Hail Mariam By Huda Al-Marashi New York: Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2026. Fiction. 188 pages. Fitting in is hard enough when you're a sixth-grader, let alone if you're also the only Muslim kid at a Catholic School. Mariam's parents have always stressed that she's supposed to be the best, especially because her making a good impression will help people see all Muslims in a good light. But being the best is hard when you're in a new school and someone's already filled the role of "teacher's sunshine." Mariam finally gets a chance to shine when she's offered the role of Mary in her school's nativity play, but will she be able to reconcile the line "behold the son of God" with her own religious tenets? I loved how Al-Marashi made a very unique situation feel universal. While not everyone has been the religious minority at a religious school, most kids have felt the need to fit in, to impress their teachers, and to...
Fly : A Family Guide to Birds and How to Spot Them Written By David Lindo Illustrated by Sara Boccaccini Meadows New York, NY : Magic Cat Publishing, 2024. Informational. 61 pgs. This is an engaging introduction to birdwatching designed especially for families and young readers. The book combines accessible information about different bird species with practical tips on how to observe and identify them in everyday environments. It invites readers to slow down, look closely, and develop a lasting appreciation for the birds around them. Robins! How They Grow Up By Eileen Christelow Boston : Clarion Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017. Informational. 48 pgs. In this book, Eileen Christelow beautifully illustrates the story of a pair of robins as they build a nest, lay eggs, and raise their chicks. The book shows each stage of a robin’s early life, from hatching to learning to fly. Readers will gain a deeper appreciation for nature as they watch the baby robins grow and become ind...