365: How to Count a Year by Miranda Paul and Julien Chung 

July 11, 2024

This short book packs a lot into its few pages, guiding its young readers on a journey as it seeks to break down the overwhelming idea of 365 days in a year into tangible amounts like weeks and months for its young readers such as “365 goodnights,” “52 sleep-in Saturdays,” and “12 trips to the mailbox.” The unlikely illustrated friendship of our young protagonist and a lion, who sometimes represents the sun, provides both a lens for the reader to look at the story through and an interesting dynamic for kids to follow along with. … More 365: How to Count a Year by Miranda Paul and Julien Chung 

Kin: Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford, art by Jeffery Boston Weatherford

July 4, 2024

Each one of her ancestors comes to life through their respective poems, with their own voices, wants, and beliefs. In this, the picture of Weatherford’s family feels whole and complete. Weatherford shares earnestly what she both knows and imagines to be her family’s thoughts and experiences, urging the reader to connect and empathize deeply with the text’s characters. … More Kin: Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford, art by Jeffery Boston Weatherford

Miracle by Karen S. Chow

July 2, 2024

Karen S. Chow’s expert characterizations flow and the climax in Miracle is both beautiful and coherent, giving readers the sense of truthfulness of life’s circumstances, while at the same time creating a story that is not too heavy or bogged down by traumatic material. There may be controversy over whether or not a story surrounding death and trauma is good for children to read. But, in my opinion, if written correctly by tying in themes of love, friendship, and strength throughout the book, as Chow does, children will benefit from reading the type of material written in Miracle and realize that they are not alone. … More Miracle by Karen S. Chow

Professor Goose Debunks The Three Little Pigs by Paulette Bourgeois, illus. Alex G. Griffiths

June 27, 2024

Professor Goose is the stand-out character of the book. She is funny for both kids and adults,
is always positive, and clearly executes her goal of making sure her aunt’s tale is scientifically
sound. She is clearly full of knowledge and shifts the focus away from the well-known story
to herself and her scientific tidbits. The longer stretches where she does not jump in to correct
something builds the anticipation for when she finally does pop up. … More Professor Goose Debunks The Three Little Pigs by Paulette Bourgeois, illus. Alex G. Griffiths

Badass(ish) by Jaymie Heilman

June 20, 2024

Heilman tells this story through the alternating perspective of these three girls, and the insight she gives us into each of their psyches leads to heart wrenching moments of personal discovery and inner conflict. Each girl is earnest and open in their own chapters, confessing their own deepest anxieties and secrets, while still swiftly maintaining the image of ‘having it all together’ to one another. The layers of lies and pressures— from Renzi’s complicated relationship with Davis’s ex, to Jae’s burgeoning queer identity suppressed by her distant mother— build themselves into a painfully realistic and relatable recreation of the high school experience. … More Badass(ish) by Jaymie Heilman

Time Out by Sean Hayes, Todd Milliner, and Carlyn Greenwald

June 18, 2024

Amy and Christopher also have unique voices that I really enjoyed reading. Amy is a funny and idealistic activist who always dresses as if she’s going to a punk concert. Christopher is a journalist for the highschool paper and the only openly gay guy in the highschool. I loved reading how his perspective of Barcley changed as the book progressed. … More Time Out by Sean Hayes, Todd Milliner, and Carlyn Greenwald

It Happened on Saturday by Sydney Dunlap

June 13, 2024

Sydney Dunlap draws from her experience as a former elementary school teacher working with at-risk youth to expertly craft a narrative that delves into the unsettling, yet realistic encounters tweens and teens may face without proper supervision. The novel’s strength lies in its unflinching portrayal of Julia’s harrowing experience trapped with a recruiter and a trafficker in a hotel room, highlighting the potential dangers lurking in the digital landscape. … More It Happened on Saturday by Sydney Dunlap