Song of the Trees (Logan Family Saga #1) by Mildred D. Taylor

Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney 4 stars A beautifully written story, the first book of the Logan Family Saga showcases the bravery, creative problem solving, and resolve of the Logans. Cassie loves the forest on her family’s property. No matter what her brother says, she knows she hears the trees singing. But then the siblings witness…

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Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Rey Terciero

Illustrated by Bre Indigo 4 stars A fun modern retelling of Little Women. I am always drawn to Jo as a character and this one was no exception. Join the Marches, a blended family living in New York, as they take on life’s battles. The sisters deal with missing their father during his deployment, their…

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CeeCee: Underground Railroad Cinderella by Shana Keller

Illustrated by Laura Freeman 5 stars A wonderful book blending history, fairy tales, and biblical stories. Much like Cinderella, CeeCee is mistreated and disrespected. As an enslaved girl in the household, she is ordered around, isn’t allowed to learn, and is locked away in the attic whenever she is caught looking at books. The only…

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Tiana’s Perfect Plan by Anika Noni Rose

Illustrated by Olivia Duchess 5 stars A sweet new story, perfect for revisiting Tiana, Naveen, and all their friends in New Orleans. Tiana’s in-laws are joining them for the Mardi Gras celebration. Wanting everything to be just right, Tiana sets out to obtain a special ingredient to make the perfect dessert, a king-and-queen cake. Things…

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Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada

Illustrated by Ko Hyung-Ju 3 stars A semi-autobiographical tale set in 1983 during South Korea’s Fifth Republic. When book-loving Kim Hyun Sook starts college, she has big dreams of classes, learning, and campus life. But when she’s invited to join an unconventional book club, her whole world changes. She soon finds herself within a world…

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Where There Is Love: A Story in African Proverbs

by Shauntay Grant Illustrated by Letícia Moreno 5 stars A delightfully cozy story of a young girl’s visit to Nana’s house filled with good food, good music, and good conversation. Nicely written with straight-forward text. I love how the proverbs are worked into the story as the girl shares what she has learned at Nana’s…

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Two-List Thanksgiving by Christine Whan

Illustrated by Sienna Youngsun Kim 5 stars An adorable story about a family coming together for a Thanksgiving meal. A young girl helps her mother shop for Thanksgiving. They have one list for the Korean market and one for the local market. It isn’t until they are all together enjoying the meal that the girl…

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Lonely Castle in the Mirror, Vol. 3

Story by Mizuki Tsujimura Illustrated by Tomo Taketomi Translated by Jacqueline Fung 4 stars Another great volume that continues the story nicely. Summer has come to a close and a new school year begins. And with it, March comes ever closer along with the deadline to find the key. Continuing the events from the previous…

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When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff

Illustrated by Kaylani Juanita 5 stars An adorable story about being a good sibling and helping to make a world where people can be themselves. Growing up, Aidan didn’t feel like the girl people told him he was. Once he told his parents, they helped him let his true self shine. Now Mom and Dad…

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