When seventh-grader Ash, his crush Eleanor, and their friends are transported to a girls-only imaginary world, Ash must come to terms with the fact that he may actually be a transgender girl. Full of wonder, humor, and heart, Girl Haven is the newest original story from the author of Lumberjanes.

Three years ago, Ash’s mom, Kristin, left home and never came back. Now, Ash lives in the house where Kristin grew up. All of her things are there. Her old room, her old clothes, and the shed, where she spent her childhood creating a fantasy world called Koretris.

Ash knows all about Koretris: how it’s a haven for girls, with no men or boys allowed, and filled with fanciful landscapes and creatures. When Ash’s friends decide to try going to Koretris, using one of Kristin’s spellbooks, Ash doesn’t think anything will happen. But the spell works, and Ash discovers that the world Kristin created is actually a real place, with real inhabitants and very real danger.

But if Koretris is real, why is Ash there? Everyone has always called Ash a boy. Ash uses he/him pronouns. Shouldn’t the spell have kept Ash out? And what does it mean if it let Ash in?

I found this to be such a lovely story, it opens a great narrative about gender as well as being a great adventure between four new friends. You immediately know what the themes of the story is about if you read the author’s preface, which I felt was wonderfully written.

I really enjoyed how different the characters were and how Eleanor especially worked towards being supportive and really buoy her friends up as they go on a fantasy adventure to not only answer questions but to save a special world. I can’t speak to representation or accuracy, but I really loved this story and it’s exploration of gender.

Happy reading!

A tragic event forever bathes the world in darkness. Follow a woman and a man’s powerful journey through this new landscape as they discover love, family and the true light in a world seemingly robbed of any. As they challenge the world’s notions of identity, guilt and survival, they find that no matter the darkness, there remain sources of hope that can pierce the veil.

On the surface this is a touching story about families and rising above through adversity, but really it is so much more. There is a lot of discussion about class, specifically the disparity between the working class and the wealthy, and how the working class can often be dehumanized. I loved the story as it progressed and how it told two timelines involving some of the same members of one family. The art style and colors used perfectly portrayed the world and it was easy to see the difference between the timelines because of the differing color schemes.

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Eleven year-old Willow doesn’t want to go to her dad’s weird old summer camp any more than she wants her family to move to the weird old town where that camp is located. But her family—and fate itself—seem to have plans of their own. Soon Willow finds herself neck-deep in a confounding mystery involving stolen snacks, suspected vampires, and missing campers, all shrouded in the sinister fog that hides a generation of secrets at Camp … Whatever it’s called. 

As soon as I saw the premise of this one I knew I wanted to give it a read. Spooky creepy summer camp and characters, that’s right up my alley! Overall this was a super enjoyable read and I’ll definitely want to pick up the next installment if/when it comes out.

In this story we follow Willow, whose pretty disgruntled about everything at the beginning. She doesn’t want to go to summer camp, she doesn’t like that her and her family are moving, none of it. At first Willow is a bit annoying in her attitude and behavior, she doesn’t want to be there so she seems like she doesn’t care about anything or anyone but herself. That does change over the span of the story as she and her new friends start to learn more about the island and its inhabitants. I did love the mythology/mystical elements that were thrown in, but did find myself somewhat wishing for more. I hope that the next volume includes more of that and expands on some of the characters we’ve met.

All in all this was a great spooky summer camp story that included all sorts of mythical creatures and the adventures of a ragtag group of kids as they try to solve some mysteries.

Secrets to Camp Whatever doesn’t come out until March 2021, but make sure to pick up a copy when it does!

Happy reading!

This is a fully illustrated graphic novel about a middle school super genius who starts a lemonade stand to fund his ultimate top-secret project, only to find unexpected competition right across the street when the new kid starts a rival stand.

Robbie Reynolds isn’t just a genius. He’s a super SUPER genius! But he doesn’t have the cash to fund his ultimate (and top secret) project. That’s why he’s opening a lemonade stand. Not just any lemonade stand: this one is state of the art, and his automatista can make you any flavor of lemonade your heart desires! Bacon, salsa, potato salad, dirty diaper—anything you want.

Unfortunately, Robbie isn’t the only one in the Lemonade Hustle. Daphne Du-Ri, his new across-the-street neighbor, has her own setup going, and something about her lemonade is resonating with people in ways Robbie’s can’t. Before the week is over, Robbie and Daphne are in a full-on Lemonade War.

The premise of this one sounded fun to me, and that was exactly what I was looking for. In this story we follow Robbie, who lauds himself as a super genius, and the story is the perfect example of the responsibility that comes with power. We follow Robbie as he competes in the realm of lemonade stands, his being super futuristic and able to provide any flavor and his neighbor, Daphne’s being classic lemonade. He’s determined to find out what she’s doing to bring in customers and make them so happy, sure that something nefarious is afoot.

This was a fun adventure that was full of quirky characters, friendly rivalry and many mad scientists – it was an enjoyable and fun.

Happy reading!