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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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Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca

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Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca
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This is a great summer romance full of coffee, sunsets, and ghosts! Cassie is starting over in a small Florida town, independent of those she’d clung to in Orlando, and ready to make a new life for herself. What she was not prepared for was sharing her newly purchased home with a ghost. This book is full of different kinds of love and loss and I found it an oddly therapeutic read as much as a fun romance!

Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca, (List Price: $19, Berkley, 9780593641217, August 2024)

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

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Unico: Awakening (Volume 1): An Original Manga by Osamu Tezuka

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Unico: Awakening (Volume 1): An Original Manga by Osamu Tezuka
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This was such an empowering story about friendship and redemption. It has strong Ghibli vibes with its “cozy granny,” talking cats that get up to mischief — throw in time travel and morally gray characters! You find yourself rooting for Unico from the get-go, can he figure out the mystery of who he is and help those around him?

Unico: Awakening (Volume 1): An Original Manga by Osamu Tezuka, (List Price: $12.99, Graphix, 9781339036335, August 2024)

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

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We Are Big Time by Hena Khan

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We Are Big Time by Hena Khan
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I love this new middle-grade graphic novel about a girls’ basketball team. The story could easily be that it is a team from an all-Muslim school, but there’s more to it than that. I love how the author has based this on a true story and helped guide the reader through the prejudice and media hype that would surround this story still. It’s nuanced and delicately handled, and I think will resonate with every reader.

We Are Big Time by Hena Khan, (List Price: $13.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9780593430477, August 2024)

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

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Youth Group by Jordan Morris

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Youth Group by Jordan Morris
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I really enjoyed this slightly bonkers graphic novel, and it made me laugh out loud! I loved the concept of an evangelical church youth group that secretly fights demons — seriously a perfect concept for a book. The author and artist captured the 1990s youth group scene so accurately!

Youth Group by Jordan Morris, (List Price: $17.99, First Second, 9781250789235, July 2024)

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

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The Hunger and the Dusk, Vol. 1 by G. Willow Wilson

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The Hunger and the Dusk, Vol. 1 by G. Willow Wilson
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I am truly obsessed! This story takes place in a world where humans and orcs are enemies, but when a long-forgotten entity known as the Vangol returns from across the seas, humankind and orc-kind must form alliances if they hope to survive what’s ahead. Can humans and orcs see past their painful histories and prejudices? I CANNOT WAIT TO FIND OUT!

The Hunger and the Dusk, Vol. 1 by G. Willow Wilson, (List Price: $21.99, IDW Publishing, 9798887240824, June 2024)

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

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First Test Graphic Novel by Tamora Pierce

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First Test Graphic Novel by Tamora Pierce
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Pierce’s series is beloved for a reason, and I am SO happy it’s becoming a graphic novel series. A strong female heroine trying to prove herself in a society where women are not welcome in the community of knights. Uplifting, hopeful. Small acts of bravery and bold friendship!

First Test Graphic Novel by Tamora Pierce, (List Price: $17.99, Random House Graphic, 9780307931573, July 2024)

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

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Ruby’s Tools for Making Friends by Apryl Stott

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Ruby's Tools for Making Friends by Apryl Stott
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My favorite kind of picture book is one set in a classroom of both humans and anthropomorphic animals. This book is adorable as it tells the story of Ruby the fox starting a new school and trying to use her skills to make new friends. Turns out friends don’t like you just for your skills — they like you for you!

Ruby’s Tools for Making Friends by Apryl Stott, (List Price: $18.99, Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 9781665921640, June 2024)

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

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