by Claudia Dávila

With regular evidence of our strained electrical grid, this is a timely story told in graphic novel format that reinforces the importance of people becoming more resilient. A young girl experiences an increasing number of blackouts with the real life considerations such as not opening the refrigerator, no internet, and limited cooking options. Additionally, the mother in the story helps Luz understand the implications of increased fuel costs; limiting car use, increased expense of food, household essentials, and luxuries. Not able to enjoy her normal activities, she leads an initiative to turn a local abandoned lot into a community park and garden. Her success helps her feel more resilient and helps bring her community closer together. The bonus material provides a brief lesson in composting. This edition is revised from the original 2011 edition.

The format and text make this story an accessible inspiration for young people interested in ecology and environmentalism. The situation and Luz’s actions are relatable and feasible.

by Claudia Dávila

First published in 2012 2026 edition with revised text and an illustrations

It’s a hot summer day and water restrictions are in place. Luz’s solution is to head to a local pond. Unfortunately the pond’s proximity to the new cola production plant had robbed the pond of its spring, turning the pond into a mud hole. Luz, her family, friends and community all work together to raise awareness. As their initiatives attempt to make the cola company change their practices, Luz also works to find a way to water their community park and garden. Luz and her community create a rain collection barrel and a water reclamation gray water filter. Luz experiences the impact of community and industry on the water availability and how it accentuates the consequences of drought.

The format and text make this story an accessible inspiration for young people interested in ecology and environmentalism. The situation and Luz’s actions are relatable and feasible.

First published in 2012. The 2026 edition contains revised text and an illustrations.

As soon as Otter moves into his new lakehouse, his neighbors show up. Each neighbor greets him with “Hello, new neighbor! Welcome to the lake.” and offers him a thoughtful gift. Then bear comes and the others are worried. Bear is too big to fit through the door, but Otter doesn’t want to leave him out, so he gets the others to help. When they finally get Bear inside, the door and all the gifts are splintered. Teamwork helps make everything new and improved again. A great cumulative story about community and inclusion.

Christian loves paying soccer and he can hardly wait to join a team. When he shows up the field all of the other kids are bigger than him. Christian gets nervous and worries that he won’t be good enough. That night he is so withdrawn that his family notices and the next day they plan Super Soccer Day. Will this help him gain confidence in himself? Written by US Men’s National Soccer Team star Christian Pulisic, this is a heartwarming story about family support and believing in yourself.

A black girl and her braids go with sneakers and t-shirts, pigtails and jean skirts, anything! Based on the poem of the same name, this book celebrates a black girl and her braids. The main character celebrates her braids, the different ways she can wear her hair and why, and advocates for the freedom to wear her hair how she wants. This is a great example of cultural education and appreciation.

Unshers in nightgowns? Cornflakes for breakfast at a baseball game?

Jimmy’s family loved to go watch the Milwaukee Brewers with his family, but during World War II things changed. Pop went overseas to fight and Ma worked at night in the factory. Ma was too tired to go to the games. One day Jimmy met the Brewers owner and morning baseball games started.

During World War II, the Brewers owner, Bill Veeck started offering morning games so that night factory workers could attend the games. Cornflakes, doughnuts and coffee were offered at the games. Over the course of the season about six morning games were played by the Brewers.

Jimmy and his family were invented by the author, but the morning baseball games are a little known piece of baseball history. The author’s note at the end tells more about the morning games and Bill Veeck.