It’s our last picture book round-up of the year, so here are some lovely titles I read in November 2023. Unstoppable Jamie by Joy Givens, illustrated by Courtney Dawsong If you’re looking for more picture books with Down Syndrome representation, pick up this book. I won it via a Goodreads giveaway, and thought it was…

Back again with another “Newbery talk made me do it” read. This graphic novel was also nominated for another of my reading groups discussion, so I bumped it up the list fast, but if you’re looking for more Spanish-infused middle grade-ish graphic novel reading, check this one out. It’s got a great color palette, a…

Like with Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow, this book skyrocketed up by TBR pile because of all the pre-Newbery Newbery buzz it was getting on the blogs. I recognized the author, obviously, as a heavy-hitter in adult fiction, so was surprised to see a juvenile fiction book! Upon further reflection though, and I…

I love discovering a new cache of books by an author I already know and trust. I stumbled across an Ali the Great book at the Arlington Library one day, and truly gasped. I love the Yasmin series, and I trust Saadia Faruqi with my reading time, and so why not give a go to…

Want a cute, diverse book for developing readers that helps smash the expectations of the patriarchy while also highlighting what curious creativity can look like, Mehndi Boy is perfect for fans of the Mindy Kim series, the Yasmin easy readers, and developing reader chapter books that celebrate different cultures and allow the characters to fully…

If you have an older teen, especially one who wants queer or substance abuse representation in books, and enjoys graphic novels, look at Kate Glasheen’s debut graphic novel. In this book, we transport to 1980s New York (Troy Area, not the city haha) where Claire, who struggles with their gender identity but never officially says…

During a meeting last week, someone asked me to explain what I was reading, and I said, “It’s like someone said let’s make the Woody Allen film Midnight in Paris for kids….but also, you can’t use time travel.” And I stick by that. For many of us, that alone is enough to make you pick…

I haven’t met a Nina LaCour book I didn’t enjoy, and so when I saw she had an Elouse-comp kids chapter book set in one place, I was intrigued. I love Eloise, I love place-based stories, and I love precocious protagonists. 9-year-old Ella has lived in the Apartment House on Poppy Hill for almost her…

So…I went a little crazy this month. 195 books later….I am now trying to see if I can read 1000 books before the end of the year, and I need you to understand that I know this is wild. I know it’s unsustainable, but 2024 is going to be a REALLY exciting reading year, and…

Looking for a light-hearted sort of “one shot” queer graphic novel for fandom loving teens? Pick up Stars in Their Eyes by Jessica Walton and Asaka. This was recommended to me by one of my tweens who loves queer graphic novels and I trust her taste. This was a really quick, light read that’s more…

Can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve done one of these! I’m loving how quick and easy easy readers are to reconnect me with kid lit right now, and great for thinking about how I can serve my developing readers. Let’s dive into some easy readers releasing between December 2023 and June 2024! Gigi…

Riley is a non-binary 4th grader, and each book is approximately 60 pages long. Each book begins with a comic panel-style introduction of Riley and some “lingo” from Mx. Aude related to LGBTQ verbiage, pronouns, etc. What works well for this series is that it’s not about Riley coming out, discovering themself, overcoming bullying, etc.…