A My Name is Alice by Jane Bayer, Illustrated by Steven Kellogg

A variety of animals parade by in this familiar jump rope alphabet song. The antics never quite quit as a parade of animals sell their wares in this wildly illustrated version of the familiar alphabet ditty and ball-bouncing game. Young readers will delight in meeting such characters as Barbara, the bear with balloons for sale in Brazil; New York Ned, the newt who owns a noodle emporium, and finally the zipper-selling Zambian zebra and zebu, Zelda and Zach.

• Other characters: Alex, Barbara, Bob, Clara, Claude, Doris, Dave, Emily, Edward, Fifi, Fred, Gertrude, George, Hannah, Henry, Ida, Ivan, Jane, John, Karen, Keith, Lucy, Luke, Maude, Martin, Nancy, Ned, Olivia, Oscar, Polly, Paul, Queenie, Quentin, Rosie, Richard, Sally, Steve, Theresa, Ted, Ursula, Ulysses, Virginia, Vinnie, Winifred, William, Xena, Xavier, Yolanda, Yancie, Zelda, & Zach
• Ratings: Amazon- 4.8  Goodreads-4.0
• 4-8 year olds or Preschool-3rd grade
• Lexile Measure: 370L

I Do Not Like Yolanda by Zoey Abbott

Bianca likes stamps and writing letters and going to the post office. . . she does not like Yolanda, who works there. When Bianca gets stuck in Yolanda’s line at the post office, she expects the worst: scowls, claws, teeth . . .

• Ratings: Amazon- 4.5  Goodreads- 4.1
• 3-7 year olds or Preschool-2nd grade
• Lexile Measure: AD630L

The Last Beekeepers by Pablo Cartaya

In a future shaken by climate disasters, Yolanda Cicerón knows that nature is something to be feared. While life in the Valley is brutal and harsh, Yoly dreams of leaving her farm to live in Silo—the most advanced town for miles around. But first, Yoly will need to prove she belongs in a place where only the smartest and most useful are welcomed. Between her razor-sharp smarts and sheer determination, Yoly is well on her way until she discovers her family can no longer afford her schooling. When forced to take matters into her own hands, the closer she gets to securing her future, the more she uncovers the dangers lying inside Silo’s walls—ones that threaten the entire Valley. As she cracks long-guarded secrets, Yoly, along with those closest to her, is put in grave peril, and the only chance of surviving may lie in the rediscovery of a long-extinct species—the honeybee. Can the last surviving beehive be the key to pulling the Valley out from under Silo’s thumb, or will they destroy what remains of Yoly’s future?

• Ratings: Amazon-4.4  Goodreads- 3.8
• 8-12 year olds or 3rd-7th grade

Super Surprise by Patricia Reilly

We Dream a World by Yolanda Renee King

With inspiration from Langston Hughes and deep love for her grandparents, Yolanda King shows the world that young people are strong enough to carry on their elders’ legacy while creating a new path for themselves. Her words are meaningful and universal, painting an expressive tableau of the issues facing young people today – racial equality, bullying, gun violence, climate change, disease, community, empowerment, inclusion, and more. Yolanda’s words will comfort and inspire the next generation of dreamers.