Sea Glass: Rare and Wonderful by C. S. Lambert

Photographs by Tina Lam 4 stars A fascinating exploration of C. S. Lambert’s collection of sea glass and beach pottery. Lambert shares a variety of interesting pieces and connects them to specific events and moments in history; various products, companies, logos, and mascots; and historic trends, traditions, aesthetics, and figures. Some types of sea glass…

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Shark Princess (Shark Princess #1) by Nidhi Chanani

3 stars A sweet story about two friendly sharks and their underwater adventures. A cute start to the series. Great for fans of the Narwal and Jelly series. The illustrations are absolutely adorable. Loved the color and details. The dialogue and story felt a bit disjointed and rushed in areas, but overall it was a…

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The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat

Illustrated by Joanna Cacao 5 stars What a fantastic read! Though I typically am not drawn to realistic fiction, cheerleading is a topic I can’t resist. As I was reading this, I was pleasantly surprised that the book was about much more than cheerleading. Christina Soontornvat recounts her experiences in seventh grade, centered around the…

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She Persisted: Coretta Scott King

by Kelly Starling Lyons, Illustrated by Gillian Flint 5 stars “I am an activist. I didn’t just emerge after Martin died-I was always there…” A wonderful read. The book goes beyond Coretta Scott King’s relationship and work with her husband and shows her own accomplishments. I loved learning more about her early life, her parents…

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Haven: A Small Cat’s Big Adventure

by Megan Wagner Lloyd 3 stars A sweet story of one cat’s determination to help the human she loves. Told through three different perspectives, Haven tells the tale of a housecat traversing the wild, making new friends, encountering new enemies, and facing the odds in an unknown world. Perfect for readers who enjoy animals, nature,…

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History Smashers: Plagues and Pandemics

by Kate Messner Illustrated by Falynn Kosch 5 stars An interesting and informative read centered around various diseases and plagues throughout human history. This is the first I’ve read in the History Smashers series and absolutely love the format. The book focuses on smashing various myths and misinformation surrounding disease, pandemics, and vaccines. The text…

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Celebrations Around the World by Katy Halford

4 stars A good place to start to learn about different holidays and how they are celebrated about the world. Each entry provides an overview of the holiday, often including the event’s origin, foods associated with it, and traditions and customs for celebrating. The book covers a variety of holidays and festivals, both cultural and…

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The Big Worry Day: A Book About Conquering Fear

by K. A. Reynolds Illustrated by Chloe Dominique 4 stars A sweet story about facing anxiety, including different ways of staying calm such as yoga, deep breathing, and sharing your fears. Loved the connection between Bea and her human friend. The presentation really captures the relationship between a child and her dog. Delightful and warm…

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Bo the Brave by Bethan Woollvin

Also published under the title I Can Catch a Monster 4 stars A delightful adventure that takes the reader through the Frightful Forest, the Sea of Secrets, and the Peaks of Peril in search of monsters. Bo wants to go on a monster hunt, but her brothers tell her she is too little. She sets…

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The Story of Friday Kahlo by Susan B. Katz

A Biography Book for New Readers Illustrated by Ana Sanfelippo 4 stars An excellent biography for young readers. A great place to start for those learning about Kahlo, famous artists, or anyone who enjoys reading about strong women throughout history. The book covers some of the major events in her life, such as her childhood…

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