Too Cute! Baby Wolves

By Elizabeth Neuenfeldt

Baby Wolves is a beginner reader non-fiction book that discusses the early part of the wolf’s life cycle from newborn to juvenile and finishes at adulthood. It is very descriptive about daily life, where they live, care for the baby, and family/pack structure. The images are adorable and will interest any young reader.

Part of a series from Bellwether Media, this beginner non-fiction book Contains: a sight word list, a Glossary, Index, Animal Facts and Links to reading level appropriate sites to get more information about the animal. This book is recommended for your elementary library.

Too Cute! Baby Cows

by Rachel Barnes

Baby Cows is a beginner reader non-fiction book that discusses the early part of the cows life cycle from newborn to juvenile and finishes at adulthood. It is very descriptive about daily life, baby care, and family structure. The images are adorable and will interest any young reader.

Part of a series from Bellwether Media, this beginner non-fiction book Contains: a sight word list, a Glossary, Index, Animal Facts and Links to reading level appropriate sites to get more information about the animal. This book is recommended for your elementary library.

Too Cute! Baby Raccoons

by Elizabeth Neuenfeldt

Baby Raccoons is a beginner reader non-fiction book that discusses the early part of the raccoons life cycle from newborn to juvenile and finishes at adulthood. It is very descriptive about daily life, where they live, how baby’s are cared for, and family structure. The images are adorable and will interest any young reader.

Part of a series from Bellwether Media, this beginner non-fiction book Contains: a sight word list, a Glossary, Index, Animal Facts and Links to reading level appropriate sites to get more information about the animal. This book is recommended for your elementary library.

Too Cute! Baby Squirrels

By Elizabeth Neuenfeldt

Baby Squirrels is a beginner reader non-fiction book that discusses the early part of the squirrels life cycle from newborn to juvenile and finishes at adulthood. It is very descriptive about daily life, care of a baby squirrel and family structure. The images are adorable and will interest any young reader.

Part of a series from Bellwether Media, this beginner non-fiction book Contains: a sight word list, a Glossary, Index, Animal Facts and Links to reading level appropriate sites to get more information about the animal. This book is recommended for your elementary library.

Too Cute! Baby Monkeys

By Rachel Barnes

Baby Monkeys is a beginner reader non-fiction book that discusses the early part of the monkey’s life cycle from newborn to juvenile and finishes at adulthood. It is very descriptive about daily life and family structure. The images are adorable and will interest any young reader.

Part of a series from Bellwether Media, this beginner non-fiction book Contains: a sight word list, a Glossary, Index, Animal Facts and Links to reading level appropriate sites to get more information about the animal. This book is recommended for your elementary library.

Too Cute! Baby Sloths

Rachel Barnes

Baby Sloths is a beginner reader non-fiction book that discusses the early part of the sloth life cycle from newborn to juvenile and finishes at adulthood. It is very descriptive about daily life and family structure. The images are adorable and will interest any young reader.

Part of a series from Bellwether Media, this beginner non-fiction book Contains: a sight word list, a Glossary, Index, Animal Facts and Links to reading level appropriate sites to get more information about the animal. This book is recommended for your elementary library.

Animals At Risk: Giant Tortoises by Rachel Grack

Giant tortoises are huge land turtles that once thrived in their habitats, but human impact have caused them to be endangered. This informational text gives facts about giant tortoises as well as information as to why they are at risk. The reader learns about reasons why giant tortoises are at risk, why they are important to the environment and ways that we can help them.

The Animals At Risk series focuses on animals that are in danger of being extinct and what can be done to help them. The series includes many text features that aid the reader in their learning including maps showing the animals range, diagrams, bold words to highlight important vocabulary and a glossary. This series is a part of the Blast Off Reader Level 2 series and is 24 pages. The text is 2-3 sentences per page with color photographs.

Animals At Risk: Black-footed Ferrets by Rachel Grack

What is a black-footed ferret? Black-footed ferrets once lived across the Great Plains, but their numbers diminished as their habitat was destroyed. This informational text gives facts about black-footed ferrets as well as information as to why they are at risk. The reader learns why black-footed ferrets are important and ways that we can help them.

The Animals At Risk series focuses on animals that are in danger of being extinct and what can be done to help them. The series includes many text features that aid the reader in their learning including maps showing the animals range, diagrams, bold words to highlight important vocabulary and a glossary. This series is a part of the Blast Off Reader Level 2 series and is 24 pages. The text is 2-3 sentences per page with color photographs.

Animals At Risk: Blue Whale by Rachel Grack

Blue whales are the largest animals on earth but hunting and human impact on their habitat have caused their numbers to diminish. This informational text gives facts about blue whales as well as information as to why they are at risk. The reader learns about reasons why blue whales are at risk, why they are important and ways that we can help them.

The Animals At Risk series focuses on animals that are in danger of being extinct and what can be done to help them. The series includes many text features that aid the reader in their learning including maps showing the animals range, diagrams, bold words to highlight important vocabulary and a glossary. This series is a part of the Blast Off Reader Level 2 series and is 24 pages. The text is 2-3 sentences per page with color photographs.

Animals at Risk: Cheetahs by Rachel Grack

Cheetahs are the fastest animals on land but as humans have spread into their habitats, their numbers have diminished. This informational text gives facts about cheetahs as well as information as to why they are at risk. The reader learns about reasons why cheetahs are at risk, why they are important and ways that we can help cheetahs.

The Animals At Risk series focuses on animals that are in danger of being extinct and what can be done to help them. The series includes many text features that aid the reader in their learning including maps showing the animals range, diagrams, bold words to highlight important vocabulary and a glossary. This series is a part of the Blast Off Reader Level 2 series and is 24 pages. The text is 2-3 sentences per page with color photographs.

Noni the Pony Counts to a Million

Alison Lester, Author/Illustrator

Noni returns in a fourth book about counting. Noni counts from one to ten but then expands to dozens, hundreds, thousands and finally ends under millions of stars. What a beautifully illustrated picture book that allows younger readers a better understanding of what these overwhelmingly large numbers are. I would recommend this book to be included within an elementary library’s counting books.

Walter Had a Best Friend

Deborah Underwood, Author Sergio Ruzzier, Illustrator

Walter and Xavier are best friends until they meet Penelope. Soon, Walter no longer Is Xavier’s best friend. He is sad and lonely because his friendship is not the same now that Penelope is in the picture. He feels like there is a hole in his heart where Xavier used to be. Eventually, he decides that one sunny is going to be a good day. Walter goes out on his own to create his own adventure only to find that one can find friends in the most interesting places. This is a wonderful book about how friends come and go and that’s okay. I would highly recommend this picture book for elementary school.

Dark on Light

Dianne White, Author, Felicita Sala, Illustrator

Children adventure out at dusk to see the world in a different way. These siblings discover things in the dark that are beautiful and mysterious and thus diminish their fear of the nighttime. This is a beautiful story with folk style art in which the rhythmical text blends in a way that young readers would enjoy.

Stories to Keep You Alive Despite Vampires

By Ben Acker

This is the next book you should read after you have read and enjoyed “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark”. As the reader you are being held captive in the house of vampires where you have found this book. Our narrator (and author) intertwines his story and experience with the vampires within the short stories written. The end has a great twist that will make you laugh. This collection of spooky short stories will be enjoyed by any student who likes to be scared and laugh about it. I would highly recommend this book for upper elementary and middle school students.

The Sleepever

By Michael Regina

When Matthew and his mother and sister return home from a family vacation the find that their nanny has passed away suddenly. Ruby cannot be easily replaced and the entire family grieves. Things seem to be getting back to normal when Miss Swan arrives wanting the job. Still mourning, Matthew’s friends decide they want to come over for a sleepover to cheer him up. Miss Swan allows them to eat anything they want and do pretty much anything but soon, Matt starts to wonder if she is a witch with evil intentions. Will Matt, is sister and his friends survive the night? This is a suspenseful graphic novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. This book is recommended for 4 grade to 8th grade.

Busy Betty

Written by Reese Witherspoon, Illustrated by Xindi Yan

Betty is a whimsical go-getter who is always on the move. When she is getting ready for a playdate she realizes that her dog, Frank, really needs a bath. This is where things go a little crazy. In her attempts to clean Frank, Betty makes things messier than ever. But when her friend, Mae, arrives with even better ideas, success is in the future. This book shows that even the best laid plans can go not as planned but that with resilience and ingenuity, one can be successful.

Azar on Fire

By Olivia Abtahi

Reviewed by Lucas H. 12th grade – I gave Azar on Fire by Olivia Abtahi 4/5 stars because it had great disability representation, diverse characters, and an enjoyable story, but the pacing and some of the plot points felt a bit off.”Azar on Fire” follows 14-year-old Azar Rossi, a disabled and multiracial teen who accidentally damages $1000 worth of school property and is given the ultimatum to pay the school back or join the battle of the bands, leading her to form a band with diverse members to win the competition. The realistic fiction genre of this book brings to life the struggles of LGBTQIA+ characters in a way that is relatable and emotionally impactful for readers. The author’s skillful use of descriptive language and attention to detail transports readers into the characters’ world, making for an engaging and thought-provoking read.I enjoyed the book’s diverse representation of characters, including the protagonist Azar, who is multiracial and has a disability, as well as her bandmates, who are all people of color. The author also did a good job of portraying Azar’s gradual acceptance of her disability throughout the story. I didn’t like how some parts of the story felt out of place and didn’t contribute much to the plot. Some scenes felt awkwardly inserted, such as Azar’s visit to Eben’s house and the sudden mention of her demisexuality.

We Deserve Monuments

By Jas Hammonds
Reviewed by Arianna S.11th grade
The overall concept of this book was a good one, although the execution of it could have been better. Avery Anderson was a high school girl who was up and moved to Washington D.C. with her mother to live with her severely ill grandmother. Tensions were high due to Avery’s mother and her grandmother having past issues that were never talked about or resolved.  The anticipation of finding out the past of Avery’s mother and her grandmother’s past makes this fictional mystery worth reading for those who like slow burners. This book was relatively easy to read, with the content and the way it’s written. This book had many things going on and at times the plot would jump around to the point where some topics or ideas in the book seemed pointless.  

Sunshine

A little science meets fun outside in the warmth of sun in this part of the Weather Forecast series by author Kirsten Chang.

Sunshine provides warmth and light ,and also helps plants grow.

There is a graphic on HOW EARTH GETS SUNSHINE, a two word glossary with a photo for each word, and more information safely provided on FACTSURFER.com website.

Submitted for Annette McQueen by Mary Pong

Snow

A little science meets fun outside in the beauty of snow in this part of the Weather Forecast series by author Kirsten Chang.

Snow provides water once it melts, but before that happens it is frozen ice crystals.

There is a graphic on HOW SNOW FORMS, a five word glossary with a photo for each word, and more information safely provided on FACTSURFER.com website.

Submitted for Annette McQueen by Mary Pong

Coven

In Jennifer Dugan’s (drawings by Kit Seaton) inconsistent graphic novel for teenagers, Emsy is a blissful California adolescent uprooted from all that she enjoys when she is forced by her parents to move to Upstate New York after the murder of members of the family coven. Emsy is a witch and in New York, she learns about her past, her powers, and her possibilities in ways that are unfortunately cliche for this genre. The novel seems sincere in its approach and is most successful when focusing on the web of social relationships, upheaval, and the sincere passion young people can have for one another so quickly. The drawings are clean and effectively convey a sense of inner vibrancy and intense fire moments. Unfortunately, the writing and plotting are too often tired and predictable. Adults are drearily predictable and two-dimensional. On the other hand, and not for the better, the adolescents are both wildly sophisticated and tediously whiny. “I mean witches? Evil Tomes? Dateless for homecoming? How is this my life?” The writing told excessively through dialogue and images, is weirdly out of their register and does not capture how teens talk. Dugan struggles to develop characters. Her tone is breezy and the writing stays fixated on teen relationships – who likes who – in the midst of murder, witchcraft, and what should be a deep loss. The plot jumps between a Who-Done-It, a tale of the supernatural, and interwoven relationships, without effectively satisfying an element. The book has a lot of potential appeal, unfortunately it treats the characters in such superficial ways the work fails to ignite the powers that the genre is so eager to tap into. Therefore, this is an additional purchase for most libraries.

Island of Spies by Sheila Turnage

The book focuses in on the Dime novel Kids on Hatteras Island after a U-boat attack in World War 2. The kids then suspect there are German spies roaming around, and set out to catch them. The book illustrates a mysterious setting, all while adding small suspense in between. The action goes along great with the mystery, making it seem like you’re solving a real mystery. Readers will enjoy this book’s intense, but yet calming setting. However, this book is a great read for everyone, as the suspense and the pace at which information is given will surely keep everyone reading.  Readers who enjoy historical fiction and a good mystery should read this book. Book was reviewed by a Washington Middle School student.

Animal Battles: Mantis Shrimp vs. Lionfish

Mantis Shrimp vs. Lionfish is part of the Animal Battles series. In this series, two animals face off against each other. Each book starts off with a description of the two competitors, their attack moves, their secret weapons and then finally the battle. The narrative text at the end describes the fight scene and will certainly catch the reader’s’ attention. The book has 4-5 sentences per page for each animal and color photographs.

Text features such as bold words, text boxes, maps, a table of contents, glossary and an index are incorporated to aid the readers. Profiles of animal statistics include the height and weight as well as the physical advantages of each animal and habitat.

In Mantis Shrimp vs. Lionfish, the lionfish is hunting the mantis shrimp. Each animal has unique characteristics that could lead to it winning this face-off. Which animal will come out on top? This series is perfect for fans of Who Would Win.

Animal Battles: Badger vs. Bobcat

Badger vs. Bobcat is part of the Animal Battles series. In this series, two animals face off against each other. Each book starts off with a description of the two competitors, their attack moves, their secret weapons and then finally the battle. The narrative text at the end describes the fight scene and will certainly catch the reader’s’ attention. The book has 4-5 sentences per page for each animal and color photographs.

Text features such as bold words, text boxes, maps, a table of contents, glossary and an index are incorporated to aid the readers. Profiles of animal statistics include the height and weight as well as the physical advantages of each animal and habitat.

In Badger vs. Bobcat, the bobcat is stalking the badger. Each animal has unique characteristics that could lead to it winning this face-off. Which animal will come out on top? This series is perfect for fans of Who Would Win.

Animal Battles: Asiatic Lion Vs. Bengal Tiger

Asiatic Lion vs. Bengal Tiger is part of the Animal Battles series. In this series, two animals face off against each other. Each book starts off with a description of the two competitors, their attack moves, their secret weapons and then finally the battle. The narrative text at the end describes the fight scene and will certainly catch the reader’s’ attention. The book has 4-5 sentences per page for each animal and color photographs.

Text features such as bold words, text boxes, maps, a table of contents, glossary and an index are incorporated to aid the readers. Profiles of animal statistics include the height and weight as well as the physical advantages of each animal and habitat.

In MantisIn Asiatic Lion vs Bengal Tiger, the lion and the tiger face off over hunting territory. The lion’s camouflage and claws are pitted against the tiger’s sharp teeth. This series is perfect for fans of Who Would Win.