The Story of Gumluck the Wizard (Gumluck #1) by Adam Rex

4 stars Wasn’t sure what to expect, but this one was adorable. Meet Gumluck, also known as the Little Wizard Who Lives in the Big Hill, or so he thinks. He spends his time thinking of others, helping them without thanks, and doing his best to make them happy. All he really wants is to…

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Ham Helsing: Vampire Hunter (Ham Helsing #1) by Rich Moyer

2 stars Ham Helsing comes from a long line of daring vampire hunters. After his older brother dies in a tragic wingsuit accident, he takes up the family mantle and sets out to defeat a vampire. Along the way, he encounters a ninja pig, a were-boy, a robot knight, and many more interesting characters. Figure…

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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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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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Butterfly on the Wind by Adam Pottle

Illustrated by Ziyue Chen 3.5 stars A sweet story of the strength of community and the power of individuals. It’s the day before the talent show and Aurora is nervous to perform. She manifests a butterfly using ASL, which travels the world, inspiring Deaf children to add to the flurry of butterflies. They make their…

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Time to Make Art by Jeff Mack

4 stars An engaging tour through the ages, celebrating art from around the world. Follow a young artist as she questions what makes art, how to create it, and how long it takes. Her questions are answered by famous artists throughout history, from Frida Kahlo to the sculptors of the Temple of the Feathered Serpent,…

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Sydney’s Big Speech by Malcolm Newsome

Illustrated by Jade Orlando 5 stars Sydney wants to grow up to be a great leader, but public speaking makes her nervous and she can’t get the words out. To help her gain the confidence to give a speech to her class, her father teaches her about famous Black women in history including Kamala Harris,…

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Goodnight Racism by Ibram X. Kendi

Illustrated by Cbabi Bayoc 5 stars A lyrical book that dreams of an equitable world for all. Beautiful representations of different people and families living together in a vibrant community. Lush, dynamic artwork. A nice place to start introducing ideas of activism, equity, antiracism, and justice. Inspiring and hopeful. A beautiful book. Goodreads

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