Early Elementary – Page 5 – Sneak Peek Books

Secret of the Prince’s Tomb

The hot sun and sand of ancient Egypt await Patrick and Beth in their next Imagination Station adventure. The cousins are caught between a terrible ruler and a nation bound for slavery. To help their new friend Tabitha, the cousins must seek out a great secret—one that will give hope to her family and future generations. Their search takes them to an ancient burial vault and . . . a mummy! But the vault is a confusing maze, filled with traps and mysterious symbols. Will the cousins ever get out again to share a life-changing hope?

Secret of the Prince’s Tomb introduces readers to the time period after Joseph saved the Hebrews from famine. Patrick and Beth “met the Hebrews when everything was about to go all wrong. They were about to spend a long time in slavery. But God still wanted them to keep their hope in him.” Despite the harsh treatment that Hebrews faced, the cousins remind the Hebrews that “even though things are hard now, God is looking out for his people.”

When Patrick and Beth go back in time, they witness the Egyptian’s harsh treatment of the Hebrew slaves. While the treatment is cruel, the descriptions are not graphic. However, some readers will still be upset by the Egyptian’s treatment of the Hebrew people. Unlike many stories, Secret of the Prince’s Tomb does not have a hopeful conclusion. Instead, the Hebrews will remain in slavery for a long time. Despite this, there is hope because God is still caring for his people.

The story uses easy vocabulary; however, some readers may have difficulty understanding the complicated plot and how all the pieces fit together. While readers may not understand some of the story’s connections, they will still be entertained by the suspenseful story. Most of the suspense is built by Patrick and Beth running from trouble. However, each time they go into a new situation, they learn more about the time period. They also go inside a pyramid, which adds interest to the story. To help readers understand the time period, black and white illustrations appear every five to fifteen pages.

Readers interested in history, especially biblical history, will find Secret of the Prince’s Tomb an entertaining book that reinforces biblical principles. While Patrick and Beth are not well-developed characters, the story connects the cousins’ everyday problems to the difficulties of the Hebrew people. Through their experiences, the cousins learn that “God wants me to have hope in Him, not in what happens to me.” Readers interested in learning more about Egypt can jump into the past by reading Escape from Egypt by Wendy Mass.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

The Hebrew people are being discriminated against and forced into slavery. A Hebrew errand boy was “lashed” with a “long, thin rope.” Afterward, the boy “could barely stand.”
While working in the heat, one slave “doubled over and fell to his knees.” When the man is too weak to work, an Egyptian guard “hit the man in the back with the staff.”
Patrick and Beth try to help their friend Tabitha escape slavery. After being caught, Patrick and Beth are arrested. An Egyptian “grabbed a rope from inside the cart. He tied the cousins’ wrists together.” Then, the Egyptian tied them to a cart and took them to a prison cell. The pharaoh’s son, Lateef, later releases them.

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

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Supernatural

The Imagination Station takes Patrick and Beth back in time. While going back in time, “The clothes you’re wearing will change. They will look right for the time. And you’ll have a few other things you’ll need.”
The Egyptians believed that “whoever opens a tomb will be cursed.”

Spiritual Content 

Patrick and Beth are Christians who “believed in only one God.”
The Egyptians believe in “hundreds of gods,” including the god of the sun and the goddess of the Nile. The pharaoh’s son, Lateef, and others believe that the gods are angry with them, which is the reason they have not had enough rain. Lateef explains, “If the people bring enough sacrifices, the gods will be happy. Then, if the gods choose, they will raise the waters. . . They might send rain.”
Lateef believes that there are “many things” that make the gods unhappy and that “only one thing pleases them: sacrifices.”
Tabitha’s family are Christians. When Patrick and Beth were taken to prison, Tabitha worried about them. When she sees that they are saved, Tabitha says, “God be praised. My family has been praying for you.”
Patrick and Beth sneak into a tomb. When an Egyptian guard chases them, Patrick and Beth blow out their lamp. Then, Beth “said a small prayer asking God to help Patrick’s memory” so they could get out of the pyramid.
While looking at Joseph’s tomb, Beth and Patrick discuss the biblical story. Beth says that Joseph’s “m

David and the Giant

David and the Giant tells the Bible story in a fun way that is perfect for younger readers. David cares for his father’s sheep. One day, David is given a basket of food to take to his brothers, who are fighting in a war. Goliath demands that the King choose one man to fight him, but all the men are afraid. David, though he is small, will face Goliath.

David and the Giant is part of the Step into Reading Level Two series, which targets readers in preschool through first grade. Each page features one to three short sentences in large font, making it an easy read. The full-page illustrations use muted colors to bring David’s story to life. Even though David kills Goliath, the illustrations are somewhat comical. However, the pictures do include Goliath being stoned in the head and falling down—dead.

Parents who want to teach their children Biblical stories will enjoy reading David and the Giant to their children as it teaches that God looks out for his people. The story highlights David’s courage and bravery and shows that God looked after David. Even though David faced many threats, he was without fear because he trusted God. David and the Giant retells David’s story with a simple plot and child-friendly illustrations that children will love.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

When a lion tries to eat a sheep, David “killed the lion all by himself.” The illustration shows David using a sling and the rock hitting the lion in the head.
When David went to fight Goliath, Goliath laughed and said, “Let me turn you into food for the birds.” David uses his sling to kill Goliath. The illustration shows David using a sling and the rock hitting Goliath in the head.

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

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Supernatural

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Spiritual Content 

David takes care of his father’s sheep and “God looked after David.”

The Longest Storm

Like many children’s book authors, Dan Yaccarino uses exaggerated characters and situations to show a problem that most young readers can relate to. His story Morris Mole uses a mole in a nice suit to teach readers the importance of embracing their uniqueness. His story Boy + Bot focuses on a boy’s unexpected bond with a robot to show the value of accepting and embracing differences in friendships. In The Longest Storm, Yaccarino uses a violent, persistent storm to educate today’s young readers on an issue unique to their generation – the COVID-19 lockdown.

Short, heartfelt, and relatable, The Longest Storm follows a nameless family learning to coexist with one another after a sudden storm forces them to stay in their house for an indefinite amount of time. At first, their time inside makes them hopelessly bored. As the storm continues, and the family repeatedly gets in each other’s way, the boredom shifts to irritation. After the family’s patience with each other finally snaps, each member of the family has a deep desire to be away from one another despite having nowhere to go. In The Longest Storm, readers will find a thoughtful lesson about navigating and communicating their feelings to loved ones at times when words fail, and emotions overwhelm them.

The book is narrated by an unspecified family member, using simple vocabulary that is easily accessible to new readers. Each page is carefully composed, combining several individual illustrations to show the family’s growing division, and using double-page spreads when the family has finally come to an understanding. The narration is short and concise, using only one to four sentences on each page and relying just as much on the illustrations to tell the story. As the family becomes more and more annoyed with each other, the pages are drawn in progressively brighter shades of red. As the family isolates themselves in their rooms, they are each portrayed in dark, lonely blue hues.

If you are looking for a book to help your young reader understand the complicated and continuing issue of the pandemic, or if you are simply looking for a book that shows healthy communication, The Longest Storm should satisfy. It is a thinly disguised allegory that will connect with older and younger readers alike and will undoubtedly serve as a helpful lesson to anyone who picks it up.

Sexual Content

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Violence

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Drugs and Alcohol

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Supernatural

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Spiritual Content

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She Persisted: Florence Griffith Joyner

Considered the fastest woman of all time, Florence Griffith Joyner, also known as Flo Jo, set two world records in 1988 that still stand today. But getting there wasn’t easy, and Flo Jo had to overcome many challenges along the way. The book begins with Florence’s early childhood when she raced her siblings and the jackrabbits that lived in the Mojave Desert. As she raced the jackrabbits, she “got faster and faster. Then one day she caught a jackrabbit.”

Florence loved running and she loved fashion. When Florence began school, the other kids teased her about her clothes, but Florence’s mother taught her to “just move on.” This mantra served Florence throughout her life. Florence persisted in reaching her goals even when circumstances were unfair. When others doubted her, Florence just worked harder.

After overcoming many obstacles, Florence won silver at the 1984 Olympics for the 200-meter race. Despite medaling, Florence was disappointed in herself. “She did not want to be remembered as being second best,” and she vowed to do better in the next Olympics. Throughout her running career, Florence still had many other interests, including fashion. Florence continued to embrace bright colors and she even “found ways to stand out in her colorfully self-styled track outfits.” In the end, Florence embraced both her love of fashion and her love of running.

She Persisted: Florence Griffith Joyner introduces young readers to an Olympian who was known as the fastest runner in the world. The chapter book gives glimpses of Florence’s early years, her family life, as well as the racial and economic obstacles that she overcame. Through her can-do attitude and her ability to move past hardship, Florence trained and pushed herself until she reached her goals. However, Florence also continued expressing her artistic side through her fashion and by painting, writing, and even acting. In 1993, Florence was named as co-chair to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness; she used this platform to help “educate children about the importance of exercise, healthy eating and excelling.”

Despite those who doubted Florence’s ability, she never gave up. She said, “when anyone tells me I can’t do something. . . I’m just not listening anymore.” Florence’s story will encourage readers to work hard and persevere through difficult situations. Her encouraging story highlights the importance of staying true to yourself. While educating children, Florence said, “I always encourage kids to reach beyond their dreams. Don’t try to be like me. Be better than me.”

Florence’s story includes fun anecdotes from her childhood that will pull children into the book. To help keep readers engaged, the book has short chapters and black-and-white illustrations that appear every three to five pages. The book is packed full of information about Florence’s life, and while younger readers may not understand the significance of some of the events, they will be inspired by Florence’s attitude and accomplishments. The book ends with advice on how readers can be like Florence.

She Persisted: Florence Griffith Joyner is the perfect book for adults to read to a child. The encouraging book reinforces the importance of persistence as well as teaching other important life lessons. For more inspiring biographies, add these picture books to your list: Fauja Singh Keeps Going by Simran Jeet Singh and Emmanuel’s Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson & Sean Qualls.

Sexual Content

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Violence

Joyner’s family moved to the same neighborhood where the Watts Rebellion took place. The rebellion began when “white police officers attempted to arrest a Black motorist who was suspected of drunk driving. A scuffle ensued between the man and the police. . . the scuffle had turned quickly into police brutality.”
One of Florence’s competitors, Valerie Brisco, dedicated her races to her brother, who was “a track star who had been killed by a stray bullet while he worked out.”

Drugs and Alcohol

When Florence won multiple gold medals during the Olympics, “murmurs and whispers spread rapidly. Many believed Florene cheated by using illegal drugs to make her stronger, increase her stamina and allow her to run faster.” Even though all the drug tests came back negative, rumors still spread.

Language

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Supernatural

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Spiritual Content

When having a difficult time, Florence’s “mother reminded Florence to keep God near, while her father reminded her that she could face any challenge.”
For a time, Florence doubted herself which caused her to pray daily.

Don’t Throw it to Mo!

Mo is the youngest and smallest person on his football team. Most of the time, Mo sits on the bench with Coach Steve. In order to teach Mo how to keep ahold of a slippery ball, Coach Steve spreads butter on a football and has Mo catch it. While watching Mo, some of the players laugh at him, but Mo doesn’t give up.

During a game, Coach Steve puts Mo into the game but tells the players, “Mo will go deep, but don’t throw to Mo.” The other team doesn’t think they need to cover Mo. One player says, “I’ll wait here. No one would throw to a small butterfingers.”

When the coach then tells his team to throw the ball to Mo, the other team laughs. They are confident that Mo can’t catch the ball because he’s too small. But Mo does catch the ball and he runs past the goal line. Coach Steve tells Mo, “You won the game. You are the one who caught the ball.”

Any young child who loves football will want to read Don’t Throw it to Mo! Even though Mo spends most of his time sitting on the bench, Mo has a positive attitude and keeps practicing. When Mo is finally put into a game, readers will wonder why the coach doesn’t let anyone throw to Mo. But when the coach’s plan is finally revealed, readers will cheer for Mo as he makes the winning catch.

Don’t Throw it to Mo! is for progressive readers who are ready for longer sentences and more in-depth plot development. The story is told with one to five sentences on each page. Each page has a large, colored picture and many of the pictures show how small Mo is compared to the other boys on the team. The pictures show the football action as well as help readers follow the story’s plot.

This Level 2 reader, about a little black boy with a big passion for sports, is the winner of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. Sports-loving readers will love the football action, the surprise ending, and the boy who refuses to give up. For more fun sports action, pair Don’t Throw it to Mo! with Pedro’s Big Goal by Fran Manushkin.

Sexual Content 

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Drugs and Alcohol 

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Supernatural

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Spiritual Content 

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A Dandelion Wish

Kate, Mia, Lainey, and Gabby are special girls. They know how to travel between their hometown and Never Land—through a broken slat in a backyard fence. But what happens when the fence is repaired . . . with one of the girls stuck on the Never Land side? 

Mia sneaks out to Never Land and brings a fairy home. When Gabby finds out, the two girls get into a fight and Gabby decides to go to Never Land alone. When Mia’s father fixes the fence, she calls on her friends—and the fairy—to help. Determined to keep Gabby’s disappearance from her parents, Mia and her friends sneak around, sabotage a lawn mower, and eventually find a new way into Never Land.

While Mia is trying to find a way to rescue her sister, Gabby is having an adventure with the fairy Iridessa. Many readers will relate to Iridessa, who gets flustered when things don’t go according to plan. When Iridessa is put in charge of watching Gabby, the fairy is surprised at how the girl keeps disappearing. Iridessa is upset that her plans have been interrupted because “planning was how you went about making sure things turned out as you wanted.” However, because of Gabby’s inquisitive nature, Iridessa isn’t able to follow her plan. Eventually, Iridessa realizes, “If it weren’t for Gabby, she never would have seen the dancing fireflies or the trail of wishes. Those things hadn’t been part of her plan, but Iridessa wouldn’t have wanted to miss them for the world.”

The chapter book has ten short chapters. While the short chapters and illustrations make the story accessible to readers, younger readers may need help with the vocabulary. Cute black and white illustrations appear every one to four pages, which helps bring the fairy magic to life. The illustrations will help readers visualize the story’s plot.

Young readers will enjoy A Dandelion Wish because of its fun cast of characters that include both clumsys and fairies. Gabby’s adventure into Never Land is full of wonder and her sister’s search for a way into Never Land adds suspense. In the end, Gabby and Mia get over their argument and learn to appreciate each other. However, parents may not like all of Mia’s sneaking around and her desire to keep her parents unaware of Gabby’s disappearance. Despite this, A Dandelion Wish’s high-interest topic, relatable conflict, and friendship among the girls will keep young readers entertained until the end. Readers who would enjoy another entertaining series focused on friendship should check out Purrmaids by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

Lainey and her friends think an elderly neighbor is a witch.

Supernatural

Never Land is “an island that has a mind of its own.”
There is a hole in a fence that can be used to travel to Never Land. “No one knew how the passage between the two worlds had come to be—not even the fairies. . .”
The fairy Rosetta is a garden fairy who “can make any flower bloom [and] hear the secrets inside a seed.”

Spiritual Content 

None

Uni and the Perfect Present

Uni is generous and wants to give Silkie a special present for his birthday. But Uni doesn’t have anything! So, Uni asks different animals what they think the perfect present is. Uni gives Silkie many gifts on their special day together, but there is one gift that turns out to be the most special of them all.

Anyone who has ever had to pick out a gift for someone will relate to Uni’s conflict. As Uni and Silkie spend the day together, Uni asks other animals what the perfect present is. Taking their advice, Uni gives Silkie an acorn, a shiny pebble, and a strong stick. But Uni doesn’t think any of the gifts are special. Then, Uni has an idea! She draws a picture of all the things they saw—a blue stream, golden trees, and purple flowers. Uni finally has the perfect present for Silkie!

Each page of Uni and the Perfect Present has a large illustration that focuses on nature. Readers will love all the forest animals Uni meets, as well as the brightly colored trees and flowers. Each page has one to three simple sentences that appear in oversized text. As a Level 2 book, Uni and the Perfect Present uses basic vocabulary words that are perfect for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help. In addition, the simple plot is relatable and easy to understand.

Uni and the Perfect Present will entertain readers who are ready to read on their own. The cute illustrations, the likable protagonist, and the theme of friendship add up to an enjoyable story that shows that “Best friends [are] the most perfect present of all!” Readers who love unicorns can find more sparkly fun by reading the Unicorn Diaries Series by Rebecca Elliott.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

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Drugs and Alcohol

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Language

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Supernatural

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Spiritual Content

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After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again

Readers of all ages know about Humpty Dumpty, the tragic figure of a very simple and deeply unsettling four-line nursery rhyme. Since it was published over a century ago, the “Humpty Dumpty” story has been retold countless times, each retelling mixing in some new details along the way. From the original, undetailed Humpty Dumpty has come an optimistic—if fatefully naïve—character who also happens to be an anthropomorphic egg and who can sometimes be found visiting Wonderland. Despite these changes, Humpty’s story has always ended with the same Great Fall. Now, author and illustrator Dan Santat delivers today’s young readers something that previous generations have rarely seen from Humpty’s story – a happy ending.

After the Fall, is a truly delightful read. Santat takes children’s literature’s most famous failure to teach readers that failure is not something to define themselves by, and that their ability to accept and eventually overcome failure is the best path to finding who they really are. In doing so, the picture book gives readers an entirely different view of the age-old character of Humpty Dumpty.

After the Fall twists the final line of “Humpty Dumpty” to reveal that all the king’s horses and all the king’s men were in fact able to put our poor egg together again. Santat begins his story with Humpty emerging from the hospital. He’s all patched up, without a crack left on him, and by looking at him you would never know he suffered a terrible accident in the first place.

However, the fall left other marks on Humpty that cannot be seen from the outside. While he has no cracks on his shell, Humpty finds a new, possibly bigger danger to worry about: a horrible fear of heights. Climbing tall heights used to be a part of Humpty’s everyday life. He used to visit his grocery store and climb to the highest shelf of the cereal aisle, where his favorite brand sits. He used to spend his free time climbing to the top of the tallest wall in town, where he would sit and watch the birds fly by. But now, Humpty can’t imagine climbing such heights and feels he must settle for the bland, flavorless cereal located on the lower shelves. Now, he watches birds from the ground, which gives a much less exciting view. Readers will join Humpty as he learns to navigate life after the Great Fall. With Humpty, they will learn not to define themselves by failures or tragedies, but by their courage and perseverance.

Alongside its thoughtful writing, the story is strengthened by its illustrations. Since the story takes place over the course of a year, the book features several double-page drawings of each season, with beautiful mixes of fall colors, winter grays, and sunlit springs and summers. Through its clear illustrations and brief one to seven sentences of narration on each page, After the Fall is a relatively quick and easy read. It is also a thoughtful, uplifting, and emotionally resonant read that will undoubtedly satisfy any reader who picks it up.

If you’re looking for more books that encourage readers not to let failure conquer them, pick up a copy of Splat the Cat with a Bang and a Clang by Rob Scotton.

Sexual Content

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Violence

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Drugs and Alcohol

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Language

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Supernatural

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Spiritual Content

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Princess Posey and the Next-Door Dog

After hearing about her classmate’s new puppy, Posey wants a dog of her own even though she’s a little bit scared of dogs. When a new neighbor moves in with a dog that has a very big bark, Posey tries not to be afraid. Will her special pink tutu give her the courage to befriend the next-door dog?

Posey’s teacher assigns a writing assignment: “Write a story about your own dog or pet. . . Those of you who don’t have a pet can write about the pet you hope to own someday.” When the other students talk about their pets, Posey doesn’t want them to know she is afraid of dogs.

When the next-door neighbor’s dog gets its paw stuck under a chain-link fence, Posey wants to help the dog, but she’s afraid. At first, she couldn’t help because “she was too afraid.” But then Posey thinks about her Gramps’ advice to look into a dog’s eyes. When Posey does this, she sees that the dog’s eyes are kind and sad. This gives her the courage to help the dog and to get over her fear. In the end, Posey writes about how she helped her neighbor’s dog.

Princess Posey is a relatable first grader who learns how to overcome her fear of dogs. The chapter book has ten short chapters printed in oversized font. With easy vocabulary words and black and white illustrations on almost every page, the Princess Posey Series is perfect for beginning readers. Plus, the cute illustrations will help readers understand the story’s plot.

Princess Posey and the Next-Door Dog will appeal to readers who love animals because Posey’s classmates tell their own pet stories. Parents will appreciate the positive adults who kindly discipline Posey when needed. However, the story’s plot jumps around and the chapter about Posey’s mean neighbor boys seems out of place. Despite this, young readers will relate to Posey’s fear and will cheer when she is able to put her fear aside and help a dog in need. For more fun, the book also includes directions on how to create a beaded necklace.

Parents looking for more entertaining series that teach life lesson by using positive protagonists should check out the Jada Jones Series by Kelly Starling Lyons and the Purrmaids Series by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

One chapter shows the neighbor boys being mean to Posey. They invite her to play soccer and then have her stand in one place. Then, they laugh at her saying, “you were a great goalpost.”
Posey is upset that her mom says she cannot get a pet until her brother “gets bigger.” Posey is mad so she “reached over and pulled his binkie out of his mouth.”

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

After two boys are mean to Posey, she calls them, “Big dummy heads!”

Supernatural

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Spiritual Content 

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The Half-Court Hero

There’s nothing eight-year-old twins Zach and Zoe Walker love more than playing sports and solving mysteries. And when those two worlds collide . . . well it doesn’t get any better than that. When the twins start a summer basketball league at their local park, they notice the once rundown court is getting freshened up with each passing day. First new nets, then the benches have been completely restored. But who’s behind it? Zach and Zoe are on the case!

The Half-Court Hero will appeal to a wide range of readers because it has both play-by-play sports action and a solid mystery. Plus, the twins have many positive attributes thanks to their parents who have taught them to always focus on the positive. While the kids share a love of sports, it’s Zoe’s curiosity that drives the mystery. As the kids practice for a tournament, several accidents happen because the court is in disrepair. When someone secretly begins to make repairs, the kids are determined to discover who the culprit is, even though the person clearly wants to remain anonymous. As the twins dig for clues, their parents remind them that “a good deed is its own reward” and public recognition isn’t necessary. Despite this, Zach and Zoe follow all the clues until they know who the half-court hero is.

There’s a lot to like about The Half-Court Hero including the kind characters and their healthy two parent family. While sports are clearly important to Zach and Zoe’s family, the kids’ parents remind them of good sportsmanship and the importance of passing the ball to whomever is open. Even though the kids want to win the tournament, they know having fun is just as important.

The short chapters and illustrations that appear every four to seven pages will appeal to young readers. Most of the pictures focus on Zach and Zoe, but the scenes on the basketball court show a diverse group of players. Even though The Half Court Hero is intended for younger readers, emerging readers may struggle with the difficult vocabulary.

In a world that often glorifies winning at all costs, The Half-Court Hero highlights the importance of being a good sport. While both the conclusion of the basketball tournament and the solving of the mystery are predictable, readers will still enjoy the well-written story that has a good blend of looking for clues, hanging out with family, and basketball action. Readers who want more courtside action should dribble to their closest library and check out a copy of STAT: Standing Tall and Talented by Amar’e Stoudemire.

Sexual Content

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Violence

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Drugs and Alcohol

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Supernatural

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Spiritual Content

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She Persisted in Science: Brilliant Women Who Made a Difference

Throughout history, women have been told that science isn’t for them. They’ve been told they are not smart enough, or that their brains just aren’t able to handle it. In this book, Chelsea Clinton introduces readers to women scientists who didn’t listen to those who told them “no” and who used their smarts, skills, and persistence to discover, invent, and create.

She Persisted in Science is for everyone who’s ever had questions about the world around them or the way things work—the kind of people who won’t give up until they find their answers.

She Persisted in Science shows how many women from different backgrounds made groundbreaking contributions to science. This book features Florence Nightingale, Rebecca Lee Crumpler, Ynes Enriquetta Julietta Mexia, Grace Hopper, Rosalind Franklin, Gladys West, Jane Goodall, Flossie Wong-Staal, Temple Grandin, Zaha Hadid, Ellen Ochoa, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, Mari Copeny, Autumn Peltier, Greta Thunberg, and Wanjiru Wathuti.

Each person is introduced in a two-page spread. One page includes a short introduction of the woman. Both pages have a beautiful picture that highlights each woman’s passion. While most of the women are adults, the book also includes teenager Mari Copeny, who helped bring Flint, Michigan’s water situation into the public’s light. Her story shows that “You’re never too young or too small to change the world.”

Because of the advanced vocabulary, She Persisted in Science will need to be read aloud to a child, rather than for the child to read it independently. However, the book is an excellent way to introduce a wide variety of women who overcame obstacles and made their dreams come true. Many of the biographies explain how these women from the past are still impacting today’s world. For example, Rosalind Franklin studied DNA and her work “is still being used today by scientists investigating many viruses, including the virus that caused COVID-19.”

She Persisted in Science will encourage readers to reach for their dreams and explore the world around them. While many of the women featured in the book needed higher education to pursue their careers, other women impacted the world through activism. In the end, these diverse women and their amazing accomplishments highlight that “the world. . . should be full of people raising their voices, using their power and presence, standing up for what is right.”

Sexual Content

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Drugs and Alcohol

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Supernatural

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Spiritual Content

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How to Test a Friendship

Best friends Pablo and Violet are excited to start their first day of third grade. However, when Violet starts giving the new boy, Deepak, her attention, Pablo gets upset. Pablo is afraid that he’s about to lose his best friend. But when Pablo, Violet, and Deepak discover a magical makerspace, they can’t wait to check it out! They must work as a team, but Pablo still doesn’t want Deepak’s help. Can the three learn how to work together or is Pablo about to lose his best friend forever?

When the kids are magically transported to the Maker Maze, they find cool science games and puzzles behind every door. They also find a wacky scientist who will be their guide, giant puzzles to test their skills, and holograms of animals, plants, and more!

Science loving readers will love jumping into Maker Maze, where they will learn about the food chain, such as the difference between producers, consumers, and decomposers. While the story mixes in friendship drama, the story’s focus is on teaching readers about the food chain. Pablo, Violet, and Deepak are challenged to correctly identify plants and animals that are producers, consumers, and decomposers. They also must learn to work together to find the correct answers. While the book is educational, the story is heavy on science, so some readers may have difficulty reading the entire book.

With oversized text, black and white illustrations on every page, and the magic of the Maker Maze, How to Test a Friendship will delight readers interested in science. The large illustrations show the kids in action, which will help readers understand the plot. Plus, the characters’ facial expressions clearly show their emotions—this makes Pablo’s worry palatable. To add a little fun, the text occasionally shows onomatopoeia in large font. The end of the book also includes instructions on how to make a rubber band powered boat and a diorama of an ecosystem. Younger readers may need a little help with the project.

How to Test a Friendship uses a lot of science, a little bit of magic, and three friends to teach readers about the food chain and about friendship. When Pablo first meets Deepak, Pablo is worried that Violet will no longer be his best friend. In the end, Pablo finally tells Deepak why he is upset and the two work through the problem. Pablo realizes that “friend groups are a lot like ecosystems. Over time they can change. And that isn’t always bad.” Science loving readers who want more science adventures should also check out The Data Set Series by Ada Hopper and the Mr. Tiffin’s Classroom Series by Margaret McNamara.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

Violet tells Pablo, “Don’t be a party pooper!”
Pablo says jeez once.
Dr. Crisp, the scientist in the Maker Maze, says, “Oh, fiddle flasks.”

Supernatural

A telescope in the classroom pulls the kids into a portal. “It was as if they were paper clips, and the telescope was a giant magnet. One by one, Pablo, Deepak, and Violet were squeezed through.” They come out in the Maker Maze.
While the kids are exploring the Maker Maze, the kids in the class are asleep.

Spiritual Content 

None

The Lost Expedition

In book two, The Lost Expedition, Oliver, Mya, and Jorge continue their search for home, with a few hilarious stops along the way. As the friends set sail for new sights, they find that Octavian is still hot on their trail, and he’s determined to get his hands on their magical map. To make matters worse, a mysterious organization is keen on expelling the three friends from Poptropica. As the pals travel, they find that each island is filled with its own unique brand of peril, and the mystery surrounding the map and Poptropica itself begins to unfold. Will our trio be able to outfox Octavian and discover the identity of this secret society?

On this adventure, the kids meet Amazon warriors, have a brief encounter with Shakespeare, and eventually end up on a frozen island. Even though the kids meet some historical figures, the interactions are so short that there are no historical facts about the people or places. Mya, Oliver, and Jorge end up on the HMS Terror, a warship that disappeared in 1813. However, most readers will not make the connection between the shipwreck in the book and the historical warship. While there is no educational value, readers will enjoy the sense of adventure, the nonstop action, and the comical fights. The angry polar bear that reappears several times also adds some fun.

Each page has brightly colored illustrations that use fun elements such as onomatopoeia—Krash! Smash! Krak!—as well as comical characters with oversized eyes. The illustrations clearly show the characters varying emotions such as annoyance, fear, and confusion. Some of the pages let the illustrations tell the story without text. Other pages contain up to nine sentences that use easy-to-understand vocabulary. However, most of the sentences are super short, which makes the book accessible to reluctant readers.

The Lost Expedition is visually appealing and will entertain readers because there is never a dull moment. Unlike the first installment of the series, The Lost Expedition’s plot is more complex, and the conclusion is slightly confusing. Despite this, readers will love the interplay between Mya, Oliver, and Jorge. The suspenseful conclusion will leave readers looking forward to the next book in the series, The Secret Society. Readers who find the frozen shipwreck in The Lost Expedition interesting may also want to read Ice Wreck by Lucille Recht Penner. However, if you’re looking for some more silly shenanigans, check out the Bird & Squirrel Series by James Burks.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

Octavian gags a woman and ties her to a tree.
A group of Amazon warriors throws spears at the kids. The kids safely run away.

Octavian and an unnamed man get into a fight. Octavian kicks the man in the face and then throws him off a roof. The man falls in a cart full of straw.
As the kids try to escape from Octavian, they fall off a building and land on Shakespeare. When the kids get to their boat, someone throws a morning star at them. The boat begins taking on water.
Several times, a polar bear chases the kids.
A woman tries to kill the kids by trying to shove them into the icy ocean. Mya whacks the woman in the head with an oar. The ice eventually cracks, but everyone gets out of the water alive.

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

Both the adults and the kids call people names such as creep, pig, cuckoo, jerk, and doof.

Supernatural

The kids have a magical map.
A time machine appears and nabs the kids.

Spiritual Content 

None

Swish!: The Slam-Dunking, Alley-Ooping, High-Flying Harlem Globetrotters

In this book you will find one-finger ball-spinning, rapid-fire mini-dribbling, and a ricochet head shot! You will find skilled athletes, expert players, and electrifying performers — all rolled into one! You will find nonstop, give-it-all-you’ve-got, out-to-win-it, sky’s-the-limit BASKETBALL!

You will find The Harlem Globetrotters, who played the most groundbreaking, breathtaking ball the world had ever seen. With rhythmic writing and dynamic illustrations, Swish! is a celebration of the greatness, goodness, and grit of this remarkable team.

Swish! uses a fun format to show how The Harlem Globetrotters’ accomplishments shaped basketball history. Each full-page illustration has bright colors and many of them contain humorous elements. The book also includes the racial segregation of the time and explains how it affected the players. Even though the Globetrotters’ games often sold out, “as soon as the game ended, the cheers stopped. The tired, hungry players weren’t always welcome in hotels or restaurants. They couldn’t use most gas station restrooms or phones.”

Even though the Globetrotters were amazing athletes, people thought they should not be allowed to play in the MBA because only white players were allowed. That started to change when the Globetrotters challenged the Minnesota Lakers to a game—and won! Many thought the Globetrotters’ win was a fluke until they played the Lakers again—and won! NBA team owners finally realized that “their ‘whites only’ rule seemed ridiculous.”

Not only did the Globetrotters open the door to the MBA for black players, but they also traveled the world with amazing crowds, and “they also made thousands of new friends, met popes, princesses, and presidents, and even sipped tea with the queen of England!”

Slam! is a fun and educational book that shows the power of persistence. The text not only brings the Globetrotters’ story to life, but it’s also fun to read aloud. The text uses alliteration, oversized color font, and other elements that give the story added pizzazz. Slam! is sure to please basketball fans as well as readers who aren’t into sports. Plus, the book will encourage readers to dream big as well as to use their skills to make the world a better place. Basketball fans who want to bounce into the realm of fiction should check out the series STAT: Standing Tall and Talented by Amar’e Stoudemire.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

A Walk in the Words

When Hudson Talbott was a little boy, he loved drawing, and it came naturally to him. But reading? No way! One at a time, words weren’t a problem, but long sentences were a struggle. As his friends moved on to thicker books, he kept his slow reading a secret. But that got harder every year. He felt alone, lost, and afraid in a world of too many words.

Fortunately, his love of stories wouldn’t let him give up. He started giving himself permission to read at his own pace, using the words he knew as stepping-stones to help draw him into a story. And he found he wasn’t so alone—in fact, lots of brilliant people were slow readers, too. Learning to accept the fact that everyone does things in their own unique way and that is okay, freed him up and ultimately helped Hudson thrive and become the fabulous storyteller he is today.

A Walk in the Words is a must read for any child who struggles with understanding words. Hudson shows how learning new words can be a little scary. When he first started reading books with more text, “It was a reign of terror. My drawing pad was my safe place.” The accompanying illustrations show Hudson hiding underneath a notebook while words rain from the sky. Hudson worried that others would realize he couldn’t read as quickly as them, which caused him to feel shame. However, Hudson learns that he’s not the only person who struggles with words. To reinforce this, he includes a list of famous people—William Shakespeare, Albert Einstein, and Babe Ruth—who were all slow readers.

Even though reading was difficult for Hudson, he didn’t give up. Hudson gives advice on how to make reading easier such as, “I took time to look for words that I knew. There they were! Like stepping-stones leading me onward.” Hudson also explains how he used drawing to cope with his difficulties. Throughout the story, Hudson uses his own experiences to encourage others to keep reading—at their own pace.

Besides the message, the book beautifully uses illustrations to help bring the story and words alive. For example, one picture shows Hudson in a dark, foreboding forest; white words are written on the tree trunks and limbs. The words include equipoise, aspiration, and trepidation. In another scene, a group of books greets Hudson and one book says, “We come in peace.” Each page has two to five sentences, but because of the story’s difficult vocabulary, the story will need to be read aloud to a child, rather than the child reading it themselves independently.

A Walk in the Words encourages struggling readers to keep trying. The story shows that many people are slow readers and that if you keep trying, you will become a better reader. Young readers will love the inspiring message as well as the amazing illustrations that have many fun elements. To introduce more ways that words can be fun, check out The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds and Stacey’s Extraordinary Words by Stacey Abrams.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

Louise, Soccer Star?

Louise can’t wait for soccer season to start! She has been practicing, planning, and even dreaming about it all summer. But at the team’s first practice, she is thrown completely off by Trelawney, a new girl with some very impressive soccer skills. Is it the fault of the flashy new player, the one with all the new tricky moves? Or maybe the coach just doesn’t understand what a star Louise could be—if only she had the chance to show her stuff.

Readers will relate to Louise, who is jealous of the new girl, Trelawney. Louise was sure that this year she was going to be the star of the soccer team. But when Trelawney shows up, she makes soccer skills “look so easy. Louise always felt like a jerky wind-up toy when she tried it herself.” To make matters worse, Trelawney is also getting a lot of attention at school—even Louise’s friends are spending time with her! Louise is determined not to like Trelawney, but her bad attitude is affecting her on the field, at home, and at school.

Though she may be a few points down, Louise is determined to prove herself. Her effort leads her to do unusual exercises, such as taking inspiration from the Greek goddess Hera and listening to tips from her favorite computer game.

Even though Louise, Soccer Star? features sports, the book will have wide appeal because of the mix of soccer action, family scenes, and friendship drama. Louise is a relatable character who isn’t perfect. She loses focus and daydreams, she gets jealous of the attention Trelawney is getting, and she doesn’t want to be seen at the mall with her mom. In the end, Trelawney and Louise connect over a video game and afterward, Louise realizes that she doesn’t need to compete with Trelawney. Instead, they need to work together on and off the field.

Louise, Soccer Star? uses soccer to teach valuable lessons about friendship and teamwork. One lesson Louise learns is that “adding a new friend doesn’t have to mean getting rid of the old ones.” The book has twelve short chapters printed in oversized font. In order to help readers visualize the plot, large black and white illustrations appear every two to three pages. Soccer playing readers will get a kick out of Louise, Soccer Star? Readers can find more soccer action in Good Sport Gwen by Valerie Tripp.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson

Sharon Robinson, the daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, has crafted a heartwarming, true story about growing up with her father.

When Jackie Robinson retires from baseball and moves his family to Connecticut, the beautiful lake on their property is the center of everyone’s fun. The neighborhood children join the Robinson kids for swimming and boating. But oddly, Jackie never goes near the water. In a dramatic episode that first winter, the children beg to go ice skating on the lake. Jackie says they can go—but only after he tests the ice to make sure it’s safe. The children prod and push to get Jackie outside, until hesitantly, he finally goes. Like a blind man with a stick, Jackie makes sure the ice is safe to play on.

Testing the Ice is a metaphor for Jackie Robinson’s legendary breaking of the color barrier in Major League Baseball. While the book introduces Jackie by discussing his role in Major League Baseball, the story focuses on his family’s move to Connecticut and Jackie’s refusal to go into the water. While the two events show Jackie’s bravery, younger readers will need help connecting the two events and understanding the story’s deeper meaning.

Even though Testing the Ice is a picture book, the story is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than for the child to read it for the first time independently. Unlike most picture books, Testing the Ice uses some difficult vocabulary and complex sentences that make it more appropriate for older readers. Many of the pages are text heavy and have up to 16 sentences on the page. The realistic illustrations often feature Jackie’s family as well as the neighbor’s children, which makes Jackie more relatable.

Sharon Robinson’s childhood experience will allow readers to see Jackie Robinson’s bravery through new eyes. Sharon’s love and pride in her father is evident, and readers will come to understand why Sharon believed that, “My dad is the bravest man alive.” Readers who are interested in learning more about Jackie Robinson and sports history should also read Miss Mary Reporting by Sue Macy.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

Cartwheel Katie

When Katie sees gymnasts on TV, she thinks the girls are so cool! So she jumps at the chance to take a gymnastics class. But it turns out that somersaults and cartwheels aren’t as easy as they look. Will Katie ever learn to land on her feet?

Cartwheel Katie uses Katie Woo’s difficulties with gymnastics to show the importance of perseverance and encouragement. When Katie finds somersaults and cartwheels difficult, both her teacher and other students encourage Katie to keep trying. Everyone’s positive attitude helps Katie practice “again and again.” However, it’s not just the people in Katie’s class who are a positive force in Katie’s life. As Katie watches her mom playing tennis, Katie sees that “sometimes she hit the ball. Sometimes she missed.” Instead of feeling embarrassed by the misses, Katie’s mom focuses on the fact that she keeps “getting better. I am proud of me.”

Independent readers will enjoy the easy-to-understand plot and the bright colorful illustrations that appear on every page. Each page contains four or fewer sentences with simple vocabulary. Although Cartwheel Katie is part of a series with many of the same characters, it does not need to be read in order. At the end of the story, readers will find a glossary, questions, and writing prompts. Younger readers can continue the fun by creating a Be-Your-Best Medal by following the directions at the back of the book.

Katie Woo is a likable character who keeps practicing gymnastics even when she has difficulties. She is surrounded by positive people who encourage her to keep trying. Cartwheel Katie will delight young readers with the cute story and parents will appreciate the positive characters. Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment by Parker Curry & Jessica Curry is another motivational book perfect for young readers.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

Play Ball, Jackie!

Batter up! April 15, 1947 is a big day for ten-year-old Matty Romano. His dad is taking him to see his favorite team—the Brooklyn Dodgers—on opening day!

It’s also a big day for the Dodgers’ new first baseman, Jackie Robinson. Today is Jackie Robinson’s very first game in the major leagues. Many white fans don’t like the fact that an African American is playing in the major leagues. By putting Jackie on the team, the Dodgers are breaking the color barrier. How will Jackie respond to the pressure? Is he the player who can finally help the Dodgers make it back to the World Series?

Play Ball, Jackie! is told from the unique perspective of two Dodgers fans, Matty Romano and his father, who attended Jackie Robinson’s first game. The father and son discuss some of the discrimination Jackie faced because “he was a black man.” While at the game, Matty explains some of the discrimination that African Americans faced during the 1940s. Even though the story is set at Dodger’s Stadium, the story focuses on Matty’s experience at the game instead of Jackie Robinson’s achievements. However, baseball fans will still enjoy some of the play-by-play action as well as learn more about Jackie Robinson.

Even though Play Ball, Jackie! is a picture book, the story will need to be read aloud to a child, rather than for the child to read it independently. Many of the pages are text-heavy with five to nine complex sentences. The illustrations have an old-fashioned feel with blue tinting. All of the characters are shaded in black and some of them have oversized facial expressions that emphasize the person’s emotions. However, some of the facial expressions are a little odd, especially the ones of angry fans.

Play Ball, Jackie! is packed full of information about discrimination during Jackie Robinson’s time. Instead of having a typical story plot, Play Ball, Jackie! is mostly expository as it explains segregation by using several different examples. The educational book ends with a list of books and websites readers can check out to learn more about Jackie Robinson.

Play Ball, Jackie! is an excellent book to introduce young readers to big ideas such as segregation, discrimination, and the civil rights movement. Plus, the book shows how Matty is brave enough to speak up in defense of Jackie Robinson; this part of the book is an excellent conversation starter about how to kindly stand up for others. For more history-related baseball stories, you’ll hit a home run by reading the picture books Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki and Catching the Moon by Crystal Hubbard.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

When Jackie strikes out, someone yells, “You stink, Robinson! Go back to where you belong.”
While in line at the hotdog stand, Matty sees a boy with an “I’m for Jackie” button. Another boy says, “Negros should stick to their own kind. They’ll never make it in the big leagues.” Matty defends Jackie by saying, “If some of the best players are black, they’re the ones who can help us get to the World Series. That’s what we all want, isn’t it?”

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

Baseball Ballerina

A shortstop in a tutu? Not if she can help it! Forced by her mother to take ballet lessons, a die-hard tomboy discovers that there is team spirit at the barre as well as on the baseball diamond.

The unnamed narrator doesn’t want her baseball team to know she is taking ballet lessons because they might think she is a wimp. The narrator also doesn’t understand why her best friend Mary Ann enjoys ballet and wants to wear a crown. In the end, the narrator saves the dance recital because of her baseball skills. The unexpected conclusion shows the narrator giving her baseball team high fives. She thinks, “Maybe ballet isn’t so bad after all. But I still like baseball better.”

Baseball Ballerina is part of the Step into Reading Level Three Series, which targets readers in first grade through third grade. With three short chapters, Step Three books are both longer and slightly more difficult than Step Two books. Each page has 3 to 7sentences and a large illustration. This level includes some more challenging vocabulary and concepts, though the meaning is made clear through context and illustrations.

Baseball Ballerina is a fun story about baseball, ballet, and best friends. Beginning readers will love the illustrations that show the narrator in her baseball uniform and in a dandelion ballet costume. Plus, the story encourages readers to try new activities and to find joy in each new activity. For more sports action readers will want to catch a copy of Parker Shines On: Another Extraordinary Moment by Parker & Jessica Curry and the Little Rhino Series by Ryan Howard & Krystle Howard.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

Dancing in the Wings

Sassy is a long-legged girl who always has something to say. She wants to be a ballerina more than anything, but she worries that her too-large feet, too-long legs, and even her big mouth will keep her from her dream. When a famous director comes to visit her class, Sassy does her best to get his attention with her high jumps and bright leotard. Her first attempts are definitely not appreciated, but with Sassy’s persistence, she just might be able to win him over. Dancing in the Wings is loosely based on actress/choreographer Debbie Allen’s own experiences as a young dancer.

Sassy and her classmates are in that awkward preteen stage where girls often begin to sprout up. At dance class, Sassy stands out for all the wrong reasons. Since Sassy is so tall, she is “too big for the boys to pick up, and too tall to be in line with the other girls.” Instead of being on stage, Sassy stays backstage watching others perform. Despite this, Sassy continues to practice, and eventually, she becomes the star of the show.

Dancing in the Wings is a motivational story that shows the importance of dedication and hard work. While the story focuses on Sassy’s love of dance, her family is showcased in a positive manner. Both Sassy’s mother and uncle encouraged her to keep dancing. Despite his teasing, Sassy’s brother and his football team make an appearance to support Sassy. One negative aspect of the story is the mean words exchanged between Sassy and the other dancers. Even though the other girls tease Sassy, she never gives up.

Even though Dancing in the Wings is a picture book, the story will need to be read aloud to a child rather than for the child to read it independently. Each page has five to fifteen complex sentences and some difficult vocabulary that younger readers may not understand. Both Sassy and the other dancers are African American. Large pictures showcase Sassy’s family as well as Sassy’s dancing. In order to give readers a visual of how tall Sassy is compared to the other dancers, the illustrations show Sassy towering over her classmates. Readers will cheer when Sassy is chosen for a select spot at a summer dance festival and her height is no longer a disadvantage.

Parents looking for an inspirational story to share with their child should read Dancing in the Wings to their children. If your little one is too squirmy to sit through a longer book, Parker Shines On by Parker & Jessica Curry may be a better choice. Both books are well-suited for children who love dance and have participated in a dance class. To introduce your child to more inspiring women, She Persisted in Sports by Chelsea Clinton showcases many athletes who overcame obstacles in order to achieve their goals.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

When Sassy’s uncle picks her up from dance class, he smells of cigars.

Language 

Sassy signs up for dance auditions. Afterward, she overhears two girls talking about her. Mona says, “Oh please, she’ll never make it. They said talent, not a tyrannosaurus.”
While auditioning, Sassy tells Mona, “Your little skinny short legs are gonna look like chicken wings next to mine.” Mona replies, “I’d rather look like a chicken than a turkey like you with that long neck.”
While auditioning, Mona says Sassy has a big butt.
Sassy teases her brother about having a “big forehead lookin’ like a street lamp” and her brother teases her about being tall and having big feet.

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

Tallulah’s Ice Skates

Tallulah is an accomplished ballerina, but she also loves to skate. After all, skating’s a lot like ballet—challenging, graceful, and glamorous.

Tallulah is positive that with some hard work, she and her friend Kacie will be just as good on the ice as they are at dance. They’ll be Super Skaters! But Kacie doesn’t want to rehearse fancy moves; she just wants to have fun. So Tallulah practices by herself. That is, until an encounter with a talented boy ends with an embarrassing mishap. Then, Tallulah begins to realize that sometimes having fun is more important than being the best.

Grab a cup of hot chocolate and a blanket, and snuggle up with your young reader to enjoy Tallulah’s ice skating adventure. Readers will relate to Tallulah, who wants to spend time with her friend, even though they don’t agree on what they should do.

The story’s winter wonderland is illustrated in soft blues, while the kids’ clothing has pops of red and orange. The beautiful pictures show the snowy landscape and include individual snowflakes on almost every page. The ice skaters are shown making graceful twirls as well as falling sometimes. Even the black birds sitting in the tree branches become part of the story when Tallulah thinks that they “were laughing at her.” While there are not many characters, the characters included are diverse.

Tallulah’s Ice Skates will appeal to readers interested in dance and skating. In order to help readers distinguish the narration from Tallulah’s thoughts, her thoughts are written in large, bold letters. Since each page has two to seven sentences, parents will need to read the story to their child.

Tallulah’s Ice Skates is an engaging story with beautiful pictures that readers will enjoy. Tallulah’s experiences will encourage readers to try new activities. Even though Tallulah realizes she’s “not a Super Skater,” she still has fun doing bunny hops with her friend, hearing the “swooshy sound” her skates make, and the cool air tingle on her face. Other books that feature the fun of winter include A Loud Winter’s Nap by Katy Hudson and Snowmen At Night by Caralyn Buehner.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

The Space Between

Lainey dreams of talking to animals. Kate craves adventure and excitement. Mia loves dresses, roses, and anything beautiful. Gabby believes in fairies more than anyone. In the second The Never Girls book, it is now time for the Never Girls to go home. Lainey thinks it’s goodbye forever, but . . . is that a Never mouse in her mother’s kitchen? And why can’t Mia find Bingo? Could there be a splinter between the worlds?

In A Blink, the first book in The Never Girls Series focused on the girls’ friendship. However, in The Space Between much of the action takes place in Never Land without the girls. When Mia’s cat Bingo accidentally gets into Never Land, the fairy Fawn tries her best to warn the others. However, before Fawn can alert the others, the fascinated cat begins chasing the fairies and the sparrow men. During the chase, Bingo causes a lot of destruction and scares many fairies. Bingo’s mischief will keep readers in suspense and readers will be relieved that no fairies are seriously injured.

Meanwhile in the Clumsys’ World Lainey finds a Never mouse and does her best to keep it safe. But when Lainey tries to talk to the mouse, she discovers that it can’t understand her. Lainey worries that she doesn’t have an animal talent. Without a talent, Lainey doesn’t think Fawn will want to be her friend. In the end, Fawn reassures Lainey, “Animal talent doesn’t come and go. It’s something in your heart. And you have a very big heart. That’s even more important than being able to talk to animals.”

The Space Between has ten short chapters. While the short chapters and illustrations make the story accessible to readers, younger readers may need help with the vocabulary. Cute black and white illustrations appear on every 1 to 4 pages, which helps bring the fairy magic to life. The illustrations will help readers visualize the story’s plot.

The Space Between is a fast-paced story with suspense, action, and a positive message—friendship comes from the heart, not from the actions we perform. Readers will laugh when a Never flamingo gets stuck in the Clumsy’s world and they will enjoy seeing the fairies and the girls work together to solve a problem. Readers who want to fly into the fairy realm will find The Never Girls Series a joy to read. Readers who want another sweet read should also check out the Candy Fairies Series by Helen Perelman. 

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

Mia’s cat, Bingo, accidentally travels to Never Land. While there, he chases the fairies and causes destruction. For example, when Bingo sees the fairy Fawn, the cat chases her. “Fawn plucked a raspberry from the bush. . . Fawn threw the berry as hard as she could, hitting the cat squarely between the eyes. The cat jerked back, startled.” The cat leaves.
Bingo sees a sparrow man pushing a cart. “The cat landed on the cart. . . the cart mice squealed and bolted, throwing Dooley from his seat.” Bingo grabs the sparrow man. To help her friend, “Fawn flew right up to the cat’s nose and gave his wishers a yank.” Fawn gets the sparrow man to safety.
When a Never Land mouse shows up in Lianey’s house, her mother is upset. “Her mother was striding over the broom closet. She grabbed a broom and began to chase the mouse around the kitchen.” Lainey saves the mouse.

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

Fawn calls Bingo “fish breath.”

Supernatural

Never Land is a magic island that “drifted on the seas of children’s dreams, moving wherever it wanted.”
The fairy, Prilla, can travel “to the world of humans and back again just by blinking.” In the first installment of the series, Prilla “accidently brought the four girls back to Pixie Hollow with her.”
There is a hole in a fence that can be used to travel to Never Land.

Spiritual Content 

None

Parker Dresses Up

Parker is playing dress up with her younger siblings, Ava and Cash. With each costume, Parker imagines what her life would be like if she were a doctor or a princess. However, the children’s play is interrupted when Cash and Ava get into an argument because “cooks do not use [fire] hoses!”

Parker’s mom steps in to help the children resolve their conflict. Parker’s mom explains how “everyone can be more than one thing. . . Just look at me! I am a mom and a writer.” Afterward, the siblings explore different combinations of costumes. For example, Cash becomes a superhero builder and Parker becomes a mermaid teacher. Parker learns that she doesn’t need to limit herself to being one thing. The sky is the limit!

Parker Dresses Up has many positive aspects including the realistic illustrations, the relatable conflict, and an African American family that is portrayed in a positive manner. Plus, many readers will relate to Parker, who loves to dress up but doesn’t always get along with her siblings. When Parker’s brother begins to cry, Parker’s mom uses positive communication skills to help the kids resolve their conflict.

As a Level One Ready to Read book, Parker Dresses Up uses easy sight words and a simple plot. Each page has a full-page illustration that will help readers understand the plot. Plus, the kids dress up in outfits that will encourage readers to be creative. Parker Dresses Up is a fun story that teaches readers that they don’t have to be just one thing. Instead, Parker’s story encourages readers to be adventurous because you can be anything you set your mind to. Another entertaining book that deals with sibling squabbles, is Charlotte the Scientist Is Squished by Camille Andros.

Sexual Content 