Celebrating the start of fall with some great new(ish) books we’re excited about!
Ikenga by Nnedi Okorafor
“Featuring a young protagonist learning to channel his anger responsibly through a talisman given to him by the ghost of his murdered father, this is a superhero origin story set in contemporary Nigeria. After his father–the Chief of Police of Kalaria–is shot and killed, Nnamdi leaps at a chance to deliver justice when, one year later, the ghost of his father offers him an ikenga. The talisman changes his appearance–he grows tall, his voice deepens, he gains incredible strength, and his skin turns dark as a starless sky, with no face–and with this disguise, Nnamdi starts going after the major criminals of Kalaria. Bullets whiz, wicked villains get pummeled, and there are some deep moments as Nnamdi learns to grow with his power, use it responsibly and with focus, and to rely on his friends– even when the world is against you. If you’re at all a fan of masked vigilantes striving for justice, you’ll be cheering for Nnamdi as he comes into the power of IKENGA.” – Tomoko
Fauja Singh Keeps Going by Simran Jeet Singh, illus by Baljinder Kaur
“Inspired by the oldest person to ever run a marathon, Dr. Simran Jeet Singh began running himself and quickly fell in love with the sport. He eventually met his hero, the wonderful and inspiring Fauja Singh, who ran his first marathon at 89 years old– and at 109, is still alive and running! Dr. Singh knew he had to share his story! From the time he was a young boy who couldn’t walk, to his incredible record-breaking marathons, Fauja’s tale of resilience, determination, and light will inspire readers of all ages! I personally learned so much from Fauja Singh– to be kind, persevere, take care of your mind, body and spirit– and don’t let anybody tell you what you can’t do. A remarkable story that needs to be widely shared and celebrated.” – Eugenia
Lightfall: The Girl & the Galdurian by Tim Probert
“A young girl and an aspiring hero on an epic quest they don’t even recognize? Yes, please! Tim Probert’s tale starts small and grows with each reveal as threads braid into a unique world history of magic, calamity, and dangerous forces of evil. With evocative panel-to-panel work wild diversity of otherworldly races, he sets up mystery after mystery, tantalizing with clues and leaving us breathless for the second volume of Lightfall: The Girl & The Galdurian, as familiar as your favorite dessert but made exotic by an imaginative chef!” – Griffin
The Silver Arrow by Lev Grossman
“If I needed to reach for a book with a hint of sibling squabbles, a mysterious uncle in a banana-yellow suit, a train that tells jokes when it’s nervous, and a grumpy porcupine from Michigan, I would reach for THE SILVER ARROW. If I wanted to reach for a magical adventure that’s fun for the whole family, well, I would also reach for THE SILVER ARROW… The adventure begins when Kate sends a letter to her uncle (without an address or a stamp), asking him to send her a birthday gift. She is caught quite off guard when he arrives with a full-sized locomotive engine. What does one even do with a full-sized locomotive engine? And how does that grumpy porcupine factor in?… While THE SILVER ARROW reads like a wonderfully-told bedtime tale, the cast of characters, fantastical imagery, and humor throughout make this a perfect pick for independent reading or a raucous read-aloud/read-together at any time of day.” – Jen
Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse
“I was completely swept away by Sophie’s magical story of a girl coping with loss and new beginnings. As an artist admiring another, I love how Sophie Escabasse manifested Effie’s magic–and feel certain it’s something that will speak to all young artists out there! Full of thoughtfulness and humor, with a grand dash of magic and witchery, I can’t wait for more from Effie, Selimene, and Carlota!” – Tomoko
BookPeople 