Reasons to Look at the Night Sky by Danielle Daniel

Reasons to Look at the Night Sky by Danielle Daniel is a middle grade novel in verse that takes place in Ottawa where Luna lives with her florist and poet mother, astronomer father, and ninth-grader older brother, Leo. Daniel first establishes Luna’s commitment to science through her family, especially her relationship with her mother. The latter’s way of seeing the world is rooted in art while Luna doesn’t see the value in poetry or visual art; she believes in scientific explanations. … More Reasons to Look at the Night Sky by Danielle Daniel

Mindworks: An Uncanny Compendium of Short Fiction by Neal Shusterman

Mindworks, by Neal Shusterman, is a collection of short stories that intermingle sci-fi, horror, dystopian fiction, the supernatural, and even family drama. Its range is vast and eclectic including stories about various subjects from a dolphin politician, to a spray-painting teen in a love-triangle, to the begrudging “living dead,” and, somehow, it all works. … More Mindworks: An Uncanny Compendium of Short Fiction by Neal Shusterman

On a Wing and a Tear by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Cynthia Leitich Smith returns with a middle grade novel bursting with characters that pay tribute to storytelling traditions of Muscogee People, and Indigenous storytelling in general. On a Wing and a Tear captures the adventure of Melanie “Mel” Roberts, Ray Halfmoon, and Grampa Halfmoon with the legendary Great-Grandfather Bat, who’s fostering an injury to his wing. Together, they hit the road to escort Bat to the historical rematch of the infamous Great Ball Game between the Animals and the Birds on the traditional gaming lands in Georgia. On this wild adventure, readers will see the wonderful characters escape Bat-nappers, rekindle an old romance, visit many relatives, encounter mysterious creatures, and find out if Bat’s wing heals in time for the game. … More On a Wing and a Tear by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Cranky Chicken: The Cranky-Verse by Katherine Battersby

In the energetic fourth installment of author/illustrator, Katherine Battersby’s, Cranky Chicken chapter book series, Cranky Chicken and Speedy the worm return! The Cranky-Verse will have readers wondering how Cranky and Speedy will work through meeting a new friend, what Cranky will do when Speedy becomes the cranky one, and if a camping trip will be the solution to all of their troubles and woes. … More Cranky Chicken: The Cranky-Verse by Katherine Battersby

A Drop in the Ocean by Léa Taranto

Léa Taranto’s debut YA novel, A Drop in the Ocean, brings readers into the life of teenaged protagonist Mira, who has been institutionalized at the Residency Adolescent Treatment Centre for obsessive compulsive and comorbid disorders. Drawing from her own lived experience, Taranto has written this auto-fictional novel straight from her heart. Through Mira, Taranto has penned a fiercely loyal and loveably articulate protagonist who is brutally honest, full of empathy, and impossible not to root for.  … More A Drop in the Ocean by Léa Taranto