Blueberry Bonanza

Nico Preston, age eight, comes from a family of blueberry growers, and he puts their many bushes to good use in this series opener, raising money to benefit the local community center. Over 12 brief chapters, Wohl’s direct writing and Tuchman’s simple cartoons showcase Nico’s devotion to blueberries, including recruiting his classmates to help pick them, and his efforts to keep a bear away from the crop. It’s a light, quick-moving story, and although not much comes of the bear plot thread, Nico’s entrepreneurial, community-minded spirit shines through, and looks to be a factor in the next planned book, as well. Ages 7–10. (Aug.)