I’ve written about some of my favorite graphic novels featuring Black History before in a previous post , and those titles like March by Congressman John Lewis are still fantastic. However, it's always a good time to highlight new favorites, especially when they are celebratory of organizations and people creating change and… continue reading Black History Month | Spotlight on Graphic Novels
By written by Rachel F. February 10, 2021
Welcome to February and Black History Month 2021! This month we have titles about love & imagination, as well as titles about history and confronting uncomfortable truths about the past. Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) Milo Imagines the World written by Matt de la Peña; illustrated by Christian Robinson Milo is on a long subway… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in February!
By written by Rachel F. February 2, 2021
It’s finally 2021! Hopefully this year will bring better things than the last... and on that note, why not try one of these recommended reads! Young Children (Up to 2nd Grade) Outside, Inside by LeUyen Pham Something strange happened on an unremarkable day just before the season changed. Everybody who was outside... went inside.… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in January!
By written by Rachel F. January 4, 2021
Hello library world friends! You have no idea how much we miss you and how much we miss recommending titles for you and your children! On the subject of recommendations, I have a few for kids who want to hear all-new stories of inclusion and love with their magic! Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi Twelve-year-old Aru Shah has a… continue reading All of the Magic, None of the Hate
By written by Rachel F. June 15, 2020 1
I never would have pegged myself as someone who wanted to read about "the sports", but there are some sweet and dramatic comics and graphic novels that have changed my mind about that in the past few years. If you too are reluctant to read about the sportsball or sportsing, if you will, allow me to tempt you to change your mind with a… continue reading Queer Comics About Sports!
By written by Rachel F. June 10, 2020
I know its Black History Month, and we have a ton of programs and resources to share and celebrate, but February always makes me think of the title of N.K. Jemisin’s award-winning collection of stories, How Long ‘til Black Future Month? This got me thinking about sharing some of my favorite Afrofuturism YA-ish titles,… continue reading Visions of Black Future Month During Black History Month
By written by Rachel F. February 21, 2020
Ah those intense feelings of first love and sexual awakening – how heady and confusing and exhilarating! In ye olde school times when I was growing up, any books (or movies or television shows) showing teens in love and having sex always showed the characters facing DIRE consequences – like pregnancy or even death(!) Or they had to… continue reading Consent is Romantic!
By written by Rachel F. February 14, 2020
Hey everyone, it’s that time of year again – time for a new installment in the Star Wars movie universe! I’ve written before about my Star Wars excitement (that I’m sure you share!): Back in 2015, it was about getting back up to speed before The Force Awakens ... In 2017, I was really into the Women of Star Wars .… continue reading New Star Wars Teen Fiction to Read Before The Rise of Skywalker!
By written by Rachel F. December 16, 2019
I’m so thrilled that the One Book, One Philadelphia selection this year is There, There by Tommy Orange. I’m so thrilled that it features Indigenous folks with complicated, modern lives. And I’m so thrilled that it’s an excellent and moving read! Similarly, I could not be more excited about the selection of If I Ever Get… continue reading #OneBookWednesday | Indigenous Voices for Young Adults
By written by Rachel F. December 4, 2019
Who are all these undocumented folks we hear about? What is DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)? Who are DREAMers ? What does it mean to be an American, to be a citizen? With questions of citizenship in the news lately, I thought it might be interesting to share some titles published recently in which undocumented young people, or… continue reading The Voices of Undocumented Immigrants: Memoirs and Stories of Young People
By written by Rachel F. October 11, 2019
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month , a time to learn about prevention and treatment. However, I think it's also a time where we can agree that breast cancer is very rude. According to recent studies, about 1 in 8 women develop breast cancer in their lifetime and the most significant risk factors for breast cancer are gender… continue reading The Breast Cancer Journey Illustrated Through Graphic Novels
By written by Rachel F. October 9, 2019 1
Another year, another Banned Books Week ! Each year the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles a list of the Most Challenged Books in order to "inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools. The lists are based on information from media stories and voluntary… continue reading Banned Books Week | LGBTQ+ Tween and Children's Edition
By written by Rachel F. September 26, 2019
History is endlessly fascinating to me; twentieth-century history in particular is full of triumphs and dark chapters. Sometimes it takes some distance to get perspective on events of the day and to notice patterns in history. Recent years have seen the publication of many award-winning, engaging, and accessible examinations… continue reading It's All Just a Little Bit of History Repeating Itself Again
By written by Rachel F. July 23, 2019
This is not a drill friends: Stranger Things is coming back! I repeat, Stranger Things is coming back just in time for the Independence Day weekend! In the meantime while we all wait, let me suggest some titles to quench your thirst for all things weird and weirder. The Woods written by James Tynion IV and illustrated by Michael Dialynas… continue reading Young Adult Books Stranger than Stranger Things
By written by Rachel F. June 28, 2019
Welcome to another Pride Month, friends! After this season of RuPaul’s Drag Race , I’m sure we're all ready to keep the amazing times rolling with more exploration of performative gender with some rollicking young adult novels. Or is that just me? Okay fine, just me. Either way, take off your wig and make up and settle in… continue reading Don’t Be a Drag, Just Be a Queen: Exploring and Celebrating Gender Roleplay in Young Adult Books!
By written by Rachel F. June 6, 2019 9
May, among other things, is Mental Health Awareness Month —so this is a great time to discuss and reduce the stigma around mental illness. Millions of people in the United States and around the world cope with depression, anxiety, bipolar, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and other issues. Luckily, there are resources available to help.… continue reading May is Mental Health Awareness Month
By written by Rachel F. May 15, 2019
Ah mothers and motherhood – such a beautiful and serene time, where everything is so easy and uncomplicated, right? Ha! All of the moms I know, including my friends, coworkers, and even my own mother have assured me that it is… well, more complicated that the pictures often presented. Not being a mother myself, my entry point into… continue reading Graphic Novels about Motherhood
By written by Rachel F. May 8, 2019
This Saturday marks that most intergalactic of wordplay holidays... May the 4th Be With You ! Did you know that " Star Wars Fiction " is a subject heading in our online catalog ? It’s hundreds of pages of items in our collections, which I for one think is AMAZING! We have everything from easy readers and picture books for… continue reading May the 4th Be With You | Star Wars Fiction
By written by Rachel F. May 3, 2019
If you had told me a few years ago that I would be fully obsessed with either ice hockey or fencing by way of comics I would have laughed SO HARD. I’m barely into watching baseball or football – and those have snacks readily available! But wow, there are some amazing sports comics out there. Or maybe I am just really into the titles… continue reading Rah! Rah! Sis Boom Bah!: Let's Hear It for Sports Comics and Manga!
By written by Rachel F. April 17, 2019 2
Game of Thrones is coming back to HBO, did you know that? I mean, how could we miss it—am I right? I’m guessing that you’ve been waiting like everyone else with baited breath to find out what happens in the final episodes. Same. Well, we’re super close now to the new season premiere, so if you’ve already read all… continue reading YA Books to Read While You Wait for Game of Thrones to Return
By written by Rachel F. April 3, 2019 2
