Marshmallow & Jordan by Alina Chau

4 stars A passionate athlete, a mysterious elephant, a prolonged drought, and a new interest that may divide friendships. When Jordan can no longer compete on the basketball team, she tries out water polo. But doing so means Jordan has to choose between getting better at water polo or keeping up with her friends on…

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The Girl Who Married a Skull and Other African Stories

3 stars I recently read The Woman in the Woods and Other North American Stories and absolutely loved it. So, I thought I’d read some of the earlier collections in the series. What I loved about The Woman in the Woods is that it showcases a variety of indigenous authors and artists. As far as I can…

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Dungeon Critters by Natalie Riess and Sara Goetter

5 stars Action, adventure, mystery, drama, humor, and a bit of adorable romance. This Dungeons-and-Dragons-style book has it all! Enter the fantasy world of an unnamed kingdom and join a group of friends on their quest to discover the truth behind an odd plant. This book was so much fun. Filled with supportive friendships, action…

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Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun’s Thanksgiving Story

by Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, and Alexis Bunten Illustrated by Garry Meeches Sr. 5 stars A beautiful telling of the story of Keepunumuk, the time of harvest. It focuses on the relationship between humans and the natural world, specifically the Three Sisters as well as the animals. The book opens with a brief intro about…

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Poorlier Drawn Lines (Poorly Drawn Lines #3)

by Reza Farazmand 5 stars Hilarious. This is the first of the books I’ve read, but I’ve read the comics online and enjoyed watching the show adaptation. Farazmand’s style is a great blend of optimism, snark, and humor. I really love all the reoccurring Poorly Drawn Lines characters he’s created. Perfect for those who enjoy…

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The Seven Chinese Siters by Kathy Tucker

Illustrated by Grace Lin 3 stars A sweet story following a group of sisters, each with a special talent. When Seventh Sister is taken by a hungry dragon, the others team up to rescue her, each contributing their skill. Lin’s illustrations are gorgeous. Dynamic artwork with splendid color and detail. While the sisters look similar…

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A Giraffe and a Half by Shel Silverstein

3 stars A fun, silly tale that builds nicely. It starts with a boy and a giraffe then continues to add elements in the same vein as There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. Each addition is paired with a new illustration, which helps break up the repetition of the text. Humorous story that…

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Alphabedtime by Susanna Leonard Hill

Illustrated by Betsy Snyder 5 stars An absolutely adorable book. It’s fun rhyme scheme makes it perfect for reading aloud. Follow the Alphababies as they get ready for bed. From the toothbrush line to bath time to snuggling into their jammies, join the 26 children in their bedtime routine. I loved all the details packed…

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Sleepy Sheepy by Lucy Ruth Cummins

Illustrated by Pete Oswald 4 stars Such a cute picture book. Perfect for read-alouds. Simply put, Sleepy Sheepy does not want to do to bed. He does everything he can to put off bedtime until finally he has to admit he’s a little bit sleepy. Parents can definitely relate to Ma Sheepy and Pa Sheepy…

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Lost Legends of Nothing (Nothing #2)

by Alejandra Green and Fanny Rodriguez 4 stars Another fun adventure into the world of Nothing. This one starts out the same as the first. Nathan wakes up in a strange place. But this time, he’s on a mission. He must reunite with his friends, find the truth about Lerina, and stop Stryx. With Nothing…

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