No matter what level you play, basketball season is underway. And these books? Well, they’re a slam dunk for fans of the game and those who are fascinated by the history of the sport. *There are superstars kids know … and stats they don’t. * Meet trailblazers in the women’s and men’s games, whose stories are told vividly in picture …
Wish Books: Judges’ Recommendations for Book Gifting
Does anyone remember the days when we couldn’t wait for the <insert merchant name> Wish Book (aka Christmas catalog) to arrive in our mailbox so that we could start our personal wish list of gifts we wanted? The days of snail mail mega-catalogs are long gone, but that doesn’t mean we don’t hope for things … like great books kids will …
You Crack Me Up: Fractured Fairy Tales
Sorry, we couldn’t resist. So what’s on this list? Stories and characters you – and the kiddos in your life – know well. Humpty Dumpty Three Little Pigs Big Bad Wolf Beauty and the Beast And a good old-fashioned princess mashup!Beastly Beauty by Jennifer Donnelly {Beauty and the Beast} Young Adult Speculative Fiction nominee Reading Age: 12 and Up The …
Play Ball! 3 Books @ Women in Baseball
“There’s no crying in baseball!” Did you say that in your head (or outloud voice) when you saw the post title? That line from A League of Their Own has to be one of the most quoted sports movie references around. [If we’re off base, let us know!] So what does that famous line have to do with this trio …
Once Upon a Time: #CYBILS2024 Fairy Tales Book List
Fractured, remixed, and retold. Familiar and new. Contemporary. These books tell lots of different stories – some familiar, some new. Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast, Little Red Riding Hood. Whether it’s a picture book or a YA fantasy, what they all have in common is that “once upon a time” feel. For more stories that feature family, food, community, and …
Thanks, Gratitude, and Kindness
What would Thanksgiving weekend would be without a post-feast turkey sandwich (or two)? It’s tradition. Why not re-feast on the seasonal togetherness vibes, too? Now serving: a platter of #CYBILS2024 books that focus on family, lost and found; connections and relationships; cultural and seasonal traditions; and thankfulness, kindness, and gratitude. For more stories that feature family, food, community, and tradition, …
These Books Breathe Fire: 6 Books for Dragon Fans
This list breathes fire. Ha! Friendly monsters, fearsome beasts, dragon quests, and of course some fire-breathing creatures! Sure, there are fantasy stories, but were you expecting a re-imagining of the evacuation of Dunkirk? planning a visit to the post office of the dragon tamer? Finding dragons hiding in a group home? Dragoncraft by Dorothy A Winsor Young Adult Speculative Fiction …
Comfort Food: The Book List #CYBILS2024
Today we’re whipping up some book deliciousness. Shall we keep going with our metaphors? Okay! Read on to taste stories where characters stir the pots; wanna-be chefs mix it up in cooking competitions; where ingredient “mishaps” create new family recipes; secret ingredients are shared; and food feeds our souls! From passing down family recipes to saving the family business to …
Secrets & Lies, Codes & Spies: a Book Pairing Set
Espionage. Spy craft. Secret messages. Spies real and imagined. Readers have it all in this quad of books that offer true stories, fictional tales, and even a bit of magic. Read aloud or independently, these books offer timeless stories of inspiration and courage, even as they immerse young readers in a world before their time.
GOAL! A Trio of Women in Soccer Books
If ever there was a “year in women’s sports,” 2024 would certainly rank among them. From the Summer Olympic games to the WNBA – and beyond – there is a surge of interest in female athletes. And not just among girls. Sports fans love their sports and the athletes who play the game. Introduce young readers with the women who …