Category Archives: Contemporary

Review: Serendipity by Gabbie Benda

By | | , , ,
2 Comments

Serendipity by Gabbie Benda

Serendipity
Gabbie Benda
Holiday House
Published February 10, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Serendipity

Serendipity is the luckiest kid in the world. But what happens when the luckiest kid in the world becomes extraordinarily unlucky, in this debut graphic novel.

Serendipity is your classic overachiever. She’s class president, lead in the school play, and star of the basketball team. She’s also incredibly lucky, like, wins everything all the time lucky, even random radio raffles.

Which is how she finds herself with free tickets to the town carnival where an accident curses her with bad luck FOREVER.

And just like that Serendipity’s luck really does seem to run out. Missed shots, fumbled lines, and a slip in … Continue reading →

Review: Lion Dancers by Cai Tse

By | | , , ,
Leave a comment

Lion Dancers by Cai Tse

Lion Dancers
Cai Tse
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published August 13, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Lion Dancers

Former best friends become bitter rivals when one returns to lion dancing after a long absence in this vibrant and heartfelt middle grade graphic novel perfect for fans of Haikyu!! and Fence.

Young Wei dreamed of being a legendary lion dancer just like his dad. With his best friend Hung performing as the tail and Wei controlling the head, he knew they could become the next generation of lion dance champions. But after his dad’s sudden passing, Wei abruptly quits … Continue reading →

Review: Some of Us Are Brave by Saadia Faruqi

By | | , ,
2 Comments

Some of Us Are Brave by Saadia Faruqi

Some of Us Are Brave
Saadia Faruqi
Quill Tree Books
Published February 10, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Some of Us Are Brave

From the acclaimed author of The Strongest Heart comes a stirring new novel from the perspectives of three very different kids who are navigating the waters of fear and friendship through the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey in Texas.

It’s a humid summer in Houston, Texas, and Yasir is dreaming of being soccer team captain—if only he could get the team bully, Cody, off his back, and maybe impress his sort-of-crush, Mona. Meanwhile, Mona is turning her nightmares into art, and Cody’s home life feels as … Continue reading →

Review: Mallory in Full Color by Elisa Stone Leahy

By | | , , ,
4 Comments

Mallory in Full Color by Elisa Stone Leahy

Mallory in Full Color
Elisa Stone Leahy
Quill Tree Books
Published November 19, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Mallory in Full Color

A funny, poignant middle grade novel about a tween who navigates questions of identity and friendship when her anonymous web comic goes viral, from the acclaimed author of Tethered to Other Stars.

Mallory Marsh is an expert at molding into whatever other people want her to be. Her true thoughts and feelings only come out in her sci-fi web comic, which she publishes anonymously as Dr. BotGirl.

But juggling all the versions … Continue reading →

Review: Mouse and His Dog by Katherine Applegate and Jennifer Choldenko

By | | , , ,
Leave a comment

Mouse and His Dog by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko

Mouse and His Dog (Dogtown #2)
Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko
Illustrated by Wallace West
Feiwel & Friends
Published September 17, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Mouse and His Dog

Mouse lives in Dogtown, a shelter for real dogs and robot dogs, where the kibble is plentiful, and the rafters hide a secret community of mice. His unlikely best friend is Buster, a big-hearted real dog who attracts trouble like a burr to fur.

Determined to help Buster find his forever home, even if means losing his best pal, Mouse embarks on a bold quest with … Continue reading →

Review: As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

By | | , , ,
Leave a comment

As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow
Zoulfa Katou
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published September 13, 2022

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow

A love letter to Syria and its people, As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is a speculative novel set amid the Syrian Revolution, burning with the fires of hope, love, and possibility. Perfect for fans of The Book Thief and Salt to the Sea.

Salama Kassab was a pharmacy student when the cries for freedom broke out in Syria. She still had her parents and her … Continue reading →