Twinkle feels that she is a "nobody." Ignored by her parents, she longs to be noticed at school. An opportunity to shine comes when Twinkle is asked to direct a movie for the local arts festival. 
Film geek Sahil has offered to help produce her filmmaking debut. They brainstorm an imaginative story concept, turning the classic Dracula into a gender-reversal version. But Sahil clearly wants more than just a business relationship.
Twinkle has an ongoing crush on Sahil's athletic superstar twin brother Neil. When she begins receiving anonymous emails from a secret admirer, Twinkle assumes (hopes) that the sender is Neil.
Menon uses a series of imaginary emails that Twinkle sends to famous women of filmdom in this story of finding where one's heart lies.

​Fourteen-year-old Cassidy Rain Berghoff, still mourning the death of her best friend, agrees to photograph the local newspaper's story of this summer's Indian Camp, organized by her Aunt Georgia. Prominent members of this mostly white Kansas community protest the use of public funds for Indian Camp.
Rain's heritage includes Muscogee Creek-Cherokee, Scots-Irish and Irish-German-Ojibway.  Her mother refers to the loving, close-knit family as her "patchwork tribe." 
​After introductory pages detailing her friend's  tragic death, readers follow Rain's  chronological description of nine days: June 26 to July 4.  Smith begins each chapter with a journal excerpt which gives the narrative intimacy and poignancy.
​​Rain uses her camera to help her face the world after her heartbreaking loss, acknowledge her heritage, and bring closure and peace to her heart.

Quintero and Peña employ a mixed media approach to this biographical graphic novel illuminating the life and work of  Graciela Iturbide.  The pastiche of eloquent text, artfully arranged sequential panels, and photographs blend together seamlessly.

Quintero's glorious text is rich with layers of meaning. Peña's realistic line drawings combined with black and white photographs and artful panel and page design provide a stellar reading experience. This biography is much more than a chronology.  It is a celebration of art, creation, and culture. 

Simon Abbott's subject-specific trivia books are jam-packed with fascinating factoids.  

100 Questions and About Oceans covers a wide range of ocean-related data including basic underwater geography and ecology, ecosystems, marine animal records, well-known marine biologists, historical shipwrecks, and protecting aquatic life. 

​Information is presented as a series of questions with corresponding answers, formatted in brief easy-to-read statements.

Bright colors fill the pages. Animalia have expressive faces with googly eyes and winsome smiles. Some scientific terms and animal species names appear in bold face type with the pronunciation in parenthesis.  

Text is replete with puns that will delight young readers and probably elicit groans from adults. 

This kid-friendly series is sure to be a hit with those who enjoy interesting and sometimes obscure informational tidbits.

Hearts are fragile things. A heart can be pierced. It can shatter. Some hearts may slowly bleed. Every person, at some point in life experiences the pain of heartbreak. Dear Heartbreak edited by Heather Demetrios is compilation of real letters written by teens. Young adult authors respond to these deeply personal teen self-portrayals.  The original letters and the author's replies acknowledge the reality of heartbreak. Each author relates personally to the down side of daring to trust, of wishing for more, of saying no.  
​Here's what I predict will happen with this book:   It will be read and read again.  It will be misplaced several times. Librarians will find it scattered throughout the library in strange nooks and crannies. It will probably manage to leave the library without ever passing over the circulation desk. Librarians will need to order multiple copies.

A helpful listing of resources includes six free private hotlines as well as contact information for several helpful foundations and organizations.
Brief biographical sketches of the YA authors along with a listing of books published by each can be found in the back matter. Becky Albertalli, Adi Alsaid, Libba Bray, Mike Curato, Amy Ewing, Zach Fehst, Gayle Forman, Corey Ann Haydu, Varian Johnson, A.S. King, Nina LaCour, Kim Liggett, Kekla Magoon, Sarah McCarry, Sandhya Menon, Cristina Moracho, Jasmine Warga, Ibi Zoboi

You could make a bazillion Instagram postings with your own photos and quotes from the book.  It is jam-packed with meme-worthy wisdom. Scroll through your phone. Pick out a few phrases and post away! Be sure to credit the author of the quote.

This board book is a little gem. Consider the following:

• The engaging text has a song-like quality using rhymes and rhythms.
• Lesser-known animal species are introduced.
• Math multiples, an interesting concept rarely covered in picture books, is a major component.  
• It's forever and always a celebration of the enduring love of a parent.

Heather Swain infuses the text with some powerful scientific terminology: appendages, arachnids, cephalopod, isopod, tentacles.  She weaves them so smoothly into the rhymes that they easily roll off the tongue.
Steven Henry's charming illustrations provide important context clues for unknown words.  The bold color pallet and winsome facial expressions on the animal faces are a delight.

Essie, daughter of a Savannah prostitute, spent her childhood nights sequestered in an attic above her mother' bedroom. At the age of fourteen Essie found work as a domestic, taught herself to read, and escaped a life of despair.

Dorcas Vashon, a frequent guest in Savannah, notices this servant and offers her the opportunity to move to Baltimore and start a new life. Essie changes her name to Victoria and commences a rigorous regime of training in the art of becoming a lady of refinement.  It is difficult, but she is inspired by the writings of Frederick Douglass.

This meticulously researched novel of Black aristocracy is a portrait of genteel life, refined manners, glittering receptions and, sumptuous meals. While some individuals fill their days with idle pursuits, others study and advance to positions of importance and influence. Victoria determines that she will devote herself to helping others.

Bolden introduces some of the influential people living and working in our nation's capital in the 1880's.  Readers will want to learn more about these remarkable individuals.

The voice. The first thing I notice about a Karen Rivers novel is the voice. Always distinctive. Invariably haunting and unforgettable.
Written in second person, You Are the Everything invites readers into the mind of Elyse Schmidt.

​Elyse and her best friend Kath are on their way home from a band trip to Paris.

​A smallish sixteen-year-old flutist with a penchant for drawing, Schmidt finds that her seatmate on the return flight is Josh Harris, the object of her unrequited love. As he sleeps, she imagines a romantic relationship with the boy of her dreams.

When this magical little book arrived, it immediately elicited oohs and ahhs from an appreciative audience. Firefly Forest draws readers into a world of wonder and possibility.

We placed the book among the twinkling lights in our garden. It is the perfect book setting. 

Frampton's rhyming text, often in the form of couplets, offers reassuring messages of hope and inspiration.

However, it's her fantastical creations: miniature homes and furnishings, created from natural elements and placed throughout the woodland setting that capture the imagination.

Purchase one of Robyn's miniature doors from her website.

Visit the delightful Garvin Woodland Gardens located in Arkansas. 

Enjoy the New York Botanical Gardens Holiday Train Show.

Originally published in 2006, Compestine’s celebration of Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is a vibrant compendium of Chinese culture. Presented in an alphabetical format, readers observe youngsters as they prepare for and participate in this annual fifteen-day  traditional festival.

Children anticipate New Year by crafting messages on red paper and getting haircuts. Enjoy mouth-watering traditional foods: noodles, oranges, roast duck, and dumplings. Join in the celebrating with kites, lanterns, incense, and firecrackers.

Xuan’s illustrations are replete with gorgeous jewel colors.  Soft yellow backgrounds play up the vibrant reds.

He seamlessly blends images across the gutter, skillfully joining two distinct concepts into one image. Objects such as the imposing dragon figure span an entire two-page spread. This creature is magnificent!

Newbery Award-winning author illustrator Grace Lin celebrates the New Year.

Learn to read and write basic Chinese characters with Chineasy created by ShaoLan.

Make delicious dumplings with author and cook Ying Chang Compestine.

Babies. Beautiful babies. Anticipating the arrival of an infant is often a joyful occasion. Creating handmade items for mothers expecting the arrival of a little one is one of life's pleasures

Here's the small "fish" shaped cap I knit for a newborn whose parents are  aficionados of the seashore. I decided to make this a thematic gift and include a few other items related to fish. It proved to be a terrific idea.

I wondered: Could I create thematic baby gift packages featuring my handcrafted items? If so, what would I include?
The answer was simple: board books.
Viola! a small, actually a teeny tiny, cottage industry was created:
Story Stork
The premise: pair a board book with a handknit infant hat. I was in business. The knitting needles began to fly. I would match cute little head toppers with a charming board book that would be just the right size and shape for chubby hands.
​Heads up. Hands down. This is one great gift idea!

After I moved to South Texas, warm woolen items became a bit more problematic. The summer heat presented the opportunity for Story Stork to branch out and create something new. 
Embroidered little cotton shirts and onesies are better suited to this temperate climate.
It is fun to coordinate the gift wrap.  I like to use pages from picture book galleys as wrapping paper.  The excess paper strips make eye-popping decorative bows.
The Story Stork strikes again!

Get your knit on or keep it going with delighful knitting-related picture books.

The holidays are upon us.  This may mean strained relationships. Stress with a capital S. Maybe it's time to throw  out the calorie count and indulge in decadent desserts. Sweet Revenge: Passive-Aggressive Desserts for Your Exes & Enemies has you covered.

This tantalizing cookbook is fun to read. Text is replete with clever turn-of-phrase and precisely the right amount of snark. 

It's a visual treat as well.  Book design has a slightly edgy feel with bold fonts, quirky graphic elements and eye-popping photographs.

Heather Kim states in her introduction that this volume is first and foremost a cookbook. So let’s talk food: not your standard chocolate chip and snickerdoodle fare. The recipes are inventive, and some are downright dangerous. Consider these: Pretzel-Peanut-Butter Cups, Cannoli Waffles with a candied Pistachio topping, Coconut Mochi Cake with Coconut Sesame-Pecan Icing, Carrot Cake Truffles with Cool Ranch Doritos Sugar.  Some venture into truly innovative: Elvis cupcakes (banana cake, peanut buttercream frosting and butterscotch candied bacon) or Flamin' Hot Cheetos Ice Cream Sandwiches.

I tried the S'more Brownies.  It's basically a brownie topped with squares of homemade marshmallow and  graham cracker streusel.  There's a nice hint of cinnamon in the cracker/butter mixture.  Now the fun: toast the  fudgy little squares with a torch or under the broiler. Watch them lightly brown. Then devour.  Taste-tested by a panel of teens and adults, we all agreed that these are yummy!

Heather Kim is an adroit author.  She taps into teen social drama and offers concrete suggestions for coping with rejection. Her premise is that when a breakup occurs, get into the kitchen and whip up something new and different.  Then she suggests two possible options:  Wrap up the goodies and deliver them to your ex,  i.e. "kill with kindness." Or go the alternative route and eat your creation.  Savor each bite.  Because life is too short to waste on self-pity.  Either way, the result will be delicious.

This makes the perfect gift for anyone experiencing the pain of a breakup.  It's therapy with a mixing spoon.  Go bake your heart out!