These three books are ideal for sharing and snuggling with a little one. Catch that Chicken! by Atinuke, illustrated by Angela Brooksbank. Candlewick, 2020. Unpaged. Lami is not the best in the village at spelling or braiding hair, and she is not brave around the bulls, but she is the best chicken catcher and boldest in her pursuit of them. After a chase goes awry, she can no longer catch the village chickens that elude her. What will she do? She can still use her head. Colorful, lively, full of interesting characters and an authentic sense of life in Africa, told in simple language and loaded with illustrations that will…

How We Got to the Moon details the almost overwhelming amount of expertise and problem-solving required to accomplish one human footprint. How We Got to the Moon: the People, Technology, and Daring Feats of Science behind Humanity’s Greatest Adventure by John Rocco. Crown Books for Young Readers, 2020, 241 pages plus author note, bibliography, index, and index. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 8 and up We all know the story, or think we do: the Soviets beat us to space, NASA was born, President Kennedy made a speech, and eight years later Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. I was 19 at the time, and wasn’t…

A Wish in the Dark pits literal darkness against light in a unique Asian setting. A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat. Candlewick, 2020, 375 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-14 “The law is the light, and the light shines on the worthy.” That’s the motto of Chattana, inspired and upheld by its Governor. He means it literally, for it was the Governor himself who saved the city after a devastating fire that nearly wiped it off the map. From that time, fire is outlawed. All light comes from the Governor, who has the power to make and sell it. All law comes from…

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys. Philomel, 2019. 512 pages. The Fountains of Silence tells a gripping story of love and danger during Franco’s Spain in the 1950s. Historical fiction for older teens. Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 15-18 Recommended For: Young Adults, ages 15-18 Daniel is a budding photographer tagging along with his parents on a business trip to Spain in the 1950s. As a tourist, he sees a beautiful country full of beautiful people, beautiful scenery, and rich traditions. Until he meets Ana, a maid at the hotel. Gradually, as Ana lets down her guard, Daniel begins to know the Spain Ana knows: a Spain ruled by…