Identity: Deaf, ASL communication integrated throughout the book
Identity, Illustrator: Deaf

Having a best friend is great; that is, until someone else comes into the picture. At least, this is how Sally feels when Sonia start spending time with a new neighbor. As it turns out, Sonia's welcoming personality can extend to more than one friend and the story is left with a happy ending.

Emotions: Fear, bravery

Doerrfeld is such a gem to the picture book world. Nellie sees her siblings crawl to the ocean but she is scared of the loud crashing of the waves, until she is able to see the beauty beyond the waves and finds a new motivation to face her fears.

Kids will love finding out what happens inside their school at night. Each inanimate object is drawn as if it has a face, paired with a night guard strolling through the halls as a class pet strolls the halls, too.

Tough Issues: Grief, loss of mother

An exciting survival read but it probably could have been 100 less pages by taking out the Nazi substory. 

Freddie selectively listens to the directive of the narrator, much to the joy of the audience.

Horse kids will go ga-ga over this fast-paced pegasus race. No romance, only grit, determination, and the love a girl has for her horse.