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!

The Butler Children’s Literature Center is excited to announce a new Wednesday feature of our Effie Lee Morris Collection of African American Books. The original literature collection was bequeathed to us in 2012 by librarian and children’s services advocate Effie Lee Morris, and the Butler Center has continued to grow it each year.

Comprised of both contemporary and historical works, the Morris collection includes a variety of genres published over the course of the last century, including works from award-winning authors such as Walter Dean Myers’ Hoops (Delacorte Press, 1981) as well as newer standout authors like Kacen Callender’s King and the Dragonflies (Scholastic Press, 2020). The collection also contains older and possibly lesser-known titles like John Shearer’s I Wish I Had an Afro (Cowles Book Company, 1970) and works from acclaimed illustrators like Brian Pinkney and Faith Ringgold. As a non-circulating collection, the titles are available for public use in the Butler Children’s Literature Center, Rebecca Crown Library Room 214.

Read and learn more about Effie Lee Morris here, including a digital archive with interviews and their full transcripts.

Today’s Butler Bookshelf is focused on nonfiction books! This week on the Butler Bookshelf you will find My Incredible India by Jasbinder Bilan. Bilan tells the story of a young girl, Thara, and her grandmother, Nanijee. On Friday nights, Thara sleeps over at Nanijee’s house in an inviting bedroom carefully decorated for Thara. In her bedroom, Nanijee stores a beautiful wooden trunk with objects from her travels around India. Each Friday, Nanijee removes an object from the trunk and narrates the story about the uniqueness of the object. Thara falls asleep and dreams of the Nanijee’s stories of growing up in India. The book includes a map of India, a timeline of India’s history, and websites for additional information.

For more amazing titles, check out the list below!

Masked Hero: How Wu Lien-teh Invented the Mask That Ended an Epidemic
Written by Dr. Shan Woo Liu and Illustrated by Lisa Wee
Published by MIT Kids Press
Available now!

My Incredible India
Written by Jasbinder Bilan and Illustrated by Nina Chakrabarti
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

No World Too Big
Edited by Lindsey Metcalf and Illustrated by Jeanette Bradley
Published by Charlesbridge
Available now!

Stand Up and Speak Up Against Racism
Written by Yassmin Abdel-Magied and Illustrated by Aleesha Nandhra
Published by Walker Books
Available now!

Writing in Color: Fourteen Writers on The Lessons We’ve Learned
Edited by Nafiza Azad and Melody Simpson
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Available now!

How to Love: A Guide to Feelings & Relationships for Everyone
Written and illustrated by Alex Norris
Walker Books
Ages 13+
Available November 14th, 2023!

Sprouting from Norris’ originally popular webcomic on love advice, How to Love: A Guide to Feelings & Relationships for Everyone‘s conspicuous bright pink cover and unspoken promise of mastering love is an honest, funny, and freeing take on relationships. Unlike the title suggests, this “guidebook” ends up asking more thoughtful questions than giving answers, with chapter titles such as “What if I like being single?” or “Can I be friends with my ex?” that prompt self-reflection and challenge many relationship stereotypes. Norris emphasizes the joys of relationships built upon acceptance and self-love, but they also do not shy away from awkward, embarrassing, or hurtful realities that often meet readers with a warm yet blunt tone of advice like, “there will be times when you feel hurt, but these are the times it is most important to be kind to yourself” (p. 91-92). This book’s candid and accepting nature will easily welcome teenagers into the vulnerable, emotional space of love and relationships.

Each chapter is a short cotton candy-colored comic, and readers can either skip around to topics of interest or read it in its entirety. Norris thoughtfully contrasts the images and text—the simple, clean graphics and vivid colors balance the complexity of romantic feelings, and the humorous graphics often offset the sensitivity and sadness that can accompany relationships. Through these inclusive graphics and text that center self-love, friendship, communication, and connection, Norris masterfully celebrates the journey of love rather than the goal of a relationship.

With colder weather quickly approaching and the sun setting a little earlier, this week’s Butler Bookshelf features books in our collection that celebrate nighttime beauty, the beginning of the colder seasons, and other weather-related stories. Joe is one such character that is fascinated by the night, so much so that he wants to find a way to travel to the stars. While Joe’s friends tell him it’s impossible, his father quickly becomes his fervent copilot as they try everything they can think of to reach the stars. When their towers, rockets, ladders, and trampolines don’t work, Joe’s dad just might have an idea that will let Joe be amongst the stars. Check out A Way to the Stars by David Almond for a tender story of a father and son appreciating the world around them, along with other stories in our collection below!

Cosmic Wonder: Halley’s Comet and Humankind
Written and Illustrated by Ashley Benham-Yazdani
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Gather
Written by Kenneth M. Cadow
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Thank You, Moon: Celebrating Nature’s Nightlight
Written by Melissa Stewart and Illustrated by Jessica Lanan
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
Available now!

Wacky Weather: All About Odd Weather Events
Written by Todd Tarpley and Illustrated by Aristides Ruiz and Alan Batson
Published by Random House Children’s Books
Available now!

A Way to the Stars
Written by David Almond and Illustrated by Gill Smith
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Winter: A Solstice Story
Written by Kelsey E. Gross and Illustrated by Renata Liwska
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and Paula Wiseman Books
Available now!

Santiago Saw Things Differently: Santiago Ramon y Cajal, Artist, Doctor, Father of Neuroscience
Christine Iverson
Illustrated by Luciano Lozano
Candlewick Press
November 14, 2023
Ages 5-9

Immerse yourself in the illuminating story of the multitalented Nobel Prize winner Santiago Cajal—the little known founder of neuroscience. Santiago discovered at the age of eight that he loved to draw using charcoal or chalk, especially on gates, doors, and blank walls in the neighborhood. The neighbors felt that the drawings were an annoyance, “but Santiago saw things differently. He was an artist and always would be” (p. 8). Santiago’s father wanted him to be a doctor, but he continued to draw and paint in secret. Santiago and his father stumbled upon human bones in an old graveyard, and he was hooked on human anatomy. “He saw the human body as a work of art” (p. 20). Santiago attended medical school and invented a way to study nerve cells more clearly under a microscope. Through his nervous system work and scientific drawings of nerve cells, he helped doctors learn about the human nervous system, enabling more people to survive and heal from disease. 

Pages in this nonfiction picture book are enriched with a combination of digital illustrations and Santiago’s actual detailed scientific drawings of neural pathways. Muted blues, oranges, browns, and greens illustrate a curious young boy and later the man whose curiosity leads to his brilliant discoveries. Illustrations are positioned on sepia-toned pages giving the story an appropriate old-world feel for the backdrop of 1800’s Spain. Iverson’s bold text evokes Santiago’s pioneering spirit, passion, and perseverance. Educators and librarians may choose to share this book with children who enjoy biographies, science, and art and the themes of persistence, determination, and ambitious dreams. The afterword includes a description of the anatomy of a neuron, a self-portrait, and further reading on the personal and professional life of the “Father of Neuroscience.” Santiago Saw Things Differently shines a light on a scientist who deserves more recognition for his remarkable accomplishments.