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The Queen of Swords by Jazmina Barrera

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The Queen of Swords by Jazmina Barrera
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An examination of an author’s life like no other, Jazmina Barrera reveals the impossibility of truly understanding the motivations and choices of another. Researching documents on Elena Garro’s life and reading her writing for over two years, Barrera succeeds in bringing Garro’s complexity to light, illustrating her creativity, brilliance, impulsiveness and instability. Barrera also portrays Elena’s humor and imagination as she fights against a society that limits women’s opportunities. Using a completely original form, Barrera has honored Garro’s life and work while still acknowledging the answers she never found. After reading this book, I added titles by Elena Garro to my to-be-read list.

The Queen of Swords by Jazmina Barrera, (List Price: $24, Two Lines Press, 9781949641875, November 2025)

Reviewed by Lera Shawver, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Fox and the Mystery Letter by Alex Griffiths

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Fox and the Mystery Letter by Alex Griffiths
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I love the illustrations in this story, and getting to follow Fox as he tries to solve a puzzle with clues along the way was so fun! At its heart, this story is one about forgiveness. It is easy to get angry and have disagreements with friends and those we care about. Sometimes these things pull us apart, and it is a huge loss! This book shows us how to come back together and continue the journey.

Fox and the Mystery Letter by Alex Griffiths, (List Price: $18.99, Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 9781836001102, September 2025)

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

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Pacheco and the Witch of the Mountain by Juan E. Zambrano

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Pacheco and the Witch of the Mountain by Juan E. Zambrano
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I loved this story so much! A young boy, Pacheco, is enamored by magic and the witches who have the gift for it on the mountain. But he’s a fisherman’s son, and he’s also a boy – both of which keep him from magic. This all changes when he meets Doris, a rogue witch who does things differently. At its heart, this is all a story about making space for what’s different, of questioning our traditions and way of doing things. I loved it!

Pacheco and the Witch of the Mountain by Juan E. Zambrano, (List Price: $12.99, Andrews McMeel Publishing, 9781524892180, June 2025)

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

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The First Week of School by Drew Beckmeyer

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The First Week of School by Drew Beckmeyer
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I love a story where an “outsider” helps those around them to see themselves in a new and hopeful light. School can be hard, and the first day is hard enough, with all the doubts that we can have about ourselves. This is a reminder that we each have something worth celebrating inside of us. Sometimes it just takes Nobody to notice.

The First Week of School by Drew Beckmeyer, (List Price: $18.99, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 9781665940429, June 2024)

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

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The Second Death of Locke by V. L. Bovalino

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The Second Death of Locke by V. L. Bovalino
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The Second Death of Locke is my number one book of the year, no contest, no doubts, no NOTHIN. I took this book to the beach and devoured it in the span of about five hours. The yearning is out of this world, the world-building is so unique and fascinating, the heroes are reluctant but determined to set things right. I could kiss the ground Bovalino walks on for this work of art.

The Second Death of Locke by V. L. Bovalino, (List Price: $19.99, Forever, 9781538776575, September 2025)

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

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Miss Camper: A Graphic Novel by Kat Fajardo

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Miss Camper: A Graphic Novel by Kat Fajardo
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It’s Sue’s first time at summer camp, and she is so excited! She knows exactly what she wants to do and can’t wait to do it all with her best friend. She soon finds that things don’t always pan out the way we plan, but sometimes that can lead to something better. Miss Camper is a fun, enjoyable read full of adorable illustrations. It is an all-around fun-filled adventure you won’t want to miss!

Miss Camper: A Graphic Novel by Kat Fajardo, (List Price: $24.99, Graphix, 9781338535600, July 2025)

Reviewed by Keeshia Jacklitch, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

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I Got You by Derrick Barnes

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I Got You by Derrick Barnes
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Derrick Barnes captures the magical relationship between brothers in a celebration of both big brothers and little brothers. From learning everything you know from your big brother to realizing that as he gets older you might not spend all your time together, >I Got You is the perfect book to read with siblings — or children expecting a new addition to the family, too. A thoughtful, beautiful story.

I Got You by Derrick Barnes, (List Price: $18.99, Nancy Paulsen Books, 9780593111451, July 2025)

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

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Raging Clouds by Yudori

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Raging Clouds by Yudori
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A BRILLIANT DEBUT set in 16th-century Netherlands that will stick with you. Honestly, this one really made me rage. It’s a reminder of the injustice women have encountered in time (and to this day). What resonated the most is how the author captures the way in which women are pitted against one another. But, when we come together — like this unlikely pair — we soar. We experience a kind of freedom. Heartbreaking and hopeful.

Raging Clouds by Yudori, (List Price: $34.99, Fantagraphics, 9798875001062, July 2025)

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

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Hot Girls with Balls by Benedict Nguyen

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Hot Girls with Balls by Benedict Nguyen
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Nguyen’s mix of satire, social commentary, and the story’s central relationship are impossible to deny. Hot Girls with Balls captures perfectly what it is like to be in the public eye, the myriad of positives and pitfalls that come with social media, and the pressure trans people face just daring to exist in our world. “Hot Girls” Six and Green are amazing characters that I won’t soon forget. Bold, unapologetically queer, and sharp – what a debut!

Hot Girls with Balls by Benedict Nguyen, (List Price: $28, Nguyen, Benedict, 9781646222476, July 2025)

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

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Arcana: The Lost Heirs by Sam Prentice-Jones

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Arcana: The Lost Heirs by Sam Prentice-Jones
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A hidden society of witches? An orphan with a strong lineage to a long-gone family? Cute queer romances and yearning? Tarot card foreshadowing? What more could one want? This is a world where witches work to keep the balance between natural and unnatural forces, and the Arcana is one of the specific societies that does this. But when four students’ lives are thrown together, they realize there is something connecting their blood, and it smells like murder, it smells like power, it smells like secrets. You won’t be able to put this one down!

Arcana: The Lost Heirs by Sam Prentice-Jones, (List Price: $19.99, 8. Feiwel & Friends, 9781250290229, June 2025)

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

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Shark Girl by Kate Beaton

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Shark Girl by Kate Beaton
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I love a story of a brave and BOLD heroine combined with an ethical look at capitalistic systems we should take a closer look at. Shark Girl is outraged at the way a fishing boat overfishes and hauls up fish they can’t even use. So she makes a plan to get even! Humans are pretty greedy, but maybe not all of them are.

Shark Girl by Kate Beaton, (List Price: $18.99, Roaring Brook Press, 9781250184924, February 2025)

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

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Espada by Anabel Colazo

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Espada by Anabel Colazo
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There is so much push and pull in this story of a magical Princess who does not believe she alone should have the power she’s been given by her adopted mother, the queen. A beautifully illustrated graphic novel that focuses on the stories that are told.

Espada by Anabel Colazo, (List Price: $19.99, Oni Press, 9781637157596, May 2025)

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

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The Little Ghost Quilt’s Winter Surprise by Riel Nason

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The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise by Riel Nason
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We get to see Little Ghost Quilt in another adventure, this one during the Christmas season. I love how Little Ghost Quilt is different, and so are his ghost friends, and that is OKAY, more than normal. This story isn’t about changing to be more similar, but finding ways they can all experience the magic of the holidays. Little Ghost Quilt comes up with an idea to bring the holiday spirit to his friends.

The Little Ghost Quilt’s Winter Surprise by Riel Nason, (List Price: $18.99, Tundra Books, 9781774885376, August 2025)

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

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Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom by Jessixa Bagley

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Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom by Jessixa Bagley
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Jazzy the Witch is such a relatable character! She is really struggling with her identity as a witch, and realizes that she is different than everyone around her. This was such a fun graphic novel! I enjoyed the witchy sayings and phrases, and I loved that it has such an amazing message, which is that it’s ok to be who you are.

Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom by Jessixa Bagley, (List Price: $14.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665922326, July 2025)

Reviewed by Sarah Blackwell, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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