tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881232435740562612024-03-14T05:51:42.844-04:00Abby the LibrarianBy day, collection development librarian in Southern Indiana. By night, blogger extraordinaire.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comBlogger2224125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-30496616719664088822022-01-29T17:09:00.000-05:002022-01-29T17:09:27.646-05:00So, I'm Not Really Here Anymore... <p> It's been awhile. And I'm probably not posting here anymore. I don't have plans to delete this blog, although I will say that a lot of the stuff here is pretty darn dated (so use at your own risk, I guess!). </p><p>I haven't stopped writing. I'm just mostly writing for places that pay me now, to be honest. If you miss me, you can find me on the <a href="https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/category/bloggers/alsc-blogger-abby-johnson/">ALSC Blog</a> or <a href="https://www.slj.com/?authorName=Abby%20Johnson">School Library Journal</a> occasionally. If you use NoveList, you may see my name pop up in there sometimes, too. </p><p>Or feel free to follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/abbylibrarian">Twitter @abbylibrarian</a> (although I am not super great at Twitter either, honestly) or connect with me on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/53329-abby-johnson">GoodReads</a> (don't judge me for how behind on my reading goals I am and I promise I will never judge you for yours). </p><p>Blogging's been fun! It has helped me develop my writing and connect with the bookish community so much. It was a beloved hobby for many years and it's part of my professional foundation. It led to many cherished friendships and cool opportunities and I'll always, always be grateful for that.</p><p>Thanks for reading. </p>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-75781488532929886872021-04-24T16:03:00.004-04:002021-04-24T16:12:10.676-04:00How to Get Permission for StoryWalks<i>This post originally appeared on the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">ALSC Blog on April 7, 2021</a>. It is reposted here with permission. <br /></i><br />You can read my other posts about my library's StoryWalk here: <br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2019/07/our-first-storywalk.html">Our First StoryWalk</a></li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/02/hot-chocolate-storywalk.html">Hot Chocolate StoryWalk</a></li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/04/capitalize-on-your-storywalk-during.html">Capitalize on Your StoryWalk During Social Distancing</a></li></ul>Does your library have a <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">StoryWalk</a>®? Are you thinking of adding one? My library added ours in 2019 and our patrons LOVE IT! One question I get all the time is how to get publisher permission for StoryWalks®. Today, I’ll share what I’ve learned in the past 2 years.<div><br /><div><img src="https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/storywalk-520x650.jpeg" /></div><div>The first stop on our StoryWalk! Photo by Luis Munoz, used with permission.<br /><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">What is a StoryWalk®?</h3>A StoryWalk® is just what it sounds like. It’s a picture book presented on posts along a walking path or trail so that you read the story as you walk along the path. Started at the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, VT</a>, you can now find StoryWalks® all over the country. There are many posts about StoryWalks® on the ALSC Blog – check out the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">StoryWalk® tag</a> to see them all! I’ve written more about the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">Floyd County Library StoryWalk®</a> on my personal blog, so feel free to check that out, too. The original StoryWalk® calls for books to be physically disassembled and the pages laminated and posted to avoid violating the title’s copyright. But if you would like to scan or screen capture and reprint the book (which is a lot easier if you have someone who knows how to do it), you’ll need permission for StoryWalks®.</div><div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">How do I get permission for StoryWalks®?</h3>Ask the publisher! The first step is figuring out what company has published the title you want to use. Check the copyright information in the book and it should list the publisher. Be aware that many larger publishers have multiple imprints, so Google is your friend. You want to find the parent publishing company. That’s who you’ll need to ask for permission. Once you’ve determined the publisher of the title, check their website for a page titled Permissions. I have sometimes found this under a Contact Page. If all else fails, you could do a web search for [publisher’s name] + permissions and hopefully that will get you to the right place.<br /><br />I have also had some success with contacting the library marketing contact I have at a publisher. That’s something you can try if you’re having trouble figuring out who to ask. They likely can’t grant you permission for StoryWalks® themself, but they often will be able to quickly get you to the right person. And the blog Early Word has a really handy list of <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">children’s library marketing contacts</a> if you need it.</div><div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Every publisher treats StoryWalks® differently</h3>Some publishers will have an online form you can fill out. Some will ask you send your request in writing by email. If you’re sending in your request, it’s helpful to include the full title and author’s name, the ISBN of the book, and the publishing imprint. The publisher may also need to know the address where the book will be displayed and the dates you intend to display it.<br /><br />I don’t think I’ve filled out any publisher permission forms that actually listed StoryWalk® as an intended use. You may need to get creative and select whichever option is closest to what you need. I believe every online form I’ve seen includes space somewhere where you can describe your project. That’s a great place to include information about your StoryWalk®.</div><div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Some publishers charge for permissions</h3>Most of the publishers I have approached have granted permission for StoryWalks® for free. Some publishers list a charge on their website, but I have been granted gratis permission by approaching them through a library marketing contact.</div><div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Plan ahead because it can take some time!</h3>In my experience, some publishers are quicker to respond than others. Prepare for it to take a number of weeks or months for a publisher to get back with you. (Just like you and me, they have a lot of tasks on their to-do lists!)</div><div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">And a caveat…</h3>I am still learning this process myself and I have not worked with every publisher. Since I have not worked with every publisher, I am not going to get more specific with details about what which publishers do or don’t do here. If in doubt, reach out to them and ask!</div><div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">What questions do you have?</h3>I know you probably have more questions about StoryWalks®, so let’s hear them! Or if you have a StoryWalk® at your library, I’d love to hear your advice, tips, and tricks! Feel free to share in comments. And happy StoryWalk®ing!</div></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-55267135187921871402021-01-20T07:11:00.001-05:002021-01-20T07:11:00.985-05:00A Game of Fox and Squirrels<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781250243010?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/010/243/9781250243010.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781250243010?aff=abbylibrarian">A Game of Fox and Squirrels</a> by Jenn Reese. Grades 5-8. Henry Holt, 2020. 224 pages. Review copy provided by my local library. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Eleven-year-old Sam and her older sister Caitlin have just arrived in Oregon to stay with their aunt and her wife after an incident shattered their family in California. Sam misses her parents and is desperate to get back to her life in LA and start school with all her friends. She knows things weren't always the best with her family, but she was managing fine, thank you, and she doesn't want to be here in Oregon. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So when a talking fox appears to her with a deal, Sam agrees. She'll do what the fox asks in order to earn the Golden Acorn that will grant her one wish - a wish for things to go back to how they were before. But somehow the rules keep changing and Sam will have to figure out how far she will go to please the fox and what she is willing to sacrifice. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is a dark magical tale about a girl navigating life with a foster family after being removed from her abusive home. Sam's game with the fox and his squirrel emissaries mirrors the game she played for years with her abusive father. She never know when the rules will change or what will set him off or what she might have to sacrifice next. This isn't an easy read, but it's a powerful read and could be a necessary read for some. I don't have a ton of knowledge about foster kids, but I have a little bit and what I read rings true with my experiences (such as they are). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Readalikes: </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984815682?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/682/815/FC9781984815682.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pair this with another stellar book that came out this year, <a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/08/fighting-words.html">Fighting Words</a> by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, which offers a similarly searing, but realistic take on abuse and foster care life. </div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-37241357064421427622021-01-18T07:11:00.000-05:002021-01-18T07:11:00.161-05:00ACPL's (Virtual!) Mock Newbery<p> Last year, I had the immense pleasure to travel to Fort Wayne, Indiana (about a 4 hour trek from my home in Southern Indiana) to attend the Allen County Public Library's Mock Newbery discussion. I had been one time before and it's always been a really great program. It's such a fun experience to get together with like-minded book lovers and talk in depth about some of the best books of the year. </p><p>This year, due to COVID, the discussion is taking place virtually, mirroring the work the actual committees are doing right this very moment. I'm very excited that I get to take part in the discussion once again and I'm really excited to see how the discussion will work virtually. </p><p>These are the titles that we'll be discussion on Saturday afternoon this year with links to any that I've blogged about. I have some personal favorites that I'll be discussing a bit on Wednesday, and I'd love to know your top contenders for the Youth Media Awards!</p><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780374312992?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/992/312/FC9780374312992.JPG" /></a><div><br />All He Knew by Helen Frost (Indiana author!)<div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780399545436?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/436/545/FC9780399545436.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/08/before-ever-after.html">Before the Ever After</a> by Jacqueline Woodson<br /><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781626726314?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/314/726/FC9781626726314.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div>Black is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780316493802?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/802/493/FC9780316493802.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div>Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes<br /><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984837356?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/356/837/FC9781984837356.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div> <a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/04/the-blackbird-girls.html">The Blackbird Girls</a> by Anne Blankman</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780763691561?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/561/691/FC9780763691561.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div>Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780525555568?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/568/555/FC9780525555568.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div>Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk<br /><br /><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984815682?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/682/815/FC9781984815682.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/08/fighting-words.html">Fighting Words</a> by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062875853?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/853/875/FC9780062875853.JPG" /></a><div><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/08/from-desk-of-zoe-washington.html">From the Desk of Zoe Washington</a> by Janae Marks</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781250243010?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/010/243/FC9781250243010.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div>A Game of Fox and Squirrels by Jenn Reese</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781250143174?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/174/143/FC9781250143174.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div>Go With the Flow by Karen Schneemann & Lily Williams</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338356281?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/281/356/FC9781338356281.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div>Kent State by Deborah Wiles</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781101938096?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/096/938/FC9781101938096.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div>The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781328781505?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/505/781/FC9781328781505.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/02/prairie-lotus.html">Prairie Lotus</a> by Linda Sue Park</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338255812?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/812/255/FC9781338255812.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div>Show Me a Sign by Anne Clare LeZotte</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781250171122?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/122/171/FC9781250171122.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div>Snapdragon by Kat Leyh</div><div><br /><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780763660079?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/079/660/FC9780763660079.JPG" /></a></div><div><br />The Summer We Found the Baby by Amy Hest</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781547600564?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/564/600/FC9781547600564.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div>Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson</div><div><br /><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780525553908?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/908/553/FC9780525553908.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/02/when-stars-are-scattered.html">When Stars are Scattered</a> by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed</div><div><br /><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781524715700?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/700/715/FC9781524715700.JPG" /></a></div><div><br />When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller<br /><br /></div></div></div></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-28668044485819699592021-01-15T07:11:00.000-05:002021-01-15T07:11:00.373-05:00The Light in Hidden Places<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338355932?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/932/355/9781338355932.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338355932?aff=abbylibrarian">The Light in Hidden Places</a> by Sharon Cameron. Grades 7+ Scholastic, 2020. 400 pages. Review copy provided by publisher. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>If someone needed your help, would you give it? Even if it could cost you your life? Stefania Podgórska was a teenager when she started hiding Jews in her tiny apartment in Poland during WWII. It started with a close friend and as more and more people needed her help, she ended up with 13 Jews hiding in her attic. It was a life or death situation for them and a life or death situation for Stefania - she would be shot by the Gestapo if anyone ever found out. She worked night and day to keep everyone fed and safe. And then the Nazis showed up at her door and commandeered her apartment. Two Nazi nurses who worked at the hospital across the street were moving in to her second bedroom. Stefania had no choice, she had to let them stay there. And she had to hope that they never discovered the 13 Jews living right above their heads. </div><div><br /></div><div>This absorbing historical novel is based on a true story about a real woman and it was Reese Witherspoon's December YA book club pick. It is definitely a fascinating story and if you love historical fiction that you can really sink your teeth into, this is a great one to pick up. It takes place over a number of years during WWII as Stefania moves to the city from her family farm and starts working for a Jewish family running a shop. As the war moves in and her employers find themselves in increasing danger, Stefania has to grow up quick and make a lot of decisions about what she will do. The hook in this booktalk doesn't happen until about three quarters of the way through, but I was so interested and invested in Stefania's story that I found myself completely absorbed. </div><div><br /></div><div>Author Sharon Cameron has done her research and includes a section at the end with photos of the real Stefania and information about what happened to her and her family after the war. This is a story about a little-known hero of WWII that needed to be told. It's teen, appropriate for middle school and up, and has a ton of adult crossover appeal. I added a short booktalk of this title to my Wowbrary email this week and it immediately got 5 new holds, even though it's not a new book. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Readalikes:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780316260633?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/633/260/FC9780316260633.JPG" /></a><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780375842207?aff=abbylibrarian"> <img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/207/842/FC9780375842207.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Pick this one up if you've enjoyed immersive historical fiction like <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780375842207?aff=abbylibrarian">The Book Thief</a> by Markus Zusak or <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780316260633?aff=abbylibrarian">The Girl in the Blue Coat</a> by Monica Hesse. </div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-52720727463075781122021-01-13T07:11:00.000-05:002021-01-13T07:11:00.371-05:00Reading Resolutions<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3U9jK4L8O2Mh9iH2_21BehGz7xLITrTPdBnofOdCzD1oSSXr7r74CiY4HiYqJoZQgqJWq604PPC-_RKTQsFobKK_oOiZyYNIhxIb72lPVQTlcWXkaP5uMtYdRoAS5ck3L6i82eBjv5bb/s640/design.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3U9jK4L8O2Mh9iH2_21BehGz7xLITrTPdBnofOdCzD1oSSXr7r74CiY4HiYqJoZQgqJWq604PPC-_RKTQsFobKK_oOiZyYNIhxIb72lPVQTlcWXkaP5uMtYdRoAS5ck3L6i82eBjv5bb/s320/design.png" /></a></div><br /> Happy 2021! It's definitely a year like no other. Maybe you feel like this is a year to give yourself some grace and take it easy. Maybe you feel optimistic about changes you want to make. Are you planning on making some reading resolutions this year? <p></p><p>As you can see, I'm already late to the game, but part of my plan for the year is to practice grace for myself. If 2020 taught me anything it's that being uber-focused on productivity and optimization is not the best. Sometimes you need some space to take a breath, to rest, to refocus, or just to get through your day.</p><p>That said, I do have some reading goals for myself this year, and I'm curious what yours are (if you have any - it's totally fine if you do not!). </p><p>But first... deep breath and <a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2019/12/reading-resolutions-for-2020.html">let's look back at last year's reading resolutions</a>...</p><p><b>40% of the books I read will be own-voices by diverse authors.</b> </p><p>Okay, as far as I tracked, I read 122 books by diverse authors, which is only about 23%. Part of this resolution was to be more intentional about tracking and I absolutely did not do that. If I had tracked and checked on myself each month like I had intended, I bet I would have done better with this.</p><p><b>500 books read and tracked on GoodReads this year.</b></p><p>Yes! I did this! I started tracking picture books to help with my NoveList work and even though I got super way behind in the spring, I caught back up by the end of the year and finished with 529 books tracked in GoodReads. </p><p><b>Continue my <a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/search/label/romance%20project">romance project</a> for another year. </b></p><p>Okay, I did read nine romance books in 2020, most of them romcoms. I did not do anything to track them or log them or really review them (outside <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/53329-abby-johnson">GoodReads</a>), but I read a bunch of books I really enjoyed. I'm calling that success. And I may revisit the romance project in 2021. </p><p><b>Read at least two pre-pub titles each month. </b></p><p>Hahahaha, no way. I've been really bad at this. I absolutely did not make this goal. I miiiight have read 24 pre-pub titles over the course of the year, but honestly probably not. </p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">So, let's look ahead to 2021 (as scared as we might be about that...)</span></b></div><p>My biggest thing this year is giving myself grace. I realized what it's like to live through trauma this year (very privileged trauma, yes). And although I love reading, it's not important enough to be something to stress out about. I'm going to set some goals for myself because I like to have projects to work on, but I also have some non-reading projects going on this year and we're striving for balance and reasonable expectations. I have already hit library book bankruptcy where I just return ALL my checked out books and start over with a clean slate once this year. </p><p><b>Read more teen books</b>. </p><p>Now that I have turned over adult collection responsibilities to my new collection development librarian, I can let myself more fully concentrate on youth materials. And one area that I know I need to step it up is teen literature. According to GoodReads, I read 28 teen books in 2020 and I'd like to do better this year. Let's try to <b>read at least 36 teen books in 2021</b>. </p><p><b>Try the <a href="https://ailanet.org/readnative21/">Read Native Challenge</a> from the American Indian Library Association</b>. </p><p>It's been a minute since I attempted a reading challenge that gives specific categories for titles, but when I saw this one pop up, I wanted to give it a try. It dovetails with my always-goal to read diversely and I've been trying to add more Native writers into my reading life over the past few years. I'm not sure if I'll be able to complete the adult challenge with adult titles, so I may shoot for some kind of hybrid or use the adult challenge prompts but with teen and children's titles. I'm sure I won't be eligible for any prizes, but that's okay since I have intrinsic motivation for wanting to do this challenge. </p><p><b>Read and track at least 500 books in GoodReads again.</b> </p><p>I did find tracking picture books and logging everything in GoodReads to be helpful. It was surprisingly helpful when I went to compose my 12 Days of Giving book lists this year. So I think that's a good goal and my hope is that I will easily be able to hit 500 books logged (including lots of picture books!). Of course, that's counting on no trauma-inducing shut-down work-from-home months to put me behind again. WE'LL SEE. </p><p>And other areas that I may not make "official" goals, but you may see some blog posts about this year... I have enjoyed reading romance and I'm going to embrace that and encourage it. You may see some romance project updates from me this year since I think that would be fun. And one of my non-reading goals is to cook 50 new recipes this year, so of course I started out the year by checking out a ton of cookbooks. It might be fun to blog about some of the cookbooks I'm discovering and trying out. No promises, but maybe! </p><p>And that's it for 2021 Reading Resolutions. How about you? Are you setting any reading resolutions? Or even just casual goals for yourself (if resolutions maybe feel like a bit much coming off of 2020)? </p><p><br /></p>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-22498877838945556352020-12-21T13:33:00.001-05:002020-12-21T13:33:11.346-05:00Happy Merry!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYmWkH8-PasBW6cC7wsnuoMJltXQzyFF-Xw-XFTcwDH1ycrsN_eZQxU9urEOiBQz5-xWA2C7Qu-_p0Pz7NRzvv4qyxvD99mpkV7_cqDMTkvATIyoiS2AUrpsu6ecmF3_fLnSIGbBWGG6N/s640/IMG_3580.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYmWkH8-PasBW6cC7wsnuoMJltXQzyFF-Xw-XFTcwDH1ycrsN_eZQxU9urEOiBQz5-xWA2C7Qu-_p0Pz7NRzvv4qyxvD99mpkV7_cqDMTkvATIyoiS2AUrpsu6ecmF3_fLnSIGbBWGG6N/s320/IMG_3580.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><p>I'm not gonna lie, one of the nicest things about having a more "behind the scenes" job is being able to schedule time off basically whenever I want. There are a lot of things I miss about being a front-lines children's librarian, but having to work at least part of every Christmas or New Years due to winter break coverage and allowing my staff time for vacations is NOT one of the things I miss. </p><p>So I take advantage of that most years now and I'm currently off work until January 4. Honestly, for us it's a good time of year to be off as our business office is busily closing up the books, lots of my vendor contacts are also home with their families, and our ordering is paused until next year anyway. </p><p>Of course, I'll be working here and there on committee work and side-gig stuff, but I'm also trying to take some time to relax and unwind. The next two weeks I'll be playing Animal Crossing, reading books, probably doing some writing, hopefully cleaning out some closets and dressers, doing lots of cooking, and just generally puttering around. </p><p>I hope you have a holiday season as happy and restful as can possibly be expected and I'll see you here around the new year to talk about some reading resolutions. </p>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-32957287844718550132020-12-18T07:11:00.000-05:002020-12-18T07:11:00.977-05:00The Alphabet's Alphabet<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780316266628?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/628/266/9780316266628.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780316266628?aff=abbylibrarian">The Alphabet's Alphabet</a> by Chris Harris, illustrated by Dan Santat. Ages 5-8. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2020. Review copy provided by my local library. </div><p>This is not your toddler's alphabet book. Designed for an older set who are already familiar and comfortable with letter shapes, this book plays with how letters can look like other letters, imagining creative ways to connect them. In rhyming text, the book goes through every letter of the alphabet, explaining how it's related to another letter. Dan Santat's bright, expressive artwork really brings this book to life and makes it so much fun. </p><p>Most of these connections are super clever and readers could easily imagine them even without the illustrations to guide them "A B is a D with its belt on too tight" Some depend more heavily on the illustrations, like "An R is a K with a mask where its face is", which shows a K wrestler wearing a luchador mask that covers the top part of its "head". Overall, this book is really great fun and kids will enjoy puzzling out the shapes of each of the letters and then coming up with their own ideas for connecting different letters. While I think kids already comfortable with letters will get the most out of this book on their own, it might be fun to read it with younger children and help them see the different letter shapes in the illustrations.</p><p>I would hand this to elementary age picture book readers who enjoy other books that play around with letters like <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781452136424?aff=abbylibrarian">E-Mergency</a> by Tom Lichtenheld, <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780399246012?aff=abbylibrarian">Al Pha's Bet</a> by Amy Kraus Rosenthal or <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780525554028?aff=abbylibrarian">Every Little Letter</a> by Deborah Underwood. </p>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-68536356135474277212020-12-16T07:11:00.000-05:002020-12-16T07:11:00.952-05:00#LibFaves20, Reading Challenges, and Other Goings On<p> It's a wonderful time of year - the time to celebrate all the amazing books that have come out over the past year and look forward to what next year's reading will bring. </p><p>One thing that's been bringing me joy this past week is the annual LibFaves voting on Twitter. Follow the hashtag <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23libfaves20&src=typed_query&f=live">#LibFaves20</a> to see library workers' top 10 books of 2020. Since December 7, library workers have been shouting about one book a day with volunteer tabulators keeping tallies of the titles that have been mentioned. While it's centered on adult books, some folks are including YA and children's books, too. </p><p>I'm eagerly following the hashtag because I have two Audible credits I need to use in the next month and I'm in need of great audiobooks to motivate my morning runs in the cold, so I'm keeping my eyes on what everyone is loving best this year. The fully tabulated list will be posted on <a href="https://www.earlyword.com/">EarlyWord</a> when it's ready, so keep a look out for that! </p><p>Another wonderful thing about this time of year is that the 2021 book challenges are starting to come out. I haven't participated in a book challenge in awhile and I doubt that 2021 will be the year for me. But I still love to see the prompts and challenges that others are undertaking. Do your patrons know about and participate in reading challenges? This might be a fun thing to share with them, especially this year when everyone's looking for socially distanced things to do. Challenges I love to spy on are: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://bookriot.com/read-harder-2021/">Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge</a> (I completed the Read Harder Challenge one year and one year only and I'm still proud of it)</li><li><a href="https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/reading-challenge-2021-47892177">POPSUGAR's 2021 Reading Challenge</a> (and I love their focus on tackling your To-Be-Read list!)</li></ul><div>I have a January blog post for our staff blog devoted to highlighting some reading challenges because I think some of our patrons might enjoy them. Reading challenges might not be on their radars, so I like to spread the word. </div><div><br /></div><div>And it's not reeeeally a challenge (although it does have challenge elements this year!), but <a href="https://everyday-reading.com/reading-log-printable/">Everyday Reading's printable 2021 Reading Log</a> was just released this week. If I could picture a place in my house where I could spread this out and color it (and if I could picture myself actually devoting time to keeping up with it), I would be ordering a large print of this gorgeous reading log. If you're in need of some stress relief coloring, I highly recommend checking it out! I'm almost convincing myself to give it a shot here. Maybe. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also not really a "challenge", but another exciting reading thing happening right now is all the Mock Newbery discussions. I won't say I'm HAPPY about this because I hate the reasons behind it, but my favorite Mock Newbery run by the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne is going virtual this year on Zoom. It's 4 hours away from me, so I wasn't going to make it in person this year, but once they pivoted to virtual, I signed myself up. I'm approaching it with excitement and anxiety - what will a Zoom book discussion look like?! I guess we'll find out! And will I be able to finish (and reread?) all the books before our meeting? I'm going to give it my very best shot. </div><div><br /></div><div>School Library Journal's <a href="https://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/">Heavy Medal Blog</a> is also going with full force this year. Now's the time to be reading those 2020 books to be prepared to make ALL THE COMMENTS during the Youth Media Awards webcast on Monday, January 25. </div><div><br /></div><div>Are you following any Mock Awards this year? Are there any </div><p></p>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-78117775291728528592020-12-14T07:11:00.001-05:002020-12-14T07:28:02.173-05:00Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780525552864?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/864/552/9780525552864.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780525552864?aff=abbylibrarian">Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer</a> by Gillian Goerz. Grades 4-7. Dial, 2020. 224 pages. Review copy provided by publisher. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jamila's pretty sure that her summer is ruined. Her mom wants to send her to camp, but all Jamila wants to do is shoot hoops. When Jamila meets Shirley at a neighborhood yard sale, the girls strike up a tentative friendship and convince both their mothers to let them hang out together this summer. Jamila will get all the time she wants at the b-ball court, she just has to hang out with Shirley, who is nice, even if she's a bit odd. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When a neighborhood kid shows up asking for Shirley's help in finding his missing pet gecko, Shirley is on the case and Jamila finds herself helping, too. But when Shirley starts taking the case too seriously and their new partnership hits a rough patch, Jamila's not sure that their new deal is working out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Enola Holmes meets Shannon Hale in this graphic novel mystery that will please detective fans as well as fans of contemporary friendship stories. Shirley is a Sherlock-Holmes-ian detective and kids will enjoy looking for clues and learning about how she solves her cases. Middle grade readers will also relate to the girls' struggle to figure out a new friendship. I really enjoyed getting to know both characters and the realistic Toronto setting. </div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-77655219103885043282020-12-11T07:11:00.000-05:002020-12-11T07:11:05.365-05:00Twins<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338236132?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/132/236/9781338236132.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338236132?aff=abbylibrarian">Twins</a> by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright. Grades 3-6. Scholastic, 2020. 256 pages. Review copy provided by publisher. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Twins Maureen and Francine have always done everything together, but now they're starting middle school and they don't have one class together. Shy Maureen has trouble standing up for herself and making her voice heard and without her sister by her side, she's feeling lost as she navigates the all-new waters of sixth grade. Who will she eat lunch with? How will she survive Cadet Corp when she can't figure out the marching formations? <div><br /></div><div>When Maureen discovers that Francine <i>asked</i> their parents to put them in separate classes and that her parents <i>requested</i> she be placed in Cadet Corp to help build her self-confidence, she feels betrayed by her entire family. In a fit of rage, she signs up to run against Francine for sixth grade president. At first she enters the race just because she feels angry, but as she works on her platform she begins to feel like she can make a difference at her school. But how can shy Maureen win against charismatic Francine? And does she have the strength to make her voice heard, even if it shakes?</div><div><br /></div><div>I loved this relateable own-voices graphic novel and I think it has high appeal to readers of realistic contemporary comics. Call your fans of Raina Telgemeier or Terri Libenson because they're going to want to check this one out, too. Lots of kids have trouble adjusting to middle school, so readers who are going through their own friendship or self-confidence struggles will identify with Maureen's story. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-53251491935530445512020-12-09T07:11:00.001-05:002020-12-09T07:11:00.651-05:00A Place at the Table <div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780358116684?aff=abbylibrarian" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/684/116/9780358116684.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780358116684?aff=abbylibrarian">A Place at the Table</a> by Saadia Faruqi & Laura Shovan. Grades 4-7. Clarion Books, 2020. 336 pages. Review copy provided by publisher. </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;">Calling all young chefs! This is a really sweet, contemporary story about two very different middle school girls who meet at an after-school cooking club and become friends due to their shared love of cooking. </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;">Sara is new at school, having attended a local Muslim school up through fifth grade. She's not happy about switching schools and some of the kids are giving her a tough time because she's not white. She's not thrilled about having to tag along to the after school cooking classes her mom has started teaching, but there's nowhere else for her to go, so she sits in the back. But when fellow sixth grader Elizabeth needs a partner, Sara steps out from the shadows and joins her at her table. </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;">Elizabeth is struggling at home. After the death of her grandmother in England, her mom has been really depressed and that means that a lot of stuff around the house - including cooking - is not getting done. So Elizabeth joined this cooking class, hoping to learn some recipes to help out at home. While some of the kids in the class object to the Pakistani food that Sara's mom is teaching them, Elizabeth loves it. And when she learns that Sara's mom is studying for the American citizenship test just like her own British mom, Elizabeth is inspired to match up their moms. Maybe having a study buddy will help her mom take the test seriously and making a friend might keep her from wanting to move back to England. </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;">This book hits all the sweet spots in a realistic contemporary friendship story. It reminded me so much of the books I loved to read as a kid. It's mostly about the budding friendship between Sara and Elizabeth and how both of them grow as they get to know each other, but it tackles some tough topics like mental health and racism within the story. It's written with own-voices cultural details about both Sara's Pakistani-American household and Elizabeth's Jewish household. Both Sara and Elizabeth learn a lot from each other, not the least of which is to stand up for each other and what being an ally really means. </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;">And since the book is set in a cooking class, of course it contains lots of yummy details about the recipes they learn to make and the experimentation the friends undertake to develop a fusion recipe for a contest. It definitely made me hungry while I was reading and I think kids who are into cooking and baking would really enjoy this aspect of the story. </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;">Hand to young foodies who enjoy contemporary friendship stories. </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;">Readalikes: </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780142426364?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/364/426/FC9780142426364.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780142426364?aff=abbylibrarian">All Four Stars</a> by Tara Dairman (Penguin, 2014). Young foodies will enjoy both books about tween girls who are rock stars in the kitchen. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780545846615?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/615/846/FC9780545846615.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780545846615?aff=abbylibrarian">Save Me a Seat</a> by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan (Scholastic, 2016). This book, which is also told in alternating voices and written by own-voices authors, is about two culturally diverse boys who become unlikely friends when they're united against the same bully. Readers who enjoy stories about two very different kids finding common ground and becoming friends may like this one, too. </div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-22531810436967718742020-12-07T07:11:00.000-05:002020-12-07T07:11:02.282-05:00Cozy Picture Books for Winter Sharing<p> I've long been on the lookout for cozy picture books that capture the feeling of a winter sunset. You know, the light's all pink and gold, outside is hushed with snow or cold and crisp with the anticipation of snow, and you're cozy inside, bundled up and looking out. Books like that make me feel all hygge and I have finally come up with enough titles to put together a decent book list. Whether you're hunkered down with your own kids at home or putting together the coziest winter storytime known to humankind, these books will fit the bill. </p><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780374319038?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/038/319/FC9780374319038.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780374319038?aff=abbylibrarian">Dusk</a> by Uri Shulevitz (Farrer, Straus, & Giroux, 2013). I love, love, love the way the rich colors in Shulevitz's illustrations mirror the beautiful winter light of dusk in winter. This one has very slight references to winter holidays in the illustrations that depict a city street with Christmas and Hanukkah displays in the windows, but is otherwise secular. If you like this one, you may also want to check out Shulevitz's book <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780374370923?aff=abbylibrarian">Snow</a>, another of my favorites for winter storytimes. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781534462380?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/380/462/FC9781534462380.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781534462380?aff=abbylibrarian">Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light</a> by Apryl Stott (Simon & Schuster, 2020). Coco and Bear are good friends, but not everyone in the forest believes that a big, giant bear could be kind and gentle. When the two friends set out to spread cheer with gifts, they learn that the best way to share light is to help someone with no expectations in return. Between the dusk settling over the forest and their cozy gift of lanterns, the delicate illustrations in this book definitely give me that hygge feeling and the message of the story will warm the coldest heart. <br /><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781101919217?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/217/919/FC9781101919217.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781101919217?aff=abbylibrarian">Snow Falls</a> by Kate Gardner, illustrated by Brandon James Scott (Tundra, 2020). Oh, the skies in this book! With super simple text and the saturated pinks and golds in the illustrations, I knew this was a book for this list the second I opened it. This one would make a great addition to toddler storytimes because the text is so short and simple, but the illustrations give lots of winter activities that you can talk about with older kids, too. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780670654000?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/000/654/FC9780670654000.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780670654000?aff=abbylibrarian">The Snowy Day</a> by Ezra Jack Keats (Viking, 1962). This classic Caldecott-winner is one of my all-time favorite picture books and the beautiful pinks and blues of the snowy pictures are a big reason. <br /><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780152049676?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/676/049/FC9780152049676.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780152049676?aff=abbylibrarian">Winter is the Warmest Season</a> by Lauren Stringer (HMH, 2006). This beautiful and creative picture book talks about all the ways that winter can be the warmest season. From enjoying hot cocoa to bundling up in sweaters, there's lots of ways that winter is warm. If you're cozied up inside, this might be perfect reading. </div></div></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-90280602456709310032020-12-04T07:11:00.000-05:002020-12-04T07:11:00.393-05:00Lila and Hadley<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338306095?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/095/306/9781338306095.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338306095?aff=abbylibrarian">Lila and Hadley</a> by Kody Keplinger. Grades 4-7. Scholastic, 2020. 256 pages. Review copy provided by publisher. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This summer is not at all like Hadley hoped it would be. Instead of hanging out with her friends, she's moving to a new town in a new state to live with her sister after their mother goes to prison. To make matters worse, her pigmentosa retinitis is finally bad enough that her sister wants her to take mobility classes and learn how to navigate the world as if she has no sight at all. Hadley resists the classes just like she's resisted the move. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And when Hadley meets Lila, a surly shelter dog who needs training before she can be adopted, Hadley resists Lila, too. Hadley's not a dog person. But for whatever reason, Hadley is the one person Lila seems to respond to. So Hadley takes on the challenge of working with Lila, getting her ready to be adopted. But when that day comes, it won't be easy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Dog lovers will eat up this wonderful own-voices story about a girl learning to love a dog she never thought she could and learning about herself along the way. Hadley's relationship with Lila grows stronger and stronger and seeing Lila take on the challenge of training helps Hadley feel better about taking on her own mobility training. Author Kody Keplinger is blind, so the details about Hadley learning to move around the town using a cane and handling her progressive blindness are authentic. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love a first person story written with a strong voice and this book is definitely one of those. Hadley's tough exterior and her Southern cadence leap off the page. This is one of those books that feel like the protagonist is sitting down with you and telling you their story. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hand this one to fans of <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780763680862?aff=abbylibrarian">Because of Winn-Dixie</a> by Kate DiCamillo, <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062652928?aff=abbylibrarian">Just Like Jackie</a> by Lindsey Stoddard, or <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984815682?aff=abbylibrarian">Fighting Words</a> by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-76712651532426328902020-12-02T07:11:00.000-05:002020-12-02T07:11:01.532-05:00'Tis the Season for Cozy Couch Watching (and Reading!)<p>You know what's a safe and socially distanced activity for the family this winter? Cuddling up and watching movies together and then reading books based on the movies your kids enjoyed. I've been busy writing up TV and movie readalike pieces for School Library Journal and I'm linking to some of the most recent ones here today. Grab some popcorn and a cozy blanket and settle in with these movies and books. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS82Ee10HLEa41dyuDU62lUKBPhz7uHgkum2YK2JT6lxgVidK0X840bF39fBDi3rbDSsWF9BXSJWgMh0r68JAu1gO4mG8SWODDaS_-b5NFKR7wQLBX2GM5TbKsf5HnkQIPbHSC08MU57uS/s800/blackbeauty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS82Ee10HLEa41dyuDU62lUKBPhz7uHgkum2YK2JT6lxgVidK0X840bF39fBDi3rbDSsWF9BXSJWgMh0r68JAu1gO4mG8SWODDaS_-b5NFKR7wQLBX2GM5TbKsf5HnkQIPbHSC08MU57uS/s320/blackbeauty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=four-middle-grade-read-alikes-readalikes-for-disney-black-beauty-books-libraries-horses">Four Middle Grade Books to Read if You Like Black Beauty on Disney+</a> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTs6vmPBpXB8_DnuPaxDPS8Hiq1xO3gVLse3gxHvGrcIWA1H4MYFkyVsb-sCDoxIan4tQqPGz8DgPZM_Wn02tYqs8hvbB9i1CP_-JNf1XNAIBYiI8K7lGdkgQ2sA5t402D9bqQE-GaV5er/s800/enola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTs6vmPBpXB8_DnuPaxDPS8Hiq1xO3gVLse3gxHvGrcIWA1H4MYFkyVsb-sCDoxIan4tQqPGz8DgPZM_Wn02tYqs8hvbB9i1CP_-JNf1XNAIBYiI8K7lGdkgQ2sA5t402D9bqQE-GaV5er/s320/enola.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=read-alikes-for-sleuths-watching-netfix-enola-holmes-libraries-books">Four Readalikes for Young Sleuths Watching Enola Holmes on Netflix</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3hOqrUSHBNF3ygyMrMIpuLR-A8xmUUy0qDFSzSaFaLMjLe6NXL__X-ym9L9L2-f7hjsU_vZxjXMIMt06LaZ84gNR-TlOtWgm17blyX9n_nAojnoiauU5aVq9pBOjZWwSwMdc-gXb28dG/s800/upsidedown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3hOqrUSHBNF3ygyMrMIpuLR-A8xmUUy0qDFSzSaFaLMjLe6NXL__X-ym9L9L2-f7hjsU_vZxjXMIMt06LaZ84gNR-TlOtWgm17blyX9n_nAojnoiauU5aVq9pBOjZWwSwMdc-gXb28dG/s320/upsidedown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=four-read-alikes-upside-down-magic-disney-libraries-books">Four Readalikes for the Funny Fantasy Film Upside-Down Magic on Disney+</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99I-cfxOqWVj1XSccl2WbCR-0wjYG7ns-Zjl-4jCV4HQDf6vPVx0vnEK3HvHmEjC-98IhJmx-jyxtdfVRU_WhHvUfwx2MiCBn5IH_VI-Ba2ZSuxEZIKTHyyaNhlnd2R41sZHhnCb0YuGq/s800/witches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99I-cfxOqWVj1XSccl2WbCR-0wjYG7ns-Zjl-4jCV4HQDf6vPVx0vnEK3HvHmEjC-98IhJmx-jyxtdfVRU_WhHvUfwx2MiCBn5IH_VI-Ba2ZSuxEZIKTHyyaNhlnd2R41sZHhnCb0YuGq/s320/witches.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=Read-Alikes-for-HBO-Adaptation-of-The-Witches-by-Roald-Dahl">Four Readalikes for The Witches on HBO</a></p><p>What movies are on your to-watch list this winter??</p>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-26096332819773442792020-11-30T07:11:00.001-05:002020-11-30T07:11:01.380-05:00Three New Haunkkah Books<p> Hanukkah is coming up on December 10 -18 this year and I've got three great new Hanukkah books for you today. While lots of Hanukkah books give you the formulaic eight-Hanukkah-activities spiel, all three of these picture books go beyond that basic premise for some really fun stories. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780823439584?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" height="252" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/584/439/9780823439584.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780823439584?aff=abbylibrarian">The Eight Knights of Hanukkah</a> by Leslie Kimmelman, illustrated by Galia Bernstein. Ages 4-8. Holiday House, 2020. </p><p>Eight sibling knights must save the holiday for a community whose Hanukkah preparations are being interrupted by a dastardly dragon. As the knights quest to perform acts of "awesome kindness", they replace a scorched dreidel, help peel potatoes, perform mitzvahs, and fry donuts until they have a table piled high with treats, ready for a celebration. And of course the not-so-bad dragon attends as well (very handy for lighting menorahs with flame-breath). This is a sweetly funny story that capitalizes on the wordplay in the title. </p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780763697419?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol" height="320" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/419/697/9780763697419.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780763697419?aff=abbylibrarian">The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol</a> by Arthur A. Levine, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Ages 4-8. Candlewick, 2020. </div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>With the aim of introducing a new mythological figure to Hanukkah (think about Rudolf or Santa Claus in regards to Christmas), this bright, own-voices picture book presents Nate Gadol, a magical being with the power to make objects stretch. From making one night's worth of lamp oil stretch for 8 nights to stretching out a meager portion of chocolate so there's enough for all the children or stretching much-needed medicine for a neighbor's baby, Nate Gadol is there. The name Nate Gadol is a play on the Hebrew phrase "New Gadol", which means "a great miracle". This is a clever addition to seasonal mythology. <div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781454940883?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="The Ninth Night of Hanukkah" height="320" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/883/940/9781454940883.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781454940883?aff=abbylibrarian">The Ninth Night of Hanukkah</a> by Erica S. Perl, illustrated by Shahar Kober. Ages 4-8. Sterling, 2020. </div><div><br /></div><div>When the first night of Hanukkah falls just after their family moves to a new apartment, mom can't find the menorah and they just order pizza instead of making latkes. It's nice, but not quite the same Hanukkah they're used to. As they continue the search for their Hanukkah supplies in the moving boxes, the two children approach their new neighbors and find substitutes - birthday candles instead of Hanukkah candles, chocolate chips instead of gelt. The family's creative in their celebrations and then to thank their neighbors, they invite everyone over the night after the last night of Hanukkah and - miracle! - their lost moving box shows up with all their Hanukkah supplies. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a sweet and clever story that may have special resonance this year as we're all figuring out new ways to have holiday celebrations and mark special events. I love the clever ways these enterprising kids find to replicate their Hanukkah traditions even though they don't have the things they normally would. And it has a wonderful message about helping and thanking those that help us. </div><p></p></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-92018428300339400332020-11-13T16:37:00.002-05:002020-11-28T08:53:34.834-05:0012 Days of Giving 2020 and Master List<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHkABHxGBrojhKrMiNTVmYM1tNfH5g7ETz-pntZPaIKkJKYPW5Mdo0mi2Mf5KA_com1qDknozNth0y36xyKsomlcrQ2yxt_K_OG9f3vrhMkv_SphVrZSmRSyJ1TPLkja0R3k42PN2foxr/s640/12days2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHkABHxGBrojhKrMiNTVmYM1tNfH5g7ETz-pntZPaIKkJKYPW5Mdo0mi2Mf5KA_com1qDknozNth0y36xyKsomlcrQ2yxt_K_OG9f3vrhMkv_SphVrZSmRSyJ1TPLkja0R3k42PN2foxr/s320/12days2020.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>ETA (11/28):</b> Shop local this weekend! If you spend at least $15 at your independent bookstore of choice this weekend, <a href="https://Libro.fm">Libro.fm</a> will give you a FREE AUDIOBOOK from a selection of great ones! They're not paying me to say this, I just think it's an awesome deal! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">This year's 12 Days of Giving posts are all up and ready for your perusal. Books always make great gifts and I have ideas for all kinds of readers. Here I'm posting all the 2020 lists and a master list of subject-specific lists from previous years because books never go out of style! (They do sometimes go out of print, so just be aware. If you spot books on these lists that aren't available to purchase, consider requesting them from your local library instead!) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Please support your local bookstores this year if you can; they need us now more than ever. And if you don't have a local bookstore, consider supporting my local indie <a href="https://www.carmichaelsbookstore.com/">Carmichael's Bookstore</a>. You can order online and they are fantastic! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>2020 Favorites: </b><br />If you are searching for brand new books or shopping for big readers who need the latest and greatest, these are the lists for you!</div><p></p><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/11/12-days-of-giving-books-for-babies-and.html">Books for Babies and Toddlers</a></li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/11/12-days-of-giving-picture-books-part-1.html">Great Picture Books Part 1</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/11/12-days-of-giving-picture-books-part-2.html">Great Picture Books Part 2</a></li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/11/12-days-of-giving-laugh-out-loud.html">Laugh Out Loud Books </a>(a.k.a. For Fans of Mo Willems) </li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/11/12-days-of-giving-fantastic-nonfiction.html">Fantastic Nonfiction Picture Books</a></li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/11/12-days-of-giving-excellent-easy.html">Excellent Easy Chapter Books</a></li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/11/12-days-of-giving-books-for-middle.html">Books for Middle Grade Readers</a></li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/11/12-days-of-giving-books-for-teens.html">Books for Teens</a></li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/11/12-days-of-giving-great-graphic-novels.html">Great Graphic Novels</a></li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/11/12-days-of-giving-books-to-screen-2020.html">Books to Screen 2020</a></li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/11/12-days-of-giving-books-for-grownups.html">Books for Grownups</a></li></ul><div><b>Subject/Genre Specific Lists</b></div></div><div>If you're shopping for a particular kind of reader or kids with special interests, you may find something in the lists below! I've specified what ages are covered in each list and what year they were originally posted to help you out. These lists will contain backlist titles, so be aware that some titles may no longer be available to purchase. </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2019/12/12-days-of-giving-books-for-dino.html">Dinosaur Books</a> (babies through elementary age, 2019)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2019/12/12-days-of-giving-diversify-your.html">Diverse Books</a> (all ages babies through adult, 2019) - you can also find diverse books throughout most if not all of the 2020 and 2019 lists</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2018/12/12-days-of-giving-early-chapter-books.html">Easy Chapter Books</a> (2018)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2018/12/12-days-of-giving-fantasy-fanatics.html">Fantasy Novels</a> (tweens and teens, 2018)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2019/12/12-days-of-giving-great-graphic-novels.html">Graphic Novels</a> (kids & teens, 2019)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2018/12/12-days-of-giving-great-graphic-novels.html">Graphic Novels</a> (kids & teens, 2018)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/11/12-days-of-giving-laugh-out-loud.html">Laugh Out Loud Picture Books</a> (2020)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/09/laugh-out-loud-picture-books.html">Laugh Out Loud Picture Books</a> (posted in 2020, but backlist)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2018/12/12-days-of-giving-laugh-out-loud.html">Laugh Out Loud Chapter Books</a> (ages 7-12, 2018)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2019/12/12-days-of-giving-books-for-young-makers.html">Makers</a> - find books with science projects and activity ideas here (2019)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2018/12/12-days-of-giving-mythology-mania.html">Mythology Mania</a> - perfect for Percy Jackson fans (2018)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2018/12/12-days-of-giving-for-nonfiction-lovers.html">Nonfiction</a> (ages 7- 15, 2018)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2019/12/12-days-of-giving-scary-scary-ghost.html">Scary Books</a> (ages 7-12, 2019)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2018/12/12-days-of-giving-social-justice-tweens.html">Social Justice Novels</a> (tweens & teens, 2018)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2018/12/12-days-of-giving-romcoms.html">Teen RomComs</a> (2018)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/11/12-days-of-giving-all-things-unicorn.html">Unicorn Picture Books and Chapter Books</a> (2020)</li></ul><div><b>Favorites Lists from Previous Years</b><br />Maybe none of my 2020 favorites struck a chord with you. Check out these past favorites lists for more titles to consider! Bonus: these make great library lists because they're more likely to be available without long holds lists. </div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2019/12/12-days-of-giving-books-for-adults-in.html">Adult</a> (2019)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2019/12/12-days-of-giving-books-for-babies-and.html">Babies and Toddlers</a> (2019)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2018/12/12-days-of-giving-books-for-babies-and.html">Babies and Toddlers</a> (2018)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2019/12/12-days-of-giving-great-chapter-books.html">Middle Grade</a> (2019)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2019/12/12-days-of-giving-amazing-picture-books.html">Picture Books</a> (2019)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2018/12/12-days-of-giving-gorgeous-picture-books.html">Picture Books</a> (2018)</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2018/12/12-days-of-giving-few-more-favorites.html">2018 Favorites</a> - for all ages picture books through teens (2018)</li></ul></div><p><br /></p>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-57561387584372724592020-11-12T07:11:00.154-05:002020-11-12T07:11:00.211-05:0012 Days of Giving: Books for Grownups<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfs0zIQ6UkzH0JuceM0csfpov9Du4KQXUJOmlInyzQUTIXjnsnZ5qKIcmHJtSJ7d9dqg5W83VIIJaJpibGWOb8clGy8GSQjbEVWPFMwvKAHUUF_2-6na4ylujqOCGlsG62BdXhezIYlh7/s640/12days2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfs0zIQ6UkzH0JuceM0csfpov9Du4KQXUJOmlInyzQUTIXjnsnZ5qKIcmHJtSJ7d9dqg5W83VIIJaJpibGWOb8clGy8GSQjbEVWPFMwvKAHUUF_2-6na4ylujqOCGlsG62BdXhezIYlh7/s320/12days2020.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>Today's list is a little different from the previous 11 lists because today's list is for grownups. Do you have an adult reader on your list? Or maybe you deserve a treat for yourself after buying all those children's books. Either way, here are some of my favorite books of the year for adults along with what type of reader might enjoy them. If you want personalized suggestions for anyone on your list, leave me a comment and I'm happy to help! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781501160837?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/837/160/FC9781501160837.JPG" /></a><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781501160837?aff=abbylibrarian">Anxious People</a> by Frederick Backman (Atria, 2020). Here's the book that says how we're all feeling this year! But seriously, this is a character-driven, feel good story about a group of very different people thrust together in a hostage situation. It's perfect reading for this year, not too suspenseful, super heartfelt, and a book that just reinforces a belief in the ultimate decency of people. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984878618?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/618/878/FC9781984878618.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984878618?aff=abbylibrarian">The Authenticity Project</a> by Clare Pooley (Pamela Dorman Books, 2020). This was one of the first books I could bring myself to read during the quarantine and it's another heartfelt, character-driven read that's a good choice if you need a feel-good book right now. Again, it features a cast of strangers, this one brought together by a found notebook called The Authenticity Project that calls upon those that find it to contribute by writing about their authentic selves. As a chain of strangers meet each other through this notebook, their lives become enmeshed in ways that will change each of them for the better. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984806734?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/734/806/FC9781984806734.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984806734?aff=abbylibrarian">Beach Read</a> by Emily Henry (Berkley, 2020). If you're in need of an armchair vacation, this romcom is just the ticket. Romance writer January Andrews and literary darling Augustus Everett find themselves spending the summer in neighboring beach houses, both stuck on their latest projects. So they issue a challenge - Augustus will tackle a romance novel and January will try her hand at literary fiction. I don't know about you but romcoms are one of the few genres I can really get into right now and this was one of my favorites! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781728206141?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/141/206/FC9781728206141.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781728206141?aff=abbylibrarian">Boyfriend Material</a> by Alexis Hall (Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2020). If a British romcom is more your thing, this is a super one. Laugh out loud funny and sensual rather than too sexy, this is the story of tangentially famous Luc O'Donnell who has trouble staying out of the tabloids. When his work issues an ultimatum - improve his image or find another job - he sets out to find a fake boyfriend to get him some better press. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780316509848?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/848/509/FC9780316509848.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780316509848?aff=abbylibrarian">The City We Became</a> by N.K. Jemisin (Orbit, 2020). If you've got an urban fantasy fan or a New Yorker on your list, this is a fascinating and action-packed fantasy novel. New York is being born. As the city becomes cognizant, it's up to five people representing the five boroughs to protect the budding city from an otherworldly evil that threaten its very existence. This is a compelling, creative diverse fantasy read. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062942852?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/852/942/FC9780062942852.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062942852?aff=abbylibrarian">Plain Bad Heroines</a> by Emily Danforth (William Morrow, 2020). If something a little scary and atmospheric is what you're looking for, this queer, creepy novel is one that you can really sink your teeth into. </span>Dual narratives - one in the early 1900s at the Rhode Island boarding school and one in modern day Hollywood - weave in and out, piecing together a creepy story of forbidden love, unjust consequences, and strong ladies getting revenge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780316499019?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/019/499/FC9780316499019.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780316499019?aff=abbylibrarian">The Pull of the Stars</a> by Emma Donoghue (Little, Brown, 2020). If you're a historical fiction reader, this one is a timely choice. Set in 1918 Dublin during the throes of the influenza pandemic, this story might hit too close to home for some readers or it might be fascinatingly timely. Set over the course of three intense days, a maternity nurse manages a fever ward for laboring mothers infected with flu. It reads like the best episode of Call the Midwife ever and will appeal to fans of medical fiction. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780525658184?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/184/658/FC9780525658184.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780525658184?aff=abbylibrarian">Transcendent Kingdom</a> by Yaa Gyasi (Knopf, 2020). For the literary fiction readers on your list, I found this to be </span>a moving portrait of an immigrant family torn apart by addiction. It's a novel that puts faces on the opioid crisis and examines what it means to have faith and to love. Obsessed with her neuroscience lab work, fifth year PhD student Gifty spends her days experimenting on mice in hopes of unlocking the key to curing drug addiction. Her older brother Nana was a gifted high school athlete who died of a heroin overdose when Nifty was 11, shaping her world in irrevocable ways.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780525536291?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/291/536/FC9780525536291.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780525536291?aff=abbylibrarian">The Vanishing Half</a> by Brit Bennett (Riverhead Books, 2020). Here's another one for your literary fiction readers. This is the tale of African American twins in 1960s Louisiana and what happens when one of them runs away and starts passing for white. </span>This is a book that has a lot to say about family and race and presenting yourself to the world in the way that you want to be seen, and what that means for where you come from and who you are. A major bestseller since it was published in June, if you're shopping for a reader who loves to stay on top of the trending books, this is a great choice, especially for those interested in reading about race right now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780063000803?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/803/000/FC9780063000803.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780063000803?aff=abbylibrarian">Written in the Stars</a> by Alexandria Bellefleur (Avon, 2020). One more light-hearted book for this list and this one is perfect reading for the holiday season. After a disastrous first date, social media astrologer Elle Jones and buttoned-up actuary Darcy Lowell both realize how convenient it would be to have a significant other during the holidays to take the pressure from their families off. So they make a deal. They'll be fake girlfriends through the holiday rush and go their separate ways at the new year. But you know how these things go. This is a warm, joyful romance set during the holiday season in Seattle and perfect for anyone who needs a light read right now. </span></div><p></p><div><span>For the first 12 days of November, I've been posting a list of books perfect for gift giving this holiday season. Check out the full list of lists <a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/10/12-days-of-giving.html">here</a> to see what's been included. All the lists link to IndieBound to make it easy for you to find an independent bookstore to buy from (and as an IndieBound affiliate, shopping through those links supports me, too!). Independent bookstores need our support more than ever this year, so please shop local if you can or if you don't have a local independent bookstore, please consider ordering online from my local indie </span><a href="https://www.carmichaelsbookstore.com/">Carmichael's Bookstore</a><span>. </span></div></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-16386403972958526462020-11-11T07:11:00.010-05:002020-11-11T07:11:00.188-05:0012 Days of Giving: Books to Screen 2020<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0tTw1h1s0-wn954ajxdekX3WDjTSISFDd3Xq-6sDDo9760OybuJWXttSOqyJ4J5uMrqi0TFSa_RdB9xMi8RLnlnhJf_uM0K1stQf8HEmtERalNCIsDH_OERYpl7rIRR8eR_0fnTcjWbL/s640/12days2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0tTw1h1s0-wn954ajxdekX3WDjTSISFDd3Xq-6sDDo9760OybuJWXttSOqyJ4J5uMrqi0TFSa_RdB9xMi8RLnlnhJf_uM0K1stQf8HEmtERalNCIsDH_OERYpl7rIRR8eR_0fnTcjWbL/s320/12days2020.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Shopping for a movie lover? It's been a weird year for movies with many films slated for feature film release being delayed or converted to streaming services. A movie date may not look the same as it did last year, but you can pair these books with a subscription to the applicable streaming service and thematic snacks to make a special stay-at-home family movie night or movie date. It's the perfect cozy winter night gift!<div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781368036986?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/986/036/FC9781368036986.JPG" /></a><div><br /><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781368036986?aff=abbylibrarian">Artemis Fowl</a> by Eoin Colfer. Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a millionaire genius criminal mastermind, but he doesn't know what he's getting himself into when he kidnaps a dangerous fairy. The movie adaptation of this fantasy adventure story was released this summer on Disney+. Ages 10-13. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Pair with:</b> A subscription to Disney+ and chocolate coins & lollipops. <br /><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780593350539?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/539/350/FC9780593350539.JPG" /></a><div><br /><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780593350539?aff=abbylibrarian">The Case of the Missing Marquess</a> (Enola Holmes #1) by Nancy Springer. When Enola Holmes, little sister to the famous detective Sherlock, discovers that her mother has gone missing, she sets out to find her in this girl-power Victorian mystery. The Enola Holmes movie was released on Netflix in September and stars Millie Bobby Brown (of Stranger Things fame). Ages 10-15. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Pair with:</b> A Netflix subscription for the Enola Holmes movie and tea and cookies. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781368020336?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/336/020/FC9781368020336.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781368020336?aff=abbylibrarian">Mulan: Before the Sword</a> by Grace Lin. Set before the events in the Mulan movie, this story of a strong girl who values family above all will appeal to readers who enjoy strong female characters. Gift this adventure story and then enjoy the new live-action Mulan movie, which will be released on Disney+ on December 4. In the meantime, you can enjoy the animated version. Ages 8-12. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Pair with:</b> A Disney+ subscription for the new Mulan movie and Chinese take-out from your favorite place. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780061992278?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/278/992/FC9780061992278.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780061992278?aff=abbylibrarian">The One and Only Ivan</a> by Katherine Applegate. Ivan is a gorilla living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. He's gotten used to living around humans, but when a baby elephant arrives at the mall, Ivan must decide whether to try to make life better for her and maybe himself, too. This is a heartfelt animal story that was adapted into a movie on Disney+. A sequel to the book was just released this year, so consider grabbing <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062991317?aff=abbylibrarian">The One and Only Bob</a>, too. Ages 7-12. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Pair with:</b> A subscription to Disney+ and bananas & peanuts. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781534469266?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/266/469/FC9781534469266.JPG" /></a><div><br /><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781534469266?aff=abbylibrarian">PS: I Still Love You</a> by Jenny Han. This sequel to <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781534438378?aff=abbylibrarian">To All the Boys I've Loved Before</a> (which is also a Netflix movie) is perfect for lovers of romantic comedies. Lara Jean is back and she's with Peter, who she never really expected to fall for. But when a boy from her past comes back into the picture, Lara Jean is torn. Can you be in love with two boys at once? These romcoms are both super cute, so why not make it a double feature or pick up a <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781534438378?aff=abbylibrarian">box set of the entire trilogy</a> and cross your fingers for a third movie sometime. Ages 10 and up. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Pair with:</b> A Netflix subscription for the movies and ingredients to bake cookies or cupcakes together, just like Lara Jean would. Or Yakult (a Korean yogurt drink) and pocky. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984837165?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/165/837/FC9781984837165.JPG" /></a><div><br /><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984837165?aff=abbylibrarian">The Witches</a> by Roald Dahl or <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338677447?aff=abbylibrarian">The Witches Graphic Novel</a> by Roald Dahl and Penelope Bagieu. Witches are real and when a boy and his grandmother go on a trip, they find themselves staying at the same hotel as the world witch convention. As the witches plot to destroy all the children in the world, the boy must figure out a way to thwart their plan. The book was adapted into a movie in the 1990s, but this October a brand new movie adaptation was released on HBO Max starring Octavia Butler and Anne Hathaway. It's a little bit creepy and perfect for kids who like some shivers down their spines. Ages 9-12. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Pair with:</b> An HBO Max subscription for the movie and all the chocolates (as long as you're sure the witches haven't tainted them with Formula 86 mouse potion!)</div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span>For the first 12 days of November, I'll be posting a list of children's books perfect for gift giving this holiday season. Check out the full list of lists <a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/10/12-days-of-giving.html">here</a> to see what's coming. All the lists link to IndieBound to make it easy for you to find an independent bookstore to buy from (and as an IndieBound affiliate, shopping through those links supports me, too!). Independent bookstores need our support more than ever this year, so please shop local if you can or if you don't have a local independent bookstore, please consider ordering online from my local indie </span><a href="https://www.carmichaelsbookstore.com/">Carmichael's Bookstore</a><span>. </span></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-85787054865945474532020-11-10T07:11:00.005-05:002020-11-10T07:11:00.427-05:0012 Days of Giving: Great Graphic Novels<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhP3xwGTpEvTJxrmNbmt5w87LpQ7_6MXyghoJUgl24hwlKTsMKrNmh0J1P2GgpW8K5cJmlWJj_rlwXA_YMf-c6OM6f-iT3w_3BNTsWMkd-n1h3SYaHH_d7jmbvFPPHKYnJ2Rz4LnPgZjO/s640/12days2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhP3xwGTpEvTJxrmNbmt5w87LpQ7_6MXyghoJUgl24hwlKTsMKrNmh0J1P2GgpW8K5cJmlWJj_rlwXA_YMf-c6OM6f-iT3w_3BNTsWMkd-n1h3SYaHH_d7jmbvFPPHKYnJ2Rz4LnPgZjO/s320/12days2020.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've shared a few graphic novels on the previous lists, but there have been so many great ones this year and lots of kids LOVE graphic novels. If you're not sure, take a chance with a graphic novel and you'll be the cool adult. And don't you worry about whether graphic novels are "real reading" because they definitely are. This year's Newbery medal winner was a graphic novel, too! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780593118849?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/849/118/FC9780593118849.JPG" /></a><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780593118849?aff=abbylibrarian">Aster and the Accidental Magic</a> by Thom Pico, illustrated by Karensac (Random House Graphic, 2020). This is a really fun, magical graphic novel, a French import that contains two seasonal stories - summer and fall - with another volume being published early next year. With its focus on nature and magic, this is a refreshingly odd fantasy story and young readers will enjoy exploring Aster's new woodland home along with her. Reading this was just as pleasant as taking a crisp autumn walk and I'd grab it for kids who are fans of the show Hilda on Netflix. For ages 8-12. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062885500?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/500/885/FC9780062885500.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062885500?aff=abbylibrarian">Class Act</a> by Jerry Craft (Quill Tree Books, 2020). This standalone sequel to the Newbery-medal-winning graphic novel <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062691194?aff=abbylibrarian">New Kid</a> (which would also make a great gift - why not pick up both?) is a funny school story that will appeal to fans of Big Nate and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. And it manages to do that while still addressing some serious issues like racial microaggressions and police violence. For ages 9-13. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780525553021?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/021/553/FC9780525553021.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780525553021?aff=abbylibrarian">Dancing at the Pity Party</a> by Tyler Feder (Dial, 2020). Okay, so this is a book about grief and it may seem like a really weird choice for a gift, but it may be just the thing for certain readers. Tyler was in college when she lost her mom to cancer. This isn't an easy read, but it is one of my favorite books of the year. Readers who have experienced the loss of a parent or other close loss will find recognition and acceptance here, but even readers who have not experienced this loss should tune in for just a well-crafted and emotionally vulnerable story. Ages 12 and up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338535624?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/624/535/FC9781338535624.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338535624?aff=abbylibrarian">Dog Man: Grime and Punishment</a> by Dav Pilkey (Graphix, 2020). If you're looking for a book that will be a sure bet with younger elementary school kids, you can't go wrong with Dog Man. This silly graphic novel about a canine police officer is super popular with that age group and this is the very latest installment. If your kids are new to Dog Man, you can't go wrong with this <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338603347?aff=abbylibrarian">box set that collects Dog Man Books 1-6</a>. Ages 6-10. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338304541?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/541/304/FC9781338304541.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338304541?aff=abbylibrarian">Logan Likes Mary Anne</a> (Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novel) (Graphix, 2020). Another sure bet for the elementary school and tween crowd is the latest Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novel. Since the show debuted on Netflix this summer, this perennially popular series has seen an upsurge in popularity. Scoop up this latest volume or grab a <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338118988?aff=abbylibrarian">box set that collects Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels 1-4</a> for readers who are new to the series. Ages 8-12. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984896841?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/841/896/FC9781984896841.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984896841?aff=abbylibrarian">Stepping Stones</a> by Lucy Knisley (Random House Graphic Novels, 2020). Jen moves to a country farm and deals with new weekend stepsisters in this fictionalized comic memoir by graphic novelist Lucy Knisley. This is a story about a girl finding her own strengths when she feels like she doesn't quite fit in and I think it's a book that many kids in blended families will relate to. If you're shopping for fans of Raina Telgemeier, I think this one's a good choice. Ages 8-12. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780525553908?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/908/553/FC9780525553908.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780525553908?aff=abbylibrarian">When Stars Are Scattered</a> by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohammad (Dial, 2020). This heartfelt graphic novel is Omar's memoir of growing up in a Kenyan refugee camp after fleeing war-torn Somalia. It's a compelling story, full of heart, and I think a must-read for fans of books like <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780545880831?aff=abbylibrarian">Refugee</a> by Alan Gratz. Ages 9-13. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780316495196?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/196/495/FC9780316495196.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780316495196?aff=abbylibrarian">The Worry (Less) Book: Feel Strong, Find Calm, and Tame Your Anxiety!</a> by Rachel Brian (Little, Brown, 2020). Give the gift of calm this year! This graphic novel is not a story, but a nonfiction book that talks about worry (we all worry sometimes!), when worry gets in the way of our lives, and gives some techniques for combatting anxiety that's getting in the way. It's written in a conversational, approachable tone and the funny cartoon illustrations set this apart from other self-help books. It's not only helpful, it's a book kids will actually want to read. If you have a young worrier in your life, this might be just the thing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span>For the first 12 days of November, I'll be posting a list of children's books perfect for gift giving this holiday season. Check out the full list of lists <a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/10/12-days-of-giving.html">here</a> to see what's coming. All the lists link to IndieBound to make it easy for you to find an independent bookstore to buy from (and as an IndieBound affiliate, shopping through those links supports me, too!). Independent bookstores need our support more than ever this year, so please shop local if you can or if you don't have a local independent bookstore, please consider ordering online from my local indie </span><a href="https://www.carmichaelsbookstore.com/">Carmichael's Bookstore</a><span>. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span><br /></span></b></span></div></div><br /><p></p></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-54238126574828962132020-11-09T07:11:00.006-05:002020-11-09T07:11:00.812-05:0012 Days of Giving: Books for Teens<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGGEPUu7hkshZrBzRXwB_vPKwygJuxtRGo_mYWdqKHTFwk0d0KCsS-J-xzp0iH48-DbcsrrOy0yfCXS4TrY_ketN-r-MMmjIFVsCjATEO6ZCRmtfnDfc-7FjCxF3kl9km51ynkGuhYF6_/s640/12days2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGGEPUu7hkshZrBzRXwB_vPKwygJuxtRGo_mYWdqKHTFwk0d0KCsS-J-xzp0iH48-DbcsrrOy0yfCXS4TrY_ketN-r-MMmjIFVsCjATEO6ZCRmtfnDfc-7FjCxF3kl9km51ynkGuhYF6_/s320/12days2020.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today's list is books for teens. Teens can be hard to buy for. These are some of my favorites, but remember you can't go wrong with a gift card (and honoring their choices for what they'd like to spend it on). Consider these for adults who enjoy reading YA, too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781626720794?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/794/720/FC9781626720794.JPG" /></a><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781626720794?aff=abbylibrarian">Dragon Hoops</a> by Gene Luen Yang (First, Second, 2020). I loved this graphic novel memoir from superstar Gene Luen Yang. Not only a self-deprecating memoir of Yang's learning curve with basketball and the changes that he and the team go through, this is an action-packed sports story and the book dips its toe into sports history, as well. Sports fans will definitely appreciate this book, but there's a lot for the nerdy quiet kids who don't care about basketball, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><p></p></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062820259?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/259/820/FC9780062820259.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062820259?aff=abbylibrarian">Felix Ever After</a> by Kacen Callender (Balzer + Bray, 2020). This is a wonderful queer teen love story about finding yourself and really embracing your identity and declaring yourself worthy of love just as you are. Felix is trans, but still questioning his identity, obsessed with applying to Brown University and just as obsessed with the idea that he might not get in, and desperate to fall in love and be loved in return, but he's equally afraid of even trying. This is a joyful book that doesn't shy away from tough questions about identity, but definitely ends on a hopeful note. Give this one to teens interested in genderqueer characters and realistic fiction. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338617436?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/436/617/FC9781338617436.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338617436?aff=abbylibrarian">Heartstopper Vol. 1</a> and <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338617474?aff=abbylibrarian">Heartstopper Vol. 2</a> by Alice Oseman (Graphix, 2020). Charlie's gay and has been out at his all-boys school since last year. When Charlie meets Nick and Nick invites him to join the rugby team, Charlie's best friend makes fun of him - how could he hang out with a rugby guy? But there's something sparking between Charlie and Nick. The only problem? Nick is straight... or so he thinks. I devoured this delightful graphic novel and have been waiting not-so-patiently for volume 2 to be published in the US. You'll definitely want to pick up both volumes and a gift card for the third (due out in the US in May 2021) if you have a reader who enjoys queer graphic novels. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062996480?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/480/996/FC9780062996480.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062996480?aff=abbylibrarian">Punching the Air</a> by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam (Balzer + Bray, 2020). This intense, moving novel in verse is a perfect choice for teens interested in social justice. Co-written by a member of the Exonerated Five, this is the story of a boy wrongfully incarcerated who turns to art to deal with his anger and despair. It's gorgeously written and would make a great choice for fans of <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062498533?aff=abbylibrarian">The Hate U Give</a> or <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781481438261?aff=abbylibrarian">Long Way Down</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062891495?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/495/891/FC9780062891495.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062891495?aff=abbylibrarian">A Song of Wraiths and Ruin</a> by Roseanne A. Brown (Balzer + Bray, 2020). Malik will do anything to protect his family, even making a deal with a vengeful spirit who tasks him with killing the princess of Ziran. Princess Carina has aspirations of her own and her plans include murdering Malik. This magical fantasy full of political intrigue has a plot full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing. I'd hand it to fans of <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781250170972?aff=abbylibrarian">Children of Blood & Bone</a> or <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780439023528?aff=abbylibrarian">The Hunger Games</a>. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780358131434?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/434/131/FC9780358131434.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780358131434?aff=abbylibrarian">We Are Not Free</a> by Traci Chee (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2020). Traci Chee explores the incarceration of Japanese American citizens during WWII through the eyes of 14 different Japanese American teens. Rounded up with their families and sent from San Francisco to live in horse stalls in Tanforan and then barracks in larger camps, these 14 teens range in age from 13-20 and give a wide range of perspectives as they grow up and start becoming the adults they will become all while being incarcerated without having committed any crimes. While some chapters are more lighthearted than others, this is a powerful book that is perfect for fans of George Takei's graphic memoir <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781603094504?aff=abbylibrarian">They Called Us Enemy</a> or Ruta Sepetys's multiple-point-of-view historical fiction like <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780142423639?aff=abbylibrarian">The Fountains of Silence</a>. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338503265?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/265/503/FC9781338503265.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338503265?aff=abbylibrarian">You Should See Me in a Crown</a> by Leah Johnson (Scholastic, 2020). If you're looking for something on the lighter side, <i>You Should See Me in a Crown</i> is the small-town-Indiana queer prom rom com of your dreams. Liz Lighty wouldn't be caught dead in her school's super serious competition for prom queen, until necessity drives her to enter the competition in search of the scholarship money offered as a prize. As she gets ready (makeover time!) and her friends help her campaign, Liz learns about herself and challenges her school's too-narrow idea of what a prom queen should and can be. Pick this one if you have fans of books like <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062327192?aff=abbylibrarian">Dumplin'</a> by Julie Murphy. </div><div><br /></div><div><span>For the first 12 days of November, I'll be posting a list of children's books perfect for gift giving this holiday season. Check out the full list of lists <a href="https://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/10/12-days-of-giving.html">here</a> to see what's coming. All the lists link to IndieBound to make it easy for you to find an independent bookstore to buy from (and as an IndieBound affiliate, shopping through those links supports me, too!). Independent bookstores need our support more than ever this year, so please shop local if you can or if you don't have a local independent bookstore, please consider ordering online from my local indie </span><a href="https://www.carmichaelsbookstore.com/">Carmichael's Bookstore</a><span>. </span></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-46402366902729632822020-11-08T07:11:00.006-05:002020-11-08T07:11:00.120-05:0012 Days of Giving: Books for Middle Grade Readers<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr6bsw68GPNf9RTNTmhxLLEU29QVdHfq4goXjSD5UUUeXrNOjlne8lHOpe1xOM2keI4h_xjBlhxjtn2yft26P0-dm7ix4KJcApwVNXqjbiFS3dHwtjezsIxQuesQnJjwBtQGcGs1k_TSY/s640/12days2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr6bsw68GPNf9RTNTmhxLLEU29QVdHfq4goXjSD5UUUeXrNOjlne8lHOpe1xOM2keI4h_xjBlhxjtn2yft26P0-dm7ix4KJcApwVNXqjbiFS3dHwtjezsIxQuesQnJjwBtQGcGs1k_TSY/s320/12days2020.png" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div>Today's list: Books for Middle Grade Readers! If you're shopping for a kid ages 8-12, these are my favorites of 2020. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780399545436?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/436/545/FC9780399545436.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780399545436?aff=abbylibrarian">Before the Ever After</a> by Jacqueline Woodson (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2020). This novel in verse about a boy and his professional football player father who is facing the health effects of years of concussions is a moving portrait of a family in crisis. This is a wonderful book that's special even for Jacqueline Woodson (and I don't say that lightly!). Pick it up for fans of <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780544935204?aff=abbylibrarian">The Crossover</a>, fans of realistic novels in verse, or sports fans. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984837356?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/356/837/FC9781984837356.JPG" /></a><div><br /><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984837356?aff=abbylibrarian">The Blackbird Girls</a> by Anne Blankman (Viking, 2020). This engrossing historical novel brings Soviet Russia to life as it follows two unlikely friends during their evacuation from the Chernobyl disaster and a parallel narrative of a Jewish girl's escape during WWII. I loved the characters, I loved the rich setting. I would hand this to readers of <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780147510488?aff=abbylibrarian">The War That Saved My Life</a> (and I don't say that lightly!) or <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780545880831?aff=abbylibrarian">Refugee</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984815682?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/682/815/FC9781984815682.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984815682?aff=abbylibrarian">Fighting Words</a> by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (Dial, 2020). This one is pretty intense, but it's definitely one of my favorites of the year. Ten-year-old Della has always been able to count on her older sister Suki, even when they both had to run from their abusive step-parent and they ended up in foster care. But now Suki's struggling. Can Della pull it together to give Suki what she needs to heal? This reads like an updated <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780064402019?aff=abbylibrarian">The Great Gilly Hopkins</a> and will appeal to readers who like issue books and strong characters to root for. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062875853?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/853/875/FC9780062875853.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062875853?aff=abbylibrarian">From the Desk of Zoe Washington</a> by Janae Marks (Katherine Tegen Books, 2020). Zoe Washington plans to spend the summer proving to her parents that she's mature enough to apply to be on her favorite cooking show now that she's turned twelve. But when she checks the mail one day and finds a letter from her father who's been in prison since before she was born. Without telling her mom, she writes him back. And so begins the strangest summer of her life. This would be a good choice for young readers interested in social justice and realistic stories. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338129335?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/335/129/FC9781338129335.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338129335?aff=abbylibrarian">King and the Dragonflies</a> by Kacen Callender (Scholastic Press, 2020). King's brother's sudden death is still causing fresh pain, but what King can't stop thinking about is something Khalid said to him offhandedly before he died. King betrayed a friend because of what Khalid said and he's desperately trying to figure out his own identity and what that means in the context of his family and his race. This is a rich, moving book about a kid beginning to question his identity and sexual preferences written solidly for a middle grade audience. It's a book that I read early in the year and it's stuck with me. If you have a reader who's a fan of books like <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780545812542?aff=abbylibrarian">George</a> by Alex Gino or <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780316515474?aff=abbylibrarian">Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World</a> by AShley Herring Blake, this would be a good choice. <br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781328781505?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/505/781/FC9781328781505.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781328781505?aff=abbylibrarian">Prairie Lotus</a> by Linda Sue Park (Clarion Books, 2020). Hanna, who is half-Asian, has just moved with her father to a new Dakota Territory town in 1880 and she's hoping beyond hope that it's a place she'll finally be able to settle down and go to school. But some of the townspeople take issue with their children attending school with a non-white kid, so things don't go exactly as Hanna hoped. This would be a wonderful choice for middle grade fans of Little House on the Prairie, especially if you're looking to encourage discussions about race. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781524715700?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/700/715/FC9781524715700.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781524715700?aff=abbylibrarian">When You Trap a Tiger</a> by Tae Keller (Random House, 2020). When Lily and her family move in to take care of her sick grandmother, a magical tiger straight out of her halmoni's Korean myths appears to offer Lily a deal. But deals with tigers can be tricky. This is a heartfelt book with a good dose of magical realism and it will appeal to kids who like to feel the feels. This is another one I read early in the year that's really stuck with me. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Need more suggestions? Have a middle grade reader who's looking for something in particular? Check out these lists from previous years: </div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2018/12/12-days-of-giving-fantasy-fanatics.html">Fantasy Fanatics</a></li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2018/12/12-days-of-giving-laugh-out-loud.html">Laugh Out Loud</a></li><li><a href="https://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2018/12/12-days-of-giving-mythology-mania.html">Mythology Mania</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2019/12/12-days-of-giving-scary-scary-ghost.html">Scary Scary Ghost Stories</a></li></ul><div><span>For the first 12 days of November, I'll be posting a list of children's books perfect for gift giving this holiday season. Check out the full list of lists <a href="https://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/10/12-days-of-giving.html">here</a> to see what's coming. All the lists link to IndieBound to make it easy for you to find an independent bookstore to buy from (and as an IndieBound affiliate, shopping through those links supports me, too!). Independent bookstores need our support more than ever this year, so please shop local if you can or if you don't have a local independent bookstore, please consider ordering online from my local indie </span><a href="https://www.carmichaelsbookstore.com/">Carmichael's Bookstore</a><span>. </span></div></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-70717895880657579242020-11-07T07:11:00.007-05:002020-11-07T07:11:00.128-05:0012 Days of Giving: Excellent Easy Chapter Books<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbpu4HriKrZyWs4rxCSDAJudMPLbmugDB46bd-5h0FpLhWUaBtiVEZfhNT0Cr6demmZnRc_TlebXtMCMEVID-a4CDa9F7SBBLEoxKxOldmv3512Z9yApzQ3bINZoFEK2a6EOvw4dKUxQa/s640/12days2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbpu4HriKrZyWs4rxCSDAJudMPLbmugDB46bd-5h0FpLhWUaBtiVEZfhNT0Cr6demmZnRc_TlebXtMCMEVID-a4CDa9F7SBBLEoxKxOldmv3512Z9yApzQ3bINZoFEK2a6EOvw4dKUxQa/s320/12days2020.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>Today's list is great easy chapter books of 2020. If you have a young reader who's recently graduated to chapter books, these might be the ticket. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><b>My Favorites of 2020</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984813305?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/305/813/FC9781984813305.JPG" /></a><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984813305?aff=abbylibrarian">The Best of Iggy</a> and <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984813336?aff=abbylibrarian">Iggy is Better Than Ever</a> by Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sam Ricks (Putnam, 2020). Iggy doesn't mean to be bad, but sometimes things just get out of hand. This highly illustrated funny early chapter book series will appeal to kids who love to laugh. If you have fans of The Terrible Two or Horrid Henry, this will be a hit for sure. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781534440074?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/074/440/FC9781534440074.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781534440074?aff=abbylibrarian">Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business</a> by Lyla Lee, illustrated by Dung Ho (Aladdin, 2020). </span>This is a super cute early chapter book series about a Korean-American girl navigating a new life in a new state. With details about her Korean heritage and meat to the story as Mindy not only navigates a new school but life without her mom, this is a winning series perfect for fans of the <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781481416061?aff=abbylibrarian">Anna Banana</a> books or <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780374308346?aff=abbylibrarian">Jasmine Toguchi</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780593109212?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/212/109/FC9780593109212.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span>The Planet Omar series: <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780593109212?aff=abbylibrarian">Accidental Trouble Magnet</a> and <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780593109243?aff=abbylibrarian">Unexpected Super Spy</a> by Zanib Mian, illustrated by Nasaya Mafaridik (Putnam, 2020). This funny, highly illustrated series about Omar, a British Muslim kid starting a new school, is perfect for young Wimpy Kid fans. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781547600564?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/564/600/FC9781547600564.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781547600564?aff=abbylibrarian">Ways to Make Sunshine</a> by Renée Watson, illustrated by Nina Mata (Bloomsbury, 2020). This is hands-down one of my favorite books of the year. Bright and funny, if you have Ramona Quimby fans or if you remember Ramona fondly from your own childhood (like I do), you're going to want this one. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span>For the first 12 days of November, I'll be posting a list of children's books perfect for gift giving this holiday season. Check out the full list of lists <a href="https://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/10/12-days-of-giving.html">here</a> to see what's coming. All the lists link to IndieBound to make it easy for you to find an independent bookstore to buy from (and as an IndieBound affiliate, shopping through those links supports me, too!). Independent bookstores need our support more than ever this year, so please shop local if you can or if you don't have a local independent bookstore, please consider ordering online from my local indie </span><a href="https://www.carmichaelsbookstore.com/">Carmichael's Bookstore</a><span>. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-85177435622949068602020-11-06T07:11:00.009-05:002020-11-06T07:11:00.263-05:0012 Days of Giving: All Things Unicorn<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtqJJzsuk8Ms0dItObLo0pjuqJqkGbLYF4mADcDNrj4uGzEZpAAnUk-lxNHWweqmwybIY9Rc2CVIBfuVnwPPdc3co0pcj3BEqYj0nnklSNBnfHKd0g86ekYqF-8k9FaiWSBo0VQMFV9NN/s640/12days2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtqJJzsuk8Ms0dItObLo0pjuqJqkGbLYF4mADcDNrj4uGzEZpAAnUk-lxNHWweqmwybIY9Rc2CVIBfuVnwPPdc3co0pcj3BEqYj0nnklSNBnfHKd0g86ekYqF-8k9FaiWSBo0VQMFV9NN/s320/12days2020.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unicorns have been hot this year! If you have a young unicorn lover on your shopping list, these are the books to make their dreams come true. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Picture Books</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781492669739?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/739/669/FC9781492669739.JPG" /></a><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781492669739?aff=abbylibrarian">How to Catch a Unicorn</a> by Adam Wallace, illustrated by Andy Elkerton (Sourcebooks, 2019). This funny rhyming book, one of a series about catching magical creatures, is filled with zany fun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780385375559?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/559/375/FC9780385375559.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780385375559?aff=abbylibrarian">Uni the Unicorn</a> by Amy Kraus Rosenthal, illustrated by Brigitte Barrager (Random House, 2017). This picture book about a unicorn who believes that little girls are real is a testament to the power of believing and a sweet story for young unicorn fans. There are <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/search/book?aff=abbylibrarian&keys=uni%20rosenthal">quite a few books about Uni</a>, including more picture books and some easy readers, too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780374301859?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/859/301/FC9780374301859.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780374301859?aff=abbylibrarian">A Unicorn Named Sparkle</a> by Amy Young (Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, 2016). When Lucy sees an ad in the newspaper for a unicorn, she sends in her 25 cents and waits 4-6 weeks for her unicorn to arrive. But when he does... he looks nothing like what she thought... and he has fleas. Can Lucy love this unusual unicorn? There are some other books about Sparkle, so consider adding <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780374308506?aff=abbylibrarian">A Unicorn Named Sparkle and the Pumpkin Monster</a> (Halloween), <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780374305536?aff=abbylibrarian">A New Friend for Sparkle</a>, and <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780374308131?aff=abbylibrarian">A Unicorn Named Sparkle's First Christmas</a> to make a complete set. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781538391846?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/846/391/FC9781538391846.JPG" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781538391846?aff=abbylibrarian">Unicorn Puzzles</a> by Sam Loman (Windmill Books, 2019). For unicorn fans who like their books a little more interactive or if you're looking for some boredom busters for the winter days ahead, this might be a good choice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984830364?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/364/830/FC9781984830364.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984830364?aff=abbylibrarian">Unicorns 101</a> by Cale Atkinson (Doubleday, 2019). This hilarious picture book sets the record straight about unicorns. Professors Glitter Pants, Sprinkle Steed, Star Hoof, and Sugar Beard, along with their lab assistant Pete, present all kinds of amazing scientific facts about unicorns. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780762495696?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/696/495/FC9780762495696.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780762495696?aff=abbylibrarian">The Unicorns Who Saved Christmas</a> by Mary Winn Heider, illustrated by Christian Cornia (Running Press Kids, 2020). When Santa's reindeer come down with the chicken pox on Christmas Eve, can the unicorns save Christmas? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780316343473?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/473/343/FC9780316343473.JPG" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780316343473?aff=abbylibrarian">You Don't Want a Unicorn</a> by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Liz Climo (Little, Brown 2017). Ame Dyckman was an author mentioned over and over again when I asked for suggestions of laugh out loud picture books, so if you're looking for funny books, this might be the one for you. When a little boy wishes for a unicorn pet, he has no idea what he's getting himself into! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Chapter Books</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338323320?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/320/323/FC9781338323320.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338323320?aff=abbylibrarian">Bo's Magical New Friend (Unicorn Diaries)</a> by Rebecca Elliott (Scholastic, 2020). Rebecca Elliott is much beloved for her early chapter book series Owl Diaries and her new unicorn series is quickly becoming just as beloved at my library. I know a young unicorn fan who's getting this series about Rainbow Tinseltail and the unicorns of Sparklegrove Forest for Christmas. If you have a new chapter book reader in your life, this is the one to get. Pick up <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338323382?aff=abbylibrarian">Bo and the Dragon-Pup</a> (Unicorn Diaries #2) and <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338323429?aff=abbylibrarian">Bo the Brave</a> (Unicorn Diaries #3) for a fun gift set. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780735231726?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/726/231/FC9780735231726.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780735231726?aff=abbylibrarian">The Creature of the Pines</a> (Unicorn Rescue Society) by Adam Gidwitz, illustrated by Hatem Aly (Dutton, 2018). Okay, so this one's about all kinds of different magical creatures, so maybe not for unicorn purists, but it's a fun fantasy adventure series that's been really popular at my library. Elliot and Uchenna belong to a secret adventuring society called the Unicorn Rescue Society, charged with defending the world's mythical creatures. This is a good bet for young fantasy readers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338565416?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/416/565/FC9781338565416.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338565416?aff=abbylibrarian">Grumpy Unicorn</a> by Joey Spiotto (Scholastic, 2019). This funny graphic novel series stars the world's grumpiest unicorn. If Grumpy Cat was a unicorn, this is the book you would get. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984850546?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/546/850/FC9781984850546.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984850546?aff=abbylibrarian">Pacey Packer, Unicorn Tracker</a> by J. C. Phillips (Random House, 2020). When Pacey finds herself transported to a magical world to rescue her little sister, it's nothing like she expected it to be. And she's stuck with a sarcastic unicorn sidekick in this funny graphic novel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781449446208?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/208/446/FC9781449446208.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781449446208?aff=abbylibrarian">Phoebe and her Unicorn</a> by Dana Simpson (Andrews McMeel, 2014). When Phoebe skips a rock across a pond and accidentally hits a unicorn in the face, so begins a friendship for the ages. Phoebe and her unicorn, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, have many adventures together in this funny graphic novel series that's so far lasted 11 books and is super popular with my library patrons. Consider a <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781449493240?aff=abbylibrarian">boxed set</a> for a perfect holiday gift. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338329018?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/018/329/FC9781338329018.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338329018?aff=abbylibrarian">Sparkly New Friends</a> (Unicorn & Yeti) by Heather Ayris Burnell, illustrated by Quintanilla (Scholastic, 2019). Here's another early chapter book series that's filled with unicorn fun. Unicorn and Yeti are best friends even though they're opposites in a lot of ways. Fans of Frog & Toad or Bink & Gollie will enjoy this fun series, too. Pick up the rest of the books in the series for a nice package: #2 <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338329049?aff=abbylibrarian">A Good Team</a>, #3 <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338329070?aff=abbylibrarian">Friends Rock</a>, and #4 <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338627695?aff=abbylibrarian">Cheer Up</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>For the first 12 days of November, I'll be posting a list of children's books perfect for gift giving this holiday season. Check out the full list of lists <a href="https://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/10/12-days-of-giving.html">here</a> to see what's coming. All the lists link to IndieBound to make it easy for you to find an independent bookstore to buy from (and as an IndieBound affiliate, shopping through those links supports me, too!). Independent bookstores need our support more than ever this year, so please shop local if you can or if you don't have a local independent bookstore, please consider ordering online from my local indie </span><a href="https://www.carmichaelsbookstore.com/">Carmichael's Bookstore</a><span>. </span></div><br /><p></p></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2288123243574056261.post-44631592324498778812020-11-05T07:11:00.014-05:002020-11-05T07:11:00.182-05:0012 Days of Giving: Fantastic Nonfiction Picture Books<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoprgUzBTL9Xim4lepzCznYiuhn-7M0uCq81A9cFZ9LvGbPkixpRdNnd6K2u2cUGWXtWjfQUlUwED4AOpx7MWvOOgVI25DPOEq-YBL_cswvWfw7CS9gNgjIfBH36JezPDgZjg-Cnccg6d/s640/12days2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoprgUzBTL9Xim4lepzCznYiuhn-7M0uCq81A9cFZ9LvGbPkixpRdNnd6K2u2cUGWXtWjfQUlUwED4AOpx7MWvOOgVI25DPOEq-YBL_cswvWfw7CS9gNgjIfBH36JezPDgZjg-Cnccg6d/s320/12days2020.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shopping for a reader this year? Today I've got my favorite nonfiction picture books of the year. If you have a little one who loves to learn or if you need more informational books on your home library shelves, these are wonderful choices. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shopping for an older nonfiction reader? Check out <a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2018/12/12-days-of-giving-for-nonfiction-lovers.html">12 Days of Giving: Books for Nonfiction Lovers</a> for great suggestions for middle grade and teen readers!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780525514985?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/985/514/FC9780525514985.JPG" /></a><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780525514985?aff=abbylibrarian">Clever Hans: The True Story of the Counting, Adding, and Time-Telling Horse</a> by Kerri Kokias, illustrated by Mike Lowery (Putnam, 2020). Clever Hans was a horse who could count. Or could he? This fascinating true animal story will please any horse lover and teaches about the scientific process as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338239881?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/881/239/FC9781338239881.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781338239881?aff=abbylibrarian">Eat Your Rocks, Croc: Dr. Glider's Advice for Troubled Animals</a> by Jess Keating, illustrated by Pete Oswald (Orchard Books, 2020). This clever animal book presents facts about all kinds of different animals posed as questions for the local animal doctor. For example, Sebastian Nurse Shark complains that he can't shake the fish that are stuck to his belly and Dr. Glider explains that they are remoras who will help keep him clean. This book presents a lot of animal factoids in a really cute way and it's sure bet for kids who love animal shows like The Wild Kratts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781624148859?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/859/148/FC9781624148859.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781624148859?aff=abbylibrarian">Jonas Hanway's Scurrilous, Scandalous, Shockingly Sensational Umbrella</a> by Josh Crute, illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewan (Page Street Kids, 2020). This is a really fun nonfiction book about how umbrellas finally came into fashion (and stopped a lot of people from just GETTING WET in England) that will appeal to young readers who like learning weird and wacky facts about their world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781536201536?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/536/201/FC9781536201536.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781536201536?aff=abbylibrarian">The Nest That Wren Built</a> by Randi Sonenshine, illustrated by Anne Hunter (Candlewick, 2020). This sweet nonfiction picture book is a good bet for nature lovers and I love the rich vocabulary that makes it s really smart choice for sharing with preschoolers. We've all done more bird-watching than usual this past year and this would be a fun book to have in your home library this spring. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781534452282?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/282/452/FC9781534452282.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781534452282?aff=abbylibrarian">RESPECT: Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul</a> by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison (Atheneum, 2020). This stunning picture book biography is one of my favorites of the year, hands down. If you buy one book from this list, make it this one. Carole Boston Weatherford's deceptively simple text pays homage to the Queen of Soul in a really clever way and Frank Morrison's oil paintings are just gorgeous. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781620145876?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/876/145/FC9781620145876.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781620145876?aff=abbylibrarian">Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou</a> by Bethany Hegedus, illustrated by Tonya Engel (Lee & Low, 2019). Last year was the 50th anniversary of the publication of <i>I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings</i> and this kid-friendly biography introduces young readers to the life of this amazing poet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781580896863?aff=abbylibrarian"><img alt="Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org" src="https://images.booksense.com/images/books/863/896/FC9781580896863.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781580896863?aff=abbylibrarian">You're Invited to a Moth Ball: A Nighttime Insect Celebration</a> by Loree Griffin Burns, photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz (Charlesbridge, 2020). This unusual book will have families clamoring to spend some time outside investigating moths this summer. With lively text and photo illustrations, this book presents a "moth ball", a family setting up outdoor stations to study the moths in their backyard. This would be a fun gift for families who love to spend time outdoors to give them a unique activity for once the weather warms up again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>For the first 12 days of November, I'll be posting a list of children's books perfect for gift giving this holiday season. Check out the full list of lists <a href="https://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2020/10/12-days-of-giving.html">here</a> to see what's coming. All the lists link to IndieBound to make it easy for you to find an independent bookstore to buy from (and as an IndieBound affiliate, shopping through those links supports me, too!). Independent bookstores need our support more than ever this year, so please shop local if you can or if you don't have a local independent bookstore, please consider ordering online from my local indie </span><a href="https://www.carmichaelsbookstore.com/">Carmichael's Bookstore</a><span>. </span></div><br /><p></p></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.com