Wonder World Book Cafe'

Heera, a fourteen year old girl living in a crudely made shack in Northern India, knows girls like her have only two inevitable life paths: marry young or become a prostitute. She's ambitious, wants an education, and questions "tradition." Come along on Heera's journey. While a work of fiction, this is based off true events that occur across the globe.

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Middle school issues are difficult enough, but Güero and Fregona are dealing with even bigger and more important issues. When Fregona’s dad drops her off on the first day of school, ICE agents take him away.

At 17 years old, Veronica wants to reclaim her body. All her life she’s lived with overbearing parents who worry incessantly about the hip condition she was born with and doctor’s who speak of Veronica’s condition as if she’s not even in the room. She has endured multiple surgeries, physical therapy, chronic pain, ableism, and plenty of people who stare and comment on her “disability.” Veronica finds peace in swimming and of her many goals, she wants to be a mermaid.

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☕Listen in on this espresso-sized episode, shorter than usual, to learn about a few YA highly engaging short stories (but not short stories in the traditional sense). I hope this episode provides you a little extra jolt for reading.

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In this YA novel, Charlie Vega battles with societal expectations, and even her own mother about her body type. She longs for her first kiss and a real date. Charlie is bold and honest about her struggles. Come along on her journey of love, romantic and self.

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In this YA novel, 17 year-old Jamison uses his love of photography to cope with stifling grief and to honor his best friend, his mom. With Dorothea Lange as his inspiration, Jamison decides to take a photo every night, at the very corner he saw each night from his mom's hospital room, at 9:09, the time of her last breath. Come along with Jamison as his photography is a catalyst for healing--for himself and countless others. Jamison's voice, his wit and sarcasm, AND his talent reverberate on the pages.

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In this YA novel, Chaos Theory, meet seniors Shelbi and Andy. Both have distinctive voices and their perspectives on families, friends, addiction, mental health, pain, grief, joy, and love are stories we need in the world.

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In this middle grade book, readers will relish a collection of 18 short stories and poems all from different Native authors. Each piece is written from the author’s own lived experiences and imagination.

People are traveling from Nations within the borders of the United States and Canada to Ann Arbor, Michigan for the annual two-day Dance for Mother Earth Powwow. Ancestor Approved, brings us stories of traditions, celebrations, joy, and hope representing a wide-range of Native families.

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In this young adult, historical fiction, romance novel, four strong Black women's lives intertwine in alternating chapters (my favorite format). As the story begins, it’s 1910. In each chapter, a strong-willed, determined young Black woman tells her story of love, friendship, and living up to or defying family and societal expectations. 

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When classmates accuse 11-year old Sicily of lying about her heritage, she sets out to gain an understanding of and ultimately confidence to explain how she is Black first, then Panamanian and Latina. Sicily, a writer, has much to share with the world! 

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