THE EPIC GUIDE TO DRAGON MASTERS: A Branches Special Edition (Dragon Masters), by Tracey West and Matt Loveridge, Scholastic Inc.; Special Edition, Aug. 6, 2024, Paperback, $11.99 (ages 6-8)

The Epic Guide to Dragon Masters is a special edition guidebook for Tracey West’s bestselling Dragon Masters early chapter book series.

Kids love reading all about the Dragon Masters’ adventures in Tracey West’s Dragon Masters early chapter book series. Now fans can own the official guide to Dragon Masters. This epic, 256-page, full-color special edition features maps, information about Dragon Masters and their dragons, notes from wizards, the history of Dragon Masters, and more! This book has everything a future Dragon Master needs to know! —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Inc.

The intended audience for The Epic Guide to Dragon Masters is fans of the series, but I could see this book drawing in new fans as well. It’s the sort of primer that I know my kid would have poured over time and time again. With full-color throughout and accessible snippets of text, it’s perfect for early chapter readers. You can read the book front-to-back or flip through, grazing information. And, with a price of $11.99 for the paperback, it’s affordable for a 250-page book.

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NATE THE GREAT AND THE STAR-SPANGLED PARROT, by Andrew Sharmat, Olga Ivanov, and Aleksey Ivanov, Delacorte Press, June 11, 2024, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 6-9)

One of childhood’s favorite detectives is back on the case, and just in time for the 4^th of July, in Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot.

Nate is working two cases at once! A double whammy in more ways than one way!

The annual 4th of July Picnic is two days away and decorations are going up in Deering Oaks Park. As Nate and Sludge stroll along, they run into their friend Pip and his parrot Prattles. Pip explains that he’s lost his other parrot—Penelope—a drone that he disguised as a parrot, as a friend for Prattles. Pip plans to sing the Star-Spangled Banner with Prattles and Penelope at the picnic so they don’t have much time.

The next day, Claude comes calling and asks Nate if he can help solve a case for him. He explains he’s lost Baxter, his drone parrot. A lightbulb goes off in Nate’s head–an idea that may very well lead to solving both cases at once.

What happens next is a mix-up of epic proportions, but in the end Nate’s smart thinking and problem-solving makes sense of it all. And on picnic day, Pip is able to sing his song with Prattles and Penelope, however a pig called Anastasia manages to somehow steal the show! —Synopsis provided by Delacorte Press

My daughter was 5 when she was first introduced to Nate the Great, and he’s held a soft spot in her heart ever since. In fact, I think it’s because of the series that she’s fallen in love with mysteries.

Like the other books in the series, Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot features short chapters with engaging illustrations that help emerging readers to contextualize. The book is just over 60 pages, making it accessible while still feeling like a step forward as far as reading chapters is concerned.

The main thing about Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot is that it’s a story kids will enjoy. They’ll want to see what happens, and they’ll have fun finding out. It (and all the Nate books) are great options for summer reading.

About the creators:

Andrew Sharmat previously collaborated with his mother, Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, the creator of Nate the Great. Now Andrew continues solving mysteries with Nate and Sludge, most recently in Nate the Great and the Earth Day Robot and Nate the Great and the Missing Tomatoes. He lives in Indiana.

Olga and Aleksey Ivanov are renowned children’s book illustrators/authors and classically trained commercial artists. This talented husband-and-wife team immigrated to the United States in 2002 and live in Colorado. In all, the two have illustrated over 100 children’s books around the globe.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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This classic series follows the winged feline siblings across four big adventures: finding a new home in the country, returning to the city to visit their mother, befriending a wonderful orange cat, and following the youngest sibling’s foray into the world on her own.

The books are being released in Oct. 24 in hardback ($17.99) and paperback ($6.99) or in a hardcover box set ($71.99). 

THE CATWINGS COMPLETE COLLECTION (Boxed Set): Catwings; Catwings Return; Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings; Jane on Her Own, by Ursula K. Le Guin and S.D. Schindler, Atheneum Books for Young Readers; Boxed Set edition, Oct. 24, 2023, Hardcover, $71.99, Paperback, $27.99 (ages 5-9)

Catwings: Mrs. Jane Tabby can’t explain why her four kittens—Thelma, Roger, James, and Harriet—were born with wings. Whatever the reason, she’s grateful they can use their flying skills to soar away from the dangerous, busy city where they were born. But once the kittens escape, they learn that country life comes with its own difficulties—just as they learn that help and friendship can be found in even the most unlikely places.

Catwings Return: As kittens, James, Thelma, Harriet, and Roger took advantage of their wings by flying away from the busy city where they were born. Now the cats live comfortably in the country with two human friends. But a big adventure is in store for James and Harriet when they decide to return to the city to visit their mother. So much has changed! The dumpster where the kittens grew up is gone. All the buildings in their old alley are being torn down. And inside one of them is a wonderful surprise, just waiting to be discovered…

Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings: When a spoiled kitten named Wonderful Alexander gets caught in a tree, it’s up to Jane to save him. Once he is rescued and adopted by the catwings, Alexander decides to repay Jane’s favor by helping her to overcome her mysterious fear of speaking. When a spoiled kitten named Wonderful Alexander gets caught in a tree, it’s up to Jane to save him. Once he is rescued and adopted by the catwings, Alexander decides to repay Jane’s favor by helping her to overcome her mysterious fear of speaking.

Jane on Her Own: Jane, the youngest of the catwings, goes looking for adventure in the big city and captured! Longing for adventure, Jane, the youngest of the catwings, flies to the city on her own. When she flies through the window of a man who feeds here, she is suddenly captured, and finds herself making appearances as Miss Mystery, the fabulous winged cat! Realizing that being independent is much more dangerous than she thought, Jane plots her escape and hopes to reunite with her mother.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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THE SKULL: A Tyrolean Folktale, by Jon Klassen, Candlewick, July 11, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 4-10)

Jon Klassen’s signature wry humor takes a turn for the ghostly in this thrilling retelling of a traditional Tyrolean folktale. In a big abandoned house, on a barren hill, lives a skull. A brave girl named Otilla has escaped from terrible danger and run away, and when she finds herself lost in the dark forest, the lonely house beckons. Her host, the skull, is afraid of something too, something that comes every night. Can brave Otilla save them both? —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

I recently passed this book on to a friend whose son needed to read a “fairy tale” book and do a report on it. He’s not a confident reader, but The Skull had immediate appeal. Klassen’s monochromatic artwork is an immediate draw. There’s a subtlety to Klassen’s humor that really resonates with kids.

CRIMSON TWILL: WITCH IN THE COUNTRY, by Kallie George and Birgitta Sif, Candlewick, July 11, 2023, Hardcover, $15.99 (ages 7-10)

Crimson Twill’s new friends from New Wart City, Mauve and Wesley, are coming for a visit! But as soon as they arrive at Crimson’s house in Cackle County, things start to go wrong. At the rotten apple orchard, Crimson’s ripening spell goes horribly awry (what will they do with all that rotten applesauce?).

Then, at the broom-straw field, Wesley cuts too much straw and starts to float away. And when the friends try to collect frogs’ breath for their spells (it makes everything wonderfully green and warty), Mauve gets a stinky faceful of it!

What on earth is going on? The whole countryside feels like something big is about to happen, and Crimson wonders if it has something to do with Granny Twill and that giant cauldron of stew she made. Can Crimson get to the bottom of this bad-luck mystery? And, more importantly, will her city friends ever want to visit her again? —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

This is the second book in the Crimson Twill series, but they don’t have to be read in order. It features cute characters and heartfelt storylines that will appeal to readers. Black-and-white illustrations bring the story to life.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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The following books are Level 3 Fact Readers that are geared toward kids who are reading on their own. Varied sentence structures and more challenging vocabulary make these great stepping stones to chapter books. The publisher’s suggested age is 7-9, but children as young as 5 will enjoy them.

Though my 8-year-old has moved past readers to novels, she was immediately drawn to these books. They’re great options for kids who are interested in a wide variety of topics.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC READERS: BLING! (L3): 100 FUN FACTS ABOUT ROCKS AND GEMS, by Emma Berne, National Geographic Kids, Jan. 4, 2022, Paperback, $4.99 (ages 7-9)

Get ready to be dazzled by some of the shiniest, most colorful, useful―and even dangerous―rocks, minerals, and gems on the planet!

In this Level 3 reader, discover fascinating facts about the incredible rocks and minerals under our feet and deep in Earth’s crust. Budding geologists will love reading about how rocks form, learning the names and features of the coolest rocks and minerals, and exploring rare and beautiful gemstones. —Synopsis provided National Geographic Kids

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC READERS: MYTHICAL BEASTS (L3): 100 FUN FACTS ABOUT REAL ANIMALS AND THE MYTHS THEY INSPIRE, by Stephanie Drimmer, National Geographic Kids, Jan. 4, 2022, Paperback, $4.99 (ages 7-9)

Calling all fans of unicorns, dragons, sea monsters, and other mythical creatures! Discover 100 marvelous facts that add to the magic in this new reader for fluent readers.

Packed with weird-but-true facts and tons of info, this Level 3 reader explores animals that are mistaken for mythical creatures, critters that are almost too weird for reality, and other creatures with incredible abilities. Learn all about these amazing, unbelievable, and downright fantastical beasts! —Synopsis provided by National Geographic Kids

Copyright © 2022 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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Books are listed in order of suggested age and range from ages 4 to young adult. Synopses in blue italics are provided by publishers.

AGES 4 AND UP

A HISTORY OF ME, by Adrea Theodore and Erin Robinson, Neal Porter Books, Jan. 18, 2022, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

Life can be hard for the only brown girl in a classroom full of white students. When the teacher talks about slavery, she can feel all of her classmates staring at her. When they talk about civil rights, she is the one that other kids whisper about on the playground. In those moments, she wants to slip away or seep into the ground; and she wonders, is that all you see when you look at me?

What really matters is what she sees when she looks at herself.  She is a reflection of the courage, strength, intelligence and creativity that’s been passed down from generation to generation through her ancestors. —Synopsis provided by Neal Porter Books

A History of Me is inspired by the author’s own experiences and her hope that people will recognize the humanity of Black Americans who had been enslaved. Adrea Theodore’s poetic verse forces readers to pause, to think, to understand. Paired with Erin Robinson’s thoughtful illustrations, A History of Me is a moving look at the past and prayer for the future.

OVERGROUND RAILROAD, by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome, Holiday House, Jan. 11, 2022, Paperback, $8.99 (ages 4-8)

Climbing aboard the New York bound Silver Meteor train, Ruth Ellen embarks upon a journey toward a new life up North — one she can’t begin to imagine. Stop by stop, the perceptive young narrator tells her journey in poems, leaving behind the cotton fields and distant Blue Ridge mountains.

Each leg of the trip brings new revelations as scenes out the window of folks working in fields give way to the Delaware River, the curtain that separates the colored car is removed, and glimpses of the freedom and opportunity the family hopes to find come into view. As they travel, Ruth Ellen reads from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, reflecting on how her journey mirrors her own — until finally the train arrives at its last stop, New York’s Penn Station, and the family heads out into a night filled with bright lights, glimmering stars, and new possibility. —Synopsis provided by Holiday House

Overground Railroad refers to the railway system that carried Blacks north during the Great Migration. Families often left their homes covertly during this time to escape the sharecropping system that kept many in debt to their landlords. Lesa Cline-Ransome’s poetic text is sparse and thoughtful, and James Ransome’s mixed-media illustrations are bold and expressive. This book is a great introduction to an aspect of Black history that isn’t often discussed.

FLY, by Brittany J. Thurman and Anna Cunha, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, Jan. 11, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 4-8)

Africa’s grandmother was a double Dutch legend, and Africa knows she can become the same. Her brother scoffs when she signs up for a double Dutch competition, though — how can she hope to compete when she’s never done it before? But Africa has all the tools she needs: memories of her grandmother, her bestie Bianca’s dance moves, her friend Omar’s rhythm, and her classmates’ Mary Mack timing and cartwheels.

If Africa can pull everything together to jump some winning moves, she might just fly, but it’s the birthmark in the shape of her name that tells her she’s always been a winner. —Synopsis provided by Atheneum Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Fly is a book that radiates joy. Joy in dreams. Joy in simple things. Joy in the experiences friendship brings. Africa’s brother tells her she “can’t do something you’ve never done before.” But Africa has been trying new things all week, just not in competition. Fly is a gentle story full of warmth and promise. It’s a great addition to any book collection.

WHEN LANGSTON DANCES, by Kaija Langley and Keith Mallett, Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Sept. 7, 2021, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 4-8)

Langston likes basketball okay, but what he loves is to dance — ever since he saw the Alvin Ailey Dance Company perform. He longs to twirl into a pirouette, whirl into a piqué. He wants to arabesque and attitude, grand battement and grand jeté. When he walks, the whole street is his stage.

With his neighborhood cheering him on, will Langston achieve his dream? —Synopsis provided by Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

When Langston Dances celebrates the love of dance. While Kaija Langley’s clear tone sets the framework, it’s Kaieth Mallett’s photo-realistic paintings that bring it to life. Not only does Mallett capture the correct dance positions and technique, but he captures the pure delight of jumping and twirling. When Langston Dances is the picture book aspiring boy dancers need and girl dancers will appreciate.

AGES 5 AND UP

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC READERS: KAMALA HARRIS (LEVEL 2), by Tonya Grant, National Geographic Kids, Jan. 4, 2022, Paperback, $4.99 (ages 5-8)

Explore one of the most powerful and highest-ranking female figures in American history with this biography of Vice President Kamala Harris in this Level 2 reader.

On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris made history. That day, she became the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to be elected as Vice President of the United States. Young readers will learn about Harris’s childhood, her early career, and her journey that led to winning the vice presidency. This early reader also explores how Harris devoted her life to helping others, from serving as the Attorney General of California, to being elected as a U.S. Senator, to working alongside President Joe Biden on the campaign trail and in the White House. —Synopsis provided by National Geographic Kids

The minute my 7-year-old saw this book, she begged to borrow it. We watched Kamala Harris get sworn in. It was such a big moment to see a woman become vice president, and my daughter wants to know all about her. Level 2 books are fairly simple but offer chapters, a quiz and glossary, which are exciting for early readers. There are lots of pictures and pull-out facts for more visual learners.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC READERS: STACEY ABRAMS (LEVEL 2), by Melissa Mwai, National Geographic Kids, Jan. 4, 2022, Paperback, $4.99 (ages 5-8)

Learn about the voting rights advocate and politician Stacey Abrams and her groundbreaking achievements in this appealing Level 2 reader. Young readers will find out about Abram’s childhood and her early career as a city attorney and as minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives. The reader also explores her run in Georgia as the first Black woman to be nominated by a major party for governor, and how losing that race inspired her to devote her life to making elections and the voting process more equitable for everyone. —Synopsis provided by National Geographic Kids

This is another book that caught my daughter’s eye. Though she is well into novels, she’s read many Nat Geo books and knows what to expect. The Level 2 books offer great introductions that often inspire further research. She was excited to learn about another woman in a leadership position.

AGES 6 AND UP

THE FAITH OF ELIJAH CUMMINGS: THE NORTH STAR OF EQUAL JUSTICE, by Carole Boston Weatherford and Laura Freeman, Random House Studio, Jan. 11, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 6-9)

When Elijah Cummings was a little boy, he struggled in school. His teachers thought he talked too much and asked too many questions. They said he’d never be able to read or write well. Despite his difficulties, Elijah never gave up. He persevered, having faith that with hard work, he’d be able to achieve his goals.

Best known as a voice for people of color and an advocate for equal opportunity, Elijah Cummings was a man of faith and dignity, a beacon of justice, and an unrelenting warrior for equality and change. —Synopsis provided by Random House Studio

Elijah Cummings lived an inspiring life. He was involved in so many things that inspired change, that it’s hard to know what to cover and what to leave out. In The Faith of Elijah Cummings, author Carole Boston Weatherford focuses on the foundation of Elijah’s beliefs — his childhood experiences. She tells his rich story while incorporating his own quotes throughout. Weatherford dedicates the final few pages to some of Elijah’s accomplishments as an adult, inspiring further study. Paired with Laura Freeman’s expressive illustrations, The Faith of Elijah Cummings is an excellent look at a man of principle and faith.

MOVING FORWARD: FROM SPACE-AGE RIDES TO CIVIL RIGHTS SIT-INS WITH AIRMAN ALTON YATES, by Chris Barton and Steffi Walthall, Beach Lane Books, Jan. 11, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 6-10)

As a child growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, Alton Yates watched Black veterans return home from fighting for their country, only to have that country turn its back on them. After Alton joined the Air Force and risked his life to make spacecraft and airplane flight safer, he returned home to the same Jim Crow laws.

Alton now had a new mission: To make a stand against Jim Crow.

Based on author Chris Barton’s extensive interviews, witness Alton Yates’s lifelong commitment to his country, as he put his life on the line time and again for science, for civil rights, and for America’s progress. —Synopsis provided by Beach Lane Books

Moving Forward offers readers a unique juxtaposition — great advances in science and technology happening at the same time of Jim Crow laws. It’s hard to come to terms with the idea that the same person who was a valued member of the Air Force was also considered a lesser being, depending on where in the country he was at. Author Chris Barton presents Alton’s story through fascinating but accessible text. While illustrator Steffi Walthall provides the imagery that brings his story to life.

AGES 7 AND UP

A PLACE TO LAND: MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AND THE SPEECH THAT INSPIRED A NATION, by Barry Wittenstein and Jerry Pinkney, Neal Porter Books, Jan. 18, 2022, Paperback, $9.99 (ages 7-10)

Much has been written about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 1963 March on Washington. But there’s little on his legendary speech and how he came to write it.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was once asked if the hardest part of preaching was knowing where to begin. No, he said. The hardest part is knowing where to end. “It’s terrible to be circling up there without a place to land.”

Finding this place to land was what Martin Luther King, Jr. struggled with, alongside advisors and fellow speech writers, in the Willard Hotel the night before the March on Washington, where he gave his historic “I Have a Dream” speech. But those famous words were never intended to be heard on that day, not even written down for that day, not even once. —Synopsis provided by Neal Porter Books

Originally published in 2019, the story behind MLK’s famous speech is now available in paperback. Everyone knows of the “I Have a Dream” speech. It gets quoted a lot this time of year, but it’s more than quotable words. A Place to Land explores the inspiration and the process. Paired with Jerry Pinkney’s beautiful and emotive illustrations, Barry Wittnestein’s text comes to life. This book offers multiple discussion points and would be a great addition to classroom instruction.

STITCH BY STITCH: ELIZABETH HOBBS KECKLY SEWS HER WAY TO FREEDOM, by Connie Schofield-Morrison and Elizabeth Zunon,  Holiday House, Nov. 9, 2021, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 7-10)

Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley was born in 1818, enslaved to a Virginian plantation owner. As a teenager, Lizzy was sent to work as the only slave on a small plantation, where the work was endless, and the masters treated her with unspeakable cruelty. A new master, learning Lizzy could sew, sent her to work for a tailor, who paid the master, not Lizzy, for Lizzy’s work.

The beautiful gowns that Lizzy created were displayed in the tailor’s window and soon attracted the attention of the wealthiest women in Virginia. Among them was Mrs. Jefferson Davis who also introduced Lizzy to Mary Todd Lincoln. Though Lizzy first had to borrow money from her wealthy patrons to buy her freedom, once she was free, she was able to earn money of her own and pay them all back. —Synopsis provided by Holiday House

Stitch by Stitch is an inspiring story of a woman who was able to use her talent to achieve freedom. Her perseverance shines through Connie Morrison’s honest text. And Elizabeth Zunon’s mixed media illustrations —including oil paint, paper, fabric, ribbon, embroidery, lace, and appliqué — embrace not only the book’s feel, but Lizzy’s gifts, too.

AGES 9 AND UP

Black Artists Shaping the World, by Sharna Jackson and Zoé Whitley, Thames & Hudson, Nov. 23, 2021, Hardcover, $19.95 (ages 9-12)

Written by award-winning Black children’s author Sharna Jackson, this book introduces young readers to 26 contemporary artists from Africa and of the African diaspora, working in everything from painting, sculpture, and drawing to ceramics, installation art, and sound art.

These include prominent American artists Kerry James Marshall, Faith Ringgold, portraitist to Michelle Obama Amy Sherald, and Kehinde Wiley; British Turner Prize–winning painters Lubaina Himid and Chris Ofili; renowned South African visual activist and photographer Zanele Muholi; Nigerian sound artist Emeka Ogboh; Sudanese painter Kamala Ibrahim Ishaq; Kenyan-British ceramicist Magdalene Odundo; Afrofuturist-inspired performance artist Harold Offeh; and moving image artist Larry Achiampong, among others. —Synopsis provided by Thames & Hudson

Black Artist Shaping the World features 26 chapters, a glossary, list of illustrations, bibliography, index, and section on the author and consultant. Each chapter begins with a picture of the artist and a short bio. That is followed by pictures of some of each artists’ works and exploration of the creative process. Author Shana Jackson has done an excellent job curating a wide-ranging group and capturing each vision in an accessible way.

THREADS OF PEACE: HOW MOHANDAS GANDHI AND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CHANGED THE WORLD, by Uma Krishnaswami, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, Aug. 17, 2021, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 9 and up)

Born more than a half-century apart, with seemingly little in common except one shared wish, Mohandas Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr.  would go on to be icons of peaceful resistance and human decency. Both preached love for all human beings, regardless of race or religion. Both believed that freedom and justice were won by not one, but many. Both met their ends in the most unpeaceful of ways — assassination.

But what led them down the path of peace? How did their experiences parallel… and diverge? Threads of Peace keenly examines and celebrates these extraordinary activists’ lives, the threads that connect them, and the threads of peace they laid throughout the world, for us to pick up, and weave together. —Synopsis provided by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Threads of Peace is a dual biography that shows that ideas of freedom and equality are universal and how each step forward builds upon the past. The bulk of Threads of Peace is two straight-forward biographies. These well-researched and tightly-written sections are extensive. Thoughtful discussion includes politics, events and personal emotions. Photographs, illustrations and pop-out boxes break up the text and transport readers to the center of the action.

At just above 300 pages, Threads of Peace isn’t the densest non-fiction MG book I’ve read, but it’s not the lightest, either. Though the writing is smooth and accessible, it’s not a one-sitting read. It is, however, a book that should appeal to readers ages 9 to 100.

AGES 10 AND UP

SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT!: THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF FIGHTING SHIRLEY CHISHOLM, by Tonya Bolden, National Geographic Kids; Library ed. Edition, Jan. 4, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10-14)

Before there was Barack Obama, before there was Kamala Harris, there was Fighting Shirley Chisholm. A daughter of Barbadian immigrants, Chisholm developed her political chops in Brooklyn in the 1950s and went on to become the first Black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

This “pepper pot,” as she was known, was not afraid to speak up for what she thought was right. While fighting for a better life for her constituents in New York’s 12th Congressional District, Chisholm routinely fought against sexism and racism in her own life and defied the norms of the time. As the first Black woman in the House and the first Black woman to seek the presidential nomination from a major political party, Shirley Chisholm laid the groundwork for those who would come after her.

Extensively researched and reviewed by experts, this biography traces Chisholm’s journey from her childhood in a small flat in Brooklyn where she read books with her sisters to Brooklyn College where she got her first taste of politics. Readers will cheer Chisholm on to victory from the campaign trail to the hallowed halls of the U.S. Capitol, where she fought for fair wages, equal rights, and an end to the Vietnam War. And while the presidential campaign trail in 1972 did not end in victory, Shirley Chisholm shows us how you can change a country when you speak up and speak out. —Synopsis provided by National Geographic Kids

You really can’t go wrong with National Geographic books, and Speak Up, Speak Out is no exception. What does make it different from most of the Nat Geo Kids books reviewed on Cracking the Cover is the format. Speak Up, Speak Out is a true chapter book — geared toward older middle grade and young adults — with full-color illustrations pulled together in one section rather than used heavily throughout. This absorbing biography captures interest from beginning to end. Author Tonya Bolden’s writing is thoughtful and clear, making this an excellent choice for readers of all backgrounds.

BLACK BALLERINAS: MY JOURNEY TO OUR LEGACY, by Misty Copeland and Salena Barnes, Aladdin, Nov. 2, 2021, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 10 and up)

As a young girl living in a motel with her mother and her five siblings, Misty Copeland didn’t have a lot of exposure to ballet or prominent dancers. She was sixteen when she saw a black ballerina on a magazine cover for the first time. The experience emboldened Misty and told her that she wasn’t alone — and her dream wasn’t impossible. In the years since, Misty has only learned more about the trailblazing women who made her own success possible by pushing back against repression and racism with their talent and tenacity. Misty brings these women’s stories to a new generation of readers and gives them the recognition they deserve. This book delves into the lives and careers of women of color who fundamentally changed the landscape of American ballet from the early 20th century to today. —Synopsis provided by Aladdin

While Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy may look like a picture book, it’s much more. A two-page spread is dedicated to each ballerina. One page features a beautiful dance portrait and the other is full text. The print size is what you would find in a typical middle-grade novel, and the text difficulty mirrors that as well. Not only are the mini-biographies heartfelt and inspiring. But the illustrations show a true understanding of movement and technique. Budding ballerinas and ballet fans alike will be drawn to this excellent book.

YOUNG ADULT

AIN’T BURNED ALL THE BRIGHT, by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, Jan. 11, 2022, Hardcover, $19.99 (young adult)

Jason Reynolds and his best bud, Jason Griffin had a mind-meld. And they decided to tackle it, in one fell swoop, in about ten sentences, and 300 pages of art, this piece, this contemplation-manifesto-fierce-vulnerable-gorgeous-terrifying-WhatIsWrongWithHumans-hope-filled-hopeful-searing-Eye-Poppingly-Illustrated-tender-heartbreaking-how-The-HECK-did-They-Come-UP-with-This project about oxygen. And all of the symbolism attached to that word, especially NOW.

And so for anyone who didn’t really know what it means to not be able to breathe, REALLY breathe, for generations, now you know. And those who already do, you’ll be nodding yep yep, that is exactly how it is. Synopsis provided by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Ain’t Burned All the Bright is a book that you need to sit with as it sits with you. It doesn’t take long to read the actual words — maybe 15 minutes — but processing the depth of those words takes much longer. It is the story of what it is to be a Black teen in America.

“… I’m sitting here still still still wondering why my mother won’t change the channel and why the news won’t change the story”

This emotional piece is one that should be accessible to all teens across the country.

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ADA TWIST, SCIENTIST: THE WHY FILES #1: EXPLORING FLIGHT! (THE QUESTIONEERS), by Andrea Beaty, Dr. Theanne Griffith, Amulet Books, Dec. 14, 2021, Hardcover, $12.99 (ages 5-8)

Ask questions with Ada Twist in the first book of a new nonfiction early reader series, The Why Files: Exploring Flight, by Andrea Beaty and Dr. Theanne Griffith.

Why do airplanes look the way they do? Why can’t birds fly when they’re first born? And why do some paper planes fly farther than others?

Ada Twist, Scientist: The Why Files is the perfect nonfiction resource for all these questions and more. Discover everything there is to know about flight from Ada Twist, Scientist—from information about creatures that fly, to the history of aircrafts, to modern technology that allows us to soar through the air faster than ever! —Synopsis provided by Amulet Books

The Why Files: Exploring Flight is a full-color early reader that sits well within The Questioneers picture and chapter books.

In this book, Ada guides readers through the science behind flight. Authors Andrea Beaty and Dr. Theanne Griffith present the science with clear and accessible text that brings the concepts to life. Vocabulary is bolded throughout, highlighting key terms, and bright, bold illustrations and photographs draw readers in.

Without David Roberts’ expressive illustrations, The Why Files: Exploring Flight doesn’t quite have the same charm as the other books in the series. Its overall style is more closely aligned with the Ada Twist, Scientist Netflix series, which has a more cartoon-like feel. But because the book is nonfiction, this stylistic difference is not as jarring as you might think.

Fans of both the books and the Netflix series should enjoy this latest Questioneers offering.

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BOOK BUDDIES: IVY LOST AND FOUND, by Cynthia Lord and Stephanie Graegin, Candlewick Press, Sept. 28, 2021, Hardcover, $12.99 (ages 6-9)

A lonely doll helps a girl adjust to family changes in Book Buddies: Ivy Lost and Found, by Cynthia Lord and Stephanie Graegin.

Ivy was Anne the librarian’s doll when she was a young girl. But now she has moved to Anne’s library to be its newest Book Buddy — a toy that can be checked out just like a book. Ivy isn’t sure she wants to be borrowed, though. She’d rather go back to just being Anne’s favorite toy.

Fern, a child who visits the library with her stepfamily, also wishes things could go back to the way they were, when Fern had her dad all to herself. When Fern takes Ivy home, an unexpected outdoor adventure helps both of them find confidence and belonging in their changing worlds. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick Press

Ivy Lost and Found is the first in a chapter-book series that pairs friendly toys with child characters who need them. The book was an immediate hit with my 7-year-old, who was immediately drawn to the sweet cover. Here’s what she had to say:

“It will be easy to help kids (including girls) when they are sad with this book. What I liked most is that the children can make up their own stories about the book buddies. It’s pretty easy to read. It is also a kind of chapter book. It has pictures, too. They are realistic in an imaginative way. This book has kindness in it. It’s the first book in a series, and I would like to read more books about it.”

Ivy Lost and Found has a timeless feel to it. There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles, just a lot of heart. The publisher’s suggested age for it is 6-9, but I’d drop it to 5-8. Nine-year-olds are probably a little to “mature” for it, but I could definitely see 5-year-olds thumbing through with an adult or on their own.

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A DISCOVERY OF DRAGONS, by Lindsay Galvin, Chicken House, July 6, 2021, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

In A Discovery of Dragons, author Lindsay Gavin imagines a very different sort of find during Charles Darwin’s expedition to the Galapagos Islands.

It’s 1835. Cabin boy Simon Covington is on the voyage of a lifetime to the Galapagos Islands with the world-famous scientist, Charles Darwin. But when Simon falls overboard during a huge storm, he washes up on an unexplored island. Stranded there, he makes a discovery that could change the world. Now it’s not just his own survival at stake — the future of an undiscovered species is in his hands. But perhaps there’s one person who could help … —Synopsis provided by Chicken House

There are so many things to like about A Discovery of Dragons — adventure, volcanoes, dragons. But my favorite part was Simon. Simon has moved up from ship’s fiddler and cabin boy to assisting Darwin. He’s got a keen mind and a clear head. When disaster hits, he allows a quick moment of panic before making a plan and moving forward. And he does this over, and over and over again.

While shipwrecked, Simon is befriended by a lizard, which he names Farthing. Farthing is a new discovery, a new kind of lizard. And Simon looks at Farthing through the eyes of a scientist. He applies the same principles he’s learned with other creatures to him, although he doesn’t latch on to a key element until much later on.

A Discovery of Dragons can be divided into two parts — the island and back in England. I preferred the first part, the part on the island. Though the stakes are high, it’s a lot simpler, too. It’s Simon alone with his thoughts and Farthing, and sometimes other creatures. There’s a lot of action, but it’s also quiet. This is where you really get a to know him. Simon’s actions in England are a further progression of the person you already know.

Author Lindsay Galvin does an excellent job setting the scene. You do feel as if you’re at the Galapagos. And though she adopts the more formal language of the time, it never feels stiff or stilted.

A Discovery of Dragons isn’t high fantasy, but it asks you to imagine “what if?” which might be even better.

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LOTTIE PERKINS, MOVIE STAR, and LOTTIE PERKINS, BALLERINA, by Katrina Nannestad and Makoto Koji, ABC Books, Sept. 3, 2019, Softcover, $4.99 (ages 5 and up) and LOTTIE PERKINS: POP SINGER and LOTTIE PERKINS: FASHION DESIGNER, by Katrina Nannestad and Makoto Koji, ABC Books, Jan. 14, 2020, Softcover, $4.99 (ages 5 and up)

With an emerging reader at our house, we’ve been on the lookout for some strong early chapter books. So I jumped at the chance to read/review the Lottie Perkins series written by Katrina Nannestad and illustrated by Makoto Koji.

The series revolves around 7-year-old Lottie Perkins who describes herself as an exceptional child. Lottie is a perky clever girl who thinks she can achieve anything. Lottie has lots of dreams, and each of the four books in this series examines a separate interest — movie star, ballerina, pop singer and fashion designer.

Of course, the path to perfection is riddled with challenges, including Lottie’s arch-enemy, Harper Dark, and a goat capable of getting into all sorts of trouble. But by her side throughout everything is Lottie’s best friend, Sam, who has all sorts of silly catch phrases and believes in his friend with all his heart.

The series is written by Australian author Katrina Nannestad. It was also first published in Australia, so there are a few words that may be confusing to American children. For example, In the US, “jumper” means a collarless, sleeveless dress; but means sweater in the context of these books.

From a parenting perspective, Lottie Perkins has a lot going for it. There’s a lot of positivity and creativity capture here. The books also use one of my least-favorite words — “stupid.” However, the context surrounding the use — a bully using the word and appearing pretty awful — provides a clear a decisive teaching moment without the parent really having to say much at all.

My daughter and I read these a chapter or two at a time, and she really got into them. She’s already wondering what project Lottie will take on next. Now that we’ve clarified any language issues, I’m happy to turn her loose with them. I fully expect them to become our newest “car books.”

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