“Garvin’s debut novel, tells the story of Riley, a 16-year-old gender fluid teen who starts an anonymous blog to deal with hostility from classmates and tension at home. But when the blog goes viral, a storm of media attention threatens Riley’s anonymity.”
-jeffgarvinbooks.com
“One of the first YA books to deal with the complex issue of gender fluidity…Riley’s emotional life and personal growth shed welcome light on a hitherto obscure subject.”
-Booklist (starred review)
This stick and stone would never break a bone, as they’re too busy caring about each other. Round stone labels himself a “zero” and tall, skinny Stick is only a “one,” as they are solitary figures until they come together to form “a perfect 10.” Stick sticks up for Stone when bully Pinecone makes fun of the rock, and the two become close companions. Told in rhyming couplets, this is a warm and tender story of two BFFs. -School Library Journal
For fans of Raina Telgemeier’s Smile, a heartwarming graphic novel about friendship and surviving junior high through the power of roller derby.
For most of her twelve years, Astrid has done everything with her best friend Nicole. But after Astrid falls in love with roller derby and signs up for derby camp, Nicole decides to go to dance camp instead. And so begins the most difficult summer of Astrid’s life as she struggles to keep up with the older girls at camp, hang on to the friend she feels slipping away, and cautiously embark on a new friendship. As the end of summer nears and her first roller derby bout (and junior high!) draws closer, Astrid realizes that maybe she is strong enough to handle the bout, a lost friendship, and middle school… in short, strong enough to be a roller girl.
In her graphic novel debut, real-life derby girl Victoria Jamieson has created an inspiring coming-of-age story about friendship, perseverence, and girl power -Amazon
After a big bull tells him to go away, a little bull looks hurt and dejected. When a friendly rabbit, chicken, and turtle ask him if he wants to play, to each smaller animal, he bellows his answer (NO!). He grows larger (CHICKEN!), and LARGER (SLOWPOKE!) with each name he calls. After seven name-calling episodes, he has grown so enormous that only his hoof fits in the picture book. The tables are turned when a goat yells BULLY! Bully? asks the bull, looking hurt and insecure. Suddenly deflated, he apologizes to his friends and asks, Wanna play? Bold black lines and flat colors define the images of the animals, which stand out against the textured, ivory-toned backgrounds. Delivered in speech balloons, the only text is terse dialogue delivered in a font that grows larger as the bull roars louder. His ego deflates in an amusing, cartoonlike scene, showing him spinning like a punctured balloon. Perhaps the most unusual aspect of the book is the consideration of the bully’s point of view. Intelligently conceived and beautifully executed, this picture book is visually and verbally pared down to essentials, making it accessible to a wide age range. Yet for all its simplicity, this story opens up a number of complex issues for discussion.
-Booklist
I highly recommend Raina Telgemeier’s three graphic novels Sisters, Drama and Smile. They are full of heart, humor and cringe-worthy childhood memories many of us can relate to. Smile and Sisters are an autobiographical companion set about Raina’s 1980’s bay area childhood perfect for ages 10 and up. Drama has a tad more mature themes and is great for middle schoolers on up.
Salina Yoon’s spare text and bright, energetic illustrations bring to life this endearing story celebrating friendships lost and found, and overcoming the odds to be with the one you love. Uber charming–check out (shameless library pun!) the whole series.
A young girl immigrates from Mexico to America in the 1950’s. Her transition–sometimes difficult, sometimes wonderful–is told through letters back home to her beloved Aunt Lupita. Beautifully told and drawn by husband/wife team Small and Stewart.
This is Hannah, and those are her hands, Sadie and Ratz. Sometimes they behave like wild beasts! …especially when her pesky 4-year-old brother is around.
An entertaining read and a great way to teach impulse control to little ones.
A cheerful “bunny rabbit gentleman” with a wonderful knack for setting things right. Kind, soothing and entertaining tales.
Also had to post the sublime graphic art of the 1961 board game:
The Story Hour 