By Ella and Lina

​​It's hard to believe we've already reached the end of our 2022 wrap-up! To finish off our top ten on a high note, we have two utterly amazing middle-grade books: a realistic fiction story, and a graphic novel. 

Thanks for reading about our favorites--here's to another year full of books as amazing as these ones! 


Favorite Graphic Novel: When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

I usually prefer prose books over graphic novels, but every so often I'll come across one whose beautiful illustrations and powerful story utterly absorb me. When Stars Are Scattered was one of those, a story of growing up that is both universal and powerfully unique. 

​​In fact, I realized partway through reading it that I was experiencing the same feeling of total immersion in a story, oblivious to anything around me, that I usually only get when reading standout books in prose!

The bright, evocative, emotional artwork is gorgeous, and the writing is crisp and concise, creating a vibrant, compelling, sometimes heartbreaking story about childhood in a refugee camp, based on coauthor Mohamed’s own life. The characters are deftly woven and immensely believable, and it’s a fast, satisfying, and deeply important read.

At once a powerful personal story and an ode to the resilience and courage of the millions of people living in refugee camps today, I highly recommend When the Stars Are Scattered to readers ages nine and up. 



Favorite Realistic Fiction: Summer of Brave ​by Amy Noelle Parks

I usually read more fantasy than realistic fiction, but some of my favorite books are unexpected finds from this genre. Summer of Brave was one of those. Unflinching, realistic, and beautiful, Summer of Brave manages to say so much in a relatively short book, and I loved every word of it.

Many books, especially contemporary novels, feel almost overwhelmed by their themes, becoming preachy and contrived instead of creating a meaningful story too. Summer of Brave never even considered stumbling into that territory--and yet is one of the deepest and most thematically complex books I can remember reading recently. Navigating friendships, feminism, academic pressure, divorce, girls in STEM, and so much more is tied together into a quiet but brave story which gains its power from both when Lilla speaks up and when she feels she must remain silent.

I loved Lilla, the protagonist. While many books about bravery present it from a single angle, which includes becoming constantly, effortlessly confident, but this book doesn't--Lilla remains quiet and shy while still becoming brave, a powerful and too-rare nuance which was part of why I loved her character so much. I also loved how Lilla feels the seemingly conflicting pressures to be 'girly' and smart and groundbreaking, and her struggle with what everyone seems to think is the 'right' way to be a girl. The depth of her character (and all the supporting characters) truly made this book come alive for me, and even when the characters' decisions weren't objectively 'right', I couldn't help but understand where they were coming from. I highly recommend Summer of Brave to readers ages ten and up. 

By Ella and Lina

​We're on to the second half of our favorite middle-grade fantasy novels, and the second-to-last section of our favorite books of 2022! 

​Check back tomorrow for our final two books: our favorite graphic novel and our favorite realistic fiction book. 


Healer and Witch by Nancy Werlin

Historical fantasy is probably one of my favorite subgenres under the fantasy/sci-fi umbrella--these books often by necessity of the genre blend atmospheric settings and character-driven stories with the usual magical elements found in fantasy books. Healer and Witch by Nancy Werlin is one of those stories that reminds me just why I love historical fantasy so much. Set in sixteenth-century France, this quiet but powerful novel blends feminism, self-discovery, and magic in a way that feels stunningly unique. 

Werlin's writing is, quite simply, exquisite. Simple and unadorned, it perfectly evokes the time and Sylvie's character as a girl who is far from naive, but nonetheless is largely ignorant of the world, and creates a story full of a broad range of emotions and details which truly make the story come alive, helping to anchor it in the time period. 

If the prose anchors Healer and Witch, though, Sylvie, the protagonist, is unarguably the force that drives it. Her journey toward understanding, self-discovery, and in a way independence in a land that would rather stifle, confine, and condemn her for her abilities and simply for being a woman weaves the heart of this book, giving the story an emotional depth and complexity that truly make it shine. There are such subtle but beautiful threads of feminism in her story, such determination and depth, that I couldn't help but fall in love with both Sylvie and her story. I highly recommend Healer and Witch to readers ages ten and up. 



The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu

Some of my favorite books this year were ones that I picked up with high expectations, whether they stemmed from previous books by the same author or praise I'd heard concerning them--books like The Sisters of Straygarden Place and Raybearer. The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy, though, was one book I picked up with essentially no expectations--and which utterly blew me away. 

There is so much to love about this book. Simultaneously an engrossing, nuanced story full of magic and mystery and a deep, thoughtful exploration of the stories our society tells us--and who, ultimately, they truly serve, the ending alone of The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy inspired such a range of emotions in me: rage at the villains, surprise at the twists (those twists!), and a blend of awe and love for the protagonist, Marya, whose courage and determination is still strong in my memory all these months later. 

Marya herself is one of the highlights of this book, a strong, flawed protagonist who finds herself coming to terms with a world that would rather she stay silent, and a society designed to keep her that way. She is forced unequivocally into a role that goes against who she is, but instead of resigning herself to it she continues to search for the system's cracks, and her development over the course of this book is a true joy to watch. 

What perhaps stuck out to me most, though, is the depth of this story, and the quiet, thoughtful vein of feminism that is present throughout. This reflective, almost philosophical undertone--perhaps best epitomized by the lingering question, 'who does the story serve?'--creates an undercurrent of questioning and cross-examining patriarchy and predominant narratives that both inspires and empowers, and never even considers veering into a preachy or contrived vein. Marya's evolving understanding of the world along these lines intertwines with the narrative, giving the story new resonance and deepening, not stealing the spotlight from, its strong and resounding voice and plot. I highly recommend The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy to readers ages ten and up. 

By Ella and Lina

It's hard to believe we're already halfway through our top books of 2022! Today we're highlighting two of our favorite middle-grade fantasy novels that we read in the past year; check back tomorrow for two more brilliant reads. 


The Sisters of Straygarden Place by Hayley Chewins

I adored Hayley Chewins's first novel, The Turnaway Girls; full of magic, atmosphere, and thoughtful, feminist undertones, it was practic-ally an automatic Book of the Year back in 2020. The Sisters of Stray-garden Place, her second book, utterly blew me away. 

From the first page, Chewins's immersive, expansive prose pulled me into an atmospheric world full of floating trees and silver grass and strange magic as twined with mys-tery as its heroine, Mayhap. There was nothing predictable or cliche about this story, in the best possible way; each word was unexpected and beautiful, each twist startling, each description stunningly crafted and unique. 

Mayhap--indeed, all the characters--shine so brightly, and the plot, which kept quite honestly surprising me, felt fully driven by their feelings and choices: choices that were not always perfect, but which reflected their dreams, fears, experiences, and desires so deeply that every character, every sentence, of this book feels utterly alive. 

The Sisters of Straygarden Place is relatively short when it comes to page count, but its depth could belong to a much longer book. It's now been eight months since I last read this book, and I still find myself recalling its quiet beauty. It's a book about magical grass and uncovering secrets, yes--but far more than that, it's about sisterhood and belonging, discovery and love. It's a story for anyone who has ever felt alone, or anyone who wants to feel like they belong. It truly has earned itself a permanent place in my heart, and so I wholeheartedly recommend it to readers ages ten and up. 



The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud

It's a rare book that has me quite literally laughing out loud for almost the entire book--all while delivering a fast-paced story full of action, danger, and adventure. But The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne managed it several times over, earning it a well-deserved spot in my top ten. 

​From the opening lines onward (no, seriously--the opening of this book is absolutely hilarious), I was taken off-guard in the best possible way by Scarlett's perfectly executed, sardonic, dry sense of humor, giving the narrative a voice both wholly unique and an utter pleasure to read. I don't often come across books where the protagonist springs fully to life in my mind just from hearing the way she speaks, but Scarlett pulled it off beautifully, and the ingenious personality which she imbued the narrative with helped make the entire book utterly delightful to read. 

But giving Scarlett all the credit for her improbably relatable character would be to ignore the other primary character, Albert. They are in many ways polar opposites, with Scarlett alert, driven, and sarcastic where Albert is dreamy, hopeful, and oblivious, and though the sharp contrast between them is a well-trodden trope, Stroud makes the conflicts between them feel unique, blending gratifying authenticity with unrestrained humor. 

With clever twists, action, adventure, and an interesting and distinct setting, my interest never lagged--and unlike too many books with utterly brilliant beginnings, all of these things were carried wonderfully through the final page. I highly recommend The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne to readers ages ten and up. ​​

By Ella and Lina

​As you know, we also love & review many YA (young adult, or books generally for readers ages twelve and up) books on our blog. So we wanted to take today to highlight two of our absolute favorites in YA fantasy, both of which we read & reviewed in the past year. 

​Check back tomorrow for two more of our favorites, this time middle-grade fantasy! 

​
Girls at the Edge of the World by Laura Brooke Robson

Evocative, atmospheric, and thoughtful, I knew Girls at the Edge of the World was going to be one of my favor-ite books this year immediately after reading it. Bright, multifaceted charac-ters, luminous worldbuilding, and a deft philosophical undercurrent make it an undeniable standout--at once a story of struggling, shining girls in a darkening world, a defiant queer romance, and an ode to living life to the fullest and the things that make it worth living at all.

It's a fast read, the writing light but deft, and while there are familiar elements to the storyline, the plot and characters feel fresh and original, dodging clichés with unexpected twists and a distinctly witty, thoughtful narrative. It's also a piercing, contemplative look at heteropatriarchy, religion, colonialism, and how economic and class divides are displayed and exacerbated by climate change--all without being remotely preachy or contrived. I especially loved the flyers, a blend of art and athletics, stardom and symbolism constantly training to bring the city together and earn their own survival; there's believable competitiveness and drive within the troupe, but also fierce loyalty and palpable caring between its members. I highly recommend Girls at the Edge of the World to readers ages twelve and up. 


Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

Particularly excellent books are often described as 'unable to be put down.' Raybearer ​was, for me, one of the rare books where this was absolutely true. From the first page, the world and characters are all-absorbing, and I was so glad to discover that there was a sequel--only for that, alas, to end as well. 

In Raybearer, Ifueko delivers one of the rarest kinds of stories: one that combines exquisite writing and a vivid, atmospheric world with one of the strongest, most fierce, most utterly sympathetic protagonists I've ever had the pleasure to encounter, whose refusal to let her future and fate be controlled by another secure the story both in unexpected twists and startling, inarguable realism. With such a unique and multilayered storyline, full of twists I very honestly never saw coming, it feels as though it should be plot-driven, but it never feels that way; Tarisai is undeniably the driving force in this book, and I absolutely fell in love with her and her story. 

However, I would be remiss to ignore all the other characters in favor of Tarisai, because every character in Raybearer truly feels distinct, and their relationships and conflicts often carry the story as much as she does. Every glowing description and quiet interaction is beautiful and vivid, and Tarisai's world manages to feel both as personal and expansive as our own. 

I struggled to write a review for Raybearer that truly encapsulated how much I loved it, and I find myself doing the same thing here. This book is full of emotion and strength, feminism and defiance, a stunning tale of a girl who refuses to be quiet, and a world full of magic and mystery but also deep, ingrained flaws. Raybearer is utterly beautiful, remarkable, and all-absorbing, and I highly recommend it to readers twelve and up. 

Hello all! 

​​​2022 was a great year for Rapunzel Reads! Some quick highlights: 

• We interviewed nine more of our favorite authors: Lisa Fipps, Scott Reintgen, Barbara Dee,  Robert Beatty, Harry Harvey, Laura Brooke Robson, Claribel A Ortega, Diana Farid, and Janae Marks! Check out all our interviews to hear about their inspiration, favorite books as a kid, and more. 
• We reviewed 43 books (and had an awesome guest review on Those Kids from Fawn Creak)! 
• We kept reviewing favorite sequels, and this year, we highlighted four which were just as good as their predecessors: Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality, Breaking Badlands, The Last Fallen Moon, and Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris. 
• We posted two awesome booklists: one highlighting favorite books in verse, and another focusing on books we love with particularly amazing covers. 
• We reviewed a number of spectacular YA books, both on our For Older Readers page and under the Young Adult category on our main page. 

Plus, if you haven't seen it already, we joined Instagram, ​and we'd be thrilled if you followed us there! We post whenever we have a new review, and highlight some bonus recommendations too. Check it out, and follow us @rapunzelreadsbooks! 

And now...on to our fourth annual Books of the Year! 


This year, we chose ten books that were our particular favorites, in six different categories: graphic novel, novel in verse, series, realistic fiction, YA fantasy, and MG fantasy. It was so hard to narrow down these ten from all the phenomenal books we read this year, but these are, indisputably, standouts: whether from their stunning characters, beautiful prose, unexpected depth, or exciting twists, they stuck out to us while reading, and stayed with us all these months later. We're so glad to get to share them with you--we hope you love them as much as we do! 

Starting next Monday, we'll highlight two of our favorite books every day. Stay tuned here and on Instagram to see our favorites, and thank you for supporting our blog this year! 

Here's to another year of fabulous books, 
​Ella and Lina

Our final Book of the Year from 2021 is The Box and the Dragonfly by Ted Sanders, a clever, quirky fantasy novel full of the unexpected and the unusual! 

What it’s about: Twelve-year-old Horace F. Andrews is a very logical person. So when he sees a sign with his name on it through a bus window on the way home from school, he decides to investigate. And the results are most certainly not logical. Instead, he finds himself pulled into an ancient war over Tan’ji, objects with magical powers, and discovers his own Tan'ji, an extraordinary box he immediately feels a bond with. Charged with uncovering the abilities of the box on his own, he becomes entangled in a complex conflict that will stretch the limits of time, magic, science—and fight to save this improbable, illogical, extraordinary side of the world which he never knew existed. 

Why we chose it: The Box and the Dragonfly is a fast-paced, clever, and highly amusing fantasy that kept me engrossed from start to finish. Horace is a smart, determined, appealing protagonist, supporting character Chloe is irritable and hilarious, and the rest of the cast is quirky and fresh. As I was writing the above book description, I was struck by how many of the elements of The Box and the Dragonfly aren't uncommon in fantasy (scientifically inclined protagonist, ancient struggle, magical objects), yet the way Sanders uses them is genuinely fresh and unique, and one particular aspect of the generally excellent plot is truly original and different from anything I've ever read before! Quirky characters and clever twists, plus a brilliant plot unfolding in multiple times (read it and you'll see what I mean!) make this book an absolute standout. 

Our final realistic fiction Book of the Year for 2021 is Bad Best Friend by Rachel Vail, an authentic, nuanced story with an extraordinarily real cast of characters! 

What it’s about: Eighth grader Nicki Ames has been best friends with Ava for five whole years, so when their gym teacher tells everyone to pair up with their best friend, Nicki knows who she’ll be next to. Only Ava doesn’t choose her. She chooses one of the popular girls instead. 
          Nicki isn’t sure if she’s been abandoned in front of her whole class, or if she’s just reading too much into a simple action. But as the weeks drag by and Ava barely talks to Nicki, she has to ask herself: if Ava is being a bad best friend, does that mean Nicki should just wait for her to come around? Or is this her opportunity to strike out on her own? 

Why we chose it: Over the years, I’ve probably read hundreds of realistic fiction novels. Some I’ve loved. Some I’ve hated. Out of all of those, there are only a small number which really spoke to me and felt as though they accurately portrayed the lives of middle schoolers today—and among those, Bad Best Friend is a standout. Blending sensitive, accurate portrayals of tweens, conflicts, and families with a full cast of characters, each with an astonishing amount of nuance, this book feels as though it gives voice to the complexities, uncertainties, and messiness of middle school without ever being forced, preachy, or simply inaccurate. This is a book which I feel should be widely read, because it gives voice to some of the most universal feelings of tweens which are rarely explored in novels in a way that considers the layers and confusion of these events in the most authentic way possible. 

Our second fantasy favorite is The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim, a book full of magic and surprises starring two awesome sisters! 
​
What it’s about: Riley Oh has always wanted to have magic. Her sister, Hattie, does, just like everyone else in their community of Korean-American witch clans hidden out in the middle of LA. But Riley is nonmagical. And though her adoptive family is awesome—particularly Hattie, who's Riley's age and the best sister ever—the rest of the Gifted community definitely doesn't think she belongs. 
          Riley and Hattie are determined to perform a spell which would allow them to share Hattie’s magic between them—only it turns out the cost of the spell might be Hattie’s life. Riley’s last hope to save her sister is a bargain with an immortal who demands she brings her the Godrealm’s last fallen star, and fast. But as Riley begins to uncover secrets which were never intended to be revealed, she has to decide what it really means to belong—and what she's willing to give up to fit in. 

Why we chose it: The Last Fallen Star blends myth with the modern day in a story full of action, adventure, and awesomeness. I loved Riley and Hattie’s relationship—the strength of the love between them is palpable throughout, and this combined with their interactions and humor makes them one of my favorite pairs of sisters in books. The world is complex and interestingly layered over our own, and the supporting characters are all unique, interesting and fun. Perhaps the most standout part of this book is the plot—every time I thought I knew just a little where it was going I was wrong, and a constant flow of action, surprises, and laughs made this book speed by until I couldn't believe I'd reached the end. 

Our third book of the year is The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman, a heartwrenching, beautiful story of survival and sisterhood! 

What it’s about: When eleven-year-old Viji runs away from home with her twelve-year-old sister, Rukku, she hopes to find a better life in the city—But she quickly learns that the reality of surviving on the streets seems grim, to say the least. However, the sisters are saved  Arul and Muthi, two boys who are also homeless, and are introduced to a new world, one of struggling to find food, and gathering trash to sell from Himalayas of garbage, yes, but also of sleeping on an old bridge above a glittering river at night, not being ordered around by anyone, and forming a bond which quickly becomes unbreakable. With every day she lives on the streets, Viji feels her dreams of being a teacher, and of ever finding a better life, drifting farther and farther from reach. But with Rukku, Arul, and Muthi by her side, life's obstacles seem more like adventures than problems, and she and Rukku are the happiest they've ever been—until everything they've worked so hard to build begins to come apart. 

Why we chose it: The Bridge Home is rich with compassion, hope, and humanity. The irresistible characters aren't deeply complex, yet are filled with life and energy and motion; Viji is strong, determined, and fiercely loyal, and Rukku is incredibly lovable, kind, and far more talented than most people bother to find out. I was struck by how despite frequently facing dire circumstances, the protagonists still manage to have fun and be silly, ordinary kids. Their moments of triumph and true happiness make their heartbreaking ones even more wrenching (I cried quite a bit!), and the story gives a glimpse into the lives of millions of children whose stories aren't often told. A piercing, beautiful story of survival, loss, friendship and sisterhood. 

Our next 2021 favorite is The Glass Sentence by S. E. Grove, which blends mapmaking, time, and mystery in an incredible, engrossing historical fantasy novel! 

What it's about: A hundred years ago, the Great Disruption shattered time itself, hurling countries and continents into ages far disparate from the areas around them, from the ancient past to many centuries in the future. Sophia Tims has grown up in 1890s Boston under the care of her uncle Shadrack, one of the area’s best cartographers--an occupation both harder and more important than ever with the latticework of different ages that is the world. But when Shadrack is kidnapped, Sophia leaves home to find him, with only a mysterious glass map to guide her. A glass map with far more power than she ever could have imagined… Read our full review here! 

Why we chose it: The Glass Sentence pulled me into its world of unique, complex ages from the first page. The historical settings Sophia travels through crackle with evocative details and bring you instantly into her unique and mysterious world. I found myself constantly surprised by new turns the story took and the layers of secrets, discoveries, and twists. The characters were all strikingly different, and entirely real; I found myself particularly drawn to the fascinating villain, who is one of my favorites not only from this year, but of all time. The Glass Sentence weaves everything I love most in fantasy together into an imaginative and compelling narrative. 

Our first 2021 Book of the Year is a realistic fiction novel full of compassion and warmth: Starfish by Lisa Fipps! 

What it's about: Ever since she was five years old, Ellie's biggest focus has been on not standing out to avoid giving the people who torment her about her weight any more reason to target her. And with her best friend moving away, her parents arguing constantly, and her mom pushing for weight loss surgery if the latest diet she's found doesn't work, Ellie's even more determined to stick to the list of Fat Girl Rules she's created to help her blend in. But as she begins sixth grade, not everything goes according to plan. A cheerful, guitar-playing new girl moves in next door. Her parents bring Ellie to a therapist who she hates at first, but who turns out to be unexpectedly perspective and understanding—and quirky. And Ellie begins to realize that maybe, just maybe, she doesn't need to be fixed or changed at all to be worthy of respect and love.

Why we chose it: Ellie is a deeply compelling character—amusing, caring, and increasingly brave—and it's a joy to watch her progression throughout the book as she learns to take up space, stand up to her bullies, and love herself. Bullying has become a common theme in middle grade books—and the cruelty of some characters makes parts of the book hard to read—but the nuance Fipps brings to her exploration of the topic, and especially the challenge of finding a way to stand up to your detractors while not becoming a bully yourself, set Starfish apart. The story is written in compelling free verse, making it a fast, engaging read that mirrors Ellie's love of poetry. Overall, an honest, unflinching, and warm story about loving yourself, and standing up to your detractors without acting like them. 

We're thrilled to announce our favorite books from the last year of reviews! But first, as we reflected on our favorite books we read in 2021, we wanted to make sure we highlighted some of the features we've added or expanded over the past year, in addition to the middle-grade reviews on our main blog: 

Booklists: We've added new favorites to our Audiobooks and Book Group lists (including some great young adult books for older discussions)! Plus, we posted a list of 10 Great Summer Reads in August where we highlighted some of our favorite books set in the summer. 

Author Interviews: What a list! We've had the honor of interviewing eleven more of our favorite authors this past year--Angie Sage, J. A. White, Alexandra Ott, Rosaria Munda, Stuart Gibbs, Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Celine Kiernan, Padma Venkatraman, Karah Sutton, Sarah McGuire, and Graci Kim. Check out our interviews to hear more about their books--and even learn what books they loved as kids...

For Older Readers: We've added even more reviews to our young adult (ages 12+) page this year. If you're looking for awesome books outside of middle-grade, be sure to check it out. 

Last but not least, we've posted our first Sequel Reviews this year--the newest installments of series which keep up their excellence throughout. So far, we've highlighted Midnight Train, Out of Time, The Artifact Hunters and Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch--be sure to keep your eyes out for more sequel reviews (posted on Thursdays on our main page) in the coming weeks! 

And now...on to the Books of the Year! 

We're thrilled to announce our final 2020 Book of the Year: Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga! 

What it’s about: When tensions rise dangerously in Jude’s home city in Syria, she and her mother fly to America, where they move in with her aunt and uncle in Cincinnati. As Jude struggles to adjust to a new culture, language, school—a new life—she learns that America is different than it seems in the movies. Everything is big and loud and shiny, clamoring for attention. She learns that some people expect her to be a certain way before they even meet her, or seem to treat her differently when she starts wearing a headscarf. But in America she also finds friends, allies, hope for her family in Syria and a connection with those in America. She finds a place which, slowly but surely, begins to feel like home.

Why we chose it: Every now and then I’ll randomly stumble across a book, decide to give it a try, and end up completely adoring it. Other Words for Home is definitely one of those. A combination of gorgeous free verse, a multilayered plot, and a protagonist who I completely loved creates a poignant, inspiring story about finding a new home and growing up. The story never gets violent or dark, but still honestly faces the realities of being a young Middle Eastern refugee. I’ve connected with many book characters in different ways over the years, but Jude touched me more deeply than any have in a long time, and I utterly adored her. Her fears for her family and the future make her immensely relatable, but it’s her courage, dreams, and unquenchable spark which truly make her shine. 

We've selected the fantasy novel The Thickety: A Path Begins by J. A. White as one of our 2020 Books of the Year! 

What it’s about: There are two sources of dark magic feared in Kara Westfall’s village: the Thickety, a dangerous forest which lies not far from the town, and the nefarious witches who are rumored to all be dead, but some claim still live. Kara’s mother was condemned for reported witchcraft seven years ago, and although Kara herself has never displayed the same skills, people whisper that she can cast spells, too. 

Witchcraft is the last place Kara would ever turn, but then she’s lured into the Thickety by a one-eyed bird which leads her to a grimoire--a magical book which she believes belonged to her mother. She knows she must destroy it, but with it, she learns she can cast spells, and its power begins to pull at her, turning her actions strangely. As she becomes deeper enmeshed in a web of secrets threading through the village, Kara must uncover the truth of what happened seven years ago--or become the witch the villagers have always feared she’ll become. Read our full review here! 

Why we chose it: The Thickety: A Path Begins is a fully imagined, engrossing fantasy novel. The plot is full of twists and questions, unpredictable in the best sort of way. White’s world is unique, multilayered and well-developed. Kara’s inner strengths and struggles drive this book and intertwine with other elements of this novel, helping it become fast-paced, sympathetic, and dimensional. We’ve selected A Path Begins as one of our Books of the Year because it expertly fulfills all my hopes as a reader--a detailed setting, a complex plot, and a determined protagonist which together make this story a standout. 

Our favorite nonfiction book from the past year is Rad Girls Can ​by Kate Schatz and Miriam Klein Stahl! 

What it’s about: All over the world, girls are making headlines, whether they’re breaking records, giving speeches, or fighting for social justice. Some have become celebrities, while others have worked against inequality in their own communities. And of course, there are those who are now grown up, but changed the course of history when they were girls. Rad Girls Can celebrates the accomplishments of almost fifty amazing young women, all under the age of twenty, who have in some way changed the world for the better.

Why we chose it: I’ve read many books celebrating the accomplishments of young people, feminists, etc., but Rad Girls Can remains my favorite. I first read Rad Girls Can several years ago, and it inspired me to learn more about a lot of the girls it profiles, many of whom I had never heard of before. Short, informative, engaging pieces about a variety of vastly different young women are combined with unique, expressive illustrations, resulting in a fascinating, empowering, and fun exploration of just how much a girl can do when she puts her mind to it. As Marley Dias, founder of the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign, said, “You don’t have to be very old to start trying to fix the problems you see in the world around you.”