This hybrid fictional diary and graphic novel by the author of The Okay Witch is so very charming and heartwarming. Nell initially pays them little mind, but when it becomes clear that they could ruin Gumbling, she and her friends get involved, and her apprenticeship might be what saves Gumbling. They want to turn the castle into an amusement park, which creates a huge uproar. Her best friends both got their dream apprenticeships! Then a sister and brother arrive, claiming to be the heirs to the Gumbling castle - which is used as living quarters for the unhoused and other community essentials like the library. She thinks this will be the most boring apprenticeship ever. But instead, she’s paired with the lorekeeper, Mrs. More than anything, Nell wants to be paired with the artist Wiz Brave. This year, every student her age is being paired with a community member as their apprentice. Nell lives in the small, magical town of Gumbling, and despite being magical, it’s pretty boring. I recommend an adult co-reading this with middle school readers, as some of the poems deal with non-graphic rape and violence and will need some conversation. Weatherford’s son illustrates the poems, and his scratchboard illustrations are stunning. Nonetheless, these beautiful poems capture the voice of her ancestors and the breadth of loss, erasure, and pain experienced by African Americans whose ancestors were enslaved, though ultimately, the book is hopeful, a reclaiming of heritage. Weatherford is unsuccessful in tracing her ancestors back to Africa. She discovers Frederick Douglas mentioned one of her ancestors in an essay he wrote and that one of her ancestors was a member of the Colored Troops Union army regiment during the Civil War. Her research leads her to Wye House, a plantation in Maryland where her ancestors were enslaved. My picks for must-read September children’s book releases include many lovely books about activism, community, hope, and celebrating identity.Īward-winning children’s author Carole Boston Weatherford attempts to trace her ancestors back to Africa in this moving collection of interconnected poems. After a slower summer in terms of new children’s book releases, September is off with a bang. I hope everyone has an equally enjoyable back-to-school experience. My daughter’s school started at the beginning of August, and I’m happy to report that she is loving kindergarten. At this point, I’m looking forward to winter, too!īy now, I imagine most kids are back in school if they’re old enough to attend. It’s hard to believe the first day of fall approaches, as the current heat index as I’m writing this is in the 100s! Wow, am I looking forward to fall and the temperature cooling down. You can also follow her kidlit bookstagram account or on Twitter All posts by Margaret Kingsbury You can read more about her bookish and parenting shenanigans in Book Riot’s twice-weekly The Kids Are All Right newsletter. She particularly loves children’s books, fantasy, science fiction, horror, graphic novels, and any books with disabled characters. She’s currently a freelance writer and editor, and in addition to Book Riot, her pieces have appeared in School Library Journal, BuzzFeed News, The Lily, Parents,, and more. Margaret has an MA in English with a concentration in writing and has worked as a bookseller and adjunct English professor. Margaret Kingsbury grew up in a house so crammed with books she couldn’t open a closet door without a book stack tumbling, and she’s brought that same decorative energy to her adult life.
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