Show Me a Sign explores a little-known chapter of American history from the perspective of a Deaf protagonist. Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte. Scholastic, 2020, 269 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, 10-12 Recommended for : ages 12-15 Mary Lambert, now 11, was born Deaf but doesn’t experience deafness as a disability. That’s largely because she is not alone: on her home island of Martha’s Vineyard, in the Year of Our Lord 1805, many of her neighbors are Deaf. In her own family, Papa can’t hear, but Mama can, and so could George, Mary’s only sibling. George was killed only recently, in an accident that Mary feels responsible…

Growing dragons in Grandad’s garden leads to predictable hijinks in this light-hearted series opener. The Boy Who Grew Dragons by Andy Shepherd, illustrated by Sam Ogilvie. Yellow Jacket, 2020, 212 pages. Reading Level: middle grades, 8-10 Recommended for: ages 7-11 Tomas’ close relationship to his grandfather extends to working in Grandad’s garden. But even Grandad can’t identify the cactus-like plant with oblong fruit and spiky pineapple-like leaves. A bit of internet research identifies the plant as pitaya, or dragonfruit. (I looked it up myself; it’s an actual plant.) Interesting—but even more interesting when the pod Tomas took home swell, glows, and hatches into a real, sparkly, sneezing—and pooping—dragon. A small…

Ghetto Cowboy tells a heartwarming story of family, hard work, and horses in the midst of urban Philly. Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri and illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. Candlewick, 2011. 224 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12Recommended For: Teens, ages 12-15 Coltrane’s mom is driving him to his dad’s and leaving him there? But he’s never even met his dad. Promising to do better, begging her to turn around, regretting his decision to skip school for weeks at a time…. Nothing makes a difference, and she does indeed drop him on his dad’s doorstep in Philly. Harper doesn’t want his son, either. He’s got an inner city stable…

Three new picture books from small publishers, perfect for young readers (and listeners). All are illustrated by Jessica Linn Evans, but the authors differ. Penguin Sets Sail by Jessica Linn Evans. Rainstorm Publishing, 2020. Wordless books should invite young readers and storytellers to tell the story while allowing for some editorial additions. Penguin Sets Sail delivers. Young readers will be able to narrate the surface story from the first reading, but they will undoubtedly notice more details on a second pass through. Penguin does indeed set sail, but the story is also about his dreams, his friends, and their communication with one another. Evans’s use of panels and different perspectives…