In this poignant, empowering picture book debut, a girl and her beloved abuelita lean on each other as they contend with racism while running errands in the city. Spending time at home with Abuelita means pancakes, puddle-jumping, and nail-painting. But venturing out into the city is not always as fun. On the bus and at the grocery store, people are impatient and suspicious--sometimes they even yell. Sad, angry, and scared, the story's young narrator decides not to leave home again...until a moment of empowerment helps her see the strength she and Abuelita share when they face the world together. Warm, expressive illustrations by Rafael Mayani highlight the tenderness in Abuelita and the narrator's relationship.

*Named a Rainbow Book List Title and one of Bank Street Children's Best Books of the Year* A trans teen walks the fine line between doing whatever it takes for his acting dream and staying true to himself in this moving, thought-provoking YA novel from the acclaimed author of Stay Gold. Aspiring actor August Greene just landed a coveted spot at the prestigious School of Performing Arts in New York. There's only one problem: His conservative parents won't accept that he's transgender. And to stay with his aunt in the city, August must promise them he won't transition. August is convinced he can play the part his parents want while acting cool and confident in the company of his talented new friends. But who is August when the lights go down And where will he turn when the roles start hitting a little too close to home

This delightfully tropey teen romance perfect for fans of Ashley Poston and Lyla Lee follows a queer teen actor navigating their gender identity--while pretending to date their co-star. Queer actor Lily Ashton has found fame playing lesbian warrior Morgantha on the hit TV show Galaxy Spark. Lily knows how little representation queer girls have, so when the showrunners reveal that Morgantha's on-screen love interest, Alietta, is going to be killed off, Lily orchestrates an elaborate fake-dating scheme with the standoffish actress who plays her, to generate press and ensure a happy ending for the #Morganetta ship. But while playing a doting girlfriend on- and off-screen, Lily struggles with whether a word like "girl" applies to them at all. Lily's always been good at playing a part. But are they ready to share their real self, even if it means throwing everything they've fought for away?

Stargazers rejoice! In his first book for children, renowned physicist Alan Lightman and collaborators, with help from the Hubble telescope, light up the night sky. New York Times best-selling author Alan Lightman, in collaboration with Olga Pastuchiv, brings galaxies close in a stunning picture-book tribute to the interconnectedness of the natural world. Layering photographs taken from the Hubble telescope into charming and expressive art, illustrator Susanna Chapman zooms in on one child's experiences: Ada knows that the best place for star-gazing is on the island in Maine where she vacations with her grandparents. By day, she tracks osprey in the trees, paddles a kayak, and hunts for shells. But she's most in her element when the sun goes down and the stars blink to life. Will the fog this year foil her plans, or will her grandfather find a way to shine a spotlight on the vast puzzle of the universe . . . until the weather turns?

When Rosie Revere’s Uncle Ned gets a little carried away wearing his famous helium pants, it’s up to Ada and friends to chase him down. As Uncle Ned floats farther and farther away, Ada starts asking lots of questions: How high can a balloon float? Is it possible for Uncle Ned to float into outer space? And what’s the best plan for getting him down?  

Adventures await, wherever friends are! This whimsical picture book celebrates children's imagination and inclusive play. Addy worries about making friends, but through her vivid imagination, she draws other children into her play. Together, Addy and her friends create an imaginative world where they can race in chariots, explore the ocean, and travel to space. "Addy steadies her wheels. They strap in for flight. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 . . . WHOOSH!" Addy's Chair to Everywhere features a disabled main character who uses a wheelchair, allowing readers to see the whole child. The rhythmic, rhyming text engages young readers and highlights the importance of understanding differences and fostering inclusivity.

The first book in a fast-paced, witty, and big-hearted debut Afrofantasy trilogy about a twelve-year-old apprenticing in the kitchens at the prestigious Academy of Shamans, who must ally with a snarky goddess and a knife-wielding warrior to save her kingdom.

From the author of All You Knead Is Love and How to Make Friends with the Sea, an upper middle grade contemporary story of survival and grief about two biracial Filipino cousins whose resilience is tested when one of them is lost at sea. Cousins Coral and Isa are so close that they're practically siblings; their mothers are sisters, and the two girls grew up on the same small island. When Coral and her parents leave on a months-long sea voyage amid the islands of Indonesia, Isa is devastated that they'll be kept apart, and the two vow to write to each other no matter what. Then the unthinkable happens, and Coral's boat capsizes at sea, where her parents and the rest of the crew vanish. Washed up on a deserted island, alone and wracked by grief, she must find the strength within to survive, and find her way back home. Meanwhile, Isa is still on Pebble Island, the only one holding out hope that her beloved cousin is still alive. Told in alternating points of view, this is a powerful story of loss and hope, love and family—and the unexpected resilience of the human spirit.

Charming, creative Salma takes on big feelings with even bigger ideas as she navigates life in a new country, Syrian identity, family changes and new friendships in this engaging and heartfelt early chapter book series. After a year, eleven months, and six days apart, Salma's dad is finally joining her family in their new home. Salma is so happy to see her baba-but she's also worried. What if he misses Syria so much that he leaves them again? She throws herself into showing him around the city and helping him learn English, but as Baba shares memories of Damascus Salma starts to realize how much she misses Syria, too. Can Salma make space in her heart for two homes? And can Baba?

Black history begins thousands of years ago with the many cultures and people of the African continent. Through portraits of ten heroic figures -- from Menes, the first ruler to be called Pharaoh, to Queen Idia, a sixteenth-century power broker, visionary, and diplomat -- this rich and thrilling nonfiction text goes back many millennia to introduce readers to the underrepresented stories of Black history and Black excellence.

The debut novel Africville is a richly woven story of a town settled by former slaves on the outskirts of Halifax, Nova Scotia (known as Africville), and of the Sebolt family, who settled there in the 1930s. Teenage Kath Ella Sebolt wants desperately to escape the town that she equates with deprivation and a lack of opportunity. After her boyfriend is killed during a clash between young people and Halifax constables in the village, she moves with her infant son to Montreal. Attending college as a single mother, and ultimately marrying a white man, she discovers that as much as she tries, severing ties to her former village is not easy. Kath Ella’s son, Etienne, puts even more distance between himself and the village, first moving across the border to Vermont, and then farther south to Alabama, where he passes for white. Etienne’s son, Warner, finds his standing in his all-white community compromised by the sudden revelation that he has black grandparents. As the story comes full circle, Warner visits his black relatives in Africville, who are suspicious of his motivations for coming. The family saga unfolds against the backdrop of the village of Africville, which is based on a real place that has become a symbol not only of Black-Canadian identity but also of the resiliency of the human spirit in the face of adversity, tragedy and change. This beautifully written novel delves into a little-known aspect of the history of enslaved peoples and will find a place on bookshelves next to other novels about place, such as George & Rue by George Elliott Clarke and The Known World by Edward P. Jones, about cross-racial relationships, such as Any Known Blood by Lawrence Hill, and the multi-generational sagas Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi and Lawrence Hill’s Canadian modern classic The Book of Negroes.

Unicorn best friends Magical, Unique, and Divine are getting ready to welcome Santa in this Christmas picture-book adventure. Celebrate your inner unicorn with the first holiday book in the Afro Unicorn line! December is finally here, and all the unicorns in the kingdom of Afronia are excited to meet Santa. But when Santa gets lost on the way, the unicorns fear that Christmas will be ruined. It’s up to Magical, Unique, and Divine to use their superpowers of love and kindness to save Christmas. Let the Christmas countdown begin in this tale of love and hope for the holidays! When Afro Unicorn creator April Showers realized that her favorite emoji—the unicorn!—was only available in white, she was inspired to create a more inclusive brand for children of color to celebrate how magical, unique, and divine they truly are. Don’t miss the other books in the Afro Unicorn series— A Magical Day We Are Afro Unicorns