#IntlYALitMonth: Raybearer

Raybearer, by Jordan Ifueko This is a must-read for anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking story. This book has truly impacted me and I can’t recommend it enough. From the very first page, I was drawn into the fascinating and beautiful world that Ifueko has created. The characters are complex and relatable, and the … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: Raybearer

#WorldKidLit Wednesday: It’s Just Skin, Silly!

Meet Epi Dermis! Who is Epi Dermis, you might ask? Your skin, of course! Forthcoming July 2023 from South Africa based Catalyst Press, It's Just Skin, Silly! is a friendly and accessible introduction to the evolution of skin color. Anthropologist Nina Jablonski and historian Holly McGee draw upon their more than 40 years of combined … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: It’s Just Skin, Silly!

#IntlYALitMonth: Sabrina & Corina: Stories

Sabrina & Corina: Stories Trigger warning: This book contains scenes of violence and sexual assault that some readers may find triggering to read. Home is where Kali Fajardo-Anstine’s debut short story collection Sabrina & Corina takes place. Home is Denver, Colorado, home is familial, generational relationships between women, but home is also being ripped apart by … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: Sabrina & Corina: Stories

#IntlYALitMonth: Catherine’s War

Catherine's War There’s certainly no shortage of WWII stories available for younger readers, especially stories focusing on the devastating impact and consequences of the Holocaust. And at first blush, Catherine’s War seems like just another entry to the cannon of middle grade Holocaust fiction.  But the graphic novel, adapted by Claire Fauvel from Julia Billet’s … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: Catherine’s War

#IntlYALitMonth: Purple Hibiscus

Purple Hibiscus Content Warning: domestic violence, religious trauma, mentions of abuse, depictions of abuse, pregnancy loss, state-sanctioned violence. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a coming-of-age novel that juxtaposes the tumult of adolescence with the tumult of a changing nation. Set in 1980s Nigeria and told from the perspective of teenage protagonist, Kambili, Purple … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: Purple Hibiscus

#IntlYALitMonth: Hunting By Stars

Hunting By Stars Hunting By Stars, written by Métis author Cherie Dimaline is a stunning display of force. The main character, Frenchie, who survived all the harrowing adventures in the very well received The Marrow Thieves (2017), is back. Not only did The Marrow Thieves receive the Canadian Governor General's Literary Award (Young People's Literature … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: Hunting By Stars

#IntlYALitMonth: The Cat I Never Named: A True Story of Love, War, and Survival

Posted on 5/2/23 by Suzi Tonini The Cat I Never Named: A True Story of Love, War, and Survival written by Amra Sabic-El-Rayess with Laura L. Sullivan is a riveting memoir of a young girl who survives genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now a university professor living in the United States, Amra shares her experiences … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: The Cat I Never Named: A True Story of Love, War, and Survival

#TasmanianLitMonth – Summing Up a Month of Tasmanian Titles

Written by guest curator, Bec Taylor Celebrating Tasmanian Literature Month has allowed me the privilege of connecting my past to my present and future. I have luxuriated in my precious memories of a wild and free childhood, shed tears over the dark and horrifying acts inflicted upon and by our ancestors, discovered incredible new-to-me creators, … Continue reading #TasmanianLitMonth – Summing Up a Month of Tasmanian Titles

#TasmanianLitMonth – Biographies – Hannah Gadsby and Stephenie Cahalan

Introduction and interview questions by guest curator, Bec Taylor Incredibly famous Tasmanian literary export, Hannah Gadsby, has taken the comedy world by storm. Incisively witty, brutally honest, and disconcertingly deadpan, Hannah's rise to fame began with stand up comedy and led to Hulu and Netflix success ("Nanette") with a string of awards. Hannah has now … Continue reading #TasmanianLitMonth – Biographies – Hannah Gadsby and Stephenie Cahalan

#TasmanianLitMonth: Featured Writers – Heather Rose

Written by guest curator, Bec Taylor I'm not often left without words. Heather Rose's "Bruny" left me not only speechless but also unable to continue reading for stretches of time. As a Tasmanian expat whose last 16 years have been spent living in China, Heather's masterpiece of a novel affected me deeply. I am still … Continue reading #TasmanianLitMonth: Featured Writers – Heather Rose