April Happy Book Birthday

We are excited to announce these new titles to keep the little ones turning pages during the rainy springtime season!

New Picture Books

Whose Tree is This? Poems About the Mighty Oak and Its Companions authored by Marilyn Singer and illustrated by Julian Plum

• Interest Level: 5 – 9

From the tallest leaf to the buried roots, the oak tree provides food and shelter for many creatures. Take a poetic tour from the perspective of thirteen animals to discover the ways oaks benefit them and the environment.

Praise for Whose Tree is This?

★”Accessible, engaging, and important—STEAM writing at its best.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

“A warm and informative invitation to appreciate one of our most common street, yard, and forest trees.”—School Library Journal

The Right Blessing authored by Kerry Olitzky and Samantha Orshan Kahn and illustrated by Violet Tobacco

• Interest Level: 5 – 8

Joey has always felt different from other boys and knows she’s a girl. Overcoming fear, she opens up to her family at Shabbat dinner. Her parents listen and support her, offering unconditional love as she embraces her true identity.

Praise for The Right Blessing

“The authors have crafted an affectionate yet realistic portrait of a family who make a few mistakes along the way but whose love and support for their child is never in doubt. . . . Important and affirming.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A faith-forward story of trans joy that allows necessary space for acceptance and increased trust.”—Publishers Weekly

New In Middle Grade Fiction

Frank the Monster authored by Mats Strandberg, illustrated by Sofia Falkenhem, and translated by Julia Marshall

New in YA Fiction

When It’s Your Turn for Midnight by Blessing Musariri

• Interest Level: 8 – 12

Fifteen-year-old Chianti finds out her dad isn’t her biological father. She goes to stay with her maternal grandmother, is embraced by her grandmother’s friends, and discovers that families are about more than biology.

Praise for When It’s Your Turn for Midnight

★”A sparkling jewel of a story grounded in emotional truths.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

“In the end, [Musariri] has taken an age-old narrative—the meaning of family—and given it a wholly fresh, new look.”—Booklist

“A brief, beautiful Zimbabwean novel about war and family . . .”—School Library Journal

New in Nonfiction

What Good Is a Dead Tree? authored and photographed by Doug Wechsler

• Interest Level: 4 – 8

What happens to a tree after it falls in a forest? Dig into this biological mystery and explore how animals, insects, and fungi break down a fallen oak tree.

Praise for What Good is a Dead Tree?

“This great middle grade nonfiction teaches kids about the ecosystem of a fallen oak tree, and how creatures depend on dead trees and aid in decomposition. A must have for libraries.”—School Library Journal

“Tunnels into its topic with gusto and precision.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A finely written, intimate study of decomposition.”—Booklist

The Real Rosalind: The Truth About Rosalind Franklin’s DNA Discovery and How It Was Erased by Debbie Loren Dunn

Interest Level: 6 – 12

The story of British scientist Rosalind Franklin, whose breakthrough discoveries in the field of DNA changed science as we know it, only to have the credit stolen by her male colleagues.

Praise for The Real Rosalind

★”A well-researched, candid, and highly recommended biography . . .”—starred, Booklist

“Illuminates Franklin’s brilliance and the labor and uncertainty of her groundbreaking research. Blunt, accurate, and no-nonsense—just like the subject herself.”—Kirkus Reviews

“While intermittent sections detailing the scientific subjects addressed are somewhat dense, the information is enlivened by details of Franklin’s sharp, fearless observations of her male peers and their foibles.”—Publishers Weekly

Diseases Without Borders: Plagues, Pandemics, and Beyond by Marc Zimmer

• Interest Level: 6 – 12

What can we learn from history to help predict and contain future disease outbreaks? Investigate how major diseases develop, what factors contribute to outbreaks, how they spread, where they are now, and more in this thorough overview.

Praise for Diseases Without Borders

★”An exceptionally clear and inspiring resource combining a human-centered narrative with compelling science.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

“Many kids are fascinated by catastrophes; this offers timely and authoritative information for browsers and report writers alike.”—Booklist

“This would make a satisfying complementary piece for a social sciences or humanities class and is worthwhile investment for a library.”—School Library Journal

New in Graphic Novels

Beyond the Tournament, Book 3 authored by Nicolas Wouters, illustrated by Mathilde Van Gheluwe and translated by Ann Marie Boulanger

• Interest Level: 5 – 8

It’s time for the final battle of the intergalactic cooking tournament, but Magda must decide what kind of world she wants to live in.

Praise for the Magda, Intergalactic Chef series

“Along with capturing the drama, suspense, and stylized commentary of real cooking shows, this interstellar culinary romp showcases one tempting dish after another, capped by three recipes at the end. . . A delicious kickoff that combines haute cuisine with sky-high stakes.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Magda, Intergalactic Chef puts a sci-fi twist on The Great British Bake Off… The comic even comes with recipes.”—GAMES RADAR

“A whimsical graphic novel in which a girl who hopes to be a great chef helps others in the process of pursuing her dreams.”—Foreword Reviews

Hmong: A Graphic History authored and illustrated by Vicky Lyfoung and translated by Kao-Ly Yang

• Interest Level: 6 – 12

Retrace the history of a vibrant Asian ethnic group. With great sensitivity and humor, the author tells the story of a people through the lens of her own family, blending rich documentation and personal stories in this gripping graphic memoir.

Praise for Hmong: A Graphic History

“Lyfoung draws upon her experience growing up in France as the daughter of Hmong refugees from Laos in this bittersweet graphic novel memoir.”—Publishers Weekly

“The book presents a great deal of information with clarity and enough detail to make the events feel real, making this an important contribution to our understanding of the Hmong people and how they contribute to and are a part of our societies. An accessible and illuminating history, deepened by personal connections.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Provides a detailed, highly legible introduction to Hmong history, which should appeal to any young reader curious about Southeast Asian history, their own or otherwise.”—Booklist

“Lyfoung’s charming manga-style drawing is expressive, dramatic, and unique—a sure draw for middle grade readers who are receptive to manga facial expressions, action scenes, and storytelling methods. The many questions and themes of generational struggle, finding home, telling one’s story, and claiming identity will engage upper middle grade readers.”—School Library Journal

The Wolf in Underpants Moves On authored by Wilfrid Lupano, illustrated by Mayana Itoïz, and translated by Nicolle Tulien

• Interest Level: 2 – 5

The Wolf in Underpants leaves the cozy heart of his home and takes off to see Elsewhere (wherever that is). And surprise—it’s closer than he thinks!

Praise for The Wolf in Underpants series

“[A] satirical—and unavoidably relevant—tale worthy of joining the canon of classic Big Bad Wolf spoofs.”—Publishers Weekly

“Young readers will howl for this tale that combines a timely, smart message alongside crowd-pleasing silliness.”—Kirkus Reviews