A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection! From award-winning, New York Times bestselling author Ibi Zoboi comes her groundbreaking contemporary fantasy debut—a novel in verse based on Caribbean folklore—about the power of inherited magic and the price we must pay to live the life we yearn for. “Our new home with its thick walls and locked doors wants me to stay trapped in my skin— but I am fury and flame.” Fifteen-year-old Marisol is the daughter of a soucouyant. Every new moon, she sheds her skin like the many women before her, shifting into a fireball witch who must fly into the night and slowly sip from the lives of others to sustain her own. But Brooklyn is no place for fireball witches with all its bright lights, shut windows, and bolt-locked doors.… While Marisol hoped they would leave their old traditions behind when they emigrated from the islands, she knows this will never happen while she remains ensnared by the one person who keeps her chained to her magical past—her mother. Seventeen-year-old Genevieve is the daughter of a college professor and a newly minted older half sister of twins. Her worsening skin condition and the babies’ constant wailing keep her up at night, when she stares at the dark sky with a deep longing to inhale it all. She hopes to quench the hunger that gnaws at her, one that seems to reach for some memory of her estranged mother. When a new nanny arrives to help with the twins, a family secret connecting her to Marisol is revealed, and Gen begins to find answers to questions she hasn’t even thought to ask. But the girls soon discover that the very skin keeping their flames locked beneath the surface may be more explosive to the relationships around them than any ancient magic. BIO Ibi Zoboi is the New York Times bestselling author of American Street, a National Book Award finalist; Nigeria Jones, a Coretta Scott King Award winner; Pride; My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich; Okoye to the People: A Black Panther Novel for Marvel; and the Walter Award and LA Times Book Prize–winning Punching the Air, cowritten with Exonerated Five member Yusef Salaam. She is also a two-time Coretta Scott King Honor Award winner for her picture book The People Remember and her middle grade biography of Octavia Butler, Star Child. She is the editor of the anthology Black Enough. Born in Haiti and raised in New York City, she now lives in New Jersey with her family. You can find her online at ibizoboi.net. REVIEWS "Bold and exciting; employing alternating perspectives, the author plays with language and the book’s format to craft fully realized characters by exploring their envies and desires. Readers will fly through Zoboi’s latest masterpiece and crave more stories featuring Caribbean folklore. An ambitious contemporary fantasy that will grip readers from the first page." -- Booklist (starred review) “The girls’ intertwined tales, blurring and shifting over the course of the narrative, unfold in lyrical alternating first-person verse and are cleverly used to discuss beauty ideals and colorism. Readers will enjoy the ways the monstrous characters’ human facades shift. A vividly creative, heart-pounding poetic journey infused with Caribbean folklore.” -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "The stage is set for secrets and supernatural discoveries. The slow, methodical unraveling of how interwoven the two teenage girls’ stories is the treat of this sharp verse narrative that initially alternates between their POVs. The conclusion is executed with the laudable ambitions of reconciling the seemingly irreconcilable." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) “Ambitious and unapologetic in its rendering, deftly addressing themes of colorism, assimilation, and inheritance. This fast-paced fever dream of a tale crackles and sparks on the page—almost burning the fingertips as it weaves folklore into reality; these dynamic girls reckoning with an inescapable lineage will change the way you look at the night sky.' -- Amber McBride, National Book Award finalist and author of Me (Moth) [H] Versify / February 11, 2025 For ages 13 and up

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!
From award-winning, New York Times bestselling author Ibi Zoboi comes her groundbreaking contemporary fantasy debut—a novel in verse based on Caribbean folklore—about the power of inherited magic and the price we must pay to live the life we yearn for.
“Our new home with its
thick walls and locked doors
wants me to stay trapped in my skin—
but I am fury and flame.”
Fifteen-year-old Marisol is the daughter of a soucouyant. Every new moon, she sheds her skin like the many women before her, shifting into a fireball witch who must fly into the night and slowly sip from the lives of others to sustain her own. But Brooklyn is no place for fireball witches with all its bright lights, shut windows, and bolt-locked doors.… While Marisol hoped they would leave their old traditions behind when they emigrated from the islands, she knows this will never happen while she remains ensnared by the one person who keeps her chained to her magical past—her mother.
Seventeen-year-old Genevieve is the daughter of a college professor and a newly minted older half sister of twins. Her worsening skin condition and the babies’ constant wailing keep her up at night, when she stares at the dark sky with a deep longing to inhale it all. She hopes to quench the hunger that gnaws at her, one that seems to reach for some memory of her estranged mother. When a new nanny arrives to help with the twins, a family secret connecting her to Marisol is revealed, and Gen begins to find answers to questions she hasn’t even thought to ask.
But the girls soon discover that the very skin keeping their flames locked beneath the surface may be more explosive to the relationships around them than any ancient magic.
BIO
<meta charset="utf-8">Ibi Zoboi is the New York Times bestselling author of American Street, a National Book Award finalist; Nigeria Jones, a Coretta Scott King Award winner; Pride; My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich; Okoye to the People: A Black Panther Novel for Marvel; and the Walter Award and LA Times Book Prize&amp;#8211;winning Punching the Air, cowritten with Exonerated Five member Yusef Salaam. She is also a two-time Coretta Scott King Honor Award winner for her picture book The People Remember and her middle grade biography of Octavia Butler, Star Child. She is the editor of the anthology Black Enough. Born in Haiti and raised in New York City, she now lives in New Jersey with her family. You can find her online at ibizoboi.net.
REVIEWS
"Bold and exciting; employing alternating perspectives, the author plays with language and the book’s format to craft fully realized characters by exploring their envies and desires. Readers will fly through Zoboi’s latest masterpiece and crave more stories featuring Caribbean folklore. An ambitious contemporary fantasy that will grip readers from the first page." -- Booklist (starred review)
“The girls’ intertwined tales, blurring and shifting over the course of the narrative, unfold in lyrical alternating first-person verse and are cleverly used to discuss beauty ideals and colorism. Readers will enjoy the ways the monstrous characters’ human facades shift. A vividly creative, heart-pounding poetic journey infused with Caribbean folklore.” -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"The stage is set for secrets and supernatural discoveries. The slow, methodical unraveling of how interwoven the two teenage girls’ stories is the treat of this sharp verse narrative that initially alternates between their POVs. The conclusion is executed with the laudable ambitions of reconciling the seemingly irreconcilable." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)
“Ambitious and unapologetic in its rendering, deftly addressing themes of colorism, assimilation, and inheritance. This fast-paced fever dream of a tale crackles and sparks on the page—almost burning the fingertips as it weaves folklore into reality; these dynamic girls reckoning with an inescapable lineage will change the way you look at the night sky.' -- Amber McBride, National Book Award finalist and author of Me (Moth)
[H] Versify  /  February 11, 2025
For ages 13 and up

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(S)kin /// Ibi Zoboi /// new

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In this poignant mixed voice, mixed form collection of interconnected prose, poems and stories, teen characters, their families, and their communities grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst fear and loss, these New York City teens prevail with love, resilience and hope. From the award-winning author of Chlorine Sky and Vinyl Moon.“[A] gorgeous, tender testament to the generation of young people who shouldered the pandemic.”–Brendan Kiely, award-winning and New York Times bestselling authorGrief, pain, hope, and love collide in this short story collection.In New York City, teens, their families, and their communities feel the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst the fear and loss, these teens and the adults around them persevere with love and hope while living in difficult circumstances: Malachi writes an Armageddon short story inspired by his pandemic reality. Tariq helps their ailing grandmother survive during quarantine. Zamira struggles with depression and loneliness after losing her parents. Mohamed tries to help keep his community spirit alive. A social worker reflects on the ways the foster system fails their children. From award-winning author Mahogany L. Browne comes a poignant collection of interconnected prose, poems, and lists about the humanity and resilience of New Yorkers during the Covid-19 pandemic. BIO Mahogany L. Browne, a Kennedy Center’s Next 50 fellow, is a writer, playwright, organizer, and educator. Browne received fellowships from All Arts, Arts for Justice, Air Serenbe, Baldwin for the Arts, Cave Canem, Poets House, Mellon Research, Rauschenberg, and Wesleyan University. Browne’s books include A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe, Vinyl Moon, Chlorine Sky (optioned for Steppenwolf Theater), Black Girl Magic, and banned books Woke: A Young Poets Call to Justice and Woke Baby. Founder of the diverse litinitiative Woke Baby Book Fair, Browne is the 2024 Paterson Poetry Prize winner. She is the inaugural poet-in-residence at the Lincoln Center and lives in Brooklyn, NY. [H] Crown Books for Young Readers / March 11, 2025 0.69" H x 8.55" L x 5.53" W (0.61 lbs) 160 pages For ages 12 and up

In this poignant mixed voice, mixed form collection of interconnected prose, poems and stories, teen characters, their families, and their communities grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst fear and loss, these New York City teens prevail with love, resilience and hope. From the award-winning author of Chlorine Sky and Vinyl Moon. “[A] gorgeous, tender testament to the generation of young people who shouldered the pandemic.” –Brendan Kiely, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Grief, pain, hope, and love collide in this short story collection. In New York City, teens, their families, and their communities feel the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst the fear and loss, these teens and the adults around them persevere with love and hope while living in difficult circumstances: 
<ul>
<li>Malachi writes an Armageddon short story inspired by his pandemic reality.</li>
<li>Tariq helps their ailing grandmother survive during quarantine.</li>
<li>Zamira struggles with depression and loneliness after losing her parents.</li>
<li>Mohamed tries to help keep his community spirit alive.</li>
<li>A social worker reflects on the ways the foster system fails their children.</li>
</ul>
 From award-winning author Mahogany L. Browne comes a poignant collection of interconnected prose, poems, and lists about the humanity and resilience of New Yorkers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
BIO
<meta charset="utf-8">Mahogany L. Browne, a Kennedy Center’s Next 50 fellow, is a writer, playwright, organizer, and educator. Browne received fellowships from All Arts, Arts for Justice, Air Serenbe, Baldwin for the Arts, Cave Canem, Poets House, Mellon Research, Rauschenberg, and Wesleyan University. Browne’s books include A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe, Vinyl Moon, Chlorine Sky (optioned for Steppenwolf Theater), Black Girl Magic, and banned books Woke: A Young Poets Call to Justice and Woke Baby. Founder of the diverse litinitiative Woke Baby Book Fair, Browne is the 2024 Paterson Poetry Prize winner. She is the inaugural poet-in-residence at the Lincoln Center and lives in Brooklyn, NY.
[H]  Crown Books for Young Readers  /  March 11, 2025
<meta charset="utf-8">0.69" H x 8.55" L x 5.53" W (0.61 lbs) 160 pages
For ages 12 and up

A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe /// Mahogany L. Browne /// new

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection Expert quilter Kim Taylor shares a unique and powerful story of the celebration of the first Juneteenth, from the perspective of a young girl.On June 19, 1865, in Galveston, General Gordon Granger of the Union Army delivered the message that African Americans in Texas were free. Since then, Juneteenth, as the day has come to be known, has steadily gained recognition throughout the United States. ln 2020,a powerful wave of protests and demonstrations calling for racial justice and equality brought new awareness to the significance of the holiday.A Flag for Juneteenth depicts a close-knit community of enslaved African Americans on a plantation in Texas, the day before the announcement is to be made that all enslaved people are free. Young Huldah, who is preparing to celebrate her tenth birthday, can’t possibly anticipate how much her life will change that Juneteenth morning. The story follows Huldah and her community as they process the news of their freedom and celebrate together by creating a community freedom flag. Debut author and artist Kim Taylor sets this story apart by applying her skills as an expert quilter. Each of the illustrations has been lovingly hand sewn and quilted, giving the book a homespun, tactile quality that is altogether unique. BIO Kim Taylor is a speech language pathologist and Department Supervisor at a large school for deaf children on Long Island. She is also an expert quilter whose works have been exhibited at several venues throughout the Midatlantic region. Taylor’s quilts reflect African American life, and she tells stories through her materials (visit Kim’s website to see her quilts). After researching the origins of the Juneteenth celebration, she created a Juneteenth story quilt which she has exhibited and presented in dozens of local schools. Realizing that few teachers and students had ever heard of the holiday, she was moved to write the book A Flag for Juneteenth. REVIEWS “The picture book . . . not only reveals Taylor’s considerable talents as an inspiring raconteur but as a self-taught quilter whose creations uniquely and symbolically illustrate the historically based narrative.” -- Newsday★ ”Kim Taylor’s portrayal of a girl witnessing the first Juneteenth, accompanied by exquisite quilted artwork, is filled with a spirit of jubilation and freedom. . . . her textile art perfectly complements her evocative prose. . . .” -- BookPage, Starred Review “The illustrations quilted by Taylor display strong artistic use of color, texture, movement, stitching, and symbols. Each page has vibrant colors that grab readers at first glance. . . . Taylor effectively breathes life into the characters, even those muddled in the background, by showing their humanity in each page.” -- School Library Journal“Both lyrical and descriptive, Huldah’s voice conveys the joy that is found in freedom. . . . A great introduction to the federal holiday.” -- The Horn Book“Taylor aptly depicts this story through colorful woven fabrics and folk art-style, quilted scenes.” -- Booklist“[A] moving debut. . . . It’s a discussion-starting, personal-feeling portrait of a communal celebration.” -- Publishers Weekly“The art in this work from quilter Taylor is stunning. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are breathtaking. . . . Visually dazzling. . . .” -- Kirkus Reviews [H] Neal Porter Books / January 03, 2023 0.39" H x 10.24" L x 9.92" W (0.92 lbs) 40 pages

A Flag for Juneteenth /// Kim Taylor

Our history echoes with events which, over time, have become hidden, yet are important to all of us. Juneteenth is a celebration which recognizes the end of the enslavement of Black people in America. This book opens a door to understanding our history and celebrating our future—together.Meet A Kids Co., a new kind of media company with a collection of beautifully designed books that kickstart challenging, empowering, and important conversations for kids and their grownups. Learn more about us at akidsco.com. BIO Garrison Hayes (he/him) is a filmmaker, creator, and entrepreneur who amplifies stories which change the world. He believes the truth of the past helps us better understand the present and gives us the foundation to build a better tomorrow. [H] DK Publishing / May 21, 2024 0.5" H x 10.5" L x 8.3" W (0.9 lbs) 64 pages For ages 6 to 9

A Kids Book About Juneteenth /// Garrison Hayes

In this lyrical picture book, world-renowned poet, New York Times bestselling author, and Coretta Scott King Honor winner Nikki Giovanni and fine artist Erin Robinson craft an ode to the magic of a library as a place not only for knowledge but also for imagination, exploration, and escape. In what other place can a child "sail their dreams" and "surf the rainbow" without ever leaving the room? This ode to libraries is a celebration for everyone who loves stories, from seasoned readers to those just learning to love words, and it will have kids and parents alike imagining where their library can take them. This inspiring read-aloud includes stunning illustrations and a note from Nikki Giovanni about the importance of libraries in her own childhood. BIO Nikki Giovanni, poet, activist, mother, and professor, is a seven-time NAACP Image Award winner and the first recipient of the Rosa Parks Woman of Courage Award, and holds the Langston Hughes Medal for Outstanding Poetry, among many other honors. The author of twenty-eight books and a Grammy nominee for The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection, she is the University Distinguished Professor of English at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Erin Robinson is a Fashion Designer by trade but also a trained fine artist from Parsons School of Design and the Corcoran School of Art. Her daydreamy, magical imagination is inspired by travel, color, texture, the feminine shape and the many shades and coifs of Brooklyn. She currently splits her time between New York City and Washington, D.C. Find her at brooklyndolly.com and on Instagram @brooklyndolly. REVIEWS “Powerful.... Playful and inspiring. Every lover of books, young or old, will see themselves in this story.” -- Booklist (starred review) “Vibrant, carefully composed digital illustrations, with bright colors that invite readers in.... A lushly illustrated homage to librarians.” -- Kirkus Reviews “In this picture-book celebration of libraries and reading, poet Giovanni writes about the Carnegie Library, which she regularly visited as a child. Robinson’s digital art resembles vibrant collages.” -- Horn Book Magazine “Poetic text and evocative, textured illustrations work in concert to show how books and libraries enable people to imagine other lives—including other versions of their own selves.... A must-have.” -- School Library Journal [H] Versify / September 27, 2022 0.3" H x 11.1" L x 9.0" W (0.95 lbs) 32 pages

A Library /// Nikki Giovanni, illustrations by Erin K. Robinson

THIS BOOK IS CURRENTLY OUT OF STOCK. Born in 1923 in Madisonville, Louisiana, Leah Chase would marry into the Chase restaurant family in nearby New Orleans, but that small geographic move would end up taking her worlds away. Today she is a national-award-winning cook and civic figure. This novel, told in the form of letters to God, shares her inspirational journey with middle-grade readers. BIO Carol Allen was born in Elton, Louisiana, part of Cajun country. As a young girl, she traveled across the state with her father and became fascinated with the richness of Louisiana culture and her own unique heritage. In 1968, she began teaching at Oakdale High School, where she experienced the switch to the integrated school system. Soon after, she became an elementary-school principal and completed her doctorate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After a year as an assistant professor at the University of South Carolina, she returned home to become the superintendent of curriculum and instruction for New Orleans Public Schools. In 1985, Allen married a Frenchman and moved to France. There, she volunteered for various service organizations, served on boards for international schools, and worked for an educational institute in Paris that was affiliated with the American College in Paris. Allen helped plan and direct an international conference designed to address the needs and interests of expatriate women. The conference, organized and conducted entirely by volunteers, attracted four hundred conferees representing nineteen different nationalities from twenty-one different countries of residence. She went on to create the Paris Writers Workshop, now an internationally respected program that allows aspiring writers to develop their talents. Allen has written articles for the Writer's Chronicle, Washington Post, Epicurean Magazine, and the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Allen compiled and edited They Only Laughed Later: Tales of Women on the Move, a book of humorous essays written by women about their experiences living abroad. In 1996, she received honorable mention from Writer’s Market for a self-published book in the children's-literary category. She has been a guest lecturer at the Geneva Writers' Conference and is a motivational speaker for the European Speakers Bureau. Allen has been close friends with Leah Chase, the subject of her biography, Leah Chase: Listen, I Say Like This, for more than twenty years. For the book, she spent hours with Chase herself, in the woman's kitchen, reminiscing her own Louisiana childhood and the diverse background and joie de vivre that both the author and her subject share. In addition to writing, Allen loves to cook. Much to the surprise of her French neighbors, she garnered the grand prize in what is known as Les Journées Gourmandes in the region of the Vaucluse, Provence, where she lives most of the time. Her winning recipes were for jams and jellies in 1995 and for Wild-Mushroom Soup in 2001. [P] Pelican Publishing Company / August 24, 2020 0.6" H x 8.4" L x 5.4" W (0.65 lbs) 160 pages

THIS BOOK IS CURRENTLY OUT OF STOCK.
<meta charset="utf-8">Born in 1923 in Madisonville, Louisiana, Leah Chase would marry into the Chase restaurant family in nearby New Orleans, but that small geographic move would end up taking her worlds away. Today she is a national-award-winning cook and civic figure. This novel, told in the form of letters to God, shares her inspirational journey with middle-grade readers.
BIO
<meta charset="utf-8">Carol Allen was born in Elton, Louisiana, part of Cajun country. As a young girl, she traveled across the state with her father and became fascinated with the richness of Louisiana culture and her own unique heritage. In 1968, she began teaching at Oakdale High School, where she experienced the switch to the integrated school system. Soon after, she became an elementary-school principal and completed her doctorate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After a year as an assistant professor at the University of South Carolina, she returned home to become the superintendent of curriculum and instruction for New Orleans Public Schools. In 1985, Allen married a Frenchman and moved to France. There, she volunteered for various service organizations, served on boards for international schools, and worked for an educational institute in Paris that was affiliated with the American College in Paris. Allen helped plan and direct an international conference designed to address the needs and interests of expatriate women. The conference, organized and conducted entirely by volunteers, attracted four hundred conferees representing nineteen different nationalities from twenty-one different countries of residence. She went on to create the Paris Writers Workshop, now an internationally respected program that allows aspiring writers to develop their talents. Allen has written articles for the Writer's Chronicle, Washington Post, Epicurean Magazine, and the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Allen compiled and edited They Only Laughed Later: Tales of Women on the Move, a book of humorous essays written by women about their experiences living abroad. In 1996, she received honorable mention from Writer’s Market for a self-published book in the children's-literary category. She has been a guest lecturer at the Geneva Writers' Conference and is a motivational speaker for the European Speakers Bureau. Allen has been close friends with Leah Chase, the subject of her biography, Leah Chase: Listen, I Say Like This, for more than twenty years. For the book, she spent hours with Chase herself, in the woman's kitchen, reminiscing her own Louisiana childhood and the diverse background and joie de vivre that both the author and her subject share. In addition to writing, Allen loves to cook. Much to the surprise of her French neighbors, she garnered the grand prize in what is known as Les Journées Gourmandes in the region of the Vaucluse, Provence, where she lives most of the time. Her winning recipes were for jams and jellies in 1995 and for Wild-Mushroom Soup in 2001.
[P]  Pelican Publishing Company  /  <meta charset="utf-8">August 24, 2020
<meta charset="utf-8">0.6" H x 8.4" L x 5.4" W (0.65 lbs) 160 pages

A Long Way from the Strawberry Patch: The Life of Leah Chase /// Carol Allen with Leah Chase

Paperback

Femi and her friends planned to leave traditional Caribbean treats out for Santa, including Black Cake. The children shared warm wishes for their favorite dishes while enjoying winter activities at the Christmas fair. This book includes a Black Cake recipe for all to enjoy! BIO Yolanda T. Marshall is a Guyanese-born Canadian Author. The daughter of a Jazz musician, she began writing poems at eight. A cross-genre writer, world traveller, jazz lover and devoted mother, she embodies art and takes her readers on adventurous, cultured journeys. This author is Agented. Titles since 2020 have been traditionally published in Canada. She is also a proud member of CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers) and The Writer's Union of Canada. [H] Garnalma Press / November 18, 2019 0.25" H x 8.5" L x 11.0" W (0.89 lbs) 32 pages

A Piece of Black Cake for Santa /// Yolanda T. Marshall, illustrations by Subi Bosa

New York Times bestselling author Janae Marks delivers a stunningly crafted and twisty mystery about the tests of friendships that examines what matters most when everything can change in a split second—perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead and Anne Ursu. That clock can’t be right. When Elise wakes up the morning after her birthday celebration, she’s surprised to find herself in her bedroom. Last she can remember, she had fallen asleep next to her best friends at her slumber party in her basement, and it was October. But now she’s alone, and her phone says it’s April 8. Elise doesn’t understand. How could she have woken up six months later? No one else is acting like anything strange has happened, yet Elise can't remember the last half year. To make matters worse, her friends refuse to talk to her and Elise doesn't know why. She also has no idea how she got signed up for photography club or why her former best friend, Cora, is talking to her again. Is it a memory problem? Could it be magic? Every day that passes takes Elise further from the world she knew. Thankfully, Elise has Cora to lean on in this new reality, and the two come together to investigate why Elise woke up in the future—and, more important, how to get her back to her past and away from this nightmare. BIO Janae Marks is the author of the critically acclaimed novel From the Desk of Zoe Washington, the New York Times bestselling On Air with Zoe Washington, and A Soft Place to Land. She grew up in the New York City suburbs and now lives in Connecticut with her husband and daughter. She has an MFA in writing for children from the New School. Visit Janae online at janaemarks.com. REVIEWS 'A beautiful story about being brave and finding your people.' -- Booklist (starred review) 'A nuanced look at middle school friendships...thoughtfully delves into the consequences of the social isolation many young people experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic.' -- Kirkus Reviews 'Janae Marks writes characters you can't help but love and plots you can't help but devour. I couldn't put this book down.' -- Tae Keller, author of Newbery Medalist and New York Times bestselling When You Trap a Tiger 'A smart and sweet magical mystery, bursting with hope and heart.' -- Sarah Mlynowksi, New York Times bestselling author of the Whatever After series 'A fun and twisty story—A Split Second shines with charm and intrigue.' -- Jasmine Warga, Newbery Honor-winning author of Other Words for Home [H] Quill Tree Books / October 01, 2024 0.9" H x 8.4" L x 5.4" W (0.65 lbs) 256 pages For ages 8 to 12

New York Times bestselling author Janae Marks delivers a stunningly crafted and twisty mystery about the tests of friendships that examines what matters most when everything can change in a split second—perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead and Anne Ursu.
That clock can’t be right. When Elise wakes up the morning after her birthday celebration, she’s surprised to find herself in her bedroom. Last she can remember, she had fallen asleep next to her best friends at her slumber party in her basement, and it was October. But now she’s alone, and her phone says it’s April 8. Elise doesn’t understand. How could she have woken up six months later?
No one else is acting like anything strange has happened, yet Elise can't remember the last half year. To make matters worse, her friends refuse to talk to her and Elise doesn't know why. She also has no idea how she got signed up for photography club or why her former best friend, Cora, is talking to her again. Is it a memory problem? Could it be magic? Every day that passes takes Elise further from the world she knew. Thankfully, Elise has Cora to lean on in this new reality, and the two come together to investigate why Elise woke up in the future—and, more important, how to get her back to her past and away from this nightmare.
BIO
<meta charset="utf-8">Janae Marks is the author of the critically acclaimed novel From the Desk of Zoe Washington, the New York Times bestselling On Air with Zoe Washington, and A Soft Place to Land. She grew up in the New York City suburbs and now lives in Connecticut with her husband and daughter. She has an MFA in writing for children from the New School. Visit Janae online at janaemarks.com.
REVIEWS
'A beautiful story about being brave and finding your people.' -- Booklist (starred review)
'A nuanced look at middle school friendships...thoughtfully delves into the consequences of the social isolation many young people experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic.' -- Kirkus Reviews
'Janae Marks writes characters you can't help but love and plots you can't help but devour. I couldn't put this book down.' -- Tae Keller, author of Newbery Medalist and New York Times bestselling When You Trap a Tiger
'A smart and sweet magical mystery, bursting with hope and heart.' -- Sarah Mlynowksi, New York Times bestselling author of the Whatever After series
'A fun and twisty story—A Split Second shines with charm and intrigue.' -- Jasmine Warga, Newbery Honor-winning author of Other Words for Home
[H]  Quill Tree Books  /  October 01, 2024<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta charset="utf-8">0.9" H x 8.4" L x 5.4" W (0.65 lbs) 256 pages
For ages 8 to 12

A Split Second /// Janae Marks

New York Times bestselling author J. Elle continues her magical middle grade series with our favorite witches from Park Row Magick Academy!In the world between realms, anything can happen . . .The new Park Row Magic Academy construction is underway, and Kyana is searching for magic activities to fill the school break. When she visits the building for supplies, she's grabbed by an Available spirit! Even though she's able to slip its grasp, something is wrong-she can't stop crying and laughing uncontrollably. Is she cursed?Then Ashley shares an invitation to a camp for magical learning. Ash thinks that whatever curse is messing with Kyana, Dr. Minzy, a famous teacher there, will know how to fix it.But once they reach the secret camp site, the magical portal suddenly collapses-they're trapped! Ash is almost sure Availables are involved. With the camp in chaos, Kyana still under the mysterious curse, and Russ broadcasting everything to the MagickNet, Ashley must choose: Say something about what she suspects, or mind her business and trust Dr. Minzy? Are the Availables up to something nefarious, and can Kyana, Ashley, and Russ figure out what's going on and save them all?In this adventurous sequel to A Taste of Magic, the young city wizards must navigate a mystery in the wilderness, decide how to speak up, and be the heroes they need. BIO J. Elle is the New York Times bestselling author of young adult novels Wings of Ebony and Ashes of Gold; and the middle-grade novel, A Taste of Magic. She is a 2022 NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Literary Work for Youth and Teens whose work is being translated into six languages in over fifteen countries. The former educator credits her nomadic lifestyle and humble inner-city beginnings as inspiration for her novels. When she’s not writing, Elle can be found on the hunt for desserts without chocolate, looking for any excuse to get dressed up, and road-tripping her way across the country with her two dogs in tow. REVIEWS "Immerses readers in a richly whimsical magical world . . . A heartfelt follow-up, perfect for readers in need of a bit of courage.” -- Kirkus Reviews [H] Bloomsbury Publishing PLC / July 09, 2024 1.02" H x 8.5" L x 5.77" W (0.86 lbs) 304 pages For ages 8 to 11

A Whisper of Curses /// J. Elle

The first book in a fast-paced, witty, and big-hearted debut Afrofantasy trilogy about a twelve-year-old apprenticing in the kitchens at the prestigious Academy of Shamans, who must ally with a snarky goddess and a knife-wielding warrior to save her kingdom. Perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers and The School for Good and Evil. Life is tough for twelve-year-old orphan Adia. Her aunt and uncle believe she’s an ogbanje, a demon-possessed child that brings misfortune wherever they go, and Adia can’t disagree—especially when she suddenly manifests mysterious powers that she can’t control, causing an earthquake in her village. So when Adia is offered a kitchen apprenticeship at the faraway Academy of Shamans, she flees with nothing but a pouch of change, her cat Bubbles, and the hope that someone there can figure out what's wrong with her—and fix it. But just as she's settling in, Adia stumbles upon a shocking secret: Unlike her, the kingdom's emperor really is possessed—by a demon more wicked than any other. And he’s on his way to the Academy for a visit. Joining forces with a snarky goddess, a 500-year-old warrior girl, and an annoying soldier-in-training, Adia must travel through hidden realms to exorcise the emperor and save her kingdom. But to succeed, she first must come to understand the powers inside her…. The fate of the world hangs in the balance. BIO Isi Hendrix is a children’s book author who has been lucky enough to live and work all over the world, from the Himalayas to the Amazon rainforest, during her past life as an anthropologist. Now she’s based in her hometown of Brooklyn, New York, where she lives with a rotating roster of foster kittens and a stubborn refusal to accept that she is highly allergic to cats. Her debut novel, Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans, received a starred review from Booklist and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. REVIEWS “This book is incredible! With a dazzling cast of characters wrapped up in a rich, imaginative afrofantasy world, Adia’s thrilling journey will have you eager to turn the next page!” -- B.B. Alston, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Amari and the Night Brothers “Deep, piercing, and urgent, Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans marries historic heft with the soaring possibilities of magic to tell a spellbinding story of empowerment and liberation. Author Isi Hendrix makes a passion-packed entrance onto the middle grade stage, and readers of all ages will do well to pick up this first entry in a powerful new fantasy series.” -- Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of the School for Good and Evil series. “With heart and humor, Adia Kelbara is a tale of victory for anyone who’s been made to feel ashamed of who they are. Not only does Adia prove that our power can be reclaimed, she takes us on a rollicking fun adventure along the way.” -- Graci Kim, New York Times bestselling author of the Gifted Clans trilogy “By turns immersive, thrilling, funny, and powerful, Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans will grab readers from the first lines to the breathtaking finale. Readers will fall in love with Adia and root for her fierce quest to right the wrongs done against her people.” -- Sylvia Liu, award-winning author of Hana Hsu and the Ghost Crab Nation [H] Balzer & Bray/Harperteen / September 19, 2023 1.1" H x 8.51" L x 5.85" W (0.81 lbs) 352 pages For ages 8 to 12

The first book in a fast-paced, witty, and big-hearted debut Afrofantasy trilogy about a twelve-year-old apprenticing in the kitchens at the prestigious Academy of Shamans, who must ally with a snarky goddess and a knife-wielding warrior to save her kingdom. Perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers and The School for Good and Evil.
Life is tough for twelve-year-old orphan Adia. Her aunt and uncle believe she’s an ogbanje, a demon-possessed child that brings misfortune wherever they go, and Adia can’t disagree—especially when she suddenly manifests mysterious powers that she can’t control, causing an earthquake in her village.
So when Adia is offered a kitchen apprenticeship at the faraway Academy of Shamans, she flees with nothing but a pouch of change, her cat Bubbles, and the hope that someone there can figure out what's wrong with her—and fix it. But just as she's settling in, Adia stumbles upon a shocking secret: Unlike her, the kingdom's emperor really is possessed—by a demon more wicked than any other. And he’s on his way to the Academy for a visit.
Joining forces with a snarky goddess, a 500-year-old warrior girl, and an annoying soldier-in-training, Adia must travel through hidden realms to exorcise the emperor and save her kingdom. But to succeed, she first must come to understand the powers inside her….
The fate of the world hangs in the balance.
BIO
Isi Hendrix is a children’s book author who has been lucky enough to live and work all over the world, from the Himalayas to the Amazon rainforest, during her past life as an anthropologist. Now she’s based in her hometown of Brooklyn, New York, where she lives with a rotating roster of foster kittens and a stubborn refusal to accept that she is highly allergic to cats. Her debut novel, Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans, received a starred review from Booklist and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award.
REVIEWS
“This book is incredible! With a dazzling cast of characters wrapped up in a rich, imaginative afrofantasy world, Adia’s thrilling journey will have you eager to turn the next page!” -- B.B. Alston, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Amari and the Night Brothers
“Deep, piercing, and urgent, Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans marries historic heft with the soaring possibilities of magic to tell a spellbinding story of empowerment and liberation. Author Isi Hendrix makes a passion-packed entrance onto the middle grade stage, and readers of all ages will do well to pick up this first entry in a powerful new fantasy series.” -- Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of the School for Good and Evil series.  
“With heart and humor, Adia Kelbara is a tale of victory for anyone who’s been made to feel ashamed of who they are. Not only does Adia prove that our power can be reclaimed, she takes us on a rollicking fun adventure along the way.” -- Graci Kim, New York Times bestselling author of the Gifted Clans trilogy
“By turns immersive, thrilling, funny, and powerful, Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans will grab readers from the first lines to the breathtaking finale. Readers will fall in love with Adia and root for her fierce quest to right the wrongs done against her people.” -- Sylvia Liu, award-winning author of Hana Hsu and the Ghost Crab Nation
[H]  Balzer &amp; Bray/Harperteen  /  September 19, 2023
1.1" H x 8.51" L x 5.85" W (0.81 lbs) 352 pages
For ages 8 to 12

Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans /// Isi Hendrix

African Proverbs for All Ages is a beautifully-illustrated, engaging picture book about the power of proverbs, how they evolve over time, and the wisdom of various cultures in Africa. It has been said that a proverb is a short sentence based on long experience.Whether you are young or old, proverbs can open your mind to a whole new way of seeing the world. We underestimate children when we assume they are incapable of understanding metaphor and deeper meaning. There are multiple ways that children learn, but for each method by which they learn, they need their imagination engaged and their visual sensibilities ignited. And as adults, we underestimate ourselves when we allow our lives to be about practical matters only. Proverbs can stir our soul and spark our imagination. --Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Ph.D. President Emerita of Spelman and Bennett CollegesIn African Proverbs for All Ages, noted anthropologist and educator Dr. Johnetta Betsch Cole and award-winning illustrator Nelda LaTeef invite children and adults to explore and reflect on complex notions about relationships, identity, society, and the human condition.A Roaring Brook Press and Oprah Book BIO Johnnetta Betsch Cole is an American anthropologist, educator, museum director, and college president. Cole was the first female African-American president of Spelman College, a historically black college, serving from 1987 to 1997. She was president of Bennett College from 2002 to 2007. REVIEWS A Children's Africana Book Awards 2022 Honor Book for Children's winner"This ingeniously designed volume is as engaging as a game, one that becomes more rewarding with each round of play... This is a book that sparks conversation." -- The New York Times"This interactive, multilayered, gorgeously illustrated book of wisdom is for all ages, and it demands repeated reading." -- Booklist"This lushly illustrated collection of African proverbs proposes a game of sorts... Strikingly detailed." -- Horn Book“This beautifully illustrated collection of wisdom will be a treasure for children and the adults who share this book with them.” -- Marian Wright Edelman, President Emerita, Children’s Defense Fund“Again and again these irresistible pictures invite you to turn the pages of this quietly powerful book... and to discover exactly the inspiring words you need to hear at the moment.” -- Ann Temkin, The Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis Chief Curator of Painting and Sculpture, Department of Painting and Sculpture, The Museum of Modern Art“Proverbs are important for all ages, and Dr. Johnnetta Cole and Nelda LaTeef have inspired us with the beautifully illustrated African Proverbs for All Ages! Kids remember proverbs whereas they might forget a long conversation. A must buy!” -- Laura Nader, Professor of Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley“The genius of African Proverbs for all Ages is that each stunningly eloquent panel offers a teachable moment. In this regard, this gem of a book leads readers of all ages, of all lands and climes, towards a shared understanding.” -- Olásopé O. Oyèláràn, Linguist, Scholar of the Yorùbá Language [H] Roaring Brook Press / November 30, 2021 0.4" H x 11.1" L x 8.7" W (0.9 lbs) 40 pages For ages 4 to 8

African Proverbs for All Ages /// Johnnetta Betsch Cole and Nelda LaTeef, illustrations by Nelda LaTeef

When Afro Unicorn creator April Showers realized that her favorite emoji—the unicorn!—was only available in white, she was inspired to create a more inclusive brand for children of color to celebrate how magical, unique, and divine they truly are. Unicorn best friends Magical, Unique, and Divine are getting ready to welcome Santa in this Christmas picture-book adventure. Celebrate your inner unicorn with the first holiday book in the Afro Unicorn line! Includes countdown calendar and stickers.December is finally here, and all the unicorns in the kingdom of Afronia are excited to meet Santa. But when Santa gets lost on the way, the unicorns fear that Christmas will be ruined. It’s up to Magical, Unique, and Divine to use their superpowers of love and kindness to save Christmas. Let the Christmas countdown begin in this tale of love and hope for the holidays! BIO April Showers is the founder and CEO of Afro Unicorn, a brand designed to remind women and children of color how unique, divine and magical they truly are. Multiple business owner and single mother of two, April started a movement of like-minded Black Unicorns through apparel and accessories in May 2019. In May 2022, she launched in Walmart as the first Black woman & first Black licensed brand in Party Supplies for a major retailer. The Afro Unicorn brand is now featured in stores nationwide with children’s apparel, drink-ware, toys, and holiday merch. April’s passion is to teach others how to develop their brands–with a goal to help everyone win. REVIEWS “[An] enthusiastic holiday read focused on acts of service and togetherness.” --Publishers Weekly“The colors and beautiful array of diverse unicorns, including one with vitiligo, will certainly attract young audiences….This book will be popular for fans of the brand and other unicorn aficionados.” -- School Library Journal [H] Random House Books for Young Readers / October 10, 2023 0.39" H x 9.21" L x 9.06" W (0.85 lbs) 32 pages

Afro Unicorn: The Most Magical Time of the Year! /// April Showers, illustrations by Anthony Conley

Unicorn best friends Magical, Unique, and Divine are getting ready for a very special birthday party in this picture-book adventure. Celebrate your inner unicorn with the first book in the Afro Unicorn line!It’s Magical’s birthday! She and her unicorn friends can’t wait to celebrate at her magnificent party. But when Magical’s enchanted crown suddenly goes missing, it’s up to everyone in the enchanted kingdom of Afronia to come together and find it before her big party is ruined.Join these three extraordinary unicorns in a story full of friendship, love, and fun.When Afro Unicorn creator April Showers realized that her favorite emoji—the unicorn!—was only available in white, she was inspired to create a more inclusive brand for children of color to celebrate how magical, unique, and divine they truly are.Don’t miss the other books in the Afro Unicorn series—The Most Magical Time of the Year!We Are Afro Unicorns BIO April Showers is the founder and CEO of Afro Unicorn, a brand designed to remind women and children of color how unique, divine and magical they truly are. Multiple business owner and single mother of two, April started a movement of like-minded Black Unicorns through apparel and accessories in May 2019. In May 2022, she launched in Walmart as the first Black woman & first Black licensed brand in Party Supplies for a major retailer. The Afro Unicorn brand is now featured in stores nationwide with children’s apparel, drink-ware, toys, and holiday merch. April’s passion is to teach others how to develop their brands–with a goal to help everyone win.Anthony Conley specializes in digital painting, creating character art and illustration for consumer products. After working for Neopets and Nickelodeon, he is now a full-time freelance artist. He lives in Paris with his wife and daughter. [P] Random House Books for Young Readers / September 05, 2023 0.16" H x 5.28" L x 8.19" W (0.25 lbs) 24 pages For ages 4 to 8

Afro-Unicorn: A Magical Day /// April Showers, illustrations by Anthony Conley

The newest novel by the author of Akata Witch and the forthcoming Marvel comic book series about Shuri, Black Panther's sister! "The most imaginative, gripping, enchanting fantasy novels I have ever read!" --Laurie Halse Anderson, New York Times bestselling author of Speak A year ago, Sunny Nwazue, an American-born girl Nigerian girl, was inducted into the secret Leopard Society. As she began to develop her magical powers, Sunny learned that she had been chosen to lead a dangerous mission to avert an apocalypse, brought about by the terrifying masquerade, Ekwensu. Now, stronger, feistier, and a bit older, Sunny is studying with her mentor Sugar Cream and struggling to unlock the secrets in her strange Nsibidi book. Eventually, Sunny knows she must confront her destiny. With the support of her Leopard Society friends, Orlu, Chichi, and Sasha, and of her spirit face, Anyanwu, she will travel through worlds both visible and invisible to the mysteries town of Osisi, where she will fight a climactic battle to save humanity. BIO Much-honored Nnedi Okorafor, winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards, merges today's Nigeria with a unique world she creates. Akata Warrior blends mythology, fantasy, history and magic into a compelling tale that will keep readers spellbound. REVIEWS "★ Akata Warrior swiftly synthesizes the lessons and knowledge of the first book into a heart-racing story of resilience and a determination to save the world. This title is a unique coming of age story, coupling the distinct experience of the cultural duality as both African and African-American with lessons of love, loyalty, and the pains of adolescent insecurities." -- BCCB, starred review "There's more imagination on a page of Nnedi Okorafor's work than in whole volumes of ordinary fantasy epics." --Ursula K. Le Guin, award-winning author of A Wizard of Earthsea "The voice of Nnedi Okorafor does not obey the rules of distance, time, or place. Hers is the voice that fuses matter and imagination. She shows us just how close we are to that alternate reality." --Tchidi Chikere, Nigerian award-winning film director and screenwriter [P] Speak / October 16, 2018 1.4" H x 8.2" L x 5.4" W (0.94 lbs) 512 pages

Akata Warrior /// Nnedi Okorafor

Affectionately dubbed the Nigerian Harry Potter, Akata Witch weaves together a heart-pounding tale of magic, mystery, and finding one's place in the world. Twelve-year-old Sunny lives in Nigeria, but she was born American. Her features are African, but she's albino. She's a terrific athlete, but can't go out into the sun to play soccer. There seems to be no place where she fits in. And then she discovers something amazing--she is a free agent with latent magical power. Soon she's part of a quartet of magic students, studying the visible and invisible, learning to change reality. But will it be enough to help them when they are asked to catch a career criminal who knows magic too? Ursula K. Le Guin and John Green are Nnedi Okorafor fans. As soon as you start reading Akata Witch, you will be, too! BIO Nnedi Okorafor is a novelist of African-based science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism for both children and adults. Born in the United States to Nigerian immigrant parents, Nnedi is known for weaving African culture into creative evocative settings and memorable characters. In a profile of Nnedi's work, the New York Times called Nnedi's imagination "stunning." Nnedi has received the World Fantasy Award, the Hugo Award, and the Nebula Award, among others, for her novels. She holds a PhD in English and is a professor at SUNY Buffalo. She divides her time between Buffalo and the suburbs of Chicago, where she lives with her daughter. Learn more at nnedi.com or follow her on Twitter @nnedi. REVIEWS "Okorafor's novels tend to reflect both her West-African heritage and American experiences, but in this series she creates a stunningly original world of African magic that draws on Nigerian folk beliefs and rituals instead of relying on the predictable tropes of Western fantasy novels." -- Time Magazine "There's more imagination on a page of Nnedi Okorafor's work than in whole volumes of ordinary fantasy epics." --Ursula K. Le Guin, award-winning author of A Wizard of Earthsea "I always loved science fiction, but I didn't feel I was part of it--until I read first Octavia Butler, and now Nnedi Okorafor." --Whoopi Goldberg [H] Viking Books for Young Readers / April 14, 2011 1.35" H x 8.58" L x 5.82" W (1.05 lbs) 368 pages [P] ﻿Speak / July 17, 2017 1.1" H x 8.1" L x 5.4" W (0.75 lbs) 384 pages

Akata Witch /// Nnedi Okorafor

1 New York Times bestselling and Newbery Honor author Renée Watson explores friendship, loss, and life with grief in this poignant novel in verse and vignettes.Sage's thirteenth birthday was supposed to be about movies and treats, staying up late with her best friend and watching the sunrise together. Instead, it was the day her best friend died. Without the person she had to hold her secrets and dream with, Sage is lost. In a counseling group with other girls who have lost someone close to them, she learns that not all losses are the same, and healing isn't predictable. There is sadness, loneliness, anxiety, guilt, pain, love. And even as Sage grieves, new, good things enter her life-and she just may find a way to know that she can feel it all.In accessible, engaging verse and prose, this is a story of a girl's journey to heal, grow, and forgive herself. To read it is to see how many shades there are in grief, and to know that someone understands. BIO Renée Watson is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. Her novel, Piecing Me Together, received a Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award. Her books include the Ryan Hart series, Some Places More Than Others, This Side of Home, What Momma Left Me, Betty Before X, cowritten with Ilyasah Shabazz, Watch Us Rise, cowritten with Ellen Hagan, and Love Is a Revolution, as well as acclaimed picture books: Summer Is Here, Maya's Song, The 1619 Project: Born on the Water, written with Nikole Hannah-Jones, A Place Where Hurricanes Happen, and Harlem’s Little Blackbird, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Renée splits her time between Portland, Oregon and New York City. REVIEWS If you're looking for a story that offers hope in the midst of grief and shines a light on the road back to joy, look no further. All the Blues in the Sky is a gift.” -- Nikki Grimes, bestselling and award-winning author of Garvey in the Dark and A Walk in the Woods “Watson has crafted an achingly beautiful novel that masterfully captures the realities of loss. Visceral and wholly authentic.” -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review “Brief yet poignant vignettes drive home the immediacy of grief as well as the importance of remaining attune to one's emotions in this tender and heartbreaking interpretation of loss.” -- Publishers Weekly [H] Bloomsbury Publishing PLC / February 04, 2025 0.75" H x 8.32" L x 5.76" W (0.71 lbs) 208 pages For ages 10 to 14

All the Blues in the Sky /// Renée Watson /// new

When a girl’s confidence is shaken and she begins to shrink, her grandmother is there to remind her of who she is in this empowering picture book about self-esteem.Amoya Blackwood is loud, bold and carefree. She always has the answer in class. And she knows just what to say to make her friends laugh.Amoya Blackwood shows up with a smile on her face. She enters a room and takes up space.But one day Amoya Blackwood starts noticing that the adults around her want to be less loud, less bold, less carefree. They want her to take up less space, and so she does. She gets smaller and smaller and smaller.She gets so small she hardly recognizes herself.But then, a conversation with her Gran reminds Amoya of who she is. And a surprising thing happens . . BIO Chantaie Allick is a writer, freelance journalist, strategist and consultant. She’s a storyteller and communicator at her core. She helps business owners and creators share their unique stories with the world. Chantaie is based in Toronto. Aaron Marin is an American illustrator and artist living in Upstate New York. He has worked with The Atlantic, the New York Times, Wired and Time. REVIEWS “Brightly colored, effervescent artwork perfectly matches Amoya’s personality and adds exuberance to the well-written, non-pedantic text. The message of uninhibitedly sharing one’s own light comes through clearly in this joy-filled book.” -- School Library Journal“A worthwhile, feel-good story of a girl whose intergenerational relationship makes all the difference.” -- Kirkus Review [H] Tundra Books (NY) / April 15, 2025 0.7" H x 10.1" L x 8.3" W (0.95 lbs) 40 pages For ages 4 to 8

Amoya Blackwood is Brave /// Chantaie Allick, illustrations by Aaron Marin /// new

#1 New York Times Bestselling and award-winning author of The Undefeated, Kwame Alexander, pens a powerful picture book that tells the story of American slavery through the voice of a teacher struggling to help her students understand its harrowing history. From the fireside tales in an African village, through the unspeakable passage across the Atlantic, to the backbreaking work in the fields of the South, this is a story of a people’s struggle and strength, horror and hope. This is the story of American slavery, a story that needs to be told and understood by all of us. A testament to the resilience of the African American community, this book honors what has been and envisions what is to be. With stunning mixed-media illustrations by newcomer Dare Coulter, this is a potent book for those who want to speak the truth. Perfect for family sharing, the classroom, and homeschooling. BIO Kwame Alexander is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books, including his Newbery Medal-winning novel The Crossover and The Undefeated, winner of the Caldecott Medal and Newbery Honor. He is the founding editor of Versify, which aims to change the world one word at a time. REVIEWS An Indie Next List Pick "Beautifully crafted and brutally honest, this offers a thoughtful introduction to a necessary topic." -- Booklist, starred review "With powerful art from a bold new talent, this is a probing and sensitive take on a devastating chapter of U.S. history." -- Kirkus, starred review "Alexander and Coulter have created a powerful counternarrative in their efforts to answer the question, “How do you tell a story about slavery?” -- Horn Book, starred review "A layered, compassionate telling that considers how to relay difficult truths, and as the art converges into a visual of past and present together, stirring concluding lines suggest a route forward." -- Publisher's Weekly, starred review [H] Little, Brown Books for Young Readers / January 03, 2023 0.6" H x 10.1" L x 10.1" W (1.28 lbs) 56 pages

An American Story /// Kwame Alexander

A West African story about the much-loved trickster, Anansi, retold and reimagined for a new generation by award-winning author Taiye Selasi“Allow me to introduce myself.” But he needed no introduction. “Anansi the spider!” said Anansi the boy. “The tales were true!” “Traditional tales are always true,” the spider answered, laughing. “Nothing lasts so long as truth, nor travels quite so far.” Award-winning author of Ghana Must Go, Taiye Selasi, reimagines the story of Anansi, the much-loved trickster, for a new generation. Kweku has grown up hearing stories about the mischievous spider Anansi. He is given the nickname Anansi by his father because of his similarly cheeky ways. On a holiday to visit his beloved Grandma in Ghana, Anansi the spider and Anansi the boy meet, and discover a magical pot that can be filled with whatever they want. Anansi fills it again and again with his favorite red-red stew, and eats so much that he feels sick. Will he learn to share this wonderful gift? This charming retelling of a West African story teaches readers about the dangers of greed, and the importance of being kind. Tinuke Fagborun’s colorful illustrations bring the magic and wonder of the tale to life. When you’ve finished sharing the story, you can also find out more about the origins of Anansi folktales. This is a beautiful storybook that little ones will treasure forever. BIO Taiye Selasi was born in London and raised in Massachusetts. She holds a BA in American studies from Yale and an MPhil in international relations from Oxford University. “The Sex Lives of African Girls” (Granta, 2011), Selasi’s fiction debut, appears in Best American Short Stories 2012. Author of Ghana Must Go, she lives in Rome. REVIEWS “A great choice to introduce young readers to West Africa’s wonderful Anansesem storytelling tradition.” --Kirkus Reviews“Selasi brilliantly explores family, tradition, and sharing with a stylish telling and grand show of humanity.” --School Library Journal [H] DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley) / February 15, 2022 0.4" H x 9.6" L x 9.6" W (0.9 lbs) 32 pages

Anansi and the Golden Pot /// Taiye Selasi, illustrated by Tinuke Fagborun

Twelve-year-old Ann understands there is only one thing to be grateful for as a slave: having her family together. But when the master falls into debt, he plans to sell both Ann and her younger brother to two different owners. Ann is convinced her family must run away on the Underground Railroad. Will Ann's family survive the dangerous trip to their freedom in the North ? This Girls Survive story is supported by a glossary, discussion questions, and nonfiction material on the Underground Railroad, making it a valuable resource for young readers. BIO Nikki Shannon Smith is from Oakland, California, but she now lives in the Central Valley with her husband and two children. She has worked in Elementary Education for over twenty-five years, and writes everything from picture books to young adult novels. When she’s not busy with family, work, or writing, she loves to visit the coast. The first thing she packs in her suitcase is always a book. REVIEWS "...Ann's journey to freedom is harrowing and heartbreaking, and of course, so many stories like hers were anything but happy. This is a very cool book for young readers (8-12) who are learning more about slavery and its terrible place in our nation's history. There's some great backmatter, too, including an author's note with lots of information, discussion points and a glossary." -- Ciarra Chavirria, Girls Read the World "What if the I Survived series focused more on female, historical heroines? That’s what the new Girls Survive series sets out to do. . . .Each book in the series—which includes books on the Titanic and the Civil War—includes historical context, discussion questions, and glossaries for those inclined to the historical side." -- Nicole Brinkley, Barnes & Noble Kids, "5 Books for Fans of the I Survived Series [H] Stone Arch Books / January 01, 2019 0.4" H x 7.6" L x 5.4" W (0.55 lbs) 112 pages [P] Stone Arch Books / January 01, 2019 0.4" H x 7.5" L x 5.2" W (0.35 lbs) 112 pages For ages 8 to 12

Ann Fights for Freedom: An Underground Railroad Survival Story /// Nikki Shannon Smith, illustrations by Alessia Trunfio

-- This is a preorder title and will ship on or after February 03, 2026 -- From award-winning creators, Derrick Barnes, Frank Morrison, and Dr. Christian Gregory comes the true story of comedian and activist Dick Gregory’s remarkable Food Run of 1976. 1 man. 1,011 hours. 3,200 miles. 7 million steps. What would you do? In April of 1976, Dick Gregory sets off on a Herculean and grueling two-and-a-half month run. His goal: to raise awareness about the epidemic of poverty and hunger in America. Sleeping in motels and consuming nothing but fruit juices, vitamins and water, he runs from Los Angeles to New York City. And in each city, he stops to speak the truth about injustice. About the plight of the penniless. About the hopeless. Lyrical text, stunning art, and compelling backmatter come together to ask you—yes you—what would you do if you had a wild idea to stand up for something you believe in? Find out how far Dick Gregory’s belief in feeding the hungry took him in this unforgettable story of an incredible journey that still reverberates today. BIO Derrick Barnes is the creator of the New York Times bestselling companion picture books The King of Kindergarten and The Queen of Kindergarten. His graphic novel Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice was a National Book Award finalist and won many other awards. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning picture book Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, which received a Newbery Honor, a Coretta Scott King Author Honor, the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award, and the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers. Derrick currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his enchanting wife, Dr. Tinka Barnes, and their four sons, the Mighty Barnes Brothers. You can visit him online at derrickdbarnes.com. [H] Amistad Books for Young Readers / February 03, 2026 For ages 4 to 8

-- This is a preorder title and will ship on or after February 03, 2026 --
From award-winning creators, Derrick Barnes, Frank Morrison, and Dr. Christian Gregory comes the true story of comedian and activist Dick Gregory’s remarkable Food Run of 1976.
1 man. 1,011 hours. 3,200 miles. 7 million steps.
What would you do?
In April of 1976, Dick Gregory sets off on a Herculean and grueling two-and-a-half month run. His goal: to raise awareness about the epidemic of poverty and hunger in America.
Sleeping in motels and consuming nothing but fruit juices, vitamins and water, he runs from Los Angeles to New York City. And in each city, he stops to speak the truth about injustice. About the plight of the penniless. About the hopeless.
Lyrical text, stunning art, and compelling backmatter come together to ask you—yes you—what would you do if you had a wild idea to stand up for something you believe in? Find out how far Dick Gregory’s belief in feeding the hungry took him in this unforgettable story of an incredible journey that still reverberates today.
BIO
<meta charset="utf-8">Derrick Barnes is the creator of the New York Times bestselling companion picture books The King of Kindergarten and The Queen of Kindergarten. His graphic novel Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice was a National Book Award finalist and won many other awards. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning picture book Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, which received a Newbery Honor, a Coretta Scott King Author Honor, the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award, and the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers. Derrick currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his enchanting wife, Dr. Tinka Barnes, and their four sons, the Mighty Barnes Brothers. You can visit him online at derrickdbarnes.com.
[H]  Amistad Books for Young Readers  /  February 03, 2026
For ages 4 to 8

Seven Million Steps: The True Story of Dick Gregory's Run for the Hungry /// Derrick Barnes, Christian Gregory, illustrations by Frank Morrison /// pre

In this endearing picture book by superstar chef and beloved TV host Carla Hall, Carla’s grandmother helps her turn things around when a game of dress-up leads to a fancy tea party gone wrong.Carla and her sister Kim love visiting their grandparents’ home, where they can always count on having something fun to get into, like Granny’s old chest full of treasures! Dressed up in mounds of beautiful dresses, sparkling jewels, and fancy gloves, Carla decides the day wouldn’t be complete without a tea party for the girls’ special guests, Granny and Doc.But when Carla accidentally ruins her grandmother’s favorite quilt and famous pound cake, she fears that all the fun is spoiled. How can Carla and her family have a proper tea party without an elegant set up and delicious food? Then Carla’s grandmother steps in, sharing her recipe for a special cake. Will the secret ingredient help Carla save the day? BIO Carla Hall attended L’Academie de Cuisine in Maryland. She gained her audience when she competed on Bravo’s Top Chef and Top Chef: All Stars. She has been a TV personality since then, cohosting on the ABC talk show The Chew, contributing on Good Morning America, and featuring as a judge on Crazy Delicious on Netflix and on Bakeaway Camp on the Food Network. She is the author of Carla’s Comfort Foods, Cooking with Love, Carla and the Christmas Cornbread, Carla and the Tin Can Cake Party, and Carla Hall’s Soul Food, which received an NAACP Image Awards nomination. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband. Visit CarlaHall.com for more. Cherise Harris is an author and illustrator from Barbados. Her work centers around an interest in fairy tale and its role in telling deep and meaningful stories. Cherise uses pencil, watercolor, and clay, exploring her ideas in both 2D and 3D form. She also uses Photoshop to create digital art and gifs. She received her associate’s degree in visual arts at the Barbados Community College, her BFA in illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, and most recently completed her master’s in illustration at Falmouth University in the UK. Cherise currently lives back home in Barbados with her husband, Ryan, and her daughter. [H] Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers / October 14, 2025 0.7" H x 10.3" L x 11.1" W (1.2 lbs) 40 pages For ages 4 to 8

Carla and the Tin Can Cake Party /// Carla Hall, illustrations by Cherise Harris /// new

A powerful, joyful novel in verse about a Black teen with ADHD who finds self-expression and first love during one epic summer school season, perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds and On the Come Up.For the third summer in a row, Pernell is back in the classroom, facing the same struggles that have always made school seem more like a battlefield than a place of learning. This summer is different, though: he’s battling to become the Cypher King, leader of the lunchroom’s impromptu rap circles. Here, the rhythm flows and the words fly, creating a space where the wittiest and most rhythmically inclined reign supreme. Here, Pernell’s ADHD gives him an edge.But life outside the cypher isn’t as forgiving. Pernell’s English teacher has it out for him. His parents are pressuring him to see a doctor for his lack of focus. And Electra, his friend-slash-crush and the only one who truly gets him, is too busy chasing her dream internship to give him the time of day.If Pernell doesn’t pull himself together, he won’t just lose the title of Cypher King—he’ll lose his chance to graduate high school. In a world where the systems are turned against kids like him, Pernell needs to find a way to succeed with his ADHD, rather than in spite of it. BIO Idris Goodwin is an award-winning neurodivergent storyteller for multiple generations and the author of the picture book Your House Is Not Just a House and young adult novel King of the Neuro Verse. An accomplished playwright, breakbeat poet, content creator, and arts champion, Goodwin is recognized as a culture bearer who celebrates community values and cultivates histories with care. Idris is the author of over sixty original plays, ranging from his hip-hop–inspired breakbeat series to historical dramas to works for young audiences. A dedicated mentor to emerging writers, Goodwin serves as associate professor of dramatic writing at Arizona State University. REVIEWS * "Pernell’s free verse first-person narration is always creative, sometimes chaotic, and deeply sympathetic. . . . This is a unique approach to a verse novel, both artful and introspective, which will undoubtedly resonate especially with young hip-hop heads." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, STARRED REVIEW “Goodwin’s YA debut is a powerful tale about figuring out how to keep it together when everyone treats you like you’re broken. Readers will empathize with Pernell’s struggles as he’s misunderstood and punished and his considerable facility with language goes unrecognized.” -- Kirkus Reviews “This YA debut . . . resonates with a relatable celebration of finding­—and advocating for­—one’s passions and oneself.” -- Publishers Weekly "With verve and wit, King of the Neuro Verse is a much-needed powerful and joyful celebration of neurodiversity, creativity, and self-expression." -- Jasmine Warga, #1 New York Times Bestseller and Newbery Honor Award Winner of Other Words for Home "Relatable, inspirational, and unique. A story about learning your strengths and moving through life to your own beat." -- India Hill Brown, NAACP Image Award–nominated author [H] Atheneum Books for Young Readers / October 14, 2025 1.1" H x 8.4" L x 5.5" W (0.75 lbs) 256 pages For ages 13 to 17

King of the Neuro Verse /// Idris Goodwin /// new

A touching story of the friendship between a young boy and his elderly neighbor, and how that boy helps jog the man’s disappearing memoryCaius spends summer mornings on his neighbor’s porch, and although Mr. Johnson doesn’t remember things as well as he used to, he can always sing the beginning of his favorite song, “Further Along.” Caius understands how nourishing music can be, and so he decides to find the rest of Mr. Johnson’s song. At the library he inspects shelves of hymnals and listens to recordings of protest tunes, but none of these is the one Mr. Johnson sings. How will he help his neighbor?Exuding warmth, this story displays kindness and neighborliness, and portrays dementia with gentle authenticity. BIO Ariel Vanece (She/They) is a Black-American children’s book author. Her stories are described as heartwarming and adventurous. They obtained an MFA/MA in Writing for Children and Children’s Literature from Simmons University, and they holds a BA in English from The University Of Kansas. Ariel’s stories focus on Black-American culture and inter-generational friendships. REVIEWS “Intergenerational stories can be a gift, and this is one of those books. It creates a comforting bubble—one where neighbors look after each other, where communities exist to help, and where the lines connecting everyone are crystal clear. The folksy art complements that tender touch, showing the warmth of sepia toned ancient memories and the lush bloom of the recent past. Through it all, music intertwines with story like vegetation, showing the growth and nourishment of an art form. A powerful tale that demonstrates the connective power of music and memory, as well as an appreciation for the strength of tradition passed through generations.” -- School Library Journal“Orlando’s warm illustrations deepen both the hymn and the story, layering emotional texture with historical detail and a vivid sense of the present. Vanece’s prose demonstrates how a child’s unprompted empathy and support for an older neighbor can make a meaningful difference in both of their lives. Also commendable is how the story quietly reflects the reality of many children’s lives by depicting a nontraditional family structure without making it a point of conflict or focus.A tender portrayal of a child’s bond with an elderly neighbor. “ -- Kirkus [H] Rocky Pond Books / October 14, 2025 For ages 5 to 8 0.6" H x 8.7" L x 11.2" W (0.8 lbs) 32 pages

Searching for Mr. Johnson's Song /// Ariel Vanece, illustrations by Jade Orlando /// new

The second in a funny illustrated middle grade series about a Panamanian American girl who hatches a plot to get rich quick—as long as her sister doesn’t in the way—from NYT bestselling author Veronica Chambers.Exuberant and larger-than-life Flora Violeta LeFevre has a plan—a plan to become a millionaire in the new year. She’s already collecting her birthday money and her mom’s swear jar so when the school announces a kids’ entrepreneurship conference, Flora’s excited to learn all the tricks to becoming rich.But she can’t open an animal hospital without a medical degree . . . and she can’t think of anything to invent and her sister keeps stealing the spotlight from her. As Flora brainstorms the perfect business, a hot idea during a cold day is just the thing she needs to make her dreams come true. BIO Veronica Chambers is a prolific author, best known for her critically acclaimed memoir Mama’s Girl. She coauthored the award-winning memoir Yes, Chef with chef Marcus Samuelsson, as well as Samuelsson’s young-adult memoir Make It Messy, and has collaborated on four New York Times bestsellers, most recently 32 Yolks, which she cowrote with chef Eric Ripert. She has been a senior editor at the New York Times Magazine, Newsweek, and Glamour. Born in Panama and raised in Brooklyn, she writes often about her Afro-Latina heritage. She speaks, reads, and writes Spanish, but she is truly fluent in Spanglish. She is currently a John S. Knight journalism fellow at Stanford University. Her upcoming novel is The Go-Between. REVIEWS “[E]ndearing and relatable…A slice-of-life story that’s rich in heart.” -- Kirkus [H] Dial Books / October 07, 2025 0.9" H x 7.1" L x 5.2" W (0.5 lbs) 192 pages For ages 8 to 12

Flora la Fresca & the Plot to Make Millions /// Veronica Chambers, illustrations by Sujean Rim /// new

With her mom's new boyfriend, her best friend's new crush, and her dad's interest in her gym teacher, Berry vows to never catch a crush—and to show everyone how much better things would be without theirs—in this stand-alone contemporary middle grade from Tanita S. Davis, author of The Science of Friendship and Partly Cloudy. Every year, Berry’s mom, Ivy, visits for a three-week “August Invasion.” And every summer Berry hopes will be the one when Ivy will stay—forever. Which is why Ivy’s surprise return visit is amazing—until Berry realizes her mom didn’t come for her. Ivy’s back to pack the last of her things, and she’s brought her new “friend,” Mr. Cole to help. When Berry discovers that Mr. Cole is taking a job in England, she’s convinced that Ivy wants to move all the way across the ocean with him, to where an August Invasion can’t reach. Even at school, messy feelings are ruining everything. Berry’s best friend, Lia, rearranges her schedule to have classes with her crush, leaving Berry alone all day. Even Berry’s normally boring dad is making excuses to talk to her gym teacher. All these crushes are crushing the life out of Berry. Weren’t things better before these extra people came along? Why do things have to change? BIO Tanita S. Davis is the award-winning author of several novels for middle grade and young adult readers, including Serena Says, Peas and Carrots, Happy Families, and Mare’s War, which was a Coretta Scott King Honor Book and earned her a nomination for the NAACP Image Award. She grew up in California and was so chatty as a kid that her mother begged her to “just write it down.” Now she’s back in California, doing her best to keep writing it all down. Visit her at tanitasdavis.com. REVIEWS "This emotionally intelligent novel will resonate with readers who have experienced shifting relationship dynamics. Berry is a compelling protagonist, and Davis portrays the arc of her growth authentically. The author cleverly uses colors to evoke artistic Berry’s different moods and her perceptions of how she and others are feeling. An introspective, insightful look at the uncomfortable changes of early adolescence." -- Kirkus Reviews "A Black middle schooler resolves to prove that life is better without the distraction of romance in this wistful novel by Davis (The Science of Friendship). As Berry navigates shifting relationships, Davis utilizes sympathetic prose to detail a hopeful yet bittersweet story about confronting change while remaining true to oneself." -- Publishers Weekly "Davis (The Science of Friendship, 2024) always incorporates meaningful explorations of friendship in her novels, and here tween readers will relate to Berry and her friends as they find their footing in middle school and experience their first romantic feelings. A first purchase for middle-grade library collections." -- Booklist [H] HarperCollins / September 16, 2025 8.25" L x 5.5" W (0.81 lbs) 336 pages For ages 8 to 12

With her mom's new boyfriend, her best friend's new crush, and her dad's interest in her gym teacher, Berry vows to never catch a crush—and to show everyone how much better things would be without theirs—in this stand-alone contemporary middle grade from Tanita S. Davis, author of The Science of Friendship and Partly Cloudy.
Every year, Berry’s mom, Ivy, visits for a three-week “August Invasion.” And every summer Berry hopes will be the one when Ivy will stay—forever.
Which is why Ivy’s surprise return visit is amazing—until Berry realizes her mom didn’t come for her. Ivy’s back to pack the last of her things, and she’s brought her new “friend,” Mr. Cole to help. When Berry discovers that Mr. Cole is taking a job in England, she’s convinced that Ivy wants to move all the way across the ocean with him, to where an August Invasion can’t reach. Even at school, messy feelings are ruining everything. Berry’s best friend, Lia, rearranges her schedule to have classes with her crush, leaving Berry alone all day. Even Berry’s normally boring dad is making excuses to talk to her gym teacher.
All these crushes are crushing the life out of Berry. Weren’t things better before these extra people came along? Why do things have to change?
BIO
<meta charset="utf-8">Tanita S. Davis is the award-winning author of several novels for middle grade and young adult readers, including Serena Says, Peas and Carrots, Happy Families, and Mare’s War, which was a Coretta Scott King Honor Book and earned her a nomination for the NAACP Image Award. She grew up in California and was so chatty as a kid that her mother begged her to “just write it down.” Now she’s back in California, doing her best to keep writing it all down. Visit her at tanitasdavis.com.
REVIEWS
"This emotionally intelligent novel will resonate with readers who have experienced shifting relationship dynamics. Berry is a compelling protagonist, and Davis portrays the arc of her growth authentically. The author cleverly uses colors to evoke artistic Berry’s different moods and her perceptions of how she and others are feeling. An introspective, insightful look at the uncomfortable changes of early adolescence." -- Kirkus Reviews
"A Black middle schooler resolves to prove that life is better without the distraction of romance in this wistful novel by Davis (The Science of Friendship). As Berry navigates shifting relationships, Davis utilizes sympathetic prose to detail a hopeful yet bittersweet story about confronting change while remaining true to oneself." -- Publishers Weekly
"Davis (The Science of Friendship, 2024) always incorporates meaningful explorations of friendship in her novels, and here tween readers will relate to Berry and her friends as they find their footing in middle school and experience their first romantic feelings. A first purchase for middle-grade library collections." -- Booklist
[H]  HarperCollins  /  September 16, 2025
<meta charset="utf-8">8.25" L x 5.5" W (0.81 lbs) 336 pages
For ages 8 to 12

Berry Parker Doesn't Catch Crushes /// Tanita S. Davis /// new

The highly anticipated sequel to the instant #1 New York Times bestseller Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy—a boldly original and suspenseful fantasy adventure by one of the most popular and imaginative voices of this generation, Angie Thomas. All of Nic’s dreams have come true. After years of living in hiding as a Remarkable in the Unremarkable world, she now has everything she’d ever wanted: certified hero status, a big family and a real home in the hidden city of Uhuru, and a chance to develop her Gift at a school for young Manifestors like her. So life is perfect, right? Not quite. Her-favorite-author-turned-vengeful-outcast wants to destroy her. Then there’s the terrifying secret prophecy that still threatens Nic’s future, and the dangerous new power she seems to have—one she cannot control. And that’s all before she encounters a cult of mysterious Manifestors who threaten to reveal the truth about her power and prophecy unless Nic delivers to them a legendary artifact, the Book of Anansi. There’s just one small complication: No one knows if it still exists, or where it could be hidden. Nic now has only her twin brother, Alex, and her best friend, JP, to rely on as she makes a desperate attempt to uncover one of the Remarkable world’s oldest mysteries—and hold on to the home and family she has been searching for her entire life. BIO Angie Thomas is the author of the award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling Nic Blake and the Remarkables series, The Hate U Give, On the Come Up, and Concrete Rose as well as Find Your Voice: A Guided Journal for Writing Your Truth. She is also a coauthor of the bestselling collaborative novels Blackout and Whiteout. A former teen rapper who holds a BFA in creative writing, Angie divides her time between her native Mississippi, and Atlanta. You can find her online at angiethomas.com. REVIEWS "Grappling with questions of freedom and restraint, the greater good, and cycles of pain, Nic’s moral core and care for others result in her facing complex dilemmas that render her relatable and appealing. Nic ends the story changed in ways that will leave readers excited to see what comes next. A beautifully executed sequel that surpasses the first book." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "The ending leaves [Nic] reeling from stunning revelations and game-changing twists but resolutely poised to chase after those elusive baddies. Readers will be on tenterhooks to follow her in the wake of this rich and rousing middle volume." -- Booklist (starred review) [H] Clarion Books / September 16, 2025 8.25" L x 5.5" W (1.14 lbs) 480 pages For ages 8 to 12

The highly anticipated sequel to the instant #1 New York Times bestseller Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy—a boldly original and suspenseful fantasy adventure by one of the most popular and imaginative voices of this generation, Angie Thomas.
All of Nic’s dreams have come true. After years of living in hiding as a Remarkable in the Unremarkable world, she now has everything she’d ever wanted: certified hero status, a big family and a real home in the hidden city of Uhuru, and a chance to develop her Gift at a school for young Manifestors like her.
So life is perfect, right?
Not quite. Her-favorite-author-turned-vengeful-outcast wants to destroy her. Then there’s the terrifying secret prophecy that still threatens Nic’s future, and the dangerous new power she seems to have—one she cannot control. And that’s all before she encounters a cult of mysterious Manifestors who threaten to reveal the truth about her power and prophecy unless Nic delivers to them a legendary artifact, the Book of Anansi. There’s just one small complication: No one knows if it still exists, or where it could be hidden.
Nic now has only her twin brother, Alex, and her best friend, JP, to rely on as she makes a desperate attempt to uncover one of the Remarkable world’s oldest mysteries—and hold on to the home and family she has been searching for her entire life.
BIO
Angie Thomas is the author of the award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling Nic Blake and the Remarkables series, The Hate U Give, On the Come Up, and Concrete Rose as well as Find Your Voice: A Guided Journal for Writing Your Truth. She is also a coauthor of the bestselling collaborative novels Blackout and Whiteout. A former teen rapper who holds a BFA in creative writing, Angie divides her time between her native Mississippi, and Atlanta. You can find her online at angiethomas.com.
REVIEWS
"Grappling with questions of freedom and restraint, the greater good, and cycles of pain, Nic’s moral core and care for others result in her facing complex dilemmas that render her relatable and appealing. Nic ends the story changed in ways that will leave readers excited to see what comes next. A beautifully executed sequel that surpasses the first book." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"The ending leaves [Nic] reeling from stunning revelations and game-changing twists but resolutely poised to chase after those elusive baddies. Readers will be on tenterhooks to follow her in the wake of this rich and rousing middle volume." -- Booklist (starred review)
[H]  Clarion Books  /  September 16, 2025
<meta charset="utf-8">8.25" L x 5.5" W (1.14 lbs) 480 pages
For ages 8 to 12

Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi /// Angie Thomas /// new

Join a mother and son on a journey through their city’s downtown in this picture book that celebrates strong communities–the love they give us, and what we can give back in return.When Wendall and Mama take their weekly downtown walk, he always pays attention to the doors they pass.Wood doors. Glass doors. Metal doors. Doors that spill yummy smells into the street. Doors up top. Doors down below. There are doors of all shapes and sizes.As they later make their way back home, Wendall can’t help but think about all the people behind each door. They all open their hearts and make him feel loved and at home. Could he be an open door to people in his community too?With stunning and evocative artwork, Downtown Doors is a heartwarming layered tale that highlights the importance and beauty of community when navigating life’s challenges and caring for our neighbors BIO Natasha Tripplett lives in Northern California, where she writes from a tree house perched in a sycamore. She is a Jamaican Jewish American author who is passionate about cultural representation in children's literature. You can visit her at natashabooks.com. REVIEWS “Each turn of the page is a trip from one fantastic door to the next. Downtown Doors is a journey into and through the heart of a child—and when you get to the last page, your own heart will soar.” -- Martha Brockenbrough, award-winning author of A Gift of Dust [H] Waterbrook Press / September 16, 2025 0.35" H x 8.76" L x 8.77" W (0.64 lbs) 40 pages For ages 3 - 7

Downtown Doors /// Natasha Tripplett, illustrations by Leah Giles /// new

A speculative middle grade novel about three generations of Black girls connected across time and space through a wormhole in their school locker.What if your locker was a wormhole to the past?On the first day of eighth grade, Candace Wells opens her locker and is astonished when an unusual bird flies out. Soon after, a notebook mysteriously appears on the top shelf, labeled Tracey Auburn, 1988. Stranger still, as Candace reads the notebook, new messages start to appear.Professor Tracey Auburn only vaguely remembers a bird flying into her locker in eighth grade, way back in 1988, and losing a notebook she could have sworn she put on the top shelf. Until Candace shows up at her office with the missing notebook forty years later.Quantum physicist Loretta Spencer will never forget the bird flying out of her locker in eighth grade in 1948. Her life’s work has been to study the portal and others like it, and now she needs Tracey’s and Candace’s help to complete her research.So begins an unlikely friendship and a hunt around Chicago and the state of Illinois to uncover the secrets of the locker, the universe, and everything. One thing’s for sure: Eighth grade will never be the same again. BIO Sherri L. Smith is not a pilot, but she makes an excellent passenger (unless it’s a very small plane). She is the author of numerous acclaimed fiction and nonfiction books for young people, including Flygirl, the winner of the California Book Awards’ Gold Medal; The Blossom and the Firefly, the winner of the Golden Kite Award from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators; Orleans; and Who Were the Tuskegee Airmen? She teaches creative writing at Hamline University. Born in Chicago, Sherri now lives in Los Angeles. Learn more at SherriLSmith.com and follow her on Twitter @Sherri_L_Smith. REVIEWS * “A captivating blend of science fiction and coming-of-age ­storytelling that explores friendship, identity, and wonder across generations . . . ­A sophisticated blend of science and ­realism for readers who enjoyed the time-travel ­mystery of Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me or the ­intergenerational depth of Kelly Barnhill’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon. A strong addition to those seeking diverse speculative fiction with ­emotional resonance.” -- School Library Journal, starred review“A stellar work of middle-grade science fiction . . . Smith’s novel is filled with cosmic metaphors, intergenerational connections, science, and self-discovery . . . With its contemporary When You Reach Me tone, Candace, the Universe, and Everything reminds readers that although the universe is boundless, our connections to each other are limited and thus extremely meaningful.” -- Shelf Awareness“With perceptive prose and nods to both “A Wrinkle in Time” and the Underground Railroad, this is a cerebral speculative mystery to be savored.” --The Washington Post“Smith offers nuanced portrayals of the well-rounded characters and their relationships, combined with enjoyable fantasy elements . . . A heartwarming adventure that explores courage, self-belief, and dreams.” -- Kirkus Reviews [H] G. P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers / September 09, 2025 1.3" H x 8.3" L x 5.6" W (0.9 lbs) 336 pages For ages 10 and up

Candace, the Universe, and Everything /// Sherri L. Smith /// new

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award–winning author Brandy Colbert gives The Parent Trap a fresh, funny, and delightfully unexpected update in this story of two girls—one raised by her single father, the other in the foster care system—who meet by chance…only to discover they’re identical twins. Kenya Norwood likes things just the way they are. She's lived all her life in Pasadena with her dad and grandmother, she's attended the same school with the same friends since pre-K, and she's always the center of attention. Even as she's about to start middle school, she knows one thing for sure: none of that is going to change. For Liberty Perry, change is all she's ever known. Her mother disappeared when she was a toddler, and ever since, she's never stayed in one place for very long. But things seem different with her new foster mother, Joey. Maybe in this home, in this school, change won't come so quickly. Except everything changes the day Liberty and Kenya meet—and discover they are identical. Neither of them is ready to find out she has a twin sister (in fact, they're unsure if they even want one), and when the girls learn the truth of how they were separated, it's clear that no one else in their lives was ready for this, either. But the connection they share might be even stronger than the things that kept them apart—and teaming up might be the only way to set everything right. BIO Brandy Colbert is the award-winning author of several books for children and teens, including Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, which was the winner of the 2022 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for Nonfiction and a finalist for the American Library Association's Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Award. Her other acclaimed books include Pointe, The Only Black Girls in Town, and Stonewall Book Award winner Little & Lion. Her writing has been published in the New York Times, and her short stories and essays have appeared in several critically acclaimed anthologies for young people. She is on faculty at Hamline University's MFA program in writing for children, and lives in Los Angeles. REVIEWS "A compassionate, emotionally intelligent story about family and belonging that will resonate widely." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "In this nimble, winning reimagining of The Parent Trap, Colbert examines the social and emotional effects of navigating the foster care system alongside nuanced depictions of substance reliance and children managing complex relationships with parents and caregivers." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "An excellent story of sisterhood that tween readers will enjoy and that is perfect for realistic fiction collections." -- Booklist [H] Clarion Books / September 09, 2025 1.1" H x 8.4" L x 5.7" W (0.75 lbs) 304 pages For ages 8 to 12

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award–winning author Brandy Colbert gives The Parent Trap a fresh, funny, and delightfully unexpected update in this story of two girls—one raised by her single father, the other in the foster care system—who meet by chance…only to discover they’re identical twins.
Kenya Norwood likes things just the way they are. She's lived all her life in Pasadena with her dad and grandmother, she's attended the same school with the same friends since pre-K, and she's always the center of attention. Even as she's about to start middle school, she knows one thing for sure: none of that is going to change.
For Liberty Perry, change is all she's ever known. Her mother disappeared when she was a toddler, and ever since, she's never stayed in one place for very long. But things seem different with her new foster mother, Joey. Maybe in this home, in this school, change won't come so quickly.
Except everything changes the day Liberty and Kenya meet—and discover they are identical.
Neither of them is ready to find out she has a twin sister (in fact, they're unsure if they even want one), and when the girls learn the truth of how they were separated, it's clear that no one else in their lives was ready for this, either. But the connection they share might be even stronger than the things that kept them apart—and teaming up might be the only way to set everything right.
BIO
Brandy Colbert is the award-winning author of several books for children and teens, including Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, which was the winner of the 2022 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for Nonfiction and a finalist for the American Library Association's Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Award. Her other acclaimed books include Pointe, The Only Black Girls in Town, and Stonewall Book Award winner Little &amp; Lion. Her writing has been published in the New York Times, and her short stories and essays have appeared in several critically acclaimed anthologies for young people. She is on faculty at Hamline University's MFA program in writing for children, and lives in Los Angeles.
REVIEWS
"A compassionate, emotionally intelligent story about family and belonging that will resonate widely." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"In this nimble, winning reimagining of The Parent Trap, Colbert examines the social and emotional effects of navigating the foster care system alongside nuanced depictions of substance reliance and children managing complex relationships with parents and caregivers." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"An excellent story of sisterhood that tween readers will enjoy and that is perfect for realistic fiction collections." -- Booklist
[H]  Clarion Books  /  September 09, 2025<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta charset="utf-8">1.1" H x 8.4" L x 5.7" W (0.75 lbs) 304 pages
For ages 8 to 12
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Let's Get Together /// Brandy Colbert /// new

Readers are invited to a joyous cultural celebration full of delicious food, laughter, and love in Samantha Cleaver and Reuben Nantogmah’s charming picture book, adorably brought to life by debut illustrator Bri Marie McNish.In Ghana and some other west African countries, when a baby is born, the extended family prepares for a whole week to welcome the little one at a celebration called an outdooring. Andani can't wait to meet her new baby cousin, but a week is so long!As her aunties and uncles prepare cassava, tuo zaafi, fufu, and other delicious foods for the outdooring, Andani will have to patiently (well, okay, sometimes not so patiently) wait to perform the most important job of all: being the first to greet the little one by name. BIO Samantha Cleaver and Reuben Nantogmah have been partners of one kind or another for more than 10 years. Their picture book collaboration started in 2020, when Samantha asked Reuben for input on a picture book idea about a west African outdooring ceremony. Reuben shared his knowledge and insights, and their book Waiting to Welcome was born. Now, Samantha and Reuben write stories that help them share and celebrate their kids’ bicultural Ghanaian-American family, traditions, and community. Outside of writing, Samantha and Reuben have four kids, and enjoy exploring local greenways, cooking, and watching Japanese TV with their kids. REVIEWS "Capturing the characters’ delight, energy, and movement, the story brings to life a loving West African community. In the warm digital illustrations, each family member’s brown skin is depicted with richness and depth. A joyful tale, steeped in cultural meaning." -- Kirkus Reviews [H] Feiwel & Friends / July 16, 2024 0.35" H x 10.27" L x 8.34" W (0.71 lbs) 32 pages For ages 3 to 6

Waiting to Welcome: A New Baby Story from West Africa /// Samantha Cleaver and Reuben Nantogmah, illustrations by Bri Marie McNish

First came the storms. Then came the Fever. And the Wall. After a string of devastating hurricanes and a severe outbreak of Delta Fever, the Gulf Coast has been quarantined. Years later, residents of the Outer States are under the assumption that life in the Delta is all but extinct…but in reality, a new primitive society has been born. Fen de la Guerre is living with the O-Positive blood tribe in the Delta when they are ambushed. Left with her tribe leader’s newborn, Fen is determined to get the baby to a better life over the wall before her blood becomes tainted. Fen meets Daniel, a scientist from the Outer States who has snuck into the Delta illegally. Brought together by chance, kept together by danger, Fen and Daniel navigate the wasteland of Orleans. In the end, they are each other’s last hope for survival. Sherri L. Smith delivers an expertly crafted story about a fierce heroine whose powerful voice and firm determination will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. BIO Sherri L. Smith is not a pilot, but she makes an excellent passenger (unless it’s a very small plane). She is the author of numerous acclaimed fiction and nonfiction books for young people, including Flygirl, the winner of the California Book Awards’ Gold Medal; The Blossom and the Firefly, the winner of the Golden Kite Award from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators; Orleans; and Who Were the Tuskegee Airmen? She teaches creative writing at Hamline University. Born in Chicago, Sherri now lives in Los Angeles. REVIEWS “Orleans itself is a compelling intersection of environmental chaos and human politics. Smith repeatedly reminds readers that this was once a vibrant, stunningly alive place that suffered the ill effects of global warming and yet has still managed to eke out a kind of survival, as grim and unappealing as that survival looks. This version of NOLA reads like a twisted love letter to the original as Smith mines its famous landmarks and traditions for a dark revision . . . Smith’s vision of the future is terrifying because it scarily matches reality in a world where the Doomsday clock moves closer and closer to midnight.” -- BCCB “In Smith’s compelling and disturbing novel, the Gulf Coast has been formally separated from the U.S. since 2025, after a deadly plague called Delta Fever emerges from the horrific conditions following years of increasingly destructive hurricanes. . . . Alternating chapters of Fen’s strong and often lyrical voice and a third-person account from Daniel’s point of view move the complicated plot briskly. . . . powerful, relevant themes: global warming, racism, political corruption, and the complexity of human nature.” -- Booklist “Gritty and dark, with plenty of glimmers of humanity, this book screams for a sequel, a trilogy, maybe even a prequel. Chapters written in the well-crafted first-person of Fen’s tribal dialect clash with Daniel’s third-person narrative chapters, but perhaps that was part of Smith’s plan. It is a minor flaw in a book that will fly off the shelves and thrill readers of realistic, as well as science, fiction.” -- Voya “Smith imagines a captivating and truly frightening future for the United States, one in which six devastating hurricanes follow Katrina’s path right into the heart of the crippled Gulf Coast. . . . the richly textured worldbuilding and the complicated relationship between Fen and Daniel, as well as the constant and varied dangers they face, will keep readers up long past their bedtimes. A harrowing and memorable ride.” -- Kirkus Reviews “Smith effectively tells their stories through both voices: his idealistic, naive, and grammatically perfect; hers, street-wise, in the dialect of the tribes of Orleans. Carefully crafted backstories, revealed throughout the novel, allow readers initially to form opinions and later have these either confirmed, denied, or altered. The bleak, austere setting becomes a tableau for life’s basics: survival and sacrifice, compassion and greed.” -- Horn Book [P] Speak / March 06, 2014 1.0" H x 8.2" L x 5.4" W (0.7 lbs) 352 pages For ages 12 and up

Orleans /// Sherri L. Smith

CBC Recommended Book • School Library Journal Best Book of the Year • New York Public Library Best Picture Book of 2020 • Black Caucus of the American Library Association Best of the Best Book for 2020 • Boston Globe Best Book of the Year • Selected for Oprah Daily’s Twenty Diverse Kids’ Reads • A Teaching for Change selection • 2020 Lupine Award Magnificent Homespun Brown is an exploration of the natural world and family bonds through the eyes of young, mixed-race heroines—a living, breathing, dazzlingly multifaceted, exuberant masterpiece, firmly grounded in a sense of self-worth and belonging. This is a story—a poem, a song, a celebration— about feeling at home in one’s own beloved skin. BIO Samara Cole Doyon is both a second-generation Haitian American and a deeply rooted Mainer, with half of the roots of her family tree reaching generations deep into the soil of the Pine Tree State. She is a freelance writer, teacher, wife, and mother. She has been a regular contributor at Black Girl In Maine Media and has been featured in the “Deep Water” poetry column of the Portland Press Herald. Kaylani Juanita’s mission as an artist is to support the stories of the underrepresented and create new ways for people to imagine themselves. Her work has appeared at the Society of Illustrators and the BBC website, and she is the illustrator of the picture books Ta-Da! and the critically acclaimed When Aidan Became a Brother. She lives in the Bay Area in California. Look for her online at kaylanijuanita.com and @kaylanijuanita on Twitter and Instagram. REVIEWS “Absolutely lovely.” -- Jacqueline Woodson, author of Brown Girl Dreaming and Another Brooklyn “This celebration makes magic out of the everyday joys of being in the world.” -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “A magnificent paean to a varied hue.” -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Whether this delightful book is a mirror or a window for a child, it is a must-read for its celebration of love for oneself and one’s family.” -- School Library Journal (starred review) “Brown is never dreary or drab in this poetic exploration of its many expressions.” -- San Francisco Chronicle [H] Tilbury House Publishers / January 07, 2020 0.4" H x 10.1" L x 9.4" W (1.0 lbs) 32 pages For ages 7 to 10

CBC Recommended Book • School Library Journal Best Book of the Year • New York Public Library Best Picture Book of 2020 • Black Caucus of the American Library Association Best of the Best Book for 2020 • Boston Globe Best Book of the Year • Selected for Oprah Daily’s Twenty Diverse Kids’ Reads • A Teaching for Change selection • 2020 Lupine Award
Magnificent Homespun Brown is an exploration of the natural world and family bonds through the eyes of young, mixed-race heroines—a living, breathing, dazzlingly multifaceted, exuberant masterpiece, firmly grounded in a sense of self-worth and belonging. This is a story—a poem, a song, a celebration— about feeling at home in one’s own beloved skin.
BIO
Samara Cole Doyon is both a second-generation Haitian American and a deeply rooted Mainer, with half of the roots of her family tree reaching generations deep into the soil of the Pine Tree State. She is a freelance writer, teacher, wife, and mother. She has been a regular contributor at Black Girl In Maine Media and has been featured in the “Deep Water” poetry column of the Portland Press Herald.
Kaylani Juanita’s mission as an artist is to support the stories of the underrepresented and create new ways for people to imagine themselves. Her work has appeared at the Society of Illustrators and the BBC website, and she is the illustrator of the picture books Ta-Da! and the critically acclaimed When Aidan Became a Brother. She lives in the Bay Area in California. Look for her online at kaylanijuanita.com and @kaylanijuanita on Twitter and Instagram.
REVIEWS<meta charset="utf-8">
“Absolutely lovely.” -- Jacqueline Woodson, author of Brown Girl Dreaming and Another Brooklyn
“This celebration makes magic out of the everyday joys of being in the world.” -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“A magnificent paean to a varied hue.” -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Whether this delightful book is a mirror or a window for a child, it is a must-read for its celebration of love for oneself and one’s family.” -- School Library Journal (starred review)
“Brown is never dreary or drab in this poetic exploration of its many expressions.” -- San Francisco Chronicle
[H]  Tilbury House Publishers  /  January 07, 2020
<meta charset="utf-8">0.4" H x 10.1" L x 9.4" W (1.0 lbs) 32 pages
For ages 7 to 10

Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration /// Samara Cole Doyon, illustrations by Kaylani Juanita

Explore the fascinating history of America as told through the lens of food in this illustrated nonfiction middle grade book “sure to please history buffs and foodies alike” (BCCB, starred review) that lays out the diverse cultures that have combined to create the rich and delicious tapestry of the American country and cuisine.As American as apple pie. It’s a familiar saying, yet gumbo and chop suey are also American! What we eat tells us who we are: where we’re from, how we move from place to place, and how we express our cultures and living traditions.In twelve dishes that take readers from thousands of years ago through today, this book explores the diverse peoples and foodways that make up the United States. From First Salmon Feasts of the Umatilla and Cayuse tribes in the Pacific Northwest to fish fries celebrated by formerly enslaved African Americans, from “red sauce” Italian restaurants popular with young bohemians in the East to Cantonese restaurants enjoyed by rebellious young eaters in the West, this is the true story of the many Americas—laid out bite by bite. BIO Dr. Frederick Douglass Opie is a professor of history and foodways at Babson College, where he teaches courses such as “African American History and Foodways” and “Food and Civil Rights.” The author of Hog and Hominy: Soul Food from Africa to America, he also hosts a food history blog. Toni D. Chambers (she/her) is an electric lady born and raised in Southern New Haven, Connecticut. She earned her BFA in illustration at the University of Massachusetts. Currently, she is living her best life as an illustrator in Landover, Maryland. Born to Jamaican immigrant parents, Toni has always considered family, culture, and the arts prominent, inspiring forces in her life. She’s always wanted to be an artist, whether as a dancer, actress, or singer. Her passion for reading and storytelling led her to a career as an illustrator. REVIEWS “. . . Aronson and Freedman here set out a cultural anthropology of American cuisine sure to please history buffs and foodies alike. . . . There’s plenty of depth and context in each short chapter to leave readers satisfied, while end-of-chapter asides (dubbed 'Side Dishes') offer palette cleansers that focus mostly on the origins of specific foods.” -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, STARRED REVIEW "Rightly calling out the fallacy of regarding apple pie or any other food as quintessentially “American,” the authors have enlisted feedback from a squad of food historians to highlight dishes and cuisines that have earned significant places in this country’s story. . . . readers will come away with a food-forward overview of the “waves of prejudice and progress” that have characterized our multicultural history, not dating from 1492 or 1619 but from thousands of years ago." -- Kirkus Reviews “The text-heavy pages and an ample index will appeal to students researching history or food. Those reading for pleasure will be immersed in the captivating writing . . . A recommended purchase that will find a satisfied audience among tweens and teens researching food or American history.” -- School Library Journal “[This] book . . . represents other American food traditions, including those of European, Native American, and African influence. There’s a great deal of well-organized information here for readers intrigued by the history of food in North America.” -- Booklist [H] Antheneum Books for Young Readers / May 28, 2024 0.8" H x 8.3" L x 5.6" W (0.6 lbs) 176 pages [P] Antheneum Books for Young Readers / May 27, 2025 0.4" H x 7.63" L x 5.13" W (0.35 lbs) 176 pages For ages 12 to 15

Explore the fascinating history of America as told through the lens of food in this illustrated nonfiction middle grade book “sure to please history buffs and foodies alike” (BCCB, starred review) that lays out the diverse cultures that have combined to create the rich and delicious tapestry of the American country and cuisine. As American as apple pie. It’s a familiar saying, yet gumbo and chop suey are also American! What we eat tells us who we are: where we’re from, how we move from place to place, and how we express our cultures and living traditions. In twelve dishes that take readers from thousands of years ago through today, this book explores the diverse peoples and foodways that make up the United States. From First Salmon Feasts of the Umatilla and Cayuse tribes in the Pacific Northwest to fish fries celebrated by formerly enslaved African Americans, from “red sauce” Italian restaurants popular with young bohemians in the East to Cantonese restaurants enjoyed by rebellious young eaters in the West, this is the true story of the many Americas—laid out bite by bite.
BIO
<meta charset="utf-8">Dr. Frederick Douglass Opie is a professor of history and foodways at Babson College, where he teaches courses such as “African American History and Foodways” and “Food and Civil Rights.” The author of Hog and Hominy: Soul Food from Africa to America, he also hosts a food history blog.
<meta charset="utf-8">
Toni D. Chambers (she/her) is an electric lady born and raised in Southern New Haven, Connecticut. She earned her BFA in illustration at the University of Massachusetts. Currently, she is living her best life as an illustrator in Landover, Maryland. Born to Jamaican immigrant parents, Toni has always considered family, culture, and the arts prominent, inspiring forces in her life. She’s always wanted to be an artist, whether as a dancer, actress, or singer. Her passion for reading and storytelling led her to a career as an illustrator.
REVIEWS
“. . . Aronson and Freedman here set out a cultural anthropology of American cuisine sure to please history buffs and foodies alike. . . . There’s plenty of depth and context in each short chapter to leave readers satisfied, while end-of-chapter asides (dubbed 'Side Dishes') offer palette cleansers that focus mostly on the origins of specific foods.” -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, STARRED REVIEW
"Rightly calling out the fallacy of regarding apple pie or any other food as quintessentially “American,” the authors have enlisted feedback from a squad of food historians to highlight dishes and cuisines that have earned significant places in this country’s story. . . . readers will come away with a food-forward overview of the “waves of prejudice and progress” that have characterized our multicultural history, not dating from 1492 or 1619 but from thousands of years ago." -- Kirkus Reviews
“The text-heavy pages and an ample index will appeal to students researching history or food. Those reading for pleasure will be immersed in the captivating writing . . . A recommended purchase that will find a satisfied audience among tweens and teens researching food or American history.” -- School Library Journal
“[This] book . . . represents other American food traditions, including those of European, Native American, and African influence. There’s a great deal of well-organized information here for readers intrigued by the history of food in North America.” -- Booklist
[H]  Antheneum Books for Young Readers  /  May 28, 2024<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta charset="utf-8">0.8" H x 8.3" L x 5.6" W (0.6 lbs) 176 pages
[P]  Antheneum Books for Young Readers  /  May 27, 2025<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta charset="utf-8"><meta charset="utf-8">0.4" H x 7.63" L x 5.13" W (0.35 lbs) 176 pages 
For ages 12 to 15

Bite by Bite: American History Through Feasts, Foods, and Side Dishes /// Marc Aronson, Paul Freedman, Frederick Douglass Opie, Amanda Palacios, Tatum Willis and David Zheng, illustrations by Toni D. Chambers

Discover the true story of how environmentalist Farmer Tantoh is transforming the landscape in his home country of Cameroon. When Tantoh Nforba was a child, his fellow students mocked him for his interest in gardening. Today he’s an environmental hero, bringing clean water and bountiful gardens to the central African nation of Cameroon. Authors Miranda Paul and Baptiste Paul share Farmer Tantoh’s inspiring story. BIO Baptiste Paul grew up in St. Lucia, where at age seven he propagated a root cutting that still produces breadfruit for his family. He holds an Environmental Science degree and is the author of The Field, which received multiple starred reviews. His second picture book, Adventures to School, is also co-authored with Miranda Paul. Discover more at baptistepaul.com. Miranda Paul is the award-winning author of more than a dozen books for children, including One Plastic Bag and Boston Globe–Horn Book Honoree Nine Months Before a Baby Is Born. Miranda is a founding member of We Need Diverse Books and serves as its mentorship chair. In 2024 she received the Notable Wisconsin Authors Award for her contributions to children’s literature. Learn more at mirandapaul.com. [H] Millbrook Press / February 05, 2019 0.4" H x 10.8" L x 8.9" W (0.85 lbs) 32 pages For ages 7 to 9

Discover the true story of how environmentalist Farmer Tantoh is transforming the landscape in his home country of Cameroon.
When Tantoh Nforba was a child, his fellow students mocked him for his interest in gardening. Today he’s an environmental hero, bringing clean water and bountiful gardens to the central African nation of Cameroon. Authors Miranda Paul and Baptiste Paul share Farmer Tantoh’s inspiring story.
BIO
Baptiste Paul grew up in St. Lucia, where at age seven he propagated a root cutting that still produces breadfruit for his family. He holds an Environmental Science degree and is the author of The Field, which received multiple starred reviews. His second picture book, Adventures to School, is also co-authored with Miranda Paul. Discover more at baptistepaul.com.
Miranda Paul is the award-winning author of more than a dozen books for children, including One Plastic Bag and Boston Globe–Horn Book Honoree Nine Months Before a Baby Is Born. Miranda is a founding member of We Need Diverse Books and serves as its mentorship chair. In 2024 she received the Notable Wisconsin Authors Award for her contributions to children’s literature. Learn more at mirandapaul.com.
[H]  Millbrook Press  /  February 05, 2019<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta charset="utf-8">0.4" H x 10.8" L x 8.9" W (0.85 lbs) 32 pages
For ages 7 to 9

I Am Farmer: Growing an Environmental Movement in Cameroon /// Baptiste and Miranda Paul, illustrations by Elizabeth Zunon

“This series offers solid glimpses of faraway places, more poetry than a tour guide . . . evocative and inviting” – School Library Journal Mbote! Betuabu! Jambo! Come along for a day in DR Congo. Count the fish at the market, watch the cheeky bonobos, and finish the day with a story. Congolese author Nyoko and illustrator Avelino draw on their lived experiences to create this playful board book, which features educational endnotes, as part of the Our World series for very young readers BIO Mel Nyoko is a British Congolese writer and poet who loves to travel around the world and has a passion for storytelling. Her debut children’s picture book, For Our Daughters, was inspired by her own childhood. She lives in London with her husband. Joelle Avelino is a Congolese and Angolan Illustrator who grew up in the United Kingdom. Joelle worked on author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's debut picture book Mama's Sleeping Scarf, and also collaborated with Dapo Adeola to create Hey You! An Empowering Celebration Of Growing Up Black, winner of the British Book Awards Illustrated Book of the Year. [B] Barefoot Books / October 01, 2024 0.7" H x 6.4" L x 6.6" W (0.61 lbs) 20 pages For ages 2 to 3

“This series offers solid glimpses of faraway places, more poetry than a tour guide . . . evocative and inviting” – School Library Journal
Mbote! Betuabu! Jambo! Come along for a day in DR Congo. Count the fish at the market, watch the cheeky bonobos, and finish the day with a story. Congolese author Nyoko and illustrator Avelino draw on their lived experiences to create this playful board book, which features educational endnotes, as part of the Our World series for very young readers
BIO
Mel Nyoko is a British Congolese writer and poet who loves to travel around the world and has a passion for storytelling. Her debut children’s picture book, For Our Daughters, was inspired by her own childhood. She lives in London with her husband.
Joelle Avelino is a Congolese and Angolan Illustrator who grew up in the United Kingdom. Joelle worked on author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's debut picture book Mama's Sleeping Scarf, and also collaborated with Dapo Adeola to create Hey You! An Empowering Celebration Of Growing Up Black, winner of the British Book Awards Illustrated Book of the Year.
[B]  Barefoot Books  /  October 01, 2024<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta charset="utf-8">0.7" H x 6.4" L x 6.6" W (0.61 lbs) 20 pages
For ages 2 to 3

Our World: Democratic Republic of the Congo /// Mel Nyoko, illustrations by Joelle Avelino

Board Book

-- This title will ship on or after its release date: March 17, 2026 -- Ekaro! Let's spend a day in Nigeria! Visit the market, greet the teacher in three languages, and taste sweet fried plantains.“This series offers solid glimpses of faraway places, more poetry than a tour guide . . . evocative and inviting” – School Library JournalEkaro! Let's spend a day in Nigeria! Visit the market, greet the teacher in three languages, and taste sweet fried plantains. Even learn words in Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa with pronunciation guides throughout the story BIO Bunmi Emenanjo is an attorney, speaker, and entrepreneur. Born in the United States and raised in Nigeria, her childhood and culture inspire her writing. While Bunmi has had a vast legal career that includes public service from the FDA to the White House under the Biden administration, and now the private sector, writing is her passion. When she is not practicing law, Bunmi is reading, traveling, and writing stories that fill the heart and move the spirit. Her debut picture book, I’ll See You in Ijebu, published by Barefoot Books in March 2024, has earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, and was selected for the Read With Jenna Jr. Summer booklist and as one of the 100 Outstanding Picture books in the world by dPictus. Bunmi lives in Maryland with her husband, her three children, and a devoted Black Russian terrier named Shadow. [B] Barefoot Books / March 17, 2026 0.67" H x 6.5" L x 6.7" W (0.98 lbs) 20 pages For ages 2 to 5

-- This title will ship on or after its release date: March 17, 2026 --
<meta charset="utf-8">Ekaro! Let's spend a day in Nigeria! Visit the market, greet the teacher in three languages, and taste sweet fried plantains. “This series offers solid glimpses of faraway places, more poetry than a tour guide . . . evocative and inviting” – School Library Journal Ekaro! Let's spend a day in Nigeria! Visit the market, greet the teacher in three languages, and taste sweet fried plantains. Even learn words in Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa with pronunciation guides throughout the story 
BIO
Bunmi Emenanjo is an attorney, speaker, and entrepreneur. Born in the United States and raised in Nigeria, her childhood and culture inspire her writing. While Bunmi has had a vast legal career that includes public service from the FDA to the White House under the Biden administration, and now the private sector, writing is her passion. When she is not practicing law, Bunmi is reading, traveling, and writing stories that fill the heart and move the spirit. Her debut picture book, I’ll See You in Ijebu, published by Barefoot Books in March 2024, has earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, and was selected for the Read With Jenna Jr. Summer booklist and as one of the 100 Outstanding Picture books in the world by dPictus.
<meta charset="utf-8">Bunmi lives in Maryland with her husband, her three children, and a devoted Black Russian terrier named Shadow.
[B]  Barefoot Books  /  March 17, 2026<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta charset="utf-8">0.67" H x 6.5" L x 6.7" W (0.98 lbs) 20 pages
For ages 2 to 5

Our World: Nigeria /// Bunmi Emenanjo, illustrations by Diana Ejaita /// pre

Kwesi doesn't know how to swim... and discovers his grandmother doesn't either! Can they conquer their fear of water together with the help of the West African legend Mami Wata?"How about we make a deal?" Nana rubbed Kwesi's head. "I will learn to swim, if you do.""Deal!"Kwesi likes spending time at the lake with his friends, except there's one tiny problem... he can't swim. But guess what? Neither can Nana Ruby! When she comes over for dinner one night, she tells Kwesi about when she moved from Ghana to the US and the history of segregation that kept her out of pools and caused a fear of water among many Black people."So I will never learn how to swim?" Kwesi asks. But Nana Ruby tells him they will call on the strength of Mami Wata, the sea creature of West African legend, to conquer their fears together. This touching intergenerational story teaches the importance of naming, acknowledging and facing fears. End notes include more information on West African cultures, including the Akan people, day names, and adinkra symbols. Teaches kids about the history of segregation of public pools and beaches in an accessible way BIO Kobina Commeh moved from Ghana to the United States as a teenager. He is an avid reader who loved to scribble sequels to books he enjoyed when he was six years old. He was inspired to write stories for children while raising his two daughters. He still scribbles in his spare time. He works as a foot doctor and lives with his family in California, USA. REVIEWS “A wonderful story to show how it is possible to overcome our fears of doing something new by accepting help from others.” -- School Library Journal, starred review "The love between Kwesi and his grandmother is both powerful and empowering, and readers will be inspired to see not only a child but also an adult naming their fears and drawing on deep roots to help the family overcome historical obstacles and personal anxiety." -- Booklist, starred review "Writer Kobina Commeh shares a poignant story of resilience and courage across generations" -- Chicago Book Review “When Kwesi confides to his Nana Ruby that he is embarrassed by his inability to swim, she makes him a deal: if he learns to swim, she will, too” -- Foreword Reviews “An informative and celebratory, multigenerational story of swimming.” -- Kirkus Reviews "A bright, engaging, 5+ picture book about overcoming intergenerational fears." -- The Guardian [H] Barefoot Books / February 04, 2025 0.38" H x 10.83" L x 8.77" W (0.89 lbs) 32 pages For ages 6 to 8

Kwesi doesn't know how to swim... and discovers his grandmother doesn't either! Can they conquer their fear of water together with the help of the West African legend Mami Wata? "How about we make a deal?" Nana rubbed Kwesi's head. "I will learn to swim, if you do." "Deal!" Kwesi likes spending time at the lake with his friends, except there's one tiny problem... he can't swim. But guess what? Neither can Nana Ruby! When she comes over for dinner one night, she tells Kwesi about when she moved from Ghana to the US and the history of segregation that kept her out of pools and caused a fear of water among many Black people. "So I will never learn how to swim?" Kwesi asks. But Nana Ruby tells him they will call on the strength of Mami Wata, the sea creature of West African legend, to conquer their fears together. This touching intergenerational story teaches the importance of naming, acknowledging and facing fears.
<ul>
<li>End notes include more information on West African cultures, including the Akan people, day names, and adinkra symbols.</li>
<li>Teaches kids about the history of segregation of public pools and beaches in an accessible way</li>
</ul>
BIO
<meta charset="utf-8">Kobina Commeh moved from Ghana to the United States as a teenager. He is an avid reader who loved to scribble sequels to books he enjoyed when he was six years old. He was inspired to write stories for children while raising his two daughters. He still scribbles in his spare time. He works as a foot doctor and lives with his family in California, USA.
REVIEWS
 
“A wonderful story to show how it is possible to overcome our fears of doing something new by accepting help from others.” --  School Library Journal, starred review
"The love between Kwesi and his grandmother is both powerful and empowering, and readers will be inspired to see not only a child but also an adult naming their fears and drawing on deep roots to help the family overcome historical obstacles and personal anxiety." -- Booklist, starred review
"Writer Kobina Commeh shares a poignant story of resilience and courage across generations" -- Chicago Book Review
“When Kwesi confides to his Nana Ruby that he is embarrassed by his inability to swim, she makes him a deal: if he learns to swim, she will, too” -- Foreword Reviews
“An informative and celebratory, multigenerational story of swimming.” -- Kirkus Reviews
"A bright, engaging, 5+ picture book about overcoming intergenerational fears." -- The Guardian
[H]  Barefoot Books  /  February 04, 2025
 0.38" H x 10.83" L x 8.77" W (0.89 lbs) 32 pages
For ages 6 to 8

Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim /// Kobina Commeh, illustrations by Bárbara Quintino

Hello! Come along for a day in the United States. Enjoy a hearty Southern breakfast, play a pickup game of hoops in Chicago, and fall asleep under the estrellas in New Mexico with eight different characters from a wide variety of backgrounds across the country. Even learn words in from several of the most spoken spoken languages in the USA with pronunciation guides throughout the story. BIO Joëlle Retener (they/them) is a Kreyol American children’s author from the Washington, DC, metro area. A proud Spelman College graduate, Joëlle is passionate about sharing stories that celebrate Black pride and Queer joy. When they are not writing, you can find them gardening or tending to their small homestead. Joëlle lives in a cabin in the woods with their partner and three tiny humans. REVIEWS “This series offers solid glimpses of faraway places, more poetry than a tour guide . . . evocative and inviting” -- School Library Journal [B] Barefoot Books / March 25, 2025 0.67" H x 6.34" L x 6.75" W (0.7 lbs) 20 pages For ages 0 to 4

Hello! Come along for a day in the United States. Enjoy a hearty Southern breakfast, play a pickup game of hoops in Chicago, and fall asleep under the estrellas in New Mexico with eight different characters from a wide variety of backgrounds across the country. Even learn words in from several of the most spoken spoken languages in the USA with pronunciation guides throughout the story.
BIO
Joëlle Retener (they/them) is a Kreyol American children’s author from the Washington, DC, metro area. A proud Spelman College graduate, Joëlle is passionate about sharing stories that celebrate Black pride and Queer joy. When they are not writing, you can find them gardening or tending to their small homestead. Joëlle lives in a cabin in the woods with their partner and three tiny humans.
REVIEWS
“This series offers solid glimpses of faraway places, more poetry than a tour guide . . . evocative and inviting” -- School Library Journal
[B]  Barefoot Books  /  March 25, 2025
<meta charset="utf-8">0.67" H x 6.34" L x 6.75" W (0.7 lbs) 20 pages
For ages 0 to 4

Our World: USA /// Joëlle Retener, illustrations by Sarah Walsh

Chicago Public Library’s 2017 Best of the Best Books selection“A fine addition to book collections about families, food, counting, and joyous gatherings” — The Horn BookThis sweet, rhyming counting book introduces young readers to numbers one through ﬁfteen as Grandma’s family and friends ﬁll her tiny house on Brown Street. Neighbors, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and grandkids crowd into the house and pile it high with treats for a family feast.But when the walls begin to bulge and nobody has space enough to eat, one clever grandchild knows exactly what to do. BIO JaNay Brown-Wood, PhD, is an award-winning children’s author, poet, educator, scholar, and a former professor of Early Childhood Education and Child Development. Her first children’s book Imani’s Moon won the NAESP Children’s Book of the Year Award and was featured on Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show and Storytime with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and her second book Grandma’s Tiny House: A Counting Story! received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and won the CELI Read Aloud Book Award. JaNay is also the author of the popular picture book series Where in the Garden (Peachtree Publishing), four Chicken Soup for the Soul Babies/Kids books, Crayola’s Follow That Line! Magic at Your Fingertips (Running Press Kids, 2022), the Harriet Tubman Little Golden Book Biography, the Simone Biles Little Golden Book Biography and the New York Times Bestselling book Why Not You? (Penguin/Random House) which she collaborated with Ciara and Russell Wilson. She has many more books both published and forthcoming including titles in her chapter book series Love Puppies (Scholastic, 2023-2024), Jam, Too (Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Random House, 2024), and Mahogany (Charlesbridge, 2024) REVIEWS "A grandmother welcomes her family, friends, and neighbors into her small home, and everyone arrives with lots of food and energy. As the guests show up, Brown-Wood counts up to “15 hungry grandkids,” writing in breezy, confident rhymes: “Nine chatting aunties all head for the den,/ and set down the cheesecakes that add up to ten.” Burris introduces the mostly African-American cast in smudgy digital illustrations with crayonlike outlines, creating a vibe of good-natured chaos. With no room indoors, the party moves into the backyard: “Perfect in size, at the edge of Brown Street,/ sits Grandma’s backyard, where we all go to eat.” A warmhearted tribute to the messy joys of a big, impromptu gathering." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review "A fantastic feast unfolds as Grandma’s family gathers at her very small home.There are “TWO turkeys send[ing] scrumptious smells through the air,” “FOUR pots of hot greens and ham hocks galore.” And that’s just to start. Beyond the food, there are the bearers of all these treats. “SEVEN cool uncles stroll up in a line, / with EIGHT jugs of lemonade, ice-cold and fine.” This rhyming counting book features a large family with brown skin, mostly of the same shade with some slight variations in skin tone but lots of different hairstyles, body types, and looks. The party doesn’t seem to be celebrating any particular holiday, just an excuse for family, neighbors, and friends (there are a few white faces among the friends) to come together and enjoy a multigenerational summer day. But there is a problem accommodating everyone, and one of the “FIFTEEN hungry grandchildren,” a logical little girl with a yellow headband holding back her Afro, has the solution. She suggests using the backyard, and the party moves outside without skipping a beat. There is a great sense of movement and bustle, and Grandma’s cat and dog can be spotted in each double-page spread. Grandma’s lucky to have all these family members, and young readers are even luckier to be invited to this wonderful family gathering." -- Kirkus Reviews [H] Charlesbridge Publishing / August 08, 2017 0.5" H x 9.6" L x 8.7" W (0.85 lbs) 32 pages For ages 2 - 5

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