LaoLao's Dumplings
Written by Dane Liu, Illustrated by ShinYeon Moon
Millie loves helping Laolao gather ingredients for their favorite shrimp dumplings, but when her grandmother becomes too tired to cook, can Millie retrace their steps and recreate the healing food.
This beautifully draw book, features lively drawings of vegetables with little feet and the tone is cozy and reassuring. There's even a recipe for Liu Family shrimp dumplings at the end!
Look for an video feature with author Dane Liu recording her book for us -- coming later this fall!
Invisible Son
By Kim Johnson
Andre is a Black teen returning to his rapidly-gentrifying Portland neighborhood after a 60 day stint in juvie. Everyone is treating him differently now, and his supportive grandparents fight to establish normalcy amid his probation requirements. Dre was incarcerated for a crime he didn't commit, and when his best friend goes missing he must trace the threads to what really happened 2 months ago. Set against the backdrop of COVID-19 lockdown and the murder of George Floyd in police custody, this book is a social justice mystery that's gripping and revelatory.
Author Kim Johnson joined us at the Oregon Center for the Book booth at the 2024 National Book Festival and enjoyed signing books and bookmark for fans and new readers.