The Queen of Chess: How Judit Polgár Changed the Game

by Laurie Wallmark Illustrated by Stevie Lewis 4 stars A wonderful celebration of Judit Polgár that covers her journey to become the youngest grandmaster at the time. Well-told. The story focuses on the first 15 years of Polgár’s life. Wallmark nicely captures the tension of chess matches and the excitement of victory. Provides a nice…

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My New Life as a Cat Vol. 1 by Konomi Wagata

Translated by Molly Rabbitt 3 stars After a near-death experience, Nao wakes up… as a cat. His human body is in a coma and he has no idea how he wound up in his new form. While he tries to figure it out, he’s taken in by a high school classmate, Chika, and renamed Nyao….

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We Are a Song by Lorian Tu

4 stars A touching tale of all the individual pieces that come together to make a family. Arturo and Emilyn visit their family members to pick up supplies for a party. Along the way, they cherish the different elements of their Chinese and Cuban heritage and find inspiration for a poem. Such a sweet story….

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Witch Hat Atelier, Vol. 1 by Kamome Shirahama

Translated by Stephen Kohler 5 stars A breathtaking read full of mystery, magic, and secrets. Coco has always been fascinated by magic. When she discovers the secret to casting spells, she tries to teach herself. But her attempts result in a devastating mistake. To set things right, she becomes a witch’s apprentice and dives headfirst…

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The Magic of Forests: A Fascinating Guide to Forests Around the World

by Vicky Woodgate 4 stars Join feline explorer, Mimi, on a journey through the forests of the world. In this book, you’ll discover what makes a forest, types of forests and habitats within them, and the many ways forests and trees benefit humans, other plants, animals, and the planet. The book includes maps, biographies, timelines,…

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Once Upon a Zombie: Tales for Brave Readers by Deborah Underwood

Illustrated by Kaley McCabe 5 stars A hilarious early reader perfect for those looking for spooky stories with more humor than scares. Features three zombie-themed fairy tales: “Little Red Zombie”, “Hansel and Gretel Zombie”, and “Three Little Zombies”, perfect for zombie bedtime stories. Cute, spooky artwork featuring eyeballs, brains, and fairy tale characters fed with…

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Dragonbreath (Dragonbreath #1) by Ursula Vernon

2.5 stars A fun story that takes readers to the ocean depths to learn about life under the sea. After getting an F on a paper, Danny does some field research with the help of his best friend, Wendell, and his cousin, Edward. Together, they explore the Sargasso Sea, search for treasure in a sunken…

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Grim Beginnings (Kim Reaper #1) by Sarah Graley

2 stars A weird little story with a fun blend of cutesy and dark style. Becka has a crush on fellow university student, Kim,. When she tries to make a move, she gets swept up in Kim’s job as a part-time grim reaper. Zombies, pirate ghouls, and buff cat dads… can a simple crush overcome…

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A Kids Book About Disabilities by Kristine Napper

5 stars Another great book in the A Kids Book About series. The information is presented in an all-text format with different fonts, styles, colors, and positions. The presentation was engaging while still focusing on the topics covered. The first-person narration helps connect with the reader. This book covers crucial messages about normalizing disabilities, providing…

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Rory and the Magical Mix-Ups (Bibbidi Bobbidi Academy #1)

by Kallie George Illustrated by Lorenz Alvarez Gómez 4 stars Such a sweet story! Rory dreams of being a fairy godmother, but she’s having trouble with her magical spelling. It’s her first week at Bibbidi Bobbidi Academy and no matter how hard she tries, her spells aren’t going as planned. Will she be ready for…

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