TRICK ARRR TREAT by Leslie Kimmelman.  Illustrator: Jorge; Monlongo. Chicago, Illinois: Albert Whitman & Company, 2015. 32p. ISBN: 978-0-8075-8061-5 17 hc. $16.99.    Gr. PreS - 2   : Easy Picture Book


First of all the illustrations on the cover of this book grabbed my attention immediately. The colors are just beautiful and there are fun things to see on every new page. This is a Halloween trick arrr treating story with a diverse group friends, boys and girls. The kids are all dressed as pirates and talk the talk of pirates as well. As the kids go door to door trick arrr treating they are lunging, stomping and clomping while saying "Give me loot" and "Treasure." As you turn the pages the colors change with the sun setting and get a bit darker and darker as the sun goes down. When they get home they have to walk up the gangplank for a surprise party. They bring in their loot and yell "Count yer booty, then let's eat!" I enjoyed this story and will recommend it to many little ones that come into the library.
 Mary Koshorek, Librarian Assistant, Spies Public Library, Menominee, MI

FIREBIRD by Misty Copeland.  New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 2014. 40p. ISBN 978-0399166150 hc. $17.99   Gr. K-3  E PIC

This is Misty’s own story told through her role as mentor to a young ballet dancer.  The text is very short and in verse. Readers in grades 2 and 3 will want to focus on the words, as capitalization and punctuation have not been added.  However the message is clear that “the space between you and me” is the gap between a youngster with a dream to dance and a grown up who has achieved that dream.  Misty Copeland bridged the gap by working extra hard to become the best of ballet dancers. She is known for her portrayal of “The Firebird” in the ballet of the same name, changing expectations of success for dark skinned ballerinas around the world.  The distinctively bold illustrations of Christopher Myers emphasize elongated limbs and positions of ballet dancers in all their beauty.

Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

HALF A CHANCE by Cynthia Lord. New York: Scholastic Press, 2014. 224p. ISBN 978-0545035330 hc. $16.99  Gr. 4-7   JUV FIC

Lord's most recent coming-of-age novel is filled with the thoughts, questions and emotional reactions familiar to pre-teens.  Lucy, the daughter of a famous photographer, loves photography and aspires to be as good as her father. She’s been taught her to find “the story in the shot” when looking for a good photo.  When he agrees to judge a photo contest, Lucy enters under an assumed name because she wants to be judged on her talent, not her last name.  While seeking the perfect photo, Lucy also gets to know her neighbor, Nate, and his grandmother who is slowly slipping into dementia.  The camera reveals what Nate and his family don’t want to see, but will it cost Lucy his friendship in order to win the contest?

Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

THE CROSSOVER by Kwame Alexander. HoughtonMifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers, 2014. 240p. ISBN 978-0544107717 hc. $16.95  Gr. 5-7   JUV FIC

Alexander's well-written story has already been recognized with a John Newbery Medal and a Coretta Scott King Honor Award, both for 2015.  This is Josh's story - twin brother of Jordan, and son of professional parents who have every expectation that their boys will succeed in academics and sports, only to be followed by entrance into college.  It doesn't take many words to tell the story because the text is written in verse, limited to a column down the left side of each page. However these words are well chosen and packed with emotion, conveying the questions and concerns Josh has about life, basketball, and his father's mysterious reluctance to take on a coaching job when it's evident that he loves the game.

Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI