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.…

I can’t believe we are in the last month of the year! Publishing slows down the last month of the year, and thank God, honestly. We have a few titles coming out this month I’m looking forward to. Let’s break those down. The Gentleman’s Gambit by Evie Dunmore I haven’t read the last one in…

November is coming to a close, and while I am usually intentional about engaging in diverse activities, especially related to books, I realized upon discussing it with someone, that I had a really robust Native American Heritage Month, and I wanted to share some of the cool book-related, and non-book related, things I did this…

Looking for a fun, quick chapter book series that helps teach kids about money things–budgets, credit cards, etc–and yet still engages their creative side? The Dollars to Doughnuts series is the perfect bang for your buck here, balancing pedantic elements with kids series fun including school drama, friendships, etc. Lucy and her best friend Julian…