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Library Closed

The New Britain Public Library (Main Library and Jefferson Branch) will be closed Friday, April 3rd in observance of Good Friday.

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Limelight

Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Fame meets Rent in this powerful YA debut about a boy who must reconcile with his identity and insecurity as he steps into the spotlight, from Broadway star Andrew Keenan-Bolger.

The only thing standing between Danny and his dreams is…everything.

For fifteen years, Danny Victorio has kept his head down, kept his mouth shut, and kept everyone out. But an audition for Manhattan’s most prestigious arts school offers him a chance to escape Staten Island—and his crumbling family—for good.

If he doesn’t screw everything up.

At LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, Danny is thrust into a world of fierce talent and even fiercer ambition. As he navigates overwhelming expectations, the ghosts of his past, and, for the first time, real friendship, Danny can’t shake the question: Where do I belong…if I belong at all? 

Set against the gritty, vibrant backdrop of 1996 New York City—where peep-show palaces were giving way to Disney stores, “Club Kids” ruled the nightlife scene, and a new musical called Rent was driving teens to sleep on the seediest sidewalks of Times Square in hopes of a ticket—Limelight is a story about discovering your voice, finding your family, and figuring out who, and where, you’re really meant to be.

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Two Women Living Together

Kim Hana

The big-hearted, bestselling South Korean memoir co-written by two best friends flouting gender norms and societal expectations with their decision to grow old together under one roof.

When most of their peers were moving in with romantic partners and having children, Kim Hana and Hwang Sunwoo chose independence--savoring solitude, quiet mornings, and the unmitigated freedom of living alone. But in their forties, something shifted, and they were met with a new, unexpected loneliness. Refusing to settle for the outdated choice between marriage or isolation, Hana and Sunwoo made a radical decision: to buy a home and live together--not as lovers, not as roommates, but as chosen family.

Now a bustling household of two women and four cats, Hana and Sunwoo still value solitude, but can do so while sharing a life and its meaning with someone else. Together they navigate the challenges and comforts of cohabiting in midlife, the growing pains of interdependence and the unexpected rewards of compromise when you've grown set in your ways. From sick days to career wins to aging parents and beach-side retirement plans, they are redefining domestic bliss on their own terms, where love, partnership, and home are defined not by tradition, but by choice.

With warmth, wit, and sharp social insight, Hana and Sunwoo share their blueprint for building a life outside the scripts of marriage and society's expectations for women. Two Women Living Together is a quiet revolution--a celebration of female friendship, community, and the many forms that love and family can take.

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One Aladdin Two Lamps

Jeanette Winterson

"Enchanting, unexpected and razor-sharp. Jeanette Winterson and Shahrazad are the perfect co-pilots to take us into new worlds on the wings of old stories."--Kamila Shamsie, award-winning author of Home Fire

I can change the story because I am the story.

"One of the most daring and inventive writers of our time" (Elle) weaves together memoir, manifesto, and a feminist reimagining of One Thousand and One Nights in this impassioned exploration of the power of reading

A woman is filibustering for her life. Every night she tells a story. Every morning, she lives one more day. One Aladdin Two Lamps cracks open the legendary story of Shahrazad in One Thousand and One Nights to explore new and ancient questions. Who should we trust? Is love the most important thing in the world? Does it matter whether you are honest? What makes us happy?

In her guise as Aladdin--the orphan who changes his world--Jeanette Winterson asks us to reread what we think we know. To look again. Especially to look again at how fiction works in our lives, giving us the courage to change our own narratives and alter endings we wish to subvert. As a young working-class woman, with no obvious future beyond factory work or marriage, Winterson realizes through the power of books that she can read herself as fiction as well as a fact: "I can change the story because I am the story."

An alluring blend of the ancient and the contemporary, One Aladdin Two Lamps ingeniously explores stories and their vital role in our lives. Weaving together fiction, magic, and memoir, Winterson's newest is a tribute to the age-old tradition of storytelling and a radical step into the future--an invitation to look closer at our stories, and thereby ourselves, to imagine the world anew.

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Fly, Wild Swans

Jung Chang

The magnificent follow-up to Wild Swans, the multimillion copy, internationally bestselling sensation that traces the history of modern China through the true stories of three generations of courageous women in one family.

"AT THE AGE OF FIFTEEN MY GRANDMOTHER became the concubine of a warlord general . . ." So begins Jung Chang's epic family memoir, Wild Swans, which defines a generation. The book ends in 1978, when Deng Xiaoping opened the door of Communist China, and Jung--twenty-six years old and unstoppably curious, despite years of brainwashing-- seized the propitious moment and became one of the first Chinese to leave the tightly sealed country and come to the West. Fly, Wild Swans chronicles her journey and that of her family, along with that of China, as it rose from a decrepit and isolated state to a world power challenging American dominance.

During those decades, although she lives in the West, Jung's life intertwines with her native land in unexpected ways, a rare relationship made more complex because all her books are banned there. Her family story mirrors the ups and downs of China's transformation, right up to today, as it enters another watershed. Chairman Xi Jinping's attempt to return China to the anti-American Maoist past has a devastating impact on Jung's life: She is unable to go to her mother's deathbed.

Fly, Wild Swans is Jung's love letter and emotional tribute to her extraordinary mother. Profoundly moving, it is filled with drama, love, curiosity and incredible history--both personal and global. Told in Jung's clear, honest and compelling voice, it is memoir writing at its best.

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The Look

Michelle Obama

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE NAACP IMAGE AWARD • Beautifully illustrated with more than 200 photographs, including never-before-seen images, The Look is a stunning journey through Michelle Obama’s style evolution, in her own words for the first time. 

In this celebration of style, from the moment she entered the public eye during her husband’s U.S. Senate campaign through her time as the first Black First Lady and today as one of this country’s most influential figures, Michelle Obama shares how she uses the beauty and intrigue of fashion to draw attention to her message. 

Featuring the voices of Meredith Koop, Obama’s trusted stylist, as well as her makeup artist Carl Ray, hairstylists Yene Damtew, Johnny Wright, and Njeri Radway, and many of the designers who have dressed Obama for notable events, The Look brings readers behind the scenes not only to reveal how her most memorable looks came together but also to tell a powerful story about how we present ourselves. 

Obama’s intimate and candid stories illuminate how her approach to dressing has evolved throughout her life—from the colorful sheath dresses, cardigans, and brooches she wore during her time as First Lady to the bold suits, denim, and braids of her post-White House life and all the active looks and beautiful gowns in between. 

In The Look, Michelle Obama explores the joy and the purpose of fashion and beauty and how—when wielded with grace and care—they can uplift and affirm the values one holds most dear. Confidence, she concludes, cannot be put on. But when you’re wearing something that’s intentional or beloved, clothing can make you feel like the best version of yourself.

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Strangers

Belle Burden

INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Burden’s searing, probing memoir explores . . . what she learned about intimacy and her own spirit.”—People​​

“A beautifully written instant classic. Strangers is gripping and heartbreaking and a must-read for every wife—and husband.”—Graydon Carter

“Asks us to examine life’s most perplexing questions: Can we see the invisible fault lines in a marriage or truly know the people closest to us?”—Lori Gottlieb

It was a great love story, one for the ages. The speed of our beginning and the speed of our ending felt like matching bookends. They both came out of nowhere. He wanted it, he wanted me. And then he didn’t.

In March 2020, Belle Burden was safe and secure with her family at their house on Martha’s Vineyard, navigating the early days of the pandemic together—building fires in the late afternoons, drinking whisky sours, making roast chicken. Then, with no warning or explanation, her husband of twenty years announced that he was leaving her. Overnight, her caring, steady partner became a man she hardly recognized. He exited his life with her like an actor shrugging off a costume.

In Strangers, Burden revisits her marriage, searching for clues that her husband was not who she always thought he was. As she examines her relationship through a new lens, she reckons with her own family history and the lessons she intuited about how a woman is expected to behave in the face of betrayal. Through all of it, she is transformed. The discreet, compliant woman she once was—someone nicknamed “Belle the Good”—gives way to someone braver, someone determined to use her voice.

With unflinching honesty and profound grace, Burden charts a path through heartbreak to show the power of a woman who refuses to give up on love. Strangers is a stunning, deeply moving, compulsively readable memoir heralding the arrival of a thrilling new literary talent.

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Road to October 7

Erik Skare

How Islamism became a leading force in the Palestinian resistance

In Road to October 7, Erik Skare argues that Palestinian Islamism is far more complex and dynamic than generally assumed. The phenomenon has continuously developed through disputes between moderates and hardliners. These struggles have largely been settled by external drivers – intra-Palestinian competition, Israeli violence and repression, or shifts in the regional power balance.

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Every Day I Read

Hwang Bo-reum

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

From the author of the international bestseller Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop, a heartfelt invitation to reflect on your relationship with reading and celebrate the joys of books.

Why do we read? What is it that we hope to take away from the intimate, personal experience of reading for pleasure?

How often do we ask these profound, expansive questions of ourselves and of our relationship to the joy of reading? In each of the essays in Every Day I Read, Hwang Bo-reum contemplates what living a life immersed in reading means. She goes beyond the usual questions of what to read and how often, exploring the relationship between reading and writing, when to turn to a bestseller vs. browse the corners of a bookstore, the value of reading outside of your favorite genre, falling in love with book characters, and more.

Every Day I Read provides many quiet moments for introspection and reflection, encouraging book-lovers to explore what reading means to each of us. While this is a book about books, at its heart is an attitude to life, one outside capitalism and climbing the corporate ladder. Lifelong and new readers will take inspiration from it, including a treasure trove of book recommendations blended seamlessly within.

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Language as Liberation

Toni Morrison

Nobel laureate and Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Beloved Toni Morrison investigates Black characters in the American literary canon and the way they shaped the nation’s collective unconscious.

In a dazzling series of lectures from her tenure as a professor at Princeton University, Toni Morrison interrogates America’s most famous works and authors, drawing a direct line from the Black bodies that built the nation to the Black characters that many of the country’s canonical white writers imagined in their work. Morrison sees these fictions as a form of creation and projection, arguing that they helped manufacture American racial identity—these “Africanist” presences are “the shadow that makes light possible,” as Morrison writes, and the reflections of their authors’ own deepest fears, insecurities, and longings.

With profound erudition and wit, Morrison breaks wide open the American conception of race with energetic, enlivening readings of the nation’s canon, revealing that our liberation from these diminishing notions comes through language. “How,” Morrison wonders, “could one speak of profit, of economy, of labor, or progress, of suffragism, or Christianity, of the frontier, of the formation of new states, the acquisition of new lands . . . of practically anything a new nation concerns itself with—without having as a referent, at the heart of the discourse or defining its edges, the presence of Africans and/or their descendants?”

To read these lectures, collected here for the first time, is to encounter Morrison, not just the writer but also the teacher, in the most penetrating and subversive way yet. With a foreword by her son Ford Morrison and an introduction by her Princeton comparative literature colleague Claudia Brodsky, Language as Liberation is a revelatory collection that promises to redefine the American canon.

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The Outward Path

Sebastian Purcell

During the twilight decades of their empire, the learned ones among the Aztec filled numerous volumes with philosophical and ethical thought in testimony recorded by Spanish priests. However, these have been largely overlooked and Westerners often see Aztec culture as a matter for history, anthropology, and archaeology--not the elevated realms of philosophy. Sebastian Purcell aims to change that.

The Outward Path refers to the central insight that our true desire as human beings is not really for "happiness," a fleeting mood. No, what we really want is a rich and worthwhile life, which we can only achieve by pursuing an outward path of engagement with other people. Wisdom is not a matter of "thinking for oneself," but comes through deliberating well in concert with others. Stoic and Buddhist philosophies will teach you to still your mind to address the outside world; but according to the Aztecs, we should cultivate healthy relationships first and then use those to forge a path forward. This "outward path" offers an alternative to the presumptions of our highly individualistic, competitive Western culture, with its epidemic of loneliness and other social ills.

Aztec self-help for the modern world, The Outward Path is the first book in any modern language to present the core ethical principles of the Aztecs. It not only takes a step to correct centuries of misrecognition but provides us with surprising insights about how to address concerns common to everyone, from how to make a good decision or strengthen your willpower, to how to sustain love and survive tragedy. Structured around twelve lessons and seven practical exercises, it's an ethical workout routine designed to help you become a better person--one more deeply rooted and fulfilled.

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Love the Teen You Have

Ann-Louise Lockhart

When it comes to parenting teens, the relationship you share is the foundation for all good things. 

Do you feel like your teen is pulling away, rolling their eyes at every request, or shutting you out? It’s easy to feel like you’ve lost the child you once knew. Parenting teens can stir up frustration, self-doubt, and even memories of your own teenage struggles. But here’s the truth: Raising a teen doesn’t have to feel like a daily battle. Teens stumble because they’re still developing the skills they need to become healthy, happy adults.

Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, a pediatric psychologist and parent coach, has spent over twenty years helping families strengthen relationships and guide teens through this transformative stage. She knows it all comes down to relationship and connection—it’s never too late to reconnect. Teens need a safe foundation to develop lifelong skills like flexibility, impulse control, and emotional regulation. And you’re the best person to help them.

In Love the Teen You Have, you’ll learn how to discipline with love, build executive functioning skills for adulthood, and tackle challenges like ADHD, anxiety, and depression with clarity. You’ll also discover how to reparent yourself, healing wounds you don’t want to pass on. Dr. Lockhart combines relatable humor, stories, and actionable strategies to help you spark deeper connections and rewrite your parenting story. It’s never too late to love the teen you have and enjoy these years together.

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The Other Side of Change

Maya Shankar

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, AS FEATURED ON NBC TODAY SHOW, CBS MORNINGS, ON PURPOSE WITH JAY SHETTY, AND MORE!

"A rare combination of beautiful storytelling, cognitive science, and wholehearted wisdom. —Brené Brown

A revelatory exploration of how we can find meaning in the tumult of change, from a renowned cognitive scientist and host of the critically acclaimed podcast A Slight Change of Plans

Life has a way of thwarting our best-laid plans. Out of nowhere, we’re confronting the end of a relationship, an unexpected diagnosis, the loss of a job, or some other twist of fate. In these moments, it can feel like we’re free-falling into the unknown.

As a cognitive scientist, Maya Shankar has spent decades studying the human mind. When an unwanted change in her own life left her reeling, she sought out people who had navigated major disruptions. In The Other Side of Change, Shankar tells their riveting, singular stories and weaves in scientific insights to illuminate universal lessons hidden within them. The result is a rich portrait of our complex reactions to change and a deep well of wisdom we can draw from during these experiences.

Shankar invites us to rethink our relationship with change altogether. When a big change happens to us, it can lead to profound change within us. The unique stresses and demands of being thrust into a new reality can lead us to uncover new abilities, perspectives, and values, transforming us in extraordinary ways. What if we saw moments of upheaval as an opportunity to reimagine who we can be, rather than as something to just endure? What potential could we unlock within ourselves?

Whether you're processing a past change, grappling with a present one, or bracing for a future one, this book is a wise and thought-provoking companion to help you discover who you can become on the other side of change.

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This Book Made Me Think of You

Libby Page

An Instant USA Today Bestseller!

“A lovely, affecting paean to the power of books and enduring love.”—People

A woman receives an unexpected gift from the man she loved and lost—a year of books, one for every month—launching a reading-inspired journey to live, dream, and love again in this glimmering and heart-stopping novel.

Twelve books. Twelve months. One chance to heal her heart…

When Tilly Nightingale receives a call telling her there’s a birthday gift from her husband waiting for her at her local bookshop, it couldn’t come as more of a shock. Partly because she can’t remember the last time she read a book for pleasure. But mainly because Joe died five months ago....

When she goes to pick up the present, Alfie, the bookshop owner with kind eyes, explains the gift—twelve carefully chosen books with handwritten letters from Joe, one for each month, to help her turn the page on her first year without him.

At first Tilly can’t imagine sinking into a fictional world, but Joe’s tender words convince her to try, and something remarkable happens—Tilly becomes immersed in the pages, and a new chapter begins to unfold in her own life. Monthly trips to the bookstore—and heartfelt conversations with Alfie—give Tilly the comfort she craves and the courage to set out on a series of reading-inspired adventures that take her around the world. But as she begins to share her journey with others, her story—like a book—becomes more than her own.

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Fire Must Burn

Allison Montclair

The owners of The Right Sort Marriage Bureau are back, and more determined than ever to bring love matches to the residents of Post-WWII London . . . so something as trivial as being dragged into a spy mission isn't going to stop them!

Sparks fly when an old friend comes to town . . .

London, 1947. After recent events have left the normally steadfast Iris Sparks thoroughly shaken, she's looking forward to some peace. With The Right Sort doing well, she and business partner Gwen Bainbridge are due a holiday. Until Iris's former boss enlists their help for a secret mission.

Iris, who left British intelligence after the war, is being recruited for her Cambridge connection to one Anthony Danforth. She hasn't seen Tony in almost ten years, yet she and Gwen must manipulate him into hiring their marriage service.

Tony's suspected of being a Soviet operative, and an undercover agent posing as his perfect match could discover the truth. Despite her reluctance at being dragged back into the world of espionage, Iris agrees. After all, Tony was once a very good friend. If he's innocent, she'll happily prove it. If not? Well, no one ever said being a spy was easy . . .

Those who enjoy reading Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher Mysteries and Dorothy Sayers will adore this warm and witty historical mystery!

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Dear Debbie

Freida McFadden

A brand new twisted thriller that will have you cheering "good for her!" from the #1 New York Times bestselling and global sensation Freida McFadden, author of The Housemaid!

Sometimes, enough is enough...

Debbie Mullen is losing it. For years, she has compiled all of her best advice into her column, Dear Debbie, where the wives of New England come for sympathy and neighborly advice. Through her work, Debbie has heard from countless women who are ignored, belittled, or even abused by their husbands. And Debbie does her best to guide them in the right direction.

Or at least, she did.

These days, Debbie's life seems to be spiraling out of control. She just lost her job. Something strange is happening with her teenage daughters. And her husband is keeping secrets, according to the tracking app she installed on his phone. Now, Debbie's done being the bigger person. She's done being reasonable and practical. It's time to take her own advice.

And now it's time for payback against all the people in her life who deserve it the most.

From #1 New York Times and international bestselling author Freida McFadden comes a biting, subversive thriller about what happens when women finally choose to take justice into their own hands - with killer results.

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The Chosen and The Damned

David J. Silverman

A sweeping chronicle placing race at the center of Native American U.S. history, from the award-winning author of This Land Is Their Land.

When the colonial era began, Europeans did not consider themselves as “Whites,” and Native Americans did not think of themselves as “Indians.” Yet as a genocidal struggle for America unfolded over the course of generations, all that changed. Euro-Americans developed a sense of racial identity, superiority, and national mission-of being chosen. They contended that Indians were damned to disappear so Whites could spread Christian civilization. Native people countered that the Great Spirit had created Indians and Whites separately and intended America to belong to Indians alone.

In The Chosen and the Damned, acclaimed historian David J. Silverman traces Indian-White racial arguments across four centuries, from the bloody colonial wars for territory to the national wars of extermination justified as “Manifest Destiny"; from the creation of reservations and boarding schools to the rise of the Red Power movement and beyond. In this transformative retelling, Silverman shows how White identity, defined against Indians, became central to American nationhood. He also reveals how Indian identity contributed to Native Americans' resistance and resilience as modern tribal people, even as it has sometimes pit them against one another on the basis of race.

The epochal story of race in America is typically understood as a Black and White issue. The Chosen and the Damned restores the defining role Native people have played, and continue to play, in our national history.

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Bookish

Lucy Mangan

A celebration of books and a love story to the written word that reveals how books help us connect with other readers through shared stories.

As a child, Lucy Mangan was reading all the time, using books to navigate the challenges and complexities of this world and many others. As an adult, she uses her new relationship with literature to seize upon the most important question: (how) do books prepare us for life?

Bookish vividly tells the story of a reader’s life from the cusp of teenagehood, when everything – including the way we read – undergoes a not-so-subtle transformation. Lucy vividly recounts her metamorphosis from young bookworm to bookish adult, from the way school curricula impact our relationship with literature, to the growing pains of swapping the pleasures of re-reading for those of book-hoarding.

Revisiting the books of all genres (from literary novels and historical saga fiction to apocalyptic zombie novels) that ferried her through each important stage of life—falling in love, finding a job, becoming a mother, and navigating grief—Bookish is a coming-of-age story told through books. It's an ode to our favorite bookish spaces (from the smallest secondhand bookstalls to our favorite libraries, mega-bookshops, and our own bookshelves) and a love story to how books not only shelter our souls through hard times, but also how they help us connect with the people we love through shared stories.

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Mostly Meatless

America's Test Kitchen

200+ plant-forward recipes for the modern-day omnivore looking to eat less meat

Vegetables take center stage in globally inspired nutritious meals, perfect for anyone following a Mediterranean diet

Attention plant-curious cooks, occasional vegetarians, even conflicted carnivores—anyone looking to reduce their meat consumption. This vibrant collection fills a needed middle ground with 200+ hearty recipes that center vegetables and make meat the sidekick. (About half the recipes include some form of meat!)

 

  • Re-engineers Your Favorites with Less Meat: Swiss Chard Enchiladas, Mostly Meatless Meatballs and Marinara, Bacon and Cheese Black Bean Burgers, and Parsnip and Chicken Shawarma bulk up comforting favorites with plants, while paring down the meat.
  • Vegetables at the Center (with Meat as a Seasoning): Embrace anchovies, bacon, and chorizo to season a heap of vegetables with a little meat—like in our Almost Beefless Beef Stew, Caldo Verde, and Breakfast Fried Rice with Spinach and Shiitakes.
  • Flavors from the Mediterranean, Asia, Central America, and Beyond: Recipes take inspiration from healthful eating traditions around the world, whether you’re craving Okonomiyaki, Hot Ukrainian Borscht, Peruvian Arroz con Pollo, or Mapo Tofu.
  • Emphasizes Ease and Efficiency: Cooking more plants doesn’t have to mean spending more time shopping or chopping. We streamlined at every stage of our recipes—leaning on widely available ingredients and shelf-stable pantry goods—to give you time back in your day.
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Is This a Cry for Help?

Emily Austin

Emily Austin, the bestselling "queen of darkly quirky, endearingly flawed heroines" (Sarah Haywood, author of The Cactus), returns with a luminous new novel following a librarian who comes back to work after a mental breakdown only to confront book-banning crusaders in an empowering story of grief, love, and the power of libraries.

Darcy's life turned out better than she could have ever imagined. She is a librarian at the local branch, while her wife Joy runs a book binding service. Between the two of them, there is no more room on their shelves with their ample book collections, various knickknacks and bobbles, and dried bouquets. Rounding out their ideal life is two cats and a sun-soaked house by the lake.

But when Darcy receives the news that her ex-boyfriend, Ben, has passed away, she spirals into a pit of guilt and regret, resulting in a mental breakdown and medical leave from the library. When she returns to work, she is met by unrest in her community, and protests surrounding intellectual freedom, resulting in a call for book bans and a second look at the branch's upcoming DEI programs.

Through the support of her community, colleagues, and the personal growth that results from examining her previous relationships, Darcy comes into her own agency and the truest version of herself. IsThis a Cry for Help? not only offers a moving portrait of queer life after coming of age but also powerfully explores questions about sexuality, community, and the importance of libraries.

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The Hitch

Sara Levine

A New York Times Book Review Editors' Pick * A People Best Book of the Month * An NPR Book of the Day

"Winningly zany . . . [Levine's] commitment to boinging around the loopy little world she's built is total. Only a killjoy would refuse to join her."--New York Times Book Review

From the author of the cult classic Treasure Island!!!, a delightfully unhinged comedy following a woman as she attempts to exorcise the spirit of a dead corgi from her nephew and renegotiate the borders of her previously rational world

Sara Levine debuted with her outrageously original and unforgettable novel Treasure Island!!!, which became a cult classic and bookseller favorite. With the ferocious absurdity of Rachel Yoder's Nightbitch and the inventive comedy of Kevin Wilson's Nothing to See Here, Levine's highly anticipated second novel, The Hitch, follows a woman as she attempts to exorcise the spirit of a dead corgi from her nephew and renegotiate the borders of her previously rational world.

As an antiracist, secular Jewish feminist eco-warrior, Rose Cutler is convinced she knows the right way to do everything, including parent her six-year-old nephew Nathan. When his parents reluctantly agree to let Rose babysit him while they go on a vacation designed to save their marriage, she is determined to follow their rules and not overstep. But on her first day with Nathan, Rose's beloved Newfoundland attacks and kills a corgi at the park and Nathan starts acting strangely: barking, overeating, talking to himself. Rose believes this is how Nathan's child imagination is coping with the dog's death, but Nathan insists the dog isn't dead; her soul leaped into his body, and now she's living inside him. With only a week left before his parents return, Rose races to banish the corgi from her nephew.

An off-kilter comedy about loneliness, bad boundaries, and the exacting nature of unconditional love, The Hitch is a big-hearted novel that exposes the fault lines of our pieties and asks how far a person should stretch to fit into their own family.

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Superfan

Jenny Tinghui Zhang

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

A New York Times Book Review MOST ANTICIPATED Book

“Between the Taylor Swift effect, BTS fever, and the rise (and rise) of Heated Rivalry, fandoms are having a moment—making it the PERFECT TIME to dig into Zhang’s alternately HEARTRENDING AND THRILLING new novel.” —Vogue 

“Equally DARK AND DAZZLING, like a spotlight flickering on a dim stage. This is a book I’ll be recommending to all my coolest friends.” —LitHub

From National Book Foundation 5 UNDER 35 HONOREE Jenny Tinghui Zhang, a novel about a pop idol and his superfan, whose stories shockingly collide 

Freshman Minnie is adrift at college in Austin, Texas, when she discovers a boy band called HOURglass and the online forums that worship them. She especially loves Halo, whose sharp edges feel somehow familiar. After a brief romance goes painfully awry, Minnie pours everything into her new fandom, clinging to each livestream and bonding with other fans online. But when a scandal threatens to expose Halo to harm, Minnie decides that she is the only one who can save him.

Except Halo’s secret is darker than anything the tabloids could imagine. Before he was a superstar heartthrob, he was Eason: a high school dropout haunted by a tragic accident. When he is recruited for HOURglass, it feels like a chance to become someone else. And when he is onstage in front of his fans, he can almost forget the horrors of his past--until one of those very fans threatens to destroy everything.

Dazzling, entrancing, and deeply heartfelt, Superfan is about fandom in all its magic and its terror, and the extreme lengths to which we go to rid ourselves of loneliness.

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They Call Her Regret

Channelle Desamours

In this young adult speculative mystery, a teen must find a way to free a cursed witch in order to save her best friend before time runs out.

Every year horror-loving Simone Washington throws an epic Halloween party for her classmates. Party-planning is her favorite escape from the dark secrets in her past, and this year, she’s taking things up a notch with an invitation-only event to celebrate her eighteenth birthday—something that will leave the halls of Pinegrove Academy flooded with gossip about the big ghoulish bash. The overnight stay at Doll’s Head Lake will be filled with spooky pranks and scary stories told by the fire—including the legend of a local witch named Regret.

But those dark secrets from Simone’s past are forced to the surface at the party when her best friend Kira dies under questionable circumstances. The witch appears and offers Simone a deal: if Simone can figure out how to release Regret from the curse trapping her at the lake within fourteen days, all of Simone’s regrets will be erased. If Simone accepts, Kira’s life will be immediately restored. But if she fails, Kira will die again—and Simone will be the one to kill her.

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Few Blue Skies

Carolina Ixta

In her latest novel, Pura Belpré Award-winning author Carolina Ixta weaves a tender story about love and hope, following a teen as she works to protect her family and community from a major corporation taking over her town.

Paloma Vistamontes is heartbroken. A year ago, her ex-boyfriend, Julio Ramos, broke up with her after his father's death, a tragedy that drove Paloma and him apart. Ever since then, the mountains have felt flatter, the sky farther away.

Now, her hometown of San Fermín, a place where honest people work on farms and in factories, is in danger. Selva, a massive e-commerce conglomerate, threatens to open one of their warehouses beside her high school.

This isn't the first time they've done this. Since Selva arrived, they've opened warehouses everywhere where there used to be green spaces. Because of them, the air pollution is so bad that school is often canceled. Many people, including Paloma's ever-practical Ma, want to leave.

But Paloma wants nothing more than to stay. Because when the smog clears, there is still hope. That hope drives Paloma to reconnect with Julio to expose and challenge the dangers that Selva introduces to communities like their own. Can they stop Selva from destroying everything they know? Is there still a chance for their budding romance?

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Until the Clock Strikes Midnight

Alechia Dow

"Sweet and joyful, this book is as irresistible as hot chocolate swirled with magic!" ―Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times-bestselling author of The Spellshop

The Good Place meets the Brandy version of Cinderella in Until the Clock Strikes Midnight, a cozy, romantic fantasy from award-winning author Alechia Dow.

Darling is the most talented—and unusual—Guardian to get a chance at winning the coveted once-in-a-generation Mortal Outcome Council mentorship. Getting the spot would mean having the opportunity to shape the future happiness of all mortal realms—if she succeeds at her first assignment, Lucy Addlesberg. Darling thinks it’ll be an easy razzle-dazzle job... until she actually meets Lucy. Her life is a complete mess, from her failing bookshop in her downtrodden village to her doomed flirtation with the princess of Lumina. But if there’s one thing Darling’s good at, it’s a makeover.

Calamity is the most talented—and arrogant—Misfortune of his class. It’s his job to save mortals from their own terrible decisions made in the pursuit of the mythical "Happily Ever After." When Calam is granted a shot at the Mortal Outcome Council mentorship, he thinks his dreams are finally coming true. But first, he must pass the test. It should be easy—Lucy Addlesberg has been unfortunate for years. All he has to do is continue her string of bad luck so she can finally come to terms with reality and settle for a safer, more logical path in life. Yet when he arrives, he finds that Lucy has a Guardian assigned to her too—a chipper overachiever who is as colorful as the magic pouring from her glittery wand.

To thwart each other, Darling and Calam insert themselves into Lucy’s life posing as a betrothed couple. As they try to guide her down what they each see as the best path for her, they start questioning their roles and ultimately what they truly want for themselves... and if those feelings of loathing they have for each other might actually be something more like love.

"Witty, tender, and delightfully chaotic, this is proof that happily-ever-afters can be messy, magical, and worth every risk." ―Aiden Thomas, New York Times-bestselling author of Cemetery Boys

Also by Alechia Dow
Just a Pinch of Magic

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The Sun and the Starmaker

Rachel Griffin

There once was a village so far north that most considered it the top of the world... and in that village, the Sun fell in love with her Starmaker. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches comes a whimsical and sweeping romantic fantasy.

Nestled deep in the snowy mountains of the Lost Range, the village of Reverie is a small miracle. Beyond the reach of the Sun, Reverie is dependent upon the magic of the mysterious Starmaker: every morning, he trudges across a vast glacier and pulls in sunlight over the peaks, providing the village with the light it needs to survive.

Aurora Finch grew up on tales of the Starmaker's magic, never imagining she'd one day meet him. But on the morning of her wedding, a fateful encounter in the frostbitten woods changes everything. The Starmaker senses a powerful magic within her and demands she come study under his guidance. With her newfound abilities tied to the survival of the village, Aurora is swept away to his ice-covered castle and far from everything she's ever known.

The Starmaker is as cold and distant as the mountain itself, leaving Aurora to explore his enchanted castle alone. Yet the more she discovers about the sorcerer, the stronger their attraction grows, pulling her closer to the secrets he refuses to share. But a deadly frost approaches and Aurora must uncover what the Starmaker is hiding before she is left in an endless winter that even the Sun cannot touch.

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Heart's Gambit

J.D. Myall

"A high-stakes fantasy that’s impossible to put down... the dangerous romance between Emma and Malcolm kept me on the edge of my seat. Don’t miss this beautiful, powerful debut." - Kristen Ciccarelli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Heartless Hunter

A thrilling and romantic debut fantasy where competitors from two prominent, time-traveling Black families must fight in a deadly magical dueland find themselves falling in love. 

This beautiful edition features:
- Color, designed endpapers
- A stunning foil stamp

The Baldwins and the Davenports have been sworn enemies for centuries. Ever since Venus Davenport and Titus Baldwin, two enslaved kids, fell in love, tried to run away, and got caught by their mistress, Sabine, a powerful witch. Desperate for freedom, they struck a bargain, and she gifted their families the ability to exist outside of time, along with magic to survive and thrive.

Those gifts came at a price.

Once a generation, their families must put forth a competitor for a magical duel to the death to feed Sabine's immortality. This time, Emma Baldwin–a wish spinner–and Malcolm Davenport–a maker of illusions–are chosen.

But when they meet to check out the competition, sparks fly. Soon, the two are exchanging letters, having secret meetings, and fighting off their cursed urges to hurt one another, all while trying not to fall in love. And if they are ever going to have a chance to be together, they only have one choice: to put an end to Sabine’s curse, once and for all.

J.D. Myall's Heart's Gambit is an irresistible journey of dazzling magic, unforgettable first love, and daring to dream of something more.

"Heart's Gambit is positively magic. Readers will fall in love across time and place as they follow Emma and Malcolm through the terror, danger, and redemption of the family curse keeping them bound. It felt like the perfect mix of Caraval and The Night Circus, stamped with Myall's personal brand of hope and rage." - Nisha J. Tuli, USA Today bestselling author of Trial of the Sun Queen
 

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Engineering

Carla Mooney

A fully illustrated book about simple machines for the next generation of engineers!

How do we build skyscrapers? How did ancient people construct pyramids? Why are gears an essential part of motors?

In Engineering: How the Six Simple Machines Support the World, young engineers learn how mechanical, structural, civil, and other types of engineering are based on the six simple machines that humans have been using for thousands of years. The screw, pulley, wedge, wheel and axle, inclined plane, and lever are used to build roads, skyscrapers, bridges, engines, and even other tools. They are the building blocks on which more complicated machines are based. Without these six simple machines, the world would look far different and be much more work to navigate!

Dive deep into the history of simple machines, from ancient times to present day, and learn the physics behind how they increase efficiency and productivity through mechanical advantage. Hands-on STEM activities encourage use of the engineering design process as kids brainstorm and build practical prototypes and explore how we might employ simple machines in the future.

Additional materials include a glossary, a list of media for further learning, a selected bibliography, and index. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.

All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.

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Star Trek: Shaxs' Best (and Worst) Day

Ryan North

From the humorous world of Lower Decks come two adventures featuring the U.S.S Cerritos' security chief doing what he does best, fighting fascists, in these comics based on the hit series!

See the battle to stop the fascist, god-killing clone Kahless II from declaring war on nonfollowers across the galaxy through the eyes of the man, the myth, the legend, Lieutenant Junior Grade Shaxs! See the Bajoran's beast-mode brawl showcasing all the behind-the-scenes Klingon-zealot butt-kicking in full animated glory!

Then, Shaxs had his best day, but now that the universe has been rewritten by the mad android Lore, he's about to have his worst. Starfleet has been distorted into a machine of oppression antithetical to everything it once stood for, and Shaxs has been made into the one thing he despises most in the universe: a fascist. Once he's free of Lore's hold over his mind, it will be up to Shaxs to revert everyone in Starfleet back to their old selves and save the cosmos.

For the first time, get both issues by writer Ryan North and artist Derek Charm in one collection! Shaxs' Best Day was nominated for a 2024 Eisner Award for Best Single Issue/One-Shot and a 2024 Ringo Award for Best Single Issue or Story.

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Lord of the Flies

William Golding

For the 70th anniversary of William Golding’s classic, the first graphic novel adaptation of Lord of the Flies

The original tale of stranded youth devolving into disorder that inspired Yellowjackets and The Hunger Games, now a Penguin Classics Hardcover 

The well-known plot: A plane crashes on a desert island. The only survivors are a group of schoolboys. By day, they explore the dazzling beaches, gorging fruit, seeking shelter, and ripping off their uniforms to swim in the lagoon. At night, in the darkness of the jungle, they are haunted by nightmares of a primitive beast. Orphaned by society, they must forge their own; but it isn't long before their innocent games devolve into a murderous hunt …

William Golding’s Lord of the Flies was originally published in 1954 and has been a canonical text on school syllabi and a familiar literary reference within the public’s consciousness. For the first time this unforgettable classic has been given new life with Aimée de Jongh’s graphic style and gorgeous color adaptation.

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Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 29

Gege Akutami

To gain the power he needs to save his friend from a cursed spirit, Yuji Itadori swallows a piece of a demon, only to find himself caught in the midst of a horrific war of the supernatural!

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

Itadori closes in on Sukuna thanks to the help of Miguel and Larue, two members of Geto’s faction. Despite getting weaker, Sukuna pulls off a black flash attack and begins to recover! As the ultimate battle unfolds, Itadori uses black flash himself in order to awaken his potential!

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Not So Shoujo Love Story, Vol. 3

Curryuku

Life rarely looks like a shoujo manga...

Rei Chan’s quest for the perfect high school romance looks more like a comedy of errors when her would-be rival confesses to her instead!

Valentine’s Day has arrived at Koko High, and for the first time, Hanna is looking forward to the holiday as she works on a surprise gift for Rei—but her suddenly secretive behavior leaves a confused Rei turning to Susan for advice. Heartfelt confessions and emotional reveals abound, but will Rei get the Valentine’s Day of her shoujo manga dreams, or will she somehow end up partnered with a chicken mascot?!

Collects episodes 33–47 of the popular WEBTOON series Not So Shoujo Love Story, along with exclusive, never-before-seen content and a bonus short story!

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Queen Kodiak

Christopher Greenslate

After the death of her mother, an embattled 17 year old moves in with her father on Alaska’s Kodiak island where she befriends a legendary 3000 lb. bear. Unfortunately, the bear’s inevitable capture upsets a millenia-old kaiju grizzly named Queen Kodiak, who will destroy everything in her path to collect her cub.

Following in the massive footsteps of legends like Godzilla and King Kong, comes QUEEN KODIAK, a colossal, super-charged Kodiak grizzly bear... one who survived from the ice-age and who's been irreversibly enhanced by a mysterious geo-thermal energy pulsing in the unknown depths of an Alaskan ice cave. And although QUEEN KODIAK’s been asleep for thousands of years, melting ice and subsequent tectonic activity has disturbed her hibernation. And in her debut graphic novel, she wakes up to find her only cub missing.

But as much as we want to meet her and watch her wreck shop on the pacific northwest (sorry Seattle), our story actually centers on JOEY FOX, an embattled 17-year-old girl, and natural empath, who befriends Queen Kodiak’s cub after a tectonic shift in her own life -- the recent passing of her mother. As a result, Joey’s been sent to Alaska’s Kodiak island to live with the man who left them ten years ago, her state trooper father. In many ways it’s a story about how families survive overwhelming odds.

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Wrack & Rune

Chris Kappel

A teenager born into a secret magical society begins to see his entire world differently after falling for a boy from the Outside.

Nineteen year old Rory Denborough was born into magic by way of the insular society known as The Translators. For his entire life, Rory has been given control over a world of awe-inspiring wonders -- telekinesis, shape-shifting, teleportation, advanced healing, even time travel. Everything is possible thanks to his family’s enchanted bloodline and an ancient language passed down through generations. Rory’s life is full of miracles. But he’s not happy.

Because Rory's world is also a world of secrets. Translators hide in the shadows, keeping their power from the world around them. Rory stuggles in this secrecy, sneaking out of his family's hidden highrise apartment to blend into the wonderfully normal streets and peoples of New York City.
After sneaking out one night, Rory meets Tyson, an Outsider, who knows nothing about the Translators or their gifts. Soon, the two young men are falling in love...but this idyllic romance starts to fall apart once Rory reveals his magical origins. Tyson raises a question--one that Rory has never considered and now must contend with--why keep magic secret, when so many people could be helped by it? The truth--and terrible danger--soon follows.

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Ichi the Witch, Vol. 1

Osamu Nishi

In a world where only women can be witches, one unsuspecting boy acquires their power.

Magic is alive and well in the world, inside beings known as Majiks. By completing a Majik’s trial, a Witch can gain its power. However, only women can become Witches or use magical items. All that changes one day when a young man named Ichi turns the world on its head by defeating an infamous Majik and gaining its magical powers!

Ichi is a reclusive hunter who knows nothing of Witches and Majiks, but he does have a particular obsession for hunting anything that exudes bloodlust. When that instinct leads him to interfere in a battle between the great Witch Desscaras and the horrifying King Majik Uroro, against all odds, he acquires the destructive magic of Uroro, making him the only male Witch in the entire world! And not even Desscaras herself is prepared for the absolute headache that wild child Ichi is about to give her.

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You and I Are Polar Opposites, Vol. 4

Kocha Agasawa

When it comes to romance, opposites really do attract!

Miyu Suzuki is a bright and bubbly high schooler who’s got a crush. There’s just one little problem—when it comes to personality, the guy she’s into is her polar opposite!

Emotions are running high as Suzuki and her friends prepare for their field trip to Kyoto, where new sights, new experiences, and a chance to see each other in a whole new light await. Whether it’s Suzuki wrestling with how she wants Tani to think of her, Nishi deciding how she really feels about Yamada, or Azuma letting her walls down, one thing’s for sure—it’ll be a trip to remember!

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In So Deep, It's Love Already, Volume 1

Reida Soragaki

This unconventional teen romantic comedy manga features a heartbroken fangirl main lead and a shy easily embarrassed love interest.

Otaku Momoka Kirino has devoted her life to her favorite characters -- and Shuuto Kametani, the scary, snappish new boy in class, is just her type! When she catches a glimpse of his blushing face and learns his secret fear of embarrassment around girls, she falls head over heels into... stanning him with all her heart?

But a proper fan is dedicated to spreading their love for their favorites far and wide. As Momoka learns of the protective and gentle nature behind Shuuto's intimidating front, she finds herself worrying that she might want to keep him all to herself...

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A Good Day Starts with Cats and Books (Light Novel)

Satori Satori

A cozy bookstore in the corner of Shinjuku is the purrfect escape for those looking for a new story and some furry friends to read with.

Welcome to Frère, a picture-purrfect share bookstore tucked away in a cozy corner of Shinjuku, complete with its very own adorable cat mascots! In a share bookstore, each shelf is curated by individual "shelf owners," each contributing their own books and personal touch to the space. Inside, you'll meet as many fascinating and unique people as there are books: a hairstylist struggling to keep up with the latest trends, a student trying to make ends meet, a bartender eager to understand people through literature, and other colorful patrons seeking the perfect read. Peek into their lives and watch their relationships blossom as they connect over their shared love of books and the stories that bring them together.

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Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow: DC Compact Comics

Tom King

It's Supergirl like you've never seen her before, in a character-defining sci-fi/fantasy masterpiece from Mister Miracle writer Tom King and Wonder Woman artist Bilquis Evely! Read the story that inspired the upcoming film, published for the first time in DC's popular, portable Compact Comics format!

Kara Zor-El has seen some epic adventures over the years, but she now finds her life without meaning or purpose. Here she is, a young woman who saw her planet destroyed and was sent to Earth to protect a baby cousin who ended up not needing her. What was it all for? Wherever she goes, people only see her through the lens of Superman's fame.


Just when Supergirl thinks she's had enough, everything changes. An alien girl seeks her out for a vicious mission. Her world has been destroyed, and the bad guys responsible are still out there. She wants revenge, and if Supergirl doesn't help her, she'll do it herself, whatever the cost. Now a Kryptonian, a dog, and an angry, heartbroken child head out into space on a journey that will shake them to their very core.

This volume collects Supergirl- Woman of Tomorrow #1-8, the complete story, in DC's 5.5" x 8.5" Compact Comics format.

Finalist - 2023 Hugo Award, Best Graphic Story or Comic
One of NYPL's Best Books for Adults 2022

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Room to Breathe

Kasie West

In this swoony young adult romance from the acclaimed author of Sunkissed, Indy and Beau’s friendship is shattered, but getting accidentally locked in a bathroom together just might be what's needed to reconnect.

When the walls close in, the truth comes out.

When Indy’s life came crashing down, she made a rule: no one could know. To the world, she’s still the same Indy—cool, calm, unshaken. But behind the scenes? It’s chaos.

Her tight-knit crew—Beau, Caroline, and Ava—were once her everything. Now they’re strangers she can’t seem to reach—especially Beau. And the only person she talks to these days is Cody, a skater-boy she used to think was so not her type. Funny how everything changes when your world flips upside down.

And then, as if things couldn’t get weirder, Indy finds herself literally stuck in a school bathroom with Beau. After months of silence, and there’s no escape. If they want out, they’ll have to face the messy truth about what happened between them and find a way back to what they once had. Or maybe even more . . .

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A Barista's Guide to Love & Larceny

Caroline Bonin

This cozy fantasy romance combines magic, first love, and college life into a sweetly brewed and delicious read about a girl roped into investigating a company's dangerous product—perfect for fans of Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe!

"A perfect blend of cozy and heist!. . . I loved it!" —Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times-bestselling author of The Spellshop

Dani Lionet is no stranger to working hard. But now she’s attending her dream magic university, and must manage classes, shifts at the local cafe, and maintaining her partial scholarship—all while trying to keep her unique ability under wraps. That way, no one else can take advantage of it like her parents used to. So when a visiting professor calls Dani out on her ability, she’s terrified.

Yet, it seems Professor Silva just wants to pay Dani to use it to investigate a soon-to-be-released lucid dreaming product with horrible side effects. Dani is hesitant, but she needs the money, and it would help her new friend who was part of the product’s clinical trials. Plus, she has a swoony distraction in Kass, a mage and her endearingly cute new regular at work. . .even if she can't tell him about her ability or extracurricular activities. The fact that he seems just as interested in her is very uncharted territory for Dani since, thanks to her parents, she's never lived in one place long enough to have a real crush.

Can Dani help with the professor's “group project,” learn to embrace her ability, and get to know Kass? Or will it all fall apart before the semester is over?

This enchantingly cozy read is perfect for:
*Readers looking for an accessible entry into fantasy books
*Those who enjoyed To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before or The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches 
*Fans of college and/or New Adult stories
*People who enjoy light heist elements in a story
*Stans of Taylor Swift’s Speak Now album, especially the song “Enchanted”
*Anyone who knows all too well how expensive higher education can be

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See Jane Win

Caitlin Moscatello

*A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW Editor's Choice Pick*

From an award-winning journalist covering gender and politics comes an inside look at the female candidates fighting back and winning elections in the crucial 2018 midterms.
 
After November 8, 2016, first came the sadness; then came the rage, the activism, and the protests; and, finally, for thousands of women, the next step was to run for office—many of them for the first time. More women campaigned for local or national office in the 2018 election cycle than at any other time in US history, challenging accepted notions about who seeks power and who gets it.
 
Journalist Caitlin Moscatello reported on this wave of female candidates for New York magazine’s The Cut, Glamour, and Elle. And in See Jane Win, she further documents this pivotal time in women’s history. Closely following four candidates throughout the entire process, from the decision to run through Election Day, See Jane Win takes readers inside their exciting, winning campaigns and the sometimes thrilling, sometimes brutal realities of running for office while female.
 
MEET THE CANDIDATES:

Abigail Spanberger, a mom of three young girls and a former CIA operative, running for Congress in Virginia to unseat Freedom Caucus member Dave Brat.

Catalina Cruz, a Colombian-born attorney whose state assembly bid could make her the first Dreamer elected in New York and only the third in the country.

Anna Eskamani, an Iranian-American woman running for state office in Florida, with a campaign motivated by her mother’s health-care struggles and the Pulse Nightclub shootings.

London Lamar, a Memphis native looking to become the youngest female representative in the Tennessee state house, running in one of the only Democratic and Black-majority areas of a largely conservative state.
 
Beyond the 2018 victories, Moscatello speaks with researchers, strategists, and the leaders of organizations that helped women win. What she discovers is that the candidates who triumphed in 2018 emphasized authenticity and passion instead of conforming to the stereotype of what a candidate should look or sound like, a formula that will be more relevant than ever as we approach the 2020 presidential election.

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Women in White Coats

Olivia Campbell

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!



For fans of Hidden Figures and Radium Girls comes the remarkable story of three Victorian women who broke down barriers in the medical field to become the first women doctors, revolutionizing the way women receive health care.



In the early 1800s, women were dying in large numbers from treatable diseases because they avoided receiving medical care. Examinations performed by male doctors were often demeaning and even painful. In addition, women faced stigma from illness--a diagnosis could greatly limit their ability to find husbands, jobs or be received in polite society.



Motivated by personal loss and frustration over inadequate medical care, Elizabeth Blackwell, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and Sophia Jex-Blake fought for a woman's place in the male-dominated medical field. For the first time ever, Women in White Coats tells the complete history of these three pioneering women who, despite countless obstacles, earned medical degrees and paved the way for other women to do the same. Though very different in personality and circumstance, together these women built women-run hospitals and teaching colleges--creating for the first time medical care for women by women.



With gripping storytelling based on extensive research and access to archival documents, Women in White Coats tells the courageous history these women made by becoming doctors, detailing the boundaries they broke of gender and science to reshape how we receive medical care today.

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A Century of Women

Deborah G. Felder

What great events have shaped women's lives in the twentieth century and enabled them to step with confidence and optimism into the next millennium? A Century of Women: The Most Influential Events in Twentieth-Century Women's History is a thoughtful and provocative look back at the most significant events in the history of women over the past one hundred years. Decade by decade the author profiles the critical advances in labor, social and political reform, and the cultural movements that have so profoundly affected women. Each event and its influence is discussed in detail, and the historical context is explored. Here is a sampling:

1900-1909 Kansas prohibitionist Carry Nation began hatcheting saloons.

1910-1919 The first birth-control clinic opened in Brooklyn, New York -- and was shut down by police ten days later.

1920-1929 The nineteenth amendment gained women the right to vote. The first Miss America, Margaret Gorman, was crowned.

1930-1939 Margaret Mitchell published Gone With the Wind.

1940-1949 World War II sent women into the work force on the home front.

1950-1959 The Adventures of Ozzie and Harries debuted; the first TV sitcom to show women as happy homemakers.

1960-1969 The birth control pill was approved by the FDA. The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan was published.

1970-1979 Title IX prohibited discrimination on the basis of gender in federally funded programs. Abortion was legalized.

1980-1989 The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that sexual harassment was discrimination and a violation of federal law.

1990-1999 The Citadel and VMI opened their doors to women for the first time.

Essential reading for students and others interested in women's history,this book provides positive affirmation that the twentieth century has truly been a century of women.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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How Women Made Music

National Public Radio (U.S.)



 

Drawn from NPR Music's acclaimed, groundbreaking series Turning the Tables, the definitive book on the vital role of Women in Music--from Beyoncé to Odetta, Taylor Swift to Joan Baez, Joan Jett to Dolly Parton--featuring archival interviews, essays, photographs, and illustrations.

Turning the Tables, launched in 2017, has revolutionized recognition of female artists, whether it be in best album lists or in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

How Women Made Music: A Revolutionary History from NPR Music brings this impressive reshaping to the page and includes material from more than fifty years of NPR's coverage plus newly commissioned work. A must-have for music fans, songwriters, feminist historians, and those interested in how artists think and work, including:

  • Joan Baez talking about nonviolence as a musical principle in 1971
  • Dolly Parton's favorite song and the story behind it
  • Patti Smith describing art as her "jealous mistress" in 1974
  • Nina Simone, in 2001, explaining how she developed the edge in her voice as a tool against racism
  • Taylor Swift talking about when she had no idea if her musical career might work
  • Odetta on how shifting from classical music to folk allowed her to express her fury over Jim Crow

This incomparable hardcover volume is a vital record of history destined to become a classic and a great gift for any music fan or creative thinker.

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Difficult Women

Roxane Gay

Award-winning author and powerhouse talent Roxane Gay burst onto the scene with An Untamed State and the New York Times bestselling essay collection Bad Feminist (Harper Perennial). Gay returns with Difficult Women, a collection of stories of rare force and beauty, of hardscrabble lives, passionate loves, and quirky and vexed human connection.

The women in these stories live lives of privilege and of poverty, are in marriages both loving and haunted by past crimes or emotional blackmail. A pair of sisters, grown now, have been inseparable ever since they were abducted together as children, and must negotiate the elder sister's marriage. A woman married to a twin pretends not to realize when her husband and his brother impersonate each other. A stripper putting herself through college fends off the advances of an overzealous customer. A black engineer moves to Upper Michigan for a job and faces the malign curiosity of her colleagues and the difficulty of leaving her past behind.

From a girls' fight club to a wealthy subdivision in Florida where neighbors conform, compete, and spy on each other, Gay delivers a wry, beautiful, haunting vision of modern America reminiscent of Merritt Tierce, Jamie Quatro, and Miranda July.

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When Women Ran Fifth Avenue

Julie Satow

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * A glittering portrait of the golden age of American department stores and of three visionary women who led them, from the award-winning author of The Plaza.

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Vogue, Smithsonian, New York Post, and Financial Times

"Ms. Satow's carefully researched book is compulsively readable: I found myself dashing through it like a novel. She portrays the women with verve; we get a glimpse into their lives, as well as a sense of what it was like at each of these retail meccas." --The Wall Street Journal

"Compelling and colorful" --The Washington Post

The twentieth century American department store: a palace of consumption where every wish could be met under one roof - afternoon tea, a stroll through the latest fashions, a wedding (or funeral) planned. It was a place where women, shopper and shopgirl alike, could stake out a newfound independence. Whether in New York or Chicago or on Main Street, USA, men owned the buildings, but inside, women ruled.

In this hothouse atmosphere, three women rose to the top. In the 1930s, Hortense Odlum of Bonwit Teller came to her husband's department store as a housewife tasked with attracting more shoppers like herself, and wound up running the company. Dorothy Shaver of Lord & Taylor championed American designers during World War II--before which US fashions were almost exclusively Parisian copies--becoming the first businesswoman to earn a $1 million salary. And in the 1960s Geraldine Stutz of Henri Bendel re-invented the look of the modern department store. With a preternatural sense for trends, she inspired a devoted following of ultra-chic shoppers as well as decades of copycats.

In When Women Ran Fifth Avenue, journalist Julie Satow draws back the curtain on three visionaries who took great risks, forging new paths for the women who followed in their footsteps. This stylish account, rich with personal drama and trade secrets, captures the department store in all its glitz, decadence, and fun, and showcases the women who made that beautifully curated world go round.

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Women

National Geographic

This powerful photography collection, drawn from the celebrated National Geographic archive, reveals the lives of women from around the globe, accompanied by revelatory new interviews and portraits of contemporary trailblazers including Oprah Winfrey, Jane Goodall, and Christiane Amanpour.

#MeToo. #GirlBoss. Time's Up. From Silicon Valley to politics and beyond, women are reshaping our world. Now, in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, this bold and inspiring book from National Geographic mines 130 years of photography to showcase their past, their present, and their future. With 400+ stunning images from more than 50 countries, each page of this glorious book offers compelling testimony about what it means to be female, from historic suffragettes to the haunting, green-eyed "Afghan girl."
Organized around chapter themes like grit, love, and joy, the book features brand-new commentary from a wide swath of luminaries including Laura Bush, Gloria Allred, Roxane Gay, Melinda Gates, New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, and the founders of the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements. Each is accompanied by a bold new portrait, shot by acclaimed NG photographer Erika Larsen. The ultimate coffee table book, this iconic collection provides definitive proof that the future is female.

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Hattie Mae Begins Again

Sharon G. Flake

From the three-time Coretta Scott King Honor winning author of The Skin I'm In comes a poignant story about a southern girl far from home at an elite girls boarding school in the north, who must find the courage to be herself and to dream of a brighter future, set against the backdrop of the great migration in South Philly.

You can be what you want in life.
Climb as high as you wish.
Nothing can stop you,
not even pedigree.

Hattie Mae is from Seed County, North Carolina. She knows hard work: milking cows, plucking chickens, minding the garden. Her hands are made for manual labor, her feet for dirt—that is, according to Lisa and some of the girls at Miss Abigail’s School for Exceptional Young Ladies in Philadelphia. In their eyes, Hattie Mae will never break into upper society and is unworthy of becoming a doctor or a lawyer.

Though Hattie Mae sticks out like a sore thumb and has more in common with the hundreds of Black folks pouring into the city looking for better opportunities during the Great Migration, she knows that she belongs. She just has to prove it to the rest of the girls—and maybe even to herself.

A moving coming-of-age story about finding the courage to be yourself, chasing your dreams, and lending a hand to others along the way.

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Nadia Islam, on the Record

Adiba Jaigirdar

In this illustrated middle grade novel by bestselling author Adiba Jaigirdar, a curious and competitive girl travels to celebrate Ramadan with her family in Bangladesh, where she learns about the country's climate crisis--and the true meaning of her favorite holiday. A must-read for fans of Saadia Faruqi and Kelly Yang!

Even though Nadia Islam is excited to meet her cousins on her summer trip to Bangladesh, she is disappointed not to be celebrating her first Ramadan fasting alongside her best friend, Yasmin. Then again, she just might find the news story that will get her picked to be her school paper's editor-in-chief!

As soon as she lands, Nadia realizes she has a lot to learn about Bangladesh. Fortunately, her favorite aunt (and fellow journalist) is spending the summer researching the disastrous flooding in the region--and she just might need Nadia's help to get the inside scoop about the country's climate dangers.

Meanwhile, Nadia's cousins are almost as competitive as she is, and suggest a contest to see who can keep the most fasts. Between her journalism and her determination to win the Ramadan Race, Nadia is sure to have the best Ramadan ever--right?

Adiba Jaigirdar's middle grade debut, with lovely interior artwork by Avani Dwivedi, celebrates family, faith, and community, and will inspire young readers looking to make their own difference in the world.

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Shaped by Love: an Ode to Mom Bods

Nikki Powers

"As captivating as it is important, a lovely and essential tribute to the transformation wrought by parenthood." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Intimate, inclusive, and brimming with bold colors, this tribute to the physical and emotional bond between mother and child is the perfect gift for new parents to treasure and share.

Before babies enter the world and arrive in their parents' arms, they are held inside their mothers. Mother and child grow strong as one, nourished by love. Moms imagine the little ones they carry inside, dream of them, wait and long for them, and when those babies arrive, a mother's body eases their hunger, heals their hurt, and holds and soothes them when they are sad. As the years pass and mother and child grow and change, their bodies change with them--altered by time and tenderness, courage and joy. Lyrical text and warm, energetic illustrations track the evolution of a timeless bond in the lives of diverse families. Destined to be a go-to gift for new or soon-to-be parents, this portrait of the physical and emotional journey through giving birth, parenthood, and aging is a love letter to families of all kinds.

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The Ocean Calls

Tina Cho

A breathtaking picture book featuring a Korean girl and her haenyeo (free diving) grandmother about intergenerational bonds, finding courage in the face of fear, and connecting with our natural world.

Dayeon wants to be a haenyeo just like Grandma. The haenyeo dive off the coast of Jeju Island to pluck treasures from the sea--generations of Korean women have done so for centuries. To Dayeon, the haenyeo are as strong and graceful as mermaids. To give her strength, Dayeon eats Grandma's abalone porridge. She practices holding her breath while they do the dishes. And when Grandma suits up for her next dive, Dayeon grabs her suit, flippers, and goggles. A scary memory of the sea keeps Dayeon clinging to the shore, but with Grandma's guidance, Dayeon comes to appreciate the ocean's many gifts.

Tina Cho's The Ocean Calls, with luminous illustrations by muralist Jess X. Snow, is a classic in the making.

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Off-Limits

Helen Yoon

For every child who has ever felt that grown-ups have all the fun, here is a vicarious chance to slip behind the office door—and play with all the tempting things that are off-limits.

Dad’s office is off-limits—which only makes it more intriguing to his curious young daughter. As soon as she sees an opening, she sneaks in to have a look around. After all, there’s no harm in just looking, right? What she discovers is a magical wonderland of sticky tape, paper clips that make glorious strands, and a kaleidoscopic array of sticky notes. Who could possibly resist playing with those? In a joyful ode to office supplies, Helen Yoon leads a celebration of just-for-once breaking the rules—and offers a final, funny nod to adults who harbor a similar urge.

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I Want My Hat Back

Jon Klassen

A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2011!

A picture-book delight by a rising talent tells a cumulative tale with a mischievous twist.

The bear's hat is gone, and he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says no, some more elaborately than others. But just as the bear begins to despond, a deer comes by and asks a simple question that sparks the bear's memory and renews his search with a vengeance. Told completely in dialogue, this delicious take on the classic repetitive tale plays out in sly illustrations laced with visual humor-- and winks at the reader with a wry irreverence that will have kids of all ages thrilled to be in on the joke.

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Jabari Jumps

Gaia Cornwall

Working up the courage to take a big, important leap is hard, but Jabari is almost absolutely ready to make a giant splash.

Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He’s finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he’s a great jumper, so he’s not scared at all. “Looks easy,” says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. He needs to figure out what kind of special jump to do anyway, and he should probably do some stretches before climbing up onto the diving board. In a sweetly appealing tale of overcoming your fears, newcomer Gaia Cornwall captures a moment between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can’t help but root for.

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Don't Think of Tigers

Alex Latimer

Dream up anything you like, dear reader, and watch it come to life on the next page—just no tigers! This fun read-aloud about creativity and perspeverance will have your reader giggling and inspired, all while our hero learns that with a bit of practice, even the wildest challenges can be tamed.

This book is MAGIC! Imagine anything you like, and the illustrator will draw it on the next page. There's only one rule: DON'T THINK OF TIGERS! Ready?

Oh dear. You thought of tigers, didn't you? Please, think of anything else. A cow doing ballet? No problem! Just no tigers. Our illustrator really, really can't draw tigers...

Or can he?

As his hilariously silly and irresistibly charming drawings of tigers improve, Alex Latimer delivers a subtle but important message about practice, creativity, and embracing imperfection. 

A fun read-aloud that's sure to delight time and time again, this is the perfect book for kids who love to draw—and for those who don't (but might soon!).

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I'm Sorry You Got Mad

Kyle Lukoff

Newbery Honor winner Kyle Lukoff explores the importance of learning to apologize.

One of The Atlantic’s 65 Essential Children’s Books

Jack wants to apologize for hurting Zoe's feelings. He just can't seem to find the right words. 

Turns out there's more to an apology than just saying "I'm sorry."

Elevated by equally charming illustrations and text, I'm Sorry You Got Mad is a journey in learning the importance of an apology that goes deeper than just words.

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Piper Chen Sings

Phillipa Soo

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An empowering story about a girl who turns her performance jitters into confidence when faced with singing a solo at her school concert. Inspired by the childhood experience of award-winning actress Phillipa Soo who originated the role of Eliza in Hamilton.

Piper Chen loves nothing more than to sing. She sings to the sun, and she sings to the moon. She sings to her stuffed animals and with the birds outside her window. So, when her music teacher asks if Piper would like to sing a solo in her school’s Spring Sing, all she can say is “yes!” But as practice continues, doubt and worry creep in and Piper’s confidence wavers. She feels like butterflies are having a dance party in her belly. At home, Piper finds Nai Nai, her grandmother, at the piano. They’ve always shared a love of music, and Piper knows if anyone can help her through the unsettling feeling in her stomach and to shine her brightest at the Spring Concert, it’s Nai Nai.

First time picture book writers and sisters-in-law, Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran along with acclaimed illustrator Qin Leng have created a cheerful intergenerational and stunning story that inspires confidence in the face of nervousness

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The Book That Almost Rhymed

Omar Abed

Every great adventure needs a hero—or two! This playful take on storytelling and equity proves that two tellers can make a rhyming tale twice as nice.

What do you do with an interrupting sibling? Especially when she's stepping all over your story with wild ideas that don’t. Even. Rhyme. Knights riding rockets? Dancing pirates? Who’s ever heard of a fire-breathing armadillo?! But when this big brother realizes his sister just might be improving his yarn—and doing it with an impressive surprise of her own—it's clear what you do with an interrupting sibling. You share the narrative! Turns out adventure is way more fun when you build it together, rhyme by daring rhyme.

"Sure to amuse." Booklist (starred review)
"Immensely creative . . . Exciting."BookPage (starred review)
"Riotous."Kirkus
"Hilarious . . . Such a funny read-aloud." —Book Riot
"Sprightly . . . Energetic."Publishers Weekly
"Funny throughout." —The Horn Book

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The Day You Begin

Jacqueline Woodson

A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

Featured in its own episode in the Netflix original show Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices!

National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and two-time Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner Rafael López have teamed up to create a poignant, yet heartening book about finding courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone.

There will be times when you walk into a room
and no one there is quite like you.

There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look or talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it. 

Jacqueline Woodson's lyrical text and Rafael López's dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.

(This book is also available in Spanish, as El Día En Que Descubres Quién Eres!)

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Mustafa's Mithai

Sana Rafi

A delightful picture book that celebrates the variety of sweets in South Asia and the small moments shared between loved ones in our everyday lives.

Mustafa loves happy occasions because he gets to eat mithai! He looks forward to biting into barfi, munching on halwa, or gobbling up a whole ladu. But now that his Baba's birthday has passed and his Nani and Nanu already came to visit, there are no more reasons to have fun and enjoy mithai.

When Ammi reminds him that mithai is sweetest when shared and something as simple as a day spent with loved ones can be a reason to celebrate, Mustafa decides to turn an ordinary day into a happy occasion. . .and of course eat mithai! 

Mustafa invites all of his friends over for a playdate and introduces them to mithai by finding the perfect sweet for each person, including his ammi.

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Willow Takes on the Weather

Rachel Noble

Sporting her sunglasses, sunscreen, and swimsuit, little Willow has BIG plans for a bright, beautiful day. She’s ready to dance, splash, fly, and have great fun in the sun! 

But Weather has plans of its own. Personified as larger than life characters, a storm rolls in: Wind howls, Dark Clouds blow in, and Rain falls. 

Wearing her cloudiest attitude, Willow tries, with a shout, a mighty breath, and a strong arm, to show Weather who’s boss. Shown in dramatic colorful washes vividly depicting both the depths of Willow’s determination and the resilience of Weather, Willow’s efforts are mighty. But ultimately, there’s no changing Weather’s plans—not even for a strong little one like Willow. 

Just when Willow thinks her fun is rained out, a surprise is in store. Nudge, Tap-tap, Drippity drop. Far from fair-weather friends, Wind, Dark Clouds, and Rain are ready to play. But can fearless, determined Willow banish her stormy attitude long enough to accept changed plans, new friends, and a fresh way to play? 

Readers will want to grab their jacket and rain boots and splash into Willow’s playful, imaginative adventure, which proves that even stormy days are brimming with so many fun possibilities.

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The Beautiful Layers of Me

Sophia Payne

A young girl gains the confidence to participate in her family's tradition--and be fully herself--in a vibrant ode to difference and love from a new voice in picture books.

Ameena can't wait for her auntie's Nikah. She's never been to a wedding, and today there is one in her own garden! After putting on the salwar kameez that Babu gave her, with its soft layers of floaty fabric, she feels like a princess, skipping down the garden path. "Oh wow!" comes a friendly voice over the fence. "I wish I had pajamas like that!" Suddenly Ameena, her cheeks hot, starts to wonder: should she wear something else? In a gentle text capturing all the nuances of a first cultural experience, Sophia Payne follows a child's passage from self-doubt to worry to pride, while Ruchi Mhasane's expressive illustrations render the wedding garb in glowing colors and patterns that will have young readers wanting to join in the celebration.

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Our Pebbles

Jarvis

In a tenderly told story, the creator of Thank You and The Boy with Flowers in His Hair explores small moments that were once shared by a child and grandad on a pebble beach.

Grandad always knows the best way to go to Pebble Beach. As they climb the dunes, he and his grandchild can smell the sea before they see it. There they meet a seal and find old pirate wood. They have melty ice cream. And every time, before saying goodbye to the beach, they each pick a pebble. "Do you know this pebble is older than me?" Grandad says with a twinkle in his eye. In a wistful musing on memory, loss, and love, Jarvis offers a medley of moments--Grandad's silly dance with the wiggly knees; the two of them smushing together and painting their day the best they could. With lyrical prose and gentle, sun-kissed illustrations, he shows us such memories are always there for the taking, as lasting as pebbles on the beach.

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Yay!

Jessica Kulekjian

A joyous picture book celebrating all of life's moments, whether big or small.

What reason to say “yay” will you discover today? 

Life is full of moments to celebrate! Whether you win big or learn a tough lesson, get lucky or need to try again, have a big crowd cheering for you or are on your own, say YAY!

This joyful picture book is the perfect gift for little loved ones at graduations, birthdays, and just to say I love you.

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Suka's Farm

Ginger Park

Based on the authors' family history, this story set in Japanese-occupied Korea portrays an unlikely friendship between a hungry child and an old farmer.



Life in 1941 Korea is difficult for Kwan and his family. Under Japanese occupation, food is scarce. Though he's only a child, Kwan is desperate to help his family, so he asks Mr. Suka, a Japanese farmer, for a job. Mr. Suka teaches Kwan how to care for a herd of goats, and soon what began as an act of kindness becomes a genuine friendship that brings them both joy.

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The History of We

Nikkolas Smith

An awe-inspiring picture book about the origin and advancement of humans, from author and #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Nikkolas Smith.

Fossil records show that the first humans were born in Africa. Meaning, every person on Earth can trace their ancestry back to that continent. The History of We celebrates our shared ancestors' ingenuity and achievements and imagines what these firsts would have looked and felt like.

What was it like for the first person to paint, to make music, to dance, to discover medicine, to travel to unknown lands? It required courage, curiosity, and skill. 

The History of We takes what we know about modern human civilization and, through magnificent paintings, creates a tale about our shared beginnings in a way that centers Black people in humankind's origin story.

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An Encantadora's Guide to Monstros and Magic

Sarah J. Mendonca

Encanto meets Oceans 8 in this middle-grade fantasy-adventure, set in a Portuguese-inspired world, following a tween girl who joins a notorious band of thieves to steal a priceless jewel and discovers corruption that must be stopped.



Rosa Coelho has spent her whole life hunting monstros, wandering the city streets with her best friend Tiago, and dreaming of a better life for herself and her grandmother. And in a society that favors the rich and educated, every piece of knowledge comes with a hefty price, even the most basic books Rosa's family needs to trap monstrous.



So when the powerful Ministério dos Monstros threatens her family's struggling Encantadora shop, Rosa only has two weeks to scrape together the money for their debts. It seems like an impossible task...until Rosa tricks her way onto an infamous thief crew as their magical safecracker.



Thrust into the world of high class luxury and betrayal, Rosa is pulled into a scheme with the highest possible stakes: stealing from the Ministry itself. She must learn to trust her magical abilities and her crew--for if the heist goes wrong, everything she loves is forfeit.

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Berry Parker Doesn't Catch Crushes

Tanita S. Davis

With her mom's new boyfriend, her best friend's new crush, and her dad's interest in her gym teacher, Berry vows to never catch a crush--and to show everyone how much better things would be without theirs--in this stand-alone contemporary middle grade from Tanita S. Davis, author of The Science of Friendship and Partly Cloudy.

Every year, Berry's mom, Ivy, visits for a three-week "August Invasion." And every summer Berry hopes will be the one when Ivy will stay--forever.

Which is why Ivy's surprise return visit is amazing--until Berry realizes her mom didn't come for her. Ivy's back to pack the last of her things, and she's brought her new "friend," Mr. Cole to help. When Berry discovers that Mr. Cole is taking a job in England, she's convinced that Ivy wants to move all the way across the ocean with him, to where an August Invasion can't reach. Even at school, messy feelings are ruining everything. Berry's best friend, Lia, rearranges her schedule to have classes with her crush, leaving Berry alone all day. Even Berry's normally boring dad is making excuses to talk to her gym teacher.

All these crushes are crushing the life out of Berry. Weren't things better before these extra people came along? Why do things have to change?

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Aarzu All Around

Marzieh Abbas

“Heartfelt and triumphant.” —Rajani LaRocca, Newbery Honor–winning Author of Red, White, and Whole

A cricket-loving Pakistani girl stifled by patriarchal expectations disguises herself as a boy to get a job to pay her sister’s medical bills in this “lyrical action-packed debut full of determination and grit” (Reem Faruqi, award-winning author of Golden Girl).

Living with her aunt and patriarchal uncle in Karachi, Pakistan, recently orphaned twelve-year-old Aarzu detests the way she and her younger sister get treated like extras and excluded from all the fun stuff. Aarzu dreams of playing cricket, just like her male cousins and the neighborhood boys in the streets, but her uncle will hear nothing of it. According to him, girls ought to master the art of making round rotis, not play sports.

When her sister requires urgent medical treatment but finances are tight, Aarzu decides to earn money herself. She hears of a part-time job at a bungalow near her school—but it’s only open to boys. Aarzu has no choice but to disguise herself as a turban-wearing boy to get the gig.

Now, Aarzu must find a way to balance school, work, chores, and secret cricket practices—all without burning out or getting caught by her uncle—or else her dreams of making the girls cricket team and her quest to save her sister will crumble around her.

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Fight to Win!

Kim Kelly

"Freed Black women organizing for protection in the Reconstruction-era South. Jewish immigrant garment workers braving deadly conditions for a sliver of independence. Asian American fieldworkers rejecting government-sanctioned indentured servitude across the Pacific. Incarcerated workers advocating for basic human rights and fair wages. The queer Black labor leader who helped orchestrate America's civil rights movement. These are only some of the working-class heroes who propelled American labor's relentless push for fairness and equal protection under the law. In this well-researched work of journalism, Teen Vogue columnist and independent labor reporter Kim Kelly excavates our history and shows how the rights the American worker has today-the forty-hour workweek, workplace-safety standards, restrictions on child labor, protection from harassment and discrimination on the job-were earned with literal blood, sweat, and tears. Inspirational, intersectional, and full of crucial lessons from the past, Fight to Win shows what is possible when the working class demands the dignity it has always deserved"--

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How to be an Eco Explorer

Yussef Rafik

This gorgeously illustrated book invites you on an eco adventure through 10 important ecosystems, with fascinating nature facts and planet-saving activities.

You don't need a big garden of fancy equipment to bring about positive changes – all you need is the spirit of an eco explorer: curiosity, respect for nature and a desire to do good. 

We know that the environment needs our help, but can we really make a difference? Beloved children's presenter Yussef Rafik has made it his mission to share his knowledge about the natural world and the things we can do to help it. 

How to Be an Eco Explorer introduces you to 10 key ecosystems, from gardens to the coast, and from arid lands to the city. For each one, you will discover:
 

  • Ecosystem facts: learn about how the ecosystem works, including the challenges it faces
  • Small solutions: discover little things we can do to help solve these challenges, as individuals or as a society
  • Habitat heroes: meet under-appreciated animal heroes that are crucial to making the ecosystem work, such as pond snails, cellar spiders and dung beetles
  • Practical activities: enjoy two step-by-step activities that you can try at home. For example, learn how to make your own rainwater harvester or bathyscope for spying critters underwater!


This is the perfect book for young people feeling anxious about the environment, but also for parents looking for inspiring ways to get their children outside, having fun and learning.

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Ready, Steady, Sloth!

Justin Anderson

Follow--very slowly--a brown-throated sloth and her clinging baby as they go on a secretive, daring mission in this captivating look at a hugely popular creature by a BBC documentary maker.

Did you know that sloths give birth hanging upside down? That they fall out of their tree in the rainforest canopy about once a week? That they're covered with algae and small brown moths that serve as an excellent disguise? Or that it takes them thirty days to digest a single leaf? The animals' slow digestion may account for their weekly long journey from treetops to ground (where they deposit a smelly signal to other sloths), and their talent for freezing in place helps to keep them safe from predators during this dangerous operation. With humor and warmth, this engaging narrative, coupled with vividly colorful, friendly illustrations, is sure to please sloth lovers and attract new fans. More information about the seven species of sloths can be found in the back matter, along with resources for helping to save this enduring animal's dwindling habitat.

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A World Without Summer

Nicholas Day

The true story of how a massive catastrophic eruption plunged the world into darkness, altering the global climate and inspiring the likes of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein—from the award-winning author of The Mona Lisa Vanishes and featuring black-and-white illustrations throughout.

“A tour-de-force for our times . . . At once a heart-stopping tale of climate change and a profoundly hopeful call to action.”—Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal winner for The One and Only Ivan

The world was upside-down. The wind was fire. The sky was ash. The rain was rock.

A couple of hundred years ago, on a quiet Indonesian island, a volcano called Tambora erupted with a force and violence that changed history.

It tore apart the island, and in the months and years that followed, its fallout tore apart the world. The sun refused to shine; the rain refused to stop. Everything that everyone assumed would always be there—a world that made sense, a climate that made sense—was suddenly gone.

From this riot of thunder and lightning, a young woman named Mary Shelley conceived of a scientist and his cursed creature. From the nightmare of Tambora, she wrote a nightmare of a book: Frankenstein—a terrifying reminder of how much damage we humans might do, without even realizing it.

This is the story of a volcano that changed the world and a creature that changed us.

Once upon a time, everything was different. And no one knew if it would ever be the same.

In this masterful work, Nicholas Day, author of the Sibert Award–winning The Mona Lisa Vanishes, brings us a story taken from the archives but seemingly scripted for us today: a tale of climate change and human folly and hope—and what happens when the world suddenly goes wrong.

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Jovita Wore Pants

Aida Salazar

**A CALDECOTT HONOR BOOK**

The remarkable true story of Jovita Valdovinos, a Mexican revolutionary who disguised herself as a man to fight for her rights!

* "Graceful . . deft . . . mesmerizing. . . . Bravery and determination prevail in this inspiring tale." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Gorgeous...hits the perfect balance of lively and lyrical...outstanding." -- School Library Journal, starred review

* "Exquisite prose. . . . stunning spreads." -- BookPage, starred review

Jovita dreamed of wearing pants! She hated the big skirts Abuela made her wear. She wanted to scale the tallest mesquite tree on her rancho, ride her horse, and feel the wind curl her face into a smile

When her father and brothers joined the Cristero War to fight for religious freedom, Jovita wanted to go, too. Forbidden, she defied her father's rules - and society's - and found a clever way to become a trailblazing revolutionary, wearing pants!

This remarkable true story about a little-known maverick Mexican heroine is brought vividly to life by her great-niece and Américas Award-winner Aida Salazar, and Eisner Award-honoree Molly Mendoza.

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Avery and the Fairy Circle

Rowan Kingsbury

Avery stumbles into a magical circle transporting her to a wonderous fairy world.

Avery's family has just moved to a small cottage in the forest. She is obsessed with plants and loves exploring nature outside her home until one day she stumbles into a magic fairy circle. Shrinking to the size of a teeny tiny fairy, Avery tries to find her way back home. A young fairy named Birch agrees to help her reverse the magic, but only if Avery helps her complete some fairy chores! Hopefully, Avery can befriend Birch and complete the tasks required if she wants to return home before her parents discover she is missing...

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Lunch in the Leaves

Marzieh A. Ali

Nadia and Nadir spend a fun autumn day playing in the leaves. After things get a little too rough, they decide to create natural art while waiting for their Abu and Ammi to make a cozy barbecue lunch. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.Calico Kid is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.

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Night Light

Michael Emberley

Perfect for new readers in the first grade: a comic about a child, a parent, and the magic of a starry night. By Geisel Award-Winner Michael Emberley!

A blackout! Right in the middle of “the last” bedtime story. The child cries. It’s too dark! The parent gathers stars from the sky light up the child’s room. Now someone else is crying! It’s the moon! The parent returns the stars to they sky, and parent and child pack up their blankets and pillows to sleep outside.

New readers can practice phonics reading with the silent letters "g" and "o" in words such as too, night, light, right, and tight. Children can also read about these characters in I Did It! a Theodor Geisel Award Winner and Let’s Go!, which is on the ALA Best Graphic Novels reading list.

I Like to Read Comics are perfect for kids who are challenged by or unengaged in reading, kids who love art, and the growing number of young comics fans. Filled with eye-catching art, humor, and terrific stories, these comics provide unique reading experiences for growing minds. We hope that all new readers will say, “I like to read comics!”

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Training Day

Raúl the Third

"Bursting with imagination and creativity! Your kids will go loco for El Toro!" --Jeff Kinney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series

From New York Times bestselling, three-time Pura Belpré Award-winning author-illustrator Raúl the Third, Training Day finds El Toro preparing for his wrestling match in Spanish and English in this graphic-novel-style El Toro & Friends paper-over-board reader from the Eisner-nominated World of ¡Vamos!

Little Lobo introduced readers to his wrestling hero El Toro in ¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market! Now El Toro is off on his own adventures in this early reader graphic novel series!

Getting out of bed isn't always easy, especially for Mexican wrestling star El Toro. But his coach, Kooky Dooky, knows that it's important for the wrestler to stay in shape and keep training--even when he doesn't feel like it.

Can Kooky Dooky raise El Toro's spirits and get him to practice before his next big wrestling match?

With unique, detailed illustrations and easy Spanish and English vocabulary words, sports fans and comic book fans alike will fall in love with El Toro on his training day adventures in this fun early reader graphic novel.

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Tiny Tales: Shell Quest

Steph Waldo

Introducing I Can Read Comics, a brand-new early reader line that familiarizes children with the world of graphic novel storytelling and encourages visual literacy in emerging readers.

When a little slug finds new friends in the backyard, she notices they look a lot like her...except they have shells! Maybe a shell is exactly what she needs to fit in--but finding one is a lot harder than it sounds!

Tiny Tales: Shell Quest is a Level Three I Can Read Comic, a more complex story for independent readers.

An Eisner nominee for Best Publication for Early Readers

A Kirkus Best Book of the Year

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

A Junior Library Guild Selection

An ALSC Graphic Novel Reading List Title

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Makeda Makes a Home for Subway

Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

The second title in a delightful new Level 2 I Can Read! series from acclaimed author Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich and illustrator Lydia Mba, starring Makeda, an exuberant seven-year-old "maker" and problem solver who loves to create.

Perfect for readers who love Rosie Revere, Engineer and Reina Ramos Works It Out.

Makeda is excited to bring Subway, the class guinea pig, home for the weekend. But Subway seems S-A-D--so Makeda and her friend Glory decide to make him an F-U-N new cage to cheer him up. But what if what is fun for Makeda is not fun for Subway?

This Level 2 I Can Read! book features an engaging story, longer sentences, and language play perfect for developing readers.

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Ty's Travels: All Aboard!

Kelly Starling Lyons

A Geisel Honor-winning series! "Both an excellent book for guided reading and a winning read-aloud." --Kirkus (starred review)

Join Ty on his imaginative adventures in Ty's Travels: All Aboard!, a My First I Can Read series by acclaimed author and illustrator team Kelly Starling Lyons and Niña Mata. Family time and imagination and play are highlighted in this fun story, perfect for sharing with children 3 to 6.

Ty wishes his family would play with him, but everyone is too busy before dinnertime. Luckily, Ty knows just what to do... Time for fun. Celebrate the power of imagination in All Aboard!

With simple, rhythmic text and joyful, bright art, this Guided Reading Level I and My First series is perfect for shared reading with a child. Books at this level feature basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations, ideal for sharing with emergent readers. The active, engaging stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.

A Chicago Public Library Best Fiction Book for Young Readers 2020 * A 2021 Here Wee Read Ultimate Diverse Children's Book * Author Kelly Starling Lyons selected as the 2021 Piedmont Laureate

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Hi! Fly Guy

Tedd Arnold

From bestselling author/illustrator Tedd Arnold, creator of PARTS and GREEN WILMA, comes the hilarious FLY GUY! It's easy to read and it comes with a shiny foil cover!

 

"A fly was flying. He was looking for something to eat. Something tasty. Something slimy. A boy was walking. He was looking for something to catch. Something smart. Something for The Amazing Pet Show." The boy and fly meet and so begins a beautiful friendship. Er, and so begins a very funny friendship. Using hyperbole, puns, slapstick, and silly drawings, bestselling author/illustrator Tedd Arnold creates an easy reader that is full of fun. With an eye-catching holographic cover. This is the first in a series of four.

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Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up

Melissa Thomson

Keena Ford doesn't mean to be a troublemaker, but sometimes things get out of hand. Lucky for her, it's the beginning of the second grade and Keena's got a clean slate. So when her new second-grade teacher, Ms. Campbell, mistakenly thinks it's her birthday and brings in a huge chocolate cake, Keena realizes that she's gotten herself into a sticky situation. She knows she has to tell the truth, but it's not easy to turn down her very own birthday cake and a chance to wear a sparkly crown. How will Keena get out of this mess?

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Pizza and Taco: Who's the Best?

Stephen Shaskan

The first in a hilarious young graphic novel series about Pizza and Taco. Two best friends, lots of toppings...but only one of them can be the BEST, right? Fans of Narwhal and Jelly will eat this book up...and be hungry for more!

Best friends are the BEST! But WHO is the BEST? Is it Pizza or Taco? The question is debatable! They both love water slides. They both are friends with Hot Dog and Hamburger. In fact, maybe they should have a debate and get their friends to VOTE for who's the best! Can their friendship survive the race for top spot on the popularity food chain? Cast your VOTE!

This graphic chapter book will tickle the funny bones of kids ages 5-8 and bolster their reading confidence. oung graphic chapter books are also a great step on the way to longer chapter books and graphic novels.

Readers will devour all the books in the series:
Pizza and Taco: Who's the Best?
Pizza and Taco: Best Party Ever!
Pizza and Taco: Super-Awesome Comic!
Pizza and Taco: Too Cool For School
Pizza and Taco: Rock Out!

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A Soft Place to Land

Janae Marks

In this compelling and heartfelt mystery story, Janae Marks--author of the acclaimed bestselling From the Desk of Zoe Washington--follows a young girl reshaping her meaning of home. Perfect for fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and Rebecca Stead. Two starred reviews! A Project Lit Club Book Club Selection, S&L Lead Title, Banks Street Best Children's Books of the Year, and Kids' Indie Next List Pick!

"Joyful. A book that kids will love." --Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Reach Me

Joy Taylor has always believed home is the house she lived in her entire life. But then her dad lost his job, and suddenly, home becomes a tiny apartment with thin walls, shared bedrooms, and a place for tense arguments between Mom and Dad. Hardest of all, Joy doesn't have her music to escape through anymore. Without enough funds, her dreams of becoming a great pianist--and one day, a film score composer--have been put on hold.

A friendly new neighbor her age lets Joy in on the complex's best-kept secret: the Hideout, a cozy refuge that only the kids know about. And it's in this little hideaway that Joy starts exchanging secret messages with another kid in the building who also seems to be struggling, until--abruptly, they stop writing back. What if they're in trouble?

Joy is determined to find out who this mystery writer is, fast, but between trying to raise funds for her music lessons, keeping on a brave face for her little sister, and worrying about her parents' marriage, Joy isn't sure how to keep her own head above water.

"Squeezes your heart in such a special way." --Lisa Moore Ramée, author of A Good Kind of Trouble and Something to Say

"Readers will find hope in Joy's courage, ingenuity, and fierce dedication to her friends." --Kate Messner, author of Breakout and Chirp

"A timely story about connection, loss and the spaces we need to understand one and brave the other." --Paula Chase, author of Dough Boys and So Done

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Rick Kotani's 400 Million Dollar Summer

Waka T. Brown

Oregon Book Award-winning author Waka T. Brown hits a home run in this middle grade novel about a baseball-obsessed twelve-year-old who moves to Oregon to help his grandfather--an elusive old man with a shrouded past--but ends up learning unexpected truths about his family and how they mysteriously parallel the Japanese folktale of Urashima Taro.

Rick Kotani is looking forward to spending the entire summer playing baseball. Sure, his team never wins, but he's been practicing a special pitch he knows is going to land him a 400-million-dollar major-league contract . . . someday. That all changes when his mother throws a curveball of her own: Instead of playing ball in California, Rick will be heading to Oregon to help keep an eye on Grandpa Hiroshi while they move him to a retirement home. Trading no-hitters to be a babysitter Rick is beyond bummed.

But once there, Rick discovers Grandpa is actually pretty cool, and the two bond over a Japanese folktale about a fisherman, Urashima Taro, who trades his life on earth for the riches of an underwater kingdom. And like the fisherman, Rick soon forgets about his team back home when he joins a supercompetitive local league that only cares about being the best--at any cost.

As the team racks up the wins and Grandpa makes his final move, Rick must decide which ending he wants for his story: Will he fall in line with his ruthless teammates and their victory-obsessed coach in his own "underwater kingdom," or will family, true friendship, and integrity lead him back to shore

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Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All

Chanel Miller

A Newbery Honor book and instant New York Times, USA Today, and indie bestseller!

Award-winning author and artist Chanel Miller tells a fun, funny, and poignant story of friendship and community starring Magnolia Wu, a ten-year-old sock detective bent on returning all the lonely only socks left behind in her parents' NYC laundromat.

Down at the bottom of the tall buildings of New York City, Magnolia Wu sits inside her parents’ laundromat. She has pinned every lost sock from the laundromat onto a bulletin board in hopes that customers will return to retrieve them. But no one seems to have noticed. In fact, barely anyone has noticed Magnolia at all. 

What she doesn’t know is that this is about to be her most exciting summer yet. When Iris, a new friend from California arrives, they set off across the city to solve the mystery of each missing sock, asking questions in subways and delis and plant stores and pizzerias, meeting people and uncovering the unimaginable. 

With each new encounter, Magnolia learns that when you’re bold enough to head into the unknown, things start falling into place.

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Clean Getaway

Nic Stone

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone comes a timely middle-grade road-trip story through landmarks of the Civil Rights movement and the map they lay for contemporary race relations.

How to Go on an Unplanned Road Trip with Your Grandma:
Grab a Suitcase: Prepacked from the big spring break trip that got CANCELLED.
Fasten Your Seatbelt: G'ma's never conventional, so this trip won't be either.
Use the Green Book: G'ma's most treasured possession. It holds history, memories, and most important, the way home.

What Not to Bring:
A Cell Phone: Avoid contact with Dad at all costs. Even when G'ma starts acting stranger than usual.

Set against the backdrop of the segregation history of the American South, take a trip with this New York Times bestseller and an eleven-year-old boy who is about to discover that the world hasn't always been a welcoming place for kids like him, and things aren't always what they seem--his G'ma included.

"Truly a delight." -Christopher Paul Curtis, author of Newbery Medal winner Bud, Not Buddy

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A Duet for Home

Karina Yan Glaser

From the New York Times bestselling creator of the Vanderbeekers series comes a triumphant tale of friendship, healing, and the power of believing in ourselves told from the perspective of biracial sixth-graders June and Tyrell, two children living in a homeless shelter. As their friendship grows over a shared love of classical music, June and Tyrell confront a new housing policy that puts homeless families in danger.

It's June's first day at Huey House, and as if losing her home weren't enough, she also can't bring her cherished viola inside. Before the accident last year, her dad saved tip money for a year to buy her viola, and she's not about to give it up now.

Tyrell has been at Huey House for three years and gives June a glimpse of the good things about living there: friendship, hot meals, and a classical musician next door.

Can he and June work together to oppose the government, or will families be forced out of Huey House before they are ready

 

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City Spies

James Ponti

A New York Times bestseller!
A GMA3 Summer Reading Squad Selection!
“Ingeniously plotted, and a grin-inducing delight.” —People
“Will keep young readers glued to the page…So when do I get the sequel?” —Beth McMullen, author of Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls

In this thrilling new series that Stuart Gibbs called “a must-read,” Edgar Award winner James Ponti brings together five kids from all over the world and transforms them into real-life spies—perfect for fans of Spy School and Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls.

Sara Martinez is a hacker. She recently broke into the New York City foster care system to expose her foster parents as cheats and lawbreakers. However, instead of being hailed as a hero, Sara finds herself facing years in a juvenile detention facility and banned from using computers for the same stretch of time. Enter Mother, a British spy who not only gets Sara released from jail but also offers her a chance to make a home for herself within a secret MI6 agency.

Operating out of a base in Scotland, the City Spies are five kids from various parts of the world. When they’re not attending the local boarding school, they’re honing their unique skills, such as sleight of hand, breaking and entering, observation, and explosives. All of these allow them to go places in the world of espionage where adults can’t.

Before she knows what she’s doing, Sara is heading to Paris for an international youth summit, hacking into a rival school’s computer to prevent them from winning a million euros, dangling thirty feet off the side of a building, and trying to stop a villain…all while navigating the complex dynamics of her new team.

No one said saving the world was easy…

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Benny on the Case

Wesley King

Two starred reviews!

A boy with Mosaic Down syndrome navigates entering a mainstream classroom, making new friends, and standing up to bullies all while trying to catch a thief and save his home in this “suspenseful, emotional” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) middle grade mystery from New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wesley King.

Benny isn’t your average boy from Newfoundland. He lives in a retirement home that his mother runs, he has an eighty-six-year-old best friend named Mr. Tom, he knows more about fixing boats than video games, and he has Mosaic Down syndrome. When Benny transitions to a mainstream classroom for the first time, the other students tease him for his differences…except for Salma. She’s new, too, and not your typical Newfoundland girl: she’s tech savvy, speaks Arabic, plays basketball, and isn’t afraid to eat lunch with Benny.

So when Salma’s grandmother and several other residents in the retirement home are robbed, Benny asks Salma to help him catch the thief. Time is not on their side as an inspector threatens to close the home. And to make matters worse, Benny and Salma must crack the case while working on a class assignment with their bullies. Can Benny save his home and take a stand against the bullies once and for all? He’s about to find out, b’ys.

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The Trouble with Sunshine

Yamile Saied Méndez

A heartwarming story about grief and new beginnings, by Pura Belpré Award-winning author Yamile Saied Méndez.

 

THE TROUBLE WITH SUNSHINE IS IT COMES EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU DON'T DESERVE IT.

 

Dorani's mom, Isa, taught her to be bold and challenge the rules if they don't seem fair. People are more important than rules. But she never taught Dorani how to do it all without her. So, when Isa dies on the way to speak with the principal about Dori's latest revolution, Dori loses her voice. Her grief and guilt become the loudest parts of her.

 

Moving from vibrant Miami to quiet, middle-of-nowhere Wyoming with her aunt feels like the punishment she deserves. She spends most of her time with their newest horse, Sunshine. Sunshine was involved in an accident that's left her skittish and hard to care for. Tia Ivette knows her behavior comes from fear, and she is trying everything to make Sunshine brave again. But Dori knows grief can feel like fear... and grief is just love with no place to go.

 

Speaking up for Sunshine reminds Dori that the very best parts of her mother live on through her, and so when she starts to notice that the rules at her new school unfairly target specific students, she knows just what her mother would do...

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Inside Out and Back Again

Thanhha Lai

No one would believe me but at times I would choose wartime in Saigon over peacetime in Alabama.

For all the ten years of her life, HÀ has only known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, the warmth of her friends close by . . . and the beauty of her very own papaya tree.

But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. HÀ and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope. In America, HÀ discovers the foreign world of Alabama: the coldness of its strangers, the dullness of its food, the strange shape of its landscape . . . and the strength of her very own family.

This is the moving story of one girl's year of change, dreams, grief, and healing as she journeys from one country to another, one life to the next.

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Measuring Up

Lily LaMotte

An ALA Top 10 Graphic Novel of 2021 · A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection · Fall 2020 Kids Indie Next List · Featured in Today Show's AAPI Heritage Month List · Amazon Best Books November Selection · Cybils Awards Finalist · An NBC AAPI Selection · Featured in Parents Magazine Book Nook October issue · A CBC Hot off the Press October Selection · WA State Book Awards Finalist · Texas Library Association Little Maverick Selection

For fans of American Born Chinese and Roller Girl, Measuring Up is a don't-miss graphic novel debut from Lily LaMotte and Ann Xu!

"A beautiful story about food, family, and finding your place in the world." --Gene Luen Yang, author of American Born Chinese and Dragon Hoops

"A delicious and heartwarming exploration of identity by a young immigrant trying to find her place in multiple cultures." --Remy Lai, author of Pie in the Sky and Fly on the Wall

Twelve-year-old Cici has just moved from Taiwan to Seattle, and the only thing she wants more than to fit in at her new school is to celebrate her grandmother, A-má's, seventieth birthday together.

Since she can't go to A-má, Cici cooks up a plan to bring A-má to her by winning the grand prize in a kids' cooking contest to pay for A-má's plane ticket! There's just one problem: Cici only knows how to cook Taiwanese food.

And after her pickled cucumber debacle at lunch, she's determined to channel her inner Julia Child. Can Cici find a winning recipe to reunite with A-má, a way to fit in with her new friends, and somehow find herself too?

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The Vanished Ones

Chad Lucas

From award-winning author Chad Lucas comes an enthralling new story about a strange island where boys go missing--and the two boys intent on uncovering the truth about it

On Rhodenroode Island, a remote colony of the Homeland, there sits a Mission on the Hill, where boys are taken in and taught the ways of the faith. Darian is the only trainee of his race there, and he doesn't remember how he came to the Mission. All he remembers are brown hands and the belly of a ship. Life among the other boys and the cantankerous Brothers is not always easy, but Darian is determined to live up to the lofty calling the leaders of the Mission have laid out for him: that one day he will carry the Sacred Word to places it has yet to reach.

But when another trainee at the Mission disappears--the latest in a string of vanishings--Darian is determination to solve the mystery that begins to shake his faith in what he's always been taught. When he and his friend Micah sneak away from the Mission and head east to see what they can learn about the rebel sect supposedly responsible for the vanishings, they discover that the island holds far more secrets than they ever could have imagined--and somehow, they must save the other boys at the Mission from a danger that's even greater than they realized.

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Kaya Morgan's Crowning Achievement

Jill Tew

A vibrant and heart-warming novel about the unforgettable joys of the Renaissance Faire, overcoming grief through cherished memories, and remaining true to yourself-even in cosplay.

For as long as she could remember, Kaya Morgan has spent her summers with her dad at the greatest place on Earth- The Renaissance Faire. Full of performers cosplaying as thieving pirates, enchanting fairies, and courageous heroes, the Ren Faire has always been a place where anyone could be anything they wanted to be. And for as long as she could remember, Kaya and her dad have dreamed of her someday being named the first Black Queen of the Faire.

Unfortunately for the last two summers, Kaya has been known as something else- the girl with the dead dad. But she's not going to let anyone stop her from taking her place as the Queen's apprentice (the first step on her journey towards Queen). But when the role is given to the pretty and blonde Jessie, the only spot left for Kaya is the Court Jester (who doesn't even come with a crown).

It's bad enough that it's another summer at the Ren Faire without her dad, and that her family thinks her love of medieval times is weird. But with everyone around Kaya determined to put her in a role she doesn't want to be in, Kaya must decide whether to hold onto her old dreams no matter what, or realize that it's okay for new dreams to become reality.

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Almost Sunset

Wahab Algarmi

In a contemporary middle grade graphic novel debut that Gene Luen Yang calls "funny, endearing, and an intimate look at a Muslim family," Almost Sunset follows a young Muslim American boy during Ramadan as he finds the balance between his family traditions and his secular middle school life. Perfect for fans of Swim Team and Chunky.

It's almost sunset, and Hassan has been dreaming about eating since the sun came up. The month of Ramadan has begun, and not eating until sundown intensifies his already busy days full of homework, soccer, and gaming. And since his teachers and friends at school barely understand Ramadan and its traditions, it's easier to just...not mention it.

As the month stretches on, Hassan's family and community grow closer together. They wake up before sunrise every morning, feast when the sun goes down, and attend mosque in the evenings. Can Hassan balance it all during the hectic holy month--faith, tradition, school, and fun, too?

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Speak Up, Santiago!

Julio Anta

Welcome to Hillside Valley! 12 year-old New York city kid Santi is heading upstate, in the debut of this irresistible contemporary graphic novel series about friends, family, community and identity—just right for fans of Mexikid and the Click series!

How can you speak up if you don't have the words?


Santi is excited to spend the summer in Hillside Valley, meeting the local kids, eating his Abuela's delicious food, exploring! There's just one problem—Santi doesn't speak Spanish that well and it feels like everyone he meets in Hillside does. There's Sol (she's a soccer player who really loves books), Willie, (the artist), Alejandro (Santi's unofficial tour guide!), and Nico (Alejandro's brother and blue belt in karate). In between all of their adventures in Hillside, Santi can't help but worry about his Spanish-what if he can't keep up?! Does that mean he's not Colombian enough? Will Santi find his confidence and his voice? Or will his worries cost him his new friendships...and the chance to play in Hillside's summer soccer tournament?!

Book 1 in the Hillside Valley Graphic Novel series introduces an unforgettable group of kids readers will love—look for more Hillside Valley graphic novels, coming soon!

“A fun graphic novel about learning to understand each other.”—Kayla Miller, creator of the Click Series

“I’ll say it in both Spanish and English! I love this book! Me encanta este libro!” —Raul the Third,illustrator of Stuntboy

“A perfect read.”—Kat Fajardo, creator of Miss Quinces

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The Ribbon Skirt: a Graphic Novel

Cameron Mukwa

A joyful coming-of-age middle-grade graphic novel by debut Indigenous creator Cameron Mukwa about the journey of a two-spirit kid who wants to create a ribbon skirt for the upcoming powwow.

 

Ten-year-old Anang wants to make a ribbon skirt, a piece of clothing typically worn by girls in the Anishinaabe tradition, for an upcoming powwow. Anang is two-spirit and nonbinary and doesn't know what others will think of them wearing a ribbon skirt, but they're determined to follow their heart's desire. Anang sets off to gather the materials needed to make the skirt and turns to those around them -- their family, their human and turtle friends, the crows, and even the lake itself -- for help. And maybe they'll even find a new confidence within themself along the way.

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Maya and the Rising Dark

Rena Barron

In this highly anticipated contemporary fantasy, twelve-year-old Maya's search for her missing father puts her at the center of a battle between our world, the Orishas, and the mysterious and sinister Dark world. Perfect for fans of Aru Shah and the End of Time and The Serpent's Secret.

Twelve-year-old Maya is the only one in her southside Chicago neighborhood who witnesses weird occurrences like werehyenas stalking the streets at night and a scary man made of shadows plaguing her dreams. Her friends try to find an explanation--perhaps a ghost uprising or a lunchroom experiment gone awry. But to Maya, it sounds like something from one of Papa's stories or her favorite comics.

When Papa goes missing, Maya is thrust into a world both strange and familiar as she uncovers the truth. Her father is the guardian of the veil between our world and the Dark--where an army lead by the Lord of Shadows, the man from Maya's nightmares, awaits. Maya herself is a godling, half orisha and half human, and her neighborhood is a safe haven. But now that the veil is failing, the Lord of Shadows is determined to destroy the human world and it's up to Maya to stop him. She just hopes she can do it in time to attend Comic-Con before summer's over.
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