Book Lists!

As a kid, I loved reading historical fiction. In my day, most of these stories centered on Europe and a war. I felt transported to other times and places, and was introduced to characters my age confronting challenges of survival. I enjoyed connecting with kids from the past who, with their friends and families, bravely faced difficulties. Now, we have more novels told by historically underrepresented voices that offer perspectives on a wide variety of events. Rudine Sims Bishop described how books can be mirrors to a readers life, or can build empathy through windows where readers can view lives of others, or may provide sliding doors where readers can step into another world and immerse themselves in a new reality. Here, I offer six wonderfully written, diverse titles that serve as a portal to another time. A Sea Of Lemon Trees by Maria Dolores Aguila, Macmillan, 2025, 273 pp. This novel in verse is inspired by the true story...

Raise your hand if you grew up learning the scientific method. Me too. In fact, for thousands of years, all the way back to Aristotle in Ancient Greece (and possibly earlier), the scientific method has been the way science is done. And it still is. Sort of. When the Next...

You don’t have to be a super sleuth to discover these recently published mysteries written by diverse authors. Readers will be intrigued trying to puzzle out whodunit in these page-turning stories. Yes, they will encounter clues, red herrings and action packed scenes, but, most importantly, they will be thrilled to...

Elephant Appreciation Day occurs during the month of September. What better time to read a book with one of these magnificent animals as a main character. Elephants, the largest land animals in the world, are intelligent, affectionate, and fiercely protective. Enjoy a story where they are front and center. Chained...

“What’s your favorite book?“ That’s one question that often gets asked to authors during author visits or events. That is a tough question for me. To some, though, it’s an easy question, and many of the authors list their favorite book titles without hesitation. I’ve always been envious of the...

Unlike most kids I knew, my family moved almost every year. New town. New school. New hallways to navigate. And nearly every time, I was the only kid of color in the room. This not only left me feeling unsure about who I’d sit with at lunch, but unsure about...

Summertime!  A time to dream of adventures, heroes, magic, and saving the world – all ingredients found in a good book. “Trans kids lives, not only matter, but their lives and stories are magical.” – Aiden Thomas In this list, you will discover stories that feature trans and nonbinary characters...