Unleashing Readers

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 10/5/26

October 5, 2026 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
For readers of all ages

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop we host which focuses on sharing what we’re reading. This Kid Lit version of IMWAYR focuses primarily on books marketed for kids and teens, but books for readers of all ages are shared. We love this community and how it offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. The Kid Lit IMWAYR was co-created by Kellee & Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

Wednesday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

Sunday: Author Guest Post: Author Guest Post (and Giveaway!): “Getting Unstuck” by Jennifer Liss, Author of Wide Eye

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

Middle School

Uprooted by Ruth Chan: This is one of my favorite graphic novels I have read in a long time. It is a memoir of Ruth who moves from Toronto back to her parents’ home town, Hong Kong. It is about figuring out your identity when you don’t feel like you belong and finding your voice when you don’t speak the language well. The author does a brilliant job showing the language barrier and keeping the story engaging while navigating these tough themes.
The Girl Who Sang by Estelle Nadel, Illusrated by Sammy Savos: This one is rough. It is about Estelle, a young Jewish girl who lives in Poland in 1939 as the Nazis invade. It is a story about how she survived, how some loved ones did not, and how those who are willing to stand up to injustice are the difference between survival and death.
Many Voices: Building Erie, the Canal That Changed America by Laurie Lawlor: My sister works at the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse, NY, so I knew that the Erie Canal was an important part of industry within the early United States, but it wasn’t until I read this book that I realized that there was so much more to it. First, the book begins at the beginning when the land was not the colonists’ for the taking, through the stealing of the land, and then the building of the canal. Then, you learn about how the canal changed EVERYTHING in 1825–it opened up a way to the mid-west, made travel easier, made trade easier, and so much more. It was a GAME CHANGER. It is fascinating to read about something that we would definitely take for granted today changed everything then.

Dear Dad: Growing Up with a Parent in Prison — and How We Stayed Connected by Jay Jay Patton with Kiara Valdez, Illustrated by Marika Jenai: This book was very different than I thought it was going to be: it mostly focused on Jay Jay’s relationship with her dad after he came home from prison and their collaboration on coding and creating an application for families of incarcerated individuals to keep in touch. Jay Jay is so impressive and truly is making a difference in this world!
Wish I Was a Baller by Amar Shah, Illustrated by Rashad Doucet: I now see why my kids love this book! Although it is definitely about basketball (an 90s heyday basketball at that–so nostalgic!), but it is also about having a passion and following it. It is so cool to know that Amar followed his passion and made a living out of what he loved when he was younger.

My Tokyo Summer by Abby Denson, Illustrated by utomaru: Manga fans are going to love this story of two friends who met as pen pals and grew closer during an unforgettable summer in Tokyo filled with fun as well as collaborating on a comic. I love the collaborative writing aspect of the book and showing the power of story and creating.
History Smashers: Earth Day and the Environment by Kate Messner: Earth Day and the Environment starts before the first Earth Day (in 1970) and shares how the environment became the issue it is today, how the celebration started, and why taking care of the environment is important. It was so interesting, and now I want to read all of the History Smashers books now–I loved how it is set up! So, the premise of this series is that Kate Messner takes things that we know about and clears up mix ups, debunks historical myths, and shares actual truths of history. Much of what we learn has been passed down, like the game of telephone, and is shaped by human memory and retelling, often with beliefs and biases changing the truth. History Smashers is working to change what we know in a way that is easy to follow with lots of visuals and mixed-media, including photos, graphic novel sections, and side bars, with backmatter support that includes source notes and timelines.

Young Adult

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black: Although I felt like the ending was a bit fast, I loved how this book wrapped up, and I have already begun recommending the series to friends because I really enjoyed all three of the books. (Now I just have to read the novellas and spin off!)

You can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

This is my week off; see you next week!

Kellee

Reading: Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy of American Indian Boarding Schools by Dan SaSuWeh Jones
Listening: Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn

Wednesday: The Moon by Sandra Laboucarie, Illustrated by Didier Balicevic

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Sating the Thirst of Bloodthirsty Teens” by Darren Simpson, Author of Thirs

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on other blogs. If you share your Monday post, tag with #IMWAYR!

and

Author Guest Post (and Giveaway!): “Getting Unstuck” by Jennifer Liss, Author of Wide Eye

October 4, 2026October 4, 2026 by Kellee

“Getting Unstuck”

Narrative writers of all ages get stuck. Many writers refer to it as writer’s block, but for me, it feels less like a wall, and more like everything shifts into slow motion.

It’s as if I’ve been swiftly paddling down a deep river that suddenly becomes shallow. My paddle scrapes along the river bottom. I’m still moving, but it takes too much effort.

If your student writers are frustrated, I suggest experimenting with the following techniques. Getting unstuck is personal, but it’s likely that once they find the right tool for them, it will work again and again as they write.

Try this: Read! Reading is a surefire way to release my seized-up writing brain. Recently, I was stuck in the “mushy middle” of a new manuscript. I set it aside to read a chapter of Aubrey Hartman’s The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest. Her clever dialogue and tenderhearted characters jumpstarted my writing brain.

Try this: Draw! If the words aren’t coming, sketch. Doodle whatever images, characters, or actions are in your mind. See if the words follow.

Try this: Move! Taking my ideas on a walk always helps me get unstuck. Let’s say I can’t figure out how a character in my story will react to finding out she’s been lied to. As I walk, I train my thoughts on this story problem and don’t let my mind stray. Will my character get mad? Will she cry? Will she respond with a lie of her own? (If walking isn’t an option, try any kind of movement: dance in your seat, roll you head side to side, jump in place.)

Try this: Interview! Pretend to be a character in your story, and ask a partner to interview you. Have them ask questions, such as: Who do people think you are, but who are you really? What do you want? What’s getting in your way?

Try this: List! Take a break from composing sentences. List nouns that come to mind. Then list verbs. After you’ve come up with your lists, try your hand again at a sentence.

Try this: Listen! Like reading, listening to music seems to trigger my imagination. When I was working on Wide Eye, if I got stuck, I’d listen to the indie folk band Big Thief. Their music has nothing to do with my book, but the lead singer’s voice always seemed to crack open my thoughts.

***

Giveaway! Jennifer will send a pack of Wide Eye stickers and bookmarks to the first teacher who contacts her via Instagram. Send Jennifer (IG @bookmarkedbyjen) a DM with the message: Unleashing Readers Giveaway.

Publishing October 6th, 2026 by Pushkin Children’s Books

About the Book: A whimsical middle-grade adventure about a young girl, a wacky museum, and a local monster, exploring the transformative power of imagination.

Every year, 10-year-old Meridian spends her summer with Grandpa Frank on Wide Eye Lake, where she helps out at his quirky museum dedicated to the mysterious Wide Eye monster.

But this year, something is different. Tasked with organizing the museum’s old files, Meridian stumbles across more than just faded photos and scribbled sightings of mysterious paw prints. Hidden among the clutter are some old mementos that unlock a long-buried family secret—one that turns her entire world upside down.

Not only does Meridian have a family mystery to solve, but this summer she has to avoid two prankster classmates who just so happen to be vacationing nearby. Summer at Wide Eye Lake really isn’t turning out to be the magical escape it used to be. Can Meridian rediscover the magic of the lake and the local stories she once loved, or will her family be forever changed?

Wide Eye is a heartwarming, family-focused middle-grade adventure that explores the power of imagination and the healing nature of friendship.

“A gem of a novel – a masterclass in how to write for children and make them laugh but also challenge them.” —Iqbal Hussain, author of The Night I Borrowed Time

“[A] thoughtful, character-driven summer adventure.” —Kirkus Reviews

Find an educator’s guide for Wide Eye here.

About the Author: Jennifer Liss writes books for children and teens. She is the author of the middle grade novel Wide Eye (Pushkin Children’s), a London Times Children’s Book of the Week. Her middle grade novel JAMES ON THE EDGE is forthcoming in 2027, also with Pushkin Children’s. For twenty years, Jennifer has worked in educational publishing and has written dozens of books for struggling and reluctant readers, including Doubles, which received a School Library Journal (SLJ) starred review. Jennifer is a regional coordinator for the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and a recipient of the Highlights Foundation Lee Bennett Hopkins Scholarship and the Boyds Mills PJ Library Scholarship. She lives in Northern California with her husband, who is a public school teacher, and her two teenage sons. Follow her on IG @bookmarkedbyjen

Thank you, Jennifer, for these great tips for writer’s block!!

Sofia’s YA Book Nook: The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

September 30, 2026 by Ricki

Sofia is a 14-year-old brilliant reader who aspires to be a book reviewer. Since she was 8 years old, on select weeks, Sofia shares her favorite books with other young people her age! She is one of the most well-read youth that we know, so she is highly qualified for this role! She talks about it below, but you can find her on Instagram here!

Hi readers! Before you read this review, I just wanted to let you all know about my new Instagram account, @sofias_ya_book_nook! On this account, I will be posting each time a new review comes out, along with some other types of fun book posts. I would really appreciate it if you checked out my page and followed so you can stay up to date! Thank you, and without further ado, onto the review!

Dear readers,

Lights, camera, action! Please welcome to the stage, The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson! This twisty YA thriller kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Usually, I write book reviews a few days after I finish a book but this one took me three years to finally write! That doesn’t exactly sound like a positive, but at the time I read this novel, I must not have had the time to review it and have been thinking about it ever since. This all came to a tipping point late one night as I decided I would finally write the review for one of my favorite books. I can’t count how many times I’ve recommended this to my friends or family and am very happy to finally share it with you all!

Goodreads Summary

A new true-crime fueled mystery thriller about a girl determined to uncover the shocking truth about her missing mother while filming a documentary on the unsolved case. Lights. Camera. Lies. 18-year-old Bel has lived her whole life in the shadow of her mom’s mysterious disappearance. Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price vanished and young Bel was the only witness, but she has no memory of it. Rachel is gone, long presumed dead, and Bel wishes everyone would just move on. But the case is dragged up from the past when the Price family agree to a true crime documentary. Bel can’t wait for filming to end, for life to go back to normal. And then the impossible happens. Rachel Price reappears, and life will never be normal again. Rachel has an unbelievable story about what happened to her. Unbelievable, because Bel isn’t sure it’s real. If Rachel is lying, then where has she been all this time? And – could she be dangerous? With the cameras still rolling, Bel must uncover the truth about her mother, and find out why Rachel Price really came back from the dead… From world-renowned author Holly Jackson comes a mind-blowing masterpiece about one girl’s search for the truth, and the terror in finding out who your family really is.

My Thoughts

I am a HUGE Holly Jackson fan, and it is probably because of this book! I also loved the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series (review linked), Five Survive (review linked), and Not Quite Dead Yet (review linked). Anyway, now onto talking about the actual book! Bel has grown very close to her father ever since her mother had disappeared when she was young. She reluctantly agrees to help film a documentary about her mother’s disappearance, reliving all the old and painful memories. One day, after she comes home, she spots a disheveled looking woman on the street who looks exactly like her! Rachel Price has returned home after more than a decade and everybody wants to hear her story. The thing is, Bel isn’t sure if she can trust her mom, she has been acting strangely suspicious! The suspense in this book is crazy and so many wild things are constantly happening. This is probably my favorite YA thriller ever, and for good reason! I felt like I never knew who to trust, and definitely didn’t see the ending coming! If you love plot twists and a book that will get you attached to the characters, I am begging you to read The Reappearance of Rachel Price! The ending was insanely good and I found that it wrapped up all the loose strings nicely!

The Reappearance of Rachel Price is a thrilling YA novel with mature elements including abduction, violence, abuse, profanity, and murder.

**Thanks so much, Sofia!**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 9/28/26

September 28, 2026September 28, 2026 by Ricki

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
For readers of all ages

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Most Lessons Begin with a Book” by Mary Louise Kelly, Author of Dogs in Coats

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

It is my week off! You can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

I am delightedly planning a grad student gathering today, so I am unable to post my books. I’ll catch you back here in two weeks!

Wednesday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

Sunday: Author Guest Post: Author Guest Post (and Giveaway!): “Getting Unstuck” by Jennifer Liss, Author of Wide Eye

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you share your Monday post, tag with #IMWAYR!

and

Author Guest Post: “Most Lessons Begin with a Book” by Mary Louise Kelly, Author of Dogs in Coats

September 27, 2026 by Kellee

“Most Lessons Begin with a Book”

As I look back on my forty-three years of teaching, I remember that nearly every new unit of study began with a book. Whether we were exploring Greek mythology, inventors and inventions, famous artists, poetry, famous explorers, habitats, The Chronicles of Narnia, or the wonderful works of Roald Dahl, books always came first.

Books opened the door to discovery. They sparked research, inspired lively classroom discussions, and led to creative group projects. One book might lead to an Invention Convention, another to an entire Greek Week celebration. Our hallways would soon be filled with beautifully illustrated original poetry, and students who had worked together on projects formed lasting friendships. Time and time again, I saw that a good book could become the starting point for knowledge, curiosity, and a genuine love of learning.

Teaching English as a Second Language

One of the most memorable experiences of my career was walking into a classroom of five-year-olds who spoke only German while I spoke only English. At first, the children looked at me with complete confusion as we read stories and sang songs entirely in English.

It was remarkable to watch what happened over the following weeks and months. Slowly, those same children began understanding the language, then speaking it with growing confidence. Before long, they were communicating in beautiful English.

To encourage their progress, I made a small booklet for each child filled with blank pages. They would draw pictures of anything they wished, and I would sit beside them and write the English word for each drawing. As their confidence grew, single words became simple sentences, and soon they were reading them back to me.

By October, those same children were confidently performing songs and fingerplays for their parents.

I give great credit to Dr. Seuss.

Why I Wrote Dogs in Coats

I have always loved numbers and counting. Mathematics came naturally to me, and throughout my teaching career I became convinced that children build confidence in math when they master their addition and multiplication facts early.

I also happen to love dogs of every size and breed. For many years, alongside my teaching career, I worked as a dog sitter. Eventually, those two passions; teaching and dogs; came together in an idea that became Dogs In Coats.

It actually took me four years to gather enough photographs for the book.

One of the highlights of that journey was organizing a professional photo shoot in Elmira, New York. Beforehand, I visited a children’s second-hand clothing shop and purchased a variety of colorful children’s vests. On the day of the photo shoot, dog owners visiting the local dog park were invited to have their dogs photographed for the book. Each owner signed a permission waiver, their dog was fitted with a little vest, and then off they went into the large fenced dog park to run, jump, play, and simply enjoy being dogs.

Our photographer captured wonderful action shots throughout the day. More than sixty dogs participated, and we carefully recorded each dog’s name so every photograph matched the correct furry model.

It was an incredible day and a complete success.

One Final Thought

The wonderful person who helped organize that photo shoot is someone I have known her entire life. Today, she and her husband have a delightful son named Andrew, who was in first grade when Dogs In Coats was published.

I decided to send an entire case of books to Andrew’s class. Inside each one I wrote:

“To Andrew’s first-grade classmates; Keep on Counting!”

A week later, I received one of the greatest surprises of my career. A large manila envelope arrived filled with handwritten thank-you notes and wonderful drawings of dogs from every student in the class. That envelope reminded me why I became a teacher in the first place and why I became a children’s author.

There is no greater reward than knowing a book has brought joy, curiosity, and smiles to young readers.

Published May 1st, 2023

About the Book: Dogs in Coats is a children’s picture book for ages 5–7 by former elementary educator Mary Louise Kelly.

Drawing on more than forty years of classroom experience, Mary combines engaging photographs of dogs with early addition concepts to encourage observation, conversation, confidence, and joyful learning. Rather than treating math as a separate subject, the book invites children to explore numbers through curiosity, storytelling, and the familiar delight of seeing dogs in playful seasonal settings.

Featuring real dog photography, playful seasonal scenes, and interactive addition activities, Dogs In Coats encourages children to build confidence while discovering that learning can be both meaningful and fun.

About the Author: Mary Louise Kelly is a retired elementary educator whose teaching career spans more than forty years across Pennsylvania, Ecuador, and Vienna, Austria.

Throughout her career, she has believed that children learn best when education begins with curiosity, imagination, and meaningful connections to the world around them.

Today, Mary continues sharing that philosophy through her children’s books, school visits, and author presentations, encouraging young readers to discover that learning can be joyful, interactive, and filled with wonder.

Whether she’s visiting classrooms, speaking with young readers, or writing her next book, Mary remains inspired by the same simple belief that guided her throughout her teaching career:

When children are curious, wonderful learning naturally follows.

Learn more at: https://marylouisekellyvienna.net/

Thank you, Mary Louise, for your post!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 9/21/26

September 21, 2026 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
For readers of all ages

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Writing from the Margins” by Romina Garber, Author of Lobizona & Cazadora

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

What I’ve Read Since August 24th

Middle Grade

Double Crossed: The WWII Spies Who Saved D-Day by Rebecca E.F. Barone: Barone writes some great narrative nonfiction! This book is a must read for anyone interested in World War II or spies because it was fascinating and hard to put down. It is so wild all that the intelligence agencies did during WWII!
Nature Explained: A Family Guide to 20 Nature Cycles by Helen Brown, Illustrated by Claire Scully: I adored this picture book, and I truly believe it is for all ages because it is a deep dive into nature and its systems. It is such a cool book for everyone!
Check-Ups, Shots, and Robots by David Rickert: I didn’t read Rickert’s first book but now I understand a bit why it was talked about–Rickert’s format and art were on point! I loved learning about the science and history (and future!) of science and medicine. Some of it truly is wild!

Science Comics: Wild Weather: Storms, Meteorology, and Climate by M.K. Reed, Illustrated by Jonathan Hill: Weather is one of the science topics I really enjoy, and I thought this Science Comics was so much fun to read! I picked it up because my school’s Earth Space 7th grade teacher wanted help with creating a unit around this graphic novel, so I read it and came up with some activities to go along with it to help her in addition to her science expertise. She’s doing it right now, and it is going well! I am so excited!
Chernobyl, Life, and Other Disasters by Yegenia Nayberg: This was a very unique graphic novel memoir. It was unique in art, story, and point of view, so I think because of this, it was an essential read.
Weirdo by Tony Weaver, Jr., Illustrated by Jes & Cin Wibowo: I love Tony Weaver, Jr. on social media, so I was excited to read his memoir. The story was definitely REAL right from the beginning, looking at the highs and lows of being different than the norm. But Tony’s story is so important for kids to have for a mirror to not feel alone or a window to understand those around them.

How to Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel Miyares: Another graphic novel memoir that shows a different time in history that not many kids may have background knowledge of. I think the story was told in such a way that is engaging, hard to put down, and also just so informative. Also, I loved the illustrations!
Spying on Spies: How Elizebeth Smith Friedman Broke the Nazis’ Secret Codes by Marissa Moss: This was the first WWII book I have read that looked at the US’s spies and how the CIA was part of the intelligence angencies and their spying and code cracking. Also, like others, I do love the focus on women and how they were such a huge part of the work done behind the scenes.
Harboring Hope: The True Story of How Henny Sinding Helped Denmark’s Jews Escape the Nazis by Susan Hood: Wow. Susan Hood can write a novel in verse! I loved how this one was written–it was beautifully done in so many ways: the story kept me on the edge of my seat, the verse was written in so many different ways that kept it innovative, and I also learned about history that I was not aware of. I just couldn’t put it down.

Lionel Messi’s World Cup Triump by Chris Barish, Illustrated by Nate Sweitzer: I understand Messi more now after reading this book. It was done in a way to give history of not only Messi’s triumph but also soccer and the World Cup in general. lthough I am not a huge soccer fan, I found the graphic novel interesting and also helped me understand the hype of Messi.
Science Comics: Prehistoric Mammals: From the Jurassic to the Ice Age by Joe Flood: This book included SO MUCH information! That is a lot to learn from this book!

Three Summers: A Memoir of Sisterhood, Summer Crushes, and Growing Up on the Eve of War by Amra Sabic-El-Rayess with Laura L. Sullivan: I loved all of the girls in this book. I loved Amra’s family. I was surprised by the freedom of the teens but also loved them being able to figure out themselves. However, this book is more than the cover makes it seem–it is not just a fun book about summers and cousins, it is a roller coaster about family during a ominous and tumultous time in Bosnia leading up to the Bosnian Genocide.
Science Comics: Electricity: Energy in Action by Andy Hirsch: Electricity is not a science that I understand well, so that is why I love Science Comics because it makes science more accessible! This is another book that a science teacher is looking to teach, so I am going to work on some activities for it too; I hope it goes as well as Wild Weather.

Young Adult

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn: I reread (well, re-listened to it) because my friend is loving the series and couldn’t believe I never read the rest, so I wanted to refresh my memory. Here’s my original review: Oh, I now see why this book is so loved! It is full of adventure, pain, truth, exploration, and tradition. Deonn uses the Arthur legend to build her own mythology and unveil the truth behind good ole boys clubs, especially those in the south. And Bree, the protagonist, is such a phenomenal character! She just kicks so much butt and her, with her friend Alex, just won’t back down.

You can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

This is my week off; I’ll update you next week!

Reading: Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

Listening: Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Most Lessons Begin with a Book” by Mary Louise Kelly, Author of Dogs in Coats

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you share your Monday post, tag with #IMWAYR!

and

Author Guest Post: “Writing from the Margins” by Romina Garber, author of Wolves of No World: Lobizona & Cazadora

September 20, 2026 by Kellee

“Writing From the Margins”

I wrote WOLVES OF NO WORLD for teen-me.

Like Manu, I was born in Argentina, and I immigrated to the United States when I was young. Growing up in Miami, I read every story I could get my hands on, but I never found myself represented on the shelf. There were no books like Lobizona available to me.

Young Romina would have loved to read the adventures of an immigrant girl with painful periods who finds her place in a magic school where everyone speaks Spanglish and eats Argentine foods and returns to their homeland once a month to stay connected to their roots!

The inspiration behind the worldbuilding of my series is a curious Argentine law: ley de padrinazgo presidencial 20.843. It declares the President of Argentina godparent to the seventh consecutive son or daughter in a family, which means the state covers all their educational expenses. When I researched the history of this law, I came across an old legend that claimed seventh daughters would be born brujas and seventh sons would be lobizones.

The fact that the law is still in effect today underscores the enduring power of myth, and shows how the stories we tell can shape the reality of a particular population. Consider the term illegal, and how it can negate one’s humanity and worth when applied to a person, paving the way for subhuman treatment by the law.

I used the folklore at the root of this Argentine law as the basis for the magic system to underscore how thin the border is between fantasy and reality in this story.

At its heart, Wolves of No World is a celebration of the immigrant identity. Since many paranormal creatures are essentially humans with a supernatural ability, they’re partly of our world and partly of another. To demonstrate this duality, every full moon the Septimus must return to Lunaris, a magical realm that is the source of their power.

Manu’s hybrid identity as a human and a Septimus is a threat to both her worlds, and rather than having two homes, she’s left with none. As an immigrant, this sense of homelessness is one I’ve struggled with my whole life.

Here are five more books that draw from cultural myths/legends/politics from around the world, offering today’s teens a chance to find themselves on the page:

Cemetery Boys (Cemetery Boys, #1) by Aiden Thomas | Goodreads

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas: A trans boy determined to prove his gender to his traditional Latinx family summons a ghost who refuses to leave.

Amazon.com: Raybearer: A Novel: 9781419739835: Ifueko, Jordan: Books

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko: In this West-African-inspired fantasy, a girl with the ability to see people’s memories must navigate the political council of the Crown Prince and rise to challenge the systems that oppress her.

Woven in Moonlight

Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez: Inspired by Bolivian history and politics, the story follows a girl who steps in as a decoy for an exiled royal and offers herself to a usurper king to spy and reclaim her people’s city.

Amazon.com: Shadow of the Fox: A Coming of Age YA Fantasy of Samurai and Ancient Demons: 9781335145161: Kagawa, Julie: Books

Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa: A Japanese-inspired fantasy about a half-human, half-kitsune girl who goes on a grand adventure to help protect the world from demons.

A Song Below Water

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow: Set in a modern-day Portland where mythical creatures live alongside humans, it follows two sisters who must learn to use their voices. The novel explores identity, power, sisterhood, racism, and Black girl magic.

Lobizona
Published August 4th, 2020 by Wednesday Books

Cazadora
Published August 17th, 2021 by Wednesday Books

Wolves of No World 2-in-1 Collector’s Edition
Published September 15th, 2026 by Wednesday Books

About the Book: In the duology, Manuela Azul is an undocumented immigrant, crammed into a small Miami apartment with her mother, hiding from ICE and from her father’s Argentine crime family. When disaster shatters her carefully constructed world, she follows the only clue she has about her past—a mysterious emblem—into a secret realm of witches and werewolves, cursed cities, and illegal magic rooted in real Argentine folklore. In this hidden world, she discovers that it’s not just her U.S. residency that is illegal. It’s her entire existence. Steeped in Argentine folklore and written partly in Spanglish, WOLVES OF NO WORLD is the rare fantasy that earned both starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist and is dedicated to “all our children caught in the crosshairs of nationalism.”

About the Author: Romina Garber is a New York Times and international bestselling author whose books include The Last Vampire, Castle of the Cursed, Lobizona, Cazadora, & the ZODIAC quartet. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and raised in Miami, Florida, Romina landed her first writing gig as a teen—College She Wrote, a weekly Sunday column for the Miami Herald that was later picked up for national syndication—and she hasn’t stopped writing since. She is a graduate of Harvard College and a Virgo to the core.

Website: www.rominagarber.com
Instagram: @rominagarber
Facebook: @rominabooks

Thank you, Romina, for this thoughtful post and these amazing recommendations!