All book covers come from Amazon.

Fiction

Babies: Ages 0 - 3

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1. Title: Hush a Bye Baby

Author: Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Illustrators: Shahrzad Maydani

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Publisher/Date:Little Simon; Brdbk edition (December 5, 2017)

Age group: 0 - 3

Summary: Fathers put their babies to sleep in this book, which features a sweet lullaby.


2. Title: If You’re Spooky and You Know It

Author: Aly Fronis

Illustrators: Jannie Ho

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher/Date: little bee books; Brdbk edition (July 26, 2016)

Age group: 0 - 3

Summary: Get moving with monsters with this spooky take on “If You’re Happy and You Know it!”


3. Title: My Heart Fills With Happiness

Author: Monique Gray Smith

Illustrators: Julie Flett

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Publisher/Date: Orca Book Publishers; Brdbk edition (March 1, 2016)

Age group: 0 - 3

Summary: What makes you happy? Is it your family? Your pets? Nature? This joyful book explores what makes one indigenous family happy.

 

Children: Ages 4 - 8

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Picture Books:

4. Title: Abuela (English Edition with Spanish Phrases)

Author: Arthur Dorros

Illustrators: Elisa Kleven

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher/Date: Puffin Books; Reprint edition (May 1, 1997)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: Rosalba and her grandmother fly over New York City in a magical journey told in English and Spanish.


5. Title: Africville

Author: Shauntay Grant 

Illustrators: Eva Campbell

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Publisher/Date: Groundwood Books (September 4, 2018)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: Africville near Halifax, Nova Scotia, was a bright Black community that despite Canadian neglect flourished. In this picture book, Grant imagines the everyday joy of this community.


6. Title: Alma and How She Got Her Name

Author: Juana Martinez-Neal 

Illustrators: Juana Martinez-Neal 

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Publisher/Date: Candlewick (April 10, 2018)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela learns about her ancestors and how she got her name in this sweet picture book.

7. Title: A Big Mooncake for Little Star 

Author: Grace Lin

Illustrators: Grace Lin

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher/Date: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (August 28, 2018)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: Little Star wants to eat the yummy mooncake her mother makes. But what happens if she keeps eating it? This is an origin story about the phases of the moon that was inspired by the Mid-Autumn Mood Festival.


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8. Title: Captain Starfish

Author: Davina Bell

Illustrators: Allison Colpoys

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Publisher/Date: Harry N. Abrams (March 20, 2018)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: Alfie’s always struggled with participating — he’s far too shy and anxious. When a big event looms, he stays home instead. As he meets another shy creature, he begins to see that the world isn’t so scary.

9. Title: The Dam

Author: David Almond

Illustrators: Levi Pinfold

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher/Date: Candlewick Studio (September 11, 2018)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: This picture book tells the story of Kielder Water, a dam that was once land filled with family, music, and happiness. Before the dam is complete, a father and daughter play the music in honor of what is being lost.


10. Title: The Day You Begin

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrators: Rafael López

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Publisher/Date: Nancy Paulsen Books (August 28, 2018)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: What makes you different makes you special; don’t be afraid! This book encourages children to embrace their differences, find like-minded friends, and to speak up. Touches on racial, ethnic, linguistic, and class differences.


11. Title: Drawn Together

Author: Minh Lê 

Illustrators: Dan Santat 

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher/Date: Disney-Hyperion (June 5, 2018)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: Grandson and grandfather struggle to connect due to language difference until art and adventure bring them together in this touching story.

12. Title: Hello, Lighthouse

Author: Sophie Blackall 

Illustrators: Sophie Blackall 

Genre: Realistic/Historical

Publisher/Date: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1st Edition edition (April 10, 2018)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: A beautiful story about a lighthouse and the man — and eventual family — who takes care of it.

13. Title: I Walk with Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness

Author: Kerascoët

Illustrators: Kerascoët

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Publisher/Date: Schwartz & Wade (April 24, 2018)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: When one girl sees another being bullied, she decides to walk with her to and from school. Soon, others join and walk in solidarity. A touching and powerful story about kindness and helping others.

14. Title: Julián Is a Mermaid 

Author: Jessica Love

Illustrators: Jessica Love

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Publisher/Date: Candlewick; Later Printing edition (April 23, 2018)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: This is a story about the joy of being unabashedly yourself, of transformation, of possibility. Julián sees three beautiful women and compares them to mermaids, creating a fantasy where he, too, turns into a beautiful mermaid.


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15. Title: Leave Me Alone! 

Author: Vera Brosgol

Illustrators: Vera Brosgol

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher/Date: Roaring Brook Press (September 13, 2016)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: One feisty grandmother just wants to knit in peace, leading her to leave her many grandchildren behind as she goes on a humorous journey that takes her out of this world.


16. Title: Lubna and Pebble

Author: Wendy Meddour

Illustrators: Daniel Egnéus

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Publisher/Date: Dial Books (March 5, 2019)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: Lubna is scared in her refugee camp until she befriends Pebble. When a new boy comes to her camp, she decides he may need Pebble more than she does.

17. Title: Night Job

Author: Karen Hesse

Illustrators: G. Brian Karas 

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Publisher/Date: Candlewick (September 11, 2018)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: A father and son have an adventure at the father’s job as a night custodian at school in this sweet and understated story.


18. Title: The Rabbit Listened

Author: Cori Doerrfeld

Illustrators: Cori Doerrfeld

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher/Date: Dial Books (February 20, 2018)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: When his creation falls to the ground, a boy is devastated. Each of his animal friends has different suggestions (revenge, anger, etc.), but the rabbit who listens to him helps him the most. A moving story about the power of empathy and listening, especially in times of grief and loss.


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19. Title: Thank You, Omu!

Author: Oge Mora 

Illustrators: Oge Mora

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Publisher/Date: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (October 2, 2018)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: Omu can’t wait to eat her delectable stew, but finds herself giving some out to every neighbor. When she runs out and can’t enjoy any herself, neighbors thank her and share some of their own food.

20. Title: Wallpaper 

Author: Thao Lam

Illustrators: Thao Lam

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher/Date: Owlkids (April 15, 2018)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: Our main character, a little girl, finds it too hard to talk to the kids she hears playing outside. She might be shy or have social anxiety, but either way, she finds it much easier to stay inside by herself . . . until she sees something fantastic. Under her wallpaper are layers of worlds where she can be free and play! When a monster comes after her, she learns an important lesson about courage.

21. Title: Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story for Kids

Author: Kristen Fischer

Illustrators: Susi Schaefer 

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher/Date: Sounds True (July 1, 2017)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: Learn to count and learn yoga poses in this fun book! Follow Lyla and her animal friends as they teach yoga.

Chapter Books:

22. Title: Meet Yasmin!

Author: Saadia Faruqi 

Illustrators: Hatem Aly

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Publisher/Date: Picture Window Books; Combined edition (August 1, 2018)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: Yasmin is a bright and fun second-grader who can solve any problem.

23. Title: Big Foot and Little Foot (#1)

Author: Ellen Potter

Illustrators: Felicita Sala

Genre: Fantasy/Adventure

Publisher/Date: Harry N. Abrams (April 10, 2018)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: Hugo, a young sasquatch, longs for adventure and finds it when he comes across a little boy — who he’s forbidden to see.

24. Title: Wonder Woman Classic: Maze of Magic (I Can Read Level 2) 

Author: Liz Marsham

Illustrators: Lee Ferguson 

Genre: Fantasy/Adventure

Publisher/Date: HarperCollins (May 2, 2017)

Age group: 4 - 8

Summary: When people go missing in Greece, Wonder Woman is called to the scene. Can she save them and defeat their captor?

 

Tween: Ages 9 - 12

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25. Title: Amal Unbound

Author: Aisha Saeed

Illustrators: N/A

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Publisher/Date: Nancy Paulsen Books (May 8, 2018)

Age group: 8 - 12

Summary: Amal is a normal girl in Pakistan, hoping to get her education and become a teacher. When she’s forced to drop out and help her family, she’s devastated. Yet little does she know that the worst is yet to come — with one bad decision, she becomes an indentured servant to a wealthy and criminal family in her village. What can she do?


26. Title: The Crossover

Author: Kwame Alexander

Illustrators: N/A

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary (Poetry)

Publisher/Date: HMH Books for Young Readers (March 18, 2014)

Age group: 8 - 12

Summary: Josh and Jordan are basketball star twins, partly thanks to their famous former basketball player father. As they play ball, have crushes, and deal with being a middle-schooler, they must learn how to adjust to unexpected changes at home.


27. Title: Finding Langston

Author: Lesa Cline-Ransome

Illustrators: N/A

Genre: Realistic/Historical

Publisher/Date: Holiday House (August 14, 2018)

Age group: 8 - 12

Summary: In 1946, Langston must adjust after moving from small-town Alabama to foreign Chicago. After losing his beloved mother, he struggles to connect to his father and his new life — which includes bullies. When he finds an unexpected home in his local library, will his life change?


28. Title: Harbor Me

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrators: N/A

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Publisher/Date: Nancy Paulsen Books (August 28, 2018)

Age group: 8 - 12

Summary: In the ARTT room (A Room to Talk), six kids find themselves opening up and changing as they navigate tough topics like immigration, grief, bullying, and racism.

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29. Title: Hurricane Child

Author: Kheryn Callender

Illustrators: N/A

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Publisher/Date: Scholastic Press (March 27, 2018)

Age group: 8 - 12

Summary: Caroline’s mother left her. That’s all Caroline can think about, even as she’s bullied in school . . . until one day, on her island in the US Virgin Islands, a new girl comes. This new girl befriends Caroline and stirs up unfamiliar feelings in her, and says she might know how to get her mother back. What will Caroline do?

30. Title: Listen, Slowly

Author: Thanhha Lai

Illustrators: N/A

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Publisher/Date: HarperCollins (February 17, 2015)

Age group: 8 - 12

Summary: When Mai is forced to abandon her summer break with friends (and crush!) for Vietnam, she’s devastated. Why should she be the one to accompany her grandmother on a pointless trip — to discover if her grandfather who disappeared during the Vietnam War is somehow still alive? As she adjusts to Vietnam, she and her grandmother discover the shocking truth behind his disappearance.

31. Title: The Midnight War of Mateo Martinez

Author: Robin Yardi 

Illustrators: N/A

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher/Date: Carolrhoda Books (March 1, 2016)

Age group: 8 - 12

Summary: Mateo Martinez is dealing with a lot: his annoying little sister, his former best friend bullying him, being a Mexican-American kid who can’t speak Spanish, and all of the troubles that come from being a kid. When he discovers that his old bike has been stolen by nefarious skunks, he must push his problems aside and protect his neighborhood — with his new best friend and some unlikely allies.

32. Title: Refugee

Author: Alan Gratz

Illustrators: N/A

Genre: Historical/Contemporary

Publisher/Date: Scholastic Press (July 25, 2017)

Age group: 8 - 12

Summary: Three kids, three shocking stories, one connection. When their families are threatened, Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud must leave their homes and find safety — but at what cost?

33. Title: The Gauntlet

Author: Karuna Riazi 

Illustrators: N/A

Genre: Fantasy/Adventure

Publisher/Date: Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (March 28, 2017)

Age group: 8 - 12

Summary: Farah gets more than she bargained for when she plays a game with two friends — her brother is sucked into a dangerous, fantastical world where she must complete tasks to save him. If she doesn’t? They’re all stuck in the game.