On the Butler Bookshelf, we are focusing on strong female protagonists this week. Not Yet: The Story of an Unstoppable Skater by Zahra Lari and Hadley Davis follows a young Emirati girl named Zahra who is inspired to become a competitive figure skater after watching an ice skating movie. Even though no figure skater looks like her, she meets the readers with an empowering message of encouragement: “not yet!” Loosely based on the author Zahra Lari’s life as the first figure skater to compete internationally in a hijab, this story shows the power of strength and determination necessary to make the impossible possible.

For more empowering stories in our collection, check out the titles below!

Free Period
Written by Ali Terese
Published by Scholastic Press
Available March 5th, 2024!

Force of Nature: A Novel of Rachel Carson
Written by Ann E. Burg and illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Published by Scholastic Press
Available March 5th, 2024!

The Girl Who Fought Back: Vladka Meed and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
Written by Joshua M. Greene
Published by Scholastic Focus
Available April 16th, 2024!

Her Dark Wings
Written by Melinda Salisbury
Published by Delacorte Press
Available now!

Not Yet: The Story of an Unstoppable Skater
Written by Zahra Lari and Hadley Davis and illustrated by Sara Alfageeh
Published by Orchard Books
Available February 6th, 2024!

Shut Up, This is Serious
Written by Carolina Ixta
Published by Quill Tree Books
Available January 9th, 2024!

With winter break quickly approaching and some free time looming, it’s a perfect time to pick up a series! If you like academic mysteries, Sandhya Menon’s Of Dreams and Destiny puts a unique spin on the story of Sleeping Beauty. Daphne Elizabeth (DE) is busy getting over her breakup and ignoring her new crush Xander when her fellow students at boarding school, Rosetta Academy, start falling one by one into a deep, strange sleep. In this third installment of this boarding school series, readers will follow DE as she tries to solve the mystery of this sleeping spell before it reaches everyone.

Check out more books in our collection that are part of series below!

The BIG Adventures of Babymouse: Besties!
Written by Jennifer L. Holm and illustrated by Matthew Holm
Published by Random House Children’s Books
Available now!

The Last Rose
Written by Leah Cypess
Published by Delacorte Press
Available now!

Merci Suárez Plays It Cool
Written by Meg Medina
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Mercy Watson Is Missing!
Written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Of Dreams and Destiny
Written by Sandhya Menon
Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Outcasts
Written by Claire McFall
Published by Walker Books
Available now!

Rainbow! Volume 1
Written by Sunny
Illustrated by Gloomy
Scholastic Graphix
March 5, 2024
Age 12 and up

Pink hair. Vivid imagination. Magical girl, not really. Adolescent Boo Meadows is an ordinary girl who has trouble focusing on the real world. She fights monsters and dances gracefully at glittering balls in her daydreams. In real life, she fights her alcoholic mother, school, and work stress. She has a fiery crush on Mimi, the cool new girl at school. As Boo becomes closer to Mimi, she must decide the path to take in their relationship. Should she linger in her daydreams or follow her heart into the real world?  

The author, Sunny, creates a kindhearted and quirky character in Boo Meadows who teenagers will admire in this character-driven story. Boo lacks confidence but works hard as a waitress to support herself and her single mother. Boo gains faith in herself when the boss gives her more responsibilities at work, and when she observes Mimi defending herself against “a total creep, an A-class jerk” (p. 84) at school. Boo’s newfound confidence allows her to explore her relationship with Mimi and to confront her abusive mother. “Well, when I’m not home in the morning, you can feel what I feel every day when I don’t know where you are” (p. 157). Anime inspired illustrations with a pink, purple, and mint green color scheme and cover art reminiscent of the 1980’s will attract a wide range of young fans to this LGBTQ+ graphic novel.  

This week on the Butler Bookshelf you will find Once in a Blue Moon by Sharon G. Flake. Flake tells the story of 11 year-old James Henry and his twin sister Hattie in North Carolina during the Jim Crow South. James Henry had great courage until he is traumatized one night by an incident that happens at the lighthouse when Ma was searching for their beloved Dog. James Henry is so nervous after the incident that he does not dare leave the house or speak to anyone except Hattie and Gran. He hopes to find his voice again. However, James Henry is not sure he can until a blue moon is predicted, and Gran believes anything is possible during a rare blue moon. You will find more amazing titles below!

Invisible Son
Written by Kim Johnson
Published by Penguin Random House
Available now!

Kin: Rooted in Hope
Written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Jeffrey Boston Weatherford
Published by Simon and Schuster
Available now!

This week, we are featuring some of our recent nonfiction books in our collection, including a nonfiction picture book fit for the snowy season called The Snow Man: A True Story. In this book, the author-illustrator and mother-son duo Jonah and Jeanette Winter tell the story of billy barr, who moved to a cabin in the Rocky Mountains when he was younger and started to measure the snowfall. Now roughly 50 years later, he continues to live alone in these mountains, and his data collection on snowfall, temperatures, and other observations has been donated to scientists and used to study climate change.

Check out more of our nonfiction collection below, and be sure to stop by the Book Sale this week—sale hours are 4 – 8 pm on Wednesday, Dec 6th and 10 am – 5 pm on Thursday, Dec 7 – Saturday, Dec 9th!

The Bees of Notre Dame
Written by Meghan P. Browne and illustrated by E. B. Goodale
Published by Random House Studio
Available now!

Jerry Changed the Game: How Engineer Jerry Lawson Revolutionized Video Games Forever
Written by Don Tate and illustrated by Cherise Harris
Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Major Taylor World Cycling Champion
Written by Charles R. Smith Jr. and illustrated by Leo Espinosa
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

One in a Million
Written by Claire Lordon
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

The Snow Man: A True Story
Written by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Jeanette Winter
Published by Beach Lane Books
Available now!

Tasty: A History of Yummy Experiments
Written and illustrated by Victoria Grace Elliot
Published by RH Graphic
Available now!

The Girl, the Ring, & the Baseball Bat
Written by Camille Gomera-Tavarez
Levine Querido
Ages 13+
Available February 6th, 2024!

In this cross between a modern coming-of-age tale and magical realism adventure, three teenagers living in Jersey City begin to understand themselves with the help of three enchanted objects. Rule-follower Rosie’s pink bomber jacket gives her persuasive abilities, her rebellious older sister Caro’s bat fixes everything she breaks, and the grief-stricken, new kid Zeke’s interlaced rings make people fall in love with him. Using the powers of their talismans, Zeke begins to feel seen and work through his grief, Caro travels to the Dominican Republic to discover the truth about her estranged father, and Rosie uncovers Mami’s secret family history and addresses racism and injustice at school. The chapters alternate between the perspectives of this eclectic trio, culminating in a triumphant plot to oust the corrupt school principal.

Gomera-Tavarez’s writing technique stands out as fresh, contemporary, and intentional in her first full-length novel. Throughout the book, she often uses explicit body-centered language to describe complex, overwhelming feelings like rage, loneliness, grief, and connection. Gomera-Tavarez also creates intersectional characters to celebrate multicultural identity and normalize difference. For example, Gomera-Tavarez writes the dialogue between Dominican characters Rosie and Caro and their mom in Spanglish, and Zeke is a Jamaican American from Miami who loves jewelry and is open about his queer identity. With multiple subplots such as institutional racism and generational trauma, Gomera-Tavarez adds refreshing commentary on modern teenage life, such as, “when you have no more secrets…that’s when you’re free” (p 354). For those grappling with rage, belonging, identity, and injustice, Rosie, Caro, and Zeke show us how to access the power within ourselves we had all along.

On this week’s Butler Bookshelf, you will find Homecoming War by Addie Woolridge. Woolridge weaves the story of the ambitious Meg Williams who is this year’s junior class president. Meg’s high school has consolidated with another, and she is forced into a co-presidency with the annoyingly “perfect” Chris Chavez. Meg does not like the attractive and cocky athlete/musician, at least at first, she doesn’t. Both Meg and Chris know that they must work together as role models so that the rival schools can unite together as one.  For more amazing titles, check out the list below!

The Broke Hearts

Written by Matt Mendez

Published by Atheneum Books

Available now!

The Homecoming War

Written by Addie Woolridge

Published by Underlined

Available now!

Plan A

Written by Deb Caletti

Published by Labyrinth Road

Available now!

The Rules of Us

Written by Jennifer Nissley

Published by Labyrinth Road

Available now!

Sinner’s Isle

Written by Angela Montoya

Published by Joy Revolution

Available now!

A Thousand Boy Kisses

Written by Tillie Cole

Published by Bloom Books

Available now!

Born Driven
Saxton Moore Jr.
Nolwe Azul Tamis
Oni Press
November 28, 2023
Ages 6-9

On your mark…get set…go! Young Wendell Scott loves fixing bikes for the children in the neighborhood. He also loves racing anyone or anything from kids on bikes to birds in the sky. When the hometown soap box derby is announced, Wendell decides he will enter, and he will win! Despite facing competitors with fancy racecars, Wendell is determined to win with his car made from junk found around the house. He was not allowed to buy parts from the local hardware store because of the color of his skin. Illustrated with organic shapes, tertiary colors, and zippy, action-packed images, Wendell’s car sped through the twists and turns on the racetrack—surprising everyone with his dynamic driving skills. Although Wendell encountered many obstacles pursuing his dream, he persevered and realized his dream of becoming a professional racecar driver.

In fact, Wendell Scott was “the only African American man to be inducted into both the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. [He was] the first African American team owner and driver to compete full time and win in NASCAR” (p. 20-22). Scott’s accomplishments were remarkable amidst the pervasive racism of the white-only racing industry. The theme of Born Driven in the words of Wendell Scott’s grandson is that “anything is possible with enough drive and willpower” (p. 4). This message is an important one for young people in a post-pandemic world, where motivation, resilience, and willpower can be difficult to harness. As Scott often said, “If it’s hard to do, do it today. If it’s impossible, do it tomorrow” (p. 20). Born Driven is Saxton Moore Jr’s debut book; research for the story can be found in the fact file on the final spread of the picture book.

In this week’s Butler Bookshelf, we are showcasing books that celebrate friendship and express gratitude. In the Spanish translated version of We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, Traci Sorell–a member of the Cherokee Nation–introduces readers to the celebrations and experiences of the Cherokee community throughout the year in Estamos Agradecidos: Otsaliheliga. This book centers around the word “otsaliheliga,” which is an expression of gratitude in the Cherokee Nation. Readers moves through the seasons alongside a modern-day Cherokee family, making sure to express gratitude along the way. In addition to introducing readers to Cherokee customs, culture, language, and more throughout the story, she also includes a glossary, Cherokee syllabary, and an author’s note.

Check out other works in our collection about gratitude and friendship below!

All Are Welcome: Give What You Can
Written by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
Published by Random House Children’s Books
Available now!

Bear Says Thanks
Written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Available now!

Bigger Than Me
Written by Erica Simone Turnipseed and illustrated by Kara Bodegón-Hikino
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Chicken Soup for the Soul BABIES: Say Thank You (But Why?)
Written by Zeena Pliska and illustrated by Hazel Quintanilla
Published by Charlesbridge
Available now!

Estamos Agradecidos: Otsaliheliga
Written by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Frané Lessac
Published by Charlesbridge
Available now!

Hidden Truths
Written by Elly Swartz
Published by Delacorte Press
Available now!