Ho’onani Hula Warrior by Heather Gale, Illus. by Mika Song

Review by Verena Rodriguez

Ho’onani wants to sing the traditional Hawaiian hula chant at her school festival, but there is one little problem: She is not a kane (boy). However, she doesn’t feel quite like a wahine (girl) either, so when her teacher opens auditions for everyone, Ho’onani is ready to participate enthusiastically. … More Ho’onani Hula Warrior by Heather Gale, Illus. by Mika Song

Chicken Girl by Heather Smith

Review by Shyamala Parthasarathy

Heather Smith’s Chicken Girl is a book about hiding and confronting both yourself and the world, and accepting that not everything revolves around you. When sixteen-year old Poppy posts a picture of herself dressed as Rosie the Riveter from the era of World War I, she gets what every curvy girl gets on the internet—photoshopped onto sub-Reddit thread ISeeFatPeople that make fun of fat people for existing. … More Chicken Girl by Heather Smith

Once and Future by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy

Review by Lauren Maguire

Space battles, sword fights, heroes, villains, epic quests, evil corporations, and magical fireworks: Once and Future has them all. Unknown to her, teenage Ari Helix is the forty-second reincarnation of King Arthur and, after finding Excalibur on the ruins of Old Earth, she is sought out by a backward-aging, teenage Merlin whose mission is to prepare her for the dangers to come. … More Once and Future by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy