A Mighty Girl's 2023 Summer Reading List

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Odder the otter is called the Queen of Play: nobody else in the waters off the coast of Central California is as acrobatic, or tells as many clever and creative stories. To the humans at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, who pair orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers, Odder is #132 — humans like numbers better so they don't get attached. When Odder comes face to face with a hungry great white shark, it's the start of an unexpected adventure... one that will get her questioning herself, the humans who are trying to save her, and her place in the world. In this novel in verse, Newbery Medalist Katherine Applegate captures the playfulness of otters, the challenges of conservation, and the importance of seeing the world from new points of view.

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.

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.

When Elizabeth was young, her sister used to tease her that she should have been born a farm girl, not a princess. But when their father became king, suddenly Elizabeth had to get used to a new world: life in Buckingham Palace, surrounded by fragile antiques and public scrutiny. The family dogs provided comfort and familiarity, though, and a touch of mischief in the midst of royal pomp and circumstance. And when she adopted a corgi named Susan, Elizabeth found a best friend — one who would be by her side as she married, went on her honeymoon, and even as she was crowned Queen Elizabeth II. This delightful picture book is part biography of Queen Elizabeth, part tribute to the special role that beloved pets can play in our lives, and includes family trees for both royals and corgis.

When Patricia's grandmother dies and her grandfather sells the family farm, Patricia, her mom, and her brother have to move to Battle Creek, Michigan to finish out the school year. Their new home seems foreign, Patricia struggles with reading at school, and nothing feels right. But then the librarian, Mrs. Creavy, welcomes her with open arms. She fosters Patricia's talent for drawing and love of birds, introducing her to the art of John James Audubon. And when Patricia's class becomes interested in birds through her art, Mrs. Creavy helps the school found an Audubon Bird Club — and Patricia is the first member ever! Beloved storyteller Patricia Polacco shares a childhood story about the power of books, libraries, and librarians to support us when we need it most.

In 1938, no one had ever surveyed the plant life of the Grand Canyon — so when two women, botanists Elzada Clover and Lois Jotter, declared they were traveling the Colorado River to do just that, everyone proclaimed their expedition would fail, perhaps with the deaths of its leaders. Clover and Jotter, though, were up to the challenge, and they were determined to be the first. Drawing on the letters and diaries of these pioneering women, science journalist Melissa L. Sevigny follows them along all 43 days of their journey. It's a thrilling story of adventure, scientific discovery, and defying gendered expectations, all set in the American West just as it was being changed forever by human contact.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

When Kate Moore joined her father at the Fayerweather Island lighthouse in 19th century Connecticut, a girl like her wasn't supposed to be a lighthouse keeper. But she thought of herself as her father's assistant, and by the time she was 12, when Papa struggled to get up and down the spiraling stairs, she started taking over his duties. She kept the light burning, listened for calls for help from ships offshore, and even rowed out and pulled sailors to safety; she's credited with saving 23 people. And finally, at the age of 47, Kate was named the official lighthouse keeper! This empowering picture book shows how a girl with a dream became a hero and a trailblazer.

Young Dolly Parton has a big voice and a heart full of music — and she wants to share it with the world, not just her little cornhusk dolls and the animals on the farm. Her family is poor, so she has to make music however she can, turning a pot into a drum and using a broken mandolin to make herself a child-sized guitar. Someday, she's sure, she'll get the chance to sing in front of a REAL audience! Except when she gets that chance at the age of 10, she discovers that singing on stage makes her a lot more nervous than singing to the pigs. If she summons her courage, though, she might just make it to the stage of her dreams: the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville! Best-selling author Suzanne Slade tells young readers the inspiring story of how Dolly Parton's creativity and determination helped her become one of America's most beloved musicians, songwriters, and humanitarians.

Willa and her five sisters — older sisters Grace and Freya, and younger triplets Deedee, Darcy, and Dolly — tiptoe around their fearsome father, who believes that having six daughters is a curse. Their biggest comfort is their Grammy, who knows that "superstitions do us harm — they bind us up with fear" and has secretly taught all six girls to read. When the Full Moon Fayre makes a visit to Hollow-in-the-Marsh, Dadder trades Grace to a man at the Fayre for a fine horse, without a care for what it will mean for Grace's future. Willa refuses to leave her sister to her fate: she steals the horse and rides into the Lost Marsh after the Fayre, hoping to both save her sister and create her own destiny. This engrossing and fantastical story of sisterhood and destiny is steeped in legend.

Journalism has often been considered a "man's job" — but throughout American history there have been bold women who insisted on getting a scoop and defying the status quo! In this representative history, Brooke Kroeger examines the lives and work of journalists from the 1840s to the present day, from Margaret Fuller's groundbreaking career, to famous investigative reporters Nellie Bly and Ida B. Wells, and onward to Martha Gellhorn, Cokie Roberts, and Charlayne Hunter-Gault, each of these figures has fought to be taken seriously in the newsroom and to bring her much-needed perspective to the page. This is a compelling look at the critical role women have played in journalism — and to the role that they are still playing today, as they fight for racial and gender equity.

Most tellings of Helen Keller's story focus on her inspirational teacher Annie Sullivan and the "miracle" of her learning to communicate and that's not an accident. In this first major biography of Keller in decades, best-selling author Max Wallace explores how the narrative about Keller was crafted by the media to avoid the way that she constantly challenged the status quo. She fought against Jim Crow laws, spoke out against fascists and Apartheid, challenged Joseph McCarthy's witch hunts, and deliberately drew the connection between ableism and capitalism's insistence on production at all costs. This fascinating biography captures the true miracle of Keller's life: not that she was able to speak, but how determined she was to speak up for justice even when all other voices tried to drown her out.

Many people claim that Romeo and Juliet is the greatest love story ever told — but the character of Juliet is more complex than she first appears. For the time, her story was one of defiance: marrying the man she fell in love with despite the attitude that she was her father's property. And yet she ends up dead, with even Romeo fixated on the beauty of her corpse. Shakespeare scholar Sophie Duncan explores Shakespeare's play, its most immediate source, and the many interpretations of the story, as well as the part Juliet has played in cultures across time and around the world. This is an intriguing and thought-provoking exploration of the character — and of the impact she has made on real-life girls and women around the world.

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.

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.

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.

16-year-old Emory is recovering from a car accident that killed a local girl — and the resulting discovery that her brother Joey is addicted to heroin. As she starts her junior year, her parents expect her to rein in his addiction, and people in her high school are still angry at her for her part in the death. As Emory rebels in secret, she also starts to look beyond herself, recognizing how addiction has touched her small town... and how the town's expectations play a part in it. This powerful novel is a nuanced and compassionate exploration of addiction, bigotry, and what it takes to break out of the boxes you're forced into.

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.

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.

Holly is a grey squirrel, and she had always dreamed of becoming a familiar — but when it turns out that her only magical power is conjuring pastries, she eventually has to accept that no wizard would ever choose her to join them on a quest. Instead, she and her fellow offbeat magical animals stay at the Shelter for Rejected Familiars, which mainly exists to keep "shelterlings" out of the way. Then her former wizard mentor shows up and tells the shelterlings that he has figured out a way to cure their defective magic — all he needs is their help to collect ingredients for a spell. But when the shelterlings realize that he's really only trying to help himself, they'll realize that their oddball magic is exactly what they need to save the say! This tale of magical misfits by the author of The Stone Girl's Story and Spark is a celebration of finding your own way to shine.

It's 1975, shortly after the passage of Title IX, and Wilkins Regional High School is finally getting a girls' basketball team — but that doesn't mean the teams are treated equally. The Lady Bears ('Why is it always Lady Bears?' one girl complains, 'nobody ever calls the boys’ team the Gentleman Bears') get sidelined to the elementary school gym for tryouts; they don't get issued jerseys; and they have to ride to away games in the coach's uncle's RV because the school won't authorize a bus. But as they push through to improbable victory, they bond with one another — and inspire generations of girls and women after them. Inspired by a true story, this full-color graphic novel is a tribute to the courage and heart of trailblazing athletes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

One of the most important documents of World War II was preserved thanks to the efforts of three very different women. One, Edda Mussolini, was the daughter of a tyrant determined to save her husband; Galeazzo Ciano: she threatened her father, Benito Mussolini, and Hitler himself with releasing her husband's journals, packed with details about their plans. German spy Hilde Beetz was sent to take the diaries; instead, she became a double agent, and joined forced with Edda. And when Ciano was executed, she helped Edda flee to Switzerland, where "accidental" American spy Frances De Chollet provided the final link in the chain, getting the journals to the Allies and making multiple Nuremberg convictions possible. Historian Tilar J. Mazzeo captures a tale worthy of a spy thriller in this little-known story of three courageous women.

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.

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.

"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.

Rosalind Franklin wanted to be a scientist at a time when people didn't think women belonged in science — so she had to fight to prove herself every step of the way. She became a pioneer for X-ray crystallography, taking astounding pictures of important molecules — including DNA, the molecule that makes up life. That played a key role in the discovery of DNA's double helix structure, but her male colleagues took the credit. Today, though, the world recognizes just how important Franklin's work was! This chapter book inspired by Chelsea Clinton's best-selling She Persisted picture book series, written by award-winning author Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and with spot illustrations by Gillian Flint, even includes a list of ways that readers can follow in Franklin's footsteps.

Jeannette Rankin was a born leader, even as a child tending to her family's horses (or her little brothers and sisters.) And as an adult in San Francisco, when she saw poor children struggling to survive, she was determined to help! But in the early 1900s, women like Jeannette weren't even allowed to vote. So Jeannette started campaigning for women's suffrage, both in her home state of Montana and across the country. And when Montana granted women's right to vote, Jeannette ran for office, becoming America's first Congresswoman. This vivacious picture book captures the determination and drive of his pioneer of American politics, perfect for fans of I Dissent and Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice.

11-year-old Juniper is dealing with a move from Dallas to small town Florida, burgeoning discovery of her queer sexuality, and recurring nightmares about a girl who turns into an ivory statue. Then the girl appears in Juniper's room one morning! Galatea is a princess from the world Juniper has been dreaming of, which is slowly vanishing. As the girls try to find the crown Galatea needs to make it home — and Juniper wrestles with her growing crush on Galatea — they also discover someone else is searching for the crown... someone with evil intentions. Perhaps Juniper, and her new friends at school, are the only ones who can save Galatea's home. This stunning action-packed debut is perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers and Rick Riordan's Trials of Apollo series.

Tamara Leitner's peace in her Arizona apartment was shattered when she woke up to discover an active crime scene outside — her neighbor had been sexually assaulted. Then she learned that the suspect had been identified: Claude Dean Hull II. Hull, it turned out, was a serial rapist who had attacked over a hundred women. Tamara couldn't let the thought drop: how did the system fail these women so badly? How could a man evade justice for decades? And if her own life was rattled, how had the women who had survived Hull's attacks managed to carry on? This is more than a true crime story; it's an exploration of how victims of sexual violence find a way to persevere even when the odds against them are so overwhelming.

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.

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.

When this girl was little, everyone loved her big heart, her big laugh, and her big dreams. When she grew and learned, everyone praised her: "what a big girl you are!" But then suddenly, something changed. Adults start saying "You're a big girl, aren't you?" and "Don't you think you're too big for that?" The words hurt, and so did trying to make herself smaller. It wasn't until she pushed the words away, and made space for herself exactly as she was — a girl, a child, who is creative and compassionate and funny and kind — that she realized she would always be good enough. Beloved creator Vashti Harrison has created a compassionate, emotional exploration of being big when you're supposed to be small — and the power that comes with loving yourself as you are.

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….

Benjamin Franklin is famous as a founding father, a scientist, and an inventor... but in his personal life, he depended on multiple women to support and sustain him. In Poor Richard's Women, Nancy Rubin Stuart introduces the world to these little-known figures. There was Deborah Read Franklin, his common-law wife, whose financial and political savvy was critical during their 44 years of partnership. But there was also Margaret Stevenson, the landlady and household organizer who supported him in London; Catherine Ray, a 23-year-old who exchange passionate love letter with him; and Madame Brillon and Madame Helvetius, who French women who matched wits with him at every turn. This compelling look at a group of fiercely determined women explores how they defied the social order to achieve their own independence.

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.

Maple the tree feels all alone; unlike the cedars and pines nearby, she's "all bark and no leaf for half the year." She wishes she had a friend... and then one day, a girl named Rosemary appears. "Everybody hates me," Rosemary declares, only to discover that Maple welcomes her new friend and invites her to clamber into her branches. The pair become fast friends, and Rosemary visits often — but suddenly one day, she's gone. Maple resigns herself to a lonely future until, years later, adult Rosemary returns... as a teacher with a whole class of children eager to meet Maple! Their friendship, it turns out, is "real as roots." This gentle, sweet picture book is a beautiful tale of the ways friendship can touch our lives, through seasons and across a lifetime.

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.

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.

Alice is so tired of being inside after dreary winter days... until a book catches her attention. "Once upon a time, there was a girl," it begins, and the characters invite her to join them. Out of curiosity, Alice follows — and discovers a magical world full of adventures! With each page turn, she sees another place to visit, and then jumps in to become a part of it: taking a camel ride, joining fish on a reef, and even traveling to outer space. And finally, she reads about a cozy kitchen that smells of dumplings, full of people who love her, and jumps back into her home... for now. Gorgeous illustrations by Grace Lin and a lyrical story by Kate Messner combine to create a stunning modern fairytale about the joy of reading and imagination.

Maisy and her friend Tallulah are heading for the moon — and little readers can help with this interactive board book! The pair board the rocket ship and blast off. As they fly, they can see stars and satellites out the window. Once they land, kids can help them plant the Maisy flag, then unfurl the parachute for a successful landing. With its colorful design and fun push, pull, slide, and spin features, this cheerful board book is perfect for all the future astronauts out there.

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.

11-year-old Tilly Pages' mother disappeared shortly after she was born, and she found solace in the thousands of books at her grandparents' bookshop, and her one friend, Oskar. But when some of the avid reader's favorite characters — including Anne of Green Gables and Alice from Wonderland — make an appearance, Tilly learns she can travel into any story she chooses. Tilly's bookwandering is more powerful than most, though, and when a creepy employee of the shop follows her into the books, she and Oskar must dig into the mystery... which might even reveal what really happened to Tilly's mother. This imaginative ode to the magic of books is sure to make young readers wish they could bookwander with Tilly. For more of Tilly's adventures, check out our Pages & Co. Collection.

When Ruby first meets the Worry, a yellow scribble with a furrowed brow, it's so small that she barely notices it. But over time, it gets bigger and bigger — and it starts draining all the other colors from the page. Before long, it's so big that the Worry keeps Ruby from doing the things she loves. Then one day, she sees a boy at the playground with a blue-scribble Worry of his own... and when she talks to him about it, she discovers that talking about your Worries can help keep them manageable and small. This kid-friendly story is an excellent way to talk to kids about anxiety and worry while highlighting that there are ways to seek support when you need it.

It's hard for today's kids to imagine a world in which women had no vote and no voice — and that's thanks to the efforts of suffragists like Susan B. Anthony! In this Step 2 biography reader from the Step Into Reading series, kids will learn why Anthony was so determined to fight for women's rights, from her battle for equal pay to her infamous "illegal" vote. Issued for both Anthony's 200th birthday and the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, this book, with bold illustrations and fascinating facts about this trailblazing woman, will captivate young readers and remind them that, when it comes to justice, "failure is impossible"!

As a child, Patsy Takemoto Mink learned a Japanese proverb: fall down seven times, stand up eight. She took that spirit to heart, and refused to give up on her dreams. When she found out that the medical school she wanted to attend wouldn't admit women, ending her dream of becoming a doctor, she regrouped and made a new plan. First, she went to law school — and became the first Asian American woman licensed to practice law in Hawaii; then, she ran for Congress and became the first woman of color to be elected to a seat. And in Congress, she became a champion for Title IX, the groundbreaking legislation that required federally funded schools to treat girls and boys equally. This rousing picture book biography celebrates the resilience and determination of this pioneering American politician!

Who is Malala? She is a daughter, a sister, and a friend. She was a student — even when people told her girls shouldn't go to school. And that turned her into an activist, who fought not only for her own right to learn, but also for the rights of girls around the world to do the same. Even when people threatened her, she refused to be silent, and now people around the world know her name. In Malala Yousafzai's first board book, she uses simple text, accented by colorful illustrations, to show the youngest readers that extraordinary figures are real people who are both relatable and inspiring. This charming board book is sure to inspire the next generation of readers and leaders.

Like most teenagers, Mattie Cook's life in 1793 Philadelphia is full of ordinary concerns: avoiding chores, looking her best, and a few dreams of a bright future. But when a serving girl dies suddenly one summer night, the rumors of a budding epidemic prove all too true. Yellow fever is sweeping the streets, and people are panicked, either hiding at home or desperately trying to flee the city. When Mattie and her mother are separated, she will have to figure out how to survive until the frosts of the fall stop the disease in its tracks — and how to rebuild afterward. Kids will be enthralled by this story of epidemic, survival, and how society pulls apart — or draws together — in crisis.

When Alice Paul and Lucy Burns met in a London jail after being arrested in UK suffrage protests, the two American women knew they wanted to reinvigorate the American suffrage battle! The pair organized the DC Women’s March of 1913, a stunning and attention-grabbing parade right before the inauguration of President Woodrow Wilson, and that was just the beginning of their protests. Author Susan Campbell Bartoletti tells the story of the final push towards the 19th Amendment with verve, including archival images, sidebars, and other fascinating details, while illustrator Ziyue Chen captures the feeling of the early 20th century. Filled with captivating storytelling, photos, and artwork, this fascinating book, published for the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, is the perfect introduction to the Suffrage Movement for young readers!

10-year-old Ileana lives in Romania in 1989, where writing a story or publishing poems — anything that can be interpreted as critical of Communist leader Nicolae Ceauşescu — can result in someone disappearing for good. Ileana collects the stories she hears, including the folktale about her namesake. But when her Uncle Andrei becomes the latest "disappearance," Ileana's parents send her to live with grandparents she's never met, in a small village in the mountains. Adjusting to village life is difficult, but Ileana comes to love it there, and even feels safe enough to start wondering: can she use the stories she's collected to save the people there from the ruthless Securitate? This powerful novel celebrates a girl finding her voice through a clever interweaving of history and folklore.

Cora is constantly plagued with nervous questions — the Whatifs! These sneaky little creatures like to make her worry about everything, from little things — what if my crayon breaks? — to big ones — what if my dog runs away? Backstage before her piano recital, Cora is particularly plagued with Whatif worries. Fortunately, her friend Stella reminds her that not all Whatifs are negative, and by turning her Whatifs around, Cora is able to get out on stage... and even recover when she hits a wrong note. This charming picture book introduces real-life cognitive behavioral therapy techniques in a playful way, perfect to reassure kids that they can thrive even when the Whatifs loom!

Virginia Apgar wanted to become a doctor when very few women did — and she wasn't going to let prejudice stand in her way. She was discouraged from studying surgery, so she started working in anesthesiology, where there was lots of research to be done to find the best ways to help patients. And while working with pregnant women and newborn babies, she created a quick, easy to remember test that assessed a newborn's health: the Apgar score. Her test is still used around the world — and it's saved millions of lives! This chapter book biography inspired by Chelsea Clinton's bestselling She Persisted series, with black and white illustrations throughout, is a fascinating introduction to a pioneering woman in medicine and the story of how she rose up against the odd.

Bramble the pony is tired of her boring life, walking in circles as she gives riding lessons. She wants just the right rider to take care of her. But the first few riders she meets: one bosses her around, the other wants her to jump. Then, she meets Maggie. Maggie knows how to figure out what Bramble wants, and balances the new and exciting with reassurance about the unfamiliar. They just might be a perfect match! This charming early reader will delight young horse-lovers as they imagine finding their very own Bramble. For more of Bramble and Maggie's adventures, check out the second book Bramble and Maggie: Give and Take.

Natalie and Lily have always been best friends — but that all changes at the start of middle school. Now Lily wants to hang out with the cool girl, reinforcing Natalie's feeling that she's not "enough" at anything. But as she struggles to win back her friend, she also makes a few new friends — friends who appreciate Natalie just as she is, and identify talents she never thought of as special. Maybe what she really needs it to realize that she's enough as she is. This heartfelt graphic novel, told through the pages of Nat's sketchbook, is a charming exploration of friendship and identity through the eyes of a girl's growing confidence in herself. Nat's story continues in the sequel, Forget Me Nat.

Explore the world of Jane Goodall with this interactive board book! As you flip through its pages, you'll explore the rainforest of Tanzania. Can you spot Jane's camp and her chimpanzee friends? How about the other animals of Gombe, from leopards to baboons to hippos? Each page of this sturdy board book offers engaging questions, matching games, new vocabulary words, and much more. Plus, you'll love that a portion of proceeds goes to support the Jane Goodall Institute's work to protect animals around the world!

When Mel the kingfisher fledgling marches to the end of a branch, she spreads her wings... and plummets. As kids follow her fall down the vertically-oriented pages, though, they'll notice that even as Mel's friends rush to try to catch her, and even as her speed picks up as she races towards the ground, she keeps her eyes closed and a smile on her beak. When she crashes into the water, it seems like her fall was a failure... but when she emerges from the water, soaring back into the sky with a fish in her mouth, it turns out her dive was actually a great success! This charming tale, with its vivid illustrations and innovative format, is a celebration of self-confidence and taking a deep breath and making a leap into your first time trying something new.

The Penderwick sisters are spending the summer on a sprawling estate, and as the girls meander through the gardens and nose through the attics, they also meet a fascinating new companion: Jeffrey, the son of the estate’s owner, Mrs. Tifton. Mrs. Tifton doesn't approve of these antics, and Jeffrey's on the verge of being sent to a military school. Will the sisters' adventures save their new friend from such a terrible fate, or just get him deeper into hot water? It will be a summer of full of trouble, laughter, mischief, and confusion — definitely one that no one on the estate will ever forget! Fans of the Penderwicks can find more of their adventures in our Penderwicks Collection.

Meet Bink and Gollie, two precocious little girls — one tiny, one tall, and both utterly irrepressible. Setting out from their super-deluxe tree house and powered by plenty of peanut butter (for Bink) and pancakes (for Gollie), they share three comical adventures — arguing about socks, pets, and personal boundaries — that remind them that, no matter what, they will always be the very best of friends. This Theodor Seuss Geisel Award-winning book is full of exuberance, friendship, and fun. Fans of this book should also check out Bink and Gollie: The Completely Marvelous Collection.

Princess Madelyn chafes against the restrictions of royal life, while Ranger Will Treaty has fallen into grief and depression after the loss of a friend. Will's former master Halt knows a solution for both problems: Will should train Maddie as an apprentice ranger. Maggie constantly questions her master and wrestles with finding her place if she's not a princess. But when she and Will discover a dangerous plot, Maddie will not only learn to work with her teacher; she'll also learn where she really belongs. Simultaneously an ending to the best-selling Ranger's Apprentice series and the beginning to the Royal Ranger series, this exciting action adventure introduces readers to the first female Ranger in the world of Araluen. To continue Maddie's story, the series continues in The Red Fox Clan, Duel at Araluen, The Missing Prince, and Escape from Falaise.

When Mila wears a fuzzy green sweater to school one day, and suddenly, several boys insist on hugging her, even when she doesn't want to. Before long, there are smirks, comments about her body, and more unwanted touching that leaves Mila feeling confused, frustrated, and a little scared. But when she talks to her friends about it, one tells her that she's being immature for overreacting to the boys "just flirting" – after all, she says, maybe he just likes you. Fortunately, a few new friends and a confidence boost from karate classes help her figure out how to set boundaries, stand up for herself, and seek out the adult support she needs to put an end to the harassment. Timely and important, this empowering book draws a clear line between wanted, reciprocal flirtation and Mila's experience, and explores issues of sexual harassment in a manner relatable to middle grade readers.