RRMM May 2023

MAY 2023

READS, MOVIES & MORE! RECOMMENDED

8 YA Retellings of Beloved Classic Novels

PLUS OUR LISTS OF musical tales for teens; adult books by Jewish authors & books for mental health awareness: kids picture books celebrating Mother’s Day & Asian Heritage Month and so much more!

FOR TEENS

Retellings of Beloved Classic Novels

The Code for Love and Heartbreak

by Jillian Cantor

High school senior Emma invents matchmaking app that seems Will her algorithm lead to true cause heartbreak? A thought-provoking retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma.

These Violent Delights

by Chloe Gong

Set in Shanghai, the story portrays the heiress of the Scarlet Gang, the heir of the White Flowers, up to save their city. A suspenseful of Romeo and Juliet.

Sky Without Stars

by Jessica Brody & Joanne Rendell

Set on the planet of Laterre, follows three characters whose intersect in the midst of a political intrigue. Filled with twists and this is a powerful reinterpretation Misérables.

Pride and Premeditation

by Tirzah Price

Lizzie Bennet is determined to barrister in her father’s law firm. on a crime case help her fulfill A Jane Austen murder mystery missed.

and invents a seems fabulous. true love or thought-provoking Emma.

Delights portrays Juliette, Gang, and Roma, Flowers, as they team suspenseful retelling

Sense and Second-degree Murder

by Tirzah Price

The Dashwood sisters are suspicious of the cause of their father’s sudden death and combine their efforts to solve the mystery. Compelling and witty, this novel will keep you turning pages.

Jo & Laurie

by Margaret Stohl & Melissa de la Cruz

Would Jo and Laurie end up together if they were given another chance? This brilliant book offers a fresh take on the classic novel Little Women that will warm your heart.

Ordinary Girls

Rendell

the story whose paths political and turns, reinterpretation of Les

Premeditation

to become a firm. Will taking fulfill her goal? mystery not to be

by Blair Thornburgh

Inspired by Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, the story follows two ordinary sisters who have their own struggles and secrets. A well-crafted novel about complex family relationships and selfdiscovery.

Anna K: a Love Story

by Jenny Lee

Seventeen-year-old Anna K has everything for a perfect life. Her world turns upside down when she meets a notorious young man. An engaging modern retelling of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel Anna Karenina.

FOR TEENS 10

Musical Tales

It Sounds Like This

by Anna Meriano

After a gossipy Instagram account high school marching band suspended, steps up to take charge and chase making first chair.

Kiss & Tell

by Adib Khorram

Canadian boy band star Hunter Drake himself in a publicity nightmare when boyfriend leaks their private texts. this be a chance to embrace his true public eye?

Let Me Hear a Rhyme

by Tiffany D. Jackson

Brooklyn, 1998. Three friends promote of their brilliant late friend Steph, 90s hip-hop scene while trying to murder.

Super Fake Love Song

by David Yoon

When self-proclaimed nerd Sunny mistakes him for a budding rockstar, friends together to create a fake up the impression.

Hopepunk

by Preston Norton

Punk rock is the genre of choice for Hope, who rebels against her conservative family in this exploration of the intersection between music and politics.

account gets the suspended, Yasmín chase her dream of

Azar on Fire

by Olivia Adbtahi

A local Battle of the Bands contest is the perfect route for 14-year-old Azar to pull a band together with her crush and find her voice.

You’d Be Mine

by Erin Hahn

Drake finds when his extexts. But could true self in the

promote the music

Steph, navigating the to solve Steph’s

Sunny Dae’s crush rockstar, he pools his band to keep

for teenage conservative intersection

Inspired by Johnny Cash and June Carter, bad boy superstar Clay Coolidge must convince America’s sweetheart Annie Mathers to join his summer country music tour.

Solo

by Kwame Alexander

Blade, son of a washed-up rockstar, can’t deny the music that lives within him. When family secrets come to light, a trip to Ghana offers Blade a chance to find himself.

Was Born for This

by Alice Oseman

Themes of online friendship, fandom, and celebrity idols are at the centre of this YA novel, which follows pop-rock frontman Jimmy and megafan Angel.

You, Me, and Our Heartstrings

by Melissa See

After a duet by violinist Daisy and cellist Noah goes viral, their romance and Daisy’s disability becomes the focus. Can Daisy and Noah change the narrative, and land their dreams of attending Julliard?

FOR KIDS

Canadian Children’s Books for Asian Heritage Month 9

Double O Stephen and the Ghostly Realm

by Angela Ahn

An otherworldly encounter at the adventure-loving Stephen face-to-face ghost of a pirate who needs help the spirit realm in this funny and Genie Meanie by

Mahtab Narsimhan

Kiara hopes the genie living in the garam-masala her grandmother left her cope with class bully Matt. But other ideas!

Torn Apart

by Susan M. Aihosi

This moving and heartbreaking book story of twelve-year-old Mary Kobayashi, Japanese Canadian girl whose family an internment camp during World

Trip of the Dead

by Angela Misri

After surviving a zombie apocalypse, on a quest to find other raccoons shocking discovery.

Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor

by Xiran Jay Zhao

When Zach’s family is threatened must host the spirit of the First Emperor in order to protect the mortal realm mother’s soul.

the museum brings face-to-face with the crossing over to upbeat fantasy. the bottle of left her can help But the genie has

The Not-So-Uniform Life of Holly-Mei

by Christina Matula

Holly-Mei is looking forward to a fresh start at her new school in Hong Kong, but she runs into trouble when she upsets one of the popular girls in her class. A charming coming-of-age story about friendship and belonging.

Music for Tigers

by Michelle Kadarusman

When her family’s sanctuary for endangered tigers is threatened by a mining operation, Lou must use her musical talent to bring the tigers to safety. A richly detailed book about conservation perfect for nature lovers.

book tells the Kobayashi, a family was sent to World War II. apocalypse, Trip sets out raccoons and makes a

Crossing the Farak River

by Michelle Aung Thin

In this gripping survival story, fourteen-yearold Hasina must flee her Muslim Rohingya community during the Myanmar refugee crisis.

Blood and Iron

by Paul Yee

Told through the eyes of a young boy named Heen, this is the powerful and important story of the sacrifices made by the Chinese immigrants who built the Canadian Pacific Railway and the injustices they faced.

by a demon, he Emperor of China realm and save his

FOR

KIDS 10

Picture Books that Celebrate Moms

All Moms

by Sarah Kate Ellis

This inclusive, feel-good story recognizes of all kinds.

One Day

by Joanna Ho

As a mother holds her infant son, all the roads his life could take grows. A beautiful take on a mother’s for reading at bedtime.

Beautiful You, Beautiful

by Tasha Spillett-Sumner

When Izzy starts to notice the physical between herself and her mother, But as her mother reassures her, together no matter what they story about celebrating differences.

My Moms Love Me

by Anna Membrino

A sweet story about a baby and enjoying a day together. The rhythmic, text makes it perfect to read aloud.

My Love for You Is Always

by Gillian Sze

An inquisitive young boy questions about the meaning of love as she a traditional Chinese meal. An comforting look at love in all its

recognizes families

The Best Mother

by Cynthia Surrisi

Maxine doesn’t like her mother’s rules, so she sets out to look for a new mother. But she soon discovers the best mother is the one she already has. A humorous and heartfelt book about mothers and daughters.

To My Panik

by Nadia Sammurtok

son, she imagines as he changes and mother’s love perfect

Beautiful Me

physical differences mother, she is confused. her, they belong look like. A gentle differences.

and their two moms rhythmic, rhyming aloud.

Always questions his mother she prepares affectionate, its forms.

In this heartwarming book, a mother lists the things she loves about her daughter, connecting each attribute to their Inuit way of life and the Arctic landscape that is their home.

My New Mom and Me

by Renata Galindo

A touching tale about a mom and her adopted child learning to be a family. Along the way, the adopted puppy learns that while mother and child may not look alike, their love for one another is what matters.

You Made Me a Mother

by Laurenne Sala

A humorous yet sentimental look at a mother’s unconditional love for her child.

Mommy’s Khimar

by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

This delightful, brightly illustrated picture book shows a young girl who loves wearing her mother’s head scarves because they let her feel close to her mother and imagine different versions of herself.

FOR ADULTS

Captivating Books by Jewish Authors 10

May is Jewish Heritage

The Golem and the Jinni

by Helene Wecker

This immersive historical fiction

City immigrant community follows who forms an unexpected connection named Ahmad.

Lake Success

by Gary Shteyngart

With his marriage failing and the him, hedge fund manager Barry seek out a simpler life in this sharp the wealth gap.

Motherhood

by Sheila Heti

Toronto author Heti’s highly interior, provoking novel ruminates on the of motherhood and the pressure expectations in a woman’s life.

The Netanyahus

by Joshua Cohen

This Pulitzer Prize winning, genre-bending explores the culture clash between American family of academics and Israeli family they’ve agreed to host.

So Sad Today

by Melissa Broder

This collection of essays from poet of a popular Twitter account) encompasses unabashedly modern anxieties roots of her sadness.

Month! Explore the vast Jewish experience through the work of these authors, from historical fiction to contemporary essays.

Spinning Silver

by Naomi Novik

fiction set in a New York follows Chava, a golem connection with a jinni

the SEC investigating

Barry Cohen takes off to sharp comedy about

interior, thoughtthe nature pressure of societal

genre-bending novel between a Jewishand the exiled host.

poet Broder (author encompasses her as she explores the

Blending Jewish, Russian, and Germanic folklore, Spinning Silver follows Miryem, the daughter of moneylenders, who gains a reputation for turning silver into gold.

The Matzah Ball

by Jean Meltzer

Tasked with writing a Hanukkah-themed romance, Christmas-obsessed Rachel finds inspiration at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music festival hosted by her rival (and first love) Jacob Greenburg.

The Innocents

by Francesca Segal

Adam must choose between his steadfast fiancée Rachel and her exciting, beautiful cousin Ellie in this clever reimagining of Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence.

Disobedience

by Naomi Alderman

When her rabbi father dies, Ronit returns to London and must contend with her estranged Orthodox Jewish community, including Esti, her former lover.

The Man Who Sold Air in the Holy Land

by Omer Friedlander

This collection features short stories set in Israel and the Middle East and explores relevant themes with empathy and humanity.

FOR ADULTS 9

Empowering Books for Mental Health Awareness

8 Keys to Mental Health Through Exercise

by Christina G. Hibbert

Physical activity has the power and improve mental well-being. resource will motivate you to make of your daily routine.

Cleaning Up Your Mental by Caroline

Leaf

Mind-management is an essential to cultivate. In this impactful guide, shares 5 effective steps to fight and decrease anxiety.

Start Here

by Pier Bryden and Peter Szatmari

This comprehensive resource provides and tools to help address mental that young people may face. A parents and caregivers.

Breathe

by Belisa Vranich

How we breathe has a great impact physical and mental health. In this book, Dr. Vranich introduces a simple program to help master the art

Emotionfull

by Lauren Woods

In this approachable book, the practical advice on how to recognize needs and develop a better understanding our emotions. A much-needed wellness.

Thoughtful and welcoming, these books provide expert guidance on how to maintain and improve mental health.

Health to reduce stress well-being. This engaging make exercise part

Mental Mess

essential skill we need guide, the author fight toxic thoughts

The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-care

by Anna Borges

Practicing self-care helps manage stress, anxiety, and enhance energy levels. This indispensable handbook provides insights into different aspects of self-care and shows how to make it a priority.

Eat, Move, Think

by Shaun Francis

Do you want to live a more fulfilling life? This evidence-based resource explains how our wellness is affected by the way we eat, move, and think.

The Brain Fog Fix

Szatmari provides useful tips mental health concerns must-read for impact on both this accessible simple 14-day art of breathing.

by Mike Dow

Our lifestyle choices can disrupt the balance of brain chemicals and cause health problems. Packed with wisdom and eye-opening facts, this guide shows how to prevent and reverse brain fog.

Together

by Vivek Hallegere Murthy

Loneliness is the root of a number of physical and mental health issues. Thought-provoking and enlightening, this book shows how to build meaningful connections and lead a happier life.

author offers recognize our inner understanding of guide for mental

RECOMMENDED

READS, MOVIES AND MORE!

is published monthly by the Marketing & Communications Department in collaboration with the Public Service Team of Vaughan Public Libraries.

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