In Jordan Ifueko’s sequel to Raybearer, Tarisai will be tested physically and mentally as she begins her control of the throne as Empress. Tarisai is still a rock star of a heroine, staying one step ahead of most issues that arise but when spirits of the past add that additional layer of doubt, Tarsai takes a little of a Christ-like role in deciding if she can live with her people or if she must die to absolve them of past transgressions. This fantasy world continues its mythical tale as beautifully crafted as Tarisai’s characterization. Fans of Raybearer will enjoy Redemptor’s 2nd and final part of the story.

Minda Harts gives heartfelt advice on everything from finding your first job to reacting to squabbles between friends or break-ups of family, and from self-advocacy and positive self-reflection to being vulnerable in relationships. While race and gender positivity are obviously the reason for the book, this white reader could read it from the advocate’s lens as well as the learner’s lens. Discussion questions for chapters are at the end as well as reflective questions for a white audience and comments for a white caregiver. This is the “gift” book that counselors, teachers, guardians, and advocates can share with the beautiful brown girls in our lives. Harts writes in conversational, tell-it-like-it-is prose that creates the authentic cradle of care these girls need to be leaders in our society. You Are More Than Magic is highly recommended for school libraries.

Eric Smith along with Alanis Morisette, Diablo Cody, and Glen Ballard have taken the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical by the same name and novelized it for a high school audience. This is a grand-salami story from five teen voices where perspectives are not always what they seem and choices have repercussions. The main storyline focuses on the Healy family who tries to be picture-perfect but the frame slams to the ground. There are so many, many layers as the jagged little pill dissolves — people exploring their sexuality, people learning to trust themselves, people taking a social stand, people learning how relationships work. “Harder” pills of rape, drug addiction, and mental health issues will also push a fast-paced plot that includes text message conversations for audience appeal. Jagged Little Pill has a broad audience and will be an easy sell when book-talked. Highly recommended.

Sajni Patel gives readers a fast-paced behind-the-scenes experience of a highly ritualized, richly flavored, visually stimulating, and overly hectic Indian wedding week as Zurika Damani’s older sister ties the knot in an Atlanta, Georgia suburb. Zuri is a gifted violinist who wants nothing more than to please her parents while this week unfolds. The problem is that she has the opportunity of a lifetime — to compete for entry to a prestigious music school the same weekend as the wedding. And as the families converge, Zuri meets Naveen, the groom’s South African cousin, who also will compete for a spot. Competition will turn to flirting as the two navigate the well-scheduled week. Zuri’s own cousins will work behind the scenes to have her sneakily escape to the competition. But of course she’ll get caught and its the resolution that ties a nice, big bow to this story of family love. Much like Crying in H Mart but without the heartache of a death, My Sister’s Big Fat Indian Wedding will be a fun romp around the foods, the feels, and the flaunting of the families who have enough money to throw a lavish affair. I highly recommend this book for upper elementary through high school young adults.

This counting book teaches you about the Indian holiday of Diwali through simple text and vibrant illustrations. Archaea Sreenivasan’s illustrations really pull you in and show you the joy of this holiday, which is about light triumphing over dark.

Each page counts up two and then adds an event, food, or tradition that has to do with celebrating Diwali. This is a perfect book to read to preschoolers and kindergarteners who will enjoy counting to ten forwards and back, but it also includes sidebars defining each tradition, food, or event which could appeal to older kids as well.

This book is a beautiful addition to any library – full of light, representing the holiday so well.

I received this book in English and in Spanish – I am not fluent in Spanish, but with the background I do have and the English book next to me, I read through the text.

This is an adorable bedtime story to read around Halloween. I loved how the English version of the story includes Spanish words, and lets the reader translate through context.

If you like the type of books that follow a patterns, have repetition of syntax – then you’ll love this book. This book begins each new funny, witchy activity in the same style of the title, “If your babysitter is a bruja….” At first the little girl is seemingly running away from her babysitter, the bruja, trying to escape before she can cast a witchy spell. But, slowly, along with the little girl, you realize they’re both having a good time, going down slides, flying through the night, and being tossed in a vat of crocodiles, I mean a bath.

The illustrations by Irene Freitas are fantastic, colorful, fun and full of adventure. Each time I read the story, I found something new to look at and notice.

¡Ay, Caramba! You’ll enjoy this book!

It’s a new spin on an old folktale, with a new message. Instead of “slow and steady wins the race,” the moral of this one is that “sometimes it’s good to be fast and sometimes it’s good to be slow, but mostly it’s good to have a friend to help you find the balance.” It gives us a bit more pre-race background on our main characters, showing how their usual ways of going about things creates problems for both. During the race, when Hare stops for a nap, Tortoise catches up, but instead of continuing on, the two spend some time star-gazing together and then finish the race together, with Tortoise riding piggy back, getting a chance to experience the joy of speed, and the two become fast friends who help each other find balance when they need it. It’s a bit long, and some may find it preachy, but I liked it.