Pack

When a boy disguises himself in order to feel like a part of the pack, will he be able to choose to give up everything and be himself?

Frizzy

A middle grade graphic novel about Marlene, a young girl who stops straightening her hair and embraces her natural curls.Marlene loves three things: books, her cool Tía Ruby and hanging out with her best friend Camila. But according to her mother, Paola, the only thing she needs to focus on is school and “growing up.” That means straightening her hair every weekend so she could have “presentable”, “good hair”.But Marlene hates being in the salon and doesn’t understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her. With a few hiccups, a dash of embarrassment, and the much-needed help of Camila and Tia Ruby—she slowly starts a journey to learn to appreciate and proudly wear her curly hair.

João By A Thread

As João tucks under a lovingly woven quilt, he asks himself: So it’s just me now? He curls up, getting cozy in bed, and soon the world of his dreams unspools on the page. The blanket in his bed unravels into deep rivers, lakes, valleys, reservoirs, mountain ranges, fishing nets full of tadpoles and gaping holes, until what’s left is just one long thread. When he feels alone and scared in the dark, João “sews words like patchwork” into a new blanket to cover himself up. He weaves the threads of his quilt until they form one long sentence, and soon, the nighttime is peppered with his own silvery, slippery words. Roger Mello draws like a shapeshifter – to look at his illustrations is always to see something you missed before (a stingray, a crescent moon nestled into the palm of João’s hand). His breathtaking line drawings, beaming in white thread against deep red, combined with poetic and bewildered language, make João by a Thread a book to take into bed at the edge of sleep, just before you start to dream

Just A Girl: A True Story Of World War Ii

In this award-winning memoir translated from Italian to English, a Jewish girl grows up during a difficult time of racial discrimination and war, and discovers light in unexpected places. This classic, powerful story from Lia Levi is adapted for young readers, with beautiful black-and-white illustrations, a family photo album, and a powerful author’s note to readers. 1938, Italy. Six-year-old Lia loves to build sandcastles at the beach and her biggest problem is her shyness and quiet, birdlike voice–until prime minister Mussolini joins forces with Hitler in World War II, and everything changes.Now there are laws saying Jewish children can’t go to school, Jews can’t work, or go on vacation. It’s difficult for Lia to understand why this is happening to her family. When her father loses his job, they must give up their home and move from city to city.As war comes closer, it becomes too dangerous to stay together, and Lia and her sisters are sent to hide at a convent. Will she ever be “just a girl” again?The memoir is full of poignant moments of friendship and loss, dreaded tests at school, told in Lia’s captivating voice, as she grows into a young teen. Just a Girl is an important addition to the WWII Jewish canon.

The Very Best Sukkah: A Story From Uganda

Sukkot is Shoshi’s favorite Jewish holiday. She and her brothers love to decorate their sukkah, the hut where her family will celebrate. But who will win the Ugandan Abayudaya community’s annual sukkah contest? While only one sukkah can be the best, everybody wins when neighbors work together.

Featured in WOW Review Volume XVII, Issue 1.

Dear Street

“Alice loves her neighborhood. She loves the maples trees and marigolds and the colorful balconies on her street. But — “grumble, grumble, more construction” — it seems not everyone does. “Poor street,” says Alice, then she has an idea. “Dear Street …” she begins to write, and when she’s finished writing her love letter, she hides it for someone to find. A grumpy neighbor discovers the anonymous letter and her mood brightens. As the seasons pass, Alice writes more letters to the things she loves, hiding them for people to find and transforming grumbles into smiles and wonder. Until one gloomy day, when Alice herself can’t stop grumbling … Lindsay Zier-Vogel perfectly captures the everyday joys and simple pleasures experienced by children, and the transformative capacity of sharing what we love about where we live. Alice, a girl full of compassion and optimism, demonstrates that a small, simple act can have a powerful impact on others and lead to a ripple effect. This is a delightful, uplifting picture book that celebrates community and connecting with others, and inspires readers to look around them in a more grateful and engaged manner.”–