DEAR MEDUSA  by Olivia A. Cole (Labyrinth Road; $18.99, Ages 14+)   ★Starred Review - Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal   Olivia A. Cole’s YA novel in verse, Dear Medusa, shows what it’s like to be made into a monster when, in fact, you’re the victim—just as Medusa was. Sixteen-year-old Alicia Rivers dreads school where she’s branded the slut because she hooks up with random guys after being sexually abused by a popular teacher. This secret burns her up since she has no one to turn to: she’s quit the track team, her BFF dumped her, and her family…

  LEGENDS OF LOTUS ISLAND: The Guardian Test Written by Christina Soontornvat Illustrated by Kevin Hong (Scholastic Press; $16.99, Ages 8-12)     In Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test, the first book in a new middle-grade series by Christine Soontornvat with illustrations by Kevin Hong, young Plum lives on a remote part of the Santipap Islands. An orphan, she lives with her grandparents and helps them tend their home and gardens. Plum is able to communicate with plants and animals and, as a result, the family’s gardens thrive. Seeing this, her grandfather secretly submits an application for her…

SEVEN GOOD YEARS: A YIDDISH FOLKTALE Written by Shoham Smith Illustrated by Eitan Eloa Translated by Ilana Kurshan (Kalaniot Books; $19.99, Ages 4-8) e e e e e e Based on a story from the early 1900s by I. L. Peretz, this thought-provoking Jewish folktale presents the story of Tuvia, a poor hard-working man, living in a ramshackle hut with his children and wife Sorka when a magical older man offers him a fortune for seven years. How can he pass that up? e This terrific retelling of Seven Good Years A Yiddish Folktale, written by Shoham Smith, illustrated by…

  MORE AWESOME ASIAN AMERICANS: 20 CITIZENS WHO ENERGIZED AMERICA WRITTEN BY PHIL AMARA AND OLIVER CHIN ILLUSTRATED BY JUAN CALLE (IMMEDIUM; $17.95, AGES 12+)       More Awesome Asian Americans written by Phil Amara and Oliver Chin with illustrations by Juan Calle is an illuminating young adult anthology that pays tribute to 20 trailblazing Asian American men and women whose accomplishments have created role models for this and future generations. In the past, I've reviewed books that are part of Immedium's Chinese Zodiac series so I was eager to see what this 128-page biography compilation would be like.…

  VICKY FANG INTERVIEWS ABI CUSHMAN AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATOR OF WOMBATS ARE PRETTY WEIRD (GREENWILLOW BOOKS; $19.99, Ages 4-8)         PUBLISHER SUMMARY: Wombats might be pretty weird, but they’re pretty awesome, too! Wombats Are Pretty Weird is funny, kid-friendly, and informative, and features sidebars, comic panels, extensive backmatter, and a map. Acclaimed author-illustrator Abi Cushman’s nonfiction debut contains everything anyone could ever possibly want to know about wombats!   INTERVIEW: Vicky Fang: Abi, WOMBATS ARE PRETTY WEIRD is such a funny and informative book! I love how you use humorous dialog and illustrations to introduce so much fascinating information about wombats!…

  A IS FOR ASIAN AMERICAN: An Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Alphabet Written by Virginia Loh-Hagan Illustrated by Tracy Nishimura Bishop (Sleeping Bear Press; $17.99, Ages 6-10)       Kids will learn what an important role the AIPDA community has played in our country's history and continues to play today in America after reading A is for Asian American written by Virginia Loh-Hagan and illustrated by Tracy Nishimura Bishop. Also referred to as AAPI, APIDA Heritage Month was created to include Desi (South Asian) with both serving to honor and celebrate the contributions, culture, experiences, and traditions of…

  A REVIEW BY MICHELLE JING CHAN OF FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE WRITTEN BY CANDACE SPIZZIRRI ILLUSTRATED BY  CHANTELLE & BURGEN THORNE (GNOME ROAD PUBLISHING; $18.99, AGES 4-8) e REVIEW: Finley: A Moose on the Caboose is an adorable picture book. Set in A, Alaska, the book follows Finley, a gentle giant of a moose who just wants to ride the train across Alaska and greet all the passengers. However, the conductor does not allow this, citing the rule that wild animals are not permitted to ride the train.     Finley attempts to make his dream come…

ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT: Important Jobs That Get Done At Night  Written by Polly Faber Illustrated by Harriet Hobday (Candlewick Press; $17.99; Ages 2-5)     As a little girl is getting ready for bed in All Through the Night, her mother is getting ready for work. “She’s got an important job to do,” the girl says and introduces readers to nighttime workers all over the city. From office cleaners, food deliverers, doctors, police officers, news reporters, and musicians, everyone works diligently to support and serve their community, keeping it safe and ready for everyone in the morning.     …