The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

Children

When Black Girls Dream Big by Tanisia Moore

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

When Black Girls Dream Big by Tanisia Moore Read More »

The Beautiful Game by Yamile Saied Méndez

Fútbol is the most important thing in twelve-year-old Valeria Salomón’s life, especially when life feels like it’s turning against her. But when Val gets her first period in the middle of the most important soccer game of her life (so far), the fallout slide tackles her into a summer harder than she’d ever imagined. In this delightful middle-grade read full of attitude, Val is forced to dig deep, figure out who she is as a teammate, friend, and daughter, and- most importantly- learn to play like a girl.

The Beautiful Game by Yamile Saied Méndez, (List Price: $16.99, Algonquin Young Readers, 9781643753980, September 2024)

Reviewed by Morgan Holub, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia

The Beautiful Game by Yamile Saied Méndez Read More »

Taxi Ghost by Sophie Escabasse

Puberty has brought about the wildest change for Adèle; she can now see ghosts! Adèle now finds herself stuck between her desire to help and her Grandma’s absolute HATRED of ghosts. Armed with new ghost friends, medium powers, and some unexpected assistance, Adèle finds herself in the middle of a fight to save her city from predatory real estate developers. Sounds a bit wacky, but I promise you, you’re gonna love this one.

Taxi Ghost by Sophie Escabasse, (List Price: $13.99, Random House Graphic, 9780593565971, September 2024)

Reviewed by Jamie Kovacs, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Taxi Ghost by Sophie Escabasse Read More »

The Sherlock Society by James Ponti

How much trouble can four tweens and a senior citizen get into in a summer? A lot, as readers discover in The Sherlock Society! It turns out that investigating Al Capone and contemporary thieves does come with some risks…. Luckily, Alex, Zoe, Yadi, and Lina are good sleuths, and Alex and Zoe’s grandfather has a lot of connections! A fun romp through puzzles, riddles, and history. For fans of Chasing Vermeer, Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, and Hoot.

The Sherlock Society by James Ponti, (List Price: $18.99, Aladdin, 9781665932530, September 2024)

Reviewed by Monie Henderson, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi

The Sherlock Society by James Ponti Read More »

We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang

Possibly one of the most delightful picture books I’ve read this year. Adorable and unpredictable, this is perfect for teaching kids in a fun way that we should always try to give people the benefit of the doubt, even if they’re different from us in more ways than one. When the friendly farmer and his wife stumble across some rather odd folk who need help fixing their car, what else can they do but treat them with hospitality? Later down the line these “humans” will remember the kindness of earth and the farmer and his friends will muse that they were definitely NOT human at all.

We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang, (List Price: $18.99, Tundra Books, 9781774882023, August 2024)

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story on the Square in McDonough, Georgia

We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang Read More »

Ground Zero by Alan Gratz

Alan Gratz is the master at posing historical fiction in a compelling and propulsive way for middle-grade readers. I love the way he went back and forth between a boy fighting for his life in the tower and a girl fighting for her own life in the aftermath of 9/11 overseas. It was touching and eye-opening in a way that younger readers have not experienced the events of 9/11.

Ground Zero by Alan Gratz, (List Price: $17.99, Scholastic Press, 9781338245752, February 2021)

Reviewed by Olivia Schaffer, The Bookshelf in Thomasville, Georgia

Ground Zero by Alan Gratz Read More »

Go, Wilma, Go! by Amira Rose Davis

Told with a chantable refrain and collage illustrations, this is more than just the story of how Wilma won a gold medal! This tells the story of what happens once Wilma got home after experiencing Europe where she wasn’t treated differently because of her skin color. This is the story of activist Wilma Rudolph, one that is not as well known but is just as important. This belongs on every bookshelf.

Go, Wilma, Go! by Amira Rose Davis, (List Price: $18.99, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 9781547612093, July 2024)

Reviewed by Chelsea Stringfield, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee

Go, Wilma, Go! by Amira Rose Davis Read More »

The Quacken by Justin Colón

Every summer camp has legendary creepy campfire tales, but this tale just might quack you up in addition to creeping you out just a little bit. Read the book, tell the story, but whatever you do, DONT feed the ducks… Silly scariness for fans of the Creepy Carrots series.

The Quacken by Justin Colón, (List Price: $18.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665922487, July 2024)

Reviewed by Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina

The Quacken by Justin Colón Read More »

Ruby’s Tools for Making Friends by Apryl Stott

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

Ruby’s Tools for Making Friends by Apryl Stott Read More »

In Time by Marina Ruiz

In Time perfectly describes the different ways the passage of time is experienced: From the young — slow and never moving; From the old — fast and never enough. The illustrations will have you looking over each page again and again before turning to the next. By the end, you’ll be reminded what it felt like to view time as a child, but ultimately, you’ll be left with the understanding of why time takes time.

In Time by Marina Ruiz, (List Price: $18.99, Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 9780711285200, July 2024)

Reviewed by Jenny Gilroy, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia

In Time by Marina Ruiz Read More »

The Secret Dead Club by Karen Strong

While Karen Strong’s previous two middle-grade books have had ghosty elements, The Secret Dead Club is a full-fledged haunted ghost story. After Wednesday Thomas moves back to her mom’s hometown in Georgia she realizes she’s not the only middle school girl who sees ghosts. This exciting mystery uses themes of friendship and grief to help the reader know themselves better. This story masterfully includes (what can be seen as) delicate topics such as getting your period or how emotions can manifest physically in your body to create an extremely relatable and readable book.?

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

Reviewed by Rachel Watkins, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia

The Secret Dead Club by Karen Strong Read More »

Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin

Perfect lawns with their manicured grass and neat hedges are SO 2020. Wilding is IN and every neighborhood needs a weird wild little garden like Mille Fleur’s. Share this delightful little gem with the weirdest and wildest kid in your world.

Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin, (List Price: $18.99, Cartwheel Books, 9781339023274, July 2024)

Reviewed by Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina

Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin Read More »

Tiny Jenny by Briony May Smith

Tiny Jenny is a wingless fairy born in a nest of wrens. She goes in search of her fairy family and hopes to earn her wings. After a surprising journey, she finds where she truly belongs in this beautifully illustrated picture book.

Tiny Jenny by Briony May Smith, (List Price: $18.99, Anne Schwartz Books, 9780593650479, August 2024)

Reviewed by Rae Ann Parker, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee

Tiny Jenny by Briony May Smith Read More »

Spotlight On: Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin

ad

Christy Mandin, photo courtesy the author

Like many of my stories, Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden started with something I read about that made my brain light up – a real life poison garden in England! You see, I myself am wonderfully weird and a poison garden would’ve been just the kind of place I would’ve wanted to visit as a child. From a very early age I was multi-passionate, interested in all manner of things. But my unquenchable curiosity and varied interests often made me feel like I didn’t quite fit into any one box. And being curious and questioning sometimes put me at odds with the grown-ups in my life. I wasn’t satisfied with “because it’s always been that way” or “because I said so.” And I especially wasn’t interested in the words “you can’t.” In that way, Millie Fleur and I are alike.

― Christy Mandin, Letter to booksellers

Millie Fleur's Poison Garden by Christy Mandin

What booksellers are saying about Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden

  • Perfect lawns with their manicured grass and neat hedges are SO 2020. Wilding is IN and every neighborhood needs a weird wild little garden like Millie Fleur’s. Share this delightful little gem with the weirdest and wildest kid in your world.
      ― Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina | BUY

  • A wonderfully weird picture book. Delightful!
      ― Rae Ann Parker, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee | BUY

  • Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden is the sweetest, most delightful book of the spookiest plants that you can’t help but love. With a wonderful message that everyone needs, you can’t help but feel your heart grow three sizes as you read. And certainly kids who love the Addams family will be obsessed with this story!
      ― Caitlyn Vanorder, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina | BUY

About Christy Mandin

Christy Mandin is the author and illustrator of multiple picture books. She’s grown many interesting plants in her garden over the years but, so far, none with teeth or tentacles. She currently lives in Florida with her husband and four children. Visit Christy online at christymandin.com.

ad

Spotlight On: Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin Read More »

I’m Afraid, Said the Leaf by Danielle Daniel

Everything is connected, and that is a very comforting thought. This seems like a great book to get children thinking about nature and perhaps experience it in a way they hadn’t before!

I’m Afraid, Said the Leaf by Danielle Daniel, (List Price: $18.99, Tundra Books, 9781774880708, May 2024)

Reviewed by Lana Repic, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia

I’m Afraid, Said the Leaf by Danielle Daniel Read More »

Scroll to Top