Swara, almost 9, lives in apartment building in Bengaluru, India. When the pandemic lockdown begins, she especially misses her maternal grandmother, whom she calls Pitter Paati.
Book of the Week
The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be: A Speculative Memoir of Transracial Adoption
An experimental work blending science fiction and memoir recalls actual experiences as a transracial adoptee from Shannon Gibney’s childhood, adolescence, and adulthood as well as imagining what her life might have been like had she not been placed for adoption as an infant.
A First Time for Everything
After several painful experiences with middle school bullies, all Dan wants is to fly under the radar, to be quiet and unnoticed by his peers.
The Enchanted Life of Valentina Mejía
Vale’s dad is a folklorist and her mom a geoscientist. Although Vale, 12, enjoys Papi’s stories, trekking near their Colombian home with him and her younger brother, Julián, in search of a patasola, a one-legged woman who sucks her victims’ blood (“Kind of like a vampire, but cooler”) isn’t her idea of a good time even before an earthquake strikes and Papi is injured.
Just Like Grandma
“On the steps of a house at the end of the street … ” A patterned text begins with a series of vignettes in which Becca wants to be “just like Grandma.”
Stateless
Stella North, 17 (white), the only female contestant in Europe’s first air race for young people, represents Britain; she prefers no one know she escaped the Russian Revolution as a young child.
Evergreen
The list of things that frighten a young squirrel named Evergreen is long: “Afraid of loud noises. Afraid of meeting someone new. Afraid of heights, afraid of swimming, afraid of germs. And thunderstorms–her very worst fear was thunderstorms.”
Not an Easy Win
Lawrence is quick to defend himself when he’s taunted, which has gotten him into trouble since he and his younger sister, Nik moved with their mom to Larenville, NC, to live with their grandmother.
Killer Underwear Invasion! How to Spot Fake News, Disinformation & Conspiracy Theories
A highly entertaining and informative book offers a comprehensive explanation of disinformation: what it is, why it’s made, how to spot it, and what makes it so dangerous.
Me and the Boss: A Story about Mending and Love
Lee’s big sister, Zora, is “the boss,” often telling him what to do and always watching out for him. At a sewing program at the library, Zora insists the librarian give Lee fabric, thread, and a needle just like the other kids, even though he’s younger.