A Portrait of a Witch Undone by Kate Shay Dark fantasy fans will want to check out Portrait of a Witch Undone, the new novel by Kate Shay, a suspenseful tale of a young witch who must discover her true power in order to save her best friend and the coven that has rejected her. Shay has created an intriguing alternate Boston, along with the surrounding marshes, that are painted with great verisimilitude with details such as the Gardner Museum and its artwork. Having lived there for two years and recently revisited on my last summer vacation I loved seeing all the details that make Boston unique. For those of you in the Hoboken area, the marshes will also remind you of those in the nearby meadowlands. Warning: you’ll be looking for mysterious witch lights there when you pass by after reading this since these real world details are infused with magical unique moments that set this apart from other witch fictions. If you enjoyed A Discovery of Witches, Practical Magic, and Kim Harrison’s Shadow Age series, then Portrait of a Witch Undone will have you spellbound.
The Art of Charming a Changeling by Sylvie Cathral The Art of Charming a Changeling is a sweet cozy fantasy set in a magical and more diverse Regency world where fairies are real and live in a world revolving around art. Florrie Hyverfell is a conservator, who on her first day working for a prince realizes that not only is a famous portrait a fake, but there is a trapped fairy, Vern, inside the painting. She has to find the original to keep her job and rescue Vern from captivity. Fans of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels will enjoy the clever humor and fantastic spin on historic fiction. This is also a great pick if you are looking for a fun, light fantasy romance beach read this summer. I was truly charmed by the world Cathral created which had as much whimsy of Alice in Wonderland including a giant butterfly who survives by sipping colors, which may be my new favorite animal sidekick. If you also enjoy The Art of Charming a Changeling, you can also check out Cathral’s Sunken Archives series.
Written by: Aimee Harris Information and Digital Services Manager
August is Transgender History Month! Previously this month, we shared some picks for Transgender History Month for Adults. Here are some resources if you are looking for Transgender History Month books for kids and teens. Take a look at these non-fiction selections from our BCCLS catalog that tell the long, rich history of transgender pioneers.
Picturebooks
One Day in June: A Story Inspired by the Life and Activism of Marsha P. Johnson by Tourmaline (physical) Award-winning filmmaker and activist Tourmaline recounts the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson: a fellow activist who played an instrumental role in the Stonewall Riots, ultimately leading to the creation of Pride Month.
Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution! The Story of Trans Women of Color Who Made LGBTQ+ History by Joy Michael Ellison (physical) This book introduces young readers to Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, two friends who dedicated their lives to equality for LGBTQ+ people even in the face of personal danger.
The Fighting Infantryman: The Story of Albert D.J. Cashier, Transgender Civil War Soldier by Rob Sanders (physical) In 1861, Irish immigrant Albert D.J. Cashier joined the Union Army to fight in the Civil War. Returning home after three long years and forty battles, he continued to live as a man. It wasn’t until decades later that his gender came into question. How would the people around him react?
If You’re a Kid Like Gavin by Gavin Grimm and Kyle Lukoff (physical) If you’re a kid like Gavin, people may want to make decisions for you, like that you might be different than who you know you are and that you don’t deserve respect. But if you’re a kid like Gavin, you speak up.
Ho’onani: Hula Warrior by Heather Gale (physical) Ho’onani doesn’t see herself as a wahine (girl) or a kāne (boy). She’s somewhere in the middle, known as māhū. She wants to lead a traditional kāne hula dance and has her teacher’s support, but will she face backlash?
Were I Not a Girl: The Inspiring Story of Dr. James Berry by Lisa Robinson (physical) Unable to join the military or medical school because of gender restrictions, Dr. James Berry assumed his uncle’s identity to accomplish his goals. Over the next fifty years, he pursued his dreams, ultimately assuming one of the highest military ranks in Britain.
Middle Grade
Who is Amy Schneider?: Questions on Growing up, Being Curious, and Winning It Big on Jeopardy! By Amy Schneider (physical) In eighth grade, Amy Schneider was voted “Most likely to appear on Jeopardy!” by her peers. Eventually she did just that, earning over $1.3 million in prize money on the show and becoming the most successful transgender contestant in its history.
My History, My Gender, Me by Cassandra Jules Corrigan (physical) This book takes readers on a journey across history, exploring how gender nonconforming people have changed the world. It engages readers with reflection and activities along the way.
Pauli Murray: The Life of a Pioneering Feminist and Civil Rights Activist by Rosita Stevens-Holsey (physical) Written in verse, Stevens-Holsey documents how Murray rose from poverty to challenge racial and gender-based discrimination. She went on to become the first African American student to graduate with a doctorate in law from Yale Law School and laid the legal groundwork for the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court case.
Rachel Levine by Lisa Bunker (physical, Hoopla eBook) Rachel Levine occupied many firsts: the first openly transgender government official to hold an office that requires Senate confirmation, the first openly transgender four-star officer in uniform service, and the first female four-star admiral in the commissioned corps.
Young Adult
Trans History: From Ancient Times to Present Day A Graphic Novel by Alex L. Combs (physical) From the Roman Empire to the Stonewall Riots, diversity in human gender has existed. This graphic novel explores how this history has shaped understandings of gender and trans identity today.
Transgender Role Models and Pioneers by Barbara Penne (physical, Hoopla eBook) “While transgender people have become more visible and gained a measure of acceptance from our cisnormative society in recent years, the need for trans role models to inspire young transgender people is still very real. This title profiles a host of accomplished transgender people who have made their names in a wide range of fields, including sports, politics, activism, entertainment, and the arts.” -From Hoopla
Gender Rebels: 30 Trans, Nonbinary and Gender Expansive Heroes, Past and Present by Katherine Locke (physical) This book serves as a glossary, resource guide, and historical text all in one. Readers will come away from it with greater understanding of how crucial protecting the rights of trans and nonbinary people are in our present moment.
Written by: Allison Woodley Information and Digital Service Assistant
Hoboken Public Library Blog 