There is one book that I give every single child I know and most adults, too! It is simple and elegant in illustration and story. It is about one little boy with one very big imagination, and a large crayon to boot. It is Harold and The Purple Crayon! First published in 1955, the book is Crockett Johnson’s most beloved and well known, and yet I meet people every day who have never read this magical tale.

“One evening, after thinking it over for some time, Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight”. Because there is no moon, Harold uses his trusty purple crayon to draw one and sets off down a road. Harold encounters many things on his walk: a forest consisting of one tree, a monster, an ocean, a picnic full of pies, one very “hungry moose and a deserving porcupine”, to name a few. But “encounter”really isn’t the best word to describe this adventure, because Harold creates these things for himself. Harold uses his purple crayon and his imagination to make his own adventure and, more often than not, to save himself from it. My favorite part is when Harold begins to grow tired and wants to find his home. He draws a mountain and climbs up to look for his bedroom, but neglects to draw the other side of the mountain. As he falls, Harold rescues himself by drawing a hot air balloon–what better way to present the amazing abilities of the imagination! This book ever-so-subtly instills the idea that our imaginations are powerful, wonderful things. You can make your own world and your own adventure with an imagination. You can also lead yourself astray with an imagination, get carried away, get lost. But when that happens, all you need to do is use your imagination to save yourself. In the end, Harold finds his room, crawls into bed, and draws the sheets up. The End.

2013 has already proven to be a big year for David Levithan – his groundbreaking Boy Meets Boy celebrated its 10^th anniversary earlier this year. And next week, his latest novel, Two Boys Kissing, will be published. Narrated by a previous generation of gay men who died from AIDS, Two Boys Kissing is a novel that is large in scope and impact. At the center of Two Boys Kissing are Craig and Harry, two 17-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a Guinness World Record. This landmark event draws together several other boys in the community – including a couple of over a year and a boy who has never felt comfortable in his own skin – and successfully captures the essence of what it means to be a gay youth today. This book is an incredible read with an important message that should be spread far and wide.

“Laszlo is afraid of the dark. The dark is not afraid of Laszlo.”

So reads the flap copy for the charmingly somber, visually stunning picture book from Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen. This superstar team tackles an all-too-familiar theme in children’s books: the fear of the dark. By giving “the dark” its own distinct voice, Snicket aptly weaves together a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. You can’t help but bite your nails and scream “TURN BACK!” as Laszlo ever-so-cautiously makes his way down to the basement, the room where the dark lives. Klassen’s illustrations add further texture add depth to the story. No animals ambiguously “disappear” in this one, but Klassen’s signature charm shines through on every single page. What’s particularly striking to me is the stark contrast Klassen creates between light and dark throughout; it provides the perfect backdrop for Laszlo to bravely discover that the dark is nothing to be afraid of. In fact, it could be as helpful and as comforting as an old friend.

Ok guys. Get ready. Blue Sargent and those oh-so-swoon-worthy Raven Boys are back! Securing an ARC of The Dream Thieves was the main objective of my summer and when I finally got it to my apartment –after guarding it in my bag on the subway with a Gollum-like intensity –I immediately dove back into the world of Cabeswater, Glendower, and trees that whisper in Latin.

I’m determined not to give away plot details because this book is so rich and engulfing that the fun lies in discovering it yourself. I can say this: While the perspective smoothly transitions from character to character, The Dream Thieves is chiefly focused on Ronan Lynch, that surly, tattooed hothead, and his special ability revealed at the end of The Raven Boys.  Also, with the stage set and the players introduced, Stiefvater clearly has more fun with the world she created this time around and we’re given a closer look at what makes these characters tick. Friends are pitted against each other, new enemies appear, and secrets are deliciously exposed.

I can’t wait for everyone to read this book! I have so many “OMG can you believe that happened?!” conversations just waiting to be had.  What more can I say at this point? Welsh mythology, a family of psychics, and dream magic spun from the wild (and often dark) imagination we know and love from Maggie Stiefvater. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to reread books one and two while my anticipation for the third steadily builds.