The narrative follows Fabio as he struggles with fears. So many fears: fear generated by his imaginings, fear of the unknown, fear of making a mistake, fear of letting go.

The imagery is exquisite, flavored with language so beautiful that it begs to slowly savored. Themes are threaded throughout the text, offering a variety perspectives on an idea. Here are a few:

Native Colombia artist Rickenmann's sixteen black and white realistic renderings of the Bogotá’s landscape, especially abandoned buildings and open spaces, offer a fitting overture and coda to this exquisitely told tale.

The Spanish edition and an English translation are bound together.  Salazar’s translation is filled with rhythm, poetic language, and expressive imagery. The combined work of author, illustrator, and translator have resulted in an incredibly thoughtful and moving experience.

 Algorta has appropriately titled her debut novel Neverforgotten. A book unlike anything that I have ever read, it continues to haunt me.

Barb longs for her mother, a woman who loves sunrises and leaves warm oatmeal for her daughter when she must go fight in the Monster Wars. She is able to connect with her warrior mom as she sleeps. There are hints that in further episodes the two will meet. 

When you need a fighter who is willing to take on an impossible task, you need Barb, a diminutive Bezerker who is fearless. She will always have your back and she never backs down from bullies.

This is a terrific series packed with cliff-hanger chapter endings, plently of action, and a ton of "groan-worthy" jokes. The oversized panels often span the gutter. A traditional primary color scheme often used in superhero comics is scrapped for secondary colors: orange, green, and purple. The message is that is no ordinary superhero story. Come for the weird monsters, the action and adventure. Stay for an unlikely friendship that is golden. This series is off to an explosive start. Thanks Dan and Jason.

​Baptiste’s extensive research reveals fascinating insights into the lives of four influential women: Merneith, Amanirenas, Tin Hinan, and Queen Idia. Readers are introduced to: the mother who served as a regent and facilitated the transfer of power from father to son, the warrior queen who fed prisoners to her pet lion and negotiated the Roman retreat from her country, a queen with a disability who founded a thriving city in the desert, a woman skilled in medical and mystic arts who ensured that her son learn Portuguese to facilitate diplomatic negotiations without a translator.
​Thank you, Tracey. We need more stories about historically significant women.​

Of interest to librarians is the chapter titled “Libraries in the Sands.” Readers will learn that scholarship in sixteenth century Timbuktu was legendary. Library collections consisted of a wealth of information on a vast array of topics as well as literary works. Books were handwritten on paper made from linen or fish skins and richly embellished with designs and illustrations.

Back matter includes: Culture Lost description of innovative, intellectual, and artistic accomplishments originating in Africa that were erased by European colonization, an Author’s Note, extensive Source Notes organized by chapter topics, a lengthy Bibliography, suggestions for Further Exploration, an Index, and a Designer’s Note. The depth and breadth of the author’s research is impressive.

This slim volume is an essential addition to public, school, and classroom libraries, filling an often-neglected historical, geographical, and sociological information gap. My advice: If library funds are limited and it becomes necessary to limit purchases, put this book on the “must purchase” list.

​Celebrate National Hispanic American Heritage Month with a variety of books and activities.  Have you ever wondered why this month-long celebration begins on September 15?

September 22: 30 minute program for children ages 3-5 year and their caregivers. Learn about Marisol Escobar through movement and art. Register here.
September 25: See Your World in a Story Monica Brown, Margarita Engle, Yehudi Mercado. Details here.
September 25: Virtual pajama party for 8-12 year olds and their families focusing on the book Sylvia and Aki with hands-on activities. Register here.
September 29: 30 minute program for children ages 3-6 and their caregivers will learn about Pedro Martínez through movement and art. Register here.
​September 29: Participatory performance by Cambalache, a Chicano-Jarocho group based in East Los Angeles. Details here.
October 1: Release of 50 recordings for online streaming, including recordings from Cuban anthropologist, author, and poet Ruth Behar. Details here.
October 6: 30 minute program for children ages 3-5 year and their caregivers. Learn about Delores Huerta and César Chávez through movement and art. Register here.
October 11: A one hour celebration of Children's and YA Latin and Latin American Literature with Angela Burke Kunkel, Aida Salazar, Raúl The Third, Sili Recio, and Yamile Saied Méndez. Details here.
October 13: 30 minute program for children ages 3-6 and their caregivers will learn about Carmen Herrera through movement and art. Register here.
​October 13: 90 minute Hispanic Heritage Month Author Series with Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Lulu Delarce, David O. Bowles Register here.

This makes an excellent read aloud selection, but it also works well for individual inspection, thoughtfully poring over each page. Because the text is not particularly linear, readers may choose to flip pages back and forth as they make new discoveries.

Students can expand on the ideas presented by creating cut paper shapes and then arranging those shapes in interesting ways that will display a variety of ideas and relationships. This book is a keeper. It belongs in early childcare centers, elementary and secondary classrooms, as well as graphic design studios.

In a high stakes, nail-biting finish Josephine must brave a violent storm, locate her father trapped in an underwater cave, confront an raging Mariss, and free her father. When all her efforts fail and it seems that hope is lost, Josephine comes through with her own powerful weapon. She uses her cricket-playing skills to defeat the Sea Mumma and release her father from the spell. Shakirah Bourne's middle-grade novel will bewitch readers with its fascinating characters, humor, and a boatload of Caribbean folklore.

Meet Corrine, another young Caribbean who must face danger and outwit a water spirit.