The Unbeatable Sonya Ballantyne / Sonya Ballantyne, Azby Whitecalf (Colorist), Kielamel Sibal (Letterer), Rhael McGregor (Illustrator)

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The Unbeatable Sonya Ballantyne
By: Sonya Ballantyne, Azby Whitecalf (Colorist), Kielamel Sibal (Letterer), Rhael McGregor (Illustrator)
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA, Memoir
Number of Pages: 64
Published: March 10, 2026
Publisher: HighWater Press
Dates Read: April 11, 2026
Format: Library Book / Paperback	ISBN: 9781774921371

Trigger Warnings: racism, bullying, misogyny, self harm

In this short graphic memoir author Sonya Ballantyne bounces from stories at different points in her childhood. From dealing with racism, bullies, and misogyny, Ballantyne’s family is with her along the way, sometimes bringing humor.

The artwork was bright and colorful. Even though the story was a little choppy, everything was still easily digestible, even the harder events like racism, bullying, misogyny, and self harm.

Stoked For This: May 2026

/ Alisha Helms / Leave a comment

This month has already been a bit crazy – for one I just had to purchase four all new tires yesterday cause the wires in my tires were showing, which, incase you didn’t know, is really bad. I’ve had anxiety about my tires for a bit, but I’ve been on high alert the last few days for sure.

As you can see below, there’s 22 titles this month that I’m Stoked For. A few from some previous read authors as well as some debuts authors, traveling across a few decades (sometimes all in one book!), there’s a few in Hawai’i, as well as a few in some magical worlds.

Overall, a fantastic month for new releases.

May 5, 2026

A young woman finds herself teaching English literature in an all-girls boarding school in her small coastal hometown. While there, she tries desperately to figure out where in her past it went wrong.

Offseason

By: Avigayl Sharp

A native Hawaiian teen travels to a luxury island resort in search of her missing twin and uncovers the dark side of paradise in this YA horror.

That Which Feeds Us

By: Keala Kendall

Edgar deserves to be famous, maybe then his human, Quinn, will stop being “too busy” to play. But not all attention is the same. Will Edgar choose the bright lights or someone whose right under his whiskers?

Pay Attention to Me!

By: Kate McKean

Pictures By: Rob Justus

Five lives are all connected with a game created in the 1980’s.

Homebound

By: Portia Elan

Derrick knows his scholarship to an elite East Coast boarding school is a once in a lifetime opportunity, even if it hurts to leave his friends and family behind in Navajo, New Mexico. While on the phone with his great-grandmother, she begs Derrick to leave Sagefield and he realizes her fear comes from her time in federal Native boarding schools, he knows he’s finally found the term paper theme he believes carrying her voice into the future, but will the pressure be too much for him?

Shards of Silence

By: Brian Lee Young

Twelve-year-old orphan, Rain is destined for a future of hard labor—until she meets a wild griffin and bonds with him. An old law says that bond entitles Rain to an education at the elite Griffin Riders Academy. But, Rain’s Rise threatens to topple Griffin Land’s fragile hierarchy, and they make her prove herself in the most dangerous way.

Griffin Speaker

By: Jan M. Flynn

When Calla’s favorite teacher is accused of inappropriate conduct at his old school, she decides to take action to find the sources.

Listen to the Girls

By: Chrystal D. Giles

In a small Hawaiian village, Nohea is the latest son in a long line of male ancestors with a horrible secret: He’s half-human, half-shark. He knows he can’t stay with his family forever and enters a school competition to win money.

The Shark Prince

By: Malia Maunakea

May 12, 2026

So this author is one of two authors whose books I’ve thrown across the room in the middle of reading them – not this particular one mind you but I feel like that’s usually a good starter when I pitch any of her novels 🙂 This one the story of Eng and Chang Bunker (conjoined twins) and their wives, Sallie and Addie (sisters).

The Foursome

By: Christina Baker Kline

After Zuzu’s dad loses his job, he is given a dated, first-generation guardian robot that Zuzu names Snap. But Snap doesn’t come with a charging station and as much as he’s okay with his reset, Zuzu is not and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Snap alive.

The Second Life of Snap

By: Erin Entrada Kelly

May 19, 2026

What if a teenage girl was Mature Nature?

Force of Nature

By: Melissa Clark

A book about the history of how the cultures around the world has used words to describe that that is around them.

Naming Nature: A Cabinet of Natural Curiosities for Word Lovers

By: T.A. Barron

 Twelve-year-old Sofia lives with her mother and brother, Rafa, in their car. Days are spent finding a safe space to park for the night, but her mother says she’ll soon have her own bedroom to decorate. This is an adult novel that explores coming of age during a time of displacement.

Hungered

By: Amanda Rizkalla

A middle grade novel in verse about a boy who is struggling with guilt after telling his family of his older brother’s extreme depression.

My Brother Oliver

By. R.L. Toalson

When her book of spells is stolen, Little Moon is sent to the strange world of The Fault. In this stranger and simmering land, she must find allies, discover her true name, and channel the stories of her matrilineal line to battle the fearsome Shenk.

The Book of Murmurs

By: Candice Purwin

May 26, 2026

In this middle grade novel in verse, a young girl named Kestrel learns to stand up for herself and finds out the true meaning of home.

Kestrel Takes Flights

By: Joy McCullough

This novel is about a family of New York City crows struggling to survive the outbreak of West Nile virus during the sizzling summer of 1999.

Shade of Wings

By: Pam McGaffin

A romantic Jane Austen read-a-like set in historical Korea, about a reader and a writer who secretly fight against government book banning and find themselves drawn together.

Behind Five Willows

By: June Hur

You can’t change the past, but Midnight Train can take you there and give you a chance to to re-live the moments. How will doing so change the way you see yourself?

The Midnight Train

By: Matt Haig

A middle grade novel with illustrations for those who loved Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and the graphic memoir Mexikid about a group of four friends and a magical bookstore that holds them together.

The Chismosas Only Book Club

By: Laekan Zea Kemp

A new historical fiction from one of my favorite YA authors – though this is her first adult novel! In this Prohibition-era novel, Marjorie must learn about perception, reputation, and the slow understanding of truth.

A Fortune of Sand

By: Ruta Sepetys

Just a sci-fi novel about a robot at the end of the world whose leg was stolen and when they set out to find the thief, are accompanied by a cyborg dog and a human mechanic.

Ode to the Half-Broken

By: Suzanne Palmer

Little Moons / Jen Storm, Ryan Howe (Illustrator),  Alice RL (Colorist), Nickolej Villiger (Letterer)

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Little Moons
By: Jen Storm, Ryan Howe (Illustrator), Alice RL (Colorist), Nickolej Villiger (Letterer)
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA
Number of Pages: 64
Published: September 3, 2024
Publisher: HighWater Press
Dates Read: April 11, 2026
Format: Library Book / Paperback	ISBN: 9781774921074

It’s been a year since Reanna’s older sister, Chelsea, went missing on her way home from school. Without any idea what happened, Reanna and her family struggle to find closure. Because of the memories, Reanna’s mom moves to the city, leaving behind Reanna and her little brother to go live with their dad.

Reanna is hurt and feels alone, but she’s anything but that; light turns on in empty rooms and objects move without being touched and her brother sees little moons everywhere.

This short graphic novel tackles the heart wrenching topic of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited People in Canada and how one family handles their grief of a loved one gone. I truly appreciate how the author also incorporates cultural forms of mourning from her own Ojibwe traditions.

I wish it went into a little more about the little moons, but overall, I still thought this was a powerful read.

From the Roots Up (Surviving the City #2) / Tasha Spillett, Natasha Donovan (Illustrator), Donovan Yaciuk (Illustrator)

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From the Roots Up (Surviving the City #2)
By: Tasha Spillett, Natasha Donovan (Illustrator), Donovan Yaciuk (Illustrator)
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA
Number of Pages: 64
Published: October 17, 2020
Publisher: HighWater Press
Dates Read: April 11, 2026
Format: Library Book / Paperback	ISBN: 9781553798989

In the sequel to Surviving the City, Dez’s grandmother has passed away and they are now living in a group home. On top of their grief, Dez is also navigating a new relationship and their identity as a Two-Spirit person.

Miikwan is crushing on the new student, Riel, but doesn’t fully understand what Dez is going through. Elder Linda is trying her hardest to be supportive, but doesn’t know how to respond to challenging the gendered protocols she’s grown up with.

I am so glad this goes into Two-Spirit individuals and how they can sometimes be treated in the Indigenous Community. I knew in certain ways, Two-Spirit individuals were usually regarded highly because they were connected to both genders, but I had never thought about what they do during specific gender role ceremonies.

I believe the author did a fantastic job to where she not only teaches the reader, but does so in a way that is relatable to the teenagers who would most likely pick this up. I can also appreciate how Elder Linda discusses with the teens her fault in how she approached the gendered protocols – adults don’t often apologise to teens, so it was nice to see that happen.

Overall, this is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel for young adults that explores not only Dez’s journey as a Two-Spirit but also the community around them who help.

Surviving the City (Surviving the City #1) / Tasha Spillett, Natasha Donovan (Illustrator), Donocan Yaciuk (Illustrator)

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Surviving the City (Surviving the City #1)
By: Tasha Spillett, Natasha Donovan (Illustrator), Donocan Yaciuk (Illustrator)
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA
Number of Pages: 56
Published: March 1, 2019
Publisher: HighWater Press
Dates Read: April 11, 2026 
Format: Library Book / Paperback	ISBN: 9781553797562

Miikwan and Dez are best friends. Miikwan is Anishinaabe; Dez is Inninew and together they navigate the challenges of growing up in an urban landscape. They’re so close, they even did their Berry Fast together. But when Dez’s grandmother becomes too sick to care for Dez, the threat of a group home becomes closer. Fearing being taken away, Dez disappears. Miikwan’s wound of her mother’s disappearance and murder resurfaces as the community tries to find Dez before it’s too late.

I’ve been wanting to read more Indigenous Voices and this series was on a list I found, so I immediately put them on hold at my library. Even as it highlights the teens going to school, hitting the mall, and working on a class project, this short graphic novel begins the dive into the discussion of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited People in Canada.

I really like the depiction of spirits in this story, for both Indigenous Peoples and Non-Indigenous. I do wish a few of the ceremonies mentioned and done in the story talked more about what it was for, but that also opens the door for doing research myself and finding out too.

Overall, a wonderful, short graphic novel that just scratches the surface of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited People in Canada.

What a Small Cat Needs / Natalia Shaloshvili, Lena Traer (Translator)

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What a Small Cat Needs
By: Natalia Shaloshvili, Lena Traer (Translator)
Genre: Children’s Book, Picture Book
Number of Pages: 40
Published: January 26, 2026
Publisher: Enchanted Lion
Dates Read: April 11, 2026
Format: Library Book / Hardcover	ISBN: 9781592704774

An adorably illustrated children’s book on what a cat needs most of all.

The illustrations in this book are beautiful – I love the little cat and its bright blue eyes. I love the textures and whimsy and color created on the pages.

Some translations are a little rough, but to be honest, it’s a children’s book and I think they would get even the different word selections.

Overall, a lovable picture book for cat lovers of all ages.

If Pets Wrote Poems: A Parody Collection / Susan Johnston Taylor, Sandie Sonke (Illustrator)

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If Pets Wrote Poems: A Parody Collection
By: Susan Johnston Taylor, Sandie Sonke (Illustrator)
Genre: Children’s, Picture Books, Poetry
Number of Pages: 32
Published: April 14, 2026
Publisher: Gnome Road Publishing
Dates Read: March 15, 2026
Format: ARC / eBook		ISBN: 9781957655659

This children’s picture book is a collection of poems from famous peoples’ pets. Each spread in this collection of poems contains one poem from a different poet, written in their style, from their pet along with some fun facts about the poet or their pet.

The poetry of this collection is written playfully and whimsically that are both engaging and digestible for young readers. The illustrations that are alongside each poem are adorable as well. 

Even if you aren’t all that familiar with every poet, this is a great introduction to them (and fun tibbits of information about them and their pets!).

Overall, adorable and fun for all age groups.

Queen Kodiak / Christopher Greenslate, Riccardo Faccini (Illustrator), Dearbhla Kelly (Colorist), Justin Birch (Letterer)

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Queen Kodiak
By: Christopher Greenslate, Riccardo Faccini (Illustrator), Dearbhla Kelly (Colorist), Justin Birch (Letterer)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult
Number of Pages: 168
Published: January 26, 2026
Publisher: Maverick
Dates Read: March 15, 2025
Format: Library Book / Paperback	ISBN:9781545821015

After the death of her mother, seventeen-year-old Joey moves to Alaska’s Kodiak island with her absent dad. There, she befriends a giant bear she names Little Bear. However, hunters discover Little Bear’s existence and kill him. When they do, they awaken his mother, Queen Kodiak, a colossal, super-charged Kodiak grizzly bear, who is now on a rampage. Can they save Seattle before Queen Kodiak gets there?

I enjoyed the art of this novel and the fact that this was a quick read, but there were parts of this graphic novel that I felt could have had better transitions from one part to the next instead of otherwise feeling like a giant jump was being made – I would flip pages back and forth to make sure the numbers were in order. There was also some unexplained stuff too – like why can Joey see auras around some people?! Maybe this will be a series, or at least have another book since it ended with “The End?”

Overall, I enjoyed the fast paced story and if I come across a sequel, I’d be sure to pick it up, but I don’t think I’ll be actively searching for it though.

Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi (Volume 5) / Yuri Sonoda, Michelle Tymon (Translator)

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Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi (Volume 5)
By: Yuri Sonoda, Michelle Tymon (Translator)
Genre: Manga
Number of Pages: 160
Published: December 16, 2025
Publisher: Seven Seas
Dates Read: March 13, 2026
Format: Library Book / Paperback	ISBN:9798893735857

Maruru, Hachi, and the other strays who were taken in by Yasuo are now living busy lives within its walls. But then Maruru and Hachi discover the shelter has a secret they weren’t aware of!

I loved getting to know more about Yasuo’s backstory and how long his love of cats has gone on.

Also, the amount of things I learn about cats, especially kittens, surprises me each time.

I was heartbroken by Hachi getting left behind and am demanding he gets reunited with Maruru and his friends! I get why they did what they did, but they’re totally bonded!!

Overall, obviously counting down until I get the next volume!

Stoked for This: April 2026

/ Alisha Helms / Leave a comment

So, full disclaimer – I do have reviews to post! I just haven’t gotten around to actually writing them yet… and I also have books I’m reading for different awards and such and therefor I can’t publicly post my reviews. But I will try to get some of my backlogged reviews up here soon. Thanks for sticking with me everyone ◡̈

April 7, 2026

A mind-bending, emotionally charged sci-fi novella with mystery and character-driven journey that intertwines generational trauma.

The Subtle Art of Folding Space

By: John Chu

A YA romance where a boy is not only trapped in a time loop but also in a girl’s body that’s driving down an unknown highway. Laurie always crashes and she always meets Gideon every day. She realizes she only has 100 days to get back in the right body, break the time loop, and not fall for Gideon while he does it.

Maybe Tomorrow I’ll Know

By: Alex Ritany

Follow a Book Witch, who can jump in and out of novels with her umbrella and feline familiar. When her grandfather goes missing and a priceless book disappears, Rainy asks for the help of the Duke of Chicago, the dashing British detective who stars in her favorite mystery series.

The Book Witch

By: Meg Shaffer

A debut middle grade novel about Lacey who recently moved from her best friend Grace in Austin to Rhode Island and wants to reinvent herself, but does she have the courage to be her authentic self?

When You’re Brave Enough

By: Rebecca Bendheim

April 14, 2026

A forty-year-old workaholic house painter takes a eight-year-old under his wing as they form a makeshift father-son duo as they take on life’s bleakness and cynicism.

The Left and the Lucky

By: Willy Vlautin

A folk horror that deals with generational poverty and the all-consuming hunger of capitalism and atmospheric dread, cause, why not?

Morsel

By: Carter Keane

With all the hype from WICKED, how about a retelling of Dorthy and her adventure in Oz (with some spice).

West of Wicked

By: Nikki St.Crowe

Second chance romance(s) with a college crush and soon to be ex-husband – written by one of my favorite authors!

Cherry Baby

By: Rainbow Rowell

During a royal visit to the town, Princess Tandy’s dream comes true when she finds herself cursed to remain in a run-down bookshop until she unlocks her heart’s desire.

Stay for a Spell

By: Amy Coombe

After her old professor (and affair from 30 years ago) contacts her, Jean prays to Monica Lewinsky begging for her forgiveness of not understanding everything they had in common. To her shock, Saint Monica appears to her and leads her back in time to reassess what happened. 

Dear Monica Lewinsky

By: Julia Langbein

After both seeing a vision in a lake of a burning house, Chanel Cao and Ares use each other to find out and keep secrets.

I Could Give You the Moon

By: Ann Liang

After losing her baby in delivery, Cleo starts working at a funeral home and discovers that the best way to honor the dead is to live.

Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead

By: Mai Nguyen

In a world where creating anything creates demons, Aurelie’s an inventor and Destrier is a demon hunter. When a mysterious figure offers Aurelie a job she can’t refuse her decision to accept sets off a chain of events that will alter every aspect of their world… and sparks the connection that will change both Aurelie and Des.

The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake

By: Mara Rutherford

April 21, 2026

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April 28, 2026

Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, 120,000 Japanese Americans were removed from their homes on the West Coast and corralled into inland concentration camps. To be considered for release, Question 27 asked the inmates whether they were willing to serve in combat for the US military. Question 28 asked them—many of whom American citizens who had never visited Japan—to renounce allegiance to the Japanese emperor. This novel is told through mixes of fact with fiction and layers genres from James Bond movies to haiku to oral history, transfiguring an enormity of archival research into a chorus of stories.

Questions 27 & 28

By: Karen Tei Yamashita

A debut about a teenage girl in 1970s Brazil who is torn away from her twin sister after she becomes ill. Now, Dolores must learn what it means to fight for those she loves when all the odds are stacked against her.

Liar’s Dice

By: Juliet Faithfull

Told through the diary of Anna-Jane, who went to summer camp but is now possibly facing the end of the world.

Anna-Jane and the Endless Summer

By: Paige Classey

The world is ending but Don an Rodney have one final journey across the country to take care before the blackhole consumes the Earth.

We Burned So Bright

By: TJ Klune

Read my review here