LIBRARY HIGHLIGHTS 24-25
The ISY Library collection is in constant growth. Take a sneak peek at the new book additions you can check out, and enjoy.
Theme: Moon Festival
Mooncakes by Wendy Xu
Nova Huang knows more about magic than most people. She works at her grandmothers’ bookshop, where she helps loan out spell books and investigate any supernatural occurrences in their New England town. One fateful night, she follows reports of a white wolf into the woods, and she comes across the unexpected: her childhood crush, Tam Lang, battling a horse demon in the woods. As a werewolf, Tam has been wandering from place to place for years. Pursued by dark forces eager to claim the magic of wolves and out of options, Tam turns to Nova for help. Their latent feelings are rekindled against the backdrop of witchcraft, untested magic, occult rituals, and family ties both new and old in this enchanting tale of self-discovery. Great for Middle School students.
The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim
Anna Chiu has her hands pretty full looking after her brother and sister and helping out at her dad's restaurant, all while her mum stays in bed. Dad's new delivery boy, Rory, is a welcome distraction and even though she knows that things aren't right at home, she's starting to feel like she could just be a normal teen. But when Mum finally gets out of bed, things go from bad to worse. And as Mum's condition worsens, Anna and her family question everything. Great for High School students.
Feather by Cao Wenxuan
This book tells the story of a feather who is swept away on a journey of discovery and belonging. Encountering a variety of birds, from a kingfisher to a magpie, Feather is hopeful of meeting the bird she belongs to. Again and again, she is dismissed or ignored. Only when she sees that there is also beauty in being close to the earth does fate offer a reunion. Great for Elementary students.
Invitation to a Banquet by Fuchsia Dunlop
Chinese was the earliest truly global cuisine. When the first Chinese laborers began to settle abroad, restaurants appeared in their wake. Yet Chinese has the curious distinction of being both one of the world's best-loved culinary traditions and one of the least understood. For more than a century, the overwhelming dominance of a simplified form of Cantonese cooking ensured that few foreigners experienced anything of its richness and sophistication, but today that is beginning to change. Recommended for High School students and Adults.
My Day with Gong Gong by Sennah Yee
May isn't having fun on her trip through Chinatown with her grandfather. Gong Gong doesn't speak much English, and May can't understand Chinese. She's hungry, and bored with Gong Gong's errands. Plus, it seems like Gong Gong's friends are making fun of her! But just when May can’t take any more, Gong Gong surprises her with a gift that reveals he’s been paying more attention than she thought. This charming book shows how shared moments of patience and care—and a dumpling or two—can help a child and grandparent bridge the generational and cultural gaps between them. Great for Elementary students.
The Great Race by Christopher Coor
This fun and colorful book relates how the Jade Emperor chose twelve animals to represent the years in his calendar. Recommended for Elementary students.
The Ancient Chinese by Sarah Eason
From getting buried alive with the emperor through breaking bones while building the Great Wall of China, daily life in ancient China was pretty deadly! Dig up the past and find out just how shocking it was in this journey through ancient China's history". Recommended for Middle School students.
Have you Eaten Yet? by Cheuk Kwan
An intrepid travelogue of grand vistas, adventure and serendipity, Have You Eaten Yet? charts a living atlas of the global Chinese migration, revealing the synergies of politics, culture and family. Recommended for High School students and Adults.
A Big Moon Cake for Little Star by Grace Lynn
This lively Chinese-American family prepares with excitement the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Each member of the family lends a hand as they prepare a moonlit picnic with mooncakes, pomelos, cups of tea, and colorful lanterns. And everyone sends thanks and a secret wish up to the moon. Great for Elementary students.
Theme: Mindfulness
I Am a Peaceful Goldfish by Shoshana Chaim
When we are overcome with emotions, our breath—and a bit of imagination—can bring us back to a peaceful place. In I Am a Peaceful Goldfish, two children learn how to settle their difficult feelings with imaginative breathing techniques, pretending they are elephants, flowers, and even dragons. Recommended for Elementary students.
Too Many Bubbles: a Story About Mindfulness by Christine Peck
Through vibrant illustrations and light interactivity, Too Many Bubbles encourages kids to take a mindful deep breath when they have too many thoughts overshadowing their day. It can help with anxiety relief for kids and is a great choice for social emotional learning. Recommended for Elementary students.
Sometimes All I Need Is Me by Juliana Perdomo
This approachable book is profound exploration of self-discovery, underscoring the significance of self-reliance as the protagonist navigates the complexities of life, offering readers insights into personal growth. Recommended for Elementary students.
Attention, Hijacked by Erica Marcus
This non-fiction book delves into the pervasive impact of contemporary distractions as smart phones, streaming, and Artificial Intelligence on our ability to concentrate. The book provides a thoughtful examination of how individuals can reclaim their attention in a world inundated with digital stimuli, offering strategies for fostering focus. Recommended for High School students.
Stickler Loves the World By Lane Smith
Stickler Loves the World encourages awareness and mindfulness with a joyous and lighthearted touch. The award-winning illustrator of bestsellers including Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems brings imagination and humor to a story that features a delightful and original character. Recommended for Elementary students.
Teacher, Take Care by Jennifer Lawson
Teaching can be a highly satisfying profession, but it can also be overwhelming. Stress management. Self-care. Mental well-being. Mindfulness. These words have become all too familiar, but what do they actually mean for you? And how can they help without adding to your to-do list? Recommended for Adults.
Heads Up by Melanie Siebert
This nonfiction book for teen readers is a guide to understanding mental health and coping with mental illness, trauma and recovery. It features real-life stories of resilient teens and highlights innovative approaches to mental-health challenges. Recommended for High School students.
I Am Stuck By Julia Mills
Turtle is flipped over on his shell and can't get un-stuck. Duck suggests wiggling his feet, Kangaroo wants him to wag his tail, and Armadillo says rolling into a ball always does the trick. But Turtle is still stuck. Is there anyone who can help? Recommended for Elementary students.
Alphabreaths : The ABCs of Mindful Breathing by Christopher Willard
In Alphabreaths, children will learn their ABCs and the basics of mindfulness through playful breathing exercises. Recommended for Elementary students.
Theme: ISY Strategic Themes – Belonging
A Place to Belong by Cynthia Kadohata
A Japanese-American family, reeling from their ill treatment in the Japanese imprisonment camps, gives up their American citizenship to move back to Hiroshima, unaware of the devastation wreaked by the atomic bomb in this piercing and all too relevant look at the aftermath of World War II. Recommended for High School students.
The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson
Thia is a children's novel that tells the story of a girl named Yanka who sets out on a journey to discover her true identity, with the help of a magical talking bear. Recommended for Middle School students.
Am I Even a Bee by Felicity Muth
Am I Even a Bee? is the story of Osmia, a solitary bee, decidedly green and unquestionably un-fuzzy. Osmia has always believed she is a bee, (her mom told her so), but recent run-ins with people, and even other insects, leave her wondering, “Am I even a bee?!”. Recommended for Elementary students.
Home Is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo
Nima doesn't feel understood. By her mother, who grew up faraway in a different land. By her suburban town, which makes her feel too much like an outsider to fit in and not enough like an outsider to feel like that she belongs somewhere else. At least she has her childhood friend Haitham, with whom she can let her guard down and be herself. Until she doesn't.Recommended for High School students.
Mina Belongs Here by Sandra Niebuhr
Mina is worried about starting a new kindergarten in her new country. The classroom is full of laughter, friendly faces and fun things to do, but the only word Mina can understand is her name. As she listens to stories and songs, chatter and instructions, Mina's understanding steadily grows. Recommended for Elementary students.
The Night Walk by Marie Dorleans
Mama opened the bedroom door. 'Wake up, you two,' she whispered. Excited, the sleepy family step outside into a beautiful summer night. The world is quiet and shadowy, filled with fresh smells and amazing sights. Is this what they miss when they're asleep? Together, they walk out of their sleeping village. What will they find in the dark landscape? Recommended for Elementary students.
The Midnight Children by Dan Gemeinhart
When lonely Ravani Foster discovers his new friend Virginia and her six mysterious runaway companions are in danger, he must fight to keep them safe, or lose the only person who has ever understood him and made him feel like he belonged. Recommended for Middle School students.
I Can Be All Three by Salima Alikhan
On Multicultural Day at school, a young girl cannot decide whether to showcase her father's Indian heritage, her mother's German heritage, or her American identity, then realizes she can highlight all three. Recommended for Elementary students.
The Train Home by Dan-ah Kim
A young girl who wishes for a place to call her own, imagines a train that takes her through the city and beyond, and she explores different places until she discovers the place she truly belongs. Recommended for Elementary students.
Theme: Back to School
On the First Day of First Grade by Tish Rabe
From choosing books to read to building things with clay to performing in a play, there are many exciting firsts to look forward to. Saying good-bye to mom and dad can be hard, but when the school bus pulls up, it’s time for some first-grade fun! Great for Elementary students.
All Are Welcome: Welcome Back! by Alexandra Penfold
This book continues the celebration of diversity as students return to school after a break, emphasizing the joy of reuniting and the importance of inclusivity. Recommended for Elementary students.
The Crayons Go Back to School by Drew Daywalt
This fun story features The Crayons as they experience the excitement and anxieties of returning to school, focusing on self-expression and camaraderie. Recommended for Elementary students.
Ali the Great by Saadia Faruqi
Chronicles the adventures of Ali, a young boy who tackles various challenges with determination and creativity, emphasizing growth and the value of friendship. Recommended for Elementary students.
Gibberish by Young Vo
The book portrays a boy’s experience with a new, unfamiliar language and his journey to understanding and making friends as he adjusts to his new school. Recommended for Elementary students.
How to Get Your Octopus to School by Becky Scharnhorst
A humorous story about the challenges of getting an octopus ready for school, focusing on patience and creative problem-solving. Recommended for Elementary students.
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
This picture book celebrates diversity and inclusion as children from various backgrounds enjoy a day at school, highlighting that everyone is accepted and valued. Recommended for Elementary students.
Kid Confident Book 3 by Silvi Guerra
This book provides middle school students with strategies to manage stress, build resilience, and achieve success both academically and socially through interesting and colorful illustrations and instructions. Recommended for Middle School students.
The Little Bear by Nicola Killen
The night before her first day of school Ollie has a dream of a magical schoolhouse in the woods with her Little Bear friends. Recommended for Elementary students.
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