Spotlight On

Paul Auster

A non-fiction book by a master of fiction. A look at the culture of gun violence, and asks us to consider, how did we get here, and what does it do to the people affected?

Margaret Atwood

A new short-story collection by the author of The Handmaid’s Tale.

Salman Rushdie

Any new novel by Rushdie is going to be worth reading, and well worth the wait.

Greta Thunberg

The face of climate change hasn’t given up hope. She gives us a handbook for how to change what for many seems inevitable.

Alice Oseman

This graphic novel is a loosely-formatted companion to the much-beloved Heartstopper series. Learn more about author/illustrator Alice Oseman’s creative process, find out canon details about your favorite characters, and see comic strips featuring side characters that build depth but didn’t make it into the main plot. A huge hit for anyone interested in taking a look behind-the-scenes.

Claribel A. Ortega

This is a seemingly simple story, but it addresses complex issues like grief, internalized racism, beauty standards, and self-expression. I’m a huge fan of Bousamra’s illustration style, bringing a fantastic visual representation of family differences and haircare journeys. A graphic novel is the perfect medium for Ortega’s story of the way one Dominican family faces beauty standards concerning hair, focusing on the journey of one member in particular: pre-teen Marlene.

Johnnie Christmas

One of the best feel good graphic novels I’ve read in a long time. Fans of “New Kid” and Victoria Jamieson’s “All’s Faire” and “Roller Girl”  will certainly enjoy this one. In a highly detailed illustration style, Christmas shares the story of a young Black girl named Bree who moves to Florida from Brooklyn only to find the local culture centers around something she is clueless about: swimming. With the help of some new friends (including her older neighbor and swimming prodigy, Etta) she makes the change from fish out of water to swimming superstar. But is she good enough to help bring her school team to victory, or will the Mighty Manatees risk losing their pool and all hope for the future? It’s a riveting story that also addresses the deeper social issues of systemic racism and discrimination, revealed through the storytelling of the deeply lovable Etta.

Christina Soontornvat

This autobiographical story by 2021 Newbery Honor Book author Christina Soontornvat is guaranteed to be a hit with fans of Raina Telgemeier’s Baby-Sitters Club adaptations. In it, she chronicles an especially poignant period of her life growing up as a mixed rice Thai-American child trying to fit in among her Texas peers by trying out to become a cheerleader alongside her best friend. Looking back (though the story is told in first-person present tense) she is honest about her experience with bullying (both as a receiver and a bully herself) and extremely relatable in her feelings of being an outsider. A great story that features themes of friendship, family, and finding your voice.

Various

An illustrated format is perfect for these intense, action-filled stories about kids surviving historical events like Hurricane Katrina, the attacks of September 11, the sinking of the Titanic, and the Nazi invasion. These graphic novels make history extremely accessible to young people who may be resistant to nonfiction but love a gripping tale.

Frank Sanchis

An illustrated look at the buildings both public and private of Westchester. Published in 1977, it is also a look back at some of the buildings that are long gone. But always informative and fascinating.

Patrick Raftery

A 3-volume collection that spans all sizes of final resting spots, from the small Little White Church Cemetery in Dobbs Ferry, to Mount Hope Cemetery.

Roger Panetta

A look at Westchester County, from its beginnings to its iconic role in films and literature.

Hastings Woman’s Club

A cookbook published in 1980 that still delights and makes for some mouth-watering dishes.