Acevedo, Elizabeth. Beastgirl and Other Origin Myths. 42p. YesYes. Oct. 2016. pap. $12. ISBN 9781936919451.

Gr 10 Up –This poetry book divided in chapters highlights civil rights abuses affecting Dominican people throughout history. The 21 poems are peppered with Spanish words and explore a number of high- and low-profile events: a relative of slain Florida teen Jordan Davis, a Haitian man lynched in a Dominican park, a brutal dictator. Some poems refer to specific places, names, and dates; others are more generic stories with advice to help young people stay strong in the face of injustice. The verses are well written and loaded with meaning; they are not meant to be quickly read and won’t be easily forgotten. “La Ciguapa,” “First Job,” and “The True Story of La Negra” are excellent poems for gender studies courses, while others, like “Beloved,” “The Dictator’s Brujas,” and “February 10th 2015,” tie into history lessons. VERDICT These short selections tackle heavy topics like rape, abuse, harassment, discrimination, and lynching in a short, poignant package. Highly recommended for upper high school and college students.–Leigh Collazo, Dulwich College, Suzhou, China

Currie, Robin. Tuktuk: Un cuento sobre la tundra. illus. by Phyllis Saroff. 32p. glossary. Arbordale. Aug. 2016. pap. $9.95. ISBN 9781628558814; ebk. $6.95. ISBN 9781628558838.

PreS-Gr 4 –This expertly translated Spanish-language edition of Tuktuk: Tundra Tale is one readers will not soon forget. Tuktuk is one crafty collard lemming—no jumping off cliffs for him! The Arctic winter is fast approaching, and he needs to gather stray musk oxen fur to insulate his burrow. Providence is on his side as an Inuit trader and his barking sled team rush past at a high speed, dislodging a fur-lined kamik. The boot lands in front of a delighted Tuktuk, but his joy is short-lived as one by one several animals come upon him and his newfound boot. The polar bear, arctic fox, and caribou all think that the boot is just the thing for the coming winter. Instead of fighting each of his much larger neighbors for the kamik, Tuktuk cleverly makes sneaky suggestions to the gullible animals in order to keep the boot for himself. His strategy is a success, and the animals leave him hibernating in his warm nest—peace at last. Saroff’s illustrations are bright and lushly detailed, from Tuktuk’s cheeky expressions to the disgruntled look on the polar bear’s face when he realizes that wearing a kamik on his nose is not how he wishes to spend the long Arctic night. Back matter features scientific information on the Arctic seasons, the animals described within the story, the unique atmospheric phenomena over the North Pole, and a glossary that includes Inuit terminology. VERDICT A top pick for Spanish-language collections for the quality of the translation and the kid-friendly humor.–Mary Margaret Mercado, Pima County Public Library, Tucson, AZ

Diaz, James. J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World: A Pop-Up Gallery of Curiosities. illus. by Sergio Gómez Silván. 10p. Candlewick. Nov. 2016. Tr $27.99. ISBN 9780763695880.

Gr 3 Up –The vast Harry Potter franchise comes alive in this pop-up book. Five intricately painted 3-D scenes are accompanied by movie titles, quotations, and descriptions of how each curiosity is brought to life in its respective film. Thoughtful paper engineering by Diaz ensures that each scene contains multiple layers that highlight Silván’s detailed illustrations. The volume works best, the introduction explains, when stood up and folded down to 90 degrees, which allows the full scene to come together. The work opens with the Hogwarts sorting hat and includes depictions of the Whomping Willow and Cornish pixies. Newt Scamander’s (aka J.K. Rowling) Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them is incorporated as well, with Newt’s Enchanted Case and the Niffler scenes. Though this selection is brief in terms of page count, fans will love the breadth of coverage here and will likely appreciate the inclusion of more obscure curiosities. Casual Potter readers may not be familiar with every reference but should appreciate the craftsmanship nonetheless. The elaborate construction means there are many delicate pieces, which should be noted if considering this for circulation. VERDICT A beautifully made offering that would make a great gift for a Potter fanatic but may not withstand the stress of repeated circulation.–Lindsay Jensen, Nashville Public Library

Herrington, John. Mission to Space. 24p. glossary. photos. Chickasaw/White Dog. Oct. 2016. Tr $19.95. ISBN 9781935684473; pap. $17.95. ISBN 9781935684480.

K-Gr 4 –This remarkable picture book is written by a Chickasaw American Indian astronaut and educator. Using personal photos from his childhood and recent training at NASA, Herrington re-creates the process through which astronauts prepare for space. The title opens with a snapshot of a young Herrington, his brother, and his father smiling as they await the launch of a toy rocket blastoff. The opposite page contrasts this image with a photo of the space shuttle Endeavor at blastoff. Herrington’s enthusiasm is palpable, and space-crazy readers will appreciate the insider view of NASA training sessions. The author seamlessly integrates information about his heritage with photos of Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby presenting a blanket to NASA and dancers celebrating Herrington’s launch. The volume concludes with Herrington at the International Space Station. A special bonus is a glossary of Chickasaw and English words, with pronunciations. VERDICT A valuable addition to STEM collections, especially as it centers on a Chickasaw American Indian astronaut.–Naomi Caldwell, Alabama State University, Montgomery

Napoli, Donna Jo. Tales from the Arabian Nights: Stories of Adventure, Magic, Love, and Betrayal. illus. by Christina Balit. 208p. bibliog. chart. ebook available. maps. photos. National Geographic. Oct. 2016. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9781426325403. POP

Gr 4 Up –A carefully researched collection of tales from the Arabian Nights accompanied by a wealth of historical and cultural commentary. Napoli, a seasoned teller of ancient legends (Treasury of Egyptian Mythology; Treasury of Greek Mythology), first introduces readers to the main tropes and reoccurring themes present in many of the pieces, effectively setting up a critical framework for students to draw from (e.g., What is the significance of the self-reliant hero? What is the relationship between storyteller and listener, etc.). Napoli addresses Scheherazade but also emphasizes that each episode can stand on its own. The work includes 25 tales, from the seven voyages of Sinbad to “King Yunan and Sage Duban.” Balit’s illustrations are eye-catching; the emphasis on pattern captures not only the energy and magic of the entries but also a key tenet of Islamic art. Sidebars expand on topics within the stories to provide students with a deeper understanding of some of the more subtle cultural aspects of each vignette (the importance of the number four, the transformational power of words, bathing as a social activity, and more). The volume concludes with a postscript, where Napoli expands on the history of the Arabian Nights and the editorial choices she made when compiling the work. VERDICT A grand addition to Napoli’s treasury of mythology books. Consider to refresh collections.–Della Farrell, School Library Journal

Smith, Nikkolas. The Golden Girls of Rio. illus. by Nikkolas Smith. 32p. ebook available. Sky Pony. Nov. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781510722477.

Gr 3-5 –Girls all over the world were captivated and inspired by the performance of Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, Michelle Carter, and Simone Manuel during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. These athletes showed the world what big dreams, hard work, and determination can accomplish. Smith follows these amazing gymnasts from childhood dreams to winning the gold at the Rio games. While there were numerous women who competed at the Olympics, this title focuses primarily on Manuel, the first African American woman to win a medal in an individual swimming event; Biles, the most decorated American gymnast of all time; Carter, the first American woman to win a gold medal in shot put; and Ledecky, world record holder in multiple swimming events. Smith’s striking illustrations are simple but bold and perfectly reflect his artistic background as a concept artist at Walt Disney Imagineering. Unfortunately, the actual text is not nearly as outstanding and detracts from the overall quality of the work. The narrative does not flow and is often choppy as Smith moves from one girl’s story to the next. In addition, the ending feels rushed and unfinished. VERDICT While the subject matter may be in demand, this is at best an additional purchase.–Joy Poynor, formerly at Rogers Public Library, AR