Animals At Risk: Black-footed Ferrets by Rachel Grack

What is a black-footed ferret? Black-footed ferrets once lived across the Great Plains, but their numbers diminished as their habitat was destroyed. This informational text gives facts about black-footed ferrets as well as information as to why they are at risk. The reader learns why black-footed ferrets are important and ways that we can help them.

The Animals At Risk series focuses on animals that are in danger of being extinct and what can be done to help them. The series includes many text features that aid the reader in their learning including maps showing the animals range, diagrams, bold words to highlight important vocabulary and a glossary. This series is a part of the Blast Off Reader Level 2 series and is 24 pages. The text is 2-3 sentences per page with color photographs.

Animals At Risk: Blue Whale by Rachel Grack

Blue whales are the largest animals on earth but hunting and human impact on their habitat have caused their numbers to diminish. This informational text gives facts about blue whales as well as information as to why they are at risk. The reader learns about reasons why blue whales are at risk, why they are important and ways that we can help them.

The Animals At Risk series focuses on animals that are in danger of being extinct and what can be done to help them. The series includes many text features that aid the reader in their learning including maps showing the animals range, diagrams, bold words to highlight important vocabulary and a glossary. This series is a part of the Blast Off Reader Level 2 series and is 24 pages. The text is 2-3 sentences per page with color photographs.

Animals at Risk: Cheetahs by Rachel Grack

Cheetahs are the fastest animals on land but as humans have spread into their habitats, their numbers have diminished. This informational text gives facts about cheetahs as well as information as to why they are at risk. The reader learns about reasons why cheetahs are at risk, why they are important and ways that we can help cheetahs.

The Animals At Risk series focuses on animals that are in danger of being extinct and what can be done to help them. The series includes many text features that aid the reader in their learning including maps showing the animals range, diagrams, bold words to highlight important vocabulary and a glossary. This series is a part of the Blast Off Reader Level 2 series and is 24 pages. The text is 2-3 sentences per page with color photographs.

Noni the Pony Counts to a Million

Alison Lester, Author/Illustrator

Noni returns in a fourth book about counting. Noni counts from one to ten but then expands to dozens, hundreds, thousands and finally ends under millions of stars. What a beautifully illustrated picture book that allows younger readers a better understanding of what these overwhelmingly large numbers are. I would recommend this book to be included within an elementary library’s counting books.

Walter Had a Best Friend

Deborah Underwood, Author Sergio Ruzzier, Illustrator

Walter and Xavier are best friends until they meet Penelope. Soon, Walter no longer Is Xavier’s best friend. He is sad and lonely because his friendship is not the same now that Penelope is in the picture. He feels like there is a hole in his heart where Xavier used to be. Eventually, he decides that one sunny is going to be a good day. Walter goes out on his own to create his own adventure only to find that one can find friends in the most interesting places. This is a wonderful book about how friends come and go and that’s okay. I would highly recommend this picture book for elementary school.

Dark on Light

Dianne White, Author, Felicita Sala, Illustrator

Children adventure out at dusk to see the world in a different way. These siblings discover things in the dark that are beautiful and mysterious and thus diminish their fear of the nighttime. This is a beautiful story with folk style art in which the rhythmical text blends in a way that young readers would enjoy.

Stories to Keep You Alive Despite Vampires

By Ben Acker

This is the next book you should read after you have read and enjoyed “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark”. As the reader you are being held captive in the house of vampires where you have found this book. Our narrator (and author) intertwines his story and experience with the vampires within the short stories written. The end has a great twist that will make you laugh. This collection of spooky short stories will be enjoyed by any student who likes to be scared and laugh about it. I would highly recommend this book for upper elementary and middle school students.

The Sleepever

By Michael Regina

When Matthew and his mother and sister return home from a family vacation the find that their nanny has passed away suddenly. Ruby cannot be easily replaced and the entire family grieves. Things seem to be getting back to normal when Miss Swan arrives wanting the job. Still mourning, Matthew’s friends decide they want to come over for a sleepover to cheer him up. Miss Swan allows them to eat anything they want and do pretty much anything but soon, Matt starts to wonder if she is a witch with evil intentions. Will Matt, is sister and his friends survive the night? This is a suspenseful graphic novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. This book is recommended for 4 grade to 8th grade.

Busy Betty

Written by Reese Witherspoon, Illustrated by Xindi Yan

Betty is a whimsical go-getter who is always on the move. When she is getting ready for a playdate she realizes that her dog, Frank, really needs a bath. This is where things go a little crazy. In her attempts to clean Frank, Betty makes things messier than ever. But when her friend, Mae, arrives with even better ideas, success is in the future. This book shows that even the best laid plans can go not as planned but that with resilience and ingenuity, one can be successful.

Azar on Fire

By Olivia Abtahi

Reviewed by Lucas H. 12th grade – I gave Azar on Fire by Olivia Abtahi 4/5 stars because it had great disability representation, diverse characters, and an enjoyable story, but the pacing and some of the plot points felt a bit off.”Azar on Fire” follows 14-year-old Azar Rossi, a disabled and multiracial teen who accidentally damages $1000 worth of school property and is given the ultimatum to pay the school back or join the battle of the bands, leading her to form a band with diverse members to win the competition. The realistic fiction genre of this book brings to life the struggles of LGBTQIA+ characters in a way that is relatable and emotionally impactful for readers. The author’s skillful use of descriptive language and attention to detail transports readers into the characters’ world, making for an engaging and thought-provoking read.I enjoyed the book’s diverse representation of characters, including the protagonist Azar, who is multiracial and has a disability, as well as her bandmates, who are all people of color. The author also did a good job of portraying Azar’s gradual acceptance of her disability throughout the story. I didn’t like how some parts of the story felt out of place and didn’t contribute much to the plot. Some scenes felt awkwardly inserted, such as Azar’s visit to Eben’s house and the sudden mention of her demisexuality.