Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

5 stars A fantastic autobiographical novel-in-verse that beautifully showcases Woodson’s voice. Set in the 1960s and 1970s, Woodson shares stories from her life living in Ohio, South Carolina, and New York. Woodson tackles so many themes in this book. From family upheaval to moving to a new place, experiencing death of family members to standing…

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Powwow Day by Traci Sorell

Illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight 4 stars A delightful picture book centered on hope, community, and recovery. River is excited for powwow day. But still recovering from an unnamed illness, she is too tired to join in the dancing. Finding strength in the drum beat and the remembering the meaning of the dances, River feels the…

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Just the Right Cake by Christina Tosi

Illustrated by Emily Balsley 5 stars A delectable read about finding the right cake to tell your story. Phil loves baking with his parents, but after their divorce, things are different. His favorite recipe doesn’t feel right anymore. After talking it out with his friend, inspiration strikes, and Phil creates something entirely new, a blending…

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Plátanos Go with Everything by Lissette Norman

Illustrated by Sara Palacios 4 stars A delightful picture book that serves as a love letter to plátanos and Dominican culture. In the story, the main character shows the diversity of plátanos, both in what dishes they can be used in and how they add to different situations. Whether to soothe disappointment, to share community,…

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A Thousand White Butterflies

by Jessica Betancourt-Perez and Karen Lynn Williams Illustrated by Gina Maldonado 4 stars A sweet story about new experiences, a new home, and a new friend. After Isabella and her mother move to the United States from Colombia, Isabella is anxious for the first day of school and making new friends. There’s a lot to…

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Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy

5 stars A hilarious and heartwarming coming of age tale about figuring out your identity. At her old school, Huda was “the hijabi girl”. But when her family moves to a new town, she’s no longer the only one wearing hijab. She must come to terms with her identity issues and learn who she truly…

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Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? by Leslie Connor

4 stars A heartwarming story about a town coming together to search for a missing child. Aurora and Frenchie are best friends. But when Aurora starts making new friends, she finds it difficult to balance her friendship with Frenchie, who is autistic and nonvocal. When Frenchie goes missing, a part of Aurora can’t help but…

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Something About Grandma by Tania de Regil

5 stars A delightful picture book celebrating the intergenerational love between a child and her grandmother. While her parents wait for the new baby to arrive, Julia visits her grandmother’s house near Mexico City. There, she experiences the magic of her grandmother’s home and the magic of her grandmother herself. Through homesickness, joy, and comfort,…

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Happy All-idays! by Cindy Jin

Illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr. 4 stars A sweet, rhyming board book that celebrates a few winter holidays. The book shows families celebrating Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa, as well as Christmukkah. A nice read especially for talking about how each holiday is celebrated. The pictures feature different elements such as a unity cup, mazoa, and…

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Fantastic Tales of Nothing (Nothing #1)

by Alejandra Green and Franny Rodriguez 3 stars Enter a fantastic world featuring humans, shape-shifting volkens, and mysterious fae. Nothing is quite as it seems in the magical world of Nothing. Strange things are happening to Nathan. After a chance meeting with a mysterious new friend, Haven, the duo must avoid a pair of volken…

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