Books We Love
We work with lots of amazing books and love to take the opportunity to highlight our favorites. Each month, our literacy team selects a few of our favorite books to share with our community. We will be sharing amazing books for a wide age range. We will also use this space to highlight the voices and stories of those from historically marginalized groups. You can donate any of these titles - and previous Books We Love - using our Book Wish List.
June
Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel
by Octavia E. Butler & Damian Duffy (Author), John Jennings (Illustrator), Harry N. Abrams (Publisher)
The acclaimed graphic novel adaptation of Octavia E. Butler’s groundbreaking dystopian novel, Parable of the Sower, is a don't-miss classic that resonates today more than ever. As The Washington Post noted: "A 1993 dystopian novel imagined the world in 2024. It’s eerily accurate."
This Hugo Award Winner for Best Graphic Story or Comic is the follow-up to Kindred, a #1 New York Times bestseller.
Play Proud
by Rob Sanders (Author), Izzy Evans (Illustrator), Beaming Books (Publisher)
A rhyming romp through professional and amateur sports, Play Proud highlights sixty historic and modern queer athletes, from Billie Jean King to Megan Rapinoe, Johnny Weir to Carl Nassib. Readers will be on a first-name basis with each of them as they race through the wide world of sports, discovering role models who play hard, play fair, and play proud. The triumphs of these athletes--both on and off the field, court, rink, ring, and pitch--serve as powerful inspiration for everyone who seeks to live their life authentically. Back matter provides key stats on the athlete lineup, as well as a glossary and author's note about how sports can become accepting of everyone.
Last Day Pool Party
by Emma Steinkellner (Author/Illustrator), Labyrinth Road (Publisher)
Six very different kids’ stories collide at an unforgettable last day pool party in this hilarious and relatable story about friendship, popularity and the messiness of growing up.
When her name gets skipped at the eighth-grade graduation ceremony, Rose decides she is done being invisible. She’s determined to finally stand out and make her unfulfilled middle school dreams come true at the upcoming pool party. But she’s not the only one who wants to make a splash...BFFs Liv and Juhi are on the verge of a friend break-up when Juhi reveals her family is moving, and Liv uses the party as a chance to scout for a new bestie. Queen bee Maya was forced by her mom to come to unpopular Dustin’s party to be “nice”. And meanwhile, her not-so-social cousin Paul is just trying to avoid all the pool party pandemonium.
By the time the sun sets, unexpected twists and ridiculous mishaps will make this the weirdest, wildest last day of school ever. Get ready, because this party is about to go off the deep end.
Helping Daddy
by Angel Dike (Author), Ebony Glenn (Illustrator), Nosy Crow (Publisher)
There is all kinds of cleaning to be done around the house, so Daddy needs lots of help. Baby is happy to oblige! But somehow when Baby helps, there ends up being more cleaning left to do than there was at the start. Including cleaning Baby! Luckily this dad has all the love and patience in the world for his little one in this sweet father-child book.