Nina is a modern Lipan girl living in our world of highways and climate change. But she loves the stories of her ancestors, especially the ones of animal people. She knows that science can't explain everything, like her great-great-grandmother who lived 150 years or her many other long-lived relatives. And she's starting to suspect that there's something inexplicable about the old well on her grandmother's property.

Oli lives in the land of spirits and monsters and is a cottonmouth animal person. He can switch between snake and human forms and is setting out on his own to make a life for himself away from his family, as all cottonmouths do. He is intrigued by the strange artifacts that come from the other world. But as a strange illness sweeps the animal people, he is determined to get to the bottom of it and save his friend, even if that means venturing to the strange and dangerous other world of humans.

As Nina and Oli's paths cross, both of their lives will be changed forever as they discover that their worlds are more connected than anyone realized.

I loved getting lost in this world of modern Lipan storytelling! The alternating perspectives build slowly but as they begin to cross over and the stakes become clear the pacing picks up to a thrilling climax. Highly recommended for fans of animal stories, fantasy, and stories highlighting indigenous voices.

A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger

Erica's Picks
6th +
​tags: animals, fantasy, global perspectives, People of Color

Rory is not excited to start middle school. For one, he still can't say his 'r's, which makes even saying his name an opportunity for ridicule. Secondly, his best friend Brent has betrayed him and started hanging out with the same jerks who make fun of his speech. Lastly he found out that at the end of the year he needs to give a big oral presentation in front of the whole school.

Then, after making fun of Rory and ditching him yet again, Brent gets in an accident. Suddenly the whole school is obsessed with Brent and full of sympathy for him. But Rory still doesn't know if he can forgive Brent for how he acted. When Brent ends up changed and becomes the brunt of ridicule himself, will Rory stand up for him, or enjoy the poetic justice?

I loved this story of friendship, resilience, and doing the right thing even when it's hard. As someone who went to speech therapy for her 'r's for years, I could definitely relate to Rory. The complexity of Brent and Rory's relationship and how it changes is really compelling. Sports fans will appreciate the parallels Rory draws between his story and Muhammad Ali and music fans will appreciate Rory's love of classic rock and electric guitar. A moving story without simple answers that deserves a wide audience.

The Way I Say It by Nancy Tandon

Erica's Picks 
3rd - 5th grade
tags: character driven, contemporary fiction, disability, friendship, issues fiction, school stories, SEL

Ophie learns she can see ghosts on the night her father dies. He warns Ophie to take her mother and hide, saving their lives, but their house is burned down by the same thugs who killed him for daring to vote. Ophie and her mother flee the South to Pittsburgh, where family takes them in. Although not everyone is thrilled at their arrival.

Ophie goes to work with her mother in a large mansion full of ghosts and secrets. She is determined to get to the bottom of what happened there, even though she must hide that she can see the dead residents of the house. But restless dead are dangerous, and secrets can't stay buried forever.

This is a great ghost story for middle grade readers, striking a perfect balance between supernatural horror and the all-too-real horror of life in 1922 for a young black girl. Ophie is a strong protagonist and readers will enjoy getting to the bottom of the mystery at the heart of the story with her. Young readers will be moved by the injustice she faces and the resilience she shows in the face of it.

Ophie's Ghosts by Justina Ireland

Erica's picks
4th - 6th grade
​tags: character driven, family life, historical fiction, horror, issues fiction, mystery, People of Color, supernatural

Etan loves spending time at his grandfather's shop. Ever since his mother went to stay in the hospital, he hasn't felt like speaking much. Etan's grandfather understands and doesn't try to pressure him or make him feel guilty. So he's happy to help his grandfather's friend by making a grocery delivery to a house on the outskirts of town. When he gets there, he discovers it's the home of "the creature," a girl with a skin condition who was bullied so badly she's now home-schooled. Etan quickly befriends her, even when his classmates tease him for it. Everyone is excited for The Battle of the Bay with the A's pitted against the Giants in the World Series, but soon something will happen that will take everyone's minds off baseball and their own problems as they have to face the power and brutality of nature.

There's so many aspects of this book to love from the incorporation of Jewish folklore and the golem to the way Etan and Malia's friendship blossoms. There's just a hint of magical realism but it's mostly grounded in history. Of course people familiar with Bay Area history will know what to expect as the Battle of the Bay looms closer, but for many readers it will be a surprise. A novel in verse, it is a quick but impactful read that I highly recommend, especially for locals.

​The Magical Imperfect by Chris Baron

Erica's Picks
3rd - 5th grade
​tags: character driven, disability, family life, friendship, historical fiction, magical realism, mental illness, novels in verse, People of Color, SEL

Vira was never supposed to be queen so young. How can she be expected to hold her country together when she can't even keep her family in tact? Her sister has run away from court to join a group of outlaws living in the forest. Her half brother is in the dungeon, accused of assassinating Vira's mother, the former queen. Her other brother isn't even talking to Vira, convinced their half brother is innocent. The whole kingdom is angry at her because they think she's hoarding magic and not letting the people have their fair share. But if the truth came out, that the magic reserves are almost gone, there would be nothing to stop their enemies from invading and occupying her country. Each sibling has their own skill set, and despite their estrangement Vira can't trust anyone else. They agree to put aside their differences to find the legendary Ivory Key and restore the land's magic, but each of them have their own plans for what to do with the magic once they find it.

This is a fantastic, Indian-inspired fantasy full of adventure, puzzles, and political intrigue. The chapters alternate among the four siblings and each are well drawn with their own unique perspectives and motivations. I love that the main focus is on these sibling relationships, and the Indiana-Jones like adventure full of dangerous, ancient traps and complex puzzles only adds to the thrill of the story. 

The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman

Erica's Picks
7th +
​tags: adventure, family life, fantasy, fast-paced, global perspectives, People of Color

Jo Jo's best friend at home is her cat Mimi. Jo Jo had a best friend at school, but she's afraid Fern doesn't want to be friends anymore. Which makes it even more important for Jo Jo to protect Mimi. That's why Jo Jo sneaks Mimi into her backpack and takes her to school when she overhears her mom is planning on taking Mimi her to get shots. What will happen to her cat at school? Will she make a new best friend? 

Jo Jo Makoons is a great addition to the cannon of fiesty and funny early chapter book heroines like Ruby Lu and Gooney Bird Greene. She lives on an Ojibwe reservation and some Ojibwe and Michif words are sprinkled throughout, which is a fun bonus. There's ample illustrations and short chapters which make it perfect for students just transitioning to chapter books.

Jo Jo Makoons: The Used-to-Be Best Friend by Dawn Quigley illustrated by Tara Audibert

Erica's Picks
1st - 3rd grade
​tags: animals, character driven, contemporary fiction, friendship, global perspectives, People of Color, SEL

It all started with a pesky seagull. When it steals Sofia's ice cream cone, Max offers her a replacement and before they know it that same gull leads them to an abandoned sailboat. Soon the magical boat whisks them away to Hawaii where a nest of baby sea turtles is in trouble. Will Max and Sofia be able to save the turtles with the help of a new friend, Laila? Or will the poor, helpless turtles be doomed?

This is a great early chapter series for animal lovers. The sailboat is magical, but the dangerous situation the sea turtles face is all too real. The ample pictures and short chapters along with fun animal facts and plenty of action make this an engaging read for children just starting chapter books.

Wind Riders #1 Rescue on Turtle Beach by Jen Marlin illustrated by Izzy Burton

Erica's Picks
1st - 3rd grade
tags: adventure, animals, contemporary fiction, issues fiction, magical realism, People of Color

Some animals are easy to love, like the adorable hummingbears who nest in shimmering bubble nests in willow trees and coo gently to each other. Tourists flock to Perchance during their annual migration and the town depends on money from this event.

Some animals are harder to love, like the screechers. With coarse hair and tusks at the end of their long, ugly snouts they'd have trouble winning any beauty contests. But the real reason the people of Perchance hate them is the horrible, eye-watering stench they give off when startled, which is often. Their meat is no good, but with a bounty out on the stinky eye-sores, they have been hunted to near-extinction anyway.

Willodeen isn't your average villager though. She loves all creatures, even the smelly ones. So when a baby screecher mysteriously appears, Willodeen knows she must care for it and hide it from the other villagers. When she discovers a connection between the screechers and hummingbears, she realizes that revealing her secret might be the only way to save Perchance. But as hard as standing up to the adults in the village is, getting them to actually listen is even harder.

Applegate delivers another home run in this gentle story of the interconnectedness of all creatures. It would make a great read-aloud and the short chapters and charming illustrations make it an appealing choice for readers transitioning into longer chapter books. 

Willodeen by Katherine Applegate illustrated by Charles Santoso

Erica's Picks
3rd - 5th grade
​tags: animals, fantasy, friendship, SEL

You probably know Charles Lindbergh as an aviator, the first to cross the Atlantic. You might know about the media sensation surrounding the kidnapping and death of his infant son. But I bet you didn't know about his support of eugenics and early Nazi sympathies. Lindbergh's life story is fascinating starting with his grandfather, who fled felony charges in Sweden and abandoned his family to move to America with his mistress. He would later lose his arm and a part of his back in a sawmill accident and despite the fact that the medical care he got at the time consisted of wrapping him in a blanket and leaving him to die in bed, he survived. Charles would take this a sign of the importance of gumption and stoicism and a sign that he came from "good stock". Charles Lindbergh was far more complicated than most people realize and his foray into politics and the "America First" movement has eerie relevance today.

Viewing American history through the lens of Charles Lindbergh offers a compelling and insightful, if often horrifying, narrative into many aspects of American society. From celebrity culture to science to the legal system to isolationism. This is nonfiction at its best. I could not put it down, except for the times when I read something so outrageous I had to find someone else to share it with before resuming the narrative. A complex and compelling read.

The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh by Candace Fleming

Erica's Picks
7th +
tags: biography, history, nonfiction

​The streets of 1926 Shanghai are dangerous, but Juliette walks them with confidence. As the heir of the Scarlet Gang she's untouchable, and if anyone were foolish enough to try and hurt her, she's more than capable of defending herself. The only one who came close is Roma, heir to the White Flower gang. Sure, his betrayal years ago stung, but it only served as a lesson in the dangers of allowing others, especially enemy others, to get too close. When rumors of a mysterious monster rise and people across the city start clawing their own throats out, Juliette knows she can't stem the rising tide of blood alone. Against her better judgement, she must put old grudges aside and work with Roma to get to the bottom of this mystery. Will the city be able to survive this gruesome threat? Will her heart be able to survive working with Roma?

This vivid and gory take on Romeo and Juliet is completely enthralling, but not for the light of heart. The gang violence is intense enough before adding in the supernatural horror. Fans of Shakespeare will enjoy the references hidden throughout, but will still be kept on their toes as the plot varies dramatically. The setting is practically a character in itself and is beautifully portrayed. Between the action scenes is strong characterization and a slow burn romance providing something for a wide range of readers.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

Erica's Picks
8th +
tags: character driven, fast-paced, global perspectives, historical fiction, horror, mystery, People of Color, retellings, romance, supernatural