Book picks for kids (and adults):
Looking for some reading inspiration? Here’s a peek at what KCLS staff and the young readers in their lives are digging into this month!
All KCLS libraries are open. Plan your next visit at kcls.org/visit.
Adults: “Keya Das’s Second Act,” by Sopan Deb
As Shantanu Das quietly grieves the loss of his teenage daughter Keya, he finds an unfinished play she cowrote with her girlfriend that chronicles their coming out. Shantanu shares the manuscript with his ex-wife Chaitali and his other daughter Mitali; all three are struggling with the fact that they didn’t accept who Keya was when she was alive. In an attempt to redeem themselves, they decide to help Keya’s girlfriend finish the play and then finance its production. Sopan Deb’s debut novel is written with exceptional warmth, humor and grace, despite its heavy subject matter.
Kids: “Gibberish,” by Young Vo
After a long journey to a new country, Dat is ready to begin school. His Mah tells him that when people speak to him, it will sound like gibberish at first. Sure enough, when he meets his new bus driver, teacher and the other students in his class, he tries his hardest to listen and communicate, but nothing makes sense and he feels alone. During recess, a girl named Julie approaches him and they begin to play. As their friendship grows, Dat learns more words from Julie and begins to understand what she says. Vo uses engaging illustrations to depict Dat’s gradual transition from confusion to comprehension, and from isolation to friendship in this endearing story.
More book picks for kids (and other book news):
After racist run-in, mom embraces her heritage in kids’ book
“I’ll Take Care of You,” a beautiful, comforting tale for kids
Meet Nina Laden, children’s author/illustrator from Lummi Island
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