Rigel loves living off-the-grid in Alaska. She talks to ravens, hunts rabbits and lives in a two-room cabin with her two sisters, Willow and Izzy; her mom, Lila; and her dad, Bear. Lila and Bear have been fighting a lot lately and one day after coming home with her first rabbit, Lila announces that Lila and Bear are separating and they are moving to Connecticut to live with Grandma and Bear is staying in Alaska. Rigel does not want to leave in Alaska and Bear makes a secret pact with her that she can come back in a year. Rigel hates Connecticut with all of its noise and crowds. She misses nature. She hates school and has a hard time fitting in. Eventually she befriends a crow at school.

There was a definite connection to Rigel and how she tries to navigate this new unfamiliar world.

Spanning almost 120 years, Together We March details how marginalized populations organized protest marches to bring attention to their struggle. The book celebrates this long history – reminding us that protests are not a new phenomenon. The majority of the examples are from the United States, but protest marches in India, Bulgaria, South Africa, Kenya as well as worldwide protests are included. While some physical opposition is outlined, the focus of the narratives is on peaceful, non-violent movements.

Each two page illustrated spread provides background information about the situation and the people involved, a description of the event, and an analysis of the impact of the protest.

In Together We March the multiple examples of organized protest remind students that their peaceful actions in defense of issues that matter to them can make an impact on the world. Pair it with Equity’s Call or Rise Up!: The Art of Protest for a unit on grassroots movements that lead to change.

Interesting and ambitious investigation of different aspects of the night. The book is divided into four sections; human sleep, nocturnal animals, plants at night, and the night sky. Each section contains solid detailed information supported by illustrations and graphics. While all topics involve the night, there is little connection between the different topics. It makes more sense to view each chapter in isolation as each addresses a unique concept (human health, animal senses, plants, and astronomical features visible at night).

Curious young scientists will enjoy the diverse investigations found In the Dark.

With vivid colorful illustrations and rhythmic rhyming text, McGinty and Harris explore the majesty of the sea. The rich descriptive language helps form a picture of the ocean for young learners.

The sea knows stars in shallow pools
Below, it knows alluring jewels
The sea knows worlds of red and gold
The sea knows bright / The sea knows bold.

Use to start a study of the sea or to practice descriptive language. The appendix contains an explanation of each phrase and offers a starting point for further investigation.

Whether good or bad, “things” go away. A bird, sleep, lice, a bad thought The big and small aspects of our everyday life do not stay the same.  Yet one thing will always remain. The hug that concludes the book shows the “thing” that will never pass, move on, or change is love. This is a comforting book that will bring a smile to your heart.

Beatrice Alemagna cleverly uses a see-through page with a black drawing to illustrate change as the image moves, fades, or is transformed with the flip of the page. A close look at the illustrations can guide a closer look at what changes in our lives.