The Book That Almost Rhymed by Omar Abed

Illustrated by Hatem Aly 5 stars Hilarious and heartwarming. A sweet adventure told with creativity and humor that celebrates the ups and downs of sibling relationships. The narrator wants to share his perfectly rhyming story, but his sister comes along and changes his words. The new story takes them to unexpected places with unforeseen obstacles,…

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Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

5 stars A modern-day Monster with a story all its own. Told through powerful verse and emotive visuals, this is the story of Amal Shahid, a teenage artist and poet sent to prison for a crime he did not commit. I love Zoboi’s writing and this one did not disappoint. Packed with raw emotion, this book is…

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Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King

by Coretta Scott King with the Reverend Dr. Barbara Reynolds Adapted by Julia Sooy Illustrated by Ekua Holmes 5 stars A powerful adaptation of King’s memoir in a format suitable for young readers. I love to see so many more books focusing on the life and work of Coretta Scott King. The book covers King’s…

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The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes: Ultramarine Vol. 4

Story by Mei Hachimoku Illustrated by Koudon Translated by Alexa Frank 5 stars A beautiful conclusion to a fantastic series. In the final volume, we get all the emotions and I loved every moment of it. The artwork is wonderful. A heartfelt story. I really enjoyed this series. Satisfying to the very end. Goodreads

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Love Like Chocolate by Tracy Banghart

Illustrated by Alina Chau 5 stars A wonderfully sweet story of family, love, and chocolate. The narrator’s family is welcoming a new member. To make his adopted sister feel safe and comfortable, he helps introduce her to the family’s baking traditions and shares their love of chocolate. Such a sweet book. I love that it…

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Mid-Air by Alicia D. Williams

Illustrated by Danica Novgorodoff 5 stars I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The novel-in-verse genre at its finest. I absolutely loved this book. Well-written with engaging characters, powerful themes, and a wonderful story. Includes themes of friends growing apart, loss, grief, guilt, racism, crushes, masculinity, family, and societal expectations. There was…

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I Think Our Son Is Gay, Vol. 2 by Okura

5 stars Another fantastic collection. This series is so sweet. I love how supportive Hiroki’s mom is and how she is willing to learn from him and respect his privacy. In the second volume, we learn a little bit more about Yuri, witness a reunion with a childhood friend, and see Hiroki’s friendship with Daigo…

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The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes: Ultramarine Vol. 3

Story by Mei Hachimoku Illustrated by Koudon Translated by Alexa Frank 5 stars In this volume, Anzu and Kaoru continue their exploration of the Urashima Tunnel, attempting to unlock its secrets. Along the way, Kaoru learns why Anzu is interested in the tunnel in the first place, has an unexpected reunion, and must make a…

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I Am My Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams by Tanisia Moore

Illustrated by Robert Paul Jr. 5 stars A wonderful celebration of Black men as role models, from entertainment to law, activism to sports. The narrator finds inspiration through different famous men, which inspires him to take an active role in his community. Told through lyrical text and a powerful refrain, this book celebrates both contemporary…

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