Reviews written by Kim Baccellia, Staff Reviewer

What worked: Powerful narrative about two Jewish friends and their experiences during the Holocaust. In 1944 Rubi is picked up and thrown into a prisoner camp. He tries to escape, but when captured is sent to concentration camps during WWII. His last one is the infamous Auschwitz camp. This is...

Sixteen-year-old Will Hughes's days as an actor come to a close right when he's whirled into the schemes of Queen Elizabeth. A son of traitors, he plays along, fearing a slip will end him up in prison or worse, dead. Along the way, he meets Lord James Bloomsbury. Even though...

What worked: Satisfying conclusion to the coming-of-age romance set in Taipei. In this case, this story is about Pearl, the sister of Ever. Pearl is a music prodigy whose heart is set to attend the Apollo, an exclusive New York Summer Symphony. After a social media blowup, Pearl is...

An insightful graphic novel that shows through time the beginnings of patriarchy and those who fought against it. This graphic novel starts with those who belittled women and the comments/beliefs that resulted in women being deemed not good enough. The historical figures include those like...

Fifteen-and-a-half-year-old Amani lives with her mother and feels out of place as the only plus-sized Black girl at her prominently white private school. Her father is a researcher and often is out on assignments. Then Amani sees a strange man stalking their home. After their home in L.A. is...

Seventeen-year-old Douglas can't remember a horrific event he was charged with. When an opportunity to attend a prestigious boarding school in the small town of Winslow, Vermont comes his way? His mother feels this might give them a second chance. But things aren't all they seem at this school. For...

What worked: I loved this fun picture book with a vampire who loves fashion but fears his 'secret' will have his friends reject him. Vlad loves black and feels fashionable except for one thing--his pink cheeks that he fears will make him appear 'horribly alive.' ...

What worked: Action-packed historical fantasy filled with magic, betrayal, and witch hunts. The research behind this engaging fantasy brings life to this witchy tale. The friends-to-enemies angle starts slow. At first, Fritzi hates all hexenjagers-witch hunters-especially after she witnesses her whole village and mother being...

What worked: Great collection of short stories with Black protagonists that range from modern-day to historical. There's something for everyone in this fun anthology. Here's a glimpse of a few of the stories: Drive Time by Lamar Giles where two...

What worked: Great collection of 100 mini-bios of diverse women that changed history. This is perfect for those who want to know more about the contributions of women in history. Even more, these are the stories of multicultural women that history books tend to forget. ...

What worked: Surreal trip down an Alice in Wonderland-like hotel complete with mystery and magic. This fantasy weaves into the story suspense and a ghostly-like atmosphere. An old hotel in Las Vegas offers much more than hospitality during an oncoming storm. Sixteen-year-old perfectionist Anna hates not being in control and...

Wil Greene demands to know what happened to her missing mother. No one takes her seriously, but when she finds hints that the local pastor of the Garden of Adam is involved in secretive activities? She is more determined to find out the truth. Her former friend Elwood, the son...

Royal Scandal continues with the ongoing story of American-born Evan Bright's life in the UK. She's only just discovered she's in fact the illegitimate daughter of the King. Now it's Christmas time and she's to spend time with the royal family at Sandringham, only some people, including royalty members, aren't...

Harlow Ford has been on the run with her mother Cora forever. After a tragedy, she is left with hints of the reasons why her mother was always on the run. Harlow goes to the place where it all started with more mysteries and secrets, including one that involves her....

What worked: Engaging fun-packed quest filled with equally fun illustrations that explore and address the age-old question: is there life beyond Earth? I really enjoyed how the author uses fun illustrations and facts to address that question. McAnulty uses scientific research and has a timeline of what has been accomplished...