Rylant, Cynthia. Gooseberry Park and the Master Plan. illus. by Arthur Howard. 128p. (Gooseberry Park.) S. & S./Beach Lane. 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781481404495; ebk. $10.99. ISBN 9781481404518. LC 2013046528.

Gr 3-5 –Rain matters…especially when there is none. Gooseberry Park is suffering an unusual drought. In Gooseberry Park (Harcourt, 1995), readers met Stumpy, the caring mother squirrel; Murray, the animated black bat; Gwendolyn, the wise hermit crab; and Kona, the brave Chocolate Lab. In this clever sequel, the odd menagerie fears the effects of the drought on their beloved park and come up with a plan to get every creature, from the youngest to the oldest, life-saving water. They enlist the help of the park’s assorted residents. While their scheme is utterly outrageous, (it’s amazing what a raccoon, 200 owls, and 20 packs of chewing gum can do,) it conveys the idea that no matter the obstacles, a solution can be found by those willing to overcome differences and work together., This contemporary tale is a surefire winner. Rylant’s inspired writing gives readers a humane understanding of drought and its consequences. The importance of family and friendship is reinforced as every creature rises to the occasion. The characters are wonderfully defined. The cartoonish black-and-white drawings add to the fun. Vocabulary is sophisticated. VERDICT Rylant does it again with this wonderful tale of nature, friendship, and family; a must-have.–Sada Mozer, Los Angeles Public Library

Cassidy, Sara. Not for Sale. illus. by Helen Flook. 64p. (Orca Echos). ebook available. Orca. May 2015. pap. $6.95. ISBN 9781459807198.

Earhart, Kristin. Rain Forest Relay. 144p. (Race The Wild: Bk. 1). Scholastic. May 2015. pap. $4.99. ISBN 9780545773539; ebk. $4.99. ISBN 9780545773751.

French, Vivian. Blood and Guts and Rats’ Tail Pizza. illus. by Chris Fisher. 80p. (Early Reader). Sterling/Orion. 2015. Tr $7.99. ISBN 9781444007299.

Kessler, Liz. Poppy the Pirate Dog and the Missing Treasure. illus. by Mike Phillips. 64p. (Poppy the Pirate Dog: Bk. 3). Candlewick. 2015. RTE $14.99. ISBN 9780763674977. LC 2013957574.

Mentyka, Sharon. B in the World. 96p. ebook available. 64th Street. 2014. pap. $12.99. ISBN 9780986329302.

Meyerhoff, Jenny. The Friendship Garden: Green Thumbs-Up! illus. by Éva Chatelain. 176p. (Friendship Garden Series: Bk. 1). S. & S./Aladdin. Aug. 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781481439060; pap. $5.99. ISBN 9781481439046; ebk. $5.99. ISBN 9781481439077.

Newman, Robin. The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake. illus. by Deborah Zemke. 40p. (A Wilcox and Griswold Mystery: Bk. 1). Creston. 2015. Tr $15.95. ISBN 9781939547170.

Ondaatje, Griffin. The Mosquito Brothers. illus. by Erica Salcedo. 128p. Groundwood. May 2015. Tr $14.95. ISBN 9781554984374; ebk. $9.95. ISBN 9781554984398.

Ostow, Micol. Louise Trapeze Is Totally 100% Fearless. illus. by Brigette Barrager. 112p. (Louise Trapeze Series: Bk. 1). ebook available. Random. Jul. 2015. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9780553497397.