Juana and Lucas

Juana and Lucas
Author: Juana Medina
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Total Pages: 97
Release: 2016-09-27
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0763672084

A spunky young girl from Colombia loves playing with her canine best friend and resists boring school activities, especially learning English, until her family tells her that a special trip is planned to an English-speaking place.

'Twas the Night Before Pride

'Twas the Night Before Pride
Author: Joanna McClintick
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Total Pages: 31
Release: 2022-05-10
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1536226823

A glittering celebration of queer families puts Pride gently in perspective—honoring those in the LGBTQ+ community who fought against injustice and inequality. Pride’s . . . a day that means “Together, we are strong!” This joyful picture-book homage to a day of community and inclusion—and to the joys of anticipation—is also a comprehensive history. With bright, buoyant illustrations and lyrical, age-appropriate rhyme modeled on “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” it tackles difficult content such as the Stonewall Riots and the AIDS marches. On the night before Pride, families everywhere are preparing to partake. As one family packs snacks and makes signs, an older sibling shares the importance of the march with the newest member of the family. Reflecting on the day, the siblings agree that the best thing about Pride is getting to be yourself. Debut author Joanna McClintick and Pura Belpré Award–winning author-illustrator Juana Medina create a new classic that pays homage to the beauty of families of all compositions—and of all-inclusive love.

Leaving Tabasco

Leaving Tabasco
Author: Carmen Boullosa
Publisher: Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
Total Pages: 269
Release: 2007-12-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1555846025

A young woman encounters strange events in her Mexican hometown in this novel by an author who “immerses us...in her wickedly funny and imaginative world” (Latina). Leaving Tabasco tells of the coming of age of Delmira Ulloa, raised in an all-female home in Agustini, in the Mexican province of Tabasco. In Agustini it is not unusual to see your grandmother float above the bed when she sleeps, or to purchase torrential rains at a traveling fair, or to watch your family’s elderly serving woman develop stigmata, then disappear completely, to be canonized as a local saint. But as Delmira becomes a woman, she will set out on a search for her missing father, and must make a choice that could mean leaving her home forever, in a tale filled with both depth and delightful mystery that poses questions about just how real the real world is. “To flee Agustini is to leave not just a town but the viscerally primal dreamscape it represents.”— The New York Times Book Review “Vibrant...Each chapter is an adventure.”—The Boston Globe “We happily share with [Delmira] her life, including the infinitely charming town she inhabits [and] her grandmother’s fantastic imagination.”—The Washington Post Book World

Juana & Lucas: Muchos Changes

Juana & Lucas: Muchos Changes
Author: Juana Medina
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Total Pages: 98
Release: 2024-09-17
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 153624516X

“Tackles serious issues . . . in a kid-friendly way that acknowledges the emotions such experiences can cause. Another fantastic adventure.” —Booklist (starred review) I agree with my abuelos—I think I will be a VERY good older hermana. Even when I am not the most patient human being on earth. Juana’s life in Bogotá, Colombia, is just about perfect. Every now and then a big problema comes along—like having to learn English or Juana’s mami getting remarried—but things eventually settle down, and life goes back to feeling pretty perfect again. But then Mami springs two new sorpresas on Juana. One: Juana will be spending her school break going to skating camp instead of relaxing (even though she doesn’t know how to skate!). Two: Mami is going to have a baby! How can one Juana-size person possibly handle SO. MANY. CHANGES? The answer: with the gentle love of Mami and Luis, the guidance of Juana’s abuelos, the sympathy of newfound friends, the ready ear of her furry amigo Lucas, and Juana’s own expansive heart.

They're Cows, We're Pigs

They're Cows, We're Pigs
Author: Carmen Boullosa
Publisher: Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
Total Pages: 171
Release: 2007-12-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1555846033

A dark, thought-provoking adventure that “artfully evokes the blood-soaked reality of 17th-century pirates” (Entertainment Weekly). This “wryly humorous, satiric, and often macabre novel” (Library Journal) follows Jean Smeeks, a Flemish thirteen-year-old who signs up as an indentured servant with the French West Indies Company, but instead winds up a slave on the notorious island of Tortuga. Over time, he learns the arts of herbal medicine and surgery—a skill that allows him to join a band of Caribbean pirates. Contrasting Jean’s romantic pull toward the “Brethren of the Coast”—an all-male society pursuing socialist, anti-colonialist ideals—with the brutal reality of their lawless existence, They’re Cows, We’re Pigs is a “unique and memorable” novel whose “pirate world leaves you as a good book should: thinking” (The Boston Herald).

Smick!

Smick!
Author: Doreen Cronin
Publisher: Viking
Total Pages: 41
Release: 2015
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0670785784

Can friendship bloom between a dog and a chick?

Maya and the Turtle

Maya and the Turtle
Author: John C. Stickler
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
Total Pages: 54
Release: 2012-09-10
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1462910289

**WINNER OF THE INTERNATIONAL 2013-2014 MORNING CALM MEDAL** This multicultural children's book presents a heartwarming Korean fairy tale about a little girl and a fortunate encounter. Poverty is all Maya has ever known, but she doesn't allow it to stop her from caring for her father, and others, as best she can. Kind and gentle, she is a lovely young girl who always puts others first. One day, she finds a little turtle and takes him home, raising and loving him, never knowing that he will play an instrumental part in her destiny. Similar to The Korean Cinderella, Maya and the Turtle, is an original Korean fairy tale by authors John Stickler and Soma Han that teaches children that the road to greatness lies in selflessness and that the loving kindness of a pure heart can awaken great love and power in another. Beautifully illustrated by Han, this book contains fascinating bits of information about Korean culture and is a poignant tale about the rewards of kindness, patience and courage.

Lena's Shoes Are Nervous

Lena's Shoes Are Nervous
Author: Keith Calabrese
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 38
Release: 2018-07-03
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1534408959

In the tradition of School’s First Day of School, debut author Keith Calabrese and Pura Belpré Award winner Juana Medina share a sweet, universal story about a clever little girl whose shoes are nervous about the first day of school. Today is a big day! Today, Lena starts kindergarten. She is very excited. But there’s just one problem… Lena’s shoes are nervous. Lena doesn’t want to miss out on her first day of school, but she can’t go without her favorite shoes! How can she convince them to be brave?

The Bookstore Cat

The Bookstore Cat
Author: Cylin Busby
Publisher: HarperCollins
Total Pages: 36
Release: 2020-10-20
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0063084856

An irresistible and engaging picture book perfect for story time, and for cat and bookstore lovers alike! The bookstore cat is an adorable . . . bossy . . . cuddly cat. He is everything from intelligent and loyal to naughty and vocal! But most of all, the bookstore cat is a well-loved (and well-read) kitty. Follow his funny antics from A to Z through a day in his bustling, book-filled shop. The Bookstore Cat is based on a Victorian parlor game, The Minister’s Cat, in which players try to think of adjectives to describe the cat in alphabetical order. Readers can extend the fun of the book by playing their own version of the game.

The Hive Queen

The Hive Queen
Author: Tui Sutherland
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Total Pages: 4
Release: 2020-05-05
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1338214497

The #1 New York Times bestselling series continues with a thrilling revelation -- three brand-new tribes of dragons Growing up in the hives, Cricket has always had a million questions. Why are trees forbidden, even in art? Why do her parents seem to hate her? And the biggest, most dangerous and secret question of all: Why is Cricket immune to Queen Wasp's powers? Whenever the queen takes control of all the HiveWings, speaking through their mouths and seeing through their eyes, Cricket has to hide, terrified of being discovered. Now she's hiding again, wanted for stealing the Book of Clearsight along with her new SilkWing friends, Blue and Swordtail, and the fierce LeafWing, Sundew. The fugitives need answers, and fast, in order to prevent a LeafWing attack. But Cricket has more questions than ever. How can she stay hidden and discover the queen's deadliest secret? And if she does succeed -- can a powerless dragonet really do anything to topple a regime and stop a war?