Twins Gus and Leo and their little sister, Ila, live a quiet life in Maine—until their mother falls ill, and it becomes clear her strength is fading because she is protecting them from a terrible evil. Soon the children are swept off to a secret island far in the sea, where they discover a hidden … Continue reading LOST CHILDREN OF THE FAR ISLANDS, By Emily Raabe, Random House Kids
family drama
LOVE, MAMA, by Jeanette Bradley, Roaring Book Press/Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group (mackids.com)
With a heartwarming story and tender illustrations, Jeanette Bradley's debut picture book Love, Mama is perfect for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and any day when a child needs a reminder of the strength of a mother's love. When Mama leaves her young penguin Kipling, he knows she'll return home soon—yet he still can't help but … Continue reading LOVE, MAMA, by Jeanette Bradley, Roaring Book Press/Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group (mackids.com)
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RED CLOCKS, by Leni Zumas, Little, Brown & Company
In this ferociously imaginative novel, abortion is once again illegal in America, in-vitro fertilization is banned, and the Personhood Amendment grants rights of life, liberty, and property to every embryo. In a small Oregon fishing town, five very different women navigate these new barriers alongside age-old questions surrounding motherhood, identity, and freedom. Ro, a single … Continue reading RED CLOCKS, by Leni Zumas, Little, Brown & Company
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THE ROANOKE GIRLS, by Amy Engel, Crown Publishing
A gripping, provocative thriller about the twisted secrets families keep, perfect for fans of The Girls. Beautiful. Rich. Mysterious. Everyone wants to be a Roanoke girl. But you won't when you know the truth. Lane Roanoke is fifteen when she comes to live with her grandparents and fireball cousin at the Roanoke family's rural estate … Continue reading THE ROANOKE GIRLS, by Amy Engel, Crown Publishing
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THE BETTER TREE FORT, by Jessica Scott Kerri, Pictures by Qin Leng, Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press
“Let’s build a tree fort,” Russell says to his dad when they move into a house with a big maple tree in the backyard. His dad doesn’t know much about building, but he gamely follows Russell’s plan. Several trips to the lumber store later, the tree fort is done. There is no slide, balcony … Continue reading THE BETTER TREE FORT, by Jessica Scott Kerri, Pictures by Qin Leng, Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press
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WHERE WE BELONG, by Lynn Austin, Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group
The Adventure of a Lifetime for Two Indomitable Socialite Sisters In the city of Chicago in 1892, the rules for Victorian women are strict, their roles limited. But sisters Rebecca and Flora Hawes are not typical Victorian ladies. Their love of adventure and their desire to use their God-given talents has brought them to the … Continue reading WHERE WE BELONG, by Lynn Austin, Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group
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SCARLET and IVY, THE WHISPERS IN THE WALLS, by Sophie Cleverly, SourceBooks/Jabberwockykids
When the walls begin to speak, it is unwise to ignore what they have to say... At the bidding of their cold-hearted stepmother, twin sisters Scarlet and Ivy are sentenced to board for a year at Rookwood School. The headmaster is cruel, the hallways are drafty, and there seems to be a thief afoot. … Continue reading SCARLET and IVY, THE WHISPERS IN THE WALLS, by Sophie Cleverly, SourceBooks/Jabberwockykids
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A PLAIN LEAVING, The Sisters of Lancaster County, Book One, by Leslie Gould, Bethany House/Baker Publishing House
At age twenty, Jessica Bachman left her two beloved sisters and her Amish community after clashing with the new bishop about her role in the family and the future of their farm. She tried to convince Silas Kemp, who'd been courting her for two years, to join her, but when he said no, she fled … Continue reading A PLAIN LEAVING, The Sisters of Lancaster County, Book One, by Leslie Gould, Bethany House/Baker Publishing House
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JELLY BEAN SUMMER, by Joyce Magnin, Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky
Living on the roof to escape her crazy family works…until reality pulls Joyce back to the ground Joyce has had it with her family (especially with UFO-sighting Elaine who loves her guinea pig more than her own sister). Her solution? Move out of the house and pitch a tent on the roof for the summer. … Continue reading JELLY BEAN SUMMER, by Joyce Magnin, Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky
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THE BREADWINNER, by Deborah Ellis, Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press
Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, 11-year-old Parvana has rarely been outdoors. Barred from attending school, shopping at the market, or even playing in the streets of Kabul, the heroine of Deborah Ellis's engrossing children's novel The Breadwinner is trapped inside her family's one-room home. That is, until the Taliban hauls away her father and … Continue reading THE BREADWINNER, by Deborah Ellis, Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press
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