ADULT FICTION
“Anxious People” by Frederik Backman — “[A] tight-knit, surprise-filled narrative… the brisk, absorbing action prompts meditation on marriage, parenting, responsibility, and global economic pressures. Comedy, drama, mystery, and social study, this novel is undefinable except for the sheer reading pleasure it delivers. Highly recommended.”—Library Journal (starred review)
“Bridgerton: The Duke and I” by Julia Quinn — “Smart, funny.” — Time magazine
“Deacon King Kong” by James McBride — “A mystery story, a crime novel, an urban farce, a sociological portrait of late-1960s Brooklyn: McBride’s novel contains multitudes… He conducts his antic symphony with deep feeling, never losing sight of the suffering and inequity within the merriment.” —The New York Times, Top 10 Books of 2020
“Homeland Elegies” by Ayad Akhtar — “[A] moving and confrontational novel . . . Homeland Elegies deals in ambiguities that were beyond the pale of public discourse in the years after 9/11. . . . He has an unerring sense for the sore spots, the bitter truths that have emerged from this history.”―Hari Kunzru, New York Times Book Review
“Hollow Kingdom” by Kira Jane Buxton — “A plucky hero, a boisterous tale, startling prose and eerie events combine for a thoroughly enjoyable account of the end of the world as we know it. The Secret Life of Pets meets The Walking Dead.”―Karen Joy Fowler, PEN/Faulkner Award-winningauthor of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
“Interior Chinatown” by Charles Yu — “Inspired . . . [an] inventive drama about an Asian actor who dreams of becoming a star. . . . In spare but moving prose, [Yu] describes life among Asian Americans living as so-called foreigners [and] examines the history of bigotry against immigrants in the West for centuries. . . . An acid indictment of Asian stereotypes and a parable for outcasts feeling invisible in this fast-moving world.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Perestroika in Paris” by Jame Smiley — ““Wholesomely timeless, full of good intentions and happy endings that feel far removed from the problems of the moment.” —Wall Street Journal
“Scent Keeper” by Erica Bauermeister — “Told in a lyrical, haunting prose, the story provides fascinating information about the ways in which different fragrances can impact human behavior and the struggles of finding one’s own identity. An artfully crafted coming-of-age story that will take the reader on an exquisite olfactory adventure. ” – Kirkus
“The Evening and Morning” by Ken Follett — “[An] absorbing and lengthy saga of life in a chaotic and unstable England on the cusp of the Middle Ages . . . Fans of Follett’s ever-popular Kingsbridge series . . . will flock to this . . . while intrigued newcomers can start here.” —Booklist
“The Sentinel: A Jack Reacher Novel” by Lee Child – Large Print — “It’s terrific. . . . The story is just as powerful. . . . Brutal action mixes with keen-eyed detective work as Reacher metes out his own brand of justice. . . . If this novel is a harbinger of what’s to come, then Jack is in good hands.”—Booklist (starred review)
“Ten Rules for Faking It” by Sophie Sullivan — “After Stacey the DJ didn’t mute the mic during Everly’s rant about Simon the Snake (syn: Cheating Ex), people are lining up to date her, and her interest in her boss might be a two-way street. It’s a lot for a woman who could gold medal in people-avoidance.” —Publisher Annotation
“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V. E. Schwab — “Schwab beautifully explores what it means to be alone for so long that it’s jarring and terrifying once you are finally seen…Addie is an independent and fascinating character who manages to make her mark in spite of the odds.”―USA Today
“The Law of Innocence” by Michael Connelly — “Superlative… A supremely intelligent, well-paced courtroom thriller by a modern master.” ―Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)
“The Night Portrait” by Laura Morelli — “The Night Portrait is a compelling page turner at the same time as it is a mesmerizing meditation on legacy, guilt and complicity, the horrors of war, and most of all, the singular power of art. This well-researched and vivid novel is sure to thrill history buffs and art lovers alike.” — Alyssa Palombo, author of The Borgia Confessions
“The Priory of the Orange Tree” by Samantha Shannon — “Shannon satisfyingly fills this massive standalone epic fantasy with court intrigue, travel through dangerous lands, fantastical religions, blood, love, and rhetoric.” ―Publishers Weekly
“The Year’s Best Science Fiction: Vol 1” edited by Jonathan Strahan —
“Exploring critical issues impacting humankind—from climate change to racism to mass shootings—this timely and thematically profound anthology of the year’s best short-form science fiction is filled with thought-provoking gems.” ― Kirkus Reviews
“To Be a Man: Stories” by Nicole Krauss — “… an astounding collection of ten globetrotting stories, each one a powerful dissection of the thorny connections between men and women…Each story is masterfully crafted and deeply contemplative, barreling toward a shimmering, inevitable conclusion, proving once again that Krauss is one of our most formidable talents in fiction.” — Esquire
“Writers and Lovers” by Lily King — “Wonderful, witty, heartfelt… Writers & Lovers is a funny novel about grief, and, worse, it’s dangerously romantic, bold enough and fearless enough to imagine the possibility of unbounded happiness” ―Washington Post
ADULT MYSTERY
“How to Raise an Elephant” by Alexander McCall Smith — “In a time of pandemic, there could be few more rewarding and soothing tales to read than How to Raise an Elephant.” —New York Journal of Books
ADULT BIOGRAPHY
“Solutions and Other Problems” by Allie Bosh — “Brosh’s storytelling is so distinctive and compelling it’s like suddenly running in to a friend you feared was lost forever . . . [She] reliably channels the simplicity of a child or the innocence of an animal and tells raucous, heartbreaking stories that reflect the hidden parts of us all . . . For Brosh’s millions of fans, this is well worth the wait.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X” by Les Payne — “Malcolm’s presence is beautifully rendered…Nobody has written a more poetic account…Payne also shows how enthralling it was to watch Malcolm improvise and argue. In this scene and others, we are exposed to Malcolm’s teachings within the rhythm of Payne’s masterly storytelling.” ― Michael P. Jeffries, New York Times Book Review
“The New One: Painfully True Stories from a Reluctant Dad” by Mike Birbiglia — “Fusing good humor and raw honesty with selections from Stein’s evocative poetry, Birbiglia narrates his journey into parenting…Hilarious, relatable, cringeworthy, and effortlessly entertaining.”―Kirkus (starred review)
ADULT NON-FICTION
“Barely Functional Adult” by Meichi Ng — “Burgeoning adult Meichi Ng puts the fun in Barely Functional through this collection of personal, comical and deeply relatable stories. A must-read for anyone grappling with adulthood (and African dwarf frogs).” — Worry Lines
“Eat the Buddha: Life and Death in A Tibetan Town” by Barbara Demick — “Outstanding . . . A book not only about modern Tibet but one that helps explain the current, poisonous moment in China.”—Financial Times
“Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures” by Merlin Sheldrake — “A mind-bending journey into the hidden universe of fungi, “one of those rare books that can truly change the way you see the world around you” — Helen Macdonald, author of H Is for Hawk
“How the South Won the Civil War: Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Continuing Fight for the Soul of America” by Heather Cox Richardson — “In a tour de force, Richardson exposes the philosophical connective tissue that runs from John C. Calhoun, to Barry Goldwater, to Donald Trump. It’s not party, it’s a complex ideology that has swaddled white supremacy and its political, legal, economic, and physical violence in the language of freedom and rugged individualism, and, in doing so, repeatedly slashed a series of self-inflicted wounds on American democracy.” — Carol Anderson, Emory University, author of White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of our Racial Divide and One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression is Destroying our Democracy
“Paper Bullets: Two Artists Who Risked Their Lives to Defy the Nazis” by Jeffrey H. Jackson — “A captivating tale of queer love and resistance during World War II . . . Jackson’s research is impeccable and his writing is lively . . . Paper Bullets is a gem of a historical text about two women who stood up to power defiantly, living on their own terms.”—Foreword Reviews (starred review)
“The Anxiety First Aid Kit: Quick Tools for Extreme, Uncertain Times” by Rick Hanson and others — “Ideal for these unsettling times; highly recommended for general readers.” —Library Journal (starred review)
VERMONT NON-FICTION
“Vermont Poets and Their Craft” edited by Neil Shephard and Tamra J. Higgins — “The anthology Vermont Poets and Their Craft is a deep well of both information and art that offers thought-provoking essays on poetic craft and a unique selection of poetry.” — Amazon.com
“Here” by Sydney Lea — “Sydney Lea has always been a poet equally eloquent and wide-eyed before reality. This self-aware book of experience, stock-taking, and memory finds him just now, just here, a person still hopeful in the face of it all, a poet at the height of his powers.” —Jane Hirshfield
“It Happened in Vermont: From the First Revolutionary War Martyr to Marriage Equality” by Mark Bushnell — “From a cross-border Confederate attack to the underdressed men from Maple Corner, It Happened in Vermont looks at intriguing people and episodes from the history of the Green Mountain State.” — Amazon.com
BLUE/DVD
“Booksmart”
“Fatima”
“Greenbook”
“Classical Musical Shorts from the Dream Factory”
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”
“Schitt$ Creek: The Complete Collection”
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”
“Tenet”
“The Lighthouse”
BOARD BOOK
“The Pout-Pout Fish and the Can’t Sleep Blues” by Deborah Diesen
KIT
Animal Tracks & Signs
Mitten Story Box
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Kit
PICTURE BOOK
“Antiracist Baby” by Ibram X. Kendi
“At the Mountain’s Base” by Traci Sorell
“Attack of the Underwear” by Scott Rothman
“Bob Books: Set 1 Beginning Readers” by Bobby Lynn Maslen
“Bob Books: Set 2 Advancing Beginners” by Bobby Lynn Maslen
“Bob Books: Set 3 Word Families” by Bobby Lynn Maslen
“Bunheads” by Misty Copeland
“Cozy” by Jan Brett
“Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots” by Michael Rex
“Fishing with Grandma” by Susan Avingaq and Maren Vsetula
“Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera” by Candace Fleming
“I Promise” by Lebron James
“I Talk Like a River” by Jordan Scott
“I Want to Ride the Tap Tap” by Danielle Joseph
“My Shoes and I: Crossing Three Borders” by Rene Colato Lainez
“One Boy’s Choice” by Sueli Menezes
“Our Little Kitchen” by Jillian Tamaki
“Papa Brings Me the World” by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
“Saving Eli’s Library” by Roth Horowitz
“Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light” by Apryl Stott
“Starcrossed” by Julia Denos
“Sticks and Stones” by Patricia Polacco
“Sugar in Milk” by Thrity Umrigar
“The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story” by Tina Cho
“The Snow Dancer” by Addie Boswell
“While You’re Away” by Thordoris Papaioannou
“Your Name is a Song” by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
JUVENILE BIOGRAPHY
JUVENILE DVD
“Dolittle”
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One and Part Two”
“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”
“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azakaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”
“Harry Potter and the Sorcer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”
“Mulan”
“Pippi Longstocking”
“The Call of the Wild”
JUVENILE FICTION
“A Wish in the Dark” by Christina Soontornvat — “Alternating between Pong’s and Nok’s stories, Soontornvat tells a satisfyingly intricate tale of escape and chase while raising questions about institutionalized injustices of privilege and want. Her Thai-inspired world is fully engaging, but perhaps most winning is the innocence, hope, and humor she conveys in the context of the struggle for social justice and with respect to the children’s growth.” —The Horn Book
“Brother’s Keeper” by Julie Lee — “A moving, suspenseful refugee story . . . the book is at heart a poignant exploration of a girl’s struggle against traditional female roles and her determination to succeed on her own terms.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Dark and Deepest Red” by Anna-Marie McLemore — “McLemore weaves another magic spell…The author spins a tale of first love, misfits forging their own places in the world, and the inherent prejudices of people who fear what they don’t understand. This novel will leave an indelible mark on readers’ hearts.”―Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Elatsoe” by Darcie Little Badger — “Imagine an America very similar to our own. It’s got homework, best friends, and pistachio ice cream. There are some differences. This America been shaped dramatically by the magic, monsters, knowledge, and legends of its peoples, those Indigenous and those not. Some of these forces are charmingly everyday, like the ability to make an orb of light appear or travel across the world through rings of fungi. But other forces are less charming and should never see the light of day. Elatsoe lives in this slightly stranger America. She can raise the ghosts of dead animals, a skill passed down through generations of her Lipan Apache family. Her beloved cousin has just been murdered, in a town that wants no prying eyes. But she is going to do more than pry. The picture-perfect facade of Willowbee masks gruesome secrets, and she will rely on her wits, skills, and friends to tear off the mask and protect her family.” — Publisher Annotation
“Fablehaven” by Brandon Mull — “When Kendra and Seth go to stay at their grandparents’ estate, they discover that it is a sanctuary for magical creatures and that a battle between good and evil is looming. Soon, it’s up to Kendra to save her family, Fablehaven, and perhaps, the world, if she can find the courage to do what she fears most.” — BRODART CO., c2008.
“Fighting Words” by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley — “Della’s matter-of-fact narration manages to be as funny and charming as it is devastatingly sad. . . . This is a novel about trauma and the scars it leaves on bodies, minds and hearts. But more than that, it’s a book about resilience, strength and healing.” —New York Times Book Review
“Hunger” by Donna Jo Napoli — “Through the eyes of twelve-year-old Lorraine this “moving personal story” from the award-winning author of Hidden and Hush gives insight and understanding into a little known part of history—the Irish potato famine.” — Booklist, starred review
“Like the Willow Tree (Dear America)” by Lois Lowry — “The heartfelt and moving story of a young girl living through the Spanish Influenza pandemic of 1918… Suddenly, eleven-year-old Lydia Pierce and her older brother, Daniel, find themselves orphans of the flu, and are taken by their grieving uncle to be raised in the Shaker community at Sabbathday Lake.
Lydia must work hard, and all the while she worries about her headstrong brother, who has run away. … yet she cannot stop wondering, will Daniel ever return? ” — Publisher’s Annotation
“Matilda” by Roald Dahl — “From the bestselling author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The BFG comes the story of girl with extraordinary abilities. Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she’s just a nuisance. She expects school to be different but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a kid-hating terror of a headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull she suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It’ll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it! “Matilda will surely go straight to children’s hearts.” The New York Times Book Review
“Skunk and Badger” by Amy Timberlake — “Gloriously complemented by Jon Klassen’s meticulous illustrations, Skunk and Badger has the feel of a bygone era while telling a completely modern (and delightful) story of how hard change can be, and how worth it change is.” —NPR
“Stella Diaz Never Gives Up” by Angela Dominguez — ““Readers should easily relate to Stella, her struggle to use her voice, and the way she feels caught between worlds at school and at home.” ―Publishers Weekly
“The Silver Arrow” by Lev Grossman — “Both cozy and inspiring, this eco-fable conveys both grim truths and a defiant call to action.”―Kirkus, starred review
“The Summer We Found the Baby” by Amy Hest — “It’s a simple premise: A baby found alone in a basket. Yet the complicated layering of events makes for a truly engaging and heartwarming story of steadfastness and solidarity. Young readers will be drawn in by the mystery, stay for the characters, and sigh contentedly when the story draws to a close.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“The Twits” by Roald Dahl — “Mr. and Mrs. Twit are the smelliest, nastiest, ugliest people in the world. They hate everything—except playing mean jokes on each other, catching innocent birds to put in their Bird Pies, and making their caged monkeys, the Muggle-Wumps, stand on their heads all day. But the Muggle-Wumps have had enough. They don’t just want out, they want revenge.” — Amazon.com
JUVENILE GRAPHIC NOVELS
“Cat Kid Comic Club” by Dav Pilkey — “Irreverent, laugh-out-loud funny and… downright moving, it’s a heartfelt celebration of coming into one’s own as an artist, with all its frustrations and joys.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Dog Man: Fetch-22” by Day Pilkey — “Li’l Petey gets caught in some family drama in the eighth Dog Man book from worldwide bestselling author and artist Dav Pilkey. Petey the Cat is out of jail, and he has a brand-new lease on life. While Petey’s reevaluated what matters most, Li’l Petey is struggling to find the good in the world. Can Petey and Dog Man stop fighting like cats and dogs long enough to put their paws together and work as a team? They need each other now more than ever — Li’l Petey (and the world) is counting on them! Dav Pilkey’s wildly popular Dog Man series appeals to readers of all ages and explores universally positive themes, including empathy, kindness, persistence, and the importance of doing good.” — ONIX Annotations
“Dog Man: For Whom the Bell Rolls” by Dav Pilkey — “High-intensity, heartwarming, and, above all, hysterically funny.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Dog Man: Grime and Punishment” by Dav Pilkey — “High-intensity, heartwarming, and, above all, hysterically funny.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Guts” by Raina Telgemeir — “A compassionate and accessible look at one girl’s struggles with anxiety.” — The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“History of the World in Comics” by Jean-Baptiste de Panafieu — “The comic-panel illustrations are relatively uncluttered and easy to follow. Because humans are such a recent presence (evolutionarily speaking), most of the book’s discussion focuses on events from 4.6 billion to twelve thousand years ago–giving readers a good sense of the scale of time (a ‘geologic time scale’ is helpful).”—The Horn Book
“Jo: An Adaptation of Little Women (Sort Of)” by Kathleen Gros — “This gentle, warm graphic novel adaptation will remind readers why the March family is long beloved.” — Publishers Weekly
“Lightfall: Book 1, The Girl & the Galdurian” by Tim Probert — “Probert’s debut graphic novel is both inventive and familiar, with unique characters in a fresh fantasy world embarking on a classic quest.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)
“Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: Blades of Freedom” by Nathan Hale — “The Louisiana Purchase (1803) is today seen as one of history’s greatest bargains. But why did Napoleon Bonaparte sell this seemingly prosperous territory? At the time, France controlled Haiti, and there, enslaved Africans were used to harvest sugar. But in 1791, Toussaint Louverture led the largest uprising of enslaved people in human history, the Haitian Revolution (1791–1804). Napoleon had originally wanted to use Louisiana for trade, but with Haiti out of his control, Napoleon’s dream of making a French empire in North America seemed doomed. So when Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe tried to buy New Orleans, Napoleon sold them the whole Louisiana Territory.” — Publisher’s Annotation
“New Kid” by Jerry Craft — “This engaging story offers an authentic secondary cast and captures the high jinks of middle schoolers and the tensions that come with being a person of color in a traditionally white space.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Pea, Bee & Joy: Wannabees” by Brian “Smitty” Smith — “Who knew being queen could sting so much? All Bee really wants to do is play with her two best friends, Pea and Jay. But when she’s replaced by Lenny—an ambitious bee hungry for power—as queen of her hive, the friends set out to prove Lenny isn’t exactly who he seems to be. Can Bee, with the help of her friends, regain her crown and throne, or has the Reign of Lenny officially begun?” — Publisher Annotation
“The Boy Who Became a Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story” by Jim Di Bartolo — “Reminiscent of Lee’s kung fu movies, Di Bartolo’s bold artwork portrays dramatic fight sequences and expressive characters. Recurring images of a dragon that helps Lee focus are a refrain, and add an epic, otherwordly quality.” — School Library Journal
“The Witches” by Roald Dahl — “This is not a fairy tale. This is about real witches. Grandmamma loves to tell about witches. Real witches are the most dangerous of all living creatures on earth. There’s nothing they hate so much as children, and they work all kinds of terrifying spells to get rid of them. Her grandson listens closely to Grandmamma’s stories – but nothing can prepare him for the day he comes face-to-face with The Grand High Witch herself!” — Publisher Annotation
“Witches of Brooklyn” by Sophie Escabasse — “A warm story of found family and healing that stands on its own while setting the stage for further adventures.” —Publisher’s Weekly
JUVENILE NON-FICTION
“A Crowded Farmhouse Folktale” by Karen Rostoker-Gruber — “Fed up with his overcrowded home, Farmer Earl asks the advice of the town’s wise woman, who counsels him to bring his ducks, horses, goats and other barnyard animals indoors, in a modern folktale by the award-winning author of Farmer Kobi’s Hanukkah Match.” — Atlas Publishing
“All Thirteen; The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team” by Christina Soontornvat — “Soontornvat’s narrative nonfiction account shares these events and those that led to the rescue along with intricate details about caverns, sump diving, and other scientific details that emphasize the harrowing conditions of the rescue. She also touches on Thai culture, immigration issues, Buddhism, and religion…This stellar nonfiction work reads like a heart-pounding adventure story. Every library should have a copy.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
“Becoming a Good Creature” by Sy Montgomery — “A thoughtful, gentle work that highlights the connection between animals and humans. This tender picture book will inspire reflection.”—School Library Journal, STARRED review
“Crossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals” by Katy S. Duffield — “A non-fiction exploration of animal crossings built by animal lovers around the world to help animals cross over, under and around, and through human construction” — Baker and Taylor
“History Smashers: The Mayflower” by Kate Messner — “Kate Messner serves up fun, fast history for kids who want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Absolutely smashing!” —Candace Fleming, award-winning author
“Mammoth Science” by David Macaulay — “A unique and amusing encyclopedia of general scientific topics from master draftsman Macaulay…” —The Horn Book
“Mi’kmaq Campfire Stories of Prince Edward Island” by Julie Pellissier-Lush –“The Mi’kmaq people have been here since the ice began to melt over this great land. They learned the medicines in nature to keep them healthy and they hunted the animals of the land and fished the waters of the sea. During the summer months they would gather in large community groups to celebrate, dance and sing. When the cold winds started to blow, they would go off in their own little family units to survive the winter. It was a hard life and it was always a struggle to make it through the long cold winters. One thing is certain, at night, by the campfire under the stars those families would tell stories, stories about who they were, where they came from, and all the lessons they needed to learn about life. Those stories passed on traditions, songs, language and the culture of the Mi’kmaq people. Here we present to you just a couple of those stories that were passed down from generation to generation. Hear them, learn from them, experience them, but most of all enjoy them!” — Amazon.com
“No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making History” by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila Dawson & Jeannette Bradley — “Mari Copeny demanded clean water in Flint. Jazz Jennings insisted, as a transgirl, on playing soccer with the girls’ team. From Viridiana Sanchez Santos’s quinceañera demonstration against anti-immigrant policy to Zach Wahls’s moving declaration that his two moms and he were a family like any other, No Voice Too Small celebrates the young people who know how to be the change they seek. Fourteen poems honor these young activists. Featuring poems by Lesléa Newman, Traci Sorell, and Nikki Grimes. Additional text goes into detail about each youth activist’s life and how readers can get involved.” — Random House, Inc.
“On the Horizon: World War II Reflections” by Lois Lowry — “This series of beautiful, moving, and sometimes horrifying poems gives a voice to the young men on the USS Arizona and offers an equally moving tribute to the survivors of Hiroshima….touching.”—School Library Journal
“Sometimes People March” by Tessa Allen — “A warm, inviting introduction to protests and demonstrations, nicely pitched to the youngest of readers and ideal for starting conversations about current events.”– Booklist (starred review)
“The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kids” by Dylan Thuras and Rosemary Mosco — “A thrillingly imaginative expedition to 100 weird-but-true places on earth.”—The New York Times Book Review
“The Body Image Book for Girls: Love Yourself and Grow Up Fearless” by Charlotte Markey — “..? Body image expert and psychology professor Dr. Charlotte Markey helps girls aged 9-15 to understand, accept, and appreciate their bodies. She provides all the facts on puberty, mental health, self-care, why diets are bad news, dealing with social media, and everything in-between. Girls will find answers to questions they always wanted to ask, the truth behind many body image myths, and real-life stories from girls who share their own experiences. …Dr. Markey teaches girls how to nurture both mental and physical heath to improve their own body image, shows the positive impact they can have on others, and enables them to go out into the world feeling fearless!”–Baker & Taylor
“The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs” by America’s Test Kitchen –“The inviting, encouraging tone, which never talks down to the audience; emphasis on introducing and reinforcing basic skills; and approachable, simplified recipes make this a notable standout among cookbooks for kids.” – Booklist, starred review
“Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: And Other Questions About Dead Bodies” by Caitlin Doughty — “Doughty’s answers are as… distinctive as the questions. She blends humor with respect for the dead.… Her investigations of ritual, custom, law and science are thorough, and she doesn’t shy from naming the parts of Grandma’s body that might leak after she is gone.” — Julia Kastner ― Shelf Awareness
YOUNG ADULT BIOGRAPHY
“Apple: Skin to the Core” by Eric Gansworth — “Gansworth, a tribally enrolled Onodaga living among the Tuscarora, offers a memoir in verse and lyric prose. Playing off the derogatory term apple (red on the outside; white on the inside), often used in Native communities, he explores the realities of growing up on the rez, being subjected to racism and poverty, and learning to navigate the white world. In ambitious thematic sections …. poems recount his grandparents’ experiences in residential schools; his lifelong love of the Beatles and superhero comics; family influences, including his largely absent father; and his strong sense of Indigenous identity that survives despite leaving the rez. Several poems parallel Beatles’ lyrics (“Come Together” and “Here Comes the Sun”); some push back against stereotypes (“If you excel, you will be ‘remarkable for being an Indian'”); and still others point to the dangers of “browsing with too much melanin.” Gansworth’s art, a mix of gouache paintings, photographs, and collages (reproduced in black and white), is interspersed throughout, adding interest and detail. With language rich in metaphor, this is a timely and important work that begs for multiple readings.” — Kay Weisman. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2020.
YOUNG ADULT FICTION
“Dear Justyce” by Nic Stone — “Teens can relate to the feelings of alienation, loneliness, and confusion that lead Quan to make many of the choices that he does, even as the book explores the various ways our current justice system disenfranchises young people of color.” —The Horn Book
“Light It Up” by Kekla Magoon — “The masterful interweaving of stories provides a simultaneously intimate and bird’s-eye view of a nation that preaches ‘justice for all’ but has yet to fully grant it.” ―The Horn Book, starred review
“A Phoenix First Must Burn” edited by Patrice Caldwell — “Lovers of Octavia Butler will find her spirit in this smoldering anthology . . . These stories [explore] the beauty, bravery, fear, history, and empowerment of being black. Fiercely fantastical and achingly honest, this book delivers a more inclusive means of self-discovery.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Sanctuary” by Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher — “In their portrayal of Vali’s family’s quest for safety, the authors beautifully mirror the treacherous, painful, and terrifying treks involving natural and human threats that migrants to the U.S. undertake as they traverse continents and oceans…Wrenching and unmissable.” —Kirkus, starred review
YOUNG ADULT GRAPHIC NOVEL
“Hey, Kiddo” by Jarrett J. Krosoczka — “A candid, emotional graphic memoir about life with a heroin-addicted mother and rough but loving grandparents.” — New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice