We have new books coming in all the time with them on display right as you enter the Trove.  Here’s some of our recent favorite new titles!

For Wee Ones

Eyes, Ears, Nose and Toes by Sophie Aggett
(Birth to 3 Years-Old)
Library Catalog

“Yeah, I admit it. I’m pretty easy. You slap some big old baby faces in a board book and then add an element like soft felt flaps? Instant inclusion on this list! What’s funny is that so few board book creators have ever thought to do this. There are only so many different elements you can include in books for the youngest of young readers, and ‘faces’ and ‘felt flaps’ come up all the time. Yet for the first time that I’ve ever seen, here they are together at last. The photographs are entirely black and white, which is an interesting choice. I don’t know enough about baby eyeballs to know if that counts as ‘high contrast’ enough for them, but certainly the lovely flaps are an excellent touch. Plus, someone appears to have worked hard to make sure that the cutouts on the felt reveal the obligatory body parts you’re looking for. Consider this for toddlers too then!” – Betsy Bird, School Library Journal

Balloon Art ABC by Masayoshi Matsumoto
(Birth to 3 Years-Old)
Library Catalog

“Is this book a gimmick? Maybe. Do I care even one jot? I. Do. Not. There is balloon art in this world and then there is Balloon Art with a capital ‘B’ and a capital ‘A’. Masayoshi Matsumoto, we are told, is a ‘Master Balloon Artist’ and I actually looked him up after I read this book because what he’s managing to accomplish here is so incredible. You can get a sense of that from his Instagram page. Don’t be surprised if you’re unable to click away. In this book, it plays by the usual ABC rules, but impressively it never cheats. You’ll note that the title isn’t promising animal balloons all the way through, so Matsumoto just makes something for every letter. This is the book you hand the parent who needs a little support on reading the same book over and over again. With this title, you could read it 30 times and still find it a pleasure to the eye.” – Betsy Bird, School Library Journal

P is for Pastrami: the ABCs of Jewish Food by Alan Silberberg
(Birth to 3 Years-Old)
Library Catalog

“A comical pastrami sandwich greets readers from the cover, and then an alphabet of Jewish foods is presented with great humor and lively illustrations. Crooning macaroons and stuffed Yaprah (grape leaves) will entertain, inform, and build an appetite in this enjoyable title. VERDICT Jewish or not, toddlers will appreciate this array of delicious items ready for their snacking pleasure. Recommended.” – School Library Journal

For Younger Readers

Eleven Words for Love: A Journey Through Arabic Expressions of Love by Randa Abdel-Fattah & Maxine Beneba Clarke
(Preschool to 3rd Grade)
Library Catalog

“A Palestinian family connects their past and present to 11 Arabic terms that express various types of love. The family flees their homeland with a rainbow-colored suitcase full of photo albums. They settle in a new place, and as their child looks through the photographs, the little one relates them to different Arabic expressions. An image of the child greeting another youngster is paired with the word al-Wud (the ‘sunshine-warm friendship that grows and glows after two people meet’). A wedding picture of the parents is accompanied by the term al-Ishq (a passionate love that unites two souls). A photo of an older relative is paired with al-Haneen, a sad love for those gone too soon, and an image of two people by the Dome of the Rock is accompanied by the term showq—a love that ‘yearns to touch homeland-heartland soil one last time.’ Alongside the lyrical definitions of love, the textured, bright, collagelike illustrations beautifully chronicle the family’s journey. The photographs of cherished memories are deftly interwoven alongside scenes of the characters building a new life as they explore their new surroundings, meet new friends and neighbors, and connect with faraway relatives. Relying on cultural touches such as a keffiyeh that one character wears, the story offers a glimpse into the lives of a Palestinian family uprooted from their home. A tender tale of love and remembrance.” – Kirkus Reviews

Threads: Zlata’s Ukrainian Shirt by Lina Maslo
(Preschool to 2nd Grade)
Library Catalog

“Drawing inspiration from the experiences of her grandparents, Maslo offers a window into the Ukrainian spirit. It’s 1932, and Communists are going door to door collecting extra taxes and grain. Zlata’s mama starts hiding food, and Papa buries bags of grain. On Zlata’s eighth birthday, her best friend and neighbor, Yeva, and Yeva’s parents come over to celebrate. Zlata wears the blouse her mother made with colors traditionally used in Ukrainian embroidery: red for love, black for sadness. The conversation between the girls reveals their parents’ opposing political views. When Yeva’s father informs on Zlata’s family, their food and goods are confiscated, including the birthday blouse. Maslo effectively uses dialogue, a first-person narrative with plenty of helpful historical context, and a controlled palette to create a meaningful, engaging tale. Golden wheat is a recurring image, at first suggesting sustenance, then forbidden food. With spring, wheat symbolizes hope. A stark white page—with a corner of shadow—reveals that Zlata’s papa has been taken. Brown sets the mood for hunger. The girls mend their broken relationship when Yeva explains that her father was taken, too, but that he had rescued the blouse. Reflecting on the importance of holding on to what ‘made us Ukrainian—our language, our beliefs, our traditions,’ the protagonist notes: ‘Beauty made life bearable.’ A poignant yet accessible entry into Ukraine’s ongoing suffering—and survival.” – Kirkus Reviews

Frankie and Friends: Breaking News by Christine Platt & Alea Marley
(Grades 1-3)
Library Catalog

“Breaking a news story requires more than skill—you need grit, determination, imagination, and friends. Frankie feels sad as she watches her journalist mother, who has a breaking news assignment, pack to go to the airport. The whole family—including Papa and Frankie’s big sister, Raven—gathers to give Mama a big hug and say goodbye. Though Frankie recalls memories of joining her mother at work and even sitting behind the news desk, she still can’t help feeling left behind. After Mama encourages her to ‘be on the lookout for developing stories,’ Frankie gets an idea. She will indeed look for stories at home, and she’ll do it with the help of her pals—her doll Farrah, her King Tut and Queen Cleopatra action figures, her teddy bear Dan, Robert the Robert, and her cat, Nina Simone. When they hear a mysterious crying sound, everyone works together to break the story. Vibrant and witty, this new series installment balances an age-appropriate exploration of the ins and outs of journalism—the importance of asking questions, how to develop a story—with a fun and gentle story. This is the perfect introduction to journalism for cub reporters. The art contains plenty of white space, which contrasts crisply against the bold primary colors throughout. The book closes with information on understanding the news. Frankie and her family are Black. A charming read for budding newshounds.” – Kirkus Reviews

Fiction

Lalo Lespérance Never Forgot by Phillippe Diederich
(Grades 4-6)
Library Catalog

“An 11-year-old struggles to connect with his past and survive the tumult of his present. From recollections of Papi, his late Haitian father, to what happened yesterday, Lalo Lespérance’s memories feel ‘like secret notes in bottles floating in the ocean.’ Even when he finds one, it’s ‘usually vague or written in code.’ Now that Covid has forced everyone online for school, his neighbor Vivi and her grandmother Alita welcome Lalo and his 17-year-old brother, Claudio, over to use the internet for online classes. Lalo, whose mom is Mexican American, loves to escape into Alita’s stories about Mexico, especially ones about magic. One day, Vivi and Lalo spy a strange motor home in the parking lot of their apartment building. Vivi believes it belongs to a roba chico, or kidnapper. As they devise ways to catch him, Lalo discovers a mysterious old-fashioned radio in a storage closet. He becomes certain that the radio is helping him find his memories—but he isn’t sure if remembering is good or bad. Diederich immerses readers in Lalo’s confused emotional landscape: The uncertainties surrounding his identity, friendships, and place in his family push readers to explore these questions, both in terms of Lalo and themselves. The definition of memory and how integral it is to understanding oneself are heavy themes made accessible for younger audiences without sacrificing depth. A slow-burn of emotional exploration.” – Kirkus Reviews

Summer at Squee by Andrea Wang
(Grades 3-6)
Library Catalog

“After surviving the loneliness of seventh grade, Phoenix can’t wait to be with her favorite people in her happy place just one last time, before she’s too old. SCCWEE, or Summertime Chinese Culture, Wellness, and Enrichment Experience, is Phoenny’s sanctuary. She loves all the fun camp traditions and the heritage classes, like Chinese rice dough sculpting and ribbon dancing. But her plans for a perfect time are interrupted by the arrival of new girls who don’t share her positive attitude toward camp and Chinese culture, which leaves Phoenny feeling confused and threatened. Plus, she’s competing with one of them for the attention of the same boy. Thankfully, Phoenny has her passion for sewing clothes to help her deal with the stress. Once she learns that the new girls are transracial adoptees from white families and face their own unique set of challenges, Phoenny opens up, and a virtuous cycle of vulnerability, empathy, and acceptance ensues. When trolls post racist comments on the camp’s social media, the campers use their joyful creativity to resist the fear and hate. Through careful research and interviews, Wang has crafted a narrative that reflects many transracial adoptees’ feelings and experiences. The believable dialogue questions and explores deeply held beliefs about culture. Phoenny’s lovingly detailed, introspective viewpoint will positively influence readers’ awareness of their own emotional and cultural landscapes. Blending moxie and grace, this novel is a worthy guide through cultural expansiveness and summer camp antics and angst.” – Kirkus Reviews

Sparkle by Lakita Wilson
(Grades 3-6)
Library Catalog

“A Black sixth grader’s love of modeling and performing is challenged on and off the stage. Maryland tween Sparkle Moore is a budding social media influencer, and her hair—abundant ‘chestnut-colored locks’—is a big part of her persona. Her mother is a former model who has shifted her focus into making Sparkle and her sister social media successes. Sparkle and her best friends, Taryn and Rae, who are also Black, hope to make a good impression on Ms. June, the Arts Academy drama director. Sparkle wants to help her family out financially by landing a key role in the school’s spring production and creating content that could attract the attention of Hollywood casting agents; Sparkle’s dad was a famous TV star, but the residual checks they live on have been shrinking. Things take an unexpected turn when Taryn notices a small bald spot on Sparkle’s scalp. Following a scary diagnosis of alopecia, Rae designs creative hair accessories to help Sparkle cover up her bare patches, but Sparkle’s friendship with Taryn becomes strained as she deals with her shifting roles at school and home. This is an honest look at the impact of a medical diagnosis that affects appearance, particularly in the context of social media. Sparkle is an original character who is personally driven but also able to put her family first. The relationship dynamics among the friends will resonate with middle school readers. A timely and relatable story about self-perception and social pressures.” – Kirkus Reviews

Nonfiction

Queer and Fearless: Poems Celebrating the Lives of LGBTQ+ Heroes by Rob Sanders, art by Harry Woodgate
(Grades K-4 )
Library Catalog

“A poetry collection that pays tribute to prominent queer figures. Sanders offers a glimpse into the lives of 17 people who have played a role in the fight for equality, among them Civil Rights leader Bayard Rustin, activist Marsha P. Johnson, and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. An introduction encourages readers to think of themselves as heroes, too: ‘Speak your mind. Let your truth be known.’ Woodgate's bold and realistic full-color illustrations skillfully convey people, places, and times while reflecting the racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. Varied poetry styles–free verse, limerick, shape poem, and more–provide the impression of a tapestry, weaving together different moments of a movement in evolution, including the Stonewall Uprising, the creation of the Pride flag, and the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that made same-sex marriage legal. Although some poems are stronger than others, each brings to life a moment in time and a person who contributed to the movement. The entries offer effective, meaningful sketches, giving young people a strong sense of contributions to queer history and drawing out the many ways individual people can influence movements. An appended glossary and further resources will encourage readers to explore more deeply; also included is information on the various poetic forms used in the book. An acutely distilled and vibrant compilation of LGBTQ+ heroes. (Informational picture book/poetry. 6-10)”– Kirkus Reviews

Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Everything: the Ultimate Guide to the World Around You by DK
(Grades 3-6)
Library Catalog

The world's greatest record-breakers, most remarkable animals, inspiring history-makers, and cutting-edge technology are all here, in one utterly unputdownable kid's encyclopedia.  Each page is illustrated with vivid photography and filled with facts.

Make Your Mark, Make a Difference: A Kid's Guide to Standing Up for People, Animals, and the Planet by Joan Marie Galat
(Grades 3-7)
Library Catalog

“A guide to recognizing and fighting many different kinds of injustice. The first section, ‘Examine Your World,’ gets readers to identify problems (starting with their homes, schools, and communities) and then to set specific, attainable goals and work toward solutions. Using an encouraging tone, Galat explains the concepts of human rights and activism, summarizing a slew of contemporary issues and offering condensed accounts of individual and group efforts with some brief, positive examples from around the world showing varied types of approaches. The case studies mostly highlight young people tackling problems, including some well-known names such as Malala Yousafzai and Mari Copeny. The middle sections examine in greater depth six broad areas for action: animals, the environment, space exploration, peace, equality, and poverty. The final section, ‘Change Is Everywhere,’ focuses on engaging in activism through the arts and on remaining positive and persistent while being realistic about the pace of progress. Some vocabulary is defined in the text, including terms such as discrimination and molestation. Text boxes introduce topics for conversation and suggest immediate actions readers can take (such as making pamphlets or properly disposing of old medications), thus helping readers clarify their ideas, raise funds, and enlist others. The text, which is punctuated with stock art, embodies the clear communication skills the author endorses and is leavened with subtle humor. The book explains and encourages the many life skills and qualities involved in effective activism, such as research, critical thinking, organization, record-keeping, and empathy. A hands-on, practical, wide-ranging, and information-packed handbook for budding activists.”-Kirkus Reviews

Graphic Novels

Viewfinder by Christine D U Chung and Salwa Majoka
(Grades 2-6)
Library Catalog

“In this wordless graphic novel, a young space traveler alights upon a deserted Earth and explores the remnants of our world. A child points a rocket ship toward an unexplored spot on a map of space. The destination is none other than our own planet, devoid of humans but replete with artifacts. After landing and uncovering a stereoscopic viewfinder in a schoolyard time capsule, the protagonist discovers a map scribbled on one of the picture discs and sets out to investigate. The child traipses through neighborhood streets, traverses a once-bustling train depot, and silently surveys civilization's great achievements in a shadowy museum and a gorgeous library. The viewfinder's images offer clues to Earth's emptiness: Humans chose to leave the planet following an infestation of bioluminescent fungi that descended from the sky. They also subtly suggest the photographer's identity and their unique viewpoint on the Anthropocene's end. Although this tale touches upon a trope that may be familiar to older readers–the eerie beauty of post-apocalyptic decay–it employs a softer lens to ponder the striving, ephemeral nature of existence. Emphatically cute yet deliberately informative panels in purple, blue, and golden-green hues are inviting and economical. The explorer is tan-skinned, the viewfinder photographer is Black, and the people seen in the images are diverse. Beautiful and precisely depicted, a gentle, generous reflection on civilization and community life.”-Kirkus Reviews

Blue Stars: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem by Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith, art by Molly Murakami
(Grades 4-8)
Library Catalog

“This middle-grade graphic novel, the first in a series, has everything: nuanced and empowered protagonists, a funny, gripping story, age-appropriate treatment of social issues, and expressive comic illustrations begging to be lingered over. Readers will come away inspired to raise their own voices and take action to create positive, peaceful change in their communities. A fresh new graphic series sure to engender a devoted following.”-Kirkus Reviews

Table Titans Club by Scott Kurtz
(Grades 4-8)
Library Catalog

“Val doesn't know how to be anyone but herself, and so far, it's only ever gotten her into trouble. Maybe this year at a new school will be different? With an overactive imagination and a quick temper to match, Val hasn't always had an easy time at school. But when she ends up as the newest member of the Table Titans and discovers the world of Dungeons & Dragons, things start to finally turn around. Kurtz, the creative force behind the beloved webcomic PvP, crafts a narrative that seamlessly blends wit, endearment, and adventure. The Dungeons & Dragons world becomes a celebration of embracing one's unique, magical self, offering a rallying point for readers of all backgrounds. Kurtz's distinctive art style, characterized by its goofy, fantastical, and endearing qualities, adds an enchanting layer to the narrative, blurring the lines between imagination and reality. This is not just a story but an exploration of the profound impact of genuine friendship, and Val's experiences unfold in a way that echoes the transformative spirit and charm of Stranger Things. Ideal for upper-elementary and middle-school readers seeking a heartfelt and magical journey of self-discovery, friendship, and the celebration of embracing your authentic self.”-Booklist