Chains

Chains

By Laurie Halse Anderson

When their former owner dies, Isabel and Ruth should be free. Instead they are sold to a cruel Loyalist couple in New York City. There, 13-year old Isabel struggles to protect her younger sister and soon she discovers that the island of New York makes for an ideal prison from which escape is near impossible. With the Revolutionary War beginning and England taking over the city, Isabel is torn between aiding the Colonists or the Loyalists. Both sides fail slaves, continually using them. To find her own way Isabel must use her head and determine who she can trust and how to use what little power she has. Tories, loyalists and spies ... Wonderfully written!

Dragons in a Bag

Dragons in a Bag

By Zella Elliott

A fresh new chapter book fantasy series in an urban setting, Dragons in a Bag follows Jaxon as his mom leaves him with Ma, an older woman he's never met. He soon discovers Ma is not his grandmother, but a witch! And his mother was her apprentice. Ma tells Jaxon she needs help delivering baby dragons to a magical realm, but there are two important rules: do not open the bag they are in and do not feed them anything sweet. His friends, Vikram and Kavita, become involved in the adventure by freeing the baby dragons and sharing their sweets.

Brown Girl Dreaming

Brown Girl Dreaming

By Jacqueline Woodson

On the surface, Brown Girl Dreaming is the story of a girl’s journey from the South to the North and how her perceptions of race and self changed during that time. Go a bit deeper, and you may discover it to be a kind of touchstone for other children’s books about the African-American experience in North America. Brown Girl Dreaming may be the story of a girl’s journey to find her vocation and her voice but Jacqueline Woodson's novel in verse is more than a story. For it tells us more than most of our children’s nonfiction history books do.

When We Say Black Lives Matter

When We Say Black Lives Matter

By Maxine Beneba Clarke

A poetic picturebook to introduce the complex topic of Black Lives Matter. Aspects highlighted are straightforward and not overwhelming for a small child. The illustrations are bold and simplified, allowing the message to take center stage. This is an important book to read as a family and discuss together. People's faces are left blank, in hopes the reader will effortlessly insert their own family.  

Love, Violet

Love, Violet

By Charlotte Sullivan Wild, illustrated by Charlene Chua

A trailblazing book that normalizes feelings between two girls. I haven't seen another picturebook that embraces a young child's feelings for someone of the same sex quite the way this one so boldly does. Tender and sweet, it's the story of shy Violet and her crush with the snow-sparkling eyelashes, Mira.

Lovely language and a strong story arc, Love, Violet should be your choice for Valentine's Day.

Cat Problems

By Jory John, illustrated by Lane Smith

Grouchy cat has problems. Sometimes he gets dry food - not wet! Sometimes the other cat is in his spot. Or his other spot. Or his third spot! And sometimes the vacuum cleaner turns on and becomes a furocious monster!

The worst part is the squirrel who mocks him from the outside world, informing him that he has it MUCH better on the inside.

Absolutely the most hysterical book of 2021, whether or not you have a cat at home.

Animals Go Vroom!

Animal Go Vroom!

By Abi Cushman

ROAR! HISS! SQUEAK! This circular tale transports the reader on a mission to discover the source of the sounds. Using clever cut-outs, older children will learn about cause and effect when a traffic jam ensues, while younger children will delight in the various types of transportation. Is that HISS sound a snake? Or the air escasping from a tire? It may not be what you expect.