Age: Kindergarten-2nd grade
Animals: Black Bear

Because Winnie-the-Pooh is a perfect read-aloud for this age, fans of the adorable stuffed bear will love his real-life inspiration. On his way to military training, Harry the veterinarian picks up an orphan bear from a hunter and decides to bring him along to training. Harry soon is called to the battlefield to care for the horses and he must makre the difficult decision to leave Winnie in the care of the London Zoo. Although war is mentioned as a part of the plot, we are never taken to the battlefield.

Kids will love the compelling story of a man and bear friendship plus Winnie's endearing personality. Soft watercolor illustrations make this a perfect bedtime book with a sweet and happy ending for Winnie.

For inquiring minds (as the story is rather short) additional resources available at the end with actual photographs of Winnie, Harry, and Christopher Robin.

Age: 2nd-3rd grade

Color illustrations, diary-style lines, repetition, and a mystery to be solved will be perfect motivation for kids transitioning out of early readers as they gain confidence reading this easy chapter book.

Age: 2nd-3rd grade
Transitional Reader

It's Princess Magnolia's birthday and all her princess friends are coming over to celebrate. As Princess Magnolia's monster alert ring keeps beeping, she must distract her guests with party games while she races off to protect the goats and fight off the monsters. One princess in particular attempts to solve Princess Magnolia's numerous disappearances but her character is flat and her investigation is dropped for a quick ending.

Regardless, kids that love superheroes but also love the color pink, princesses, and frilly accoutrama will enjoy this unique offering from the ever successful Shannon Hale.

Age: 2nd-3rd grade
Animals: Cats, mice, bear
Transitional Reader

A series of short story books that easily weave together into one longer book will keep kids hooked and invested in the continuing adventures of Nick and Maxine. Repetition of key character traits and plot points are paired with the introduction of two new characters: Mr. Noodlekugel and Drooly the Bear. The illustrations are wonderful black and white illustrations that perfectly highlight key moments and humor presented through the text on the page.

Age: High School-College

Squees of delight all around for another Rowell winner. I have never really read fan fiction before so it was a bit hard for me to reconcile the changes to a beloved world. But once I was able to tell myself that it was an alternate universe with a completely different plot, I was all in. Combine that with multiple perspectives, a mystery, a fast-paced plot, and an opposites attract romance and I was flying high throughout this book. Just like Harry Potter, I did not want it to end. WHEN'S YOUR NEXT BOOK COMING OUT, RAINBOW?

Age: Kindergarten-3rd grade (or anyone interested in animals)
Nonfiction: 591.47

Very reminiscent of those intricate adult coloring books, Williams and Broom provide an entertaining, oversized look at five habitats and their inhabitants. While some of the coloring is exaggeratedly fluorescent, Williams also provides organic coloring in browns and greens for a variety of fauna and natural colors for the animal residents. Broom provides quick and intriguing snippets of info for 80 animals. In addition to reading, children will delight in a visual exploration similar to search and find books in its detail and fullness.

Age: Preschool-Kindergarten

The illustrations are gorgeous and the die-cut artwork is really intricate and a lovely concept. The story is a bit too whimsical for me because I'm not really sure why both inkdrop and snowflake are so delighted to find each other.

I would definitely buy this book as an artwork keepsake for adults or children.

Age: Preschool
Emotions: Misbehaving

Plum's favorite thing is love. She seeks out love everywhere and, sometimes, her pursuit of happiness breaks some rules and leads to misbehavior which leads to punishment. Plum finds out, however, that she will always be loved by her owners. Not the most eloquently written book, but happy children that don't know how to control their happiness will find comfort in Plum's tale.

First line: "All the best things in my life have started with a Dolly Parton song."
Age: Middle School-High School (sex is mentioned through a secondary character)
Family: Mother, Aunt
Romance: Love triangle

I mean, I liked it. Even though I'm not a fan of love triangles or realistic fiction, the book is appealing to teens for these very reasons. Willowdean is a delightful, funny, and confident high school teen, bringing another unique voice to teen lit.

A few misgivings: Sometimes, the writing felt a bit amateurish and didactic and I wasn't comfortable with the humorous tone used to make fun of others. The writing was quite average to be considered a contender for the Printz Award.

Overall, though, I would definitely recommend this to middle and high schoolers.

First line: "If radio is the medium of the ugly person then I can live my life as a voice and the world will be perfect."
LGBTQ: Transgender, female transitioning to male

"My birth name is Elizabeth, but I'm a guy. Gabe. My parents think I've gone crazy and the rest of the world is happy to agree with them, but I know I'm right. I've been a boy my whole life.
When you think about it, I'm like a record. Elizabeth is my A side, the song everybody knows, and Gabe is my B side--not heard as often, but just as good. It's time to let my B side play."

A nice, fast read giving another voice to the transgender experience. I loved the music motif and Gabe's overall dimension within the story.