue something she loved her entire life: astronomy. Nowadays, her legacy lives on in her achievements and her celestial discoveries paved the road for modern-day astronomy. However, Herschel’s journey wasn’t easy, and her pathway to becoming an astronomer was difficult and uncertain.

As a child, Caroline loved gazing into the stars on the cobblestone streets of Hanover, Germany. She wanted to learn more about them with her father and brothers, but her mother forced her to wash, mend, and sweep around the house instead. This all changed when Caroline’s older brother, William, requested that Caroline live with him in England. Sensing an opportunity to change her future, Caroline joined her brother with excitement and uncertainty. Will this decision jumpstart Caroline’s career or prove a costly mistake?

Comet Chaser is an inspiring illustrated story that showcases the importance of breaking cultural norms and pursuing one’s passion. The book follows the life of Caroline Herschel through a third-person narrator, detailing her journey from an unhappy housemaid to a world-famous astronomer. The book portrays Herschel as a mentally tough and determined woman, who frequently makes difficult decisions, such as moving to England to advance her career despite the difficulties. Herschel’s willingness to take risks to improve her future is relatable and admirable.

The tale presents an uplifting view of the importance of passion and pursuit. Although Caroline’s desire to study the stars clashed with her culture’s roles of women, her determination to do what she loved allowed her to prove the world wrong. By discovering seven new comets, Herschel showed others that she could accomplish incredible feats, opening endless opportunities and careers for women in the future. Herschel’s determination and pursuit of astronomy teaches readers to pursue their passions despite the difficulties and hardships. After all, Herschel’s life epitomizes the benefits of hard work: “At age 37, Caroline finally had a career. Caroline wasn’t a teacher, a dressmaker, or a singer. She was the world’s first professional woman astronomer.”

Comet Chaser features colorful, watercolor illustrations that frequently span the length of each page and enhance the reader’s experience with plot-driven details. At the end of the narrative, the short story provides supplementary material, such as a glossary and a biography about Caroline Herschel. Although the large paragraphs and advanced vocabulary will be challenging for younger readers, Comet Chaser is a book for all ages, thanks to its engaging story, uplifting lesson, and noteworthy exploration of women’s changing opportunities in the career field. To learn more about how real women impacted the world, pair Comet Chaser with Mae Among The Stars by Roda Ahmed, Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker, and Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross by Traci Sorel.

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