Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo”

by Zora Neale Hurston Edited by Deborah G. Plant Forward by Alice Walker 5 stars An incredible read. Barracoon not only tells Cudjo Lewis’ story in his own words, but also the story of how Hurston’s relationship with him grew and the history of the book’s publication. About half of the book comes directly from…

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A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin

5 stars A delightfully sweet story with a fun spin to explain the phases of the moon. Perfect for reading during the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival or any time you’re looking for a tasty story. Little Star’s mother makes a big mooncake and hangs it in the sky to cool. She instructions Little Star not to…

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The Dog that Ate the World by Sandra Dieckmann

4 stars Another stunning picture book from Dieckmann. When a dog arrives in the peaceful valley and begins eating everything in sight, the other animals try to confront him. But when their efforts are in vain, they band together to create beauty in their own world. This fable-style story has a lovely emphasis on community…

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Dragon Dancer by Joyce Ching

Illustrated by Jérémy Pailler 4 stars A stunning story that visually represents the scaring away of bad luck and welcoming the new year. The story follows Yao and his first dance with the sky dragon, Shen Long. Together they chase away the bad luck and bring good luck to their community. Pailler’s artwork is absolutely…

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Festival of Colors by Kabir and Surishtha Sehgal

Illustrated by Vashti Harrison 4 stars A stunning picture book about two siblings preparing for Holi. The story goes through the basics of how they prepare for the holiday, including making colorful powders. Then they gather with their neighbors, friends, and family, and the fun begins. Beautiful illustrations that bring the story to life. Nice…

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Deadendia: The Watcher’s Test (Deadendia #1)

by Hamish Steele 5 stars A fantastic adventure featuring demon-possessed pugs, ghost collectors, spells gone awry, a celebrity-themed amusement park, and a cast of unforgettable characters. A little bit of romance, some mystery, and a whole lot of creepiness make for a very fun reading experience. I’ll admit, I watched the Netflix adaptation first. While…

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Sheets (Sheets #1) by Brenna Thummler

5 stars Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. I’ve seen a lot of hype about this book and it is much deserved. I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but was sucked into the blending of Marjorie’s and Wendell’s worlds. A girl whose family owns a laundromat befriending a sheet-donning ghost has got to be one of…

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Neither by Airlie Anderson

5 stars I knew when I picked this book up that I would love it. And I did. Such a fantastic idea for a story. I really enjoyed the whimsical artwork. So much color, uniqueness, and beauty. Love it. This is a story of Neither, who isn’t a This and isn’t a That so he…

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