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The Kiss Bet Volume One by Ingrid Ochoa

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The Kiss Bet Volume One by Ingrid Ochoa
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Nothing is more awkward than a first kiss, and Ingrid Ochoa captures that so well and makes it interesting when senior student Sara Lin gets bet by her friend to kiss a stranger. What ensues is secret disguises, new crushes, and so many twists and turns. Will Sara get her kiss? Will she pass Calculus!? Can’t wait to see where this story goes!

The Kiss Bet Volume One by Ingrid Ochoa, (List Price: $18.99, WEBTOON Unscrolled, 9781998341146, February 2025)

Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall

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All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall
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All the Water in the World begins in the near future, where catastrophic floods have reshaped cities as we once knew them. On the roof of the American Museum of Natural History, a girl and her family have joined a team of researchers, working not only to survive but to preserve the museum’s history and records. As they are forced to flee the city, the dwindling group confronts the best and worst aspects of humanity, all while searching for hope, community, and belonging. Eiren Caffall weaves a story that both terrifies readers with the stark realities of climate change and reminds us that hope can shine even in the darkest moments. A must-read for fans of Station Eleven, The LIghtest Object in the Universe, and Lark Ascending.

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall, (List Price: $29, St. Martin’s Press, 9781250353528, January 2025)

Reviewed by Beth Seufer Buss, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan

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Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan
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Full of bright colors and illustrations that move right off the page, Every Monday Mabel is what I’d call an “everyday picture book” — something that is good for reading at any time. What I loved the most about this book is that the reader is held in a bit of suspense — what is Mabel doing that everyone is commenting on? When you find out, it turns a stereotype on its head in a pleasantly unexpected way. I love the connection the author creates on the last spreads as we see Mabel as a part of a much larger community.

Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan, (List Price: $19.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665938150, February 2025)

Reviewed by Jamie Southern, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo

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But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo
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Where to even begin with this book other than wowza. I was not expecting to be given the most thrilling sapphic monster romance in the entire world. But Not Too Bold gave me goosebumps, and I fear that’s all you really need to know about how incredible it was.

But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo, (List Price: $24.99, Tordotcom, 9781250376633, February 2025)

Reviewed by Caitlyn Vanorder, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Saturday Morning at the ‘Shop by Keenan Jones

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Saturday Morning at the 'Shop by Keenan Jones
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Similar to Crown by Derrick Barnes, this ode to the community of a barber shop is touching and real. I love the way the illustrator brings the joy and love that exudes from the characters as they connect, laugh, tell stories, and be in community with one another. It’s celebratory and full of joy.

Saturday Morning at the ‘Shop by Keenan Jones, (List Price: $18.99, Beach Lane Books, 9781665940801, January 2025)

Reviewed by Jamie Southern, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Mai’s Áo Dài by Thai Nguyen

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Mai's Áo Dài by Thai Nguyen
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I can’t remember seeing a picture book about the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet). I love the gentle representation throughout and how it’s really a story about a young girl’s dreams of one day being a star. And yet, there’s such beautiful affirmation and support coming from the adults in her life and love for celebrating their Vietnamese heritage.

Mai’s Áo Dài by Thai Nguyen, (List Price: $18.99, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 9781665917346, January 2025)

Reviewed by Jamie Southern, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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When Alexander Graced the Table by Alexander Smalls

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When Alexander Graced the Table by Alexander Smalls
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When Alexander Graced the Table captures the love and joy behind Sunday dinner, co-authored by renowned chef Alexander Smalls. A celebration of ingredients, the time and energy to create such a beloved meal, and the memories of family supper set against Frank Morrison’s stunning illustration creates a beautiful, must-share picture book!

When Alexander Graced the Table by Alexander Smalls, (List Price: $19.99, Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781534488724, January 2025)

Reviewed by Beth Seufer Buss, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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To See an Owl by Matthew Cordell

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To See an Owl by Matthew Cordell
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I love a story about a young girl’s perseverance. Young Janie is singularly minded and deeply passionate about owls; all she wants is to see one and witness “magic” that is real, here, and accessible. I loved seeing how supportive her mother was trying to bring this reality; I loved her teacher, who saw all her work and effort and encouraged her not to stop.

To See an Owl by Matthew Cordell, (List Price: $18.99, Random House Studio, 9780593649893, January 2025)

Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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The Harder I Fight the More I Love You by Neko Case

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The Harder I Fight the More I Love You by Neko Case
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Electric, angry, joyful, scrappy, and full of life – I could not get enough of Neko Case’s memoir. The Harder I Fight the More I Love You is a powerful work that is moving and inspiring even if you are not familiar with Neko or her music. A celebration of the power of art and the power that comes from being our true selves in the world – an unforgettable read!

The Harder I Fight the More I Love You by Neko Case, (List Price: $30, Grand Central Publishing, 9781538710500, January 2025)

Reviewed by Caleb Masters, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates

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The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates
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In these essays, Ta Nehisi Coates demonstrates a concept we should all practice; that is, the ability to unlearn what we’ve always believed to be true when presented with new facts. He accomplishes this through the lens of storytelling and its power to change people. The most profound example is when he travels to Palestine and realizes the narrative accepted by the Western world (a narrative he himself used in a previously published piece on reparations) is far removed from reality. These extremely powerful essays will be recommended reading for years to come.

The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates, (List Price: $30, One World, 9780593230381, October 2024)

Reviewed by Becca Naylor, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

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Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
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Hendrix weaves together the harsh facts of homes for single, pregnant teenagers with the fantasy of magic spells. Equally heartbreaking, funny, and terrifying!

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix, (List Price: $30, Berkley, 9780593548981, January 2025)

Reviewed by Teresa Dampier, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Ditching Saskia by John Moore

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Ditching Saskia by John Moore
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What we all wouldn’t give to resurrect a lost one, even to spend just a few days with them? In Damian’s world you can, but one small hiccup is he ends up bringing back not his mom but a young dead girl. This story is all about the unexpected ways life gives us the answers we need. Themes of belonging, loss, guilt and abandonment and yet so much hope in the messiness. Perfect for fall and Studio Ghibli fans!

Ditching Saskia by John Moore, (List Price: $19.99, Flying Eye Books, 9781838741556, October 2024)

Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Make Me Rain by Nikki Giovanni

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Make Me Rain by Nikki Giovanni
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I would not call myself a poetry reader, but there is something about Nikki Giovanni’s poetry that speaks to me so deeply. Sentimental and comforting, Make Me Rain covers a wide range of topics from quilts and rising bread to the social change we so desperately need in our world. Giovanni’s wisdom and understanding once again prove why she is such a poetic powerhouse – and leave the reader wanting to explore her past work again, too.

Make Me Rain by Nikki Giovanni, (List Price: $18.99, William Morrow, 9780062995292, September 2021)

Reviewed by Beth Seufer Buss, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Rental House by Weike Wang

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Rental House by Weike Wang
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Rental House is the story of a marriage and all its complicated layers, told through two family vacations. What I love most about Weike Wang is how directly she tells a story, while also leaving the reader time to think and meditate on the story and this relationship. Another brilliant, poignant story perfect for book clubs!

Rental House by Weike Wang, (List Price: $28, Riverhead Books, 9780593545546, December 2024)

Reviewed by Beth Seufer Buss, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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We Celebrate the Light by Jane Yolen

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We Celebrate the Light by Jane Yolen
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An astonishingly gorgeous rendering of the significance of light in the cultural lives of communities around the world. It is a celebration of the natural rhythms that unite us all and the cultural practices that make us unique.

We Celebrate the Light by Jane Yolen, (List Price: $18.99, Rise x Penguin Workshop, 9780593752296, October 2024)

Reviewed by Damarius Johnson, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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