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Staff Picks

My mind absolutely delighted in the word play, the alliteration, the form of these poems. Sax gives us the pig on various platters, and even how the poems are chapterized is clever! I expect to revisit this collection repeatedly, because I know I could find something new to marvel at each time. [Blanca]

This was a fascinating read! From Geena's life in the Philippines, where everyone follows the trans beauty pageants (making her a national celebrity), but trans and queer people have few rights, to her life in the US, where she initially wasn't out as trans to have a successful modeling career. I feel like i learned a lot and Rocero is an engaging narrator. [sweet pea]

This picture book is a work of art. Based on the life of beloved Indian drag performer Queen Harish, the story is written in rhythmic verse and complemented by brilliant illustrations inspired by Rajasthani culture. Harish's beautiful spirit absolutely shines through the pages. [Adrienne]

Seed to Plate, Soil to Sky: Modern Plant-Based Recipes using Native American Ingredients (Hardcover)
Indigenous southwest cuisine with a twist! The recipes are organized by main ingredient, be it squash or vanilla. Frank delves deep into the cultural history of the food, and she also gives little facts on the origin of seeds and other ingredients. [Blanca]

A book for theater nerds and music geeks everywhere! Nat and her friend group are back and they're taking the stage. While the first book focused on Nat being the new girl and just wanting to fit in, the sequel is all about her wanting to shine while dealing with the typical drama and angst that comes with middle school. The fact that she's in a wheelchair is secondary. Some people suck but the story isn't about that. It's refreshing to have a book about a character who's disable that isn't about her disability. [Danielle]

I enjoy foraging for mushrooms and have long wanted to expand to other wild foods. The PNW has such a bounty to offer, after all. But where to start? This book helped me gain confidence to gather familiar plants, as well as others I never knew were edible. The guide is compact enough to take out on excursions, but still thorough and thoughtful with its contents. An ideal gift for the outdoorspeople and home cooks in your life. [Adrienne]

Both parents and kids will love this regardless if they have seen Bluey or not. The art being tied with the story is beautiful; and exudes warmth, comfort, and calm. Which is all anyone could ask from a bedtime story. Joe Brumm continues to bring cute and wholesome stories about the experience childhood and the wonder that comes with it. [Zephyr]

Divided into thematic chapters, covering women's bodies, roles, and behavior, Nuttall gives us the historical trajectory of words employed to converse on those topics, not only by men but also by women. This book is well-researched: the rich cultural contexts and the foreign influences on English are superbly synthesized. It helped me understand why and how the 20th Century was fertile ground for the germination of a feminist discourse. [Blanca]

This is a visionary, nerdy, and innovative collection of poetry, history, botany, and music woven together to give us a new perspective of, well, everything. Starting with advertisements of 'runaway' enslaved Ancestors who stuttered, stammered, or had a speech impediment, Ellis combines the history of dysfluent Ancestors with botany and his own history to create a work unlike anything else i've read. [sweet pea]

In exquisite graphic novel form, author and illustrator Clar Angkasa reimagines traditional Indonesian folktales with women & girls taking the lead. These are stories of empowerment, agency, and bravery. A wonderful collection for any kid interested in mythology or fairy tales. [Adrienne]