Love at first sight! A wonderful selection of animal-centric poems and gorgeous illustrations. I probably would have worn the covers off this book if I had it as a child.
Stacey
The boys in this book have to deal with antisemitism and homophobia, both internalized and external, in addition to the dybbuk possessing one of them and the murderer(s?) killing off Jewish boys around the Chicago World's Fair. The viciously queer and Jewish book I didn't realize I still needed.
Shana
If you like your time travel novels with a smidge of Einstein, a smattering of social realism, and more than a pinch of spot-on London dialect, follow Esso and Rhia as they figure out themselves and the mysteries of spacetime.
Sarah
Reality and the uncanny meet in this dark narrative. Samantha Heather Mackey doesn’t fit in at her selective, MFA program. Preferring her own company to most of the others in the creative writing department, she is repulsed by a group of girls who call each other “Bunny,” and appear more cultish than simple friends. But as much as she hates them, a part of her longs for acceptance, and so she is swept up in the group and finds herself in the center of a strange and sinister world.
Engel
The complexities of the 1980s shape this coming of age story, with characters Bug (Beatrice) and Frankie learning about the world and how they may, or may not fit in. It is a story about acceptance, friendship, family, and love. Lots of love. I cannot recommend it enough.
Robin
Grown-ups, have you ever bought a child in your life a toy that... eugh... makes noise? Did you regret it instantly? Are you constantly wishing for some gosh-darn peace and quiet around here? Isn't the act of Making Noise Together one of the most fun, important, human things we can do??? Pokko and the Drum is a fun, funky, beautifully rendered wish fulfillment fantasy of the highest order.
Piera
Cute and funny, I never get tired of reading this one - a very important quality in a baby book...
Katie
For every curious mind, remember there is no idea that is too big, too small, too odd, or too normal. Yamada reminds us that we should embrace and follow our thoughts with pure, simple, and confident joy.
Kai
In a world adjacent to our own, but where vampires, ghosts, and other folklore creatures walk the earth, Ellie Bride’s cousin appears to her between his last breath and his descent to the underworld to warn her that his death was no accident. With the help of her friends, family, and ghost dog she sets out to solve the mystery and uncover the secrets of a mysterious town. This book was amazingly fun and I could not put it down. I can’t wait to make everyone in my life read Elatsoe.
Katherine
Benjamin Alire Sáenz delivers in the highly anticipated sequel to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Everything in this book is beautifully executed. My copy has probably 70-100 sticky tabs on it because it is just beautifully poignant. Though the target audience of this book is young adults, I still think everyone needs to read Ari and Dante's story at least once in their lives. There is such stunning commentary on identity and relationships (paternal, platonic, romantic) and the characters experience life so wholly and candidly that it's hard to look away. This is a must read for fans of contemporary YA!
Cindy
