Pia and Max (white) live with their controlling father on a remote Maine farm, isolated from the outside world. Their father sells eggs and wool in town, but when he falls and breaks his leg, the deliveries fall to Pia. Pia relishes the opportunity to get off the farm, even if she’s confused by the wads of cash her father’s customers hand over in exchange for the modest wares.
Starred Review of the Week
When Tomorrow Burns
The bonds of Nomi, Vi, and Arthur’s childhood friendship have begun to fray. Nomi (white) is mystified by Vi’s preoccupation with her cell phone, while Arthur (white) has pulled away from both girls due to his sudden, intense crush on Nomi.
Houdini’s Library: How Books Created the World’s Greatest Magician
Harry Houdini’s astonishing magic tricks and escape acts enchanted and thrilled audiences the world over. Houdini himself, though, found magic in something more commonplace: books.
Is It Spring?
Anyone who has experienced a long, cold winter is familiar with the hopeful titular plea, “Is it spring?” “Yes” is the answer provided by the flowers, budding branches, and birds in the blue, blue sky. “Yes, it is spring.”
The Moon Without Stars
Seventh grader Luna (Chinese American/white) is comfortable with a quiet, observant life on the edges, as long as she’s with her best friend Scott (white). He gets her, and she gets him. After inheriting a box of books from a neighbor, Luna decides to share the books with classmates who might benefit from their messages. Soon, she and Scott are running a book dispensary during lunchtime.
Poems for Every Season: A Year of Haiku, Sonnets, and More
A handsome volume translated from the Dutch offers poems in many forms for every season as well as ample inspiration for classroom use. A petal-filled haiku on a two-page spread bursting with lush greenery awakens readers to spring; on the following page, a knobby-kneed lamb and a rondel about new life signal March’s arrival.
CCBC Choices 2026
CCBC Choices 2026, the annual best-of-the-year list of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC), is now available. The list, created by the CCBC professional staff, recommends 231 books published for children and teens from birth through high school age in 2025.
The Winter of the Dollhouse
Eleven-year-old Tiph is pushing her little brother Phillip in his stroller when she sees an old lady gripping a fence as if close to collapsing. Tiph collects the woman’s dog and helps her to a seat at the nearby dollhouse store, where Gretel, a small doll, has been put on display in hopes of a Christmas sale. Although Gretel is vintage and valuable, collectors pass her by year after year. Gretel doesn’t want a collector—she wants a child.
Loudmouth: Emma Goldman vs. America (A Love Story)
This luminous biography of Jewish activist and anarchist Emma Goldman spotlights her turn-of-the-century activism while highlighting contemporary issues.
Best of All Worlds
When Xavier Oak (white), his father, and his pregnant stepmother, Nia (Haitian Canadian), wake up one morning, everything at their family lake cottage is as expected—except that it’s now in a completely unfamiliar location. Frightened and dumbfounded, the Oaks explore their now-rural surroundings and find that they are trapped within an invisible dome several miles in diameter.