HOW TO BE A GIRL IN THE WORLD
By C. Carter

​Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

HOW TO BE A GIRL IN THE WORLD is an important middle-grade novel about standing up for oneself and speaking the truth, no matter how awkward doing so may be. It will hopefully become an invaluable resource for parents and educators in opening up discussions over body positivity, touch boundaries and consent, and handling inappropriate sexual behavior. Topics that, historically, have not received the attention they deserve.

Lydia isn't sure why some of her school friends like it when boys call them names and try to see up their skirts or why she doesn't. Is there something wrong with her? And is her mom's boyfriend just overly friendly or inappropriate when he gives her long hugs or touches her knee? Too scared to articulate these concerns, Lydia turns to layers of clothing to hide her body and searches for answers and protection in a book of magic spells.

Carter does a wonderful job of letting the reader inside Lydia's head and showcasing just how difficult speaking up can be, especially when trusted adults are dismissive of one's concerns. This book is a must-read for tween girls and is sure to have a positive impact on the lives of many.

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Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 
Release date: 4/30/19
 
THE LIBRARY OF EVER By Zeno Alexander
 
This story is a librarian and book lover’s dream! A young girl, Lenora, with aspirations of becoming a librarian, is employed in a magical library. She swears to answer any question, no matter the challenge and so begins a wild adventure involving space and time travel, shrinking and unshrinking, and assisting a variety of library patrons from robots to ants.
Lenora is a well-crafted character full of spirit and warmth. The library patrons are unique, memorable and colorful. The intensity is well paced and the evil ‘Forces of Darkness’, who seek to destroy all libraries and sources of knowledge, are just the right amount of scary.
This page-turning adventure full of facts, twists, and turns is perfect for reader’s eight years and up. Additionally, teachers will love the endless project inspiration stemming from the interesting facts Lenora accumulates during her adventures. This a must read and will certainly be flagged as a kid lit classic in years to come.

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Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 
Publication date: 11/6/18
 
INKLING By Kenneth Oppel (Illustrations by Sydney Smith)
 
A middle-grade novel about an inkblot might sound uninspiring but this novel is far from it! The blot, Inkling, is full of warmth and loyalty and arrives just at the right moment for a struggling single-parent family.
Oppel’s wonderfully crafted cast from Inkling to the depressed comic artist father jump off the page and straight into your heart. Even the ‘bad guys’ are multi-dimensional and layered.
Family dynamics and friendships are well portrayed and the cascade of events that follow the inkblot’s sketchbook escape are engaging and page turning.
Moral and ethical questions are also raised during the course of the book, encouraging readers to think and ponder right from wrong and everything in between.
Grab your favorite inky pen and sketchbook and enjoy!

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Kitty's Magic: Misty The Scared Kitty By Ella Moonheart (with illustrations by Lindsay Dale)

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 
Misty The Scared Kitty, the first book in the new Kitty’s Magic chapter book series By Ella Moonheart (published by Bloomsbury) is sure to win hearts.
 
Kitty, a young American girl with Japanese heritage, adores cats. There’s only one problem— she’s allergic. When her best friend becomes the proud new owner of a sweet silver tabby named Misty, Kitty is equally thrilled and distressed.
 
Kitty’s Japanese grandmother comes to the rescue, presenting Kitty with a necklace belonging to her great grandmother. A necklace, which she claims, will stop Kitty suffering from allergy symptoms.
 
But not only does the necklace allow Kitty to play comfortably with her friend’s new cat, it allows her to transform into a cat herself whenever she chooses! The only catch, Kitty cannot reveal the secret of the necklace to anyone or the magic will no longer work.
 
The timing of this new discovery is perfect. Misty is in hideout from two mean Persian cats who prowl her backyard. Together, Misty and feline-form Kitty sneak out at night to seek help from the local cats’ Cat Council and devise a plan to scare off the Persian bullies once and for all.
 
This series is perfect for the younger chapter book set. The magical element is exciting yet easy to understand, the story is simple, and the illustrations are super cute. With its relatively slow pace and lack of high-stakes action, this is an ideal bedtime read. Likely to appeal to fans of series such as The Fun Day Fairies by Daisy Meadows.
 
Cozy up in your pajamas and enjoy!