Staff Picks by Tag

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Squire By Nadia Shammas, Sara Alfageeh (Illustrator), Sara Alfageeh Cover Image
$14.99
ISBN: 9780062945846
Availability: On our shelves now at one or more of our stores
Published: Quill Tree Books - March 8th, 2022

Fight back against empire, colonialism, and oppression with Aiza as she works to gain citizenship through the only option her colonized people are given: knighthood for her oppressors.


Review by Sarah B.

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The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, Book 1) By Maggie Stiefvater Cover Image
$12.99
ISBN: 9780545424936
Availability: On our shelves now at one or more of our stores
Published: Scholastic Paperbacks - July 30th, 2013

Death, trees, romance, Dreams, birds and a small West Virginian town. The Raven Boys is the first in a 4 part series by master YA storyteller Maggie Stievater. It is a fantastic blend of the trauma of everyday life and mythological danger. Follow Blue Sargent and four boys from Aglionby High as their fates become hopelessly entangled and dark secrets begin to come to light. 


Review by Sydney

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Unholy Terrors By Lyndall Clipstone Cover Image
$20.99
ISBN: 9781250887733
Availability: On our shelves now at one or more of our stores
Published: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) - October 17th, 2023

At first blush, this seems like a Romeo and Juliet, enemies to lovers, YA fantasy. Everline, of the Wardens, stands guard against Ravel and the bloodthirsty Vespertines, while living and fighting in a magic-infused, gothic wasteland. Delving deeper, you find forbidden secrets, betrayal, romance, and the question of who, or what, makes up a family? With decadent prose, I could almost taste the decay and honey rising off the pages. Great read for October spookiness!


Review by Alex

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Spin the Dawn (The Blood of Stars #1) By Elizabeth Lim Cover Image
$6.99
ISBN: 9780593703595
Availability: On our shelves now at one or more of our stores
Published: Ember - April 4th, 2023

In a land where the only path for a girl is to marry well, Maia dreams of becoming a great tailor like her father. She fights for her chance when she takes her father's place when he is called to the summer palace to compete for the Imperial Tailor position. Part Mulan, part Project runway, will Maia win, keep her identity secret, and attain her dream?


Review by Alex

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The Blur By Minh Lê, Dan Santat (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Minh Lê, Dan Santat (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9780593377468
Availability: On our shelves now at one or more of our stores
Published: Knopf Books for Young Readers - May 3rd, 2022

Kids are fast. Childhood is faster. Treasure the small moments when your kid isn't a blur. **great alternative to Dr. Seuss "The Places You'll Go"


Review by Alex

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American Born Chinese By Gene Luen Yang, Gene Luen Yang (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Gene Luen Yang, Gene Luen Yang (Illustrator)
$14.99
ISBN: 9781250811899
Availability: On our shelves now at one or more of our stores
Published: First Second - February 23rd, 2021

What does a monkey king, a new kid at school, the only Chinese kid at school, and a random character all have in common? They are all searching for a place to belong. 


Review by Alex

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A Show for Two By Tashie Bhuiyan Cover Image
$15.99
ISBN: 9781335429209
Availability: On our shelves now at one or more of our stores
Published: Inkyard Press - April 25th, 2023

Can a book be a hug? This book is a hug, a book about familiar expectations, a life plan, sibling love, and a sweet love side story. Follow Mina as she navigates through following her dreams, and enjoy her discovery of how she finds her happiness. 


Review by Alex

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Somewhere Only We Know By Maurene Goo Cover Image
$10.99
ISBN: 9781250250780
Availability: Out of stock, usually available in 3-10 days
Published: Square Fish - May 5th, 2020

Lucky is a Kpop princess. Everything from her looks, to her food, to her downtown is controlled by her music label. Jack is a Korean American looking for his break into photography, away from his parents' dream of him going into banking. A chance meeting has them spending 24 hours together. Will it be enough for them to find success for their dreams?


Review by Alex

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The Magic Fish: (A Graphic Novel) By Trung Le Nguyen Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781984851598
Availability: On our shelves now at one or more of our stores
Published: Random House Graphic - October 13th, 2020

Tiến doesn’t know the Vietnamese words to tell his mom he’s gay. His mom misses her home and family back in Vietnam. Together, they read fairy tales, and the stories help them both – to process grief, to bridge cultures, and ultimately to reach out to each other. The art is so beautiful -- and so is the story!

 


Review by Allie

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Vespertine By Margaret Rogerson Cover Image
$12.99
ISBN: 9781534477124
Availability: On our shelves now at one or more of our stores
Published: Margaret K. McElderry Books - November 1st, 2022

When introverted Artemisia is forced to wield an ancient spirit to save her convent, she realizes she has no idea how to release that same spirit from her body. As she fights to prevent the spirit from possessing her, Artemisia must also fight the mysterious evils that have begun to surface.
In this vibrant fantasy, Rogerson asks readers to consider what it takes to trust someone–or something.


Review by Madison

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