DOÑA FELA’S DREAM: THE STORY OF PUERTO RICO’S FIRST FEMALE MAYOR, by Monica Brown and Rosa Ibarra, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Sept. 3, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

Learn the story of Puerto Rico’s first female mayor in Doña Fela’s Dream, written by Monica Brown and illustrated Rosa Ibarra.

Though she was born before women on her island were allowed to vote, Felisa Rincón de Gautier did not let that stop her from becoming the first female mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1946. Easily spotted on the streets of San Juan by her flair and the jasmine flowers braided into her hair, she radiated style and grace. Doña Fela, as she affectionately came to be called, loved her city.

Doña Fela was always ready to listen to problems and find solutions. With determination and resilience, she brought lasting change to the island. Doña Fela’s inspiring story as a visionary leader is brought to life on the page through stunning paintings that evoke the vibrant colors and culture of Puerto Rico. —Synopsis provided by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Doña Fela’s Dream tells the story of a trailblazing woman that is often overlooked in discussions of how Latin American figures have shaped our country. To be honest, I was a history major, and I had no idea who Doña Fela was before reading this book. And now I want to know even more. The same holds true for my 10-year-old, who loves biographies.

It’s easy to see how Doña Fela’s Dream would appeal to lots of young readers, especially girls. The idea that Doña Fela believed love, not just politics, that got things done resonates.

Author Monica Brown’s text is clear and inviting. And illustrator Rosa Ibara’s oil on canvas paintings set the tone. Her use of color and patterns truly give readers a sense of what Puerto Rico is like.

Doña Fela’s Dream is a fascinating nonfiction picture book that is sure to inspire.

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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LADY FLYER, by Heather B. Moore, Shadow Mountain, Sept. 3, 2024, Hardcover, $27.99 (young adult/ new adult/ adult fiction)

Learn about Nancy Harkness Love, one of the pioneering female American aeronauts, in Lady Flyer, by Heather B. Moore.

In the quiet town of Houghton, Michigan, sixteen-year-old Nancy Harkness discovers a passion that ignites her heart in ways she never expected. The arrival of barnstormer pilots brings more than just the thrill of their daring stunts; it brings the promise of adventure. Nancy vows she will be a pilot someday.

Years later, as the dark clouds of World War II gather on the horizon, Nancy’s dreams take a new and daring turn. With unwavering determination, she envisions a squadron of female pilots. Yet, her path is far from clear. The male-dominated world of aviation pushes back, determined to keep women out of the skies.

But Nancy isn’t alone in her quest for equality. Jackie Cochran, a formidable aviatrix and Nancy’s rival, has her own dreams and ambitions for women in aviation. As they both navigate the turbulent skies of a nation at war, their destinies intertwine in a story of rivalry, respect, and competition. —Synopsis provided by Shadow Mountain

Heather B. Moore has proven herself a strong historical fiction writer, often taking on compelling true stories that beg to be told — Shadow of a Queen, Under the Java Moon, Paper Daughters of Chinatown. Lady Flyer is an excellent addition to her works.

Based on the true story of Nancy Harkness Love, Lady Flyer transports readers to the early and exciting days of aviation. Starting with Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight to Paris in 1927 and ending in December 1944, the book follows Nancy as she strives to push women’s aviation forward.

Lady Flyer is a fascinating read. Moore balances the technical jargon and political upheaval with love and laughter, creating an all-encompassing narrative. Moore’s writing is warm and comfortable with strong pacing throughout. This isn’t the fastest-moving novel you’ll read this year, but it’s one of the better ones.

Backmatter includes photographs of Nancy, extensive chapter notes, a tribute to women flyers who died in service, a bibliography and acknowledgents.

*Though not written specifically for a young adult audience, Lady Flyer is appropriate for older teens.

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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THE SECRET GARDENS OF FRANCES HODGSON BURNETT, by Angelica Shirley Carpenter and Helena Pérez García, Bushel & Peck Books, July 23, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

Discover the story of one of the most beloved children’s book authors in The Secret Gardens of Frances Hodgson Burnett, by Angelica Shirley Carpenter and Helena Pérez García.

Frances Hodgson Burnett―best known for writing The Secret Garden, Little Lord Fauntleroy, and The Little Princess―had a difficult childhood, losing her father when she was very young and moving with her family from England to Tennessee in hopes of a better life.

She’d been making up stories her entire life but didn’t try to write professionally until she was a teenager to help feed her family. Her first submissions to a magazine were published and she eventually became well known all over the world. —Synopsis provided by Bushel & Peck Books

The Secret Gardens of Frances Hodgson Burnett is a gorgeous picture book that immediately catches your eye. From the cut-out keyhole cover to the collage-style front papers, you know this book is something special from the beginning.

Author Angelica Shirley Carpenter sets the stage early:

Fanny Hodgson lived in an ordinary house in and ordinary English village. The inside was ordinary. The sofa and chairs and nursery were ordinary.
 
But Fanny Hodgson wasn’t ordinary.
 
With a blink of her eye, fairies filled the rosebushes.
 
With the wave of her hand, elephants and tigers prowled the lilacs.
 
From under the apple tree, clouds became moving maps of islands and mountains.
 
Fanny could imagine anything.

 Carpenter’s engaging prose invites readers to explore a story of imagination and hope. Illustrator Helena Pérez García’s vibrant artwork helps you step back into a different time and place. Extensive backmatter includes more about Frances Hodgson Burnett, a timeline, list of selected works for children and adults, a bibliography, and keys to cultivating your own imagination.

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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A MIND OF HER OWN: THE STORY OF MYSTERY WRITER AGATHA CHRISTIE, by Robyn McGrath and Liz Wong, Beach Lane Books, May 28, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (Ages 5-10)

Learn about detective novelist Agatha Christie in A Mind of Her Own: The Story of Mystery Writer Agatha Christie, by Robyn McGrath and Liz Wong.

Before Agatha Christie became the greatest mystery writer of all time, she was a girl who loved books, make-believe, and puzzling out problems. She was a keen observer, always noticing the secrets hiding in the shadows and the clues just waiting to be uncovered. More than anything, Agatha loved detective stories. She longed to write her own mysteries, but she struggled when she put pen to paper. The letters came out jumbled, the words twisting and snagging. Writing became a new puzzle for her to solve.

Her family and teachers chided her for being lost in her head, but Agatha wasn’t lost…she had a mind of her own! —Synopsis provided by Beach Lane

When my daughter was in third grade, she asked me if she could read Agatha Christie books. I told she’d have to wait a year, and she now has The Mysterious Affair at Styles on her bookshelf. She’s fascinated by anything Agatha Christie, and has read A Mind of Her Own multiple times. Like so many readers before her, Christie’s work calls to her.

Author Robyn McGrath’s present tense prose adds an immediacy to A Mind of Her Own. It’s a treatment that pairs well with the biography of arguably one of the most famous mystery authors of all time. Though well researched, A Mind of Her Own feels almost conversational, drawing readers in.

Illustrator Liz Wong listened to Christie’s audiobooks while working on the art for A Mind of Her Own. This inspired Wong to include references to her life and novels in the illustrations. It’s a nice touch to her already engaging illustrations.

Backmatter includes more about Christie; author and illustrator notes; mystery vocabulary; and a bibliography.

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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Guts for Glory: The Story of Civil War Soldier Rosetta Wakeman, by Joanna Lapati, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, Feb. 27, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 7-12)

Learn about one of the women who secretly served as soldiers during the Civil War in Guts for Glory: The Story of Civil War Soldier Rosetta Wakeman, by Joanna Lapati.

In 1862, the war between North and South showed no signs of stopping. In rural New York, 19-year-old Rosetta Wakeman longed for a life beyond the family farm. One day she made a brave, bold choice: she cut her braid and disguised herself as a man. No one suspected that “Lyons” was a woman—not even when she signed up to fight for the Union. As Rosetta’s new regiment traveled to Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Louisiana, she sent letter after letter home to New York. Army life wasn’t easy, but Rosetta knew it was where she belonged— supporting her family and serving her country. —Synopsis provided by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

In 2000, author Joanna Lapati began researching women soldiers who served in the Civil War. During that research, she came cross The Uncommon Soldier, by Lauren Cook Burgess. That sparked a 12-year interest and inspired Guts for Glory.

Private Rosetta “Lyons” Wakeman’s letters are the only ones written by female soldiers to survive and offer a unique point of view. Lapati includes excerpts in this picture book biography.

Lapati’s writing is smooth and accessible and forms a framework for her gorgeous illustrations, which she crafted out in scratchboard. These intricate illustrations are full of texture and movement, providing a look that echoes the time period in which they are set.

Lapati’s extensively researched book is presented in chronological order and follows Rosetta’s time in service. Rosetta died June 19, 1864, from dysentery. Excellent backmatter includes glossaries, author’s note, a timeline and more about Rosetta and the Civil War.

Guts for Glory is one of those books to which young readers will instantly be drawn.

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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THE SECRET ELEPHANT: INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY OF FRIENDSHIP, by Ellan Rankin, Random House Studio, April 23, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

The advent of war tests a very special relationship in The Secret Elephant: Inspired by a True Story of Friendship, by Ellan Rankin

While carefree monkeys dangle in trees, powerful lions quietly sunbathe, and majestic giraffes walk back and forth, a terrible war looms on the horizon and changes everything. People stop coming to the zoo and most of the animals huddle together with their mates in their different enclosures– except for one baby elephant that was all alone. As bombs shake the ground and flashes of orange light burn across the sky, the solitary elephant grows more and more afraid and confused. Her keeper understood and spends as much time with her elephant as she can. And when it becomes impossible to stay in the enclosure, the keeper makes the daring choice to bring the elephant home.

But it’s hard to hide an elephant, even a baby one, and it gets even harder as the elephant grows. After a time, the elephant is ordered back to the zoo. Still, the kind-hearted keeper could not abandon her friend, so she sets up house right alongside the elephant for the remainder of the war.

Many years later, when the keeper no longer works at the zoo, she returns to visit her friend. Her friend, much older now as well, remembers the keeper and her brave kindness. —Synopsis provided by Random House Studio

The Secret Elephant was inspired by the true story one of the first female keepers at the Belfast Zoo and Sheila, a baby Asian elephant. But instead of the keeper telling the story, it’s the elephant that recounts what happened.

And it’s a great choice by author/illustrator Ellan Rankin.

Through the story takes place during WWII, it’s not too dark or scary. Rather, it’s full of heart and humor as the baby elephant makes herself at home in her keeper’s “enclosure.” It’s a lovely story with charming illustrations that are full of emotion. Little ones will instantly be drawn to this engaging story.

About the creator:

ELLAN RANKIN is a Northern Irish author-illustrator who earned an MA in children’s book illustration from Cambridge School of Art, and a First-Class Honors degree in illustration from the Jordanstone College of Art and Design. Her picture books combine her love of animals with her experience in animation. She lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Learn more at ellanrankin.com.

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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NOT YET: THE STORY OF AN UNSTOPPABLE SKATER, by Hadley Davis, Zahra Lari, Sara Alfageeh, Orchard Books, Feb. 6, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

A universal story about courage and determination that is loosely based on the life of five-time Emirati National Champion, Zahra Lari, who was the first figure skater to compete internationally in a hijab.

After watching an ice-skating movie, young Zahra sets her mind to learn how to ice skate even though her family and friends doubt her abilities. After all, she’s too old to learn, the rink is too cold, and figure skaters don’t look like her… not yet at least! Illustrated with Sara Alfageeh’s energetic lines and colors that pop right off the page, we follow Zahra’s story as she glides across the floors of her house in her socks all the way to the ice rink… and as she repeatedly says ”not yet” to naysayers — including herself — who try to convince her to stop pursuing her dream. An inspiring tale of self-empowerment and perseverance as we see the refrain — not yet — grow from a low, meek mumble to a mantra and promise filled with determination. —Synopsis provided by Orchard Books

LOVE IS IN THE AIR: THE STORY OF AVIATION PIONEER NANCY HARKNESS LOVE, by Dee Romito and Vivian Mineker, Aladdin, Sept. 26, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

Take off with Nancy Harkness Love, first female pilot to serve in the Army Air Forces and founder of the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) during World War II, in this picture book biography perfect for readers of Fly, Girl, Fly! or Fearless Flyer.

In 1930, when Nancy Harkness was sixteen years old, she took a ride in a biplane and fell in love with flight. But at that time, women weren’t encouraged to pursue careers in aviation.

Despite the barriers, Nancy took to the air and earned her pilot’s license. She continued to fly in college, becoming known as “The Flying Freshman.” After traveling to Boston for a job, she met her future husband and fellow pilot, Bob Love, and began her official career in aviation, eventually becoming director of the WAFS during World War II.

By pursuing her dreams, Nancy paved the way for other female pilots to soar. —Synopsis provided by Aladdin

YOU ARE A STAR, JANE GOODALL, by Dean Robbins and Hatem Aly, Scholastic Press, April 4, 2023, Paperback, $8.99 (ages 5-7)

It’s Jane Goodall like you’ve never seen her before!

Using a unique mix of first-person narrative, hilarious comic panels, and essential facts, Dean Robbins introduces young readers to an scientific trailblazer. The second book in an exciting new nonfiction series, You Are a Star, Jane Goodall focuses on Jane’s lifelong mission to understand the chimpanzees and protect the planet.

Hatem Aly’s spot-on comic illustrations bring this icon to life, and engaging back matter instructs readers on how to be more like Jane! —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

SMARTY MARTY TAKES THE FIELD: A PICTURE BOOK, by Amy Gutierrez, Anika Orrock, Alyssa Nakken (Afterword), Harry N. Abrams, March 19, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 6-9)

Smarty Marty Takes the Field is an inspiring picture book from Emmy Award-winning sports journalist Amy Gutierrez—better known as Amy G—and award-winning author/illustrator Anika Orrock about the courage it takes to break down gender barriers in the world of sports and beyond.

Having proven her baseball chops in Smarty Marty’s Got Game, this time Marty is making a play for manager, something no girl has ever done in her town’s Little League history. Unfortunately, not everyone thinks she can do it, but a chance encounter with a very special trailblazer gives her the courage to turn her fear into opportunity.

Complete with plenty of baseball knowledge and go-get-’em-girl empowerment and a special interview with Alyssa Nakken, this story is sure to inspire young readers to ask themselves, “If not you, who?” —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams

THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF SKATEBOARDING: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE WITH OLYMPIC MEDALIST SKY BROWN, by Sky Brown and Shaw Davidson, Magic Cat, March 26, 2024, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 6-10)

Drop into the beginner’s guide The Life-Changing Magic of Skateboarding, with secrets from world champion Sky Brown!

Meet Sky Brown, the youngest person to win a medal in skateboarding at the Olympics and discover how she fell in love with the sport. Then, give it a try yourself as she offers tips to get you started.

Learn how to start . . . and stop. Then follow along as Sky takes you through ollies, kick turns, nose grabs, and more.

This practical biographical handbook features:

• • • A joy-filled introduction to the sport of skateboarding presented in an engaging graphic-novel style
    • Practical tips and inspiration from Sky Brown
    • Illustrated step-by-step instructions of basic and advanced skateboarding tricks
    • Advice on safety and how to get back up after a fall —Synopsis provided by Magic Cat

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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SPYING ON SPIES: HOW ELIZEBETH SMITH FRIEDMAN BROKE THE NAZIS’ SECRET CODES, by Marissa Moss, Harry N. Abrams, March 12, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 10 and up)

Learn about America’s first female cryptanalyst, Elizebeth Smith Friedman, who busted Nazi spy rings in Spying on Spies, by Marissa Moss.

One of the founders of US cryptology who would eventually become one of the world’s greatest code breakers, Elizebeth Smith Friedman (1892–1980) was a brilliant mind behind many important battles throughout the 20th century, saving many lives through her intelligence and heroism.

Whip-smart and determined, Elizebeth displayed a remarkable aptitude for language and recognizing patterns from a young age. After getting her start by looking for linguistic clues to the true authorship of Shakespeare’s writings, she and her husband, William Friedman, were tasked with heading up the first government code-breaking unit in America, training teams and building their own sophisticated code systems during the lead-up to World War I.

Elizebeth’s solo career was even more impressive. She became the Treasury Department’s and Coast Guard’s first female codebreaker and created her own top-notch codebreaking unit, where she trained and led many male colleagues. During Prohibition in the 1920s, her work solving and intercepting coded messages from mobsters and criminal gangs lead to hundreds of high-profile criminal prosecutions, including members of Al Capone’s gang. Her crowning achievement came during World War II, when Elizebeth uncovered an intricate network of Nazi spies operating in South America, a feat that neither law enforcement nor intelligence agencies had been able to accomplish.

Despite her unparalleled accomplishments, Elizebeth was largely written out of history books and overshadowed by her husband. Only in very recent years has her name begun to receive the attention it deserves, including the US Coast Guard naming a ship in her honor and the US Senate passing a 2019 resolution to honor her life and legacy. —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams

Spying on Spies is another one of those books that kids will instinctively be drawn to just because of its title.

Each chapter begins with graphic novel-style panels that set the stage. Those panels are followed by short chapters that are comfortable to read. Author Marissa Moss’ writing is bright and accessible. Her almost conversational tone and strong pacing and a text that’s about 200 pages (with an author’s note and extensive timeline) make Spying on Spies a good option for more reluctant readers. A number of black-and-white photographs are also included.

Spying on Spies is a compelling story of an amazing woman who helped change the course of America’s history.

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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THE ENIGMA GIRLS: HOW TEN TEENAGERS BROKE CIPHERS, KEPT SECRETS, AND HELPED WIN WORLD WAR II, by Candace Fleming, Scholastic Focus, March 5, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8 and up)

Learn about some of the young women who helped break ciphers at Bletchley Park during World War II in The Enigma Girls, by Candace Fleming.

“You are to report to Station X at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, in four days time….That is all you need to know.” This was the terse telegram hundreds of young women throughout the British Isles received in the spring of 1941, as World War II raged. As they arrived at Station X, a sprawling mansion in a state of disrepair surrounded by Spartan-looking huts with little chimneys coughing out thick smoke―these young people had no idea what kind of work they were stepping into. Who had recommended them? Why had they been chosen? Most would never learn all the answers to these questions.

Bletchley Park was a well-kept secret during World War II, operating under the code name Station X. The critical work of code-cracking Nazi missives that went on behind its closed doors could determine a victory or loss against Hitler’s army. Amidst the brilliant cryptographers, flamboyant debutantes, and absent-minded professors working there, it was teenaged girls who kept Station X running. Some could do advanced math, while others spoke a second language. They ran the unwieldy bombe machines, made sense of wireless sound waves, and sorted the decoded messages. They were expected to excel in their fields and most importantly: know how to keep a secret.

Scholastic Focus is the home of thoroughly researched works of narrative nonfiction aimed at middle-grade and young adult readers. These books help readers learn about the world in which they live and develop their critical thinking skills, so that they may become dynamic citizens who are able to analyze and understand our past, participate in essential discussions about our present, and work to grow and build our future. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Focus

Candace Fleming has a way with middle-grade nonfiction. The author of The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun’s Tomb, knows just how to bring facts together in a way that draws in young readers rather than push them away. Fleming’s clear and welcoming voice makes her books read more like novels than history books.

That’s certainly true of The Enigma Girls, a book so enthralling, it will capture older readers’ attention, too. The second my 10-year-old saw the cover of The Enigma Girls, she was begging to read it, and when she learned it was written by the same author as her favorite book about Egypt, she practically grabbed it out of my hands.

The premise of The Enigma Girls is an easy sell. The book features the stories of 10 teenage girls who broke ciphers, kept secrets and helped win WWII. That on its own makes the book a winner, but then you add in special “top secret” sections that explain the difference between codes and ciphers and how to solve them, it becomes even more special. The book is chock full of black-and-white photographs that bring the time and place to life.

The Enigma Girls is a fascinating story of WWII that remained secret until 1977 when the British government released 70,000 intelligence documents related to the work done at Bletchley Park. The book is a fascinating read about the ability of young people to step up when needed.

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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GIFTS FROM GEORGIA’S GARDEN: HOW GEORGIA O’KEEFFE NOURISHED HER ART, by Lisa Robinson and Hadley Hooper, Neal Porter Books, March 19, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

Gifts from Georgia’s Garden: How Georgia O’keeffe Nourished Her Art, by Lisa Robinson and Hadley Hooper, is a celebration of art.

Most of us have heard the name Georgia O’Keeffe— she’s one of the most famous women in art history. But did you know that for most of her life, she lived on her own land in New Mexico, grew her own food, bought locally, and even made her own clothing?

Georgia’s garden and her art fed and enriched one another, just as her bean plants enriched the soil and her home-grown feasts fed her friends. In spite of the era’s prejudice against female artists, Georgia lived and thrived in her verdant sanctuary well into old age.

Gifts from Georgia’s Garden illuminates the life and philosophy of a figure every child should know. Backmatter adds context to O’Keeffe’s story and invites families to try out her sustainable gardening techniques— and her pecan butterball cookies. —Synopsis provided by Neal Porter Books

“To Georgia, everything was art, and art was everything.”

Author Lisa Robinson tells Georgia’s story through often-sparse text is lyrical in its phrasing. Her text mirrors Georgia’s paintings in its elegance and simplicity. Artist Hadley Hooper’s beautiful illustrations pay homage to the artist while remaining unique. An excellent section at the back offers more about Georgia, discusses sustainable gardening, and features Georgia’s Pecan Butterballs recipe.

Gifts from Georgia’s Garden is a fascinating picture book biography that will especially appeal to budding artists and horticulturists.

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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