Page 158 Books

A Year of Kites by Monisha Bajaj

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A Year of Kites by Monisha Bajaj
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A Year of Kites is an informative book about the role kites play in traditions around the world. Replete with beautiful illustrations, it would be a nice addition to elementary classrooms, allowing teachers to combine multiple subjects in their lesson planning: the history of kites, following the directions to use artistic skill to create individual kites, and assessing proper wind conditions needed for kite flying. Sounds like a fun afternoon to me as the kids also will get a few steps in as they let ’em soar!

A Year of Kites by Monisha Bajaj, (List Price: $18.99, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 9781547612246, February 2026)

Reviewed by Barb, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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Winging It: A Graphic Novel by Megan Wagner Lloyd

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Winging It: A Graphic Novel by Megan Wagner Lloyd
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Go on Luna’s journey of self-growth as she navigates a life-changing move across the country with her father, surviving a new middle school while still mourning her long-deceased mother and getting to know her seemingly aloof grandmother, along with her very rigid rules. I devoured Winging It by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter in one sitting because the character development was so good that I was instantly invested in Luna’s well-being, relationships, and her nature-hunting ways. Beautiful illustrations, great storyline, and a satisfying feel-good ending! Now I’m off to search for the ever elusive Luna Moth…

Winging It: A Graphic Novel by Megan Wagner Lloyd, (List Price: $14.99, Graphix, 9781338818529, October 2025)

Reviewed by Barb Rascon, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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In a Distant Valley by Shannon Bowring

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In a Distant Valley by Shannon Bowring
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I inhaled this book! I have loved all of the Dalton series books, and the end to the series did not disappoint. Spending time with the same characters and getting in the heads of the other minor characters from previous books gives you a giant hug that gets you through the day. Shannon has a way in her writing that makes you feel like you are a part of the story. She makes the place in Maine seem like its own character. I am going to miss Tru, Bev, Nate, Rose, and all the town folk who make this story so vivid. The line “With each mouthful of champagne, Trudy feels lighter and fuller at the same time” Is just an example of the beauty of her writing. There is so much more to love in her newest book, and I can’t wait to see what she does next! Amazing

In a Distant Valley by Shannon Bowring, (List Price: $19, Europa Editions, 9798889661405, October 2025)

Reviewed by Suzanne Lucey, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

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Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
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Filled with wit, culture, and a wonderful depiction of LGBTQ+ youth, Cemetery Boys was a fast-paced and heartwarming read. I would definitely recommend this to any YA reader!

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas, (List Price: $12.99, Square Fish, 9781250792075, August 2025)

Reviewed by Ashton Ahart, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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Axolotl and Axolittle by Jess Hitchman

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Axolotl and Axolittle by Jess Hitchman
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You know what I love? Puns and Axolotl’s! Filled with vivid pictures and a cute story about siblings who are so different but tease each other and make some silly, silly moves. Axolotls are so popular right now that I know this will be a one-of-a-kind book to share with storytime.

Axolotl and Axolittle by Jess Hitchman, (List Price: $14.99, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 9781464237904, July 2025)

Reviewed by info page158, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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A Smart, Smart School by Sharon Creech

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A Smart, Smart School by Sharon Creech
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A Smart, Smart School by Sharon Creech is the perfect book for students, teachers and administrators to read and reread throughout the school year. It serves as a very important reminder that test scores aren’t everything, and that there is SO much more that matters when building up the morale of your school. Great storyline and beautiful illustrations too!

A Smart, Smart School by Sharon Creech, (List Price: $19.99, HarperCollins, 9780063059610,June 2023)

Reviewed by Barb Rascon, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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This Year, a Witch! by Zoey Abbott

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This Year, a Witch! by Zoey Abbott
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Choosing a Halloween Costume is a big deal, especially to the little ones. Sometimes this is the biggest decision of their young lives. I loved learning about the why’s. Sparks creativity and decision-making skills.

This Year, a Witch! by Zoey Abbott, (List Price: $19.99, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 9781665956024, July 2025)

Reviewed by Suzanne Lucey, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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Ollie In Between by Jess Callans

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Ollie In Between by Jess Callans
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I LOVE this book. I crawled into the head of my younger self and thoroughly enjoyed this take on a young girl named Ollie who isn’t into fashion or boys. She is growing into herself and feels alone in her insecurities (oh, to be a friend to a kid this age and have them listen). This is funny, relatable, and very timely.

Ollie In Between by Jess Callans, (List Price: $17.99, Feiwel & Friends, 9781250331342, April 2025)

Reviewed by Suzanne Lucey, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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We Might Just Make It After All by Elyce Arons

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We Might Just Make It After All by Elyce Arons
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I found myself smiling as I read We Might Just Make It After All by Elyce Arons. It was fun to get an inside look at her beautiful friendship with Kate Spade and the story of how they teamed up to build such a successful company. It’ll make you want to do two things: hug your best friend and go buy a really great Kate Spade handbag.

We Might Just Make It After All by Elyce Arons, (List Price: $28.99, Gallery Books, 9781668069073, June 2025)

Reviewed by Barb Rascon, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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Decolonizing Language and Other Revolutionary Ideas by Ngugi wa Thiong’o

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Decolonizing Language and Other Revolutionary Ideas by Thiong'o Ngugi wa
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Books that feel like “I should go to grad school” are so dear to me, and so far this is my favorite of the genre (tied with bell hooks The Will To Change) as a Kenyan American, this was a particularly enjoyable read with plenty of touchstones in Kenyan history, tied into the global perspective wa Thiong’o brings from Norway to Ireland to Australia and more. As a person with not much of a history or language background this was a super educational read, and I imagine any added knowledge of any of those topics would only enhance the journey of this book, as well as decrease the shock value of the troubling practices of colonial schools. I’d give anything to hear him speak in the context of current events–by which I mean whatever 48-hr time period has just happened.

Decolonizing Language and Other Revolutionary Ideas by Thiong’o Ngugi wa, (List Price: $25.99, The New Press, 9781620979327, May 2025)

Reviewed by Nyawira Nyota, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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Where Are You, Brontë? by Tomie dePaola

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Where Are You, Brontë? by Tomie dePaola
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Who doesn’t love Tomie dePaola? Sad that this is his last book, but it is so fitting that he demonstrates how sad he was over his loving pet, Bronte. This master storyteller hits all the right notes in describing why and how he felt this way. Brilliant! Would be a great healing book for young and old.

Where Are You, Brontë? by Tomie dePaola, (List Price: $19.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781534418509, May 2025)

Reviewed by Suzanne Lucey, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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J vs. K by Kwame Alexander

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J vs. K by Kwame Alexander
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These two are superstars in the Literary world. I had the privilege of meeting both of them and know they live and breathe getting kids to love reading and are such advocates of telling real stories for all. Their pretend jabbing is something that will leave you on the floor laughing. I know kids will love reading this because they will feel like they personally know these guys and they are on the inside joke.

J vs. K by Kwame Alexander, (List Price: $16.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316582681, May 2025)

Reviewed by Suzanne Lucey, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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At Night, They Danced by Victoria Scott-Miller

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At Night, They Danced by Victoria Scott-Miller
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I absolutely LOVED when our parents went out on date nights. This book invokes all the memories of these times and highlights the love between parents. Not something you see often in kids books. Very positive and completely fun.

At Night, They Danced by Victoria Scott-Miller, (List Price: $19.99, Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Yo, 9781665927819, March 2025)

Reviewed by Suzanne Lucey, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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Go Luck Yourself by Sara Raasch

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Go Luck Yourself by Sara Raasch
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Like the first novel, this book is filled with themes of family, holiday joy, and learning to love—both yourself and others. Following Kristopher Clause as he investigates missing holiday magic in the land of St. Patrick’s Day, he discovers that his life and emotions have been twisted by his need to appear put together. As he starts to learn how to feel joy again, Kris also finds love in a person thought to be his enemy — the St. Patrick’s Day prince. Through humorous dialogue, intricate detailing, and a plentiful amount of romance, Go Luck Yourself is a fast-paced and heartwarming novel.

Go Luck Yourself by Sara Raasch, (List Price: $19.99, Bramble, 9781250333216, March 2025)

Reviewed by Ashton Ahart, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner

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In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner
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This book is classic Zentner. With lovely prose, it make you laugh, cry, and appreciate the family you have—both by birth and by choice.

In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner, (List Price: $13.99, Ember, 9781524720278, August 2022)

Reviewed by Amanda Gawthorpe, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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