Andrea C.'s Reviews

After Kat, a paranormal podcaster, receives an anonymous tip about the mysterious town of Estrella Roja, a whirlwind of eerie events take place. Kat meets Mari, a fellow traveler in town for her abuela’s funeral, and the two uncover the secrets that lie in the town’s hills. The trifecta of cryptids, queer representation, and Mexican lore make this graphic novel a must read for the fall season.—Andrea

As she is running away through the snowy woods, Otilla meets her new best friend, a bodiless Skull that can somehow speak to her. The Skull shows Otilla his home, shares a pear snack, and generally makes her feel welcome. But what happens when the night creeps in? In this Tyrolean folktale retelling, you’ll encounter Jon Klassen’s signature blank stares full of humor and joy, combined with the perfect blend of spooky and weird. My new favorite!—Andrea

This book is part of our Fall Reading Challenge 2023. Read more about the challenge here.

All This Could Be Different tells the story of Sneha, a young queer brown woman living through the recession and coming into her adulthood. Told with beautiful prose that is both simple and captivating, I couldn’t put this down. To see the story of a complex, and at times troubling character, this book is one that I felt the need to sit with and think about long after I finished reading it.

—Andrea

Explore the world through colors in this breathtaking and beautifully illustrated board book. A peaceful read-out-loud to talk about the world, slow down and observe as colors change throughout seasons and through various objects in nature. Caldecott Honoree Jillian Tamaki delivers a wonderful book I often find myself re-reading in the corner of our Infant section. 

— Andrea C.

Mama & Mommy & Me is a gentle exploration of emotions, one where a  young girl is safely allowed to dwell on her sadness as she misses one of her mothers. Nina Lacour, better known for her emotional and impactful young adult novels, demonstrates her ability to tell a story to all ages, even young ones. I adore the LGBTQIA representation and the pure love this book radiates. 

— Andrea C.

Drago, a kid vampire, has been living a life of bliss alongside their two friends—until their old master returns and asks them to find her spellbook or they'll be turned into worms! Throughout the graphic novel we get glimpses of each of the character's origin stories intertwined with their thrilling adventures in search of the book. Perfect for fans of humorous graphic novels with spooky elements and the power of friendship.

—Andrea C.

Rose and her parents take a yearly summer vacation to Awago Beach, where she spends her time with her friend, Windy. However, this summer everything feels painfully different with her parents fighting and she searches for an escape. A story about the bonds of family and friendship, the ache of growing up, and summer vacations. The combination of Mariko Tamaki's melancholy and Jilian Tamaki's swooping and organic illustrations prove why This One Summer is a timeless Caldecott honoree. 

—Andrea C.

Everyone in her life knows Ophelia is boy crazy. However, lately she feels like the world doesn't quite know her as well as they think when she develops a crush on a classmate, one who she knows is a bisexual. Ophelia starts to question just how boy crazy she really is. With a twist that caught me by surprise, Ophelia After All is a joyous search for identity sexuality at the cusp of adulthood. 

— Andrea C.

After a fearful encounter with an elephant, Suki untaps a power that she didn’t know she had. While her father, Tongai, leaves for the Kariba Dam in hopes of finding a cure to remove this newfound ability, Suki is pulled into a surprisingly personal battle. This beautifully illustrated graphic novel reads like an animated adventure and is a great fit for fans of Avatar, The Last Airbender. 

—Andrea C.

Before they became a queer indie star duo, twin sisters Tegan and Sara were just like any other middle-schoolers navigating life in Calgary. Growing up is hard enough, but fighting for your individuality with a twin sister in the picture makes it that much harder. Illustrated by the Eisner Award–winner Tillie Walden, this graphic novel is one that I am eagerly anticipating at the end of May! 

—Andera C.

Don’t miss our event with Tegan & Sara on June 2nd!