Almost There and Almost Not by Linda Urban

3 stars This one took me a bit to get into. It deals with so many heavy topics: puberty, looking older than one’s age, sexual harassment, parental neglect, addiction, death of a parent, and being shuttled from one “home” to the next. But once I dove into the narration and story, I was swept up…

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Drawn Together by Minh Lê, Illustrated by Dan Santat

4 stars A beautiful exploration of the ways differences can separate people, but common interests can bridge the gaps to bring them closer together. Spanning age, language, and culture, Lê demonstrates how relationships do not have to be defined by the words we use to communicate. All they need is a shared space to overcome…

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Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai

5 stars A powerful tale of a life lived and how quickly the world can change. Inside Out & Back Again tells the story of a year in the life of Hà, based on Thanhha Lai’s own childhood. In that year (1975), Hà experiences the Fall of Saigon, the treacherous journey by ship to America,…

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Beautifully Me by Nabela Noor, Illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

5 stars I fell in love with this book the moment I saw it. The colors, the designs, the characters, the message. It is just what we needed in the world. The message of body positivity and loving yourself is not necessarily new to children’s literature, but I’ve need seen it presented in a way…

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Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

5 stars Loved it. Absolutely loved it. This is the first book I’ve read of Selznick’s. I picked it up after researching books to add to an International Week of the Deaf display for my library. I loved the combination of story told through words and story told through pictures. It was exceptionally fitting for…

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