“How do you destroy a people? You take away their culture. And how is that done? You must take their language, their history, their very identity. How would you do that?” “You ban their books.”

Russian occupation of Lithuania in 1893. Young Audra is thrust into a dangerous new life when her parents are arrested and she discovers they were book smugglers. Can she continue to elude the Cossack soldiers out to stop her?

Powerful page turner. Two high school girls thrust into each other‘s worlds one Friday night as violence erupts at a football game and spreads through their city.

Draper tackles tough teen issues in this trilogy.

Oh how crafty this author is as she flips the switch to narrate the mystery in reverse. Engrossing. Should I read The Last House Guest?

Outside temps still breathe summer, but this adorable romance will send you straight to the pumpkin spice life. Rainbow Rowell is an enchanting author, and her story paired with Hicks‘ renderings of two teens on a fall night will transport you to a crisp, fall evening.

Outside temps still breathe summer, but this adorable romance will send you straight to the pumpkin spice life. Rainbow Rowell is an enchanting author, and her story paired with Hicks‘ renderings of two teens on a fall night will transport you to a crisp, fall evening.

MG and YA for dayzzz. Send food.

Positively delightful. 16 year-old asthmatic and overweight BB is having a mid-teen life crisis. Her journey to balance her relationships with food, health, self-image, her future and family are so relatable yet hilarious. Only bit a wee unrealistic (but hey, I@was still rooting for it) was the love interest, but such an overall entertaining story and characters with whom we can all identify.

“ One benefit of summer was that we had more light to read by.”

*coming 8/6/19* MG read -addresses a PLETHORA of social issues-( ADHD, immigration, PTSD, Socio-economic divisions, cultural traditions/gender expectations, whew.) Yet, Cartaya handles them objectively via thoughtful characters, a sweet story, and timely lens. I loved Arturo—this book did not have the same lively pace, and its exposition took a while to build. Overall, an enjoyable, relevant story that could bring up some great discussions.

How have I missed this beautiful text published in 2011 by a teacher???Evocative novel in verse set in Texas along the border in Eagle Pass. Lupita is an aspiring writer and actress with seven siblings who bears responsibilities as her mother battles cancer. She finds refuge in poetry, performing, and frequent trips to her original home in Piedras Negras, Mexico at a time when traversing borders (not so very long ago) was fluid and less agitated.

THIS is why I‘m drawn to YA. Tender, thought-revoking, humorous. Abbi was celebrating her first birthday on 911. An image of her being carried out of the building as an infant with a balloon is indelible and widely known-she was dubbed “Baby Hope.” Noah,a year younger, believes that a man in the background of the photo is his father who disappeared on that day. When the two meet at summer camp as counselors, an extraordinary relationship ensues.

Where do memories hide? They sneak into hard to reach crevices and nestled quietly until some random thought or question burrows in, hooks one by the tail, and pulls. Finally, out into the light it comes sheepishly.” **Ah-ma-zing memoir in verse!!! Coming Oct.

Made me reflect about my own “loops”. Lots of info presented in an engaging way.

“I have learned that sometimes the simplest things are the hardest things to say. That sometimes there is no word for when you feel, no word in any language.” Beautiful story in verse of Jude who flees war-torn Syria, arriving in Cincinnati without her father and brother. The contrasts in her surroundings and identity propel her to find hope and courage. Empathy-building book.

A twisty tale of mystery and supernatural peppered with Aboriginal lore.

Tuesday humor. But seriously tho, take me b a c k to Klickitat Street!

“But, these days, fairy-tale endings come in all shapes and sizes. It‘s okay for the princess to end up with the prince, it‘s okay for her to end up with the footman, it‘s okay for her to end up on her own. It‘s also okay for her to end up with another princess, or with six cats, or to decide she wants to be a prince. None of those make her any more or less a feminist.”

*coming August ‘19* Relevant and touching story of 17 year-old Maya who is deaf and thrust into a new school filled with hearing people ( including a handsome classmate named Beau.) As she navigates this world and searches for acceptance, she begins to see that we all are guilty of presumptions and inadvertently judging others. A story that reminds to understand and respect our differences.

The title brings double meanings, and problems, for 12 year old Michael Arroyo as he and his Bronx little league team strive to advance to the World Series. His phenomenal pitching causes others to doubt his age. But attaining his only proof-a birth certificate-means outsiders poking in to his life and home he shares with an older brother. The pressure to keep secrets poses even more conflicts for the main character.

Just a few titles from my summer stack.

Sweet and savory new book by National Book Award Winner. Emoni is a teen mother navigating her final year of high school and honing her culinary talent. Her voice and struggles are told with an authentic and beautiful voice.

As April comes to a close, I wanted to share two enlightening and delightful books I recently read told from non- neurotypical characters. The text on the left is suitable for elementary and up; the one on the right is suited more to mature readers (HS and up). Both provide authentic voice and poor trail of kids who see the world differently than most of us, but are nonetheless beautiful souls.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Breathtaking and heartbreaking, this novel in verse provides an intimate glimpse into life of Sophie Scholl, real-life Nazi resister who vowed to speak out against the injustices brought in by her country‘s leader.

Fresh and fabulous middle-grade graphic fiction addressing multiple struggles and perspectives.

But I have learned that if we want to change the world, we can‘t harden our hearts and shut ourselves off from other cultures. We must open up our hearts. We must not fall prey to the kind of thinking that separates us.

Texas Library Association annual conference giveaway haul. Got to meet fabulous authors and people!

“Remembering is a great invention of the mind...” What a timeless story of friendship told with a moat authentic voice. Still a beloved book even after 20+ years.

The Civil Rights movement comes alive in through the eyes of John Lewis, who lived through such dark and turbulent times in our country. Rich graphics and powerful words from past leaders dance among black and which illustrative retelling of events.

A scary glimpse of our country “ set 15 minutes into future”...A thought-provoking story with bold, brave characters who seem to remind us to fight ignorance.

“What decisions are you making for students that they could be making for themselves?

Intriguing story told in verse from perspective of famous artist Artemesia Gentileschi. Art history meets rape culture in 17th century Rome. While her voice might be awkwardly modern, the author does portray events with a keen accuracy.

“...I realized we were all just a bunch of frightened idiots walking around in the dark, bumping into each other and panicking for no reason at all.” Intriguing coming-of-age romance told through the point of view of Shirin, a Muslim girl navigating high school shortly@after 9/12.

History meets mystery in this intriguing and relevant middle grade novel. Don‘t let the juvenile cover art fool ya-this story explores some weighty social issues. Yet, it is wrapped in a puzzle that Candice and her new friend Brandon set out to solve one summer. In their search for treasure, they both embark on important journeys of self-discovery. 2019 Coretta Scott King Honor Book and Texas Lone Star List.

Two teens find each through letters. Juliet, who has recently lost her mother in a car accident, leaves her mom a letter on headstone. When lonely, brooding Declan responds to her , a strange but comforting exchange brings two lost souls solace. What happens when they realize who they really are? Compelling romantic story.

“stories activate, motivate, celebrate, cerebrate, snare our fates and share our great incarnations of hope” LHA

“How often the danger lurks inside our own homes. How often we let it inside without realizing it.” A finely crafted and twisty convergence of two teems dealing with loss. Engaging and emotion-packed.

“ Writing a book, just like building a library, is an act of sheer defiance. It is a declaration that you believe in the persistence of memory.” Interesting history of the Los Angeles library.

There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart. The classic. The classic retold. The remix. All fun reads!

“In every living thing there is the desire for love.” – Any other young ladies in the 80s read this series? I gobbled these up… In the fifth grade! 😂😂

Good ol teenage murder mystery...

“ sometimes trusting someone is about the scariest thing you can do. But you know what? It‘s a lot less scary than being alone.” Delightfully sweet, heart-breaking and heartwarming, this novel with its middle grade protagonist, is universally appealing. Join Coyote, her father, and a gaggle of other characters they meet along the way to finding closure and new beginnings all on the same trip.

What a gem of a story. Magical realism for middle grades.

“ Real progress only comes from true commitment to a shared vision and through a culture built on trust.” #professionalreading

“I love you more than tongue can tell.” —George H. W. Bush, aka Gampy. 😓

Educators,what an enjoyable, affirming read! I laughed, cried, and saw myself in Danza's account of teaching English at a public Philly HS. At the heart of the book: portraits of students, teachers, and challenges of underfunded , overcrowded institutions. His struggles to keep students engaged amidst family struggles and adolescence remind us how incredibly tough,but rewarding our profession is. Told with self-deprecating humor and lots of heart.

Turns out I like mysteries more than I realized! To Catch a Killer focuses on use of forensics , while The Cheerleaders raises so many questions, your mind will feel twisted taut. One was a bit more believable than the other, but you read them and be the judge! Entertaining and escape- worthyyoung adult reads.