Kenzie Kickstarts a Team (The Derby Daredevils #1)

by Kit Rosewater Illustrated by Sophie Escabasse 4 stars A fast-paced story of leadership, making room for new friends, and sharing a love of roller derby. Best friends Kenzie and Shelly (a.k.a. Kenzilla and Bomb Shell) long to play roller derby but they’re too young. That is, until a new Junior Derby League starts up….

Read More

In Our Mothers’ House by Patricia Polacco

4 stars A heartfelt story of a family’s love shared in a big house filled with memories. Told by the eldest daughter, the story follows the children from adoption to adulthood, depicting moments from dance parties to grandparent visits, new pets to Halloween adventures, tea parties to block parties. Such an adorable story. It was…

Read More

Go with the Flow (Go with the Flow #1)

by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann Illustrated by Lily Williams 5 stars A fantastic story of friendship, activism, and the fight for period equity. I loved this story and its characters from the very first page. When Sasha gets her first period at school, it feels like the end of the world. Until she meets…

Read More

Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

4 stars A fascinating blend of science fiction and the supernatural paired with romance, music, found family, and questions of what makes a legacy. I really enjoyed the genre mixing. Donut-making aliens, deals with the Devil, and passion for music collide in such a unique way. Like the Béla Bartók piece that plays such a…

Read More

Suitor Armor, Vol. 3 by Purpah

4 stars Things have certainly gotten complicated for fairy-in-hiding Lucia. After learning some dark truths about the world around her, Lucia can’t go back to her normal life. Everything has changed, straining her relationship with Lady Kirsi and the others in the castle. Memories, mysteries, and secrets will unravel in this continuation of the story….

Read More

Lu and Ren’s Guide to Geozoology by Angela Hsieh

5 stars A beautiful story of family, friendship, and adventure. When Ah-ma doesn’t return from her latest geozoological adventure, Lu sets out to find her in time to see the sunfish eclipse together. Along the way, she’ll use what she’s learned from her grandmother to identify the fascinating geofauna she encounters and help restore balance…

Read More

Suitor Armor, Vol. 2 by Purpah

4 stars Another fascinating collection. In the second volume, Lucia starts her mage apprenticeship, Modeus learns more about the complicated world of humans, and Lady Kirsi makes a breakthrough in her relationship with King Reimund. But recent events have opened Lucia’s eyes and she makes her question whether what she thought she knew of the…

Read More

Sweet Magic (Witchycakes #1) by Kara LaReau

Illustrated by Ariane Moreira 5 stars A delightfully sweet story of magic, problem-solving, and helping others. Welcome to Shellville! Join Blue as they deliver orders for their mother’s bakery and help people all over town. From missing guinea pigs to big messes to keeping a loved one’s memory alive, Blue practices their magic and comes…

Read More

My Sister the Werebeast by Alina Tysoe

5 stars This was such a fun read! Humor, magic, and adventure collide in this fast-paced story with plenty of heartfelt moments. With adventurers for parents, the Wolf-Drake household is anything but normal. But when their parents’ latest quest goes longer than expected and the youngest starts exhibiting strange powers that should have been chased…

Read More