This story is a little bit fantasy world building, a little bit gaming, and 100% exciting. In the city of Dantessa, players compete against each other to win coins and increase their rankings. Winning doesn’t just give you bragging rights, it gets you food and shelter. And worse, if your status drops to zero, you disappear. Pia’s grandfather has just lost his status. To get him back she joins a ragtag team of kids competing in the city’s top gaming competition. With her new friends, Pia struggles against all odds to beat the wealthier teams. This book not only keeps you turning pages but will make you think about issues of social justice and friendship.
When Iris’s dad moves upstairs with his boyfriend after coming out as gay, she’s still adjusting—until she learns he’s dying of AIDS, a disease no one seems to understand in 1980s America. Through heartfelt poems they write to each other, Iris and her dad stay connected, even as the world around them is filled with fear and prejudice. This powerful story is about love, courage, and standing up for what’s right, even when it’s hard.
This book is a wonderfully accessible and engaging introduction to how brains work using humor filled comics. It emphasizes that everyone—whether neurotypical or neurodiverse—experiences and processes information differently. Gravel thoughtfully highlights that some brains may be more sensitive than others, but that doesn’t make them wrong—just different. Most importantly, she reminds readers that neurodiverse brains aren’t fundamentally unlike neurotypical ones; they simply interpret the world in unique ways. The book encourages patience and communication, helping readers understand each other better, avoid conflict, and come together through empathy and awareness.
The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever by Sandra Salsbury
Recommended by Mrs. Cheryl, best for ages 3-7 and their parents
New parent? Look for this book to read when you're awake at 3am. Or maybe wait until you're past that stage in case you're not ready to find the humor in it yet. Baby's plan is to stay awake forever. Binkys, cuddles--nothing will distract her from her goal.
Two kids race to save the world’s last magical place in this middle school fantasy. Fans of Harry Potter will enjoy the first book in this new series. The gripping story will interest kids and adults, so it is great for listening to on a family road trip. There is lots of suspense, so be sure to download it if your internet reception may be spotty. Check out the paper copy to enjoy the illustrations as you listen.
Set 3 years later, Moana is now a full-fledged wayfinder journeying the oceans often. After receiving an unexpected call from her ancestors, she must travel the furthest she’s ever been to find the island that connects her people with other islanders. Otherwise, her people face eventual extinction. But this island is guarded by a vengeful God who hates humans. This time, there’s the very real possibility that she may not make it back home.
Watch Moana face the greatest danger yet with her bestie and demigod, Maui along with a rag-tag crew of companions. Will she survive and make it back to watch her baby sister grow up? Only time will tell.
While not as amazing as the first movie’s soundtrack, Moana 2 has two very notable songs, “Beyond” and “Get Lost.” With an air of jazz and funk, the latter is comparable to Maui’s “You’re Welcome” in how catchy it is while “Beyond” does a callback to significant musical moments from the first movie.
Overall, Moana 2 is a fun sequel perfect for a movie night.
It’s back to school time and ABCmouse is a great way to refresh old skills or start building new ones. This site is engaging and fun and keeps kids engaged while learning. There are options for in library use or at home use.
Starfish by Lisa Fipps is an emotional but good book. It’s based off of the hard life of Ellie, a 12 year old girl who has dealt with intense bullying her whole life. She gets bullied because of her body, and she always tries to stay hidden because her mom and sister always make her insecure. Her only safe spot is her pool, where she can truly be herself. Even though she loves her pool, she has experienced a traumatic event there before. When she was 5, it was her birthday, and she wanted to make herself look cool in front of everyone, so she jumped into the pool and did what she thought was the biggest cannonball ever. But when she plopped back up, everyone was laughing at her and her own sister gave her the nickname splash. Most of her insecurities come from her family, but she also has been taunted by her peers many of times. She eventually makes friends with her neighbor, and they slowly gain each others trust. They love swimming together, and her friend helps heal Els insecurities. Ellie also starts going to a therapist, she doubts her at first but the therapist teaches her how to stand up to her bullies and how to be confident. At the end, Ellie stood up against her mom because she didn’t want surgery and started loving her body. I would read this book again, and I loved how it was so realistic and very interesting. I like how Elle slowly but surely gained confidence!
