| Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)? Adventures in Boyhood
by Jay Ellis
Insecure actor Jay Ellis' funny and reflective debut chronicles his coming of age alongside his adventurous imaginary friend, Mikey, who helped boost his confidence and creativity while also getting him into a fair bit of trouble. Try this next: All My Friends Are Invisible by Jonathan Joly. |
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| That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America
by Amanda Jones
In her inspiring and incisive blend of memoir and manifesto, Louisiana middle school librarian Amanda Jones details her fight against censorship at her local public library, which led to death threats and social media smear campaigns. Further reading: Burning the Books: A History of the Deliberate Destruction of Knowledge by Richard Ovenden; On Censorship: A Public Librarian Examines Cancel Culture in the US by James LaRue. |
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| Alexander at the End of the World: The Forgotten Final Years of Alexander the Great
by Rachel Kousser
This compelling latest from classics professor Rachel Kousser (The Afterlives of Greek Sculpture) offers fresh insights on the life and legacy of Alexander III of Macedon by focusing on his final seven years, arguing that this period was what cemented his status as "Alexander the Great." Further reading: Alexander the Great: His Life and His Mysterious Death by Anthony Everitt. |
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| A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit: The Vision of Mary McLeod Bethune
by Noliwe Rooks
Historian Noliwe Rooks thoughtfully chronicles the trailblazing career of educator and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955), who worked tirelessly to obtain voting rights, economic independence, and educational opportunities for Black Americans. For fans of: Madam C.J. Walker: The Making of an American Icon by Erica L. Ball. |
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| Docile: Memoirs of a Not-So-Perfect Asian Girl
by Hyeseung Song
Hyeseung Song's moving memoir reveals her fraught coming of age as the child of ambitious and abusive Korean immigrant parents, detailing her struggles with identity, expression, and self-worth. For fans of: Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong. |
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Focus on: Hispanic Heritage Month
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| Illegally Yours
by Rafael Agustin
Born in Ecuador, TV writer Rafael Agustin (Jane the Virgin) immigrated to the United States at age seven; he did not learn he was undocumented until he was a teenager. Augustin's witty and heartfelt debut offers "an enthusiastic and motivational self-portrait" (Kirkus Reviews). For fans of: In the Country We Love: My Family Divided by Diane Guerrero. |
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| First Gen
by Alejandra Campoverdi
Trailblazing women's health advocate and former Obama White House aide Alejandra Campoverdi's unflinching memoir discusses her life as a first-generation Mexican American woman who found success amid poverty, fractured family dynamics, and limited education opportunities. Try this next: Hood Wellness: Tales of Communal Care from People Who Drowned on Dry Land by Tamela J. Gordon. |
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| Liliana's Invincible Summer: A Sister's Search for Justice
by Cristina Rivera Garza
In her lyrical Pulitzer Prize-winning blend of memoir and true crime, author Cristina Rivera Garza grapples with the 1990 murder of her younger sister by an ex-boyfriend in Azcapotzalco, Mexico. Try this next: Fear Is Just a Word: A Missing Daughter, a Violent Cartel, and a Mother's Quest for Vengeance by Azam Ahmed. |
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| Children of the Land
by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo
Poet Marcelo Hernandez Castillo's debut memoir details the author's difficult coming of age as an undocumented immigrant, which was compounded by frequent ICE raids, his father's deportation back to Mexico, and the rigidity of the United States immigration system. Try this next: Solito by Javier Zamora. |
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| Chita
by Chita Rivera with Patrick Pacheco
Broadway icon and three-time Tony Award winner Chita Rivera's lively and intimate memoir chronicles her seven-decade career on the stage, featuring her reflections on originating roles in West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, and Chicago. For fans of: Rita Moreno by Rita Moreno. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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