A Mighty Girl's 2022 Summer Reading List

The town of Stone-in-the-Glen has suffered multiple disasters that destroyed beloved places like the library and park; they put their trust in the charismatic Mayor, who promises he can save the day. When an Ogress arrives one day and settles in at the outskirts of town, the town becomes suspicious of her immediately, but the fifteen children who live in the Orphan House soon realize that she's full of kindness, sending gifts to the people who need them most. When one of the orphans disappears, though, they'll have to find some way to stop the town from targeting the Ogress — and figure out how to make them see the true villain hiding in Stone-in-the-Glen. Kelly Barnhill, the Newbery Medal winning author of The Girl Who Drank the Moon, has crafted a resonant fantasy about what happens when a community loses its connection — and how generosity and love can help them rediscover it.

Dolly Parton's family didn't have much money, but they had plenty of music! From an early age she showed a talent for singing and songwriting. When she set out to become a professional performer, her managers thought she should sing pop music, but what she loved was country — and she became a smash success! She used her fame and fortune to give back, becoming a reading advocate whose Imagination Library has donated 150 million books, and a philanthropist whose causes include animal welfare and the development of a Covid vaccine! This picture book from the best-selling Ordinary People Change the World series captures how Dolly is so much more than just a country music star — and inspires young readers to imagine what they might do when they grow up.

It's been years since Merida of DunBroch broke the spell she accidentally placed on her mother, Queen Elinor, and the family's reign has been peaceful ever since. Maybe too peaceful, Merida thinks; she dreams of adventure instead of all this sameness. But when her discontent manifests Feradach, a supernatural creature that roots out stagnation — at any price — only an intervention by another fearsome entity, Cailleach, saves DunBroch... for now. Merida has four seasons to convince her family to change or the kingdom will be destroyed. To save everything she loves, Merida takes her family on epic journeys to inspire them — but perhaps she herself needs to change too. This compelling young adult sequel to the hit movie Brave, written by a critically acclaimed author, follows an older Merida as she has four seasons to save DunBroch — or see it destroyed forever.

12-year-old Ellie has been bullied for her weight since she was five — both by her peers and by members of her own family, including her mother, who thinks criticizing Ellie's body will finally make her want to diet. She's set rules for herself: don't eat in public, don't move in ways that make you jiggle, and don't draw attention to yourself. But when a new neighbor, Catalina, moves in next door, she likes Ellie and doesn't even seem to notice her weight. With support from her father and from an insightful therapist who pushes Ellie to explore her feelings, she begins to realize that she could spread out like a starfish and claim her place — just the way she is. This poignant novel-in-verse is sure to start important conversations about body-shaming, self-confidence, and the power of loving yourself.

12-year-old Olia's family has cared for Castle Mila for over 500 years — but while her carpenter parents may be the ones who maintain the physical structure of the castle, it's budding artist Olia who knows its secrets, like how to get into the godlen domes full of magic. But when a violent storm threatens the castle, Olia's grandmother reveals that the magic is trying to break free from the domes... and only Olia can stop it. With the help of Feliks, a foxlike domovoi, Olia will have to venture down a passage that Castle Mila has only just revealed, hunting for the truth about the castle's past that can help her save it. Sophie Anderson, the acclaimed author of The House with Chicken Legs, has crafted a tale of magic and whimsy, seasoned with Slavic folklore, that's perfect for fans of Howl’s Moving Castle.

A mother peeks in at her baby as she reaches for a solar system mobile. She knows that those small moments of reaching out — for the people you love, for the knowledge you want to find, for the experiences you want to have — help shape us. They give us the dreams we have of what we will achieve and help us figure out what kind of people we want to be. So she tells her daughter, "The more you reach, the more you learn. There's so much here to see. The world has wonders waiting. Come explore with me." With sweet rhyming text from Emmy-nominated science TV star Emily Calandrelli, host of Emily's Wonder Lab, and luminous illustrations from Honee Jang, this delightful celebration of discovering together is sure to inspire readers to reach for their own stars!

12-year-old Tahlia Wilkins has plans for the start of the summer — including making a splash at the popular kids' pool party. She's also eagerly awaiting signs that she's really growing up, like her first period. But to her dismay, that milestone arrives the day before the party — and right after her mom leaves for a work retreat. She can't bear to talk to her dad about it, so with the help of her best friend Lily, Tahlia sets out on an adventure that includes "borrowing" coins from a fountain to use in a bathroom dispenser, tricking a teen neighbor into using her bathroom in an effort to "rehome" a few tampons, and more. Fortunately, it's not long before Tahlia realizes that her dad is more than willing to help — and that, in his words, "nothing about your body is embarrassing." This laugh-out-loud and all-too-real story about menarche is a modern version of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, perfect for young readers waiting for their own first periods.

Third grade scientist and inventor extraordinaire Ada Lace is trying to solve the mystery of a missing dog! Ada thinks her homemade gadgets and her knack for scientific thinking will allow her to crack the case, while her neighbor Nina has has her own theory about the missing dog (involving alien abduction, of all things.) As Ada and Nina get closer to the solution, though, they'll also discover that opposites can make for the best of friends. This new series from Emily Calandrelli, host of Xploration Outer Space and MIT graduate, provides a scientifically-minded detective series that young readers will love. For more of Ada's adventures, visit our Ada Lace Collection.

Once upon a time, Snow and Rose lived in a big house with servants, and had a mother and father who loved them. But one day, her father never returned from the woods... and her mother was paralyzed by sadness. In their new cottage in the forest, they meet a new friend, and begin to discover the forest's mysteries. Perhaps if they work together, these sisters can break the terrible spells that rule it... and find a happy ending. This innovative retelling of the fairy tale "Snow White and Rose Red" features a pair of different but deeply loving sisters on a quest for home and family.

When Margaret's family moves to a cottage by the sea to help her grandmother, she feels lonely and lost... until the day she sees unicorns on the seashore! When they disappear, as quickly as they came, she realizes that one baby unicorn has been left behind. The kindhearted girl cares for him, and over the fall and winter, the two provide comfort and companionship to one another. And when Margaret returns the unicorn to his family in the spring, she's sad to see him go — but she realizes that she's starting to feel at home, and they'll both be where they belong. With a classic feel and a dash of magic, this cozy picture book is perfect for unicorn lovers and anyone who wants a little reassurance that friendship will come in time.

13-year-old Amari is sure that her missing brother, Quinton, is alive, and she's tired of being bullied at school for believing it. So when she finds a ticking briefcase in his closet, containing a nomination for a summer tryout at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she’s certain the secretive organization holds the key to locating Quinton — if only she can wrap her head around the idea of magicians, fairies, aliens, and other supernatural creatures all being real. When it's revealed that Amari is a natural born magician, she now faces discrimination in the Bureau as well... especially when an evil magician starts threatening the supernatural world. Artemis Fowl meets Men in Black in this trilogy opener perfect for fans of Nevermoor. Amari's adventures continue in Amari and the Great Game.

The girl in this book knows change is coming — and that's a good thing! She can hear its hum, but she wants to amplify its voice. So she lifts her own voice... and urges others to do the same. In this stirring picture book by the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, whose inspiring words captivated the nation at President Joe Biden's inauguration, a musical journey becomes a metaphor for community action, and how many people making changes, no matter how big or small, can have a huge impact on the world. With lyrical text accompanied by vibrant illustrations by bestselling illustrator Loren Long, this book is a celebration of all those who work for a better world.

14-year-old Mona is a wizard, but she's not the kind you're thinking of: unlike the powerful magic-users who protect the city, her powers only work on bread. So she lives a quiet life at her aunt's bakery, where she bakes delicious biscuits and makes gingerbread men dance to delight the customers. But when an assassin starts targeting wizards in Mona's city — and the City Inquisitor frames Mona for a murder as part of a plot to take over — she realizes that none of the 'real' wizards are coming to save everyone with their lightning and earthquakes. To save herself and everyone she loves, Mona will have to figure out how a bread wizard can be a hero. Winner of the 2021 Hugo Award for Best Young Adult Book, this quirky and funny fantasy, perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman, explores what happens when a girl who was never considered 'strong' — including by herself — becomes the one to save the day.

Elizabeth Packard's independence and intellect offended her husband — and in 1860, the solution was simple: he had her committed to an insane asylum in Jacksonville, Illinois. Inside the asylum, Elizabeth discovered horrifying conditions — and many more women like her, committed not because they are in need of medical care, but because they defied the men in their lives. When her adult children managed to free her, Elizabeth knew she had to fight back... and she not only won a court case that ensured no women could be imprisoned solely on the word of her husband again, but she also fought for the rights of women and people with mental illness across the country. Kate Moore, author of The Radium Girls, captures a stunning portrait of a woman who fought for both her own freedom and for the rights of millions who couldn't raise their own voices.

Against all odds, Ukrainian sisters Krystia and Maria have survived World War II — Krystia after helping hide Jewish fugitives (and watching her mother be hanged for aiding the resistance), and Maria after escaping forced labor on a German farm. Now, they're in a camp for displaced persons, hoping to make their way to an aunt and uncle in Toronto. But when another girl accuses them of collaborating with the Nazis during the war, they're imprisoned by the Soviet soldiers. Under interrogation and even torture, the sisters draw strength from one another, refusing to sign a false confession and hoping against hope that they can find a way to freedom. Inspired by actual accounts from survivors of Soviet interrogation houses, this gripping historical fiction novel — a sequel to Don't Tell the Nazis and Trapped in Hitler's Web — is a testament to the power of sisterhood and the human spirit.

11-year-old Willodeen loves animals of all kinds — even the strange "screechers" that the rest of the villagers of Perchance consider pests. She believes that all creatures have their part to play... and maybe that explains why Perchance is facing such a terrible year, full of natural disasters and the complete disappearance of the hummingbears that are both a source of local pride and a key element of the village's economy. When her friend, Connor, gives her a birthday gift that kindles an unexpected magic in her, Willodeen realizes that she can solve the mystery of the missing hummingbears... and maybe even speak up for all of the animals she adores, even the screechers. This whimsical and thoughtful story by Katherine Applegate, the Newbery Award winning author of The One And Only Ivan, celebrates the power of individuals to make a difference.

Artemisia avoids the living, who are too prone to speculating about her past, in favor of training to be a Gray Sister, one of the nuns who prepares the dead for burial to prevent their spirits from rising as hungry ghosts. When her convent is attacked, she realizes that evil is rising in her home of Loraille — evil that requires a vespertine, a priestess that can wield a high relic, to defeat. No vespertine has lived for generations, but there is one way Artemisia can get the information she needs: by asking a revenant, a malicious spirit bound to a saint's relic. The revenant agrees to help, but she knows it will stop at nothing to possess her. Now, she can only hope to unravel mysteries that make her question everything she's been taught... before the revenant betrays her. This stunning novel by the best-selling author of Sorcery of Thorns and An Enchantment of Ravens is a dark fantasy adventure that will leave readers eager for more.

Nobody cares about girls like 12-year-old Marya Lupu — not when it's the boys, like her brother, Luka, who might have the gift to wield magic and protect their country from the dangerous Dread and even more mysterious witches. But when sorcerers come to test Luka for magical gifts, Marya makes a mistake that lands her in Dragomir Academy, a school for "wayward girls." There, they tell her, she can train to serve one of the sorcerers and maybe be worth something someday. But as Marya uncovers holes in what she's told — and discovers secrets about both the sorcerers and the Dread — she starts to ask herself, "Who does the story serve?" The acclaimed author of The Lost Girl has created a meaningful, feminist fantasy that explores oppression, patriarchy, and the power of the truth.

For 13-year-old Louisa June's family, the waters off their Virginia home are a refuge, where they can fish for eels or admire local wildlife. But after America joins World War II, the threat of German U-boats constantly hangs overhead. With her older siblings away to help with the war effort — including her sister, who will weld boat hulls — Louisa June has to care for her mother, struggling to overcome her chronic depression with positive moments and hopeful news. But when her beloved brother is killed in a U-boat attack that leaves her father injured and guilt-ridden, Louisa June will need the support of her friend Emmett and her indomitable Cousin Belle to get through her grief... and to find her own way to contribute to the fight against the Nazis. The little-explored aspect of German submarines torpedoing American ships off the East Coast provides a framework for this powerful portrait of life on the home front and the importance of fighting for what matters.

As a child, Temple Grandin was different from other children: she didn't speak, and she struggled with meltdowns and sensory overload. Her mother was told to put her in an institution, but she knew her daughter could achieve great things. Supportive family and mentors helped Grandin discover her love of animals and her talent for science and design, and she realized she could use her unique perspective to achieve great things! This chapter book inspired by Chelsea Clinton's best-selling She Persisted series is a powerful introduction to this animal welfare and autism awareness advocate — and to how different perspectives benefit all of us.

In 1940, two very different women face the rise of the Nazis. Former American socialite Virginia d’Albert-Lake has been enjoying life in France with her French husband; although her parents try to convince her to leave Europe, she's planning to keep her head down.... until her conscience directs her otherwise. 19-year-old Violette Szabo knows full well just how vicious the Nazis can be, and after tragedy upon tragedy, she finds her way to the Special Operations Executive, where she finally gets the chance to fight back. Their acts of resistance land both women in Ravensbrück concentration camp — where the real battle for survival begins. This suspenseful novel by the author of The Invisible Woman draws on these incredible true stories to create a portrait of courage in the face of evil.

On November 25, 1960, three sisters were found dead in the Dominican Republic, next to a wrecked Jeep at the bottom of a cliff. The state newspaper reported their "accidental" deaths, but many readers knew the truth: Minerva, Patria, and Maria Teresa Mirabal were Las Mariposas — The Butterflies — vocal opponents of Rafael Trujillo's dictatorship. In this extraordinary novel of courage and love, the voices of all three sisters, as well as their surviving sister, Dede, speak across the decades to tell their own stories, from hair ribbons and secret crushes to gunrunning and prison torture, and to describe the everyday horrors of life under Trujillo's authoritarian rule and the human cost of political oppression.

The spirited Anne of Green Gables comes to life in a charming chapter book series for early readers! Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert are shocked when the orphan waiting at the train station isn't a helpful boy like they expected — instead, it's the imaginative and exuberant red-headed Anne (with an e). If Anne wants to build a new home and family in Avonlea, she'll have to learn a little patience and understanding, but it turns out that her creativity and boldness stand her in good stead too! This first book in an illustrated early reader series inspired by L.M. Montgomery's classic novel will delight Anne fans both new and old. Fans of the series can check out the second book, Anne's Kindred Spirits.

Rebecca and her family live in Philadelphia, right in the middle of the American Revolution. Her father is in Whitemarsh with Washington's army, and while she supports the Patriots' cause, she has to stay behind to help her mother... even if it means selling vegetables to British officers billeted in nearby homes, just to make ends meet. Then she intercepts a message about an impending British attack, and Rebecca knows she can't stay out of the war any longer. She has to get the message to the army... before it's too late. This thrilling installment in the Girls Survive series includes discussion questions and non-fiction materials at the back that help make Revolutionary history come alive for young readers.

7th grader Lily's Korean grandmother always warned her: never make a deal with a tiger. But when Lily's family moves in to help Halmoni after she falls sick, a magical tiger straight out of her folk tales appears! The tiger tells Lily that Halmoni has been hiding stories that made her sad, and promises her that, if Lily releases the stories, her health will be restored. But just as Halmoni said, deals with tigers are not what they seem, and soon Lily realizes that, with the help of her sister and her friend Ricky, she needs to find her voice, face the things she's most afraid of, and recognize the power that stories have to remember the ones we love... even when they're gone. This stunning magical realism novel, based on Korean mythology, is a powerful look at the importance of letting go.

Robyn Goodfellowe and her father have been sent to Ireland by Oliver Cromwell, on a mission to hunt the wolves that are preventing workers from cutting down ancestral forests. But when Robyn sneaks out of the city, she meets Mebh, a free-spirited girl... and one of the mysterious WolfWalkers, who legend says can transform into wolves at night. As Robyn and Mebh work together to protect Mebh's pack from the hunters, Robyn begins to realize that the destruction of the forests has bigger implications than she knew. Based on the gorgeous animated adventure WolfWalkers, this stunning graphic novel, with artwork by the film's creators, celebrates friendship and the power of compassion.

It's easy to feel hopeless looking at today's headlines, but primatologist, conservationist, and activist Jane Goodall argues that hope has never been more necessary! With best-selling author Douglas Abrams, Goodall lays out her Four Reasons for Hope: The Amazing Human Intellect, The Resilience of Nature, The Power of Young People, and The Indomitable Human Spirit. Full of stories from her career — including insights and plans she's never before shared — this timely and important book is a reminder from Goodall to the world that we have the power to make change as long as we keep hope alive.

Enola Holmes is back in the daring sleuth's first new adventure in over ten years! Now 15 and living independently in London, she takes on a new mystery when Miss Letitia Glover shows up at her brother Sherlock's door, insisting that her twin sister — who married the Earl of Dunhench and supposedly died for some vague and mysterious reason — must be alive. Against her brother's objections, Enola goes undercover and discovers that the Earl has had other wives that "died" suddenly — and that a black barouche that arrived at the Earl's home at night may be the key to unraveling the mystery. With a little help from Sherlock, the missing woman's sister, and her friend the Viscount Tewkesbury, it will up to Enola to crack the case and unravel the truth around Felicity Glover's sudden disappearance.

11-year-old Cordelia is grieving the apparently loss of her father Prospero, whose ship was lost at sea during an expedition to find new ingredients for the magic her family, the Hatmakers, weave into their hats. Alongside four other families — the Bootmakers, the Watchmakers, the Cloakmakers, and the Glovemakers — the Hatmakers' creations can influence the moods and emotions of their owners. As rumors of war with France rise, the decree goes out to create Peace clothing for King George... but all of them are stolen. There may be a plot against the Makers' Guild — one that could lead to war. With the help of a member of the archrival Bootmakers and a street urchin, Cordelia will have to uncover the truth before it's too late. This sparkling fantasy adventure by Tamzin Merchant celebrates a courageous and resourceful heroine who never gives up. Cordelia's story continues in The Mapmakers.

After dreaming of one another in Uni the Unicorn, and meeting in the Land of Unicorns in Uni the Unicorn and the Dream Come True, it's time for Uni to come to visit her best friend in the real world! That will finally prove that unicorns exist. But even when Uni arrives, the little girl's family and friends can't see her. It's not until a glint of light hits Uni's magic horn — and a little boy spots it — that the magic of belief begins to grow... and all the kids begin to believe in magic. Now, not only can they see Uni, but other magical creatures appear everywhere! Paris Rosenthal, daughter of the late Amy Krouse Rosenthal, wrote this beautiful trilogy finale as a tribute to her mom and a celebration of belief and love.

Growing up, Mary Anning's family was desperately poor — so the nimble girl learned to help her father search the cliffs near her home on the south coast of England to find fossils to sell. Anning turned out to have a gift for fossil hunting; at the age of 13, she and her brother discovered the first complete ichthyosaur skeleton! Anning never had the opportunity for formal education, so she taught herself by reading scientific journals and performing dissections — and while her discoveries weren't given their due during her lifetime, today she's one of the most celebrated paleontologists ever. This exuberant biography, which includes high-quality illustrations — including reproductions of some of Anning's sketches — is a visually appealing and thoroughly researched introduction to a pioneer in STEM.

It's 2061, and 12-year-old Petra Peña is an aspiring storyteller, following in the footsteps of her abuelita — but when a solar flare knocks Halley's Comet off course, directly into the path of the Earth, her scientist parents are selected for a journey to a new planet in hopes of saving the human race. Their whole family boards a ship and are put into stasis for the centuries-long journey. But when she awakes, Petra learns that a cult called The Collective has taken over and purged the memories of humanity's past — by whatever means necessary. Somehow, they missed Petra, and now she has to decide if she can or should share her stories... and whether they are part of what makes us human. This stunning speculative fiction novel from Pura Belpré Honor-winner Donna Barba Higuera is a tribute to the power of storytelling and of the human mind.

Harriet Lawrence Hemenway loved all things fashion — especially hats! What was more fun than a hat with ribbons or flowers or, best of all, feathers? But then she learned that millions of birds were killed every year to supply the feathers for her cap, and she was horrified: "To think this bird should be deprived of its own finery for someone else’s hat! A passion for fashion was one thing, but this was featherbrained!" So she set out to change fashion, pushing for laws making it illegal to sell wild bird feathers. And in 1896, that newfound love for birds led her and her friends to found the Massachusetts Audubon Society, which later grew into the country's largest national bird conservation organization! This lively picture book biography is a celebration of how one pioneering conservationist's love of fashion led to a crusade that saved millions of birds.

Kate, Mia, Lainey, and Gabby are all very different — but they all dream of meeting a real fairy. And then suddenly they find themselves whisked of to Pixie Hollow, the home of Tinker Bell! At first they're delighted, but in Pixie Hollow, the four girls are just Clumsies who don't belong. And when Kate jealously steals a handful of pixie dust, the girls wonder if they'll ever make it home. Even if they do, can they really forget the magic of the fairies, or do they dare continue their adventures between the worlds? This box set includes the first four volumes of this magical early chapter book series: In a Blink, The Space Between, A Dandelion Wish, and From the Mist.

Where does this girl's musical journey begin? Perhaps it begins because her uncle has a cold, so he gives her his ticket. Or perhaps it begins hundreds of years before, when, "Because a man named Ludwig wrote beautiful music— / a man named Franz was inspired to create his own." And perhaps, when the girl grows up, she will be the "because" for someone else's love of music. Because sometimes it’s the smallest moments that have the biggest impact. Best-selling author Mo Willems' exquisite story captures the magical influence that chance moments have on our hearts, through the eyes of one girl whose musical awakening becomes a life-long passion.

Dory is a little kid with a BIG imagination — and it takes her to exciting and amazing places! This charming early chapter book series gets its own box set with this edition that collects paperback copies of the first four books in the series, Dory Fantasmagory chapter book series. This box set includes paperback editions of Dory Fantasmagory, The Real True Friend, Dory Dory Black Sheep, and Head in the Clouds. Kids can follow along as Dory looks for playmates, meets a like-minded friend, deals with struggles at school, and even gets her first loose tooth! For more books from the series, visit our Dory Fantasmagory Collection.

12-year-old Melody, who has cerebral palsy, adores horses... but meeting them face to face is a bit terrifying! This year, she wants to face her fears, and decides that a summer camp — one with horseback riding, that's ready to welcome a kid like her — is the perfect opportunity. Melody finds her camp, but when she's away from home and the people who support her for the first time, she feels a bit lost. Fortunately, she finds a new ally in her no-nonsense counselor Trinity, who helps her push herself out of the comfort zone. By the light of flickering campfires and the power of thunderstorms, through the terror of unexpected creatures in cabins and the first sparkle of a crush, Melody’s about to discover how brave and strong she really is. This highly anticipated sequel to Out of My Mind celebrates its huge-hearted heroine and her determination to follow her dreams.

From a child prodigy and "daddy's girl" growing up in West Virginia, to NASA's "human computers," to the international stage as the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Katherine Johnson's life has been a journey that few could have predicted. Now, in this posthumously published memoir for adult readers, she shares both her own story and the values that drove her through her entire life — particularly the belief that education is paramount. Johnson pays homage to her family, her mentor, and to the determination of her fellow trailblazing women who changed the world, both for themselves and for the generations that followed. Warm and wise, this is an inspiring look at the life of a brilliant woman who made history.

When Elizebeth Smith Friedman was hired by an eccentric millionaire to look for secret messages in Shakespeare's plays, she had no idea she'd become one of America's top cryptanalysts! Her knack for spotter patterns and solving puzzles led her to code-breaking, and she and her husband, William, became stars of the intelligence community, cracking enemy messages in World War I and World War II and helping the Coast Guard track smugglers through their communications — all at a time when most women were expected to keep house. Award-winning historian and novelist Amy Butler Greenfield introduces teen readers to this inspiring pioneer of STEM, whose contributions to American military intelligence have only recently been declassified.

Gertie the yak has the curliest wool and the grippiest hooves...but she's the smallest yak in her herd, and she wants to be BIG. Despite her mother's advice that "BIGNESS can come in all sorts of disguises," Gertie creates a growing-up plan that includes lots of healthy foods, plenty of exercise, and even reading to grow big thoughts... but she stays stubbornly small. Then the herd faces an emergency: a yak stuck on a cliff — and only a small yak can save the day. It turns out that Gertie has "bigness inside" that's more important than physical size! This rollicking picture book, with cozy artwork packed with adorable yaks in woolly hats and coats, is a charming story that celebrates the different talents that make each of us unique.

When Ariel and her twin sister Zan were diagnosed with Crouzon syndrome, a craniofacial condition where the bones of the head fuse prematurely, it was the start of dozens of surgeries that blurred the lines between medical need and making them aesthetically pleasing. As she grew, she began to realize how our society others people: fat people, people with facial differences, people of different races, and more. In this powerful young adult memoir, she explores her thoughts about beauty, identity, and feeling alienated from your own body through the lens of Picasso's life as an artist — and how his misogyny and ableism affected it. Poignant and thought-provoking, this book challenges us to examine our assumptions and urges us to look at people with new eyes.

13-year-old Ivy is very determined to be a GOOD kid — and that means putting everyone else's needs first. But when her mom decides to be a gestational surrogate for her friend, Ivy is shocked to discover that she's jealous and concerned about appearances. That's not the right way — the IVY way — to react! And if she's not the kindest kid out there, who is she? So she dives headfirst into proving how selfless she is... but it's hard for Ivy's friends to feel connected to her when she never lets them help her. Ivy will have to learn what it means to be vulnerable before she really understand what it means to be kind. This thoughtful and authentic middle-grade novel conveys an important message about the reciprocy of friendship and what it means to find yourself.

Little Witch Hazel is a tiny figure who lives in a cozy cottage in the woods — and devotes herself to helping the creatures around her. Through a year of four seasons in Mosswood, readers will follow Little Witch Hazel's adventures: rescuing an orphaned egg in the spring, takes a day off in summer; and investigates a mysterious cry from a (maybe haunted?) stump in autumn. And in winter, when Little Witch Hazel gets trapped in a blizzard during a busy day of doctoring her neighbors, one of her acts of kindness will be the key to her rescue! With beautiful illustrations and a gentle, evocative view of the natural world, this gorgeous book by award-winning author-illustrator Phoebe Wahl celebrates friendship, wildness, and seasonal changes.

When Jennifer Doudna was in 6th grade, she read The Double Helix, James Watson's story of discovering the structure of DNA — and she was hooked. She became determined not just to learn more about DNA, but to learn enough about biochemistry to understand RNA, the related molecule that lets genes express themselves. Her expertise in RNA led to her work helping develop CRISPR, a revolutionary technique to edit genes — one that is already being used to target genetic diseases like Tay-Sachs and sickle cell anemia. And today, her team is part of the global effort to fight the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This young reader's edition of The Code Breaker introduces this pioneering scientist and her Nobel Prize-winning work to young readers, who will be inspired to imagine how they too could change the world.

Abby is 9 years old, so she's not exactly a kid but she's definitely not a grown-up yet. And those in-between feelings get harder when it feels like everything starts changing. Her cousin and best friend, Zoe, has to move away; her mother goes back to work; and she's stuck in the running club, which she hates but which was the only after-school activity still available. She's also starting to recognize the needs of the homeless community in her area — and on top of all that, her body is starting to change, too! Without Zoe, how is she going to handle all of this? Fortunately, Abby starts to find her voice — and in the process, realizes that change can be for the good, too. Author Megan E. Bryant tackles multiple tough issues with grace, creating a timely story — first in a new series — about growing up and finding your way in a shifting world.

Margaret is a young orphan who has lived surprisingly happily on her island home, even though most of the population is a convent of nuns. She has companionship from William, the son of Lady Cameron and an exile from Albion, and that's enough... at first. But when the deposed queen of Albion, Eleanor, is sent to Margaret's island — and William leaves — Margaret starts to ask difficult questions about the purpose of her home and where she really came from. This richly detailed, historical fiction graphic novel, loosely based on the exile of Queen Elizabeth I by her sister, Queen Mary, is full of mystery and intrigue, all set on Margaret's vibrant and windswept home.

When Hitler's Nazis threatened the world, every person was needed to help the war effort — and the women stepped up! In this fascinating book, U.S. Army Major General Mari K. Eder tells the story of fifteen little-known heroes of the Greatest Generation: resistance fighters, pioneering pilots, rescuers, and spies. Each of them defied expectation in service of their country and people in need, not because they would be acclaimed for it but because it was the right thing to do. From Ola Mildred Rexroat, the only Native American pilot in the WASP, to sisters Ida and Louise Cook who smuggled Jews out of Germany while wearing jewelry and furs, to Hilda Eisen who was captured by the Nazis and escaped — twice — these are stories to inspire future generations with the courage of women who step out of line.

Reha feels trapped between two worlds: she stands out as the only Indian American student in her 1983 classroom, while at home her parents have high expectations (and only seem to notice her when she doesn't measure up.) Then her mother is diagnosed with leukemia and everything changes. Reha can't stand the sight of blood, but she wants to be a doctor, especially if it will help her Amma get better. But no matter how hard she works to be the perfect daughter, Reha can't stop Amma from dying... and then she has to figure out what comes after. Perfect for fans of Jasmine Warga and Thanhhà Lại, this intimate and deeply moving book explores grief, love, and how your relationships with your parents shift over time.

Bella is off to Forest School and she can't wait — because she loves bugs! At home, she takes care of insects for a while so she can study them (but she always lets them go free when she's done.) But at Forest School, she can see them in their natural homes... and share all the facts she knows with her fellow nature-loving friends. Over one busy day, Bella makes a moth trap, watches a butterfly lay and egg, and uses a magnifying class to watch ants at work. She even teaches her friends to hop like a grasshopper! And she tells them about insect from all around the world, including ones she's never seen... yet. With an engaging and lively narrative, fun illustrations of a wide range of bugs, and tons of facts about bugs from around the world, this engaging book will help ignite a love and appreciation for nature, right on our doorsteps.

When Marianne visits the beach, she digs for buried treasure — and the treasure she discovers is a real life dinosaur skeleton. After naming her skeleton Bony, Marianne wishes it would come to life, and to her delight, Bony responds. Now a green-skinned, apatosaurus-like creature who can swim and fly, Bony sets off with Marianne on some amazing adventures, including meeting other children with their own dream dinos! When the night is done, the children return to their homes and the beach.... where they continue digging, the adults none the wiser. This charming celebration of imagination (and dinosaurs) will delight young readers.

Almost two years ago, Meg's father went to fight against the Nazis — and she hasn't seen him since. With the family farm now in Nazi-occupied territory, Meg has already been secretly helping the French Resistance, while also deciphering codes he left in a jar to entertain her while he's gone... a jar that's almost empty. Then Meg stumbles across an injured British spy who tells her that her father could be released from Nazi imprisonment — if she can guide a family of German refugees safely to Spain. To do so, she'll have to untangle the most complicated cipher yet — one that could reveal dangerous secrets that might risk both her mission and her life. Jennifer A. Nielsen, bestselling author of Resistance, has crafted a suspenseful story that will leave readers wondering who Meg can trust to the very end.

When World War I broke out, the military needed people to help communicate messages between American and French headquarters, and from officers to the battlefield. But who could ensure the communications got through to the right people? Grace Banker was a 25-year-old telephone switchboard trainer from New York who was asked to help. She would become the Chief Operator of a group of 32 women — officially the Signal Corps, but affectionately known as the "Hello Girls" — who braved freezing weather, fires, battle, and more to ensure that critical messages were relayed. This absorbing and exuberant picture book celebrates Banker and her Hello Girls, overlooked heroes of World War I who are finally getting their due.

Growing up, Jane Austen was funny, a bit of a troublemaker — and gifted with words. She loved writing stories that made people laugh, particularly when they were inspired by life in a country village like hers. But when Jane grew older, facing sadness and loss as well as laughter and joy, she didn't know when she would find her writing voice again. When she did, it was full of humor, satire, and heart — and it made her one of the English language's most popular novelists. This energetic celebration of Austen's life and of creativity itself is perfect for fans of I Dissent and She Persisted.

When a girl named Beatryce shows up in a goat stall at the monastery of the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing, Gentle Brother Edik quickly realizes the danger: thanks to a prophecy he himself wrote, the king is hunting for a girl just like her. After Edik nurses her back to health, it becomes clear that Beatryce is full of stories, both poignant and powerful. In addition to the monk and the goat, she befriends a former king and a local boy. She knows she has to face the king, but when she sets out to do so, it's with the confidence of someone who knows that there are many people who love her — people who will never let her lose her way. This magical adventure by bestselling author Kate DiCamillo, accented with illustrations from Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall, is a stunning story about finding the power of words and friendships.

Julia Child was born loving food, but it took a long time before she became a chef. In fact, she started her adult life working for the Office of Strategic Services during World War II. After spending time in Ceylon and China, she and her husband moved to France, where a life-changing luncheon sparked an eagerness to learn French cooking — and share it with the world. She would become the only woman student at Le Cordon Bleu, where she learned to cook in 37 lessons (and a lot of trial and error. And finally, she got the chance to host a TV cooking show, where she could encourage people around the world to see eating as a special occasion and to have fun with cooking! Told by her grandnephew, Alex Prud'homme, with vivacious illustrations from Sarah Green, this picture book biography even includes a kid-friend recipe from Julia herself.

Duck was rescued from the river as a baby by the Crowns, a group of street urchins who have banded together to protect themselves. Eight years later, she's used to life on the run as a thief... until the Crowns' leader, Gnat, comes up with a cunning plan: Duck will post as an apprentice baker, and while working by Master Griselde, she'll pocket both money and bread for the Crowns. Duck is hesitant to leave the only family she's ever known, but to her surprise she discovers a gift for baking... and that comes with new problems. Is she a Crown or an apprentice baker? Does she owe loyalty to Gnat or Griselde? And who does she want to be. Told in alternating perspectives between Duck and an ancient gargoyle on the roof of the unfinished cathedral, this magical, intriguing story is an exploration of what destiny means — and how to claim it.

12-year-old Ji-li Jiang is at the top of her class and anticipating a bright future in 1966 Communist China... until the Cultural Revolution begins. Now, because her grandfather once owned property, Ji-li's family are classified as "Landlords" who are considered "Enemies of the People." People who were once her friends and neighbors turn on her and her family, forcing them to live in constant terror of arrest. When her father is arrested, Ji-li faces a terrible choice: criticize and denounce her father to prove her loyalty to the new regime, or stay silent and wonder what the future brings. This powerful autobiography explores one the most terrifying authoritarian regimes of the 20th century through the eyes of a girl trying to understand it all. For two more books about the Cultural Revolution, both for ages 12 and up, check out Girl Under A Red Moon and Snow Falling In Spring.

12-year-old Clementine Morcerous is being groomed to take over for her father, the Dark Lord Elithor, and she's learning everything she needs to be a truly dastardly Evil Overlord (even if she admits to herself that she prefers the light to the dark.) But when her father is cursed by the Whittling Witch, Clementine finds herself unexpectedly having to take over rather early. As her father's magic beings to falter, she relies on new friends, including a bewitched sheep, a paper chicken, and a local boy who dreams of being a hero. The funny premise and clever wordplay draw kids in, while the surprisingly deep story explores community, forgiveness, and what happens when you defy familial expectations to follow your heart. Kids will love the unique characters of this story, and hope to return to Clementine's world soon.

Elizebeth Friedman had a knack for codes and ciphers — and she wanted to put it to use. She helped debunk the idea that Francis Bacon had written Shakespeare's plays. She cracked the code of gangsters and smugglers, allowing their shipments to be intercepted. And she even took down Nazi spy rings during the second World War, saving thousands of lives! Although she should have been famous — she even created the CIA's first cryptology unit — almost nobody knew about her work until her secret papers were declassified in 2015. In this fascinating, in-depth picture book biography, young readers can learn all about Friedman's life of code breaking — and even try deciphering secret messages of their own!

Years ago, a king and queen wished for children, and their wish was finally granted when an engineer and a gift gave them a wooden robot and a log princess. The pair of siblings were as close as two children could be, and the robot soon learned to wake his sister — who turns into a log every night — with the words "Awake, little log, awake." But when someone mistakes the princess for an ordinary log, the family is separated, and the log robot goes on a quest to find her. Together, the pair will have to take turns dealing with the many obstacles on their journey home. Acclaimed graphic novelist Tom Gauld turned a bedtime story he invented for his own children into a stunning comic-style picture book that is both modern and timeless.

The day Sophie was born, the Berlin Wall went up, so all she's known is life in oppressive East Germany, where the Stasi secret police are always watching. She and her friend Katarina dream of escape, and Sophie even imagines she might use her knack for inventing to do it. But the stakes get raised when a Stasi officer asks Sophie to spy on her beloved neighbor... and threatens to institutionalize her disabled mother if Sophie refuses. Just as it seems hopeless, Sophie learns that she still has family on the other side of the Wall — but getting to them requires a dangerous journey across the "death strip" of trip wires, guard dogs, and armed soldiers. In this pulse-pounded novel, the author of I Am Defiance captures the fear of life under the East German regime... and the power of creating your own destiny.

After Mary Lennox is orphaned by a cholera epidemic, she goes to live on her uncle's Yorkshire estate. Lonely and sad, she's left alone to explore, eventually meeting the high-spirited Dickon and her sickly and imperious cousin Colin. Then she discovers the greatest treasure of all: a locked, walled garden, overgrown and desperately in need of tending. And as she, Dickon, and Colin start caring for the garden, a remarkable thing happens: Mary and Colin start to bloom too. This classic novel, full of beauty and emotion, is sure to inspire your Mighty Girl as it has inspired generations of others.

The witches of Discworld usually don't get involved in royal intrigues... but sometimes, you don't have a choice! Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick get forced to take action when the king of Lancre is murdered by his cousin Felmet, and the King's crown — and infant child — are dropped at their feet. Their plan is to hide Tomjon until he comes of age, but it soon becomes obvious that Felmet's rule will do nothing but damage. Fortunately, the witches have a few spells up their sleeve that might just help the right man end up on the throne... This hilarious novel, which parodies multiple beloved Shakespeare plays, will delight readers with its twists and turns.

June Almeida loved science, even as a young girl growing up in Glasgow, Scotland. But even though she was a top student, her family struggled financially and she had to leave school at the age of 16. She was determined, though, to find a way to pursue a scientific career and she was hired by a local hospital to work in its lab. There, she proved that she had an incredible talent for using a microscope to examine cells, making discoveries that helped doctors treat patients. And after years of working with electron microscopes and identifying viruses, she made a very special discovery — the first human coronavirus! This fascinating picture book, which includes a timeline and photos of June and her historic virus photographs in the back matter, celebrates a pioneering virologist whose groundbreaking work continues to help researchers today in the fight against illnesses caused by viruses, including COVID-19.

12-year-old Madi's parents have told her if she brings home one more stray or injured animal, she'll lose an opportunity to meet one of her heroes, Jane Goodall! But then she and her friends Aaron and Jack find two dead beavers by the side of the lake — and when Madi investigates their lodge, she finds two orphaned kits. The three kids hide the beavers inside their clubhouse, but in addition to keeping them safe, they have to figure out who killed the two beaver parents, and why. But as they dig into the mystery, they might discover a local environmental crisis that will take more than the three of them to solve! Perfect for fans of Pax and A Boy Called Bat, this book about a determined animal-loving girl will make kids wonder what they can do about protecting wildlife in their own communities.

Mary Katharine Goddard grew up in colonial Connecticut, where her parents made the unusual choice to educate their daughter just as they did their son. It was her steady hand that kept her flighty brother's newspaper and publishing business afloat — and it was her decision to publish material that would encourage her fellow colonists to support the Revolution. When the Continental Congress decided the Declaration of Independence needed to be widely distributed, she agreed to print it — and even put her name at the bottom with a printing credit, despite the risk of being targeted by the British. This bold picture book celebrates a savvy businesswoman and keen supporter of her newborn nation, who wrote herself into history.

Holocaust survivor Eva Mozes Kor tells the shocking true story of her life in the lab of notorious Nazi Dr. Josef Mengele, also known as the Angel of Death. When 10-year-old Eva and her twin sister Miriam arrived at the Auschwitz concentration camp, they were selected for Mengele's lab, where he performed sadistic quasi-medical experiments on dozens of pairs of twins. No matter what happened, Eva knew she had to fight for her survival: if she died, her sister would be killed too. Kor also explores her recovery from the trauma and her remarkable — and freeing — decision to forgive the Nazis. This powerful and compelling memoir shines a light on the worst and best of humanity.

Aventurine the dragon is tired of being treated like she's a helpless fledgling, so she decides to sneak out of her home and prove her mettle with a hunt. It all goes awry, though, when Aventurine is lured by the delicious aroma of a cup of enchanted hot chocolate and gets transformed into a weak, vulnerable 12-year-old girl! The trade off is that she has a new passion — and the chance to learn to make the confection herself. But can Aventurine figure out the human world well enough to reconcile her human and dragon identities...and can a mere chocolate apprentice save the kingdom? It turns out that combining magic, chocolate, and dragons makes a recipe for a delicious story! The adventure continues in The Girl with the Dragon Heart and The Princess Who Flew With Dragons.

Morrigan Crow knows she's cursed: she was born on the unluckiest day, she gets blamed for every misfortune, and everyone reminds her that she's doomed to die on midnight of her next birthday. Then a mysterious man named Jupiter North appears and whisks her away to a magical city called Nevermoor. But her residence isn't permanent: Morrigan is Jupiter's selection to compete for a place in the Wundrous Society... and if she fails, she'll have to face her deadly fate. Exciting, whimsical, and colorful, this book will be a favorite with readers who love fantasy and adventure; Morrigan's adventures continue in Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow and Hollowpox: the Hunt for Morrigan Crow.

This vibrant picture book presents a colorful world of possibilities — from astronaut to zoologist and everything in between — for Mighty Girls with big dreams! Each letter of the alphabet is represented by a career, from veterinarian to judge to firefighter, and features a fun illustration of a woman at work and a one-line description about the impact she makes on the world ("A is for Astronaut. She blasts into outer space to explore new worlds.") This oversized board book featuring a diverse array of women will leave Mighty Girls dreaming of what their own futures will bring!

In an alternate 1983 London, Susan Arkshaw is looking for the father she's never met when her search crashes head on into Merlin, one of the booksellers, a family of magical beings who prevent the Old World of legends from intruding into the world of the New (and run several bookshops on the side.) Merlin and his sister Vivien are searching for the Old World being who killed their mother... and their quest seems to overlap with Susan's. As the line between Old and New Worlds starts to break down, Susan, Merlin, and Vivien must figure out how the pieces go together — and whether they can save the world. Bestselling fantasy author Garth Nix crafts a rollicking story of magic, mystery, and books in this novel which will leave readers eager for more adventures with the booksellers.

Basketball has always made Sarah feel better — especially when her mom, who struggles with disordered eating, doesn't feed Sarah, either. But now she's starting puberty, and everything about her body feels wrong... and it's even affecting her performance on the court. She starts setting herself strict rules about what, and when, she can eat, hoping to change her body back and feel a bit more in control. But when she's paired up with her crush Benny in health class, they start cooking together on weekends. Now she's going to have to figure out how to be honest with her friends — and Benny — about what's happening, and how to stand up for what she needs from her mother. Alyson Gerber, the author of Braced and Focused, explores issues around self-esteem and disordered eating in this book that celebrates the power of feeling good about yourself just as you are.

At 26, Mildred Harnack went to Germany to enroll in a PhD program — and got a front seat to the rise of the Nazi party. By 1932, she started holding secret meetings for anti-Hitler activists in her apartment; by 1940, her cadre was the largest underground resistance group in Berlin. She recruited, sabotaged, helped Jewish refugees escape, and when the war began, spied for the Allies. When she was caught by the Gestapo the night before she was due to flee the country, German military judges sentenced her to six years in prison camp; Hitler overruled them and ordered her executed. Now, Harnack's great-great-niece Rebecca Donner draws on archival research and family documents to create a narrative non-fiction account of the only American in the leadership of the German resistance — a woman who was almost forgotten.

Brother and sister Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert intended to adopt an orphan boy to help them on their family farm; instead, a flame-haired 11-year-old named Anne (with an e) shows up instead! The imaginative and exuberant girl may bring plenty of misadventures to the Cuthbert household — and to their community — but she also brings a sprinkle of wonder, a dash of romance, and a knack for turning the everyday into the extraordinary. This gorgeous graphic novel adaptation of L.M. Montgomery's beloved classic brings Anne of Green Gables to new life.

After struggling to find the right path for her Faeran clan in Willa of the Wood, Willa is now facing even more dangerous challenges. The Sutton Lumber Company plans to clear the forest to make way for the railroad, and even Willa's new adoptive human family can't stop their powerful machines. And the forest itself seems to have turned hostile. When her adoptive father Nathaniel is accused of murdering loggers, Willa discovers that strange creatures from a mysterious hollow in the forest seems to be hunting humans. Now Willa must find a way to save the people and animals she loves and take a stand against an all-consuming darkness that threatens to destroy her world. Beatty's stunning sequel is a powerful story about family, nature, and our place in a fragile world.

"I was my family's ears." In 1940s Czechoslovakia, Renee had to be the one to alert her family if she heard Nazi soldiers approaching the door: her 8-year-old sister Herta and both of their parents were deaf. But they couldn't hide forever, and when her parents were taken away, Renee took Herta on the run, hoping to find someplace safe. Instead they were captured and sent to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. As they faced disease, starvation, and the deaths of dozens of people around them — and with Herta only able to communicate through sign language — they had to draw strength from one another in order to survive. Renee Hartman tells this compelling tale of sisterhood and survival in oral history format, capturing the power of love and stories to see you through dark times.

12-year-old June feels like her anxiety makes her "broken," so this summer she's determined to conquer it and become the lion she dreams of being. She begins by shaving her head and creating a secret library garden at the public library where her mother works; it's all a great start. But for every step she takes forward, it feels like she takes some back, and when her worries rise out of control again, everything feels like it's falling apart. It will take the help of old friends — and an unexpected new one — and a good therapist for June to find a way to turn this summer into the time of new beginnings, just like she planned. The acclaimed author of Tune It Out and Roll with It has created a relatable and real story about one girl's struggle with her anxiety.

Terry Pratchett brings his Discworld witches to younger readers with his series about budding witch Tiffany Aching. In The Wee Free Men, nine-year-old would-be witch Tiffany finds herself desperately seeking witch magic to defend her home — and her pesky little brother — from the denizens of Fairyland. It turns out that Tiffany, who's intelligent, determined, and has a talent for cheese, also has a gift for being a witch. Tiffany's story continues in A Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith, I Shall Wear Midnight, and Terry Pratchett's final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown — in which Tiffany comes into her own as a fully independent witch. With plenty of adventure, humor, and heart, this action-packed and thought-provoking series will bewitch readers young and old alike!

For years, 11-year-old Charlie Reese has collected ways to make wishes, from blowing off an eyelash to eating the pointed tip of a slice of pie last. She wishes for luck, to fit in, and for her mother to get off the couch and care for her so she doesn't have to go live with an aunt and uncle she doesn't even know. But while living with Aunt Bertha and Uncle Gus, Charlie stumbles across a stray dog she names Wishbone and a neighbor boy named Howard, both of whom threaten to break through her tough exterior. And when Wishbone goes missing, Charlie might find that there's a difference between what you wish for and what you actually want. This complex story about the true meaning of family will resonate with readers long after they're done.

When Mary Anning was a girl, she joined her father hunting for fossils near her home in England — a way for the family to make a little extra money. The sharp-eyed girl discovered something even more exciting: dinosaur bones! Anning's discoveries rocked the world, because they proved that life was far older than people thought — and that some creatures had gone extinct. But because people believed women couldn't be scientists, she rarely got credit for what she found. Today, though, we recognize her influence on our understanding of the world! This vibrant picture book telling of Anning's life includes fascinating back matter about Anning, plus lots of fossil facts!

Two big things stand in sophomore Greer Walsh's way: Maude and Mavis, the names she's given to her size 30H breasts. Instead of being able to focus on her love of math and volleyball, she's wrestling with finding shirts that fit and dealing with stares from the boys at school. Then a new kid, Jackson, takes an interest in Greer — not Maude and Mavis. He encourages her to try out for the volleyball team, and supports her when she faces challenges like finding a formal dress. Funny, heartbreaking, and real, this book will speak to anyone who's struggling to find where they fit during their body's most tumultuous years.

Alexi Pappas has been searching for female role models since her mother died by suicide when she was four — and she found many of them during her time in sports. She dreamed of being an Olympian — but also of writing, making movies, and more. Determined and persistent, she refused to give up any of her dreams, and in 2016, she made her Olympic debut in long distance running, and wrote, directed, and starred in her first feature film. In Bravey, she talks not just about her path to that incredible year, but also the after — including post-Olympic depression — and uses stories from her life to illuminate how all of us can find ways to overcome obstacles, work through challenges, and find joy in unexpected places.

Vera Rubin started her career watching the stars as a child, from her bedroom window; when she grew up, she was the only female astronomy major at Vassar College, determined to make a career for herself. Although her painstaking calculations led to multiple discoveries, many male astronomers dismissed her work... but she kept going. And when she proved that there was mass that wasn't visible in the galaxies overhead — dark matter — she changed the way we understood the universe. With vivid illustrations of the night sky and real quotes from Rubin herself, this stunning picture book celebrates a woman in STEM who changed her field forever.

Betty White wanted to be a star — and she loved making people laugh! When she first started her entertainment career, Hollywood told her she was "not photogenic," so she became a hit on radio and television instead of the silver screen. She became the first woman in history ever to produce a sitcom at only 28 years old! And as she became a bigger star, she also used her money and fame to fight for issues that mattered to her, including her longtime advocacy for animal rights. In this Little Golden Book biography, released in honor of her 100th birthday, young children can learn all about this pioneering entertainer... and realize that they, too, could grow up to be someone amazing.

Daisy Wilder's ordinary life in Hawaii is thrown into upheaval by the shocking Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and she's eager to contribute to the war effort. She quickly enlists in a new, top-secret program, the Women's Air Raid Defense, known as the WARDs, who are set to replace male soldiers in combat zones, monitoring radar to guide pilots or track unidentified aircraft. She rapidly bonds with the women on her team — but soon realizes that plenty of people expect them to fail. The WARDs will have to come together to protect American soldiers — including the man Daisy loves. Based on the true story of the WARD program and the bold women who served in it, this is an inspiring story of courage and sisterhood.

Carly Findlay lives with Icthyosis, a rare skin condition that results in a visible facial difference and disability — but that doesn't mean you shouldn't say hello. In fact, she's on a quest to get the world to challenge their assumptions about bodies, appearance, and disability! Findlay explores what it's been like to live with a condition that draws stares and rude comments every day of her life... and what it's like to be an activist for acceptance, whether she's actively participating in a Reddit "WTF?" comment thread that started with her picture or traveling the world as a public speaker. Both funny and heartfelt, this irrepressible memoir will get you thinking about appearance diversity in a whole new way.

15-year-old Morgan Kwon hides her true self from everyone: she's sure she can't let anyone know she's gay until she goes away to college. That means a lot of pretending, to both family and friends. But when Morgan almost drowns one night, only to be rescued by a Selkie girl named Keltie, everything changes. Their growing romance makes Morgan happier than anything she's felt before, but Keltie has plans to stop the island's new cruise ship from traveling close to the seal rookery... plans that mean she refuses to stay quiet. This graphic novel, with its gorgeous underwater scenes and sweet LGBTQ romance, is a compelling story about love, family, and what it means to be yourself.

Aspiring dancer Moth is still wrestling with the aftermath of the car accident that killed the rest of her family — both the physical reminders, like the scar that runs down her face, and her grief. Her aunt Jack has taken her in, but Jack's life in the suburbs (and her secret dependence on alcohol) leave Moth feeling adrift. Then she meets Sani, a Navajo musician who is also struggling with a painful past, including loss, depression, and a physically abusive stepfather. Over the course of a road trip together, Moth and Sani will not only fall in love, but also begin to understand themselves better. This lyrical novel in verse explores how memory and heritage can guide you through the worst times — and how love can lift you up.

Swallowtail Island off the shores of Lake Eire used to be a happy place for 12-year-old Lark — but this is the first summer she's been there since her mom passed away. Her stepfather and stepbrothers are okay, what will the island be like with Mom gone? Then a family friend, Nadine, hires Lark to help track down information about a 75-year-old boat accident by talking to 93-year-old Dinah Purdy, an African American civil rights lawyer who had a connection to the crash. Dinah becomes a mentor to Lark — both to teach her non-violent protest and to manage her complex emotions — and Lark discovers a knack for tracking down clues. Someone, however, doesn't want the truth uncovered... This atmospheric mystery explores the power of righting past wrongs — and finding a new definition of family.

The Great Depression has cost Ellie's family almost everything, and their plan to start over in the forests near Echo Mountain turns tragic when her father has a tree-felling accident that leaves him in a coma. Ellie doesn't fear the woods — even though her mother blames Ellie for the accident — and she finds freedom as she takes over many of his chores. When she learns about elderly Cate, a healer that most of the community call "the hag," Ellie wonders if she might be able to help. It turns out that Ellie can help Cate too... and in the process will discover her own healing gifts. Atmospheric and timeless, this book is a powerful story of finding your own path and the ways that compassion can heal a community.

When the Nazis invaded Poland, Jewish people did not simply capitulate: resistance groups rapidly appeared, many of them led by Jewish women and young girls. These "ghetto girls" served as fighters, spies, and saboteurs; they converted youth groups into resistance cells and built underground bunkers and supply lines in the Jewish ghettos. At the center of this powerful young reader's adaptation of The Light of Days is 18-year-old Renia Kukielka, who worked as a resistance courier and weapons smuggler; other women joined the cause as fighters, spies, and saboteurs. Even in the face of the seemingly unstoppable Nazi regime, the destruction of their communities, and the death of their families, these courageous women refused to give up and fought back to the end. This gripping, meticulously-researched book tells the incredible story of these heroic Jewish women whose contributions have been largely overlooked, until now.

15-year-old Sylvie, like her midwife mother, has a knack for healing... but she's also inherited her grandmother's magical abilities. Although some people in their small medieval French village whisper about the family's witchy tendencies, most are just happy to have such capable care. But her grandmother dies before she can train Sylvie — and Sylvie's attempt to cure her mother's grief accidentally erases all of her memories of both Grandmere and Sylvie. To fix her mistake, Sylvie will have to leave her home and find a teacher. With the farrier's son, Martin, unexpectedly by her side, she sets out on a dangerous journey that will force her to avoid inquisitors, defy the limits society sets on her, and claim her power. Best-selling author Nancy Werlin makes a stunning middle grade debut with this historical fantasy.

In the realm of Aurelia, 12-year-old Ellie Bettlebump has a witch's "contaminated, malevolent magic" as well as her fairy magic, but she hopes that applying to the Fairy Godmother Academy will overcome her witch heritage. Meanwhile, in Boulder Falls, Wisconsin, Caedmon Tuggle is grieving his best friend. Then, both kids receive invitations to join King Arthur's legendary Knights of the Round Table. But Ellie and Caedmon soon realize that a curse is draining the Knights of their power, and it's up to them break it. Doing so, though, means they have to reforge the lost sword of Excalibur... and that Ellie will have to accept her witch magic, and Caedmon will have to rise to knighthood. Told in alternating chapters from both Ellie and Caedmon's perspectives, this novel inspired by the legend of Camelot is perfect for fans of The School for Good and Evil and A Tale of Magic….

Lauren loves dogs, but she can't have one of her own — her stepfather is allergic. So instead, she and her friends Ruby, Myka, and Emelyn decide to volunteer at the local shelter, where they can read to all the pups! But they soon discover just how hard it can be for older dogs to get adopted. When the girls can't track down people they know to adopt Rhett and other older dogs, they decide to hold a special event at Lauren's uncle's cupcake shop. On the big day, things don't work out as planned — but fortunately, these determined girls know they can save the day... and the dogs! This early chapter book series opener, which features spot illustrations throughout, even includes a selection of profiles about real-life animal activists around the world. The first five books in the series are available in The Invincible Girls Club Unstoppable Collection.

Leni and Sylvia have been BFFS since they were born, since their mothers are best friends too. She really can't imagine not having Sylvia by her side! But when Sylvie has her birthday party right before middle school, Leni is heartbroken to discover that three girls are sleeping over — NOT including Leni. Hurt and confused at being frozen out, Leni decides to investigate her past friendships with the help of Adelaide, the daughter of another of her mother's friends. And the clock is ticking: the class overnight trip is coming up, and Leni's desperate to prove she's best friend material in time to room with Sylvie! In the process, she learns a lot more about what it really means to be a friend — and that sometimes, friendships have to come to an end. The best-selling author of the TBH and Friendship Lists series has created a realistic, relatable story about the changing relationships of middle school, full of heart.

The world of The Secret of Platform 13 is back! The Island of Mist is only accessible through gumps, secret doors that open for nine days every nine years, but now a group of harpies have forced most of the magical inhabitants out. Odge Gribble, a hag, and her friend Prince Ben are determined to find a mistmaker expert to help reclaim the island. Instead, as they hunt through Vienna for help, they run into 9-year-old Lina, an ordinary girl who's up for some derring-do. Now Odge, Ben, and Lina will have to discover the secret of the mist (and some unusual magic) to save the day! Inspired by Eva Ibbotson's classic book, The Secret of Platform 13, Sibéal Pounder expands the world of Platform 13 with this entertaining adventure.

11-year-old Addie is used to being the weird one in her small Scottish town: neither her peers nor the adults in her life really understand her special interests, her sensory issues, and her exhaustion with trying (and sometimes failing) to mask her autistic behaviors and seem "normal." But when she learns that her town hosted witch trials centuries ago, she discovers a cause: creating a memorial for the women who were burned just for being different. With the help of her outspoken sister Keedie, who's also autistic, and a new friend named Audrey, Addie is determined to make her voice heard. Written by an award-winning, neurodivergent author, this is a compelling story about acceptance of differences and being true to yourself perfect for fans of Song for a Whale and Counting by 7s.

When 13-year-old Nat's family moves from California to New Jersey, it means leaving behind her best friend Chloe and her wheelchair racing team — plus her parents are as overprotective as ever. But when musical-loving Nat discovers there's going to be a kids' production of Wicked, she takes the plunge and auditions — and gets into the ensemble! Her fellow cast members are eager to help her overcome obstacles — both physical ones, like inaccessible venues, and social ones, like stigma and patronizing attitudes. Will they be able to help Nat "Defy Gravity" in every sense of the song? Written by Tony award–winning actress Ali Stroker, the first wheelchair user to be cast in a Broadway play, and playwright Stacy Davidowitz, this is a celebration of musical theater and of one courageous girl determined to fly.

Brystal Evergreen doesn't know what problem to tackle first. A new evil is rising that threatens all life — magical and ordinary — and the only way to stop it would be to unite everyone: fairies, witches, even the Righteous Brotherhood. At the same time, she's no closer to finding the Immortal and fulfilling her deal with Death to destroy it in exchange of her life. Now, a secretive group of Sorcerers throws even more confusion into the mix, swearing that Xanthous Hayfield is connected to the rising danger. Can Brystal untangle these confusing threads in time... and even if she can, will she ever convince everyone to work together? The third book in the best-selling A Tale of Magic series ups the stakes once again with a pulse-pounding adventure fans will love.

Celebrate enduring parental love and the growth of a beloved child's world with this charming board book! When this baby is born, her home is her mother's arms. When she gets a little bigger, her home becomes the room where she plays... and then the garden outside... and then even further. She begins to realize how challenging the world can be, but with her mother's help, she realizes that, no matter how far you go, your parents' love follows you everywhere and you will always have a home. With sweet rhyming text and warm, inviting illustrations, this is a celebration of how a family's love and support can stretch further than you can imagine.