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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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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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