Heroes Of The Night Sky

The Ancient Greeks found patterns in the stars and told stories of the gods, heroes, adventures, and battles that lay behind these formations. This gorgeous book brings the tales of twelve key constellations to life, including Ursa Major, Andromeda, Pegasus, Orion, Scorpius, and others. Each story is concisely recounted on a page that then opens out to provide a three-page canvas for Tom Kindley’s striking graphic narrative. Luxuriantly packaged with fabric binding, gold metallic printing, and a fold-out star map, this is a spectacular book that will appeal to older children and adults alike.

Hurricane Child

Caroline Murphy is a Hurricane Child. Being born during a hurricane is unlucky, and twelve-year-old Caroline has had her share of bad luck lately. She’s hated and bullied by everyone in her small school on St. Thomas of the US Virgin Islands, a spirit only she can see won’t stop following her, and — worst of all — Caroline’s mother left home one day and never came back. But when a new student named Kalinda arrives, Caroline’s luck begins to turn around. Kalinda, a solemn girl from Barbados with a special smile for everyone, becomes Caroline’s first and only friend — and the person for whom Caroline has begun to develop a crush. Now, Caroline must find the strength to confront her feelings for Kalinda, brave the spirit stalking her through the islands, and face the reason her mother abandoned her. Together, Caroline and Kalinda must set out in a hurricane to find Caroline’s missing mother before Caroline loses her forever.

Faith And Fury

Temple Mount is a site where worlds meet, conflict arises, and history changes. Standing in the center of Jerusalem, it is a holy landmark for Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike, and has been the locus of many of the most important religious, social, and political upheavals of the last thousand years. Rumored to be the location of the Garden of Eden, Temple Mount dominates Jerusalem’s Old City and contains the Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall, both of which attract millions of visitors and religious pilgrims each year. Veteran author Ilene Cooper explores the turbulent history of Jerusalem’s famous Temple Mount in this timely, illustrated nonfiction offering.

Fire Starters

Looking for a little mischief after finding an old flare gun, Ron and Ben suddenly find themselves in trouble when the local gas bar on Agamiing Reserve goes up in flames, and they are wrongly accused of arson by the sheriff’s son. As the investigation goes forward, community attitudes are revealed, and the truth slowly comes to light.

Flying Colors

By exploring the designs of flags, we can learn all about the histories and aspirations of the countries they represent. Did you know that only the flag of Nepal has more than four sides? Or that the flag of Mozambique features a book, a hoe and an AK47? Robert Fresson’s vintage-inflected illustrations shed fresh light on the wonders of vexillology.

Beyond The Fence

Piggy lives in a large house with Thomas. Thomas knows exactly what Piggy needs. But a chance meeting with a wild pig changes everything, and Piggy finds out what lies outside the four walls, beyond the fence. A gentle book about freedom and friendship.

Children of Blood and Bone

They killed my mother. They took our magic. They tried to bury us. Now we rise. Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls. But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope. Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good. Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy.

Children of Blood and Bone is the WOW Recommends: Book of the Month for August 2018 and is reviewed in Volume 11, Issue 3 of WOW Review: Reading Across Cultures.