What happens when inner-city kids suddenly awaken with a unique supernatural ability? Will they be able to elevate their people in the social hierarchy, protect each other from power-hungry moguls, and successfully navigate their evolving identities? I don’t know, because this is the beginning of what seems a very intricate plot and very interesting characters. …
All about the joy of playing outdoors after school — whether it’s on the sidewalks, at a playground, park, or basketball court. A fun celebration of after school community filled with short rhymes that make this a great crossover for newly independent readers. –Eija Sumner, picture book author and former bookseller, Moscow, ID Join in …
Vampires were wiped out twenty years ago in the Reaping…or were they? Readers ages 8-12 (who aren’t afraid of monsters or the dark) will LOVE this hilarious and spooky story of four kids navigating a terrifying world– many of the book’s themes reminded me of life during lockdown. Recommended for readers ages 8-12. –Becky, Secret …
When a meme mocking her cousin’s body hair becomes the talk of the school, TJ Powar begins to wonder how and why something as natural as hair is seen as disgusting or unclean—she then decides to discontinue her shaving and waxing regimens to test just how much it affects her social status. TJ Powar Has …
Karen Maeda Allman, event coordinator and bookseller at Seattle’s Elliott Bay Book Company, was interviewed by Elaine Ikoma Ko and featured on The North American Post and Discover Nikkei. Below is an excerpt. Let’s talk about your literary life. Did you always have a keen appreciation for books growing up? I actually started out as …
[In David Yoon’s City of Orange, a] man wakes up. He has no memory. He’s not sure where he is. He’s injured and thirsty. As he explores what looks like an apocalyptic landscape for food, water, and answers, he gradually realizes everything is not as it seems. Show up for the “what the heck?” Stick …
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 …
Jake’s mom is a treasure collector who up-cycles, making new things out of old. Jake wonders if he too can be transformed. A beautiful story about the bond between mother and child and how some things are worth changing while others are perfect just the way they are. –Jesica Sweedler DeHart, Neill Public Library, Pullman, …
I’ve been collecting this series since it began in 1988, and though my enthusiasm for each volume differs, I love how it’s become an historical artifact of sorts. Each volume features a guest editor (2021 is curated by Tracy K. Smith, Poet Laureate of the U.S. 2017-2019), who, along with their picks for the 75 …
A gripping, propulsive free verse novel that addresses the first year of college in a way I haven’t seen but absolutely loved: through exploration of self-love, overcoming trauma, trusting one’s instincts, questioning the socially-normalized paths, and pursuing passion. I hope adults and teens will read and discuss together. (It should be required reading for any …
