Hush Now, Banshee!: A Not-So-Quiet Counting Book

by Kyle Sullivan & Derek Sullivan 4 stars A delightfully sweet counting book filled with Irish folklore. Banshee wanders through the forest, looking for someone to play with. But everyone is having quiet time. Can she learn how to enjoy quiet time with her friends? I loved that despite her volume, her friends still want…

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Gravity Falls: Journal 3 by Alex Hirsch and Rob Renzetti

Illustrated by Andy Gonsalves and Stephanie Ramirez 5 stars A fantastic tie-in for fans of Gravity Falls. Such a fun read filled with mystery, adventure, and oddity. This replica of Journal 3 is packed with information about the original author’s research as well as the continued adventures of the Gravity Falls gang as featured in…

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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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Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

5 stars A powerful novel-in-verse that takes on the cycle of violence and vengeance. A non-traditional ghost story that follows Will who seeks revenge after his brother’s murder. The majority of the story takes place in the 16 seconds it takes to ride the elevator to the lobby. In that time, Reynolds grabs the reader’s…

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The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln Illustrated by Claire Powell 5 stars An absolutely fantastic read. Lincoln creates a fun blend of The Westing Game and Lemony Snicket with a style and characters all her own. Each member of the Swift family is named by the Family Dictionary with the expectation they will live up to their name. But Shenanigan isn’t so…

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Delicates (Sheets #2) by Brenna Thummler

5 stars A stunning follow-up to Sheets. This one wonderfully captures some of the hardships of growing up female with crush confusion, toxic friendships, and the pressure to fit in. Despite such difficulties, it is filled with hope, kindness, empathy, supportive friendship, and the little moments that bring joy. It shows the power of doing the…

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Deadendia: The Broken Halo (Deadendia #2)

by Hamish Steele 5 stars Another perfect volume from Hamish Steele. Action-packed with a whirlwind of character development. Following the aftermath of the destruction of Dead End, the characters mostly split up and have their own adventures. Barney and Logs find out happily-ever-after has a few road bumps, Norma works to control her new ghost…

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Junkwraith by Ellinor Richey

4 stars Such a cool concept which worked beautifully in this format. A fascinating look at connection, possession, and trying to live up to other’s expectations. In a bout of frustrated, Flo throws away her ice skates. Doing so creates a powerful junkwraith, set of attacking her memories. To break the curse, Flo ventures into…

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The Sister Who Ate Her Brothers and Other Gruesome Tales

by Jen Campbell, Illustrated by Adam de Souza 5 stars A delightfully dark collection of tales spanning the globe. From Korea and Japan to Norway and Ireland to Nigeria and South Africa. A nice selection, all with a gruesome or spooky leaning. I especially enjoyed that Campbell’s selection highlighted many brave, creative, clever, and quick…

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Deadendia: The Watcher’s Test (Deadendia #1)

by Hamish Steele 5 stars A fantastic adventure featuring demon-possessed pugs, ghost collectors, spells gone awry, a celebrity-themed amusement park, and a cast of unforgettable characters. A little bit of romance, some mystery, and a whole lot of creepiness make for a very fun reading experience. I’ll admit, I watched the Netflix adaptation first. While…

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