In late April, CNN aired this piece with Oregon author Melissa Hart about inclusive books and book banning. This week, a lawsuit filed against Barnes & Noble in Virginia Beach, VA made concerns about access to books, freedom to read, and free expression feel even more urgent. Melissa Hart is the author of the middle …
Seattle author Mark Holtzen interviewed Kristi Wientge; the two are long-time critique partners and long-distance friends. Best Friends, Bikinis, and Other Summer Catastrophes is available at bookstores around the country as of May 17, 2022. Mark Holtzen (MH): You have a new middle grade children’s book. What first inspired this story idea? What caused …
It’s time for a Thursday Theme, where we shine a spotlight on some of the titles featured in this week’s Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association regional bestseller list. Whether on the cover, in the title, or as a contributor, creatures with wings popped up a lot among our bestsellers. Cloud Cuckoo Land Anthony Doerr (#11 Hardcover Fiction) …
This is one of my favorite middle grade books in a long time. It reminds me of E.L. Konigsburg’s A View from Saturday. It deals with heartbreaking, crushing difficulties in such a lovely, loving way that I found myself feeling uplifted rather than bogged down in the darkness of it all. The story centers around …
I’m so excited to share this graphic novel with customers– it’s exciting, tender, beautifully rendered in every way. It works well for middle schoolers and high schoolers, plus all the adults who enjoy family drama, origin stories, and the paranormal. Bonus: When you read this, you support a debut, local author! — Tegan Tigani, Queen …
From Green Bean Books in Portland, OR: We highly recommend these two recent middle grade novels! Though very different storylines, they have some things in common too: ghosts and themes of self discovery and finding your inner power! We love these! Come pick up Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff and Ophie’s Ghosts …
This is a true story about a girl who was sent to live in Japan with her grandmother for six months. Waka is very funny, and it was very interesting reading about what Japan was like for Japanese Americans in the ’80s. Definitely made we want to visit Japan someday! –Hailey, Liberty Bay Books, Poulsbo, …
“Just because February is coming to an end doesn’t mean you should stop reading and learning about Black History! We’ve got books to inspire, educate, and challenge.” –Green Bean Books, Portland, OR Children’s specialty bookstore Green Bean Books shared a list of children’s books about Black history for year ’round love in the February issue …
Clo, wall-jumper, turnip-picker, corner-skulker, was NOT a hand-wringer, but in the many times and many ways they had fled a village, never had her father failed to meet her. Always, he had made her promise, should the morning bells ring five without his return, she should leave the town. “Do not stay,” he instructed her. …
This is so much fun! I loved playing this game in school when I was a kid. The artwork is very reminiscent of the actual game, and the path tabs are a fun alternative to the choose your own adventure style. The colors are bright and inviting. –Brandi Stewart, Changing Hands in Tempe, Arizona From …
