Children’s / Teenage general interest: Communities, places and peoples

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Book SynopsisOne crocodile with many sharp teeth, two snake-necked turtles swimming in a billabong, three water goannas soaking up the sun... Learn to count with the animals of Australia's West Arnhem Land and the traditional art of indigenous Kunwinjku culture.A Wall Street Journal Best Children’s Book of 2022A Kirkus Best Nonfiction Picture Book of 2022A Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of 2023A USBBY Outstanding International Book of 2023A 2023 Bologna Ragazzi Award Amazing Bookshelf SelectionSelected for the Society of Illustrators 2022 Original Art ShowOne, two, three. Nakudji, bokenh, danjbik. Accompanied by illustrations drawing on traditional Kunwinjku art, each of the twelve entries of this counting book showcases a different animal of West Arnhem Land, Australia. From crocodiles and echidnas to wallabies, children and adults alike will enjoy learning the Kunwinjku names for numbers and animals, as well as discovering more about these animals' habitat and behavior, and what they mean to the indigenous Bininj. Whether teaching you how dragonflies indicate the passing of the seasons or how to catch and cook barramundi, the fascinating Kunwinjku Counting Book offers insight into the complex ecology of West Arnhem Land and the vibrant traditions of Bininj culture. More than just a counting book, this is also a beautifully illustrated work of art, a tribute to the indigenous people of Australia, and a fascinating nature guide to Northern Territory ecology.Trade ReviewA Wall Street Journal Best Children’s Book of 2022A Kirkus Best Nonfiction Picture Book of 2022A Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of 2023A USBBY Outstanding International Book of 2023A 2023 Bologna Ragazzi Award Amazing Bookshelf SelectionSelected for the Society of Illustrators 2022 Original Art Show“A Kunwinjku Counting Book brings attention to the animals of northern Australia and the language and ancient artwork of the aboriginal Bininj people. Written by Gabriel Maralngurra and Felicity Wright and illustrated by Mr. Maralngurra, this spare and lovely book shows creatures such as echidnas and wallabies rendered in stylized silhouettes with crosshatching known as rarrk, all in earthy colors of black, white, yellow ochre and terracotta.” —Wall Street Journal★ “Animals include spoonbills, echidnas, turtles, and knob-tailed geckos. The exquisite illustrations derive inspiration in technique, colors, and visual iconography from ancient rock paintings preserved within the region. Intricate ink hatching, or rarrk, ‘x-ray style’ (the depiction of the animals’ insides), and a traditional palette of ochre, browns, white, and black richly distinguish this work. Maralngurra is a member of the Ngaingbali clan. Handsome bookmaking, integral cultural information, and dynamic illustrations interact perfectly. ([Backmatter includes] further information, artist bio, pronunciation notes.)” —STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus“Ostensibly a counting book, this lavishly produced look at Australian animals is really an art book. Maralngurra, an Aboriginal Australian artist, draws inspiration from the traditional rock art of West Arnhem Land, while incorporating a modern sensibility. The highly stylized and detailed illustrations are done entirely in earth tones, black, and white and feature the trademark x-ray look of rock art. Starting with one large crocodile, the artist counts up to twelve fish... The text includes both the English and Kunwinjku names for the creatures (in contrasting black and russet fonts), accompanied by a short descriptive paragraph with information about habitat, behavior, and whether they are good to eat! The illustrations will reward careful and repeated examination and back matter includes information on the rock art tradition as well as a step-by-step exploration of how the art was created. Also included: a cyclical diagram explaining seasons in the outback, an interview with the artist, and a pronunciation guide.” —Susan Harari, Keefe Library (Boston Latin School, Boston, MA), Youth Services Book Review“Highly recommended. A Kunwinjku Counting Book is a stunning new release celebrating the Kunwinjku language of the Bininj people whose home is West Arnhem Land, a region in the Northern Territory. Artist Gabriel Maralngurra has presented his traditional style of rock painting with a contemporary touch, in a wonderful counting book which showcases twelve different animals on a double page spread with a full-page illustration plus a page of easily accessible and interesting information... In the final pages of the book is valuable information on the Ancient Tradition of rock art, Tools and Techniques, and the seasons of the West Arnhem Land. There is also a wonderful introduction to Gabriel Maralngurra, followed by a Note on Pronunciations. This very special book has a place in all libraries. A wonderful resource for both primary and secondary students.” —Kathryn Beilby, ReadPlus

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Book SynopsisThe uproariously funny, depressingly on-point story of a mean and narcissistic king.

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Book SynopsisNOW IN PAPERBACK! The page-turning, heart-wrenching true story of one young woman willing to risk her safety and even her life for a chance at freedom in the largest slave escape attempt in American history. In 1848, thirteen-year-old Emily Edmonson, five of her siblings, and seventy other enslaved people boarded the Pearl under cover of night in Washington, D.C., hoping to sail north to freedom. Within a day, the schooner was captured, and the Edmonsons were sent to New Orleans to be sold into even crueler conditions. Through Emily Edmonson’s journey from enslaved person to teacher at a school for African American young women, Conkling illuminates the daily lives of enslaved people, the often changing laws affecting them, and the high cost of a failed escape.“Clearly written, well-documented, and chock full of maps, sidebars, and reproductions of photographs and engravings, the fascinating volume covers a lot of history in a short space. Conkling uses the tools of a novelist to immerse readers in Emily’s experiences. A fine and harrowing true story.” —Kirkus Reviews “[Passenger on the Pearl] covers information about slavery that is often not found in other volumes . . . Conkling’s work is intricate and detailed . . . A strong and well-sourced resource.” —School Library Journal “Conkling is a fine narrator . . . Readers familiar with the trials of Solomon Northup will find this equally involving.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “Edmondson’s life story is compelling and inspiring. It provides the perfect hook for readers into the horrors of slavery.” —VOYAA Junior Library Guild Selection

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Book Synopsis“In African Icons, Baptiste engages in the hard work of unveiling the myths about the African continent to young readers . . . This is a great beginner’s guide to pre-colonial Africa.” —Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be an Antiracist Meet ten real-life kings, queens, inventors, scholars, and visionaries who lived in Africa thousands of years ago and changed the world. Black history began long ago with the many cultures and people of the African continent. Through portraits of ten heroic figures, author Tracey Baptiste takes readers on a journey across Africa to meet some of the great leaders and thinkers whose vision built a continent and shaped the world. Illustrator Hillary D. Wilson’s brilliant portraits accompany each profile, along with vivid, information-filled landscapes, maps, and graphics for readers to pore over and return to again and again.Trade ReviewA New York Public Library 2021 Best Book for Kids "In African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History, Baptiste engages in the hard work of unveiling the myths about the African continent to young readers. She pieces together the stories of ten people in a continent that fueled the world. This is a great beginner’s guide to pre-colonial Africa."—Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be an Antiracist ​“Baptiste sheds light on the rich and complex pre-enslavement history of the African continent . . . A spellbinding collection . . . An impeccably researched revelation that fills a too wide gap in collections; it’s unfair how long it’s taken for these histories to be made public to young readers.” —SLJ, starred review “What Baptiste accomplishes in only 139 pages of narrative is near miraculous. She lifts the veil intentionally cast over African history, granting readers a veritable feast of information and inspiration . . . Wilson’s portraits of each figure exude such beauty, strength, power, and, above all, dignity as to be nearly breathtaking. Each one gazes out at readers with a regal confidence that’s sure to inspire them to gaze back . . . Black readers of any age will see themselves reflected in the amazing lives chronicled, many of whom may be new to readers. Non-Black readers will get a window into the marvelous history of a continent oft overlooked and relegated to a single narrative. Refreshingly free of generalizations, this impressively researched work was clearly a massive undertaking (as evidenced by the source notes), presenting figures from multiple parts of the continent in the truth of their cultural and historical richness. The result is empowering, necessary, and required reading for all. Game changing.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review “Riveting . . . A rich account of innovative, oft-untold breakthroughs that took place in Africa before European colonization . . . Lush full-color art, depicting African luminaries and kingdoms in all of their glory. Concise and well researched, this robust, historically accurate timeline of the ‘great [African] continent and its people’ will serve as an invaluable resource for years to come.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review "Readers will be fascinated by the lives of these icons and gain a real appreciation of Africa’s underrepresented place in world history."—Booklist “Tracey Baptiste takes on a formidable task with this book . . . Baptiste’s muscular prose is compelling and the majority of the figures will be new to readers. Even the ones I had heard of (Aesop and Hannibal, for example) were put into a historical context that refreshed my interest.”—Youth Services Book Review “African Icons is a great read… It empowers Black kids, informing them that they can do great things just like the people before them. …jam-packed with amazing facts.”—The City Book Review, Kids’ BookBuzz A New York Public Library 2021 Best Book for Kids "In African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History, Baptiste engages in the hard work of unveiling the myths about the African continent to young readers. She pieces together the stories of ten people in a continent that fueled the world. This is a great beginner’s guide to pre-colonial Africa."—Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be an Antiracist ​“Baptiste sheds light on the rich and complex pre-enslavement history of the African continent . . . A spellbinding collection . . . An impeccably researched revelation that fills a too wide gap in collections; it’s unfair how long it’s taken for these histories to be made public to young readers.” —SLJ, starred review “What Baptiste accomplishes in only 139 pages of narrative is near miraculous. She lifts the veil intentionally cast over African history, granting readers a veritable feast of information and inspiration . . . Wilson’s portraits of each figure exude such beauty, strength, power, and, above all, dignity as to be nearly breathtaking. Each one gazes out at readers with a regal confidence that’s sure to inspire them to gaze back . . . Black readers of any age will see themselves reflected in the amazing lives chronicled, many of whom may be new to readers. Non-Black readers will get a window into the marvelous history of a continent oft overlooked and relegated to a single narrative. Refreshingly free of generalizations, this impressively researched work was clearly a massive undertaking (as evidenced by the source notes), presenting figures from multiple parts of the continent in the truth of their cultural and historical richness. The result is empowering, necessary, and required reading for all. Game changing.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review “Riveting . . . A rich account of innovative, oft-untold breakthroughs that took place in Africa before European colonization . . . Lush full-color art, depicting African luminaries and kingdoms in all of their glory. Concise and well researched, this robust, historically accurate timeline of the ‘great [African] continent and its people’ will serve as an invaluable resource for years to come.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review "Readers will be fascinated by the lives of these icons and gain a real appreciation of Africa’s underrepresented place in world history."—Booklist “Historical African leaders are introduced in thrilling accounts of their lives; each entry is accompanied by an eye-catching full-color (speculative) portrait.”—Horn Book “Tracey Baptiste takes on a formidable task with this book . . . Baptiste’s muscular prose is compelling and the majority of the figures will be new to readers. Even the ones I had heard of (Aesop and Hannibal, for example) were put into a historical context that refreshed my interest.”—Youth Services Book Review “African Icons is a great read… It empowers Black kids, informing them that they can do great things just like the people before them. …jam-packed with amazing facts.”—The City Book Review, Kids’ BookBuzz A New York Public Library 2021 Best Book for Kids A 2021 Kids' Indie Next Pick A Kirkus and SLJ Best Book of 2021"In African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History, Baptiste engages in the hard work of unveiling the myths about the African continent to young readers. She pieces together the stories of ten people in a continent that fueled the world. This is a great beginner’s guide to pre-colonial Africa."—Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be an Antiracist* "Baptiste sheds light on the rich and complex pre-enslavement history of the African continent . . . A spellbinding collection . . . An impeccably researched revelation that fills a too wide gap in collections; it’s unfair how long it’s taken for these histories to be made public to young readers.”—SLJ, starred review* “What Baptiste accomplishes in only 139 pages of narrative is near miraculous. She lifts the veil intentionally cast over African history, granting readers a veritable feast of information and inspiration . . . Wilson’s portraits of each figure exude such beauty, strength, power, and, above all, dignity as to be nearly breathtaking. Each one gazes out at readers with a regal confidence that’s sure to inspire them to gaze back . . . Black readers of any age will see themselves reflected in the amazing lives chronicled, many of whom may be new to readers. Non-Black readers will get a window into the marvelous history of a continent oft overlooked and relegated to a single narrative. Refreshingly free of generalizations, this impressively researched work was clearly a massive undertaking (as evidenced by the source notes), presenting figures from multiple parts of the continent in the truth of their cultural and historical richness. The result is empowering, necessary, and required reading for all. Game changing.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review* “Riveting . . . A rich account of innovative, oft-untold breakthroughs that took place in Africa before European colonization . . . Lush full-color art, depicting African luminaries and kingdoms in all of their glory. Concise and well researched, this robust, historically accurate timeline of the ‘great [African] continent and its people’ will serve as an invaluable resource for years to come.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review"Readers will be fascinated by the lives of these icons and gain a real appreciation of Africa’s underrepresented place in world history."—Booklist“Historical African leaders are introduced in thrilling accounts of their lives; each entry is accompanied by an eye-catching full-color (speculative) portrait.”—Horn Book“Tracey Baptiste takes on a formidable task with this book . . . Baptiste’s muscular prose is compelling and the majority of the figures will be new to readers. Even the ones I had heard of (Aesop and Hannibal, for example) were put into a historical context that refreshed my interest.”—Youth Services Book Review“African Icons is a great read… It empowers Black kids, informing them that they can do great things just like the people before them. …jam-packed with amazing facts.”—The City Book Review, Kids' BookBuzz"A fascinating and informative journey across Africa to meet some of the great leaders and thinkers whose vision built a continent and shaped the world. . . Enhanced with the museum quality artwork of Hillary Wilson, African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History is an inherently entertaining and impressively informative history that is the perfect introduction to African history."—The Midwest Book Review"True, lively, kid-friendly, and fun to read, even if you're an adult."—The Philadelphia Tribune

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Book SynopsisNot So Different offers a humorous, relatable, and refreshingly honest glimpse into Shane Burcaw's life. Shane tackles many of the mundane and quirky questions that he's often asked about living with a disability, and shows readers that he's just as approachable, friendly, and funny as anyone else.Shane Burcaw was born with a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy, which hinders his muscles' growth. As a result, his body hasn't grown bigger and stronger as he's gotten olderit's gotten smaller and weaker instead. This hasn't stopped him from doing the things he enjoys (like eating pizza and playing sports and video games) with the people he loves, but it does mean that he routinely relies on his friends and family for help with everything from brushing his teeth to rolling over in bed.A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2017

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Book SynopsisFrom award-winning poet Margarita Engle comes Dreams from Many Rivers, an middle grade verse history of Latinos in the United States, told through many voices, and featuring illustrations by Beatriz Gutierrez Hernandez.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.

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Book SynopsisRaised to fear their magic, twin witches begin receiving premonitions of a killer targeting brujas and must embrace their powers to save lives . . . before it's too late. The high-stakes worldbuilding of Divine Rivals meets the witchy romance of Practical Magic in Vanessa Montalban's thrilling YA Latine fantasy debut. In contemporary Miami, twins Delfi and Lela are haunted by a family curse that poisons any chance at romantic love. It’s no wonder their mother forbids them from getting involved with magic. When Lela and Delfi receive premonitions of a mysterious killer targeting brujas, however, the sisters must embrace their emerging powers to save innocent lives. Teaming up with their best friend Ethan and brooding detective-in-training Andres, Delfi and Lela set out to catch a murderer on a dangerous hunt that will force them to confront the dark secrets of their family’s past.Meanwhile, in 1980s Cuba, Anita de Armas whispers to the spirits for mercy—not for herself, but for the victims of her mother’s cult. She’s desperate to rid herself of her power, which manifests as inky shadows and an ability to speak to the dead. As political tensions rise and Anita’s cult initiation draws near, she must make a decision that could change not only her fate, but the fate of the nation.Lela, Delfi, and Anita’s stories intertwine in a thrilling fantasy that spans oceans and generations as each woman steps into her power, refusing to be subdued by any person or curse.Trade Review“Richly rendered main characters and a knotty central mystery captivate . . . Utterly bewitching.” —Kirkus Reviews“Captivating debut.” —Publisher’s Weekly“This action-packed fantasy about discovering a magical inheritance and unearthing long-buried family secrets adds an appealing touch of romance." —Booklist“Practical Magic meets Miami, A Tall Dark Trouble is bound to become a Cuban American classic.” —Nina Moreno,author of Don’t Date Rosa Santos“A Tall Dark Trouble will have readers glued to the pages from beginning to end.” —Francesca Flores, author of The Witch and the Vampire“Uniquely thrilling and sure to cast a spell on every reader.” —Sophie Isabelle, author of The Witchery“Equal parts magical, romantic, and heart wrenching.” —Isabel Sterling, author of These Witches Don’t Burn and The Coldest Touch

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Book SynopsisA is for airport B is for bookstore C is for city hall . . . Calling all city slickers! With F for fire department, L for library, and S for salon, going from A to Z has never been more urban! Take an alphabetized tour around town and discover the plants, animals, and places that make the city so amazing!

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Book Synopsis In the newest installment in the Finger Puppet Heroes series, a plush puppet emerges from the center of each die-cut page of this chunky board book about MLK’s life and legacy “The time is always right to do what is right.” —Martin Luther King Jr. With gorgeous, detailed illustrations by Susanna Covelli and simple text, I Can Be Brave Like Martin Luther King Jr. invites children to witness the lifelong fight for equality that made King a hero. Despite the odds and opposition, he never stopped dreaming of a better world. You, too, can be brave like Martin Luther King Jr.

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Book Synopsis2020 Rainbow Book List Selection Inspired by a true story, Love Around the World is the beautiful and heartwarming adventure of two women’s journey to marry each other in every country where same-sex marriage is legal. "Moving and inspiring." - Kirkus Reviews Fleur and Julian are two women very much in love. When they decide to get married, however, they discover that in most countries, a man cannot marry a man and a woman cannot marry a woman. In fact, out of 195 countries in the world, they can only marry in 26 of them. Fleur and Julian want to make other people aware of that. They think that love is love—not only between a man and a woman! So Fleur goes down on one knee and asks the love of her life, “Would you like to marry me in all 26 countries?” Julian answers, “Yes!” Thus begins an incredible trip around the world for our two heroes, Fleur and Julian, who travel to each nation that celebrates marriage equality. In Love Around the World, Fleur and Julian get married in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United States, where they learn about the customs and traditions of each place and make special memories that will last forever.Trade Review"Each spread shows Fleur and Julian joyfully celebrating in festive settings, often with other couples around them. The art has a graphic, flat quality that makes the most of the rainbow palette in scenes that could translate to postcard or poster images, and the text highlighting fairness, safety, and pride helps make the adult institution of marriage accessible to young readers. . . . Moving and inspiring." —Kirkus Reviews“This is a really uplifting book . . . it’s a children’s book but it is also a work of activism. . . . One of the striking things about this book is the illustrations by artist Fatinha Ramos. [Fleur and Fatinha] depict the cultures of these different places so vividly, in writing and in pictures.” —Marco Werman, “PRI’s The World”

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Book SynopsisHigh Spirits is a collection of eleven interconnected short stories from the Dominican diaspora, from debut author Camille Gomera-Tavarez. It is a book centered on one extended family – the Beléns – across multiple generations. It is set in the fictional small town of Hidalpa – and Santo Domingo and Paterson and San Juan and Washington Heights too. It is told in a style both utterly real and distinctly magical – and its stories explore machismo, mental health, family, and identity. But most of all, High Spirits represents the first book from Camille Gomera-Tavarez, who takes her place as one of the most extraordinary new voices to emerge in years.

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Book Synopsis Grab your backpacks and hiking boots, it?s time to explore the fabulous Adirondacks! Young outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy a personal tour of the region''s iconic landmarks and attractions, including Lake George, Mirror Lake, Adirondack Experience, The Wild Center, Mount Jo, Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumping Complex, canoeing, fishing, camping, wildlife, and more.This book is part of the bestselling Good Night Our World series, which includes hundreds of titles exploring iconic locations and exciting themes.Come join the outdoor fun as we travel through the exciting Adirondacks.

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Book SynopsisWhen Sarah accidentally breaks Bubbe?s beautiful blue glass bowl, she is heartbroken. But Bubbe comforts her, assuring her that it is Sarah?not the bowl?that is important. After sweeping up, Sarah finds a heart-shaped piece of glass in the corner, puts it in her pocket and, the next day, takes it to beach, where it begins a journey around the world.

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Book SynopsisA Canadian teenager travels to China to explore her ancestry and search for her birth mother in a dramatic and moving YA novel.Throwaway Daughter tells the story of Grace Dong-mei Parker, whose biggest concern is how to distill her adoption from China into the neat blanks of her personal history assignment. Aside from the unwelcome reminders of difference, Grace loves passing for the typical Canadian teen — until the day she witnesses the Tiananmen massacre on the news. Horrified, she sets out to explore her Chinese ancestry, only to discover that she was one of the thousands of infant girls abandoned in China since the introduction of the one-child policy, strictly enforced by the Communist government. But Grace was one of the lucky ones, adopted as a baby by a loving Canadian couple.    With the encouragement of her adoptive parents, she studies Chinese and travels back to China in search of her birth mother. She manages to locate the village where she was born, but at first no one is willing to help her. However, Grace never gives up and, finally, she is reunited with her birth mother, discovering through this emotional bond the truth of what happened to her almost twenty years before.

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Book SynopsisCharles Darwin’s ideas about evolution caused both outrage and wonder, and quickly made him one of the most famous men in history. From his five-year voyage across the high seas to 20 years of research, follow Darwin on his adventure to prove a theory that would change the world. Little Guides to Great Lives is a brand new series of small-format guides introducing children to the most inspirational figures from history in a fun, accessible way. From Curie to Kahlo and Darwin to Da Vinci, Little Guides to Great Lives tells the stories of the most amazing people from all over the world and across history, with colourful illustrations and fresh design to bring their incredible stories to life.

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Book SynopsisExplore the world of Vicent Van Gogh. Discover the painter’s favourite subjects: sunflowers, a wheat field, a café at night, his home in Arles in the south of France, paintings of his bedroom, the night sky, portraits of people he knew. See for yourself why this artist has become so famous.

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