When Faith starts middle school, she also joins the soccer team. Her diverse teammates come with all the drama of middle school; is it even possible to be a team, let alone friends? Yeah, there’s soccer, but this graphic novel isn’t about sports.
Marika
A delightful, literary buffet of zombies, werewolves, and other magical beasties. Most - if not all - of the consequential characters identify as at least one of the following (and potentially more): queer, trans, nonbinary. And to top it off, the ending is lovely. Though the conclusion is left open-ended enough to continue the story, it is warmly satisfying on its own and doesn't beg for a sequel.
Stacey
A tale of WWI narrated by Aphrodite. So original, so wonderful!
Robin
You may not have heard of Renaissance painter Artemisia Gentileschi, the first woman to be accepted into the Florence fine arts academy. But Joy McCullough brings her story to vivid life, from her days as a talented (but largely brushed aside) young artist\ to her assault by her mentor and her fight to get him convicted in court--a story that unfortunately still feels familiar today. This gorgeous, devastating, and ultimately uplifting novel-in-verse is the perfect pick for National Poetry Month.
Kate
When Jo's dad, a popular radio preacher, moves them from Atlanta to the small town of Rome, Georgia, he asks Jo to do the impossible: go back in the closet and lie low for her senior year. But when she meets the perfect girl, how can she keep her secret and go after love? The perfect sweet, sexy, teen romance for fans of Love, Simon.
April
In a near-future United States that's all too easy to imagine, Layla and her parents are forced into an internment camp for Muslim-American citizens. Terrifying but ultimately hopeful, this story is about the power of every voice and every witness.
Rebecca
A creative picture book featuring a cast of cute, confused insects conversing in an imagined language. It's a cute book for spring that introduces kids to the idea of life-cycles by way of a little green sprout.
Stacey
Girl gangs keep order in the remnants of Mega City, and Nalah and her Mal Criadas want to be on top. But when Déesse sends Las Mal Criadas on a mission outside the city, Nalah starts to question the stories she's always believed about her hardscrabble world.
Sarah
Funny and sweet, with endearing, complex characters, this book will steal your heart. A great read aloud for younger elementary readers or a solid novel for 3rd-5th graders looking for something good enough to read under desks, on top of the monkey bars, or with a flashlight.
Marika
Kiss Number 8 is more than just a kiss-story: it's a heartfelt family history and it's swimming in mystery. Beautifully illustrated by Ellen T Crenshaw, this book will give you all the feels.
Caleb
