Staff Picks - Fiction | Arlington Public Library

Author

Notes

Miles hoped coming out as trans to his family would be the hardest thing he did this summer, but after he does some digging into the feud between his family and the local sheriff, the sheriff's son delivers a brutal beating. A gruesome, violent, and ultimately hopeful story. - Michelle M

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Book, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle

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A queer Appalachian thriller that pulls no punches--following a trans autistic teen who's drawn into the generational struggle between the rural poor and those who exploit them. On the night Miles Abernathy--sixteen-year-old socialist and proud West Virginian--comes out as trans to his parents, he sneaks off to a party, carrying evidence that may finally turn the tide of the blood feud plaguing Twist Creek: Photos that prove the county's Sheriff Davies...

22) Sheine Lende: a prequel to Elatsoe

Author

Little Badger, Darcie

Notes

While looking for two missing kids, Shane's mother also disappears into a rogue fae circle. Now Shane and her ghost dog must find them using the the tracking skills her mother taught her to go to the Below. A wonderful adventure and coming-of-age story. - Michelle M

Formats:

Book, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle

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"Shane works with her mother and their ghost dogs, tracking down missing persons even when their families can't afford to pay. Their own family was displaced from their traditional home years ago following a devastating flood and the loss of Shane's father and her grandparents. They don't think they'll ever get their home back. Then Shane's mother and a local boy go missing, after a strange interaction with a fairy ring. Shane, her brother, her friends,...

23) What you are looking for is in the library: a novel

Author

Aoyama, Michiko

Notes

This delightful book is composed of five short stories that are slightly interconnected and all have a quirky librarian. They makes interesting suggestions to patrons who find what they did not know that they were looking for. A fun read that will bring a smile to your face. - Mike N

Formats:

Book, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle

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"What are you looking for? So asks Tokyo's most enigmatic librarian. For Sayuri Komachi is able to sense exactly what each visitor to her library is searching for and provide just the book recommendation to help them find it. A restless retail assistant looks to gain new skills, a mother tries to overcome demotion at work after maternity leave, a conscientious accountant yearns to open an antique store, a recently retired salaryman searches for newfound...

24) We are allies!

Author

Emerald, Taimani

Notes

We Are Allies is a perfect picture book for these times. The words are beautifully written, illustrations are full of color and the content is valuable for kids and adults alike. The message of being an ally to all is very well done while also giving the reader hope. - Mike N

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"Every person, no matter how small, can do something to change the world for us all! In her picture book debut, Taimani Emerald, has created a gentle introduction for young readers on what being an ally looks like. Whether it's sharing, saving, joining, or creating--there are many ways to pledge support to those in need."-- Provided by publisher.

25) Flamer

Author

Curato, Mike

Notes

Growing up is already hard enough but when you feel like you don't fit in, it feels even worse. Aiden is away at summer camp and amidst campfires and surviving in the woods, he also faces challenges of acceptance and finding his own identity. A sincere and emotional read. - Deborah K

Formats:

eComic, Graphic Novel, Kindle

Description

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Named one of Kirkus' best books of the 21st century.

Award-winning author and artist Mike Curato draws on his own experiences in Flamer, his debut graphic novel, telling a difficult story with humor, compassion, and love.
"This book will save lives." —Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author of National Book Award Finalist Hey, Kiddo
I know I'm not gay. Gay boys like other boys. I hate boys. They're

...

26) The Good Lord Bird

Author

McBride, James

Notes

This entertaining historical fiction book about John Brown told from fictionalized Little Onion. It is a page turner with lots of insight into how John Brown thought and the actions he took. The HBO mini-series with Ethan Hawke is spot on. Will make you visit Harpers Ferry. - Mike N

Formats:

Book, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle, Large Type

Description

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Henry Shackleford is a young slave living in the Kansas Territory in 1857, when the region is a battleground between anti- and pro-slavery forces. When John Brown, the legendary abolitionist, arrives in the area, an argument between Brown and Henry's master quickly turns violent. Henry is forced to leave town-with Brown, who believes he's a girl. Over the ensuing months, Henry-whom Brown nicknames Little Onion-conceals his true identity as he struggles...

27) Miguel must fight!

Author

Ofelia, Jamie

Notes

This is a delightful picture book about family, obligations, choosing what you love and having it work out perfectly. Lovely illustrations, strong characters, some Spanish mixed in, conflict, determination and best of all DRAGONS! - Mike N

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When El Dragón attacks, artistic Miguel must save his family and prove his colored pencils are mightier than their swords.

28) The emperor and the endless palace

Author

Huang, Justinian

Notes

Three spirits are doomed to repeat their story of love and betrayal through the centuries. Chapters alternate between Han dynasty court intrigue, a Qing dynasty innkeeper, and modern day circuit parties as Huang mixes mythology, history, and tragic love in this sweeping tale - Jennie R

Formats:

Book, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle

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"In the year 4 BCE, an ambitious courtier is called upon to seduce the young emperor--but quickly discovers they are both ruled by blood, sex and intrigue. In 1740, a lonely innkeeper agrees to help a mysterious visitor procure a rare medicine, only to unleash an otherworldly terror instead. And in present-day Los Angeles, a college student meets a beautiful stranger and cannot shake the feeling they've met before. Across these seemingly unrelated...

29) Rabbit Chase

Author

LaPensée , Elizabeth

Notes

A non-binary Anishinaabe middle schooler wanders off on a field trip and has an Alice in Wonderland adventure. She spends time with spirits trying to stop development of their land while also dealing with being bullied for being non-binary. Wonderful illustrations. - Mike N

Formats:

eComic, Graphic Novel, Kindle

Description

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A BookRiot "Don't-Miss 2022 Queer Graphic Novels & Memoirs"

Anishinaabe culture and storytelling meet Alice in Wonderland in this coming-of-age graphic novel that explores Indigenous and gender issues through a fresh yet familiar looking glass.

Aimée, a non-binary Anishinaabe middle-schooler, is on a class trip to offer gifts to Paayehnsag, the water spirits known to protect the land. While stories are told

...

30) You Dreamed of Empires: A Novel

Author

Enrigue, Alvaro

Notes

This is the palace-intrigue, Maya-Aztec revenge fantasy that I didn't know I needed. Beautifully human characters, and transporting descriptions of Tenochtitlan. If you enjoy Spanish literature, check it out for the allusions to Borges and Calderón de la Barca. - Charlotte M

Formats:

Book, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle

Description

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"One morning in 1519, conquistador Hernán Cortés entered the city of Tenochtitlan - today's Mexico City. Later that day, he would meet the emperor Moctezuma in a collision of two worlds, two empires, two languages, two possible futures. Cortés was accompanied by his nine captains, his troops, and his two translators: Friar Aguilar, a taciturn, former slave, and Malinalli, a strategic, former princess. Greeted at a ceremonial welcome meal by the...

31) New adult

Author

Janovsky, Timothy

Series

Boy meets boy volume 3

Notes

When Nolan receives magical crystals, he wakes up seven years into the future, where he's a successful 30-year-old comedian filming a Netflix special. Except...he's alone. This whimsical rom-com is a joyful ride for anyone who enjoys time travel books and movies. - Andrea W

Formats:

Book, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle

Description

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"Twenty-three-year-old Nolan Baker wants it all by the time he's thirty. Too bad he's single, barely able to cover his own expenses, and still paying his dues at a prominent NYC comedy club. When faced with his perfect sister's wedding, Nolan takes it as a wakeup call. It's time to quit comedy and make good on his practical dreams-most importantly, asking Drew Techler, his best friend, to be his date. But right as Nolan is about to give it all up,...

32) Sisters of the Neversea

Author

Smith, Cynthia Leitich

Notes

Stepsisters Lily Roberts and Wendy Darling travel to Neverland in this retelling of Peter Pan that centers Native American voices. While often critical of the original book, Smith creates a story that celebrates finding yourself...and your family. - Andrea W

Formats:

Book, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle

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In this magical, modern twist on Peter Pan, stepsisters Lily and Wendy are spirited away to Neverland by a mysterious boy and must find a way back to the family they love.

33) A royal conundrum

Author

Yee, Lisa

Series

Misfits (Lisa Yee) volume 1

Notes

Do you find yourself rooting for the underdog? Try rooting for a whole school of them! Olive quickly discovers her new boarding school is actually a school of misfits who fight crime. The result is a hilarious, action-packed journey that'll keep you on your toes. - Andrea W

Formats:

Book, eAudiobook

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"Olive Cobin Zang has . . . issues. And they mostly aren't her fault. (No, really!) Though she often slips under the radar, problems have a knack for finding her. So, imagine her doubts when she's suddenly dropped off at the strangest boarding school ever: a former castle turned prison that's now a "reforming arts school"! But nothing could've prepared Olive for RASCH (not "rash"). There, she's lumped with a team of other kids who never quite fit...

34) The equinox test

Author

Montague, Liz

Series

School for unusual magic volume 1

Notes

All students at the Brooklyn School of Magic must pass the Equinox Test to move up. Told from the perspective of three students worried about the test, this highly illustrated chapter book is perfect for fans of other magical boarding schools--or anyone who's been in school. - Andrea W

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Rose, Amethyst, and Lavender, fifth-year students at the Brooklyn School of Magic, need to pass the Equinox Test in order to move up to Middle Magic--but they soon face self-doubts, a cheating scandal, and trouble brewing in the magical community.

35) Stars in their eyes

Author

Walton, Jessica

Notes

Maisie is headed to fancon hoping to meet her idol who shares the same kind of amputation she does. Then she meets Ollie and sparks soon fly from all directions. This book features queer/disabled representation and a love for geek pop culture. It is a delightfully nerdy read. - Deborah K

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Maisie is on her way to her first fancon and she can't wait to meet her idol, an action star who had an above-the-knee amputation, just like Maisie. But then she meets Ollie. Ollie is a cute volunteer working the show, and they geek out about nerd culture, just as much as Maisie does. After spending the day together, Maisie notices feelings for Ollie that she's never had before. Could Ollie feel the same way?

36) The daughters of Izdihar

Author

Elsbai, Hadeer

Series

Alamaxa volume 1

Notes

Nehal and Giorgina seem to have nothing in common except their fight for women's rights in Alamaxa. But as that fight turns deadly, threatening safety and social standing, each woman must learn to embrace her "weaving" - the elemental power forbidden since the the last war. - Alex Z

Formats:

Book, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle

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From debut author Hadeer Elsbai comes the first book in an incredibly powerful new duology, set wholly in a new world, but inspired by modern Egyptian history, about two young women-Nehal, a spoiled aristocrat used to getting what she wants and Giorgina, a poor bookshop worker used to having nothing-who find they have far more in common, particularly in their struggle for the rights of women and their ability to fight for it with forbidden elemental...

37) Chunky: A Graphic Novel

Author

Mercado, Yehudi

Notes

Hudi's parents want him to play a sport to lose a little weight. He doesn't want to, but his imaginary friend Chunky cheers him on from the sidelines, even when Hudi isn't very good. Will Hudi ever find an activity to excel at? A funny graphic novel about finding your place. - Michelle M

Formats:

eComic, Graphic Novel, Kindle

Description

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In this full-color middle grade graphic memoir for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jerry Craft, Yehudi Mercado draws inspiration from his childhood struggle with his weight while finding friendship with his imaginary mascot, Chunky, as he navigates growing up in a working class Mexican-Jewish family.

Hudi needs to lose weight, according to his doctors. Concerned about the serious medical issue Hudi had when he was younger, his

...

38) Our wives under the sea

Author

Armfield, Julia

Formats:

Book, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle

Description

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"Leah is changed. Months earlier, she left for a routine expedition, only this time her submarine sank to the sea floor. When she finally surfaces and returns home, her wife Miri knows that something is wrong. Barely eating and lost in her thoughts, Leah rotates between rooms in their apartment, running the taps morning and night. As Miri searches for answers, desperate to understand what happened below the water, she must face the possibility that...

39) The enchanted hacienda

Author

Cervantes, J. C. (Jennifer C.)

Notes

This charming tale of a young woman's return to her family's magical flower farm in Mexico had me utterly spellbound. It has romance, family antics, and self discovery. What more could one ask for? - Andrea W

Formats:

Book, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle, Large Type

Description

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"When Harlow Estrada is abruptly fired from her dream job and her boyfriend proves to be a jerk, her world turns upside down. She flees New York City to the one place she can always call home-the enchanted Hacienda Estrada. The Estrada family farm in Mexico houses an abundance of charmed flowers cultivated by Harlow's mother, sisters, aunt, and cousins. By harnessing the magic in these flowers, they can heal hearts, erase memories, interpret dreams-but...

40) Blaze and the castle cake for Bertha Daye

Author

Ponti, Claude

Notes

Feast for your eyes! Have fun roaming the pages of Ponti's delectable birthday-cake-building, nonsense punning, gargantuan tale of rich excess featuring his iconic chicklets. A playful picture book with a world deep enough to return to again and again. - Theodore R

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A rabble of soft, golden "chicklets" are awoken one morning to a startling proclamation: they only have ten short days to prepare for their best friend Bertha Daye's party. It's time to get to work building a larger-than-life castle cake to house and feed the revelers. Made of chocolate scooped out of chocolate mines, "finer than fairy dust" flour from the hillsides, and fruit carried down twigs and stems in the forest, this will be the best -- and...