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Featured Titles

We always try to keep an eye out for exciting titles. Here are some books that we think you might enjoy!


2020 Caldecott and Newbery Winners

Undefeated by Kwame Alexander

Winner of the 2020 Caldecott Medal

Winner of the 2020 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award

2020 Newbury Honor Book

The Newbery Award-winning author of THE CROSSOVER pens an ode to black American triumph and tribulation, with art from a two-time Caldecott Honoree.
Originally performed for ESPN's The Undefeated, this poem is a love letter to black life in the United States. It highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world's greatest heroes. The text is also peppered with references to the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others, offering deeper insights into the accomplishments of the past, while bringing stark attention to the endurance and spirit of those surviving and thriving in the present. Robust back matter at the end provides valuable historical context and additional detail for those wishing to learn more.

 

About the Author:

Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, and the New York Times Bestselling author of 28 books, including Rebound, the follow-up to his, Newbery medal-winning middle grade novel, The Crossover. Some of his other works include Booked, which was longlisted for the National Book Award, The Playbook52 Rules to Help You Aim, Shoot, and Score in this Game of Life, Swing, and the picture books, Out of Wonder and The Undefeated, which was longlisted for the National Book Award, and won the Caldecott Medal, a Newbery Honor, and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award.

About the Illustrator:

Kadir Nelson is a two-time Caldecott Honor recipient. Among his other awards are an NAACP Image Award, and the 2009 and 2014 Coretta Scott King Author Award. His work has appeared in The New York TimesSports Illustrated, and The New Yorker. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.

 

Caldecott Honor Books:

Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris & LeUyan Pham

Double Bass Blues by Andrea J. Loney & Rudy Gutierrez

Going Down Home With Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons & Daniel Minter

 

New Kid by Jerry Craft

Winner of the 2020 Newbury Medal

Winner of the 2020 Coretta Scott King Author Award

Winner of the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers' Literature

Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Gene Luen Yang, New Kid is a timely, honest graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the struggle to fit in is real, from award-winning author-illustrator Jerry Craft.

Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade.

As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds—and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?

 

About the Author:

Jerry Craft is the winner of the Newbery Medal for his graphic novel New Kid. He has worked on numerous picture books, graphic novels, and middle grade novels. Jerry is the creator of Mama’s Boyz, an award-winning syndicated comic strip. He has won five African American Literary Awards, and he is a cofounder of the Schomburg Center’s Annual Black Comic Book Festival. He received his BFA from the School of Visual Arts and now lives in Connecticut. Visit him online at www.jerrycraft.com.

 

Newbery Honor Books:

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander & Kadir Nelson

Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Christian McKay Heidicker & Junyi Wu

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams


How to Catch a Keeper! by Stephanie Mulligan

Winner of the Silver Medal from the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards

 

This delightful and educational book will leave readers wanting to come back to the coast or visit for the first time!

Summer is finally here! Luke and his sister Layla are headed to the Maine Coast for vacation. Their dad tells them about a lobster fishing tour boat the Lucky Catch. Luke and Layla can’t wait to see what fun this boat ride will be! Don’t forget to check out the Lobstering Lingo section in the back for the glossary of lobster fishing terms.

This picture book is the perfect addition to any child’s library. Whether you’re from Maine or from away—this book is a KEEPER! 

 

About the Author:

Stephanie Mulligan worked on the Lucky Catch, a lobster fishing tour boat, with Captain Tom Martin for eight summers. She wanted to capture the experience and remember it forever because each time she stepped on the boat was a new journey, and it never got old! She has a background in elementary education and creative writing. Stephanie is working on her next book How to Tap a Maple and owns the publishing company McSea Books. 

Stephanie lives in Maine with her husband and their darling children. To learn more about Steph’s work visit stephmulligan.com.

 

About the Illustrator: 

Connie Rand, a native of Maine graduated from Portland School of Fine and Applied Art in Portland, Maine. Her drawings and paintings are owned by collectors all over the United States and Canada. Connie illustrates Quilter’s World magazine and other quilting publications for Annie’s Publishing in Berne, Indiana. She and her husband Lee  own and maintain www.WelcomeToLincolnMaine.com, a website showcasing the Lincoln area, where they live with their three cats Ebenezer Scrooge, Marley, and Tiny Tim.