Month: May 2025

2 Adult SFF Reads Recommended for Teens

| Tasha

Murder by Memory by Olivia Waite

Aboard the HMS Fairweather, bodies are disposable but minds last forever until one day that all changed. Dorothy, one of the ship’s detectives, awakens in a body that isn’t hers just as the ship is going through magnetic storms that mess with its systems. Dorothy must figure out why she is in an unfamiliar body but even more importantly why someone else aboard the spaceship has been murdered! What she does know is that part of this predicament is due to her nephew Ruthie who may be smart but is also chaotic. But he also may have just saved her mind from being erased forever. 

The answer to what happens when you mix a great mystery with a science fiction setting, this teen-friendly adult novel is great fun. Told in a novelette format, the book is only 100 pages long and whizzes readers along introducing marvelous characters, including the sentient ship itself. With lots of inclusive characters, many of whom are part of the LGBT community, the book makes the most of the unique characteristics of a ship in space and virtually unkillable people. A grand mystery among the stars, here’s hoping that we will visit again soon.

Great fun for older teen readers, this jaunt of a science fiction mystery is highly recommended. Appropriate for ages 14+.

Reviewed from library copy.

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong (9780593815915)

Tao travels alone with her mule and wagon across the land, making sure that she only tells insignificant fortunes so she won’t attract the attention of the mage guild. She is an immigrant to the country having lost her father and come with her estranged mother. Even if she’s lonely, she makes sure she is safe. Soon though, she finds herself helping a reformed thief and a warrior to find a lost little girl. They are also joined by a baker looking for adventure and an aloof magical cat. With these new companions come new friendships but also new dangers.

This cozy fantasy is as warm and lovely as I imagine Tao’s wagon to be. The friendships develop organically on the page and the adventures the group has culminate in a very fulfilling ending that addresses much of Tao’s past. The writing is spry and great fun thanks to Leong infusing the entire read with a lot of humor and joy.

A grand adventure just right for adults and teens alike, particularly those not looking for a romance just good fun. Appropriate for ages 14+.

Reviewed from library copy.

A Song for You and I by K. O’Neill – Book Review

| Tasha

A Song for You and I by K. O’Neill (9780593182307)

Rowan is learning to be a ranger, taking care of the land and its people with the help of a flying horse. But when Rowan tries to show off their skill and doesn’t listen to cautions, their horse is injured. Stuck now walking everywhere, Rowan is assigned to help Leone, a lone figure who spends a lot of time with sheep. Leone has his own dreams. He plays the fiddle constantly but won’t play for any person at all. As the two of them start their slow journeys together, their friendship begins to grow. Each finds support in one another, creating joy and romance.

O’Neill is author of The Moth Keeper and the Tea Dragon Society. This graphic novel combines a fantasy world with a trans and non-binary coming out story for both main characters. Beautifully told and filled with true moments of connection and romance, this book features characters who are complex and layered.

Beautifully illustrated and compellingly told, this graphic novel will make your heart soar. Appropriate for ages 10-14.

Reviewed from library copy.

Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award 2025 shortlists

| Tasha

The 2025 shortlists for the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards have been announced by the Ontario Arts Council and Ontario Arts Foundation. These annual awards are given to English-Language Canadian books in two categories: picture books and middle grade/YA literature. Here are the shortlisted titles:

PICTURE BOOKS

Fighting Words by Leonarda Carranza, illustrated by Erika Medina

I Want to Read All the Books by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

The Little Regent by Yewande Daniel-Ayoade, illustrated by Ken Daley

Métis Like Me by Tasha Hilderman, illustrated by Risa Hugo

One Giant Leap by Thao Lam

MIDDLE GRADE/YOUNG ADULT

Fledgling by S. K. Ali

Is There a Boy Like Me? by Kern Carter

The New Girl by Cassandra Calin

The Shape of Lost Things by Sarah Everett

Today I Am: 10 Stories of Belonging edited by Jael Richardson

Wake Your Friday Brain Cells – May 16 Edition

| Tasha

CHILDREN’S LIT

8 Inclusive Chapter Books to Kick Off Summer Reading – SLJ

Nevermoor’s Jessica Townsend on frantic fans, her fantasy smash hit – and feeling ‘gutted’ by JK Rowling – The Guardian

LIBRARIES

Man burns 100 library books on social media; residents donate 1,000 more – News 5 Cleveland

Tribal communities risk losing local libraries and the history they hold amid DOGE cuts – NBC News

Want to reduce crime? Science says: build more libraries – Lit Hub

YA LIT

The Military’s K-12 Schools Are Banning Award-Winning Kids’ Books To Appease Trump – HuffPo

Most Anticipated Young Adult SFF/H for May & June 2025 – Reactor

The Plot Thickens in These 23 YA Fiction Series – SLJ

Giant Parsnip Soup by Daniela Sosa – Book Review

| Tasha

Giant Parsnip Soup by Daniela Sosa (9781665961967)

What should you do if you find a giant parsnip with your friends? Make giant parsnip soup together, of course. All it takes is 1 giant parsnip, 2 bags of potatoes, 3 crates of carrots, and more ingredients as we count to ten together. A diverse cast of children work together on the huge pot of soup that is taller than them. There are children of a variety of races, children with hearing aids, and a variety of ages. The book ends with 10 full bellies once a dog and cat join in the fun.

A friendly and bright counting book sure to make your tummy rumble. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Beach Lane Books.

Fireworks by Matthew Burgess – Book Review

| Tasha

Fireworks by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Cátia Chien (9780063216723)

It’s a hot July day in the city as two siblings head outside. The fire hydrant offers some splashes of water along the way. They give the musician in the park some coins. There is watermelon to feast on and music that comes through the open windows to dance to. The two climb way up to the top of the building where they wait… for fireworks!

From the anticipation through their entire day to the marvelous display at the end of the book, this picture book truly captures the joy of fireworks, their mesmerizing qualities, and the fizz that stays with you afterwards.

A great summer read. Appropriate for ages 3-7.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by HarperCollins.

Double Dutch Queen by Deann Wiley – Book Review

| Tasha

Double Dutch Queen by Deann Wiley (9781250876386)

Shay would love to try double dutch with her cousins, but she’s way too worried about getting tangled in the ropes or falling down to give it a go. She knows that she can do other complicated and fast things like hula hooping or roller skating, but in the end she longs to double dutch. It’s not until her auntie comes out and skips rope herself that Shay is encouraged and brave enough to risk trying it herself. Soon all of her cousins are cheering her on too. A picture book featuring a large Black family where taking a risk and failing seems far too frightening to even try. The illustrations are large and bold with bright jump ropes and the perfect sunny day. Great for encouraging trying new things while surrounded by love.

Appropriate for ages 4-6. Reviewed from e-galley provided by Henry Holt & Co.

2025 British Book Awards

| Tasha

The winners of the 2025 British Book Awards have been announced. The awards are given in a variety of categories. Below are the youth-focused categories and you can see the entire list here.

CHILDREN’S FICTION

WINNER

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess by Jeff Kinney (available in US)

SHORTLIST

I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery (available in US)

The Majorly Awkward BFF Dramas of Lottie Brooks by Katie Kirby

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson (available in US)

Reckless by Lauren Roberts (available in US)

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal (available in US)

CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATED BOOK

WINNER

Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (available in US)

SHORTLIST

Bunny vs. Monkey: The Great Big Glitch by Jamie Smart

Dog Man 12: The Scarlet Shedder by Dav Pilkey (available in US)

Letters from the North Pole by Annie Atkins (available in US)

Pablo and Splash by Sheena Dempsey (available in US)

There’s a Poonami in My House by Chris Ramsey

CHILDREN’S NONFICTION

WINNER

Wilding: How to Bring Wildlife Back by Isabella Tree, illustrated by Angela Harding (available in US)

SHORTLIST

Hamza’s Wild World by Hamza Yassin

The History of Information by Chris Haughton

Science is Lit by Big Manny

Taylor Swift by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara (available in US)

The World to Come by Robert Macfarlane and Johnny Flynn, illustrated by Emily Sutton (available in US)

Firefly Season by Cynthia Leitich Smith – Book Review

| Tasha

Firefly Season by Cynthia Leitich Smith, illustrated by Kate Gardiner (9780063274440)

Piper loves spending time with her cousins and family in Cherokee Nation fishing, dancing, and learning to speak Mvskoke. Back home, Piper has a new neighbor, Sumi who is a few years younger. The two girls start a friendship, spending lots of time together. Then Piper’s parents decide to move away. The two girls are sad but keep in touch. Until Piper’s mother has a great idea to bring them closer together.

In the strong tradition of found sisters and family, this picture book celebrates both family connections and those we find along the way. The illustrations capture both nature and also the natural postures and facial expressions of the characters in a way that connects readers to the page.

A big-hearted book about friends who become family. Appropriate for ages 5-9.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Heartdrum.