What Should Oliver Read Next?

 

Meowdy, fellow feline aficionados! I just finished reading my good friend Cindy’s recommended book, Don't Trust Cats by Dev Petty and Mike Boldt, and let me tell you, it was the cat's pajamas!

Right from the start, I was hooked—this book had me feline good with its charming illustrations and witty purr-spective on our not-so-innocent kitty kind. The story is all about the antics of cats, and as a seasoned cat myself, I can confirm: we are a curious bunch, often up to no good!

The humor had me laughing out loud (or should I say, “meow-ing” out loud?). Each page had a delightful twist that kept my whiskers twitching. The clever puns sprinkled throughout are paw-sitively delightful, making this a great read for humans and cats alike.

What I found most paw-some was how it captures the essence of our feline nature. From our sneaky little schemes to our regal attitude, it’s like looking in a mirror—albeit a funhouse mirror that exaggerates our majestic tails!

In summary, if you’re looking for a book that’s both entertaining and full of fur-tastic illustrations, Don't Trust Cats is the one for you. Trust me.

Until next time, Oliver out!

 

Fast Five Fiction: DiNovember

It's Friday and time for Fast Five Fiction! Each week I share five fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme. Each November, we celebrate Dinovember in the children's department so today I'm sharing some popular reads for the Dino lover in your life. 

We're hosting Paint by Sticker: Dino Edition, for kids in grades K-5, on Saturday, November 16 at 2:00 if you'd like to join us!

Click the title to be directed to the book in our catalog. Book descriptions are from Goodreads.

Dinomighty! by Doug Paleo

The first in a new graphic novel series, perfect for fans of Dog Man, Hilo and The Bad Guys.  

On their own, they are four mild-mannered dinos, but together they are . .  DINOMIGHTY!

Everything is pleasant and good in Dinotown . . . until Teri-Dactyl discovers a cryptic email that says the precious Golden Egglettes are in danger! Dinomighties unite! But can they spring into action fast enough to save these valuable jewels from evil baddies?

What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night by Refe & Susan Tuma

Since Toy Story (and maybe since the very first toys!) children and their parents have wondered what it would be like if toys came to life. Refe and Susan Tuma take this wonder several steps further in What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night.

Every November, writer and social media master Refe Tuma and his wife, Susan, work into the night to bring their four children scenes from the secret lives of their toys—specifically the nighttime antics of their plastic dinosaurs. The dinosaurs wreck bathrooms, destroy vases, rock out, encounter terrifying hot irons, even do the dishes with hilarious, magical results. Each scene is photographed in meticulous detail, letting viewers joyfully suspend disbelief and think to themselves—just LOOK what the dinosaurs did last night?

Lost Time by Tas Mukanik

Jurassic World meets How to Train Your Dragon in this gorgeously drawn, adventure-packed middle grade graphic novel about a girl who gets trapped 65 million years in the past and must learn to survive with only her wits...and the pterosaur she befriends.

Twelve-year-old Evie didn't mean to get lost--especially in the Cretaceous period! Now she's alone, without her parents or anyone else to turn to for help. That is until she rescues a baby pterosaur and raises it on her own. As the baby grows into a giraffe-sized flying reptile, which Evie names Ada, the two manage to to find a way to survive in the prehistoric wilderness.

But Evie will have to risk everything when she makes a discovery that may just be her only chance of returning home. Putting Ada's flying skills to the ultimate test, the duo must embark on a journey halfway across the world--battling all nature throws at them, from fearsome dinosaurs to raging storms. Will Evie manage to overcome all the odds and find a way back to her family... or is she truly lost in time?

Dinosaur Club series by Rex Stone

Jamie is one of the biggest dinosaur fans ever. He's a member of the Dinosaur Club -- a network of kids around the world who share dinosaur knowledge. While exploring Ammonite Bay, Jamie meets Tess, a fellow Dinosaur Club member. Tess shows Jamie her favorite place -- a secret cave with fossils all over the walls. They see a strange tunnel at the back and go through it together. You won't believe what they discover next -- actual dinosaurs!

Learn all about dinosaurs and the prehistoric world in DK's new children's book series. A beautiful marriage of fiction and fact, Dinosaur Club is a modern revision of the popular Dinosaur Cove series fully updated for a new audience, featuring a brand new premise, new characters, totally new artwork throughout, and all the latest dinosaur information and discoveries.

At the end of each fictional book, you'll find "The Dino Files" which is a summary of all the scientific facts and discoveries made throughout the story. With fun illustrations, quizzes and a vocabulary list, the value of this educational book is outstanding and great for a classroom read!

Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel Jose Older

It's 1863 and dinosaurs roam the streets of New York as the Civil War rages between raptor-mounted armies down South. Magdalys Roca and her friends from the Colored Orphan Asylum are on a field trip when the Draft Riots break out, and a number of their fellow orphans are kidnapped by an evil magistrate, Richard Riker.

Magdalys and her friends flee to Brooklyn and settle in the Dactyl Hill neighborhood, where black and brown New Yorkers have set up an independent community--a safe haven from the threats of Manhattan. Together with the Vigilance Committee, they train to fly on dactylback, discover new friends and amazing dinosaurs, and plot to take down Riker. Can Magdalys and the squad rescue the rest of their friends before it's too late?

Happy Friday and happy reading!

Fast Five Fiction: Native American Heritage Month

It's Friday and time for Fast Five Fiction! Each week I share five fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme. November is National Native American Heritage Month so today's roundup features books by Indigenous authors in honor of this nation’s first people and their rich history.  

Click the title to be directed to the book in our catalog. Book descriptions are from Goodreads.

Remember by Joy Harjo

US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo's iconic poem "Remember,"illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade, invites young readers to pause and reflect on the wonder of the world around them, and to remember the importance of their place in it.

Remember the sky you were born under,
Know each of the star's stories.
Remember the moon, know who she is.
Remember the sun's birth at dawn,
That is the strongest point of time.

So begins the picture book adaptation of the renowned poem that encourages young readers to reflect on family, nature, and their heritage. In simple and direct language, Harjo, a member of the Mvskoke Nation, urges readers to pay close attention to who they are, the world they were born into, and how all inhabitants on earth are connected. Michaela Goade, drawing from her Tlingit culture, has created vivid illustrations that make the words come alive in an engaging and accessible way.

This timeless poem paired with magnificent paintings makes for a picture book that is a true celebration of life and our human role within it.

The Misewa Saga by David Robertson

Readers looking for a Narnia-like adventure based on Indigenous legends will love this action-packed series from a member of the Norway House Cree Nation in Canada. It’s about two Native American children in foster care who bond over their shared heritage. They find a portal to another dimension and get swept up in an unforgettable journey of courage and survival.

Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids by Cynthia Leitich Smith

A collection of intersecting stories set at a powwow that bursts with hope, joy, resilience, the strength of community, and Native pride.

In a high school gym full of color and song, Native families from Nations within the borders of the U.S. and Canada dance, sell beadwork and books, and celebrate friendship and heritage. They are the heroes of their own stories.

The Second Chance of Benjamin Waterfalls by James Bird

A middle-grade novel by James Bird about a boy sent to his Ojibwe family to straighten out his life.

Benjamin Waterfalls comes from a broken home, and the quickest fix he’s found for his life is to fill that emptiness with stuff he steals and then sells. But he’s been caught one too many times, and when he appears before a tough judge, his mother proposes sending him to “boot camp” at the Ojibwe reservation where they used to live.

Soon he is on his way to Grand Portage, Minnesota, to live with his father – the man Benny hasn’t seen in years. Not only is “boot camp” not what he expects, but his rehabilitation seems to be in the hands of the tribal leader’s daughter, who wears a mask. Why? Finding the answer to this and so many other questions prove tougher than any military-style boot camp. Will answers be enough for Benny to turn his life around and embrace his second chance?

Powwow Day by Traci Sorrell

In this uplifting, contemporary Native American story, River is recovering from illness and can't dance at the powwow this year. Will she ever dance again?

River wants so badly to dance at powwow day as she does every year. In this uplifting and contemporary picture book perfect for beginning readers, follow River's journey from feeling isolated after an illness to learning the healing power of community.

Additional information explains the history and functions of powwows, which are commonplace across the United States and Canada and are open to both Native Americans and non-Native visitors. Author Traci Sorell is a member of the Cherokee Nation, and illustrator Madelyn Goodnight is a member of the Chickasaw Nation.

Happy Friday and happy reading!

What Should Oliver Read Next?

Hi, everyone! Oliver here, back from my summer break, to bring you my next highly an-hiss-tipated book review! Today’s story comes from the book The Princess of Shoes, where a very lucky princess gets to have thousands of shoes to pick from every day to match all her pretty gowns. Sometimes she will have multiple shoes for just one outfit! Can you imagine? I only have one pair of shoes to wear each day, and I even have a hard time keeping those clean. But soon, the princess grows tired of her oodles of shoes and spots a new pair she just has to own. As the princess makes her way into town, she soon discovers a new fur-end who offers to help the princess in her quest to find her new shoes. The princess begins to have so much fun with her new friend that she kind of fur-gets all about shoes. But when she sees that her fur-end, as well as others, doesn’t have nearly as nice shoes as the princess does, she starts feline not so good about all the shoes she has back in her castle. But then the princess has a meow-ment of genius! She can share her thousands of shoes with everyone! Now everyone can have a beautiful pair of shoes and feel special in their own way.

Thanks to my fur-end Cordelia for recommending today’s book. Be sure to check it out in our children’s department or fur other paws-itively good books. Until next time, fur-ends!

Fast Five Fiction: New Halloween Books

It's Friday and time for Fast Five Fiction! Each week I share five fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme. Our holiday books are always popular in the fall so today, as Halloween approaches, I'm sharing some books new to our Holiday shelves. 

Click the title to be directed to the book in our catalog. Book descriptions are from Goodreads. 

Spooky, Scary Skeletons by Andrew Gold

Spooky, scary skeletons...will send shivers down your spine in this adorable sing-along picture book based on the TikTok viral song by Andrew Gold.

Follow along as five little skeletons go trick-or-treating on Halloween night. But when they take their scares too far, can a skeleton dance save the day?

Andrew Gold released "Spooky, Scary Skeletons" in 1996. Since then, it has become a viral sensation, with over 8 billion views on both YouTube and TikTok... and counting! Now, fans of all ages can sing along to the complete lyrics, which have been paired with playful illustrations.

Spooky, scary skeletons
Speak with such a screech--
You'll SHAKE and SHUDDER in surprise
When you hear these zombies shriek.

An ideal read-aloud for Halloween or ANY time of year, this is sure to become a cherished part of family bookshelves for years to come.

Trick or Treat on Scary Street by Lance Bass

From musical superstar Lance Bass, this quirky and surprising Halloween story is perfect for trick-or-treaters who love extra tricks and treats.

Come one. Come all. Come follow thirteen trick-or-treaters down Scary Street. Dare to stop at the vampire's lair? Tempted to take a bite of the witch's delight? How about a peek inside a ghostly haunt? Who will make it to the end . . . and what last trick (or treat) awaits? Celebrate the thrills and chills of the season with this unforgettable trip down Scary Street!

I've got the Spooky Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison

It's spooky season! Award-winning creators Frank Morrison and Connie Schofield-Morrison celebrate Halloween with their delightful series.

It's October, and that means it's time to carve pumpkins, hang up spooky decorations, and host a big ghosty dance party!

This girl hears the spooky spirit howling in the windy, misty gloom--SWOOM, SWOOP, SWOOSH! She dances with other ghouls and goblins--MONSTER MASH! She trades candy with her new spooky friend--CRACKLE CRUNCH!

Halloween may only be one night, but she knows the spooky spirit will be back next year.

In this exciting addition to the series including I Got the Rhythm, I Got the Christmas Spirit, and I Got the School Spirit, readers can explore the traditions of another fun holiday!

Trunk or Treat by Chris Ayala-Kronos

A festive Halloween picture book inspired by the abundantly decorated cars and trucks, snazzy costumes, and sweet treats of community-centric Trunk-or-Treat events!

Snazzy costumes, spooky decorations, and sticky candy...all on WHEELS! This rhyming Halloween picture book appeals to car and vehicle lovers with an ode to the growing Trunk-or-Treat trend.

Trunk-or-Treats have been gaining in popularity the last few years as a safer alternative or addition to classic door-to-door trick-or-treating. Follow a family as they attend a community Trunk-or-Treat during the Halloween season!

¡Vamos! Let's Celebrate Halloween and Dia de los Muertos by Raúl the Third

Little Lobo is celebrating two big holidays this fall!

On Halloween, Little Lobo and his friends dress up in costumes, trick-or-treat for candy, and share spooky stories. Then everyone in the town prepares food, drinks, and other gifts and decorates the cemetery with ofrendas so they can enjoy Día de los Muertos with the spirits of the people they love. Join Little Lobo and his friends as they celebrate!

Full of easy-to-remember Spanish vocabulary and packed with cultural details, this colorful story of two fall holidays brings the celebrations of this border town to readers everywhere!

Happy Friday and happy reading!

Fast Five Fiction: Not-so-spooky chapter books

It's Friday and time for Fast Five Fiction! Each week I share five fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme. As we get closer to Halloween, our spooky books have been flying off our shelves! This week I've got some spooky - but not too spooky books for middle grade readers. 

Click the title to be directed to the book in our catalog. Book descriptions are from Goodreads. 

Stinetinglers by R.L. Stine

A boy who hates bugs starts to see them everywhere. A basketball player’s skin starts to almost drip off his hands―but no one else can see it. Three friends find a hole in the ground that just gets bigger, and bigger, and bigger... And each story is introduced by Stine himself, providing a personal touch sure to delight fans.

Laced with Stine’s signature humor and a hefty dose of nightmarish fun, Stinetinglers is perfect for fans of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and Stine’s own Goosebumps books. These chilling tales prove that Stine’s epic legacy in the horror genre is justly earned. Dive in, and beware: you might be sleeping with the lights on tonight!

The Cursed Moon by Angela Cervantes

One two, the Caretaker’s coming for you. Three-four, you’ll breathe no more. Five-six, you’ll float like sticks. Seven, eight, you’ll meet your fate.

 
Rafael Fuentes isn’t easily scared. He loves writing ghost stories, reading scary books, and entertaining his friends with terrifying tales he creates on the spot. Rafa has come up against enough real-life scary situations that fictional hauntings seem like no big deal. Rafa’s incarcerated mom is being released from jail soon, and will be coming to live with him, his sister, and their grandparents. For the first time in a while, Rafa feels a pit of fear growing in his stomach.

 
To take his mind off his mom’s return, Rafa spends an evening crafting the scariest ghost story he’s ever told. As an eerie blood moon hangs in the sky, Rafa tells a group of friends about The Caretaker. The Caretaker is an evil ghost who lures unsuspecting kids into the neighborhood pond. . . and they don’t ever come out. Rafa is really proud of his latest creation, until strange things start to happen around him. With a sinking feeling, Rafa realizes the Caretaker is real. Rafa has brought the ghost to life―and only he can stop him.

Tales to Keep you Up at Night by Dan Poblocki

Amelia is cleaning out her grandmother's attic when she stumbles across a book: Tales to Keep You Up at Night. But when she goes to the library to return it, she's told that the book never belonged there. Curious, she starts to read the stories: tales of strange incidents in nearby towns, of journal entries chronicling endless, twisting pumpkin vines, birthday parties gone awry, and cursed tarot decks. And at the center of the stories lies a family of witches. And witches, she's told, can look like anyone...

As elements from the stories begin to come to life around her, and their eerie connections become clear, Amelia begins to realize that she may be in a spooky story of her own...

With hair-raising, spine-chilling prose, Dan Poblocki delivers a collection of interconnected stories that, if you're anything like Amelia, is sure to keep you up late in the night.

The Stars Did Wander Darkling by Colin Meloy

A suspenseful and atmospheric horror set in 1980s Oregon, perfect for fans of Stranger Things, Neil Gaiman, and Margaret Peterson Haddix, from New York Times bestselling author and the Decemberists' lead singer/songwriter, Colin Meloy.

Maybe Archie Coomes has been watching too many horror movies.

All of a sudden, the most ordinary things have taken on a sinister edge: a penny on a doormat. An odd man in a brown suit under a streetlamp. The persistent sound of an ax chopping in the middle of the night.

He keeps telling himself that this is Seaham, a sleepy seaside town where nothing ever happens. Or at least nothing did, until his dad's construction company opened up the cliff beneath the old--some say cursed--Langdon place.

Soon, though, he and his friends can't deny it: more and more of the adults in town are acting strangely. An ancient, long-buried evil has been unleashed upon the community, and it's up to the kids to stop it before it's too late. . . .

Disney Chills series by Vera Strange

Disney Chills is a  middle-grade anthology horror series in the vein of Goosebumps. Each book in the series focuses on a child making a deal with a Disney Villain, such as Ursula, Dr. Facilier, or Captain Hook, and the terrible price they pay for having their wishes granted.

The books feature moral lessons on social issues kids face, including popularity versus true friendship and not compromising yourself to fit in, and how making supernatural deals isn't the way to go. 

Happy Friday and happy reading!

Fast Five Fiction: ADHD Awareness Month

It's Friday and time for Fast Five Fiction! Each week I share five fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme. October is ADHD Awarenss Month. The 2024 theme is Awareness is Key! and their hope is to increase awareness and understanding by sharing ADHD information and supports with all who could benefit. Though estimates on how many people have the condition vary, it's incredibly likely that someone you know has an ADHD diagnosis. Reading fiction can help readers understand and empathize with people who have ADHD, so today I'll be sharing 5 fantastic books featuring characters with ADHD. 

Click the title to be directed to the book in our catalog. Book descriptions are from Goodreads. 

Focused by Alyson Gerber

Clea can't control her thoughts. She knows she has to do her homework . . . but she gets distracted. She knows she can't just say whatever thought comes into her head . . . but sometimes she can't help herself. She knows she needs to focus . . . but how can she do that when the people around her are always chewing gum loudly or making other annoying noises?

It's starting to be a problem-not just in school, but when Clea's playing chess or just hanging out with her best friend. Other kids are starting to notice. When Clea fails one too many tests, her parents take her to be tested, and she finds out that she has ADHD, which means her attention is all over the place instead of where it needs to be.

Clea knows life can't continue the way it's been going. She's just not sure how you can fix a problem that's all in your head. But that's what she's going to have to do, to find a way to focus.

Hannah Edwards: Secrets of Riverway

This authentic ADHD reimagining of Hamlet is an unconventional take on a classic-that's also a mystery. 

Cheer on Hannah Edwards in this exciting mystery and relatable coming-of-age story about ADHD, friendship, school, and family. Hannah has a lot on her mind. Her father--the Canola King--is missing, and no one in her small town seems to care. With the support of her best friend Sam Castillo, and their sidekick Tim the Hall Monitor, Hannah embarks on a journey to solve the mystery of her father's disappearance. Along the way, she uncovers secrets that she records in her journal, confronts challenges in school due to her ADHD, talks to a ghost, and learns the true meaning of determination and friendship.

Button Pusher by Tyler Page

Tyler's brain is different. Unlike his friends, he has a hard time paying attention in class. He acts out in goofy, over-the-top ways. Sometimes, he even does dangerous things--like cut up a bus seat with a pocketknife or hang out of an attic window.

To the adults in his life, Tyler seems like a troublemaker. But he knows that he's not. Tyler is curious and creative. He's the best artist in his grade, and when he can focus, he gets great grades. He doesn't want to cause trouble, but sometimes he just feels like he can't control himself.

In Button Pusher, cartoonist Tyler Page uses his own childhood experiences to explore what it means to grow up with ADHD. From diagnosis to treatment and beyond, Tyler's story is raw and enlightening, inviting you to see the world from a new perspective.

A Perfect Mistake by Melanie Conklin

Max wishes he could go back in time to before he was diagnosed with ADHD, before he grew to be the tallest kid in his class, and before he and his best friends went into the woods in the middle of the night. Max doesn't remember what happened after he left his friends Will and Joey and the older kids who took them there. He's not sure if he wants to remember. Knowing isn't going to make Joey talk to him again, or bring Will out of his coma.

When the local authorities run out of leads, Max realizes that without his help, they may never know what really happened to Will. Charged by the idea that he may be the key to uncovering the truth, Max pairs up with classmate and aspiring journalist Sam to investigate what really happened that night. But not everyone in the community wants that night to be remembered.

Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya

Emilia Torres has a wandering mind. It's hard for her to follow along at school, and sometimes she forgets to do what her mom or abuela asks. But she remembers what matters: a time when her family was whole and home made sense. When Dad returns from deployment, Emilia expects that her life will get back to normal. Instead, it unravels.

Dad shuts himself in the back stall of their family's auto shop to work on an old car. Emilia peeks in on him daily, mesmerized by his welder. One day, Dad calls Emilia over. Then, he teaches her how to weld. And over time, flickers of her old dad reappear.

But as Emilia finds a way to repair the relationship with her father at home, her community ruptures with some of her classmates, like her best friend, Gus, at the center of the conflict.

Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya is a tender story about asking big questions and being brave enough to reckon with the answers.

Happy Friday and happy reading!

Fast Five Fiction: Fat Bear Week

It's Friday and time for Fast Five Fiction! Each week I share five fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme. We've been celebrating Fat Bear Week at the library with take and makes, a scavenger hunt, livestream bear cam bingo and are having a special Family Storytime this Saturday so today's recommendations are all bear-centric. 

Click the title to be directed to the book in our catalog. Book descriptions are from Goodreads.

Bear has a Belly by Jane Whittingham

In this multilayered Big, Little Concepts book for preschoolers, explore body parts along with animals and celebrate the differences and similarities of our wonderful bodies.

A soft, round belly,
Bear has a belly.
I do too!

Do you have a nose like Fox, cheeks like Squirrel, and a tongue like Frog does? In rhythmic text perfect for an energetic read-aloud, Bear Has a Belly points out Moose's legs, Otter's back, and Duck's feet, inviting little ones to chime in with every body part they share in common. Bright photographs of the animal friends are paired with images of real children of diverse backgrounds and abilities who are joyfully engaging with that body part.

Bear Bottom by Stuart Gibbs

Teddy Fitzroy, his family, and some other FunJungle employees have been invited to visit a bison ranch just outside Yellowstone National Park that FunJungle's owner, J.J. McCracken, is considering purchasing. But as usual, trouble isn't far behind.

The ranch's endangered bison have been mysteriously disappearing. Then a massive local grizzly bear named Sasquatch breaks into the house, causing chaos. In the aftermath, Kandace McCracken discovers that her exceptionally expensive sapphire necklace has vanished.

Was it stolen? Or did Sasquatch eat it? (And if so, can it be recovered?) And what's been happening to the bison?

With over a dozen suspects, it's up to Teddy to detangle this hairy situation, before his family or friends--or any more expensive objects--become dinner.

Bruce series by Ryan T. Higgins

Bruce the bear likes to keep to himself. That, and eat eggs. But when his hard-boiled goose eggs turn out to be real, live goslings, he starts to lose his appetite. And even worse, the goslings are convinced he's their mother. Bruce tries to get the geese to go south, but he can't seem to rid himself of his new companions. What's a bear to do?

Seekers series by Erin Hunter

The first book in a thrilling animal fantasy series following the epic journey of three bears. When three young bears from different species—black, polar, and grizzly—are separated from their families, fate brings them together on a path that will change their lives forever. Along the way, they will face great danger, terrible tragedies, new landscapes, and situations that require all their ingenuity to survive.

Eat Like a Bear by April Pulley Sayre

Can you eat like a bear?

A sleepy bear awakes in spring and goes to find food. But what is there to eat in April? In May? Follow along and eat like a bear throughout the year: fish from a stream, ants from a tree, and delicious huckleberries from a bush. Fill up your belly and prepare for the long winter ahead, when you'll snuggle into your warm den and snore like a bear once again.

Happy Friday and happy reading!

Fast Five Fiction: Dungeons and Dragons

It's Friday and time for Fast Five Fiction! Each week I share five fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme. Did you know we have a Dungeons and Dragons program for tweens and teens? Dungeons and Dragons has been popular since it came out in 1974 and we've got a number of D&D inspired books including picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels. 

Click the title to be directed to the book in our catalog. Book descriptions are from Goodreads.

Dungeon Academy series by Madeleine Roux

Welcome to Dungeon Academy, where monsters and creatures train for the dark world that awaits just beyond the dungeon walls! But Zellidora "Zelli" Stormclash is a bit--different. She's the one thing monsters and creatures of the Forgotten Realms fear the most: Zelli is a human!

Knowing she'll never be accepted, Zelli's parents disguise her as a minotaur in hopes she'll blend with the academy's monstrous surroundings. Zelli does her work, keeps to herself, and becomes "invisible" to everyone.

While in History of Horrible Humans class, Zelli learns of the great human adventurer, Allidora Steelstrike, who oddly resembles her. Could Zelli also be a Steelstrike? Seeking answers to her true lineage, Zelli embarks on a dangerous adventure.

But she won't be alone. A vegan owlbear, a cowardly kobold, and a shapeshifting mimic will join Zelli on her quest for truth in a world that holds no place for them. And who knows? Perhaps these monstrous misfits may discover some truths of their own . . .

Get ready for humor, heart, magic, and adventure as middle graders and beyond learn to embrace who they are, accept others' differences, and discover that making mistakes is OK--as long as you learn from them.

Dungeon Critters by Natalie Riess

Natalie Riess and Sara Goetter's Dungeon Critters is a middle-grade graphic novel about a gang of adorable animal friends on a D&D style dungeon crawl.

Quests! Plots! Evil Plants! Magic and mayhem!

Join the Dungeon Critters--a tight-knit squad of animal companions--on a wild adventure investigating a sinister botanical conspiracy among the furry nobility. As they risk their lives traveling through haunted dungeons, swamps, and high society balls--they also come closer together as friends.

Motivated by rivalries, ideals, and a lust for adventure, these critters navigate not only perils and dangers of the natural world, but also perils and dangers...of the heart!

D&D Dungeon Club by Molly Knox Ostertag

Middle school is a dungeon... At least, that's how Jess sees it.

Luckily, she and her best friend Olivia know how to escape into the sprawling worlds of their own imaginations. The two friends have always loved making up stories, first with little kid games of make-believe, and more recently with the fantasy roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons. When they play, Olivia runs the game as Dungeon Master and Jess is the solo party member, playing a take-no-prisoners, lone-wolf fighter of her own design named Sir Corius.

But when Olivia wants to add new players to their group, Jess finds herself struggling to share their game--and her best friend. Will their epic campaign withstand all this change, or has their adventure--and their friendship--finally come to an end?

The ABC's of D&D by Ivan Van Norman

A Dungeons & Dragons children's book that captures the wonder and whimsy that made you fall in love with the game.

"An adorable book for geeks big and little."--Felicia Day, author of New York Times bestseller You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost)

A is for Adventure.
Our journey has begun.
B is for Book,
the source of all the fun!

Start your little gamer on an adventure to last a lifetime with this alphabetical children's book and introduction to the greatest roleplaying game of all time, Dungeons & Dragons.

Written in the rhyming style of classic children's books and filled with adorable owlbears and darling beholders, it's the perfect book to share the joy of Dungeons & Dragons with a new generation as they learn the alphabet--a precursor to every new path in reading.

The 123's of D&D by Ivan Van Norman

A Dungeons & Dragons children's book that captures the wonder and whimsy that made you fall in love with the game.

"It's never too early to jump into the world of Dungeons & Dragons and now it's even easier for children to let their inner elf shine through."--ComicBook.com

We begin with ONE Dungeon Master
telling a story of daring deeds,
the adventure of TWO heroes and
their brave and noble steeds.

Start your little gamer on an adventure to last a lifetime with this numerical children's book and introduction to the greatest roleplaying game of all time, Dungeons & Dragons.

Written in the rhyming style of classic children's books and filled with adorable owlbears and darling beholders, adorable bugbears and darling drow, it's the perfect book to share the joy of Dungeons & Dragons with a new generation as they learn their numbers--a precursor to every new path in counting.

Happy Friday and happy reading!

Fast Five Fiction: Hispanic Heritage Month

It's Friday and time for Fast Five Fiction! Each week I share five fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, today I'll be sharing a little bit about it's history and five books written by Latinx authors.

Beginning in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed as “Hispanic Heritage Week” under President Lyndon Johnson, but it was later extended to a month during President Ronald Reagan's term in 1988. It's now celebrated each year from September 15 - October 15th. It honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries.

Click the title to be directed to the book in our catalog. Book descriptions are from Goodreads.

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

There lived a girl named Petra Peña, who wanted nothing more than to be a storyteller, like her abuelita.

But Petra's world is ending. Earth has been destroyed by a comet, and only a few hundred scientists and their children - among them Petra and her family - have been chosen to journey to a new planet. They are the ones who must carry on the human race.

Hundreds of years later, Petra wakes to this new planet - and the discovery that she is the only person who remembers Earth. A sinister Collective has taken over the ship during its journey, bent on erasing the sins of humanity's past. They have systematically purged the memories of all aboard - or purged them altogether.

Petra alone now carries the stories of our past, and with them, any hope for our future. Can she make them live again?

Barely Floating by Lilliam Rivera

Natalia De La Cruz Rivera y Santiago, also known as Nat, was swimming neighborhood kids out of their money at the local Inglewood pool when her life changed. The LA Mermaids performed, emerging out of the water with matching sequined swimsuits, and it was then that synchronized swimming stole her heart.

The problem? Her activist mom and professor dad think it's a sport with too much emphasis on looks--on being thin and white. Nat grew up the youngest in a house full of boys, so she knows how to fight for what she wants, often using her anger to fuel her. People often underestimate her swimming skills when they see her stomach rolls, but she knows better than to worry about what people think. Still, she feels more like a submarine than a mermaid, but she wonders if she might be both.

Barely Floating explores what it means to sparkle in your skin, build community with those who lift you up, and keep floating when waters get rough.

Spanish is the Language of my Family by Michael Genhart

An intergenerational story of family ties, cultural pride, and spelling bee victory following a young boy who bonds with his beloved abuela over a love of Spanish.

As a boy prepares for his school's Spanish spelling bee, he asks his grandmother for help with some of the words he doesn't know how to spell yet. When she studies with him, she tells him how different things were back when she was a girl, when she was only allowed to speak English in school. This only inspires him to study even harder and make his family proud.

Based on stories author Michael Genhart heard from his mother as a child, Spanish is the Language of My Family is about the joy of sharing cultural heritage with our families, inspired by the generations of Latino people were punished for speaking Spanish and the many ways new generations are rejuvenating the language..

Michael Genhart's text is as touching as it is poignant, and it's paired with the striking artwork of multiple Pura Belpre Award-Winning Illustrator John Parra. Extensive material at the back of the book includes essays from the author about the history of Spanish suppression in U.S. schools and information about the Spanish alphabet.

Miss Quinces by Kat Fajardo

Rising star Kat Fajardo's debut middle-grade graphic novel about a girl who would rather do anything other than celebrate her quinceañera! A funny and heartfelt coming-of-age story about navigating the expectations of family and cultural tradition.

Sue just wants to spend the summer reading and making comics at sleepaway camp with her friends, but instead she gets stuck going to Honduras to visit relatives with her parents and two sisters. They live way out in the country, which means no texting, no cable, and no Internet! The trip takes a turn for the worse when Sue's mother announces that they'll be having a surprise quinceañera for Sue, which is the last thing she wants. She can't imagine wearing a big, floofy, colorful dress! What is Sue going to do? And how will she survive all this "quality" time with her rambunctious family?

Dreams from Many Rivers by Margarita Engle

From award-winning poet Margarita Engle comes a middle grade verse history of Latinos in the United States, told through many voices.

From Juana Briones and Juan Ponce de León, to eighteenth century slaves and modern-day sixth graders, the many and varied people depicted in this moving narrative speak to the experiences and contributions of Latinos throughout the history of the United States, from the earliest known stories up to present day. It's a portrait of a great, enormously varied, and enduring heritage. A compelling treatment of an important topic.

Happy Friday & happy reading!