January 2026 Selections

Hope in a Jar 
by Deborah Marcero

Llewellyn the bunny and his friends dream of learning to ice skate, going to the moon, or becoming a ballet dancer. The bunnies place their dreams in jars. But when a storm destroys their jars, Llewellyn and his friends wonder: What's the point of dreaming?

A Thousand No’s
by DJ Corchin, illustrated by Dan Dougherty

Hattie is a determined soccer player who refuses to give up after being cut from her team. Facing rejection, self-doubt, and family challenges, she learns resilience, confidence, and the power of persistence. The novel shows how setbacks can lead to growth—and that one “yes” can matter more than a thousand “no’s.”

The Magical Yet
by Angela DiTerlizzi

Through gentle, encouraging language, readers see how “yet” turns frustration into possibility, helping children understand that learning takes patience, practice, and belief in themselves. This book inspires growth and confidence when facing challenges.

I Believe I Can
by Grace Byers

Celebrate every child’s limitless potential! This is an affirmation for boys and girls of every background to love and believe in themselves. Readers receive a powerful message: My presence matters in this world, and I know I can do anything if I believe I can.

The First State of Being
by Erin Entrada Kelly

Michael is an anxious boy spending the summer of 1999 at his family’s convenience store, where he befriends Gibby, a mysterious boy with a rare condition. As fears about the future loom, their friendship explores courage, empathy, and what it means to live in the present.

Across So Many Seas 
By Ruth Behar

Four generations of a Sephardic Jewish family journey from Spain to Turkey, Cuba, and eventually the United States. Through parallel stories of young girls across time, the novel explores migration, identity, resilience, and the power of family, memory, and belonging.

Weird Sad and Silent
by Alison McGhee

Amber is a quiet middle schooler who feels invisible and lonely. As she struggles with friendship, bullying, and self-worth, Amber realizes that being different doesn’t mean being alone—and that small acts of courage can lead to connection.

Lupe Wong Won’t Dance
by Donna Barba Higuera

Lupe is a determined and competitive fifth grader who hates dancing but is forced to face it when her school requires ballroom dance. Lupe navigates friendship, identity, and culture while learning that winning isn’t everything and courage means trying something new.

Twenty-four Seconds from Now
by Jason Reynolds

Follow a teenage boy counting down the moments before an intimate, life-changing decision. As expectations and emotions collide, the story explores consent, vulnerability, and growing up, and how a single moment can hold the weight of becoming someone new.

American Born Chinese 
by Gene Luen Yang

Three interconnected stories explore belonging and self-acceptance. Through Jin Wang’s struggle to fit in, the legend of the Monkey King, and a twist involving stereotypes, explore racism, cultural identity, and the challenge of embracing who you are.

La última cuentista
by Donna Barba Higuera

Tras la destrucción de la Tierra, Petra viaja a un nuevo planeta. Al despertar siglos después, descubre que un siniestro Colectivo ha borrado los recuerdos de todos los tripulantes. Siendo la única que recuerda el pasado, Petra debe usar el poder de los cuentos de su abuela para recuperar la identidad de la humanidad y encender la esperanza en su nuevo hogar.