The Cardboard Kingdom (The Cardboard Kingdom #1) by Chad Sell, Jay Fuller, David Demeo, Katie Schenkel, Manuel Betancourt, Molly Muldoon, Vid Alliger, Cloud Jacobs, Michael Cole, Barbara Perez Marquez, & Kris Moore

4 stars Ten authors pair up with Chad Sell to create interconnected stories from the world of the Cardboard Kingdom. Sell does the artwork throughout, giving it consistency while letting the characters and authors shine. Reality and fantasy converge as the neighborhood kids play their way through summer, making new connections and learning lessons along…

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Chef’s Kiss by Jarrett Melendez, Illustrated by Danica Brine

4 stars A sweet, adorable tale about cooking, finding your passions, gaining confidence, and always having friends by your side. Such a cute story. Melendez provides a fresh, fun look at life after college complete with the struggles of finding a job, dealing with overbearing parents, new crushes, and fights with friends. Plenty of romantic…

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The Golden Hour by Niki Smith

5 stars A stunning graphic novel that perfectly captures the beauty of everyday life cut with the shattering effects of anxiety and PTSD. Manuel works to navigate a world that no long feels safe after witnessing a traumatic event involving gun violence. With the help of some new friends, a supportive therapist, and a love…

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Cheer Up!: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier, Illustrated by Val Wise

4 stars A graphic novel featuring cheerleading and LGBTQIA+ leads? Yes, please! A charming story about reconnecting, speaking out, and trying new things. Loved the emphasis on second chances and growing as individuals. Despite the short length, a lot of issues are packed into this wonderful graphic novel. School pressure, unrequited crushes, fitting in, and…

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The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nyguyen

5 stars Jaw-droppingly beautiful. A stunning, heartwarming story about family, love, and acceptance. This book was a pleasure to read. As soon as I finished, I wanted to pick it back up and do it all over again. I find when I really love a book, my review tends to be short. This is one…

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Our Subway Baby by Peter Mercurio, Illustrated by Leo Espinosa

4 stars An adorably sweet, heartwarming book based on a true story. Told from Peter Mercurio’s point of view talking directly to Kevin, the book tells the story of how Kevin became Peter and Danny’s son. The book focuses on the positive aspects of finding and creating family, including the support system of those around…

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If My Body Could Speak by Blythe Baird

5 stars A stunning poetry collection. Baird tackles many hardships in her poems including eating disorders, sexual assault, rape culture, relationships and sexuality, and healing. One thing that really stuck out to me was how well organized this collection was. Each poem flowed so nicely into the next. The themes build as the book goes…

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Wow, No Thank You. by Samantha Irby

4 stars A hilarious collection of essays ranging from the writing process to health problems to getting older to relationships and married life. This is the first book I’ve read from Irby (but won’t be the last!). I’ll admit it took me a bit to get into the flow of it. The audiobook is read…

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