LOCAL AUTHORS
We talk a lot about shopping local, but we think it is equally important to read local. Here in the South Bay, we are blessed with amazing local authors, and we'd love to share their books with you. Here are just a few of the new releases of the authors in our neighborhood.
With beautiful art by local illustrator Tracy Nishimura Bishop, Remembering Ethan offers a tender tribute to a lost family member in this touching story that can help families start to heal.
Fantastic You shows readers how to develop and nurture a loving and positive relationship with themselves. Kids will learn that self-care includes positive self-talk and self-compassion for a happy, self-empowered life.
How can a simple creative act spreads a message of love and acceptance around the world?
Emily’s idea started small. Many beautiful ideas do.
She folded, doodled, and snipped.
But also, like many ideas, Emily’s small idea grew.
Winner of the California Book Award and Stonewall Honor!
"Picture me madly in love with this moving, tender, unapologetically honest book."
-Becky Albertalli, author of Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
“Discerning readers will appreciate the timely and astute exploration of both the gravity and levity of identity politics and the critique of neoliberal ideals. Sharply observed-but so sharp it may be missed by less woke readers-this is satire at its best.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Clashing kingdoms, thrilling action, and an imperfect heroine make this book a must-read."--ADRIENNE YOUNG, New York Times bestselling author of Sky in the Deep and The Girl the Sea Gave Back
Eragon meets And I Darken in this thrilling new fantasy debut that follows a fallen princess as she ignites a rebellion to bring back the magical elemental crows that were taken from her people.
A bit of magic, a sprinkling of adventure, and a whole lot of heart collide in All the Impossible Things, Lindsay Lackey's extraordinary middle-grade novel about a young girl navigating the foster care system in search of where she belongs.
"Wise and wondrous, this is truly a novel to cherish.” —Katherine Applegate, New York Times–bestselling author of Wishtree
A Washington Post Best Children's Book of the Year
YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults List
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year"Holds a mirror to our present issues while giving us a detailed and vibrant picture of life in the past." --The New York Times
"This debut novel is fascinating. . . . Gemini will satisfy curiosity about conjoined humans but goes far beyond that to explore issues of identity and relationships important to all teens."
— VOYA, Starred Review
“McCanna's superb scansion never misses...Like its subject: full of bustling life yet peaceful.” —Kirkus Reviews
Acclaimed author Tim McCanna celebrates gardens, nature, and all sorts of critters in this delightful and vibrant read-aloud picture book.
2020 Storytelling World Resource Award Honoree
Inspired by the 1863 Egg War and the mad rush for murre eggs on the Farallon Islands near San Francisco, Yao Bai and the Egg Pirates is a high-seas adventure story celebrating the courage and history of Chinese immigrants in America through a fascinating yet little-known event during the California Gold Rush era.
"Rather than instructing mindfulness to readers...[Mindful Day] exemplifies how a day may be experienced when mindfulness is organically embedded within it." —Kirkus Reviews
“There is lots of intertextual cleverness going on that results in this book being both an homage to and spoof of the traditional fantasy hero’s quest, both in the illustrations and in the narration.” —Bulletin, Starred Review
“Dazzling, inventive and fun. Ben Costa and James Parks manage to both spoof and pay homage to the fantasy tradition, while creating characters we care about. A tour de force.” —Jason Shiga, author of Meanwhile and DemonTo view more of James Parks' and Ben Costa's books, click here.
"Strange Exit is an exciting entrée into science-fiction, a beautifully-written story sure to please the Trekkie, the X-Phile, or the most ardent of realists. Peevyhouse has invented a new genre: the VR space-romp. And I am very much here for it." —David Arnold, New York Times bestselling author of The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik
Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows meets Kristin Cashore's Graceling, with a dash of Winter is Coming, in this showstopping debut YA fantasy--and recipient of FOUR starred reviews!
A Morris Award Finalist for best debut young adult novel!
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year!
A Tor.com Best YA SFF/Horror Book of the Year!
"One of the most stunning debuts of the year." —Seventeen
"A Thousand Fires pulls you in close and shows you the essence of what it means to keep fighting. Shannon Price is one to watch." --Gwenda Bond, New York Times bestselling author of Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds
“Ramée effectively portrays the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement and the difficulty of navigating complex social situations while conveying universal middle school questions about friendship, first crushes, and identity. Shay’s journey is an authentic and engaging political and personal awakening.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)
A National Book Award Finalist
An NPR Best Book of the Year
An NBC News Best Asian American Young Adult Book of the Year
A Paste Best Young Adult Book of the Year
A New York Public Library Top 10 Best Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A USA Today Best Book of the Year So Far
A Raleigh News & Observer Best Book of the Year
An Amazon Best Book of the Year
A Junior Library Guild audio selection
National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA) Freeman Book Award Winner
An L.A. Times Book Award Nominee
"Shvart's action-packed debut champions diversity, counsels perseverance, and highlights the human cost of war. The pace is zippy, Shvart's mythology is rich, and...the conclusion packs thrills and a serious emotional wallop."—Publisher's Weekly
* “Steuerwald’s debut as both author and illustrator is an excellent, gently told addition to anti-bullying, adoption, and individuality storytimes. The adorable piglets (and dachshund pup) . . . are expressive and distinct, with a look that strikes the right balance between cartoon and realism. The bullying never rises beyond giggles at Penny’s differences, making this a good conversation starter even for the youngest audiences. Look forward to more from Steuerwald; Penny the puppy piglet is perfection.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book * A 2020 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Selection
For fans of Jenny Han, Morgan Matson, and Sandhya Menon, critically acclaimed author Misa Sugiura delivers a richly crafted contemporary YA novel about family, community, and the importance of writing your own history.
Instant New York Times bestseller
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir
Amazon's Best Young Adult Book of 2015
People's Choice Award winner - Favorite Fantasy
Bustle's Best Young Adult Book of 2015
When writing her children’s stories, Pamela Tremain describes her creative process as getting the puzzle pieces in her head out and onto paper. “Rupert’s Big Move” is the first book in the Rupert the Little Green Frog series; he has many more adventures to share with his readers.
Praised as “an intense rush of rebellion and romance” by #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Garber, this romantic and layered Own Voices debut from Abigail Hing Wen is “a roller-coaster ride of romance and self-discovery.” (Kirkus)
While the action on the court is absolutely transfixing (with page layouts often using trapezoid-shaped panels whose diagonal lines amp up the dynamism), the story shines just as brightly off the court when Yang’s focus shifts to his own dilemmas and profound insights regarding art and storytelling. ...here [Dragon Hoops] is a perfect entryway into this form [single-season reportage] for teen readers."—Horn Book, starred review
“Zarrin's cozy color artwork and Alexander's chirpy narrative energize a story that highlights the rewards of mutual respect, collaboration, and friendship.” —Publishers Weekly