Melissa Llanes Brownlee’s debut collection of a dozen stories is at once exotic and familiar, identifiable and personal. Llanes Brownlee immerses readers in the lives and backdrop of her characters with an often-poignant and always-believable voice. From the titular “Hard Skin” to stories like “Pele’s Daughter,” “Any Kine Boy,” and “Talking Story about Kilauea,” each one is like listening to a master storyteller sharing stories. Cultural aspects, family connections and sensory details shine under Llanes Brownlee’s hand with a lyricism that is infused throughout. The powerful closing line looks forward: “I pick up my pencil and trace it over and over, making a space for myself.” It becomes the culmination of the characters’ and Llanes Brownlee’s life journey through the creation of a well-deserved space for herself and these memorable stories. Amy Cipolla Barnes, author of Mother Figures and Ambrotypes

Still I Rise brings together youth poets and artists from across the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, from 1st to 12th grade. As they deal with family, romance, discrimination, loss, fitting in, and many other aspects of their lives, these talented voices guide us across the Valley’s landscape. Inspiring, compelling, and full of hope during this pandemic, Still I Rise is a testament to the brilliance of the Valley’s youth.

Supported by The Academy of American Poets

Cover art by Celeste De Luna

A brave young butterfly, a small boy, and a dancing blue planet build a bond of love and hard work, drawing on the magic of their relationship. A delightful adventure into the migration of monarch butterflies, and the value of protecting those things we love, this touching story is told in simple but poetic language aimed at children from 5 to 99 and is beautifully illustrated with the rich colors of the Mexican forests where the monarchs head each winter.

Paperback, Bilingual edition in English and Spanish

I Sing: The Body: Poems about Body Image edited by René Saldaña Jr. includes dozens of poets dealing with self-image and self-doubt as they lay bare their identities.

A powerful and uplifting read that will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever struggled with self-doubt, body image issues, or the complexities of growing up, making it a must-read for young adults, teenagers, and anyone who has ever felt the weight of societal expectations and the longing to be seen and understood.

In this bilingual counting book, Grace Díaz (writer) and Ruth Scholl (illustrator) focus on a child counting objects that she finds interesting inside the little world of her home. The book reflects and celebrates the increasingly common reality of growing up in a bilingual, bicultural, biracial household from a child’s perspective.