In the hot, sticky Louisiana bayou, middle-schooler King must grapple with the sudden loss of his teenage brother, the complexities of his friendships with Black and white peers, and the possibility that he might be gay. A beautiful older-middle-grade read that will make you cry and give you hope.

Anna Tromedlov is a temp--she spends her days sorting data, she struggles to pay her rent, and more than anything, she wants to lock down a full-time gig. Oh, and her employers are all supervillains.

In this brilliant, hilarious deconstruction of the superhero genre, Walschots lays bare a system that relies on average people believing in the extraordinary without really looking. Hench is unafraid to dig deeper, and its world is one of collateral damage, biting wit, and baddies gone...good? A delicious, uproarious super(villain) story that you won't be able to put down.

For fans of 2016's The Nest, here is a novel that hits the same chords: a large and dysfunctional family reckoning with past decisions, the obscure and terrifying concept of "growing up" at any age, love, heartbreak, childrearing. It's all here, and it's all funny, charming, touching, and honest.

At age sixteen, twin sisters Desiree and Stella Vignes walk away from their tiny Louisiana hometown, a community of black residents who celebrate light skin, as well as a place where the Vignes girls once witnessed unspeakable violence. One sister leaves for good, cuts ties, and adopts a new identity that will both restrict and free her. The other sister eventually returns home, her dark-skinned daughter in tow.

As in her lauded debut novel The Mothers, the characters of Brit Bennett's The Vanishing Half are fully realized; they feel alive. They make difficult and frustrating choices. They love and they lie. The story of the Vignes girls, and of their daughters, is gorgeously written and hugely compelling. This is a must-read.

Master of Sorrows rips through the paces of classic epic fantasy--the wizard mentor, the training school, the quest--while maintaining originality, satisfyingly complex characterization, and the details of a fascinating new magical world. Annev is an endearing main character who feels simultaneously familiar and unique, and I found myself speeding through the pages at a clip to witness his tribulations and growth. A masterful series debut that will leave you hungry for more.

Warm and welcoming, Untamed urges readers to introspect, to commit to self-discovery in order to achieve their truest, most beautiful lives. With anecdotes about her own journey to self-love and actualization, Glennon Doyle's voice shimmers across the pages with honesty, humility, and love. I recommend read #1 for pleasure, and read #2 with a pen to mark favorite passages to return to.

Gabo thinks he doesn't have the right gear for a snowy day, but his family, neighbors, and new friends have enough creativity and radiant joy to keep him warm. This bright, sweet story sparkles with loving community (and fantastic illustrations). A new winter classic!