Here's a true adventure story: penniless Irish immigrants Daniel and Kathleen survive a dangerous ocean voyage only to be dumped into the tinderbox of Civil War-era New York City, where they need a plan, and quick, lest they starve. How do cross-dressing, a perceptive nun, a golden harp, and a theater magician figure in? This middle-grade historical fiction explores some acutely relevant prejudices through the eyes of a boy whose homesickness and hunger shows him the similarities between people no matter their beliefs, their looks, or their past. -Emmy
Cozy up with this book, as I did, and get ready for a witty and moving story of an older brother that detests his sister . . . well, most of the time. With lively illustrations and quick 'letters' per page, you will gobble up this story and be more than a little teary eyed by the end. I loved this book, hope you do too! -Ryan
Video games and hacking are Zenobia's passions, abilities that come in handy when someone defaces her new middle school’s website with racial slurs. Zen and her new friend Arli are determined to find out the culprit, but while she is getting closer to her new friend, she's getting more nervous about sharing a her past with them - a past in a different state, before she lived with her two Aunties, and before she was allowed to wear dresses. This book celebrates our beautiful differences while also highlighting the difficulties that often come with that personal expression. Ultimately, it is a dazzling reminder for us to be ourselves no matter how our society tries to label us.
-Leah
Aru is back! This time without the Spider-Man pajamas and with a lot more Lord of the Rings references. Two new questers join the mission to save the world (as you do) and the fellowship is . . . strained. Their personalities clash but with gods and monsters to outsmart, they learn to lean on each other's strengths. And, just like the first book, this one is hilarious. I'd like to think that if I went on a magical quest, I would be a lot like these heroes -- that is, very intense and very awkward and prone to using movie plots to escape tight spots. -Sarah C.
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