Author: Chelsea Henley

This charming story takes readers on a wintry walk along the sea. Written only in s-words, this follows a girl and her parent on a cute walk where they encounter numerous wonders.

This inspiring picture book follows a young girl who seeks women on television being deemed “too ambitious”. She’s then catapulted on a journey through history to inspire girls to reclaim language that’s designed to keep them down.

This exciting figure skating novel follows Maxine, a 12-year-old who aspires to compete in the Olympics one day. Before she can get there, she has to make it through sixth grade (where Maxine’s best friend is getting further away from her and closer to a boy who bullies Maxine) and the Regionals competition. And to make matters even worse, there’s a new skater in town, and they’re really good.

This highly-anticipated middle grade series starter follows Amari, a 13-year-old girl who learns she’s a magician. Searching for her missing brother Quinton, Amari is introduced to a secret, supernatural world, the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, and a magical training camp.

When a real estate developer makes an offer on Wes Henderson’s neighborhood, the whole community (including his friends) begin fighting over it. With the possibility of having to move looming overhead, Wes looks for a way to save his community.

This inspiring nonfiction book goes into detail about protests of the past, many of them with children and youth movements at the forefront. There are well-known protests, such as the 2017 Women’s March, alongside lesser known movements throughout history.

For first dog fans comes this sweet picture book about President-elect Joe Biden’s two dogs, who can’t wait to be in the White House with their dad. Champ is excited to be going back to the White House and eager to show Major, the first rescue dog to ever be in the White House, around.

This beautiful picture book tells the story of author Doyin Richards’s father and his journey from his homeland of Sierra Leone to the United States.

This colorful picture book is an inspirational biography about Zora Neale Hurston, who found stories wherever she went. Encouraged to “jump to the sun”, with no fear of the landing, Zora jumped wherever she could, finding and telling stories that changed the world.

This is the newest title from the Rick Riordan Presents line, based on ancient Mesopotamian myth. Sik, who longs for a simple life, has his upended when he learns he’s immortal. To find the Flower of Immortality and keep the city from being wiped out by disease, Sik teams up with mythic hero Gilgamesh and the adopted daughter of the goddess of love and war.

This memoir for middle grade readers by author Gary Paulsen, author of Hatchet, chronicles Paulsen’s own upbringing. This is Paulsen’s original survival story, one of being neglected as a child up to his enlisting in the army as a teenager.

This heartfelt middle grade book is a story of growing up and loss. Since his older brother never came home from the army, Walter’s been lost without him. But when he meets Posey, a new girl next door, Walter is catapulted into an adventurous summer of taking chances and figuring out who he is without the brother he looked up to.

Vice president-elect Kamala Harris joins the Who Is? ranks with this new title telling her inspirational story. If you’re not already familiar with this series (which also includes companion series called Where is? and What Was?) these make for accessible, fun-to-read biographies about a variety of people from soon-to-be vice presidents to authors, movie stars, and notable historical figures.

This board book (with a mirror!) is an aged-down version of Young, Gifted, and Black, introducing babies to inspirational Black heroes and offering confidence-building affirmations.

This lyrical picture book is a sweet tale of a little girl who realizes her eyes look different from other kids’ and learns to love the eyes she shares with other women in her family.

If you’re a fan of Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road”, you’ll want to bring this ABC picture book to little ones. Lil Nas X is joined by his pony, Panini, on a journey through the alphabet and wide, open pastures.

In this latest entry in the High Republic series, new Jedi Knight Vernestra is tasked with supervising a 12-year-old aspiring inventor, Avon on a journey to dedicate a new space station. When the cruiser they’re on is attacked, Vernestra and Avon escape to a nearby moon, where danger awaits.

This historical fiction novel is set in 1963 in South Carolina where Jezebel is trying to make sense of her changing life. Her grandmother has recently died, the police are harassing the family, and Jezebel and her twin brother Jay are about to start a new school, as school integration begins in the state. And their uncle announces it’s time he begin training them in rootwork, African-American folk magic that’s been in their family for generations.

This hilarious book follows sisters Ingrid and Winnie and their friends Skylar and Zora. First daughters Ingrid and Winnie have lived at the White House for the past eight years, but Skylar and Zora are the new first daughters and about to move in. In keeping with tradition, Ingrid and Winnie plan to prank Skylar and Zora, kicking off a prank war that threatens to spiral out of control.

Poet Nikki Grimes pairs new work with that of accomplished women of the Harlem Renaissance, whose work was forgotten with time. This also features bold new artwork from Black illustrators.

This is a fun and simple board book about four friends celebrating their very different hair styles.

In this fun picture book Aria is tired of everyone always trying to touch her hair. It doesn’t matter where she goes, whether it be to space, or under the sea, someone always wants to touch it, and Aria’s had enough.

In this sweet book perfect for bedtime, a polar bear parent and their cub spend some quality time together.

Now in paperback is this wintry entry in the Magic Treehouse series where Jack and Annie are swept back in time to a Roman camp where they learn what it takes to be a good Roman soldier.

This illustrated early chapter book is a fun take on the cold walk to school. With temperatures dropping, Rosie, Molly and Simon have to figure out some way to make the trek without freezing their feet off.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Princess Diaries, a rerelease of the first three books in the series. A little warmhearted nostalgia might be nice now, or to introduce this new generation to Mia Thermopolis when she discovers she’s princess of Genovia.

This followup to the picture book Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao has Amy assigned to make a dragon in her craft class. But despite Amy’s best efforts, none of her dragons feel right until she rallies her family to make the perfect dragon that is uniquely Amy’s.

This empowering beginning reader is a companion to picture books Cool Cuts and Happy Hair. This is a colorful and exciting rhyming book about young girls’ joy in being themselves and doing things they enjoy.

This fun introduction to Kwanzaa follows Li’l Rabbit as he looks for the perfect gift to help his sick grandma celebrate the holiday when their annual feast is canceled. Though Li’l struggles at first to find the perfect something for Granna Rabbit, once he gets the help of his family and friends, he finds something just right.

Now in paperback is this middle grade version of the memoir from Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, tracing her influences and inspirations in her career as a public servant.

This young reader’s adaptation of Dovey Johnson Roundtree’s memoir tells the story of the activist. She was one of the first Black women to join the U.S Army then an attorney in segregated court rooms (winning an important case that helped end Jim Crow laws in the South) and eventually a minister in a church that had never before ordained women.

Now out in paperback is this middle grade memoir from Sharon Robinson, daughter of baseball star Jackie Robinson, about the year of 1963. At thirteen, Sharon gets a front row seat to the Civil Rights Movement and works to find her own place and voice in the fight.

I know, I know, Valentine’s Day is forever away (or is it?), but it’s new Little Blue Truck! He’s back with rhymes and valentines for all his farm animal friends.

Early in the pandemic, a story went viral about a little girl named Emerson who wrote a thank you note to her mail carrier, Doug. This kicked off a national showing of appreciation for essential workers like Doug, and follows through in this cute picture book that draws attention to the essential workers we see each day.

This alphabet book is…exactly what it says it is: Black history as told through the alphabet. This tells readers about key moments, places, and people, alongside colorful illustrations and charming writing.

This sweet picture book illustrates all the ordinary firsts we encounter. First beach trips, first snowfalls, first missed bus, and the like, celebrating all the mundane firsts that give life its texture.

This heartfelt picture book follows a girl and her fox companion on a courageous journey through difficult times to find the rainbow on the other side.

For any young readers looking to get a behind-the-scenes look at the White House, this book from historian Kate Anderson Bower goes into all the details. From the Secret Service to food service to all the staff who work there.

This funny, macabre middle grade follows Ebenezer Tweezer, a man who is made immortal by his devotion to feeding the beast in his attic. When the beast requests a child for its next meal, Ebenezer finds the worst child he can, a horrible girl named Bethany. But when Ebenezer and Bethany become friends, he wishes she didn’t have to be eaten after all.

For everyone watching Netflix’s Jingle Jangle on a loop, there are also some tie-in children’s books to keep the good time going! This picture book is based on the song from the film, about a down-on-his-luck inventor and the granddaughter hoping to inspire him to get back to work.

If you’re musically inclined, this book comes with downloadable music and accompanying CDs, about a conductor auditioning instruments for the orchestra.

This colorful picture book is about Ritu and Chandhi’s upcoming wedding, and Ritu’s niece Ayesha, who’s looking forward to the celebrations. But not everyone feels the same way and has vowed to stop the wedding, but Ayesha is determined to save her cousin’s big day.

Just in time for the holidays, Dav Pilkey drops a new graphic novel about friends who introduce a group of frogs to the ins and outs of comic writing, focusing on creativity and persistence in making dreams come true.

This new series from the author of The Descendents follows Filomena Jefferson-Cho, a girl who suddenly meets one of the heroes from her favorite book series. When he tells her that the story is real, Filomena is swept up in a world-saving adventure and a battle against an evil enchantress.

It’s the end of an era! The seven kids who met in Mr. Terupt’s fifth grade class are finally eighth-graders, and preparing to say goodbye at last to their favorite teacher.

Tamal is new in town and living in an infamous house that no one wants to go into. At first it seems no one wants to talk about what happened there, but then Tamal meets the terrifying ghost who resides in the house, who only he can see. And she wants to talk about it. And she wants something from Tamal.

This lift-the-flap book is written by the incomparable Julia Donaldson (author of Room on the Broom and The Gruffalo), making a game of matching baby animals with their parents.

This moving, autobiographical picture book follows Tani, a Nigerian boy who travels to America to awat religious asylum. In America, Tani encounters many new things, including one that will grow to be the most fascinating and most fun: chess!

Because of her sensitivity to the sun, Ella has to spend days hidden in her nook in an oak tree, even though she loves light. At night, she comes out to explore, collecting things that give off light. Then one day her friends come up with a plan to help Ella’s dream of seeing the sun come true.

This is a cheery rhyming picture book about the fun of winter, showing young children enjoying colorful, snowy days and the magic of winter.

At the Hotel, Elevator Bird accompanies all the guests to their rooms and tells them which sights are the best ones to see. He’s also helpful and kind to other members of the staff and generally makes everyone happier. So when the rest of the hotel learns Elevator Bird dreams of a room with a view, everyone comes together to make it happen.

With gift-giving season upon us, learning-minded kids will love this encyclopedia packed with photos and maps that give a glimpse of the wide, wide world. This is loaded with facts, figures, and fun references.

This fun cookbook offers up simple recipes for kids to try. All are easy to accomplish and tasty to eat, and encourages kids to use their creativity to come up with delicious treats of their own.

Go on a trip around the world with the wind in this cute picture book that encourages the celebration of the world, blowing with the wind across various locations and viewing all the wonders the world has to offer.

New LLama LLama! New Llama Llama! (I love Llama Llama.) This new installment has our titular llama anxiously waiting for his loose tooth to fall out, and it’s adorable.

This picture book introduces little ones to Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, the two trans women who kickstarted the Stonewall Riots and left a permanent mark on the fight for LGBT rights in the United States.

This picture book is set in Istanbul, following a little girl on her journey through the beautiful city. It’s lyrical, whimsical, and beautifully illustrated, with a heartwarming tale of community and kindness.

For superhero fans, this fun graphic novel follows a group of sidekicks who get sick of doing all the grunge work for their grownup superhero partners and decide to set out on their own. But they have to prove themselves to their superhero partners first, and they get just the chance when their new friend is kidnapped.

Translated from Italian, this historical mystery is told via diary entries, photos and maps. It picks up where Hitler’s Germany invades the Soviet Union, pushing children onto trains that will hopefully carry them to safety. Twins Nadya and Viktor are separated and embark on a journey to find one another.

This latest installment in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series is both a continuation and a guide for super fans! This book picks up right where Legacy left off and includes a guide featuring new details of the world and characters, plus full-color illustrations, themed recipes, and a bonus map.

If you’re looking for something more artistically satisfying but still educational (gift giving season is upon us after all!), this guide might be just the thing for you. This colorful introduction to the periodic table is great for curious kids and it manages to be both accessible and comprehensive.

Well, it’s November so it might as well be winter time so get a head start on the wintry fun with this cute picture book about Sofia, a girl who ventures out into a fresh snow to dance her own snow ballet. At least until her solitary dance is interrupted by other children looking to play.

For those who want something bold, artistic and unusual, this new picture book tackles the concept of infinity, and all of its mystery. Combining art, math, science, literature, and philosophy, this is a book meant to stimulate imagination and encourage contemplation.

This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of a young Korean boy, June, whose father works far away from home. Like a goose, June’s father flies away for long periods of time. When June’s father plants a tree with him, it becomes June’s responsibility while his father is away.

Ruby Bridges, known for integrating a segregated school as a first-grader, pens this nonfiction picture book. Written as a letter, it recalls Bridges’ harrowing experience, the inspiring children she’s met, and provides context and insight to present-day protests across the country.

Ah, yes, we are entering the era of the Covid-19 book. This one is a sweet poem reflecting on the early days of the virus’s appearance across the world and the many ways people passed their time in isolation, making a difficult choice for the betterment of the planet.

In this fun graphic novel, Kirby is a hero at his school, known for his clever plots to stop bullies and bring the school together and for his “7 Good Reasons Not To Grow Up” which make fun of adults. But Kirby isn’t all he appears to be, and when his friends learn his secret, they’ll have to grow up.

For middle grade readers looking for a fast-paced thriller, this one might be perfect. Roisin just moved to Boston from Ireland and is being bullied by classmate Zara. Her only relief is in her new online friend Haley, at least until Zara suffers a strange and terrible accident, leading Roisin to suspect her new friend isn’t what she seems.