United States

Sleepless in Dubai by Sajni Patel

Asian American & Pacific Islander, Holidays & Celebrations, People & Places, Romance, Romantic Comedy, United States, Young Adult Fiction

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After reading Sleepless in Dubai, you will be itching for a trip to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi! Nikki and Yash have been best friends since birth. But this last summer, their friendship blew up and they’ve been avoiding each other since. Now their families have a trip planned together to Dubai for Diwali and they’re going to have to find some way to get along.

Sleepless in Dubai by Sajni Patel, (List Price: $30, Amulet Books, 9781419766961, October 2023)

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

Empanadas for Everyone by Jackie Azúa Kramer

Children, Hispanic & Latino, Juvenile Fiction, People & Places, United States

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This could just as easily be called "Empanadas from Everyone" — doesn’t every culture have some form of dumpling or meat (or meatless) pastry? Hubs once had a coworker describe what I would call potstickers as "Chinese ravioli", and frankly, they’re not wrong! I love how the community came together to share the secrets of their cultures’ empanadas, samosas, patties, pierogies, & jiaozi. Food shared builds love and community.

Empanadas for Everyone by Jackie Azúa Kramer, (List Price: $18.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665914581, August 2023)

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

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Banned Books, Children, Hispanic & Latino, Holidays & Celebrations, Juvenile Fiction, LGBTQ+, Non-Religious Celebrations, People & Places, United States

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A beautiful and light-hearted story for every kind of fanciful and imaginative kid! Jessica Love’s illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and so easily portray Julian’s wish to be a magical creature. This is a delightfully simple story that explores gender expression and individuality. Careful details also help communicate Julian’s fear of revealing his identity to his Abuela, an important representation that kids need for all kinds of situations.

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love, (List Price: $17.99, Candlewick, 9780763690458, April 2018)

Reviewed by Johanna Albrecht, McIntyre’s Books in Pittsboro, North Carolina

The Six by Loren Grush

20th Century, Adult Nonfiction, History, United States

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A September 2023 Read This Next Book!

I dressed up as Sally Ride in the fourth grade after visiting the Johnson Space Center, and I’ve been a fan ever since! I have spent hours reading books and watching documentaries about all things NASA for years of my life, but I still learned so many new things reading this book. The new insight that Grush brings to this era of NASA history is fascinating; by telling the story though the perspectives of the first six women astronauts she situates the space shuttle in a way I have not seen before. She also has a knack for explaining complicated engineering or scientific concepts in very clear, short paragraphs, which I really appreciated! This will be a great addition to any space fan’s library.

The Six by Loren Grush, (List Price: $32.5, Scribner, 9781982172800, September 2023)

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

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

20th Century, African American & Black, Banned Books, Children, Historical, People & Places, Prejudice & Racism, Social Themes, United States, Violence

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In the end, and in the beginning, all we really have are our stories. In Ghost Boys, Jerome’s story, Sarah’s story, Grandma’s and Kim’s and Emmett’s stories are all one: The story that only the living can make the world better. This story, their story will haunt the reader long long long past the final page. Sure to be a winner this award season, Ghost Boys is an absolute must-read.

Ghost Boys by Jewel Parker Rhodes, (List Price: 7.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316262262, September 2019)

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

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi

African American & Black, Banned Books, Civil & Human Rights, History, People & Places, Politics & Government, Prejudice & Racism, Social Science, Social Topics, United States, Young Adult Nonfiction

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WOW! Everyone should read this book. No matter what you think you know, you probably don’t know enough. Clear and accessible non-history book with history in it. As a former teacher, I wish more content was available in this well-thought-out and clear package. There isn’t room to get bored or lost for readers. There are built-in moments to breathe, reflect, and even chuckle. a great strategy for tough material. No matter what lens you view America through, this book will have an impact on your focus. It’s not enough to not be racist, be actively anti-racist.

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi, (List Price: 18.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316453691, March 2020)

Reviewed by Susan Williams, M. Judson, Booksellers in Greenville, South Carolina

The Storyteller by Brandon Hobson

Country & Ethnic, Fairy Tales & Folklore, Fantasy & Magic, Juvenile Fiction, Native American, People & Places, United States

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A May 2023 Read This Next! Title

Ziggy is just a regular kid. Well, a regular kid who encounters talking coyotes, singing frogs, prophesying snakes, truth-telling horses, a very interesting Grandma, and Nunnehi- spirits who protect those of Cherokee descent. Funny, sad, wise, and jam-packed with adventure, Ziggy’s story, The Storyteller, may be the very best book you’ll read in 2023.

The Storyteller by Brandon Hobson, (List Price: 17.99, Scholastic Press, 9781338797268, May 2023)

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

Ramen for Everyone by Patricia Tanumihardja

Asian American & Pacific Islander, Children, Juvenile Fiction, People & Places, United States

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A March 2023 Read This Next! Title

Ramen for Everyone beautifully depicts the bond food represents to Hiro and his family. Hiro learns that perfect isn’t always the same for everyone, and that what he can cook is just as wonderful as his dad’s recipe.

Ramen for Everyone by Patricia Tanumihardja, (List Price: $18.99, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 9781665904353, February 2023)

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

Ramen for Everyone by Patricia Tanumihardja

Asian American & Pacific Islander, Children, Juvenile Fiction, People & Places, United States

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A March 2023 Read This Next! Title

From the title and cover alone this book attracted everyone in my friend’s family — they homeschool and we were looking at a stack of kidlit over bubble tea. The verbs-with-images pages reminded me of superhero graphics, but instead of "pow" "bang" "zoom" and the like, dad cooking "steeps" "shreds" "stews", ending up with joy and anime eyes! I love the family in the kitchen story, and that it goes disastrously when Hiro first tries for himself, but knowing what individuals uniquely love allows him to tailor the perfect ramen for each in a way someone out of the household never could.

Ramen for Everyone by Patricia Tanumihardja, (List Price: $18.99, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 9781665904353, February 2023)

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

When You Wish Upon a Lantern by Gloria Chao

Asian American & Pacific Islander, Family, Multicultural & Interracial, Multigenerational, People & Places, Romance, United States, Young Adult, Young Adult Fiction

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It is a story about grief, community, family and love. Chao’s writing invites you into a community that is rich in Chinese culture and traditions that you can see, smell, taste and hear. Throughout the story you get to see Kai and Liya grow as individuals and find their way back to each other in the most heartwarming way. This beautiful story is sure to tug on your heartstrings!

When You Wish Upon a Lantern by Gloria Chao, (List Price: $18.99, Viking Books for Young Readers, 9780593464359, February 2023)

Reviewed by Keeshia Jacklitch, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

A Is for Affrilachia by Frank X. Walker, Upfromsumdirt (illus)

African American & Black, Alphabet, Children, Concepts, Diversity & Multicultural, History, Juvenile Nonfiction, State & Local, United States

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I have read many alphabet books, but this one is a revelation. Walker’s novel approach to the time-honored alphabet book creates not only a read-aloud treasure, but a resource for families. Parents can get as much out of this book as their children, so take your time with each letter. Savor each page. Explore the glossary at the end of the book. Reflect on your own gaps in knowledge and why they exist. This book is a jumping off point—the beginning of the conversation but definitely not the end.

A Is for Affrilachia by Frank X. Walker, Upfromsumdirt (illus), (List Price: $19.95, University Press of Kentucky, 9780813196374, January 2023)

Reviewed by Kate Snyder, Plaid Elephant Books in Danville, Kentucky

She Is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran

Asian American & Pacific Islander, Horror, Occult & Supernatural, Paranormal, People & Places, Supernatural, Thrillers & Suspense, United States, Young Adult Fiction

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A February 2023 Read This Next! Title

A gothic ghost story set in Vietnam. A modern family who have been torn apart by time and a house possessed by its former occupants. Haunting is the perfect word for this story. I was engrossed from the very beginning and now that I have finished it I can’t stop thinking about it.

She Is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran (List Price: $18.99, Bloomsbury YA, 9781547610815, February 2023)

Reviewed by Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

How We Say I Love You by Nicole Chen

Asian American & Pacific Islander, Children, Family, Holidays & Celebrations, Juvenile Fiction, Multigenerational, People & Places, United States, Valentine's Day

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How We Say I Love You reminds readers there are many ways to show love in your family. The story follows an Asian American girl through a day with her family, who show their love through actions like packing a homemade lunch or doing their best at school. This book is a beautiful way to talk about love and families with even the youngest of readers.

How We Say I Love You by Nicole Chen (List Price: $18.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9780593428399, December 2022)

Reviewed by Beth Seufer Buss, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

I am Ruby Bridges by Ruby Bridges

African American & Black, Biography & Autobiography, Children, Juvenile Nonfiction, People & Places, Prejudice & Racism, Social Activists, Social Topics, United States

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Elementary school. Ruby tells her story, as she experienced it, when she was just six years old. Adapted for the youngest readers, this edition has beautiful illustrations that demonstrate Ruby’s words. There is a glossary to help children learn key terms. For older readers, the author and illustrator have included their own personal notes of what inspired this version. This is an excellent book to help encourage family discussions about America’s history of education. This is a children’s book. It is told from the eyes of a child. It is illustrated showing the world through a child’s eye. It is beautiful! I loved Ruby’s sass, especially when it came to her very old name. I loved her innocence and her spunk. She is, indeed, Ruby Bridges, the First!

I am Ruby Bridges by Ruby Bridges, (List Price: $18.99, Orchard Book, 9781338753882, September 2022)

Reviewed by Nicole McManus, My Sister’s Books in Pawley’s Island, South Carolina

Still This Love Goes On by Buffy Sainte-Marie

Childrens, Indigenous, Juvenile Fiction, Native American, People & Places, United States

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Beautiful and poignant, this stunning ode to Cree life sings with love for the relations that sustain it—between people, with the land, and the communal practices that have endured through generations. Flett’s warm, evocative artwork is, as always, a treasure, imbuing Sainte-Marie’s lyrics with tender resonance.

Still This Love Goes On by Buffy Sainte-Marie, (List Price: $18.95, Greystone Kids, 9781771648073, September 2022)

Reviewed by Hannah DeCamp, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia

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