English & Quechua 4-8 years Inka Culture Peruvian History Peruvian Authors Kindness Social-Emotional Learning Language Quechua Mariana Llanos & Mariana Ruiz Johnson summary Little Chaski is about to begin his first day as a royal messenger! After receiving some advice from other Chaskis (messengers) he goes to the Queen for his task. He receives a…
Category: Historical Fiction
Ophie’s Ghosts
English MG & Up Ghosts Family Parent Loss Fantasy Servitude Enslavement Moving Pittsburgh Justina Ireland summary Ya’ll, this book is sooooo good!! Ophie and her mother have moved to Pittsburgh after their house is burned down, and her father is killed by white supremacists. This evening is also when Ophie found out she can see…
Finding Junie Kim
English & Korean MG & Up Korean War Family History Korean-American Experience Racism Friendship Activism Own Voices SEL Immigration War Communism CW: Violent death of a pregnant woman Ellen Oh Cover Art: Alex Cho summary I’ll be real with you, I didn’t expect this book to rip my heart out in the way that it…
Indigenous #OwnVoices Roundup
English; Nłe7kepmxcín, & Halq’emeylem (Stand Like a Cedar); Ojibwe (It’s a Mitig!); Inuktitut (Grandfather Bowhead, How I Survived & I Am Loved); Rocky Cree (Pīsim) 4 years & up Indigenous Voices Coastal & Interior Salish Identity First Nations Inuit Identity Own Voices Indigenous Culture & Identity Nature & Animals SEL & Mindfulness Family, Foster Care…
Humans Making an Impact: A Roundup of Yesterday, Today, and the Future
english 4-8 years Environmental Justice Activism STEM Marine Biology Girls Outdoors Various, see each review. Summary: In my ongoing Earth Day coverage, I wanted a post to focus on specific individuals who were passionate about different aspects of our natural world. Behold, an array humans that have made a difference throughout history (and one who…
The Magic in Changing Your Stars
English MG Family Black Culture & Identity Harlem Renaissance Fantasy Time Travel Tap Dancing Leah Henderson Summary: This book is really clever, and I love the idea of time travel that other people remember. Ailey is a talented dancer, but he has an utterly crushing tryout for The Wiz. When Ailey talks with his Grampa…
A Natural History of Fairies
Written By: Emily Hawkins Illustrated by: Jessica Roux For Ages: 6 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: Nature, Fantasy, Science. Summary: This book is a beautiful blend of fantasy and science! It has a unique mixture for the reader who loves fairies and wants to learn more about them, and real scientific information about…
These Violent Delights
Written By: Chloe Gong For Ages: YA (CW: Gun violence, gore, kissing, gangs) Language: Majority English, some Chinese & Russian. Topics Covered: Romeo & Juliet Retelling, Communism, China, Gangsters, Fantasy, Monsters, Historical Fiction. Summary: I think all of us have had to read Romeo & Juliet by Shakespeare in school, but none of us have…
Sugar in Milk
Written By: Thrity Umrigar Illustrated by: Khoa Le For Ages: 6 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: Immigration, Growing Up, Social-Emotional Learning, Legends. Summary: This beautiful and tender book takes a Persian story about immigration into new lands and brings it into a contemporary light with a main character having trouble feeling like she…
Ghostology
For Ages: (MG) 10 & Up Language: English Topics Covered: History, Paranormal, Myths, Legends, Social-Emotional Learning. Summary: Happy Halloween! It’s easily the best season all year, and today is the culmination of all things spooky. Ghostology is a book that will engage even the most reluctant of readers, and is like a macabre historical treasure…