Butler Bookshelf

This week we are featuring several books that are available Today! Right now! On the bookshelf you will find The Katha Chest. This picture book follows Asiya, a young girl learning about her aunts’ and grandmother’s memories through playing with their handmade quilts made from their worn saris. A beautifully illustrated tale about loving the memories you make and the ones that make them with you. Check it out along with the other titles below!

The Book that Did Not Want to Be Read
Written and Illustrated by David Sundin
Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available Today!

The Katha Chest
Written by Radhiah Chowdrury and Illustrated by Lavanya Naidu
Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available Today!

Listen to the Language of the Trees: A Story of how Forests Communicate Underground
Written by Tera Kelley and Illustrated by Marie Hermansson
Published by Source Books
Available Today!

My Own Way: Celebrating Gender Freedom for Kids
Written by and Illustrated by Joana Estrela
Published by Wide Eyed
Available Today!

Once Upon a Tim
Written by Stuart Gibbs and Illustrated by Stacy Curtis
Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available Today!

Turning
Written by Joy L. Smith
Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available Today!

A New Take on An Old Story: A Review of Travelers Along the Way

Travelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix 
Aminah Mae Safi 
March 1, 2022 
Feiwel and Friends 
Ages 13-18 

The third entry of the Remixed Classics series, this young adult novel reimagines Robin Hood as a Muslim teen girl amid the Third Crusade. Rahma followed her older sister Zeena into the war, though really all she wants to do is make sure her sister stays safe. As the sisters travel towards Jerusalem, Rahma continually produces schemes to get them out of trouble. She initially steals a horse that she sees is being abused, only to find out it is the invading Queen Isabella’s horse. This and further thefts lead to her gaining a reputation as the Green Hood. Through their travels, Rahma sees how much the people themselves are affected by the war, and she repeatedly redistributes the spoils of her thefts to the common people who help her. The two sisters meet a variety of like-minded individuals who join them as the group’s schemes escalate. They eventually steal wealth the queen is bringing to negotiate with King Richard. They find a peace treaty with the treasure, learning that Isabella is planning to manipulate Richard into peace on her terms. This leads to a final plan, with the goal being to end the war in a way that is beneficial to the citizens of the land. 

The story is told primarily in the first person, from Rahma’s point of view. Occasional chapters are written in the third person and from the perspective of the invaders, such as Queen Isabella and King Richard. Large bold text indicates the location is shifting, which helps to ease the possible confusion when the point of view changes. The band of protagonists is diverse. While the main character is Muslim, supporting characters include Jewish and Christian representation. There is also an LGBT romance among the members of the group. The pace is quick, with Rahma’s group eventually reaching six members. They bond while the action itself occurs, allowing the story to move forward quickly. Back matter includes a brief timeline of the Third Crusade and an author’s note that encourages the reader to further research the time period on their own, rather than providing extensive notes of Safi’s own research. This novel is sure to appeal to teens interested in historical fiction, especially those looking for representation outside of what tends to exist in this genre. 

Butler Bookshelf

This week we are featuring a few young adult novels we received in the last week.  On the bookshelf you will find The Serpent’s Wake the fantasy adventure novel by Rachel Hartman.  Follow Tess and her friends as they search for the last remaining mystical Serpent.  Check it out along with the other titles below!

Across a Field of Starlight
Written and Illustrated by Blue Delliquanti
Published by RH Graphic
Available now!

Bitter
Written by Akwaeke Emezi
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
Available now!

It Will End Like This
Written by Kyra Leigh
Published by Delacorte Press
Available now!

Rima’s Rebellion: Courage in the Time of Tyranny
Written by Margarita Engle
Published by Athenum
Available now!

In the Serpent’s Wake
Written by Rachel Hartman
Published by Random House Children’s Books
Available now!

The Turning Pointe
Written by Vanessa L. Torres
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
Available today!

 

Butler Bookshelf

This week’s Butler Bookshelf features recent arrivals to the Butler Center, highlighting works by and about African-American creators such as The Faith of Elijah Cummings by Carole Boston Weatherford and Laura Freeman. This picture book biography follows congressman and civil rights advocate Elijah Cummings from his beginning as a struggling student through his success as a lawyer and politician advocating for equality. Check it out along with a variety of other selections below!

Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky
Written by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond and Illustrated by Daniel Minter
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman
Written by Kristen R. Lee
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Operation Sisterhood
Written by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers
Available now!

I’m Growing Great
Written and Illustrated by Mechal Renee Roe
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Written by Mara Rockliff and Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
Published by Random House Studio
Available now!

The Faith of Elijah Cummings: The North Star of Equal Justice
Written by Carole Boston Weatherford and Illustrated by Laura Freeman
Published by Random House Studio
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

Valentine’s Day is coming up soon! This week’s Butler Bookshelf celebrates the holiday with books about Valentine’s Day as well as books about love itself, in all forms. Love Grows Everywhere by Barry Timms and Tisha Lee showcases love between families, neighbors, friends, romantic partners, and more through a family that grows and sells plants in their local community. Check it out along with the other titles below!

Valentine’s Day Jitters
Written by Julie Danneberg and Illustrated by Judy Love
Published by Charlesbridge
Available now!

All the Right Reasons
Written by Bethany Mangle
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Available February 15, 2022

Glimpsed
Written by G.F. Miller
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Bananas for You!
Written by Sabrina Moyle and Illustrated by Eunice Moyle
Published by Abrams
Available now!

Rebel Boys and Rescue Dogs, or Things That Kiss with Teeth
Written by Brianna R. Shrum
Published by Sky Pony
Available now!

Love Grows Everywhere
Written by Barry Timms and Illustrated by Tisha Lee
Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

This week’s Butler Bookshelf features recently released and coming soon titles! These include The View from the Very Best House in Town by Meera Trehan. This debut middle grade novel explores the troubled friendship of Sam and Asha, both autistic middle schoolers. As Sam is accepted into a prestigious school and Asha is not, their friendship is put at risk. In addition to being told from the perspectives of both Sam and Asha, the very best house in town also has its own perspective in this story.

Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life
Written by Cheryl Blackford
Published by Clarion Books
Available now!

Ready for the Spotlight!
Written and Illustrated by Jaime Kim
Published by Candlewick
Available now!

Wayward Creatures
Written by Dayna Lorentz
Published by Clarion Books
Available now!

The Monarchs
Written by Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige
Published by Clarion Books
Available now!

On the Move: Home Is Where You Find It
Written by Michael Rosen and Illustrated by Quentin Blake
Published by Candlewick
Available February 8, 2022

The View from the Very Best House in Town
Written by Meera Trehan
Published by Walker Books US
Available February 8, 2022

Monsters Among Us: A Review of Only a Monster

Only a Monster
Vanessa Len
February 22, 2022
HarperTeen
Ages 13-17 

In this first installment of a planned trilogy, debut author Vanessa Len lays down the foundations of a world where monsters live among humans, appearing no different from their human counterparts. Monsters’ primary ability involves travelling through time, though in order to do so they must “steal time” from humans, shortening the lifespans of their victims. Beyond this ability that is shared by all monsters, each also has an additional ability shared by their family line. The story’s protagonist, Joan, is half-monster, half-human, and the monster half of her family has intentionally hidden the full extent of their abilities from her. Shortly after accidentally using her powers for the first time and learning the truth about them, Joan also learns that her crush, Nick, has sworn to destroy all monsters. Joan escapes a massacre, where the victims include most of her own family. As Joan teams up with another survivor of the massacre, she must quickly learn how to navigate not only her powers, but the entire society and hierarchy of monsters living hidden throughout London. 

Despite being the first in a series, Only a Monster can stand on its own as the primary conflict is solved by the end of the book, with greater unresolved questions looming for those who will wait for its sequels. Its primary theme relates to morality, and the ambiguity of good versus evil, with the ever-present question being whether monsters are always evil, and heroes are always good. Another central theme is that of adapting to a new society. In the monster world, Joan feels out of place as she is half-human. Since her family hid the truth about monsters from her, Joan is not aware of monster society which has its own rules about what can and cannot be done regarding time travel, as well as urban legends which end up having truth to them as Joan learns more.  She also alludes to feeling out of place in the human world as well due to being of mixed race. The supporting cast is also diverse, featuring characters of various ethnicities and sexualities. While the story gets dark, and features depictions of death, it is not overly graphic. Fantasy readers who enjoy time travel and related themes, such as alternate timelines, are sure to enjoy this fast-paced read. 

Butler Bookshelf

This week’s Butler Bookshelf features some recent arrivals to the BCLC! These include Lawless Spaces, a novel in verse by Corey Ann Haydu that tells of Mimi’s coming of age through her own journaling and the discoveries she makes looking through the journals of the women in her family line. Check out more new and coming soon titles below!

The Princess in Black and the Mermaid Princess
Written by Shannon and Dean Hale and Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Published by Candlewick
Available February 1, 2022

Lawless Spaces
Written by Corey Ann Haydu
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Ear Worm!
Written by Jo Knowles and Illustrated by Galia Bernstein
Published by Candlewick
Available January 25, 2022

Not That Pet!
Written by Smriti Prasadam-Halls and Illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
Published by Candlewick
Available February 1, 2022

Alice Waters Cooks Up a Food Revolution
Written by Diane Stanley and Illustrated by Jessie Hartland
Published by Paula Wiseman Books
Available now!

Even Robots Aren’t Perfect!
Written and Illustrated by Jan Thomas
Published by Beach Lane Books
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

This week’s Butler Bookshelf includes Sometimes Cake by Edwina Wyatt and Jasmin Ainslie, which shows the importance of celebrating even the little things. Best friends Audrey and Lion celebrate everything ranging from birthdays to days of the week to colors. Yet one day, Audrey sees Lion looking down and must remind him that even ordinary days can be a cause for celebration.

Freddie vs. The Family Curse
Written by Tracy Badua
Published by Clarion Books
Available May 3, 2022

The Burning Swift
Written by Joseph Elliott
Published by Walker Books US
Available now!

Every Line of You
Written by Naomi Gibson
Published by Chicken House
Available March 1, 2022

Wutaryoo
Written and Illustrated by Nilah Magruder
Published by Versify
Available January 25, 2022

Sloth Sleuth
Written and Illustrated by Cyndi Marko
Published by Etch
Available June 7, 2022

Sometimes Cake
Written by Edwina Wyatt and Illustrated by Tamsin Ainslie
Published by Candlewick
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

With 2021 coming to a close, the Butler Center is receiving more and more books that will release next year! This week’s bookshelf highlights some young adult titles we have received that will release throughout 2022 including The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin by Kip Wilson which focuses on former orphan Hilde’s coming of age in 1930s Berlin as she discovers and embraces her own voice and sexuality through her newfound job at a cabaret. For more upcoming YA in a variety of genres, check out the list below!

A Thousand Steps into Night
Written by Traci Chee
Published by Clarion Books
Available March 3, 2022

Epically Earnest
Written by Molly Horan
Published by Clarion Books
Available June 21, 2022

Survive the Dome
Written by Kosoko Jackson
Published by Sourcebooks Fire
Available March 29, 2022

The Darkening
Written by Sunya Mara
Published by Clarion Books
Available July 5, 2022

Crumbs
Written and Illustrated by Danie Stirling
Published by Etch
Available June 7, 2022

The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin
Written by Kip Wilson
Published by Versify
Available March 29, 2022