Book Nook-January 2023

What’s My Superpower?

by Aviaq Johnston (Author) Tim Mack (Illustrator)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

Nalvana feels like all of her friends have some type of superpower. She has friends with super speed (who always beat her in races), friends who can fly (or at least jump from a swing and seem to fly across the playground), and friends who are better than her at a million other things. But when her mom shows Nalvana that she is unique and special, she realizes that her superpower was right in front of her all along.

I Am Courage: A Book of Resilience (I Am)

by Susan Verde (Author) Peter H Reynolds (Illustrator)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

Series: I Am

Encourage kids to find their inner strength with this companion to the New York Times bestsellers I Am Human and I Am Love! I move ahead one breath at a time. I act with bravery. I am courage. When we picture someone brave, we might think they’re fearless but real courage comes from feeling scared and facing what challenges us anyway. When our minds tell us “I can’t,” we can look inside ourselves and find the strength to say, “Yes, I CAN!” From the New York Times bestselling team behind the I Am series comes a triumphant celebration of everyday courage: believing in ourselves, speaking out, trying new things, asking for help, and getting back up no matter how many times we may fall. Grounded in mindfulness and awareness, I Am Courage is an empowering reminder that we can conquer anything. Inside, you’ll also find exercises to inspire confidence.

Yes! No!: A First Conversation about Consent (A First Conversation)

by Megan Madison (Author) Isabel Roxas (Illustrator)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

Series: First Conversations

A picture book edition of the bestselling board book about consent, offering adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way.

Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood development and activism against injustice, this topic-driven book offers clear, concrete language and imagery to introduce the concept of consent. This book serves to normalize and celebrate the experience of asking for and being asked for permission to do something involving one’s body. It centers on respect for bodily autonomy, and reviews the many ways that one can say or indicate No.

While young children are avid observers and questioners of their world, adults often shut down or postpone conversations on complicated topics because it’s hard to know where to begin. Research shows that talking about issues like race, gender, and our bodies from the age of two not only helps children understand what they see, but also increases self-awareness, self-esteem, and allows them to recognize and confront things that are unfair, like discrimination and prejudice.

These books offer a supportive approach that considers both the child and the adult. Illustrative art accompanies the simple and interactive text, and the backmatter offers additional resources and ideas for extending this discussion.

Bodies Are Cool

by Tyler Feder (Author) Tyler Feder (Illustrator)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

This body positivity picture book for preschoolers is a joyful read-aloud with bright and friendly illustrations to pore over.

From the way a body jiggles to the scars a body bears, this picture book is a pure celebration of all the different human bodies that exist in the world. Highlighting the various skin tones, body shapes, and hair types is just the beginning in this truly inclusive book. With its cheerful illustrations and exuberant refrain, this book will instill body positivity and confidence in the youngest of readers.e.

John’s Turn

by Mac Barnett (Author) Kate Berube (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

B. White Read-Aloud winner Mac Barnett celebrates individuality in a story told with tenderness and subtlety.

It’s John’s big day at school today–a performance for Sharing Gifts time. His bag is carefully packed and prepared, his classmates are ready, and the curtain is waiting to open. John is nervous, looking out at all the other children staring back at him. But he takes a big breath and begins. Mac Barnett’s compassionate text and Kate Berube’s understated and expressive art tell the story of a kid who finds the courage to show others his talent for dancing.

Black Gold

by Laura Obuobi (Author) London Ladd (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

This lyrical picture book is a joyous, poetic, celebration of Black children and a reminder of the Universe’s unconditional love in stunning verse and captivating collage. Perfect for fans of Sulwe! “Lyrical, empowering, and inspiring. An affirmation of the miracle each individual is.” –Yamile Saied Méndez, author of Where Are You From? and What Will You Be? When the Universe decides to create a child, she draws from the earth–rich, dark, and full of everything that gives life, including eyes like black star sapphires and full lips to speak the truth. With help from the Sun and the Moon, they create a child of the Universe: beautiful, powerful, and boundless with the brilliance of Black Gold. Laura Obuobi’s empowering, whimsical text and London Ladd’s lustrous, captivating illustrations will inspire children to love themselves exactly as they are.

The More You Give

by Marcy Campbell (Author) Francesca Sanna (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

A modern-day response to The Giving Tree, this lyrical picture book shows how a family passes down love from generation to generation, leaving a legacy of growing both trees and community. Once there was a wide-open field, and a boy who loved his grandmother, who loved him back. The boy’s grandmother gives him many gifts, like hugs, and Sunday morning pancakes, and acorns with wild and woolly caps. And all her wisdom about how things grow. As the boy becomes a father, he gives his daughter bedtime stories his grandmother told him, and piggyback rides. He gives her acorns, and the wisdom he learned about how things grow. His daughter continues the chain, then passing down gifts of her own. Here is a picture book about the legacy of love that comes when we nurture living things–be they people or trees.

Braver Than Brave

by Janet Sumner Johnson (Author) Eunji Jung (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Wanda desperately wants to be brave like her big brother Zane, but it’s not easy. When the Coaster of Doom opens at the local amusement park, Wanda is determined to show her brave. With all eyes on her, Wanda must find the confidence to be her own kind of Brave. Mixing humor with themes of self-awareness and responsible decision making, author Janet Sumner Johnson shows the importance of thinking for yourself, being confident in your own beliefs, and accepting differences in others. Johnson proves that everyone has their own kind of brave, and that’s totally okay.

Perfectly Imperfect Mira

by Faith Pray (Author)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

For fans of The Most Magnificent Thing and The Book of Mistakes comes a sweet story that embraces our messy imperfections.

Mira wants to be perfect at everything she tries. Everyone around her is good at something, but Mira’s not sure if she’ll ever find a thing of her own. One day, Mira decides to try . . . and because of that one simple act, everything changes. With a stumble, a wobble, and a humongous flop or two, will Mira learn to find the beauty in her imperfections? Faith Pray’s inspiring words and whimsical illustrations will encourage all of us to never be afraid of the second, third, or fiftieth try.

New Kid (RAD #1)

by Jerry Craft (Author) Jerry Craft (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 4th – 5th Grade

Series: RAD

Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Gene Luen Yang, New Kid is a timely, honest graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the struggle to fit in is real, from award-winning author-illustrator Jerry Craft.

Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade.

As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds–and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?

Invisible (English with Some Spanish)

by Christina Diaz Gonzalez (Author) Gabriela Epstein (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 4th – 5th Grade

For fans of Twins and Allergic, a must-have graphic novel about five very different students who are forced together by their school to complete community service… and may just have more in common than they thought.

Can five overlooked kids make one big difference?

There’s George: the brain

Sara: the loner

Dayara: the tough kid

Nico: the rich kid

And Miguel: the athlete

And they’re stuck together when they’re forced to complete their school’s community service hours. Although they’re sure they have nothing in common with one another, some people see them as all the same . . . just five Spanish-speaking kids.

Then they meet someone who truly needs their help, and they must decide whether they are each willing to expose their own secrets to help . . . or if remaining invisible is the only way to survive middle school.

With text in English and Spanish, Invisible features a groundbreaking format paired with an engaging, accessible, and relatable storyline. This Breakfast Club-inspired story by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, award-winning author of Concealed, and Gabriela Epstein, illustrator of two Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel adaptations, is a must-have graphic novel about unexpected friendships and being seen for who you really are.

The Magical Reality of Nadia (Magical Reality of Nadia #1)

by Bassem Youssef (Author) Douglas Holgate (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 4th – 5th Grade

Series: Magical Reality of Nadia

Inspired by the author’s real-life experiences, this rollicking, charming novel follows sixth grade Egyptian immigrant Nadia as she navigates the ups and downs of friendships, racism, and some magic, too!

Nadia loves fun facts. Here are a few about her: – She collects bobbleheads — she has 77 so far. She moved from Egypt to America when she was six years old.- The hippo amulet she wears is ancient… as in it’s literally from ancient Egypt.- She’s going to win the contest to design a new exhibit at the local museum. Because how cool would that be?!(Okay, so that last one isn’t a fact just yet, but Nadia has plans to make it one.) But then a new kid shows up and teases Nadia about her Egyptian heritage. It’s totally unexpected, and totally throws her off her game. And something else happens that Nadia can’t explain: Her amulet starts glowing! She soon discovers that the hippo is holding a hil

arious — and helpful — secret. Can she use it to confront the new kid and win the contest?

From political satirist and comedian Bassem Youssef, aka The Jon Stewart of the Arab World, and author Catherine R. Daly comes a humorous and heartfelt story about prejudice, friendship, empathy, and courage. Includes sections of black-and-white comics as well as lively black-and-white illustrations throughout.

The One and Only Bob (The One and Only Ivan #2)

by Katherine Applegate (Author) Patricia Castelao (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 4th – 5th Grade

Series: The One and Only Ivan

Return to the unforgettable world of the Newbery Medal-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling novel The One and Only Ivan (soon to be a major motion picture!) in this incredible sequel, starring Ivan’s friend Bob!

Bob sets out on a dangerous journey in search of his long-lost sister with the help of his two best friends, Ivan and Ruby. As a hurricane approaches and time is running out, Bob finds courage he never knew he had and learns the true meaning of friendship and family.

Bob, Ivan, and Ruby have touched the hearts of millions of readers, and their story isn’t over yet.