Published by Kokila

Summary:  J.D. endures a tough first day of school when he starts third grade with the haircut his mom gave him.  When he decides to take matters (and clippers) into his own hands and fix things up, the results are surprisingly good.  Before long, friends are asking him for haircuts, and he’s started his own barber business in his room.  But Henry Hart, the town barber, doesn’t like the fact that J.D. is taking away his business and threatens to shut him down.  J.D. proposes a solution: have a contest where each barber cuts the hair on three heads and let an impartial judge decide who’s the better barber.  If Henry wins, J.D. shuts his business, but if J.D. wins he can stay open.  The results are a bit of a surprise, and the ending makes it clear that there will be a sequel to J.D.’s story.  128 pages; grades 1-4.

Pros:  Early elementary kids will enjoy J.D.’s humorous voice; the short chapters and plentiful cartoon-style illustrations are sure to attract lots of fans.

Cons:  It seemed a bit of a stretch that a third grader would become so proficient a barber in such a short time.

Published by Penguin Workshop

Summary:  When Hallie and Jaye get assigned to be partners in a business class startup project, it doesn’t exactly seem like a match made in heaven.  Hallie is outgoing and doesn’t care what anyone thinks about her outspokenness and unique fashion sense, while Jaye is shy and constantly trying to figure out how to fit in and avoid the spotlight.  After sampling a cricket on a class trip, Hallie wants to start a bugs-as-food business, while Jaye prefers the idea of a social media app that would bring everyone in their school together.  When a pair of boys steals Jaye’s idea, she’s forced to agree to go the insect route.  As the two navigate the terrain of pitches and market testing, they discover traits in each other that they admire, and a friendship is born.  Their business plan isn’t quite enough to snag the top prize at the startups competition, but their partnership is cemented, and the future looks bright for Chirps Chips.  Includes an interview with Laura and Rose, founders of the real-life Chirps Chips.  224 pages; grades 3-6.

Pros:  Told in alternating voices, this breezy illustrated story introduces readers to some of what’s involved in starting a business, emphasizing the be-yourself message for both entrepreneurship and middle school.

Cons:  Flashbacks to The Apprentice.

Published by Candlewick

Summary:  Tola is the youngest of three children living with their grandmother in Lagos, Nigeria.  Because of her size and place in the family, Tola is often told she is too small and works hard to prove otherwise.  In the first story, she and Grandmommy go to the market and struggle to carry home all their purchases.  Next, Tola helps her siblings get water when the water in the apartment isn’t working.  She is almost thwarted by some older boys until some kind neighbors turn the tables on the bullies.  Finally, Tola saves her friend the tailor when he breaks his leg.  Tola has a talent with numbers, and she and her older brother bike all over Lagos to measure people for their new Easter and Eid outfits.  Tola is rewarded by the tailor with the beautiful ruffled dress that she has dreamed about.  96 pages; grades 2-4.

Pros:  These tales are completely charming, both the stories and the illustrations.  Tola and her family live in pretty impoverished circumstances, in a two-room apartment with unreliable water and electricity that is paid for by a father working in England.  But her circumstances are described in a very matter-of-fact way, with a much greater emphasis on the love and caring of Tola’s family and community.

Cons:  I was really hoping for a bit of backmatter on Lagos and Nigeria–at least a map.

I happened to listen to a TED talk recently that is the perfect complement to this book. If you have fifteen minutes, listen to The Danger of a Single Story by author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who grew up in Lagos.

Published by Greenwillow Books

Summary:  Billy Miller’s wish, made while blowing out the eight candles on his birthday cake, is that something exciting will happen.  Almost immediately, an ambulance rushes down his street, and he later learns that an elderly neighbor has passed away.  Billy is filled with guilt, but Papa assures him that Mr. Tooley’s death was not his fault.  The next day, Papa leaves for art camp, leaving Billy, his mom, and little sister Sal to cope with a few more exciting events including a bat in the basement, love letters falling into the wrong hands, and a chimney fire.  When Papa returns, it seems like life has returned to normal…until Mama and Papa announce the most exciting news of all.  192 pages; grades 2-4.

Pros:  Ever since I used to read Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse and other mouse picture books to my own kids, I have admired Kevin Henkes’ ability to tell a story that perfectly captures the ordinary moments and emotions of childhood without ever talking down to kids.  He has pulled off this feat once again in this sequel to the Newbery honor book The Year of Billy Miller. This would be a perfect read-aloud for first, second, or third grade.

Cons:  I hope Kevin Henkes will not wait another eight years to write book three in this series.