BRIEFLY NOTED

My Fourth Time, We Drowned, by Sally Hayden. In 2018, Hayden, an Irish journalist, received a Facebook message from a man kept in a refugee (难民) camp, which afforded her a window into the horrors faced by African refugees. Through interviews with people involved, Hayden learns they are abused and sold as goods without mercy and how Western institutions like the European Union turn a blind eye.

Dream-Child, by Eric G. Wilson. This exciting representation of Charles Lamb is the first full-length biography (传记) of the Romantic-era essayist and poet since 1905. Perhaps best remembered as the co-author, with his sister, Mary, of Tales from Shakespeare, Lamb cared for his sister, who was in poor health. While faced with depression, Lamb was identified as a pioneer and his essays exhibited a look at modern city life.

Run and Hide, by Pankaj Mishra. Mishra’s novel follows three college classmates desperate to escape their lower-middle-class situation, casting a critical eye on self-made men. While two of them struggle with the heights they have reached, the narrator avoids becoming trapped in similar situations by returning to a mountain village to work as a translator. Written clearly, the novel gives the readers an insight into the ideas of freedom.

The White Girl, by Tony Birch. This novel, set in a remote Australian town in the nineteen-sixties, centers on an Indigenous (土著的) woman, Odette, and her granddaughter. As Odette attempts to protect her granddaughter, she finds inequality in society. Birch illustrates how Australia’s policies treated the Indigenous people unfairly.

These novels focus on the excitement and drama of returning to class.

The First Rule of Punk

By Celia C. Pérez

(Puffin Books)

On the first day at her new middle school, Malú upsets a popular classmate and violates the dress code with her punk style. Her dad reminds her of the first rule of punk: Be yourself. Will keeping his advice in mind help Malú have a better rest of the school year? Ages 10 and up.

It’s the First Day of School...Forever!

By R. L. Stine

(Square Fish)

This classic book from the author of the Goosebumps series is filled with suspense and humor. Every day, Artie wakes up and the same thing happens — he bumps his head and gets ready for the first day of fifth grade. A twist ending helps explain why nothing changes from day to day. Ages 8–12.

New Kid

By Jerry Craft

(Quill Tree Books)

On the first day at a fancy prep school, Jordan realizes he’s one of only a handful of Black students. He doesn’t feel like he fits in with his classmates or his old friends in the neighborhood. Will he continue to feel stuck between the two worlds? This book is the only picture novel to win the famous Newbery Medal. Ages 8–12.

Save Me a Seat

By Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan

(Scholastic)

If you’re a fan of Fish in a Tree, you may enjoy this novel about two fifth graders. Ravi recently moved from India to New Jersey and feels like an outsider. Joe gets looked down upon because he needs extra help at school. As time passes, they realize they may share a lot in common. Ages 8–12.

Here are some of the favorite books that people might feel like in their spare time.

When Isabella Swan moves to Forks to live with her father, she expects that her new life will be as dull as the town. But actually she finds her new classmates are drawn to this pale, dark-haired new girl in town.

Hetty feather is just a tiny fiery-haired baby when her mother leaves her on the steps of the Foundling Hospital. The hospital cares for abandoned children — but Hetty must live with a foster family (寄养家庭) until she is big enough to go school.

Annabelle Worthington lives a privileged life, but everything changes on a cold April day in 1912, when the sinking of the Titanic happens. Finding strength within her grief, Annabelle throws herself into volunteer work, nursing the poor.

Over eighty years since Winnie-the-pooh first delighted readers, David Benedictus takes us back to the Hundred Acre Wood for more adventures. Return to the Hundred Acre Wood allows readers to spend a few more treasured hours with the Best Bear in all the world.