by Nagabe Translated by Adrienne Beck 4 stars Another eerie and intriguing volume in the series. When we last left Shiva and Teacher, a strange new Outsider had touched Shiva, cursing her; and those within the Inside had seen a girl in the forest and viewed her as a threat. Now the unexpected duo must…
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by Nagabe Translated by Adrienne Beck 4 stars In a world divined between the Outside and the Inside, a little girl finds herself in the care of one of the Outsiders, a humanoid beast who could curse her with a single touch. Follow their unexpected friendship as they navigate the Outside and the evils it…
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4 stars Hyalin is a magical world where witches’ hair length indicates their power. But those whose hair is deemed too long are declared enemies of the kingdom and annihilated. Years ago, Nyneve’s father met such a fate. Now she is determine to keep under the radar of the conscription officials and hide her true…
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Illustrated by Shiori Translated by Alan Cheng and Rowena Chen 4 stars Another hilarious volume of adventures with Red, Grace, Aina, and, of course, Mr. Cat. The party continues their quest to defeat the Demon King, leveling up, encountering new foes, and meeting some new cats. Includes many relatable cat ownership situations such as going…
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5 stars A stunning graphic novel featuring all sorts of ghosts from spooky to friendly to downright adorable. A great adventure with plenty of humor, friendship, and mischief along the way. I loved this book. July Chen’s yin-yang eyes allow her to see ghosts. She usually tries to ignore them, but when she encounters a…
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Illustrated by Hanna Cha 5 stars A stunning picture book that celebrates heritage, identity, and stories. Follow a young boy as he travels through his mother’s bedtime story to visit his grandmothers and learn their truths about dragons. A wonderful blend of Eastern and Western mythologies and a beautiful emphasis on the validity of both…
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Adapted and illustrated by Victoria Ying Based on Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon by Paula Danziger 3 stars I really enjoyed this series as a kid and it was fun to revisit this story in graphic format. The illustrations are great. Ying’s character designs are wonderful and the art really captures their movements and…
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Illustrated by Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya 4 stars A powerful, beautiful celebration of resilience and identity told through fierce verse and stunning illustrations. The book draws parallels between different culture’s histories, struggles, and treatment while still recognizing the distinctness and diversity of different groups. Gorgeous illustrations that pair wonderfully with each verse. Beautiful color and a wonderful…
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Illustrated by Mae Waite 5 stars A poetic celebration of hula and Hawaiian culture and history. Follow a young girl’s journey to become a hula dancer, learning about her heritage, culture, folklore, and the natural world of her island home through dance. Absolutely gorgeous. The artwork is breathtaking. Each page is packed with color, emotion,…
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Illustrated by Hyewon Yum 4 stars While Dot recognizes she is good at many different things, she strives for perfection. When the class is assigned to make a poster of someone they admire, she wants hers to be perfect. Things don’t go as planned, but sometimes imperfections can spark creativity and a new way of…
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