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

Flora and Friends ABC by Molly Idle
(Birth to 3 years-old)
Library Catalog

“Molly Idle has GOT to stop being as good at her job as she is. Seriously, this is beginning to become a problem. To the best of my knowledge, there are only three Caldecott Honorees that regularly pour their hearts and souls into their original board book creations. One you’ve already seen in Juana Martinez-Neal and her little Alma books. The second is Aaron Becker, who didn’t have a board book out this year, but utterly decimates the competition when he does produce. And the third, as you can clearly see, is Molly Idle. Because when this woman decides that she wants to create an ABC board book, she doesn’t go halfsies on it. Oh no. Her full avian abecedarian tendencies are on FULL display with this magnificent production. Flora and the Flamingo may have won a Caldecott but all that inventiveness is replicated in full in this book. And there are so many different kinds of birds on these pages! I loved finally getting to see her do an ostrich (they’re kinda my thing) as well as a slew of other beautifully rounded babies. I only keep the occasional board book that comes my way, but this one? This is one of the few that I’m hanging onto. The best!” –School Library Journal

The Making of Butterflies by Ibram X. Kendi, Zora Neal Hurston & Kah Yangni
(Birth to 3 years-old)
Library Catalog

“The highlights of this particular list is the wholly original and hitherto unseen, wouldn’t you agree? And wouldn’t you further agree that any board book adapted from a Zora Neale Hurston story fits the bill? Before I say anything else I want to mention how grateful I am to both Mr. Kendi and the good people of Amistad Books for Young Readers for taking the time to include some backmatter in this book. One could be forgiven for wondering, once you’ve finished, where this story originated. Kendi explains that in Mules and Men, Hurston explained that she found this story when she visited a lumber camp in Polk County, Florida. The men there would tell folktales as they worked and sometimes just make them up on the spot. This one arose when a man named Floyd Thomas said that sometimes the Creator isn’t satisfied with what’s created and makes changes. This story is an explanation of that. Yangni’s art is utterly gorgeous, and I adore the sneaker wearing, butterflied Creator on the cover. Kendi has made the choice to retain Hurston’s dialect, so that the first line is, ‘The Creator wuz all finished and thru makin’ de world,’ and it goes on from there. Parents will decide amongst themselves if they feel comfortable reading the book in this matter or if they feel like they should change it as they go.” –School Library Journal

By Myself! by Sumana Seeboruth
¡Yo Sola! By Sumana Seeboruth
(Birth to 3 years-old)
Library Catalog

“We’ve been there, kid. We’ve all been there. Only a reader with a heart of stone would remain unmoved by this child’s conundrum. Independent little two-year-olds want to do everything themselves but while the will is there, the flesh is lacking in experience (or, for that matter, reliable hand-eye coordination). In this story a toddler is starting the day with her big sister (who casually sports a cochlear implant). When the big (incredibly patient) sister tries to help her little sib, she is met with an indignant ‘No no, no! I can do it. Go, go, go!’ Things . . . do not go well. There’s humor here for the older readers and some serious identification for the younger. In the end, each girl helps the other in some way, which gives the book a feeling of fairness that I didn’t really expect from a title this young. With delightful art from Castells (I may have to rate my favorite covers of the year at some point) this is one title parents won’t mind reading a couple hundred times or more.” –School Library Journal

For Younger Readers

Big Tune: Rise of the DanceHall Prince by Alliah L. Agostini & Shamar Knight-Justice
(Preschool to 2nd Grade)
Library Catalog

“A young Black boy finds a way to keep the music and joy alive in his Caribbean American community. In Shane’s neighborhood, the weekend is a time for music and partying with family and friends. While everyone else dances, he collects cans with plans to turn them into money for his sneaker fund. Shane’s brothers think he’s too shy to dance, but Shane dances and sings when he’s alone in his room. After all, other family members are so much better. As he gets closer to his goal, he is excited and has all the moves. Unfortunately, when the next time for a gathering comes, the music speaker no longer works. Shane immediately decides to sacrifice his savings to ensure that the good times will continue. He is a hero to family and friends, and the revelers show their appreciation by passing the hat to replace his money. Finally, Shane overcomes his shyness and takes to the floor to sing and to dance with his loved ones. This lively, vibrant narrative has an infectious spirit, and Shane is irresistible. Grounded in a tight knit Jamaican American community, the story deftly incorporates visual and textual references to dance styles, food, and other cultural touchstones. The lush collages reinforce the text. Themes of joy, solidarity, and artistic expression are effortlessly woven throughout the words and images… An exuberant celebration of community that leaps off the page.” –Kirkus Reviews

Sumo Libre by Joe Cepeda
(Preschool to 3rd Grade)
Library Catalog

“Neighbors Max and Kenji love wrestling. But Max thinks lucha libre is the ‘greatest,’ while Kenji thinks sumo is the ‘best.’ When they show each other their favorite moves — and try to prove which is truly the winning style — the match devolves into a real tussle. Though the two try to practice on their own (with some unsuspecting pet opponents), they quickly realize, ‘It's not as much fun being a wrestling fan…by yourself.’ So they hatch a plan to reunite and stage ‘the very first-ever SUMO LIBRE match’ for the neighborhood, complete with tempura tacos. The text is subtly funny and presents a fresh cultural mashup. Cepeda's (The Best Worst Camp Out Ever… ) brightly colored, hand-painted illustrations in his recognizable loose style are detailed and engaging; the annotated moves on the endpapers may inspire future sumo libre wrestlers (warn your pets!).” –Horn Book Magazine

Memory Garden by Zohreh Ghahremani & Susie Ghahremani
(Preschool to 3rd Grade)
Library Catalog

“An immigrant grandmother and her grandchild sow family history alongside newly planted flowers. Nana and the young narrator are planting a new crop of geraniums. The protagonist loves packing dirt with the yellow shovel, but nothing’s better than hearing Nana tell stories of her childhood garden ‘back home.’ As the narrator waters and helps plant new blooms, Nana describes cypress trees that looked like soldiers, flowers that smelled like perfume, a hedgehog that, after being thrown into the water by Nana’s friend, turned out to be a good swimmer, and the family gardener, who gave her rides in a wheelbarrow. Nana pensively reminisces about her family samovar, prompting the protagonist to ask what happened to Nana’s garden. Cryptically, Nana replies, ‘We had to leave it…When we moved to this country, it was time to plant a whole new garden.’ Though the author and illustrator both discuss their Persian heritage in the backmatter, the narrative itself never states where Nana is from or why she can’t return; children may be left confused. Still, this tale deftly invokes the delight of growing something new while preserving old memories and traditions. Amber-toned illustrations and lyrical, child-friendly text paint a poetic picture of both the present and the past. Nana and the child are tan-skinned. Beautiful though potentially perplexing musings on immigration, family, and home.”  –Kirkus Reviews

Fiction

And Then, Boom! by Lisa Fipps
(Grades 5-7)
Library Catalog

“How do you cope with the unexpected moments that change everything in your world? Until what he calls ‘the Mess with Mom,’ sixth grader Joseph Oak and his widowed English grandmother were doing okay. Between the house Grandmum owned, the money she made cleaning houses and offices, their food stamp benefits, and Joe’s free school meals, they were getting by. But about a year ago, when Joe’s mostly absent mother got arrested, Grandmum put the house up for bail money. (Joe knows nothing about his dad.) Then Mom fled, and ‘BOOM!’—they were living in their car: ‘I felt like we were goldfish in a fishbowl.’ Grandmum and Joe find an old mobile home to rent, but then, ‘BOOM!’—Grandmum dies, and Joe’s left on his own. Fortunately, he has two best friends who always have his back: Nick, whose mother struggles with depression and who’s been in foster care, and Francophile Hakeem, who pays for Joe’s convenience store treats. The verse format, combined with Joe’s comic book and superhero metaphors, works exceptionally well at conveying honest emotion while maintaining a sense of humor and hope. Fipps doesn’t sugarcoat poverty, nor does she romanticize it or treat it as a moral failing; instead, she provides critical representation to the many schoolchildren who are living in poverty. Joe’s courage and individuality shine on every page. Most main characters read white; Hakeem is cued African American. A big, bold, engaging, and important story.” –Kirkus Reviews

Winnie Nash is Not Your Sunshine by Nicole Mellaby
(Grades 4-7)
Library Catalog

“A gay tween struggles to go back into the closet while temporarily living with her grandma. Between her dad’s new job and her mom’s post-miscarriage pregnancy, Winnie’s family has a lot going on. They send Winnie to stay with her grandma for a ‘summer at the shore’ in New Jersey. Winnie’s angry. With a name like Winnifred Maude Nash, the 12-year-old fits right in at her grandma’s book club for seniors. The problem: She can’t quite be her true self, because her parents asked her not to tell her grandma she’s gay. Winnie eventually makes friends her own age—Pippa Lai and Lucía Delgado—who let her be her authentic self. But what she really needs is to feel ‘held’ by going to Pride in New York City. Trouble is, Pride is the same day as Pippa’s annual family party, which Winnie agreed to go to. What’s a girl to do? Melleby’s latest expertly captures the tumultuousness of tween emotions through its dialogue and third-person narration. While many in Winnie’s generation are so confident in their queerness, the story importantly touches on how it’s not always safe to be out. Multiple queer characters—peers, adults, and elders alike—contribute to an exceptional sense of community that shows the many ways support can manifest. Winnie and her family read white; Pippa’s surname cues Chinese ancestry, and Lucía is implied Latine. A powerful, emotional look at queerness, pride, and what it truly means to feel held.” –Kirkus Reviews

Isabel in Bloom by Mae Respicio
(Grades 3-7)
Library Catalog

“A tween girl finds ways to connect her old life in the Philippines to her new life in America. It’s 1999, and 12-year-old Isabel Ligaya is leaving the one home she’s ever known to live in San Francisco. She’s excited but nervous to be reunited with Mama, who moved to the U.S. five years ago for work, hoping to provide better lives for Isabel and her grandparents. San Francisco couldn’t be more different from the gardens and greenery she’s used to. Feeling like she doesn’t belong in this strange place with a mom she barely knows, Isabel searches for ‘the people / places / things / that feel like / home,’ just like Lolo, her grandfather, told her to. She finds solace in her school’s forgotten garden, makes friends in the culinary club, and learns to grow and bloom in her new environment. Told in verse, this is a charming story of growth, family, friends, community, and finding connections between old and new. Isabel’s thoughts, her intense and sometimes conflicting feelings about immigrating, and her changing relationship with her mother are beautifully expressed and relatable. Sprinkled throughout the text are details about Filipino American history and Filipino culture, language, and diaspora experiences. While most of the book is written in free verse, readers are also introduced to other poetic forms, such as acrostic and concrete poetry. Heartfelt and moving.” –Kirkus Reviews

Nonfiction

Queens of the Jungle: Meet the Female Animals Who Rule the Animal Kingdom by Dr. Carly Anne York, art by Kimerlie Clinthorne-Wong
(Grades 2-7)
Library Catalog

“A biologist presents a gallery of her favorite females, ‘the wonder women of the animal kingdom.’ ‘It's all about girl power,’ York writes–referring to elephant families, but really applying the notion to dozens of animals as she highlights a wide array of female-led group dynamics, reproductive practices, and parental behaviors. For many creatures that hang out in family or social groups, from wild horses, ring-tailed lemurs, and spotted hyenas to orcas, bonobos, and honeybees, females are in charge. Also, for the much tinier male orchid mantis and black widow spider, there's often ‘no second date,’ as the author puts it. She ventures into more intriguing territory by introducing multiple species that change genders as they go. She also describes female Amazon mollies and mole salamanders (which clone themselves, but only in the presence of sperm they don't actually use) as well as water fleas, marbled crayfish, and New Mexico whiptail lizards, which produce offspring without having to bother with males at all. If that's not enough to leave readers agog, she offers several examples of extreme maternal sacrifice such as that of the desert spider, which liquifies her own insides to feed her young. Humans don't make the cut, but Clinthorne-Wong slips occasional mildly anthropomorphic expressions or nurturing postures into her vibrantly hued close-up portraits of wild mothers and children. Revelatory reading for audiences of every gender.” –Kirkus Reviews

The Antiracist Kitchen: 21 Stories (and Recipes) edited by Nadia L. Hohn, art by Roza Nozari
(Grades 2-7)
Library Catalog

“Discussing racism isn't a piece of cake, but this work offers key ingredients nonetheless. In her introduction, editor Hohn notes that talking about bigotry and prejudice can be difficult, even painful, but emphasizes that food gives us an opportunity to do so–after all, ‘it's a lot easier to listen and share when our taste buds are awake and our tummies are full.’ Twenty-one kid-lit authors of color share a wide array of delicious recipes as well as personal experiences related to culture, race, and racism. Accompanied by vibrant illustrations, these story-recipe pairings demonstrate how intertwined food and identity are. Janice Lynn Mather's recipe for Fusion Fried Plantain is preceded by a childhood account of not feeling Bahamian enough compared with her peers–her grandmother's unique approach to the dish felt like yet another thing that set her family apart. Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park puts a recipe for Fried Bologna–a food enjoyed by her Korean immigrant family–into historical context as she reflects on the time she introduced the dish to her Girl Scout troop. Alternative ingredients are sometimes offered. Deidre Havrelock (Plains Cree) notes that bison has traditionally been a staple for First Nations people but suggests substituting beef (or even wild meats such as moose) in her recipe for bison stew. The result is a thoughtful, beautifully designed work that fosters inclusivity and respect. A hearty meal that doles out both culinary delights and moving cultural insights.” –Kirkus Reviews

A Kids Book About: Israel & Palestine by Reza Aslan
(Grades 2-7)
Library Catalog

“What is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Why is it happening? Is peace possible?” When kids ask questions like these, are grownups prepared to answer? This book was created to provide context for this conflict, open the door to conversation, and lay a path for understanding, peace, and compassion for our shared future.

100 Things to Know about the Unknown: A Fact Book for Kids by Usborne
(Grades 2-6)
Library Catalog

What is dark matter? How fast could a T. rex run? How did Mary Queen of Scots keep her dying wishes secret from her enemies? Scientists and historians have discovered a lot about our past, our future and how the world works, but SO MUCH remains unknown. This exciting information book filled with 100 fascinating and mind-blowing facts explores the edges of human knowledge and the vast world of science just waiting to be uncovered.

Graphic Novels

Curveball by Pablo Cartaya, art by Miguel Diaz Rivas
(Grades 3-7)
Library Catalog

“In this uplifting graphic novel, Cartaya (The Last Beekeeper) and Diaz Rivas (the FGTeeV series) chronicle the trials and tribulations of baseball-playing Latinx middle schooler Elena Rueda. Though she loves the sport and is a skilled player—and the only girl on her team—her mother’s single-minded focus on furthering Elena’s career forces Elena to consider leaving the diamond. A tweaked medial collateral ligament prevents her from attending a summer baseball clinic, which seems like a blessing in disguise—until she realizes that she doesn’t have friends to spend her downtime with. But a summer LARPing with her younger brother Benji may be the spark to get her back on the field. The conflict between Elena’s prodigious skill and her own desires, complicated by her mother’s hovering, presents a moving take on the struggles of growing up surrounded by the pressure to succeed and lacking the opportunity to explore different facets of oneself. By centering Benji’s fanciful hobbies and rendering the siblings’ individual challenges via vibrant color and kinetic movement, this grounded tale of self-discovery transcends a rote sports narrative.” –Publishers Weekly

Lost Time by Tas Mukanik
(Grades 3-7)
Library Catalog

“A child separated from their moms by more than 60 million years shares adventures with some Mesozoic companions. Suddenly surrounded by lush greenery after getting trapped in a time machine, Evie–androgynous in appearance and drawn in the clean-lined, richly colored art with big, expressive eyes–is frantic to get a message back to Mom and Mama. Fortunately, an abandoned exploratory base nearby provides shelter and recordings of a previous research team's logs. Unfortunately, the nearest temporal communicator is at another base, far away. But some time later, having raised Ada, a towering Quetzalcoatlus northropi, from a hatchling to a full-grown, flying pterosaur, Evie has the means to get there, fashioning a saddle and setting out on a soaring journey over Cretaceous landscapes for encounters with a colorful, carefully detailed cast of dinosaurs and dino cousins (all identified in an appended portrait gallery) and narrow escapes from natural disasters and toothy predators alike. Along with being laudably resourceful, Evie has a real way with animals; not only is the relationship between small child and intelligent, airplane-sized buddy palpably affectionate, but an injured young T. rex that Evie nurses back to health peaceably sticks around long enough to chase off a gang of smaller raptors and startle Mom and Mama when they at last rush in for a joyful reunion. One parent shares Evie's coppery brown skin and glossy black hair; the other parent reads Black. Delightfully improbable adventures plus dinosaurs galore!” –Kirkus Reviews

Grace Needs Space! by Benjamin A. Wilgus, art by Rii Abrego
(Grades 4-7)
Library Catalog

“Twelve-year-old Grace lives on a space station with her mom Evelyn (Mom), who is the chief engineer; her other mom, Kendra (Ba), is a freighter captain whom Grace hasn't seen for nearly a year. Grace is wildly excited to travel with Ba, but their trip doesn't go as planned. At home, Mom expects Grace to be responsible for chores, but on the ship, Kendra doesn't trust Grace to help with anything and spends most of her time working. On Titan, Grace is awed by gravity, tall trees, and local kids, but while Ba deals with a work problem, Grace grows frustrated and takes an unauthorized field trip, leading to a fight. On the way back to the station, there is a problem with Ba's ship, and Grace calls Mom for help. The flow of the panels makes the action easy to follow, and the characters' expressions and body language are crystal clear; for example, when Ba says “plenty's changed” since the last time Grace was on the ship, oblivious to Grace's feelings, Grace's skeptical eyebrows and half-lidded eyes speak volumes. Grace and Mom have brown skin and dark hair; Ba has light skin, green eyes, and red hair. VERDICT: The sci-fi setting creates high stakes for this realistic story of a tween ready for adventure, navigating her relationships with separated parents. Highly recommended; give to fans of Molly Brooks's Sanity & Tallulah.” –School Library Journal

Blood City Rollers by V.P. Anderson, art by Tatiana Hill
(Grades 5-8)
Library Catalog

“When a teenage girl gets kidnapped to participate in a paranormal roller derby competition, she begins to question her dreams and desires for her own future in this lively comic. Mina Murray is a 13-year-old figure skater who suffers a fall and breaks her arm. While she's waiting for her mom to bring her home and beating herself up over the outcome of the competition, she's swept away by two young vampires to a practice rink to be on their vampire roller derby team. The captain, Val, quickly catches Mina up to speed: the Blood City Vamps need a human jammer for their upcoming bout against the Mavens (a team of witches). Through practicing with the Vamps, Mina learns the difference between competing as a single person and competing with a team, and when the Blood Moon Brawl arrives, Mina is still scared but ready to jam. The familiar sports story gets an engaging twist with the paranormal creatures, and Mina letting go of perfection in favor of having fun with something new is relatable and sweet.” –Booklist

Just in time for the Summer Olympics!

What Are the Summer Olympics? by Gail Herman
(Grades 3-7)
Library Catalog

Part of the popular WhoHQ series, this entry examines the history of the Olympic Games.

Kid Olympians, Summer: True Tales of Childhood Champions and Game Changers by Robin Stevenson, art by Allison Steinfeld
(Grades 3-7)
Library Catalog
“Profiles of 16 Olympians and Paralympians who qualify as ‘Kid Legends.' Though all, as Stevenson writes, were “little kids who liked to run, jump, and play,” the five men and eleven women introduced here each had a unique array of obstacles to overcome and sacrifices to make on their way to athletic glory–of which sexism and racism were, for most, only the beginning. Wilma Rudolph, for instance, came back from childhood polio, little person Ellie Simmonds won Paralympic gold twice in 2008, and Simone Biles triumphed over sexual abuse, mental health issues, and ADHD. The author highlights the important roles parents have played in many of these success stories: After she spent years scooting around on the floor of her Russian orphanage, racer Tatyana McFadden received a wheelchair from her adoptive moms; Venus and Serena Williams' father had their tennis training mapped out on paper before they were born; and it was her mother who initially persuaded a reluctant Ibtihaj Muhammad to take up fencing, because the sport's protective clothing allowed the hijabi Muslim girl to compete while remaining modestly covered. Steinfeld's cartoon scenes, which are as upbeat as the narratives, place the budding international stars amid physically and racially diverse groups of family members and fellow competitors or in climactic victory poses. More inspiring tales of young dreamers and achievers.” –Kirkus Reviews