Uma recommends "I Did a New Thing"

 

"I Did a New Thing" by Tabitha Brown is a heartwarming and inspiring book that encourages readers to embrace change and step out of their comfort zones. Brown's positivity and encouragement shine through in this book, motivating readers to pursue their dreams and explore new experiences.

With her enthusiasm, Brown reminds us that it's never too late to make a change and discover new possibilities in life. Overall, "I Did a New Thing" is a wonderful read that will leave us feeling empowered and ready to embrace new challenges.

Adult

Meghan recommends "Watership Down"

 

"Every rabbit that stays behind is in great danger. We will welcome any rabbit who joins us."

Watership Down by Richard Adams is the story of a small band of rabbits who leave their home after one of them has a vision of a terrible fate coming for their warren. They set off into the unknown, escaping the coming danger, but going towards new threats such as predators, inhospitable landscapes and even other rabbits. Hazel becomes their leader, and by valuing the different strengths of those in his party and drawing lessons from rabbit mythology, he guides the band through much peril, before facing a final menace which requires all their wits and teamwork to try to overcome.

Watership Down is generally thought of as a children’s book, though I wouldn’t give it to many children today. It was originally published in 1972 in Britain, and I think most children would find the style of language difficult. However, a graphic novel adaptation was recently released, fairly faithful to the novel, and my nine-year-old enjoyed that version.

If you enjoy adventure stories and are looking for something different (or maybe to revisit something familiar) try reading Watership Down.  

Kara recommends "Good Different"

 

This is a fantastic novel-in-verse about a seventh-grade girl, Selah, who is neurodivergent and discovers poetry as a way to find her authentic voice. Along her journey of self-discovery, she figures out what makes her different, and learns to accept and celebrate those differences. 

This book is best for readers in grades 3-7.

Justine recommends "Superman Smashes the Klan" by Gene Luen Yang

Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang is a self-contained graphic novel, meaning you can pick up this book and there's no connection to other Superman or DC Comics. The story is about two children named Roberta and Tommy who have just moved from Chinatown to Downtown Metropolis in the year 1946.  However, the Klu Klux Klan has their own agenda, and they're not fans of this recent move. With the help of Superman, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen, Roberta and Tommy must fight the Klan's terror and drive it out of Metropolis.

This comic is actually based off a series of episodes from a radio broadcast called Adventures of Superman. The 16-part serial "Clan of the Fiery Cross" aired between June and July 1946, and in it, Superman exposed the US to the bigotry of the 1940's KKK. However, one nice part about the comic is that it's updated for a young modern audience, explaining difficult concepts a middle schooler might not pick up on. I'd recommend this to anyone in 6th grade and up, including adults. It shows how superheroes can also tackle tough topics!

Catherine recommends "Escargot and the Search for Spring"

Do the grey days of winter have you feeling blah? Are you tired of cozy sweaters and bored with making snow angels? What you need is to spend some time with a charming snail who is determined to shake off his winter ennui by going outside to search for spring. Whether or not you have already met him in his earlier books (Escargot; A Book for Escargot; Love, Escargot) Escargot will charm you from the very start of this spring themed picture book. One caveat: Escargot would like you to know that despite the frequent interference of a very fluffy bunny, this is NOT a bunny book. It is a book that welcomes sunshine, bird song, and flowers in a completely charming celebration of spring. Well, maybe a new bunny friend is okay too.

Recommended for children, preschool and up.

Ann recommends " The Most Perfect Snowman" by Chris Britt

 

This picture book is an enjoyable winter story about a snowman who feels like he doesn’t quite measure up to the other snowmen because he doesn’t have a carrot for a nose, or clothes like they do. He thinks if only he had these things then he would be perfect, and he would be happy. He eventually gets everything he hoped for and finds out that it’s not always the getting, but the giving that matters.

 

Children, all ages

 

Justine recommends the Sheets Trilogy by Brenna Thummler

Brenna Thummler has made a name for herself in the graphic novel scene with her Sheets trilogy.  The books, titled Sheets, Delicates, and Lights respectively, are a middle grade coming-of-age graphic novel series.  They focus on Marjorie Glatt, a practical thirteen-year old in charge of her family's laundromat.  In the first novel, Marjorie discovers that ghosts are real, and they really use sheets as part of their form.  These ghosts, particularly a child ghost named Wendell, are attracted to the laundromat since they can get a good cleaning for affordable prices. Marjorie befriends Wendell and begins to discover more about life, death, and the particulars of ghost culture.

The other two books introduce more characters and plot lines, but a major theme throughout the series is grief.  The series as a whole does a great job tackling this tough topic from many perspectives without making it inaccessible to its targeted age group.  However, I would recommend this series to all ages. The beautiful, unique art style is worth reading them for alone.