Spotlight Titles
Refreshed monthly, the reviews below are representative of what you can expect in a typical issue of the Bulletin. Visit this link to subscribe for more reviews.
Picture Books
Owens, R.J. Cowgirl Dreaming; illus. by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow. Abrams, 2026 [40p]
Trade ed. ISBN 9781949480573 $18.99
E-book ed. ISBN 9798887072197 $17.09
Reviewed from digital galleys R 4-8 yrs
Clip clop, clip clop—a girl and her “pretty palomino pony” are off to join the Black Cowboy Parade in the opening pages of this charming, thematically layered picture book. It’s a day the young girl has dreamed of, but she and pony need some reassurance from Mama and a reminder to believe in each other: “Just take a deep breath, and be one with your pony.” Alongside (and perhaps informing) the girl’s parade nerves is grief for her brother’s recent death by gun violence. This loss, shared by the community, spurs her family to a peaceful act of protest, unfurling a banner (though hopefully not startling any horses) with a heartfelt plea for “No More Guns.” Owens’ simple, sensitive verse evokes the girl’s sweet, aspirational relationship with her pony and their connections to Black equestrian history and peaceful activism. Illustrations in hand-colored pencil overlaid with digital collage underscore this context, as together the girl and horse cross grainy, almost sparkling asphalt road textures and stand tall against white space, interacting with images from history and striding toward a hopeful future, one underpinned by grief and tragedy, but no less beautiful. The horses and riders and landmarks of the West Oakland neighborhood look like something our protagonist might have drawn herself, exhibiting an unpracticed quality (especially that notorious bane of all beginning artists, horses’ hind legs) and emphasizing the narrative’s child perspective. This is an easy pairing with My Daddy Is a Cowboy for a celebration of Black equestrian history and community. FHK
Fiction
Hoang, Van Auntie Q’s Golden Claws Nail Salon. Roaring Brook, 2026 [272p]
Trade ed. ISBN 9781250365323 $18.99
E-book ed. ISBN 9781250365330 $10.99
Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 6-8
Domi’s summer plans come to a screeching halt after a costly accident ($550 to be exact) leads her parents to send her to New Mexico, where she’ll work at her estranged Auntie Q’s nail salon to pay her debt. Overwhelmed by rambunctious nail salon workers and the cloying smell of acetone, Domi makes a deal with her mom that if she can pay back the amount before summer ends, she can return to California early. But after learning the nail salon may close due to her auntie’s financial troubles—which are only compounded when a competitive rival shop opens at the mall—Domi is determined to save her auntie’s business, having grown an appreciation for the workers for their unwavering care and support. The rich prose of this middle grade novel is written in first person, seamlessly weaving in Vietnamese culture and language as the story follows Domi’s summer of self-discovery. Hoang’s sweet and spunky heroine ultimately lets go of her need for perfection, openly trying new things in an unfamiliar place while making unexpected friends with the memorable aunties and uncles at the nail salon, all of whom have their own struggles. In addition, the dialogue between Domi’s mom and Auntie Q delicately explores their strained relationship; as refugees from the Vietnam War who immigrated to America, they confront their heartbreaking pasts and have a second chance to heal together. Full of tenderness, humor, and resilience, Domi’s summer shows how success and ambitions thrive when they are not pursued alone. DR
Nonfiction
Weatherford, Carole Boston Black Hands: Builders of Our Nation; illus. by R. Gregory Christie. Crown, 2026 [40p]
Trade ed. ISBN 9798217031856 $19.99
E-book ed. ISBN 9798217031870 $5.99
Reviewed from digital galleys R 6-9 yrs
With graceful, poetic text and striking illustrations, Weatherford and artist Christie trace the contributions of Black people to the growth of the US, from its literal and figurative foundations through current efforts to both celebrate and compel further progress. Each sentence begins with the words “black hands,” followed by their efforts: black hands plowed the land and later laid tracks of the continental railroad; they beat drums and plucked banzas as jazz and the blues hit the musical scene; they nursed the ill and wounded during wars; and they raised signs in protest for equal rights. Each spread is dedicated to thematically grouped or era-specific accomplishments, which are all elaborated on in small thumbnails in the backmatter; readers will likely recognize historical names like Langston Hughes, Shirley Chisolm, and Katherine Johnson. Stylized gouache illustrations play in proportion and dimension as planes of bright solid colors background elegantly posed Black forms and faces. Hands are highlighted across spreads, delicately weaving baskets, raised in worship, or closed in fists of protest. This would be an excellent choice to broaden the wealth of patriotic offerings that will be on hand for the nation’s 250th celebration. KQG
