I love Aminah Mae Safi’s contemporary novels, which I featured here, here and here. TRAVELERS ALONG THE WAY: A ROBIN HOOD REMIX is her first fantasy adventure story. Have a look: Jerusalem, 1192. The Third Crusade rages on. Rahma al-Hud loyally followed her elder sister Zeena into the war over the Holy Land, but […]
I featured Robin Roe’s debut, A LIST OF CAGES, back in 2018. Her newest book, DARK ROOM ETIQUETTE is set to come out on October 11, 2022, and I seriously can’t wait for it: SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD SAYERS WAYTE HAS EVERYTHING. Popularity, good looks, perfect grades—there’s nothing Sayers’ family money can’t buy. Until he’s kidnapped by a […]
I was immediately intrigued by the premise of OLLIE OXLEY AND THE GHOST by Lisa Schmid. When I found out she was located in a city nearby, I reached out to her for an interview: Twelve-year-old Ollie Oxley is moving — again. His mom is starting another new job, this time at the Bingham […]
When I first heard the premise of OPHELIA AFTER ALL, I had to feature it. This heartwarming contemporary YA follows queer Cuban-Irish American teenager Ophelia Rojas and as she rediscovers herself during her senior year in high school. Libraries should definitely get this book for their shelves! Ophelia Rojas knows what she likes: her […]
Back in 2019, I featured Rosiee Thor’s queer science-fantasy novel, TARNISHED ARE THE STARS. Their newest book, FIRE BECOMES HER, features queer platonic relationships as well as aro/ace spectrum characters. Flare is power. With only a drop of flare, one can light the night sky with fireworks . . . or burn a building […]
In early 2020, I featured Dallas Woodburn’s YA novel, The Best Week that Never Happened. Her newest title, THANKS, CARISSA, FOR RUINING MY LIFE, has a really great narrative tone. It officially debuted on February 8, 2022: Brad is ready for a perfect senior year: he has a seat at the popular lunch table, […]
I’ve featured Beth McMullen’s Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls series as well as her Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter series. When I heard the premise of SECRET OF THE STORM, I couldn’t wait to spread word. It comes out on March 1, 2022: Twelve-year-old Cassie King’s father always told her the universe was on […]
I’ve been a fan of Megan Shepherd since her YA novel Grim Lovelies. I’m currently devouring her Middle Grade book The Secret Horses of Briar Hill, and just ordered her newest Middle Grade, DOG STAR, on my Kindle. The beginning of DOG STAR took my breath away, as many of Megan Shepherd’s books have. Have […]
I featured Jennieke Cohen’s previous book back in 2020, and when I heard she had a new one, I had reach out to her again. MY FINE FELLOW offers a gender-flipped spin on My Fair Lady with some added delectable foods interspersed throughout: Helena Higgins, top of her class at the Royal Academy, has […]
I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of EVERYTHING WITHIN AND IN BETWEEN by Nikki Barthelmess, and as soon as I started reading, I fell in love with the main character, Ri. This story offers such a great lens into a mixed heritage Latine experience, and I hope each and every school and public library […]