The New Girl By Cassandra Calin New York: Graphix, 2024. Comic. 261 pages. 12-year-old Lia and her family have just moved from Romania to Montreal, and she's doing her best to keep up with the changes. But, she's homesick. She misses the rest of her family, her friends, and her favorite Romanian treats. She doesn't speak French and her English is shaky, which makes it hard to make friends, even in her international immersion class. And she's dealing with super painful menstrual cramps every month. But before long, Lia starts to hit her stride. She befriends the other bilingual girls in her class, she gets a spot as the artist for her school's magazine, and even has a new crush -- Julien. Though she may be the new girl, Lia is starting to fit in. This slice of life graphic novel is an adorable choice for middle grade readers and young teens. Lia is a likable protagonist and readers will have little difficulty relating to her adjustment to school. The text speaks to a...
Alice wanted a doll for her birthday. She wouldn't settle for anything less. She had a baby carriage and socks ready for the doll she was sure she was getting. However, her birthday gift didn't look exactly as she had pictured him. Her mom tried convincing Alice that it was a much better gift than a regular doll. Alice wasn't convinced. She took him to the park in the baby carriage (she couldn't figure out where to put the socks) but she kept him hidden from her friends, telling them "he was very fragile, and often got the flu". Can Alice keep the truth about her "doll" a secret? And if he isn't a doll, what is he? Read My First . . . by Eva Montanari to learn the secret of Alice's birthday gift. Not only is this a unique and curious story, but Montanari's quirky, atmospheric illustrations are fantastic.
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