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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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Debating Darcy by Sayantani DasGupta

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Debating Darcy by Sayantani DasGupta
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I’m always a fan of a good Pride and Prejudice retelling, and this one does not disappoint. I love the setting of competing high school debate teams and the issues of racism and sexism that are addressed.

Debating Darcy by Sayantani DasGupta, (List Price: $12.99, Scholastic Press, 9781338797701, March 2023)

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

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Molly’s Tuxedo by Vicki Johnson

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Molly's Tuxedo by Vicki Johnson
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It’s picture day at school, and Molly doesn’t want to wear the dress her Mom picked out; it doesn’t even have pockets! I loved this picture book that celebrates personal expression and the importance of being your true self. Bright, playful art with a wonderful message, Molly’s Tuxedo is a picture book winner!

Molly’s Tuxedo by Vicki Johnson, (List Price: $18.99, little bee books, 9781499813142, June 2023)

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

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The Secret Dead Club by Karen Strong

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The Secret Dead Club by Karen Strong
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A girl named Wednesday who can see ghosts tasks herself with helping a restless soul cross over while also trying to fit in at her new school. This is a lovely story about friendship, grief, and starting over. I appreciated the level of diversity in this book, as well as the portrayal of what a modern family can look like. The paranormal aspects were a bit intense at times, but I think it’s perfect for readers who are interested in ghost stories.

The Secret Dead Club by Karen Strong, (List Price: $17.99, Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665904506, August 2024)

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

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Umami by Jacob Grant

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Umami by Jacob Grant
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Super cute picture book that introduces the five tastes — salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and umami! Umami the Penguin loves food and wants to liven up her continent’s diet of cold fish (ew). Her adventurousness is delightful, and I loved that this is such an unconventional take on a “getting kids to be more curious about food” theme. Plus, it’s just good fun!

Umami by Jacob Grant, (List Price: $18.99, Viking Books for Young Readers, 9780593624067, October 2024)

Reviewed by Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Leap by Simina Popescu

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Leap by Simina Popescu
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I loved everything about this story! This touched on typical dancer struggles, like eating disorders, cruel instructors, and envy among the students but it was done in a way that I feel lots of people who aren’t in dance can relate to. But much more than just a story about dancers, we are following Ana, who is struggling with her identity, her relationships, being queer, and her struggle to figure herself out. I also really appreciated the color pallet that was chosen for this story and the times when the artist utilized other brighter colors as part of the storytelling.

Leap by Simina Popescu, (List Price: $17.99, Roaring Brook Press, 9781250838308, November 2024)

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

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Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang

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Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang
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Well damn, I going to be thinking about it for awhile. Blood Over Bright Haven is the perfect story for the person who wants to rage at the system of oppression against women and also the way in which religion and history are often used to tell a story that continues to make a person or people group be regarded as less than. Just add a technical magic system called “siphoning” and a group of mages who use their skills to learn where to siphon magic in order to power their city. Sciona is fueled by her desire to be the first woman accepted into this society of mages. She cares about nothing and no one else other than her work and her ability to be the best and make a name for herself when the majority believe as a woman, her delicate disposition will be her downfall. Nothing could be further from the truth because truth and magic are her focus, and nothing will stop her from seeking it. But what if the truth reveals something that completely changes the lens and paradigm of how you view the world? What then? Perfect for fall, perfect for the reader who wants to RAGE at the impacts of colonialism, racism, sexism.

Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang, (List Price: $29.99, Del Rey, 9780593873359, November 2024)

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

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In Praise of Mystery by Ada Limón

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In Praise of Mystery by Ada Limón
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I love seeing more poems become children’s books. This one by Ada Limon captures her magic of reminding us of the wonder around us and the wonder within ourselves.

In Praise of Mystery by Ada Limón, (List Price: $18.99, Norton Young Readers, 9781324054009, October 2024)

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

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The Long Game by Elena Armas

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The Long Game by Elena Armas
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This new book from the queen of slow-burn romance has all the charm of Ted Lasso’s Roy Kent. With a cast of adorable supporting characters, including a blind baby goat and a little league soccer team of 9-year-old girls, this is a story you’ll love immersing yourself in and will hate to leave.

The Long Game by Elena Armas, (List Price: $18.99, Atria Books, 9781668011300, September 2023)

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

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Please Be My Star: A Graphic Novel by Victoria Grace Elliott

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Please Be My Star: A Graphic Novel by Victoria Grace Elliott
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High school stands out in my mind as such a time for being awkward, self-critical, and overly romantic. Thus is the case for Erika, a new student who has a voice in her head that often makes her question herself and if she’s capable of making friends. Surely something has to give! When her school opens up submissions for one-act plays, she writes one for her crush. But she never expects him to agree to be her lead! Full of angst and obsession that only comes with a new crush.

Please Be My Star: A Graphic Novel by Victoria Grace Elliott, (List Price: $15.99, Graphix, 9781338840407, October 2024)

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

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Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo

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Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo
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This story is truly out of this world! It imagines a future where there are civilizations both on Earth or “New Earth” as well as space stations. At its core, this is a story of belonging and finding your place, and IF there is a place for you? These things are hard for Indu because he is 1) from the moon and 2) he’s transgender. This story is a slow burn and has you rooting for all the characters! Themes of love, learning, family and courage.

Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo, (List Price: $15.99, HarperAlley, 9780063057593, May 2024)

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

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When Black Girls Dream Big by Tanisia Moore

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When Black Girls Dream Big by Tanisia Moore
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We are standing on the shoulders of giants. In the same vein as her glorious I Am My Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams, Tanisia Moore has mixed powerful affirmations with the strength of examples of those who have gone before. Robert Paul has put these children right alongside, holding the hands of, carrying on the work of our mentors and role models. This is a book that makes you feel stronger just by reading it.

When Black Girls Dream Big by Tanisia Moore, (List Price: $19.99, Scholastic Press, 9781338776201, October 2024)

Reviewed by Lisa Yee Swope, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Rune: The Tale of a Thousand Faces by Carlos Sánchez

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Rune: The Tale of a Thousand Faces by Carlos Sánchez
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Everything Flying Eye Books publishes is a favorite of mine, and Rune is no different. Two orphans Chriri and Dai find an entrance to another world as they flee the bullies of their own only to end up in Puddin’ a magical kingdom with its own dark villain. Can they find their way back home? Can they help their new friends stop this darkness that is taking control of people? Magic, runes, sign language and so much more.

Rune: The Tale of a Thousand Faces by Carlos Sánchez, (List Price: $15.99, Flying Eye Books, 9781838741211, June 2024)

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

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The Night Librarian: A Graphic Novel by Christopher Lincoln

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The Night Librarian: A Graphic Novel by Christopher Lincoln
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What if the characters in your books wanted out? Especially the characters in those prized collections that had been cooped up for far too long? I loved seeing these books comes to life as twins Page and Turner try to get back their father’s prized Dracula first edition that gets lose in the NY Public library. Loved the focus on family relationships.

The Night Librarian: A Graphic Novel by Christopher Lincoln, (List Price: $13.99, Dial Books, 9780593617663, July 2024)

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

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