Juneteenth is a new and important holiday in our country. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are bright and welcoming. Each page has one to three simple sentences. There are many illustrations emphasizing celebrating as a community and as a family. Basic history of Juneteenth is also explained. This book would be a good purchase as there are few school library books focusing on this holiday. It is also extremely simplified and allows for readers to get the basic information they need in order to broaden understanding and appreciation in the future. It is highly recommended for libraries as there are not many titles published about this holiday as of yet.
The Blastoff! Beginners Happy Holidays! series contains informational chapters including but not limited to: simple information about what individuals do for the holiday, when the holiday is and what it is about, the importance of the holiday and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms and definitions that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades Pre-K to 3rd. They are at “Level 1″ which offers early readers information through simplified sentences for better understanding.

As with other Blastoff books, this series is bright and visually attractive. A sight word list appears at the beginning to prepare readers. Every spread has a balance of concise text and large-scale images (many with labels). Photos show a diverse range of children and adults celebrating the holiday with food, parades, and community service. Glossary terms appear in bold within the text. Each book ends with a “Facts” page featuring a labeled photo of a holiday celebration along with three thumbnail images of various holiday activities with short descriptions underneath. The glossary also uses thumbnails with short descriptions. This series includes a recent addition to the national holiday calendar, Juneteenth. VERDICT Perfect for introducing primary grades to holidays or for young readers to explore on their own.