You may think you know the story of Paul Bunyan, but Matt Luckhurst shows us a new side to this tall tale in his new book, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. Paul Bunyan and Babe, his big blue ox, are obsessed with pancakes (who isn’t?!), and their obsession with this breakfast treat leads them far from their fruit and veggie-laden home where there just aren’t enough pancakes to fill their needs. After traversing across America, logging forests in exchange for pancakes, they start to get very sick. Could their penchant for pancakes be the source of their illness? Matt Luckhurst’s hilarious story is brought to wacky life by his stunning and fun illustrations. Truly a unique work, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox teaches kids the importance of eating right and in moderation.

You may think you know the story of Paul Bunyan, but Matt Luckhurst shows us a new side to this tall tale in his new book, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. Paul Bunyan and Babe, his big blue ox, are obsessed with pancakes (who isn’t?!), and their obsession with this breakfast treat leads them far from their fruit and veggie-laden home where there just aren’t enough pancakes to fill their needs. After traversing across America, logging forests in exchange for pancakes, they start to get very sick. Could their penchant for pancakes be the source of their illness? Matt Luckhurst’s hilarious story is brought to wacky life by his stunning and fun illustrations. Truly a unique work, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox teaches kids the importance of eating right and in moderation.

Are you sick and tired of dystopian novels that say the world as you know it has come to an end, but people are still acting and living pretty much the same way? Well you’re in for a gritty treat with Paolo Bacigalupi’s novel The Drowned Cities. It’s the future alright, and it’s scary. America is war-torn and the action in this book occurs mainly in what used to be Washington, D.C. The landscape is overgrown, buildings are rubble and, most interestingly and perhaps not surprising from the title of the book, the former capital of America is half submerged in murky swamp water.

If the setting isn’t frightening enough and—trust me—Bacigalupi immerses the reader pretty quickly in this new, yet familiar world, the characters are even more so. Let’s talk about the human psyche during war—it’s turned upside down. People are just trying to survive, and not knowing who to trust, who will switch sides for their own survival in a day—well, that does havoc on one’s moral compass.

Follow Mahalia, the half-Chinese-half-Drowned-Cities orphan who has had to grow up way too fast; Mouse, Mahalia’s red-headed, scrawny best friend who is way too innocent; and Tool, the half-man predator who is way too deadly in their ultimate struggle for survival.

Are you sick and tired of dystopian novels that say the world as you know it has come to an end, but people are still acting and living pretty much the same way? Well you’re in for a gritty treat with Paolo Bacigalupi’s novel The Drowned Cities. It’s the future alright, and it’s scary. America is war-torn and the action in this book occurs mainly in what used to be Washington, D.C. The landscape is overgrown, buildings are rubble and, most interestingly and perhaps not surprising from the title of the book, the former capital of America is half submerged in murky swamp water.

If the setting isn’t frightening enough and—trust me—Bacigalupi immerses the reader pretty quickly in this new, yet familiar world, the characters are even more so. Let’s talk about the human psyche during war—it’s turned upside down. People are just trying to survive, and not knowing who to trust, who will switch sides for their own survival in a day—well, that does havoc on one’s moral compass.

Follow Mahalia, the half-Chinese-half-Drowned-Cities orphan who has had to grow up way too fast; Mouse, Mahalia’s red-headed, scrawny best friend who is way too innocent; and Tool, the half-man predator who is way too deadly in their ultimate struggle for survival.

Donna Cooner drew on her personal experience as a gastric bypass patient to write Skinny, the inspirational debut novel featuring an overweight fifteen-year-old, Ever Davies. Ever has been gaining weight since her mother died. At three hundred and two pounds, she feels hopeless, which is made worse by Skinny—the voice in her head that constantly, cruelly reminds Ever of her size.

Then Ever undergoes gastric bypass surgery, and life begins to turn around. As she loses weight, she gains confidence and even considers trying out for the school musical. But Ever’s body is changing so quickly that her self-perception can’t keep up; Skinny still won’t leave her alone, and shedding that inner voice proves more difficult than shedding the pounds.

There’s an abundance of teen literature dealing with weight issues and eating disorders but few about weight loss surgery, which is becoming a reality for more and more young adults. Skinny will speak specifically to teen girls struggling with obesity, but also has universal appeal—anyone who has ever been discouraged by an inner voice that says “you can’t” will empathize with and be inspired by Ever Davies.

Donna Cooner drew on her personal experience as a gastric bypass patient to write Skinny, the inspirational debut novel featuring an overweight fifteen-year-old, Ever Davies. Ever has been gaining weight since her mother died. At three hundred and two pounds, she feels hopeless, which is made worse by Skinny—the voice in her head that constantly, cruelly reminds Ever of her size.

Then Ever undergoes gastric bypass surgery, and life begins to turn around. As she loses weight, she gains confidence and even considers trying out for the school musical. But Ever’s body is changing so quickly that her self-perception can’t keep up; Skinny still won’t leave her alone, and shedding that inner voice proves more difficult than shedding the pounds.

There’s an abundance of teen literature dealing with weight issues and eating disorders but few about weight loss surgery, which is becoming a reality for more and more young adults. Skinny will speak specifically to teen girls struggling with obesity, but also has universal appeal—anyone who has ever been discouraged by an inner voice that says “you can’t” will empathize with and be inspired by Ever Davies.