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

My Busy Noisy Day by Sophie Aggett & Malgorzata Detner
(Birth to 3 Years-Old)
Library Catalog

“This is one of the few board books on this list you will encounter that has an on and off switch of its very own. Let the record show that not all on/off switch books for young children are created equal… What sets this particular book apart from the pack are the play elements built in. This book is written entirely in the second person. ‘You’ are up to a lot of things today and so the perspective is all from ‘your’ point of view. You brush your teeth right from the get-go, and then on the second page you get a phone call. As such, you’re very much pretending to be a grown-up. Then you have to get a UPS package from the front door (okay, it doesn’t say it’s UPS but ‘Pronto Packages’ but we all know what it’s trying to say). After that you lock the door with your keys, you drive your car, pay for parking (that one made me laugh), use your charge card at the grocery store (thorough, right?), then get back home to do the laundry, vacuum, and bake a pie. These are all things a young child might see their grown-ups doing in the course of a given day, but I’ve never seen a book really lean into each section. There are 26 sounds in total that you can make happen by pressing certain small circles on each page, from a blender to a fire truck’s alarm. I think we have a hit on our hands here.” -Betsy Bird, School Library Journal

Miro/I Look by Gavin Bishop
(Birth to 3 Years-Old)
Library Catalog

“The name ‘Gavin Bishop’ is no stranger to my lists, but this book is an interesting deviation from his regular stuff. Bishop, a New Zealand author/illustrator of Tainui and Ngāti Awa heritage, presents us with a book that pairs his usual faces alongside objects like keys, teddy bears, dogs, etc. The book has thick board book-esque pages, but the size is a little larger (around 8.75” x 8.75”) and you get your money’s worth with a slew of more pages than you’d usually find. Now just add in the fact that it’s also bilingual (Spanish/English) and you’ve got yourself an incredible book! Come for the faces. Stay for ALL the other stuff!” -Betsy Bird, School Library Journal

Little Owl, Where Are You? by Ekaterina Trukhan
(Birth to 3 Years-Old)
Library Catalog

“Shoot. Why settle for just one mirror in the back of a book when you can indulge in FIVE big, beautiful mirrors, all hidden under flap, instead? A word of warning to the wise. Pay attention to how often you see the name Ekaterina Trukhan in my inclusions today. Somehow she became the go to person when you need a board book illustrator. You’ll see! In this case, gentle rhymes ask each little animal things like, ‘Little pig, Little pig, where are you?’ to be responded with ‘Here I am! Here I am! Where are you?’ You then pull down the face of the animal in question (which sounds more dire than it actually is) and voila! A mirror! I can’t pretend to understand the rudimentary price points of including mirrors in board books, but if it’s cheap then I don’t know why this hasn’t really been done before. Give us faces! Faces galore!” -Betsy Bird, School Library Journal

For Younger Readers

Tíos and Primos by Jacqueline Alcántara
Tíos y primos por Jacqueline Alcántara
(Preschool to 2nd Grade)
Library Catalog

“A young girl connects with her family on a trip to Honduras with her father despite language barriers. Equipped with a simple ‘Hi, how are you?’ in Spanish, the child prepares to meet her tíos and tías, primos and primas. Outside the airport, Papa's brother asks her if she speaks español. ‘Más o menos,’ she responds… Papa and the child drive up a mountain until they arrive at a little house where Abuela lives. There, the girl discovers new ways to bond with the familia she initially didn't know. In her debut as author/illustrator, Alcántara deftly explores the unintended but oh-so-relatable awkwardness that sometimes crops up among families due to language barriers. A palpable sense of hope progressively pervades each encounter as the protagonist slowly breaks through that initial discomfort to forge connections, offering encouragement to readers in similar situations. Meanwhile, the vibrant gouache, marker, and Photoshop artwork features earth tones in its vivid portrait of Honduras. Publishes simultaneously in Spanish. This thoughtful and meaningful look at extended familia is a true gem.” –Kirkus Reviews

Little Freddie Two Pants by Drew Daywalt & Lucy Ruth Cummins(Preschool to 2nd Grade)
Library Catalog

“How many pants are too many? And just how should a dog wear a pair of trousers? Freddie, a white-furred canine with brown spots and an independent streak, is admonished by an unseen narrator for wearing one too many pairs of pants. Freddie starts the book with two pairs—one for the hind legs, another for the front. Along the way, Freddie acquires other colorful items of clothing and sports them all in unconventional ways—a hat makes a terrific pair of trousers, while pants make a fabulous chapeau! Freddie’s friend Monkey adds more sartorial chaos to the mix in an attempt to educate Freddie on proper clothing etiquette while also making some bold fashion choices. Eventually, both Freddie and Monkey wear their articles of clothing in the right way (sort of) while being comfortable with their own individual styles. Daywalt’s inquisitive yet exasperated text combines with Cummins’ expressive, child-friendly art for an enjoyable, giggle-worthy storytime offering. Certain phrases and words are presented in a different color, further emphasizing the read-aloud potential, while the art makes use of uncluttered backdrops, simple linework, and exuberant colors. Parents of young children will see themselves reflected in the exhausted narrator—the struggle to get kids dressed is real. An enjoyable romp about pushing boundaries while finding one’s own unique self.” –Kirkus Reviews

Springtime Storks: A Migration Love Story by Carol Joy Munro & Chelsea O’Byrne
(Preschool to 2nd Grade)
Library Catalog

“Munro draws from actual events for this story of Katerina and Luka, a monogamous stork couple whose bond endures even the harshest setback. During the birds’ southward migration, Katerina is shot down over a village. A farmer and a little girl rescue her, bring her home, and nurse her back to health. Her mate remains nearby, afraid to approach, but eventually comes to her. Katerina, unable to fly, urges Luka to leave before winter. He returns late the next spring. They have three chicks together, and before Luka leaves again, he promises to return early next spring with their children, ‘when the magnolias bloom.’ The real story, recounted in the author’s note, is somewhat different but still focuses on the couple’s fidelity. Munro explains that a bird named Malena was shot while traveling from Croatia to South Africa, 8,000 miles away; a villager cared for her and built her a nest on the roof of his house. A male stork, Klepetan, noticed Malena, and the two formed a relationship. Klepetan would migrate but return to her each spring, year after year. Livestreamed video kept the world apprised of their activities. Narrated by Katerina, the story is both immediate and tender, ideal for individual and group sharing… This arresting long-distance tale of animal devotion will captivate readers, especially bird lovers. (information on the other birds mentioned in the story)” –Kirkus Reviews

Fiction

Max in the Land of Lies: A Tale of World War II by Adam Gidwitz
(Grades 4-6)
Library Catalog

“Now working for British intelligence after leaving Berlin in the Kindertransport, 12-year-old Max Bretzfeld returns to Nazi Germany on a secret mission. During his ostensible mission—infiltrating the Funkhaus, the hub of Nazi radio and propaganda—Max not only faces continual danger, but also struggles with his conscience and even (briefly) his loyalty as he confronts some uncomfortably close parallels between the rabid racism of the Third Reich and that of both the British Empire and the United States throughout their histories. Max is also harboring a secret: Despite being expressly forbidden to do so by his adopted British uncle, he searches for his parents, only to discover strangers living in his family’s apartment. What follows is an absorbing whirl of narrow squeaks and tense, clever exploits, lightened by moments of comfort and comical commentary by Stein and Berg, the dybbuk and kobold spirits perched on Max’s shoulders… The cast of fictional ordinary Germans shows how seductive the Nazi promise to ‘make Germany great again’ seemed. This sequel trusts readers with critically relevant insights on necessary vigilance and the human capacity for monstrous behavior. A headlong thriller laced with provocative and topical historical truths.” –Kirkus Reviews

Millie Magnus Won’t Be Bullied by Brittany Mazique & Ebony Glenn
(Grades 2-4)
Library Catalog

“Millie Magnus is a self-assured third grader with her own unique style and pet chick, Extra Spicy. When she and her friends are faced with a school bully named Buckley, Millie is able to turn to her nanny and her widowed mother for help. When Millie seeks her mother's advice, racism is touched upon in reference to voters (her mom is the mayor of Washington, D.C.). Millie, her mother, and nanny are Black. Buckley is specifically bullying Millie and friends about Family Field Day. Readers will commiserate with Millie as she struggles, first when her mother can't attend field day, and then when Nanny Josephine is injured, leaving Millie without a partner in the three-legged race against Buckley. Glenn's excellent grayscale artwork creates white space on pages in early reader style and brings Millie's story to life. VERDICT A cute social-emotional read for kiddos… ” –School Library Journal

Mountain Upside Down by Sara Ryan
(Grades 4-6)
Library Catalog

“A 13-year-old learns to accept help when everything in her life starts shifting. Right after she’s worked up the courage to share her romantic feelings for PJ, the girl who’s been her best friend for years, everything in Alexandra Eager’s life starts to go off-kilter. Her grandmother, who’s cared for her since her mother’s death from complications of childbirth, is becoming more confused and forgetful. Alex’s local library, where she’s on the Youth Council, faces possible funding cuts, and beloved librarian Alonso is doing his best to be positive despite the dreary outlook. Matters go from bad to worse when PJ announces that she and her moms are moving. Alex’s desperate fear of losing PJ pushes her to make a dangerous decision, and things quickly fall apart. But the reveal of a family secret unexpectedly leads to a new way forward and expands Alex’s support system. Although few tidy resolutions appear at the end, the story contains plenty of comfort and compassion… Genuine and grounded; full of warmth and pragmatic realism despite difficult and uncertain circumstances.” –Kirkus Reviews

Nonfiction

Whalesong: The True Story of the Musician Who Talked to Orcas by Zachariah Ohora
(Grades K-3)
Library Catalog
In 1971, when Mr. Horn and his two sons moved to Canada's Vancouver Island, they frequently visited the large aquarium nearby. They especially enjoyed watching the two orcas, Haida and Chimo, who playfully splashed visitors sometimes. But it was sad to see such magnificent whales confined to a small pool. Dr. Spong, a scientist, often attempted to communicate with the orcas by playing recorded music. When Mr. Horn, a flute player, performed for Chimo and Haida, they soon made sounds in response, to Dr. Spong's delight. After Chimo's death, Haida was unresponsive to music and near death, but after hearing happy music played on the flute, he began to eat and interact with visitors. The back matter provides more information about orcas, Paul Horn, and Dr. Spong's role as a researcher who helped to start Greenpeace's “Save the Whales” movement to release whales from captivity. With a concise text and sensitive illustrations, this picture book tells a true story that will surely resonate with the many children who would like to communicate with animals. – Booklist

Hiding in Plain Sight: Kate Warne and the Race to Save Abraham Lincoln by Beth Anderson, art by Sally Wern Comport
(Grades 2-4)
Library Catalog
A detective foils a plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. This expertly paced tale ratchets up the tension as readers learn that Lincoln's life was in danger as he set out by train to Washington, D.C., for his 1861 presidential inauguration. Anderson adeptly plays with dramatic irony: Readers likely already know that he ultimately made it. But how? Enter Kate Warne, “the first female detective in the United States,” who uncovered a plot to kill Lincoln in Baltimore, his only stop in the South. Lincoln “wasn't welcome” here because of his opposition to slavery. Kate and Allan Pinkerton, head of the Pinkerton Detective Agency, needed to convince Lincoln the threat was real. After they initially failed, they concocted a ruse that involved disabling telegraph lines, donning costumes, and keeping Southern spies at bay. Kate, traveling incognito, secured a berth for her “sick brother.” Lincoln boarded the train in disguise, and she kept watch until they arrived in Baltimore and his train car was rerouted. Having successfully safeguarded the president-elect, Kate disappeared into a Baltimore crowd, “hiding in plain sight” to await her next assignment. Organized chronologically, each spread opens like a scrapbook, with pictorial maps of Lincoln's train route and framed portraits of principal characters and events, all suffused in an ominous, dusky palette. Cleverly, Comport incorporates recurring images of timepieces, matching the sense of suspense layered into Anderson's text–time is indeed of the essence. A lively, luminous account of a lesser-known woman's ingenious contribution to presidential history. – Kirkus Reviews

How Sweet the Sound: A Soundtrack for America by Kwame Alexander, art by Charly Palmer
(Grades 2-5)
Library Catalog
In a free verse panegyric to African American music, Alexander begins with talking drums and praise songs of “the motherland.” He then unfolds a rich, historical panorama of singers and song titles, instruments, landmark recordings, and musical styles, from field hollers and “Congo Square ring shouts” to Kendrick Lamar's 2022 album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers–all identified and given additional appreciation and context in an expansive section of end notes. Listen, he urges, to “the hymns/ that carried us away from home/ across a blue unknown,” to the “Amazing Grace/ of the Jubilee Singers,” to jazz and bebop and scat, to “the reggae/ and the rumba/ to the country/ and the folk/ to the highlife/ and the house.” Palmer cranks up the visual energy with increasingly populous and sometimes kaleidoscopic images of people with various shades of brown skin: of dancers raising hands and fists, of singers belting lyrics into microphones, and of musicians on horns and guitars, drums and keyboards combining in, as the author puts it, “a symphony/ of refuge and redemption/ the sweet sound of a people/ surviving and thriving.” VERDICT A “loud and proud” celebration of the roots and branches of a unique musical heritage. – School Library Journal

Graphic Novels

Mr. Muffins – Defender of the Stars by Ben Kahn and Georgeo Brooks
(Grades 3-6)
Library Catalog
When brown-skinned 11-year-old Reuben Mahmud's corgi, Mr. Muffins, becomes embroiled in alien politics, Reuben's life turns upside down in this laugh-out-loud graphic novel space adventure. Intergalactic soldier Cassara, a self-proclaimed “thief and deserter” of the Voltarian Alliance, insists that Mr. Muffins is a superpowered “celestial entity” that can win a galactic war against the evil Hakar Armada. But when a Hakar Armada ship, having tracked Cassara to Earth, opens fire on the newly minted trio, Reuben reluctantly agrees to accompany Cassara on an interplanetary journey to uncover how Mr. Muffins can save the galaxy. As Mr. Muffins prepares to fight on behalf of Voltaria, Cassara notes that separating Reuben and Mr. Muffins could cause “unpredictable, aggressive actions.” Soon that bond is put to the test in a rousing space battle. Interstellar action sequences by Brooks sport jewel-toned palettes that shift based on the mood. Kahn employs tender allegory through Reuben's Egyptian parents' immigration experience (and a comedic Hakarling subplot) to present an enchanting space opera in which aliens and humans find common ground despite differing cultures, foods, and worlds, and learn the true meaning of home. – Publishers Weekly

Sea Legs by Julies Bakes and Niki Smith
(Grades 3-7)
Library Catalog
*Starred Review* This moving debut graphic novel set on tropical seas in 1995 explores connection, self-awareness, and the understanding that we don't always know what someone else is going through. “We had spent years traveling before we landed here, so I knew how to miss things. Mom would say that's just how you know they meant something to you.” Thanks to a life at sea, incoming fourth-grader Janey is adept at finding sentimental permanence in the temporary, and while the world is so big, it can feel quite small on a houseboat. When she meets Astrid, an older girl with a penchant for sneaking into places she shouldn't, Janey begins to understand that everyone is their own main character and not all stories are as magical as her own. Though it's a struggle to realize, Janey begins to notice the depth and complexity of the people around her. Smith's artwork flows through different styles depending on the narrative's needs; exaggerated manga-style facial expressions in a humorous scene flow smoothly into stunning horizons using tropical hues of pinks and blues. Occasional diagrams explain the layout and lifestyle of a houseboat. Adults in the book can be seen smoking and drinking. Inspired by the author's childhood at sea, this graphic novel, by two lifelong friends, is a visually and emotionally vibrant must-read. – Booklist

Chickenpox by Remy Lai
(Grades 5-8)
Library Catalog
Getting older was supposed to mean more independence, but Abby feels like she's stuck between co-parent and child. The oldest of five, Abby is fed up with the noise and lack of personal space in her home when a case of chickenpox traps the siblings in quarantine and forces Abby to reevaluate her role in her household and her friendships. Separated from her social life, Abby navigates arguments, chores, and what feels like constant missteps with her friends. In a moment of introspection, Abby notices she's “been feeling conflicted and acting conflicted.” Expressive illustrations animate the many emotions and personalities present in the home in a sitcom-style narrative. In this story based on the author's own life and set in Indonesia in the 1990s, younger readers are bound to see themselves in Abby or her siblings, while adult readers will delight in the humorous nostalgia. Relatable banter reflects the ebb and flow of fights to fun within a family. For fans of Raina Telgemeier, this chaotic and comforting family story emphasizes emotional intelligence and healthy communication. – Booklist