Being different can be difficult sometimes, but individuality is important as it adds dynamic beauty to the world. Everly, the tree, is the newest member of her community, having sprouted at the edge of the woods one spring day. She is surrounded by verdant companions and quickly makes friends with the neighboring trees, enjoying the sunshine and joy that come with the summer months. When fall arrives, Everly's friends begin turning yellow and orange, but Everly remains the same. As the only evergreen tree in her grove, Everly struggles with the fact that she does not look like her friends, but when the gray of winter descends upon them, she realizes just how special she really is. This charming and uplifting story addresses the common human experience of wanting to fit in through the lens of an evergreen tree. Succinct phrases make up the narrative, with only a phrase or two on each page. While the narrator's words appear in playful font, Everly and her friends communicate through speech bubbles, adding an interactive layer to the story. Delightfully placed, the heartwarming and occasionally humorous text guides readers effectively through the story and the accompanying visuals. Acrylic paint and collage make up the cheerful illustrations, injecting depth and texture into each image. Vibrant colors saturate each page, and emotional facial expressions appear on Everly and her friends throughout the story. Every spread is filled with color and represents the passage of time from Spring through Winter. This enjoyable story is a joyful reminder about embracing one's unique qualities as a contribution to the global tapestry. Recommended for addition to library collections for young readers.

During the busy holiday season, this collection of daily readings could be just the reminder children need to pause and reflect on why we celebrate Christmas. Each day from the first of December through Christmas contains a different theme relating to a Bible verse. The format is consistent, beginning with a rhyming poem (loosely based on the classic 'Twas the Night Before Christmas), a verse, a narrative, and a suggested prayer. The content for each date usually fits on one page and is accompanied by a beautiful full-page illustration depicting an aspect of the message. Verses are chosen from seven different books of the Bible, both Old and New Testament. Some themes are: all are welcome, love, promise, bravery, joy, family, nothing is impossible with God, angels, good news, hope, patience, peace, shepherds, and magi. Nellist teaches readers that the season of Christmas is just the beginning, and a greater story could be continued in the days beyond. The content is concise, and a leader or parent could share this collection without advance preparation. The narratives are typically four to six paragraphs in length. Elementary students would likely find the narratives interesting, and this may lead to questions while they ponder the message.

Understanding the barriers that people have overcome in order to vote is vital for maintaining American democracy. The book opens with the juxtaposition of teenage Ava, who waits with her mom in line to vote in present-day California and, in 1840, Elizabeth Cady Stanton being ejected from the World Anti-Slavery Convention in England because she's a woman. In the next chapter, three new adult women in the present-day at Middlehurst College register to vote and discuss the Iroquois influence on the suffragist movement, and, in 1907 New York, Inez Milholland and Harriet Stanton found the Equality League of Self-Supporting Women. By showcasing the history of American women's suffrage from 1840 to 1920 and balancing contemporary fictional characters with real historical figures like Lucretia Mott and Ida B. Wells, this graphic novel argues the importance of women's suffrage and the continuing need to defend and preserve the right to vote all Americans have. The inclusion of competing ideologies within the suffragist movement adds nuance to the often broadly painted topic of women's suffrage. Highlighting marginalized voices elaborates on the struggles women once and still face when voting while promoting intersectional feminism. Realistic illustrations and a pervading patriotic color scheme of red, white, and blue ground this story in American history, though the flat style stilts what should be dynamic moments and lessens the literal impact of the violence some suffragists suffered. Every new segment notes the date and key figures, but more often than not, the present leaves out the year and the constant reintroduction of the main cast toes the line between helpful and exasperating. Even with these minor hitches, this work makes a genuine, educational, and relevant case for the power of and need for fair voting that will enfranchise young adults to participate in their own government.

Brooklyn's own friendly neighborhood Spider-Man has the answers to the most pressing questions about his new life as a superhero. He's heard them all before, and he revels in the curiosity and excitement that surrounds him when he dons his bug-eyed mask and black, skin-tight bodysuit, or when he travels through the city, all too recognizable as he swings between building tops and shoots his webs with sweeping ease. He answers them as best he can while simultaneously fighting crime and taking pictures with starstruck fans. Spider-Man, working in tandem with an appreciative police force, seems to have it all under control--until he doesn't. Thankfully his best friend and tech genius Ganke keeps him grounded. He manages to separate his supernatural life from his everyday life until they collide in an unexpected way. In this graphic novel, Spider-Man gets his hands on a highly coveted mysterious rock belonging to mega company Serval Industries. Now Miles and Ganke must join forces with new student Kyle, whose father has suddenly gone missing, to unshroud the mystery surrounding the rock and the company. Readers see Spider-Man spring into action to uncover the truth about the rock and Kyle's missing father. All the while, Miles Morales, the kid behind the mask, must wrestle with shocking news about an earthquake in Puerto Rico and the devastation it causes to his mother's family home. Spider-Man leans on his supernatural powers to help save the day, while Miles puts his hopes in spearheading a fundraiser to help his mother's home country. Readers will see themselves in Miles' every attempt to be his best self, supernatural powers or not. Reynolds creates a relatable protagonist who wants equally to learn the new Internet dance craze and to accurately trap bad guys with the spray of his web. Leon's bold illustrations capture Spider-Man's every flight and pensive repose on the side of a building with a precision that brings his cool superpowers to life. Though there is a delicate balancing act between Spider-Man's crime-fighting life and Miles Morales' extraordinary life, this story webs a connection between the two with an unexpected plot twist. Young readers will enjoy the action and mystery. Teachers will find this engaging graphic novel, and its spotlight on diverse perspectives, a welcome addition to their libraries.

What could be more fun than studying grammar with ghouls? Kimmerman brings the rules of punctuation to life through this innovative book, filled with Sullivan's charming illustrations. Readers will discover the ins and outs of everything from hyphens to misspellings. It's hard not to laugh over a period that gives you time to pick your nose, or a vampire as the subject of an exclamation: "Oh no! The grave is empty! Grandpa's escaped again!" Readers will quickly understand that comma placement is critical in the sentence, "Vanessa Vampire loves cooking, her parents, and her baby sister." With humor and a fun approach, this brings a difficult subject to life. With every turn of the page, young readers will learn more about grammar while meeting new ghouls and monsters. This book is guaranteed to entertain grammar fans and monster-lovers of all ages.

Machias delivers a book that could save someone's life, a young adult novel that some readers have been searching for. The story is told in alternating chapters by Ash and Daniel. Both characters are dealing with very relatable and realistic personal, social, and family issues. Ash's story opens with a debate over which bathroom to use at a new school. Forced to decide but still feeling extremely conflicted about the choice, Ash and best friend Griffey head to the school's Rainbow Alliance meeting, which gives ample food for thought. Meanwhile, Daniel is volunteering at a veterinarian's office. He is suddenly involved in a difficult situation to save a dog's life, which requires him to spin a web of lies. As the story progresses, Ash begins helping Daniel care for the dog, but neither character is completely honest with the other about their feelings, emotions, and personal situations. As each character's situation becomes more complex, the web of lies starts to unravel. Eventually, both characters reach a point where they must stand up for who they are, despite resistance from their own feelings and some family members. Machias manages to confront gender conformity, gender bias, identity, bullies, divorce, friendship, truth, and acceptance through the characters.

Poorling is a most unbear-like little bear. She looks very different from her brothers and very different from her mother. Right away, readers have many questions: Who is this bear? Why does she look the way she does? How does she relate to her family members? Each turn of the page seems to raise more questions as the story evolves and our understanding of each character's role is transformed. This is a magical tale, delivered in a visually wondrous combination of black-and-white and watercolor washes. At 400 pages, it is quite a tome compared to other graphic novels, but its heft is appropriate: This is not a story to be raced through, but one to dwell over. A word of caution: Like other origin stories, this includes some violence. Presented in this visual format, young readers may find these scenes jarring. Still, Finnish author Ahokoivu's work is a flowing story that captivates the imagination. A truly unique offering to be added to any graphic novels collection