JUST LIKE THAT by Gary D. Schmidt. New York: Clarion Books, 2021. 387p. 
ISBN 978-054408477-3 hc. $16.99     Gr. 5-8     JUV

Schmidt takes readers back to the summer of 1968, when Meryl Lee Kowalski experiences crushing grief over the death of her friend and classmate, Holling Hoodhood, protagonist of THE WEDNESDAY WARS (2007).  Working on their own problems, Meryl Lee's parents send her to St. Elene's Preparatory Academy for Girls, a boarding school in Maine.  It is like a foreign land populated with wealthy students already sectioned off in cliques, an exacting headmistress, and a very antagonistic teacher, all of whom make Meryl Lee's life miserable.  As time goes on, she makes a couple of friends, becomes an unlikely member of the soccer team, and meets Matt Coffin, a boy with a past.  Eventually, most the adults pull through for their long-distance children, but readers are kept in suspense wondering about the well-being of Matt and Meryl Lee.  The story takes place in 1968, when the Vietnam War weighs heavy on American hearts.  This is the second spin-off from THE WEDNESDAY WARS; the first being OKAY FOR NOW (2011).  Read them all!
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

NOT NOW, COW by Tammi Sauer. Illus. by Troy Cummings.  New York: Abrams Books, 2021. 32p. ISBN 978-1-41974629-1 hc. $14.99     Pres-K    E PIC

Rooster announces the onset of spring and everyone is ready for the wind to blow, for rain to fall, and plants to grow.  Duck, Sheep, and Goat are ready.  But cow can't seem to dress for the season.  When summer, fall and winter make their way around the calendar, the farm animals participate in the proper seasonal activities.  But not cow.  What an imaginative way to introduce or review the seasons with young readers (and listeners).  The illustrations are bright and engaging, as is the repetitive text with easy-to-read vocabulary.  
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

MOO-MOO, I LOVE YOU! by Tom Lichtenheld and Amy Krouse Rosenthal.  New York: Abrams Books, 2020  32p.  ISBN978-141974706-9 hc. $17.99     PreS-K     E PIC

What could be cuter than black and white spotted cows drawn on a paper bag?  How about clever word play with words that include the letters "m-o-o."  Mother cow loves her baby to the moo-n and back, no matter what kind of moo-d they're in.  Every child will want to they're loved just as much.  Lichtenheld wrote this book in tribute to his writing friend and famous children's book author, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, who died in 2017.  
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

THE LITTLE BLUE BRIDGE by Brenda Maier. Illus. by Sonia Sanchez.  New York:  Scholastic Press, 2021.  40p.  ISBN 978-133853801-4 hc. $18.99     Gr. K-3     E PIC

This clever retelling of "Three Billy Goats Gruff" uses family dynamics to begin the tale with Ruby's three brothers telling her she's too small to cross a log bridge and gather blueberries for a pie.  However, they were met by Santiago, the neighborhood bully, who demanded a snack from anyone crossing the bridge.  With the promise of a better snack from the brother following behind, Santiago let the first brother pass.  Again, the second brother promised better snacks from the next brother and, finally, from Ruby last in line. Ruby didn't have snacks with her, so she found supplies to make her own bridge across the water.  Santiago was impressed with her determination and helped her finish.  After a lot of opposition within the group, they finally cooperated to bake and share delicious blueberry pie with everyone.  Not only are the illustrations bright and expressive, the typesetting is very large and spaced out for easy reading.  Fans of children's classics will appreciate the author's background information on the origins of this folktale.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

THE WHOLE HOLE STORY by Vivian McInerny. Illus. by Ken Lamug.  New York:  Versify, 2021.  32p.  ISBN 978-0358129486 hc. $17.99     Gr. K-2     E FIC

Zia, who liked to collect things in her pocket, found a hole in it one day.  It grew bigger and bigger until she fell through it, only to fill the hole with water for fishing and swimming.  Zia's imagination also grew bigger, turning clouds into animals, including an elephant with a story of its own.  After several adventures, she set the hole down and looked at it from faraway.  As she viewed from different angles, the hole grew smaller and returned to its original pocket size.  Zia's adventure is enhanced by Lamug's animated illustrations that include a worm with personality, a cloud lion with an attitude, and an optimistic elephant to round out the story.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

HENRY AT HOME by Megan Maynor.  Illus. by Alea Marley.  New York: Clarion Books, 2021.  40p. ISBN 978-132891675-4 hb. $17.99     PreS-Gr. 1     E PIC

Henry and Liza were the best of siblings and playmates.  They did everything together and had their own special place at the base of an old twisty tree.  However, everything changed when it was time for Liza to attend kindergarten - by herself.  Henry had to say home, and was quite upset on the first day of school.  When Liza returned with stories of her new routine, Henry shared his adventures with her also.  Life would be different for both of them, except for the time they spent together in their Best Place in the twisty tree.  This is a thoughtful story of transition for youngsters.  The digitally drawn illustrations move the story along in beautiful hues of color.  
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

HOW TO WEAR A SARI by Darshana Khiani. Illus. by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff.  New York:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, 2021. 32p.  ISBN 978-1328635204 hc. $17.99     Gr. K-2    E PIC

Tired of bring told she was too young to do many activities, the protagonist decides to impress her family by mastering the complicated technique of wearing a sari.  There’s a reason that folding a sari is considered to be an adult skill.  Readers will learn the procedure for wearing a sari, beginning with the undergarments, followed by tucking folding and pleating the long fabric into a shirt and shawl wrapped around the body.  Readers of all ages will enjoy this fanciful peek info Indian culture and reminder of how families of all cultures share the same values.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI