Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
[isbn]
This absolutely unique read helps toddlers understand their families — including any babies on the way! The story shows all types of families celebrating their bonds, and its card stock pages are perfect for little hands excited to learn how to turn them. The book also features a fill-in family tree and a mirror, letting kiddos see themselves in their family story. A great book to sit down and share together!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Andrea Pippins
[isbn]
Author/illustrator Andrea Pippins’s debut picture book is a heartfelt meditation on welcoming a new baby to the family. Will Little One have Grandma’s boldness, cousin Curlena’s joy, Auntie’s sense of adventure? Will they watch the clouds with their brother? “My wish is that you will be all these things and more. You will be your own self, for no one in the world has ever been like you.” A wonderful read-aloud for ages three and up.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Margaret Owen
[isbn]
PNW author Margaret Owen had me hooked from the first line of her 2019 debut, The Merciful Crow: “Pa was taking too long to cut the boys’ throats.” The caste-driven fantasy world of plague tenders and bone magic that unspooled from there kept me glued to the page until I’d devoured the whole thing as quickly as I could. I’m now counting down the days until the sequel, The Faithless Hawk, publishes in July; the brief excerpt... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Emily Winfield Martin
[isbn]
Portland-based artist/author Emily Winfield Martin’s gorgeous, gauzy illustrations have enticed and astounded me since I first encountered them in her 2013 picture book Dream Animals. Here, snippets of found text inspire fantastical landscapes, people, and creatures; each page is a tiny world I want to dive into and explore.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Patrice Caldwell
[isbn]
This powerhouse YA anthology is a sci-fi/fantasy exploration of the experiences of Black women and gender-nonconforming individuals, with settings ranging from folklore to Afrofuturism. The 16 exquisite stories in this collection (from astronomically talented authors of color including Elizabeth Acevedo, Justina Ireland, Rebecca Roanhorse, and Ibi Zoboi) will stick with you long after you finish reading; editor/author Patrice Caldwell is one to... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Marlon James
[isbn]
Tracker has a nose: he can find anyone. But when he takes a job to locate a missing child, he ends up as part of a splintered fellowship running headfirst into a conspiracy of magic and kings. James’s meditative prose delivers a gripping fantasy adventure rooted in African mythology and history.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Rebecca Roanhorse
[isbn]
In this fantasy adventure inspired by Navajo/Diné legend, 12-year old Nizhoni Begay can sense monsters — and most of the time, they’re disguised as regular people. When one such monster kidnaps her father, Nizhoni, her brother, and her best friend must pass a series of trials so Nizhoni can save him — and follow her destiny as a monster hunter.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Laura Renauld and Brigette Barrager
[isbn]
This beautifully illustrated biography carries one of Fred Rogers’s most important messages (one we too often forget): it’s okay to have feelings. A great gift for any child learning to navigate emotions healthily, and for adults who (like me) could use a gentle reminder from Fred that it’s okay to be mad; what matters is what we do with the mad that we feel.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Rosanne Parry and Monica Armino
[isbn]
Separated from his family, wolf cub Swift must trek 1,000 perilous miles across the Pacific Northwest to find a new safe place to call home. Inspired by the true story of OR-7, a wolf also known as Journey, and illuminated by Mónica Armiño’s beautiful illustrations, local author Rosanne Parry’s A Wolf Called Wander is sure to speak to young readers who love animals, the great outdoors, or a heartfelt adventure.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Hannah Eliot, Alina Chau
[isbn]
Hannah Eliot’s Celebrate the World board book series offers toddlers a first look at global holidays. This Lunar New Year installment highlights the cultural history and folklore of the Chinese New Year, with beautiful watercolor illustrations from illustrator Alina Chau.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Brandon Sanderson
[isbn]
This YA series is a favorite of teen and adult readers alike! Spensa has fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a starship pilot, helping to defend her scavenged homeworld, Detritus, from the never-ending attacks of the Krell. But what is beyond the Krell blockade? Could there be a new home for her people out there in the stars?
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Hafsah Faizal
[isbn]
The intricate, character-driven plotting of Graceling, the world-building of Rebel of the Sands, and the boundary-defying heroines of Tamora Pierce collide in this fierce debut from Hafsah Faizal. The Hunter is renowned in Arawiya, for he alone can enter the deadly magical forest of the Arz and return with food to spare. Prince Nasir is spoken of too, but in whispers, for he is his father’s best and cruelest assassin. But there... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Maggie Stiefvater
[isbn]
Quis somnium ipsos somniators? Ronan Lynch has a magnificent, dangerous gift, and he’s not the only one. When a voice comes to him in his dreams, he finds himself in the middle of a complicated web of forgers, dreamers, hunters, and killers. If he can’t unravel his family history and make sense of his inherited talent, he may just be staring down the end of the world. This start to bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater’s new trilogy... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Natalie C. Parker
[isbn]
Captain Caledonia Styx returns in this Mad Max-esque futuristic celebration of sisterhood on the high seas! Fresh off a failed attempt to take out the man who killed her family, all Caledonia wants is to fight her way back to her crew. But when she finds herself in the midst of a group of defectors from the dictator who pulls the world’s strings, she may end up fighting her way to revolution. This joyous, thrilling series is not to be... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Ben Hatke
[isbn]
It’s the intergalactic team-up you’ve been waiting for! Jack and Zita have both had their share of adventures, but it will take all of their combined experience, cleverness, and heart (not to mention their friends!) to take down the army of giants and screeds knocking at Earth’s cosmic door.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Rick Riordan
[isbn]
Apollo (or Lester, as he’s known on Earth) faces his toughest challenge yet on his quest to restore his godly powers: the siege of Camp Jupiter. The evil Triumvirate is closing in, and while the key to victory may lie in a forgotten tomb, the ruler interred there may be worse than any foe Apollo has seen yet.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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J K Rowling and Jim Kay
[isbn]
Jim Kay returns at last with his fourth fully illustrated Potter venture, and his gorgeous artwork is well worth the wait! This book marks a turn in the series towards a darker world, and Kay manages to land both the excitement of the Triwizard Tournament and the terror of Voldemort’s plotting with aplomb.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Chris Colfer
[isbn]
When Brystal became a maid at her local library to get around her country’s ban on women reading, she couldn’t know she’d find a room full of banned books, or a future in their pages. Colfer’s new venture is a searing ode to the importance of knowledge, questioning, and compassion, and the power they give us to better our world.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Rainbow Rowell
[isbn]
So, you’ve averted the apocalypse: Now what? Simon was willing to sacrifice his magic to save the world, but even a voluntary sacrifice leaves a wound. Enter boyfriend Baz, best friend Penny, and the road trip of the century. What comes after the “Chosen One” narrative? What do you do after your life’s purpose has been fulfilled?
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Mo Willems
[isbn]
The award-winning duo of Gerald the Elephant and Piggie the — well, Piggie — is back! This second “Biggie” gathers five of their previous adventures into one sure-to-be-loved volume (including my favorite, the fourth-wall-breaking We Are in a Book!). As Piggie and Gerald would say: “Five is a LOT of adventures for one book! Also, how did we get in this blurb?”
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Katie O'Neill
[isbn]
Return to the world of the Eisner Award-winning The Tea Dragon Society in this standalone companion! When Rinn finds a sleeping dragon in the woods, they learn that new friends let you see your world through new eyes; and after his long enchanted slumber, Aedhan discovers that even the most winding road can lead you where you’re meant to be.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Vicki Conrad and David Hohn
[isbn]
This beautiful picture book biography of the incredible, beloved children’s author and librarian Beverly Cleary is sure to delight both longtime fans and new readers alike. David Hohn’s joyful art feels like it belongs alongside Louis Darling’s original cover illustrations of the Klickitat Street crew, and author Vicki Conrad has clearly done her homework; the main narrative is perfect for the intended audience (ages 5-9), and the back matter... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Beverly Cleary
[isbn]
I have always been the Beezus to my sister Faith’s Ramona. I have so many fond early memories of our parents reading this series aloud to us (and later to my youngest sister, whose arrival paralleled Roberta’s and cemented in our minds that this series was somehow Meant For Us) that for a long time, “reading” and “Beverly Cleary” were practically synonymous in my mind. On our first childhood trip to Portland, the two most important stops on our... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Clint McElroy and Griffin McElroy and Justin McElroy
[isbn]
The second volume of this graphic novel adaptation of the McElroys' much-beloved D&D podcast grants +2 to all stats and delivers the goods. Longtime listeners and first-time readers alike are sure to be delighted by Carey Pietsch’s joyous rendering of this classic train mystery — featuring, as all good train mysteries do, a secret moon base (with no dogs allowed), a mystical being known as Garfield the Deals Warlock, questionable physics, and... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Margaret Owen
[isbn]
No one in Sabor trusts the Crows. They have no magical birthright; they’re nomads and plague tenders (being the only caste with immunity doesn’t earn them any goodwill); and their witches have an uncomfortable gift: they can channel other castes’ birthrights through bone. When Fie, a Crow chieftain-in-training, finds herself in the midst of a royal conspiracy, she just might be able to leverage her help to make a better life for her people — if... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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DK
[isbn]
This newest installment in LEGO’s excellent Build Your Own Adventure series takes young inventors to the hallowed halls of Hogwarts! The perfect gift for the kid in your life with a giant box of Legos and no idea of what to make; this book has suggestions to build their way from Privet Drive to Diagon Alley.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Joyce Wan
[isbn]
Joyce Wan turns her adorable and joyous style towards female trailblazers in this perfectly lap-read-sized board book. The text is truly geared towards ages 0 to 3, and there’s biographical info at the back, making this book a great first introduction to important women in our history — as well as a wonderful encouragement to go for the gold!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Terri Libenson
[isbn]
Middle school is tough enough as part of a close-knit clique. But when your best friend texts you that you’ve been voted out? That’s world-shattering. It’s the last day of seventh grade, and Jaime is alone — or is she? Maybe she has more friends than she thinks — friends who don’t need her to be anything but Jaime.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Emma Berquist
[isbn]
A YA murder mystery with a paranormal twist! Lexi has a terrible gift: whenever she touches someone, she sees how and when they’ll die, and she’s powerless to stop it. When the ghost of a (beautiful, vivacious) girl whose death she foresaw shows up asking Lexi’s help in revenge, she’s pulled into investigating a series of murders that hits uncomfortably close to home.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Katharyn Blair
[isbn]
This fantasy debut is just plain fun, even in its darkest moments. There’s been a resurgence of powers in the world, but Vesper’s gift feels more like a curse: she can summon anyone’s worst fears into reality, and the more she tries to bottle it up, the more violently it bursts out. An underground tournament with a powered-up prize of rewriting the past could be her chance to set things right — if she can train as a fighter and master her fear in... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Sabaa Tahir
[isbn]
First in an excellent trilogy, An Ember in the Ashes introduces an ironfisted empire on the brink of civil war. Scholar Laia didn’t plan on rebellion until her brother was charged with treason. Soldier Elias may be the Empire’s poster child, but he plans to defect. When their paths intertwine, magic ensues — and the Empire may fall.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Kelly Barnhill
[isbn]
This gorgeous, masterful book reads like the best of fairy tales. Every year, the people of the Protectorate make a terrible sacrifice to keep the witch of the woods at bay — but nothing is quite as it seems, and truth buried deep will always, eventually, erupt. Can Luna piece the whole story together before it’s too late?
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Margaret Rogerson
[isbn]
Elisabeth was raised in the Great Library, where sorcerous texts are kept appeased and imprisoned lest they transform into menacing beasts. When one such monster escapes, Elisabeth is accused of conspiracy. To prove her innocence and catch the real culprits, she’ll need the help of sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn — but can she trust anyone who gained their power from a deal with a demon? Reminiscent of Howl’s Moving Castle and Strange the... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Peskimo
[isbn]
Following in the footsteps of Star Wars Block, this adorable board book is the perfect way to introduce the little geek in your life to Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Groot, and many more beloved characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe — all in Peskimo’s playful, enthralling art style!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Kate Allen
[isbn]
Lucy’s mother, a marine biologist who studied sharks, passed away suddenly when Lucy was seven. The summer she’s 12, a great white washes ashore, and her best friend Fred ignites her interest in her mother’s old research. When tragedy strikes again, that research becomes a line through her grief and back to connection with her father. Featuring beautiful line drawings of sharks throughout, this is a gorgeous debut about coping with loss:... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Nicole Panteleakos
[isbn]
It’s 1986, and Nova is eagerly awaiting the launch of the space shuttle Challenger. She loves astronomy — plus her sister Bridget promised she’d be back for the launch, no matter what. Nova is autistic and nonverbal, and navigating a new foster family and a new school alone is extra tough; no one but Bridget has ever fully understood that she’s a whole, intelligent person. As Nova counts down to the launch, we share in her excitement, her... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Matt Myers
[isbn]
A beautiful picture book about creativity and expectations! Jamie is having a wonderful beach day — or she would be, if people would stop asking her about what she’s making and just let her make it. Why should knowing what it’s going to be get in the way of making what it is? When a fellow creator finally appears, and Jamie is understood, something magical happens. Myers’s first solo title (he’s previously illustrated a number of excellent... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Mo Willems
[isbn]
Mo Willems’s hot-headed bird friend is exploring a brave new frontier: the bathtub! Squishy, waterproof, and cute, this bath book is perfect for any toddler in your life. (Especially reluctant bathers — those who know Pigeon will be unsurprised to hear that he starts out pretty reluctant himself!)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Vera Brosgol
[isbn]
Portland illustrator Vera Brosgol has been a storyboard artist with Laika, and won a Caldecott Honor for her first picture book, Leave Me Alone! Her follow-up, The Little Guys, follows a group of tiny forest dwellers who already know they can accomplish anything if they work together, but need a lesson in being kind to those around them.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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A. S. King
[isbn]
A. S. King is known for stories that defy categorization (save for categorically bowling me over with their brilliance), and Dig. is no exception. Her immersive writing meanders between a handful of teenagers and the retired couple that eventually connects them, like tangled roots climbing back to their source. (That source is a potato. It will make sense later.)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Jennifer Donnelly
[isbn]
By the time Isabelle cuts off her toes to squeeze her foot into the glass slipper, she’s already spent years slicing parts of herself away to better fit in a world that insists only a certain type of girl is worthy: demure, charming, and — most importantly — pretty. To build a future past the end of the fairy tale, Isabelle must toe the line between Fate and Chance, rectifying her mistakes and reclaiming the pieces she’s left behind to become the... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Jesse Wiley
[isbn]
Ford the river, or take the ferry? Finish out with trails or rapids? The Oregon Trail has been giving gamers tough choices since the 1970s, so this “choose your own trail” series is a perfect adaptation. Complete with nostalgic 8-bit artwork, The Oregon Trail: Alone in the Wild is sure to entertain parents and kids alike!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Christian Robinson
[isbn]
This sweet, playful wordless picture book is the first solo offering from Christian Robinson, illustrator of the Caldecott Honor/King Honor/Newbery Medal winner Last Stop on Market Street. A girl and her cat find a nighttime portal to another world, and an adorable adventure ensues. Perfect for the curious kiddo in your life.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Nicki Pau Preto
[isbn]
They say the Phoenix Riders all perished in the war, but surely some are still out there. Surely Veronyka and Val, sisters with the Riders’ gifts of animal communication, stand a chance at finding surviving phoenixes to bond with — like the sister queens that ignited the war and perished in its fiery conclusion. This electrifying first half of Preto’s planned duology establishes a society on the brink of collapse — or, perhaps, rebirth.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Natalie C. Anderson
[isbn]
Refugee, homeless, child soldier, spy: Abdi has been all these things and more to keep his family alive. Where can he go from here? Darting back and forth in time, this is a compelling story about a young man deciding whether to let himself drown or to kick back against the forces trying to keep him under the waves.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Leigh Bardugo
[isbn]
Civil war left the country of Ravka scarred — quite literally in the case of its king, Nikolai Lantsov. But scars are the least of his worries: there are monsters lurking in Nikolai’s past, and if he wants to save his country, he’ll need to vanquish his demons. Bardugo is in fine form in this return to her compelling Grishaverse!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Django Wexler
[isbn]
Isoka, a ward boss in the slums, is used to violence. She’ll gladly confront and create it to keep her younger sister safe. But when her hidden magical talent is discovered, that dedication is held over her head: to save her sister, she must become a sacrifice to a ghost ship of legend and claim it for the emperor. With a compelling cast of characters and world building reminiscent of Brandon Sanderson, I can’t wait to see where this series goes... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Lincoln Peirce
[isbn]
When your uncle is a traveling musician, you’re expected to follow in his footsteps. But Max has no interest in singing (terrible) songs to (bored) crowds — Max wants to be a knight! An ancient prophecy and a mystic quest (all told with Lincoln Pierce’s trademark cheery humor) may lead to a chance at knighthood after all.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Justin McElroy, Sydnee McElroy, Teylor Smirl
[isbn]
Justin and Dr. Sydnee McElroy’s first book is as funny, educational, and fascinatingly horrifying as the podcast on which it’s based. Brilliantly illuminated by Teylor Smirl’s fantastic artwork, this is the perfect read for anyone who enjoys strange history, medical facts, or just having a good laugh at human “ingenuity” (with due celebration for the folks who’ve actually gotten things right). Remember: don’t drill a hole in your head!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
[isbn]
YA greats Albertalli and Silvera’s collaboration is more than a love story: it’s an ode to the people whose edges line up with ours like puzzle pieces, who shape our lives and bring out the best in us. A summer — a life — can change in a single moment, if we open our hearts and let it.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Brandon Sanderson
[isbn]
Spensa has lived her whole life in the underground caverns of Detritus, the shipwreck planet that houses the last bastion of humanity. Her father inspired her to fly, but his desertion branded her a coward’s daughter. How can she claim the stars if the admiralty won’t let her reach them? A thrilling start to a sweeping new series!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Robert Galbraith
[isbn]
This long-anticipated fourth offering in the Cormoran Strike series picks up where the third left off, and given Galbraith’s mastery of suspense, it would be a disservice to give much else away. It is worth noting that “lethal white” is a deadly equine syndrome: Who will the pale horse and his rider come for in these pages?
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Laini Taylor
[isbn]
Return to the exquisite waking dreamworld of Portland author Laini Taylor’s Strange the Dreamer. In the mythical city of Weep, Sarai and Lazlo have been transformed. Can a ghost and a godspawn end a centuries-long cycle of fear and hate? Can we choose forgiveness as our justice, or will the lure of vengeance always be too strong?
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Katie ONeill
[isbn]
Lana and her father moved when her mother was lost at sea. Finally back to help her beloved aunt clear storm debris, Lana finds an injured aquicorn — a magical seahorse that lives in the coral reef. The reef and the town are out of balance and in danger; can they learn to coexist? A beautiful, LGBTQ-friendly conservation fable.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Ngozi Ukazu
[isbn]
Set against a backdrop of hockey and pies — with a soundtrack that’s all Beyoncé — # Hockey follows Eric “Bitty” Bittle as he navigates coming to college, coming out, and coming to terms with his feelings for his team captain, Jack. Funny, charming, and honest, Ngozi Ukazu’s heartfelt coming-of-age comic is one of a kind: a genuine gift to the reader and an absolute joy to experience.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Carl Hiaasen
[isbn]
Billy Dickens is good at catching snakes, bad at sitting idly by, and determined to track down his long-absent, drone-flying father. Billy’s chaotic-good approach to life is a perfect outlet for Hiaasen’s trademark humor, and whether this is your first trip to his iconic Florida backwoods or your fifteenth, you’re bound to have a great time.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Jill Lepore
[isbn]
In 1776, the claim of “self-evident” equality was incendiary, integral — and hypocritical, as the Founders simultaneously debated whether slaves counted as people. Lepore’s magnificent American history does not shy away from either of these truths, celebrating the genuine triumphs of these United States, while shining a light on the many people history has tried to forget.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Natalie C. Parker
[isbn]
Captain Caledonia Styx helms the Mors Navis, leading a 53-woman crew wanted for their refusal to bow to Aric Athair’s tyrannical Bullet fleet. But when a Bullet defects, saving a member of her crew and offering information, Caledonia must choose between her uncompromising principles and a chance to save someone she thought she’d doomed. A joyous, futuristic adventure on the high seas, Seafire is a much-needed celebration of sisterhood in... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin, Giovanni Rigano
[isbn]
“No human being is illegal.” Elie Wiesel’s powerful words echo through this timely, heartbreaking graphic novel. Twelve-year-old Ebo is a determined, caring boy who loves his siblings and loves to sing. An achingly real human being, he and his fellows defy the faceless, easily dismissed categorization of “illegal immigrants” and challenge us to remember our common humanity.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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John Lewis and Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell
[isbn]
This incredible memoir is a masterful example of what the graphic novel format can accomplish. The emotive art and engaging storytelling work hand-in-hand to immerse the reader in Congressman John Lewis’s early life and activism, and the frame narrative of President Obama’s 2009 inauguration pulls the struggles, efforts, and hopes of the civil rights movement into the modern day. March is an essential reminder that this history is far... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Clint McElroy and Griffin McElroy and Justin McElroy
[isbn]
Dungeons and dragons and gerblins, oh my! I’m a big fan of the McElroy family’s D&D/live play podcast, and its first graphic novel adaptation is everything I hoped for and more. The McElroys' clever storytelling and Carey Pietsch’s charming illustrations give new life to this sweeping fantasy adventure without sacrificing the comedy or heart that make the podcast so wonderful. +10 to merriment, -5 to time management (listen, you’re not going to... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Madeline Miller
[isbn]
Prepare to be ensorcelled. Miller’s first novel, The Song of Achilles, is one of my favorite books of all time, so it was with a mix of excitement and dread that I picked up her long-anticipated follow-up, Circe. I’m thrilled to say she’s not a one-hit wonder: Circe is a masterpiece. Miller’s voice is clear, strong, and beautiful. The simple but poetic prose that made The Song of Achilles so magical is again at... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Drew Callander, Alana Harrison and Ryan Andrews
[isbn]
The land of Astorya is in danger, and only you can help! As a real human in a land of stories, anything you write or draw comes to life. And yes, I do mean you — you’re the main character in this unique novel/activity book, so have your pencil at the ready. Can you save Astorya?
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Kristin Cashore
[isbn]
I am wildly in love with Cashore's Seven Kingdoms trilogy, so when I heard she had a standalone novel coming out, I pretty much lost my mind. This bizarre gem of a book includes — but is not limited to — umbrellas, espionage, wildlife photography, quantum physics, Winnie the Pooh, and art fraud. In short, it is an unforgettable adventure that you'll simply have to experience for yourself.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Cole Horton, Liz Hee Heinecke
[isbn]
This fantastic project book boasts a balanced blend of scientific fact and Star Wars geekery. Activities range from easy (using the Force of static electricity to levitate tinsel) to tricky (creating a moving droid with a basic circuit). Readers will walk away more knowledgeable about how our world works — and about a galaxy far, far away.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Arree Chung
[isbn]
Reds, Yellows, and Blues each think their own color is best — so it only makes sense for them to live separately. But when a Yellow and a Blue fall in love, they create something magical: Green! A charming illustration of how, in exploring and celebrating our differences, we can make the world a kinder, more colorful place.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Chad Sell
[isbn]
In the Cardboard Kingdom, you can be whatever you want to be — a sorceress, a knight, a robot, a superhero. Most importantly, you can be yourself. This celebration of imagination is full of diverse kids fighting to be exactly who they are; the world is a kinder place when we help them succeed.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Matilda Woods, Anuska Allepuz
[isbn]
Fish fly in Allora, a town set into the hills of an Italian folktale-esque countryside. But for all its magic, Allora is still recovering from a tragic plague that struck 30 years ago. This beautiful debut about moving through loss and opening your heart would make a wonderful read-aloud bedtime story.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Roxane Gay
[isbn]
This moving collection of essays, edited by feminist powerhouse Roxane Gay, operates on the simple principle that any level of sexual harassment or assault is, in fact, that bad. Sure, someone else may have had it objectively “worse," but that doesn’t make what we’ve been through okay.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Sally Green
[isbn]
The Smoke Thieves boasts inventive world-building — three countries on the brink of war, a fantastic species whose dying breath is a black market drug — but it is the cast of unique characters that makes it shine. Catherine in particular is a gift: raised under a totalitarian regime where her only value is her marriageability, it’s a genuine pleasure to watch her discover her autonomy and begin to create her own definition of womanhood.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Marcus Sedgwick, Thomas Taylor
[isbn]
In the wake of her parents’ passing, Scarlett is determined to carry on the family monster-hunting tradition (aided by her trusty butler, Napoleon, and their one-of-a-kind roadster, Dorothy). With its coterie of delightful characters and fantastic creatures, this is a marvelous series starter!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Jesse Andrews
[isbn]
In a world where size is literally dependent upon wealth, Warner is littlepoor — rat-sized. His unique speech and bleak sense of humor make this book shine. When society is set up to keep you small, here’s to rooting for the little guy!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Clemantine Wamariya, Elizabeth Weil
[isbn]
In the most important way, this book was hard to read and harder still to put down. Clemantine Wamariya’s voice is strong, sure, and unafraid to be vulnerable, angry, flawed, and human. This is not a feel-good, rags-to-riches refugee story; nor does it sensationalize the horrors that Clemantine and her sister (and so many others) experienced. Instead, we are granted the incredible gift of sitting beside Wamariya as she constructs and claims the... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Jillian Tamaki
[isbn]
I say “beautiful.” A Caldecott Honor winner, Tamaki’s picture book debut is simple, elegant, and emotive. Sure to kick-start your imagination and warm your heart, They Say Blue is a colorful, everyday adventure.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Tamora Pierce
[isbn]
I first read Tamora Pierce the summer I turned 12, and fell in love with her particular brand of magic. This book (a standalone prequel to Wild Magic) is sure to win over new fans of all ages and recapture the attention of longtime readers.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Malinda Lo
[isbn]
This spellbinding read is perfect for fans of fractured fairy tales or Celtic mythology. A coming-of-age tale about grief and love set against the backdrop of a richly imagined fantasy world, this Cinderella retelling has chilling specters at its edges, and will keep its claws in you long after you've turned the last page.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Maggie Stiefvater
[isbn]
I don't have the words to describe this book, except to say that it feels like finally reaching home in the middle of the night after a long journey and finding that someone has left the porch light on for you. Stiefvater deftly straddles the line between magic and magical realism, populating her porch light world with a cast of unforgettable characters that you will love like family.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Garth Nix
[isbn]
Sabriel lives in Ancelstierre, where magic isn't real — or so they say. Across the Wall in the Old Kingdom, the living dead walk, and Sabriel must take up the bells of the Abhorsen, a Necromancer tasked with keeping the dead at rest. A fascinating, unforgettable blending of worlds from a master storyteller!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Philip Pullman
[isbn]
This oft-banned book is a must-read for any fan of sci-fi or fantasy. In a world where the soul takes the shape of an animal companion, or daemon, young Lyra Belacqua and her daemon, Pan, leave their home in Oxford to embark on a dangerous adventure to the Arctic — and beyond. This trilogy contains some of the most thoughtful, beautifully written genre fiction I've ever encountered.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Patricia C. Wrede
[isbn]
I owe Patricia C. Wrede a debt of gratitude for Cimorene, who would rather be a dragon's princess (perfecting her Latin verb conjugations and experimenting with tricky pastry recipes) than bow to society's expectations of her (e.g., keeping an empty head, getting married, and fading into obscurity). The true magic of this series is that all of its characters — regardless of gender — are encouraged to follow their hearts and lead the lives that... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Jandy Nelson
[isbn]
The best contemporary YA fiction I've ever read, hands down. Twins Noah and Jude (both artists) alternate as storytellers, with a three-year gap between their narratives. Both have beautiful, clear voices, and you won't be able to rest until you see their stories through (and find out what happened in the years in between).
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Neil Gaiman
[isbn]
"I think
that I would rather recollect
a life mis-spent on fragile things
than spent avoiding moral debt."
So begins Gaiman's introduction to this collection of "short fictions and wonders," which reads as a short story itself. The writing herein is some of Gaiman's best, and this oft-overlooked book makes an excellent gift for any fan of this master storyteller's other works.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Mandel, Emily St John
[isbn]
I usually veer away from post-apocalyptic fiction; reading about bleak futures and humankind's seemingly inevitable descent into gritty, animal cruelty just leaves me depressed. I'm so glad that I gave Station Eleven a chance, because unlike so many post-apocalyptic novels, it's full of hope. At the heart of this book is the assertion that art — of all kinds — is what allows us to connect to one another, and the conviction that in times... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Benjamin Alire Sáenz
[isbn]
I picked up this book after hearing a friend talk about how it treats its characters so gently, with such kindness. It's true. Part coming-of-age, part love story, entirely beautiful, this book deserves every accolade it's been given and more.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Libba Bray
[isbn]
This gem of a book operates on a simple concept: take Lord of the Flies, but instead of using stranded schoolboys to illuminate the animal nature of man, Bray uses a plane crash of beauty queens to illuminate the tenacity of woman. The particular young women Bray writes are what takes this satirical adventure from good to great. None of them are without fault or flaw, but by the end, you find yourself rooting for each and every one.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Meyer, Marissa
[isbn]
Perfect for YA readers who like some science fiction with their fantasy — or vice versa. In this Cinderella retelling, Cyborg Linh Cinder puts up with her stepmother's cruelty for the sake of her sister, Peony. When Peony falls ill, Cinder will risk everything — even her newfound friendship with Prince Kai — to cure her. But greater events are in motion — the queen of the lunar colony has her eyes on Earth, and no one in New Beijing will be safe... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Sage Blackwood
[isbn]
I sped through this charming book in a night, and I haven't stopped telling people about it since. This witty, funny, poignant, smart fantasy adventure watches magically gifted Chantel come of age in a society where girls are expected to be "shamefast and biddable" — and try as she might, she's anything but. This book is an ode to headstrong girls and women, and to men and boys who are unafraid to follow their hearts, regardless of expectations.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Terry Pratchett
[isbn]
The Discworld series is clever, hilarious, poignant, and an essential read for any sci-fi/fantasy fan (especially those who enjoy Douglas Adams). It is also, however, ridiculously enormous, so it can be quite overwhelming deciding where to dive in. Fear not! Equal Rites is the book for you! "But Madeline," you say, "It says quite clearly on the listing that this is book number 3!" I know, I know, this sounds a bit crazy, but here's what... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Andrea Gibson
[isbn]
This is my comfort book. In this slim volume, Andrea Gibson tackles some of the biggest, scariest troubles in the world and makes them feel conquerable. Full of hope, heart, and just the right blend of gravity and humor, I pull these poems out on the hardest days, because they make me feel like I can keep moving forward. "Say Yes," in particular, is a masterpiece.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Andrew Chilton
[isbn]
The Goblin's Puzzle is a joyful, thoughtful blend of fantasy, logic, and humor. A boy with no name searches for his place in the world; a girl strives to prove her intellect and wisdom to a committee of scholars; a princess contends with a usurper to her throne; and a goblin speaks in riddles and cryptic clues, leading the others on a merry, hilarious chase. This wonderful debut from Andrew S. Chilton is not one to miss!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Leigh Bardugo
[isbn]
Leigh Bardugo does not disappoint with this fast-paced, tight-knit, emotionally gut-punching sequel to last year's bestseller Six of Crows. Kaz and his diverse crew of criminals are back, determined to wreak vengeance on their enemies and reap their just rewards. Full of twists and turns, heists and havoc, you will most likely finish this book with a racing heart, paper cuts from speedy page-flipping, and an overwhelming craving for... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Garth Stein
[isbn]
The Riddell family's ancestral home on the Puget Sound is filled with ghosts — living and dead, tangible and invisible. When 14-year-old Trevor comes to stay for the summer on the heels of his parents' separation, he stumbles into a web of family secrets. When he starts to pull the strings, will he be able to lay those spirits to rest? Or will the whole Riddell family unravel? This suspenseful coming-of-age novel from Seattle-based author Garth... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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G Willow Wilson
[isbn]
The perfect blend of science fiction and fantasy! Heartbroken hacker Alif embarks on a coding binge and creates a dangerous program, earning the attention of a feared government security giant called the Hand of God. Suddenly on the run, Alif ends up falling headfirst into a world of djinni, demons, and magic straight out of One Thousand and One Nights (and the most mythical parts of the Quran). American Islamic convert Wilson (keep your... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Django Wexler
[isbn]
Alice in Wonderland meets Inkheart in this middle-grade fantasy adventure. When her father's ship is lost at sea, Alice is sent to live with her mysterious elderly uncle Geryon, owner of a vast and empty mansion and a locked-up library. Determined to find her father, Alice enlists the help of a curious cat to break into the library, where she discovers that the books within are not all that they seem.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Maggie Stiefvater
[isbn]
Henrietta, Virginia: home to a prestigious private school, a convergence of ley lines, fast cars, retired hitmen, ghosts, psychics, dreamers, and, perhaps, a sleeping Welsh king. In this final installment of the Raven Cycle, a demon has awoken, and everything that's been foretold must finally come to pass. The suspenseful, bittersweet, and gratifying conclusion to this series will stick with readers for a long time.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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A S King and A. S. King
[isbn]
This absorbing read from Printz Honor Author A. S. King is seemingly about a girl who drinks a petrified bat and starts seeing the future (I'm not kidding). At its heart, however, it's about a girl on the cusp of adulthood trying to answer two very important questions: Where do we come from, and where are we going?
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Stiefvater, Maggie
[isbn]
It's very difficult to give a short summary for this series, because it encompasses so many things. It may be most succinct to say that the Raven Cycle is a love letter to the friendship between the four titular boys, students at the prestigious Aglionby Academy, and Blue, a local girl who lives in a house chock-full of amazing lady psychics. To leave off there would, however, be misleading, because it hints at much more private school drama... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Sarah Prineas
[isbn]
Not your standard fractured fairy tale! Sarah Prineas has crafted a thrilling original adventure in Ash and Bramble, borrowing elements from "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty," and more. Prineas deftly navigates the murky waters of fate versus agency in a fantasy world where fairy tales want to come true, regardless of the consequences for the people stuck playing their archetypal roles.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Kate Morton
[isbn]
Part homage to The Secret Garden, part love letter to the power of storytelling, The Forgotten Garden is a delicate, beautifully written novel. The reader follows three generations of women as they explore the nature of family, their connections to each other, and how their pasts have shaped each other's presents. How do you accept and honor your personal history without letting it consume you?
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Leigh Bardugo
[isbn]
"No mourners. No funerals. Among them, it passed for 'good luck.'" With a paced, plotted heist and a dark, imaginative fantasy world, Six of Crows is a thrill to read, but what sets it apart for me are the six titular thieves. A criminal mastermind, a shadowy acrobat, a sharpshooting gambler, a secretive runaway, an exiled witch, and the prisoner who once hunted her — these characters are so well fleshed out, their conflicts and... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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