Category Archives: Uncategorized

Butler Bookshelf

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Every October, libraries host a nationwide celebration of teens called TeenTober! TeenTober promotes year-round teen services and the innovative ways these services help teens learn new skills. To celebrate, we are featuring all Teen/YA stories this week on the Butler Bookshelf! Dive into Of Princes and Promises by Sandhya Menon. For her own personal gain, Caterina Lavalle gives Rahul Chopra a mysterious hair gel with the power to alter the wearer into whatever his heart desires. The gel transforms Rahul into a much more handsome, charming version of himself. But will this new persona change Rahul completely and take away everything he’s ever known? For more amazing titles, check out the list below!

The Wild Ones
Written by Nafiza Azad
Published by Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry Books
Available now!

Muted
Written by Tami Charles
Published by Scholastic Press
Available now!

Battle of the Bands
Edited by Lauren Gibaldi & Eric Smith
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

As if on Cue
Written by Marisa Kanter
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Of Princes and Promises (Rosetta Academy 2)
Written by Sandhya Menon
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Simone Breaks all the Rules
Written by Debbie Rigaud
Published by Scholastic Press
Available now!

How Drawing Saved the World: A Review of Penvilvania by Stephanie Watson

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Pencilvania
by Stephanie Watson
Illustrated by Sofia Moore
Sourcebooks/Sourcebooks Young Readers
October 5th, 2021
Ages 8+

Twelve-year-old Zora Webb has always loved to draw, encouraged by the support and kind words of her mother—she calls her wish to draw the “Voom.” But when Zora’s mom dies after a months-long battle with leukemia, the Voom disappears completely. All Zora wants to do is scribble over the drawings that her mother had loved so much. When she does, they come to life, dragging Zora and her sister, Frankie, into the magical realm of Pencilvania, a land filled with everything Zora has ever drawn—including the scribbles, which are wreaking havoc on all the other drawings. When a scribble captures her sister, Zora goes on a quest across Pencilvania. With the help of a seven-legged horse, hamsters in pajamas, and a collection of her past self-portraits, Zora saves her sister, her love of drawing, and the rest of the realm.

 

Pencilvania is an insightful middle-grade fantasy novel chronicling the journey of Zora Webb through a land of her own making. Written in simple text supplemented by onomatopoeia interjections and visual renditions of Zora’s drawings, Pencilvania is an accessible and oftentimes humorous look at grief and healing. Complicated emotions are conceptualized using color and shapes, allowing young readers to visually track the changes in Zora’s drawings and emotion, and inviting them to look at their own emotions in a new way. The copious illustrations—a combination of childlike pencil drawings, more sophisticated illustrations, and collage-like renderings—faithfully detail Zora’s story. Though she is writing for an elementary school audience, Watson does not shy away from difficult topics; she represents and resolves anger, fear, and hopelessness truthfully and completely, while still leaving room for humor and joy. The human cast is presumed white with a varied (and oftentimes silly) group of living drawings that help Zora on her way back to hope and, ultimately, forgiveness.*

* Reviewed from an Advanced Readers’ Copy

Butler Bookshelf

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Spooky season is here! Let’s celebrate by diving into Vampires, Hearts & Other Dead Things by Margie Fuston. Victoria and her dad have been fascinated with the undead since the first vampire revealed his existence on live television. They dream of finding one together some day. But that dream is ripped from them when Victoria’s dad is diagnosed with terminal cancer. To save her dad’s life, Victoria must find a vampire and become one herself. But convincing a vampire to turn her won’t be easy. She must prove that she loves life enough to live forever. Will she be able to push passed her grief, reap the joys of life, and keep her father from dying? For more fantastic titles, check out the list below!

The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun’s Tomb
Written by Candace Fleming
Published by Scholastic Focus
Available now!
Check out our review!

Wilderlore: The Accidental Apprentice
Written by Amanda Foody
Published by Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry Books
Available now!

Vampires, Hearts & Other Dead Things
Written by Margie Fuston
Published by Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry Books
Available now!

My World in 100 Words: Halloween
Written by Happy Yak and Illustrated by Sophie Beer
Published by The Quarto Group/Happy Yak
Available now!

Shadowghast
Written by Thomas Taylor and Illustrated by Tom Booth
Published by Candlewick Press/Walker Books
Available now!

Twitchy Witchy Itch
Written and Illustrated by Priscilla Tey
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Baking with Pride: A Review of The Heartbreak Bakery

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The Heartbreak Bakery
A. R. Capetta
Candlewick Press
October 12, 2021
Ages 14-17

After being dumped by a longtime girlfriend, Syd, who has always used baking to express feelings, bakes a batch of brownies that seem to magically break up everyone who eats them. This effect even reaches Vin and Alec, owners of the queer Proud Muffin bakery where Syd works and feels truly at home. With the owners’ relationship threatened, Syd worries that the Proud Muffin itself is in danger. Syd teams up with the Proud Muffin’s delivery person, Harley, to fix the mess, hoping to use newfound magical baking powers to bring all the broken-up couples together.

Told in the first person by Syd, who from time to time reflects on the experience of being agender, with a preference for no pronouns at all. There is additional representation of people from across the spectrum of gender identities. For example, Harley uses either he or they pronouns, depending on the day, with the day’s preference indicated by a pin. Syd and Harley have instant chemistry, leading Syd to open up about identifying as agender, despite an inability to express this identity to others. Capetta clearly incorporates personal experience into various aspects of the novel, describing its setting of Austin with love and delving into their baking experience by including recipes throughout the book. Filled with romance, heartache, and a touch of magical realism, The Heartbreak Bakery provides a chance for those with gender uncertainty to feel seen, a window into the agender experience, and a sweet treat for all.

Butler Bookshelf

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This week on the Butler Bookshelf you will find Sona Sharma, Very Best Big Sister? by Chitra Soundar and Jen Khatun! Sona has always enjoyed being an only child in house full of people and laughter. Then one day Amma tells her that she will soon have a brother or sister. Sona is not very fond of the idea. She isn’t sure she wants to share everything–including her family–with a new baby. But, when Sona hears that there will be a naming ceremony, she puts all her effort into finding the perfect name for her new sibling. Sona is determined to be the very best big sister she can be! For more great titles, check out the list below!

Zion Unmatched
Written by Zion Clark and James S. Hirsch
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

When Langston Dances
Written by Kaija Langley and Illustrated by Keith Mallett
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Welcome Back, Maple Mehta-Cohen
Written by Kate McGovern
Published by Candlewick Press
Available October 12, 2021

How to Have a Birthday
Written by Mary Lyn Ray and Illustrated by Cindy Derby
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Sona Sharma, Very Best Big Sister?
Written by Chitra Soundar and Illustrated by Jen Khatun
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Drawn That Way
Written by Elissa Sussman
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Differences make us stronger: A review of ¡¡Manu!! 

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¡¡Manu!!
Kelly Fernández
Scholastic/Graphix
October 19, 2021
Ages 8-12

Manu and Josefina have been best friends since their first day at La Academia de Santa Dominga—a magical boarding school for girls. Manu is the most powerful witchling the school has ever seen. But her affinity for pranks gets her into troublesome situations. Everyone sees Manu as a terror, except Josefina and Mother Dolores. That changes when a prank goes terribly wrong. Josefina is incredibly upset and wishes for the Saints to take away Manu’s magic. The wish comes true! So, Manu resorts to extreme measures. She uses black magic to restore her abilities. Will using such a dangerous spell change Manu forever?  

¡¡Manu!! is a heartwarming graphic novel about what it means to be a true friend and being there for them no matter the circumstance. When consequences of the black magic cause Manu to attack the school, Josefina is convinced that there is something wrong. Unlike her classmates, Josefina gives Manu the benefit of the doubt. Even though she doesn’t understand why Manu attacked the school, she trusts Manu wouldn’t do it willingly. LGBTQ representation is present throughout the narrative with the revelation that Josefina isn’t attracted to boys. A relationship between Manu and Josefina is also hinted at towards the end of the novel. The panels are plentiful and expressive. Body parts are replicated and superimposed on each other to indicate movement. There’s a decrease in color as the story progresses. Panels go from full color to black and white, with some placed atop fully black pages to signify the past. Fernández pays homage to her Dominican roots with a story based on witchcraft and Roman Catholic traditions. She also includes some Spanish text throughout. Her creative adventure shows that even when we feel different, we always have someone to lean on. 

Butler Bookshelf

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Tomorrow is the official commencement of the Fall season! So this week on the Butler Bookshelf, we are featuring some spooky and autumnal books! Follow twelve-year-old Billie in The Pumpkin War by Cathleen Young. Every year, Billie grows a thousand pound pumpkin, hollows it out, and races across the bay in the annual Madeline Island pumpkin race. Last year she was cheated out the win by her best friend Sam and now she wants revenge. Will Billie be able to cross that finish line, winning fame, fortune, and free ice cream? For more fantastic titles, check out the list below!

The Nature of Witches
Written by Rachel Griffin
Published by Sourcebooks Fire
Available now!

Fangs for Having Us! (Ms. Frogbottom’s Field Trips #3)
Written by Nancy Krulik and Illustrated by Harry Briggs
Published by Simon & Schuster/Aladdin
Available now!

Return of Zombert (The Zombert Chronicles #2)
Written by Kara LaReau and Illustrated by Ryan Andrews
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Owl has a Halloween Party
Written by Nosy Crow and Illustrated by Jannie Ho
Published by Candlewick Press/Nosy Crow
Available now!

How to Help a Pumpkin Grow
Written and Illustrated by Ashley Wolff
Published by Simon & Schuster/Beach Lane Books
Available now!

The Pumpkin War
Written by Cathleen Young
Published by Random House Children’s Books/Yearling
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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This week on the Butler Bookshelf you will find The Jasmine Project by Meredith Ireland! All is well in Jasmine Yap’s life. She’s about to move in with her longtime boyfriend Paul and start a nursing program in the fall. But, when Jasmine catches Paul cheating, her stable plan goes down the drain. Now her overprotective family is using the breakup as a opportunity to show Jasmine how she deserves to be treated. They secretly invite the town’s most eligible teen bachelors to her graduation party. Will Jasmine find love or a broken heart? For more great titles check out the list below!

King of Ragtime: The Story of Scott Joplin
Written and Illustrated by Stephen Costanza
Published by Simon & Schuster/Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Available September 14, 2021

Gigantosaurus: Roar, Giganto, Roar!
Written and Illustrated by Cyber Group Studios
Published by Candlewick Entertainment
Available September 14, 2021

Jazz for Lunch!
Written by Jarrett Dapier and Illustrated by Eugenia Mello
Published by Simon & Schuster/Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Available now!

The Jasmine Project
Written by Meredith Ireland
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Beautifully Me
Written by Nabela Noor and Illustrated by Nabi H. Ali
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available September 14, 2021

World in Between
Written by Kenan Trebinčević and Susan Shapiro
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Clarion Books
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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This week on the Butler Bookshelf you will find One Kid’s Trash by Jamie Sumner. Sumner tells the story of Hugo, a boy who has always been bullied for his small frame and short stature. But, after moving across state for his father’s new job, he has a chance to start over. His knack for using people’s trash to uncover their deepest wishes and secrets earns him major points with the other students at his new school, making him the cool kid for the first time in his life. But, will he let it all go to his head? For more great reads, check out the list below!

Hello, Tiger!
Written and Illustrated by Sam Boughton
Published by Candlewick/Templar Books
Available now!

A Donkey Called Mistletoe (Jasmine Green series)
Written by Helen Peters and Illustrated by Ellie Snowdon
Published by Candlewick/Walker Books
Available September 14, 2021

Iris Apfel (Little People, Big Dreams)
Written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Illustrated by Kristen Barnhart
Published by The Quarto Group/Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Available now!

The Witch Haven
Written by Sasha Peyton Smith
Published by Simon & Schuster/Books for Young Readers
Available now!

The Way to Treasure Island
Written and Illustrated by Lizzy Stewart
Published by The Quarto Group/Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Available now!

One Kid’s Trash
Written by Jamie Sumner
Published by Simon & Schuster/Atheneum
Available now!

Following your Head and your Heart: A Review of Beasts of Prey

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Beasts of Prey
Ayana Gray
Penguin Random House/G.P. Putnam’s Sons
September 28, 2021
Ages 12+

Sixteen-year-old Koffi has been working at Baaz Mtombe’s Night Zoo for as long as she can remember. She and Mama are indentured servants, forced to work as beastkeepers to pay off their debts. After eleven years of servitude, Koffi and Mama have almost paid back what they owe and will soon be free. Seventeen-year-old Ekon has been training to become a Son of the Six—the city of Lkossa’s anointed warriors—since he was seven. Every male in his family has served the Sons of the Six, and now it is his turn to prove himself. Koffi and Ekon’s lives collide when a fire at the Night Zoo effectively destroys their respective paths. Looking to gain back what they lost, Koffi and Ekon find themselves with the same mission—capturing the Shetani. They must work together to search the Greater Jungle, filled with exotic species and monsters, and find the thing that’s been killing Lkossa’s people. But getting past their differences, navigating the dangers of the Jungle, and apprehending the Shetani will not be easy.  

Beasts of Prey is a Pan-African fantasy novel influenced by cultures, mythos, and folklore from across different regions of Africa. Gray brings Black culture to the forefront with a story made up of only Black characters. She describes the variations in Black features (skin color, hair type, hairstyles), and details about Black hair care (wash days, the use of shea butter). The language spoken in the novel is based on Swahili (a language of East Africa), and the mythological beings and creatures are from recorded folklore found on the African continent. Gray’s debut novel is a story about doing what’s right in the face of adversity, tackling problems head on, and accepting that life isn’t always black and white. Both Koffi and Ekon must choose between duty to family and following the truth. The author explores anxiety and mental health through multiple characters. Ekon counts in threes and taps at his side when he is nervous because he hasn’t dealt with his father’s death. Darajas, people that can draw splendor (magic) from the earth, can only do so if they do not suppress their emotions. Gray expertly illustrates this fantastical world, giving detailed descriptions of the Greater Jungle and its unfathomable creatures, like Anatsou (a spider with a human head and torso). The story is amazingly unpredictable, with a cliffhanger ending that leaves no doubt of a sequel.