This was so beautiful. Jacqueline Woodson has such a knack for writing for young people in a language that they understand without ignoring the complexity of life even for pre-teens. The story of the six kids and the ARTT room manages to tackle a myriad of the complicated life situations that we face from the perspective of children: children with an incarcerated parent, or a parent at risk of deportation; children being bullied, who live their lives in two languages, who are learning the limits that their brown skin put on their freedom. The friendships that these kids forge with each other over a year in class together is a reminder of how community is what helps us to keep moving forward. It's such a moving story in its intricate simplicity.

So, I received a free copy of this book through the Penguin first-to-read program, but I did not have to review it here (positively or otherwise). I just did because it's freaking amazing.

Every human life is equally valuable. Each person's story is vital. This is just one.

What a memoir! Clemantine tells her story unapologetically, as it is. She does not try to make heroes or villains out of herself or anyone: people are people, capable of good and terrible evil, of compassion and pain. That she survived every step of the way is a remarkable indicator of her fortitude and persistence. Her story is a hard one, but it needs to be told, to be heard, not as the voice of the Rwandan genocide, but as a single voice among the millions of voices of those affected and afflicted by the violence.

This one is a great way to teach young kids about the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. It explains apartheid and Mandela's role in the movement. And the artwork is so beautiful!

Ahhhh! This was so great! A picture book for a slightly older reader (maybe 6-8? it's quite wordy) but great for kids of all ages, especially girls. Ara poses a scientific question, and then learns how to answer it with the help of four female scientists, who teach her four key skills. I loved that each of the women she meets is a real person who works in tech!

Lovely and heartbreaking, but not sad.

Short (for SFF, at least) but exactly as long as it needs to be. Rebecca Roanhorse builds an entire world and tells an amazingly compelling story in less than 300 pages, complete with twists and turns and complications, and an array of characters. Can't wait for the next book in the series.