The tantalizing thrill of being trapped with no apparent escape features prominently in books reviewed this week. From the claustrophobic locked-room mystery at the bottom of the sea in Will Dean's "superb" and "breathless" The Chamber to the expansive plight of guests marooned at an island resort in MJ Wassmer's "hilarious, high-stakes social satire" Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend, the tension is sure to leave you gasping. But in cases like the "riveting puzzle" of Catherine Steadman's "sinister thriller" Look in the Mirror, some locked doors might be better left unopened--especially if they're in the basement!
Meanwhile, young readers are sure to shout for Adela's Mariachi Band, a "colorful, jubilant picture book" by Denise Vega, and illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina, about an exuberant girl finding her place in the family band.
Plus, in The Writer's Life, the authors of Gender Explained discuss the growing awareness of gender and identity. They offer healthy strategies for fostering personal discovery and creative expression with a thoughtful aim to reduce anxiety and increase curiosity.