Reviews written by Cherokee Crum, Blog Manager and Staff Reviewer

This Ain't Our First Rodeo by Liara Tamani is a wonderfully clean, sweet young adult romance that masterfully shines a light on a fascinating, often overlooked piece of American history. Written in a compelling dual perspective (POV), the standout highlight of the book is...

Everything Amplified by Sarah Lippett and Ziggy Hanaor is an emotional rollercoaster of a graphic novel that captures the raw, chaotic energy of the high school experience. The narrative follows a classic teen-movie blueprint centered around twin siblings who "hate" each other, driving a story filled with...

N.T. McQueen’s Never Hide From the Devil is a brilliant, necessary book that handles a heavy, under-recognized part of world history with incredible grace and accessibility. It is the kind of historical fiction that uncovers forgotten corners of the past, leaving a lasting impact on the reader long after the...

The Secret Astronomers by Jessica Walker is a visually stunning and uniquely structured novel. The very first thing that captures your attention is the physical design of the book, featuring gorgeous, intricate decorative edges. This artistic touch immediately sets a whimsical, mysterious tone before...

Let's Talk Climate Change by Ruth Owen is a refreshing, anxiety-reducing guide that tackles a heavy topic with positivity and clear science. Utilizing an intuitive Q&A format, it effortlessly breaks down greenhouse gases, shifting habitats, and renewable energy for young readers. Its absolute standout feature...

Wonder World: Earth: The Natural Science of Soil by Ben Lerwill, stunningly illustrated by Xuan Le, is an absolute triumph of children’s nonfiction. Published by Nosy Crow in collaboration with the National Trust, this beautiful picture book transforms what could be a dry, dusty topic into a thrilling, subterranean adventure....

The House by Alberto Martín (NiñoCactus) and illustrated by Celia Sacido is a gentle, quiet children’s picture book that explores themes of home, loss, and rebirth. The story centers on a personified house that provides shelter to a loving family until a sudden disaster forces...

My Ganesha Chaturthi: Words of Wisdom is a gorgeous picture book that beautifully captures the joy and warmth of the ten-day Hindu festival. The story follows siblings Aadi and Leela as they learn about the significance of Lord Ganesha alongside their grandmother. ...

Tova's Sweet Solution is a great book for kids with allergies to feel less alone and to give them encouragement that there are delicious things that they can eat. With determination and creativity at it's core, children will follow Tova's story and see that...

Where They Gather is a powerful story of one family across generations that connects all races and cultures. The beautiful crafted rhyming scheme makes for a great read aloud. This is an inspiring account of one family's fight for the right to live...

That Swingin' Sound is a beautiful book that gives some of the backstory of two of the most iconic jazz performers of the mid-twentieth century. This is tuneful biography written in a way that sounds like music! Rekha does such a lovely job of...

Heart Check is a cute hockey romance and I just love a good hockey romance and bonus points for everything Michigan in this book. I have mixed feelings about the plot. Told in dual POV, you get a lot more detail and obviously perspective...

Falling Like Leaves was an undeniably cute coming of age, young adult romance. This book was 100% fall vibes. Misty Wilson does a fabulous job transporting the reader to Bramble Falls in the autumn. Regardless of the time of year you read it, you'll...

Oscar Wilde’s Stories for Children is the perfect introduction to Wilde's bedtime stories, for both older children and adults. This collection includes six (6) of Oscar Wilde's short stories that will resonate with most readers. Each story spans a handful of pages, introducing readers...

Bread is Love by Pooja Makhijani captures the warmth and feelings of making homemade bread with those you love. Bread is Love teaches the reader the beautiful lesson on the value of patience, the simple joy of slowing down, and all the lovely things...