After several spring showers, the skies have cleared and now we’re seeing stars! Today we celebrate the titles that have received that special recognition from journals via starred reviews. From young adult historical fiction to picture book biographies, these amazing titles stand out from the crowd.
Lerner Publishing Group Stars
Picture Books
And, Too, the Fox by Ada Limón and illustrated by Gaby D’Alessandro
- Interest Level: K – Grade 3
This joyful poem about a fox introduces U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón to a new generation. Her brief, keenly observant poetry paired with lush illustrations brings the fox to life, to the delight of readers of all ages.
★ “The wonder and reverence conveyed through the text and the fluidity of the illustrations result in a smooth and calming experience that will leave readers awed at the beauty of nature. A grounded yet ethereal blend of verse and vulpine sentiments.” — starred, Kirkus Reviews
★ “Children will be captivated by Fox as they join him on a joyful romp through his world.” — starred, School Library Journal
Dreams to Ashes: The 1871 Los Angeles Chinatown Massacre by Livia Blackburne and illustrated by Nicole Xu
- Interest Level: Grade 2 – 5
A powerful nonfiction picture book about the history of Chinese immigration to the West Coast, presented through the lens of the 1871 Los Angeles Chinatown Massacre. An essential account that offers both heartbreak and hope.
★ “Meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated in full-color drawings . . . the story acknowledges the growing pains of pushing out of communities (Indigenous and other immigrant communities) by the Spanish colonial missions and later by Americans to make room for Western development . . . This deeply felt coverage of the inflection points for so many communities is a must-have for all libraries.” — starred, School Library Journal
Kahoʻolawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People by Kamalani Hurley and illustrated by Harinani Orme
- Interest Level: Grade 2 – 5
Discover the story of the smallest Hawaiian island, a place sacred to Native Hawaiians, from its formation long ago to its present-day restoration as a protected site. A remarkable narrative accompanied by stunning illustrations.
★ “An incredible, brilliantly told story of persistence, advocacy, and love.” — starred, Kirkus Reviews
★ “A stunningly beautiful book that tells the story of destruction, devastation, and resilience, of both the human and natural world. . . The artwork tells the story in dramatic, compelling, and beautiful ways. Together, text and art will engage readers from the first page.” — starred, School Library Journal
The Library in the Woods by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and illustrated by
- Interest Level: Grade 2 – 5
When Junior moves to Roxboro in 1959, new friends bring him to an incredible place: a library for African American residents. This story is a tribute to the power of books and the resourcefulness of the Black community.
★ “The first-person narrative unfolds with simplicity, clarity, and emotional resonance. Christie’s illustrations, painted with acrylics, capture the tone of events as well as the look of the mid-twentieth-century setting.” — starred, Booklist
The Monster in the Lake by Leo Timmers
- Interest Level: Grade PreK – K
In this larger-than-life picture book, Eric the duck is nervous to swim in the lake for fear a monster might live there, but he bravely follows his friends and discovers something spectacular indeed lives beneath the surface.
★ “Children who get their hands on this oversize, glossy delight, filled with made-to-linger details, will be lucky ducks indeed.” — starred, Publishers Weekly
Rewriting the Rules: How Dr. Kathleen Friel Created New Possibilities for Brain Research and Disability by Danna Zeiger
- Interest Level: Grade 1 – 4
As someone with cerebral palsy who runs a lab to help others with cerebral palsy, Dr. Kathleen Friel is rewriting the rules, defying expectations, and opening up new possibilities for herself and others.
★ “The visual representation of Friel and her life experiences is superbly rendered in fluid and bright images that highlight her accomplishments as a differently abled person rather than a singular focus on cerebral palsy. . . A must-purchase for all libraries as it reflects the best that modern biographies for young readers have to offer.” — starred, School Library Journal
Twist, Tumble, Triumph: The Story of Champion Gymnast Ágnes Keleti by Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitzky; illustrated by Martina Peluso
- Interest Level: Grade K – 3
Ágnes Keleti can forget about the war when she is doing gymnastics—until Jewish athletes are barred from the gym. Never giving up on her dream, her moment of triumph comes at the 1952 Olympics.
★ “An inspiring and fascinating biography for readers interested in sports, history, or simply a good story of resilience.” — starred, Booklist
We Are the Scrappy Ones by Rebekah Taussig and illustrated by Kirbi Fagan
- Interest Level: Grade K – 3
This poetic book is an anthem of belonging, celebrating the wide range of disabled children and affirming their worth, just as they are. Filled with luminous illustrations of children living, learning, and playing, this joyful book is sure to inspire.
★ “In Fagan’s luminous, star-spangled scenes, people using wheelchairs, white canes, communication devices, and more radiate joy and community, countering assumptions about disabled people (such as “loss leaves no space for laughter”) and reminding readers that they’re “as dazzling as a sky full of stars”. . . Warm, poetic, and affirming.” — starred, Kirkus Reviews
Spanish
La roca en mi garganta (The Rock in My Throat) by Kao Kalia Yang and illustrated by Jiemei Lin, translated by Alberto Rojas Pinto
- Interest Level: K – Grade 4
In this moving true story, Kao Kalia Yang shares her experiences as a Hmong refugee child navigating life at home and school in America while carrying the weight of her selective mutism. Now in Spanish.
★ “Breathtaking and beautiful, this resonant Spanish-language book about the author’s experience with English as a child is a must-have for collections everywhere.” — starred, School Library Journal
Graphic Novels
I’m a Dumbo Octopus!: A Graphic Guide to Cephalopods by Anne Lambelet
- Interest Level: Grade 2 – 5
Dumbo octopus Grimpy presents a tour of the whole cephalopod class: cuttlefish, nautiluses, octopuses, and squids. When he dwells on everything he can’t do, the others show him why it’s great to be a dumbo!
★ “For its debut, the Anne Lambelet’s Marine Life Graphic Guides recruits the cutest little narrator you ever did see: Grimpy, the dumbo octopus . . . This guide is an obvious pick for Science Comics fans, but even kids who don’t typically go for nonfiction will be delighted by the entertaining presentation of information.” — starred, Booklist
★ “Lambelet offers an enchanting blend of whimsy and well-chosen, creatively expressed facts. . . An informative, buoyant, and wildly original look at some marine marvels.” — starred, Kirkus Reviews
★ “Perfect for young marine biologists, this title uses humor and fascinating facts to capture the imagination and remind readers that new discoveries are being made every day.” — starred, School Library Journal
★ “Animal-loving kids will devour I’m a Dumbo Octopus!: A Graphic Guide to Cephalopods, Anne Lambelet’s charming, colorful, and funny guide to everybody’s favorite eight-armed sea creatures. . . a delightful, amusing nonfiction graphic novel perfect for curious kids.” — starred, Shelf Awareness
Absolutely Everything by Damian Alexander
- Interest Level: Grade 4 – 8
Life feels like a lot for Marcella. Sixth grade is overwhelming, her bestie has new friends, her parents want to move—absolutely everything is stressing her out! A thoughtful graphic story about growing up and ADHD.
★ “A hopeful and validating story that excels in portraying a middle schooler’s ADHD journey.” — starred, Kirkus Reviews
Novels
The Pecan Sheller by Lupe Ruiz-Flores
- Interest Level: Grade 5 – 8
In 1930s San Antonio, thirteen-year-old Petra must drop out of school to work at a pecan-shelling factory. When dangerous conditions lead to tragedy and the already low wages are cut, Petra helps plan a strike.
★ “A powerful, moving story explores the little-known but important story of the six-week pecan shellers’ strike.” — starred, Booklist
★ “The story deftly explores the nuances of both Petra’s and Amá’s relationship and traumas, as well as the strength and hope to be found in family and community. A poignantly, beautifully written tale.” — starred, Kirkus Reviews
★ “Using short chapters with quick pacing, Ruiz-Flores (Piece by Piece) unveils intimate and well-researched depictions of the Pecan Shellers Strike of 1938 and its impact on Mexican descendants and beyond.” — starred, Publishers Weekly
Displaced by Patrick Ochieng
- Interest Level: Grade 5 – 8
Post-election violence forces fourteen-year-old Kim and his family to flee their home in suburban Kenya. While staying in a camp for displaced persons, Kim makes new friends and fights to improve living conditions.
★ “Ochieng sheds light on the impact of PTSD, grief, and bigotry through this story conveyed in the compelling voice of a teenage boy. Kim’s courage will speak to readers, and the exploration of the importance of maintaining continuity and pursuing education will resonate. Outstanding.” — starred, Kirkus Reviews
The Red Car to Hollywood by Jennie Liu
- Interest Level: Grade 9 – 12
In LA’s Chinatown in 1924, sixteen-year-old Ruby Chan rebels against her parents’ conventional plans for her future. A friendship with nineteen-year-old Anna May Wong, a rising Hollywood film star, opens up new possibilities.
★ “Meticulously researched and sumptuously realized, Ruby’s story captures the time when women were swiftly gaining ground in all parts of society whilst burdened by old structures dragging them down. . . Readers will be inspired by Ruby’s resilience and dazzled by the historical setting that Liu has painstakingly recreated.” — starred, Booklist
Sometimes the Girl by Jennifer Mason-Black
When eighteen-year-old Holiday, an aspiring writer, gets a short-term job sorting through the attic of an acclaimed elderly author, the author’s secrets change how Holi views art and life.
★ “Mason-Black’s prose sparkles with poetic beauty as Holi engages in introspective musings about collective mourning and how individual healing is possible only in community. . .This striking work shows the power of intergenerational relationships to fortify queer artists against erasure. . .Beautifully written and powerfully uplifting.” — starred, Kirkus Reviews
★ “A touching coming-of-age novel about healing and connection. Holi’s story models radical empathy, and its conclusion acknowledges that language is the only tool that may bridge the gap between people who seek to understand each other.” — starred, Foreword Reviews
Nonfiction
The Black Mambas: The World’s First All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit by Kelly Crull
- Interest Level: Grade 1 – 4
Go on patrol with the Black Mambas, South Africa’s first women-led anti-poaching unit. Meet the rangers and discover all they do to protect the wildlife at the Balule Nature Reserve.
★ “The most exhilarating parts of the book, however, follow the Black Mambas on patrol as they observe wildlife up close, search the bush for snares, look for signs of poachers, and even plan and carry out a poacher ambush—all without guns. Documenting these courageous accomplishments are thrilling, large-scale photographs of the Black Mambas in action and the animals they serve to protect.. . . A joyful tribute to these dauntless women.” — starred, Booklist
★ “The energy, passion, and effort of this unit is made obvious through these images and will inspire readers to look around their own surroundings for ways to care for neighboring wildlife. . . A fascinating, kid-friendly title on wildlife conservation that will captivate and empower elementary school readers.” — starred, School Library Journal
Design Thinking: A Guide to Innovation by Fred Estes
- Interest Level: Grade 7 – 12
Design thinking is a six-step process used in creative problem solving. This book examines each step—notice and reflect, empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test—and provides case studies to illustrate how design thinking can create a more human-centered, equitable world.
★ “Ideal for teens, educators, and community leaders who want to inspire youth to apply design thinking in creating real-world solutions. The writing motivates readers to reflect on their own ideas with examples that make the concepts relatable. . . What distinguishes this book is its focus on practical, real-world applications.” — starred, School Library Journal
Native Rights (Alternator Books ®)
- Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 6
Examine current challenges and movements to protect Native American rights, resources, and ways of life. Well researched and timely, these books will give voice and context to the myriad issues facing Native peoples today.
★ “A timely and essential series.” — starred, Booklist
Lerner Publishing Partners
Red Chair Press
Digger: Dig or Die! by Deborah Cholette and illustrated by Davide Ortu
- Interest Level: Grade 4 – Grade 6
Siblings Nick and Lily combine their talents to dig life-saving tunnels between houses as Earth’s atmosphere leaks into space, forcing a desperate race for survival against dwindling oxygen.
★ “The fast-paced story includes social-issue themes, including bullying, mental health, and gun violence. Ortu’s crisp illustrations individuate Cholette’s diverse cast of characters and enhance her storytelling. Young readers will find this a (pun intended) breathtaking, page-turning read.” — starred, Booklist
The Friend Dilemma by Laura Wiltse Prior and illustrated by Marta Kissi
- Interest Level: Grade 2 – Grade 5
Emma is eager to see her friends Lily and Amelia when third grade begins. But her friends’ interests have changed: Lily became a ballerina; Amelia lost interest in science. And as third grade unfolds, more differences start popping up left and right.
★ “[R]ealistic to how an eight-year-old approaches friendship issues and attempts to resolve them. . . . A relatable story for young readers on the ups and downs of friendship in elementary school.” — starred, School Library Journal
Walker Books Australia
Frank’s Red Hat by Sean E Avery
- Interest Level: Grade PreK – Grade 1
Frank is a penguin with ideas. Mostly terrible ones. That’s why his fellow penguins are nervous when he shows them his strange new creation. It was something they’d never seen or expected to see in their cold and colorless Antarctic world—a red hat.
★ “All little ones should hear—and see—this message of discovering the right audience for one’s work rather than changing one’s output to please others. . . . A worthwhile, heartwarming, and beautifully conveyed lesson to do what makes you happiest.” — starred, Kirkus Reviews
★ “[A] hilarious tale of creativity. . . . Frank’s Red Hat should serve as both a boisterous read-aloud and an excellent choice to linger with after story time. . . . Frank’s Red Hat is the jaunty, sly, extremely amusing tale of a penguin who creates a colorful hat, only to find his fellow penguins are too nervous to appreciate it.” — starred, Shelf Awareness
Nop by Caroline Magerl
- Interest Level: Grade PreK – Grade 1
Nop is a scruffy kind of bear. He sits on a dusty armchair in Oddmint’s Dumporeum surrounded by the beaders, knitters, patchers, and stitchers. One day, he has an idea that will change his life forever.
★ “Jewel-toned watercolor illustrations will ensnare the imagination in this cozy tale.” — starred, Foreword Reviews