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Review of the week

How to help the earth, written by tish rabe.

Reviewed by Dev P. (age 6)

The Lorax is sending messages to the children about keeping the Earth clean. He shows them ways to dispose of the trash and how to recycle things. The Lorax tells the children to reuse plastic bags, use both sides of paper, and donate old clothes, toys, ... more

Featured Reviews

After the fall - how humpty dumpty got back up again, written by dan santat.

Reviewed by Sebastian E. (age 8), Jack P. (age 7) & Luke P. (age 7)

This book is about Humpty Dumpty who is afraid of heights because he fell off from a big, gigantic wall. We’re sure you’ve heard about it. Humpty Dumpty loved watching birds but because he was afraid of heights he could not go up on the wall and watch ... more

Avocado Baby

Written by john burningham, reviewed by aaron s. (age 6) & william l. (age 7).

There was a family that wasn't very strong and the mom was having a baby. They were expecting it to be stronger, but the baby wasn't very strong. The children decided to give him avocado pear. Every day the baby would eat avocado pear. He got stronger ... more

A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Written by david a. adler, reviewed by logan w. (age 9).

Do you want to learn about Martin Luther King Jr.? If you do, then look for A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. You will also learn a lot of history from this book. My favorite part in the book is the March on Washington when Martin said these ... more

Abel's Island

Written by william steig.

Reviewed by Michelle P. (age 10)

Abel is a mouse who has a wife named Amanda. She is a mouse, too. Abel and Amanda went on a picnic. Abel went to play a joke on Amanda when a hurricane started to form. They left their picnic where it was and started to walk home. Abel and Amanda didn?t have ... more

Esperanza Rising

Written by pam ryan, reviewed by breanna d. (age 10).

From rags to riches! Esperanza is a loving and rich 13-year-old girl. She lives with her Mama, Papa, Abuelita and many servants on a ranch in Mexico. Esperanza's life seems to be perfect. However an unbelievable event tears her family apart. In the beginning ... more

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

Written by michael rosen, reviewed by rachel 1 (e. k.) (age 6) & ray a. (age 7).

Four kids went on a bear hunt with a man. They said they're not scared. We think it is funny because they go through all sorts of things. They fall in all kinds of things like a river and a mud puddle and a forest and other things. Every time the four kids ... more

The Black Pearl

Written by scott o'dell.

Reviewed by Marissa B. (age 10)

The book, The Black Pearl, is about a man named Senor Salazar and his son Ramon Salazar. Senor Salazar owns a pearling business where they go scuba diving for pearls. When Ramon goes to the lagoon on business, he ends up going after the pearls--against ... more

Hiccups for Elephant

Written by james preller.

Reviewed by Justin T. (age 7)

“Hiccup!” “Hiccup!” This book is about an elephant that gets the hiccups and wakes up the other animals that are his friends and they try to cure the hiccups, but it doesn’t do it. They tell him to drink a lot of water really fast. They tell ... more

Staying Nine

Written by pam conrad.

Reviewed by Zishan Q. (age 11)

Staying Nine is about a girl named Heather. She wants to be nine years old forever and doesn't want to change. She didn't want to have a birthday party because she thought she could stay nine if she didn't have a party. One day Heather looked at ... more

Valentine's Day Disaster

Written by geronino stilton.

Reviewed by Abby H. (age 7)

Geronimo Stilton is the main character in the story. One day Geronimo wakes up. He was so busy the night before setting up decorations that he forgot to set his alarm. So, on Valentine’s Day he he sleeps in and he’s late for work. That might not seem so ... more

Risky Friends

Written by julie anne peters, reviewed by haley c. (age 10).

Kacie Shannon thinks she's going to have a bad day and wonders if things could get any worse. Just then she spills grape juice on her new white silk blouse. Now she's sure it's going to be a horrible day! Problems start when Skye Collinsworth, her least ... more

So You Want to Be President?

Written by judith s. george, reviewed by brandon a. (age 8) & steven h. (age 9).

Being President is hard, but picture yourself as president and having your own swimming pool, movie theater, and bowling alley in your home! This is a book about past presidents and what their life was like while living in the White House. The book is hilarious ... more

George Washington's Mother

Written by jean fritz, reviewed by lindsey e. (age 8).

Hey! This book is awesome. It is about George Washington's mom, and a little bit about George. Mary had to raise five kids on her own after her husband died. Mary doesn't want George to get hurt in the war. She begs him not to go, but he's twenty-one ... more

Amelia's Notebook

Written by marissa moss, reviewed by stacey f (age 10).

This book is about a girl named Amelia. Her mom brought her a notebook. They were going to a new house to move but Amelia did not think it was a good idea because she liked her old house. When they go to the new house they stop in all kinds of restaurants ... more

The Snowy Day

Written by ezra jack keats.

Reviewed by Kaytlin M. (age 6)

The Snowy Day is a picture book about a little boy who wakes up one day and looks out his window and sees lots and lots of snow. He is so excited and after he eats his breakfast, he gets into his snowsuit and goes outside to play in the snow. He doesn't have ... more

The Big Pets

Written by lane smith, reviewed by marley s. (age 8), samantha b. (age 7) & evan d. (age 8).

The Big Pets is about a girl and her humongous cat. Together they went to the milky pools and after when the girl comes out, the cat would lick her feet. They joined other kids and go to other places like Scratching Post Forest and String Vine city and a milky ... more

The Catcher in the Rye

Written by j.d. salinger.

Reviewed by Sam L. (age 14)

A young Holden Caulfield, fresh from being kicked out of prep school, thinks that he is an adult. After wondering around New York City for days, however, he begins to think otherwise. He feel lonely without his friends from school. When he sneaks into his ... more

Written by Hans Wilhelm

Reviewed by Donovan J. (age 6)

If you wander off from your parent or if you go somewhere that you have not told your parents about, you might get lost. This book helps you with a way to find your way back home. I think the author was trying to help us with being lost. I liked this ... more

All About Sam

Written by lois lowry.

Reviewed by Amelia G. (age 9)

Do you have a younger brother or sister? If you do, you should consider reading this book. In this book there is a silly little boy named Sam that really doesn’t get the world and does silly things. Sam’s sister, mom and dad don’t really get him either. ... more

Carl and the Meaning of Life

Written by deborah freedman.

Reviewed by Ryan A. (age 9), Jack P. (age 8), Sebastian E. (age 9) & Hudson B. (age 9)

Have you ever wondered why you are here? We all have meaning in our life. This book is about an earthworm named Carl that wants to know the meaning of his life. He wants to know why he does what he does and why he’s here. He goes and asks all the animals ... more

Wilma Unlimited

Written by kathleen krull.

Reviewed by Brewer A. (age 9)

Have you ever given up on yourself? If you have then Wilma Rudolph is not like you. Wilma was a small young girl when at the age of 4 she was diagnosed with polio and scarlet fever. Her leg was paralyzed. That did not stop Wilma. One Sunday, the Rudolphs were ... more

Thanksgiving Cats

Written by jean marzollo.

Reviewed by MB5 (age 11)

In this story, cats grew corn, potatoes, peas, pumpkins and apples. They got milk from cows to make cheese and butter. They also made bread. The cats cooked some food and ate it. Then they took a nap and rested because they were so full and tired. When ... more

Written by Kathryn Stockett

Reviewed by Lauren P. (age 14)

The Help by Kathryn Stockett is about the black maids and white employers in Jackson Mississippi. This novel covers the racist and segregated ways of Jackson during the 1960’s . Ms Skeeter Phelan (a 23 year old white female) decides, in order to pursue her ... more

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Written by mo willems, reviewed by zachary p. (age 5).

This is a very funny story about a pigeon who really wants to drive the bus. All he could think about was driving the bus. He says "please" and cannot stop thinking about getting to drive the bus. He keeps making funny faces as he tries to get ... more

Abuela's Weave

Written by omar s. castaneda.

Reviewed by Ivan A. (age 10)

Once upon a time a girl named Esperansa was helping her grandma make clothes for la fiesta del pueblo (the town's party). Esperansa and her grandma worked day and night. The day came and Esperansa had to go to the town. She got on the bus, but when she ... more

Tending To Grace

Written by kimberly fusco.

Reviewed by Mecca J. (age 14)

Cornelia Thornhill's world seems to be slowly closing in on her. Problems from her past permanently damage her ability to show her inner-self and to express any feelings toward the world. In her mind she's a "bird tethered to the ground." With her ... more

"Here I Am!" said Smedley

Written by simon puttock, reviewed by jackson g. (age 8).

Smedley is a chameleon who is very shy and is almost always blending in. Then there is a new girl in class named Sally Skinky. She tells Smedley that he could enter the Big City Art Exhibition and win the big prize! You'll have to read the book to see what ... more

The Littles Get Trapped

Written by john peterson.

Reviewed by Yandeiris D. (age 9)

Imagine being only six inches tall! In this book The Littles are a family that is very small and they live in a house with humans called the Biggs. The Biggs don't know that the Littles live in the house. Tom and Lucy feel sorry for the Biggs cat because ... more

Smoke Screen

Written by amy goldman koss.

Reviewed by Lyndsay L. (age 11)

Have you ever told a big lie that keeps getting bigger and bigger? The girl in Smoke Screen did. It all started with a piece of cotton. Instead of telling the truth about her watery eye to the boy she has a crush on, Mitzi tells a lie about her mom that grows ... more

Here Comes the Strikeout

Written by leonard kessler.

Reviewed by Casey B. (age 7)

This story is about working hard every day. Bobby is a baseball player. He strikes out 21 times. Willy gives Bobby a bat to help him. Bobby begins to cry at home, so Willy helps him with his hitting. Bobby works hard and gets the game winning hit. My ... more

Written by David Green Burg

Reviewed by Armani B. (age 9)

Bugs is a funny book by David Greenburg. It is funny because it has people riding on spiders and jumping on spider webs as a jump house. The book Bugs shows things that you will never see a bug do in the real world. This book includes different types of bug. ... more

Military Planes: Flying Machines

Written by kelly baysura, reviewed by eiji r. (age 8).

The book Military Planes is about when the first war planes were made. In World War 1, the observer who sat in the back of the plane had to watch for enemy planes. Some planes had only one seat and others had two. There were many different kinds of war ... more

Angel in Charge

Written by julie delton, reviewed by gigi y. (age 10).

Do you believe a ten year old girl can be in charge of her brother and the house independently while her mother is away? An interesting fiction book Angel in Charge will tell you more about lovable siblings. Angel, a ten-year old girl, lived with her ... more

Anastasia at Your Service

Reviewed by Shae D. (age 10)

Anastasia at Your Service! The book that I read was Anastasia at Your Service. It was about a girl named Anastasia, of course. Anastasia wanted something very badly, but her parents said that from now on when she wanted something, she had to earn it. Anastasia ... more

The Girl Who Hated Books

Written by manjusha pawagi, reviewed by jamie l. (age 8) & duval m. (age 8).

This book is about a girl who hated books. Her name is Meena. There are books all over her house! Her parents read and read and READ! But Meena always said, "...I HATE BOOKS!" One day Meena called for her cat, Max. He didn't come, so she went ... more

Down On The Funny Farm

Written by p.e. king.

Reviewed by Matthew T. (age 6) & Courtney L. (age 7)

We picked this book because it looked funny. The story is about a farmer. The farmer said hello to the old man and then the old man sold a farm to him. The farmer went to the farm. The animals on the farm are acting like other animals. The chicken acts ... more

Henry and Mudge Take the Big Test

Written by cynthia rylant.

Reviewed by Raphael D. (age 6)

This book is about Henry and Mudge. Mudge is Henry’s 180-pound dog. Mudge wasn’t such a good listener, so Henry decided to send Mudge to day school. Henry got the idea from another man walking down the street with his dog. Henry tried to train Mudge, but ... more

Little Bulldozer

Written by beverly randell, reviewed by v.s. (age 7).

The Little Bulldozer went to look at the fire engine. The fire engine told him to go away. Little Bulldozer went away. He went to look at a big truck. He told the big truck that he likes helping. The big truck told him to go away. Everyone thought he was too ... more

My Louisiana Sky

Written by kimberly holt.

Reviewed by Emma G. (age 10)

"My Louisiana Sky" is about a girl named Tiger. But before I say anything you must know that Tiger's parents are mentally challenged and they are always embarrassing her. She is named Tiger because when her mom was little she had a cat named Tiger. ... more

Bat in the Waiting Room

Written by elana arnold.

Reviewed by Gabrielle L. (age 10)

Do you like fiction books? Then you would like a wonderful book called Bat and the Waiting Game it is about an autistic kid named Bixby Alexander Tam, also known as "Bat". He has a baby skunk has a pet named Thor. Bat has an older sister "Janie" but when ... more

Chasing Redbird

Written by sharon creech, reviewed by miranda p. (age 10).

Zinnia (Zinny) Taylor is an ordinary 13 year old girl who is just getting over her Aunt Jessie's death. When she uncovers an old and lost trail, she knows that looking for this trail is her new summer project. Working on the lost trail gave Zinny a place all ... more

How to Make Four Million Dollars by Next Thursday

Written by stephen manes.

Reviewed by Emily M. (age 9)

"Can a book really teach you how to make four million dollars by next Thursday?" Jason Nozzle thought so one day when he was walking home from school. He reached into his pocket and found that he had lost his allowance money! He searched EVERYWHERE ... more

Beezus and Ramona

Written by beverly cleary.

Reviewed by Olivia N. (age 9)

This book is so good I would give it four thumbs up! It is a funny book because Ramona is an impossible little sister and she ruins everything. The story is about two sisters fighting all through the book. Ramona is always getting on Beezus's nerves. ... more

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Latest Kids Book Reviews

Featured books & reviews.

It Happened to Anna

By Tehlor Kay Mejia

Sadie Rivera has been haunted all her life by a vengeful ghost—a ghost that doesn’t want her to make any friends. The moment she tries? Cue exploding lightbulbs, chilling gusts of wind, and slamming doors.

By Cece Bell

New York Times Bestseller A 2015 Newbery Honor Book Going to school and making new friends can be...

Mexikid: (newbery Honor Award Winner)

By Pedro Martín

Pedro Martín has grown up hearing stories about his abuelito—his legendary crime-fighting, grandfather who was once a part of the Mexican Revolution! But that doesn't mean he is excited at the news that Abuelito is coming to live with their family. After all, Pedro has 8 brothers and sisters and the house is crowded enough! Still, Pedro piles into the Winnebago with his family and ..

Huda F Are You?

By Huda Fahmy

Huda and her family just moved to Dearborn, Michigan, a small town with a big Muslim population. In her old town, Huda knew exactly who she was: She was the hijabi girl. But in Dearborn, everyone is the hijabi girl.   Huda is lost in a sea of hijabis, and she can't rely on her hijab to define her anymore. Until she realizes that it'll take finding out who she isn't to figure out who she is.

The Last Comics on Earth

By Brallier, Max, Pruett, Joshua

Jack, Quint, June, and Dirk are about to face a challenge unlike any they’ve faced before . . . At their local comic book store, the kids make a startling discovery: they’ve read every last issue of their favorite comic, Z-Man, and no new issues are coming...ever! (Thanks a lot, apocalypse.). Nooo!

deafgirlhistory

Cece Bell, just a girl who tries to hide her hearing loss but with her old hearing aids, it's not always that easy, and she's tried to pass as a hearing person but she struggled with her deaf pride. Her friends, Emma Knight (only seen in first part of the story), Laura (been friends since 1st grade), Ginny W. (She's over-enancies her speech as she talks with Cece.), Martha C. (Friends since the summer of around 1980s.), and Mike Miller (Cece's friend and crush). Moving to new and different schools isn't always easy, she don't know bunch of kids there or over there. I just love of how there are bunnies replacing the people throughout Cece's book, it's so cute and interesting at the same time. El Deafo is based on true story of Cece Bell herself. I'm Deaf myself and I'm proud of my identity and I would love to see everyone else embrace their identities, either Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, or just simply Hearing, you are so special and don't let anyone deny that about you. - Happy Reading!

The Tail of Emily Windsnap

By Liz Kessler

dogo23irene

I LOVE this book! It's about a girl Emily Windsnap, who never learned how to swim because her mother doesn't allow her. One day, her mother finally agreed and Emily took swimming lessons at school. However, something strange happened. When her legs touched the water, they became a tail! Emily is a mermaid! She kept this a secret and went swimming in the sea every night. She met another mermaid, Shona. Emily and Shona discovered that Emily's father, a merman, had fallen in love with, Mary, Emily's mother twelve years ago. Mermaids and mermen can't fall in love with humans, so Emily's father ended in the prison and Emily's mother had lost her memory. Emily and Shona worked together to save Emily's father and had some adventures. In the end, they lived together in the sea. I recommend this book if you love fantasy, especially mermaids. I hope you enjoy it!

Artemis the Brave (Goddess Girls)

By Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams

Artemis the Brave, who thinks she's not that brave at all. Her friends, Athena the Brain, Aprodiothe the Beauty, and Pepsephone the Phony often said that their friend, Artemis is really brave, like way more braver than they are. And the lesson that Artemis had really learned is that bravery doesn't mean fighting without fear, fear gives you a bravery itself. Artemis had met one mortal, Orion Starr who was an actor back on the Earth who Artemis used to like him so much but learned that Orion isn't of what she think about him at all. - Happy Reading!

Julie of the Wolves: Treasury (Julie of the Wolves, Julie, and Julie's Wolf Pack)

By Jean Craighead George

Julie Edwards Miyax who are also just known as just Miyax. Her father, Kapugen, who disappeared several years ago before the post of the book. Her mother died when Miyax were barely even 5 years old. In the book, the father Kapugen had told his daughter was that when she become 13, she would marry Kapugen's friend, Naka's son, Daniel who are also 13. This had made her to run away and live with the pack of the wolves but this had only happened temporarily. Sometimes you can see the letters between Miyax and her pen-pal and friend from San Francisco; Amy Goodwin. This book have some tragic and heart-breaking parts along with heart-feeling parts. - Happy Reading!

By Raina Telgemeier

victoria_wise

A smile may seem easy, but when you knock out your two front adult teeth, a smile needs to adapt. Raina's story, a real-life narrative, is one that many can relate to, and it will change your perspective on life. On a night back from Girl Scouts, the reality came. Headgears, dentures, retainers, and a frustrating school environment were just hurdles for Raina to overcome. But in a teenager's mind, what could that goal be? Happy reading! ~ Victoria

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Books We Love

Here are 10 kids' books we loved this year.

If you've found yourself reading the same picture book over and over (and over and over) to a small but determined audience we see you and salute you! Perhaps you'd like to add a few new titles to the mix? Every year we ask our staff and book critics for recommendations for Books We Love — NPR's annual, year-end books guide . Here are some of the 2023 picture books they selected — to see the full list, including books for older kids — head over to Books We Love.

Beneath by Cori Doerrfeld

A young child named Finn is sad and does not want to get out from beneath their blanket (we've all been there, haven't we?). His loving grandfather gently convinces him to go for a walk, and Finn gradually emerges from his shell as the grandfather points out "what's beneath" all the things they see. Beneath the surface of Cori Doerrfeld's quiet story lies a deep emotional intelligence, and like her other bestselling book The Rabbit Listened, this one will open up important conversations between readers of all ages. — Minh Lê , author of Drawn Together and Enlighten Me

Big by Vashti Harrison

Vashti Harrison's distinctive, charming illustrations underscore the powerful message of this book: that girls – especially girls of color – have a right to take up space and be embraced as they are. In it, a sweet-faced little girl with afro puffs grows and outpaces societal expectations of her body, causing those around her to project their feelings, fears, judgments, and aspersions onto her. Powerfully, the girl gives those painful words back to the adults and kids who tried to constrict her, confident, strong, and capable as she is. — Tayla Burney , director, Network Programming and Production

I'm From by Gary R. Gray Jr., illustrated by Oge Mora

"Where are you from?" is one of those loaded questions that can feel like more than a simple inquiry. Gary R. Gray Jr. acknowledges the thorniness of the phrase, but transforms it into an invitation to kids to explore and celebrate their unique backgrounds. Oge Mora's captivating artwork bounces effortlessly between emotions, deftly moving from the bustle of a school bus to the cold isolation in class to the warm embrace of a loving family. Many of us are so focused on what's next, it's helpful to be reminded that before we can know where we're going, we have to understand where we're from. — Minh Lê , author of Drawn Together and Enlighten Me

The King Penguin by Vanessa Roeder

"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown." Percival the penguin may not be Henry IV, but he is a king penguin, so he wears the crown, doesn't he? In Vanessa Roeder's charming and pun-filled picture book, Percival rules over his subjects with an iron wing (he takes all their fish for taxes!), and soon enough, they revolt. What's a king penguin to do when he loses his subjects? Look for new ones, of course! But it turns out seals, polar bears and even sardines don't want to put up with Percival's haughtiness. Can Percival be a king penguin without being king? — Juanita Giles , executive director, Virginia Children's Book Festival

Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar by Mojdeh Hassani and Samira Iravani, illustrated by Maya Fidawi

The fun of playing under your grandmother's big chador is front and center in this delightful rhyming tale. Samira is finally old enough to go to the bazaar with her grandmother for the very first time, but it isn't long before shyness sets in. Yet each time she asks to hide under a different part of her grandmother's chador, she's told what kind of silly animal they'd be imitating. Set unofficially at Tehran's Tajrish Bazaar, this lighthearted book is a magnificent storytime read aloud, full of high jinks, humor and satisfyingly authentic details. — Betsy Bird , book critic and author of Long Road to the Circus

My Head Has a Bellyache by Chris Harris, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi

If you think that Shel Silverstein is the king of poetry for kids, it could be that you just haven't read a book by Chris Harris yet. Bold words? Come at me! Harris indulges readers with 96 poems of elderly cavemen, nail-clipping fairies, AWOL buffaloes and more in this laugh-out-loud triumph of a book. Even the page numbers are funny! It is also, quite possibly, the cleverest book for kids out this year. You don't quite know what's going to happen in this collection. You only know that children are going to freakin' love it. — Betsy Bird , book critic and author of Long Road to the Circus

Rainbow Shopping by Qing Zhuang

A recent arrival to New York from China, a lonely young girl is feeling "gray as a pigeon." Though her grandmother and parents are always working, this rainy Saturday they will all be together for dinner. Accompanying her mother to Chinatown, grocery shopping turns the dreary day into a glorious adventure. Delighted by the familiar foods, spices, and sweet treats, her joy shines through in the simple prose and exuberant watercolor, colored pencil, and crayon images. At home, her father cooks up a delicious feast, and as the family gathers we are reminded that after the rain comes a rainbow. — Lisa Yee , author of Maizy Chen's Last Chance

Remember by Joy Harjo, illustrated by Michaela Goade

How could a pairing by the U.S. poet laureate (a beloved Mvskoke poet) — and a Caldecott medalist (a beloved Tlingit artist) not result in a gorgeously resonant picture book? Yet, it still completely blew away my starry expectations! This book is a blessing to our children, to ourselves, to creation. The sparse, heartfelt text is kid friendly. Flowing illustrations underscore our infinite connectedness. Together, they serve as a quiet call to honor all of our relationships on Earth and beyond. It's my go-to gift book of 2023. Especially recommended to fans of Liz Garton Scanlon and Marla Frazee's All the World . — Cynthia Leitich Smith , author of Harvest House and author-curator of Heartdrum

Twenty Questions by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Christian Robinson

The point of this book – from a pair of children's literature all-stars – is conversation. "Which of these children is dreaming of peaches?" prompts one of the assembled queries from author Mac Barnett. Some of the questions are simple, some complex, and all are paired with provocative, often whimsical, and engaging illustrations from Christian Robinson. The pairings inspire discussions of why you came up with your answer, which may be profound and bias breaking, or silly and belly-laugh inducing. — Tayla Burney , director, Network Programming and Production

A Walk in the Woods by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney

A grieving boy, mourning the loss of his father, follows a treasure map into the woods they used to visit together. Nikki Grimes' powerful, yet tender language is an ideal complement to Jerry Pinkney's loose, softly saturated art. Honest, healing – this is a memorable story of strength and solace. It's the kind of book you'll want to keep forever and revisit for its comforting cadence and loving wisdom. The end notes, honoring Jerry Pinkney and his legacy, are a must-read for anyone who cares deeply about children's books and the best among us who create them. — Cynthia Leitich Smith , author of Harvest House and author-curator of Heartdrum

This is just a sampling of the titles in the Kids' Books section of Books We Love . Check out all of this year's selections, and stick around to browse picks from the last 11 years.

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Where to Find the Best Children’s Book Reviews

Sarah S. Davis

Sarah S. Davis holds a BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master's of Library Science from Clarion University, and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Sarah has also written for Electric Literature, Kirkus Reviews, Audible, Psych Central, and more. Sarah is the founder of Broke By Books blog and runs a tarot reading business, Divination Vibration . Twitter: @missbookgoddess Instagram: @Sarahbookgoddess

View All posts by Sarah S. Davis

There are more great children’s books being published than ever before, but how do you know which ones to read? Fortunately, today there are so many ways to access children’s book reviews. Here are some of the best places to find reviews of children’s literature.

Part 1: General Children’s Book Reviews

In this first section of our roundup of the best children’s book review websites, I’ll discuss publications that cover all things kid lit.

The Children’s Book Review

As its name implies, The Children’s Book Review is all about book reviews of children’s literature. With huge coverage of all kinds of kid lit, The Children’s Book Review is simple to browse books by subject and books by age, along with buzzy “trending” books and “showcase” books. Your typical book review lays out the specs (intended age, page count, etc.) and provides a medium-sized review with information about the author and/or illustrator. The Children’s Book Review is definitely one of the most comprehensive book review sites for kid lit, and it supplements its reviews with author interviews and curated lists.

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Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media is an organization that reviews media (books, TV, movies, apps, games) with a special focus on educating parents and other adults on “What Parents Should Know,” vis-à-vis content warnings and age appropriateness. Some of the qualities Common Sense Media covers include “Educational Value,” “Positive Messages,” “Positive Role Models and Representations,” and “Language.” Especially notable is Common Sense Media’s focus on diversity, with an invitation to reach out if they’ve “missed anything on diversity.” Also of note, Common Sense Media is one of the few children’s book reviews websites that rates books using a star system. If you just want to know quickly how good a book is, navigate over to Common Sense Media and find a book’s star rating.

The Horn Book

Children’s book review magazine The Horn Book takes its name from”horn books,” which were some of the earliest books made to educate children. The Horn Book is a leading publication in print and online for finding children’s book reviews. This treasured magazine’s website is well-organized, and you can find all the reviews in an easy-to-search database . For the best of the best, browse by The Horn Book ‘s starred reviews . If you buy a paid subscription, you’ll have access to the huge, searchable archive of more than 70,000 reviews, known as “The Guide.” There, you can browse book reviews by Authors/Illustrators, Subjects, Series, and Reviewers. Though some reviews cost a subscription to view, some content, like the “Book Bundles” (check out the one on “Our Bodies, Our Selves” for an example), which group together like-minded books based on themes and include bite-sized reviews, are available for free.

Kirkus Reviews Children’s Books

One of the leading book review sites for all genres and age levels, Kirkus has plenty of kid lit content. Kirkus lets you easily sort by different categories like age, format (picture book, chapter book, etc.), sub-genre (biographies and memoirs, historical fiction), and category (e.g. fiction vs. nonfiction). You can also filter by what books get a coveted Kirkus star. What’s great about Kirkus’s unique format is each review is brief and to the point. If you don’t want to go digging for the bottom line, Kirkus’s kid lit reviews are a good place to start.

Publishers Weekly Children’s Bookshelf

If you’re looking for the buzziest kid lit books, check out Children’s Bookshelf, the free weekly newsletter from Publishers Weekly . This publication is known for its up-to-the-minute chatter about the publishing industry, including children’s books, which are reviewed in roundups, as well as all kinds of bookish content. Subscribing to Children’s Bookshelf is one of the best ways to stay current with kid lit.

School Library Journal

Leave it to the librarians to guide you on what children’s books to read. The long-running School Library Journal has tons of reviews of every kind of kid lit book imaginable. With a special focus on advising libraries whether or not to purchase a book, School Library Journal dishes out bite-sized takeaways (known as a “VERDICT”) at the end of each review. School Library Journal also has tons of non-review content, getting you caught up with the latest news in the world of children’s literature.

Part 2: Special Focus Children’s Book Reviews Websites

In this section, I’ll highlight the places to go for more specialized kid lit coverage.

American Indians in Children’s Literature

This phenomenal site concentrates on promoting the best children’s literature by Indigenous authors and illustrators. Search the site for specific topics or skip right to the “Best Books” for the books most worth celebrating.

The Brown Bookshelf

The Brown Bookshelf is dedicated to featuring book reviews of kid lit by Black authors and illustrators. Start by searching the site or filtering for book reviews . The Brown Bookshelf also compiles great resources for finding more children’s books by Black voices. You’ll find the most up-to-date coverage on the blog .

Disability in Kid Lit

Although no longer updated, the book reviews on Disability in Kid Lit are worth consulting if you’re looking for children’s book reviews about disabled protagonists. You can use the well-indexed search function and browse by different disabilities depending on what condition or identity you’re looking for. Also of note, the “Honor Roll” puts the spotlight on the best representation of disability in kid lit.

Hijabi Librarians

The reviewers and writers at Hijabi Librarians set their lens on children’s and YA books with Muslim representation. Along with author interviews and book discussion guides , Hijabi Librarians includes book reviews and resources for Muslim voices in children’s literature.

Latinx in Kid Lit

Looking for coverage of Latinx authors and illustrators in children’s literature? Definitely be sure to check out Latinx in Kid Lit. This resource compiles reviewed books that feature Latinx representation. You can search by age range — for example, middle grade books — and find that each review includes “Teacher Tips” for educators. The Latinx in Kid Lit blog also has tons of great content, including interviews, Latinx book deals, and publishing industry news specific to Latinx creators.

Social Justice Books

Social Justice Books is focused on…you guessed it, social justice in children’s literature! This site has loads of great guidance on the best social justice topics in kid lit, like the carefully curated booklists by theme . Check out the book review database , which aggregates reviews and is organized by themes like “Activism,” “Asian American,” and “Bullying.” Each book is given a star rating, making for an easy browsing experience if you’re just looking for the best reads.

Special Focus: Can’t-Miss-It Resources for Diversity in Children’s Literature

Cynthia leitich smith’s cynsations.

Bestselling and award-winning author Cynthia Leitich Smith maintains a website all about children’s and young adult books. On Cynsations you’ll find a broad array of content, including diverse author/illustrator interviews and news roundups.

Social Justice Books’ Sources for Book Reviews and Recommendations

Already highlighted above, Social Justice Books is a terrific resource for finding diverse children’s book reviews with a social justice focus. But I also wanted to shine a light on their list of sources for diverse kid lit book reviews if you’re looking for even more sources of diverse children’s literature.

We Need Diverse Books Resources

We Need Diverse Books is a non-profit alliance to further diversity in children’s and YA literature. Although We Need Diverse Books does not publish book reviews, they do have an outstanding roundup of resources for diversity in kid lit that should be a stop on everyone’s journey to find more diverse children’s literature.

Part 3: Children’s Book Review Social Media Accounts to Check Out

Instagram is a great resource for finding children’s book reviews. A diverse range of educators, Bookstagrammers, librarians, and more all highlight great children’s books. Here are some of Book Riot’s favorite children’s book review influencers to follow on Instagram.

@babylibrarians — Margaret and Jen

Run by Book Riot writers Margaret Kingsbury and Jen Sherman , Baby Librarians will get you up to speed on the best and latest in children’s literature.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Baby Librarians (@babylibrarians)

@hereweread — Charnaie Gordon

Charnaie Gordon is a huge book influencer focusing on diversity in children’s literature. You won’t want to miss the books she loves.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charnaie Gordon | Diversity (@hereweeread)

@leeandlowbooks — Lee and Low Books

The POC-owned Lee and Low Books is a children’s book publisher dedicated to diversity. They feature the best of the best books on their Instagram.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lee and Low Books (@leeandlow)

@lgbtqkidlit — Laurie and Julie

This account is managed by two moms and showcases children’s book reviews with queer themes.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Laurie(s/h) Julie(s/h)disabled (@lgbtqkidlit)

@littlefeministbookclub — Little Feminist Book Club

As its name implies, Little Feminist Book Club is dedicated to sharing the best children’s books with feminist themes.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Little Feminist Book Club (@littlefeministbookclub)

@noodlenutskidsbooks — Jenn S.

Jenn S. writes book reviews of new picture books focused on diversity.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jenn S. (@noodlenutskidsbooks)

@readwithriver — Alessandra Requena

This Bookstagrammer promotes the best children’s books.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alessandra Requena (@readwithriver)

@shelvesofcolor — Saranya & Ishaan

Saranya and Ishaan review diverse children’s books on Bookstagram.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saranya & Ishaan (@shelvesofcolor)

@thebookwrangler — Mike

The Mike behind this popular bookstagram account is a K–5 librarian who shares his favorite recent reads.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mike (@thebookwrangler)

@thetututeacher — Vera Ahiyya

Educator Vera Ahiyya shares diverse book reviews on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vera Ahiyya (@thetututeacher)

Still hunting for more great children’s books? Check out our Children’s Books archive , as well as these helpful posts:

• 50 Children’s Books About Diversity That Celebrate Our Differences
• The Best Children’s Books By Age: A Guide To Great Reading
• 13 Places To Find Free Children’s Books Online

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The Picture Book Review

Reviews of children's board books, picture books, activity books, and graphic novels.

Giveaway May 15th to May 23rd: Bubble Wrap Girl by Kari van Wakeren and Illustrated by CA Nobens

May 15, 2019 by The Picture Book Review

Bubble Wrap Girl does a great job with the wish to protect our kids and runs with it in the best of ways.

Categories: Picture Books , Picture Books about Bravery , Picture Books about Overcoming Obstacles • Tags: bubble wrap , Children's Books , Picture Book , Picture Books

Interview with Toni Buzzeo on her personal mission, how research drives her writing process, and what’s essential for her creative life.

May 13, 2019 by The Picture Book Review

Toni Buzzeo author of many, many excellent picture books was kind enough to talk to me about her new book When Sue Found Sue and a bit about writing in general. I’m thrilled and so grateful she was able to take some time and answer my questions. I hope you enjoy!

Categories: 2019 , Biography , Nonfiction , Nonfiction Picture Books , Picture Books , Picture Books about Careers , Picture Books about Women • Tags: Interview , paleontologist , Picture Book , Picture Books , sue hendrickson , women

What Are You Doing, Benny? by Cary Fagan and Kady Macdonald Denton

May 10, 2019 by The Picture Book Review

In What Are You Doing, Benny? author Cary Fagan and artist Kady MacDonald Denton join together to tell the story of two brothers, their power dynamics, why NO is a limiting word, and why YES is such a better word to use instead.

Categories: 2019 , Canada , Picture Books about Behavior , Picture Books about Siblings • Tags: Canada , Picture Book , Picture Books , Recommended Picture Books , siblings

Giveaway May 8th to May 16th at Midnight! POP-UP SHAKESPEARE by Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor and Amazing Pop-Upness Artwork by Jeannie Maizels

May 8, 2019 by The Picture Book Review

POP-UP Shakespeare contains an incredible amount of information and tons of interesting facts. Our authors have a great sense of humor, respect, and irreverence for Shakespeare. It’s a non-fiction book completely, but the guys are not afraid to give their opinion — and I love it all.

Categories: Biography , Humor , Nonfiction Picture Books , Picture Books , pop-up picture book , Shakespeare • Tags: Picture Book , Picture Books , Shakespeare , theater

The Cook and the King by Julia Donaldson and Illustrated by David Roberts

May 7, 2019 by The Picture Book Review

The Cook and the King pokes fun at itself, at people, at authority, at the excuses we make, at how the obvious thing can be so hard to see, and how we so easily give others credit for things we do ourselves — but that’s all secondary. The first and foremost agenda of this book is to have fun with language, to show us gorgeous illustrations, to make us laugh, and to enjoy the magnificence that is the picture book medium.

Categories: 2019 , Fantastic Read Alouds , Picture Books about Cooks , Picture Books about Kings • Tags: Picture Book , Picture Books , Recommended Forensics Piece for Storytelling

Out Now: I AM HERMES! Mischief-Making Messenger of the Gods by Mordicai Gerstein

April 22, 2019 by The Picture Book Review

I truly cannot recommend I AM HERMES! highly enough. The energy, the pacing, the illustrations, the twists and surprises, the length of the book, that it’s told from Hermes’ perspective, the graphic-novel-in-a-picture-book format, the fact that it is completely hilarious, and how much you learn when reading it — is all brilliant.

Categories: 2019 , Humor , Picture Books , Picture Books about Greek Mythology • Tags: Books , greek myths , myths , Picture Book , Picture Books

Out Today! Trees: A Rooted History by Piotr Socha and Wojciech Grajkowski

April 9, 2019 by The Picture Book Review

In Trees: A Rooted History, the illustrations on each page are so carefully and delicately crafted that they give us a transcendent-like visual experience that evokes a sense of wonder and awe.

I’m deeply impressed with how this book uses the picture book format to translate the beauty and magnificence of trees in such a way that gives us a new perspective and new appreciation. The art deftly indulges our eyes and focuses our attention on how incredible trees are.

Categories: 2019 , Children's Books , Nonfiction , Nonfiction Picture Books , Nonfiction Picture Books about Trees , Picture Books , Picture Books about Nature • Tags: Nonfiction , Picture Books , Polish , trees

Animal Noses by Mary Holland

April 5, 2019 by The Picture Book Review

In Animal Noses, readers will enjoy the large, clear, and enchanting photographs of a wide range of animals and the interesting facts about animal noses and their sense of smell that are placed alongside them. Engaging questions are dotted between facts that have children looking, guessing, and excitedly calling out what they think the answer might be.

Categories: 2019 , Nonfiction , Nonfiction Picture Books , Nonfiction Picture Books about Animals • Tags: animal noses , Animals , Books , Nonfiction , Picture Book , Picture Books

The Beauty of My Skin by Cecily Cline Walton and Illustrated by Alyssa Liles-Amponsah

April 4, 2019 by The Picture Book Review

Like a deep breath, this book is short but puts you in the right frame of mind by gently reminding its readers that they, and the skin that envelopes them, are truly beautiful.

Categories: Picture Books , Picture Books about Beauty , Picture Books about Self-Acceptance , Picture Books about Skin tone • Tags: beauty , Picture Book , Picture Books , self-acceptance

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Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

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Or browse by category:

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New kid, book 1.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 102 Reviews
• Kids Say 11 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Funny, heartfelt middle school tale explores race, class.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Jerry Craft's New Kid is a graphic novel that won the 2020 Newbery Medal and the 2020 Coretta Scott King Author Award. It chronicles the year-long adjustment of an African American middle-schooler from Washington Heights to seventh grade at a private, predominantly White middle…

Why Age 8+?

Two students engage in mild pushing match.

Any Positive Content?

Reflects concerns of many students as they make the transition to middle school.

Kids should be able to pursue their interests in sports, the arts without being

Seventh-grader Jordan Banks loves to draw but is sent to private school that emp

Violence & Scariness

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Educational Value

Reflects concerns of many students as they make the transition to middle school. Offers opportunity to discuss issues of race and class.

Positive Messages

Kids should be able to pursue their interests in sports, the arts without being made uncomfortable. Students of all different backgrounds can find common interests.

Positive Role Models

Seventh-grader Jordan Banks loves to draw but is sent to private school that emphasizes academics. Over course of a year, he learns to accept his classmates' foibles, develops his own method of navigating the school culture.

Parents need to know that Jerry Craft 's New Kid is a graphic novel that won the 2020 Newbery Medal and the 2020 Coretta Scott King Author Award . It chronicles the year-long adjustment of an African American middle-schooler from Washington Heights to seventh grade at a private, predominantly White middle school at the opposite end of Manhattan, in the Bronx. Cartoonist Jerry Craft illustrates what it's like to be not just the new kid, but also one of the few students of color at a private school.

Where to Read

Parent and kid reviews.

• Parents say (102)
• Kids say (11)

Based on 102 parent reviews

What's the Story?

At the start of NEW KID, Jordan Banks reluctantly transfers to a nearly all-White private school. He misses his friends from the neighborhood and doesn't understand his new classmates. Interested in cartooning, he isn't ready for soccer in the freezing cold, and his parents can't afford a vacation to warmer climes. Gradually, he makes new friends, comes to understand his classmates' quirks, and develops his own passions.

Is It Any Good?

The move to middle school confuses many students and has inspired many comics, but this funny and heartfelt graphic novel covers new territory. Throughout New Kid, seventh-grader Jordan Banks proves to be a sensitive and likable protagonist, eager for friendship but unsure how to fit in a school culture that deals awkwardly with issues of race and class.

Author-illustrator Jerry Craft has a vibrant, exuberant style that distinguishes each character and captures the mood of each scene. Middle-schoolers will enjoy the sometimes goofy humor and identify with a good-hearted main character struggling to define himself in a new environment.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how New Kid uses the medium of comics to tell its story. What can comics do that text alone can't?

Why do so many students find the transition to middle school difficult? What kinds of changes happen between sixth and seventh grade?

How can you maintain a friendship with someone after they transfer to another school?

Book Details

• Author : Jerry Craft
• Illustrator : Jerry Craft
• Genre : Graphic Novel
• Topics : Adventures , Middle School , Music and Sing-Along
• Book type : Fiction
• Publisher : HarperCollins Children's Books
• Publication date : February 5, 2019
• Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
• Number of pages : 256
• Available on : Paperback, Nook, iBooks, Kindle
• Awards : ALA Best and Notable Books , Coretta Scott King Medal and Honors , Newbery Medal and Honors
• Last updated : September 13, 2021

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

What to read next.

American Born Chinese

Be Prepared

Graphic novels and memoirs, books to help your kid survive middle school, related topics.

• Middle School
• Music and Sing-Along

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

• virtual wonders
• guest posts
• review policy

Thursday 18 May 2023

Review: big tree.

This fresh, inspiring book is big of heart, big of scope and big of weight! A stunning hardcover novel of over 500 pages with images and words, it’s almost indefinable in its breadth. And although it’s listed as fantasy/fiction for children, t his is one of those warming books that is absolutely appropriate for all ages to enjoy and discuss. A surprisingly simple and quick read, with massive themes and characters that hold your hand through the turbulence, Big Tree is one for all ages.

‘Hello stars. I thought I heard you calling me.’

These lines along with two gorgeous pictures, open the narrative and welcome us into the story. Louise has been dreaming of the world beyond her home. As fate would have it, she and her brother Merwin find themselves cast out into the big wide world when a forest fire rips through and takes the life of their Mama tree.

This epic story wraps itself around climate change, evolution, survival, resilience, mystery, family and community from the differing points of view of two sibling seeds. Sounds preposterous, doesn’t it! But it totally works and is profoundly affecting.

Endorsed by Steven Spielberg and narrated as an audiobook by Meryl Streep, this visionary tale is an immersive and engaging experience which turns many literary conventions on their heads. The physical book is substantial to sit with, containing almost 300 breath-taking black and white illustrations rendered in pencil and smudgy crayon, on textured surfaces. The artworks sometimes drive the narrative, and at other times serve as a backdrop to the words.

And the words - what words they be! Poetry, prose, dialogue, philosophy and humour are all rolled into a captivating story that is by turns charming, heart-breaking and funny. Short chapters within a clever book design mean that sometimes we see one line on a page of pure white, and at other times, a cacophony of words with detailed imagery cluttering the page.

Like the proverbial box of chocolates, you never quite know what you’ll get! The one sure thing is the great impetus to keep turning pages.

This book follows its own path in a hopeful and reassuring way to stand uniquely, strongly, as a shining light of possibility and liberation.

It’s magnificent. 

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Awards & Accolades

Our Verdict

Kirkus Reviews' Best Books Of 2019

Kirkus Prize winner

IndieBound Bestseller

From the New Kid series , Vol. 1

by Jerry Craft ; illustrated by Jerry Craft with color by Jim Callahan ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 5, 2019

An engrossing, humorous, and vitally important graphic novel that should be required reading in every middle school in...

Jordan Banks takes readers down the rabbit hole and into his mostly white prep school in this heartbreakingly accurate middle-grade tale of race, class, microaggressions, and the quest for self-identity.

He may be the new kid, but as an African-American boy from Washington Heights, that stigma entails so much more than getting lost on the way to homeroom. Riverdale Academy Day School, located at the opposite end of Manhattan, is a world away, and Jordan finds himself a stranger in a foreign land, where pink clothing is called salmon, white administrators mistake a veteran African-American teacher for the football coach, and white classmates ape African-American Vernacular English to make themselves sound cool. Jordan’s a gifted artist, and his drawings blend with the narrative to give readers a full sense of his two worlds and his methods of coping with existing in between. Craft skillfully employs the graphic-novel format to its full advantage, giving his readers a delightful and authentic cast of characters who, along with New York itself, pop off the page with vibrancy and nuance. Shrinking Jordan to ant-sized proportions upon his entering the school cafeteria, for instance, transforms the lunchroom into a grotesque Wonderland in which his lack of social standing becomes visually arresting and viscerally uncomfortable.

Pub Date: Feb. 5, 2019

ISBN: 978-0-06-269120-0

Page Count: 256

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Oct. 14, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2018

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | GENERAL GRAPHIC NOVELS & COMICS

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More by Jerry Craft

BOOK REVIEW

by Jerry Craft ; illustrated by Jerry Craft

by Patrik Henry Bass ; illustrated by Jerry Craft

More About This Book

PERSPECTIVES

SEEN & HEARD

THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL

From the school for good and evil series , vol. 1.

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 14, 2013

Rich and strange (and kitted out with an eye-catching cover), but stronger in the set pieces than the internal logic.

Chainani works an elaborate sea change akin to Gregory Maguire’s Wicked (1995), though he leaves the waters muddied.

Every four years, two children, one regarded as particularly nice and the other particularly nasty, are snatched from the village of Gavaldon by the shadowy School Master to attend the divided titular school. Those who survive to graduate become major or minor characters in fairy tales. When it happens to sweet, Disney princess–like Sophie and  her friend Agatha, plain of features, sour of disposition and low of self-esteem, they are both horrified to discover that they’ve been dropped not where they expect but at Evil and at Good respectively. Gradually—too gradually, as the author strings out hundreds of pages of Hogwarts-style pranks, classroom mishaps and competitions both academic and romantic—it becomes clear that the placement wasn’t a mistake at all. Growing into their true natures amid revelations and marked physical changes, the two spark escalating rivalry between the wings of the school. This leads up to a vicious climactic fight that sees Good and Evil repeatedly switching sides. At this point, readers are likely to feel suddenly left behind, as, thanks to summary deus ex machina resolutions, everything turns out swell(ish).

Pub Date: May 14, 2013

ISBN: 978-0-06-210489-2

Page Count: 496

Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2013

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

More In The Series

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno

More by Soman Chainani

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by RaidesArt

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Julia Iredale

BOOK TO SCREEN

NOWHERE BOY

by Katherine Marsh ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 7, 2018

A captivating book situated in present-day discourse around the refugee crisis, featuring two boys who stand by their high...

Two parallel stories, one of a Syrian boy from Aleppo fleeing war, and another of a white American boy, son of a NATO contractor, dealing with the challenges of growing up, intersect at a house in Brussels.

Ahmed lost his father while crossing the Mediterranean. Alone and broke in Europe, he takes things into his own hands to get to safety but ends up having to hide in the basement of a residential house. After months of hiding, he is discovered by Max, a boy of similar age and parallel high integrity and courage, who is experiencing his own set of troubles learning a new language, moving to a new country, and being teased at school. In an unexpected turn of events, the two boys and their new friends Farah, a Muslim Belgian girl, and Oscar, a white Belgian boy, successfully scheme for Ahmed to go to school while he remains in hiding the rest of the time. What is at stake for Ahmed is immense, and so is the risk to everyone involved. Marsh invites art and history to motivate her protagonists, drawing parallels to gentiles who protected Jews fleeing Nazi terror and citing present-day political news. This well-crafted and suspenseful novel touches on the topics of refugees and immigrant integration, terrorism, Islam, Islamophobia, and the Syrian war with sensitivity and grace.

Pub Date: Aug. 7, 2018

ISBN: 978-1-250-30757-6

Page Count: 368

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Review Posted Online: June 10, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2018

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

More by Katherine Marsh

by Katherine Marsh

by Katherine Marsh ; illustrated by Kelly Murphy

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Your current subscription allows you to be actively logged in on up to three (3) devices simultaneously. click on continue below to log out of other sessions and log in on this device., the no othering zone: 19 picture books that celebrate our differences | great books.

This list showcases 19 books that reflect our differences and model healthy interactions with those unlike us. These books are about recognizing, accepting, and celebrating our differences.

In Sister Outsider , Audre Lorde wrote, “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” We encounter differences whenever we open a book for ourselves or share one with others. On the surface, the dust jackets have different art, the books come in varying sizes and thicknesses, and even the texture of the paper feels different beneath our fingers. Inside these pages, we meet diverse characters, follow along on many journeys, and experience a variety of themes.

This list showcases books that reflect our differences and model healthy interactions with those unlike us. Some stories are absurd, like a tale about a sentient piece of bread. Some are realistic, like a day in the life of someone with a neurodivergent sibling. Some are about physical differences like skin color and weight, while others are about religious or ideological differences. Ultimately, these books are about recognizing, accepting, and celebrating our differences, which, according to Lorde, are the keys to uniting us.

ALEXANDER, Claire. A Little Bit of Respect. illus. by author. Quarto/Happy Yak. 2022. ISBN 9780711264427. PreS-Gr 1 –The Ploofers look like sentient whoopee cushions, but they still want to be treated with respect. When one exceptionally tiny Ploofer is pinched and called cute, it does not appreciate this gesture. With the help of a friend, the little Ploofer learns to speak up for itself. By articulating its own feelings, the Ploofer gets a little bit of respect in return. A great book for teaching kids the importance of using their words and vocalizing how they feel.

BARNETT, Mac. John’s Turn. illus. by Kate Berube. Candlewick. 2022. ISBN 9781536203950. K-Gr 2 –John is nervous about sharing his talent for dance at the school talent show. While not explicitly stated, his nervousness could be the result of dance stereotypically being a girls’ sport. However, at the climax of the story, John finishes his beautiful dance and looks out into the audience. Now that it is their turn, they applaud him. The finale models the kindness of showing appreciation for those who share their talents.

COOPER, Nancy. Biindigen! Amik Says Welcome. illus. by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley. Owlkids. 2023. ISBN 9781771475150. PreS-Gr 3 –A pair of First Nations people from Canada wrote and illustrated this story about a beaver family reunion. Amik’s sister Nishiime is scared to meet new people, so she hides. However, she eventually feels comfortable when she sees that even though her cousins are from different nations, they are all very similar to her. The anthropomorphic beavers have different names, all “beaver” in their own language, according to the glossary in the back of the book. The book can introduce readers to a new culture, allow readers to feel seen, and tell a story about welcoming new people.

DESNITSKAYA, Anna. On the Edge of the World . illus. by author. Eerdmans. 2023. ISBN 9780802856128. PreS-Gr 2 –The SLJ review called this book “a tender and beautiful work about loneliness and yearning for connection.” In each of two parallel stories, a lonely child in a remote village reaches out, wondering about the universe. This title invites curiosity about other cultures and encourages readers to find the connections and similarities on their own.

GOMI, Taro. The Crocodile and the Dentist. illus. by author. Chronicle. 2018. ISBN 9781452170282. K-Gr 2 –A crocodile is scared to go to the dentist, and the dentist is just as afraid to have a crocodile as a patient. This humorous story shows that sometimes the person (or reptile) we’re afraid of is just as afraid of us. An endearing read-aloud for two.

HULL,  Eliza & Sally Rippin. Come Over to My House. illus. by Daniel Gray-Barnett. Bright Light. 2023. ISBN 9781761212680. K-Gr 2 –Rhyming text invites readers to different homes populated with a variety of families. One family has a Deaf mom. One family has a dad who lost an arm. Another family has a dad with achondroplasia, which the book explains is a form of dwarfism. This sweet, welcoming story is paired with informative back matter about the book’s subjects and its author.

HWANG,  Sarah. Toasty   illus. by author. Holiday House/Margaret Ferguson. 2021. ISBN 9780823447077. PreS-Gr 3 –Toasty is a piece of bread who wants to be a dog. He meets a little girl who has always wanted a dog but is allergic to them. Hwang’s debut picture book is an absurd, laugh-out-loud story that is also a heartwarming tale of finding someone who accepts us for who we are. Warmly illustrated, funny, and joyful.

KENNEN,  Sophie.  Some Bodies.   illus. by Airin O’Callaghan. Sleeping Bear. 2022. ISBN 9781534111417. K-Gr 2 –Rhyming text and gentle illustrations introduce readers to kids and adults of all shapes, sizes, skin tones, ages, and abilities. Back matter includes an author’s note that confronts the notion that “looks don’t matter” and encourages parents to have conversations about people with different appearances in celebration of those differences. There are also suggestions and scripts for adults faced with questions from curious kids.

LAM, Thao. Thao .  illus. by author. Owlkids. 2021. ISBN 9781771474320. PreS-Gr 4 –This picture book memoir is a modern masterpiece. Lam tells her story of growing up with a name that others struggled to pronounce. She uses collage and actual childhood photos, along with spare text, to tell this moving story. An excellent book that illustrates the importance of getting someone’s name right.

MILLER, Sharee.  Don’t Touch My Hair!   illus. by author. Little, Brown. 2018. ISBN 9780316562584. PreS-Gr 4 –A perfect book for all. Those with fluffy, textured hair will gain the confidence and vocabulary to respond to unwanted touch, and those who find themselves reaching for someone else’s hair will know to resist.

NEILSON, Emily. Can I Give You a Squish? illus. by author. Dial. 2020. ISBN 9781984814777. PreS-Gr 1 –A young merboy learns that not everyone likes hugs—especially not puffer fish! With a playful narrative, this book encourages young ones to ask permission before hugging someone. Maybe they would like a fin bump instead.

NICHOLS, Lydia. Some Dogs. illus. by author. Gibbs Smith. 2023. ISBN 9781423663706. Toddler-Gr 2 –This brief, layered-view board book invites young readers to look at cute dogs and admire how different they all are from one another. Dogs are often paired with their opposites (solid/spots, shaggy/sleek), but the book emphasizes that dogs “recognize and accept one another” regardless of differences. If dogs can do it, we can, too!

O’LEARY, Sara.   A Kid Is a Kid Is a Kid.   illus. by Qin Leng. Groundwood. 2021. ISBN 9781773062501. PreS-Gr 2 –Are you a boy or a girl? Why are you so small? Where are you from? The first half of this book presents a series of questions children find annoying to be asked. The second half suggests alternative questions that focus on the present, sharing, and common interests. Ink, watercolor,and pastel illustrations show kids with a wide variety of skin tones and body shapes.

ROBBINS,  Rose. Talking Is Not My Thing. illus. by author. Eerdmans. 2020. ISBN 9780802855497. PreS-Gr 3 –The protagonist of this book is a little yellow cat in a red dress. She does not speak. She communicates to readers through thought bubbles and to her family with nonverbal communication. Readers follow her during an average day and learn that she is startled by loud noises, likes having a comforting stuffed animal nearby, and sticks to a routine. This colorful book gently illustrates ways to communicate with neurodiverse friends children may encounter.

ROSKIFTE, Kristin. Everybody Counts: A Counting Story from 0 to 7.5 Billion. illus. by author. tr. from Norwegian by Siân Mackie. Quarto/Wide-Eyed Eds. 2020. ISBN 9780711245242. K-Gr 4 –Each page features more and more people up to 7.5 billion! However, the book is less about counting and more about the connections among us. The pages contain simple sentences about the people depicted, like “One of them is dreaming of a bigger car” or “One of them likes going to strangers’ weddings and funerals.” Back matter tells a deeper story and allows readers to learn about the characters’ similarities and differences.

SPANYOL, Jessica. Clive and His Babies. illus. by author. Child’s Play. 2016. ISBN 9781846438820. K-Gr 2 –This book is part of the “All About Clive” series that follows a boy and his interests, which have been considered stereotypically “feminine,” like collecting baby dolls and being a nurse. Children in this series, and others by Spanyol, have a variety of skin tones and physical abilities and defy gender stereotypes. The gentle stories simply observe the kids and their activities. Some of Spanyol’s books are also available in bilingual English/Spanish editions.

THOMPKINS-BIGELOW, Jamilah. Mommy’s Khimar. illus. by Ebony Glenn. S. & S. 2018. ISBN 9781534400597. PreS-Gr 4 –A young Muslim American girl looks at the rainbow-colored assortment of khimars in her mommy’s closet and lets her imagination run wild. Mommywraps one around her head every day, and she helps the young girl wear hers, too. Donning the khimar, the girl pretends she is the sun in bright yellow garb or a superhero with a long flowing cape. Most importantly, she feels close to her mother when she wears one of her khimars. The story brightly celebrates this traditional Muslim headscarf both for those who wear one and those who do not.

WIFLER, Laura. Like Me: A Story About Disability and Discovering God’s Image in Every Person. illus. by Skylar White. Harvest House. 2023. ISBN 9780736985758. PreS-Gr 3 –The family in this book comprises a mother, a father, and two sons. The four-year-old son struggles to walk and talk. His older brother narrates a typical day for the family: taking the brother to therapy, meeting with friends, having dinner as a family. Kids and families with different skin tones as well as physical and neurological abilities are illustrated throughout the story. Through a Christian lens, the book explains the importance of celebrating our differences.

YOSHITAKE, Shinsuke. There Must Be More Than That! illus. by author. Chronicle. 2020. ISBN 9781452183220. PreS-Gr 2 –The world can be a scary place. People of all ages, even children, may worry about climate change, war, and other earth-shattering events. Some people even obsess about the terrible side of things, believing the world to be doomed. This brightly illustrated book helps readers navigate interactions with overwhelmingly negative people. It encourages us to think differently and still have hope. Our imaginations, and the world’s possibilities, are endless.

Chance Lee Joyner is the assistant director of the Tyngsborough Public Library.

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14 best science books for kids and young adults

Looking to inspire the next generation of curious minds? These are our picks of the best popular science books for children of all ages.

• Books for kids under 10
• For older children and young adults

Whether they are a young Marie Curie or Albert Einstein, a budding botanist, cuckoo for chemistry or simply looking for something new and exciting to read over the summer vacation, if there is one thing we know about our young Live Science readers, it's that they love a good science book.

With the help of our sister magazine " How It Works ," we've pulled together some of the best science books for kids of all ages, which should keep their young minds fizzing with ideas long into the future.

To make things easier, we've grouped them into two sections: one featuring books for children under 10 years old, and the other books for older children and young adults. They are all books that have been released recently, but if there are any that you think we have missed then please let us know on social media ( here's where you can find us ), or ping us an email at [email protected] .

Best science books for kids under 10 years old

Stomp, soar, dino roar.

Author : Max Amato and Brendan McAuliffe

Illustrator : Nathan Reed

Publisher : Sourcebooks Explore

Price : Available on Amazon for $18.99

Release date : Oct. 1, 2024

In an immersive short story for young readers, the dinosaurs of the Cretaceous period are introduced through colorful cartoons and sounds. You will explore the world in this ancient era with newborn Triceratops Terri, as she encounters new species for the first time, too.

Each illustration enables the reader to visualise how every dinosaur would engage with its surroundings and — most importantly in " Stomp, Soar, Dino Roar " — its echoing sounds. The text’s size, shape and design helps readers to recreate the style of each sound, and phonetic spellings break down the complicated dinosaur names beneath the main text.

Hear from dunking, water-loving dinosaurs and dueling competitors as the rhymes become an entertaining and fast-paced tour. At the end of "Stomp, Soar, Dino Roar," you get more information about each dinosaur mentioned, with useful fact files and illustrations to show the size of each in comparison to a human. More thorough information about how we know what each dinosaur may have sounded like — through fossils and the analysis of living relatives — is included at the back of the book, as well as a timeline to visualise how long ago animals like Terri graced the Earth.

Read more: A brief history of dinosaurs

A Kid's Guide to the Night Sky

Author : John A. Read

Publisher : Sourcebooks

Price : Available on Amazon for $16.99

Release date : Nov. 11, 2024

The night sky is filled with countless cosmic objects to explore and this book does its best to introduce a whole heap of them to the next generation of astronomers. From the little bear to the mighty dragon, there are many glinting constellations and bright stars to identify with the help of " A Kid's Guide to the Night Sky ."

However, this book offers so much more for science-minded stargazers. The life cycle of stars, conjunctions and light pollution are just a few of the topics that his book introduces to its audience. It also takes a deep dive into each of the solar system 's planets and some of the amazing technology that's working to find out more about them.

With so many constellations, satellites and comets to discover, this easy-to-follow guide offers helpful tips and tricks to make sense of what's in space.

Read more: Best telescopes for beginners and advanced scopes for stars, galaxies and nebulas

Doodle with Duddle: How to Draw Dinosaurs

Author : Jonny Duddle

Illustrator : Jonny Duddle

Publisher : Templar

Price : Available on Amazon UK for £8.99 (approx $11.64)

Release date : Out now

Would you like to be able to draw cartoon dinosaurs? Draw them really well? If you put in a lot of practice with the lessons that Jonny Duddle teaches, you could!

The author and illustrator of " How to Draw Dinosaurs " is a self-proclaimed "doodler," which is a very modest way of saying he’s a cartoon artist — and a very good one, at that. Duddle begins to take the reader through his dinosaur-drawing methods by listing the basic equipment: "just a pencil to start," although he does have his favorite tools of the trade that include a sketchbook and a ballpoint pen — not an advisable drawing implement for mistake-prone beginners.

He then introduces us to a quartet of his own, made-up dinosaur-like characters who assist in the lessons, and then readers get to start drawing some (mostly) real dinosaurs.

Duddle alternates between pages of dinosaur facts with finished dinosaur illustrations, and step-by-step lessons on how to draw them in his style. It’s often a case of building layers on top of a basic shape — such as the ellipse that forms the body of a diplodocus. The section on dinosaur skeletons, which includes a step-by-step illustration of how fossils form , is a particularly vibrant chapter that gives the budding artist a sense of the internal structure of a dinosaur and some shapes that they can start to build their own dinosaur drawings around.

Finally, for those who have advanced in their dino-doodling and have the confidence to go it alone, there’s space in the back of the book to draw their own fantasy dinosaur and a comic strip of their own doodles.

But even if the reader has no interest in trying any of Duddle’s drawing lessons, "How to Draw Dinosaurs" is a fun read for school-aged students, accompanied by captivating cartoon dinosaurs. At the very least, it’s a good drawing reference for a future school dinosaur project or art homework.

Related: If birds are dinosaurs, why aren't they cold-blooded?

The Ultimate Kids’ Guide to Dogs

Author : Graeme Hall

Illustrator : Alice Tait

Publisher : Penguin Books

Price : Available on Amazon for $19.99

If you have a pet dog, or if you call yourself a "dog person," this book is the ideal introduction to their history, biology, behaviour and communication. The author’s engaging style guides young readers through all aspects of this popular pet, from their animal ancestors to the emergence of dogs 14,200 years ago .

Across each page are vibrant illustrations showing uplifting scenes of human-dog interaction. The timeline details how dogs have been helping humans for thousands of years — how humans have mistreated them, but also how work has been carried out to keep dogs protected.

Throughout " The Ultimate Kids’ Guide to Dogs " you will learn about the many jobs dogs have been selectively bred for, as well as the biology and behaviors of different breeds in the dog fact files. If you have a new puppy in your family, this is the perfect way to get to know them better. A visual timeline of a dog’s growth details what to expect from your new best friend, while the body language guide will explain what your pet is trying to tell you.

"The Ultimate Kids’ Guide to Dogs" is a brilliant blend of information and interaction. After absorbing the facts, use the dog training guide to test new tricks on your dog and — at the end of the book — test your knowledge in the ultimate dog quiz.

Related: Do any animals keep pets like humans do?

The World’s First Rollercoaster and Other Amazing Inventions

Author : Mike Barfield

Illustrator : Franziska Höllbacher

Price : Available on Amazon for $19.98

You can’t go far wrong with cool facts and funny comic strips, so author/illustrator dream team Mike Barfield and Franziska Höllbacher are off to a pretty good start with " The World’s First Rollercoaster and Other Amazing Inventions ." It charts the greatest inventions from the last century or so — but when we say "greatest," we don’t necessarily mean the inventions that have significantly furthered our species.

Instead, fun inventions like the rollercoaster, the hamburger, skateboards and video games take precedence over the likes of electric vehicles and smartphones. This is where Mike and Franziska can have the most fun. There’s a full-page comic strip for every item on the contents page, giving a potted history of the people behind the invention and their world-famous ideas.

There’s a full-page comic strip for every item

ome of those ideas are a little more out-there — like the "invention" of the dog, which was domesticated over the course of the last 10,000 years or so, the history of which has been distilled into a single silly, yet informative, comic strip. But even the more conventional inventions have been injected with good humor and an interesting angle.

For instance, instead of telling us how Carl Friedrich Benz built the world’s first petrol-drive automobile in 1885, Barfield veers slightly off that course to talk about Benz’s wife, Bertha, who achieved her own world-firsts with Carl’s invention and without whom we wouldn’t even know the name “Benz” in the world of motoring.

If you want to learn more about that, you’ll just have to read the book — we promise you it’s well worth it. "The World’s First Rollercoaster and Other Amazing Inventions" is as amusing as it will be interesting to anyone of any age, and by the end you’ll be sure to have learned a thing or two about some of your favorite inventions.

Related: 32 weird technologies that never took off

Your Sustainable World

Author : Laura Perdew

Publisher : Capstone Press

Price : Available on Amazon for $9.99

Release date : Aug. 1, 2024

It's safe to say that children have never been more aware of the impact that climate change is having on the world — and with that awareness come countless questions about how families can play their part in protecting the planet. In this simple guide to sustainable living, children will learn about different climate challenges, as well as some of the small ways in which we can help reduce our negative impact on the environment.

Along with well-known concepts in sustainability such as "the five R's" (reduce, reuse, recycle, repurpose and refuse), there are new ways of being greener to explore, such as "green fashion" and "smart eating." Packed with helpful tips and advice, " Your Sustainable World " is sure to inspire children to make more environmentally friendly choices.

Related: 15 unexpected effects of climate change

Respect the Insect

Author : Jules Howard

Illustrator : Gosia Herba

Publisher : Wide Eyed Editions

Price : Available on Amazon for $22.99

In this amusing, factual and engaging book, young readers are introduced to the insect world in a visual way, to help understand each creature’s importance.

Each insect is personified by a cartoon character who will explain their daily role in the environment. Let the critters welcome you into their home for a grand tour, detailing how they built their homes and some of the ways their actions are misunderstood.

From plastic problem-solving wax moth caterpillars to earth-moving termites and honey-making bees , each page will show you a new animal in action. One section reveals the prevalence of insects around the globe, from desert dwellers to the insects that need to live in conditions so cold that if you touched them, they would die from exposure to your body heat.

Wherever you live in the world, this book ensures that the next time you come across one of these species, you will have more respect for the insect.

Related: How do insects know which flowers have pollen?

Best science books for older children and young adults

Astrophysics for supervillains.

Author : Dr. Matt Bothwell

Publisher : DK

Price : Available on Amazon for $12.99

Taking plenty of cues from the bestselling "Horrible Histories" series, " Astrophysics for Supervillains " is a children’s book of space facts that moves space education beyond what a typical 9-year-old might learn in their classroom. And as long as there’s other stuff on the school curriculum, like English or Geography, there’s no chance of the teacher finding time to derail the learnings of a supervillain-in-training.

Author and astronomer Dr. Matt Bothwell steps up to the role of evil genius and takes us through six meaty chapters of space facts, from the relatively ordinary confines of our own solar system to the end of a star’s life, the heat death of the universe and, our favorite, "How to Destroy the Earth" — a list of the various cosmic fates to which Earth may finally succumb, however unlikely those might be.

Weaves around tough answers that might require an actual PhD to unpick

Every chapter can effectively be split into a series of questions that might typically be asked by a school student of a certain age, such as "How long could you survive on Pluto?", " What is inside a black hole? " and "If the universe is growing, what is it expanding into?". These questions are comprehensively answered by Dr. Bothwell in his best supervillain professor voice, reveling in the extreme dangers posed by the space beyond our little bubble of atmosphere, and the apocalyptic scenarios that we might encounter if we could travel millions of light years from Earth and live a few billion years or more.

Dr. Bothwell is the public astronomer at the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy, so engaging a school-age audience is all in a day’s work — and "Astrophysics for Supervillains" is no exception. It cleverly weaves around tough answers that might require an actual PhD to unpick, coupling them with plenty of cartoon illustrations and the kind of choice typography that makes a good comic strip.

All told, this is a really fun insight into the cosmos that could inspire future generations of astronomers.

Cloudspotting for Beginners

Author : Gavin Pretor-Pinney

Illustrator : William Grill

Publisher : Particular Books

Price : Available on Amazon for $24.99

If the ever-changing sky and shape-shifting patterns of clouds have ever piqued your interest, this is the book for you. Those fluffy objects floating in the atmosphere are immensely complex, and each form of cloud has a specific classification, produces intriguing phenomena and exists only at favourable altitudes. "Cloudspotting for Beginners" introduces you to each type of cloud , often giving them a poetic personality to remember them by.

Just like the act of skywatching itself, reading this book has a calming effect, as each cloud type and phenomenon is presented with elegant sketches that beautifully capture the intricacies and moods of different skies. You will learn about the 10 main cloud types, positioned on the page at the altitudes where you can spot them. Artistic graphs detail the science of cloud formation, the anatomy of rainbows, halos formed by clouds’ crystals and the appearance of clouds on other planets.

How were clouds named, which weather pattern is each cloud type linked to and what clouds capture a sunset? The answers to all these questions and more are revealed in " Cloudspotting for Beginners ."

A Brief History of Stuff

Price : Available on Amazon for $25.00

DK has selected a truly eclectic list of "stuff" for inclusion in this curiously put-together book. From baby bottles to ballpoint pens, there isn't much of a logical path or timeline — which, oddly, is part of what makes it a brilliant reference for kids of all ages.

Casting your eye over the contents page and seeing a list of everyday items such as a thimble or a fridge magnet, you're left realising there's a gap in your knowledge about how all these things came to be. Luckily, " A Brief History of Stuff " has all the information you need about their origins and impact on society.

Packed with bitesize facts, before you know it you'll be reciting the history of "stuff" to your friends and family.

Read more: 20 inventions that changed the world

The Pocket Calculator Story

Author : Andrew Morten

Publisher : Amberley Publishing

Price : Available on Amazon for $25.99

These days, calculators have mostly been relegated to a smartphone or desktop app. However, this piece of electronic math wizardry has a history that is long and varied, as will become abundantly clear to readers of " The Pocket Calculator Story ."

From the key invention of the transistor in the 1960s, you'll follow the evolutionary journey of the humble pocket calculator and watch it transform into a feature-packed mini-computer, capable of making short work of complex equations. You'll also discover the many weird and wonderful calculators that broke the mold, such as the calculator-pen hybrid, the credit card calculator and the iconic calculator watch that dominated the 1980s.

Offering a dose of tech nostalgia, this makes an excellent reference book for any personal electronics enthusiast.

Related: Best laptops for students 2024: Get the perfect laptop for college

What If Fungi Win?

Author : Arturo Casadevall

Publisher : Johns Hopkins University Press

Price : Available on Amazon for $16.95

Arturo Casadevall is a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and the author of " What if Fungi Win? " — an insightful look at how fungi facilitated evolution and benefited the global biome, but how they could also be the downfall of civilization.

Drawing on his own research and experience, Casadevall describes the fascinating biology behind fungi, including their amazing powers of radiation resistance and healing abilities. There's an important cautionary tale in "What If Fungi Win?", too: In a post-Covid world, Casadevall shares the importance of tackling infectious fungi and warns about the rise of drug-resistant species.

By the time you've finished this fascinating and eye-opening book, you'll surely have gained a new appreciation for fungi — along with a cautious side-eye.

50 Women in Technology

Author : Georgina Ferry, Inês Nobre de Almeida and Bridget Greenwood

Publisher : Supernova Books

Price : Available on Amazon for $29.99

In a celebration of the female pioneers that have helped advance technology throughout history, " 50 Women in Technology " is sure to inspire the next generation of brilliant scientists. Along with some of the more recognisable names such as Katherine Johnson or Marie Curie , there are many unsung heroes of science to discover, such as Vera Rubin, whose work led to the discovery of dark matter .

In part, this reference book acts as a reminder of the great women whose work paved the way for modern minds. For example, Stephanie Willerth, a professor at the University of Victoria in Canada, oversees research to engineer treatments for central nervous system disorders, while data scientist Rumman Chowdhury is tackling solutions for ethical artificial intelligence . These are just some of the minds that you'll meet through a series of interview-based biographies that reveal the motivations of women who are making strides in technology.

Related: 25 amazing women in science and math

Radar and the Raft

Author : Jeff Lantos

Publisher : Charlesbridge

Release date : Sept. 24, 2024

The story of radar, its inventors and contributing scientists are combined in this true story about the technology’s emergence and lifesaving uses. Written for readers around the ages of 10 to 13, "Radar and the Raft" is for those with an interest in history and technology.

Unlike many technology-based non-fiction books, this story largely focuses on the people and families behind the technology, as well as life during World War II. The book includes a combination of character storylines and multiple scientific discoveries, intriguing the reader as to how they will connect together. Toward the end of the book, these stories and inventions meet in a dramatic scene that demonstrates the lifesaving potential of science.

Grips readers through both personal stories and the evolution of technology

" Radar and the Raft " grips readers through both personal stories and the evolution of technology. By connecting the story of the Bell family’s near-death experience at sea during World War II with the story of radar’s discovery, the author has produced an engaging and informative storyline. This is a great read that explores the direct consequences of scientific discoveries.

Read more: How radar works: The technology made famous by war

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Editor’s Pick: 4 Books on Parenting

More by andrew spencer.

Parenting can feel like an endless attempt to hang on for dear life as the weeks go by. Children change; the culture changes; the demands of work, extended family, and church ebb and flow. Kids don’t come with instruction books, and there are as many opinions about child rearing as there are people in this world. How can we do this parenting thing well?

You’ll often read in quality Christian parenting books that sanctification is at the heart of parenting well. The four books I survey here are no exception. There are many education philosophies, methods of discipline, and options for teaching biblical truth. Results are never guaranteed. But the best chance we have of raising our children into godly adults is to seek to model godly attitudes and habits before them.

At the same time, each child is unique, each situation is distinct, and each stage of development is different. We need practical ideas to help us succeed in this grand adventure of parenting. These four recent books provide spiritual and practical encouragement for loving your children, no matter their life stage.

1. Loving Your Adult Children: The Heartache of Parenting and the Hope of the Gospel by Gaye B. Clark (Crossway)

There are a lot of resources for parents at the various childhood stages, but much less has been written about loving your kids once they grow up. Gaye Clark’s brief book helps to fill that void.

Loving Your Adult Children: The Heartache of Parenting and the Hope of the Gospel

Gaye b. clark.

As kids grow, so do the pains of parenthood. Patterns of miscommunication and resentment can cause damage over the years, leaving parents and adult children with a fractured relationship. Confused, hurt, and sometimes angry, moms and dads can struggle to know where to turn for help and where to look for hope. Encouraging readers to view themselves as image bearers of God first and parents second, Clark shifts readers’ focus to their relationship with Christ while showing how the relationship between parent and child can be a catalyst for understanding the gospel.

Some advises trusting God for the outcome of our children’s lives and pursuing basic sanctification. She reminds us that “our horizontal relationships, adult children included, are best cared for by pursuing our vertical relationship with God.” But Clark also provides helpful counsel for dealing with an increasingly common situation: the estrangement of adult children from their parents. She provides practical advice for trying to mend relationships, however they were broken. This is an important book in a time when it seems family relationships are especially strained.

2. Reaching Your Child’s Heart: A Practical Guide to Faithful Parenting by Juan and Jeanine Sanchez (New Growth Press)

The best parenting advice comes from people who have been through it before. They can remind you of the deep theological truths about parenting that frame your daily actions. They can also share examples of their successes and failures to show you that perfection isn’t attainable.

Results are never guaranteed. But the best chance we have of raising our children into godly adults is to seek to model godly attitudes and habits before them.

Above all, Juan and Jeanine Sanchez “want to encourage you to parent with eternity in mind.” Take a deep breath, look at the problem before you, and try to remember parenting isn’t about getting kids to bed on time or making them do their chores well—it’s fundamentally about pointing them toward the God who made the heavens and the earth.

No matter how things appear to be going, the Sanchezes remind readers, “God has given you everything you need to be a faithful parent. ” That includes Christ, Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and the church. This book blends practical advice for various stages of parenting with theological encouragements to parent well for God’s glory.

3. Parenting with Hope: Raising Teens for Christ in a Secular Age by Melissa B. Kruger (Harvest House)

Every stage of parenting has its own challenges. I look back and wonder how I managed the toddler years in my home. Yet I’ve found parenting teenagers to be the most emotionally and spiritually challenging. Melissa Kruger’s book Parenting with Hope offers godly advice for those trying to grow in their sanctification as they help their teenagers mature socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

The book begins by laying out a basic plan for family life built on prayer, biblical thinking, and local church involvement. Kruger then reminds parents that scholarship, extracurricular engagement, and popularity are potential idols for both teens and their parents. Finally, she argues helping teens thrive requires offering appropriate acceptance, parental availability, and familial affection. At the heart of the book is Kruger’s belief that “Jesus is the reason we can parent with hope.”

4. What Do I Say When . . . ? A Parent’s Guide to Navigating Cultural Chaos for Children and Teens by Andrew and Christian Walker (Crossway)

Discipling our children is a multidimensional project. We should focus on catechizing them doctrinally so they understand Christianity’s deep truths. But discipling our children ethically is also a key parental task, especially because our culture is constantly shaping their moral imaginations contrary to truth.

Andrew and Christian Walker team up to provide a tool for answering your children’s questions and starting age-appropriate conversations to explain what Scripture says about hot-button issues. The book touches on topics like human dignity, identity, technology, and political engagement. Each chapter provides a concise overview of biblical teaching, basic theological truths that undergird each topic, and suggestions for how to the manage the conversation in three different levels of complexity. This resource will help educate parents as they faithfully raise their children in a rapidly changing culture.

Andrew Spencer (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as associate editor for books at The Gospel Coalition. He is the author of Hope for God’s Creation: Stewardship in an Age of Futility and Doctrine in Shades of Green: Theological Perspective for Environmental Ethics , editor of The Christian Mind of C. S. Lewis: Essays in Honor of Michael Travers , and a contributor to Baptist Political Theology . Spencer is an elder at CrossPointe Church . He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children and live in southeast Michigan.

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A playwright gets back at her dad onstage in ‘The Hypocrite’

A man sits in a theater and watches his life acted out onstage. Though he is a famous writer, it is not his play; though it is his life, he cannot control the outcome. He writhes in his seat, wants to stand up and make his voice heard, correct the record. But the audience is already against him. The tide has turned; they’ve come for the performance, not the truth. His time has already passed.

Such is the fate of all writers. They create their work in one era, and if it is any good it might be read in others, and not always for the better. This disjuncture – between what we believe we have created, and how others receive and respond to it – is at the heart of Jo Hamya’s second novel, “The Hypocrite.”

The writer in question is an unnamed, 60-something Martin Amis type, a provocative, ironic vanquisher of moral and sexual norms, now long past his heyday. Once known for “caustically quotable remarks made over free drinks,” he hasn’t published a novel in many years. When he does pop back up in the news, it is thanks only to those same remarks, which now make people furious.

Yet he does not realize how fully irrelevant his voice has become. It is August 2020, and his daughter Sophia is premiering her new play between early waves of COVID. The play concerns a trip to Sicily that she and her father took a decade earlier, when she was about to enter university and he was completing his last novel. Her father remembers a sunbaked period of harmonious collaboration, but Sophia, as reflected in her play, experienced it as a time of creative tyranny and sexual exposure. Sitting in the audience, the father watches as a man dressed in one of his favorite shirts loudly beds a series of women and then tries to make them type up his novel. These women grow older and more defiant, until he is being openly mocked by an actress the age of his ex-wife. Around him, the masked crowd squirms, cackles and sneers. His degradation has become their triumph.

“The Hypocrite” hops between the day of the performance and the trip that inspired it, and gives us the perspectives of Sophia and her parents. Rather than assigning a particular voice to each character, Hamya deploys a fluid prose style, toggling between participants as emotional states become unglued. What is real, what is imagined, what is performed: In Hamya’s confident hands, it all becomes productively confused.

The result is a novel about how writers attempt to mediate their lives through art, and the necessarily incomplete nature of that attempt. These gaps are manifold: between generations, genders, art forms and political dispositions. But Hamya is most interested in the gulf between how we understand ourselves and how others perceive us. Sophia believes herself a victim of her heedless, domineering father; watching the play, her father sees himself as a convenient target for an era of moral scolds. In an interview with the Guardian this year, Hamya said this novel is meant to inhabit “one massive grey area,” where “both parties (are) wrong and they (are) both utterly sympathetic.”

There is more and less nuance in “The Hypocrite” than that description implies. At its best – and this novel is largely very good – it operates in a zone of dissonance and uncertainty, in which complete but irreconcilable perspectives clash. Hamya is keen on the father’s arrogant lapses and self-serving justifications, but she does not sell his emotions short. His hurt, his outrage and his alienation from contemporary mores are rendered empathetically, if often skeptically. And though not as fully drawn as her father, Sophia pushes through his indignant responses without either condemning or forgiving him. Her play does not come across as cruel. It wounds because she is wounded.

The theater is a perfect setting for Hamya. She is a natural dramaturge, enacting her themes through this central relationship. But “The Hypocrite” suffers when it occasionally wanders beyond its walls to comment on The Way We Live Now. All the references to masks and distancing protocols turn a historic pandemic into mere window dressing. And in one particularly heavy-handed moment, during an intermission in the play, the father has a heated conversation with another audience member, “a white woman, wearing Carhartt overalls and pristine Birkenstocks beneath her punky haircut”; he calls her Round Glasses. Speaking in pure, undigested jargon, Round Glasses condemns his work as sexist and his daughter’s as “smug, obvious white feminism that feeds itself to its audience with a silver spoon.” He calls her thoughts “facile,” and the two trade barbs that allow Hamya to quickly (and reductively) capture generational conflicts and sensitivities.

The novel moves on, and Round Glasses does not return. But her cartoonish, purely polemical presence lingers. It comes across as petty, self-protective and beneath the novel Hamya has otherwise constructed. People might speak on occasion like Round Glasses does, but simply reiterating their rhetoric to mock them isn’t enough. The concerns of any given moment tend to perish, but enlivened by an author’s curious, expansive mind, they stand a chance of living on. “The Hypocrite” gets a good part of the way there. When it tethers itself to the behaviors and terminology of our immediate past, the book falters; but when Hamya allows her characters to live, breathe, spit and snarl, her fiction soars.

Robert Rubsam is a writer and critic whose work has been published in the New York Times Magazine, the Atlantic, the Baffler and the Nation.

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Children's Books About Zendaya and Harry Styles Are Available for Preorder Now — And They're Just $6

While targeted for 4-year-olds to 8-year-olds, these charming books are perfect for fans of all ages.

Harry Styles and Zendaya have massive talent, undeniable fashion sense and serious star power, but that's not all they have in common. Now, both of the artists are subjects in the latest release of Little Golden Book Biographies. 

We believe no one is too young to become a fan of Styles or Zendaya. While you may have already introduced your kid to Styles' hit tunes or Zendaya's roles in the Spider-Man franchise  — now, with the help of Golden Books, you can share the stories about their rises to fame, too. Perhaps the best part about these illustrated books is that they're each just $6.

Harry Styles: A Little Golden Book Biography  comes out on September 3, 2024, and is now available for preorder.

Harry Styles: A Little Golden Book Biography

To Styles' birth in England to his audition on X Factor and breaking out on his solo career, this biography is informative and beautifully illustrated.

Also hitting shelves on September 3, 2024, is  Zendaya: A Little Golden Book Biography , which is now available for preorder at Amazon.

Zendaya: A Little Golden Book Biography

Starting with Zendaya's early career, even before her work at Disney, and her transformation into a global star, this illustrated biography covers it all.

Each picture book biography has 24 pages filled with easy-to-read personal stories and colorful illustrations.

Little Golden Books is no stranger to telling the story of our favorite stars. Other Little Golden Books biographies feature  Beyoncé ,  Simone Biles ,  Dolly Parton  and Willie Nelson . Taylor Swift's Little Golden Book  quickly sold out after it was released last year, so we recommend securing your Zendaya's or Styles' biography (or both) while you can.

While the Little Golden Book biographies are technically geared toward young children, we think any fan of Harry Styles or Zendaya would want this true tale on their bookshelf. Buy a copy for yourself or your little one today. 

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Browsing: Picture Books

Mitchie the service dog gets a job | dedicated review.

Mitchie the Service Dog Gets a Job is both heartwarming and instructive, perfect for introducing readers to the concept of disability support. 

The Pirates of Bathtub Bay | Dedicated Review

The Pirates of Bathtub Bay is not just a fun and funny read, but a source of inspiration for readers to embark on their own imaginative adventures.

Officer Blue, by Victoria and Corbin Thomas | Dedicated Review

Officer Blue is a perfect addition to a growing reader’s library. It offers a delightful blend of humor and life lessons.

A New Friend for Dragon, by Bianca Schulze | Book Review

A must-read for children aged 3-7, A New Friend for Dragon is a delightful picture book that will captivate young readers while imparting valuable life lessons.

Mining for the Heart of History: Beth Anderson on ‘Thomas Jefferson and the Battle for Science’

Children’s author Beth Anderson discusses her latest book, Thomas Jefferson’s Battle for Science: Bias, Truth, and a Mighty Moose.

A New Friend for Dragon, by Bianca Schulze | The Awareness Tour

A New Friend for Dragon by Bianca Schulze, beautifully illustrated by Samara Hardy, is set to captivate hearts and challenge stereotypes.

A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs | Awareness Tour

Welcome to the virtual book tour for A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs by Scott Sollers—winner of the Mom’s Choice Award!

Webster the Beagle and His Adventures at the River | Awareness Tour

Welcome to the Webster the Beagle and His Adventures at the River virtual book tour. Don’t miss out on this tail-wagging adventure!

It’s OK When I Feel This Way | Dedicated Review

In It’s OK When I Feel This Way, young readers take a colorful journey through the alphabet of emotions, with each letter representing a different feeling.

The Legacy of the Running Lavash | Dedicated Review

In The Legacy of the Running Lavash, Loucia Isaac Seropian weaves a charming tale that blends Armenian folklore, cultural heritage, and magical realism.

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MOES Accelerates Literacy Efforts by Launching the first Lao Language Children’s Book Catalog

For Immediate Release

Press Release

Vientiane Capital, August 12, 2024 — To enhance children’s literacy, the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES), with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), successfully launched the first Lao Language Children’s Book Catalog and a corresponding National Children’s Book Review Report.  The development of the Catalog, a strong collaboration between MOES, the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, the Lao Board on Books for Young People, and the USAID-funded Learn to Read project, marks a significant milestone for literacy in Lao PDR.

The event was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Silinthone Sacklokham, Director General of International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Education and Sports, and Ms. Phetviengkhone Sayasane, USAID’s Senior Education Specialist, Ms. Norkham Souphanouvong, Room to Read’s Country Director, and Mr. Kamal Hossain, Learn to Read’s Chief of Party.  The Catalog is designed to be a helpful resource for government officials, educators, librarians, communities, and families, offering a comprehensive list of MOES-approved children’s books to inform and streamline book purchasing.  Local publishers’ works are also showcased, promoting the growth of the local publishing industry.

The interactive workshop featured a detailed presentation of the Children’s Book Catalog, which lists the books by grade level and genre and includes a brief synopsis. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Silinthone noted that a core feature of the Catalog is inclusivity.  The 594 children's books listed in the Catalog reflect diverse characters and cultural backgrounds to ensure that the selected books resonate with all children in Laos. 

The workshop also shared key findings from the National Children’s Book Review Report, highlighting key areas for growth in the children’s book publishing sector, including the importance of creating more children’s non-fiction and folklore titles.

Ms. Phetviengkhone encouraged the participants to explore the Catalog, share it widely, and contribute to its ongoing impact.  The workshop provided an opportunity for attendees to discuss efforts to ensure the Catalog’s widespread use and sustainability.

The Catalog is now available for public use.  The USAID Learn to Read project will continue to support the Government of Laos’s efforts to update and expand the Catalog to ensure it remains a useful, relevant resource. 

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‘Alien: Romulus’ Review: Go Ahead, Scream (No One Can Hear You)

The seventh installment of the series centers on Rain (Cailee Spaeny), a contract worker in an outer-space mining colony, and her friend Andy (David Jonsson), an android.

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By Manohla Dargis

Some movie sequels take a series in new directions, adding original ideas, new characters, different approaches and, at times, heft and myth. Other sequels are more like filler. They help plug the spaces between movies and keep the franchise’s brand in the public’s imagination, all while trying to make some cash. The newest “Alien” movie, “Alien: Romulus,” the seventh installment in this storied, apparently inexhaustible cycle of films, is perfectly adequate filler.

Since Ridley Scott’s “Alien” burst into gripping, gruesome life in 1979, the series has generated hits and misses, tankers of acidic slobber and a sizable body count. The franchise turned Sigourney Weaver into an icon and gave David Fincher his start as a film director. As the movies piled up, they also reminded you that the original “Alien” is a masterpiece and that even the lesser follow-ups that Scott directed, “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant,” have their virtues, among them striking visuals, filmmaking intelligence, a curiosity about the cosmos, and a twinned appreciation for the mystery of life and the inevitability of death.

“Alien: Romulus” is a nuts-and-bolts action-adventure horror story with boos and splatter. It doesn’t have much on its mind but it has some good jump scares along with a disappointingly bland heroine, a sympathetic android and the usual collection of disposable characters who are unduly killed by slavering, rampaging extraterrestrials. In series terms, the events in “Romulus” take place between those in “Alien” and those in the second film, “Aliens.” Written and directed by James Cameron, and crowded with big guns and bulging biceps, “Aliens” is largely notable for its swaggering action sequences that have become de rigueur in the series and for giving Weaver’s Ripley a muscular makeover while turning her into a surrogate mom.

Directed by Fede Álvarez (“ Don’t Breathe ”), who shares script credit with Rodo Sayagues, “Romulus” tells a familiar, half-baked story of adversity, gritty perseverance, quick thinking and a drag-down fight for survival. It centers on Rain (Cailee Spaeny), a 20-something contract worker in a grim outer-space mining colony. There, along with Andy (David Jonsson), a glitchy android that she loves and calls her brother, Rain yearns to leave the sunless planet and the punishing conditions that condemned both her parents to early deaths. She soon gets her chance when some other friends share that they’re planning an escape in an abandoned space station that has conveniently drifted above their planet.

Álvarez gets through this setup economically, and it isn’t long before Rain and company are creeping through the station’s eerily empty corridors, exploring its topsy-turvy rooms and pondering its not particularly mysterious mysteries. (Álvarez spends a lot of time showing off his sets, which are more engaging than the writing.) Spaeny, who played Priscilla Presley in Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla,” is an appealing performer — her youth and slight frame deceptively suggest near-childlike vulnerability — and you’re on Rain’s side straightaway. What keeps you rooted there is largely a matter of film-going habit and franchise familiarity: She’s the heroine and Ripley’s symbolic heir, after all, and the monsters are coming.

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All 28 jack reacher books, ranked worst to best.

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Reacher Season 3: Cast, Story & Everything We Know

10 jack reacher book traits that alan ritchson's reacher has nailed, 10 jack reacher book moments we want to see in reacher season 3.

• The hit Amazon Prime Video series takes its inspiration from Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels.
• All 28 novels chronicle the action-packed adventures of the military investigator turned drifter.
• Newcomers to Jack Reacher can take what the full canon offers.

Reacher expertly takes its inspiration from Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels. For decades, all 28 novels chronicle the action-packed adventures of the military investigator turned drifter. Although not every book in the series is a masterpiece, it has consistently delivered incredible page-turners. Lee Child’s enduring character has transcended the page through movie and television adaptations, including a Tom Cruise film franchise and most recently the hit Amazon Prime Video Reacher starring Alan Ritchson . Movies lifted plot lines directly from printed chapters, further cementing the literary stories’ cinematic promise through the adaptation process itself.

Now with over 20 books chronicling his exploits, Reacher’s world provides extensive terrain for mining the taciturn veteran’s mysterious background and death-defying escapades going back to his military police days. For newcomers inspired by fiery explosions onscreen or devotees debating each book’s place among the intricate mythos, taking measure of the full canon offers guidance through exhilarating moments testing one man’s wits and will from small towns to the global stage. Whether these books are an introduction or an old favorite, gauging the most essential embodiment of Reacher’s blunt force justice provides a blueprint into the wandering character’s iconic appeal.

Prime Video's Reacher is coming back for a third season, and there are already a ton of exciting updates about the upcoming episodes.

28 Blue Moon (2019)

A convoluted and gratuitous installment.

The 24th novel in the Jack Reacher series, Blue Moon, was released in 2019 and is widely considered to be the worst of the bunch. Unfortunately, the plot of Blue Moon involving Albanian and Ukrainian mobsters in a small town was more convoluted than previous installments. The action aligns with Reacher's character, but the frequent violence and loss of life comes across as gratuitous.

Many critics felt that Blue Moon relied too much on recurring elements of Child's series.

Reacher works through moral dilemmas as usual, but his white knight persona feels unrealistic. While still delivering on series staples, aspects of this entry didn't fully captivate. The frequent deaths and do-goodery are hallmarks of the series , but in Blue Moon , they fail to compel. Many critics felt that Blue Moon relied too much on recurring elements of Child's series, which — by the 24th entry — had more-or-less become tropes. Blue Moon was a Jack Reacher novel that tried to play it safe, but unfortunatley this just led to it feeling formulaic.

27 The Sentinel (2020)

An uninteresting story.

Released during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, The Sentinel was the 25th Jack Reacher novel. While it was an improvement on 2019's Blue Moon, it still failed to live up to earlier entries in the franchise as far as many readers and critics were concerned. The main flaw found in The Sentinel is the awkward writing, since Lee Child co-wrote this book with his brother Andrew (the pair are named James and Andrew Grant, though they write under the pseudonyms of Lee and Andrew Child).

The plot about criminals tampering with elections is too similar to real-life news, taking readers out of the fantasy elements.

The story doesn't create interest like other Reacher books , making it less enjoyable. Also, the plot about criminals tampering with elections is too similar to real-life news, taking readers out of the fantasy elements. Those who know Reacher's Rules well can see inconsistencies in the story. Due to the odd writing, unrealistic plot, and errors, this book ranks low in the series.

26 Nothing To Lose (2008)

Simplistic writing.

Released in 2008, Nothing To Lose is the 12th novel in the Jack Reacher series, and by far the worst one released in the 2000s — and many critics found that it was far too similar to the 1972 novel First Blood by David Morrell, upon which the first Rambo movie was based. Situated in the fictional twin towns of Hope and Despair, Colorado, the setting in this installment fails to fully pull the reader into the narrative . The recycling plant disguising the criminals' questionable operation is written as too simplistic to be believable as a thoroughly guarded base of operations.

While the scale of the antagonists' enterprise is acknowledged as vast, their thin disguise detracts from the story's ability to immerse the reader in a world of high intrigue and high stakes. Where past books in the series have expertly combined setting, characters, and other elements, this addition misses the mark.

25 Make Me (2015)

The partnership between jack reacher and michelle chang fails to resonate.

2015 saw the 20th novel in the Jack Reacher series — Make Me — and, sadly, the story failed to live up to how much an important milestone for the franchise reaching 20 books was. In Make Me , the relationship between Reacher and Change follows expected lines, with Reacher, typically morally upright, teaming up routinely with Chang, an ex-FBI agent. There is also a lackluster romantic subplot between the two characters. As a result, this part of the book is largely forgettable.

It would likely be difficult to recall specific details about this story.

While Child is far from a one-trick-pony as far as authors go, Make Me definitely left the impression that he's stronger when writing tense action than he is at writing romance. Despite the extensive book, it would likely be difficult to recall specific details about this story. This underscores the narrative's overall lack of impact, especially when contrasted with more compelling installments like Night School . The unremarkable nature of Reacher's time with Chang contributes heavily to Make Me 's weak attempt at engagement.

24 The Midnight Line (2017)

Interesting characters, but it ultimately falls short.

The 22nd Jack Reacher novel was 2017's The Midnight Line, and in this story Reacher finds himself caught in an investigation into an illegal opioid trade in the American Midwest. In The Midnight Line , the story falls short, as Lee Child's attempt to experiment with a different approach ultimately doesn't pay off. It attempted to incorporate aspects of real-life critiques of pharameceutical companies, which many readers and critics felt didn't quite work.

While sharing a similar feeling to Nothing to Lose , this book distinguishes itself with the introduction of the character Rose, who is acknowledged as a positive aspect. However, the deviation from the traditional Reacher narrative seems to be the book's downfall , as the experimentation with a new style fails to resonate. The effort to innovate doesn't yield the anticipated results, impacting the overall quality and reception of the book in comparison to others in the series.

23 Past Tense (2018)

Unorthodox storytelling misses the mark.

2018's Past Tense was the 23rd Jack Reacher novel. While it was a slight improvement on 2017's The Midnight Line, it was also quite experimental as far as Child's Jack Reacher books go — a decision that both helped and hindered it, but on the whole didn't quite pay off as well as it could have. Despite having a somewhat dry tone and some notably creepy segments that are riveting to read, Past Tense faces criticism mainly due to its unorthodox creative direction.

The inclusion of a bonus backstory, a compelling woodland setting, and the presence of a group of human game-hunting antagonists elevates the book above some later works.

However, the installment manages to salvage its shortcomings through notable strengths . The inclusion of a bonus backstory, a compelling woodland setting, and the presence of a group of human game-hunting antagonists elevates the book above some later works. Additionally, the narrative benefits from Reacher's adept close combat skills, showcased in suspenseful nighttime encounters, and the incorporation of well-executed Reacher point-of-view kills.

22 No Plan B (2022)

Not as good as earlier novels.

No Plan B, the 27th novel in the Jack Reacher series, was released in 2022 . Much like 2019's Blue Moon, No Plan B fell short of reader and critic expectations because it played things too safe, relying too much on what had made earlier novels successful without trying anything new (when it came to both the plot and the writing style).

No Plan B delivers what is expected: an action-packed and plot-driven Jack Reacher thriller. However, this installment falls short of recapturing the magic of earlier releases when the character first debuted. While still an objectively strong and fast-paced story, it lacks the spark that made readers fall for Child's almost self-parodying style. For a subjective ranking system tapping into that nostalgia, No Plan B ranks lower than hoped, even though it objectively hits the Reacher marks.

21 A Wanted Man (2012)

A necessary story, but unable to stand on its own.

2012's A Wanted Man is the 17th Jack Reacher novel, and while it's not one of the worst, it's definitely not one of the best either. A Wanted Man delivers an energetic plot continuing the Nebraska storyline — picking up after the events of Worth Dying For following a slight muddying of the timeline in 2011's The Affair — but is ultimately a low point in the series when the franchise is appraised as a whole.

Despite the high stakes involving a burnt corpse and threats reaching the highest levels, the story itself feels missable.

A Wanted Man starts strong, with Reacher decoding blinks from a kidnapping victim to uncover a conspiracy. Despite the high stakes involving a burnt corpse and threats reaching the highest levels, the story itself feels missable. While needed to transition Reacher out of Nebraska after previous installments, this sequel lacks the impact to truly grab readers. As a result, A Wanted Man comes across more as a bridge in the broader series rather than a story able to stand on its own.

It's almost universally agreed upon that Alan Ritchson is the perfect Jack Reacher, especially since he nails some key Reacher traits from the books.

20 Personal (2014)

Fails to fully captivate despite delivering all the expected jack reacher thrills.

The 19th novel in the Jack Reacher series, 2014's Personal, is another example of an entry in the franchise that felt far too by-the-numbers to stand out, with Child falling back on the formula of his proven successes without breaching any new narrative ground. The plot of Personal hits the usual beats, with Reacher uncovering an assassination attempt in Paris tied to his past in the military.

However, the pieces feel too familiar, lacking the creativity to craft a truly standout story. The stakes feel more routine than past books, and the exploration of Reacher’s history covers well-worn ground. As a result, Personal comes across as too formulaic , with the series elements failing to combine into a narrative that hooks readers. It moves briskly without slowing down, but lacks the innovation and intrigue to rank among the most gripping installments.

19 The Secret (2023)

Enjoyable, but not as thrilling as it could be.

The most recent Jack Reacher novel was 2023's The Secret, which was the 28th in the series (the next, due later on in 2024, is set to be titled In Too Deep). The Secret offers intriguing insights into Reacher's past while delivering on action, but characterization shortcomings weigh it down. The early 1990s setting proves fascinating, and the prose moves briskly between investigative phases. Descriptions of hand-to-hand combat also showcase Reacher's physical prowess as expected.

While the spy craft details entertain, The Secret misses opportunities to resonate emotionally or use its prequel status to fully enrich Reacher's enigmatic persona.

However, the narrative lacks cohesion, with an initial mystery abandoned abruptly. More disappointingly, the young Reacher on display fails to reveal revelatory dimensions about what molded him into a wandering hero . While the spy craft details entertain, The Secret misses opportunities to resonate emotionally or use its prequel status to fully enrich Reacher's enigmatic persona. It was an improvement on 2022's No Plan B, at least, hopefully signalling that the franchise is back on an upwards trajectory.

18 Night School (2016)

A disappointing conclusion.

2016 saw the arrival of the 21st Jack Reacher novel, and Night School was a marked improvement on 2015's Make Me - though it still failed to live up to the best Jack Reacher books from earlier in the franchise. Night School delivers an intriguing premise, pairing Reacher with former colleague Frances Neagley against neo-Nazis transporting nuclear material.

The setup of Night School promises a classic thriller tracing back to Reacher’s military days. However, the conclusion ultimately disappoints . Just as events build toward an expected dramatic, high-stakes finale worthy of the nuclear threat, the story ends abruptly. The resolution feels rushed rather than truly earned after the groundwork has been laid. Still, it’s easy to appreciate the chance to see more of his past with Neagley, even if the ending fails to fully capitalize on a compelling narrative.

17 Running Blind (2000)

The execution leaves some of the intrigue unfulfilled.

The 4th Jack Reacher novel arrived at the turn of the millenium in 2000, and after the success of the initial trilogy, Running Blind felt like Lee Child's first miss when it came to Jack Reach stories. Running Blind offers an intriguing premise, with Reacher hunting a brilliant serial killer targeting his former cases. The elaborate military-connected setup creates an insider feel that creatively expands Reacher’s past.

Having Reacher working to uncover a serial killer makes for an interesting genre-blend

Having Reacher working to uncover a serial killer makes for an interesting genre-blend — mixing the core elements of the previous three Jack Reacher books with more traditional crime novels — which Running Blind pulls of reasonably well. However, outside the core mystery, there are moments where the book drags. The lack of action through lengthy stretches makes it less engaging as a thriller. Still, the serial killer’s inventive methods using camouflage paint and lack of any marks on victims prove memorably unsettling.

16 The Enemy (2004)

Lacks excitement, but serves a key narrative purpose.

The 8th Jack Reacher novel, 2004's The Enemy , is one of the most interesting in the franchise, as it was the first that played around in the timeline. While The Enemy lacks excitement as a thriller, with minimal action or suspense, it serves a key narrative purpose as the first Jack Reacher novel chronologically . It was set in the late 1980s and early 1990s, which made for some interesting changes in itself, and having a younger Reacher as the protagonist meant Child could experiment with the character a great deal more than usual.

The prequel explores the factors leading to Reacher leaving the military, disillusioned by bureaucracy and eroding values. Important events take place that shape Reacher's worldview and rootless future. While the plot itself underwhelms, The Enemy resonates in its character study of Reacher. It's especially fascinating to see Reacher work while still serving in the military, as being pinned down by the codes and values he then had to follow during this period of his life influenced his decisions in ways that aren't present later in the character's timeline.

15 Echo Burning (2001)

A classic vigilante premise.

Echo Burning was the 5th novel in the Jack Reacher franchise, and was widely considered a return to form after 2000's Running Blind . Echo Burning delivers a classic vigilante premise with Reacher playing ranch hand to investigate a woman’s claims of abuse. His fish-out-of-water Texan journey evokes film noir tones. However, familiar tropes like a damsel in distress and precocious child feel dated rather than fresh.

Reacher's doubts around Carmen, the woman who reaches out to him for help, definitely make for some intriguing twists in the narrative.

The Western flair shows Reacher’s adaptability, but the story’s trajectory stays safely predictable . While the bar fight and confrontations with the woman’s menacing husband capture Child’s gritty style, the plot lacks the innovation to truly grab attention. While Echo Burning doesn't rank as one of the worst Jack Reacher novels by a long stretch, it's also nowhere near as memorable as the best of them — though Reacher's doubts around Carmen, the woman who reaches out to him for help, definitely make for some intriguing twists in the narrative.

14 Without Fail (2002)

A high-stakes, briskly-paced reacher novel.

Following on from Echo Burning, the 6th Jack Reacher novel, 2002's Without Fail , is still considered by many as one of the best in the franchise, especially when it comes to pacing and overall writing quality. Without Fail is a strong Reacher novel due to its intense cat-and-mouse thriller narrative. Reacher leverages his logical intellect, tactical skills, and thirst for vengeance to outmaneuver a threat to the Vice President.

The stakes are high throughout this briskly-paced plot involving political assassination and betrayal. Lee Child further expands Reacher’s backstory through the haunting presence of his late brother. The vivid writing makes classic scenes like the stakeout unfold cinematically in readers' minds. Altogether, the emotional ties, high intrigue, and expertly crafted tension cement Without Fail as a prime example of Reacher’s compelling possibilities as a complex hero.

13 Never Go Back (2013)

Adrenaline-fueled and introspective.

2013's Never Go Back is the 18th Jack Reacher novel, and directly follows on from the narrative arc established in an earlier story, 2010's 61 Hours. As one of the more gripping books in Lee Child’s series, Never Go Back thrives on reuniting Jack Reacher with the 110th MP unit he once called home. By colliding Reacher’s past and present, Child strikes an emotional chord while crafting a breakneck thriller.

This combination of character exploration and intense action made Never Go Back one of the most intense Jack Reacher novels to read.

The nonstop momentum of Never Go Back proves amplified with threats tied to Reacher’s own team. For those invested in the wandering protagonist, the deepened personal stakes interwoven with high conspiracy offer immense satisfaction . Child continues building out the Reacher legend, making the action heavier through ties to his roots now under attack. This combination of character exploration and intense action made Never Go Back one of the most intense Jack Reacher novels to read.

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2015), the second movie in the Tom Cruise Jack Reacher franchise, is adapted from this book.

Based on Lee Child's Persuader novel, Amazon Prime Video's Reacher season 3 needs to include some key Jack Reacher book moments in order to succeed.

12 Better Off Dead (2021)

A collaboration that works well.

2021's Better Off Dead is the 26th novel in the franchise. It takes place in San Francisco, and is also one of the few Jack Reacher books to be written in the 1st person (the first since 2014's Personal). Better Off Dead captures Reacher doing what he does best: hunting bad guys with wit and grit. However, unlike some other entries where this feels formulaic or uninspired, Better Off Dead manages to capture the core of what made the franchise so successful when it debuted.

Co-written by Andrew Child, Lee Child’s brother, Better Off Dead nails the adventurous spirit that makes the wandering protagonist so magnetic. Creative scenarios like Reacher posing as his own corpse allow Child to flex his writing chops. While a tonal shift from Lee Child’s solo efforts, Better Off Dead ultimately retains the crucial ingredients of Reacher’s fierce charm and an electrifying setting, creating a satisfying thriller.

11 Die Trying (1998)

Reveals interesting and hidden depths.

1998's Die Trying is the second Jack Reacher novel written by Lee Child, and it's the book that proved to readers that its hero more more than a single-story protagonist, and had the depth and appeal to carry on many more stories beyond his debut. With an insight into what makes Reacher tick, Die Trying cements key components of the wandering protagonist's appeal. This was especially noteworthy since the book was written in the 3rd person rather than from Reacher's perspective, a style that would then continue throughout most of the Jack Reacher novels.

Child expertly amps up tension once Reacher becomes ensnared with separatist militants.

Though the opening stretches in confined spaces, Child expertly amps up tension once Reacher becomes ensnared with separatist militants. The antihero's composure breaks under pressure, despite his gift for calculation and inventive ruthlessness. Frances Neagley also makes an interesting character with her haphephobia condition . While tighter pacing throughout would improve its ranking, Die Trying immerses readers in formative experiences that reveal Reacher's hidden depths.

10 The Hard Way (2006)

A compelling read.

The 10th Jack Reacher novel was The Hard Way, which was released in 2006, and the first in the franchise that saw Reacher travel outside the US. The Hard Way draws power from Reacher wandering the vivid chaos of New York before confronting threats abroad, travelling to rural England for an intense gun battle in — of all places — a farm in Norfolk. Child uses the setting not just for kinetic action, but to underscore the character’s contradictions.

His compassion and ruthless, calculating nature coexist with subtle melancholy. An atypical detective story structure packs an emotional punch as Reacher investigates an elusive foe. False leads and intense legwork make the eventual face-off with Lane's private mercenary army cutthroat, as well as emotionally resonant. Keeping Reacher adaptable and injecting introspection between brutal showdowns deepens the protagonist, compelling readers to follow him wherever the road takes.

9 The Affair (2011)

Adds intrigue to the jack reacher mythos.

The Affair arrived in 2010 and is the 16th Jack Reacher novel, and is yet another that was written in the 1st person. It's also another entry that plays with the timeline, as it takes place six month before Killing Floor and is chronologically the fourth story in the franchise. The Affair sees the typically detached protagonist navigate graphic desire during his trip to Mississippi.

For those seeking more dimension from the stoic vigilante, The Affair delivers on learning what makes Reacher tick.

Raw intimacy fills gaps in formative experiences and relationships that humanize his persona beyond just brute force. While R-rated scenes in the book can feel controversial, the emotional insights resonate. This risky creative choice to elucidate Reacher’s backstory at a heated railroad crossing ultimately deepens the complexity around a character often defined more by cerebral calculation than fiery feeling. For those seeking more dimension from the stoic vigilante, The Affair delivers on learning what makes Reacher tick.