Blue Cypress Books

Homeland by Hannah Moushabeck

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Homeland by Hannah Moushabeck
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A love letter to a people and place we see far too little of in books and media. It is time for more books like Hannah’s to teach us about Palestinians and their beautiful culture. I fell in love with the family in this book and the stories they share, and I know the littles in your world will too. This book is not just a teaching tool; it is an entertaining and heartwarming story.

Homeland by Hannah Moushabeck, (List Price: $18.99, Chronicle Books, 9781797202051, March 2023)

Reviewed by Rayna, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, LA

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The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner

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The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner
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The Trouble with Heroes follows Finn on a journey to heal from the loss of his dad as he discovers, for better or worse, who his dad really was. All while climbing 46 mountain peaks as reparations for a bit of graveyard vandalism. Messner works her magic in this heartfelt story of family and coming of age in a time just post-COVID, which is still all too real. I fell in love with Finn and his K9 hiking companion! Having lost my dad at a young age, I truly felt Finn’s anger, confusion, and need to find out more about his dad. As a fun bonus recipes are sprinkled throughout the book as Finn bakes up cookies inspired by the peaks he climbs.

The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner, (List Price: $17.99, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 9781547616398, April 2025)

Reviewed by Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

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1000 Words by Jami Attenberg

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1000 Words by Jami Attenberg
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1000 Words is a compulsively readable and truly inspiring book filled with encouragement from Jami and 50 other amazing authors. This book will make you want to write.

1000 Words by Jami Attenberg, (List Price: $19.99, S&S/Simon Element, 9781668023617, January 2025)

Reviewed by LeeAnna Callon, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

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All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson

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All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson
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The story of a young girl haunted by the grief of losing her best friend. The book permeates with sadness while Sage navigates daily life without her friend and the guilt she feels for her part in her friend’s death. A beautifully written novel in verse showing us it is ok to be sad, and sometimes it’s a long journey to hope and healing.

All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson, (List Price: $17.99, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 9781547605897, February 2025)

Reviewed by Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

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Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo

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Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo
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I loved the twists laced through this thrilling story. A mystery full of heart and at times deeply unsettling. Teenagers are messy, but they are wholly human with all the pain that often includes. This story takes them seriously in an important way giving voice to true loss and the devastation it can leave behind.

Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo, (List Price: $19.99, Bloomsbury YA, 9781547614004, April 2024)

Reviewed by Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

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The Mango Tree by Annabelle Tometich

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The Mango Tree by Annabelle Tometich
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The Mango Tree was a book I didn’t know I needed. Annabelle Tometich is from my hometown of Fort Myers, Florida, and she perfectly puts our little town on the map in an honest and lyrical way. All while telling the story of her unique, flawed, and loving family. It starts with a bang and ends with a hug. If you are a memoir reader this is for you.

The Mango Tree by Annabelle Tometich, (List Price: $30, Little, Brown and Company, 9780316540322, April 2024)

Reviewed by Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

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Ne’er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti

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Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti
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If Alexandra Vasti writes it, I am going to read it, and I am going to love it. If Alex has a million fans (she will soon), I am one. If Alex has one fan, it is me. If Alex has no fans, I have perished, probably in a bathtub somewhere. If you’re looking for historical romance that is kind, charming, and hot with top-tier banter – Alexandra is your girl. And also if you aren’t. Y’all read this book.

Ne’er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti, (List Price: $18, St. Martin’s Griffin, 9781250910943, July 2024)

Reviewed by Jodi Laidlaw, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

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Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron

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Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron
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Kalynn Bayron has done it again. Full disclosure, I love her work and have read everything she has published, and it feels really good to be able to continue to recommend her books to readers again and again. Sleep Like Death is another creative and fun twist on a classic story. I couldn’t wait to turn each page and longed to dive back into the world Kalynn had built after I finished the last one

Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron, (List Price: $19.99, Bloomsbury YA, 9781547609765, June 2024)

Reviewed by Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

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I’ll Give You a Reason by Annell López

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I'll Give You a Reason by Annell López
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These beautiful stories fill my heart with hope and longing. Annell Lopez weaves powerful portraits of women just trying to be. Be happy, be important, be heard.

I’ll Give You a Reason by Annell López, (List Price: $16.95, The Feminist Press at CUNY, 9781558613126, April 2024)

Reviewed by Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

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Werewolf at Dusk: And Other Stories by David Small

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Werewolf at Dusk: And Other Stories by David Small
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David Small always packs a punch in the most sublet ways. His illustrations perfectly compliment these stories of longing and the fragility of life.

Werewolf at Dusk: And Other Stories by David Small, (List Price: $25, Liveright, 9781324092827, March 2024)

Reviewed by Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

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Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti

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Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti
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Alexandra Vasti does it again with Earl Crush! This one starts with some Regency-era catfish-ing when sweet, anxiety-riddled Lydia Hope-Wallace runs off to Scotland to propose a marriage of convenience with an Earl she believes she’s been corresponding with, which turns out to be a huge surprise for him…because he doesn’t know her. When they realize it’s the Earl’s estranged brother who has been posing as him through these letters, the two team up to get to the bottom of it. This book has everything! Pining! Political intrigue! Yearning! Espionage! Longing! Zebras!

Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti, (List Price: $18, St. Martin’s Griffin, 9781250910967, January 2025)

Reviewed by LeeAnna Callon, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

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Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

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Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
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I loved Cinderella is Dead! I love that Kalynn took a fairy tale we all know and turned it on its head, for the better. The whole time I am reading it I’m thinking this is a feminist fairy tale. I’m thinking this is the LGBTQ fairy tale I wish I could have read when growing up and I am so happy young people today will be able to read this story. We need more stories like this.

Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron, (List Price: 10.99, Bloomsbury YA, 9781547606641, June 2021)

Reviewed by Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

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When Sea Becomes Sky by Gillian McDunn

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When Sea Becomes Sky by Gillian McDunnr
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This is now one of my favorite books. I was devastated for myself and every character I had met along the way while reading this wonderfully crafted story. This book will rip your heart out and put it back together perfectly. I highly recommend When Sea Becomes Sky for readers young and old.

When Sea Becomes Sky by Gillian McDunn, (List Price: $16.99, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 9781547610853, February 2023)

Reviewed by Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

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Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

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Wishtree by Katherine Applegate
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A beautiful book that made my heart ache in the best ways. Another masterpiece from Applegate that teaches us a little about ourselves while weaving a tree and the community where it lives.

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate, (List Price: 8.99, Square Fish, 9781250233899, March 2023)

Reviewed by Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

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Hanging Out by Sheila Liming

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Hanging Out by Sheila Liming
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A fresh look at how and why we spend our free time. I love how Sheila Liming weaves movie and music references along with personal stories in Hanging Out making this book entertaining and informative. She has me thinking harder about where I hang out and why and the power just hanging out can have.

Hanging Out by Sheila Liming, (List Price: 27.99, Melville House, 9781685890056, January 2023)

Reviewed by Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

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